Washington sentinel., 1900-04-21

Russian engineer has recently
made a report to his Government,
stating that the same gold belt
which has proved so rich at Cape
Nome, Alaska, extends across the
Bering Sea into Siberia, and that
there are enormously rich qualtz
lodes in gold mines all over Rus.
sia, which are easy to work at
great profit, are owned by the Gov
ernment and will be sold to the
highest bidder. Il is stated that the
Emperor has issued an ukase per
nnitting Americans to prospect Tor
gold on the west coast OF Siberia,
and that preference is given to
American miners and capital to
explore the mineral wealth.
These letters inquire as to the
truth OF these statements, tor copies
OF Russian mining laws, and per-
mits to prospect Tor gold in Rus
sia, as numerous parties are or
ganizing to take immediate adVan-
tage Of this opportunity.
/ called on n. A. Denissof. the
director OF the mining department,
yesterday, stated the substance OF
the articles, and he replied that,
although the Government was
taking steps to ascertain the con-
ditions on the west coast of Siberia,
the Emperor had not issued an
ukase on that subject, nor was it
probable that he would do so. He
said that petitions might be made
to the Emperor for permission to
prospect for minerals in any part
OF Russia, which should be accom-
panied by recommendations as to
the character Of the applicant, his
experience as a mining engineer,
capital to be employed, etc, and
it would be considered; but the
best informed people here do not
believe permits could be obtained
to prospect Tor gold on the west
coast OF Siberia until after the Rus
sian Government has fllly inYes-
tigated it's conditions. Were 1t
ready to consider such applica-
tions, the probabilities are that it
would require from two tn three
years before the same would be
finally decided. Russian officials
I place no value on time, and it re-
| quires from two to twelve weeks to
receive an answer to an official
communication from the various
departments, according to the
work involved in the reply.
The value OF Russian gold mines
has been greatly exaggerated.
Several experienced American
mining engineers, who are admit
ted to be the best in the world,
have visited Siberia in the interests
oil English as well as American
capitalists during the past three
years and made extensive eXami-
nations of the conditions, and l
have not heard of a single company
being organized as result OF their
reports. The mining is almost all
placer, there being but two small
| quartz mines in the Ural Noun
tains, which are owned by French
capitalists and are said to be losing
money.
There is very little foreign cap
ital in Siberia. No advantages are
offered to or Determinations made
in favor oil Americans engaging in
any kind Of business in Russia.
REQUEST FOR DRIED APPLES
AND SALMON IN FRANcE.-Consul
Britain, OF Nantes, under date Of
February ~, 1900. writes:
M. Charles Beuchet, OF No, 40
rue Gigant, Nantes, is anxious to
obtain the name Of some response.
BILE exporter who will sell him
dried apples, better known as
chops. These apples are cut in
thin slicss-seeds, skins, and stems
then dried and packed in old
sugar barrels tor shipment, They
are used in making a cheap drink
by the poorer class among the
French. The same gentleman
wishes to obtain the name of Amer
ican exporters of other dried fruits,
and also the names OF reliable
salmon packers Of the Pacific coast.
He has been purchasing salmon
from packers in Canada. Persons
wishing 20 increase their foreign
market in the above lines should
open correspondence with him at
once.
GERMAN COMPANY FOR SALE OF