RUSSIA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 144921, 24 February 1916, Page 3

RUSSIA.

ADVANCE ON BLACK SEA. RUSSIANS NEARING TREBIZOND, I PETROGRAD. Feb. 22. The Russians on the Black Sea littoral arc chasing the Turks at the rate of 20 miles daily, and are threatening Trebizond, which is the only bar to Russian dominance. A Constantinople communique admits the withdrawal from Krzeromn. hut belittles tbe operations on tho ground that the town was unfortified. The Russians have reached Rezeh. 10 miles east of Trebizond. MEETING OF THE DUMA. ENTHUSIASTIC SCENES. REJOICINGS OVER VICTORY. (Received Feb. 24, 9,40 a.m.) PETROGRAD, Feb. 23. The Tsar was present at a thanksgiving for the Erzeronm victory. He unexpectedly attended and addressed the gathering, which was eonqmsed of members of the Duma, in ( atlierino Hall. It was an event which M. Rodzianko. President of the Duma, subsequently described as historic. 3he ’Tsar said he rejoiced to join in thanksgiving for the victory of the valiant Caucasian army. He wished the Duma a period of fruitful labour and complete success. M, Rodziauko expressed the Duma's joy at seeing the Tsar among them, reaffirming his union with a loyal people, which showed the path to victory. The Duma opened with scenes of unparalleled enthusiasm. The Allied Ambassadors and .Ministers attended and M. Rodziartko's speech was cheered. He said that Erzeronm was the first rays of the dawn of victory which was rising in the East. His greeting to their gallant allies was drowned in an outburst of cheering, tho ambassadors rising and receiving an oration. The President bade Serbia lie of pood courage and hope for a triumphant resurrection. M. Sazanoff ridiculed Germany’s argument that the Allies desired the annihilation of the German people. All they demanded was to crush Prussianism. The Allies had secured complete union without the sacrifice of independence, whereas Germany's allies were mere vassals. Ho warned Bulgaria of her coming disillusionment, and also acknowledged Japan's valued co-opera-tion. A RUSSIAN MINISTER. GIVES HIS VIEWS ON THE AVAR. RUSSIA'S TRUST IN BRITAIN. (Received Feb. 24, 5.30 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 23. Mr. Harold Bcgbie publishes a special interview with M. .Sazanoff in tho Daily Chronicle. M. Sazanoff thought the war might be followed by soma measure of disarmament. For forty years tho Germans had been preparing for war. They sat on our frontier “with a stone in their bosom,” as tho Russian proverb said, and bad been waiting to throw tho stone. There was no truth whatever in the statement that Russia was dissatisfied with Britain's efforts. "We trust you absolutely.” said M. Sazanoff. Wo’know that while England holds tho sea Germany cannot win tho war. It is my supreme political conviction chat England’s mastery of the sea is the greatest factor in the war. Our purpose is to destroy tho greatest danger that ever menaced tho human race'. Wo shall fight on and not cease fighting until the menace is destroyed. Wo cannot rest witli a victory which will permit the monaco to lift up its head. Our victory must ho absolute and wc. must bo free to live without continual war. England. Franco and Russia arc now responsible for tho future of Europe, tho future of civilisation, and the fate of tho world. The destruction of Prussianism may take a long time, but wo are prepared for thaT. After tho war our recovery will ■be quick and sound. The, longer the, war lasts the more complete will ho the financial min of Germany. Russia feels that with England and the Allies she Is fighting a winning fight for the eternal benefit of humanity. AVo cannot ston. wo cannot withdraw.” M. Sazanoff expressed tho deepest admiration for the moral grandeur of Fir Edward Grey, whilst Mr. Lloyd George had become the hero of the Russian nation. DOMINATING THE DUMA'. TIMES AND SYDNEY SDN SERVICES. (Received Feb. 24. 8.10 a.m.) • LONDON, Feb. 23. The Times’ correspondent at Retrograd sars that three largo groups. Nationalists, Progressives, and Labourites, have formed a bloc for overwhelming and the -Duma.