The Washington times., 1917-12-20
U.S..RA|L MISSION
TO CONTINUE ITS
WORK INRUSS|A

The American railway mission to
Russia, which has been on the job
for many months rebuilding and max
ing modern the entire Russian trans
portatIon system, particularly the
trans-siberian railway, will probably
continue its work
Millions Of dollars of American
money-not so much in Government
loans, which are backed by the credit
Of the allies and the Russian empire
but in Investments made by the
great foreign trade interests OF the
country, are involved.
Private interests have placed a plea
for the continuance OF the mission be-
fore Administration Officials. They
ask that the mission be not recalled
and its work abandoned ,'until the
situation becomes hopeless"
Though no official statement will
be made on the subject there is every
reason to believe that the mission will
be continued at its work, unless the
situation in Russia does become in
toierable or absolutely hopeless.
OF Great Importance.
Successful conclusion OF the work
of the mission will not only have q
far-reaching and lasting economic
erect, but its political and strategic
Importance are being heavily weigh
ed by the United States and 'our
allies.
The enormity Of the work done in
Russia, both by the American Govern
ment ana by the private foreign trade
INTERESTS, OF the countryfis BUT little
seomprehended outside the circle of
those responsible.
The aAperican Railway Mission has
transformed much of Russian trans
portation as i6tby magic. This work
has been quiktly done.
The priv1te interests, heavily in
volved in Russia, give urgency to
their plea with the declaration that
an that has been accomplished will
be lost II the American Government
withdraWs the mission. =,
DeVeIOp Russian Trade.
Some OF the biggest foreign trade
Arms in New York, on both the I'M
port and export side, as we'll as those
OF other cities. have gone heavily
on Russia esince the carly days Of the
European war and the sending Of
Russian, purchasing commissions to
this country. They awakened sud-
denly TO the vast and fertile field Of
fered by the great empire OF the
Czar. Since the declaration of war
by Congress, the Government has
given them every aid and encourage,
ment In the exploitation of this field.
4 Many Government and private COM
1 mercial agents went to Russia, and
HOncy was lavishly spent on the
prospect OF a vast trade with the
FSlavs. Two magazines on Russia
were started an trade promoters. and
w. r. Grace & Co.. r. Martens, the
National Foreign Trade Council, and
two Of the biggest banking institu-
tions in New York were greatly in
terested. Plans were made for
branch banks in the Industrial cen.
ters OF Russia to facilitate the trade
that was expected.
MIIIIOns spent.
Millions OF dollars worth OF up-to.
the-minute American railway equip.
ment and supplies has gone into the
building OF transportation lines.
! During the political upheavaI the
work has gone quietly forward, but
with less enthusiasm and apprehen,
sion in place of assurance
No matter what transpires in a DO
litical way in Russia, il seems as
sured that no effort will be spared to
secure for America the economic and
trade advantage that was anticipated
from the greatest foreign trade cam.
paign ever undertaken in the history
OF the nation. This campaign has
matched in organized effort the re-
sourcefulness, determination. and
perspicacity, that has hallowed the
memory Of Individual efforts in the
days Of clipper ships.