The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-10
RAILROADS.
CAR AS CHINESE
RAILWAY MAGNAIE
RUSSIA CONTROLS EASTERN
CHINA RAILROADS.
She Also Controls Steamship Lines
Operating from Port Arthur and
Vladivostok - Railway Age Says,
However, That Administration of
Railroads May Break Down Under
War Pressure.

Russia seems to have pretty full
control of the railway situation in
Asia. Even in the construction Of the
Peking-Kalgan line, which must be
built by Chinese capital, and whose
must be Chinese officials
or military people, the greater part
of the capital is being furnished by
the Russo-Chinese bank, which makes
the road Russian concern. The
Railway Age in presenting map Of
the Asiatic transportation routes says:
THE significance of these railways
from the point of view of present in
ternational relations in the east lies
in the fact that Russia controls the
great railway and steamship lines.
For instance, the Chinese Eastern
railway, which is the Pacific terminus
Of the Great Siberian railway, is NOM
inally controlled by Chinese COM
pany, but in reality the Russian gov
eminent has full control. When the
Russians evacuated China in 1902, in
accordance with the arrangements
entered into after the Boxer move
ment, she transferred troops to lands
ceded to her in close proximity to
barracks had meanwhile been erected.
From Hardin to Port Arthur is 81 5
miles, with stations every fifteen or
twenty miles, constructed with refer
ence to military contingencies In the
extent of the sidetracks, and work
shops every seventy-fve miles. About
80, 900 railway guards are stationed
along this route. Every important
part of Manchuria has been honey
combed with Russian concessions.
"In addition, Russia controls the
steamship lines out of Port Arthur
and Vladivostok Special branches
have been constructed to provide coal
for her fleet and other purposes Rus
STA is practically the only power which
has thus far made effective use OF her
concessions. The American-Chinese
Developments company, which pos
sesses the charter for constructing a
line between Hankau and Canton, has
scarcely begun it's work. The French
Belgian syndicate, which is construct
ing the northern half of this impor-
tant north and south trunk line from
Picking to Canton, has completed only
about 225 miles north from Hankau
and about half as much out of Picking.
| In other words, Russia is practically
supreme in the conduct of eastern
Chinese railways Of to-day. Il
ION the other hand, the Russian
administration of the railways may
| break down when the test of the
| transportation Of troops and supplies
| has to be met. Competent judges
| have expressed this opinion. The
stress of the emergencies of war, it is
thought, will probably lead to con-
fusion and general breakdown. Yet
the relative ease with which the rail-
ways can supply troops, once upon
the grounds, with grain and flour, is
a source of great strength to Russia
Harbin has a Russian population OF
$4,000 out of a total of 100000. Sim
liar proportions prevail in other
towns The Russians monopolize the
trade of Manchuria. Modern flour
mills at present in operation produce
5000 barrels day. This can be in
creased on short notice, for the Sun
gari valley is one Of the most fertile
in the world. The rate of transpor
tation can be reduced to a nomina
sum in case of war, for the cost O.
operation on the Chinese EASTER
is extremely low. The grades
are few and light, the heavies
being only nine feet to 1000, and thi
only for several short distances
Skilled labor costs only one-fourth o
what it does in the United States"