The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-04-29
SIBERIAN GOLD.
Some Information TO American Gold Seekers
Who Are Now Looking Across Behring straits.

Tho following report from Consul-Generl
Holloway at St. Petersburg on the subject Of
gold In Siberia, concerning which all sorts Il
stories, except true ones. are current among
all classes in the United States Interested in
gold mining or prospecting, will set at rest a
great many questions:
This Consulate il in receipt Of a number Of
letters by each American mail. from all parts
Of tho United States, inclosing newspaper arti-
cles which say that n Russian engineer has re-
Gently made n report TO his Government, stating
that the same gold belt which has proved 50
rich at Cape Nome, Alaska. extends across the
Behring Sea into Siberia, and that there are
enormously rich quartz lodes in gold mines
all over Russia, which ara easy 10 work at a great
profit, are owned by the Government, and viii
be sold to the highest bidder II is also stated
that the Emperor has issued an ukRse permit
ting Americans 10 prospect FOR gold on the west
coast Of Siberia, and that preference il given
20 American miners and capital to explore the
mineral wealth.
These letters INQUIRE IA To the truth Of these
statements, for copies Of Russian MINING laws.
and permits 10 PROSPECT for gold in Russia, as
numerous parties are organizing 10 take I'M
mediate advantage of this opportunitv
J called on Y, \ DenissOn, the director " tho
mining department, stated the substance ~
the articles, and he replied that. although tha
Government was taking steps 10 ascertain the
conditions on tho west coast " Siberia, the Fm-
peror had not issued an ukase on that suhjrot,
nor. was It probable that he would do so. lie
said that petitions might be made To the EN-
yeroi for permission 10 prospect for minerals
In any part of Russia, which should be accom-
panied by recommendations as 10 the charac-
Ter Of the applicant, his experience "a a mining
engineer. capital 10 he employed, Sc, and IL
would he considered but the best Informed
people here do not believe permits could bo
obtained to prospect for gold on the en Al Coast
Of Siberia until after the Russian Government
has fully Investigated its conditions. We're
it. ready to consider such applications, the prob
abilities are that Il would require from two 10
three years before the same would be finally
decided. Russian officials place no value on
lime, and II requires from two IN twelve weeks
70 receive an answer 10 an official communica-
tinn from the various dern' tmnnts, according
to the work involved In the reply
The value Of Russian cola mines has been
grentlv exaggerated. several eyrnripnccd
American mining engineer. who are admitted
10 be the best In tie world, have visited Siberia
in the interests Of English as well as American
capitalists during the rust three years and made
extensive examinations Of the conditions, and
| have not heard Of a single company being
organized as n result Of their reports. Tho
mining + Utmost al placer. there being hut
two small quartz mines in the t'rnl Mountains,
which are owned by French capitalists and are
said TO he losing money.
There Is very little foreign capital IN Siberia.
No advantages are offered TO or disCnmina-
tons made In favor Of Americans engaging
In any kind OF business in Russia