FUNDS AND ORGANISATION ^t 



with which we are not concerned here, is there a 

 scarcity of wood. In these Siberian forests, therefore, 

 even in those of which something is known, one would 

 expect to find that the feUings were far below the esti- 

 mated possibility of the areas. And this is borne 

 out by such figures as are available. For instance, 

 according to estimates framed in 191 1 it was shown 

 that no less an amount than 1,800,750,000 cubic feet 

 of timber were available from the State forests. Of this 

 amount 171,500,000 cubic feet only were disposed of, or 

 something under 10 per cent. In some forests, viz. in the 

 Government of Enessey, the percentage sold was only 5. 

 And these figures apply only to such of the areas of 

 State forests as have been explored and organised ! 



Russia has then these large areas of unexploited 

 accessible forests or forests which can be made acces- 

 sible by a not very heavy expenditure. She has also 

 a very large population which can be drawn upon to 

 provide labour. Under the existing methods for 

 exploiting this forest wealth there exist throughout 

 the country over 2,000 saw-mills. 



How then can this great store of timber be most 

 easily and expeditiously opened out in order to place 

 in the hands of the Allies the large amounts of materials 

 which these areas contain and which will be in such 

 great demand at the close of the war ? The difficulties 

 confronting this problem do not appear insuperable. 

 The first necessity would be the provision of funds 

 and the second organisation. 



My suggestion is that Russia should be asked by the 

 Allies, by the British Government, if necessary, since 

 we are very deeply concerned in this matter, as, unlike 



