The Anaconda standard., 1899-07-11
IT'S AN IMMENSE FIELD
Russia Entering an Era of Tre-
mendous Prosperity.
GREAT TRAFFIC CHANNEL
The Trans-Siberian. Road Is Aluost
Completed-Russia Is Anxious
for American Goods
and Methods.

Washington, July 1O-Herbert d.
Pierce, first secretary of the United
States embassy to Russia, has been IN
washington several days on leave of
absence from his post 1t has afforded
opportunity for talks with the president
and state department officials upon
Russian affairs, both political and com
mercial, and the imparting of much in
teresting information which could not
be brought by the channels of official
reports. Referring to a report of the
press, Mr.. Pierce said: s&s
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
otnclals, 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
Tor 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 great opening in Russia for
American capital and for the introduc-
ton of American machinery and meth
DDS of doing business. 1t Is an i'm
mense field, far beyond anything real
lied by the people in this country.
Russia is just entering an era of
tremendous prosperity, a sort of COM
mercial industrial awakening. Here is
the new field for American enterprise
and capital, for which, with her coast
facilities, the Philippines and the trans
iS
for our goods to the heart of Russia.
Russia regards American goods as bet
ter than those of any other country, so
that this favorable sentiment invites
business into these vast new fields.
''Our people outside of Russia hardly
realize how complete the Siberian
railway is. ] was told recently by
Prince Hilkoff; minister of ways and
communication, who has charge OF this
great work, that he could make a Up
around the world in 40 days during the
coming Paris exposition, going by way
of the trans Siberian railroad, and ne
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 Vladivo-
stock, on the Pacific coast, with the ex-
ception of a comparatively short stretch
which has been covered by post horses.
This marks almost a commercial revo-
luton, giving a highway from western
Europe to the Pacific and from our Pa
cific coast into the far East and thence
to Europe. The road is so well along
that trains are run out of Moscow
which would astonish even Americans
as models 81 elegance. These trains
have not only baths, libraries and other
modern equipment, but a complete
gymnasium to beguile 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 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 a highway which is to be one OF
the greatest traffic channels in the
world"