Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-18
AN AsIATIO CALIFORNIA.
Old American and Australian Miners
Again in Golden Glover.
From tae St5ir Of Trkutsk.


From the Si6ir Of Zrkutsk.
We have some interesting particulars
of the community which has lately sprung
up on the south of the Amoor, in the dis
trict where gold has been found in such
abundance that the name Asiatic Call
fornia has been given 1t. The place is
practically an almost Inaccessible desert,
without roads or paths. 1t is well beyond
the Russian frontiers, and it would seem
that until the middle OF last winter the
Chinese were quite ignorant that a gold
mine had been found on their territory.
The diggers, who are la rgely composed Of
American and Australian miners and re-
cruits from the diamond fields, soon found
the necessity Of establishing order, and
they have constituted sort Of democratic
republic.
The gold field is at present divided into
twenty-five small districts, over each OF
which two elected chiefs preside--a Judge,
and an Overseer-whOse duty it is TO dis
pose of all differences which may arise
among the diggers, and to infiict mOder-
ate punishment for any ofenses. A gem
eral president controls this body ofjudges
and overseers. He Is chosen by general
suffrage from among the diggers, and he
is charged with the task OF conducting
any business which may arise with the
Russian or Chinese administrations OF the
Amoor districts. The decision OF all mat
ters OF grave Importance is reserved TO n
General Assembly OF all the diQgers, and
this assembly is empowered 10 eXpel any
one from the mines, 10 depOse the
President, and 10 inhlct a capital punish
ment.
The President has q salary OF 400 rou-
bles a month, or about tj6; the Oyerseers
and Judges have salaries Of half this
amount. A direct tax on all places Of
amusement and liquor saloons constitutes
the fiscal income OF the commonwealth
There are about $50 such places in the
district, aud the receipts OF each vary
from 200 10 400 rOubles day. Each place
pays "A monthly tax Of % rOubles. A Rus
sian official has been stationed by the au-
thOrities Of Eastern Siberia in the district,
and he has purchased large quantity OF
the gold obtained by the diQgers at the
rate Of $40 rOubles the solOtnik equal 10
4.3 grammes) ), or nearly ~ the rate Of f45
the troy pound. The amount pur.
chased 20 the beginning Of summer
amounted to SO pools, or over G2.800.
When the Chinese authorities learned
that gold mine had been discovered
within their borders they took steps 10 as-
sert their rights, and sent a small detach-
ment OF troops. The dlggers tried 70 buy
them of, offering first four pounds and
then eight pounds Of gold. Then force
OF O.OO0 men was sent from ManchOoria,
the intention being 20 attack the diggers
az soon as the ice began 10 break up on
the AmOOr, and they could no longer es-
cape by the river into Russian territory.
Had they done this there would have been
much blOodshed, for the diggers are well
armed and very determined, and ~ dis
ooverers consider they have an absolute
property in the diggings. Possibly Rus
STA would have found 10 the confusion an
excuse for Intervention in district which
she must regret is not within her own
borders.