The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-11
JERUSALEM WALLS
TO Be PULLED DOWN
CHANGES IN THE HOLY CITY MADm
NECESSARY BY POPULATION
INCREASE.

LONDON March 10.---What will
amount to nothing less than a reyoIu-
tionary change in the Holy City is in
volved in the plan, soon to be carried
out. to provide Jerusalem with a mod
nrn electric street car service and with
electric light. The city is also to have
much needed adequate water supply.
In order to effect these provementa
the engineers have come to the con-
clusion that IL is necessary to pull
down the picturesque ancient walls ana
massive towers Of the city.
The rapidity with which Jerusalem 10
extending, through the return OF the
Jews In great numbers TO the home OF
their ancestors. has rendered these Inn
provements necessary. To the north
and west of the old city there have
sprung up, within the last ten years,
says a correspondent of the Daily Ex-
press, large Jewish colonies, popufous
residential sections, as we'll as con-
vents, hospices, institutions. schools and
other buildings, with the result that
today there is a greater Jerusalem
without the walls than within.
Four separate tramway routes are to
be laid down, They will all start from
the Jaffa gate. the principal entrance
into the city, and run outside the city
walls through the newer parts 81
Jerusalem. The first, which will have
a length of about two miles. win give
easy access to what may be termed the
business quarter of the Holy City.
The second of similar length, will link
up the large Jewish colonies to that
north with the city's principal entrance.
The third will encircle the old city,
embracing many of its most historic
sites. such as Calvary" believed by
many scholars to be the scene OF the
crucifixion, the tomb of the kings, the
mount Of Olives. and the valley OF
Jehosaphat
The fourth line will run from the
Jaffa gate to Bethlehem, about SIX
miles away. traversng what Ia perhaps
the most sacred thoroughfare in the
world. 1t teens with holy places
sacred walls. tombs and converts.
The work of laying the rails IL to be-
gin in April. and. according to the
terms of the concession. the syndicate
has power to extend the lines In any
direction for a distance of some twenty.
five miles.
The city walls, which have a circum-
ference of about three miles. and rise
in places to a height OF thirty eight
and a half feet, are now being offered
by the government for sale as build
Ing material. 1t is expected however.
that efforts will be made to save isos
lated sections, more particularly the
massive towers. Indeed. influential
citizens OF Jerusalem have formed \
society. and are approaching the gov
eminent with a view to preserving
''David's Tower" which they propose
to convert into a museum.
OF late years Jerusalem has suffered
greatly from the want OF fresh water.
With the exception Of a small quantity
brought into the city from the ancient
pools Of Solomon, near Bethlehem, by
means of a pipe, which runs along the
old aqueduct, the Holy City 10 entirely
dependent for its water upon the rain
fall. Now reservoirs are to be built In
the upper part of the valley OF the
Brook Cherith, at the springs OF Ain
Fariah and Ain Fouwar, where the
water will be stored and brought into
the city as required
THAT Jerusalem is gradually being
westernized Is evident says the cor
respondent of The Daily Express. "A
few months ago water cart was
brought out from England to water
the roads. which had previously been
sprinkled from skins. Then ii was only
a year ago that the Holy City was
equipped with an efficient telephone
service while now its police are to havs
bicycles. Then, not only in Jerusalem.
but all over the country, modern meth
DDS are being bFOuS nt dIlo SOs0O. 49,
the rich plains of Sharon. lying between
Jaffa and Jerusalem, one may detect
modern harvesting and reaping ma
chimes operated by motors.
This is vast Improvement on the
old fashioned method OF reaping ~
hand and threshing floors by oxen. TIE
extensive orange groves around IAftA
are now being irrigated BY water.
raised by motor-driven pumps A.
Jaffa the French are to build q harbOr.
which il certainly badly needed.
"A motorboat has been placed on
the Dead sea, and similar craft are
running upon the Jordan and tho Sea
of Galilee, carrying both passengers
and freight Upon the shores OF the
latter sheet OF water a fish-curing ana
sardine factory is to be established"