Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-21

encouraging. Judged by what has already been
accomplished the task cannot be deemed stu
pendous. In opening railways between the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans the United States.
Canada and other countries have performed
works of equal or greater magnitude than will
probably be required to establish unbroken
railway communication with all the republics
south OF us.
The building of the Baltimore and Ohio and
the Pennsylvania railways over the Allegheny
mountains were greater undertakings than that
OF an intercontinental railway would be now.
The most difficult portions of a railway to
South America will not exceed those Of the
Mexican railway from Vera Cruz to the City Of
Mexico or those of the Panama railway across
the isthmus.
Much has already been accomplished in the
different Spanish American countries in build
ing parts Of the proposed through line, which,
when combined, will reduce the entire work
and distance almost one-half; so that not only
can continuous railway communication with
those countries be considered feasible, but also
that 1t ID on fair way to be realized.
THE PRESENT SITUATION.
The situation at present stands thus: The
railways Of the United States, from all points
east and west, connect with the railways Of
Mexico upon the border of the two countries at
Ell Paso, z, 456 miles from New York and 1926
miles from San Francisco and 1,642 miles from
Chicago; at Eagle Pass, 20S3 miles from New
York, 1919 from San Francisco, and / $50 miles
from Chicago; and at Laredo, 21S7 miles from
New York and 1915 miles from Chicago
Hence to the City of Mexico there are two rail
routes. that from FL Paso via the Mexican Cen
trail, l,224 miles; that from Laredo via the
Mexican National, S39 miles, making the distance
from New York via Ell Paso $3.50 miles, from
San Francisco 2,5l0 miles, and from New
York via Laredo 3,026 miles. A line is in
operation 1873 miles south of the City Of
Mexico, and a concession has been granted for
its extension $50 miles to the borders of Guate-
mala. Surveys are being made along the
route, and 1t is believed that the construc-
ton will be completed at no distant day. We
are informed that survey is also being made
for the connection of the Mexican line with the
city of Guatemala, which will carry the line
12O miles further south and leave only 60 miles
to reach the northern border of Salvador. In
Salvador a line has been projected through
that state about 40 miles. To carry the line
through Honduras in order to reach the nearest
point of the Nlcaraguan railway system is only
about 80 miles, and this system. consisting OF
two sections of SO miles and 32 miles in length,
can be Incorporated into the through line by
uniting these two sections by a new line of
about IS miles. Through Honduras, Nicaragua
and Costa Rica the country is reported OF a
character very favorable to railway construction.
From the southern terminus of the Mica
raguan system to the boundary of Costa Rica
and through Costa RIGA to its railway, of which
about 35 miles may be used in the through
line, is about 210 miles. We are informed that
a syndicate has acquired concession and will
build line to connect with the railway already
constructed. About rs miles of this may be