Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-26
SIBERIA'S GOLD.
Richest Miners Arc Political Exiles
Who Are Still COnvfcts.
From he Nav York Herald

Richest Miners Arc Political Exiles
Who Are Still Convicts.
From the New York Herald.
keep your eyes on Siberia
That is what a scientific writer on the
old problem wrote only six months ago,
and those who have visited that supposed
ly bleak cold and dismal country may
fairly echo his words. Siberia has been
misunderstood. For forty years now mines
have been opened all over the country. In
Tomsk minister Of mines is permanently
resident, as well as at Irkutsk, while the
number of people employed in the mining
industry is considerably in excess of 100 600
Yet in spite of the marvellous richness OF
the country, which has been described by
more than one writer as likely to become
second California, little or no attempt has
been made by foreigners to enter and to
take up the industry Of gold mining. Yet
the government is most anxious that such
should be the case, and in order to facili-
tate the Importation of foreign energy and
brain to the great Siberian gold fields, spe-
cial concessions are held out to foreigners
which the native does not enjoy.
Russian law is pc Altar, complicated and
little awe-in5piring, and this may have
great erect upon the capitalist, backed up
as it is by the extraordinary prejudice
which still exists in civilized Europe against
everything Russian.
In many respects Siberia resembles the
K1ondike district. Many Of the mines are
situated in places equally as inaccessible in
winter. and which have the same character
istics in summer. The alluvial deposits are
free and in some cases rich. Quartz there
is, but with the exception of one or two
places this has never yet been tapped and
in the whole of Siberia at the present time
there is not a single efficient battery for
quartz crushing-this statement on the au-
thority of Mr.. ShOstok, the minister of
mines for Siberia. Nor is there anv ma
chlnery cbi 1f oil oil
gold, and yet millionaire gold miners free
men or eXiles, may be found by the dozen
in Tomsk, Irkutsk and Krasnoairsk. The
practiced miner, fresh from the fields of
western Australia. British Columbia or
California, would doubtless laugh hugely at
the primitive arrangements in use in
Siberia.
The foreigner desiring to become a mine
owner in Siberia must first have a letter of
recommendation from his ambassador or
consul. AID then he can either rent or buy
existing mines or prospect for himself. He
Is not allowed more than five verstS, or
three and a quarter miles, of land in any
one particular spot, but he can have as
many mines as he likes, provided they are
not on one run. All the gold he obtains he
hands over to the government, (which as
says and smelts it for him. credting him
with its value, less 3 or 8 per cent accord
ing to the district, which is tax money.
Once in possession Of the concession, the
miner may go to any part of Siberia, and
II he knows his business and Is careful
there is every prospect of him becoming
rich man, for. if anything, the protective
laws of Russia are more severe than in
any other country. Such thing as claim
jumping is unknown. robbery or murder al
most unheard of and food is astonshingly
cheap, as also is labor. The government
provides each mine owner with Cossacks
to guard the precious metal, and, in short;
when one thoroughly understands the con-
ditionS there can be no better way of pur-
suing the fascinating hunt for gold than
under the Siberian regime.
One of the Notwithstanding features of
Siberian gold mining is that many of the
richest miners are eXiles sent to Siberia
years ago for some political or criminal
offense, and, although they have wealth in
abundance, they cannot leave that land of
snow, of steppes and mountains until the
great white czar should be pleased to grant
his gracious pardon.
Now that the great Siberian railway is
slowly but surely forging its way through
the heart of Asia, it is hoped that in its
wake will follow a steady tide of western
civilization. 1t goes without saying that
wherever the railway engine snorts it's way
civilization must follow. Already the line
has reached within measurable distance of
Irkutsk, the capital of Siberia
The large cost and the great discomfort
Of journey to central Siberia have pro-
hfbited foreign enterprise up till now, but
the future will be different. Dispatch and
comfort will be the order of the new rail-
way, and when this has been completed
then may Siberia be the new Klondike, but
with many less disadvantages.