Russia

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 67, 24 February 1916, Page 5

Russia

RUS S 5A 7 S OETEHM!MATION, INTERVIEW WiTH W.. SP.i.VW JFF PURPOSE GF THE EN'i't.; F£. THE DANCER TO THE HUM./ RAGE. FATE OF THE WORLD IN THE BALANCE, | ADMIRATION FOR BRITISH STATESMEN. Dn*tkd Pkkss Association. (Received 8.30 a.m.) London, February 23. I Mi- Harold Beghie liad a special interview with M. Sazanofl (Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs) for the Daily Chronicle. . AT. SazannfF, who thought the war might be followed by sonic measure of disarmament, said ; "For forty years the Germans have been preparing for war. They sat on our frontier with a stone in their bosom, as the Russian proverb says, and have ibeen waiting to throw the stone. , There is no truth whatever in the .statement that Russia is dissatisfied jwith Britain’s, effort. We trust yon (absolutely. We know that while I England holds the sea, Germany cannot win the war. It is my supreme pplitieal conviction that England’s mastery of the sea is the greatest

factor in tlie 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. Wo cannot rest with a victory which will permit the menace to lift up its head; The victory must he absolute, and we must ho free to live without continual war. England, France, and Russia are now responsible to future civilisation and .for the fate of the world. The destruction of Prussianism may take a I long time, hut we are prepared for that. After the war our recovery will bo quick and sound. The longer the war lasts the more complete will lie the financial ruin of Germany. Russia feels with England that the Allies are fighting a winning fight for the eternal benefit of humanity. We cannot stop; we cannot withdraw.” M. Sazanoff expressed the deepest admiration for the moral grandeur of Sir Edward Grey, whilst Mr Lloyd George had become the hero of the Russian Nation.

THANKSGIVING FOR FRZERUM.

THE CZAR AND THE DUMA.

UNPARALLELED SCENES OF rfi>»' )<,; "E^THUSIASIVL

ALLIED AMBASSADORS OVATIONED.

(Received 9.40 a.m.) Petrograd, February 23. The Czar was present at a thanksgiving service for the Erzerum victory. His Majesty unexpectedly attended and addressed a gathering of members of the Duma at 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 valiant Caucasian army, and wished the .Duma a period of fruitful labor and complete success.

M. Rodzianko expressed the Duma’s joy at seeing the Czar amongst them, reaffirming the union with his loyal people which showed the path to victory.

The Duma opened with scenes of unparalleled enthusiasm. The Allied Ambassadors and Ministers attended. M. Rodzianko’s speech was cheered. He-, also said 1 that Erzerum was the first rays of -the dawn of victory which wqs rising in the East. His greeting to the .gallant Allies was drowned in an outburst of cheering ) and the Ambassadors, on rising, received an ovation. The' President bade Serbia be of good courage, in the hope ol a triurn pha nt res 11 rrection. M. Sazanoff ridiculed Germany’s argument that the Allies desired the annihilation of the German people. All they demanded was to crush Prussianisrn. The Allies secured complete union without the sacrifice of their independence, whereas the Germans allies were mere vassals. He warned Bulgaria of the coming disillusionment, and acknowledged Japan’s valued co-operation.