New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-03-23
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE,
LINES OF RUSSIAN ADVANCE
RAILWAY ROUTES FROM RUSSIA TO AFGHANIsTAN
AND PERSIA.

LINES OF RUSSIAN ADfANCE.s
RAILWAY ROUTES FROM RUSSIA TO AFGHANlsTAN
AND PERSIA.
TO the Bdffor Of TIE Tribune.
SIR, / have read with great deal OF inter-
est THE TRmUSEs recent editorials upon the Afghan
situation especially the article March IL upon "Lines
or Military Advance" This article gives clear ana
what must be, think, to every man who mas stuoieo
the Eastern Question very sensible view OF inc CON
dltion OF affairs along the Afghan frontier nave
looked into the matter little and am very anxious 70
get the exact facts regarding the Russian advance In
the article which refer 1t is said; "Batoum Is con-
nected by railway both with Tihis and with Baku on
A map Edward Stanford, 1870, which have re-
Gently received from London-and which supposed to
be thoroughly accurate-starts the railway NOT iIo
Bies north ri. Of fI Batoun Th, railway pot
northeast TO Kettais, then southeast to This you
can correct my map il it is wrong would esteem It
great Kindness have been constant reader OF dae
pleasure to see questions of such large public interest
and yet Of such extreme difficulty handed 80 any
S S4s H Wes yssusns, Ne,O-York March 10, 1883
Tho statement about Batoum and Baku was
made the authority of a special correspondent
of The Daily Neps QIonden), who is now with the
Afghan Frontier Commission. In recent letter
from Bala Murghab he wrote: AT the time OF the
Crmean war there were no railways in tho south
of Russia. Now the railway system OF that
country extends to Tfis, while line connects ba-
toum on the Black Sea with Baku on the Caspian"
As the correspondent speaks Of having been over
the ground from Kill Arvat to Herat 1t Is evident
that he has recently made the journey inland from
the Black Sea by the Russian railways ana knows
whereof he writes. Since the campaign OF 1877
the Russians have apparently extended the railway
from Poti to Batoum and from Tillls to Baku on
the Caspian. II the connection has been made be-
tween Tlflis and the railway system or European
Russia, there is only one break in the communica-
tions with the Trans Caspian railway-the Cas-
man itself. which is crossed by regular line OF
steamers in twenty -four hours. The extension OF
this railway system to Sarakhs will complete the
chain of communications to the borders OF Afghan
istan and Persia.-Edl
MR.. ARTHUR'S SIGNATURE NECESSARY.
To the Edifor Of The Trfbune.
SIR, Please answer the following questions
and thus settle dispute about the matters: o. Would
the Appropriation bills that passed BY the last
Congress the last day OF Its session have become laws
IL President Arthur had not signed them II not Why
not l2J Could President cleveland nave gd to
s,gn n 4 Yours etc NORFOLK.
Norfolk Va, March 10.
Il. No There Is joint rule of Congress declaring
that no bill or resolution . shall be presented
to the President OF the United States for his ap-
probation on the last day of the session." but this
rule is generally suspended. Tho Constitution
says; " If any bill shall not be returned by the
President within ten days Sundays excepted after
it shall have been presented to HIM. the same shall
be law in like manner as if he had signed 1t, un-
less the Congress. by their adjournment, prevent
its return, IN which ease 1t shall not be a law.
Many bills are signed by the President on the last
day of session, but he cannot slgn bill after
Congress has adjourned. 2. No.-Edl