The Portland daily press., 1899-07-25

Hon. Mr.. Pierce Tells About
Conditions There.
He Is First Secretary OF American En-
bassy OF ST. PetersBurg-plans for
American IndustriaI Exhibition In
Russia I'm 1891.

Russia In 1891.
| Among tho visitors who are speuding
the summer in this city is Hon. II. B.
Pierce, first secretary Of the American
embassy at ST Petersburg. a position
which he has nilad for the last i've years.
He was sesn yesterday by reporser of
the PRESS and talked most interesting
~ regarding International questions.
"Ths conference which Is now going on
ct The Hague said Mr.. Pierce, s.is of
spsoial interest to the people of Russia,
its conception being that OF the emperor
who invited the great powers to consider
and debate In conferences OF their repre-
ssntAtiyes measures looking toward an
abatement In existing conditions Of mill
stsry preparation. It was the first step
toward universal ponce and as srch it
tsmps its author ~ one OF the most re-
markakbls Of modern soversigns.
IL 10 very great movement and its full
results Cannot be attained for long
time, doubt II anybody ansiciputsd
that the confidence would lead to any i'm
mediate reduction of the worlds arma-
ment although one Of the main purposes
OF this conference is to see whether there
is not a possibility of reaching this emf
In the future. All civilized people admit
the barbarity OF war; but as yet we have
have found no way OF avoiding it. There
are two points that are to be met at this
conference. Hirst, the progress Of the
world has developed standing armies of
vast sizs and expensive equipment while
new discoveries aud inventions necessi-
| tate constant changes and increasing sx-
pense with the frequent abandonment Of
arms and ammunitions only recently
purchased. At the present rate of this
progress it may well be questioned
whether before. long all of the resources
of all of the nations Of 5he would will
rot DO absorbed in maintaining their
ornaments. thus diverging monies that
should he expended for internal develop
ments to military preparation even in
the time Of peace. On the other hand
there Is the natural and humane desire of
all civilized people to avert war. Thus
has arisen the question OF arbitration Of
differences. The conference at The
Hague was callsd together on both of
these accounts but especially because the
present rate VI progression In the cost
or maintenance OF armies ana the machin.
cry Of warfare is fast becoming a me mace
60 the financial condition OF all Of the
powers in the world. The equipment of
q great army today amounts to an enor-
nous suin of money. New Inventions are
constantly coming up which render some
other inventions wholly useless. Com
pare q modern warship with an old
wooden warship as to cost and consider
that the progress of modern science may
at any moment render all our ships prac-
tically useless"
Secretary Pierce Is pleased to report
that the affairs in Russia are peaceabls
aud shat that nation IA entirely frinedly
10 the United States. He Is very enthu.
siastic over the enormous commercial OPP
portunitics In Russia, opportunities
which should he taken advantage of by
American capital and Enterprise.
In nearly every direction" states SEQ
retay Pierce. lis there room for American
enterprise and capital IN Russia. Their
railways and manufactures are develop.
ing rapidly and in them the English,
Belaians and French are playing great
part. Our knowledge and our capital, I
am sure, would be accorded warm well
come by the people OF Russia. Especially
does the mining question in Russia offer
most inviting field for developments and
investment. The conditions in Russia
In regard to internal development are
such as our country has not seen for
years"
For several months SECRETARY Pierce
has been deyoting great deal of his time
In interesting both the people of this
country and those of Russia in holding
grand American industrial exhibition
In Rnssia In 1891 to follow the Paris ex-
hibition.
ss..'It is hoped THAT we shall be
enabled bring this about says Mr..
Pierce. 81 am meeting with very much
encouragement, and consider that the
prospects are such that 1t IL highly prob.
able that the exposition will DO held.
Our Intention is TO take practically all of
the American exhibits that will be at
Paris to Russia. If the American exhib-
itors will consent to do. this, there is no
question That our exposition proposed to
be.held at Russia will be a grandtsuccess. {"
Secretary Pierce expects to be back in
st. Petersburg about the middle OF Sep
TENDER.