while on its north lie virgin forests of valuable timber. The mines have been more extensively exploited; but much yet remains to be done even here with modern machinery and under more scientific direction. Two obstacles only now stand in the way of Siberia's economic progress—a progress which, I believe, will outstrip that of Canada—the lack of transport, and the short-sighted tariff policy of the Russian Government. Of these, the first is already being remedied: of a change in the second there are as yet no signs.
I have dealt with the economic future of Siberia to the best of my ability in the second part of the book, and have endeavoured to keep well in view the needs of, and the precautions to be observed by, the British investor. Facilities of railway transport should have a very great effect on the prosperity of the country, and Siberian railway stock will prove, I think, to be a valuable investment. A much greater business, too, might be done in agricultural implements and machinery of all kinds than is done at present. There will not, however, be much room for industrial expansion till the social development of the country reaches a higher level; and whether the country will ever be thrown open to settlers other than of Russian nationality remains to be seen. Speculation in land is not possible, as the land is wisely kept almost entirely in the hands of the Government.
In my last chapter I have given a very brief account of the social, economic and political conditions of that part of Outer China which lies beyond the southern frontier of Siberia. In the summer of 1910 I crossed a large area of this country in com-
