A good deal of attention is being given to the improvement of the main line services. In this connexion it is interesting to note that Peking has been brought within half an hour of London by telegraphic communication. This time, which probably constitutes a record, was accomplished under specially yourable conditions, two hours being the average time, but the fact that it has been accomplished is an indication of progress. Fast messages along this route are dealt with at only two intermediate stations, Irkutsk and St. Petersburg.
The Department is pushing forward the completion of the trunk Tine between Peking and Canton, The line to Hankow is all in order, but difficulties are being mot with southward, especially at Kanchow fu, the Provincial Government augurated a system which is very inefficient.
With the sid of Wheatstone automatic translators it will be possible to send messages along the en' length of the line without human intervention at the rate of about one hundred words a minute. This instrument la gradually being introduced throughout the system, on the trunk lines, and of course adds much to their efficiency and ca paci ty. Ib is working on the main line from Shanghai to Lanchow, and when circumstances permit the lino may be extended to the Burma front importance of extensions according to the plans outlined has been recognized, and the length of time which may elapse before they can be carried out depends almost entirely upon financial consi tions, though they have not actually been adopted in their entirety.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.