Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-18
TO DIG UP TREASURES
Society Organized for Excavat-
ing. HercuIaneum.
PLAN CHECKED BY ITALY
National Pride Resents Participation
by Foreigners.
MAY KILL THE UNDERTAKING
Steady Demand for Red Cedar Used
for Lead Pencils-Process Of Their
Manufacture Described.
MAY KILL THE UNDERTAKING
BY WILLIAM f. CURTIS.

Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
Last winter DIR. Charles Walstein, pro-
fessor of archaeology in Cambridge Uni
versity, England, formerly of the fac
ulty of Columbia University, New York,
and for several years director of the
American School of Classical Study at,
Athens, made a tour of the United States
for the purpose of organizing a society
for the excavation of Herculaneum. He
conducted his propaganda under the au-
spices of the American Institute of Arch
eology, delivered addresses before the To-
cal branches of that society in New York
Washington, Chicago and elsewhere, was
cordially received at the White House,
excited the sympathy and secured the CO.
operation of the President and many
other distinguished men, He made a
tour OF Europe on the same errand
and with the same success. The King
of England, the President of France the
Emperor of Germany and the King of
Italy all promised their active co-opera-
ton, which gave the movement greater
strength, perhaps. than any similar I'M
dertaking ever acquired. All this was
very necessary. however. because the
scheme required the consent of the Ital-
Ian parliament and large sum of money,
estimated all the way from half a mil
lion to two millions of dollars.
mere Is no UOTe fascinating pTODlem
In archaeology and none more expensive.
Herculaneum is situated on the shore of
the bay OF Naples at the foot of We
suvlus, and is now part of the city
known as Resina. Its inhabitants are
engaged very largely in the manufacture
Of macaroni. In ancient times it was
resort for the literary, scientific and
artistic circles of Italy and the home of
many rich patricians who were collect
ors OF works of art and had large Ii
braries
Pompei is situated on the mountain-side
about three miles above Herculaneum. 1t
was commercial and manufacturing com
munity whose inhabitants were not so
wealthy nor so much interested in art and
literature. Their residences were not so
costly or expensive and their contents were
pot so valuable.
The Eruption Of 70.
Both cities were totally overwhelmed
during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in
the year 10 A. d. Pompeii, being nearer
the crater, was buried under a stream Of
molten lava and was destroyed by fire. Her
culaneum, being a considerable distance
beyond, was not burned to any serious
extent but was buried under ashes and
cold lava to a depth of from 20 to 112
feet-so deep that no attempt was made to
uncover II. The city and all it contained
was allowed to lie undisturbed and the
next generation built their homes upon the
surface of its tomb. In 1903, while sinking
well near the center of Resina workmen
discovered theater containing several
beautiful pieces of sculpture and carved
marble wainscoting. This excited so much
interest that the government of Naples I'M
oertook excavations, but they were con-
quoted without skill or care and the results
were not important. The holes were filled
and nothing further was done until the
French occupation from 1906 to 1915, when
Napoleon l directed systematic explora-
lions In 1928, in 1897 and again In 1859
the attempt was renewed. Several streets
were reached by shafts, and tunnels were
aug along them which disclosed the re-
mains of theater, a temple, a prison and
several sumptuous private dwellings from
which were taken the most important ex-
smples OF statuary In the famous museum
OF Naples, including statues of Aristides
the Just and Agrippina, busts of Plato, De-
mosthenes and others, and the Marble Faun
which gave Hawthorne the idea of his
famous story, also many papyrus manu-
scripts.
Checked by italian Pride.
Nothing has been done there since. al
though all the great archeoIogists of
the world have been looking with en-
vious eyes upon Hereulaneum, because
beneath that hundred feet of ashes are
supposed to be many other works
OF art and literature equal, IL not
superior, to those that have already been
round The ashes preserved rather than
destroyed them at the time of the ERUPTION
and have since protected them from the
gnaWing tooth of time" 1t Is confidently
peiieYed that marbles and manuscrints
might be found of value ten times the
cost OF excavation. Before the work can
be attempted, however, il will be necessary
to obtain the permission of the Italian gov
eminent and purchase the. property of
many residents of Resina. This Dr. VALID
stein expected to do, and 1t is said that
he secured sufficient number of subscrip-
lions to cover the cost. The King of Italy
was willing to have the work done under
the direction and at the expense of an in
ternational association, but through the in
fuence of local Psychologists the Italian
parliament has rejected the proposition
and on April ~ passed resolution pro-
posed by the minister of public instruction
declaring that the work should be done by
the Italians themselves In his speech the
. minister said that nis department would
gladly accept any suggestions, information
and contributions of money that might he
made by foreign societies or individuals but
II would not allow any foreign interference
and, much less. control OF the work The
hauohaI pride was aroused, the newspapers
made an cutlery about Italy accepting
nanancial assistance. "L'Italia puo fare da
Sc, Italy can do Tor HERSELF was the cam
paign motto and DIR. Waldstein's scheme
was thrown overheard.
Those who are familiar with the habits
and disposition of the Italians regret this
decision, because II Is not likely that any
foreign money will be contributed for them
to spend, and il is still less Likely that so
large a sum as will be necessary TO nm
cover Herculaneum can be raised there
IL may be assumed that nothing whatever
vii De done. and the mysteries of the
buried city will not be solved in this gem
GRAFTON. 1t Is not probable that they ever
will be solved by the Italians
Gigantic and Costly Plan.
Tho desk of no italian ,pipiStar 90 n,,.>,..