VLADIVOSTOK GORGED WITH FREIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1916, Page 5

VLADIVOSTOK GORGED WITH FREIGHT.

FRANTIC , ATTEMPTS TO SECURE . ROLLING STOCK.

PRISONERS EMPLOYED ON BUILDING OF RAILWAYS.

Vancouver, September 20. "Back of Vladivostok harbor are many hills. As you near the city, from the (leek, you will notice the sides of these hill? dotted with white for miles and miles. \ou think it is a vast army encamped; but it is, as a matter of fact, Imp- stacks of goods which have been shipped in from all points of the Russian (government. The wharves and warehouses are congested and so the supplies stack up and the open spaces beyond the city arc required for storage. The trouble is that the Russians have not one-tenth the railway equipment necessary to haul these goods to Moscow, Petrograd, or such points as may be defined fit irom which to supply the huge armies of the Czar."

Such were the words of Mr/ Henry C. Lander, who is handling large consignments of goods for Russia by way « Vancouver,

"Among the cargo the Strinda wil! carry back for my people,' said Jlr. Lander, "are fifteen locomotives for the Vr.ins-Siborian Railway. These will b.i pressed into service to assist in relieving the congestion at the port of Vladivostok. Russia is severely handicapped because of her lack of transportation facilities over land and the consignment now going forward will be e. start on a larg; number of loromotiyc-s which h'ave been ordered by the Imperial Government. 1 ' Discussing trade conditions in Russi.. Mi. Lander siiid:—

"It is not a case of placing orifrs for materials. It is a case where the Russians absolutely beg for supplies uf various kinds. On my present journey ] shall buy, for instance, large of sugar, for there is a sugar I a mine H Rr.ssia, and they could consume to-day all the sugar which Canada could send. In the way of trade between Canada civ! Russia, I am more impressed than ever wit'i the great possibilities, ami i.i this connection the people of Vancouv sht.uld bestir themselves," ;

There is n report going about that the liunriai Russian authorities are shortly to close the p-irt of Vladivostok to ail but Government business. il.\ Lan lev was asked if Mich a report had come to his ears. He said:

"Such a congestion of freight In? take;; place there and so crowded' is the harbor that the authorities probablv have decided to close down the port fo.' all save business of (lovernment character In fact, there was such a report in Vladivostok before we sailed ninotc"'.i da;.'s ago, and while there is not olTici-.l st.ati nient, it would be well for nil private concerns having relation- with th" port to hurry all consignments." ?hat a million 'in:! Hermanprisoners of war, are encamped hilar..) from Vladivostok at various distance-.-was the statement of the shipping ::<an. "These prisoners of war. inostlj Austrian'', urn ],> employe. 1 ou railroad construction work," said -Mr. Lander, "and it is a common sight to see squads of prisoners a: "<>rk under the Russian military. They "eil r>d .nut clothed, and given »ooi. - Vk •uee.f. out. 11111 ■!. work hard and are i-cd e::;-lusivel;.' upon tin? eunftriietiou «. "a'.lroads facilities which the county iced badly." The Russian ;naj r.ot be •••rj ."tgrc--sive j:er. - )le. 'but when t'.n- 1 ill their i raiiwir-\» ihey bad i:i mind 'h. of lwtie;;:'.! protection. "Their ;rack I said Mr. Lander, "are wider than ti • stan<lar<! sang? on the Trans-Siberia. •.nd most oth" 'u.-siau lines. One o. , ,l:e result "f •".» i- tiiat fhonicl the I (icraians e. t % •• • aainrd n«M* to tho ■ eotintry then i be ne chance of runnine: a (l'.r;ii... ■' motive over a Russian riilway i «*t was specially buiit 1 -in I'u.-wia,' Mr Lander, "tho ■ . :>irit~ f .lie .»r.re hign. They ; look '.he .-.-Kii the great war •«.* :>;iv!ii*r ► -.''tiled by the reeeni advasws of R".n troops 011 the cast ..'.rit. her,-' > j„..eh prosperity .UIIOK.S the ; :.;v- tun luaey is appar ■ ,'ntly 'ileutiiul '''h-' ( ove-.-iiincnt takei care', ii m'.;;ht in- mentii.ned; 10 keep tliii co,.hie.-, in ilussia, and ail' traveller who endeavors in ie:i\e ii' ' tiiarll 500 roubles in ii is po.-r-essio. 1 -I iselv questioned. Their iilicy is . k'cp'all tha .old home a- as i. - possible. »H is iiy » matter ::rv ." said Mr. -• :.!er. "e.' a f- 'v -v<ek.». ■'■'■-d t!ie armies ike l.'.'.ar will 1 ive ! . Then V 1! ;, v. ill r.ee a r-erics e.; ■ ,v.--se.-- which will :-i-illt 'a i'.u com;)!' 'ecking out (■.' Austria-Hungary. A cow. howeve.-. tlie .'eeling is'ihai Ii • will llOt le e\e;- lirtobor i> , : V,r. Lander, who i* 'l birth, is tions al Moscow With ' -.'.'i (lovernment. He ha- 1 ii- V purchase i'f certain nsr.nii : ; l - plies of a general character.