The evening times., 1900-06-13

count Of the number Of steamers entering
and departing. Ccal is also used for heat
ing purposes, as wood is growing scarcer
every year. A Russian company owns
the best paving mine at st. Olga's Bay,
about 112 miles from VIadivOstock- Messcs-
ClaTkson & Co. own two good coal mines,
which have been developed at much ex-
pense.
A Variety of Metals
Several iron mines have been reported
within two years There is also said to
be good iron at St. Olga, as well as lead
and silver. Lead and zinc are frequently
found Copper is also plentiful in large.
separate pieces and broken veins. but no
serious attempts at surveys have been
made.
An American mining engineer who has
spent two years in Siberia Is Impressed
with the mineral resources Of all eastern
Siberia. from Lake BaikaI 10 the new dig
gings opposite Cape Nome, and also in
MaEchuria
The quartz gold mines on Askold Isl
and, near VladiyOStOck. are owned by q
Russian firm and have been worked for
two years with gratifying results In
1891. the gold was first discovered, in 1855
SO prospecting wGs begun, in the spring
and summer OF 1883 500 tons were extract
ed with poor machinery. the estimated
value being $500 Some thirty-odd tun-
rels have been prepared, and the mana
gers hope to obtain this year 2.O69 tons OF
valuable quartz worth perhaps $3.50. CO.,
and about 9 C0J tons Of quartZite. They an
Uicipate from tie prospecting OF 1SOG some
SO. Gee to S75,OOO clear profits. The gen
uemen in charge Of this mine are old resi-
dents, naturalized subjects. and cautious
business men
Either the announcement Of the conces-
sions 10 Messrs- Emery and Clarkson or
the stories emansting from travellers in ST.
IBERIA have caused many enquiries TO be
sent 70 this agency. as 10 the chances for
mining in this locality. These enquiries
come from Cape Nome, the KlonGike. and
the Pacific Coast generally. and in most
cases could be answered only at ST Peters
burg IL is true the Imperial Government
invites ali foreign capital 10 enter its ter
ritcry for mining or manufacturing pur-
pOses- but restrictions are severe With
regard TO gold-mining privileges. the appli-
cant must make petition in person here.
or he may 90 10 St Petersburg If more
convenient. In the latter case. the imPe-
rial authorities would refer the matter 70
the governor general here before deciding
the case. In no instance would snch a
permit be hastily granted, and an appli-
cant without references as 70 character
and ability 10 carry out his plans would
undoubtedly be rejected. To land on the
soil of the Maritime Province and proceed
on ones own account might subject the
proSpeetor 10 murder CT robbery on the
part Of wandering cOnvicts OF hostile na-
tives. The Government also exercises
strict espionage in matters Of passports,
permits. etc. and there IS a high tax on
4rr to
the Government office
a Misleading Statement.
The following paragraph has appeared
in American newspapers:
% From Port Arthur this summer uS99)
several Americans have gone into Man
churia TO prospect for gold. and, as the
Russian Government advances money 10
bona fde miners and buys the entire out
put Of the sold mines, there is some de-
gree Of stability in the venture
Nothing could be more misleading than
such statements The Russian Govern
ment does not yet profess TO own Man
ehuria- IL advances no money 10 miners
or manufacturers Of any kind, except TO
those coming within the scope OF its ad-
ministrative policy II does assist immi-
grants after they have arrived. bat does
not pay their way. IL buys the catput Of
all mines. on broad grounds of govern
mental policy. as Il controls mining busi-
ness Of whatever character. But this fact
would afford little stability 10 the ven
ture Of any American who came 10 Man
churia or the Maritime Province to engage
in mining without a special permit. OF a
Russian partner. or a good supply Of eapi-
tai and abundant machinery
In this connection II should be honestly
said, without any disparagement 10 the
future OF Siberia, that il is no special place
for Americans Those who came here
twenty-five OF thirty years ago did wel
but all had either Russian partners or mar
ried Russians and Identified themselves
with the country OF those who have come
within a decade, only one is an independ-
ent business man. and his success came
from a Russian partnership The others
are in subordinate positions. earning sal
aries about on par with what they would