New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-31
RESTORING PALESTINE.
AGRICULTURAL COLONIZATION PROMISING
GREAT RESULTS.
Constantinople, May 10.

Constantinople, May 10.
Whether or not the Jewish kingdom of Pales-
tine is ever restored the country certainly DDS
fair to regain considerable measure of its former
Industrial prosperity. The idea that 1t IS eX-
hausted and worked out for agricultural or other
purposes is far from the truth. On the contrary
it has been so long neglected and unworked that
it is now practically virgin soil and only needs
proper cultivation to be wonderfully productive.
This fact has been clearly proven by the researches
and examinations conducted under the auspices
of the Palestine Exploration Fund and by the
actual experiments at cultivation that have been
made in many places on a small scale The soil
and climate are found TO be almost identical with
those of Southern Italy. The plains of Sharon
and Philistia are exceedingly fertile, and there
is plenty of water within reach only needing some
small irrigation work 10 supply all the land. Most
of Judea. Samaria, Galilee and Gilead are already
abundantly watered and are capble Of producing
corn, wine, oil, fruit cotton, silk, vegetables, in
dgo, etc, sufficient not only to supply the wants
of a teeming population but also for great eX-
port trade.
The only thing that is wanted TO restore the
country to it's old prosperity is an industrious
population The Arabs never can be taught to
work The tillers of the soil must be brought
from other countries and planted there. This
would afford an admirable opening for the hundreds
of thousands Of Jews who are being cruelty
prosecuted and driven out of Russia, for the Rus
sian Jews are not shop1eepers, like so many of
their brethren in other countries, but are as a
rule farmers and gardeners. Here they would
have a splendid opportunity to live in peace and
prosperity in the land of their fathers. I'm
fortunately there is one serious consideration that
deters them from making such movement, and
that is the fear that Russia will presently be
master of Palestine The great Northern Power
Is steadily pressing southwark, eastward and west
ward in Asia Minor. The Armenians are already
looked upon as its prey. Once firmly established
in Asia Minor, ii would be easy task TO annex
all OF Syria TO the dominions Of the Gar Were
it not for the dread that this may come TO pass
many thousands of Russian Jews would speedily
be settled in Palestine.
There is already Jewish colony at Rosh Pinals,
in Galilee, which is prosperous beyond even the
most sanguine expectations Of its founders. 1t
began on a very small scale and among unprom-
ising circumstances. Its home was among hills
that seemed absolutely sterile, and there was not
a road in the whole district that could be traversed
by wheeled vehicle of any kind Within few
years, for the colony is still young, excellent roads
have been built, as good Is the average country
roads an America. The apparently sterile hillsides
have been transformed into luxurious gardens,
teeming with the richest fruits and grain. Hun
dreds OF thousands Of grapevines are now in bear
ing, many Of them imported from France and
America There are vast orchards of figs, pome-
granates, olives, apples and lemons The people
live in commodoIs cottages surrounded by at
tractive gardens and the whole air of the place
is more Ike that Of ideal English or American
village than of an Oriental settlement. The peo-
pie are highly industrious contented and happy
Other similar colonies are springng up near by
and an important overland commerce has been
established with other parts Of the country. This
is only an illustration of what might be done
everywhere from Dan to Beersheba"