New Britain herald., 1915-02-25
ALL GERMANS MAY BE
 0USTED FROM RUSSIA
Proposal Still Hangs Fire At
 PctrCQTad.

Petrograd, February 2J The pro- posal to oust the German population from Russia still hangs fire. Recom- mendations made before the Imperial Council and several commissions and sub- appointed by the government have included the govern ment purchases of all landed pro- perty owned by Russian citizens of German nationality and the expulsion of these subjects from Russia. But owing to the difficulty of replacing the Germans, who occupy an impor-
 tant position in Russia's industrial
 scheme, the German problem still lies before the commissions with little
 probability of immediate solution.
 The liberally-inclined members be- lieve 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 Russia, so long as they are Russian citizens. The Pan-SlaviSts and the extreme members of the Ma tionalist party favor the immediate expulsion of Germans at all costs.
 Occupies Conspicious Place.
 As a practical measure the whole question hinges upon the availability of other candidates to fill the posi- tions now occupied by Germans. This German population does nHt exceed three per cent. of the entire popula- ton, but it occupies conspicious place in the administrative activity of II ernmental nature. The majority of bank and insurance company direc- tors, property owners and managers, are Germans; the same Is true of university professors, lawyers, doc- tors, chief foresters, exporters, i'm porters civil engineers, printers and foremen in factories. Before he l beginning of the war, Russia viewed 1 this condition of things with con- placency, realizing that German mo- tive power was Indispensable in a | country not yet trained to develope l it's own resources to their highest eff l ciency. The problem therefore which Russia has faced since the beginning of the war is a complicated one, for which no practical solution has yet been suggested. Works that pre- pared ammunition for war. railroads and steamship lines for the transpor- tation of troops and munitions were by Germans, md most of the land fringing the Russian boundaries in Europe was owned by the Germans
 Further Obstacle Arises.
 Even if the Russians could immedi- ately train themselves for the work left to the Germans, fur ther obstacle arises in settling with the German-Russian subjects. The Russian treasury has no cash ready to pay Germans for their property or for their stoksc. Even if the money were forthcoming it is not clear to any one just what would 1 be done with the property when bought. Russians themselves would consider that the depreciation in land value and the decreased productivity during the period of transfer would l De a calamity.
 The various tangles into the ques- ton unravels seems effectively to Dbstruct any positive action. Mean while some Germans are being sent put of Russia and are temporarily | 'eplaced by competent persons or other nationality. So ne n view of he indispensability of their services, lave received special permission to re- nain at their posts. Those who have 'een expelled are concentrated in amps in Siberia and in the Ural dis rlcts awaiting the outcome of the vas and the fate which shall decide whether they are t. be allowed to 70 to their homes ir Russia or the lomes of their foresathers in Ger many.