The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-07-11

Washington, July 10.-Mr. Herbert D.
| Pierce, first secretary of the United
| States embassy in Russia, has been in
Washington several days on leave of
absence from his post. 1t has afforded
opportunity for talks with the presi-
dent and state department officials of
Russian affairs, both political and
commercial, and the imparting of much
| interesting information which could not
be brought by the channels of official
reports. Referring to a report of the
press, Mr. Pierce said:
The relations between the United
| States and Russia were never on a
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 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 introduction of American
machinery and methods of doing bust
ness. 1t is an immense field, far be-
yond anything realized by the people
in this country. Russia is just entering
an era of tremendous prosperity, a sort
of commercial industrial awakening.
Here is the new field for American en-
terprise and capital, for which, with
her coast facilities, the Philippines and
the trans Siberian railway, there is
ready access for our goods to the heart
of Russia.
Want Manufactured Goods.
During his ministry to Russia, Mr..
Hitchcock's personality and splendid
business ability did much to srimu
late our trade relations, and the effect
is widespread and continuous. There is
special opportunity for investments in
steel and iron industries, cotton mills,
and for the manufacture of machinery
and tools. Then, too, our manufac-
tured goods will find almost illimitable
markets, although Russia has a pro-
tective tariff which is encouraging her
own industries. Still, even with the
tariff, she wants many of our manu-
featured goods, such as steel rails, as
the home production is far short of SUI
ficient to supply the present state of
development. In fact, there is hardly a
line of American industry which cannot
find very profitable investment through
OuI 1kuSSld. OIGONtI, 1luSold IGS5dl lS
American goods as better than those of
any other country. so that this favor
able sentiment invites business into
these vast new fields.
Our people outside of Russia hardly
realize how complete the trans Siberian
railway is. 1 was told recently by
Prince Hilkoff, minister of ways and
communication, who has charge of this
great work, that he could make a trip
around the world in forty days during
the coming Paris exposition, going by
way of the rans-Siberian route, and he
had the kindness to ask me to accom-
pany him. Even now the route is al
most continuous from Moscow to the
Amor river, and thence to Vladivostock
on the Pacific coast, with the exception
of a comparatively short stretch which
has been covered by post horses.
This marks almost a commercial
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 well along that trains are run out
of Moscow which would astonish even
Americans as models of elegance. These
trains have not only baths, libraries
and other modern equipments, but a
complete gymnasium to beguile the
long trip through Siberia.
Great Railway System.
1.-THE original purpose of Russia was
to make the route one for military and
strategic purposes, linking the capital
and other large centers with the naval
rendezvous at VladivoStock. But now
commerce and travel over the road has
quite overshadowed the strategic pur-
pose and Russia finds that she has
opened highway which is to be one
of the greatest traffic channels of the
In he
be diverted southwark through Chinese
Manchuria to permit terminus at
RusSia's new and important lease-hold
at Port Arthur. But for the present
Vladivostock continues to be considered
its commercial terminus on the Pa
cific'
MIR. Pierce was asked concerning the
recent reports of widespread famine in
Russia and the appeal issued in Lon
don for relief.
There is really no cause for alarm"
said he, II am familiar with this appeal
for relief, and while not wishing TO
question any charitable or philantro-
phic movement, l think it only just to
Russia that it should be known that
the distress is confined to rather small
and remote regions and that Russia
herself has COPIED with the situation
thoroughly and successfully The
country is vast and the methods of
communication so primitive in places
that cases of distress are slow to be re-
ported and relieved. This may have
led to the existence of considerable
suffering and distress, but as far as 1
can learn this suffering is not wide
spread and it is confined to some of
the provinces in southern Russia The
Russian government has been prompt
in relieving the distress and the car
has given immense sums, think l am
safe in saying 100000 roubles $780,
000) out of his own private resources
to alleviate the distress. The ener-