The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-07-18
PRICE ONE CENT.
SECRET OF RUSSIA'S GREED.
Iaachuria's Gold Deposits Attract
the Cars Government.

Mail Advices TO the state Depart
ment Give aH IaLIine ST the Real
Situation in the Far Enst-British
ers Slow TO Improve Opportunities.
East received at the State Department
contain an inking into one Of the secret
purposes of Russia in attempting to ac-
quire domination over AIanchuria. For the
past three years the Russians have been
quietly but diligently exploring the min
ereI wealth CT this section of the Chinese
Empire. and the result OF their searches
has been to convince the Cars Govern
msnt that the country IS perhaps one Of
the richest in the worlG in its gold de-
posits, that the precious metal is easy Of
access, ard that with the unhampered
right to exploit the vast gold fields. Rus
sia may within a few years became the
greatest gold producing nation OF the
earth.
one OF the clauses inserted fEto the con-
vention with China which failed Of ratili-
cation, because OF the attitude Of the 9TH
er Powers led by Japan, was that Russia
should have the sole and exclusive right
Of acquiring mining rights in the extern
sive province OF Manchuria. The fun sig
nifcance Of that clause was perhaps not
fully appreciated by the Powers when
they thwarted the plan. but it was one Of
great importance to Russia, probably
more important than any other. for the
Russians alone know Of the vast extent OF
the gold deposits in Manchuria-
While it is claimed that British capt
talists have known OF the existence Of the
gold fields there. it is asserted that they
have refrained from any attempt to de-
velop them because of the insecurity of
the Chinese Government and the lack OF
any guarantee Of protection for the out
lay Of money Notwithstanding. the Rus
slams have gone on exploring and pros
pecting without any large outlay in the
hope of acquiring at an opportune mo
ment the exclusive right to operate in
ManchuTia. They have thus acquired a
very thorough knowledge Of the country
1t has long been known tilat the Tumen
River. draining the northern frontier OF
Korea, contained in its sands great deal
Of gold, and in small way the gold de-
posts in the islands IN the adjoining bay
Of Peter the Great have been worked for
a considerable time, but no great amount
OF capital has been expended in their de-
Velopment- The British Government has
always been jealous Of any private asso-
citation being formed for the working OF
the precious metals, and consequently but
little knowledge OF the richness of the
soil has as yet appeared upon the surface.
Sufficient IS known, however. 10 Indi-
cate that the great mountain chain which
from POSsiet Bay forms the division be
tween Korea and Manchuria, and which
stretches into the old Liao-si, contains
abundant supplies OF gold The rocks Of
which the range Is composed are mainly
archeau in structure, and from their de-
bris have come the numerous deposits of
Northern Korea which even with the
barbaroUs method Of working them fol-
lowed by the Koreans. result annually in
a large quantity Of gold being imported
from these districts into China and ia
pan These gcld-bearing rocks are said to
extend westerly along the Great Wall of
China, at least as far as the longitude OF
Pekin. and in all the valleys descending
from the MongoIiaU plateau are found
goId-bearing deposits which. il Is said.
the inhabitants of the border lands. The
of the Manchurian Government
AZ Pelin working on the superstitions OF
the people has beer successful through
cut the whole Of the Empire in suppress
ing all mining industry, SO that China.
from being q mineral exporting country.
has. under the misgovernment Of her
present rulers. become dependent for her
supply Of precious metals upon foreign
importatious-
There is said to be no longer any doubt
that Russia is longing for the territory
lying next 10 her own possessions. and
which IS rich in mineral deposits, and for
that reason she sought to grasp It when it
seemed that the time was opportune for
50 doing With the Russians II control of
3Ianlhuria, 1t is said that Americans. or
IN fact any other nationality would have
little opportunity OF operating in the gold
fields there
The attempt of some American miners
about two years ago to work in some of
the Siberian fields across from Alaska
demonstrated clearly that there Is no or
portunjty for any but Russians IN the.
gold fields controlled by the Cars Gov