Evening star., 1922-01-25
BARRING
| OF US. REAL ISSUE
Recognition of Siberian Re.
public Second to Part in
Commerce, Says Wood.

Tho most important matter IN
americas relations to Siberia Is not
whether the AFR Eastern Republic
bhould be recognized. but whether
America is to be barred by some
ether nation" from the Immensely
rich commercial opportunities sure to
ee developed there In the next Few
|ears. Junius B. Wood. representative
bf The Star at the arms conference and
far east investigator. told 35G members
and guests OF the City Club at yester-
lays forum luncheon.
siberia has great stretches of
rich arabic land" Mr.. Wood said,
.and enough untouched timber to
supply the world for years. Gold,
oil. coal and other minerals abound.
But today Japan controls both OF
the two great outlets for the trade
of this rich land-both the Vladi-
vostok terminal of the Transsiberian
railway. and the mouth Of the Amur
river. Siberia's great waterway, which
IL navigable for 1000 miles into the
interior.
Looks Like Long Stay.
"Japan says she must keep troops
in Siberia" Mr.. Wood continued, ito
protect her citizens there from dis
order. lnasmuch as the only dis
order occurs where the Japanese
troops take control, it looks like a
long stay"
There are many reasons why Japan
should wish to retain control OF the
sections of Siberia she now holds, Mr.
Wood said.
."The territory claimed by the Far
Eastern Republic, part OF which Is
held by the japanese. is a rich and
fertile land, capable Of producing i'm
mense crops when modern machinery
Is available" the speaker said. Be
sides this territory, which extends
the northern boundary of China, there
remain the great barren regions OF
upper Siberia The territory claimed
by the Far Eastern Republic is about
the size Of Texas and California com :
bined. but the rest of Siberia Is nomi-
nally under the control OF soVlet
Russia.
The section under Moscow's control
also is immensely rich in minerals,
fisheries and forests. Japan is also
stalking claims in this section, but
these claims result in conflict with
Republic
ut is in this upper section that
Washington Vanderlip's concessions
are located. They are immensely
nch.
Is Stable Republic.
Mr.. Wood asserted that the Far
Eastern Republic was as stable as
could be expected when 1t had to use Sc
nearly all it's resources in fighting off
invaders and revolutionists. The
problems have been immense" he
said, yet 1 question whether Lloyd
George or Clemenceau could have
handled them more effectively under
the circumstances"
The Far Eastern Republic has a
written constitution, Mr.. Wood said;
the franchise is extended to all over
eighteen, regardless of sex, religion,
property or politics. and the rights
of private property are respected.
he added, are held by the state and
leased for private use for rental
which brings in return equivalent
to taxes. The church and state are
separated. public education is COM
pulsory, as far as the facilities exist.
and compulsory military service also
is enforced.
Bridge Building Industry.
Bridge building is one of the great
est Industries of the republic, Mr..
Wood said, from the fact that the
invading and revolutionary forces
have destroyed every one of the 500
bridges on the Transsiberian rail-
road at least cnce. and many of them
several times. THE railroad" he said,
sis the life artery of the country. 1t
is held by the government, but. IN
stead of being a revenue producer,
is great expense. When ! left there
last July the railroad men had not
been paid their wages for eleven
months. but had been issued enough
rations during that time to Keep
them working"
In opening the meeting, John
Walsh, chairman of the forum COM
nittee, announced that the club
would conduct supper dances in the
main dining room from 1890 to 1890
every week night from tonight on.
M Wood was given a vote of thanks