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doubt that, with specially constructed steamers, and collectivc
experience and skill in Arctic navigation, the difficulties that
have hitherto stood in the way would certainly be overcome.
But even under the present unfavourable conditions the
greatest obstacles have been not those of nature, but of
man. They have been due rather to the attitude of the
authorities, which seems to have been determined by the
interests of a few Russian manufacturers and monopolists
at the cost of the welfare and development of Siberia.
The story of the endeavours of various English firms
to establish sea trade between northern Siberia and Europe,
of their sacrifices and losses, not only on account of the
natural difficulties in the way, but also of this attitude of
the Russian authorities, is too well known to English
readers to need repeating here.
The authorities have evidently resolved to practise the
policy of the closed door.
The question is: Will this policy be successful and
beneficial to Siberia and to the mother-country? It would
be invidious to review the history of the opening-up of
northern Siberia and compare how much has been done
to this end by foreigners and how much by Russians. It
would be alike uncourteous for a stranger to try and find
the answer to the above question in the history and
present internal condition of Russia and Siberia. But it can
hardly be considered unfair to quote the views of a
well-known Siberian, who represents the unanimous opinion of
the more thoughtful of his countrymen.
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