The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-07-11
RUSSIAN PROGRESS.

ing the area q civilization and enlighter
ment When Peter established the naval sta
ton Of Petersburg on the Neva there wa
but fraction of his eight or nine million
subjects who could read or write in an,
language or who knew anything about mod
ern advancements and discoveries Pete
seems to have caught the spirit Of progress
and to have resolved to become an activ
missionary Of civilization.
He did not preach sermons to his uncoutl
subjects OF to his rough and selfish mobiles
He did not try to civilize his Cossack hordel
by means of pamphlets, tracts and books
He took them by the shoulder, pointed To
their destined work and made them do it HI
wanted navy and he forced his countrymen
to build. equip, arm, provision and man his
ships. He wanted an army and he compelled
his rough peasantry to enlist. to drill, to wash,
to cook, and to fight.
Peter had q quantity of exceedingly rough
raw material to deal with, but he was himself
rough, ready-witted, strong-willed, very
earnest man, who aimed to show how strong
one will could be when controlling some mil
lions of rough and rugged men.
Since his day his successors seem to have
been intent on following out some plan for
steadily enlarging this Russian civilzing, dis
ciplining process, and for steadily taking into
it all the bands, tribes, provinces and nations
found upon Russian borders. Whether in
pursuit of plan, or in mere obedience to the
instincts of conquest. the imperial domain Of
Moscows crowned Caesars has spread far and
wide.
According to familiar authority, the Rus
sian Empire covers . space equal to about
one-thirtieth Of all the surface and one
seventh of all the land on the face Of the globe,
extending 1851 miles in length. 1928 miles
in width, and containing S,331,SS square
miles. It is 40 degrees of latitude in breadth
and 30 degrees Of longitude in length,
stretching more than half way around the
earth. Russia had in 1856 total population
of more than $4,000, 900, or g. Az, 600 in
Europe. 1850, 600 in Asia, 10, 900 in America,
l. 400, 900 in Oaucasia, and other independent
tribes in newly acquired territory on the
Amoor in Asia.
The population of the Russian Empire has
as follows In 1922 it was IA, OOO, 900;
in 1915, $1,000, 900; in 1885, $1,000 100; in
1851, 65, 1900
Russia borders on the Arctic and Pacific
Oceans and the Baltic, Black and Caspian
Seas, having coast line Of Is, 600 miles.
From the founding of St Petersburg, 1908,
o the present time, the area of Russia has
lusdrupled, and her population increased
wenty fold.
In his conquests the Gear is a thorough SOL
lier. and in his dealings with the conquered
le is equally statesman. When he joins q
lew province it is his aim to make the inhab-
tants feel the change as benefit Their
ocal customs and laws are left to them.
they are required to renounce nothing.
hey are merely required to stop fighting
nth their neighbors, and to surrender the
'ar making power to the Gear. Motives to
ebel are taken away, and long before the in /:
abitants have become conscious of the :
hange of rulers the area of conquest has t
xtended beyond their borders. They are T.
osorbed into the empire without being con. a
'ious of the change.
This process has been extended until the | il
ussian frontier has reached the Pacific P
cean on the east, aud on the south the Dor b
'rs Of China, Afghanistan, Persia and Turkey. g
he process goes on with vehement energy i
ltwardly, and always with every possible q
re to consolidate, civilize and utilize con- y y
tests already achieved, and the Russian EN- 8
re to-day comprehends great number of
'tinct nationalities, with different Ian.
ages, laws and traditions. g
Two years ago, the Gear claimed but q frac- 81
n of the Island Of Ssghalien-the northern Al
], opposite the mouth of the Amoor River, a.
which his conquests had lately been ex-
ded. Now we are told that he occupies
whole island, 600 miles in length, from
to 100 miles In width, with an area of A.. NJ
square miles. It has coal fields which ,
be Of great value to Russian public ves- T.
IL virtually commands the adjacent MI
tar coast, and it will be the natural rendez. Z.
Is OF the naval forces Of power seeking
endency in the North Pacific.
aghalien having been acquired by the con- N =
of the Japanese, and without remon.
noe from the Chinese, we need expect but pas
e opposition to be made to the ACQUISITION sew
Russia of the Corean Peninsula. japan II
not want the Corea, neither does China. Fol
lie both detest the piratical hordes who mo
: possess it 1t appears to come within oc q
direct and immediate range of Russia's yea
poses. Its acquisition will open a long R
mt of coast to Russian vessels and trade. BRP e
bring the imperial borders close enough
lose of China. Corean pirates will be
I'd to suspend their plumber and butcher
. new light will be shed upon the PENN
i, its resources will be developed, and its -
res taught the value of manual industry. rs.
ASIA moves her outposts steadily out n,
and forward, consolidating and assimi-
g as she goes, turning the conquered into