The sun., 1903-11-18
RUSSIA AND CHINA.
Extract From Private Letter From an
American Traveller Of Distinction.

have just arrived here in Japan after 8
most interesting journey through northern
Russia; Siberia and Manchuria. all the way by
rail to Pekin The Siberian railroad ! found
to be well constructed throughout and the
track and rolling stock In excellent condition
West of Lake Baikal the rails are light. should
judge about fifty pounds TO the yard. but quite
heavy enough for the traflo TO be carried at
first. especially where the roadway is well
ballasted. Our engineers would have thought
them quite up to the requirements OF such
roads in America twenty years ago
During fourteen days and nights our train
was on time. and it Is evident that the trH g.
Siberian Railway, with its present m mage
ment and equipment Is amply capable OF trans-
porting everything required for a large army.
l saw freight cars numbered above 100000
The refuse OF petroleum distilling works 10
used for fuel for half the distance between
Moscow and Lake Baikal The road around
the lake. section of about 2iO miles. will not
be completed for year or more, on account
Of the difficult and heavy work which 1t in
wolves.
l was most agreeably disappointed in ST.
IBERIA as viewed from the trains. for the land
appeared to me to be quite as good as that Of
European Russia and capable OF supporting
large population. The forests are almost
exclusively Of white birch and pine: the cross
ties are OF pine from one end of the road to the
other. I am informed and believe that Wagon
lit trains will be run between Paris and Port
Arthur next summer, traversng the whole
distance in eleven days. By going north OF
Moscow via Perm quite an amount OF distance
and time will be saved. Along the line
through Manchuria, south of Harbin. the
Russian Government has provided for con-
siderable bodies OF troops by erecting per-
manent barracks and enclosing the stations
with walls. all Of which indicates that Russia
intends to keep its railway open at all times
and to hold the same strongly against all
comers. 1t will probably consider the aues-
tion of open ports raised by Europe and
America until it is prepared to say no to all
remonstrances from wheresoever they may
come. OF course. with this railway to use.
II can occupy Pekin whenever 1t decides
to do so. In spite of the implications with he
Powers which may grow out OF it's deter
mination.
l have no doubt Russia will control all Of
northern China whenever 1t is ready to digest
and govern 1t. So far as | can see Japan s
not likely to go to war for Manchuria and 1t
would be folly for any other to undertake
what Japan declines to undertake. Japans
true sphere OF influence seems to be the
Corean peninsula. and II she has the money
she will doubtless occupy 1t and fight for its
possessions 1t is believed here that the ideas
OF Russia and Japan in reference to Korea
are irreooncilable Most Europeans whom
| have met in my travels appear to sympathize
with the Japanese upon the broad ground that
Russia wants the earth and her military men
intend to have the greater part Of it.
The sale Of the American concession for
the Pekin-Hankow Railroad to a Belgian
syndicate seems to ha We worked harm for us
with the Chinese Government. 1t Is believed
that this road will be opened in two or three
years and that 1t Is now controlled by Fran
co-Russian corporation in the interest Of
Russia.
TOXIC. Oct. 25