The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-03-02
Harbin, the Metropolis Of Man
churia.

cilursa.
One of the most timely contri-
buttons sto American knowledge o.
present conditions in Manchuria. IS
that furnished by Consul Miller, who,
writing from Nluchwang on Decem-
Der 5, gives a, very Interesting descrlp-
tion of the great efforts which Russia
has made and is making to turn the
one-time Chinese province of Man.
churia into distinctively Russian
dependency. Especially interesting
are the reproductions of photographs
of prominent features and buildings
in the wonderful city Of Harbin,
which has been termed the Moscow of
Siberia. Its growth from practically
nothing to population OF $4,000 In
three years makes its history read
like that Of an American city, which
it's position as river town, railroad
center and manufacturing point cer-
tainy does not lessen. AS the real
military center of Russia's eastern
empire today, it seems destined TO at
tract the public eye for some time to
come. Consul Miller ssstatement that
the building OF Hafbin is one OF the
greatest achievements in city construc-
ton that the world has ever witnessed
seems we'll within bounds.
The building OF Vladivostocjk, Port
Arthur and Dalny has demonstrated
Rnssia's power and purpose to rule the
GREAT domain Of which she became
possessed in 1900; but in the build
ing Of Harbin she has given notice OF
her intention to become an active IN
dustrial force in the affairs Of the
Orient. The city of Harbia is locat-
ed on the Sungari river, at the cross
ing of the Siberian Railway on its
way to VladiVostock, $50 miles to the
eastward. From Rarbin there runs
south 500 miles to Port Arthur the
Chinese eastern branch of the great
railway It is the geographical center
OF Manchuria; but it is more than
that. It is the -four milling center
with daily output of 1000 barrels
-of country which for hundreds OF
miles on either side produces all
kinds of cereals. tobacco, hemp, vege-
tables and som& fruits. Minerals,
particularly coal and iron, are found
on all sides, and immense forests OF
timber surround it. 1t is distinctive
" Russian cisy, and none bat Rus
slams and Chinese are permitted to
own land, build or engage In perma-
nent enterprises. There are 40, 600
Chinese there, and the balance, ex-
cept about 100 foreigners, are Rus
slams. There are no Americans. 1t is
the chief railway center Of Manchuria.
the headquarters of the civil courts
and the Chief military post. Consul
Miller says S15, 600, 600 has been spent
there In building what is called an ad-
ministration city, and this may we'll
be Believed after an examination Of
pictures inserted in the report Of rail
way shops. hospitals, commercial and
technical schools, clubs, hotels and
bank buildings. In addition. there
is the old city and the river or busi-
ness city, all built OF brick msnufac-
tured on the spot. Elegant residences
and theatre are among the struc-
tures now under construction. Flour
milling, brick making, liquor and
beer anu1acturing, meat packing and
:saWmills are the leading industrial en-
terprises. The country tributary is
said to produce the cheapest wheat in
the world, and besides is rich in all
other farm products, cattle. sheep,
furs, .hides and wool. Harbin really
seems fitting place from which to
manage and supervise Russian invest
ments in Manchuria-yalued at $751;
oO0, GOO, ali made within the past
three years.
Consul Miller's view of the future
of American trade in Manchuria does
not harmonic with the optimistic
opinions widely held, as to that vast
country being future great market
for our goods. He points ous that
Russian efforts to supplant ds in the
cotton goods, ker 3sene, -four, lumber,
canned milk and butter trades are
steady and increasing. Given fair
field and no favor, be thinks Ameri-
can goods would win; but with politi-
cal banking and transportation advan-
tages all in the hands Of the Russians,
hope of growth in American trade IS
baseless. Just as they obtained a
monopoly of the Persian trade in cot
ton goods, they can drive American
goods out of Manchuria. He looks
for Russian oil from the Black sea
ports to supplant the American pro-
duct. In the manufacture Of -four
they are favored by nature to an extent
which our people do not as yet appre-
ciate. Active competition by Man
.chrria -four and wheat may be looked
for in all Oriental markets. Siberian
butter has won the market in Man
churia and will shortly compete in the
other countries.
Our condensed milk trade, rapidly
growing one, will probably suffer.
Russian railway regulations now pro-
vide that all railway material shall be
purchased at home. An opening for
agricultEral implements exists, but
German. Austrian or Danish machi-
nSey seems to hold the field. The con-
sui says that with not one American
citizen or trader in Harbin, with Rus
sian oil, cigarettes and -four selling
where American goods once sold, the
outlook for American trade in Man
churia, and, Of course, ultimately in
all the EASTERN country, appears rather