The installation of the supply was a triumph for the Royal Engineers.  In peace times the work would have taken from one to two years to complete.  A preliminary investigation and survey of the ground was made on February 14, and a scheme was submitted four days later.  Owing to the shortage of transport and abnormally bad weather work could not be commenced till April 12.  Many miles of pipe line had to be laid and a powerful pumping plant erected, but water was being delivered to the people of Jerusalem on the 18th of June.  Other military works have done much for the common good in Palestine, but none of them were of greater utility than this.  Mahomedans seeing bright water flow into Jerusalem regarded it as one of the wonders of all time.  It is interesting to note that the American Red Cross Society, which sent a large and capable staff to the Holy Land after America came into the war, knew of the lack of an adequate water supply for Jerusalem, and with that foresight which Americans show, forwarded to Egypt for transportation to Jerusalem some thousand tons of water mains to provide a water service.  When the American Red Cross workers reached the Holy City they found the Army’s plans almost completed, and they were the first to pay a tribute to what they described as the ‘civilising march of the British Army.’

Those who watched the ceaseless activities of the Public Health Administration were not surprised at the remarkable improvement in the sick and death rates, not only of Jerusalem but of all the towns and districts.  The new water supply will unquestionably help to lower the figures still further.  A medical authority recently told me that the health of the community was wonderfully good and there was no suspicion of cholera, outbreaks of which were frequent under the Turkish regime.  Government hospitals were established in all large centres.  In this country where small-pox takes a heavy toll the ‘conscientious objector’ was unknown, and many thousands of natives in a few months came forward of their own free will to be vaccinated.  Typhus and relapsing fever, both lice-borne diseases, used to claim many victims, but the figures fell very rapidly, due largely, no doubt, to the full use to which disinfecting plants were put in all areas of the occupied territory.  The virtues of bodily cleanliness were taught, and the people were given that personal attention which was entirely lacking under Turkish rule.  It is not easy to overcome the prejudices and cure the habits of thousands of years, but progress is being made surely if slowly, and already there is a gratifying improvement in the condition of the people which is patent to any observer.