Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-02-16
CARS NEW ARMY SET
FOR HEAVY OFFENSIVE;
RUSSIA REGENERATED
Whole Country Reorganized,
With Industrial and Mill
tary Machinery Effective,
Correspondent Finds
INCOMPETENTS' OUSTED

+ rROGRAD, Feb. 16.
The beginning \ tremendous, II not
spectacular, regen ton of internal Rus
sta is strikingly apparent to any observer
of Russian affairs, who, familiar with the
disorderly condition in Russia six months
ago. compares IL with the effective indus
trial and military machinery of today.
An American correspondent left Russia
when its military fortunes were at the
lowest ebb. The army was inadequately
provisioned and munitioned. An ineffi-
cient internal management not only de-
feated the chances of military achieve
ment for the moment but created n spirit
of uneasiness and criticism among the
people which threatened national solidar-
ity. He has returned to find the country
thoroughly reorganized.
INCOMPETENT OFFICIALS OUT.
Graft and bribery seemingly to great
extent has been weeded out. Officials
found to be incompetent and engaged In
intrigues have been dismissed. These men
had held up munitiOn contracts and
clogged the whole machinery OF army
equipment and provisioning. In general,
they had conducted the business OF war
as IL II were an operation for their per-
sonal profit. The process of the purchas-
ing commissions of the Government has
now been slmplifed and improved For
merly II was encountered with countless
seriously delayed the arrival of munitions
when most needed. The result Is Rus
sian army now splendidly equipped with
ammunition and rifles.
Under these conditions, with a largo
available supply of ammunition. and
therefore the possibilities of a successful
offensive Increasing daily. the Russian
staff appears inclined to mark time for
a few weeks. until weather conditions
allow the army TO exert its now power
TO the fullest advantage.
A great factor in the increased strength
OF the Russian army is the character of
the new troops. They are vastly superior
in intelligence and training to those with
which Russia started the war. The
whole army has taken on greater con-
hdence and higher spirit in the knowledge
that the impediments in the war machin-
cry, which were painfully patent TO the
soldiers during the last summers retreat,
have been overcome
REFORMS PLANNED BY DUMA
The Dumh. which will resume sessions
a week hence, Is expected to carry forward
progressive reforms aimed principally at
perfecting Russia's internal reformation.
One Of the most prominent leaders in
the Duma Informed the correspondent
that the principal questions which would
occupy the attention OF that body We're:
'srhe creation of a new system of coop
erattve societies, which puTported 10 elm
mate the present excessive profits by re-
ducing prices of ordinary commodities TO
the normal level, New legislation issuing
from towns and municipalities which are
dooded with refugees TO care for and gov
ern the new population. Extension OF
the franchise in order to meet situation
IN which the major part of the enfran-
ehlsed citizens is at the front and an at
tempt TO improve transportation facil-
Tic csrdtrai- ain, of the Durna. howeyer
viii be a supreme effort to establish
greater harmony between itself and the
Government.