The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-06
CHR MINISTER'S GAVE
HIM FRIENDLY HEARING
c. ashbn,n Talked Business MIN Minister Of Finance
and Of RailaaysFonnd Friendly Feeling Ioauard Amer
ica, and Excellent Opportunity for Promoting Trade
Rezations-Reasops for War.

One is apt to have pro Russian SYM
pathies aroused by a few moments talk
with Edwin G. Washburn, general man
ager Of the Washburn company, or at
least to gain the impression that Amer
lean long distance views Of the Rus
sian Japan situation are in perverted
perspective.
MI. Washburn has just returned from
st. Petersburg, as announced in yester-
days j ourn a |. He went there two
months ago, to try to introduce his pat
ent car coupler on Russian roads,
dauntless spirit enabled Mr.. Washburn'
to get in touch with high officials, even
after he had failed to obtain letters Of
introduction before he left America. His
reception was one showing genuine in
terest in Americans and American af-
fairs.
With Henry J. Lemarc, correspondent
of the. Chicago Daily News, Mr.; Wash
burn interviewed ministers Of the en-
pire, officers and high personages, with
out let or hindrance, and the spirit Of
adventure would have taken them be-
fore the car, without doubt, had they
so desired, Thru the combined inf1u-
ence Of the two men special meeting
of the coupler commission Of the gov
eminent was called for the first time
in history, and, wonderful to relate, Mr..
Washburn was admitted to the sacred
precincts Of the council chamber, and
was allowed to plead his business be-
fore them.
It was soon evident that the Ameri-
can type of couple was not adapted for
Russian railroad purposes and Mr..
Washburn left for America, leaving
word that he would make a special
thority to lay. the device before the
government officials, and, will have the
personal backing of Minister of Rail
ways Khilkof, if the coupler desion is
On Friday Mr.. Washburn arrived
Saturday morning he entered the palace
of Khilkof, who left off breakfast to
, talk half an hour with the Americans
Saturday morning the special council
meeting was held, and the same day the
, two were ushered into the grand sailor
, Of Kokovtzeff, minister Of finance, who
waived aside the waiting group Of for
5 eign envoys to admit Mr.. Washburn ani
! companion.
, Kokovtzeff is the cars right hant
; man and all purchases for the govern
n ment pass thru his hands. The min
g lister seemed staggered at the America
e handshake Of Washburn, and in turf
amazed his guests awith his own democ
e racy of manner. .~, -: 49,.
Mr.. Washburn placed the American
+ attitude towards Russia as clearly a
n he could before the minister. In tur1
e the minister showed decidedly friend
o ly spirit toward American ventures de
r signed for exploitation in Russia. I
4 the Americans wanted to build rail
4 roads, he said, it would only be nee
II essary for them to 20 over the fielC
q make their proposals, and if these wer
~ attractive to the czar, he would the
=. add his official and personal backin
f and bond guarantee. a.. W.
y Great Business Opportunity.
"a In regard to 1.-The. high retaliator
It duty on American exports, the ministe
"a told Mr.. Washburn that the Russian
II were waiting, only to 3be g +approache
~ by the r. Americans When"they wei
h. ready to take up revision, of the tariff
&c This Mr.. Washburn regards as tt
~ basis for one of the greatest CONNIE
= cial propositions for America in year
pr Russia has frightfully big cou1
w try,' said Mr.. Washburn, reviewin
~ the causes for the war, "and ever,
~ body seems to think she had better d
- - velOp her own country before takin
u u on more territory. Russia is divide
II into two parts. The northern part
IL cold and heavily timbered. The sout
Ns ern part, called the black mould, is
:e closely peopled that there is on
II enough to allow three or four acres f,
d each peasant. The land has been title
~ so many years that it is nearly wo1
IT. out. Siberia is the outlet for the DO
n. ulation, and the government is tryi1
". to get the people there. r..
IL The Russian territorial gOvernme.