Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-11
FERTILE FIELD FOR DOLLARS
Russia One Of the Most Promising Locations
for American Enterprise.
PEOPLE PREFER OUR METHODS AND GOODS
Railway Through siberia TO the pa
cihc Nearing Complction-
Equipped with Most Mod
crn Rolling stock.

WASHINGTON, July l0.-Herbert II. d.
Pelrce, 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 an opportunity for
talks with the president and State depart
ment officials on Russian affairs, both
political and commercial and the mparting
OF much interesting information which could
not be brought by the channels of official
reports Speaking to a representative of
the press Mr.. Perce said THE relations
between the United States and Russia were
never on a more cordial basis than at pres
ent and the friendship which is traditional
between the two countries finds constant
expression In Russia, not only among Of
icials, 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 friendship for us and
desire to become acquainted 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 introduce
tion of American machinery and methods of
doing business. 1t is an immense field, far
beyond anything realized by the people in
this country
mendous prosperity, a sort Of commercial
and industrial awakening. Here is the new
field for American enterprise and capital,
for with our Pacific coast facilities, the
Philippines and the Transsiberian railroad
route there is ready access for our goods
into the very heart of Russia. During his
ministry to Russia Mr.. Hitchcocks person
ality and splendid business ability did much
to stimulate 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 manufactured goods will find
almost illimtable markets, although Russia
has a protective tariff which is encouraging
its own industries. Still. even with the
tariff, it wants many of our manufactured
goods. such as steel rails. as the home
production is far short of sufficient to sup
ply the present state of development. In
fact there is hardly a line of American in
dustry which cannot find very profitable
investment throughout Russia. Moreover,
Russia regards American goods as better
than those of any other country, so that
this favorable sentiment invites us into
these vast new fields.
Great Road Nenrs Completion.
people outside of Russia hardly realize
how nearly completed the Transsiberian
railway is" continued Mr.. Peirce. Il was
told recently by Prince Hilkoff,
minister of ways of communication, who has
charge of this great work, that he expected
to make trip around the world in forty
days during the coming Paris exposition,
going by way of the Transsiberan route
and he had the kindness to ask me to ac-
company him on the trip. Even now the
i.s tn
the Amoor river and thence of Yladivostock
on the Pacific coast with the exception OF
comparatively short stretch which has to be
covered by post horses. Once open, this
marks almost a commercial revolution CIV
ing 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 astonsh
even Americans as models of elegance. These
trains have not only baths, libraries and
other modern equipments, but complete
gymnasium to begule 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 rendez-
yous at Vladivostock. But now commerce
and travel over the road has quite over
finds that she has opeEed highway which
is to be one of the great traffic channels of
trade. In time possibly the route will be
diverted southwark through Chinese Man
churia, to permit terminus at Russia's new
and important leasehold at Port Arthur. But
for the present Vladivostock continues to be
considered it's commercial terminus on the
Pacific"
Distress Not Great.
Mr. Peirce was asked concerning the re-
cent reports of widespread famine in Russia
and the appeal issued in London for relief.
There is really no cause for alarm" said
he, II am familiar with this appeal for re-
lief, and while not wishing to question any
charitable or philanthropic movement, l
think 1t 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 coped 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 reported and relieved. This
may have led to the existence OF consider
able suffering and distress, but as far as l
can learn this suffering is not widespread,
but is confined to some of the provinces in
southern Russia. The Russian government
has been prompt in relieving the distress