Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-10
TROLLEY IN PALESTINE
Electric Street Railway to Be
Built in Jerusalem.
WILL RUN TO BETHLEHEM
Spirit of Commercialism Invades the
Holy Land.
BEIRUT BECOMES AMBITIOUS
Remarkable Personnel of the Crew of
the Yosemite in Spanish War-Mr.
DENLY Was a Gunner's Mate.
BEIRUT BECOMES AMBITIOUS
By WILLIAM f. CURTIS.


Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
The Sultan of Turkey till now has been
stubbornly opposed to the introduction OF
electricity in the Ottoman empire, although
he has used the telegraph for many years
and wires from every part of his dominion
run into the Yildiz Kiosk, and even into his
private Office. There are, however, no tele-
phones, no electric lights, no trolley cars
anywhere in either European or Asiatic
Turkey except two or three private plants
for lighting and for telephone purposes At
last, however, he has yielded and the whole
world will regret to learn that concession
has been granted for electric lights in Jeru-
salem and for lines of trolley cars through
that city, and from it to Bethlehem, Beth
any, and probably to Jericho, although that
has not yet been announced and is only con-
jectuR. The suspicion is supported by the
fact that a new carriage road is being con-
structed from Jerusalem to Jericho and
from Jericho to the alleged tomb of Moses
at Nebi Mousa. From there it will be con-
structed to Salt and Amman, in order to
connect with the HedjaZ railway, which is
now being built between Damascus and
Mecca. The concession has been given to
a German company, which has not yet
taken the public into its confidence concern
ing the route.
Nothing can be done by the public to
prevent this invasion of the most sacred
place earth. The So-called Improve
ment' is entirely in line with the spirit OF
commercialism that seems to control the
entire world, and the sultan would laugh at
any one who offered a protest. The railway
from Jaffa to Jerusalem was bad enough,
from a sentimental point of view, but at the
same time it is a great public convenience,
and pilgrims can now make the journey IN
a few hours with great comfort and at a
comparatively small expense, instead of
toilflg up the dusty road to Zion foot
or driving over it in carriages The intro
duction of trolley cars in the narrow streets
Of Jerusalem is, however, not only unnec
esSary, but it will be lamentable violation
of holy ground. Nobody but the German
emperor could prevent ii, for the concession
must have been obtained upon his personal
application. 1t would not otherwise have
been granted. Since his visit to Palestine
q few years ago he has taken that
has shown a great interest in everything
that pertains to the sacred places, and has
not only advised the sultan concerning the
management of affairs there, but has die
tated to him with great freedom. The troll
ley line to Bethany must cross the Mount
of Olives and follow the trail which Jesus
so often trod. and the line to Bethlehem
will despoil of its sanctity another sacred
way.
The introduction of electric lights into
Jerusalem will add much TO the convenience
and safety of strangers, because the dark
and narrow streets are often dangerous,
particularly at the time of Mohammedan
holy days and feasts when fanatics are al
ways drawn in large numbers to- the Holy
City, and they would not hesitate to stab a
Christian in the back If they do so
without detection But tourists seldom go
out at night and street lights are not really
needed in Jerusalem; and they Will deprive
the city Of much of its picturesque gloom.