Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-06-26
Rallroads-The East,

The English papers are far from being
satisfied with the reports that come from
st. Petersburg touching the results OF the
Shah's visit TO the Russian capital. One OF
these reports is that the Shah has granted
Russia the privilege not only OF building
railroad from the Caspian to the Persian
capital, but Of building and controlling
one from the Caspian to the Straits
Of Ormuz as well. This latter rumor
the English press profess TO regard as apo
cryphal: hut that they do not really so re-
gard it. in part at least, is shown by their
dsquictude and their notes both OF warn
ing and o. defiance. The Straits Of Ormuz
connect the Persian Gulf with the Gulf OF
Oman. which latter is at the head OF the
Arabian Sea. The distance from the Cas-
pian 70 Bundar Abbas, which would
be the terminus of the railway on
the straits, is in an airline about
eight hundred miles. But the schome IS
not for a direct road. 1t is contemplated
TO build ria Meshed, which it Is calculated
would make the whole length Of the ROAD
about eighteen hundred miles, and tins
detour il is that alarms JOHN BULL. Inc
stretch of road from the Caspian to Mcshed
would in sense parallel the Iranscss-
plan railway, the one running on the north
side and the other on the south side Of
the mountains and hills that separate kho-
rassan from the Russian possessions.
Meshed is the capital of khorassan and the
Mecca of the Shah Mahommedans, and
has long been coveted by Russia. II
is indeed looked upon by Russia as
so important point from which to
conduct intrigue in Khorassan and
on the Afghan border that the re-
fusal Of the Shah 10 allow Rus
sian representative to be stationed there
came near leading to a serious break
between the courts Of St. Petersburg and
Teheran. The completion Of the road rs
far as Meshed would therefore mark tine
achievement Of great victory on the part
If the Gar 1t would give him pracu-
callv control of and enable him to
drain an exceedingly rich country and
also practically afford him two routes
to the Afghan frontier. The territory
that would be bounded toy the iron bands
would be a most fruitful field from which
TO draw men and supplies when demon
stration in force against Herat might be
decided upon. II is hOt-hcd of conSpira-
CIV against Afchanistau. These consldcra-
tons render it obvious why such papers as
the London Saturday Rsriar urge the lm-
mediate completion Of the Quota railway
TO Candahar and beyond, and defiantly de-
clare that every move that Russia can
make has been anticipated by the devisers
of the scheme Of Indian defence III the
northwest. They may also explain IN
measure why the Home government has re-
versed its policy regarding Cashmere, aud
determined 10 make that secluded country
a standing camp. As regards the link in
the Caspian-OrmuZ road from Meshed TO
the straits, it can be understood why the
English should not greatly fear the build
ing of that. II would, in the face Of Eng
lish opposition, be hard for Russia to con-
troll railroad running directly through
the Shah's territory from north TO south.
Besides. the straits once reached by RuS-
sia. English influence would be encoun-
tered on the south side Of them. Here
England is as powerful as Russia is, just
across the Khorassan frontier, and before
Russia could get by rail to Bundar Abbas
British money would probably have made
the counter move. Is has been suggested,
Of constructing railroad from the Nedi-
terranean to the Persian Gulf. That done,
what with her powerful navy and facilities
for bringing troops from India, she would
be able to command not simply the &llf
but Southern Persia.