Arizona republican., 1904-02-26
tiarbin, the Metropolis of ManchurIa.

by Consul Miller, who, writing from Niuchwang on December 3, gives a very interesting description of the great efforts which Russia has made and is making to turn the one time Chinese province of Manchuria into distinctively Russian dependency. Es- pecially interesting are the Droduc- tions of photographs of prominent fea- lures and buildings in the wonderful city of Harbin, which has been termed the Moscow of Siberia. It's growth from practically nothing to a population of 6O,00O in three years makes its his tory read like that of an American city. which it's position as a river town. railroad center and manufacturing point certainly does not lessen. As the real military center of Russia's eastern empire today, it seems destined to at tract the public eve for some time to come. Consul Miller's statement Gin Bradstreets for the current week) that the building of Harbin is one of the greatest achievements in city construc- tion that the world has ever witnessed seems we'll within bounds.
 The building of Vladivostok, Port Arthur and Dalny has demonstrated Russia's power and purpose to rule thv great domain Of which she became pos sessed in 1900: but in the building of Harbin she has given notice of her in- tention 10 become an active industri1, force in the affairs of the Orient. The city is located on the Sungari river, al the crossing of the Siberian railway on its way to Vladivostok, $50 miles to the eastward From Harbin there runs south 600 miles to Port Arthur the Chinese eastern branch of the great railway. It is the geographical center of Manchuria: but 1t is more than that. It is the four milling center with daily output of 4,000 barrels of a country which for hundreds uf miles on either side produces all kinds of cereals. tobacco, hemp, vegetables and some fruits. Minerals, particularly coal and iron. are found on all sides, and immense forests of timber sur round it. IL is distinctively Russian city. and none but Russians and Chin ese are permitted to own land, build or engage in permanent enterprises. There are 10000 Chinese there and the balance, except about 700 for eigners, are Russians. There are no Americans. It is the chief railway center of Manchuria, the headquarters of the civil courts and the chief mili- tary post. Consul Miller says s15,OOO,- 900 has been spent there in building what is called an administration city, and this may well be believed after an examinations of pictures inserted ill the report Of railway shops, hospitals. commercial and technical schools clubs, hotels and bank buildings. h addition there is the old city and the river or business city, all built of brick manufactured on the spot. Ele gant residences and a theater are among the structures now under con struction Flour mills, brick making liquor ard beer manufacturing, meat packing and saw mills are the leading industrial enterprises. The countr! tributary is said to produce the cheap est wheat in the world, and besides is rich in all other farm products, cattle, sheep, hides. furs and wool. Harbin really seems a fitting place from which to manage and supervise Russian in vestments in Manchuria-valued at
 
 three years.
 Consul MilleTs view of the future of American trade in Manchuria does not harmonize with the optimistic opinions widely held as to that vast country be- ing future great market for our goods. He points out that Russian efforts to suppIant us in the cotton goods, kerosene, flour, lumber, canned milk and butter trades are steady and increasing. Given a fair field and no favor, he thinks American goods would win; but with political. banking and transportation advantages all in the hands of the Russians, hope of growth in American trade is baseless. Just as they obtained a monopoly of the Per sian trade in cotton goods. they can drive American goods out of Man churia. He looks for Russian oil from the Black sea ports to supplant the American product. In the manufac- ture of flour they are favored by nature to an extent which our people do not as yet appreciate. Active competition by Manchurian flour and wheat may be looked for in all oriental markets. Siberian butter has won the market in Manchuria and will shortly compete in the other countries. Our condensed milk trade, rapidly growing one, will probably also suffer. Russian railway regulations now provide that all rail- way material shall be purchased at home. An opening for agricultural implements exists, but German, Aus trian or Danish machinery seems to hold the field. The consul says that with not one American citizen or trad CT in Harbin. with Russian oil. cigar cites and flour selling where American goods once sold. the outlook for Amer