The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-04-28
SIBERIAN DEVELOPMENT.

A few weeks ago attention was drawn
to the opening of line of railroad through
the province of Shrinking, in the north
eastern corner of China, and surprise was
expressed that the Chinese should begin
their railroad system in such remote and
thinly settled portion of the imperial terri
tory, instead of the central and densely
settled provinces which are so destitute of
means OF Recommendation. 1t turns
out from the Shenpao. the organ of the
most enlightened and liberal class in China.
that the new line is designed as a military
line, and is being built to head off the
threatened interference of Russia with the
northern frontier of China.
On March II, 1891. the Government at
st. Petersburg chartered the Siberian
Railroad Company which proposed to
build. at a cost of about $4,000. 600, a
railroad about 1890 miles long, terminating
at Vladivostock, on the Sea of Japan.
Work was begun at various points stimuli
taneously, and it is expected that the road
will be completed and running In 1901.
simultaneously Siberia was thrown open
to Immigration. Free lands were granted
to Russian settlers OF approved character,
and they were allowed to choose home
steads in regions which would raise the
cereals abundantly, and only needed an
outlet to become highly productive. The
area thrown open to settlement included
the basins of the Obi, the Yenisei, the
Amo0r and part of the Lena. Although,
at the present time, there is no transport
tation in Siberia. and no market for grain
or the products of the forests, the new
policy has led to a steady though small
migration of Russians into the new cOun-
try; when the railroad is built it is ex-
pected that the movement will be lively,
and that the whole line of road from the
Caspian to VladiYostock Will be bordered
by farms producing as much wheat to the
acre as the valleys of the Dnieper and the
Dnisster.
1t has occurred to the Government at
Picking that this enterprise may have mill
tary aims in view. Vladivostock is within
striking distance of the Chinese province
OF Manchooria. Opposite the Russian
works is the Chinese fortified city of
Hunts-un. If this place were seized by
Russian coup de main it would constitute
convenient base for an invasion of North
ern China 1t cannot be many days march
from Picking. This was the secret of the
construction or survey of the new railroad
from Shan Hal. on the Gulf of Lea Tong,
to MOukden. The idea was that if there
was to be tussle with Russia 1t had bet
ter take place as far as possible from the
capital city.
The events for which these measures are
designed are in the distant future. When
the twentieth century begins Russia may
have emerged from the semi-barbaric
stage in which conquest is viewed as the
chief end and aim of nations. But she
may not. Manchooria, with its streams
flowing over gold-bearing gravel, which
has been washed for 1000 years or more.
and is still productive. is prize which
might well tempt a conqueror, and the
Province Of Pe-chi-li is an empire in il
self. 1t may be the purpose of the long
headed statesmen at st. Petersburg to
secure for Russia on the Pacific that mari
time outlet which she has failed to conquer
on the Mediterranean, and which the par
simony Of nature has denied her OF the
Baltic. II so it is evident that the Chinese
do not propose to be taken by surprise, and
if war should come they will enter into the
contest with the double advantage of being
nearer their base aud Of having the heavier
battalions.
Our concern in the business is confined
to the prospect that if Russia and China
should come to blows, it would devolve
upon this country and this coast to feed the
belligerents. We could send -four from
San Francisco to Viadivostock for less
money than it could be carried from Cen
-ol hxy- - II
armies, too, would look to this country for
arms and equipment. Even without
war, the completion of these railroads
would necessarily build up a considerable
trade with this port. Siberia promises TO
be large producer of raw materials; it is
said TO abound in iron, gold and coal of
good quality; it will need every variety of
finished products. By circle sailing the
distance between San Francisco and
Vladivostock is not over 5000 miles.