The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-15
The ASIAN AIM
OF The RUSSIANS
Consul Miller Shows That Russian
Development in Manchuria
Menaces Worlds Trade.
Subsidies, Bounties, Banks, Rail
Roads and Cheap Labor to
Monopolize the Orient.
Hopes OF Markets for Products Of
United States Would Thus
: Remain Unrealized.
Journal Bureau, Colorado Building,

~ journal bureaus Colorado Building,
Was, 1gton, Feb. 15.-The depart
ment OF commerce and labor to-day is
sued an illustrated circular written by
Consul Miller at Niu-chuang, on the
general conditions in Manchuria. It
confirms the previous reports from the
same source and from the consul gem
~eral at Vladivostok as to the poor OUT
look for an increase in American trade
in the Chinese orient, and goes into
considerable detail on this and the re-
lated questions.
Apparently it is the intention Of Sec
rotary Cortelyou to bring this coun-
try face to face with prospective trade
conditions across the Pacific. Re-
garding the immense sums Russia is
expanding in the development of Man
churia, Consul Miller says:
What is the meaning to US Of all this
progress Of Russia on the Pacific, the
building of such cities as Hardin and the
political domination Of the country? " It
has recently been asserted by prominent
people that it s1gnifed an enlargement OF
market for our goods, and that, Of the
present imports into Manchuria, rs per
cent were from the United States. General
statements Of this kind are easily made
and, without any careful examination into
the details, 1t has been assumed that this
development OF Russia in Manchnria was
certain to bring an increased market for
products Of the United States.
Intends to Monopolize Orient.
Consul Miller's reports show at
great length that these hopes are like
ly to remain unrealized, but of more
moment than the markets of Manchu-
ria is the question Of markets In the
Chinese orient generally. They are
threatened by the proposed Russian
domination.
If Russia's plans succeed, the dam
ger Is that not only the United States
but commercial Europe Will be shut
out of eastern Asia, SO far as trade is
concerned.
This is the really serious phase of
the situation, and Consul Miller dis
cusseS it with an intelligence born OF
wide acquaintance with the situat n. !
last year going from place to place
thru the vast territory in which the
worlds commerce is striving for an !
opening.
After sayiTgath that undoubtedly It ISL
feuss1a,s intention to incompatible all
the. far eastern trade in lines which
she is prepared to supply or control,
Mr.. Miller says:
II we take into further consideration
the fact that the Russian government, by
subsidies and bounties and thru its banks
and railways, Is engaging in industrial and
calculate the cheap food, cheap and re-
liable labor, and the vast mineral re-
sources that she will have at her com
,mand on the Pacific, the question of
Manchuria becomes comparatively insig-
n1icant, and we find ourselves face to
face with the far greater problem Of the
markets Of all Asia. ,a".s
With millions Of cheap and efficient
Chinese laborers, with vast coal fields
bordering on the Pacific, with mountains
Of iron and copper vast forests and enor-
nous areas Of agricultural land-produc-
ing now the cheapest food in the world
what Is to prevent Russia. if her plans
are realized. from becoming a dominant
factor In commercial development Of the
far east? s. ''e.-.
One cannot view the marvellous growth
Of a city like Hardin. or observe the
cities of Vladivostok, Dalny and Port
Arthur, and the great Siberian railway. |
without bordering seriously the meaning
Of it all in tho future Of Russia on the
4 acAic' So
Thus, according to Consul Miller's
suggestive report, the war now rag
ing between Japan and Russia has a |
far wider interest for. the United
States and the rest Of the commercial
world than the casual observer has yet
perceived and James J. Hill for once
becomes a false prophet.
w. w. Jermane.