Catoctin clarion., 1918-05-16

y
great Pacific ocean port, by
the possibility that Japan
might intervene to save the immense
stores sent there by the allies to help
the Russians In their fght against
Germany. yladivostok or Queen OF
the East" as the name signifies, 10
the eastern terminus of the great
Trans Siberian railway, Marion h.
Dampman writes In the Pittsburgh
Gazette Times. The corresponding
western garrison city Is called Vladi-
kaukus or Queen Of the Caucasus
At one end Of the long main avenue
Of Vladivostok stands an imposing
statue Of Admiral Nevelskoi, who laid
the foundation Of RusSia's occupancy
OF Pacific ports OH the statue are in
scribed the famous words of Car
Nicholas |, where the Russian flag
has been hoisted 1t must never be
lowered" At the other end OF the
avenue, where the railroad crosses the
boulevard toward Europe, Is post
ters the simple statement: "Vladivos-
tok to st. Petersburg 1892 Versts."
The mean annual temperature OF
Iladivostok 10 about 40 degrees Fab
renhelt, although 1t lies In the same
latitude as Marseiles, France, and
Buffalo, N Y. Its bay Is ice bound
from the middle Of December to the
beginning Of March but sea communi-
cation is rendered possible by ice
breakers. Its elevation above the sea
is considerable and there are no bar
riers to the north to protect 1t from
the piercing winds while the Japan
ese archipelago interposes so as to
prevent any advantage being derived
from the warm waters of the Black
current, the Gulf stream of the Pa
cific.
Splendidly situated at the head Of
q peninsula about twelve miles long,
separating two deep bays, whose
shores, however, are completely sterile,
VladivOstok faces the western and
more important Of the two bays in a
harbor called the Golden Horn. The
shalowest part Of the harbor is II
fathoms In depth and Is so extensive
that 60 steamers of 5000 tons each
could ride there, leaving broad chan
nels for maneuvering for navy.
There are no artificial breakwaters.
as nature provided such In a massive
island directly athwart the entrance to
the bay which acts as fortress not
only toward the angry sea but toward
invading fleets. On this island the
Manchuria silka or spotted deer are
preserved The vladivostOk harbor is
considered vastly superior to that OF
Port Arthur, which Is $50 miles far
ther south, except In climatic condi-
tons.
More Men Than Women.
The town was founded In 1860 and
has shifting population, variously es-
tinated from $4,000 to 10000, which
includes many soldiers, Chinese, jap
anese and Koreans. The houses are
stone and several stories In height,
presenting quite an imposing appear
ance in comparison with the small
wooden housed towns Of interior 81
IBERIA. Its streets are lively but vast
ly different from Vancouver, Tacoma
and Seattle, on the American side Of
the Pacific. Pigtailed Chinese In blue,
Koreans in white and japanese In
yaricolOred costumes are mixed with
soldiers, sailors and Europeans in
civilian garb. There are many more
men than women; for most Of the in
habitants are there to amass fortunes
and expect to return to their homes
and families when they have done 80.
Living, too, costs very high, which II
another reason for not making 1t .
permanent abode.
Seen from the sea the town rises In
terraces. The houses glitter In the
sun and give an invitation to land.
Once on shore one 10 quickly i'm
pressed with being In a money-mak-
ing place and not place Of residence.
Cargoes hastily discharged are stacked
high In every available place. The
streets are crowded with horses, carts
and men Of all nationalitiss. There
is one nne street, on which are the
residences of the governor, the COM
mander Of the port and many other
magnates. There are several fine
monuments, one Of which 10 In honor
Of the last cars visit. There are
numerous churches Roman Catholic
Greek Catholic and Lutherans; a
museum 10 noted for its collection OF
weapons and costumes Of the far East /;
and the Orient institute was opened
in 1899 for the study Of Asiatic lam
guages. The crispness of the air, the
newness Of everything and the gen.
eral hustle and stir are suggestive Of
Alaska rather than the Orient, were 1t
not for the ponies with. their Russian