The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-06
THE SIBERIAN ROAD.


;,aper on The Great Siberian RAILWAY,
sv NJ. Mikhaiion The paper is partieu-
larry interesting to Americans. for the
writer, who Is. as his name implies, a
Russian, treats this subject from the
American point of view.
After giving a brief sketch of the his
tory of the road, and after describing the
soil and climate of Siberia, he comes to
speak of the population. This is not
made up entirely of exiles. Fortunate
~ for Siberia he. says, '.at the same
time that the artificial colonization was
going on, a natural colonization was aa-
vancing for men who had been unfortu-.
nate in their native land were attracted
by the free life Of Siberia. and made
their way thither in small but steady
numbers 1T is from these men, who had
proved themselves enterprisinS and Of
great physical and mental vigor, that the
present population of Siberia has been
evolved He declares that the popula-
ton enboGfes all the best character.
istics Of the daring adventures who first
who went there in such numbers. and of
the Cossacks and peasantry whom the
government induced to settle there by the
offer of large subsidies. hoping thereby
to promote the development of agricul-
turc They had to struggle for exist
prising type. not unlike. he declares, that
which we meet with in the United States.
Canada and Australia.
Passing on to speak of the resources
of the country he says that the mineral
wealth of Siberia, particularly in the
eastern part, is fabulous. and that the
area of its gold regions is much larger
than that of the celebrated gold fields
of California. Australia and Africa taken
together. This is most important
statement if true. AS gold is now the
money metal of the world the question
is constantly. arising as to whether or
not there will be enough gold from year
TO year to supply the demand, There Is
certainly an abundance of gold at the
present time and here is promise oil
n new supply as the demand increases
Siberia is also rich in other metals
silver. lead and copper-while MI
Mikhailoff tells US that iron and coal
exist in large quantities throughout the
whole extent of the land. Some OF the
coal mines are now being worked. An
other important source of wealth is salt,
which can be had in quantities from self
depositing lakes in western and northern
Siberia Still other sources of wealth
are fur-bearng animals and fish, the
latter heinz, found in enormous supply.
The siberian railroad will not have been
completed until 1902, but the greater por-
ton of the road is now in operation, and
the traffic thus far is much greater than
was anticipated. OF course the people
have net had time as yet to do much In
the way of manufacturing, and SO must
DEPEND upon other countries for their
manufactured products. NJ. MilShailof
tells US, and the statement is the more
important as coming from Russia, that
in general machinery and mechanical in
drstrics of America will find a large
products, such as machinery necessary
for new manufactures and work shops.
and for various mining industries. agrl-
cultural implements and appliances Tor
the equipment of fishing and other YES
sells In order to promote the economl-
cal development in Siberia the Russian
Government has sanctioned the importa-
ten. duty free until 1909. of all plants
necessary for the Siberian and Oral
mining industry through all her frontiers.
Besides this no customs duties are to be
levied until 1903 upon fishing nets and
machinery necessary for the different
manufacturing and mechanical estab-
lishments of Siberia which may not be
imported through the mouths of Siberian
rivers.
The writer adds that among the other
articles imported from the United States
the following may find a market in the
distance traversed by the Siberia rail-
road In Manchuria, cotton goods, sugar
and steel and iron ware, which, as con-
tracted between the Chinese Government
and the company constructing 1He -Adil-
churian railway, will only be subject to
Chinese ordinary duties when brought to
Manchuria via Dalny;~in Siberia. cheml-
cal goods. soap, fruits, hops. watches.
musical instruments, cycles. ,ypewriters,
tinwere. ready made clothing and raw
cotton for the factories which he says
will certainly spring UP in the AMOR
territory.
at is not only the gold fields of Siberia, y
Al. Mikhailoff concludes, but likewise all
the rich stores of natural wealth that are
awaiting the advent of energetic and
enterprising men To surh the Russian
epithet, gold bottom, as applied to SIDE
ria, will prove no misnomer. These vast
treasures are lying idle because of the
absence of capital and enterprise In
this respect Siberia offers a wide ana
important field of action to the Capitalists
of North America. who are famous Tor
the breadth of their views and their
energy. Every serious enterprise in
Siberia in which American capital will
he invested will be welcomed by the Rus
sian Government
ca,.nra1 we have