Norwich bulletin., 1917-09-03
Triad of Ex-RusSian
 Minister of War
M. SOUkHOMLINoFF CHARGED
 WITH HIGH TREASON
BY DUMA. PRESIDENT
Denounced as Responsible for Enor- nous Losses Suffered Durina Rus- sian Retreat-The Army Was Com peIled to Fight Without Arms.

1 Petrograd, Sept. 1 OelayeD. At l Saturday,s hearing in the trial of M war, and his wife. who are charged re- spectiVely with high treason and with compl1city in the crime, a startling denunciation of M. Soukhomlinoff was th n,ao9 py M. Rodzianko. president of the Duma, whose testimony amounted to direct accusation against the for mer war minister. M. Rodzianko testified that long be- lore the war M. Soukhomlinoff's activ- ity alarmed the Duma. When the situation at the front-became threat. en1ng owing to lack of ammunition and the Duma appealed to the work ed great interest but soon began tc oppose the efforts of the deputies for a betterment of conditions. This ag- gravated the situation of the army which found itself compelled to fight without arms. In March Former Grand Duke Nicholas declared that continuation of the war under these conditions was becoming impossible.
 Appealed to Former czar.
 T then went to Galicia," said M Rodzianko T affirm that the re- sponsibility for the enormous losses we suffered during the retreat falls entirely upon Soukhomlinoff A com mittee of defence established Souk- homlinof's culpability. I then appeal ed to the former czar and persuaded him to convoke the Duma and dismiss soukhomliAoff."
 Professdl Paul N. Milukon, former foreign minister. gave his impressions of an interview Soukhomlinoff had with the cabinet and the president of the Duma- He said the overwhelming conviction of all present was that Soukhomlinoff both before and dur ing the war deceived the Russian peo- pie by declaring the army was in good shape
 M. Gutchxoff, president of the third Duma,, read a statement to the effect that as early as 1908 the Duma real important events. for ali Russian mill ttary attaches -reRs1 concerning the Austro- German war preparations. The members of the Duma believed that if Soukhomlinof remained Russia would be taken by surprise. .
 Entered War Without Preparation.
 In conclusion M Gutchkoff said Russia entered the war without the least preparation and that the fault was solely Soukhomlinoffs
 Director SlabosheVitch of the Malt zef ammunition works testified that in October. 1914. when talk became general concerning lack of ammuni- tion at the front. the directors of the plant authorized Manager Mamantoft to present a proposed artillery de- pertinent, for supplying shells and shrapnel. Mamantoff went tp the war department and was told that no shells
 
 conditions became steadily worse and that the following February he again the war department of fering to accent an order for shells. He sent his card to General Stoslovsky and it was returned with a note writ ten by General Stoslovsky. stating that no ammunition was needed. Af- ted this last repulse Slaboshevitch did not annoy the government further an order for small shells was given. but not from M. Soukhom- linoff's department
 Blocked Munitions.
 Similar testimony was given by Director Brustorm of large factory manufacturing shells. He testified that he went to the artillery department which refused his offer. Less than two months later, Brustorm testified, the manufacturers of ann nunition were invited to attend con- ference at which Soukhomlinoff pre- sided as minister of war. The for. ner minister. he said. made speech -riotism and setting forth the great reed of all shorts. Brustorm obtain d an order for a half million light shells lin October. 1915, he said. and make another half million but were old that they were not needed.
 General Batog. now military prose- tutor of the south Russia front ana ore the war. testified that Former Minister Soukhomilnof interested himself actively in endeavoring to protect different persons, especially officers who were accused of being German spies. General Loukomsky estified that the former war minis CT complained to him before the war # his poverty. General Loukomsky aid that he met the accused again fter his dismissal near the end of 915. At that time. he said. Souk- lomIinof appeared cheerful and told he witness he had made speculations n the Bourse and was well provided