KEY TO THE PACIFIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5372, 3 September 1904, Page 12

KEY TO THE PACIFIC

Russians haro described Vladivostock as the key to the Pacific (says a writer in tile “Pall Mall Gazette’’)- I believe that a literal translation of the name gives the title “Sovereign of the East” to the place upon which the Russians have lavished millions and millions of roubles. Vladivostock is pre-eminently a fortress. The interests of the array and navy centre there, and around the fortunes of these two services the place has sprung up. It is also the chief town of East Siberia—in fact, it may be said to be the most important seat of Russian influence in the Far East. It .’s so much more formidable than Port Arthur, so much more magnificent than Rainy, so much larger than Khabarovsk, and it possesses such an admirable harbour, and it. is not surprising that the Russians regard the town and its surroundings as the hub of Greater Russia in the East. The town is situated on the slopes of a high ridge forming a tapering peninsula which projects into an irregular, landlocked bay. The entrance is commanded by Russia Island, where there is an important fort, and innumerable small islets, on which, too, the general scheme of the fortifications is also carried out. Again, along the crests of the landlocked harbour. stretching for miles to the eastward and known as the Golden Horn, there are other continuous chains of earthworks and defensive positions. The lofty hills on tho northwest protect the port from the land side, and in the deep water of the Golden Horn, there are other continuous chains of earthworks and defensive positions. Hie lofty hills on the northwest protect the port from the laud side, and in the deep water of the Golden Horn, which is four miles long and a half a mile in width, ships ride safely at anchor, free from the menace of attack and beyond the reach of the weather. The guns mounted on the hills are plainly visible from the in a number of places, w'hile in’ curious contrast to the smiling muzzles of these pieces of artillery are the clusters of suburban residences which are scattered about the hillside, even descending in places to tho level of the water.

Tlhe main street runs oast and west through the business quarter and across the railway track to Amur Bay and East past the Government buildings. The main street, Svetlandskaya, named after the frigate upon which Grand Duke Alexis visited the port in 1873, follows the curve of the Golden Horn. Lying between the street and the shore, on rising ground, are the residences of the commandant of the port, the public gardens, the Admiralty gardens, the museum of the Geographical Society, the residence of the Governor of Primorsk, the grounds of the Maritime Club, the native bazaars, and the steamboat quay. At one point there is a. magnificent granite monument, surmounted by a bronze globe, on which perches an eagle with outstretched wings. This monument commemorates the memory of Admiral Nevelski. who made several voyages in the East in the early 50’s. On the north side of the street there is the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin, and thorp are also the offices of the municipal council, the post and telegraph bureau, and the railway station. The Svetlandskaya is crossed by the Aloutskaya, and the point at which these two streets intersect is the commercial centre of the town. The main street is well paved with granite, and it is efficiently drained. The sidewalks are raised and asphalted, the houses—offices or public huildiugs, as they may be—are imposing and lofty structures of brick. The pretensions to architectural beauty which Vladivostock boasts come to those who know Siberia and the untidy wastes of the towns there as a pleasing contrast.

Labour in Vladivostock is native— Chinese, Korean, or Japanese—the Russian authorities finding that greater efficiency is procurable at the hands of these workmen than is the case when the work is given over to Russians. There is, therefore, a very large native population, alien to Russian authority, but contented, peaceful, and industrious. This section of they population not only supplies the labour market, but controls a largo proportion of the trade which makes Vladivostock its centre. The trade of Vladivostock is comprehensive. Its imports include most of the products of the West, while its exports are characteristic of its position and quite local as regards their destination. As a commercial centre Vladivostock is superior to Dalny, although the wonderful city which is in process of completion in the vicinity of Port Arthur threatens one day to eclipse its northern sister. There is a very cosmopolitan population in Vladivostock, made up of adventurers from all climes,_ English, French, German, and American business men from the West, and a sprinkling of pretty woriien from San Francisco. Upon the whole it is a motley, uninviting community, in which the principles of morality are strangely wanting. However, the days speed merrily enough in Vladivostock; there is no little social gaiety, and, although the place is a military and naval centre, there is little harshness of discipline ■ and much good feeling. The country ' round Vladivostock is bare and hilly; there ia no timber; yet. excluding the reservation given over to the military, authorities, it is quite possible to enjoy sport in the immediate vicinity of the harbour. The authorities offer few obstacles to such means of recreation. Indeed, they welcome the stranger with a frank and open hospitality so long as he preserves discretion, exercises tact, and conceals his camera. The camera and curiosity are at the root of any trouble that occurs in Vladivostock.