West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-05-31
MANCHURIA.
A Country tnat is Being Heard From.

Written for The Argus
On the other side of the Pacific, close TO
China and Japan, is country that was
coming into considerable prominence lust
before the outbreak of the South African
war. As result of that struggle, we hear
less of II just now, yet il will soon be claim.
ing our attention more than ever.
/, is country that is going to have a
| very decided and practical interest to our
people. Two years ago, most of us would
not have thought seriously that American
soldiers would ever be sent to the Philippine
Islands. Yet it is not much less improbable
that within few years, the American flag
will be seen in this other country.
II IS coming TO be we'll understood that
the Chinese market would easily develop
into the best one we can have. But Russia,
Germany and France see the exceeding
value Of ii, and are making most deter
mined attempt TO crowd US out. II is true
they have lately given assurances that there
will be an ''open door for us in China,
but that door will be shut whenever they
dare to do il. II the United States keeps it
open, II will be only through constant vigil
ance, backed up by a readiness to use some
thing stronger than moral suasion.
This fear and jealousIy Of the commercial
possibilities of America explain the un.
tuendliness toward us in the Spanish war of
Continental Europe and especially Germany.
They did not like to sec the American
people gain foothold in the Orient. They
leave no stone unturned to steal away our
markets, and run down our exported goods
in the minds Of foreign people. This Orien-
tai market means much very niuch--to us,
and it is not beyond question that it will vet
cause us to show our teeth TO Russia and
Germany.
The country referred to in the beginning
Of this letter may be found on the map ON
the west side Of the Japan sea. Its name is
Manchuria, and its eastern outline is simi-
lar TO that Of our own Atlantic coast.
Though il looks small on the map of Asia,
IL will be found on measurement to be quite
as large as our own country was up to the
date of the Louisiana purchase.
This region is very fertile and well
watered, and IS extremely rich in natural
resources. In the light Of the industrial
developemeni Of the world that is now so
rapidly going on, these facts will necessarily
cause Manchuria to cut a very important
figure in the history Of the coming years.
It fronts on the Pacific. and the Pacific is 10
be the ocean Of the future.
The country in question is drained by the
Amur, one Of the eight longest rivers Of the
earth. Some Of the tributaries Of this stream
rank IN size with the Ohio, the Platte and
the Tennessee. This great river system is
nayigablc for thousands Of miles, and
steamer may 60 into almost any corner Of
the country.
In the south and west are immense grassy
prairies which compare favorably with our
own. not only in extent bot in richness Of
soil The Iofiiest mountain peaks are
1900 feet high, capped with perpetual
snow, and abounding in scenery that is
beautiful and majestic
The climate is one Of extremes. The
winter is long and cold, bat the summer is
long and hot, tho seasons Of spring and fall
being very brief There are no very sudden
changes. The cold Of winter and the heat
Of summer are alike steady The winters
are dry most Of the moisture occurring in
the summer
The vegetation is surprisingly luxuriant
The gfass or the prairics is FIVE feet high.
and !, iutcrmixcd with flowers that arc
beautiful ard fragrant IN The river bot.
toms the grass is mingled with pla 4is grow
ing Ten feet high These tall plants are
fastened together by countless climbing
vines, forming Jungle that is almos, im
possible 20 gc' through except where wild
animals have made a path r. this jungle
'' cot down or burned. t soon grows as high
as before.
lhc forest trees arc much thc same as
those that arc familiar 10 us. but apples.
pears and apfioois, as well as grapes are
fouod in the woods The rivers are re-
markably well supplied with hsh, and fur.