The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-06-14
Inter-Continental Telegraph.

Auboi-Ouutlucubdl 16ltRf6pu.
The enterprise of constructing continuous
line OF telegraph to connect Europe with the
United States across the whole OF Asia, and
the northwest coast Of the Pacific, is fairly
under way, and we think the time Is not far
distant when this important work will be &C.
complished, and messages can be sent round
the world. 1t is one Of the many enterprises
that characterizes this remarkable age, and
future generations will read with wonder and
establishment, on the pages Of history, the
great improvements in the conditions Of hui
man life the people Of the last half of the
nineteenth century have made. God has crt-
ated for US beautiful world, and given us all
the elements necessary for happy life, and If
we make proper and wise use OF these ele-
ments, we shall duly apprsciateland enjoy our
brief existence on earth, and be better pre-
pared to step out from this temporary Dress
chamber and enter our eternal home. It is
said by some philosophers that there is neith-
er time nor space In the other world, and If
that be true, the telegraph that encircles this
globe and enables US, unobstructed by these
obstacles, TO interchange thoughts and senti-
ments, whether OF business or pleasure, gives
US some striking illustrations of that unds-
covered country from whose bourne no trsy
eler returns. But philosophy and metap ysics
aside, We turn to the practical uses of this
telegraphic enterprise, and to the facts so far
Is they have been developed. 1t is an over
land route a. nearly as it physically can be.
A memorial has been presented to the Com
mittee Of Commerce of the United States Ser
ate by Perry Med Collins, q citizen Of Cali
fornia, in which he says he has obtained from
the Imperial Government of Russia the privi-
lege to construct line Of telegraph from the
mouth OF the Amoor river, In Asiatic Russia,
TO the British possessions. The British Gov
eminent have also granted the privilege OF
running the line across the intervening terri
tory Of British Columbia. The Russian Gov
eminent supulate, on certain conditions, TO
construct continuous line, connecting the
European system with the Pacific Ocean,
about $500 miles east OF London, and on the
route OF line which may be projected to Pc
hin and the great commercial cities of China
The whole country, except portion of the
route in British Columbia, over which this
proposed line must pass, is sparcely inhabi-
ted, and presents no local inducements for the
construction Of telegraph. But the great
inducement still remains of the union OF Ash
attic and European lines with the American
system, which has already reached the Pacific
and up towards the British possessions.
The distance from our northern frontier.
adjoining British Columbia, to the mouth Of
the Amoor river may be reckoned in round
numbers 5000 miles. The Russian Govern
ment authorized Mr.. Collins, previous to
granting the right of way, to survey a route
over all that portion Of the Russian dominions
east Of the Amoor as far as British Columbi.
Whaling fleets in considerable force resort to
the seas. bays and sounds not only of the Pa.
cihc, but OF the Arctic. In one year more
than seventy vessels have passed through
Behring's Straits, and still a larger number
have visited the waters adjacent and the
Ochotsz Sea. The commerce of Japan and
the Amoor region is increasing every wear.
hence it Is important that we should have a
better knowledge OF those interesting regions
As great commercial nation we should reap
many advantages from Geographic commu-
nlcation which shall not only unite Europe to |
America, but add the whole OF Asia, includ- |
Ing Japan, China and India. Such telegraph |
would bring us into immediate communica-
ton with that interesting portion OF the globe.
hr. Collins has been, since 1856, CONNER
ciai agent for our Government for the Amoor
river, and a most enlightened. assduous and
faithful representative he has been.
Mr.. Seward, Secretary of State, has backed
this petition of Mr.. Collins with a feryor and
. logic peculiarly bis own. Mr. Stewards nen
never fails to exhaust subject when he tale,
hold OF II In earnest. He has thrown flood
of light upon the question, and produced ALI
he arguments In its favor which the most fer
lie brain can conjure up. He shows in very
clear light that this enterprise is feasible and
useful, and has strong claim upon our Gov
srnment for the patronage Mr.. Collins in his
memorial solicits. The Secretary says the
most prominent physical difficulty is the ex-
ent oil territory to be traversed, but this
great distance does not constitute an insur-
nountable, nor even serious difficulty. II
AN be overcome, and the objective point to
'e gained warrants the undertaking and In
nres its final success.
The starting point must be chosen in either
Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Montana.
IDAHO, Oregon or Washington. Thence the
istance to be traversed through British
AMERICA to Russian America is about 600
niiesi the distance through Russian Ameri-