The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-27

GENTLY large concession from them 10 satisfy the
patriotic feeling OF his countrymen and has thus
avoided possible cause OF trouble in the East.
WHO THEY ARE.
The northern part OF Saghalieu 10 Inhabited by
GhilIaks the same race as the natives on the
lower AMOR, while the southern halfts populated
by Amos, the people which inhabit tue Kurile
Islands Besides the Russians ana = few Japanese
there are very small number OF Chinese, brought
over as workmen In the coal mines.
GREAT VALUE TO RUSSIA
The sole value OF the island 10 Russia lies in ITS
COAL OF which there vast de posts OF an excel
lent quality. The best coal mines on the island
we're for some years successfully worked by the
American house OF ELEPHANT & Co., OF Shanghae,
under concession OF ADMIRAL Kroun. the Russian
Governor or the AmoOr region.
When the Russian government decided on
sending conyicts 10 the island was found neon
Venient to allow foreigners to WORK these mines,
and advantage being taken OF clause
in the concession by which the pro rle-
tors or the mines were made subject to
the Russian laws 1t was enacted that In places set
apart Tor penal settlements foreigners should not
be allowed TO WORK mines che concession was
thereby annulled, and several thousand tons OF
coal which had already been aug aud stored were
eonnscated. AS yet no metals OF any kind nave
boen discovered.
HAVE THE MUSc1VITEs GAINED MUCH
According to Colonel Yenlukof in his military
Survey of Russian Boundaries IN Asia" published
In 1873, the island OF aRhallen has not the Sight-
est strateglcal importance for Russia, because,
owing TO the depth aud width Of the channel, IL
does not defend the mouth OF the AMOR; be-
cause it has not single safe port; because It's
delence is impossible, and because, on account OF
Its Climate, tt cannot produce grain enough TO
support the garrison aud convlcts.
The colonization and commerce. OF the Amoor.
In spite OF the line OF steamers supported BY the
government, has by no means corresponded to
the IDEAS which were at first entertained and,
owing TO the fact that the haroor of NIcoaiesk is
closed by ice for eight months In agar, the naval,
military and other government stations OF the
whole coast have been lately changed from Nico-
laiefsK to vladivostok, where there is open water
during most OF the year. The only use of Sagha-
lien TO the Russians will apparently be for the
purpose of convict settlement, ana for working
the coal for government use and for sale
As 20 the Kurc Islands, they are rocky ana bar
rem, entirely destitute OF harbors, but possessing
seal fisheries which may be OF some value.
The treaty has been much discussed In the jap
anese papers, and the general sentiment or that
country mas been favorable to the transfer OF sag
halen. Among tho reasons which were brought
up was very singular one, to the effect that
owing 10 inc disputes ABOUT the POSSESSION ol the
island Saghallen was likely to become q refuge
for adventurers and desperados or all Sorts and
that an international republic would spring up
there the existence OF which would be dangerous
to the peace and prosperity OF Japan, which must
or necessity always remain q monarchica coun-
try. AS the actual treaty has not yet been pub
lished the Russian papers have centented them
selves with only q bare alusion to the csssion;
but as was the case at the time Of the treaty
ceding Alaska there is some dspleasure on the
part OF the ultra patriots at giving up even an
inch of national territory. Some OF the high
officials even congratulate themselves that they
had nothing to do with the treaty, which was one
of the last acts OF Mr.. S:remoouKhof the Director
OF AsIatie affairs, who seems now for other rea-
sons to have fallen utterly into disgrace