2(3 
nUSSlA IX EUROPE 
its eastern boundary, thus inviting the people to travel from 
place to i^lace and to see more of the world; fourth, as a second 
result of the Crimean war was the freedom of the serfs in 1861 
from a slavery of one hundred and fifty years ; fifth, the con- 
struction of the railroad across the Ural mountains to Siberia^ 
and its subsequent extension east, through the southern part of 
the country, to the Pacific, through the rich agricultural region 
of Siberia ; sixth, the trans-Caspian conquest and the construc- 
tion of the railroad along the borders of Persia and Afghanistan, 
across the desert and the river Oxus to Samarcand, opening up 
several countries and a large population to the manufactures 
and commerce of Russia ; thus a large and profitable commerce 
has been created or diverted from England to Russia, which 
must greatly benefit Russia and trans-Caspia ; seventh, the ex- 
port of grain and petroleum from Russia to Europe, which is 
rapidly increasing, and the money obtained in exchange niust 
greatly benefit the Russian farmer. 
The destinies of Asia are in the hands of Russia and England, 
and are more intimately connected with Russia than with Eng- 
land, for the Russians have greater affinity with the Asiatics 
than the English, their influence over them is greater, and the 
Asiatics are more easily reconciled to the government of Russia 
than to that of the English. 
This contact and intercourse tend to develop both Asiatics and 
Russians. The day of awakening, of progress, of education, of 
prosperity to the Russian peasant is sure to come ; but whether 
this civilization shall be that of Europe and America or Asia and 
China is uncertain. Russia, with her empire extending from the 
Atlantic to the Pacific, Avill become the leading nation of the 
Orient. 
