TO INDIA IN A WEEK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3112, 7 January 1911, Page 2

TO INDIA IN A WEEK.

BRITISH SUPPORT FOR THE RUSSIAN SCHEME.

JC4Q FOR 5.700 MILES TRIP

Inquiries in London, show that there is no evidence of political hostility to tiie proposal outlined in ‘this journal last week for the linking up of the Indian and Russian railways tiy means of an international line through Persia.

The new railway is to cost £21,000.000. and the money is to he gathered in every European capital. Already the idea Jias awakened the keenest interest in London financial circles, and support has been promised. Al. Zvegintself, the member of the .Russian Duma who has been intrusted with the task of enlisting British support for the scheme, thus outlines tiie proposition: “A group of Russians interested m financial and railway enterprise has come to the conclusion that the time lias arrived to unite the lines of the European railway system with that of India, thus forming an uninterrupted tlu'oughfare between Western Europe and Southern Asia., and inaugurating a system which would’ only he comparable to the ib’uez Canal, Trans-Siberian;, and Trans-American lines.

“The idea of such a lino was first started by M. de Lessens. It is proposed to take from Baku, the most southerly station on the Russian railway system, a direct line through Persia, via Seistan, to Nushti, on the Anglo-Indian system. The main line would follow the shortest route, with branches to the Persian Gulf, and to Teheran if it is found that the direct line would not go through the Persian capital. “Through the interests of Russia, England, and Persia must he predominant, yet French, German, and Belgian interests, and the interests of any other group that may find it convenient to invest will be most heartily welcomed. There is no reason whatever why the Bagdad Railway should not profitably effect a junction witii the new line. “The length of line to be built to connect the existing Russian and Indian linos is only 1,000 mile,<s, and a rough survey lords to the conclusion that for the sum of £21,000,000 the line could bo completed and Bombay brought within eight days of London. Thus, when the railway is completed, the man with only three weeks' holiday —and plenty of money to spare —will he able to take a quick trip ,to India and back, stay a week in the country. He will have travelled 5.700 miles in eight days, and the price of his ticket - will have been £-10.—“Daily -Mail.’’