, 1886-01-28
RAIlRoAos n DISTANT LANos.


Advent of the ocomotiv Into Remote
Parts Of Asia and Africa.
BY the completion last November Of
the railroad from Cape Town to the
South African diamond mines at Kim
berley, steam cars AVE supplanted the
tiresome stages and the great OK wagons
of the Dutch and British traders for
about 700 miles along the direct route
toward the Zambesi. The advent of the
locomotive into the very region where
MofTatt and Livingstone lived among
benighted savages is not only an evil
dence OF the substantial progress OF
South Africa, but also illustrates the i'm
pulse that is now moving civilized ma
tons to penetrate new fields of com
merce with railroads.
These enterprises seem to be justified
by similar ventures already completed.
South Africa's 1.502 miles of lines, all
owned by Cape Colony. paid all work
ing expenses and maintenance during
the first six months this year, and Biz
per cent, to apply on the interest nc
count. The British Burmah railroads
returned 9 per cent. dividends last year,
and have paid a good interest since the
day they were opened. Gen. Strachey.
the greatest authority on Indian rail
roads, estimates that the benefits accru-
ing from her railways TO India amount
TO over 30,000,O 900 pounds sterling per
annum
England's iron route from the Arabian
sea to Afghanistan has reached the
Quota plateau through the Bolan pass.
The work on Russia's -transcaspian road
road is advancing day and night. 1t is
now approaching Merv, and Russia ex-
poets TO carry it on to Bokhara and
Tashkend. For the purpose Of giving
facilities to her troops, England loaned
the money to Cape Colony with which
the railroad to Kimberley has just been
completed.
From all corners Of the world we are
hearing of railroads projected. sur
veyed, or in course of building. In
Venezuela, for instance, eight or nine
different lines Of greater or less extent
are under contract, surveys are in prog
ress, grading and track laying are con
siderably advanced on two lines, and
are o TO on others. Portu-
gal has granted a concession for a rail
o from Delagoa bay in east Africa to
the Transvaal border TO connect with
the Transvaal railroad which is reported
will be built by German capital. The
more progressive among the Beers say
they must have railroad connection
with the sea. To its railroads is largely
due the fact that South Africa now
stands tenth on the list of the chief for
eign nations dealing with England.
1t is in the Oriental world, however,
that new railroad schemes are most
rapidly advancing. The king of Siam is
eager to connect his capital with the
Chinese frontier by rail, and has prom
ised to build this road if the Indian gov
eminent will build n road through
Burmah TO meet the Siamese system at
the frontier. The leading chambers of
m in Great Britain sent agents
to report upon the feasibility of this
project, and Messrs. Hallett and Colqu-
houn have returned home with enthus-
iastic endorsements of the scheme. In
China the powerful viceroy, Ii Hong
Chang, has for some time been urging
the need of railroads and ~telegraphs.
His influence, aided by the support of
other able statesmen, has already given
to China over 5000 miles of t~elegraphs,
manned by Chinese operators, and the
little nine-mile railroad nenr Tientsin,
and is paving the way for railroad
schemes that, it is believed, will in the
course of time reach a large develop
ment in China. The railroad that is to
connect the chief towns Of Siberia is
slowly advancing eastward, and surveys
for projected lines are in progress in
Asia Minor, the Euphrates valley, and
Persia-New York Sun.