New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-23
RUSSIA TURNS TO U. S.
FOR ALLY IN FAR EAST.
Feeling Strong That BelTing Strait
Tunnel Mast Be Built.

ST Petersburg. March 22.-The sympathies OF
Emperor Nicholas. Premier witte and other
members OF the Ministry. as well as OF power
ful influences at court, have been enlisted by
Baron Loicq de Lobel in the project of the
American -Trsnsalaskan-Sib Company for
the construction Of a tunnel under Behring
Strait from East Cape to Kansk, and three
thousand miles OF railway 10 connect it with the
Siberian Railway The opposition OF portion
OF the bureaucracy. which fought the scheme
bitterly because the negotiations were conducted
over fits head. IS breaking down The outlook for
q favorable decision is now bright.
IN addition 10 the benefits which win accrue
to the nation by the development Of the re-
sources Of the present waste Of Northeastern ST.
IBERIA. the imperial family owns immense ex-
tent Of land which viii be benefited. The Ma
tional Defence Committee slso considers the
project as essential from strategic point Of
view. and, more important still, there is in the
higher government spheres a distinct disposi-
ton TO cultivate the United States as Russias
natural ally in the Far East
II is believed that by interesting Americans
materially in Siberia the political ties between
The two countries viii be strengthened. A state
ment 10 this effect has been submitted by For
eign Minister Lamsdorff 20 the commission IN
der the presidency Of Ziegler Won Shanhsusen.
Minister OF Ways and Communications. which
has been considering the project, which state
ment really amounts TO an important declars-
ton OF foreign policy. as is evident from the
following extract:
From the standpoint Of general policy the
project is considered more than desirable The
investment OF foreign capital, and especially
American, IL enterprise so important for
Russia VIII certainly tend 10 an economic, finan-
cial and political RussO-American rapproche-
meIt i VIII also contribute 10 the creation OF
greater confidence In our foreign policy which
sensbly suffered by recent events. BY inter
estI1g Americans will be the better able 10
produced so much harm before the Russo-Jap-
auese War ! believe the projected railroad
would serve 10 paralyze any aggressive move
mont against rs IN the Far East. Everything
which can help 10 place Russia in a more indie
pendent position with regard 10 Japan and
China cannot fail 10 strengthen Russia, both in
IGe ar East and IN Europe.
Six Of the twelve representatives Of the vari-
Gus ministries on the Shanhausen commission
have already pronounced in favor OF the project
General Boldureff. representing the ministry Of
The imperial household, told the commission how
much his majesty was interested and personally
challenged the arguments Of n Toulchinsd
who has combated the project. Mr.. Grebnetsky,
on behalf Of the Ministry OF the Interior went to
the extent OF declaring that if the railroad were
not constructed Russias position on the Pacific
wound be lost He expressed the opinion that the
railroad was feasible and that Americans were
capable OF carrying out the project.
Baron de LObel is making the changes in the
proposed line Of the railroad which were sug-
Eested by the committee of national defence on
strategic considerations.