The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-03
Although OF Military Importance, IL
Promfses Great Commercial
Development.
TRANSFORMING A FORTRESS
TRADE Is ONLY OSTENsIBLY CON-
FI.ED TO RUSSIANS.
A Bank Which Il Remarkable I'm the
East for Permitting Its Gus
toners to Prosper.
Journal.

NAAIE6WanANA~E "a az
vLADIVOSTOCK. June E.-If # were not
for the ofdciaI purpose 10 adhere TO the
title OF Fortress which from the begin
ming has attached TO this place, there would
be no hesitancy in designating 1t as a
business city which has grown almost as
II under the touch OF magic, and which
promises infinite commercial development.
The warlike title is not unmerited, for the
Gheltering hills on all sides are so heavily
armed as TO make practically impossible
hostile advance upon Russian territory
from this starting point; a feet usually
lies in the harbor Of sufficient strength to
repulse ordinary attack. and the govern
ment maintains here a full equipment for
military and naval administration Yet
growth has not been impelled by or for
these agencies. Under cover of the forts
the fringe OF water frcns for two miles or
more. and inland for nearly half that dis
lance. is rapidly passing TO business use,
some OF it in stately stone blocks, facing
upon broad streets. and dwellings for civil
ians are fast hlliDg the places left bare
on the hillsides and along the hOllOws.
Stories that have come from visitors TO
VIadfvostOck. who felt oppressed while
here by the military atmosphere, had their
origin either when the place had not be-
come as at present, or in Informed obser-
walton. There are uniforms everywhere,
but that does not signify necessary military
or naval connection. When a man gets
public employment, brass buttons on a blue
coat go with the position, and he becomes
entitled 10 wear the dress as long as may
please his fancy. regardless of the period
OF that occupation. As a large percentage
OF the Russians here were first attracted
by chance of office. these uniforms. not yet
worn out. continue in daily evidence on the
backs of many who no longer draw pay
from the government, and strangers can
not be expected 10 distinguish such wearers
from military or naval officers. The place
is Russian enough. with its breakfastless
mornings and midnight dinners; its lumber
ing isvortchiks, hauled on the run by horses
mustered out of the artillery. continually
under the lash of unshaved moudjiks,
trained 10 seek the jerkiest places in the
rough roads. SO that a rider must hug al
ways tight his companion to save her from
jolting out; its store signs of demoralized
Greek and battling pronunciation; and in
the wind which blows cold, when not
bitingly savage.
VERY RUSSIAN. CERTAINLY.
One is left in no doubt. also, that he is in
1AuSSlds Nneu mats must come OH on a call
at the postofce for mail or on entering a
shop in which a priest has hung an ickon,
TO ask the price of something in the window
or to make a trihing purchase. But mill
tary life neither obtrudes nor ofends. and
one may escape the a~ffiiction imposed at
Port Arthur of reporting himself to the po-
lice on arrival and telling them his life his
tory. Indeed. the military force is not so
much on Nfour au of Dot N-4L-- -.
one would estimate the number of troops
of-hand by thousands. The force here is
probably larger than there. but it would not
be expected from street appearances. Al
though generally both the military and
police keep in the background, the latter
insists upon knowledge of departures in
spite OF their seeming disregard of arrivals.
A steamship agent will not sell a sailing
ticket without written police order attached
TO the passport OF the visitor. There are
times, also, when the vigilance of the police
operates to the discomfort of those who
wander forth without knowledge of the
language The captain of an English ship
learned this fact the other night when he
came ashore to dine with the agent of his
line. In the afternoon the residence Of the
host had been pointed out TO him, and he
had no doubt that he could find it when he
went aboard shin TO dress for dinner. His
confidence did not desert him on coming
ashore again. but in order TO make sure
OF ringing the right bell he crossed the
yard 10 the frOnt-rOOm window before
mouRting the steps. Peering through the
blinds he saw his friend within, but as he
was about to turn toward the doorstep a
hand fell heavily on each Of his shoulders
and his surpriZed gaze found two policemen
standing over him Sign language usually
passes in these parts. and he employed il 10
indicate that he belonged in the house be-
fore him. But the policemen understood
neither his sign nor his speech. and. with
language that was much targon to him. al
though he readily grasped their sign mean
ing. they frightened their grip on him and
marched him of with them. he protesting
all the way. 10 the police station. There he
was as unfortunate in declaring his inno-
cence as lie had been before, and the officer
al the desk directed that he be placed in a
cell, where he passed a hungry and Sleep
less night. When arraigned for examina-
ton the next morning he explained himself
through an interpreter. The justice sent
for the ships agent. and his testimony so
confirmed the captains story that dis
charge from custody was ordered. The
EatpplnS agent would have appreciated bet
ter the humor of the incident had not the
dinner he had prepared become overlooked
from long waiting and then grown cold. He
had spent the evening expressing his views
OF a man who would accept an invitation
and then deliberately ignore IL.
TRADE OSTENSIBLY RUSSIAN.
OF course, Russians hope 10 do the bulk
Of the business OF this port. but. so FAR.
general trade has fallen mainly 10 houses
that have a Russian register. although not
directed BY men or money Of that na-
tcnality. The register is obtained BY Civ
ing 10 a Russian some interest in the bust
ness. so that bis name may figure as a
partner. Men commonly selected for that
purpose are clerks. and the interest they
obtain. while never large. counts in place
OF an advance OF salary which would other
wise have been granted. so that partner
ships OF this nature rarely involve any
sacrifice BY the principals in a house. In
time. when the port shall establish a def
mite comnercial status. Russians may feel
like ysnuiring thus far from home. and
this kind of evasion may be lessened. In
banking no chances are taken on what the