RUSSIAN ARTILLERY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1451, 28 May 1912, Page 5

RUSSIAN ARTILLERY.

GRAVE NATIONAL DANUER< By Teleeraph—Press Association—CopjrisUt St. Petersburg, May 26. The Ministry for War was hotly attacked in the Duma by members of fclio Rilfht, Left, ana Centre for iiiisinnunßCment of Urn nrtiillcry administration. It was slated Hint tlio weapons were superannuated end constituted a grave national danger, ASTOUNDING CORRUPTION. Astounding revelations of bribery and corruption wero contained in tho indictment recently brought against seven former members of the Central Administration of the Army Supply Department, whoso trial has just begun in tho St. Petersburg Military District Court. The charges cover the period 1905-1910, and many of tho abuses were consequently perpetrated during tho Russo-Japanese War. Perhaps tho most amazing proof of the then existing demoralisation, was contained in a petition addressed to the Minister for War, in August, 1909, by Messrs. Tiel, n firm which is said to have spent .£2,000,000 on bribery in the course of 25 years. They wero anxious that the Government should acquire their factory. One of tho reasons they gave was that, "forpicrly, before the Senatorial revisions existed, tho good relations between the intendants (supply officers) and tho contractors Mere maintained, if not by means which were always legal at least by tho only possible means under tho prevailing conditions. Senator Garin is now subjecting us to all the unpleasant consequences of an investigation. Formerly we cculd at least count upon the frequent illegal proceedings of the officials and malic our arrangements accordingly." M. Tiel related that one of the staff officers whom he frequently invited to dinner almost invariably brought rome of his "lady friends" with him and asked his host to lend them money. M. Tiel said that some of his restaurant hills amounted to as much as JETO. including liqueur brandy casting ,£lO a bottle.