The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1914-12-22

Washington. ID. G. Dec. eg.-The
National Geographic suciety today
gave out the following statemeat con-
corning tine amber bearing district
and the lake district OF East Prussia.
which affords a 8icture Of conditions
In one OF the most important parts OF
the eastern theater OF the European
war.
'Samland IL al ulsung strip Of
cherries plain from which the
whole known world has purchased
FOR centuries. II IL the heart OF an
cient ambcriand. and Il mas remained
unknown 90 the ultimate consumers
OF its product from early PhOenician
times down 10 the present day It
still supplies the bulb OF the worlds
amber. ard the pipe-stem or cigar
hoider-holder or jewel hat Is Of this
fragrant, translucent substance, was
likely gathered in its manufactured
state on the beaches. IN the sand
mines or from low water around this
peninsula. Samland Is an oblong arm
OF East Prussia. eighteen miles in
breadth, and reaching out 80 miles
toward the Baltic sea. IL lies some
100 miles from the Russian frontier,
and the soldiers OK Russia who re-
Gently crossed iis Eat. southernmost
stretches first drew attention to-
ward Il.
"KOniEsoerg. the capital Of East
Prussia and the central amber mar
ket. IL situated at the southwestern
corner OF the amber producing terri
tory upon the Pregel river. Much OF
the amber produced is worked IN
Konigsbeug. and quantities. are sent
70 Vienna. where IL Is manufactured
into all sorts OF smoking appliances.
Amber beads form an especially large
item in the KOnigsberg trade, and are
chiefly sold to the Poles. Russian and
people % the eas There Is a sd
perstitiOn among the folk Of Russia
and Poland that amber beads worn
by an infant make teethiug easier.
and that amber beads worn by the
0asS's nurse draw an contagious die
ease 90 them and away from their
charges, thus guarding the baby'N
health. So ID Is that one hardly ever
sees o. Polish or west russian nurse
without heavy chains OF these orna-
ments
"To its uncanny. or al least mys-
terlous virtues, the Fnlne OF amber
mas been largely owing. According
10 ancient lore, Il was the substance
Of the sisters Of the incompetent sun
charioteer, Phaeton. who, after their
brothers death, were changed 90 pop
lars. The old Greeks and Romans
set an immense value upon Il. and in
the days when Scythia and the APPS
marked the ends 81 the earth. Greece
- ..aaA Aaunla uAfa
amber fishermen.
Even today amber Is sold because
OF lie mystic qualities. The people OF
the east value Il as a stun OF proper
potency for amuiets, ana amber
charms aeainst death. disease ana
the devil are made In practical Prua-
Sian farmland for the eastern markets.
Thaies Of Mnetus. an ANCIENT Greek
philosopher. first OF the physicians.
established the mystic powers Of SIN
Der. and lu~cideptly dabbled in cleo
sficity. when he found that Il would
attrnct things after a little rubbing
PROM Hisfofy's dawn 70 the present
aav many people ave a faith Ia
amhers curative properties. 40 q
mediciae, Il has been worn around
she neck and taken dissolved la al
rnhol. ID i needless 90 say that mod
ERR medicine takes little note Of am
btr cures
~Amber was one o. the principal
thln.a which served 10 keep . STURDY
el,rioalty alive IN the breasts Of me
phonecian. the Greek AID the Roman
r-,rsrnlne the dfeaty north. The
~rrafees supply 81 lhis product 8
e,nna on che eoasss o. the Baltic