Trans-Siberian Railway

a railway system of Russia extending eastward to the Pacific coast. This road was constructed for military purposes, in other words, to hold Siberia and, if possible, to acquire new territory at the expense of Korea and China. Before undertaking the enterprise, Russian commissioners studied the railway systems of the world, including those of North America. The Italian workmen who built the St. Gothard tunnel were transported in a body to Russia.

The work was begun at Moscow as early as 1870. The Volga was bridged in 1880-1891. The eastward extension of the rail-road began in dead earnest. One of the greatest obstacles to the progress of the road was Lake Baikal. For some years it was passed by means of a steam ferry in the summer time and by a track laid on the ice in winter. A detour has finally been built around the south side of the lake at a cost of $15,000,000.

At Harbin, Manchuria, the line divided, one branch going southward to Port Arthur, the other continuing eastward to Vladivostok. At the conclusion of the war with Japan the southern branch passed out of the control of Russia. The entire system cost Russia over $200,000,000. The run from Moscow to Vladivostok occupies nearly three weeks, the schedule time of the regular passenger train being about fourteen miles an hour. The fare varies from $50 to $125, according to accommodations. During the war with Japan the railroad was put to a severe test. The Russian government transported 300,000 troops with their supplies and ammunition to Manchuria in ninety days.

See Baikal; Korea; Harbin; Port Arthur; Manchuria