Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-17
Russia Is Fertile, butthe Peas
ants Are Too Lazy to
Plow the Soil.
ALAND RICH IN MINERALS,
But Capitalists Are Afraid to Invest
Money in the Country.
RAILROADS ARE BADLY NEEDED.
Judge Harry White Profting by Divisions
in the County.
The INDIANA MAN AFTER DELEGATES

az expect to see a repetition of famines
in Russia" remarked DR.. Charles Fayes, of
Allegheny, the French scholar and traveller,
al the Duquesne yesterday. ''The peasants
are ignorant and too lazy to work. Only
those who have travelled in the country can
form any idea of the stupidity and laziness
Of the Russian peasant. If he had 1000
acres, he would only cultivate few, while
the rest went to waste Russia is one of
the richest agricultural countries in the
world If the soil were worked, enough
wheat could be raised in the Cars do
mains to supply Europe. The land is fer
tile, but it lacks cultivation. No wonder
there Is famine now. Unless something is
done to stir up the peasants and get them to
plow the land, an annual dearth of food
products can be looked for.
Americans have no conception of the re-
sources OF Russia The mountains are teem-
ing with minerals of all kinds. Coal,
petroleum, iron and even precious stones
are abundant. The country is sadly in need
of railroads and better means of commnri-
cation. Under the present system of Gov
eminent, capitalists are afraid to invest
their money there.
Public Enterprise Restricted.
Nothing is secure. If Russia's policy
were more liberal, it would soon become a
great land, but as long as the Gar is
supreme little development OF the re-
sources of his domains can be expected.
Every enterprise of public character
must first be presented to the Gar for his
approval. I remember when the project TO
build a road from Moscow to ST. Petersburg
was broached. The plans were carefully
drawn by the engineers, and then shown to
Alexander.
when he looked at them he called for a
ruler, and laying it between the two points
on the paper representing the two cities he
drew a straight line. There he ex-
claimed, that is how this road must be
built. The engineers had mapped out a
route to avoid difficulties and take in other
towns, but the Gar wouldn't allow it. The
road was built according to his directions,
and l suppose it is the only straight rail-
road in the world. 1t is strange, but the
educated Russian is one of the politest and
most courteous of men. Indeed, Russian
society amcng the higher classes is all that
II could be wished for.
Russians Not 6H Barbarians.
1--WE hear so much about the ignorance of
the people that we imagine they are all
harbsrians, but this is great mistake.
The Russian gentleman is not rare. He is
chivalroGs and hospitable. If man is
properly introduced, and this is always re-
quirel, he will find Russian society very
agreeable and entertaining. The homes of
the rich are thrown open, and they enter
tain royalty.
bat am a Frenchman, and very fond
and prOud of Paris. 1t has one peculiari.y
which / have not noticed in other cities
Il is impossible for pedestrian 10 lose him.
self in the French capital on account of
the numerous monuments. You may for
get the street or She locality, but if the
statues are observed one will always know
where he is. The Paris police carry
book in which is given a record of all the
streets and places. By reference to this an
officer can direct a stranger to any quarter.
Not so in London. The city is so large that
the police are not familiar with sli its parts,
and very frequently if asked a question
about street, the officers will have TO con-
fess that they don't know where it is"