The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-05
LETTER FROM RUSSIA
THE GLARS PEOPLE SHOW MUCH
COURTESY TO AMERICANS.
President Pangborn, of the Columbian
Railroad Commit ssfon, Writes His
Brother In this City.

George w. Pangborn. of this city. brother
of j. G. Pangborn, states that letters re-
ceived from his brother. who is in Russia,
demonstrate the earnest desire Of the Rus
sian government to extend to Americans ev-
cry courtesy. Mr.. ]. G. Pangborn is presi-
dent of the Columbian Railway Commission.
Sincere cordiality abounds among the Rus
sian people of all classes toward Americans
for the prompt assistance rendered the starv-
ing peasants at the time of the famine in
Siberia. The shipload Of grain sent to them
at that time illustrated to them the old say
ing that "A friend In need is a friend in
deed" The journey from the Japan sea over
the proposed route of the Transsiberian rail-
way. made by the commission, to st. Peters
burg, was a remarkable one. About thirty
nine hundred miles of the sixty-five hundred
was made in sledges over unbroken roads. at
the rate of about 125 miles day, going night
and day, stopping every fifteen miles for a
change Of horses, they being driven four
abreast and on the dead run from start to
finish. The Thermometer ranged from 40 to
60 degrees below zero, but as there was no
wind and a perfectly dry atmosphere and
the party we'll covered with warm clothing
and furs, the trip was not only a novel one.
.
Mr.. Pangborn is expected here in short
time to make visit of a day or two, before
resuming his trip.
The Columbian Railway Commission,
which is an outcome Of the Worlds Column
bian Exposition, at Chicago, in 1893, was ap-
pointed TO visit every country on the globe
where a railroad exists, with the view of
securing actual knowledge of the railway sys-
TENS of those countries and their modes of
operation in all lands. The New York Cen
trail, the Baltimore & Ohio, the Illinois
Central, the Chicago q Northwestern
and other railroads all gave hearty support
and backing TO the undertaking, and helped
TO make its mission a success. Mr.. Pang-
born, formerly of the Baltimore & Ohio. is
at the head of the commission.
The commission left the United States
about eighteen months ago, and will be away
altogether about three years, during which
investigating all forms Of transportation on
land and water, both old and new. From
the United States the commission proceeded
northern Africa, Ceylon, India Afghanistan.
Burmah, the Straits Settlements, Java, Aus
traia, New Zealand. the Malay Archipelago,
Philippine Islands, southern China and
Japan.
They then proceeded to Russia. the party
being met atrVladivostock by English-speak-
ing Russian officials, who attended them over
the route of the Transsiberian railway. The
journey through Siberia was made under the
auspices OF the governors OF the various
provinces, who were specially instructed by
the imperial government to extend every pos
sible courtesy to the COMMISSIONS on their
trip. After leaving st. Petersburg the COM
mission will spend a year or more on the
continent of Europe and in Great Britain
after which it will inspect the Transcaspian
railway system, embracing southern Russia,
Turkestan and Circassia.
Subsequently it will take a caravan journey
through Persia, down the Euphrates to the
Persian gulf and across to Zanzibar and the
southern coasts of Africa. The return to
Europe will be followed by trip to South
and Central America the West indies, Cuba,
Mexico and British Columbia. the trip being
made TO New York by way Of Montreal, ac-
cording to present arrangements.