The Times of Thursday published an extremely interesting telegram from
its special correspondent who went to Medina to see the inauguration of the new Hedjaz Railway from Damascus. This is certainly the first time that a message has been telegraphed to a Christian paper from the mysterious city of Medina, and it is notable that it was telegraphed in English and without delay. The Turkish Revolution has indeed brought surprising changes. The correspondent says that the ceremonies began before daybreak on Tuesday, and were wonderfully enthusiastic. The act of inauguration was performed by the Grand Mufti of Damascus. The audience was much moved by the solemn prayer, and punctuated it with loud "Amens" and deep prostrations. Kiaziin Pasha, the Commandant and Director of Con- struction, then thanked the soldiers who had built the line. The chief of the Imperial Mission and the Turkish engineer of the last section of the line (Meissner Pasha, the German engineer-in-chief, was apparently not allowed to supervise this section personally) were carried shoulder high. Daring the day it was announced that Kiazita Pasha had been appointed Vali of the Hedjaz. He, too, was carried shoulder high, and at the request of the people swore a solemn oath to do his utmost to complete the line to Mecca. The Mosque of the Prophet's tomb is now lit by electricity. It is not known
how far south of Ma'an Europeans will be allowed to travel by the line, but we cannot help thinking that it will be impossible to preserve anything like the old exclusiveness in this new era.
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