The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-07-12
Railway From Jaffa to Jerusalem
Does Big Business
CARRIED ABOUT 100000 PASSENGERS
COMMERCE ON SYRIAN COAST
ACTIVE AND STEAMSHIP
LINES ARE BUSY,

interested in a recent report issued by
the American consular authorities
giving the condition of commerce and
trade in Palestine ana Syria. and
quoting figures which show that the
Holy Land as a whole is undergoing
an era of unusual prosperity. 1t
seems rather strange and out of place
to associate places hallowed by relig-
iOus thought for ages with the inces-
SAINT hum and whir of modern indus
try and trade. No doubt much that
has preserved for Palestine it's mex
pressible charm lies in the fact that
the entire country has taken no note of
the passage Of the years, but has re-
manned to all intents and purposes in
these later days almost precisely in
the days of the prophets and the Man
Of Sorrows. But in these times of
wonderful and widespread prosperity,
even Palestine is feeling that it has a
future apart from its historic associa-
tons.
The railway from Jaffa to Jesusalem
was opened in 1892, since which time
the upward movement has been felt,
very slightly at first, but during the
past year in a way that has attracted
the attention of the consular offices of
both this country and Great Britain
Twenty years ago the revenue of the
custom house at Jaffa was $4,000,
while last year it was 100000 The
railway is now prosperous and earn
ing a good return on the capital in
vested. Statistics for 1905 are not yet
available, but in 1904 the railway re-
ceipts were $171,0O8, Of which 81 per
cent was profit. The number Of pas
sengers conveyed was 1855 first-class
and 1860 second-class. Twenty-fiv five
handled.
New Road Toward Jerusalem.
A carriage road is being constructed
from Jerusalem to Nablous, and it
will be completed within year. An
easier though slightly longer road
than the present one is being made
down to the Dead Sea and Jericho, and
will be finished by the close of this
year. 1t will for the most part follow
the ancient roadway, the scene of the
parable of the man who went down
from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell
thieves.
The exports and imports for Pales-
tine for the past year aggregated $4,-
O47, 900, an increase of $3OS,O00 over
the previous year. The imports alone
aggregated $2,25S,OOO. The exports of
increased 10 per cent, the val
ue of the export last year being $685.
900. Scotland was the heaviest buyer
Of Palestine oranges. Watermelons,
grapes and wine also figured extern
sively in the exports.
The wines were shipped chiefly to
Germany, Great Britain and the
United States. The value of these
shipments was s22s,OOO, an increase of
$45, 600 over the previous year.
The Palestine imports embraced for
the past year hardware, petroleum,
cotton goods sugar and building ma
terials. The latter go almost exclu-
sively to Jerusalem and Jaffa, showing
that both cities are increasing in pop
ulation.
At GAIA the government is to build
a sea jetty for the purpose of shipping.
With this improvement that city, now
10000 souls, thinks it will
radically gain, both in population and
in wealth. Beersheba at present has
but so dwellings, but it's people think
it has a future. and the governor is
doing his best to encourage building
A carriage road has been constructed
from Beersheba to Hebron, and these
points are connected by telegraph
Beersheba is the seat of government
of the 10000 Bedouins who inhabit the
district.
Commerce Is Growing.
Commerce on the Syrian coast is
growing steadily, and German and
British steamship lines are in active
for the trade. There is
heavy export of barley from Syria,
and this export was doubled last year
The Homs-Hama crop alone amounts
to 10000 tons On account of TINS
heavy and growing traffic, the two
lines of railway west from Beirut have
increased their rolling stock. The
company is preparing to put In