Evening journal., 1905-05-13
CHARACT CTERlSTICS
OF VLADIVOSTOK
Russian Stronghold, Japanese
Believe, Can Be Captured.
THE HARBoR ADMIRABLY LOCATED


All Channels From the sea said to
Be superbiy Commanded by Many
batteries OF Modern Ordnance.
other Defenses of the Cznr's ci-
braItnr of the North-The Town q
Dumping Ground For outcasts.
Nladiyostok, the not impregnablel
That is what the japanese say. What
IS said by the Russians who still hold
this far east port. their last touch with
the Pacific IN the orient is another
matter.
That the japanese hope to capture
the port and town before final peace
is declared is believed, says the Chica-
go Post With Vladivostok in their
control they win have taken from Rus
sit every exit to the ocean she pos
sesses in the east. The Transsiberian
railway win then terminate far IN ''the
suburbs" Of Manchuria, and II its op-
Grafton to the water line is permitted
after the war ends It Will be under
other than Russian domination.
1T was characteristic Of the Russian
nation when it chose the name Of Vlad-
iYostok, which means Lord Of the
East" says Fannie Caldwell Mac
Cadlay. "But. like so many golden
promises which originate on Russian
soil, it has failed to fulfill the prophecy
Of it's name. Perhaps it is the intensi-
ty Of the winters which stunts the
growth Of these promises. Be that as
Il may. Yladivostok remains after Il
trial OF more than forty years neither
lord OF The east nor Of itself"
Situated 10 eastern Siberia, on an
arm Of the Japan sea called bay of Pc
ter the Great, It is beautifully located,
but by no stretch Of the imagination
could It be called attractive. The long,
narrow harbor Is 50 encompassed by
velvety green hills as to give the ap-
pearance Of a quiet inland lake. In
the winter the bay is frozen to the
depth Of many feet and gives a fine
opportunity for skating and slcighlng
and horse racing. In the summer It Is
the scene OF much gayety, especially so
when the squadron IS stationed there
on its summer rounds.
On a summer night the harbor looks
like fairyland. with its thousands Of
lights from sampans. YACHTS, men-of-
war and merchant steamers. Concerts
on the different hagships draw crowds
from the shore who come in every con-
celvable craft. It Is a merry, music
loving crowd, enjoying the pleasure OF
the present moment without thought
or care Of the future. The town itself
has a crude, unfinished look. The streets
are wide and unpaved, and the distri-
button Of mud on rainy days over
horses, carriages and pedestrians is
generous and impartial.
People seldom walk in Vladivostok II
they have the price Of a drosky ride.
These droskies are very low four
wheeled vehicles The driver, usually
a discharged convict, sits high above
the occupants and is a queer figure in
his dark blue velveteen blouse, which
extends far below his knees and is 9th
erwise cut by generous measurement
The ornamentation Of this dress is the
touch of color given by the bright red
sleeves Of the blouse and the fancy
leather belt. A low stovepipe hat com
pletes this altogether unique figure
Discharged convicts are not allowed to
return to European Russia, ana lrosky
driving in VladivostolS is about the only
means Of a livelihood.
. II the emblem Of each country rep
resented by Nladivostok was displayed
along tile line an International flag Of
vast dimensions would flutter IN The
breeze. Nladivostok is the dumping
ground for the outcasts Of Korea, Chi
ma and Russla's own forgotten exiles
And this recalls a story Of a woman
who was released this last summer
from long servitude.
Twentythree years ago a young Rus
sian married a young girl Of high so
clal standing in ST. Petersburg. After
few months Of happiness the wife
disappeared, and all search failed to
bring to light her fate Years passed,
and the man. believing his wife dead,
married again. In the spring Of 1908
In some unexplained way the man was
given a clew that his wife was a po-
litcal prisoner at Salxhalin. Quickly
he made his way to the convict island
and found IN the gray headed old wom-
an who was indicated by a number the
wife he had lost so many years ago
IH..