THE DEAD SEA

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 25, 30 January 1930, Page 17

THE DEAD SEA

UNLIMITED WEALTH

INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM

Prom four different viewpoints the problem of the future of the Dead Sea is regarded as the most fascinating of to-day. It is of interest to the student who knows that its recorded hißtory dates from the days when Abraham was a young man. To the- economist it is known that the Dead Sea contains mineral salts of a value which would have paid for the whole of the Great War. For the politician this involves a situation as far-reaching as that of the Suez Canal, and infinitely more deli.ato ,and difficult. To the chemist the salts represent secrets and possibilities of discovery and research which may benefit the whole world.

The situation ' • examined in the "National Eeview" for November by Mr. 11. Plunket Woodgate, who states that the River Jordan empties approximately 6,000,000 tons of water daily into the Dead Sea, which has no outlet. The level of the lake is maintained because the daily evaporation equals the inflow. It is estimated on expert authority that the salts accumulated at the .bottom of the Dead Sea would form a mass of four cubic miles in volume. One of the first acts of the British Government after receiving the mandate for Palestine was to appoint a commission to iuquire into the commercial value of the salt deposits. A report was issued in glowing terms, estimating that enormous wealth could be derived from the lake. Instead of acting boldly and forming a company on the lines of the Suez Canal undertaking, the Government acted with caution and called for private tenders for working the concession. Five tenders were received, and it was evident that feeling ran high between the applicants. All estimated -that from 50,----000 tons of potash in the second year after beginning operations, the output could soon be worked up to and kept at 1,000,000 tons annually. Plans were made to separate the salts by solar evaporation. Two railway lines would be constructed—one to the Mediterranean port and one to the Ked Sea, which would supply salts to the Orient. Tjcsc lines would provide means of evading the heavy Suez Canal rates upon merchandise.

GERMANY' 3 MONOPOLY.

Tho major problom, however, is international. Beside this aspect of the case the industrial issues are as nothing. Almost all the Great Powers are involved, and all are watching the outcome with jealous eagernt-ss. At present Germany has a virtual monopoly of the potash industry, and its average annual output of 1,000,000 tons is sold at £8 a ton. The- intrusion of unlimited Dea Sea potash into this market would be disastrous. The Germans made a desperate effort to obtain the concession, arid, having failed, they have changed their policy to that of obstruction. They are also using

propaganda to-underrate Ore value of the concession. The United States is also vitally interested-as-a large'consumer, and American financial powers are eager to obtain a footing iv the enterprise. In 1913 Mr. Maitlaml-.-< Edwards was granted the concession by the Turkish Government. When tho competition was at its.-heiglit Edwards sold his concession to a French banking group. It is claimed: that: this concession is valid because the Powers agreed at Lausanne that all pre-war Turkish contract's should-berecogTaised. In 1928 considerable apprehensioiir.waa aroused when it became known thatr.tbe tender of a Zionist, applicant wiiose- antecedents and nationality were .subjects of a great deal of discussion, was favoured by the British :Government. Though this agreement, which is extremely favourable to the concessionaires, has not been ratified,- the mere fact that it was ever considered has caused uneasiness and disappointment to all concerned.

The most marked result;of (,he possibility of the concession going to a Zionist is seen in Palestine, where the Arabs regard such an action as diametrically opposed to their interests. 'Mr. Woodgate hints very broadly that the recent Wailing Wall riots were directly SM) to this cause. It is significant that throughout Ihe world the. announcement of the riots was followed .by & general condemnation of British >dministration. It was noticeable, ~too, that while murders and. massacres wero being perpetrated in British Palestine, there was no unrest in-French Syria. It is suggested that the plan which ia likely to give the most harmonious international results is an Anglo-French, concession in which British interests will own 51 per cent, of the undertaking. The Mac Donald Ministry has not yet given any indications of it ; a intentions, but its taking the problem from the. hands of the Colonial Office and placing it in those of the Foreign Office is an indication that, it is-fully alive to its magnitude and importance.

Abtrouomy ■is enjoying considerable popularity among Canadians, many oE whom have concrete foundations laid ia their back gardens to take a night-sky telescope. . .