The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-24

it approaches near to Afghanistan. Not
near enough to be within easy mailing dis
lance. but sufficiently near TO make the
hair on the back OF the British lion bristle
with apprehension. For Atgeanlstan is a
craft already obtained a foothold. And, de-
spite threats and defiances. IL is Tightening
its grip on that land, beyond which lie the
portals OF Persia and India.
Beginning at the southern border OF me
mountain ranges through which the road
next takes its flight are The great plans Hr
tribes. held for centuries in nominal de-
pendence to China, but really and actually
rendering allegiance only when overcome.
A fat slice of Tartary has always been a
desirable acquisition in the Judgment or
Russia. Through the easy passes 10 the
southern border IL would be a comparative
~ easy matter TO extend a road over which
soldiers and supplies would be transported
And thus, a territory limited in extent only
by the eXigencieS of the situation could be
added to the imperial realm.
TIL Same can be said of the entire coun-
try adjacent TO the southern border or ST.
land, AMI upon the slightest preteXt would
be willing to enrich herself at the expense
Of her powerful but clumsy and timid
neighbour, China The latter wishes TO be
let alone more than anything else. If by
yielding a portion of her land to. the ag-
g~ressive foe on the north she could secure
a promise of no further molestation, she
might be willing to do it
RUSSIA'S EYE ON COREA.
But leaving China, Afghanistan and Tar
tary behind, we come to the country which
next to Turkey has been the apple Of the
Russian eye. Corea, a land of despotism.
paying tribute to China, but governing it
self after its own weak fashion; a land fer
tile beyond belief, with a climate delight
full throughout its whole length and breadth.
Rich in gold, in silver, in copper, iron and
lead, and only preserving its autonomy
through the constant vigilance of England
and Japan. The port OF NladivostoK Is
closed by ice several months In the year:
The numerous and capacious harbors OF
Corea are open from the 1st OF January
TO the 3iSt of December.
Russia's desires in this direction have
been known for a long time, and nave ere
ated no end of alarm in Great Britain.
AS long ago as 1889 she sought the islands
japan. but She Was thwarted in that pur-
pose. Since then. she has been constantly
ago the town of Kion-Lyng, on the border,
was thrown open TO her..
and 1onsn afTord Rnssia the oppor-
tunity for which she has so long been wait
ing. There is no doubt that in the present
shoulder, waiting for it TO be knocked or
by one or the other Of the combatants.
e she ts a does not to o Se of In anS other way
she may send troops to Corea TO protect her
Syh Eob5ie ap a tRe i aR9le d aea5 sPeGi0uS pre-
With the eastern terminus of the great
Siberian railway at one OF the Corean
laws of to exact tribute from
every nation trading in the North Pacinc
ocean Surely as a strategic WORK as a
measure of defense and offense. the Great
Siberian railway will repay the cost OF
But, to look at 1t from an economic
standpoint, the steppes of southern Siberia
are capable of becoming the granaries OF
the world. For the raising OF cereals,
corn, wheat and the like the soil is almost
of incompatible richness, rivalfng, If not
excelling, the fields of Minnesota, Kansas,
Nebraska and the Dakotas. The climate is
temperate and healthful, the country is
traversed by many large rivers. A sparse
population, lacking the means of transpor--
tation for any distance, has demonstrated
these conditions beyond dispute.
HER ULTIMATE OBJECT.
1t is the purpose of the Russian govern
ment to develop this great region. Immi-
| grafton from all other places in the empire
| will be encouraged in a most lavish fashion.
| Workmen, farmers and laborers will be in
vited to settle in the valleys of southern
Siberia, special rates over the railways
granted-in some cases there will be no
charge for transportation at all-and the
| government will actually loan money if it
is found necessary to do SO in order TO Sc
cure the desired population. Tracts or land
will be thrown open to settlement under a
system similar to the one in vogue in this
country, and special premiums paid for the
4 establishment Of manufacturing industries.
Who can doubt that with all these In
c%entives the plains OF Siberia Will In a rev
years blossom like the roSe?
The mines Oh Siberia In the mountains
through which the road will pass contain
every metal known to man. Coal and IRON
lie so near the surface that the cost OF
extracting the ore will scarcely figure at
all. Gold. silver and copper are in such
abundance that the future cities OF the re-
.gion may well rival the famous Cathay OF
Marco Polo. The forests are stocked with
known in the temperate zone being found.
All this richness has but been awaiting
the means OF transportation TO pour into
the lap of Russia.
branches to the southern border, the great
Siberian railway will convey the products
Of 400, O00. 600 Chinese, 100000 japanese AND
1900, 900 Coreans TO the European mar
nationality, which enters the port of Vladi-
vostok. will send a portion of its cargo
over the highway of steel. Trade will be
extended in all directions, closer relations
established with the United states and
other nations and a grip fastened upon the
OF northern Asia which will defy
competition for all time.
Surely the great Siberian railway as an
economic and commercial measure will re-
pay it's cost.
There is but one more point to be con-
sidered. With the growth of wealth, the
Investigation of pursuits, the development
Of a country comes slowly, perhaps, but
inevitably, knowledge, and with knowledge
comes power and with power freedom. II
may be that the Czarevitch when he laid
the first stone Of the great Siberian rail-
way on May Il. 1891, laid also the founda-
ton of a great and free people.
Surely il such should turn out to be the
case the great Siberian railway will re-
pay UNNECESSARILY more than Its cost.