New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
Car Took Kaiser Word:
Failed to Mass Troops
Record at SukominoA Treason Trial Shows Emperor Re
scinded Order at Williams Request-General Accused
of Failing to Supply Shells and to Remedy Old Evils

spoke Russian. This time he came in
civilian clothes and spoke only IN
French. | pointed out that Russia was
not harboring aggressive designs
against Germany. lie replied that un-
fortunately Russia had begun mobiilz-
ing. ,,.
81 assured him that ,he had not, but
he declared he was possessed of precise
information on the subject. | gave
him my word of honor that at that
hour the Chief General staff had not
issued the order for mobilization. lie
did not believe me- ! offered HIM my
written assurance. which was cour-
teously declined regarded myself as
justified in offering such assurances
for no mobilization order had been
issued. 1t was still in my pocket
Controlled the Army
Sensational evidence given at the end
of the trial serves 20 show that Souh-
homlinoif had acquired almost complete
control of the Russian army. In the
charge against him for high treason
the indictments against him were that
he omitted TO increase the output OF
Russian munitions works and so helped
the enemy. He also failed to supply
the army and fortresses with guns and
shells and prevented the military de
partment from supplying them. lie CON
cealed facts in his reports 10 the Ihar
and communicated secret Information
to German agents known to be SPIES
and enabled Myasoyedoff, who had been
dismissed. 10 reenter the army.
II was further charged that he and
his wife accepted brides IN favor oil
contractors and betrayed the country.
He deposited 100000 rubles in bank
out of a salary of 10000 ruoles. Inc
evidence of the trial points out the
complete unpreparedness of Russia 70
enter the war. AS early as August,
1914. the shortage in shells ana car
tridges was marked. In Septembr Ia
belin telegraphed Soukhomlinoff: STU
alton desperate"
Shell a Day for Each Gun
The Russian guns were allowed one
shell day. while the Germans poured
hundreds back. The Russians were so
weak that the Germans were able 10
push their batteries within 1000 yards
of the Russian lines and moved down
the soldiers by the thousands.
Russian generals begged Sukomllnoif
70 send even blank cartridges, anything
IN make a noiso so as to keep up the
morale. The supply of rifles was trag-
ically Inadequate. On August 20 II was
decided to send 70 the front one fIne
for every two men, and two months
later il was one rife for every ten men.
Later battalions were sent into oattle
rnarmed. Relief could not be brought
IN because the rear reserves mad 20
wait for the rifles Of dead soldiers 10
train with. c..
The losses were immense. The first
line army almost melted away.
Lemberg was evacuated because the
Ppssians had no shell or rifles, Prem
vsl because there were no cartfldses'
SukomlinofF's defence was that II was
impossible to supply the army because
the nation lacked Industrial mach!ntIS
70 turn out the work. 1t was hoIaoIe
tSst only two months before this same
man had declared in the press thaV
Pussia was entirely prepared Tor war.
Still more sinister Is the eV-ueno
c;ven 70 prove that nothing whatever
was done TO correct the apparent e' JiI
nj tho Japanese war. Sukom!noh dld
,ot evon spend on the army money that
,,as voted for its maintenance and gave
nreference TO crooked contractors Tor
had Guns. The coming of the war re-
yealed Russia's terrible condition.
SukomlinofF answered all requests
for munitions with "All necessary
measures taken" rlu,
on September &c when Field Marshal
loire in an effort to relieve the situa-
ton, asked if the supply of shells was
Sufficient. Sukomlinof gave reassur-
ing answer.