Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1915-03-04
(By Associated Press.)

(By Associated Press.)
PETROGRAD, March 4.-The pro-
posal to GUST the German population
from Russia still hangs fire. Recon-
mendations made before the Imperial
Council and several commissions and
sub-commissions appointed by the
government have included the gov
eminent purchases of all landed
property owned by Russian citizens If
German nationality and the expulsion
of these subjects from Russia. But
owing to the difficulty of replacing
the Germans, who occupy an import
ant 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 priv
ileges which have favored German in
dustry 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 Nationalist
party favor the immediate expulsion
of Germans at all costs.
AS a practical measure the whole
question hinges upon the availability
of other candidates to fill the posi-
lions now occupied by Germans The
German population does not exceed
three per cent. of the entire popula-
ton, but it occupies a conspicuous
place in the administrative activity
of Russia, both of a private and a
governmental 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 cad
foremen in factories Before the he
ginning of the war, Russia viewed
this condition of things with compla-
Gently realizing that German motive
power was indispensable in a coun-
try not yet trained to develop its
own resources to their highest eff
cheney The problem therefore,
which Russia faced since he be-
ginning of the war is a complicated
one, for which no practical solution
has yet been suggested. Works that
prepared ammunition for war, rail-
roads and steamship lines for the
transportation Of troops and NUM-
tons, were directed by Germans.
And most of the land fringing the Rus
sian boundaries in Europe was owned
By Germans.
Even if the Russians could imme-
diately train themselves for the
work hitherto left to the Germans,
further obstacle arises in settling the !
German-Russian subjects. The Rus
sian treasury has no cash ready to
pay Germans for their property or for /,
their stocks. Even if the money were
Forthcoming, it is not clear to any ona !
Just now what would be done with the I
properly when bought Russians
themselves consider that the deprecia-
ton in land value and the decreased
productivity during the period OF
transfer would be a 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 the competent persons of
other nationality. Some, in view of
the indispensability of their services,
hav received special permission to
nVy