THE FAR EAST 151 



venient waterways no exports of timber have yet 

 been made from this centre. 



As regards the forests in the Far East, the export 

 problem is far less complex. The Amur and other 

 rivers flow through the country into the Pacific, thus 

 affording cheap communication by waterway. Owing 

 to this fortunate position, a great and increasing 

 export trade in timber from the Pacific ports has 

 developed. According to statistics issued by the 

 Vladivostok bureau, the timber exports from Vladi- 

 vostok in 1910 amounted to 6,446 tons, increasing to 

 15,310 tons in the following year. The more valuable 

 kinds of timber exported go to Western Europe, 

 chiefly to Great Britain, whilst the inferior kinds are 

 taken by Japan and China. In the same year about 

 110,000 cubic feet of cembran pine and spruce wood 

 were exported from Ferney Bay to Australia, and 

 from the Gulf of St. Olga 374,000 cubic feet of mine 

 props. In the same year exports were started from 

 Pasietta, about 100,000 cubic feet being sent away. 

 With this extensive and rich area of forests at 

 their back, a very considerable and valuable export 

 timber trade is likely to develop, and we should 

 make it our business in this country to become 

 thoroughly acquainted with it, and ascertain exactly 

 what classes of timber and what amounts it will 

 pay us to secure from this region to supplement 

 supplies obtained from Russia in Europe, Finland, 

 and Western Siberia. China will not interfere with 

 the supply of our demands. China is a large con- 

 sumer of timber, and Russia in this quarter have their 

 eyes upon the Chinese trade. Mr. Wilks investigated 

 12 



