The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-25
RUSSIA DEBATES
 PROPOSITION TO DEPORT GERMANS
Imperial Council Divided as to Action Regarding For
 eign Residents of Nation

Petrograd, Feb. 7263The proposal to oust 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 ernment purchases of all landed prop erty owned by Russian citizens of German nationality and the expul- sion of these subjects from Russia But owing to the difficulty of replac- ing the Germans, who occupy an inn portant position in Russia's industrial scheme, the German problem still lies before the commissions with Ht- tie probaibiI1ty of inmedtate soiu- ton.
 The lTbsrally- y-fnclined members be- lieve that while the Germans should not continue to enjoy the special privileges which have favored Ger man industry in Russia in the past, they should not, on the other hsnds be thus suInmarfly deprived of their rights in Russia, so long as they are Russian citizens. The Pan-Slav1sts and the extreme members of the Ma tfona1ist party favor the immediate expulsion Of Germans at all costs.
 As praetical measure, the whole question hinges upon the availabil- ity of other candidates to fill the po- sitions now occupied by Germans. This German population does not ex- ceed three per cent. of the entire population, but it occupies a con- spfcuous place in the administrative activity Of Russia. both of a, private and a governm entaI nature. The majority of bank and insurance com pany directors, property owners and managers, are Germans; the same is true of University professors, law yers. doctors chief foresters. export CTS, importers, civil engineers, print CTS and foremen in factories Be- fore the beginning of the war, Russia viewed this condition of things with conplacency, realizing that German motive power was indispensable in a country not yet trained to develop it's own resources to their highest ef- hciency The problem. therefore, which Russia has faced since the be- ginning of tae war is a complicated one. for which no practical solution has yet been suggested. Works that prepared ammunition for war; railroads and steamship lines for the. transp ortation Of troopse and muni itions, were directed by Germans. And most of the land ringing the Rus sian Boundaries In Europe was own ed by the Germans.
 Even if the Russians could inn mediate1y train themselves for the work hitherto left to the Germans, a further obstacle arises in settling with the Gernan- Russian subjects The Russian treasury has no cash ready to pay Germans for their prop erty or for their stocks Even If the money were forthconing. 1t is not clear to any one just what would be done with the property when bought Isussians themselves con sfder that the depreciation in land value and the decreased productivity during the period of transfer would be a calamity.
 The various tangIes into which the question unravels seems effectively to obstT1ct any positive action. Mean while some Germans are being sent out of Russia. and are temp orar1ly re- placed by competent persons of other nationalfty. Some, in view of che indispensa:b4lfty Of their services, have received special permission to remain at their posts. Those who have been expelled a.re concentrated In eafnus in Siberia. and in the UraI 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 forefatheru in Ger many.