New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-02
BY RAIL TO THE WHITE SEA.
A NEW ERA FOR THE CITY OF MICHAEL
THE ARCHANGEL


TIC crRcrE-rHE ENGLISH COL
oNY IN RUSSIA.
There ,c n difference between latitude and
climate. between parallels and isotherms. for
railroad huiidinp as well as for other purposes.
In ,oken whereof witness the Klondike and the
northern provinces of Europe. The former is IN
the latitude Of Finland and the central parts
of Sweden and Norway, yet 1t has the tempera-
rure of Snitzbergen. A railroad to the klondike
might he built of course. So might one 10 the
North Pole if the land extended all the way
thither But it would be an undertaking OF
enormous difficulties. On the other hand there
are in Europe several railroads in regular opera
ton the year round at higher latitudes than the
Klondike Most northerly Of all is the Sweuish
line running up the valley OF the Luiea Ell iio'i'
Vuollerim to Gellivara, the latter place pe'ne
about one degree north Of the Arctic circle
This is, perhaps, the only railroad yet puiil
within the Arctic zone. But one In flhiahd
comes very near it, the line to Eleaborg reaching
81 degrees north, the latitude of Dawson CITY.
third line, in some respects most hotaOe Vi
all. has now been opened in Russia IL ruhs
from Moscow through Yaroslav TO Archahse'
on the shore of the White Sea.
This last-named railroad was opened lof tiai'io
on November 20 last according TO the Oeei-
dental calendar. or November II in Russian
chronology, and that day was made great les
rival in the ancient city Of the ArchahGe'
Michael II deserved TO be- For many years
that northern metropolis has been declining III
imnortance Its trade has dwindled to mere
fraction of its former self and its population
has materially decreased in numbers ana de-
generated in character. The growth or the Vari-
Gus ports on the Baltic Sea has been erected
largely at its expense. But the opening d
railroad giving Archangel direct communication
with Moscow st. Petersburg ana all the rest Vi
Europe promises revival OF all us oiuIiH'e
glory and prosperity. So on TINS DAY the s'recls
were gayy decked with flags and eVersreehs'
the church bells rang like mad. the people were
clad in their holiday garb and thronged the
streets afoot and in brightly caparisoned
sleighs and a procession Of thousands wound
its joyful way through the city and along the
frozen Dwina to the little wooden building on a
wharf at the river mouth, which marked the
terminus of the wonderful railroads. thing as
strange to Archangel as to the sources OF the
Nile.
There was a long train Of cars, with pulling
and panting locomotive at its head, the latter
hound with a blue ribbon, which ostensibly pre-
vented it from moving until released by a Tor
mai clipping with a pair of shears. Engine ana
cars were all brilliantly decorated with flags ana
wreaths and the great multitude Of people bore
the appearance of a festal throng Inc bshop
of Archangel was there, with all the clergy OF
the city, arrayed in the gorgeous robes tla'
make the ceremonies Of the Greek Church so
picturesque. mighty icon, the image OF the
Archangel Michael, godfather and guardian OF
the city, was also there, the centre OF the throhg
There was an elaborate service or prayers ana
chanting then the scissors were put 10 use
tbera was a shout Of the Russian equivalent Of
..Au aboard" then shrill scream from the en-
CINE whistle and the train moved off, on its way
10 Moscow bearing more than five hundred de-
lighted passengers. the majority Of whom had
never had such an experience before in all their
lives
Since that date the road has been in regular
operatiOn. one train day is sent cut from
Archangel to Moscow. and one train day ar
rives at the former from the latter place. That
is not an imposing service, but 1t answers the
present purpose The distance 10 Moscow Is
nearly thousand miles. and the running time
is about three and half days. The first sec
ton from Archangel to NOlogda. four hundred
miles. takes thirty-nve hours. That entire dis
lance is a practically unbrOken wilderness OF
dense forests swamps and those dreary plains
called tundra. Ominously enough, the first sta
ton south of Archangel is called Tundra There
are considerable towns and settlements in that
region but the railroad seems actually 10 avoid
them and - have been laid out with the sole
idea of connecting the four points, Archangel,
Vologda Yarosav and Moscow, as directly as
possible The other towns near the line will
have to build branches or depend upon sedges
and wagons for connection with it. No doubt,
however, there will soon spring up an enormous
local traffic all along the road. The country
l.. IL. riol,