Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-26

nave ruled turkey
in the past. Even
Aod@ Ha"'td IL before being called
to succeed his idiot brother, his talents and
abilities were recognized. Instead of giving
himself up to idleness and his affairs to in
triguing ministers, he has always taken a
great interest in everything pertaining to
the welfare of his people. In his palace on
the Sweet Waters he has gathered together
most complete collection of maps of all
kinds and general information relating to
European affairs. It is his wide knowledge
of geographical and international law, and
the fact that he is about the only European
sovereign whose judgment would not be
more or less hampered by international CON-
plications, that has no doubt led to the sug-
gestion that he serve as arbitrator In the
settlement of the Bering Sea muddle, pro-
vided the matter is submitted to arbitration.
1t is stated that Lord Salisbury is in COM
munication with the Sultan in reference to
the opening of Palestine to the settlement
of the Hebrews. The correspondence on
the subject between the statesmen and
others is said to be very interesting. The
wealthy Hebrew philanthropists are at
variance in many ways. The Baron Roths-
child declares that he will not contribute a
cent toward the purchase of the land, argu-
ing that it really rightfully belongs to his
people. Others contend that the Hebrews
are not agricultural people, that Palestine
is not tillable if they were and that 1t
would be ridiculous to expend large sum
of money in its purchase if no practical use
could be made Of it.
Palestine Is Not Un fruitful.
Considerable stress has been laid on the
statement that Palestine is unsuited to ag-
ricultural purposes, but such is not the fact
if we accept the authority of those having
given the country careful study. True, its
condition now is anything but promising.
Geologically considered the general forma-
tions of iurassic and cretaceous limestone
suggests barrenness of soil, which is really
the case in some places, but in the greater
portion a condition directly the opposite
exists. The plain of Philistia extends from
the coast to the first rising ground of Judah,
averaging 10 miles in width, the soil being
q rich brown loan, with scarcely single
stone in it. The two towns situated in the
district are surrounded by olives, sycamores
and palms. This entire plain 40 centuries
the same to-day and has been ever since, and
that without the slightest artificial aid. The
soil of the plain of Sharon is also very rich
and capable of producing immense crops,
although only a small portion of it-that
near Jaffa-is cultivated at present. The
plain of Esdraelon, large territory drained
by the Kishon, is also extremely fertile
when cultivated, but is now nearly over
grown with thistles. 1t is the best in the CEN
tral part, which is, by the way, the battle
ground on which Gideon triumphed to the
discontinue Of Saul and Jonathan. The
plain of Jericho is great level covered
with the richest Of soils.
In the South are dry, unpromising lands,
the limestone rocks being hardly covered,
but there is every indication of it having
been used for farming purposes in ancient
times, to support the tremendous popula-
ton which crowded the neighboring
heights. Northward the country improves
until at Nablous the beautiful streams and
luxuriant vegetation suggest the scenery of
the TyroL There is no question that the
country is productive, no matter what its
appearance be to-day. Josephus said of it:
"One may call this place the ambition of
nature, where it forces those plants that are
naturally enemies to one another to agree
together. During ten months of the year
Cne HdIhets were ldutu Will lie lIulC OF LQ6
land"
Modern travellers have compared portions
of it with Northern New Hampshire only
the latter shows no such growths of color
ing. The climate IS excellent. The mean
temperature is 65 degrees Fahrenheit; the
heat being tempered-with the exception of
few places inland-by the sea breezes from
the Northwest. The dewfall in summer is
very heavy and the annual rainfall about
81 inches or 80 more than the average in
this country. Everything points to the
country being available to the agriculturist,
the only doubtful quantity being the.
Hebrew himself. From time immemorial
it has been almost impossible to prevail
upon him to engage in this industry.
He Might Have Succeeded Leo.
The week before last there died in Hun
gary man who was looked upon as one of