Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-02-25
PLANS BEING DISCUSSED FOR
FORCING ALIENS TO LEAVE
COUNTRY.
MANY HOLD OFFICES
DIFFICULT TO FILL
Also Have Property Rights and Occupy
Important Positions in Commercial
Field and Problem Presents Many
DifficuIties-Many Germans Already
Sent Out Of Country.

Correspondence Of Associated Press1
Petrograd. Feb. 25.-The proposal to
GUST the German population from Rus
STA still hangs fire. Recommendations
made before the imperial council and
several commissions and sub-commis-
sions appointed by the government
have included the government pur-
chases of all landed property owned by
Russian citizens Of German nationality
and the expulsion Of these subjects
from Russia. But owing to the diff
Guilty of replacing the Germans, who
occupy an important position in Rus
sias industrial scheme, the German
problem still lies before the commits
sions with little probability of immedi-
ate solution.
The literally inclined members be-
lieveF that while the Germans should
not continue to enjoy the special pri-
vileges which have favored German
industry in Russia in the past, they
should not, on the other hand, be thus
summarily deprived Of their rights in
citizens. The PAN Slavists and the ex-
IRENE members Of the nationalist party
favor the immediate expulsion of Ger
mans at all costs.
Some Hold Offices.
AS a practical measure, the whole
question hinges upon the availability of
other candidates to fill the positions
now occupied by Germans. This Ger
man population does not exceed per
cent of the entire population, but it
occupies conspicuous place in the
administrative activity of Russia, both
of a private and q governmental ma
ture. The majority of bank and in
surance company directors, property
owners and managers, are Germans;
the same is true of university pro-
fessors, lawyers. doctors, chief for
esters, exporters, importers, civil en-
gineers, printers and foremen in fac
tories. Before the beginning Of the
war, Russia viewed this condition Of
things with complacency, realizing that
German motive power was indispens-
able in a country not yet trained to
develop it's own resources to their
highest efficiency. The problem there
fore, which Russia has faced since the
beginning of the war is complicated
one. for which no practical solution has
y yeAs5een suggested. Works that pre-
. and steamship lines for the transpor-
tation Of troops and munitions, were
directed by Germans. And most Of the
land fringing the Russian boundaries
in Europe was owned by the Germans.
Another Obstacle.
Even # the Russians could immedi-
ately train themselves for the work
hitherto left to the Germans. a fur
Their obstacle arises in settling with
the German Russian subjects. The Rus
sian treasury has not cash ready to
pay Germans for their property or for
their stocks. Even II the money were
forthcoming. 1t is not clear to any one,
just what would be done with the prop
erty when bought. Russians them
selves would consider that the depre-
citation in land value and the decreased
productivity during the period of trans
fer would be calamity.
The various tangles into which the
question unravels seems effectively to
obstruct any positive action. Mean
while some Germans are being sent out
Of Russia, and are temporarily replaced
by competent persons Of other nation
ality. Some, in view of the indispens-
ability OF their services, have received
special permission to remain at their
posts. Those who have been expelled
are concentrated In camps in Siberia
and in the Ural districts, awaiting the
outcome Of the war and the fate which
shall decide whether they are to be
allowed to go to their homes in Russia
or the homes Of their forefathers in
Germany.