The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-10
Trip Around the World to Be
Made Next Year.
By Way of Trans-Siberian Rail-
way.
ALMOST COMPLETED.
An American Diplomatic Repre-
sentative Invited
By a Russian Official to Accom-
pany Him.

Washington, July 10.-Mr. Herbert D.
Pierce, first secretary of the United
States embassy to Russia, has been in
Washington for several days on leave
of absence from his post. 1t has afford
ed an opportunity for talks with the
president and state department officials
on the Russian affairs, both political
and commercial, and the imparting of
much interesting information which
could not be brought by the channels
of official reports.
Speaking to a, representative Of the
press, Mr.. Pierce said:
'fThe relations between the United
States and Russia were never on
more cordial basis than at present, and
the friendship which is traditional be-
tween the two countries, finds constant
expression in Russia not only among
officials but also among the people of
all classes 1t is not too much to say
that from the emperor down to the
peasantry, there is a sincere friendship
for US and a desire to become acquaint-
ed with American methods and to make
use in Russia of the skill and ingenuity
which has advanced this country with
such great strides. For this reason
there is a great opening in Russia for
American capital and for the introduce
ton of American machinery and meth
DDS of doing buiness. It is an immense
field, far beyond anything realized by
the people in this country.
Russia is just entering upon an era
of tremendous prosperity, a sort of COM
mercial and Industrial awakening. Here
is the new field for American enterprise
and capital for with our Pacific coast
facilities the Philippines and the trans
Siberian railroad route there is ready
access for our goods into the very heart
of Russia.
During his ministry to Russia Mr..
Hitchcock's personality and splendid
business ability did much to stimulate
our trade relations. and the effect is
i inn is
special opportunity for investments in
steel and iron industries, cotton mills,
and for the manufacture of machinery
and tools. Then, too, our manufactured
goods will find almost illimitable mar
kets, although Russia has d protective
tariff which is encouraging her own in
dustries. Still, even with the tariff, she
wants many of our manufactured goods,
such as steel rails, as the home prOduc-
ton is far short of sufficient to supply
the present state of development. In
fact, there is hardly a line of American
industry which cannot find very profta-
BILE investment throughout Russia.
Moreover, Russia regards American
goods as better than those of any other
country. so that this favorable senti-
ment invites US into these vast new
fields.
People outside of Russia hardly re-
alize how nearly completed the trans
Siberian railway is" continued Mr..
Pierce. Il was told recently by Prince
HilkOn, minister of ways and cOmmuni-
cation, who mas charge OF this great
work that he expected to make a trip
around the world in forty days during
the coming Paris exposition, going by
way of the Trans-Siberian route, and
he had the kindness to ask me to ac-
company him on the trip.
Even now the route is almost continu-
thence by way of Vladivostock on the Pa
cifc coast, with the exception of a COM
covered by post horses. Once open. this
marks almost commercial revolution,
70 the Pacific. and from our Pacific coast
into the far east and thence to eastern
The road is 50 well along, that trains
gance. These trains have not only baths,
libraries and other modern equipments.
purpose of R9ssia Vas re make the Toiifa
one for military and strategic purposes,
tiers With the laval rendezVous at Vladi-
vostock. But now commerce ana travel
over the road has quite overshadowed the
she has opened a highway which is to be
one of the great traffic channels of the
be diverted southwark through Chinese
Manchuria. to permit terminus at Rus
Arthur. But for the present VIadfvos-
took continues to be considered its COM
mercial terminus on the Pacific.
Mr.. Pierce. was asked concerning the
Russia and the appeal issued in London
mere IS really no cause Tor alarm.
for relief, and while not wishing to ques-
ton any Charitable or philanthropic. move
ment think it only just to Russia that
it should be known that the distress is
confined to rather small and remote re-
gions and that Russia herself has COPIED
with the situation thoroughly and sue
cessfully. The country is vast and the
methods of communication primitive
IN places that many cases of distress
slow to be reported and relieved. This
may have led to the existence of consid-
cradle suffering and distress. But as far
a nf
the provinces in southern. Russia. The
Russian government has been prompt in
relieving the distress and the car has
given immense sums think I am safe in
resources, to alleviate the distress. The
energetic steps of the government have