The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-13
THE VALLEY OF THEs4sRDAN.
Discussion of the Project of Making a Ne
Canal to Rival the Suez.

Discussion of the Project of Making a New
Canal to Rival the suez
Proceedings of the British Association.
Mr. Trelawny Saunders read a paper in
which he gave full description of the Jor-
dan valley. 1t formed a depression that
gradually reached depth of 1000 feet be-
low the Mediterranean and Dead Seas level.
Openings occurred north and south which
presented facilities for rendering the great
hollow vast waterway, The channel to be
cut would be forty feet in depth;
the highest cutting 245 feet
in height. No habtations would
be distnr>od NV tho nrnpOsed works. Agri-
culture was depressed by extortion ard rob-
berry. The plain OF Jezreel afforded pasture
to the fiocks of seven tribes OF Turcomans
vino migrated for the winter Immense
wealth would accrue to Damascus, its popu-
lation and trade would increase with a port
within easy reach and a railway at its doors.
Other regions east and west of it would be
benefited. The length of the cutting to the
Red sea would be sixty-seven miles-twenty-
seven on the northern and forty on the
southern slope. The total length. of the
channel from sea to sea would be within
$40 miles How far tunpels might
be used to save the excavation of
cutting was question for engineers. Jeru-
salem would be brought within ten miles of
the water at an elevation of $500 feet above
it. Tiberias would be submerged, but its
Latin convent and 497 houses could be well
replaced by new town on an eligible site.
Besides Tiberias the Jordan valley contains
eight or ten groups of SQualid novels with
about as many hundreds of inhabitants. It
was very unhealthy, and for the most part
uncultivated. Jericho has but sixty fami-
lies, of evil repute, in wretched novels Two
other places consisted of sixty or seventy
mud hutS and ruins. There were a few ruins
of very uncertain identification. The pill
TO ha hot MI nf
would be greatly facilitated by the new chan
mel laughter and the arrangements could
only be changed for the better in every
respect. The new navigation would promote
the completion of the survey. This should
satisfy the claims of learning and religion,
which were content till recently with an
amount of typographical ignorance that de-
fled any advance in critical investigation.
Certain excavations should be added to carry
out the intentions of the most Jealous
inquirers. If some unhealthy sites
were to be submerged, others of much
greater interest, including the entire remain
der would be more easily accessible. The
physical and sentimental aspects Of the case
sunk into inSignificance before tine political
difficulties, which were chiefly formidable
because no leading statesman appeared equal
to coping with them. Dissent and cries of
"Oh."] The opening of the Jordan channel
was much more OF political than physical
question, and, If the project was pursued, the
political aspects of the case must come to the
front.
The Rev. Canon Tristram vigorously OPP
posed the project. 1t would bury forever, at
a depth of from 500 to l, 800 feet. the historic
sites of the greatest events of the worlds his
tory. 1t would sink in the depth of ocean
an area of 2 800 square miles, some of it the
richest soil III the world 1t would exter-
inmate fauna absolutely unique. There
was no reasonable expectation of sue
cess for the undertaking. Allowance
did not seem to have been made
the surface of the Dead Sea had sunk five
feet. The engineering difficulties were I'M
derrated, and it was not stated how ships
were to pass through tunnels. 1t would be
a difficulty to provide water for the army of
workmen required. The cutting involved
the cost two and half millions per mile, or
thirty times that of the Suez canal
Mr.. Saunders said lie was glad his state
ments of fact were accepted. He was sorry
the Rev. Canon seemed to slight the fulfil
ment OF prophecy, which foretold considera-
BILE changes. We did not know the site OF
Capernaum-C Yes Though canon Iris
tram thought he knew it. Then, the places
supposed to be sacred were all under a curse.
Was there no wish to discover anything new
in natural history-to see what would be the
effect of these changes? [Laughter.l
Canon Tristram contended that this sea
like all inland seas, would be affected By
evaporation. He protested against being
called upon in this way in the fulfillment o.
prophecy At any rate Capernaun waz
somewhere on the land that was to be sub
merged.
The president of the section said the area
to be submerged was enormous and it would
have to be bought up. 1t might be question
whether we could disturb the equilibrium of
the earths surface by introducing into this
valley an enormous volume of water.