NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16204, 14 April 1916, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

THE SIBERIAN TROOPS. The capture of Erzeroum was largely due to the endurance and gallantry of what are called " Siberian troops." These aro Siberian rather by training than essentially by birth. Russia sends picked men of the quality of the Guards to do their soldiering on the confines of the Empire, in hourly conflict with the elemental forces of Nature. The nucleus of these Siberian corps aro men of Siberian birth, but good material also gravitates thither from the provinces of European Russia. The result is what would be, for example, if Britain kept a second brigade of Guardsmen always soldiering, say, on the north-west frontiers of India. The principle appears to be that the best men arc the best worth sending tho farthest distance. The conditions of servico aro rigorous, tho open air in all weathers being more familiar than any barracks. Their hardy little steeds nevor enter a stable, and rarely have even a lean-to shed over their heads. Only men and horses so trained could have accomplished such work in the mountain region beyond the Caucasus. AUSTRALIAN PRICES. The results of the investigations made by tho Commonwealth Statistician during February, as to variations in prices of food and groceries, give the average result for the 30 towns covered as an increase of 4.9 per cent., compared with the preceding month. There has been an increase in the prices of sugar, butter, and eggs in all the States. Prices of bread and flour have not changed, except in South Australia and West Australia: In South Australia prices of both bread and Hour were lower, and in West Australia tho prico of bread was lower, while the price of flour remained stationary. Potatoes were dearer in all the States except Queensland, while meat was dearer in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. In Queensland and West Australia there was practically no change in prices of meat. Compared with July, 1914, tho month before the outbreak of war, the index numbers' are higher in all the towns, the aggrcgato result for the 30 towns' showing an increase of 35.5 per cent.

AMERICAN CABINET.

The resignation of Mr. Lindley Garrison, United Slates Secretary for War, who was commonly regarded as tho strongest man in Dr. Wilson's Cabinet, further confused the chaotic state of politics at Washings ton. Mr. Garrison's grievances reached a climax when ho became convinced that the President's policy in foreign affairs lacked

vigour, and that his preparedness measures were simply, as he considered, trifling with questions of national defence. The Secretary for War also complained that tho President's support of the policy of i permitting America to evacuate the j Philippines, so as to reduce tha chance of complications in the Far East, was an abandonment of the duty of America towards the Philippines and a betrayal of the natives. "A strong man goes," said the New York Tribune in discussing ihe resignation, "and we recognise one more 'evil omen for the Administration.'" Mr. Garrison and Dr. Wilson also disagreed as to the National Guard. The former sought the formation of a continental army, Baying that reliance for the defence of a nation on militia unjustifiably imperilled tho country's safety. He closed his letter of resignation by declaring: "Our convictions aro not only divergent but utterly irreconcilable."