The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-24
Railways In Russia.
rEroyn tho ondOn Times Nav o.

wisdom which anticipates the future.
Railways In Russia.
from the London Times, May %.
Amongst other subjects that will, it is understood, be
seriously considered by the Car and his advisers during
the imperial visit to Warsaw is the very important mt qIes
railways Of 100 miles in length, that connects War
saw with the Prussan frontier at Szexakowa and with
Berlin and brings the capital of Poland almost within
three days distance of London. BY means OF this line
Russia has the power to move masses Of troops on the
frontiers Of both Austria and Prussia and to place their
capitals in jeopardy; for these governments have left
their frontiers to great extent exposed and unprotected
whilst Russia the contrary, has raised great for
tesses for the defence of the arbitrary line which sepa
its share Of Poland from those OF the other plum
derers Of that unhappy conntry-consderations which
were not, it is obvious, without important influence on
the policy of the Cabinets Of Berlin and Vienna during
the late The value Of this line, which already
brings Dresden and Berlin into close connection with war
saw-hkely il seems to be fayorite residence OF the
new Czar-wl moreover be considerably augmented as
soon the existing hiatus between Breslau and
Poscn is filled up; for then there will be
complete railway communication from warsaw
to sten Mnzc ana hS eaG,s ss ana ,o p PI
tic Or, should line be run from an existing spur
Iowez the Warsaw and szczakowa line direct TO Pc
the North Sea and the great hope for Poland to release
it, by means Of railways from its present isolation and
solitude The other Russian railway that when connects
ST. Petersburg with the old capital of Muscovy, Moscow,
where and in the surrounding Districts known as Old
Russia lies the real strength and force the ambition and
the spirit Of the Russian empire and whence, If ever or
anywhere will one day arise a Russian nation This line
is about 400 miles in length, and bears on It's very
face the impress Of the peculiar policy OF the late
Gar. His object was simply to connect the two
capitals the intermediate country was utterly out
Of the Cars thoughts in projecting the line. The
consequence is that it is almost straight and direct
old Roman road without the Roman reason, and has
on its whole length only 10 stations There are not 1t
and Moscow, but passes by and at great distance all
that do exist with the most perfect nonchaance and con-
requirements capabilities of the intervening and sur
rounding districts and being made simply in order that
troops may pass and rcpass to and from the crmln,
spurns all considerations of traffic. Nevertheless the St.
Petersburg and Moscow line is, although running over
dead level and without single engineering difficulty Of
magnitude one OF the most extensively constructed
railways in the world and must consequently, be one OF
the least remuncratiye. is wholly and entirely a
government affair 1t laid out by military engineers,
superintendent by military engineers was executed
chiefly by military labor, and is worked by military OH
GERS No wonder then that in spite of worthless land
cheap labor and the absence all that supererogaory
but heavy burden known in England rs preliminary and
parliamentary expenses, rghtfu is the corruption Of
the Russian governmental system enormous its waste
and extravaganza that this railway cost the imperial
treasury no less than 1885, sterling per mile
is considered that the traffic only jasthes or
the policy of the State only permits two trains day One
good effect however, the enormous expense of this line
has had the present Car. He has the to
that going to construct other lines at that rate OF ex
TO Russia and as he knows how ineradcable corruption
in all classes of his servants Is, the Car Alexander has,
it appears resolved that the State in Russia shall no lon
ger construct or work its railways Henceforward the
Russian policy in this respect will accord with that Of
other rational countries and the government will conde
its railway enterprises to the of public companies
The lines will of be prescribed by the govern
ment privilege for certain number OF years 70 make
them will be granted to particular individuals; fixed
rate Of interest will be guaranteed certain mileage
amount Of cost small sinking fund will be provided the
rate of profit beyond the guarantee will be subject TO d
vision between the company and the State and all the ne
cessary powers TO take land to import machinery and
stock will Of course be given Such, we hear, is the
general scheme which Count Orlof made known in
Paris to the railway projectors Of England and
France who approached him. and the extent to which
Russia will seek foreign capital for the gradual construc
ton of its railways will be for some 600 miles But be-
sides the St. Petersburg and Moscow Railway another
line from St. Petersburg towards Warsaw has been COM
menced Al the breaking out Of the war the works in
this direction had spread twenty miles, and the
problem of their early resumption will doubt receive
immediate solution during the imperial visit War
The distance this line will have hardly
be less and will probably be more than 700 miles, but If
ever completed will greatly strengthen the hold of the
and so bringing the weight Of old Russia to bear Po
land In connection with the projected railway line,
point about midway between St. Petersburg and Warsaw
which will be ntersected by the greater line has already
been launched on the English market When these two
projects are finished there will be communi-
cation from the main line through Courland to
the Gulf of Rga-an object Of great material interest
to the commerce Of Northern Russia and Po-
land But the really important political policy Of Rms
sa so far railways concerned lies rather in other
directions it is rather towards the south and the east
than towards the north and the west that the Car will
seek railway outlets for Russia We have prctensons
to be in the secrets of the Russian Cabinet but from all
First to connect Moscow and Of course St Petersburg
through Moscow with the Volga at the important point OF
Saratow proceeding thhcr through the far famed
OF Lord Derby's corn law escapade, TamboG In this
way immense and fertile territory lying almost
waste and snguarly devoid of natural means of trans
port, would be placed in communication with great ma
vigabe river. The voga it is true ultimately pours
itself into the Caspian; but before doing so runs in
almost direct line for great distance towards the head
OF the Sea Of Azon and Russia had at time wooden
tramway from the nearest point of departure on the
Noga towards the river Don By this means Moscow
would be put into railway and river communication
with the Sea Of Azoff and the Euxine the south
east. second scheme Is n railway that shall ulJi-
mately find its way from Warsaw through the various
southern provinces, which are all more or less Polish
to Odessa, which outlet for Polish
trade in the Black Sea, and where Polish element still
prevails in society. And, lastly there foot what
may be called central project II takes ts departure
and proceeding towards the ieper there bifurcates
either side of that river, one branch terminating the
shores OF the Black Sea- the other in good port in
the Sea Of Azo This without speaking authortatvcly
Is the railway policy which we given to understand
will be considered at Warsaw. On ordinary map the
scheme looks comprehensive, Statesmanke let add
somewhat dangerous. But, even If adopted, it will re-
qsire half century and at least hundred thousand mil
ions sterling for its completion. We therefore well
afford TO regard 1t with equanmity, far political
consequences concerned; for the Russia az fifty
hence will be vc~~ different from the Russia of to day
There elements at work in Russian society which will
astonsh the world before the half Of fifty years have
passed away. But there Is, IL must be confessed, a
aIgeness Of conception in the scheme worthy of en-
pre which only needs succession OF wise prudent and
emperatc princes 10 become blessing instead of curse
mankind.
The Financial Condition OF France.
From the London News, June Ill
The report Of the Committee the French Budget of
1857 has been published In the Mones and nowitb
standing the guarded character of its remarks evident
m mi ntnff Tho