El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-12-30
To SOLVE THE
DEAD SEAS
MYSTERY
German Expedition Formed
to Make Exploration For
Scientific Purposes.
zIONISTS CONTRIBUTE
TO EXPENSE OF WORK

Jerusalem, Palestine, Dec. 3O.-An ex-
petition. the purpose of which is to
thoroughly explore the Dead Sea and
its environs under the leadership Of Dr.
Bruhl Of the University of Berlin. has
just arrived from Europe and con-
tinued to the scene Of its future opera
tions.
The motives of the expedition so it
is emphatically averred by DR.. Bruhl,
are purely scientific with absolutely no
elements of cofnmercialism entering
into its ultimate object. It's members
are with the exception Of man from,
Copenhagen and possibly another from
Sweden, all German scientists and en-
gineers-
Organized by Government.
The expedition was organized in Ger
many several months ago and seems
to be most thoroughly equipped, scien-
tifically and otherwise. 1t is financed
by private subscriptions, a few men,
bers defraying their share of the eX-
pense while among the contributors
several leading Ziouists figure very
prominently
The work of exploration VIII consist
in the major part OF sounding the depth
of various sections OF the lake as Wen
as analyzing the unique and complex
composition OF its waters, studying It's
shores. investigating the nature OF the
different minerals that are said to
abound in that region, exploring, as far
as is possible the channels OF the many
rivers and hot water streams apart
from the Jordan, which flow into the
sea from both the eastern and western
mountain ranges that hem It's shores,
examining and Classifying the varieties
of fish that exist in large numbers only
in the extreme southeastern section Of
the lake, which consists mainly Of shall
lows and marshes
It must be remembered in this con-
nection that it has always been firmly
maintained by those who visited the
Dead Sea and wrote treaties about il
long ago that no fish of any kind can
make their habitat in any part Of II
and this long established belief was
given the death blow only recently by
a pleasure party Of Americans long
southern end of the lake and discovered
fish
So it remains for the members of the
German expedition TO arrive at the
causes which undoubtedly must be due
to varying conditions Of chemical COM
position Of the water that make 1t
possible for fish to live in certain sec
lions Of the lake and not in others
about this strange body Of water from
scientific standpOints that is worth
knowing
In order the better to facilitate its Op-
eratiOns the expedition has chartered
little steam vessel for the space Of three
months with the provisO that al the op-
ton Of DR.. Bruhl the lease may be e1-
tended for an indefinite period
What ultimate political or CONNER
cial motives, If any underlie the sur
face Of the enterprise time only can
show.
An American Attempt.
This is by no means the first at
tempt made TO explore the Dead Sea
region. Indeed theehonOr of priority in
this direction belong to the doughty
Lieut. ". Z. Lynch Of the American
navy, who, as early as the year 1913
spent considerable time IN research and
exploration Of that region at the ex-
pense Of the american government and
at great risk to his person for in those
days facilities for travel were Of the
crudest and people did not know how
to guard against the ravages OF ma
marauulng Bedouln, now under ef-
fectual control by the Turks, but who
were then lot Of laWless, aggressive
bands
Despite all these hardships and diff
culties Lieut. Lynch was fairly success
full in taking measurements as well as
sounclngs OF different parts of the
lake To him moreover belongs the
in a little boat from the Sea of Cali
lee down the River Jordan to the Dead
Sea.
Covers Submerged Plains.
According to the Ieutenants nara
tive. the lake measures some 46 miles
from north TO south and from six to
" miles east and west Its total sur
face area was therefore computed to
be ESQ square miles. It's greatest depth
was 1900 feet at its northern end. and
its shallOWest part being at its south
ernextremity. varies from five to Is
feet only.
Indeed. SO distinct were its deep and
its shallOWy portions that Lieut. Lynch
described its bottom as consisting Of
two submerged plains, an elevated one
at It's southern half averaging Is and
a depressed one at its northern end
averaging 1900 feet beneath the sur
face.
The lakes depression below sea level
is 1872 feet and tropical climate
makes its temp rature almost unbear-
able during certain seasons Of the year.
The German expedition, however, has
been fortunate in selecting the mild
est months Of the year during which
to carry on this Wor1z and under IN
usually more auspicious and favorable
than have heretofore at
tended the efforts Of explorers in this
region.