The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-05
RUSSIA'S PLANS IN MANCHURIA
STRUGGLE WITH JAPAN FOR COM
MERCIAL SUPREMACY.
Work Of Developing That Part Of Northern
Manchuria Through Which Russia's
Portion Of the Chinese Eastern RaI.
way Runs Is Already Under way.

way HUNS is Alreauy thuer ""''
WASHINGTON, March with an energy
greatly SURPRISING hat Of the Japanese,
the Russian Government, through agents,
has started to carry out a comprehensive
plan Of developing that part OF northern
Manchuria through which Russia's portion
of the Chinese Eastern Railway runs. De-
tails Of the expected struggle between
japan and Russia for commercial predomi-
nance rave come to the State Department
from one Of the American consular agents
in the Far Fast, who has recently made an
interesting report which has just been
made public by the State Department.
In this report the view is expressed that
il what pro-Russian people say il correct.
Russia will in reality suffer little with regard
to her development projects in Manohuria
as a result of the war This view Is summed
up In the final paragraph OF the report as
follows;
IF half of the optimistic views OF those
who talk from the Russian standpoint SON
corning northern Manchuria and the Chinese
Ea stern Railway come true, the world
will speedily see that, as a matter OF tact'
Russia has suffered very little by the out
come Of the war as it relates to her develop
ment projects in the Far Fast, In any
event, in the immediate future northern
M%anchuria seems, according to the present
programme, a good field for enterprise
In discussing the general situation the
report says:
As soon as the way to Vladivostok
was open there ensued a rush OF steamers
from Shanghai, Tsingtao, Chefoo, lientsin'
Nagasaki, Kobe and Yokohama, and as a
consequence the immediate demand for
merchandise was soon satisfied. Ihen came
the riots both at Vladivostok ana Harpln;
followed by the ice closing of the port OF
entry. These discouraging factors drove
many of the traders way and left n market
which, while we'll supplied with such luHu-
ries for the Russians, IL still demanding
staples for the natives ana Is on srnh q a
practically the situation, and a period OF
three months from this date will see north
ern Manchuria ca ger for that which Is now
believed to be the beginning OF a new era
which will last a few years at the least;
"No one knows at present what Japan
intends to do in southern Manchuria, either
in the way of trade or in development IN
connection with her portion of the Chinese
Eastern Railway and the new line that
is to be built thereto to connect with Corea:
Russia, for the benefit Of her portion OF
the Chinese Eastern Railway, for her own
practical affairs in the East and perhaps
for the sake Of affording a contrast, is
letting everybody know what her aim
and ambition il.
THAT portion of the line from Hardin
south need not be considered here, as Rus
sia's portion only extends to kirin, and OF
course it is greatly in need of RECONSTRUCT
ton on account of the war.
But Russia is now apparently through
this railway company attempting to es-
tablish a permanent foothold in northern
Manchuria and to alter things to such an
extent that a relapse will be difficult. Even
while Vladivostok and Hardin were burn
ing plans we're Fastening for the coming
campaign of development. The scheme
advertised contemplated the establishment
of a steamship service which would make
Vladivostok the home port, the ,welcoml-
ing and the protection of invested capital,
the invitation to use the railway as the
means of transportation to Europe for
the products Of China and especially OF
tea. These in a general way are said to be
the plans, and the foreign agent, who is
NJ. s. Friede of New York, who was orig
inally interested in the construction of
the road. has been given a free hand to
put them into effect as far as the outside
world h concerned.
1T is thur evident that the Government
and the Russian owners of this railway
property are preparing to do a great deal
entry. and thereby making up for the loss
of Dalny and Port Arthur, The docks are
to be enlarged, they say, godowns built
and cargo landing facilitated. This means
competition with the Japanese and interest
ing conditions will result. The Japanese
merchant marine has apparently recog-
nized this, and while Japanese affairs are
being adjusted in the former war zones
their steamer are getting ready TO enter
the Vladivostok trade also.
IF, therefore, the ports of southern
Manohuria should be forsaken and there
should be a reversion to Vladivostok it
would seem that there should be n much
better future for a practically discarded
port. With the assistance of icebreakers,
which are to be maintained by the Govern
ment, there would moreover be nearly as
open navigation for all the year as could
obtain at Dalny. II is also argued by those
who are interested in Vladivostok and by
those who are willing to turn to it that It is
naturally the port for MISUNDERSTANDING
rian commerce, being closer and easier of
access in every way.
1T may appear somewhat premature,
but 1t is already that the Chinese
Eastern Railway will institute a system
by which all charges at fixed rates can be
paid in America for shipments to any point
in Manchuria reached by the line. Again.
it is said that goods shipped from New
York, either via the Pacific or Suez and
destined for Hardin, will be received by the
consignee at Hardin on representation of
the New York bill of landing and the pay
ment of any advances that have been ar
ranged. In the furtherance of this general
plan of inviting American trade the Com
mercial Depa rtment of Railway announces
that it desires catalogues of manufacturers
and information as to products, these to
be addressed to the Chimes Eastern Rail-
way Commercial Department, Hardin,
M%anohuria,' where they will b. kept for
inspection Of those interested in American
products"
II form bureau Literature Not Frankablc.
WASHINGTON, March 4.-The Postmaster
General has rendered decision in the case
of the use by the International Reform
Bureau, Of which the Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts
is superintendent, of the frank Of a member
of Congress to transmit in the mails free of
postage matter not frankable. The decis-
ion atfims the ruling Of the Third Assistant
Postmaster-General that the book entitled
Patriotic Studies" is not a public docu-
ment printed by order Of Congress-, and
is not under the law entitled to trans
mission in the mails free of posta &c under
a frank Of a member Of Congress.