The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-12-29

many instances to dig trenches, build
bridges, pontoons, ETC.; and, in a gen.
eral way, they have soIidined the rus
sian empire by having the people
work with the soldiers for the common
cause
This work was begun early in the
war. In 1916 it made such Roadway
chat no one can dispute its magnitude
today nor its probable influence on
the Russia of the future.
Similar to the Aemstvo and Munich
pality unions in that 1t is an organiza-
ton growing out of public spirit, is the
committee which during 1916 mobil-
lied the small industries Of Russia to
help the army with munitions. There
are several large munitions factories
In Russia which deal direct with the
war department. but there are hun
dreds Of little foundries, machine
shops, mills and works Of all sorts too
small to do business of this sort alone.
The committee grouped all these. put
specialists in charge Of district groups.
and had them fill orders for the gov
eminent. The little industries were
| thus grouped into one big industry by
a committee of patriotic men who re-
| ceive no pay for their service though.
Of course. the little shops are paid for
whatever they supply the army.
Russia's own output of, munitions
more than quadrupled during 1916
through these and other eXpedients.
The little concerns could not make
great siege guns, of course, but they
could and do make trench mortars.
hand grenades, caissons, cannon
lie 1fo} ho
shells and what not.
| Furthermore they have built tan
neries for taking care Of enormous
quantities Of Russian hides; built or
enlarged factories for making the
necessary tanning chemicals; built
new boot and shoe factories and en-
larged old ones to make footwear for
| the troops; established enormous re-
pairing plants to redeem leaky and
worn army boots. They employ scores
Of thousand OF poor people. mostly
| women, thus giving material aid III
time of need. Schools for mechanics,
chauffeurs and other specialists are
maintained to supply the army with
experts and automobile repair shops
are operated by the committee all
along the front.
On the sea 1916 failed to bring to
Russia any great victories. But also
It brought no defeats. Beyond one
mysterious fight in fog in the Baltic
during which two German ships OF
medium tonnage and several destroy
ers were reported sunk; a dash into
the Gulf of Finland against coast
towns there costing the Germans an
other three or four odd destroyers;
naval aid to the Russian armies at
Riga and at Trebizond In Asia Minor
not much more is known OF Russia
maritime activities.
Systematically two important events
were registered during the year just
closing. Both directly effect the Unit.
ed States One was the conclusion OF
a treaty between Russia and Japan
binding these two countries together
on all questions concerning the Far
East. the second was Russia's refusal
to conclude a commercial treaty with
the United States replacing the one
abrogated during President Tafts ad
ministration. Her refusal was not OF
fetal but refusal it was nevertheless
| her excuse being the undes1rapll1ty
of entering into commercial agree
ments with neutral nations until after
the war or at least until the allies
trade agreement can be more definite
lily defined. =.
On the other hand a project was
preached for direct telegraphic com
munication between Russia and the
United States, either by cable OF
wireless. Also permission has beer
given for the establishment OF an
| American bank in Petrograd.
| A decree prohibiting the importa
ton of luxuries was promulgated dur
ling the year, three meatless days 9
week proclaimed and other economic
war measures put into force.
But so far as Russia is concerned
the real participation in the war b!
the common people was the big event
Through this participation the people
are beginning to find themselves. The
formation of a peasants party in the
duma is significant Of the new trene
in Russia which made itself part!cu
jlarly manifest during the year now
Its close. The subtle internal change
in the empire will make 1916 remem
bered when victories In the field snail
have been forgotten.
| ne,,l Coyae$ed