The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-11
AMERICAN CAPITAL IN RUSSIA.

There are some indications that American
capital Is seeking a new field OF activity
in the exploitation of the undeveloped re-
sources of Russia. OF the magnitude and
extent of those resources the world was for
a long time ignorant, and even now pos
sesses only vague Information The vast
extent of the empire and the poor means
Of communication in parts of 1t have made
the acquisition Of definite knowledge on
the subject difficult even for the Russian
authorities. The government is doing
more now towards the developing of the
resources of the country than ever before,
and is showing special friendliness for
American capital. In January, 1900, Mr..
Thomas Smith. United States consul at
Moscow. returned to Russia from a visit in
this country with authority to negotiate
preliminaries for building American manu-
featuring plants in Moscow and st. Peters
burg to cost s6,OOO,OOO. 1t was said at the
beginning of 1900 that the plans of American
manufacturers for invading Russia with
American IDEAS and machinery during that
year involved an estimated expenditure of
SIS, 100000 1t is not known how far these
plans have been carried out.
Recent dispatches have reported the
granting to a syndicate of American CAPT.
talists of extensive gold mining concessions
in Siberia, and interviews with some OF
these interested show that the enterprise is
backed by ample capital and the best en-
sineering skill. In 1898 the Russian govern
ment published for circulation at the Chi
cago Columbian Exposition a work on the
industries and resources Of the empire. In
a preface to the English translation of the
work. In that volume relating to Siberia, it
was said: "Of that great expanse of terri
tory, reaching all the way from the Ural
mountains to the Pacific ocean and from
the frozen seas to the borders of the Celes-
than the name. Siberia. authenticity
known to the general public. Yet with its
widespreading plains. its magnificent water
| systems and its unknown wealth of noble
metals and other valuable mineral deposits
buried In its bosom, there is for such a
land a future too great 20 be overlooked at
the present day" Since then the progress
"a NAC 6Atat OaQ, bhC iOibtOt
single line of road in the world and the
most difficult in engineering. has done much
towards opening up the vast and hitherto
unknown region through which X passes.
Portions Of Siberia are very rich in gold,
and there is every reason TO expect that the
American syndicate which has obtained
| large concessions there will reap enormous
| profits.
Another great enterprise which is gradu-
railway designed to unite Alaska and ST.
IBERIA and furnish direct rail and water
connections between the Northwestern
States and Viadivostock, the eastern ter
minus of the Siberian Railway. The con-
struction of such a railway would be very
difficult and expensive, but American capt.
tai is equal to 1t and the Russian govern
ment is said to favor it. It's effect would
be to place the United States far ahead of
| all other countries as a competitor ror Rus
sian trade and to open a vast field for
American capital. Certain IT is that ST.
IBERIA. the great East of the Russian en-
| pire. which Is separated only by smooth
waters from the great West of the United
States. is destined in the near future to be
| brought into close commercial relations
with this country. Thus American capital
goes from one conquest to another.