New-York tribune., 1900-09-30

the summer months, the facilities offered be-
tween certain points are of the most primitive
order. and il is impossible to make any definite
plans a. 10 dates. Anybody who plunges into
Siberia from the Pacific Coast and inagines
that he VIII emerge at the other side within a
given time is likely to be mistaken. But If
person has plenty OF time and plenty of patience.
and some money 10 spend, he viii find the trip
safe and interesting chiefly on account of its
novelty. For variety and beauty it does not
compare with the steamer trip to Europe by
way Of Suez. While the possibilities of making
& comfortable trip are increasing all the time,
il VIII be three years at the least before one
can go straight through from either Vladivostok
or Port Arthur by rail.
1t seems foolish as well as an ungracious
act for foreigners who are making or have
been making this trip to rail against Russians
I'm general. the Russian Government and Rus
sian railroad management in particular. To be-
gin with, this route has not been formally
opened 10 the public, nor is the Government at
al anxious for foreign travellers now. Russian
ideas Of comfort differ from American and we
ARE faring wei as the officers and officials
who pass back and forth all the time better
sin some respects. because We are strangers L
Is more sensible TO lay the blame on those en-
terprising foreign journalists who have written
glowing reports OF the trip. and have provided
which has led some and may lead others to
make the journey when they would not have
cone 50 had they known the real facts of the
case. Many Of these reports have been written
from afar or by people who have penetrated
no further than Khabaroffsk or Blagoveschensl
or who have started the other way and pro-
ceeded no further than Irkutsk trip which
may be made entirely on train de luxe"
PRIMITIVE FACILITIES.
The mail boats leave BIagoveschensl1 as they
soo Khabaroffsk. every five days. ALWAYS ar 8
O'Clock at night There is a floating jetty formed
fof an old barge, connected with the shore bv q
tgangpiank. For several hours before the
isteaIner leaves this is crowded with the mas
ksengers who about to embark on their long
journey TO Moscow or 81. Petersburg Russian
oineers and their families are returning on leave
Nor because their terms Of service have exnired
and all their friends are down TO bid them fare
well after the demonstrative Russian stvle
There IS no lack Of sincerity behind the outward
show Of feeling. for anybody who travels
among Russians finds them kindly peopIe
never lacking in small acts Of courtesy toward
one another as well as toward foreigners For
some reason, which have been unable to as
certain they have, as nation. a peculiar re-
gard for Americans. This is the more easily
explained IN the case Of the French. since the
rranQo-R Russian alliance is now Of long stand
ing A ,Frepchman in cur party is seized upon
al hotels by officers whose French vocabulary Is
limited 70 ~vive la France" This. however is
repeated 50 often as to make up in ouant,t,,
what is lacking in variety. and every time that
the phrase is reiterated, the unfortunate French
man is made 10 take drink
3 The national dislike for the English is as
strong as the regard for the Americans and the
French This is because Great Britain is con-
sidered Russia's greatest rival in her aggressive
policy. and the ashes OF the Crimean War stiT,
have q few. .sFnouldering sparks But this dis
like is not carried 10 individuals and the travel
mig FT1tisner Is treated with universal courtesy
( IL not with enthusiasm:
The mailboat is bound to leave BIapovas-
chensk every fifth day at o'clock whether
there is any chance Of its being able to proceed
E Up the river OF not Our steamer got stuck on a
MUD bar about two hours after we started and
oio not get off again till midnight We realized
afterward that she was noated this Time With
the utmost expedition. This is one OF the most
unfavOrable seasons Of the year for TRAVELLING
f up the Amoor and its tributaries The first tvyo
f mail steamers passed through up the Strete,sI,
without a Inishap. there being plenty OF water
after the breakup OF the Ice in the last OF Anr;1
In little while the so-caIIed rainy sesaon"
sets IN, but for two three weeks previous ,o
that navigation consists Of a series of scrapes
T from BagoVeschensk. .215 versts to stretensl,
while the unfortunate voyagers are knocked
from pillar 20 post. Starting out in comma rs tt.
luxury, they are often transferred several t,rn.e
70 steamers ofleSser draught-and fewer con-
veniences, The steamers which ply between
hhabaroffsk and Blagovesehensk are the largest
ana the most luxurious. drawing about four and
q half feet Of water. They have two decks. the
Upper one being entirely set apart for the first
sno second class passengers the steerage mas
sensers being on tie engine deck below. A
comfortable saloon and a promenade deck are