100 Years Ago - Russia, Poland, Ukraine

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/rail-travel-restrictions-at-easter-f97kflkqm

March 31, 1917

Rail travel restrictions at Easter

It is desirable that the public should understand the reasons which have prompted the Board of Trade to appeal for a general abstention from unnecessary railway travelling during the Easter holidays. The warnings issued have nothing to do with the necessity for economy in personal expenditure, though the need for saving remains imperative enough. They are not the outcome of a desire to discourage the holiday-making spirit, though this is no time for relaxation, when the culminating crisis of the war may be at hand. The reason is more simple. Our railways have been so depleted, both of men and rolling-stock, that they cannot carry holidaymakers, and those who have the opportunity of a few days’ rest must therefore stay at home.
The Railway Executive Committee has done its best to warn people. Booking-offices will not issue tickets after next Tuesday until after Easter Monday. Even at the stations no tickets will be issued in advance. Through bookings over the lines of more than one company will be suspended. There will be no excursions or holiday trains.
These disabilities are severe but the public will do well to accept the situation without demur. The railway companies cannot help themselves, for every week the demands of the war continue to expand. Ever since the war began men have been going from the railways to the Army, until the deficiency of railway labour is almost as marked as in agriculture. During the last few weeks very large additional numbers have been called up for military service, and still more will soon be wanted. The requisitions of rolling stock have been equally sweeping, and the number of British locomotives and wagons sent to France continues to grow. Our diminished railway staffs are so heavily worked that they cannot handle holiday traffic in addition.
It should be remembered that, although fares are higher and trains slower and fewer, this country has hitherto enjoyed far better railway facilities than any other belligerent. Our railways have faced the ordeal of war with wonderful success, but they can handle traffic only up to the limit of their men and their rolling stock. The utmost sympathy will be felt for the holiday resorts, which may be deprived of the visitors they expected at Easter, but the claims of the war are paramount.

100 Years Ago in the papers: Russia and women's suffrage

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/100-000-men-at-once-xsgc3zvlr

March 30, 1917

100,000 men at once

Mr Bonar Law made a grave statement on the urgency of the manpower problem in moving the second reading of the new Military Service Bill in the House of Commons today. It was the opinion of the Government, he said, that the Bill, which provides for a new examination of discharged and rejected men, was an absolute necessity in view of the present military situation. He explained that arrangements were made last autumn for the provision of men for the present campaign on a certain scale. That anticipation had not been fulfilled, because the Cabinet found the needs at home so pressing that for a time those in the Army had to give way. He thought it right to tell the House that the recruits obtained since the beginning of the year had fallen short by 100,000.
The House agreed that such a falling-off was serious. Members, however, were glad to hear that the deficiency had been made good to a degree by the taking of fit men formerly behind the lines for the fighting line. Relief had also come from the greater use of the services of women. A deficiency still existed, and the Army felt that unless it could be made good our prospects in the coming campaign would be jeopardized. The Bill to which Mr Bonar Law asked the assent of the House, would enable the military authorities to deal with 1,000,000 men, and their estimate was that at least 100,000 recruits would be forthcoming within the next three months. The Government recognized the hardship which the Bill would impose on individuals, but the war had reached such a point that the only principle that could be recognized was that every man who was found fit to go into the fighting line should be there, unless his services were required for needs of equal importance at home. He was sorry to say a considerable number of men had succeeded in avoiding service by something like fraud.
Mr Bonar Law stated that one reason why the falling off of recruits had not had the disastrous results it might have had was that our casualties so far this year had been less than anticipated. Still, a time of great fighting with terrible casualties was in front of us, and the whole value of this year’s campaign might depend on our being able to drive home any success we might achieve.

100 Years Ago - Russian revolution

A STREET DEMONSTRATION

RESTORING ORDER IN THE STREETS

THE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN FAMILY AND BODY-GUARD: A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE REVOLUTION. 1. The Tsar. 2. The Cesarevitch. 3. Grand Duchess Olga. 4. Grand Duchess Tatiana. S. Grand Duchess Marie. 6. Grand Duchess Anastasie

A RASPUTIN SEANCE


http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-russian-revolution-jn6llb5rn?CMP=TNLEmail_118918_1571263

A Russian Revolution

By laying down the supreme authority of his own free will, the Tsar has saved his people from civil war and his capital from an outbreak of social anarchy

March 16, 1917

A great Revolution has been accomplished in Russia. After nearly a week of chaos in Petrograd something like a Parliamentary Government controls the situation. The Tsar has abdicated in favour of his infant son, and his brother, the reforming Grand Duke Michael, is expected to act as Regent.
The news will hardly come as a surprise to those acquainted with the internal situation in the Allied Empire as it has recently developed, and who have observed the ominous suspension of telegrams from Russia within the last few days. It has become clear for some time past that the strained relations between the Duma and the Court could not last, and that, when the crisis came, the Duma would have the nation and the Army with it. The great danger was that the Tsar might fail to realize the position with sufficient promptitude, and that he might either resist the Revolution or defer his decision. He has had enough of wisdom and of unselfish patriotism not to take either of these courses. By laying down the supreme authority of his own free will, he has saved his people, we may trust, from civil war and his capital from an outbreak of social anarchy.
It cannot be pretended that all the perils inseparable from so profound a change have yet passed away; but, so far as the available information shows, the worst moment has been lived through, and there is strong reason to hope that the transition will be completed in an orderly and peaceable manner. This expectation, we note with relief, is strengthened by the manifest eagerness of all parties that Russia should continue to wage the war with even greater vigour than she has displayed hitherto. The leaders, including the Labour leader, M Kerenski, see how fatal to this object civil dissensions of a serious character would be. They have worked hard to maintain unity, and they appear to have succeeded in a very remarkable degree. To the Tsar, in particular, the highest credit is due. Had he chosen to resist the demands of the Duma there were, doubtless, plenty of troops ready to support him. But he knew what such a choice would have meant for Russia and for the great European cause which he has served so well, and he has shrunk from the dread responsibility of making it.
The story of what has taken place is clearly still imperfect as it reaches us. Our Correspondent’s first dispatch begins with a reference to the “events of Friday,” but no account of these events has been transmitted to us. A probable explanation is that the old Government suppressed his messages, whereas the Provisional Government have facilitated the dispatch of his later accounts. These cover the period from Sunday until midnight on Wednesday, when the decision of the Tsar, on which everything was felt to hang, still remained unknown. The Revolution appears to have begun by a military insurrection supported by the workmen, but the Duma rapidly and firmly gathered power into its own hands. On Sunday the Council of Ministers resigned, and on Monday the Duma appointed a Provisional Government under the title of “The Executive Committee of the Imperial Duma”. The twelve members were taken from all the constitutional parties, from the Conservatives to the Socialists, and included such well-known personages as M Shulgin, the Conservative, M Miliukoff, the Cadet; M Shidlovsky, the leader of the Progressive bloc; M Lvov, the President of the Moscow Zemstvo, and M Chiedze, the Socialist with M Rodzianko, the President of the Imperial Duma. There appears to have been a good deal of bloodshed on- the’ Friday and Sunday, but after the Duma had assumed control the loss of life is said to have been small. By Tuesday evening the whole garrison had gone over to the Provisional Government. The Proclamations which that body issued and the speeches of M Rodzianko and other Parliamentary leaders to the troops are marked by a moderation said a cool common sense which encourage confidence in the new order of things. The first of these documents explained, as did a subsequent message from M GnaTomorr and other members of the Upper House to the Tsar, that the situation had grown impossible, and that the Duma aiai compelled to take in hand the re-establishment of the State and of public order. All good citizens were invited to work to this end, and the troops, including, the famous Preobrajenski Regiment who have taken an active share in other memorable revolutions were exhorted by M Rodzianko to show their patriotism by steady obedience to their officers. It is still too soon for entire confidence in the issue, but the general trend of events and the attitude of the Army and of the more important elements of the population justify the Allies of Russia in optimism. They may well hope that she will emerge from the ordeal she has undergone strong with the new strength of a united people, who are led by a constitutional Government of their own choosing under the auspices of their historic dynasty.

Трипільці і проча дрєвность в експозиції Національного історичного музею

Особливо цікаво було подивитися після дискусій щодо реконструкцій трипільського воїна для "Історії українського війська" (тема не моя, я лише спостерігав :) ) - і до речі після прочитаного за підхопленими в ході дискусії рекомендаціями "трипільського детектива"

Скіфи в експозиції Національного історичного музею

Київська Русь в експозиції Національного історичного музею

Продовжимо подорож історичним музеєм - залами, присвяченими Київській Русі. Починаючи з проекта пам'ятнику Св Володимирові, який, на щастя, так і залишився лише проектом (до речі, так само як і відомий проект пам'ятника Богданові Хмельницькому, який він очевидно нагадує) В кінці - поганеньке (але яке є) фото відомого меча де нібито як напружити уяву то можна "Людота коваль" (а чи не Людовик був той Людота до речі? - якщо прочитання правильне, що зовсім не хвакт)

Ранньомодерні часи в експозиції Національного історичного музею

На жаль, ці два зали досить скромні - але вже що є

Зображення козаків, друга третина 17 ст

Надибав несподівано на невідоме мені раніше зображення козаків, до того ж кольорове, датоване 1666 роком. Це як козацько-семигородське військо тікає з-під Перемишля, налякане небесним заступництвом святого Вінцента у 1657 році (картина зберігається в Народному музеї Перемиської Землі в Перемишлю). Лави піхоти в червоних каптанах, що відступають на задньому фоні - то семигородці, а от товариші на передньому плані то схоже козаки з корпусу Ждановича. Цікаво звернути увагу на деталі - і штани з чоботями, і свити (і їхній колір), і шапки - і зачіски - видно внизу, де козаки пливуть по річці

100 Years Ago - Revolution

100 Years Ago - the Blockade

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-meaning-of-blockade-nvp6k76j7?CMP=TNLEmail_118918_1522112

The Meaning of Blockade

In strict law neutral men-of-war have not the right to enter a blockaded port; but, in practice, the privilege is usually conceded by the blockading squadron

February 18, 1915

Blockade is the stationing of a naval force as near the coast of the enemy as may be necessary for the capture of all merchant vessels, neutral or otherwise, that may attempt entrance to or egress from the blockaded ports.
Blockades to be binding must be effective, and must be impartial. Paper blockades, or blockades established by proclamation without the use of an adequate force before the blockaded ports, are not recognized by international practice.
In order to justify the detention of a vessel attempting to enter or leave a blockaded port it is necessary that the vessel should have had notice of the existence of the blockade. At the beginning of a blockade a reasonable time may be allowed for the proclamation to become generally known, and during this time actual notice must be given. After the period has elapsed it is no longer necessary, and the fact of notice may be constructively assumed.
The penalty for breach of blockade is confiscation of the ship and cargo. An unsuccessful attempt is regarded by the Courts in the same light as a suecessfull attempt, if the intention is proved.
In attempts to break blockade inwards, where general notification has been given, liability begins when the vessel whose destination is the blockaded port has started on her voyage knowing the port to be blockaded. In breach of the blockade outwards liability continues until the end of the voyage, unless in the meantime the blockadd has been raised.

A blockade ceases when the blockading force voluntarily withdraws, when it is driven off by a force of the enemy, or when it is no longer effective. In strict law neutral men-of-war have not the right to enter a blockaded port; but, in practice, the privilege is usually conceded by the blockading squadron. Admiral Hobart Pasha, in his “Sketches from My Life,” refers as follows to some experiences of his own during the Civil War: I trust that our American friends will not be too severe in their censures on those engaged in blockades running; for, I say it with the greatest respect for and admiration of enterprise, had they been lookers-on instead of principals in the drama that was enacted they would have been the very men to take the lead. It must be borne in mind that the excitement of fighting did not exist. One was always either running away or being deliberately pitched into by the broadsides of the American cruisers, the slightest resistance to which would have constituted piracy; whereas capture without resistance merely entailed confiscation of cargo and vessel.

Written testimony to the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, March 22nd 2017 by Edward Lucas

Written testimony to the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, March 22 nd 2017

By Edward Lucas

Senior Vice-President, Centre for European Policy Analysis and Senior Editor, The Economist

[Chairman Rohrabacher, Ranking Member Meeks, thank you for inviting me here today. It is an honor and a privilege to give testimony to this committee and I would like to thank you for this opportunity and the committee staff for their work. I will give a short oral version of my written testimony and then look forward to taking questions.]

I have been dealing with European security for more than thirty years, as an activist during the Cold War, and also as a journalist, author, analyst and consultant. 1

I argue that:

● Russia is a revisionist power;

● It has the means to pursue its objectives;

● It is winning; and

● Greater dangers lie ahead.

In particular, I believe that the Baltic states are the keystones of the European security order. If they fall victim to Russian pressure, be it military, economic or political, then the rules-based system which the United States has established and defended in Europe for more than six decades is over. The consequences of this would be catastrophic, and not only on the other side of the Atlantic. America’s greatness rests on its alliances: no country in the history of the world has had so many allies, and such deep ties with them. If the United States proves unable or unwilling defend its allies, the collapse in its credibility will be this country’s greatest geopolitical setback since Pearl Harbor.

● Give up any hope of a quick diplomatic fix or other deal with Russia. This is going to be a persistent and dangerous conflict. It predates Putin and will outlast him;

● Continue to strengthen and reassure the frontline states, in particular the Baltic states and Poland . We have done a lot, but much more needs to happen, in particularly in increasing the credibility of our deterrent.
● Expose and punish the Kremlin’s activities in the West . In particular we need to deal firmly with Russian intelligence operations, to counter disinformation, to intensify visa sanctions on the Russian elite, and to block passage of Russian dirty money through our financial system.

18 і 19 століття - з експозиції Національного історичного музею

XX століття - з експозиції Національного історичного музею

Гроші в україні - експозиція Національного історичного музею

Майдан в експозиції Національного історичного музею

Вітчизняна війна в експозиції Національного історичного музею

100 Years Ago - Russia, IWM

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/the-national-war-museum-390thpldp

march 17, 1917

The National War Museum

Political notes, March 16:
Sir Alfred Mond is forming a committee, of which he will be chairman, to prepare plans for the establishment of a National War Museum, in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet, announced in The Times yesterday. The committee will include representatives of the Admiralty, War Office, and Ministry of Munitions, as well as advisers on art and literature.
The idea is to reconstruct for future generations the story of the British share in the war. The chief categories of exhibits will be relics and records. There will be separate departments to illustrate the work of the sailors, soldiers, and munition workers. The nucleus of these collections is already in the hands of the Admiralty, the War Office, and the Ministry of Munitions. In particular, the Munitions Department has a most interesting museum of its own.
It is understood that the aim will be to include examples of the following in the museum:
1. Material used by the British Forces — guns, rifles, bayonets, trench weapons, tanks, submarines, &c.
2. Trophies captured from the enemy.
3. Souvenirs found on the battlefield.
4. New inventions employed in munition works at home.
5. Literature of the war — books, trench magazines, &c.
6. Maps of the war.
7. Music of the war — trench tunes, marching songs, &c.
8. Art of the war, including trench drawings.
9. Placards issued by the Government for recruiting, economy, &c.
10. Medals and decorations.
11. Autograph letters by distinguished actors in the war.
12. Civilian souvenirs, such as “flag-day” relics.
News in brief, March 17:
The National War Museum
We understand that the question of a site for the National War Museum cannot be settled for some months, and possibly not until the war is over. Meanwhile, the relics and records which it is to contain, as enumerated in The Times yesterday, will be carefully collected and stored, and the work of arranging and cataloguing them will occupy those engaged on it for some months.

The Guards Museum - HRM

The Guards Museum - 1914 and after

The Guards Museum - Africa

The Guards Museum - the Crimean War

В принципі, Кримська війна зустрічає відвідувачів прямо на порозі музею - фігурами із дуже відомої картини прапороносців гвардії у бою на річці Альма. Серед експонатів є чимало і про Альму, і про Інкерман, і про облогу зараз тимчасово окупованого Севастополя

The Guards Museum - Napoleonic Wars

У експозиції про наполеоніку мене, чесно кажучи, більше всього вразили оці два портрети молодих офіцерів. Легко можна уявити собі ці обличчя у сьогоднішньому натовпі на вулицях Лондона - власне, серед старшокласників Максимової школи навіть







Хоча там є багато чого цікавого (в тому числі гусак, що був маскотом одного з полків - правда, це вже по наполеоніці)

The Guards Museum - 18th century

The Guards Museum

Окрім великих і всім відомих музеїв, у Лондоні також є безліч музеїв менших, не так відомих, але від того таких, що заслуговують на не меншу увагу

100 Years Ago - the U.S.

EN ROUTE FOR EUROPEAN WATERS:

U.S. Marines marching to join their ship.

ARRIVAL OF THE U.S. STEAMER "ORLEANS " AT BORDEAUX: THE CAPTAIN SALUTES THE WAITING CROWD.

The" Orleans" and the" Rocbester" (next page) left New York Feb. 10, 1917, for Bordeaux in defiance of -Germany's threat to sink neutral shipping. Both ships

were enthusiastically welcomed in France.

ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST AMERICAN CONTINGENT IN FRANCE

THE GERMAN LINERS "PRINZ EITEL FRIEDRICH" AND "KONIG WILHELM 11" UNDER GUARD IN NEW YORK HARBOUR.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/through-the-barred-zone-lnq99nsbd?CMP=TNLEmail_118918_1475482

Through the ‘barred’ zone

The skipper of the Orleans was tremendously surprised to find that he and his crew were regarded as heroes and that Bordeaux had prepared a civic reception and luncheon at the Hotel de Ville

February 28, 1917

Bordeaux, Feb 27. The arrival of the American steamer, Orleans here has been awaited with the greatest interest. She left just before the Rochester, and the fate of the two vessels in their voyage across the prohibited French waters has been looked upon as a trial of the German blockade.
The Orleans bore her name and that of her port, New York, in large letters along her whole length, framed in the Stars and Stripes. She flew the American flag throughout the journey; she carried no contraband, and had a cosmopolitan crew of neutrals - some Americans, Swedes, Norwegians, a Chilean, a Haytian, an Argentine, a Greek, and a Dutchman - on board, so that, had the Orleans been torpedoed, the Germans would have received, at any rate, a diplomatic Note from most of the neutral States of the world.
I went on board the Orleans at Pauillac while she was on her way up the river to Bordeaux; her skipper, Mr Tucker, by no means shared the excitement which his journey aroused here, and he was, no doubt, tremendously surprised to find that he and his crew were regarded as heroes and that Bordeaux had prepared a civic reception and luncheon at the Hotel de Ville and a gala performance at the theatre in their honour.
Mr Allen D Tucker had adopted the much more commonplace view that his journey was eminently reasonable and completely dull. He said: “I left New York on February 10, and took the ordinary traffic route, which I never left in spite of bad weather. The voyage was absolutely normal. I saw not a single trace of a submarine during the three days I was in the ‘blockaded’ zone. Although opinions in New York were divided as to where our journey was really going to end, never at any time did I think that we would, or could be torpedoed [Mr Tucker is evidently not an ardent reader of the German wireless]. The ship is a merchant ship, and not a warship. The United States are not at war with Germany. There was therefore no reason for us to be armed or to fear attack. I only did as I was told in taking the Orleans from New York to Bordeaux. The voyage was in no way a challenge.”
At the mouth of the Garonne a French patrol vessel, which hoisted a big flag with “Welcome” on it, gave the Orleans a foretaste of the enthusiastic reception awaiting her at Bordeaux, where all the dignitaries of the city gathered at the quay side.

The Prefect of the Gironde, in welcoming the Orleans, said: “Your voyage here is a courageous act, the importance of which is evident to all. America has risen up against the final outrage of our enemies, and by your fine action you have inflicted a positive defeat on the modern barbarians. That is why we greet you with enthusiasm.”

By the time their luncheon was over each sailor of the Orleans was probably beginning to wonder whether he might not be a hero, malgre lui.

100 Years Ago - Abdication of the Tsar

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-03-16/register/the-russian-revolution-spmtl6lh2


March 16, 1917

The Russian Revolution

A great Revolution has been accomplished in Russia. After nearly a week of chaos in Petrograd something like a Parliamentary Government controls the situation. The Tsar has abdicated in favour of his infant son, and his brother, the reforming Grand Duke Michael, is expected to act as Regent.
The news will hardly come as a surprise to those acquainted with the internal situation in the Allied Empire as it has recently developed, and who have observed the ominous suspension of telegrams from Russia within the last few days. It has become clear for some time past that the strained relations between the Duma and the Court could not last, and that, when the crisis came, the Duma would have the nation and the Army with it. The great danger was that the Tsar might fail to realize the position with sufficient promptitude, and that he might either resist the Revolution or defer his decision. He has had enough of wisdom and of unselfish patriotism not to take either of these courses. By laying down the supreme authority of his own free will, he has saved his people, we may trust, from civil war and his capital from an outbreak of social anarchy.
It cannot be pretended that all the perils inseparable from so profound a change have yet passed away; but, so far as the available information shows, the worst moment has been lived through, and there is strong reason to hope that the transition will be completed in an orderly and peaceable manner.
This expectation, we note with relief, is strengthened by the manifest eagerness of all parties that Russia should continue to wage the war with even greater vigour than she has displayed hitherto. The leaders, including the Labour leader, M Kerenski, see how fatal to this object civil dissensions of a serious character would be. They have worked hard to maintain unity, and they appear to have succeeded in a very remarkable degree. To the Tsar, in particular, the highest credit is due. Had he chosen to resist the demands of the Duma there were, doubtless, plenty of troops ready to support him. But he knew what such a choice would have meant for Russia and for the great European cause which he has served so well, and he has shrunk from the dread responsibility of making it.

Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum

Під час різдвяної візити до Шкоції (яка назва, як відомо, єсть правішою 😉 ) ми завітали до невеличкого авіамузею коло Дамфріса, на колишній авіабазі (де, як нам сказали, триповерхова контрольна вежа є унікальною для таких аеродромів). Несподівано цікаво - а особливо що музей існує виключно завдяки зусиллям ентузіастів-добровольців.


А тепер, як годиться, слайди. Один з них має визвати усмішку у археологів своїм підписом, типа "Ми не знаємо що це за хвигня, напевно, вона ммає якесь ритуальне значення"

Ілюстрації з Rzeczpospolita - вказівник

Давня й антична історія
Середньовіччя
Півтора тисячоліття війни з Ісламським Халіфатом
Рання модерна й модерна історія
Польсько-литовська держава в 16 столітті
Республіка Обох Народів у 17 столітті
Козаччина
Колоніальні війни
Польські визвольні змагання 1768-1914
Перша світова війна
Польські визвольні змагання 1914-1921
Вереснева кампанія 1939
Польські визвольні змагання 1939-89
Друга Світова Війна в Європі
Друга Світова війна, Тихоокеанський ТВД
Війни після 1945 року

100 years ago - Russia

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/baghdad-in-british-hands-7d3n0rwrz


March 13, 1917

Baghdad in British hands

The British Army of Mesopotamia captured Baghdad yesterday, and shattered the dream which the Pan-Germans have been dreaming for more than twenty years. The German route to the East is blocked, and the existing terminus of the Baghdad Railway has passed into our hands. Great though this achievement may well be reckoned from the military point of view, the moral effect will be even greater. To the watching East it will seem to sound the knell of German aspirations. To the Germans themselves it will mean the ignominious collapse of a scheme to which they devoted infinite subtle and secret labour, and the frustration of one of the principal objects for which they wantonly set the world ablaze. In Oriental eyes the capture of Baghdad will count for much more than the rout of a Turkish Army, for, though the city has been shorn of much of its former greatness, it is venerated because of its “dead past, which cannot die”.
At a time when a controversy concerning the internal administration of India is clouding the political horizon at home, let us not forget that India has played a great and worthy part in the triumph of Baghdad. We are too apt to think the troops under General Maude’s command are exclusively British. It should be remembered that a very large proportion of the forces he has guided to victory are Indian regiments. The cavalry which hung on the flanks of the demoralized Turkish Army, and chased it to the confines of Baghdad, must have been almost exclusively Indian cavalry. The infantry which bore many months of privation and proved in the end the masters of the Turks included Indian units, which had already fought heroically in France, in Gallipoli, and in Egypt. Whatever mistakes the Indian military administration may have made in the earlier stages of the campaign, the valour of the Indian troops who have contributed so largely to our successes on the Tigris has never been in question. In the last few days there have been discussions which imply that India’s help in the war has chiefly consisted of a belated offer of financial aid. She has done far more, for, in common with ourselves, she has given the blood of some of her best and bravest, and nowhere more than in the deserts of Mesopotamia.


http://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-03-11/register/food-disorders-in-petrograd-3zn28nlwr

March 11, 1917

Food disorders in Petrograd

The streets this afternoon present an extraordinary spectacle of animation. Cavalry patrols are moving in every direction. The crowds cheer the troops, and the soldiers cheer the crowd. Were it not for endless queues waiting for hours outside the bread shops, one might regard the whole affair without misgivings. In the outlying and manufacturing quarters, however, much damage is reported to have been done to shops. No news has been received from Moscow, where the food crisis has reached an acuter stage than in Petrograd.
The following semi-official statement is published: The very heavy falls of snow during the past winter have caused great difficulties in the transport of cereals by railway and their regular and timely arrival at Petrograd. These difficulties have led the population to entertain fears, which are not justified, that supplies of bread may soon be exhausted. Some of the inhabitants of the capital gave way to panic, and began to make raids on the bread supplies, thus creating an appreciable scarcity. These disturbances, however, were of a limited character, and, owing to the energetic measures taken, did not assume anywhere a serious aspect. At the same time various exceptional measures were taken, including the public sales of bread in different quarters of the city which were organized by the municipal authorities. Meanwhile, with the diminishing falls of snow, the railway lines are being gradually cleared and the foodstuffs arriving at Petrograd are approaching normal quantities.
The extraordinary conference which was held here yesterday evening on the initiative of M Rodzianko, President of the Duma, to deal with the food problem resolved to place the management of all food supplies in the Petrograd district in the hands of the municipal authorities. A proclamation issued by General Khavaloff, commander of the troops in the Petrograd District, regarding “the disorders of the last few days, the acts of violence, and the attempts against soldiers and the police”, forbids all assemblages in the streets and warns the inhabitants of Petrograd that the troops have been ordered to use their arms in case of necessity and to stop at nothing to preserve order in the capital.
The Petrograd newspapers are not appearing and trams not running.

Даґ Ейстейн Ендшьо, «Секс і релігія» — Dag Øistein Endsjø, Sex og religion: Fra jomfruball til hellig homosex

Книги про секс завжди привертають увагу – така вже пророда самої їхньої теми. Щодо релігії це менш правдиве, хоча, напевно, останніми роками події у світі та в нашій країні таки допомогли дещо привернути увагу читацького загалу до деяких релігій та конфесій. В будь якому разі, книга, що розповідає про секс І релігію посто не може не визвати серйозної цікавості – хоча б у сенсі «А цікаво, що ж воно там написано»

Написано воно досить ґрунтовно – хоча, звісно, ясно, що вичерпати тему взаємовідносин релігії й сексу у книзі обсягом до 300 сторінок неможливо фізично. Але норвезький вчений Даґ Ейстейн Ендшьо спробував – і досягнув значного успіху. Книгу його було видано в Норвегії у 2009 році, і після того вона була перекладена англійською, болгарською, італійською, китайською, македонською, польською, португальською, сербською та шведською. Зараз, шановний читачу, ти розгорнув українське її видання. 

100 Years Ago - Belgium

BELGIANS COMPELLED BY THE GERMANS TO DIG TRENCHES MONSTER PRISONERS' CAMP: FRENCH AND BELGIAN PRISONERS EMPLOYED TO DRAW WAGGONS A GERMAN PICTURE OF THE CAMP HOSPITAL AT SOLTAU BELGIAN REFUGEES RETURNING FROM HOLLAND TO ANTWERP UNDER THE GERMAN GUARANTEES OF IMMUNITY, WHICH PROVED WORTHLESS


http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/slave-raids-in-belgium-wzxl5xcgz?CMP=TNLEmail_118918_1399025

Slave raids in Belgium

Along the railway line scraps of paper thrown out by the prisoners have been picked up. They bear the words: The young men of X and the surrounding villages have been captured.

November 8, 1916

The following information, which is of an absolutely trustworthy character, has reached us from various sources in regard to a system of slave raiding which has been put into force during the last six weeks by the German authorities in Belgian Flanders.
Since the beginning of October the two Provinces of Belgian Flanders have been the scene of tragic outrages upon the civil population. These provinces are in the Army zone, and are thus subject to the military authority, whereas the rest of Belgium under German occupation is subject to the civil administration, of which Baron von Bissing is the head. On October 3, a decree was placarded in the towns and villages of the region reproducing a decision of German Headquarters which conferred upon the military authorities the power to compel, by force if necessary, all non-invalids dependent for their livelihood upon others to undertake work away from their homes. The decree was directed against the unemployed of all classes, and especially against the men thrown out of work by thc closing of factories after the German seizures of all raw materials. These men, deprived of means of subsistence, became dependent for their food upon the local municipal authorities. The publication of the decree was quickly followed by a notice warning all persons concerned to present themselves, on a given day and hour, at places named. and to come furnished with articles of kit that were minutely specified. Failure to comply with the notice rendered absentees liable to heavy fines and imprisonment. Simultaneously, the municipal administrations, which alone possessed lists of the men who had been thrown out of work, were summoned to hand over the lists to the military authorities. They refused, as they were entitled to do, and were at once dispossessed and replaced by German military representatives. In some cases the municipal officials who had charge of the lists were brutally arrested and thrown into prison.
STARVED INTO SUBMISSION.
Not content with these arbitrary measures, the German authorities ordered the soldiery to round up workmen found in the streets and to drive them to a given spot. Here the captives were penned up like cattle. The most able-bodied among them were told off, shut up in barracks, and sent on the morrow, under military escort, to a part of Belgium where a military position was being prepared. Seeing that military work was required of them, these Flemish captives declined to do it. Thereupon they were imprisoned, and were kept without food of any kind until, in two or three days, hunger compelled them to submit. In one place, young men similarly collected were taken to camps near an aerodrome in course of construction. and compelled to perform military labour. In another place more than 2,000 men, rounded up haphazard, including many small tradesmen, were segregated and ordered to sign a German form of agreement to work in Germany.
The method was not identical in all places. In some towns the invalids, in others married men, were exempted. while the rest were told that they would only be employed on civil work and that they would be paid 3d a day. But the trains - made up of trucks open to wind and weather - in which these poor creatures were herded together, started for Germany and the North of France.

Each of these raids captured some 4,000 men. It w as literally slave raiding. Along the railway line scraps of paper thrown out by the prisoners have been picked up. They bear the words: The young men of X and the surrounding villages have been captured. The unmarried comrades of Y from the village of Z, from 18 to 30 years of age, are here together. We will never work for the Germans, and never sign their paper. Long live King Albert, Van T. and Dc R. from X were sent on October 10 to Germany, and arrived on October 20. If this note is found, please send it home to X.
During the passage of these long slave trains their unfortunate but undaunted occupants were heard singing the “Brabanconne” and “The Lion of Flanders.”

Квіти навесні

Ми тут недавно побували у ботанічному саду в К'ю і в його філії у Вейкгерсті що в Сассексі. Так що з нагоди свята - трохи квітів. Вони красиві

100 Years Ago

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-03-03/register/a-despicable-offence-dg862k37b

March 3, 1917

A despicable offence

Four out of the five defendants in the “White City” case have been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment. They are remarkably fortunate, in our opinion, to have escaped with the penalties imposed upon them. There are countries, as the Judge told them, where they might have been shot.
The crime of which they have been found guilty is technically conspiracy to defeat the Military Service Act and another statute, but, in substance, it is conspiracy to weaken our Armies for the sake of pecuniary gain. It is treachery to the national cause, and treachery which is both dangerous and base.
Three of these men were in the service of the Crown, two are doctors, and all are possessed of some education. Yet, at a time when every available man is needed in the trenches, they conspired together for money to keep those who bribed them away from service. A more heinous offence against the State, short of actual treason, it is hard to imagine. It seems to us to be infinitely more disgraceful than desertion or than cowardice in the face of the enemy.
Weakness, irresolution, temperament tempt men to these crimes. The penalty is exacted, and it is death. But while the men in the ranks may be summarily tried and shot for them, persons at home whose one object is to make a little money out of the war, and who do not shrink from corruption and from fraud in order to make it, have nothing worse to fear than ordinary civilian offenders. The fact that some of them do not seem conscious of the enormity of their offence aggravates its mischief.
We may hope that the particular fraud disclosed in the “White City” case is exceptional, but there is plenty of evidence that callous indifference to the public good and sordid covetousness of class, or personal gain still exist side by side with the keen and generous patriotism which the war has generally evoked.

Consciences which are torpid in regard to the duties owed the nation ought to be stimulated. The sentences on the “White City” conspirators may help to quicken them, but the only force which will keep them awakened is the stern and unhesitating reprobation of public opinion.

Абатство Дандреннан

От цікаво іноді буває - їдеш подивитися якусь місцеву цікавинку просто тому, що вона там є, не знаючи бекґраунду - і виявляється, що вона таки ще й як вбудована в загальний плин історії. Виявляється, у цьому монастирі королева Шотландії Марія Стюарт провела свою останню ніч у Шотландії, перед її втечею до Англії (за якою послідував арешт, ув'язнення й страта - але сильно згодом) Ну а оскільки цього року святкується півтисячолітній ювілей початку Реформації - мене завжди дивувало, навіщо треба було руйнувати такі храми... (ну тобто зрозуміло, але...)

Kirkcudbright Training Area

На Різдво й Новий Рік ми гостювали у друзів у Шотландії, і мені нарешті випала нагода відвідати Kirkcudbright Training Area. Я знав, що там є рештки танків часів ДСВ і повоєнних, при чому в тому числі й один з дуже небагатьох екземплярів "Черепахи" (яка мене вразила ще в танковому музеї в Бовінґтоні) З погодою також пощастило :)

100 Years Ago _ Zimmermann Telegram

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/an-intercepted-letter-h7l0zlxn6

March 2, 1917

An intercepted letter

The Washington correspondent of the Associated Press, who reveals Germany’s proposal to Mexico for an alliance with Mexico and Japan against the United States, says that a copy of Herr Zimmermann’s instructions to von Eckardt was sent through Count Bernstorff and is in the possession of the United States Government. The instructions were as follows: “Berlin, Jan 19, 1917. On Feb 1 we intend to begin submarine warfare without restriction. In spite of this it is our intention to endeavour to keep the United States neutral. If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace; we shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer her lost territory of New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement. You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States, and suggest that the President of Mexico shall on his own initiative communicate with Japan suggesting the latter’s adherence to this plan, and at the same time offer to mediate between Germany and Japan. Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months. Zimmermann.”


This document has been in the hands of the Government since President Wilson severed relations with Germany. It has been kept secret while the President has been asking Congress for full authority to deal with Germany and while Congress has been hesitating. It was in the President’s hands while Herr von Bethmann Hollweg was declaring that the United States had placed an interpretation on the submarine declaration “never intended by Germany”, and that Germany had promoted and honoured friendly relations with the United States “as a heritage from Frederick the Great”.


Today the Council of National Defence, created by Act of Congress, has issued an appeal to all Americans to show consideration to aliens in this country “if untoward events should come upon us.”

100 років тому - британське суспільство на шпальтах Таймс

A POTATO QUEUE IN NORTH LONDON

WELDING AEROPLANE PARTS BY MEANS OF ACETYLENE BLOW-PIPES.

RUSSIAN FLAG DAY, 1917

RECRUITS OF THE UNIVERSITIES AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS BRIGADE IN TRAINING AT EPSOM.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/recruiting-and-the-rich-78rfwdfl0?CMP=TNLEmail_118918_1398991

Recruiting and the Rich

There are large numbers of footmen, valets, butlers, gardeners, grooms, and gamekeepers, whose services are more or less superfluous, and can either be dispensed with or replaced by women without seriously hurting or incommoding anybody.

August 12, 1914

The response to Lord Kitchener’s appeal has been and continues to be satisfactory. An average rate of 3,000 recruits a day is being maintained, and it appears that at the central offices more candidates present themselves for enlistment than can be dealt with at once. The Territorial Force has also been filling up in a satisfactory way. With five or six exceptions all the battalions of the London County Territorials are now reported to be complete. The call for skilled artisans by the Admiralty and War Office has met with an equally ready response, and other branches of military organi- zation are securing the men they need. In short, the manhood of the country has so far risen to meet the emergency with great promptness and in sufficient volume. But it will be necessary to keep up the stream for a long time yet before the forces enrolled for the defence of our country and the support of our allies reach the standard deemed necessary by the technical advisers of the Government, of whom Lord Kitchener is now the official chief.


We would therefore in particular urge all those who have men of suitable age and vigour in their employment to take active steps in facilitating their enlistment at once. We are not thinking of the large employers of labour in factories and workshops so much as of the many private persons of means who employ men in unproductive domestic occupations, both in and out of doors. There are large numbers of footmen, valets, butlers, gardeners, grooms, and gamekeepers, whose services are more or less superfluous, and can either be dispensed with or replaced by women without seriously hurting or incommoding anybody. There are also thousands of adult golf caddies, green-keepers, and other active ministers of sport and games, whose enlistment in the service of the King would benefit their country, themselves, and even those who ordinarily employ them.


The well-to-do classes are, as a whole, responding finely to the call made by this sudden and great emergency, which has not been equalled for a century. They are contributing money and personal service without stint; but many of them may not perhaps have realized yet how large a reserve of the national manhood is represented by those who serve their personal comforts and gratifications.