The herald., 1897-09-14
OFFICE OF THE HERALD,

Los Angeles. Sept. 13
The Washington correspondent of the
Public Ledger, Philadelphia writes that
paper as follows: Attention is being di-
rected to the fact that Russia occupies a
singllarly interesting position today as a
gold producer. She is gradually feeling
her way from a silver standard to a gold,
and she is herself the fourth largest pro-
ducer of the more precious metal. 1t is
estimated Eastern Siberia. including the
region of the Yenissei, will alone give an
annual production of gold of the value of
about $4,000, 900. With the completion Of
the Transsiberian line there will be four
great and steady producers of gold-the
United States, South Africa, Australia
and Siberia, with her neighborng Chinese
territories Besides these there must con-
tinue to exist number of other producers,
like India, Brazil, the Guianas, British
Columbia, Mexico, Germany, Austria
Hungary and Bolivia. But these, 1t Is
believed, can never seriously compete with
the four producers just named.
"some details furnished by the Geograph-
fcal society of Paris confirm the statements
made from time to time as to the value of
the gold deposits in Siberia. The particu-
lars were given by M E. d. Levat, c. E.,
who went over the ground in the company
of a. Russian engineer M. TIL. Sabachni
koff. They state that an immense devel
opment of the gold placers has been car
ried on between the Ural and Vladivostock.
Nowhere in the world, states M. Levat,
are there such vast stores of gold, and
spread over so large a surface. Eastern
Siberia at present produces between 1885,,
100000 and 150OOO,0O0 francs Of gold, with
out taking into account what is clandes-
timely exported. In the Amoor province
at least a quarter of the production is
20 dealt with. The majority Of the mines
are situated far from the Amoor, from
whence stores and provisions have to be
drawn, and considerable transport diff
culties are experienced. Work can only
be carried on for about 100 to 12O days in
the year-say from May to September
for the indispensable water is frozen hard
for the rest of the time. During the cold
season, however, prospecting is carried
on"
The London Westminster Gazette says:
'"The appendix to the general report of
the corporation of foreign bondholders,
just issued as usual contains great deal
of useful and interesting information with
regard to various states which either are
or have been in default. Colombia and
Costa Rica have now disappeared from
the list of defaulting states, owing to
arrangements having been effected with
the bondholders. The total capital of loans
in default now stands at E49, ,937 900, against
s53, COG, 900 last year. With regard to Greek
matters, it is remarked that in the budget,
as originally proposed, the revenue showed
a surplus of about 1,590000 drachma, but
supplementary and additional credits re-
suited in a deficit of about 27 900, 900 drach-
ma. The rebellions in Cuba and the Philip
pines, 1t is mentioned, have continued to
cause an enormous drain on the resources
of the Spanish treasury. Attention is
called to the fact that Spain has assumed
the liability Of having to make good the
service upon a large amount of Cuban
bonds should Cuba herself be unable to
meet these obligations. The negotiations
concerning the Honduras debt are referred
to, and the bondholders are again advised
not to deposit their bonds under the
scheme.
+ +
American machinery, hardware and en-
gines are fast securing the bulk of the
Mexican trade in these lines. The increase
In the value of United States iron and
steel manufactures imported last year was
over 900 in gold.
+ =
The August coinage of the United States
mint was the largest since last April. The
monthly coinage of the mints this year
has been as follows:
january .,,,,,,,... ........ 50 ISL 2o0 90