The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-07-11

arelts 4Ehuas9lDeEitsu 3s@Ae"Nd N'4S
10 Near Approach 20 Completion.
Reports Of Famine.
WASHINGTON, July 1o.-Mr. Herr
bert II. D. Peirce, first secretary Of the
United States embassy to Russia, has
been in washington several days on
leave Of abgence from his post. It has
Afforded an opportunity for talks with
the President and state department on
clalS on Russian affairs, both political
ana commercial. ana the inpartins Of
much interesting information which
could not be brought by the channels
o. odicial reports. Speaking 70 rep
resentatlve Of the press. Mr.. Peirce said:
''The relations between the United
States aud Russia were never on a more
cordial basis than at present, and the
friendship which is traditional between
the two countries finds constant express
sion in Russia, not only among officials
but also among the people Of all classes.
Il Is not too much to say that from the
emperor down to the peasantry, there
Is q sincere friendship for US and u de-
sire to become acquainted with Ameri-
can methods and to make use in Russia
OF the skin and Ingenuity which has ad-
vaneed 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 busl-
ness. 1t Is an immense field, far be-
yond anything realized by the people In
this country; sort of commercial and
industrial awakening. Here is the new
aeld for American enterprises and capl-
tai. Tor with our Pacific coast facilities,
the Philippines and the tFans-slherian
railroad route, there is ready access to
Russia. Mr.. Hitchcock's personality
and splendid business ability did much
to stimulate our trade relations, andthe
eftect Is widespread and continuous.
There is special opportunity for invest
ments in steel and iron industries. cot
ton mills, and for the manufacture Of
machinery and tools. Then, too, our
manufactured goods Will find almost
ilIimitable markets, although Russia
has a protective tariff which is encour-
aging her own industries. STILL even
with the tariff, she wants many Of our
manufactured goods. such as steel rails.
"a the home production is far short Of
sutlclent to supply the present state Of
development. In fact there Is hardly a
line OF American industry which cannot
md very profitable Investment through
out Russia. Moreover. Ru-sia regards
American goods as better than those OF
any other country. so that this favor
able sentiment invites US into these vast
new fields.
"People outside OF Russia hardly
realize how nearly complete the trans
Siberian railway is" continued Mr..
Peirce. II was told recently by Prince
HltkoR, minister Of ways Of communal
cation, who has 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 accom-
pany him on the trip. Even now the
route Is almost continuous from Mos
cow 70 the Amoor river and thence to
Vladlvoatock on the Pacific coast, with
the exception of comparatively short
stretch which has to be covered by post
horses. once open. this marks almost
q commercial revolution, giving high
way from western Europe to the Pncl-
nc, and from our Pacific coast into the
far east and thence to eastern Europe,
,rrhe road is 90 well along that trains
are run out Of MOSCOW which would as
tonish even Americans as models of ele-
eance. These trains have not only
baths, libraries and other modern
equipments, but complete gymnasium
20 begulle the long trip through siberia.
The original purpose OF Russia was to
make the route one for military and
strategic purposes, linking the capital
and other large centres with the naval
rendezvous at Vladlvostock. But now
commerce and travel over the road has
quite owe. shudowed the strategic pur-
pose and Russia flnds that she has
opened highway which IS to be one
Of the great channels Of the worlds
tradic. IN time possibly the route Will
be diverted southwark through Chinese
Manchurla, to permit terminus at
Russla's new and important lease-hold
At Port Arthur. But for the present
viadlvostocl, continues to be considered
ia commercial terminus on the Pacific"
Mr.. PIERCE was asked concerning the
recent reports of widespread famine in
Russla, and the appeal Issued in London
for relief.
''There Is really no cause for alarm
oald he. II am familiar with this np'
peal for relief, and while not wishing
70 question any charitable or philan-
trophIo movement think It only Just
to Russia that II 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 coun'
try ia 80 vast, and the methods Of com
munlcatlon so primitive in places, that
cases OF dIstrcss nre slow to be reported
and relieved. This may have led to The