Russia on the Pacific and the Siberian Railway. By Vladimir. With maps and iMustrations, In cloth, 8vo., 373 pp. Lonampson Low, Marston & Ca., 1899. Shanghai: Kelly & Walsh, Ld. ($8.50)
This is an interesting work, being a brief sketch of the history of Russia—a subject with which few Englishmen are acquainted—and describing the gradual expansion of the empire eastwards, which commenced after the Tartar yoke was finally thrown off in 1480. It was not till two centuries later, in 1681, that the Cossacks came into contact with the Chinese on the Ussuri, and a constant struggle was maintained until, by the treaty of Nertchinsk in 1689, the Russians relinquished all claims to the Amur. After a long interval of more than 150 years, the cession of the Amur was clearly recognised as an irreparable loss for Siberia, and Nicholas I resumed the idea of its recovery Ini jo by previous rulers. In 1846 an expedition was fitted out to explore the mouth of the great river, and in 1847 General Muraviof was appointed Governor-General of Eastern Siberia, and owing to his activity the convention of Aigun was signed in 1858, which defined the Amur as the frontier between Russia and China. Viadivostock and Possiet Bay re occupied in 1861, and Manchuria lost all access to the sea on the east.
The author ther turns to the Siberian railway. After explaining the step-by-step development of the old posting system, he describes the gradual evolution of the rail-and then tells us what may be expected of it. We may expect at first to reach London from Newchwan; even 9 days! The price of a ticket from Shanghai to London will be only 390 roubles, including expenses for food. The railway is expected to cost about forty millions sterling.
So far the author has been relying on facts obtained from various authoritative sources, but in his lust chapter ho presents us with certain opinions of his own. His evident bins in favour of Russia puts the reader on his guard, and he will doubtless be inclined to regard with suspicion such statements as Russia has never entertained ideas of conquest of Chi would be contrary to the ancient traditions of her policy, which has always aimed at occupying thinly peopled lands affording room for her surplus population," and "the bold action of Germany at Kiaochou forced Russia to occupy Port Arthur" Gorced is good), and "though Russia certainly needs further annexation in Manis coming up to assist churia, she is as much interested as Great medieval poetry, in a neat little volume cartoon represents Britain, if not more, in the independence which bears the title placed at the head of Pushful Joe firing into space with a Maxim of China." We should imagine, too, that this paper, The besetting sins of poetical the author is rather sanguine in stating translators are on the one hand to tike that the occupation of Port Arthur has liberties with their author and freely mingle completely removed the greatest cause of their own fancies with his; or on the dissension with Japan. Perhaps it has, other, to be in bondage to the letter" from the Russian point of view. We doubt and give a servile rendering of word for Iso if the Jupanese will agree that word. In the one case he transforms the "Russia will be one of the most powerful poem so that the author if he were factors of Japan's future greatness." would disown it. In the other he Certainly the English people seem to hold duces a jejune skeleton instead of a living different opinions from the author, who organism, states that English interests in China are Pope's Homer is not Homer's Homer essentially commercial, and they are in no and Cowper in his anxiety to give nothing danger, either from Russian expansion or but. Homer failed alike to do justice to hi the new land route but we can under-own genius and to that of the ancient epic. stand his holding such views when he says: Between both there was place to be filled "Io is a mistake to suppose that Russian and the Into Lord Derby attempted to influence is fatal to the trade of foreigners." secure it, but the public has not decreed He has evidently given less attention to him the vacant th With great dexmodern tariffs than to ancient history. tenty Dr. Forke has steered a middle But while we do not think the author's course—keeping so close to hiv text that a ideas are always sound, we must give him student of Chinese poetry would find him the credit of having compiled the body of atoll times a trustworthy guide, yot renhis book with considerable industry, and dering the spirit of his author with such can recommend his work as interesting at ease as to suggest that the translator ix the present crisis. There are a good index hinselé a Dichter. and some useful maps, and three or four To those who know German the two or interesting reproductions of photographs. three hundred pieces contained in thin There is a valuable appendix giving the volume will prove " rare forist. For those text of treaties and conventions between who know Chinese Dr. Forke has prepared Russia and Chin: another feast by the publication in Chinese (at Shanghai) of a concise anthology, containing all the pieces found in the' other
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.