THE NEW RAILWAY SCHEME.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1027, 17 January 1911, Page 5

THE NEW RAILWAY SCHEME.

LONDON TO BOMBAY IN SEVEN' .DAYS. Reuter's Agency in' November received from M. Zvejjintseff, a member of the Duma, an authoritative statement regarding the Russian proposal to connect the railways of Russia and India by means of an international line through Persia. Inquiries mado..by .Renter's representative in. various well-informed quarters in London showed that there is no evidence of any political hostility to the proposal. "As to tho scheme itself," said ST. Zvegintseff, "the plan is a'-very definite' one.. It is proposed .to tako from Baku, the most southern station on the RuKian railway. system, ■ a direct .line through Persia by Seistan to Nushki, on tho Anglo-Indian system. The main lino would follow the shortest route, with branches to the Persian Gulf and to Teheran, if it is found that the direct lino would not go through the Persian capital. In the opinion of tho group, this line must not bo regarded as a tqol for. political interests, and it is held that the lino cannot bo divided into sections controlled by different groups. It' must exist as a whole, and the company must have an international character, not only as regards tho financing of tho enterprise,but also as far as tho board that will have to ho constituted is concerned. For that | reason, though the interests of Russia, England, and Persia (the first two as owners of tho two ends of the lino and the last as the owner-of the territory on which the line develops) must bo predominant, yet French, German, and Belgian interests,' and tho interests of any other group that may find it convenient to invest, will bo most heartily • welcomed. '•In this way the scheme will bring together in the Near East interests which might otherwise compete and give rise to friction, and the enterprise can therefore bp regarded as a most powerful weapon to ward;off possible causes of mutual dissatisfaction. , "With regard to the' Bagdad Railway, already under construction, this scheme affords no menace whatever to that line. At the present rato of construction the' latter cannot, reach the region through which this Persian line proposes to travel for a period of at least eight years, and there is,no reason whatever why .the Bagdad Railway should not at that periodprofitably .effect a junction with tho international line now being considered. In' fact, the 'flision of commercial interests iri the two lines will Drove a valuable factor in averting possible political difficulties. THE CAPITAL NEEDED. "Turning to tho commercial side of tho question, tho capital required for the undertaking, is very mucli less than has been stated. The length cf line to bo built to connect tho existing Russian aridIndian lilies is only IGOO miles, and • a rough survoy which has been mado leads ,to the conclusion that for the sum of .£18,300,000 tho line could bo completed. ■Adding to this the necessary rato of interest for the invested capital. for four years (tho period of construction); another 25 millions would bo wanted. This would mean a total expenditure of .£21,000,000, which the Russian group think quite sufficient for' the enterprise. It will thus, be that, tho whole line can be constructed for a sum of twenty-one millions, including tho interest on tho money invested during the period of construction. "As to tho possible success of the enterprise from the purely financial staridpoint, it is hoped that, given tho possibility of taking passengers and mails from London to Bombay in eight days six hours, at' the .-very moderate estimated Speed of 28 miles per hour, ■ or, with a speed of 33 miles, in exactly seven days, and with a daily service, tho transit traffic would bo developed from its very first days, especially if it i 9 remembered that the English traffic, for tho purpose of saving four and a half days, maintains a special service from Calais to Brindisi. A through, ticket from London to Bombay for passengers by tho proposed system would cost about JMO for a journey of seven days." NOISELESS NAPIER MOTOR CARS. The Scott Motor Agency have tho abovo cars, universally acknowledged to be England's Premier Product, .on View at their Garage, 57 Cuba Street. Tho cquinmcnt include! latest designs in torpedo body, detachable wheels, "acety. leno lamns, etc., and will merit inspection bs' car-owners and intending buyers. Renault's and Crossley's, with similar equipmont, arriving ill a few days—Advt.