286 THE ZEMSTVOS DURING THE WAR
the organization of even its own munition factory until the very end
of 1916, that is, one year and a half after beginning the work.
Almost equally helpless in this respect were the local committees
of the Zemgor. Their deliveries were late and even then there were
about 50 per cent of damaged or otherwise imperfect shells. The
only kind of munition that the zemstvos were able to manufacture
in large quantities and to deliver up to time was the simplest,
namely, hand grenades. It is scarcely necessary to refer again to the
difficulties that beset the Zemgor in its attempt to build up munition
factories. The Unions of Zemstvos and of Towns undoubtedly did
all they possibly could, and it may be maintained that the enthusi-
asm of the Russian public, its indignation, its earnest desire to help
the army—were not completely wasted; the Ministry of War be-
came less reckless; incapable generals were removed from office; and
the campaign of 1916 was conducted with an almost adequate sup-
ply of munitions.
As regards the articles of military equipment, the Zemgor
achieved a great deal. We have already seen that both unions were
supplying the Army Supply Department almost from the beginning
of the War. After the formation of the Zemgor, these supply opera-
tions embraced many new branches, finally assuming gigantic pro-
portions. It seemed as if there were no limit to the assistance for
which the army authorities were asking the two unions. The Zemgor,
for its part, in most instances did more to justify the hopes that
were placed in it than would have been otherwise possible under the
conditions then existing in Russia.
Hand in hand with the work of supply went the work at the front,
as a result of which the army was fully provided with engineering
facilities and labor, as well as with training in methods of chemical
warfare.
We have seen also that the Zemgor rendered considerable services
to industry by intervening in the haphazard removal of a large
number of industrial works from localities threatened by the enemy,
by helping to reopen these works in the interior, and by taking over
the management of such of them as the directors were unable or un-
willing to reopen after removal.
