The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-01-07
RUSSIA is AFTER
MANGH.gR!AI!!!A!I!E!!!.g v !.

HARDIN, Manchuria, Jan. G.-Rus.
sia'B desire to control that portion OF
northern Manchuria through which
the Trans-Siberian Railway runs Is
uppermost in the minds Of all Rus
slams In this. section and they are con-
stantly expressing the hope that the
European war will result In such
read justment In the affairs Of the Ear
East that Russia may gain actual pos
session OF the territory through fwhlcn
its railway passes.
Although Harbn has an immense
Chinese population, 1t Is almost as
Russian In its architecture and Il tne
manners and customs of ats paopIa as
a city In ,theSYery heart Eof Russia
The other cities and towns along the
Trans.Siberian line in Manthurla are
also practically Russian in everything
but name. The Russian assumption
OF authority; In fact, 3isS such that the
German prisoners who may have es-
capped from Siberia are frequently
seized in Chinese territory by nus.
sian soldiers. 1.-The Russians have ev:
en- tagen the escaped German prison
ers away from Chinese soldiers VINO
were protecting tho.n in Chinese Ter
ritory. This has called forth bitter
complaints from Germans IL Man
churia.
Conditions in Mongolia, south OF
the Trans. Siberian Railway, are much
The same as in that part Of MancEEr!
ia through which the railway actuai-
" runs. Russians have practically all
the trade In Mongolia, especially the
northern part, and it is In erect q
Russian dependency rather than o
Chinese territory.
The Kutuktu, the head Of the Budd-
hists in Mongolia, who is resident at
Urga and who is the most powerful
leader In Central Asia, negotiated an
agreement last June by which China s
nominal control of Outer Mongolia
was to be recognized, but he has re.
Gently refused to carry out terms OIL
the agreement. Although Russia, as
we'll as China, was a party 10 agree
ment. Il is charged by some Chinese
officials that tn" Kutuktl. has been
Influenced in some way by the Rus:
slams who desired to create IF :tiuh.
THE Mcngolian people, themselves,
have frequently endeayored to get
Russia to recognize them as an u
dependent state and defend them
against tGIlud anu japan. ShAA :
ficials are endeayoring to- persuade
the Kutuktu to carry out this agree.
ment, but it is reported that Chenio.
the Chinese diplomat who is at Urga
conducting the negotiations is held
practically a prisoner by the Budd-
hits leader.
outer Mongolia is now also In q
state OF ferment Bandit companies
are operating all along the border OF
China proper, and apparently have re.
Gently gained position to do much IN
Mongolia. Japanese arms and ammu-
milton have reached the bandits IN
large Quantities. Representations con-
corning this traffic have been made
to the Japanese government whose re-
ply has been that Japan has no con-
troll of private shipments OF arms.
Manchuria has made very slow pro-
gress in an agricultural way and is
far less prosperous than portions OF
Siberia where the Russians have col
onized. The Chinese farm with little
idea Of developing the country perma'
nently. Manchuria, however, offers
far better opportunities to the Rus
sans than Sibe, ia, as the cllmat3 is
more favorable and markets are bet,
ter. It Is q Comparatively short haul
from any point Of Manchurta to tide
water.