London to the Cape by Rail.

The idea of constructing a railway tunnel beneath the English Channel, and thereby providing through rail connection between England and the mainland of Europe, is not a new one; but at long last there appears a distinct likelihood of this important work being sanctioned by the authorities on either side of the Channel. For years the subject has periodically been brought up for review, and now it has been revived in earnest. Until recently, the British War Office refused to sanction the plan on account of reasons associated with national defence. Now, with the changed situation brought about by the growth of the aeroplane activities and the long-range gun, it is recognised that the advantages to be derived from through rail transport would, by far, outweigh any possible disadvantages.

It is expected that, eventually, there will be constructed a two-track tunnel beneath the Channel, with electric traction and automatic signalling. From a point near Dover, the tunnel would run directly across the Channel to France, where connection would be afforded with the Northern Railway, and so on to Paris page 18 and the other European capitals. Trains could, if necessary, be operated at ten-minute intervals, and a business-man leaving London at 8 a.m. could have four or five hours in Paris and be back in London before midnight.

Concurrently with the proposals for a tunnel beneath the English Channel, there is at present being seriously considered a plan providing for the tunneling of the Straits of Gibraltar. By the construction of these two tunnels, through rail movement would become possible between England and Africa. With the completion of the Cape to Cairo line, and its North African branches, it would actually be possible for the traveller to journey from London to the Cape without change of carriage.

Just what the construction of a Channel tunnel would mean to the European traveller it is impossible to over-estimate. Travel between Britain and France is already on a very big scale, and, with the miseries of the Channel crossing removed, this business would undoubtedly grow to enormous proportions. This winter the Riviera resorts have been crowded with Britishers, improved train services operated by the Southern Railway of England and the French Northern and P.L.M. lines being well patronised.