The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-23

From the New York Tribune
1 7 Is in Hardin more than in all the
l cities combined that Russia is assert
ing her intention of becoming an ac-
tive industrial force in the affairs of the
Orient, and her people are already giving
the place the title of the Moscow of
Asia.
The city is located on the Sungari river,
at the point where the Manchuria branch
of the Siberian railway crosses the
stream, and where the Chinese eastern
branch starts south to Dalny and Port
Arthur. 1t is about $50 miles west of
Vladivostock and 600 miles north of Port
Arthur. It's location is the geographical
center of Manchuria, and from present
prospects 1t is to become the commercial
center as well. The city is surrounded on
all sides for hundreds of miles with rich
and productive agricultural country, pro-
ducing corn, wheat, oats. barley, BEANS
millet, hemp, tobacco, vegetables, and
some fruits. Minerals and timber and
great areas of grazing lands also sur
round It,
At present the place consists of the old
towns, three miles from the central depot
Prestin, or the river town. the present
commercial center, and the administration
town, in close proximity to the railway
station. Before the railway engineers es-
tablished this as their headquarters there
was no native town in this vicinity, and
the entire place is, therefore, a Russian
product
1t is as distinctly a Russian city as
though it were located in the heart of
Russia, and none but Russians and Chi
struct buildings. or engage in any per-
manent enterprise. The city has been
created by the Russian government. I'M
der the. management of the Manchurian
Railway company. The land for many
miles in each direction has been secured
so as to make it impossible for any for
eign influence to secure a profit or foot
not recognized as having any rights
whatever, but are permitted there on suf-
ferance. The chief railway engineer is the
administrator of the city, and up to the
present time has had complete control of
everything; but in the new scheme for
the government of Manchuria some form
of municipal organization will be perma-
nently established.
In 1900 the place began to assume i'm
portance as a center of railway manage
ment, and in 1901 the population had
grown to 1900 Russians: in 1902, 10000
by May. 1903. 1900, and in October 1903, a
census showed population of 10000, ex-
elusive of soldiers OF these, 400 are Jap
anese and 300 of all other Municipalities, in
GLIDING Germans, Austrians. Greeks. and
Turks All the rest are Russians. There
are no Americans.
The Sungari river is navigable with
light draught steamers and native craft
for nearly 200 miles above the city, up
both branches of the river, and much
traffic has already developed on these
streams, especially in wheat.
From Hardin to the Amoor river, during
the navigation season, which begins in
April and ends on November 1, good-sized
steamers run daily. Hardin was started
primarily as a military center. and an
administration town, for the government
and direction of railway affairs Its
growth into splendid commercial and
manufacturing city was not originally
provided for by the promoters, and 1t has
been somewhat of surprise to them, but
the fever Of making it a greet Russian
commercial and manufacturing city has
now taken possession of the railway man.
agement, and every system Of promotion
and protection that can be devised to in
crease its growth along these lines ID
being energetically encouraged.
The capital for most OF the private en-
terprises is furnished by Siberian Jews.
Chinese are furnishing money for the con-
struction of some of the finest private
buildings, such as hotels, store rooms etc
In the administration part Of the city nc
private buildings of any kind are per-
mitted.
The leading industry of Hardin is the
manufacture of flour. Eight mills are now
In operation, an with modern European
machinery with one exception, and that
is q small one constructed with America,
machinery. Applications have been made
and granted for the construction Of two
more large ones, and by the middle OF 19c'
ten mills will be in operation. producing
5000 pools CO.,, 800 pounds) of flour day