The railway in its entirety is flimsy and liable to collapse almost everywhere, and I am certain it could never sustain a large volume of rapid traffic. Even, however, supposing that it did not break down, but was worked successfully to its utmost capacity, what would that capacity be--the capacity of a single light line of over 5,000 miles in length? Could a town of 100,000 inhabitants rely _solely_ on it for supplies? Can a Russian army of even 100,000 men rely on it?
The S.S. “Amour” cast off from her wharf at noon on 4th November, and after a quick and calm passage arrived in Shanghai at noon on 6th November, 1903.
This fine vessel, measuring about 2,000 tons, steaming 14 knots, fitted up with every comfort and kept scrupulously clean, was commanded by Russian officers and manned by a mixed crew of Russian and Chinese sailors. Since the outbreak of hostilities, however, she has been transformed into a hospital ship at Port-Arthur.
Approximate Cost of Journey _£ s. d._ Passport viséd at Russian Consulate in London 4 10 Ticket from London to Moscow, 1st Class 14 4 9 Freight and Insurance on heavy luggage from London to Shanghai by P. & O. steamer 4 0 0 Cab hire at Warsaw and Moscow 1 0 0 Ticket from Moscow to Shanghai 34 10 0 Maintenance _en route_ (including hotels) for 22 days at ten shillings a day 11 0 0 Sundries 5 0 0 --------- Total from London to Shanghai 69 19 7 =========
Length of Journey _Miles_ From London to Moscow about 1,600 ” Moscow to Dalny ” 5,375 ” Dalny to Shanghai (by sea) ” 550 ----- Total distance from London to Shanghai 7,525 =====
From 10 a.m. on 15th October to noon on 6th November, 1903 22 2
Less 3 days 19 hours stay at Warsaw and Moscow 3 19 --------- Time spent in actual travelling 18 7 =========
The rate of travelling was therefore rather more than seventeen miles an hour, inclusive of all stoppages and delays.
Between Moscow and Dalny the train stopped at 151 stations, thereby losing almost 37 hours.
The rouble is equivalent to about two shillings and a penny. There are 100 kopeks to the rouble.
German is the most useful foreign language for travelling in Russia.
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