Evening star., 1901-09-25
CONDITIONS IN MANCHURIA
REPORT FROM COMMERCIAL AGENT
GREENER.

The State Department has received from
Commercial Agent .Greener at vladivo-
| stock most comprehensive report on con-
ditiOns In Manchuria.
Mr.. Greener says that there is much ex-
aggeration as to the number of Russian
troops in Manchuria, and he places their
number at about 10000. In support of this
statement he says that 1t is only necessary
to recall the events of last summertime
way in which the great Siberian railway
was taxed to transport the troops actually
forwarded at critical moment-to be as
sured that 1t was impossible to transport,
feed and maintain so large force as was
said to be in Manchuria.
Manchuria. he says, has area of $685.
900 square miles, is one of the most fertile
countries on the globe and there are no
better crops in all Asia. THE Manchus -
says Mr.. Greener, have barely scratched
the surface, and yet the business activity
the actual traffic and the tangible results
are a continual surprise
American goods, it is stated are already
known and favored on account of their
cheapness. One enterprising American
merchant has already ventured into the
country In order to cope with the Japanese
who are on the ground
AS to Russia's plans in regard to Man.
churfa. Mr.. Greener says: THE Russian S
policy Is one of concliation. He knows
how to deal with Chinese. He will not
however. or even as miner. 1t will be
some time before he is a success in the
western sense. in either of these lines"
As to exploring permits for mining
and other purposes, 1t is stated that such
permission does not now depend on Rus
sian authority. but must come from Pekin
through the Chinese governors All at
tempts at mining or exploration in parts of
Manchuria which do not belong to Rus
sia are forbidden, unless under permit and
Offenders Will be dealt with according to
law.
The area Of gold fields in Manchuria saws
Mr. Greener, extends more than 1877 miles
along the shores of the Argun and Amur
rivers, and there is no doubt as to the rich
ness OF the mines. He says that small
parties of Russians Illegally mining there
earned from $50 to 500 day
The statements that no foreigners are al
lowed to go into Manchuria SAYS Mr.
Greener, are to an extent true. Only Rus
slams and Chinese may go into-t the country
overland. 1t would not be safe, he saws for
| many foreigners to venture into the coun-
try now, for, outside of the quiet paris
about Grin, even military guards could
not guarantee safety. AT present Man
churia is no place for tourists he con-
tinues. and the authorities would seem to
be exercising only proper precaution in dis
couragtng mere sightseers. Passes and per-
mits are sparingly granted. and these never
to persons whose mission and character
are not clearly known.
Commenting upon railway construction in
Manchuria, Mr. Greener says: ''Tfe rcadi-
ness with which plans are charged and
errors rectified illustrates the Russian in
difference to mere matters of expense oI
! labor or time when specific result Is de-
| sired This Is shown. says Mr.. Greener
| In the obvious determination to complete
| the original railway along the tortuous
Amur, In spite OF it's many windings and
the enormous expense involved.