The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-24

of the route. About 9, 900 miles of the 70 ad
have been surveyed. The longest compile ted
stretch of the surveys is on the central por-
tion of the route, where, across the vast
ties are encountered. About l. 200 miles of
this part of the route have been surveyed,
and nearly 700 miles of the route directly
east of Baikal lake lave been completely
laid out. About 200 miles, also, of the ex-
treme eastern end of tho route have been
surveyed. The extreme western end of it,
between the eastern slopes of the Ural
mountains and the Obi river. is still unsur-
veyed, and the total length Of the line which
has not yet been staked out is about 2,40O
miles.
The government intends to transform
the port of Vladivostock, which is the east
ern terminu of the line, into a tirst-class
fortress, M to provide it with aharbor for
the use of the Russian Pacific fleet. It in
tends to make it a second Sebastopol,
From this port swift cruisers will issue to
harass the ships and commerce of any ma
ton with which Russia nay be at war.
The fortifications are now rapidly building,
tically impregnable. The government has
supplied the authorities of the Town with
ice breakers, and SO the post will be open
all the year round.
The cost of the whole line, including
bridges, rolling stock, rails, stations ana
Ahos Al dV Nl1D,UUU,OUU,
Many prominent Russians think that al
though the motive in pushing forward the
road is political, the line will prove ulti-
mately of far moro Importance from a
commercial point of view. They speak of
the vast mineral resources of central and
eastern Siberia, which, even now, in their
almost undeveloped and inaccessible CON
ditlon. yield large returns, and ask what may
not be expected when a railroad opens up
the country, and proper machinery can be
taken in to work the mines. They also
point to the vast tracts of land in western
provinces in eastern Siberia, where the soil
is very rich, and is undoubtedly we'll
adapted for colonization.
1t IS an interesting fact that before the
government set seriously to work to build
this road It inquired into the economic con-
altlon OF Canada and the northwest prov
lnces before and after the construction of
the Canadian Pacific railroad. This in
curry led the government to believe that
the line would eventually pay, as, in their
opinion, the conditions in Siberia are more
favorable than those in Canada. They an
years, and. according to the best estimates
they have been able to make. the line will
at hrst need to be supported by an nnual
subsidy of at least $1,000, 900. The annual
expenses, including interest at four per
cent. on the enormous capital invested.
Aovo CooA oouiAlabeu db y lI,4UD,uUU.
Estimates have been made of the reye-
nue likely to be derived from the carrying
trade. The revenue expected from The
carriage OF tea is about &c. 900. 600; that
from the carriage of other goods is esti-
mated at about $4,000. 900. while tho gov
eminent expects to make a saying in the
conveyance of criminals and exiIes, officials
and stores of about 81 ,0O0,0 900 a year. It is
estimated further that the iron and copper
works near the Urals will bring to the rail-
road 0 5000 tons of freight annually.
and that to this mining district. with a
present population which does not excee ed
1000 will be attracted n large immiDra-
ton, for it will be possible to work MANY
mines and w~ashings which are now aban-
doned.
Agriculture will be benefited almost AZ
much as the mining industry. In the dis
trict between Chelabinsk and Troitak .sontb
of the proposed route, there is q population
numbering 100000, all engaged in aQrioul-
ture and cattle breeding. This enormous
district embraces %, 1000, 600 acres of arabic
land, OF which now only nine per cent. is
cultivated. There is no doubt that the
construction of the western part of the line
tural lands.