RUSSIA'S SHORTAGE OF MUNITIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 66, 17 March 1916, Page 5

RUSSIA'S SHORTAGE OF MUNITIONS.

GENERAL SUKHOMLINOFF HELD TO BLAME.

CZAR ORDERS HIS TRIAL TOR ILLEGAL ACTS

(Received 10.10 ajn.) PETROGRAD, March 16. The Czar's commission of inquiry into the shortage of munitions carlv in 1915 found illegal acts on the part of General Sukhomlinoff. former War Minister. The Czar has approved of placing Sukhomlinoff on tri»L

General Sukhomlinoff is one of the generals whose reputation has been shattered by the war. He was War Minister when the war started, and had a high reputation as an organiser. To him waa given much of the credit for the improvement in the army since the war with Japan, and he was called the Russian Kitchener. But when the great German attack came last year it it was seen that he failed to make the best possible provision for supplies, and the wave of indignation that swept over the country carried him out of office, with other Ministers. General Sukhomlinoff represented the bureaucracy, and the bureaucracy had failed. He waa replaced by General PolivanolT, who waa a Liberal in politics. The new Minister at once set about reorganising the manufacture of munitions, and was able to announce a few weeks ago that the grave shortage of munitions had been overcome.

So far as we know, no accusation more serious than neglect and incompetence has hitherto been made against General Sukhomlinoff. But treachery has been proved against men on the staff and at Court. Colonel Maissaiedotf, an officer holding an Important position on the staff, and a number of accomplices, were executed for giving information to the enemy during the campaign in Poland, information which was of the greatest use to the Germans. Pro-German influence is or was very strong in the official world. It is even alleged that the Czar's Chamberlain, who signs all His Majesty's decrees, has German leanings.