East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1922-10-12
FUTURE OF RUSSIA IS
RIDDLE TOO DEEP FOR
ANSWER, BANNON SAYS
Civilian Representative of War
Department, Guest of Fees,
Here on Way to Washington

That the influx of American miners
| into Eastern Siberia where there are
| heavy deposits Of gold may have a
lbearing on the fututre history of that
county where radicals are supposed
to have established II heaven to
their own liking, is a possibility, in
the belief of william G. Bannon,
civilian representative of the war de-
partment who has been in Siberia,
China and Japan during the past two
and one-half years. MIR. Bannon is in
Prndleton as the guest of Mr.. and Mrs.
Alger Fee. He and Mr.. Fee were AS
sociated for several months during the
early stages of the war in the legal
section of the office of director of
sales in the war department.
1t was reported in Vladivostok last
spring that a rather large group Of
miners from Alaska who are nXper-
fenced operators were on the main
land of Siberia prospecting for the
precious metal, which has been re-
sponsible for many of the chief mig
rations of history Mr.. Bannon found.
The miners are largely of American
stock, are fearless and adventurous.
Conditions Are Unsettled
1.-THE future of Russia? II would
require great courage to make even a
vague prediction as TO what course
affairs in that country may take with
the passing of time" Mr.. Bannon stat
ed in reply to n question. zone thing
we may say positively is that Russia
must learn that she can never get back
g.,y- Il IL
starts to produce
4 lack of confidence with respect
to future developments is responsible
now for very slack production on the
part of the residents of Eastern ST.
IBERIA, Mr.. Bannon found. The reds"
have never been able to extend their
influence oyer the wartime province
Of Siberia to any great extent, hut the
uncertainty as to what the future may
bring forth has had the effect Of
dampcning the ambition of the people
Japs Leave Siberia
II is apparent even to the casual
observer that the Japanese are evacu-
ating siberia, the visitor declares
Both the militia and the civilians are
gradually leaving the country That
orientals will prove to be a blessing to
both nationalities is the belief express
ed by Mr.. Bannon.
Poverty in Nladivostock Is a very
real thing, the American found. For
merly the town was chiefly "A garrison
post. and army men. or civilians whose
activities were based on some phase of
army life. were the chief part Of the
population. Now that the army Is a
thing Of tho past. means OF making a
living are denied 10 many Of the peo-
pie. The depreciation Of the ruble
proved disastrous TO many Of those
who had money but now the yen H.
being used as a standard Of values in
exchange. and conditions are improv-
ing.
The American Red Cross has aided
in improving conditions whore IL could
be Of service insofar as its funds
would permit Last spring the Wash
lineton headquarters Of the American
Red Gross apportioned $4,000 10 the
lNiaadivostok chapter. Much of this
money WAS used to furnish the farm
crs with seed. Chapters Of the Amer
lean Red Cross In Japan sent used
clothing FOR the use Of the people. The
need for clothing is a very pressing
one. even now. Mr. Rannon states. and
more work of this same kind remains
20 be done.
Mr. Rannon crossed the Pacific on
he President Mckinley. shipping