Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 205, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 August 1912 — TO OPEN UP FERTILE REGION [ARTICLE]

TO OPEN UP FERTILE REGION

Railroad Along Northeastern Coast of Africa Means Much to the Commerce of That B*ectlon.

A railroad Is now building along the northeastern coast of Africa that will Insure the agricultural and commercial development of a fertile but longneglected region, and at the same time greatly reduce the length of tbe Journey from Europe to Egypt. Staging at Alexandria, the new railroad crosses Lake Mareotis, and follows the coast line of northern Egypt to the west, at a distance of a few miles from the Mediterranean sea. The track has been completed for about 145 niiles. The terminus of tbe line will be the port of Mersa-Matruh, about 200 miles from ( Alexandria, It la predicted that the railroad will eventually be continued to Benghazi, in Tripoli. The Journey from London to Alexandria can then be made in three days by the following route: London to Messina, 40 hoars; Messina to Benghazi, by zteamer, 20 boors; Benghazi to Alexandria, by the Marint railway, 12 hours. The new railway will traverse a region that was crowded and prosperous centuries ago. It is believed that it will create new and rich markets where the ancient cltiea of Ptolemais and Apotlonla once stood—Youth’s Companion.