The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-02-28
GERMAN-RUSSIA SUBJECTS
A PROBLEM TO RUSSIA

Petrograd, February 27. (Correspon-
dence of the Associated Press )-The
ton from Russia, still hangs fire. Re
concentrations made before the i'm
perial council and several commits
sions and sub-commissions appointed
by the government have included the
government purchases of all landed
property owned by Russian citizens of
German nationality and the expulsion
of these subjects from Russia. But ow-
ing to the difficulty of replacing the
Germans, who occupy an important
position in Russia's industrial scheme,
the German problem still lies before
the commissions, with little probabii-
ty 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, 50 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-
tions now occupied by Germans. This
German population does not exceed
three per cent of the entire population,
but ii occupies a conspicuous place
in the administrative activity of Rus.
sia, both of a private and a govern
mental nature. The majority of bank
and insurance company directors,
property owners and managers, are
Germans; the same is true of univer-
sity professors, lawyers, doctors, chief
foresters exporters, importers, civil
engineers, 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 indis.
pensabe in a country not yet trained
to develop its own resources to their
highest efficiency. The problem,
therefore, which Russia has faced
since the beginning of the war is "A
complicated one, for which no prac-
tical solution has yet been suggested.
Works that prepared ammunition for
war, railroads and steamship lines for
the transportation of troops and muni-
tions. were directed by Germans. And
most of the land fringing the Rus
sian boundaries in Europe. was owned
by the Germans.
Even if the Russians could immedi-
ately train themselves for the work
hitherto left to the Germans, a 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 stocks. Even if the money
were forthcoming, it is not clear to
any one, just what would be done with
the property when bought. Russians
| themselves would consider that the
depreciation in land value and the de-
creased productivity during the period
of transfer would be a calamity.
The various tangles into which the
question unravels seems effectivelS
to obstruct any positive action. Mean
| while some Germans are being sent
| out of Russia and are temporarily
| replaced by competent persons of 9th
| ar nationality. Some, in view of the
| indispensability of their services,
have received special permission to re-
main at their posts. Those who have
| been expelled, are concentrated in
! camps in Siberia and in the Ural dis
! tricts, 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