The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-05
MAKE VLADVOSTOK
THE PORT OF ENTRY
Russia's Attempt to Establish
Footl,olrl in Manchuria Will
Benefit America.
IMPORTANCE OF SHANGHAI
Would Offset Loss OF Dalny and
Port Arthur i'll Recent
War.
IMPORTANCE OF SHANGHAI
(By Associated Press,

WASHINGTON, d. c.. March i.--Rus
sla's renewed attempt 10 establish per-
manent foothold in northern Manchuria
by making Vladivostok the port of entry,
thereby offsetting the loss Of Dalny and
Port Arthur, Is described in an official
report made public at the State Depart
ment to-day. which report recently
reached Washington from one of the de-
partment's agents in China. The report
expressed the belief that this will re-
dound to the development of American
trade, and will result In great curtail-
ment of the Importance OF Shanghai as
a distributing point. The extract made
public at the department says:
Since the conclusion of peace between
Russia and Japan there has been much
speculation in the foreign community Of
Shanghai as TO the future opportunity for
trade and development in Manchuria, and,
therefore, the negotiations between Japan
and China on the one hand, and the diplo
matte moves of Russia at Pek!n, have
been watched with the closest attention.
Rush for Shanghai.
''As soon as the way to vladivostok
was open there ensued a rush of steam
ers from Shanghai TsIngtao. Chefoo,
Tien Tsn. Nngasaki Kobe and Yoko-
hama, and, as n consequence. the imme-
date demand for merchandise was soon
satisfied. Then came the riots both nj
Vladivostok and Hardin. followed by the
Ice closing at the port of entry. These
discouraging factors drove many of the
traders away and left market which,
while well supplied with such Iuxuries
as are Indicated for the Russians. is
still demanding staples for the natives,
and is offering a great chance for de-
yelopment. Such is practically the sit
uation to-day, and g period three months
from this date will see Northern Man
churia eager for that which is now be-
leved to be the beginning Of new era,
which will last q few years at the least.
Russia Is now apparently. through the
Chinese Eastern Railway Company (for
it is not government-owned), attempting
to establish n permanent foothold in
Northern NIanchuria and to alter things
TO such an extent that relapse will he
difficult.
Even while Xladlvostok and Hardin
The SCHEME adyer RIsd contempiated the
@heh Ma make 81 vaSossakp hs hoc
Of invested capital, the Invitation to use
the railway az the means Of transporta-
and especially of tea.
The General Plan.
These, in general way. are said to be
the plans. and the foreign agent has
been given q free hand TO put them into
effect as far as the outside world Is con-
cerned. 1t is thus evident that the, gov
crnment and the Russian owners of this
railway property are preppai,rin'g to a. 40
port of entry, thereby making up for the
loss OF Dany and Port Arthur The
docks are to be enlarged. they say; go
downs built and cargo landing facilitated.
This means competition with the Japa-
nesc, and an interesting condition Will
rcsnlt.
THE Japanese merchant marine have
apparently recognized this. and while
Japanese affairs are being adjusted in
the former war zone. their steamers arc
getting ready to enter the Vlndlvostok
trade also. IT, therefore, the ports OF
Southern Manchuria should be forsaken
and there should be a rnversion to Vladi-
yostok. 1t would seem that there should
he n much better future for a practically
discarded port.
Heretofore Shanghai has benefited
largely by the Manchurian carrying trade,
hut II there Is the outcome Indicated IN
the foregoing, Chlna's greatest, port will
suffer. American cargo VIII be landed
at Yokohama, Kobe, Mol or Nagasaki.
or It will 90 direct.
I'm any event. in the immediate future
Northern Manchurih seems, according to
the present programme. indicated as a
good field for American enterprise"
" i VI ID. D