n each of the Scandinavian capitals.
Since quitting Bergen about three weeks earlier a sore misfortune had
befallen the place, for a great part of the best quarter of the town
had been destroyed in a disastrous conflagration which had obliterated
whole streets. But the flames fortunately had not reached the railway
station, nor yet the quays on the side of the harbour where the
steamers berthed, so that transit was not appreciably interfered with.
We were back at the War Office within four weeks of setting out,
having only passed ten days actually within the Russian Empire.

CHAPTER XIV

A SECOND MISSION TO RUSSIA

Object of this second mission -- The general military situation
-- Verdun and Kut -- Baron Meyendorff -- We partially adopt
Russian uniform -- Stay in Petrograd -- Sir Mark Sykes --
Presentation of decorations at the Admiralty -- Mohileff --
Conference with General Alexeieff -- He raises the question of an
expedition to Alexandretta -- Asks for heavy artillery -- The
Emperor -- A conversation with him -- The dismissal of Polivanoff
-- Disquieting political conditions in Russia -- Nicholas II.'s
attitude -- The journey to Tiflis -- We emerge from the snow near
the Sea of Azov -- Caucasia -- Tiflis -- General Yanushkhevitch
-- Conference with the Grand Duke Nicholas -- Proposes that we
should smash Turkey -- Constantinople? -- Major Marsh -- The
Grand Duke -- Presenting the G.C.M.G. to General Yudenitch -- Our
stay at Tiflis -- Proceed to Batoum -- A day at Batoum -- Visit
to the hospital ship _Portugal_ -- Proceed by destroyer to Off --
Sinking of the _Portugal_ -- Off -- General Liakoff -- A ride to
the scene of a very recent fight -- A fine view -- The field
force dependent upon maritime communications -- Landing
difficulties -- Return to Tiflis -- A gala dinner at the palace
-- Journey to Sarikamish -- Russian pronunciation of names --
Kars -- Greeting the troops -- One of the forts -- Welcome at
Sarikamish -- General Savitzky -- Russian hospitality -- The myth
about Russians being good linguists -- A drive in a blizzard --
Colonel Maslianikoff describes his victory over the Turks in
December 1914, on the site of his command post -- Our visit to
this part of the world much appreciated -- A final interview with
the Grand Duke -- Proceed to Moscow -- The Kremlin -- Vi