Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-11-24
A Railway through q desert.

Bv the completion of the line of railway
from Krasnovodsk to klzil Arvat the Rus
sian Government have finished the first
section of the Transcaspian railway, which
ls intended to bring the territory recently
CONQUERED from the Turcomans into direct
communication with both the Caucasus and
the interior of Russia. Tho port of kizil
Aryat has long bt en- one of some importance
and dnring the eventful period of the last
10 wears it has played considerable part
in Russian operations In this quarter, and
now, as the actual terminal point of this
railway, it is not likely to sink into insig-
pificance. From krasnovodsk. which,
after the suggestions OF several alternative
places seems destined to remain the prin-
cinal Russian han Dor on the eastern side of
the caspian, to Klzil Arvat the distance is
ahout 200 miles. The country through
which the line passes is mostly desert, ly-
inc between the Balkan ranges, and COM
pletely waterless, save at the few spots
where wells are to be found. Of these,
tho principal arethose at Mollah Karl, Tas-
ceer and Kayandiik. Although the AGAR
CITY of water has hitherto constituted an
obstacle in the path of an army or of
caravan, it is probable that the Russian en-
oineers are right in saying that a sufficient
suppIy eau always be procured en- route
for the engines, while the naptha springs
of the Caspian provide cheap and easily
oSts,nah q fuel. Ii is not TO be exp tctt d
,hat the Russians will remain long content
with Kizll Arvat as the terminus of their
new line, especially as brisk trade is like
w to spring up with the Turcomans, and
also with the towns on the northern bor-
ders of Persia. East of kizil Arvat the
difficulties of engineering are very much
less than those that presented themselves
vest OF that plSce, although these were
not very formidable, and have been sue
cessf overcome AS Russia has formally
annexed the region up To Ashkabad, which
is about the same distance from hlzu Alvat
.bst that place is from hrasnovodsk, there
will probably be no further delay than nm
sncial considerations may impose IN carry
mo the line to the capital of the NV t ans
casnian Lrovince. The energy shown In
improving their means OF communicated
with this new possession is in striking con-
trast vi h the ind ference or slGggRhness
exhibited by the Rus ian autnoritlvs III OH
or palts of ASIA While Iashkeno rema rs
more r, mote from Moscow than our pos
sessions Al the antipodes are from London,
and while the resources OF Siberls are un-
developed tor want of railroads and canals,
the san six onihs have witnessed the
subitction OF a rave race and the connec-
ton OF their suLdued territory with the
main lines of communication in the em-
pire. To pretend that this exceptional en-
erpy has not peculiar significance would
be to disregard facts, nor, although we
NAV repeat that there is nothing unreason-
able in Russia desiring 10 bring her latest
Central Asian acquisition into direct COM
munication with it1is or Derbend, can the
plain fact be ignored that the first section
in line of railway must one day connect
Russia with Meshed. and possll ly with
Herat also, has been successfully lalu down
and opt ned for traffic. Ii may very well
be that at some future period we Shalt
have to recognize in this peaceful triumph
of human skill circumstance net less
pregnant with important consequences TO
the destinies of Asat:c peoples and powers
than the fall of kingdoms and the destruc-
ton Of dynastes.