Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 August 1880 — Jerusalem as a Place of Residence. [ARTICLE]

Jerusalem as a Place of Residence.

Jerusalem seems to be growing in favor as a place of residence for foreigners who find their native countries uncomfortable. The foreign Jewish population has, according to Consul Moure, increased considerably of late years. The community is now estimated at 15,000, including native Jews, against 10,000 in 1878. The desire to avoid compulsory military service, now enforced in most European counties, and the right of holding real property ia Turek, conceded to foreign subjects by the Protocol of 1868, probably account for the increased immigration. The German colony at Jerusalem now numbers nearly 400 persons; that at Jaffa about 300. There is a third German settlement at Caiffa of about equal numbers with the last mentioned. The settlers are mechanics, artificers, carriers and agriculturists, and are The chief industries remain what they were—the manufactures of oil, soap, and articles in olive wood and mother-of-pearl; the production of the latter articles has greatly increased, as the' sale is no longer confined to visitors and pil grams, large quantities being exported to Europe and America. There are no mines or factories. Sulphur, bitumen, salt rock, and probably petroleum are to be found on the shores of the sea; but to work these to an ad vantage security and better means of communication are indispensable. No Jublic works have been executed; yet a xarbor at Jaffa, a good carriage road or tramway from the town to Jerusalem, and good roads all over the district are urgently needed. A railway would not, in iJonsul Moore’s opinion, tie under present conditions remunerative, unless as a part of a system of rail ways, for Syria and Palestine.—St. Gatttts.