THE GREAT SIBERIAN RAILWAV. 265 



sesses all favourable (|iialifications for the extensive development of the mining industry. 

 China will be a very near and valuable market for these districts as well as for other Siberian 

 wares such as leather goods, furs et cetera. The opening of the Siberian railway will therefore 

 enable Russia to profit by the proximity of China for the sale of its produce. 



There is no occasion to dwell upon the political importance of the Great Siberian 

 Railway. Its significance is clear from the fact that when the line is completed Russia will 

 not only nominally but actually occupy that position in the east of Asia which it holds 

 among its friends and enemies in Europe. As the line shortens the distance from European 

 Russia to the east of Asia, in a like measure will the power of Russia increase in the 

 East. In addition to this undisputed position, it may be mentioned that the favourable con- 

 ditions already mentioned occurring from the opening of the line and extending commercial 

 intercourse between Russia and the nations of the East, will undoubtedly conduce to strengthen 

 friendly political relations with those countries. These friendly relations will be cemented by 

 the mutual interests in the field of universal economic activity. Finally the opening of a 

 railway line to the Pacific Ocean will enable Russia to carry on more direct intercourse 

 with the United States of America, which in spite of being the great competitor of 

 Russia in the grain trade of Europe, in consequence of the solidarity of its political and 

 other interests, cherishes sincere sympathy for Russia, 



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