RUSSIA'S CAMPAIGN.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15523, 25 February 1916, Page 8

RUSSIA'S CAMPAIGN.

THE DUMA OPENED. / UNPARALLELED ENTHUSIASM. A SPIRIT OF OPTIMISM. DAWN OF VICTORY. (By Cabl«.—Prcaa Association.—Copyright.) PETROGRAD, February 23. ■ The Duma was opened amidst scenes of unparalleled enthusiasm. The Allied Ambassadors and Ministers attended, and M. Rodzianko's speech was cheered. He said that Erzeroum wag the first rays of the dawn of victory which was rising in the east. His greeting to the Allies was drowned by an outburst of cheering. The Ambassadors on rising were given an ovation. The President of the Duma bade Serbia to be of good courage and hope for a triumphant resurrection. M. Sazanoff, Minister for Foreign Affairs, ridiculed Germany's argument that the Allies desired the annihilation

of the German people. AH they demanded was the crushing of Prussianism. The Allies had secured complete union without the sacrifice of their independence, whereas Germany's Allies were mere vassals. He warned Bulgaria of her coming disillusionment and acknowledged Japan's valued co-opera-tion on the side of the Allies. M. Sazanoff said that Russia had no designs on Sweden, but, _ he added significantly, "we must obtain an outlet to the free sea in quite another direction." The Czar was present at the thanksgiving service to celebrate the victory of Erzeroum. He unexpectedly attended and addressed a gathering of the members of the Duma in " Catherine Hall, an event which M. Rodzianko, President of the Duma, subsequently described as historic. The Czar said he rejoiced to join in the thanksgiving for the victory won by the valiant Caucasian Army, and wished the Duma a period of fruitful labour and complete success. M. Rodzianko expressed the Duma's joy at seeing the Czar amongst them, reaffirming his union with his loyal people. This showed them the path to victory. ("Timers'' and "Sydney Sun" Services.) LONDON, February 23. The Petrograd correspondent of "The Times" says that three large groups of Nationalists, Progressives, and Laborites have formed a "bloc," overwhelmingly dominating the Duma. THE WILL TO CONQUER. FOREIGN MINISTER'S CONFIDENCE. APPRECIATION OF BRITAIN'S PART. (By Cable. —Proaa Association. —Copyright.) LONDON, 'February 23. Mr Harold Begbie publishes a special interview with M. Sazanoff, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the "Daily Chronicle." M. Sazanoff said he thought the war might be followed in some measure by disarmament. For forty years the Germans had been preparing _ for war. "They have sat on our frontier with a stone in their bosom,'as a Russian proverb says, and have been waiting to throw the stone." There "was no truth whatever in the statement that Russia was dissatisfied with Great Britain's effort.

"We trust you absolutely," lie said. "We know that while England' holds the sea Germany cannot win the war. It is my supreme political conviction that England's mastery of the sea is the greatest factor in the War. Our purpose is to destroy the greatest danger that ever menaced the human race. We shall fight on and not cease fighting until the menace is destroyed. We ■cannot rest with a victory which will permit that menace to lift up its head again. Victory must be absolute. We must be free to live without the continual fear of war. England, France, and Russia are now responsible for the future of Europe, the future o£ civilisation, and the fate of the ■world. The destruction of Prueslanism may take a long time, but we are prepared for thati

"After the war our recovery will be quick and sound. The longer the war lasts the more complete will be the financial ruin of Germany. ( Russia feels, with England and her Allies, that she is fightings winning _fight for the eternal benefit of humanity. We cannot stop and we cannot withdraw."

M. Sazanoff expressed the. deepest admiration for the moral grandeur of the character of Sir Edward Grey, while Mr JLloyd George had become a hero to the Russian nation.