Semi-weekly herald., 1912-07-04

| llgris and the Euphrates, once peo-
pied by millions under Babyloan
and Assyrian rule, later conquered by
its sleepless enemy, the desert, be re-
stored to fertility and made to play
anew conspicuous part in the well
fare of Asia?
1t is possible that this great revolu-
tion Will be achieved II projects Tor
the reclamation of the Euphrates oel-
Ia shall by their success poin, the
way.
Dir William Willeocks, the fomous
brisisn explorer Of Mesopotania, il
spnVncel nat the delta of the Euph-
i+eas Can Dc eclaimed. With that OBJ
~ in View ne has laid a project
before the turkish government, the
completion OF which, he estimates.
couia be accomplished by the expen-
mture of something less than $780,
100000.
IL Is a vast sum. But the achieve
ment also would be vast. 1t would
mean an industrial and commercial
re-awakening for region capable of
supporting an enormous population.
success along these lines IN the low
er part OF the Euphrates and the Ii
gris valleys would suggest the possi-
bility Of extending the reclaimed area
many miles farther up these valleys.
Ihis would make practicable the ex
tensive repopulation of part of Asia
commonly looked upon the birthplace
of the human race.
The delta oil the Euphrates is
thought by many persons, who believe
IN the historical eAIsience of the Gar
den of Eden as the site of that ia
nous Illustration of Paradise on
earth.
However, one might shrink from the
contempt of antiquarians by express
ing belief in anything more than a
mythical existence for the Garden of
Eden, it is interesting to observe that
the Euphrates is named in Genesis
as one Of the rivers formed by the
great stream which is said to have
flowed out Of Eden.
Locators of the garden in that quar-
ter must, however, find it hard to dis
pose of the fact that the Euphrates
flows not from, but into the region
which the designate as the original
home Of Adam and Eve.
When one contemplates the desola-
ton which for centuries has pre-
vailed over large part of Mesopota-
mia, it is hard to appreciate that the
valleys of the Euphrates and the Ii
girls were once the abode of industri-
GUS and in some respects, happy null
titudes.
But the research of antiquarians has
proved both the greatness and the
worth Of Babylon and Nineveh. 1t
has shown also that for thousands of
years before the pride of those cities
was humiliated and their glory eff
faced, civilization existed in that re-
gion, while dynasties rose and fell,
and the problems of daily struggle
and toll were worked out by humble
denizens of the city and village.
From oblivion almost unfathoma
bic, antiquarian research has brought
to light civilizations, the very exist
ence of which was for centuries un-
known.
1t may be that the adventurous spir-
1t of man, returning to those scenes
of ancient dominion, will solve the
same old problems of life under bet
ter auspices and with more benign
results.
1t is a notable fact that the pro-
ject presented by Sir William Will
cocks contemplates the use Of meth
DDS resembly those which the remains
of ancient works show were employed
by the early inhabitants.
The sluggish Turkish government
may hesitate to embark upon the ven
ture. But there is hardly a doubt that
ample British capital will be avail
able for the great work now contem-
plated.
If undertaken, one may then look
for return Of much Of the old pros
perity and be prepared to believe that
"Bagdad's shrines Of fretted gold"
will regain some of the lustre which
marked them in the days Of the Ca
liphs and of Mohammedan rule.-Den-