The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-26
ALL-RAIL ROUTE EUROPE.
Preliminary Steps Already Taken in an
Enterprise Of Wat Magnitude.


Enterprise az Wat Magnitude
Before long the project OF an all-rail
route between America aud Europe, thus
virtually connecting the two hemispheres.
will receive the attention of minds given
10 the promotion OF great enterprises.
Prelttotuary steps i1 this direction have,
according to the Pittsburg Dispatch, al
ready been taken in procuring expert
opinions on the route IT is not believed
mat the engineering difficulties are at
all insurmountable, the main question
being financial one rather than other
wise. Leaving the U3ited States at some
point on the northwestern boundary Of
the State Of Washington the proposed
line would be located some distance in
land from, but parallel with the Pacific
coast, traversing northward through
British Columbia, then leaving the do
mutton, enter Alaska, cross the Yukon
river and touch Boring strait at Cape
Prince Of Wales.
This strip of water that divides east
ern Asia from Alaska. and is the link
that unites the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans. is only thirty-siX miles wide, and
Is interspersed With islands, between
which are considerable eXpanses Of inter-
depth Of ninety feet. Government sound
ings have been taken across the strait
and the ocean floor found TO be of sub
stantial rock. once across the strait, ST.
berian Russia is encountered and, pass
ing the coast Of the Gulf of Anadr, the
road would touch the arctic circle, de-
fleet southwestward, crossing the Lena
river, then on, continuing In q diagonal
direction through the Russian Empire
into the Orient. A branch road Of less
than 1900 miles may diverge from the
main line, go southwark beyond the do
mains of the car, swing round the great
desert Of Obi. penetrate into the dense
populations of China and her southern
satellites, and thus connect with the
great network Of celestial railway sys-
TENS which the loud neighing Of the in
ternational iron steed shall call into
existence. The scheme, when fully ma
tured may embrace the commercial con-
troi Of Hindoostan. Afghanistan and Per-
STA, sweep the entire Levant, and leav-
ing the home Of the EurOclydOn, would
then be ready to penetrate eastern Eu-
rope, and following the setting sun, join
the rails Of our kinsmen on the western
side of the continent.
The strong point for the people OF the
United States in the construction Of this
road is the rail connections with our
Alaskan possessions and the opening up
Of what bids fair TO prove unprecedented
mineral and other wealth. We are also
brought 10 the long chain Of Aleutlan
islands, that we acquired with the pur-
chase of Alaska, which chain extends
so far westward beyond Asia that, when
the evening shadows lengthen on our
most western land, the morning rays
already strike Passamaquoddy bay Gid
ing the headlands on the eastern coast
of Maine. Some Of these islands have
an area as large as Pennsylvania, and
being tempered with favoring isother-
mai lines abound with the finest grazing.
rThe road once built, the now disciplined
disciples of agriculture from the older au-
tonomy can retire to these islands, which
are peculiarly adapted 10 wool-growing
where they can engage in producing this
Invaluable commodity and mediate on
progress.
20 orr Canadian cousins this stupen-
dous project can also be presented IN
most glowing colors. 1t will give them
communication with and market for vast
areas Of the finest timber. give them ac-
cess TO their great fur-bearing country
and will apply the AK Of settlement 10
tbe}Y great northern wilderness. On the
siberian side Of the strait, in addition 10
tho immense deposits Of ivory and bones,
tho remains of myriads Of the colossal
creatures Of the pre- glacial world, there
arc the inexhaustible mines worked by
tho Siberian exiles, and this entire region
while cold and inhospitable, is literally
a magazine Of wealth, cold storage OF
the measureless product OF former ana
more generous age.