“ On his recommendation a Russian Class was founded in connection with the School of Commerce and a Russian native appointed as teacher. The Russian Section also continued its work with his assistance and on a recent visit of Mr Bernard Pares to Russia, Mr Barker suggested to him and to others the formation of a British Chamber of Commerce at St Petersburg, with correspondents in other parts of Russia. ”

“ Mr Barker is a Member of the Liverpool Committee for the Development of Russian Studies, formed by Mr Pares. Mr Barker was represented by the Assistant Secretary at the recent visit to Liverpool of Members of the Russian Dumo, owing to an attack of illness, but was appointed a Delegate of the Chamber to attend the recent interview of a Deputation from that Chamber with His Majesty the Emperor of Russia on board the "Standart", at Cowes, when Mr Barker was presented with the Order of St Anne. ”

“ In the summer of the following year, 1903, Mr Cooke was despatched by the Foreign Office to Siberia, on a Commercial Mission, when he was authorised to make certain inquiries on behalf of the Section. ”