New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1918-07-27
sAMN1Es TO SEE SIBERIA.

Many strange sights WILL gree
the eyes of the American soldier
BOYS who are likely ere long to
Journey across the enormous ek'
panse of Siberia, later to light
shoulder to shoulder with the Brit
ish and japanese allies to break
the strange the Hun has secured
on the Russian bear.
Siberia! What wealth or
childhood memories come with the
very mention Of the name. Even
today comparatively little IS
known to the world at large OF
this marvellous country so long
under the heels Of the Russian
Cars. of the untold wealth OF the
country its boundless resources
and illimitable possibilities.
Travellers have usually con-
fined themselves to the exile sys-
tenn and the methods of crossing
the country when in Siberia, with
a chapter of generalities OF the
Industries Of the country. That
is virtually the extent of the IN
formation available.
Siberia is a country Of immense
area, traversed throughout its
enormous breadth by great rail
way which connects it's territory
with the markets Of Europe on
one hand and those Of the Pacific
coast on the other. The prevalent
idea that Siberia is barren land
covered with snow and ice is en-
tirely erroneous. This applies
only to the northern portion,
which is but sparsely Inhabited.
A great extent Of the country is
similar to the most productive
areas of the United States in soil,
climate and other conditions. In
the variety and extent fits min
eral wealth Siberia stands to the
forefront of al 1.-The countries Of
the world. It is we'll known that
in many localities there the virgin
mining fields quite as remarkable
as any which have stimulated the
great 'rushes" in the United
States or in the Klondyke.
Vladivostok. Sovereign of the
East" will be made the great
RENDEZVOUS for the allied troops
and their point of departure for
the eastern front. Vladivostok is
pre-eminently a fortress. It is
also the chief town of East ST. !
IBERIA, and until the last few years
was the most important seat Of
Russian inuuence in the Far East.
Vladiyostok is so much more
formidable than Pert Arthur. so
much more magnificent than
Dalny, so much larger than Kha-
barovsk. and it possesses such an
admirable harbor that it is not
surprising that the Russians Sc
lected it to be the hub Of Greater
Russia in the East. ii
The town is situated on the Il
slopes of high ridge, forming a
peninsula. which pro-
jectsv into an irregular land
locked bay. On the highlands
surrounding the harbor the Rus {
slams constructed continuous
chains of earthworks and defen-
sive positions. Dominating the
entrance to the bay is Russia IS
land, wher there is an important
fort.
The main streets of the town
are well paved and efficiently
drained. The sidewalks are raised
ana asphalted, the houses are i'm
posing and the lofty structures
IRE Of brick or stone. Such arch
ltectural beauty as Vladivostok
possesses and it is much compared
with the sntidy wastes of Siber.
an towns--is due to the cheap
ness Of Chinese workmanship. '
Chinese labor is responsible for
he naved streets, for the con- Q
Of the naval quays, the 4
ortresses and the dockyards. q
There is a very cosmopolitan y
in Vladivostok. made $
lp Of adventures from all chimes g
French, German and p
americans business men from the p
Vest. and q sprinkling of pretty p