BULGARS IN RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1916, Page 3

BULGARS IN RUSSIA.

NO QUARTER, FOR TRAITORS TO SLAV CAUSE. In the recent fighting round Baranoviecs (in the centre of the line), where in spite of reinforcements the Germans | and Austrians were and where both sides have now resumed tlje positions occupied during the winter, some Bulgarians recently brought to this front have been taking part (wrote Mr. Hamilton Fyfc, from Petrograd on July 17). Hitherto the Germans have used their Balkan dupes only against the Russians in the character of spies. It was expected that Bulgarians speaking the same language and disguised in Russian uniforms would be most useful. That hope has been disappointed. The Bulgarian language, although written the same as Russian, is pronounced differently and the spies have in very few cases succeeded 'in slipping away from the Russian lines. Their speech has betrayed them and they have promptly been shot. This further treachery, added fo the renunciation by the Bulgarians of their Slav birthright and their friendship for Russia, has infuriated the Russian troops. A few days ago a party of 150 Bulgarians caught in an awkward place were most anxious to surrender. They held up their hands and tied white handkerchiefs on their rifles, and shouted to the Russians that they wished to be taken prisoners. But the Russians had no mercy for traitors to the Slav cause, and the Bulgarians were forced to continue fighting. Almost all of them perished. A captain of the Bulgarian army, rft eently captured, said that any officer who was known to regret the break with [Russia was sent to a post of danger, and if possible got rid of. Many have been attached to the German army and sent to the forefront of th r battle at Verdun"