The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-12-03
CHINA RAILROAD
ROW. IS RENEWED
White and Red Russia,
French, Chinese and Jap
anese All Involved
LINE is KEY To RUSSIA
Chinese Are Determined to
Get Control of Eastern
Railway System
~ ra,ernationai News Service.

70 International News Service,
prKING, Dec. 2.--fhe first round
., fhe international railway strug-
sla has begun with the conVening
ef the board OF directors of the
Chinese Eastern railway. The clai-
T,apts to owher<fip are White
Puss.a. backed by France, the soviet
srd the independent Chang Tso-lin,
hacked by Japan The principle
refarre is an American, John +.
cfeveus who, as chief Of the inter
srIied technical board, has fought
desperately to secure fair play and
,the honest utilization OF the rail-
road revenue. The stake is the con-
trolling link between the far east
and Europe and. incidentally, the
main artery to Russia.
First fruits have thus far been
borne off by the white" Russian
eroup, who by virtue Of a managing
director appointed by them and a
Chinese president whom they man
aged to place on the pedestal with
out power, now control the railway
administration and funds. They have
also strengthened their position by
making a through traffic agreement
with the Japanese roads whereby
Dairen secures preferential rates,
which, 1t is believed, will eliminate
other northern Chinese and Siberian
yports, including Vladivostok.
This was bitterly opposed by the
soviet, as well as by China, Stevens
virtually accused the directors of
selling out to Japan for the latter's $
political support. He also attacked
the policy of the managing director,
Oustroumoff, as wasteful and de-
liberately detrimental to the best in
terests Of the road. 1t Is openly al
legged that Oustroumoff received a
fee Of 800, 900 yen from Japan for
negotiating the traffic agreement. =
The line has been source of con-
tlnual intrigue since its construction
and, while strateglcally located, has
been run at a loss, due 10 the abb
forbing political interests which are
attached. The means by which the
white Russians have kept con-
troll, although deprived OF both fl
nanclal and government support, II
in Itself an amazing history of aero
batical diplomatic intrigue.
The orignal-purpose of the road
was to promote the Russian eco
nomlc invasion of the east. Con-
etruction was begun IN 1896, when
a concession was wrung from the
Chinese government. The Trans
Siberian railroad was extended
thereby southeast to Port Arthur
and northeast to Vladivostok. The
stock Of the company was held by
the Russo -Asiatic bank, but thC
money was advanced by the Rus.
sian government, which took In re
turn debenture bonds and reserved 6
certain interest in the management
After the Russo -Japanese wal
Japan secured the southern half O
the line and has since then always
looked with greedy eyes upon tn,
remaining half. Inasmuch as tn,
me also provides for the policin.
OF the areas traVersed, for the pub
lie utilities OF most of the cities
touched, and, in addition, maintain
SCHOOLS and special settlement, III
ownership amounts practically tC
the possession of an important par
OF Siberia, including many thousanC
square miles of rich territory.
Inc Russian collapse In 1917 CAV.
sapan her chance, but she wa
elocked by the Interallied Technica
board which was created for tn
purpose OF maintaining the Russian
railroads. It's activity unfortunatei
was limited to the Chinese Easter
IaiFoad, John f. Stevens. tn
american engineer, was made chair
man OF the board, while Japan
nt'hE only one OF several members
losI her coveted control.