Directory_and_Chronicle_1912 — Page 620

EASTERN SIBERIA

VLADIVOSTOCK

Vladivostock is the capital of the maritime province which embraces the Pre- Amurski Krai or southern region of the Amur, the Transbaikal and Amur provinces, and the Russian half of the island of Saghalien, The administrative centre is at Ehar- barovsk, where the Governor-General resides.

The port of Vladivostock, on some charts still called Port May,lies in latitude 43 deg. 7 min. N. and longitude 131 deg. 54 min. E., at the southern end of a long peninsula reaching into Peter the Great Bay. Of the ports in East Siberia it is by far the most important both as a military and commercial centre. Vladivostock is one of the most magnificent harbours in the East. From its peculiar long and narrow shape and the once supposed hidden treasures in the slightly auriferous soil of its surrounding hills it has not inappropriately been called the Golden Horn. The entrances to the harbour are hidden by Russian Island, which divides the fairway into two narrow passages.

This fine sheet of water first runs for about half a mile in a northern direction and then suddenly bends to the east for a distance of about one mile. On all sides it is surrounded by hills, low on the southern and higher on the northern shore; these hills slope sharply down to the water's edge. Once verdant with foliage, they have been completely denuded of trees by reckless felling. The harbour, capable of accommodating au almost unlimited number of vessels of deep draught and large capacity, affords a safe anchorage. It is usually icebound in January and February, but steamers can always find their way in with the assistance of an ice-breaker. There is a floating dock capable of taking in vessels, up to 3,000 tons, and a fine graving dock of the following dimensions Length over all, 625 feet; length at bottom, 555 feet; breadth, 120 feet; breadth at entrance, 90 feet; depth, 30 feet. There are also two large docks built especially for purposes of the State war fleet, but merchant vessels are now permitted to dock in same.

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A large import business is done, the main lines being cotton goods, iron, machinery, flour, fresh and potted meat, boots, etc. The closing of the free customs zone in the Russian Far East, and the consequent imposition of protective duties, will doubtless materially change the character of the trade returns. Vladivostock has only recently developed into a port of export, the principal line being beans and bean cake, represent- ing a value of about half a million sterling. Most of the carrying trade is done by German, Japanese, Russian and British steamers. The municipal affairs of Vladivostock are managed by a Mayor and Town Council elected by and from among the Russian civil community. The town is built on the southern slope of the hills running along the northern shore of the harbour, and handsome brick residences have been erected in recent years, replacing the older wooden structures. The entire area, with the exception of some unoccupied lots intervening here and there, is covered by buildings; and the town is well laid out with wide but ill-kept roads. The sanitary arrangements are bad, though the town is fairly healthy. Most conspicuous among the buildings are the government offices, the post and telegraph office, municipal house, the barracks, the railway station the museum, the Russian church, the Governor's residence and that of the Admiral Commanding, which is surrounded by a public garden, while the houses of the more affluent merchants are well and substantially built. There is a naval club, to which civilians are admitted as non-voting members, two or three hotels, a high Oriental lyceum with a gymnasium and school for boys, an institute for girls, and military, naval and civil hospitals. The town has a population of about 85,000, most of whom are of European extraction. About one-third of the population is Chinese, and the Japanese number about 2,000. The retail trade is principally in the hands of Germans and Chinese. A large garrison is maintained, but exact figures are not obtainable. In June, 1891, the present Tsar cut at Vladivostock the first sod of the Siberian Railway, which was completed in 1902. The port is now the terminius of the great trunk line from Moscow, and there are fast steamship services to Japan and Shanghai.

During the eighteen months of the war between Russia and Japan, the inhabitants lived in constant expectation of a determined attempt being made by the Japanese to take the town, but the Japanese contented themselves with detach-

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