The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-02-11
THAT RUSSIAN RAILWAY.

Some time since the Eagle published
what seemed TO be a wild declaration
made by a gentleman having some con-
nection with the Russian government,
in one Of the towns of Puget Sound,
touching the construction of a great
trans-ASian line of railway whereby
America in the near future would go
east by going west.-wOuld go to west
ern Europe through Siberia and Rus
sia The New York Mail and Express
says editorially that there is almost
an impenetrable secrecy about this
gigantic undertaking, which is without
doubt being rapidly constructed. All
will remember when the road was
started in 1891 by the czarowitz turn
ing the first sod. Since that time the
work has gone rapidly forward. At
the west end of the line, track laying
has advanced beyond TOmsk. 1t has
been reported by unofficial Russian
sources that this longest railroad in the
world. being 1850 miles in length, will
be completed in 1897. This is scarcely
to be credited. A study of the map
would seem to warrant the belief that
at least decade will elapSe before the
last rail is laid and the last spike
driven. Though Russia has talked for
many years of this grandiose project,
the enterprise in its practical aspects
did not take definite shape until 1891.
In 1892 the car appointed the final
commission, headed by the minister of
finance, to take charge of the work.
1t is estimated by Russian officials
that the entire road will cost 100000
600 rOubleS, about one-tenth of which,
they say, will be expended every year
until the great work is finished. The
road is certain to be a heavy drain
upon the state treasury at first, and it
may not be operated at profit for a
century 10 come. But the Russians
are heartily committed to this colossal
enterprise. 1t is certain that they have
made no mistake. In many ways it's
far-reaching results will rebound TO the
enormous advantage Of the empire.
The colonization of Siberia, the de-
yelopment of its mines and agricul-
ture, the opening of markets for Rus
sian industries. the intensifying and
extending Of Russian influences in Tur-
kestan, Mongolia and Manchuria. and
the diversion Of a part of the trade of
China. Japan and Korea 10 Russian
territory. these and other results are
among the ends which the Russians
have in view in connection with this
gigantic railway scheme.
As TO the future. Russia thinks that
by means Of this railway she will be
able 10 control most of the European
Asiauc trade. There are facts favor
able 10 this expectation. For instance
il takes thirty-tve days 10 transport
freight from Shanghai 10 Vancouver.
thence over the Canadian Pacific and
across the Atlantic TO Europe BY the
more usual route through the Suez
canal 10 Genoa and MarSeilleS. il takes
from forry-rhree 10 foriy-Six days.
Now the Russians claim that from
Shanghai 10 YladivoStock and across
Siberia by rail. freight can be trans
ported To Europe in from eighteen 10
twenty days.
In addition 70 these interesting trade
considerations. all OF which seem quite
allurins. there are grounds Of political
and military expediency which 10 Rus
STA. no doubt. more than justify the
vast outlay required for the construc-
ton Of this mammoth railway. Rus
sia seldom throws away money or OPP
pOrtunitieS