Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-17
IN CRADLE OF RACE
Better Facilities for ExpIora-
ton of Ancient Cities.
ALL WILL SHARE EQUALLY
In Past Permission Was a Matter of
Sultan's Favor.
MUCH DONE; MORE AWAITS
Americans Have Had Conspicuous
Part in Uncovering Cities of
Dim Historic Times.
IUCH DONE; MORE AWAITS
BY WILLIAM r. CURTIS

All who are interested in archaeological
and historical research will be gratified
to learn that among other reforms under
taken by the new Turkish government is
| the adoption of systematic and scientific
regulations to govern future exploration
among the ruins of Asia Minor and other
parts OF the empire. This does not in
clude Egypt, however, that former
province of Turkey is practically indie
pendent.
| Hitherto such work has been carried or
in a helter-skelter manner. subject to
| the Whims and the favOrtism OF the
sultan, without rules or method. bu,
! hereafter commission, of which Halli
Bey, director of the imperial museum al
| Constantinople. will probably be chair
| man, will have the sole authority to
| the department of education, and ali
work must be done under the inspection
of officials from that branch OF the gov
eminent. The details of the plan have
not yet developed, but they will be thor
ough and systematic and will be intended
to promote rather than discourage re
search and to secure the best results
possible with the greatest economy OF
money and labor.
Hard to Get Permission.
Permission to explore the ruins OF the
ancient civilizations of Turkey has al
ways been difficult to obtain and was
usually the result of pressure upon the
late sultan, Abdul Hamid, or In payment
for favors given Or expected. The Ger
mans have been the most fortunate.
They have had the most extensive and
valuable privileges. and have been al
lowed to take away the greater part or
their findings.
This has been due to the deep personal
interest which the kaiser has felt In SUCH
enterprises. and whatever he asked OF
Abdul Hamid was usually granted. He
was the only friend the ex-sultan had
among the sovereigns of Europe. and
the priceof his friendship was valua BILE
concessions for commercial, industrial
and scientific purposes. The kaiser has
perpetual rights of exploration in certain
districts Of Turkey that contain notable
ruins and priceless relics of the past
The most important results have been
produced by American expeditions, how
ever, as the catalogue of the Imperial
Museum at Constantinople will show.
Nearly all OF the important and inter.
esting archaeological and historical OBJ
jects in that museum have been found by
American expeditions and have been sur
rendered to the Turkish government as
required by the terms of the permits in
prompt and honorable manner
Scenes of Biblical History.
The area of the Ottoman empire en-
braces all the scenes Of biblical history
the origin of man, the division Of the
races, the activity Of the patriarchs and
the prophets, the birth and death Of the
Christ and the foundation Of the religion
in which we believe. 1t was also the
birthplace of the Jewish and Moslem re-
ligions and the various sects into which
the latter is divided.
The events described in the book Of
Genesis occurred in Turkey. The Isle of
Patmos, the scene OF the Apocalypse. is
Turkish territory. The events described
I'm the Illiad and part of those of the
Odyssey are in Turkey. The ancient
stronghold of the Trojans. defended for
and his well greaved Creeks is not far
from Constantinople. Alexander the Great
was born and reared and developed his
military genius on Turkish soil, and his
capital was in Macedonia, Turkish
province. Turkey was the scene Of most
Of the exploits OF Darius, Cyrus, Xerxes
and Xenophon, and the stage upon which
most of the thrilling dramas and tragedies
Of ancient times were played.
1t was the scene of much mythology;
Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. Is
in Turkey and the voyage of the ArSo-
nauts was in Turkish waters.
The ministry of Jesus Christ and nearly
all of the events referred to in the New
Testament were confined to Turkey.
At the beginning of the Christian era
and for centuries thereafter the greater
part of Turkey was a Roman province,
and the Caesars who Were the most en-
terprising OF all builders, left roads and
bridges, ruined palaces. temples, amphi-
theaters and fortresses scattered all over
the land.