, 1915-02-27

emphasis that he could not conceive such
IA contingency, and, added the Premier, | am
in complete agreement with him and see no
reason to. differ from the views he expressed.
Sir Edward Grey, in answer to a question
by Mr.. Joweti, Labour Member for Bradford,
whether England knew and approved Of the
statement by NJ. Sazonoff. the Russian Min
lister for Foreign Affairs in the Duma, that
Russia intended permanently to occupy Con-
stantinople, said he was hot aware that NJ.
Sazonof made any such statement. The
statement be saw was thpt NJ. Sazonoff
said that events on the Russo-Turkish
frontier would bring Russia nearer the
realization of the political ecouomlc pro
blem which was bound uF with ner ac-
cess to the sea. With these aspirations
England, he declared, was III sympathy but
what form their realization would take no
doubt would be settled in The terms Of peace.
Sir Edward Grey thus formally abandoned
the foreign policy maintained for a cen
fury, probably the most momentOus event
since England picked up the German
gage of battle in August. 1t signifies that,
as the result of the war, the Dardanellss
will be declared open for Russian commerce.,
and that the dominion Of the Turk over
Constantinople, so long upheld by England,
will end.
The Duke of Portland has cancelled all his
entries for the EPSON course, including
those for the Derby, both for this year and
next. In the club house building now used
as a military hospital the Epson Association
will shortly hold its regular meeting, the
Association having permitted the occupation
of the building as a hospital with q stipula-
ton for its return for the coming confer
ences. In a letter of protest to the club com
mitteo the Duke wrote "surely for one year
the few followers of racing should be only
too glad to forego their luncheons if, by SO
doing, it becomes necessary to disturb
British soldiers wounded for the sake of
their country The committee yielded parti-
ally and said they would require only one
floor during race week, out this did not
satisfy the Duke ond caused the withdrawal
of all his entries.
The grand-stand most recently erected on
the Ascot course was converted into u hOspl-
tai and il would bes impossible to yacate it
by June. A proposal is being considered
to transfer the fixture to the Newbury course
aud the decision is awaited with interest.
Official dispatches from Petrograd state:
'"The official announcements made III Ber-
lin, that the Tenth Russian Army SUI
cred q severe reverse in its retreat to
the rivers Niemen and Bobr, were alb
~solutely incorrect, and the German declara-
ton that this Army was completely annihi-
lated is cafegorically denied. The component
parts Of our Corp the twentieth and anoth-
er, finding themselves in a dangerous situa-
ton as we have already announced withdrew
from their positions al WirbaIlen, in Russian
Poland, with heavy losses. Regarding our
other Corps, these troops after having foiled
the attempt of the enemy to surround
them, are holding to-day the positions alot-
ted them and for several days past have
been engaging the enemy along this Gu
tire front, where our armies are fulfill
ing successfully the duties assigned them.
During the past few days ia the Angus
towo forest two regiments Of tie Twen-
ty-ninth division, which had been susrouad-
ed during the retreat. broke thronoh the