Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29
RUSS0-G RELATIONS.

no right to guarantee their political situa-
ton in Europe?
Russia does not permit news of her
military increase TO be sent over the
border. and correspondent apparently
from Berlin. feels constrained to con-
fess lack Of copy on this head. He tele-
graphs: Although the news regarding
the army increase in Russia is guarded
with the closest secrecy. enough has
leaked out to give us here in Germany
an idea OF the progress of the scheme.
The peace strength of the army in Rus
STA this summer will he LOTT OnO. in 1915
there will be 1900 more in 1916 another
1900
And the German correspondent from
Berlin adds:
corps will he organized. most of which
are intended for Europe. and additions
will also be made TO the force in the Cau-
casus. Two of these new formations.
which undoubtedly will be centered at
Wilma and at Kief. will directly face the
German frontier. The third formation -
intended to be centered at Odessa. where
it will face the Gafician frontier of Aus
tria."
In naval matters Russia may not 81
easily conceal her increase from the
enemy. Thus Russia is causing Germany
a feeling of almost panicky disquiet over
the defense she is setting up on the coasts
of the Gulf OF Finland and the construo-
tiOn OF a powerful war Meet
= x
For example. Russia is constructing
four ironclads of 5000 tons for the Bal
tic, the Sebastopol.
Russia Building Petropavlof Poltava
w..l: and Gangout. These
ironclads will meas
ure with the German dreadnoughts of tbs
latest type and will he launched during
the summer. when they were promised
for 1915 which shows that Russia is max
ing haste.
Four other superdreadnoughts of IS. nno
tons are in course of construction and
will be finished In 1917. Six cruisers ar.
on the ways. without counting torpedo
boats and submarines. whose number is
increasing. In 1915 Russia can place in
line SQUADRON of twelve ships of the
line. sixteen cruisers and an hundred
coutre torpedo boats and submarines
1t is this fact, disconcerting for the Ger
man, who had his eyes fixed on the Ger
man army. that gives some reason for the
disquiet in Berlin
st. Petersburg. the Russian officer will
tell you. is the only European capital
whose soil has not been trodden by an
enemy. Russians are proud of this and
the sentiment urges them TO perpetuate
the fact. Now without powerful fleet
in the Baltic St Petersburg is at the
mercy of a coup de main. for once tho
fortress of Cronstadt dismantled or re-
duced to silence nothing could prevent
German dreadnoughts from turning their
guns on the Winter Palace and thus de-
liver a mortal blow to the heart of the
empire of the cZars. The assailant be-
sides could effect a landing and operate a
movement against the capital
1t was decided the Gulf of Finland
should be transformed into an interior
lake. formidably fortified and provided
with a fleet worthy of the best in Europe.
The project was ''grandiose. and the
following propositions were submitted
and accepted:
First. Construction of two important
fortresses commanding the entrance 10
the gulf and capable of serving as the
basis of naval operations one at the
island OF Nargo, in front of Reval: the
other at Sweaborg, near Helsingfors.
Second. The island at the mouth of the
gulf. important as strategic, to be for
titled.
Third. The abandonment of the forti-
fications commenced near Liban and the
reinforcement of Cronstadt.
Fourth. The creation of a military
port at Reval. designated as principal
point of the new fleet
Fifth. The creation of new shipyards
dl 81. feterSDurS, fSeVdI ana 1elSlnR1or
Sixth. The construction of powerful
fleet, consisting of dreadnoughts. armored
cruisers. light cruisers. torpedo boats and
submarines.
All these propositions were promptly ac-
cepted. Work commenced and is be-
ing pushed with celebrity. To the stupe-
faction of those who accuse Russia OF
Inconsistency the work has been executed
with eXactitude and remarkable perse-
verance. Germany no doubt feels that
the measures of naval defense as well
military have been rendered urgently
necessary by Germany's aggressive atti-
tude.
The Taeglische Rundschau writes that
the Germanophobist of Russia employs
every means to preciptate a war with
Germany. 1t would have been very grave
If NJ. SaZonof should be replaced by
Slavophile diplomat. 1t is asserted that
the party of grand dukes, supported Ivy
the camarilla, orthodox and panslavist.
support the candidacy of NJ Hartwic.
minister of Russia, at Belgrade. Should
NJ. Hartwis become min ster of foreign
affairs war against Germany ard Austria
would be only a question Of time.
The Taeglische adds that the reveal
tons of the Koelnische Zeitung on Rus