Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-11-06
RUSSIA AS A COMPETITOR.
M Petroleum Trade Observation-Disclosures
Cotton Raising Region.


Till recently Russia has constituted a
little world Of it, own and lis immense
population has not disturbed the people
living in other countries. In seeking 10
enlarge its borders il has had troubles
with other nations, but otherwise It has
not crossed their track. IL has not been
a competitor in the great commercial
marts of the world. 1t has produced
some superior leather and iron that have
been used for certain purposes, hut lately
1t has been held that articles equally good
have been made in other countries. IL
has exported considerable wheat, but
there has been little fear that the amount
would be increased. 1t has not seriously
injured our market for grain and meat,
while il has bought our cotton, tobacco
and petroleum.
But within the past four years Russia
has revclutionlzed the petroleum. trade Of
the world. Ii has established lines for
conveying oil from near the Caspian TO
the Black sea, and has constructed iron
vessels for carrying it in bulk not only 10
all the leading ports Of western Europe,
but TO Africa. India and Australia. The
Russians were the first 10 use crcde pc
troleum for fuel on locomotive and
stationary steam boilers. for making
Illuminating gas for burning brick and
earthenware.
Recent English papers state that ar
rangements have been made for bringing
frozen beef, pork. mutton and poultry
from Russia TO British ports during the
coming winter, and the belief is expressed
that live animals and eggs will o be
brought at all seasons of the year. II
desirable they can be brought most Of the
distance by rail Or sent all the way by
water from ports on the Baltic sea. 1t is
now believed that immense quantities of
grain raised in Siberia will he sent TO
England, France and Germany from the
same ports. Siberia is the largest if not
the best grain territory in the world. 1t
is capable of supplying all western
Europe with breadstulfs, The central
and southern portions II it are well
adapted for raising wool.
The building of the T,anscaSpian rail
road has opened mp n Of the finest cot
ton raising regions In the world. The
soil is rich and the climate delightful.
Labor there is chcapsr than in Egypt or
India. One-half the cotton used in Rus
sian millss last year was produced in
central Asia, and et' arts will be made 10
produce the entire amount needed within
the next four year. At the end Of that
time Russia exnec to export raw cotton.
The profits of raising il in a region where
blowing NAV be done during most of the
year and where no fertilizers are re-
quired are enormous. With cars and
steamers run 10y petroleum cotton raised
in central Asia may within five years be
laid down in Liverpool 10 compete with
that produced in the United States.
The region travcrsed by this same sys-
tenn If railroads is also said 10 be won
derfully adapted to the production of fine
wool and tobacco. For centuries large
focks of sheep and goats have been kept
there and have been the chief sources Of
wealth. With good facilities for trans
porting their fleeces it is likely that these
focks will be largely increased. Some
state that the tobacco raised in central
Asia is superior to that produced in
Turkey, which is prefeEed for making
cigarettes and smoking in pipes.-Chi
cago Times.