Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-29

tives to Manchuria was followed by large
tracts of rich agricultural lands being
thrown open to settlement on favorable
terms In natural process therefore.
the Chinese, numerically speaking, took
Manchuria. In the first instance the
Manchus took China and In turn tine
Chinese have taken Manchu-land The
Manchus are not numerous in Manchuria.
They and their descendants have been
scattered throughout China In various
ways. principally in garrisons. Their ma
tive land furnishes a desirable place for
the Chinese of the crowded sections of
China to migrate to, and under normal
conditions they Will no doubt continue
to come in large numbers.
Explosive Mines a Menace.
Explosive mines and shells have ham,
pered both shipping and agricultural pur-
suits alike in Manchuria. In CONSEQUENCE
of the floating mines IN the waters tray
ersed by steamers bound for the port of
Nfuchwang. freight and insurance rates
have been raised and vessels have been
delayed by the necessity OF anchoring at
night With every precaution several
steamers have been blown UP or damaged.
And although reports have been sent out
to the effect that the mines did not exist
many have actually been destroyed since
steamers have been provided by the Chi
nese government with Hotchkiss one
FOUNDER guns for that purpose. On a re-
cent voyage OF the steamer kwang Sc a
floating mine was sighted near North Head
on the route to Niuchwang The t,hiucso
gunner shot five times before hitting the
NINE although 1t was only 80 yards dis
tant On hitting IT a deafening explosion
followed. A great mass OF water. streaked
with flames. mostly blue in color, was
thrown $50 feet into the air Pieces OF the
mine came down upon the deck of the
Kwang Sc, severely injuring a Chinaman.
A piece of the steel frame OF the mine, still
hot. fell beside one OF the women passen-
gers Most Of the floating mines have now
been blown up otherwise demolished, and
shipping is comparatively free from this
danger. The precauttOn of anchor!ng at
night however. Is still kept up.
"On land. however, there are unexploded
shells as we'll as other explosives TO en-
danger the lives and property OF the
tive farmer The point OF the pillow strik-
ing explosives has caused numerous acci-
dents and deaths and reports from the
farming sections are decidedly discour-
aging. In many cases houses have been
burned and farm animals pressed into serv-
ice during the war. Many fields are uncul-
tiyated and in numerous Instances where
an attempt Is being made to cultivate and
pillow injuries have resulted from coming
into contact with explosives.
1.-THE International Red Cross managers
received reports early In July OF depior-
able state of affairs in the districts be-
tween Lao Yang and Mukden. AS foreign
ers including missionaries, are not per-
mitted to move throughout the war zone,
the Red Cross managers hope to arrange
with the Japanese to relieve the distressed
condition of the natives. many of whom
are reported TO be without houses and
farmers unable to cultivate their fields ana
with little prospect for food during the
coming winter. At Mar Chia-ling, Su Ma
pu Hei Hou-tai and ku Cheng-tze, In par
ticular. the natives are reported IN need
of relief For this purpose the Central Red
Cross Association at Shanghai mas reen
asked for $4,000 gold.
Prospects Bright.
Considering the prosperity OF Manchuria
under unsettled and unfayorable conditions
of the past It seems decidedly conservative
to predict enormous trade possibilities In
the future under peaceful conditions and
strong, stable government control ana no
trade restrictions. To encourage CONNER
cial development to the fullest degree the
governing and police power Will necessarily
have to control or crush out with a firm
hand the Iawless element that has been
menace to the thrifty Chinese farmers and
merchants of the interior. Ii has been Gus
tor,ary for many years for those transport
ing merchandise and supplies to purchase
immunity from the robbers of the interior
by paying the price to their accredited rep
resentatives. Thus could sort of insur-
ance policy against highway robbery be
taken out with practical certainty, too or
its conditions being observed
with large area of the country under
military occupation. and with no positive
Knowledge as to what the future has in
store, ii is no wonder interior trade condi-
tons OF Mancnuria Wltnlh the war zone dic
unsettled or that Niuchwang fiends herself
congested with goods Intended for Internal
SUPPLY The products OF the interior how
ever have, no doubt. to a degree, been dis
posed of to the belligerents thus. to some
extent al least, relieving the situation. Out
side of the war zone, crops. on account of
plentiful rains, are rule reported good.
In some Instances the Soil Is yielding boun-
tifully and the people are correspondingly
contented. The disquieting effects of war
are felt. generally speaking throughout
Manchur1a-"