The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-28

scheme for augmenting the greatness OF
Russia. 1t has been pushed with won
derful energy since he came 10 the
throne The end Of this century viii
witness its completion. The twentieth
century will record its mighty influence
as a political factor i'm Asia and as
medium of international trade ana in
sercourse.
Already financiers in Europe ana
america are considering plans Tor the
construction Of a line from Vancouver
"a and across Bering strait 10 connect
with the Transsiberian road. with every
-ospect Of approval. When these works
are completed, and perhaps both may
be in 1905, New York and Liverpool viii
Ne Joined by tie OF shining steel.
Much as the road may mean 10 Ger
many. Russia and the rest of Europe II
means more TO us. California, oregon,
WASHINGTON. our whole western country
ii not our whole continent. is interested
in this road Russia has her hands full
Mt home. The hands to help in the east
are ours There is something more at
tractive i'm our civilization and methods
TO eastern people than in those OF
Europe. At least IL is so asserted by
eastern travellers.
To develop the resources Of an empire
90 vast as Russia will require capital.
enterprise and energy such as have
made us the richest nation in the world.
To equip her roads. to develop her great
agricultural. fishing. mineral and forest
resources Russia needs just such inn
elements as have helped us.
The commercial possibilities and ben
efits 10 accrue TO the whole northern
half of the American continent cannot
now be estimated. but II is safe TO pre-
dict that eight or ten years hence VIII
witness radical change In the direction
OF transportation OF commodities and
passengers between the old world and
The new world. and ocean travelling will
nave lost its terrors 10 thousands who
would visit Europe annually but for
GEAR OF drowning or the dread Of the
racking pains OF mal-demer
Behind this vision which carries a
New Yorker TO Liverpool over route
that includes only about three miles OF
open water is n foundation of fact that
cannot he ignored. 1t is reported in
London that application has been made
to the British parliament by certain
parties, believed 10 be in the interest OF
three connecting trunk lines forming
transcontinental route from New York
city by way of Chicago, Milwaukee st
Paul, Helena and Portland 10 Van
couver for a concession or privilege to
construct a line OF railroad from the
northwestern boundary of the United
States through the British possessions
bordering the Pacific ocean TO the south
ern boundary of Alaska.
simultaneously with the securing OF
British consent TO this scheme, ii is re-
ported. bonds will be put upon the mar
ket for the construction OF the inter-
national line through Alaska TO Bering
sea, where. by joint arrangement with
the Russian government, by the use Of
bridges and ferry line. connection will
be made with the Siberian railroad
through Russian territory.
How much truth there may be in the
report may bc judged from the fact that
one Of the railroads mentioned as an in
te-ested party is already preparing maps
and advertising matter for distribution,
making known the new all around the
world route. 1t rs one OF the lines which
will De Obliged 10 help produce funds FOR
floating the gigantic scheme. and IL APP
parently has faith enough In the out
come 20 prepare for IL at least eight
years i'm advance of its Inauguration as
a completed fact.
The western end of the Siberian road