RUSSIA REJUVENATED.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1916, Page 8

RUSSIA REJUVENATED.

NOW STRONGER THAN EVER. CONFIDENT OF VICTORY. For the second time.the Pe.trograd correspondent of the London Times spent the Russian Christmas' with the army In the field. He says that Russia has renewed her fighting strength and is as determined as her Allies to press forward to final victory over the Teutonic foe. A year ago the "whole Russian army was reduced to one shot, per gun per day. The contrast between then and now in the matter of shells affords matter for the heartiest congratulations to our Allies. Moreover, the magnificent armies assembled on the Austro-German front are evidence of the recuperative power of Russia—a power.which the Germans hoasted they had hroken. The Germans declared that the Russian army would remain inactive at least for six months: they deceived themselves, and the mistake will cost them dear. Russia has inflicted enormous damage on her foes. On a" conservative estimate, three or four millions of the inhabitants of Galieia migrated eastward before and during the retreat. The population of Lenibers alone fell from 300,000 to 30,000. These Galician millions were safely shepherded through the south-western armies, thanks to the admirable care and forethought of General Ivanoffs staff. Something like two millions of working men and farm hands were thus added to Russia, not counting the prisoners of war. Thanks to them, Russian industries are thriving and agriculture prospers: while, on the other hand, the enemy is hard pressed for labor, and is actually resorting to ihe forcible a ml illegal employment of Russian prisoners of war to act as drivers of transports and stretcher-bearers, because the whole male population, including old men. have been conscripted. General IvanolT recently issued the following message:—'AVe ci>n go as long as we are wanted. Our technical services are constantly improving. Within a year our output of munitions will have doubled. It does not matter so much where the fighting line extends, because the outcome of the war will lie settled, not by the occupation of territory, but by the destruction of the enemy's armies and resources. We are resuming the process of attrition on a larger scale, undeterred by the mud, and are calmly and patiently confident in our strength and in the readiness of the j country to endure any trials that may come. At the same time, we doubt not for an instant that our Allies share our views and will exert themselves to the uttermost to utilise the wonderful technical resources and determination of their people to vanquish the inveterate Teutonic foe."