The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-14
INTERESTED In AMERICA
Russians Considering Economic
Conditions in the United States.
VI. G. de WoIIant's Conclusions Con-
corning Industrial Trusts-Criti-
RniIwny-A Peoples PuIace-News-
notes From the Empire of the Gar.

just appeared here a series of consular
and diplomatic reports dealing with eco
monte conditions in the United States
These reports are, in form as well as il
substance, testimonial of the lively in
terest Russia. in common with other coun-
tries. is taking in the material advance
ment of the United States. American
consular reports have already been ac-
cepted as models by the German CONNER
cial representatives abroad. That Russia
is also alive to the advantage of following
business conditions in other countries is
evident from the number and character OF
recent reports from consular representa-
tives. The last issued deal almost ex-
clusively with America.
NJ. G. de Wollant. First Secretary of the
Russian Embassy in Washington, has
made study of industrial trusts in the
United States. He passes over all ques-
lions of internal politics and discusses
the trusts solely as organizations in COM
petition with European industries He
declares that the Americans have under
stood how to Offset the DEAFNESS of indi-
'idual labor by organization, and that
breign competition in the markets of the
world is to smash ii with formidable syn
ficates of industrial capitalists" The
Standard Oil Company the American Su-
gar Refining Company, nd the steel COM
panies receive special attention.
Vice Consul NJ. C. Harassoff. at New
York, illustrated by eloquent figures the
commercial relations between Europe and
America
These reports made a deep impression
here. Taking them as a text, one of the
leading newspapers the other day read
the Russian industrialists a lecture in
connection with the approaching Ural
Mountains Mineral Congress. 1t regrets
the lack of discipline and organization
which characterizes American and Ger
man competition. The paper says:
Let there be no decisions. CONNER
cial and industrial battles are fought
much like those Of blood and iron. The
industries must be disciplined and regi-
mented like armies. But this must be
through their own strength, and not by
appeals to regulation by the Government
or support by the Treasury. Hitherto our
industrial and commercial congresses
have done little except TO petition the
Government for help. The programmes
generally ccnfine themselves to the for
mutation of demands for pecuniary sub
sides, for increases of the customs tariff
for diminution CT railway freight charges
all for the exclusive profit CT the petit
TONERS, without thought or a care for
their neighbors in the same or similar in
dustries."
The journal finds fault with the pro-
gramme Of the approaching congress for
emitting all discussion of the unsatisfac-
tory condition Of the UraI miners, whose
wages are insufficient for the support OF
their families.
The congress will, however, not for
get to petition the State to build railroads
for the benefit of the capitalists, and to
establish by State funds an industrial
bank, says the critical journal. 1T also
proposes solemnly to celebrate the sec
ond centennial Of the foundation of the
Ural mineral industries It is safe to
predict that this is the only matter for
which the Congress will make provision
from the means of the members The
Russian indUstrialists should study the
example Of the Americans, who pay high
er wages and produce more cheapIy than
their competitors. They should reflect
upon the fact that the transportation of
American merchandise from New Orleans,
for example. 10 Croastsdt, the pert Ct St
Petersburg. costs less than the transport
tation of The same merchandise from
Cronstsdt 10 ST. Petersburg"
New naphtha wells, with an estimated
capacity Of 100000 pood daily. have been
discovered in the Baku district
That the opening Of the Siberian Rail-
way would occasion sweeping changes in
The Asiatic territories OF the Gar was, of
course. 10 BE expected. and some OF these |
changes have been already described in
the American press. Interesting figures /
Illustrating the changes Of employment I.
caused by the operation OF the railroads |
are published Many villages and towns /
have entirely altered their aspect Thou T
sands OF peasants who formerly engaged /
in teaming have been compelled 10 turn to (
farming Between Tomsk and Irkutsk /
alone 100000 pood Of freight, say rough /
y. 100000 tons. annually vas formerly /
transported IN wagons, this service giving !
employment 10 5000 teamsters and sup /
porting. counting their families 10000 |
persons Fourteen thousand other team |
sters were engaged in hauling tea TO the |
annual fair at Irbit- These examples could !
be multiplied
The Zenstyos o. various Governments
are making an effort to secure repre-
sentation in the commission which will be
appointed 10 discuss the terms of the !
forthcoming commercial treaty with Ger
many The Zernstvo is the Provincial Diet /
Il and the local Zemstyo are the princi- |
pal organs Of self government in Russia. !
Some Russians hope that ultimately they
viii form the nucleus of parliamentary
government Of the Empire II can safely
be said that this is matter Of a far dis
tant future The Government has recently
not encouraged the Zemstvos to enlarge
the spheres Of their activity
The Moscow Medical Society has decided
TO open pharmaceutical courses for
women.
children's playhouse, accommodating !
900 children, besides sixty-fye nursing in |
fants. was opened in Moscow on Deem |
her 25
St. Petersburg on December % addelAto !
IT'S numerous admirable HOSPITALS By OPEN i
ing the municipal hospital for which +,
means were provided by a generous c;tf- !
zen, who gave 5000 Tubles and land es- /
istes Of about 1000 acres The hospiral. |
which was installed in a rem0deled fac
tory, has 500 beds.
The city governments Of S.. Petersburg
and Mini Novgorod have peiifioned he
Imperial Government TO forbid the an
pearance Of children under fifteen years
OF age upon any stage or as active partici- |
pants in any public amusements.
Crons' adj and st. Petersburg celebrated
on De ember % the forty-ffth anniversary /
Of the priesthood Of Father John Serzicff
OF Cronstadt, who enjoys the reputation
OF saint. He Is credited with miracles
OF healing by prayer.
The opening OF the Peoples Palace and
Theatre December 25 was celebrated with
unusual spirit. This is saying a great
deal. for Russia is the classic land Of ce. e.
monicus fetes. Prince Alexander Petro-
witch OF luxembourg read the following
telegram from His Majesty the Emperor: