76 TIMBER SUPPLIES AND RUSSIAN FORESTS 



our other Allies, we have no forest resources of our 

 own at our back, to institute fellings on a large 

 scale in those of her forests which are adjacent to the 

 most suitable ports. Every saw-mill in these regions 

 should be set to work converting timber at high pres- 

 sure, the materials being stacked in suitable depots for 

 transport to the areas required at the earliest possible 

 moment. A definite scheme for the freight vessels 

 necessary should be drawn up and the tonnage re- 

 quired be earmarked for the purpose for which it is to 

 be employed. As soon as the ports or any port of supply 

 becomes open a part of this tonnage should be made 

 available to start bringing the materials ready to the 

 spots arranged upon. This question of freight vessels 

 has been very much before the public latterly. In 

 itself it has of course greatly enhanced timber prices. 

 The maintenance of the present prices is no more to 

 Russia's advantage than ours or any of the other 

 Allies, since we all have to foot the bill. To undertake 

 the above sketched scheme money will be required to 

 finance the saw-mills, open up inaccessible areas, pay 

 the sawyers and so forth, and my suggestion is that the 

 British Government advance the sum which will be 

 required for the purpose ; whatever the sum neces- 

 sary, it would be a mere bubble in the enormous 

 present expenditure, and the savings which would 

 result would several times over recover the amount 

 spent. It would be money well laid out. 



All that is required is a practical working scheme. 

 So far as a study of the question has enabled a con- 

 clusion to be formed it appears that the one practical 

 possibility is to be found in Russia and Russia alone. 



