The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04
MORE RUSSIAN RAILWAYS IN ASIA.
A Rapidly Expanding system Through the
Country's Centre.


The Russian Government has decided on the
construction OF n branch line from its Central
Asian Railway at fash Kent to Viernos an inn
portnnt station near the Chinese frontier
where some serious Disturbances recently took
place among the Mussuman population. The
length OF the line will be something under 500
miies. and the engineering PARTIES are already
at work on the preliminary surveys. Contrary
to its usual custom. this line will not. 1t ia
stated. be carried out by the Government. but
it is to be constructed by a private company
From Nicruoe 1t is intended later on to carry
the line In n northerly direction To Semipalat-
insk. on the river Irish, to meet the projected
branch OF the Siberian railway from Omsk to
the south.
The immediate object. however. Of the first
section about to be built Ia military and poiti-
cal 1t will bring Niernoc in easy and rapid
communication with the headquarters Of the
army Of Central ASIA at present at Tashkent
and enable troops to be brought up either for
local reasons or to be movnL to the Chinese
frontier. as occasion may require. At a COM
parativey short distance from Niernoe to the
northeast Ia the mportan: Chinese city OF
Kuldja, the capital OF the province OF Sunga-
ria which was retroceded to China some years
ago after having been occupied bv Russian
troops and from Tokmak. a town on the line OF
the new Observation-Disclosures railway. there Is a
military road which passes along the north
shore OF Lake lssikkul to the Chinese from
tier. and Joins the Chinese caravan routes from
knShgar through the province OF Sin kiang
into Northern Mongolia In the course Of very
short time a the important lines of communi-
cation in Chinese Turkesthn and Western
Mongolia will be dominated by strong RusSinn
outnoSts along tho front or. supported ly rail
ways. When tho junction with Omsk shall
have been effected. the Russian military posi-
ton in Central Asia will be immensely
strengthened. as IL will be possible to rein
force the garrlsons there either from the west
or the north. or from both directions. II 80 re-
CURED.
in addition to, the TasEkent- Omsk railway
Just referred to there Is already some talk OF a
branch line from point on the Siberian main
Wall Of China, which has heen recognized AS
the southern boundary OF the Russian sphere
OF influence in that part OF Asia The project
is that this line should cross the present Russo
hneso frontier at kiakhta. and. passing
through Urgen. the meeting place OF caravan
routes from all parts of Central Asia, continue
through the Gohl Desert To halgan, at which
place II would Join the intended Chinese line
from Pekin. Kalgan ia already occupied hv a
detachment OF Russian troops This line.
however important though II will Les when
constructed. both from a political and COM
merriul polnt OF view, will have to wait the
completion ot the eastern section OF the
Siberian road and OF the Nanchurian lines.
now first in order for m litary reasons and be-
cause tho strain which they entail on Russian
finances is lust now As heavy as they can safely
bear,