The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-11
R|JSS|A'S OPEN DOOR
So Far as America Is Con-
cerned, Is a Western Door.
RAILWAY ACROSS SIBERIA
Bids Fair to ReVoIutionize
Round-the- Travel.

Washington, July 1o.-Mr. Herbert H. D
embassy to Russia, has been in Washingt
Peirce, first secretary OF the United States
embassy to Russia, has been In Washing
ton several days on leave of absence from
his post It has afforded an opportunity
for talks with the president and state de-
partment officials on Russian affairs, both
political and commercial, and the impart-
ing Of much interesting information which
could not be brought by the channels of
official reports. Speaking TO represent
ative of the Associated Press, Mr.. PIERCE
| said:
1.-THE relatiins between the United States
and Russia were never on a more cordial
basis tina nat present, and the friendship
which il traditional between the TWO coun-
tries 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 sincere friend
| ship for US and a desire to become ac-
| qUainted with American methods and to
| make use In Russia Of the skill and inge-
| nuity 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 introduc-
ton OF American machinery and methods
| of doing business. 1t is an immense field,
far beyond anything realized by the peo-
pie in this country. Russia is just enter
ing an era of tremendous prosperity,
sort of commercial and industrial awaken
ing. Here is the new field for American
enterprises and capital, for, with our Pa
cific coast facilities the Philippines and
the trans Siberian railroad route, there IL
ready access for our goods into the very
heart of Russia. During his ministry to
puB 6lJBuosIed S.Yoooq0lIH liz @pIssnH
splendid ability did much to stimulate our
trade relations, and the effect is wide
spread and continuous. There Is splendid
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 markets. although
Russia has a protective tariff which is
encouraging her own industries. Still,
even with the tariff. she wants many Of
our manufactured goods such as steel
rails. as the home production Is far short
of sufficient to supply the present state
OF development. In fact, there is hardly
a Zine of American industry which cannot |
find very profitable investment throughout |
Russia. Moreover, Russia regards Amer !
lean goods as better than those IL any |
other country, so that this favorable SEN !
timent invites us into these vast new
fields.
People outside of Russia hardly realize |
now nearly complete is the Trans-Siberian /
railway" contlnuer Mr.. Peirce. II was |
told recently by Prince Hilkoff, minister
of ways of communication, who has
charge of this great work, that he expect
ed to make a trip around the world in
forty days during the coming Paris expo
sitioh. going by way of the Trans-Siberian
route, and he had the kindness to ask me
to accompany him on the trip. Even now !
the route Is almost continuous from Mos
cow TO the Amoor river and thence 10
on the Pacific coast, with the
exception of compare lively short stretch
which has to be covered by post horses.
Once open, this marks almost a CONNER
cal revolution, giving a highway from
western Europe to the Pacific, and from
our Pacific coast into the far east, and
thence to eastern Europe. The road Is SO
we'll along that trains are run out OF Mos
cow which would astonish even Americans
ar models OF elegance. These trains havs
not only baths. libraries and other modern
equipments, but a complete gymnasium to
beguGe the long trip through Siberia. The
q Of |
the route one for military and strategic |
purposes, linking the capital and other
srge centers with the naval rendezvous
1t Vladivostock- But now commerce and
travel over the road has quite over !
'hadowed the strategic purpose, and Rus
;ia finds that she has opened a highway
which is ii be one OF the great channels
II traffic Of the world. IN time possibly |
he route will be diverted southward
through Chinese Manchuria, 10 permit a
erminus at RussiS's ne wand important ! ,
easehOld at Port Arthur. But for the !,
present, Vladivostock continues to be
considered its commercial terminus OF the ,
Pacific
Mr.. Peirce was asked concerning the re-
ent reports of widespread famine in Rus
ia and the appeal issued in London for
eisf. There Is really no cause for
ilarm.' said he, 81 am familiar with this
appeal for relief and while rot wishing 20
question any charitable or philanthropic
movement. think 1t only just to Russia
hat II should be known that the distress
5 confined to rather small and remote
egions and tha Russia herself has COPIED
With the sTtuatiin thoroughly and success
nily. The country is vast asd the meth .
DIS Of communication so primitive in :
laces that cases Of distress are slow 70
2 reported and relieved. This may have :
I'd 20 the existence OF considerable sug- :
ering and distress. But as far as I can ,
earn this suffering Is not widespread but ! .
confined TO some Of the provinces in !
cuthern Russia. The Russian government
as been prompt in relieving the dis