Excerpt from The Path of Empire
The peopling of Siberia will be done otherwise. At present there is an annual surplus in the Russian birth rate Of I, 61 3, 000. The population of Russia doubles In sixty years, so that about the middle of this century there will be more Russians on the earth than at the time of the last census in 1897.
There is much Similarity to the Russian plan Of peaceful campaign, in the motives which have prompted the Japanese to build the railway from Fusan to Seoul, and much of the same results that it has effected, may be seen being effected there. The railway lines which are opening up China are no less interesting. I would be the last to advocate a policy of territorial aggression in the East - we want to do business there, not to acquire terri tory, or to have the burden Of government upon us. It is in the direction of Opening up the country to trade that all Our efforts should be concentrated, and the work of our diplomatists ought to be directed more than they are, to furthering our commercial interests. If China were con vinced that the Powers wanted no more territory, she would be the more inclined to open her doors for trade. With regard to the three provinces of China, comprising Manchuria, which Russia has now practically annexed, if it is not now too late, the strongest diplomatic pressure, ought to be brought to bear to insist on this immense and rich territory, the importance Of whose resources we do not fully realise, being thrown Open to the trade of the world. When Russia is being allowed to break her solemn promise to evacuate it, such a condition is the least compensation that might be looked for.
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