The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-05
TIE TRaNs.sieERIAA RAILROAD.

TIE TRsNS.SipERIkA RAILROAD.
One OF the mos: extraordinary develop
nsents OF modern times is the railroad
Which the Russian Government has. with
IA the las: ten years. built from MOSCOW
to viadivostock on the Japan Sea- with
a branch down to Port Arthur. on the
Chinese Gulf OF Pechili. The length of
ibis railroad is $500 miles. and 1t Is IN
such a condition that from 1rkutsk, near
Lake Baikal, close to the Manchurian
border. TO Moscow. a distance OF about
H,ssso miles, train de luxe" is run which
gives the traveller every comfort and
convenience known to the American trans
continental lines There are sleeping cars
divided into large compartments. with
smoking subdivision. dining cars. cleo
trio lights. BATH reading car, and all
vcstibuled in the most approved way.
From Irkutsk to Port Arthur the arrange
rncnts are quite primitive and unconfort-
nl,le. while much yet remains to be done
10 make that part of the line at all at
tractive.
We get this information from a de-
Iightful pamphlet of fifty odd pages. with
a map. written by Clarence Cary, Esq,
bred ana born virg1nian, now living
In New York. who last summer made the
ertire trip from Port Arthur through to
Moscow. There is SO much that is novel
and instructive in Mr.. Carys contribution
to the literature OF travellers that the
article itself should be read as it has been
printed and is for sale by the Evening
Post Of New York
Mr. Cary makes it plain that this trans
Siberian road is destined to work a pro-
disious revolution among the hitherto in
accessible tribes Of Asia. What part 1t
Will play in the politics OF Russia 1t is
difficult to predict, but it has certainly
given Russia firm hold upon Manchuria,
and has enabled the Russians to win
place of power and influence with the
Chinese, not to say of kindly relations
which gives them an advantage over any
pther country. except. perhaps, our own,
whose %good Offices in the late Chinese
troubles have put Americans a little above
the plane of 1.-The most favored nations.
One Interesting fact brought out by Mr..
Cary is the great disadvantage which
Americans are at in their limited knowl-
edge Of foreign languages. 1t Is very
customary in polyglot Europe for a cult
waited man or woman to speak several
languages fuently. yet it is rare to find
m American who can do more than talk
b;s 3ioaI Ia
some Of our captains Of industry" even
murder the Kings English. 1t is plain
that our American colleges will have
TO give more attention to modern Ian
guages than has been customary and
not so much to the science and technique
Of the language as to convey the power
to converse in it and read its ordinary
current literature, certainly SO much as
relates to business.
Mr. Cary very strongly and amusingly
brings out the disadvantage under which
the one-lanSuage American is placed IN
remote parts of Russia, where even a
smattering of German or French would
be a great relief
According to the present schedule IL
is possible to go from Moscow to Port
arthur in thirteen and one-half days.
but this was the very quick trip espe
cially prepared for Prince Konlatsu, the
Japanese diplomatist. The ordinary trav
sller viii spend eighteen days on or
about the rail between these points.
In going from Pekin to London there
is practically no advantage In time in
taking the railroad over the steamship
lines, but immense comfort ito those
who are wracked by the waves.
The Russians are described as uni
rornlly anliable and polite, and the cost
Of the trip with all OF the incidents Of
berth accommodations and food is sur
rrisingly small. Some day those who
think, nothing Of going from New York
10 California, but find such trips too
tr!fing for excitemen1i MAY diversity
their travels by running over to Siberia,
bur we advise Them to brush up on their
Russian before they so.