The Sun.
London, England, 1857-09-05 00:00:00

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e" adual construction of a railway, and the th . • - •
\—
require, that I chiefly rest my exeectetlon f ' ' re '4,
-4-0-1 'la +
it,_.,,, •'-C
i and immediate and complete , ticces wit I• 147 .f*t.e 3 ;.' C:'.l4
The impediments thrown in the Way of i } * , • ' 4. ee)
.7,4
. expedition Ly the Pacha of Egypt in 18eo, iu 1e,441 ' Aal A; Lr 4
which:was the result, really asieted nu Cp.7'he't "4'
~
- : .e,
by giving more employment to the ”P - ~
increasing our intercourse with them. Tins w I letrefthe .
oi. e.it i the railway. As far as Aleppa the AralsisNon- a S
~..........116.1k
''''-'!"_a' not offer any impediment; but in any care, long before
it reaches that city, they will feel the advantages of more
PRIOR 4D. ST 1.. I employment, and will be prepared to further instead cf
I iosne4e th. sh-seke. Viewing things in this light, and
lookiug to tire gradual operation of time to establish our
vessels drawing 20 feet oi influence among this peer le, you will readily understand
the winter months, if require that I have not thought the time arrived for laying down
onths from the comrnencemen, isolated electric wires through their country with any
ce can he formed, and perfect prospect of security. I do not think it necessary t; wait
expense of 20,0001. The harboe for the completion of the railway to accomplish this, but
11 he capable of giving shelter to b I do think that it would be prudent, and even necessary,
verage depth of water will be from 20 to make some of the railway preparation, such as See.
liven these details in connexion with tional levels, so as to have some kind of influence in the
tire because I think you will agree with IL country before laying down telegraphic wires. I, how-
ea of the route to India, a good harbour ever, thought it right so far to fall in wlth the views of
coast of Syria would of itself be of the others as to open negotiations at.
hasConstaptait.isteiodphleisoinifetLiitsl
d importance to all commercial nations. subj cr, and I also arranged with Mr. Barker, her Ma-
e country and subsequent trial sections jesty's Vice-Caren? at Aleppo, who
extended from the coast to within sight that country, that he should, if required, go among the
taking in the towns of Antioch sand Arabs to make preliminary arra! eerneets for the eta-
the latter all engineering difficulties blishment of the telegraph, by opening in the first in-
presenting a hard dry level surface stance the line of Tartar posts, which would at once give •
Ka Jalide, flat and hard) most admi- us weekly and speedy communication between England
I railway. And even between the and India This line existed for many years in
Aleppo, the difficulties are ouch as Lord Wellesley's time, rassing from Constantinople to
I small in this country. There will Aleppo and thence by Dyarbekir to Bussorah, front
el, and only two cuttings of any con- whence mails were conveyed with great regularity by a,
in bridges over the Orontes will be fast schooner to Bombay. Another poet road is el o
it do these present any obstacle to available from Bagdad by Mossul and D t arbekir to Coe-
oe of the present day. The average stantinople. That by Aleppo would ultitionely have the
part of this line (which will be the advantage, in consequence of the proposed railway ; tut
ei of the whole) is estimated at, far immediate use at this critical moment we might tun
another portion, which also pre- some little risk by using that by Dyarle kir, which, with
12,754/. per tulle. But as porliens the assistance of a qualified person living among the
ry considerably below this aver-. Arabi, sound smooth the way for hying down she tic
e estimated at only 4,693/ per wires. Sir J. M'Nell was of opinion that if a judicious
so for the whole of this first ,ec- commissioner were -ent to reside anew the Arabs—a teen
harbour to the Euphrates has thoroughly acquainted with the people and their language
Mac Neill at 8,8581. per mile. —it would secure the interests df Great Britain ; and if
tinople the terms of tho con- this were desirable in hie time, it is imperative now,
led, but, owing to opposition With regard wour telegiaphic communication with India,
hire less favourable than bad two companies have been formed for this purpose. Toe
'. The Turki,h Government one proposes a line along the Re i Sea to Kurrachee ;
cent, on the capital expended the other along the valley of the Euphrates to the earns
rig from them a deposit of port. Each appears to be quite practicable, and I should
a firman, with the condition like to see both in operation. . lAis ,in: the case of -the
chifirieneed within one War. overland communication, England re4uires the resources
ais estimated at 6,000,0001., of a second line, in case of accidents to either ; and irre-
wearnent on the first section spectively of this consideration, it is clear there would
01., since the railway, after be ample employment for both. I t-hould like, there-
-3 no assistance whatever. fore, to find Government prepared to further and en.
sole amount of which is courage both. To effect this a submarine cable should
se interest to the share. bo laid down from Kurrachee to Ras-al-Had, or some
tge railway shall be in other place near the entrance of the Persian Gulf. Sup-
ninal than real, the object posing this to be done for the companies, they might
sblic, for which the Turk- then carry their lines to England—one by way of Su, z,
not sufficient I fcund and the other by the Persian Guif; and as the Atlantic
o the great advantage cable might be purchased for this purpose, both might
he establishment of this occur to be completed very speedily. The Red Sea line,
ultan's power in distant by following Arabia, at a short distance from the coat,
extension of commerce would encounter depths varying from 20 to 100 fathoms
of the system of govern- nearly the whole way to Suez; coral rocks are very ecca-
derations were strongly slinaily met with, and we should have the advantage of
'eed, the existing coin- knowing when an accident might occur, aid could pre-
etisfactory. Without pare the means in consequence of recovering and repair-
Aleppo alone and her ing the broken pieces of the cable. So that the corn-
-7t a railway thus far, pletion of the line from Rae-el-Had to Suez does not
it cent. to the share- seem to offer any practical difficulty. For the other lino
ce taken in Aleppo, there is a choice of two routes, across Asia Minor from
s Sultan in favour of Constantinople, as far as Aleppo by one line, and as far
his city, however, a as Dyarbekir by the other ; no difficulties whatever
led ; indeed, a very exist, but beyond these places the Arabs are to be taken
I all flow into this into account, but this is only for a limited distance. TI e
tesopotamia on one line of the railway would ultimately be the preferable
l, with Kurdistan one, but for immediate operation the other might be
the other, It is somewhat quicker. The work might, therefore, ee cern-
f traffic and com- menced simultaneously at each extremity. A submarine
ere, large ;• it may cable could be laid down from Ras-el-Had to Kurnab,
seen or imagined and from the latter place to Bagdad, along the bed
powers of these of the Tigris ; and again between Constantinot le
there to turn to and Dyarbekir, beginning at several plales at once
cation contained in each part of these linen. Toe middle part only
aat present are woull be wanting from Dyarbekir to Bagdad, and this
Ito any extent), might be completed by a line of Tartars, pend-
s already culti. ing the definitive arrangements to be entered into
neighbourhood with the Arabs by the commissioner. If the government
ire extensively should not be inclined to lay down the cable from Kur.
Rassam, her rachee to Ras-el Had for the companies, these, having a
100,000 camel promise of subsidation from Government on the corneae.
tt of means of tion of oue or both lines, may very well under ake this
go, saltpetre, part of the expense jointly, and thus we should very soon
rious other be in possession of two lines of electric wires to India.
is of Me, o- The principal points are now before you, both as regards
uld be pro- the railway and electric telegraph. Each individual Ernest
es of Syria form his own opinion as to the desirability and practice.
Tiles from batty of both undertakings. I assume the affirmative in
rets would both cases, and lam convinced that a very little of our
enitigham, usual energy will complete both—the electric wires at
shed. It once, and the railway at no distant period. The railway
in Euro- will be carried from the Mediterranean to the Persian
e sources Gulf, either by means of British skill and capital, or by
wed welt the French, who are still snore anxious than ourselves to
to be ex- undertake the task. Lord Palmeraton appears in Howe
an these measure to have adopted one part of the French plan,
esire for and seems to advocate a lice through Asia Minor, more
,nd tele- northward, so as to come in towards the head of the
ping to Euphrates. Unlimited funds might doubtless accomplish
ad car- thi:, but my local knowledge Vies me the firm to lief
ought that the Taurus cannot be passed without an absolutely
tour of ruinous expense, in the direction of Adana and the
would Orontes. Since my arrival in Dublin a lett, r reached ins
aid be from Paris, saying that, with the advantages of my pro-
s will setice and that of Sir John Mac Neill in that city, there
llude would be little difficulty in raising 30,000,000 of francs
1 and t , commence the work, under a joint English and French
vied direction. I met with great difficulties a.. Constantinople,
but in consequence of the opposition of the French, who
any have long seen the importance of the valley of the Eu-
de- pbrates. They seem to know and feel' like Dr. Sprenger,
ory that its posse:soar holds the key of the Eastern world.
at It ia in fact, far richer and more valuable thau Egypt,
ca. and England, therefore, has now at her feet the opportu-
,st pity of acquiring the means of greatly increasing her
a- commerce, of consolidating Turkey, and of securing our
i. Indian territory both from internal sad external dangers.
d The eroposed railway wouid be the means of repaying to
• the East, with tenfold interest, that knowledge and those
blessings which came to us originally from thence.
It will vastly increa-e our power, by the speed with
which troops may be sent to India, Persia, and to central
1 Asia, and it will bring in its train military, political, and
commercial advantages ; and may I not add—it will
extend the greatest of all blessings, by giving Christianity
to millions and tnillicius of the benighted people.

[PRICE 4D. STAMPED 513.]

will enable vessels drawing 20 feet of water to lie in
safety during the winter mouths, if required to do so, and
within six months from the commencement of the work
a landing place can he formed, and perfect shelter for
b rats, at au expense of 20,000/. The harbour, when
completed, will he capable of giving shelter to 30 or 35
vessels. The average depth of water will be from 20 to 40
feet. I have given these details in connexion with the
proposed harbour., because I think you will agree with me
that, irrespective of the route to India, a good harbour
of r. fuge on the coast of Syria would of itself be of the
utmost value and importance to all commercial nations.
Our survey of the country and subsequent trial sections
of the engiaeere extended from the coast to within sight
of the. Euphrates, taking in the towns of Antioch sand
Aleppo. Beyond the latter a'l engineering difficulties
cease, the country presenting a hard dry level surface
(ea led in Arabic Ka Jalide, flat and bard) most admi-
rably adapted fur a railway. And even be' ween the
Mediterran an and Aleppo, the difficulties are such as
would be considered small in this country. There will
n t be a single tunnel, and only two cuttings of any con-
sequence. Two chain bridges over the Orontes will be
necessary, but neither do these present any obstacle to
the engineering science of the present day. The average
expenses for the first part of this line (which will be the
most expensive pertien of the whole) is estimated at
13,4841. per mile, and another portion, which also pre-
sents some difficulties, 12,7541. per mile. But as portiens
beyond Aleppo fall very considerably below this aver-.
age, some of them being estimated at only 4,693/ per
mile, the average expense for the whole of this first • ec-
tion of the line from the harbour to the Euphrates has
been calculated by Sir J. Mac Neill at 8,8581. per mile.
Oe my return to Constantinople the terms of tho Can-
eef•sion were finally settled, but, owing to opposition
from rival parties, they were less favourable than bad
been previou-ly arranged. The Turkish Government
gave a guarantee of 6 per cent, on the capital expended
by the company, requiring from them a deposit of
.exchange for tbe finnan, with the condition
that' flie works must -be ochnneenceil within one 'e ;r.
The expense of the whole line is estimated at 6,000,0001.,
but assistance from our Government on the first section
only, or of a sum of 1,400,0001., since the railway, after
reaching Aleppo, will require no assistance whatever.
The assistance a ked—the whole amount of which is
only 100,0001—to supply the interest to the share-
holders for three years, until tfie railway shall be in
working operation, is more nominal than real, the object
being togive confidence to the public, for which the Turk-
ish 6 per cm'. guarantee is not sufficient I fcund
the Porte thoroughly alive to the great advantage
likely to result to Turkey from the establishment of this
line. The consolidation of the Sultan's power in distant
provinces of his empire, the great trceension of commerce
to•be expected, the centralisation of the system of govern-
men', thee , and many other considerations were strongly
felt by the Turks. We found, indeed, the existing coin-
mercial returns in Syria most satisfactory. Without
taking into account any increase, Aleppo alone and her
commerce would suffice to support a railway thus far,
and would yield a return of 8 per cent. to the share-
holders. 1,800 shares were at once taken in Aleppo,
itself, and a petition was sent to the Sultan in favour of
the railway. To the eastward of this city, however, a
large additional trade may be expected ; indeed, a very
ex ensive trade E x:sts, which would all flow into this
railway. We shall bare Syria and Mesopotamia on one
line, India and Central Asia beyond, with Kurdistan
and Persia on one side and Arabia on the other. It is
impossible to estimate the amount of traffic and com-
merce which will arise. It must be very large ;• it may
be beyond what even England has ever seen or imagined
--for there is no limit to the productive powers of these
countries, provided capital and skill be there to turn to
account the vast provision for their realisation contained
in their noble rivers. The chief products at present are
grain (which could be supplied to Europe to any extent),
cotton of a very superior quality, which is already culti-
vated largely, but not yet cleaned, in the neighbourhood
of Mossul, and would be grown much more extensively
if any means of transport existed. Mr. Raseam, her
Majesty's consul at Itlossul, tells me that 100,000 camel
loads of cotton are now lying there for want of means of
transport. Wool, also copper, anger, indigo, saltpetre,
dyes of various kinds, bitumen, and various other
products, are the present ordinary exports of Me, o-
potarnia. Their demand for our goods would be pro-
portionately large. At present the natives of Syria
and Mesopotamia receive many other supplies from
Russia, through Trebiz ,nd, but tbeir markets would
be supplied by Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham,
&c., if the means of transport were established. It
is, indeed, impossible to estimate the changes in Euro-
pean countries by throwing open to them these sources
of commerce and openings for colonisation. I bayed welt
at some length on the commercial advantages to be ex-
pected from this line-e—although at this momenteven these
muet yield in importance to the all engrossing desire for
more rapid communication with India. This and tele-
graphic wires in operation would be worth anything to
England at this moment. The means of rapid and cer-
tain transmission of mails and passengers to India ought
alone to deride the public and Government in favour of
this line. For the transport of troops and stores it would
be of inestimable value. Few political °like's could be
of more consequence to England than those which will
be so thoroughly accomplished by this line. I allude
chiefly to the consolidation and to the commercial and
political rescuscitation of Turkey. We have expended
lavishly money and lives ostensibly for this object, but
without benefit to curselves, and without imparting any
real strength to Turkey. By thi: line we secure the de-
fence of her frontier against Persia and Russia. History
proves to you what a powerful influence has belonged at
all times to the possession of the valley of the Euphrates.
A. friend who is intimately acquainted with the East
writes to me—"l was in these countries during the Rus-
sian war, and frequentle thought how different the posi-
tion of that power would have been if their army had
been moved in the direction of the Euphrates valley, in-
stead of invading thePrincipatiesand European Turkey.
Europe would have remained in a state of apathy, and
public opinion out of England at any rate would have
been for them. Had they reached Mossul under these cir-
cumstances they would have been in a country whose
resources surpass almost any other in the world." This,
or a very similar plan, was proposed to the Emperor
Nicholas, by one of his generals, during toe war of 1828-
9. We may be thankful that it was not adopted. Dr.
Sprenger says :—" If properly managed, the valley of
the Tigris would soon be sufficiently prosperous to
form the bade of a campaign to the south-east, or the
same route that was taken by the Arabs when they con-
quered the valley of the Indus in the seventh century of
our era. The straits of Ormuz are so narrow that the
Persian Gulf might at any time be converted into a lake
bebnging to the power which may be in possession of
Bussorah. Europe is no longer the world and the true
key to the possession of the world is the valley of the
Tigris, and riot Constantinople, as it was believed in an-
cient times." These are a few, and still but a few of
the great results likely to arise from the establishment
of this line of communication. The subject is too vast to
be embrainel in a paper such as this ; Out I trust I have
said enough to give you an interest in the subject., and I
may add to all its practical advantages, that to men of
science, to :h3 gei. I roc'ast, the naturalist, the ethnologist,
the arcl ss,logist, and many more, new fields of interest
and investigation will be opened up, with which Europe
has at present but slight acquaintance. The principal
ot.jection with which my views on the importance of the
Euphrates route are generally met is drea 1 of the Arabs.
I think myself that this difficulty will be easily overcome
by judicious management and a little foresight. They
are a very singular people, uniting the ex' remes of good
and evil in their characters. I have lived among them
for many years, and have experienced both from them,
the good and evil—the greatest fidelity and truthfulness
iu most instances ; treachery and dishonesty in some
others. I could tell you many anecdotes in illustration
of :his, if titres permitted. Our chief difficulties with them
would arise from their ignorance, the divided and some-
times hostile state of their tribes, and their blood feuds.
But I know, from experience, that by moderation, tact,
and truthfulness on our parts, these may be overcome.
During the Euphrates expedition we never lost a single
man by the Arabs. They carried large stores of muskets,
powder, ammunition, and sums of money, amounting to
6,000/. and 7,0001., for usattetided byouly one iudividuul
of our party, and in no one instance was there any loss
to us. These undertakings were usually paid in advance
and if the Arabs were prevented from fulfilling their en-
gagement?, the money paid was scrupulously returned to
us. They are, indeed, as much alive to their own inte-
rests as other nations, and will soon appreciate the ad-
vantages which they will derive from the railroad by re-
gul tr employment of themselves and their camels and
increased trade, If, however, they should show hos-
tility, contrary to all expectation, such arrangements
have been made with the Sultan's Government as will
meet even this difficulty. It roust be remembetedouanlisto.
that a body of workmen such as we must employ, am
lug to 10,600 or 12,000, are already a
considerable
that de-
fensivelbra-
element, and we should also recollectfect
control. In ad•
him Pacha kept the Arabs under f_
plrwill read to you that
tion, however, to my own opinion,
of a friend, Dr. Aloys. years among them.
the day, who has rehseid d
_eSpr yo-nrignmieoran,:tyhe first orientalist of
Arabs is too good to be omitted,
His description of
.t
Potter, at Damascus, expressing g
but nothing can be more unfounded
Ile says, " Some time back IreceivreeadtaulneetatseirnfersosmonMarc..
for the Bedouins are the most
alarm,
world if judiciously treated.
c thano u o t
this
stt
causeee .Bp ee do
poolufet
anilsna,
inanagea
But even if matters were to be mismanaged," as they have
been at Aden, and the Bedouins should offer every oppo-
•lition in their power, it would be of little avail. It
would be found that, notwithstanding their personal
bravery and cunning, they are very much like wild beasts.
No one has ever heard of tin army of tigers ; and so it
would be with the Bedouins, who have never been united.
Like wild beasts they would show desperate courage
when irritated, but such ferocity can do nothing against
discipline and calm resistance. As a proof of this, I may
mention that there are some Kurdish villages below Mar-
din, in the midst of the desort, which, small as they are,
defy all the power of the Shammoar tribe, and success-
fully refuse to be;taxed. Whoever
possesses the Euphrates
has the Beeouies in his pocket; for this cuts them off,
and they cannot do without its water and otherresources.
Those who really entertain fear of the Arabs forget that
a railway running through a fertile country is a vein of
die. In le i•si than two years we should see towns and vile
lages springing up on both sides of the line, and thou-.
sands of those malteds settled in them, But it is on the:,

TAVISTOCK ELECTION.

THE NOMINATION, AND FALL OF THE

HUSTINGS.

Thursday being the day fixed for the nomination, at
the appointed hour the candidates and their friends pro-
ceeded to the open space in front of the Town-ball. Here
two separate erections had been constructed. One was
fur the candidates and their supporters ; the other, which
was destined we believe for the accommodation of the
ladies, was nearly untenanted, owing to the unfavourable
state of the weather. Tee rain was pouring down in
torrents, and to this cause might be attributej the scanty
numbers in front of the hustiugs.
After the usual preliminaries had been pone through
by the Port•reeve, who is here the returning officer,
Mr. Gill proposed, and Mr. May seconded, the nomi-
nation of Mr. Arthur Russell ; and Mr. Nichols pro-
posed, and Dr. SLeman seconded, the nomination of
Mr. Edward Miall.
Mr. RUSSELL begged that his motives might not be
misunderstood in presenting himself as a candidate for
the borough of Tavistock. He was an untried man, and
bad nothing to entitle him to the notice of the electors
except the principles which he professed. He was opposed
by a tnan of considerable standing as a politician, and tran-
scendent abilities as an orator. He (str. Russell) was
connected with a large landed proprietor, and this bad
been urged as an objection to his return, but it was an
objection over which he bad no control. When he
heard of the vacancy he thought there_ could be no
offence in his offering himself to their notice. Let them
look to the principles which had ever met the approba-
tion of this constituency. But it had bets urged that
bh
pe wn
inbsb ttoboa
ty
ioruan gm
af onr ah
asde anto ink
nPoawriheading
ee natt.
twenty-five,
w as of
it was doubtful if he would ever attain to years of dis•
cretion. He had been for five years private secretary
I to Lord John Russell, and he considered that this wag
g them for the promises of
a good training. he left the result in their
ch
',wed with three rounds of
shaula)plipnpildaoreu.r. :Mew: Ashali ihwt ehwhoaTasdwiltarZneseck eoirnilev;edpi practice of the constitution
tkat whoever had the show of hands at the nomination
was entitled to a seat in the
echoice,
gatheredat
ae legislature.n dt h
together,
that were
in force this day, he had not the slight ost doubt that he
should
ge eb if aelltoetehrid be
in-
habitantseand
their b
decisionetfTavistock he o c
f oe ut o
f tl
d should
be e freelyr
i b
little doubt as to what that decision would be. The law,
however, had provided another tribunal, and by its
award they were bound to abide. He thought, at the
eame time, that the wishes of the non-electors sl ould
not be without their influence in deciding the fate of the
present contest. And he had to congratulate them on
one feature of this contest, that it was not a contest of
opponents in principle ; and whatever might be the e
•
suit, the liberal party would not be a loser. It was not
so much an opposition as a competition. It was a con-
test to decide whether the electors were indeed free to
exercise their own judgment, or whether they were to
be fettered, by a little "party agreement," from using
their judgment between candidate and candidate. He
considered that his campetitor had been too apologetic.
It was no disadvantage to a candidate for Tavistock to
be connected with the house of Russell. [At this stage
of the proceedings down came the hustingss with a tre-
mendoue crash, and candidates and supp were pre-
cipitated to the ground. It is perfectly miraculous how
they escaped ; but, except one man and two boys, who
were below the hustings, and are now lying in a dan-
gerous state, we have not heard of any serious injury.]
Mr. Miall added a few words more from the other
platform, and
The PC:I=IMM proceeded to take the show of hands,
which he declared in favour of Mr. Miall. A poll was
demanded.
,ilt will be seen that although Mr. Miall was not suc-
cessful, he fought a good fight.

CLOSE OF THE POLL.
Russell 164
Miall
Majority ...,