The Maccabaean

Mr. David Trietsch is now in Jaffa engaged in practical work. He has launched a carpentry and wood carving abop which, in its infant state, employs about thirty workmen. Interviewing Mr. Trietsch concerning his schemes, he said that having visited Damascus, he was astonished to find that most of the workpeople engaged in the manufacture of the famous Oriental wood and metal articles, were Jews. Not less than a thousand of our brethren are there engaged as employees by non-Jewish masterss. Again, in Bethlehem, the whole population directly and indireetly obtain their livelihood from the manufacturing of mother-of-pearl articles, purchased by tourists visiting Palestine and sold by Bethlehem- ites all over the world. Even amulets with Hebrew characters representing the name of Jahweh and worn by many Jews are the work of the Christian mother-of-pearl workers of Bethlehem. Moreover, carpentry and carving work has hitherto been executed in a very crude and tasteless manner. Many well-to-do families suffer from the impossibility of furnishing their houses in an artistic or even decent style.

_ *Having taken all the pros and cons into consideration,” said Mr. Trietsch, “I was instrumental in establishing the Beth Ummoth, which is now producing excellent articles, combining both the Western and Oriental styles, and which will in the space of a short time find a ready market both in England and America. The Beth Umnoth is manufacturing artistic metal work picture frames into the various forms of arches that exist in most of the Palestinian towns. These’are framed with photographs of different views of Palestinian life. It is also manufacturing ward-

(From Our Correspondent.)

robes, chests of drawers and suites of furniture, and is overwhelmed with orders. The ironmongers of Jaffa especially are well contented since it has stimulated their trade."

There is no doubt that in a short time Mr. Trietsch will do much to secure the mother-of-pearl industry for the Jews. I may mention that the Beth Umnoth is a branch of the Palestine Industrial Company, which is soon to commence weaving and stocking making.

Of other newly established industries may be mentioned a paper factory (the first one in Palestine) which has been erected about twenty minutes’ walk from the town, near the beach, and the first Jewish printing office in Jaffa managed by a Mr. Ittin. A boot factory is also to be floated within a few weeks.

There is no doubt that many capitalists who, till now, knew nothing about Palestine nor how to invest their capital here, might now find ample scope wherein to invest their money and to make a good profit.

The fact confronts us that the few industrial undertakings, established but recently, are flourishing and have attracted more settlers than ever agricultural colonization had done, during the twenty-five years of its activity. Palestine possesses every natural advantage, it needs almost every industry, and while trades could be floated here with reduced capital, they would, nevertheless, prove successful.

Palestine is now in its infancy with all the Arabs of youth and vigor before it. The Arabs are getting civilized rapidly and are imitating everything that sounds Western. The gentleman who walked about almost naked and barefooted a decade or two ago, will now be most particular as to his dress.

Palestine requires the magic touch of in-