Suchergebnisse

After the Russo-Japanese War, Russia's Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Trade and Industry tried to reorganize the country's shipping on a more commercial basis by creating steamship lines and exploiting various trade opportunities. Because Singapore was a major halting point for Russian ships using the sea route from the Black Sea to the Far East, Consuls there were in the forefront of trade issues. Based on records of the Singapore Consulate and other materials at the archive of the Ministry of Foreign Policy in Moscow, the article explores plans for the commercialization of Russian shipping and the problems faced by Consuls in advancing Russian economic activity in the region.

The appointment of a Russian General-Consul, V. Vyvodtsev to Singapore in 1890 was reflective of the "Asiatic Mission" of the last Tsar of Imperial Russia, Nicholas II, and the direction of Russian imperialism in the Far East and its link to Russia's diplomatic presence in Southeast Asia. This article utilizes consulate materials from the Archive of Foreign Policy, Moscow as well as published primary materials, to discuss the specific nature of Russia's interests in Southeast Asia during this period.