THE COSSACKS IN EAST PRUSSIA.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13635, 25 November 1914, Page 8

THE COSSACKS IN EAST PRUSSIA.

The Berlin newspaper "Der Tag" publishes an article, written by Herr Yon Schachs, Mayor of Insterburg, a Prussian town that was occupied by the Russian troops, on the- behaviour of the Cossacks who invaded the territory of East Prussia. The writer says: —"These curious people do not all reiriind one of those cruel Mongols, which the Cossacks were represented to be in Germany, except perhaps their characteristic wild, shouting which with them takes the place of isnging. They all dress very neatly, look unusually cheerful* and much more handsome than the Russian labourers whom we have been accustomed to see among us. Two officers, one of whom spoke French fluently, required some fodder for horses, and the evacuation -of an estatel for the installation of a strong cavalry force which, followed them, but they formulated thair demand with :i civility and 'a consideration which, under the circumstances, amazed me, and in order to avoid any misunderstandings or misrepresentations as to the conduct of the occupying Russian soldiers I categorically declare that the Cossacks behaved themselves throughout the whole course of my personal observation in an exemplary and irreprecnsible manner toward the civil population, totally ignoring the offensive doings of some provocative and uncontrollable youths. Neither do I know of a single instance of lack of respect on the part of Russian soldiers for the German multitudes oi any -sign of brutality toward Gorman women. In conclusion, I desire to repeat most emphatically that thorough out the region of iriy jurisdiction the Cossacks have not committed a single act of violence against the peaceful inhabitants of the territory invaded by them."