1 50 65 https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/1b7702ae3e80474831a252d9aafe124e.pdf a74db1f623d21bdcac4fea6a970cb157 PDF Text Text VOL. VI THE OLD AND THE NEW ROMANCE H. I. KATIBAH THE LOSER WINS (A SHORT STORY) EDNA K. SALOOMEY ARE SYRIANS UNPATRIOTIC? AN EDITORIAL CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED IN SYRIA A TRUE ARABIAN TALE THE COPY 50c ��i—K TTTE SYRIAN WORLD Published monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New Y ork N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. / VOL. VI, NO. 9 JUNE, 1932 CONTENTS Page The Phoenicians, the Great Pioneers of Civilization W. A. REV. MANSUR The Old and the New Romance H. I. 3 14 KATIBAH Desert Troth (a Poem) 19 THOMAS ASA Our Younger Generation EDNA K. 20 SALOOMEY, Editor The Last Are Made First 20 The Loser Wins (a Short Story) 21 Al-Jirn 28 J IHBMMOT mmmmmm MNMBMMM �I Ml — I CONTENTS (Continued) Page True Arabian Tales 31 The Man with a New Code of Honor The Unrequited Love of Saladin Impetus (a Poem) 35 40 DAGNY EDWARDS Editorial Comments Another Year 41 Are Syrians Unpatriotic 42 An Object Lesson 46 Political Developments in Syria I Constitutional Government Established in Syria 47 Who Is the President? 50 Conditions in Lebanon Unsettled 51 Syrian World News Section 53 �I Syrian ^^^^ «/ MOKARZEL, Editor. SALLOUM A. Mi JUNE, 1932 VOL. VI, NO. 9 The Phoenicians The Great Pioneers of Civilization Editor's Note—It is no idle boast to claim that the Phoenicians, our ancestors, colonized and civilized Europe. We have the authority of European historians to prove the claim. What now are Great Britain and Ireland were in olden times only Phoenician colonies. Read the copious excerpts from competent authorities, the irrefutable arguments of scholars, contained in the article of Rev. W. A. Mansur. This is a unique study in ancient history and should prove invaluable to the descendants of the famous Phoenicians, the Syrians and Lebanese of today. The article embodies proof of most thorough and extensive research and is as much a mark of the writer's erudition as it is beneficial to young Americans of Syrian and Lebanese descent. By REV. W. A. MANSUR "THE RACE was formed to excell," says George Rawlinson, "not in the field of speculation, or of thought, or of literary composition, or even of artistic perfection, but in the sphere of action and of practical ingenuity. As ship-builders, as navigators, as merchants, as miners, as metallurgists, as dyers, as engravers of hard stones, as engineers, they surpassed all who preceded them, and were scarcely surpassed in later times by many. "They were the great pioneers of civilization, and by their boldness, their intrepidity, and their manual dexterity, prepared the way for the triumphs of later but more advanced nations. They �'W". fi 4 THE SYRIAN WORLD adventured themselves, in many cases, where none had ever gone before them, entrusted themselves to fragile boats, dared the many perils of unknown seas, penetrated deep into untrodden continents, mixed with savages, affronted the dangers of extreme heat and extreme cold, risked their lives continually night after night and day after day, not so much stimulated by the expectation of large profits, as by the pure love of adventure; they explored all the shores of the Mediterranean, the Propontis, and the Euxine, passed the Pillars of Hercules, and launched their fleets bravely into the Atlantic, circumnavigated Africa in one direction, and reached the shores of Britain, perhaps of Norway, in another, at the same time they were, in their own homes, skilled artisans and manufacturers weavers of delicate fabrics, inventors of dyes of unrivalled beauty' excellent metallurgists, good gem-engravers, no contemptible sculptors; while, abroad, they were the boldest navigators and the most successful traders that the Old World ever saw, worthy rivals of the Cabots and Columbuses and Di Gamas and Drakes and Raleiehs of later times." (The Story of Phoenicia.) * I write that we Syrian Lebanese may have a proper appreciation of the influence of our Phoenician ancestors upon the world through them. Phoenicia and Phoenicians are the pioneer civilizers of European races, peoples, and cultures. They were the people who brought the peoples of mankind to know each other, who created trade between them, and who interchanged their cultures. We Syrian Lebanese, descendants of the ancient Phoenicians, are appreciating our ancestors, their place in history, their achievements in world history, and their influence upon the civilization of mankind. That we may be spurred to achieve a fame similar to theirs through achievement, that our posterity may emulate their endeavors, and that the world may be reminded of the debt to the Phoenicians and Phoenicia, I write of THE PHOENICIANS— THE GREAT PIONEERS OF CIVILIZATION. I. GREECE. It was the Phoenicians who brought civilizing influences into Greece, the Aegean Islands, and Asia Minor. It was through Phoenician trade that the rudiments of civilization were introduced into Greece. From the Phoenicians the Greeks learned the art of living in cities, to enjoy the refinements of civilization, and develop taste and skill in the manufacture of many kinds of wares. �JUNE, 1932 5 "But they," says George Willis Botsford, in referring to the Greeks, "must have been astonished when they saw for the first time strange black vessels, much larger than their own, entering their bays. They were Phoenician ships from Sidon, an ancient commercial city, and in them came 'greedy merchant men, with countless gauds' for trading with the natives. "Though in most respects the Greeks were then as barbarous as the North American Indians, they were eager to learn and to imitate the ways of the foreigners. "The chieftains along the east coast welcomed Asiatic arts and artisans. From these strangers they gradually learned to make and use bronze tools and weapons, and to build in stone. Skilled workmen from the East built walled palaces for the native chiefs; artisans decorated these dwellings, painted, carved, and frescoed, made vases and polished gems. Those chieftains who were wise enough to receive their civilization gained power as well as wealth by means of it. With their bronze weapons they conquered their uncivilized neighbors, and in course of time, formed small kingdoms, each centering in a strongly fortified castle." (A History of the Orient and Greece.) Greece owes its alphabet to the Phoenicians. "From the alphabet," say Robinson, Smith and Breasted, "which the Phoenicians brought to the Greeks all the alphabets of the civilized world have been derived, including our own." (See, Our World Today and Yesterday) The Phoenicians introduced civilization into Greece, gave it the alphabet, also the "Father of Philosophy", Thales, the Phoenician, and the founder of Stoicism, Zeno, another illustrious Phoenician. It was upon Phoenician trade, material things, intellectual culture, and philosophical initiative that Greece arose from barbarism to civilization. II. CARTHAGE—NORTH AFRICA. The Phoenicians sailed everywhere in the Mediterranean promoting trade, making settlements, and establishing cities, while sailors of other peoples hardly ventured beyond their sea and islands. The Phoenicians were the bravest sailors of their times. They ventured beyond the Pillars of Hercules into the Ocean. They discovered Mediterranean islands, settled colonies, pushed into the interior of Africa. The greatest settlement was Carthage in North Africa. KSflSffii. - -.-WMiMMiiM �r 6 THE SYRIAN WORLD H. G. Wells says, "Along the eastern end of the Mediterranean, the Phoenicians, a Semitic people, set up a string of independent harbour towns of which Acre, Tyre, and Sidon were the chief; and later they pushed their voyages westward and founded Carthage and Utica in North Africa. Possibly Phoenician keels were already in the Mediterranean by 2,000 B. C." (The Outline of History) "At her zenith," says Wells, "Carthage, probably had the hitherto unheard-of population of a million. This population was largely industrial, and her woven goods were universally famous. As well as a coasting trade, she had a considerable land trade with Central Africa, and she sold negro slaves, ivory, metals, precious stones and the like, to all the Mediterranean people; she worked Spanish copper mines, and her ships went out into the Atlantic and coasted along Portugal and France northward as far as the Cassiterdes (the Scilly Isles, or Cornwall, in England) to get tin." With Carthage as a base the Phoenicians thrust out in every direction, along North Africa, into Sicily toward Italy; to Spain; to Portugal; to Ireland and Britain; possibly Norway; to Central Africa; to the West coast of Africa. The Carthaginian Phoenicians carried civilizing influences to the Mediterranean world, Europe as it was known in that day, the world of ancient times. The struggle between the Carthaginian Phoenicians and the Romans was a struggle between Phoenician civilization and Roman civilization. The Carthaginian Phoenicians gave the world three of the greatest men of all times: Hanno, the "Father of Discovery"; Hannibal, the greatest military general; and Augustine, the Greatest Church Father, and these have helped shape the history of Europe and the world. III. IRELAND. Ireland was discovered by the Phoenicians, who were the first to people it. Scholars know of the legend regarding the hardy navigators, the Phoenicians, who originally peopled the island. It is a matter of pride in our race that our Phoenician ancestors should be the original and first settlers of Ireland. "As a child is the father of a man," says Justin McCarthy in Ireland and Her Story, "So the legend is the parent of the history. If we would understand the story of a nation we must begin by a study of its legendary lore. We cannot thoroughly comprehend the character of a people unless we have made ourselves well ac- �JUNE, 1932 -7 quainted with the legendary forms that people has accepted as the. pictures of its progenitors. "One of the most characteristic legends in the earliest history of Ireland is that which tells us the island was originally peopled by some race who came from an eastern climate to the small island lying to the west of Great Britain.— Some set of enterprising men who found themselves oppressed in an Eastern land may well have crossed the sea to discover a new home, and at last have come upon the Irish shore. "The natives of Phoenicia, on the coast of Syria, were amongst the earliest and most famous navigators and traders known to the antique world, and were always wandering in search of new homes and founding new colonies. Between the nineteenth and thirteenth century before Christ they established many colonies along the shores of the Mediterranean, and are believed to have spread their settlements as far as the British islands. One of the favorite theories of early Irish history is that they alighted upon Ireland and were the first strangers who made a home there. "Certainly there is much in the character and in the ways of the Irish, even in our own times, which favours the belief that they owe the birth of their civilization to the settlers coming from a faroff Eastern or Southern home." The Phoenicians were the pioneers of civilization in Ireland. In the character, ways, and influence of Ireland is perpetuated the influence of Phoenicia and Phoenicians upon mankind. IV. GREAT BRITAIN. The Phoenicians were the first to discover Britain, make it known to mankind, and to start it on its way toward civilization. History shows many things in common between England and the English and Phoenicia and the Phoenicians. "It is with this people," says George Rawlinson about the Phoenicians, "and their characteristics, that we have in the present section to deal, and the people who of all antiquity had most in common with England and the English—the people who first discovered the British Islands and made them known to mankind at large, the people who circumnavigated Africa, and caused the gold of Ophir to flow into the coffers of Solomon." (The Story of Phoenicia) "The Phoenicians had one more colony towards the west, which has a peculiar interest for all English-speaking peoples," says Rawlinson. "Phoenician ships from Gadeira braved the perils of the �r — ~7i- 8 THE SYRIAN WORLD open ocean, and coasting along the western shores of Spain and Gaul, without (apparently) making settlements, crossed the mouth of the English channel and from Ushant to the Scilly Isles, and conveyed thither a body of colonists who established an emporium. The attraction which drew them was the mineral wealth of the islands and of the neighboring Cornish coast, which may have become known to them through the Gauls of the opposite continent. It is reasonable to suppose that the Phoenicians both worked the mines and smelted the ores. They certainly drew from this quarter those copious supplies of tin and lead, which they imported into Greece and Asia, and from which they derived so large a profit." The famous Phoenicians gave Great Britain three things: first, they were the first to discover the islands; second, they made them known to mankind at large; third, they gave it the alphabet. Phoenicians brought Britain out of the unknown to fame among mankind for its tin and lead, and thus paved the way for its civilization and rise in the world. The Phoenicians began a new era, a new life, and a new place for Britain in the world. V. SICILY. The Phoenicians were the first colonizers of Sicily. Sicily lay in the middle of the. Mediterranean, at the center of Europe, and became the battle-field of great nations. Phoenicians pioneered into Sicily, to which others followed, particularly the Greeks. From Sicily they branched out to colonize in the western part of the Mediterraean, to develop trade, and to stamp out piracy. "The historical importance of Sicily comes, not from its being the seat of any one nation, but from its being the meeting-place and battle-field of many nations," says Edward A. Freeman. (The Story of Sicily) "Their Sicilian warfare determined their history elsewhere. "It is the central land of the Mediterranean Sea; it was the central land of Europe, as long as Europe meant only the lands on the Mediterranean Sea. As such it became the battle-field of nations and creeds, the prize for Europe and Africa to struggle for. "Now Sicily was in the early days of Europe one of the greatest colonial lands. It was a chief seat for the planting of colonies, first from Phoenicia and then from Greece. It is the presence of these Phoenician and Greek colonies which made the history of Sicily what it was." It was in Sicily that the Carthaginian Phoenicians were en- . ... ...... .... ^ ^--^-^ • ^^ - -'^ 1 �JUNE, 1932 9 gaged in the struggle with Rome. Here in Sicily was settled the destiny between Europe and Africa, Rome and Carthage. Here were settled the future fortunes between East and West. Those historic struggles, thos.e destinies of mankind, those philosophies of the future of the world involved the Phoenicians, their race, culture, and philosophy. Here in Sicily at the center of the world Phoenicians began civilization, fought for civilization, and diffused civilization to mankind. VI. EGYPT. Phoenician influence over Egypt in a pioneering way may be seen in these: the appointment of Phoenicians to circumnavigate Africa, the Phoenician settlement at Memphis, and the Phoenician exportation of Egyptian wares to other nations. The Phoenicians were in good standing with the Egyptians who allowed them to worship their own gods, carry on their trade, and establish their own settlements. This mutual understanding between Phoenicians and Egyptians brought the Egyptians through Phoenician trade and navigation into touch with other nations and lands, thus receiving greater knowledge, culture, and civilization. "Phoenician sailors manned the ships that Neco sent to circumnavigate Africa," says Willis Mason West "Indeed the fame of these as sailors so eclipsed that of earlier peoples that it had been customary to speak of them as 'the first men who went down to the sea in ships.' " "The early Phoenician trade was," says Rawlinson, "as Herodotus tells us (i.l), very mainly in the 'wares of Egypt'—these they exported largely to Greece, Asia Minor, Italy. They consisted of ivory, ebony, skins, ostrich feathers, gums, gems, corn, papyrus; textile fabrics, toilet articles, pottery, glass, salt fish. The Phoenicians in Memphis are said to have been derived originally from Tyre. They had permission to worship their own gods openly, and had a temple dedicated to Astarte, which Herodotus believed to have been built about the time of the Trojan War, or circa B C 1250." It was Phoenicia and Phoenicians who supplied the Egyptians with timber to build their ships. It is said Phoenician genius may have improved the Egyptian alphabet out of which they created their own. The interchange of culture and trade between Egyptians and other peoples through Phoenician pioneering is an eminent �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD Phoenician contribution to the greater civilization of Egypt and the Mediterranean world. VII. HEBREWS. The Phoenician influence upon the Hebrews is outstanding in the history of the Hebrew race and religion. The Phoenician kings of Tyre and Sidon were nearly always allies of the Hebrews. While the Hebrews were averse to the sea, the Phoenicians were a seafaring people. Their relations as shown in the Bible is a mutual friendship: commercially, racially, and politically. The Phoenicians built King Solomon's Temple, carried on joint commerce with the Hebrews, and had interchange of products with Israei. "And Solomon sent to Hiram the king of Tyre, saying, as thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me. Behold, I build an house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. "Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and m brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide. Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants, even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great." (II Chro. 2:3-—4, 7—9) The Temple of Solomon was essentially a Phoenician building, being designed largely by Phoenicians, and the construction of Phoenician skill. It reveals Phoenician art, architecture, and civilization. The Temple furniture exemplifies Phoenician skill in metal, cloth, dye, and ornamentation. It was Phoenician sea-faring traders who carried to successful accomplishment the joint commerce compact with king Solomon. Their fleets brought the eastern and western ends of the world together. (I Kings 9:27. 10:22. 9:28) Standing central in the worship, thought, and practical life of the Hebrew people was King Solomon's Temple ever reminding them of Phoenician friendsihp, genius, art, and civilization. .-Mwmmw, �JUNE, 1932 11 VIII. ARAMEANS. The civilizing pioneering influence of the Phoenicians shows itself in the adoption of the alphabet by the Arameans. It helped mould the thought life of a people, it reveals the relating of one culture to another, it denoted the acceptance of better tools and methods than already had been used. From the desert the Arameans slowly pushed their way, their power and their commerce with Damascus later becoming their capital. "Meanwhile a new wave of Semitic nomads had rolled in from the desert-bay and by 1400 B. C. occupied its western shoresj that is, Palestine and Syria. These were the Hebrews in Palestine, and somewhat later the Arameans, who founded a powerful kingdom at Damascus. The expansions of Assyria was stopped in the west by the Aramean kings of Damascus, who were wealthy commercial rulers. Indeed, these Arameans persistently pushed their caravans and settlements all along the shores of the desert-bay, and after the decline of Babylonia they held the commerce of western Asia," say Robinson and Breasted (in Outlines of European History) "They received alphabetic writing from the Phoenicians, the earliest system of writing known which employed only alphabet signs. The Aramaic language of this merchant people of Damascus finally displaced that of the Hebrews, and Aramaic became the tongue spoken by Jesus and the other Hebrews of his time in Palestine. It is called Aramaic because it was spoken by the Arameans, and it is a Semitic dialect differing but little from its sister tongue, Hebrew." The Phoenician alphabet was adopted by the Arameans by their contact with Phoenician trade which is one of the greatest means for the diffusion of thought, culture, and civilization. Through mutual trade, prosperity, and peaceful intercourse Phoenicians permeated the Arameans with their own civilization as well as those of other nations. The Arameans, who are part ancestors to the modern Syrian Lebanese, bequeathed illustrious legacies to their descendants in the form of Phoenician genius for trade, diffusion of civilization, and mutual welfare. IX. ASSYRIA, BABYLONIA, PERSIA. The Phoenicians played an important part in the rise and decline of the struggle between the East and West. The Assyrians were the first to subjugate Phoenicia, exact tribute, and be made to suffer heavily. On recovering independence Phoenicia's freedom �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD was accompanied with a great increase of prosperity,—from circa 630 to 585 B. C. of which Ezekiel's is a good description. Babylonia won Phoenicia on the decline of Assyria's power, the revolt of Tyre was overcome, and the fidelity of Phoenicia was maintained in the struggle between Babylonia and Egypt. Finally, the Persians, in overcoming Babylonia, brought Phoenicia under Persian rule. Phoenician ships played a decisive part by helping crush the Ionia Revolt, the Greeks of Asia Minor, in the battle of Lade; and in the battle of Salamis, their ships taking a leading part, eventuated in the defeat of the Persians, the decision being in favor of the West over the East. George Rawlinson says of the Persian navy before the battle of Lade, "The contribution of Phoenicia to the combined Persian fleet was probably somewhat less, though not much less, than onehalf j we are told that 'of all the naval states they showed the greatest zeal;' and, not unnaturally, the doings of the fleet are in a general way ascribed to them, though it was really a joint armament contributed by four of the subject nations." (The Story of Phoenicia) The battle of Lade, which determined the fate of Miletus, and later led to the battle of Salamis, was a decisive battle in the history of mankind. "The fall of Miletus was indeed an evil omen to Europte;" says George Willis Botsford, "for in the fifteen years which followed this misfortune, Greek civilization came into great danger from Persia on the east and from Carthage, an African colony of the Phoenicians, on the west. In these years, the forty-six nations which composed the Persian empire poured their motley soldiery into continental Greece, while Carthage with a stupendous army tried to overwhelm Sicily." (A History of the Orient and Greece) Here in the decisive battle of the world Phoenicians were the leaders in the naval battle, they were the heart and chief power of the fleet. In this battle Phoenicia fought for her own civilization as well as for the Persian empire. In the battle of Salamis, between Persia and Greece, Phoenicia and Phoenicians played a star role in the decisive battle, which event had far reaching influences on the history of the world, the civilization of the nations, and the future of the whole earth. X. MACEDONIA—ROME The Phoenicians, situated in a strip of coast land on the eastern Mediterranean, made heroic effort to maintain its place against the �JUNE, 1932 13 encroaching empires of both East and West. They submitted generally to the invasion of the Macedonians under Alexander the Great. Marathus, Byblos, and Sidon submitted, and Tyre, after heroic resistance and seige of seven months, was destroyed. After the death of Alexander the Great Phoenicia was contended for by the Seleucidae and the Ptolemies, and was ruled respectively by them, Syria and Egypt. Phoenicia was finally taken by the Romans who made it a province. "Her decline, when it came, was caused, not by internal weakness or corruption, but by the necessity of yielding to external force. Assyria, Babylon, Persia, had each in turn compelled her to submit, but had respected her character and position so far as to allow her a sort of qualified independence. But with the conquest of Alexander, this was changed. What the great conqueror would himself have done we cannot say; but it was the policy of his 'Successors' to destroy every nationality that was not strong enough to resist them," says Rawlinson. "Phoenicia almost ceased to be Phoenicia, partly won over, partly compelled to Hellenism, under the rule of the Syro-Macedonians. She was trampled to death by the Romans. Under the iron heel of that relentless power, 'the Scourge of God' far more truly than any Goth, or Hun, or Vandal, the unhappy country ceased to be in any sense a political entity, and passed into a 'geographical expression.' " Phoenicia gave the world during the Macedonian and Roman ' period a remarkable literary activity. Strabo states that there was a philosophical school at Sidon which was familiar with the works of Aristotle. Tyre had two prominent Stoic philosophers, Antipater and Apollonius. Byblos rivalled Tyre and Sidon as a literary center producing Philos, Byblos and Hermippus. Berytus became a center of a law school that supplied the Eastern part of the Roman Empire with pleaders and magistrates. Marinus of Tyre was the first scientific geographer; St. Origen, to be out of the way of persecution, became a resident of Tyre; and Porphry, native of Tyre, rose to become the celebrated opponent of Christianity. In Phoenicia's later days we find her genius expressing itself in literature, law, and Christianity throughout the Roman world, the whole world of ancient times. Phoenicia passes into history as the smallest nation of antiquity, and probably of all times, with the largest contributions to the civilization of mankind. �53, THE SYRIAN WORLD 14 The Old and the New Romance By H. I. KATIBAH "THERE is an undercurrent of romance that is always missed by the large majority of people living in its midst. The story is familiar of the old peasant who lived near the enchanting, golden city of Carcassonne, and always intended to visit it but died without seeing it. In every age there are men and women who grow up within sight of a neighboring Carcassonne and never find the time to see it. Often people have no time to do so. The appreciation of the beautiful, of the romantic, requires, as one of its fundamental elements, that reflection which is engendered by leisure. The man with the hoe, bent by hard labor and worry, has little time for romance,or the appreciation of the romantic. But that is not the only fundamental element. Some who have leisure aplenty and to spare, are yet incapable of appreciating the romantic. Besides leisure, the romantic attitude is subjective and depends on the subjective response in the observer. Two may be looking at the same sunset, one calls it glorious, the other "sees nothing in it." The objective view before them is not different to each ' of the observers, but the observers themselves are different, and see the sunset differently. One comes to it with a rich subjective background which interprets the sunset in terms of emotions, memories, aspirations which it suggests; the other receives the same objective impression on a barren background which suggests nothing but the end of another day of routine drudgery, the call to the shelter of a home and a night's sleep. In the last analysis beauty is symbolic. It is the reflection of our selves in nature and in others. The power of romance is the everlasting discovery of the beautiful; and the capacity for it differs immensely in people. It is often said of those who are in constant association with the beautiful, with the sublime, with the romantic, and who become insensible to it that "familiarity breeds contempt." But one feels, somewhat, that the explanation is lame. It should be added that "familiarity breeds contempt to the contemptible." A great philosopher once said that the reason "no man is a hero to his valet," as the proverb puts it, is not because the hero is not a hero, but because the valet is a valet. i -... �JUNE, 1932 15 And yet, we are forced to admit, there are types and degrees of romance, some more superficial, some more profound; some more sublime, some more common. Just as in the realm of the beautiful there are types and degrees of the beautiful. A historian friend of mine once drew my attention to the fact that books written about the East in the early and middle nineties were full of gushing rhapsodies about the beautiful scenes of the various countries those writers visited and wrote about. There was no end of fantastic admiration of the serenity and glory of the Holy Land, of the majesty of Mt. Lebanon, of the grandeur of Mt. Hermon, of the awe that the Pyramids inspired in those who stood before them. Those early romancers of our country stood entranced before a Taj-Mahal, lost in deep revery before an ancient mosque or castle. They rode their diminutive donkeys from place to place with guidebooks in hand, to hunt those objects of their fascination,' hardly noticing the crowds of picturesque humanity that surrounded them on all sides, and that looked up to them with a mixed feeling o± admiration, envy and curiosity. Doubtless those entranced tourists and visitors to the Ancient Lands came with a background completely dissociated with the present. Their mental background was that of the Bible and ancient historyj and all they saw was in terms of what they had read in the Old Testament, the New Testament, Herodotus, Marco Polo and other old historians and chroniclers who walked the earth before us and looked at its wonders through their own eyes. The romanticism of those who followed in their steps was vicarious romanticism. V\ henever they saw a shepherd returning home with his sheep bv dusk they conjured the Twenty-Third Psalm, or the Parable of the Good Shepherd who left the ninety-nine to look for the lost sheep m the hills. Sometimes the association of romance is so thin and vague that it reminds one of the New England lady who was always thrilled when she heard "that blessed word Mesopotamia." One hates to disillusion those good souls, and little harm there is in their rapturous flights of fantasy and romance. But one must admit at the same time that it is an inferior type of romance. It is a relief, however, and a certain gain to all concerned, when the interest of visitors to our historic shores shifted from the Land to the People, the living people of our own age and generation. For those people were not altogether absent from the graphic pictures of the old romancers, but they were inserted there merelv as illustrating types of dead ancestors who played their roles in the dramas of an- �if »5* 16 THE SYRIAN WORLD cient history, sacred and profane, and passed away. No more interest was aroused in the fellaheen of Egypt except the study of their Hamatic features which resembled those of figures and engravings on the ancient tombs of Luxor an/1 Giza. Times might have changed incredibly, but to the tourist and writer of the middle nineties, the shepherds of Palestine only served to make alive an ancient text in the Bible, or explain some pecularity of custom, some realistic description of their humble calling, some feature that had stumped the Bible reader unacquainted with the surroundings and conditions of the Holy Land. Lately, however, romantic writers on the East have begun to take the living people into the ken of their enlivened interest; to delineate them against the background of their own environments and surroundings. What is more important, the People, rather than the Land, began to occupy the foreground of their canvasses and written descriptions. Scholars there are still, and will be for generations to come, who will be interested in the East merely because of its past; who will devote pages upon pages to the study of a TutAnkh-Ammon, a Saladin, a St. Paul or a Mohammed. And living people will serve for as many generations as museum specimens to illustrate the subjects of historic research. But alongside of these are writers who have come to take more and more intense interest in the people of the East for their own sake; who have centered their attention on living heroes, instead of dead ones. Gandhi, Tagore, Mustafa Kemal Pasha, Riza Khan Pehlawi, Sultan Pasha Al-Atrash, Dr. Taha Hussein, and many other figures less picturesque, are beginning to be studied more thoroughly and appreciatively than similar heroes who lived in the early and middle nineties. Only in a desultory manner, and out of cupidity and curiosity, more than out of a desire to understand and bring out the romantic side of the living generation, did the old scribblers and tourists write of men like Mohammed Ali, his equally great son Ibrahim Pasha, of Midhat Pasha, the forerunner of political reform and democracy in the Ottoman Empire, of Butrus Al-Bistani, the pathblazer of modern renaissance in the Arabic world, of Emir Bashir Al-Shihabi, the model dictator and social reformer of his day. These were merely incidents in a gripping drama of political struggles, machinations and diplomatic machiavellianism. Interest in them was superficial and secondary, either to the interest in ancient history or contemporary events detached from their antecedent forces and tendencies. True, our present romancers are still short of the mark. They �JUNE, 1932 17 are often engrossed in trivial descriptions of insignificant details and outer manifestations. Their knowledge, furthermore, of the people they write about leaves much to be desired. Pages are devoted to the manner in which Gandhi dresses, eats his milk and dates, how he carries his spinning wheel with him wherever he goes and has the goats which supply him with fresh milk follow him in his travels. With that some serious writers make an earnest effort to understand the weazened little saint whose pacific gospel threatens to undermine the vast militaristic empire which has dominated India for almost two centuries. But the prevailing tendency is still in the direction of superficial description and gossipy, reportorial discourse. One advantage in the present approach, even at its worst, is that it accords opportunity for discussion of living persons and themes. Mistakes are corrected when they challenge the attention of more informed persons, and insufficiency of account or explanation is supplied by those who possess them. Here a little and there a little, as the ancient Hebrew prophet wrote a long time ago, and knowledge will grow and multiply. Two attitudes may be marked here of the present tendency of writers on the East. There are those of them who have lamented the passing of the romantic in the Ancient Lands. They look with dismay and misgiving at a Turkey which has given up the picturesque tarboush and adopted the more prosaic, albeit more practical, hat; they lament the passing of the seductive harem and the advent of the modern flapper who chews American gum, goes to the movies, dances to jazz music and takes a job as a stenographer in some business establishment or office. The demolishing of some colorful bazaar or native street to make room for a tramway, or to give place for a row of modern apartment houses and business offices, almost wrings tears from their eyes. They fear, and without some justification, that the old romance of the East is passing away, passing away without hope of return, and that in no distant future the whole world will be so standardized and regimented that it will be all alike. There will be no fun, they argue, to travel across lands and seas to spend the precious months of a long-awaited vacation in China, India, Palestine or Egypt. Only few monuments of the past will survive, but in what incongruous surroundings! Already modern hotels, with running hot water and individual bathrooms, swimming pools and tennis courts, flank the base of the Pyramids. There are at least five thousand radios in Cairo today, and most of the programs broadcast on them come from London, Paris, Berlin, Prague, Rome and �——— I II 18 I ———I dM^^^^Ka THE SYRIAN WORLD Bucharest. Could anything be more disheartening to hunters of romance in the Land of the Pharaohs? We suspect that those modern lamenters of the passing glamour of the East are still under the spell of the old romance which came to them from the hallowed pages of the Bible or some equally ancient source. They little realize how tremendous has the change been in those Ancient Lands, and that the forces and tendencies working for this change have been identical with forces and tendencies which brought equal changes in the West. They also little realize that at one time the West had the same glamour to tourists of the East, and that its loss must have been equally disheartening and disillusioning to those as it is to the modern romancers. But nobody, except reactionary fanatics, would think of trading the modern Western world for that of the Middle Ages, for all the romance and glamour that the latter still holds for our imagination. The days of a Cesare Borgia or a Robin Hood are certainly romantic, but who would contemplate their return even for a moment? The old romance has its place, undoubtedly, but its place should be in the memory of the past. But what is more important, what is infinitely more significant, we believe, is that the new romance of the East is a far superior type than the old romance. It is possessed of infinitely more interesting potentialities, varieties and developments. More than that, it is a dynamic, living romance that derives its vitality from the life of the present; that holds out its hand for the future; that stands erect and fearless against the distant horizon and peers with prophetic vision into the unseen future. There is something of the adventurous and creative in the new romance of the East; there is the throbbing of new life in every fibre of its ancient veins, the buoyancy and joy of aspirations reached for, yet not fully apprehended, of dreams coming true. Such a romance was once the lot of the forefathers of this country, when they landed, weary and depressed, on Plymouth Rock. They could not have foreseen, even in their fondest dreams and wildest imagination, the grandeur that the new Land of Promise was to fall heir to in less than three hundred years. But theirs was the unique joy and thrilling adventure to lay the foundation of that grandeur. Such is the feeling today of our own people who are enthusiastically, yet cautiously, threading their way to new achievements, new social and economic conquests, amid the Ancient. World, and into the new, a world of untramelled liberty, of a sound democracy and unlimited opportunities for the individual. 2 ^\ j.\ t j T— �JUNE, 1932 19 In contrast with it, the Ancient World is dark, dismal and cruel. No sensitive soul can truly enjoy the contemplation of its romance, when it reflects on the tremendous cost it has exacted from unnumbered millions, the tears and blood of its wretched and defenseless victims. Let those who are in perpetual search of the old romance think again as they look on the Pyramids, not of its majesty and sublimity, but of the millions of slaves cringing under the lash of taskmasters} of widowed mothers and orphaned children who were crushed to slow death of poverty, hunger and disease, before a Cheop could lie in peace in such a magnificent mausoleum! Desert Troth How quiet is the Desert air! The moon exalts the silent night. Wand'ring alone I found you there, Amid the glow of starry light. Approaching thee, I .dared not speak,— The sweet enchantment to dispel. A sound by night thine eyes do seek, The distant note of camel bell. I clasped thy fingers in mine own, The Damask rose that crowned thy head, By thy pure maiden beauty sown, Its perfume by thine own breath fed. Thy lidded eyes you turned to me, At my lips' touch they opened wide; With all the guile of Araby Their meaning you could never hide. The jackal sounds its dismal cry, And slinks 'mid shadows to its lair,— Once, you, beheld and heard thee sigh, I now find naught but Desert air. THOMAS ASA I �THE SYRIAN WORLD 20 EDNA K. SALOOMEY, Editor The Last Are Made First MOWADAYS, those parents who came here from other lands are classified as the First Generation, to distinguish them from native parents; and their children are called the Second Generation; which terminology is, probably, just another sign of the modern trend to be scientific and to classify everything after the manner of zoologists and paleontologists. Nothing escapes being classified, not even one's emotions, let alone one's parents or self. One might concede such classification of aliens and their American-born children to be merely explanatory. One might call them the first and second generations, and let the matter rest at that. But such rigid classification, which is neither literal nor scientific, should be dispelled because these people are neither of the first nor of the second generation, and not even the desire of social agencies to classify them as such for expediency's sake can obliterate the fact that life began for these people long before the first explorer arrived on America's shores. These terms are incorrectly used, inasmuch as people cannot rightly be called first and second generation when in reality they are the nth generation of their line. Newcomers to our shores and their children should be considered in the light of their entire past, as when studying the history of mankind one must needs know the past to understand the present. The terms, first and second generations, literally dwarf the inherency of these people. It may be said that these names are used in a technical sense. When considering humanity, our minds had better be tuned social- SS£3S£&$ .-- ,, �JUNE, 1932 21 ly rather than technically. These terms are too narrow for the breadth and depth of the subjects which they are intended to encompass. From a social viewpoint, they are far worse because they create a class consciousness, which is unjust both to the parents and their children. They give rise to a mental misconception of their intended meaning. First generation, the term, has become synonymous with greenhornj and many people, who would be loathe to admit it, do, nevertheless, make that comparison mentally. The children's group despises the artificial barrier which this classification places between it and other Americans. They feel that an injustice is being done, not only to their parents and themselves, but also to ideals on which democracy is based. The artificialities of the terms in question create a social consciousness which democracy never intended, for the imposition of them nearly borders on the caste system. Most unfortunate of all is the fact that some children, wishing to defeat the sense of inferiority which the use of these terms has developed in them, attempt to remedy their predicament by trying to lose their identity. They become separated in more ways than one from their parents. What results? We need not discuss in detail what results; the evidence is available everywhere. The Loser Wins m (A SHORT STORY) jyjARIE CARAM, sitting meditatively on the upper deck of a Fifth Avenue bus, looked lovely as a princess riding in state. There was something about Marie that reminded you of an old painting whose colours time had mellowed, a Madonna from the hands of some master. She had a rosy olive complexion and brown eyes; their deep brown colour as engulfing as the shadows of an impenetrable forest. Her glistening hair was coiled softly at the nape of her neck. The chartreuse green of her dress and hat intensified the warmness of her complexion. All her charm and beauty were combined to make one more capable teacher for a New York public school. MHHK' �Il 22 THE SYRIAN WORLD As eagerly as a child on a first visit to the great city, Marie gazed at the panorama of Fifth Avenue. This was her last day; tomorrow she was leaving for Gleufield and home. It would be a joy to see the dear family again; to meet old friends; and to be back in familiar places; but already she was feeling lonesome for New York. Eight months before, when Marie first came to take up her work, she had hated the city; its immensity had frightened her and made her feel like one lost in a cavern. The jostling crowds filled her with lonesomeness; they were as so many faces, but not one familiar face; so many people, yet no one with whom to exchange the day's greetings. Pride alone had restrained her from resigning her position and making a speedy return home. It amused her to realize what a change had come over her. Here she was, feeling lonesome for New York even before leaving it. Looking down, she gazed rapturously at the fairy-like shop windows, enticingly filled with all that money can buy to appease human vanity. As she glanced down the length of the Avenue, the buildings in the haze of the late afternoon's sun appeared to be glass-encrusted mountains. Here and there where the scattered rays of the sun flung themselves, windows became sparkling as jewels. Marie contemplating all this from her elevated position felt like an idol worshipper. The glamour of the Avenue was accentuated by its people. Shabbily dressed people could make no impression in this crowd. There were too many of the others, the handsomely gowned women, strikingly different in individual mannerisms, yet made to seem alike by the similarity of their masks. Here men assumed the erectness which sartorial perfection plus a swagger carte inspire. Self complacency was personified by this section of humanity. Traffic policemen, inwardly experiencing the same emotions as their fellowmen, appeared to dominate the crowd like Titans. Cars and more cars jammed the street, like slow streams in both directions; cars with liveried chauffeurs; cars driven by sleek sons and daughters of men who were constantly trying to fill the financial gap which their luxury-loving offspring created; taxis with screeching brakes, darting from one traffic lane to another, and coming perilously near to other cars in their rush. As the bus wended its way down the Avenue, Marie was mentally bidding farewell to all this. She looked forward eagerly to the placidity of life in Glenfield, but she knew that one day, going down Glenfield's narrow, prosaic Main Street with its duplication �JUNE, 1932 23 of department stores, confectionaries, drug stores, and the old hotel of which the town could no longer boast, she was going to long for a sight of these leisurely, lovely ladies, and well-groomed men strutting down Fifth Avenue. Becoming truly frank with herself, Marie admitted that it was really not these surroundings for which she would yearn. It was the friendship of Joseph Shaker which counted above everything else. New York meant Joe to her, and Joe it was who gave such a great meaning to the panorama before her. As the bus passed by Brentano's, Marie recalled that she wished to buy a book to take to her sister Eugenie. She alighted from the bus, determined not to forget this plan because it would mean so much for Eugenie to have a book from Brentano's in New York. She would be proud to show it to her high school friends, as one of their teachers had mentioned the store to them. So Eugenie had written in one of her letters. Entering Brentano's, Marie found herself suddenly about to collide with someone who deliberately stepped in front of her. She looked up into Joe's smiling face. "Hello, Marie. Why the rush?" "Why, Joe," she exclaimed, astonished. "What are vou doing here?" "Same thing you're doing. Buying a book for a certain young lady to read on the train tomorrow. I wonder if you would care to open up the package and see if you like my choice." Marie blushed with confusion and pleasure. "It's mighty nice of you, but I prefer to keep your choice. Thanks, Joe, very " "Please, don't," he interrupted. "I just hope that you'll enjoy this." "Indeed I shall," she said assuringly. "Will you help me to choose a book for Eugenie?" Joe was more than willing. Walking beside him, Marie felt a bit proud. She was aware of the observing glances of the clerk who sold them the travel book which they chose for Eugenie. Joe certainly could attract any girl's attention and he was not entirely unaware of the fact. He was handsome in a typically Syrian way; he had a dark complexion, flashing eyes, and lively, smiling countenance. As they were leaving the store, he said confidingly, "Honestly, Marie, I've been blue all day thinking of your going away tomorrow. Meeting you here was the best thing that could have hap- �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD pened to me. Now that fate has been so kind, let's make it a perfect day. Let's see," he said glancing at his watch. "It's nearly six. You can't refuse to have dinner with me." "But, Joe," Marie said hesitatingly, "I have to pack my trunk." "What of that? You're going to eat first. No excuses now. Please say yes." Marie was undecided. She had never anticipated going out with Joe. One went alone only with a fiance, not because it was not the right thing to do, but because it was not customary. But this time, Marie argued with herself, was an exception to the rule. "Well, as I shall not see you again for a long time, I'll go; that is, if you'll take me to the Old Man's Place in Greenwich Village." Joe laughed. He was amused that Marie should have remembered his telling her and his sister Madeline lbout the Old Man's Place. "That's where we shall go," he agreed, while starting to hail a taxi. "Let's go by bus," Marie pleaded. "1 get more thrills out of riding on top of a bus. You know wc haven't any double deckers in Glenfield." "All right, if you prefer the bus." As it was Marie's first opportunity to saunter through Greenwich Village, she asked Joe to show her some of its interesting places. After walking through several streets whose names she had learned before from several sources, she suddenly stopped in front of a low brick church, set back from the street. The lawn and shrubs which graced its entrance set it apart from surrounding dwellings. "Oh, Joe, see; this is the' Little Church Around the Corner. How lovely!" she exclaimed. "That's the concensus of opinion, Marie," Joe agreed. "Believe me, I know now for the first time how it must feel when people come here to be married. Lucky fellows." "Heavens, Joe, but you can think of the most unusual things to say," Marie teased him. "Well, my dear, when you are as old as I am, you will be able to think as I do. At eighteen one is sentimental; at twenty-eight one becomes sensitive—if you understand what I mean." "I think I do. And at six-thirty, I wonder what we shall have for dinner," Marie said, interrupting his serious mood. "I'm glad you're hungry. We're almost there." �•• JUNE, 1932 25 Arriving at the Old Man's Place, they were greeted hospitably by the old man himself who had once used the rooms as his studio. Marie was charmed by the subdued gayety of its atmosphere. Here one came to enjoy the intimacy which delicious food and quiet inspire. J oe told her about the old man who had been in his youth an aspiring artist, noted more for his success as a host to his friends than for his paintings. He abandoned his career as a painter after finding that there was more certain remuneration in cooking the savoury dishes of his beloved France. He was a benign old man now, plying his trade more for the sake of the friendships which he made by it than for the money which it brought him. Mane and Joe were conversing so intently, they scarcely realized the quickness with which time was passing. Joe was happier than he had ever been, and Marie was enjoying a unique experience. He wanted to do everything to please her. "Marie, let's go to a theatre after this. Is there anything you particularly want to see?" "Oh, no, no," she answered quickly. Her very quickness stung his pride. He was aware instantly of the reason for her refusal. He knew that she would not accept the invitation from him or anyone else, and he realized that her acceptance of the dinner invitation was a sort of concession on her part. His sister was guided by the same customs as Marie, and though he had always thought his sister should not deviate from them, his vanity was hurt by Marie's refusal. ''But this is your last night in New York," he pleaded. a bit tired" *' ^ * ^ t0 ^ ^ thbgS' y°U kll0W' and Vm "If you're tired, my eyes deceive me," he chided. Marie looked reproachfully at him. She was angered by his impatience. "You know, Joe, that I wouldn't go to a theatre with you." _ "Let's decide this matter now," he said. "Must you be deprived of a pleasure because you feel that you must have your family s approval before doing anything or going anywhere?" "I'm not being deprived of anything," she retorted, "and I prefer to have my family's approval, if you wish to put it that way " that y U Wtnt t0 the theatre with i ,,T, ? Madeline and me last week?" he*argued.° "Because Madeline and you invited me. Are you sorry now :,; ;:..-.. /._,/ _. •.:--;:.- �26 THE SYRIAN WORLD that you did?" .. , "Marie, you know that's not what I meant. It's the principle of the matter that counts." "Well, I would enjoy going with you. I don't deny that. But I'm not going to. I want Dad and Mother to know you and when you come to Glenfield,—why, then I'll tell you if I shall go out with you. I'm subject to change without notice." "A woman's privilege, of course," he conceded. "You're not in Glenfield, it happens." "Well, what of it? Just because I'm working in New York doesn't mean that I shall act any differently than I would in Glenfield. Isn't this ice cream delicious?" she said, attempting to end their discussion. "Listen, Marie," Joe continued, undaunted by her irrelevancy. "You can't really feel that you're right about this." "W7hy not, Joe?" she parried. "Aren't we friends just the same. Going to a theatre has nothing to do with it." "You're not to the point. I know exactly how it is; you're like Madeline, you have to ask father first if it is alright to go out with Joe or John." "I don't want to go with anyone, and I don't know any John. Why shouldn't I ask Father for his opinion when I feel that it counts more than mine, and more than the fun of going out with you." "Alright. You are justified there, but I wish that you would express your opinion of my company a little more mildly. If you're old enough to live alone in New York, to earn your living,—I say you're old enough to decide whether or not my company is satisfactory. Why must you ask your Father? You're not a baby any more. "See here, Joe," Marie replied, "If you're insinuating that I'm old, you. . you. . I don't like you a bit. If you. Want to know I'm twenty-four. Now that you know how old I am, please, I'm going home." "Please, Marie, don't. Let's stay a few minutes longer. I didn't mean to provoke you. It may be a long time before I see vou again." "No, I'm sorry. There are so many things I must do. I want to finish everything tonight because I won't have enough time in the morning. My train leaves at nine." "I'll see you in the morning. May I call for you and take �JUNE, 1932 27 you.to Grand Central?" "No, thanks. I'll taxi over. It's better if you don't come because I will be rushed, and what not." "Well, I'll be at the information booth at quarter of nine as we arranged last week. You're not still angry, are you,. Marie?" "No. Thanks very much for everything. I shall always remember this evening and this place. You don't need to take me home. Just go with me as far as the subway, please." Once Marie made a decision, there was no use trying to change it. Joe learned that beyond a doubt. At eight-thirty next morning Marie was in Grand Central. Her mind was in a turmoil. She was happy to be starting at last for home, and sad at the thought of not seeing Joe again for months, perhaps forever. The incident of the previous evening was vivid still. What could he have been thinking of her? The more she thought of his having called her old enough, and of belittling her steadfast acceptance of her old-fashioned ideas, the more determined was she to avoid meeting him again. She decided to go to her train as soon as it pulled in. At quarter of nine, the gates were opened. Marie cast a glance at the information booth, but Joe had not arrived. She wondered if he would come after all. The uncertainty made her angry. She requested the porter to carry her valise into the train. At nine o'clock as the train pulled out, a sad faced Marie peered into the darkness of the underground terminus. She wasn't remembering home or family; she was thinking only of Joe, dear, impetuous, impatient Joe. His friendship had meant so much all these months. She fingered the book he had given her. Undoing the wrapper, she took it out. It was just like him to choose this book, this beautifully illustrated copy of the Rubaiyat. She peered at her watch. It was one minute past nine. In one minute, eternity seemed to have encompassed her. She dabbed her eyes with a new handkerchief, one which she had not intended using because it was meant for important social occasions. She heard a low voice saying, "May I sit here?" It was Joe. "Why, Joe, what are you doing here?" "Well, I was five minutes late and I didn't know if you were late or what, so I waited awhile and when you didn't come, I rushed through the gates just in time to get on the train. Did you think I was letting you go away without saying goodbye?" "Oh, Joe. Where are you going from here?" '0ggSSgUtSSSSSSBSSSSSk �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD "To the next stop, wherever it is. Listen, Marie, I'd like to go right on to Glenfield with you to meet your wonderful family. And I'm going there next week. My father and I together. You know what I mean? We're going to agree from now on, you and I. We'll do the same as the old folks did...WTe'll have formality, ambassadors, etiquette. You're going to the theatre with me next time I ask you. That is if your father says you may. Do you think he will?" "If I say yes, he'll say yes, and after he says yes, I'm going with you. And your father is really coming with you to Glenfield?" "Of course. He and I planned the trip the first time I met you. Remember?" There was scarcely a chance to remember anything. There was a peremptory shout of "tickets please!" Al-Jirn Back in the year 2Btc, the cry of the young was that success and opportunity had become restricted to a few individuals and groups. Now in 3Atc, the tables have been turned. There is no excuse to claim that opportunity is denied you. Your chance is at hand. You will have to labor as hard and unceasingly as your parents before you. There will be no smooth sailing for anyone, but putting in at port will be just as gratifying. 3JC 3F 3fc 3JE ACTION, PLEASE. Let me be gentle as a summer breeze That wilts not one flower with its caress, Loving each petal. Let me be no less Adoring than the moon bending her knees In homage to night, as her light she frees To fill earth with the mysteriousness Of darkness made bright. Let us, too, confess Love in unspoken words, not such as these �_—= JUNE, 1932 29 Which are empty as sweet. Let me remind You, praying that you may understand, How futile are words. But, like all mankind, i ou are a lover of words many and bland. I am reconciled; but one thing I fear: You'll fail to "say it with flowers," my dear. ****** Anyone who thinks romance is dead need only consider the political promises Which, wherever a voter is in hearing distance, shall tall like a pyrotechnical shower. ****** If you are deserving of the privilege to vote, vou shall determine to separate the wheat from the chaff and take your stand. These times are not tor apathetic citizenry. ****** CALL AGAIN, BOY FRIEND Try 5—1540, please. Sorry, Sir, the line is busy. (Everyone must love Louise.) Try 5—1540, please. Must I get down on my knees? I've been ringing till I'm dizzy. Try 5—1540, please. Sorry, Sir, the line IS BUSY! ****** fn h-fS the,ma^!ne,fnds its fiscal year with this number, we wish to bid you farewell till we meet again in these pages m May there be for you happiness ahead, the happiness of creating joy for someone else. Let us dedicate this summer to that end To he confirmed pessimists, we repeat what some wise person P said: we'll make lemonade out of the lemons be witChhyou°' and ' ^ ^ ^ ^ *** * * * th£ beSt ^Z of »"• God �30 THE SYRIAN WORLD Long-winded speaker turning to man next to him: "Have you a watch?" "No, I haven't. But there is a calendar right in back of you" A DOCILE audience, in our opinion, is one composed of Syrians. It will listen with the greatest equanimity to the verbosity of would-be orators who seem to assume that every occasion for a public gat'h-ering calls for chiding and deriding us. We are hopeful that in future there shall be orators who are less trite and more specific in their speeches. Have you ever observed that most societies holding an annual celebration find their programs jammed with oratory? These events are no longer looked on with favour or pleasure by persons who attend them. We hope that this summer, when such affairs take place, there shall be made an effort to limit pseudo-oratory and to create the kind of atmosphere which will draw the old and young together for a happy time. * * * Recently we had the pleasure of meeting the renowned physician, Dr. Adolf Lorenz, of Vienna, who is in the United States for a short stay. Dr. Lorenz and his son, who is also a doctor, were interested immediately when we replied to their question regarding our ancestry. The younger Dr. Lorenz said, "We think you are a noble race." This was not a vain bit of generous praise; this was an expression of these men, who are scholars as well as skilled physicians, and who have an extensive knowledge of our racial background. It behooves us to show as much interest in our history as they did, and by our every action to merit their praise. �JUNE, 1932 THE MAN WITH A NEW CODE OF HONOR ^N-NAMAN, the powerful Arab king of Al-Hira, had two viziers whom he loved exceedingly because they served him not only in the capacity of state counsellors but also in the role of boon companions. One day, when the three had indulged in an orgy of debauchery, the king, apparently for no reason except the lust for blood, ordered the two viziers beheaded. Upon awaking on the following morning and being apprised of the fate of the two viziers, he became disconsolate, and ordered two magnificent tombs built for them. Once every year, on the anniversary of the tragedy, he held court in the vicinity of the twin tombs, and whoever sought him on that day he ordered him killed in expiation for his folly and smeared the tombs with the victim's blood. This day he called the day of vengeance, during which the court of the king was shunned by all Arabs aware of the despot's practice. But in order also to compensate for his bloody deed, he instituted the further practice of holding court at the same place, on another day, during which he munificently rewarded any stranger who chanced upon him This day he called the day of reward. Among the Arabs, these two days came to be known as the dav of good omen and the day of ill omen. Now the king, as a means of diversion from his great grief and affliction, began to indulge in the chase, and ventured out recklessly in the most unfrequented desert wastes and jungles. He also formed the habit of riding while on these excursions his famous spirited mare Al-^ahmoum, which none other than he could ride, and which even he could not hold in check once she warmed to the pursuit of a �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD quarry. But the king would not even attempt to control her; suc; had become his spirit of recklessness. One day, while engaged in the hunt, an unusually fine zebra specimen crossed his path, and he gave free rein to Al-Yahmoum in pursuit. His companions, noticing his extraordinary enthusiasm, refrained from interfering, holding their steeds in check, so that shortly after both quarry and king had vanished from sight. At the close of the day the king had not yet overtaken his quarry. His golden-headed arrows were still intact in their quiver, and his bow slung idly and unused over his shoulder. Night was fast descending and enveloping the plain with a black mantle, and gathering clouds threatened the approach of a violent storm. The king found himself alone in the wilderness, and forgetting the quarry in his preoccupation over his own safety, he began to look about for shelter for the night and against the impending storm. And as good fortune would decree, he noticed a flickering light in the distance, toward which he directed his course. Presently he found himself at the tent of a bedouin of the tribe of Tai, Hanzala Ibn Abi 'Afra by name, who lived up to the highest traditions of his tribe then famous throughout all Arabia for its hospitality and generosity. The king, an absolute stranger, sought shelter for the night in the traditional Arab manner, and with no question asked, was extended the customary hospitality. Hanzala bid him enter and wait, and seeking his wife in another compartment of the tent, informed her of the presence of the unexpected guest and commanded her to make the necessary preparations for Ms comfort and entertainment. Hanzala said that he would proceed forthwith to first milk, then slaughter their only goat, while she should knead and bake whatever flour they had for bread. Hanzala further contrived to concoct some beverage for the added pleasure and enjoyment of the guest. King Naman spent in that lowly tent one of the most enjoyable nights of his life, and upon arising in the morning he revealed his identity to his hosts, and bid Hanzala seek him in his capital and ask of him whatever favor he wished, which he certainly would gratify. By then the king's companions, having spent an anxious night searching for him, came upon him and soon were off with him on the return journey to Al-Hira. Years passed, during which neither Hanzala nor his wife gave a thought to the incident because in the Arab's code of honor and hospitality it would be not only unbecoming, but degrading to do a V �JUNE, 1932 33 good deed in anticipation or expectation of reward. But there came one year when a protracted drought caused Hanzala and his family great privations and sufferings, and despite his pride, he was compelled to seek aid and relief. His wife, ever thoughtful of the welfare and comfort of the children, reminded him of the king's bidding, and induced'him to seek the great monarch's help now that the shadow of calamity was waving over them the sceptre of annihilation. iHanZala left h'S deSCrt abode and set his course in th€ direction of Al-Hira. The journey in the blistering heat of the day and the biting cold of night was exhausting. But the will to reach the king and implore his bounty inspired him with the sustaining courage. And at last he reached Al-Hira. But alas! his arrival was on the day of the king's ill-omen— the day of vengeance. The scene at the tomb of the two murdered viziers was tragic, because while wishing to reward his erstwhile host, the king could not break his sacred vow to Al-Lati and Al-Izza the two gods whom the Arabs worshipped in their pagan days Hanzala, in his lonely desert abode had not been aware of the King s vow, and when the king made clear to him the circumstances and told him that he was doomed, he asked for a period of grace' that he might return to his family and apprise them of his predicament and otherwise arrange his affairs. This the king granted, but on condition that someone guarantee his return, under penalty of the bondsman forfeiting his own life, in case the condemned should fail to appear. Bewildered at the tragic turn of events, and having discovered death lurking where only he had anticipated the assurance of life for himself and starving family, Hanzala remained for a time speechless and helpless. For here he was a bedouin in the city and a stranger m the king's court, where none knew him but the king and the latter proving unrelenting in his decree of death. Where then to turn and to whom plead? Would there be found among the Sy^Toft0^ rlSk * '^ f°r a ~ * the Hanzala in desperation, anxiously studied the tense faces of the v.ziers and attendants. His gaze finally rested on Sharid Ibn Amura Shaibany, whom he pointed out as his bondsman, only to be met with a flat refusal because Sharik well knew the temper of the king in that he would certainly hold his life forfeit with no mercy shown if the condemned man should fail to return. �— ;, ; - , —— ' ' '' ' 34 === THE SYRIAN WORLD But at this development, Firad Ibn Ajdah, of the tribe of Kalb, equally as prominent as Sharik, sprang forward and offered himself as the stranger's bondsman. The king was satisfied and pleased because he secretly wished for the escape of Hanzala even at the sacrifice of one of his most prominent chieftains. He therefore gave Hanzala a year's reprieve, and making him a gift of five hundred camels, bid him return in safety to his family. The fatal day approached with no sign of Hanzala's appearance and An-Naman, repairing in state to the twin tombs declared his bond forfeit. But his viziers pleaded that the sun had not yet set, and that the bondsman was entitled to the benefit of the very last minute before the sun's disappearance. They were anxious to save the generous man who had risked his life for a total stranger while the king was equally as anxious to spare the life of the man who had tendered him such generous hospitality. And as the last rays of the sun were sinking behind the horizon, and the executioner had raised his sword to strike the fatal blow, a cloud of dust was seen rising in the distance and again the king's counsellors prevailed on him to stay the execution until such time as the traveler should be discernible, for they argued: Might he not be the very man whom the king's justice seeks? The tenseness of the watchers increased as the traveler swiftly approached in a cloud of dust. Presently a camel could be seen being furiously driven by the rider, and the moments dragged like days before the rider finally brought his camel to a halt before the king. He then snatched the koufia wrapped about his head and lo! he proved none other than the anxiously expected Hanzala. A spontaneous cry of delight rose from a thousand throats among the anxious company, giving vent to their long pent-up emotions. Only the king appeared extremely dejected, and having recovered his surprise, addressed Hanzala: "What caused you to return once you escaped your cruel fate?" "My pledged honor, O mighty King," replied Hanzala. "And what causes you to redeem your pledged honor?" the king insisted. "My faith," came the unfaltering answer. "And what may your faith be?" "Christianity." At this answer the king and his whole court were stunned with astonishment, and the king asked Hanzala to explain this strange faith �35 JUNE, 1932 that inspires such noble deeds. Hanzala did so, and An-Naman and his whole court and subjects embraced the new religion, forsaking forever the bloody practice of putting to death whomsoever chanced upon him on his day of ill-omen. THE UNREQUITED LOVE OF SALADIN A SHORT STORY Giving an Account of the Times of the Crusades and the Great Saladin's Love for a Christian Princess. (Original Translation from the Arabic) ANIANETTE, Princess of Transjordania, stood on one of the impregnable fortresses and raised her hand over her eyes as a protection from the burning sun, and gazed into the distance over a plain dotted with the multicoloured tents of the Moslems. It was only the day before that those tents, in close formation, were pitched opposite the well-fortified towers of al-Karak Fortress, menacingly, challengingly. The great Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt and Syria, had come with his tumultuous armies to lay siege on the "Rock of the Desert", as that terrible' fortress of al-Karak was then known, hoping to conquer that redoubtable castle of the Crusaders from which they controlled all the roads of Syria and its routes of communication. Indeed, the Fortress of al-Karak was the key of the Christian Kingdom in Jerusalem, which, at that time, was on its way to destruction and ruin because of the many dissensions and rivalries among the Crusading princes. For the brave Crusading knights who had remained in the Holy Land after the First Crusade, the Kings of Jerusalem, the Princes of Antioch, the Grafs of Tripoli and Urfa, and the noblemen of Karak, who had come from the distant lands of Europe, had not forgotten, nor did they wish to forget, the old enmities and feuds among themselves. Faced by the common danger which threatened their very existence, they had refused to unify their strength and fight together the common enemy. Saladin knew this, and now he had come to deal the death blow to the remaining power of the Crusaders. Even the arrival of Saladin had not roused �the Crusaders to unite their word for common defense. And as she looked at those far-flung tents of the Moslems, Anianette sighed. For, alas! the princess could not but confess to herself that her spouse Renaud de Chatillon, ferocious and cruel beyond description, was the very person who had brought upon Syria that terrible catastrophe. He had intrenched himself in that fortress, from which he sallied to attack and rob the passing caravans, and provoked the hosts of the Moslems to rise in self-defense. When the Princess' choice fell on Prince Renaud as her husband, after the death of her first one, Count de Millie, she had great admiration for his bravery, strength and chivalry. She placed her life and that of her son Humphrau under the protection of his mighty sword, hoping that Renaud de Chatillon would prove the pride of the Crusaders and the undisputed defender of the Christian Kingdom. Princess Anianette sighed, as she gave herself up to pleasant memories. She recalled the day when she was first married, and how she had first met the renowned Saladin at that memorable ceremony in which the Crusading knights participated with Moslem knights in tournaments and festivities. It was a great day of brilliant celebrations and colourful pageantries. Christian and Arab knights outdid themselves in display of bravery and valour in the tournament lists, riding their spirited steeds to the field of honor. Ajid she remembered vividly how the same Saladin had come out victorious over all the knights, and how, riding up to her, laid the prize he had won at her feet, as he recited to her in his native tongue lines from a famous Arab poet. The noble Princess felt as if the piercing gazes of that brave knight were surrounding her on all sides, and that in those gazes was something of compassion. Anianette remembered all this. She recalled, besides, that the brave, noble Saladin, next to the din of battle and combat, longed most for the soothing songs of poetry, for the gentle murmur of a stream under the shade of trees in the meadows, and that often did he spend long hours, with eyes closed and leaning on the silken cushions of his palace, listening to the seductive notes of the ouds and flutes. Breaking her stream of pleasant memories and imaginations, Anianette withdrew from the parapet where she was viewing the encampment of the Arab armies and retired to her chamber. And on the following day, there emerged a knight from the i �TUNE, 1932 1? towers of the fortress of al-Karak, and rode in the direction of the Arab camp. On his person he carried a message from Princess Anianette to the Sultan, in which she informed him that on that same day the Franks were celebrating the marriage of her son Humphrau to Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Amory, King of Jerusalem, ward or Kenaud de Chatillion, whom the mother had married after the father s death. And in the message was a plea that the Sultan retrain from fighting on that day, coupled with an invitation to share with the Franks their joys. Saladin, upon reading the message, almost without hesitation said to the messenger: "Inform the Princess that her wish is to Saladin a command and that forthwith he shall put an end to the fighting." Then Saladin loaded the messenger with presents to the Princess, saying: ! i "Take this to the fair lady, and tell her that all these brilliant pearls and rare precious stones are nothing to compare with a glance from her shining eyes. And this steed, my own mount, take to the young prince, her son, and tell him that Saladin hopes that this steed Sahib, may ever lead him on the road of glory and honor » The messenger returned to the fortress, and Saladin issued his command to his army officers and captains to desist from fighting or attacking the towers of the Christian fortress. And on that sanS T I .umCeSS Ama"ette sent out food and drink to the Arab knights which they accepted, sharing with the Franks their wedding festiAs night fell, Saladin, at the head of a picked detachment of h.s own knights and guards, proceeded to the fortress. He stood for a moment before the towers, looking at the wedding proLion wih Humphrau and Elizabeth surrounded by the FranLVk igh"' Saladin commanded his men to blow the horn, and as they did the procession came to a sudden stop. Then the bridal coupkdrew to the edge of the parapet and bowed gracefullv to Sal Jin A U men, while the Frankish knights d^SSSS&S&S their The bridge of the fortress was then lowered, and Saladin and his party rode into the inner court. Then something happened whTch no one of the merry crowd, whether of the Frankish hos"s or their Saracen guests, had anticipated or prepared for As Princess Anianette advanced to welcome her royal ffuest and fas men, Saladin gazed at her with rapturous delight. Ks; still �38 THE SYRIAN WORLD surpassingly beautiful, as fresh and charming as on that day, long ago, when he first met her. He gazed and smiled, as his heart fluttered with excitement. But Renaud de Chatillon, who was noticing every move of Saladin, was consumed with a jealous rage. His impetuous nature could not bear this unseeming behaviour, and before he realized what he was doing, he drew his sword and rushed towards Saladin, with a savage cry. The Moslem knights, not to be taken by surprise, drew their swords also and rushed to the defense of their leader and sultan. The fortress reverberated with the noise of battle, and at once one of the Arab knights stole away on his steed and gave word to the Moslem camp of the perfidious attack. The whole camp rose in arms, and, in no time, surrounded the fortress. But Saladin and his men, faced with the superior number of their enemies, had hastily retreated, as one of the Arab knights had quickly stationed himself at the draw bridge to keep it down. On the following day, realizing what his folly had done, and that the Fortress of Al-Karak was already surrounded by the hosts of the enemy, Renaud dispatched, post-haste, a messenger to Guy de Lucien, King of Jerusalem, appealing for. succour and reinforcement. And so it was that the wedding festivities and merriments were turned into din of battle and the clanking of armaments. It was a fierce battle, and the brave knights on both sides excelled themselves in deeds of valour, especially the Frankish knights who defended the fortress till the last breath in the face of the superior forces of the Moslems, who had flocked from every quarter of Transjordania to the cry of battle. It was only a matter of time when the fortress should fall, and finally the brave defenders had to surrender. They raised the white flags on {he parapets, and lowered the draw-bridge, as Saladin, at the head of his men, entered the fortress and occupied it, raising the Moslem standard over it. And when the din of battle had subsided, the captives were brought before Saladin, among them being Guy de Lucien, Prince Renaud de Chatillon and Prince Humphrau, the young bridegroom of Elizabeth, daughter-in-law of Anianette. The captives were made to file before Saladin, who was filled with the pride of victory. He had fought valiantly, and, as a true Arab, Saladin recognized and respected the valour of his enemies. So when King Lucien appeared, bound and dejected, before him, the Saracen Sultan comforted him with kind words and ordered one of his men to offer him a drink of water mixed with attar of roses. HMBSHHHMHHHwHHHHMlBBBBMHQMHHINHHHNHBHnM �JUNE, 1932 39 But when Renaud de Chatillon passed in the review of captives, and the eyes of Saladin fell on him, the Sultan's wrath rose in him. He could not forgive his ignoble treachery of a few days past, which had precipitated the war, and from which the valiant Arab ruler had narrowly extricated himself, nor could he forget that the despicable villain standing before him was the spouse of the woman for whom his heart had beaten fast with love, or that he was the same predatory robber the accounts of whose cruelties and crimes had spread far and wide, and were well-known to Saladin. Blinded with rage, Saladin sprang to his feet and drawing his jewelled dagger from its scabbard, plunged it with a fatal stroke in the neck of the Frankish prince. Princess Anianette mourned her husband as becoming a dutiful wife. She went to church to pray, but in her contemplation could not but feel a sense of remorse, for she felt then at heart that she never loved her husband. She bent her head in penitence because, even at that very sad moment, her thought instinctively wandered to another man, yes, the very man who had killed her husband. Time passed, and Saladin found himself the undisputed ruler of all the lands between Al-Karak and the Mediterranean coast. The Christian Kingdom had surrendered to the Arab Sultan, and on the appointed day he rode victoriously at the head of his army into Jerusalem. And there again the men and women captives were brought in review past the great Saracem Sultan. It was an endless line of haggard knights and depressed women. Suddenly he looked up, and before him stood Princess Anianette herself with an Arab knight on each side. Saladin looked long at her, but it was a look full of compassion and sorrow. And the Princess bowed her head and would not lift her eyes to the Sultan. It was a terrible moment for Saladin, in which all the conflicting emotions of his heart rose at once in tumult. What was he to dor Will he take her as his captive, and lead her to his bed-chamber as his concubine or wife, won by his own valour in the field of battle? That was his first thought. But other thoughts came to him, and drove that away. Was he not her husband's murderer, and captor of her own son? Knowing as he did the pride and hauteur of the Frankish women, could he expect her to love him as he loved her? No, no! Saladin could not expect that of Anianette. Bowing his head for a moment in ominous silence, Saladin soon again looked up amidst a hush of suspended anxiety and expectation. What would the great and noble Saladin do? �= 40 THE SYRIAN WORLD Then Saladin spoke. He commanded that the young prince Humphrau be brought before him, and leading him by the hand, he took him to his mother, Princess Anianette, saying: "Behold your son. I am restoring him to you, with his bride. You are at liberty and free to go wherever you wish." He wanted also to add, "and your beloved picture shall be engraved on my heart." But he did not. And the princess, riding on a white steed with her son and his bride, departed after thanking their noble liberator, and the eyes of Saladin followed them till they disappeared in the distance. And as Princess Anianette rode away, she too, wanted to turn back and cast one last look at the man she secretly loved in her heart. But she also did not. And thus it came about that the whole kingdom of the Christians passed into the hands of Saladin, and he became the undisputed ruler of all the land. But Saladin often felt a pang of pain and regret in his heart. He realized that with all his might and authority, and in a plain thick with his own brave warriors, and with his banners fluttering victoriously over its fortresses and cities, he could not prevent a beautiful Christian princess whom he truly loved from departing in peace, when she was within the grasp of his mighty hand! i Impetus All things call to one another: The tide to the sea, The sea to the sky, The sky to the tree, The tree to the star, The star to the moon, The moon to the tide, The tide to the sea Eternally, All things call to one another. DAGNY EDWARDS IIIIWHIIIIIIIIIilWWBIIfe. / �JUNE, 1932 41 EDITORIAL COMMENT ANOTHER YEAR \J^E AGAIN find ourselves at the end of another year. How we have managed to continue publication in the face of cumulative difficulties is a phase in the career of the magazine that leaves a painful memory. Within the last two years we have issued two public statements on our condition of distress. We succeeded in stirring up no little amount of interest judging by the numerous communications from admirers urging us to hold on and keep up courage. This we have certainly done and shall continue to do. But it is with regret we have to admit that all the encouragement volunteered and all tht assistance offered was of the "lip advice" variety. The point we have been all along trying to stress is whether our people realize the enhancement in prestige, the service to the cause of better understanding, which the SYRIAN WORLD has brought to them since its appearance, and whether such a service should not be helped to continue. We have made it sufficiently plain that the magazine was not a money-making enterprise, but inasmuch as it was impossible for one individual to continue to bear the burden alone its existence was contingent upon the display of a little more public interest and support. The additional assistance required is not large but is imperative. Can it be had in time to ward off the impending Mow? On our part we shall continue to use all the fortitude and patience we have heretofore displayed to keep the magazine alive up to present, but unless the needed support is forthcoming it is doubtful how long we will be able to hold on. This is to remind those well-wishers and frienlds who have expressed their fear of the discontinuance of the magazine that the urgency of the situation does not permit of any delay in taking remedial action. We are now on the threshold of another year and we would want to .start it with the necessary confidence. The assurance of proper public response would have the effect of prompting us to better service. It would at least sufficiently relieve us of financial worms to insure the more punctual appearance of the magazine wfiich lately has been left to drift more or less with the tides It is our hope that between now and September, when the . > �II I HI I III Mllll..Ill - 42 ?HE SYRIAN WORLD kS S£Venth y€ar ^utlT°TTiUrtoterinsure will have materialized continuance' sufficient actua l support effects^XT ign0rmg uhC dePLression" Jt * rather because of the effects of the depression that we have been forced to make these re peated appeals. But we claim that a public institution such aT the" SYRIAN WORLD has come to be viewed, should not be permitted to fall victim to adverse conditions, especially when so little is^equired o insure its continuance. We cannot afford to admit mora and ul tural bankruptcy, especially at this crucial stage in our ex stencet America when we are in greatest need of being understood not alone by Americans at large but by our own children. It is rather im pera ive for us to bequeath to our posterity this legacy of better uT demanding of their racial background. It is with hope that we look forward to another year with con ARE SYRIANS UNPATRIOTIC? THE Rev. Charles E. Coughlin, popularly known as the Radio priest, is reported as having made a statement to the Detroit Times of June 10 in which he attacked the Syrians and Belgians as unpatriotic Americans. We are unable to quote his exact words but judging from the numerous replies and refutations appear^in a local Arabic paper of Detroit, the priest is reported to have said hat Americans should learn a lesson from having helped the Belgian ^J^^ themSdVeS ^^ £**« -ice ular nrfeTr ^/^ t0 \Corre^ we Y gather that the popular priest has reference to the charitable assistance given by the American nation to needy and oppressed peoples during the war He could not have had in mind the present dire^conomic skuadon because the occasion could not have any bearing on enlistment in the nulitary service. Besides, the very fact that he couple dement on of the Belgians with that of the Syrians warrants such acondus on The ddductipn is natural. The American nation was shocked and moved by the treatment dealt the valiant Belgians by the bvadinf Germans, and because America had not yet entered ^he war alTk " IHSHHlBHfSHlBMSpBB �MMM JUNE, 1932 D rt le ie :o d [- n e > 43 could do by way of displaying its sympathy was by feeding the starving Belgians. President Hoover was then Administrator of Belgian Relief, and the fact that he is now President of the United States would indicate that that was the paramount fact in the mind of Father Coughlin when he referred to the Belgians. The association of the Belgians and the Syrians in the same breath would indicate that Father Coughlin had also in mind the help advanced by America to the suffering Syrians during the war. Otherwise there would be no logic in associating famine relief with military service. These remarks call for an explanation on two distinct points: First, the help tendered the Syrians by America during the war, and Second, the Syrians' service record in the American army. Regarding the first point one cannot help but believe that Father Coughlin has confused between Syrians and Armenians, because, as compared with the share the latter received of American charity, the Syrians' share was almost negligible. Not, to be sure, that the United States was unwilling to more liberally help the Syrians, but because it was simply unable to. Syria at that time was under Turkish rule and Turkey had entered the war on the side of the Central Powers. And because the Syrians had manifested pro-Allies sentiments, Turkey would not permit any help to reach them. In fact, Turkey was accused of deliberately planning ,to starve to the point of extermination certain elements in the population of Syria, particularly the Christians of Lebanon, so as to eliminate them forever as a cause of European political interference. This would be in conformity with its known policy towards the Armenians who had caused her untold political complications for generations. America's most serious effort to help starving Syrians during the war was when it commissioned the U. S. S. Caesar to carry provisions arid supplies to Beirut early in 1916. Cleveland H. Dodge, friend of the Syrians and long interested in American educational activities in Syria, was instrumental in inducing his .friend President Wilson to assign the auxiliary naval ship to this mission of mercy, while the American Red Cross, of which Mr. Dodge was acting President, provided the supplies, with liberal and whole-hearted Syrian co-operation. The ship never reached its destination because of objections later raised by the Turkish authorities in Syria, and after it had waited a considerable time at Alexandria pending further negotiations, the Caesar had to discharge its cargo at the Egyptian port and return to America, having totally failed in its mission. �**. 44 THE SYRIAN WORLD This, to be sure, is through no fault of America, nor does it impugn American charitables motives; but the fact remains that the Syrians could not benefit during the war by America's charitable intentions, anid it is a matter of historical record that 150,000 Lebanese, out of a population of less than one million, died of stravation and pestilence, while America fully knew of the situation and could not extend a helping hand. Even in the period following the war the Syrians received but a small portion of America's charities. Those acquainted with the true situation are fully aware that all American relief in the Eastern Mediterranean section was entrusted exclusively to the American x\ear East Relief. Several reports on the activities of this organization, particularly in Syria, were published in former issues of the SYRIAN WORLD, coming from the pen of Dr. Chas. E. Vickery the General Secretary. A study of these reports reveals that this American relief agency maintained at one time numerous refugee camos orphanages and industrial schools in Syria. But it is also an established fact that these institutions were maintained primarily for the benefit of Armenian refugees and orphans. The mere fact that they are located m Syria or Lebanon does not prove that the beneficiaries therefrom are Syrians or Lebanese. The Rev. Father Coughlin or y interCSted bC attud'vYf "Fwill ^y -%hfened by a study of theTf the factsTl of the situation 'and have ample reason for ?rComnlme°ric:P,ni0n " * * ^ "*« recdved b " the rf It cannot be sufficiently emphasized that in making these statements there does not exist the least disposition either to belittie American re ,ef activities or to stress the share that fell to the Armenians of American charity. We are fully conscious of America's h ich gSgrTt tude SnSt,an ende - -cognize with unmitiu gated gratitude. So are we aware of the pitiable plight to which the Armenians were reduced owing to severe and continued perse ution The editor of this publication would be the last to withhold sym^ pa hy from the oppressed Armenians, not simply on general grounds on President Wilson during the war in an effort to enlist America's STLS A" pressed and.pcraecuted Christians under TuLTsh rule, both Armenians and Syrians, and what he heard from that hu mane President is sufficient to evoke any man's svmoarhv T£ U» been receiving confidential reports of which he rSS^' f f contents to the visiting delegation, ^£^g£ £ ^ mHIHMBMV �JUNE, 1932 45 gret that while all this was going on, the United States government was forced to stand by unable to extend a helping hand. The Syrians, too, have contributed their share towards helping the Armenians. They have openejd wide to them the doors of their country and given refuge to over 70,00*) of them despite the meagerness of their own resources and the smallness of their numbers. Father Coughlin will surely think better of the Syrians on learning this and not begrudge them their charitable and hospitable inclinations, because to do so would be to put America itself in a false light as being on the one hand an immense country with unlimited resources anid still raising retriction barriers against refugees from Turkish cruelty, and as being on the other hand a rich Christian nation which is bent on reminding the beneficiaries of its charity continually and painfully of its benefactions. We cannot be brought to believe that the truly Christian and generous American nation wishes to be placed in such light. Proceeding to the second point, we cannot help but believe that Father Coughlin is grossly misinformed, and for his better information would quote the testimony of an authority who made a special study of this particular subject of the Syrians' loyalty to America and their war record. We refer to Prof. Philip K. Hitti of Princeton whose book "The Syrians in America" (George H. Doran Co 1924) contains the following statement with which we rest our case Said Professor Hitti: "Among the foreign born the Syrians hold an enviable war record. In point of loyalty, patriotism and devotion to the institutions of this land, as demonstrated by the war, they have been unexcelled—even by the Americans themselves. In the long list of pro-German, suspicious and undesirable persons, supplied by four years of war, not a single Syrian name occurs. And technically speaking the Syrians came from a quasi-enemv country. In answer to a request in the questionnaire to a number'of leafding Syrians in the country to state something especially interesting about their respective communities, the reference was, in the majority of cases to some glorious war episode, and the newspaper clippings enclosed were invariably of that nature. "According to a careful estimate based on the reports of the Provost Marshal General and other War Department documents no less than 13,965 or about 7 percent of the whole Syrian community served in the United States army. In Portland, Maine 15 - -- -; ~ - . �46 THE SYRIAN WORLD Syrian youths—100 percent of those eligible for service—volunteered before the draft laws became effective. "At the Fore River plant, Quincy, Mass., a Syrian foreman of a gang of rivet drivers broke with his gang a world's record by driving 2,805 oil-tight rivets into the hull of a steel ship in a ninehour stretch. In commenting upon his achievement The Boston Herald said, 'There are no better Americans these days than Charlie Mulham and his fellow Syrians.' "In Boston, Brooklyn, Cleveland, Manchester, N. H. and other places a number of Syrian Boy Scout and Red Cross chapters flourished during the war. "In the famous Fourth of July parade of 1918, the Syrian float "Liberated Syria" was awarded the second prize. "The report of the United States Government Loan Organization shows that of the Fourth Liberty Loan alone, 4,800 Syrians from the Second Federal Reserve District (which is the district of New York and environs) bought $1,207,900 worth of bonds. "If such facts constitute a fair criterion of loyalty and patriotism, the Syrians could certainly not be said to be lacking in these attributes." AN OBJECT LESSON It was the common practice of the American press at one time, when reporting cases of crime by foreigners, to designate them by their nationality, although ignoring such mention under praiseworthy circumstances. The Italians were the principal sufferers from this pernicious practice, which they attributed to race prejudice and took effective means to stop. This should hold a moral for the Syrians. Collective action is the surest means of promoting racial prestige and insuring self-respect. Under our present social scheme in America there is still more or less segregation in racial groups. Assimilation has not yet progressed sufficiently to obliterate racial distinction, and in order to accelerate the process of amalgamation and insure the desired homogeneity, each potential component element of the nation should feel it is on an eequal standing with every other. Racial groups must therefore insist on this right because only in this manner could they best serve not only their own cause but that of true Americanism, which should not tolerate race prejudice or any special claim to superiority. ., . .- �JUNE, 1932 d 47 CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED IN SYRIA Muhammad Bey A I-A bed, former Turkish Ambassador in Washington, Elected First President of the Republic by Compromise with the Nationalists. g^i RIA at last appears to have emerged from its political uncertainty and chaos. The long drawn out struggle for the establishment of a constitutional government, a struggle which at one time resulted in an armed conflict with the French mandatory forces and lasted for two years, se"ems to have come to an end with the ratification of the constitution and the election on June 1 1 of a president of the republic. This happy climax, however, did not come about unth all the strategy of a well organized political battle had been invoked and a compromise reached which seems to have satisfied both the French authorities and the Syrian Nationalist bloc. 'The latter had been manoeuvred into a minority position in the last elections, but owing to their solidarity and determination were able to gain concessions which saved their face in the eyes of the nation. The Representative Assembly was called to meet in Damascus June 7, and long before that date the old city felt the pulsation of a strong new life as political leaders and their henchmen swarmed to it from all directions, making of its hotels a beehive of feverish activity. It was known before hand that a bitter struggle would ensue in the Assembly, due to the uncompromising attitude of the three principal candidates in the field. But the Liberal Nationalist Party representing Aleppo and the northern districts of Syria, was known' to be the strongest, controlling 32 votes out of a total of 69, while the Nationalists of Damascus could claim only 16, the remainder being pledged to the candidate favored by the French. A test of strength came at the first meeting when the Assem bly proceeded to the election of a'chairman who would later become the President of thef Assembly. Subhi Bey Barakat, northern leader and candidate for President, polled 32, votes against 23 for Hakki �48 THE SYRIAN WORLD Bey Al-Azm, his nearest opponent and the candidate of the French, while Hashem Bey Al-Atasi, the leader of the Nationalists, received but 10 votes. The balloting was repeated with practically the same result, insuring a victory for Barakat. Both the Administration and the Nationalists were smarting under this defeat and in the caucus held by the latter following the session they issued a statement in which they attacked the steam-roller tactics of their opponents and announced their I withdrawal from the Assembly. This tended to alarm the French authorities and their sympathisers who feared that the work of years in preparing the way for an orderly election of a constitutional government in Syria might be destroyed by the action of the Nationalists. Up to this time both the French and the Nationalists had assumed an intransigent attitude, but the fear of a'deadlock prompted a spirit of compromise. The accepted report on later developments is that a representative of the French High Commissioner took the initiative in proposing a coalition with the Nationalists to defeat Barakat, and in this manner the election of Muhammad Bey Al-Abed was brought about. Barakat continued to poll 32 votes, but with the combined forces of the Nationalists and the Administration partisans Al-Abed received 36 votes. Barakat is said to have taken the result with bad grace, but pressure was brought to bear on the northern group after the election to abide by the decision of the Assembly so as to spare the country the ill effects of further suspense and indecision. Only in submission to the will of the majority, they were told, could they prove their fitness for representative government. June 11 will' go down in history as the date of the election of the first president of the Syrian republic. Prior to the convening of the Assembly the authorities had taken elaborate precautions for the maintenance of order. Strong contingents of Senegalese soldiers were stationed at strategic posts and machine gun detachments assigned to the principal squares, while military airplanes were at all times circling over the city. The Syrian press reports that not since the preparations to crush the revolt of 1925-7 was such an extensive military display seen in Damascus. The authorities were not taking any chances, especially with the Nationalists in an openly rebellious mood, since they had lost out in the national elections. But the outcome so transformed popular sentiment that the celebrations following the elections were said to have equalled, if not �JUNE, 1932 49 to have surpassed, the popular demonstrations attending the coronation of King Feisal. Whether at the advent of a monarchy or a republic, the nationally-conscious Syrian public realized it was em_ barking on a new era, one that spells national sovereignty and holds forth hopes of great possibilities. But in the case of the republic the demonstrations were said to have been more spontaneous because of the birth of a new kind of consciousness in the last twelve years during which the Syrian public has been trained in thinking in terms of popular representation and democratic government. One of the principal reasons for the popular rejoicing over the election of Muhammad Bey Al-Abed is that aside from being a moderate and one pf the wealthiest men in Syria, he is said to favor the Nationalists' view of an ultimate Arab federation in which Syria would play a leading role. Damascus is under absolute Nationalist control and it is but natural that the population should look upon the election of the President as a party victory. That they have had to strike a bargain with the French in order to attain this result is partially discounted by the fact that the French themselves were not able to carry out their prearranged plans and had to fall back on the support of the Nationalists even to the extent of taking the initiative in proposing a compromise. On the other hand, the Nationalists credit themselves with the victory because of their success in blocking the election of both the candidate of the north and the candidate of the French. The former, Subhi Bey Barakat, had crushed them in the popular elections in his territory and succeeded in forming a coherent unit of all the representatives of Aleppo and the northern districts. He announced as his program a policy of complete independence for Syria apart from any Arab affiliations. The other candidate, Hakki Bey Al-Azm, favored by the French, was looked upon by the Nationalists as their natural enemy because of his having been the head of the Provisional Government in Damascus during the revolution, to the failure of which he is accused of having largely contributed by his acquiescence to French Policy. The candidate of the Nationalists was the veteran leader and diplomat Hashem Bey Al-Atasi, who was Prime Minister during the brief reign of King Feisal and who still inspires his followers with the grand vision of a federated Arab State with Damascus as its capital, thus reviving the old glory that was Syria's during the brilliant rule of the Umayyads. Al-Atasi is a native of Horns and it is partly for that reason that the Damascene Nationalists have sunk �mm 50 THE SYRIAN WORLD their'internal differences to rally around the leadership of this outsider. The.election was announced'by the firing of 1 7 guns, and immediately following the ceremony of administering the oath of office the 1 resident went to the executive mansion where he received the brencn High Commissioner who was among the first to offer congratulations. The President later returned M. Ponsot's visit at the Residency. In a press interview outlining his policy, the President stressed the necessity of "economy and justice to all", declaring that he will pursue a policy of understanding with France whose cooperation is essential to Syria at the present stage of its national life. W th * A T r ?reSagC En era °f concili*tion and cooperation is that the two chief former contenders for the Presidency have been given high State offices, Subhi Bey Barakat being elected President of the Assembly and Hakk, Bey Al-Azm invited to head the cabinf ?ferS- , £he French seem thoroughly satisfidd with the r turn of affairs and High Commissioner Ponsot is said to be already preparing to leave for France on his annual vacation \\hat would,be taken as a sure sign of the President's popularly was the great demonstration given him on the occasion of his first Msit to the mosque following his election. The usually demonstra- of rhT"* °!?amrUS rduid?emSelveS in their Vodferous a«:laim of the first President of the first Syrian republic", and the streets leading from the executive mansion to the great Umayyad mosqu^ were thick with humanity. When the President kterTeturned to to own palace the demonstration was reenacted even on a larger WHO IS THE PRESIDENT? MUh AbeH rma^1J Bey A1"Abed is the son of Izzet Pasha AlAbed, a native of Damascus who rose to great power in the Turkish tk rClgn AWU1 Hamid Tt is said twoTho i Sukan ^ the the two who W'M wie dedI/most influence on the Sultan were both Syrians Pa&Abed Fasha Al-Abed, n e f Trip ]i and the 0ther ^ ! r ° ° of Syria I« father of the first President Muhammad was still young when his father came to power and e, in f ul1 th e advantages f his father s w sras vr , , ° ' -^ PrJVate tUt rS and bec me proficTemt'A W ? '. T^ **"German and° English, aside * proficient in Arabic Turkish, French, from learning all the arts of diplomacy by being in conftant touch �wmmm JUNE, 1932 51 with the Sultan's court. He later was appointed Turkish Ambassador to Washington and upon relinquishing that post traveled extensively in Europe. Following the war he was appointed to an administrative post in the Syrian government, but he was at no time definitely identified with any political party. He is reputed to be one of the wealthiest men in Syria, and upon hifli election he willingly renounced a part of his salary. What his critics hold most against him is that his father had willed a large sum to the cause of public education in Syria which the son never released. On the other hand, his generosity and charity are amply illustrated by the fact that he gives liberally to the poor, and maintains at his own expense several needy families, among them that of a son of the Sultan Abdul Hamid ."who is now living in obscurity in Lebanon. CONDITIONS IN LEBANON UNSETTLED ' PRESIDENT Charles Dabbas of Lebanon, invested with almost dictatorial powers since the partial suspension of the constitution, is making valiant efforts to bring about order out of chaos in the affairs of the little republic and improve the desperate condition of its finances. The reduction of salaries of all officials has eased the situation slightly but there is still the question of taxes which an impoverished people cannot pay and which a needy government cannot forego. The situation is aggravated by the material reduction in the share the Lebanese government formerly received of customs revenue which previously was the main item in balancing the budget. Considering the slow development of the expected reform a considerable faction of the Lebanese are now beginning to question the wisdom of the change, especially since the appearance of rumors that the democratic form of government in the country might be abolished altogether. High Commissioner Ponsot is said to have consulted the Maronite Patriarch and many other high personages in the country on the advisability of the change, with the intention of seeking approval of such a course by the Foreign Office and the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations when he submits his annual report on the conditions and needs of the mandated territory. From present indications it would appear that such a change would not be welcome, despite the conviction that the present expanded form of government is altogether unfitting to a small coun- �52 THE SYRIAN WORLD try like Lebanon. A scaling down of offices and pruning of expenditures would prove more satisfactory. There is even a suggestion, advanced most seriously by the newspaper Lisan Ul-Hal of Beirut to appoint a French governor general for the country for a limited period, to whom the heads of bureaus would be directly responsible TC that^£ C°Untry'S affairs are Put in order and a treaty concluded between France and Lebanon that would definitely settle the status of the latter country. The idea of a French ruler is not new, but its revival at the present time would indicate the state of despair among some elements as to the ability of the Lebanese to independently solve their own problems. Other rumors are to the effect that some sort of federation is contemplated between Lebanon and Syria and other States under the French mandate that would insure greater economy in government and closer cooperation in economic development. The Leba nese are generally opposed to such an arrangement if it is designed to curtail their political rights or affect their independence. But as usual, Ponsot is keeping strict silence on his plans, and neither his proposed plans for the alteration of the Lebanese'constitution no he contents of the draft treaty that is meant to define the future reS AA a d SyHa arC kn Wn hat° M. M Ponsot pWee", uhas reached u , a tentative °agreement - Jt is kll0Wn > h Syrians ever, that with the on the conditions of the treaty subject to the approval of the French government. The treaty was made a condition'of the new Wof government in Syria. abeyance f activities Svria^ndT^b1'' ^T ^ the u' SUmmer ° P°litical * Dendin the VnnJT v ^ g "turn of M. Ponsot from Europe, whither he was scheduled to sail the early part of July. There were rumors that he would not return, it being the eraltho w f/^ ^7 ^ "° ^^ Wm ^ * * £ trU Cd t0 reS rt t0 more me hid -T ? ° P°sitive and effective methods in bringing order to the country. This latter rumor however, was speedily denied. ' A in* F renlrhdhen^ndl7!,iVe ^f ^^ °f the ^^ in resent•5 Fre^h highhandedness had for its principal actors a French judge and Mr Emile Eddy, Presidential candidate. Eddy and a fellow counsellor sought an interview with the French jurist! an1 it is said that the latter became impatient and actually ordered h"na er Ut f 1S h USe inddent WaS Ca kd to tiln ° " Association -. ^r " t»«bovcor ^tenA ° ion of7h of thee T° Lawyers' of Beirut which decided to the mixed tribunals for several days in retaliation and protest ;- �JUNE, 1932 53 THE SYRIAN WORLD NEWS SECTION VOL. VI, NO. 9 MANY MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR AL-HODA'S EDITOR Admirers AH Over the World Pay Tribute to Memory of Late N. A. Mokarzel The body of the late N. A. Mokarzel, famous editor of Al-Hoda of New York, who died in Paris April 6, .of this year, remains in a private vault in New York awaiting transportation to his native Lebanon. It is expected that this will take place sometime in the Fall, when the widow would have made the necessary arrangements Meanwhile, the great popularity which the late editor enjoyed among Arabic-speaking elements throughout the world, particularly the Lebanese, is being given concrete expression in the form of memorial services held in the United States, Mexico, the prncil»al capitals of South America, Australia, South Africa and elsewhere He is everywhere held forth as the protagonist of the spirit of progress of the race and the foremost champion of his native Lebanon. Perhaps the most expressive and touching tribute was that paid the famous editor by the Alumni Association of Madrasat Al-Hikmat (College of Wisdom) of Beirut on June 17 at the auditorium of the | college, to 'express the grief at the passing of one of their most illustrious members The speakers were drawn from among the JUNE, 1932 most distinguished personalities of the country,—government officials, editors, publishers, men of the professionswho were either classmates of the late editor of Al-Hoda or who felt natural Pride m him as a product of their alma mater. Dr. Elias Khouri, President of the Association, opened the meeting with .the reading of a glowing tribute contributed to the occasion by Daoud Bey Barakat, editor of AlAhram of Cairo, the foremost .'Arabic paper in the world and a classmate of Mr. Mokarzel. Other speakers were Amin Abbas, .Tonk Shartouny, Judge Pau Salame, Michel Shibley, Wad'h Akel editor of Ar-Rassid of Beirut, Bi8h.ni El-Khouri, editor of Al-Barq ox Beirut and,.the foremost poet of Syria, Shibley Bey Mallat, a classmate and a district governor of Lebanon, and others. The Rt. Rev. Ignatius Mobarak, Maronite Archbishop of Beirut and titular president of the college although not included in the list of speakers delivered a glowing tribute to the character of the editor of AlHoda m which he stressed the rare Quality of disinterested sacrifice which Mr. Mokarzel demonstrated on numerous occasions in his long career of public service and which the Archbishop pointed out as an outstanding need among public servants in this age of greed. The concluding remarks were by Joseph Mokarzel, editor of Ad-Dab- �54. bour, the popular weekly of Beirut, who as the nearest relative, represented the family in the expression of thanks to the Alumni Association and all the distinguished guests present. The press of Beirut has been devoting much space to the publication of eulogies coming from all quarters to the editor of Al-Hoda and to extended accounts of the memorial meetings held for him all over the world. The editor of the Syrian World wishes again to acknowledge with much gratitude the expressions of sympathy still reaching him from high quarters everywhere in appreciation of the character of his late brother, N. A. Mokarzel. Al-Hoda having closed its columns against further publication of communications of this character, the editor of the Syrian World must make grateful acknowledgment to the following prominent individuals and organizations whose communications, being in Arabic, he regrets he cannot reproduce in the original. Ameen Rihani, celebrated author and lecturer and fellow townsman of N. A. Mokarzel, expressed genuine grief over the passing of his former teacher and relative of whose death he had not heard until his return from an extended trip in the interior of Arabia. Prof. Issa Iskandar Malouf, noted Lebanese scholar and historian, who from a study of the life and achievements of the late editor of Al-Hoda classes his loss as one of the first magnitude to the Arabic speaking world. The Young Men's Association of Becharre. This association is one of the most progressive of northern Lebanon. In its letter to the editor of the Syrian World it makes the official request that the body of his brother, N. A. Mokarzel, be permitted to rest permanently under the welcome sha- THE SYRIAN WORLD dow of the Cedars of Lebanon, because of his invaluable services during his long career for the native land of the eternal Cedars. The Municipal Council of Becharre. In an official communication to the editor of the Syrian World, signed by the president and several officers, the governing body of the City of Becharre expresses its deep sympathy and declares the late N. A. Mokarzel one of the foremost benefactors of the motherland. The communication further states that the Council had passed a resolution appointing an official delegation to meet the body upon its arrival at Beirut, -and that this sentiment is shared by all the municipalities of the Northern District of Lebanon who are expected to take similar action. SYRIAN POST HISTORIAN OF AMERICAN LEGION The death of the late editor of AlHoda, aside from bringing expressions of sympathy from Syrians and Lebanese throughout the United States, also brought out many interesting facts of how our countrymen have branched out in the civic, economic and political life of the country. The Syrians are not now the simple traders they were during the early period of their immigration, and if such has been their rapid rise in the comparatively short time they have been in the country, it may safely be said that they may be expected to be heard from in a big way in the not distant future. These remarks are prompted by our discovery of the fact that the Post Historian of Robert B. Woodbury Post No. 67 of the American Legion in Pottsville, Pa., Francis A. Francis, is of Syrian extraction. His father came from the city of Tripoli and settled I �JUNE, 1932 in Philadelphia, long before the dawn of the present century and there became a friend and follower of the late editor of Al-Hoda when he first began publication of the paper in 1897. He remained his friend ever since, and it was from good authority that his son received his information on the life and works of the late editor in compiling the latter's biography which he had published in the local papers of his city. RECENT CHANGES IN N. Y. ARABIC PAPERS Number of Dailies Diminishing Under Economic Pressure The Arabic papers of New York have for a long time been complaining of dwindling resources and making urgent appeals to the loyalty of their subscribers to come to their support. This crisis in the existence tf the Syrian press in America has been referred to before in these columns, but up to a few months past al! the papers appear to have been able to carry on. It is only recently, however, that dents have become visible in the armor of the valiant knights of the fourth estate, forcing some to make concessions to the continued onslaught of the inexorable economic necessity. If they have lost ground, however, they appear not to have lost courage, and each and every paper affected makes bold claim that the recession is temporary. Meraat-Ul-Gharb, the second oldest Arabic paper in the United States, being now in its thirty-third year, had made recently many attempts at adjustment to present conditions. Having been a daily for something like eighteen years, it announced a few 55 months ago that it had found it the safer policy to appear every other day, or tri-weekly. Within a short time, however, it had visioned better prospects and resumed its daily publication. But again it had to face new difficulties which made it the wiser policy for it to retrench to the extent of appearing three t;mes a week. This is done with the promise that it will resume daily publication immediately improvement in conditions warrants taking such a step. Al- Bayan, another daily supposed to have the strong backing of the Druze and Moslem element of the Syrian community, had to make the inevitable bow to economic necessity and appear tri-weekly, reducing its size to four pages instead of the regular eight. Al-Bayan took this logical step without much fanfare and it is the general understanding that it will resume its daily appearance with the improvement of conditions. As-Shaab, another daily whose versatile editor can go so far as to write the news and editorials and operate the Linotype as well, is still published daily nominally, but the frequent delays and omissions resulting from various causes indicate that the paper is under a heavy strain. Judging by its editorial comments, however, one is led to believe that the Rock of Gibraltar is not as strong. The magic of hope is inscrutable. Al-Hoda, the oldest Arabic daily paper in the United States, is still being published with the same regularity that characterized the career of its late editor, N. A. Mokarzel, who died in Paris while on a political mission for the interest of better government in his native Lebanon. Al-Hoda is part of the estate of its founder and editor and is now being run by the widow, who has been appointed administratrix of the estate. It is too �56 THE SYRIAN WORLD early to judge whether the paper is "and Syrians, my beloved Syrians, restill going on the momentum of the presentatives of a wonderful race, one fame and prestige of its late editor, cf the oldest in the world, a race that but to all apparent indications it has goes back over the ages, a race that not yet shown any signs of wavering. grew with the growth of the faith. Of the Arabic monthly magazines "They are magnificent Catholics. I two have already joined the host of love the Syrians; theirs is a sister the departed, namely, Character and race of the Hebrew people from whom Al-Khalidat. The editors of both bedescended Our Lord Jesus Chrst lieve in immortality and look forward Erom the mountains of Lebanon they hopefully for resurrection. come, from the wonderful plains of The Syrian World also clings to life upper Palestine. They, too, came very by sheer hope! quietly to take their place here and to add their contribution to the welfare of the country. They brought with them a wonderful faith; their childA HIGH TRIBUTE FROM AN AMERICAN CARDINAL ren, like the children of the Italian race, have grown up to be a credit and Early this year the Catholics of an honor to us." Boston celebrated the silver jubilee of Cardinal O'Connell's elevation to the episcopacy, which coincided with His Eminence's 72nd bilthday. On that SYRIAN WORLD TEXTS occasion the cardinal held a reception USED IN UNIVERSITIES which was attended by representatives of the different Catholic races B. J. Baroody, a medical student in his diocese, and for each of whom at Duke University, Durham, N. C, he had a kind word. The Syrians were writes enthusiastically of-the Syrian' singled out with the highest praise, World which he says has opened a -His Eminence characterizing them as limitless vista for him on Syrian af"my beloved Syrians." fairs and Arabic literature. Although It was impossible at the time to ob- taking up the practical science of tain a copy of the cardinal's address medicine, he asserts he has a natural which had been quoted in one of the mcLnation for literature. Besides Syrian papers. The Rt. Rev. Stephen according to his statement, he is inEl-Douaihy, pastor of the Maronite tensely interested in everything Syrchurch cf Boston, to whom an appeal ian, although born in America. was made as a last recourse, obliged "I always pass my copy of the Syrby supplying a copy of the Boston ian World around to professors and Post of Dec. 29, 1931, in which the students", writes Mr. Baroody. "In cardinal's words were quoted. They fact, one of the professors became so are words of which the Syrians can interested in Gibran K. Gibran that justly be proud and which they should keep alive in their memory that they one morning in chapel he delivered an may always live up to their true sig- oration on this "Great Syrian" to an audience of nearly three thousand. nificance. I have learned more regarding "There are Japanese, Chinese, and nations from all over the world in the the Oriental mind from your publiBoston diocese", said the cardinal, cation than from any other one source." » �JUNE, 1932 SOUTHERN FEDERATION OF SYRIAN CLUBS A Federation of Syrian Clubs will be organized in the South, for which a Convent:on has been called to be held in Beaumont, Texas, September 4th and 5th, writes Mr. H. A. Amuny, of Port Arthur, Texas, Chairman of the Federation Committee. The purpose of the Federation, he explains, is to create and sustain the work of the various Syrian Clubs through companionship of its members in unified effort, by upholding Syrian institutions, cherishing and preserving Syrian ideals and traditions, and taking an act;ve part in all projects for the mutual benefit of Syrians. - In July of last year the Young Men's Amusement Club, a Syrian organization of Port Arthur, Texas, promoted the idea of a Federation to several hundred Syrians who were attend:ng an entertainment in that city. No definite action was taken until the following September, when the Syrian Girls Friendly Club of Austin, Texas, caused definite steps to be taken at an assembly of several hundred Syrians. A committee composed of Mr. Amuny as chairman, Mr. Herman G. Nami of San Antonio, Texas, Mr. J. H. Campbell of Tyler, Texas, Mr. Fred J. Yazbeck of Lafayette, La., and Mrs. M. K. Boyer of Dallas, Texas, was appointed to draft the articles for a Constitution and to call a convention cf all known Syr'an clubs for the adoption of such Constitution and the formation of the Federation. The committee's duties have been completed, and they now are endeavoring to locate other Syrian clubs in the territory which the Federation will cover, namely, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louis;ana, Mississippi, Alabama', Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, 57 North Carolina and Florida. To carry out the purpose of the league in establishing charitable institutions, providing educational features sueh as the awarding of scholarships, and the creation of a research bureau, calls for the deliberative thought of a purely representative body cf all Syrians concerned. In some quarters there may bei rumblings of charging disloyalty or insinuations of the non-feasibility of "foreign" organizations, continues Mr. Amuny. That thought we wish to dispel. The successful culmination of the venture we are about to make, we believe, will tend to make better Americans of us all. If we were to look into the remote future, we would visualize our theory as the beginning of a movement to organize all sons and daughters of all nationalities that migrated to America. We are all endowed with some particular trait that our neighbor lacks. In union, we can preserve these desirable traditions, and the pattern of American life will be strengthened in the retention of the undeniable quaHties handed down from earliest civilization. SYRIAN IN BRAZIL APPRECIATES SYRIAN WORLD Sometime ago Mr. & Mrs= W. Boaz returned from a trip to Brazil and visited the office of the Syrian World to make some purchases of books and secure some back numbers of the magazine. They bought a complete set of G;bran's works which they sent to their nephew Dr. Elias J. Kanan at Porto Alegre, Brazil, together with a year's subscription to the Syrian World. By return mail they received from h;m a letter of acknowledgment from which we are pleased to quote the following: "I received the books of Gibran and �58 two copies of the Syrian World. I enjoyed them and wish to thank you sincerely for your excellent choice. That same day I read almost a whole copy of the Syrian World and liked it, and it was with enthusiasm that I read 'A Poet Returns Home' and 'Touching Reception of Gibran's Body in Lebanon'. "Khalil G'bran was a great mystical poet*** He was for me the first true poet I have read in my life, and in Portuguese we have some wonderful poetry with deep feeling and extensive meaning. "A little later I shall try to write an essay on the life of Gibran, h;s masterpiece 'The Prophet' and his death for our local review, the "Revista do Globo". If I can realize this, I should like also to have it published in the Syrian World, this wonderful book that, surely must be the glory and pride of Arabian and Syrian literature in North Amer:ca." SYRIAN FLIER VICTIM OF AIR TRAGEDY The Arabic paper Al-Islah of Chili gives a graphic description of the a:r tragedy which occured over the Chilian Andes on May 23 and resulted in the death of Abdul Massih Nakrom, a Syr:an flier in the Chilian air service. The plane which the Syrian aviator was flying is said to have been the newest and finest of the Chilian a-r fleet. On that day it was in charge of Nakrour and two other Chilian fliers and was carrying two military photographers. At the time of the mishap Capt. La Grissi was at the controls, but when the plane had risen to a height of 10,000 feet it was caught m a stormy current between two mountain peaks and the motor stalled. Realizing that Nakrour had THE SYRIAN WORLD greater experience La Grissi turned the controls over to him, and then began a desperate battle Which ended •n the crash of the huge plane at the bottom of the valley. While the intrepid Syrian flier could not save the Plane, he managed to save his companions who all escaped with minor injuries, he be-ng the only one killed. Nakrour was given a military funeral and was highly lauded for his bravery by the Chilian press. BAGHDADITE JEW IS A BRITISH PEER A few weeks ago Sir Victor Sassoon, British banker and industrialist, arrived at San Francisco where he' related how a collector of the port of Honolulu, Mrs. Jeannette Hyde, hailed him bafore the court on a charge of violatii n of the Prohibition Law. The zealous American official had been told that Sir Victor, Who was coming to the United States from China, Was a l'quor smuggler, and that cases of liquor, wine and beer in the "not wanted" baggage room of the President Coolidge Dollar liner from Shanghai belonged to Sir Victor Sassoon. Released on a $150 bail, Sir Victor recounted his experience to reporters, saying: "It was really funny, being hauled by a woman. Of course I had no idea I was busting any of your jolly old United States laws." The Sassoons are a well-known family in England, but they are also wellknown in the Orient, and many members cf the family have never left Oriental soil. The Sassoons are originally a Baghdadite Jewish family that has behind it at least 300 years of prominence in financial circles. They have produced many bankers and big industrialists and the family branch in India is equally as wealthy. In fact the wealth of the English �JUNE, 1932 branch of the family goes back to the days of the British India Company in which the Sassoons had extensive Interests. A Sassoon was at one time Minister of Finance in the Iraqite Government, while another Sassoon, Sir Philip Sassoon, is a close friend cf Lloyd George, War Premier of Great Britain. ANOTHER BAGHDADITE JEW LEAVES IMMENSE FORTUNE Sassoon and Hardoon! Two names that sound alike and that seem to bear the same analogy in worldly wealth. Their bearers are also alike in that they both are Jews and both from Baghdad, that city of fabulous wealth that produced characters like Sindbad the Sailor who embarked on the most romantic adventures and was able to gather precious metals and precious stones from the farthest ends of the world. The story of Silas Aaron Hardoon is no less romantic than that of Sindbad. Born in Baghdad, he migrated tc China and there engaged in trade and amassed an immense fortune. Upon his death lately in Shanghai, at the ripe age of 84, he left a fortune estimated at $50,000,000 to his Chinese widow, but due to the extent of the fortune there were many of his blood relatives who contested the will on the ground that his marriage to his Chinese wife was not legal as it was net in accordance with Jewish orthodox law. The Iraq government came to the defense of the claimants because they were all natives of Iraq. The action of the Iraq government rests on the fact that Hardoon, a n? tive of Baghdad, never renounced his Iraquian citizenship and urged that the case be tried under the laws of Iraq. 59 SYRIANS OF AKRON PRAISED FOR CHARITY Miss Marie Hanna cf Akron, O., sends us a capping of the Akron Beacon Journal of May 30 which tells a pathetic story of how Michael Abdalla, an industrious Syrian, after having been a prosperous merchant and never turning down an appeal for help, found himself destitute and broken in health, h;s wife dead and theil only daughter an invalid. But the Syrians remembered with gratitude Abdalla's former benefact;ons and decided to help him return to Syria. The Syrian-American Club, the Syrian Social Club, the Ladies' Aid Society of the Syrian Orthodox Church combined to render the necessary assistance for Abdalla's repatriation. Arietta S. Weimer, in writing the account of the case for the Akron paper, had many kind things to say for the char;table inclinations of the Syrians. SYRIAN FEEDS HUNGRY VETERANS When the B. E. F. (Bonus Expeditionary Force) descended on Washington to influence Congress on the question of bonus payment, the men were dependent on public dcnat:ons for their support during the time they were holding siege at the capital. But, according to Al-Bayan of New York, there was a day when 2,500 men of the B. E. F. forgot their worries in the feeling of plenty provided through the generosity of a Syrian restaurant owner of Washington, Ibrahim Mohammad Kazboor, himself an A. E. F. veteran. Present on the occasion were" several Representatives who praised in high terms the spirit of loyalty and the openhandedness of this Syrian veteran who provided a square meal that was in the nature of a feast to this large number of hungry ex-service men. �60 THE SYRIAN WORLD l!??!!!!?^^^ Gibran's Message To Young Americans of SyrianOrigin By G. K. GlBRAN (Wrinaa Ei^Mully f« TTM Srnan World f Author ol *TJt* Prophet, "Jesus the Son of J&imf latod (roa ih. FirM 1MM a SttMn WarU, July, 1926 I believe in you. and I believe in your destiny. I believe that you are contributors to this new civilization jELttawsr' of *and - ^*~-.i«jarja hl H J ,t'ie" '*"' r*-*" "y M EmWSOn and Wh «"»n and Janus, "In my veins tuns the to ,his ,and to produ he, ,o l^irjcffiur " •-*- - — And I believe that it is in you to be good citizens. And what is it to be a good citizen? conscous of ". ,Cdg ! *" °'h" ""*' *** **">" "-* vou, own. b„, always to fa, o ,hf o*rr ?£;££*' and d,cdbu*k - -u°,o know *« ^ * *- - -*• ^vc Jz: ST- rtbfiS!tht b"u,iful wi,h your own hands-jnd - —" «* — It is to produce wealth by labor and only by labor, and to soend l«« rh,„ „«,. u duced that your cbudren may no, be dependent on I state fof s^n wTen^V" no X! Ir is to stand before the towers or New York. Washington Chicjon a„H E. c h r f a Pe P b S Rftid H Ant.och. 2 Su*and ffT ° " "»'with " you.Da3u S,buTsn"nd Tyre and 17 S.don. " and now I am° here to build and with.Id a will." It is to be proud of being an American, but it is also to be proud that your fathers »nH mothers came from a .and upon which God laid His gracious handld rai«d (ft messengers Young Americans of Syrian origin. I believe in you. FREE TO SYRIAN WORLD SUBSCRIBERS. This beautiful message by 2 hZ > w /' PJiRtGd in laTge type °n hea^ PaPer with ornamentith Sent Tv :J^mg- EVCry PAID briber whose term begins with Sept 1931 is entitled to a copy, mailed in heavy cardboard tube. Subscribers whose term begins before Sept. 1931 may secure a copy by renewal �MM JUNE, 1932 61 AUTHENTIC ^ ORIENTAL RUGS THE A. SLEYMAN COMPANY. INC. J276 5th AVENUE NEW YORK CITY Phone BOgardus 4-4345 JERE J. CRONIN FUNERAL DIRECTOR MORTUARY CHAPEL Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to LADY ATTENDANT Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire 115 ATLANTIC AVENUE BROOKLYN, N. Y. The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverence and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very little cost. No charge for use of our services or funeral parlors. Telephone—MAIN 1398-1399-8130-3655 BEST SYRIAN FOOD You will experience a real touch of the East, exemplified by unexcelled Syrian cuisine, at the ARABIAN SHEIK RESTAURANT, under the expert management of Elias Esper. Take special note of the name and address. Bring your friends for a real and extraordinary treat. 73 IL ARABIAN SHEIK WASHINGTON ST. TEL. BOWLING GREEN NEW YORK 9—9837 Tl �SBSM Since the appearance of this series, showing the extent of the use of the Arabic Linotype in North Africa, the MORE ARABIC LINOTYPES IN TUNIS Near East and the Far East, two additional Arabic Linotypes were installed in Tunis, proving that the demand for this wonderful machine is increasing constantly because of the printers' growing conviction of its indispensability. One of these Linotypes represents an additional installation, a sure indication that the user was thoroughly satisfied with his investment in the first Linotype and realized the advantage of purchasing another. This has been the consistent history of the Linotype from the very beginning, because the machine was made to meet modern needs, and progress dictates its use. The Arabic-speaking world cannot afford long to remain in the shadow of the past and ignore modern methods of progress. "Le Petit Matin," Tunis, Tunisia (new installation) One Linotype S. A. De L'lmprimerie de La (»TR»DE n ^j DT YPE MAPK ) Renaissance (additional installation) One Linotype MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, U. S. A. Cable: Linotype, New York Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World Linotype Metro No. 2 Family An illustrated descriptive catalog of the Arabic Linotype sent free upon request. �^^M^^^^^^>^iMi00ttmmm0m0mtmimmmitmM^^^^^uu^^^^^mM^^MM •y> AJLJLJ \ o J, ft j4*»>" i 4..I {'""LINOTYPE""-*) o u -AJa^o C59 f^—^ ^b-" J^aij .i^ia* J ^jb>^pl I )-il /~J-VAi oJ I ."~j°lft rjjs-l « iJl jy ^Jic Ui>\i MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, U. S. A. - V <r �r,4 THE SYRIAN WORLD ATTENTION! FORWARD! SAFE! MARCH ON TO PROGRESS! START A BANK ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY LET YOUR MONEY Accumulate for Future NEEDS AND HAPPINESS INTEREST 3/2 % "Per vinnum ON TIME DEPOSITS FROM $10.00 UP Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more. FAOUR BANK D. J. FAOUR & BROS. Established 1891 Under Supervision of New York State Banking Department. Capital and Surplus Over $500,000.00 85 WASHINGTON ST., NEW YORK CITY � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1932_06reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 09 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1932 June Description An account of the resource Volume 6 Issue 09 of The Syrian World published June 1932. The issue opens with an article by Rev. W. A. Mansur discussing the Phoenicians as great pioneers of civilization. This is followed by H.I. Katibah's discussion concerning the romance and beauty of the past. Thomas Asa follows him with a poem titled "Desert Troth," which seems to describe a phantom encounter in the desert. Edna K. Saloomey then continues her discussion on the younger generation, which is followed by two True Arabian Tales. Dagny Edwards' poem "Impetus" closes out the issue before the usual editorial comment, political updates of Syria, and excerpts from the Syrian press. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Edna K. Saloomey Habib I. Katibah New York Poetry-English Thomas Asa https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/fda41f6a9f740b736da69f6b29a7fffe.pdf 38e5c969bebfb97c57bf5b4b0ae96f32 PDF Text Text - 'OL. VI MAY, 1932 NO. 8 7ho mmwm A VISIT TO THE CEDARS OF LEBANON SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL LAST TRIBUTES TO A GREAT LEADER H. I. KATIBAH „ DARK PICTURE BARBARA YOUNG THREE THOUSAND YEARS OLD ARE WE EDNA K,. SALOOMEY CEDAR OF LEBANON (POEM) THOMAS ASA A TRUE ARABIAN TALE THE COPY 50c ^•flMi*^! vrrrfft - ��THE SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. VI, NO. 8 MAY, 1932 CONTENTS PAGE A Visit to the Cedars of Lebanon SALLOUM A. 3 MOKARZEL Cedar of Lebanon (A Poem) 15 THOMAS ASA Modern Beauty (A Poem)..... Poetry Department—Edited by 16 BARBARA YOUNG Dark Picture 17 The Singer to His Lady, THEODORE MAYNARD Night at La Napoule, France, C. J. M. An Open Letter to Subscribers THE EDITOR TURNER 20 20 21 �CONTENTS (Continued) Page 26 Last Tributes to a Great Leader H. I. KATIBAH Our Younger Generation, EDNA K. SALOOMEY, Editor Three Thousand Years Old Are We How Have the Mighty Fallen H. I. 32 35 KATIBAH True Arabian Tales Jabla Ibn Al-Ayham 41 A Lebanese Orientalist 45 Political Developments in Syria 45 Syrian World Nezvs Section 55 READERS OF THE SYRIAN WORLD Should be particularly interested in the OPEN LETTER Appearing on page 21 I �Avian ^^^^ */ SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL, M( Editor. MAY, 1932 VOL. VI, NO. 8 A Visit to the Cedars of Lebanon What the Editor of the Syrian World Experienced and Observed on His Visit to This Great Shrine of Antiquity By SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL ETOR THE visitor to Lebanon not to make the journey to the famous Cedars is to neglect the most interesting item in the itinerary. The road is steep and the Cedars comprise but a small grove of trees, set In bleak and bare surroundings, at an elevation of almost 9000 feet, but the panorama they unfold, both symbolical and scenic, is such as to fully,compensate those venturing on the journey. Because, despite their prosaic setting, in a sheltered depression amidst bare mountain peaks, they inspire a sense of reverence for living majesty that all other relics of antiquity seem to lack. But the visitor must needs have some knowledge of the historical background of the Cedars in order to more fully appreciate their importance. Then it would become his advantage to review, like the Cedars themselves, a procession of the most impressive and significant events in recorded history. The march of endless armies, whether to victory or defeat, and the successive rise and fall of civilizations, would unfold themselves before his imagination like one great tableau of glamorous colors. The greatest names of history would be evoked like passing phantoms against the unchanging background of these seemingly everlasting trees, which from their vantage point on the great highway of old empires, have stood unmoved while time and events passed on, and not unlike the sphinx of Egypt, �THE SYRIAN WORLD were able to witness the enacting of the drama of human life for thousands of years, and to be the custodians of the secrets of the ages, although they themselves remain inscrutable. Modern Lebanon is proudest of these trees and holds them sacred. They are reverently called the "Cedars of the Lord" and an outline of a cedar tree has been chosen as the national emblem in the middle white bar of the French tricolor. Because to the Lebanese the Cedars represent not only a living page of history but those racial characteristics which lend them the position and prestige they Jack by virtue of numbers. The simile can be many-sided. The Cedars, now only few, once were immense forests that covered the slopes of Lebanon and supplied timber for great navies and innumerable temples and palaces. So were the Lebanese who once controlled the seas and brought the nations of the earth in closer contact by their maritime commerce. That now they have been reduced to a pitiably small number as compared with other nations does not diminish their pride, because, like their Cedars, they claim recognition on the basis of merit alone. And as the Cedars are hardy and mocking of storms, so are their valiant custodians who have maintained their national integrity despite the tempestuous upheavals of the ages and the vicissitudes of events. The Cedar, his national tree, is to the Lebanese the symbol of fortitude, of an inherent quality of durability that cannot be crushed out or eradicated, of tenacity that cannot be dislodged or •jiprooted. And as the remaining Cedars have been spared by the inaccessibility of their mountain shelter, so has the remnant of the Lebanese who claim direct lineal descent from the Phoenicians. Their Mountain stronghold was made doubly impregnable by the valor they displayed in its defence, and throughout the ages they are known to have enjoyed at least some degree of independence. With such an appreciation of their historical background, further emphasized by their biblical association and the glowing adjectives of beauty and glory conferred upon them by the ancient Hebrew prophets, the Cedars of Lebanon are looked upon as a sort of shrine, and the visit to them somewhat in the nature of a pilgrimage. It was in such a spirit that I made my visit and found myself amply compensated by the richness of the actual evidences of ancient glory the Cedars furnished as well as by a wealth of entertaining incidents encountered on the journey. * * * �.. MAY, 1932 5 The road to the Cedars winds up a steep mountain almost bare of vegetation for nearly three thousand feet from the starting point at Becharre. It follows the old foot and bridle path used for countless centuries. This new motor road was opened to the public only a fortnight before our visit, which was on August 4, 1929. But not much more should be expected of it than would ordinarily be of all mountain roads of seasonal and limited use. Then too, one must keep in mind that the country is poor and deserves credit for even this initial effort which it is hoped will in time culminate in a beautiful scenic highway to the famous Cedars. As it now stands, it is a rough stone road unguarded on the open side and of ominous perspective. One of my companions was unable to conceal his nervousness at riding on the side of the car nearer the unguarded end of the road because his power of imagination was too vivid to stand the sight of the yawning valley which lay at every turn. One of us had to exchange places with him. Halfway up the mountain the rough road took its toll of our tires and we had to stop to make a change. We stopped on the wrong side of the road so as to be able to work in safety. In the meantime a large seven-passenger car, one of the few in the country because of their inability to negotiate the sharp bends in the narrow mountain roads, bearing a party of Egyptians, came to a stop behind us. The driver, a giant Nubian, offered assistance, and when assured it was not needed, began to survey the distance between our stalled car and the edge of the road. There was no mistaking his intentions and we tried to dissuade him with the assurance that we would not be long at our task, but no pleading could move him. He jumped into his seat and was off in a minute with the roar of the motor going at full speed. His axle almost brushed ours, while on the open edge of the road we saw that his wheels were half on the ground and half in the air. It was a frightful moment for us watchers, but as for the Egyptian driver, we could hear his chuckle even above the roar of his motor as he cleared the danger point Nor did his passengers seem to mind. They had the satisfaction of beating us to the Cedars! It was dusk by the time we reached the Cedars and we had to be content with viewing them from a distance, deeply etched against the dark grey background of the surrounding mountains. But the fact that we were there gave us a sense of relief after the arduous journey and we repaired to the hotel for rest and refreshments We were anticipating a quiet and contemplative evening in view of the �jtf 'THE SYRIAN WORLD The Cedar of Lamartine Showing the Comtnemorative Plaque of the Youth of Becharre. This Tree is One of the Oldest and Most Majestic of the Grove solitude of the place and the nature of the surroundings, but we were treated to a surprise entertainment the like of which could not have been staged anywhere else, and it was most thoroughly enjoyed. This entertainment was made possible by a combination of ideal circumstances which do not happen together except by a special whim of the gods. On the one hand our arrival was on a Sunday eve when the goatherds of the district gather at the Cedars to attend mass at the little church within their enclosure. Then, too, the approach of Lord's Day, falling two days later, inspired both natives and visitors with a holiday spirit. Lord's Day in that section of Lebanon is synonymous with Cedars' Day because of the reverential association of the trees with divinity, in that they are called the Cedars of the Lord, and on that particular day, even before the opening of the motor road, thousands of celebrants came to the cedars to engage in native festivals reminiscent of the most ancient traditions of the country. Added dignity is lent to the occasion by the presence of a bishop to celebrate the high mass. This particular year Most Rev. Paul Akel, the Patriarch's secretary, was to be the HHB mm �Ml SI AY, 1932 7 visiting prelate. He had broken the news to us when we met at the Patriarchal See of Ad-Deeman, situated in the same district, and insisted that we remain until the holiday and be his guests. This exceptional opportunity we had to. miss because of the pressure of time, but we were not denied a foretaste of the celebration through the courtesy of a fellow visitor in the person of Kanaan Bey Daher, one of the notables of the country who is said to have enjoyed exceptional prestige with the authorities during the war. After dinner, which consisted mainly of the fresh wholesome products of the country—fresh-killed poultry, laban, goat milk, cheese, olives, and cooked figs—we adjourned to the open terrace flooded with the silvery rays of a bright moon in the limpid, cool atmosphere of an altitude of 9000 feet. The terrace directly overlooked the Cedars and afforded an excellent view of their compactness. Daher Bey looked comfortable in his shirt sleeves and invited us also to waive ceremony. The Egyptian party, as well as two other couples who had arrived later and appeared to belong to the diplomatic corps, were not averse to the suggestion and a spirit of companionship was thus quickly established. But the score or more goatherds remained at a respectful distance, though noticeably curious. The Bey soon put an end to their restiveness by pressing them to execute the dabke. And a typical dance it was, by natives in their original costumes, animated by the vigour of muscular bodies made lithe by a continual life in the open and the necessity of following their herds in all sorts of difficult terrain, as only mountain goats can lead to. The men formed in a semi-circle, and with measured step, slowly at first, began to sway in a rhythmic motion to the tune of a reed pipe. The pace quickened gradually until the dancers seemed lost to their surroundings and were only conscious of their effort. The occasional shouts they emitted indicated that they were under the full influence of the spell. Perhaps for a score of centuries the tradition of this dance, as executed in this typically native setting, has been kept up uninterrupted. A vision of the god Pan, with the strains of his music echoing among the hills and forests of Lebanon, could be easily evoked by such a scene as was now enacted in the shadow of the venerable Cedars. The dance leader, as if inviting approbation, made the customary gesture of asking the watchers to join the dance circle. I protested that I did not know how, but at that moment the eighteen- �Oo Co o General View of the Cedars of Lebanon from One of the Surrounding Hills ~ -a 3^25 B\M-T s-qp e g « I cr ^ Q rt c i;cr '/r?*-ny ^ n-a s fO Q ct> C o i-f i-> r-, r& m -« to u !,; •<!>. i �MAY, 1932 year old niece of the hotel keeper, a picture of glowing health and sparkling youth, volunteered to show me. Such an invitation was irresistible and so it came about that my only dance in Lebanon was not to the music of a jazz band in the gaudy salons of Beirut or the fashionable summer resorts with a sophisticated city dame, but to the tune cf a reed pipe on an open terrace overlooking the Cedars under the canopy of the stars, and holding hands, at a respectable distance, of course, with a typical young girl of the mountain. But while on the subject of sophistication I may say that I did no, nave to go far m search of it. It was present wherever city bred people were to be found, and here I came upon it in a most unexpectecl rorm. It was on the following morning when, with one of my companions, I was scanning the open scene from one of the verandas of 7 • u i , obserVlll£ Particularly a curious row of stone huts furnished With rusty iron cots, and all having no roofs in the im' mediate neighborhood of the hotel. I became suddenly consdSL of someone coming noislessly close to me, and looking around, saw a the hotel, apparently with no one checking on her time, because, as I learned later, she and her sister were chambermaids doing the work on contract. 1 asked her about the row of huts and shf expained that these provided the hotel accommodations for visitors" the Cedars before the erection of the modern hotel two years since There was no need tor shelter because of the complete absence of privacy. But the new hotel was truly modern, because despite its isolated location, it was one of the few in the'country'to bo o bath tubs and running hot and cold water in every room A lt other conveniences were up to this high standard, and its ratefwere certamlv reasonable Blelsed $2.50 a day on the American p n be the man who built it, a native Maronite priest of Becharre we were'a^d te aid w ^ "?"* '° further c—ersation, and we were avid for more information. And please, dear reader do not despise the lowly source from which this information comes'be cause it touches on those very intimate things which we do not reti about in books, and which cannot be had from the seat of he mighty Meanwhile, they do not fail to supply that proof of so P phistication which I started to tell you about Now this from the chambermaid: "We meet all sorts of people in this queer place. My Slster and I come from Batroun-by-theTea" �I w THE SYRIAN WORLD The Lebanese Goatherds Gathered on a Sunday Morning to Hear Mass at the Little Church of the Cedars and we spend the few summer months here, but although we are accustomed to refined people we have to put up with a lot of simpletons. Some nice men come here and many women wearing hue clothes, but along with them come some fellaheen who don't know their shoulder from their elbow. Only the other day a woman came up here walking all the way from one of the distant villages of the district, and before visiting the Cedars she took off her shoes, because she had vowed to enter the holy precincts barefoot. Holy, bah' I think she wanted only to save shoe leather. You in America must be more civilized. I wish I could go to America! Can you get me in, please' I think New York is half-way to heaven." Just then the bell of the little church of the Cedars began to ring "its call to prayer and we hastened to join the knot of goatherds who had gathered by the door. They scrutinized us as curiously as we did them, with evident reciprocity of good feeling and all made our entry to the church together. It was evident that their clothes were not as clean as their hearts but they were not repellent, because their soft smiles more than counteracted the im- �A/AY, 1932 pression of their hard features. They were true sons of the mountain and it was even with a feeling of delight that one read in their eyes and saw m their general features the unmistakable signs of hardihood and determination. Even in their prayers they gave indication of this hardy nature. There was no softness in their voices nor any trace of gentle supplication. They had been brought up in a constant struggle with nature and when they invoked God in prayer they aJmost assumed the tone of command. Even the officiating priest bore no tone of softness, his words in the act of consecration being hurled with a certain emphasis that sounded ominous to ears accustomed to hearing English. "Khoso Dam Itaw, Khoso Dam, being the words in the old Syriac language in which the Maromte mass is sung, and which tradition assures us is the very language which Christ Himself spoke. But all this can be explained only by the fact that the people partake of the nature of their surroundings. How could they be other than hardy and unbending when for centuries they kept alive their traditions of fierce self-reliance in their continuous struggle against nature and man, and when they hold the Cedars in such love fo.titruderenCe y bCCaUSe thCT S mbolize >' to them stamina and The church itself naively portrays the character of the people who because of their love for France have painted the interior of the church red, white, and blue in broad stripes that are far from presenting an artistic appearance. While hanging on a wall almost facing the only door is a plaque commemorating the visit of General Gouraud to the Cedars in 1920. ,v, Vtt l°Vu °fuhe Maronites for *« ^ench is proverbial, to the extent that they have come to be known as the Frenchmen of the i^ast, and to be accused of being more French than the French themselves. For this there is a tradition of relationship between the two nations that goes back for more than a thousand vears, and that was tried and strengthened during the period of the Crusades, when the enemv A T "ati«?ns Wht *ide * *k against the common enemy, and the Franks found m the mountain stronghold of the Maronites a haven of safety and refuge when driven from the Syrian plains. This friendship has been nurtured and cherished until it culminated ,n the Maronites' insisting on France becoming the mandatory power m their country after the World War, hoping that as they had preserved its friendship in their hearts aU these hundreds of years, it would show them its appreciation in the protection �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD expected by a small nation from its more powerful ally. As we emerged from the church I asked the mountaineers to line up for a photograph. In so doing I chanced to look up a dead tree by the door of the church and to my surprise found that it served as a belfry, perhaps the only one of its kind in the world, in that the bell was suspended between its bare branches, and the work of nature made to supplant for devotional purposes the work of man. Then began the tour of inspection of the famous Cedars. The first tree one is shown is that of Lamartine, the famous French poet who visited the Cedars with his daughter, Julia, in 1832, and sang their praise in immortal words, declaring them to be "divine beings in the form of trees", constituting a "temple, an altar almost touching the heavens". The tree is one of the twelve largest in the grove, fifty feet in diameter and about 150 feet in height. It was dedicated to the memory of Lamartine in 1925 by the youth of Becharre and is proudly referred to as the queen of the forest. The visitor is then shown another large tree to which are attributed miraculous properties in that it has a pocket that gives a constant supply of water. It is called The Hermit's Tree because a recluse lived among its branches for a number of years and was provided for with the miraculous supply of water. One is told" that a certain incredulous Egyptian visitor^wagered that he could dry up the water pocket and actually drained it of every drop and placed a trusted guard over it, but when he returned to inspect it on the following morning he discovered to his great amazement that the pocket was again full. A curiosity is then pointed out as one of the natural wonders of the Cedars. Two old trees, at some distance apart, have intergrowing branches that, judging by their size and the slow growth of the Cedar tree, must have been joined several hundred years ago. The fusion is so perfect that the point of jucture is unnoticeable, the limb appearing as being integral to both trees. In all there are about four hundred trees in the grove, some of which are judged as being from five thousand to six thousand years old. It is the age and the natural properties of these trees that has given them their eminent place in the record of civilization. Their wood is light, durable, incorruptible, and seemingly indestructible. Beams of cedar wood have recently been discovered in the ruins of Nineva, and found to be still serviceable. The association of the Cedars of Lebanon with the building of Solomon's Temple is a �^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^M MAY, 1932 13 matter of biblical record. As we strolled in the enclosed precincts of the Cedars, I picked up a dead branch that lay on the ground. The guide politely warned me that under the strictest orders nothing was permitted to be carried away from the Cedars. The purpose, he explained, was to discourage vandalism which at one time had threatened the trees. Every tourist and visitor wanted a souvenir and the branches were ruthlessly broken off. There was a twinkle in the guide's eye, however, that encouraged me. I want to admit that I am a strict adherent to the letter and the spirit of the law, and under no circumstances would I abuse a privilege. I realized that the law was laid to prevent wanton destruction but could not see how it should be applied to a dead and fallen branch that was more or less of an encumbrance. And this I told the guide, and informed him furthermore that Bishop Akel had presented me with a singular cedar branch bearing eighteen cones presumably smuggled from the Cedars. Not that I was a privileged visitor from America, I insisted, that I wanted the piece of wood, bu; because I wanted him to explain how the general rule which he sought to enforce applied to it. I could see that the situation was becoming uncomfortable to him, and although I did not mean to embarass him I did want the stick, because, somehow, it held a special fascination for me by its peculiar designs. And designs they were that seemed executed by a master artist. When later I showed it to our celebrated Gibran he marveled at the uniformity of the carving and the obvious floral and arabesque motifs. It was the work of the worms which ate about the surface and could not cut deep into the core. And therein lies the secret of the durability and incorruptibility of cedar wood because ,t contains a substance repugnant to worms, causing it to have been in such great demand in the past for construction purposes. The reader now realizes that finally I gained possession of the stick, but how that was managed is a secret between the &guide and me. an ,°neLleaves ther enclosure of these famous trees thrilled and hlled with a sense of deep veneration for their silent majesty Their living form seems to quicken the dead past. They provide the connecting link of human evolution and progress for thousands of years Age holds no terrors for them because their youth and virility are perennial Their guardians have a right to feel proud of them and to point out their symbolical significance. They truly are in the words of Lamartine, "divine beings in the form of trees " ' �14 THE SYRIAN WORLD A Typical Tree of the Famous Cedars, the Size of Which May Be Judged by Comparison With the Human Figure to the Right. �- -~w^r, MAY, 1932 15 Cedar of Lebanon Dedicated to S. A. Mokarzel By THOMAS ASA Five thousand years have wended thru thy shades, From seed immortal thou hast sprung to grace The tow'ring mountain side and sun-lit glades,— Thou seemest ever old, of youth no trace. From thy proud eminence the world lies bare To thee; below, the sea-rimmed barren plains, On which once flourished kingdoms, cities rareTyre, Sidon, Berith, these, how earthly fair! Dreaming by emerald seas, what now remains? The antique splendors of that wondrous past Have bowed in lifeless dust to conquering TimeBut thou limb of Heaven fain would'st outlast Unbending Time—eternal change! thou seed sublime I And as of yesteryear, where then thou stood, bo wilt thou witness in the future years Mutations strange; kingdoms shall rise and fall And o'er their crumbling piles thy branches would inspire them with funereal shade and pall And o'er their fate thy dewdrops change to tears. Lebanon has not always been thy home Thy ribs of steel have hearkened to some' handAnd o'er the boundless deeps of waters roam ' To touch thy prow against some foreign strand; I here left the Darkness with God-given light Thy pungent breath, like incense burning, blest Man's covenant divine; the slumb'ring West Shall soon arise to fruitfulness and might. Back to thine ancient home—Edenic East Where Man to his full stature first attained, �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD There spend thy earth-bound days till life has ceased To stir within thee;—be thou well contained. Well-favored wert thou in thy sheltered prime, The gods were kind to thee, thou nature's priest! And 'neath thy shade sweet Antar mused in rhyme. Down from thy lofty mountain heights you came, And, in a distant temple where thou dwelt, Saw King Solomon's worldly pomp and fame;— Divined the gentle Christ, who, dying, sent His Godly message to mankind. Who felt Not His passing from sea to firmament! Time's glorious epics passed before thy ken; And if, one day, thou wilt no longer be, Repine not o'er thy fate, O Cedar tree,— Thus goeth the greatest and least of men. MODERN BEAUTY I am the torch, she saith, and what to me If the moth die of mer I am the flame Of Beauty, and I have neither joy nor shame, But live with that clear light of perfect fire Which is to men the death of their desire. I am Yseult and Helen, I have seen Troy burn, and the most loving knight lie dead. The world has been my mirror, time has been My breath upon the glass; and men have said Age after age, in rapture and despair, Love's poor few words before my image there. I live and am immortal; in my eyes The sorrow of the world, and on my lips The joys of life mingle to make me wise; Yet now the day is darkened with eclipse; Who is there lives for Beauty? Still am I The torch, but where's the moth that still dares die: ARTHUR SYMONS. �. _ MAYy 1932 17 BARBARA YOUNG, Editor "I go with the wind, people of Orphalese, but not down into emptiness; and M this day is not a fulfillment of your needs and my love, let it be a promise till another day." Gibran. DARK PICTURE •pODAY IN The London "Morning Post", read before a glowing fire in a charming 15th century house in Shaftesbury, England, we find the new Kipling poem which has been heralded for days in the English press. It is a statement of stark realism concerning world conditions at the moment, and of the poet's conviction that—in plain prose—man's estate must grow worse before it grows better. The poem, called THE STORM CONE, is written from a depth of pessimism which may express Mr. Kipling, but does not, I feel sure, express England. In a brief fortnight spent in this town of little more than three thousand souls, scanning the London papers every day, listening to the talk of a goodly number of men and women, folk from the local county, Dorset, from Devon, from Kancashire, from the Isle of Wight, even from Scotland, I have come upon no word of discouragement nor of fear from these people. England seems to have read and digested the words of that wise old fellow Epictetus who said, "If we cannot get what we like, let us like what we can get." Not so Mr. Kipling. He takes the present situation with a wry face which is not becoming to a poet of his eminence and mature experience. He writes in part: �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD This is the midnight—let no star Delude us—dawn is very far. This is the tempest long foretold— Slow to make head but sure to hold. "Stand by! The lull 'twixt blast and blast Signals the storm is near, not past, And worse than present jeopardy . May our forlorn tomorrow be. "She moves with all save purpose lost, To make her offing from the coast j But till she fetches open sea Let no man deem that he is free." This is perhaps no over-estimate of the curious and difficult problems which confront the whole civilized world today, but I could wish that Mr. Kipling had gone at least one stanza further and given forth a word of assurance along with his gloomy prognostication 5 for while we know full well all that lies behind this arraignment of these times, who among us does not have a persistent and invincible certainty that this too must pass? Suppose the dawn is far? what of it? Are we sniveling children afraid of the dark or whose toy is broken: Have our years of prosperity and security robbed us of the courage and the stamina bequeathed to us by our forefathers, be they Syrian or American or English? Shall we whine because our soft living has been taken away, and sit down to brood upon the inconstancies of fortune? If we do so we are distinctly and definitely unworthy of our heritage as citizens of the earth and sons of men. Perhaps all this seems a little hard on Mr. Kipling. It does not wish to be. But he is a type, so it seems, that is disastrous in the curious dilemma in which the world finds itself. And we would not have our poets give way to bitterness and wailing. If, in our blindness and perversity, we have created a puzzle and a riddle which is hard to solve, let us go after it with keen brain and ready wit, and unravel the mystery. If they in the marketplace and in the halls of learning and in the tribunal of justice have lost their vision and their hope and dream, let not the poets follow like led sheep. For the earth still rides the firmament unperturbed. The stars and moons have taken no note of a senator's sharp word that "we are on the verge of collapse." Life is good, there are still harvests of grains and fruits, and rain still falls and sunlight is shed upon the just and �{MAYy 19 52 19 the unjust; nothing is changed but man's inconstant thinking. Consider the words of Almustafa, the chosen and the beloved, where he says that "comfort and the lust for comfort" have become "a tamer, and with hook and scourge makes puppets of your larger desires. Though its hands are silken, its heart is of iron. It lulls you to sleep only to stand by your bed and jeer at the dignity of the flesh. It makes mock of your sound senses and lays them in thistledown like fragile vessels. Verily the lust for comfort murders the passion of the soul, and then walks grinning in the funeral." This is our predicament. We have grown accustomed to the thistledown, and we grasp for it, even at such unseemly cost. Shall we take defeat sorely who were so elated in our victories? We would not have our poets do so. And they will not, for poets have known of old that "you, children of space, you restless in rest, you shall not be trapped nor tamed And though of magnificence and splendor, your house shall not hold your secret nor shelter your longing. For that which is boundless in you abides in the mansion cf the sky, whose door is the morning mist, and whose windows are the songs and the silences of the night." Here is one poet who knew of a certainty that though "these things are so"—failures and desolation, war and crime and injustice of man unto man upon the face of the earth—none of these things shall be able to interrupt the great stream of human life and true progress. A red may-tree grows just outside this ancient mullioned window house through which I look out upon the dark thatched roofs of little English homes, and lovesome gardens, and past them across the beautiful Blackmore Vale to distant hills. The window was set in this old stone house five centuries ago, the may-tree has blossomed and faded perhaps a hundred years. Life goes on and will go on. Let the poets reassure all weary and affrighted hearts. The gods of our fathers have never left the high places. Singing must not cease though princes fail and judges depart from equity. Perhaps the dawn is very far, but the dawn is, and that is enough. And let us not forget that the only potion, inexhaustable and imperishable, with which to medicine the sickened v/orld is the cup that has been poured and drunk by all the good and great of the earth, the wine of love. �—fr h. I' I! ! 20 THE SYRIAN WORLD THE SINGER TO HIS LADY If any song I sing for you may be But made to please a poet's vanity, A richly jewelled and an empty cup In which no hallowed wine is offered up; A thing of chosen rhyme and cunning phrase; If love in me grow only soft and sweet, Remembering not with what worn and weary feet It journeyed to your fields of golden grain, The quiet orchards folded in the rain, The twilight gardens and the morning birds; If love remembers not, and brings you words, Words as your thanks; if in an idle hour It breaks its sword and plays the troubadour— Then may high God, the Universal Lord Break me, as I false knight have broken my sword. If I who have touched your hands should bring eclipse To love's nobility with lying lips, Having seen more terrible than gleaming spears Your gentleness, your sorrow and your tears. THEODORE MAYNARD NIGHT AT LA NAPOULE, FRANCE The darkened outline of the hill, The evening star, the holy still, And tired men returning home From the day's service on the loam! Against these quaintly fashioned walls The sea's rich foamy music falls, And all the house stands here at rest Against the drowsy, crimsoned west; So much of peace and beauty lie On lawn and home, on sea and sky, So much of art, so much of God Is here that e'en the dusty sod Is hallowed, as the night drops down Her simple loveliness of gown And cloak, and o'er each dreamy vine Comes sleep, and lights no longer shine. C. J. M. TURNER �I MAY, 1932 21 An Open Letter TO THE SUBSCRIBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE SYRIAN WORLD By THE EDITOR pOR the second time in two consecutive years I am placing the fate of the SYRIAN WORLD in the hands of its readers and friends. But realizing our peculiar Syrian psychology, which is inclined to regard the support of every intangible, idealistic enterprise as an act of charity, especially when that enterprise is in the field of journalism, I wish to emphasize at the outset that I am not appealing for charity, that I will not accept charity, and that I will not entertain any proposal from anyone who thinks he is doing me a personal favor by lending support to the publication. The appeal is a challenge to those among us who are publicspirited and racially-conscious, and who view the enterprise as a public institution, in which they are personally concerned because it affects their standing as a people, regardless of whether they "make money" or not from their investment of $5.00 in the subscription. For over thirty years I have been following a journalistic career among the Syrians in America, and never have I bent the knee to the Baal of servile catering to misconceived notions—notions of patronage and an attitude of condescension to the newspaper profession on the part of some shallow thinking individuals. If in some cases there is reason to condemn a Syrian newspaper man for unethical conduct, the onus should not be placed on the whole profession. I, for one, stand on my record, and for those of short memories I will mention that as far back as 1912 I started a newspaper which for personal reasons I later had to discontinue. But I repaid every subscriber the full amount that was due him, although none expected or demanded payment. Now the twenty years that have passed since that incident have not caused me to change my principle in such matters. Rather, I have become more' determined than ever to maintain my self-respect and to serve Mi mmmmtfc. �22 THE SYRIAN WORLD r; the public in an unservile capacity—to sell my service on its merits only and to give equal, if not more value, for what I receive I would consider myself unworthy of the place I now occupy if I were to act otherwise. This much for my personal attitude towards support of the SYRIAN WORLD. And when I tell you, dear reader, in a few brief words how I have managed to keep the magazine going for almost six years, 1 hope you will agree with me that I have gone to the limit of unselfish sacrifice and personal denial. I have my records to prove that never was the magazine self-supporting. Hence I could never earn a living, let alone make a fortune, from the magazine But in spite of dwindling subscriptions, I was determined to keep it up. I considered it a blot on the name of our people if the only publication in English ever attempted by us were to be adjudged a failure. My courage was also greatly sustained by the expression of approval and admiration coming from SvrR, Xnt Tu uT1^ If eVCr 1 haVe t0 discontinue the \\ ORLD I shall always remember with heartfelt satisfac.on and pride that not a single Syrian intellectual of substantial standmg but admired the work and encouraged me in it. What more proof is needed than the fact that every Syrian writer of o e in America is a contributor to the magazine, a contributor not for remuneration, but doing so in support of the only enterprise that has done more to enhance the moral prestige of the Syrians ,n America than anything ever before attempted. These SYRIAN va°ueesTr W m Wh Sh W SUCh insi ht into true ° Wh T Se ° ° WU1 live in^ histor as ^Wtual nam I ifZ h °T ° ? of the honor and promoters of the y "Polders prestige of their race. Not indeed, those materialists who are indifferent to anything except' piling up fortunes, and who think that simply to have monty with £5S8T °f * * «"** « -^ ^ - respJct and Now the promised word as to how I managed to keep the alive in the face , f such great handicaps I will now reveal part, but not all. I have done, personally, most of the literary and physical production of it. Everything unsigned I write, and aside from being editor, news gatherer, proofreader and office manager, I also personally attend to the actual SYRIA. WORLD 1] �MAY, 1932 23 making up and printing of the magazine, even having at times to do part of the type composition. The work sometimes necessitates my working in these various capacities two consecutive days and nights, 36 to 48 hours, without sleep! And all this without the magazine bringing sufficient revenue to pay for its physical production were I to pay for having it done, let alone allowing remuneration for literary contributions. The question naturally arises as to how I could continue in the face of continued loss. Here is the answer: 1 use the facilities of the Syrian American Press, which I own, to produce the magazine without charging anything against the publication, and whatever deficit occurs in the accounts of the magazine I make up from personal work. But now I in turn will ask a question: Is it fair that this condition should continue? And I say, even if it is fair it is now nearing a stage where it will be no longer possible, with the printing buisness affected just as any other by the general depression. The logical deduction being that the SYRIAN WORLD must either be made self-supporting or given up. Taking the latter alternative the question naturally arises: Is the SYRIAN WORLD needed: Is it a credit to us? Does its continuance help our prestige as a racial element in America : Does it have a mission towards our own younger generation: If the answer be in the affirmative we come to the other alternative of making it self-supporting and face the question as to how this could be done. To the latter question there is but one answer, and that is: Public support. This appeal is now addressed to that part of our Syrian public who wish the SYRIAN WORLD continued and are willing to lend it the needed support. I personally am willing to give to the enterprise as much time, as much energy and devotion, as I have given it heretofore, without any expectation of reward. In other words, I am not aiming to "make money" out of the magazine, but I must emphatically assert that I am no longer in a position to continue losing money on the venture. I am but one of the community, and against the $5.00 of the subscriber I am willing to contribute $5000.00 in personal services. Can a man do more- �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD I am even willing and ready to turn the whole management of the publication to any responsible public body that may want to take charge, simply to "save our face" as a people by keeping the publication alive. Such an attempt was made when the SYRIAN WORLD Corporation was launched and found no backing, thus throwing the whole burden back on my shoulders. This burden, as before stated, I cannot further carry alone, and I find myself forced to pass it on to the public. Hence this appeal. Now I earnestly ask: Are there not a few thousand Syrians in the United States and other English-speaking countries who would pay a $5.00 yearly subscription to the magazine? I am convinced that there is that number and much more The question is how to reach them. Solicitors cannot be sent out because of the expense, nor would it be possible for me to travel and make personal contacts because, confidentially, mine is a oneman business, with the shadow of loss continually stalking it and immediately I go out, loss enters. It is my belief that under present conditions there is but one way to salvation, and that is by a reasonable display of interest on the part of those who have the vision to realize the immense benehts of the publication if it is helped to weather the present crisis. Io each of these I now appeal to constitute himself a trustee of the late of the SYRIAN WORLD, and to realize that its continuance depends on him. If the magazine should go, that fact would be taken as proof that we are not a people of culture, all assertions to the contrary notwithstanding. Can we afford to stand such an accusation? Can't we, with our united effort, insure a few thousand subscriptions to the SYRIAN WORLD and thereby insure its life? 1 hat question is for you to decide. As a helpful suggestion to friends of the publication I will invite consideration of one of the following propositions: Subscribe now if not already a subscriber; Pay your subscription if in arrears, Make a gift subscription if -possible, or Solicit a new subscription by all means. i: c ii n b P b h �MAY, 1932 25 I am willing to make a substantial concession in the rate of subscriptions to promote interest in the magazine The onces S^$]*££* SUbSmber **"**** subscnp^on ; U ft he makes no m many and tlto TneW °n ^ ' ^ how 6ach subsc* whl'h n , nption coming through him o^::ztz T W subscriber if he desires But subsc ^ tions must be paid n advance to save time and postage. Further- sTi bV^itkdto erS '-falthrgh Paying the This offer is open until September 1 191? will enter IK 7th , . 'i T SYRIAN WORLD been I h / anty ' but In consid ACT^MVD,^^ HELP "educed wi1 At th,,,-• .u that t,me the eration of value received IT LIVE; PLEASE Yours for the cause EDITOR AND PUBLISHER HHMSJ �THE SYRIAN WORLD 26 Last Tributes to a Great Leader Thousands of Lebanese and Syrians From Greater New York and Distant Cities Gather to Pay Tribute to the Editor of Al-Hoda in the Alost Impressive Syrian Funeral Yet Held in America By H. I. KATIBAH 'THE LAST funeral rites and obsequies of the late Naoum A. Mokarzel, famous Lebanese leader and editor of Al-Hoda of New York, were symbolic and characteristic of his life and spirit. They partook of the nature of the old and the new, and linked two worlds, the ancient and the modern. They were fit and proper tributes to a man who, since he left his beloved motherland in his early twenties, had never returned to it in the remainder of his life, but who, in the forty-five odd years he spent in this country of liberty and opportunity, had devoted every ounce of his energy and acumen to the service of little Lebanon, small in area but great in spirit. Conceding to none a greater degree of loyalty and devotion in the service of his adopted country, America, Naoum Mokarzel believed implicitly in the wisdom of that homely proverb: "Charity begins at home." He knew at heart that no one who is a renegade to the country which gave him birth, to his homeland, could be anything but a renegade to his adopted country. He loved and cherished the ideals and principles which made this country great, and he dedicated his life to the task of inculcating these ideals and principles in the minds and hearts of his Lebanese and Syrian countrymen who had remained behind in the beloved homeland. At the same time he construed it his duty to instill in the tender and impressive souls of the young generation of Lebanese and Syrians born and brought up in this country that tried and true heritage of the East, the beautiful and stolid virtues which have stood the test of centuries, which have survived the ravages and ruthless devastations of untold generations of war, persecution, want, misery, success and triumph. In his dual role as messenger to the young, adventurous spirit of Americanism to the East, and of the spiritual, mellow spirit of stability, serenity and poise of the East to young America, Naoum Mokarzel amply deserved his title to leadership among his own people, here and abroad. �"**» $1 AYy 1932 27 And it was no surprise that in his funeral both spirits met to depa'n^heT' *T? ** **.**»* °' ^'^ ^" Mokarzel and Svr7"^ "^ * ^ * * ^ "oum The New York Herald Tribune, finding the imposing- fu neral ceremon.es of the departed Lebanese ilde SSL of H £ "T Val featUred the fact that u raJ^'w 4 centurie old comithe serviced as did f he dead « 31 FDhr ;r ; ^ ' ^ * > " SviS is S v/h SymC' ,an d that the ^uage used in the l l k til? Pract,ca]1y ^e same which Christ spoke on this earth and - -till spoken ,n some of the towns of Syria and Mesopotamia' he fact erecl that~ ^tyr J^t^[^;^ y ~** , , at his bier, and m the nnumenrile fe puts puonsnta uem a d ii, AI'HS" andH Al-Hoda ri ra tu rrv ^ papers^-in all the Arabic the MWester,, d - saa^a s,r,?„r„',t,f*- - »'•• the nT11" ^^T ^ the earthl >' remains of Naoum Mokarzel special permission from the collector of Iht ? 7 ^ re«' d P r at quarantine, together with he H n ° ' S b°ard the shiP Ge rge Da her leader and presidfnt of t^ i ? ° « > Poli»«l ing the Syrfa, 5 „ ony £ A££T I^K!^ ' rePrcse"<' Anthony Mrtn 3 M<£^a^ W,T ^'7° Lebanese fcs> the giant ship and dropped tafc rf tirs ^ ^ ab<>Ve had accompamed ^i^^^^l ,„' -rl,.7«i.1mitt*. �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD family and some close friends. While at the pier were fully 1500 of the editor's countrymen with bowed heads and heavy hearts. At the head of this large crowd was the committee of the Lebanon League of Progress, whose founder and honorary president was Naoum Mokarzel himself. The committee received the body, covered it with the American and Lebanese flags and removed it to the waiting hearse. Then the procession started to Washington street, the first home of the Syrians in this country, a home dear to the heart of the departed Lebanese leader and mentor, and where for years the office of his paper, Al-Hoda, has stood. The procession was preceded by a motorcycle squad from the city, and followed by the mourning friends, followers and admirers. The office of Al-Hoda, on 55 Washington Street, draped with black and purple, seemed as though conscious of its great loss and vacancy, now that its moving spirit and tireless master had passed away. On the following day thousands, of all classes, representing Lebanese and Syrian citizens from Greater New York and every section of the United States, came to the Al-Hoda building where the body lay amidst a bower of flowers. The bells of St. Joseph, the neighboring Maronite .Church of New York, tolled their plaintive notes. It was, as an editorial writer of Al-Hoda eloquently put it, as if the heart of the Syrian colony was sighing in grief and sorrow for its departed son. Mrs. Rose Mokarzel, the widow, and Salloum Mokarzel, the brother, received the long line of condolers. The funeral procession started from Al-Hoda building at 12.30 the spacious Catholic Church of St. Peter, on Barclay and Church Streets, in the neighborhood of the old Syrian quarter and Al-Hoda building. The funeral procession started from Al-Hoda building at 2:30 P.M. It was an imposing procession, the like of which has never been witnessed in the memory of Syrians in this country, and the line of mourners extended from the middle of Washington Street to Barclay Street, a distance of eight blocks. According to police reports there were no less than 250 automobiles in the procession, besides thousands who followed on foot. At the head of the funeral procession were six policemen, followed by sixteen arch-bishops and priests of all denominations from New York and other cities. Then came the hearse, flanked by the honorary pall-bearers who were chosen from distinguished Lebanese and Syrians in all walks of �tMAY, 1932 29 life. They were: Dr. Fuad Shatara, Attorney Joseph W. Ferris, Attorney Peter George, Emir Joseph Bellamah, M. J. Howatt, Nasib Trabulsi, Joseph Morin, and Fuad Dirani. Following on foot was a long line of delegations from the numerous Lebanese and Syrian societies and organizations in New York and various cities of the United States, near and far. Among these were the Syrian-American Federation of Brooklyn, the LebaneseAmerican Club of Poughkeepsie, St. Nicholas Young Men's Society of Brooklyn, the Kisrawanite Society of Brooklyn, the Syrian-American Club of New Bedford, Mass. etc. And behind these the long line of automobiles carrying the large numbers of those who were paying the last honor, who were bidding farewell, to one they had always recognized as leader among his people, patriot and servant of the public. The streets leading to St. Peter's Church and those adjoining were soon filled with a huge crowd of participants and watchers. Over 120 traffic policemen, under several inspectors, controlled and guided the traffic. In a few minutes the auditorium of the church, where the eulogies were delivered, was filled to capacity. The auditorium has a seating capacity of two thousand, and in the corridors and spaces behind the church benches hundreds were standing; while outside almost as large a crowd pressed at the doors to listen in. The ceremony in the auditorium of the church was under the auspices of the Lebanon League of Progress, whose acting president, Shaykh Naoum Hatim acted as master of ceremonies and delivered a touching speech in which he thanked the mourners and distinguished guests on behalf of his association. The eulogists who paid their last tribute to the deceased were: Emir Joseph Bellamah, who came especially from Canada for the occasion; Mr. As'ad Milkie, well-known writer and speaker, who had assisted in the editing of Al-Hoda and was a regular contributor to its pages; Mr. George Dibs, representing Miraat-ul-Gharb, a sister Arabic newspaper, and its editor Mr. Najib Diab; Hon Anis Azir Bey, Egyptian Consul General, speaking on behalf of a sister Arabic-speaking country; Hon. Count Charles de Fontnouvelle, French Consul General; Mr. Bendali Hafiz, of Washington, who spoke in Arabic and English; Dr. Khalil A. Bishara, minister of the Syrian Protestant Church in Brooklyn, and an old friend and admirer of Naoum Mokarzel. At the conclusion Salloum Mokarzel brother of the deceased, said a few words in a choked voice thanking the eulogists and those who attended the ceremony on behalf of �30 THE SYRIAN WORLD the family. There were others whose eulogies, for lack of time, could not be delivered, but which appeared later in Al-Hoda. Those were: Dr. Philip Hitti of Princeton University; Mr. Sa'id Harfoush, on behalf of the Jazzinite Society; Mr. Jacob Raphael, editor of the Character Magazine and a long-standing friend of the late editor of Al-Hoda; and Archimandrite Hanania Kassab, and Nasib Arida, of Al-Hoda staff. The final and crowning scene in this impressive drama, however, was the religious service in the church. To the plaintive notes of the organ, the huge crowd of mourners filed in. In a few minutes every seat in the spacious church and its balcony were filled, and hundreds, who found no seats, stood patiently throughout the long and solemn service. The priests, fifteen in number, formed a semi-circle in front of the sacristy, facing the audience, with Arch-Bishop Francis Wakim, in his purple robe, his stole and his beret, standing in the center. He was assisted by Rev. Mansur Estephan, Archimandrite Bernardos Ghosn, Archmandrite Paul Sanky, Iconomos Thomas Fayyad, Rev. Nicola Ariktinji, and the rest of the Syrian Catholic clergy in New York and Brooklyn. Other priests in attendance were: Rev. Joseph Komaid of Cleveland Ohio; Rev. Silwanos Abu Jowdy of Niagara Falls, N. Y.; Rev. Francis Lahood of Easton Pa. Rev. Joseph Eid of Fall River, Mass; Rev. Michael Abu Saab of Springfield, Mass; Rev. Peter Hawasabian of Paterson, N. J.; and Rev. George Zwein. Especially impressive was the intonation of the 51st Psalm by Miss Najibah Morad, accompanied on the organ by Mons. Louis Zwein. The service was mainly in the Syriac language, the language which Christ spoke and which has been preserved in the rites of the Maronite and other Eastern churches. It was interpolated by the reading of the scriptures in Arabic. And when the chants and responses were over, Father Mansur Estephan ascended the pulpit and delivered a eulogistic sermon based on a text from Joshua Bin Sirach, "And he rose like fire, and his words burned like a torch " It was a truly eloquent sermon by one who knew and loved the departed editor. Father Estephan, a writer and poet of high calibre, struck a responsive chord when he emphasized in his sermon the sincerity of the departed leader as his most prominent characteristic, a sincerity which inspired the forceful editorials of Naoum Mokarzel, which urged him on to a career of ceaseless energy and devotion in the interest of the country he loved above all countries, vault ment editor ran K loved theL from comm ( Mich. ton, C tine, . Okla., May : �MAY, 1932 I 31 Lebanon, and the people he loved above all peoples, the Lebanese. He pictured intimately scenes from the life of the departed leader which illustrate this saving virtue of sincerity, and which, we have no doubt, was the secret of Naoum Mokarzel's great success and popularity. Whatever his view, political or otherwise, and however strongly and staunchly he differed from those who had other views, people realized that in Naoum Mokarzel they found a man on whom they could depend, and who could be implicitly trusted as a champion of their cause. It was this sincerity which seemed to nourish his unfailing energy with a tenacity and strength that amazed his physicians. And it was this sincerity which made the doctor who performed the operation on him in Paris cry out with amazement: "This man is a gianthad he not been that he would not have lived so long." It was indeed this sincerity, this devotion to an ideal which had become part and parcel of his very nature, that impelled him weak as he was physically, to leave the quiet protection of his editorial office at 55 Washington Street and take a ship to France, in order to convey personally to the French authorities the urgent desire of the Lebanese immigrants that an upright and sincere man be chosen -President of the Lebanese Republic. The remains of Naoum Mokarzel lay now temporarily in a vault ,n St. John's Cemetery in Brooklyn. There is a strong movement afoot among the numerous admirers and devotees of the late r,n K.hlfr^ 'u0 trailSP°rt H1S b°dy t0 Lebano»> that> l^e Gibran Kahlil Gibran, he may rest in peace under the shade of that beloved mountain for which he lived and died. The great popularity which Naoum Mokarzel enjoyed among the Lebanese and Syrians all over the United States may be gathered from the numerous memorial services held for him in the different communities. Space permits only the mention of a few iv/r u ^ od\°hi°' May 22' Cin nati, Ohio, May 15- Detroit Mich. May 8; Mexico City, May 20; Bristow, Okla, May 15 Ca„ ^M^Y r0i LHanSng^t-'May 17^ B-noUir'es 'Arge _ oil M ,'c if" ?TdS' M'Ch-' May 29> Oklahoma City, Okla., May 15; Port Arthur, Texas, May 10; Houston, Texas,' �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD EDNA K. SALOOMEY, Editor EDITOR'S NOTE—The following article was the subject of an address given by the editor of this department on the occasion of the presentation of a painting made by the Syrians and Lebanese of Boston. Massachusetts, to the Immigration Department at Boston. A complete description of the occas-'on is published elsewhere in this issue. THREE THOUSAND YEARS OLD ARE WE QOD, THE GIVER of gifts, wove an infinitely lovely pattern. He made as the weft a land, fertile and spacious, and endowed it with the grandeur of mountains, rivers, and valleys, and with all the fruits of earth. He bounded it with vast ocean. His hand, which holds eternity within its clasp, wove designs of effulgent colours which surpassed in beauty the land, sea, and sky. These colours God wove out of the hearts and minds of the people which He brought here in succession to adorn the pattern, and, finally, to inherit its loveliness. This divine creation, we call America. Such is the Syrian immigrant's conception of his adopted country. Do you wonder now why we hope that nothing shall ever permanently mar that conception? Do you wonder at our resentment when either our own failing or that of our fellow Americans threatens to distort the beauty of that conception? We who are Americans by birth have much to learn from immigrants who are Americans by choice. We can learn from them a lesson which is especially pertinent to our needs during these times of fear and unrest. If you desire to know the true meaning of fortitude, faith, loyalty to God and country,—you have onlv to consider the unflinching manner in which immigrants met the challenge of the prolonged economic distress which was theirs after their arrival here, without knowledge of the language and without the possibility �•.-. MAYy 1932 33 of resorting to family or friends for sustenance. The" very loneliness of their existence would be unbearable to most of us. ' Yet, they are not to be pitied; rather they are to be envied, because that man who sets for his goal perfection—be it perfertion of self or country, shall always find something worthwhile in any struggle. The Syrian immigrants*, like their predecessors in this country, were devoid of pseudo-patriotism and sophistry. They looked not to the state for the solution of their problems, economic or social. They believed that as the state was composed of individuals, it was the task of each individual to solve his own problem. This they deemed was a right which freedom in its fullest sense intended, and they exercised this right with the spiritual and physical endurance which sane thinking inspires. We might well emulate their example. It is distressing that at times immigrants as a group should be condemned for the faults of a few. We must not let our having been spared the trials of living in foreign surroundings, make us smug or intolerant in our opinions. When a surgeon performs an appendectomy, he does not also sever a patient's arms and legs. For the very reason which guides the surgeon, we should be more judicious in our assertions. Mr. Edward Corsi, Commissioner of Immigration of the New York District, recently addressed the Neighborhood Teachers Association of New York, and gave as the reason for the bulk of America's juvenile delinquency, the lack of understanding between immigrants and their American born children. He advocated teaching immigrant mothers. Mr. Corsi said, "Our emphasis is entirely on the child. We do very little to enable the parent to catch up with him. I have seen the child leave his home, look down on his parents, and live the life on the streets. Parental influence is completely destroyed." What a strange influence educators must have if placing emphasis on educating the child has resulted in disintegration of home life. As for blaming juvenile delinquency on immigrant mothers, this assumption, so frequently expressed, is unjust; for though they do not know the language and customs, they certainly can distinguish beween right and wrong, and are capable of fulfilling the demands of motherhood. We relate Mr. Corsi's statements because it matters a great deal what a man of his integrity and authority thinks. Dr - Jane clark of Barnard College, through the cooperation of K By Syrian immigrants, we mean all those who have come from that country which geographically has been called Syria from 1400 B. C. �.. *»**-.« ,:-:: 34 THE SYRIAN WORLD the Department of Labor, made an extensive study of deportation laws and one of her findings serves as a direct reply to all who would shunt the entire blame for wrongdoing on immigrants. Dr Uark said that the social causes of crime are not attributed to the alien; the roots lie deeper. Also, "the assumption often current in the United States that aliens are malefactors because of the mere tact of their alliance has not been borne out in the investigations of criminologists, who have shown that aliens have not contributed more than their proportionate share of crime in the population The task infinitely more difficult than lumping together persons who are not citizens in the United States and assuming because of that accident of birth they are lawbreakers is to study the social causes of crime, and the cure for them." we M\£T<[brOUghtuthhLPhase °f Emigration before you because we feel that it is worthy of consideration from the viewpoint of natives and immigrants alike. This situation, which Dr. Clark aptly described, is a rift between natives and immigrants which tends to break the unity of national thought. Let there be no misunde staiidu^between us. Let there be only a concreted effort to do our Syrians are justly proud of the racial heritage which they bequeath to their American-born children. The significance of that heritage is perfectly expressed by the late Cardinal Newman, eminent theologian and English scholar. He wrote: "Looking at the countries which surround the Mediterranean Sea, as a whole, I see hem to be from time immemorial the sea of an association of in, M ,eH TimS ' such^s deserve to be called the Intellect and the Mind of the Human Kind. Starting as it does and advancing from certain centres, till their respective influences intersect and conflict, and then at length intermingle and combine, a common Thought has been generated and a common Civilization defined and estabrTredfh V * TJ ^ suchJstarting Point-" Cardinal Newman traced the trend of conquest and colonization, and he concluded thusold" "not A C1VlllZat^n ?f modern times remains what it was of old not Chinese, or Hindoo, or Mexican, or Saracen. . .but the lineal descendant or rather the continuation of the civilization which o^ountrr CStine GrCeCe -" ^^ '* *' *"*"* ^ son tnat Th^ l^f-''""****:to the h^ of the immortal Emerson, that the foundation of culture, as of character, is the moral •-, �MAYy 1932 35 sentiment. Ask, not what is the complexion of a man, or what is his financial standing, or how much knowledge has he acquiredrather, ask what is his moral sentiment. The country of our forefathers was the birthplace of Christianity and on its teachings do we base our ethics. These constitute our moral sentiment Please remember that Syria was very old long before this nation of ours was conceived; that long before Greece and Rome were inscribing their fame on history's scroll, Syria was creating her endowment for her children, of religion, philosophy science, literature, and commerce. These are the gifts which we bring to this our country. We bring them as did the wise men of old who came to the Infant Jesus, with humility, love and solicitude. . these qual ities which age has ever manifested in the presence of a child whose birth personifies continuation of life. We pay homage to a young nation which we wish to serve in unison with all its children, striving that the spiritual and material potentialities of the United States may be fulfilled to the everlasting glory of its name. M ?^ Chnsrt whose birth in our ^rmer country has hallowed the name of Syria forever, find His place here in the hearts of all nationalities represented. As a mark of our devotion and gratitude, we present to our government through you Mrs.Tillinghast, its worthy representative this painting. May it ever serve as a memorial of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants who by their courage, self-respect, honour, love of God and country have taught us their children, native sons and daughters of the Umted States, to be better citizens! We are happv a^nTnopt8 ^^ ^^ ' " ^ *»<**> wil1 ^ "AL-JIRN." A series of articles written by members of the younger generation '„ tlTj the/dJ- S7e-Yn,10Vati°- -e plannedfwhfch shou d make this department of vital interest. This is your department. Whatever may be vour opinion re garding it, we shall be glad to receive an expision'of Z opinion. * * * ,l,,MMr: Far u S *£%%?* r,^ alouf has yet answered this y ,5sue «*We wo,,der if his - department's m **£ — �WMBMW.M I 36 THE SYRIAN WORLD How Have the Mighty Fallen Syrian Poet Likens America to a Modern Ulysses Who Bends the Bow of Energy to Its Utmost, Steps Aside and Invites the Rest of The World to Do the Same. By H. I. KATIBAH JT WAS AFTER that historic crash of 1929, that memorable and never-to-be-forgotten day when the high stack of American prosperity, which, like the Tower of Babel, seemed to have reached to heaven, and to have almost laid hold of its golden gates and pavements, began to tumble down. It was a terrific crash, a stupendous, spectacular catastrophe j and who does not recall it without a creeping feeling of ominous horror? Yet few there were amidst the very din of its deafening detonations that truly realized what it all meant. Few realized that terrible as the crash was, it was nothing to the mounting crescendo of subsequent reverberations, that followed upon it like the approaching booms of distant thunderings on the heals of a thunderbolt. And few could even pierce with their inward vision the flood of misery, poverty and wretchedness which inevitably followed, and which has swept thousands, nay millions, of unfortunate victims before its angry tides. Only today are we beginning to understand some of the inner and deeper implications of that historic denouement, that terrific crash. The voice of couragous prophecy that raised itself feebly in the wilderness of those days, and the mad days of the prosperity frenzy that preceded them, fell unheeded on deaf ears. Men and women, yes, even children in their teens, were too occupied with the mad rush for quick profits, for fabulous wealth that multiplied itself over and over again while those happy, excited, scrambling speculators dreamed golden and rosy dreams. It was the day of the Great Opportunity, and people thought that by some mysterious alchemy they all would become rich without putting in an equivalent of hard labour and earnest planning. And now that the piper has led us beyond the fabled hills of sudden-wealth, and the hills have closed upon those of us who tripped behind the soothing charms of its notes, we are looking about with dismay and dejection to find ways and means to pay the MM mmmmmmmmmm �MAY, 1932 37 deceiving piper. We are beginning to remember that it is against all laws of human nature to take out of a pot more than we had put into it; and that it is not possible to eat one's cake and still have it. We are also beginning to see that the rich few, the powerful few in places of trust and responsibility, cannot keep on eternally robbing our poorer brethren and still expect them to pay the taxes which keep those few in the Arcadian palaces of luxury and felicity. It may be that the rich and powerful will always be with us; but almost two thousand years ago a Hebrew prophet and seer reminded •us that the poor will also be always with us, and commended them to our solicitous care and charity. It may be, further, that man at heart is a beast of prey; but even a beast of prey has enough instinctive wisdom not to kill his prey ruthlessly and wantonly, to find itself in a few days without any victims to prey upon. The big fish take heed not to swallow all the little fish at one gulp. And men in their superior acquired knowledge, have often, too often, lacked the instinctive wisdom of the beast of prey in the jungle and the big fish in the depth of the sea. So it has been in the past and so it will be in the future, until men realize the first elemental lesson that God or Nature, or whatever you like to name the superior power that controls and fashions our destiny, first sought to instill in the heart and mind of the first errant member of the human race mme ly, that MAN IS HIS BROTHER'S KEEPER, if th£ broX er is our slave and victim. It was in those hectic days following the crash that I found myself sitting next to the famous Syrian poet Khalil Bey Mutran at a dinner table in the home of my friend and forme/college mate" Emil Zaydan, m the fashionable quarter of Cairo known as Garden t':: ,ffaWKhf] Bey ^Utran is a typical Syrian and a ^^1 poet. His In t ft"1 andua^ marrS' his S°ft V0ice' his genial conversation, sparkling with wit and wisdom, and punctuated with those in imitable gestures for which Orientals, and'syrians in ^a dcuk are" famous, the changing expressions of his face that ai equallydo! th Smile KTfS h-1"11profound ^ Zfwisdom f SUPPrCSSed his face and gives his a spirituality all3 its suffuses own at once mark him as an oracle to whom all ears are at once aZ'ed the cynosure to all eyes that were fixed upon him. He is a proohet and the son of a prophet, sprung from the land of prophs ands'eer and through years of reflection and contemplation,^ n the m^ of Ins busy duties as an expert economist in the AgriculturdSo'ety �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD of Egypt, he had learned the subtle and beautiful art of conversation. No wonder he is so lionized at every public occasion he attends, and no wonder we almost forgot to eat as we listened to him in enwrapped attention. And as the sensational tumbling of the New York Stock Exe y t0ngU£ in thoSe days k was natural e ou T?inT? T Mutran, rf gh that Khalil Bey an economist and 'a sage, was led to»speak r on that topic. It was from Khalil Bey Mutran, at that dinner in the serene atmosphere of Cairo on a clear day in the autumn of 1929 that I heard the most succinct and brilliant criticism of the American philosophy that I had ever heard before. Its aptness and inevitability struck me like a bolt from a clear sky, and I have since made use of it in one of my feature articles for the American newspapers that I was then serving. I wish to repeat it here for the sake and edification or the readers of this magazine -hi ,tTHCt' Sdd KhalU Bey Mutran' emPlo^g a picturesque parabe that makes unnecessary a volume of explanation and reasoning is like a huge giant who bent the bow of human energy to its utmost and let the arrow fly to its furthest limit. Then hf stepped a7de and invited the rest of the world to do the same. Few the able and powerful, could emulate this giant, but the rest of us poor humanity, when we bent the bow to its utmost it snapped in ouV hands did no?t I'' Until.Very recently> Khalil Bey explained, people did not know what a crisis meant. In days of plenty they stored for in proS kn^t?1*' ' ^Y. they prepared for depression. They knew by long experience and inherited instinct that prosperity never lasts, nor depression, and they acted accordingly. When a llZ m retrenChed the lZTdtdTlT ^ d^ " ^ts er and did with less rfu food than was their> usual; they took out tightfrom then- stored provisions sparingly. No one lost all his fortune witT one sroke, for people in the East followed the wisdom of their yoTrefer°Verb: ^ aCC rdanCe With the k ° ^th of y -t stretch But now we speculate on our fortunes years ahead and live way beyond our income. Our fortune is mo Jy hypothetical if no fictitious. And when the least setback comes, it tumbles downtfke a house of cards and melts away before our eye" Although he did not specifically say it, Khalil Bey Mutran must m Tmd th£ "&** UlySSeS -d his strong tow S sTory « quite familiar to readers of Homer's Odyssey, how Ulysses^ 1S?u,W �MAY, 1932 39 hi !irSB? aft£r his long meandenngs in the waters of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, to his home in Ithaca, found the drunken feasting suitors of his beautiful wife Penelope, pressing her for her hand, while she by a clever ruse, was putting them off from day to day. Suddenly Ulysses appeared, like a ghost, in the middle of the orgiastic revelries The revelers did not recognize him at first, but when he reached for his powerful bow, that none but he was supposed to be strong enough to bend, and, standing to his full length bent it before them, they realized that their hero and king had res turned. The ideal of individual success, and the philosophy of rivalry and competition which lies at its roots and foundation, Khalil Mutran pointed out, work out successfully for the few. For the majority ot humanity it brings only disaster and ruin in its wake. For it is obvious that while many may compete, only few are destined to succeed ; while all may run, only one wins the race. And what about the huge number of those who compete and do not succeed; what about the great majority who exert then selves in the race, only to fall exhausted by the race-track? Are we to overlook them, with a disdainful turn of the head as ignoble failures unworthy of our attention? Are we to leave them behind nursing their bruises and fatigues, while we press on unconcernedly tor the goalr The similie would be apt if life were merely a race, and all those engaged ,n it were racers. But life is too complex to be encompassed by one simile, too intricate for one magical formula to cover it And besides, it is humanly and physically impossible to ignore the large majority of humanity, and only concern ourselves with our own fortune and destiny. But it happens that in this strange race of life, the strong owe their strength to the weak: they are strong be«use the weak are weak. What one has, he has because he has taken it from someone .who had it or is entitled to it. It is therefore, sheer folly for the strong to think only of their strength! and to pay no heed to the weakness of the weak. For that weakness is the source of their strength. More fitting than the beast of prey as a symbol of the strong in the human race, is the shepherd who watches over his flock by nijht and eads it to the green meadows and the still waters by day not simply out of compassion, but because only thus does he ensure he utmost efficiency and results from his sheep. The shepherd who neglects his sheep, who looks only after his pleasure and comfort, �iujiifrrhT'ni-Tiitl 40 THE SYRIAN WORLD who abandons his sheep to the devouring wolves, to the heat of the noontide and the cold of the night, finds at the end of the season that his stock of wool and butter is dwindling, and that the sheep which should give so much milk give less than they should. Practical sagacity dictates that he should be a good shepherd, unless he is a hired shepherd, and the sheep do not know his voice. Even then, a better shepherd is hired, and the careless shepherd goes begging for a job in foreign quarters where he is not known. That is what is happening today in the pastures of Wall Street, the stock markets and the marts of prodigious profits, where millions of poor sheep are milked and sheered, and then left by to starve in the dark of poverty and distress. And these sheep, unlike the dumb ones, have the power of speech and feelings. They can reason, ever so crudely and inarticulately, and their reasoning maychange them to devouring wolves who turn around and rend their goading masters. Such things have heppened before our eyes in other countries, and it is not inherently impossible, or even improbable that they may not happen in these American pastures of ours. The whole question of "success" should be scrutinized more carefully. Furthermore it should be so construed as to cover the whole range of human nature. For today it is also true, as it was two thousand years ago, and as it was from the beginning of time, that man is not only the body, and happiness does not consist of food and raiment, and man does not live by bread alone. If the higher things of life are not taken into consideration, then success itself is indeed a dismal failure, and the successful are the ones to be pitied most. When we think of the thousands who lost their fortunes, who have become destitute after great riches, who have committed suicide because life proved so empty to them, because it meant to them only material prosperity and pleasure, we are apt to utter the la mention of the Hebrew prophet: How have the mighty fallen! But let us not forget the nameless and countless millions who had never risen above the level of mere subsistence to know what falline 6 means. The giant may draw the bow of human energy to its utmost and let the arrow fly to its farthest destiny, but time comes when he bow snaps even in the hands of the giant, and the catastrophe then is great And now the American giant stands with bowed head bowed ,n shame and contemplation, with the bow broken in his �JABLA IBN AL-AYHAM The Story of a Christian King of the Ghassanide Arabs Who EmwZ\l ITT ^2? °f. °mar> A*** * ^cause His DignTty Was Skghted at the Pilgrimage of Mecca, and Finally Retired I Live in Constantinofie. sulaCwaryi°W-0mm0n beli6f ' thG Chris «*n Arabs in the Arabian Penin- an arrangement similar to that resorted to ny'thfTurks at er^"A t 7" war with the Greeks, following the World War and for*„! 1 Anatollan sons. But there were manv rhr.;»t", warf and ±or muc,h the same reaPeninsula, who fTkedTlLm0JLt ' ifS "* "^ the Arabian ious considerations or btauSe 0f fntel ctu^ convictlon ^l' "IT mw* fr°m "**" ia! and social considerations rZ , > but rather for mater-rks of Moslem ^H ^^£Z^J^ * °» ff tory. It is not here our purpose to ana W * e7den<* to make it satisfacso much as to present ^2^^^^^^^ C°ntentS °f the ^> sible mirror of the early days of Mam and tS I,magaZme as a P1 ' Moslems and Christians of ZS S who I T?** relati°nS between tions, tribal notions and affiHatLs 1oC'iaT ha t ?" Same radal tradi' dents.—Editor. anmations, social background and cultural antece- A S1*- ^b P"-s who ruled in Damascus heart and haughty dignity When Td ' * P Td rU er of stout ' �42 THE SYRIAN WORLD empire waned from those lands, and the shadow of the cross receded before the shadow of the crescent, many of the Christian princes and their followers embraced Islam. Considering that to most people religion is a traditional loyalty in which intellectual conviction plays a very small, if not a negligible, part, and in view of the economic advantages and great social prestige which accrued to the Arabs who embraced the new, victorious religion, it was not surprising to find Jabla, the Christian prince of Damascus, temporise on his religious convictions and embrace Islam. But Jabla soon discovered that he was mistaken in his mercenary and worldly calculations; that instead of enhancing his royal prestige with the Moslem Arabs, he was invited to join a democratic brotherhood in which every Moslem was looked upon as a brother to every other Moslem, at least in theory, and often in practice. Kingship and its trappings were foreign to the spirit of the new religion, often repulsive to those fanatic nomads who swept out of Arabia, with hungry hawk eyes, riding on lean, swift steeds, to subjugate the effete and profligate armies of the heathen and polytheists to the simple, ascetic tenets of Mohammed the son of Abdullah, of the tribe of Qoreish, the first successful organizer of the Arabs, the Arabian Prophet of Allah. It might have been different, and our story would not have been recorded, if Jabla had come fifty or a hundred years later, when the Arabs had become inured to court life and to the pomp and glamour of royalty, causing the edge of the democratic, ascetic zeal of Islam to become somewhat dulled. But it was Jabla's misfortune to have lived in the days of Omar, the second Caliph of Islam. And Omar, of all the early protagonists of Islam was the most austere, the most upright and the most democratic. Innumerable stories are related of his implacable justice and severe simplicity of life. And Omar took Islam very seriously, while Jabla conceived of it as a means to carry him still higher in social esteem and glory among the Arabs. It was inevitable that the two ideals would soon clash, and that is what we are told actually happened. When Jabla declared his Islam, he wrote Omar informing him of his desire to visit him. Omar was elated and wrote back welcoming him, and so, around the pilgrimage season, Jabla, with five hundred of his retainers and followers of the tribes of Ghassan and Akk, proceeded to Medina, the first capital of Islam, where Omar had his simple, nomadic court. And about two stages before Jabla's mmm �04AYy 1932 caravan was to arrive at Medina, he again wrote to Omar, and the latter commanded that the people give him a fitting reception Everybody m Medma had heard of the conversion of Jabla to £ am, and they were now anxious to see how a Ghassanide king looked like, what he wore, and how he carried himself. For the pomp and glory of the Ghassanide court, as well as that of HL^Z 1 ry thC kaSt al T ^oftl «**»*« with Islam his nationrr Two al Wu iterature the^ foremost Arab poets before AlthG Sflbnll I??" ^ ^ ^ *** P-gySs of y am 118 DamaSCUS C UrtS Ibn ThaL ."I, ? J ° - Moreovef, Hassan Ibn rhabit, the favoured panegyrist of Mohammed the Prophet who had renounced heathenism and embraced Islam, was also the beginner, Hassan had extemporized a magnificent poem in the praise of Jabla so at least one literary tradition has it, in which he enu merated the virtues of the royal clan of Jafna, gathered around the tomb of their father, the son of Maria, their pompous cour^nDa P ffl Ua mascus, their prodigous liberality. ~ a b t0 ente A1 Medina emissaries to the , ;king, " with provisions ' °mar S£nt et the c~ convertedd °rn Christian and presents And tha two hun dred of his picked me ffiSTSE ! , " *%* £* best silken clothes and put on their complete armours. He himself r0yal r beS f PUrpk SUrmOU ted cro^ " hh,!two ° ° " down ^ hifrom * beje" w precious crown, w with stones that' had come Maria his royal ancestress. The blooded steeds of Jabla and his men were CaPa mLotsgnThently Tn.Cd Wkh g°ld gr med thC r yal Part La °° ' ° d f ^, th 171 tS >' ° Jabla «oved into Me No wonder, then as chroniclers of those days tell us there was not a single unmarried or married woman in Medina but adorned herself in her best clothes and ornaments and went ou ^ ent0U a ge fr DamaSCUS and l00k at stvler1tt ; ff °Tfrom ' thev hid PWP ^eir po^ouJ styles. It was so different anything a out which they had only read or held SffillLTpo^ of praise dedicated to the royal houses of the ri,,. J P ? Mundhirites of Al-Hira. Ghassanides or the Omar welcomed Jabla as befitted his royal rank and prestige He drew him near to him, and was elated at heart at this mora v!c ory of Islam, which had won to it a Christian Arab kng of suchn & lame and renown. Then on the pilgrimage day, Omar wanted to lead the pilgrims �Tusmmr- 44 .» THE SYRIAN WORLD in the circumambulation of Al-Kaaba, the sacred stone of Al-Haram enclosure, and he invited Jabla to accompany him. One of the ceremonies of the circumambulation (tawaf) was to discard one's ordinary clothes and that all pilgrims dress alike in a loose, white wrapper or shroud. Jabla in compliance with the prescribed custom discarded his regal robes and put on the white izar. On that day, in the august presence of the sacred Kaaba, all were alike before the sight of Allah. There was no great or small, no high or low, no nobleman or serf. All alike were brethren in Islam. Jabla complied with the outward ceremony, but at heart his proud nature rebelled against it. He was a king, and he wanted everyone to know it. The idea of dressing like the rest of the rabble, sawaqa, ruffled him. But he said nothing, seeing that the Caliph Omar himself, the Prince of all the Believers, commander of the armies of the faithful that had conquered all the lands between Asphahan and the Cataracts of the Nile, was himself dressed in the same simple fashion, like the humblest of his subjects. It was a memorable pilgrimage, and thousands were pressing for the ceremony of the circumambulation. The crowd was immense, the Kaaba was congested. And it happened that while Jabla was moving slowly in the procession, a man of the tribe of Fizara stepped on the king's garment, and it got loose. Jabla turned angrily to the man and struck him on the face, bruising his nose. The Fizara man went to Omar and made a complaint against Jabla, and Omar sent for Jabla and enquired of the incident. Jabla still angry at the uncouth conduct of a mere subject, corroborated the story, adding: "O Prince of the Believers, he did purposely intend to unloosen my wrap. And if it were not for the respect of Al-Kaaba I would have cloven his face with this sword of mine." To this Omar calmly replied: "Verily you have confessed. Now either satisfy the man, or I shall take his side against you." "And what will you do in the latter case?" anxiously asked Jabla. "I shall have your nose bruised, as you bruised the man's nose." This was beyond Jabla's comprehension. "How so, O Prince of the Believers", he protested, "when he is one of the rabble and I am a king?" To which Omar replied: "Yea, Islam has made you equal. Verily you have no preference over him except in righteousness and well-being." �v MAY, 1932 45 "I thought", objected Jabla, "that in Islam I would be more honorable than I was in my pre-Islamic days." "Let that alone", retorted Omar, "for if you do not satisfy the man, I shall surely exact the strictest penalty from you." "Then I would turn to Christianity again", finally threatened Jabla. But that was not to move the implacable Omar, who merely replied: "Then I would strike off your head. For you would then be considered an apostate, and death is the punishment of apostasy." Jabla was cornered. He requested a respite of Omar till the next day, which Omar granted. But during that very night, when all the people of Medina were asleep, Jabla and his men pitched off and stole out of the city It is further related that, years later, in the reign of Mauwiyah who was much more worldly and diplomatic than Omar, Jabla, who had taken refuge in the Byzantine court of Constantinople, was approached by a messenger of the Umayyad caliph and invited to return to Damascus, where he would be given as fief all the famouOnuta. But Jabla refused, and died a Christian and an exile A LEBANESE ORIENTALIST A modest Maronite priest who has quietly devoted himself to a lite of study and research has been pointed out in a recent article in Al-Basir as one of the outstanding Orientalists in Europe. Mons^ Michael Faggali officially is the nuncio or vicar of the Maronite Patriarch in Paris. But in an unofficial, and to the world at large a more important sense, he is a learned scholar, a lecturer on Arabic literature in the University of Bordeaux and a fellow in the Oriental School of Paris, which is attended by hundreds of the diplomatic corps and others for a thorough training in Oriental languages, literatures and cultures. On various occasions Mons. Faggali was sent on scientific missions to Moroco, and was the official French delegate to the Orientalistic congress recently held in Holland �46 THE SYRIAN WORLD Od, CONSTITUTION IN LEBANON SUSPENDED Presidential Election Crisis Leads to Drastic Action By High Commissioner—Ministry Dismissed and Government Conducted by Bureaus Under Direction of President. pOR A LONG time the political issue in Lebanon has been hanging fire. There were gathering clouds that threatened to break out any moment into a violent storm. It was only a question of time when the elements would loosen themselves and give vent to mounting and impounded reactions against evils which cried loud to heaven for redress, and which everybody decried but apparently could not correct. It was, therefore, hardly surprising when Havas cabled from Beirut on May 9 that the High Commissioner, M. Henri Ponsot, had announced officially the partial suspension of the Lebanese Constitution, promulgated on May 22, 1926, the suppression of numerous offices in the native government and drastic retrenchment in public expenditures, until a satisfactory revision is made in the said constitution before it is resubmitted to the League of Nations. There was a rumor at first, based on some cables from Beirut that M. Ponsot had annulled the constitution, following the same course he had pursued in the case of the Syrian Government in Damascus in 1928, as a consequence of the intransigence of Syrian nationalists and their refusal to withdraw the six objectionable articles in the Syrian constitution. But it appears from later communications and reports in the Syrian and Lebanese press lately reaching this country, that the step which M. Ponsot has taken was in response to deep-set criticism of the flagrant extravagance in the Lebanese Government, made necessary by the grandiose and elaborate governmental machinery of a country hardly larger than Vermont, and much poorer in natural resources and industrial development There might also have been a political reason for the sudden decision of M Ponsot to take the executive reins into his own hands The rivalry for the office of president had gone so far, and had become so bitter, that it was creating a political crisis. The Mandatory ^H of the al �ddAY% 1932 PRESIDENT CHARLES DABBAS of the Republic of Lebanon, Who Has Been Appointed Provision 4 Execute During the Suspension of theConstiuZ 47 �48 THE SYRIAN WORLD power seems to have made up its mind that the coming President of the Lebanese Republic should be a Maronite. There was little opposition to this desire until His Eminence Shaykh Mohammed alJisr, President of the Lebanese Parliament, announced his candidacy on behalf of the different Moslem sects, supported by some Christian factions. It is said that the French authorities intimated to Mohammed al-Jisr that his candidacy would be regarded unfavourably by them, and that it is the decided policy of both the French authorities in Paris and in Beirut to effect an election of a Maronite president for the coming term, pince the Maronites, as the largest sectarian group in Lebanon, are entitled to this honor. It appears that Mohammed Al-Jisr had persisted in his determination to run for the presidency, and the Mandatory authorities were faced by an impasse, from which there was no logical or legal exit except by the temporary suspension of the Lebanese constitution. Of this latter surmise there is no indication in the official communique suspending the Lebanese Parliament and holding the Lebanese constitution in abeyance. Only the economic motive is put forth and emphasized. The communique follows: "Article 90 of the Constitution of the Lebanese Republic declares that the powers approved in this constitution may be executed subject to the rights and duties of the Mandatory Power constituted in accordance with Article 22 of the League of Nations Covenant and with the Mandatory Convention. "Now, whereas the economic crisis which threatens the finances of Lebanon has created a strong tendency and desire to revise the constitution and put it in such form as will lighten the burden of the taxpayer, after it appeared that it is too onerous and expensive in view of the resources of the country, "And whereas this wish is in line with the observations made public by the League of Nations in June 1931, at the 20th convention of the Permanent Mandatory Commission, "And whereas the need for the realization of these observations has become more urgent because of the world crisis, which will not pass away without affecting Lebanon, "And whereas this condition has become especially clear before an election which should have taken place in a way calculated to assure and establish order for a new period of six years, with the postponement of necessary reforms to some other time, "And whereas in time of necessity it is incumbent on the Mandatory Government to assume responsibility for immediate means �MAY, 1932 49 with due consideration of the interests of the country, which is the essential object of the mandate, providing that it will give an account thereof to the League of Nations, in accordance with Article 17 of the Mandatory Convention, "Be it therefore decreed: "Article one—That the enforcement of the Lebanese Constitution, in what relates to both the legislative and executive branches of government, is hereby temporarily suspended. "Article two—That in this transitional interval the president of the government, appointed by a decree of the High Commissioner, shall undertake the executive duties, with the assistance of the Mandatory Power. The president shall have the support of a council comprised of the heads of the government departments. "Article three—That the government functions shall remain as before distributed among the departments of justice, interior, public works, education, agriculture, public health and public relief. With this council there will be technical advisors and competent experts. "Article Four—That the President of the Government has the right to issue legislative decrees in this transitional period which relate to the balancing of the budget, according to the opinion of the Council of Directors. These measures, on approval of the High Commissioner, will become executable law, and this statute shall become effective from the day of its publication." Subsequently M. Ponsot by decree appointed M. Charles Dabbas, the former president, President of the temporary government, in accordance with the above articles. < Receiving the Hon. Mohammed Al-Jisr, President of the Legislative Assembly, and other Representatives, the High Commissioner informed them formally of the measures taken explaining that the pressing economic crisis and the clamor of the people for reform have constrained him to take these extraordinary measures. The after effect of the Lebanese upheaval could be described at a state of high elation and unbounded optimism, tempered in some responsible quarters with a cautious and watchful outlook on the future. On the whole, it may be said that the common people, the oppressed tax-payers who had to foot the bill for the extravagant style in which the Representative Assembly and the native government lived, were almost bitter and vindictive in their denunciation of the discredited representatives and rulers. Almost in a spirit of rebuke Al-Bashir, which considers the pre- �50 THE SYRIAN WORLD sent Lebanese upturn a form of dictatorship, declares editorially that the suspension of the constitution and of the representative government should have been received in a different spirit than that of rejoicing, because the Lebanese are a liberty loving people by instinct, and because the republican form of government had many supporters who asked for it and still want it. Nevertheless it was at the request of the people themselves that the present order supplanted the constitutional one. The important thing now is to demand the execution of that measure of justice and economic relief which the present regime promised. Towards this end Al-Bashir suggests that the government make a survey of conditions in the country that its reforms may be of general application to all Lebanon, and not be satisfied with reforms in Beirut and environs. In quite a different vein Lisan Ul-Hal warns the public against undue optimism, and takes the voters to task for their vindictive attitude towards the deposed representatives. Heading the article with the strange title, "Mary Magdalene and Judas Iscariot", Lisan Ul-Hal says that it is excusable and understandable to cry out, as the populace has done. "Let the sinner be stoned, let the traitor be hanged on a wood." But it is also a measure of caution and wisdom to remember that whereas in the former regime we knew where the money from our taxes went, today we face a dictatorial government which collects these taxes and spends them without any supervision by representatives of the people. The editor gives expression to his misgivings that one man, even as upright and highminded as Hon. Charles Dabbas, could guarantee the equitable collection of taxes and their distribution among the different districts of Lebanon. The same paper published an interview by President Dabbas himself with one of its editors, Zaydan Zaydan, in which he assured the people that his government had already taken steps for effecting drastic economy in the salary of the officials and the budgets of the various departments. The President, setting a good example to others, reduced his own salary 33%. Similar reductions are contemplated for other officials, especially high ones, while safeguarding the interests of smaller officials. But now that the blow has fallen and a program of economy sefcms imperative the native press is crying out that salary cuts should not be confined to native officials to the exclusiin of the highly paid French advisers. But so far no action is known to have been taken affecting the latter suggestion. - �MAY, 1932 51 TTTF SYRIAN WORLD NEWS SECTION VOL. VI, NO. 8 SYRIANS OF BOSTON PRESENT SYMBOLIC PAINTING From a Special Correspondent A memorable gathering of Syrians, Lebanese and Americans witnessed a ceremony in which the loyalty and patriotism of our fellow countrymen in this country were given beautiful expression. At the suggestion of Mrs. Anna C. M. Tillinghast, Commissioner of Immigration in New England, American citizens of Lebanese and Syrian descent presented a symbolic painting to be hung in the immigration office in Boston, following the example of other nationalities. Accordingly on Sunday, May 15, at 2 P. M., a large group of Lebanese and Syrian citizens met in the John J. Williams Auditorium on Shawmut Ave. and West Brookline Street, Boston, for the ceremony of presenting their gift. The picture, a creation of Carin Elias Rihbany, architect and artist graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, emphasizes the influence of Christianity on American freedom and civilization In the foreground, at right, is a representation of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers, to the left Abraham Lincoln emancipating the slaves and in the centre an outline of a Phoenician ship, suggesting the evolution of a huge trans- MAY, 1932 Atlantic steamer. While in the background the majest;c figure of Christ, with outstretched arms, is rising out of the clouds and blessing the scene before him. Mr. Salloum Mokarzel, editor of the Syrian World, was invited espec;ally from New York to give the principal address at the presentation ceremony. He spoke first in English and then, in compl;ance with a request from the audience, in their native tongue. The chairman of the meeting was Mr. Elias F. Shamon, a prominent Lebanese lawyer and public figure of Boston. Before introducing the editor of the Syrian World, he asked for a standing tribute of silence in memory of the departed leader, N. A. Mokarzel. The speakers included Miss Edna K. Saloomey of Milford, Conn., who was accorded the honor of making the presentation on behalf of the Lebanese and Syrians of Massachusetts to the Commissioner. Miss Saloomey is the editor of Our Younger Generation Department in the Syrian World. Her speech was warmly applauded. A presentation of a beautiful basket of flowers by Miss Frances Bousard, President of the Junior Auxiliary of the St. George Ladies Society to Mrs. Tillinghast followed. Other speakers were: Mrs. Margaret Leon, President of the Syrian Ladies Aid Society; Agatha Gabaily, representing St- �THE SYRIAN WORLD George Ladies Society; Richard Saba, representing St. George Antiochian Society; Fred Assad, representing the Syrian Melchite Society; Miss Lena Haddad, representing the Syrian Ladies Melchite Sodality; Joseph Thomas, representing the Young Men's Syrian Association of Norwood; Mr. George Shagoury, lawyer, representing the Caravaneers Club and Elias J. Michael, representing the Mass. Syrian Association of American Citizens. Among the guests of honor were: Hon. Anna C. M. Tillinghast; Hon. William Sterling Youngman, Lieutenant Governor; Hon. Gaspar C. Bacon, President of the Massachusetts Senate; Hon. Leverett Saltonstill, Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives; Major Judson Hannigan, President of the Republican Club of Massachusetts; Shukry Khoury; Wadie Shakir, Syrian editor of Boston and Dr. Nasim A. Khouri. Prominent visitors included Mr. Joseph Kaheel, Syrian artist and portrait painter of Portland, Maine; Attorney Michael Aboodeely of Worcester, Mass., and Attorney John A. Ganem of Lawrence, Mass., whose presence testified to the true spirit of cooperation and patriotism among our people. Musical entertainment was supplied by a forty-piece band of the James C. Shea Post, American Legion. Midhat Serbagi rendered solos in French and Italian, while Salem H. Ataya sang the Syrian National anthem in Arabic- Thomas Malouf played the lute, and Nassour Abraham rendered a lyric in Arabic. Popular numbers were sung Dy Crandon Samya and Miss bcphie Jurdak, accompanied by Miss Marion Thayer Hiltz. Commissioner Tillinghast and other prominent visitors were guests at dinner of Mr. Philip and Miss Rose Maloof at their home in Bay State Rd. SYRIANS RECEIVE PRAISE FROM AMERICAN PAPER The Syrian American Club of Jacksonville, Fla., celebrated its twentieth anniversary the last week of May. A feature of the program was a speech given over the radio by Mr- Joseph K. David, prominent Syrian of that city and popular among Syrians and Americans alike. Mr. David stressed m his speech the loyalty and devotion of American citizens of Syrian extraction to; the country of their adoption. Commenting on this speech, the Jacksonville American, a weekly, said: "One of the finest utterances on Americanism and what it can mean to people of foreign birth was J. K. David's recent radio address on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Syrian-American Club held recently in this city. "Mr. David's remarks breathe the purest patriotism and devotion to the country which has adopted him and so many 0f his countrymen. It should serve as an inspiration and guide to all Americans, who in these times of stress find their faith slipping and their love for country weakening. "The really significant thing to remember is that these people exemplify m their daily lives the aspirations which Mr. David has so fittingly described. They are a people of good morals, of keen business ability, of sterling integrity, of high ethics, who look upon their citizenship as a rare privilege, to be expressed in all movements for the public good. America and American institutions will be forever safe at the hands of such as they." AMERICAN FIRM GETS SYRIAN PIPE ORDER The McKeesport National Tube Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa., recently received �MAY, 1932 5$ an order for 8,000 tons of seamless tubings to be used in the construction of a 1,300-mile pipe line, said to be the longest in the world, to be built from the Tigris River, on the MDSUI borders, to Syrian and Palestinian ports on the Mediterranean Sea. SYRIANS OF ST. PAUL HOLD ENTERTAINMENT A varied and lively program was that of the entertainment and dance given last month in Saint Paul, Minn., for the benefit of St. George Syrian Orthodox Church of that city. The affair was under the direction of Miss Lamese Hamati whose father Rev E- M- Hamati, pastor of the church, opened it with a speech of welcome- A one-act play, "The Rich Economist" in Arabic, was given as well as musical selections in English and Arabic, followed by a dance. Those appearing on the program were Miss Lamese Hamati, Albert Abdella, Jim Hafiz, Mrs- Milhim Farah, Sam Owen, Michael Hafiz, Johnny Zien, Albert Jerry, William Ziton, Misses Louise and Catherine Hanna, Miss Evelyn Haddad and Miss Elma Owen. YOUTH HAS GREAT SCHOLASTIC RECORD The Times, of Palm Beach, Fla.. in its issue of May 20, published the folowmg account of the brilliant scholastic record of a Lebanese boy of that city. "Young Joanna Xenos of Chicago, who went through the eight grades of grammar school in two years, has a rival here. He is Elias Chalhub, 16year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Chalhub of 1156 Elizabeth Street A little over five years ago Elias came over from Havana and started in the first grade. He could not even speak the English language, much less read and write it. He had had three years of schooling in Havana—all in Spanish. "Elias spent only two weeks in the first grade here. Then he skipped to the fifth, where he spent two months before going to the sixth. After three months there he went into the seventh grade where he spent a year, after which six months in the eighth grade brought him into high school for three and a half years and will graduate next month. J7h^ he h°Pes t0 and study medicine." g0 t0 Harvard RIOTS BETWEEN ARABS AND JEWS IN YEMEN Sixty persons were injured in communal riots that took place on May 25 when Arabs attacked Jewish inCrater district Aden / S thG of Aden, Arabia, according to an As- sociated Press despatch. The riots resulted when Arabs accused Yemenite Jews of defiling a Mosem mosque. Jewish shops were looted, the attackers hurling stones and bottles at the occupants. Armoured cars patted the quarter, and a newly formed force of armed police, mostly Arabs, quieted the rioters. The s^tua t">n remained tense, and more than PaStddS6848 WerC made the ' *» ARMENIAN IMMIGRANTS MOVE TO NEW HOMES The number of Armenian immigrants and refugees in Lebanon and Syria has been estimated in an official report of the French Mandatory Government at 130,000. Of those about �m THE SYRIAN WORLD 90,000 have already moved from their ramshackle wooden slums to permanent stone homes, erected through grants from the American Near East Relief Fund and the League of Nations, It is stipulated in these grants that Armenian occupants shall pay for their new homes on the installment basis over a period of ten years. The chief locations of Armenian concentration are Aleppo, Beirut, Horns, Hama and Tripoli. It is said that Armenians have given names to their new permanent settlements after the cities of their origin, e- g., the Marash Settlement, the Adana Settlement etc WHO IS IBRAHIM PASHA? A Lesson in History to Young Syrians If you are among those fortunate ones who have old-fashioned Syrian parents or relatives, you may occas;onally hear them allude in their conversations and remhr'scences of old times in Syria or Lebanon to a certain "Ibrahim Pasha." And if you are inquisitive enough to ask: "Who is this Ibrahim Pasha?", do not be annoyed or exasperated if they look at you askance and say: "Don't you know who Ibrahim Pasha is; What then do they teach you in school?" For verily knowledge or ignorance are relative terms, and to the Syrians and Lebanese Ibrahim Pasha has as much right to be remembered as George Washington or Thomas Jefferson. Only history so willed it that these succeeded and Ibrahim Pasha failed. And now to wise you up on Ibrahim Pasha so you would not look so foolish to your old man or your grand dad, Ibrahim Pasha was the son of Mohammed Ali Pasha, founder of mod- ern Egypt and its first Khedive, Mohammed Ali Pasha had great aspirations. Nominally he was the military governor of Egypt on behalf of the Sublime Porte (the Ottoman Sultan), but secretly he harboured ambitions of independence and reform. He was commanded to fight the Wahhabis in Arabia, and for that purpose sent his son Ibrahim at the head of a great military expedition. Once the Wahhabis were subdued, however, Ibrahim Pasha, at the instigation of his father, started on a campaign of conquest in Syria and Lebanon. His military success was so great and swift that he drove the forces of the Sultan to the heart of Anatolia. His able ally was Emir Bashir Al-Shihabi, famous ruler of Lebanon at that time-During the brief period that Ibrahim Pasha held sway in Syria his rule was a model of justice and efficiency. Syria never saw a more prosperous time, and to the present day we call money in the Syrian vernacular "masari", i.e. Egyptian coins, a reference to the time when Egyptian money was so plentiful in the land, and to the prosperity which came in the wake of Ibrahim Pasha's invasion. Many fclk tales and anecdotes about Ibrahim Pasha are still current among the people of Syria -and Lebanon, who have never forgotten the golden age of justice and equality among people which he initiated, and often do they end the recital of those tales and anecdotes with the expression, "sa'allah 'ala iyyam Ibrahim Pasha", (wish that the days of Ibrahim Pasha would return)! And now we fancy some youngester ask, "but why tell us of Ibrahim Pasha now; what is the occasion?" The answer, dear youngster, is that this is the one-hundredth anniversary of his invasion of Syria, which took place in 1832. �li MAY, 1932 IRISH EARRINGS IN GAZA LAID TO PHOENICIANS Syrian Writer Cites Authorities to Prove Contention That Phoenicians Traded With Ireland as Early as 1400 B: C: A dispatch to the New York Times from London stated that Sir Flinders Petrie, upon his return to London May 13, announced the d;scovery of primitive gold earrings "probably of Irish origin," on the site of the ancient Gaza in Palestine. The earrings, two bent sticks of gold soldered together to resemble a flattened letter X, are of a pattern on which gold ornaments previously had been found in Ireland, England and the site of ancient Troy. They date from 1400 B: C, about the time of the fall of Jericho . Commenting on the above discovery, Rev. W. A. Mansur, of Winiside, Neb., and well known to readers of the Syrian World, wrote to the New York Times under date of May 30 as follows: The news item in a recent issue of The New York Times, regard;ng the primitive gold earrings found by Sir Flinders Petrie on the site of ancient Gaza in Palestine, will prove after careful study to be very important. That they may be of "Irish origin" is* the part that will bring to the attention of historians the relation of Ireland to the ancient peoples of the Mediterranean Sea. May I bring to the attention of your readers some significant thoughts on the possible relation of Ireland in ancient times to those who possibly first discovered the island? The following quotation is taken from Justin McCarthy's book "Ireland, and Hjer Story:" I believe it will interest your readers. 55 "As the child is the father of the man, so the legend is the parent of the history. If we would understand the story of a nation we must begin by a study of its legendary lore. We cannot thoroughly comprehend the character of a people unless we have made ourselves well acquainted with the legendary forms that people has accepted as the pictures of its progenitors . "One of the most characteris!£c legends in the earliest history of Ireland is that which tells us the island was originally peopled by some race who came from an eastern climate to the small island lying to the west of Great Britain. This theory has no. thing inherently improbable in it, seeing that mankind in its earliest and most unsettled days was much given to wandering. "The natives of Phoenicia, on the coast of Syria, were among the earliest and most famous navigators and traders known to the antique world, and were always wandering in search of new homes and founding new colonies. Between the nineteenth and thirteenth centuries before Christ they established many colonies along the shores of the Mediterranean, and are believed to have spread their settlements so far as the British islands. One of the favorite theories of early Irish history is that they alighted upon Ireland and were the first strangers who made a home there." This find by Sir Flinders Petrie will cause us to restudy the history of the Phoenicians. George Rawlinson's "The Story of Phoenicia" is one of the best on the subject. The Phoenicians brought the ends of the world, the world surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, together. Their civilizing influence was their great contribution to mankind. My opinion is that further study of �56 the gold earr'ngs will probably convince us that Phoenician traders brought these from Ireland. W. A. Mansur Winside, Neb:, May 30, 1932. ALL QUIET ON THE SYRIAN FRONT? "No news is good news", says the English proverb, but in polit:cs this is often the reverse. Lack of news then becomes an ominous sign of sinister forces working under cover before they spring their surprse on the unsuspecting public. We wonder if that is the case in the Syrian situation, about wh:ch we find so little aside of hazy allusions and innuendo in the Arabic press. Legally Syria has had an election, and by all legal precedents the elected representatives should have convened right after the election to choose a president of the Syrian Republic from among them. But nothing of this sort has taken place, and Syria today is without a representative government to translate the wishes of those who elected them into legislation, and without an executive head to carry out this legislation into actuality. In fact Syr'a is governed today directly by the French Mandatory authorities, through officials appointed by the French High Commissioner. This situation 'has not failed to create an atmosphere of anxiety and unrest, not to say suspicion, among pclitically-minded national:sts in Syria. It was rumored, and this rumor has been reflected in many an article in the Syrian press, that M. Henr Ponsot, in view of the drastic steps he was compelled to take in Lebanon to save it from an orgy of economic catastrophe and balance its budget for the coming year, nrght take a similar step in Syria. But in this latter THE SYRIAN WORLD case the impasse is not so much economic as political. It was with reluctance, long-drawn negotiations, political bargaining, wire-pulling and, some claim, int'midation and highhanded measures, that the Syrian elections were finally conceded. The Mandatory was loathe to hand over the power to recalcitrant nationalists who were out of sympathy with its policy, and were stubbornly insistent on carrying out to the full the program of the Nationalist Cartel. A compromise was understood to have been reached, and some moderate nationalists favorable to the French, were elected in Aleppo, Horns and Damascus. It was thought that that would remove the ; mpasse and sever the Gcrdian knot of Syrian politics. But evidently it has not. It seems that either the Mandatory has not been quite satisfied with the Nationalists' guarantee, or that the Nationalists are too cautious and intransigent in their demands. The trouble, as it seems evident, is that there is not enough mutual confidence between the Syrian Nationalists and the Mandatory. ITALIAN FLOTILLA VISITS BEIRUT In the last week of April Beirut was agog with excitement over the v;sit of an Italian flotilla to its waters. Among the large crowds who viewed the Italian ships, or welcomed the Italian admiral and h-'s men, were many who remember another visit of Italian war vessels which created a different kind of excitement, and was by no means welcome. That took place in the spring of 1912 when Italy was at war with Turkey over Tripolitania, in Northern Africa. Two Italian cruisers accompanied by some destroyers, suddenly attacked Be:rut, and sank two Turkis'h vessels of war �MAY, 1932 and fired a few bombshells on the defenseless city, creating considerable damage and some less of life. SYRIAN REVOLUTIONISTS APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE The remnant of the Syrian revolutionists, numbering about 3000, including men, women and children, who 'have retracted to Wadi-1-Sirhan, on the borders of Transjordania and Nejd, are said to have been reduced to the last extremity of need. For seven years those brave and unyielding warriors, with the colorful figure of Sultan Pasha Al-Atrash at their head, have turned down one plea after another to throw down their arms and surrender to the French authorities. Amnesty and repatriation were pronrsed them, but they held before them single-mindedly one object, from which they swerved not a hair's breadth to right cr left. That object is the complete and unconditional independence of the Syr:an nation . During these seven years, the "heroes of the Syrian revolution" have depended for their subsistence on the voluntary contributions of patr:otic countrymen, mostly those of them who -.re in the United States, and thousands of dollars were remitted each year to the Mujahideen of the Desert. But the economic depression which touched the pocket of every businessman and wage-earner ;n this country has had its far-reaching effect on those "Strugglers" also. In a recent appeal published in AlBayan, a pitiable state of dire need and poverty from which those unyielding revolutionists now suffer, is graphically described by Ajjaj Nuweihid, Secretary of the High Islamic Council of Jerusalem, who has acted as in- 57 termediary in transmitting relief to the desert heroes. The appeal is broadcast to all friends and sym,pathisers of the former revolutionists that they may not forget them now in their times of greatest suffering and stress: The suggestion is made that monthly remittances be sent that a steady relief may be depended upon to secure the bare subsistence of those needy warriors. COMMUNIST ORGANIZATION DISCOVERED IN ALEPPO From time to time we hear of communistic activities and plcts unearthed in Syria: The latest of these, according to a dispatch to Aleph-Ba (Damascus) from Aleppo, came to light with the arrest of an Aleppian laborer called Samuel, who was discovered hanging a red flag on a telephone post in a suburb of the city. Under police pressure the laborer devulged the names of his colleagues. From their names it appears that the Aleppo communistic organization is composed of Armenian communists acting independently cf other Syrian or Lebanese organizations, but with evident affiliation and communication with Moscow. Inflammatory literature in Armenian was found at the headquarters of the organization, as well as propaganda paraphernalia, such as a gelatine press, pamphlets, emblems etc. The arrest also brought to light the strange, activities of a certain Badi' Ibn Al-Hajj Sabri, who calls himself Karimoff, and who is counted among the most versatile and dangerous Syrian comnrunrstic workers. It is said that he made extensive travels, with falsified passports, through Italy, Austria and Turkey, whence he came' to Beirut, where he carried on his �THE SYRIAN WORLD 58 activities under cover. In Beirut he met an Armenian rebel against the social order, Moses Gazirian, whom Karimoff persuaded to go to Aleppo and form a communistic organ;zation there. Comrade Karimoff is accredited with fluent knowledge of the Turkish, French, German, Russian, Italian and Spanish languages, bes:des Arabic, his mother tongue! BENEFIT PLAY GIVEN IN TORRINGTON, CONN: "Oh Maw-th-er!," a four act comedy drama written and directed by David W. Narsiff of Torrington, Conn, was well presented at Rialto hall the evening of May 24, and was appreciatively received by a large audience. The proceeds were for the benefit of St. Maron's church. Entertainment numbers were presented between the acts, including Oriental dancing by Miss Dabine George; dancing by Dante and Mayo; and vocal and guitar numbers by Charles Favali, New York vaudeville star. A sociable, with music by Koury's Majest'c Orchestra, followed the performance. George J. Ganem served as master of ceremonies, and brief remarks were made by the author, Mr. Narsiff, and the Rev. Paul Abi-Rezk, pastor of St. Maron's church, who expressed appreciation to all who had helped make the event a success. The cast of characters included Daniel Cimmino, Joseplrne Haddad, Alice Stevens, Anthony George, Ramon Cervilla, Frances Joseph, Josephine Narsiff, Etalo Bredice, Dabine Georye, M:ke Karam, Louis Ganem, Joseph Vercillini, Roger Neri, Stlomon Narsiff, George George, Joseph Azar and David W. Narsiff. The usherettes were Eileen Sark's, Whadia Narsiff and Lillian Stevens. J YOUR SUMMER READING Among books you are taking with you to your summer resort do not fail to include, "OTHER ARABIAN NIGHTS" and "ARABIAN ROMANCES AND FOLK-TALES", by H. I. Katibah, both published by Charles Scribner's Sons and beautifully illustrated by the artist William Berger. Thousands of American children and adults have enjoyed the quaint charm, whimsicality and subtle wisdom of these Oriental tales. They are tales about your own country and people by one who knows them. If you have read them you would certainly like to make presents of them to friends. Order them through this magazine. — < �MA Yt1932 59 Gibran's Message To Young Americans of SyrianOrigin By G. K. GIBRAN Author of "The Trophel'1 "Jrsus the Son of Atari," Th. S,run W«Ui lumimi i Ttu Srri I believe in you. and I believe in yout destiny. I believe that you are contributors to this new civilization. I believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream, a sons a orooh ecy. wh,ch you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America^ ' W tree vj bt ieVC y U ' TfM- f Und ! f thiS gr ° "", 2 f, r"" - "' WCre m °he hi"S °f Uban n y«""">m d'""' » '">•d> youth. . young " ° * " ° ° - " ' ' «^ <°°« ""S and I Zld ,„„,., /"d I,bclievJ ,h-« V°u c« say to Abraham Lincoln, the blessed. "Jesus of Nazareth touched you. hp, when you spoke, and guided your hand when you wrote: and I shall uX d P all that you have said and all that you have written." blood J !£"" ^ T°U "" "* ? EmerSOn ,nd Whitnun >nd J* »- "I» m »« « runs the n.tmetrmpry^l"'" " * ^ " ^^«-»--Vou a^i rLve. but 1^ Here to ^J^^rl^T" » » *- * -—» ^hes. you were born And 1 believe that it is in you to be good citizens. And what is it to be a good citizen? conscious of rurkon;:,ed8t "* "^ ^^ ^ M °" ""^ yOU ' "* b"< «*»* » * . .o .he oth;: TJi'(z£:zht and dred-but " is au° to kn°w *>< ^«-—»-** It is to create the useful and the beautiful with your own hands, and to admire what others have created in love and with faith. aomire wnat otners .I..-, ,}\" '" P^" Wea'th bV J2*?' a"d °n'y by Iabor- and to $I*nd " '"an you have produced that your chtldren may not be dependent on the state for support when you are no more. It is to stand before the towers of New York. Washington. Chicago and San Francisco bui ded D d ?vregand ands7 H' Annoch. 2 Zf".and T^T I ""*"< Pwith ' you. and "<K Tyre Sidon. and now I am*here to build with a»will." It is to be proud of being an American, but it is also to be proud that your fathers and mothers cam. from a land upon which God laid His gracious hand and raised HUm" Young Americans of Syrian origin. I believe in you. FREE TO SYRIAN WORLD SUBSCRIBERS. This beautiful message by 5! Z* VM With Sent T<S with Sept 1931 J P?ted in large type EVGry PAI °n heay y PflPer with ornament- SUbSCriber Wh0Se te be J^T*' ^ is entitled to a copy, mailed° in heavy cardboard tube. Subscribers whose term begins before Sept. 1931 may secure a copy by renewal ' �60 THE SYRIAN WORLD S PME.NT OF THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT. CIRCULATION m The Syrian World, published monthly at New York, N. Y., April 1. 1932 STATE OP NEW YORK COUNTY OP NEW YORK. Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the state and county aforesaid, personally appeared Salloum A. Mokarzel, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the publisher of The Syrian World, and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief a true statement of the ownership, management (and if a daily paper, the circulation), etc., of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section 411, Postal Laws and Regulations, printed on the reverse of this form, to wit: 1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business managers are: Name of— Post office address— Publisher, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. Editor, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. Managing Editor, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. Business Manager, Salloum A. Mokarzel 104 Greenwich Street. 2. That the owner is: (If owned by a corporation, its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereunder the names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding one per cent, or more of total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a firm, company or other unincorporated concern, its name and address, as well as those of each individual member, must be given.) Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. 3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent, or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities are: (If there are none, so state.) None. \Tl^^}e two ParaeraPhs next above, giving the names of the owners, stockholders, security holders, if any, contain not only the list of stockholders and security holders as they appear upon the books of the company but also, in cases where the stockholder or security holder appears upon the books of the company as trustee or in any other fiduciary relation, the name of the person or corporation for whom such trustee is acting is given; also that the said two paragraphs contain statements embracing afiiant s full knowledge and belief as to the circumstances and conditions under which stockholders and security holders whTdo not appear upon the books of the company as trustees, hold stock and securities in a capacity other than that of a bona fide owner; and this affiant has no reason to believe that any other person, association, or corporation has any interest direct or indirect in the said stock, bonds, or other securities than as so stated by him. 5. That the average number of copies of each issue of this publication sold or distributed, through the mails or otherwise, to paid subscribers during the six months preceding the date shown above is. (This information is required from daily publications only.) S. A. MOKARZEL. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th day of April, 1932 [Seal.] Said Boulos (My commission expires March 30, 1933.) s �61 AUTHENTIC ORIENTAL RUGS THE A. SLEYMAN COMPANY. INC. JERE J. CRONIN FUNERAL DIRECTOR MORTUARY CHAPEL Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to LADY ATTENDANT Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire 115 ATLANTIC AVENUE BROOKLYN, N. Y. The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverence and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very little cost. No charge for use of our services or funeral parlors. Telephone—MAIN 1398-1399-8130-3655 BEST SYRIAN FOOD You will experience a real touch of the East, exemplified by unexcelled Syrian cuisine, at the ARABIAN SHEIK RESTAURANT, under the expert management of Elias Esper. Take special note of the name and address. Bring your friends for a real and extraordinary treat. ARABIAN SHEIK 73 WASHINGTON ST. TEL. BOWLING GREEN NEW YORK 9—9837 r �r THE ARABIC LINOTYPE IN THE FAR EAST Wherever the Arabic language is spoken or Arabic characters used, the Arabic Linotype has found its way into progressive printing establishments. The Arabic Linotype now is past the experimental stage. In Arabic publishing plants in America it has been in use for over twenty years, and in other parts of the Arabic-speaking world its use extends over periods of five to ten years. And the fact that repeat orders are being received from actual users indicates their complete satisfaction. This should be conclusive proof that just as the Linotype has long been the accepted standard for type composition in America and Europe, so is it rapidly becoming the standard in the Arabic-speaking countries throughout the world. The use of the Arabic Linotype has spread from America and the Near East to the Far East, as can be seen by the following list: FEDERATED MALAY STATES Government Press, Kedah 3 Linotypes STRAITS SETTLEMENTS: Government Press, Singapore Government Press, Johore Printers Ltd., Singapore 1 Linotype 1 Linotype 1 Linotype (' *LINOTYPE"»"0 | MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A. Coble: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World * An illustrated descriptive catalog of the Arabic Linotype sent free upon request. SET IN METRO NO. 2 FAMILY llll|||B|||||||||| �— % JJl • U^ ''^l^' Ja. -LU O'—- J ' LA"-' •«t>J WJJI ^ dUf ^ Us. 5-^Jl 33U1 jT ^ j^ u^j ^ J^J, **" o^Jl Jl ^Vl o^-'b LC^i ^ ^ .-.u^j, JL^, -^ ^ cr^ r _ o. C\JS J I.XJI ^ J^.U^. (-U^J) „UaJl if ,-i (•""LINOTYPE"^ MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY g Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A. g ^H �64 » THE SYRIAN WORLD » » +4 % jafi>\3 eio J ATTENTION! FORWARD! SAFE! MARCH ON TO PROGRESS! START A BANK ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY LET YOUR MONEY Accumulate for Future NEEDS AND HAPPINESS INTEREST 3/2 % "Per zAnnum ON TIME DEPOSITS FROM $10.00 UP Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more. FAOUR BANK D. J. FAOUR & BROS. Established 1891 Under Supervision of New York State Banking Department. Capital and Surplus Over $500,000.00 85 WASHINGTON ST., NEW YORK CITY � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1932_05reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 08 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1932 May Description An account of the resource Volume 6 Issue 08 of the Syrian World published May 1932. The issue opens with an account of editor Salloum Mokarzel's travel experiences when visiting the Cedars of Lebanon. This article is accompanied by a poem by Thomas Asa titled "Cedar of Lebanon," dedicated to Salloum A. Mokarzel. Barbara Young is again featured for her editorial work on another collection of poems. Salloum Mokarzel then includes an open letter to the "Subscribers and Friends of the Syrian World," in which he places the fate of the Syrian World in the hands of its readers. H. I. Katibha then continues the tribute writings to Naoum A. Mokarzel with an article titled "Last Tributes to a Great Leader." Following that is Edna K. Saloomey's continuation of her discussion on the younger generation. A classic Arabian tale titled "Jabla Ibn Al-Ayam" closes out the issue before the usual conclusion featuring updated political developments in Syria and excerpts from Syrian world news. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Barbara Young Edna K. Saloomey Habib I. Katibah Lebanon New York Poetry-English Thomas Asa Travel https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/84831ff1efb2b40ef0033e1fda69eb78.pdf 9a2f9b9ac3a28dbda13d563e1cb26512 PDF Text Text OL. VI APRIL, 1932 7ha A GREAT SYRIAN LEADER PASSES (N. A. MOKx\RZEL) GIBRAN A YEAR AFTER A CHALLENGE TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION SYRIANS H. I. KATIBAH AMERICAN POET TO LIVE IN SYRIA THE PORTRAIT (A MODERN SHORT STORY) THOMAS ASA THE REWARD OF KINDNESS (A TRUE ARABIAN TALE) THE COPY 50c NO. 7 ��—, i I i TTTR SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. VI NO. 7 APRIL, 1932 CONTENTS PAGE A Challenge to the Younger Generation Syrians H. I. KATIBAH Poetry Department, Edited by ... 3 BARBARA YOUNG Poetry and the Stars Song of Annaik While the FJax Crieth 9 \Q 12 JOHN STERLING HANEY A Lost Dream 13 ALEXANDRIA FADDOOL A Great Syrian Leader Passes 14 A' Notable Career of Achievement 18 Tributes to a Leader 22 Pioneer and Seer 24 REV. W. A. MANSUR Eternal Guidance (Poem) ALICE MOKARZEL ?5 �CONTENTS (Continued) i Gibran a Year After . PAGE 26 On First Viewing Gibran's "The Prophet" (Poem) GERTRUDE 33 MAGILL RUSKIN Gibran the Artist 34 DAGNY EDWARDS American Poet to Live in Lebanon 37 ALICE MOKARZEL True Arabian Tales The Reward of Kindness Our Younger Generation, Edited by According to Dun We Have Been Told That Al-Jirn 42 EDNA The Portrait (A Modern Short Story) K. SALOOMEY 49 '.'...........'.............. 52 [_ S3 * 55 THOMAS ASA Editorial Comment N. A. Mokarzel No March Issue 67 Political Developments in Syria 59 Syrian World News Section 73 68 NOTICE Owing to insurmountable difficulties it was impossible to issue the March number. The increase in the volume of this number is intended as partial compensation. Fuller details appear in the Editorial Comments. �ffi- ynan t/ MOKARZEL, Editor. SALLOUM A.. Ml APRIL, 1932 VOL. VI NO. 7 A Challenge To the Younger Generation Syrians By H. I. KATIBAH QINCE THE CLOSE of the World War a revival of interest in the civilizations and cultures of the East has made its appearance among reflecting and intelligent men and women in Europe, England and the United States. And this interest has waxed and grown ever since. People of sensitive minds and keen perception, whose souls rebel against the tyranny of iron-clad traditions and the accepted authority of convention and mass orthodoxy, turned their faces away with deep humiliation and dismay from the appalling tragedy with its gargantuan holocaust of human lives and irreparable loss in untold millions of dollars. They turned away sadly to examine more searchingly and thoroughly the grounds and premises on which such a civilization which would permit of such a terrific breakdown and denouement is based. How could these things be in the Twentieth Century and in countries which profess to follow the benign, peace-loving gospel of the gentle Nazarene? Has Western civilization declared its bankruptcy to the whole world? Has the "White Beast" in the descendants of the Vikings and warriors of the Norsemen triumphed at last over the White Christ? Has Western civilization proved itself to be what Sigmund Freud bluntly declares to be a veneer to cover the deep-set animal instincts lurking in the breast and heart of the city denizens? or is there something essentially wanting in what we call Western Civi- v. �4 THE SYRIAN WORLD lization; an element of human development that makes for stabil- \ ity, harmony and peace? Or, to put the question in a different form, has the West had time enough to grow and acquire a stock of human experiences that will give it that perspective of wisdom and grace necessary for a rounded existence? Has not its progress been lopsided and disproportionate, like that of an overgrown boy with a man's body and a child's mentality? These questions and many others of like nature have engrossed the minds of hundreds of thinkers who have shown solicitous concern about the future of Western civilization. And many divergent answers have been given. Some of those answers, like that of Oswald Spengler, an ast German philosopher and student of history, have been extreme gloomy and pessimistic. Spengler, and many of his followers, ha come to the discouraging conclusion that our Western civilizatic has run its course, has nothing more of its cultural and spiritual n. ture to give anymore to the world, and for any hope of a new creative culture one should turn to the East, which the German believes is making a new cycle of existence fraught with immense potentialities in the spiritual and cultural fields. The West is bankrupt, Spengler believes, and turns eastward with a dismay tempered with hope and expectation. Others, less pessimistic, find in the West all the elements necessary for a wholesome, well-balanced civilization, if only the right adjustment is made in time between its materialistic and idealistic forces. Science, thinkers like James Turslaw Adams, Prof. John Dewey, Bertrand Russell and the late George Dorsey believe, has grown way beyond our human needs, while life itself has been neglected. There has been little attention paid to the proper application of these sciences and the wonderful progress in the material and economic worlds which it has evoked and made possible to a betterment of human life and the elevation of social conditions to the same level which science has attained. Be that as it may, it is pertinent to our purpose to point out here that a strong and acute interest in the East and things Eastern has been stirred in intellectual centers of the West. And the East, with its more mature view of life, with its instinctive emphasis on those human values which make for happiness and contentment, with its renewed vigor and forward-looking progressive outlook on the future, with its determined efforts to create local cultures preserving all the good elements of progress which have carried the �I ^fPRIL, 1932 5 West a long distance ahead of the East in material comfort and supremacy, is more and more in the minds of serious Western thinkers and writers of our present generation. Back of that interest, we think, is the feeling that East and West have mutually supplementary forces and elements necessary for a complete and wholesome lire, be it social or individual. If that is the case, and there is no doubt in our mind that it is, then a special duty, a special moral obligation, we believe, rests on the_ shoulders of a class of people who live amongst us in these United States, a class of people for whom this magazine, out of all the publications in this far-flung young continent, was specially designed, and whose particular interests it specially serves. If this duty, this obligation, is shirked by them, then a great spiritual opportunity would have been missed by them, an opportunity which others, perhaps less qualified, would take up and exploit. More than that, a great chance for creative thinking and for contributing something worthwhile to the heterogeneous and rich culture of this country, will pass from their hands. And of them will be true what the Gospel says of the "sons of the Kingdom of Heaven" who were thrown out into the outward darkness, while others from the Hast and West will come and lie in Abraham's bosom. It is needless for me to say that I have in mind the younger generation of Syrians born and brought up in this country. I have in mind the second-generation Syrians of whom the late Gibran said: _ aI believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream, a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America" It is the new generation of Syrians in whose veins the blood of the intrepid adventurous Phoenicians and proud Arabs courses through, and whom the beloved poet of the Cedars earnestly and pleadingly charged «/0 stand before the towers of New York Washington, Chicago, and San Francisco saying in your heart <I am the descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus, and Tyre and Sidon and Antioch, and now I am here to build with you, and with a will.' " The once accepted view of Americanization, still prevailing in some circles, which essayed to melt the different racial characteristics and differences into one homogeneous amalgam, and for which the melting pot" was an appropriate symbol, is giving way to a more natural, more vital conception, one truer to life and its laws of i .' < �wmmm 0 THE SYRIAN WORLD growth. According to this latter conception the racial differences are not considered as undesirable elements to be eliminated, but as desirable ones to be incorporated in the living body of the American nation. The colorless, standardized unity gives place to a rich variety in unity. True assimilation of the foreign groups within the body politic of this country, which this writer has consistently and persistently advocated, does not mean the absorption of one racial element by another. It means, rather, the interaction of those different elements, to produce therefrom a wholesome unity rich in the contributions of the best and most beautiful in all the races that threw their lot with the New World. 1 " ; ' Hegel once predicted in his Philosophy of History that the destiny of the world will one day be determined on the shores of the New World. This prophecy is being fulfilled in our own days, and before our own eyes, but not for the same reasons advanced by the German philosopher. Instead of a bloody war contending for the only land still available for conquest and exploitation by overcrowded nations, a new world idea, a world unity through international understanding and international amity is the one distinguishing mark of American leadership today which is holding the only ray of hope to a distracted and haggard world. And what a role the different nationals enrolled under the banner of the Stars and Stripes could play in this gripping drama, in the realization of this glorious dream, could be left to the imagination of the perspicacious reader. But it is only those who have travelled in Europe and the different countries of the East and studied for themselves the amazing and tremendous penetration of American influence abroad who could fully realize the extent of that influence. Undoubtedly the lion's share in this spiritual conquest of America falls to American citizens of foreign extraction who had returned to live m the countries of their origin or those who have translated into their different national languages the spirit and technique of American democracy and American culture, the spirit of youthful adventure, of buoyant optimism and undaunted courage. One of the first things that attracted my attention in the East was "the Americanization" of the Arabic press, an Americanization which is effected not in a semi-conscious effort of imitation, but with a fully conscious realization of the process of adaptation and its application to local needs and local problems. The Arabic illustrated weekly, patterned after the popular American publications, is blazing its way, brushing aside the cobwebs of tardy traditions, enlightening the popular mind �14PR1L, 1932 7 to social evils, oddities and scandals, arousing the dormant conscience of reform in serious-minded citizens, and reaching quarters of human response which the more literary organs left completely untouched. This is a phase of the Americanization or democratization of the world for which the younger Syrian-American generation, happily or unhappily, is not called upon to shoulder. Most of the second generation Syrians born in this country hardly know enough Arabic to carry on a kitchen conversation with their grandmothers, and perhaps a limited few could pen a letter in Arabic to their cousins in Syria or Lebanon without committing a dozen mistakes or more on the same page. But this does not exempt the younger Syrians from a service which they owe to the country of their adoption, a country to which they have pledged fealty and undivided loyalty. Paradoxical as it may seem, this service consists in their being better Syrians than they usually like to admit. It is in assimilating, as they alone can admirably do, the spiritual culture of the East, in whose subsoil their very roots are deeply imbedded, and presenting it in their daily lives, their social intercourse, the spoken and the written word, in such a manner that the average American can readily understand and appreciate. This is a huge task which may well challenge every ounce of energy and creativeness in the souls and bodies of ambitious and highly-aspiring Americans of Syrian abstraction. Is it not pathetic that while American university students, boys and girls of Puritan origin, or descendants of American pioneers who trekked to the Middle West and the Pacific Coast states in their covered wagons ransack the musty books of history to write about Mohammed All Pasha, a Tamerlane, a Harun-ar-Rashid, our younger Syrian generation should avoid the study of Arabic and things Arabian from a subconscious feeling of inferiority, or lest their Americanization be challenged? Is it not a sorry comment on our sense of value and discrimination that while American Orientalists subscribe to the SYRIAN WORLD, as an indispensable magazine from which they may.draw most valuable information on the current history and thought of the Arabic-speaking East, our younger Syrians should find little to choose between it and such sensational piffle as "the Smart Set » "Ballyhoo," and a hundred and one other oddities temptingly exposed for sale on the magazine stalls at evervJ street corner? •: �8 THE SYRIAN WORLD A few weeks ago I happened to speak informally before a group of second-generation Syrians in Boston. I told them sketchily and briefly of the tremendous renaissance movement going on today in the Arabic-speaking countries, notably Egypt. It was encouraging and inspiring to see their eyes open wide with interest and amazement as I told them of the trend in religious liberalism in Islam, of the feminist movement in the land of harems, of the inroad of'industrialism into the ancient lands of artisan guilds and enslaved fellahin, of labour unions and agrarian cooperative societies in the Valley of the Nile, in Damascus, Beirut and Baghdad, of the introduction of the motor pump and labour-saving machineries into countries where the human hand did all the work before. They asked intelligent questions, and took down names of books dealing with such subjects. But what surprised me in turn was the fact that these things had not been known to them before; that they showed as little knowledge, or if we are inclined to be less charitable, as much abysmal ignorance about the countries of their forefathers and ancestors as the average American boys and girls from Maine or Vermont. Forget for the nonce that you are Syrians or of Syrian extraction. Let us assume that you are as American as George Washington and Calvin Coolidge themselves, and that there is not the least trace of foreign accent or mannerism in your speech and behaviour, that you are perfectly predestined and preconditioned to the American social life. Let us assume all this and keep in mind that there is today in America, in Europe, in England, a keen interest in countries and cultures which just happened to be those of your fathers and forefathers. Is it not the most logical thing in the world that you should be the ones of all God's creatures to take advantage of this interest, to exploit it to its utmost limits, to take hold of assets which were given you as a birthright, and make something of a talent handed you by Providence instead of burying it timidly in the soil looking furtively to the right and left as you do lest you be caught with that talent in your hand? This is a thought which I like to leave with readers of this magazine which has put up such a valiant and deperate fight to keep up interest in the East where it was most natural to look for it, but alas, where the response has been most discouraging and disheartening. - �*APRILy 1932 BARBARA YOUNG, Editor Poetry and The Stars J\S THIS month of April passes—the month whose name has been more upon the lips of poets than any other, the month which gave to the world the Bard of Avon, and Wordsworth—we turn from the pressure and the problems of the streets, and look away to the trees, to the hills, to the stars. The exigencies and the expediences of every day crowd our hearts beyond endurance when Nisan returns to the earth. Our minds wander from the considerations of t0 a lon W.& A , & yesterday, and forward to a distant tomorrow. We find ourselves thinking with streams and stars A day or two ago a young friend asked me "What have the stars to do with us anyway?" That question is the reason for the brief things I shall have to say upon these pages. Needless to record, I have no answer Who knows what or how much the stars do influence the destinies of individuals and of nations? But this thing I have discovered: Turning the leaves of a calendar issued by Sainf Mark's it8:? ' ^c " T10US ^y 0f "ames ** down upon the dates between the first of May and the first of June, great poets Ins 1ZZX grCaf tCaChfS ua?d Philos°Phe-> teat* humanitar-' lans. And to those of us who believe it, all these lives were an expression of the supreme poetry of the universe. Let me recount the names: Tagore • Tschaikowsky and Brahms born upon the selfsame day, St Stanislaus, Schiller-these five born uponfour conse cutrve 1 Florence N ale S^^n^r ^^ ^ fcSHrn May 12th; Dante Aliggien, Richard Wagner, Abdul Baha, Emer- �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD son, Bishop Augustine of Canterbury, Venerable Bede, Voltaire and finally Walt Whitman. Just over the line, and a little into June, but governed by the same general zodiacal conditions were born Schumann, Charles Kingsley and Gounod. What had the stars to do with this bright company: In no other forty days, I believe, can we discover such a roster of names denoting genius and power as these. Surely in the destiny of worlds these are not happenings. There is a pattern woven by the "versed Fingers", and whether the pattern is indeed set in the stars, who shall say? Certainly not I. This is but a fragment of wonder tossed to you in passing. From immemorial time there have been men and women who trusted in the firmament for direction and guidance, for comfort and for consolation, and none more than the poets of the ages. And with reason—if reason be necessary. . We have long heard of the "music of the spheres"; the great composers, the masters of interpreted harmony and symphony have lived in its ecstasy and intoxication; the masters of the golden word have caught the words of the songs and set them down upon the parchment and the printed page. A sound that is no sound has come since the beginning of time from the stars to the inner ear of man, and I do not hesitate to assert that all the greatest poetry of the planet, that which has endured and will endure, is poetry that had its origin from among the heavenly bodies, and not from earthly stir and circumstance. Suddenly, out of the night, out of deep sleep, poems are born—from darkness and a strange and high excitement of the spirit, which has not anything to do with daily round and common task. From the day's affair we glean, perhaps, a handful of small grain, and without knowing or intention, we sow it among the stars when we lie down to sleep. And tomorrow—or another tomorrow, as dawn breaks, there is a budding and a flowering, and we say, "The little moment that we now remember has blossomed through some heavenly magic, into a poem." The sophisticates among modern poets require that we shall eliminate all allusion to stars and moon (and roses) from our poems. Do not listen to them. In a moment they will die and be forgotten but roses, and stars and moon will endure as long as the earth stands and poets sing. \A �^PRIL, 1932 11 SONG OF ANNAIK It will not matter When the song is ended; It will count nothing In the last deep stillness— The long fearsome waiting For you, O late-in-coming, The calling to the sky For you whom I knew not. It will not matter That youth went slipping over, That ashen threads came weaving My brown braided hair. It will not matter That April left my garden, That now the blue leaf-smoke Of Autumn stabs the evening. O lover, O my lover, The barren winds are crying, The wild gray geese They are southward long agone; The bleak night is jeweled With one star only, Yet, I, so long aweary, Take laughter to my pillow. All the dark bread My pale lone mouth has eaten, All the bitter brew Is forgotten in a moment; I walk abroad in beauty In the deep grass going; The haw blossoms white, And the heather-bell is clear. �12 ?HE SYRIAN WORLD It will not matter That all the gathered roses Have lost their singing fragrance And withered on the stem} For there is a rose here That shall not fall nor scatter, A budding in the hedge here To open at your bidding— O lover, O my lover! O head of dusk and starlight, O eyes like woodland shadows In brown shaken water ; O mouth of wine and honey, Sweeter than the clover That's flowering in the meadows Wherever heaven is! BARBARA YOUNG V WHILE THE FLAX CRIETH From the snow upon the height Trickled the waters of Fulfillment, And there walked among the people One who burned with a voice. And the people gathered about him And they implored: "Speak unto us we pray thee Of happiness." And he stood upon a stone At the roadside, beyond the Outer Gate, And he spoke: "Ye seekers after the Lesser Things, Ye idlers to the sunward of a wall, Why clothe ye yourselves in cast-off garments While the flax crieth unto thee from the fields, And the loom mourneth in thy hearts? �*APRIL} 1932 13 Of a truth I say unto thee, And my word shall prevail: There is no happiness. . . There is only understanding. And there is no sorrow. . There is only preparation." JOHN STERLING HANEY A LOST DREAM I lost my dream; The mystic web I spun Has lifted; alike are gone Hope in future's blank wall, Warmth in today's sullen garb. I fret for rosy hues. I lost my dream; A lonely star longed for A thought, and seeing Mine, drew to its solitary Heights my fantastic notion Of what should be. I lost my dream; No longer do I feel the Throb of life roused by its Glamorous scenes; I am become Again a stumbling, gray-faced Being; a planet without a sun. ' I want my dream! But it has flown. Would that I too Could follow, to make It again my own and watch It grow into reality. ALEXANDRIA FADDOOL I �,i^^a.^,i^^;.;:v.fi,i;.^iv---v' 14 ?HE SYRIAN WORLD A Great Syrian Leader Passes Editor of Al-Hoda, Dean of Syrian Journalists in America, Succumbs in Paris While on a Political Mission for the cause of Better Government in the Motherland. A WAVE OF consternation swept over the thousands of Syrian and Lebanese communities throughout the United States at the receipt of news from Paris that the foremost leader, reformer, literary figure, and dean of Syrian journalists in the United States, Mr. N A Mokarzel, editor of Al-Hoda, had passed away on April 6 in the French capital whither he had gone on a political mission tor his motherland. The news was as shocking as it was unexpected. Upon sailing on the Olympic from New York on March 18, Mr. Mokarzel appeared to be in the best of health. Despite his sixtyeight years, he was still as vigorous and energetic as a man half his age. His indomitable will and energy, so manifest in all his writings, was also evident in his physical appearance. The scores oi admirers who congregated at the pier to bid him farewell, little realizing that they would not see him alive again, represented the hopes of thousands of Lebanese immigrants centered on the veteran editor in his voluntary mission to promote the cause of good government in a nation, though small in size and resources, was rich in historical prestige, and to the service of which he had devoted his whole life. The Lebanese republic which claimed the life devotion culminating in the supreme sacrifice of Mr. Mokarzel is the tiny land on the shore of the Mediterranean forming in its geographical boundaries and historical traditions what is known in history as the land of the Phoenicians. It has given the world the great spiritual and cultural heritage which includes the alphabet and the art of deep sea navigation and many other basic improvements thus laying the cornerstone of human progress. Throughout the centuries of recorded history this small country has been the focal point of nations, forming the center of human interest and activity. As an integral geographical part of Syria and the Holy Land it was closely associated with the rise of Christianity and played a leading part M �^PRIL,1932 jo the crusades. S h But owing to its numerical and geographical resWkh CCntra Wi n in the S S rWaS SubI!?ec ion hvT ' . J Vt0 ! ° the rava es & PolitifalSei of and vicissitudes of inva- 0118 Greeks Ro PfersianVanTTL"" - ?$**"*> ****"«> > msians and Turks succeeded one another in the occupation of -> its 11 If*! AHils 6 W rId W ° " br Ught ab Ut itS del ° ° P -rance at the hands r „K1 Tkf r^ °f tThe,Phoenicians was then transformed into the Reto^ther^luT To"' and7aS given 0Ver t0 French mandate together with the rest of Syria of which Lebanon forms an integral ^graphical.unit. For nearly twelve years Lebanon has b en mak fas7o e?M°! r? ltse ? *&* itSdf t0 the neW SCheme of worId **** fam Jv of ^new m the position it deserves among the family of nations. The present republican form of government was promulgated in 1926, and Lebanon thus became fhe firsHe public among Arabic-speaking countries. But the legacy of ages of subjugation with its attendant misrule could not be eradicafed S e g Sa fiCe Th£re WaS eed a"d win f, 7 "•" 7 -would break the " bounds *<* "nsdfoh and whole-hearted devotion which of servility and corruption characterizing former regimes There were men m the motherland capable of putting the new households order if properly sustained and supported. And the Lebanese emigrants, who had tasted of the sweet fruit of orderly republican government in their lands of adoption, were most anxious to see Zs condition brought about. N. A. Mokarzel was the mouthpiece the leader and protagonist of this new reform movement. ' Consequently, when the new presidential elections for the Lebanese Republic were about to take place, Mr Mokarzel iT !t tempt t0 SUp rt Mr. Emil Eddy? Ph£ liWal j^^J » £ of a constructive program of progress and reform, waged a vigorous 11 1 brin Al HM ? nelection. TTPer A tlpetition -H0d* t0 £ ""fl-nce for Mr Eddy's was circulated among thefota Leb anese elements in the United States, Mexico and Canada"expreW their preference for this liberal candidate as the next pre ident The response was both immediate and generous-thousands of signatures being secured in support of the candidate favored bv Mr MokarzeT a fU r th C C3USC f g od Lebanon W0rt to ° °Mr. government in Lebanon bbyv rhe" the election offW the liberal, candidate, Mokarzel decided to carry to France in person the petitions of the LebaneseTmm grants and impress upon the mandatory power the necessity o^n proving their interested choice. But alas! in his arduous pur-" i' �16 ' :; *s ; THE SYRIAN WORLD suit of public reform he sacrificed his own life. It was indeed the end which he would have chosen for himself, and which his whole life of public activity presaged—that of laying down his life only to raise aloft the standard of civic reform, and to consecrate his life to the service of his people to the very last breath. During his long career of public service he was as tireless in his energy as he was sincere and ardent in the prosecution of reform campaigns. He often expressed himself in his fiery editorials as hoping to die like a soldier on the battlefield. And thus it was given him to meet his end, his last illness having lasted but a single day, following an operation for intestinal adhesions. Mr. Mokarzel's death was announced by Al-Hoda in its issue of April 7. And as the paper widened its circle of travel, bearing to its readers the news of the editor's sudden demise when they had anticipated only tidings of his success and early return, a condition bordering on pandemonium pervaded the Syrian communities throughout the country, expressed in the many scores of messages of grief and condolences which daily swamped the office of Al-Hoda. They came from civic and patriotic organizations, the clergy and representatives of the professions, as well as from thousands of personal friends and admirers. It was evident that the death of the veteran editor and reformer formed an epochal event in the life of the Syrian people in the United States, because he symbolized not only the struggles and aspirations of the pioneer immigrants but proved himself during his long career of public service the greatest and the most spectacular, yet the most constructive leader, the Syrians have yet produced in the whole history of their immigration. Nor were expressions of the sense of great loss in the death of Mr. Mokarzel confined to the Syrians of the United States. Press dispatches had carried the news to Lebanon simultaneously with the announcement of his death to America, and the passing of the editor was viewed in the motherland as a national loss. The President of the republic cabled his condolences while the President of the Legislative Assembly tendered sympathy in his own name and in that of the nation. The Maronite Patriarch and a number of church dignitaries, deputies and government officials also cabled their condolences, while public demand for the return of the body to the native land finding expression immediately upon the publication of the news of the editor's death, gave indication of the high place he occupied in the hearts of his countrymen. �PHOTO BY MARTAR. N. Y. NAOUM A. MOKARZEL 1864-1932 �I I I �Sftlps; *APRIL} 1932 17 - PK Howrani /J N. A. MOKARZEL ON HIS DEATHBED Sketched by Mr. Philip Mourani, a Lebanese Artist Resident in Paris for Thirty Years Mr. Mokarzel died without issue. Aside from his wife Rose, nee Princess Bellamah, he is survived by a brother Salloum, editor of the SYRIAN WORLD, and two sisters Mrs. Catherine Libbus and Mrs. Liza Rahid of New Bern, N. C. At the time of Mr. Mokarzel's death his wife was on her way to Syria for a summer visit. She was reached by wireless, however, and landed at Lisbon from whence she traveled overland to Paris and will bring back the body to the United States on the Olympic, the same steamer which he had taken for Europe only a month previous. The arrival of the body in New York is expected on May 3. Direction of the funeral arrangements has been left in the hands of the Lebanon League of Progress, the reform society which the editor had organized twenty years ago. This sad duty was ceded to it by the family in response to insistent public demand that the funeral of the great leader be in keeping with his prestige, although his expressed wish was for a simple funeral. This is further made necessary by the fact that from present indications scores of delegations representing Syrian communities throughout the country will come to New York on the day of the funeral. �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD A Notable Career of Achievement The Life of the Late N. A. Alokarzel Was one of Distinguished Service and Sacrifice for His Country and People gEHIND THE daily Al-Hoda, the institution which the late Mr. N. A. Mokarzel built and which is expected to endure as a living monument to his ideals, stands a record of achievement unparalleled in the annals of Syrian immigration in the United States. Through long years of bitter struggle, in which he displayed a prodigious capacity for work and a passionate love for his chosen profession, this Lebanese editor was able to establish a daily paper in Arabic that became not only the moulder of public opinion among the Syrians abroad but a power to be reckoned with in shaping the political destinies of the motherland. Not a campaign did he wage but resulted in signal success, so much so that the mere fact of his supporting a cause came to be associated in the public mind with its ultimate triumph. For this two factors were mainly responsible, namely his undoubted sincerity and the relentless vigor which characterized his every word and action. This driving force in the famous editor's life was sustained till the very end, since his fatal illness lasted but a single day. During his life he had many narrow escapes from death, all attributed by physicians to his indomitable will. But almost in every case the cause of his ailment was ascribed to overwork. Every waking hour meant to him an opportunity for creative activity. He chose to live near his office for no other purpose than to economize in time, but in so doing medical opinion was agreed that he was wasting his life. To all their pleadings and admonitions, however, he turned a deaf ear, and no sooner would he feel strong enough to move a hand than his uncontrollable passion for work would assert itself in feverish activity. Nor was this extreme devotion caused by necessity. He could have retired from the active management of his paper apparently without financial injury to it. But Al-Hoda was to him all that life held worthwhile. Not content with writing the editorials, he chose the material for translation and edited it thereafter and supervised every detail of the production of the paper. It may sound incredi- �<JPRIL, 1932 ble that a single man should read every line appearing in every ediY aP Cr v I °L\ ? u f*"**?*1? and ^ough choice, but this actually held true of the late editor of Al-Hoda. Not to mention the multifarious details of management to which he attended in person Truly the late Mr. JVJokarzel's career is one of exceptional disWkh achievement beW to" irCP > ^ ^ it been given him to belong to a larger group of people than his limited own he would be he also took phylosophically, and his expressed conviction which he applied to his small Lebanese people may well apply to himin that it is best to be small and independent than large^nd subse^ient th Jthn7^ °f a Mar°nke fri6St °f a higher educational standard than M v f aTage Pansh pnest of Lebanon in those days, Naoum Z 7 £nJOyed thC adVa tagC f a^d 2 P^reSsive su^unding" and the the win willingness to spare no effort or° expense in giving him the U e WaS Wn in g Autsl ' He F-ike, MtgLebTn 0n August B 15, ?S 1864, "f? and almost as soon as he could formulate sounds was taught to read. When still in his early teens he wa'r Stered a a boarder In Madras* Al-Hikmat in Beirut, then considered one 0| nLant,dg",A,tKt,0nSi°;adVanCed eduCati°» *« country He speaalized in Arabic and French literature and was esneciaJlvLf cent m Arabic which he studied with the foremoTArTbic"MarIf modern t.mes, the late Abdallah Bistany who died in 1930 TJnon graduating from this college he entered the Jesuit University orBd rut to take up advanced studies in French. The Jesuits receded hd rSeSi;? offercTd him the chair °f SSBSS^ h position he filled tneir University in Cairo. This for over a vear but upon being stricken with fever, his father went to Egjt to administer unto him and induced him to return to Lebanon for re operation, later prevailing upon him to remain there Haying started on an educational career, the youn? professor decided to establish a school of his own, and owingTh^pracS methods of teaching and fame for strict disciplinf, hischoo the first year attracted over a hundred boarders and day pupfls frl duced the young schoolmaster to undertake tbc'jZZ££g£ I 1 �. 20 i iiTifiTniiwmin THE SYRIAN WORLD them they raised a substantial capital which, in those days, was in itself a fortune. But Naoum was anxious to raise a larger fund to increase the capacity of his school and he welcomed the opportunity. This ideal of establishing a native Lebanese school of higher education he consistently cherished throughout his life, and only a few years before his death he was known to be negotiating for the purchase of a suitable site for such an institution. He also was known to be planning to pledge all the resources of his paper to its maintenance. The two partners left the homeland in 1887 and while in France bought such religious articles and fancy notions represented to them as being then in demand in the American market. But the commercial venture proved disastrous, and Naoum again reverted to his earlier calling and was engaged by the Jesuits as French instructor in one of their colleges in New York. A year later saw the young professor engaged in his first journalistic venture. He issued a mimeographed sheet in Arabic under the name of Al-'Asr, (The Age), but soon discontinued it to take up the study of medicine. For this purpose he moved to Philadelphia and it was there that in 1 897, and before finishing his medical course, he established his newspaper Al-Hoda which was destined to become under the driving force of his dynamic energy, the leading Arabiclanguage newspaper in America and one that compares favorably with the foremost in the Arabic-speaking world. Mr. Mokarzel from the beginning of his journalistic career waged a relentless and sustained campaign against corruption in every form. His bitter attacks on the despotic government of Sultan Abdul Hamid caused him to be condemned to death and his property in Lebanon confiscated. His father, the Rev. Antoun Mokarzel, was sought by agents of the Turkish government in Lebanon, and his life would have been held forfeit had he not taken refuge with the Maronite Patriarch who finally convinced the government that the father was not responsible for the actions of the son, nor was he in sympathy with his attacks. After five years of publication in Philadelphia, Al-Hoda was moved to New York where it changed its frequency from semi-weekly to daily and has been so maintained ever since. In 1922 the silver jubilee of Al-Hoda was celebrated as a milestone in Syrian cultural progress and achievement in America at a banquet attended by the most notable Syrian gathering ever to come together in America, N. A. Mokarzel was hailed on that oc- l HI �'^fPRIL, 1932 21 casion by common agreement of all factions as the greatest leader the Syrians in America have yet produced. His publication was the late editor's consuming passion. He spared no effort to continue its improvement not only in content matter but in typographical appearance. His progressive spirit was evident from his having adopted every new device calculated to further efficiency and typographical beauty. Al-Hoda was the first Arabic publication in the world to use the Linotype, and the first in America to use a webb printing press. It also was the pionerr in the liberal use of display captions in its make-up, setting the standard which was later followed by the Arabic press throughout the world. He often expressed himself as anxious to prove to the Arabic-speaking world the advantages of adopting American methods of efficiency. When in 1912 the convention of Arabic-speaking nations was held in Paris Mr. Mokarzel attended as the delegate of the Syrians in the United States. During the Versailles Conference at the close of the war he was present in the same capacity, while during the war he helped recruit the Oriental Legion which was being raised by France to effect the liberation of Syria. He also was instrumental in sending to Syria through secret channels during the war hundreds of thousands of dollars from Syrian immigrants to their starving relatives in the homeland. The Lebanon League of Progress which he founded in 1911 was the instrument through which he sought action on political reforms. He was ever consistent in his demand for an independent Lebanon under the protection of France, and he is credited with having been the author of the suggestion to make the French tricolor, with the cedar appearing in the center white stripe, the official flag of Lebanon. His last trip to France, which resulted fatally, was also in the interest of his beloved Lebanon. His avowed purpose was to serve the cause of good government in that country by inducing the French authorities to sanction the choice of a liberal candidate in the forthcoming presidential elections. The news of his untimely death occasioned genuine and universal sorrow both in America and in the motherland, and almost simultaneously with the first announcement of his death came the demand from Lebanon that the body of this illustrious son be permitted to repose permanently in his native country which he so nobly served. In all probability, this mandate of the nation will be gratified. �..... 22 r_, -immmmk THE SYRIAN WORLD Tributes to a Leader EDITOR'S NOTE— flool^trJes^lu0** md°JtHe Syrim W°Hd " li^ally ian World feels equally%^^MZ^^ ^^ ?f ^ Syr~ number of message, rJh Y sympathisers, only a limited done fr^y7nglelLtuVrZd "7*" ^ "* ** b f eC rdand as ^des^eadJefaroLeTbZ; ° / ° *» indication of the editoHn Am^lr J *"* °f ** dhti^ished Lebanese CABLED TRIBUTES FROM LEBANON Rel>ublk Leh ZZtlZfdTof theORK °f - Irfhr^V (OFFICIAL) F EXCEEDINGLY GRIEVFD AT TUC TTT^ PLEASE ACCEPT MSSS "^ CHARLES DABBAS J Sit PTeSidem °f ^ *«***» *< *h of the ReMUc of MOKARZEL, NEW YORK MOHAMMAD DJISR, PRESIDENT From p d n of the Prsss Ass cM n B 4^ 7i : L ° ° ->» ' >CEES^G^^E^ ^S^CIATION WAS EXOF OUR GREAT COLIEArnp^ S^£ OF THE DEMISE M WITH SSSKALIL KSEIB, PRESIDENT. From /^ Maronite Patriarrh SINCERE REGRETS AND CONDOLENCES PATRIARCH ANTOUN ARIDA. �IfPRIL, 1932 23 THE GREAT LoIsND°LENCES- * SHARE WITH V fhZ ^ me"ller °f «** ****>*» AssenMy Sheikh Joseph Sle- From the editor of Ad-Dabbour, Beirut ON CLl^fN^S^8 BEFALLEN US - LEBAN " TRIBUTES FROM AMERICA of Progress. natem, Prestient of the Lebanon League Mr MoLTe^T"?^,'he m St C rdial ° ° ««-*» with h S eraste the cause of Right and Lk*y Plf' ' P « =«<>«s in PW dolences. ' ^P1 "V "*» sincere con- WSJ:CgfJrCy SeS S,riS Siia P ° and the Arabic world at large ">>«- *W*» ***r i. m &?** °'DamM'Assis,mt Basin ^^\y served his country U ^ of * "« r«* :::; LTafsir^rYour brother -*"-««' <*- �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD Pioneer and Seer r IT IS WITH profound regret that I read of the death of the greatest Syrian Lebanese of our race in America: N. A. Mokarzel. He was the symbol of our race in America. He was the prophet of the new era of our race and the leader of the educational, moral, social, political, and philanthropic movements of the Syrian Lebanese pioneer period in the New World. N. A. Mokarzel's passing marks the end of the Syrian Lebanese race pioneer period, and the beginning of the development period of the race with America as the new homeland. His life story is the life story of our race in America. His death marks a prominent date in our race history. His name, place, and achievements and dreams symbolize the name, place, achievements, and dreams of our race. N. A. Mokarzel is the outstanding Syrian Lebanese pioneer in the history of the Syrian Lebanese race in America. He was the moulder of the thought life of the younger generation. He led in the forward movements of the period. He pointed the way to future progress through education, inspiration, and publicity. He lived what he taught, he exemplified what he wrote, and he led where he desired others to follow. He founded institutions of far reaching influence in America, in our motherland, and wherever Syrian Lebanese dwell, as well as among the Arabic-speaking peoples. He established the foremost Arabic newspaper in the New W7orld, the influence of which has blessed our race. He founded the Lebanon League of Progress for the aiding of the motherland. He organized the Educational Association for the spreading of enlightenment, culture, and progress. He initiated the Syrian Lebanese Mahrajan for the perpetuation of our race culture, solidarity, and progress. N. A. Mokarzel lives, though dead. He lives in the mind of our race, in the consciousness of our generation, and he lives in the leadership of today and the rising tomorrow. He was a dreamer of the better dreams of our race. He was a seer of the better days ahead. He was a shepherd of his people. He was a beacon to guide the masses. He was a true statesman of his people. Young and old, rich and poor, wise and ignorant, people of all classes, religions, parties, and conditions followed his benevolent leadership. He was �^4PRIL, 1932 25 unselfish, devoted to the welfare of others, and spent his life in doing good. N. A. Mokarzel is glorious in death, the glory of serving Lebanon: our race, our motherland, and our future. In his death he challenges us to match ourselves with his ideals, his achievements and his hopes We Syrian Lebanese shall dream the dreams of the betterment of our race; we shall uphold our race legacies, and we shall promote the Americanism, the loyalty, and the progress of our citizenship in America. We Syrian Lebanese youth shall honor his name place, and achievements by accepting his ideals, challenges, ments°PeS' C Urage ° ' ViSi n ° ' ^ eff rt t0 greater achieve ° " ... N- A- Mokarzel's name will live through the ages, his influence will inspire greatness in others, and his achievements will awaken progress in the mind, heart, and life of the present and future gcn^ZlT A-grCatneSS WiU gr°W and glow more and to bless, awaken, and inspire our generation, our motherland, and our future 1 xrm^ J^gment that history> experience, and posterity will" acclaim N. A. Mokarzel the GRAND OLD MAN of the Syrian Lebanese pioneer period in America. ^ w. . , __ , W inside, Neb. REV. W. A. Eternal Guidance TO MY UNCLE The light that glowed a thousand years In human benevolence, has softly gone, And silent voices and unseen tears Mourn this passing of a paragon Of men and minds j this human heart That God inspired to guide the way for men; And now, in claiming, hath spread the glow ' He cast unto these humble children Of a kindred world, who kneel in reverence Their torch held high above his pallid face To cast upon his blessed brow the eternal glow Of love, that passing years will not efface. ALICE MOKARZEL MANSUR �ua m 26 THE SYRIAN WORLD Gibran A Year After The First Anniversary of the Lebanese Poet's Death Reveals Him a Universal Figure Beloved and Honored in Every Land. A YEAR ago this month, the month of Nisan, the month of budding blooms and running brooks, the month in which nature stages its annual victory over death, the month of Resurrection, of love and hope, of youthful aspirations and longings, the beloved poet, artist, sage and mystic, Gibran Kahlil Gibran passed away. It was, to be exact, on the 10th of April, at ten minutes to eleven on Friday night that the great soul which had comforted many a soul in its weary march through the Vale of Tears, that had brought courage and hope to many a faltering step, itself had to face the dreadful, the glorious ordeal of its own release to the Great Beyond. There is something touching and beautiful about the last days of Gibran's earthly life, and the last journey which his body took before it rested in eternal peace under the shadow of the Cedars he so much loved, and which so much mingled with his soul's dreams and visions. Something that reminds us of the fortitude of a Socrates drinking his cup of hemlock in a dismal cell of an Athenian prison j something that is reminiscent of the Gospel narratives about the last days and death of the great Nazarene. For to these and all kindred souls in whose bosoms burns the divine fire of Another World, in whose eyes shines the light of immortality, death is but an accident in the Larger Life. They looked at body and all the material world that surrounds it as so much impedimenta. Theirs is the motto which one of them, the great German poet Goethe, enunciated: "Es ist der Geist der sich den Koerber baut", "It is the Spirit which builds unto itself the body!" And well may Gibran himself have sung, not only to one of his devoted friends and followers, to whom he had ascribed the lines, but to all the thousands of his admiring, revering readers: "Nay, go fast, faster, Bride of my dreams, For the valleys and the higher hills �^PRIL, 1932 27 That I feared but yesterday, Now I would cross and climb." w en Death beck ned Gibran thiSwtidnwn,vhgf rnt,that \ ° and a11 sentien to Hd S mUCh a his friends be „« o hu rim 7 ° L ^ ' ^ < I i ^ *?<* SpaCe Were his friends), those who gathered the ChOS£n f6W Wh U n his T„TA rl kLsTed ^ ° ^ P° " a ay mt etermt ££L / T ° >'' were of the ^ sex? That was fitting and proper for one who, like the Master, had much of The feminine in him and whose fine spiritual message found more re MisTfiarbf* "nderStandin^ heart -d -tholic intuition of worn n Miss Barbara! oung, poetess, Mrs. William Brown Malonev writer e Gibra nT'HMlSS ^ ^^ MrS" L€0n°bel SC Gibran, his devoted sister, Mrs. Rose Diab, a cousin, were the min istenng angels who hovered around the deathbed of al-Musfafa S^S^SS men present'a friend Mischa Naim^a?d a hteV ibran KahH1 Gibran was to ^l^ ff ? to Blt7ti7t Boston, the home of his early dreams and struggles- thecarried home where he was so misunderstood, yet so loved by thosfwho were nTr est and dearest to him; the place which he never ceased teca 1his hi bel0 ed BeCharre mTe Stt-** V ' ^d£^s£ in the world to him. For l New ; York which recognized his eenius and showered its largess of success on him was only fwo sfon den from which he contemplated the universe and Zught ?his houghts after his Godheart. Meticulous in his appearance dmo like a suave diplomatist, cosmopolitan in his tastes and manners in SOdal aCC aTa^tJat herrt °*^s, Gibran MGKS a ascetic at heart a mystic who set on his journey for the ereat y fr0 C a11 £T<Sv h H his ?° aloneness, f^ f° * ^ his « m" to Only f/ew a few shared his ^ silence and innermost musings. To those alone, out of the teeming millions of the citv of skyscrapers, subways and congested thoroughfares the ctv of^n lofh Sr7yVheTrned hlS. ^^ ln that ^^studJofhi"2 5 W 1 Oth Street That was his Kaaba, his haram, his retreat from th,' efficient ^ *"* SUCC£SS and intoxicated with And in Boston, where Gibran looked forward for his annual varation, for his temporary relaxation from the round of routine and work, he was received with heavy hearts and reminiscent tenderness • �.. . ..:.. . a ;9" 28 ; THE SYRIAN WORLD And here again we see the gentle touch and solicitude of women which followed him wherever he went. After the bier was met by a group of distinguished Syrians and former friends of the mystic, headed by Msgr. Stephen al-Douaihy, it was carried to the home of the Syrian Ladies' Aid Society on W. Newton Street; and on the following day services were held for him at the Maronite Church of Our Lady of the Cedars on Tyler Street, the same street where his sister's home is, and where in his vacations he spent long hours in informal conversation with his many friends and visitors. Right here a word may be said about Gibran's attitude to conventional religion. For it does seem incongruous to many that this man whose iconoclastic tirades against conventional sectarianism, which would limit and monopolize the grace of God to an initiated few, aroused the animosity of some religious officials in high places, should finally receive the obsequies and approved funeral rites of a sectarian church. But in truth there was nothing incongruous or improper about it. Like all great mystics, Gibran was intensely religious. And it was because he was intensely religious that he rebelled against all bounds and limitations which would estrange the soul from its legitimate and free share of participation of the divine. The same wrath that burned in Jesus who drove the traders and money-changers from the Temple, burned in Gibran who, in one of his parables of "the Wanderer" makes a lightning fall on the head of a bishop who repulsed a non-Christian woman who came to him asking if there be salvation for her from hell-fire. And as Jesus justified the poor tax-gatherer who humbly confessed his sins before God and condemned the proud Pharisee who vaunted his righteousness, so also Gibran counted among the saved many millions of all races, languages and creeds who had never been baptized by the water and the spirit. Hundreds of years before him the great Arab mystical poet, Ibn al-Farid, of whose mystical Taiyyah he was so fond, had sung: "And if to a stone a Buddha worshiper doth bow, His fellowship in faith I still forsooth avow." And with an equal majestic sweep of universal love also Ibn al-Arabi, perhaps the greatest Arab mystic of all time, also sang: "My heart is capable of every form; A cloister for the monk, a fane for idols; A pasture for gazelles, the votary's Kaaba, The tables of the Torah, the Qoran. Love is the faith I hold, wherever turn His camels, still the one true faith is mine." �-TTP—h, :, JtPRIL, 1932 - .._ 29 Both of those mystics were Moslem, but there was more kinship and affinity between their souls and that of Gibran than between his and those of many Christians. But if those mystics, Sufis, could sincerely call themselves Moslem, so could Gibran sincerely call himself a Christian, as indeed so called themselves innumerable Christian mystics before him, like Meister Eckhart, Boemhe, Sausa Tanler and the anonymous author of Theologica Germanica, who were equally bold and radical in their pronouncements, equally universal in their conception of salvation and faith. There can be no doubt that Gibran was truly Christian, and if he were a xMoslem he would be truly Moslem, or a Hindu he would be truly Hindu. For to such, and not to priests and clerics, as it was to Jesus and not to the Pharisees and Scribes of his day, that it is given to interpret religion properly, and transmit it sympathetically and understanding^ to their fellow men and women. But Gibran was not only a Christian. In a beautiful sentimental way he was a Maronite. There was something in the associations and memories of that church that attracted him to it It meant so much to him. It symbolized his early childhood, memories of his father and mother, sisters and brother, dear relatives and friends who enveloped him with their love and tender care in the early years of his life in that beautiful village on the edge of the Qadisha Valley in Northern Lebanon. Its ceremonies and festivals mingled in his treasured memories of joyous crowds in colorful festive clothes, solemn moments, impressive processions of blackrobed priests, and an occasional visit of a bishop, or perchance the Patriarch himself which turned the village into a veritable carnival. Io be a Maronite, to him, meant not merely or necessarily subscription to certain definite creeds and dogmas, but to belong to an ancient and historic people who shared the same memories, the same aspirations, the same baptism of suffering and blood, the same rejoicings and the same sorrows. The chanting of its Syriac litanies, the smell of incense, and the elaborate rites of its priesthood conveyed a certain mystic significance to him that no literalist can understand. In short his association with the Maronite Church was what the American philosopher Josiah Royce called "group loyalty" and which transcends in spiritual value all adherence to creed or dogma. So much then for Gibran's particular sectarian attachment. But in truth Gibran belonged to the whole world. Some of his books �— 30 THE SYRIAN WORLD have been translated into as many as twenty languages, including the Japanese. If it is incongruous that he was a Maronite, still more incongruous is the fact that his writings are read by Buddhists and Shintoists, and that his Arabic translator is a Greek-Orthodox archimandrite! Many memorial services were held for Gibran—services which illustrated the variety of people who held him in high esteem, who revered his spirit, although most of them had never seen his face in life. The first of these memorial services was the one held in the East Hall of Roerich Museum, 103rd Street and Riverside Drive, New York, on April 29. It was an intimate group of American and Syrian friends and admirers of the great dreamer, wanderer and prophet. Dr. Charles Fleischer introduced the various speakers who included Barbara Young, Salloum Mokarzel, Claude Bragdon, Syud Hossain, Leonora Speyer, Mischa Naimy and others. It was a beautiful blend of East and West coming to do honor to one who, perhaps more than any other, succeeded in interpreting one to the other. It was also fitting that a Christian and a Mohammedan, a Syrian and an Arab, supplied the music for the occasion. Prince Mohiudin played "Du bist die Ruh", on the 'cello, and Anis Fuleihan, who had set some of Gibran's pieces to music, sat at the piano while Hubert C. Linscott sang. About a month after, May 24, ar-Rabitah al-Qalamiyyah, the literary circle which Gibran himself had founded, and in which he had always been the guiding spirit, held another memorial meeting for him in the building of the American-Syrian Federation at 123 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn. At the same time Gibran's friends and countrymen in Boston were holding another memorial meeting in the Municipal Building on Shawmut Avenue. The eulogistic articles and poems in Arabic which poured from every quarter of this country, and for which al-Hoda had opened wide its columns, are too numerable to mention. The local American press printed obituaries of him, some of which gave an account of his life and works at length, and the Associated Press carried the news of his death to all parts of the world. Of especial interest are two memorial meetings held in two cities separated by thousands of miles. The first of these took place in Sydney, Australia, and was attended by the consuls of the United States and France, four mem- \ �\APRIL,1932 \ 31 bers of the Australian Parliament, and the Minister of the Interior. m Senator in j' r "„ ' the New South Wales Parliament, and a fellow Syrian, was one of the speakers. The other was held in Johannesberg, Transvaal, South Africa, and took the form of an elaborate service in the local Maronite church of Our Lady of Lebanon. Rt. Rev. David Orley, Bishop of 1 ransvaal, delivered the eulogy in which he declared that Gibran's Message to Young Americans of Syrian Origin" was "of the stuff ot immortal literature, and should apply to the younger generation or Syrians and Lebanese in every part of the world." Among the many American admirers and devotees of the Syrian mystic was the Rev. Dr. William Norman Guthrie, pastor of St. Mark s on the Bouwene. Often did he read selections of the Prophet and other works of Gibran from his pulpit, as supplementary to the Bible reading and often did he present them in pantomime and tableaux on the stage of his church. It was, therefore, fitting and proper that Dr. Guthrie should hold a special memorial service for PrnXf"1 fu4anlagain °n N0V'8- ImPressive scenes from "The Prophet" and "The Wanderer" were presented in that historic little church in the heart of Manhattan. The church was crowded with American and Syrian friends of the great departed spirit But more impressive than all was the final scene of this moving drama which took place in the homeland of the Syrian seer and spiritual hero-in Lebanon the home of the Cedars, where the Poet ot the Cedars first opened his eyes to the light of day. The steamship Sinaia, of the Fabre Line, sailed from Provihv ZTY1AgA T u6t A f wL N A M r* |\ Whkh the b d . and ° y of Gibran Ka Wil Gibran Lebanese flags. At the pier were N. A. Mokarzel, the able editor of al-Hoda, a man of action SinCC ined Gib wlr fidd'r0^ hiS r^ ^ J° S?mtU develo me ^ne Sitor of fh/s *t *} P ^ S. A. Mokarzel, Fabre Line ^°f "J^ of *Z "Character ^ SyHan ^ent of the ^ ^abre Line, JI fT G. Raphael, editor Magazine" Rev Mansur Stephen of New York, Barbara Young, Marfana' he poe 's sister and many other friends and relatives from Boston as well as a delegation of Syrians and Americans from Providence'kOn the other side of the Atlantic extensive and impressive nre parations were being taken to receive the body in a mS fitti^ the greatness of his spirit, and the unique place whicTL occupied in the literary and spiritual history of our little country Ddegl �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD tions came to Beirut from all parts of Syria, from ancient Damascus, from Aleppo, from Horns, Hama, Antioch, Sidon, Tripoli, from the Holy Land, and from every little town and hamlet in Lebanon. Especially prominent in their picturesque native dresses, and the genuine expression of sorrow on their proud faces, were the men and women who came down from Becharre, the hometown of Gibran Kahlil Gibran in Northern Lebanon. The body was received with official pomp and ceremony. Government representatives in official dress were present at the pier, priests and high church dignitaries in their clerical • robes, and a large multitude of just plain men, women and children, who were dearest and nearest to the tender heart of the dead poet. The body was landed in Beirut on August 21, and from there removed in ceremony to the Maronite Cathedral of St. George, where the Rt. Rev. Ignatius Mobarak, Maronite archbishop of Beirut, and his clergy received the body with the chanting of Syriac songs for the dead. On the same evening a great civic memorial meeting was held for Gibran in one of the largest theatres of the city. Hon. Charles Dabbas, President of the Lebanon Republic, presided in person. The speakers who eulogized Gibran Kahlil Gibran on that memorial occasion were: Ameen Rihani, poet and scholar, Khalil Mutran, famous Arabic poet, Khalil Kussayyeb, President of the Press Association of Beirut, Mohammed Jamil Beihum, President of the Young Men's Moslem Society, Representative Michael Zakkour, poet and editor, Ameen Taki ud-Din, poet, and many others representing civic and religious bodies. And then the triumphal march to Becharre, the touching scenes of mourning women singing sorrowful dirges before the bier, like the old mourners we read about in the Bible j the different stops on the way, particularly at Jubail, the ancient Byblos, where a company of maidens with flowing hair and gowns, sang paeons in praise of the dead hero, as though he had been alive and was received in triumph by those who awaited his "home coming." And when the noise of all this pomp and ceremony had died away, the body of the mystic who was so fond of silence and solitude was laid quietly in the little Monastry of Mar-Sarkis (St. Serjius), of which Gibran was so fond, and in which he often expressed the wish to Spend the last years of his life. Now his earthly remains rest there as long as anything in this mutable world of ours may rest. In a little crypt in the chapel of that monastery, a visitor to �M. Fromkes, A.N.A. Copyright 1932, by Marie el-Khoury GIBRAN KAHLIL GIBRAN Collection Madame Marie el-Khoury Who contributed the engraving in memory of our great artist and p.et and through whose courtesy it is included in this issue of the SYRIAN WORLB in commemoration of the first anniversary of his death. �_j ••"• - ' ' ".• - - -. to- ,, , . ___ -i - -- ; ! < ' - ' ' 9 f - �cAPRIL, 1932 33 that picturesque town that overlooks the awe-inspiring Valley of Qadisha, and lies at the foot of the serene grove of Cedars at the top of the mountain, may read on a small tablet at the entrance these words in Arabic: "Here Repose the Remains of the Prophet Gibran Resting under the Wings of the Angel of Peace." And thus the drama of the young dreamer and reformer who as a young lad raised his voice in angry protest against the injustices and cruelties of the social system under which he lived, who migrated to a new country where his genius could bud and develop undisturbed, whose star rose in the West, who returned in triumph like a conquering prince to his own country and people, came to an end. And the land which ever stoned its prophets and turned its back against its seers received with a great display of love and appreciation one of its greatest and sweetest prophets. ON FIRST VIEWING GIBRAN'S "THE PROPHET" Today I clasped God's hand And evermore shall walk Within the shadow of His Majesty. It was a picture on a wall; A bit of paper and a few drawn lines. It was a face Of misty outline and suggested form. I stayed my step and gazed And bowed my soul, Before this shrine of genius. Only a pictured face upon a wall, But I well knew That I had touched God's hand. GERTRUDE MAGILL RUSKIN �9HMNMNNI 34 THE SYRIAN WORLD Gibran The Artist Exhibition of His Works in America Attracts a Distinguished 1 hrong of Admirers—Permanent Exhibit to be in Lebanon By E DAGNY EDWARDS fHE ART OF living beautifully} being, rather than doing, was m St es sential thin ur> -,i ° . & in life to Gibran, and in his words: Build your own ivory .tower and let the rest of the world take care t ' \e S^a standard f°r himself, as well as for others, while on this earth Reticent about his work he refused to exhibit publicity his countless paintings and sketches for fear that his "people" would want to buy them". But one of his dearest dreams was that alter his death,.some fifty or seventy-five of the paintings would be hung m some gallery in a large city where people might see them, and perhaps love them!" This dream has materialized under the loving guidance and tireless effort, of his friend, Miss Barbara Young who acting as his literary executor, has held an exhibition of the works of;GIbran m the Studio at 51 West Tenth Street, New York City, where he lived and worked for eighteen years. th before the ai penin whkh to k TJanuary i , ^ ° ^ ° p*«* °n anu3r9r°r. 21, all the actual work of preparation,.which included selecting, framing, and arranging the portraits, was accomplished by a group of young people who assisted Miss Young, without thought of recompense, but amply as a token of the honor and love thev held lor Gibran. It had been planned to hold the exhibit open until Feb- thTLt' thT^ *ft Uu "*i PUblidty fr°m the P-s> and ^spt eached he S?T ^ 1^ had t0 be dimbed befo^ one XtfX ?K ' ^.^ly.more than one thousand persons v twed the exhibit with mingled feelings of appreciation, awe and pleasure so that the time was,extended until April 10. Visitors a W hfe d6Claring there if Fd wM \°K T* > exhibition a" it Edwin Markham who recently celebrated his eightieth birthday stood before a portrait of himself, drawn by Gibran many years ago' and proclaimed with spirit, "There's something in that picture tf at' I know is in me but that no one else has ever seen!" So with the other sketches and paintings, Gibran, with vivid imagination, vital force, and a few deft strokes, created a beautifully vibrant picture of poetic imagery, profound in its fundamental depth. People came �UPRIL, 1932 35 again and again, reverently, as to a rite, seeking they knew not what, and found spiritual contentment, emanating from the godly serenity of the silent portraits on the walls. The place had acquired the tremendous consciousness of Gibran, and as one poorly dressed, rather uncultured woman wonderingly exclaimed, "You know thev all mean something! They're not just pictures, are they?" As a child, his tiny fingers modelled in snow and stone. He needed no master, he had no master, and it is a remarkable fact creditable only to his rare genius that Gibran was entirely self-taught in art When he painted, he drew with most unbelievable rapidity. Uften, when he was drawing, he had a habit of standing off at a distance getting down on his knees, gazing at,his work for minutes, then back again at the canvas, he would fly at work,until finished! Une of his most beautiful drawings, the first "Prophet", (a face he had carried in his mind for years, before he could give it life with draWn half an h Un Gibran the artist unlike"?' V Wl ° inseparably > linked in> his waspernot unlike Gibran the poet, "l the two being sonality ; yet Gibran the man, though utterly different from other people, was a delightfully charming, always gracious, most loving PerS n SeSSed Wkh a rand seilse of Pelrlleaving !K ' Ef at his feet, walked S humor? People, their °troubles from him with light heart and step, comforted, relieved,,exalted, but left Gibran sore at heart worried with their worries, piled before him in a heap so high that he could see nothing else! RvHe?-arph ^hafdt> 4? 9eorge Ru^ell, Debussy, Rodin, Albert Sdn R^ Klet\Mar?am> Masefield, Ruth St. Denis and Abdul Baha,are but a few of the notables whom Gibran sketched at his Studio, and a number of these paintings will be presented to va- r^d theH8- \he,Mr?Puolit- Museum of Arthas already ac- S A K JVA hfd °f J°hn Masefie^> poet laureate of England j Albert Ryder, American Painter; "Toward the Infinite", (Gibran s mother in death) ; "I Have Come Down the Ages", and the smallest pencil drawing taken from his book, "Tesus the Son of 6 LIf£ GrCle SeVeral 2?£\ ^ M^ "of his parting wm go to the Boston Museum; two or three to the Fogg Museum at Cam bridge, as well as one each to the Brooklyn Museum, Z Sk Museum, and International House on Riverside Drive The exhibition attracted many persons well known in the realm of art and letters, including Rose O'Neill, American illustratorand poet; Frederick Diehlman, of the National Academy and Cooper Union; Bryson Burroughs, Curator of Art, MetropoliL Museum �—__ . -. .- .:..:-:.-: .. . .1.1 II THE SYRIAN WORLD 36 Dr. Serafini, Vice-Consul of Italy; Signor Paolo Abbate, sculptor; Edwin Markham, "dean of American poets"; Floyd Starr, Director of Starr Commonwealth, Albion, Mich.; Dr. Fischer, Curator of Astronomy at the Museum of Natural History; Paul Stirneman, Eastern Mystic; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Edmunds, founders of International House; James Oppenheim, American poet; Mrs. Alice Hunt Bartlett, American editor of the Poetry Review of London; Dr. Douglas Wild, of Rutgers University; John S. Eland, English painter and etcher; Mrs. James Lees Laidlaw; the Princess Matchabelli; and the Princess Sava-Goiu. The last day of the exhibit, Sunday, April 10, also marked the first anniversary of Gibran's passing, and an informal group of about thirty persons paid loving tribute to his memory, with Miss Young, at the Studio. Softly lighted candles, sprigs ,of laurel, and roses graced the room, while the remainder of the beautiful paintings and exquisite drawings made an appropriate setting for the occasion. The silvery patter of dripping rain, and a grey, cloud-swept sky outside, proved a fitting accompaniment for the opening poems read by Miss Young who told of Gibran's innate love for the rain, which, in his own words: "seems to release something within me." In a brief resume of the last days and hours spent with Gibran, Miss Young declared that he never mentioned his approaching death to the friends about him, thus lessening their sense of loss before the final curtain-fall. Miss Young read several of Gibran's earliest works, written before he was fourteen, while but a student at the Madrasat Al-Hikmat in Syria (School of Wisdom). These unpremeditated writings show fascinatingly and clearly the remarkable philosophy, the rare genius of the true artist, unusual in one so young, yet indicative of the genius of Gibran we know today. Following the short interlude of selected poems, parables and thoughts of the youngster Gibran, Miss Young concluded the reading by giving a few pages of the introduction and conclusion of his last book, "The Garden of the Prophet", and also the last few, beautiful pages of "The Prophet". In parting, Miss Young suggested to the group that the friends of Gibran who join that "inner circle" of those who love him, meet from time to time to read from his works, to discuss and to remember Gibran, our well-beloved friend; thus to perpetuate the memory of him who has so enriched this world with his life and works. - •- ' - ,.: �5.S«Mi*'B5»E UPRIL, 1932 37 American Poet to Live in Leban on 'Barbara, Young, Friend of Kahlil Gibran, to Make Her H... ome in Becharre and Write a Biography of the Poet of the Cedai s Plans Annual Dramatization of "The Prophet" in English for tht Benefit of Pilgrims By ALICE MOKARZEL JN HER STUDY of Kahlil Gibran, Barbara Young has written: "In Becharre, a half a world away, near the Cedars of the Lord, the body of Gibran is lying—he who was more than any other the Poet of the Cedars." And it is near these hallowed elements of Beauty and Truth that Miss Young has chosen to make her permanent home. Although the decision to live in Lebanon was made after Gibran's death, Miss Young cherished the hope of such a thing years before, and now, almost coincident with the first anniversary of the poet's death, Barbara Young will take leave of these Western shores and after a short sojourn in Europe will settle in the little town of tfecharre There, where Gibran as a precocious child drew and modelled, and where the youthful Gibran fully determined to carry out his artistic career, Miss Young will live, a Lebanese among Gibran's own people. "I feel that I am returning home to stay", she said. "The fact that often, unconsciously, I say, 'When I go back to Lebanon,' proves my love and desire to live there. It is absolutely the most wonderful thing that has happened to me. In Becharre I will have my own little Syrian home with its vineyard and olive tree The house will have a flat roof-top, so that sleeping there on a warm night, I can reach up and pluck a star and tuck it 'neath my pillow." "So many people have prophesied that I will return in a few years she continued, "but I am sure I won't. I have never been in sympathy with the Western code of existing, with its gadgets and devices, whereas the beautiful and simple Lebanese life has always fascinated me." �THE SYRIAN WORLD ' There is a lovely Eastern warmth in Barbara Young's voice that spells of Lebanese tranquility and contentment. What a beautiful picture she would make in Lebanon, in native robes that would beautifully emphasize her height and stateliness. She went on to relate how completely at ease she feels among Syrians and Lebanese and how she loves to hear them call her Barbara in the Arabic way with the accent on the second syllable. Even now she has a vocabulary of Arabic words which she can say with a good accent and without the difficulty the average American experiences with Arabic. As Gibran used to say to her, "I feel that you will burst into Arabic any moment." It will not be as spontaneous as that, Miss Young is assured, but will take a few years of serious and conscientious study which she intends to proceed with as soon as she is settled in Lebanon, so that she will be able to translate the Arabic works of Gibran into English. (Only portions of these works have been translated but the translation is not Gibran and the lover of his English will not accept it as being true Gibran.) What makes Barbara Young especially qualified as the translator of Gibran is that she has the perfect conception of his English. Gibran himself has told her, "If anyone can translate my Arabic works into English, it is you." Even when he was dictating "Jesus, the Son of Man," in feverish ecstasy, he would pause now and then and recite his parables in Arabic and then translate them freely into English. Fearful at the time lest she break the spell of his inspiration, Miss Young refrained from asking him to repeat them so that she could make note of them. But they are remembered in her heart and wrill find expression upon the leaves of the volumes of translation. However, the whole time will not be spent in studying and translating. For it is for the perpetuation of Gibran's name and the revelation of his works to those who still do not know him that Barbara Young has so unselfishly pledged her life. To this end she has planned, among other things, to reproduce in Becharre the Studio in which Gibran lived and worked in New York for eighteen years. There will also be in Mar-Sarkis a museum for the purpose of displaying his works—pencil sketches, portraits, oil paintings, woodcarvings and the wealth of art treasures and relics that Gibran collected and cherished throughout his life. As a perpetual and beautiful tribute to the memory of the "Poet of the Cedars", Miss Young is putting her most ardent hopes in the future dramatization of "The Prophet". This to be performed an- �*APRILy1932 39 BARBARA YOUNG Friend and Literary Executor of the Poet of the Cedars �______£___! - 40 '.'*? ' THE SYRIAN WORLD nually, upon his native Lebanon soil and by his own people. The dramatization will be in English for the benefit of the pilgrims and because of the universality of the English language. The countless followers of Gibran all over the world will welcome the opportunity of witnessing the "Prophet" under such auspicious circumstances. Whatever profits accrue will go to the materialization of the hopes and dreams that Gibran constantly cherished for his country. He dreamed of immense agricultural improvements for Lebanon and other developments which Barbara Young has also noted in her heart and which will find release in their realization. As a youth, Gibran travelled on horseback to every place in the Holy Land that Jesus is said to have visited. Miss Young hopes to follow the same path and to visit the favorite places that Gibran frequented. She plans also to visit his college, "Al-Hikmat", where Father Haddad taught and whom Gibran described as "the only man who ever taught me anything." There is a plate in the college proudly bearing the inscription that Gibran had been a student there. So many of Barbara Young's numerous admirers here have expressed the fear that she would abandon her own work entirely in the execution of her unselfish plans, and thus deny them the beauty and inspiration that pervade her poetry and prose. But Miss Young is sure that she will not neglect her own writing. The peculiar beauty and climate of Lebanon, she feels, will inspire her to still greater mediums of inspiration and thought. Her recent book, "Judas, the Man Who Could Not Die", which had its setting in Lebanon, is a powerful and stirring dramatic poem and is particularly remarkable because she has written so vividly of a land she has not known. How much more then, will be her "Book of Adam" and other works that she has in mind and which are concerned with the Holy Land. The energy of Barbara Young is tireless and knows no satiety. The remarkable thing is that it is always in the interest of others. Aside from the works of Gibran and her own, she will write a series of articles about the people, culture and traditions of Lebanon to convey to the Western world, and about which she believes nothing informative has been written since the middle of the nineteenth century. The discovery was made by Miss Young after thorough research in the libraries and institutions and is appalling when one considers that almost no subject is overlooked by the countless writers of the English language. On May 4th, Miss Young will sail for England where she and her daughter will be the guests of Sir Henry and Lady Japp in Lon- �'*APRIL, 1932 41 don. The "short vacation" she will have while there will be utilized, as usual, in arranging a small exhibit of seventy-five of Gibran's pencil drawings in London. In Paris, where Gibran is known and esteemed essentially as an artist, the drawings will also be displayed. No oils are being taken to Europe but are being shipped directly to Lebanon. A strange and incomplete world it will be for the many friends of Barbara Young, some of whom have known her for many years and others for only a short while, but all of whom have been fortunate enough to have known and to become effused by her beautiful and unselfish spirit. "There is a richness in remembrance and an assurance of eternity that we may not question", she has written, and it is with this beautiful consolation and the hope that we, too, may be with her in Lebanon that we bid Barbara Young farewell, rich in the remembrance of her friendship and with the assurance of our devotion for her which distance cannot dim or diminish. NEW IRAQI CURRENCY One sign of sovereignty is the power to issue national currency. It is, therefore, not surprising to learn that the government of Iraq, whose complete independence and sovereignty have been recognized lately by the League of Nations and other international conventions, has at last taken the step to issue its own legal tender. The smallest denomination in the new Iraqi coinage is the "fils", which corresponds to our "cent". It bears en one side the likeness' and name of King Feisal, and on the obverse the Arabic numeral 1, to the right of which are inscribed the words in Arabic, "The Iraqi Kingdom", and to the left the date of issuance in the Christian and Moslem eras. The grades of the coins include issues of two, four, ten, twenty, and fifty fils, the last two being of silver. The paper issues start with a quarter of a dinar up to 100 dinars. The paper used is said to be of the best, and the inscriptions, besides the picture of H. M. King Feisal, are in Arabic and English. �,. „ Hi m-Tl--—i 42 THE SYRIAN WORLD TRVE ARABIAN TA IYV H-A«£ Tfe Reward of Kindness Like so many words in the Arabic language the word ma'rouf is very hard to translate into English. Literally it means "the thing that is known", and signifies that a good act should be proclaimed by its recipient. Sometimes the word jamil, or the "beautiful act", is g;ven as a synonym. The Druzes in Syria and Jebel-Druze call themselves Bern" Ma'rouf", or "sons of kindness", implying that they devote themselves to kind deeds, or that they value this virtue above all others. But the Arabic word has a wider and subtler connotat:on than the English word "kindness". It means not only a kind act, but one which entails some sacrifice and magnanimity on the part of the doer, an altruistic deed wlrch may involve the doer in some trouble or danger. The following story is a classical illustration of the highest exemplification of ma'rouf, which was rewarded in no less magnan'mous and chivalrous manner. With some modification it is taken from a collection of Arabic wisdom literature wlrch, it is hoped, will appear in English sometime in the near future. Ed. {T IS RELATED of old that in the reign of the great and noble Caliph al-Mamoun, illustrious son of Haroun ar-Rashid and the greatest patron of Arabic culture and literature, there was a chief of the royal constabulary by the name of Abbas. One day this chief of constabulary was called to the Caliph's palace, and on his arrival and appearance before the Caliph, behold! he saw a prisoner securely bound by hand and foot. As soon as Abbas entered and made his obeisance to the Prince oi the Believers, the latter called out to him, saying: "Oh Abbas!" And Abbas replied: "Behold! here I am at your service O Prince of the Believers." "Take this prisoner", commanded the Caliph, as he pointed to the man lying helplessly on the, floor, "and keep him in your personal custody till tomorrow. Take special care of him, and beware lest tht �UPRIL, 1932 ^ he escape, for I shall surely request him at your hands » At once Abbas called for some of his men and commanded them to carry the prisoner away, for he was so heavily bound that he could not move. Then the chief said to himself: "Since the Caliph is so anxious to guard this prisoner, there is no securer place for him than m my own house", and so he gave orders that the prisoner be carried to his own house. When this was accomplished and tht prisoner was resting in a LTZ th£ Chief S h USe Abbas went to hl ' ° > d inquired of him about the nature or the accusation against him and from whence nc C3.IX1C «I am from Damascus", replied the prisoner. • i 7 ^!kh r£Ward Damascu« and its people with goodness" ejaculated Abbas. "Of what part of the city do you come and to what people do you belong?" ' " The prisoner looked at the chief quizzically and saidUi whom ask you in particular?" <|Know you so and so", inquired Abbas anxiously. And how did you happen to know that man?" ttaB asked the prisoner in turn. ' -cu- LUC Prii> long;ISe\SSaSLWith him Whi * ' M1 — forget as «he m efis::„d %£&*?guard te"of h!s—•* "° m**t unfortunate one! a long time ago I was in the service of the governor of Damascus when one day "a rebel! on broke out" carious that the governor was smuggled out of al-Haj jai's Palace Zl ajamong ^ "« "*" ^ * ^ -P-nfaid rettS "Then while scurrying forth in one of the narrow streets of the hidi i ^itra T&zr - - * £=»^Help me, may Allah help you!", I cried out to him stirringWhirsSr7 ^' * ^ U*P—bably, not even "When I entered, the man's wife led me to the inner court of P g OUt PriVate Said: <G into "Pr^ntlv H a 'commotion ^^^ S?had " Presently T^ I heard outside. My°pursuers �44 THE SYRIAN WORLD entered the man's house, and he was accompanying them as they demanded in angry voices: 'By Allah he has surely taken refuge in your house!' " " 'Behold the house before you', the man retorted, 'go in and search for yourselves.' "They searched everywhere and could not find me. There was no part of the house left save that inner room in which I was hiding, and the man's wife was there with me. They stood at the door hesitating, as they said to one another: " 'Verily he must be in there, for he could not have left the house.' "As I heard them I trembled with fear, for I realized that my doom had come. But as they made a motion to enter the room, the man's wife cried out from inside that it was the harem, and commanded them to leave at once. "They went away immediately without much ado, and the woman comforted me and told me to sit down and compose myself, for my legs were shaking with fear, and were not able to carry me anymore. As for the man, he went out to the gate and sat watching. After an hour's time, he returned and said to me: "Fear not, for Allah has diverted away their evil from you, and with Allah's permission you are in safety and security now.' "I thanked him profusely, saying: 'May Allah reward you with goodness.' "Four months I stayed with this man, during which time he treated me genially as a boon companion, setting aside one room in the house for my use, and never suffering me to miss anything of my daily needs, and asking after me all the time. Then when the rebellion had subsided and conditions returned to their normal course, I said to the man: " 'Will you permit me to go out to see what has become of my men?' "He consented, but only after extracting from me a promise on oath that I would return to him. "I went out into the city, but found no trace of my men, and so returned to my host, who had done all this to me without knowing my name or asking any information regarding me, addressing me only by my filial title (Abu so and so.) But on my return he asked me what I had planned to do, and I told him that I had set my mind on leaving for Baghdad. He said: �I lAPRIL, 1932 ,ou >" 'ThC 45 CaraVan Wij] leave after three d *ys> be hold, I have told "Again I thanked him warmly, saying: 'You have been very considerate and generous to me, and I shall never forget vour kindness which some day I hope I will be able to repay as best I can ' ihen my host called to one of his black slaves and ordered him to groom a steed and prepare it for a long journey, and everybody in the house was set busy buying and preparing the necessary provisions for the journey. I thought to myself that the man was about to visit one of his villages in some neighboring district. But when the day arrived for the Baghdad caravan to leave, my host came to me in the early dawn and said: " 'Arise, for the caravan will leave in an hour's time.' "I was taken by surprise and knew not what to say, for I had not the wherewithal to buy the necessary provisions or to hire a mount But when I had risen, behold, I saw my host and his wife come to me carrying a big bundle of the most gorgeous clothes, with two new pairs of shoes, and all necessary articles for a long journey. Then the man brought me a sword and belt and girded my waist therewith After that he showed me a mule over-loaded with two wooden chests and a bed. Then he delivered to my hand a bill of the contents of the chests, which included five thousand dirhams and leading me to a steed already saddled, he said: ' " .'Ride and this black slave will serve you on the way and groom your mount', apologizing at the same time for his and his »ife s shortcomings toward me. And not content with all this, my host rode out a long distance to bid me farewell, and I proceeded with the caravan to Baghdad. proceeded renort^f lbeh°ld' t ?T* ^V haVe been on the watch for s° maU mSy rCdeem Part f to him.'' ° ^ debt of gratitude When the prisoner had heard all this, his countenance brightened up, as he said: "Verily Allah has enabled you to repay andreward your man without any effort or cost on your part " How sor" asked the chief of constabulary in surprise ma y U are seeki th, A- 7°' T T ° "&"> the prisoner replied, "but the distress I am in and the hardships I have endured have obscured my appearance from you, so you do not recognize me " _ Ihen the prisoner related several details which left no doubt in the chief's mind of his prisoner's identity. At this Abbas could no longer control himself. He rose up and I* i �46 / THE SYRIAN WORLD kissed the head of his prisoner, saying: "What has brought you to such a pass?" "Another rebellion, like the one which broke out in your days", related the prisoner, "took place in Damascus, and it was attributed to me. The Prince of the Believers dispatched a force thither which pacified the city, while I was arrested and beaten to the brink of death. Then I was bound and-sent to the Prince of the Believers, and behold, my case is a grave one, and my guilt towards him is accounted great. Surely he shall put me to death, and I had come out of my house without making my will. If, therefore, you wish to reward me, go to such and such a house (naming the house of a certain man in Baghdad) and fetch me my slave who has followed me secretly from Damascus, that I may convey my will to him. If you do so you would have discharged all your obligation towards me." To this Abbas replied: "Allah will manage what is best." Then when night fell he called for a blacksmith and ordered him to remove the chains from the prisoner's hands and feet. After that Abbas comforted the prisoner and bade him enter a bath, and gave him suitable clothes to wear. Then he dispatched someone to fetch the prisoner's slave. And when the latter arrived he fell at his master's feet, and the prisoner wept, as he dictated his will to his slave. As for Abbas, he lost no time, but called for one of his slav«s to prepare such and such horses and such and such mules, naming ten of each. Then he ordered ten chests of clothes and provisions, all that was necessary for a long journey, and when everything was ready, Abbas brought out a bag of ten thousand dirhams and another of five thousand dinars and delivered them to the prisoner. Then, turning to one of his trusted men, his lieutenant in the service, he said: "Take this man and see him safely off to the borders of alAnbar." But the prisoner would not have it thus. He turned to his host and keeper and said: "My guilt with the Prince of the Believers is great, and my calamity is unbearable. And if you excuse yourself to the Caliph that I have fled he will dispatch after me all the men at his gate and they will not rest till they bring me back and I shall surely die." "Escape with your soul", insisted Abbas, "and I will fix the matter with the Caliph my own way." The prisoner refused, saying: �<APRIL} 1932 47 come?/ A1Iah'p Sha,]1 n0t kaVe Baghdad til] l know what will bewiS comeT' ^ y°U ^ m6' y°U may Send after me ««i I Then Abbas, addressing his lieutenant, saidCarry him to a place of safety since it is his wish to stay, and would wTth hi of hi TT^V But ' u !??ue ded hi r Wkh my life ' 1 Sha11 let him h my own life as he T Charge r uCafe * y°U ^ > Alkh th know!'then ^^ *t not a dirham ^a^^dS^^ th" ^ Wil1 d° ^ *"»« » " safety1" ^ lkutmant Prcm''^d, and led the prisoner to a place of On the morrow Abbas said his morning prayer scented himself with balm and prepared for himself a shroud' m'aki>gd the "e e sary preparations of one going to certain death. his door^dSsaidfaWn ^ mCSSengers of the Caliph knocked at <avs flTlnffT-^ '^ ^^ * Y at this very hour, and says for you to bring your man and proceed to him at once " Abbas rose and went alone with the Caliph's messengers carrv mg his shroud under his arm. And when they reached the Calinh's palace behold, he was already dressed and sitting in hi usual seat at awaiting their arrival. > without WhCn thC C fPh SaW that his Chief of Xtls^urm^" ^ ^ Cnraged and Cned constabulary came «* "W°e * *»> treated AbbIasy°U * ^ * ^ ° **« °f the ° >" ~ "I pledge my word to Allah", swore the Caliph, interrupting, your head? n '° ^ ^^ ^ fled ! sha11 stri ^ off Abbas assured the Caliph that the prisoner had not fled and proceeded to tell all that had passed, and how the prisoner had aved his life ,n Damascus years back. Then he added in conclusion "Behold, I and my lord the Prince of the Believers are between two alternates: either that you pardon me, and in that case I wluld have repaid my debt of gratitude to that man, or that you give your command for my execution, and thus would I have defended him with my own life as he defended me with his. Verily I have alretdv scented my body with balm and brought mV shroud with me »Y When al-iMamoun heard this he was greatly moved, and said: �KB.. 48 THE SYRIAN WORLD "Woe to you, and may Allah not reward you with goodness. Has he done all that to you, and you only reward him with that little after having recognized him! Why have you not told me of him that I may have rewarded him properly in your behalf, and not have stinted in our reward." When Abbas heard this, he replied with joy: "Lo, O Prince of the Believers, for he has sworn that he will not move from his Dlace till he is assured of my safety." "Verily", exclaimed the Caliph, "this is even a greater sacrifice than the first one. -Go to him and calm his spirits, then bring him hither that I may take charge of his reward." Abbas was prompt in carrying out the command of the Caliph and proceeded directly to where the prisoner was hidden and said to him: "Be done with fear! The Prince of the Believers has said thus and thus", recounting to him what the Caliph had said in pardoning him. / At this the prisoner uttered a sigh of relief, as he exclaimed: "Praised be Allah, save whom none is praised for good or evil alike!" Then he rose and knelt twice in prayer, after which he rose in company with Abbas and proceeded to the Caliph's palace. And when the two arrived there, and the man was ushered to the presence of the Prince of the Believers, the latter went over to him and drew him near to his own seat and engaged him in kindly conversation. And when it was time for dinner they ate together, and al-Mamoun bestowed on him robes of honor and offered him the governorship of Damascus. But the man humbly declined the honor, at which the Caliph commanded that ten steeds with their saddles and bridles, ten equipped mules, ten bags of gold, and ten slaves with their mounts be bestowed on the erstwhile unfortunate prisoner. Besides, the Caliph wrote his agent in Damascus to show him special consideration and free him from all taxations in the future. Then, turning to the man himself, the Caliph commanded him to write him reports of the affairs of Damascus. And so it came to pass that whenever the bag of mail arrived from Damascus and in it a letter from this man, al-Mamoun would turn to his chief of constabulary and say: "O Abbas, here is a letter from your friend of Damascus." �\APRIL, 1932 49 EDNA K. SALOOMEY, Editor According to Dun |^ G. DUN and Company, the nationally renowned credit research firm, has compiled some interesting facts on fundamentals of credit. Of the many vital subjects discussed, we quote two because they are particularly important to us. "Illiteracy is a serious handicap to overcome and while higher education is not an essential in business life, an illiterate person cannot expect the same consideration from a credit standpoint as one with a fair education." On first thought it may seem unfair to base one's judgement of an individual's merits on illiteracy. The idealists among us may argue that a man's worth should be determined by his morals. The materialists may contend his worth should be determined by brawn and native talent. Both groups disregard, but cannot deny, the importance of illiteracy as a determinative of a man's worth. Illiteracy does not indicate lack of morals, intellect, or physical endurance any more than literacy implies the possession of these' dualities. Yet, it is true and iust to consider illiteracy as heincr a «enous handicap to one who desires to receive hif>h consideration from a credit standpoint. It is self-inflicted handicap. The contention is this: an illiterate nerson has a more difficult time "mitring himself across." He may be Shakespeare for wit. or have the salary of a financier: but unless he express himself, the talent in him is entirelv lost. The undaunted ones who nrove bv their final success that they will not be deterred by their illiteracy, onlv prove �50 THE SYRIAN WORLD fi even more vividly that their illiteracy is a handicap for it is only after years of struggling that they receive the consideration which was rightly theirs from the start. Success only revealed the ability We believe the same as did Priscilla, beloved of John Alden, that a man should speak for himself and write, too. At present illiteracy, in any case, can scarcely be justified for there are many opportunities of overcoming it, such as night schools, libraries, study clubs, and home study courses offered by universities One needs but to choose discriminatingly, and to determine to pursue as far as possible whatever course is chosen. We have used the words illiteracy and literacy, in a wide sense. By literacy, we mean not only the ability to read and write buf also the constant use of that ability. We firmly believe that the darkness of ignorance be it our own or the ignorance of others regarding our character,'can be dispelled by knowledge. If this problem of illiteracy is faced at the beginning, it shall solve itself in the end. It is a river which flows in one predetermined course, whereas, literacy is a river with many branches. In the case of illiterates circumstance in the form of a helpful townsman or a relative usually determines the career for illiterates. Thev are prevented from selecting the career best suited to their native ability havag started in one path, be it factory labour or keeping shop mav Zll V t0 thf Cnd " * l0St Th°U^h illiterate* may be the most exemplary persons, no one in this machine age with its; hurrying and scurrying, is willing to take time to unearfh the candle of fine character under the bushel of illiteracy Selfexpression in word as well as deed is a modern requirement Is not his the age of communication? Recall the radio, telegraphy, wirelessed telephone, all of which prove that this is the age of 7Ze mumcation. wh^Y mSy aSk'-^ WC wHte ab0Ut ilIiteracV these pages *hich shall remain a void to illiterate persons. We speak here to those who are literate, hoping that they shall make an effort to entourage all of the younger e-eneration to take advantage of everv yto uire kin f knowied e which sT^rrm r T ,, make ° their *days happier ^ «* on£ serve them in business, but will June m approaching and the spring term examinations are probably working havoc this verv minute in the minds of some of the grammar and h,rfi school pupils. Some of them are debating whether it ,s worthwhile to go on. A word of encouragement may h �^APRIL, 1932 51 mean much to these students. Some of them, for lack of a more convincing reason, will use the need of employment as an alibi for leaving school It is usually the ones who actually leave because of a real need for aiding the family's finances, who are spurred on to night schools and libraries because deprivation whets their appetites for knowledge. But those who use employment as an alibi need to be shown how the world looks on inadequate knowledge A sympathetic understanding will show them that four years in high school or college are not the four centuries that seem to loom on their horizon. We crave literacy in its fullest sense for all our people, not so much that we may be rated highly from a credit standpoint, or a social one, but that life may be meaningful to us. For, just as the stars reveal their secrets to the astronomer, so shall they reveal themselves to whoever shall follow the astronomer's course. Knowledge is a pathway leading to the stars. "The Nationality of the members of a concern sometimes has an important bearing on the credit the standards of business morality of various nations decidedly differ from ours." During the course of several years we have known many business men, and we can truthfully say that our nationality merits highest consideration by virtue of the conduct of the maioritvJ of our business men. Men of moderate means prevail among us. T'>ev have won for themselves honorable names, if not great fortunes." Now and then we find there is one who has amassed a fortune, but is honored neither with respect nor confidence which many less affluent persons k • As we are comparatively very few in number, the slightest shortcoming on the part of even one individual is made to reflect on our national standing. It behooves each individual to be careful lest by his action he may jeopardize the welfare of all. On the whole our people have been bearing the brunt of the present economic distress with phenomenal strength. Thev are keeping not only the word of business law, but also its spirit We salute our business people. To date, in spite of the very trying situation prevailing our business mortalitv has been as low as our business morality has ever been high. �52 THE SYRIAN WORLD WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT LONG YEARS ago when the earth was in its infancy, the donkey was considered to be the wisest of animals. An old sheik owned a great herd of these, beasts, and their sagacity was the joy of his old age. Other sheiks came to listen and marvel at the intelligence of the herd. At such a time there came the prophet himself, the most learned of all the wise men of the East. He was welcomed by the old sheik with due respect, who immediately led him out to see the herd, saying, "Behold, O Prophet, these wise and talented donkeys Converse with them, and judge if they are not truly wiser than all other animals." Then, the Prophet addressed the donkeys, saying, "Let us test your wisdom. Answer this question: what does a donkey require tor a three days' journey?" They replied, "For a three days' journey, O Prophet, any donkey should have six bundles of hay plus three bags of dates " "Very well," said the Prophet. "That sounds like a fair price " Whereupon, the sheik broke out into loud chuckles, and said, iJid I not tell you they are truly wise?" The Prophet answered him, "Wait." Again he addressed the donkeys. I will not give you six bundles of hay and three bags stlnd forth!""" C yS ' J°Urney- Let Wm Wh ° Wil1 S° for le - And, behold, they all stood forth and commenced to talk at once One would go for six bundles of hay and two bags of dates: another, for five bags of hay and one bag of dates. So they argued until, finally one donkey, whose ears were particularly long, agreed to go for only one bundle of hay. Then spoke the Prophet, "Fool, you cannot live for even three days on one bundle of hay, much less profit by the journey." THE"oRDEReSlied ^ long earcd ~ 011e ' "BUT l WANTED Since that far-off day to this, when earth is no longer in its infancy donkeys have been deemed stupid, and price-cutters have been known as donkeys. - �<JPRIL, 1932 53 "AL-JIRN." A ^S^TJn t0 US ab°Ut thG Unha PPy kddent of the hold- able OMT f uY tW°y°UnS NCW Y°rkers' sons of * ^spectaS t0 the a^ for for'such" ^committed ^ ^ °Ur cause such an actM'' being by "P these boys, whoseP-^le father had tried so hard to give them the benefits of a public 2Z educa"holier ldn?h° ^igh infentAof this sort> we * cast aside the holier than thou" attitude. Our older generation is so proud of acts w^h hSeymnSHhaVe ^outstanding for their infrequent conacts with the guardians of the law), and now the younger generation threatens to besmirch that record. It is LOTLl ~ youth, regardless of nationality, has been found to be increasing its percen age of wrongdoing. Recently reports from Great Brkan and the New |ork City Police Department showed that delinque K" Q among j uveniles is greatly on the increase. * It is true indeed, that if the younger generation would follow the precepts of its elders, respect traditions, and benefit by the wisdom of parents, the police records would be far different. 1 he world in which we are living is such that a parent has to be more than a devoted and self-sacrificing father; he must be a lawyer, doctor, sociologist, psychologist and saint... and then some The average father, though he may be a perfect example of all that ^excellent in manhood, can scarcely prevent the infinite harm wrought by bad associations, trashy literature, harmful movies, and the demoralizing present day disregard for doing the right thing for its own sake. It is no easy task for any parent to combat the* influences. On the other hand, the child finds it no less easy to cope with the times. Like these two boys, who committed a series of rob- ^Sil^dtSSrous spirit'which is greatest durmg add—> sion 0^^' ^H ^ *" °f US these ^ is our misapprehension of the meaning of higher standards of living. It has signified to many that one must have money, plenty of it. Some think that the more expensive the car, the higher the standards of a person Some want expensive clothes, a lavishly furnished home: and all want money. ' �54 THE SYRIAN WORLD The father of the two Syrian boys was content in his youth to earn his meagre living, and his chief aim was to preserve his selfrespect. The sons, blinded by false ideals—rather, we should sayideas—craved money, and being unable to earn it fast enough, did what so many of their age have done they resorted to robbing their fellowmen. It is, as far as we can understand this case, just another case where the environment outside the home was stronger in influencing the boys than the goodness of their father. But, we are not in despair. For every one, who is so weakwilled as were the two brothers, there are a thousand who cherish honour and self-respect as highly as do their parents. * * * IN SPRING A YOUNG MAN'S FANCY Sing a song of springtime j In 1932. Had to go, fall in love; And don't know what to do. Can't buy a Wool worth ring; So, here's farewell to you. It's no joke to be broke— My heart's now broken too! * * * We hear and read constantly about reasons for being proud of our ancestry. Let us put aside for awhile our ancestors' achievements, and do something ourselves. In 1933 at the Chicago World Fair, there shall be an international exhibit of the homelife of people abroad. Other people are preparing to take part in that program. How, if at all, shall we be represented? Where are the leaders amongst us, and what are they doing to make Syrians better known? Why not make a concerted effort to be represented? We should like to hear from organizations and individuals, who have any suggestions as to whether we should avail ourselves of the opportunity offered by the World Fair next year. �wmsmmm-- m UPRIL, 1932 55 The Portrait A MODERN SHORT STORY By THOMAS ASA JN THE comfortably appointed rooms on the second floor of a _ fashionable brown stone apartment house in the Rue Romondre, withm short walking distance of the Quartier Latin, two students who were in their early twenties, and both enrolled for the second term in the Medical College, sat one evening in the utter solitude or their study. Maurice Barany, who was seated at the right of the long mahogany table, looked up from his tract on bacterioscopy and stared languidly at the high ceiling. The other student, Eugene Armand, who was somewhat shorter and less robust than Barany, did not notice his friend's lapse into abstraction, but continued in his close application to the book before him. Barany's eyes drifted from the ceiling downward to his companion s face, where they rested with peculiar tenseness. friPnH?"f^^ ^ TuT^ suddenly> "^ you know your inend?" he murmured, half-dreamily. Eugene Armand started up from his book and looked in surprise across the table. questioY11^ d° y°U mean ' MaUrice? " was the somewhat bewildered pearanS"6 ^ "" ^^ * ^^ *" ^'-^ my aCti ns ° - aP~ Armand's bewilderment vanished at this more lucid inquiry. His attractive features relaxed into a pleasant smile. He was weH acquainted with his friend's romantic moods. hnlH Tdl' yScholarl c\ a, T7ascom Plete happiness seems to have taken ir fhT K iT yr P ations, perhaps, or, as spring is at hand, the absolute conquest of some pretty soubrette, so charmingly de scribed by our French novelists," he jested, in good humor.* Y hi s companion d TO ZL^4^ ~>*^ B With7dgtd Wty!° Seri US ° ' ^ friend? " **"* ^tioned, �iirnnirririTTiiiriiirmaiifii rut i>f~irrr ,iwiinmf:: \ 56 THE SYRIAN WORLD "You have my word, Eugene," Barany affirmed, rousing himself from his dreamy stupor. "So I am to felicitate you," Armand continued, with awakened interest. "Who is the fortunate lady, my dear Maurice?" "Henriette Ronsard, of good family and substantial fortune," was the enthusiastic reply. "Ah! a lady of fortune,—of twice your age, perhaps. You are mercenary, my friend; a quality I thought unknown to you," Armand added, in his jesting vein. "Enough, enough, Eugene!" his companion protested, laughing m his joy. "Mademoiselle Henriette is not yet twenty and the most beautiful girl in Paris. I met her at a reception given in honor of the lately returned Countess de Camdon, who, as you know, is a distant relative of mine. She was attended by her aunt Madame Ferrande, with whom she is visiting, a charming lady who seems to be well disposed towards me. Ah, you will love her yourself, Eugene," he added, relapsing in his dreams "Don't move, Maurice!" exclaimed Armand, arising from his chair with considerable alacrity. "In a moment I shall have the immortal lover on canvas." He walked to a near-by closet and, opening it, withdrew an artist s easel, a tight y drawn canvas, and a box of sketching pencils. He immediately placed the easel in position so that it faced his companion's profile. "Maurice, fancy that you have just come from your beloved " he instructed, smiling at his friend, who readily adopted his sueee'stion without apparent difficulty. With the sure stroke of the practiced draughtsman, Eugene Armand commenced to fill in the blank canvas before him with his pen' and> with the passage of ten minutes or more, the perfect likeness of Maurice Barany lay revealed on the canvas Barany's curiosity finally compelled him to partly rise from his chair and gaze intently at his inanimate features as created by the truly remarkable talent of his companion. "Eugene! you flatter me. Am I so distinguished?" he asked simulating a gratified air. i ' M JH°- Lif ^?U Brumn3e11 beware- No one could possibly blame Mademoiselle Henriette for throwing herself at you " Armand mocked inwardly pleased with his efforts at portraiture ,' Eugene' \*&« the time you waste in the morbid atmosnU done ffi A extravagantly, J " m?dlCexamining °- Le°nard ° Csketch °uld have added the more closely better," he �D UPRIL, 1932 l- ^A\ "Y«- know.my father's wishes, Maurice," Armand said, halfsadly His surviving parent, Monsieur Alphonse Armand, was the •e s? son ^T P YuCmn V\C ?r°VinCe °f Norm^dy, and wished his son to continue his established practice at Rouen, where he resided." Honor his wishes, Eugene; but do not neglect your talent. Capricious fate may yet turn your future in the predestined path " Barany spoke m the manner of an elderly counsellor, which he belome W ** •**** ^ ^^ ^ which did not ^ ;„ P Y°" eXa?S.f ale m>' ability, Maurice. There are a dozen as good InTV T S ,Ec°le,^t. Did I not see the deformed Ray mond Bergault, who really looks as if he lived on nothing but bread and cheese, draw a line that surpassed Martini's in its perf ectness?" Eueene It }! Suh°rd)n^ m^lY a Piece de resistance, my dear Eugene. It is no work of art. Your acquaintance Bergault commands more technique than heart, which is the soul of aft " t0 ics of no les terestbut «tthe I hour h ^ f^Vf '° the °ther P interest but as was already late, two friends, a half *hour or so later, retired for the night. th* 'JheJ°nowfS da y was Sunda y- The slowly rising sun flooded ltS rayS e^of WhfaTh H "I" I ' f°rminS "rable patch es of light and shade along the tree-bordered pavements As it was still quite early, the street was almost desertedof any mting objlct gHmmere f the sun etrateteui^ ""*"• !! *" of H* £~ etrated through the open windows the chamber.° His companion, who slept m the same room, was still soundly sleeping The dressed quietly, not wishing to disturb him The beautiful morning did not appeal in vain to Armand for P0CketS mergS itT" 7°" "? ^ ' ^immediately Thortiy emerged from the apartment house into "the^street. He turned his footsteps east towards the Place de la Con orl in the LuL^neElySCeS' WhCre hC t0 k ° ^ «*« baro ^e to the Bois de Arriving at his destination, he dismissed the carriage after mv ing the fare The section of the Bois in which hTZnT^i wa provided with numerous benches, and one of these, which flank ed the smooth roadway he selected with a keen sense of enjoyment The immense park, with its forest-like stillness and placid lakTaJ' ways reminded him of the valley of the Orne in No^mTndy which explained the strong fascination the Bois held for hinT For a half hour or more he sat almost motionless ^azine- il ternately at the lucent sky and then at the crysj^^llt �58 THE SYRIAN WORLD rored the vast blue firmament. A heavy peace prevaded him. y r otte He hat he Was to attend ChJu f J° # V . ^ormng services at the Church of St. Eustache with his friend. The boundless dome of heaven held mute communion with him, and imbued in him a spirit P of sublimity that the Church could never hope to inspire. I he staccato hoof beats of carriage horses awakened him from ceive^Z' "K g/ancing somewhat confusedly about him he perceived that a bench near him was occupied by a grave, elderly inB^vardkr0 * atte tlVely reading an illus " ^ted edition of the A gust of wind, that came with fitful suddenness, blew through the park and passing by them greedily snatched a loose section of the paper that the man was reading and carried it whirling to the s roadway, a few feet away. At that moment a handsome carriage, drawn by two coal-black horses, rounded the curve in the road and swiftly approached the th£ Sheet ^ardLTf? ^d listlessly rTf in • SuddenJy 'rthfBout vardier, that stirred the middle of the road, was caught It* C*{nCl0US Wn!d and whirled daringly in front of the car^T /l SU/pnsed Jorses reared in bright at the unknown menlv tn t tUPu 'thC Camage aS they SWUn& mad]y and violently to the right the mutinous paper still supported by the breeze against their quivering legs. Subdued gasps of nervous fear soun^ ed from the back of the vehicle as the coachman was partly thrown y Lnruwn from his seat by the plunge. Eugene Armand instantly came to life and bounded towards the carriage. With a quick upward thrust of his arm, and at cont0 h hmbS h SSt aPnd Jerked ' 5 gfaSped the bHdle 0f the horseon t L downward "S s with all his strength d Wn! respondThi*^^ ° " h? shouted> « he felt the horse respond to his straining arm, and almost instantly the other animal ceased its plunging, which enabled him to pick up the sheet of nws paper from under them and crumble it in his hand Perceiving that the coachman had regained control of his chareS e hlS h th£ bridle and Ste £d back t0 men? t he intention t f °% *c pavfment, ;th with the of resuming his seatPP Avoice, however, from the carriage arrested him Oh, monsieur! be so gracious as to permit us to thank von for S^f the efe 0f *« - octants, a hfndtriad0; tone "turn W STST '**• madame'" said A and, « an embarrassed tone, turning to the carnage and removing his hat; "the service was �'tAPRILy.1932 59 nothing." "Indeed, monsieur, I am sure that you saved us from a very likely'accident, and find myself unable to thank you enough/' the elderly lady continued, smiling at the attractive Armand, who bowed in a somewhat diffident manner at this further acknowledghnrJ^i/i^ monsieVr> why y°u shouted 'Guichard' at the horse you held?" mquired the other occupant of the carriage a young woman who was extremely lovely in her early maturity 1 own a horse by that name, and it came unconsciously to my ma em lk Ww H and Tsmiling ', ^atanSWCred ' dwdlin g With ^certainty on me last word, the lovely face of the girl sistedlf eld^y" ^ ** ^ "^ ~'" P* returl^wlng^n * * °f *"* t0 ^ ^^' the lady said in d mg EZ&gsr-* A rd «d ~> ° - "Good-morning, mesdames," Armand said, with another bow but this belied his mental agitation. 1 ' h*d nl^ f^^ Wh° °CCUpied the bench a ]ittle distance away hk SUr rise at the swift of "T^ or e^entfthTf events that almost/resulted in ^ an accident.P He arose from^ his seat and^proachedArmand, nervously rolling his papTr tocher Ah! to think that it was due to my carelessness, monsieur " the elderly gentleman said, striking the newspaper lightly again'st Ss "You were scarcely to blame, monsieur," Armand protested smiling in sympathy at the old man, who was evidentlyy taking'the incident quite to heart. <-iK.mg me "Indeed, I hold myself responsible, monsieur. Your brave actions alone averted a serious mishap," and nodding, with an <Z pression of gratitude on his thin, deeply lined face, he passed on to P wards the other side of the lake. Eugene Armand immediately forgot the old man as he disappeared from view, for the beautiful features of the younger of the two occupants of the carriage were envisioned before htdream n* eyes, as he imagined that she was again speaking to him drCammg �I \ 60 THE SYRIAN WORLD Still dreaming, he withdrew the sketching pad from his pocket, and, taking a pencil from another, he began to draw with feverish haste, as if fearful of losing his inspiration. It was almost midday when Eugene Armand returned to his rooms in the Rue Romondre. Maurice Barany was out, as he expected. The excursion to the Bois had so sharpened his appetite that he almost decided to visit the "L'Ecole," a restaurant in the Latin quarter that catered to students exclusively, without waiting for his companion's return. But an inner prompting dispelled this feeling, and, as he removed his jacket and boots to employ the more comfortable lounge-jacket and slippers, his eyes centered on the pencil-sketch of his friend which he had not as yet removed from the easel. Armand replaced the finished canvas in the closet and withdrew one which was still untouched. He then withdrew an artist's palette and a wooden case in which he kept his pigments and brushes. He adjusted the canvas on the easel and immediately began to spread the pigments on the palette. He remembered the sketchbook in the discarded coat, but he felt that he had no need of it. His hands trembled slightly as he applied the base to the canvas. Gradually, however, his nerves settled under the habitual instinct of the artist, and soon he was working with the earnestness and ease of one familiar with his medium. At two o'clock that same afterncvn, Maurice Barany walked into the study with a barely perceptible smile on his lips. His thoughts so prevailed over his perceptions that he did not at first notice his friend, still very much immersed in his work. "Oh! a Gargantuan worker thou art becoming, O desecrator of the Sabbath," he greeted in his airy fashion. Eugene Armand looked up from his canvas and gave his friend a somewhat embarrased smile. "Explain your running off this morning, my dear Eugene?" demanded Barany, with assumed severity. "Your offence was doubly rude, for this ^norning it was my intention to introduce you to the best and most beautiful girl in the world." "Being ignorant of your kind intentions, I hope you will forgive me," answered Armand, smiling again, and reflecting that there were at least two queens of beauty in the world. "Well, being unfortunately both poet and artist, you could hardly be blamed for succumbing to the beautiful morning, so you are excused, my friend," Barany pronounced graciously, as he advanced towards his companion. 1 �V ^APRIL, 1932 61 «j Not now; some other time, Maurice," Eugene Armand said, holding his hand up as if to stop his friend's advance. His voice quivered slightly and his face flushed uncomfortably "Ah! something unusual, Eugene?" Barany questioned, his interest awakened. "Yes; you shall see later," the other said, evasively, forcing his attention to his work, and all the while uncomfortably conscious ol the piqued curiosity of his companion. The following week proved to be very exacting for the two friends m the Rue Romondre. Several foreign professors and lecturers were scheduled to appear at the Medical College during the week which necessitated extra hours of annotative work. It was therefore not strange that Maurice Barany grew alternately despondent and djsgusted because he could not devote more of his time to Mademoiselle Ronsard, who, to his further chagrin, did not al- iJr '° T ,an *rr fr m WS W rL °, ° His companion, on the other hand, developed a peculiar reticence that so differed from his generally equable disposition that even Barany, in mental anguish at the short separations from his betrothed, noticed the changef and remarked about his frequent absences from the college environs 6 during recess periods. During these absences, Eugene Armand would either hurry to his rooms to devote a feverish hour or two to the near-completed canvas, or have himself driven to the Bois, where he wandered about aimlessly, peering anxiously at the numerous carriages and witTtheyh ,T,nd' nStqUfntly' had fallen ^sperately in love with the beautiful girl he had met under so unusual circumstances, and visited the park with the hope of seeing her again. But in thf teZST"" ' "** "" *"" ^^ " ^ ^Ve**^ h. m?\e/ftern°t?n' returning from ^e Bois to the lecture hall, he met Maurice Barany m the corridor, and greeted him with foreed cheerfulness. Barany frowned as he recalled that he had not seen his comvtn!T A°V I ^ tW° hJ°UrS °r m°re- But this sentiment instantly vanished when he noticed the flushed features of his friend, and the nervous movements of his lips and hands he J^W6' T 3/e T T11'" hC Said> his uneasiness increasing as he felt his friend's forehead, which was hot and dry. "Come with me, he commanned, taking Eugene Armand's arm with the intention of returning to their rooms in the Rue Romondre Oh, I am quite well, Maurice; you are mistaken," Armand �\ 62 THE SYRIAN WORLD protested, mildly; but under the vigorous persistence of his companion he went along, without will enough to resist. In their rooms, Maurice Barany assisted his friend in removing his clothing, after which he gave him a mild paregoric to alleviate the fever. He then forced Armand in bed. During all this time he 'chattered incessantly, scolding his companion for abusing his health with his mysterious absences, for he ascribed his condition to that source. "No reading, no meditating," he ordered his friend, who could not resist a weak smile at these precise instructions. "This-will be difficult, Eugene, for man is essentially a meditating animal," Barany continued, in his prosy way. "Relax as our eminent countryman Delsarte has taught us and you will be as well as ever in no time." After Barany had left to return to his lecture periods, Armand relaxed in bed as best as he could, but as to stop meditating, he not only found it difficult, but impossible. For a half hour or more he moved about restlessly, for as soon as his thoughts would dwell on the ever-persistent memory that haunted him, he would determinedly change his position in bed in an effort to forget. Realizing the utter futility of his intentions, he finally arose from his bed, and, clad in his robe de chambre, he made his way slowly to the study. He unlocked the door of the closet in which he kept his supplies and withdrew the almost completed canvas. For several minutes he gazed with passionate longing at the beautiful features that were delineated in the pure lines of maidenhood. An ethereal fragrance seemed to emanate from the lifeless face, and he trembled as he visualized the proximity of his infatuations. With an effort he aroused himself from the enervating stupor. Methodically, he adjusted the canvas on the easel, and, taking the palette and brush in his hands, he began without pause to apply the careful sympathetic touches that mark the perfect finish. The time passed so swiftly under the dominant influence of the work before him that he was almost startled to hear the deskclock strike the hour of four. With a last, barely perceptible touch of his brush, he hurriedly replaced the evidences of his labors and returned to his bed in the next room. He did not realize his utter exhaustion until he had pulled the bed covers over him. A great weariness, accompanied by a benumbed sensation of his limbs, enveloped him. As he felt himself succumbing to a lethargic drowsiness, he heard the outer door open. Maurice Barany rushed into the study, threw his books aside on a table, and entered the bedchamber with a smile on his hand- M u II �^^/Z, 1932 63 some face. large'^v^'fro^t"^: "If* m^"^ withdrawing a bedsid "Never^e Man'rice> tjT'^ VS '"^ erT Mau his old spirit. Eugene rephed, with a touch *-of T ? W°ndered> •*"»» whatlZed'lr^t^^r- tographers, wh"e 1 had eft Zt T ff my lb r PhsSy's> the Ph°P ment The s,Vh?nf (, li L '° ° « othed for enlarge0 0 he added, ncintfofa^le^J ^' > am P°sit»<' aS he "^ hdrw ments from the envekpe ' < of the enlargeuprigh? h,nbyedmiled a8am " hC h3nded h <° his *<=nd, who now sa, paUorESlfffu:ed a„ird\teekPsh0tdTPh, ^ ha"dS' ed with fever-strickXestthrplctu;: ^ "^ A d ^y aS he ^ her Wdi friend," excrmed% w^hVeThelmed With "-> Y Kis a entio from other photographs which he 1 """""I " " *e Do you wjsh to see the rest, Eugene ?» Pardon, Maurice j I feel tired " P ed and^ef ZeotXS ^ *> ""** "* ^ fa « -rt- xiety"Irk"" ^ ^"^ E^>" Ba J -id, his anI f r a m Unti f took L^cSk Mdtf Mrs T ^ ° „ ° "« »« from him. As the hour of d ' "8 " °"ght of rest d,Spe,1, I; If 1 a th had become so rri al tha, he tl apP ached> Ar "d>s condition sieur Alphonse K^£ 'Sto"^ 3 ,d**n * M°- h se 5 rushed from the apart ">«ttte Si»ce :ra Sv^ r I doctotoZf. Physaan. h summons for the Loving a hurried the nearest tel^aph office wheT^ P'^TT'^ PTOeeded to to Monsieur Armand d,spatched a detailed message |-*&?Xtt3»JM; n had responded somewhat to his treatment ound th doc P °°r ? ; fnend �64 THE SYRIAN WORLD Towards noon, Barany received a laconic telegram from Monsieur Armand to the effect that he could be expected to arrive by motor at the earliest possible hour. Having by this time recovered a degree of his wonted composure, and knowing that his companion was in good hands, he left for the Medical College, where he explained his friend's absence and obtained for himself temporary leave of absence from his lecture periods. Finding that he could spare a little time from his friend's bedside, he paid a hurried call at Madame Ferrande's residence, where his betrothed was visiting. Late that night, an expensive motor sedan stopped suddenly before the apartment house in the Rue Romondre. A tall, distinguished-looking man emerged from the tonneau and immediately ascended the short series of concrete steps that led to the apartment entrance. Before he could ring the bell, however, the door was opened, and to his surprise and evident pleasure he was admitted by Maurice Barany, who had been patiently waiting for his arrival. "My dear boy, I am indeed glad to see you," Monsieur Armand greeted, embracing Barany with fatherly affection. "But my son—how is he?" he broke off, a worried look in his eyes. "As well as could be expected, Sir," Barany answered, leading his friend's father up the carpeted stairs. "The fever is checked, and he is resting quietly." The meeting of father and son, after the later had awakened and with difficulty recognized his parent, was tender, and to Barany's sentimental nature almost unbearable to witness. Under the skillful care of his father and the local physician who first attended him, and who was still nominally in charge of the case, Eugene Armand was out of bed in a week's time and apparently on the way to complete convalescence. Monsieur Armand, with the usual acumen of medical men, had in part guessed the real cause of his son's illness, for though Eugene seemed to improve rapidly his spirit and former jovial disposition was very evidently affected by some secret burden. To his further enlightenment, it did not require much persuasion to get his son to return with him to Rouen. Maurice Barany missed his friend's presence very deeply, but being under an even more potent influence, that of Mademoiselle Ronsard, whose stay in Paris was drawing to a close, he did not feel his companion's absence as he might have. The following Sunday Maurice Barany assisted his fiancee from Madame Ferrande's carriage, which was driven to his apartment- i i. Ii li �g^wnwiiiiijjmi', aim xmu -APRIL, 1932 65 house after church services, where they had gone without Madame Merrande, who, because of a slight indisposition, had been unable to accompany them. Getting Henriette's approval, Barany dismissed the carnage with instructions that they would follow later. Maurice had promised his fiancee that he would show her the penal portrait his friend had executed some time ago, and had chosen the present occasion to fulfill the promise. They were both relieved that the hall-ways were deserted, for both laughingly realized their utter disregard for propriety. Reaching his rooms on the second floor, Barany unlocked the outer door that led into the study, which they entered, leaving the door open. After drawing a chair for his companion, he went to the closet in which Eugene kept his supplies. He withdrew what he thought to be the canvas he was looking for, but to his surprise it proved to be two canvases tightly bound together. With a small pocket knife he cut the cord as he walked back to where Mademoiselle Ronsard was seated. As Barany parted the canvases, a sheet of folded stationary paper dropped to the floor. He bent over and picked it up, and seeing his name written in his friend's handwriting on the paper knew that it was intended for him. Placing the canvases on the mahogany table, he began to read the letter, for so it proved to be, while his companion regarded him with questioning eyes. A look of astonishment and pain overspread his fine features as he continued to read, as if fascinated by the intelligence that was being revealed in the letter. The sheet of paper suddenly dropped from his nerveless fingers. "What is it, Maurice?" Mademoiselle Ronsard cried, her beautiful face becoming pale. Without replying, Maurice took up in his hands the uppermost canvas and turned it over. His incredulous eyes stared blankly at the exquisitely painted delineation of Henriette Ronsard Meeting the bewildered gaze of his betrothed, he handed the canvas to her without uttering a word. As she examined her portrait, her bewildered comprehension growing on her, Barany went to the next room and returned immediately with a recent photograph of to Eugene Armand. _ "Do you know him, Henriette?" he asked, in a voice not entirely under control. Mademoiselle Ronsard's face tensed as she took the photograph in her hand. �66 THE SYRIAN WORLD "Yes, I know him, Maurice," she answered slowly, with dawning understanding. "It is the young man who bravely came to our assistance in the park." Her breast rose gently and her eyes filled with tears. "Then it is to him, unknown to me all this time, that I owe your precious life," Barany exclaimed with tender passion, taking his sweetheart in his arms and clasping her to him. After a while Barany regained possession of the letter from the floor and gave it to Henriette. _ "My dear Maurice," she read silently, her bosom still heaving with emotion, "be not astonished when the full meaning of this letter dawns upon you. Through a capricious turn of fortune I was happily able to render a slight service to Madame Ferrande and her niece Henriette Ronsard, of whose identity at the time I was totally 111 ignorance. In a lighter mood, you will remember, you predicted that I should fall in love with your fiancee, and so it proved. Losing my head completely, I fell madly in love with f Cr.'ua t°v j ?!?,nger' U"erly unknown to me, but apparently, even to the blind Milton, an angel of goodness and beauty. It was during that chance meeting in the park that I conceived the idea of preserving her likeness on canvas, the morbid perseverance of which was the ultimate cause of my illness. Being unable to possess the original, I cherished, with ever-increasing passion, the form and spirit that I had transposed to the lifeless canvas. Learning her identity, on that fateful day, I was levelled to the earth with remorse and pain and, being already in a weakened state, succumbed to the fever. The memory of the pure love that was inspired by her, your future wife, has finally cleansed all taint of my passion. It is because of the supreme joy that I now feel in the most deserving happiness that has come to both of you, the finest of women and the best of men, my friend, whose friendship I value above everything else, that I have written this confession to you " Henriette was crying softly as she finished the letter, and lookSSnovS*0 C mpanion S face saw that ° ' motion had not left him &JS »S PlightC(i US aS ?° Priestly father could h*ve done, Henriette," Barany said in a soft voice, clasping his sweetheart again her hlw7 /? f°r Y°Z S!k£' Maurice>" his betrothed murmured, ineffable " ^^ ^^^^~^thcr^l-l Is I i i Ifi I mon I the < �*4PRIL, 1932 67 EDITORIAL COMMENT NAOUM A. MOKARZEL The editor of the SYRIAN V\ ORLD mourns in the editor of AJ-Hoda not only a beloved brother but the pioneer and dean of the Syrian journalistic fraternity m America. His loss is irreparable. He not onlv built a great institution but was himself a Jiving one in the life of the SyrS18 and ^^ese immigrants. He was first and foremost in nnfV ^°Vrement of social and political reform, of spiritual or Ju ^,ckeni»g, of charity and benevolence, of moral uplift and guidance. He was as brave as he was kind. If ever he succumbed to human weakness, his readiness to make amends, even his Augustinian humility in making public confession, constituted sufficient atonement. The pages of Al-Hoda, though masterpiece* I or Lterary creations, are even r t0 be ad I \ red for reflecting II cruZdmgandunrele^nginhis a usades against corruption, yet t.reless_ m his prosecution and promotion of those causes which redounded to the benefit and I happmess of his fellowmen. To mourn a relative is human, but it is equally within the sphere or the higher human concept to sense the loss of one who was near and dear to the heart of the greater humanity. N. A. Mokarzel was such a man. He be Wto imme°Hre,t0 ^mily ?f°ple than He toiJehis that his public might rest: he suffered that they might enjoy" he exposed himself to danger hT h 5 " is who? ,"?ight - d be P Jiis whole life was an epic of devofcon to the public weal. Such men are rare, and their lofty example is a guiding beacon for those who follow in the arduous *ay of public service. Their Jives are an inspiration. Thev supply the influence that shapes he destinies of nations and spSr ^o worthler and higher achieve Sltuatlo suW »s, the family submerges lts personal feelingl m the greater gHef wh.ch g_ euJf a nation. There is consolaJ.on m the fact that the sense of loss is universal. N ay, there can even be a contentment and elation in the realization of having giVen £ Wwild such a worthy man Be who T °f *? men' those men ptsist rlndSerVeandachieve Persist on the earth by their in s-dered ever hvmg. Such public g«attenuates the persona" lo of the immediate family Perhaps it is not for the edi- �II IIIMIIMill I \ 68 tor of this publication to acclaim N. A. Mokarzel the greatest public figure yet produced by the Syrians in America, but historyis bound to render such a verdict. Trained under his able guidance, and having served with him for nearly two decades in the exacting and trying duties of publishing Al-Hoda, the editor of the SYRIAN WORLD shall ever cherish the memory of N. A. Mokarzel, not only as a beloved and only brother, but as a guide and mentor in the bitter-sweet duty of public service. The means might be varied but the goal is' the same. That which is planted in the heart early in life will continue as the controlling motive throughout the years. Self-dedication to public service, in the cause of which the late editor of Al-Hoda laid down his life, a voluntary martyr to selfimposed duty, should be the most fitting testimonial to the love and admiration for the unselfish patriot, the able leader, and the beloved brother. ? B THE SYRIAN WORLD NO MARCH ISSUE Insurmountable difficulties rendered impossible the publication of the March number of The Syrian World on time. Under the circumstances we had planned to issue a double number combining these of March and April, but it was discovered that Post Office regulat;ons did not permit if such an arrangement for publications enjoying second-class postal privileges, and in conformity with these regulations the March issue had to be omitted, and the serial number of that issue "made applicable to the April issue, thus insuring the proper sequence. For the loss of the March number we have made an attempt to compensate subscribers by an increase in the volume of the present number, with the further intention of making whatever additional compensation in the future condit;ons will permit. Our readers will realize that we are straining every effort to live up to our obligations despite adverse conditions. But we feel that in this there must be some display of reciprocity. We would be in a much better position to fulfill their highest expectations of punctuality were they equally punctual in living up to their obligations. Even the stronger publications are feeling the weight of the depression, and with a class publication like The Syrian World, having only a limited appeal, conditions must be proportionately harder. But it is up to A SAD DUTY It was our intention to make this that class to vindicate its public spirit issue a memorial number to Gibran and culture by adequately supporting on the occasion of the first anniver- its public institutions in times of Surely no public enterprise sary of his death. Fate, however, or- stress. dained that the same issue should can forever be maintained by the limserve as double memorial to the two ited resources of an individual, and if distinguished Syrians who died with- the Syrians in America look upon in a year of each other. We trust The Syrian World as a worthy pubthat the two portraits in color in- lic enterprise, they will realize that it cluded in this issue will be especially cannot thrive on mere lip approbation. appreciated by our readers. �*APRIL,1932 69 Political Developments in Syria SYRIAN NATIONALISTS WIN DEFERRED ELECTIONS. Conflicting reports have reached this country about the Syrian elections which took place on the 31st of March. According to an Associated Press dispatch, riots broke out in Damascus, several persons being killed and many more wounded. But this seems to be unfounded, or else must have referred to later events, following on the fateful elections. On the contrary, from the Damascus correspondent of Lisan-ul-Hal (Beirut) it appears that the elections were carried on peacefully, with no disquieting incidents to disturb the election day, despite the military precautions taken by the Mandatory government. Indeed, it seems that the government in control had anticipated riots and bloodshed, as actually took place on the deferred elections on the 20th of Dec. Soldiers in full arms were stationed in groups at short distances in the different streets and quarters of the ancient city; machine gun detachments, mounted on armorplated cars moved through the crowded thoroughfares and bazaars, and heavy guards surrounded the election booths to protect the election officers and prevent any violent interference with the balloting. Whether these extreme precautions in themselves were an effective deterrent of violence and bloody disturbances, or were altogether exaggerated, if not unnecessary, cannot be determined at this distance. It should be said, however, that M. Henri Pon- sot, French High Commissioner in Syria, declared more than once through 'his representatives, and in an official communique several days before the election, that the French authorities have no intention whatsoever of interfering in the pending elections, which it was solemnly promised will be allowed to proceed freely, to determine the true wishes of the Syrian people. The result was that, with the exception of five candidates, one of them a thorcugh-going Nationalist on an independent ticket, the winners of the Syrian election were all candidates of the "Nationalist Block". The three independent candidates who also won are: Haqqi Bey al-Azm, Mohammed All Bey al-Abed, Nazih Bey al-Muayyad, Farid Effendi al-Hajjar and Fawzi Bey al-Bakri. Of these Nazih Bey al-Muayyad was until less than two years ago an exile in Cairo, Egypt, being one of the leaders of the revolution which raged in Syria for two full years before it was finally put down. He is also a brother-inlaw of Dr. Abdul-Rahman al-Shahbandar, the foremost civilian revolutionary leader often referred to as the "brains of the Syrian revolution." This in itself is evidence that the French authorities were earnest in their promise of impartiality. Although there is also ample evidence that representatives of the Mandatory held numerous conferences, negotiations and pourparlers with leaders of the Nationalist Block before such a promise of impartiality was given out in an unmistakable manner. �70 - - A few days before the elections, a Damascus correspondent of a Beirut daily, announced "the good news" to his paper that final and definite agreement between leaders of the Nationalist Block and representatives of the Mandatory representatives in Damascus had been reached on the candidates to be put in the field. On the basis of this "agreement" the Nationalist Block decided finally "to enter the elections", and some of them at once declared their candidacy publicly. With nr'sunderstandings and difficulties thus removed, the candidates of the Nationalist Block sailed into an easy and triumphant victory. One result of the elections wh'ch occasioned some surprise was the ignominious defeat of Shaykh Taj-udDin al-Hasani, son of the influencial religious leader of Damascus, Shaykh Badr-ud-Din al-Hasani, sometimes styled "the pope of the Moslems", a title he has won as the foremost Muhaddith, or traditionist and authority on Moslem jurisprudence. Shaykh Taj-ud-Din himself was chosen by the French authorities, with the supposed approval of the Syrian Nationalists, as head of the Syrian Government after the revolution. But his equivocal position caused him to be accused by the Nationalists as an opportunist anxious to be always on the safe side with the French authorities. It is almost unbelievable that this influential citizen of Damascus, whose star of ascendancy was so 'high in the political sky of Syria up to six months ago, d:d not receive a single vote, not even in his own electoral district. But such 1S the report from Damascus, which, it is said, "attracted attention and amazed many." Another who failed of election was Riza Pasha al-Rikabi, a dubious character in Syrian politics, who, it was declared on several occasions, was THE SYRIAN WORLD working for the monarchist cause, and the placing of a member of the Sharifian family, presumably ex-King AH, son of King Husein and brother of King Feisal and Emir Abdullah, on the Syrian throne. At one time it was rumored that the French authorities themselves were in favor of such a solution to the Syrian question, but later reports contradicted this rumor. It is, however, quite poss:ble that the French were and are still in favor of such a solution which would win them the powerful sentiment of pan-Arabism throughout the Arabic-speaking world. But the Syrian Nationalists have so far steered clear of monarchical entanglements, and declared emphatically for a republican form of government in Syria. Even in Aleppo, where the monarchical sentiment is said to be strong, the Syrian monarchists are in a decided m'nority. Now it remains to be seen what the Nationalists will make out of their victory in the secondary elections. Will they come to another impasse with the Mandatory Power, resulting in another dissolution of the Syrian parliament, or will they continue their friendly understanding with it? Much of the latter alternative depends as much on the attitude of the French Foreign Ministry in Paris as on the attitude of the Syrian Nationalists themselves. For the latter have not renounced their fundamental purpose of attaining complete independence for Syria, on the basis of substituting the mandatory form of control for an amicable treaty between independent Syria and the French Nation, a status which is already in existence and operation in neighboring Iraq, formerly under British mandate and now an independent state, recognized as such by the League of Nations, with British interests and prerogatives in Iraq guaranteed by an iron-clad treaty. �'<JPRIL, 1932 LEBANESE POLITICS CENTER ON THE PRESIDENCY 71 group in that country and claim that it is only right that a president should be chosen from among them. For alThe race for the presidency is monothough church and state are supposed polizing the field in Lebanese politics to be separated in that mandated rethese days. There are agitated, ferpublic, sectarianism still constitutes a vous, almost frenzied activities which center on one single idea, one single large and important factor in the fashand undivided purpose: Who shall be ioning and direction of political opinion where for untold generations polithe next president of the Republic? tics was recognized as a sectarian isSince its creation in 1926, the Lebsue, and where officials were chosen to anese Republic has had one president, Hon. Charles Dabbas, who has ful- represent their different sectarian confilled the functions of his office as stituencies instead of the people at large. best as can be done within the numerBesides these three in the circles of ous hedges and limitations imposed on Lebanese politics there are others who him from inside and outside—from a might be termed as "dark horses," and constitution patterned on that of the who, in case of a deadlock, may turn French which leaves little for the chief the balance in the favor of one if them. executive to do, and from the ManTwo of these dark horses whose names datory Power which has not completehave been mentioned oftenest in the ly relinquished its authority on that 1 little republic even in internal matters. press are Hon. Mohammed al-Jisr, The original presidential term of the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Lebanese Republic was three years, and Dr. Ayoub Thabit. The first is a' in accordance with which Hon. Charles' Moslem with a powerful backing of Dabbas was reelected in 1929. Now, the Moslem constituency in Beirut, an amendment has been made in the Sidcn, Tripoli and other centers where constitution extending the president- the Moslem population is large or preial term to six years, and the prem- dominates. The latter is a Protestant, ium for that office has consequently representing minority groups in Lebrisen in the market of politics in a anon, an intelligent and progressive country where "the office" has always gentleman who spent a number of meant so much, and where a govern- years in the United States working for ment official is vested with a halo of the cause of Lebanon and the French dignity and importance foreign to our mandate during the war. As soon as conceptions and ideas in this country the war was over he left for Lebanon where business leads and politics fol- where he played an important role as iov.'. a minister of the interior a few years ago. According to the welter of political And while the chances of Dr. Ayoub articles incessantly pouring out from ThaMt may be called at this writing the editorial offices of the Beirut press, only nebulous, those of Shaykh Mothree names loom out as those of the hammed al-Jisr are taking more and loading candidates. These are: Hon more definite shape, which fact has Emil Eddy, Hon. Bishara Khoury and given much apprehension to the three Habib Pasha al-Saad, all former premoriginal candidates. iers and members of the Chamber of That is how the situation stands Deputies. All also happen to belong among the Lebanese politicians themto one sect in Lebanon, the Maronites, selves, and within the circles of the who constitute the largest sectarian members of the Lebanese Assembly �I If I! Si- I 7.2 One may legitimately ask, "But what is the popular opinion of the people themselves?" And since the election rests not on popular choice but on that of the Assembly, following the French system where the Chamber and Senate choose the president, the question is merely an idle one. However, one ingenious and progressive newspaper, al-Ahrar, taking a clue from cur illustrious Literary Digest, undertook a popular or straw-vote campaign in Lebanon to determine the degree of popularity of the different candidates among the Lebanese people themselves, with the following tabulated results: Candidates: Number of Votes: 3781 Emile Eddy 1936 George Bey Thabit 139 Shaykh Mohammed al-Jisr Dr. Aycub Thabit 279 Habib Pasha al-Saad 167 Shaykh Bishara al-Khoury 67 Jibran al-Tweiny 282 Scattered Votes 399 From which it is only fair to deduce that were it left to the people's choice Hon. Emile Eddy would most likely be the next president of the Lebanon Republic. He has been the choice of progressives not only in Lebanon but here in the United States among the Lebanese immigrants who still feel a strong attachment to, and sympathy with, the little home of their origin on the other side of the Atlantic. His candidacy was ably championed by the late Naoum Mokarzel, lamented editor of al-Hoda, who had never ceased up to the last minute of his life to wage a bitter war in his widely read paper against the reign of chicanery, nepotism, unjustified extravagance and shameless graft and favouritism that have held the historic home of the "Maradites" in the grip of their hands. THE SYRIAN WORLD An insight into the honest minds of the poor tax-payers of Lebanon who, like Atlas of old, carry the pompous and onerous burden of what has rightly been called a farcical republic on their bent shoulders, may be surmised from a casual conversation which Shikri Bakhash, a progressive journalist of Zahle and formerly a resident of New York City, with a former of al-Buka'. "And who is your choice for president?", inquired the editor of the Lebanese farmer. The latter looked up quizzically and said: "What have we poor farmers to do with the choice of a president. This is a matter in the hands of the Assembly in Beirut." "But suppose you were given a voice in the coming elections, whom would you vote for," insisted the editor. "I will vote for the man who will ease the burden of our heavy taxation, the man who has already demonstrated his solicitous interest for the common farmer and labourer in this Mountain, and who firmly carried out a program of administrative reform and economy when he occupied the office of premier—and who is this man save Emile Eddy." , FRENCH BARGAIN FOR VOTES? A Damascus correspondent of a Beirut newspaper reports on what he terms a "knowing authority," that the French authorities have come to a preliminary agreement with the Syrian nationalists of Damascus to allow the ' latter putting six candidates in the field for the coming elections, one of whom would be a Greek Orthodox candidate, and that the French authorities themselves would name four candidates, one of whom would be the other Greek Orthodox candidate! �tAPRIL, 1932 73 THE SYRIAN WORLD NEWS SECTION VOL. VI NO. 7 SYRIANS RESPOND TO APPEALS FOR CHARITY It has been truly said that the present severe depression has been a blessing in disguise. It has brought out to the surface our charitable and brotherly qualities, and made us feel more keenly and intimately the sufferings of others. Everywhere we go we see signs and manifestations of this splendid spirit with which true Americans are combating depression, and driving the hungry wolves from the doors of unfortunate ones. To this general showing of a truly humanitarian and Christian spirit the Syrians have made admirable response. Several Syrian affairs and entertainments whose receipts were designated for charity and relief purposes have been held lately all over the United States, two cf which were held last month in Brooklyn. Charity Ball of American Syrian Federation The principal affair in the interest of charity and the creation of a Syrian relief fund, was that held under the auspices of the American-Syran Federation at the Elks Club, Brooklyn on April 16. It was a charity ball and entertainment, generously supported by complimentary advertisements to its souvenir program, and well attended by Syrians of Brooklyn, New York APRIL, 1932 and the Metropolitan area. The sum realized by this gala affair for Syrian charity has not been announced, but it is expected to be commensurate with the generous donation of time and labor by the volunteer workers of the organization. St. Vincent Holds Dance On May 1st the Virgin Mary's Conference of St. Vincent de Paul Society will give a dance and entertainment in the auditorium of the Knights of Columbus building. An elaborate program of Syrian music will be supplied, featuring the talented young singer of Boston, Miss Najeebee Morad. Al-Kalimat Entertainment On the 10th of April al-Kalimat Society, Inc., held an entertainment and dance at the ballroom of the Knights of Columbus headquarters on 1 Prospect Park West. The affair was well attended, the proceeds going to alKal-mat charitable projects in Aleppo. SYRIAN POLITICIAN HONORED Our friend George Dagher is a wellknown figure among the Republican workers and politicians of the city. He is recognized as a man of ability and promise. He is the leader of the 1st. Assembly District, Brooklyn, a high position in local ploitics, and re- �74 THE SYRIAN WORLD cently his Assembly District gave a brilliant affair in Irs honor at the Elks Club Auditorium in Brooklyn. But more singular still was the honor tendered him by Republican electors of his district when it was announced lately that he has been appointed a delegate to the Republican National Convention to be held in Chicago for the presidential nomination. A SYRIAN SCIENTIST - Among the Syrians who distinguished themselves in the United States is one who only a few years ago came to the country as a simple seeker of knowledge in its many institutions of higher learning. Today he is a dispenser of knowledge in one of its principal universities, a promising authority in his field of endeavor, although still in his thirties. Michael G. Malti, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at Cornell University, is an unassuming, noiseless busy man, like most members of his scientific clan. That is why little has been heard about him. And we are happy to tell of some of his achievements. Chief of these is a book which he had published in November of 1930, called "Electric Circuit Analysis," and which in this short time has already been adopted as a text-book by ten colleges and universities, including his own, Cornell. One authority calles it "one of the best things in its line that has ever come out." It is not for us to tell of the contents of this bcok, for it is a technical one dealing with every phase of electricity. But it has been well received by various reviewers and authorities in the field of electrical engineering, and is declared especially adaptable to the needs of students. DRUZE GIRL STUDENT WINS FELLOWSHIP Among announcements of the Vassar College faculty, published recently in the New York Times, is one in which the name of Najla Izzeddin appears as the recipient of an Alumnae Fellowship of that famous college for women. Although Miss Izzeddin is listed as an Egyptian, she is known to us as a Syrian by descent. She is the daughter of a Syrian official in the Interior Department of the Egyptian Government at Cairo. A few years ago, when she came to this country to continue her studies, American newspapers featured her as "the first Druze girl to seek a college education." She made a good record at Vassar, where she was popular in the social and academic activities of the college. By her accomplishments, Miss Izzeddin has helped to dispel a lot of mollycoddle nonsense about the backwardness and helplessness of the women of the East! ARABS BOYCOTT ZIONIST EXPOSITION A proclamation addressed to "all the Arabic-speaking peoples in East and West,': appears in Filistin, an Arabic paper published in Jaffa, and in other papers of Palestine and Syria. It is signed by Rasim al-Khalidi as President of the First Congress of Arab Youth in Palestine, and contains an appeal to Arabs everywhere to boycott a proposed exposition to be held by Zionists in Tel-Aviv. Arab merchants and manufacturers in particular are urged not to enter samples of their products in the anticipated exposition, nor visit it or hire any space in it. �f -APRIL, 1932 CHARLIE CHAPLIN CAN'T MAKE SPHINX LAUGH! On March 10 Charlie Chaplin, dean of the fun-makers in the movies, paid his first visit to Egypt., and was "as 'happy as a child," according to his statement to the newspaper reporters who met him at Alexandria. Wherever Charlie went he attracted big crowds of Egyptian admirers and curious on-lookers. So much so, the ^gyptian press reports, that he had to enter Shepherd Hotel, where he stopped in Cairo, by a ruse, through -e bac*-door, after climbing a fence. Somebody told Charlie that there was one feUow in Egypt who had never laughed at his jokes, and never WiH. Charlie did not believe it, and 75 The tragic note in this bankruptcy ;s that investors of large sums had their loans to the bank secured by heavy liens, while small investors had placed implicit trust solely in the integrity and business ability of the bankers. INDUSTRIAL, AGRICULTURAL EXPOSITION IN BAGHDAD The Iraq Government contemplates holding in Baghdad during April according to press reports, an extensive exposition said to be the largest ever held m the Near East. The proposition is said to have been received with enthusiasm by native k v Zas„made- Then th*y t«ok merchants, industrialists and proCnarhe to Giza, made him ride a docile camel, as all tourists do, and ducers, and extensive preparations were made to insure its success. As brought him in front of the Sphinx! an encouraging sign, of cooperation Moral: Charlie lost his bet' among Arabic-speaking countries, it is further stated that the agriculturists and industrialists of DamasSYRIAN BANK BANKRUPT cus have given hearty approval of the Baghdad exposition, and announcWhat is regarded as the "biggest ed their intention to participate in it. bankruptcy in Beirut in a long timeOne interesting feature of this exhas been disclosed lately in reports position will be a baby parade to coming from that city. choose the most handsome and healMore than 900 depositors, a large thy specimen of Iraqite babyhood and proportion of whom of limited means, crown it "King of Iraqite Babies." are involved in the sensational bankWho said that Iraq is behind in the ruptcy of Kiryakos and Zuhair a race of progressiveness and modernnative bank which had enjoyed the ization ? confidence and trust of the business And if Iraq holds a Baby Health circles of Beirut and other Syrian Contest, it still has some distance to cities. go to catch up with Turkey, nominally Many of these investors are Syrian a Moslem country, but which last year emigrants who had amassed what held a ueauty contest to determine the would be considered in Syria modest most beautiful girl in the country for fortunes, and were confident that the entry in the International beauty conincome from the native bank will en- test. able them to spend the rest of their There is no telling what the East Jives m comparative affluence and secL is capable of doing now that it has* urity. started on its forward march �76 THE SYRIAN WORLD gpawaBnaajs^^ Gibran's Message To Young Americans of SyrianOrigin By G. K. GIERAN Author of "The Trofftel," "Jnus ike icn of JSian" 1 believe in you. and I bcliei'e in your destiny. I believe that you are contributors to this new civilization. I believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream, a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America. 1 believe you can say to the founders of this great nation. 'Here I am. a youth, a young tree, whose roots were plucked from the hills of Lebanon, yet I am deeply rooted here, and I would be fruitful." And I believe that you can say to Abraham Lincoln, the blessed. "Jesus of Nazareth touched your lips when you spoke, and guided your hand when you wrote; and I shall uphold all that you have said and all that you have written." I believe that you can say to Emerson and Whitman and James. "In my veins runs the blood of the poets and wise men of old, and it is my desire to come to you and receive, but I shall not come with empty hands." I believe that even as your fathers came to this land to produce riches, you were born here to produce riches by intelligence, by labor. And I believe that it is in you to be good citizens. And what is it to be a good citizen? It is to acknowledge the other person's rights before asserting your own. but always to be conscious of your own. It is to be free in thought and deed, but it is also to know that your freedom is subject to the other person's freedom. It is to create the useful and the beautiful with your own hands, and to admire what others have created in love and with faith. It is to produce wealth by labor and only by labor, and to spend less than you have produced th3t your children may not be dependent on the state for support when you are no more. It is to stand before the towers of New York, Washington. Chicago ?nd San Francisco saying in your heart. "I am the descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus, and Tyre and Sidon. and Antioch, and now I am here to build with you. and with a will." It is to be proud of being an American, but it is also to be proud that your fathers and mothers came from a land upon which God laid His gracious hand and raised His messengers. Young Americans of Syrian origin. I believe in you. :>/. «•«! FREE TO SYRIAN WORLD SUBSCRIBERS. This beautiful message by Gibran 13x17 inches, printed in large type on heavy paper with ornamental border suitable for framing. Every PAID subscriber whose term begins with Sept. 1931 is entitled to a copy, mailed in heavy cardboard tube. Subscribers whose term begins before Sept. 1931 may secure a copy by renewal. 1 / �^PRIL, 1932 77 w AUTH ENTIC ORIENTAL RUGS s s THE A. SLEYMAN COMPANY. INC. 276 5th AVENUE NEW YORK CITY Phone BOgardus 4-4345 ms&mmsm JERE J. CRONIN I 1 IS 1 FUNERAL DIRECTOR MORTUARY CHAPEL Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to LADY ATTENDANT Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire 115 ATLANTIC AVENUE BROOKLYN, N. Y. The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very reasonable We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured caskets at ?45 00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverence and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very little cost. No charge for use of our services or funeral parlors. Telephone—MAIN 1398-1399-8130-3655 s: BEST SYRIAN FOOD You will experience a real touch of the East, exemplified by unexcelled Syrian couisine. at the ARABIAN SHEIK RESTAURANT, under the expert management of Elias Esper. Take special note of the name and address. Bring your friends for a real and extraordinary treat. 73 ARABIAN SHEIK WASHINGTON ST. TEL. BOWI.IXG GREEN NEW YORK 9—9873 �THE LINOTYPE IN TURKEY The spirit of progress that is permeating the thought and action of modern Turkey is nowhere better illustrated than in the decision of the Turkish government to use the Linotype for type composition. The government's lead in installing two Linotype machines in its printing office was quickly followed by the leading publishers of the country, so that within the course of a year, twelve Linotypes were put in operation in four of the principal printing establishments in Istanbul. In one particular instance, a battery of eight machines are now in operation, the first unit having been bought in 1928, followed by the addition of four machines in 1929, and three in 1930-eloquent proof of the thorough satisfaction of the publishers with the operation of the Linotype. The following is the significantly imposing list of Linotypes now in operation in Istanbul, which is a sure indication of the Eastern nations' awakening to the most potent means of accelerating progress by the spread of culture through the printed word: Government Printing Office Yunus Nadi Bey, "Cumhuriyet" Journal D'Orient Kazim Chinassi Bey and Necmettin Sadik Bey "Journal Akcham" Hamit Matbaasi 2 Linotypes 8 Linotypes 2 Linotypes i Linotype l Linotype ^TRADE ^| f^ DTYPE MARK*) r MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY if i Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A. An illustrated descriptive catalog Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK of the Ambjc Unotype Mnf Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World Set in Metro No. 2 Family upon request. ^ •#*" �L-3 \ ^S U*z. <>aJ| LTy jLxlj ji£i • Uo. t-l« /«jl c--lT i-a. oo_^i•>' Ji •<LJ\ • oO^U o^ix ^jXi* L Ojpjaj" -15 Jj^'bj h> So^»j ^ j, pUV, cJj ^ ^^ o^i! \ ^ Y^ ^ J L^Cj JU^YI J— > JJJ1 ^ J^fc-1 ^ oVl <L*_J. _-^ 0,_^ WV ^_ u° £ IERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY m^Ji fj^. Ajil-lf bo) UlJl JUe I U, <L, ; lo J| - -^ Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A. Coble: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World Set in Metro No. 2 Family �,**^^^^^MMHIMMMRMHP^: THE SYRIAN WORLD 80 » +» » » » ATTENTION! »» FORWARD! » SAFE! MARCH ON TO PROGRESS! START A BANK ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY LET YOUR MONEY Accumulate for Future NEEDS AND HAPPINESS INTEREST 3K % Ter rAnnum ON TIME DEPOSITS FROM $10.00 UP Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more. FAOUR BANK D. J. FAOUR & BROS. Established 1891 Under Supervision of New York State Banking Department. Capital and Surplus Over $500,000.00 85 WASHINGTON ST., NEW YORK CITY +» »» <M � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. 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Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1932_04reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 07 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1932 April Description An account of the resource Volume 6 Issue 07 of the Syrian World published April 1932. The issue opens with an apology for the absence of a March issue, and an explanation that as a result the April issue is longer. The first article featured is by H. I. Katibah in which he discusses the challenge to the younger generation, specifically in relation to Western ideals and philosophies. This is followed by poetry edited by Barbara Young. This issue specifically features several articles related to the death of Al-Hoda editor Naoum A. Mokarzel, who is described as a great Syrian leader for his literary and political accomplishments. Following a number of tributes and a poem by Alice Mokarzel dedicated to her uncle, N. A. Mokarzel, there is an article that discusses the anniversary of Kahlil Gibran's death, followed by a number of other articles that discuss Gibran and his works. Following a classic Arab tale, there is more of Edna K. Saloomey's discussion about the younger generation. Thomas Asa closes out the issue with a short story titled "The Portrait." The issue concludes with more on political developments in Syria and excerpts from Syrian world news. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Alice Mokarzel Barbara Young Edna K. Saloomey Habib I. Katibah Kahlil Gibran New York Poetry-English Thomas Asa https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/a075a21267ffe42e1041437683c9d85d.pdf a2b0bea9449fc1c4b80bab869b1675a5 PDF Text Text VOL. VI HH FEBRUARY, 1932 OUR PRIDE IN OUR ANCESTRY REV. W. A. MANSUR SEiJ BLUE BLOOD A TRAGEDY OF ARAB TRADITIONS H. I. KATIBAH POETRY BARBARA YOUNG OUR YOUNGER GENERATION W-. EDNA K. SALOOMEY A CHANCE MEETING IN THE OASIS *& A TRUE ARABIAN TALE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA THE COPY 50c NO. 6 ��=3= I THE SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, Xj. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. FEBRUARY, 1932 VOL. VI NO. 6 CONTENTS PAGE ...3 Our Pride in Our Ancestry REV. W. A. MANSUR 12 She Is Not Dead (Poem) ALICE MOKARZEL 13 Ya Baity (Syrian Folk Song) DR. SALIM Poetry, Edited by B Y. ALKAZIN BARBARA YOUNG The Poetry of Labor 14 A Man Bereaved 17 PADRIAC COLUM 17 Scarcity LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE Sonnet 18 JOHN MASEFIELD onaBMMIBBBBSBiS �CONTENTS (Continued)Our Younger Generation, Edited by Do You Agree? EDNA K. A New Era SALOOMEY PAGE 19 21 Al-Jirn 22 Blue Blood 23 H. I. KATIBAH Water and Flowers (Poem) 27 AMEEN RIHANI Excavations in Syria and Iraq 28 DR. HAROLD INGHOLT Syria in Romandxey The Brethren 36 RIDER HAGGARD Condensed by DAGNY EDWARDS True Arabian Tales 40 A Chance Meeting in the Oasis Freedom and Slavery 43 KHALIL GIBRAN Editorial Comment Apology Hard Times Which Shall Survive? And Now Our Case Departments Political Developments in Syria Syrian World News Section 44 ft Jf 4 ' 47 �&%> ynan «/ Editor. SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL, Mi FEBRUARY, 1932 VOL. VI NO. 6 Our Pride in Our Ancestry HIGHLIGHTS IN OUR RACIAL HISTORY WHICH EVERY SYRIAN AND LEBANESE BOY AND GIRL OUGHT TO KNOW By REV. W. A. MANSOUR "One of our chief objects," said S. A. Mokarzel, "in helping Syrian-Americans discover themselves is to breed in them a consciousness of appreciation for their racial qualities and inheritances so that they may comport themselves with a befitting sense of honor as citizens of this great American nation. It is, then, in such a spirit of service that this publication was conceived, and it is with a sense of reverence that we dedicate it to the memory of a race whose contributions to the progress and wellbeing of mankind shall ever be valued as of paramount importance, and whose descendants should feel proud of keeping forever alive their sacred memory." (Syrian World, Vol. I, No. 1, Page 3). I write deliberately to awaken Syrian Lebanese boys and girls to the appreciation of their racial ancestors—the Phoenicians. I wish to keep alive through them the sacred memory of their forefathers—the Phoenicians. I hope to create a realization of their inherited racial talents from their illustrious ancestors—the Phoenicians. When Syrian Lebanese boys and girls know of their race greatness, they will be thrilled from within. It will open the springs of their racial soul. They will understand the call to become foremost among modern races. They will assert with confidence their place, pride, prosperity, and progress in the world. J �4 THE SYRIAN WORLD I write that you may know the greatness of your blood, the power of your abilities, and the far reaching importance of your race in modern times. When you appreciate your racial qualities and inheritances you will then be better able to comport yourselves with a befitting sense of honor as citizens of this great American nation, or any nation on earth. It is for these reasons that I thought it good to write of some things every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know about their Phoenician ancestors. I. PHOENICIAN ORIGIN OF SYRIANS AND LEBANESE. It is very important that every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that they are descended from the Phoenician race. They will find the Phoenicians to be Semitic, Caucasian, white. They will discover the independent character, progressive nature, and cosmopolitan type of people to which they belong. They will realize their ancestors were foremost among the civilizing races of ancient times. "Now to what race belonged these -first Lebanese at the dawn of recorded history?" Philip K. Hitti asks. He answers, "Undoubtedly they belonged to the Semitic race. Some unquestionablyy were Canaanites who were akin to the Arameans,—both being of the same Semitic stock. As regards the Phoenicians, they are none other than the Canaanites who lived on the sea coast and who were called Phoenician {blood red) by the Greeks who knew the Phoenicians as traders in purple. The history of the Phoenicians began in Lebanon about 2000 B. C. Traces of the Phoenician temples, tombs and forts are still evidenced not only in Tyre, Sidon, By bios, Amrit and the rest of the coast cities, but also in Afqa, Samar Jubail, Bait Miri, Hermon and other localities situated far in the interior of the country." (Syrian World, Feb. 1931, Page 9). The Phoenicians were a hardy, resourceful, and adaptable people to conditions and times. They maintained the spirit of independence, while situated in a land which was a thoroughfare of conquering armies. They were talented in improving things. Their alphabet has become almost the alphabet of the whole world. Although one of the smallest nations of antiquity, the Phoenicians became the most illustrious people of ancient times. Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know they are descended from the Phoenicians—a foremost race of ancient times. �FEBRUARY', 1932 5 //. THE GEOGRAPHICAL HOMELAND OF THE PHOENICIANS. To understand the character, the nature of their movements in history, and their relation to the surrounding nations, it is absolutely necessary to know the geographical location of the homeland of our Phoenician ancestors. Their physical environment partly explains the reason for their independent character. Their mountainous country partly reveals their interest in navigation. Their central location partly shows the reason for their developed adaptability in their relation to adjoining nations, races, and cultures. S. A. Mokarzel says, "Old Phoenicia is none other than the Lebanese^ Republic of today. Syria contains within its natural geographical bounderies Palestine, which we know as the Holy Land, and Phoenicia, the home of the great navigators of old and the land whose people have given us that great instrument of knowledge and progress, namely the alphabet." (Syrian World, May 1930, Page 37). Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to locate and study the geographical position of Phoenicia on the world map. It will reveal the amazing smallness of the land of Phoenicia. It will magnify the importance of Phoenicia and Phoenicians in the history of mankind. It will emphasize the degree to which the Phoenicians, though small in number, have served the progress of mankind. It will establish the importance not of numbers, militarism, or bigness, but of talent, achievement, and progress of a people in its service to humanity. Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that Phoenicia is a foremost motherland of the progressive urges for the betterment of the nations, races, and cultures of earth. III. THE PHOENICIANS WERE THE FOREMOST NAVIGATORS OF ANCIENT TIMES. Our Phoenician ancestors were the foremost navigators of ancient times. Hemmed in between desert and sea, they developed the art of navigation. The forests of Lebanon provided them with lumber for ships. Without chart or compass Phoenician navigators followed the Pole Star. "Along the eastern end of the Mediterranean," says H. G. Wells, "the Phoenicians, a Semitic people, set up a string of independent harbour towns of which Acre, Tyre, and Sidon were the �I II 6 THE SYRIAN WORLD chief; and later they pushed their voyages westward and founded Carthage and Utica in North Africa. They were great seamen because they were great traders." (The Outline of History, page 157) The exploits of the Phoenicians are celebrated in the annals of navigation. They were the first to push out far beyond the mainland. They passed the pillars of Hercules down the coasts of Africa, circumnavigating it; along coasts of Europe; and possibly crossed the Atlantic to the New World. Their navigation took them to India, Ceylon, even China, and the Far East. These seafaring people brought the peoples of the earth together through their inter-oceanic navigation and commerce. Arthur Brisbane says, "Inscriptions found on rocks in the valley of the Amazon revive the belief that the seafaring Phoenicians from the far end of the Mediterranean discovered America long before Columbus and the earlier Lief Ericson. Archaeologists think the Phoenicians went up the great Amazon with their ships and founded a South American city 4,000 years ago." (See Associated Press dispatch from Rio de Janeiro, Jan., 1, 1930. Given in full in Syrian World, Dec. 1929, Page 53). Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that their Phoenician ancestors were the greatest mariners of antiquity They ought to know that it was Phoenician galleys that taught the nations the importance of sea travel and sea commerce. They ought to know that Phoenician ships carried the goods of the nations which proved oi civilizing influence upon all. They ought to know that 1 hoemcian genius in ship building laid the foundations of interoceanic travel and commerce of all nations and times. IV. THE PHOENICIAN ANCESTORS AS THE GREATEST PEACEFUL COLONIZERS OF ANCIENT TIMES. Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that their Phoenician ancestors were the greatest peaceful colonizers of the ancients. The Phoenicians, because of their small number, made it impossible to extend their possessions by conquest. They secured their possessions by more peaceful means than any of the ancientsthrough mutual trade and benefit. "The colonies and foreign possessions of the Phoenicians," says the author of T^ RE, "were most extensive and valuable, far exceeding those of any other state in ancient or modern times, possessing m its original territory no larger amount of the world's surface than ancient Phoenicia. These colonies were not obtained by con- �FEBRUARY, 1932 i 7 quest, or, as in the case of many other nations, by the forcible removal of the original inhabitants; and the settlement of others from a distance in the vacant territory; but thei-e were peaceful emigrations of enter-prising traders to such localities as were discovered from time to time by bold navigators, and which were considered to present opportunities for originating and maintaining commerce" Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know the romantic story of the colonies of the Phoenicians among the Islands of the Mediterranean, the coasts of the Mediterranean countries, the west coast of Africa, the western coast of Europe, Ireland, England, on the Persian Gulf, the Far East, and possibly along the Amazon. I write that Syrian Lebanese boys and girls may be thrilled by the greatness of their Phoenician ancestors; that they may comport themselves as worthy descendants of a great people. V. THE PHOENICIANS GAVE THE WORLD THE ALPHABET. Every Syrian boy and girl ought to know that the alphabet was the gift of the Phoenicians to the world. It is the alphabet of the Phoenicians which makes possible modern intercourse; the mediation for the highest type of written language for science, art, literature and what not; and the possibility of international characters everywhere. The Phoenician alphabet is the greatest secular gift which any people has ever made for the progress of mankind. William A. Masson says in "A HISTORY OF THE ART OF WRITING," of the Phoenicians, "They carried with them their wonderful alphabet as -a necessary part of their civilization, using it in conjunction with their trading enterprises and imparting it to the Hellenic people among whom they sojourned. No tradition seems ever more thoroughly substantiated, both by internal evidence and external fact, than that recorded by the Greek authors that the alphabet used in Hellas came from the Phoenicians. "The classic authors differed in their opinions as to the origin of the Phoenician letters. Herodotus the Greek, and Pliny the Roman, believed that the Phoenicians invented the letters; while Brosius attributed them to the Babylonians and Tacitus to the Egyptians. But practically all the world now believes that it was the Phoenicians who introduced the letters into Greece proper." "What an honor," exclaims Masson, "it confers upon this little �- 8 THE SYRIAN WORLD nationality of Phoenicia, nestling along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea twenty-five centuries ago, that her written and spoken alphabet, modified to the extent that we have indicated, is used today practically the world over, up to the wall of China and the land of the Rising Sun." Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that the Phoenician alphabet marks one of the greatest eras in the development and evolution of the human mind. It is the greatest instrument for the human mind. It is the greatest enlargement for the range of thought and intercourse for humanity. It is the finest means for the continuity and preservation of man's thought by writing. Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that measured by its effect upon the human mind, human history, and human progress, the alphabet of our Phoenician ancestors marks an achievement without any superior in the progress of man and mankind. VI. THE PHOENICIANS' GENIUS FOR TRADE. _ Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know of the genius of their Phoenician ancestors for trade. They were a great seafaring people because they were great traders. They developed trade routes, sea navigation, and inter-oceanic commerce to extend their trade. Their country, centrally located between great empires of the Mediterranean, became a market place for sale and exchange. Their ships carried their wares, and those of other nations, to every part of the world. "The genius of the Phoenicians was for trade," says W. Warde Fowler, "and the splendid position of Carthage, near the modern Tunis, with a rich corn-growing country in the rear, had helped her merchant princes to establish by degrees what may loosely be called an empire of trading settlements extending not only along the African coast, but over that of Sardinia and southern and eastern Spain, and including Sicily, as we have seen." (W. Warde Fowler in ROME). Cunningham Geike says in "HOURS WITH THE BIBLE," "—Phoenicia lay in the centre of the Old World, and was thus the natural entrepot for commerce between the East and the West. The trading routes from all Asia converged on the Phoenician coast; and the centres of the commerce on the Euphrates and Tigris forwarding their goods by way of Tyre to the Nile, to Arabia, and the West; and, on the other hand, the productions of the vast regions �FEBRUARY, 1932 9 bordering the Mediterranean, passing through the Canaanite capital to the eastern world." (Vol. Ill, page 344). I hereby challenge Syrian Lebanese boys and girls with the genius of their glorious Phoenician ancestors—for trade. I challenge them with the heritage which is in their minds and hearts and destiny. I challenge them toward achievement in trade, commerce, mutual welfare among modern nations. Let every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl be thrilled by the glory of our ancestors to create pride in our ancestry, appreciation of our genius, and the will to move forward to the forefront among the nations. VII. INDUSTRIES OF THE PHOENICIANS. Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know of the industries of their Phoenician ancestors. They developed their own materials through manufacture. They drew raw materials from other peoples and manufactured them into fine luxuries, or food, or clothing. They improved many things so that their products became popular objects of desire. The Phoenicians at home and abroad became builders and organizers employing vast numbers of people in their industries. George Adam Smith says, "Her armour, bowls and webs are sung by Homer.. Hebrew and Greek writers acclaim the wealth of Phoenician industries and the size and the range of Phoenician ships. —The Phoenician markets drew ivory, scented woods, silk and other stuffs from India and China, and passed them to the West. Conversely Chinese writings of an early time rate the products of Syria, which they call Ta-tsin, above even those of Babylon. The incense of southern Arabia reached the temples of Greece and Italy through the port of Gaza." The Phoenicians brought silver and gold from Spain, tin from England, incense from the east, corn from Egypt and Syria; they brought the products of all countries to their land and from their country to every other. The Phoenicians had productions and inventions of their own: the celebrated Tyrian purple, glass, ornaments, utensils, toys and things for the bazaars, inlayings with ivory, and hundreds of luxuries were made and sold to luxury loving people everywhere. Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that Phoenicia and Phoenicians and their colonies became centers of industries to the peoples of ancient times. �^.. M. III..-——„, „„— 10 THE SYRIAN WORLD VIII._ THE PHOENICIANS AS AGENTS OF CIVILIZATION. Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that among those who laid foundations for international civilization in ancient times were their Phoenician ancestors. Their trade, through exchange of products of every nation, became a means of civilizing influence. Their language, their alphabet, became a bond of union between their colonies and their peoples. Their ships transported peoples of all nations to one; another's land. The Phoenicians became great agents of civilization. C. F. Keary says, "But of course the Phoenicians must still be reckoned as the great transporters of civilization from Egypt and from Asia to the rest of the world. They could hardly be said to possess a country} but they possessed cities of vast importance and no small significance along the coast of Palestine—Lamyra, Aradus, Byblos, Sydon, Tyre. From these centers went out that boundless maritime enterprise which made the Phoenicians the trading people of the world. Very early—in pre-historic ages—the Phoenicians had possesseed themselves of Cyprus. From that point to the Grecian coast of Asia Minor, or to the coasts and islands on either side of the Aegean, was an easy transition} then on to the Mediterranean, to Sicily and Italy, but more especially to the island of Sardinia} or again to Egypt and the farther coasts of Africa on to Spain, and finally, through the pillars of Hercules, to the far-off "tin islands" of the west, which were, it is likely enough, the British Isles. This is, in brief, the picture of the doings of the Phoenicians long before the days of history had begun to dawn upon the Aryan nations of the Mediterranean." (The Dawn of History, pages 315-316) Herein lies one supreme glory of our Phoenician ancestors, their civilizing influence upon the world. They are entitled to rank forever as the greatest of all civilizers. Their influence upon the world of the ancients marked the beginning of a new trend in the history of mankind. Their influence opened new thoughts, new cultures, new modes of writing, new commerce, new principles, new navigation, and new international relations. IX. THE PHOENICIANS AS THE DISSEMINATORS OF THE SUPREME ETHICAL PRINCIPLE. Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that their Phoenician ancestors developed through trade the supreme ethical �FEBRUARY, 1932 11 principle. Fair dealing, mutual gain, and abiding confidence were essentials developed by Phoenician traders. They established trading posts on the basis of right dealing, the continued satisfaction to buyer and seller. "The Semitic peoples, we may point out here," says H. G. Wells in THE OUTLINE OF HISTORY, "are to this day counting feo-ples strong in their sense of equivalents and reparation.— Other races and peoples have imagined diverse and fitful and marvellous gods, but it was the trading Semites who first began to think of God as a Righteous Dealer, whose promises were kept, who failed not the humblest creditor, and called to account every spurious act." The Semitic Phoenicians were foremost among the Semites to plant in human thought the ethical principle of right dealing between man and man. They thought of God as a Righteous Dealer. They spread this idea among the nations. It is this contribution of the Semitic Phoenicians of right dealing, this supreme ethical principle, that makes faith in God, in man, and in the universe of paramount significance to mankind. Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that Phoenicia and Phoenicians are the land and people whose contribution of right dealing to civilization should awaken pride in their ancestry, arouse self-esteem, and urge them to high achievement in modern times. X. FIRST TO EMIGRATE TO THE NEW LAND. Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl in America and the New World ought to know that they are the descendants of the Phoenicians. They ought to feel the urge of their racial splendor. They should discover the latent talents within them. They will be filled with worthy sentiments about themselves and their posterity. "From the oldest country in the world," says S. A. Mokarzel, "to' the land known as the New World, they bring their priceless racial distinction as heirs to the culture of the ages. They come with the gifts of all the attributes of varied but virile blood—Phoenician, Semitic, Roman, Grecian, and Arabian. And it is a significant fact that the first of the Syrians to emigrate were the Lebanese of the north who claim direct lineal descent from the Phoenicians. It would seem that the law of atavism seeks to assert itself and here finds complete vindication. The great sea-wanderers of old have bequeathed their wanderlust to their long line of descendants." �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD (Syrian World, May 1930, page 39). Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that again the Phoenicians, through their descendants the Svrian-Lebanese, are spreading themselves among the nations. The Syrian Lebanese, the modern Phoenicians, are now establishing themselves through trade, new homes, and new achievements in many parts of the world. The Syrian Lebanese are proving themselves, through leadership, achievement, and endeavor, the worthy heirs to their illustrious ancestors the ancient Phoenicians. I write deliberately that Syrian Lebanese boys and girls may be awakened to appreciate their descent from the famous Phoenilans I wish every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl to feel proud of his racial heritage. I expect them to rise to a renown similar to that achieved by their Phoenician ancestors. Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to keep alive the sacred memory of our glorious ancestors the Phoenicians, should appreciate their racial qualities and inheritances, and through race pride comport themselves as worthy descendants through splendid achievement. She is Not Dead She is not dead, who lies so silently Where drooping flowers guard her rest; She is not dead, beloved child, Whom angels watched, whom God has blessed. One muted string in quiet song Above the mundane rafters sung; One fallen star come home again Where deeds in holy light are hung. Weep not, then, child, for heaven's gain, For peaceful rest, for ended pain; Though tears will come and laughter go Within each aching heart, we know ' She is not dead ALICE MOKARZEL ) �f FEBRUARY, 1932 13 Ya Baity Translation by DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN c^*—<# ki err"- ^ O^-J dL9j J5\ dLi 0>tt ^j ^L* ^L, c~-->^r_5 o-*—!_j A i > - <j^*3 (y^^r & d^ ^"UJic I J 0. I (_5^, 3 J C5~? C)_j^J dL9 j I j>o (iL9 Home, my unpretentious humble home, To you to hide my faults I come; In you I drink, in you I eat, In you I rest my weary feet. Though humble, still you fill my need. (As dear as to my soul its creed.) Born in you, in you I grew, In you I'll train my tender crew. I've built you of my heart and bone, And mixed the mortar with my blood; Since our souls have become one, To glory you've become a throne. No matter what my fate may bring, You'll see me smile and hear me sing. Or fair or foul, I take them both, Embrace what joy or nurse the sting. My own and my forefathers' toast, My pride and my children's boast; In you I'll live, in you I'll die, From you in dust my bones shall fly. �J: Hn 14 THE SYRIAN WORLD BARBARA YOUNG, "Work is love made visible." "We only live to discover beauty. Editor All else is a form of waiting." Gibran The Poetry of Labor JN GEORGE MOORE'S "Confessions of a Young Man" we find a paragraph which reads like a clipping from yesterday's editorial. He says: "The world is dying of machinery; that is the great disease; that is the plague that will sweep away and destroy civilization. Men will have to rise against it sooner or later. . . I say that the great revolution will come when mankind rises in revolt and smashes machinery and restores the handicraft." In the East, Gandhi is saying the same thing. A year ago AE George Russell, the Irish poet came from his little island to urge upon this wide land of ours a return to the farmland and the timberland. Count Keyserling lecturing in Paris said, "The United States is dead emotionally, because of machinery." Anne O'Hare McCormick writing in the New York Times, asserts that "the fate of all the present issues lies in the lap of the gods of the machine " Will Rogers, that keen and kindly sage to whom we might listen with great profit, has said in his own delectable fashionEvery invention during our life time has been made just to save time, and time is the only commodity that every American both rich and poor, has plenty of. Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save. Two hundred years from now history will record- 'Amer- J �FEBRUARY, 1932 ) 15 ica, a nation that flourished from 1900 to 1942, conceived odd notions for getting somewhere, but could think of nothing to do when they got there.' " In the minds of all these thinking persons there is more than meets the eye, and the ear. They have not simply been tossing off phrases for the sake of making copy. They have been expressing, in one way or another, a basic principle of human existence, and an essential tenet of the faiths of our fathers, living yet, that man shall not live by bread nlo.ie. Beauty if a saving grace^xnto all people, and there is beauty in the weaving o: the cloth, in the modeling of the bowl, in the tooling of the leather. » In a news item ofrecent date I read: "An effort to counteract the machine-made art of the present time and to revive the old craftsmanship of the Middle Ages is being carried on by the Greenwich House Workshops at 16 Jones Street. There under the five hundred-year old apprenticeship system as it was practised by Michaelangelo and other Masters, youths are being trained in the arts of stone-cutting, wood-carving, cabinet-making and bronze work." Why not multiply 16 Jones Street by a thousand, in all parts of the land and see what happens? Why not add spinning and weaving, the making of pottery, hand-blown glass, laces, embroidery and smocking, the making and binding of fine books, the tooling of leather and the cobbling of sandals, to a wide circle of 16 Jones Street, the country over? And this I propose not for the employment and rehabilitation alone of the economic man and woman, though that might very naturally ensue, but for the quickening and refreshment of the mind, and for the very sustenance of that element of the human being which our forefathers were wont to call the immortal soul. Can we not conceive that happy condition which may be attained if the man or woman who has the soul of a weaver may earn a contented and competent livelihood beside the loom? When the man whose fists ache to grip the handles of a plough shall have his own small acreage and till the generous soil? And when the sandalmaker may sit at his bench and fashion the simple foot-gear of the pilgrim? This is the poetry of labor, and it can be lived. This can be done. Nothing is impossible to a civilization which has achieved the diabolical material and mechanical success of the past five decades. �U 16 THE SYRIAN WORLD Do not misunderstand me. I have no such absurd idea that steel is a vice and a destroyer in itself; nor that wheels and cogs as such, imperil the breath and sinews of the nation. The menace lies in the destruction of balance which the unbridled multiplicity of the essentially innocent machine has brought to pass. We have the disease of steel, and it is the cancer of the soul. Sometimes it is steel for steel's sake, and sometimes it is steel for gold's sake. They are equally fatal. A sliver of the shining stuff in the mind is as imminent a danger as the sword hanging by a thread over our couch. The poets have always been telling the world whither the crafts of State.were drifting. But the world would not listen. Will it listen now? It is extremely doubtful. But there is a fistful of men who have the vision of the poet as well as somewhat of the fanaticism of the prophet, and these may suffice. Let them fill the hands of men and women with good raw products and they will work out their simple destinies to their own pleasure and profit and to the redemption of the Commonwealth. Put the adaptable resources of this nation into the promotion of handicraft, turn the idle shops and factories into housing centres for instruction in these pursuits, encourage the individual selection of the art or trade which will excite the liveliest interest and pleasure, and in which therefore, the artisan will the sooner acquire a deftness and skill; and place as instructors the multitude of men and women among us who are of the East, and who have by rightful inheritance both the knowledge and the love of these works of the human hand. Our education seems to be toward the suppression of this racial endowment. We do not educate, we inculcate. It is an outsidein process when it should be an inside-out operation. We are sure that John will make a first-class lawyer, because we are sure that John will make a first-class lawyer. And it just as absurd as it sounds, for John himself knows perfectly well that he wants to farm or to garden or to forest. But we whip him through college and law school and State Bar examinations and turn him out a very third rate counsellor- at-law who has still a great yearning for the soil. This is malpractice upon the human entity, and it has produced the conditions which stagger us today. A day or two ago a man who is in the midst of the melee said, with great weariness, "I can forget the desperateness of the situation only by listening to my daughteer playing Brahms or Schubert to me, or by reading some of Masefield's sonnets." And Hi i �: n FEBRUARY, 1932 / 17 then he said, "I envy the shepherd on a hill in Judea—if there is such a being left as a shepherd, today." There will always be men and women who are potters and lace-makers at heart, and there will be always, the wheel and the gadget men. But let us cease this thrusting of lever and throttle into the hand of the poet and the spinner and the wine-presser.Thus has been our colossal error. All men are not born free and equal, nor are they born with like tastes and gifts. This is the writing on the sky, if we shall turn our eyes and read. A Man Bereaved My wife and my comrade Will not come at all Though the pine tree shall flourish, The green rush grow tall, And its cone to the ground The larch tree let fall. And I'll not hear her sounding Songs over the din, Where the people are crowded, The harvest being in; Nor see her come lilting From the field or the fold, Nor plaiting her long locks In the young or old. PADRIAC COLUM in Old Pastures Scarcity Scarcity saves the world, And by that it is fed; Then give it hunger, God, Not bread. Scarce things are comely things; In little there is power; November measures best Each vanished flower. j i ( �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD If you dig a well, If you sing a song, By what you do without You make it strong. And life as well as art By scarceness grows, Not surfeit. Theirs must be The hunger of the rose. LlZETTE WoODWORTH REESE in White April I Sonnet I never see the red rose crown the year. Nor fed the young grass underneath my tread Without the thought "This living beauty here Is earth's remembrance of a beauty dead Surely where all this glory is displayed Love has been quick, like fire, to its high ends; Here, in this, grass, an altar has been made For some white joy, some sacrifice of friendsHere, where I stand, some leap of human brains Has touched immortal things and left its traceThe earth is happy here, the gleam remains:' Beauty is here, the spirit of the place I touch the faith which nothing can destroy I he earth, the living church of ancient joy." JOHN MASEFIELD. \ J �( •I FEBRUARY, 1932 EDNA 19 K. SALOOMEY, Editor "I will not shut me from my kind, And lest I stiffen unto stone, I will not eat my heart alone, Nor feed with sighs a passing wind. Tennyson. With the exquisite words of Tennyson, this department is dedicated to the younger generation, including all those vohose hearts are young regardless of their years. Do You Agree! i J pODAY'S younger generation of Syrians is in a category all by itself. Some reader will elaborate this statement by adding, "in more ways than one." By all means, say that; for we are different in more ways than one, to the regret of some of our critics, and to the joy of others. We have in mind one fact which distinguishes us from those who preceded us and those who shall succeed us. This fact is characteristic of this younger generation, which is composed of those individuals who have been growing up with the twentieth century. This distinguishing mark is our predicament. We are wedged tightly between tradition and experiment. Always there has been a struggle between these two to conquer, but for us, who have been transplanted into surroundings entirely new, the battle has been keener than any before. We are at a loss whether to succumb to tradition, or die for experiment. There are some A �I "I 20 THE SYRIAN WORLD amongst us to whom the experience has been so overwhelming as to cause their reason to be dazed; and they wander about with an expression like that of Elihu Vedder's painting, "The Sorrowing Soul Between Doubt and Faith." In our case, we have been wandering in a desert partly our own creation and partly a creation of circumstance. Though we have much in common, as far as problems are concerned, we have made no effort in common to solve them. We have become so disintegrated by an increasing barrenness of our social life that our young people go to all extremes looking for a satisfaction to their gregariousness. Our progress, individually and collectively, is hindered immeasurably by the lack of unity. There have been occasions when we have had to pay dearly for this deficiency. Unlike every other nationality represented in the United States, we have no organization, social, fraternal, or educational, of nation-wide scope. Even a mythical unity does not exist amongst us. We need some such unity for the- three purposes mentioned above, for social, fraternal, and educational benefits. Some may contend that they have found their places in the sphere of existence. All power to them; they are to be congratulated if they have so succeeded. But, it must be remembered that for every high diver, there are hundreds who have not learned yet to swim. It is these people who are groping to adjust themselves that we are thinking of, when we claim that some bond should exist amongst us. Even those who are self-satisfied will not deny that genius itself thrives better on sympathetic understanding. Up to the present time in the history of Syrians in this country, there has been only one meeting-place, figuratively, for the younger generation; and that is "The Syrian World." Within its pages we have learned about "the rest of our world" and what our compatriots are doing elsewhere. We have spanned the entire distance of the globe, and communed with those in far distant lands. This magazine is the nearest approach to a means of uniting our common interests and, we hope, shall be the chosen voice of the younger generation. We give you our hand in welcome in hope that together we may bring understanding out of the chaos engendered by our inarticulateness, passivity, and indifference. Let us be united h§re, that whatever is noble in us, as a people, may be registered on the consciousness of all. Let us not stiffen unto stone. r �23 FEBRUARY, 1932 A New Era yHE ECONOMIC disaster,vwhich has tremendously influenced our lives during the past thref. years, needs no retelling, because all of us, more or less, have been uprooted by it from what we had, in blind, youthful optimism, believed was permanent security, and thrown helter-skelter into places not of our choosing. None of us has escaped from the effects of this disaster; for those, who may not have suffered financially, have, nevertheless, been distressed by the flaws in the economic system which are like so many jabs at man's sense of security. The repetition of this discussion about depression is like poison to some people, especially to those who think the entire matter may be settled by psychologists. We think differently for we can not stifle what is suffocating us, and we depend neither on pyschologists, nor psychiatrists for that matter. All of us, before the advent of the depression, had been dreaming over the chapter of romance and success and joys unending, when life turned the page to the next chapter. It is this chapter in which we are now engrossed beyond our power to escape. For the first time in our existence, we have come close to an understanding of some of our economic lessons which looked so harmless and uninviting in the pages of text-books. We know now that our economic system is a hundred times more vulnerable than Achilles' heel, and that it is perfect only in so far as the natures of the individuals who create it, are perfect. Does all this make us feel downhearted? No! This event in our country's economic history is of immeasurable importance to us, for its cessation in due course, shall mark the beginning of the second era in the history of Syrians in the United States. The immigrant period is over. Our people have no longer to contend with problems of languages and customs. Even though the immigration bars were to be removed entirely, which is quite unlikely, the newcomers would never need to fare as did those who came here first. Our younger generation has been given ample opportunity to avail itself of educational facilities. The opportunity-has been at the cost of a sacrifice to some parents, but has been given unbegrudgingly. That the old order has changed is proven by the pre- �I 20 1 THE SYRIAN WORLD amongst us to whom the experience has been so overwhelming as to cause their reason to be dazed; and they wander about with an expression like that of Elihu Vedder's painting, "The Sorrowing Soul Between Doubt and Faith." In our case, we have been wandering in a desert partly our own creation and partly a creation of circumstance. Though we have much in common, as far as problems are concerned, we have made no effort in common to solve them. We have become so disintegrated by an increasing barrenness of our social life that our young people go to all extremes looking for a satisfaction to their gregariousness. Our progress, individually and collectively, is hindered immeasurably by the Jack of unity. There have been occasions when we have had to pay clearly for this deficiency. Unlike every other nationality represented in the United States, we have no organization, social, fraternal, or educational, of nation-wide scope. Even a mythical unity does not exist amongst us. We need some such unity for the- three purposes mentioned above, for social, fraternal, and educational benefits. Some may contend that they have found their places in the sphere of existence. All power to them; thev are to be congratulated if they have so succeeded. But, it must be remembered that for every high diver, there are hundreds who have not learned yet to swim. It is these people who are groping to adjust themselves that we are thinking of, when we claim that some bond should exist amongst us. Even those who are self-satisfied will not deny that genius itself thrives better on sympathetic understanding Up to the present time in the history of Syrians in this country, there has been only one meeting-place, figuratively, for the younger generation; and that is "The Syrian World." Within its pages we have learned about "the rest of our world" and what our compatriots are doing elsewhere. We have spanned the entire distance of the globe, and communed with those in far distant lands This magazine is the nearest approach to a means of uniting our common interests and, we hope, shall be the chosen voice of the younger 7 & generation. We give you our hand in welcome in hope that together we may bring understanding out of the chaos engendered by our inarticulateness, passivity, and indifference. Let us be united W, that whatever is noble m us, as a people, may be registered on the consciousness of all. Let us not stiffen unto stone I �FEBRUARY, 1932 A New Era THE ECONOMIC disaster, i^which has tremendously influenced our lives during the past three- years, needs no retelling, because all of us, more or less, have been uprooted by it from what we had, in blind, youthful optimism, believed was permanent security, and thrown helter-skelter into places not of our choosing. None of us has escaped from the effects of this disaster; for those, who may not have suffered financially, have, nevertheless, been distressed by the flaws in the economic system which are like so many jabs at man's sense of security. The repetition of this discussion about depression is like poison to some people, especially to those who think the entire matter may be settled by psychologists. We think differently for we can not stifle what is suffocating us, and we depend neither oh pyschologists, nor psychiatrists for that matter. All of us, before the advent of the depression, had been dreaming over the chapter of romance and success and joys unending, when life turned the page to the next chapter. It is this chapter in which we are now engrossed beyond our power to escape. For the first time in our existence, we have come close to an understanding of some of our economic lessons which looked so harmless and uninviting in the pages of text-books. We know now that our economic system is a hundred times more vulnerable than Achilles' heel, and that it is perfect only in so far as the natures of the individuals who create it, are perfect. Does all this make us feel downhearted? No! This event in our country's economic history is of immeasurable importance to us, for its cessation in due course, shall mark the beginning of the second era in the history of Syrians in the United States. The immigrant period is over. Our people have no longer to contend with problems of languages and customs. Even though the immigration bars were to be removed entirely, which is quite unlikely, the newcomers wrould never need to fare as did those who came here first. Our younger generation has been given ample opportunity to avail itself of educational facilities. The opportunity has been at the cost of a sacrifice to some parents, but has been given unbegrudgingly. That the old order has changed is proven by the pre- �_ __ , THE SYRIAN WORLD oi families in our midst, where one or both parents are ili-ate, whose children are college graduates. In some families, i.nere are as many as four or five children who hold degrees from colleges. What significance has the comparison? It means that we have not been idle j that we are better fitted for the life here. The second era shall find us more largely represented in the field of professional activities. The benefits derived in this field are computed not so much in terms of money, as in the benefits which accrue to mankind's welfare. Those engaged in this field shall deserve unbounded appreciation, for our people shall inevitably reflect their glory. When the pendulum, that symbol of the trend of the times, reverses its movement, we shall be prepared to write the second chapter of our! existence here. May it be as excellent in spirit as that written by our predecessors who fought against odds, greater even than a depression. We know that the younger generation shall not fail. If you wonder at our power or divination, here is the answer: "Strange friend, past, present, and to be, Loved deeplier, darklier understood 3 Behold, I dream a dream of good, And mingle all the world with thee." Tennyson. "AL-JIRN" In the magazine's January issue, Mr. Faris S. Malouf, who is deservedly one of Boston's favourite sons, characterized us as being a difficult people. Coming from Mr. Malouf, who ranks high in the field of jurisprudence, and who sees with clarity and speaks with discrimination, that characterization merits consideration. We challenge Mr. Malouf to prove that we are any more difficult than the rest of God's children. *r* *F T* Aunt Mary, aged four-score plus, to grandniece: "I want to dance at your wedding. When shall it be?" Her grandniece: "We can't say just yet. Selim and I are saving now for a ten-piece-walnut dining room set." �—- rri -r-rwm-irfiirw 23 FEBRUARY, 1932 Blue Blood A RECENT TRAGEDY OF LOVE AND DEATH CAUSED BY A BREACH OF A SOCIAL TRADITION AMONG THE ARABS By H. I. KATIBAH AN AMBITIOUS young man of Baghdad, wealthy and cultured but of humble origin, who had attained through his application and brilliancy to the high post of General Director of the Ministry of the Interior, paid with his own life the price of aspiring to marry into a noble family much higher than his own. He had returned from a honeymoon trip with his bride to lovely Lebanon, a month spent with blissful oblivion to the sombre shadow of tragedy that was dogging their steps, and was attending to his duties at the ministry when an enraged member of the bride^s family forced his way to the director's chamber and emptied his pistol point-blank into the body of his unsuspecting victim. And the report of that shot has reverberated in every Arabicspeaking land from the furthermost limits of the Land between the Two Rivers to the furthermost limits of Somaliland and the AngloEgyptian Sudan. It has been reechoed in ever further countries, in the United States of America, in Canada, in Argentine and Brazil, in Chile, in Australia, in Transvaal, in Dahomey and in the Malay Peninsula—in every place where the ubiquitous Arabic newspaper has found its way. For it is not an uncommon tragedy, and its implications are very far-reaching. A great issue hangs in the balances, and the shot that was heard three months ago was the sign of the challenge, the challenge of the old to the new, of archaic, decadent aristocracy to aspiring, vital democracy. Since then the challenge has been met, and the defendant has been condemned to death for his most daring crime. The attenuating circumstances, the appeal to the old nomadic traditions of the desert, were brushed aside, and another victory for democracy and progressiveness in the East has been won. The story of that murder would make interesting reading in some of our sensational newspapers. It has all the elements of �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD violent passions, of deep-seated emotions that spring from centuries of tribal notions and clannish traditions. It belongs properly to the glamorous pages of the Arabian Nights and the travel books of the Arabian Desert and Bedouin life. The characters of the tragedy are Abdullah Ibn Falih al-Sa'doun, scion of one of the noblest families of Iraq, and Abdullah alSani', son of an ambitious commoner who had risen to wealth and influence through his own efforts and those of his father and grandfather before him, and a young Sa'doun girl whose father was dead and whose mother is of Turkish origin. For over a hundred years the Sa'doun family had ruled Iraq. From it sprang governors and viziers in the days of the Ottoman Empire j and it had sent representatives to the Turkish parliament when the Young Turk regime overthrew Sultan Abdul-Hamid and introduced a constitutional form of government to Turkey. So powerful indeed was the Sa'doun family that the Turkish Government in the days of Abdul-Hamid held some of its members as hostages, educated them in a special school for the nobility and occupied them with government tasks in Constantinople, as it did with princes of the Sheriffs of Mecca and other scions of noble families from its far-flung empire. When the World War was over, and the British succeeded the Turks in Iraq, the prestige and power of the Sa'douns were recognized by the agents of His Britannic Majesty, and one of the premiers of Iraq a few years ago was a Sa'doun, Muhsin Bey al-Sa'doun. He was a sincere patriot, but his effort to reconcile between the intransigent nationalists and the demands of the British led many to suspect him of treachery. So heavily did this charge weigh on the sensitive soul of this noble Arab that he ended his own life by a shot in the head rather than stand the stigma of a traitor. The Sa'douns migrated to Iraq over seven hundred years ago. They come from a pure Arabic stock, and can trace their ancestry to the Sheriffs of Mecca. In this way they are distantly related to the same family from which Feisal, King of Iraq, sprang. Most of the Sa'douns still lead the nomadic life of the Bedouins in the Muntafik district, named after an ancestor of the Sa'doun family, where they have always been recognized as emirs and shaykhs of their tribe. But many of them moved to the cities of Baghdad, Basra etc. where they soon established their influence and became principal characters in the checkered life of Oriental cities. But never, neither as Bedouins nor as settled citizens, did �FEBRUARY, 1932 25 they allow themselves to forget that they are a distinguished clan, members of a blood nobility that never permitted the admixture of other inferior blood with that of their family. Marriage customs among the Arabs go back almost to the prehistoric days of the taboo and totem conceptions of religious restrictions. A Sa'doun would never dream of giving his daughter in marriage to any but a Sa'doun. Theirs was the noble blue blood, the pure blood of chivalrous warriors and governing rulers, and under no condition should it be contaminated with that of other species of the human race. On the other hand, the family of the bridegroom in this strange tragedy was not only of humble origin, but, as the name indicates, menial artisans who, in the eyes of the Arab nobility, were only a hairbreadth removed from the status of slavery. The ancestors of the Sani' family were servants, it was claimed in the defense of Abdullah al-Sa'doun in the Baghdad court, to the Sa'doun family. Be that as it may, they were artisans, and in the eye of a full-blooded Sa'doun that amounted to the same thing. True the Sani' family travelled far on the path of progress, and many a Sani' was superior in wealth and social accomplishments to many a Sa'doun. The grandfather of Abdullah al-Sani' was a prosperous merchant of large means, and his descendants intermarried with the shaykhs of al-Kuweit, whose nobility cannot be denied. He himself was offered a large capital by the Al-Ibrahim family, rich pearl merchants on the Persian Gulf, who were also counted among the nobility of the Arabs. Abdullah al-Sani' was a man of undisputed worth and high ambition, and like Muhsin al-Sa'doun had won his promotion through his friendship to the British. But all that did not change the situation. Al-Sa'douns were Qubeili, a genuine tribal Arabs, and al-Sani's were Khudairis, mere artisans, men who attached themselves to the tribe, and whose origin was dubious. And that's that. Abdullah al-Sani' might have succeeded so brilliantly as to become the premier of Iraq, or he might have devoted himself to some science and distinguished himself as a great scientist, recognized by the universities and academies of Europe and America, thus bringing glory to himself and all the Arab race. Still he was a Sani', and considered beneath any Sa'douni. On the other hand a Sa'douni might so degrade himself as to become a burden on society, or he might be a dull clout whose total life would •or �26- 1HE SYRIAN WORLD amount to nil, and in his heart of heart think himself superior to all the Sani's in existence. This sort of mentality is not strange to those who know the old traditions of the East. We all know of Emirs who are cab drivers and boot-blacks in the streets of Damascus, Beirut or Baghdad. One of the men who always attracted my attention in Beirut was an eccentric peddler who usually stationed himself on the corner of Bab-Edris. He sold candy and displayed a banner with queer writings on it. I asked about him, and was told that he was an Ayyoubi, a descendant of the great Saladin! On another occasion I was leaving Baghdad, and a beggar approached my automobile for charity. Before I had chance to drive him away, a fairly respectable fellow came forward and chased the beggar. Then after a minute or so he himself asked for a tip. I was surprised, and said to him: "Only a while ago you chased that other beggar, and now you are begging yourself, what does this mean:". Suavely the second beggar replied: "But 1 belong to Ahl alBeit." I "understood what he meant but rebuked him and drove him away just the same. For those who do not know what Ahl al-Beit means, we will inform them that it means the descendants of the Prophet Mohammed. The blood of the Sa'douns, we are assured, is blue, very blue indeed, and that of al-Sani's perhaps is red, or black, or whatever the blood of slaves and artisans may be characterized. But just here comes science to dispel another antiquated notion, to disillusion the pride and equanimity of the master class in the East. For biology is positive on one point, whatever it may be on others. It is positive that the blood of the mother has as much to contribute to the blood constituency and color of the offspring as that of the father. According to the marriage customs of those aristocratic families of the Arabs, it is not necessary for a male member of those families to marry into the same family, or one of equal rank, not even one of the same race. From the earliest days of Islam we have records of marriages between noble Arabs and Greek or Persian captive women; and some of the greatest figures in Islam are children of such unions. Even today we have members of such noble families as alBakris and Huseinis married to European ladies, and the bride's own mother in this celebrated case is a Turk, according to account. �27 FEBRUARY, 1932 But, according to biology, when a Sa'douni or a Bakri is married to a woman of foreign blood, or one not quite as blue, the blood of the children is undoubtedly determined by that of the mother and her ancestry. The old conception that a woman is only "a vessel" for the transmission of the male's inheritable characteristics, is completely exploded and confuted by modern science; What then becomes of the blue blood of the Sa'dounis and others who for generations have taken for themselves the liberty to marry wherever their fancy chose and denied that right to the female members of their families? A certain scholar who once undertook the fantastic task of studying the royal family of the reigning Ottoman sultans came out of his investigation with the assertion that not one drop in a million in the blood of that long lineage could be called "royal." It seems to us like a recrudescence of barbaric notions that in this day and generation there are still people in the East who seek to determine the destinies of half of their genre by high-handed and arbitrarv manners that have no foundation in fact or reason. Water and Flowers By AMEEN RIHANI Here are flowers, O my Beloved, Here are flowers; Let us lay our hearts today Among the flowers Let us not be led astray By the mirage far away; Here is verdure, and in verdure Love embowers. Here are springs, O my Beloved, Here are springs; Let us rest and build a nest Near the springs; Let us cease our weary quest For the mountains of the blest; Here is water, and in water Blessing sings. �i 28 THE SYRIAN WORLD Excavations in Syria and Iraq Important Recent Discoveries Have Materially Added to Our Knowledge of Origin and Progress of Civilization. Editor's Note:—Al-Kulliyat, organ of the American University of Beirut, summarizes in its December issue four public lectures on the progress of excavation work in Syria and Iraq delivered by Dr. Harold Ingholt, Professor of Archaeology at the Univers;ty. The lectures epitomize almost the whole history of these ancient lands and are here reprinted by courtesy of our esteemed Beirut contemporary with whom we heartily join in the praise of the "generousity of the Syrian lady who established the chair of archaeology at the American University of Beirut" and made possible the addition of this most important subject in the University's curriculum. By DR. HAROLD INGHOLT EXCAVATIONS AT PALMYRA— JT SEEMS strange that Palmyra, now a small oasis with only about 2000 inhabitants, once was the undisputed mistress o£ Syria, Mesopotamia, Egypt and the greater part of Asia Minor, powerful enough under the famous queen Zenobia to give Rome a hard fight for the supremacy of the whole of the Near East. The abundant springs in Palmyra must early have attracted settlers and the first mention of the city does in reality go as far back as 1100 B. C, when it was sacked by the Assyrian king TiglatPileser. It was then called Ta-ad-mar, the exact equivalent of its modern name, Tedmor. For many centuries nothing is heard of the city but when it reappears in history, in Hellenistic time, it is as a city of considerable importance. Its location between the Parthian and Roman empires was of great political significance and during the first three centuries of the Christian era, it became commercially important, being one of the chief junctions for the caravans, which brought goods from China, India and Persia to the Occident The Palmyrene merchants were assured protection in the dangerous desert-district by means of the famous mounted Palmyrene archers and m return the city levied a heavy duty on all the goods which passed through: silk, perfume, oil, etc., and also made the caravans �to to >3 a> Main Entrance to the Great Colonnaded Street in Palmyra, Once Queen of the Syrian Desert. . - .:. .___ . , -. - s �30 THE SYRIAN WORLD pay for the right of watering their camels. As the wealth of the city grew, magnificent buildings were erected, the ruins of which still bear witness to Palmyra's glory. A big, colonnaded street went through nearly the whole length of the city, the columns being adorned with statues of prominent citizens, and the main sanctuary of Palmyra, the temple of Bel, competed in size and splendor with the temples of Baalbek and Damascus. The chief authority rested with the "Senate and the People," but in the latter part of the third century the Odainath family became more and more prominent and finally took absolute control. When the Persians in the year 260 A. D. defeated the Roman army in Northern Syria, Palmyra's existence was also in danger, and it was the younger Odainath, who with his Palmyrene army and the remaining Roman troops, drove the Persians back to the other side of the Euphrates. Odainath was later murdered in Horns (266 or 267), but at that time the whole of Syria and Mesopotamia virtually was under Palmyrene domination, even if it nominally still belonged to Rome. Odainath's widow, Zenobia, famous for her beauty and learning, took advantage of the next years, in which the Roman emperors had more than enough to do in the West and having added Egypt and the greater part of Asia Minor to the possessions of Palmyra, she felt strong enough to declare war against Rome in the year 271. The new Roman emperor Aurelian was a much more formidable adversary than his immediate predecessors and in spite of heroic efforts the Palmyrene armies were defeated near Antioch and near Horns. Palmyra was besieged and taken in March, 272, after Zenobia herself had been taken prisoner at the end of her audacious camel-ride across the desert. The first excavations in Palmyra took place after the great war when two French-Danish archaelogical missions worked there under the direction of Durand and Ingholt (1924) and Gabriel and Ingholt (1925). UR OF THE CHALDEES— A systematic excavation of this most important site, the paternal city of Abraham, was not undertaken until 1923, when an archaeological expedition, financed by the British Museum and the University Museum of Philadelphia, under the direction of the British archaeologist, C. L. Woolley, started work on the huge mound. The oldest layers were found in the 1929 campaign, on the bottom of a 12 nr. deep shaft, containing flint artefacts and pottery �FEBRUARY, 1932 31 with geometric decoration on a characteristic brown or greenish surface. Above this level lay for 2^m.a layer of homogeneous clay, free from any foreign particles. This layer can only have been deposited by a huge flood, which may be the same as the Biblical deluge. The most impressive building cleared by the excavators was the "Ziggurat," the tower-like temple of Ur, built by king UrNammii, who lived about 2300 B. C. The building, which is all made of brick, sundried in the core, burnt bricks on the outside, consists of three rectangular platforms with tapering walls, the lowest black, the second red, and the top one blue. Fragments of a stele were found in another temple representing the king, Ur-Nammu, sacrificing to the moon-goddess, Ningal, and the moon-god, Nannar, and receiving the order from this last deity to build just that same "Ziggurat." The richest and most surprising finds were made in an old necropolis, in which Woolley discovered a number of royal tombs dating from about 3200 to 3000 B. C. A beautiful gold dagger, the lapis-lazuli handle of which was studded with golden beads and the hilt done in exquisite filigree-work, bore witness to the marvelous skill of the Sumerian goldsmiths, as also a golden helmet, found in the tomb of a certain Meskalamdug. In another tomb a beautiful mosaic came to light, mounted on two pieces of wood and representing the Sumerian army in action and a feast at the royal court. The most interesting tombs, however, were those of Abargi and his queen Shub'ad, in which for the first time clear evidence was found of human sacrifices as part of the Sumerian funeral rites. In Abargi's tomb no less than fifty-nine skeletons were found in definite and appropriate positions, so that one might suppose that the soldiers, the grooms, and the court-ladies had been marshalled in order and cut down where they stood. The ladies had very ornate head-dresses: gold-ribbon, four wreaths of gold leaf pendants and one of lapis lazuli and gold beads were wound around the head and at the back a large "Spanish comb" of gold, its seven points ending in rosettes with gold and lapis centres. Beautiful fluted gold vessels, gaming boards, harps, a silver boat for the king's last voyage and a very naturalistic donkey and bull, respectively of electron and silver, originally placed as mascots on the rein—ring* of the chariots, further rewarded the careful excavators. Similar finds were made in other tombs and as the excavations are still going on, we may expect still many finds of importance for the early history of Mesopotamia. - �*C£S •*. **" "' US Co ft 5 The Massive Sarcophagus of King Ahiram Discovered at Jebeil in Lebanon. The Cover Bears the Oldest Known Inscription in the Phoenician Alphabet and Dates Back to the Thirteenth Century B.C. o to i �. to Pa S Pa Some of the Archeological Treasures of the National Museum of Beirut. m - N WHiPI .-i*.-J»: t*4 �I -" 34 THE SYRIAN WORLD BYBLOSWhen Renan arrived in Syria in 1860 the first place he chose to excavate was Byblos, the present Djebeil, no doubt prompted by the most important role Byblos had played in antiquity, not only as the chief sea-port for the export of timber to Egypt, but also as center of the Osiris and Adonis cult in Syria, the temple of Byblos being known as one of the oldest in the world. Excavations on a larger scale were, however, not undertaken until after the great war. From 1921 to 1924 the French Egyptologist, Montet, worked there, after him Dunand, and it is not too much to say that no excavation in Syria has produced richer or more important results. Besides tomb deposits of about 3000 B. C, Montet found what probably is the site of the old temple, and there a number of most interesting foundation deposits containing vases, cylinders, ivories, bronzes, scarabs, jewels, all dating from before 2000 B. C. Several sculptures representing gods or kings of Byblos were also found within the temple enclosure. A landslide revealed in 1922 a royal tomb belonging to the king Abishemu, contemporary with the Egyptian pharao Amenemhet III (1850-1800 B.C.). Even if it had been robbed in antiquity several interesting pieces were still left: a beautiful obsidian cup set in gold, the silver "tea-pot," a pair of silver sandals, a golden weapon in form similar to a sickle, the so-called "harpe," etc ; the remarkable golden jewels, which by way of Jerusalem and Chicago have come back to Syria and were acquired by the National Museum in Beirut, probably also have come from the same tomb: bracelets, rings, a pectoral with the sacred Hathor-cow, and a gilded bronze bull. Other royal tombs were found near by; one belonged to king Ypshemuabi, son of king Abishemu, and contained a beautiful obsidian casket, a golden pectoral and pendants, a magnificent harpe inscribed with the king's name, a silver knife and a silver mirror with papyrus-handle of gold. The fifth tomb of the group proved to be the most important of all. It was built for king Ahiram, who lived in the first half of the 13th century B. C. and whose sarcophagus was found unimpaired in the funeral chamber. Represented on the sarcophagus was found the king himself, seated on a throne and receiving homage from his servants; on the two small sides wailing women tear their hair and beat their breasts. On the lid the king is seen blessing his son Itoba'al. The sarcophagus in itself, with its mixtures of Assyrian, Egyptian and Phoe\ �FEBRUARY, 1932 35 nician influences, is a most important archaeological document, but its importance is further enhanced by the Phoenician inscription engraved on it. The oldest inscription in alphabetical letters was until then the one on the Mesa-stone, from about 850 B. C, but the Ahiram one goes back still 400 years and gives us the oldest alphabetical inscription known, the prototypes of the letters, which we use today, and with which this article is written. MINET EL-BEIDA AND RAS SHAMRA— A subterranean tomb, built of large stone slabs, was found in 1928 by a farmer ploughing his field at Minet el-Beida, a small natural harbour 13 k. m. north of Lattakiah. The Cypriote vases left in the tomb and the Cretan character of architecture seemed to justify further researches, and in 1929 work was begun there by the two French archaeologists, Schaeffer and Chenet. The excavations soon revealed the great importance of the site in antiquity, when it was the chief harbour on the Syrian coast for the Cypriote export of copper, to the Near East. In Minet el-Beida two burial-grounds were found, one with many animal bones, deposits of pottery, dating from the 13th centuary B. C, and near a small wall two bronze statuettes of the Egyptian falcon, the one inlaid with silver, a statuette of a god, may be the Phoenician weather-and-war-god Reshef, and a gold pendant of a nude goddess, probably Astarte. In the other necropolis the excavators found tombs similar to the one brought to light by the fellah, and in one of these a beautiful ivory lid, probably of a toilet-paint box, representing the Cretan goddess of fertility, flanked by two goats. On Ras Shamra, the acropolis of Minet el-Beida, the excavators cleared a temple, in and near which a number of interesting Egyptian sculptures were found, as also two steles with representation of the Bacal and Ba'alat of Sapuna, the ancient name of the city. But the most important find was that of the library, with tablets written in Akkadian, Sumerian, and an enigmatic language. These last tablets have now been deciphered (Bauer, Dhorme and Virolleaud) and proved to be written in the Phoenician language with twenty-eight alphabetic signs taken from the cuneiform signsyestem. An epic poem of eight hundred lines is among the texts discovered, and it will, when published, no doubt give us most welcome information about the Phoenician civilization of the 14th tentury B. C. \ \ �Sa 36 THE SYRIAN WORLD Syria in Romance The Brethren By RIDER HAGGARD Condensed by DAGNY EDWARDS (Continued from December) Days went by and one hot July night the brethren sat in their .camp gazing from the mountain top across the plains toward Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee. The next day they were to advance across the desert plain to battle with Saladin, who lay above Tiberias. As they sat there, Godwin had a vision wherein he saw Saladin walking to and fro alone in the royal pavilion. Godwin read his thought. It was: "Behind me the Jordan and the Sea of Galilee, into which, if my flanks were turned, I should be driven, I and all my host. In front the territories of the Franks, I have no friend; and by Nazareth their great army. Allah alone can help me. If they sit still and force me to advance across the desert and attack them before my army melts away, then I am lost. If they advance upon me round the Mountain Tabor and by the watered land, I may be lost. But if, oh! if Allah should make them mad, and they should strike straight across the desert then, then they are lost, and the reign of the Cross in Syria is forever at an end. I will wait here. I will wait here." Awaking, Godwin told his tale to the king, and all his pleading prayers, and those of the bishop and Wulf, who saw truth in the dream, could not change his mind to hold the army. Advancing in war, the dream was fulfilled terribly, to the extent that one of the most hideous rights in the history of the world took place, on the battlefields of Hattin, which broke the power of the Christians in the East. Wulf settled his score with Prince Hassan for the killing of his uncle and the poisoned wine, by killing Hassan on the battlefield. But before death took him, Hassan in all friendliness toward Wulf gave him the badge of his House, the famous star jewel, that was to stand the brethren and Rosamund in good stead, later, when they sought to make their escape. �FEBRUARY, 1932 2? Awaiting her chance, Masouda instructed the brethren how Z?M8ht,efape.fr°m.Sakdin's camP> ^ which they were to pay Masouda s assistant in the plot, the jewel of Hassan. Rosan0t Slightest detai1 lest in a cas ToliT Z before ?Td they °u thewere »y Abdul * they should be caught well away. ' That night, ih°,reckei!ed ^he jewel, was captured and confessed that he f th£ P n C6rtain arden 0 cal Wh morning ° "gcame, ?, f ?, f° awas the camp. When Abdullah dead,g he gave^ no more of the plan away, but Godwin, Wulf, and the ladies were brought before the wrath of Saladin, who, however, could not punish them since there was no direct evidence against the brethren. Finallv an imam of the Sultan consulted with him. Saladin was pleased paving the court the imam returned presently with two small' couTd f°jISa"dalwood tied with silk and sealed, so alike that none ky thC JeWd kll Wn aS the Star d Luc rf I W aPar^ HaS JB 0nC' m ° the ther a ebble of wlh, V 7was asked f "j to give° a box^ P of herthe same weight. Rosamund to each cousins. He who had the jewel should die. Beseeching Saladin to be less cruel and spare her the task, Rosamund was forced to present the boxes to her cousins, each taking the box nearer to him Opening nf'w?^ Ileanu"g enchanted Star of Hassan fell to the feel oi Wulf, as Rosamund cried out, "Not Wulf! Not Wulfl" Then it was that the brethren knew which she loved Later that afternoon, Godwin offered Saladin his life as the guilty one in place of Wulf; and though loathe to believe him, the h S Wi8h biddi ^a he T^T ThCnMasouda "S farewdl ^ Rwho "d (as he thought, for ,t' was -really in disguise, again planned Rosamund's escape, and showed her love for Godwfn t0 SPeak Wdf Wh the d when'sld° Cntered ^that vault,' when Saladin came "in, andi°spoke to them both saying he refused such sacrifice as Godwin was about to make, andfmce thev were brave men, he would much prefer to kill them in war. Making them a gift of fine horses, he bade them go to Jerusalem where they might meet again within its streets, in war agai R0SamU id made her CSCape thr0U h the of , > was£ brought -genuity J of MSoud Masouda. R Rosamund; dressed as Masouda, by the latter's uncle Son of the Sand, to Godwin and Wulf in Jerusalem Ihey placed Rosamund ,n a sanctuary with the nuns of the Holv Cross, where none would ever dare drag her. Then Godwin fear- camo Lhefeh °\ ^TSleft behi»d> -turned to Saladin's camp, for he felt a strange love for that fearless young woman who \ X �=—?m 38 THE SYRIAN WORLD braved death for love of him. Through the trickery of the Sultan and his imam, who led Godwin to believe that Masouda, though their prisoner, was well and alive, he entered the prison vault, and there to his horror and grief found Masouda dead. Then he knew that he truly loved her, even as she had loved and died for him. Stung by the mockery of the imam, the same who had planned the casting of the lots, Godwin smote his eye out with a silver lamp, then falling across the corpse of Masouda, he lay sick for a long time. The siege of the Holy City had begun, and slaughter waged on both sides. As Godwin lay resting in camp, wondering what the outcome of the struggle would be, he remembered Saladin's vision, that through Rosamund much slaughter should be spared. Seizing an opportunity, Godwin broached the subject to Saladin, who greatly vexed, would not listen to him, although as he left the tent, he pondered the matter. Several days later, Godwin by his own wish, though still in the camp of Saladin, was ordained a priest by the hand of the Bishop Egbert, amidst the triumphant servants of Mohamet, who rejoiced at the approaching downfall of the Cross. Misery and despair settled over the tens of thousands of fugitives within Jerusalem, and finally the Sultan declared that only on condition that Rosamund surrender to him that he might deal with her as she deserved, would he have anything to say to the embassy sent to discuss terms with him. Then was Rosamund's hiding place discovered, and the men came to plead with her to return, but she staunchly refused. The battle went on and on, the people ever suffering new terrors, fearing momentary death. Again they pleaded with Saladin; again he refused to deal with them till Rosamund surrendered, but even as he listened to their pleadings for mercy, did he think that this was the massacre of which he dreamed—eighty thousand lives. Prayers and sobs mingled with the cries of the people outside the convent, came to Rosamund as once more they besought her to go to Saladin. A final message came to her there, from him, telling that if she came to him willingly he would consider the question of the sparing of Jerusalem and its inhabitants. If she refused, everyone, save those women and children who might be kept as slaves, would be put to the sword. Listening to the pleading all around her, from the Queen Sybilla, the women, children, knights ; and lords, Rosamund asked Wulf, would he have her die. "Alas!" ' �I FEBRUARY, 1932 30 he answered, "It is hard to speak. Yet they are many, you are one." lhen Rosamund of her own will declared that that too was her wish, and prepared to go. But Wulf declared that he must die with her, and thus they made confession of their sins before the priest received absolution and the sacrament for the dying, while all in the church knelt and prayed, as for souls that pass. So the solemn ritual ended, and they entered the presence of the Sultan, kneeling to before him. The Sultan heard them speak that Rosamund was ready to pay the price, to fulfill his vision, and spare the city, and for its blood he should accept hers as a token and offering. Then did Salah-eddin show his mercy. The terms of his treaty were fair; he was just and kind, even paying out of his own treasury the ransoms of hundreds of ladies whose husbands and fathers had fallen in battle. _ For forty days, Rosamund and Wulf lay in separate prisons awaiting death, while the ransoms outlined in the treaty of peace were being paid; and when it was over, Saladin took possession of me city. 1 he Crescent had triumphed over the Cross in Jerusalem As the camp broke up at length, Rosamund and Wulf were summoned before the Sultan. Dressed in festive robes, Rosamund knew not what to think as the ladies of the court clad her in fine linen and put over it gorgeous, broidered garments and a royal mantle of purple, and brought her to Salah-ed-din. As she stepped within his presence, trumpets blew, and a herald cried: "Way for the high sovereign lady and Princess of Baalbec'" And again they med, "Way for the brave and noble Frankish knight, Sir Wulf D Arcy! And thus Saladin restored to Rosamund her title and estate, and further, led them to the Convent, where stood a Christ1 P st t0 PCrf rm the marria e servi M u-I ° S ce. As the service ended the old bishop withdrew, and another hooded monk uttered the benediction. His hood fell back, and there stood Godwin, the priest! Once again they stood before Saladin, and this time he declared that they had drunk the dregs of their cups; the doom which he decreed for Rosamund had been accomplished, and now that they were man and wife, they were free to do as they wished, whether they desired to enjoy their rank and wealth in the East or return to England. Bewildered and happy the pair chose to return to their home across the sea, but Godwin, in his newly found joy in the Cross, declared that he would stay in Jerusalem, and serve the Cross, that was down, but not forever. Then bidding Wulf farewell, Godwin was gone. T-, Ml HHM �40 THE SYRIAN WORLD TRVE ARABIAN TA W. I+AM6 THE CHANCE MEETING IN THE OASIS TRIBE of 'Uzra was renowned among the Arabs for the THE intensity and purity of its love. " 'Uzra love" was synonimous with Platonic love in the highest sense. It was a sacred tradition among the 'Uzraites to love intensely, but in a manner that would exact the strictest abstention from physical indulgence. No other Arab tribe had the reputation for devotion in love to equal that of 'Uzra. The tales of love among the men of 'Uzra are many. Often they ended in stark tragedy because of the fierce stoicism which would countenance no weakening in the traditional abstinence. The following tale, however, is a happy exception. It is related on the authority of the well-known Arab traditionist 'Amru Ibn Rabi'a and is here retold in his own words. Said 'Amru: Ju'd Ibn Muhje', of the tribe of 'Uzra, was a young poet who enjoyed a wide reputation both for his intense love as well as for the traditional reserve of his tribe. He was in the habit of making an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, where his appearance was anxiously awaited by a group of poetry lovers and intellectuals who formed a steadily growing circle about him. For he was also a prolific entertainer with erudite and well authenticated Arab folk tales. One year, during the pilgrimage season, Ju'd failed to make an appearance and his absence was greatly felt. I took it upon myself to make inquiries about him and sought the camp of the 'Uzraites for the purpose. I made my object plain to the first group upon whom I came, and a man from among them emitted a sigh �FEBRUARY, 1932 41 and quote the well-known verse which signifies desperation in love: By thy l,fe I swear that my love for Asma Will neither drive me to die in despair, Nor set me free to live in peace. Alarmed I asked the man if anything had befallen Tu'd and to "or ZTl "^ m~*a*?> he -plied in a spirit of contemptTat ±or me to be so anxious about him only meant that I was of his ilk wandering in a trackless desert of corruption and ignorance ' And who may you be to so condemn my friend?" I asked 1 am his brother," was his curt reply. The year following, at the same season, I found mvself at Urfa among a group of pilgrims from the <Uzra trite and I noticed particularly a young man who had almost become un'cog mzable through his emaciation. Although erect, he seemed noting but skin and bone, a shadow of his former self. I was Tie tf recognize him as Ju'd only through his familiar came]T When I greeted him and asked him of his condition, he emitted uch a deen sigh that I-thought his soul would depart with it. I hen Lght to divert him by impressing on him the sacredness of the occasion and the necessity of prayer. He prayed until sundown, and when he had finished I heard him exclaim, "O Allah, the compassionate' the mercifull Be thou mv <mn The oL^ thC ,Md thM ta «*«» «P0« « sint thela^f to me tot he would confide all to IZ^T^^* That evening, when we were alone, I again asked him £ explanation as to the cause of his exclamatic££t Itmenhat' he unburdened his heart and recounted to me' the folWing story my mater,Ml u 8 tribe KjbC who, l ^T^ **? »*s are tribe J of Kalb, aside from being men of renuhtin,, f of.uthe • them custodians f my up zfe as? ° p p-y -dts lay in my path. I had food and drink in sumrienrv 27 £ having partaken of my needs, I reclined to e^yfeme ^ �42 THE SYRIAN WORLD of the hospitable palms, when from the distance rose a commotion that attracted my attention. I looked, and there was a horseman who was chasing a gazelle with such dash and dexterity as to excite my admiration. For a time I watched the chase with interest, and finally the hunter not only gained on the quarry, but felled it with a lance thrust, as if disdaining the bow and arrow. Nor did he, to my surprise, occupy himself with the task of recovering the carcass, as if his only interest was in the love of the sport. And to my further surprise, the hunter, having achieved his aim, came trotting leisurely in my direction apparently seeking the shelter of the oasis. "Our first meeting was most cordial. The young man, for such he appeared to me, proved of most charming presence and conversation. He was not only erudite and conversant with Arab poetry and folk lore, but of such captivating demeanor as to betray a feminine charm. Thus we spent a pleasant hour until the hunter arose to adjust the saddle of his horse, in which operation his armour partly shifted, displaying the beauty of two breasts that put ivory to shame in their firmness and translucency. The attempt to a hasty concealment was abortive, and to my question if she were a woman the reply came in the affirmative, but with the qualification that she was one of extreme chastity, although not averse to liberal conversation. "And in this we indulged. The scope of the maiden's knowledge was a revelation to me, and the charm of her manner had on me the effect of intoxicating wine. Sometime later, overcome by the heat of the day and the effect of her strenuous labors, she reclined and fell into peaceful slumber. For a long time I watched over her, drinking in her beauty with an avidity that was heightened by the quiet of the place and the strangeness of the occasion. I want to confess to you that often did I resolve to forswear chastity for the strong temptation that lay before me, but recalling the tradition of my tribe, and invoking the honor of manhood, I finally overcame the weakness. "When she finally awoke and was preparing to leave I asked permission to visit her, but she protested that her father and brothers were exceedingly strict and of high temper, and all I could hope for was a chance meeting. "She then departed, and never since have I seen her. But her memory lingers with me and my love for her has reduced me to a skeleton, as you see. It was because I was so weak last year that I could not attend the pilgrimage." " : : . -,: - '• �FEBRUARY, 1932 43 The tale of the love-stricken young poet touched my heart and I resolved to contrive for his salvation. I prevailed upon him to accompany me to the tents of his uncles and there sought the father of his beloved. I had provided myself with a thousand dinars in money, a silk robe and a beautifully designed green tent. The preliminary exchanges of salutations were brief and I hastened to explain to the father that the purpose of my mission was to ask the hand of his daughter in marriage, to which he replied that I was more than welcome. "It is not for myself that I make the request," I protested, "but rather in favor of your nephew whom I consider to be equally as worthy." "Unquestionably he is," he parried in a rather impatient manner, "but if you must insist we will leave the final choice to the maiden." I was about to interpose an objection when Ju'd motioned me to acquiesce, and to my great relief and elation, the girl did express her preference for her friend. Immediately I made a gift of the silk robe and the tent to the father and presented the thousand dinars as the girl's dowery, insisting that the marriage ceremony be performed forthwith. Early on the morrow I met Ju'd and asked him how he had fared. "No man can be happier than I," he said, "because Selma expressed towards me a reciprocal feeling that made me forget all my past sufferings." With this I felt that I had been amply repaid. I extended to the young lovers my congratulations and departed. Freedom and Slavery By KHALIL GIBRAN You are free before the sun of the day, and free before the stars of the nightj And you are free when there is no sun and no moon and no star. You are even free when you close your eyes upon all there is Hut you are a slave to him whom you love because you love him, And a slave to him who loves you because he loves you. �44 THE SYRIAN WORLD EDITORIAL COMMENT APOLOGY Although every possible effort has been made to maintain the regular publication schedule of the Syrian World, unavoidable difficulties have retarded the appearance of the February number to the middle of March. The lapse will be corrected with the coming issues. HARD TIMES One would like not to discuss the economic depression. It is unpleasant to be reminded -of such painful subjects. The effect is to depress the spirit and undermine the energy. After all, the wise ones will tell you, our ills are only psychological. The coffers of savings banks are overflowing with money, only it needs" to be put in circulation. Talk prosptrity and you will have it! All of which is very good if it were only practical. Closed factories, stagnant markets, empty cupboards, with millions of unemployed and hundreds of thousands dependent upon public charity, are all too serious and concrete matters to be treated lightly and delegated to the class of the ephemereal and psychological. Such crises the world has experienced before and emerged therefrom safe but wiser. It would be ridiculous to expect that the result in the present case would prove otherwise. In the commonest way of expressing it, the world is not coming to an end. A solution will eventually be found, although the world will have to readjust itself to new conditions. But just what form the solution will take no one has yet been able to tell. The Bolsheviks claim that in their formula lies the world's only salvation, while the rest of the world still hold a diametrically opposite view. One thing is certain, and it is that such conditions as those which brought about the abnormal and unsound prosperity which led to the correspondingly heavy depression cannot be suffered to remain. There was an orgy that had to come to an end sometime, and people who had settled down to the snug assurance that the bubble could continue along the process of inflation without bursting will have to face the painful task of disillusionment. The important question is: What will happen in the mean- mmem �FEBRUARY, 1932 time? The economic pressure is already straining heavily at family ties. Parents who cannot now provide as was their wont, and children who fancy themselves deprived of what they had been accustomed to having as a matter of course, although they themselves are not productive, suffer a painful present and vision a dark future. In this case it is safe to assume that the development of a sorely needed sturdiness in character will prove a welcome result from the travail of the depression. Then there are the national governments that are sorely pressed in the task of balancing their budgets. Large corporate enterprises, with national and international ramifications, who had been looked upon as towers of strength in the world financial structure, are facing a similar predicament. But the most pathetic case is that of the small man, the one who through systematic savings and self-denials accumulated a small capital with which to open a shop, a store, or some other industrial or commercial undertaking. He had felt the security of independence through the individual enterprise he had painstakingly built up. By the assiduous cultivation of personal, contacts and the assurance of honest individual service he had 45 every reason to believe that he had a claim on the constant patronage of his clientele. We may imagine such a man's distress when through the forced curtailment in expenditures on the part of his customers, he is reduced to a position of utter helplessness. For he is neither fit by training nor capable by former connections to find other means of earning a livelihood. The Syrians in America fall mostly in the latter category. Their native initiative prompted them to seek independent means of gain which in the majority of cases were confined to individual enterprises. That they have not suffered severely so far may be attributed principally to their sense of thrift and their mutual helpfulness. During the past few months a score or more public affairs were held by the Syrians of New 1 ork City for purposes of charity, and many more are planned. Similar activities are being constantly reported from almost all sections of the country. This constitutes about the only cheerful news in the otherwise dark situation. But people would much prefer to give work in exchange for money than be the recipients of charity. It may be said for the Syrians that their pride would prevent them from appealing for charity except at the last extremity. The fact �mam.. 46 that public affairs are being held so frequently with the avowed purpose of alleviating the distress of needy Syrians would indicate that that point of desperation has already been reached. WHICH SHALL SURVIVE THE SYRIAN WORLD tion, edited by Miss Najla Bellamah of Canada, and the only Arabic feminist publication in North America, was forced to suspend before it could run out the cycle of a full year. It must be said to its credit that it reimbursed paid subscribers for the difference due them, but this act of extreme honesty is poor consolation for the lack of adequate support for a worthy publication. Character, a literary Arabic magazine of New York, now in its tenth year, will suspend "until such time as conditions warrant resumption." During the past few months the scythe of the depression has mowed down several worthy and, in some instances, long established Arabic publications, both in America and abroad. By virThe daily papers so far have tue of long and meritorious ser- not been affected except in that vice some of the defunct period- they are issuing continuous apicals had come to be looked peals, which alternate between upon as established institutions. threats and pleadings, for the Most of them, however, had the collection of subscriptions. One misfortune of being serious or- of them has set a premium of gans of opinion or scholarly re- 10% discount for payment of search. back accounts within a given perLughat-Al-Arab - (The Arabic iod. Another is willing to give Tongue) of Baghdad, announced as much as 50%. its suspension because of lack of When, on the other hand, one support, although it was consi- reads that such old and supposeddered over a long period one of ly popular publications in the the foremost sources of authority American field such as Judge and on Arabic phylology. The Police Gazette are forced inAl-Khalidat, of New York, to bankruptcy, one is surprised could not weather the economic that the ratio of mortality among storm although its editor, Rev. Arabic publications is not higher Archimandrite Antony Bashir, as than what it has proved to be so a prolific writer and itinerant far. But we have not yet reachmissionary, was considered to en- ed the end, as the wise ones who joy exceptional advantages. view the depression dispassionAl-Fajr, a bi-lingual publica- ately will tell you. n �FEBRUARY, 1932 47 AND NOW OUR CASE DEPARTMENTS Perhaps it would not be malThe Poetry Department has apropos to make an allusion here been as regular in its appearance to^the predicament of the Syrian as the great nocturnal luminary World. We seem to fare none which is the poet's inspiration. better than the publications pre- Ever since Miss Barbara Young viously mentioned. As a pioneer assumed editorship of the departin its field, The Syrian World ment not a single issue has apmay even be going through a peared but had the beautiful faharder struggle than all the miliar heading and the varied others, owing to the necessity of but consistently excellent materconducting virgin missionary ial. And may we not reiterate work. Some day we might give that this is a labor of love that out the full secret of -how we Miss Young has imposed upon manage to keep the flickering herself and adheres to faithfullight of life burning. That day ly? In plain words, she who commight come either when we reg- mands a handsome price for her ister a decisive triumph or have literary work has been willing to lay down our arms in defeat. to make this regular and sustainWe are now navigating the tur- ed contribution free out of her bulent, eddies of the midstream, deep feeling of friendship for —the exact middle of our year the Lebanese and Syrians whom and between now and the end of she came to know and appreciate the year we should know how the through our great Gibran of tide will flow. whom she was the devoted One thing is certain. It is that friend . In a future issue, we we shall never give up if only we expect to make an important anare shown reasonable support. nouncement relative to Miss Not, to be sure, to make the con- } oung's forthcoming trip to Betinued publication profitable, but charre, Gibran's native town in only to make the loss bearable. Lebanon. Delinquent subscribers can ease the task by prompt remittance, With this issue the editorship and those of our enthusiastic of "Our Younger Generation" friends who were shocked at the department will change hands. possibility of | discontinuance To the former editor, Mr. A. when we put the question to a Hakim, is due our sincere expublic referendum last year, pression of thanks for his connow have occasion to validate scientious and able efforts during their promises of effective supthe period of his. incumbency, port. and it is with reluctance that we - ' f-'- HHH �48 have to concede to his wish to relinquish his self-imposed task. He has been a constant and loyal friend of the Syrian World, and there could be no reason to doubt the validity of the reasons prompting his resignation. We are happy to announce, however, the substitution of an equally able editor in charge of this department in the person of Miss Edna K. Saloomey. To hear each laud the qualifications of the other when the two met in the office of the Syrian World, one would have difficulty in choosing between them. What we consider the more weighty argument is the one advanced by the retiring editor in favor of his successor. Miss Saloom'ey, he pointed out, is the more logical person to conduct the department because she is American born and retains nevertheless all those finer racial qualities that are characteristically Syrian. With a deep understanding of and appreciation for our wholesome traditions, combined with her natural sympathy for her generation and her keen insight into their problems, her personal advantages as well as her greater possibilities for service in the department become obvious. We can appreciate the reasons which have caused some irregularity in the Home and Family Department. We are glad, how- THE SYRIAN WORLD ever, to communicate to our readers the promise of the editor, Sitt Bahia-Al-Musheer, to be not only punctual in future, but even more generous with her excellent material. Rev. W. A. Mansur lives up to his reputation of mentor of the Syrian-American youth. In his article published in this issue, the first he has contributed for our current year, he brings out the high lights of Phoenician history which he points out as a rich heritage of which our younger generation should feel proud and which it behooves them to remember. Neither the learned divine writes, nor do we publish, such material in a spirit of boastfulness. It is authentic history that has a direct bearing on our racial status, and of which we should be reminded for the very excellent raesons given by the author. The poet in Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin will not be downed. His inspiration this time is the popular Arabic song which corresponds to the English "Home, Sweet Home." In rendering it into English verse, Dr. Alkazin has succeeded not only in making almost a verbatim translation, but has also preserved the exact rhythm of the original so that the English version may be sung to the tune of the Arabic with the same melodious effect. n �MB FEBRUARY, 1932 ELECTIONS IN SYRIA LEAD TO BLOODSHED The general elections which High Commissioner Ponsot ordered held in Syria following his return from Europe with a view to the establishment of a stable government able to enter into negotiations with France for the definite stttlement of the Syrian question, and which resulted in bitter and bloody struggles between the National;sts and the Moderates, were postponed in Damascus and other Syrian cities pending the return of order. According to reports in the latest Syrian mail, the resumption of the elections was tentatively set for the early part of March, but so far the French H-'gh Commissioner has not committed himself to any definite date. The troublesome question is whether the Nationalists will concede the legality of the returns if the elections are conducted by the present government, inasmuch as they claim that undue influence is being exercised by the authorities to support the government t;cket. Apparently reliable reports from Damascus indicate that the Nationalists have finally decided to take part in the elections because the three principal cities where the elections have been deferred, namely Damascus, Hama and Duma, are their conceded strongholds. That the Nationalists have reached such a decision is an indication that they have conceded defeat in the elections, as the general results cannot be materially altered by the returns of the three remaining cities. But on 49 what conditions they have agreed to participate remains unknown. Disturbances cont;nue to be reported in various parts of the country as a result of the elections, especially in Aleppo. Demonstrations of a violent nature are reported to have taken place in the latter city resulting in a score of casualties. The Nationalists are said to have reciuited school children of tender age to stage antigovernment demonstrations. Because political demonstrations often are organized after religious services in the mosques, where agitators take advantage of unrestricted right of congregation and speach to arouse the crowds, police have taken unusual precautions to deal with this kind of disturbances. Some police units have been fitted out with helmets and breast-plates to ward off missiles such as clubs and stones, but to further enchance their effectiveness, they have been supplied with overshoes which they are required to carry as a part of their regular equipment. To those unacquainted with the traditions of the East this action may seem puzzling, but the purpose becomes obvious when it is recalled that Moslems, upon entering the mosques, are required to shed off their shoes, and in the case of visiting strangers, they are required to do likewise or to don overshoes. Naturally it is quicker and more convenient for the police to sl;p on their overshoes when forcing entry into the courts of the mosques to quell disturbances. Hence the regulation of carrying this apparently indispens- �1 < 50 THE SYRIAN WORLD able adjunct to the maintenance of peace and order in the East. Conditions in Aleppo have taken such a serious turn that French military authorities have had to take over the handling of the s4tuation. A state akin to martial law now exists in the city with military detachments patrolling the streets and tanks and machine guns stationed at strategic positions. The commercial activities in the cityare at almost a standstill and men of all classes are said not to dare to venture out except armed. Each of the so-called moderate and extreme Nationalists have protested to the authorities against the alleged provocative actions of the other, and what was expected to be the free expression cf the will of the people at the polls threatens to develop into bloody partisan feuds. A regrettable incident which threatens to cause international complications was the murder of a Franciscan monk of Italian nationality, who was set upon unawares and felled by a dagger thrust in the back. The Italian consul immediately lodged a protest with the mandatory authorities. POLITICAL FUTURE M. Lavastre, accredited representative of M. Ponsot in Aleppo, is reported to have declared in a speech he made to a political assemblage in that city that France entertains only the friendliest feelings for Syria; that it proposes to have it enjoy much more than the degree of national independence granted to Iraq, and that only the stubborn obduracy of the intransigent Nationalists for the past ten years has stood in the way of France carrying out sooner its benevolent intentions. As proof of France's sincere intentions he cited the fact that she had actually effected the liberation of many nations, including Poland. He expressed the belief that the time for the execution of France's plans in Syria cannot now be far distant since the moderate' Nationalists, who were victors in the elections, have displayed a better understanding of the only policy which will redound to Syria's interest and be compatible at the same time with that of France. COMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN LEBANON Cond;tions in Lebanon seem to be dragging along in the same manner existing ever since the establ-'shment of the republic. During the past six years the people have come to realize the benefits of the republican form of government and to rest on it the:r pclitical future. About the only serious reason for complaint has been the excessive taxation necessary to support a top-heavy administrative structure wh'ch seems out of keeping with the size and the resources of the country. For a country of less than a million population there is a Representative Assembly composed of fortysix members, a full-sized cabinet patterned on the order of those of the great powers, a nr'litary organization and an army of employees most of whom are admittedly sinecures. The pressing problem of Lebanon at present would seem to effect the administrative reforms necessary to bring about the sorely needed economy. This issue is figuring prominently in the platforms of the fispirants to the Presidency, with all indications pointing to the success of M. Enrle Eddy, a former Premier Who had devised such a program and was defeated by a coalition of deputies who had much to lose by the success of his policies. It must be remembered that the Lebanese constitution follows closely that of France in that the Chamber elects the President. This circumstance, in �FEBRUARY, 1932 51 the case of Lebanon, would give the official summer residence. mandatory authorities the decid-ng During the stress and uncertainties voice in the choice of the President of the World War, however, the late inasmuch as half the deputies are Patriarch Howayek was forcibly reappointed by the mandatory power moved from his official residence by and it may be taken for granted that Jamal Pasha, then Turkish military those deputies follow instructions. governor of Syria, and was about to The elections will be held about be sent to exile but for the timely May 20 at the close of the second intervention of the Pope and the term of President Chas. Dabbas. The Austrian Emperor. constitution has been amended so that At the close of the war Patriarch m future the President's term will be Howayek deliberately broke the tradisix instead of three years. tion of confinement and seclusion by going in person to attend the VerPATRIARCH VISITS BEIRUT sailles negotiations for peace land there plead for Lebanon's secession The newly elected Maronite Patfrom Turkey and its placing under riarch followed the precedent esta- French mandate. blished by his predecessor in making When, later, upon the appointment personally an official visit to the of Gen. Gouraud first French High French High Commissioner at the capital. The visit was made on Feb. 11 Commissioner for Syria and Lebanon, and was attended by a great popular Patrarch Howayek considered the dedemonstration. While in the city, velopment a triumph of his political the Patr-arch also returned the visits program, he further broke the tradiof the Christian Patriarchs and digni- tion by proceeding to Beirut to extaries Who had personally offered him tend in person his felicitations to the their felicitations upon his accession High Commissioner. Thus he established for Irmself a precedent to the Patriarchate. whien he consistently followed upon Although in the strictest sense the the appointment of each succeeding visit of the Pariarch is a denominaHigh Commissioner. tional gesture, much political signiAn incident worthy of note in this ficance is attached to it in view of respect was the attitude of Gen. Sarthe fact that the Maronites are the rail, who was a professed anti-cleric. largest single religious unit in LeThe Patriarch visited Irm as he had banon and have been the traditional vis-ted the others, but the General was friends of France in the East and reluctant in returning the visit, and those most responsible for France's did so only after heavy pressure from presence in the country. The move Par^s. His reception by the Patriarch assumes further importance in that it on that occasion was as frigid as that constitutes a definite break in a tradihe had given him upon his visit. Only tion long held inviolable for Maronite the tact of de Jouvenel, Sarrail's sucPatriarchs. The Patriarch occupies cessor, prevented a complete break. m his own sphere a position similar Upon the death of the late Patrito that of the Pope of Rome, and at arch Howayek, the question arose as no time was it known that any into whether the old tradition should be cumbent of the high office has ever maintained or the precedent establishleft the confines of his see except to ed by the late Patriarch followed. The make the annual journey from BekerFrench High Commissioner had come ky to Al-Diman, the latter being the in person to extend his felicitations to �HP THE SYRIAN WORLD 52 the new Patriarch, and the country was all set aguessing as to whether the Patriarch would return the visit in person. There was a division of opinion, according to reports, among the college of bishops on the question, but the Patriarch finally decided in favor of the course set by his predecessor. The great popular reception he received in Beirut gave proof of the popularity of his move. trip he had taken to Palestine by special invitation. Openly, no political object is admitted for the visit, but the extraordinary interest displayed by both the British and French mandatory authorities in receiving the Egyptian Prime Minister with state honors is being generally interpreted as indicating the existence of a deep political purpose. EDITOR OF AL-HODA ON POLITICAL MISSION SYRIAN NATIONALISTS PUNISH FAIZ KOURI N. A. Mokarzel, editor of Al-Hoda, the Arabic daily of New York and founder of the Lebanon League of Progress, was to sail for Paris sometime in March supposedly on a political mission, the exact nature of Which was not disclosed. Our readers will recall that Mr. Mokarzel has been most active in Lebanese politics, and through the political organization which he founded was responsible for many noteworthy reforms in the home government. It is conjectured that his present mission must have some bearing on the coming presidential elections. It can be positively stated, however, that the veteran editor has no personal ambitions inasmuch as he has repeatedly and publicly rejected the proposals put forth by his many admirers respecting his candidacy for the presidency. Reports from Damascus coming with the late mail indicate the continuance of the bitterness resulting from the national elections. Subhi Bey Barakat, leader of the victorious Moderates and their candidate for the presidency, arrived in Damascus on a political mission and there met Faiz Bey Kouri, formerly an outspoken Nationalist, and brother of the wellknown leader Faris Bey Kouri, who was at one time suggested for president of the Syrian State. The action of Faiz aroused the Nationalists to a high pitch of indignation and it was decided at a party caucus to strike his name from the ballots in the supplemental elections. Faris Bey Kouri is said to have taken part in the meeting at which his brother Faiz was impeached and banished from the party. SUDKY PASHA IN SYRIA Sudky Pasha, the Prime Minister of Egypt, arrived in Beirut Feb. 11 and was ofncially received by the French High Commissioner, who gave a state dinner in his honor, and by the Lebanese government. His visit to Syria and Lebanon was an extension of a Subhi Bey Barakat is a former governor of Syria and the one Charged by the Nationalists with having advised the French to bombard Damascus during the 1925 rebellion. The Nationalists are said to be bitterly opposed to his candidacy, and failing the election of their leader Hashim Bey Al-Atasi, they are said to be willing to throw the weight of their support to Ahmad Nami Pasha the Damad, another Moderate. IWWWWB—MMBlimHIMWirilBW"T �. FEBRUARY, 1932 SB THE SYRIAN WORLD NEWS SECTION VOL. VI NO. 6 GIBRAN NOW RESTS IN PERMANENT TOMB Remains Removed with Great Ceremony to the Monastery of Mar Sarkis Which Will Serve as Permanent Shrine. Gibran's remains repose at last in the ideal spot which he had long hoped to make his home. To many of his friends he had expressed the wish to return to his native land and there acquire ownership of the monastery of Mar Sarkis, located below the famous Cedars and overlooking the Sacred Valley of Kadisha, a spot which even in his early boyhood he had come to admire and love, and where he had hoped to spend the closing days of his life. That wish has been gratified only to the extent that the monastery of Mar Sarkis now serves as Gibran's permanent home, only it was not given him to again see the beauty of the place with his mortal eyes. Gibran's remains had reposed temporarily in the church of St. John, in his native town of Becharre, pending arrangements for the acquisition of the monastery. Issaf George Rahme, Gibran's cousin and devoted companion, who had accompanied the body from the United States, finally bought the monastery from the Maronite Carmelite Missionary Order and converted I FEBRUARY, 1932 it into a shrine for the great poet. The tomb, as described in the Lebanese papers, is a natural grotto opening on the chapel, the interior of which was permitted to remain in its natural state, with exquisitely shaped stalactites pending from the domed roof, reflecting a myriad of dancing colors' from the bright electric lights. A view of the interior is permitted through a large plate glass encased in a frame of cedar and olive wood, revealing Gibran's coffin resting on two Corinthian pillars. Atop the chapel, overlooking Becharre and the Sacred Valley, the large cross bears the following inscription: "Here Repose the Remains of the" "Prophet Gibran Resting Under the" "Wings of the Angel of Peace." The removal of Gibran's remains took place on Sunday, January 10. with almost as much ceremony as that attending the reception of the body upon its arrival from America. Seven thousand mourners marched in the procession, and again there were the poetical improvisations in the vernacular as well as recitations of original literary poems and speeches. Both the government and the clergy were well represented. GIBRAN'S SPIRIT Writing apparently with the utmost conviction, Emil Zaidan, editor of AlHilal, one of the oldest and most re- �f 54 spected monthly magazines of Egypt, claims to have had communicat;on with Gibran's spirit during a spiritualistic seance he attended this summer while visiting Syria. The editor admits that he had been indifferent to the claims of the spiritualists until he was induced by one of his friends to attend one of their meetings from which he emerged fully convinced of ail their claims. The spirit of his father, the famous Arabic scholar and historian, spoke to him and gave him much practical advice concerning the policy of the paper. He was also able to communicate with the spirit of Gibran who dictated a message which the editor published as being in Gibran's accepted style, but which literary critics take as a poor imitation. Gibran is said to be happy, in the "higher spheres", but he wants his sister Mariana to put a check to her grief. Gibran also mentioned the celebrated Syrian writer who uses the pen name of "May" with whom he had been in correspondence but whom he had never met. "May" is a resident of Egypt and at the time of Gibran's death published a personal letter which he had written to her. Hence the natural association between Gibran's spirit and this lady. Strange as it may seem, Gibran has forgotten all his friends of a lifet;me in America. Mrs. Mary Haskel Minas to whom he willed all Irs art works he did not choose to mention (obviously because the medium did not know of his relationship with her), nor did the sensitive and generous spirit of Gibran remember Barbara Young, his most loyal and devoted friend, and the host of other friends he had come to know and love during the long years, comprising all his adult life, he had spent in America. Gibran also referred to the reception given his body upon its arrival in Syria, but not a word did his grate- THE SYRIAN WORLD ful spirit mention of the memorial meetings, the church services and the many other signs of affection shown him in America. Truly, for such a respected organ as Al-Hilal, founded by the practical and discriminating scholar George Zaidan, to have espoused the cause of spiritualism and attempted to prove it in such fash;on, is a sign of decadence from its former high scholarly standard. SYRIAN JUNIOR LEAGUE PRESENTS FINE PLAY No one who attended "The First Year", presented by the Syrian Junior League at the Booth Theatre in New York Feb. 21, had cause to regret the time or the money spent on the occasion. The cause was for charity, it's true, and all those contributing to the program or investing in tickets would feel amply repa;d considering the purpose alone. But there was a good deal more than this spiritual compensation: the play itself was well worth seeing and the actors acquitted themselves like veteran professionals. To some visiting Syrians who were not aware that all the actors in the play were Syrian amateurs, members of the League and their friends, it was almost inconceivable that the young men and women who displayed such talent were not actually Broadway old timers. Madeleine Malouf, Nedda Uniss and John S. Macksoud did full justice to their roles, although the other actors acquitted themselves most creditably. The cast, besides these mentioned, was composed of Fred Shamas, Adele F. Macksoud, Victor Hamati, Fred Zrike, Alfred Zrike and Lyla J. Mabarak. The attendance was not up to expectations, which is through no fault of the organization giving the play. N i a c: �FEBRUARY, 1932 We venture to predict, however, that if the League were to make a second presentation of the same play, the attendance would be more than doubled in view of the general approval expressed by those who witnessed the first performance. Miss Selma Milkie, president of the Syrian League, made a short appearance before opening of the play to outline the purpose for which it was being given and to welcome those supporting the cause. The League, in its elaborate program, made special acknowledgment for helpful advice and assistance to the following: Mr. Nicholas Macsoud, the artist; Miss Gertrude Wainwright, the dramatic director of the play; and Messers. Elias Aboarab, Suhail Hermos, Basil Couri and George Mabarak for assistance given the program committee. The Dramatic Committee was composed of Mrs. George Saliba, chairman, and the Misses Lou'se Dibbs, Mary Mokarzel, Louise Mussawir and Selma Uniss. The Program Committee was composed of Miss Madeleine Zaloom, chairman, and the Misses Alice Diab, Lyla Mabarak, Najla Macksoud, Mary L. Milkie, Mary Trabulsi and Selma Uniss. LEAGUE OF PROGRESS HOLDS CHARITY BAZAAR The Lebanon League of Progress of New York held its charity bazaar at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Clinton St., Brooklyn during the three days of Feb. 27, 28, and 29. The admission was $1.00 for the three nights and the varied program of entertainment provided for each night was enthus;astically received by the large attendance. The bazaar was especially sponsored by Al-Hoda, whose editor, N. A. 55 Mokarzel, is the founder and the president emeritus of the Lebanon League. The proceeds of the bazaar, according to announcement, will be distributed to the Syrian and Lebanese needy of the city through the agency of the various churches irrespective of denominations. __ SYRIAN FEDERATION TO GIVE CHARITY BALL The American Syrian Federation of Brooklyn will give a Charity Ball and Entertainment at the Grand Ballroom of the Elks Club in Brooklyn on the evening of April 16. The affair promises to be the most brilliant Syrian social affair of the season. The proceeds will be devoted to charity. The Federation carried out th;s Year its annual practice of distributing Christmas baskets although primarily it is not a charitable organization. Realizing, however, the extent of distress prevalent this year, it has decided to extend its char;table activities and is planning the entertainment and ball. The pcsit-on of leadership Which the Federation occupies in the community insures full success for any of its undertakings. The chairman of the committee on arrangements is Mr. Jos. W. Ferris, the well known Syrian lawyer and a former president of the Federation. A souvenir program is planned for the occasion and should be well patronized. Earlier this month, the Federation' gave a special entertainment at its clubrooms for the members and their families, and in honor of the retiring president, Mr. S. J. Akel, who took occasion to remind the gathering in his brief remarks that the Federation building has actually become the civic center of the Syrian community in the city. President George Dagher was master of ceremonies. �ill 56 THE SYRIAN WORLD MME. FADWA KURBAN MAKES FORMAL DEBUT SYRIAN COLORATURA By Alice Mokarzel Fadwa Kurban, "The Syrian Nightingale" and coloratura soprano of merit, gave a New York recital in the Roerich Hall of the Roerich Museum on Saturday evening, February 27. Miss Sumeyeh Attiyeh, the wellknown Syrian lecturer, formally introduced Mme. Kurban. The program consisted mainly of difficult and technical numbers that were performed with beautiful and exacting skill. The famous Mad Scene from Lucia de Lammermcor, a favorite of Mussolini and of operalovers, gave Mme. Kurban an opportunity to prove the exceptional quality of her voice. The other numbers were exceedingly pleasing because of their variety and served to demonstrate the versatility and range of Mme. Kurban's vocal powers. Some had the del:cate and appealing accompaniment of the flute. Included among the numbers were Liebestraum by Lizt, the Japanese Love Song by Brahe and The Bell Song from Lakme. Mr. Alexander Maloof, who was in the audience, was asked to accompany Mme. Kurban in two Arabic songs which were requested after the recital. In these numbers, sung in her own arrangement, she is very much at ease especially in the melancholy and languid strains of Wailee Min al Ghoramy. This recital served to introduce Mme. Kurban formally to the American public as well as to give her many friends further opportunity to hear her. It was indeed an appreciative audience that applauded her efforts, requesting encore after encore which she rendered graciously, convincing them that' she is justified in seeking an operatic career. Mme. Fadwa Kurban ALEFPIAN FRATERNITY GIVING ENTERTAINMENT The Aleppian Fraternity of New York will give an entertainment at the Knights of Columbus Hall on the evening of Sunday, April 10, for the benefit of Al-Kalimat charities in Aleppo which extend from maintaining an orphanage and a home for the aged to the distribution of food and clothing to the needy of the city without discrimination as to religious denominations. The program is expected to be exceptionally entertanrng as has been that of all other affairs arranged by this society, which has command of a large variety of native talent. i <i �FEBRUARY, 1932 SYRIAN BOY MAKES MUSICAL DEBUT Although less than three years ago he could not distinguish one musical note from another, Sam Kiami, a Syrian boy of sixteen whose talent was discovered and trained by Prof. Alexander Maloof, gave a recital on Sunday, March 20, at the Maloof Studio in Carnegie Hall, which thrilled the large audience of critics and lovers of classical music. Young Kiami played selections from well known composers like Chopin, Dilibes and others. H;s teacher feels certain that the boy has all the qualities necessary to become a concert virtuoso. At the concert Mme. Fadwa Kurban sang several operatic selections. Mme. Adele McCormick, a Syrian by birth and a noted singer, also rendered several pleasing numbers. The three-score or more who were present at the concert, mostly Syrians, were agreed that the formation of a Syrian musical club would be well received by the community to foster the love of good music and hold regular private concerts fortnightly and one or two public concerts once or twice a year. SYRIANS OF BOSTON CELEBRATE BICENTENNIAL From a Correspondent The Syrian-American Club of Boston celebrated George Washington's bicentennial anniversary, on Sunday Feb. 28, in the Hall of the Municipal Building, at the corner of Shawmut Avenue and West Brookline Street. Over twelve hundred were present. Mr. Louis A. George, prominent Syrian attorney of Boston, was the master of ceremonies. The invited guests were, Governor Joseph B. Ely of Massachusetts, Honorable U. S. 57 Senator David I. Walsh, Mayor James M. Curley of Boston, Mayor Michael C. O'Nieil, Jr. of Everett, and ex- congressman, Joseph Conry. The following Syrian organizations were represented by two official delegates: The Syrian-American Club of Worcester, The Syrian-American Association of Lawrence, The Syrian Young Men's Association of Pittsfield, The Mount Lebanon Society of Fall River, The Syrian-American Society of Brockton, The Sons of Lebanon of Quincy, and The Syrian-American Society of New London, Connecticut. Senator Walsh was the principal speaker of the afternoon. He emphasized the fact that liberty, equality, and justice is what Washington fought for, and a government which does not permit these is not a good government but a tyranny. The meet;ng was opened by the president T. N. Maloof. A short talk on Washington's life was given in Arabic by Mr. Faris Maloof, prominent Boston attorney. The musical program was lead by our well known singer Madhat Serbajy, ass-'sted by Miss Josephine Latturny of Boston. An orchestra of local Syrian talent furnished the music to an appreciative audience. A very attractive feature was the appearance on the platform of Bessie P. Edwards Post American Legion Drum and Bugle Corp, dressed in beautiful uniforms. This is a ladies unit. One special instance deserves particular mention. In introducing the Senator, Mr. George suggested that he was well qualified to be the president of the United States. This remark created quite a stir in the local press which featured it under this caption "The Syrian-American Club nominates Walsh for President". Unquestionably, this was one of the most outstanding events in recent years among the Syrians of Boston. �JC 58 THE SYRIAN WORLD Gibran's Message To Young Americans of Syrian Origin By G. K. GIBRAN Author of I'-The Trophel," "Jesut the Son of d4an," I believe in you. and I believe in your destiny. 1 believe that you are contributors to this new civilization. 1 believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream, a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America. I believe you can say to the founders of this great nation. 'Here I am. a youth, a young tree, whose roots were plucked from the hills of Lebanon, yet I am deeply rooted here, and I would be fruitful." And 1 believe that you can say to Abraham Lincoln, the blessed. "Jesus of Nazareth touched your lips when you spoke, and guided your hand when you wrote: and I shall uphold ail that you have said and all that you nave written." I believe that you can say to Emerson and Whitman and James. "In my veins runs the blood of the poets and wise men of old. and it is my desire to come to you and receive, but I shall not come with empty hands." I believe that even as your fathers came to this land to produce riches, you were born here to produce riches by intelligence, by labor. And 1 believe that it is in you to be good citizens. And what is it to be a good citizen? It is to acknowledge the other person's rights before asserting your own. but always to be conscious of your own. It is to be free in thought and deed, but it is also to know that your freedom is subject to the other person's freedom. It is to create the useful and the beautiful with your own hands, and to admire what others have created in love and with faith. It is to produce wealth by labor and only by labor, and to spend less than you have produced that yonr children may not be dependent on the state for support when you are no more. It is to stand before the towers of New York, Washington. Chicago and San Francisco saying in your heart, "I am the descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus. and Tyre and Sidon. and Antioch. and now I am here to build with you, and with a will." It is to be proud of being an American, bur it is also to be proud that your fathers and mothers came from a land upon which God laid His gracious hand and raised His messengers. Young Americans of Syrian origin. I believe in you. vmmnmtmmmmmmmmms^mimmmsmmmmvmimimmmmmm^^m^m^^^mm FREE TO SYRIAN WORLD SUBSCRIBERS. This beautiful message by Gibran 13x17 inches, printed in large type on heavy paper with ornamental border suitable for framing. Every PAID subscriber whose term begins with Sept. 1931 is entitled to a copy, mailed in heavy cardboard tube. Subscribers whose term begins before Sept. 1931 may secure a copy by renewal. jmm '4 �FEBRUARY, 1932 59 A STUDY of KAHLIL GIBRAN THIS MAN FROM LEBANON Barbara Young, the American poet who is now Kahlil Gibran's literary executor, speaks with authority in a 48 page brochure concerning his life and work, illustrated with several hitherto unpublished protraits of the Poet of the Cedars, and a reproduction of one pen and ink drawing and one page of original manuscript. A few copies of the limited first edition, serially numbered and autographed by the author, are still available. The price for this edition is $2.50. Owing to the wide interest in the brochure, a second printing will be necessary. These will not be numbered nor autographed, and will be procurable at $1.50 the copy. Checks may be made payable to the Gibran Studio 51 West 10th Street, New York City. WorldC°PieS arC aiS ° f r Sak at the ° °ffice °f the S rian ^ �THE SYRIAN WORLD 60 KlS0Sei^KaS®S^^!!SKSSSS^i§ AUTHENTIC ORIENTAL RUGS THE A. SLEYMAN COMPANY. INC. 276 5th AVENUE NEW YORK CITY i Phone BOgardus 4-4345 George Haddad Proprietor Phone CHickering 4-8878 ALEXANDRIA RESTAURANT The new and beautiful uptown Syrian restaurant owned and operated by a master chef, who summons his long experience to the art of producing the most delectable Oriental dishes. Small and large parties catered to So Conveniently Located 21 WEST 31st STREET, NEW YORK IT IS YOURS is the only Syrian publication printed in English, and as such is the organ of the Syrians in America. You can help it continue and grow by subscribing to it yourself and inducing others to subscribe. THE SYRIAN WORLD PUBLISHER, THE SYRIAN WORLD: 104 Greenwich Street, New York. You may enter my name as a subscriber to "The Syrian World" for the term of one year, for which I agree to fay the regular rate of $5.00 ufon receift of the first issue. Address City & State . MBMBMasutBM^is*!^^ '-fmmm BCWSMMMnMSmiHiMMMB �JERE J. CRONIN FUNERAL DIRECTOR MORTUARY CHAPEL Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to LADY ATTENDANT Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire 115 ATLANTIC AVENUE BROOKLYN, N. Y. •! ! The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverence and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very little cost. No charge for use of our services or funeral parlors. Telephone—MAIN 1398-1399-8130-3655 L i ' ! i HOW TO BREED MOTHS Leave your rugs on the floor with all the dirt and germs they have collected during the winter and which home methods cannot remove. Nature will do the rest. RESTORATIVE: Call the THE KOURI CARPET CLEANING CORPORATION RUG WASHERS NEW YORK, N. Y. 10 West 33rd Street Tel. LOngacre 5-2385 JERSEY CITY, N. J. 552 Johnston Avenue Tel. BErgen 3-1085 SHEIK RESTAURANT A well-appointed Syrian restaurant in the heart of the Syrian Quarter, in lower Manhattan, where you and your friends can enjoy the molt delectable Oriental meals amidst the charm of an Oriental atmosphere. Second Foor for Banquets and Private Parties KIRDAHY RESTAURANTS, Inc. 65 WASHINGTON ST., New York ?99** �fc rcioE ^| fr| QT YP E M'' Q The Arabic LINOTYPE in Beirut T^OIXOWING the World War the *- American Press of Beirut de-> cided to refit its plant with modern equipment. The Arabic Linotype was the first and principal item in its consideration. And now for over ten years the Arabic Linotype has been in practical and profitable operation in the plant of the American Press in Beirut in a variety of uses. It is utilized to set j type not only in Arabic but also in English and in other languages using the Latin characters. Ornamental borders, plain borders, rules and other material indispensable to every printing plant are also cast on the machine. MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A. Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World COMPANY An illustrated descriptive catalog of the Arabic Linotype sent free upon request m �(•-"LINOTYPE^ °^. ^> ^y.^Vl i^kJ! Sjbl c~~^ Lr^ftl u*ai i^i U^LJI OO-IXS c.o». 0u*~ 0j^Ji *\&\ JUC i^.k= j=4>»- lg. J^ or" r^ J^ oJw -uij .Ulji* c-»ji1 ^Jl "^Vlj JjYl to MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A. \J^SA if^i-ir j^ j <Ok > ,l0 l;U. \ Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World �THE SYRIAN WORLD 64 ATTENTION! FORWARD! SAFE! MARCH ON TO PROGRESS! START A BANK ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY LET YOUR MONEY • Accumulate for Future NEEDS AND HAPPINESS INTEREST 3/2 % Ter ^4nnum ON TIME DEPOSITS FROM $10.00 UP Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more. FAOUR BANK D. J. FAOUR & BROS. Established 1891 Under Supervision of New York State Banking Department. Capital and Surplus Over $500,000.00 85 WASHINGTON ST., NEW YORK CITY � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1932_02reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 06 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1932 February Description An account of the resource Volume 6 Issue 06 of The Syrian World published February 1932. The issue opens with an article by Rev. W. A. Mansur that discusses the racial pride Syrian and Lebanese people should have as a result of the historical accomplishments of their ancestors. Following it is a somber poem by Alice Mokarzel titled "She is Not Dead," which discusses how even though the subject of the poem has passed she lives on in spirit. This is followed by a Syrian folk song translated by Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin as well as another collection of poems edited by Barbara Young. Edna K. Saloomey opens her discussion on the younger generation with Tennyson's poetic words. H. I. Katibah then discusses how a breach in social tradition caused a recent tragedy of love and death in his article titled "Blue Blood." Within its pages he recounts the murder of a man who married outside of his social class. Dr. Harold Ingholt then discusses excavations in Syria and Iraq, which have materially added to knowledge of past civilizations and their origins and progress. After two classic Arab stories there is a poem by the late Kahlil Gibran titled "Freedom and Slavery." Following the editorial comment on the tardiness of the February issue, it concludes with more on the political developments of Syria and excerpts from Syrian world news. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Alice Mokarzel Barbara Young Edna K. Saloomey Habib I. Katibah Kahlil Gibran New York Poetry-English Reverend W.A. Mansur Salim Alkazin https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/bb339b721721392304e4195fa9481a93.pdf c8b476d624a25fcf17e37bd67a2da09b PDF Text Text m-Vi fi* Y, IV3Z INU. : ��> THE SYRIAN WORLD "Published monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New \ ork, J N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. =£ VOL. VI NO. 5 JANUARY, 1932 CONTENTS Aden as Seen by a Syrian Traveler 3 AMEEN RIHANI The Prophet (a Poem) \ 6 THOMAS ASA A rab Contributions to World Civilization DR. Poetry, Edited by F. I. SHATARA BARBARA YOUNG Love is Enough Issa, a Poem, by Frontiers, by 7 14 15 ROBERT NORWOOD 16 ALICE HUNT BARTLETT 17 Islam Faces the Challenge of Liberalism H. I. KATIBAH 18 �CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE A Legal Opinion 22 FARIS S. MALOOF Death of the Maronite Patriarch 23 Who Are the Maronites 27 MICHAEL ABOUSSLEMAN Syria in Romance 32 The Brethren RIDER HAGGARD Sayings of Alt ". 3g True Arabian Tales 39 The Lajdy Prisoner Who Enslaved Her Captor Book Reviews The Wanderer, by / 42 KAHLIL GIBRAN To Bagdad and Back, By JOE MITCHELL The Maronites of Lebanon, By REV. PAUL 43 CHAPPLE 45 ABRAHAM Political Developments in Syria 45 Syrian World News Section 49 �yrian «/ SALLOUM A. M< MOKARZEL, Editor. JANUARY, 1932 Aden as Seen by a Syrian Traveler The Once Beautiful and Hospitable Arab City Has Lost its Charms Despite the Century of English Occupation. By / AMEEN RIHANI WE approach Aden in the morning and turn into the harbor, the city is seen crouching at the foot of Mt. Shamsa, which is like Gibraltar in form, and which rises sheer, abrupt, behind a half circle of buildings in the heart of Steamer Point. Black masses, coal piles, are in the foreground; the forts on the hilltops are conspicuous; the harbor-light rises in the center of the picture, and all around is a scene as dull and drab as any port in the British Isles But to our left, when the clouds are completely dispelled, another skyline looms behind the first, a little higher, but similar in form; and the two mountain summits, a sort of duet, rise together and fall rhythmically, harmoniously, and vanish in the north. It is a compensation for the commonplace of Steamer Point. The distance from Steamer Point to Aden proper, or Aden Camp is about five miles along the coast. We go through the Somali village of Ma'alla, past the custom-house there, and up a winding road to what seems like, a blind wall. But soon we reach the tunnel, which is an opening in the mountain, wide enough at the bottom for a carriage road and almost closing at a height of about sixty feet where it is spanned by a bridge. This is the gate of Aden, and suddenly, as we go through it with a crash, we come upon the city which is set in the midst of a circle of hills, in the very crater of a long extinguished volcano. �THE SYRIAN WORLD The crater, thanks to Time, is now habitable. The heat is not as it was before the deluge or many thousand years before the "before." For since then the volcano had some geological reverses, was in fact dissipating its fortune; and having eventually gone bankrupt, it is now enjoying a temperature of one hundred degrees Fahrenheit (in summer) and a mixed population of thirty thousand souls. Some of these souls—the Bunias—are reincarnated in dogs, cats and peacocks; others—the Parsis—return to the primal fire; still others—the Moslems—await the Paradise where the houri is ever a virgin and the garden of each man's happiness is ever filled with houris; and there are those who care not what becomes of their souls so long as their capital is safe, and others who pretend to have charted the whole sea of the Hereafter and found therein isles of eternal bliss—for themselves alone. They all live in the crater in peace; but they are as barren of sympathy for each other as the hills around them. What abodes of eternal hope and joy are in the crater. The Bunias have a cremation station; the Parsis have a temple of silence; the Mohammedans have a mosque and dervish circle; the Jews have a synagogue and a fellow Jew who is worth thirty million pounds; the Capuchins have a shop and a confessional; the Episcopals have a church on the hilltop, to which the soldiers march every Sunday headed by a brass band; and Tommy Atkins has a dance hall, a cinema and a football field. The hospitable crater! In the bazaar the town dozes under a canopy of calm. Considerable business is nevertheless transacted; and in spite of the rivalry, commercial and religious, between four of the shrewdest and most self-righteous people in the world, the Bunia, the Parsi, the Bohra and the Jew, nothing ever disturbs the even tenor of security and peace. God save the King! I do not know who of these four Orientals is the shrewdest! As a servant the Arab is faithful and trustworthy; but he is lazy. As a merchant he is honest and reliable; but he has not the energy of the Parsi or the Bunia. As a man of means or a man of learning, he is modest and unassuming; but he lacks the curiosity of the Bohra and the ambition of the Jew. But whatever he is, he is seldom wanting in dignity and poise. Many things are done in the crater for the good of the soul, among them the performance {haiaqali) of the Rashidiyah cult. We attended this halaqah, which was run at that time by an Egyptian who survived many scandals in Aden. The choir of boys, who / �JANUARY, 1932 stood in line facing the men, clapped their hands while singing melodiously the lines of the Sun poet Al-Fared. "Thou hast taken but my heart—a part of me; Is there any harm if 1 were all with thee?" t The men cried, Allah, Allah! while swinging their bodies violently and swiftly to and fro; some of them swooned with devotion—their eyes were all white with ecstasy; and everyone seemed but a senseless vibrating unit in a mystically animated group. But there was nothing mystical in the singing, which was all about love. Hence, I think, the scandals. On our way back we passed through a narrow lane which was dimly lighted by a few rays from the electrics in the square; and I was startled by a figure seated on the ground, against the wall, and pulling at something with his hand. It was a rope which hung from a window on the third-top-floor of the house, and the figure was a punkah boy fanning his master, up in that room, to sleep. We were passing by the house, under the window, of the Jewish millionaire, who lived in fear of being assassinated. Besides, he, a man of eighty-five, had recently taken unto himself a young wife, a girl of fifteen, who had pinned her hope, it was said, upon the smallpox epidemic, and he would trust no man, not even the punkah boy, within the house. The punkah is not the only antiquated thing in this outwardly modern and progressive city; for in spite of the fact that the English have now been in Aden eighty-seven years, the streets are still sprinkled by a man carrying a skin of water on his back, and the drinking water is still distributed in barrels on carts drawn by camels. Now, we are told by an Arab historian, who does not kowtow to the Jinn, that one of the governors of Aden in the 15th century, Abd'ul-Wahhab by name, had aqueducts built for the conveyance of water to the city from a well ten miles away, where now is the town of Sheikh Othman. But there are the reservoirs, a superb monument to the enterprising spirit of the ancient Arabs. Even in modern history, a hundred years before the English occupation, Aden was a flourishing and attractive city, a city of wealth, refinement, hospitality, and picturesque beauty. In 1709 a French expedition, sailing around the Cape, stopped at Aden on its way to Mokha, to negotiate a treaty for the importation of coffee into France. A gentleman named La Roque accompanied the expedition and left a record of its voyage and its experiences in an interesting little volume. �6 THE SYRIAN WORLD They remained two weeks in Aden, and the pages of Le Sieur La Roque glow with enthusiasm. He tells of its handsome buildings, its mosques, its fortifications, and its aqueducts, about a league from the city, which furnished all the inhabitants with excellent water. But nothing did he admire so much as the domed public baths, which were lined with marble or jasper, and adorned with galleries supported by magnificent pillars. This was the Aden of those days, an Arab city with a dash of the splendor of ancient Bagdad. The Bunia traders had already come from India, and La Roque speaks of them as the Jews of the Bazaar. But the dominating manner was Arabic; the governor was a learned Zaidi, who had written a treatise on coffee; the people dressed in flowing elegant robes and spoke in a flowing elegant accent the language of the Prophet; and, moreover, they practiced hospitality. But what they wear today would baffle, besides shocking a costumier; what they speak is a hodge-podge of Ordu and Italian, Persian and English, Turkish and Gujrati, with Arabic as a background; and hospitality is fast becoming an effete tradition. The Prophet Dedicated' to Kahlil Gibran By THOMAS ASA i A trackless empire hearkened to thy word,— Rose from primordial dust to dreaming spires; Infused it with the voice of Godly lyres,— Lead by the vision of the sacred Bird Of Heaven, whose high message thou hast heard; And from thy heart emerged the fusing fires, And love divine in sodden minds inspires;— Rule thine own people, in one nation gird. And thou hast formed in thy short span of life. From Sedrat's shaded desert thou hast made, An ever-shining beacon to thy fame; That all the world may wonder that the strife Of thine own musing, God-like soul hast laid The enduring wisdom of thy noble name. This poem was originally published in a former issue of The Syrian World. It is now reprinted by request in commemoration of Gibran's birthday which falls on January 6. "—"' " " «" — - �I JANUARY, 1932 7 Arab Contributions to World Civilization {Excerpts from an address delivered before the Baltimore Open Forum to a distinguished audience on Dec. 13) By DR. F. I. SHATARA THE average person in whose mind the word "Arab" conT'Ojures up a desert, a camel, a horse, a tent, or a movie Sheik, the discussion of "Arab Contributions to World Civilization" would sound fantastic. To many Longfellow's lines are familiar: "Shall fold their tents like the Arabs, And as silently steal away ,..." I The story writer or the scenario author in their description of an Arab or of Arab life must of necessity portray the odd and rather grotesque features. Who then is the real Arab? Has he ever been civilized, and what has he contributed to the world civilization? The first reference to Arab civilization is that of the Bible to the visit of the Arab Queen of Sheba, who ruled Southern Arabia, and who visited King Solomon bringing with her magnificent gifts of "spices, very much gold, and precious stones." As early as 800 B. C. the Yaman or Southwestern Arabia was one of the great marts of the Eastern world. The Himyar Arabs carried the torch of civilization through the channels of trade and commerce. They excelled in architecture and engineering. It will interest you to know that the skyscraper is an Arab invention. The palace Gamdan, which was constructed for one of the Himyar Kings, was twenty-two stories high, and was crowned with a belvedere, whose roof was covered with alabaster slates so thin and polished that one could distinguish through them the color of the birds that flew above the palace. The Tanks in Aden are products of their engineering skill. Various industries flourished in Yaman such as weaving, dyeing, carving in marble, rope-making, forging arms, and masonry. The Arabs prior to the advent of Mohammed were pagans. During this period, known as Al-Jahilieh, the Mualaquats were produced. These poems, or odes, are said to have been the best �8 THE SYRIAN WORLD selections in the literary bazaars, and as such were then suspended on the Ka'ba at Mecca. It is probable, however, that these Mualaquat, of which there were seven, were selected by Hammad ar Rawiya, one of the most famous professional reciters in the 8th century A. D. The Hamasa and Mufaddaliyah are other poems of this period. The Prophet Mohammed unified the scattered tribes of Arabia, fired them with a religious zeal and national consciousness and sent them out to conquer the world. Their conquest carried them over Syria and Palestine, Asia Minor, Persia, Egypt, India, China, Northern Africa, and Spain. Mohammed hurled his followers into the face of a decadent civilization which was stunned by the terrific blow and brought tottering to earth. The mighty empires of Byzantium and Persia met their speedy doom under the blows of the Arabs. The wave of conquest went as far as India and touched the shore of the Caspian Sea. The Gates of Hercules were renamed Gibraltar, a corruption of "Jabal Tariq" the mountain of Tariq, the Arab General who invaded Spain. Northwards the wave broke through the passes, of the Pyrenees, and the plan to shake hands across the Bosphorus was frustrated by Charles Martel in the Battle of Tours in the year 732 A. D. Mohammed died in 623 A. D. leaving a united Arabia. Let us then move on to the Islamic period. Mohammed and Islam would furnish an immense topic, but only a passing reference to them can be made. Whatever the merits or demerits of Islam may be, students of history must admit that it was a great step from paganism to the unitarianism of Islam; that many of the tenets of Islam were wisely selected to meet the existing circumstances, that it was the religious spark of Islam which set the flame of Arab nationalism and civilization, and that Mohammed has left an indelible impression on world history, and that his followers today are a great force with which one must reckon. There is a notion commonly held that Islam was spread by the sword. This is a false impression, for while it is true that Arab conquests had to depend on the sword the adoption of Islam was generally by free choice. Thus says Dorsey in his Man's Own Show: Civilization:—"Islamism spread with dazzling speed- because the Christians of Syria and Egypt had had a surfeit of theology and oppression. They embraced the new religion! They could live with and under their new masters and enjoy life as they could not under \ �—— JANUARY, 1932 ' 9 their Christian Masters. Free thought, Moslem's crowning glory for eight centuries and to which our civilization is so greatly indebted, was destroyed by its own orthodox clergy. From the blight of rive centuries of intellectual sterility the world of Islam is just now beginning to try to emerge." Among the Orthodox Caliphs, Umar, the conqueror of Jerusalem, was an outstanding figure. His conquests extended the realm to Syria and Egypt. It is related that after appointing his governors he went out to bid them farewell. His orders to them were as follows: "I have not appointed you over the people of Mohammed that you may drag them by their hair and scourge their skins, but in order that you may lead them in prayer and judge between them with justice, and divide the public money amongst them with equity. I have not made you lords of their skin and hair." This indeed would be a good motto for our twentieth century rulers. The student of history cannot but be impressed with Arab contributions to all branches of Medieval knowledge. They not only served as the preservers of civilization after the decay of Rome and Greece, but they contributed richly to human knowledge and finally transmitted it to Europe, thus rendering possible the great Renaissance. Let us briefly consider some of these contributions: EDUCATION: I Wherever the Arab went he carried enlightenment and education. Thus Nicholson says: "This material expansion was accompanied by an outburst of intellectual activity such as the East had never witnessed before. It seemed as if the whole world from the Caliph down to the humblest of citizens suddenly became students, or at least patrons of literature. In quest of knowledge, men traveled over three continents and returned home, like bees laden with honey, to impart the precious stores which they had accumulated to crowds of eager disciples, and to compile with incredible industry those works of encyclopaedic range and erudition from which modern science, in the widest sense of the word, has derived far more than is generally supposed." The Arabs built schools on a sound financial basis. Our ideas of endowing institutions of learning must have been inspired by the practice prevalent among the Arabs. Wherever a school was ' �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD founded some kind of productive investment was made for it. Thus Saladin endowed al-Madrassah al-Suyufiyyah in Cairo with thirty-two shops, and al-Salahyyah in Jerusalem with a whole street, the rentals from which maintained the school. The Educational contributions of the Arabs are thus summarized by Totah in his thesis: 1 The Arabs contributed a great deal to the content of education during the Middle Ages. 2 They introduced the system of Arabic notation and the decimal system. Every school child should bless them for relief from the Roman notation. 3 They introduced textbooks. 4 If the Renaissance is a contribution to education, then the Arabs are to be credited as educators for their share in that movement. 5 It was a worthy contribution to education for the Arabs to have saved the world for several centuries from ignorance and barbarism. 6 Arabic colleges provided an example for European universities. 7 The Arabs made a substantial contribution to the social education of Europe. They taught Europe the use of fabrics and textiles, such as cotton, damask, gauze and muslin deriving their names from Damascus, Gaza, Mosul (respectively) and thus made life a little less primitive. They made the homes more attractive by the introduction of brasswork, woodwork, rugs and mattresses. Food was enriched and made more palatable through the introduction of sugar, coffee, oranges, candy, spices and other delicacies. Such words as the following, which are derived from the Arabic, tell the tale: alcohol, amber, atlas, azure, camphor, candy, carat, coffee, crimson, cumin, divan, jar, lemon, lute, mattress, saffron, sherbet, syrup, sofa, spinach, and sugar. • The baths of Cordova, street lights, and general comforts of Arab cities provided lessons in the amelioration of the existing conditions in Europe. Of Arab ideas of education, some of which are ultra-modern even for the twentieth century, the following quotations are illustrations: ,33= �JANUARY, 1932 11 "Do not impose your ideas upon your children—for they are created for an age that is not your age." Al-Ghazali: "The child is a trust with his parents, and his pure heart is a precious stone, guileless and free of every mark or form. It is receptive to whatever might be inscribed on it." Said Ali: ASTRONOMY AND MATHEMATICS: Astronomy sprang from a humble origin—astrology. The Arabs' interest in the stars began at a very early date in their history. They understood and improved the system of Ptolemy. They made important astronomical measurements and calculations. They built observatories in Baghdad, Damascus, Cairo and Seville. They used astronomical instruments, and Al-Kindi (850 A. D.) wrote a treatise on weather predictions. In mathematics, besides introducing the system of Arab notation and the decimal system, they did serious mathematical work and passed it on to Europe. Algebra is an Arabic word. They developed trigonometry and introduced the sines. In the time of Al-Ma'num mathematicians measured the degree of the earth's circumference. Al-Khawarazmi introduced a new computation system, the Algorist, which word is a corruption of Al-Khawarazmi. PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY: Al-Hazen (965—1038) wrote a work on optics enunciating the law of reflection and making a study of spherical and parabolic mirrors. He also devised an apparatus for studying refraction and was the first physicist to note the magnifying power of lenses. He gave a detailed account of the human eye, and attempted to explain the change of the apparent shape of the sun and moon when approaching the horizon. The Arabs employed the pendulum for time measurement and tabulated specific gravities of metals. (Wiedermann) Their skill in chemistry enabled them to prepare new chemical remedies and form many combinations of those already in use. They produced the first pharmacopeia and established the first apothecaries' shops. Many of the names and many forms of medicine now used, in fact the general outline of modern pharmacy, except so far as modified by modern chemistry, started with the Arabs. (Encyclopedia Brittannica). �._ . 10 THE SYRIAN WORLD founded some kind of productive investment was made for it. Thus Saladin endowed al-Madrassah al-Suyufiyyah in Cairo with thirty-two shops, and al-Salahyyah in Jerusalem with a whole street, the rentals from which maintained the school. The Educational contributions of the Arabs are thus summarized by Totah in his thesis: 1 The Arabs contributed a great deal to the content of education during the Middle Ages. 2 They introduced the system of Arabic notation and the decimal system. Every school child should bless them for relief from the Roman notation. 3 They introduced textbooks. 4 If the Renaissance is a contribution to education, then the Arabs are to be credited as educators for their share in that movement. 5 It was a worthy contribution to education for the Arabs to have saved the world for several centuries from ignorance and barbarism. 6 Arabic colleges provided an example for European universities. 7 The Arabs made a substantial contribution to the social education of Europe. They taught Europe the use of fabrics and textiles, such as cotton, damask, gauze and muslin deriving their names from Damascus, Gaza, Mosul (respectively) and thus made life a little less primitive. They made the homes more attractive by the introduction of brasswork, woodwork, rugs and mattresses. Food was enriched and made more palatable through the introduction of sugar, coffee, oranges, candy, spices and other delicacies. Such words as the following, which are derived from the Arabic, tell the tale: alcohol, amber, atlas, azure, camphor, candy, carat, coffee, crimson, cumin, divan, jar, lemon, lute, mattress, saffron, sherbet, syrup, sofa, spinach, and sugar. • The baths of Cordova, street lights, and general comforts of Arab cities provided lessons in the amelioration of the existing conditions in Europe. Of Arab ideas of education, some of which are ultra-modern even for the twentieth century, the following quotations are illustrations: �JANUARY, 1932 11 "Do not impose your ideas upon your children—for they are created for an age that is not your age." Al-Ghazali: "The child is a trust with his parents, and his pure heart is a precious stone, guileless and free of every mark or form. It is receptive to whatever might be inscribed on it." Said Ali: ASTRONOMY AND MATHEMATICS: Astronomy sprang from a humble origin—astrology. The Arabs' interest in the stars began at a very early date in their history. They understood and improved the system of Ptolemy. They made important astronomical measurements and calculations. They built observatories in Baghdad, Damascus, Cairo and Seville. They used astronomical instruments, and Al-Kindi (850 A. D.) wrote a treatise on weather predictions. In mathematics, besides introducing the system of Arab notation and the decimal system, they did serious mathematical work and passed it on to Europe. Algebra is an Arabic word. They developed trigonometry and introduced the sines. In the time of Al-Ma'num mathematicians measured the degree of the earth's circumference. Al-Khawarazmi introduced a new computation system, the Algorist, which word is a corruption of Al-Khawarazmi. PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY: Al-Hazen (965—1038) wrote a work on optics enunciating the law of reflection and making a study of spherical and parabolic mirrors. He also devised an apparatus for studying refraction and was the first physicist to note the magnifying power of lenses. He gave a detailed account of the human eye, and attempted to explain the change of the apparent shape of the sun and moon when approaching the horizon. The Arabs employed the pendulum for time measurement and tabulated specific gravities of metals. (Wiedermann) Their skill in chemistry enabled them to prepare new chemical remedies and form many combinations of those already in use. They produced the first pharmacopeia and established the first apothecaries' shops. Many of the names and many forms of medicine now used, in fact the general outline of modern pharmacy, except so far as modified by modern chemistry, started with the Arabs. (Encyclopedia Brittannica). �12 "THE SYRIAN WORLD Arabic chemistry attempted to find a way for prolonging life to which the work "Elixir" testifies. Arab chemists experimented with the transmutation of the baser metals into the precious ones. They discovered certain acids, and converted poisonous minerals into soft and salutary remedies, lhe outstanding figure in Arabic chemistry is Jabir Ibn Hayyar known to Europe as Geber. MEDICINE: The subject of Arab contributions to Medicine may well occupy an entire afternoon. It is both interesting and extensive, but time permits only of a brief description. When the Bedouins left the desert, their notions of medicine were naturally crude and primitive. The early Caliphs at Damascus and Baghdad turned to Christian and Jewish physicians. To the medical knowledge which they borrowed from the Greeks, Hindus and Persians, they contributed liberally. It is significant that in the beginning of the tenth century A. D. Arab doctors had to pass an examination and possess a license before they were permitted to practice Sinan was the chairman of the Board of Examiners in Baghdad and that city boasted of more than one thousand physicians. Al over the Arab Empire were scattered numerous hospitals. The inhabitants of Baghdad, Mosul, Aleppo, Hamah, Hums and Damascus enjoyed full hospital and clinic facilities. Ibn Sina, (Avicenna) and Ar-Razi, are the shining stars in the firmament of Arabian Medicine. Avicenna was called the Second teacher—Aristotle being the first. His Quanon, the predecessor of Osier's Principles and Practice of Medicine, was the guide for medical study in European Universities from the twelfth to the seventeenth centuries. The Quanon was still used as a text book in the universities of Louvain and Montpellier up to the year 1650. The most striking characteristics of Arab physicians were their keen sense of observation and their diagnostic acumen. Handicapped by the lack of X-ray, laboratory, and other modern aides in diagnosis, they compensated by developing to the highest degree their human senses. PHILOSOPHY: According to a story told in the Fihrist the Caliph Ma'mun -earned that he saw the venerable figure of Aristotle seated on a �JANUARY, 1932 13 throne, and in consequence of this vision he sent a deputation to the Roman Emperor, Leo the Armenian, to obtain scientific books for translation into Arabic. The Caliph's example was followed by private individuals and thus the works of Aristotle, Plato, and other Greek philosophers were translated. Later Avicenna, though a physician, wrote extensively on philosophy. Al-Kindi and AlFarabi were other prolific writers on this subject, but the greatest contributor and moulder of philosophy was Ibn Rushd—Averoes, the Father of Averroism or positivism, the archskeptic and great liberal. Rihani says: "Whatever may be the debt of the world to the Arabs, one thing is a sun-like certainty. In the change from the theological to the rational and historical method in philosophy, they played the principal part." CONCLUSION: In summing up and assessing the contributions of the Arabs to world civilization I can do no better than to quote from Dorsey's "Man's Own Show: Civilization": "Baghdad alone did more to keep the torch of learning alight than all the churches of Christendom. Ptolemy, Archimedes, Euclid, Hippocrates and Galen, all could have found chairs waiting them in Baghdad's eighth-century university. And while Christian Oxford was trying to digest the first five propositions of the first book of Euclid, Moslem Cordova and Toledo were working out spherical trigonometry and the theory of numbers. Nor would Oxford have had any Euclid at all had not the Rabbi, ben Ezra, carried Greek algebra and Hindu decimal notations from Spain to London in 1158. "Moorish, Arabic, science slowly trickled, or rather was smuggled, into Christian Europe, and after studying, translating, and assimilating it for five centuries, Europe began to build her own structure on those Arabic foundations. But there is not a single great name in science in all Christian Europe before 1600 that cannot be matched by an Arabic precursor." ,- --.:,. �»-»• .r1" 14 THE SYRIAN WORLD BARBARA YOUNG, Editor "This day has ended. It is closing upon us even as the water-lily upon its own tomorrow. What was given us here we shall keep. And if it suffices not then again must we come together And together stretch our hands unto.the giver." KAHLIL GIBRAN from THE PROPHET. £S WE WRITE, the year of our Lord nineteen thirty-two is ten days gone. It has come to us garmented with gray mist and fog even with driving rain. The poets are disconsolate for snow. How shall they weave the pattern of their rhymes in the winter season it snow be wholly lacking? Wise editors of a flock of magazines will smile. They know that now the canny rhymster is penning verses running over with roses noting, and a gold June moon. For the loveliest of snowy lyrics written in mid-winter must wait a full twelve-month ere it can be born into print upon the pages of Good Housekeeping or bcnbner's or the Atlantic Monthly. It is a curious and fascinating fact that regardless of wind or weather a phrase or a word, or even a wisp of thought whose origin we can by no means discover, may waken suddenly, in this whispering gallery that is the poet's laboratory a flood of echoes that bring him unheralded ecstasy and a new song. The song may be of tha' young Maid, "eternal April, wandering alone," and snow be falling whitely outside the sill! Or it may be a gust of wild and wintry singing, whilst the plum petals lie white upon the grass. Poetry is a perverse and an enchanting mistress. She mav come upon you as you sit a little drearily at vour window, gazin^ down upon the dizzy lines of traffic speeding and stopping; and sh? may smile and shake her head a little, and whisper in your ear something like this— ft —- T �JANUARY, 1932 15 "O night, O darkness, house of love and sleep, Home of the pilgrim, keeper of the sheep, Sower of dreams and harvester of pain—" And something catches in your throat; your breath quickens; you are oblivious to the cars speeding and stopping, to your window, to your very self. 'Something has happened. That which is the essential you is freed from the domineering senses, and you neither hear nor do you see nor feel in the every day normal fashion. It is a moment of divine release. Keep this moment, prolong it if you can. It will not come often, but when it does come be sure it is the veritable presence of some heavenly visitant taking no account of time nor season, nor snow nor ruby-budded maple, but only of a door of consciousness open and waiting for a guest. Love is Enough _ Hearken, ye people. There is a thrilling word Borne on the wind of morning, a white message Falling like snow upon the rusty hills And the gray hearts of men. It is a word Simple and common as a wayside flower; A word that once was clothed in childly guise, Waxed and grew strong in beauty and in wisdom. In Nazareth, long gone, Love walked his way, Worked at his bench, and raised his ringing voice Among the Syrian hills. O memory, Fragrant with cedar, redolent with myrrh, Shaken with starlight and a chanting choir, And visions of young Mary and her Son, Bring Love to earth today! If Love shall walk again— Or carpenter or merchant, priest or prince— If only Love shall lift his lofty voice Among the nations, Noel shall be kept In very deed and truth, and all men's woe Be salved with solace and with confidence. Love is enough to heal a thousand worlds. _ ,M . BARBARA YOUNG Reprmted from The Times, December 23, 1931. �r 16 "THE SYRIAN WORLD ISSA, A Poem, by Robert Norwood. (Scribner's, $2.50) r,hl ^e m0rnuin£ a knight ago, a book came to my breakfast table bearing the above title and the poet's signature. Opening it at random my imagination was caught by the first words that met my eyes. r "I see a window where The curtained sky Is caught, is framed, and there A tree so high That all the morning's gray and gold and blue Between its web of branches filter through. I hear the fluted call Of hermit thrushes, The far-off waterfall That roars and rushes To turn the moss-green wooden mill-wheel slowly As though the world sang, 'Holy, Holy, Holy!' " These lines of simple beauty tempted me to turn page after page unt.1 the seven cantos and ninety-five pages were completed. *ht j*11 the autobiography of a Flame. be ma 7kTh° Td P°etry f°r an indescribable warmth f TT> blessedness, who will give the volume ready There wU it MAIM? wlf r P etry aS 0ne reviewer curlZTh1 I'' r^10USpoetry ° ^marks, curling his lip, then religious is"'that which, to use Dr Norwood s own words, "celebrates" the beauty and power- of those things which impart to life its vigor and vision and richness. Here 106 ArthUr dema ds noetrr"^ *T° Whidl *»<««"And » is°*free true poetry, a sense off*exultation and exaltation." here tl of magT * lyHC *"* ^ mUSic' ** »«* a sudde» Dr. Norwood, rector of St. Bartholomew's Church, in New * ork was born and lived through his childhood in Nova Scotia. m tHat N rthern W0dd is COU led w s^rit thrti"/, ,' ^ ° out of the 'ancient PEast. ^hHea spirit that thn Is to a consciousness has made a book wherein the homeliest things are revealed to be the holiest and the fineness and fragrance, and alwavs the-power of m a IS SUn Page t0 ZL^Av ;? K' we 5 fl "°m gratitude. P^' with the unerring word and line "which read with There is arising from this poem a gracious incense of gratitude �,-;;--*^ JANUARY, 1932 17 to life for the wealth that the race has gathered from those men of old. It is the symbol of fundamental soundness, this recognition of today's debt to yesterday. It is the flowering branch that lifts in blessing above the dark-rooted earth. There are many passages I would like to quote. One must suffice j "What folly is in man, What thin disguise And pretext of corban, That holds the eyes From visions of the Masters who have won The light that pales the splendor of the sun! Our learning is not worth The heavy pains Of study, if the earth Regard its gains Only as aeons doomed at last to dust— The miracle of man, but moth and rust." Frontiers When the storm of life has passed from the frontiers of the spirit, And the clamor and the clang turned to whisper of a dream, And the sacrifice and splendor, the torture and the blessing— Is a disappearing gleam— . There will be a mighty quiet on the ramparts of new measures, There will lift the same persistenie which has stirred in every place, There will be the breathless hurry and the long drawn urge of seeking— For the light of Beauty's face. Alice Hunt Bartlett Mrs. Bartlett -s the distinguished American editor of the Poetrv Review of London, and -the author of WASHINGTON PREEMINENT, a drama of the life of the first President, which has been adopted by the government as its bas:s for the historical pageant to be given in the National capitol early in June. �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD Islam Faces the Challenge of Liberalism By H. I. KATIBAH IN MY EXTENDED stay i„ Cairo I came ,0 know ma„y of the w"fc 1^, religious dignitaries, scholars, e/ucato^ me f these were ro se ^waS rh, orthodox ;h°Saffaway "rS- of 'r°the °forefathers- some " were "'aaves waltangin,, the ^fAteld forarefCaU8ht t ^ °f "* * ^" 8 0 Which Sp 8 ! the f n cuiy ury n.. { D ' "some were nut-snot^, ' " 1^. inrtl'Lart tne heart ofT of the d^ desert; "ftt';ehboteakgtinSt the,hf-hea-d> equivocal^ hSt nrelen "i COnClk ***"*" the dead Past and the living present, some were altogethre indifferent to religion, holding to the needs of the present age lie in another direction and that Xion has brought in the past more woe than weal to the millions of3 who neglected this world and held to the illusory promises "ofThe l ha e h ld pkaSUre t0 k ow Zaki TT a'and " of the Ahmed ^aJciiP^hfttT asha, the geniali V\ Arab scholar popular leader nan Arabic movement His home in Giza,a substantial Oriental" mansion with a little garden in front, facing the Nile about three hundred yards from the modern bridge, cabled after he orm £tSfc IS^W^^L" a Mecca to aI] those wh' sss Oie Arabic hast and work for the restoration of its old glorv and Clkh if * i u ,°f Araby • And a she'kh in the best sense of he word he certainly is. His hospitality is spontaneous and T, cere ; his beaming, ruddy, round faec and sparkling eyesTonce reveal a charming good nature and integrityof emotions that are always ^ted in our minds with the true Arab gemkman and without which the outward hospitality is a mocking^kits a .nan about sixty, but his unusal exuberance and remXble^L ity make you forget his gray, partly bald head and cl selv clmoed moustache. At home when with friends, he prefers toapS the comfortable and loose Jullabiyyah, always immaculLl^white and a Persian woolen aba or white Arabic gold-br,ided burno" �JANUARY, 1932 Jg While on his head lies lightly a skull cap, embroidered around in golden letters with two lines of Arabic poetry, the purport of which is a call on the Arabic nation to arise from its slumber of indifference and dissension. Wherever you turn in his spacious home you find yourselr face to face with some precious souvenir from some Arab sovereign or admiring leader, that you sometime wonder if you are in a miniature Arab museum. The backgammon board he plays on—and the pasha is an expert backgammon player— is the handiwork of Sultan Abdul-Hamid, exquisitely inlaid with ivory by the hands of the late Ottoman despot, while in the dining room on the second floor attractive bureaus and secretaries from the deft cabinet masters of Damascus line the wall. While Ahmed Zaki Pasha is a devout Moslem, as may be interred from his life-desire to leave for perpetuity a little mosque of l<atimide architecture only a few paces away from his residence, he is primarily a scholar and a genial man of the world. His library in the Gunyyah Mosque in the city is one of the best private col' lections of rare Arabic manuscripts and printed works. He tends to liberalism in his religious views, but not enough to satisfy some modern Moslem liberals, and a little too much to please the old reactionaries. Yet to all he opens wide his hospitable arms, and all are welcome to his home—be they liberals, radicals or dyed- inthc-wool conservatives—provided they are Arabs or lovers of the Arabs. t °?Z ^I I ?amC f° my pension t0 find a telephone message from Ahmed Zaki Pasha. I called him back and found that he wanted me to have dinner with him at his home and spend the evening there. "Be sure to come", he pressed, "for there is a gentleman from India I want you to meet, and Ismail Mazhar Bey and others will be present." Enquiring of the nature of the meeting, the pasha informed me that there was going to be an old-fashioned, honest-to-goodness catch-as-catch-can religious argument. No quarter was to be given no deference to touchy sensibilities, no mincing of words The opportunity was a rare one and I could not afford to miss it for anything Besides, it was the first time I was to meet Ismail Mazhar Bey the Bob Ingersoll of Egypt, of whom I had heard a great deal from my Egyptian friends, and with whose published works and current articles in his outspoken radical magazine I was already familiar. The gentleman from India turned out to be an Ahmadiyyah �20 SSdnS THE SYRIAN WORLD aUd th Suh % rCt of his ^ <« was whether the expected Christ, as predicted in a Tradition of the Prophet, had actually returned as the Ahmadiyyah sect holds. For the informaec inT 1C VT b£ Sald that the Ah diyyah is a recent sect m Islam, going back to the middle of the nineteenth century and owes its rise to a certain Mirza Ghulam Ahmed of Qadian in the 1 unjab who claimed that he was the expected Christ. The Ahmadiyyah claim to be strict Moslem orthodox, but discard a lot of traditions that do not coincide with their peculiar teachings Their zeal as missionaries is well-attested to by the many converts they have already made not only in India, but also in London, Paris, Berlin and our own Chicago. In the Arabic-speaking world, however, they have not been so fortunate. Their activities in Damascus only brought about their expulsion recently and some rough maltreatment at the hands of pious, orthodox Moslems Ahmed Zaki Pasha had prepared for the occasion. On a table m the guest parlour facing his study, he had piled formidablelooking, yellow-leaved tomes of Moslem theology and exegisisIe-R I!""' " ?PI °f al~?aidawi's Commentary, the Traditions of al-Bukhan and other standard works. It was the strategy of Ahmed Zaki Pasha and his supporters to show that a certain authenticated Iradition makes Mohammed say that Christ, the son of Mary was the expected Messiah to return on earth, and that just preceding the Last Day. The Ahmadiyyah missionary and his two supporters, converts from Damascus, on the other hand, made a strenuous effort to prove that Mirza Ghulam Ahmed of Qadian fulfilled in his person the prophetical conditions and prerequisities of the returning Messiah. As the argument waxed hot, Ismail Mazhar Bey grew impatient his massive, thick-built body squirming under the sultry heat of an oppressive Spring evening in Cairo. Outside, only a few paces away, the limpid Nile was placidly flowing on in front of the pasha s mansion, reflecting the myriads of fluttering lights of the gay Oriental city. But inside the mansion itself serious business was going on. It was one instance out of countless others in which Islam was facing the challenge of critical, devastating liberalism. >u rSV n \TJS this meSS °f irrelevency you are wading through: ', finally blurted out Ismail Bey, after a few futile effort! to make the contestants define their terms at each stage ®f the argument before trying to prove their points by pointless quotations He wiped the perspiration off his brow and leaned forward in his chair. |1 �JANUARY, 1932 21 "Why waste time", he continued, "delving into niceties of the Traditions and interpretations of theologians who lived a thousand or more years ago, and who talk a language we no more understand? Before we discuss whether Ahmed of Qadian is the expected Messiah or not, let us first see what this Messiah idea is, and whether it has a place in our modern conception of society and religion. Gentlemen, we are assuming too much that must first be authenticated in fact and justified by reason. We quote the Qoran and Traditions as if they were infallible scientific axioms, when even scientific axioms themselves stand in need of proof and demonstration There were voices of protest. Ahmed Zaki Pasha insisted that since the Ahmadiyyah were confessed believers in Islam, all that was necessary was to argue the relevant point whether Ahmed of Qadian could be the expected Messiah when an authenticated Tradition specifies the returning Christ to be the Son of Miriam, and whether the appearance of the founder of Ahmadiyyah did fulfill those signs and events which prophecies associated with the return on earth of Christ the Son of Miriam. But the point of interest to me was that no one present seemed to resent the remarks of Ismail Mazhar Bey, devastating as they were of the very foundation of Islam and all revealed religions. He was not denounced as a zindiq or mulhid (atheist), and no voice was raised to tar and feather the brazen heretic and run him out of Cairo. True, this was partly due to the fact that Mazhar Bey was a privileged character in Cairo, whose taunting tirades against ortho-' doxy have come to be taken with a little gracious smile and a little pinch of salt. The good-hearted, honest Mazhar Bey could mean no serious harm by his strutting vaunts of liberalism; they are part and parcel with the liberal convivialities and amusements of the easy-going, pleasure-bound city of numerous cafes, vaudevilles and theatres. Partly, however, it was due to the fact that times have changed considerably since the War, and momentous cataclysms which have made the world shock-proof have had their effect on Egypt and all other countries of the East. What heresies could be considered surprising now to the orthodox Moslems of Egypt or Syria after the sweeping heresies of Mustapha Kemal Pasha and his followers? What socialistic Utopian vaguaries could be considered impractical when a former absolute monarchy is engaged today in putting into practice the most radical ft �22 7HE SYRIAN WORLD teachings of Marx and Lenin? And yet, I heard once a great feminist leader, a prominent Moslem lady of Cairo, call Mustapha Kemal Pasha the real saviour of Islam, and praise his reforms in the most enthusiastic, unstinting fashion. In every day, and in a thousand and one ways, Islam is facing the challenge of the liberal spirit. The issue can no more be ignored or dodged by turbaned theologians or ecclesiastical hierarchies which claim a heavenly source of authority. The decided trend to realism among the college and university students of the East, the frankly agnostic spirit of the literati, the insistence of the man in the street that religion should primarily be a matter of conduct and ethics, and the disregard or even complete discard of the trappings of creed and ritual by thousands of otherwise good churchgoers and honest religionists, are but signs of the age which ushers in the automobile and talkies to the Lands of the Near East, the cradle of religion and the descent-place of inspiration. A Legal Opinion Mr. Faris S. Malouf, a Syrian lawyer of Boston, Mass., expresses his opinion of the Syrian World as follows: "la undertaking the publication of the Syrian World, you have addressed yourself to the noble service of your people. You have dedicated yourself to a difficult task among very difficult people. Yet, the loftiness of your purpose and the worthiness of your methods as an editor and publisher have merited the respect and admiration of your fellowmen. "You are to be sincerely congratulated upon the literary value and style of the Syrian World. When the history of the Syrian people in America is written, the Syrian World and its editor and publisher will occupy their place among the best and most beautiful achievements of our people. May your excellent publication always be the open door between the best of what is Syrian and the best of what is American for our young generation." �mrawn—i m JANUARY, 1932 23 Death of the Maronite Patriarch JHE DEATH en Dtecember 24, 1931, of His Beatitude Elias J eter Howayek. the Maronite Patriarch, at his see at Bekerkv a few miles north of Beirut in Mt. Lebanon, brings to a close a long md extinguished career of public service both in civic leadership and ir, presiding over the destinies of one „f the oldest Christian churches of the East. Patriarch Howayek was held in reverence and esteem not alone by hi s own foil owers but by all the people of Lebanon of every religious denomination. He was called not simply the Maromte Patriarch, but the Lebanese Patriarch, in gratitude for the many signal services he rendered the country out of purely patnofic motives, and without distinction for section or creed. During the World War he was persecuted and threatened with exile by the lurks, but despite the trying ordeals through which he passed, he managed to bring considerable relief to the starving and suffering people of Lebanon. At the close of the war, he was unanimously chosen to represent the people of Lebanon at the Versailles Peace Conference. Patriarch Howayek lived to the ripe age of eighty-eight, having been born on December 20, 1843 at the village of Hilta, in the District of Batroun, Mt. Lebanon. The Patriarch's parents were of modest means, but managed to give him the education he craved even at a tender age. For years he plodded five miles on foot every day to attend the school oi bt. John Maron, until his parents were persuaded to send him as a boarder to the Jesuit College at Gazir.where he took up the study of French Latin and Greek, having already mastered Arabic and byriac. Not content, however, with the limited educational facilities available in Lebanon, he applied on his own initiative for a scholarship at the Propaganda College'in Rome. The Cardinal Iretect of the College ,s said to have so admired the ambition of the young student that he wrote to the Maronite Patriarch recommending a grant of scholarship to him. He spent in Rome seven years and graduated as a Doctor of Theology and Canon Law His ordination to the priesthood took place in Lebanon at the hands of Bishop Joseph Jahjah in 1870. His elevation to the honorary bishopric of Arka was in 1889, and his choice for the Patriarchate was reached twelve days after the death of his pre- �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD Patriarch Elias Howayek December 20, 1843—December 24, 1931 Acclaimed as the "Lebanese Patriarch" by adherents of all religious denominations. �\\ JANUARY, 1932 25 decessor, Patriarch John Haj, on Dec. 24, 1898. For seventeen years he had been private secretary to the Patriarch and in that capacity gained much useful experience in the conduct of the exalted office which later he was to occupy. While bishop he visited Europe and had private audiences with many rulers, including Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria and Sultan Abdul Hamid. He also raised funds for the restoration of the Maronite College in Rome which owes its present flourishing condition to his tireless efforts and sustained interest. The most trying years of the Patriarch's life were those of the World War when one hundred and fifty thousand of his people perished through starvation said to have been purposely brought about by the Turks in their efforts to exterminate the Christians of the East and thereby eliminate them as a cause of the constant meddling of Europe in the internal affairs of the Ottoman Empire The Patriarch made every effort to stave off the disaster, donating all the funds and selling much of the property of the Patriarchate for relief purposes. His activities were curtailed by the relentless persecution of Jamal Pasha, the Turkish military governor of Syria, who had him arrested and sought to exile him to a distant place in the Empire where he would be out of touch with his people. The Patriarch was saved from such a fate only through the intercession of the Pope and of Emperor Franz Joseph who was his personal friend. At the conclusion of the war the Patriarch, despite his advanced age, undertook the journey to Paris to claim for Lebanon the benefit of independence which would Irft from it the heavy hand of continued Turkish rule. In this capacity he acted as the national representative of, the people of Lebanon without distinction of creed. Surely, for a country still basing its political institutions on denominational representation, the unanimous selection of the Patriarch of one creed as the national representative at such a momentous occasion as that of the Peace Conference was a notable tribute to the man's broad and high conception of patriotism. The Patriarch's efforts culminated in the declaration of the independence of Lebanon in 1920, and the formation of the Republic of Lebanon in 1926, when he was specially invited to attend the official ceremony on the latter occasion, being accorded a reception by the people of Beirut, the capital, such as is given only to great national heroes. The late Patriarch was most solicitous for the well-being of the Maronites of America, according to the editor of the Syrian World who published in the March, 1930 issue of the magazine 3 �26 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Patriarch at Home his ^^"VkC^iTTr hehadheWith Beatitude late TOS reported t0 exclaimed, "Is i not strai«rh °r"fTS? h^e have now'migrated totX^/K? « °l T, "^ \ t„:uSSSTS,^ * 'he Ugh fifteen ce turi redous which has come do P »^cy i» a generation." " es should be lost Even at that time he was rpmrt.j j 8 other journey to Paris to TaLuard I" T^ * ,U"dertake *People, this time "against the Seed of ' " °f Ws beloved interests who were E^^$£ZT?**»* fo gn e Ilttle the economic resources." y Possessed of 1e �JANUARY, 1932 27 Who Are the Maronites Having received their Christian faith from the Apostles, they maintained it against all -persecution throughout the centuries They were allies of the Crusaders and were granted special protection by France. By MICHAEL ABOUSSLEMAN PRACING BACK their history to remote times, the Maronites of V Lebanon can claim direct descent from the ancient Phoenicians. They came to be known by their present name, however, only since the fifth century of our era. Of course, this should not be taken to mean that they embraced Christianity only at that late age because their conversion dates back to the time of the Apostles themselves. But in the first half of the fifth century, when' the church was torn with internal dissension, a monk-priest known then as Maron the Hermit, and since as St. Maron, caused them to hold steadfast to the Roman faith and formed of them a solid unit of the Cathohe church in the East. Since then they came to be known as his followers, otherwise Maronites. St. Maron was an accomplished theologian, an eloquent orator and above all, a saintly man who was held in the highest esteem by his contemporaries among the Fathers of the Church, especially by St. John Chrysostom with whom he exchanged correspondence. Maron the Hermit had attracted to his monastic life a large following who established themselves on the banks of the Orontes near Horns. The strife then rampant in the Christian church led to severe persecution and acts of cruelty, which once resulted in the massacre of 350 disciples of Maron and caused him to seek refuge in the fastness of North Lebanon. There he continued his championship of the Nicean Creed, and aside from strengthening the Christians of the mountain in their faith, he encouraged them in their struggle for independence and became their natural leader in all civic enterprises. From that time until our present day the Maromte clergy has played a leading part in shaping the destinies oi their peopk, both in their spiritual allegiance and in their political and economic affairs. Such was the condition of the Maronites in the middle of the seventh century, and when, shortly after the appearance of Islam, �.& 26> 7*#£ SYRIAN WORLD Omar Ibn Al-Kattab was proclaimed caliph (A.D.635) and the Arab wave of conquest swept over Palestine and Syria, the Maronites, who were in occupation of a large part of the plains, retired to the fastness of then- mountain stronghold and there resisted the efforts of the invaders to subdue them. It may here be mentioned »2Lf "°K j\hlstory wras ^is proud and valiant people completely subjected by any of the many powerful foreign invaders who dreamed of world conquest and had to travel to it over the Syrian highway Persians, Greeks and Romans all stopped short of the impregnable mountain, as much owing to its natural strength as to the valor and determination of its inhabitants who in all history S rheerMeVer -JC °f thdr indePenden«=- Thus the ancestors of the Maronites were ever treated as a privileged people so that by agreement and understanding only could conquerors continue their march either to the north or to the south without endangering their lines of communications. ^ h Wkh had lodJc\ LAByzantine KhS' ,h°Werulers T' "?° °ne miof ^ht y stroke dislodged the from the plains Syria, did not deem it expedient to treat the Maronites as other invaders had treated hem before, a mistake whose enormity they realized only after the Maromtes had resisted their onward march to the conquest of Constantinople for forty years, rising in their way like a brass wall. It was to be exact, forty two years later, A. D. 677, that the Umav vad caliph Abdul Malek Ibn Marwan, becoming t^loLt Unites (Maronites of that period) raids on his newly conquered domains and fearful of the ill effects of their hampering tactics on Islam's stabilization and further progress, contrived to arrange an armistice with Justinian, the Byzantine Emperor, by which the Caliph engaged himself to deliver to the Emperor, daily, one thousand dinars, one slave and one pedigreed horse, on the express condition that he relieve him of the Meredite menace. Thus the youthful Emperor partly through love of gold and partly through his ignor- ubt e d of ri al mtn ?0of cttheeh°e Moslems M i andrr ° r ^> 3** £?« ^23. by ruse and treachery succeeded in expatriating twelve thousand of the flower of the Meredites' warriors thus hSI °Z\ A ^ °W»handS ?C braSS Wdl Which stood between him and the Arabs. History does not record where this valiant army settled or what disposition the Emperor made of it In some accounts, they are said to have been forced to settle in Armenia while other accounts represent them as having been removed- to Ulicia. Some historians are positive that they were transported to Albania, in the Balkans, where their descendants are said to be { ») ."' ' ' �— JANUARY, 1932 ! 29 A typical scene in the Maronite country of Northern Lebanon. 1 hrtvtng villages rise on the massive shoulders of high mountains almost on the brink of yawning valleys. still blown as the Meredites. Whatever the case, the fact remains hatthedeportatIon0f these warriors from Lebanon opened to the Arabs the doors of Asia Minor and sounded the death knell of the Byzantine Empire in the Near East. Justinian's action had a calamitous effect not only on the Empire but on the standing of the Maronites who composed the most cogent unit of Christiandom in the East. Because as a consequence they had to further retrench in their mountain where they remained for the three succeeding centuries on the defensive, being continually harassed by Arab raids. It was only in 1098 A D when the Crusaders invaded Syria and for a time held it against "rr A thCrM*rTeS fdt thdr PrestiSe stored, inasmuch as they and the Crusaders were fighting for a common cause and they acted in the country as guides and allies to their co-religionists from across the sea. The Maronite country became a part of the Crusaders' kingdom, but the Crusaders respected its autonomy and political traditions by allowing its own emirs to remain in power. This condition of security for the Maronites lasted throughout the Crusaders' occupation of Syria, and proved to be the foundation of the strong �30 THE SYRIAN WORLD historical record to'a.'vTh K ^LoL Jxtf Fn " " 2*7 rf became St. Louis landed with!,, France, who later Simaan, the X of the M, h,.sf army **<« (St. John D'Acre), KM£SSSJS£S5S ty of purpose h„weveerX- wl^bfe\f sunt^^ "» ^ Inis condition of persecution and unrest lasted ,,nt;i rf. bloodiest episode in the h storv of T el tervene in their hehoif£ Th.nrnferfi^n «f • r? rFrance ^T^0"/ If w ^ the , caused them to m> as the protector of the Eastern /i placing ot the Lebanon under the the Worid War when ¥117^°" **Tt T' the 0Utbrak °f lot with European • •"? ^'i"" *<= !.Centarf ,.'? Power! rowers, SdI and hbeing suspicious of the nrn All,, • MMHI , �JANUARY, 1932 31 Waik Kadisha (Sacred Valley) where St. Mar on and his disciples first settled when they came to Northern Lebanon. Some of their early monasteries may still be seen faintly on the slopes. 1 ade of the Syrian coast by preventing provisions to reach them from interior points, caused 150,000 of the population to perish from starvation. In this the whole Lebanese population fared equally, Moslems, Christians and Druzes, because of the Turks' suspicions of their pro-Ally sentiments. The heavy price the Lebanese paid in blood, however, brought about their freedom from the Turkish yoke. During the peace conference in Paris the Maronite Patriarch, as the delegate of the Lebanese at large irrespective of creed, argued for the liberation of Lebanon and its placing under the French mandate. In 1920 Greater Lebanon was declared in fulfillment of one of the demands of the Lebanese for the return of their country to its former boundaries, and in 1926 Lebanon was declared a republic as a further grant of national independence. The Maronites form the largest single unit of the population of Lebanon, and the present political status of the country is considered a triumph of their ideals. �- THE SYRIAN WORLD !' Syria in Romance Editor s Note—As announced at the opening of our current year, it is part of our new policy to give an cutline of all works of fiction related with Syra, in the belief that such a step would further carry out the'policy of the magazine and enrich our readers' stoie of nformation en Syria's place in literature Suggestions from our readers on available works for this department will be appreciated. The Brethren By RIDER HAGGARD Condensed by Dagny Edwards PROLOGUE \ J YUSUF SALAH-ED-DIN, thrice in succession dreamt that his niece, who dwelt in England, daughter of his dead sister, Zobeide, and a Frankish lord, Sir Andrew D'Arcy, would by her presence at Saladin's side, in a way not yet revealed to him in his dreams, withhold him from much bloodshed, and save the world from great misery. Upon the interpretation of this dream by his holy Imams and Diviners, Salah-ed-din commanded a certain false knight, Sir Hugh Lozelle, a Frankish spy who knew the Sultan's niece, also another spy, disguised as a Christian, and one of his most trusted and greatest Emirs, Prince Hassan, to capture the maiden by force, if she refused to come willingly to Syria. That her dignity be worthy of her high blood and fate, Salahed-din decreed that she become the Princess of Baalbec, ruled, before her, by her grandfather, Ayoub, and uncle, Izzedin. A stout galley of war, under the command of Prince Hassan was purchased and with a royal gift of jewels to the lady, his niece, and a letter to the English lord, her. father, Sir Andrew D'Arcy, the company set sail for England, with orders to return with the maiden or never again dare look on the face of the Sultan. Thus did Yusuf Salah-ed-din, ere he waited patiently till God should fulfill the vision which He had sent him in his sleep. 1 * �JANUARY, 1932 33 THE STORY t RETURNING quietly from an afternoon of gathering marsh ^ flowers along the sea wall on the coast of Essex, Rosamund D'Arcy and the twin brethren, her cousins, pale, stately, dreamy Godwin, and bold-fronted, blue-eyed warrior Wulf, were startled from the calm of the peaceful ride toward their castle nine miles away, by a band of armed men who approached them by boat, surrounded the party and barred all paths of escape. "To the boat," shouted Godwin. But sails and oars were gone, and mocking voices bade him let Rosamund into the boat and save them the trouble of carrying her there. "Give her up now and go your way with your arms and horses, for you are gallant young men, whose blood we do not wish to shed." At this, the brethren laughed together. "We will give her up with our last breath, but not before. Who has such urgent need of the lady Rosamund?" The answer came, "Lozelle." Now the knight Lozelle, Essex-born and powerful, once had sought Rosamund's hand in marriage. Being rejected, he had voiced many threats, until Godwin as the elder of the twins, had fought and wounded him. He had then disappeared, fully a year before. Rosamund begged them not to let her fall into Lozelle's hands; she would rather that Godwin kill her there, then to attempt their escape after her death. One chance remained for the lady Rosamund, and Godwin spoke these words, "The gray horse you ride is strong and true. Turn now and spur him into the water of Death Creek and swim it. It is broad, but the incoming tide will help you and perchance you will not drown. Bless us and be gone." Rosamund made the treacherous leap and as she headed for the bank the woman-thieves shouted in wonder for a deed such as this they had thought a girl would never dare. Then with a rush the band came upon the two tall twin warriors whose long swords smote their faces as swiftly as they came toward them. Three fell and were killed; three were pushed in the water below; two drowned; several were wounded, and others made their escape. The battle was not yet over, when the brethren turned about and saw Rosamund safely near the opposite shore. Suddenly, one whom the brethren thought dead, leapt upon Godwin with a bloody sword and smote him to the ground. Wulf fiercely assailed the man, killing him with two �34 d THE SYRIAN WORLD blows; then lifting Godwin to his saddle, made a swift dash for his own horse, and shouted aloud the war-cry of the D'Arcy's "A D'Arcyl a D'Arcy] Contre D'Arcy! Contre Mort!" Thus in a flash they made their way through the ranks of the foe, to safety, and until the shouts had died away behind them, and the sound of their horses hoofs was the only sound heard, did darkness fall upon the minds of Wulf and Godwin. A-month or more later when Godwin had regained his senses and was slowly gaining his strength, the strange tale of Rosamund's escape and their day's battle was retold to Godwin by Sir Andrew who was so pleased with the bravery and knightly deeds of the brethren that he presented his tale to the king with the prayer that he, the king, would grant Sir Andrew a command in writing to knight Godwin and Wulf. This the king did. Another month'went by, when on the last day of November, after much preparation, ceremony and feasting, the brethren were publicly knighted. Now, for the first time, the brethren felt the cold grip of jealousy pulling at their hearts. Both were in love with Rosamund, but neither knew which she preferred. Sore at heart, they finally decided to gain Sir Andrew's permission that each might speak to her on the same day, Godwin first, asking the lady to give her answer within a day. To further seal the amity and love the brethren bore each other, they swore an oath before God and the I nor, that they would abide by Rosamund's decision, and that as far as possible, they would suffer neither bitterness nor jealousy to come between their love because of this woman. After pleading their cases before Rosamund, the brethren anxiously awaited her decision, which came the next day. Lovely Rosamund refused both, but gave her promise that if all were living in two years' time and if they still wanted her for wife, she would choose one and marry him at once. She declared they were all still young for marriage and since it was so difficult to make a choice between two such men, she might in truth learn which was the better knight. There the matter amicably stood, while the brethren felt their lives now had a purpose which fired them to dare, do and win As the brethren left Rosamund, there came up the steps a tall man clad in pilgrim's hood and carrying a palmer's staff He sought shelter for himself and mule, also a word with Sir Andrew 1: Arcy, for whom he had a message. His name, they learned, was JNichoJas of Salisbury, who brought from his master, Salah-ed-din, a chest of jewels for Rosamund, and the message which told the tale of his dream, bidding his beautiful niece, whom he had never n �' JANUARY, 1932 35 seen, come to Damascus. Rosamund would not be forced into any marriage or even to change her religion, but come she must, or within a year from the day he received her answer, Rosamund would be lead to him, with honor, if willingly, by force, if unwilling. The precious gifts and titles of Princess of Baalbec were the bait to tempt her, but in answer to her father's query, "Will you go and queen it there?" her only word was, "nay," which answer was written to Salah-ed-din. At the conclusion, Sir Andrew told the story of his meeting with Zobeide; how when he was a young man some twenty years ago, he was wounded and taken prisoner in the capture of Harenc. Ayoub was governor, and Sir Andrew was taken to Damascus where he was lodged in Ayoub's palace and kindly treated. There he became a friend to the young Salah-ed-din and his sister, Zobeide, who although half Sir Andrew's age, loved him as he loved her, changed her faith and offered to flee to England with him. Luckily, Sir Andrew had once, in battle, saved the life of one Jebal, young chief of a terrible and cruel people. Their castles were at Masyaf in Lebanon. Jebel swore that if ever Sir Andrew needed help, he had but to summon him, and in token of this oath, Jebal gave Sir Andrew a signet ring which would give D'Arcy power in Jebal's dominion, equal to the ruler himself. True to his word, when Sir Andrew sent word that he needed help to escape to England, Jebal provided such swift horses for Zobeide and D'Arcy that the cavalry of Ayoub could not overtake them. Upon reaching Beirut, they were married, and there too, Zobeide was baptised as a Christian. Before arriving safely in England, however, a message was brought Sir Andrew from Ayoub and his son, Saladin, who swore they would recapture Zobeide. Later, upon her death, Rosamund took her mother's place in the oath in the heart of the Sultan, Salah-ed-din. And so the story told, they sought to question the palmer, whom they did not trust. Early next morning, seeking to rouse him they found the palmer gone, and though they hunted far and wide for three hours, Nicholas could not be found. As time passed on and nothing happened to disturb them, they soon forgot their fears, although a guard was set every night, twenty men slept in the Hall and they had arranged that on the lighting of a signal fire upon the tower of Steeple Church, their neighbors should come to their assistance. Towards Christmas, Prior John told them he was going to Southminster to buy wine for the Christmas feast. He had heard that a ship laden with wine of Cyprus of wonderful quality had �THE SYRIAN WORLD n r Ge rgi S dreW the wi e horncunso? ° Rosamund ° » > andany filledThen the horn cups of all,Tpresent*' except who refused hftmg ha own cup, he bade them drink As he aDDeareHL J his beaker nil fr,!! ,^ u, ^ ne appeared to drain meT C*VSo1h.Tn ^^ged m° *an a score of armed par iaX d L5 Sir A,?H I I fierce struggle with them, the Pnnce Hassan,) assumed a^^S^SS?^^ R~ J ?,0!'thS paSSed by- and th<: brethren in their search for of TehT, ' :h° '" th,e m?'7hile> had <« capture bva band were in her h« use i^ P 7 Wlth Ut Masouda ° '* aid, since they ^^,£* -]ied S°» °f the Sand, the'hne't Ped' u iwnib, i lame and Smoke; and after assuring 4*1 �JANUARY, 1932 ft : W 37 the Arab that the brethren could ride, and would be kind masters their bargain was sealed. But Godwin was troubled for it seemed to him as though in a dream, that when they were on the treacherous trial ride, with Masouda in back of him, and Son of the Sand on Wulf's steed, that as they leapt through the air from one sheer cliff to another, Masouda pressed her lips close upon his cheek. The next day being the forth day agreed upon, Godwin and Wulf sought out Masouda, and although once again she warned them of the danger facing them, she consented to guide them to Sinan. Leaving at nightfall, with Masouda disguised as a servant lad, they covered several nights and several days on the mountain side, when one night they lay down to rest in a spot where many lions were. Masouda and Wulf slept, while Godwin kept watch before the fire*. Suddenly as Godwin sat musing and thinking of the lovely Masouda, he heard an agonized cry, and springing to her side, he found Masouda hanging from the jaws of a great yellow lioness. He hurled a burning cedar bough at it, whereat the beast dropped Masouda, and fought Godwin until he fell, a senseless mass beneath the heavy weight of the lioness. When his senses returned, Godwin found Masouda safe, cleaning his wounds. Wulf had finally wakened from his slumber and half asleep, had smote the beast dead with his sword. After a few days rest they finally reached the city and castle of Al-Jebal. Before the presence of the terrible Jebal, the brethren told their tale, but even as they finished, messengers entered, followed by a veiled woman. As she unveiled, the brethren stared, for there stood Rosamund Pretending to be her half-brothers, for thus only could they hope to remain with her, the brethren received the counsel and assistance of Masouda, who laid plans for their escape. Fired by the insolence and sneers of Lozelle, Wulf challenged him to a combat which Jebal sanctioned. After a furious fray which took place in the moonlight on a narrow bridge, Lozelle was killed by Wulf, and the brothers made their escape to a cave shown them by Masouda, before any knew what they were about. Rosamund and Masouda joined them later, and then followed a desparate flight to Emesa, swiftly pursued by Jebal's men. All seemed lost, as the Assassins were directly upon them, when suddenly, from in front of a hill, rushed squadrons of turbaned cavalry, shouting "Salah-ed-din Salah-ed-din!" Too late did the Assassins turn to flee, and but a few lived to tell their tale to Jebal, the furious, who was himself in love with �aaas 38 THE SYRIAN WORLD Rosamund, and now doubly infuriated at her escape. It was Prince Hassan who came to the rescue, and thus they followed him to Saladin, who kind though he was, and though he listened well to their tale, was firm in his resolution that Rosamund should stay with him; moreover, if the brethren should attempt to steal her, they would die ; and should she escape from him, and Saladin recapture her, then she should die. Thus with the greatest of honour did Godwin and Wulf remain in peace at the palace of Salah-ed-din. Once indeed, the brethren, thanks to Masouda's good counsel, saved the Sultan's life from a band of Assassins who entered his palace in disguise. Salah-ed-din gratefully offered the brethren, each in turn, the hand of Rosamund in marriage, if they would accept his faith, but the twins refused. Then it was that Saladin announced they must choose between staying at the Castle and fighting for him in the coming war between the Cross and the Crescent or go forth to fight with the Franks... leaving the choice to Rosamund, who bade them serve the Cross. So giving them safe conduct to Jerusalem, the Sultan, Rosamund, Masouda and the brethren, bade their farewells, not daring to think that they would see each other again alive. ( To be continued in the February issue) Sayings of Ali Birth is but the herald of Death. * * * A rich miser is poorer than an open-handed pauper. * * * The blow is more painful coming from one's beloved. * * * Your gray hair is your obituary announcement. * * * The thirst for gold is stronger than the thirst for water. * * * The victor is he who escapes the iniquity of his own soul. * * T1 A meeting place for the exchange of knowledge is a corner of Paradise. . ~.- �*- A sm " """' JANUARY, 1932 - 1-IWMWIIMMIJilL.. - 39 TRVE ARABIAN TA THE LADY PRISONER WHO ENSLAVED HER CAPTOR WHATEVER MAY BE said of the Arabs' unscrupulous attitude toward raiding, robbing of caravans and the murdering of men and enslaving of women, there are any number of instances which prove that they are exceedingly responsive to impulses of chivalry and the grand display of the magnanimous, even when they are engaged in the very business of despoiling innocent travelers of their property. Such an incident is recorded of Mohammad Ibn Saleh El 'Alawi, who lived in the reign of the caliph Al-Mutwakil, and had caused that caliph considerable anxiety by his seditious activities. Obviously with the intention of recording only his love experience, Mohammad relates the following incident which befell him while an outlaw and a price placed on his head. It is here recorded as it is told, in the first person, with the exercise of but little license in the translation wherever an elucidation of the original would seem necessary, but with no radical divergence from the general meaning of the text. Said Mohammad: When I was a rebel against the caliph I sought by every possible means to rouse the country against him and cause general disturbances of the peace. While thus engaged I once intercepted the great caravan which had gathered for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, and my men were anticipating an immense prize in loot. The goods were to be distributed on the spot and I sat on a stool in the open to supervise the division, when from the immense circle that was drawn about me the curtains of a hawdaj (litter) on one of the captured camels were parted and the soft voice of a woman was heard asking about the leader of the raiding party. I looked up and saw a sight of beauty that held me actually spellbound. For the lady was not only beautiful but had an air of dignity and refinement which proclaimed her a person of the highest breeding. �40 THE SYRIAN WORLD Such an apparition could not fail but elicit a sympathetic response, and to my answer that I was the leader of the party she thus addressed me: "I am Hamdouniah, daughter of Issa Ibn Moussa, whose high standing in the court of the caliph you will not fail to recognize. I am not questioning your motives nor uttering a threat; I only wish to ask a simple favor as an appeal to your chivalry. You may retain everything you have seized and I promise to further grant you the sum of thirty thousand dinars, on condition that none of your men abuse my privacy or seek to uncover my face. As an Arab I feel sure you will protect the honor of the daughters of families." I neither argued nor bargained, but immediately called my men together and issued to them orders to this effect: "Everything taken from this caravan must be returned, even the victuals. Whosoever retains even an ighal will lay himself open to punishment." I respected the wish of the lady to the extent of not holding even personal communication with her for the rest of the time she was in my captivity. When all that had been taken from the caravan was returned to their owners my men and -I escorted them to the nearest place of safety and departed. It had been for my men a great disappointment, but for me it was a great triumph in that I had been able to protect a lady in distress and save her honor. Time passed and the wheel of fortune took a different turn. I was taken a captive by the army of the caliph and incarcerated in prison. Every day I expected to be hanged as the caliph was bitter against me, and I realized that no appeal to mercy would be heard. The days I passed in prison were full of sinister portent. One day, however, the prison keeper came to me with the news that three ladies were without asking to see me. They appeared, he said, to be persons of importance because one of them had bribed him with a valuable bracelet for the privilege of admittance. He was coming to have me prepare to meet them. Presently the ladies came, and no sooner they approached than the one leading the way exclaimed: "By the head of my father, it is he!" She then raised her veil and I recognized her as Hamdouniah whom I had protected on the occasion of the raid on the pilgrimage caravan. Her tears now told an eloquent story of her affliction at my condition. "I am grieved at thy situation," she said, "But I dare not undertake to do anything overtly in thy behalf because of the caliph's bitterness against thee. Thou mayest rest assured, however, that I shall take all possible means within pru- �JANUARY, 1932 r, \\ 4j dence to effect thy release." She then ordered her two attendants to leave the gifts she had brought to me, consisting of five hundred dinars in coin, together with excellent clothing and food and perfumes. Her messengers continued to call on me almost every day during my imprisonment, and through her sustained interest I Jacked of nothing in the way or food and comfort. I was also constantly cheered bv the knowledge of the fact that she was mobilizing every influence to bring about my pardon from the caliph. But she herself never called afterwards, a fact I attributed to her tear of notoriety which would defeat her efforts in effecting my release. I became desolate because the kindness she now displayed only accentuated the love I felt for her from the moment of our hrst meeting. Truly, the imprisonment of her love was exceedingly harder for me to bear than any consequence I felt from my political offense. In time, however, the caliph granted me a pardon, partly as a result of Hamdouniah's efforts. I again became a favorite in court and my property which had been confiscated was restored to me 1 here remained nothing to complete my happiness except the possession of the one person who had done so much to restore me to liberty. What I thought would be the natural course was for me to ask her father for her hand in marriage, but every time I was met with positive refusal because of the notoriety the case had assumed since it was known that I had released her and her escort from captivity Still I would not give up hope, and as a last resort I appealed directly to the caliph, explaining the circumstances of the case and my despondency over her father's persistent refusal Now the caliph was much touched by her devotion and the intensity of my love and he forthwith rode in person to the house of Hamdouniah's father and would not leave until the latter gave his consent to our marriage, the caliph himself acting as one of the witnesses and contributing all the expenses of the wedding festivities. �c THE SYRIAN WORLD 42 B00K REVIEW QiHAjicy A NEW BOOK BY GIBRAN 77z<? Wanderer, by Kahlil Gibran, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 92 pp. Illustrated with original drawings by the author. $2.50. The Wanderer was one of the books on which Gibran worked feverishly when he realized the approach of the end. And he won in the race with death. The book was finished, text and illustrations, although publication was posthumous. We understand there are other books on which Gibran was working and which his publisher will bring out in time. Indeed, Gibran must have hastened the end, when he realized its approach, by summoning his last reserve of energy to give expression to the word which struggled for freedom from his inner consciousness. The Wanderer would seem a compromise between The Prophet and Gibran's other books of parables. There is evident in The Wanderer a desire to create a cohesion of thought and continuity of action as in The Prophet, by presenting a single person who discourses on diverse subjects. The connection, however, is not maintained as successfully as in The Prophet, which leaves the latter work' preeminently Gibran's masterpiece. The variety of parables, philosophical deductions and subtle studies of life and morals as contained in The Wanderer suggest Gibran's other works, but this being his latest it would naturally follow that it is also the more mature and profound. Suffice it to know that it is an addition to Gibran's works, and one in the creation of which he summoned the ripe experience of his later years. The Wanderer is illustrated with reproductions of seven original drawings by the author, one of which is in colors. They are wmm �sea ' . i<i. am mm JANUARY, 1932 43 all in the symbolic vein characteristic of Gbiran's art. The frontispiece is a beautiful portrait of the Wanderer "with a veil of pain upon his face." AS AN AMERICAN SEES THE EAST. To Bagdad and Back, by Joe Mitchell Chappie. lishing Co., Boston. Illustrated. 298pp. Chappie pub- Not to many is accorded the gift of translating their impressions into word pictures that pulsate with the activity of life. Nor are there many whose imagination is so vivid as to conjure from the past and set before the eyes of the reader as in a motion picture incidents of the past, whether of fact or fancy. With such who are so gifted it is a source of constant pleasure to sit and commune, because they are forever interesting; always resourceful and full of action and never dull. Such a writer is Joe Mitchell Chappie, editor of the National Weekly, who traveled extensively in the Near East and recorded his observations and experiences in a beautifully gotten up volume to which he gave the appropriate title "To Bagdad and Back." To this he was prompted, as he infers in the preface, by the influence of the immortal Arabian Nights, of which he had a copy as a prized companion on his journey, and which he constantly read to relive the age in which the tales were written in their very locale. The result of .this attitude of mind is most pleasing in that the author was able to write in a consistently romantic vein and with a true appreciation of the color of the East. He further adds to the pleasing scheme by "curtaining" his chapters with selections of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, who, although writing in Persian, is said to have had his inspiration for the immortal poem under the limpid sky of Bagdad. The reader feels as he travels with the author that he is his actual companion on the journey, seeing with him the charms, and sometimes the disillusionments, of the East, in a most realistic manner. Whether in Iraq, Syria, Palestine, or Egypt, the continuity of action is invariably sustained. Only in the description of some of his flying excursions, where �44 THE SYRIAN WORLD apparently he lacked the time to make a full investigation, and had to depend wholly on the information supplied by guides, did the author commit some discrepancies, sometimes in the recording of facts and at others in the transliteration of names. In Chapter VII for instance, "the mountains looming up back of Beirut" were represented to him as being the Anti-Lebanon range, when in fact this range is invisible from the city. Further on he states that a detour was made at Shortia (evidently Shtowra) to the famous ruins of Baalbec, when during the ride, the party came upon some trees which the guide declared were a few of the remaining two hundred and fifty of the original 'Cedars of Lebanon'—the trees used in the construction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem". Here the guide was doubly wrong, because the remaining original Cedars are much more than 250, and furthe.r because the original Cedar Grove is on the slope of Lebanon facing the Mediterranean, hence invisible from the plain of Baalbec. So was the guide obviously wrong when he told the party that "there was a block of stone (in the acropolis of Baalbec) two hundred feet long", when in fact the extreme length of the longest stone in the famous Trilithon does not exceed sixty-four feet, a length sufficient in itself, for one block of stone it may be judged, to cause wonderment. There is ample compensation in that same chapter, however to offset these trivial discrepancies. For Mr. Chappie sheds interesting light on the far-reaching influence if the people of Syria on the spiritual life of Europe and America since the remotest times. Speaking of "prehistoric" times, he thus epitomizes the extent of this influence: "The worship of Baal (the Syrian god after whom Baalbec was named) was practiced in England, Ireland, and America. I he blood altars of sacrifice at Baalbec are duplicated in Yucatan to the god Chacmool; in the hills of Wales and in County Clare Ireland Baal's Bridge in Dublin and in Limerick City are titles imported from Lebanon. Huge Druid mounds of the Magi are found in such places as Saltburn, England, and the Danejon inside the very city walls of Canterbury, as well as all over Ireland, and there are several exactly similar in Central America-all catalogued as c 'prehistoric' ". The numerous and splendid illustrations of the book further he p the reader to visualize the land which the text so well describes. B �i mil JANUARY, 1932 45 A HISTORY OF THE MARONITES IN ENGLISH The Maronites of Lebanon^ by Rev. Paul Abraham, P. P. Wheeling, W. Va. 190 pp. In this book the Rev. Paul Abraham, pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon Church of Wheeling W. Va., has achieved the most noteworthy success that has so far attended any effort to produce a history of the Maronites in English. The book has all the marks of exhaustive scholarly research, yet it is adaptable for popular reading and should find considerable appeal among the younger generation Maronites in America for whose benefit the book is obviously meant in the first place. It should also prove a source of correct information for all those interested in studying the historical background of a people who, although few in numbers, have already given their adopted country many prominent figures in literature, the arts, the professions and commerce. A pre-publication notice of the book which appeared in the Catholic Observer, the official organ of the Wheeling Diocese, and is reproduced in the book, contains the interesting information'that "Father Abraham****was offered a chair of Syrio-Caldaic languages at the Catholic University of America, but this honor was sacrificed as he preferred to remain among the Syrian people of Wheeling and serve them in their parish needs." Especially at this time when Lebanon, the homeland of the Maronites, is convulsed with the interest attending the death of one Patriarch and the election of another, should the material of this book prove interesting to the descendants of the Maronites in America because of the light it throws not only on their past history but on the many contemporary dignitaries of the Maronite church. A comprehensive biography of the late Patriarch Howayek is also included. �46 THE SYRIAN WORLD Political Developments in Syria ELECTIONS IN SYRIA RESULT IN NATIONALIST VICTORYBLOODY RIOTS ATTEND ELECTIONS IN DAMASCUS AND OTHER LARGE CITIES. Another blcody chapter apparently has come to a close in the recent political annals of Syria. A wireless dispatch to the New York Times from Beirut dated January 10 features the fact that the Nationalists had nominated Subhi Bey Barakat, who headed the Syrian Government in 1925, for President of the potential Syrian republic. The despatch also mentions that the Nationalists form an overwhelming majority of the new Parliament. The plain inference is that the elections were resumed after that the first balloting resulted In bloody riots in Damascus and other large cities of Syria, causng the French High Commissioner to take direct action and declare martial law. No d:spatches had previously come from Syria announcing such a development. If the information regarding the Nationalists' victory at the polls proves correct, as in all likelihood it seems to be, there would seem to be grounds for the;r complaints that the election officials in the first balloting were interfering with the right of the voters in the free exercise of the^r franchise. This reported interference, which led to serious rioting in Damascus during the first election, is what L-aused their postponement. The latest Syrian papers to reach the United States contain no reference to this development. They give, how- ever, detailed accounts of the happenings during the first elections. What tcok plafce on this occasion leaves no room for doubt that the Syrians have become militantly conscious of their po!it:cal rights, and that the strong grip held by the Nationalists on publie sentiment has not been broken. The Nationalists complained early during the electfon that agents of the native government were stuffing the ballot boxes. Public demonstrations took place in which women and students participated. Riots in Damascus were the order of the day and the objectors forcibly entered the polling places and destroyed the ballot boxes. The clashes with the police and military forces resulted in many casualties, estimated in some reports as high as ten dead and fifty severely wounded. High Comm-'ssicner Ponsot, when notified of the unfavorable turn of affairs in Damascus, hastened to that city from Beirut and took personal charge of the situation. He ordered the city placed under martial law and soon French forces were patrolling the streets and raising barricades, while tanks moved about ominously in the principal streets or took up strategic positions. In the accounts of some of the native papers, the situation was compared to that of the war preparations of 1925, when Damascus was subjected to a severe bombardment �^H if I1 JANUARY, 1932 and many quarters in the city were laid in ruins. In th;s instance, however, there was no necessity to have recourse to such extreme measures and the precautions taken by the authorities resulted in the ra.nid establishment of order. As a protest aga'nst the illegal interference of the authorities in the free conduct of the elections the merchants (f Damascus closed their shops for a day and the populace held popular demonstrations which, however, passed without incident. One of the major incidents attending the protest of the Damascenes was that which took place at the residence of Fakhry Bey Baroody, one of the prominent Nationalist leaders and reputedly the guiding spirit of the youth of Damascus. According to reports, the opposition party sought to stage a demonstration in front of the Baroody residence, and he appealed to the authorities for protection. It is cla;med that despite his repeated appeals the authorities treated him with indifference, and as a result he was forced to bring into the city a number of his henchmen from Duma ostensibly for the purpose of self-prttection. Duma is an agricu^ural town owned exclusively by Baroody, in the manner of olcl feudal lords, and particularly all the population, inasmuch as they are tenant farmers dependent upon the:r landlord, are at all times ready to comply with his bidding. About fifty strong men came to Damascus at the call of Baroody and were stationed at his palace ready for eventualities. An encounter soon developed between them and the local police *n which the latter fired several shots and wounded a number of Baroody's adherents. A French military detachment soon appeared on the scene and an (fficer called upon Baroody for an explanation of the presence of the strangers on his pre- 47 mises. Baroody was bold in stating that inasmuch as he could not secure adequate protect'on from the authorities he had to take means to protect himself. He was never molested thereafter. Disturbances of a similar nature, but on a smaller sca'e, took place in almost all other cities of Syria. The blood:est were those which occurred in Aleppo, where many casualties were reported to have resulted from clashes with the police. The funerals of the victims were witnessed by tens of thousands of people in every city, but passed without incident. In the accounts of sc me papers doubt is created as to whether the Nationalists or the Administration Party were victors at the polls. Subhi Bey Barakat :s said to have been a candidate of the Opposition, and as such his election would mean a victory for the government forces. In all there are sixty-nine members to be elected to the Constituent Assembly, and of this number forty-nine candidates of the Government Party are said to have won in Aleppo and other districts, leaving a minority for Damascus which if it were all to be conceded to the Nationalists it would not affect the election's result. Subhi Bey Barakat, whom dispatches stated as having been nominated for the Presidency, is represented in thesa accounts as a candidate of the Moderates, who uphold the government. The fact that he was nominated for the Presidency may, after all, only mean that the v;ctorious party has commit ted itself to the republican form of government, in an effort to dispel any doubt about its entertaining monarchical designs. The former Egyptian Khedive Abbas Hilmy was much in evidence in Syria during the elections, but he emphatically denied any ambition to the throne. �48 PONSOT PLEDGES TREATY WITH SYRIA. THE SYRIAN WORLD CONTEMPLATE AMENDING LEBANESE CONSTITUTION. Prior to holding the national elecWhat some usually well informed tions, High Commissioner Ponsct consources assert is being contemplated voked in Damascus the Advisory by way of amendment to the Lebanese Council composed of all former execconstitution would seem to affect the utives of the State cf Syr-'a and other whole structure of government, leadnotables of the country. The spirit ing to a drastic curtailment in exof the meeting was one of extreme friendliness, especially that the High penses. The complaint has ever been Commissioner left no room far equi- that the little Lebanese republic was vocation as to the future relations emulating its bigger sisters to its which France proposes to establish own detriment and irrespective of its with Syria. He prefaced his formal resources. The whole population of remarks by thanking those present for the country barely reaches 800,000 their past services and called for their yet it has a President, a full-sized co-operat;on in shaping the future cabinet, and a Representative Ascourse of the country. The purpose sembly composed of 46 members The of the new elections, he declared, was expense cf maintaining such a huge to establish a de jure government in- adm.mstrative organization resulted vested with authority to bring about in such increase in taxation that some a definite solution of the Syrian ques- responsible statesmen began to question. "I need not repeat," he em- tion the wisdom cf having adopted the phatically stated, "that the permanent republican form of government at all solution of the relations between Some even wished for the return of was France and Syria shall take the form the conditions when Lebanon : autonomous under Turk sh rule with of a treaty in conformity with my but nominal taxes to pay. several previous statements on the As now contemplated, the amendsubject." ments would reduce the number of The High Comnr'ssioner then reRepresentatives to sixteen, and make minded his hearers that as far back it possible for the President to apas Feb. 10, 1928, he made a declarapoint his cabinet of one or more tion to that effect before holding the mm-sters at his discretion for the first elections to the Constituent Asconduct of the whole government; sembly, and later, on May 14, 1930, he also made a similar declaration the government is to be deprived of when he submitted to Foreign Sec- the right of appoimynent to the Legretary Briand the draft of the Syrian islative bedy, and the Chamber will be constitution. Nor was he ambiguous curtailed in ?ta privileges of interin the position he tcok on the matter ference with the Executive branch of the government. before the League of Nations, he said. ; What appears to be the most wholeAll of wh ch "will prove to you that some change in the Constitution is the my silence does not imply indifference proposed elimination of any reference or neglect." to toe right of representation by reThe High Commissioner then urged ligious denominations. upon those present the necessity of From the same source it is learned clearing the polit;cal atmosphere so that the contemplated amendments are as to pave the way for energetic acto take effect before the coming Pretion in the economic field and hasten sidential elections which fall in May the rehabiliation of the country of the present year. �D JANUARY, 1932 49 THE SYRIAN WORLD id ;d ie te Icn s s s f NEWS SECTION VOL. VI NO. 5 JANUARY, 1932 PATRIARCH ELIAS HOWAYEK DIES IN LEBANON; BISHOP ANTOUN ARIDA ELECTED SUCCESSOR Dead Patriarch Was Great Patriot—Government Declares National Mourning and Accords Him State Funeral** Mandatory Authorities and Neighboring States Represented. " Successor also Known for His Unflinching Patriotism and Leadership in Economic Rehabilitation. The venerable old man of Mt. Leb- the physicians' bulletins for the apanon, its leading patriot and the head proach of the end, and when the bells df the largest single religious group of Bekerky tolled out a d-'rge to anin the country, who was lovingly call- nounce the passing of the Patriarch, ed the Lebaneses Patriarch in ap- the message was spread in like manpreciation of the universality of his ner from the belfrys of the churches: character, died at his see at Bekerky, of neighboring villages until it reacha short d'stance north of Beirut, on ed the farthest seetfems of the counthe evening cf December 24. As a try. The fifteen bishops of the Maronmark of universal respect a day of ite hierarchy were notified and alpublic mourning was declared and he most all reached Bekerky the followwas accorded a national funeral. ing day. Notables of the country reFlags were lowered to half mast on presenting all denominations, and deall government buildings and on these legations from every town and village, of the foreign consulates. According swarmed to Bekerky to express the to newspaper reports, the display of gref of the whole people. The nainterest manifested at the Patriarch's tive authorities of Damascus and other death and the honors attending his fu- large Syrian cities sent official reneral were unprecedented in the his- presentatives to condole with the Matory of the country. ronites over their loss. The NationThe Patriarch was in his eighty- alist Party, as an organized political ninth year, and although he was con- body of Syria, also sent a special delescious unfr'l the end he could not sum- gate from Damascus headed by one mon sufficient vitality to shake off his of its principal leaders Fakhry Bey last illness. He was confined to his Baroody. bed only for a week. News of the Patriarch's death The country had been prepared by reached the Legislative Assembly of _ __ �50 THE SYRIAN WORLD Lebanon while it was in session, and the Pres-dent recommended a tenminute period of silence as a tribute to the memory of the great national figure who had passed. Upon resumption of the session it was turned into a memorial meet;ng with the representatives cf all religious creeds paying high tribute to the one man whoby general consent had done more than any other during his long and active career for the welfare of the country. .Sheikh Muhammad Al-Jisr, a Sunnite Moslem and President of the Assembly, led with a most glowing elegy to the Patriarch's patriotism and unswerving devot:on. It was recalled that the loving title of "Lebanese Patriarch," as distinctive frcm the Maronite Patriarch, g:ven the dead prelate and political leader, was first suggested by the foremost Druze leader of his day in Lebanon, Nassib Bey Janblatt. Other expressions of condolences were received frcm His Holiness the Pope and the President of France. The funeral was held on the following Saturday, Dec. 26 and was offic-'ally attended by the President of the Republic and by the French High Commissioner, as well as by the commander-in-chief of the French army in the East and the Admiral of the French fleet in Syrian waters. The French authorities of occupation sent a contingent of soldiers and marines as a further mark of official participation. After the Patriarch's burial, and according to the customary practice on such occasions, the b-'shops held a conclave behind closed doors for the election of a new Patriarch. Two ranking notables of the Alkazin family, who by ti-adition are accorded such honor, were assigned as guards to prevent all communication with the outside as a safeguard against interference. They are also commissioned lllll "'--«- to burn the ballots taken until a decision ;s reached by a two-third majority. Although the proceedings of the council are supposed to be absolutely secret, it was rumored that several ballots were taken which showed almost an equal division of votes between Bishop Abdullah Khouri and Bishop Ignatius Mobarak The situation had almost come to an impasse when the bishops realized the gravity of the consequence of a disagreement, in which event Rome would have the right to intervene and appoint a regent of its own choice. A compromise was then effected whereby Bishop Antoun Arida of Tripoli was elected unanimously and the two leading candidates knelt before Bishop Arida and kissed trs hand as a sign of submission. THE NEW PATRIARCH A STAUNCH PATRIOT Patriarch Antoun Arida is a native of Becharre and had his higher education at St. Sulpice in Paris, and at other seminaries of Europe. His record is without blemish and he is especially noted for his enterprise, charity and unbending patriotism. During the war he not only mortgaged all the property of his diocese to relieve suffering among all denominates but went to the extent of offering to pawn his episcopal cross. For this purpose he approached a wealthy Moslem of Tripoli who, upon discovering the bishop's intentions, advanced him the money without security. The new Patriarch has been active in the economic rehabilitation of the country. It was through his efforts that the Kadisha Hydroelectric Co., a purely native organization sponsored by the people of Becharre and Northern Lebanon, was made possible. He was elected President of its board of 1 �' -» mum - - ..._ s >3 His Beatitude Patriarch AntounArida, the new head of the MaroniteChurch in Lebanon.. He is the center figure with the staff. This is an official photograph taken after the ceremony of installation. To the Patriarch's right is the French High Commissioner and thePapal Nuncio, While immediately to his left is the President of the Republic of Lebanon. (Courtesy Al-Hoda) Cr, �"" 52 ' ; THE SYRIAN WORLD directors and had devoted much time hopes were an illusion. We now have to its promotion. One of his other come to realize that they only want constructive enterprises is the Leban- to exploit us for their own benefit." on Cement Co. which operates at Shekka and was ha-led upon its forma- LEBANESE OF U. S. A. tion as a major step in the exploitaMOURN PATRIARCH tion by the Lebanese of their naturThe first news of the death of Patal resources and the encouragement riarch Elias Howayek came in a cable of industrial enterprises in the coun- dispatch to Al-Hoda of New York. It try. was a "beat" that Al-Hoda scored Perhaps no better evidence can be and was much in keeping with the g;ven of the new Patriarch's construc- journalists enterprise characterizing tive and practical patriotism than that its whole career. The election of the to which he personally gave utterance new Patriarch was first announced in in an interview he granted the editor America in the same manner. of the Syrian World duting the latThere were expressions of genuine ter's visit to Lebanon in the summer grief among all classes of Syrians Vf 1929. At that time Bishop Arida and Lebanese in America over the was in his native town of Becharre death of the late Patriarch, because he attend1 ng the annual meeting of the was held in as high esteem by the imKadisha Company, which was about migrants as by those in the hometo open its first power plant. This in- land. Very Rev. Mgr. Stephen Elterview was reported exactly two douaihy of Boston, the Ma.roivte Vicar years ago in the January, 1930 issue Patriarchal in the United States, isof the Syrian World and reads in part sued a call to the Maronite priests as follows: in the country to hold special requiem "We want to prove that collective masses for the Patr-arch on Sunday, action among our people is possible, January 10. Rev. Mansur Stephen, and to that end we are now conduct- pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon of ing the first experiment of any mag- Brooklyn, invited to the services in nitude. The country is ours and we his church all ministers of the Christshould have first claim to the right ians denominations in the city. Chorof exploiting its resources which are, bishop Francis Wakim, pastor of St. at best, very meager. We are a homo- Joseph in New York, carrying out the geneous people in this part of Leb- traditions of centuries between the anon. We have held together for French and the MaronUes, invited the centuries past in defense of our right French Ambassador in Washington to life and freedom of worship. Now to the services held in his church. The we want to prove the same solidarity Ambassador sent a telegram of re^n the face of economic danger. Our gret and delegated the consul genepeople are now awaking to the neces- ral in New York to represent him. sity of working together for con- The eulogy on the latter occasion was structive effort instead of mere de- delivered by Archimandrite Bernardos fense. We are determined to prove Ghosn, pastor of St. George Melchite both our initiative and our fitness.*** church in New York. It was cur hope that those responsible Reports reaching Al-Hoda from all for the shaping of our destinies would parts of the country indicated that be helpful to us in our constructive ef- requiem masses for the dead Patriarch forts instead of placing all forms of were held in every one of ttie fifty hindrances in our way. But our or more Maronite churche». . . . .... ' :,-.'-. �JANUARY, 1932 EXHIBIT OF GIBRAN'S WORKS; MORE MEMORIAL SERVICES 53 anese extraction and had lately v'sited the United States, and several others delivered tributes to the genius of Gibran's Studio at 51 W. 10th. St. <Jibran. New York, was transformed into a In a long communication to Almuseum for an exhibition of his works of art scheduled to last from January Hoda cf New York from Johannes21 until February 7, inclusive, for berg, Transvaal, South Africa, an acthree hours every day between 2 and count TS given of the elaborate me5 P. M. This is done by the execu- morial service held for Gibran in the tors of Gibran's estate more for the Maromte church of Our Lady of LebOf purpose of satisfying the many ad- anon in that city on Nov. 15 mirers of his works of pen and brush Jciating at the requiem mass was the than for the sale of any of his sketch- Rt. Rev. Dav-d Orley, bishop of Transes and paintings, although each and vaal, who delivered a eulogy in which all of his art works are subject to he appraised the character of Gibran from first hand knowledge of his purchase. Through the loving care of Miss English works and said he was posBarbara Young, Gibran's literary ex- sessed of the true universal love which ecutor, under whose direction the ex- is as far from the modern conception hibition is being held, much of the of the term as heaven is from earth work of our celebrated artist was re- During his address the bishop procovered from the dust of years and duced a copy of the Syrian World and displayed to the proper advantage. read from it extracts from G'bran's I* all fifty six paintings and drawings Message to Young Americans of Syrare on exhibition, including portraits ian Origin, declaring that message of Edward Markham and Albert Ry- tc be of the stuff of immortal literader and a sketch of a sleeping child ture, and that it should apply to the done by Gibran in 1896 when he was younger generation of Syrians and Lebanese in every part of the world. but fourteen years old. Officially attending the services Considering the interest displayed were the consuls of the United States in the exhibition, Miss Young said France and Belgium, the Apostolic that it might be extended for months Legate in South Africa, the mayor of so as to afford all an opportunity to Johannesberg and the presidents of visit it. After the first three days various chambers of commerce and ciit was open to the public. vic organizat;ons. Meanwhile, memorial services for Gibran continue to be held in various parts of the world, especially wherever the Lebanese have large settle- PRIEST SAVES CHALICES AT RISK OF LIFE ments. A communicat;on to Al-Bashir (Jesuit Arabic paper of Beirut) from Braving a raging fire that was fast Australia gives an account of a me- consuming the frame structure of St. morial meeting held there on Nov. 15 Joseph's Syrian Catholic church on that was officially attended by the con- Wooster Ave., Akron, Ohio, in the suls of France and the United States early afternoon of Sunday Jan. 24, and four members of Parliament. Of- Rev. Agabios Riashi, the pastor, heedficially representing the government less of the great danger and despite was the Minister of the Interior. all efforts to restrain him, dashed Alexander Alam, M. P. who is of Leb- through the smoke and flame and sue- �— ' '""" :. ' -' 54 eeeded in saving the sacred vessels. In giving an account of the fire and the priest's act of heroism, the Akron Beacon Journal of Jan. 25 said that firemen were making a desperate effort to save the building, but it was an old frame structure and the crash of the roof or of weakened supports seemed certain. It would be foolhardy to risk one's life inside the flimsy waiis. But Rev. Riashi, continues the paper, had handled with loving touch the sacred vessels around the altar that same morning, and could not bear to think that they were at the mercy of the flames. "Let me through, please," said the priest quietly, and he darted suddenly toward the smoke filled doorway. There were cries of protest and many hands sought to detain him but he disappeared inside—and a little later, it seemed a long while, came staggering out bearing the sacred cups. He was choking with smoke fumes but was uninjured. A cheer broke out from those assembled near the front of the building, and as Rev. Riashi, shielding the chalices, walked through the lane that was formed, men removed their hats respectfully. Two fire companies fought the blaze and afterwards, with the walls still standing and the damage confined largely to the interior, it was said the loss might be about $1,200. The processional crosses,several beautiful pictures and other sacred fittings on the altar were destroyed. Placing of the incensers too close to woodwork in the church was said by firemen to have been responsible for the fire. The damage is only partly covered by insurance, but Rev. Riashi said that repair work will be started immediately. THE SYRIAN WORLD SYRAMAR GOLF CLUB HOLDS ANNUAL DINNER. True to the spirit of their fraternity, the members of the Syramar Golf Club (contraption for SyrianAmerican Golf Club) are incorrigible optimists. The year 1932 does not hold any terrors for them, and they ushered it in with a rousing jolly celebration at a dinner dance held at the Park Lane in New York on Jan. 30. There were about 230 guests and all shared in the high spirit (s?) of the occasion. The golfer's philosophy of life is essentially a buoyant one, an attitude that was ably expounded by the President of Syramar, George A. Tadross, in the pedantic dissertation he delivered at the opening of the speaking exercises. His remarks, however, were interspersed with many witty comments and observations that met with appreciative response from the sympathetic audience. And the whole affair was carried out in conformity with this policy. The setting, in the Louis XIV Room of the Park Lane, lent itself admirably to the execution of the elaborate program. Richard A. Macksoud acted as master of ceremonies and proved himself master of the situation. He promised many surprises and began to unreel them one after the other. In the arrangement of the entertainment program, he said, the committee in charge, was assisted by one whom he termed "the youngest manager on Broadway," Miss Morse. But when the young lady was later introduced she corrected that impression by disclaiming the distinction of being the the "youngest,"—quite exceptional of a lady— and explained that she was the only woman manager. Her ability was amply proven. Other distinctive features of the program were several dance numbers i �JANUARY, 1932 by Papino and Rhoda, Broadway favorites, and a number of classical and popular songs by Gigi of the Metropolitan, all of which were rewarded with resounding applause and necessitated several encores. A former President, Henry Hadad, invaded the green fields of poetry and proved himself as able in the manipulation of words as in the creation of ladies' dress designs. He drew a vivid picture of the happy life of the golfer and made a bid for membership. The Club championship is now a tie between George A. Ferris and Nat Mallouf, and the final issue will be settled in the 1932 tournament. The Entertainment Committee is composed of Henry Hadad, Chairman, David G. Malhame, Cecil Saydah. Richard E. Macksoud, George Shamyer and Nat Mallouf. In the words of Syramar's poet, Syramar, long may it prosper And expand throughout the nation. SYRIANS OF BRAZIL BUILD FINE HOSPITAL. In a ceremony that was attended by high officials of the state and city governments, and by representatives of civ?c, patriotic, benevolent and athletic Syrian and Lebanese organizations of the city, the cornerstone of the new Syrian Hospital was laid in Sao Paulo, on November 22 and hailed as the crowning achievement of the Syrian community in Braz'l. The project was started in 1923 tinder the auspices of the Syrian Ladies Society of Sao Paulo and the active leadership of Mrs. Basil Jafet. The initial move was in purchasing a twenty-thousand square meter plot of land for a sum of 350 contos, which served to bind the project. Lat- 55 er contributions raised the total subscriptions to one thousand contos, or the equivalent in normal exchange of $110,000.00. According to the architect's plans, the building consists of three stories and has 140 rooms. The operation rocm will be fitted out with the most modern equipment and there will be a charitable ward open to the needy of all nationalities. The 'hospital will be a purely charitable institution not to be operated for profit. It will be in charge of the Sisters of Charity. The Syrians of Braz:l, especially the Sao Paulo community, have been most active in civic enterprises calculated to enhance their racial prestige in our sister South American republic. On the occasion of the centenary of Brazil's independence, the Syrians presented the national governwith a magnificent monument erected through popular subscriptions exclusively from among themselves. The government at that time assigned one of the most prominent plazas of the capital for the erection of t'he monument and the President of the republic in person officiated at the dedication. SYRIAN ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE FOR CHARITY The Syr;an Junior League of New York will give a play at the Booth Theatre on Sunday evening. Feb. 21, the proceeds of which will be devoted wholly to charity. Talent has ,been recruited from among the members and their friends, so that the box office receipts, together with the revenue from the Souvenir Journal, will remain almost intact. The Junior League has been in the habit of making annual contribut:ons to. welfare societies and hospitals catering, to Syrians. �66 The Ameriean Syrian Federation, the largest civic organization among the Syrians in New York, has ca led a special meeting for Feb. 4 to discuss ways and means for raising funds for needy Syrians. A CHARITY BAZAAR SPONSORED BY AL-HODA As its contribution to the relief of distress among the Syrians and Lebanese cf New York, the Lebanon League of Progress will hold a bazaar during the three days and evenings of Feb. 27, 28 and 29, at Columbus Hall in Brooklyn, the proceeds of which will be distributed through the agency of the Syrian churches of the city of ail denominations. The Bazaar is being actively sponsored by AlHoda, the Arab-c daily of New York, which devotes to its promotion considerable space both in its editorial and news columns. CONCERT BY FEDORA KOREAN Mme. Fedora Korban, popularly known as the Syrian n-ghtingale, will give a concert at the Roehric Museum, 103rd. St. and Riverside Drive, New York, on the evening of Feb. 27.' The concert will be under the auspices of the Museum management who entertain great promise for the future of our noted singer. The program will consist of a large variety of selections, and it is to be hoped that the Syrian attendance will be large as a mark of appreciation and encouragement. SYRIAN FOOTBALL STAR The Daily Oklahoman of Oklahoma City features as the principal attraction of the charity football game to be THE SYRIAN WORLD played between the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University, "Iron Mike" Massad, fullback of the Sooner team, whom the paper describes as being a tower on the defensive. Massad is a senior of Oklahoma University and an American-born Syrian whose father is a merchant in Ardmore, Okla., and a native of Marjioun. We 'have to thank Miss Ruth Shadid of Elk City for having sent us the newspaper clipping and the additional information about this Syrian football star. PRINCETON WILL UNEARTH TREASURES OF ANTIOCH Antioch, the only one cf the four great centers of the ancient world which can be almost completely unearthed without disturbing buildings that have been erected above its ruins, will be excavated by Princeton University in collaboration w-th the Musees Nationaux of France, the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Worcester Art Museum, according to an announcement in the Princeton Herald, organ of Princeton University on Jan. 29. Our friend and compatriot, Dr. Philip K. Hitti of Princeton, sent us the clipping of the University paper containing the announcement. A five year program for the excavation has been planned and funds for 'ts consummation have been guaranteed, it is further stated. Field surveys are now being made and the actual digging will start in March. Antioch ranks with Rome, Constantinople and' Alexandra as an ancient center of culture and commerce. "The excavation of Antioch." said Professor C. Rufus Morey, Chairman, of the Princeton Department of Art and Archaeology, "will be of paramount interest and importance because buried in its ruins is material relating I'i �JANUARY, 1932 to the history of Christianity and the Seleucid Kingdom, to the solution of the problems of the part played by Syria in the evolution of the mediaeval culture of the Mediterranean and the Crusades. If one adds to this the prospect of recovering' even a minute pcrtion of the works of art for which the luxurious city was famous for a millenium of its existence, from its beginning around 300 B. C. to its final florescence just before the Arab conquest, it is not difficult to understand why the eyes of the field archaeologists have constantly been turned toward this little Syrian village." Antioch was founded about 300 B. C. by one of Alexander's generals. It became the commercial, political, cultural and literary center of the Near East. When Syria became a Roman province in 64 B. C. each Roman ruler endeavored to surpass Irs predecessor in beautifying Antioch. . After an earthquake in 115 A. D. it was restored by Trajan and in the sixth century Justinian repa;red the damage done during a Persian raid. LOCAL PUBLICATION FOR LOS ANGELES SYRIANS A four-page leaflet in English to serve the Syrian community of Los Angeles, California, published monthly and called "Community Newls," has made its appearance under the editorship of Mr. Samuel M. Mamey. In his prefatory announcement, the editor admits that the step he has taken is a "bold venture," and that he intends to conduct the experiment for a period of six months, and only if it proves to be successful and selfsupporting will it be continued. We believe this to be a wise policy, but hope the response of the Los Angeles Syrian community which the 57 editor estimates at about 10,000, will justify the continuation of the publication, A copy of Gibran's Message to Young Americans of Syrian Origin having been received as a gift from the Syrian World by the Syrian Young Men's Society of Los Angeles, Community News expressed a desire to publish it in its columns once permission is granted from the publishers. The Syrian World hereby gladly grants such permission. It is our aim that the spirit of the immortal message be carried to as many readers as possible. The following news items are copied from Community News owing to their general interest: SYRIANS IN FOOTBALL Influence in football is being felt everywhere and is enchanced by the fact that Syrian students play on college teams. Tom Kassis, student at Notre Dame, played All-American, season of 1930. Glen Edwards, recognized as one of the best football men in the Pacific Coast Conference, attends Washington State College. All-American in 1930. George Haik's name appears on the roster of Tulane College. Considered one of the best passers in the Southern Conference. FEATURED IN FILMS George Book-Asta, 14, and Basil Book-Asta, 12, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Book-Asta. of 8007 Highland Trail, Hollywood, are the two youths who are prominently identified in motion picture productions. Basil, typifying junior parts, has played in a number of pictures. His brother George, feature artist, played important parts in two recent pictures, "Hell's Harbor" and "The Unholy Garden." �58 THE SYRIAN WORLD STATEMENT OP THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT. CIRCULATION •f The Syrian World, published monthly at New York, N. Y., Oct. 1, 1931. STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK. Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the state and county aforesaid, personally appeared Salloum A. Mokarzel, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the publisher of The Syrian World, and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, management (and if a da.ly paper, the circulation), etc.. of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section 411, Postal Laws and Regulations, printed on the reverse of this form, to wit: 1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business managers are: Name of— Post office address— Publisher, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. Editor, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. Managing Editor, Salloum A. Mokarzel 104 Greenwich Street. Business Manager, Sailoum A. Mokarzel 104 Greenwich Street. 2. That the owner is: (If owned by a corporation, its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereunder the names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding one per cent, or more of total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a firm, company or other unincorporated concern, its name and address, as well as those of each individual member, must be given.) Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. 3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent, or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other secur.ties are: (If there are none, so state.) None. 4. That the two paragraphs next above, giving the names of the owners, stockholders, security holders, if any, contain not only the list of stockholders and security holders as they appear upon the books of the company but also, in cases where the stockholder or security holder appears upon the bocks of the company as trustee or in any other fiduciary relation, the name of the person or corporation for whom such trustee is acting is given; also that the said two paragraphs contain statements embracing affiant's full knowledge and belief as to the circumstances and conditions under which stockholders and security holders who do not appear upon the books of the company as trustees, hold stock and securities in a capacity other than that of a bona fide owner; and this affiant has no reason to believe that any other person, association, or corporation has any interest direct or indirect in the said stock, bonds, or other securities than as so stated by him. 5. That the average number of copies of each issue of this publication sold or distributed, through the mails or otherwise, to paid subscribers during the six months preceding the date shown above is. (This information is required from daily publications only.) S. A. MOKARZEL. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14th day" of October, 1931 [Seal.] Edna M. Huckner. (My commission expires March 30, 1932.) ' �""-"'"•"• 59 JANUARY, 1932 n Gibran's Message To Young Americans of SyrianOrigin By G. K. GIBRAN Autijor of ilTke Prophet," "Jesus the Son of Man," I believe in you. and I believe in your destiny. I believe that you are contributors to this new civilization. I .believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream, a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America. I believe you can say to the founders of this great nation. "Here I am. a youth, a young tree, whose roots were plucked from the hills of Lebanon, yet I am deeply rooted here, and I would be fruitful." And 1 believe that you can say to Abraham Lincoln, the blessed. "Jesus of Nazareth touched your lips when you spoke, and guided your hand when you wrote; and I shall uphold all that you have said and all that you have written." I believe that you can say to Emerson and Whitman and James. "In my veins runs the blood of the poets and wise men of old, and it is my desire to come to you and receive, but I shall not come with empty hands." I believe that even as your fathers came to this land to produce riches, you were born here to produce riches by intelligence, by labor. And I believe that it is in you to be good citizens. And what is it to be a good citizen? It is to acknowledge the other person's rights before asserting your own. but always to be conscious of your own. ' i It is to be free in thought and deed, but it is also to know that your freedom is subject to the other person's freedom. It is to create the useful and the beautiful with your own hands, and to admire what others have created in love and with faith. It is to produce wealth by labor and only by labor, and to spend less than you have produced that your children may not be dependent on the state for support when you are no more. It is to stand before the towers of New York, Washington, Chicago and San Francisco saying in your heart. "I am the descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus, and Tyre and Sidon. and Antioch, and now I am here to build with you. and with a will." It is to be proud of being an American, but it is also to be proud that your fathers and mothers came from a land upon which God laid His gracious hand and raised His messengers. Young Americans of Syrian origin. I believe in you. itrnMnvwrntommtsmisMmumti mmmmmmtw ":• ;• FREE TO SYRIAN WORLD SUBSC RIBERS. This beautiful message by Gibran 13x17 indies, printed in large type on heavy paper with ornamental border suitable for framing. Every PAID subscriber whose term begins with Sept. 1931 is entitled to a copy, mailed in heavy cardboard tube. Subscribers whose term begins before Sept. 1931 may secure a copy by renewal. �60 THE SYRIAN WORLD AUTHENTIC ORIENTAL RUGS THE A. SLEYMAN COMPANY, INC. 1276 5th AVENUE 1 NEW YORK CITY Phone BOgardus 4-4345 George Haddad Proprietor ,x» j§| S Phone CHickering 4-8878 ALEXANDRIA RESTAURANT rt * - n^F^^oX^. - fcmall and large parties catered to So Conveniently Located 21 WEST 31st STREET NEW YORK IT IS YOURS vou T Mp. continue and ;rb;^~ and inducing others to subscribe. ^ yourself PUBLISHER, THE SYRIAN WORLD: 104 Greenwich Street, New York. *• ZZwtZZZZ? " * suhsriler to "Th<^~ g W rate of $5.00 upon receipt of the first issue. Address -.. .• ir'SSS.KiMMiy. SHd^.gcSjjfi^a . �** JERE J. CRONIN FUNERAL DIRECTOR MORTUARY CHAPEL Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to LADY ATTENDANT Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire 115 ATLANTIC AVENUE BROOKLYN, N. Y. \ The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverence and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very little cost. No charge for use of our services or funeral parlors. Telephone—MAIN 1338-1399-8130-3655 UAAA/ HOW TO BREED MOTHS Leave your rugs on the floor with all the dirt and germs they have collected during the winter and which home methods cannot remove. Nature will do the rest. RESTORATIVE: Call the THE KOURI CARPET CLEANING CORPORATION RUG WASHERS NEW YORK, N. Y. 10 West 33rd Street Tel. LOngacre 5-2385 3 JERSEY CITY, N. J. 552 Johnston Avenue Tel. BErgen 3-1085 SHEIK RESTAURANT A well-appointed Syrian reetaurant in the heart of the Syrian Quarter, in lower Manhattan, where yon and your friends can enjoy the moat delectable Oriental meals amidst the charm of an Oriental atmosphere. Second Foor for Banquets and Private Parties KIRDAHY RESTAURANTS, Inc. 65 WASHINGTON ST., New Yerk /TTTyTt»T'»?ff»ffy<|>yyyi^ �The Arabic LINOTYPE ...in TRIPOLI The whole of the Northern Coast of Africa is Arabicspeaking, and as a compact unit linguistically it is bound to rega.n its former position as a highly civilized and progressive part of the world once it awakens to the modern requisites of progress. One of the chief requirements is the propagation of the printed word, as otherwise there could be no universal education. Printing cannot be called pro- U gressive without the use of the Linotype, which is the me- 0 chanical method of setting type with speed and economy The Linotype has been adapted to Arabic composition and .snowbeingusedinalmosteveryArabic-speakingcountry -eluding a„ of North Africa. ,n Tripoli it is being operated to complete satisfaction by J u Societe EdiH-ice Arenaica Nuova, Bengosi •ponAr^eT^ deSCnPtiVe Cata 0gUe ' * ** Arabi < "**** sent free MERCENfHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, U. S. A. Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK (: DE LINOTYPED Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World Linotype Metrolite and Metroblack K �i t'^LINOTYPE"""') > • ** J^. ^»J ^Ji 5-j. U>1 JU ^ ^jj| ,>ui V-Ul 0- J.VJI UjT,. foUui ^ g ^ v ^ ^ ol cA V eUi o>* il ^^kJi UJ3l jHjy jfL.jJ| ei. ^ aSj -iUtj ^ ^i^^i ^-J ^jj, ^rV( -^ ^ ^ J-a^ OVI ^j lo^Jl ^XJ| j^ (^-yjy -jjj, ^ j;-^ .ii,y &M ^^ J^ ^^ C>*i '->><" ifjlfclf L-U. pa-,' MERCENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY I BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, U. S. A Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World MSsM J* ^iy^ ^yij \s&Jh c,^ <-*^ 6* ^^! '•** ^ I* J5 �64 THE SYRIAN WORLD ATTENTION! FORWARD! SAFE! MARCH ON TO PROGRESS! i START A BANK ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY LET YOUR MONEY Accumulate for Future NEEDS AND HAPPINESS INTEREST 4 .% Ter zAnnum ON TIME DEPOSITS FROM $10.00 UP Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more. FAOUR BANK D. J. FAOUR & BROS. Established 1891 Under Supervision of New York State Banking Department. Capital and Surplus Over $500,000.00 85 WASHINGTON ST., NEW YORK CITY £3£ -,-.. . \;.v.\. ; •-., � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1932_01reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 05 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1932 January Description An account of the resource Volume 6 Issue 05 of The Syrian World published January 1932. The issue opens with a travel journal entry from Ameen Rihani detailing his experiences in Aden, which he describes as a “once beautiful and hospitable Arab city.” This piece is followed by a poem titled "The Prophet" by Thomas Asa, a regular contributor to the Syrian World. This specific poem is dedicated to Kahlil Gibran, who passed away the previous year. After an article by Dr. F. I. Shatara discussing Arab contributions to World Civilizations, there is a collection of poetry edited by Barbara Young. H. I Katibah follows with a discussion on the challenge of liberalism for Islam. There is also a focus in this issue on the Maronite Christian religion due to the death of the Maronite Patriarch Elias Peter Howayek. This topic is followed by classic pieces of Arab literature and three book reviews. The issue closes with an update on political developments in Syria and a collection of articles on Syrians world news. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Ameen Rihani Barbara Young F.I. Shatara Habib I. Katibah Kahlil Gibran Maronite Church New York Poetry-English Thomas Asa Travel Yemen https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/8770c3f6b9f149e74c0f97238ae4460d.pdf aa670fa21f053c597c000f445a063ff0 PDF Text Text VOL. Mk m m DECEMBER 1931 NO. 4 ��THE SYRIAN WORLD "Published monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New "iork, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. VI NO. 4 DECEMBER, 1931 t CONTENTS Palestine of Religious Romance and Historic Realism By H. I. Christmas Altar (a Poem) By ALICE KATIBAH 11 MOKARZEL The Great Recurrence By Poetry, Edited by 3 12 KAHLIL GIBRAN 15 BARBARA YOUNG Blithesome Boy, by BARBARA YOUNG Christmas Poetry Still There is Bethlehem, by 17 18 NANCY BYRD TURNER Carol, by GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON Second Coming, by ERNEST HARTSOCK. 18 18 18 �CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE News and Views .. 19 By A STAFF OBSERVER Are These Great Men Really Syrians? 19 Origin of Chivalry 22 East and West "... 23 Omar Khayyam—His Grave and Shiraz Wine 24 Promoting Religious Understanding 26 Home and Family ....' Edited by 27 BAHIA AL-MUSHEER The Dietetic Value of Syrian Food A Menu For American Guests Proper Roasting How Ladies Could Use Idle Hours A Party for Aneesa, (A Short Story) By EDNA K. 27 28 29 29 30 SALOOMEY Book Reviews 39 A Book of Sentiment and Fact on a Great Syrian Poet 39 Resurrecting the Glory of Syria 41 Spanning the Nation's History 43 Peace and Good Will, Plus Faith By 44 THE EDITOR Political Developments in Syria Syrian World News Section .45 51 I �, — \ Syrian ^^^^ f/ MOKARZEL, Editor SALLOUM A. M< DECEMBER, 1931 VOL. VI NO. 4 Palestine of Religious Romance and Historic Realism THE SUCCESSION OF EVENTS WHICH MADE A HOLY LAND OF THE SMALL SYRIAN PROVINCE LYING AT THE INTERSECTION OF THREE CONTINENTS By H. I. KATIBAH PALESTINE, to millions of our matter-of-fact, practical, realistic generation, is not a geographic term so much as a state of mind and imagination. It suggests not so much plains, hills, valleys, rivers and stretches of gray, rocky, barren land as it does an idyllic state of serenity, happiness, joy and eternal peace. It is not surprising that such were the connotations and associations invoked by the word "Palestine" to the generations of our grandfathers and great grandfathers in countries far removed from that little country squeezed in the southern portion of a little corridor between three continents—Asia, Europe and Africa. For Palestine, to them, was something they learned about in the Bible and from queer, multicolored maps of the Sunday schools. It was studied always in connection with an ancient history that was always surrounded with a halo of sanctity and mystery, and often a sense of taboo besides. Rarely was it ever, studied with any effort at historic and geographic perspective. Great and mighty nations as the Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians and Greeks, were' just outlandish, distant names that gain significance only in that �4 THE SYRIAN WORLD they are brought in association with the name of the Hebrews the chosen people of God. There was such a thing as "sacred history" and "profane history," and our ancestors sincerely believed that the former could be studied separately, encompassed as it was between the two morocco covers of a collection of books—the Bible. In the minds of those pious forefathers of ours even profane history became "bibliocentnc," and the achievements and civilizations of great neighboring countries was dwarfed and dwindled in contrast with the earnest, religious message of the Hebrew prophets and psalmists. Socrates' Plato and Aristotle, who came in the twilight of Hebrew history, were perhaps unknown to most of the Hebrew learned men and priests of their days, and Greek civilization, which at one time threatened to swallow the Hebrew and other civilizations of the East, was condemned as an unclean, heathen innovation. And to most of those who read the Bible a hundred or fifty years ago, even to many who read it today, this great ancient civilization meant just as little. It mattered little that Greek philosophy stole through the backdoor of Christian theology and square-footedly occupied a secure place in the Bible, or that it was two great Jews, Philo and St. Paul, who introduced this same Greek philosophy to the Semitic practical religion of the Jews. It is no wonder, we say, that our ancestors took such an exclusive view of Palestine and its history, and that to them Palestine was an idealized term of religious sentiment and distant history. In those days there were no cables to link far-flung countries of the world together and make them seem like a little country town where all the gossip of the day could be exchanged around the stove of the country general store; there were no fast trains that devoured space, no airplanes that annihilated time, and shrunk this globe of ours to one tenth of its original size. For, after all, time and distance are relative terms, and only have sense in relation to our capacity for turning them into subjective human experience. But the wonder is that to a great number of people among us, in this age of the cable, the fast trains, trans-Atlantic steamers,zeppelins and airplanes, Palestine still is-a term of religious romance that has little historic realism and practically no geographic perspective to them. I was strongly reminded of this in a little anecdote that a friend of mine, a former research worker in the Foreign Policy Association, once related to me. She told me that she was once dictating a letter to a Jewish stenographer in the office, and when �— "DECEMBER, 1931 fntTrmrrrTmmmm' , 5 the letter was finished she directed that it be addressed to a certain gentleman in Jerusalem, Palestine. The Jewish girl opened her eyes wide with sudden surprise. "Jerusalem? /" she asked, her eyes shining with a mysterious, distant gleam, as if the word suggested to her some golden dream of romance and bliss. "Yes, Jerusalem! " replied the research worker, smiling. "Palestine? " again asked the surprised stenographer. "Yes, Palestine " added the research worker. "And will it reach there? " still persisted the puzzled questioner. "Certainly it will! " assured the young lady whose job it was to keep a great section of American public opinion fully informed on the latest developments in Palestine, Syria, Egypt and the rest of the Arabic-speaking world. Not only to Christians, but to Jews and Moslems also, the earthly Palestine, and particularly Jerusalem, is inseparably linked with the heavenly one. The Jews, among the followers of the three great monotheistic religions, were the ones to whom the earthly Palestine, the earthly Jerusalem, was not only real, but the very centre of their reality, and without which their hopes, aspirations, their history and religion, were without significance or substantiality. At least that could be safely said of the orthodox Jews. They had a feverish, fanatic, almost fetichistic attachment to the actual soil, the actual stones, the hills, valleys, trees, the very air that circulated in the clear, translucent sky of that little bit of a Holy Land. This was especially true after the second destruction of Jerusalem under Hadrian who ordered the city rebuilt as Aelia Capitolina and prevented the Jews from even entering it again on the pains of death. Jerusalem became then to the Jews the land of their lost dream, their ultimate hope and salvation, when Jehovah would gather them from their diaspora in every corner of the world and bring them back in rejoicing and triumph to Zion. Once the land came into the possession of a friendly Semitic people, the Arabs, it was this same passionate longing for Palestine, for Zion, that burned in the hearts of pious Jewish pilgrims and made them leave sometimes comfortable homes in lands where they had flourished and prospered, facing innumerable dangers "of seas and lands, to arrive to the land of their happy dreams, even if it were only to lay their hands on its sod and die. It was this inexplicable attachment for a land from which they were separated by �WHtHHtmmmmm immmmmm ON Or, fch. o The Holy City of Jerusalem, as it appears from the Mount of Olives. �DECEMBER, 1931 7 thousands of miles and almost as many years, that gave rise to numerous legends and ceremonies which added more halo and romance to a country, otherwise less fortunate than many others in the same neighborhood, and less favoured by Providence and nature. Jerusalem became the city "in the middle of the world," and the city to which all the dead will be gathered in the day of resurrection. Those who could not go to Palestine and die there, have to walk in dark, subterranean passages when the archangel Gabriel blows his horn, and every soul answers the roll call to appear before the Great Judge. In their superstitious yearning for "Eretz Yizroel," it was considered a soothing compensation for Jews who die outside Palestine to sprinkle a little of its sacred soil between the legs of the dead—the seat of, life. Perhaps no Jew gave a more intense, sublime expression to this yearning than Jehuda Halevi who lived in the 12th century in Spain, in the heyday of Arab supremacy. He himself wrote in Arabic as well as in Hebrew, and was well off in the country of his sojourn. But there was a mysterious unrestfulness about him which seemed to egg him on and prod him to visit Palestine. Life to him was worthless unless that object was fulfilled, and he sang in longing and anguish of that land of his forefathers that sometimes rose to the heights of the Hebrew psalms, and were shot through with references to biblical passages and incidents. Legend has it that as he was within sight of his cherished dream he was shot by an Arab soldier with an arrow, and so the Jewish poet died within a stone's throw, so to speak, of the Temple, of which he had sung so majestically and pathetically. Here is a typical song, perhaps one of his best, of Jehuda Halevi, from the English translation of Nina Salaman: "Beautiful of elevation! Joy of the world! City of the Great King! For thee my soul is longing from limits of the west. The tumult of my tenderness is stirred when I remember Thy glory of old that is departed—thine habitation which is desolate. 0 that I might fly on eagles' wings, That I might water thy dust with my tears until they mingle together. 1 have sought thee even though thy King is not in thee and though, in place �IT ! 8 THE SYRIAN WORLD Of thy Gilead's balm, are now the fiery serpent and scorpion. Shall I not be tender to thy stones and kiss them, And the taste of thy soil be sweeter than honey unto mer" But neither in Jehuda Halevi nor any of his compatriots who wasted themselves for Palestine do we hear a celestial note. For while it is true that Aelia supplanted the time-honored name (Jerusalem), as Margolioth remarks, and the latter name began to be used exclusively for "the heavenly city of devotional fancy painted in more gorgeous colours than before," the Jews still clung to the earthly Jerusalem, while Christians, whose Messiah had already come and was with the Father in heaven, lost all interest in the earthly Jerusalem and concentrated it on the heavenly Jerusalem, and often was the former transfigured beyond all recognition of its geographic and historic identity. Thus when a Bernard de Morlaix, who was contemporary to Jehuda Halevi, sang of: "Jerusalem the golden, With milk and honey blest, Beneath thy contemplation Sink heart and voice opprest" we are, sometimes, not quite sure whether the hymnodist had in mind the heavenly or the earthly Jerusalem, or perhaps both in some mystic union of devotional fancy and fervour. Perhaps the ones who held the most realistic view of Palestine were the Moslem Arabs who occupied the country in the seventh century, the first to fall under their control in their swift and brilliant series of conquest after they sallied forth from their Arabian homeland. Yet, even the Arabs themselves did not want to be outdone by the Jews and Christians in their devotion to Palestine, "the resting-place of the prophets, the descent place of the angels and of inspiration." It was this desire to rival its sister Semitic, monotheistic religious in pouring its tribute to the "Sacred House," that was back of that most audacious "revelation" of the "Isra," or "nocturnal journey," from the Holy Temple in Mecca to "the Furthermost Temple" in Jerusalem. At the same time of that revelation, one year before the hegira, many of the believers themselves cast serious doubts on the Prophet's claim that that distance, which took a whole month to cover by swiftly driven camels one �DECEMBER, 1931 9 way and another month back, was actually traversed by him in one night. There were no airplanes in those days, of course, nor did the Prophet say that he rode on a magical carpet of wind. On the contrary, Mohammed asserted that Gabriel supplied him with a green mount, a cross-breed between a donkey and a mule, called al-Buraq. Once in Jerusalem, Mohammed tied his miraculous mount to a window outside the Temple wall, and to the present day the Mughrabite custodians of the Buraq quarter point to you that very window without any qualms of doubt or trepidation. Then he entered the Temple, and behold Gabriel had gathered for him all the prophets from their graves, and he led them in a short prayer of "two kneelings!" In this way the transfiguration of Palestine became complete, and the real, earthly Palestine put on a sheen of myth and sanctity more mythical and more sanctified than realistic history could possibly justify. It took a long and arduous campaign of historic and critical scholarship to restore Palestine to its realistic proportions. Whole books and monographs have been written and are still being written to remove an endless number of illusions about the Holy Land, illusions that have no origin in fact, but were generously supplied by the pious imaginations of devotees to a country so intimately and inseparably linked with the cradle of their religions. Mark Twain poked satiric fun at those religio-romantic tourists who travelled up and down the Holy Land gushing forth exaggerated and unbridled sentiment about its unmatched beauty and 'undying glory. He was, on the contrary, impressed especially by its ardity, the sordidness of its environment and lack of scenic beauty. To bring the realization of its proper dimensions nearer to his r.rtaers in America he declares that "the State of Missouri could be split into three Palestines, and there would then be enough material left for part of another—possibly a whole one." That this reminder of Mark Twain was not unjustified or uncalled for may be appreciated from an incident which I beg to cite from my own experience. Travelling one day in Ohio, some fifteen years ago, I was engaged in conversation with a pious old lady who was trying to win me to her peculiar form of religious vagaries and convince me that the second coming of Christ was very near, within a few years at most. She gave me some literature to read in which the descent of the Heavenly Jerusalem over the earthly one was vividly described. The heavenly city was to be three hundred miles in length and three hundred miles in width. - �10 rHE SYRIAN WORLD "Do you realize, my dear lady," I commented as I read that description, "that the heavenly Jerusalem you speak of would cover twice the size of Palestine, and a large part of it would lie in the Mediterranean Sea!" Singling out a particularly sentimental tourist who had written more fancy than fact about Palestine, Mark Twain describes him as one who "went through this peaceful land with one hand forever on his revolver and the other on his pocket handkerchief. Always, when he was not on the point of crying over a holy place, he was on the point of killing an Arab." Then he adds with a touch of indignant irony: "More surprising things happened to him than to any traveller here or elsewhere since Munchausen died!" Mark Twain did a great service to the people of his generation, and his "Innocents Abroad" is a classic of debunking which every tourist, particularly to the Holy Land, should read. Nevertheless the stream of sentimental literature about Palestine still goes on. But the banner of fervid eulogizing and romancing vagary today is not carried by Christian monks and tourists, but by so-called "practical Zionists," who refuse to believe that Palestine is too small, too barren and utterly unfit for ethnic, industrial and military considerations, to be the seat of a revived Jewish state. Nor would they even read their own history with eyes undimmed by the wish-fulhllments of their harried, persecuted career in Palestine itself and ever since they were driven out from it. To Zionists in particular, and to all others who cannot or refuse to separate in their minds between Palestine of fancy and Palestine of fact, Palestine of religious romance and Palestine of historic realism, I sincerely commend a recent book written by a Jewish rabbi, a scholar and gifted writer, who took upon himself the task of redrawing the whole history of the Jews in deft and broad strokes that restore its true picture to us and place it in a true perspective of history and balanced reason. This book, "Srranger than Fiction," by Lewis Browne, is a great work of popularization which brings within our reach the painstaking labours of hundreds of scholars and historians—that disquieting tribe of indefatiguable workers who ever insist on bringing us back to our senses and destroy our cherished illusions ithat have no roots in fact, and often not even in fancy. One paragraph from this book, describing Jerusalem in the days of David, is sufficient to illustrate the spirit and aim of the author: �11 !PS" DECEMBER, 1931 i 11 "When David took hold of Jerusalem," writes Mr. Browne, "it must have been much like any other Canaanite town. From end to end its length was probably that of ten of our city blocks, and surrounding it was a tremendously high wall of stone. The houses were flat-roofed, one story huts of stone plastered with mud} and there was no furniture inside them. The people ate and slept on the ground, and the animals ate and slept with them. Horrid smells filled every corner of the town, for of course there were no sewers and no street-cleaning department. Nasty insects buzzed around everywhere, for refuse rotted in front of every house. Savage, half-starved dogs prowled about, and here and there dirty little children, naked save for the good-luck charms hung around their necks, with bellies swollen from drinking foul water, and faces covered with sores and scars, played amid the filth or ran errands. "Such was Jerusalem that became the capital of David's empire. There he established his harem of twenty or thirty wives— and right proud he must have been of it, for in those days the might of a monarch was largely judged by the size of his harem—and there he served as high priest and chief justice and king." Christmas Altar By ALICE MOKARZEL There is a holy quiet here— A sacred stillness that breathes a calm Unto the troubled heart} a balmy incense That seeks the weary soul and bids it rise And behold the comfort of a thousand years Revealed above the glamour of this shrine. There are the gifts of Magi here— In leaves that twine the golden cross, And candles, soothing the beloved dark Like pallid, love-lit soldiers, guarding This world-heart of the hearts of men. There is an unsung carol here That fills the breast of king and shepherd, And quells the tired and aching heart That finds its solace near His bed. 3L««^..-<- .-*,» - -. �THE SYRIAN WORLD 12 The Great Recurrence By KAHLIL GIBRAN Author of "Jesus, the Son of Man/' "The Prophet," etc. MANY centuries ago they said that the humble shepherds of Judea and the wise Kings of Persia came to a manger to worship the infant Jesus. They also said that the shepherds sang of peace and good will, and of love that binds man to man; and that the wise Kings laid gold and frankincense at the feet of the Blessed Babe. Today we children of the vast yesterday come to a manger, which is in truth our solitude; each one of us a shepherd who would have peace in the pasture of his thoughts, and the good will of all the other shepherds—and each one of us a King of his own destiny, who would lay gold and frankincense at the feet of his greater self: gold for assurance and frankincense for dreams. You and I and all our neighbors would kneel before the anointed genius of mankind, which is in us all. And they say that Jesus was born in a cave even like his forerunners, Orpheus and Methra and Zoroaster. They said this for they knew that only the secret depths can give birth to great heights. �! I // DECEMBER, 1931 13 II I' I And today, we, too, believe that vast souls, even as vast worlds, move from darkness to light, and from oblivion to recognition, from hidden roots to blooms that laugh in the sun and dance in the wind. But they said that the King of Judea decreed, in his fear, the slaughter of all the newborn in the land, for he was told even by the Persian seers that the infant Jesus should overrule him and deprive him of scepter and diadem. Today we in our fear of the unknown tomorrow would slay the innocence in us that it may not be a stumbling block in the path of our governing intelligence. But, thanks be to the heavens above, there is for some of us an Egypt for an escape and golden sands and palm trees for safety. If We go there in faith, knowing that that which we would save in us is the truth and the beauty which the angel of our white nights so graciously taught us to love and protect. Yea, it was in that distant yesterday when the genius of our heart's desire was born, and the secret in our depth was revealed to us, and the innocence in us sought escape from the designing which is in us also. And all this shall come to pass many times before we reach our homecoming. It is the mystic recurrence of the divine mystery before the face of the Son. (Reprinted from the Herald Tribune, Dec. 23, 1928) ^SSSmSmmBBmn^mSm,- �Co *3 Symbolic of The Great Recurrrence. o to �•DECEMBER, 1931 BARBARA YOUNG, Editor "The child is but a day old, yet we have seen the light of our God in His eyes and the smile of cur God upon His mouth. "We bid you protect Him that He may protect you all." Kahlil Gibran QOLD AND frankincense and myrrh Never the celebration of the Christmas holiday that these words do not ring in our hearts like temple bells. The poetry of the Yuletide is like the poetry of no other time in all the twelvemonth of the year, even as the poet whose birth we now remember, surpasses all other poets who have lived and died upon this, planet; the Poet who lived his poems and who left not so much as one written word on any parchment. In that little bridge-country which has been an embattled field since time began, in the midst of civil turbulence and inter-racial violence, this Poet? and this Prince of Peace was born. In the East, in the Arabic speaking countries, all princes have been poets There were long ages when such a being as a king who was not also a poet was unthinkable. But the Poet of Nazareth, born, the churchlv reord reads "in Bethlehem of Judea," has bequeathed to mankind a heritage of poetry such as none other of any land, of any time, has left. What he may actually have said reallv matters little after all The divine beauty and power that invested his human person, the mighty emanation from his ageless spirit lives and shall live a persistent song in the deep heart of the race, and a golden word upon its tongue. �I I 16 THE SYRIAN WORLD More poetry has been written in his name than in the name of any other ten of earth's high spirits. And there is that in every remembrance of this Man which imparts a rhythm and a melody even to the prose that takes his doings for its theme. The magic of his being bestows a quality of music upon our common words and every poet who puts quill to paper delights to ponder his ways and nis comeliness. "Then suddenly, one night, I had a vision—we will call it so. I saw a Young Man working with his tools, Hammer and' plane and saw, beside a bench. It was a room like this. Often he stopped And looked away out through the open door To the low hills. I heard him speaking, too He was a comely fellow, very young, Twenty perhaps, with eyes like mountain pools, The kind you'd know would gather stars at night In their dark depths. His hands upon the wood And on the plane were like two conscious things That breathed and thought and lived a separate life. I've never seen two other hands like those, Nor such a frame, compact like a young tree And his face, Michael, it was like a god, And like a child, and like a woman, too;' But most of all it was a poet's face,— A poet who could be a warrior If need be, or a shepherd, or a king, Or just a man, a village carpenter." "T *fc ^ sfc Today there is a great stirring in the world above this world. This Christmas Eve when the choirs from our great city churches gather around the living tree that comes to visit Times Square, and when the people of Becharre, far away in the Lebanon hills, go through the snowy night, singing and carrying their lanterns to the village sanctuary there will be also a mighty convocation in the ether of those freed spirits who have achieved the heights since last the Christmas carols escended from the hearts of earth to the great Heart of Heaven. And if we shall listen in the innermost of our being, who knows that we too may not hear the echo of a heavenly host chanting the poetry of that world beyond this world? I �DECEMBER, 1931 17 Blithesome Boy I think he was a blithesome Boy. I think his words were clear and free; I think he was as straight and brown As some young tree. I think his laugh rang down the wind. I think he tossed his tumbled hair And flung a snatch of simple song Upon the air. I think he lingered on the hills, And learned the magic of the grass; And knew the heart of every tree That saw him pass. And heard upon the mountain-top The distant singing in the sun From cedar branches blowing green On Lebanon. I I think he came to Mary's door With eager homeward-running feet, And to his hungry human mouth Her bread was sweet. Yet he himself was bread, and wine, And olive-branch and cedar tree, And grass, and star, and shining depth Of Galilee. Oh, he was laughter and delight, And he was pain, and tears, and death, And every suffering, and joy Of Nazareth. He was all silence, and all song; He was a cross, a diadem; The Man of Sorrows, and the Babe Of Bethlehem. BARBARA YOUNG from The Keys of Heaven �IS THE SYRIAN WORLD Christmas Poetry STILL THERE IS BETHLEHEM All love and mystery in one little face. All light and beauty in a single star That rose among the shadows, pure and far, Above an humble place. All heaven in song upon a lonely hill, Earth listening, fain and still. The long years go; the old stars rise and set, Dreams perish, and we falter in the night. Still there is Bethlehem; could heart forget That loveliness, that light? Shadows there are, but who shall fail for them? Still there is Bethlehem. Nancy Byrd Turner in Good Housekeeping. CAROL The Christ Child lay on Mary's lap, His hair was like a light. (Oh, weary, weary were the world, But here is all aright.) The Christ ChUd lay on Mary's breast, His hair was like a star. (Oh, stern and cunning are the kings, But here the true hearts are.) The Christ Child stood on Mary's knee, His hair was like a crown. And all the flowers looked up at Him And all the stars looked down. Gilbert Keith Chesterton. SECOND COMING He found us like the deathly thief In all our night of unbelief; A new star, like the Magi's gem Above a blind new Bethlehem. He lighted up the little way Of men lost fearfully in clay. Firefly or foxfire he was not, But some eternal burning spot. Some fagot that the gods forgot, Some alien torch that dropped in place From bonfires on the fields of space; With beauty almost blasphemous He aureoled and haloed us. And we who had not known before The white of daisies by a door, The white of cloud and sycamore, Knew suddenly the feathered frond Of angel's wings—and worlds beyond. Though some men craven with their fear Shaded their eyes when he grew near, Some men who did not dread the glow, Went close and were translucent so, With souls like hexagons of snow. For we who once were darkened glass Through which men's gazes could not pass. Each opened and a rainbow was! Ernest Hartsock in The Best Poems of 1931 Thomas Moult. / �"DECEMBER, 1931 19 News and Views By A STAFF OBSERVER ARE THESE GREAT MEN REALLY SYRIANS? / pAR BE it from us to advance any preposterous claim calculated to nourish an unseemly racial vanity. But we cannot very well omit, for the purpose of historical record, reference to some facts which every now and then creep into public print and have a direct bearing on Syrian ethnology. Our excuse is that since others discuss such matters openly we are entitled to the same privilege." In saying this we do not mean to be apologetic; simply modest! Upon the visit of Premier Laval of France to the United States reference often was made in the American press to the fact that he was of Arab blood. A writer in the New York Sun was so positive of this fact that he attributed to it not only the French Premier's "extreme swarthiness of complexion but also the impregnable placidity he exhibited in trying circumstances." A Syrian lady who attended the dinner given in the Premier's honor in New York called the office of the Syrian World the following day to break the glad news that M. Laval was not only Arab but Syrian. The secret had been revealed to her, she said, by someone who was in a position to know, and we knowing the lady to be of judicious discernment were strongly inclined to credit her report, but for fuller confirmation sought information of one of our French friends in New York, M. H. Jules-Bois, a scholar and author of standing who had lectured at the French Institute on the career of M. Laval under the official auspices of the French consul. M. Jules-Bois neither affirmed nor denied, simply confining himself to the statement that he did not know sufficiently about M. Laval's ancestry to render eoKtscientious judgment. He was positive, however, that the distinct in France in, which M., Laval was.born is known to have been settled by Moors centuries back, and the report that he had Arab blood in his veins might not be devoid of truth. • So much for the' Premier of France. The other great man of �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD our time who is persistently referred to as a Syrian, and sometimes is attacked for being one, is Arturo Calles, the strong man of Mexico. Reference was often made in the pages of the Syrian World to the «?i -?at ^fiieS WaS frecluently called by his political opponents 111-lurco The Turk. Some Catholic papers in the United States who resented Calles' attitude toward the church traced his genealogy and asserted that his father was a Syrian immigrant who had started as a peddler and later settled in the interior of Mexico as a farmer and trader. It must be borne in mind that all Syrians whether in the United States or in Mexico, were formerly classed as lurks in the immigration records. In declaring their country of origin they were entered as Turks because they were under Turkish rule. Hence the contention of a Federal Judge in one of the Circuit Courts of the South that the Syrians were not eligible to American citizenship because they were of Mongol blood, the Turks being originally of Mongol stock, and the Syrians, because they were under Turkish rule, were consequently Mongols. This view would appear preposterous on the face of it, but the Syrians, nevertheless, had to carry the case to the United States Supreme Court to prove their descent from the white race. This is by way of demonstrating how public conceptions are at times deceiving, and why Calles should be called a Turk although a Syrian. Calles himself is not known to have ever denied it In the face of all attacks levelled upon -him in the heat of political campaigns, he is not known to have uttered a word of explanation as to his racial origin. He took the attitude that if his opponents chose to call him a Syrian or a Turk, let them howl to their heart'content. He is what he is, a true Mexican determined to bring order out of chaos in that troubled country. This he seems to have succeeded in doing with a display of energy, generalship and statesmanship that have won him great admiration. Perhaps in later years, when his biography as the political saviour of Mexico is written, his descent will be traced back to its true origin For the present let us be content to advance the claim as it stands While not positively claiming Calles as a Syrian, we cannot help recording the fact that he is "accused" of being one. Altogether out of this class, but equally famous in his own line, is another celebrity whom some claim to be a Syrian. We refer to that undefeated champion in the pugilistic ring Mr Gene Tunney, the battling marine of pronounced literary proclivities. Ihe Arabic press of New York on several occasions made capital of the rumor that Mr. Tunney is none other than the son of Peter / I �'DECEMBER, 1931 / i nI if I) 21 Touma, one of the famous companions of the Lebanese hero Joseph Bey Karam who fought the Turks to preserve the independence of Mt. Lebanon. Touma is credited with having attacked a Turkish mountain battery single-handed, and after putting to rout the gunners shouldering the cannon and carrying it triumphantly to his own camp. There does not seem to be as much substantiation for Tunney's claim, however, as for the others. Of more intimate relation to the subject under discussion is the revelation of the extent of Arab influence in the Argentine Republic which came about as a result of the last revolution in that country and caused the downfall of President Irigoyen in the fall of 1930. The President was represented as the last of the caudillos, the fierce Arab horsemen credited with having brought about the Republic's existence. An account of their romantic activities was published in the October, 1930 issue of the Syrian World, from which we reprint the following extract as reported by a staff correspondent of the New York Times writing from Buenos Aires: "*** The downfall of Dr. Irigoyen definitely marks a new era in Argentine history m an even more romantic sense, for it means the passing from history of the old caudillos (pettv chieftains), who were a product of gaucho civilization on the Pampas. Argentine owes its very existence to these gauchos who were wild nomad horsemen, whose fathers handed down to them the Moorish blood they brought from Spain in the days of the conquest and whose mothers were South American Indians. "The gauchos retained many characteristics of their Arabian ancestors who had overrun Spain, and they formed a barrier between the tiny outposts of civilization and the wild Indians of Pampas who until the late '80s resisted Argentina's efforts to establish herself as a nation. ****The caudillos led the numerous civil wars which for so many years retarded Argentine progress until another gauch caud]llo, Juan Manuel de Rosas, set himself up as dictator and ruthlessly wiped out all other caudillos who opposed him, thus paving the way for organized government in Argentine ' Dr Irigoyen is the last of the caudillos." Commenting on this news at the time of its publication over a year ago, the Syrian World made the following observations: "Had a Syrian or Arab writer laid claim at any time to the Arab's exercising such a great influence in the social and political order of a new and progressive country in the New World such as the Argentine Republic, his claim would have been branded as preposterous Immediately the accusation would be made that we would want �THE SYRIAN WORLD to claim everything for the Arabs, the Phoenicians and other Eastern peoples ***In the present case the Arabs are not advancing any claim of influence. They are accused of having it ****That this influence did not prevail until the end is not the question as much as its having existed and lasted for so long a time in the history of Argentine, and having been so strong as to be the cause for the safety of the country while it lasted." ORIGIN OF CHIVALRY |N A SERIES of articles by Karl K. Kitchen on present conditions in Soviet Russia now appearing in the New York Sun, this American writer offers what may seem a novel explanation of the Russians apparent lack of chivalry towards women as compared with other European races. Here are his exact words: "It might not be amiss to explain one reason for the equality of the sexes in the Soviet Union. The bulk of the races that inhabited this part of Europe did not take part in the great crusades durmg the Middle Ages. The idea of chivalry never came into their lives. Consequently women were never placed on a pedestal ' as they were in many other parts of Europe. And that is why today women are treated exactly the same as men, in every phase of life as well as before the law. "This also explains the bad manners, or at least the lack of consideration, which the vast majority of Russians have for women And, on the other hand, it accounts for the sturdy type of selfsupporting, self-reliant woman that is encountered on every side " The plain deduction is that chivalry, as it is known in Europe, originated in the East as a result of the crusades. And it naturally follows that it originated in Syria since Syria was the theatre of war m those days and the main object of the crusades was to free the Holy Land from the domination of the Moslems, and the Holv Land is a part of Syria. The crusaders learned the rudiments of chivalry from their opponents and brought it back to their homeands where it bloomed into its present form. Russia apparently lacks chivalry because it did not contribute its quota to the host of the crusaders. There is no dearth of English literature on this subject Onlv recently our Syrian scholar, Prof. Philip K. Hitti of Princeton wrote a treatise on this subject which appeared in the April 1931 ! mi ll �H 1 DECEMBER, 1931 23 issue of the Syrian World. Those of our readers who desire further enlightenment on this interesting topic may profitably refer to that article, or better still, they may refer to his lengthy work on the subject entitled'the Memoirs of Usamah, an Arab Syrian Gentleman and Warrior in the Times of the Crusaders, published by the Columbia University Press. EAST AND WEST The following is an editorial of the New York Times of December 7. £)EDICATION of a building at the University of Chicago devoted to the investigation of early man—a building which "finds no parallel in any other University, either in America or abroad"—draws the Near East still nearer to the West. It is in the East that the origins of the civilization we have inherited are for the most part hidden; and the Oriental Institute under Western skies seeks now to help man in a literal sense to "orient" himself—to get his bearings and see in true perspective the history of the human race. Especially is it to help bridge the gap between the savage of the paleontologist and the historian's story of the people who emerge in Europe as "civilized" beings. Dr. James H. Breasted, with his general headquarters in this building, has an army of diggers not alone with spades but also with modern excavating enginery, directed by an archaeological staff, on a 3,000-mile front, stretching frpm Luxor in Egypt northward past Sinai, through Palestine and Syria to the uplands of Anatolia, eastward and southward across Mesopotamia to Persepolis in Persia. Many other groups are making independent research, but for the first time a single organization is able to "control and correlate" research and excavation throughout the leading early civilization in a "single composite construction" of the pre-European course of human life, when for thousands of years man was advancing along a front as wide as the United States. Of special significance is the evidence that in this period man in Egypt began "to hear remote voices that proclaimed the utter futility of material conquest." It was then that "conscience and character broke upon the world." The coffin lids of Egyptians five hundred years after the Pyramid age and millennials B. C. revealed �THE SYRIAN WORLD Ldshelfen" "^ bey nd ° ** ***"*** of food and drink In the spacious walls of the Oriental Institute the East walks again „ its beauty and majesty, but with sobering if hot fHghtontS rssa past srv*? r ? every bject ° ~ssni were mmona Y! ^ °J *?&**** that dreamed they I^llM" , k • ^/^ earthen fact is touched by the spirit of n deaf T * ^ * ^ °n aS a ^mbo1 of druggie towa^ an ideal. The great winged bull that looks with steady eazeTto mlTLWOdd "^ ^ bUt aU ear1^ d oi human ni|ht-th aPPeanng ab Ve the WmgS the stre Sstin/th , u° ' "gth ^ the bull sug Strden. ^ °f ^ ""** ** ^ *** «« P^ of beasl it k iVCn-if thCSe rdiCS °f ' dead past cause disquiet in these days ~TrZ t ^Th^"'- Wkh Mn Fosdi^ peaking m th£ 5S SaHf hi» the.a»?n«uW Peril that develops the human spirit that ,t has, been ,n times of instability and not in hours nf £llife'o? m^ grT,teSt C°ntributi0- "-been made to the cul presLSav nhT' k ' *? ^ tdls US' b the words of a great OMAR KHAYYAM-HIS GRAVE AND SHIRAZ WINE. A RECENT press dispatch from Teheran announces that the Persian government had decided to raise a tomb over the grave of her great national poet Omar Khayyam, of Rubaiyat fame whose remains reposed for nearly eight centuries at aXtance of about four miles from Nishapur, where he was born almost un marked and ,n a deplorable state of neglect. This tore7of the" Persians in their famous poet is comparatively ^^SSd^fe through the greater interest displayed in him by hi Western ad SatilofTr0 aPP rr -hiS P^^-P^y through the master^ Z I L Fitzgerald. It ,s a well known fact that the Tentmaker, although famous as a mathematician and astronomer did not enjoy among his countrymen the reputation of Hafiz aTd Sa'di as a poet. Actually it was Fitzgerald who established Omar' ThlS ]S the SetSnltor^r^ °onnethe °f original, ""*practicallv -^ants create, wTi the translator, by his improvement a luminous and glamorous spirit out of wta^JS£~£3T This does not preclude the other fact that in most caL the transla- �'DECEMBER, 1931 / 25 tion never comes up to the standard of the original. In commenting on the proposed action of the Persian government, the New York Sun quotes Professor A. V. Williams Jackson of the department of Indo-Iranian languages of Columbia University, as describing Omar's tomb as "a simple case of bricks and cement. Vandal scribblers, found in Persia as in every other land, have desecrated it by scratching their names and making random scrawls. A stick of wood, a stone and some fragments of shards profaned the top of the sarcophagus at the time we saw it. There was nothing else**** There were no evidences of the roses which Omar had wished might mark his burial place, neither was there fulfillment of his prediction that roses would fall in showers upon his grave**** We wished for a taste from that jug of wine made famous by Omar's line. Our messenger returned after a search round the town, only to bring a vile specimen of Russian vodka." This condition finds its counterpart in the grave of the other Eastern poet Abul'Ula whose English translator is our own Syrian poet Ameen Rihani. The philosophy of the Syrian poet transcends that of the Persian. He is styled by some of his admirers as the Oriental Dante. He antedates both Dante and Omar, and even has a work on an imaginary visit to the nether regions, Risalat al Ghufran, much similar to Dante's Inferno. He also gave expression to much of Omar's later philosophical tenets, but he did not sing of wine and women and roses in such manner as to appeal to the popular fancy. Why these and other Oriental poets are more honored abroad than at home provokes thought. They live and die in want, although their songs are on the lips of city dwellers and desert travelers. They give out of the overflowing of their hearts and do not invoke copyright laws. Just how much Western poets are subject to the same lot would bear discussion. But we do not wish to trespass on the Poetry Department. The remark of Professor Jackson on Persian wine is equally interesting. For vile vodka to supplant the fine Persian wine is tragic. Especially that one of the finest brands of European wine owes its fame and popularity to Persian origin. This is on the authority of the late Khalil Bey Aswad, a Syrian scholar who died a few years ago in New York and had resided for a considerable time in Persia. Cherry wine, he explained, is not a concoction of the cherry fruit, but was so named after a certain method of brewing. Originally it was known as "cherries wine," which is a corruption of the original name of Shiraz wine, the similarity of sound being ob- > �26 THE SYRIAN WORLD wi t°nL ShJnZ 7*- in °ther WOrds "Persi "e," was famous m olden times for its superior quality, and when h* Portw^ first began to trade with Persia they discovered these virtuf of Sh.raz wine, "which flows in the veins like liquid fire" TheV im underwent ttie tet^ZT ^^ * * unuerwent process of corruption. ^^ namc which ^* PROMOTING RELIGIOUS UNDERSTANDS JHlF AMERICAN HEBREW, Jewish national ^ , is per ' I between 3 'JT^ ^ fo8terin * better ng between Ch'ri Christian and Jew in America and has given "nde^id a gold medaf to be awarded each year to the "outstanding cSributoTto TntrT religious comity and understanding." The movement w! The very tact that such a movement has been «fJ,^ J meeting with the approval of leading m n m„ ,g cLr fanTand Jews indicates the existence of an amount of ill-wifl and mfsundTr ^andmg that is bound to be harmful if allowed to go u"he ked" check k{s .he eEf/tT:::? ? 0 ry * ****** ^ =5 m t,ga,e Lan Hebrew sS :S"o°do '° ' "' ThiS " Wh« tfe A « The gratifying feature of the movement is that \t « k : done with a method. People of the West work along^e piLs and their efforts are consequently rewarded with success W "f the East conceive of brilliant ideas and act on them Siv i response to sudden impulses, and fail to achieve lasting result's The ex ample of the West should carry a lesson. " "*" the n.T thC pr°mulgation of the Ottoman Constitution in iyU 1908 the people went into transports of iov and Ch ,' ° . ° Moslem Sheikhs were known to hav^em^c5ouS]f^ " structure ot the btate. Representation n Lebanon also is deter ter mmed along religious lines. " . ft �DECEMBER, 1931 BAHIA AL-MUSHEER, 27 Editor THE DIETETIC VALUE OF SYRIAN FOOD Y^ERY often we hear Syrian parents remark (and some complain) that their children have lost their taste for Syrian dishes and speculate about the cause, advancing theories for it, sometimes rational and sometimes otherwise. That a large percentage of our children partake of Syrian dishes under protest is, I regret to say, a fact. It makes it hard for the old folks because they enjoy the dishes on which they were brought up, and they consider it an unnecessary sacrifice on their part to submit to the whims of their offsprings. To him who appreciates the value of diet, this attitude of our young generation should be a cause of great concern. I say this because of my conviction, which is based on study, that our dishes in their dietary values and in their flavor, are second to none. Here I want to take exception to the statement often voiced by some to the effect that Syrian dishes are, as they put it, "heavy", meaning of course that one's stomach feels overloaded after finishing with a meal. As a matter of fact, it is not that the dish in itself is "heavy" but that the portion of it with which they load their stomachs is excessive. I will admit one point, however, and that is this: By faulty preparation, one will make any dish "heavy" and indigestible. For instance, what can be worse than "Dawood Basha" served with a half inch of fat floating on the surface of its gravy, and the rice swimming in butter? So when I say faulty preparation I mean the Jack of judgment in the balancing of the ingredients, and the failure in cooking or rather curing of them. Then there is the question of the combination of dishes. In this we often make grave mistakes, especially when we have guests and are afraid lest �THE SYRIAN WORLD m olden times for its superior quality, and when the Portuguese first began to trade with Persia the/ discovered these vTrufTTi Shiraz wine, "which flows in the veins like liquid hre.» The im gm undent T'corruption. ^ " itS °ngmal underwent thet the process of 1 name which » *« PROMOTING RELIGIOUS UNDERSTAND!MrMERIC AN HEBREW TTe fn f ' ^^o^^, is f r foSt b bet^L^SS^ ^rr^l ° . -^ ^ter underLnding oetween Lhristian and Jew ,n America and has given a eold medal to be awarded each year to the "outstanding contnbutor to mtra religious comity and understanding." The movement w, fc PiiritYv} iV. loin J r i iuu\ement was inau- Ihe very fact that such a movement has been «t*r^ J izi I eeffoi ^h';:;^ ?checkm * isgateby rec°»" "g £££*£ TWS is Wh the Am ica!, Hebrew S«°OU "OT' " '" " " " The gratifying feature of the movement is rhit ;. ;. u„done w,th a method. People of the West wlT f their efforts are conseque^tlyfetrf d Uh sutsf "^rfthe East co„ce,ve of brilliant ,deaS and act on them h dy in respo.se Moslem Sheikhs were bi, to tl^S^SS^t^ n the course of popular demonstrations. This seems to have h" n but a momentary flare which soon died out. wS, the firs,exdte structure oi the bta^e. Representation n Lebanon also lb is defer deter mined along religious lines. " �DECEMBER, 1931 BAHIA AL-MUSHEER, 27 Editor THE DIETETIC VALUE OF SYRIAN FOOD y/ERY often we hear Syrian parents remark (and some complain) that their children have lost their taste for Syrian dishes and speculate about the cause, advancing theories for it, sometimes rational and sometimes otherwise. That a large percentage of our children partake of Syrian dishes under protest is, I regret to say, a fact. It makes it hard for the old folks because they enjoy the dishes on which they were brought up, and they consider it an unnecessary sacrifice on their part to submit to the whims of their offsprings. To him who appreciates the value of diet, this attitude of our young generation should be a cause of great concern. I say this because of my conviction, which is based on study, that our dishes in their dietary values and in their flavor, are second to none. Here I want to take exception to the statement often voiced by some to the effect that Syrian dishes are, as they put it, "heavy", meaning of course that one's stomach feels overloaded after finishing with a meal. As a matter of fact, it is not that the dish in itself is "heavy" but that the portion of it with which they load their stomachs is excessive. I will admit one point, however, and that is this: By faulty preparation, one will make any dish "heavy" and indigestible. For instance, what can be worse than "Dawood Basha" served with a half inch of fat floating on the surface of its gravy, and the rice swimming in butter? So when I say faulty preparation I mean the lack of judgment in the balancing of the ingredients, and the failure in cooking or rather curing of them. Then there is the question of the combination of dishes. In this we often make grave mistakes, especially when we have guests and are afraid lest �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD 1 Let Set !" Ir^tfrf :; h r **« - * ^ of New England bXTdiJ. «""H <=Tf at to a meal composed and pie; We a e servil A ' JT hAed beans> roast beef manner'they are ser-edf,, A"1"' " ^ * °Ur ,abJe in "><= -e our guests and "ur ^ "^K? °T' * ,he °*»—« of ment when we serve our native" dthes"° * "' "* ""* J"^ I dishes ^f nltrVVtU" and"" "'" ? ^ aS in fla « our forbears, by ns<meteSertce „ "^S" 'SS"e' ' hi"ted that made us heirs to ,^3 exped,e„ency,or all of these, feeding. TS statemet may stank Sot am0ng °f '^ ^ "» °* us who are ogetic about their race n nd „! . *Poling good coming ~ tf ^S^ETS^ £» & starting po,„t and our younger eenerari j u °k to the wards our native food I seeln rh, 7 i •"" the'r att,tudes t0" a down upon what is our own r A '°" °" ,he mV w J°ok telligenf reflectionas!£ H * % ^^ a Study « *say that one shou d be bli, dlv J , "0t mea".f°r one mome'« *> and his own ways and ta^hlv"' **?"* °^ °f himsdf s somewhat like this- "Fat what J * ^T6 '" Arabic that others." I should'modi^th fer^'v ' 2* pk^ a * simple as possible^ ft££5 SSfe* » A MENU FOR AMERICAN GUESTS I they have m^J^iS^^T °^ °f °U![ kdish-> -d 01 were good for them I Xit IhTi ' J" ^^ w they f the al a great deal of thought n ordt J makV > SImple $"?**alatable ° healthful. Perusal of the mCnU mlnn ddleS not lve ' P and it is a fact. ° S ^at impression, but Supposing I should give a sample:— I �DECEMBER, 1931 29 Lamb broth with small meat balls, garnished with minced parsley, and lemon juice. Mushroom, or Okra, or String Bean Stew with side of rice Broiled Kibbi Vegetable salad, lemon juice and oil dressing. Fruits in season. 15 PROPER ROASTING JN ROASTING chicken or turkey, let me suggest placing the bird in the roasting-pan first on one side, then on the other. When two-thirds done, lay at breast up. This will brown it evenly and prevent the breast meat and drumsticks from over-cooking and becoming too dry. HOW LADIES COULD USE IDLE HOURS i I \^/HAT are our young ladies and matrons who have time to spare doing with it? Time was when they used to pride themselves on the articles they used to make for their own personal use or for their future or present homes. I realize that knitting, tatting and embroidering are passe, still there is something not only beautiful and useful when it is done, but is fascinating in the making, and like a fine oriental rug, increases in value as the days go by Moreover it is very fashionable. I refer to needle point Patterns could be bought with the required yarn for them. I recommend the renaissance design. Some of them have petit-point centers already worked out and the finished pieces for a chair or cushion have nothing to be desired insofar as artistic effect and richness and durability are concerned. By the way, I read somewhere that there are 2,850 stitches to the square inch in the petit-point work. But don't be frightened, this comes already worked out in the pattern and all you have to do is to fill out the needle point part of it. * The best part of it is that you can work on it while listening to the radio. ° �r THE SYRIAN WORLD 30 A Party for Aneesa A SHORT STORY By EDNA K. SALOOMEY "THE SUN snuggled a bit in the misty horizon and then, as though resigned to December bleakness, it flung its rays through the morning haze, directly into the windows of the Faris kitchen. Mariam, wife of Khalil Antoun Faris, was unaware of the wonderful panorma without, so busy was she preparing Khalil's breakfast. She hustled from the pantry to the stove, from the stove to the table. For twenty years she had been rising early for this daily task. She would no more have dreamed of remaining asleep and letting Khalil get his breakfast as best he could, than she would have thought of being separated from him except by death. This task was done not from a sense of duty; it was to her a ritual. In her pink, cotton dress, with her curly black hair, which was streaked with gray, and her rosy, fair complexion, she was indeed a delectable housewife. Her black fringed, dark brown eyes had a very naive, kindly expression which belied all her efforts to appear as the ultra-modern wife of Khalil Antoun Faris, the successful merchant. The only streak of vanity she had, was her pride in having acquired enough knowledge of English to read newspapers. Her reading was confined mostly to the social page. Mariam was setting the table for two. Aneesa, a girl of eighteen and the only child, never arose in time to breakfast with her parents. By virtue of having completed her high school course shortly before, which was a rare achievement in the eyes of her parents, Aneesa was privileged to sleep late. The glowing coals in the grate made the kitchen pleasantly warm. On top of the stove, the coffee bubbled tempestuously in the percolator. To one side was a frying-pan in which eggs were sizzling in elive oil. On the table was a dish of fat, juicy olives which had ripened in some Syrian grove; a dish of laban, and one of dates stewed in sugar. There were small, flat disks of Syrian bread, baked especially for Khalil. Mariam did not like to see him "» i\ �"DECEMBER, 1931 '. I I 31 making cartwheel of slices of American bread, which he did by removing the inner part and eating the crust. When Khalil entered the kitchen, he found his wife placing the frying-pan of eggs on a hot-pad in the middle of the table. He greeted her perfunctorily and she answered him in the same vein. Their love needed no verbal reiterations or effusive greetings. "How do you feel this morning? Is your cold better?" she asked solicitously. "I'm much better. I didn't cough very much during the night. This looks like a cold day. I expect we'll sell some blankets and oil stoves today. Are you coming down to the store?" Khalil had a department store and always thought of the weather in terms of his business. "Yes. Aneesa needs a new hat, and she and I are going down town together. I think I'll select a party dress for her at the same time." "Party dress? What, does she need another one already?" Manam did not answer his question. Quite frequently since he married her, she had surprised him with some new idea; and this time, she took a round about way to do it. "I was reading last night about the big partv the Morgans gave for their daughter, and I think we ought to give a party for Aneesa," she said. "What, are you comparing us with J. P. Morgan?" "No, no. Habeebi, do you think I've lost my mind? I mean the Morgan family that owns the big laundrv in town. You've ' seen their ads, haven't you?" _ "Certainly, I have; but I don't know all about their family affairs." "Well," she said eagerly trying to arouse his interest, "they have a daughter the same age as Aneesa, and they had a wonderful dance for her last night at the hotel." "If they sneeze, do we have to sneeze too?" He was not impressed by the information, nor convinced of the necessity of having a party for Aneesa. "Every night I read in the papers about this family and that having parties for their daughters. Why, do you suppose, they have these affair*? Well, just ^o that their daughters ran meet the nice kind of people. How do you expect Aneesa to meet anybody, if she doesn't have a chance?" "If that's the case," he answered, "what more do we want? DonV. we have a lot of company? Weren't the Doumits here last �THE SYRIAN WORLD night, and wasn't the family nf R„u and weren't Father Daher and ,1 ^J- i Tbn« us on Tuesday, people come to cur house '' ^ ^ h$t Week! M V II frie„dsD° T vZk^T !° ""* ''< ^ m«ts «* Y d Mr Ab bond's broeherh „ i; fotnseveenmeTre *??" " " her t0 meet more young people, and you know fh" / JT house, she can't become , !» We don < lnvite them to the instan'ce, Peter Mansour" '"^ W'th them d*«*^- For ft TO to to vigour ^me^l'Stw » IT '" ^ "'duce him enough for him wltolTvin7a X-^ °» ^ — ( Wm too obvi uTwav' "ifwe^ave """ 7' hI "S, ° "'"* w » - «* W,il see h how pretty Aneesa is I, I ^7' f e live, and Pretend„. we're ha", J* / Vu^ "' *rfolks ^" dress' We'll , .f; aa trtv Party lor the young I1 R wished «o8have her'wifn us'a h7 1 " »' * f *» when we have to do the courting » " tlmesth«e are, Ws and tor needed! ^t^ ^ ^ «-«* was necessary XllS' to obtan, his approval, which asked for his approval if e fnakm fu-'"8 °' m°ney' She always "We would,V I, T "" S y expensive plan the C in Sht Si "We h v;I « 2 ±S?! , T f'" ' "" P- ^"tly. Why shou,d different fron other people J^ ^^ We could have sucn ffc^S^ ** ** 3 P raSan eVMin 25?FS tdT I ' ; ^ >* Child ? «" -W-W to him. termed, he w'Lsplbl 0 ^ he nThl'""' * .T* * mi?ht b= a d he hospitalitywathtvpicalSvrh ! t T ^ " dispensed his a S He than hava'ng a h, useful 0wl f'r - u fJ^ nothing more perfect evening for na SSu off 'fF '? "T ^^ A feW fr,ends dred or pinochle. " Paying two hum So, as he arose from thp tiU]„ „„A We eoat, he said hurriedly "IV 1 ' '" t0 PUt on his hat and P r per Mariam, we're not worry ill ?'"'" f , ° - B"t, remember, and all Peter Mansour's Ze " ""t^ f°r 0Ur *««** his family in ^Z^Zy ,"0'^ to ""• Wh« ~ to- "7Z^^m7£l^^^"^ ' > wiJJ become worse." ULir colcl ^^^^^^ - - ' • i n �DECEMBER, 1931 n Mariam had obtained official approval of her plan. She bemmenT i^Y engrOSS'd 'm ^ranging the party as any socially proWJth the aid mar e for ^T*A "^ ^ **""*»* retaries her daughter's debut **' at the Waldorf-Astoria °* secAnd, after giving his approval, Mr. Paris completely forgot X*e e,nt'rI matt5r' u»tiJ ° ^ning, three weeks later, his Hire reminded him of it. ^ordered a turkey for tomorrow night," she informed him. J,, Cyr , loU r^°,ng to give us turkey for Christmas dinnpi, nei * It s six days to Christmas." "No, no. I ordered it for the party." "Party? What party?" ''What? Have you fogotten that we're having a partyy tomorrow night for Aneesa?" '-Would you believe it, I forgot all about it? Who and who is coming: ' rfrf, ' oathec Pah"r' ?T/ Ph in ATK 1 M ^ ' iT- Mansour > *** Khouri, the Milhim Cr Sim0U and Nazira D Umit r ' ° > and Ihilip Abboud and his wife Helany. I asked Simon and Philip especially for your sake so that you would have company when the yoi-ng people dance. Father Uaher will have to leave early because he promised to see some people to-morrow evening " ' ' Are you prepared for such a large group? Shall I order anything today:" "Nothing is needed," his wife assured him. "Shall we hive arak or imbeed?" "Have both, and I've got something that Simon likes. What are you going to have for the supper, turkey?" His wife put his fears to rest regarding the pkntifulness of food .he named six dishes, any one of which would have sufficed tor the mam course. He was satisfied with everything, until she said, "Khali! take yorr tuxedo to the tailor today for a pressing " ^Tuxedo? What for? I'm not going to a banquet." 1 his is a formal party, and you should wear your tuxedo " Suppose Simon and Philip come and- find me wearing a tuxedo, when they surely won't wear one." "Is this their party? You're the owner of this house, and you re the one to wear a tuxedo tomorrow night. Peter Mansour will wear one, I'm sure." "Well," he drawled, "from now till tomorrow night I'll 6 think about it." ' �*"***• 34 THE SYRIAN WORLD Mariam Fans had won her point again UherVrU anticiPa,ted the Party wit" more pleasure than Aneesa. It her mother was planning it especially that Peter Mansour might open his eyes to Aneesa's charms, she was as ignorant of that plan as nt was. Her joy was inspired by the anticipation of seeing Paul Mumer whom she liked better than any boy she had evef met She really loved him, which fact she would not have discussed eTe ment wT° " 2? ^ ^ *"** j" loVe ^ one's engage Z Ihter "n!10UnCfd- A"d Aneesa, being the typical, obedient yP , C nSer VatlVe Parents l0Ved Paul from Shes,whim • r K °on the "far. L street when ' passing with her mother SAe saw h.m ,n church, ind aiin ' T um at ChUrch S0daIs' hdd °»ce « winter S Cials Paul alwaVS asked A d cat h HSPnnWh,C ^- u^ th£Se ° ' '^sa to for n *rih ' V?lS Possible as the dance was being held to, a worthy cause, and he never danced with any one else as sh< w-TT " C? u1 ab<i)Ut concealil^ hi* own affections for her as she was her's for him because he wished to be certain that the tUal rC makmg PUWk th£ faCt he J AsTLTn r "d ° n t,ng an inkli from her ca of letting 11 T^ ' ' take *? its own course. '^ caste of the matter oved her! & was Paul > was wisea n that rs F s was not de u"g7t:i r ^ ^ ^^ of for a salary nhim fo, a son-in-law. HeHwas wasearning em edgoodly at -- :; nd° rr^r- / a ^ » £2^ too Seated on the outskirts of the town, and his only claim to Wledge P,a 1CS Which he had " H° ^/^a of l „I was '" entrusted ; WaS rto81^ 01 airplanes him. Bete/fenSS WaV10t intCrefed in home Seated TTf ^^ he JuS"" rt ' ' '~ £ >kiIlt>d aviator and the testing PauJ '* Prowess as she was in ° P-ssive h ldingS and his im nCarJy thirt >'^evc'b which to Aneesa implied that His^ financial rise had made him a bit conceited and perhaps justifiably so, as he had earned his success by the dint of his own hrewd ness and tireless efforts. He was much sought after by d signmg and thc the Catered "a ^ et r't^r IT* "^ «« " ° d 1 I l f"^ He respected the Farises Sh,e from a great deal, knowing that to Khalil Faris character and breeding SUSpectin f r e M" Tl? « ° °»the ~S32 M.s. FarTwh Fans, who " was"""^ so Proud, had even entertained thought of ^B*"**mBJBBnHHHBHisF �DECEMBER, 1931 35 his marrying Aneesa; so discreet had she been in her planning. The night of nights arrived. Mariam Fans was too excited at the prospect of having so many guests and by her efforts to carry our her plans to perfection. She worked unceasingly from dawn sweeping and dusting, washing the best china dinner set, laving out her best linen cloth and napkins. She had cooked the entire meal herself. Aneesa had shopped for fruits and had arranged the flowers in the living room and dining room. When Khalil returned from his store that night, he found Mariam wearing a black velvet dress; her hair lovelier than ever; her face rosy with excitement, and her eyes sparkling with the thought of gaining many social laurels for the evening. She scarcely said hello to him, she, was so anxious to have him dress quickly. "Yallah," she urged him, "everything is ready for vou I .pressed your tuxedo myself yesterday, and you'll find it on the bed I our socks and tie are on the dresser. I purposely dressed early so that we wouldn't get in each other's way." "All right," was all he said. He knew that the occasion demanded acquiesence because Mariam was too intently thinking about other things to listen to anything he might say. He didn't like to rush, he preferred to contemplate everything slowly and to talk matters over with her. But as they had no way of knowing how soon the guests would arrive, it was necessary to be ready in time to greet the first arrival. By seven-thirty, every one would have come, except, perhaps, the Doumits. Mrs. Doumit was a bit like Mariam in her desire to do everything according to etiquette. She always insisted on her husband's delaying their arrival at any affair, because she was certain that an early arrival was an indication of lack jf etiquette. The more attention she gave to etiquette, the less she knew about it. This evening Mariam was hoping and praving that the Doumits would not be too long arriving, lest the food spoil from overcooking. Scarcely had Khalil finished adjusting his tie, when the door bell rang. Aneesa paused to greet her father, and was going down to open the door when Mariam stopped her. "Aneesa, you don't need to open the door. Let Flora open if that's what I hired her for." This was the first time that Khalil knew that his wife had hired a maid for the evening. The thought of Mariam's piling up so many expenses, all for a party, depressed him a little. His �mm 36 ? THE SYRIAN WORLD regrets were compensated, however, by the sight of Mariam looking so charming in her black velvet dress with its dainty lace yoke andi sleeves; and his heart filled with pride because Aneesa was so lovely m her white tulle dress with its rose sash. lhe bell rang again.. Mariam was provoked. «I knew that VC bC a hdp She thinks Pm wwash T dishes dT r I ^ P^g her J«st to tonight. Aneesa, open the door, while I speak to The guests were certainly convinced of Mariam's culinary skill that evening. The dinner was excellent; it was a meal for the imbeed (wine and the lu^Zl- uil r?^ ^ ^ "something else which khalil brought out inspired much speech making. Father Daher spoke eloquently of the host. Mr. Doumit attempted a lengthy toast in his best classical Arabic, and Philip Abboud was content to say a brief wish for the health and happiness of all. Manam was highly elated. The party was proving a huge success. She was wondering just how to arrange for the rest of the evening, after everyone had finished eating. Of course, Aneesa must play a few piano selections. The guests gathered in the living room. The men sat in a group near Father Daher, and were soon engrossed in a political discussion. The young people commenced to feel restless. The girls talked together and the young men listened dutifully to Father aher. U hen father Daher arose to leave, every one arose to bid him good-night. evn, fWhik unm 7S listening to Father Daher's appreciative expressions, Khali] took matters into his. own hands. tUrnmg to 1 ui'" hWill x^SMdyou play pinochle. playf" to pkC>e>rtainJy'" ^^ b th ° Phili agreed ' P and Simon "We Want a fourth "Do you know how to play pinochle, Paul?" he arranged the bridge table. 2juh * d'd- ^Ut' 1 y U WOn,t be Peter?" ° donh kn0w the ki a hel P then - Doumit, "Let's Person Khalil asked, as "g from the jack." about you, Mister How wurtalniy'-Mn Faris" VU be glad to Play with you." \\ hen Manam re-entered the room, after seeing Father Daher off, she found her husband and his three friends seated around the table, intent on bidding. She was angry at Khalil for having suggested the card game,.which she was certain from past experience he had done. This was. not her idea. If. Peter Mansour spent the j) �'DECEMBER, 1931 57 evening playing pinochle what was the good of having this party? She spoke to Mrs. Doumit and to Mrs. Abboud. The vbung SoLT ****** kughing,. seated in a circle neaV thf VKtrola Aneesa was sitting next to Paul, which didn't relieve her mother's consternation. Mariam thought of calling Khalil out on a pretext. She went into the kitchen, and called to Aneesa, asking her to te 1 Kha that he was wanted. -Aneesa went to her father "Papa mother wishes to see you for a minute." But Khalil had an excellent hand and he wanted to score as ^ri^er erj Philip Abboud > TO i ^ ^* i-s?5 "See what your mother wants, Aneesa. Tell her I'll be through in a few minutes. Let's see what we can do, partner." He became oblivious of everything but his game. Aneesa told her mother that Khalil would come in later Kh,l^ai]r WaS PrOV(*ecL What was the use of trying to call Khalil s attention to anything, now that he had started. ' She Jjoined her friends, Nazira and Helany. The guests had divided into three groups: the ladies were grouped by themselves, Khalil and the older men, including Pe Mansour, were busily playing pinochle, and the younger people were dancing. Paul Munier was having the best time of a^ he was dancing to his heart's content with Aneesa ' ty Sa 1 one assured Paris that tlatesuch ,renjoyable Ti^ ^^ Mariam *ans such an time ^ was had only rarely. Khalil felt grateful inwardly; it had been so pleasant to have had a house fu 1 tS and feClmg piilinehhad H won ^ -Philip the^ game. eSpedalJ ^ Cheerful be --e"e fa,d her se^tTm^rlf ^^ \^ •* W°uld be P6^ to mention SC hlS haVmg draWn Peter a Ld T ' T r Jf Mansour into a card game; and she did not wish Aneesa to know that she had deliberately planned the evening in order to have Pete- become better acquainted with them. income % Aneefa^hed Tan^ R^S ^"t "f 5' "Yes" and W was about ^t^^^^ conversation, which lasted only three minutes or so "Who was that?" her mother asked, curious to know who could be calling them after midnight. "Paul Munier. He called up to say goodnight." �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD "What's that?" her father questioned. "He was just here saying goodnight. "Well," she answered evasively, "he wanted to call me up to say it again." "He certainly must have rushed home," Mariam said. "He wants to come over tomorrow night," Aneesa announced shyly. "He wants to speak to you, papa, and to mama. He asked me if I would like to have him speak to you, and I didn't say no; I didn't say anything." "What's this? What's this?" Khalil asked. "Why, he wants to marry Aneesa and he will come over to get our approval," Mariam replied, impatiently and resentfully. She was blaming this turn of affairs on Khalil's card party, which had thrown Paul and Aneesa together and deprived Peter Mansour of an opportunity to observe Aneesa's charm. She was tired by the thought of having done so much in vain. "We'll discuss the matter tomorrow," she told Aneesa. "It's very late, we should go to bed. I have to be up early to get your father's breakfast." "I'll get up early tomorrow, mama. You stay in bed," Aneesa urged her. She felt that she would want to be up early, there was so much to look forward to; and she knew how tired her mother must be. . "Don't you believe it," her mother answered firmly. "When I have a fever of 102, I'll stay in bed. You go up to bed now, else you will be too tired tomorrow to help me with the work that needs to be done." "Good night, papa. • Good night, mama," Aneesa said, kissing them. "Good night Aneesa. By the way, what time is Paul coming over tomorrow night?" "He didn't say, papa. But he told me to tell you that he will learn to play pinochle and that at present all he knows is a queen when he sees one. He means me, papa." �39 .BER, 1931 VECF 100K REVIEWS JANei A BOOK OF SENTIMENT AND FACT ON A GREAT SYRIAN POET A Study of Kahlil Gibran, by Barbara Young. Privately printed First Edition limited to 250 copies numbered and autographed by the author. The Gibran Studio, 5 1 West 10th Street, New York. $2.50. In this handsomely printed brochure on her friend Kahlil Gibran, Barbara Young writes not as a dry biographer citing facts in chronological order, but as a poet who records her impressions of the great epic poem that was Gibran's life. Dexterously she outlines his racial background, giving a glimpse of the rustic surroundings, almost feudal conditions in which he was born and reared, but does so subtly, almost unconsciously alluding to the facts only as details in the broad scheme depicting the many-sided genius of Gibran. And of the intimate details of his earlier and later life she has copious knowledge, gained through her long friendship and literary association with this gifted son of Lebanon who has won by his innate goodness of character and consummate perfection of his art, both of pen and brush, the love and admiration of so many kindred spirits among the children of the West. Even to us, his own countrymen, some of the details weaved into the mosaic of the account came as a revelation of the author's vast store of accurate and intimate knowledge. It is apparent that only Gibran himself could have supplied the information, in reminiscent moments when the two friends discussed their earlier lives and later aspirations. And this Miss Young now uses so well in producing this "Study of Kahlil Gibran," which is as much a fitting tribute to his greatness as a monument to her own great devotion. 1 PHHHBnHHnnRMHpnn �40 THE SYRIAN WORLD KAHLIL OIBRAN Photographed in his studio by Mrs. Pliny Fisk a few weeks before his death. From "A Study of Kahlil Gibran." �DECEMBER, 1931 41 The, illustrations in the booklet, some consisting of hitherto unpublished photographs of Gibran, and to which only Miss Young seems to have access, span the whole life of the poet-artist from his early youth to his closing days. A facsimile of an original manuscript and a pen-and-ink sketch by Gibran done in his student days in Paris add considerably to the value of the work. It is evident that Miss Young does not intend her present work to be a complete biography. It is an appreciative study, but nevertheless factual and illuminating. It is most welcome as an authentic, and so far the only literary treatise extant, on Gibran's life. For this Miss Young can lay just claim to the gratitude of Gibran's countrymen, who surely wish to assure her of it unstintingly. In years to come, it is their hope that she will accomplish her announced task of making a fuller study of Gibran with a viewto a more complete biography. RESURRECTING THE GLORY OF SYRIA History of Palestine and Syria, by Prof. A. T. Olmstead, New York, Charles Scribner's Sons. 644 pp. Illustrated. $7.50. pHERE IS a group of men in the West whose devotion to the cause of scientific research, backed by the wealth of organizations and individuals who appreciate the importance of retrieving the hitherto lost record of human progress, is bringing untold blessings to human enlightenment. These men are practically recreating history. They have resurrected the East and restored to it its prestige as the cradle of the race and the birthplace of civilization. In the words of Prof. James H. Breasted at the dedication of the Oriental Institute, "It was in the Near Orient that man began to hear remote voices that proclaimed the utter futility of material conquest, and conscience and character broke upon the world." Professor Olmstead is a co-worker with Professor Breasted at the Oriental Institute. His latest book on the history of Palestine and Syria is a companion volume to his earlier History of Assyria and represents the summary of all historical records, whether long known or of recent discovery, in Syria and the Near East from the beginning of time to the Macedonian conquest. The work bespeaks the most exhaustive thoroughness and scholarly research. As a book of reference it is invaluable, but it can also be highly �42 THE SYRIAN WORLD recommended as a readable book on general historical information. The author has the happy faculty of creating "atmosphere", of treating what would be generally considered dry, technical material in a manner readily understood and relished by the layman, although never swerving from his objective and incorporating in his account all the scholarly information he means to convey. As such it proves useful not only to the scholar but to the general reading public. Those whose racial origin is rooted in Near Eastern countries should be particularly interested in this work. Porfessor OJmstead covers t\e whole range of the history of the land and its people from all angles. He treats the physical, political, social, ethnological and religious evolution in its various stages. His account of the origin of Eastern mythology, the relation between the Syrian and Egyptian conception of a deity, and how several forms of Eastern worship were borrowed from the East by Western Europe will prove particularly illuminating. He displays a keen sense of appreciation of some concepts in Syrian mythology whose poetical value modern rationalists spoil by matterof-fact interpretation. The chapter on "Ships of Gebal", which is exceptionally interesting, is partly based on the author's personal survey of the Syrian coast which once was the scene of the flourishing civilization of which he writes. Of exceptional interest also is the fact he establishes that monotheism was known to Syrians and Egyptians Jong before it was adopted by the Hebrews. So were "the races which were to enter into the composition of the Hebrew people established in Syria a millenium or more before the conquest of the Promised Land. The very language in which our Old Testament is written was spoken by Canaanites and Phoenicians from these same early days. Already Syria possessed a high culture, mixed to be sure with foreign elements, but made its own; before the Hebrew conquest, its civilization might be compared without disparagement to that of the great empires." The dedication is made to Professor James Henry Breasted, Director of the Oriental Institute in the University of Chicago, and the author's predecessor in the chair of Oriental History in the University. The book is profusely illustrated and has been given the utmost of typographical care by the publishers. �'DECEMBER, 1931 43 SPANNING THE NATION'S HISTORY The Book of American Presidents, by Esse V. Hathaway, New York, Whittlesey House. Illustrated. 367 pp. $2.50. JN THIS book of close to four-hundred pages, Miss Hathaway not only gives a biography of the Presidents but records the history of the nation. She starts from the assumption that the Declaration of Independence required of the President only to do his best to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United Spates, and emphasizes the fact that in the choice of president there was no question of family, fortune, education or past experience. This she deduces to be proof positive of the unswerving faith of the founders of the nation in American manhood. It is along this line that the author reconstructs the lives and achievements of American Presidents. She brings out in each the quality for which he was most noted and gives to the chapter on each president a title indicative of that quality. Thus Washington is "Starting Right"; Thomas Jefferson is "Extending Boundaries"} James Monroe is "On Guard"} Abraham Lincoln is "Welding"} until the end of the list is reached with Harding, Coolidge and Hoover "At the World's Cross-Roads". Nothing but the author's deep-rooted love for her country and her pride in the achievements of her nation and its heads could have induced such painstaking research and study. And she has certainly accomplished her task well. We wish to applaud the success of her efforts especially because her Americanism is not of the narrow provincial sort. She has been a reader of THE SYRIAN WORLD and often has expressed her approval of our method of approach to enlightened Americanism. We therefore feel confident that our readers of young Syrian-Americans will derive great profit and pleasure from her book. The pen-and-ink illustrations of all the Presidents appearing in the book are by Samuel Bernard Schaeffer. There are also facsimile reproductions cf all the Presidents' signatures. i mwaw �" **,; Iin; y ' •" '44 -- : - • .. THE SYRIAN WORLD Peace and Good Will, Plus Faith By THE EDITOR ^HE ECHO of the angels' glad tidings of peace and good-will still reverberates among the hills of Judea and is heard round the world: That distant voice of centuries continues to increase in volume and velocity as the message of Christianity is carried to an increasing number of men with the passage of each year. That message brings comfort because it reminds man of his divine origin, his hope of redemption and his ultimate perfection. No single event in human history bears as much significance as the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, because no other single event has wrought so much change in man's conception of his destiny. The small land of Palestine, a geographical part of greater Syria, owes its importance chiefly to the birth of a child in a manger on a cold night in the little town of Bethlehem. Three Magi kings were guided to that humble spot on the night of the great event by a star; now the thoughts of hundreds of millions of believers in the teaching of that child of Nazareth and .Bethlehem are turned with love and devotion to the land of the child's birth on his anniversary, their hearts throbbing with ineffable joy and the echo of the message of the angels filling their ears. The commemoration of the great event has ever been a source of joy and hope and spiritual solace. In the present crisis through which the world is passing it should prove of greater significance and effect. Men now need hope and courage as they never did before, and the spiritual fortitude which the Christmas season brings forth should impart steadiness to wavering souls. The present economic crisis is an aftermath of the World War's cataclysm, and if the world was '? to emerge safely from the war crisis, so' will it find the courage to weather the resulting economic crisis. Peace and good-will and hope and courage are now sorely needed, and the commemoration of the one who preached this doctrine should inspire the believers in him to practice his teachings. Now of all time, is the need to practically apply the Christian spirit to the needs of civilization so that the work which had its birth in the little town of a Syrian province nearly two thousand years ago, and which Christendom the world over commemorates each year might be carried on. —_ r �DECEMBER, 1931 45 NEW ELECTIONS ORDERED IN SYRIA FOLLOWING RETURN OF HIGH COMMISSIONER—PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT DEPOSED The Syrian problem at last appears to have entered the final stage for a definite solution. With the return of High Commissioner Ponsot to Beirut on November 15 and h"s swift action in ordering new elec tions in Syria, together with the apparent cordiality which character'zel his conversations with the leaders o2 the Nationalist party who were in frequent conferences with him, it b2comes ev'dert that some common understanding has been reached fDr composing the 7ong drawn out differences between the Syrians and France on the poltical future of Syria. Ad cLtional pre of of the High Commis sicner's determinat'on to speedily end the present uncertainty in the political situation may be deduced from his having lost no time in depos'ng the pre visional government of Sheikh Tajeddin Al Hasani preparatory t:> holding the new elections and assum ing in person the conduct of government ad inter'm and supervision of the elections. M. Ponsot's arrival in Beirut was attended by much ceremony despite his having banned any form of os tentatious disp'ay. Official delegations from a'l parts of Syr'a flocked to Beirut to take part in the recaption, presumably at the bidding of Sheikh Tajeddin, according to press reports. There was a representative delegation also of the Nat:onalist party headed by its veteran leader Hashim Bey Al-Atasi. The delegations were received by the High Commissioner at his private rrs'dence and there was evident cordiality marking his conversations with the Nat'onalists. Only two days later the High Commissioner proceeded to Damascus and immediate"}' went into r Lngthy conference with the head of the prov'sional government. Later the two went together to the S iraya where the High Commissioner announced to the officials of the Syrian government his dec'sio: s on his future policy. Following these moves three offi cial communiques wjie itoiied ty the High Commi3sion?r set.ing forth his decis'ons as fellows: Assumption by ;he High Commissioner of direct government in Syria pending the daemons for the Constituent Assembly wh\h ware set for the middle of December. An executive secretary will r .> >r s ni the High Commissitner in the conduct of [roverrment. Most of the members of the provisional cabinet were reta'ned Appointment by the High Commissioner of an Advisory Counci1 to supervise the elections with a % iew to insuring their fairness and impartiality. All former heads of the Syrian government since the beginning of the mandate are appo:nted to membership in the council, including Sheikh Tajeddin. The High Commis- HIIHMPf �THE SYRIAN WORLD 46 Chambers of Commerce or" Damasens and Aleppo end several others. The third communique deals with ths coming clectic;:s and S3ts for.h the ccrdhions under which ths primary r,nd final elections are to bo hod in the different districts an.l among the various clisscs of the population. This appears necessary in view cf tin spes'al conditions of the population, seme being nomad:; or semi nomads. Ths HigAi Commissioner assumes the right of exercising direct supervision cf the elections in his ca;?aei y of head of the government. Although the Nationalists appear to be on the friendliest terms with the French authorities, no official declaration of their stand has yet boon g-'ven. Cut immediately following the announcement of the action taken by the High Commissioner the leader of •the Nationalists, Hashim Bey Al Atasi, issued a call to all d'strict leaders and former members of ths Ccnstituent Assembly to convene for a party conference at Dsmascus to discuss their future policy. It is hinted in Nat:onalist newspapers, hc-wever, that tie Party will rssume an attitude of co-operatic n w'th the mandatory authorities and participate 5n tha coming e^ctions since they have been convinced that the High Commissioner has earnestly secured the maximum terms for the Syrians, and that there SHEIKH TAJEDDIN AL-HASANI are some rights wh.'ch France in hsr For three years Provisional Presi- role oi mandatory cannot relinquish. dent of the State of Syria, who was These new developments would deposed by High Commisslonere Pon- seem to mark the beginnng of the sot in November. end of the Syrian prbolem. At least ; sicner reserves the r ght to appoint they appear to pave the way for a to membership all outstanding per- new approach to an understanding if sonalities whose presence induces con- rot a permanent solution. If present fidence. He has consequently ap- plans are carried out acccrding to pointed several leaders of the Na- schedule, the new Constituent Astionalist party, '"neluding Al-Atasi, the s:mb"y should convene in the midJ'e judge cf the Supreme Court of Da- of February to del'berate on ths new mascus, the President of the National form of government to be adopted for Syria. University, the Presidents of the » �DECEMBER, 1931 With these developments agitation for a monarchy in Syr'a, or even the creation of a dual monarchy to be •composed of Syha and Iraq with King Faisal on the throne, S3ems to have subsided. The wish of the Syrian people was expressed in the first Assembly which formulated a constitution and declared for a republic. Now with the Nationalists maintaining their former strength which insures their control of the coming Assemby, their often expressed adherence to their republican principles is expectd to be mainta:ned. LEBANON OCCUPIED WITH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS N. A. Mokarzel, New York Editor, Proposed by Influential Group as Logical Candidate. The paramount occupation of the Lebanese at present seems to center on the ccming Presidents elections. In this connection some unexpected developments have taken place which in some respects indicate the desperate stage of discontent among the Lebanese w'th present methods of adminstration One (f the curiosities of the Lebanese Republic is that representation in the Legislative Assembly is still maintained by re'igious denonvnations along the lines obtaining :n the form er regime. And this despite the fact that the structure of the government is supposed to be republican. The first President, however, was chceen from among the minorities, presumably owing tc< the impossib:lity of agree ment on a candidate of the majority. President Dabbas has now had two terms, and while Hwre are rumors of the possib*'lity of his election for a mam 47 third term, such a possibility seems to be remote. The Maronites, who cempose the largest single group in the country, pre now clliming the Presidency as their right in accordance with the law of majority representation, but as on previous occasions, they are not agreed on a candidate, the two most prominenty mentioned at present being Emil Eddy and Bishara Khoury, bo.'h former Premiers. As an alternate propositii 7i the suggestion has been advance:! that the Presidency be w'thheld from all the larger groups and given to one from among the minorities. In this connection the or.e mrst prominently mentioned is Dr. Ayoub Thabet, former Minister of the Interior who is credited with hav ing inaugurated many reforms. Dr. Thabet is a Protestant. But what appears t(- be the most starting suggestion is that coming from an influential group in Lebanon who advocate the e'ection of N. A. Mokarzel, the veteran Lebanese editor cf Al Hoda, to the Presidential office. The suggestion was first advanced by the Lebanese notable Sheikh Edmond Belaibil, :n an open letter which h^ sent to Lebanese papers and was received by a considerable number of editors with much favorable comment, eliciting from sc me even enthusiasm. The grounds on which the suggestion is based is that Mr. Mokarzel, being above local po itics and having had a lorg record of distinguished service to his mother country, together with his tireless energy and adminstrative ability, would be the Moses who wou'd save Lebanon from the wilderness of its present chaotic condition. Commenting rn this proposal, the editor explains in detail in the issue of Al-Hoda of Dec. 12 the reasons for his refusal to entertain the suggestion. Whi'e expressing appreciation fcr the generous gesture and the proffered �-^ 46" — .„...:.,.:...,„.,;,.., _ ..,., „--,„.^ —_ - ' - 7HE SYRIAN WORLD PROPOSED FOR PRESIDENT OF LEBANON N. A. MOKARZEL Veteran Lebanese editor of AI-Hoda, oldest Arabic-language newspaper in the United States, who is offered the Presidency of the Lebanese Republic �DECEMBER, 1931 honor, 'he reiterates hfs oft expressed decision not to accept office in any form. He takes the occasion to criticize the present form of government in Lebanon and calls attention to Irs advocacy since 1911 of the appoints ment cf a governor in Lebanon for life, preferably a Frenchman without the right of hereditary succession. France, of course, is to retain the mandate over the country, but to enjoy less than the right she now exercises in its administrative affairs. These principles constitute the demands of the Lebanon League of Progress, a political organization in America, which the editor of Al-Hcda founded twenty years ago and of Which he still is president. PAN-ISLAMIC CONGRESS HELD IN PALESTINE. dealt chiefly with the activities of the Moslem Congress which convened in Jerusalem the middle of December. It was attended by delegates from all the Moslem countries, including Egypt and India. The question of the caliphate was not given much consideration and the deliberations seem to 'have entered on Zionists' aims in Palestine, despite the assurance of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem given to the British authorities that politics would net be discussed at the sessions of the congress. Joseph M. Levy, special correspondent of the New York Times in Jerusalem, reports that a 'heated controversy took place between the Indian delegate on the one hand, and the delegates of Syria and Iraq on the other, over the question whether ^Moslem opposition should be confined to the Jews or made to include the mandatory power in Palestine. The Indian protested against the congress going on record as opposing England, but his opponents won. 49 Delegates also bitterly criticized the aclr'on of Italy in condemning to be hanged Omar Mukhtar, the Senussi rebel chieftain in Tripoli. Considerable opposition developed under the leadership of Ragheb Bey Nashash'bi, Mayor of Jerusalem, to the Grand Mufti's ambitions to Moslem leadership. A meeting of protest was held at the Mayor's call which is said to have been attended by 1000 representatives from all Palestine. Resolutions finally adopted by the congress, according to The Times' dispatches, include, first, a protest to the League against the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine and the ousting of Arabs; second, a boycott by Moslems throughout the world of all Jewish goods manufactured in Palestine; third, to broadcast to the Moslem world that Zion;sm is a catastrophe for Palestine; fourth, to reject the Wailing Wall Commission's decisions, and, fifth, to prop&gate throughout the world the Palestine Moslems' claims to independence. It was unanimously resolved to< form a $5,000,000 corporation with shares to be subscribed by Moslems throughout the world for constructive purposes in Palestine to counteract the Jewish nationalist activities. Aecord;ng to press dispatches, the session of Dec. 12 was characterized by violent attacks on the British mandatory policy, delegate after delegate rising to deliver a fiery speech on the subject. Mohammad AH Pasha of Egypt discussed at length Zionist aims in Palestine as well as economic depression among Moslem peasants, alleging that Jewish leaders h?d made statements that it is the Jewish plan to colonize Palestine wth Jews, ousting the Arabs and restoring the ancient Jewish temple on the site of the Mosque of Omar. �50 His Excellency Sesostris Sidarouss ing greeted by Salloum A. Mokarzel dinner given in the minister's honor America.. Nasib Kalaf, a member of THE SYRIAN WORLD Pasha, Minister of Egypt (left) beeditor of the Syrian World at the by the Syrian Friends of Egypt in the committee, is shown in center. �»i. 51 DECEMBER, 1931 THE SYRIAN WORLD NEWS SECTION VOL. VI NO. 4 NEW YORK SYRIANS HONOR SIDAROUSS PASHA. New Egyptian Minister in Washington Reviews 71st Regiment. i His excellency Sesostr;s Sidarouss Pasha, the new Egyptian Minister to the United States, was received with much acclaim by official and social circles upon his first visit to New York since his appointment as Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary of His Majesty the King of Egypt at Washington in August. He arrived in the city November 29 to review the 71st. Regiment of the New York National Guard at its armory on Park Ave. The nvlitary review was fo'lowed by a reception at the private quarters of the commanding officer in honor of the minister. His Excellency was the guest of honor on the following day at a dinner given in his honor by Mrs. George Washington Kavanaugh. He was also officially received by Acting Mayor McGee at the City Hall and entertained at an official luncheon which was attended by many prominent c:ty officials. Profiting of the presence of His Excellency in the city, the newlyformed committee of the Syrian Friends of Egypt in America invited him to a dinner which was held at the St. George Hotel in Brooklyn Dec. DECEMBER, 1931 1. Despite the limited time, approximately one hundred guests were present. The response was a spontaneous expression of the genuine friendship which the Syrians of America entertain for the Egyptian nation and ^ts diplomatic representative. Salloum A. Mokarzel, editor of the Syrian World and Chairman of the committee, opened the speaking program with a few words of welcome in the name of his colleague on the committee and inv'ted Mr. N. A. Mokarzel, editor of Al-Hoda and dean of the Arabic press in America, to preside as toastmaster. The speakers were selected to represent the various professions and classes of the community, and included George A Ferris, dean of the Syrian legal fraternity, and Dr. F. I. Shatara both of whom spoke in English, and Rev. Mansur Stephen who spoke in Arabic. The Minister responded in both languages expressing h;s deep appreciation of the friendly sentiments displayed towards his government and himself. The toastmaster introduced between speeches Madame Fedora Kurban who sang operatic selections in both Arabic and English, and Professor Alexander Maloof who played several solo piano selections. The committf^ sponsoring the dinner was compose^ of Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, Dr. F. I. Shatara, Nasib Trabuls;, Nasib Kalaf and S. A. Mokarzel. Those in the Minister's party were �52 Major and Mrs. Thomas MacDonald, Wajih Rustum Bey Secretary to the Legation, Mr. H. K'hatib, acting Egyptian consul in New York, Abdul Latif Hannawy and Mr. Osman ffilmy of the Egyptian consulate. The guests included. Mr. & Mrs. J. M. Abbott; William Abouchar; Dr. & Mrs. S. Y. Alkazin; Mrs. C. Arb; E. J. Audi; Mr. & Mrs. Selim Ayoub; Mme Fedora Kurban; Mr. & Mrs. George C. Dagher; Dr. Najib Barbour; Miss Daw; M4ss DeMoor; Saleem Hatem representing Al-Bayan; Mme. Marie El-Khoury; Mr. & Mrs. D. J. Faour; Peter S. George; C. H. Griffith; Miss Daisy Hamad; S. J. Hermas; Dr. A. Himad*; Jamile B. Holway; Major & Mrs. Howard Hutter; Mr. & Mrs. B. M. Jabara; Mr. & Mrs. F. M. Jabara; Bfiss Gl&dys Jabara; Mr. & Mrs. George Jebaily; Miss Laurice Jebaily; Mr. & Mrs. N. Kalaf; A. G. Khouri; Mr. & Mrs. P. Kohlhaas; Edward Leon. Also', N. Makanna; Fred Malhame; Elias Mallouk; Prof. Alex. Maloof; Assad Milkie; Mike Mobarak; N. A. Mokarzel Editor of Al-Hoda; Mr. & Mrs. S. A. Mokarzel; Miss Mary Mokarzel; Miss R< se Mokarzel; Miss Alice Mokarzel; Dr. & Mrs. H. Rasi; Najeeb Sah'adi; Selim Sahadi; Mr. & Mrs. Michael Saydah; Dr. & Mrs. F. I Shatara; Mr. & Mrs. Robert Shephard; Mr. & Mrs. Abdullah Sleyman; Albert Staub; Rev. Mansour Stephen; Mr. & Mrs. John Stephen; Mr. & Mrs. Selim Totah; Mr. & Mrs. Nes;b Trabulsi; Miss Barbara Young; Fuad Zrike representing Meraat UlGharb; Mr. & Mrs. P. Zrike. EGYPTIAN MINISTER VISITS ARABIC LINOTYPE FACTORY. .While in New York His Excellency Sesostris Sidarouss Pasha, Egyptian Minister to the United States, was THE SYRIAN WORLD invited to inspect the Mergenthaler Linotype factory in Brooklyn which manufactures the Arabic Linotype. He was accompanied by Major Thomas MacDonald, Wajih Rustum Bey of the Legation staff, Mr. H. Khatib acting Egyptian consul in New York, Mr. Abdul Latif Hanawy and Mr. Salloum A. Mokarzel editor of the Syrian World who acted for the Mergenthaler Company in extending the invitation. The party was entertained at luncheon in the Company's dining room by the President Mr. Norman Dodge, Mr. Joseph T. Maekey, the Treasurer and Mr. C. H. Griffith, Assistant to the President. Later the minister and his companions were conducted through the vast factory and the various processes of production and inspection demonstrated to them. It was explained to the Minister that the Mergenthaler Company manufactures composing machines for nearly fifty languages and that it has given special care to the manufacture of the Arabic. Linotype whch now has been in use in America for almost twenty years as the only method of Arabic composition, and is being gradually introduced into all Arabic-speaking countries, including Egypt. Earlier in the day the Minister visited the Empire State Building as guest of former Governor Alfred E. Smith. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES AMONG N. Y. SYRIANS. The needy among the Syrians of New York will not want of Christmas cheer this year despite the prevalent depression. Churches, organizations and the press are working along one form of rel;ef or another, the response being gratifyng. Leading the movement among the press are the two important dailies. ?• �DECEMBER, 1931 ", Al-Hoda and Meraat Ul-Gharb. The Syrian Ladies' A'd Society has sent an appeal by mail to a select list of over one thousand individuals. St. Nicholas' Club is planning a Christmas party for the needy Syrian children of Brooklyn. The American Syrian Federation held a cabaret and dance at its clubrooms on Dec. 15 the proceeds of which are to be devoted to Christmas baskets. Featuring the entertainment was Ted Black and his orchestra who are in demand by the principal hotels and restaurants of New York. Ted Black is a Syrian whose original name is Aboussleman. He donated his services. A musicale and entertainment was given at the Wells House in Brooklyn on Dec. 17 by the Syrian Chrstmas Fund Committee to raise funds for providing Christmas baskets. The principal sponsors were Mrs. Victoria Z. Shehab and Miss Sumayah Attiyeh. GIBRAN'S WORKS DRAMATIZED AT AMERICAN CHURCH Scenes from "Jesus" ably presented at St. Mark's By Alice Mokarzel St. Mark's on the Bouwerie was the scene on Sunday, December 13, of a vivid and living interpretation of excerpts from Kahlil Gibran's Jesus, the Son of Man, under the capt'on "Liturgical Mystery of Jesus the Prophet." This performance marked the second of Gibran programs presented by St. Mark's Church since the recent death of the Syrian poet-prophet. The host of faithful and loving friends of Gibran who filled the church to capacity, wept silently during the scenes that were enacted with consummate beauty and feeling. ji-i 51 Fitting music for the occasion was composed by William Arthur Goldsworthy, who also conducted the choir assisting the performers and cantors. Dr. William Norman Guthrie, rector of St. Mark's Church, and Lester Leake Riley alternated in reading portions from Jesus, the Son of Man. They were assisted in this by Bryce Fogle, who interpreted in singing some of the parts. Fedora Kurban, the Syrian singer of merit, opened the musical program with an appropriate Arabic song. Mary Magdelene, revealed in the first scene by Phoebe Anna Guthrie, is filled with the vision of Jesus whom she beholds for the first time, and 'obsessed by an alternate hate and remorse when Jesus fails to recognize her. When again she sees him "sitting under the cypress tree" across her garden, she goes to Him and pleads with Him to come into her house. But Jesus grants not her request. "And when He had walked away," Mary Magdelene, remembering the "sunset of His eyes," feels no hate but only the lofty spirit of the woman born anew in her being. In the second scene, Judas (Gordon Place) reveals to a friend his betrayal of Jesus, and finds no comfort for his anguish even in the confession of h;s treachery. After ceaseless torment of spirit, Judas realizes an end to his suffering in self-destruction and goes forth thus determined. Ann Elizabeth Stroud portrayed with sincere and fervent feeling the character of the Woman of Byblos who is burdened with sorrow and anguish and "unable to see beyond grief" in the realization of her "personal loss" in the fate of Jesus. Bertha Kunz Baker, whose art has already exceeded itself, cannot be praised sufficiently. She gave the character of Mary, Mother of Jesus, a living imprint upon the hearts of �___ ,—_ ; — -..w ,-->* i THE SYRIAN WORLD 54 the audience. The depth of the feeling she wrought, although created by her voice and expression, was more so in the silent yet speaking movements she made as Mary, the Mother who sees with "spiritual understanding Jesus' death" and "through sorrow and vision, the calm acceptance of God's way." This was a living and sufferng Mary, who hears in silent angu;sh the crash that marks her Son's death and who "at dawn is still standing among us like a lone banner in the wilderness wherein there are no hosts." In the concluding scene, Phoebe Anna Guthrie, assisted by St. Mark's Choreographic Group, characterized the High Priestess who sees in His death only "exaltation and glory." Many interpretations of Gibran's works have been given in St. Mark's Church, but never, more than on this occasion, has Gibran seemed so living and beautiful and so appealing and touching to the human heart. GIBRAN TO REPOSE IN LEBANESE MONASTERY. Gibran's life-long wish is to be partly gratified. He had often confided to his friends that it was his supreme ambit1 on sometime to retire into the seclusion of Mt. Lebanon, there to spend the remainder of his days in the shadows of the Cedars, amidst the surroundings of his youth Which influenced his life work and for which he felt an ever growing longing. The Cedars, the Sacred Valley, and Becharre his home town, all in close proximity, held associations extremely dear to Irs heart. The Lebanese press now reports that Gibran's wish in this respect is to be respected. Having learned from his sister who accompanied his remains to his native land that he had — wished to acquire for his retreat in his old age the Monastery of Mar (St.) Sarqis, Gibran's countrymen opened negotiations with the owners of th;s monastery to purchase it and convert it into a museum for Gibran's works and a resting place for his remains. The monastery ;s ideally sfituated above Becharre and below the Cedars, perching on a ledge in the mountain overlooking the Sacked Valley. The Syrian World is in receipt of information that M:ss Mariana, Gibran's sister, intends to purchase privately the monastery that is to be dedicated to ier brother. GIBRAN'S MESSAGE READ TO D. A. R. Mr. Roderick Donley, a neighbor of the Syrian World, whose wife is an active worker in the Daughters of the American Revolution, admired the spirit of Gibran's Message to Young Americans of Syrian Origin which we had specially printed for framing as a gift to our subscribers. We gladly gave him a copy to take home. His wife alsc« admired the sp;rit and made excellent use of her admiration. During the State Convention of the D. A. R. lately held in Paterson, Congressman Hamilton Fish of New York deVvered an address on the pernicious activities of foreign communists in America. Mrs. Donley, in making her report as committee chairman, took the occasion to declare that not all foreigners should be classed in the same category. The Syrians, she said' were law-abiding and useful citizens. As proof she read to the convention Gibran's Message. DR. SHATARA LECTURES ON ARAB CIVILIZATION. Dr. Fuad I. Shatara of Brooklyn was the principlal speaker at the y. \ k j �M. v-n he "DECEMBER, 1931 H 55 LEBANESE AVIATOR PROMOTED. Baltimore Open Forum before an audience of 700 at the Baltimore Auditorium on Sunday, Dec. 13. His subject was the Arabs' contribution to civilization, and he defended Islam aga;nst the charge of having been spread by the sword, as reported in the Baltimore Sun of Dec. 14. Dr. Shatara encompassed the whole history of the Arabs and enurnei-ated their various c( ntributions to science and education. We are fortunate ?n having secured the copy of Dr. Shatara's lecture and shall publish illuminating excerpts from it in a ccming issue of the Syrian World. YOUNG PEOPLE'S CLUB GIVES ENTERTAINMENT. The Young People's Club of the Syr'-an Prc.testant Church of Brooklyn gave an entertainment at its clubrooms connected with the church on the last Sunday of November. President Shibly Kassis asked Philip Kahwajie, chairman of the entertainment committee, to direct the meeting. A varied program of song, music and games was prcv;ded. The educational feature of the evening was an address by the editor of the Syrian World who spoke on the special role of the Syr'an-American generation and related some experiences of his recent trip abroad. Dr. K. A. Bishara, pastor of the Syrian Protestant congregation, also spoke in corroboration cf the editor's remarks. THOMAS MOAWOOD MOKARZEL. Appointed Deputy Sheriff in charge of aviation in Dutchess County, N. Y. sheriff in charge of aviation in Dutchess County. The appointment was made on the recommendation of Senator J. Griswold Webb, chairman of the New York State legislative committee on aviation, and County LEBANESE FLYER MADE Judge Flannery: FIRST AIR DEPUTY. Mr. Moawood is regarded as the The Eagle-News of Poughkeepsie, leading pilot in the Hudson Valley, New York, in its issue of October 10, according to the News-Eagle. Alcarried on its first page an account though he has been a licensed pilot of the appointment of Thomas Mo- for over six years, he has never had awood Mokarzel, the first licensed pi- a serious mishap. On the two oclot in the Hudson Valley, as deputy casions when he had minor accidents �, 36 he has shown admirable presence of mind. So far he is credited officially with 21,000 flying hours. Last year he won a race held at the Poughkeepsie Airport in which sixteen pilots took part, some of whom enjoy a national reputation. The cup he was awarded on this occasion appears in the accompanying picture. Mr. Moawood is also known as the "Lebanon Eagle". He is proud of his Lebanese descent and one of his greatest ambitions is to make a nonstop flight to Mt. Lebanon once he can secure sufficient backing. DISTURBANCES MARK SYRIAN ELECTIONS. A special cable dispatch to the New York Times from Damascus dated Dec. 20 read in part as follows: The situation here in connection with the elections today became so serious and demonstrations of opposing factions so turbulent that at 2 P. M. the Government decided to halt the elections to avert bloodshed. Although in some quarters everything passed quietly,;t was regarded as expedient to postpone further polling in Damascus and Hama until some indefinite date, but in Aleppo and Homs as well as adjoining locations they were allowed to continue until completed. After the voting places were closed Damascus was comparatively peaceful and the demonstrations ended, but until 2 o'clock this afternoon the city was actually in a state of rot, all parties fighting one another. While the polling proceeded at the Town Hall stones were hurled at its windows, doors were smashed and trolley cars also were stoned. Pclice and troops, with the aid of the fire brigade, tried to repulse the mobs. ii«i*r-^ ?HE SYRIAN WORLD The police were obliged to open fire to frighten the rioters and the fire brigade dispersed them by turning their hoses on them. Women and students joined in the uproar and general excitement by issuing manifestos, driving automobiles to all quarters of the city and urging the people to vote for Nationalists. Many students were arrested for throwing stones. The Nationalists here and in Aleppo continue to send one protest after another to High Commissioner Henri Ponsot. The latest one is aga-nst the officials in charge of the polling boxes. One was sent yesterday asserting that the Syrians, having placed confidence in the High Commiss'oner's earlier declarations, 'had decided to participate in the elections in expectation that the elections would be fair and free. The telegram protests that "measures were taken by government authorities to instigate Government officials to transgress personal liberty and arouse trouble in the country by opening fire on the public." The telegram further requests M. Ponsot to submit the complaint to the League of Nations and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Communication with Damascus today was practically cut off, as no one was allowed to enter or leave town and private long distance telephone calls were not permitted, the telephones being reserved for the Government. Disturbances occured yesterday in the Kurdish quarter here, when at a meeting, a Nationalist speaker was attacked, beaten and ejected. There was a clash also at El Kuneitra, between Royalists and Nationalists resulting in several persons being wounded. » ft �DECEMBER, 1931 SIXTEEN ARAB STUDENTS IN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY. A correspondent of Meraat UlGharb reports that in the University cf Michigan in Ann Arbor, there are sixteen Arab students this year, drawn from Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq, the newest comer being Miss Wadad K. Mackdici, who is specializing in sociology. Miss Mackdici is the daughter of Prof. Jurius Kho/iri of the American University of Beirut and had graduated with honors from the latter institution. She spent a year teaching in Baghdad and is now completing her advanced studies on a scholarship. CO-OPERATIVE HOSPITAL OVERCOMING DIFFICULTIES. The co-operative hospital of Elk City, Okla., opened in the fall of this year, and marking the success of several years of strenuous efforts on the part of the Syrian physician Dr. M. Shadid, was described by a feature article appearing on the frcnt page of ' the Daily Oklahoman of Oklahoma City as the only institution of its character in the United States. The writer lauds the courageous enterprise and tireless energy of the founder and declares . that he is on the way of overcoming the financial difficulties resulting from the failure of some subscribers to complete payment for their stock. The writer also hints that through professional jealpusy some private practicians had lodged charges against the co-operative hospital w-'th the State authorities. The principal cause of complaint is that the hospital is dispensing medical services much below the customary fees, and providing medicines at one-third less than the prevailing prices. This is branded as socialistic, but is exactly what the 57 founder of the hospital intended when he launched 'his enterprise. He is defending his practices with unwavering courage. DICTIONARY CORNERSTONE OF MOSLEM RENAISSANCE. In a debate on Moslem culture in one of the sessions of the Moslem Congress in Jerusalem, Mohammad Ali Pasha cf Egypt declared that the Arabic dictionary, when compiled, will be the cornerstone of Moslem revival. He emphasized that although the Arabic language was replete with classical terms it did not embrace modern scientific words, which now are borrowed from English and French. A dictionary, he said, is vitally essential to bring about the Moslem renaissance. He suggested that Egypt's geographical position be utilized to concentrate on the preparatory work of this dictionary particularly in view of the fact that the Egyptian government had started organizing a special academy for the same purpose. FORMER EGYPTIAN KHEDIVE FOR SYRIAN KING. Contrary to previous advices, it now seems evident that the royalist agitation in Syria has not died out. The elections now taking place disclosed the existence of a strong element favoring a monarchy. The latest personage mentioned as a propable candidate for the throne is Abbas Hilmy, former Khedive of Egypt, who will arrive in Jerusalem on Dec. 23 enrcute to Syria, where he will be received by the French High Commissioner. A dispatch from Jerusalem says that rumors are persistent thafthe ex-Khedive is coming to Syr'a on the explicit understanding of being placed on the throne. �THE SYRIAN WORLD W$®&®MB&MF^ Gibran's Message To Young Americans of Syrian Origin ft I believe in you. and I believe in your destiny. I believe that you are contributors to this new civilization. I believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream.a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America. I believe you can say to the founders of this great nation. Here I am. a youth, a young tree, whose roots were plucked from the hills of Lebanon, yet I am deeply rooted here, and I would be fruitful." And I believe that you can say to Abraham Lincoln, the blessed. "Jesus of Nazareth touched your lips when you spoke, and guided your hand when you wrote: and I shall uphold all that you have said and all that you have written." II I believe that you can say to Emerson and Whitman and James. "In my veins runs the blood of the poets and wise men of old. and it is my desire to come to you and receive, but I shall not come with empty hands." I believe that even as your fathers came to this land to produce riches, you were born here to produce riches by intelligence, by labor. And I believe that it is in you to be good citizens. And what is it to be a good citizen? It is to acknowledge the other person's rights before asserting your own. but always to be conscious of your own. It is to be free in thought and deed, but it is also to know that your freedom is subject to the other person's freedom. It is to create the useful and the beautiful with your own hands, and to admire what others have created in love and with faith. I It is to produce wealth by labor and only by labor, and to spend less than you have produced that your children may not be dependent on the state for support when you are no more. It is to stand before the towers of New York, Washington. Chicago and San Francisco saying in your heart. "I am rhe descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus, and Tyre and Sidon. and Antioch, and now I am here to build with you. and with a will." It is to be proud of being an American, but it is also to be proud that your fathers and mothers came from a land upon which God laid His gracious hand and raised His messengers. Young Americans of Syrian origin. I believe in you. nmmnmmmemn FREE TO SYRIAN WORLD SUBSCRIBERS. This beautiful message by Gibran 13x17 inches, printed in large type on heavy paper with ornamental border suitable for framing. Every PAID subscriber whose term begins with Sept. 1931 is entitled to a copy, mailed in heavy cardboard tube. Subscribers whose term beg-'ns before Sept. 1931 may secure a copy by renewal. \ ' �wmmmmmmmm 59 DECEMBER, 1931 A STUDY of KAHLIL GIBRAN THIS MAN FROM LEBANON T > Barbara Young, the American poet who is now Kahlil Gibran's literary executor, speaks with authority in a 48 page brochure concerning his life and work, illustrated with several hitherto unpublished protraits of the Poet of the Cedars, and a reproduction of one pen and ink drawing and one page of original manuscript. A few copies of the limited first edition, serially numbered and autographed by the author, are still available. The price for this edition is $2.50. Owing to the wide interest in the brochure, a second printing will be necessary. These will not be numbered nor autographed, and will be procurable at $1.50 the copy. Checks may be made payable to the Gibran Studio, 51 West 10th Street, New York City. HMHW^' �60 THE SYRIAN WORLD AUTHENTIC :» ORIENTAL RUGS THE A. SLEYMAN COMPANY. INC. {276 5th AVENUE NEW YORK CITY Phone BOgardus 4-4345 George Haddad Proprietor 1 I Phone CHickering 4-8878 ALEXANDRIA RESTAURANT The new and beautiful uptown Syrian restaurant owned and operated by a master chef, who summons his long experience to the art of producing the most delectable Oriental dishes. Small and large parties catered to So Conveniently Located 21 WEST 31st STREET, NEW YORK 'Y'I^SWSV'/WN/SV IT IS YOURS is the only Syrian publication printed in English, and as such is the organ of the Syrians in America. You can help it continue and grow by subscribing to it yourself and inducing others to subscribe. THE SYRIAN WORLD PUBLISHER, THE SYRIAN WORLD: 104 Greenwich Street, New York. You may enter my name as a subscriber to "The Syrian World" for the term of one yeary for which I agree to fay the regular rate of $5.00 ufon receipt of the first issue. Address City & State mimmmmAiMiM^vMJMniM �ECEMBER, 1931 61 JERE J. CRONIN FUNERAL DIRECTOR MORTUARY CHAPEL Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to LADY ATTENDANT Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire 115 ATLANTIC AVENUE BROOKLYN, N. Y. The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverence and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very little cost. No charge for use of our services or funeral parlors. Telephone—MAIN 1398-1399-8130-3655 SHEIK \ RESTAURANT \ < • < HOW TO BREED MOTHS I Leave your rugs on the floor < with all the dirt and germs < they have collected during the < winter and which home meth< ods cannot remove. Nature J will do the rest. < A well-appointed Syrian rtstaurant in the heart of the Syrian Quarter, in lower Manhattan, where yon and your friends can enjoy the moat delectable Oriental meals amidst the charm of an Oriental atmosphere. RESTORATIVE: Call the THE KOURI CARPET < CLEANING CORPORATION ! RUG WASHERS * J • NEW YORK, N. Y. 10 West 33rd Street Tel. LOngacre 5-2385 < J JERSEY CITY, N. J. 552 Johnston Avenue Tel. BErgen 3-1085 Second Foor for Banquets and Private Parties KIRDAHY RESTAURANTS, } * j J \ | > \ * I Inc. 1 65 WASHINGTON ST., New Yerk \ �3 The ARABIC LINOTYPE in MOROCCO Although the adaptation of the Linotype to Arabic composition is comparatively recent, the Arabic Linotype has already been introduced into all Arabic speaking countries, whether in the Near or Far East. And wherever it is used, it is found to be a revelation in its efficiency and economy of operation. This is but natural since in all Western languages the Linotype is now the standard method of type composition, and hand composition has been almost entirely discarded in the book, periodical and commercial printing field for quantity production. Impr:merie Officielle, Rabat G. Pfister, Algiers . . "La Renaissance", Tunis . "Le Petit Matin", Tunis . * TRADE In our kst advertisement in this publication we gave a list of Arabic Linotype users in Egypt. This month we list the Linotypes now in operation in Morocco. It will be seen that not only is it used in the Government Press but in many commercial printing establishments. This testifies not only to the superior merits of the Arabic Linotype but also to the spirit of progress in the country. The printing industry is one of the fundamentals of progress, and the Linotype is the machine which accelerates the progress movement. • » • • . • . * - 4 Linotypes 1 Linotype 2 Linotypes 1 Linotype OTYPE "% MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A. Cable—Linotype, New York J^Si\ jJUl j.u ^^ ^j cVlfj liJ Representatives in the Principal Cities of ^ An illustrated descriptive catalogue of the Arabic Linotype sent free upon request �-- cJt* ^i _^ii lclS\ j^>-V1 b>"!Acl _r* j <<aJY Uijjl "Ol»«Jl <Uj (w^j'j-*-) oOj2JL«Jl *<Oj>c^l J «J *^4 <L Jl iiii\ >_i • P- i_«d ->.£* 1 «^< :VU c~j>l a •Ti OAS '>" ^. Jl jLJJl ol >*. L^j .^V1 f» ^JVI J^JI ^ Lis- y_J V;l*^> j-YI la* ^i J) • r, ^> VI '. ~*^>- (J^a~Jj J i Sj^jt.l i c^a! L$-Ac JiljjuJ) «li";\l i»Ji-S cAJjl /j* _j* 4«Lla!l 4s~A_j VI (w->_jiJl oaiuJl ^—>_? -J— <AfJI J o- -7 w Jl* '^ Jo <! ^r*. MERGENTHALER IJNOTYPE COMPANY Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A. Cable—Linotype, New York -XTt > �THE SYRIAN WORLD 64 » •» » » » +» »- » ^^U Clio ATTENTION! FORWARD! SAFE! MARCH ON TO PROGRESS! START A BANK ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY LET YOUR MONEY Accumulate for Future NEEDS AND HAPPINESS INTEREST 4 .% Ter zAnnum ON TIME DEPOSITS FROM $10.00 UP Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more FAOUR BANK D. J. FAOUR & BROS. Established 1891 Under Supervision of New York State Banking Department. Capital and Surplus Over $500,000.00 85 WASHINGTON ST., NEW YORK CITY I � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1931_12reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 04 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1931 December Description An account of the resource Volume 6 Issue 04 of The Syrian World published December 1931. This issue begins with an article by Hatib I. Katibah discussing Palestine and how it became the small Syrian province lying at the intersection of three continents. Katibah breaks down exactly how this was possible through a succession of historic events. Following it is a poem by Alice Mokarzel titled "The Christmas Altar." There is also another Gibran work titled "The Great Occurrence," which speaks about the miraculous nature of Jesus Christ. The rest of the poetry in this issue, edited by Barbara Young, is also entirely Christmas related. After a discussion of current news, Edna K. Saloomey's short story titled "Party for Aneesa" is featured, followed by book reviews. The editor closes out the issue with a piece titled "Peace and Good Will, Plus Faith." The issue concludes with excerpts from the Syrian Press and an update on political developments in Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Alice Mokarzel Barbara Young Christmas Edna K. Saloomey Habib I. Katibah Kahlil Gibran New York Palestine https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/7817bf7f737e9861155846112a1ca2a4.pdf 5080f93777a7bed6f649a9f76fc4fe39 PDF Text Text 'OL VI NOVEMBER. 1931 NO. ��npxrp SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New lork, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. VI. NO. 3 NOVEMBER, 1931 =•= CONTENTS The Coming Generation of Syrian Leaders SALLOUM A. 3 MOKARZEL Affluence, (a Poem) 9 EDNA K. SALOOMEY The Deeper Pain 10 KAHLIL GIBRAN Conditions in the Near East __ __ 11 BAYARD DODGE True Arabian Tales The Slave Girl Whom the Grand Vizier Could Not Buy. 14 �CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE Poetry, Edited by BARBARA YOUNG Soil, by JOHN STERLING HANEY New Poetry To Our Lyric Poets Rubaiyat Au-Tayeb, by AMIN BEDER Ode, by THOMAS ASA A Moslem Saint of Damascus H. I. ..... j8 19 2n ........ 22 23 24 26 KATIBAH Books Received -,, Seek and You Shall Find (a Short Story) 32 By CHARLES J. SASSEN Our Younger Generation 30 Edited by A. HAKIM Conflicting Standards in the Syrian Home in America Youth Speaks Beyond the Sun ,(a Poem) 38 ,, 43 BARBARA YOUNG New Egyptian Minister in A merica 44 The Traveler's Cloak, (a Poem) 47 DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN Editorial Comment AQ Political Developments in Syria TQ Syrian World News Section 53 i �SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL, Editor VOL. VI. NO. 3 NOVEMBER, 1931 The Coming Generation of Syrian Leaders BREAKING THE BOUNDS OF AGE-LONG TRADITIONS THEY SEEK TO LEAD THROUGH ENLIGHTENED AND CONSTRUCTIVE EFFORTS. By SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL ALTHOUGH the French might be partly responsible for the of pet " ^? ^ °f °Utl°°kthat °" Some their pet traditions traditions, itr ,s, nevertheless, incontestable these youths themselves have by their own process of reasoning reached the mo mentous conclusions that are now carrying them^n the crest o, aTX mWnal ^f0^^ ^ A of Syria and Sbano, are becoming practical. They are seriously applying themselves to oe Sft a"d aPP1,Cat]°" of methods that/in comparison withIheir age-old traditions, might well be considered revolutionary^ What » more significant ,s that this change of outlook is evident not only among the masses but also amone the classes Th7\ A ' nrfinlN, kL-,' .. r , to classes, the leaders are actually blazing the way for this renaissance which augurs such a nght future for the country. Enlightened leadership may wel ^considered an almost accomplished fact not in the very disTant Where it had been the time-honored tradition to rely upon anmaintain family prestige on the old accepted lines of hered tarv leadership and authority, the scions of the nobility, so-ca led are fitting themselves by industry in the acquisition of the technica �4 THE SYRIAN WORLD knowledge and training to improve their own conditions and those of their followers. This radical transformation in viewpoint I was able to observe in three widely separated sections, but with unmistakable signs of a singleness of purpose. * * * * Early in August, 1929, while visiting Latakia, capital of the Alaouite State of Syria, I met Emir Muneer, son of Emir Jaber AlAbbas, President of the Legislative Council of the State and hereditary chieftain of the whole Alaouite nation by virtue of his being the head of the principal clan in the country. It was through this meeting that my interest was first aroused as to the attitude and disposition of the younger generation of leaders in the country. The aspirations and ambitions of the young man were a revelation. Yes, he would succeed his father as the leader of his people. Such was his hereditary privilege which he would not dream of relinquishing. But he would by all means justify his claim by enlightened leadership. The country is in a state of an ephocal transition and transformation. Its population is almost completely homogeneous and its land is capable of great productivity. Its resources must be exploited and husbanded and its political rights maintained. Hence his sense of prime duty to equip himself for the task of true leadership—leadership that would guarantee his people their rights and privileges. And to that end he was taking up the study of international law. It was a voluntary task he had set for himself, and he was determined to carry it through. He positively will not follow it as a profession because he was amply independent in his own right. But it was for the purpose of protecting his people in their rights that he was foregoing a life of ease for one of study and research. Already he has graduated from the law school of the Syrian University in Damascus and was now going to Paris for further study. He was to be in Paris that very year. Muneer Al-Abbas is in his early twenties but observes the strict tenets of his religion, indulging neither in smoking nor in drinking, but for all other appearances he does not differ from the well-dressed Parisian of the boulevards. Unlike some others, he was not reticent in giving his political views. He believes in the necessity of the mandate and in a policy of understanding and cooperation with the French. Independent political actions, he also was frank to state, will not be productive until the country achieves a decided improvement in its economic �NOVEMBER, 1931 and social status. He entertains no delusions as to the actual need of the people in this respect, and his self-imposed task is to safeguard the rights of the country during this period of transition. * * * Another young Syrian leader is iimir Hasan Al-Atrash, scion of the psincipal Atrash dan in Jebel Druze and the titular leader of the country. I met him in Sueida, capital of the mountain Syrian state and found him to be equally determined as to his future ambitions. Although a faction of his people is still nominally at war wit,* the French, he believes that war is destruction if not actually hell, and he would apply himself to practical, constructive methods for improving the conditions of the country. Am- since agriculture is the principal industry in Jebel Druze, Emir Muneer A I- Abbas he is engaged in the conduct of agricultural experiments on a Young Hereditary Leader of the large scale on his vast lands near Alaouites Who is Studying Sueida. He has already bought International Lazv. several tractors and other modern farm implements which, once he proves their value, he will recom mend for general use in the country. The topography of TeTl Druze and its individual agricultural problems wouJdseem to^u! before reaching a decisi ^hXlinr/r'r -~ & metnoa or kind of machinery is most suitable Lmir Hassan Al-Atrash also is in his early twenties He makes no secret of the fact that his literary properties are Tot that TFMTZE to nis particular problems. k6en TJ-t SS m what Swith Like his people, he is endowed ttlrl°f C°Ur^e Whkh b°rders °« recklessness ATL en gaged in the war against the French in its earlier stages but came to realize that the interest of the country would be b'e 'served by a �6 THE SYRIAN WORLD policy of understanding. Hence his present relations of amity and cooperation with the French. To one who had only book knowledge of Jebel Druze and its people and rulers, the natural expectation was to see a prince in full panoply and brilliant entourage moving about in state among his subjects, especially that Druze princes in their forlorn mountain still rule according to accepted feudal practices. Not so, however, was the appearance of the young Atrash prince. The charger gave way to the speedier and more reliable and comfortable automobile; the flowing bedouin robes to European attire and the costly and pompous entourage to a single attendant. Democracy and the spirit of sportsmanship went further with our young Emir—he himself was always at the wheel and his attendant did not appear in livery or bear any outward mark of difference from his master. The night my companions and I spent in Sueida we were, together with the Emir, guests for dinner at a Christian notable's house. The Emir appeared not to have the least consciousness of rank. He doffed his coat and rolled up his shirt sleeves and sat to the board in the accepted native fashion. He is not of the 'Ukkal, and consequently had no scruples about smoking or drinking. Nor was he unduly prudish. Everybody knows about his youthful romance with the Jewish dancer which caused him to knock down the French superintendent of the school he attended in Beirut and escape over the fence, so why not tell it himself in its true details. And he did tell it with apparently little remorse, rather with much relish. It was but a youthful escapade and his view of it was typically modern. * * * * The third promising young leader is in the Lebanon. Although still in his teens he has very decided opinions of his future career. What if his forebears once were the absolute rulers of the country and his branch of the family still holds an undisputed position of leadership. He will deviate from the path of his ancestors and shape for himself a course of his own. Not for him a life of empty dignity that spells inaction. He will rehabilitate his fortune by industry and blaze a way of marked economic improvement in the country by the promulgation of modern producing methods. If he himself, due to his tender age, does not express himself altogether in such terms, his mother acts as his spokesman with evident authority, because, in truth, she is the one primarily responsible for his training along these lines. �NOVEMBER, 1931 Front Viev> of 'he Palace of Sitt Nazira Janblatt in Lebanon, Which u the Scene of Much Industrial Activity Along Modern Lines. Kamal Bey Janblatt, son of Sitt Nazira Janblatt, who is concededly one of the outstanding feminine figures in'the Eas s doubly fortunate for being the scion of one of the principal Druze families in Lebanon and for having such an able and e, lightened mother to guide his footsteps. Ever since the child's infancy, when a cruel fate struck down her husband in the discharge of his duties as the governor of the southern district of Lebanon, she not only has acted as mentor and guardian to her children but strove to maintain and bolster the position of the family. Nay, she has succeeded n materially enhancing its prestige and improving its means. And this despite the restrictions of her social status as a Druze woman. So much, m fact, has been her success that she is pointed out as a pioneer in many economic enterprises and a paragon and champion of the Eastern woman's emancipation. One of the enterprises of Sitt Nazira was the installation of a hydroelectric plant utilizing the abundant water brought to her palace at Mukhtara from a great distance and hitherto gone almost total y to waste. With the power generated she is now able to run a mill and a carpentry shop besides illuminating the palace and a part of the town Her enterprise and energy deserve special treatment which will be given in an independent chapter. �.la^B-v-f- -J^_ 8 THE SYRIAN WORLD But the mysterious generation of electricity and the wonders of transformation it has wrought captivated the imagination of her son who now resolved on seeking a career in electrical engineering. The boy's mind is completely wrapped in his selected calling. His mother often sends him in state to attend some official public functions which she, out of deference to her people's traditions, wishes to avoid, and at which she feels her family should be represented. But the boy's interest in these ostentatious functions is perfunctory. His passion is electricity and its application. He even avoids play to study on the subject. Sitt Nazira led us from one of the elaborate reception salons facing the spacious open court into the nursery. And there was the boy Kamal Bey, unnaturally grave for a boy of twelve, watching over his younger sister. He appeared to take but a mild interest in his mother's enthusiastic and admiring explanations. Rather it was the attitude of one who resented intrusion on his pet subject and its being held up to public discussion. The look in his eyes was more in the nature of an appeal to his mother to spare him in his chosen profession, but his good breeding forbade any articulate objection. * * * * As good fortune would have it, my first visit to Damascus afforded me the opportunity to meet and study a typical young son of the desert leaders in the person of Emir Fowaz, son of the celebrated Nouri Shalan of the tribe of Rowla. In him, too, were very evident the signs of the great transformation, but not along the lines manifested in the others. He was just a colt let loose and he well acted the part. With a number of Damascene notables we were having dinner at the roof garden of the Hotel Victoria Annex, which in appointment and atmosphere is but another edition of a high-class Parisian cafe. It is reached through a circular hall where many of the principal social functions of the city are held. That night it was the scene of a musicale and dance. Men and women in fashionable evening dress packed the room, among them being a large representation of foreigners. But there was a solitary figure in glowing Arab costume who moved about with the nonchalance of a habitue. A handsome young face protruded from under the folds of a silken headdress with but a faint trace of a black moustache. Only his patent leather pumps and silk socks indicated a concession to European dress. He was none other than Emir Fowaz of the Rowla tribe, and although I did not personally interview him, �f WOVE MB ER, 1931 9 I learned from my Damascene companions that he had a town house in Damascus and is frequently seen at social functions. ' He once almost caused an unpleasant international incident when, true to Arab temperament, he fell violently in love with an English concert dancer and took the shortest cut to possessing her by kidnapping. He ceded her back only after several months of exciting life of romance in the desert. But for the present, at least, the nomad Arabs of the desert do not seem to form an integral part of Syrian life. Nevertheless, they are beginning to feel the inroads of modern influences, and if one of their young leaders maintains a city home and engages in social activities on such a large scale, a change is bound to come into their life. Already they have modernized their methods of warfare and use automobiles in conducting their raids; other radical changes will not be long to follow. * * * * A change looms on the horizon in Syria. It is bound to prove more productive, and will surely be highly accelerated, through the serious efforts of the young leaders who are fitting themselves constructively for their future tasks. Affluence By EDNA K. SALOOMEY I shall embrace my poverty, and bless Fate for willing me not the Midas touch. Thus, am I spared from having to confess Futility, a craving for death, and such Desires as satiety brings to men. When all need is fulfilled, what need to live? What pleasure shall await to-morrow, then, If today credit all life has to giver From the vast depths of Stygian of the dawn. Man's gratitude for the beauty of the dawn. �f ' THE SYRIAN WORLD The Deeper Pain By KAHLIL GIBRAN Editors Note—Through the courtesy of Barbara Young, li erary executor of Kahlil Gibran, some of Gibran's original writings in English will be published exclusively in the Syrian Wor'.d from time to time previous to book publication.The following is the first of the series. To burn but not to shine, that is indeed great pain, but to burn not at all is the greater pain. To have a full heart and an empty hand is pain indeed, But to have both heart and hand full, and no one to receive is greater pain. To be a cripple at the foot of the mountain of your heart's desire is a great pain, But to reach the top of the mountain and find yourself alone, that is the deeper pain. To have a song in your spirit but not the voice to sing is to know great pain, But to have both the song and the voice, and none to listen, is the greater pain. Once I stood, a beggar, at the gate of the temple. Night veiled all things, and my hand long stretched forth, was still empty. At that hour, my friend, I knew pain. After seven moons I stood again in the portico of the temple to tell of Spring in the forest, And Spring in the heart of a maiden, And Spring as the beginning of the race, And behold, there was not one who listened to me. That was the deeper pain. - �D NOVEMBER, 1931 // ! Conditions in the Near East By BAYARD DODGE President, American University of Beirut (Excerpts from President Dodge's Annual Report for 1930- -31) IKE THE rest of the world, the Near East has suffered from the commercial depression, which has been the principal feature of the past year. Overland trade through Syria has been cut down, the tourist business in Egypt and Palestine has been at a low ebb, and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf have been unable to sell their pearls. Persia has been making a heroic effort to introduce a gold standard of currency, which has envolved such a large readjustment, that the trade of the country has been seriously affected. Worst of all, there has been such an overproduction of cotton, that Egypt, the Sudan, 'Iraq and North Syria have endured heavy financial losses. Ever since the University was founded, the surrounding districts have been sending thousands of emigrants to the West, and these adventurers have sent back a constant stream of money to their relatives in the East. The present economic crisis has stopped these remittances, with a corresponding share of hardship for many old parents and unfortunate children. Furthermore, emigration itself has been stopped to such an extent that the- poor can no longer seek their fortunes in more prosperous parts of the world. Mankind seems to be learning that war brings poverty and peace gives prosperity. Like America, Egypt did not feel the ill results of the war, while the fighting was going on. The cotton crisis of the past year has enabled the Egyptians to appreciate what serious readjustments war envolves. In Syria, 'Iraq and Palestine the situation is very different. A few weeks ago a friend said to me:—"We Syrians are the luckiest people in the world; We've alreaciy struck the bottom, so that what ever happens in other places, we can't go any lower." The Mosul oil project, the exploitation of Dead Sea chemical deposits, the new harbor at Haifa, plans for overland railroads to "' '' ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^m �12 ft THE SYRIAN WORLD bind together the Euphrates valley with the Mediterranean the presence of foreign institutions, and the promotion of new industries are brining new hope for reconstruction. A spirit of cooperation is springing up between the neighboring states and in cooperation lies the future of the Near East. Men are beginning to dream that some day there may be new irrigation systems and new cities, along the Orontes and the two rivers of Mesopotamia, where civilizations once bloomed and populations multiplied. It was the wars of the Sassanides and the Tartar invasions that wrought havoc and left behind a wreckage of broken canals and ruined towns. Twelve years of peace have already made it possible to develop overland motor routes and to open up new channels of trade so that it is reasonable to believe that continued security and increased cooperation will result in reconstruction. t The Near East is the cradle of our monotheistic faiths. Oriental forms of religion are so old that they have become too much matters of ceremony and sect, and too little a concern of the spirit I he University does not wish to increase the confusion by adding a new sect, but rather to rear up men and women, who are filled with spiritual enthusiasm and anxious to make religion a bond of fellowship, rather than a basis for hostility. The states of the Near East have tried competition and war tor over five thousand years. They have become so impoverished that they form a great contrast to the states of the new world which have developed prosperity as a result of team work. The 'contribution, which it is worth while for America to give to the Levant is this idea of team work. The city of Beirut is like the hub of a wheel, to which students come from a great radius seeking education. Even in the third and fourth centuries of the Christian era there was a great law school at Beirut, which drew students from the Mediterranean provinces and Western Asia. The Roman jurists, Ulpian and Papinian were professors there. Nonnus, the poet; Saint Gregory of Neocesaria the Miracle-worker; and the famous Saint Gregory of Naziansus were students. Two of the professors, Dorotheus and Anatolius, helped the Emperor Justinian to prepare his code of law East and West; North and South; Anglo-Saxon and Latin: Semite and Greek; Muhammedan, Christian and Jew; Roman i>i > �\\ NOVEMBER, 1931 13 £5°liCK aud °rthodox> have * and still meet on the bridge g of land, which joins together Africa, Asia and Europe PU,t> the M r ~SS chlldren re ill Syria haVe SCattered a11 ov er tQ study .n ^ ^ d and thee wo world C aSt studv\: Be0m;Cindepr6SSi0n °f ,thG Pthan W study at Beirut greater numbers ever *«faS before. have corned The first essential for reconstruction in the Orient is to teach the young men and women that thev cannot catch m, 7 V of the West by political agitation 'and ^T^ V^ZfZ working so hard, that they can measure up to theinteU^ at' tainments of Europe and America ""eiiectual atmic of mur sards' standards of made the courses France During 1 haS ad T^vV ? UniVCrsity °Pted the ^deNew York State as minimum requirements and in medicine and pharmacy as long asXv are"n the past year French and British Ictors from of "he Schqooianof M dtine "^ aSSiStCd Wkh th£ 2-1 S-SS . inC S of Europt ' ° ^ f° aSSUre Standards e<iual to those boundaries will be dead, dogmas Slt^dT^^^ The development of character and of consecration to spi-it ual things on a campus radiant with friendship and g good wU 1Ss" the ideal of a modern university. ' R ^AtuBeiJUt thTe 1S "° sectariai'1 religious society, but rather a Brotherhood, in which men of all races and creeds havean eaual Q share to join in social service work and common worship and women stand shoulder to shoulder in /h f ^ these "These things shall be,—a loftier race Than e'er the world hath known will rise With flame of freedom in their souls, And light of knowledge in their'eyes." V - "Nation with nation, land with land _ Unarmed shall live as comrades 'free • In every heart and brain shall throb The pulse of one fraternity." Tn �14 THE SYRIAN WORLD I THE SLAVE GIRL WHOM THE GRAND VIZIER COUID NOT BUY \^HEN the caliph Haroun al-Raschid was on one of his visits to the city of Al-Basra, his famous vizier and boon companion Jaafar Ibn Yahya the Barmecide, was in his company. Jaafar, however, could well afford to neglect the business of state and follow his natural bents in seeking his personal pleasure due to the extraordinary confidence he enjoyed with the caliph. So immediatey upon the arrival of the royal caravan to the city Jaafar called to him Isaac Ibn Ibrahim, the famous singer and entertainer of the caliph, and bade him seek information concerning a reputedly extraordinary slave girl the fame of whose charm had reached the capital Baghdad. Isaac enlisted the services of the foremost slave dealer in the city who readily gave his expert opinion about the unsurpassed qualifications of the girl in question, but added the further information that her master would never consent to exhibiting her in public, and will let her be seen only in private and at his own house. Jaafar, undaunted, said that he would seek her wherever she might be, be she in a palace or in a hut, in the city or the wilderness, because his heart was set on viewing her vaunted beauty and hearing her reputed unexcelled art in singing and playing the <oud He therefore, immediately ordered that preparations be made for the visit, and not long thereafter the three parties to the conversation in disgu.se, were wending their way through the narrow, tortuous streets of the city towards the house of the girl's master In one of the poorer sections the slave dealer stopped at the door of a dilapidated house and knocked. A young man, emanated in form and with hollow eyes and pallid complexion, reluctantly it �NOVEMBER, 1931 that his robe was of a coarl m ,' -f7 n°tlCed Parti larly Finally the slave dealer eTvereT* • *"? aPPare»t]y very old sion and ask to l^Z^ltl " * ^^ ** miS" exPre^7oTdgee7;uffel\n°hereP,ly-, **} *? d h S Way to room from which^shortly H a*eirl T* ' VVIULIJ, snoruy aft-w afterwards, emero-eH ^ ,xrU -d an u^ an *e ntost bLutifultXTwhe ttr £ EZ^faTf iT^ A2X Ana what SUCh l0nS tad £ t0appear ^ aftCr ""P^onship,in tad fan perpetually self-renewing our relauonsh.p now become exposed to the dans" of rupture through ageaanger Never stall I forget that what now appears old was at at one time new; Nor that the house which is now deserted was once teeming and gay with life; U? t0 mC A/T° ,' ^ the dearest that ever trod on soil • And I m my We, have consumed myself f„ the effort to make myself worthy of your attention The girl could proceed no further She t » H • • • , robe, and reentered the inner room For a wh L .T'^ ? ^ -^i^n^tfr-f^SSr companions waited a reasonable time and the, decided t"" " robe, and while be V^Sg&SZ^g 5* �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD with the light of a strong determination. It was he who broke the oppressive silence. "You are my witnesses that I have set her free," he said, "and that I now take her as my lawfully-wedded wife." Jaafar was much grieved and disappointed at having lost the opportunity to purchase this extraordinary slave-girl, but controlled himself sufficiently to ask the young man the reason for his action. The latter remarked that his story was a long one, but that he would be willing to tell it if they were disposed to isten. They readily assented. "My father was one of the notables of the city," he began, "and we lived in great opulence. To this the slave dealer will testify. My mother had a large number of slave-girls, and because I had access to the hareem quarters I had occasion to mingle with them all. The girl whom I have just freed was one of them. She was young, intelligent and vivacious, and as we grew together I came to love her passionately. We were tutored together until such time that my mother decided she would give her a musical education, but because I could not bear parting with her we took up musical study together. Then came a time when my mother decided to sell her because of the high price she would bring, and no sooner I realized her intention than I begged her to reconsider her decision as I could not bear to live without the girl who had been my life companion and had now become the very essence of my existence, and once my mother realized the situation she readily granted her to me and we lived happily for a number of years, during which time my father continually begged me to marry whomsoever I chose of the daughters of the leading men of the city, but I persistently refused because my heart would countenance no substitute for the slave girl, although my father interpreted my action as one of chastity. And in time my father died and I came into such wealth that I thought would never be exhausted, and I spent and squandered foolishly. The inexorable sequence is the plight in which you now find me, with nothing more than this single robe which she and I share between us." The three men appeared transfixed with his story, and particularly did Jaafar feel pity for the gifted girl who was now reduced to such pitiable circumstances. The young man cast searching looks on them, as if to learn if they were interested in having him continue his narration, and when they requested him rather impatiently, to proceed, he took up the trend of his story as follows: "I well realized that the situation could not be borne any furQ �NOVEMBER, 1931 I ther, and when I heard that the caliph had come to the city I broached to her the idea of a sale, explaining that I could not further suffer subjecting her to such wretchedness. But when you came to negotiate for her purchase and she realized that the hour of parting was drawing near, she came to me weeping, in the manner in which you have seen her, and reproached me that if I only reciprocated her feeling I would not be willing to part with her. " 'But would you be willing to share my misery to such an extent when you realize to what straits I have been reduced?' I pleaded. 'However, since this is your wish I will free you and marry you legally,' I hastened to explain. " 'If your love is true, this is what you should do,' she replied. And immediately I agreed to free her and take her as my legallywedded wife, to which you are now asked to stand witness.' " The situation was tensely dramatic, and the three disappointed visitors made their way silently out of the house. Said Isaac Ibn Ibrahim. "After having ridden a long way in silence, I thus addressed Jaafar: 'You, O vizier, whose bounties have flooded the land and saved many a destitute, will your heart not take pity on these two lovers now that you have witnessed their pitiable situation?' " '1 es,' replied Jaafar, 'but my mind has been completely distracted by the natural and acquired gifts of the girl.' "Then turning to the slave dealer he asked; 'How much do you carry?' " 'Three hundred thousand dinars,' the latter replied. " 'Return immediately and give the whole sum to the girl's master, and bid him come to see me on the morrow,' he ordered." In giving an account of what followed, Isaac Ibn Ibrahim said that the young master went into transports of joy over this turn of fortune, and when he appeared on the following day to express his gratitude to the vizier, the latter presented him to Haroun AlRaschid, giving a complete account of what had occured, and the magnanimous caliph was so pleased that he added the young man to his retinue and made him gifts and grants that insured his happiness forever after. ma&m n 17 �smssmm^ 18 THE SYRIAN WORLD I BARBARA YOUNG, l°thnVv the dictionary a dml f j y ° ° ^ Editor nin and W nder with a dash ° > of KAHLIL GIBRAN Poetry is for the ears and not for the eyes. old custom of the minstrel, the bard, reading or market-place is one of the lost delights. Today compares of human beings who still reap a rich aS,0n Whe W ^ublXr The enchanting chantW in hf there L small g rnerbg f"m " ^^ " ">^ud, if, som" a d the ractice be extLZ^noT? ^ ^^ ^ if and Pcriticism-the "light be extended not for i°° the purposes of discussion time is moth-eaten with these two pastimes-but for she^r enjoyment and relaxation. There are certain poets and certain poems reahPmrem th! S° * t*^ *"* *' ^ * sickening I'd "treshment that.a of actual economic value, notwithstanding the somewhat general opinion to the contrary. Ahalf hour of 1 tin b* to certain portions of Brooke or Masefield, Frost or Kipling No"! or Gibson will add a sense of zest and vigor to the day wtichTe ati n f the atd accelerate?tT S5 MtS *" Vibl ° ° not with ^ and accelerates the H blood-but poetry read" aloud, the eves a one for only ^ h „ y ^ & J y o± the muse communicated. �By JOHN STERLING HANEY The soil is my mother J am the child of the mountain I am the son of the cleft in the rock MTbr th ndIJn!.0f th£ swifdunning plain jy sisters are the young vines of the uplands Heavy with grape. >/ The soil is my mother, I shall not fear. She speakes to me out of thec mnntu, £ ^h« ,,Q r . mouths or men And the fingers of her hands Are the longings in the heart of the crowds Her voice is the words of men When they are silent. I am one with my fellowmen, It cannot be otherwise. All men are one with me, The soil is our mother. I and they shall return to her They and I shall lie down together When she calls. �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD New Poetry "PRELUDES FOR MEMNON" by Conrad Aiken, (Scribl ners, $2.50) is a book for a small company of the elect It is a volume of some fifty-odd cantos which record with minute and meticulous detail the daring intellectual adventure into a realm far beyond the region of intellect. The poet-has not hesitated, as indeed why should he? to plunge into the labyrinths of the soul's darkness seeking to pierce its gloom. The theme of the work seems to be clearly stated in the following stanza: "What did you see? —I saw myself and God. I saw the ruin in which godhead lives: Shapeless and vast: the strewn wreck of the world: Sadness unplumbed: misery without bound. Wailing I heard, but also I heard joy. Wreckage I saw, but also I saw flowers. Hatred I saw, but also I saw love. And thus, I saw myself. —And this alone? —And this alone awaits you, when you dare To that sheer verge where horrors hang, and tremble Against the falling rock; and, looking down, Search the dark kingdom. It is to self you come,— And that is God. It is the seed of seeds: Seed for disastrous and immortal worlds." Here is unequivocal and final pronouncement of the poet's philosophy of life. It is a splendid and sweeping gesture The great self of man is the supreme self. There is no mistaking the clarity and the definiteness here. Unfortunately, this clarity does not prevail throughout the length of the poem. Mr Aiken is a master of subtleties that often rise up and defeat the communication or his thought. There is too often a wordiness that amounts almost to incoherence, as if the poet were over-intoxicated with his own ecstasy. The steed that he has mounted appears frequently to run away with the rider. There are passages in which we perceive the poet's meaning not because of his fabulous expression but in spite of it: they seem to struggle for breath, to wrestle for release. % * �NOVEMBER, 1931 21 ^^arealso ^ fpurepoetry;pureth la„gl^ed:fhere "" ^ «- - *- which are not poetry in my The world centripetal—" And these: 'What is a symbol? t* » +u~ t pS shar To clutch a paper tha 1 WS m the L St°° P wind It is the Wnf i" in the W Light?^ corset?* , "<' ^ lf ^ '" IS £ &££* t * * ** of^thea waning fire. There is ^aSS , T h friend befo cerned with a Tale of ZeX^' **,*" P°Cm is nat morL sons. than our paltry three dimenConrad Aiken's is a powerful nen T^ • the poet himself is not e^TlyZn^d The ran th 0^P"d' ck and "'"'"^ °tbm * -reives d he burdock a ^ht r'C e: th "' P And all that welcomes rain"" ' he Sp°tted st° . th °»8h �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD New Poetry "PRELUDES FOR MEMNON" by Conrad Aiken, (Scribner's, $2.50) is a book for a small company of the elect. It is a volume of some fifty-odd cantos which record with minute and meticulous detail the daring intellectual adventure into a realm far beyond the region of intellect. The poet has not hesitated, as indeed why should her to plunge into the labyrinths of the soul's darkness seeking to pierce its gloom. The theme of the work seems to be clearly stated in the following stanza: "What did you see? —I saw myself and God. I saw the ruin in which godhead lives: Shapeless and vast: the strewn wreck of the world: Sadness unplumbed: misery without bound. Wailing I heard, but also I heard joy. Wreckage I saw, but also I saw flowers. Hatred I saw, but also I saw love. And thus, I saw myself. —And this alone? —And this alone awaits you, when you dare To that sheer verge where horrors hang, and tremble Against the falling rock; and, looking down, Search the dark kingdom. It is to self you come,— And that is God. It is the seed of seeds: Seed for disastrous and immortal worlds." Here is unequivocal and final pronouncement of the poet's philosophy of life. It is a splendid and sweeping gesture. The great self of man is the supreme self. There is no mistaking the clarity and the definiteness here. Unfortunately, this clarity does not prevail throughout the length of the poem. Mr. Aiken is a master of subtleties that often rise up and defeat the communication of his thought. There is too often a wordiness that amounts almost to incoherence, as if the poet were over-intoxicated with his own ecstasy. The steed that he has mounted appears frequently to run away with the rider. There are passages in which we perceive the poet's meaning not because of his fabulous expression but in spite of it: they seem to struggle for breath, to wrestle for release. �KOVEMBER, 1931 21 Yet there are also passages of pure poetry, pure thought "Then came I to the shoreless shore of time J* here never summer was nor any tree, £or sound of water, nor sweet light of sun "y-tWngand the shoreXo£b? Above, around, below, and in my heart." language" f "" ""* *« *S lhe world centripetal And these: Aese ** are not poetry in any " "What is a symbol? it is the 'man stoops sharp To dutch a paper that blows in the wind- P S bendi in th wi LhL rOCUS '«with <= »<V the laght, S^l that breaks on \ the water waves 'the Wing, that <aeh,eve in the gust unexpected.' > review^ V ££ bS «SS% ^ to ,he <°°ls °f *. waning fire. There L^^^tiTeV ,! tr *""" ^ ' cerned w,th a Tale of somewhat mo^tha! U1 ^r our L rv SfJ? ^ sions. paltiy three dimen- ! he dipTt^'y^ SSi?* .««• - -* in the ink reason of overw^i ,g such w rds as "l? ""ST*"." T^ * Ventricle ..5ometmKsHy oterltklaSn'0" '"^ meanmg^t^on5:^ LrfiXbf d°7f *"* ** *e "Beloved, let us once more praise the rain. -Let us discover some new alphabet, . The r 'S ^ °fuen, PI"aised' and be ou^lves The ia,n, the chick-weed, and the burdock leaf . lhe green-white privet flower < »,« *I J ' And all that wdcoLTJ ' "* SP°"ed stone> �22 THE SYRIAN WORLD "Forget the proud in wisdom, those who fear To know the things they do. We are the sons Of that bright eight that knows no turning back; We the prometheans who never die j The crucified who scorn their crucifixion, Because we know our fate was in ourselves. We are the Jesus and the Judas, too." To Our Lyric Poets The world that listens to John Masefield, poet laureate of England, embraces a vaster population than the world that listens to plain John Masefield, poet. It is a good and gracious event when a man who has wise and wholesome recommendations to make to a people, finally achieves the eminence from which he may be heard. What he says from the heights is precisely what he had been saying in the valley of his quieter days; but now the faces are upturned to his face, and they wait for his lightest word, who were before, fully occupied with their own words. To The New York Times Herbert W. Horwill, writes from .London : "John Masefield suggests that there is a fine opportunity waiting for some of our enterprising young poets to-start poetry entertainments in London. According to his plan, poetrv written especially for the purpose would be read aloud in small halls The poets would be writing directly for their public, and this would re-suit in vigorous, vital work. They would have the advantage of seeing its effect on an audience—an invaluable guide which is denied entirely to the man who writes for books." _ _ Why not this plan also for young American poets of Syrian origin t ' �NOVEMBER, 1931 23 Rubaiyat Au- Tayeb Translated from the Arabic 1 By AMIN BEDER «-»- \f Y, %_^ ^ u Cj Vj ^ ^vi ^ ur ^, ^, ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ i- v u ^ ^ I neither blame the hand of fate, nor praise The urgent guest who steals awa our days It wants but little till we shall pass on From earth to earth, for life is but a maze Entongis.this life. ...the sages know And yet the,r wisdom melts like April- snow AnW 7 S02n/°rget 'tS witcheries arc false' And Lo! we find them actors in the show. \\—^Vl Uj| tj* C53 fjL-5" cT 'iT uij High aspiration is for thee a pest, My soul, if thou be greedy in thy quest, A A t YriY IS the one «"* suffers mostAnd 'neath the curse of sickness it must rest'. ;-ix« cT Beauty that's false is surely in the lead, Endeared to women like a noble steed1 o me the real appears a golden trait • No dye nor paint will enter in my creed > ^ �m** 24 THE SYRIAN WORLD Ode {From BOOK ON NATURE) By THOMAS ASA Thou hast reclaimed the world's lost loveliness 0 wand ring dryad from Pierian bow'rs — Revived rich beauty with thy soft caress Imparted sweet perfume to scentless flow'rs And stirred the dormant zephyrs with thy laughterRestored the music of the sylvan streams — 1 hy time today, and not the morrow or thereafter No crude awak'nings in this life of dreams. Ah! would I soon forget the world of men, Io follow thee where'er thou mayest lead: And through thine eyes divine the woodland ken, And with my lips drink deep thy sacred mead i-ead thou my spirit to thy safe retreat, Show me what mortal eyes have never seen: Reveal the secret of those silent feet That walk the carpets of the woods unseen— And now the sun has gone its wonted way Teft o er the hours to twilight and the night, And soon the earth in dreamless slumber lay lo wake again but with the morning light— ' But in that mystic region of no sleepBut in that fabled realm of life unseen, Which from the world its hidden borders keep, And vanishes within the forest green Beneath the drooping lilacs lost in sleep, 1 he woodland elves a noiseless revel hold Arch schemers they, how sharp the vigil keep! I hat no intruders might their sight behold. Oh how delightful was that moonlit glade Where reigned Queen Titania with her tr'ain, And on her vernal throne of Flora's shade Unseen by men, and ever thus remain. �NOVEMBER, 1931 Fresh as the dew-drop on the morning rose, basr as bright Hesper in the evening sky,— And would thine eyes but for a moment close, And all the world of beauty then would die bam would I make my presence known to thee, O wondrous queen of this sweet land I see Now through the woodland sounds a trumpet note lJear to the fairy queen it seemed to be Might I have known it issued from Love's throat, When came King Oberon his queen to seel Immortal ruler of a cherished race' With thy fair queen in lasting glory spend Unnumbered days within this favored place Ldemc peace and gladness without end And never may the toll of future doom find thee, sweet Myrtle, weeping dewy tears, As thine oblatwn to the saddened gloom Of crumbling Eros shrines that Venus rears ' ' And there bright Phoebe through the swaying eaves Illumes with its soft gleam, the sylvan throne: And with the faint rustle of Autumn leaves Gentle Zephyrus sings its soothing moan All this have seen, but not with earthly eyes Hut m the inmost regions of the mind' Where dwells the impish Genie of surmise, Which rues the thoughts and wishes of mankind Long shall I rove the verdant fields of thought By gliding-streams of Love and Beauty steep ' My inward soul, until old age has brought Me to the verge of unawak'ning sleep *> i 25 �-.IT' . I,U,III.U / 26 THE SYRIAN WORLD A Moslem Saint of Damascus . AN INTIMATE GLIMPSE INTO THE DAILY ROUTINE OF LIFE OF THE FOREMOST MOSLEM TRADITIONIST OF THE AGE • By H. I. KATIBAH JF SOMEONE had met you on the street and told you: "Meet brother AbeJafd, just coming out from his lectures at the Priory of Maisoncelle", or just as casually: "Let me present you to Saint Ansdm, celebrated schoolman and author of the Proslogion » you would realize something of the surprise which was mine when I was presented, two years ago last summer in Damascus, to "the Greatest Traditionist, Our Master Badr-Ud-Din al-Hasani. For I had always associated a traditionist in my mind with musty tomes of yellowed leaves and with the misty past of Moslem history when both schoolmen and traditionists ruled the dav and were influential figures in the world in which they moved. As I pored over some ancient Moslem hagiographv such as arf frUTu°USre,7v.yah' °r Kitab ul-Luma'> or ^rned the rich pages of the Ihya of al-Ghazzali, the vivid descriptions of the lives the manners and idiosyncrasies of those spiritual paragons and ponderous pundits of Moslem learning seemed to conjure them to life in my imagination, and their quaint figures rose to meet me through those yellowed leaves from the glamorous past to which they had receded. ' Vaguely I realized that there were such men still living today Somewhere m Mecca, in Baghdad, in Samarkand, in Kerbala, in Nishabur and in Damascus itself, solitary men in their silent meditations were still saying their wirds, (devotions) or squatting on a worn out mat reading their Qoran with a gentle sway of their bodies Just as I knew that here and there in the moss-covered monasteries o± Europe there were still monks whose outward appearance and daily habits remind us of the days of St. Francis of Assisi and of 1 homas Aquinas, but I had met in person neither the former nor the latter and they had remained in the world of my mental visions enveloped by their aura of mystery and antiquated charm -1 �— NOVEMBER, 1931 27 It was therefore with some justifiable thrill and flutter th*t ot'of rSfiedtthr0U^ DamaSCUS after an ^senceSIte to meet in person one who V "a ' Z£t7£%^T ^ "- lbMalik A?i ^Modern ?"*>" a celeb^ed successor of Sw^oStnlfcl ,anbaJ-' Abu-Ha"ifa -d the rest of 0skm tradltl0 nnn,W 1 !l • ^ ts and theologians. He was to the Pope m the world of Christendom. Slmnite Moslems re cognize no ultimate source of authority, save the Goran S S the a,id ^ to *? *» °l of ^life "^ on of Haet and their their application the "* exigencies from generation^ generat.on lies m the hands of the .radMonun, amo./whom Bad ? 0 tHC mynad tl world woHd'overT' " fsupreme °f His fo"—«nd admire s me over, is most andJ exalted. imagine an ordinary two-story buildine- of che un^ , Damascus rather dilapidated and its mud pwLg^Toff A ,h OU8h a MS S« SS3&» " ^* To one of those cells on the upper floor we ascended the stone sta,rs and were ushered first to "the man" of Shaykh Badi ud D n Shaykh Yahya al-Maktabi by name. He was hTspXnt nts agent his publiast, and occupied a position simila tTthat Gfa secretary to a great celebrity with us. He was the buffer that stood between the saintly master and the mundane world My -nend, an instructor at the American University of Beirut and myself sought to interview His Eminence, Shaykh Badr ud Ehn al-Hasam on a burning issue that had agitated nVonly Syria and the Near East but the whole civilized world. For it was fo f S mCr 1929 SfwaUW^Tc T ° r r ' ' -cl thTname 5S MostmSnty^- ** ""* - *« " �/ iff; 2R "THE SYRIAN WORLD v, We made our mission known to Shaykh Yahya al-Maktabi an affable gentleman with a typically Semitic face and neatlv tnmmed characteristic dressTf aa M«£ Moi em el black beard Hej wore the ^ ^ r Igl0US m d we comed ug Damascene congeniality of spirit which made us feel that we had W known the man and had met him on familiar term before He excused himself and went to another cell on the same row then mtLas"S Mbr" he„retUnied SSSUrillg US ** *^*t minutes uur Master" will receive us o-lirH,, u • i making Turkish coffee for us S^ ml^cdL as he requested us to wait until "Our Master" was through wi h his dors or lecture. He squatted on the mat-covered floor totl v unfurnished but for a few rush stools, while we sat on a nuple one ^^^r fete flM ff£ gleaming with reverent pride, "and the rest of his time he spends between the House of Tradition and the Umayyad Mosque'? «. h Lon ^befr,the *" ^" he continued, «heri£ up to to the Umayyad Mosque, which is only a few paces away to attend £e dawn prayer with the congregation. AfrJ that he goes to the House of Tradition and prepares for his lectures which star n he morning, and at noon he goes out again for prayer at the mosque Then again he returns to his lectures, and in the afternoon after" the prayer, a large circle of worshipers forms around himThe ex pounds to them some topic from the Qoran or Tradi IT Back again to his lectures he goes, and after the sunset prayer he breaks his daily fast and immediately afterwards pores olhis books S long after midnight, when after a few hours of sleep L rises UP again and so begins another round of daily studies Pand prayer? Hardly anything else occupies his mind or diverts his atfendon » The coffee by this time had boiled over and we sipped it be with age with an innocent ruddy face, almoft child lle Ld a sparce little white beard. His attire consisted of a shabbybut clean striped cotton kimbaz, open partly near the neck and held in nlace with a simple white woolen girdle. A towel was tuckedIk heup M it i �NOVEMBER, 1931 29 name of ^„, •ffl^itS.*' f^ spun socks and native yellow shoes SftZSffi?^^ homeno attendant with him and nobody to SI fc^W W ^ ^ crossed the threshold of the door He ', Th° had a,ready Badr-uI-Din al Hasani hW^whS fame for l r "^ S>kh had spread from China to the'ij, i d sSL^^TS^. ^ Si^'k *** Severs ^ tm lacTtoYah ""an aXi^e^t^X^^ Wa to move higher to a more^spectabl ^ '*"" ^^ g S Ws ^ ^" Sun, or ^ammadan'm:^of D^" ** 'I0 "31 ^ °f *« the Traditions of the ftonnet who ^' *? h'gh CUStodia" °f Sa d t0 haVe heJd the harite ulema (dons) SDdZ H ' Az0 Whe he dd a lecture within the pec"cN of ^",1" T^' " " '«=red Moslem world dism s, d h° that highest seat of learning i„ ,he Palestine in a fewZTl taLT,± ^ °f the tr°"Mes in religious legalistic ^ MSoiS " "' "^ " called I'kTao^fwtfto1!^' "^ 3" "eighb°ri"S «*no one has anyrigtito 1, 5 l"V ^ P"bl,C pr°l'ert>' "*kh use save *Jt£J2^?*^%£& °*£7 f=r he -raw ^39^-* m the past some pci'vi'^in » ^tl^a1* *« signify that these privileges sive the ij . i , ,» " does not fang, not even Our M25-OmS £Z T*, ^ "J^ to * No today, could legalize the noss ,on hv th . "^ f[°m ,lle drad al-Masjid ul-Aqsa. A M'O te^ "" r caiiphls n'"'5 P*".0' an opinion on a religious matter Z Z^J^^tJ° *"* cognized as the sunna (Qoranic law). On STX&£ �30 THE SYRIAN WORLD ditions declares that a Waqf is inviolable, from the seventh earth to the seventh heaven. These latter-day arrangements cannot be concurred in by Moslem jurisprudence." There was a note of finality to the words of the venerable shaykh as he rose, excusing himself with the remark that it was time tor mid-afternoon prayer. As we bade Shaykh Yahya farewell and left the House of lradition I could not help but recall another visit which I had made a tew weeks previously to the summer residence of another religious dignitary, the supreme head of a Christian sect in Lebanon tor the contrast was so vivid and significant to my mind. At that other visit we were made to wait about an hour before His Beatitude finished his breakfast. Then we were bid to stand in the corridor with others who were also standing and waiting for the appearance of the supreme religious head. Suddenly a gentle venerable white-bearded old man, bent with age and walking with the help of a stick, appeared in the corridor, followed by a train of dignified bishops and priests. _ He carried his title of "Saint," one of his official ecclesiastical titles, as gracefully as he did his scarlet sottana and pelerine, which he wore. A simple, black, turban-shaped cap, a heavv golden cross hanging pendant from his neck and a big ring on the'fourth finger of his right hand completed his informal ecclesiastical vestment Almost a year after my interview with Shaykh Badr-ud-Din I was also passing through Damascus. There was a wave of popular murmur and rumble of resentment against the local native government headed by Shaykh Taj-ud-Din, son of Shaykh Badr-ud-Din himself. I was discussing the general political situation with a young nationalist, a modern Mohammedan graduate of the American University of Beirut. Among other things I askfd him whether the fact that the head of the Syrian government was the son ot the "Greatest Traditionist" gave him much prestige and influence with the general Mohammedan populace. He said: "I will answer your question with an incident which I'myself witnessed: "Before the war, if you had passed through the Umayyad Mosque after mid-afternoon prayer, you could have seen no less *' I v 1 h d rr N iai Ui Jis "P Pn To vi A hle^° S'f hundred Persons in the halaqa (circle) of Shaykh Badr-ud-Din, listening intentively to his lectures. Recently I passed through and found only a handful, not more than fifty in number Inen, as I was going out through the eastern gate I found two religious shaykhs also leaving the mosque, a young man and an elder- ext< clue to : Pre: *> >i �NOVEMBER, 1931 31 Jy °"e- I greeted then, saying: "The l7eIy0U "0t in the Shaykh's circle!" head rf the august Shaykh, addi",' artistes-- """ ** dra « Y h1s son ^ ""P***-* on the from the ^ -5oo/'j- Received (To be revised in lhe December ^ Printed fiStt^SSrftS^ ^'T *""• "««* -'ographed by the autho,W. 10th St. New York Pn " "M"' The If^fe "um^ and G,b > Studio, Jl pubhsltd p^ptTf teotsr rh who was closest to him and is now hi .', Young ,s tne foremost li^^X ' ra hith -° - V ,he Amerira " 1 5, eKcutor " - P<>« Miss LS —*- oor sa^rs: sirs ass ^^ASSM^JJ^ * * Oimstead. . A dutiful volume on the hLfv / S' 'lluStrated- * 0 an conquest. The author is Prof°J °f S"a '" tbt MacedonUntversrty of Chicago and onetf (T f """'^ hist^ * *e ** The present work is „! ; I'T *""*" <"^^ ^^^riSSf^ £» * H^haway, New cJudtng Coolidge and Hoover. The book' h M"" Presid *, ind P to students of American history Facs.mi 'e inValuab]= »— - reproduced together ^"pen SSM&S �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD Seek and You Shall Find A EUROPEAN RESIDENT OF BEYROUTH THOUGHT HE COULD PROVIDE THE NATIVE POLICE WITH A MYSTERY THEY COULD NOT SOLVE. (A SHORT STORY) By CHARLES J. SASSEN JT WAS a night in the Syrian Springtime, the time of night when love longings reached their climax and revels were at their peak. In the brilliantly lit cafes in the Street of the Cat in cosmopolitan Beyrouth the haunting strains of the urgool tinged all love lilting sadness. A fitting dirge for the dead—a bouquet to many a blushing bride—the haunting melody rose and fell. Softly, sweetly pealed the bells of St. Daniel. From afar came the voice of the Muezzin "La Ilah-a-Illa'l Lah; Wa Muhammad Rasoul Allah". In a room in a house nestling beneath the tower of St. Daniel on the left and the minarets of the Mosque on the right, a man lay dead. A neat little hole in the centre of his forhead denoted the fact that his spirit had not danced out of his body to the tune of a harp, but to the bang of a bullet. The Chief of Police of the City of Beyrouth loved a mystery. in fact, he would prefer being engaged to unravelling an intricate crime far into the small hours of the coming day to lounging about at ease in one. of the numerous Cafes on the waterfront, listening to the throb of the tambouriyat and sipping the milky white arak. Murders were his hobby, and a strange hobby it was. Nothing delighted him more than to ascertain how, why and when, and lastly by whom, the foul deed had been committed. At five o'clock in the afternoon of that day (European time) i-he Chief of Police sat at his desk—a very puzzled man. A message had just come over the wires to the effect that at eight o'clock he should search the house between the church of St. Daniel and the Mosque of Muhammad. The prolocutor gave no name and laughed at the Chief's repeated requests for further information. The Chief had more than half decided to regard the matter as a joke, when he was interrupted in his reverie by one of his sub- �» . NOVEMBER, 1931 ^ ordinates. El Halabie was no ordinary man. Reared in the gutters of Beyrouth, there was consequently fostered within him a queer mi ed°P Y '-A I g T£St argUmeiU Was that the P°or never com- ed in h the the middle1 classes. l' ' ^ ?" I 1UXU1 'y indul^he -d the middle Although uneducated, had Vgreat A* wisdom for he came of an Arab father. r,. Sl ch was the ; ' man who entered the office of the Chief C iVersati the fJ^fr °; wisuom, a Tl m The d °° ^mediately decided to place the facts of the afternoon before El Halabie with a request for his opinion on the most advisable course to pursue fte t0 hin "We^ 7awhat '7ating Vhe meaSre facts the Chief demanded: Well, and do you adviser" "Well » replied El Halabie, "as we have nothing to do this evening why not visit the house? From what I know Joe Cordova the wealthy tanner, occupies the place." ^-oruovan "Good," replied the Chief, "meet me in front of the house at about eight o'clock." H.I-K d!Ht/d°Cku ^ SCCOnd the Chief> <^ompanied by El Halabie, stood on the door step of the house of Joe Cordovan Lookmg about and over the house the Chief remarked that he could not notice anything unusual, but as they had come so far hey nught as well enter the house under some pretext or other He Whirtv " H 1 thC d0°r *"«*• After an interval of abou thnty seconds having received no reply, he knocked againthis time longer and ouder. After an elapse of another thirty PoTared " II fh W *"* ^ t0 n °^ T «» ""accountable silence Zse were om T ""^ " ^^ "" the ^ b the By this time the curiosity of the men had been awakened In exasperation the Chief turned the handle of the door and to his' surprise found that the door was not locked. With El Halabie at his thC bnlliantJy lighted "Yahoo Y^ mt Pass^e a»d touted m °a stentor ft ° 'an voice. Still no reply. Ibis seems strange," muttered the Chief. "However let us search the house." ' ie. Room after room was searched, but though the lights burned in all the rooms yet no trace of a living occupant could be found Arnving at the last door the Chief tried the handle, fully expect ng the door to swing back on its hinges revealing an empty interior To his surprise the door proved to be locked* Bending^own he placed his eye to the keyhole, but his vision was impeded by the key ,n the lock on the inside. The Chief rapped at the door but �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD ~d:irfeP,y- ? ^hhk^d6dded that > k=y y« de could prevent a determined officer of the law from manipulating it In a farw»4 the lock of the door clicked and El Halabieftraight reniai ed hrm With a puzzled air he turned to the Chief- "Must be hoi ed on the mside" he remarked. The Chief merely nodded After a few moments of indecision the Chief barked- "El Halabie ZZ£2£££r and " if *» »» ~* » -r'vSote fe» A a *], minutcs,E1 Hal*e returned with the disturbing news hat the window was also locked and the blinds drawn. By thfs time u ti?orderead FTHI lT*J*. ^ * ^ °f -patience cu aopent0 trHd'abi StrUme"£ ^"T* *« d^^Mta forS r j , , , open, m Malabie soon returned w rh 3 orS minU0ttr and ^ ^^ °f ^ d- " K*^* The Chief and El Halabie burst into the room simultaneously Th room was well furnished after the taste of a European resided m the East. Numerous beautifully colored and hand worked dlfaHnd S nY7Pet1 fl0°r- The intnCate workmanst;^ d van and Chesterfield was thrown into bold relief by the light cast g by a large electric chandelier in the centre of the room \ neat' litHe hi T"^ °f PU/e marWe a man ^ on h back. foroner c^dd .'VlSl l"*" °f his f°rehead testified ** ^ natural ousel ' " Pr°n°UnCe the Vei"dict °f death due •» The two men stood rooted to the spot. The Chief's eaze retired h°mfthC h°dy,t0 thC Wind°W a"d his bra- -chtifa J registered the fact that this was locked on the inside. Slowly his Y gaze returned to the body, then to El Halabie. ^ Well, was his only comment. "Murder!" was the laconic reply. El Halabie tiptoed towards the body and fell on his knees be^ side the prostrate figure. A blotch around the wound showed that the death weapon had been fired at close range. "Smell anything?" questioned the Chief "Burnt powder," answered El Halabie "Who is he?" "Joe Cordovan." tried tf!rwCaHting ai10t!ier J°0k at the bod^ E1 Halab* rose and tried the window A close examination of the walls revealed that the only mode of ingress and egress was through either the door If �A(OVEMBER, 1931 :*£?& £jaxjs rsr , , at£sR. S===. ?a.-3as Willfully r„ fa'S " t° ° "« - He a d Pped n t0 his k from a few ,ersonn W "f8 th/°Ugh ,he Pockets> Now tnorl^ ]y LTd El Hi r a ¥Pf"! 'UtUre s b « apart ""d- s fo Toe SffiteJS" riVettCd 2? °"e Sp0t-the left "-I He picked it uPp a ,d r T rt^Tff *£" the *"* « «stfeatures as he SSZte^gSg*** "* "^ °» his it eontamed" ^ "" ^ *"' «* and ^ shall find," was all "Who wrote this, I wonder?" asked the Chief the saS'rejoint C"im"ey' "*?« ** "S to *** *">" was notX ^ 'tfr^^siSI f°U,Hy "*$ "" »" ^ did would certainly believe you " """ " ^ in thc «* I * * * * wen fpp'oinSofficr0;;,: Frida rthc chief sat»«** - * the office ples°«l rec Ld'^TH y'r"'*^!' "' the ~ a *air Ms eyes and an ar,,,m,c Torkih ' 7'*, his hat tilted ° his lips. ' rUrklsh "Satette dangling iooxly between c-^«fc^SJSdS* "Vm( person or persons unknown " afra d the demise f ; "* °f "** °r mUr<fe ° ** J«/ = pensefreSed t« Tl^ "* * *? at « "N*^ exadapt over feetg^o 'L^unTXnd" """ "* Withi" «"• f> «i �BBS 1 I 36 THE SYRIAN WORLD rwTagccounth:tTh" IE? t0Kd° S° hOUSe reWdffi Z^T**? i elapsed into an attitude of repose - P e investigation on his ^nt and The Chief nodded as and t Vh0Uf?t.ful m°°d E1 Hakbie we'^d his way to the house Sen e he mfd hm "** *! ^ ^'^ * Headquarters t silence he made his way to the death room which had not been His . turbed since the fatal night. He realized that a sear"h woudit «£ o^1V£d " ^^ himSdf ^" whitXi^ null ^tSTed himfeJf on the divan> lifted hi* ^et on to the table pulled his hat over his eyes and folded his arms over hi chest An nour two hours passed and yet no sign or movement from El Ha t ing I„d Sf th£ r°°m darke-d - • %„ that the sun w s S F H,l -u WaS, Creepin^ stealthiJy over gav Beyrouth tH U h f, ame he re m Kd anHisJSSS'.lS* ? T / 5 " ' >' « ' " everbecLT „T T. [ , '"e '^ stillness of the room. of dlst urb eves, became glued to the hreplace~he listened Softlv ever t0 hiS thC Peali follow el SZ ?"voice '« mueyyin °f the "ell St &,e f followed by the far off of the «T »of D.u rn !i ad Raso 1 "oat^eltT„d d d ^\^* tnc nrepiace and dropped on h.s knees in front»££23 of the h s edhisfeceroimds as e fe tts h,.'r d mlf ° *°•«*"p<n c hi „: remained m,n V CrePt 7" the grate and i,,t0 the «« He P hT at Sudde ,d h" "5L* Setmed Ws neck must b k with T,t V ^dden<y he withdrew his hand and regained his feet tefore Sed «1°0! O d d' ^ "f l^P th OU8h y0 **" be dead 1 ^e grate ad mut CatLJ' li I r"' t " Wy homage." f d Srtnere into tL'street. "' ^ "* ^ » *' « <^ Deliberately El Halabie seated himself in the office armchair selected a cigarette and lay back with a sigh of conte," The Chief being familiar w,th the idiosyncrasies of El Halabie, continued he perusal of certain uninteresting documents on his desk - f A 'I TJ 'lCh'ef' did y°u realize that the room in which W ^ *e ^ °l 3°rl Cr°rd°Van is absoiutdy -undproof"" driving S " ""*• "«"*'** What hh -hordinate was "Chief, listen, and you shall hear of as devilish a trick as ever MHMaan �H.OVEMBER, 1931 37 conceived by the mind of man. When in the room th\ realization came to me that no so,,nH f the'°°m concluded that as the he Ik n«U J .u . long nad Sly drivtole^ a out eight inches of catapulf mos que. evenm S the 1 thereupon ^etT f ^7- ettSiel* ht" ail, S r:dreedvoiy ver. The magazine contained one live cartridse anrl rL 1 ,." eontamed an empty cartridge case. FrdnTtiS ifwaTbu^ f Ut a sim ,e matter to reconstruct the deed. P "Joe Cordovan sat on his heels in fmnt „f ,k his arm up the flue and withdrawhereZl^ ^J^f elastic as much as possible he pointed tL k T1 LStretchmg the forehead and fired Te fo ce ofthe bul .Tn ?$?. ^ °f his PUShed him over his back whilst the reWH 1 °» to drawi1 U by the elastic" ^ ^ ^ P the flue There was a look of elation in the eves of Fl Hoi i : continued: "Poor Joe Cordovan. He looked l£hS HaLll*fraa \e thought he would even depart with a ioke He lh "T ^ ^ viding the police of Beyrouth with „ L^ble^^ °f ^ �38 THE SYRIAN WORLD 1 H ( A. HAKIM, Editor CONFLICTING STANDARDS IN THE SYRIAN HOME IN AMERICA REFERENCE was made in the opening remarks of this department to "Two opposing forces—two sets of diametrically different ethical conceptions and standards developing in our social order, with a hint to the dire results which are bound to follow if this condition is not treated rationally and in time. It is now the purpose to amplify this statement and discuss all phases of this social condition in an effort to devise means of alleviating its evils and mollifying its effects. The subject, as can readily be seen, has breadth which does not permit of full treatment in one article The fundamentals, therefore, must be considered first, and with time it is the hope of this writer to consider every phase of the conditions attecting our family life in America. The fundamentals are mainly cultural, and to a much lesser degree economic. Old traditions are clashing with conceptions of both parental authority and filial obligations as well as of moral standards. The parents make demands to which the children cannot concede, and while this conflict of views brings distress to tlparents it also creates a considerable measure of unstability in the characters of the children. Syrian immigration into the United States is comparatively recent and rarely does it go beyond the second generation The first immigrants, therefore, are still the dominant factor in our home Me. And they are imbued with certain ideals of conduct and rules tor living which it could not be reasonably expected that they should easily forego and relinquish. These ideals are so dominant in them that they may be considered a part of their very being, and any dis- y �NOVEMBER, 193J 39 turbanee of the order which has governed their lit. wake untold unhappiness and* mler^ might -ry Th? T^ u dergo J*. nix -^'" itS { st01cism but for them to have complete neace JJTA 1 , > and standards must „ot Xl^X^ ^ "^ ^ sufficient gratification tftorfSdS^S^ * "* »', "-If objective is to live their life aW ,h7 =**"*«. Their ultenor condueive to happiness These tJTfcH* COcertain "CdVe f° be m°St which have been imrrained i,»u . , standards ment of which thev cTnever Jl ^ a"d wkhout th<= f"lnll- *? are .^STSSSS^ feather imagination to reaLe the antoum ,',f f T"* "° Stretch of th<= te forego the *£S«K£*&~2 School education seems to ! °f the school. American Public duality of the chUdT^ ^ prepare hLT^ "* th f "**" as an independent and sepfra^end y No effort' f ^ °f Kfc and tram him as a unit in the family. Vde ath t iTf H° 5 J g training the Syrian child finds himself at .7.home rfa standard of ferent influences InsteadI of k , , J g totally difentity he is cons dered a„ inte^ W °l ^ UP°n aS "" "'^ndem The $ withholds notm gfromh ,s hold h^ T',. *" **» f the convi he sacrifices all for h°s chi d ti ' " ° «ion that if bis old age, the ^ZS&S^BSS •""* f" will insure him against want. I„ olL7ZnhZY S,md?ds> first generation count on their MJ ' y "f parents of the part of the hm semble throughout life a,n I, "* 'h enC ngthemSelWS to admit tha changes of cofdkL *'f wt aZt ' V eWP ! tS shoU,d their long prevalent standards '° ' °" ^ lack oTf%pC.?tio8ne':fatnsVmole t" ^ '»— °f ** consider & ^MSA,*^ «££ �. 38 THE SYRIAN WORLD A. HAKIM, Editor CONFLICTING STANDARDS IN THE SYRIAN HOME IN AMERICA h s REFERENCE was made in the opening remarks of this department to "Two opposing forces—two sets of diametrically different ethical conceptions and standards developing in our social order," with a hint to the dire results which are bound to follow if this condition is not treated rationally and in time. It is now the purpose to amplify this statement and discuss all phases of this social condition in an effort to devise means of alleviating its evils and mollifying its effects. The subject, as can readily be seen, has breadth which does not permit of full treatment in one article. The fundamentals, therefore, must be considered first, and with time it is the hope of this writer to consider every phase of the conditions affecting our family life in America. The fundamentals are mainly cultural, and to a much lesser degree economic. Old traditions are clashing with conceptions of both parental authority and filial obligations as well as of moral standards. The parents make demands to which the children cannot concede, and while this conflict of views brings distress to the parents it also creates a considerable measure of unstability in the characters of the children. Syrian immigration into the United States is comparatively recent and rarely does it go beyond the second generation. The first immigrants, therefore, are still the dominant factor in our home life. And they are imbued with certain ideals of conduct and rules for living which it could not be reasonably expected that they should easily forego and relinquish. These ideals are so dominant in them that they may be considered a part of their very being, and any dis- �ACOVEAfiERyl&ri 39 turbance of the order which has governed their life will bring in its wake untold unhappiness and misery. Their economic fortunes might undergo serious changes which they will bear with stoicism but for them to have complete peace of mind, their ethical codes and standards must not suffer any radical change. It takes but little mental effort for any of us to realize what the older generation values most in life. They have cleaved their ties with the motherland seeking primarily economic opportunities, but the realization of their ambitions along this line is not in itself sufficient gratification of their subconscious motives. Their ulterior objective is to live their life along the lines they conceive to be most conducive to happiness. These lines follow certain standards which have been ingrained in their nature and without the fulfillment of which they can never experience true happiness. Whether they are totally justified in their reasoning, or rather in their natural inclinations, is beyond the point. The fact is that they were so born and have so grown and lived, and it requires no stretch of the imagination to realize the amount of stress this generation must endure to forego the things they consider almost inalienable to their very nature. Now this generation of first immigrants builds up homes and brings forth children who grow under painfully conflicting influences. From early childhood the standards of the home would seem to be at variance with those of the school. American Public School education seems to concern itself simply with the individuality of the child, aiming to prepare him for the struggle of life as an independent and separate entity. No effort is made to treat and train him as a unit in the family. While against this standard of training the Syrian child finds himself at home facing totally different influences. Instead of being looked upon as an independent entity he is considered an integral family unit. The Syrian father withholds nothing from his child, because of the conviction that if he sacrifices all for his child and cannot in consequence provide for his old age, the child, in conformity with Syrian family standards will insure him against want. In other words, Syrian parents of the first generation count on their children as part of the family ensemble throughout life, and cannot bring themselves to admit that changes of conditions of life and economic viewpoints should alter their lung prevalent standards. The young generation, on the other hand, because of their lack of appreciation of, or sympathy for, their parents' viewpoint, consider these demands in the nature of an imposition. Why, they "*-"** ' �40 TH'E SYZIAN WORLD argue, should they be hampered in leading their own lives? It is the individualistic principle as against that of family obligation and cooperation. It forms one of the most serious problems of the Syrian-American home. A phase of this problem is the attempt of parents to enforce their standard of conduct on the children. Let it be conceded that from the viewpoint of education the children have by far the greater advantage. Thanks to their parents, it must be remembered, they were able to profit by the educational facilities generally provided in America and which in the motherland are available only to a limited few. But be it also remembered that scholarly education is not character, nor culture, nor ethics, nor morals. - And even when the parents are illiterate this is no justificatioa for disrespect or an attitude of overbearance or impatience. This condition in the Syrian home is a marked one at the present time, and just where to draw the fine line of distinction in the relations of parents and children should prove a subject for serious consideration. But the clash is most serious in the enforcement of the moral standard. Syrian parents view with unconcealed alarm the tendency of their children towards so-called modernism, while the children resent what they term undue and unwarranted interference in their personal liberty. It is again the conflict of two codes of ethics which subject the unity of the Syrian-American home to an immense strain. And perhaps this particular problem is the most virulent and irksome of all. * * * * We do not presume to have covered here the entire range of the problems confronting the Syrian home in America. We have only alluded to the more pronounced complications, and that in a general way. Amplification of the infinite details will ensue at another time. What we do hope for, however, is to arouse interest and insure thought on the subject of our social relations to the end that a better understanding might be promoted in the Syrian home. Every family has problems peculiarly its own, whose solution could come only through the serious consideration of the persons directly concerned, actuated by a sympathetic and indulgent attitude of each toward the other's viewpoint. After all, family ties should be made to endure and they cannot be binding nor permanent unless based on understanding. It is true that the period of transition through which we are passing is a difficult one, but will not our culture prevail in compelling us to hearken to the voice of reason? �NOVEMBER, 1931 41 Youth Speaks C S W 1 GE A BURN T^^^ * ING QUESTION WITH THIS SOCIALLY-MINDED CORRESPONDENT Editor's Note—Whatever agitates the minds of our younger generation ve invite them to write to this department about ft unreservedly. The department zvas created for their benefit and of thts fact they may take full advantage This was the explicit understanding mth the editor in chief without reservations'as to the nature of the communications. The intention is to have the department serve as a public forum to reflect the actual thought of our youth. 1 he following is the first received. Dear Mr. Hakim Q • !tw "IT1 xW'th ',ntereSt that 1 renew my subscribtion to the Syrian World. Now that I am taking it I want to say tdat I would not be without it for the simple reason that it is doing me a great deal of good. I am learning much of our former civilization as well as of current problems confronting the Syrians both here in America and m our fatherland. I could go on to say many more things regarding the benefits I am deriving from this magazine arid of the great influence of our lost but not forgotten poet, Kahlil Oibran, but to continue to do so would be to get farther away from my particular discussion. I write on the subject of the new department, "The Younger Generation." My question is: "What is being done to bring The younger generation together?» In my discussion and correspondence with the younger Syrian-Americans I find they are getting away from each other instead of coming together. This is much more evident in the smaller cities as far as I am informed. It seems that fewer marriages are taking place among the Syrians and that they are intermarrying with other elements with much more frequency than usual. To illustrate my point, I quote a few lines from a correspondent in your own state. "Of the bovs ranging from yr n girl at all. 4ge' he Says' "hardl>' ^ of them g° with a Syrian There is just a couple of them that do. One couple �42 THE SYRIAN WORLD were married last week and they had a big wedding. We have a lot of pretty Syrian girls here who don't even have a fellow. The Syrian boys and girls don't stick together at all here. Most of the boys I know go with American girls." These few lines are surely self-explanatory. As the saying goes: "There is something rotten in Denmark." Some force is needed to bring the two groups together. What is it? I am sure I don't have a solution but from observation I will lay the greater extent of the blame on the parents. They prohibit their daughters from going with boys until the latter show serious intentions of mariage. I can say that I certainly admire the girls for their high standard of morality and ideals. There is nothing more to be admired than a clean, decent, intelligent, and home-loving Syrian girl. I can say wonderful things about many of the boys, too. It is against mental and physical principles to suppress certain natural emotions. I mean the clean, ideal emotions such as love, joy, happiness. "The boys, having a much freer latitude than the' girls, seek company that satisfies these emotions. This results in the boys marrying American girls. Now what is there left for the girls to dor They must do the same or become old-maids. If the youth were taught more about Sex, Love, Courtship, and Marriage, I think that this dilemma would be more readily solved. I am now attending a series of lectures on this subject, and I find it of much benefit. I was given a questionnaire to be used in the compilation of the ideals of the youth of today concerning these problems. Here are the questions. I. In seeking for a wife would you prefer a home-maker or a society woman: II. Do you want a wife who smokes? III. In seeking a wife would you consider sexual purity on her part an absolute requisite? IV. Which ar£ the most essential qualifications of a good wife—physical beauty or genuine moral character? V. What criticism in general would you offer of the young women of your acquaintance? VI. If you and your fiancee were both employed before marriage, would you want her to continue in her employment after marriage provided your own income was sufficient to provide for the home? VII. If you establish a home of your own, do you want children? I think that the conventions reported in^the Syrian World as s- l' cc so Ii al F< �NOVEMBER, 1931 43 being held in various places are doing wonders in bringing the WnVS "' '^ th7 " StiH "^ * ** d°"e- * *> -te'som I have trfed r * reOVerdomS tters and developing snobbishness. Up f b yS but have Jacked su cooTra • n or perhaps "T my * &, ° all° wet. I would like to^ent cooperation, plan is have ome comment on this problem by both yourself and the readers If I am cockeyed with my ideas somebody please tell me so. After all, 1 still retain many Syrian ideals at heart. So help me God! r ,m Thomas G. Ember. T , bort Wayne, Ind. Beyond the Sun By BARBARA YOUNG Behold this vast incalculable ray, Brighter than stars, more luminous than suns More distant than all space beyond all space In its beginning, if indeed there be Birth or beginning to that principle Man's mind hath never conjured, nay, nor will, Perchance, with all his weighty conjuring This side the glimmering secretive Veil. Behold this ray, ineffable, informed Beyond the sun, beyond these measurements Of skies and firmaments and fashioned voids; This uncreated, all-creating volt, This unthought word, this might without a name That shook Old Chaos into rhyme and rhythm No single atom looted or laid waste Unto this hour. What hath God wrought indeed Himself, and light and law and life and love. These from the mist that moves beyond the sun. The Times, New York. �- "" THE SYRIAN WORLD New Egyptian Minister in America "HE APPOINTMENT recently of His Excellency Sesostris Sidarouss Pasha as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Egypt to the government of the United States again focuses public attention on the fact that Egypt is the only sovereign Arabic-speaking state having diplomatic representation abroad. The growing national consciousness of Egypt is making her forge ahead rapidly as the leader among Arabic-speaking countries in the struggle for world recognition. She also is nobly acquitting herself as the leader among those countries of the renaissance movement in literature, the arts, and sciences. This cultural movement the Syrians have had a strong influence in launching and promoting, as Egypt, for over fifty years, has been the logical field for the display of their talents. The proximity of Egypt and Syria, and their being bound by a common language and common traditions, has given rise to the popular reference to them as the "sister countries." Abroad these cordial relations seem to manifest themselves as strongly as they do in the home countries. Everywhere, especially since the ushering of the era of Egyptian diplomatic representation in foreign countries, the Syrians, particularly in America, look upon the Egyptian diplomatic representatives as their own in the sense that they are representatives of a "sister country." The strong bond of kinship and traditions between them transcends the limitations of time and space. These bonds of cordiality and co-operation are expected to be materially strengthened through" the influence of the new Egyptian Minister at Washington. A man of broad vision and deep understanding, it cannot escape his observation that while Egypt enjoys the distinction of being the only Arabic-speaking country maintaining diplomatic representation abroad, the Syrians, at the same time, form the only Arabic-speaking element in America. The necessity of co-operation between the two would seem but obvious. * * * * > The record of Sesostries Sidarouss Pasha is one of brilliant achievement. Born in Alexandria, he was educated at St. Andrew's Scotch School and the Jesuits' College of St. Francis Xavier of his - K < > !TSfe= �NOVEMBER, 1931 His Excellency Sesostris Sidarouss Pasha Egyptian Minister at Washington 45 �46 THE SYRIAN WORLD native city. After having obtained his French degrees in Arts with honors, he took up the study of law in Cairo and in Paris, and received his degree of Doctor of Laws in the latter city. His first practice was before the Mixed Court of Appeal in Alexandria as an assistant prosecutor in the office of the Attorney General. Later he was appointed in the Ministry of Justice in Cairo as private secretary to the Judical Adviser and secretary to the Committee of Judicial Surveillance. In 1907, he was selected as Professor of Law at the Royal Faculty in Cairo where he was given the Chair of Civil Law, in both the English and the French sections. Later he was also entrusted with the direction of the Faculty, as Vice-Principal. Asked to join the Diplomatic Service, he was appointed First Secretary to the Royal Egyptian Legation in Paris in December 1923 and acted at the same time as Charge d'Affaires in Brussels until December 1924. In 1922 he was called to the Bench as Judge at the Mixed Court in Cairo. He was promoted to the post of Counsellor to the London legation in 1925 and given charge of the Legation as Charge d'Affaires ad interim. In September 1929 he left London to take over his post of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Athens and Belgrade. In May 1930 he went, in the same capacity, to Brussels and The Hague, and from August 1930 until August 1931 he was on a mission in London. Sidarouss Pasha left England on August 1, 1931 to undertake his duties in Washington and on August fourteenth he presented to President Hoover the letters accrediting him as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Egypt to the Government of the United States of America. Sidarouss Pasha's services have been recognized not only by his Government but also by several Foreign Countries. He holds, among others, the highest Egyptian title, that of "Pasha," as well as the Egyptian Orders of the Medjedieh and the Nile. He is bearer of the Grand Cross of the Belgian Crown, of the Greek Order of the Phoenix and of the Yougoslav Order of St. Sava. He is Commander and Officer of several other Orders: The Royal Victorian Order, St. Gregory the Great, the Legion d'Honneur, the French Public Instruction, and St. Sylvester. Sidarouss Pasha is not only a jurist and a diplomat but a writer and a linguist as well. His Principal publications are: his famous - c I b d K a T\ Th- Th( �NOVEMBER, 1931 in the ottoma Em ^M^^sr' " »- ^ "The Personal & S £ , Eg^S "7 2*?* Legislation." ^eononne Potaque, de Statistique et de *2aK£ *dtdSS^'wife'a daughter of *< »* barrisS nel^ Ivatd c2t^' r^* ^ S<fa »• « a F^an KlfS^^^ So =£" * 7&? Travelers Cloak By DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN The traveler: Kind tailor, through rough and hostile land • For leagues and leagues Pve wended: ' And my cloak is torn and sorely worn And would 'twere rightly mended. Its fabric, you can see, is rare, And should have met with better care. The tailor's apprentice: But master, why, since the gaping harm 1 ou have undone, you turn Upon him your back? you hide the cloak Away—why not return The man his own? Or what I see A secret of the craft may be! The tailor: Perchance of waiting he will grow Fatigued, forget his cloak and go. �48 THE SYRIAN WORLD EDITORIAL COMMENT ^THOUGH we have set a definite plan for the New SYRIAN VVORLD we do not propose that this plan should be so rigid as W Uld be o det^ T^T' 7H?** ° °^ * «<*° Sri m Hence the f^1?8^ *sPect °* "ew and varied material. Hence the omission m this 1Ssue of some departments in order to make room for the other material that does not fall under any pa - nt e t- r nat!°n; bUt *"*> —rtheless, will be found equa Uy P 3n f be S mewhat dastic SSfve i " of Tant ° of life. »"* hence indicative of of .h?/ the freshness new °currents * * READER.? will observe that the working of the arrangement f ThercTe rlTtravel Iffeatures "* ^^ ° travd ' ^^ ^fiction. 1 here are two m this issue which are admittedly inent lg Pa, ticularly Mr Katibah tlTwni L f r^Ti - ; - '* «*-£- gll> aPPeaJ,Ug t0 b th SchoIar and Wh e M Y°Un ' ° lavman. While Miss Young is always resourceful in the choice of material e ngmal is atv "" ^T ?" °^ ^^ ^t pauaty of of he°r her own poetry m her department. It is a sense of *e medesty hat is depriving the readers of some of the loftiest poetry of all ^ • *£r JaSt Publ]shed Poem in the New York Times was f a tured ,„ box form in the Literary Digest of November 14. We have «IW P I°Z ,,;dePcndent sources that the Thomas Moult ^est Poems of 1931» prints her "Requiescat" also from the Times, in the , <;;iJy.p0enl/rom fhe American daily press to be included *£$£2 We fear we sha11 have t0 «- °- * bead - Fiction is also maintained, an original short story and an Arabian tale appeanng in each issue. But of fiction we premise even more and we would especially invite that class of stories that shall touch on our home life in America. ***** * SOME readers med the impression from our anilouncemem SiXth yC r hat by -f th" WaH W ORI°Ur ! i P°Pula ig the material D WC ,ntended J I } ' ^ lower its standard. They expressed themselves after perusing the two last issues as being pleasantly surprised that such was not the case. The fact is any question i �I NOVEMBER, 1931 49 V licy so far has been quite wh„k me mo cumulative substantial results. We us t will L^f ft translated * * * * ^nubbi:; A f0l 0W the ,! . P tice of °« »«ive press, we would scribers'o V Teremt" ^tT" *° * we ^ hoWever do n ^ * ^ Certain pract cesftfftft ' > <* P pose to do. a Dec lift ft I ft^" Prcss m,Sht be Pardonable owing to a peculiar psychology. A Syrian subscriber, for instance is ft t„ and* « an insult, induced by lack of confide ft if Jh edtor were to discontinue sending him the paper even though he igno e the numerous statements sent him ana fails to make payme, f A W Sh tto FftliTaft' ^aware ' ft? °" the aSSUm Ptio"will thfte refd tnghsh and are of American practices live uo who to them atftftft'ftftldeci n"t0 dLntime "«P^ -Ci "ft; k reft4 for ftfe/ft ft" We wU1 «ladIy «««*" Y ftrft/of a^lftlftftft^ftfti-^ciaf lefts' £ of their -to^aat1'^.1: S; r^sftvn ST^ ^ «" -»*- «^ every cty: ^Z^L^ZIt^^T "^ '" * * * * . Those who contend with the perennial problem of selecting Chnstmas g,fts m.ght well consider the propriety of mnkhft ft ubscnbfons of the Syrian World. Asidefrom being a ge tore 0f on ft' ftftrft/fta fift C°meS t0 *« -ipfentftroug out the year for comparatively a nominal consideration Friends holidays! " WOrU arC ^ t0 *"* !t in rai d d " » g the ftftg �50 THE SYRIAN WORLD Political Developments in Syria SYRIA AND IRAQ UNDER ONE KING? King F„isal „ R„e „ n^jprZ** M. Brother A* fiege„t ,„ Bagdad. The most sensational rumor to appear so far concerning a possible solution to the Syrian problem is that of the plan to create a dual kingdom of Syria and Iraq with King Faisal as ruler of both countries established at Damascus and his brother AH acting as regent in Bagdad. Just how much truth there is in this rumor it is impossible at present to determine because of the abundance of the rumor crop on the subject of the Syrian question with no indication of possible materialization. This latest rumor, however, seems to have enjoved even more vogue than any other and there are many responsible Syrian leaders who apparently attach much credence to it. During the summer, King Faisal was in Europe and spent much time in Paris. High Commissioner Ponsot was also in Paris, as were many prominent leaders who are not in the habit of visiting,Europe for their health. King Faisal had once been king ,n Syria and owing to his popularity and influence it was commonly accepted that he was attempting to help the French solve their problem m Syria by inducing them to revert to a monarchical form of government with his brother former King AH of Arabia on the throne in Damascus. The fact that King Faisal is the better diplomat, plus the fact that he still has a large following in Syria where once "he was king, makes the proposal of establishing him on the Syrian throne instead of his brother sound like a more logical solution i^ngland is represented as favoring this arrangement despite her rivalry with France for the preponderance of influence in the East because of the stability it would insure for that part of the Arabic-speaking worid Especially that King Faisal has won tangible results from his negotiations for good will and amity with King Ibn Saoud of Arabia, who had forced the abdication of his father King Al-Husain and later wrested the throne of Al-Hijaz from his brother King AH. It will also be remembere] that King Faisal is a direct descendant of the Prophet and of the line that had the custody of the holy places of Islam. While his other brother Emir Abdullah is the ruler of Trans-Jordania, making it possible, with the proposed creation of the dual Kingdom, to form one solid bloc of homogeneous countries under three brothers, extending from the Mediterranean shore to the borders of Persia, with the exclusion of the small strip of Palestine. All these considerations make the proposed scheme of the dual monarchy not only feasible but highly desirable in the opinion of its proponents. What would seem to lend weight to there having been serious discussions of <~ �NOVEMBER, 1931 \ • 51 such a possibility between the French authorities and King Faisal is the reference the latter made to his policy m Syria during his rule in Damascus m an official interview he gave to newspapermen and notables of his kingdom after his recent return from Europe. This interview was described by the correspondents as being in the nature of a speech from the throne, ine King's remarks about the Syrian Situation were to the effect that his hands were forced to assume the attitude he took towards the French in 1920 and which had such disastrous results. The Syrians were too impatient, he said, and sought to gain by force what they could have achieved by patience and a spirit of conciliation, and this despite the fact that they were too little equipped for the military undertaking on which they embarked. There are those among the Syrians, on the other hand, who disapprove unequivocally of any plan to restore the Syrian kingdom irrespective of personalities. A considerable number of the Nationalist leaders maintain that Syria has a legal constitution which declares for a republic, and that the provisions of this constitution must be enforced until amended, and this amendment cannot be under^ taken except by the convocation of a popular assembly enjoying the same Powers vested in the Constituent Assembly which first drafted the contitution. Particularly are the Nationalist leaders of Aleppo bitter in their opposition to any change, because of their professed belief that a monarchical form of government would be construed as a step backward for the country. They further argue that the French would naturally favor a king because a single responsible person would lend himself more readily as a tool in their hand. In the face of all these rumors no word has been forthcoming from French official sources. All that the natjive press could procure was a statement by an official of the High Commissariat who refused to be quoted under his own name, and who denied there had been any conversations of a concrete nature between the French government and King Faisal while the latter was in Paris. Meanwhile, High Commissioner Ponsot, according to the latest reports of the Syrian press, was still in Paris. His movements and plans continue as mysterious as he is reticent. There had been a report at one time that he planned to return to Beirut the latter part of October, but later advices indicated that his return had been delayed until late in November. His return is naturally awaited with great interest because of the expected announcement of the solution he might have reached on the Syrian question. The expectation is that he will order new elections for a popular assembly not only to determine the form of government to be adopted but also the relations Syria should assume with France. This will naturally depend on the conditions France will lay for Syria by way of concessions to its demands for fuller independence. A logical reason ascribed to the protracted stay of the High Commissioner in France is his desire to discuss the final arrangements of the solution of the Syrian question with Premier Lavale upon the latter's return from Washington. CONDITIONS IN LEBANON Lebanon appears satisfied with its political destiny. Apparently the republic has come to stay and there is less disposition at present to raise the queston of union with Syria at least until Syria is able to determine �52 THE SYRIAN WORLD its own political status. What would seem to occupy most the attention of the Lebanese at present is their acute economic problem, with taxes weighing heavily on the people and the government facing a crisis in attempting to balance the budget. Emil Eddy, one of the prominent possible candidates for the Presidency in the 19S2 elections, has returned from Paris and categorically denied the rumors that he had sought,while in France, to create of Lebanon a national home for the Christians in the East by an exchange of population with Syria. It was learned, however, that the French, in whatever solution they might arrange for the Syrian problem, are determined to maintain the status quo in Lebanon, both in its political institutions and its geographic boundaries . They are said to be unwilling to return to Syria any of the districts formerly attached to it and since ceded to Lebanon, although they would have no objections to the formation of a union between the other Syrian states. For the purpose of accelerating the solution of the Syrian problem, it is further asserted, they would even be willing to cede the port of Tripoli to the Syrian government, but this would represent the maximum of their concessions. BEIRUT'S FINEST STREET NAMED FOR EGYPT'S KING. On the occasion of the anniversary of the accession of His Majesty King Fuad I to the Egyptian throne, which faFs on Oct. 9, the Lebanese government, this year, gave proof of the growing spirit of good-will between the two peoples by naming the fnest thoroughfare in its capital for the King of Egypt. The dedication ceremonies were attended by the Prime Minister and many high government officials as well as by representatives of the French Army and Navy and Civil Administration. The occasion was hailed by the press as emphasizing the traditional friendship between the two "sister countries." The Consul General of Egypt in Beirut, Muhammad Sary Bey, represented his Majesty the King at the exercises. He expressed in the name of his Majesty Egypt's appreciation of this new gesture of friendship on the part of the Lebanese and said that it went far to strengthen the bonds of brotherly relations between the two countries. The Syrians and the Lebanese are at home while in Egypt, he asserted, because they form an in- alienable part of Egyptian life since they have played an important role in accelerating the renaissance movement in the Nile Valley. Such names as Mutran, Jemail, Zaidan, Ridha, Rafii, Sarrouf and Barakat, will ever be remembered as those of men who have marched in the van of Egypt's movement of progress. Especially in the civil administration and in their early monopoly of the press will the Syrians and Lebanese be remembered as having rendered Egypt an invaluable service. In responding to the address of the Egyptian spokesman, the mayor of Beirut appropriately remarked that the strongest bonds between nations are those of language, culture and tradition, and all these conditions are common property between the peoples of the two sister countries. Other speakers stressed the point of Egypt's leadership in the renaissance movement among the Arabic-speaking peoples. All agreed that co-operation between the two peoples was essential for their continued progress and their proper recognition among the family of nations. -..' -w* "" -.. „ �NOVEMBER, 1931 53 THE SYRIAN WORLD NEWS SECTION VOL. VI. NO. 3 'PROPHET" OF GIBRAN IN AMERICAN CHURCH Impressive Memorial Services and Dramatic Presentation Given in St. Mark's in New York. Gibran Kahlil Gibran, Syrian artist and author and "Poet of the Cedars," was hailed as a true prophet from the pulpit of the church of St. Mark's in the Bouwerie in New York by Rev. William Norman Guthrie the rector, during the memorial services given on Sunday afternoon, October 25, as a loving tribute to the memory of the departed poet. The Church was packed to overflowing by Gibran's friends and admirers who had come from all parts of the city and many of whom shed copious silent tears throughout the touching ceremonies The services consisted of two partsa devotional office composed entirely of the earlier poetic works of Gibran read alternately by Dr. Guthrie and several assistants; and a dramatic presentation of the "Prophet" as devised by Phoebe Anna Guthrie and presented by her with the assistance of a carefully selected cast of participants —dancers, enacters and a reader. This is the fifth presentation of the "Prophet" at St. Mark's, but although not new it assumed prticular significance on this occasion owing to the NOVEMBER, 1931 recent death of the author. The souls of the vast audience were touched as much by the symbolism of the work as by the memory of the man who has given the world this masterpiece of power and beauty. The fact that he was hailed as true prophet, and the recurrent presentation of his work as a self sufficient devotional service gave rise to the thought that a cult was m the process of formation around the work of Gibran, now bound to take additional momentum since his demise. Following the religious ceremony a reception was held at the rectory where tea was served. Later in the evening Miss Laura Williams gave a recital of Arab songs. On November 8th, and at the same church, a further service was held in memory of Gibran, at which several oi his unpublished poems were read by Barbara Young, and following this five leading American poets paid their tributes to his spirit, in original contributions. They were Robert Underwood Johnson, Dean of the Hall of Fame, New York University, Anna Hempstead Branch, Director of Cristadora House, Mary Siegrist, William Griffith, President of the poetry Society of America, and Leonora Speyer. It is but fitting that we reproduce the sincere tribute of Dr. Guthrie to our beloved countryman, as published in a special leaflet distributed on the occasion of the presentation of THE PROPHET. It follows: �54 THE SYRIAN WORLD KAHLIL GIBRAN By Dr. Wiltfam Norman Guthrie Kahlil Gibran, prophet-poet and painter from Mount Lebanon, had for over twelve years moved among us as one of us. To some he was friend and comrade, as well as teacher—for that he always was. Unpedantic and unassuming, though never falsely modest, naively spontaneous, though subtly constrained by beauty, in speach and gesture, he represented to us an almost racially distinct tradition. For generations Christian in culture, he yet received his inspiration and fashioned its expression instinctively in the Arab tongue, of which the supreme music and magic are forever in the spells and oracles of Mahomet. So a strange gnomic quality, a thrilling suggestiveness, mystifyingly concrete and logically unseizable, characterize all his utterances in English. ,Was this the wedding gift of that union in his soul of two tongues? Languages of course not only express but subconsciously impose, even as deep as the insight and outsight of the mystic. He knew other European tongues, but deliberately chose that of England for the work of his maturity, which aimed at a world hearing. Few have achieved that, as he most certainly did, while also retaining a provincial loyalty. And how closeknit is that earlier following of his, that great reading public, throughout the Near East, and even to the borders of China as well as the heart of India, to Whom Arabic is the holy tongue! It was, then, in a four-fold capacity, of Syrian, of Arab singer and seer, of English-American poet, and always original illustrator of his poetic work, that he made so wide and deep an appeal. O for a few more years! Not for exactly the same reasons that we would have given of our own to Keats. How cruel, to have Kahlil Gibran arrested by the hand of death, at the very gate of his Eden, so that he could not take us with him, past the whirling sword of the cherubim, to the sacred Tree of Life. AMERICAN MISSION IN EAST EDUCATIONAL So Declares President Dodge of the A. U. B. at Dinner Given in his Honor in New York By H. I. Katibah Once more President Bayard Dodge has given1 a clear and unequivocal expresson to the new spirit which governs and guides the American University of Beirut and other institutions of learning made possible in the Near East by the generous contributions of American philanthropists and humanitarians. At a banquet in his honor and that of Dr. Mary Belles Patrick, President-Emeritus and for fifty-three years active president of Constantinople Woman's College, fittingly given at the International House of Columbia Univelsity, New York, on Nov. 16, President Dodge declared that the new attitude of the American colleges in the Near East has been one ,of cooperation with the peoples of the respective countries where these institutions of higher learning are posted; to make the students who flock to some of these institutions from all quarters of the Near East realize their vast opportunities at home and equip them with the technical knowledge to cope with them. Dr. Dodge emphasized the amazing speed with which conditions are t ( i 1 s i E ' C V B S a. <> rv �NOVEMBER, 1931 55 changing in the countries of the Near nians, representing the six American East, where formerly time had very colleges in the Near East. About little value. The next day the Herald 300 guests were present. Tribune featured in bold letters an Mr. William Fellowes Morgan preinstance which Dr. Dodge gave to sided. Musical entertainment for the illustrate his point, namely that Bedevening was provided by Madame Feouins of the Syrian Desert today carry dora Corban, styled the Syrian Nighttheir raids by means of Hudsons and ingale, who sang the Syrian national Dodges, instead of horses and camels, anthem in Arabic and some French giving the chauffeur 25 per cent of and English operatic selections, and the booty as his share! Another sign by the Quarles Sisters, Virginia, Marof this change cited by Dr. Dodge was guerite and Alice who played the that whereas formerly very few Turkpiano, the 'cello and the violin. ish girls attended Constantinople Woman's College, today they form 80 per cent of the student-body. As usual, Dr. Dodge's speech was SYRIAN BROADCASTING ACTIVITIES IN AMERICA. replete with witty and illuminating remarks. One of these was that apThe first regular commercial Syrplications from Americans of Syrian ian broadcasting effort which has come origin, particularly of Brooklyn, for to our knowledge is that of the Arabadmission to the American University ian Eastern Broadcasting Co. operatof Beirut have been so numerous that ing over station W. N. J. in New the authorities of this University have York and of which Mr. Salim Ayoub decided to apply the brakes on them. is the business manager. The comThe new spirit of the American inpany has engaged the services of stitutions of learning in the Near several well-known professional singEast is an antithesis of the spirit with ers and musicians, whose repertory which the crusaders, whom he called embraces the classics as well as modthe most bigoted people that ever ern popular songs. They can be heard went to the East, invaded the Holy every Sunday at 9 P. M. Land to wrest it from the hands of its Miss Louise Yazbeck of ShreveMoslem possessors. It is also different port. La. advises us that she believes from that condescending spirit with herself to be the first to have broadwhich some Western philanthropists cast Oriental music in the United and missionaries approached their States. Her work was started in work for the natives. It is, in short, 1924 when radio was still in its inthe American spirit of give and take, fancy, and she has broadcast not only of working together for one single from her home city of Shreveport aim. Dr. Dodge would apply the but from many other Southern and American spirit of democracy which Southwestern centers. She now broadallowed each nationality to develop, casts regularly every Sunday evening freely its innate culture, and yet at 10.45 Central Standard time over molds all in one loyal body when duty station K. F. K. H. 850 kilocycles, • calls for common action, to the whole featuring an Oriental program and world. using principally Prof. Alexander The banquet itself was an embodiMaloof's compositions. She also makes ment of this new spirit, for it conregular broadcasts every Thursday, sisted of alumni of different nationover the same station, giving an Ameralities: Syrians, Greeks, Turks, Armeican program. �56 THE SYRIAN WORLD ; SYRIAN RADIO ARTIST WAHHABIS OF NAJD KILL ARABIC SCHOLAR. Press dispatches from Jerusalem reported on Oct. 27 that the Wahhabi Arabs had killed the Danish Journalist and Arabic scholar Knud Holmbo near Amman while he was on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Although the exact reason for the murder is not made clear by the dispatches, there would seem to be no doubt that the fanatical Wahhabis resented the insistence of the European scholar on making the pilgrimage to their holy city, apparently doubting the sincerity of his motives in becoming a Moslem. Mjiss Louise Yazbeck First to Broadcast an Oriental Program Miss Yazbeck is a recognized piano teacher of high standing in Shreveport, and lately has been elected President of the Progressive Music Club composed of the piano teachers of the city. INDIAN SPEAKER "GUEST OF SYRIANS. Miss Sumayah Attiyeh, the wellknown Syrian lecturer, invited the Hindu speaker and companion of Mahatma Gandhi, Mr. Das Gubta, to address a meeting held at the Wells House in Brooklyn Thursday evening November 19. Miss Attiyeh introduced the visiting Indian in glowing terms and the latter gave a detailed and comprehensive account of the private and public life of Gandhi based on personal knowledge. Knud Holmbo was but thirty years fid and, had achieved considerable distinction as an Arabic scholar. In Scandinavia he was known as the Danish Lawrence, and his love for the Arabs prompted him to take many adventurous trips in their various countries. Two years ago 'he made an automobile expedition to Tripoli and was arrested by the Italians on the suspicion of spreading Bolshevist propaganda because of his open championship of the Arab cause, which in Tripoli is interpreted as sedition. He was released only after persistent diplomatic representations by the Danish government. In the summer of this year he was reported by the Syrian press as having reached Damascus on his contemplated pilgrimage to Mecca. He openly embraced the Moslem faith and adopted the name of Ali. Apparently he could not proceed on his journey any further than Amman which is the capital of Transjordania. The Wahhabis are the fanatical followers of King Ibn Saoud and are known as Al-Ikhwan, or the Brethren •1 < �NOVEMBER, 1931 57 A STUDY of KAHLIL GIBRAN "The Man from Lebanon" Barbara Young, the American poet who is now Kahlil Gibran's literary executor, speaks with authority in a 48 page brochure con^ming his life and work, illustrated with several hitherto unpublished portraits of the Poet of the Cedars, and a reproduction of one pen and ink drawing and one page of original manuscript. A few copies of the limited first edition, serially numbered and autographed by the author, are still available. The price for this edition is $2.50. Owing to the wide interest in the brochure, a second printing will be necessary. These will not be numbered nor autographed, and will be procurable at $1.50 the copy. Checks may be made payable to the Gibran Studio, 5 1 West 10th Street, New York City. 'mUHmmmmSS^mBSBSSSsBSm^SBm �58 THE SYRIAN WORLD S A E ENT / J ^ x?rF,'?HE.?WNERSHIP- MANAGEMENT. CIRCULATION •f The Syrian World, published monthly at New York, N. Y.f Oct. 1, 1931. STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK. Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the state and county aforesaid, personally appeared Salloum A. Mokarzel, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the publisher of The Syrian World, and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, management (and if a da.ly paper, the circulation), etc.. of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section 411, Postal Laws and Regulations, printed on the reverse of this form, to wit: 1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business managers are: Name of— Post office address— Publisher, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. Editor, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. Managing Editor, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. Business Manager, Cecil J. Badway, 104 Greenwich Street. 2. That the owner is: (If owned by a corporation, its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereunder the names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding one per cent, or more of total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a firm, company or other unincorporated concern, its name and address, as well as those of each individual member, must be given.) Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. 3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent, or more of total amount of bonds mortgages, or other securities are: (If there are none, so state.) None. 4. That the two paragraphs next above giving the names of the owners, stockholders, security holders, if any, contain not only the list of stockholders and security holders as they appear upon the books of the company but also, in cases where the stockholder or security holder appears upon the books of the company as trustee or in any other fiduciary relation, the name of the person or corporation for whom such trustee is acting is given; also that the said two paragraphs contain statements embracing affiant's full knowledge and belief as to the circumstances and conditions under which stockholders and security holders wKo do not appear upon the books of the company as trustees, hold stock and securities in a capacity other than that of a bona fide owner; and this affiant has no reason to believe that any other person, association, or corporation has any interest direct or indirect in the said stock, bonds or other securities than as so stated by him. 5. That the average number of copies of each issue of this publication sold or distributed, through the mails or otherwise, to paid subscribers during the six months preceding the date shown above is. (This information is required from daily publications only.) S. A. MOKARZEL. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14th day of October, 1931 [Seal.] Edna M. Huckner. (My commission expires March 30, 1932.) HHNHHII �II 1 , 1 59 NOVEMBER, 1931 1 f Gibran's Message To Young Americans of SyrianOrigin By G. K. 1 GIBRAN Author of f'TAe "Prophet," "Jesus the Son of t\/a«," Th« Syrun Syrii World, July. 1*26 I believe in you. and I believe in your destiny. I believe that you are contributors to this new civilization. I believe (hat you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream* a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America. I believe you can say to the founders of this great nation. "Here I am, a youth, a young tree, whose roots were plucked from the hills of Lebanon, yet I am deeply rooted here, and I would be fruitful." And I believe that you can say to Abraham Lincoln, the blessed. "Jesus of Nazareth touched your lips when you spoke, and guided your hand when you wrote; and 1 shall uphold all that you have said and all that you have written." I believe that you can say to Emerson and Whitman and James, "In my veins runs the blood of the poets and wise men of old, and it is my desire to come to you and receive, but I shall not come with empty hands." I believe that even as your fathers came to this land to produce riches, you were born here to produce riches by intelligence, by labor. And 1 believe that it is in you to be good citizens. And what is it to be a good citizen? It is to acknowledge the other person's rights before asserting your own, but always to be conscious of your own. It is to be free in thought and deed, but it is also to know that your freedom is subject to the other person's freedom. It is to create the useful and the beautiful with your own hands, and to admire what others "have created in love and with faith. It is to produce wealth by labor and only by labor, and to spend less than you have produced that yonr children may not be dependent on the state for support when you are no more. It is to stand before the towers of New York, Washington, Chicago and San Francisco saying in your heart. "I am the descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus, and Tyre and Sidon. and Antioch, and now I am here to build with you. and with a will." It is to be proud of being an American, but it is also to be proud that your fathers and mothers came from a land upon which God laid His gracious band and raised His messengers. Young Americans of Syrian origin. I believe in you. .»A-,t A * A>;>K .*; A .*; A Ml FREE TO SYRIAN WORLD SUBSCRIBERS. This beautiful message by Gibran 13x17 inches, printed in large type on heavy paper with ornamental border suitable for framing. Every PAID subscriber whose term begins with Sept. 1931 is entitled to a copy, mailed in heavy cardboard tube. Subscribers whose term begins before Sep. 1931 may secure a copy by renewal. .-—-. ' - - —- �ft* 60 THE SYRIAN WORLD AUTHENTIC ORIENTAL RUGS THE A. SLEYMAN COMPANY, INC. {276 5th AVENUE NEW YORK CITY Phone BOgardus 4-4345 «SSKSESSSSK^SSS George Haddad Proprietor Phone CHickering 4-8878 ALEXANDRIA RESTAURANT The new and beautiful uptown Syrian restaurant owned and operated by a master chef, who summons his long experience to the art of producing the most delectable Oriental dishes. Small and large parties catered to So Conveniently Located 21 WEST 31st STREET, NEW YORK * IT IS YOURS is the only Syrian publication printed in English, and as such is the organ of the Syrians in America. You can help it continue and grow by subscribing to it yourself and inducing others to subscribe. THE SYRIAN WORLD PUBLISHER, THE SYRIAN WORLD: 104 Greenwich Street, New York. You may enter my name as a subscriber to "The Syrian World" for the term of one year, for which I agree to pay the regular rate of $5.00 upon receipt of the first issue. Address City & State Bft^BgMBais^BHiBmiMmiroM �NOVEMBER, 1931 61 3S •it JERE J. CRONIN FUNERAL DIRECTOR MORTUARY CHAPEL , Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to LADY ATTENDANT Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire 115 ATLANTIC AVENUE BROOKLYN, N. Y. The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverence and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very little cost. No charge for use o our services or funeral parlors. Telephone—MA N 1398-1399-8130-3655 HOW TO BREED MOTHS Leave your rugs on the floor with all the dirt and germs they have collected during the winter and which home methods cannot remove. Nature will do the rest. RESTORATCVE: Call the THE KOURI CARPET CLEANING CORPORATION RUG WASHERS NEW YORK, N. Y. 10 West 33rd Street Tel. LOngacre 5-2385 JERSEY CITY, N. J. 552 Johnston Avenue Tel. Bergen 3-1085 ft»Ttynt»MttMM>TTV^ BH(HBPBHMMHHOHHHHsWsWBHiHHBHBMH SHEIK RESTAURANT A well-appointed Syrian restaurant in the heart of the Syrian Quarter, in lower Manhattan, where you and your friends can enjoy the most delectable Oriental meals amidst the charm of an Oriental atmosphere. Second Foor for Banquets and Private Parties KIRDAHY RESTAURANTS, Inc. 65 WASHINGTON ST., New Yerk %>ffTf4?fy v »TT^ .> �__ __ —_______—_ ---,-«»«. The Arabic Linotype in EgyptAlthough the introduction of the Lino- the very fact that governmental and type into Arabic-speaking countries corporate agencies were the first to is comparatively recent, it is fast gain- decide in its favor not only proves its ing in popularity through the gradual necessity but presages its ultimate conviction of publishers and printers general use. Because such agencies that it is the type-setting machine of reach their decisions only after thor- the present and the future. It is not ough investigation and comparative only speedy but economical and ef- study. This can be readily deduced ficient. As is natural, the government from the trend of Linotype installa- and large corporate concerns were the tions in Egypt which in the last few first to realize its ultimate savings re- years have gardless of the initial investment. And well-known printing establishments. included the following Agricultural Bank, Cairo 1 Linotype Government Press, Cairo 2 Linotypes Egyptian State Railway Press, Cairo ... 2 Linotypes Imprimerie Misr, Cairo 1 Linotype MERCENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A. Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK / ' . V; RDE LINOTYPE A MARK ». 0 • . . ,, An illustrated descriptive catalog the Arabic Linotype sent free u P°n request. of Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World LINOTYPE METRO SERIES �I *»?./& »OXA;,U i Ufcie JUVU V.jJl JIJOJI J ^JOJI Jm VI »^i» -L-i-VI J>' Uijjii-Jl <J1 j, ^UJI <)i La >-* JUY1 (JiUr i!>d <2l-»j i.j£»J! v^'U J&J -UHI aU»VU <JUl <^'MJI jL \ r ;_y»Li!l ^s <.j-.*Vl *Ji»J! o^*l—ft I ^j _/^o. ««Ja« MERCENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A. fy** ij^-lf bal <L<Vj <u» oJ^uJJ Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK (•""LINOTYPE -) _AlaJl JU£ U UJ Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World JJid.1 ^Js. i_»_yiuw JZj&j ijulfolj V. ^ *-^->.r- 0* 0^*VI li* ^3 U j5 �VW" 64 THE SYRIAN WORLD ~»o~»» +» o» <»» +» +» » " " J^U Clio ATTENTION! FORWARD! SAFE! MARCH ON TO PROGRESS! START A BANK ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY LET YOUR MONEY Accumulate for Future NEEDS AND HAPPINESS INTEREST 4 .% Ter zAnnum ON TIME DEPOSITS FROM $10.00 UP Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more FAOUR BANK D. J. FAOUR & BROS. Established 1891 Under Supervision of New York State Banking Department:. Ca-pital and Surplus Over $500,000.00 85 WASHINGTON ST., NEW YORK CITY -* - r � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1931_11reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 03 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1931 November Description An account of the resource Volume 6 Issue 03 of The Syrian World published November 1931. The issue begins with an article by Salloum Mokarzel detailing the coming generation of Syrian leaders. Within his article, Mokarzel comprehensively discusses the changes arising in Syria as a result of French control and a change in thought surrounding what constitutes a leader. This is followed by a poem titled "Affluence" by Edna K. Saloomey. Kahlil Gibran has a work presented next, as will occasionally happen thanks to Barbara Young a literary executor of some of Gibran's works. The work included in this issue is titled "The Deeper Pain." Bayard Dodge is also featured for their work titled "Conditions in the Near East" in which they have taken excerpts from their own annual reports from 1930 to 1931 in order to formulate a research based presentation on the current situation in the East. Barbara Young is featured yet again for her editing work on a number of poems. After a number of literary works by writers Katibah, Charles J. Sassen, A. Hakim, Barbara Young, and Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, the issue closes with an editorial comment, an update on political developments in Syria, and the Syrian world news section. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s A. Hakim Barbara Young Charles J. Sassen Edna K. Saloomey Habib I. Katibah Kahlil Gibran New York Poetry-English Salim Alkazin Syria https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/c87aa75085a72b7c3dcde9369dca3685.pdf 2ef3e807f6eb8117a0bc94ed7c14f1d9 PDF Text Text OCTOBER, 19y. 7ho ��THE SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New lorkj N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. VI. NO. 2 T OCTOBER, 1931 CONTENTS PAGE Two Cities, Two Worlds. _ 3 Habib I. Katibah A Precocious Arab Child 10 News and Views. 11 By A Staff Observer Child Marriages Starvation in the U.S.A Urn Kalthoum in Syria When Mayor Meets King Poetry, Edited by Barbara Young Waiting, by John Burroughs ..".. The Poetry of the Days, Haryot Holt Dey Is Poetry a Business: Lute-Strings, by Najla Sabe Current Poetry 11 12 14 15 16 18 20 21 22 23 �CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE True Arabian Tales The Choice of Su'ad Arab Wisdom 24 27 Home and Family, Edited by Bahia Al-Musheer Taste in Furnishing a Home Laban as Ink Remover How to Cook Vegetables 28 29 30 The Mystery of Aornholt (A Short Story) Thomas Asa 31 Visitant (Poem) 41 Nada Sabirah Our Younger Generation _ Edited by A. Hakim Introducing a New Department 42 42 Reflections on Love 44 By Kahlil Gibran Editorial Comment What the Syrian World Represents A New Poetry Department Decorations 45 46 47 Questions and Answers Iraqis and Syrians Prof. Philip K. Hitti 48 Political Developement in Syria 49 Syrian World News Section 51 �ynan t/ SALLOUM A. Mi MOKARZEL, Editor. VOL. VI. NO. 2 OCTOBER, 1931 Two Cities, Two Worlds! By HABIB I. KATIBAH JT IS only about ninety miles from Beirut to Damascus, going in a slight southeast inclination across a maritime plain, two chains of mountains and a narrow valley between. In the days of muleteers it required over four days to cross from one city to the other, with many stops between for the rest of riders and mounts alike. Then the diligence coach with its two teams of four horses harnessed ar tandem came, and the distance was shortened to a day. The diligence was so prompt with its service that Syrian peasants in villages along the newly laid route set their watches by its stops, and horses were changed more than once to keep up the brisk pace. Again progress clipped a new record of speed when in the early sixties the present narrow-gauge railway connected the newly-developed port of Beirut with the Syrian metropolis in the interior. And today, keeping abreast with time, Fords, Chevrolets, Hudsons and Dodges whizz by in both directions along a macadamized, asphalted, modern traffic road, making it possible for a busy merchant of Beirut to keep a business engagement in Damascus and return home for supper before the sun has' Set in the Mediterranean. It is but a four-hour ride between Beirut and Damascus, but a world of ideas and traditions seperates them! Sometimes one thinks that they are in two seperate worlds. Certainly, these two cities differ in temperament^ and traditional associations more than New York and Los Angeles, three thousand miles across the continent of the United States, or New York and Houston, Texas, or Jacksonville, Florida. They differ more than New York and New"Orleans �: D 4 THE SYRIAN WORLD which in point of history belong to two different civilizations. In spite of all its Arabic blood, and the infiltration of Arabic civilization and culture, Beirut is more of a Western city, a Western colony on the coast of the Mediterranean. And Damascus, in spite of all modern influences and invasions, has remained Oriental to the core, perhaps the most typically Arabian city in the world today, a stronghold of Semitic, Moslem culture and civilization that has persistently resisted capitulation to the West. li ou have only to consider the location of these two cities and reflect a little on their histories to understand this great spiritual chasm that seems to saparate them. Beirut is a seaport on the Mediterranean sea, a direct descendant of a Phoenician city that, for a considerable period of time, was a Greek colony. From the middle of the 3rd Century A.D. a law school flourished in Beirut which became famous throughout the Roman World, and from which some of the most distinguished legal minds of the age came forth. Itself on Syrian, Semitic soil Beirut had its face turned outward towards the azure sea, and its associations were those of all sea-faring folks, cosmopolitan and xenophile. But of Damascus one thinks in different terms and its mention gives rise to other associations and memories. It is quite significant that while Beirut can hardly name half a dozen remainsof Arabian, Islamic antiquity, Damascus, the city of delight, is replete with them. It ranks perhaps first among the Islamic cities for the richness of its historic Islamic sites and monuments, perhaps only outrivalled by Baghdad, the City of Peace and ancient capital of Ha~ roun al-Raschid. To the single mosque of any prominence in Beirut,the Omari mosque, you could name a score of mosques in Damascus that are hoary with historic traditions and that enshrine the bones of men whose names were boldly emblazoned on the pages of Islamic history. One immediately thinks of the Umayyad mosque, on the site of which, it is claimed, Khalid Ibn Al-Walid and Abu IJbeida Al-Jarrah, the Moslem invaders of Damascus, met, and on the Western Wall of which one can still read the names of AbuBakr, Omar, Uthman and Ali, the first four caliphs of Islam. It was.in this same mosque that the famous Moslem theologian, AlGhazzali, cloistered himself to write a large part of his monumental work, the ReyivicaticHi of the Sciences of Religion. Not less interesting are the tombs and mausoleums of this ancient capital of the Umayyads, the only truly Arabic dynasty of Islam, even if not truly Islamic. Here we come across the tomb of �OCTOBER, 1931 QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THIS ARTICLE Why is Beirut a city of the West while Damascus, less than one hundred miles away, remains the most typically Oriental center extant? Do the people of Beirut adopt Western standards through affectation? Is the French official's observation about the inhered difference between Beirut and Damascus true? What has helped to make Beirut the cultural enter of the Near East? Abu Lbe.da h.mself, of Bilal al-Habashi, the muezzin of the Pro phet Mohammad, of Fatima, the Prophet's own daughter, of the great Saladdin and his brother Nur-ud-Din, to mention but a few at random. The mausoleum under which the remains of Nur-ud Din rest is about midway in the Bazaar of Clothes, (Suq aPKhayvatin ) a narrow canopied street joining al-Hamidiyvah with the Street Called Straight, (Suq al-Tawil), which is said to be no less than six hundred years old in its present condition. It is only natural for a city which from ages immemorial has been the metropolis of Syria to be so rich in historic associations, lo many Westerners Damascus is the city where St. Paul was con verted to Christianity, and to the present dav if vou go there you may be shown the very spot of that historic conversion, the Church of Hammyia m the Bab-Tuma quarter, built over the supposed site oi the House of Ananias, who received St. Paul and baptized him after his historic journey, from Jerusalem to Damascus. And long before that, Damascus was the capital of Naaman the Syrian and other Aramean kings mentioned in the Bible. Greeks and Romans undoubtedly dominated this city as they did others of Syria but it is highly doubtful that Damascus, for any appreciable'length of time divested itself of its Semitic character or adopted the ways of the Gentiles and Franks from across the Mediterranean. Preeminently, perhaps, Damascus has been the oasis of the Syrian Desert, the magnificent, luxurious haven of the weary bedouin shepherd or tradesman who crosses the arid wilderness ofSyri "on the palm of the Compassionate" in persuit of his share of Al- �Os "77 ; | * ^"IIIK R ^**' i f ^ - , ' .-"*''' '* ""***" ~~ "• ••- wH,^j| i n i-, "* 1 ' •- - -~.t»**5L '. -' "***S 7 91 ' ' 1 § IT "5s«3» as Co " » ..- v • 4. • • - . - " » ". . • • ' .. .:. • . ft km Courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque,.Center of Islamic Influence that has Made Damascus Typically Arabian • ' i. : - • :: ? ! .. | .' ; MJ&J&Wfij-.v-.-::-;;'„ ;...;:-;,..i.;. .-,- :i-,..;. •:;.^i:>c,,w,; o ^f HIHHHH1 �Courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque, .Center of Islamic Influence that has Made Damascus Typically Arabian Q o O to Beirut "Has its Face Outward Towards the Azure Sea, More a City of the West Than of the East N StSSSMte. . ' ' "-,. -y="~-- ' ' �-r" -" 8 ! ' "I» THE SYRIAN WORLD Jah's boon. No wonder he calls it his earthly paradise, and whoever named it the City of Delight must have been a bedouin himself or one speaking the longing of his hungry, thirsty heart. And today Damascus is still the bedouin's paradise and home. You see him strutting proudly in its streets, in his outlandish garb, or sipping his cup of coffee in one of its numerous cafes as if he were as much at home as in his tent under the star-spangled sky of his desert domain. Rarely do you find a bedouin in Beirut, and whenever you spot him he looks so dejected and homesick, lost in a foreign city with those ways and manners he is hopelessly unfamiliar. The first time I was vividly struck with the marked contrast between the people of Beirut and those of Damascus was on my last visit. I was walking with a friend of mine in one of the streets of Beirut when a typically Beirutian Moslem, with an old fashioned shirwal and shawl girdle, approached us and asked us for the correct time. It is so customary for the old people of Damascus and the interior of Syria to run their watches according to "Arabic time", which is calculated on the basis of sunset, instead of the meridian. And wishing to accomodate the gentleman, whom I assumed to be oldfashioned and "Arabic" in sentiments and traditions, 1 asked him whether he wanted the "Arabic" or "Franji" time. To my surprise and amusement he blurted out in his Beirutian brash and frank manner: "Blankety, blankety blank Arabic time! Who cares for Arabic time nowadays!" Yet this Beirutian, and many thousands like him of whom we know, may be as ardent a nationalist as you may find in all of Damascus. And you can count many Damascene Moslems, with their turbans and Kimbazes and all the appearances and appurtenances of Arabic traditions, who are more lukewarm about "nationalism" than any of the Christian inhabitants of Beirut, and some of whom are positively Francophile. But the exception here does not prove the rule, which, in this case, is that the great majority of the Beirutian Moslems, or at least a considerable part of them, favour a policy of cooperation and understanding with the French. When I first arrived at Beirut three summers ago it was election time, and Dr. Halim QaddurahT a notable modern Moslem, had adopted a platform urging the Moslems of his city to drop the policy of intransigence to the French and try to come to some understanding with the mandated authorities guaranteeing the political rights of �mm OCTOBER, 1931 the Moslem population. Dr. Qaddurah won, and his nationalist opponent, Anf al-Nimaam, lost. The point which I wish to make here, however, is not whether he inhabitants of Damascus or Beirut are more nationalists, but that even Beirutian nationalists have more of a Western atmosphere about them than Damascene Francophiles, and more sympathy with W estern ways and methods. In their manners, conversations and even mental habits you catch Beirutians adopting the Western attitude, interest and point of view. To casual Westerners, and particularly tourists, thi, is hastily noted down as "aping," and creates a reaction oi disgust and revulsion against "imitators of the West » I ei haps that >s what a French official of the High Commissariat at Beirut had m mind when he replied to my question: "Which do you like better Beirut or Damascus " Waving his hand in a characteristic brench gesture he said. "Beirut! Bah! Beirut has no soul, but Damascus, ah' There is a city for you!" But what this French officer and other transient Western observers forget, or lack the sympathy and patience to observe, is that this Westernization" of Beirutians is most often not affected by any means and comes to them by right of historic descent as much' as to any dweller on the banks of the Seine or Thames. Beirut is not an Oriental city imitating the West. On the contrary, it is a Western city with Western traditions and associations which has never completely been Orientalized. It is the outpost of Arabian culture and civilization on the Mediterranean, one of many such outposts, but certainly the most influential and important Long long ago, a little less than a century before its invasion by its Moslem conquerors, after Beirut was destroyed by a disastrous earthquake and tidal waves, a native poet lamented it in a touching poem of classical beauty. The poem was in Greek, the language undoubtedly familiar to his fellow citizens. But more significant than the language are the terms in which this disconsolate poet describes his native city in ruins, and the classical associations that were uppermost in his mind. "Here am I," he pictured Beirut as moaning, "the unhappy city, lying in ruins, my citizens dead men. . . . The fire-God de strayed me after the shock of the earth-shaker (Poseidon) Where is Aphrodite, guardian of the city, that she may look upon the shelterless haunt of the dead, once the abode of the graces' A tomb of tombless men is the city, under whose ashes we lie, Beroe's thousands, Sailor, stay not thy vessel's course for me, nor lower �10 "THE SYRIAN WORLD thy sails. . . . To some other place free of sorrow shalt thou urge with sounding car thy advancing bark!" And now as Beirut's sad disaster which rocked the city to its foundations and destroyed most of its inhabitants has become a dis ant memory cf the past, and after all the vicissitudes of fire and sword through which it passed, one wonders if Beirut has not always risen frcm its ashes with its heart on the sea and what lies beyond it. Like Aphrcdite herself, the ancient matron goddess of this city, Beirut is born and reborn from the sea foam. And perhaps it is not an accident, nor because it was the first city at which they stopped, that missionaries of all descriptions and convictions cho:;e Beirut for their base of operation, spreading Western culture and civilization with ther gospel message and sectarian doctrines throughout Syria and the Near East. That is why today Beirut is the cultural metropolis of Syria, and the most congenial citv in the Near East for one with a cosmopolitan mind and a international point cf view. Beirut may be a colorless city, lacking the Oriental glamour of Damascus , it may be even a city without a soul, but it is a city with a big and receptive heart! A PRECOCIOUS ARAB CHILD THE uncanny precocity of Ar-Rakkadh, when still four-year's old, reached the hearing of Haroun i\.l-Raschid who commanded that he be brought before him. As reported by contemporary Arab chroniclers the conversation ran as follows: Al-Raschid: "What would you have as my gift to you?" Boy Prodigy: "Your valued counsel, as with it I would gain the blessings of both this earth and the hereafter." Al-Raschid: (After having ordered a pile of gold pieces and a pile of silver pieces to be placed before the child) "Choose that which you value most." Boy Prodigy: "I value most the condescension of the Prince of the Faithful, but since it is his command, I shall choose these", and he grabbed at the gold pile. The great caliph was extremely pleased and amused, and ordered that the boy be included in his household. �.-<*& OCTOBER, 1931 11 News and Views By A STAFF OBSERVER CHILD MARRIAGES fcN AMERICAN woman missionary in Arabia was reported in the daily papers of Sept. 28 as having told a congregation of the Ketormed Church that child marriages form the chief problem with which the Christian educator of girls in Arabia must contend "It is not at all unusual," she was quoted as saving, "for the school routine to be disrupted by the appearance of'an angry husband of twenty-five m search of his 10-year old wife." Equally interesting and significant was the statement in the following paragraph of the report that the American missionary lady in question "had organized one of the two girls' schools operated by the Reformed Church in Arabia and has seen it -row from a venture begun on a capital of $35, with a student body of nine, to a flourishing institution." The purpose of the missionary lady is obvious and it would appear futile to comment on it. She was drawing a picture of social conditions that would appeal to the Christian spirit of the sponsors of her project—those who hold the purse-strings. For had it not been for such representations how could she have developed a flourishing institution out of a venture whose initial capital was $35* One may also venture the opinion that the Christian lady did not tell her audience anything that would reflect the brighter side of her missionary field. Otherwise they would cease to be interested in contributing towards civilizing a savage people! Oddly enough there was published, also in the metropolitan press, and almost simultaneously, a report by Rev. Thomas A. Little of H onkers, N.Y., wherein the assertion is made that "of 261 child marriages in New York City forty-one -were married before they reached the age of eleven years" The learned divine leaves no room for ambiguity. The children were still ten years' old. There were other important statements in the report of the Rev. Little which indicate the urgent need for the application of �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD some missionary, zeal right here at home. "In some of the homes I have visited," he asserted, "mothers of school children living in close proximity to churches of all denominations have actually confessed their total ignorance of prayer, saying that they had never heard of it before, and in these United States there are 28,000,000 boys and girls without any church affiliations." This reminds the writer of having read some few years ago of an American missionary who returned from China to preach in New York "because the need here was much more urgent." Other missionaries in different fields, including Syria, might do well to follow his example. And speaking of Syria, there was perhaps no more wholesome move than that of changing the name of the Syrian Protestant College to that of the American University of Beirut and severing the management from missionary connections. President Bayard Dodge proved himself a man of true wisdom and foresight by effecting this change. Now whenever the University appeals for funds in America it does so on the plain representation of helping the cause cf education and none other. It has intrenched itself more strongly in the hearts of the Syrians by these methods. The subjects of social and marital relations as they exist here and abroad is rich field for comment, especially where the American missionary lady refers to the twenty-five year old Arab husband who comes to claim his ten-year old wife. She naturally wants to infer that the disparity in age between husband and wife is such as to be unheard of except in extremely so-called backward countries. But she and her gullible audience fail to take into account rhe many so-called "daddies" in America and Europe who look upon age only as an imaginary line. Also our return to "paganism" is probably something unheard of by the good Christian American missionary lady. No, we here are perfect and the people of the lands where civilization flourished when Europe was in darkness and America had not yet been discovered are all savages! But of this more later. STARVATION IN THE U.S.A. ^PEAKING of misrepresentation, misinformation, misapplication - -- and all - the other "mis-es" of similar termination that have in them not only the elements of comedy but border on the ridiculous. �OCTOBER, 1931 A certain correspondent in Syria wrote to ask lately whether it was true that one thousand persons died in the United States every day of starvation and whether the United States had gone bankrupt because the Bank of United States was forced to dose its door's! We who live ,n the United States make light of such rumors because we know how far they are from being true. But can we not see how people abroad take them seriously and believe them? I he same should hold true of exaggerated reports reaching us from abroad. We hear of a great deal of distress and misery in Syria; we hear that a rape or murder was committed; we hear that a child was abducted and we conclude that the population is in danger of extermination or that it is lawless, savage and degenerate. The trouble R that we are misinformed and the parties circulating such reports are e,ther ignorant or deliberately malignant. We have no more nght to accuse all the people of France of being cruel and murderous because one Frenchman committed a ghastly murder by cutting the body of his victim and shipping it by express in a trunk than to form a similar opinion of the people of the United States, or of the people of Chicago, for that matter, because one gang lined up some members of a rival gang against a wall and riddled them with machine guns. It is possible for such things to happen anywhere, anytime but it is a form of stupidity, indeed, to take singular instances of this nature as the standard of conduct of a whole people. Syrians themselves are not free from blame in spreading false information and impressions about their country and people Therare some among them who capitalize on the ignorance of the American public to the detriment of their own kind. They go about masquerading as actors of Biblical scenes and dress in'outlandish styles which they represent as the accepted form of dress in their country .Some of them go to the extent of portraying Syrian home life as being very primitive and crude, citing the one 'illustration that Syrians use the,,- fingers in lieu of forks and spoons in break ing their fast, but no attempt is made to give an authentic inter pretation of the custom. The deduction is that Syrians who still use such crude methods of eating are benighted, to use a mild term ' ' There ,s another phase of the story,- A professor from one of the principal. American universities who had spent considerable time m; Syria,, together. With .a..Syrian" professor who is also cormect-d with another of the principal universities, were guests on Vcertain occasion at this writer's house. Be it said to the credit of the guests that they felt completely at home and sat on the floor and partook of �<*=*»« 14 THE SYRIAN WORLD food with their fingers, with the ready explanation that they could get more relaxation by stretching their limbs on rugs upon the floor, while eating with their hands, using the native thin, pliable Syrian bread, was more hygienic than the use of knives and forks and much more delightful. There was no question of one being savage simply because he was natural. There is a whole world between the two points of view. UM KALTHOUM IN SYRIA IJM! What a great time Um Kalthoum must have had during the few weeks she spent in Syria this last summer. She created a near-riot wherever she appeared in Damascus, Beirut or Aleppo. She certainly proved herself popular and, incidentally, proved many other things that were least suspected. And, who is this Um Kalthoum? She is the Nightingale of Egypt, a girl still in her early twenties who was discovered but a few seasons ago. She is said to have been an itinerant singer who performed anywhere, anytime, for a pittance. Now, she is the singer par excellence of the Arabicspeaking world. An enterprising impresario of Beirut induced her to visit Syria this summer under contract for twelve concerts. Yes, induced is right, for he is said to have had considerable difficulty in persuading her to sign on the dotted line for twelve hundred pounds for each concert. Lest we create a false impression, we hasten to specify that the sum is in Syrian pounds, and not Sterling. Nevertheless the twelve hundred Syrian pounds mean the round sum of 1,000 good American dollars. Not so bad for one night, on a contract of twelve nights. What occured exceeded the impresario's wildest expectations. There was a scramble for tickets in Beirut at one, two and three pounds for the pasteboards, and there was a riot over them in Damascus. In the latter city the police were called in order to prevent the mad admirers of the Egyptian singer from storming the theatre, and the streets leading to the theatre had to be roped off for several blocks around. There was a faint protest from the conservative Moslem element against such "degrading influences," but their protest had the chance of a whisper against a gale. The Damascenes simply went mad over Um Kalthoum, and in order to accomodate all classes of her admirers a special concert was set a- �OCTOBER, 1931 15 side for the Moslem ladies who are prohibited by custom from mingling with men at any form of public entertainment. Surely Urn Kalthoum proved her popularity. Also she proved that the Syrians are a music-loving public. Also that they seem, somehow, to find the money to gratify such expensive tastes WHEN MAYOR MEETS KING \^HEN our jovial and debonair mayor of New York, His Honor James J. Walker, was visiting in Nice and creating fashions in men s berets and multi-colored sweaters and trousers, another distiguished personage was to visit the famous French resort and the two were expected to meet. The other visitor was His Majesty King freisal of Iraq, hero of Lawrence's "Revolt in the Desert." T ne tWain AX7 °f distinguished personages of the East and the J , West did not meet. Kipling's famous dictum had to be justified -But this is not our point. Press dispatches at the time reported our mayor as bewailing that he did not know anything about Iraq. Before meeting its king confines the report, the mayor of the Empire City of the Empire State of the United States had to beget himself to some sources ot information so as to glean sufficient knowledge that would enable him to engage in intelligent conversation with the king. This is not unusual, and even a mayor should not be held to task for his apparent ignorance of geography. Does anvone recall the incident of one of our Secretaries of State issuing an invitation to the bwiss navy for participation in a pageant in American waters? I he fact is "we" Americans feel too self-contained and selfsufficient, an attitude which cannot fail to reflect on the so-called small racial groups in America who suffer from this lack of understanding, or shall we say lack of interest. Syrians in this respect do not fare any better than others, if not worse. One can find any number of high-school and even college graduates who cannot locate fcyna, some confusing it with Assyria and others making a wild guess that it is somewhere in Africa. But the fault is not all theirs. It is incumbent upon Syrians to educate the American public 3S to their history, their rulture and fine traditions, that they may be more respected through this diffusion qf proper and sorely needed knowledge. �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD BARBARA YOUXG, Editor Poetry is wisdom that enchants the heart; Wisdom is poetry that sings in the mind; - If we can enchant man's mind and at the same time sing in his heart, Then he will in truth live in the shadow of God." Ka'hlil Gibran ^HEN Lord Bryce first came to these shores thirty years ago, as ambassador from England, a gentleman,of the press asked him, among other questions, this question: "What in your opinion, is the outstanding need of the American people?" And without a moment's hesitation the great man replied, "Poets." If Lord Bryce had-been sent as ambassador to an Eastern land he would have, perforce, made a different answer, for the East is peopled with poets. Their poetry is expressed not only through the medium of the pen; it permeates every sentence of their daily living. In the West we make a gesture of assistance with the words, "Let me help you." The Arabic world says "I would serve you with my eyes." The grandfather, speaking of his beloved daughter's child calls her "my heart which goes before.me." When wine is spilled there is no exclamation of dismay, rather a smile and the words "And for the table also a- port-ion of your generous cup." A few weeks ago a poet of my acquaintance was dining with one of the governors of perhaps the most powerful financial enter pnse in America, and-the poet asked,_"What is your solution for the dikmma which confronts-us and the world?" He replied, "I have none. What is yours?" "You are laughing at me," she saicj. "No," he answered. "I am not laughing. If the poets do not come to our aid now, then may God help us all." �OCTOBER, 1931 17 Here is something to think upon. Is poetry made and read and sung for beauty's sake alone? Is it solely a literary and not a living force? If martial music carries the weary and homesick soldier-boy into the battle with head high, may not poetry refresh and renew the courage of the beaten and the disillusioned in the day's debacle? The answer is, it can and it does. I have seen it work not once but countless times. The spiritual health of a nation is not maintained by one man or by any group of men, but by the esprit de corps. It might be an extremely interesting and salutary experiment to try lifting the thought-life of the whole people into another world, the world that the greatest of the poets have inhabited and revealed. There is in the Arabic tongue and in the English—the two languages in which readers of this magazine are peculiarly interested —a wealth of poetry that should make any man lift his head and look out upon the world with a new vision and a heightened purpose. It is our hope that through these pages we may be able to remind ourselves of some of the forthright poetry that we have forgotten in the midst of the tumult and clamor. Here is one; the word of a fine poet, a great naturalist, and a person with whom an hour of talk and laughter and reading was an event that does not pass from the memory. Waiting gERENE I fold my hands and wait, Nor care for wind, nor tide, nor sea; I rave no more 'gainst time nor fate, For lo, my own shall come to me. I stay my haste, I make delays, For what avails this eager pace? I stand amid the eternal ways And what is mine shall know my face. Asleep, awake, by night or day, The friends I seek are seeking me. No wind can drive my bark astray Nor change the tide of destiny. �pfc-J 18 THE SYRIAN WORLD What matter if I stand alone? I wait with joy the coming years. My heart shall reap what it has sown, And garner up its fruit of tears. The waters know their own, and draw The brook that springs from yonder heights, So flows the good with equal law Unto the soul of pure delights. Yon floweret nodding in the wind Is ready plighted to the bee. And maiden, why that look unkind? For lo, thy lover seeketh thee. The stars come nightly to the sky, The tidal wave unto the sea, Nor time, nor space, nor deep, nor high Shall keep my own away from me. John Burroughs. gAID a young English poet to a young American poet in my presence the other day, "True poetry is lyric. Vers libre is not true poetry. To which the other replied, "Vers libre is probably the only true poetry." Perhaps the first assertion of our English friend was sufficient. I rue poetry is lyric." For certainly the free verse form is lyricit lyric means singing—as are the waves and the wind and the rain from which it is patterned. And though these cannot be scanned and measured beat to balance beat, as the seasons, and day and night and the swinging of the planets can be scanned and measured yet their various and veritable singing is unquestionable. Poetry has chiefly to do with beauty. If it has not then it is not poetry. And we do not mean that it shall always be agreeable and pleasant to the taste. It may be, and indeed it often is terrible in its beauty, merciless and intolerable, but it may never be uglv nor vulgar nor commonplace. Another concern of poetry is singing. If it is not singing it is not poetry. It may be brilliant and glittering with characterisation and narrative; it may be delighful satire; it may tease the mind with 'T ..I.J.II HJlljllll �OCTOBER, 1931 19 subtleties or vex the spirit with vague anachronisms or with an amazement of technique, but these things have nothing to do with poetry. There must be singing or it is all an outcast from the magic circle. Vers libre has been treated by many poets and their critics as a stepchild, and it is not a stepchild. It is one of the two true children of the Muse. To be sure, there are miles of so-called free verse that have no claim to the divine maternity. But no listener with a real sense of rhythm, certainly no poet who lives and breathes rhythm, can be deceived for a single moment. Perhaps many makers of free verse, and surely most of the readers, do not listen at all, they merely look. And that will not do. Poetry is not for the eyes but for the ears. But the fundamental reason why there is so little fine free verse to be found in our contemporary poetry is that it is perhaps the most subtle and exacting form to execute successfully. It must swing, it must beat, it must make its music throughout the changefulness of its varying measure even as the tempest or the whisper of the leaves make their music. Vers libre is the captured song of the free elements of air and water. What we have long been accustomed to regard as lyric is the song with the evenly recurrent line and rhyme, and this is without doubt the form in which, for the most part, the masters of the golden word, in both the Arabic and the English, have spoken to us out of the past. It is a form with infinite possibility of variations, and will never lose its almost sensuous enchantment. It is the medium for the finer musical nuances. It penetrates and shakes the heart with its persistent return to the same chord or half-chord and its white economy of magic words, for it may never be prodigal as its free verse brother may sometimes be. And in a peculiar fashion entirely its own the rhymed lyric invests the soul with the assurance of worlds beyond this world, formed as it is in the likeness of the spheral music. We have said the soul, not the mind, for pure poetry has little to do with the intellect. A great poet said once, speaking of a little poet—and the great poet was Gibran—"judge his work leniently, remembering that it was all written from above his eyes." It was. There was hardly a heart-beat in it all. Poetry is of and for the emotion of living. The function of the poet is not to instruct, nor to divert, nor to persuade, though he may perhaps do all of these things frequently and incidentally. The function of the poet is to recall for- �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD gotten loveliness, to recapture the wonder and delight that were from the beginning, and to restore the freshness to Beauty's garment and the heavenliness to her voice; it is to pour the wine that shall exalt the spirit. For this the poet sings and has always sung. The Poetry of the Days By HARYOT HOLT DEY. * fRULY I do see poetry everywhere, everywhere where love and joy and order and beauty exist. I see poetry in Luella Borgonia the little growing plant brought to me by a poet one night not long ago. I even see poetry in the color and orderliness of the teacups and in the peaceful movement of an old lady's rocking-chair—an old lady who feels young and pretends she thinks she is old, pretends lest some call her names and reveal the secret first. Thus the pretending is a mere defense. I even feel poetry when the canary from China, Mr. Caruso, sings the song of a new day at six in the morning, and joyfully defies us to sleep another wink. I see poetry in the food Iseason with love. I feel poetry in the gift of a bag of sea-salt —the salt of the earth—brought to me by a loving friend. It's wondrous where poetry can be found even without looking ior it. I see it in the faithfulness with which the people I know meet their daily tasks. I feel poetry in all affirmative thoughts of those who appreciate and put their thoughts on paper. I sense it in the eyes of all my sons and daughters—my sons from the North and my daughters from afar. Every dav I receive a love-letter rrom somebody, sometimes in verse, usually in prose that is too modest to line itself up with free verse. I saw poetry yesterday when the young Italian painter who was renovating for me, gave my Winifred a pressed flower, taking it gravely from his wallet, telling her it is edelweiss and came from the Alps and was difficult, to find and gather. Real poetry! Both young contemporaries, recognizing the bond of youth, sunshine and poetry and prophesy in both faces. * Haryot Holt Dey is a prominent figure in the American literary'world' She was-for ten years president of the Women's Press Club of New York W Id" Ee/tm£!SSage t0 the firSt JSSUe °f the P etry S6Cti0n ° of the Svrian �OCTOBER, 1931 21 Real poetry—it is in all longing for the unattainable, the longing to make a poem, to paint a picture, and so, as none of these things are mine as self-expression, I can only paint the days for my friends So it's an old lady, a painter of days in an arm chair, a gay old lady who is free, and grateful for the great blessing of loving friends, especially of the poets. When a poet raps on my door, then I know that sometime, somehow, somewhere I must have done something right! Is Poetry a Business? pOR the benefit of some who seem not to have discovered the answer to this question, even though they sit in what the smartest litterateurs call high places, let us assert crisply and without quaincation, it is not. Being inoculated with the insidious germ of chronic cleverness and drowsing around in a fever of vernacularia, certain gentlemen of the quill and shears would spread the uneasiness of their ailment to the healthy and hearty-minded. Mr. Mencken of the Mercury approaches poetry with a squint and a chortle. He says the poets can no longer "make a crop" though "time was when they did a brisk business." He asserts that the "American people are naturally poetic, as Rotary and Kiwanis so brilliantly demonstrate." He says that today nothing is offered (by the poets) that they (the American people) can get their teeth into." He proceeds, "one no longer hears that a certain poem is either swell stuff or dreadful rubbish, as the case may be." And there is more, all in the vein of in-humorous wisecrackery that we expect, and get, from college freshmen. This method of comment upon literary output should have long since fallen into Mr. Cleveland's "innocuous desuetude," and has, in most mature circles where it was found to be anything but a decoration. It is altogether likely that Mr. Mencken cares nothing at all for poetry, and comprehends it less; a silk purse is not woven from hempen threads. For the enlightenment of the Menckens then, let us repeat: Poetry is not a business, and it is not a commodity. It is an ancient and honorable art that antedated the first sneer and will outlive the last scoffer. And it has not gone to pot, neither in the West where it grows silently in the night, nor in the East where it was born; �wmamsmmutmm 22 THE SYRIAN WORLD C nor will it, in spite of the truth in the statement that "most of the sjtutt that makes the bottoms of the magazines pages is . . .baffling." I his is the affair of the editors, not the poets. Dignity and beauty live still in the sonnet and the lyric of twentieth century poets even as they have lived in the poetry of all ages, and clarity and simplicity still garment their expression. But the names that are most shouted in the marketplace are the names of the rhymsters and of clever artificers of words, not of the veritable poets. Sidney Lanier, a prince of song, once said, half a hundred years ago, "Art has no enemy so relentless as cleverness." And every artist has learned this well, and has learned also to take the dose without a grimace, even with relish, and with perhaps an occasional retort, for the fun of it. Which is what we are doing here. Lute-Strings Poets' dreams are crystals That shine in the gloom, like stars. * * * My soul is like the sea-foam That lives in evanescence. "p *T* *f* Yonder lofty star is my guardian angel Who fills my path with light. Let Thai The The Keej Whe For * * * The poet lingers near the sea To hear the echo of his song. * * * Fir trees are nuns Who live in silence. Its t 1 And 1 Eartl * * * The flowers weep softly into sleep And waken with tears still in their eyes. Najla Sabe j And May And i The r May t: * ".:; �:he -v w OCTOBER, 1931 23 Current Poetry A RIDE You would have loved that wild wet Saturday 1 Lt, .^f r°ad that ribb0ns our I"* valfey Between stark sullen hills and bustling bay The sun, with gray retreat and golden rally Made war on roving cloud-banks in the sky And wayside puddles mirrored the high battles Scared rabbits bounded out as I sped by Gray gulls cut vague arcs in the air and cattle Stood numbly huddled in the chill green fields. I drove up to the ridge above the ocean Where fogs forever cling, and nothing shields ' Yon ir°Vte Wi.nd'S Unending moan a»d motion. You would have hailed the men and women bent w^ ^ ^tlCh°keS °n aU h ed 0 sl °Pes t0 ^her, draWing boxes BeHnd , Jbowed "' to the blowing weather —t Ben nd, th their r heads As I swept past the last steep little farm The soft mist thickened to a milky drizzle, ine wind rose to a note of weird alarm And mountains bared bleak beauty through the mizzle I though you rode then, thrilling by my Le You would have loved that day of sun Ind showers Of tingling living, when I took the ride From town to cover your cold grave with flowers. Lori Petri, in The Forge. CIOSE TO THE EARTH Of surer songs than a bird ever Let the brown lark fly sings— That has wings to fly. Songs slow with the pulse at the root The ant, the beetle, of things. The mole and I Margaret Emerson Bailey Keep close to the earth Where we like to lie. STRONGHOLD For close to the earth a beetle may We are prepared, my love and I, trundle For Winter by the tarn; Its treasure below in a claw-clipped I put a saffron wing away, bundle; And she a spider's yarn. And close to the earth an ant may I put away a rack of oak, funnel And she a cruse of oil, Earthworks in turrets the length of That friendliness might be obliged its tunnel; With credit to the soil. And close to the earth the secret mole We are prepared, my love and I, May fit to its body its cool dark holeFor Winter on a hill; And I, who have never a wish to climb The sky with a lilt or a whistling I stored a theme of song, and she ~ root of daffodil. rhyme, Edwin Quarles May stoop and listen and mark the in The New York Times time in Harper's Magazine �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD OmJEORIGINAL ARABIAN TALES TRANSLATIONS THE CHOICE OF SU'AD TOE day was of scorching heat. Not a breeze ruffled the leaves of the trees or rippled the surface of the water. The fountains in the vast courtyard of the caliph's palace played incessantly but brought no apparent relief. The caliph was extremely depressed. He nnally ordered that immediate preparations be made for departure to the outskirts of the city, where the open spaces might entice a little coolness. Presently, the whole court repaired to a garden in Al-Ghouta where the caliph seated himself in an open pavillion commanding at once a view of the verdant gardens of the great oasis of Damascus and of the vast arid plains marking the beginning of the Syrian desert. Chancing to look in the distance, Muawiya, the caliph, saw a bedouin in rags trudging his way painfully in the dust and heat of the open road. He turned to those about him and exclaimed- "Can there be among Allah's creatures one more deserving of pity than he who has to travel about in such torrid heat?" And some of his courtiers replied: "Perhaps he is seeking the 6 Prince of the Faithful." "If this be the case," said the caliph, "I shall not turn him back empty-handed if he is in need, nor shall I turn a deaf ear to his plea if he is seeking justice." He then commanded one of his attendants to post himself at the gate ready to admit the bedouin if he shoulds seek entry. The bedouin was duly admitted and the caliph asked him of his name, his tribe and his mission, to which he replied that he was °r L ?Zra tn^ and had come from the heart of the desert to seek thC Faithful ustice fr ?u ?Si £n,°e J °m his agent in Iraq, Mirwan lbn El Hakam. He related his grievance as follows: "Know O Prince of the Faithful, that I had a wife by the name of Su'adwho. was the light of my life. I was not rich but comfortable. My livelihood was derived from a drove of camels :«*- �r OCTOBER, 1931 SO WAS IT A DILEMMA TO SU'AD? Forced by her merciless father to leave h er poor bedoum husband; !l the ^ ^ marrhge l ° tke G0Vern r ° > *»»** *&ent of ~*. f°Ugh! « thSi P'eSeme °f the cal'^h who hi f covetsher anaI offers her to choose between him, his agent, or her poor bedouin husband; Whom do you think Su(ad chose? which I tended with much care and devoted ail my earnings to the suppor and comfort of the woman who was to me all that/ife was worth Lvmg for But in a severe drought I lost my cam Is and a my possessions. I was reduced to a condition of actual want and mv former friends shunned me. Then it was that my father££r £ claimed me and separated me from my wife. I was desperatl and appealed to your agent Mirwan for justice. Mirwan LZ££ m- aw denied even knowing me. I asked Mirwan to havclnm pro in-law denied even knowing me. I asked Mirwan to have him pro duce his daughter and question her as to whether my claimTo^er being my wife was true or false. This Mirwan did%utTmmedi ately he set eyes on her he turned against me and ordered me to prison He then proposed that her father give her unto hm in con ^deration of one thousand dinars and ten thousand dirhams The" father consented and Mirwan proceeded to force me to divorce her ntS t0 bCat me U a11 SelTv , ^to"^ P°"life. « But 2Mirwan 5 cruelty unll until lLTr I had to grant the divorce save my kept me in prison until the elapse of the stipulated time necessary for her to remarry, and when the nuptials were concluded hTrl leased me and banished me from the city. -Now I am appealm/to you in the hope that you will restore her to me anS vo Y name as the dispenser of justice to the Faithful " The bedouin was so overcome with emotion that he fell nros trate on the ground and began to writhe as if in great pain Muawiva was beside himself, with anger at the action of his agent"'and foT h with wrote out an order to Mkwan to^the^Ss^ �26 THE SYRIAN WORLD despatch her to Damascus with his two trusted messengers, Al-Kumeit and Nasr Ibn Zibian, who were entrusted with fhe message At the appointed time the messengers returned with the woman and reported that Mirwan had divorced her with great reluctance and to the accompaniment of much tears. His letter to the caliph also bore witness to his deep affliction "Mirwan has well proven his obedience," commented Muawiya despite his professed admiration for the bedouin woman." He then ordered Su'ad brought before him. If 1 23 ° u, °f th°Se instances when reason is totally overcome by an indefinable pass.on that defies every attempt to control. Muawiya could not restrain his admiration for the woman of the desert and inwardly excused his agent for having fallen victim to her n*lf?f ^ TK V35/ re^ation eve» to one who had almost nali of the then civilized world at his feet Having recovered from the effect of his first shock, Muawiya thought to test the woman as to her intelligence. He questined her on many subjects and found her to be of flashing mind and captivating speech. Her conquest of his heart was then complete Muawiya ordered that her former husband be brought before him and thus spoke to him: "O brother Arab! Your love for Su'ad should inspire vou with solicitude for her comfort and happiness. You admit that you cannot adequately support her, while if you cede her to me I will have her surrounded with all forms of luxury. In return, I will award you three virgin slave-girls, and with each three thousand dinars, and shall grant you, besides, an annuity from the public treasury sufficient to maintain you in comfort for the rest of your But no sooner did the bedouin hear this than he fell in a swoon from which he was revived only with much difficultv. Still the caliph was unrelenting. He pressed the bedouin for an answer. O powerful caliph," he finally replied. "To you I have appealed from the injustice of your agent, but to whom can I appeal my nam" Tyou ^^ ^^ name TAUTTU of Allah, I beseech to return my wife°»—« to me, for ^he I will surely d,e without her. Allah forbid that in appealing to you from the arbitrariness of Mirwan I should be as ifescaping W Z heat of the sun to that of the fire." At this Muawiya became visibly disappointed, but with ap~ parent calmness said to the bedouin, "You have admitted havbg divorced Su'ad, so has Mirwan. Now she is free and mistress of !l' �i OCTOBER, 1931 27 her own destiny. She shall make her own choice » Ihen addressing the woman: "Between the three O Su'ad whom do you choose: the Prince of the Faithful wfth hb pomp and glory and power and great palaces; or Mirwan, a imple £££ insecure in his power and notorious for his cruelty; or hTbedTn who^has nothing to offer you but the prospej'of X«YZ anSWen This bed0uin P of or the"F^lf^f"the i aithful although he be in rags, is" preferable to> ° me thane any man of wealth and power. Want with him is better Aplenty 0t he palaceT haveHhad ;S ??* ^him '° « ^£3 palaces. II have happyT days" with and ^ he begrudged me not his means in his days of affluence. I could not, inlusdfe f sake him now in his hour of need after all the proofs of eenume g solicitude and devotion he has shown me » At this answer from Su'ad, disappointment in the heart of the caliph gave way to a feeling of unbounded admiration "Take back your wife," he said to the bedouin, "and may you be happy with her ZTJ te\ n°U T aSSUr6d °f «* fullest P-tectioi?aPnd no ot Yo 1 !", t l m°leSt y°U- N°r Sha11 y°u be in want any longer ^ou shall have more than the former number of your came s fnd ^Xl^C^wil1 insure you against wJ" Arab Wisdom A C ^RTAIN Arab Prince held open court one day and asked to a!ne fth Se absenA^abTe A H the ,nep ^^ pr°Ceeded t0 belit^ an aosent notable. And Prince° remarked: "I judge the amount of your shortcomings by the amount of Said Ibn Al-Ward: "We have been told that Wisdom is divided in decimal numbers; nine of which consist of silence and the tenth in evading the company of men." I �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD HOME AND FAMILY* BAHIA AL-MUSHEER, Editor TASTE IN FURNISHING A HOME O^R primary or what should be our primary object in building V 8 furmshin g a home is to have a haven in which we mJ Z Tu a f S me f th6Se But how man S^lulV ? ° ° y ti^ do we fall short of our goal! I propose in what follows to discuss Sjust one of the many causes of our failure. On the surface of t,^ may £ve t due IJ ;S "^ 3S Str°nf " itS W6akest link> ^ c-not but give it due consideration as one of many ingredients that go into the 2S6£:£rLet me then ->this time —tLgnta°bohu: Directly upon entering some houses, we feel creeping over us a sensation of spiritual, mental and physical relaxation. ^Ifee ourselves enveloped by. an atmosphere that rests the nerves and U t0 hear a w wetmrbvTl t fr*E ^ of?the— ^d welcome by the air° itself. The type furniture, the size number, nature and mode of disposition of the different pie es in S lation to the size and shape of the room; the colors the background d many other things combine to reate the sensations to which I have just alluded. The chairs or couch in4e u to the r bef re dr Pping int thaftU wiTieaafford ffd;r ° °amount of° comfort »* one °^hem that they will the greatest and im mediately realize that they were meant and are for use ' WheV" words we find such a home "homey" and feel immediately at ou ease, even without the slightest effort on the part of the host On the other hand, m other houses we find the reverse The furniture may be costly, the appointments rich, but we sensTa stiff! ness^.snobbishnjss, rf you -please, in the air which no amount of. graciousness on the part of the host can dispel. We feelThafhere �OCTOBER, 1931 ould be ]ooked fere t ajEM t , 29 - -* someone's pet corn. I amVot 7\dS aS lf he is StePPing °n attitude of the owner £*£tt£<f1 *" ^ ^ and mtUre Selected and ^ay ,n which it is arranged for I kn K th 1 kn W some ' fo be the soul of kjjSm'Id Z >T ° People lengths to afford their gues pletu ° P ^^ ^° WiU ^ to Y mf rt Whose was defeated because they faikd o u° ° ' P^ose f the choi of furniture the thought Ldtudv if"' ^f""^ ° of show and exhibit^ sweeps heir LlT^ Somet^es a Jove 'fry feet completely, or a sense of f^ J"deement off its imagtneir poor opinion of^Sn&* side-tracks them, or . them I fully appreciate thrfaaTr^ ^ kads -** Tha k ^r that! But there shouldlbItVaS, mon sense when one is thinkiW of ll / not w 7' ? ertZ to hire an int^2c:2\oT » ^ Lord corn- amount of °ithings- Y U do ° have lt fitted according to periodsmL "^ y°Ur home> "or make if coz and ortable and livable. Whafwonld [^ y comf the hous tquip, her kitchen with cake pan^fn " ft ° -ife who desSert f before she ever thinks ofpo sCd'dTsheff *£?."* °rks >*g at: the essentials are funSame ^ * What * am driv" comfortable a chair or a LcltlZt ^^^ knows ^w And every one can form 17' ?"C fltS or stretches on it article by careful examma 0T te "^ ^^ °f ^ l these comes the shape the color 1' c , essentials? Then mine but not impossible Le7° / Thl$ ". more difficu] t to deter- LABAN AS INK REMOVER I HAD heard somehow, that Laban was veryettectne effrrtW ink from rugs. I was sk-ent^l k > m remov ng evening when /dropped a bot Je of T ^f®6*"* ""til the othef on one of my rugs. ' °f mk' SPllhn§ half of its contents I confess that hid T U^A have ran for It bi , I LV S0.m=P«ented slain remover I would a bowl of z£& Lel-St'^r^ l"**** "3 th e tnCk b Ispread the £ A* generomlv over r h ', , ««ifullv. of *e rUg and wa/ed it 3te^^*^*»£ m �THE SYRIAN WORLD morning I was unable to discover any traces of the ink with /TSe /'u StainS that haVe drkd> cover the stain generously with,Laban and allow to remain from four to five hour!. Should the stam not disappear completely after first application, repeat HOW TO COOK VEGETABLES THE term Vitamins has become a household term relegating the caloriesto the dark, dark background. Take vegetables for example: We are told that in order to get the full benefit of vegetables they should be eaten raw-especiallv the leafv vegetables Heat will destroy those valuable Vitamins vegetables. If we are to cook vegetables, we should use no water or as little as possible. In other words they should be steamed AL, we should utilize the juices that escape. These and many anofh g r bOUt which W£ wil1 to feTto ^ **"?" ^^ to re refer to mlb: in subsequent issues. But when I think of all this I marvel at the wisdom-perhaps it should be called instinct or ex pediency-of our forbears in preparing their food. To his s de of the subject I will again have occasion to refer. At presen I want to pass along a little something that may prove worS le When you prepare stuffed cabbage leaves, you LLrally parb0Tl fe eaves m order for them to become pliable and easy too m boding the leaves, use as little water as possible and save the wa er to use in cooking the dish. By so doing vou will not onlv utilize the better part of the cabbage and incorporate k in he n e oared dish, but you wi 1 find marked improvement in t flavor Yet by all means use garlic but be judicious about it. It willTmprove the flavor of the dish and it is decidedly beneficial AnTwhln cooked it is not so objectionable. Now that I have mentioned et lie, I recall with a great deal of amusement the attitudT of ae~ a P eOPh rdS atdtude H T°r * fcWit ^ *** How Afferent ifthd attitude to today. They are *using extensively Even some of the preserved tomato cocktail that has taken the country by storm recently, is flavored with it ' ' "' . ' V . �OCTOBER, 1931 31 The Mystery of Aornholt A THRILLING ««rg««nffir«D By BRILLIANT THOMAS ASA ( Continued from the September issue ) A h!Shad ^^ ^ ^^ h a thC SW1SS m Untain Villa ° R of seasoge of Aorn- tiJ t iu0°z i^: nt^r^° of nature seemed Tmme^Tn a & 77 ^ ' S -'«*£- *£* * * V&St '^s heavy peace and quiet of the village annals ^^ Ine short acquaintance of the Forsvths «rl i\/r • 3 y Madame de Challons had «*- :"e/ .and Monsieur and tha C0 sa ul understanding met dnenedr /. " "g ^ty of feeling and fnendsh endure Wr ?han would would have U *been exnert-prl 'P th^ TU, was favored to , '&cr rnan i i . not passd uneventfully for them 7Z ,peCted-. The week had his charming wife were to £ ?' I ^\ ^^^ the artist and Friday morning dawned ominously. Maitre Pierre artist qSSSS. "" "**" to Ve tUre " whn I kv °Ut *** «"«," the with another ^^'Ih^^TSd '" "' *" ^^ AS the fat, good-natured inn-keener utte »H fk;* u i Prophesy, it fenced to snow with aSdenn^thtt'd"! �.,.. 32 THE SYRIAN WORLD cheated the impending climax of the elements of winter. A sharp, swi/ZfT swittly tailing Urtkd 0Ugh the VaIIe bd0W ^ snow in t furious lateral flurries ' «** the "0- tone^H8 ^ Makrf PielrreJhas said>" the artist reflected in underb£ deCP in th U ht for a few then he addressed ^ S£eni the u f°inn-keeper. , ° & moments; then he aVe dCJ r SerVCd b my r00m aS Usual Pierr and wSTA ?Tto > e;» and with that he ascended the second floor About eleven o'clock, Monsieur de Challons again went below, this time accompanied by his wife, who, quite in contrast with the dvTs ZTf °UT ^,WlS f Ch6erful SPiHts: As th£y seated themaWe bef the onlv M T thC firCPlaCe> the artist ticed ^at r CCU r the Venerable BenoT wh sat ,°at rnttable S thC °°m WaS occupied Monsieur Benoit who the he habitually Phall P ty - "He WH to m; .r; ^C P °°r gen tkman , ' Raoul >" ^marked Madame de a 0W J .TrCe' ^landng comPa^onately Y StlH nabl e t0 roceed " , P at the old man. °" his journey. It is strange & «t m ^WS °f hlS Pllght has been sent to his daughter." «, . j'^ ?'erre t0ld me that Mo eur Benoit did not wish to cause his daughter any unnecessary distress, as he expected to resume his journey as soon as the weather breaks," explained the artist watching the aged traveller with covert scrutiny ' m w tl eagr ^ entered the eyeS °f de Challo"s he continued M nSieUr Bendt being aware of whIT UAT ,° * HJ* nght hand, which was hidden from view, grasped a kg of the table, and under the flSr PrCSSUre eXGrted thC hard knUckks almost burst ' soon -fUS impr°bable that we wil1 ** anything of Captain Forsyth o ll I'' r COntinues>" ^e artist said to his wife, wishing to maintain the conversation as a means of hiding his observation of Monsieur Beno.t, who, in the meantime, had withdrawn a soiled paper from his pocket, and which he now read with stolid impas? siveness with the aid of oddly fashioned glasses , "T^ W?d S^mS.t0 have died doWn somewhat, Raoul. It b quite likely that Monsieur Forsyth will come as he promised, for tte was very eager to see your canvas." The silence in the large room was unbroken, save for their subdued conversation At this stage, Maitre Pierre emerged from h s prevision roam, where he had been taking inventory of his supni forward.0^1^ ieur de Challons and hi wife he * > -ent ^y "Good morning, madame," he greeted, with a solicitous smile. �; OCTOBER, 1931 33 WHAT WAS THE MYSTERY? Capt. Forsyth had no inkling as to the purpose of the French artist de Challons. __ Nor did de Challons's charming and gifted wife. But de Challons had a purpose. How he succeeded in it and how near he came to losing his life at the hands of a desperate criminal is graphically told in this chapter "It is very rough weather we are having for early winter." «-m. "G°°d morning> Monsieur Pierre," madame greeted in return, lhe weather is exceedingly bad, but I believe that the storm is gradually abating." "Ah! it is but a lull in a worse storm that is soon coming, madame, the inn-keeper ventured with conviction, being well aware of the vicissitudes of mountain climate. The amiable Pierre was recalled to the provision room by the approach of Jean, who was assisting him with the inventory. As he passed the bar-counter, he nodded to Monsieur Benoit, who however, failed to notice him. As the proprietor disappeared from the room, Monsieur Benoit replaced his glasses in a worn leather case and put the soiled paper he had been reading back in his pocket. He then arose from the chair, apparently with some difficulty, and walked slowly towards the enclosed stairway, which he ascended with still more deliberate steps. Monsieur de Challons observed the withdrawal of the old man w;th the closest attention. His wife, looking up, saw the acute tension of his features. "Is there something wrong, Raoul?"~she asked, with slight misgivings clouding her face. "Nothing, Charlotte,—nothing," her husband replied, forcing a smile. With the passage of ten minutes or more, the artist threw his half-smoked cigarette away and arose from the table. mm �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD There « a-little matter I must attend to, Charlotte," he said, assuming a nonchalant tone of voice. "I shall be back in a few minutes, he added, as he left the table and ascended the stairway} to the second floor. Madame de Challons sat almost motionless, gazing reflectively at the fire. Her husband's peculiar behavior had disturbed her equanimity, especially as she could not account for it As she mused, somewhat desultorily, the tavern door opened, and much to her surprise and pleasure, the snow-covered figure of Captain Forsyth entered the room. "Good-morning, Monsieur Forsyth," she said, smiling in her charming manner, «I see that you did not allow the inclement weather to break your promise to come." "Good-morning madame," Forsyth returned in his cheerful h,sCb7>orr«M}g mmdA*asSnd n 1;?, ZZ severe ?>' f , and * J W Uld ° UJSter and brushin ^ "0t let set & some snow from °« seeing Monsieur de Challons' the St rm st ° °P me> no matter how a Please be seated, monsieur," Madame de Challons invited; my husband just went to his room, but will be back shortly" Captain Forsyth sat in the chair vacated by the artist and chatted very pleasantly with Madame de Challons, who found in ST£2ii£ husband considerable ' his •*« » «? - by a ^cZv^^l^^^^^y is-?look^htrmfacee Chall nS ° ~ ^^l *"" her ^ a Startled wav-^W ^°fSieUr!r-She exc^m^ Parting towards the stairway, 1 fear that something terrible has happened!" o-Captam Forsyth quickly followed her up the carpeted steps very much puzzled by her abrupt departure *nd nervous utterance: Madame de Challons almost ran down the corridor on the second floor She opened thedoor of her husband's room, wh ch ShelC?r? ^ ^ C?amb-She -*upied, and found it'empty. .^dtc^of ferrWmg f"r and indeOSi0n at ^ F°^h' ^ A muffled noise issued from the room at the extreme end of the wl°'d t nghL ,MadamC de €hall°nS' Z ?mS the -Pain's arm walked hastily in that direction. Forsyth took hold of the door-knob of the roomand turned it forcibly. The door was locked. Again a soaping sound issued from the inside, this.time distinct- and sharp \ �urn OCTOBER, 1931 I 35 "He is in that room!" Madame de Challons cried excitedly, her eyes dominant with fear. Captain Forsyth again tried the door-knob, but finding this means ineffective, he drew back and threw his tall form against the door. It did not yield. He drew back once more, and then hurled himself against it with tremendous force. The door gave way from its solid hinges with a splintering crash. Forsyth almost fell to the floor inside, but managed to maintain his balance with great effort. There before him sprawled on the floor was Gaston Benoit, who completely covered the body of De Challons, straining with terrible intensity to force a gleaming stiletto towards the latter's throat. Captain Forsyth leaped forward and seized hold of the artist's adversary and jerked him roughly away. Benoit regained his feet, and whirling about struck at Forsyth with the stiletto. The captain ducked the furious thrust and then struck with all his might at his opponent's jaw. The fist landed with an awful jar, and Benoit was knocked senseless to the floor, the knife slipping from his nerveless hand. De Challons had instantly arisen from the floor, and nov leaped towards the fallen man. From his pocket, he hastily withdrew steel handcuffs and shackled the hands of Benoit, who was still unconscious. During this scene, which did not consume more than two minutes, Madame de Challons leaned against the shattered door, almost faint with terror. The artist got to her in time to catch her frrom falling to the floor. "There is my pistol near the bed, captain," De Challons said, indicating with his finger where the pistol had fallen in his struggle with Benoit. "Watch this man; he is a dangerous criminal," he cautioned, as he turned towards his room, still supporting his wife, who was slowly regaining consciousness. As they passed through the open door of his bed-chamber, Maitre Pierre and his assistant, Jean, suddenly appeared, both greatly excited. "What has happened, monsieur! what has happened?" the proprietor questioned in an astonished voice, being considerably winded by his run up the stairs. "It is over now, Pierre. I shall explain later," the artist said briefly, closing the, door in the inn-keeper's face. De Challons laid his wife on the bed. In a few seconds she opened her eyes, and looked up dazedly in her husband's anxious face: �36 THE SYRIAN WORLD "Gome come, Charlotte," he said, with great relief, gently chafing her hands. "There is no cause for further worry." As silent tears came from deep emotion, his wife flung her arms passionately about his neck and drew him to her. At the sight of her distress, the artist was almost unnerved, but succeeded, after a few minutes, in calming her so that she sat upnght on the bed, her arms still clasped tightly about him. l Be brave, Charlotte," he entreated tenderly, kissing her quivering l,ps repeatedly. "I must go to the assistance of Captain Forsyth ,who,s waiting for me. Remain here; I shall return soon." De Cha Ions left the chamber, closing the door after him. He entered the room that was occupied by Benoit, who was now a state prisoner. He could not resist an amused smile at the bewildered stare with which captain Forsyth greeted him. Maitre Pierre and his assistant were kneeling on the floor beside Benoit, who had not yei completely recovered from the paralyzing blow i i^T a ,W°rd' De Challons took the pistol that Captain Forsyth handed to him. He replaced it in his pocket, and then clasped l< orsyth s hand and shook it warmly-. "I thank you for your timely service, captain. Be sure it will not soon be forgotten." Still bewildered and, needless to say, humiliated because of his attack on the aged Benoit, Forsyth was more puzzled than ever at the feeling of gratitude the artist expressed. "I see that you do not understand, captain," De Challons said, smiling again. "The man you have so neatly put away is known to he police department as Gaspard Roman, and he has merely added to his distinguished list of aliases by conveniently calling himself Gaston Benoit. He ,s wanted for brutal assault and for the theft or a diamond necklace, a famous and extremely valuable heirloom owned by the Countess Saliny of Paris and Monaco. I shall now dispel the sentiment of shame you undoubtedly feel in having struck & so elderly a man." The artist took a few steps forward and suddenly bent over the recumbent figure of Benoit, who was now regarding his captors with sinister hostility. He seized several locks of the prisoner's disordered hair and gave a quick jerk. The ingenious wig, for so it proved, came off readily, exposing a closely shaven skull Captain Forsyth started back in great surprise at this disclosure, while Maitre Pierre and the youthful Jean almost fell over in their astonishment. With a faint smile still lingering on his lips, De Challons-felt / �OCTOBER, 1931 37 tX^IZ'^l^rr^ Cn'minal> and Mediately withdrew a hollow leather belt, in which the stolen necklace was verv StoTeL C nCealed HC ct cord "Lt^the ^"^ thC bdt in V6 7/hankfuVf /0U - sta^ &£?££%! ° - ^ P«*et, 3 the! Wil1 b f tHe g me some strong ***«* -—i ^ The boy hurriedly left the room, and in a few minutes re turned wjth enough stout line to secure'several Romans With Captain Forsyth's assistance, De Challons tied the nris oner beyond a 1 hope of escape, and 'afterwards, fo greater""-" cunty he was locked in the empty room across the hall Maitre Pierre had watched these proceedings with extreme ££?£ KTdy!?VfrC°me Wkh the £« that for two weeksTr more he had been sheltering a notorious criminal. *• rfttroom. "^^ arm in a Wkh Ca t3in Fo P the donr^KT ^ " f°me.nt' Captain>" llCVe madamC us beW' " SUfficientI^ againfhim Umed * * ** "*"* "** hJS ^ to the the artist said, opening —d to accompany re ^ who J —d lightly "Charlotte thank Captain Forsyth for saving me from a most ignommous end," De Challons said in a bantering tone but m,a voice that was not devoid of feeling. ' "You have put us forever in your debt, monsieur » madame said, with emotion not altogether controlled Approaching Forsyth, who was considerably embarrased at this continued show of gratitude, Madame de Chains ookfhis s ightly swollen right hand, which had so suddenly ended the ^V'u- ?reSSf1 k Wkh illde^ble gentleness. 7 peted!tePs ^ ""^ * preceded them do the carThe three seated themselves at the faKI*. ««„ » J ago. Maitre Pierre had by this titne «£ffi h«d SSffiSj " ^ aPPrMChed *eir *"* his S wasV£* "You have, I believe, Monsieur Pierre, some very rate Amon- �38 THE SYRHNWORW. tillado, which I should greatly enjoy at this moment," said the artist, with his searching smile. "Amontillado, monsieur!" the inn-keeper exclaimed in surprise, a deep flush suffusing his Boniface features. "Ah! monsieur is undoubtedly joking," he said, feigning complete incredulity. "Surely, my good Pierre, a native of Spain does not deny his own vintage," continued De Challons, still smiling, and mildly enjoying the confusion of the proprietor. Wthout another word, the proprietor turned away and disappeared in his provision room. He returned shortly, carrying a fantastically shaped bottle, which he wiped with a clean cloth. "You are very discerning, monsieur," Maitre Pierre admitted, addressing the artist, as he placed the bottle and glasses on the table. "I was born in Andalusia, and spent my early manhood there, and never quite lost my taste for this excellent wine," he added, in explanation. "You are no doubt regarding me in the light of an imposter, captain," De Challons said, smilingly, after the inn-keeper had left them. "No, no, monsieur!" Forsyth protested, good humoredlyj "but I confess that I am still greatly confused in my ignorance of the circumstances leading to Benoit's capture." "I shall explain, then, my dear friend. You will pardon me if I seemingly diverge from the explanation by taking you back some ten years before I had the good fortune to meet my wife." He bowed to madame, who blushed happily. "At that time, I pursued with considerable fervor the profession of painting. I had already exhibited in public with some success. It was during this period that I became acquainted with Monsieur Armand Fillon, the present prefect of the Parisian police, and about ten years my senior. Through his friendship, I acquired unusual enthusiasm in the study of criminology, and, by the gradual process of theoretical assimilation and active experience, became proficient in that branch of research. Thereafter, I was more or less officially employed as Monsieur Fillon's assistant, and gained a slight reputation as criminal investigator. Now to return to the present occasion. Two weeks before the robbery had taken place, madame and I decided to spend a belated holiday in Lucerne. On the twentieth day of our stay there, I was notified from Paris headquarters of the robbery, which, for reasons of expediency, had not been given out to the press. Through the activity of the police, the man who was suspected of being responsible for the felony was forced to quit the city, and, a \ �OCTOBER,-1931 i' AiVs 39 few days later; he was reported to have fled to this district and nos ably in disguise. I was instructed to take up the searchSflSnS nt After travelling for almost a week though Sl^U K£ neighboring Lucerne in the person of aif artist Z*ng"SSS? my wlfe accompanying me, and, being ignorant of my que^s Teat y ^Xldi:\Hl narldiSf "^ ! Wa§ inf—dbyqa »E thC mail d PaSS£nge; Sta^e^tS^ the stranger in th, tu A , ', Tthf Presence ofTan unknown nh0k the ITJnll hI?f °/PPineSS - °n ** Seei1^ this man> dunng t0 make y Ur Forsvth T w ? 5 ° acquaintance, Captain *orsyth, I was greatly disappointed,-Which (you remember mv re mark) caused me to think him a suitable subject foTa canv7 be cause, of the trouble he had unwittingly given me I waT^teH o prolong my stay in Aornholt in the LoS^eTf yaur^SS^ company, knowing it would do no harm, and with the not remote gUISe f tHiS Benoit S oold me H° the , mistake ^Tthe tooled me. But But he he made third day °ofI^AS our stav here - -, ^ generally, we do not associate teeth so well n » 01 his apparent,y a<Wd P ^txrrv ^ Thrand0SeI de-v: ion, irrelevant as it may seem, awakened my suspicions r n, r ;partt0ofPthrrafthiS ^M^ ^ ^obligin8ly ^ ,eft tt his ^ff^wte^r ^ to breikinto hie - , r, lhlS &ave me an opportun ty draet,the^e0sndriStake °/ kaVr hiS^- K nlyT "he transparent glass shaped ovally to conform^'thefra ^H to further verify my SUSpicionSi , found after JgJ^ *s '< strands of hair here and there about the room-some on the pillow which indicated that he presumably slept with the wig on fo S itTTT Jehe Wa5.skePi»g. "»* a few strandsVn the w^h stand. Th. condition, as ,s well known, is unnatural, for grav hair does not fall out very easily. I then quitted the chamber Sd „en immediately below where my wife was waiting for me MoJeU ,o my return and a ha]f h ; Ssr "ft? t was 'through a slight neclimwri, »~ " lie ascended to the second floor. It on the part of Maitre Pierre's assistant that I was enabW f get co„dus,ve evtdence against Gaston Benoit. Going over to the talk �BBS- 40 THE SYRIAN WORLD that Benoit had just left, I noticed, after a close but hurried examination, the distinct imprint of the thumb and forefinger of the right hand. The impression was preserved in a small space of dust near the edge of the table. The thumb mark, easily distinguished by a rough scar on the ball, corresponded exactly with the thumb print incautiously left at the scene of the robbery. This fortunate discovery made further investigation unnecessary, and—well, it is needless that I recount what little remains to be told, for you'were very much concerned with it, captain." Monsieur de Challons had given this detailed explanation without an interruption, and now leaned back in his chair with complete relaxation.. Madame de Challons regarded her husband with eyes filled with commingled pride and relief. Captain Forsyth had listened to -De Challons' account with the closest attention. "But, monsieur, you were certain of the man's identity! Why, then, was he not apprehended in the customary way?" questioned Forsyth, with a puzzled expression on his face. T at WaS the dis ustin TA ^" n S g Part of the whole matter, captain," De Challons answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Before I entered his room I drew my pistol. Fortunately, the door was unlocked Turning the knob noiselessly I threw the door open and leaped inside. Benoit was so completely surprised by my abrupt entrance that I had him covered with the pistol before he could turn around I then locked the door for greater caution. Benoit realized by my decisive manner that continued subterfuge would be futile. He pretended to be overcome with dejection and fear. Drawing up to him I began to search his pockets for concealed weapons. I was deluded with this weak resistance j my attention lagged for a second and that period, brief as it was, proved costly. In some inexplicable way, and quite in keeping with the craft of his profession, he knocked the pistol from my hand and threw himself violently against me Losing my balance I fell to the floor with him on top. I was slightly stunned by the fall, but I recovered in time to perceive that he had drawn a stiletto. Exerting myself to the utmost, I caught his arm as it descended with the blade pointed at my throat. I do not know how long this position lasted, but I shall always remember the terrible tension of the moment." Madame de Challons visibly paled at the conclusion of the recital. "Why did you not shout for assistance, monsieur?" Captain Forsyth asked. / �OCTOBER, 1931 41 "I had no thought of that, captain," was the somewhat laconic answer from De Challons. "Even at the point of death this man did not falter in the stern regimen of the police," mused Forsyth inaudibly, his admiration for the artist-detective increasing boundlessly. Early the following morning De Challons dispatched a messenger to the nearest large town southeast of Aornholt. Late that afternoon the messenger returned, being accompanied by two specially commisioned gendarmes from the Canton of St. Gallen, who immediately placed themselves under Monsieur de Challons' orders. An hour later found the officers on their way back with the prisoner, —Gaspard Roman, alias Monsieur Gaston Benoit. A month later, Captain Geoffry Forsyth stood gazing reflectively through a window of his London apartment in Westminster which overlooked Hyde Park. The sudden ringing of the bell at the outer door recalled him from his reverie. Walking over, he opened it, and confronted the smiling visage of a delivery boy from the express office. He signed for the package that was handed to him, and then closed the door. The package, which was large, but quite light, and very carefully boxed, bore the postmark of Paris. He loosened the top strips of wood and slowly removed the thick paper and pasteboard covering with which it was wrapped. An extremely beautiful painting framed in handsome walnut, depicting mountain scenery in a representation of winter solitude, lay before him. A small white card was conspicuously wedged in a corner of the frame, and picking it up he read, with considerable surprise and pleasure, this legend: To my esteemed friend, Captain Geoffrey Forsyth Raoul De Challons VISITANT By NADA SABIRAH The son of Beauty came And where he walked There is a path of light Upon earth's floor. There is a shining circle Where he knocked On earth's green door. �THE SYRIAN WORLD that Benoit had just left, I noticed, after a close but hurried examination the distinct imprint of the thumb and forefinger of the right hand The impression was preserved in a small space of dust near the edge of the table. The thumb mark, easily distinguished by a rough scar on the ball, corresponded exactly with the thumb print incautiously left at the scene of the robbery. This fortunate discovery made further investigation unnecessary, and—well, it is needless that I recount what little remains to be told, for you were very much concerned with it, captain." Monsieur de Challons had given this detailed explanation withreUlaxa1tionnte^rUPtl0n, ^ "°W ^^ *** in his °hair with com lete P Madame de Challons regarded her husband with eyes filled with commingled pride and relief. Captain Forsyth had listened to JJe Challons' account with the closest attention. "But, monsieur, you were certain of the man's identity! Why then, was he not apprehended in the customary way?" questioned forsyth, with a puzzled expression on his face. r» r7n3t WaS the djsgusting Pa* of the whole matter, captain," De Challons answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Before I entered his room I drew my pistol Fortunately, the door was unlocked, lurnmg the knob noiselessly I threw the door open and leaped ri! t l\ AT' ^ S(\ComPletely prised by my abrupt entrance that I had him covered with the pistol before he could turn around. l then locked the door for greater caution. Benoit realized bv mv decisive manner that continued subterfuge would be futile" He pretended to be overcome with dejection and fear. Drawing'up to him I began to search his pockets for concealed weapons. I was deluded with this weak resistance; my attention lagged for a second, and that period, brief as it was, proved costly. In some inexplicable way, and quite in keeping with the craft of his profession, he knocked the pistol from my hand and threw himself violently against me Losing my balance I fell to the floor with him on top. I was slightlv stunned by the fall, but I recovered in time to perceive that he had drawn a stiletto. Exerting myself to the utmost, I caught his arm as it descended with the blade pointed at my throat. I do not know how long this position lasted, but I shall always remember the terrible tension of the moment." Madame de Challons visibly paled at the conclusion of the recital. ForsyZkeA11 y U ° "0t Sh Ut f r aSSiSta Ce ° ° " - < ?" Captain �'" OCTOBER, 1931 41 "I had no thought of that, captain," was the somewhat laconic answer from De Challons. "Even at the point of death this man did not falter in the stern regimen of the police," mused Forsyth inaudibly, his admiration for the artist-detective increasing boundlessly. Early the following morning De Challons dispatched a messenger to the nearest large town southeast of Aornholt. Late that afternoon the messenger returned, being accompanied by two specially commisioned gendarmes from the Canton of St. Gallen, who immediately placed themselves under Monsieur de Challons' orders. An hour later found the officers on their way back with the prisoner, —Gaspard Roman, alias Monsieur Gaston Benoit. A month later, Captain Geoffry Forsyth stood gazing reflectively through a window of his London apartment in Westminster which overlooked Hyde Park. The sudden ringing of the bell at the outer door recalled him from his reverie. Walking over, he opened it, and confronted the smiling visage of a delivery boy from the express office. He signed for the package that was handed to him, and then closed the door. The package, which was large, but quite light, and very carefully boxed, bore the postmark of Paris. He loosened the top strips of wood and slowly removed the thick paper and pasteboard covering with which it was wrapped. An extremely beautiful painting framed in handsome walnut, depicting mountain scenery in a representation of winter solitude, lay before him. A small white card was conspicuously wedged in a corner of the frame, and picking it up he read, with considerable surprise and pleasure, this legend: To my esteemed friend, Captain Geoffrey Forsyth Raoul De Challons VISITANT By NADA SABIRAH The son of Beauty came And where he walked There is a path of light Upon earth's floor. There is a shining circle Where he knocked On earth's green door. HH �INTRODUCING A NEW DEPARTMENT By A. HAKIM 'HE term "Younger Generation" is a relative one. One cannot think of it without calling to mind the older generation of which it is the offspring. Hence, obviously, the necessity of bearing in mind the two when speaking of each. They are inseparable in all treatment of social subjects and are more so here in the sense that I believe this department of the SYRIAN WORLD is meant to cover. In other words, it is intended to treat of the Syrian home in America insofar as it affects the relationship between parents and children under the influence of radically different conditions which the parents are forced to face and the children have to endure. It is, indeed, a social problem of the first importance which exists nowhere in such virulent form as it does in the United States owing to the flow of immigration and the necessity of moulding a homogeneous American nation out of heterogeneous elements that go into its making. And the Syrians in America are perhaps more affected by the operation of this amalgamation process than is any other race for reasons that will be later explained. For the editor of the SYRIAN WORLD to have invited me to conduct this department is both a compliment and a privilege, and both, as I feel convinced, undeserved. The compliment is implied in the assumption that I can properly treat this social problem with impartial analysis; the privilege, in the opportunity of addressing our younger generation through the SYRIAN WORLD on what should be a matter of concern to all of them. What a great privilege, indeed, to realize that one could be instrumental in bringing a better understanding between bitterly opposed views; of restoring confidence where there was suspicion; of mending relations that had been mm �OCTOBER, 1931 4S foolishly broken through misunderstanding and ignorance; of keeping together a family union that was being threatened of falling apart; of substituting love for hate, understanding for mistrust and, finally of bringing the two opposite camps—parents and children— to the point of thinking out their problems in order to iron out their differences. The trouble with most of us is that we give little thought to the study of the fundamental forces that go into the building of our social structure. Perhaps it is the fault of the times. We are living to the tempo of a world that is moving at a terrific speed. If we stop for anything we are in fear of being left behind, and we fail to stop even to think. It is a pitiable situation. What I shall attempt to do in this department, if this meets with the approval of the editor, is to survey our home life in America and analyze the forces that are agitating and affecting it, be that constructively or otherwise. Every effort will be made to lay each case in the most impartial spirit, in the hope of getting first to the cause—diagnosing the symptoms—and then trying to discuss the effect and prescribe whatever remedy would be possible. Readers will please bear in mind that no claim of superior knowledge or infallibility is here advanced. The writer may be as wrong in his deductions as the individuals concerned in the presentation of the problem. What might be truthfully stated, however, is that this department will be conducted in a spirit of absolute fairness and with the sole purpose of bringing better order to our fast disintegrating family life. This is an admission that the editor of this department feels constrained to make at the outset as representing his honest and unshaken belief in the present condition of our home relations in America. Two opposing forces—two sets of diametrically different ethical conceptions and standards—are developing in our social order which if not treated rationally and in time will threaten not only our race entity but our individual happiness. The subjects to be treated in this department will cover the whole range of adult relationship, whether between the younger generation and their parents or between the younger generation themselves. Courtship and marriage will be given the fullest consideration. And may it also be here stated that the editor of this department is not of the so-called younger generation. But although he has reached certain convictions on our social problems which he will gradually discuss, he will entertain whatever objections to his views �THE SYRIAN WORLD mrtmenfCn ^ ^ "^ and giVe them Publicity in this very dewlfh the 'eH-r001"^^6 Wth the tCrmS °f an understanding reache, fo um wher?1" 0t th£ magazine- The obJect is to create an open vaZs nrohl °Ur TTu- genfation could meet to discuss their indeed is a Valuable IhouMhjfl A And tHlS ' should be taken advantage ofi to the fullest extent opportunity that Let us hope some good will develop from this effort Reflections on Love By KAHLIL GIB RAN toUchTeeL:rro7Lhra„itdy.tOUCheS thC ha d ****** " °f a W ma ° " ** bMh Love is the veil between lover and lover. ****** Every man loves two women; the one is the creation of his imagination, and the other is not yet born. ***** * Men who do not forgive women their little faults will never er enjoy their great virtues. ****** in turLn7sWyd0eS " "" """ ^ *» ****** * hMt *"d ****** othe^0^^ CmbraCe tHat WhiGh iS betWCen them rather than each ****** Love and doubt have never been on speaking terms & ****** page or%hta W°rd °f %ht Writte ' " by a hand °{ %h<> upon a I �OCTOBER, 1931 45 EDITORIAL COMMENT WHAT THE SYRIAN WORLD REPRESENTS T A RLD n<>t thC Pr duCt f an im uke »ed toto bT° ° It is Pthe rh\]A - «nf ^ aesignecl be a mere" instrument °of gain dea , a physical expression of a spiritual^ to^v nd.o pre" ness to serve. But service most have a nkn and a m,l TU T here . the preservation of that priceless rad Uer tagethi* Zel to us as the legacy of centuries of culture and advanfed 6vtZZn ^Jer27X^p:rd and carefully nurtured> to greater glory with the opportunit.es at hand. n «" This we take to he ibU,i n t0 Aftei^allTN^i^f ° °" •***££ w lJi ' a World was settled by immigration from the K : New flM Old World, and regardless of the date of our coming and of our t enb0es°tgthatXtraCt'OnS* ?*" Sh0Uld f«' *« -cessify f ^ US t0 tHe C0Untr the way w ofi opportunities. >' that "i'hholds from us noimng £ inn the w„s if! T th Se baS C c u ' a d °nsiderations that the SYRIAN WORLD f enterpri f iit Tad " ' the ? *test ^f^ ^ ****£ enterprise, had toTo to undergo of time° and the trial of'stiwgkfor the establishment of its ideal. Its days of trial ate not yf. , Tie SYRIAN WORLD is now in the early stages of its sixth vear TJZl?:fCrm'°" °{ itSJ!fth y"r « h'ld a symposium on the whethe? its ZTTg u' ^l" *" this should b= {° <* advisable, e of a str cril H^ M ^T ,d S° aS t0 lift i[ from "•« ^here anneal TLverHPf*a°n, and t^reby inSUre for i£ m°re public d tt f PUM C 0P m0n WaS t0 PS nlme. ' ° ' ' "»ti « i, und'er its were I^dT the"'q8 S "V^1 *£- eXPrcssio" of opinion St n that the Z «h^ f V '° P"blieation was not receiving the share of public support which it deserves. Thev were hooeful that with its continuation sufficient public sentiment migh be amused �, ,—I—MWil THE SYRIAN WORLD may be taken by the readers and give them publicity in this very department, in accordance with the terms of an understanding reach*! with the editor of the magazine. The object is to create an open lorum where our younger generation could meet to discuss their various problems And this, indeed, is a valuable opportunity that should be taken advantage of to the fullest extent. Let us hope some good will develop from this effort. Reflections on Love By KAHLIL GIBRAN ,^?le,j; a ma?'s hand toU(*es the hand of a woman they both touch the heart of eternity. fnll ****** Love is the veil between lover and lover. ****** Every man loves two women; the one is the creation of his imagination, and the other is not yet born. ****** t Men who do not forgive women their little faults will never enjoy their great virtues. ****** Love that does not renew itself every day becomes a habit and in turn a slavery. ****** Lovers embrace that which is between them rather than each other. ****** Love and doubt have never been on speaking terms ****** page^fVHghta W rd ° °f llght ' Wntten by a hand °f Hght ' UP°n a �OCTOBER, 1931 45 EDITORIAL COMMENT WHAT THE SYRIAN WORLD REPRESENTS T ifnedT KW°RLD " mSt ^ thC Pr dUCt ° Ument of ai °f an im ulse P ' « is it idealTnhvsi^l * S? / g "- * is the child of an f a SpiritUal desire to serve erve fc ^^T ^d role to preserve. The service, on the °one hand, is to be in the dual of bringing to the young Americans of Syrian orig n a finer appreda a med° um7 T* **$* *** «* Culture> ^^pSg STfor,a deeP^ understanding by the general American pub he of these inherent Syrian qualities; while on the other hand the ld f0ll aS th£ natUrd tZV:^T7 r °\ u r ness to serve. But service most have a plan and-ult a goalof the Theete Lai g wh£h f r CentU ,eS [ °f Culture «d-advanced civilization CarCfUlly nU1 tUred Wil1 bl0 m ^Z^nT^ "^ " to greater glory with the opportunities at hand. ' ° - This we take to be our most distinctive racial contribution to our adopted count y Old Wlf' 5C NCW W°rld Was settled °y imm gration from the Old World, and regardless of the date of our coming andTour e hnolog c extractions, we all should feel the necessity of g« in U Sw V° thC C°Untry in tne way of opportunities. that Withh Id ° ^ was brouZZ^u" ^ j:onsiderati°ns that the tXp tcd frcm e ns no" h n| SYRIAN WORLD f CV h Tntertisf i 25 ^ ^ the ? *test of f time° and ^ ** enterpn e, it had to undergo the trial^' of'struggle^ the establishment of its ideal. Its days of trial are noTyf t The SYRIAN WORLD is now in the early stages of its sixth vear Before the conclusion of its fifth year we held I symposium on the necessity of continuing it, and in case this should be found advisable whether its name should be changed so as to lift it from the sphere . lea rLCvSSrbl,?tl0Mand thereby mSUre P^sent name. f * ° ^° Pmi n ° for * re Public ~ <° "* '* ^ its w.reTi°Se/eSP°uding t0 °Ur appeal for an expression of opinion were agreed on the question that the publication was not receiving the share of public support which it deserves. They were honeful that with its continuation sufficient public sentiment might be aroused —;—._ �46 THE SYRIAN WORLD to render the enterprise self-supporting, if not profitable. To arouse this sentiment is now our immediate aim. We do not advance any claims of popularity because that would be misleading. Nor do we care to win popularity in its accepted meaning at the expense of deteriorating our standard. As announced in the first issue of our sixth year we shall concede to the demand of popularity only insofar that it shall not be interpreted as a recession from our main ideal. To that end we have readjusted our editorial policy to what we believe is a great step towards meeting popular demand. This has been achieved so far by creating a number of new departments in charge of most capable associate editors who are proving themselves unsparing in the contribution of their time and talent towards the ideal for which the publication stands. Other improvements, both editorially and in the typographical presentation, will be introduced gradually and progressively. This, if at all, should be interpreted as an advance and not a recession. It is in keeping with what we consider to be our duty in the promotion of the ideal underlying the publication of the SYRIAN WORLD. / A NEW POETRY DEPARTMENT Edited by Barbara Young ^E ARE happy to announce the introduction with this issue of a poetry department conducted by no less a figure in the American literary world than Barbara Young. Not only recently, but since the first year of the publication of the SYRIAN WORLD, Miss Young has been an occasional contributor to our pages. To have her now as a constant contributor and an associate editor is, we feel confident, what our readers will concede to be a distinct privilege. Miss Young will be appreciated not only for her intrinsic poetical merit and fine literary discernment, but also for her genuine love for Eastern culture in general, and particularly for her partiality towards all that is of Syria and Lebanon. Because of her deep feeling of that sense of spiritual kinship that attracts and binds her to all that is of those ancient lands, she asserts with pride and sincerity, "My heart is Lebanese." �r~ '- "• " ""m OCTOBER, 1931 ttlRZrc7:Z rePr°dUCed »*«« b»8 PhicalTtch 1 throughout the United States. Si,S SEj d^SME' n W h °reuext»si« biographical account of hinfwhtch wi 1 be h Ure f0rm for vembtt;" 3? B,s a,the ",0U 'Md m t assuredly vember 1 5. ShT She most one person -leaselo« best Qualifier] Nofor such a task, and her work should prove authentic adaurtori ative bhe now ,s the bterary executrix of Gibran and had bee, nis 1 iteirv associate for many years before his tWh r, • "7° "terary aeDr of undying gratitude. We heartily welcome Miss Young to our family circle 4nd from her department as may be expected, shall "flow the wnefha shall exalt the spirit," to make fitting use of her own word / DECORATIONS and the name is that of the gifted American artist Mareerv Haney who has implied volumes in the exquisite ske he she has drawn for some of our titles. In this issue we introduce two of Hie canvas replete with fine original conception and symbol smth Jatter, a masterly visualization of Gibran's immortal mess^e to Young Americans of Syrian origin wherein he sav^ tTs 0 ftand before the towers of New York, Washington, Chicago and San Francisco saying ,n your heart, <I am the d°scend .-Tf i that builded Damascus, and Biblus, «*$££*£ ITt tioch and now I am here to build with you,'and with a will - �48 THE SYRIAN WORLD Questions and Answers IRAQIS AND SYRIANS A Question on the Iraqis' Origin Answered by Professor Hitti. THE QUESTION Submitted by David Zaily Los Angeles, Calif. W ha S the race T > (,10t nationality) of those born and reared 3 V, , in Iraq? Although both speaking the same Arabic tongue, it stands to reason as is generally held, that a person born in Mosul or Bagdad who has never been in Syria, is not a Syrian. THE ANSWER By Professor Phils? K. Hitti, of Princeton University 1 he people of al-'Iraq are Semites. The original stock—whether Babylonian Assyrian, Chaldaean or Aramaean—was mixed with the later Arab stock- but all these peoples were branches of one lamily the Semitic family, which comprised, in addition to all that, the Hebrews and the Phoenicians. The 'Iraqis are not a race, nor are the Syrians. To speak of a Syrian race is wrong. The Syrians are a separate nationality, and so are the 'Iraqis. The basis of classification in nationality is political} in race it is biological. Even when we speak of the Semitic "race" we are stretching the meaning of the term "race" to include all those historical peoples who spoke or still speak a Semitic tongue: Arabic, Hebrew, Phoenician, Assyro-Babylonian, Aramaean, etc} but we have no assurance that these peoples were all descended from the same ancestors. Strictly speaking, "Semites" and "Semitic" are linguistic terms. The word "race" therefore should be used very sparingly, and scientifically speaking the race to which the 'Iraqis, Syrians, Arabs, etc. belong is the white race. Editor's Note—Scientifically speaking, Professor Hitti's restriction of the use of the term "race" is admittedly correct The term however, has come to be used in a much broader sense especially in the United States. The American government classifies immigration by "races" applying the term to all distinct groups of immigrants coming from given countries. Hence "Syrian Race " "American Race" etc; are explicitly used. As inferred by Prof. Hitti, the Syrians and the 'Iraqis are two distinct nationalities. Hence a person born in 'Iraq is not a Syrian Nor are all those speaking the Arabic tongue Syrians. Almost all . the Arabic-speaking element in the United States is of Syrian origin but this is no indication of Arabic-speaking peoples elsewhere. ii �OCTOBER, 1931 49 Political Developments in Syria SYRIAN NATIONALISTS INSIST ON REPUBLIC Refuse All Forms of Compromise and Adhere to the Constitution of 1927 The Syrian Question seems as far as ever from a solution. The French are said to have laid a program which is expected to be acceptable to all the Syrian factions, but the exact nature of the French proposals has not been learned. There is one Syrian faction, however, that has anticipated the new French declaration of policy by flatly rejecting any form of government for Syria that will not conform to its platform. That faction is the Nationalist bloc which 'is admittedly the strongest party now in the political field in Syria. From this quarter the French High Commissioner may expect much trouble in whatever attempt he might make to settle the Syrian Question upon his return from Paris. The Syrian Nationalist Party held a convention in Damascus in the middle of September to discuss their stand upon the reported intentions of the French to give Syria a monarchical form of government and establish one of the sons of the late King Hussein of Arabia on the throne. At the conclusion of the deliberations Hashem Bey Al-Atasi, Nationalist leader and former President of the Constituent Assembly, gave a press interview in which he declared that the unalterable decision of the Party representatives was to stand by the Constitution adopted in 1927 by the Constituent} Assembly as the only legal representative body elected by the people. This constitution declared for a Republican form of government for Syria. Some Syrian papers, however, stated on the authority of a prominent Syrian Nationalist leader that the decision of the Nationalists might be amended if a king can win for the country more political rights than they have been able so far to win themselves in their bargaining with France. The Syrian press gives special emphasis to the fact that the Nationalists' declaration followed immediately upon the return of King Feisal of Iraq from Europe. This is taken to indicate that they were in receipt of authentic information that the new French policy revolved upon making a monarchy of Syria and establishing former Kng Ali of Arabia, a brother of King Feisal, on the throne. King feisal, while in Europe, had numerous conferences not only with several high French officials but with a number of prominent Syrian leaders Who met him by special appointment in Vienna. In other quarters the Nationalist declaration is taken as an indication not so much of the improbability of establishing a monarchy in Syria as of the impossiblity so far of King Feisal and the Syrian Nationalists reaching an understanding. The effect of these latest developments has been to further confuse the political situation in Syria which has resisted all efforts at settlement for the last �THE SYRIAN WORLD twelve years. As has been previously reported, the so'ution now being considered by France for the Syrian Question is to give Syria a wide latitude of independence and enter into treaty relations with it similar to those existing between Great Britain and Iraq. But before any of the proposed conditions are made public an undercurrent of dissatisfaction is now evident among the Syrian population especially as regards the national army. According to the special correspondent of AlAhram of Cairo in Beirut, whatever form Syrian independence might take conscription is inevitable, as there would be little hope of raising an adequate army by the volunteer recruiting system. The Syrians are said not to have had undergone such compulsory service for centuries and they would naturally balk at conscription. On the other hand, France's greatest inducement for relinquishing her ho'd on Syria would be the assurance of having in the latter a strong ally, possessing an army capable of national defense, as otherwise France would be at a disadvantage in maintaining a large army in Syria for the protection of its territorial integrity against foreign enemies while enjoying no adequate political advantages in return. There is, besides, the question of mritary co-operation between Syria and the Republic of Lebanon in national emergencies. This is expected to prove another stumbling b'oc in any effort to settle the Syrian Question. COMING ELECTIONS IN LEBANESE REPUBLIC There are no less than eighteen prospective candidates for the Presidency of Lebanon in the forthcoming elections of 1932. It is now evident that President Charles Dabbas will not be a candidate for a third term, and the scramble for the office has re- solved itself into a free for all affair. There seems to be an understanding, however, that the office this time will fall to a Maronite, inasmuch as representation in Lebanon is still based on denominational considerations. With High Commissioner Ponsot still absent in Paris, the Lebanese are now mainly occupied with internal affairs. The only important incident was the flurry caused by the supposed declaration of Emile Eddy, one of the more prominent Presidential candidates, that the logical solution of the differences between Syria and Lebanon was for the latter to cede t'he port of Tripoli to Syria and thereby help create of Lebanon a preponderantly Christian country. This was later emphatically denied, but it tended to show the undercurrent of sentiment prevalent in the country. The little Republic is grappling with a serious internal problem, that of balancing its budget. Despite the insistence of the native government to have the French High Commissariat pay to it its proportionate share of the customs' proceeds, the latter refuses to make any inroads on the reserve it has decided to maintain, with the consequence that the Lebanese government had to devise other means of meeting the deficit. Its first step was to decide on reducing by 10 per cent, the salaries of small officials, but this aroused such cries of protest from press and public that the reduction was made to apply to all government functionaries, from the president down. The attack of the press was directed principally against the members of the Legislative Assembly who long have been accused of exploiting the public treasury for their own personal gain, to the extent of exempting their personal property from taxation. This victory of the people over those whom the press calls profiteers was received with a good deal of elation. P �—"^ OCTOBER, 1931 51 TTTF SYRIAN WORLD NEWS SECTION VOL. VI. NO. 2 FINDS CLUES IN SYRIA TO CITY OF 1931 B.C. French Archaeologist Believes Inscriptions Are Earliest Known Literary Efforts. TABLETS 3,300 YEARS OLD How the history and arts of a vanished people who flourished in 1931 B.C. is being pieced together and corroborated through legends of forgotten wars told in unknown tongues was related Oct. 9 before the French Academy of Inscriptions by Professor F. A. C. Schaeffer of the University of Strasboroug, who reported on the third season's excavations of the royal tombs at Minet-el-Beida and Ras-Shamra in Northern Syria, according to a special cable dispatch to the New York Times from Paris on Oct. 9 . A wealth of new finds has been made this year by a mission representing the French Academy, the National Museum and the Ministry of Education, which a year ago attracted the world interest of archaeologists by the discovery of what was thought to be the world's oldest dictionary, inscribed on stone* tablets in six languages, two of which were previously unknown. These tablets came from a library attached to the Ras-Shamra sanctuary, dating from the thirteenth or OCTOBER, 1931 fourteenth century before Christ. More of these texts, unearthed this year, have added interest, constituting what probably are the earliest efforts in literature (and poetry thus far brought to light. "These new texts," said professor Schaeffer, "are composed of words in two languages and divided into syllables, and they belong to a series of epic poems written on large tablets in several columns. They form a very valuable addition to the episodes of the astonishing poems read before this academy by M. Virolleaud, their translator, who has shown their great importance as regards Semitic philology and the history of religions. "Several of these tablets were found incorporated in masonry of an ancient construction, which indicated they had already been discarded as texts and which givesv us hope that we shall later find texts even more ancient than these and probably dating as far back as twenty centuries before the Christian era." Professor Schaeffer's expedition brought back a large number of several thousand art objects, utensils and images unearthed this season. Important among these were six curious necklaces in multi-colored glass, each bearing pendants of an unidentified nude goddess, done in hammered gold. "What greatly increases their interest," Professor Schaeffer said, "is the fact that each is in a different �52 form, showing the strange goddess, from the simplest kind of representation down through various stages of perfection until done w$th the greatest faithfulness to nature. "In one of these representations she is shown standing on the back of a lion on whose shoulder is placed a rosette or solar sign. The goddess is wearing a Hathorian headdress and holds two bouquets in her hands, and from her lips spring serpents in a manner which recalls the famous goddess entwined with serpents found at Gnossus. "Three different techniques of workmanship are found in these pendatives, which resemble in style relics found in Egypt, Mesopotamia, Crete and Anatolia. I would not hesitate to recognize in this figure the divine Astarte, if the epic poetry on the tablets at Ras-Shamra did not reveal the pantheon of a goddess whose attributes were similar, and for that reason I deem it prudent to reserve identification until they are further investigated." In the excavations at Minet-elBeida, on the site of an ancent harbor, where these necklaces were found, no human bones have yet been discovered, but, because of the richness of the art objects, jars, vases and utensils found, the investigators believe they surround the tomb of some extremely distinguished princess whose burial place will be found intact during the later researches. More than four hundred objects unearthed this season have been brought back by the expedition, including what are believed to be vanity boxes and beauty accoutrements of that princess. These consist, said Professor Schaeffer, of a score of elegant little flasks and vases in alabaster of an Egytian type, together with a number of little boxes for cosmetics, done in ivory, whose covers all are THE SYRIAN WORLD carved with the head of a water fowl finely executed. At Ras-Shamra was found the effigy of a princess identified by inscriptions as of the royal house of • -&ypt. Princess Chnoumit Nofre, whose tomb had been discovered near the pyramid of Amenemhat II at Dahshur. This statuette evidently had been willfully shattered, probably by hordes, who, coming from Asia Minor in the eighteenth century B.C. conquered Syria and Palestine and finally Egypt, which had dominated this region of Syria. Further confirmation of this invasion was found in evidences of the partial burning and destruction of the tombs and a sanctuary at this date. "This damage at Ras-Shamra probably was a consequence of an invasion by the sea people of the Syrian coast in the thirteenth century B. C. who were beaten back from the Egyptian frontier by the armies of Rameses III," said Professor Schaeffer. "These invaders probably used the city as a base for operations and only demolished Egyptian sanctuary, as would be indicated by the discovery we made of several rude native images left intact. The city never recovered its importance and probably was definitely destroyed in the course of the thirteenth century by the Assyrians." TURKY PLEASED WITH PROPOSED SYRIAN SETTLEMENT Reports from Angora indicate that the Turks are highly elated at the prospects of France granting Syria complete independence because that would relieve them of the worry of having to contend with a strong neighbor. They claim to entertain no further designs on Syria, but with France out of the country they feel that their Syrian border would require less of their attention for purposes of defense. �OCTOBER, 1931 - 53 SYRIANS OF CAROLINAS aim and object of this society was GATHER AT COLUMBIA fully explained by President Mack, A spirit of solidarity and co- who said this society, the first organoperation seems lately to have been ized in South Carolina, was the reawakened among the Syrians through- sult of several years' work. out the United States. They are holdAn address of welcome in the ing gatherings and festivals in wide- Syrian language was made by Miss ly-scattered sections. But what is Olga Hykil. Interesting talks were more significent is that they are hark- made by G. M. Hykil, vice president ing to the appeal of patriotic organ- of Syrian-American society, and B. J izations to form their ranks and learn Baroody of Timmonsville, who spoka to work collectively for the better- on "Syria, Past and Present, and Its ment of their standing. Contribution to Civilization." The In the preceding issue of the founder of the Syrian-American soSyrian World we had accounts of ciety, and its past president, S. A three extensive group meetings in Sabbagha, was then introduced, and widely scattered sections. The Mahhe explained that his ambition of rajans of Bridgeport, Conn, and Det- several years had become a reality in roit, Mich, under the auspices of the organizing the society which was funcLebanon League of Progress of New tioning in an excellent manner. InYork, and the convention of Syrian teresting talks were also made by N societies in the Southwest sponsored Arrab of Florence, and J. J. Bashere by the Young Men's Amusement Club of Charleston. of Port Arther, Texas, were notable Dinner was then served after events; while the forthcoming con- which Syrian music was rendered by vention of Syrian, societies in the a quartet. Swimming and boat- ridEastern States to be held at Lawrence, ing was enjoyed by the younger set. Mass., promises to be well attended. ' The officers for 1931-1932 areWe are now pleased to copy from E. S. Mack, president; G. M. Hykil' a local paper of Columbia, S. Carolina vice president; S. Koosa, secretary the following account of a Syrian George Wackym, treasurer, and J S gathering which took place in that city Mack, F. A. Masad and S. N. Baron Sept. 6 last. koot, trustees. The Syrian-American society of Columbia, S.C. was host on Sept. 6, 1931 to about 500 Syrians from all CHARITABLE EXPENDITURES OF SYRIAN SOCIETY over the State of South Carolina and The published report of the Virof North Carolina. This gathering, held at Duna- gin Mary Conference of St. Vincent way's Place, near Pontiac, was for the de Paul Society, attached to the Virpurpose of fostering good-will and gin Mary Syrian Melchite Catholic Church of Brooklyn, covering the fisfellowship among the Syrian citizens cal year of June 1, 1930 to May 31, of South Carolina and North Carolina. George Wackym was master of 1931, shows receipts of $3,900 and ceremonies for the occasion, and in- expenditures of $2,948. Receipts were troduced the president of the Syrian- from individual contributors and the proceeds of dances and entertainAmerican society, E. S. Mack of Lexments. The report, published in Araington, who delivered the welcoming bic by the Syrian-American Press address on behalf of the Syrianlists all the individual contributions' American society of Columbia. The received. �————, > 54 SYRIAN JOURNALIST BECOMES FLORIST Business is bad with the Syrian papers in the United States. On previous occasions we referred to the recurrent complaints of the editors about the delinquency of subscribers in remitting their dues. We mentioned also that several papers had to reduce their size for reasons of economy. Now the first casualty has occurred by the As-Sayeh's implied admission of defeat in the struggle against the adversity of the times. As-Sayeh has suspended publication for well over half a year. If hope springs eternal, there are those who still entertain the notion that As-Sayeh will some day resume publication. The paper had an interesting and colorful career. It was at first a weekly, then graduated to a. semi-weekly, and for some time joined the ranks of daily newspapers, it was in the habit of publishing each year a special number to which many prominent literateurs in Syria, Egypt and the United States contributed. Gibran had taken As-Sayeh under his patronage. What portends ill for As-Sayeh, but should augur a prosperous future for its publisher, Mr. A. Haddad, is the fact that the latter decided to turn florist, catering the natural, fragrant and apparently the useful and needed article in lieu of the poorly appreciated intellectual product. We are in receipt of a circular letter in Which he makes the announcement that he has joined the florist shop of Santomarco at 6914 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn. The language he uses is frank and flowery. After describing the artistic qualifications of his Italian partner he turns to himself and says: "As for myself, I have been intrigued by the fascination of this profession which now I am studing seriously. It has for me the appeal THE SYRIAN WORLD of the fragrance and the delicate coloring of the flowers. In the meantime, I attend to the actual management of the establishment." There are only a few instances when the newspaper profession among the Syrians proved to be a paying one, and for Mr. Haddad to have renounced it is no reflection on his ability. He has our best wishes for a flowery and fragrant future. RELIEF MOVEMENTS AMONG U. S. SYRIANS Meraat-Ul-Gharb, a Syrian daily of New York, is vigorously agitating for the creation of a national Syrian committee in the United States to take care of relief work during the coming winter. It emphasizes the fact that the Syrians were never public charges during their whole record in America, and advocates the maintenance of this record by having a relief body composed of themselves to take care of their own needy this coming winter. Undoubtedly there would be a number of Syrians Who would feel the weight) of distress which has fallen heavily on the country, but it is now proposed that they should help themselves instead of depending on general relief agencies. No tangible result has yet developed from this press campaign. The Syrian Ladies' Aid Society of New York, an old organization engaged in charitable work, receives funds which it employs judiciously in helping needy families. Its funds were recently augmented by a sum of $1,291 representing half of the proceed^ of a benefit performance which the committee of Al-Kalemat, an Aleppian organization, gave last season. The St. Nicholas Young Men's Society of New York has announced its willingness to devote half of the �OCTOBER, 1931 proceeds of an entertainment which it is giving on Oct. 17 towards public relief. PATRIARCHATE QUESTION REMAINS UNSETTLED The Orthodox Church of Syria has made little progress in its efforts to solve the knotted problem arising from the election of two incumbents to the same office. Lately the French authorities of the High Commissariat are reported to have taken a constructive step towards a settlement by inviting the two Patriarchs to appoint each two members of a mixed ecclesiastical tribunal invested with authority to settle church litigation. Patriarch Arsanius of Latakia, refused to be a party to this arrangement on the ground that he alone is the legally elected Patriarch and should exercise supreme authority. The Orthodox Arabs of Palestine are still agitating for the election of a native Patriarch to succeed the demised Greek Patriarch. The movement has spread to the United States and has been given a purely racial turn, since Christians and Moslems of Grand Haven, Mich., united in petitioning the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem to exert his influence in bringing about the election of a Patriarch who would be Arab "body and soul." LEP.ANESE IN URUGUAY HIGHLY ESTEEMED An exchange of courtesies has been going apace lately between the Western republic of Uruguay and the Eastern republic of Lebanon. The cause of this extreme cordiality is the high position of esteem which the Lebanese community in Uruguay enjoys with the people and the govern- 55 ment of the South American republic. On Sept. 1, a new school was dedicated in Montevideo, the Uruguayan capital), which was named the "School of the Lebanese Republic." The President of Uruguay in person attended the ceremony and complimented highly in his address the civic virtues of the Lebanese community. He touched on the fact that because of the high esteem in which the Lebanese are held by the government of Uruguay the latter decided some time ago to name one of its principal streets after the republic of Lebanon, a compliment which the latter graciously returned by naming one of the streets of its capital, Beirut, after the republic of Uruguay. Now Uruguay wants to further prove its love for Lebanon by naming one of its new school after it. Representing the Lebanese Republic at the ceremony was the French Minister in Uruguay and a number of local Lebanese notables, one of whom made a fitting response to the address of the President. During the exercises, according to reports, 150 pupils of the new school sang in chorus the Lebanese anthem in the Arabic language, a gesture of extreme friendliness which highly touched the hearts of the Lebanese, in view of the fact that the pupils were natives. Commenting on this latter incident, The Sphinx, a Lebanese paper of South America, expresses surprise that the American Uuiversity of Beirut has never shown such courtesy to Lebanon although located in the Lebanese capital. We doubt that the criticism is deserved, and an explanation of the attitude of the American University of Beirut by one of its faculty or alumni will be cheerfully given space in the Syrian World. �56 FATHER KILLS DAUGHTER TO AVENGE HIS HONOR Aleppo was the scene of a cruel murder whose victim was a young woman killed by the hand of her own father. The details of the gruesome tragedy can hardly be duplicated in the wildest fiction. As reported by the Syrian press, Fatoum, daughter of one Mahmoud Moakeh, went to live with a certain Taher Hafiz as his common-law wife. Fearing the wrath of her father, she cautioned Hafiz against admitting him to the house, and for further security the two went to live in a distant quarter. The father soon found himself unable to stand the jeers and disdainful locks of the neighbors and decided to leave the city. He was all the while, however, making secret inquiries for the whereabouts of his daughter until he located her, his two sons in the native police assisting in the search. One day the father called at his daughter's house and was admitted by the brother of her lover who did not suspect his motive. The daughter remained in hiding until she felt sure by her father's attitude that he intended no harm. When finally she appeared in the reception room the parent returned her greeting with apparent affability, but a few moments later he asked for a glass of water which the lover's brother hastened to go out to bring. But during the brief moments that he was absent the father savagely attacked his daughter with a dagger, inflicting mortal wounds. The other man, upon his return, raised an alarm and immediately two policemen appeared at the door and seized the murderer red-handed. They conducted him safely through a howling mob until they reached a secluded spot in the outskirts, and there set him at liberty. They were his two sons who had wait- ?HE SYRIAN WORLD ed at the door by prearrangement and had encouraged their father to do the deed that would blot out the family shame with blood. ARMENIANS IN SYRIA A VEXING PROBLEM Although welcomed after the war as refugees and guests of the country, the Armenians in Syria and Lebanon now present a serious problem. Due to their native industry and extreme necessity, they have competed with native labor in such manner as to cause general complaint. The French mandatory authorities and the native governments are expected, furthermore, to contribute to the support and maintenance of these strange guests, and now that the economic depression is acutely felt in the country, the Armenians are viewed in the light of an unnecessary national burden. When, therefore, reports were circulated that negotiations were set on foot to transfer the Armenians now in Syria to Soviet Armenia, the Syrians hailed the news with a sigh of relief. Of the Armenians now in Lebanon alone, it was stated, 3,000 have already signified their assent to the transfer. OTTOMAN PRINCESS BURIED IN SYRIA On Sept. 25 the body of the Turkish Princess Saniha arrived at Beirut and was sent by train to Damascus for burial in the cemetery of Sultan Salim. The Princess is the daughter of Sultan Abdul Majid, last of the Turkish sultans who saw his dynasty swept away by the tide of Turkish democracy. She died in Nice, on the French Riviera, and her grave will adjoin that of her uncle Sultan Wahid Ud Din. �OCTOBER, 1931 KAHLIL GIBRAN ; " The Man from Lebanon" The man whose life and work form an epic of our age; whom few knew in' his intimate life, and whom a vast host of those who have felt his influence, desire to know. The first authentic opportunity is now given to draw near to a knowledge of Gibran as he lived and worked, as he conceived and executed. A biographical sketch by BARBARA YOUNG, American poet,, who was closely associated with Gibran and is now his literary executor, will be published about November 15. > This story of the great son of Lebanon, "The Poet of the Cedars," will appear in the form of a brochure, and will contain a wealth of detail concerning this rich life, illustrated with hitherto unpublished photographs of the poet. The first edition will be limited to 250 copies, serially numbered, and autographed by the author. Orders for this edition will be filled as received, and may be sent in advance of publication either to the office of THE SYRIAN WORLD, or to the author, at The Gibran Studio, 51 West 10th. Street, New York City. The price of the brochure, First Edition, will be $2.50. - 57 �58 THE SYRIAN WORLD Gibran's Message To Young Americans of SyrianOrigin By C K. GlBRAN Author of ''TJt* Prophet,' M /««j l/*e Son of Man," TW Srrua V«M, J«JT, |92« I believe- in you. and I believe in your destiny. I believe that you are contributors to this new civilization. I believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream, a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America. I believe you can say to the founders of this great nation. "Here I am. a youth, a young tree whose roots were plucked from the hills of Lebanon, yet I am deeply rooted here, and I would be fruitful." And I believe that you can say to Abraham Lincoln, the blessed. "Jesus of Nazareth touched your lips when you spoke, and guided your hand when you wrote: and 1 shall uphold all that you have said and all that you have written." I believe that you can say to Emerson and Whitman and James. "In my veins tuns the blood of the poets and wise men of old. and it is my desire to come to you and receive, but I shall not come with empty hands." I believe that even as your fathers came to this land to produce riches, you were born here to produce riches by intelligence, by labor. And 1 believe that it is in you to be good citizens. And what is it to be a good citizen? It is to acknowledge the other person's rights before asserting your own. but always to be conscious of your own. It is to be free in thought and deed, but it is also to know that your freedom is subject to the other person's freedom. It is to create the useful and the beautiful with yout own hands, and to admire what others have created in love and with faith. It is to produce wealth by labor and only by labor, and to spend less than you have produced that your children may not be dependent on the state for support when you are no more. It is to stand before the towers of New York. Washington. Chicago and San Francisco saying in your heart. "I am the descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus. and Tyre and Sidon. and Antiocb. and now I am here to build with you. and with a will." It is to be proud of being an American, but it is also to be proud that your fathers and mothers came from a land upon which God laid His gracious hand and raised His messengers. Young Americans of Syrian origin. I believe in you. FREE TO SYRIAN WORLD SUBSCRIBERS. This beautiful message by Gibran 13x17 indies, printed in large type on heavy paper with ornamental border suitable for framing. Every PAID subscriber whose term begins with Sept. 1931 is entitled to a copy, mailed in heavy cardboard tube. Subscribers whose term begins before S2p. 1931 may secure a copy by renewal. 1 �OCTOBER, 1931 59 'BHIi!l!IIIilllll!ll!ilill!ll!ll!!lll!lll!!l! MiiiimtiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiii HEILBRONN'S 5TH AVENUE AT 53RD STREET BROOKLYN. N. Y. | A METROPOLITAN DEPARTMENT STORE! m s 3 = § located in Bay Ridge, the most £ beautiful residential section of the 1 greater city. I | A LARGE MODERN STORE! | 9 speedily reached by 4th Ave. Sub- §j way (53rd St. Station) Busses and several trolley lines. |j I I | A FRIENDLY FAMILY STORE! S where every customer receives personal attention and individual service—making shopping here a pleasurebale pastime. j* (3i>uiJj ^r^1^ s^ a5m '-^ <y ,^* U* U»- ,j-a*^ = E ulllililllillllllllllllM -VI i/^-> m H B jj �THE SYRIAN WORLD AUTHENTIC ORIENTAL RUGS THE A. SLEYMAN COMPANY, INC. George Haddad Proprietor Phone CHickering 4-S878 ALEXANDRIA RESTAURANT The new and beautiful uptown Syrian restaurant owned and operated by a master chef, who summons his long experience to the -art of producing the most delectable Oriental dishes. Small and large parties catered to So Conveniently Located 21 WEST 31st STREET, N£w Y0RR — IT IS YOURS is the only Syrian publication printed m English and as such is the organ of the Syrians in America. lou can help it continue and grow by subscribing to it yourself and inducing others to subscribe. THE SYRI^ WORLD PUBLISHER, THE SYRIAN WORLD: 104 Greenwich Street, New York. You may enter my name as a subscriber to "The SyrJforld" for the term of one year, for which I agree to pay the regular rate of $5.00 upon receipt of the first issue. I I \ Address City 6f State mmjmmr �OCTOBER, 1931 61 =n JERE J. CRONIN FUNERAL DIRECTOR I MORTUARY CHAPEL Local or Out of Town Fimeralg Personally Attended to LADY ATTENDANT Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire 115 ATLANTIC AVENUE BROOKLYN, N. Y. The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals rery reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but only glve the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverenc. and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very little cost. No charge for use of our services or funeral parlors Telephone—MAIN 1398-1399-8130-3655 SHEIK RESTAURANT ^l^J! HOW TO BREED MOTHS Leave your rugs on the floor with all the dirt and germs they have collected during the winter and which 'home methods cannot remove. Nature will do the rest. : A well-appointed Syrian restaurant in the heart of the Syrian Quarter, in lower "Manhattan, where you and your friends can enjoy the moat delectable Oriental meals amidst the charm of an Oriental atmosphere. RESTORATIVE: Call the THE KOURI CARPET CLEANING CORPORATION RUG WASHERS Second Foor for Banquets and Private Parties NEW YORK, N. Y. 10 West 33rd Street Tel. LOngacre 5-2385 JERSEY CITY, N. J. -552 Johnston Avenue Tel. BErgen 3-1085 Z KIRDAHY RESTAURANTS, Inc. 65 WASHINGTON ST., . New York »t»TT«t>MTHTVfVTTTi �t" THE MACHINE ACE The rapid advance of our age may be ascribed to one fundamental cause — the application of man's mind to the scientific use of the machine. Hence our characterization of our times as "the machine age," because it was through the machine that increased production in all commodities has been made possible, and the comfort and well-being of man more fully realized. The machine has proved to be the controlling factor in all human activities, the typographical industry included. It was through the advent of the type-setting machine that popular literature became available and illiteracy gradually eliminated. But for the type-setting machine it would never be possible to produce the prodigiously large editions of many daily newspapers in Europe and America, and the immense number of books that are constantly being turned out by the presses. Speed is the prime requisite to increased production, and speed is made possible only through the use of the machine. The Mergenthaler Linotype Company of New York, manufacturer of the Arabic type-setting machine, wishes to present for the consideration of Arabic publishers these basic truths, and to draw to their attention specific instances where the Arabic Linotype is gradually bringing into application in the Arabic printing industry those modern, efficient methods which made the Western printing industry so highly advanced. To this end, concrete statistical information will be given in a series of advertisements in this publication which should call for serious consideration on the part of Arabic publishers everywhere. MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A. Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World (LINOTYPE^ An illustrated descriptive catalog of the Arabic Linotype sent free upon request. LINOTYPE METRO SERIES t ' �mi i ill Mil 1II fr II t; at i 1,1- ; : WWw r^a*J) ^X-jlSLJbl ' — ^M «ui U -L^U!^ r^Vs-'l ^ JO L. ^> JSJ oVVi rl^'i *^j ^i jjj, U_c ^*J] jj|^ j j^ j^y, obi U] o^, 4gj r^31 s^1 Vjr'1 ui*Jl ;U»I ^"oU'u javj 3>rJ <rf^ *^J1 c-45j -bVl v5 5'jjV1 J^l".- i^JU* -ikji^ c+ji**] L^ oi^i <-> ;^JI jj5 "j»j i ^ .;'i u*IJIoUU»-Vlj f^jVL <rf-Ul ^'1 ^»\J\ -:5 ^.;J)'j,",X. MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A. Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World l~LINOTYPE»^ �THE SYRIAN WORLD 64 Jo£>\i db J ATTENTION! FORWARD! SAFE! MARCH ON TO PROGRESS! START A BANK ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY LET YOUR MONEY Accumulate for Future NEEDS AND HAPPINESS INTEREST 4 .% "Per zAnnum ON TIME DEPOSITS FROM $10.00 UP Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more FAOUR BANK D. J. FAOUR & BROS. Established 1891 Under Supervision of New York State Banking Department. Capital and Surplus Over $500,000.00 85 WASHINGTON ST., NEW YORK CITY �� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1931_10reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 02 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1931 October Description An account of the resource Volume 6 Issue 02 of The Syrian World published October 1931. The issue begins with an article titled "Two Cities, Two Worlds!" by Habib I. Katibah, which discusses the differences between Damascus and Beirut. While both of these cities are in close proximity to each other, they have distinctive cultures, which Katibah explains in-depth in his article. A new feature of this issue is the section titled "New and Views," in which a staff observer discusses various headlining articles. This month focuses around the topics of Child Marriages, Starvation in the U.S.A., Um Kalthoum in Syria, and the Mayor of New York James J. Walker's meeting with King Feisal of Iraq in Nice, France. There are then a number of poetic contributions all edited by Barbara Young, followed by "The Choice of Su'ad a True Arabian Tale." There is also a new section titled "Home and Family" which discusses various domestic duties. Another work by Kahlil Gibran is also featured towards the end of the issue after a short story by Thomas Asa titled "The Mystery of Aornholt." The issue concludes with a question and answer section directed by Philip K. Hitti, an update on political developments in Syria, and the section on Syrian world news. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Barbara Young Habib I. Katibah Kahlil Gibran Lebanon New York Philip Khuri Hitti Syria Thomas Asa https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/2137d3a84a235757cc81c39cd48462c8.pdf 672aed4ef51974bd8f10b7fe659fb455 PDF Text Text ^_ L. VI SEPTEMBER, 1931 NEW YEAR -NEW POLICY AN EDITORIAL ANNOUNCEMENT THE MYSTERY OF AORNHOLT A SHORT STORY i * £«B 1 THOMAS ASA &m -J A POET RETURNS HOME BARBARA YOUNG THE APPEAL OF THE EAST H. I. KATIBAH RIHANI AND HIS CRITICS A TRUE ARABIAN TALE ffl L ii f | r^M.h ��SYRIAN WORffiH Published monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. . Single Copies 50c. Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. ! VOL. VI. NO. 1, SEPTEMBER 1931 CONTENTS PAGE New Year—New Policy 3 AN EDITORIAL. ANNOUNCEMENT Our Contributors 6 Our Plans for the Future _• A Poet Returns Home Farewell Ceremonies to Gibran's Body 'in America 5 9 9... BARBARA YOUNG Farewell, Gibran SALLOUM _ A. 12. . MOKARZEL Touching Reception of Gibran's Body in Lebanon 14 The Appeal of the East H. I. 18 . KATIBAH Quatrains of Al-Mutanabbi SALIM Y. ALKAZIN 21 �CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE True Arabian Tales ._ __ 22 Haroun Al-Raschid and the Beautiful Wife of His Messenger To a Dying Tree 24 THOMAS ASA Shiites Protest Rihani's Criticism 25 In the Month's News Conquest of the Air Scholar in Politics Deceiving Names Gandhi in London __ Home and Family 29 30 31 32 33 BAHIA AL-MTJSHEER The Mystery of Aornholt (A Short Story) 35 THOMAS ASA Song of Friendship 45 EDNA K. SALOOMEY Health and Hygiene DR. 46 F. I. SHATARA Sayings of Alt __ 48 Political Developments in Syria 49 The Syrian World News Section 51 �ynan %/ SALLOUM A. M< MOKARZEL, Editor. VOL. VI. NO. 1. SEPTEMBER 193 New Year - New Policy AN EDITORIAL ANNOUNCEMENT a } ^ITH this issue, marking the beginning of its sixth year, THE SYRIAN WORLD embarks on a new venture. It has decided to make a partial concession to popular demand as regards questions of policy. This concession, to be sure, should not be taken to mean a recession from its ideal. Rather, it is an experiment in psychology to test the proclivities of our English-reading public of Syrian-Americans, particularly the younger generation. In this change the same ultimate end will be sought but through different channels. Our object of producing an organ of service and inspiration to our younger generation will be adhered to and maintained, but the means employed will be calculated to gain a wider appeal among this particular class by using subtler methods of approach. Thus, instead of maintaining the high cultural standard which has been the admiration of the select few we shall strive to provide material of a more popular nature for the masses, offering only spasmodically material of a more solid substance which we hope would be more readily accepted as a variety in the fare. Practically, we are employing methods designed to induce our younger generation to first read, and once that end is achieved the educational results sought will prove more susceptible of attainment. Our aim, so to speak, is to achieve the beneficial and practical through the medium of entertaining and easy reading. Those of our readers who have been following THE SYRIAN WORLD during the five years of its publication and expressed satisfaction with its policy and standard might well regret our present decision. They, like ourselves, viewed the publication in the light of the dual role it was designed to play, both as an educational organ for our younger generation and a cultural organ of our race among the general English-reading public. But they will realize that the �-. 4 , .-,,_.,,. _.. THE SYRIAN WORLD compromise was made imperative by the stress of economic necessity. The truth must be admitted and we might as well confess it without equivocation. We tried to assume for ever so long the brave attitude of enjoying sufficient support from our people to keep the enterprise going, but the fact was really otherwise, and but for the considerable personal sacrifices on the part of the editor the project would have foundered on the rock of adversity. Equally important of admission is our desire and determination not to give up the enterprise, especially at this stage. And to make its continuation possible some radical step had to be taken. This is now being done in the form of a compromise on the question of editorial'policy It is our earnest hope that with the proposed change there will be evidenced more popular support of the magazine. At least we are determined to give the new policy a fair trial, and only if this also should fail will we be willing to admit that there is no room in the Syrian-American field for a publication of the nature of THE SYRIAN WORLD. Our plans call not only for a wider range in the selection of material but also for a different method in treatment and presentation. A detailed discussion of this phase of our new policy appears elsewhere in this issue. In the determination to continue the enterprise we face the new year with the hope of winning for THE SYRIAN WORLD the popular support which we trust will be forthcoming both through the appreciation of a new class of readers as well as by the approval and cooperation of our old and steady friends. We have so far refrained from any allusion in the pages of the Syrian World to delinquent subscribers. Delay in the payment of subscriptions is cause for constant complaint on the part of our Arabic-language press, and it would seem that, to a large extent, our English-reading public is similarly disposed in the question of payment. Repeated statements are ignored, and once the delinquents are stricken off the active list they complain they were not trusted! These should realize that the Syrian World has no intention of imposing itself on anyone, and wili recognize the subsrriber's willingness to continue his subscription by his actual payment. This public mention of delinquencies we now make for the first and last time, and it is our hope that subscribers will realize that in the interest of economy in management as well as in our desire not to impose the publication on anyone we shall discontinue sending the magazine to every subscriber who fails to respond to the second statement. �SEPTEMBER, 1931 Our Plans for the Future Since the SYRIAN WORLD was created to endure, and because we are firmly determined to leave nothing undone in order to assure its continuity, it has been decided to effect a change in the editorial policy in the hope of insuring for it a more popular appeal. We had frequently heard complaints that the general tenor of the magazine was too scholarly, that its language too technical and far beyond the understanding of the average youth. And, since it was designed to serve this youth, its very standard was defeating its purpose. Now, as set forth in the editorial announcement in this issue, we1 are conceding a point to what appears to be public demand, although not swerving from our main purpose. We shall make a bid for popularity along the lines, we believe compatible with public demand and consistent with our educational aims. More and Varied Fiction We shall provide a veritable feast of fiction. An Arabian Nights' story will be published in every issue of the kind that will savor not only of the celebrated original tales but imply either a moral lesson or carry a certain educational value by depicting some phase of Oriental life. Fiction of a general nature will also be offered as well as true stories bearing on SyrianAmerican life. These latter we feel confident will be not only entertainingly interesting but provocative in many ways. Added to this will be a series of short stories based on the best known novels whose scene was laid in Syria and other parts of the East or dealing with Syrian events and personalities. Syrian-American Affairs. _ Realizing the,necessity of forging a stronger link of relationship between the widely scattered Syrian-American communities, especially among the younger generation of our people whose relations have been so far confined to their particular localities, special effort will be made to give detailed news of the various activities of the different communities. Also, when possible, historical sketches will be given of individuals and groups in our Syrian-American life that will shed light on the past and present and give a possible glimpse as to prospects in the future-. �THE SYRIAN WORLD Our Young GenerHion We are particularly interested in the young generation and for that reason a standing department shall be devoted to the discussion of their affairs. Not that other departments of the magazine will not be of interest to them. Rather, this particular department will deal directly with them and discuss their various problems. And particularly in this department there will be speaking of the frankest nature. No words will be minced in calling things by their right names or facing frankly the various situations. W7here praise is due it shall be given, and when criticism is necessary it shall be dealt out honestly and unreservedly. Full liberty of expression will be permitted all shades of opinions by our readers, and our young public is invited to avail themselves of this free forum. Cross Word Puzzles. Beginning with an early issue, we shall publish original cross word puzzles that we trust will have more than a passing entertainment value. They will be designed especially to provoke thought and study about Syrian history, geography and general affairs. They are meant to teach as they entertain and should prove a test of, as well as an incentive to, knowledge of things Syrian. Our Contributors: Cover Design. Assad Ghosn, formerly of New York and now a resident of Richmond, Va., is one of our best known native artists in the United States, specializing in portrait painting. His art studies took him' to Italy, Spain and other countries of Europe where he spent a considerable number of years. The cover design he has drawn for the SYRIAN WORLD will be fully appreciated in its distinctiveness. It is symbolic throughout. One can read in it the whole history of Syria it a glance. The Phoenician ship, symbolic of the great enterprise of our famous ancestors, appears at the base as marking the rise of our importance in history. The figures of Jesus and Moses indicate the two great religions which Syria has given the world. An outline of the ruins of Palmyra and Baalbek appear on either side of the panel portraying Syria's great seats of power and civilization. Arabian influence is symbolized by the Arab i i I �-^-i-zr SEPTEMBER, 1931 on his dromedary crossing the desert, while the spread of Islam's influence is symbolized by the immense mosque. Lebanon, with its famous Cedars, is outlined on jthe opposite side. And because Egypt is Arabicspeaking and its people bear a close blood and cultural relation with that of Syria, the artist has it represented by the Pyramids. The two drawings for TRUE ARABIAN TALES and HOME AND FAMILY DEPARTMENTS are byAlfred Eadeh, a budding young Syrian artist of New York, whose efforts seem to hold excellent promise. An Invitation We wish to encourage and draw out our latent native talent whether in literature or in the field of art. Consequently we invite submission of title sketches for our various departments, and would like to hear particularly from those who can execute illustrations in pen and ink or crayon. Editors of Departments yhe regular departments we have inaugurated will be added in future upon maturity of plans now under consideration. HOME AND FAMILY is bound to be most useful and constructive. It will appear regularly under the editorship of one of our ablest Syrian women :V-ir-rnr« r of American birth, who has cultivated not only a genuine appreciation of our better traditions but a well-grounded knowledge of the fundamentals of our culture and home life. She is a wife and a mother and her subject will encompass all home activities, from the training of children, and decoration and appointment of the home, to the conduct of the cuisine and the preparation of our special Syrian dishes. HEALTH JAND HYGIENE will be under the editorship of our well-known physician and surgeon, Dr. F. Shatara of New York. The recurrence of infantile paralysis makes his discussion of this subject most timely. We have the promise of Dr. Shatara that he will gladly answer questions submitted to him by SYRIAN WORLD readers. Habib I, Katibah will again contribute regularly. Our readers will recall him as our associate during the first year of THE SYRIAN WORLD. Since then he has returned to the Near East where he spent nearly two years traveling through Syria, Palestine and Egypt acting as special correspondent to several American papers. He will give readers of THE SYRIAN WORLD the benefit of his impressions and studies on a variety of subjects. �,1" #, 8 THE SYRUN WORLD A. HAKIM, who had once con- quent messages through the tributed the series of provocative pages of THE SYRIAN WORLD. discussions appearing under the EDNA K. SALOOMEY will contitle of "The Sage of Washingtinue her liberal contributions in ton Street," will be in charge of the versatile and entertaining the department of "Our Young manner she has so far displayed. Generation." The widest latitude LABEEBEE A. J.HANNA will has been given the editors in the conduct of their particular de- return as a regular contributor partments and we feel sure that in a special department now unevery one of them will be der consideration and which we pleased to hear from his readers are sure will prove helpful. on any question bearing on his Contributions from talent yet department. unknown to us will be gladly considered. We plan to make DR. PHILIP K. HITTI stands ready to answer any question on THE SYRIAN WORLD not only Syrian history and will contri- truly representative of our talent bute special articles occasionally. but complete in all helpful ways. Amin Beder, translator of AlREV. W. A. MANSUR will Mutanabbi,will continue to concontinue his inspirational and uptribute in poetical form the gems lifting contributions. of Arabic wisdom found in Al" Mutanabbi as in no other single THOMAS ASA will not only regale us with his charming poetry Arab poet. but will branch out into the field Andrew Ghar/eeb still has of fiction, of which he is capable considerable translations of Gibof producing the finest type, as ran's Arabic works which will can be judged by his mystery appear in the Syrian World for story beginning in this issue. the first time in English. DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN will have a great deal more to offer of the charming poetry he has been contributing since the inception of the magazine. RIHANI, although retired to the peace of his native town in the valley of Freike, will not forget the host of [admirers and friends he has left behind in America and will send them freAMEEN NOTICE This being the first issue appearing since the two months' summer suspension, several new departments under consideration could not be included owing to accumulation of other important material. �SEPTEMBER, 1931 A Poet Returns Home Touching Ceremonies Attending the Departure of Gibran's body From America and Its Reception in the hand of His Birth Farewell Ceremonies to Gibran s Body in America By BARBARA YOUNG "Come for leave-taking, O sons of my mother. Bi-ing now the children with their finger-tips of lily and of rose. Let the aged come to bless my forehead with their withered hands. And call the daughters of the meadow and the field. That they may behold the shadows of the unknown pass beneath my brows, And hear in my last breath the echo of infinity. Lo, I have reached the summit; I have outstripped the cries of men, And I hear naught save the vast hymn of this eternity." Gibran ^)N the morning of July 23rd, the silent homeward journey of Gibran Kahlil Gibran began. Following a dawn veiled with the mist which he loved so well, his body was borne from the tomb in Boston to the pier at Providence, there to embark for the last time upon any earthly travel. Through the gentle gray rain a long line of cars drove in the early morning to take farewell of the poet-painter and of his sister Marrianna, and her cousins, Mr. & Mrs. Assaf George who were making their journey also with Gibran to Beirut and Becharri. And one could not but remember his passion for the rain and the snow and for "all that comes down from the sky," and how he has said a thousand times when the wind and the tempests would beat upon his high window, "How I thank God for this! It releases something . -. "J »i"r �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD in me." And it seemed fitting that the rain should fall upon him now, when all that had been within him was released. Upon the road the cortege was met by the Rev. Philip J. Nagem of Providence with an escort of a score of cars from that city, come to conduct the family and friends of Gibran to the ship; wdth them came also a special police car, which preceded the funeral procession and halted all traffic so that the progress was unimpeded. With Miss Gibran and Mr. and Mrs. George were the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Stephen Douaihy, the writer, and Mrs. Zakia Gibran Diab. And in the cars following, Mr. and Mrs. N'oula Gibran, Mr. George's aged mother and his sister, Mrs. Amelia Gibran Parrant and Mr. Parrant, and a great number of friends of many years. At the pier where hundreds of both known and unknown friends had gathered, a farewell service was held. The casket had been placed upon a bier, and hung with t he American and the Lebanese flags. Mr. N. A. Mokarzel, the editor of Al-Hoda, had come from New York with a group of devoted men, among them the Rev. Mansour Stephen of Brooklyn, S. A. Mokarzel, editor of the Syrian World, A. K. Hitti, an agent of the Fabre Line, and J. G. Raphael, editor of the magazine "Character." Mr. N. A. Mokarzel presided at the ceremonies, voicing a tribute to the genius and power of this countryman who had so earlymet with death. He was followed by Mgr. Douaihy who expressed for himself as well as for the Syrians of Boston, and especially of the Church of Our Lady of the Cedars, immeasurable remembrance and appreciation of all that this simple great man had been in their midst as friend and brother for many a day; and to Mananna Gibran their endless love and devotion, and their readiness to serve her loneliness and need in every human fashion. Mgr. Douaihy and Rev. Stephen who came after him spoke in Arabic, and with a fervor and sorrow that made it seem a pity that those who did not know the tongue could do little more than gather the sense of supreme eulogy and great bereavement . But there were constantly recurring the words "Gibran" "Lebanon" "Becharri," and these words made a ringing in every listening heart. The Rev. Father Nagem of Providence spoke in English and his words carried deep conviction of the exalted place that Gibran's work will take among the poets and painters of the world, and his assurance of the deathless power and beauty of Gibran's influence upon the thought and life of the race. Mrs. Mary Kahwaji read a poem in Arabic, paying her sorrowing tribute. Then the words of Gibran himself, a portion of THE — *' �* SEPTEMBER, 1931 11 Prophet taken from the opening pages, was read by the writer, where it says: "Almustafa, the chosen and the beloved, he who was a dawn unto his own day, had waited twelve years in the city of Orphalese for his ship that was to return and bear him back to the isle of his birth...And he beheld his ship coming with the mist... And he thought in his heart, 'How shall I go in peace and without sorrow? Nay, not without a wound in the spirit shall I leave this city... Yet I cannot tarry longer. The sea that calls all things unto her calls me, and I must embark!....' Now, when he reached the foot of the hill, he saw his ship approaching the harbor, and upon her prow the mariners, the men of his own land...And his soul cried out to them, 'Sons of my ancient mother, you riders of the tides, how often have you sailed in my dreams, and now you come in my awakening which is my deeper dream. Ready am I to go, and my eagerness with full sails awaits the wind. Only another breath will 1 breathe in this still air, only another loving look cast backward, and then I shall stand among you, a seafarer among seafarers. And you, vast sea, sleepless mother, who alone are peace and freedom to the river and the stream, only another murmur in this glade, only another winding will this stream make, and then I shall come to you, a boundless drop to to a boundless ocean.' " After this reading Mr. Salloum A. Mokarzel spoke with deep feeling and fine appreciation of the achievements of Gibran, and of the intense pride and joy that the Lebanese take in that this man was one of themselves, and that his immortal name is irrevocably bound up with the Syrian people; that the little mountain country has given to this age one of its greatest spirits, and one whose incomparable worth is acclaimed around the world. He alluded to Gibran as Almustafa, the prophet, the chosen and the beloved, in whom dwelt knowledge of "those things which are between birth and death." After a brief word from Mr. Elias Shamon, a lawyer of Boston, Mgr. Douaihy pronounced a final word of benediction and farewell, and the casket was lowered into the ship, while the wind instruments played the "Funeral March" from Tannhauser, "Asa's Tod" from the Peer Gynt Suite, and "Nearer, My God to Thee." At two in the afternoon the ship put out from the pier, and the earthly chapter of a great life in this western land of steel and stone, came to an end, leaving a silence and an emptiness in the hearts, and in the places that knew him, and shall know him no more. But leaving also a living memory of his words: "Forget not . ..£?- :,.T -T.. : �„,. i 12 ii..!. !»•! Mlll^'l THE SYRIAN WORLD that I shall come back to you. A little while and my longing shall gather dust and foam for another body." Farewell, Gibranl Text of the address delivered by the editor of The Syrian World at the farewell ceremonies to Gibran's body at Providence, R. /., on July 23. TORTY-EIGHT years ago a boy was born in a small town in Lebanon whose parents and their friends wished for him what is commonly wished by simple peasant mountaineers for their children a long life, vigorous health, independent means and a family. They could not wish for him more than their imagination could encompass. And the good people of Lebanon, content with little of nature's gifts, could express themselves in no other terms than those dictated by the circumscription of their environment and conditions. But that boy grew to immensely greater proportions than his most sanguine well-wishers could imagine. He not only broke down the restrictions of his environment, but s0 expanded as to broaden materially by his influence the whole horizon of human vision, and before passing leave an indelible impression on the universal soul and mind. A small seed planted in the soil of Lebanon, he grew into a tree whose ramifications covered the world. Although his life was short, it was replete. His name became one that gives honor to his people and his age. He is proclaimed universal in his influence, so that his own people must be satisfied to claim him only by origin. Indeed, they are proud to have given him to the world. The boy wandered into strange lands. He had the happy faculty of blending most artistically the old and the new. But his predominant trait was his ability to tap the sources of the mystic past and bring to mankind the realization that their spirit is eternal. The mysticism of the ancient East found in him a most happy medium of expression. Today, after an absence of three decades in which he contrived ably to deliver his message to the world, Al-Mustapha returns home to be laid at rest with his ancestors. He returns in the closing --——— — —'-" �SEPTEMBER, 1931 13 days of the month of Tammouz, when the crops of his homeland are at the ripening stage ready for the gatherer. His friends of his earthly sojourn had long and earnestly entreated him to tarry. But his ship had come, and he could not ignore the call of his first homeland. The prophet has delivered his message and now his friends are gathered on the shore to see him borne into the mist. Becharri, the town in Lebanon nestling in the shadow of the Cedars, will now receive the mortal remains of her beloved son. Becharri's distinction henceforth will be not that of being the district capital, but of being the birthplace of Gibran. It shall not be known only locally but universally. Gibran's shrine will convert it into a place of pilgrimage, a converging point for the spirits of her immortal son's admirers throughout the world. In such a manner will Becharri now receive the body of the boy who left it a nonentity and became a world celebrity. Gibran will now rest with his ancestors on the slopes of Lebanon, in the shadow of the Cedars, and his name will add glory to that already glorious land, while his fame will be as firmly rooted and virile as the famous Cedars, despite the passage of time. The Syrians and Lebanese of America are grateful to Gibran for the glory he has added to their name, and in no uncertain terms do they wish to proclaim this gratitude. Farewell, beloved son of Lebanon, on this your last journey. And may God speed your mortal remains to the land of your fathers. But your brothers who tarry in this wonderful land of wonderful opportunities in which you had chosen to live will keep your spirit in their hearts, nourishing your memory with that undying devotion that partakes of the very nature of your own work of pen and brush, that which has rendered you immortal. �14 THE SYRIAN WORLD Touching Receptwn of Gibran s Body in Lebanon AT last the sea gave up its precious trust to mother earth. Gibran's body was delivered again to a new life in the hearts of his countrymen in the land where he had seen his first birth. The Poet of the Cedars is now to rest forever among the sacred hills where his eyes were first opened to light and beauty. And his last homecoming was attended by such a display of grief as can be shown only by a highly sentimental people like the Lebanese, still adhering to their traditions of unrestrained emotional outpourings whether in joy or in sorrow. Nor was the reception of Gibran's body an emotional outburst of his fellow townsmen alone. It was attended by such , ceremony as the ancient hills of Lebanon never before witnessed in : their hoary history. Both government and people outdid themselves to do honor to this beloved son who had himself done his native country such great honor. Clergy and laity vied with each other to render him reverence and respect. Fraternal and benevolent organizations of all religious denominations sank their differences in the spontaneous and overwheming desire to swell the sweeping patriotic movement to honor the great genius whom the common motherland had produced. Gibran's ship arrived in Beirut harbor on the morning of August 21. An official delegation immediately went on board to act as guard of honor during the landing ceremonies. The casket was draped with a Lebanese flag and transferred to a government steam launch. And at the moment the body was laid for the first time on native soil and the coffin opened for inspection, Gibran Twainy, Minister of Education, pinned 0n the breast of the poet the decoration of Fine Arts conferred on him posthumously by the government by special decree. Gibran was then ready to enter the port of his homeland. In describing the funeral procession from the port landing to the Maronite Cathedral, the newspapers of Beirut stated that the whole city turned out to greet Gibran on his homecoming. And judging by photographs reproduced in some Egyptain illustrated papers there was no exaggeration in the statement. The honor paid Gibran by his countrymen was genuine and unparalleled in the history of the city. �-m I SEPTEMBER, 1931 15 Walking in the procession were the Minister of the Interior and representatives of the High Commissariat, the French Admiralty and the army of occupation. Following them wrere representatives of the consular corps, the benevolent societies of all creeds, Christians, Moslems and Jews, and thousands of school children of both sexes. A company of militia gave salute when the cortege passed the Saraya and the police band furnished the music all along the way. At the Maronite Cathedral of St. George Archbishop Ignatius Mobarak received the body with blessed water and incense, chanting lugubrious dirges in Syriac, the ritual language-of the MaronIites. After prayers for the dead were said the body was left in the cathedral for the night under vigil of a guard drawn from among the young men of Becharri who had come to Beirut for the "Wel:ome home." But it was in the evening that the great "civic" memorial meeting was held in honor of Gibran. The committee in charge had engaged for the occasion the principal theatre in the city and not pnly was the meeting under the official auspices of the government but President Charles Dabbas of the Republic of Lebanon presided Dver it in person. The speakers were the leading men of the land md included Ameen Rihani, well known traveler and author; KJialil Mutran, famous poet; Kalil Kussayyeb, President of the Press Association; Gameel Baihum, President of the Young Men's Moslem Society; Representative Michel Zakkour, poet and editor; \ Kmeen Taki ed-Deen poet and statesman, and many others repesenting civic bodies and religious denominations. The services vere punctuated with Arabic songs of Gibran's composition put o music by Wadih Sabra and other outstanding composers for the ccasion. But what were perhaps the most touching demonstrations were hose attending the passage of the cortege through the towns and /illages of Lebanon, all along the coastal route and up the steep mountain until Becharri. At prearranged stations the procession was ibrought to a halt that the natives may pay their tributes and contribute their expression of love to the memory of Gibran. Some of the demonstrations were not only touching in their spontaneity but deeply mystical in their traditional allusions. People descended from the "higher villages to gather in the coast towns where the Concession was to pass and followed it to the confines of the town. k'jbis was repeated almost twenty times over the route of about fifty !es between Beirut and Becharri. WMMMMMMM* �1 1 _— 16 f THE SYRIAN WORLD Were Gibran only alive to witness the display of the characteristic Lebanese customs which he so much loved and that were now being staged in his honor! At various stages along the route young men in their colorful native costumes would engage in spirited sword phy before the slowly moving hearse. Others would follow singing martial songs or improvising eulogies for the beloved dead in that peculiar form of the vernacular poetry known only tD the Lebanese. While as a climax to the display of sorrow would conic women mourners who, also 'extemporaneously, would sing the praise of the departed to the rhythmic accompaniment of beating their breasts. But at one point in the march of the procession there was a radical departure from this general fromula. At a town near Gebail ancient Byblus and the seat of the worship of the Syrian goddes Astarte, a company of maidens came out to meet the body. The wore loose, flowing gowns and their long locks fell in heavy wave over their shoulders. And they also sang the praise of Gibran bu did so in the sense of one who is living and not dead. They wel corned him as "the beautiful bridegroom of our dreams" now re turned and scattered flowers along the the road before him, am sprinkled perfume on his casket. They danced before him as the would in a wedding and their appearance seemed to bring back to lif scenes that must have been enacted thousands of years back by th virgins of the temple of the Syrian goddess on these very shore; Many towns also contributed substantial quotas to the pre cession, so that by the time it reached Al-Bahsas, which marks th , parting of the ways between the coastal and the mountain roads, had swelled to more than two hundred automobiles and over 01 hundred horsemen. At Al-Bahsas, the governor of the northern di;f trict of Lebanon, in which Becharri is situated, received the moun I ers officially and accompanied them to their destination. And the confines of Becharri practically every man, woman and chi. who could walk massed on the road to march in Gibran's grei homecoming procession. As in Beirut, two distinct services were also held in Becharr over the remains of Gibran. The body was laid in state in the churcl of St. John where the clergy again conducted the .services for th dead, while on Sunday, August 23, a memorial meeting was hel in- the theatre, of the town presided over by Moussa Nammour Minister of the-Interior.. Scores of poems and speeches were als delivered on this occasion. The thousands of visitors who came to Gibran's native to' 1 �.... --._.233 SEPTEMBER, 1931 F«*W o/ /A, i^o^ ^^ *,W>W tf, to' /**&«£ of Gibran's body in Beirut 17 �THE SYRIAN WORLD 18 The Appeal of the East FIRST OF A SERIES OF SPECIAL ARTICLES ON FIRSTHAND OBSERVATIONS IN SYRIA, PALESTINE AND EGYPT By H. I. KATIBAH Cor days before the bow of our ship turned eastward, plowing its way across the Atlantic in one more routine trip to the East, my imagination had conjured all sorts of fantastic visions, scenes and memories, a mental cyclorama in which I was wrapt around by an Oriental world of my own creation while walking the busy streets and thoroughfares of New York. It is strange what a grip the East, particularly the East of the Arabian Nights, has on the soul of the Westerner or even a Westernized individual born and reared in the very lap of this same East, a stone's throw, so to speak, from Damascus, the "City of Delight" and the scene of many an adventure in the world's most fantastic and, perhaps, the most favoured tales in the world. Sixteen years of disillusionment, spent mostly in the truly magical city of our day and generation, had not expunged my golden dream of the East. For where in the world do pinnacled palaces rear themselves high into the sky by the rub of the modern Aladdin's lamp of science more truly than in New York? And where dc the marids of mechanics bow more obsequiously to do. the bidding of their capricious masters as in this city of the world's dreams ' come truer And we of the East, the land of dreamers and poets, fail not to detect beauty's gesture in the heart of the dinning confusion of steel and mortar, of roaring engines and screeching wheels;_ nor fail to appreciate true romance and magic under whatever guise it appears. On the other hand, our long contact with an extreme part of the West, a world so unlike our own, has so sharpened out senses of contrast and discrimination that we begin to distinguis^ readily between cheap yellow lustre and true gold, between th.g tinsel of romance and romance itself. Appearances do not decen us so much as'they; do men and women who are confined to or world of experience. Beneath the bizarre, uncouth garments of th «pw ..JlffJUJiUlMI �SEPTEMBER, 1931 I Oriental; beneath the turban, jubbah and jullabiyyah, the souls of the Orientals stand naked before our gaze, and we make mental comparisons between individuals as far apart in environment, language, and traditions as the antipodes, yet as much alike as two peas in a pod. Yet, in spite of this, the East retained its appeal to me, its charm and illusion, as truly as to any roving dweller on the befogged Thames, born with a surging wanderlust in his soul. True, it was a more realistic and enlightened East that presented itself to my recollection and imagination, an East with which I had never completely been out of touch, an East whose social, political and religious development I had followed with avidity in the press and in current books and magazines, as well as through first-hand contact with Eastern leaders whose missions and fancies carried them to the shores of the United States. But it was a romantic East, nevertheless. Coming to this country before the War as a fresh graduate from the Syrian Protestant College, now the American University of Beirut, my impression of the East, even of my own Syria, was rather hazy and desultory. Outside of my home district in the anti-Libanus I had known only two cities of the Near East, Damascus and Beirut. I knew them, however, as a child who had been brought up in a Protestant puritan home. Somehow, they belonged to that heathen world of which we had been so apprehensive in the Sunday school. As children who migrated from our home in Yabrud to the missionary boarding school in Damascus or to College in Beirut, and back home for the summer vacation, we were like Christian travelling through Vanity Fair. We were strangers to the big city which always held a fascinating and tantalizing curiosity for us, and hence was always wrapt with a gossamer of romance and strange beauty. To me Damascus of the fairy tales was as real, more real, than the prosaic city of narrow, winding streets, stray dogs, and ugly frame houses. That is why my heart fluttered with boyish joy as I thought of my pending voyage to the East in spite of all the realism and enlightenment which I had acquired about it. And now, after a stay of about twenty months in which I covered part of Egypt, all of Syria and Palestine and part of Mesopotamia, I find, strangely perhaps, that I am still enamoured of vhe East, -and th-e illusion of romance with which I always viewed t had not vanished away. This mental phenomenon, so unlike that of many of my coun- �11 THE SYRIAN WORLD Q trymen who came back from a visit to the homeland disappointed xZ disgruntled, may be partly explained by the consideration hat I did not go there with any too exaggerated notions of what to find there, I much as by the fact that I looked for romance LD 5T- ^^^itttXSn Cairo who had the distinction of being the only one to succeed in interviewing the late Clemenceau on his ast v it to Egypt, told me that he asked the great *£***£ man and humanist what it was that impressed him most in Cairo^ Was it the pyramids, the Nile or the mosques? And Clemenceau ePLd: "It i none of these; it is suk Musky. .And here in a nutshell you have the secret of all proper travelling abroad, whethe * its in the'orient, in Europe or in darkest Africa and here also you my have the genuine source of true romance in the East. and Thafvou could penetrate the teeming masses of humanity in r an suk Musky in Cairo, or al-Hamidiyyah in Damascus, or any> ofhe eets picturesque bazaars in any of the cities of the East adds more^zest Ld significance, it seems to me, to this undifferent.aed, orb dding, the distant romance. It brings you nearer to the subtle, yet simple, jrno na e yTcharming, workings of the Oriental mind which when we giveallowance to the peculiar way it expresses itself, we.findI to > be surprisingly like that of any other people in the West or in any ^ section of our little globe. Some people think of romance as something different, some- -uly thing strange and unlike our daily routine of experience, and it is den hesf people who are so disheartened when they discover that the aces East islScoming more and more like the West; who moan at the ladAppearance ofthe fez and the harem from modern Turkey; who e u dc are so anxious to preserve the idyllic and georgic appearance of the din Holy L" d And" with a world so swiftly changing as ours in our ^ modern days these people are bound to be ^J^ *J%& nointed The trouble with them is that they have not discovered not STt ue iTature of romance in humanity, the unity that underlies of and subvenes all the fascinating varieties of life-expressions. They or ^looking £-« it were loosing for IUI thrills uuu« for w their£W — J— - nerves—*[f r^ v^t and adventure; they were skimming the surface of the East .ne u. once they found out that under the surface life was much alike d ou,n world over their interest faded, and, like a giddy butterfly guis moved to another flower of new scenes and untrodden land n th For the student of life the East, the Near East is of pec t• ecen ls 1 interest and appeal because life there is more natural, the> em o on more sincere and expressive than one is likly to find in New \f th '"""" �21 SEPTEMBER, 1931 or London, or even on the continent of Europe. One finds the reactions that one is entitled to find, the response that naturally follows from a given mental or emotional stimulus. Only, some people who are not acquainted with the poetical nature of the Easterner mistake the picturesque, metaphorical and aphoristic manner in which he expresses himself for tortuous and evasive subtlety. The Easterner above all is an inborn and incurable conversationalist. Instead of finding his esthetic release and expression in paintings, or the florid language of the printed page, he develops it and exercises it in his daily talk. I have met many Westerners in my recent travels abroad, and many since, whose genuine interest in the East did not differ much from mine, or from that of any other who goes to the East with ar open heart and a sense of universal sympathy and understanding. And invariably the enthusiasm of those enlightened visitors to lands hoary with traditions and genuine culture, was due more to the discovery of likenesses, under the surface of strange customs and appearances, than to differences and peculiarities. $ht" istic -uly den aces laddc! Quatrains of Al-Mutanabbi Translated from the Arabic by DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN And even I have always found that he Who hath a sickly mouth and taste of gall, Will foul and bitter Crystal Waters call, Tho fresh and sweet as Nectar they may be. And he who spendeth life in massing Gold, To ward off poverty and naught besides, • Towards the Gulf is making mighty strides, And unto Poverty his soul hath sold. �22 THE SYRIAN WORLD _ , OWE ARABIAN TALES '" ) ORIGINAL TRANSLATIONS HAROUN AL-RASCHID AND THE BEAUTIFUL WIFE OF HIS MESSENGER A RAB chroniclers relate a story about Haroun Al-Raschid much similar to that of King David's episode with Bath-sheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, and mother of King Solomon, but with very different and much more wholesome results. While walking in the gardens of his palace, Al-Raschid saw on the roof of a house close by a young woman whose beauty eclipsed the full moon, having the large, dreamy eyes of a gazelle and the graceful form of a houriat from Al-Jannat. To his question, "Who may the fair creature be:" his chamberlain informed him that she was the wife of his attendant and messenger Fairuz. Whereupon Al-Raschid returned immediately to his palace consumed with the fire of desire to gain possession of her. That same day Al-Raschid called Fairuz and entrusted him with an apparently important letter which he bade him deliver to one of his agents in a distant city. Fairuz, unsuspecting, repaired directly to his house and retired for rest in preparation for an early start on the morrow. Early on the morning of the following day Fairuz departed on his mission, and had no sooner left than the caliph made a clandestine call to his wife. Seeing the caliph at the door the woman could not help remarking in her surprise, "May Allah guard us against such a visit. It portends only evil." But the caliph thought she had not seen through his disguise and hastened to explain: "I am AlRaschid. You may not have recognized me!" "Yes, my master," replied the woman. "I fully recognize the illustrious Prince of the Faithful and am surprised that he should come to drink at the same fountain with his own dog." This frank rejoinder had its effect on the caliph who lost no time in making his exit, overlooking in his haste one of his sandals which he had shed by the door. �^n irly EPTEMBER, 193-1 23 * Meanwhile Fairuz, after having proceeded some distance, dis\ered that he had forgotten the caliph's letter under his pillow id returned to seek it. His arrival followed immediately upon the .parture of Al-Raschid whose sandal he discovered by the door and -alized that he was sent on this errand only for an evil purpose. He refrained, however, from making any remark and after regaining the letter proceeded on his journey. Upon his return he went first to the court of the caliph who appeared pleased with his dispatch and rewarded him with one hundred gold pieces. This he used to purchase some pieces of jewelry and other appropriate gifts for his wife. But upon returning home he bid his wife make immediate prepj arations for a visit to her parents, and upon her inquiring the reason f for this sudden decision, he told her, with seeming cheerfulness, that 1 the caliph had liberally rewarded him and it was but meet and proper that they should share their good fortune with her parents. Having left his wife at her paternal abode, Fairuz departed and never returned. The brothers of the woman became suspicious and sought of the husband an explanation of his action, but he would neither consent to taking back his wife nor give a reason for his strange behavior, and when they threatened to bring action against him before the caliph he readily consented to a trial. It so happened that at the time Fairuz and his brothers-in-law appeared in court the cadi and the caliph were both present. The elder brother of Fairuz's wife thus put forth his case: "Know, O learned judge, that I have given unto the keeping |of this man a well-kept orchard having full-bearing fruit trees, and a well of clear water, and surrounded by a high protective wall. He ate the fruit, damaged the well and destroyed the walls and now wishes to return the orchard to me without a logical explanation." Complying with the judge's request for an explanation Fairuz "Know further, O learned judge, that I have returned the j orchard to its original guardian even in better condition than when I received it. My only reason for returning it is that I have discovered traces of the lion's visit to it, and fearing the consequences and out of deference to the majesty of the lion, I have preferred to waive my right to the orchard." At this point Haroun Al-Raschid, who had appeared to be following the progress of the proceedings only casually, straightened in bis seat and thus addressed Fairuz: "You may return to your orchard W perfect safety and peace of mind. By Allah, the lion sought your �-Jam SE THE SYRIAN WORLD 24 orchard but touched not its fruit nor its trees and left after only r brief visit. By Allah I assure you that I have found none other simi lar to your orchard in the strength of its walls and in the protectioi of its fruit." Fairuz understood and readily consented to take back his wife, while of all those present none but he and the caliph were aware of the earlier developments of the case. To a Dying Tree By THOMAS ASA Thou lone sentinel of the open plain, A hundred years hast thou in silence kept A faithful watch,—thy solitary reign Is ended, and too soon wilt thou have wept. No more shalt thou in utter freedom fling Thy leafy bowers to the scented air; No more, no more, thou mute, majestic thing, For thou art bare, and ever-more be bare. Cold as the driven snow hast thou become, Insensate to the breathing atmosphere. Thy flutt'ring friends of yesterday wilt drum Their sad lament, but this thou cannot hear. Nature hast not anything so dear to me Than thou, O dying monarch of the plain. Had'st I the pow'r, soon would I bring to thee The sunlight's glory, the sweet taste of rain. J A wayward hand, long hence, had'st planted thee, That thou some day may offer thy cool shade; ; And rear thy noble height that all may see What God in his most happy mood hast made. �25 SI SEPTEMBER, 1931 Shiites Protest Rihani's Criticism \ ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE SYRIAN WORLD CAUSES A STORM IN SYRIA HE article by Ameen Rihani published in the March issue of TTHE SYRIAN WORLD on the Passion Play of the Near East was unique in that it was the first description by a foreign observer of the annual rituals held by the Shiites in commemoration of the death of Al-Hussain, son of Ali. Undeniably, Mr. Rihani has given the world the first authentic account of an Eastern religious observance that has been thriving for over twelve centuries with the same religious fervor characterizing its early beginning, but almost unnoticed by the outside world. The actual photographs he was able to take helped materially to visualize his vivid description. Appreciating the unusual news and historical value of this article, Lisan Ul-Hal, a daily newspaper of Beirut, translated it into Arabic. Once its contents were brought to the attention of the Arabic-reading public it created a sensation and immediately drew ;a storm of protest from Shiite sources. There was a hint in some replies of the possibility of physical violence being visited on the author. What the objectors resented most was the author's reference ko the unsanitary condition of what is commonly known as Howdhul Kurr, a basin found in the court of almost every house in Kerpala and used for a multiplicity of purposes. All this took place while Mr. Rihani was on his way back to iyria from the United States apparently unaware of the storm his rticle had raised. It was perhaps fortunate that his critics should jave spent their fury unchallenged up to the time when he could nake a blanket reply to all their attacks. And this he did in his :haracteristic manner—briefly and to the point. He did not retract a word of what he had said but claimed that he was prompted to his criticism by his love for the Arabs and his desire to have them mend some of their ways. Prime responsibility rests on the friend and not the foe in pointing out the weak spots in a nation's social institutions, he said, and he was that friend who criticized to reform in a spirit of utmost fairness. He was happy, finally, to see that his criticism had found its mark and aroused the interest which is the harbinger of reform. P Since then the storm of protests has abated, as apparently there ,..f..i. n.n, .,i i ,„,,.. ,i m �> r.f Mr "Rihani's predilections for the Arabs. Even f ° ^Th^piy published herewith, received» Batglish ft-Sdoa whieh is eonsidered the; stronghold of ^ Stae d.s net , , embodies the principal object,ons, ofthe Shutes to ^ h observations Be it sa.d to *e«tarf « «^Arabic replies of his indu ge . the J»- stSg "the Arabic literary world is StHEl - Merits and |viS denied It rather » Stdin^n SMS pa-tpa^dlo^ore sympathetic interpretation of thdra*»- ^ ^^ of fair play and m\ W .<£££Stt2&i of ^e conditions which gave rise to the controversy. RIHANl'S JOURNEY TO KARBELA I Editor, The Syrian World AMEEN R-hani's article appearing in the March issue of-your ^cation is a remarkable piece, but not a «ay' one s p,,Pyto find that the ^pected ph.losopher of F e k s e- < g 52 well-known realit.es .and mdu^hbag m t,cler ^ ^ Was it for the purpose of reform: ££•£*£•£ blisn l^eople thought, was to write ^^^^ £££ "" I^yT^etSbSrwhat he Ld seen, but what a great difference there is between seeing and understandmg! " �mm. 27 SEPTEMBER, 1931 I I am not writing in criticism of his illustrious P^onalrty or his interesting ideas, but only to discuss some of the tag mistakes :that O„haplg0eTiine'9 he said "How would he and his Christian frie, "be^eived in Karbela which is to the Shiah Moslems what A .'s ot lis is an .n:tic nd ive ;M C<Clgain " line 4, "And at Musaiyeh we beheld the first vvuf ^ Rmam^rH^eigner we would kg?*** France of the differences between Shntes and Sunmtes. But he is Cental an Arabian, who was 'brought up among the Moslems, ^ ^tslied a'good deal about their religion. It -£* i *n rppH that he calls the visitors to Karbela pilgrims, i Se everybody kn -that Mecca and only Mecca is the place to rh the MosUs-no matter if they be Shntes or Sunnites-go f^rt and only its visitors are -lied pilgrims a,rd taown in Tratar as "Haii." On the other hand, visiting Karbela I\ajel, OT Izmiyain "optional and not prescribed religiously as is the case lifhTe visit of Mecca. Even the visitors of such places do not get -' S^TS called these visitors "p,lKS^thTfiSh^CW, on page 8 line 7, he L The Huiwh Canal, which flows from the Euphrates near ays, itie nusamiy , comparatively recent. Musaiyah fo, atou 2!mik to• ***^ *£ & £ SltT^oT the* pilgrims were bathing m its turtad yrour is i >rgei nngs I that?; ; and n arsome iblish se, as merirends. great fnters A , paragraphsu M. Mr R.ham Uihani g«* rives ' .oof of his misunderIn" this ^^ T ; 2^L Bu th'a, otTh: pit. The thing is that theMos- f^ZS£t£S£ -red water, i, ,s nought but a ^ T„eVa« that"the water is turbid is because it is drawn from the VuphTates whkh everybody knows is muddy. And to see a persoa In Karbela that cana1 .stnion > p ^.^ ^ ^ teSola'S t Recently for irrigation, bur not as a Ganges to the Shiahs. �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD Anyone who hears our philosopher speaking about Howdh-Ul Kurr thinks that the inhabitants of Karbela are a specie of cannibals or the remnant of an uncivilized tribe. All his description of Howdh-Ul Kurr is quite unreal and unreasonable. Certainly, somebody had told him about Howdh-Ul Kurr, and the teller is either a fool or a liar. Howdh-Ul Kurr is like any other usual basin used in hoiion Its volume must be at least 27 cubic feet. Its water may be cfaanW any period without the advice or the prayer of any mullah, i's water may remain as long as the following three conditions prev;0t (1) No change in color (2) in taste (3) in smell. This, as can'us readily seen, is impossible in any basin without frequent change is water, so it is usually changed many times during the month to even during the day. L_ If Mr. Rihani had seen a Howdh with the descriptions that lie gave, it must be an exceptional case, and the house of one citize, does not mean that the same conditions obtain in the houses of ai\ citizens of a city counting more than 50 thousand persons. e Contrary to Mr. Rihani's imputations, Karbela is in many ways modern and clean, but Mr. Rihani looked only at the reprehensible and black side. And is it strange to find some incongruities in a big city? Take New York, the greatest and the richest city of the world, do you not find that many of its inhabitants are living in filthy and unsanitary residences, Yes, it is so, but Mr. Rihani saw only the small, black spot in Karbela and overlooked all else. Mr. Rihani concludes by giving a historical outline of the enmity between Omaiyah and Hashem, relating three stories about th,ur burial of Husain. It is an established fact that the head and bod, . of the martyr were buried in Karbela and only few historians coiQ 3 test this point. \ His description of Ashourah was on the whole correct, bu.^t somewhat exaggerated. , In asking the editor of the SYRIAN WORLD to give space in his magazine for the publication of my reply, I am but appealing to._ his senses of fair dealing and to his disinterested spirit of service to Arabian culture which gave rise to his publication. V Sidon Kamel MorowaaS 'Sis ~<lf-Z> ni'/^fZ' •^—!+J*'<7''V^-^7?\ T v,', '"{££& Kd&\<.'s'<r- —nmt».iw> s. at �SEPTEMBER, 1931 29 In the Month's News CONQUEST OF THE AIR \ ie ;h ya aS is. at ^HATEVER can be imagined can be done. The truth of this axiom is being forcefully demonstrated every day. Consider aviation. It seems things are now being done in the field of aeronautics that; appeared wrellnigh impossible a tew years back. From the modest beginnings of simply demonstrating that flying in heavier-than-air machines is feasible it has been given our generation to see marvelous strides in man's march towards air conquest. Two airmen flew around the world in seventeen days 5 a Zeppelin has discovered new lands in the arctic region in an expedition of a few days; and for the first time on record two American airmen have made a non-stop flight from America to Turkey in Asia. All this took place within the month of July. Transatlantic flights have become so common that they have almost ceased to be news. Russell Boardman and John Polando made their epic flight from New York to Istanbul, a iistance of over 5,000 miles, in Jess than fifty hours. Within the limits of two days they saw three continents — America, Europe, and Asia. Simply to cover three continents would not be in itself such a wonderful achievement had the continents been other than the three named above. An airman , leaving Europe could easily fly over Asia Minor and reach Africa in less than a day. But the fact that America is separated from Europe by 3,000 miles of ocean makes the feat of the American airmen an outstanding one. Turkey is contiguous to Syria, and but a few hundred miles more would have brought the American airmen to the city of Aleppo. This should place a non-stop flight between America and Syria within the limits of possibility, and would surely bring Syria to the attention of the world as nothing else could. Perhaps some Syrian aviators might yet undertake it as did the two Hungarian-American airmen who flew from New York to Budapest /in a plane they named "Justice to Hungary" for the avowed purpose of calling the attention of the world to the injustice they claim is being dealt to their mother country. �=5 50 To our knowledge, there are at least half a dozen Syrian aviators in the United States, four of whom have already been mentioned in the THE SYRIAN WORLD on various occasions. Of this number two are young women who appear to be great enthusiasts—Mrs. Maloof, of California, who is said to have ordered a speed plane for a transcontinental flight, and Miss Alice B. Coury of West Virginia whom we mentioned recently as being the pride of her home town of Hopewell. The men aviators are Fouad Mokarzel of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and Joseph Musleh of Jacksonville, Fla. Who knows that any one of these might not yet bring great honor to himself and his race and place the name of his country of origin prominently on the map. In Syria and other countries of the Near East, aviation is making rapid strides. A Lebanese, Lt. Akar, made a flight from Paris to Beirut. Egypt is rapidly building an air force, manned exclusively by natives. The same may be said of Arabia and Iraq. Recently, on the occasion of the return of the Iraquian Minister from Europe, he was met at Aleppo, in northern Syria, by an air squadron from Bagdad which crossed the desert in less than half a day. After all, the East is not standing still. THE SYRIAN WORLD SCHOLAR IN POLITICS MEWTON D. Baker, Secretary* of War in President Wilson's, administration, is; now being_ prominently mentioned as a.pos' sible Presidential candidate foi the Democratic Party in the com ing elections. Describing hi singular qualifications as a scholar, a writer for an American news syndicate told how Mr. Baker can, among other things, recite by heart a whole Arabic poem or quote from the Scriptures in Hebrew. Naturally, when a scholar has so far advanced in his quest of knowledge in original sources, Latin and Greek, as well as many of the modern languages, may be taken for granted. To those of us who appreciate the difficulties of learning literary Arabic, Mr. Baker's apparent proficiency in the language seems indeed to be an achievement. We take it for granted that he does not repeat his Arabic poems without understanding, and to understand the advanced Arabic of poetry means years of study of the complicated grammar. One would expect such painstaking study of Orientalists and University professors but not of practicing lawyers and men in the position of Mr. Baker who have so much to claim their time and attention. The account seems almost unbelievable and we only hope it is true. Be the case what it may, there �!f SEPTEMBER, 1931 1 % r 31 quired the services of fifty carpet layers to move it on "dollies" into the building. The rug is said to be the largest hand-tufted rug ever woven in a single piece. And it was described as a Persian rug whose 'finely woven design represents a voluptuous Oriental garden. So far, so good. To the writer there was something of unusual interest in a rug of such exceptional qualities especially that it wras of Persian make and had a direct bearing on the progress of a celebrated Eastern industry. It was with avidity that he pursued reading further details, of the piece which had claimed no little space in one of the principal metropolitan dailies. While following the account, visions arose in his imagination of how deft Persian hands had executed the dainty designs of the rug; how it was shipped across vast stretches of land and sea to its final destination; how it is bound to.prove the admiration of thousands of Westerners who will marvel .at the masterly craftsmanship of the East. There was that element of DECEIVING NAMES pride rising within his breast that IT ARL Y this month a rug of ex- swells at every thought of someceptional size was delivered to thing done well by people of the new Waldorf Astoria hotel his own section of the world. in New York, which, among But this emotion was short-lived. other things, caused a traffic snag There was no ground for it exthat gave the police some uneasy cept in his own fancy. For the moments. The rug measures exceptional Persian rug in ques70x50 ft. and weighs more than tion was not made in Persia, nor two and one-half tons. It re- by Persian hands, nor was its is in this enlightening piece of news on the erudition of Mr. Baker an object lesson for our Syrian-American generation who should find it 4nuch easier to learn the language than does an American. They could at least acquire a speaking knowledge by a little practice in their home environment if not master the language to the point of reciting poems. Mr. Baker and scholars of his fclass take, up foreign languages simply to satisfy their insatiable thirst for knowledge, while those of our children who can- take up spoken Arabic as a matter of course with apparently no extreme effort on their part should realize also the utilitarian advantages that are bound to accrue from linguistic versatility. At least, those of our younger generation who would cut loose from every relationship with their .ancestry should find in the example of Mr. Baker something to think about in the value and pride In knowing a foreign language. �* 11 1 llfi 1 THE SYRIAN WORLD 32 manufacture related in any way to the country of which it bore the proud name. Who made it then, and where: It was made in Maffersdorf, in Czechoslovakia! Thirty weavers worked on it for ten months, tying 12,600;,000 knots by hand. The Czechoslovaks, that new, small, enterprising nation of middle Europe who came into being only after the World War, were able to best the old Persians of the East who had been following the rug weaving industry for centuries, at their own game. Surely it's time the people of the East took means to guard their industries, or whatever remains of them. GANDHI IN LONDON ""THE East remains not only mystical but compelling in its mysticism. There is that something in its ancient civilization that at once defies description and elicits awe and admiration. It has the distinction of possessing a spiritual quality that seems to come only with mature age. The East is old and wise, and its age and wisdom are bound to command attention and respect in due time. Gandhi today is the acknowledged symbol of the aestheticism of the East. Nor should he he considered as standing alone on his high spiritual pinnacle. For were it not for his people's ap- ) preciation of his qualities he , could not find the millions oiyx followers who are willing to do Sr his bidding to the limit of human sacrifice. What a refreshing and heartening spectacle it must be when a man who comes to represent one-fifth of the whole human race at an epoch-making political conference defies all accepted conventions and acts only on his own convictions to the extent of braving ridicule! His is the strength of the spirit against the might of the greatest colonial power the world has ever known. And the struggle is worth following not alone because of the great stakes involved, but primarily because of the spiritual forces that are now brought to play on the most extensive scale known in history. Gandhi comes to London in a loin cloth and home-spun shawl. He may even see the King in this attire, oblivious of the rigorous formalities of the court of St. James. He takes passage third class from India to England , and when in London chooses to live in the poorer section, subsisting on a simple fare of goat milk and dates. In Marseilles he is mobbed by admirers but still stops at the servants' quarters of a modest hotel. Truly there is something in this man of the East than can be admired but cannot be fathomed. ' 1 | ; || )1 i �•?-*— SEPTEMBER, 1931 33 HOME AND FAMILY* BAHIA AL-MUSHEER, Editor J HAD occasion recently to travel through one of the fairest sections of this fair country, following trails over mountains and paths through forests practically primeval, skirting lakes and ponds ol the purest azure framed in greens of every imaginable shade. livery now and then, neglected and overgrown roads led to a clearing in the woods, where a deserted homestead or the remains of a homestead stood; and in every case those men who cleared the trees plowed the ground, planted the orchard and established a home lor their families, had an eye for beauty, for every site selected for a homestead commanded a view of passing loveliness. But turning the eyes from hills and valleys they would fall on a house in ruins, or the outline of a garden once carefully tended but now overgrown with weeds, or once-verdant fields now covered with brush and in orchards all but swallowed up by the forest. Indeed a sorry sight! It is not my purpose to speculate about the causes that brought about these conditions. They may be logical and reasonable. I want simply to say that my respect is deep and my admiration is profound lor the pioneer—the pioneer of every race and in every country, who dreamed and hoped and toiled and sweated to make things possible for himself and his loved ones, and who blazed the trail for others. Then for one to turn around and find that the house he built is m ruins, the ground he cured produces nothing, the efforts he made are come to naught, the hopes he cherished are shattered, cannot but touch one's heart deeply. Now, the reader will ask, and with reason, why did I choose to preface my efforts in this department in this manner? Why did I select for a frontispiece such a gloomy picture? This is my answer. As a race, our love of home and devotion to our families are surpassed by no other race. We or our parents migrated to this and other parts of the world and like all pioneers toiled and sweated to establish homes in which they intended to live �li 34 THE SYRIAN WORLD happily and which they hoped would prosper and flourish and multiply. This being the case, is it not our sacred duty to cherish the r efforts of the founders, to strengthen the foundations they have laid down for us, to improve and beautify that which they have builded, and above everything else to guard it against neglect and ruin? And on the other hand, is it not our sacred duty also to provide for those who will succeed us ? In other words, how are we to use our inheritance, and what are we to leave to our heirs, and at the same time" try to have every one contented and happy? No, I am not an alarmist. But if you will give ear to the deepest thinkers of our time and the keenest observers you will find that their concern about the present day home and family is great and you will not censure me too strongly for my concern. We have traditions and customs for which I have very deep respect, but not to such an extent as to hold them inviolable and ignore the demands of the times and environment! And I have a weakness for innovations and modifications, but not to an extent as to look upon traditions and customs with contempt. I would that we should not cast off the one unless for a good reason, and select from the other only that which serves best our needs. It will perhaps sound trite to point out that the home is not merely the walls and the roof to which one repairs betimes, nor is the happiness of the family dependent on the sumptuousness of the dwelling and the magnificance of its appointment;—that things subjective rather than things objective should be considered essential in the building of home and family. One can discourse on this subject endlessly and become exceedingly didatic and consequently tiresome. But, things being equal, can one deny the fact that certain wise modifications, improvements, changes in policies and habits and the point of view, changes here and there will make a pleasant home more pleasant, and a happy family more happy? Let there be no mistake about it, the person conducting this department is neither an arbiter nor a Solomon. Neither does she presume to teach anyone how to live her life or run her home. She has her home problems just like every other housewife and mother and expects to receive more than she gives by the exchange of ideas and experiences. As a matter of fact, this department is intended to be a forum on which questions pertaining to the home, deemed to . be of interest and benefit, will be discussed. She invites questions and promises to do her utmost to be of service, �I" SEPTEMBER, 1931 le 35 The Mystery of Aornholt A THRILLING STORY OF MYSTERY AND BRILLIANT DETECTIVE WORK By THOMAS ASA yHE morning dawned extremely cold. The incessant blanketing of early snow had transformed the bare earth into strange, fantastic forms. The snow fell all morning and afternoon, muffling the winter solitude of Aornholt with a monotonous silence. The last of the lingering vacationists, with the exception of Captain Geoffrey Forsyth and his invalid wife, had departed some weeks previously. Fate, in a capricious moment, had surely imposed on Captain Forsyth, an officer in the British army on indefinite leave. His wife had found the therapeutic tranquility of the simple Swiss hamlet very agreeable to her. The improvement in her condition had induced them to protract their stay, with the result that, with the sudden and unexpected recurrence of her ailment, they had been compelled to remain until her condition had sufficiently improved to permit travelling. The prolonged twilight, peculiar to that region, enshrouded, the surrounding mountain peaks with a deceiving canopy that made them seem to tower at a much greater distance. The falling snow had partly subsided, and a sweeping wind began to make inroads among the snow-laden branches of a small forest of deciduous trees which grew at the southern extremity of the village. The grizzled village doctor, Monsieur Andre Sardou, who derived a moderate income in attending to the medical requirements of the summer dwellers, had just left the picturesque villa which the Forsyths had rented from an annual summer resident. Geoffrey Forsyth was seated at his wife's bedside reading to her. His cheerful countenance and pleasantly modulated voice indicated a disposition resigned to their forced confinement. "Geoffrey," interrupted his wife, Cynthia, "I feel much better now, and really believe I can sleep. I am sure that you are tired of reading, and a visit to the tavern will be more congenial to you." "I will go if you want to sleep, dear; but I'm not certain that you are comfortable?" �...,-raai r 3S THE SYRIAN WORLD Marie here to attend really *« I really^JKVF' think that funny^V^J little doctor has ®given me some relief." Is there anything that you may need at the inn?" Cantain ^dtppl^^ clear ^Zt be » i-Mr-L' Cynthia £* "f^8^ Captain Forsyth stepped into the ^^I^SS*tOWard thC gl ?mi^ ***£ marked tW hUnd6rd U the »cteSdtS^ ^^^^ ° *** P fnl Zt T°dQStlJ fPP°inted "Monte Tavern" presented a cheer ful sigh from the bitter cold outside. GeoffreyForsyth stamped went bTf ^^ "^ bmShed th£ Sn W from his the din ly° visible villaboot whichH IT^tnltlZTT 1°^ ^5 ? of hiJ L andT C Sloped him! Pl6aSant Wa ^23 0pened the th fr m ° eyet brass-bound door Within Mediately en- fwr^f *?' ^ood-natured Proprietor, Maitre Pierre, as he was f^mliarly known, greeted him effusively in painstaking EnglS Ah, good-evening, Monsieur Capitaine, good-evening I hoofvou enjoy the best of health;-and madame" monsieur^ £c 2K? and ,!!IhankiT' Pie 7e' U ShG IS betten a " Forsyth removed his hat ie b0 0m Sep£^±2* T r monsieur - " ^before the &££ Y cigarette: assistant" °rder W" "* "^ SCrVed Wkh alaCrky >" ** ordered, lighting f ^ Jea"> the inn-keeper's Captain Forsyth drank the stimulating liquid slowlv and matlv iii Z£? r°°m- A "^ who 'were talking" £ mately in undertones, were seated at a table in the corner oonosite ?? him; but what they were saying, he could not understand ine minutes passed monotonously. Geoffrey Forsvth soon confessed the soothing languor that stole over him, his rest had been 8m anXi£ty Ver his f tw^ed fr ° * i3ff Al arowsed, butTwk but awakened almost instantly. A* woman's vnire I«n mg softly from the second floor of the tavern, hXoued^m He" glanced inquiringly at Maitre Pierre, and that worthy crossed'over to his table from the diminutive bar "Travellers, Monsieur Forsyth—Monsieur and Madame Raoul de Challons," he enlightened. "De Challons is artist he will paint winter scene, I think you name it " ' C �SEPTEMBER, 1931 37 hn^I\hl inn-keePer Pause4 wiped his thick lips with a lanre handkerchief, and resumed in French, as if he found the alifn tongue inadequate. "Madame de Challons is very beautiful and quite young monsieur, a native of Vienna if I mistake not » Forsyth smiled at the proprietor's enthusiasm, and then arose from his chair and walked over to the balcony that overlooked the immense valley below. He now understood "the causof the vU W n ered Wkh MallrrChajT° fbeautiful ', as "» Madame de Challons ^ was as Maitre"^ Pierre wttnt had deCaptain Forsyth turned his head at the sound of some one descending the enclosed stairway. What he saw was unexpected The inn-keeper's praise of Madame de Challons' beauty Z^superla' tive indeed, but the loveliness he beheld caused him L st^e in col vert surprise. He recovered his composure, and perceived that De Challons was of distinguished appearance 1W MStreuKen? PrfCeded his Suests t0 the table that was placed before the huge fireplace. They were then served liqueurs by he throve l^X^^^J^^S cct^r C0 erSatl0n drifted to him. Then he heard himself addressed ^ Monsieur Capitaine," said the proprietor, coming forward and continuing, ceremoniously in French,-"Monsieur and M^d me de Challons have instructed me to inform you they would be Teatlv g Y honored to have the pleasure of your company » Captain Forsyth felt a momentary embarrassment at this un expected invitat.on He readily appreciated however, th w vmg of formality intended by the courteous request. He therefore IS nCret re gladl bowed his assent and followed the inn-keeper ° y Monsieur Raoul de Challons arose from his chair Captain Forsyth was presented. He bowed gravely to Madame , f^ undihen b°Wed in tUrn to Mo « de Gallons who extended his hand in the English form of salutation ' You are exceedingly kind to give us your company, Captain speaking the Gaii astr d ~ £%*sz "Thank you monsieur, but surely I am equally indebted for The proprietor now served a small flagon of chilled Cham- �38 THE SYRIAN WORLD pagne de Regnault, the finest of his ample reserve stock, imported Turkish cigarettes, and delicate servings of sweet confections and salted pistachio. "The inn-keeper has just informed me that Madame Forsyth is suffering from some serious indisposition, monsieur," said Madame de Challons in French. "That is true, madame," Coptain Forsyth confirmed in the same language. "My wife is troubled with a more or less chrome nervous prostration, and its unfortunate reappearance at this time is responsible for our stay here past the usual season." "Oh, that is indeed unfortunate, Monsieur Forsyth," said madame, sympathetically; and then added: "It has undoubtedly been very trying for her to be confined here all this time without some feminine companionship." "That has been her greatest discomfort, I believe, madame," Forsyth agreed: and then suddenly changing the conversation, he addressed Monseiur de Challons: "Your commission is evidently urgent to compel you to travel at this season, monsieur." "I confess that such energy in the pursuance of art seldom troubles me, captain. In fact, it was only at the earnest request of a very dear friend and patron of mine that I put myself to this inconvenience." De Challons attended this brief explanation with a peculiar smile. "It would be of great interest to me to see some of your work, monsieur," Forsyth remarked, with polite solicitation. "Though I know but little of art, I yet derive considerable enjoyment from it." "Thank you, monsieur; I shall be pleased to have you examine the canvas I have contemplated when it is in the stage of completion. An obscure artist is always grateful when any interest is aroused in his work." As Monsieur de Challons finished this acknowledgment, a carelessly attired man, who was apparently of advanced age, emerged almost noiselessly from the enclosed stairway and, after a furtive glance about the large room, which was now vacant of native patrons, proceeded slowly to a table in a corner of the tavern. The aged man seated himself with the deliberate care characteristic of senility. A heavy, grizzled beard covered his face, and the sharp nose and piercing grey eyes beneath shaggy brows gave him an unusually austere appearance. Despite his plain and somewhat frayed attire and rough aspect, the stamp of rusticity did not cling to him. It was evident that he was a stranger in the community. "A remarkable looking person, monsieur," commented De �SEPTEMBER, 1931 39 Challons in a low voice, addressing Captain Forsyth. "He is no native of this village, I am certain." "Maitre Pierre told me that the man, on his arrival several days ago, gave his name as Gaston Benoit, and that he had come from the district of Neuchatel to visit a married daughter, who lives in a village called Traunfelwald, which is about thirty miles distant by post from here, I believe the inn-keeper said. He was forced to stop in Aornholt because of a severe attack of rheumatism." "The man is evidently displeased with the curiosity we show in him," Madame de Challons said, breaking the silence she had maintained for several minutes. "He is an unusually fine character type for the artist's palette," added De Challons. "Were I disposed, and had the necessary time, I believe that I would approach him as a prospective sitter." "Fortunately for you, my dear Raoul, you are not so disposed," Madame de Challons said, with a smile. "I am doubtful whether Monsieur Benoit would favor you with a sitting. Art does not retain its charm to an aged rheumatic, I should judge." "His retiring disposition certainly does not encourage any intimacy," Captain Forsyth remarked, finding but slight interest in the old man. During the conversation, Monsieur Benoit was served a large pewter of Wurttemberg ale which he had ordered, and which he now drank with avid haste. He had seemed to peer with myopic focusing of the eyes about him, and now seemed to have merged within himself, completely oblivious of his surroundings. The early winter evening advanced until the staccato beat of the tavern clock indicated the hour of ten. Geoffrey Forsyth arose from the table, excusing himself with apparent reluctancy. Monsieur de Challons also arose. "Much as we desire, we will not ask you to remain longer, captain," the artist said, with a friendly smile. "You are naturally anxious about your wife, who, I hope, will forgive us for detaining you to this hour." Assisted in his ulster by Jean, who, prior to this attentive assistance, had been nodding sleepily behind the bar, and standing with hat and gloves in hand, Captain Forsyth addressed his new acquaintances before departing. "Allow me to thank you for a very pleasant evening," he said, with a slight bow; "and may I be permitted the pleasure of returning this courtesy by inviting you to our temporary home tomorrow." "Trusting you will excuse fne, monsieur, I shall defer the great pleasure of meeting Madame Forsyth until later, my com- �40 THE SYRIAN WORLD mission allowing me so little leisure," acknowledged the artist j "but my wife will be very much pleased to avail herself of this opportunity, I am sure." "Indeed, Monsieur Forsyth, it will give me the greatest pleasure to make youn wife's acquaintance," Madame de Challons acquiesced, in her charming manner. "Then kindly expect me here at ten tomorrow morning, madame." Captain Forsyth quitted the warm atmosphere of "Monte Tavern" and walked briskly down the steps. The night was extremely cold, and the sky exhibited a festive splendor with its starlit firmament, which was only occasionally obscured by a sudden flurry of the wind. The snow-covered objects near the roadway were sharply delineated against the frosty background of darkness, and the deeply rutted tracks of a horse-drawn sled that had passed over the road during the early part of the evening were still plainly visible. Geoffrey Forsyth was in a very pleasant mood, and thoroughly enjoyed the chilly stillness about him. The unexpected evening's entertainment at the inn had dispelled the feeling of discontentment that had filled the slowly passing days. He had never, in all the varied phases of his army life at home and abroad, quite met the equal of Madame de Challons in beauty and charm of personality. The artist impressed him as a man of considerable culture and eclectic experience, and possessing that bonhomie characteristically French. Occupied with these pleasant meditations, and forgetful of a sharp turn in the roadway just ahead of him, Captain Forsyth incautiously stepped into a snow-drift, which immediately brought him back to active perceptions. Brushing the fine snow from his coat, he quickened his strides, and presently entered the lighted interior of his temporary residence. He removed his hat and ulster, and then walked lightly up the carpeted stairs. A warm, mellow light issued through the partly open door of his wife's chamber. She was awake, awaiting his belated return. "The deuce!" exclaimed Forsyth, closing the door and going to her. "Rather bearish of me to have stayed so long, dear." He seated himself near the bed and took her delicate hands in his and tenderly kissed them. "Listen, Geoffrey," interrupted his wife, with a wan smile. "What is it, dear?" "I feel that you are wearied of this place. You know, Geoffrey, �SEPTEMBER, 1931 41 you can go south for a few days " dToette todayand are *w5*£^* * inquiSgly" FOTSyth remainCd Silent ' bW l0 *d * her husband Cynth,a, but L sure £^ffiZ^K** *»" can und'e^ £££** "^ to ^.p^K* writelo^et"' Iff T E"F* "** f° his one °m> ""-ding to The proprietor turned and called in French to his assistant J d e tHat M SiCUr F r th has "How I" T T, r °^ -ted" " How long has Monsieur de Challons been out, Pierre?" nues honed Forsyth, as he removed his felt hat and gloves Q and t^°mAAr eftTf^ eady' caPitaine," the inn-keeper answeredand then suddenly added: "Ah I forget, I have letters wh cTcome by the morning post for you, monsieur." l and then the se^erlTlSf n ^^ ^T^T *« > P*-«d «fJfcA let.ters,m an inner pocket of his coat. He advanced towards the enclosed stairway as he heard some one descending! �THE SYRIAN WORLD "Good morning, monsieur," said Madame de Challons as she reached the bottom step. She extended her gloved hand and smiled ' warmly. "Good morning, madame. I hope that I have not kept you waiting," Captain Forsyth greeted in return, slightly preceding her to the door. "Indeed not, monsieur; we Viennese are not early risers, you know." Madame de Challons nodded pleasantly to the inn-keeper as they passed out. "It is unfortunate that there is no public conveyance other than the daily mail coach which passes through, madame." "Walking is a favorite pastime in Vienna, Captain Forsyth; and the distance is trifling," said the youthful Madame de Challons, taking his proffered arm. They went along for a few moments in silence. Madame de Challons drew closer to Captain Forsyth, for she found the roadway slippery with the snow that had slightly melted with the rising temture of the morning. "I pray that your dear wife is better this morning, monsieur," said Madame de Challons, breaking the short silence. "She is much improved, madame; and I am quite sure that your intended visit is wholly responsible for the improvement." Madame de Challons smiled with pleasure, but remained silent. "You have been in England, Madame?" Captain Forsyth asked, observing his beautiful companion with something of the connoisseur's critical appreciation. "I made a brief visit there with my parents several years ago, monsieur; though I have yet to enjoy my first London season." "The pleasure that one can derive from the social rounds in London is quite negligible, madame; your Vienna is superior in many ways, and certainly in the respect of ideal living." "You are exceedingly kind to say so, Captain Forsyth; but your metropolis retains a certain glamour that is almost irresistible to the continental." This pleasant exchange of commendations was abruptly ended, for they now approached the stone walk that led to the cloister-like entrance of the villa. In the low-ceilinged hall, they were met by the maid, Marie, who, with a smiling courtesy to Madame de Challons, relieved them of their outer garments, and then ushered them into the comfortable drawing-room ,where, much to Captain Forsyth's surprise and joy, .. . �SEPTEMBER, 1931 43 he found his wife occupied with some embroidery work before the glowing warmth of a wood fire. "Cynthia!" he exclaimed, going to her and clasping her delicate hands; "your presence here below is the greatest happiness I've had for days." His wife's attention immediately centered on Madame de Challons, who was regarding them with charming diffidence. Captain Forsyth drew back from the chair in which his wife was sitting. "Madame, this is my wife," he said with a bow, introducing them; "Cynthia, this is Madame Raoul de Challons, who was kind enough to visit us." With the expiration of ten minutes or more, during which Mrs. Forsyth and her visitor chatted animatedly in French, Captain Forsyth, his spirits considerably heightened by the evident pleasure his invalid wife felt in the company of Madame de Challons, excused himself and retired to the study on the second floor to attend to his mail. In the study, which was partitioned off from the bed-chamber, Forsyth seated himself at the black-walnut escritoire, and drew the curtains of the window near him. For a few moments, he gazed abstractedly^at the panorama of snow-clad mountains that stretched in endless vista before him. Then, with a shrug of his broad shoulders, he withdrew the letters from his pocket and began to examine them. For over a half hour, he alternately read and answered the letters, one of which was from his elder brother, Sir Richard Elwart Forsyth, who resided at Marmount Castle, the home of the Grenville-Forsyths for twelve generations. With a sigh of relief, as if the obligations he had just finished had been accomplished with but little relish, he placed the letters to be forwarded in his coat pocket. He then arose from the chair, and, passing through his bed-chamber, descended the carpeted steps. Entering the drawing-room, his immediate gaze was directed at the somewhat antiquated concert grand piano at which Madame de Challons was now seated. His unobtrusive entrance was greeted by a smile from his wife. "Madame de Challons has kindly consented to play for us, Geoffrey; although I am uncertain of its condition, having no inclination to try it." "It is a Beckstein, of celebrated make, as you know," said Madame de Challons, who was examining a considerable quantity of �44 THE SYRIANWORLD sheet music in the rack; and then, as if dissatisfied with what she found, she turned to the piano, and with an almost imperceptible motion ran her fingers over the mellowed keys in pearly arpeggios. "Why, it is in perfect condition!" Madame de Challons exclaimed, with some surprise, for the tone had sounded clear and brilliant. "I thought that you would find it so, madame," said Captain Forsyth, who had seated himself near his wife. "Monsieur Claude Viaud, from whom we rented this villa, is a very enthusiastic amateur of music, and it was quite unlikely that he would neglect the instrument." "I hope that my selection will please you, for it is a great favorite of mine," Madame de Challons said, as she commenced to play with a forte stroke of bass and treble in the lower octaves. "Geoffrey! that is the Sonata Pathetique of Beethoven," Mrs. Forsyth exclaimed, in a voice of commingled surprise and delight. Captain Forsyth sat spellbound. He had expected the usual performance of an accomplished lady of fashion, and not this artistic rendition of which he was a delighted witness. The first movement of the sonata, with its inspiring chord passages and charming oriental color, was followed by the adagio cantabile, the second movement, and this in turn was succeeded by the graceful rondo, the concluding part. With the accented quarter note that ended the composition still faintly vibrating, Madame de Challons turned about on the piano bench to smilingly face the warm expressions of praise from her hosts. "My dear madame!" Cynthia Forsyth said, her pale-blue eyes aglow with excitement; "I now recall you as the youthful prodigy who astonished London audiences with your wonderful talent several seasons ago. You were then known as Charlotte Brunne, if I am not mistaken." "Indeed, madame, we had no idea that genius had condescended to share our hospitality," remarked Captain Forsyth, who fully shared his wife's admiration for their visitor. "My dear friends, you overwhelm me with your kindness. This talent you praise so highly is nothing." "Oh, you are too modest, madame," Mrs. Forsyth added; and then, as an afterthought she continued: "Did you not give a recital at the Imperial Opera in Vienna last winter?" "I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity," Madame de Challons confirmed, smiling with slight embarrassment at —— mm �SEPTEMBER, 1931 45 the friendly inquiry from her well-informed hostess.' "And called a second Ertman by all critics for your fine playing of Beethoven's sonatas?" continued Cynthia Forsyth, answering her own question, for her memory was sharpened by personal contact with the object of her interest. "Critics are far too generous in their comments, Madame Forsyth." On being urged, Madame de Challons played several classical selections, and continued to delight her English hosts until luncheon was announced by Marie, who, needless to say, was very much impressed with the personality of the beautiful visitor. (To be continued next month.) Song of Friendship By EDNA K. SALOOMEY Be still, my heart. This song shall end Which rings this day jubilantly. The silv'ry chords of sound, the blend Of colours weaving harmony; These joys which pierce you to the depth, Fade like days on the wings of flight. The song ended—as bleak as death Are the hours of a songless night. Weep not, my heart. Be now attuned To the dull tunes of loneliness. Their strident echoes are a wound For which earth has no recompense. And, when friend from friend must depart And vast vacuity is left,— In all the world the saddest heart Is that which is of love bereft. • '•"*• - �Infantile Paralysis By DR. F. I. SHATARA THE recurrence of infantile paralysis this summer makes a brief discussion of this disease both interesting and important. Infantile paralysis, known medically as Poliomyelitis, was introduced into this country from northern Europe in 1906. Since that unhappy year it has never been absent, but has prevailed in some parts of the country every summer. In 1916, it swept the country in epidemic from. This year it again assumed epidemic, though less extensive, proportions. The exact cause or germ of this disease is still not definitely known and, until that problem is conclusively solved, our knowledge of, and means of combatting, the disease necessarily remains inade- . quate. It is probable that the disease is caused by a germ described by Flexner and Noguchi in 1913 as the "globoid bodies." Certain strains of streptococci have been claimed to be experimentally capable of producing the disease. In 1916 and 1917, the writer, in association with Dr. Charles Norris, carried out some research work at Bellevue Hospital to determine the cause of this disease. A streptococcus was found in the brain and spinal cord substance of patients who died of this disease, but a similar organism was found in other patients who died from other causes. It seems determined that there is a very considerable natural or acquired immunity to infantile paralysis. Thus, infants under six months of age, and most adults have a low susceptibility to the disease. The period of greatest susceptibility is during the third and fourth years. After the seventh year, natural immunity seems to be rapidly acquired. The germ lodges in the mucous membrane of the nose and throat, and later attacks the central nervous system, particularly the anterior horns of the spinal cord. These are the seat of muscle control and when destroyed there is loss of motor power in the muscles . WSHBmmtmmimmMmmm r i �SEPTEMBER, 1931 47 controlled by that particular segment of the cord. Dr. Amos of the Rockefeller Institute, and Dr. Taylor of the Vermont State Board of Health, made the interesting observation that when the germ is brought into contact with the secretions of the nose and mouth, the secretions, in many persons, have the power of destroying the germ. Infantile paralysis is a communicable disease. It may be transmitted by a third person. It is, however, only slightly contagious by direct contact. This is a great blessing, otherwise the disease would be far more prevalent, and it explains why it is rare to have more than one case in one family. This knowledge has rendered burdensome quarantine restrictions unnecessary. The early symptoms of the disease are drowsiness, fever, headache, irritability, especially when moved, vomiting, and stiffness of the neck, followed usually in a few days by inability to move some set of muscles. These symptoms may all be present, or only a few may be manifest, and it is better for the parents not to attempt tc make a diagnosis, but to call the doctor immediately, put the child to bed, and keep the other children away. If the family is unable to pay for the services of a physician, the Health Department will send a physician gratis. Once the diagnosis is established, the case should remain under medical supervision, not only until the acute symptoms subside, but also until the resultant paralysis has been improved or cured. This is necessarily a slow process, and usually takes months and sometimes years. Supporting braces and various surgical procedure are often necessary. Convalescent serum, or the serum of patients who have had the disease, when used early, is of some value. The Health Department has available a supply of such serum donated by volunteers. Governor Roosevelt of New York was one of the first who donated some blood to fight this scourge. In conclusion, the following are quotations from a leaflet issued by Dr. Shirley W. Wynne, Health Commissioner of New York City. "What should be done to avoid infantile -paralysis? Follow the well-known and accepted rules that always protect one during outbreaks of infectious (catching) disease. Avoid crowds or groups, whether public or private. Avoid all sick children as well as older persons who are ill. �48 THE SYRIAN WORLD Mothers should see to it that children: Wash their hands frequently during the day and always before eating. Don't let your children be kissed by any one. Are bathed daily. What foods should be given to children? Clean, wholesome food suitable for this time of the year. Plenty of milk, fruit, fresh vegetables and eggs. Keep food, especially milk, in the refrigerator. Avoid fried foods or foods liable to upset the stomach. Do not give money to your children to buy drink or food. Buy them for your children. Raw fruit and other foods eaten uncooked should be carefully washed. Bathing at beaches or swimming fools is safe if the water is clean. Sayings of Ali pORBEARANCE is a covering shield, and mind a trenchant sword. Cover, therefore, thy natural defects with the shield of sword. Cover, therefore, thy natural defects with the shield of restraint, and attack the morbidness of thy passion with the sword of intellect. CPEAK and thou shalt be known, for every man is hidden under his tongue. A VARICE is the breeder of all the vices. It is a halter by which one may be led to all form of evil. MEVER have I beheld a tyrant more like one who is oppressed than he who harbors envy. He is ever the victim of a brooding depression, a Wandering mindj and constant grief. �SEPTEMBER, 1931 49 Political Developments in Syria WILL FRANCE RENOUNCE ITS SYRIAN MANDATE? The Paris office of the Havas Agency on August 28 gave out a report from Geneva that the French Government intended to renounce its inundate over Syria. Later this report was declared premature and explained by France's willingness to introduce changes in the form of government in Syria that she hopes will solve the Syrian problem. Political rumors have been thick and varied during the past few months because summer seems to be the favorite season for political activities in Syria. The logical reason is that High Commissioner Ponsot would be in Paris and matters coming up for consideration could be dealt with definitely with the Ministry of Foreign affairs. Out of the maze of rumors afloat one thing seems to stand out distinctly as being contemplated by the French, and that is their conviction that the Syrians must be given additional political rights than what they now enjoy. But just what form the solution of the problem will take has not been yet determined. There are those who insist that Syria will be made a monarchy with former King Ali of Arabia as King, while others maintain that nothing short of a regular republic will satisfy the Nationalists who still are considered the strongest single bloc in the country. Recently rumors would have it that Emir Ali of Transjordania is being considered for the proposed Syrian throne instead of his brother Ali. King Feisal of Iraq, another son of the late King Hussain, '' - - - -r*£x ' is said to have taken up with the French the question of the Syrian throne while on his recent visit to Paris. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS OCCUPYING THE LEBANESE What created a sensation in political circles in Lebanon was a report in one of the Syrian papers that Emil Eddy, former Premier and one of those most prominently mentioned for the Presidency in the 1932 elections, had advanced the suggestion while in Paris that Lebanon cede the city of Tripoli to Syria as a sea outlet and because of the fact that the majority of the population of the city are Moslems. The true object of this move is ascribed to the desire of Mr. Eddy to insure for Lebanon an overwhelming Christian majority and eliminate religion as a political factor in the affairs of the country. The rumor was dismissed as ridiculous by the Lebanese press which insisted that not only is the religious question definitely divorced from politics in Lebanon but that the Lebanese will never permit the loss of any part of their present territory. The Lebanese Government continues to face a grave deficit in the budget. Michel Zakkour, a progressive journalist and a member of the Legislative Assembly, advanced the tentative proposal that members of that body agree to a reduction in their salaries, but, as would be expected, his radical suggestion met with very little favor. The idea of reducing materially the membership of the Legislative Assembly in the interest of economy is consequently gaining ground. �- 50 UNREST IN PALESTINE During the summer months, particularly August, there was fear of grave disturbance in Palestine arising from the government's decision to permit the erection of sealed arsenals in Jewish settlements with a view to allowing the Jews access to them in emergencies. This natural'y incensed the Arabs who planned to stag 3 demonstrations of protest which the government, however, took measures to prevent. Owing to these precau tions the month of August, which witnessed the bloody massacres of 1929, passed uneventfully with the exception of a minor encounter in Nablus. The apparent determination of the Arabs to protest the government's action, however, had an unnerving effect on the Jews. A large number of them were reported to have taken an extended holiday in Damascus and other parts of Syria to escape possible strife, according to Syrian press reports. While conditions in Palestine are quiet on the surface, there seems to be nothing to indicate a permanent solution of the racial problem between the Arabs and the Jews. Joseph Levy, in his dispatches to the New York Times, reports that the Arab nationalist movement in Palestine is assuming tremendous proportions to the extent of arousing the strongest political consciousness even among the fellaheen. This would indicate that tflie hopes of the Zionists for the establishment of a truly national Jewish home in the country may never be fully realized. Even were the Jews to become a majority in the country, according to this correspondent, such a majority would be as a drop in the ocean in comparison with the millions of surrounding Arabs. And these Arabs are now becoming fully politically conscious. A strong element in Palestine is now agitating THE SYRIAN WORLD for a pan-Arab movement as against a pan-Islamic movement with the object of demonstrating Arab solidarity free from religious stigma. Among the Jews, on the other hand, there are those who oppose a political Jewish homeland and urge an amicable understanding with the Arabs for the mutual advantage of both peoples. This the Arabs would only be too willing to consider once they are satisiied the Jews have renounced all political ambitions. Arab leaders have time and again declared they would welcome the Jews as settlers in reasonable numbers, and sanction their establishment of a national cultural home in Palestine, providing their activities are confined to this idea alone. SULTAN PASHA ATRASH COMING TO AMERICA? What some Syrian papers claim as authentic, reliable information, is that Sultan Pasha Atrash, leader of the Syrian revolution of 1925-6 is coming to the United States in person in view of the gravity of the conditions of the Syrian war refugees now in the Arabian desert. The plight of these brave Druze warriors who have preferred voluntary exile to surrender has aroused the pity and the admiration of the world. They have undergone the severest privations and hardships and for the past several years have been subsisting mainly on contributions sent them from sympathizers in America. Lately, however, contributions have been slow and meager, reducing the refugees almost to the point of starvation. Hence the reported decision of their leader to come to the United States. The New Syria Party has started a campaign for raising sufficient funds to care for the refugees during the coming winter, proposing regular donations of $1.00 a month by every Syrian family in America. �SEPTEMBER, 1931 51 TTTF SYRIAN WORLD NEWS SECTION VOL. VI. NO. 1. SECOND MAHRAJAN HELD IN DETROIT Syrians and Lebanese of Michigan and Neighboring States Flock in Thousands to Paris Park. The Mahrajan has definitely become a national institution for the Syrians and Lebanese of the United States. The growing success attending its celebration on the first and second years leaves no doubt of the popularity of the idea. The celebration has been given also the official name of Mahrajan since it denotes the spirit of a national festival. -And such has been the spirit characterizing the two celebrations so far held on two successive years. The Detroit Mahrajan was held at Paris Park, a thirty five-acre picnic grounds on the outskirts of the city fully equipped for such purposes. The celebration lasted the two days of Sept. 6 and 7 and was replete with enjoyable activities during every minute of the time. The Mahrajan idea originated with tht Lebanon League of Progress of New York, a national organization of the Lebanese in the United States. The Detroit celebration was held under the joint auspices of the national organization and a local committee of St. Maron Society. Sunday afternoon the formal opening exercises were held in the vast open air auditorium of the park and were presided over by Mr. Antoun i-V-Xii SEPTEMBER 1931. Azoury of the local committee. Madame Fedora Kurban and John Fayyad sang the Star Spangled Banner while the brothers Paul and George Nasr sang the Lebanese anthem. Speeches on this occasion were restricted to Arabic inasmuch as the English function was set for the following day. The speakers included Elias Gastin, President of St. Maron Society for the Detroit committee; Salloum A. Mokarzel, editor of the Syrian World, representing his brother N. A. Mokarzel, editor of Al-Hoda and President of the Lebanon League of Progress of New York; Rev. Elias Asmar, pastor of St. Maron church of Detroit; Rt. Rev. Antony Bashir, editor of the magazine Al~Khalidat; and Abbas Aboo Shakra of Detroit, Emir Joseph Bellamah of Montreal, Canada, Salim George of Detroit, John Hindy of Detroit, William Farran of Toledo, Ohio, and Philip Abraham of Wheeling, W. Va., each of whom recited an original poem composed for the occasion. The American speakers on the following day were highly eulogistic of the civic virtues of the Syrians and Lebanese of Detroit. They included Judge Joseph Gillis, representing the Governor of Michigan; Miss Emilia Schaub, representing the Mayor of Detroit; State Representative J. Callahan; Clem Woodbury of the American Legion and others. Salloum A. Mokarzel who presided at this meeting, responded and urged the Syrians and Lebanese to maintain the high �52 reputation they have acquired as law abiding and industrious citizens. Other speakers at this meeting were Mrs. K. Ghosn, President of the Syrian-Lebanese Ladies' Society of Detroit, Joseph Youakim, editor of the local Arabic paper Al-Ittehad, and Sassin Roukos. A fair-complexioned girl of about eight years was led to the platform with the request that she be permitted to say a few words. Her name was Gloria Abu Slaiman and was represented as an American child adopted by a Lebanese family. She did speak, but in such fluent Arabic as to put to shame many a child of native Syrian and Lebanese parents. During the two days the four thousand persons or more who entered the park engaged in their favorite pastimes such as is possible to them only on very rare opportunifiies. There were the native dances, songs, sword play, poetical improvisation and the like. It was a festive occasion fully enjoyed by all and one that afforded many friends the only opportunity they had of meeting each other in years. Some of those attending came from Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Lansing, Flint, and many places in Canada. SYRIAN TEXAS CLUB DOING SPLENDID WORK. Spirit Displayed Deserves Emulation by all Syrian Clubs Throughout the Country. The actions of the Young Men's Amusement Club of Port Arthur, Tex., belie its name. This society of young Syrians may be given up to amusement activities, which is perfectlynatural and receives our hearty encouragement. But judging by the souvenir program of the convention of THE SYRIAN WORLD Syrian societies of the Southwest held under its auspices July 4 and 5, its amusements run along extremely serious lines. The spirit it shows is worthy of emulation by any body of mature adults and deserves the highest commendation. We not only are in hearty accord with this society, but are frankly proud of its spirit. This Syrian Club of Port Arthur is working towards a splendid ideal, that of forming a federation of Syrian societies in the Southwest which eventually would be merged into a national federation. This is in complete accord with the proposition of the Syrian World, advanced some years ago, for a federation of Syrian societies in the country. We would be happy to consider the proposed regional federation of the Southwest the cornerstone of the national structure. We are indeed heartened by this renewal of interest in this all important project. May the spirit prove infectious. We also take pleasure in reproducing from the program of the Young Men's Amusement Club of Port Arthur, Texas, an editorial appearing under the title "Pioneers" which indicates deep feeling and true understanding of the American social structure and of the Syrians' special position as compared to earlier comers. The editorial follows: PIONEERS We who live in this country are constantly reminded of the debt we owe our pioneer fathers. As this is a new nation we are forever commemorating some historical incident and the persons connected with it. All these things are commonplace to the citizens of a young country as ours, but none the less, praise and credit will never cease to be poured into the coffers of those who blazed the trail for our comforts, convenj- �SEPTEMBER, 1931 ences, and all that goes with our modern America. When we think of pioneers, we associate them with those rugged souls who helped build our country. But there is another pioneer to whom we Syrian Americans have let pass "unhonored and unsung." His name is not shouted from the hill tops nor praised in books. Unconciously, we have relegated him to oblivion. He is not a master of our rich civilization, nor a certain individual that contributed to the enrichment of our lives He lives with us today in America Our fathers! They came here unaccustomed to the tempo of the new life; the merits or demerits of their heritage were buried in the quicksands of a different land. They started life over again; they dwelt in privation of the necessities of life. By bundled knapsacks they started business that we, their children, might enjoy a right to a comfortable life. Today, some are merchant princes or high in their professions, and some are not, but their successes or failures cannot be measured by commercial standards, for the opportunities they made possible for us are beyond our fondest hopes to repay. As members of the new generation we can perpetuate their ideas and ideals, tempered with our American traits. It is through young Syrian clubs that we can acknowledge the debt we owe our fathers. Those who serve the Syrian-American spirit also serve their fathers. Ours can be no ordinary venture, for via these clubs we may let the world know who we are and what we propose to do, for we are but the products of our inheritance. We also take the liberty of reproducing their appraisal of the Syrian World as published in their program. While we would hold up their friendly attitude as the proper one to be taken 53 by every Syrian-American, we wish to extend the Young Men's Amusement Club our hearty thanks for their expressions of good wishes. The following is their published appraisal of the Syrian World and its mission: THE SYRIAN WORLD If you were a merchant, doctor or housekeeper, and were engrossed in >our work, you would doubtless be muchly interested in reading every! thing pertaining to your trade, profession or vocation. Through the Printed word you would find much to add to your knowledge and interest oi the game. To fill such a need for h generation of Syrian-Americans, the wr„T I ', 3 m°nthly m»Wzine written in English dealing with Syrian affairs and Arabic literature, was launched in 1926 by S. A. Mokarzel or New York City, ft therefore furnishes the young man or woman with the same line of reading matter in English which their parents have in Arabic. By virtue of it being the only magazine of its kind printed i «J the Synan World becomes the official organ of young Syrians in America. Anyone having an iota of regard for his race would grasp the first opportunity of becoming posted on things Synan through this magazine. Many have become ardent readers of the periodical merely by the interest aroused in reading their first issue. It is our magazine and it is therefore our responsibility to see that it continues in its publication, for it reflects the very things we are nghmg for. The Y M. A. C. is interested in the Syrian World and hopes that it will overcome its present difficulties which are due to insufficient support through subscriptions. �54 SYRIAN-AMERICAN SOCIETY PLANS A FEDERATION The Syrian-American Citizens' Society of Lawrence, Mass., has started an active campaign to form a Syrian American Federation of the Syrian societies of New England. It has invited all societies of the section to a convention it has called for October 22, 23 and 24 to be held at the Lawrence State Aimory. In conjunction with the launching of this movement it has decided to conduct an Oriental bazaar for the primary purpose of raising funds to defray the expense of the visiting delegates. The Syrian World welcomes the cumulative signs of the racial consciousness displayed by the growing inclination for collective action. Regional federations of Syrian soeietes in particular sections are the logical first steps in the direction of forming the national federation. We sincerely trust the undertaking of the SyrianAmerican Citizens' Society of Lawrence will be attended with complete success. SYRIAN GIRL ACHIEVES SUCCESS AS TYPIST. Hailed as the world's most versatile stenographer, Miss Olga Elkouri has been engaged by the Remington-Rand Company as a demonstrator of their typewriter under a contract running for a number of years. She is now touring the country displaying not only the responsiveness of the typewriter but her own extensive versatility. Miss Elkouri is capable of writing 135 words a minute with music, a feat that places her in a class by herself. During the first week of September she was featured by Paramount Sound News under the significant caption "The Keys to Success." She also has gone on the air teaching THE SYRIAN WORLD VERSATILE TYPIST Miss Olga Elkouri the touch system in operating the typewriter in eight simple lessons of an exclusive method she has devised. Her versatility is carried to the point where she can maintain her record of writing 135 words a minute from a given copy while singing in any of the three languages she knows— English, Arabic and Spanish. Miss Elkouri was born in Jedaidat Marj'youn but was brought to the United States by her parents when still in her infancy. She was brought up in Oklahoma but now makes her residence in Detroit, Mich. SYRIAN PIANIST MAKES REGULAR BROADCASTS. Miss Louise Yazbeck of Shreveport, La., may be heard every Sunday over station KWKH, 850 kilocycles, at 10:45 P. M. Central Standard Time. She specializes in Oriental prograi. .s either of her own composition or se- �SEPTEMBER, 1931 lected from the works of Oriental composers, principally those of Mr. Alexander Maloof of New York. The appreciation of her entertainment is attested by a large number of letters received from all sections of the country. Miss Yazbeck spent the summer months at Washington University completing an advanced course in music. 55 SYRIAN FLYER SYRIAN GIRL WINNER IN DISTRICT AUDITION Shreveport, La. papers announced that Miss Olga Maroun of that city had won the unaminous decision of the nine judges as the winner of the district contest held late in July for the National Atwater Kent annual competition to be held in November. This is the first time, it was stated, a contestant has been so honored. Miss Maroun is an ideal type for the musical profession, according to the opinion of critics, because of her having a beautiful, rich dramatic voice of wide range and deep feeling, as well as being an accomplished linguist, singing equally as well in French and Italian. She is 22 and has studied under the best teachers both in Shreveport and New York. SYRIAN GIRL FLIER GIVEN PILOT'S LICENSE. Miss Alice B. Coury of Hopewell, W. Va., was awarded a Private Pilot's License on Aug. 12, having passed the U. S. Government requirements pertaing to aeronautics. The Government, however, gives two other licenses, those of Limited Commercial and Transport., and Miss Coury expects to receive these remaining two in the course of a year, when she hopes to have acquired sufficient ex- Miss Alice B. Coury perience and flying time. Miss Coury was born in Manchester, N. H., in 1910 and was fascinated by flying since she was in her early teens. She could not, however, take up the game seriously before the age of sixteen, and this interval she used in acquiring a liberal education. She is now the secretary of the Retail Merchants' Association of Hopewell, W. Va., where she is living with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Assaf George Coury. LEBANON NATIONAL BANK UNDERGOES LIQUIDATION The present economic depression has weighed heavily on the Lebanon National Bank of New York, forcing it into liquidation. In fairness to its management, it should be stated that this move was consummated without the slightest loss to depositors. The �56 Manufacturers Trust Company of New York took charge of the liquidation at the request of the Board of Directors of the Lebanon National. It is cause for genuine regret that this once promising Syrian financial institution should be forced to close its doors. It was, however, in the category of the smaller banks operating in a tremendously expanded market and but scantily equipped for the battle of strong competition. Nor did the Syrian element give it the proper support from the viewpoint of a racial institution. THE SYRIAN WORLD RESEARCHER SYRIAN WORLD EDITOR BROADCASTS ON SYRIANS On Thursday, Sept. 10, the editor of the Syrian World gave a radio talk over Station WHN in New York on the Syrians in the United States. The broadcast was under the auspices of the National Y. M. C. A. and the Fellowship of Faiths. Both the present standing of the Syrians in America and their historical background were covered with a view to giving the general public a better understanding of our people. SYRIAN GIRL ENGAGED IN RESEARCH WORK The local papers of Calumet, Mich., announce the appointment of Miss Irene Nicholas, a Syrian girl of the city, to membership in the national committee on international affairs of the Young Women's Christian Association. Miss Nicholas is said to be the only Syrian co-ed in a mid-west university and has been for a long time connected with university and Y. W. C. A. activities in research and statistical work among the foreign born. She also has given a number of lectures on Syria and the Syrians Miss Irene Nicholas and other subjects with which she is familiar, especially those pertaining to the East. SYRIAN M. D. ESTABLISHES COMMUNITY HOSPITAL There was apparently great joy in Elk City, Okla., on Aug. 14, on the occasion of the dedication of the Community Hospital which was hailed as one of the major civic enterprises of the city. Local papers devoted pages to the description of the exercises and the history of the undertaking. All agreed that the enterprise was made possible through the energy and devotion of Dr. M. Shadid, founder of the Co-operative Health Association which is running the hospital. It is always pleasing to hear of the realization of an ideal of whatever nature. Dr. Shadid has an ideal of unselfish public service and he has �SEPTEMBER, 1931 undertaken to realize it along the line of his profession. He maintained that medical fees and hospital charges were high, far too high to be within the reach of the average family, and to provide adequate medical care at reasonable rates became his obsession. With characteristic energy he set himself to work forming a cooperative association for the establishment of a community hospital where the charges would not only be extremely moderate but the patients assured the most expert attention. And he succeeded. Dr. Shadid is a Lebanese from Jedaidat Marj'youn and a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. Having had a succesful professional career, his love for public service prompted him to enter the field of politics, receiving the nomination for congress on the Farmer-Labor ticket in 1928. Later he went to Syria to study the possibility of establishing a hospital there or reclaiming land for large scale farming. The community hospital of his home town in Oklahoma, however, proved to have first claim on his attention. ARAB NATIONAISM DISPLAYED IN RELIGION For over two years the Syrian Orthodox church of Antioch was without a Patriarch because of internal differences among its bishops. One of the principal reasons of these differences, as stated publicly in the press was the resentment of the Arab element of interference in Syrian church affairs by "foreign" Orthodox influence, chiefly that coming from the Greek element whose yoke the Syrians had thrown off nearly thirty years ago. A similar state of affairs has lately developed in the Orthodox church of Palestine upon the recent death of its 57 Greek Patriarch. The Orthodox Palestinians are now agitating for the e'ection of an Arab Patritrch, threatening to join another Christian body if their wishes are disregarded. The spirit of nationalism and independence has been carried to the point of refusing submission to foreigners even in church matters. The movement is said to be general among the Orthodox of Palestine and it seems most likely that their demands will be granted. They have served notice on the mandatory authorities that under no circumstances will they afcceptj other than an Arab Patriarch, because of rumors that the British were favoring the status quo in the Orthodox religious succession. SYRIANS IN UPPER AMAZON UNDER ATTACK A town on the upper Amazon in Brazil which the Syrians helped build nearly twenty years ago, and where they still remain the only merchants, was recently attacked by Brazilian outlaws and the lives of the inhabitants exposed to great danger, according to a special communication to Al-Bayan, an Arabic newspaper of New York, published in its issue of September 2. In giving the history of the town, named Brazilia, the correspondent stated that the Syrians first settled it and established in it extensive rubber plantations. They remain to this day the only element engaged in commercial activities in the town, and their employees in various business and industrial activities are counted by the hundreds. On the morning of June 14, according to the correspondent, an organized attack by outlaws was launched on the town and the authorities ordered all stores closed, and hurriedly armed �58 the citizens as best they could. The local defenders, however, were unequal to the task of repelling the outlaws who were well armed and numbered several hundred men. Not until a strong Bolivian force came to the rescue did the besieged inhabitants feel comparative'y safe. The correspondent seems particularly concerned about future protection for himself and his countrymen, especially since they have considerable investments that excite the envy and the greed of the lawless element which abounds in the upper reaches of the Amazon. He asks if France, because of its mandate ovar Syria, would be willing to afford the necessary protection if it is appealed to, especially since it has consistently denied the Syrians the right of foreign diplomatic representation. ARABS OF THE DESERT RENEW THEIR WARFARE The end of hostilities between the two powerful tribes of the Syrian desert, the Hudaidis and the Mowalis, does not appear to be in sight. The Syrian papers of August report that a new conflict has broken out in which another emir of the Mowalis was slain by his enemies, and but for the timely intervention of the armed forces which the French authorities had stationed in the desert for the express purpose of holding the two enemy tribes at bay, the golden desert sand over an extensive area would have turned crimson. And all this came about through the unfortunate incident wherein a young man of one tribe kidnaped a girl of the other tribe and fled with her in the trackless desert. To the present time the pair have not been apprehended, but the trail of blood they have left behind them seems to ?HE SYRIAN WORLD be endless. And the French, who coined the famous saying "cherchez la femme," are again finding justification of their adage in the farthest ends of the Syrian desert. GANDHI CHAMPIONS LEBANESE PAPER When the Lebanesa governm:nt susTended Zah'e Al Fatat (Young Zahle) its resourceful editor, Shukri Baccash wrote to Gand'hi, the Indian leader, for his support. Gandhi answered him as follows: "It has given me great pleasure to receive yovr letter, and despite my numerous dutiss imposed by my forthcoming visit to London, I hasten to write to you that it affords me deep satisfaction to listen to a tormented spirit whose voice reaches me from the Near East. "Not only do I protest in the name of Young India against the action of those who caused the suspension of Young Zahle, but I wish to declare, and do hereby authorize you to make declaration in my name, that life can never be guaranteed any government or people without the freedom of the press." PROMINENT SURGEON IN THE AMERICAN NAVY Al-Hoda of New York reports that the surgeon of the U. S. Battleship Wyoming, Dr. Wadih S. Rizk, is a Syrian, the son of Mr. & Mrs. Salim Rizk of Jacksonville, Fla. The Wyoming is the ship that came to the rescue of the submarine Nautilus when it was in distress while on its way from the United States to Europe preparatory to its projected expedition to the North Pole under the ice. w �SEPTEMBER, 1931 5g HEILBRONN'S 5TH AVENUE AT 53RD STREET BROOKLYN. N. Y. | A METROPOLITAN DEPARTMENT STORE! I located in Bay Ridge, the most | beautiful residential section of the §§ greater city. g p | A LARGE MODERN STORE! jj j§ g speedily reached by 4th Ave. Sub- 1 way (53rd St. Station) Busses and jj several trolley lines. a | A FRIENDLY FAMILY STORE! jj jj m where every customer receives per- 1 sonal attention and individual ser- = vice—making shopping here a 1 pleasurebale pastime. j "Jsr^J' aI ^ -r* I -VI ^ i ll!^llllllll!llllllll!ll!lllllll!llll!ll!lllll!IIIII!l!III!!l I I II!1!I!!IIIII!!B1I1II! ll!l!|||||||||||| milllilfllffllfflMffitoffllffilinilMTOIIifflllimi 669814A �THE SYRIAN WORLD AUTHENTIC ORIENTAL RUGS THE A. (S SLEYMAN COMPANY, INC. 276 5th AVENUE NEW YOFK CITY |§) Phone BOgardus 4-4345 George Haddad Proprietor Phone CHickering 4-8878 ALEXANDRIA RESTAURANT The new and beautiful uptown Syrian restaurant owned and operated by a master chef, who summons his long experience to the art of producing the most delectable Oriental dishes. Small and large parties catered to So Conveniently Located 21 WEST 31st STREET, NEW YORK m IT IS YOURS is the only Syrian publication printed in English, and as such is the organ of the Syrians in Ajnerica. You can help it continue and grow by subscribing to it yourself and inducing others to subscribe. THE SYRIAN WORLD PUBLISHER, THE SYRIAN WORLD: 104 Greenwich Street, New York. You may enter my name as a subscriber to "The Syrian World" for the term of one year, for which I agree to pay the regular rate of $5.00 upon receipt of the first issue. Address City & State �, '" ". -. - — : SEPTEMBER, 1931 61 JERE J. CRONIN FUNERAL DIRECTOR MORTUARY CHAPEL Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to LADY ATTENDANT Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire 115 ATLANTIC AVENUE BROOKLYN, N. Y. The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverence and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very little cost. No charge for use of our services or funeral parlors. Telephone—MAIN 1398-1399-8130-3655 SHEIK RESTAURANT HOW TO BREED MOTHS Leave your rugs on the floor with all the dirt and germs they have collected during the winter and which home methods cannot remove. Nature will do the rest. A well-appointed Syrian restaurant in the heart of the Syrian Quarter, in lower Manhattan, where you and your friends can enjoy the most delectable Oriental meals amidst the charm of an Oriental atmosphere. RESTORATIVE: Call the THE KOURI CARPET CLEANING CORPORATION Second Foor for Banquets and Private Parties RUG WASHERS NEW YORK. N. Y. 10 West 33rd Street Tel. LOngacre 5-2385 JERSEY CITY, N. J. 552 Johnston Avenue Tel. BErgen 3-1085 KIRDAHY RESTAURANTS, Inc. 65 WASHINGTON ST., New York t 'TTTTTfTTTTTTTTTTfTTf '»TTT»^f>TT TtTtT<f?»»y^ �Indispensable A, kRABIC language publishers in America find the Linotype indispensable and have come to realize its great versatility. In the United States they use it for both Arabic and English, and in South America for Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese. The same machine could be used for any language with the mere change of type, and this without affecting its ability to cast an innumerable variety of ornaments, rules, borders and the like. The result is that all newspapers, magazines, books, pamphlets and other such work with all borders and ornaments can be done on the Linotype exclusively, insuring economy in production and a clean, artistic typographical appearance. MERCENTHALER J» TRADE LINOTYPE^) An illustrated descriptive catalog of the Arabic Linotype sent free upon request. LINOTYPE METRC FAMILY �n>UUJlS' ^ys jt:^-l LC^.1 ^J ^J^JI ^^JU^OL' yl ^ ^ 1 £~^ ^ * JlolVJl,J^I —VI Jl AflJ ,y*}\ \&j»\ C.l^i-1 ^1 i «va>' ijl V\*> o-V> o-ui^jt« • <jy .?-.•: » ,_M ll j* Ij-j U iC^I J *?,J& ol>iJlj t^dDlj afl^,' — Lel_j^> OJ- SJ^tuJi Ac L$AJ i_ivai" ^Jj yj j L: **s>- ur J»]J •^uJl LINOTYPE CO. Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A. Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK *L,y LjJl WAux) �, __——. THE SYRIAN WORLD 64 ;f\3 ATTENTION! ek> . FORWARD! SAFE! MARCH ON TO PROGRESS! START A BANK ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY LET YOUR MONEY Accumulate for Future NEEDS AND HAPPINESS INTEREST 4 .% Per zAnnum ON TIME DEPOSITS FROM $10.00 Up Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more. FAOUR BANK D. J. FAOUR & BROS. Established 1891 Under Supervision of New York State Banking Department. Capital and Surplus Over $500,000.00 85 WASHINGTON ST., NEW YORK CITY I � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1931_09reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 01 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1931 September Description An account of the resource Volume 6 Issue 01 of The Syrian World published September 1931. The issue opens with an editorial announcement of policy changes in the paper. The beginning of this issue primarily highlights upcoming changes, contributors, and plans for the future. What follows this introduction is more of Kahlil Gibran, including an account of the farewell ceremonies to his body in America by Barbara Young, and a farewell to Gibran from Salloum Mokarzel. While many of the same contributors are exhibited in this issue, such as Katibah, Salim Y. Alkzain, Thomas Asa, Dr. F. I. Shatara, and Salloum Mokarzel, there are also several new additions, including an entire section dedicated to the month's news. Some of the newer contributors featured are Bahia Al-Musheer and Edna K. Saloomey. The issue closes out the same as in the previous volumes by addressing political developments in Syria and other Syrian world news. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Bahia Al-Musheer Barbara Young Edna K. Saloomey F.I. Shatara Habib I. Katibah Kahlil Gibran New York Salim Alkazin Thomas Asa https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/4e7cf8959b978be1ca3c574d3352ed00.pdf 2705acc1fa058c5f6c0476f5dfc463a8 PDF Text Text JUNE. 1931 VOL. V. No. 10. THE SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE CHRISTIAN-MOSLEM UNDERSTANDING REV. W. A. MANSUR A GREAT ARAB FIGURE PASSES PALMYRA A GLORIOUS LANDMARK WADAD J. KH. MQKDIEY REVELATION BY G. K. GIBRAN PARADOX (A SHORT STORY) BY EDNA K. SALOQMEY POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA ALI ZAIBAQ (QUICKSILVER) THE COPY 50c (A SERIAL) ��SYRIAN WORLD Published monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. jBy subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c. entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York N Y - -> under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. V. No. 10. JUNE, 1931 CONTENTS PAGE Christian-Moslem Understanding Rev. W. A. Mansur A Quatrain of A l-Mutattabbi Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin 13 The Syrian World to Continue An Editorial Announcement 14 A Great A rab Figure Passes 16 Palmyra a Glorious Landmark Wadad J. Kh. Mackdicy 19 Lines to a Lover 23 J. D. Carlvle . .. . ... . �"' "": '."I.IWW CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE Revelation By KahJil Gibran — Translated by Andrew Ghareeb Backgammon J. A. Barraket / Was Heart-Fret Thomas Asa Paradox (A Short Story) Edna K. Saloomey Eternity and Love Dagny Edwards ili-Zaibaq (A Serial) R eaders' Forum Political Developments in Syri na I bout Syria and Syrians 25 26 28 29 34 i 35 42 44 47 �IN THIS ISSUE For Those Who Would Know the High Lights of the Material in This Number. READERS of The Syrian World will be especially interested in the announcement appearing in this issue on the future of the magazine. It embobies the result of the symposium held on the subject among our readers. The result was reached only after full consideration of the prospects based on the moral support pledged by a number of our loyal friends who viewed the discontinuation of the publication as a distinct educational loss to our young generation and a blow to our racial prestige. We have implicit faith in their loyalty. * # * # RELIGIOUS dissension has from time immemorial been the great bane of the East. What has prevailed in the past, however, need not continue in the future. In the light of modern conditions a change in the old order would seem necessary for the elimination of those very factors which have so far retarded the East in the march of progress. Patriots have long analyzed this as the East's worst ill and prescribed religious tolerance. In several instances during the two last decades Christian and Moslem religious leaders made public demonstrations of discarding old prejudices. They embraced and made public avowal of unending brotherhood. But the effects of ages cannot be eradicated in a day. It is therefore necessary to continue the effort relentlessly. And now we have the case of a Christian minister offering his hand in a spirit of brotherhood to fellow Syrian Moslems. Of his sincerity there cannot be the least doubt, because this is a pronounced characteristic of the Rev. W. A. Mansur, who is well known to our readers. He eloquently explains his motives in the article appearing in thus issue on the subject. * * * * Gibran wrote his K AHLIL first works exclusively in Arabic, and many of his early writings were never before translated. Andrew Ghareeb, who, with the written permission of Gibran, translated not a few of the latter's Arabic �poems into English during the poet's lifetime, now offers Syrian World readers an exquisite piece which he had submitted to Gibran shortly before his death and received his sanction for its publication. Mr. Ghareeb has promised further similar contributions in the future. * * * * BACKGAMMON, once a favorite pastime in America, has recently staged a sensational comeback. Like many other games, its origin is rooted in the ancient East where it continues to be played extensively. Few are the Syrian homes in America where the board and other apurtenances of the game may not be found, and the young generation will find in the article of Mr. J. A. Barrakett a valuable aid to its proper understanding. [^ONG and strenuous have been the trials of Ali Zaibaq who sought only the honor of becoming the chief of the secret police of Al-Aziz. Once he falls in disgrace but soon (emerges out of his difficulties with flying colors. The adventure of the cave of Barnish will be the last the Arab raconteur will tell us for this series, as it was not intended to have brave Ali continue with us for more than a year. For the adventurous-minded, however, a synopsis is published of what follows in Ali's strange career. He is commanded to present himself before Caliph Haroun Al-Rashid and there falls in love with the daughter of Dalila, his bitter and relentless enemy. The denouement of the story is given for the benefit of the readers. * * * * AMERICANS find the 'SyrjYJISS Wadad Mackdicy made ian World a credit to our the trans-desert trip to Bag- race. Miss Laura Williams, dad in the Fall of last year to who frankly admits not having take up her duties as teacher in known the Syrians sufficiently one of the government schools. well heretofore, voices the opiAlthough a native of Syria she nion of herself and "her class had never before braved a de- of Americans.3" sert journey and seen the ma* * * jestic ruins of Palmyra. Her first experience she describes in yHe news department in this an article which she contributes issue is exceptionally interto the Syrian World. esting and will be found to sat* * * # isfy the most exacting. �TFFP SYRIAN WORLD SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL, Editor. VOL. V. No. 10. JUNE, 1931 Christian-Moslem Understanding (A Syrian Christian's Challenge to Moslems of Modern rimes) 'By REV. W. A. MANSUR "WHOEVER, therefore, is striving to bring about a better understanding between.the adherents of these two world religions (Christianity and Islam) is certainly helping to solve a most knotty problem on the solution of which much of the tuture happiness and peace of the world will depend." (Dr Philip K. riitti, THE SYRIAN WORLD, April 1929 ) ter JfrX^ *F f°r ^T Christkn pr°Phets 'to Promote a better understanding, it is the season for Syrian Christian heralds to pubhsh a fraternal fellowship, and it is the age for Syrian Christen leadersh.p to proclaim a higher cooperation between Christians and Moslems. Too long have we considered our differences, our superiorities, our animosities; it is time we reflect upon our religious agreements our social aspirations, our human considerations. Let us take the better way toward a better understanding: religion not theology, tolerance not bigotry, appreciation not defamation cooperation not arrogance. ' For ages human hearts have longed for the day of better unetWee adh£ rentS f and Isl The , is here ° <***** -ihe dat day wili will soon V^ be here, (it in many hearts) when Christians and Moslems will live together in enlightenment tolerance, cooperation, and brotherhood. gnrenment, One of the earliest recollections of my life is mv love for the Moslem people. One of the vivid impressionLTmvIch o days is my desire to come to better understanding with Moslem �I 6 THE SYRIAN WORLD believers. One of the hopes of my life is to see the aggressive promotion of better understanding between Christians and Moslems I hereby proclaim to Christian and Moslem alike that I was born a Christian, that I choose to be a Christian, that I want to die a Christian; and, furthermore, I want my Moslem brother to do likewise toward his Islamic faith should he choose to do so it is on the basis of humanity, brotherhood, and cooperation that I ask you to reflect upon the following considerations toward a better understanding between Christians and Moslems. /. A Better Understanding Through App-ecmtion. A better understanding between Christians and Moslems will come through appreciation founded on understanding, sympathy and fellowship. Too long has ignorance ruled our thinking too long have prejudices swayed our passions, too long have ancient grudges held us captives. It is time we speak the language of common human needs, common human limitations, ancfcommon human failures. The day of appreciation based on courtesy, consideration and respect is here to usher an era of sympathetic r understanding. "Now that the silence of the centuries has been broken," says Ernest R. Trattner, "the Jew to-day can actually talk and write about Jesus in a free and unrestrained manner. He is no longer afraid of being persecuted by Christians for theological error nor is he m dread of being checked by the suspicions of his own people, suspicions that have fostered the notion that he who shows the slightest admiration for Jesus is a disloyal son of Israel. I his is evidenced of late by two noteworthy books which have put in their appearance: Joseph Klausner's scholarly and critical study entitled "Jesus of Nazareth" (originally in Hebrew): and ^mii Ludwig s poetic and imaginative work called "Son of Man" (originally written in German). Both volumes are of unusual merit and augur well for the future since they indicate the growing capacity of the Jew to reinterpret the past with fairness and insight." Let us make a new appraisal on the ground of fairness, insight, and sympathetic appreciation. Let disinterested search after truth bind our hearts and minds in a common fellowship. Let good-will be the motive to guide our search after truth. Let mutual courtesy guard us against jealousy, hatred, prejudice, and blindness. Let our common humanity, common weaknesses, and �JUNE, 1931 7, common aspirations lift us to the realms of human brotherhood, human sympathy, and human generosity. Let tolerance inspire m us freedom of thought and worship, forgiveness of intolerance and lJl-wilI, and appreciation of truth and honesty. //. A Better Understanding Through Cooperation. Active intelligent, and progressive cooperation will help bring better understanding between Christians and Moslems. Hitherto it has been an individual matter, henceforth it shall be a social matter. H,therto it has been in secret, henceforth it shall be in the open. Hitherto it has been in fear, henceforth it shall be in faith We are at the beginning of an era of progressive understanding between Christians and Moslems which is conceived in appreciation, empowered by cooperation, and motivated bv welfare. * T. H. Huxley said, "The practice of that which is ethically best—what we call goodness or virtue—involves a course of conduct which, m all respects, is opposed to that which leads to success in the cosmic struggle for existence. In place of ruthless self-assertion it demands self-restraint; in place of thrusting aside, or treading down, all competitors, it requires that the individual shall not merely respect, but shall help his fellows: its influence is directed, not so much to the survival of the fittest as to the fitting of as many as possible to survive. It repudiates the gladiatorial theory of existence. If demands that each man who enters into the enjoyment of the advantages of a polity shall be mindful of his debt to those who have laboriously constructed it; and shall take heed that no act of his weakens the fabric in which he has been permitted to live. Laws and moral precepts are directed to the end of curbing the cosmic process and reminding the individual of his duty to the community, to the protection and influence of which he owes, if not existence itself, at least the life of something better than a brutal savage." (Quoted by Sir Richard Gregory in Discovery: The Sprit and Service ofJ Science.) Cooperation is the law that rules in earth and tree, in sky and star, in animal and man. It is not struggle for existence but struggle for assistance; not self-interest but self-sacrifice; not live and let live, but live and help live that should rule in the attairs of men and nations. Let us do away with our arrogances our supremacies, our animosities. Let us minimize our differ- �I THE SYRIAN WORLD ences, and enlarge upon our agreements. Let us work toe-ether for our greater happiness. Let us organize toward greter good g£ progress and prospenty, and thereby Jive, let live, and Mp ///. A Better Understanding Through Democracy. for utttoHare,f0Theedd0m "t ^ *" **» °f hU " h«* dom -religious political, mental, and otherwise, and it reaches them,» says ArdaserTorC N Wad a ZnTtE^fST hammed. "And as the nreferts „ \l , Mwf»*« °/ *?<>t he r SCTeral followed the L Provinces strictly mr f !J J ' that while in Europe and the r^t- „f A : *u s er^ statement no recognized civil rl^ f , SU the peoPle Possessed joyed, though in a rudimentary fo leges of a real democracy " ti basic riX *? * ' "ghts and P - J H Uham m c/ *«^*t/iSr^3 - '? foundation for belief in h'e'vaC of^f^ ".""""ilaUe -hem.; ft invites us to co-operate with W "aTj^S ation^of Th?bumarfi^uair ^S^ ^ T* �JUNE, 1931 g meat that shall transcend race, color, creed and circumstance through the common brotherhood. IV: A Better Understanding Through Welfare. ^ ^uma!iuwelfare is the paramount issue for Christian and Moslem. I he issue is not whether a certain political theory shall survive; it is not whether a particular religious philosophy shall conquer; it is not whether a favoured race shall dominate The paramount issue for Christian and Moslem is whether human welfare shall be supreme; whether human values shall be firstwhether human kindness shall be dominant. "The common task of the world over today," says Bishop John Francis McConnell in Human Needs and World Christiantty, is increasingly to exalt the human values. It does not detract from the distinctiveness of Christianity to admit that many non-Christian communities are striving at this same task * * * The only deadly heresy, in the opinion of Jesus, was to'get a wrong view of men. For theological mistakes Jesus had amazing chanty. A man might make mistakes about God, and the mistakes could be overlooked until they could be corrected, but mistakes about men were much more deadly." Here we set forth a touchstone for our better understanding between Christians and Moslems: Let our attitudes, relations, and actions be motivated by the highest standard of human values Ihe home demands our highest ideals, the school calls for the best standards, the community solicits our best endeavors business invites our finest principles, the nation needs our sincerest cooperation. Let that religion be highly esteemed that contributes to the enhancement of human welfare, let that people be richly honored that adds to the enrichment of society, let that leadership be praised that leads in vision, achievement, and progress Let Christians and Moslems join to answer the challenge of the hour: to rid humanity of poverty; to abolish prejudice ignorance, and hate; to smite the god of war, the pestilence of ill-will, and the plague of selfishness. Come, my brothers Moslem and Christian,, let us join hands to bring friendship, love and truth in the service of the welfare of mankind. V. A Better Understanding Through Education. A better understanding between xMoslems and Christians will come through universal education, diffusion of knowledge, and �10 . THE SYRIAN WORLD -tad of enlightenment, byVejufe .stefd £sympathy' 7* M * f' a,,d Uve d t '" f the rarth of the gods of earth, sea and sky SasSJ£nt£*« > -^ evolution, the .control of nature by man and the v.W f T A better understanding between Moslems and Christians can be predicated on common, universal and compulsoVfedu ation True education enables us to appreciate the gifts'o other peopk" helps us recognize common human limitations; and enlightens^ to evaluate the honesty of other points of view. Pop^ XT the assimilatii f able the recogmt.on of what is fine amon| Mher races nations" % seszLZs ° ^S mmds and hearts of the rising gelS J^ ^'gf educatio f ans or "their , T^f?'** betWee " •* *«£ and cS 57. /! S«t« Understanding Through Tolerance. The practice of tolerance will usher in the day of better un Freedom of worship, liberty of conscience freedom of �JUNE, 1931 11 thought, and liberty of expression are pillars without which humanity cannot be free, mankind cannot progress, and people cannot live together in peace, prosperity, happiness, and liberty. Civilization, progress, and liberty can be predicated only on the practice of tolerance: religious, intellectual, political, racial, and social. The first amendment to the Constitution of the United States says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances." Tolerance between Christians and Moslems will grow because of an enlarged world view, because of contact with other world religions, because of the diffusion of enlightenment among the masses of earth. Let it be remembered that tolerance is founded on personal choice, social relations, and human happiness, and not on accidents of birth, birth place, or environment. Tolerance will come through appreciation of other world cultures. Religious brotherhood is coming through a common faith in the unity of God, the progress of the reign of righteousness, and the increase of human welfare everywhere. Since mankind is coming to believe in God who is the Architect, Ruler, and Governor of the Universe; that God is all-wise, powerful, and present; that Truth is eternal, is winning, and will prevail, tolerance is bound to win its wav into the affairs of mankind. I 77. A Better Understanding Through Interdependence. Interdependence is bringing better understanding between the adherents of Islam and Christianity. The aspiration for world peace, abolishing of war, control of nature, uplift of men, women, and children are making the world a unity, a community, a brotherhood. Common human needs, physical, mental, social, and religious, are destroying barriers, demolishing historic animosities, and abolishing racial, religious and social prejudices and misunderstandings. In a world made complex by democracy, commerce, emigration, internationalism, invention, discovery, and education, the world of races, nations, and religions is finding itself bound together by ties of interdependence. "The essential idea of the nineteenth-century nationalism," says H. G. Wells in The Outline of History, "was the 'legitimate �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD claim' of every nation to complete sovereignty, claim of eve nation £ Y, the £ctam t0 a], ifs afeirs f nd LZ:toilT°n- 7^ faW °f this idM is ^ *^Sto part of the earth T?" COmmunity e«<=»d to the uttermost parts or the earth. The assassination of Sarajevo in 1914. f . example, which caused the great war, produced the utmost'dt tress among the Inchan tribes of Labrador because the Printer rupted the marketing of the furs upon which the rebel forsuch necessities as ammunition, without which they could not get suf stamtp^aZg'lforSr^5' * "Wld °f — . A better understanding is rising between Moslems and Christ ans due to mutual interdependence and indebted s We are understanding better the history of religion. We are reaW W«^aConlT^ SSSf w e are trading on the basis of?*"* common^^ moral principles We sre living on the ground of interdependence of J££?m« rlZ ions, commerce, science, education, and world unTty' Th s' Ltef dependence between Christens and Moslems is now creating' ter understanding between them for their commo7welfare^ro gress, and future peace, prosperity, and happiness. '? VIII. A Better Understanding Through Spiritual Brotherhood. There are ties that make us brothers: common human needs common human weaknesses, common human aspirations and com mo„ human sympathies • There are conditionsPthat make for hu~ n P eJ UdlCe M d ne ties th ?£ SrSat° ma ke ffor brotherhood H TTJ are *> than S&W f make more I-WP fW separate, and among the greatest is the regard for he Rreat and good of all ages, races nations, religions, cultures, and Suntries There is a spiritual brotherhood whose membership f° membersni limitations of race, color creed hh-fZl P kn°ws no who seek truth, who^oteThei^rh-0. T^^T' AU property of mankind. Socrates and Plato, Aris odeand ThZ Archemides and Demosthenes, St. Chrysostom and i A ' toe, Angelo, Rembrandt, and Bach Mendelsohn H/^ Haydn, Newton, Bacon, and Darwin ShakesnS K 7^ ' ^ Hegel and a host of other great and £5ffi££ ctS �JUNE, 1931 IS property of all races, creeds, and colors of mankind. Moses and Jesus, Mohammed and Conficius, Buddha and Zoroaster, all belong to mankind. They, and others, transcend the limits of tribe, race, or nation; language, dialect, or sign: time, place, or circumstance, they all belong to humanity. Jesus and Mohammed do not belong to Arabia and Judea alone they belong to mankind; they do not belong to Christians and Moslems alone, they belong to humanity; they do not belong to any time, place, or theology, they belong to all the world, all time, and all religion. A better understanding is rising between Christians and Moslems through the spiritual brotherhood of those whose sincere search after truth, diffusion of enlightenment, promotion of welfare, establishing of justice, and regarding of the great and good wherever found are now increasing sincere understanding, sympathetic appreciation, and the brotherhood of mankind. O Ye Christian and Moslem brothers, come join me in the better understanding between Christians and Moslems in all the earth. Let us abolish outgrown opinions that still rule our minds. Let us destroy unworthy sentiments that still enter our hearts. Let us demolish ancient grudges that still command our wills Come, my brothers, here's my hand in token of friendship, love, and truth toward a better understanding between Christians and Moslems throughout mankind. Will you take my hand? A Quatrain of Al-Mutanabbi By Dr. Salim Y. Alka-zin Give me a pinch of Love, a single mite, Of sane, wise love, by Reason born and bred, And not a World of love by Folly led, And Ignorance, deprived of eyes and sight. �to [ 14 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Syrian World to Continue AN EDITORIAL ANNOUNCEMENT pRIENDS of THE SYRIAN WORLD will no doubt be glad to learn of the decision to continue its publication. This decision they were the ones to have primarily influenced by their promise of continued and inceased support, and there can be nothing that gives the publisher more pleasure than to be now able to make this announcement definite. The symposium held on the fate of THE SYRIAN WORLD has been fully vindicated. All the replies received to our questionnaire were in the nature of those already published—stressing the mdispensabibty of the magazine and promising it more support to the end of its becoming self-supporting. Many constructive suggestions were also advanced which we wish to thankfully acknowledge and promise to carry out to the fullest extent posr sible. In inviting the symposium we wanted to take the public into our complete confidence, and this proved an opportunity to us to fully realize that there is a racially-conscious element among us that has the vision of the truly public-spirited. This element may be comparatively small in numbers, but its influence is bound to act as a leaven in the otherwise indifferent or materialisticallyengrossed or short-sighted mass. The history of all reform and constructive movements has ever been thus. A few take the initiative and by the very intensity of their conviction influence the others in an ever-widening circle. It is in this light that we view the supporters of the cause for which THE SYRIAN WORLD stands —missionaries of a worthy endeavor who act on the conviction of being pioneers and volunteers in a needed cultural movement that is bound to gain momentum with time and react proportionately to the credit of themselves and their race. It is because of our faith in the moral support of these loyal inends that we feel comparative security for the future of THE SYRIAN WORLD, and trust that in time this feeling of security will be made absolute. �"ft i JUNE, 1931 15 But we shall not be content with the simple determination to carry on. Many improvements are contemplated, especially in the editorial policy, which we plan to introduce with the coming issue. Several new departments will be created under the editorship of able specialists affording a greatly enlarged scope of interest. The object will be to cater more to the popular appeal without undue sacrifice of the cultural standard heretofore maintained. The physical appearance of the magazine will be retained, inasmuch as the size seems to be overwhelmingly favored. There will be a substantial increase, however, in the volume of the reading matter by lengthening and widening the page. This increase should be equivalent to several pages of the present size. The price of subscription will not be advanced. We would have liked to announce a reduction had not the revenue been inadequate to meet the cost of publication even at the prevailing rate. A reduction, however, will be one of our first considerations immediately the volume of circulation permits. Just when such a possibility will occur it is hard to predict. Our immediate problem is to render the magazine self-supporting under prevailing conditions. In this we are depending on the co-operation of those friends who encouraged us to continue and promised us the full measure of support. What we expect of them is to act on the most practical suggestion advanced in the symposium, to the effect that each actual subscriber, each believer in the value of The Syrian World, be instrumental in securing at least one additional subscription, or making a gift subscription to a friend. If but fifty per cent, of our present subscribers respond to this suggestion much of our present difficulties would be overcome. With this we rest the case of THE SYRIAN WORLD. Henceforth we shall strive to devote our best efforts towards improving the magazine and rendering it the organ of service which it is intended to be. Those who subscribe to our ideal will, we trust, lend us their best efforts towards making the existence of the publication co-operative instead of being dependent on individual effort. We have faith in them to carry out their share, and we trust they will repose their faith in us to carry out ours. �— —»—» 16 THE SYRIAN WORLD A Great Arab Figure Passes Former King Hussein of Al-Hijaz, Head of the Sheriffian Family, Dies in Exile. fORMER King Hussein Ibn All, "the great Arab liberator," is dead! The news caused consternation throughout the Arabicspeaking world, and the many virtues of the dead monarch and his ambitious scheme for the creation of a Pan-Arab empire were lauded as never before. His death marks the passing of the most romantic, yet least fortunate, figure in modern Arab political history. Had it not been for the crushing blow dealt him by his arch-enemy King Ibn Saoud, Hussein would have had an excellent chance of being universally acclaimed as the legitimate caliph by the whole Islamic world. Death came to the Arab King on the morning of June 4 at the palace of his son Abdullah, ruler of Transjordania, at Amman the capital. He was in his seventy-sixth year, but had been in declining health ever since his political reverses deprived him of his throne and forced him into exile in Cyprus. It was only following insistent requests by his two sons, King Feisal of Iraq and Emir Abdullah of Transjordania, both of whom owe their thrones to British diplomacy, that Britain finally'consented to permit the aged King to spend his last days with his family. At his deathbed were his four sens, AH, Feisal, Abdullah and Zeid, and thirteen grandchildren. Interment was at the Mosque of Omar in Jerusalem. Moslems, Christians and Jews joined in rendering him the last honors. All the foreign consulates in the city put their flags at half mast. Former King Hussein was a direct descendant of the Prophet and the head of the Sheriffian family of Qoraish, the chiefs of the holy city of Mecca from time immemorial. In his youth he spent many years in Istanbul as a protege of the Turks, then rulers of Arabia, and was later appointed by them governor of the wilayat of Al-Hijaz. In 1916, however, he revolted against the Turks and proclaimed the independence of Arabia with Mecca as capital and himself as king, supposedly with the encouragement and the promise of support of Great Britain. His three sons, Feisal, Abdullah and Ali, took the field on the side of the Allies �T 'i 17 JUNE, 1931 The late King Hussein Ibn Alt of Arabia �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD and acquitted themselves creditably with the help of Colonel Lawrence of Arabia. King Hussein was acting on the conviction that England would support him in his effort to create a united Arabia with Syria included, and later, following his deposition, published the text of the treaty with England entered into in October, 1915, and bearing out his claim. In this he was upheld by Col. Lawrence who played a leading part in negotiating the treaty. England never published the text of this treaty nor officially repudiated its authenticity. This, by the way, is the reason for Col. Lawrence's dramatic rejection of the honors and decorations bestowed upon him by the British King. But the nemesis of King Hussein was not England as much as his hereditary enemy Ibn Saoud, leader of the puritan Wahhabis. Taking advantage of the strained relations between the British Government and King Hussein, presumably resulting from the assumption by the latter of the title of caliph following the Turks' repudiation of the caliphate, Ibn Saoud incited his followers to war and met from the outset of his campaign with phenomenal success. Great Britain made a vain attempt to arS?e^e differences of the two Arab rulers, and on October 3, 1924, King Hussein was forced to abdicate. He was succeeded by his son King Ah who entrenched himself in the port of Tedciah and strove desperately to ward off the fate that befell his father, but the city of Medina having fallen, and Ibn Saoud having entered Mecca, AJi also was forced to abdicate on January 8, M orI ia^°UiWR\?C°SIlized ^ a treaty signed at Jeddah May U, IJZ7. King All is now being prominently mentioned as a candidate for the proposed Syrian throne. But despite these reverses and heavy misfortunes Hussein remains in the eyes of the Arabs the liberator and emancipator who succeeded in shaking off the yoke of the Turks and dreamed of creating an Arab empire, striving to effect that unity among Arab countries which is the dream of those who would restore to the Arabs their former glory. Both as a descendant of the Prophet which fart carries with it great prestige in the Moslem world, and as a wise and benevolent ruler, King Hussein was eminently^ fatted for the role he set out for himself. But his great failing was that he had for enemy a genius at military organization in theperson of Ibn Saoud who has since entrenched himself in the position of undisputed leadership of all Arabia. -* �JUNE, 1931 19 Palmyra a Glorious Landmark "By WADAD J. KH. MACKDICY ^LTHOUGH it is now but a mass of ruins with_ a row of columns marking the once Grand Avenue and some piles of masonry proclaiming its once stately palaces and temples, Palmyra remains one of the most fascinating shrines of the grandeur that was Syria and one holding for the traveler the most charm and romance. Its memory is inalienably associated with the name of Zenobia, the beautiful and valiant Syrian Queen who proved herself a match in wits and strategy to the rulers over the destiny of the great Roman Empire. She dared wage war against the Caesars and victory crowned her arms for a consideable time. When-she was finally ovecome by overwhelming force and taken captive to Rome in golden chains, she went on a "hunger strike", preferring death to being a party to the Roman scheme of making a show of her defeat' to emphasize a victory. She is unquestionably one of the greatest heroines of antiquity and of all times. This picture of Zenobia and her famous city is ever present in the mind of the traveler when crossing the inhospitable Syrian Desert on the way to Palmyra. There is something in the expectation that seems to alleviate the scorching heat and the monotonous scenery. The result almost invariably justifies the expectation. It was on a cool morning in September that we greeted the last sunrise from behind the mountains of Lebanon and started on the road leading to the Syrian Desert. The scenery all along the road from Beirut to Damascus was uniformly delightful, and although every moment carried us farther from the cherished scenes of our childhood we were overwhelmed with the desire to go out into the spacious world where life is to start for us anew midst strange settings and unknown actors. In Damascus we did not linger long because the call of the unexplored desert was for us too strong. We soon left the fascinating kaleidoscopic scenes of this ancient city and drove north by east for many miles in the trackless desert that afforded little to break the monotony of its great waste expanse. It was only about noon that we began to encounter evidences of animal and bird �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD A scene in Palmyra — A trans-desert bus on the way to Iraq stopping in front of the palace of Queen Zenobia life. What appeared to us at first as a diminutive black cloud proved a large flock of birds moving steadily in splendid military formation. They were cranes seeking their winter quarters in southern climates. In a measure they were wiser and happier than us who were traveling in an opposite direction driven by the force of necessity. Further on we came across a horde of beautiful gazelles. For elegance of movement, symmetry of form and almost human sensitiveness the gazelle can hardly be surpassed in the animal kingdom. At our approach the horde began to scatter and flee, but we noticed that some tarried behind the others and shot apprehensive looks in our direction. I asked our captain for an explanation of these movements and here is his significant explanation: "The gazelle is not only the most beautiful of animals but also the most chivalrous. In their code of ethics it is not 'sauve qui peut' but 'ladies and children first'. The male always tarries behind in times of danger to protect his charges, and will seek safety only when he feels sure that all others are safe." At one time we came across an Arab encampment. It is sur- : �— JUNE, 1931 21 prising how these sons of the desert feel content with their meager fare and their supply of brackish water. To look at fchem one would think they are as hard and inhospitable as their surroundings. But not so in fact. There is a kindliness in their hearts that is born of their love of liberty in spite of their privations. We had gone astray and an Arab volunteered to accompany us for a considerable distance to put us on the right road. That he did with utmost grace and willingness. But despite this assistance we could not reach Palmyra by daylight. The sun set and darkness began to add to the sense of forlorn desert desolation. The stars now began to show their bright faces and the moon appeared to spread a thin mantle of its silvery light, but the beauty of the vision did not tend to lessen our sense of apprehension and fear of being overtaken by night in the desolate wilderness. Night in such strange surroundings does not bring wise counsel. We must have wandered for hours until one of our company discerned a distant light, and we all shouted of sheer joy. At last we were nearing our destination and a haven of safety. We entered Palmyra by way of the royal graveyard. The tombs here are all in the form of pyramids of various heights. This is explained by the fact that the different Palmyrian dynasties buried their dead one above the other, adding to the height of the tomb with every succeeding generation. Most of the tombs are oven one hundred feet in height, resting on vaulted foundat'ionsy while in some there are as many as five hundred bodies. To us it was significant that we entered the dead city by way of the resting place of those who built it. Mighty is memory! Through it man finds himself in constant touch with the miracles of the past. And Palmyra's record as queen of the desert was surely a miracle. We slept that night amidst visions of resplendent ancient glory. The salient points in the history of Palmyra are well known. The city had grown exceedingly prosperous as an emporium of trade controlling the caravan routes between East and West. Queen Zenobia was ambitious and sought to extend the boundaries of her domains, and the Romans were jealous of their power as masters of the world. A war ensued which the Syrian Queen waged for a number of years with much success, but in 272 A. D. was overcome and taken captive in golden chains to imperial Rome. �Jji Co to S What remains of the Grand Avenue in Palmyra that was once the great emforium of trade between East and West. •r- o to �D JUNE, 1931 23 But the natives of Palmyra are fond of recounting legends that are not to be found in any written history. We sat for some time listening to them give seemingly inexhaustible accounts of the wondrous feats of the Queen and her once magnificent city. At one time the Arabs had encroached upon the ruins and built themselves houses within the enclosure. Since the war, however, the Syrian government has compelled the evacuation of the ruins and built the natives modern houses at a distance of about a mile. The ruins of Palmyra were not before taken seriously and were left in a deplorable condition of neglect, but an earnest effort is now being displayed in preserving them as a national shrine and an attraction to tourists. The Grand Avenue is about the most imposing row of columns to be found anywhere. It runs a length of 1270 yards lined by 750 marble pillars rising to a height of 55 feet. At one end it is marked by a triumphal arch which is still in a good condition of preservaton. Lines To A Lover Translated from the Arabic by /. D. Carlyle. When you told us our glances soft, timid and mild, could occasion such wounds in the heart. Can ye wonder that yours, so ungovern'd and wild, some wounds to our cheeks should impart? The wounds on our cheeks are but transient, I own, With a blush they appear and decay; But those on the heart, fickle youth, ye have shown, To be even more transient than thev. ti«,.if,, i.-..,.-.. .^,.,,,,. Tiro-l;.nr..Wj,l/;t,CT^wt.»^~»l- �• 24 THE SYRIAN WORLD Revelation From the Arabic of Translated by KAHLIL GIBRAN ANDREW GHAREEB \^HEN the night waxed deep and slumber cast its cloak upon the face of the earth, I left my bed and sought the sea saving to myself: "The sea never sleeps. And the wakefulness of the sea brings comfort to a sleepless soul." I reached the shore when the mist had already descended from the mountain tops and covered the world as the veil adorns the face of a beautiful maiden. There I stood gazing at the waves, listening to their singing, and thinking of the power that lies behind them—the power that runs with storms, erupts with volcanoes, smiles with flowers and sings with brooks. After awhile I turned around and lo, three figures were sitting on a nearby rock, where the mist veils them, yet veils them not. I walked towards them slowly, as if in their being something magnetic were attracting me against my will. When I came within a few paces, I stood gazing at them as if there were magic in the place that crystallized my purpose, and roused my imagination. At that moment one of the three figures arose. And with a voice which I thought came from the depths of the sea, said: "Life without Liberty is like a body without a spirit. And Liberty Love without Beauty is like flowers without fragrance. And fruit without seeds Life, Love and Beauty—are three entities in one independent and free self, which accept neither change nor separation." This he said and sat down in his place. �JUNE, 1931 25 Then the second figure arose. And with a voice like the roar of rushing waters, said: "Life without Rebellion is like the seasons without a spring. And Rebellion without Right—is like a spring in an arid and barren desert Life, Rebellion and Right—are three entities in one self which accept neither change nor separation." This he said and sat down in his place. Then the third figure arose. And with a voice like the peal of thunder he said: "Life without Liberty is like a body without a spirit. And Liberty without Thought is like a confused spirit Life, Liberty and Thought—are three entities in one and eternal self, which neither banish, nor fade away." Then the three figures arose. And with awful voices, said: "Love and what it begets, Rebellion and what it creates, and Liberty and what it generates—are three aspects of God. And God is the mind of the intelligent world." Then a silence followed, filled with rustle of the invisible wings and the tremor of the ethereal bodies. Then I closed my eyes, listening to the echo of the sayings which I heard. »• i When again I opened my eyes I beheld naught but the sea hidden beneath a blanket of mist; then I moved closer towards the rock where the three figures were sitting, and there saw naught but a pillar of incense rising unto the sky. �26 THE SYRIAN WORLD Backgammon "By J. A. BARRAKET Editor's Note. - The writer of this article is a recognized backgammon expert who has broadcast a series of talks on the game over the network; of the National Broadcasting Company and acts as instructor to several backgammon clubs in New York. A Lebanese by birth, he spent his early youth in Australia and during the World War acted as purchasing agent for the Anzacs in Egypt. gACKGAMMON is the present-day vogue in games. Its growing popularity is sweeping the country. Backgammon is a very old game, dating back to thousands of years. Its originator is unknown, but most likely it was first devised by the Persians from whom it was later taken and improved by the Romans. This new-old game in its remarkable comeback shows every indication of taking its place alongside of bridge. Any observer will have noticed that within the last few months the windows of the sporting goods shops and department stores have been displaying in increasing quantities the attractive boards used in this fascinating game. One of its attractions is that no two games are ever the same. It resembles bridge in this respect, for all who play bridge know that no two hands are ever the same. This fact alone should be somewhat convincing to those who until now have hung back from learning the game, just because they imagined it too simple. It is true that the rules of the game are simple, that it requires no brain exertion compared to chess, and, like all games in which a pair of dice plays such an important part, a certain element of luck enters into it. But this is only true to a given point, for of two players evenly matched as to skill, the one whom the dice favors will be the winner. However, one poor move by one of the players in an unguarded moment is enough to spell disaster, and with the modern method of doubling, can very easily be expensive. The game is one of strategy, but one in which sometimes it is worthwhile taking a chance, and it is only after playing for some time that one becomes thoroughly Au-Fait, or as we might say in America, O. K., with all the points of the game. The backgammon board consists of 24 points, divided into 4 sections of six points each. Each player has 15 men which are �ft JUNE, 1931 27 placed on certain points at the beginning of the game, and are moved around the board, the moves being determined by the throw of the dice. The men or pieces traverse the board in opposite directions, the object being to manoeuvre the men around into that part of the board called the inner board or inner home, and then bear them off the board, a procedure governed by the luck of the dice, combined with the skill of the player. The one who succeeds in bearing his men off the board, first, is the winner of the game. Backgammon, while new to many and remembered by some in America as played by their grandparents, has been played continually for centuries by the habitues of the cafes of Cairo, Alexandria, Constantinople, Teheran, Beyrouth, and other cities of the East. The cafes in these cities are always crowded with players seated at little marble-topped tables, the inevitable demi-tasse at their elbows, and the narghile, or hubble-bubble pipe, with its long pliable stem, at their feet. The clatter of the dice, the exultant slap of the piece on the board when an enemy has been removed or a position taken or strengthened, and the excited comments of the kibitzers,—for there are backgammon kibitzers as well as in bridge,—is a striking and picturesque contrast to the silent game of the American players. It does seem paradoxical, that while we can tolerate the roar of a subway train, the screech of elevated railways, the unnecessary honking of motor-horns, riveters of buildings, etc., we must have our backgammon boards cork-lined. It seems to me that a good deal is taken away from the game by this innovation, also by the fact that a good many of the boards are flat, not folding, and have the edge of the playing area slightly lowered, which means that the dice must be rolled carefully or they will fall off the board. Old hands at backgammon prefer those boards which fold up and which, when opened for play, provide an enclosure by reason of the high sides and against which you may give the dice a good bang, "just for luck." This clicking sound, the slamming down of a piece in a strategic position, is characteristic of the backgammon of the Eastern World. Another point of interest is that in Egypt the dice are much smaller than those used here and are rolled from the hand. In the modern game now being played here, the dice are thrown from a dice box. Perhaps that is a good rule, as this game, like �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD bridge and poker, is, of course, more interesting when played for stakes and no doubt, numbers among its converts many past masters of the national pastime of come 'seven' come 'eleven > By being more interesting when played for stakes I mean that where there is no financial loss involved, a player will make moves which he would not make if the result of the game meant dollars and cents especially in present times when dollars and cents are rather elusive. Anyone who has ever tried playing poker for fun, or bridge for no stakes, will readily understand what I mean. Backgammon is a game in which players may relax or engage m conversation while playing. One of its added advantages is that it requires only two players. There will soon be midget sets, (if not already in use) for use on long train journeys, or even for commuters, so fast is its popularity growing. It is quite a pleasure to sit and watch a couple of good backgammon players. They move their men about so quickly you would think that they were making any haphazard move that presented itself to them, which could be bettered if they took their time and studied the situation. But that is not the case: these S ZTMaT hre "rrme fed it & so ade t at the P & ** one "*" * ""^ ^ * and I Was Heart-Free By Thomas Asa I was heart-free until you came within my sight; I was alone and knew no other thought. I was in dark until you flamed the light Of love, and with its sacred magic wrought A blooming garden of perennial gladness, Transformed the gloom into the sweetest madness, And with Life's chastened touch of sadness, Filled me stilled me with the happiness'I sought. ^U �—'— JUNE, 1931 29 Paradox A SHORT STORY By Edna K. Saloomy 7: y^DELE was one of those lovely young women, whose charm and beauty are the pride of their husbands, and the envy even of kindest women friends. She was as much loved as she was admired, and strange as it may seem, she was as disinterested in her beauty as people were quick to admire it. David, her husband, whose success as a stock broker had been, one might say, inevitable, due partly to his own ability, and mainly to favorable economic conditions, lavished on Adele all the luxuries that his money could buy. He wished nothing more of life than that his wife might have beautiful clothes, and that their home might be an exquisite background for her beauty. He found his pleasure in granting her wishes. A gown, when worn by Adele, looked like the dream of some genius among coutouriers, come true. Color and texture took on life from her beauty. David would say, "Dearest, you are more beautiful than beautiful." And she would not think of the gown, but of the pleasure which it gave her adoring and adorable young husband to see her clothed in it. Mornings to her meant thinking of household cares, which were, in truth, no cares at all, and were as unvaried from day to day as only freedom from money cares could make them. The apartment was managed perfectly by the cook and maid, who would have left, had the management not been entrusted entirely to them. Afternoons were given to those interests which women have to cultivate for lack of more pressing demands: luncheons, bridge, backgammon, teas, and, now and then, a lecture. The afternoon hours were a kind of commencement of the evening. Traveling to Europe, to the shore, to the mountainsall seemed a prescribed thing in their circle, and David's and Adele's popularity with their friends demanded their doing the prescribed thing. Adele found life unbearably irksome at times, but a sense of loyalty to her husband, whose desire to make her happy had created, in a large measure, her surroundings, led her to be resigned to her life. It seemed to her that only selfishness could �. 30 THE SYRIAN WORLD be a reason for her unrest, and she was at a loss to comprehend her dissatisfaction when she had all that wealth made possible. But, she felt the lack of an absorbing interest, and wished that there might have been something to wish for, rather than having everything. Her only source of real pleasure was her work as a member of a welfare group of women who gave of their money to finance a medical center for needy families. Adele gave of her monev and of her services. She helped weigh the babies, and was as anxious to know the loss or gain in their weight, as were their mothers. She was keenly interested to hear a mother tell how she had cared for a child who had had measles. To Adele a slight case of measles seemed as a crisis in a child's life, and she gloried m the accomplishment of the child's mother. Her heart seemed to expand immeasurably within her when she listened to another mother tell how she had managed to raise a brood of eleven, and how the oldest helped the next younger, and so on down the line, and how the ten older ones insisted on caring for the baby of the group. Her very anxiety for the babies' health invited the confidences of their proud mothers, and confidentially, as people do when there are sympathetic listeners, they told her about their husbands, about the good and bad qualities which they had; they talked of children's achievements, school reports; bargain sales, church matters; everything which seemed to be important at the time, or which had been important during the past. Little did Adele realize that she was the favorite subject of neighborhood chats, when doorsteps became, of an evening, the council hall of the lowly. Little did she know how much she meant to the poor mothers, whose lives took on richer colors after they had enumerated to her their experiences But long after her visits to the welfare center, she would remember the affairs of this family and that. Her remembrance had to be a thing apart from her own life. To have discussed the families with David was out of the question. She had tried a few times to tell him about them, but he was very quick to assure her that these people were being protected by private and public organizations and to urge her to spare herself from any worry about them And to talk about these matters with her friends, if only to relate the funny things the children did, was even more impossible. They served at the center the required number of hours during the season, and felt that their duty had been fulfilled in terms of dollars and hours. They were too interested �JUNE, 1931 31 in their bridge score golf, scandals, or a good stock market tip. All these—clothes, divorces, remarriages, sailings, huge fortunes being made overnight, were more vital to them. Their momentary sympathy for a particularly needy family she might arouse, biu never their interest. They gave their money generously and quickly, but their quickness in giving seemed like a sign of'their wish to forget as quickly as they gave. _ Life went on, its course unchanging for Adele until a gyrating stock market reversed its upward course and aimed downward with the same velocity as it had formerly gone upward. Its changed course necessitated the cancellation of a European tour which David and Adele had planned for the summer. Not only did it change their plan, but business exacted so many hours of both uay and night, that David wished only to rest during weekends. Adele had become fatigued by social activities without end, so they decided the best thing was to open up their modest, but attractive cottage, in Berkley, a small, quiet country town on the Hudson. The cottage, which was as unpretentious as their apartment had been luxurious, was a welcome change to them. It had been bequeathed to David by his father, and often he had regarded it as a pleasant but inconsequential possession. The cottage with the few acres surrounding it was all the property which David had ever owned. Often he had wished that he might have had his inheritance in the form of stock securities instead When David arrived to spend a week-end, the quietness of the country and the peace of his home would seem almost like a silent, paternal benediction. He would come feeling the weariness which seemed to press down on him after days of turmoil on the exchange, days which ended at early dawn and started a few hours later. But his strength and cheerfulness would be restored at the sight of Adele's joy for his arrival. \\ Hiking into the fields, warm with sunshine and redolent with summer s fragrance, they would feel more together than they had ever felt before. Adele felt happier than she had been in the apartment. She had brought with her a Mrs. Riley, one of the mothers whom she had met at the center, and her two children. Mrs. Riley knew intuitively that it was for the children's sake, rather than for anything which she could do for Adele, that they had been asked to come. �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD Adele's thoughts and attentions were devoted entirely to -Uavid during his week-end visits. The worried expression of his race became more perceptible, as weeks went on without any improvements m stock-market conditions. To save him the fatigue or traveling and in order that she might be with him, she decidea to return to the city in October. The weather was growing colder, and David was finding it impossible to stay until Monday morning. He was always anxious to be at his office verv early Monday. Then again, there were many preparations to be maae tor the winter. Invitations to social affairs were already beginning to pile up, and there was the matter of selecting new to clothes. A few days after Adele's decision had been made to return to their town apartment, the 'phone rang. David's voice was on the wire asking her to meet him at the depot. She was greatly surprised at his having come to Berkley a day earlier than usual. However, when she met him she did not press him for the reason of his coming After dinner, as they sat before the fireplace, she told him of her decision to return with him to their apartment, and what a happy time she had had in the country, away irom everyone and everything. ' . He looked at her quite suddenly, almost as though he had just seen her sitting there by him. "Do you really like this place? Don't you miss homer" • «w C?jrSC n0t" IVe learned to ]°ve this place." Wouldn't you object to staying here throughout winter?" Winter? How can I say. I don't know, because we have never done that before. Why do you ask, David?" I must tell you, dear. I have tried mv best... we all did But like most everyone else, I waited too long and this market slide came so unexpectedly, I was caught sleeping. What securities 1 still own are worth only a fraction of what I paid for them In time, perhaps a month or two, there must be a recovery I'm sure there must be. But, now with our money tied up like that... I wish 1 didn't need to discuss these things with you." th J!2T 1 ^'i 5°! u° te,U me every^ing. Don't look as though the moon had fallen from the sky. What must we do?" I m terribly sorry I think we shall be unable to keep the apartment. There would be little of my salary left, after we pay the rent and the servants. One maid, perhaps, we can keep. It is our good fortune that the lease expires next week. If you really hke this place, we could be quite comfortable here and' �< JUNE) 1931 33 not need to think about the rent. We will have to pack things m a hurry. I hate this, dear; I never dreamed of finding myself in a jam like this. I always believed I could give you everything... and heaven knows you deserve only the best. Perhaps we should find a smaller apartment in the city." "David, tell me this. If we stayed here, you would commute with the neighbors, like Mr. Dorland and Leslie, wouldn't you?" _ "Exactly. We would be going back and forth on the same train." "Well, David, they have commuted ever since their families moved here two years ago, and they seem to enjoy the country during winter very much." "But you might be lonesome. Let's look for a smaller apartment in town." "David, my darling, meet your chauffeur. I'll be meeting you every night at the depot, sir. Take another apartment, and leave this house? Be lonesome? Never! We'll turn the car in, and get a two-passenger car, one with a rumble seat for guests' and groceries." "Guests and groceries? I hope the former will enjoy sitting with the latter. You mean, Adele, that you are glad to stay here?" ' "Glad? I was never more glad. I'll love living here I've never wanted- anything more in my life than to bake and sew m and cook and put up jars of preserves; you know the kind with the labels, saying: quince jelly, peach jelly, pears and cherries. 1 m going to learn how to do every single thing with my own hands." "Adele, dear, I don't want you doing so much, you will become ill." "HI? I've been dying from lack of something to do I'll tell you a secret. I've always wanted to eat supper with you in the kitchen just once. I'll paint that kitchen table of mine the color I want, and I'll have two yellow candles for light I've dreamed that a hundred times, but you know how provincial the servants would have thought us, if I had dared suggest it It would have shocked their sense of what is correct for people of quality. They would have left the minute that they thought I was capable of being so plebeian, my dear. And now, no cook, no maid. Just David and Adele." "But, darling, you will tire yourself." "Don't you worry. Housewives have serious clean-up sea- MN �1 I 34 THE SYRIAN WORLD sons Would you mind if I asked Mrs. Riley to come once in a while to help me? It would do her baby good to be in the country. He hasn't been quite well since he had scarlet fever." VA r?f .C°UrSe' Tk «M Y°U're the manger of this organization.2 Id like to see that Riley baby. Peter, did you say his name is Did I ever tell you about the Fourth of July when I was convalescing after having a scarlet fever and how the boys threw a package of firecrackers into my room, while the nurse was setting my lunch. I decided to scare her, so I set one off as she came back into my room, and it made her jump so, she nearly dropped the tray, and I nearly burned myself and the bedclothes: "Oh David you were mischievous. You deserved to be punished properly Had I been your nurse, you would have felt much chastened. Here I am, loving you because you were so mischievous." "Dearest, and how much do you think I love you? If we reminisce, we'll forget the business of packing furniture. How about going to town tomorrow? After all, we will probably not need to stay more than a winter here, and we can always find another apartment just as nice..." She interrupted him. "Please, David, even if your stocks triple in value next week, don't let's ever go away from here. Ihis is home." Eternity and Love By Dagny Edwards Ten thousand years rolled by Till first we met, Yet, I can't forget That aeons hence Our love will be a vacum space, Existentless, as in the years Before we met. �JUNE, 1931 35 ALI ZAIBAQ (Quicksilver) THE UNPARALLELED ADVENTURES OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASHID, OF THE CITY OF BAGHDAD. Translated from the Original Arabic by A. MOKARZEL and THADDEUS S. DAYTON SALLOUM so CHAPTER X. THE OUTLAW STORY AND THE CAVE OF BARNISH \^HILE Quicksilver was satisfying his hunger Ibrahim IbnAl-Anassi proceeded to relate his story. "THERE was in the country of Tunis of the West," he said, "a man called Al-Anassi, who had a son named Ibrahim, who became a great warrior. The Governor of that countrv gave him command over all his soldiers and entrusted to him the defence of the land. Everyone so feared and respected him that a defenseless woman could carry gold in her open hands through the wilderness without harm or danger. "One day this Ibrahim was called upon to capture a band of outlaws from another country who had crossed the frontier at a place distant three months' journey from the capital. Taking two hundred picked men he set forth. "Now it so happened that the Governor of this land, who was a good man and much loved by his people, fell ill and died and in his place there came another as governor. Upon his ascension to power he commanded his Wazirs to seek out and bring to him to be his wife the most beautiful woman in all the land, saying that if one more lovely should be discovered subsequently he would instantly put his wazirs to death. They all agreed with one accord that there was none more beautiful in all the land of Tunis of the West than the niece of Al-Anassi, whose father had died long before. When the governor's wazirs came �36 THE SYRIAN WORLD to Al-Anassi, my father, and demanded that he surrender his niece in marriage to the Governor, my father refused, saying that she had already become formally betrothed to his son, myself, and that when I returned and discovered what had occurred it would certainly cause great trouble in the land. But the Governor was obdurate and persisted in his demands. Friends of my father came to him and counselled him to escape with his niece and seek safety in some other country. Therefore, my uncle and niece fled under cover of darkness from the city of his birth and sought protection in Egypt, in the land of Al-Aziz. "When the Governor discovered their flight he was so enraged that he ordered my father's palace razed to the ground and not only his property, but all of mine as well, confiscated. I learned of what had taken place while I was making my return journey to the capital, and, secretly selecting fourteen of my bravest companions, I vowed to take the most complete vengeance upon the Governor who had brought upon my father's house such overwhelming misfortune. When I entered the city I proceeded directly to the palace of the Governor whom I beheaded with one blow of my sword and was about to put all his advisers to death, but* they importuned me to spare their lives, saying that they had acted against their wills and in fear of being beheaded if they did not obey. I installed a new Governor whom I ordered to restore my father's palace to its former state. "Then with my fourteen companions I travelled diligently until I reached this city of Cairo. I sought my father and my betrothed and I learned that when my father had arrived in Cairo he sought Al-Aziz, the King, and asked protection from him, telling him all the details as to the cause of his flight from his own country. The King expressed a desire to see the woman whose great beauty had caused all this to befall. No sooner had his eyes rested on her than he requested my father to give her to him in marriage. At this my father exclaimed: " 'O mighty Lord, I fled from my own country to escape persecution. Have I fallen into the hands of another tyrant?' "At this the King was exceedingly enraged and ordered my father put to death, which was done straightway, and my betrothed was taken to wife by Al-Aziz. "When I learned," continued Ibrahim, "I vowed that I would kill Al-Aziz in the midst of his court, as I had the Governor of Tunis, and thus avenge my father's death. But my father's friends begged me to desist from such a hazardous undertaking as there ;? �JUNE, 1931 37 was in the service of the King a great warrior named Quicksilver at whose hands I might fare ill. After considering the matter I decided first to kill you, O Quicksilver, and then the King. Therefore, I began pillaging the houses of the rich in Cairo so that I might find a means of bringing about your death. Placing your name on the sack which the King found on the ground beside you after our encounter was one of my stratagems to this end. Recognizing your bravery and generosity and feeling that Al-Aziz was dealing unjustly with you, all my rage again centered itself on him, and for that reason I compassed your deliverance from his hands." When Al-Anassi had finished his narrative Quicksilver was terribly enraged and exclaimed: "Woe to Al-Aziz, the tyrant and persecutor of the poor and helpless!" The next morning, Quicksilver having fully armed himself, proceeded with Ibrahim and his men to the city and there made their way to the meeting place of the Zohrs who had been dispersed by order of the King after Quicksilver's arrest. Quicksilver summoned fifty of them to his side and with them sought the King in his palace. News of his coming had already reached the ears of the King, and when Quicksilver and his company entered his presence he said smilingly: "O Quicksilver, have you succeeded in capturing your adversaryr "Woe to you," replied Quicksilver. "You have unjustly put Al-Anassi to death and unjustly sought the betrothed of his son Ibrahim and placed her in your harem. Were it not that the people might say I had rebelled against my master and had dealt with him unrighteously, I would strike off your head this instant." Then Ibrahim Al-Anassi strode threateningly up the very steps of the throne and cried in fury to the King: "O vile creature, do you not realize that the damsel that you took by treachery was betrothed to me, Ibrahim Ibn Al-Anassi, the fame of whose warlike deeds resounds through all quarters of the world? Were it not for the respect and affection in which I hold this great warrior Quicksilver, I would forthwith destroy you." The King trembled in terror and supplicated Quicksilver and Ibrahim to restrain their fury. �wmmmmmmmm 38 THE SYRIAN WORLD "O Quicksilver," he cried, "cover me with the mantle of your protection and listen to my words. The death of Ibrahim's father was the will of Allah and I have preserved Ibrahim's betrothed in my palace surrounded with all honor. Willingly I will return her to him and will bestow upon him a great palace, fully furnished. Furthermore, I will give him one hundred thousand pieces of silver. As to you, O great hero, I crave pardon for my unjust suspicions and the persecution that they caused me to visit upon you. Hereafter your place as head of the Secret Police will be assured and you will always be the first man in my kingdom." On hearing this Quicksilver and Ibrahim were seized with compassion for the King. Ibrahim's betrothed was summoned, and her reunion with her lover brought tears to the eyes of all beholders. Then Ibrahim asked the King to have Quicksilver take him as one of his companions in the Secret Police. Quicksilver was much pleased at his desire and addressing the Zohrs who were with him inquired of them what task they wished Ibrahim to perform for them to prove his qualifications for the exalted position which he sought. They replied with one accord that he should go that night and bring them a sheep from the cave of Barnish. Upon hearing the request Quicksilver showed indignation and addressed them saying: "It is a most perilous task that you have assigned to this young man and I wonder that you do not fear the vengeance of Allah for so wantonly causing this brave warrior to be cast in the very talons of death." Realizing, however, that Ibrahim would resent the reflection on his courage by any attempt to dissuade him from performing the task, Quicksilver before giving his sanction thus addressed Ibrahim : "Know, O Ibrahim, that the cave of Barnish is as dark as the abode of the demons, so black is it within that if ten men with fiercely burning torches should enter at the midday hour darkness would smother the light so that they could not see their way. It has been the custom of brave men, heretofore, as the result of some foolish wager to enter this cave to seek Barnish and demand of him a sheep. But all those who have thus dared face certain death have afterwards been found lifeless at the entrance of the cave. Therefore, it has been impossible for anyone to ascertain what lies within. Nevertheless, I can instruct •- �JUNE, 1931 39 you somewhat as to what you may expect to encounter, for I have obtained certain secret knowledge thereof from an ancient book written by a sorcerer in ages past. "The cavern, as I have said, is dark from its very entrance with an obscurity which is almost impalpable. How great its extent may be no one knows, not even the sorcerer who wrote of it in the long past age. But there lives in this cave a huge Mared called Barnish. His aspect is so fearful that none may look on him and live. He possesses seven heads, each having a countenance that surpasses the other in horror. Seven tongues greater than those of the camel protrude from seven awful mouths edged with teeth like those of a ravening lion. His fourteen eyes dart forth fire that is filled with sparks like those of the flashing of a thousand words. No sooner does any human being confront him than he is struck with abject terror at his appearance and falls unconscious to the ground, whereupon the monster strangles him and hurls his lifeless body without the entrance of the cave. So far no one has been able to withstand this fearful sight. Again I entreat you to forsake your resolution to enter upon this hazardous adventure." "If there were a thousand Barmshes instead of one, 1 would not fear them, for I should conquer with the help of Allah," responded Ibrahim. Ibrahim waited until the advent of night, and then having armed himself with the enchanted sword which Quicksilver had lent him he proceeded towards the mountain of Jinshi. He traversed great wildernesses, climbed mountains and passed through valleys until he arrived at the entrance of the cave. This appeared to him even more fearful than Quicksilver had depicted. He faltered but an instant and then entered, groping his way in the awful darkness. Thus he proceeded some distance, when, as nothing had occurred, he suddenly stooped to the ground and picked up a huge stone which he hurled from him with all his might. It struck the wall of the cave with terrific force and as the noise reverberated throughout the cavern, Ibrahim cried in a voice of thunder: "Barnish! Barnish! reveal yourself to me so that I may make a request of you." No sooner had he uttered these words than the wall ot the cave was rent asunder, as though torn by the shock of an earthquake, and the whole place was illuminated with a light fiercer than that of the sun when it shines in the midday hour. And �40 THE SYRIAN WORLD there appeared to the awe-stricken Ibrahim a great Marid of huge bulk and stature with seven heads and altogether exactly as he had been described to him by Ali. "What is your desire, O mortal?" asked this monster in a voice which caused the mountain itself to tremble. Unlike all others who had faced this terror, Ibrahim stood his ground and replied in a firm voice: "I wish to take a sheep from this cavern and present it to the Zohrs as proof of my bravery and of my eligibility to the exalted position of one of their Chiefs." Instantly the Marid disappeared from view, but the cave still remained luminous and presently Ibrahim perceived a sheep moving slowly towards him. This he seized and began to drag it towards the mouth of the cave with the intention of escaping with it. But in an instant the sheep was transformed into a mule which sprang away from him. Thereupon, Ibrahim ran after it, and, seizing it by the neck, endeavored to force it to accompany him. Suddenly it was transformed into yet another shape, that of a camel, at which sight Ibrahim became greatly enraged and put forth all his strength, succeeding in shoving the beast some distance towards the entrance. But in the winking of an eye the camel's bellowings ceased and instantly Ibrahim saw before him, standing on its tail, a serpent more huge than mortal eyes had ever beheld. This serpent attacked Ibrahim savagely and endeavored to sink its great fangs into his face. But Ibrahim, quicker than lightning, drew his sword and struck one terrific blow which cut the body of the serpent in twain. Simultaneously the cave was plunged again in thick darkness and a great voice resounded saying: "Woe is me, for the power of man has destroyed me." Ibrahim, not fully aware of his great achievement, still thought that Barnish was alive- and called upon him to answer again. But the voice which answered was that of Quicksilver calling from the mouth of the cave. Ibrahim hurried forth and there found Quicksilver together with fifty of the Zohrs. Upon seeing them Ibrahim was surprised and exclaimed to Quicksilver: "O Chief, why have you followed me to this fearful place?" "We have come," replied Quicksilver, "to_be witnesses of your great bravery and your unparalleled achievement. Know that when Barnish appeared to you and you demanded the sheep of him he transformed himself into that animal and thus returned to you. Then he successively changed himself into the �41 JUNE, 1931 mule and the camel with which you struggled and lastly into the terrible serpent which you slew, thus killing Barnish himself." Quicksilver and his companions were overcome with joy and they forthwith returned to Cairo where next day Quicksilver accompanied Ibrahim to the court of Al-Aziz who congratulated him upon his success and invested him with a robe of honor indicative of his position as one of the officers of the Zohrs. The King also ordered the commencement of the celebration of the nuptials uniting Ibrahim with his betrothed' and the festivities continued for forty days and were even greater than those which had taken place at the marriage before. "But although peace and tranquillity reigned for a time," said the story teller, "it was only a calm before the storm. Dalila the Serpent, the head of the Secret Police of Bagdad, appears secretly in Cairo to discredit Quicksilver. There the great battle between these two begins, and the most stupendous adventures befall Quicksilver. But the relation of these must wait upon the will of Allah and the fortunate ending of our journeyings." SYNOPSIS OF WHAT FOLLOWS Quicksilver finally triumphs. He gathers about him in the secret police the bravest men in the Islamic Empire. Each has to prove his prowess by performing some incredible task. In the end, partly by the aid of this invincible handful of extraordinary men, Quicksilver succeeds in conquering Dalila. The most amazing of the adventures fall, of course, on Quicksilver. One of these is the story of the daughter of the King of the Mountains of Kaf who was carried off by the King of the Djinn. after rescuing her, Quicksilver enters Damascus and narrowly escapes death through the trickery of his opponent, Dalila. When the Caliph Haroun Al-Rashid leafns of this he commands them both to appear in Bagdad and continue their struggle for mastry under his eyes, partly for his own diversion and partly so that he can see that each has fair play. Then follows the story of Quicksilver's finding the crown of Kisra, the fabled ancient King of the Persians. In her struggle against him Dalila employs her own daughter. Unaware of her identity Quicksilver falls in love with her. Dalila consents to the marriage but insists that her daughter's dowry shall be the Robe of Azro the Jew. Now Azro was one of the greatest sorcerers of his age and the magic robe was the supreme product of his enchantment. It was an effectual cloak against all bodily harm and made its wearer immune from every disease. Dalila's enmity for Quicksilver does not end even wnen he marries her daughter, and she continues to use all her wiles and trickery to overthrow him, but he triumphs in the end and lives with his bride in peace and happiness forever after. �"THE SYRIAN WORLD Readers' Forum AMERICAN READER'S OPINION OF THE SYRIAN WORLD It is the means of acquainting Americans with the, fine qualities, and culture of the Syrians. . Editor, The Syrian World, In the last issue of the Syrian World you ask for opinions from your readers and suggest that unless further support is given, the magazine may have to be discontinued. Because it seems to me that such an eventuality would be most unfortunate, I venture to write you, in the hope that the opinion of one of your American readers might be of some value and interest to your Syrian-American readers. In thus making a distinction between myself and Americans of Syrian descent, I ask permission to explain that I am descended from those English-speaking people who settled this country, fought for its freedom and established the democracy which has opened its doors to the freedom-seeking pioneers of all lands. Until recently, I, like so many of my own kind of American, have been comfortably established in the certainty that I belonged to whatever aristocracy this country boasted, and in an ignorance of the foreign groups which were coming to carry on what my forefathers started. Generally speaking, the contacts with those of foreign descent which we of that established American tradition have had, hare been with a few Europeans of the better class and with the great number of those whom we met either in a domestic capacity or in business, usually of European peasant classes. Our attitude toward the Orientals who have come has been one of ignorance and, I fear, often of patronage It was my good fortune, however to become acquainted a few years ago with some of the Syrians . Through them I became interested in Arabic culture, an interest which led to a study of certain phases of that culture. In that study I have had the tremendous priviledge of getting to know numbers of your people and of coming to the opinion that we have no finer new Americans in this country. .My respect and admiration for the traditions, background and character of Syrians is great and I have devoted my time and energy to an effort to make known to my kind of Americans, that phase of the Arabic culture about which I have some knowledge . Your magazine has been of inestimable value to me personally, in keeping fresh my interest, in giving me increased understanding of the people who gave me so generously of their help and counsel. The Syrian World should have a wider public among Americans of my class. It would lead to better understanding. As for its value to young English-speaking Syrian-Americans, it seems to me that it can not be overestimated. To help them understand and respect their own heritage and have pride in their traditions cannot but help them to be better Americans. Surely the best V �43 JUNE, 1931 thing any human being can do is to be completely himself and true to the best that is in him. Do your young Syrians realize, I wonder,that their ancestors were in an advanced stage of civilization and culture when mine were living in caves and, so rumor has it, were painting themselves blue all over? But what need I add, when your great Syrian, who was also, we are proud to say, one of our greatest Americans, has said it so completely in his Message "To Young Americans of Syrian Origin'*? With all hope for the continuance of the Syrian World, I am, Yours sincerely, Laura Williams New York City THE SYRIAN WORLD DISPELS AN ILLUSION at our present command, is the Syrian World magazine. If the solution of the difficulty into which this publication has unfortunately gravitated were an unsurmountable obstacle., an Eleusinian enigma to be unraveled only by the Sibylline oracle,or an arcanum caelestia-as- Elia would have said — then the gracious public might rest' in their placid satisfaction that Fate is not to be disputed. But this, happily, is not the case. The solution is evident — unobscured even to the child-mind. Subscriptions are only needed, and the method advanced by the Al-Hoda is excellent. The Syrian World assures and disseminates for us those most precious attributes of our racial heritage. Thomas Asa West Brownsville, Pa. FOOD FOR THOUGHT. A Poet Advances a Practical Suggestion Editor, The Syrian World, Without in the least wishing to dampen your enthusiasm and beTo the Syrian W'orld : little your efforts, I cannot help but It is indeed a regrettable sit- feel that your method of procedure uation that now confronts the read- is wrong. The Syrian World is a ers of the Syrian World. One can needed organ. This fact cannot be easily apprehend from the Editor's gainsaid. But in creating the orprevious announcements that this gan and not providing for its constep has given him even more pro- tinuance you assume a public resfound regret, for it has ever been ponsibility whose failure is bound to the solace, and sometimes thank- react on the whole race. The proless reward of the pioneer in any en- per thing to have done, under the terprise to endeavor to reach his circumstances, was to have had the destination without the indulgent public underwrite the undertaking encumbrance of a semi-somnolent in such manner as to insure its stapublic. bility. If a corporotion is not feaA considerable number of Syrians sible, then a number of wealthy and in the Old World regard their com- public-spirited individuals should patriots in the Americas as an ele- take upon themselves the task. Surement more or less uninterested in ly there must be amongst us a suftheir struggles and strivings in the ficient number of rich men with eHomeland. But, as Syrian-Ameri- nough race pride to make the necescans well know, this is a misconcep- sary investment. tion, and the only available practicA READER able medium to dispel this illusion, New York. �«HH-—BS 44 HI THE SYRIAN WORLD Political Developments in Syria PONSOT LEAVES FOR FRANCE SYRIANS OPPOSE MONARCHY Political Situation Becoming More Complicated Owing to Continuation of Policy of Indecision and Procrastination. High Commissioner Ponsot of Syria sailed for France on his annual vacation June 4. Before leaving Beirut he maintained his usual policy of reticence and, in spite of the fact that the country is seething with unrest, would give out no public statement of his intentions or plans. He did, however, upon arriving at Alexandria, give an interview to the correspondent of Al-Ahram of Cairo in which he discussed freely his plans for the economic recovery of Syria. He would not touch on the political situation, but when asked about the possibility of establishing a monarchy in Syria and placing former King Ali of Arabia on the throne h» made the equivocal reply that "every thing is possible". The most significant feature of the departure of M. Ponsot is that among his fellow passengers are Nouri Pasha Said, Prime Minister of the Iraquian cabinet, and Mr Young, the representative of the BritishHigh Commissioner of Iraq. Nouri Pasha Said had spent several days in Damascms and Beirut as the guest of French officials, and his departure with the High Commissioner lent considerable weight to the rumors that some sort of an arrangement is being sought to establish King Ali on the proposed Syrian throne. The additional fact that King Feisal of Iraq, brother of King Ali, will join his Prime Minister in Paris shortly gave rise to what seems a conviction that France now favors a monarchical form of government for Syria. The inference is that the terms of the new arrangement will be discussed at a round table conference to be held in Paris. What some political observers deduce from the presence of a British official with the party is that Great Britain and France have reached an accord on a common policy in the mandated territories. This accord, they point out, ws evident from the many instances of cooperation between the two powers, particularly when Britain closed the Palestinian border to the Syrian rebels during the Druze revolution. Neither Power, in the opinion of these observers, can afford to let the East develop the strength that would constitute a menace to her position. By mutual assistance they can successfully deal with isolated instances, but to permit the spirit of nationalism among the natives to crystallize into collective action would spell disaster. Whatever the plans of the French mandatory authorities in Syria, however, in respect to the form of government for the country, the Syrian nationalists seem firm in tfaeir conviction that their own will should prevail. On the eve of M. Ponsot's departure they held a general meeting in Damascus and a resolution was reached that "under no circumstances will the people of Syria accept a form of government established without their sanction. Their will has been expressed in the Na- �JUNE, 1931 tional Constitution approved by the legally elected Constituent Assembly. The Syrian nation has the right to control its own destiny and will not be influenced by a crown adorning the head of an individual Who would lend himself as a tool in the hands of the colonizers." Not satisfied with the mere statement of their position, the Nationalists sent cable protests to the French Foreign Office and to the League of Nations. POSSIBLE CHANGE IN LEBANON GOVERNMENT Repblic Might be Dissolved with the Expiration of Term of First President. If what is claimed to be authentic informotion reaching a leading Lebanese paper through its Paris correspondent be true, the Lebanese Republic is doomed to extinction with the expiration of the term of President Charles Dabbas, which falls early next year. Mr. Dabbas is the first President of the Lebanese republic, which in turn is the first republic in the Arabic-speaking countries, proclaimed :'n 1923 and hailod as a great step forward in the efforts of thft peoples of the East to launch on the sea of democracy. It ras had so far i tempestuous career with rising and falling cabinets and frequent changes of policy while the cry has ever been growing that the representatives of the people are but the puppets of the mandatory power. The record of achievement of the Representative Assembly is, to be sure, nothing to indicate much initiative or, if any, 45 any degree of consciousness of power. The alternative, as set forth in the dispatch, is to install a French governor in Lebanon obviously for the purpose of eliminating the wranglings and jealousies of the native leaders. Some degree of recognition will be given the Lebanese in that the mandatory power will submit the names of three candidates from among whom the Representative Assembly will elect one for governor. The Assembly, it is further asserted, will be induced to sanction the amendment to the Constitution necessary for the inauguration of the change. Nor will this change appear as coming from the French or dictated by them. Rather, it will be made the expression of a popular demand. Already plans have been laid, it is asserted, for the circulation of petitions to that effect to be signed by the people. The Lebanese government, to be sure, does not now enjoy much confidence either of the people or of the mandatory authorities. A significant incident relative to the boycott of the traction interests serves as an illustration. The French authorities had professed keeping a hands-off policy in the progress of the boycott, conceding to the Lebanese government full authority to deal with the situation. Yet when the Lebanese government refused to deal with the boycott committee, that same committee was given a hearing by the French authorities over the head of the Lebanese government, causing the latter to lodge an official protest against this unethical procedure. Ths Lebanese government, on the other hand, is accused of using dictatorial powers in handling the boycott situation and favoring the foreign interests as against the welfare �THE SYRIAN WORLD 46 of the people. It has so far suspended peremptorily six of the leading papers and materially curtailed the right of public speech and assembly. This is interpreted by the populace as nothing else but a servih role which the government is playing in carrying out the secret dictates of the French. The boycott has been brought to an end after a duration of almost two months. The people may be said to have been victorious insofar as they have compelled the traction and electric utilities campanies to grant a substantial reduction in their rates. During the progress of the strike three separate popular committees were formed to direct it, each succeeding the other when the government arrested its members usder statutary charges and conned them to jail. Such sustained determination was never before evident in any popular manifestation of the people of the Near East, and is taken by observers as an indication of a new spirit of popular cooperation. According to press dispatches, the report finds the Moslems have sole ownership of, and the sole property right to, the Wailing Wall and the adjoining pavement.Although granting the Jews free access to the Wall for purposes of devotion, it limits their right to carry the ark containing the scrolls of the law near to the wall on certain special occasions. It also confirms the rules enacted by the mandatory administration against the bringing of screens.benches and other appurtenances of worship to the Wall and forbids the blowing of the shofar, or ram's horn near tne wall so as not to disturb the Moslems in their worship. A ban is also placed on the Jews' making any political speeches at the wall. The only check on Moslem religious ceremonials is the prohibition of zikr, a ritiualistic dance, during the hours when the Jews lament and pray before the wall. Press dispatches from Jerusalem report the Grand Mufti as saying that "the privileges granted to the Jews cannot be tolerated and the Moslems cannot be expected to foreARABS REJECT FINDINGS go their legal possessive rights in ON WAILING WALL this manner. They never agreed to The special commission appoint- the appointment of the Wailing Wall ed by the MacDonald Government Commission, so they cannot underto investigate the claims of Moslems take to submit to its decisions." The June 20 issue of the English and Jews arising from the Wailing Wall situation gave out its long-a- edition of Falastin contains a sumwaited report on June 8. Appar- mary of a memorandum prepared by ently the Moslems are favored by the Arab Liberal Party in criticism the decision in that the commission of the commission's report. It cites finds that the Wall is Moslem pro- the specific articles of the Mandate perty, but certain privileges are wherein the Moslems are vested permitted the Jews which the Mos- with the sole right of ownership of lems resent. To all practical pur- the "Haram area, the wall of the posees, the situation is nowhere Buraq and the courtyard connected nearer a solution than when the therewith." Also that "nothing in commissiibn started its investiga- the Mandate shall be construed as tion, v... conferring upon the Mandatory au- m - �If. 47 JUNE, 1931 thority the right to interfere with the fabric or management of purely Moslem sacred shrines, the immunities of which are guaranteed." Falasiin, in commenting on the IV'oslcms' former tolerance of Jewish worship at the Wailing Wall and its interpretation by the Commission as a "right", fears that the immediate effect of such misconstruc- tion would be to "prohibit tourists from going to Al-Aqsa and into the mosque in Hebron." The paper "strongly advises the Supreme Moslem Council to issue an order prohibiting such visits immediately unless the League of Nations guarantees that no permission of visit to Moslem holy places shall constitute in future a right of visit." About Syria and Syrians SECOND LEBANESE FESTIVAL ATTRACTS LARGE THRONG. Bridgeport Becomes Mecca for Thousands of Syrians and Lebanese for the TwoDav Celebration. (Note - - Because this issue of the Syrian World goes to press the second week in July, it is possible to include the followisg account of the Second Lebanese Festival which took place on July 4 and 5) The second Lebanese FestivalOuting held at Bridgeport, Conn., July 4 and 5, met with even greater success than had the first. The estimated attendance was over three thousand and the fame of the first Festival held last year, having covered the country, this year's event attracted a considerable number of people from as far South as Virginia and Tennesse and as far North as Michigan and Wisconsin. To see the license plates of the hundreds of automobiles entering the grounds was to read a roster of almost all the States of the Union with the exception of those of the far West. As early as 6 o'clock in the morning of the fourth streams of automobiles began to file by the gate. Many had reached Bridgeport the night before in order to be on hand for the enjoyment of every moment of the two days, while many others from nearby New England towns had apparently made a very early start. All were in the most buoyant holiday spirit and the ideal weather that prevailed helped increase the feeling of cheer. Without waiting for the formal opening parties began to form and stage their own games and fstivities. The spacious grounds of Champ's Farm, with its many open spaces and wooded knolls, provided ideal locations for any number of groups. One group formed at the farthest extremity of the grounds evidently with the purpose of indulging in their favorite pastimes and native songs without fear of disturbance. But only too soon did this small knot of revelers find itself the center of attraction of several hund- �1 48 red watchers who pressed around them eager to hear every word uttered by the principal performers. For was this not the circle Which held the two most renowned qawwals in the States, who could go for hours alternating at the improvisation of poetry in the vernacular, with the facility of recitation from memory or reading from an open book? The center of attraction of another large circle was a groun of lithe dancers who performed either singly, to the tune of the oud and flute and the rhythmic handclapping of the audience, or in groups, holding hands and circling and swaying in the graceful motions of the dabke. At times sword players with heroic motions and light step would supply a diversion. Early in the afternoon of Saturday the festival was formally opened by Mr. N. A. Mokarzel, editor of Al-Hoda and founder of the Lebanon League of Progress to which goes the credit for the inauguration of this patriotic movement. He spoke in Arabic thanking the throngs for their response to the League's appeal and extending them its best wishes for an enjoyable time. His speech, as well as those of the other speakers who followed, were recorded in sound moving pictures. He announced that henceforth the festival will be officially known as the Lebanese Mahrajan and will be held each year, inasmuch as popular approval has already confirmed it as a national institution. Other speakers at this function were the Rev. Mansour Stephen; Dr. B... T. Deen, Nasib Arida, Salim Thomey and Assad Rustum, each of whom recited an original poem composed for the occasion. The official exercises, conducted in English, were deferred until the afternoon of the second day when ^^ THE SYRIAN WORLD His Honor Edward T. Buckingham, mayor of Bridgeport, attended in his official capacity and delivered an address of welcome. He was introduced by Mr. N. A. Mokarzel in his capacity of founder of the Lebanon League of Progress and officially welcomed by Mr. N. Hatem, acting president of the organization. The response to the mayor's address was delegated to Mr. Salloum A. Mokarzel, editor of the Syrian World. Miss. Edna K. Salomey, a resident of Bridgeport, also delivered a most appropriate address. Dr. F. I. Shatara of Brooklyn and Mr. Hotchkins, former mayor of Waterbury, Conn, delivered short addresses. The second Mahrajan, in the opinion of all present, was a tremendous success. Much credit must be given the arrangements committee for having foreseen all possible needs and fully provided for them. Mr. A. K. Hitti, its chairman, was indefatiguable in his efforts and was ably assisted by Mr. Jacob G. Raphael editor of the Arabic magazine "Character". The reception committee circulated among the throngs and provided the maxium of attention. For a fuller comprehension of the objects of the Mahrajan we reproduce herewith the Greeting appearing in the program. The Lebanon League of Progress of New York extends to all those present at this Mahrajan a hearty welcome and sincere good wishes for an enjoyable time. The first Mahrajan, or national festival, held here at Bridgeport last year, was in the nature of an experiment. The success attending it left no doubt that it was the expression of a strong popular sentiment. Hence the emphatic approval of the idea as expressed this year by the 1 9 �JUNE, 1931 increased attendance. It is cause for extreme gratification to the sponsors of this movement that it has so readily taken hold of the imagination of our people. Without claiming credit for any effort on our part, we wish to make the unqualified statement that the latent patriotism of the Lebanese and Syrians in America only required the initiative to coordinate it and arouse it into action. We are happy to have supplied the means for this splendid patriotic expression. As announced in the program of our first Mahrajan, the object of these patriotic gatherings is both to keep alive our finer racial traditions and to foster more pronounced loyalty to our adopted country. The American nation has become the greatest nation in the world owing principally to the fact that it was drawn from the most virile blood of all nations — those hardy pioneers who had the courage to act on their convictions and face life with unflinching determination. These finer qualities which form the foundation of the American character must be preserved in order to give the nation that continued impetus to strive for greater achievement. They are best preserved by keeping alive the spirit of the pioneers, the builders, the men and women who were fired by an ideal and sought free expression of it in a new homeland. Keeping alive such memories will only strengthen the hardy and enterprising spirit of the American pioneers of whatever nationality. The social benefits of such gatherings also cannot be too strongly stressed. For the first time in the history of our immigration several thousands of our compatriots were brought together in a festive spirit in the first Mahrajan. Old friend- 49 ships were renewed and new ones formed. The young generation was brought to realize in the most realistic manner the charm of some of our old customs and traditions. A new link of racial relationship was forged that is bound to bring about the most wholesome results. Americans taking part in our national holiday came to appreciate as they never did before the value of our spiritual contributions to our adopted land. All this is now being reenacted in a manifold degree. The Lebanon League of Progress fec^s indeed privileged in having been the instrument for the materialization of such an idea and wishes to pledge itself to its continuous and more active promotion that the benefit accruing therefrom might be far-reaching and permament. It is but another indication of the substantiality of our American patriotism that this second Mahrajan is held on the anniversary of the American declaration of independence. SYRIAN JUNIOR LEAGUE HOLDS IMPORTANT DEBATE Discuss the Advisability of Completely Merging into American Life The Syrian Junior League is assuming its rightful role of leadership in the social and cultural affairs of the Syrian community of New York . Although but a fewyears old, it has already given many dinners, dances, plays and socials. Its latest venture was a debate on the resolution "that the SyrianAmerican Generation, should completely merge itself into American life." A debate of this nature was something altogether novel in Syrian feminine activities, and although �50 no public invitations were issued the attendance was beyond all expectations. All were so well pleased that they encouraged the League to further promote such educational programs. THE SYRIAN WORLD accustomed to public appearances, should have shown the courage and ability that usually come with long practice. Fol'owing are excerpts from the speeches of each of the debaters. The debate was held June 9 at the In opening the debate Miss Zal clubrocms of the American-Syrian oom sketched the history of the Federation in Brooklyn. Both deUnited States from the discovery of bating teams were drawn exclusiveAmerica to the declaration of Inly from the membership of the Jundependence and showed that the ior League. Those taking the afAmerican nation was drawn from all firmative were Miss Madeline Zalthe peoples of the earth, and that oom and Miss Nedda Uniss, while the best interests of America lay in the negative team was composed of the complete amalgamation of the Miss Madeline Maloof and Miss diffirent groups. "America does not Louise Dibbs. The judges were Mr. want citizens who do not assimilate. George A. Ferris, Dr. Salim Y. AlShe considers them a menace to her kazin and Dr. Fouad Shatara. progress, just as a parasite is a deMiss Selma Milkie, President of triment to a tree. This country the League, presided. At the con- of ours is young, and its people are clusion of the debate Salloum A. the peoples of the earth, I will admit, Mokarzel, editor of the Syrian Word but by unity of purpose and singleand Cecil J. Badway, business man- ness of action this country, in time, ager of the publication, were called will no longer be a country of the upon for a few remarks. Inasmuch peoples of the earth but a country as the debate was sponsored jointly of Americans in the United States by the Syrian Junior League and of America Today, how sigthe Syrian World, Mr. Mokarzel nificant the world over are the gave full credit for; the Syrian words "I am a citizen of America," World's assistance in the debate to and what joy and pride we should Mr. Badway who gave generously anticipate in feeling that we are a of his time and ability in assisting part of this perfectly organized the debating teams. nation. But more than the words In rendering the unanimous deci- "I am a citizen of America" should sion of the judges Mr. Ferris took be our actions which will by thempains to explain that the decision selves proclaim us Americans in was reached not on their personal America. " convictions on the subjects but on In taking up the argument for the the merit of the actual debate. The affirmative where her teammate had decision was in favor of the affirm- left off, Miss Uniss discussed the ative side. social advantages of assimilation It was evident from the debate as distinct from the historical and that both teams had spent consider- economic. "The term 'assimilation', able effort in preparing their mater- she said, "is borrowed from the field ial. Their arguments were well rea- of biology and points out a process soned and there was no lack of by which life seeks to keep its citation of authorities. The most continuity and progress through abpleasant feature, however, is that sorbing those elements which are of these Syrian girls, apparently un- vital necessity for its nurture and �JUNE, 1931 well-being. Without assimilation there can be no vitality, no variation no progress. The opposite of assimilation is stagnation, it is death." Thence she proceeded to prove that there was no other alternative open to the Syrian-American but to merge with the life of the American people The whole record of human progress may be traced to this one factor. Even "the ancient Phoenicians from whom we wou'd like to claim descent were themselves a composite race". Only the most backward people are of unadulterated and pure stock. "The United States is a mixture of many races and cultures. In fairness to ourselves and to the country that sustains us and has become our homeland why should we keep ourselves from participation in this great process After all there are two sides to this word which is the giving as well as the taking. It is for us to bring our contributions to our new country as Americans to America. Let them be spontaneous contributions that come from our hearts rather than conscious contributions. Is it necessary for us to come and say, "here we are Syrians, descendants of the ancient Phoenicians, we are offering you our goods; note whence they came. " In opening her argument for the negative Miss Madeline Maloof sought to show that the American people are cosmopolitan in their nature and that it is impossible to escape identifying yourself with your national extraction. She further proceeded to show that racial pride is "a very noteworthy trait" and that individual prestige is enhanced by identification witih one's racial extraction. It is therefore incumbent upon the Syrians to preserve those fine traditions inherited from their ancestors who have contributed so 51 much to the progress of civilization. "Do any of us in later years want to hear our children asked "what is a Syrian" and know that they cannot explain and be proud of the explanation ? This will surely happen if we do not take it upon ourselves to preserve our identity. As we can not lose our racial mark the question of your heritage is bound to crop up at some time." Miss Maloof cited the example of Gibran as one who has consistently maintained his racial identity, bringing thereby honor to his race, and closed with a quotation from his message to the young Americans of Syrian descent: "I am the descendant of the people that have builded Damascus, Biblus and Tyre, and Sidon, and Antioch and now I am here to build with you and with a will. " Further elaborating on the argument, Miss Louise Dibbs asserted that it was impossible for one to so completely merge with another race as to entirely forget old traditions and customs and obliterate one's ancestry. "We have adopted ourselves to America. We Syrian-Americans stand for America first. We declare our loyalty to America. But America does not ask of us to completely wipe off our past and forget our race identity and traditions." She proceeded to show that the spirit of devotion characteristic of Syrian parents was one of the finer racial qualities which should be appreciated by America, inasmuch as it helped bring up useful and law-abiding citizens. This fine quality is reflected in the Syrians' clean record, and for us to give it up simply to break away from old traditions would constitute a distinct loss not alone to ourselves but also to America. "We are better Americans by preserving these qualities and contributing them to America than by �wme—ssst- 52 mimicking- what is supposed to be American inasmuch as America is a cosmopolitan mixture of all peoples and unlike any distinct nationality." ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE REMAINS DEADLOCKED The question of the Orthodox Patriarchate in Syria does not seem to be nearing a solution, according to the latest press reports reaching the United States. What is feared is that each faction is becoming more obdurate in its tenacity to its version of the legality of the election The. various lay committees formed to effect a reconciliation have all failed in their efforts. So determined is the faction of Patriarch Alexandros of Damascus to have the -'.Mandatory Authorities recognize him as the legally elected head of the Syrian Orthodox church of Antioch that it has decided to send a delegation to Paris, headed by Bishop Theodosius Bourjaily, to lay the case before the French government. Bishop Bourjaily, as the head of the delegation was, however, refused a passport and this confirmed all the more the Alexandros faction in their conviction that the French are meddling in a purely ecclesiastical matter and employing underhanded tactics to force the recognition of Patriarch Arsanius of Latakia, who is said to be pro-French in his sympathies. This move forced the Alexandros faction to appeal to the Patriarch of Istanbul, who in turn sent a special representative to Paris to deal with the situation. . What is published by some Syrian papers as authentic information is that the Alexandros faction has petitioned the head of the Anglican . . THE SYRIAN WORLD Church, the Archbishop? of Canterbury who lately visited Syria and Palestine, to use his good offices with the British government to force the French in Syria to take necessary action in the Orthodox Patriarchate tangle. Although no direct accusation is lodged against the French that they are openly siding with Patriarch Arsanius, their persistent refusal to declare their stand in the situation is claimed to be the cause for the continued deadlock. Hence the decision of the Alexandros faction to appeal to foreign agencies over their heads, and since permission was refused Bishop Bourjaily to sail for Paris the appeal was made to the Archbishop of Canterbury. From the same source it is learned that the Archbishop of Canterbury has placed the matter before the British government, but since the latter cannot find justification for interfering in the internal affairs of the French mandated territory, it has instructed its delegates at Geneva to bring the matter before the League of Nations. The troubles of the mother church have had a repercussion in the United States. As previously stated in these columns, all the Orthodox papers of the country, with the exception of An-Nasr, are for Patriarch Alexandros, while the Rt. Rev. Abou Assaly has avowed his allegiance to Patriarch Arsanius. Archbishop Germanos Shahadi, in a published statement embodying his declaration of policy delivered from the pulpit, advances the proposition that all dignitaries of the Syrian Orthodox Church now in the United States be recalled to Syria, following similar action taken by the Greek Church as a result of the Russian debacle, and a new bishop appointed by the mother church to govern the » • �JUNE, 1931 53 American diocese as the only feasible method of insuring unity. A special Arabic hymn composed by N. J. Shadid was sung to the piano accompaniment of Miss Najla Barkett. The committee on Arrangements was composed of John Melad, N. J. Shadid and F. H. Barkett. REMAINS OF GIBRAN GOING TO LEBANON The body of Gibran Kahlil Gibran, famous Lebanese artist and poet who died in New York April 10, will be transported to his native land on one of the steamers of the Fabre Line sailing from Providence July 24, according to reliable information reaching the Syrian World. Gibran's sister. Marianna. and other devoted friends will sail on the same steamer. The papers of Beirut report that a citizen's committee of Becharri has been formed with the object of raising funds to erect a statue to Gibran in his native town. OKLA. CITY SYRIANS HOLD GIBRAN SERVICE. SYRIAN CHURCH OUTING ATTENDED BY 650 The first annual outing of the Young People's Fellowship of St. Mary's Eastern Orthodox Church of Brooklyn, under the Most Rev. Germanos Shahadi, was voted a complete success by the 650 members and their friends who took part in it. The committee in charge, comprising Kenneth Ziady, Philip Hanna and Angelyn Sleyman, chartered the steamer Warwick for the full day of Sunday, June 28, which took the picnickers to Hook Mountain on the Hudson, where many hours were spent in ideal weather conditions and a perfect spirit of good fellowship. An orchestra furnished lively music both on board and on land. The efforts of William Kaleel, President, and Miss Eugenie Kalaf, secretary of the organization, helped materially towards the success of the outing. A fitting memorial service to Gibran Kahlil Gibran was held in Oklahoma City, Okla., May 24, under the auspices of the progressive SyrianAmerican Club. Other societies participating were the Syrian-American Ladies Society and the SyrianAmerican Modern Society. The meeting was held at Claussen Hall and was opened by S. F. Farha, the club's presidfent, who TWO SYRIAN GIRLS after requesting the Rev. ShokralGRADUATE WITH HONORS. lah Shadid to give the invocation Resented as the meeting's chairMiss Mabel Saloomey, daughter man the namesake of the celebrated of Mr. and Mrs. K. Saloomey, of poet, Gibran Khalil Gibran Shadid. Bridgeport, Conn., graduated with Each of the speakers presented a honors from the School of Arts of different view of Gibran's work and Yale University on June 17. Miss personality. They included/ F. H. Saloomey specializes in murals and Barkett, Mrs. Saleema Adwon. B. portraits and her work has received D. Eddie, N. J. Shadid, Mrs. Esber high praise from critics. In her Abdo, Miss Eva Kouri, and A. S. school career she had at one time Kouri. w on first prize for excellence in ""' " : ".;..; .". . �54 English and completed the regular four-year high school course in three years. Miss Evelyn Tannous, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Tannous of Far Rockaway, N. Y., was the youngest law graduate of St. John's College this year, being only twenty and having completed the five-year course in three years. Shei was assistant editor of the college journal and a leader in many other school activities. FIRST SYRIAN WOMAN M. D. IN AMERICA. Defying the traditions of her people, Miss Saniyah Haboob, a Moslem young woman of Beirut, came to America to study medicine with the object of practicing the profession among the Moslem women of Syria who still refuse medical treatment from male physicians in many situations. Miss Haboob studied at the Women's Medical College in Philadelphia and was granted her degree on June 10. Shortly afterwards she sailed for her native land in company with Dr.Elizabeth Vaugh who is expected to1 be her guest for several months. ARCHAEOLOGIC TREASURES DISCOVERED IN LEBANON The National Museum at Beirut is being constantly enriched by the frequent discovery of relics of which the country seems to have an inexhaustible supply. The latest report of such discoveries is that while workmen were engaged at excavating for a foundation of a house in Sidon they unearthed a beautiful sarcophagus similar in every respect to that of Alexander the Great. The THE SYRIAN WORLD Department of Antiquities was immediately notified and the curator came to supervise the opening in person. Unfortunately, the sarcophagus was found to contain only pebbles, indicating that vandals had ransacked the tomb at some time during the ages. Simultaneous with this discovery was when workmen in Jubail, the cite of ancient Byblos, came upon two earthen jars still containing a rich collection* of coins, some bearing the name of a Phoenician King of whom little had been heard before, while the others were of Macedonian origin dated 322 B.C. and bearing the name of Alexander. A. U. B. INSTRUCTOR VICTIM OF ACCIDENT. Six members of the faculty of the American University of Beirut organized a party to climb Mt. Sannin during the Eastern vacation. They reached the nearest town, Baskinta, on April 2, and attempted to make the dangerous ascent during the night so as tot reach the summit in time to view the sunrise. Three of the party were unequal to the task and returned to Beirut while Charles Houghton, Iliya Hammam and a Mr. Tatley decided to continue. Before reaching the peak, however, two lost their footing and fell, Mr. 1f i?hton a distance of 2000 f ' and Mr. Hammam 1500 feet. Mr. Tatley returned to Baskinta to summon aid and the two injured men were removed to the American Hospital where Mr. Houghton's injuries were discovered to be of a minor nature while those of Mr. Hammam proved fatal. Iliya Hammam was a native of Shweir, and burial took place in the family plot in the cemetry of the �JUNE,, 1931 town. He was 23 years old and was an Instructor of Botany at the University. FORMER WORLD CHAMPION VISITOR IN BEIRUT. Al-Kul'.iyah, organ of the American University of Beirut, reports the first visit of Major Joseph(Gene) Tunney, former heavyweight champion of the world, to that institution the iatter part of March. He was traveling as a member of the Haardt Trans-Asiatic expedition and visited with it many parts of the Near East. While at the University Major Tunney delivered several lectures on clean manhood and sportsmanship and the large audience "admired immensely his simplicity and natural manners as a speaker. The enthusiastic cheers they gave him showed the degree of appreciation they had of his delightful speech." Major Tunney i$ reported as "having paid a tribute of gratitude to the Near East for the precious gifts it has rendered to the world in the fields of culture, science, philosophy and religion, and to have stated that sportsmanship started in these regions and from here it was introduced into Greece and then into Rome and afterwards into modern Western countries." ATHLETIC INSTRUCTION FOR A. U. B. CO-EDS. The very fact that women of the Near East are claiming equal rights to academic education with the men seems to make them conscious of their prerogatives in all other lines of endeavor, athletics included. Certainly, they would not pay their good [BBIBHMHHHBIHHIHIHH 55 money for any privilege without receiving full value in return, but in insisting on their rights they help introduce in the East many a valuable innovation. This, much is deduced from a report reaching us from Miss Berneice Griswold of New York, publicity agent of the American Near East Colleges. Her account of how the "co-eds" at the American University of Beirut demanded, and received, their money's worth from the University throws a ray of enlightenment on the evolution of the feminine psychology in Syria. But despite her brave effort at complete emancipation from the traditions of the past the Syrian girl still balks at some Western practices, such as having male swimming instructors, for instance. Miss Griswold's account follows in full: Atheletics are now included in the curriculum for the twenty "co-eds" at the American University of Beirut, Syria. The women students paid an athletic fee, although they received no instruction in sports. Recently, the twenty "co-eds" demanded either an instructor or a remission of the fee. The University authorities, delighted with their interest-in athletics, promptly secured the services of an excellent instructor for a period of six weeks as an experiment. All the women students donned "gym" clothes and attended class regularly twice each week. At the end of six weeks, athletic instruction for women students was an established thing. The course now includes health exercises, rhythmic dancing, volley ball, basket-ball and other games. Bi-weekly swimming' classes have been organized and are most popular. The interest of the University stu- •! �56 dents is typical of a suddenly awakened interest in athletics among women in Syria. Business girls in Beirut are now taking advantage of the gymnastic facilities of the Y. W. C. A. A group of twelve girls go to the Y. W. C. A. at 7 two mornings each week for an hour of exercise before going to work. Another group of twenty girls who are not employed attend class regularly at 11. Basket-ball is very popular, tennis has some adherents and volley ball is also popular. The majority of the girls are anxious to learn to swim but as there are no women with life saving training and many girls still object to a male instructor no swimming courses are offered through the Y.W.C.A. . :; |j MODERN DIVORCE METHODS SHOCK BEIRUT REPORTER A veteran reporter of Lisan UlHal, (Beirut) who thought himself shock proof against all forms of sensational occurences, admitted that he was shocked beyond expectation when he attended a session of the newly organized domestic relations court in the city. In his own words , a man and his wife petitioned the court for their freedom and duly deposed and said that they had agreed on the step in a spirit of full mutual understanding. While awaiting the decision of the court they chatted and smiled and appeared to be supremely happy. In response to a question by the court the husband explained that his wife had ceased to love him and had, fo» over a year and a half, been living with another man. The wife admitted the facts in toto, smiling benignly. The judge had no recourse but to grant their repuest. THE SYRIAN WORLD But the couple, explains the reporter, are not natives. They came to Syria as members af a Swiss financial commission and in their impatience could not wait to return to their own country and seek freedom through their native courts. They have, however, succeeded in establishing a precedent for divorce procedure in Syria. DRUZE REFUGEES ISSUE NEW PATHETIC APPEAL. In an appeal to the Arabs of America published in Al-Bayan, an Arabic Daily of New York, the remnant of the Druze warriors who have taken refuge in Wadi Sirhan, on the borders of Arabia, describe their condition as most desperate. They state that they are actually starving and if the Arab emigrants do not hasten to their aid they face the danger of extinction. The Druze refugees in Wadi Sirhan number about three thousand and comprise that band of Jebel Druze insurgents who would not surrender to the French and are still holding out for the original conditions for which the Syrian revolution was declared. A LEBANESE COLOMBIAN MINISTER IN BELGIUM. The Syrian press in South America is in receipt of information that Dr. Gabriel Taraby, former First Secretary of the Colombian House of Representatives, was appointed minister of Colombia in Belgium and sailed on March 13 for Brussels. Dr. Taraby is the son of a Lebanese immigrant from Baskinta and has had a brilliant political career culminating in his becoming the leader of the Progressive Party of the coun- �57 JUNE, 1931 try . He is considered one of the wearing silks, because my fatiher most eloquent orators of Colombia, left me upon his death a sum of is but in his late twenties, and his $ 7,500,000. But I have decided to name connected by dame gossip with" definitely and completely renounce that of the daughter of the Presi- civilization and its attendant excitedent who is now a student in Bel- ment and noise and lead the life of the desert away from New York's gium. skyscrapers. Will you, Sir, accept me for wife and become the sole SYRIANS OF NEW YORK master of my body and my wealth, PROTEST PAPER'S SUSPENSION and I promise to lead with you the The Lebanese Government having conventional life of your own peosuspended for an indefinite period ple? I am prompted to make this the newspaper Zahle Fatat, publish- suggestion by what I have read about ed in Zahle and edited by Shukri your illustrious father and his tribe Baccash, who at one time was a resi- in the book of Col. Lawrence, and dent of New York, the Zahle com- his description of your life 'has munity of New York held a mass fascinated and enthralled me." The Arab Sheikh is reported not meeting of protest and passed a to have as yet answered the enstrong resolution condemning the amoured lady. high-handed methods of the government. A cable expressing the indignation of the Zahle immigrants in MOTOR VEHICLES IN SYRIA America was sent to the Lebanese According to statistics compiled government and signed by fourteen by the U. S. Department of Comranking merchants of New York inmerce total registration of autocluding Bardwill Bros., Gorra Bros., mobiles in Syria as of January 1, G. Mobarak 'and Bros., Butrus Bros., 1931, was 10,246 of which 6,380 were Elias Abu Arab and Bros., W. Kharautomobiles for hire, 1,200 privatesa and G. Macksoud and Bros. ly owned, and 500 government owned. Trucks and buses number 2,166. FAMOUS ARAB SHEIKH The figures do not distinguish beWOOED BY AMERICAN. tween the State of Syria and the The following is a translation of a Republic of Lebanon, but from preletter claimed to have been receiv- vious statistics it may be stated that ed by the bedouin chieftain Moham- the proportion of automobiles in Lebanon is double that of Syria desmad Abu Taih, whose father was pite the former's smaller size. made famous by the account of Col. Lawrence of Arabia, from an American lady who apparently does not mince words in making known her intentions. The letter was first published in Aleph-Ba of Damascus and reproduced in the May 29 issue of Meraat-UL-Gharb of New York. It is here given at its face value. Said the Lady: "I have, Sir, spent my life rolling in luxury, occupying palaces and LOCUSTS IN SYRIA Early this spring locusts made their appearance on the borders of Syria coming from the direction of the Arabian desert and Palestine. Although the locusts in some instances have reached the borders of Lebanon the damage to crops is not as serious as in former years. �58 THE SYRIAN WORLD SYRIA. LEBANON. PALESTINE. EGYPT CR ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE NEAR EAST Can Best Be Known by VISITING— SEEING Our native staff is in a position to give you first-hand information on any of these countries, as well as expert advice on planning itineraries that will afford the max lmum of benefit for the minimum of expense. A. K. HITTI & COMPANY 83 WASHINGTON STREET NEW YORK CITY Phone Bowling Green 2765 TOg^sf"3 �BJBW JUNE, 1931 59 **<<< <•<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< <<<<<<<«<< THE LEBANON NATIONAL BANK 319 FIFTH AVENUE, COR. 32NDSTREET Legal Depository of The United States — New York State — New York City Member of The Federal Reserve Bank — New York State Bankers Association — American Bankers Association 4y2% INTEREST We are pleased to announce that our Board of Directors has decided to raise the rate of interest on savings accounts from 4% to 4-l/2%, computed every three months, which raises the rate considerably above A-l/2% per annum. On check accounts, interest will be paid at the rate of 2% for daily balances below $5,000, and 3% for daily balances of $5,000 and over. : The Lebanon National Bank inaugurates the return of control to its original founders by this liberal policy of sharing profits with its depositors. Out-of-Town accounts are solicited on the same basis. We shall be glad to correspond with anyone, anywhere, interested in availing himself of our facilities and liberal terms. - Ii a *\ >>. A ;h ik 4 \ J > BANKING BY MAIL is a conception of good business. You can begin at once to enjoy the facilities of our "Banking by Mail" department. J k >^ >k i<i .< THE LEBANON NATIONAL BANK "THE BANK OP FRIENDLY CO-OPERATION" 319 Corner New York City FIFTH AVE., 32ND ST., >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ,* i\ . V \ l\ /v /> 1\ j i >>>>>>>>>>>> �THE SYRIAN WORLD AUTHENTIC ORIENTAL RUGS KJ THE A. SLEYMAN COMPANY, INC. 276 5th AVENUE NEW YOFK CITY Phone BOgardus 4-4345 George Haddad Proprietor & | j^j Phone CHickering 4-8878 ALEXANDRIA RESTAURANT The new and beautiful uptown Syrian restaurant owned and operated by a master chef, who summons his long experience to the art of producing the most delectable Oriental dishes. Small and large parties catered to So Conveniently Located 21 WEST 31st STREET, NEW YQRK mwrnrnmB^mmmm IT IS YOURS is the only Syrian publication printed in English, and as such is the organ of the Syrians in America You can help it continue and grow by subscribing to it yourself and inducing others to subscribe. THE SYRIAN WORLD PUBLISHER, THE SYRIAN WORLD: 104 Greenwich Street, New York. _ You may enter my name as a subscriber to "The Syrian World- for the term of one year, for which I agree to fay the regular rate of $5.00 upon receipt of the first issue. Address City &? State ^^^^^^^^^MMmmmmmmm^mmMm ' I �SB JERE J. CRONIN FUNERAL DIRECTOR MORTUARY CHAPEL Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to LADY ATTENDANT Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire 115 ATLANTIC AVENUE BROOKLYN, N. Y. The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverenca and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very little cost. No charge for use of our services or funeral parlors. Telephone—MAIN 1398-1399-8130-3655 * HOW TO BREED MOTHS Leave your rugs on the floor with all the dirt and germs they have collected during the winter and which home methods cannot remove. Nature will do the rest. a. If i RESTORATIVE: Call the THE KOURI CARPET CLEANING CORPORATION RUG WASHERS 1 i NEW YORK, N. Y. 10 West 33rd Street Tel. LOngacre 5-2385 JERSEY CITY, N. J. 552 Johnston Avenue Tel. BErgen 3-1085 t»T*TTT>T?*T?Vy>>T>T SHEIK RESTAURANT A well-appointed Syrian restaurant in the heart of the Syrian Quarter, in lower Manhattan, where you and your friends can enjoy the most delectable Oriental meals amidst the charm of an Oriental atmosphere. Second Foor for Banquets and Private Parties KIRDAHY RESTAURANTS, Inc. 65 WASHINGTON ST., New York '/TTTTTT^yTTTffint; >f»»tT» �I ime Tested n 10 better illustration could be given of the value of the Linotype machine than the use it is being put to by publishers of Arabic in America. To them the Linotype has become an absolute necessity and they depend on it entirely to the exclusion of all hand composition. And inasmuch as these publishers are men of long experience and students of methods of economy there can be no more eloquent testimony to the value of the Linotype than their adoption of it and dependence on it. And they have been using it for over fourteen years and as they go on more and more in its use they get more and more to appreciate it, proof of which is the fact that some publishers have bought at first one, then two and three, up to five Linotypes. MERCENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A. Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK An illustrated descriptive catalog of the Arabic Linotype sent free upon request. •74.JI.«-X LINOTYPE METRO FAMILY �JSpWjPWSIEffiSSS^S^ * £ i-\ ZJ^zL* ^JJ J "W*l ,_^ ifcl C-> (j~ lib >bi^\l rbJl Ji^l bj~U o>V. ^J1 ViXk. bj^ ^ \ UjUi-J ^» -A**!! ~*~b pjAl? UlTj 4i* i^pi-c «,jl Jy l»U 5Jb-l_j ij^il (.4^ u' Jr'-H b»a?l_ji ^ ££?» .mini i umiiii iimtiii IIU iiiiiiiii iiiiiiiimiiiiiimiiiuiraiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimmiiiiiiiiiiii -LINOTYPE"- illltlllllllUIIlHIlitlll iiiiifiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiHiiniiiHiiiiiiiuiuMmmuuiiiuiiiiitiiiill • ^Jdil JUc I) 1>»A ij^d.\ Jb »_iy*»- (A>Bj *jd&lj IJje ^-ij^ y» O^bVl U* ^» L jS �THE SYRIAN WORLD 64 *> «» ATTENTION! » »» FORWARD! MARCH ON TO PROGRESS! » +'4 SAFE! gS&> IMMEDIATELY YOUR » »» \p? START A BANK ACCOUNT LET » w^ : - » - . .^*- <- MONEY Accumulate for Future - . ; NEEDS AND HAPPINESS PfrA * •• -M * j 1 INTEREST .; "Per eAnnum $10.00 -. ^m Jj '(I • ON TIME DEPOSITS FROM UP --SJ> i-*^. -. . Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more. FAOUR BANK D. J. FAOUR & BROS. Established 1891 Under Supervision of New York State Banking Department. Capt at and Surplus Over $500,000.00 85 j WASHINGTON ST., . i i J'. —uLulB NEW YORK CITY 3EB I � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1931_06reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 10 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1931 June Description An account of the resource Volume 5 Issue 10 of The Syrian World published June 1931. The final issue of the fifth volume opens with an article by none other than Rev. W. A. Mansur. He begins the issue by talking about the tensions between Christians and Moslems. He specifically references the fact that a number of religious figures in both communities have attempted to make amends by disregarding old prejudices and inviting tolerance. After a quatrain by Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, The Syrian World makes the editorial announcement to continue its publication. Following the discussion of Palmyra by Wadad J. Kh. Mackdicy and a piece by J.D. Carlyle, a work of the late Kahlil Gibran is featured as translated by Andrew Ghareeb, who received permission to translate from Gibran before his passing. Before a continuation of "Ali Zaibaq" there is an article by J.A. Barrakett discussing the American pastime of Backgammon, a game that originated in the ancient East, still a popular feature in Syrian-American homes. The issue concludes with the Reader's Forum, an update on political developments in Syria, and excerpts from the Arab press related to Syrians and Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s J.D. Carlyle Kahlil Gibran New York Poetry-English Recreation Reverend W.A. Mansur Salim Alkazin Syria https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/12bf5ebc20ef1e8cfd0151bd4c1aa5e2.pdf ab42af53635a28315cdc107d3d3e6dec PDF Text Text MAY, 1931. ***** THE SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE FROM BAGDAD TO BASRAH DOWN THE TIGRIS AMEEN RIHANI OUR PRIDE IN OUR SYRIAN RACE REV. W. A. MANSUR THE CASE OF THE SYRIAN WORLD OPINIONS OF FOUR CLASSES OF READERS POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA ALI ZAIBAQ (QUICKSILVER) ^ THE COPY 50c (A SERIAL) ��fiSE THE SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c. Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. MAY, 1931 VOL. V. No. 9. CONTENTS PAGE From Bagdad to Basrah Down the Tigris 5 AMEEN RIHANI Queen Ulmana's Turquoise (Poem) DR. SALIM Y. 17 ALKAZIN The Spirit of Gibran (Poem) 18 AMIN BEDER The Case of THE SYRIAN WORLD 20 Opinion of the Press 21 Opinion of the Clergy 23 Opinion of the Professions 25 Opinion of the Young Generation 27 �- CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE Our Pride in Our Syrian Race REV. W. A. 29 MANSUR Book Reviews:— An American Girl's Absorbing Story 36 An Englishman Pleads for Arabia 38 Honor Your Mothers Miss 40 LAMESE HAMATI A Mother's Love (Poem) PHILIP 42 C. S ABBAGHA Ali Zaibaq 43 Political Developments in Syria 48 About Syria and Syrians GIBRAN'S ; ENGLISH WORKS Are on Sale at the Office of "The Syrian World" 50 �IN THIS ISSUE For Those Who Would Know the High Lights of the Material in This Number. AMEEN Rihani enjoys the distinction of being a gifted writer in both English and Arabic: Arabic is his mother tongue, but it may be safely said of him that his literary ability displays itself to even better advantage in English. Perhaps to this singular circumstance of dual capacity may be ascribed the fascination and charm of his writings in both languages, he being able to introduce in each an element of novelty drawn from the other. He adds to his native ability an accomplished technique and rare cultivation and polish. Hence the demand for his literary output by outstanding American publications. His present article, for instance, describing his journey from Bagdad to Basrah down the Tigris, was first published in Travel magazine. Mr. Rihani has given THE SYRIAN WORLD carte blanche to publish all his writings aside from his special and direct contributions to the publication. His opinion of THE SYRIAN WORLD, his espousal of its educational mission and his firm belief in its benefits as a potent moral force are well known from his published declarations on the subject. It is but natural, therefore, that he should help carry on the task of education and enlightenment. Our readers may expect many valuable contributions from him now that he is back in the peace and quiet of Freike. What we would call particular attention to in this connection is that our readers have the benefit of Mr. Rihani's literary products which American publications can only secure at handsome figures. What matters to them whether we pay for the product or not so long as they are enjoying the best that could be offered at a literary feast. They should, rather, be glad in the realization that such able talent is enlisting in the cause of serving them, educating them, and elevating them. Nor are the courses offered them monotonous. They represent a choice variety which true literary ^connoisseurs will fully appreciate. We offer Mr. Rihani's present article as a distinctive piece of travel literature. �D EV. W. A. Mansur's splen- readers published in this issue. did patriotism must have We are citing opinions from been evident long ago to our four distinct classes, and trust readers. He aims to inspire and that other interested readers writes from deep conviction. will give us the benefit of their What should lend more weight opinions that we may be more to his pronouncements on pa- fully helped to reach the proper triotic issues is that he is su- decision. premely altruistic. Not only is he contributing gratuitously but does so with the fiery zeal and abstract devotion of a true mis- HTHE exploits of Ali Zaibaq are coming to an end, the sionary. It must be remembered that the Rev. Mansur is not last instalment being scheduled serving a Syrian community so to appear in the coming issue. that he may be accused of sel- But in the meantime there are fish interest in his display of a many blood-curdling incidents patriotic spirit. We even doubt that mark the intervening chapthe existence of a single Syrian ters. The humiliating experiin his congregation, or even in ence met by the hero at the hands of a rival, followed by the town where he is located. But for distance and time, we his fall from grace with the entertain not the least doubt King, are only oyershadowed by that this noble preacher would his reckless bravery in the face be the first to attend the com- of extreme danger. The Arab ing Mahrajan. Still his spirit tale-teller tells it with all his is wholly in the enterprise consummate art. which he characterizes as the noblest thought that has entered the mind of a Syrian. His E have two contributions in article on the subject will be this issue from a Syrian found most informative and girl and a Syrian boy on their inspirational. conception of what the chil- W XHOSE interested in the destinies of THE SYRIAN WORLD will find much food for thought in the opinions of dren's attitude should be towards their mothers. We heartily congratulate them, and wish their sentiments and convictions will be shared in by every Syrian son and daughter. �THE SYRIAN WORLD SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL, Editor. MAY, 1931 VOL. V. No. 9. From Bagdad to Basrah Down The Tigris Ameen Rihani Describes His Eventful Voyage Down That MostAncient of Rivers on a Sidewheeler and Tells Why He Is Not Surprised Adam and Eve Were Not Sorry to Leave the Scene of the Garden of Eden. 'By AMEEN RIHANI I CAME up to Bagdad from Basrah on a railway that was constructed during the World War, and, having tasted of its comfort and speed, I decided to go back by water. There was a boat anchored on the Tigris in the shadow of a mansion that seemed to lisp in monosyllables of the glory of ancient Bagdad. It was introduced to me by my poetic Arab friend as the Bride of the Tigris, and the official of The Tigris and Euphrates Navigation Company said that the Zenobia was the best of the line. The Zenobia—the name alone attracted me. But I remembered that I was once attracted—and subtracted from the list of the solvent —by a name in the stockbroker's office in New York. Nevertheless, the Z.enobia, I said to myself, cannot be worse than a junkcarriage drawn by an antediluvian engine. Besides, there is the Tigris for compensation. The Zenobia was a sidewheeler of about four hundred tons, drawing a maximum draft of three feet. But she could tow four barges, two on each side, without a murmur from her engine or a complaint from her crew. She. came from England on her own flat bottom, like many other crafts, during the War, but, unlike �i-TtMM 6 THE SYRIAN WORLD some of the others, she escaped the submarines. It could not have been her skipper's luck, for he had seen better days on a palatial trans-Atlantic liner. He was a portly Englishman of middle age with an everyday face and a holiday smile—a brave Englishman who could smile even in those early disastrous days of the British occupation of Iraq. But he was modest and genial and optimistic, because, I suppose, he had seen the worst. He himself brought the Zenobia across the seven seas from Plymouth to Basrah. And what a voyage it must have been, especially through the Atlantic and the Mediterranean! Indeed, he had dared many a periscope, watched the wake of many a torpedo, passed over lurking submarines, wooed all the dangers and perils of underhanded warfare for the sake of the Zenobia. Nevertheless, he had the sincere unaffected modesty to say that her luck was contagious. That won me to the Zenobia and her master. Wherever the luck was thought I, I was sure to catch it. But no one could love the Zenobia as the man that dared with her the penis of the seven deeps and the more than seven submarines. She was the sole object of his attention, his care, his devotion. Her decks were as clean as a whistle, her cabins as attractive as a patch of verdure on the barren banks of the Tigris her two bathrooms as impeccable as a bride's veil, and—luxury of luxuries—her fuel was Mesopotamian oil. The bride indeed, of the Tigris! The skipper, not being a poet, ventured a correction. "Your friend meant pride, I suppose for many English-speaking Arabs confuse their b's and p's " I said nothing in defense of poetry. The Zenobia herself was the moving poetry of the day, and it was a real joy to hear the skipper comment upon her. But sometimes I wondered Is he speaking of a well-behaved sidewheeler, or an earthquake? "You notice how she takes a bank, just brushes against it, and a ton ot earth falls into the water, giving the river an extra width of a few feet. 'Not while he was speaking, but an hour later, she did not exactly brush against the bank. She gave it a knock-out, which shook the passengers also from their afternoon sleep The women screamed, the sounders yelled one to another, and I holding to the rail, watched this summary process of widening the Tigris. "Now and then a thing like that happens," said the skipper apologetically. "It's not the Zenobuts faults it's those damned khatraps [sounders]. They go asleep in their chairs and con- . �MAY, 1931 V / . «?£& ^jfr^ "Drawing Water from the Tigris Methods of Irrigation in Iraq Are Still in the Most Primitive Form tinue to cry out khamsah maay [five feet of water], when there are but two. And here we're stuck. We've got to send out the anchor." But the khatraji—there were six on the Zenobia—will tell you that the long bamboo in his hand, with a measure in black and white told off on the end he dips into the water, that bamboo may go wrong, but he—never! He can feel the depth of the Tigris even in his sleep. And whenever an unseemly contact takes place between the boat and the bank, he blames it upon the pilot. The Zenobia has two. You have to have pilots, native X-ray navigators, on the Tigris. For what does an English skipper know, or ever hope to know, about the whimsical and mercurial channels of the most tortuous and the most treacherous of rivers? One's knowledge must be intuitive, atavistic, Babylonic. Was the pilot then the culprit? When the Zenobia "just brushed" against the bank and got stuck in the mud, the water seemed to be overflowing on the opposite side; and the pilot swore that the shallow side was the. navigable one when they last went up the river. Has the water moved or has the sand? The Tigris itself could answer the pilot m �8 THE SYRIAN WORLD by passing the buck to some one up the mountains of Ararat. But what avails the knowledge and the blame? The Zenobia must be rescued. One of her two anchors is put into one of her two balams (a slender canoe-like boat), which is rowed to the other side of the river. There the anchor is planted in the sand; and, when the sign is given, the Zenobia's little engine begins to chortle, winding the chain around the capstan. It was a tug-ofwar, and the resistance was sometimes on our side, sometimes on the other. In the former case, we had to send out the other anchor, or have the first replanted in firmer soil. To heave the boat thuswise was a work that lasted from an hour to a whole day. It depended upon how deep the sounder or the pilot or the Tigris or Fate itself had driven the Zenobia into the mud. "But she comes out of it all right," said the skipper. "Sometimes we have to repair one of her wheels. In her struggle she leaves a blade or two behind." The problem is even more complicated, when the business of heaving is prolonged. "And sometimes," the skipper resumed, "we are left high and dry between two deserts—not a blade of grass on either side—just such walls of dried mud—without any means of communication.... Once we got stranded near a bedouin village. There was a war between two tribes, and one of them was driven to the river-bank, where we were anchored. The firing reached the Z,enobia, and we had to take to our bunks. Some of the passengers were injured and one of the water jugs on deck was blown to pieces. It was an exciting day." But more exciting to me was the incident I witnessed the following morning. One of our two barges bumped against what must have been a boulder in the river-bed, and suddenly the towing rope screamed and snapped. The stern of the barge was let loose, and, swinging clean around, it hit the Zenobia on the nose. Full stop. The khatrajis were all silent but not surprised; the skipper on the bridge calmly gave out his orders; the crew leaped on to the barge with towing ropes and chains, and in about an hour the rebellious monster, which stood breadthwise blocking the stream, after it had dug with its buttock deep into the mudbank, was brought back and chained to its place. And no one was excited but myself. But the skipper, as we made our way, now gloriously, now laboriously, down stream, became more revealing. "Sometimes the barge breaks loose entirely, and in a jiffy we find ourselves separated from each other, with a sand-bank in the bargain be- t �{MAY, 1931 tween us. Once it took a whole day to pull a barge out of the mud and get it again in tow. But we came out of it all right." The assurance was emphasized with a nod and a smile. The Zenohia's luck was not only contagious; it was also continuous, with a break, however, now and then, to lend color to her career. "Khamsah maay!" (five feet of water) cries the sounder at the helm. "Khamsah maay!" echoes the sounder at the stern. And all is smoothness and serenity. But of a sudden, in a voice sharp and shrill, "Thalathah maay!" (three of water). Too late. We're up against another snag. The Z,enobia shakes from stem to stern—full stop. Day and night, going up the river, all day long, going down the river, the life of a wheeler is a series of sprints and excavations. But the life of the passengers, notwithstanding, is given an increase of joy by the music of the khatraji*s voice, even when he is droning, while dozing in his chair, "Khamsah maay." This music ceases at sunset; for only in the light of day, when going down the Tigris, is navigation safe. You have seen how safe it is even in the light of day. But up stream, it is not so difficult to overcome at night the exiguous currents or the eccentricity of the channels. For eight months of the year this temper of the Tigris remains unchanged; and it is worse in September about the end of the dry season. After the first rain, however, it begins to improve; and when the snow on the mountains beyond Mosul begins to thaw, it rises and rises in earnest, suddenly, violently, overwhelmingly. It is a river of fatal extremes—a voluptuary in April, May and June, an ascetic in the nine months that follow. And in both moods there is little or no good for Iraq. On the contrary, there is destruction. Indeed, the Tigris in the flood season destroys by its power, and in ebbing season, by its impotency. In other words, the seed of life is either choked or starved to death. The only cure for this savage humor of the river is a scientific system of irrigation, which will chain its floods and regulate its currents. Thus the Babylonian method of irrigation and navigation will come to an end. The bamboo of the khatraji will be replaced by the fathometer, and the donkey of the chard (waterwheel) by a Diesel engine. Other bounties will follow, the last of which will be the end of tribal wars. For the bedouin Arabs will not have to raid each other then, because of the need of water and pasture. The river boats are in one thing progressive—they burn oil / --—- �*"-} THE SYRIAN WORLD 10 instead of coal. But that is because it is cheaper to be progressive. The coal must be imported from England, and the oil is there in Mesopotamia under British control. The 7jenobia towed a barge carrying two hundred tons of fuel oil to Diala, where the AngloPersian Company was setting up a refinery for the oil of Duleim and Qasr Shirin on the Persian border. But that oil was still eluding the prospectors, who had been at work there for two years. Nevertheless, Diala was being prepared for its reception. It was becoming curiously progressive and offensive. The landscape, with its minaret and few palms, a modestly picturesque landscape, a silent and pensive landscape, was beginning to clatter with the skeletons of wealth. Tank sand pipe-lines, engines and derricks were crowding out the minaret and the palms. "Aamesh maay!" (plenty of water; go ahead) cries the khatrajiy and we meander safely for a whole day to a quieter and more pleasant center of wealth. From sunset to midnight we load grain at Bughailah. No machinery here. Silently, steadily, sturdily, the Arabs come and go, piling the sacks on the barge. I must hasten to correct the statement about machinery. The landscape of Bughailah was free of it. But an Arab farmer told me that he used oil pumps for irrigating his land. Apparently, many pumps were brought to Iraq during the War and were disposed of at very cheap prices by the military authorities. But tractors the Arabs could not use, because the price of grain did not warrant the expense. A sack of oats, two hundred pounds, was sold at Bughailah for five rupees ($1.50) and for about $2.00 f.o.b. Barsah or Bagdad. No horse in Iraq need eat his head off when his oats can be gotten for a song. But one wonders why there is such a high cost of living, when wheat and farm products are plentiful and cheap. Frequently, in Bagdad, at least, a traveler pays London prices. One evening I asked three friends to a dinner at a hotel, which boasted what is still called an American bar. We had two cocktails each and only one bottle of white wine with the dinner, which was not an Arabian-night banquet. Nevertheless, the bill— la douleur, indeed—was seventy rupees, or twenty-one dollars. With twenty dollars in Bughailah, which is one hundred forty miles from Bagdad by the boat's log, I could buy twelve bushels of wheat, two heads of sheep, a dozen chickens, five dozen eggs, ten quarts of milk and a basketful of vegetables and fruits. The grocers and farmers there, the whole population came out to meet the Zenobia when she anchored at sunset. Girls with chickens, i • V ^ ^ i �^T> """ JMAY, 1931 11 boys with pomegranates, men with vegetables and eggs, women with large bowls of laban (a kind of buttermilk) and shepherds with sheep—they were all there to supply the needs of the thirdclass passengers. There was a hum, but not a shout, of hawkers. Every one gesticulated, and one boy selling pomegranates made music of the Arabic name, rumman. But more eloquent than any gesture or word was the picturesqueness of a little girl, who stood apart from the crowd, holdingout six chickens, three white in one hand and three black in the other. For about five minutes she stood there in that appealing attitude, silent and sad; but her fair face and her henna-colored hair finally triumphed. A tall Persian youth, one of a party of pilgrims to Kerbela that were returning home by way of Bushire, leaped from the steamer to the barge, made his way through the crowd and across the plank to that solitary figure on the shore. I was on the barge watching the scene. "How much," asked the Persian, after he had relieved her of her burden. "Half a rupee each," replied the girl, smiling winsomely. He gave her three rupees, and then—"this is for thy smile, this is for thy beautiful eyes, and this is for the henna of thy hair." In speechless wonder the girl gazed at the six rupees in her hand, turned her back to go, and then stopped. "May Allah send thee a beautiful bride," she said to the.generous youth, and hastened away. About sunset the women came down to the river for water and a little recreation, some with goatskins in their hands, some with earthen jars on their shoulders, and others with beautiful copper vessels on their heads. They looked like shadows from a Jittle distance, shadows emerging from ancient Sumaria. How much an Arab woman can carry is a story often told with what savors of exaggeration. But what I have seen myself surpasses anything I have ever heard. An ordinary sight is a woman carrying a child in a bundle swung across her back, another on her arm, and one or two trays of provision on her head. In addition to the two children, she may sometimes be carrying an invisible third in its eighth or ninth month. Yet she is seldom bowed, however, under her burden. Graceful of carriage, sturdy and wiry and enduring, she walks erect no matter how much she is carrying. But rarely does her burden include any fat. In fact, obesity is rare throughout Arabia. Like the Arab horse, the average Arab woman has a lean and hungry look; by the necessity of things, perhaps, they both share in the discipline that produces stamina and sinew. For the �n 12 THE SYRIAN WORLD women, however, speed is not the rule. Slowly, languidly, as if taking the air, they come to the river for water. Beauty of face is not common among them; but beauty of eyes, of figure, of carriage, in a word, an enveloping charm predominates and seems to move in harmony with the last throbbing rays of the sunset. One of these women stepped into the water mincingly, and after washing her hands, she lifted her skirt to the knee and washed her feet and legs. She then rinsed her skin and filled it with water. Leisurely and with a certain capricious satisfaction, this was done. And why not? She is resting and refreshing herself after the day's labor. The water-skin full, she tied it at the neck and carried it to the river-bank, where she had laid her rope in the form of a U. The skin was set across it, and she, crouching between its two ends, took up the curved side, the lower side of the U, and placed it, like a fillet, across her forehead. She then took up the free ends, passed them conversely under her arms and tied them across her breast. Thus harnessed, she rose up with apparent ease, shook her burden to a comfortable position, and walked away. Another uncommonly fair-faced one, who was apparently in the latter months of her pregnancy, stood near the water, looking listlessly this way and that, like a contented heifer at pasture; but when she saw a man she knew among those that were squatting hard-by, her eyes gleamed and her whole body became humanly expressive. The man smiled and said something to which she did not reply. But she stepped into the water and stooped to rinse her goat-skin. She then turned half-way in the direction of the men, and, lifting her skirt, she began to wash her feet and legs, while casting, now and then, a furtive glance the significance of which could be gauged in the man's responsive expression. This flirtation continued while she remained in the water. She then carried her water-skin, which was exceptionally large, to where the rope lay; but after she had harnessed it to her back, she made three attempts to rise, but could not. The philanderer, who was still squatting in his place, watched her with silent but unconcealed amusement. He did not move or say a word. And were it not for the help of another woman, she could not have stood up under her burden. The fact that she carried another burden within her should move even a savage to assistance. But that squatting, loafing imbecile of an Arab man must have considered it below his dignity to help the woman with whom he was flirting. I * �MAY, 1931 13 Nor did she, I think, expect it; for she went away without cursing him and his ancestors. The skipper, too, like myself, lost his temper that evening with an Arab; not an Arab philanderer, but an Arab official, the representative of the Company at Bughailah, who was overloading the barge with grain. And I heard the two exchange unprintable words, words which I thought could never cross the lips or even enter the heart of the man I had pictured to myself as the paragon of sea captains. On the Zenobia, at least, whose impeccableness, like her good fortune, was the subject of my admiration as well as his own, such a billingsgate, so I thought, was not even conceivable. But there it was, and it must have shocked the Zenobia herself. On the following day, shortly after we had pulled out of Bughailah, her behavior was betraying. She bungled her job and came to the very brink of calamity. She started to do two things at once, that is, to overhaul the river-bed and to carve a slice from the river-bank. There is danger enough in one excavation at a time. It was the worst moment of alarm and peril we had yet experienced. The skipper, with a lingering temper from the previous night, cried anathema at the two pilots, the pilots shouted Allah and the Prophet at the sounders, and the sounders' voices rose higher and quicker and sharper—"Thalathah maay!" (three of water)—"Ho, yazvash, ho!" (slowly, slowly)—"Thalathah maay!" But the Zenobia was already struggling furiously with her two enemies, the river-bed and the river-bank. Quickly realizing the odds, however, her master called a truce and sent out an anchor. Most chivalrously, also, he stood up as usual for his beloved one. "It's not the fault of the Zenobia? he said; "it's those damned barges at her sides." The barges did take up half the river, blocking it in places, running into the mud and the mounts and ruts of the channel, and getting the Zenobia into trouble. I was becoming an expert mariner myself—expert, at least, in allocating blame. Take away those two barges and see her glide, the beautiful bride, down the Tigris wide, mocking the low tide, and zigzagging through four feet of water even without a sounder or a guide! Having shared her fate for seven days and come out of it, like herself, in fine fettle, it is no more than just to try to set her . right before the world. For has she not passed all the sidewheelers and quarterwheelers that had started from Bagdad ahead of -'% �THE SYRIAN WORLD her? And has she not broken the record speed by making an average of four miles an hour? And what high-lackeyed craft on the high or low seas can boast of a cook and a larder as good as those of the Zenobia? I came on board expecting and willing to starve. I was still suffering from the culinary wonders of Bagdad, and I brought with me, for a diet, a basket of its best pomegranates. But the first time I entered the dining-room, I fell a prey to its seductions. Why, even the Zenobia's plate was of silver. And her cook? His was an eclectic art, which combined the culinary mysteries of the East and West. He almost tempted me to throw my pomegranates overboard. But they were a fitting crown, a harmonious epilogue to his performance. Can we become intoxicated on fleshpots and pomegranates? Almost. But before I had attained that happy state of "almost," I was thunderstruck and illuminated. Biblically, the two go together, and they mean, in the profane, a catastrophe. This is how it happened. One day, strolling unorthodoxly through the Zenobia, I passed by the kitchen, and lo, the cook's assistant was applying a knife, with the utmost zest and relish, to a can of potted meat! And misreading the expression in my face, he was eager to add to my joy. "See," he said, as he opened the door of the pantry, "we have a bounty of cans." Cans and bottles, indeed—the fifty-seven varieties. But the cook's reputation did not suffer a jot. On the contrary, the cook that can conceal the "fifty-seven varieties" with flavors and concoctions of his own invention, without causing among his clients instant death, is a genius. Nevertheless, for three days after that discovery I weaned myself from the bounties of his art. For three days I stuck to my pomegranates. And one evening I realized that one can get intoxicated on pomegranates—and the stars. The Chaldean stars that danced on Arabian waters and the thousand star-seeds packed in the russet case of a pomegranate—no wine of Babylon was ever more intoxicating. And I had a vision of fair women making a rosary of stars for a man in sackcloth, who was once a hedonist, a voluptuary ; and he of the sackcloth was washing the feet of the seven virgins, the foolish virgins, with rose water, and drying them with his coarse woolen cloak. And I prayed the prayer of the pantheist—O Infinite One, reveal Thyself within me and make me more conscious that Thy life is my life. Under a sky of ineffable limpidity, at the occult hour of mid- WtBKmmBmBmHmmBBmmttKtBBKKtmBmmm - . ".. ' . . . ..-, - -, �' {MAY, 1931 15 night, in the most ancient of lands, which is said to be the cradle ol the human race and all the man-made divinities of the world Jet me tell you how I imagine the reality of the revelation Do you remember the red and blue and yellow paper flower-one of the toys of childhood—that spins in the breeze and as you pull its string convolutes inside out—reveals itself centrifugally? I am a speck, you are a speck, we are all specks on the petals of the Flower of the Infinite, which is eternally spinning in space, and which is eternally revealing itself centrifugally to every living thing within it. But only those who have attained a certain state of spiritual illumination can see. And those like myself who are but beginning to crave spiritual sight can only sense a little of the ineffable truth of the Flower of the Infinite Forgive this esoteric digression. Here we are confronted again with the common realities of human history. We are now at Kut, the little town of Kut, where the British army, under the command of General Townshend, was besieged by the Turks during the World War. The Turks had only 13,000 soldiers in Iraq. But they recruited, as the story goes, every flock of sheep 7%Z iUn?T their Wa^ t0 Kut to mislead ^e British aviators. 11 he lurkish army must be about 100,000 strong, and to venture out of Kut against it is to court disaster.) When we passed by Kut neither sheep nor soldiers did we see, only an empty guffah t one of those round row-boats made of twigs and bark and tarred inside and out, which swayed in the shadow of the house on top of the mount that rises abruptly from the water And all the way to Ali Gharbi, to Amarah, to Ezra's Tomb, lour hundred thirty miles from Bagdad as the river winds its way, the landscape between the towns varies not. A dreary wilderness on both sides, with a chard drawing water from the river to irrigate a row of beans beyond the mud walls or a bedouin hut ol reed, here and there, until we reach the palms of the tomb ol Ezra During his journey from Susa to lerusalem, according to Judaic tradition, the Prophet Ezra fell and died somewhere in the neighborhood of the town that bears his name or even under the very palms that enfold his domed tomb with a shade of mercy. From Ezra's Tomb down to Basrah, a distance of seventynve miles, the landscape assumes an aspect of reassurance Here a grove of palms, there a few straggling willows, and not infrequently a green field, which trails its skirt along the riverside— this is, indeed, a refreshing contrast to that long stretch of sev- / I *\ — - T— : : . WU. �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD eral hundred miles of desolation. And the Biblical tradition follows us to Qornah, the first home of our first parents, the site, according to the archaeologist and historian, of the Garden of Eden. And here, at the confluence of the two ancient rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates, still stands the Tree of Knowledge. In a story about Adam and Eve, by an American writer, I read the following description of that tree. "It is a beautiful old tree, protected by a wall of sanctity, so that no one may reach it save with the wings of fancy." Like the "Holy Roman Empire" of Voltaire, there are three untruths in this statement. The tree is a doddered willow stretching a lonely limb above the river; the wall of sanctity, if it ever existed, is today a crumbling mass of earth and sand; and I have reached the Tree, not with the wings of fancy, but on the sidewheeler, the Zenobia. No spot in Mespot, as the British soldier called Mesopotamia, is hotter and damper and deadlier. No spot is more pestilential. As early as April the sun and the swamps join hands to make life miserable for even the serpent. I am now concerned with reality and not with tradition. Qornah is a town of many smells and diseases—a malarial and noisome hole—with a human population of 5,000 and another of a variety of insects and creeping things—mosquitoes of all kinds, fleas and flies, hornets and wasps and bugs, scorpions and tarantulas and snakes. If ever there was here an Edenic peace and charm, they must have vanished even before the days of Nebuchadnezzar. And if this place, when Adam and Eve made it their first home, was only half as bad as it is today, they must have considered it a blessing to be expelled from it. During my travels up and down Arabia, I found Eve buried in Jeddah, Adam sharing a tomb with the Prophet's cousin Ali in Najaf, and Cain tucked away in a nook high up in one of the crater walls at Aden. We may conclude from this that Qornah must have been, even in the primal age, a most pestilential spot, and Adam and Eve and Cain—I did not come upon Abel's tomb in my wanderings—were mighty glad to get away from it, to be as far away from it as their donkeys could carry them. If the tombs speak truth, there was, indeed, a happy dispersion of the first family. The devil or the snake may or may not have had a hand in it. There seems to be some evidence, however, that the devil once blundered into these parts, and he left, when he fled, a token of his plight. Coming down the Tigris Narrows, between Amarah an sa E B( pl vi an pF in in lii �..* MAY, 1931 I 17 and Qornah, where the channel is like a corkscrew, the skipper said, as we were negotiating a blind corner, "There is the Devil's Elbow." Farther down we came to what he called the Hairpin Bends, and when we reached Qornah, his only remark about the place was, "The devil himself would not live here." From Qornah down to Basrah, however, we forget the Devil's Elbow and the Garden of Eden. The two rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates, flowing together as Shutt'ul-Arab, become open-hearted, straightforward, decent, even beautiful, especially in the moonlight, when along the banks the shadows of the palms in the water are delicately expressive of the pensive calm and the limpid bliss of an "un-Edenic" atmosphere. Queen Ulmand s Turquoise 'By DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN Like a bit of the glory of heaven, Or a leaf of the violet's blue When the morning has lent her bright jewels, Of the purest crystalline dew, Is the beautiful breastplate of turquoise That was worn by Ulmana, the queen, As she rode through the streets of the city In her chariot of gold and green. Long ago in the dust of the ages, The queen to her fair "god" went In a chariot of pearl and white lilies, When the reign of her earth-life was spent. But still, in a palace at Cairo, Her turquoise reflects back the sky, And with these and the marks of her scarabaeus, Her greatness will never die! wmmmmmmmmm �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Spirit of Gibran "By AMIN BEDER Where is your Soul, Gibran, where has it fled? Why silently you rest—What pales your head? There is no sign of fear or anguish on your brow; What hast thou found beyond—what hast thou read? I wonder if you trembled at the sight Of Father Death whose hand he lays so light, To honour thee and crown thee with his bliss; Why fear his hand—where is our Prophet's Might? Your pen and brush are left without a seer, Are stilled, and who will the despondent cheer? What brush will paint the boundless shoreless sea? What hand so strong, the ship of life to steer? Qibran's ^Answer And as I pass into the darkest sea, Beyond the gates of Night where none are free, My eyes, though turned away, behold thee still} My heart when cold in death will beat for thee. �Drawn by Kahlil Gibran at the time of the reported famine in Syria and Lebanon during the World War. (The original drawing is in possession of The Syrian World.) �_______ _____ 20 — — THE SYRIAN WORLD The Case of The Syrian World OPINIONS OF FOUR REPRESENTATIVE CLASSES OF SYRIANS ON ITS MISSION We Invite Further Discussion of Ways and Means for its Continuity QUR statement of the "Case of THE SYRIAN WORLD" in the preceding issue has aroused the interest of our thinking element to the point of seriously debating the future of the publication. In New York, many of our contributors and other civic-minded friends visited the editor for conferences as to ways and means of maintaining the publication, while.Al-Hoda, the leading Arabic-language paper in the country, has repeatedly discussed the subject editorially. Those displaying most interest, however, are representatives of the older generation. This we now make as a mere statement of fact based upon the evidence so far in hand, and shall withhold any analytical comment to the coming issue. By then we hope we would have a fuller representation of opinion of all shades. In formulating opinions we would ask our readers to keep in view the dual role of the magazine—that of its being dedicated to the task of serving the Syrian-American generation along the lines frequently stated, and of serving as a racial organ in English to properly represent our Syrian heritage and culture. This dual role was planned for THE SYRIAN WORLD since its inception, as may be gathered from the foreword and the editorial comment appearing in the first issue. To view the magazine in any other light would be an unfair assumption, and this fact we particularly call to the attention of those who would be inclined to the belief that THE SYRIAN WORLD is meant only to amuse and entertain a certain element or class. In selecting the following opinions for publication we believe we are making a fair representation of a variety of classes—the press, the clergy, the professions and the younger generation. We want to assure all commentators and correspondents of our �21 .'MAY, 1931 full appreciation cf the interest they display, whatever the nature of their opinion. Criticism is as welcome as approval and commendation. Our aim is to sound the true feelings of those who evince sufficient interest in THE SYRIAN WORLD as a factor in our national life. We would particularly invite concrete and constructive suggestions on ways and means of promoting the publication from those who believe in the necessity of its continuation. Al-Hoda has made one such concrete suggestion and actually carried it out. Other means might prove equally helpful. OPINION OF THE PRESS (From an editorial of Al-Hoda, New York, May 13, 1931.) J We were grieved and shocked to read in the April number of THE SYRIAN WORLD the statement of the editor wherein he outlines the case of the publication and puts to his readers the following questions: 1—Is the magazine needed? 2—Should the name be retained? 3—Is the content matter suitable? 5—Should the size be changed? The fate of THE SYRIAN WORLD is of vital interest to every Arabic-speaking person in the United States, and we shall answer the questions of the editor in their reverse order. The size of the magazine is convenient and artistic. The content matter is suitable and plentiful, and represents a fine choice of useful material. A change of name could only be taken to mean that Syrians are ashamed of themselves, which cannot be the case. The remaining point is whether the Arabic-speaking elements, be they Syrians, Lebanese, Houranians, Iraqians or Palestinians, are in need of the publication. A partial answer to this question is that we know a number of the American elite which holds THE SYRIAN WORLD in the highest admiration. It includes judges, lawyers, legislators, physicians, journalists, historians, professors and poets who have gained a higher opinion of our race by what they have read in THE SYRIAN WORLD of the literary products of our best talent. Not a gifted Syrian or Lebanese writer, whether man or —__ __. —, . �" 22 ' THE SYRIAN WORLD woman, but has contributed to THE SYRIAN WORLD, and not a single reputable newspaper or periodical but has expressed an opinion of approval and admiration of it. In this respect THE SYRIAN WORLD is one of our greatest moral assets of which we should be proud and which we are duty-bound to maintain and support. It is true that the present economic depression has weighed heavily on our native press. Not even the American press has escaped, if we consider that such important metropolitan dailies as the Globe, the Herald and the World had to seek amalgamation as a means of safety. But then the American reading public has thousands of newspapers and periodicals while we immigrants have but one magazine published in English, and as such it reflects to the English-reading public our finest culture and traditions. For our people to permit THE SYRIAN WORLD to suspend publication would be a serious reflection on our race consciousness and patriotism. Without THE SYRIAN WORLD who would there be to defend our cause, to portray our culture, to serve as a medium of expression for our talent and to record our progress and our history? How could we, without THE SYRIAN WORLD, prove to the American nation the honesty of our intention in helping properly to Americanize our younger generation while assisting them in conserving the best of their heritage? How could the coming generations of Syrians be taught the history of their ancestors that they may claim their proper share of respect among their associates, and not feel ashamed of their ancestry or of speaking the language of their parents? We can appreciate the full measure of sacrifice the editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD is making for the cause of his people. But we cannot imagine him faltering in the face of the heaviest sacrifice owing to his journalistic proclivities and training. As a means of weathering his present difficulties, however, we would advance the following suggestions: Launch a campaign for new subscribers} insist in all cases on advance payment} appeal to the public-spirited among us to make gift subscriptions of THE SYRIAN WORLD to prominent Americans that intelligent American public opinion may come to know us better and appraise us at our true value. This method, we believe, should prove effective. We wish to demonstrate our faith in THE SYRIAN WORLD and express our appreciation of its meritorious service to our people by making �23 tMAYy 1931 five gift subscriptions to the following: Count Robert de Kay, Geneva; Senor Arturo Elias, Mexico; the French Ambassador, Washington; Ex-Governor Alfred E. Smith and Judge William Olcott, New York. Al-Hoda further commented editorially on the subject in its issue of May 19 as follows: If we have advocated support of THE SYRIAN WORLD it is because we believe the publication to be the logical medium for the diffusion of our racial culture and the propagation of knowledge of our national history. It is by such means that we can gain the respect of Americans by acquainting them properly with ourselves. We further believe that our commercial interests will be greatly benefited by the wider circulation of THE SYRIAN WORLD. A Syrian merchant cannot fail to profit by presenting such a fine publication to his American friends. Our intelligent compatriots would be inviting greater respect for themselves and their people, and would enhance their prestige both socially and politically, by making gift subscriptions of THE SYRIAN WORLD to the governors of their states, to State senators and assemblymen, and to local judges, political leaders, priests, ministers and chiefs of police, most of whom know but little about us and our history. OPINION OF THE CLERGY My dear Brother Mr. Mokarzel: I write to express my thought of THE SYRIAN WORLD in answer to your statement which appeared in the April issue. First, it is my religious belief that THE SYRIAN WORLD was born of God. It is my religious belief that Providence has raised you up for the founding of THE SYRIAN WORLD. For this reason I have always implored my blessed Master to be with you, bless you, and guide you. I pray God always to bless you in this noble undertaking, sustain you amid the trials that would beset you, and inspire you with vision for its future success. The intensity with which I believe that God's Hand is in the founding of THE SYRIAN WORLD has led me to pray often for its success. Second, THE SYRIAN WORLD fills a need in the life of the Syrian Lebanese race in America and everywhere. Its high stand- �f t B 24 THE SYRIAN WORLD ard, its American loyalty, its wise leadership is already an established asset in the life of our race. Its diffusion of knowledge of our racial heritage is becoming permanent in informed American circles. Its upholding of our racial culture makes THE SYRIAN WORLD a paramount organ of our race welfare in America and the world. Its good name is already establishing our rightful high racial prestige among the races in America and wherever Syrians and Lebanese live throughout the world. Third, THE SYRIAN WORLD is paramount in the building of the future welfare, greatness, and progress of our race. It is acquainting Syrian Lebanese youth with our racial history, racial talent, and racial greatness. It is inspiring racial self-preservation through the scattered elements of .our race in America. It is affording a forum for the statement, discussion, and propagation of worthy thought for the progress of the race. It is discussing the principles that make for solidarity, preservation, and progress of our people. It is initiating movements which make for the improvement of our race educationally, patriotically, and socially. THE SYRIAN WORLD is universal in its appeal, is founded on our common aspirations, and is permeated with Americanism, optimism, leadership, and progress. THE SYRIAN WORLD is free from sectarian bigotry, political strife, and selfish ambition. The leadership of S. A. Mokarzel is noble in service, unselfish in spirit, universal in sympathy, American in loyalty, far-reaching in vision, and high standard in policy. It is my hope that the policy of THE SYRIAN WORLD will continue in your hands for a long time to come. Yours very sincerely for THE SYRIAN WORLD, REV. W. A. MANSUR, (Pastor Methodist Episcopal Church, Winside, Neb.) Dear Mr. Mokarzel: THE SYRIAN WORLD is a unique publication, and one most worthy of the support of our people because of the crying need for it. Lack of adequate support does not reflect on the nobility of the motive, but on the proper appreciation by Syrians of what is essential, educationally, to their sons and daughters. Especially that the cost is so slight in comparison to the immense benefits derived. I have always held that no matter what the fate of our Ara- f) �— m MAY, 1931 25 bic publications, THE SYRIAN WORLD was destined to endure. It would be an indictment of our people to let such a splendid racial organ perish. We are trusting in your courage and leadership. We ask you to persevere until such time that the blind may see, the deaf hear and the miserly mend their ways. If, after having exhausted all efforts, you should find suspension inevitable, then make your valedictory in the tone of sounding the death knell of all worthy public enterprises among the immigrants, and divorce forever the ungrateful calling of the pen. A fitting conclusion might be the following Arabic verse: Restrain your voice if those you call are deaf. No greater waste than call the deaf and dumb. REV. E. M. HAMATI, (Rector St. George Syrian Orthodox Antiochian Church, St. Paul, Minn.) OPINION OF THE PROFESSIONS Dear Editor: "THE CASE OF THE SYRIAN WORLD" in your last issue is painfully serious; but alas! a true indictment of the Syrian patriotism and intelligence. It is both depressing and tragic. Your interrogatories pertaining to the need of THE SYRIAN WORLD can be summarily dismissed without comment. The need of THE SYRIAN WORLD is completely, overwhelmingly, and uncontradictably answered in the recent editorial of Al-Hoda. The only question presenting material for discussion is THE SYRIAN WORLD'S financial difficulties. Why is THE SYRIAN WORLD financially distressed? Since the support of the WORLD must come, in the main, from the younger Syrians, we can rightfully and logically reduce our analysis to this question: "Why is the indifference? Why are the young Syrians not supporting such a worthy publication?" Having come to America in my early teens, it can be easily and truthfully supposed that my sympathies are with the young people j but facts, demolishing facts, truths, too apparent and gigantic to be covered, must be recognized. Let my answer be one sweeping statement. The nature, habits, life, ideals, and thought of the young Syrian must be changed, or else THE SYRIAN WORLD is doomed to be crushed �i-i r 26 THE SYRIAN WORLD under the financial burden it cannot carry. Our young people, (and when I say our young people I mean the preponderant majority), have not the high ideals nor the sublime aspirations of their uneducated (literally) parents. In fact the sacredness of our traditions, and in particular our home life, our modes of dealing with sexual matters, are openly scorned, bitterly criticized, flagrantly disregarded and are made the subject of derision and mockery. Our religious tenacity, the bulwark and protection of our civilization, has become, in the minds of our youths, the object of ridicule and scorn. They are actually bored with our rites, our ceremonials and our ancient hospitality. Sports, sports, sports, Mr. Editor, social affairs, dancing, drinking bouts, necking, picknicking, parties, all sorts of parties, constitute 98% of the life, thought and aspirations of our young people. If this is true, and I challenge a contradiction, can you not see, Mr. Editor, that literature of the type found in THE SYRIAN WORLD is not appealing to the younger element? In order to maintain THE SYRIAN WORLD in its present glorious standard one of two things must happen, to wit: Either the young generation be transformed, and this is a bare possibility, or THE SYRIAN WORLD be demoted from a clean, high, educational, forceful, and morally spiritual magazine, ably representing the best in our lives and habits, to a magazine abundantly physical, appealing to the bodies of men rather than to their minds. I know that this letter will bring forth a storm of denials, denunciations, and, perchance, vilifications. In the interest of truth we can endure pain, sorrow and even death. It may be to the interest (material interest) of THE SYRIAN WORLD not to publish these thoughts hurriedly but feelingly written; but these are candid and sincere thoughts based on wide, long and sad but beneficial experience. My happiness would be immeasurable if I could be convinced that I am in error and that my diagnosis is faulty and unwarranted. I sincerely hope that some way can be found to perpetuate the publication of THE SYRIAN WORLD in its present form. Any other form will be a moral surrender; surrender of superiority to inferiority. It would become less useful, less serviceable and less h �{MAY, 1931 27 representative of the best in our history and traditions. DR. H. A. EI.KOURIE. Birmingham, Ala. OPINION OF THE YOUNG GENERATION Editor, THE SYRIAN WORLD: In almost every issue during the past year there has been made queries, requests, appeals, regarding the possible means for insuring the continuity of THE SYRIAN WORLD. The situation is certainly tragic. Has this publication, now five years old, which has enlightened us all on matters Syrian, cheered us with its pithy tales of the mystic Orient, educated us, charmed us with its magic poetry, —are all these to be no more, to go into bleak oblivion: What a calamity! Is the present business depression sufficient cause to neglect a necessity of such vital importance to all of us of Syrian origin? The editor's repeated appeals mean in very few words that "to maintain such an enterprise, he must have assistance"—financial assistance. Any commercial venture to progress must have such. And in order for the editor to obtain such he must have paid up subscriptions, and many. We must face the situation in its true light. Words, beautiful words, cannot remedy the situation which requires deeds; and deeds, in this instance, mean ACTION! ACTION spells cooperation with the editor. VICTORIA Z. SHEHAB. New York. - Editor, THE SYRIAN WORLD: I have read a great number of the issues of THE SYRIAN WORLD and want to compliment you on your staff and contributors. The whole magazine displays a choice of English which belongs only to those of high education, describes scenes as only those of vivid imagination can picture them, and brings out a love and loyalty of the Fatherland that the reader senses throughout the magazine. �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD And yet, with all these qualities, there is something lacking— something vital. The magazine is written for the Syrian public, especially for the younger generation. But it does not express them. You wonder why THE SYRIAN WORLD fails to receive public support. Have you considered that the majority of the Syrian readers are of average education and cannot derive great pleasure in your articles due to lack of comprehension, lack of imagination, or lack of interest in reading high-sounding phrases? Have you considered that "Ali Zaibaq" is not the type of story that contains the greatest human interest for this generation? Have you considered that the younger people crave informality in the writing of news? Do you not think that repetition of writers in consecutive issues means no variety in articles or style of writing? The above questions must be analyzed if you want to hold the interest of the younger Syrians in your magazine and if you desire to urge them to a greater zeal of accomplishing things, a greater comprehension of the qualities of the land of their ancestors, and a greater love and loyalty of that country from which their parents emigrated. In your March issue, you asked for opinions and stressed the lack of support. I sincerely hope that THE SYRIAN WORLD continues its publication because we, the American-born Syrians, have the need of such a magazine. May I sign myself as A READER? P. S.—Why not give us women writers?—of our own nationalitv? TRUTH It takes two of us to discover truth: one to utter it and one to understand it. GIBRAN. �,._ 29 MAY, 1931 Our Pride in Our Syrian Race 2?y REV. W. A. MANSUR Editor's Note—As explained in a letter from the author, the following article was written in the spirit of an address to be delivered at the coming Mahrajan, or national festival, to be held at Bridgeport, Conn., on July 4 and 5 under the auspices of the Lebanon League of Progress of New York. Rev. Mansur's policy, as evident from all his contributions on the subject, is one of inspiring pride as an incentive to more worthy achievement. His enthusiasm is but an indication of his faith in the latent powers of future Syrian generations once they are brought to realize the necessity of maintaining unbroken their racial traditions of culture and progress. In his own words, he visioned for his audience not only the known Syrian leaders of the first generation, but a liberal representation of the younger Syrian-American generation whom he wished particularly to impress with the causes of Syrian race pride and the necessity of living up to their high racial ideals. I BELIEVE the thought of the Mahrajan is one of the noblest thoughts that ever entered the mind of a Syrian in America. I am convinced that it will be creative of pride in our race, in our heritage, and in our progress. I am persuaded that it will promote race solidarity, race identity, and race glory. I am confident that it will prove to be a historic event, a significant landmark, and a glorious symbol of the progress of our race in America. It is in the spirit of the first Mahrajan of our people in America, on the ground of the greatness of .our race, and on the basis of well-known Syrian race legacies to mankind, that I rise to proclaim our pride in our Syrian descent. Surrounded by pioneers of the Syrian race in America, by the founders of a Syrian race empire in the New World, and by the Syrian leadership of our times, I stand to proclaim our pride in our racial heritage, which constitutes a contribution to civilization of which we all should be conscious. Listened to by worthy Syrian-American youth, by trustworthy descendants of a foremost race, and by the custodians of �_-— 30 THE SYRIAN WORLD the honor of our famous ancestors, I speak to herald our pride in our posterity, the future winners of an illustrious destiny among the people of mankind. We Syrians in America are awake to the splendid history and significant potentialities of our race in the world. N. A. Mokarzel, champion of our race, said, "The Lebanese of today are the direct descendants of the Phoenicians ". (AlHoda, editorial, March 18, 1930. See SYRIAN WORLD, May, 1930.) S. A. Mokarzel, leader of the Syrian awakening, said, "Certainly, as would seem plain from the study of our past history and from our record in America, we have every reason to be proud of our race and of our name." (SYRIAN WORLD, editorial, Syrians Only, June, 1930.) Philip K. Hitti, Professor of History, says, "With such a glorious and unparalleled heritage behind, there is no reason why the modern Syrian, given the proper opportunity, should not do his share for the welfare of humanity and the service of mankind." (SYRIAN WORLD, in Syrian Leadership in Arabic Affairs, August, 1927.) Through the study of Syrian history we realized the greatness of our race. Through our progress we are rising to a preeminent place among the races of the earth. Through enlightenment, appreciation, and achievement arose our pride in our Syrian race. It is for the glory of our Syrian race, the inspiration of Syrian youth, for the welfare of posterity, and the information of the American nation and the world, that I declare our pride in our Syrian race on the occasion of this historic Mahrajan of our people in America. /. Our Pride in Our Syrian Race Is Grounded in Our Race Heritage. The paramount pride of us Syrian-Americans is our pride in our Syrian race stock. Other races pride themselves because of superior numbers, some pride themselves because of military power, and others pride themselves because of material exploitation. Our Syrian race pride is based on appreciation of our preeminent race stock. "From the oldest country in the world," said S. A. Mokarzel in a radio address on The Syrians in America, "to the land known as the New World, they bring their priceless racial distinction as heirs to the culture of the ages. They come with the . ; �_ MAY, 1931 . m 31 gifts of all the attributes of varied but virile blood—Phoenician, Semitic, Roman, Grecian, and Arabian. And it is a significant fact that the first of the Syrians to emigrate were the Lebanese of the north who claim direct lineal descent from the Phoenicians." (SYRIAN WORLD.) We Syrians in America are proud of our race because we are the inheritors of the finest blood of the ages. We are the custodians of preeminent cultures of mankind. We are bequeathing to posterity the glorious urges of humanity. By virtue of our heritage, race talent, and race progress we Syrian-Americans are rising to achieve a fame similar to that which was our ancestors' — the Phoenicians. II. Our Pride in Our Syrian Race Is Based on Our Syrian Race Awakening. The Syrian, the product of Syrian soil; the Syrian, the urge of the Syrian soul; the Syrian, the glory of Syrian skies is at last dreaming dreams, catching visions, and pursuing his destiny. Talcott Williams says in the Introduction to Philip K. Hitti's The Syrians in America, "Syria and Syrians constitute the first land and the first people in Southwestern Asia who have entered into modern civilization. They stand alone in this. If Syria were an islanded-land instead of being for four thousand years a thoroughfare of conquering peoples, swept by many tides, it would be, in its place, as striking an example of progress as Japan." (See reprint in SYRIAN WORLD, June, 1930.) Philip K. Hitti says, "Not only were the people of Syria the first people in Western Asia to join the procession of modern progress, but in the last century and a quarter they have achieved more genuine progress, perhaps, than any other people in that whole region." (SYRIAN WORLD, August, 1927.) The Syrian race is awake and full of vigor after the long dark night, and is on the march to a place in the sun! For ages our race suffered under political autocracy, and now at last is free! For generations our native land was wasted under economic exploitation, but now, at last, is fruitful! For centuries our talents have been suppressed, but now, at last, are at liberty! We Syrians in America are awake to our heritage, we are beginning to appreciate our race talents. We are remembering our history, we are beginning to uphold the legacies of our ancestors, and we are beginning to create a place for ourselves alongside that of other peoples. �. . ' '" * "" 32 _— ,„, THE SYRIAN WORLD HI. Our Pride in Our Syrian Race Is Supported by Our Benevolent Race Emigration. We Syrians are proud of our race because our race emigration is a benevolent influence upon mankind. Some emigration has been due to military power; other emigration has been due to increase of population; and other emigration has been due to material exploitation. Permeating Syrian race emigration is mutual trade,, welfare, and progress. We modern Syrians are emulating the example of our ancestors both the Phoenician and the Aramean. "The great trading cities of the Phoenicians," says H. G. Wells in The Outline of Htstory are the most striking of the early manifestations of the peculiar and characteristic gift of the Semitic peoples to mankind, trade and exchange. While the Semitic Phoenician peoples were spreading themselves upon the seas, another kindred Semitic people the Arameans, whose occupation of Damascus we have already noted, were developing the caravan routes of the Arabian and Persian deserts, and becoming the chief trading people of Western Asia." Talcott Williams says, "But the trading instinct of the Phoenician has earned the Syrian trader over both North and South JT^QT aS AfHca and Southern Asia -" : ^ (SYRIAN WORLD, We Syrians in America are in pursuit of the highest within our reach: mutual trade, common welfare, and human happiness. Ihese can be ach.eved only on the ground of good-will, cooperation, and prosperity. Therefore, in the wake of Syrian emigration there is diffusion of the basic principles of civilization. Modern civilization based on community interest, trade based on righteous dealing, and prosperity based on mutual welfare is being enhanced by the influence of the Syrian race in every race country, and nation under the sun. We Syrians, descendants of both the famous Phoenicians and Arameans, on the ground of good-will, mutual welfare, and common happiness are now diffusing the principles of civilization. We are, therefore, proving ourselves to be a benevolent race for expansion and emigration in modern times. We are, thereby, proving our right to claim pride in our Syrian race. IV. Our Pride in Our Syrian Race Is Upheld by Our Race Progress. Already through our Syrian race progress we are achieving J I.- �V MAY, 1931 23 a fame similar to that achieved by our famous ancestors—the Phoenicians. Their alphabet, their oceanic navigation, and their influence have been among the greatest contributions to human progress. Although few in number the Phoenicians immortalized themselves in the annals of mankind. The modern Syrian is already receiving high honors because of his progress and contributions to modern civilization. "And on the other side of the Atlantic," says Arthur Brisbane in writing of the Semitic Phoenicians, "crossed by Semitic ships so long ago, Semitic trading genius rules in a new world. There is more organized Semitic trade between Fourteenth and Fiftyninth streets in New York than there ever was in all Phoenicia and Carthage." We Syrians are world pioneers through peaceful emigration, we are world merchants through mutual trade, and we are world leaders through common prosperity. Although a small race numerically, the modern Syrians are progressive. Commercially, we are becoming "merchant princes" in the world. Culturally, we are among the cultured races. Politically, we are a patriotic and loyal people. Influentially, we are disseminators of civilization in the world. The Syrian race is already becoming a world factor in the world of commerce, culture, and influence. V. Our Pride in Our Syrian Race Is Strengthened by Our Syrian Leadership. I We Syrians in America are proud of our Syrian leadership because it exemplifies our race character, race talent, and race progress. It is great men who make a people great, who multiply the people's welfare, and who point the way of the people's progress. I esteem the Syrian leaders of our times because they represent our race character, race heritage, and race progress. N. A. Mokarzel is the foremost journalist of our times. Ameen Rihani is the famous Syrian traveller of our day. G. K. Gibran is the renowned poet of our generation. Philip K. Hitti is the honored Syrian historian of our era. S. A. Mokarzel is the able leader of the Syrian awakening of our age. These are leaders whose leadership is a torch of enlightenment, a symbol of greatness, and an honor to our race. These honored leaders are founding race immortality, and bringing the race to the forefront of the races in America. In worthy Syrian leadership we have upholders of race heritage, defenders of the race, inspiration for Syrian �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD youth, symbols of race talent, and dreamers of the Syrian race. Great Syrian leaders are the inspiration of Syrian youth, the vanguard of progress, and the champions of our race welfare. They are awakening the race to the splendid history of the race. They are influencing the people to realize their inheritance. They are moving the race to cooperation and organization. They are moving the race to perpetuate race identity, race heritage, and progress. Because our Syrian leadership is inspiring the awakening of Syrian youth, because it is creating race enlightenment, and because it is spurring the race to progress, we are thereby strengthened in our pride in our Syrian race. VI. Our Pride in Our Syrian Race Is Enhanced by Our Spirit of World Citizenship. The Syrian is a true and noble example of a world citizen. He remembers with love the native land of his race, he honors the legacies of his ancestors, and he esteems his people in all the earth. He, nevertheless, is a true citizen of the country of his adoption, he desires first the welfare of his new homeland, and he is ever ready to fight for his new country against all enemies. The Syrian is a true cosmopolite. There is that in the Syrian that is akin to every tribe, nation, and tongue. There is that in the Syrian that is part of every time, clime, and circumstance. There is that in the Syrian that is the soul of a community spirit of the world. . "At the very outset," says Rev. K. A. Bishara, "I feel fully justified in claiming for the Syrian the most genuine type of up-to-date cosmopolitanism acquired through a long process of compulsory experimentation, he having come, in his own fatherland, in contact with practically all the world powers of history, in consequence of which he is able to feel at home wherever he happens to pitch his tent on the face of this earth." (SYRIAN WORLD, January, 1927.) .. We Syrians, therefore, pride ourselves in being world citizens, world fraternalists, and world cosmopolites. We enhance our Syrian pride in being loyal to our new homeland, by promoting the welfare of our adopted countries, and by being ready to defend our new nationality. VII. Our Pride in Our Syrian Race Is Established by Our Race Contributions to Modern Civilization. "'What could be more of a business romance," asks S. A. Mo- i • �MAY, 1931 35 karzel in his article on The History of the Syrians in New York, "than the record of a penniless, almost illiterate immigrant who, in the course of a decade, rises from the humble rank of a peddler to the exalted position of an international merchant prince directing from his office in New York the humming industries he controls across the waters of both the Atlantic and the Pacific. The Syrian can now claim representation in every country on the face of the globe, and everywhere he goes he is an emissary for the promotion of international good-will and exchange of benefits through trade." (SYRIAN WORLD, November, 1927.) Philip K. Hitti says in an article on Syria's Place in the History of the World, "Thus throughout all ages, and in spite of the many handicaps and disadvantages under which they labored, the people of Syria have always contributed their share to the civilization of the world and have shown extraordinary vitality and power of adaptation." (SYRIAN WORLD, July, 1926.) Let it be known that we Syrians are contributing vast influences toward the civilization of races, nations, and continents. Our Syrian leadership is directing the thought-life of the Arabic-speaking world. We are promoting inter-racial equality that is based on understanding, appreciation, and brotherhood. We are disseminating the ideals of political, religious, and intellectual freedom. We are spreading through peaceful trade, good-will, friendly commerce, righteous dealing, and higher civilization. Everywhere the Syrian is loyal to his new homeland through citizenship, civic welfare, and industrious living. By our patriotic loyalty, material prosperity, benevolent leadership, common happiness, righteous dealing, and human brotherhood we Syrians rise to acclaim our race contributions to modern civilization. Because of our pride in our Syrian race I raise my voice and issue this challenge to the Syrian race which is scattered among the races, tribes, nations, and tongues of the earth. I challenge you, O Ye Syrians with our Syrian fair name to Jionor our race in all the earth. I challenge you, O Ye Syrians with our Syrian soul to dignify the legacies of our race in all mankind. I challenge you, O Ye Syrians with our Syrian heritage to spread the posterity of our race in all the world. �— r,l rl ~" '" 36 THE SYRIAN WORLD Book Reviews AN AMERICAN GIRL'S ABSORBING STORY Strange Thoroughfare, by Sonia Ruthele Novak, New York, TheMacmillan Company, 528 pp. $2.50. J7STHER O'Shane is the girl who treks through Madame Novak's imagination in this replete and vibrant novel. Many people, from childhood on through life, center around Esther whose character is, perhaps, most forcibly brought out by the phrase "born for things to happen to." Strange Thoroughfare, though biographical, is not stereotype and a single track endeavor. Out of the highways and by-ways of Esther's path of life there are many people met and many incidents confronted with. Yet all of them and everything are directly or indirectly influenced by or influential in Esther's life. Esther is first met as a child, with both parents dead, and her grand-mother as the one person who intimately and understandingly touches her personality. On the father's side there is a strain of wild blood with an inference of Indian ancestry. One becomes familiar with her father's escapades with many women by the grandmother's not too infrequent references thereto. Esther is constantly up to pranks and tricks with a spirit of abandon. Some of these cleverly and subtly inform the reader of her impending misfortunes in life. Her childhood love affair with Bob is abruptly broken up by an instinctive remark she makes, and which Bob misunderstands, when they embrace for the first time as boy and girl conscious of their sex. Her strong mental inclinations for trouble lead her into many uncomfortable situations. This is apparent in the spirit of rebellion she flaunts at disciplinary measures at the several boarding schools she attends. More significantly is this realized when, due to an impulse, she returns from school with a chauffeur, for whom she felt sorry, and an automobile as a gesture of rebellion against financial restrictions. Even though several love affairs come into her life and of such temperament to cause gossip, she remains loyal to the love she holds for Bob. Pride seems to be the deterrent to a reconciliation. Perhaps more for this same reason than for anything else, she marries the son of \ i �MAYy 1931 ; 37 a wealthy man, who is more wastrel than man, and leads a stormy, tempestuous life with him. After this suggestive episode, Esther agrees to marry a musician, whom she meets, provided he promises not to consummate the marriage until she wants to. Even though she has begun a career as a composer and pianist, there is not sufficient strength to the tie to prevent a hellish life. This tragic second edition of marriage is ended by her third venture into a marital state with a Texan and World War veteran recently returned. This pans out still worse and more tragedy results. The child she had borne by her first husband, she had been compelled to relinquish. From that time Esther's child is lost in the trend of events. It serves as an anti-climax in the closing chapter depicting a true mother love. Stark tragedy follows her third marriage and she decides to leave the South, where up till now the scene has been laid, and come to New York where she may pursue her musical and theatrical career. Despite the fact that there are many people met with by Esther, they remain correlated about her. Far too many incidents enter to review each separately. This line is unbroken and unfolded more by the dialogues of the characters in these incidents rather than by an attempt at narration. All remain rapturously woven about Esther. Though the soft southern accent is sometimes used in the wrong places and perhaps too frequently, particularly when Esther acquires some education, Madame Novak, nevertheless, shows her keen powers of observation and perception. A new means of indicating time is used by the author. This is cleverly introduced by mention of historic incidents in dialogue Perhaps imagination more than truth is brought out in the stress laid upon the war. This is noticeably apparent when Esther goes abroad to meet Bob and there, quite innocently, identifies as a spy the brother of her ex-husband, the Austrian musician. The means employed are hardly gullible and perhaps irrelevant insofar as the story is concerned. Though this may seem to find fault with the novel, due regard and consideration must be tendered to the author's clever weaving of the tale through such diversified channels of life brought to bear upon and elucidatingly about Esther without once losing the coherency and sequence of the biography. Strange Thoroughfare is a commanding story. The interest of the reader is held by its realness. The mental tortures, afflictions and sufferings of Esther cannot but startlingly bring to the mind of the reader the tragedy of the conflict between the soul ... . �38 THE SYRIAN WORLD and life about which that soul is wrapped. C. J. B. EDITOR'S NOTE—Madame Novak will be remembered by our readers as the contributor of the Orange Tree and the author of Winds from the Moon. Strange Thoroughfare marks her first venture in the realm of fiction and her first product bids fair to become a best seller. AN ENGLISHMAN PLEADS FOR ARABIA Arabia, by H. St. John Philby, New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 387 pp. $5.00. AS a general history of Arabia the title of Sir St. John Philby's latest book on that country is misleading. It is not a history of the country but one of the Wahhabi movement which lately culminated in the dominance of King 'Abdul 'Aziz Ibn Sa'ud over almost the whole peninsula, giving fresh zest to the hope that at his hands will be soon realized the Arabs' dream of unity and empire. The author makes no effort to conceal his purpose in the compilation of the book. The title, we may safely assume, was chosen by the editors of the Modern World series to conform to their general scheme affecting other publications of a similar nature. But as a history of the Wahhabi movement the author has succeeded in producing a fine piece of scholarly effort. He traces the movement to its earliest beginnings and gives a complete record of its successes and reverses. The bloody internecine wars that resulted from the attempt of the Wahhabi fanatics to enforce their puritanical doctrine extended over almost a century and a half, and all this period the author covers in detail. He brings his narration up to date by including an account of the Arabs' participation in the World War and the Allies' promises to them of helping them achieve unity and independence. His record of these negotiations, particularly those with Great Britain, are complete. Mr. Philby joins the chorus of those proclaiming the present King of Nejd "not only the greatest Arab of his day, but one who stands out in the Arab world as no individual ruler has done �(MAY, 1931 39 since the days of the orthodox Califs." Mr. Philby even goes a step further by declaring that "if any Arab ruler since the Prophet ever merited the proud but simple title of Calif, 'Abdul 'Aziz is assuredly such a one." He even makes an open plea to Britain to help Arabia achieve its unity and independence by relinquishing its hold on the strategic points it now occupies in the country. "A heavy responsibility," he avers, "lies on British statesmen of today. Arabia can never be truly great while a foreign Power, materially strong beyond the possibility of serious challenge, occupies almost every gateway leading out from its deserts into the world and implicitly encourages centrifugal tendencies on the part of small groups whose interests, both economic and political, demand closer union with the heart of Arabia." He excludes from this categorical demand, however, the most strategic point in Arabia under British occupation. "Aden," he says, "with the narrow strip of mainland necessary for its bare existence, must, of course, remain as it is, and needs no discussion." i , i This very fact of inalienable sympathy and consideration for Britain's safety in cardinal matters is, perhaps, what casts a shadow on Mr. Philby's full sincerity in embracing Islam and establishing his permanent residence at the port of Jeddah. It may be that he is wronged by such an assumption, for he is an outstanding Arabist and, undeniably, a great admirer of, and believer in, King Ibn Sa'ud. But there exists a strong doubt among a certain group of Moslems as to his honesty of purpose not merely in embracing Islam, but in choosing the strict, puritanical sect of the Wahhabis. They seem to treat lightly his assertion that the Wahhabi movement will prove as beneficial to the regeneration of Arabia as Cromwell's era was for Britain. In this connection it may be noted that the Arabic press quotes Mr. Philby as having stated among his reasons for turning Wahhabi that he is striving to establish enduring mutual friendly relations between England and Arabia. Why, they ask, if his motives are purely altruistic, could he not wish that Allah lead his (Mr. Philby's) people to join the Wahhabi religion, as he himself has been inspired to do, instead of forever keeping an eye on politics and acting under reservations with apparent ulterior motives? �THE SYRIAN WORLD 40 Honor Your Mothers 2?y Miss 1 , LAMESE HAMATI IT was back in 1906 when a girl by the name of Miss Anna Jarvis first suggested the idea of observing the second Sunday of May as Mother's Day, to memorialize the "homegoing" of her own mother after a long absence. The idea, however, met with immediate popular favor and celebration of the day became general. Dr. Geo. W. Bailey, then President of the World's Sunday School Association, issued a call for the observance of Mother's Day in which he set forth its purposes as follows: "To recall the memories of the mothers who are gone, and by loving word and loving care to cheer the mothers who remain." Mother's Day became a National Holiday in 1914 when Congress passed a bill authorizing the President to issue a proclamation calling upon all government officials to display the U. S. flag on all Government buildings on the second Sunday of May. The public was also requested to display the flag at their homes as a public expression of our love and reverence for our mothers. Truly, America is to be complimented for the sweet sentiment reflected in her spirit. Home has been defined as "The father's kingdom, the children's paradise and the Mother's world." A mother's presence is a blessing to all little ones, her wisdom a guide to the elders of the household. Her love for her children will keep her at her task until she falls in her tracks. Why not do our best while she is with us to keep her happy by a kind word, a kind deed. One will be surprised to see how little it takes to please mother. After all, life is short, and if we do not take advantage of the time when she is with us to make her life as cheerful as is possible within our power, then our grief will be endless and boundless when we suddenly come to the realization that she is slipping away from us, and it is too late to prove how much we really appreciated her. Down deep in our hearts, we all love our mothers. Of this there can be no doubt. But the trouble is we all take her too (• �3AAY, 1931 41 much for granted, and do not try to put ourselves out in showing her what her life really means to us—that her presence is a blessing. We take her love as a natural thing, and neglect to tell her that it is our "Inspiration", that it is her love and understanding that keeps us going despite our failures. She loves us if we are good or bad, handsome or ugly, smart or dumb. It makes no difference what we are. In her eyes there is no one like her little boy or girl. Can such love and loyalty be measured? In the Scriptures, it says in Proverbs, 31:14—"She is like the Merchant Ships." "She is like the Merchant ships."—What do the two have in common that makes it suggestive? Firts, they are both products of a world other than the world in which they operate. The ship is a land product operating on water, motherhood is a heavenly product operating on land. Whether she be yellow, red, black or white, there is something so sublime, so sweet, so beautiful about a mother's love that we know it was born from above. She operates here in a monotony as continuous as the rising and falling of the waves in the middle of the ocean, and in storms and dangers as great, but she came from another world. She was born in another sphere! Merchant ships and mothers are alike also in that they are both bearers of wealth. A country without ships may be a contented country, but it is always hampered and usually poor. A country with ships is rich and prosperous. England is the mightiest spot for its size on the face of the earth-—she has ships. Merchant ships are the bank vaults of the sea, the subtreasuries of national prosperity. So is motherhood the bearer of untold wealth. Motherhood and merchant ships are alike also in their speed. Mothers are not often capturing prizes in hundred yard dashes, and would be a poor wager in any race that requires a galloping foot, but with all their fallen arches and aching feet, made doubly sore by the thoughtlessness of children, they are still the swiftest things on earth. They anticipate our needs and know our desires with an accuracy that is almost omniscient. No wonder dying soldiers cried: Mother! Mother! in their last moments. Motherhood is like merchant ships also in the fact that neither have much rest. Look up the sailing dates of merchant ships and you will find that they are nearly always moving. Battleships loiter in tropical waters and gather barnacles, but merchant ships, never. They only stay long enough to unload and reload. Watch the average mother with her tables to set and babies to pet, her r" �42 ?HE SYRIAN WORLD rips to mend and her dishes to tend, her jackets to rub and her faces to scrub, and you will find the busiest sailing schedule on earth. Motherhood and merchant ships are alike also in that they keep nothing for themselves. Merchant ships are Neptune's delivery wagons. The one thing mothers have never learned to do is to live for themselves. Neglect your business and it will leave you. Neglect your garden and it will starve you. Neglect your mother and she will love you—love you though her heart lies bleeding in the dust. God gives us friends and that means much, But far above all others The greatest of His gifts to earth Was when He thought of mothers. A Mother s hove "By PHILIP C. SABBAGHA Oh Mother dear, my heart's for you, My life's own blood is thine, For by thy love my heart is true, A precious love sublime. Through pain and death thy love is mine, A love of human soul, A love that no man doth define, A love that's still untold. For by thy love my heart is strong, No evil spirits dwell; Thy love doth banish all the wrong, And only Christ shall dwell. Thy love doth guideth me through pain, Through misery untold; Through happiness and joy thy name, Shall always mark my goal. So, mother dear, my heart's for you, And all that therein is, For through thy love, the Spirit true, Doth show what once was His. : �•P" ' 43 a^y, 1931 ALI ZAIBAQ (Quicksilver) THE UNPARALLELED ADVENTURES OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASHID, OF THE CITY OF BAGHDAD. Translated from the Original Arabic by ' SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL and CHAPTER i THADDEUS S. DAYTON IX. THE GIANT ROBBER came to Quicksilver one day while he was sitting in T HERE the meeting place of the Secret Police a messenger from the King ordering him to repair to the palace immediately. There he saw a party of fifteen men weeping and lamenting, who on perceiving him cried out that their homes had been ruined and their fortunes had been swept away by robbers. The leader of the party related how the night before he had been awakened from slumber and saw before him a man of giant stature who was accompanied by fourteen others. This giant told him in a voice of thunder that if he was given all the money and valuables that he possessed no harm would come to him or his household, and that forthwith the giant and his men stripped him of all his wealth and departed. He described the robber, aside from being of great stature, as having a large head and that his moustache stood out so prominently and was so thick and stiff that an eagle might alight thereon. He added that withal the robber appeared to be of noble descent and was of gentle bearing. One after another, each member of the company came forward and told the same tale of robbery the night before. Quicksilver assured them that he would immediately apprehend the malefactor and that night he girded on his sword and alone searched throughout the city until the morning call for prayer sounded from the mosques. But he discovered nothing, and �44 THE SYRIAN WORLD going to the meeting place of the Zohrs, found that none of his men had met with any better success. But when he went to the King's palace he was astounded at finding there not fifteen, but thirty merchants who had come to complain of having been robbed of their wealth the night before. The King reproached Quicksilver for his failure to discover the malefactor, and forbade all persons other than the police to venture on the streets during the following night under pain of death. The King, suspecting unjustly that Quicksilver himself was the one who had committed these robberies, decided to follow Quicksilver that night in person. Night came, and Quicksilver, armed with his enchanted sword, went about the deserted streets seeking the robber. Hiding in the darkness at the mouth of an alley, he perceived approaching a man who seemed as huge as a mountain, like one of the ancient giant people of Aad. Quicksilver was sure that this was the malefactor whom he was seeking. Brandishing his enchanted sword he sprang out and attacked him furiously, but the robber evaded his blows and grappled with him. Thereupon there ensued a combat the like of which has not been recorded in history. Quicksilver and the giant swayed to and fro; they fell and rose again; they separated and grappled anew, continually uttering such cries that the neighboring buildings were shaken to their foundations. They continued struggling until both were exhausted. Quicksilver was convinced that he had met his peer in the arts of war, and that the only hope of capturing his adversary would be through a stratagem. So he seized his sword and flung it in the air, cleaving the darkness with it like the flash of a meteor. Perceiving this his enemy thought to overcome Quicksilver easily, but Quicksilver had in his hand a stout rope which he succeeded in throwing about his opponent whom he finally bound and cast upon the earth. At this juncture the King and his company of soldiers approached and found Quicksilver standing alone, while on the ground near by lay a large sack apparently filled with booty. "Woe to you, O Quicksilver," said the King. "Where is your adversary?" "Presently you shall see him at your feet," responded Quicksilver, looking toward where he had thrown the bound robber. But there, to his amazement, he found no one. Seemingly he �I MAY, 1931 had vanished into the air. "Where is he?" demanded the King in a terrible voice. "But this very instant I had securely bound him and laid him prostrate here," answered Quicksilver, "but by Allah I do not know what has become of him." The King examined the sack that lay on the ground and found written thereon in letters of gold: "This is the sack of Quicksilver, son of Hassan Raselghoul." Then it was that the King believed that he had found in Quicksilver the real robber who had been despoiling the rich citizens of Cairo, and pointing sternly at the sack, demanded of Quicksilver if it was not his. Thunderstruck, Quicksilver examined it and exclaimed in a pitiful voice: "O my lord, I implore your pardon. I swear by my head that I do not know whence came this sack. Surely this culprit must have written my name thereon so as to make suspicion fall upon me." But the King commanded him to be fettered and thrown into a dungeon, which was done straightway, the jailer receiving strict orders to watch him closely, for he would pay with his life the penalty of Quicksilver's escape. Quicksilver remained in this deplorable state, not knowing how these misfortunes had come upon him. At times he was enraged at the King's severity; again his fury would be directed toward the man who had ensnared him with his trickery. Then he would realize the hopelessness and despair of his position, and would weep as does a child. To him the flight of minutes seemed as long as days, and the hours like endless years. He could not sleep, so oppressed was he by the weight of his misfortune. It was while he lay thus that there came into his cell an old man, carrying in his hand a lighted candle. Approaching Quicksilver without a word, he broke his fetters and signed to Quicksilver to follow him. Cautiously they made their way through the dark, tortuous corridors of the prison until they reached the outer gate. There Quicksilver saw the jailer lying in his own blood, his head nearly severed from his body. In silence they made their way to the high walls of the fortress that surrounded the prison. Quicksilver being young and powerful scaled them with ease and he was surprised at the agility and strength of his apparently aged companion who even surpassed 9 �46 THE SYRIAN WORLD him in vigor. At last they reached the streets outside, and then it was that Quicksilver's unknown deliverer spoke: "Now, Quicksilver, whither do you wish me to conduct you," he asked. "To the home of the King's swordbearer, for he is my loyal friend," answered Quicksilver. Thereupon the stranger drew aside his disguise and Quicksilver was astounded at discovering that he was none other than the mysterious stranger with whom he had been contending on the night of his downfall. As Quicksilver stood thus in wonderment the stranger disappeared. Leaving Quicksilver securely hidden in the house, the swordbearer repaired to the court of the King the next morning. He entered just as the guards, returning in fright, went reporting to the King that they found the jailer murdered and Quicksilver gone. Whereupon the King was exceedingly enraged, and, springing to his feet, swore that if anyone knew Quicksilver's hiding place and did not reveal it he and his family would be burned alive. The King's swordbearer was seized with terror at this and threw himself at the feet of the King, saying: "May God grant you long life, O gracious King: Last night Quicksilver appeared at my house seeking shelter, and fearing that he might escape to some place where he could not be discovered I hid him in the cellar." The King praised the swordbearer for his wisdom and straightway dispatched three hundred soldiers to bring Quicksilver into his presence. Meanwhile, Quicksilver remained in ignorance of all that was taking place. While he was resting in fancied security there appeared before him a thickly-veiled woman who informed him that the swordbearer had revealed his hiding place and that a company of soldiers was even then on its way to apprehend him. Quicksilver's heart was filled with despair, for he had no weapons with which to defend himself; but the woman handed him the dress of a female slave and bade him quickly disguise himself therewith and follow her. Just as they reached the street outside the swordbearer's house they met the soldiers, but passed them unnoticed and made their way unobserved to the outskirts of the city. Then Quicksilver addressed his companion saying: "May Allah reward you abundantly for delivering me from II �MAYy 1931 kfi 47 a most ignoble death." He would have said more, but the woman lifted her veil and disclosed to him the countenance of his adversary, the robber. Before Quicksilver had recovered from his astonishment the stranger had disappeared. Quicksilver hid himself during the day in a great garden that surrounded a palace outside the city, and after nightfall went forth. In the distance he perceived a dim light toward which he turned his steps and found that it came from the cavern of Al-Sagalil. Now this great cave had long been the stronghold cf robbers, and was so strongly fortified that even fifty horsemen could not force their way therein. Quicksilver approached the entrance cautiously and finally was able to see that the interior of the cave was furnished with silks and costly rugs and that jewels and other precious things were scattered about in great profusion. Still more surprised was he to perceive that, seated in the center of the cave, was his adversary and deliverer. He was surrounded by a company of his followers, of whom Quicksilver counted fourteen, each one of whom was of considerable stature and had the bearing of a lion. They were feasting on choice viands, and all about them were scattered vessels of gold and of silver, apparently the fruits of their robberies. Quicksilver hesitated not an instant, but rose to his full height and sprang into the cave and stood before the chief of the outlaws whom he addressed with bitter words, saying: "Woe to you, O vilest of the vile. Not only have you robbed Cairo of its wealth, but you have brought me almost to my death." The robbers sprang to their feet and made as though to slay Quicksilver where he stood, but their chief commanded them to hold their hands, saying: "It is Quicksilver, who has proven that he is the bravest of the brave by invading my stronghold. I, Ibrahim Ibn-Al-Anassi, declare that Quicksilver had it in his power on one occasion to slay me, but he did not. That I am still alive is due to his clemency. I have done him ill, and if God will grant me the power I will henceforth endeavor to make amends for the sorrow I have caused him." "You shall hear, if Allah preserve us until the morrow," said the tale-teller, "the story of the outlaw chief of the land of Tunis of the West, and of his revenge." �48 THE SYRIAN WORLD Political Developments in Syria SYRIA A MONARCHY? France would follow England's policy in Iraq and Transjordania. Ponsot's approaching trip to France means delay in elections. Although nothing definite has been ascertained on the subject, there are accumulating evidences that the solution of the Syrian problem will take the form of establishing a monarchy in the country. The recent visits of ex-King Hussain and his son ex-King Ali to Syria and the cordial reception tendered them by the French mandatory authorities may now be viewed in a more important light in the face of recent statements on the subject coming from French sources which are looked upon in some circles as being semi-official. This particularly applies to a recent declaration in a press interview by a former high French official who spent three years directing the Bureau of Information Service in Syria to the effect that the Syrians are royalists at heart, and that "the logical form of government for them is a monarchy, inasmuch as all Orientals are still swayed by centralized authority." The intention, furthermore, of placing on the Syrian throne a descendant of the Prophet, most probably in the person of ex-King Ali, would have the further effect of insuring the Syrians' obedience from religious considerations. This would seem to account for the delay in calling the Syrian elec- tions which have been so long deferred. A further significant fact is that the Syrian press seems to be strangely silent lately on the matter of the elections. But perhaps this is due to the extraordinary attention given to the people's boycott of the public utilities, which is now sweeping the country. From the same French source quoted above the additional statement is made that France, if she is to succeed in her mandatory venture, must follow the example set by England in the countries bordering on Syria, namely, Iraq and Transjordania, both ruled by sons of exKing Hussain. Whether the Syrians will acquiesce in such a scheme cannot be yet ascertained, the French themselves entertaining doubts as to the willingness of Syrians to relinquish their rights of democratic representative government. A prominent Syrian is reported having lately asked King Feisal of Iraq whether there was any truth in the report that the French intended placing his brother ex-King Ali on the proposed Syrian throne, to which Feisal is reported to have laconically replied: "This question should best be asked of the French themselves." It was semi-officially announced that High Commissioner Ponsot was planning to leave for France on his annual vacation sometime in June. This may be taken to mean that while he is away no definite developments could be expected to arise in the Syrian political situation, and that the expected elections would be further delayed. �ft MAY, 1931 BOYCOTT OF UTILITIES CONTINUES IN LEBANON |'j The latest mail information to reach the United States from Syria states that up to the middle of May the boycott by the inhabitants of Beirut of the traction and electric companies had been going on uninterruptedly for forty-five days, with every sign of its prolongation indefinitely until the foreign interests controlling the utilities heed the demands of the people. The boycott, to all appearances, is gaining momentum the longer it proceeds, all efforts of the local authorities and even the clergy having failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the strikers. The mandatory authorities apparently are refraining from any direct interference. In Beirut several papers were again subjected to disciplinary measures and indefinitely suspended. Ad-Dabbour, the humorous weekly published by Joseph Mokarzel, felt the heavy hand of the authorities against it twice within three weeks. Ad-Dabbour, by reason of its popularity and influence, is accused of causing a further prolongation of the boycott. In Damascus a committee of vigilantes is making systematic efforts to make abstention from the use of electric light and power general. According to the provisions of the electric company's charter, several mosques and public institutions were to receive free current, placing them apparently beyond the general causes of complaint. But in order to completely cripple the activities of the power company, even these institutions receiving free service were induced to discontinue its use, and now the principal mosques of Damascus have reverted to the use of candles and kerosene lamps. What seems to have added fresh 49 impetus to the determination of the Syrians to continue the boycott to the bitter end is the reported remark of the director of the electric company when he was approached on the question of reducing the rates, that "I would be a Syrian if I did." The Syrians seem determined "to prove to these profiteering foreigners who fatten on the resources of the country, while indulging in hurling at them such invectives as 'sales Syriens', that they are done with submitting to such stinging insults." The women of Syria have played a prominent part in supporting the boycott movement, holding public demonstrations and submitting to arrest. IRAQ PETROLEUM The agreement reached by the Lebanese government and the Iraq Petroleum Company for making Tripoli the terminus of the transdesert pipe line was ratified by the Lebanese Legislative Assembly on May 24. This has aroused hopes of rapid improvement in the depressed economic conditions in the country. Some papers have already begun agitating the question of establishing refineries in Tripoli instead of using that city merely as a port of transit, and judging by the present temper of the people and their tenacity of purpose, there is every hope that ultimately their demands on this new question will also be granted. Tripoli is proving itself a thorn in the side of the Lebanese government owing to its constant agitation for union with Syria. The latest disturbances in the city, which culminated in an attack on the Italian consulate, furnished another pretext for the people's declaration in favor of such a union. Sheikh Muham- �50 THE SYRIAN WORLD mad Al-Jisr, President of the Legislative Assembly and a representative of Tripoli, apologized in the Assembly for the action of his constituents on the grounds that it was unpremeditated and bearing no political significance, affirming that they are true to their Lebanese allegiance and to the mandate. To this the Tripolitans took vigorous exception and availed themselves of the occasion to again declare their unshaken conviction in the principle of unity with Syria. About Syria and Syrians THE ARABIC-SPEAKING WORLD MOURNS GIBRAN The wave of grief that has swept the Arabic-speaking world over the death of G. Kahlil Gibran on April 10 in New York bears testimony to the great love and esteem in which the Syrian-American poet was held by his countrymen. The Arabic press of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and other Arabic-speaking countries eulogized him as they have no other Syrian emigrant before, and as they have few of the outstanding literary personalities of the homeland in recent times. The people of North Lebanon, and particularly of Becharri, his native town, appeared stunned by the news of his premature death, and already they are preparing plans for the removal of his remains to Becharri and for the erection of a monument to commemorate his genius at his birthplace. In New York a memorial meeting for the spirit of Gibran was held by the Syrian community on May 24 at the hall of the American-Syrian Federation in Brooklyn under the auspices of Ar-Rabitah, the literary circle which Gibran had founded and of which he had been president. The services were conducted wholly in Arabic and the attendance represented the finest element of the community. It was the New York Syrians' tribute to their departed beloved son. Present at the memorial ceremony was His Excellency Anis Raphael Bey, Egyptian consul in New York, who paid Gibran a high personal tribute and declared that long before he came to the United States he had known Gibran to exercise great influence in the intellectual and spiritual life of the people of Egypt. Mischa Naimy, a member of ArRabitah, presided. He read a number of letters and telegrams from Lansing, Mich., Oklahoma City, Okla., and Fall River, Mass., stating that similar services to Gibran were being held on that date in those . particular cities. He read a poem composed for the occasion by Abbas A. Shakra of Detroit and had Nasib Arida read a fitting tribute sent by N. A. Mokarzel, dean of Syrian journalists in America and editor of Al-Hoda, who was unable to attend. Other speakers who delivered their eulogies either in poetry or prose were Dr. Najib Barbour, representative in New York of the President of Lebanon; S. Akel, for- -—. I �MAY, 1931 mer president of the American-Syrian Federation; Joseph M. Khoury, editor of Ash-Shaab of New York; Salloum A. Mokarzel, editor of The Syrian World; Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin the poet; Fouzy Braidy, and the following members of Ar-Rabitah: Richard Ayoub, A. A. Haddad, editor of As-Sayeh, E. Atallah and Nassib Arida of the editorial staff of Al-Hoda. Petro Trabulsi, a Syrian violinist, played a dirge which he had composed especially for the occasion. 51 which copyrights I understand can be extended upon request by my heirs for an additional period of twenty-eight years after my death, are to go to my home town. Everything found in my studio after my death, pictures, books, objects of art, etcetera, go to Mrs. Mary Haskell Mines, now living at 24 Gaston Street West, Savannah, Ga. But I would like to have Mrs. Mines send all or any part of these things to my home town should she see fit to do so." GIBRAN LAST OF LINE GIBRAN BEQUEATHS WEALTH TO BECHARRI CHARITIES The will of G. Kahlil Gibran was filed for probate in the Surrogate's Court of New York on a petition by his sister, Mary K. Gibran, on May 21. The document was executed on March 13, 1930, less than a year before Gibran's death. Its full text is as follows: "In the event of my death I wish that, whatever money or securities Mr. Edgar Speyer has been gracious enough to hold for me should go to my sister Mary K. Gibran who now lives at 76 Tyler St., Boston, Mass. There are also 40 (forty) shares of the Fifty-One West Tenth Street Studio Association Stock lying in my safe deposit box with the Bank of Manhattan Trust Company, 31 Union Square, New York. These shares are also to go to my sister. There are in addition to the foregoing, two (2) bank books of the West Side Savings Bank, 422 Sixth Avenue, New York, which I have with me in my studio. I wish that my sister would take this money to my home town of Becharri, Republic of Lebanon, and spend it upon charities. The royalties on my copyrights, 1 From the petition of Gibran's sister, in which is given the genealogy of the family, it appears that Gibran had but one half-brother, Peter Rahme, a son of his mother by a former marriage, who died in 1903 without issue, never having married. By his mother's second marriage he and two sisters were born, one sister being Sultana who died in 1902 never having married, and the other being Mary, the survivor, who is also unmarried. Gibran, according to the petition, died without issue, never having married. Gibran's mother died in 1903 and is buried in Boston. His father died in 1909. GIBRAN MEMORIAL HELD IN BOSTON (Special Correspondence) Under the auspices of Msgr. Stephen Al-Douaihy a public tribute was paid the memory of Gibran, the dead in body, and Gibran, the immortal, at the Municipal Building on Shawmut Avenue in Boston on Sunday, May 24, 1931, at 8:00 P. M. Over 1,000 Lebanese and Syrians were present. The speakers were �mmam 52 Msgr. Stephen Al-Douaihy, Michel Maloof, Elias F. Shamon, Miss Labeebee A. J. Hanna, Mrs. Mary Kahwajy, Rasheed Abdelnoor and several others. Gibran's sister, Miss Marianna Gibran, was present with several close friends. Exerpts from some of the poet's works were read by Msgr. Al-Douaihy. Between speakers, music was furnished by a reed instrument, violin and piano and voice. The songs in Arabic were taken from Gibran's works and were printed on the programs for the benefit of the audience. THE SYRIAN WORLD on the piano. Prof. Thabit spoke on the general benefits of education and stated that the American University of Beirut aimed at training leaders for the uplift of the country socially, morally and economically. QUESTION OF PATRIARCHATE STILL SPLITS ORTHODOX Political reasons are now ascribed to difficulty of accord. Despite all efforts to effect a conciliation and settlement, each of the two Patriarchs of the Syrian OrthoDINNER IN HONOR dox Church still seems to be holding OF PROF. THABIT off against any concession. Patriarch Alexander of Damascus, because he The Syrian Eductaional Society of was conceded the legality of his *ew York and the Alumni Associa- election by the three ranking Pation of the American University of triarchs of the Orthodox Church, Beirut gave a testimonial dinner namely, those of Jerusalem, AlexThursday, May 28, at Joe's Restauandria and Istanbul, is proceeding in rant in Brooklyn in honor of Prof accordance with what he conceives Khalid Thabit, of the American to be his admitted right and authorUniversity of Beirut, now visiting in ity. What seems to lend his posithe United States for the purpose tion more weight is that most of the of further studying advanced Amer- church property is in the hands of ican educational methods. Prof. Thahis followers, and since control of bit is the Principal of the Preparathis property figured largely in tory Division of the American Unibringing about the disagreement, he versity and the first native to have feels himself comparatively secure in been admitted to the faculty. He has his position. visited the principal universities of All the Orthodox newspapers of the United States and will return to the United States, with but a single Syria sometime in July. exception, are supporting Patriarch The dinner was restricted to mem- Alexander. The Orthodox bishop of bers of the two societies and a few South America has also given him select friends. Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin submission. presided. The speakers were Habeeb It is now claimed that one of the I- Katibah, who recently returned reasons the Commission of Inquiry from a trip abroad, Nelson Peters, and Arbitration sent to Syria by the the son of Rev. Khirbawy and Sal- three Orthodox Patriarchs gave its loum A. Mokarzel. Miss Marguerite decision in favor of Patriarch Hatem played several Oriental airs Alexander is that the French manda- 83=3 . �* MAY, 1931 : 53 1 Courtesy Majallat Al-Kalemat His Beatitude Patriarch Alexander of the Syrian Orthodox Church tory authorities in Syria sought to influence it into recognizing his opponent, Patriarch Arsanius. Resenting this interference into church matters, the commission is said to have left French mandated territory and issued its report from Jerusalem. Quite in variance with this view, however, is the claim advanced by adherents of Patriarch Arsanius to the effect that the Greek Church is . again seeking to gain control over the Orthodox Church of Syria. In this connection it is recalled that up to the close of the nineteenth century all Orthodox Patriarchs in Syria were Greeks, who exercised full control over the destinies of the church to the detriment of the natives. The Syrians finally threw off the Greek yoke and elected a Patriarch from among their own clergy. This very fact would indi- �54 cate that the three Patriarchs who recognized Patriarch Alexander, being all Greek, not only have no further authority in the affairs of the Syrian Orthodox Church, but are deliberately seeking to again impose their yoke upon it by inducing a split in the church, since they have accorded their recognition to the Patriarch elected by the insurgent minority. From other sources it is learned that the French authorities are refraining from all interference in the Orthodox Church- situation, inasmuch as it is regarded as a purely internal church matter. Nevertheless, they are accused of aggravating the situation by their very indifference. The details of the negotiations w'hich Patriarch Arsanius promised to forward by mail have not as yet reached the United States. THE SYRIAN WORLD as one of the strongest proponents of a federation of Arab States under his leadership, since King Ibn Saoud is' admittedly the dominant persona'ity at the present time in Arabia. SONS OF LEBANON CELEBRATE IN QUINCY At a banquet of the Sons of Lebanon in the Fore River Club at Quincy, Mass., East met West "in one of the foremost inter-racial gatherings to assemble in this city," according to the Quincy Evening News of Friday, May 29, 1931. Some of the prominent guests included Rep. Leo Birmingham, representing Gov. Ely of Mass., Mayor Thomas J. McGrath of Quincy, State Senator John D. Mackay, Councillor John P. Flavin, Mayor Michael C. O'Neill of Everett, Mass., who all spoke and highly commended the Syrians as an industrious, home-loving and peaceful people who make RIHANI TO VISIT for good citizenship. Rep. BirmingKING OF ARABIA ham "urged the Syrian people here Ameen Rihani, the well known to take the places in the affairs of Syrian author and traveler, is ex- the nation to which they are enpected to reach Freike, his home titled." Prof. Emile Dumit of the Amertown in Lebanon, by the middle of ican University of Beirut declared June. He sailed from New York on April 18 for London where he re- "the noble traditions of the past are mained for a week looking after his a challenge to Syrians of to-day," literary interests. Later he went to and added that "they would be Paris for a visit to the French Co- supremely tested in maintaining lonial Exposition, and it was the ancestral achievement." Louis George, attorney, acted as general understanding at the time toastmaster. He said that every Syrthat he would proceed directly to ian in Quincy was a member of the Beirut. Recent information received by Sons of Lebanon. Other speakers The Syrian World, 'however, is that were Peter Antoon, president of the Mr. Rihani had reached Port Said society; Michael Batal, Miss Olga Miss Nellie Perry and in Egypt the latter part of May and Motto, was on his way to Jeddah where he Richard Abdelnour. Miss Najeebe Morad gave several will meet His Majesty King Ibn Saoud of Arabia by special invita- Syrian folk songs to the violin action. Mr. Rihani is known to be a companiment of her brother, Louis personal friend of the King as well Morad. �*¥. {MAY, 1931 REPUBLICAN LEADER SPEAKS TO SYRIANS An interesting discussion of the functions of government and the manifold duties of the Appraisal Division of the customs authorities was given to members of the American-Syrian Federation and their friends at the clubrooms of the federation on the evening of May 19 by the Hon. F. J. H. Kracke, U. S. Appraiser of the Port of New York and Republican leader of Kings County. The Syrians being large importers of goods from foreign countries, the speaker took special pains to impress them with the fact that the United States government is ever willing to facilitate, not hamper, all legitimate business enterprises. In the course of his address he recalled many humorous incidents where art and antique collectors were the dupes of foreign dealers who capitalized their ignorance and credulity. Only upon the arrival of the goods in New York is the spuriousness of the supposed works of art and antiques sometimes detected. Mr. Kracke explained that although the Appraiser's office maintains a large staff of experts, it often calls upon independent experts for advice in an effort to obviate all possibility of mistake. These experts invariably are willing to cooperate with the government gratuitously so as to help mamtain the high standard of American appraisals. George C. Dagher, President of the Federation, introduced the speaker. SYRIAN DANCER IS PRAISED FOR HER ART Miss Emiline Bashour, a professional dancer whose stage name is El-Bashara, received high praise 55 from critics both for her modern dancing and for her interpretation of classical themes during a dance recital given by Frances Hartshorne at the Delancey Play House in Philadelphia on April 17. In appraising her artistic ability the Main Liner of Ardmore, Pa., in its issue of April 24, wrote the following: "El-Bashara, who is a native Syrian, contributed much to the program's charm and variety. Her Oriental flavor was unexpectedly piquant in modern dancing, and her interpretation of Prokofieff's difficult composition, 'Out of Chaos,' showed high creative intelligence. She is a gifted caricaturist, and her 'Calamity Jane' was a delicious bit of nonsense." NUMBER OF ARABIC MAGAZINES GROWING Miss Najla Bellamah has resumed lately in Montreal, Canada, the publication of her monthly magazine, The Dawn, which previously she had published for five years in Beirut. Miss Bellamah has dedicated a section of her publication to the service of the Syrian-Canadian generation by publishing several articles in English. The appearance of this magazine brings the number of Arabic periodicals published in the United States and Canada to five. The most recent addition to those published in the United States is Majallat Al-Kalemat which had been published for fifteen years previously by the late Archbishop Raphael Howaweeny, the first bishop of the Syrian Orthodox diocese of North America, and is now revived by the Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Abu Hatab, Syrian Orthodox Bishop of Montreal, Canada, and residing in New York. �56 Another magazine published by a Syrian Orthodox church dignitary is Al-Khalidat (The Immortals) which now is in its fifth year and is edited by the Rt. Rev. Antony Bashir, a circuit missionary. Both last named publications are printed by the Syrian-American Press. The two remaining publications are Character, a distinctive literary organ now in its twelfth year, and As-Sameer, comparatively a newcomer, now in its second year. And this in spite of the increasing complaints of the older publications, especially the dailies, of their stringent conditions due to the lack of adequate support by the reading public. FREE TRANSPORTATION FOR REMAINS OF GIBRAN THE SYRIAN WORLD FAMOUS SYRIAN SCHOLAR DIES IN LOS ANGELES Dr. Louis Berry Sabonji, famous scholar, author and poet, at one time private tutor to the sons of Sultan Abdul Hamid of Turkey, was found dead in his room in the Hotel Balboa in Los Angeles on April 25 under suspicious circumstances. The discovery of the body was accidental. Rev. Ananias Bory, a Syrian priest and friend of the scholar, came to visit him at his hotel to discuss details of a benefit dance that was to be soon given for him, since the old scholar's financial circumstances were sadly impaired. Not receiving any response to his repeated knocks, the priest called the hotel manager who gained entry through a pass key. Dr. Sabonji was discovered sprawled on the floor of the room battered and bleeding, with his hand outstretched in the direction of his famous masterpiece depicting the origin of the world's religions. Through the representation of the Syrian S.S. Ticket agency of A. K. Hitti & Co. of New York, the Fabre line, whose steamers make direct sailings between American ports and Beirut, has offered to transport the The police believe that death was body of G. Kahlil Gibran to his na- accidental, probably caused by a fall tive land without charge. This may when the feeble old man attempted be interpreted not alone as a mark to reach the painting. Friends of of respect by the Steamship Com- Dr. Sabonji, however, are inclined to pany for our departed poet, but also the belief that he was murdered in as an indication of the esteem in an attempt to steal the masterpiece, which the Company holds the firm for which he was said to have been of A. K. Hitti, its Syrian agents. offered $100,000 but which he valued In 1925, when the famous scholar at $400,000. The painting is a huge and statesman Suleiman Bistany canvass representing the evolution died in New York, his remains were of religions since the beginning of also transported to Syria without time, having been executed by a staff charge by the Fabre Line, in defer- of European artists under the direct ence to the wishes of A. K. Hitti supervision of Dr. Sabonji over a & Co. period of eight years. Commenting editorially on this Dr. Sabonji had reached the ripe generous gesture, Al-Hoda remarks age of 96, and was noted for his that the substantial saving thus ef- doctrines on physical culture, a subfected could fittingly be applied to ject on which he had published the charities which were uppermost notable works in Arabic. He was a in Gibran's mind in making his will. native of Beirut. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1931_05reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 09 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1931 May Description An account of the resource Volume 5 Issue 09 of The Syrian World published May 1931. Ameen Rihani opens the issue with an article already previously published in Travel Magazine that discusses his journey from Bagdad to Basrah down the Tigris River. Following it is a poem titled "Queen Ulmana's Turquoise" by Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, followed by yet another poem by Amin Beder, a tribute to Gibran titled "The Spirit of Gibran." Presented next is "The Case of The Syrian World," a concise presentation of different opinions surrounding the paper, before an article by a regular contributor of The Syrian World, Rev. W. A. Mansur. Mansur's article aims to inspire the Syrian community with his work discussing pride in the Syrian race. At the end of the issue before the next portion of the "Ali Zaibaq" series there are two works, each by Syrian children, on what their attitudes should be concerning their mothers. The issue closes with an update on the political developments in Syria and excerpts from the Arab press that highlight Syria and Syrians. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Ameen Rihani Iraq Kahlil Gibran New York Reverend W.A. Mansur Rivers Salim Alkazin Syria Travel https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/268884f8e2483685f490e52716a327c6.pdf aae17d0a92b2a3465358e87c25fd7081 PDF Text Text M& VOL. IV. No. 8. APRIL, 1931. XTTF w, SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE m m GIBRAN MEMORIAL SECTION m THIRTY-TWO PAGES OF EULOGIES IN POETRY AND PROSE BY AMERICAN AND SYRIAN ADMIRERS CHIVALRY IN ARABIA AND ISLAM DR. PHILIP K. HITTI 1 H THE CASE OF THE SYRIAN WORLD sssr A FRANK DISCUSSION in A JOURNEY THROUGH JEBEL DRUZE SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL ALI ZAIBAQ (QUICKSILVER) THE COPY 50c (A SERIAL) 1 ��THE SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c. Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. V. No. 8. APRIL, 1931 CONTENTS PAGE Chivalry in Arabia and Islam DR. PHILIP 5 K. HITTI To Each His Profession 10 The Case of 11 THE SYRIAN WORLD Reflections on Co-operation Sayings of Alt 16 A Journey Through Jebel Druze SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL 49 The Night and I (Poem) 59 DR. SALIM ..- Y. ALKAZIN Alt Zaibaq (Serial) 60 Political Developments in Syria 64 About Syria and Syrians 66 -' �QIBRAN MEMORIAL SECTION PAGE The Last Days of Gibran Gibran's Funeral in Boston , - BARBARA-YOUNG >19 23 - Americans Pay Tribute to Spirit of Gibran A Reclamation : 27 28 DR. CHARLES FLEISCHER Gibran Lives 29 CLAUDE BRAGDON He Brought Beauty and Truth 31 SYUD HOSSAIN He Traveled with the Sun 33 A. MOKARZEL The Voice of the Heights of Lebanon .... SALLOUM •• 35 REV. ROBERT NORWOOD The Prophet Never Dies •• M. RIHBANY A Great Syrian of the Ages ....: : REV. W. A. MANSUR A Seer Departed •• Valedictory •••••••• "36" REV. ABRAHAM 36 37 38 BARBARA YOUNG Conqueror of the Sting 39 LEONORA SPEYER Starry Son of Lebanon 40 EsTELLE DUCLO The Mystic Pact 41 MISCHA NAIMY To One Who Has Passed 42 MARY MOORE Gibran*s Message to Young Americans of Syrian Origin 44 A Pledge 45 CECIL J. BADWAY To One of Blessed Memory 46 THOMAS ASA Truth Seeker 47 EDNA K. SALOOMEY Poet of Our Land PHILIP 47 C. SABBAGHA He Touched the Stars LABEEBEE 48 A. J. HANNA f �! IN THIS ISSUE For Those Who Would Know the High Lights of the Material in This Number. JHE death of Kahlil Gibran is an epochal event in the history of the Syrians in America. We mourn him in the proportion that we felt proud in his achievements. The name of Gibran will ever be one of our racial assets, and where we would possibly fail in fittingly eulogizing his memory, his host of American admirers will willingly take up the grateful task of proclaiming his greatness. THE SYRIAN WORLD feels itself especially privileged to be able to devote the greater part of this issue as a memorial to Gibran. We are particularly grateful to the many American friends and admirers of our departed son who have cooperated with us in making possible the presentation of the imposing array of eulogies and tributes to his memory. Our sense of spiritual kinship and closeness is much keener now that they and we are more strongly fused by the spirit of Gibran. £)R. Philip K. Hitti contributes to this issue the result of some of the typical research . work for which he is noted. There is always weight to Dr. Hitti's logic and the ease with which he arrays his facts denotes the breadth and depth of his knowledge. His present article deals with the origin of chivalry, and he easily traces it to the plains of Syria when Crusader and Moslem met sometimes in combat and at other times in peace. To those who would gain valuable historical knowledge written in an easy and entertaining form Dr. Hitti's article should prove of especial appeal. Y^E would have much preferred to omit the presentation of the case of THE SYRIAN WORLD from this issue. But since we committed ourselves by a signed statement in the preceding issue to lay before the public the facts in our present situation, and because only two issues remain for bringing to a close our fifth year, we felt constrained to live up to our promise so as to insure reasonable time for our readers to ponder the facts and express a . �mature opinion. We would request earnest and careful consideration of the facts on the part of everyone of our readers as well as of those interested in the stabilization and progress of the publication. THE editor's present travel article concludes the account of his journey through Jebel Druze. It may be judged long, but we hope it will prove entertaining reading. An account is given of a visit to the native governor, a Pasha in his own right, but one who has had conferred upon him the added title of emir (prince) by none other than the republican government of France. Then if you would know what occasioned the greatest surprise to an old native out of all the wonders of America you will be grievously disappointed that it is far by miles from what you would imagine. Our usually critical assistants told us frankly that the present article is the most entertaining of the series. We trust the readers will also find it so. READERS will observe that although 32 pages, or half the normal number of pages in each issue, are dedicated to the memory of Gibran, this issue does not lack of other material. This is due to the fact that we have added an extra section to this issue, bringing the total to eighty pages, and making possible the maintenance of the regular departments while providing space for other material of a general nature. Thus a complete instalment of our serial Ali Zaibaq appears as usual. And those who have "THOSE interested in the been following the doings of evaluation of the political this inc. [ arable product of the situation in Syria will find a Oriental imagination will find comprehensive survey of the satisfaction in realizing that at latest developments. What last he has subdued his arch- might prove the beginning of enemy and gained his revenge. a national policy of passive reThe circumstances of this epi- sistence similar to Gandhi's sode are phenomenal, a beauti- movement in India has develful princess of the tribe of the oped in Beirut and quickly jinn playing in it a leading spread to other sections of part. But can we expect the tri- Syria. * * * The news departals of the hero to have come to ment in this issue contains much an end? This is a question that information on happenings will find a surprising answer in among Syrians in America and the succeeding chapters. abroad. �I THE SYRIAN WORLD VOL. V. APRIL, 1931. No. 8. Chivalry in Arabia and Islam "By PROFESSOR PHILIP K. HITTI of Princeton University THHE flower of chivalry, which, nurtured by Islam, reached its fullest bloom in Saladin and his contemporary Usamah, had its roots in ancient heathen Arabia. Particularly among the Eedouins of north Arabia do we notice those prime elements which enter into the composition of a chivalric knighthood. To the denizens of the desert fighting was a chronic mental mood, ghazu (razzia) a national sport, camel raiding the only manly occupation and blood-feud the most important institutions. One Christian tribe, banu-'Udhrah, was proverbial for their respect for womanhood and platonic love. With the advent of the horse, in the first centuries of our era, from Western Asia where it was introduced earlier by fU" Hittites, chivalry in its primitive form, as a body of horsemen equipped for battle, was developed. The horse soon became a war animal. It prolonged the legs of the warrior and afforded him more mobility than the camel did. A whole literature in Arabic was inspired by the horse. Gradually the farts (horse rider) appropriated other functions to himself. In desertland where forage was scarce and the horse an animal of luxury, the fans became the equivalent of sayyid (chief). With the necessary traits of leadership he usually combined a gift for poetry. In his poetical capacity he aroused the martial enthusiasm of his tribesmen, extolled their virtues, recited their ancestors' achievements, emphasized the weaknesses of the enemy, and in general acted as the "press agent" for his party. Thus the Bedouins came to consider the most enviable �6 THE SYRIAN WORLD title shd'ir faris (a poet-knight), and to regard the three factors constituting the superiority of a tribe horsemanship (representing military strength), poetry (an index of intelligence), and generosity (a sign of wealth). The ay yam al-Arab, those combats which the tribes fought amongst themselves in the pre-Muhammad era, afford us an insight into the spirit which animated those early warriors of the peninsula. We see them here and there riding forth in quest of adventure, rushing to the rescue of captive maidens, offering succor to the helpless and typifying those qualities most highly prized by Arabians. Those virtues, summed up in the word muru'ah (manliness), included courage as measured by the number of adversaries killed, loyalty as evidenced by devotion to the interests of the tribe, and generosity as manifested by the readiness to slay camels for the guests. The pages of al-AgMni, al-lqd al-Farid, and the numerous diwdns are replete with cases illustrating the virtues of chivalry: bravery in battle, fortitude in misfortune, defiance of the strong and defence of the weak, as well as its vices: persistence in revenge, intolerance of others, and illicit sex relations. Al-Shanfara, Zayd al-Khayl (Zayd of the Horses), <Adi ibn-Hatim, 'Amr ibn-Ma'dikarib the champion of Yaman, Muhalhil ibn-Rabi'ah and 'Antarah ibn-Shaddad may be cited as types of preIslamic heroes. Al-Shanfara was taken captive while young, and on his release took an oath to kill a hundred from among his captors. After making his ninety-ninth killing—so the story goes— he was himself overpowered and slain. A member of the enemy tribe, however, happened to stumble one day on al-Shanfara's skull, as it lay bleaching on the ground, and received a wound in his foot which resulted in his death—thus completing the required number. But the name of 'Antarah has lived in Arabic literature as the paragon of chivalric conduct. This Bedouin Achilles, who flourished in the last decade of the sixth century, was the son of a black slave woman and could not therefore be regarded as a legitimate member of the family unless so acknowledged by his father. On one occasion, while his father's tribe was hotly engaged in battle, the lad refused to take part saying, "A slave knows not how to fight, milking camels is his job." Thereupon the father shouted, "Charge! thou art free." 'Antarah's romance (sirah), which took its present form during the Crusades, is still �zAPRIL, 1931 1. relished by large audiences in the cafes of Cairo, Beirut and Baghdad. Islam fell heir to these pagan Arabian rudiments of chivalry and added its own contribution. In Islam the consecration of war to the service of religion—two seemingly incongruous ideas— and their fusion into a homogeneous whole were carried to a more successful extent than in any other major religion. Of all systems of belief, Muhammadanism is the only one which holds "holy war" (jihad) among its cardinal tenets and promises him who dies on its battlefield a passport to heaven. Himself an orphan who had felt the pinch of poverty, Muhammad in his social legislation favored the fatherless and motherless, the poor, the slaves, the wayfarers, and this constitutes the most humane part of his code (Koran 4:2, 3, 40; 16:73; 24: 33, etc.). To the two fundamental principles of chivalry—war and religion—the third, gallantry, was now added. Nevertheless, Arab chivalry even in its Islamic development remained a spirit, a way of life, and never became, as in the Occident, an organized institution. In the Moslem army of conquest the distinctive qualities of the chivalric knights, which at their best were valor, honor, piety, and love, and at their worst ferocity, perfidy, fanaticism and lust, were all represented. The early Moslems, following the heathen Arabians, considered him who could compose in prose and verse, ride, swim and shoot arrows an educated cultured man. Such a person was called kamil (the perfect one). In Arabic literature the first poets to specialize in love and in singing the praises of the fair sex were all post-Islamic. Such was 'Umr ibn-abi-Rab!'ah (d. ca. 720) the Ovid of Mecca. An Unmayyad poet sang: "Our (i. e., man's) lot is to kill or be killed, or be taken captive. Woman's part is gracefully to manage her train." Those first Crusaders who came into the Holy Land cherishing a vague idea that the Saracens were idolaters who worshiped a certain "Baphomet" whose wicked body neither heaven nor earth would accept and therefore lay suspended between the two, were soon disillusioned. The early contacts showed the mailed gentlemen of Europe that he had met his match in Asia, and that neither in magnanimity nor in military prowess was a Cceur de Lion superior to a Saladin. Usamah (1095-1188) has inadvertently left us in his me- �8 "THE SYRIAN WORLD moirs the clearest picture of an Islamic knight—the knight being the author himself. In all his dealings with friend and foe this .Syrian gentleman astounds us with his highly developed sense of chivalry and fairness. As he sights at a distance eight Frankish knights and his comrade suggests resort to a ruse, Usamah insists on meeting the enemy face to face. An aged slave who had brought him up as a child, he addresses as "mother" and devotes an apartment in his home to her exclusive use. The European and Armenian hostages released from his castle, Shayzar, and waylaid by Moslems, he is willing to rescue at all cost, whereas Baldwin authorizes an attack at Acre (<Akka) on the ship bringing Usamah's family from Egypt, notwithstanding the safeconduct which the king himself had issued. But Saladin (Salah-al-Din) was the real paragon of Islamic knighthood who exemplified all the virtues and graces of Arab chivalry. When the crusading army entered Jerusalem (1099) it inaugurated the "kingdom of God" by slaughtering some two °^duCnnstK"» and Jews. When Saladin retook the city UI87), he accepted ransom for men, women and children and released several thousands of them who could not pay. Those same women and children refugees found the gates of Tyre closed by Conrad in their face and the Italian sailors in Alexandria unwilling to take them on board without due payment. Reginald of Chatillon, who in violation of treaty terms had attacked a caravan near his stronghold Crac (Karak), fell after the battle of Hattin (1187) into the hands of Saladin. The latter had sworn to take with his own hand the life of the truce-breaker. 1 he prisoner was offered a cup of refreshments; but Saladin was quick to explain that since it was not ordered by him, the drink did not constitute an amnesty, the Arab custom being that of considering any one safe after partaking of the hospitality of another. Saladin's nephew, al-Malik al-Kamil, was knighted with full ceremony on Palm Sunday (May 29), 1192, in Acre by Richard, who was friendly with the youth's father. European chivalry never denied that it developed out of an early mass of usages, mainly Gallic, into an organic shape on the plains of Syria. There in the first part of the twelfth century, the earliest formal orders of knighthood—the Hospitalers and the Templars—were established. As early as the eighth century the Umayyad Caliph al-Walid (705-15) had houses built for the lepers and the insane. The Order of St. Lazarus which was �m - zAPRIL, 1931 9 founded for assisting the lepers, and many Lazar houses which grew later in the West, followed the Eastern precedent. In Spain, Cordova with its frequent jousts and tournaments was the hearth of Arab chivalry. To the Moslem courts of alNasir (912-61) and his son al-Hakam (961-76), where the punctilious code of honor and the knightly polish were assiduously cultivated, flocked Christian knights under guaranty of safe-conduct to break lance with the Moorish cavaliers. In Granada, ibnHudhayl wrote (1400) The Ornament of Chevaliers and Banner of Gallants. When the queen of Alfonso VII was besieged (1139) in Azeca and reproached the Moslem horsemen for attacking a castle defended by a female, the only condition laid, according to the story, was to have the lady show herself from the window, upon which the siege was immediately raised. The Cid (short for sayyid), the national hero of Spain whose name Spanish ballads have surrounded with a saintly aureole, fought first with and later against the Moors. The orders of monastic knights organized in the twelfth century in Spain and Portugal had for object the recovering of the peninsula from the Crescent for the Cross. In French the first full portrait of a knight is depicted by the oldest French epic, the Chanson de Roland. Roland was a commander in Charlemagne's expedition against the Moslems in Spain. In Germany the golden age of chivalry was attained under Frederick Barbarossa who perished in the waters of a Cilician river before reaching Palestine, only to become the legendary ideal of Teutonic knighthood. The conventions and poetical technique of the German minnesingers bear the stamp of the French troubadours, who in turn show the influence of the Oriental bards. The Mameluke dynasty of Egypt (1250-1517) which dealt the final blow to the Crusaders, was represented in the field of chivalry by Baybars (1260-77) whose daring exploits and acts of generosity, like those of 'Antarah, are still recited throughout the Arabic-speaking world. The fdris, who figures in The Arabian Nights, embodies the Mameluke ideals of a hero rather than the 'Abbasids', as ordinarily supposed. The beginnings of European heraldry, a direct product and characteristic token of chivalry, may be traced also to the Arab world. The Crusaders brought back with them in the twelfth century the germs of heraldic bearings. Saladin probably had the eagle for crest, ibn-Tulun (868-77) the lion, and Bar- �I 10 THE SYRIAN WORLD quq (1382-98) the falcon. Baybars's lion can still be seen carved on the bridge he built across the Jordan. Most of the Mamelukes bore names of animals, the corresponding images of which they blazoned on their shields. On a Zangid coin struck in Sinjar (1190) we see the double-headed eagle, a bird of Sumerian origin and later adopted in Europe and the U. S. A. The Eastern origin of heraldic terms may be illustrated by such words as "azure" (Arabic), "gules" (probably Persian). Among presentday Moslems the crescent and star, the lion and the sun represent the sole remnant of heraldry. A number of the new orders of ornamental chivalry, Masonic lodges, and shrines in Europe and America bear in their ritual and technical vocabulary clear Islamic and Arabic influence. To Each His Profession Arab chroniclers relate that Al-Walid, the Umayyad Caliph, was possessed with such phenomenal physical strength that he used to have his feet shackled with an iron chain, and while thus handicapped, spring with one bound on the back of a horse, without recourse to the use of his hands, and break the chain. One day he boasted of his strength and asked his viziers if they knew of anyone who could best him in wrestling. "Yes," they replied, "a certain modest professional wrestler of Khorassan." The Caliph ordered the wrestler brought to Damascus. He warned him against showing any courtesy or favor under pain of death, while he spared no effort in an attempt to conquer his rival. The professional wrestler soon had the Caliph at his mercy, and lifting him at arm's length in the air, carried him to his throne and thus addressed him: "Here, sire, you are in your place. In wrestling you are out of your class. And please never meddle in anything that you can avoid." �J zJPRIL, 1931 11 The Case of The Syrian World Should the Magazine be Continued? If So, How? yHE SYRIAN WORLD is now at the cross-roads of its existence. Its fate is in the hands of the public. We are laying our case before our readers frankly and without reservation and shall await their verdict. As explained in our statement in the preceding issue, we have not lost hope or confidence, and it is not our intention to discontinue the publication if such a step can possibly be avoided. We have, on the contrary, decided to invite this symposium in the hope of having the public hold council with us on ways and means of continuing and perpetuating the enterprise. The questions we promised in the last issue to lay before our readers are now submitted for their consideration. HOW THE MAGAZINE BEGAN Five years ago THE SYRIAN WORLD was launched as a medium of service to the Syrian-American generation in the hope of bringing to them, in the only language they can understand, an appreciation of their racial heritage that they may strive to keep alive the best of their native traditions and culture. It was a pioneering experiment, and we depended for its success on public support. It was, furthermore, and continues to this day, a personal enterprise for which no subsidy or support was forthcoming from any source, whether public or private. We built our hope of making it self-supporting on our racial consciousness. But the enterprise never proved self-supporting. The accumulating deficit was met each year from other private sources of the publisher, until the publication now finds itself facing the crisis of its existence unless some means is devised for its continuation. The publisher has reached the limit of his resources. Through its whole career the publication was carried on as a �ll 12 THE SYRIAN WORLD labor of love, not alone on the part of the publisher and editor, but also on the part of the many contributors and collaborators who have unstintingly given of their time and ability practically without remuneration. Our contributors, as the files of THE SYRIAN WORLD will indicate, comprise practically our best talent, some of whom are internationally known authors whose works command high prices, but who were willing to be associated with the magazine, and contribute to it gratuitously, in order to promote its educational mission, and rear of it a literary monument to our kind in America. No words of ours could adequately convey our thanks and gratitude to this fine body of men and women patriots, but if ever an appraisal of disinterested public service for the Syrian cause is to be made in the future, the pages of THE SYRIAN WORLD will provide a roster of their names. But in spite of the imposing list of our contributors, the circulation of the magazine never reached the proportion where it could cover its mere physical production. And not only is this our situation at present, but it is rather aggravated by existing economic conditions. Hence the painful necessity of taking council with the public. The publication will have to be discontinued unless sufficient public interest is aroused to stimulate wider interest. The metropolitan field is adequately covered. We can safely state that in New York and vicinity the magazine is farreaching in its influence. But our aim is to make it a national organ—a mouthpiece of our people throughout America and the English-speaking countries, that its message might be general instead of local. The burden must fall on the whole community instead of on a small portion of it. This would bring it to the point where it would be truly representative and effective. In view of this situation, we ask our readers and the general public to give consideration to the following questions and proposals which we are submitting for their frankest discussion. Two issues of the magazine are yet to appear before the close of its fifth year, and we would appreciate early replies, so that if any important decision is reached it will be carried out with the beginning of next volume. 1 — IS THE MAGAZINE NEEDED The fundamental question under the circumstances is whether the magazine is considered needed sufficiently to be continued. When first launched it was in the nature of an experiment. No J �_ 'tAPRILy 1931 13 one is responsible for that first move except the publisher and those whom he consulted and gave their approval and encouragement. Now that five years have been spent in giving the experiment a trial the public should be in a position to decide whether the experiment has justified itself morally and should be continued and supported financially. The needed support can come only through an increase in national circulation and in this every individual can become a partner in the enterprise and help spread the publication to the end that it will become self-supporting. Our readers will recall that we have made an attempt to incorporate the magazine in order to raise sufficient working capital. This, in the last analysis, would place the burden or responsibility on the shoulders of a few with no guarantee of safety and success if public support is not forthcoming. Now what is the public prepared to do in the matter? If the answer to this question be that the magazine is needed and should be continued, to what extent is the public willing to help? 2 — SHOULD THE NAME BE RETAINED? The name "THE SYRIAN WORLD" was adopted because of its inclusiveness and decided advantage as a racial asset. A publication directly identified with us lends prestige to us as a group in America, and as such it will of necessity remain a group organ devoid of the potentiality of general appeal. Now we face the question: Is the name of sufficient value to us as a means of distinct identification, or should it be discarded for a non-committal name which would hold broader possibilities of general appeal? Those favoring a change of name may submit substitutes. 3 — IS THE CONTENT MATTER SUITABLE? Considering the purpose of the magazine, it has been the uniform policy of the editor to keep its content matter within the range prescribed by its original purpose, namely, to provide the Syrian-American generation and those interested in Syrian affairs with that material that is unavailable in other English mediums. It was never designed to invade the field of the daily newspaper or the general American periodical with which it manifestly cannot begin to compete. But in those very things in which, from our own special point of view, other publications were lacking, THE SYRIAN WORLD attempted to supply the deficiency. In �14 THE SYRIAN WORLD the special field of Syrian interest, the magazine was made to cover the widest range, from history, literature, and Arab lore, to general news about Syrian activities in Syria and throughout the world. It was also generous in fiction of a nature compatible with its purpose. It gave a comprehensive monthly resume of political developments in Syria without prejudice or bias. Since THE SYRIAN WORLD has been consistent in maintaining this policy during the five years of its publication, what, in the opinion of our readers, can be its shortcomings whether in commission or omission? 4 —SHOULD THE SIZE BE CHANGED? There was no particular reason for adopting the present size of the magazine except its convenience for immediate handling and its adaptability to binding for future reference. The magazine was not intended as of passing interest and for temporary amusement; it was meant to be a medium of permanent value, encyclopaedic in its information, and fit for preservation in every Syrian home as a source of useful information for future generations. We have the alternative of doubling the size of the page, which would permit of more display, but necessitating a reduction in the number of pages from sixty-four to thirty-two. In the latter case it would be the size of the Literary Digest. Which would readers prefer? * * * * Once these questions are answered, we could have a true indication of the readers' preferences. The most important question is whether or not the magazine is considered needed as a racial organ in America. Those answering in the affirmative might be in a position to offer helpful suggestions as to the means of continuing and promoting it. If THE SYRIAN WORLD, or whatever other name is decided for it, is viewed as an influence in our life, an asset to our racial prestige, an organ of our culture, then the responsibility of preserving and promoting it should be a matter of public concern. We are assuming that there are sufficient public-spirited Syrians in America who will give the matter •serious consideration and share with the publisher the responsibility which so far he has been carrying alone. And now that we have laid the case of THE SYRIAN WORLD before the public, we shall await the verdict before the end of our fifth year, which falls with the June issue. if �IAPRIL, 1931 15 Reflections on Co-operation 2fy A READER QO-OPERATION is a word that people are prone to use too freely. No matter what the objective may be, at some time or other, the advocate of that objective will call upon his listeners or readers to "co-operate". In the case of listeners, the audience usually claps enthusiastically. And thereby "co-operates". In the case of readers, from several of them there is the usual expression of sympathy and approval. And thereby they "cooperate". Co-operation, I believe, means more than that. Webster has this to say: "To act or operate jointly with another or others; concurrent effort or labor." It seems to me that Webster did not intend to include hand-clappers and letter-writers, unless you reduce the definition to a literal absurdity. There wouldn't seem to be much "effort" or "labor" or "action" to hand-clapping and letter-writing. I believe in calling a spade a spade. A King, Queen, Jack, Ten and Nine of a suit couldn't be called a Royal Flush even though it is close. I know from bitter experience that the Ace is a necessary card. Hand-clapping, of course, is good moral support. No one, I think, would deny that. It serves to instill a confidence. It encourages the convictions of whatever beliefs promulgators of an objective may have. But I don't believe that all the moral-support in the world could really be called co-operation. It seems to me we ought to stop fooling ourselves. We ought either to really co-operate or be willing to admit that we have only been hand-clapping all the time. i Which all reminds me. I read the editor's statement in the March issue to the effect that the publication is in financial straits. He explained that unless positive support were forthcoming there would be little likelihood of its continued existence. To me, this seems a shame. That THE SYRIAN WORLD, which is the only medium in English serving to elevate the Syrian race �-- 16 THE SYRIAN WORLD in the United States, should cease to be published, because of the failure of Syrians to support it, would indelibly stain our fair name. It seems to me that I would do my level best to keep alive anyone or anything that told the world how good I was. Very few people in this old world of ours are constructively critical. I suppose most of us have become so accustomed to hearing destructive criticisms that when a real constructive leader happens in our midst, we don't know what to do. I'll tell you what I think we ought to do. We ought to subscribe to the publication. We ought to induce those among us who are not subscribers to subscribe. We ought to preach the cause of THE SYRIAN WORLD at any opportunity. I think we ought to remember that this publication does not really belong to the Editor or to the Publisher. It belongs to us. It belongs to all the Syrians. It belongs to all the Syrian-Americans. It belongs to all those of Syrian extraction who speak English. It seems to me that we owe our support to anything that belongs to us. Let us have more action and less hand-clapping. Sayings of Ali Your best friends are those who direct you to the path of goodness. * * * A light heart is better than a light purse. * * * A man's character is judged by his actions j his knowledge by his speech. * * * Persistence in the suppression of anger is an infallible guarantee of peace of mind. * * * Conceit is a stigma on knowledge. * * * The miserly rich is poorer than the generous poor. * * * A slap by the beloved carries a double sting. 1 i �JLPRIL, 1931 17 Jto 4ffl?mnrtam GIBRAN KAHLIL GIBRAN Becharri, Mt. Lebanon, 1883—New York, 1931 i _JII �. 18 THE SYRIAN WORLD Gibran Kahlil Gibran Gibran Kahlil Gibran was known to the literary world, except in his mother Arabic language, simply as Kahlil Gibran. In giving him his first name, a common Syrian practice was followed designed to perpetuate the name of the founder of the family. The Gibran family is well-known in Becharri, Gibran's birthplace. He was connected on his mother's side with the equally well-known local family of Rahme. The etymology of the two family names assumes especial significance viewed in conjunction with the character of Gibran. Gibran is from the Arabic verb Gabar, meaning to mend. It is applied figuratively to those who bring relief in distress. Rahme is charity. The combination appears singularly prophetic. Gibran was born in Becharri, Mt. Lebanon, in 1883. At the age of twelve he came to the United States, but after two years returned to Syria for his education, attending the Al-Hikmat College at Beirut, where he took up Arabic and French. In 1903 he returned to America. After five years, most of which he spent in Boston, he went abroad to study painting in Paris. In 1912 he moved to New York and made his permanent home there. The English works of Gibran are "The Madman," published in 1918, "The Forerunner," in 1920, "The Prophet," in 1923, "Jesus the Son of Man," in 1928, and "The Earth Gods," in 1931. He had under preparation another work which was to appear under the title "The Garden of the Prophet." The Prophet was his most successful work, of which his publishers state more than seventy thousand copies were sold. It was translated into more than twenty languages. Almost all of Gibran's published works in Arabic antedate his English works. In Arabic Gibran was the creator of a style of writing that was altogether his own and came to be exclusively identified with him. His influence spread through all the Arabicspeaking world. Gibran was one prophet who was honored during his lifetime by his own countrymen. In January, 1929, the Syrian community of New York held a banquet at one of the leading hotels to celebrate the twenty-fifth literary anniversary of Gibran, commemorating the publication of his first Arabic book. �Ti i <APRIL, 1931 19 The Last Days of Gibran SUDDEN and tragic was the end of our beloved poet, Gibran Kahlil Gibran. Death came to him at ten minutes before eleven o clock on the night of Friday, April 10, 1931, at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York, where he had been removed from his studio on the morning of the same day. At about two in the afternoon he lapsed into a state of coma from which he never emerged His sister Mariana, who had come from Boston, and a few intimate friends, were at his bedside. Practically until the very last day before his removal to the hospital Gibran had shown the indomitable will which characterized his mastery of the spirit over the flesh throughout life. Even until Thursday he was working on some unfinished manuscripts and drawings. His studio on VVest lenth Street showed, if anything, even increased signs of that orderly activity which marked his work. , i?n Jhursday morning Mrs, Anna Johansen, the caretaker at. Lhe Studio Building, carried Gibran his simple breakfast as was her custom, and his weakness gave her a sense of alarm She called on the phone to Mrs. Leonobel Jacobs, a friend of many years, and a one time resident of the same building. Mrs. Jacobs responded at once and brought with her a physician of note a specialist, and he ordered the removal of the patient to the hospital. It was, however, considered that Gibran's own request to wait until Friday morning might safely be regarded. In the early afternoon of Thursday, Barbara Young, his close friend and conhdante m his English work, came to the Studio and was at once deeply anxious about his condition. She remained with him and he talked of his current work, the high interest in still unfinished drawings, and future books. About eight-thirty Mrs. Jacobs returned with the physician, and again the assurance was given that he could safely wait until morning before going to St. Vincent's Hospital. His wish to do so being so very positive. During Thursday evening, until after midnight', when he fell into an uneasy sleep, he talked with Miss Young of his beloved country of his mother, and of his sister Mariana. Still the unfinished drawings were foremost in his mind, and he said "These hands must still do some work upon them, before thev can go �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD Just before the removal to the hospital, Gibran was very conscious of the anxiety in Miss Young's face, and he said, almost at the moment the doctors entered the room, "Don't be troubled. All is well." He was carried into St. Vincent's at ten-thirty in the forenoon, and a consultation was immediately called. Mariana was summoned and she hastened by the first train from Boston, accompanied by Gibran's cousins, Mrs. Rose Diab and Assaf George, arriving only after her brother had become unable to recognize her. In mid-afternoon a second consultation was hurriedly called, and at dusk still another eminent physician was brought to the bedside. But to no avail. His long struggle had consumed his last ounce of strength which suddenly broke down beyond hope of mending by any human assistance. At 5 o'clock Miss Young telephoned to the office of THE SYRIAN WORLD to advise the editor of Gibran's condition. She felt it her duty, she said, considering the gravity of the situation, to make the fact known to Gibran's people. The news came as a terrible shock. Only a few days before the editor had been speaking to the famous poet and the latter's voice seemed to be charged with a distinct tone of cheerfulness and hope. His "The Earth Gods" had just appeared and he was working on still another book scheduled to appear in the fall, he announced. Such feelings of grave apprehension and anxiety as came to the editor at that moment are experienced only when a man of public responsibility faces the danger of a national calamity, and as such to him would be viewed the loss of Gibran. Hastily communicating the news to Mischa Naimy, the editor sped to the hospital, only to find Gibran already in a comatose state. By his side were Barbara Young, Mrs. William Brown Maloney, Miss Adele Watson and Mrs. Leonobel Jacobs, all known American writers and artists, whose apprehension and grief showed plainly on their faces, seemingly unable to admit the possibility of Gibran coming to such an untimely death. Gibran is to them what he is to every Lebanese and Syrian, a brother whose passing meant a deep personal loss. They were all with him to the end. Chor-Bishop Francis Wakim, pastor of St. Joseph's Maronite church in New York, had been summoned by the hospital management but found the patient already unconscious. The tense anxiety of the four American ladies was fast grow- 1 �1 < APRIL, 1931 21 trig. Could it be possible that, the light will never again shine in Gibran's eyes, his voice never again speak to those who held him so dearly? We spoke to him in his own language, hoping he might react to memories of his youth, but it was apparent that the only language Gibran could now understand was that of the calling angels. The moment of the great passing was quiet and without pain or struggle. At his bedside were Barbara Young and Mischa Naimy, and in an adjoining room, Mrs. Jacobs and Mrs. Melonev and Miss Watson waited with Mariana and the two cousins, hoping until the final breath was drawn for some miracle which would restore the vigor and power of this friend and brother. The metropolitan press the following day published long accounts of Gibran's life, and the news of his death was carried by Associated Press dispatches to the world. The scene at Gibran's studio on the following day was heartrending. The pitiful lamentations of Mariana aroused memories which continually brought tears to the eyes of the many sympathizers who grouped about her. And there were Gibran's books and drawings, and wood-carvings, and the many altars he had set about the room, and the tapestries of religious designs he had hung along the walls, all reminiscent of his work of hand and pen and brush, and symbolic of the depth of his spiritual feelings and convictions. Papers were piled high on his desk, and scattered over the tables. Some one picked up the cover of a cigarette box, and Gibran had written on it in Arabic one of his typical epigrams: "Weariness might well be the height of ambition "My brother always enjoined me from throwing away empty cigarette boxes or paper slips. He used to write on anything that was handy," explained Mariana between sobs. Saturday and Sunday the body, banked with wreaths of orchids and lilies, lay at the Universal Funeral Parlors in Lexington Avenue, where hundreds filed by in reverence and grief in a continual stream. Many of the mourners were personal friends, but many others were admirers who had never met in person this gifted son of the East, but came to love and revere him by his works. They were from all nationalities, because Gibran's fame was not confined to the people of one language or race. Some of his books had been translated into as many as twenty languages. MMtiNlMN �__ *-4~ 22 •—-. ?HE SYRIAN WORLD But all who came represented the finest artistic and literary element in American life. The names of many of these who came to render their silent tribute are known both here and abroad. Among these were Mrs. Corinne Roosevelt Robinson who rose from her own sick bed to stand beside the bier of this inestimable friend; Leonora Speyer, Rose O'Neill, Margaret Sanger, Alice Raphael, Natalie Sedgwick Colby; and through Rose O'Neill came messages of devotion and sorrow from Witter Bynner, Daniel Long, and Orrick Johns, fellow poets and friends of long and happy years. The body was taken to Boston for interment in the family plot where Gibran's mother rests. Accompanying the bereaved sister were a number of devoted American friends and members of Ar-Rabitah, the Arabic literary circle which Gibran had founded and of which he had been president. During the past winter Gibran had taken a keen pleasure in translating several of the simple beautiful poems from his Arabic into English. The last poem, which he dictated to Barbara Young but a very short time, a fortnight perhaps, before his passing, is this: Whence, Bride of my dreams? Go hence slowly, Bride of my deeper Dream; For I am now weary afoot, And I cannot follow. Nay, go fast, faster, Bride of my dreams, For the valleys and the higher hills That I feared but yesterday, Now I would cross and climb. Go fast, faster. I follow. The spirit is ready and I would now run. Fly, Bride of my dreams, For there are wings springing upon my shoulders. The flame that I feared of burning Now I would embrace; And now I would bathe only at the high tide of the sea. �\APR1L, 1931 23 It was at the autumn of my years That I beheld you in the mist, Bride of my dreams. Now it is spring. Run fast. Fly high. I follow. We shall pass into the twilight, Perchance to wake to the dawn of another world. But love shall stay, And his finger-marks shall not be erased. The blessed forge burns, The sparks rise, and each spark is a sun. Better it is for us and wiser To seek a shadowed nook and sleep in our earth divinity, And let love, human and frail, command the coming day. These words close the last published book of Gibran Kahlil Gibran. Gibran s Funeral in Boston 'By BARBARA YOUNG was love, human and frail, love stricken with a grief entirely ITbeyond expression, that met the body of Gibran as it was taken from the train at South Station at five in the afternoon of Monday, April 13. The platforms and waiting-rooms were overflowing with hundreds of weeping people who had come to receive this body of the Syrian poet who was their beloved, "habibi." This was the word on every tongue. Gibran's close personal friend and the priest of the Church of Our Lady of the Cedars, Chor-Bishop Stephen El-Douaihy, in his robes, met Mariana Gibran and her cousins, and the American and Syrian friends who had accompanied them from New York. A group of notable Boston men led by Elias F. Shamon, Gibran's friend and legal counsellor, placed upon the casket the beautiful Lebanese flag, and it was borne to the home of the Syrian Ladies' Aid Society �„1: '"r " 24 THE SYRIAN WORLD on West Newton street, where, lying in silent state, Gibran received the hundreds of sorrowing hearts that came to look upon his quiet face, and express with rivers of tears, and with the tenderest and most blessed words, their overwhelming grief. The writer was moved, beyond any words to tell, by the interminable lines of weeping beings from every walk in life that passed through the long room, softly lighted, banked with the loveliest of flowers, tapers burning at the head and foot of the simple casket, and a guard of honor, young men from the Becharre Society, standing always, day and night, beside their sleeping countryman. On Tuesday, when the long procession wound through the city streets, making its way to the Church of Our Lady of the Cedars on Tyler Street, it was accompanied by hundreds of loving people. And as the cortege passed by many dropped upon their knees upon the curb to pray; and the scores of traffic officers of Boston stood at salute as the flag-draped casket went by. It was impossible for the many hundreds of friends to find places inside the little church, and they waited in silence on the sidewalk during the service conducted by the Rt. Reverend Stephen El-Douaihy, with moving and impressive chant and recitative which is a part of the Maronite funeral service. In the little organ loft a beautiful single voice was suddenly lifted in a pean of sad beauty. It was the voice of a young Syrian girl, Nagiebie Mourad, whose singing had enchanted Gibran many times, and in whose gift he had a faith and confidence. Beside the candles stood a young altar-boy who had been a protege of Gibran, and whose dark eyes ran over with tears which he tried in vain to control. • The organizations represented at the services included the Syrian Ladies' Aid Society, Syrian Educational Society, St. George Society of Antioch, Damascus Church Society, Massachusetts Syrian Association of American Citizens, Mount Lebanon Club of Boston and Lebanon League of Progress of New York. At the tomb wherein the mortal garment had been laid, awaiting a possible removal to the country of the cedars, the throngs of now utterly silent friends listened to the words of love and sorrow and farewell voiced by the Monsignor and by the countrymen of Gibran who had come from New York to pay the last possible tribute to his visible presence. Never have I beheld expressions of greater tenderness nor �25 ?APRlLy1931 of deeper grief. "Much have I loved the world, and the world has loved me," Gibran has written in his unfinished "Garden of the Prophet." He knew in his great heart that this was indeed so. And this profound and deathless love through which he gave himself in ceaseless measure to the world shall be ever his honor and his reward. These words, again from his "Earth Gods," might well be his epitaph: "My god-heart within my human ribs Shouts to my god-heart in mid-air. The human pit that wearied me calls to divinity. The beauty that we have sought from the beginning Calls unto divinity. I heed and I have measured the call, And now I yield. Beauty is a path that leads to self self-slain. Beat your strings. I will to walk the path. It stretches ever to another dawn." The Creative Hand, by Gibran �mm 26 THE SYRIAN WORLD .2 •3 -*-s 03 £ o c 3 - �tAPRIL, 1931 27 Americans Pay Tribute to Spirit of Gibran Impressive Services Held at the Roerich Museum by Representative American Intellectuals. "THOUGH Gibran be dead, his memory will ever live; his influence on the spiritual life of America will gain momentum with the passing of years; his creations of pen and brush will constitute one of the finest contributions of his race to the youngAmerican nation. Such was the general theme of the many eulogies, in poetry and prose, contributed to the memorial services to the "Spirit of Gibran," held in the East Hall of the Roerich Museum, 103rd Street and Riverside Drive in New York on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 29. The occasion was marked by the simplicity, dignity, and uplifting influence characteristic of the Spirit of Gibran, which it was meant to symbolize. The thought of rendering this public tribute to our departed poet was in the minds of all his many friends and admirers since he died, but was first given expression by Dr. Charles Fleischer, well-known author and lecturer, who was most generous in time and energy in organizing the meeting. The two-hundred or more in attendance were representative of the city's best intellectual element. There were authors and lecturers, artists, educators and men and women of various professions. A number of Syrians were also present, but not in the proportion to properly indicate Gibran's place in the esteem of his own people, since it had been announced in the Syrian press that a special memorial meeting, to be conducted in Arabic, was to be held in Brooklyn, Sunday evening, May 24. Throughout the meeting, the chairman, Dr. Fleischer, punctuated the eulogies with the reading of selected passages from Gibran's works. He opened with the fitting quotation, "Mayhap a funeral among men is a wedding-feast among the angels." Prince Hohiudin, scion of the Arab Hashemite family of the �THE SYRIAN WORLD Prophet, played "Du bist die Ruh" on the 'cello to the piano ac compamment of Mr. Reitner. The opening remarks of the hair zttune to the spirituaJ nature f the ssjr? i together with other poems ° and°«' on! ?i; Fletcher's remarks, eulogies de Wed on this occasion, are published elsewhere in this ifsu ) that Mrs Cirman 2* mafyTJtCiegramS °f re^ret and announced that Mrs. Connne Roosevelt Robinson, sister of the late president Roosevelt and a devoted friend and admirer of cSTadat SSS iirpZr' ^ * ^ ** ^ ** ^ « Miss Estelle Duclo and Mr. Mischa Naimy delivered their poems, while the chairman read the poem of Miss Barbara Youn^ composed especialiy for the occasionP ^ y^^^^SS eihan Synan com to musi'c «\rf? 1 ' P°s^-P-"-t, had put C Linscott to Fnl?h >P°emS' Wh,ch was S W Mr. Hubert e. Linscott to Fuleihan's piano accompaniment. Mr Claude oralnsn' " "^ "* ^ ^ A ' Moka ^ *&«a The ceremonies were closed with Prince Mohiudin nkvine P some touching Oriental music on the oud ' 8 « Thl manaSers.ofrthe Roerich Museum expressed their deen P sympathy and spmt of cooperation by donating the hall A RECLAMATION Opening Remarks of the Chairman, DR. FLEISCHER "The Cosmos sends a creative challenge to her Earth Chil dren: to escape oblivion-as best we can. Each accordmg to h s power-in his brief allowance of earthly life-achieves escape Zgttrf t°b/r°n (WmS a %0 - ^ adds hiS through work, to the mounting worth of the world. For, "what is excellent—is permanent " One so harmoniously attuned to the music of the spheres- pe^^rh^uT^I brUShJ Wkh th md d / ° ^ °f U" speech with truth, beauty, wisdom, understanding: like our friend Kahlil Gibran-uttered himself, as poet, arfist prophet in spntual terms,-well, his passing from our ^igh and ken s really only a reclamation by the Eternal Spirit of the Cosmos _ �vfPRIL, 1931 29 Therefore, we mourn not; because we can easily take, as the keynote for our "Tribute to the Spirit of Kaklil Gibran" his own words from "Sand and Foam": "Mayhap a funeral among men is a wedding-feast among the angles." GIBRAN LIVES 'By CLAUDE BRAGDON The elegiac note is not the proper one for this occasion, as Doctor Fleischer has well said. When a prophet dies—and no one is more deserving than Gibran of that title—it is a surcease from labor and a release from "the narrow prison of the breast." It was a release also in this case from physical suffering so protracted and intense that no matter how keen our personal loss we should rejoice today that this Bird of God is free at last. As prophet, poet, painter, seer, Gibran is well known to you all; therefore upon these aspects, in the short time at my disposal, I shall not dwell, but attempt rather to tell you something about him as a man and as a friend. For he was my friend from far back—I even think in other lives. Our first coming together was "like kinsmen met a-night," and those thereafter, however infrequent, were as though we had just parted and would never part again. I can testify to the truth of what his fellow-countryman has just told you: that though dwelling far from home and writing in an alien language his great love for his birthplace and his birthright remained unimpaired. Lebanon was to him a sacred land, a nursery of saints and prophets; and he always insisted that it was their light which he sent forth rather than anything personal to himself. In this he was doubtless right: his power came from some great reservoir of spiritual life else it could not have been so universal and so potent, but the majesty and beauty of the language with which he clothed it were all his own. Robert Edmund Jones once said to me, "Claude, we do not use the word 'noble' often enough." This is true, but indeed why should we? —there are so few things and people now-a-days to which the adjective can be applied. But Gibran was one of these �_ 30 mmmm THE SYRIAN WORLD people—a noble man, of noble birth, noble rearing, noble presence, character and endowment. If this seems to bear with it any implication of the aloof and forbidding I hasten to correct the impression by adding that he was also a man of great charm— what the Irish would call a "darlin' " man, in the sense of being very human and lovable. For he loved the world and he loved people; he was a devoted friend, and was as a father to many orphans: his benefactions alone would make an amazing story, but he took pains to see that this story should not be known. To sum up, Gibran was like that other Great One, Zarathustra, who, asked if by carrying his fire to the valleys he did not fear the incendiary's doom, made this answer' "I love men!" In any company of his intimates he was the center of a charmed attention—not because he wanted to be, but others, with the chance of listening to him, did not care to talk. On these occasions he was fond of telling pointed and amusing stories drawn from the Persian poets and the folk-lore of his people, and he did this with an impromptu art commensurate with, but different from, his deeply considered and highly polished written verse. The last time but one on which I saw him, he told me that he was working on a trilogy of which "The Prophet" was to constitute only the first part, "The Garden of the Prophet" and "The Death of the Prophet" being the second and third. The theme of the first (as we know) is the relation of man to his fellow-men, the theme of the second was to be man's relation to Nature, and of the third, his relation to God. How much of this he had finished at the time of his death I have no idea, but there are fragments which in due time will be added to that heritage already bequeathed and scattered with so loving and so liberal a hand. I shall not add the conventional tag, "now stilled in death" because it would express only a falsehood: history proves that great prophets and great poets are never so alive in the consciousness of men as after they have put off the body. Gibran lives, increasingly and eternally. �tAPRIL, 1931 31 HE BROUGHT BEAUTY AND TRUTH 2?y i » i -,; SYUD HOSSAIN THE passing of Kahlil Gibran removes a significant and vital personality from the international scene. It was a many-sided personality, touched with genius and characterized by rare charm and distinction. He was at once a poet, a painter, a thinker, and a scholar. His achievements in each one of these aspects represented an authentic individuality and a serene and high purpose. Originality, idealism, and a fastidious craftsmanship characterized his work as poet and painter. As a thinker he had begun with the precious natural endowment of a mind of great range and depth, which came to be informed and equipped with the fruits of a varied culture and a profound scholarship. It is not my purpose on this occasion to essay an exhaustive appraisal of the life and achievements of Kahlil Gibran, but rather to offer a homage of affection to the memory of a friend and of admiration to a creative artist, prematurely torn from us, but whose influence and inspiration will continue to be operative on the minds and hearts of innumerable men and women for a long time to come. It was my privilege to have known Gibran at fairly close range, both as a friend and as an artist. As one recalls his vivid and vital personality, the unforgettable memory is one of its compelling charm. He bore his great learning lightly, and almost to the last his jo'te de vivre and a keen sense of humor were a dominant part of his personality. Even the great physical pain, which he so stoically endured during the closing years of his life, was not able to daunt his god-given capacity for laughter and his genius for companionship. According to a classical observation, the difference between ordinary mortals and an authentic poet is that while we all have our moods and moments of ecstasy, the poet alone can hold his ecstasy long enough to make it immortal. Gibran lived in perpetual ecstasy, which in this context connotes an intense sensitiveness both to the laughter and the tears of things. He, truly, and in authentic poetic tradition, learnt in suffering much that he taught in song. MBNHHNNNN �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD In the poet's soul, indeed, ecstasy and agony must co-exist, and it is the poet's alchemy that extracts from their inter-mingling the substance of enduring Beauty. While everyone knows of the distinguished achievements of Kahlil Gibran as a poet and a painter, perhaps the quality of his mature and mellow scholarship is not so well or widely known. This scholarship was a basic element of his rich and cosmopolitan culture. While he derived from one of the most ancient and authentic of the founts of Christian tradition, he also shared with the world of Islam the heritage of the classic Arabic language and literature. This community of inheritance had enabled him to acquire a \ ast knowledge of, and deep insight into, the history and psychology of the Islamic peoples. He had an intimate and extensive knowledge of their philosophy and their poetry. He said to me more than once that he ranked the Caliph Ali as among the very greatest figures of history—greater, in his opinion, even than Mohammed—and that he hoped one day to put together a collec;ion of the Sayings of Ali, which he thought were among the profoundest and wisest of human utterances. He knew many of the Sayings of Ali by heart and, as a master of Arabic himself, could no doubt appreciate them in the fullness of their classic force and beauty. I know enough about Ali—the beau ideal of Islamic chivalry—to share Gibran's enthusiasm and admiration for that incomparable Caliph. Had Gibran lived to bring out his projected compilation, I do not doubt but that it would have taken its place as a memorable contribution to the lilerature, not alone of the Arabic-speaking peop'es but of the world. A selection of the Sayings of Ali by Kahlil Gibran would have had a savor and a unity all its own! Gibran thus united in himself two of the historic traditions of the East—his racial roots were in the sacred soil of Lebanon and his cultural roots in the language and lore of the larger entity of all "Jazirat-ul-Arab". To a cultural personality already so deeply rooted and so richly blended, he super-added the acquisitions of a modern Western training. He not only perfected his artistic technique under the liberating and inspiring influence of la belle France, but with characteristic intellectual zest he utilized those precious early years in Paris to contact with the ideals and achievements of the European tradition in Art. He knew most of the treasures I �— '« ' '' — — ^" — 33 zJPRIL, 1931 of the Louvre in his own field, for instance, with a thoroughness and intimacy that could have been equaled by only a few others among his contemporaries. Gibran thus presented a most rare combination of qualities and assets, which made him an outstanding and irreplaceable personality. Not the least of his characteristics was that reverent pride in his art which permitted of no compromise where standards were concerned, and which made him sustain his own role as an artist with invulnerable dignity. In the midst of rampant vulgarity and a raucous commercialism he unflinchingly eschewed alike the tricks and the trophies of the market place. No one who knew Gibran but will miss him keenly, and even poignantly. One can only balance the sense of personal loss by the reflection that if he has passed on in the prime of life it has also been in the fullness of manifold achievement. And, above all, perhaps the supreme consolation for his friends will be in the realization that he was instrumental in bringing, by his life and his works, a great deal of Beauty and a great deal of Truth into thousands of other lives. No artist could have done more or could have wished for more. "May his soul rest in peace!" mmmmmmmmm { HE TRAVELED WITH THE SUN "By I SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL (")NE cannot fail but be moved by the touching tributes now given in memory of our beloved poet Gibran. Seeing that this assembly is composed mostly of Americans, men and women admirers of the work of pen and brush of one of our kinsmen, and that the call to it had first been sounded by non-Syrians, one readily concedes that Gibran belongs to the larger humanity, that his spirit is universal and transcends racial and national demarcations. In that he is yours as well as ours. But being originally of us, he is our messenger to you, the man who embodies and typifies the richness of that spiritual heritage which is of the East. If we may be permitted the pardonable pride of claiming Gibran, it is but to reassert a truth with which he had been continually identified and which he never made an attempt to conceal. He, �Tftkl 34 THE SYRIAN WORLD rather, felt proud in proclaiming it, to the extent that he became known as the Poet of the Cedars, and that in his literary masterpiece "Jesus the Son of Man" he paid his tribute to the character of Jesus under the significant title: "A Man from Lebanon Nineteen Centuries Afterwards." Gibran's name was inalienably associated with that of his national extraction, and his life and work and even his tragic death were as if cast by fate with the source of his early inspiration. He was born under the shadow of the Cedars of Lebanon, at Becherri, the highest point of habitation in the upper reaches of the mountain close to the grove which has defied the centuries, and still stands as a living relic of a glorious civilization. Gibran dreamed of going to live some day in the scenes of his early childhood and youth. News of his intention had reached his countrymen, and when I was with them only a short time since, they were most solicitous for his return. They idolized him; they were proud of his genius; but in order to insure his well-being and guarantee that solitude which he so much sought, they had arranged to install him in the very monastery whose location he admired even in his tender age. It was an old landmark, situated on a ledge of the mountain almost half-way between his native town and the Cedars. The location is ideal for Gibran's purpose. From it he could at once command a view of the lofty cedars to soar to the heights of inspiration, and of the majestic Wadi Qadisha, or sacred valley, which symbolized the depth of his reasoning and understanding. But fate has willed otherwise. Born in the East^ he followed the sun in its prescribed course and set in the West. To the West he owed much of his technical knowledge and skill which he aptly used to express his native ability. His medium of expression in his more mature years was principally the English language. Fate also so willed that even to the end he should be associated with the memory of his beloved homeland. The last rites over his mortal remains were held in the church of Our Lady of the Cedars in Boston, chanted in the Syriac language which he learned as a youth and retained as a man, and by a priest of his own section of the mother country. It is in the spirit of his origin and associations that we claim him. To us he symbolizes a spiritual heritage which, in his own words, "we can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America." His message to the Syrian-American generation �*APRIL, 1931 35 which he was moved, rather inspired, to write in promotion of an ideal, breaths the spirit of law-obedience, productive and constructive toil, and the necessity of giving as well as of taking. His own exalted example was that of giving out of the fullness of his heart. I shall, with your indulgence, read you his short, yet prophetic message, which he wrote especially for THE SYRIAN WORLD. (Gibran's message appears elsewhere in this issue.) True to the spirit of Gibran, we shall give as we take. We shall contribute to our fullest ability. And now, speaking as a Syrian from Lebanon, the country of Gibran's birth, and voicing the sentiment of my people, I may say, "People of America, we have contributed to you—Gibran." THE VOICE OF THE HEIGHTS OF LEBANON "By REV. ROBERT NORWOOD We lament and mourn the going of Kahlil Gibran. In an age of clack and clatter, of noisy superficialness and arrogant imposters, we need prophets and poets like the one who was a little while in our midst and who has gone forward into the nearer intimacy of life with God. I doubt if any preacher of this age, however popular in his vogue, knew God and Christ with the intimacy and the understanding of Kahlil Gibran. His voice was the voice of the heights of Lebanon, and his spirit had something of that grace and winsomeness revealed in One whom Paul described as grace — "The grace of the Lord Jesus." It is a question, when a great man or a great woman passes, what a nation accepts as its standard of greatness. Still we estimate the warrior, or the man who is able to control the destinies of the world because of his skill in bargaining. But surely, as time goes on, humanity stands with bowed head before the prophet. America, you are bereft today of one of your greatest souls, and the universe has been made more beautiful by a memory — the memory of Kahlil Gibran, �I - 36 THE SYRIAN WORLD THE PROPHET NEVER DIES By REV. ABRAHAM M. RIHBANY Mr. Gibran's death has left vacant an honored place in the circle of true seekers and exponents of truth, goodness and beauty. His soul was attuned to the higher and finer harmonies. He served his generation, in a feverishly restless age, as a steadying spiritual force. Sweetness and light, power and beauty, flowed from his brush and pen. The great host of his spiritual beneficiaries will rise with your assembly and call his memory Blessed. To us Syrians his achievements will ever remain a source of inspiration and encouragement to seek the heights his brilliant mind touched. He still lives and will continue to live with us in his precious works. "The prophet never dies." A GREAT SYRIAN OF THE AGES By REV. W. A. MANSUR The death of the great G. K. Gibran brought great sorrow to my heart, and tears to my eyes, and the realization of a great loss. I wrote of Gibran as one of the great Syrian-Americans of our times. I now write of him as one of the great Syrians of the Ages. Gibran is forever the glorious heritage of our Lebanese race, and Syrians of Greater Syria. It is great men who make a people great, who enrich the people's heritage, who lead in the vanguard of the race's progress. Gibran enriched our race by his high character, by his noble achievements, and by his benevolent aspirations. We are a greater people, we are a richer race, we are a better generation because Gibran lived, wrought, and achieved. Gibran lives, although he died, lives in the ennobling inspirations he left us, in the lofty song he bequeathed to us, in the heavenly truths he gave to us. Gibran ever remains the poet of our hearts, the singer of our soul, and the inspirer of our song. He ever lives in our hearts, in our minds, and in our dreams. Gibran, one of the fairest flowers of Lebanese soil, Gibran one of the illustrious sons of Lebanese heritage, Gibran one of the greatest of the Lebanese race, will be enshrined forever in the heart of the Lebanese and Syrian race. Let us catch the inspiration that we may dedicate ourselves to high character, noble achievement^ unselfish service, and human welfare, L �— IfPRIL, 1931 37 A SEER DEPARTED An Editorial of THE SUN, Nezo York, April 15, 1931 The death of Kahlil Gibran is a great loss to the Syrians of New York, numerous enough to form a distinct colony. He is mourned, moreover, by the Arabic-speaking peoples of the world, who had pride in him as their chief poet and artist, and by many Occidental admirers who were familiar with such of his books in English as "The Madman," "The Forerunner," "The Prophet," "Sand and Foam," "Jesus the Son of Man" and "The Earth Gods." In Greenwich Village Gibran's studio was a favorite meetingplace for artists j he will be missed not only as an artist-poet but as a personality. When at work he wore the robes of his native land, but when he went on the street he dressed in the clothing to which New York is accustomed. A keen eye, noting the exquisitely sensitive hands, would have known them as those of an artist. Because of his position as the representative poet of a race, Kahlil Gibran's fame was much wider than many of his American acquaintances imagined. He was a mystic, regarding the exterior world of tables and chairs as a mere veil or appearance. It was natural that he should have written "The Prophet," for he was born in Lebanon, known as the birthplace of prophets. He wrote always as one inspired. "I did not write 'The Prophet'j 'The Prophet' wrote me," he said once to an admirer. He struck out parables and aphorisms which had appeal for all men irrespective of race; his works have been translated into twelve languages. His early writings in Arabic were the first to depart from traditional forms and to introduce verse and free prose. Seldom have twin talents been so evenly united in an individual. Fortunately before Kahlil Gibran died his pen and pencil had largely "gleaned his teeming brain." �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD VALEDICTORY 'By BARBARA YOUNG We say, "The poet sleeps. Let mighty cedars Guard now the place, and fortify this hill Against the passing of his lofty name." We say, "Let roots enfold his gracious dust— He who has known their darkness and their pain, And all the secret anguish of the soil, And the green ways of myrtle and of grass; He who has heard the pulse of God and man Beat in the beating rain and falling snow." We say, "The poet sleeps." He does not sleep. He is gone out to walk upon the sky, To run upon the wind. His stringless lyre Is tuned to spaceless song, his brush of light Finds now the colors of that other prism Whereunto all his radiant being yearned. Call it not dying to espouse the mist. Call it not death to pass into the sun. Nay, even now his unencumbered wing Encounters Beauty in her dwelling-place. For he has uttered an immortal word Of life and Love and Death, and flung their face In clear resplendant majesty and glory Upon the ivory page. Now he goes forth To speak in measures with the morning star, To paint the ether with the suns and moons, And ride the tempest where he finds his home. �" ""5*"*"^*^TffW K tAPRlL, 1931 39 CONQUEROR OF THE STING By LEONORA SPEYER Does the hill lie down at last: And the sea sleep on its shore? You, so generous of words— Generous no more! — Is the storm stilled on a leaf, And the wind bound in a sheaf? Be still and know that I am God. (Psalms) Only the dead are still enough. . . And you, whom pain loved so, You, lying there, know well, Kahlil. . . Pale poet's mouth Sealed with the immaculate Hush, Hand that has dropped the brush, You of the eagle's wing. . . Listening, you know, Triumphant over Victory, And conqueror of the Sting! L �40 THE SYRIAN WORLD STARRY SON OF LEBANON ??y ESTELLE DuCLO Can it be that he has gone, Starry son of Lebanon? Pen and Brush,—wings for his will, Yet were warm when he grew still. To the end, he gave and gave,— Soul compassionate and brave! "To the end,"—what have I said?— Grieving hearts, be comforted, He but halted on the way To his spirit's freer day;— Poet-prophet, pausing here, As he moved from sphere to sphere. Song and Silence knew his name, Both for him were living flame, Quickening all mystic power, Bringing Beauty to full flower. Love and Wisdom, Grief and Joy, Gold of Life, and Life's Alloy, Gave their meaning to his care, To illumine and to share. From his hands and from his lips, Came a new apocalypse. Strange! I seem to see him—now, Eyes a-light, light on his browHear the voice, our hearts has stirred, Chanting almost, word on word: / am here, beyond all death, One with God's immortal breath, One with Love's infinity,— / in you, and you in me. Hail to you, Kahlil Gibran, Starry son of Lebanon! J �m*. r J> *APRIL, 1931 41 THE MYSTIC PACT (TO GIBRAN) "By MISCHA NAIMY I chanced upon my Brother's tryst with Death. Fast were they locked in each other's embrace, My Brother saying, "Mother of my breath, Bid it be still, bid it dissolve in space. It chokes my nostrils with the heavy smells Of still-born hopes and putrid days and nights, And breathless would I dwell upon the heights And in the depths where breathless Beauty dwells. "Reach deep, sweet Lover, deep into my breast; Perchance you'll find a fragment of a heart. 'Tis all I have to offer you; the rest Is mine no longer: Here and there a part I laid on canvas, melted into song, Planted in fields unwedded to the plow, Forged into tongues for all the mute who long With tongues their silent longings to endow. "Now cleanse me, Lover, of the salt and froth Of earth to sail with you the shoreless sea." And Death responded to my Brother's plea, And with the kiss of silence sealed the troth. As I, a witness to the mystic rites, Stood dazed, enveloped in a thousand nights, There spoke a voice exceeding soft and kind: "What is ahead is already behind." ^ BHHHHHHBBMMi im—Wi �42 THE SYRIAN WORLD TO ONE WHO HAS PASSED 'By MARY MOORE FIRST THOUGHT I saw Death stretch forth his hand And take my well-beloved Beyond my reach: And leave to earth but a garment. SECOND THOUGHT Yet, I can hear the silent lips Telling a deeper longing; And I can see the eyes of love Demanding their answer. THIRD THOUGHT You have not perished. For if you were as sod, I could not call to Unanswerable clay, As I call to you now. u FOURTH THOUGHT And I know that before I, too, shall cross Life's bridge, I shall feel your heart enfold me, Even as your arms enfolded me Yesterdav. fWMWBBBWWBMMMBiajl �fi b Ui Famous Grove of the Cedars of Lebanon, in Whose Shadow Gibran Wras Reared T �,-JTfS 44 THE SYRIAN WORLD GIBRAN'S MESSAGE TO YOUNG AMERICANS OF SYRIAN ORIGIN 2?y G. K. GIBRAN Reprinted from the First Issue of The Syrian World, July, 1926 (Written Especially for The Syrian World) j I believe in you, and I believe in your destiny. I believe that you are contributors to this new civilization. I believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream, a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America. I believe you can say to the founders of this-great nation, "Here I am, a youth, a young tree whose roots were plucked from the hills of Lebanon, yet I am deeply rooted here, and I would be fruitful." And I believe that you can say to Abraham Lincoln, the blessed, "Jesus of Nazareth touched your lips when you spoke, and guided your hand when you wrote j and I shall uphold a!ll that you have said and all that you have written." I believe that you can say to Emerson and Whitman arid. James, "In my veins runs the blood of the poets and wise men of old, and it is my desire to come to you and receive, but I shall not come with empty hands." I believe that even as your fathers came to this land to produce riches, you were born here to produce riches by intelligence, by labor. And I believe that it is in you to be good citizens. And what is it to be a good citizen? It is to acknowledge the other person's rights before asserting your own, but always to be conscious of your own: It is to be free in thought and deed, but it is also to know that your freedom is subject to the other person's freedom. . It is to create the useful and the beautiful with your own hands, and to admire what others have created in love and with faith. It is to produce wealth by labor and only by labor, and to spend less than you have produced that your children Ttiay not 'r- �I ZfPRIL, 1931 45 be dependent on the state for support when you are no more. It is to stand before the towers of New York, Washington, Chicago and San Francisco saying in your heart, "I am the descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus, and Tyre and Sidon, and Antioch, and now I am here to build with you, and with a will." It is to be proud of being an American, but it is also to be proud that your fathers and mothers came from a land upon which God laid His gracious hand and raised His messengers. Young Americans of Syrian origin, I believe in you. A PLEDGE 'By CECIL J. BADWAY A Young Am-erican of Syrian Origin I In your going, Gibran Kahlil Gibran, you have come. You have come as the guiding spirit in the fulfillment of our dreams. You have come to stay as the beacon of inspiration within the deepest recesses of our hearts. You have come to lead us to our destiny in which you believed. We would be fruitful as young Americans of Syrian origin. We would be productive by the honest sweat of our brows. We would be defenders of our rights but remembering the rights of others in our defence. We would be courageous and fearless in our righteousness yet tolerant and merciful to the weak. You shall go before us, Gibran Kahlil Gibran, as the standard bearer of the Syrian-American awakening. You shall lead us and generations to come. We and the mighty and thunderous army of those who come after shall follow your spirit along the corridors of time. Forward and onward, down through the ages until there shall have been written the apocalypse of young Americans of Syrian origin. In your going and in your coming, Gibran Kahlil Gibran, you will not have gone or come in vain. We are ready. �46 "THE SYRIAN WORLD TO ONE OF BLESSED MEMORY "By THOMAS ASA Dare we in this Hour lift our saddened voice! Awake the Heavens from their ceaseless way, Bemoan that Fate so soon had cast astray That glorious Name, in whom we all rejoice! Thou Eastern Star! dim thou thy holy light True son of thine on earth no longer known ; Thy once familiar beam no more shall sight,' Where o'er Lebanon's lovely vales hath shown. Though Death hath claimed him to its solemn state, And, earth-bound, we bend our heads in sorrow, No pow'r divine shall at the heavenly Gate Grant him what, on earth, he could not borrow. The splendors of his mind bequeathed to Man, But where the friendly smile, the knowing heart? The saintly presence more than perfect art Hath shown him foremost of that God-like clan. Ye unseen pow'rs that shape Man's destiny, Why pluck the precious bud that soon shall bloom? With lightning's thrust ye fell the stately tree, And leave what better thou hast claim to doom. Naught can return to Life the Dead we love, Nor bring back to mind our lost desires; We but add substance to Life's ebbing fires, And striving without Hope to reach' above. Sound thy last requiem, O tragic Earth! For One, but now departed, shall ascend To thy exalted heights of mortal worth, Triumph and defeat,—life and death attend! Now must we leave the mortal form to rest, Within Earth's age-worn folds his final sleep Though dead, the thought and deed of him shall keep Before us the consecrated mem'ry blest. W. Brownsville, Pa, II �D tAPRIL, 1931 47 TRUTH SEEKER By EDNA K. SALOOMEY Truth-seeker, who spoke from your heart to our's; Whose very desires mirrored all mankind's} Death has claimed for her pleasure your powers, And greedily banished hope from our minds. Your voice, that breathed life into words, is still. Your heart, which bitter loneliness did grieve, .No longer vibrates to friendship's touch. The will To know, to live, to love, to weep; to weave All earth's joys and sorrows into one brief life, Has been dissipated by death. Hear now! Our voices rise above the din of strife To proclaim your wisdom. Peace is your's. Though Your body mated with death, your soul's abode Is with truth, and truth is the realm of God. Bridgeport, Conn. POET OF OUR LAND By PHILIP C. SABBAGHA Sleep sweetly in your earthly grave, Sleep poet of our noble land; Through wind and tempest, banners brave, Shall wave before our band. In wreaths of laurel 'pon thy tomb, The vict'ry of our cause is shown; And someday, shining like the moon, The cause in ev'ry home. My tribute to my countryman, A leader passed to his beyond; In peace and to his countryman, Of whom he was so fond. Farewell! your brothers dry their tears ^ And sing their praise my fellow man Thy name in hearts outlives the years, Farewell my countryman, Columbia, S. C. �48 THE SYRIAN WORLD HE TOUCHED THE STARS "By LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA He dwelt in the garden of ethereal dreams With the sea of Fate close at hand, And he touched the stars with his pen of gold To plant them on a desolate land. And the stars into beautiful flowers grew, That the souls of the hungry inspired, Of celestial perfume and rarest hue— From the heart of the dreamer transpired. And he took his brush of silver and gold And reached up to an azure sky For paints that will be new when old, For naught else would satisfy. He dwelt in the garden of ethereal dreams, Which the hand of the Giver gave, And he touched the stars with his pen of gold, And now lies resting in his grave. And so from the garden of ethereal dreams The Giver called him home again The dreamer who dreamed, and in dreaming planned His dreams to fact, and his life to gain. Boston, Mass. Facsimile of Gibran's Arabic Signature AH drawings and decorations appearing in this section are of the work of Gibran, j �.n-r.-^-v-rS)?- . ^PRIL, 1931 LD 49 A Journey Through Jebel Druze 2?y SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL IV « pAKHRY Bey Baroody had a surprise in store for us. He had used his time in preparing a meal which was the best money could buy in town. Not that all the people in town subsist on such fare, for had we chosen to accept the hospitality of the emir we would have partaken of a meal in the best Arab tradition. But the meal now provided was the finest an epicure such as Baroody Bey could choose from available material, and on such short notice, served in a setting much in keeping with the nature of the repast itself. We enjoyed the experience while it lasted, but the after-effect proved not of very pleasant memory. We met Baroody Bey in the general store located on the main street between the public square and the governor's residence. He apologetically explained that this was the only place he could find where he could order a meal and pay for it. The store was unique in every particular. The uneven mud floor indicated that no attempt had ever been made to level it since the walls were raised. In one corner was a pile of grain with only a wall of sacks to prevent it from spilling all over the floor; while in the other corner, and in a similar manner, was a pile of fodder. Along the rear ran a counter behind which rose a row of almost empty shelves. At one end of the counter was suspended what was left of a carcass covered with cheese-cloth, and all but inviting as an ingredient in the feast. A table and a few rush-bottom chairs formed the furnishings of the restaurant. Like good sports, we sat awaiting the result of the epicurian ingenuity of our fastidious host whose palace in Damascus is not infrequently the scene of some of the finest feasts staged in that city of fabulous Oriental sumptuousness and splendor. He inquired if the storekeeper had canned goods. Yes, he had sardines and tuna fish. Did he also have wine? Surely, because he was a Christian and among his customers were men of the French garrison. "Wine is the best germicide," ironically remarked our host, and the corks began to pop. I would not object to the reader's inference that we drank more than we ate. �50 THE SYRIAN WORLD While still at our meal the official interpreter of the governor a clean-cut young man in his early twenties, entered and greeted us with the customary Druze affability. He politely but firmly refused our insistent invitation to join us. He had already had his meal he explained with a gesture of finality, and we could but take him at his word. Shortly after, the gang foreman, who had remained with us throughout, discovered that he had important business elsewhere * earing that we may not meet him again, and appreciating the oTS he, ^ IT US ^^ US about> l Sok himlide ostensibly to thank him, and made an effort to slip him a few TeLf^ ferpreter had >» watching ^ more closely than I expected, and no sooner did he perceive the gesture than he thrust the foreman away from me. There was no mistaking the P hi tone when he attera ted to S n0n M will n not accept reward for P our -Plain his S action. SSf We Druzes favors Flease don t wound us in our sense of hospitality. We still adhere to the tradition that our guests are our hosts and as such theyy can be under no obligation to us." The foreman would not remain to await the result of the argument which, I w 11 admit, I did not carry far in my realiza! tion of the susceptibilities of the Druzes in this respect. But I was tremendously impressed with the attitude of the interpreter who apparently was not ignorant of modern customs yet clung he Si °d th:^"1'10118 °fr,hiS ^j^ ,T° ^ -era/inquirie! Mizvad Fl H V ^A I ?rUZeJ°f Salkhad' hIs name being Frafch andfTv' " ^ *? advanCed eduCation in Arabic *»d ^" had been Irving for some time as official interpreter to the District Governor. He is of the school of thought that advocates for his people the benefits of modern education*but no at the expense of their native traditions and virtues. We yet had to visit the emir of Shahba whom the French Dist0 See l asked the tZvrZTSVe i?* "^ t0 fail us <*al interpreter if he cared to accompany on 'this visit and the excuse he advanced was a revelation. He said he still had to s go home for his lunch! Nor did Baroody care to meet the local emir. His standing excuse was that he should evade all situations possible ofZ political interpretation inasmuch as his affiliation with the Syrian Nationalist Party laid him open to suspicion by the French Be" I * J- ' �1 ^PRIL, 1931 51 sides, he had a most important business to attend to, that of taking his daily siesta. This last remark, uttered in the most matter-of-fact manner aroused my sense of humor despite the depressing effect of the torrid heat and other contributing circumstances. I felt the need of a little diversion, and started an argument. "You are shattering a beautiful vision I had formed of you," I remarked to Baroody Bey. "Suppose you found the vagaries of politics carrying you of a day to an office of responsibility in the Syrian State, would you then insist on your siesta with the duties of government weighing heavily upon you?" But my Nationalist friend felt in no mood to entertain such pleasantry "In my present frame of mind," he said, "I would be inclined to let the business of government wait. Allah would not overtax his servants, nor should the State." With that, he peremptorily dismissed the subject and departed with the storekeeper who was only too glad to provide sleeping accommodations to such an exalted personage. I The tortuous road to the house of the emir took us past a sunken Roman amphitheatre recently cleared by excavators revealing the tiers of stone benches and the numerous subterranean passages in a fine state of preservation. The arena was not exceptionally large, a necessity dictated, perhaps, by the limited space in a fortress city. But in spite of its limited size, it was in no other respects lacking in evidences of Roman thoroughness and decorative lavishness. We continued along a winding passage between walls of rough-hewn black basalt stone until we reached the outer gate of the emir's residence. We entered a vast courtyard where some horses and mules were tethered. Mounting a few steps built of nnely cut stone, taken apparently from some ruins, we came to an arcade of beautiful granite columns which offered a sharp contrast to the rough-and-ready native building rising in the rear. A native at the door took our message to the emir who came out in person to greet us. To our surprise, he proved to uau i',!ean figUre' dreSSed in a simPle robe of white linen, which, falling to the ground, accentuated his height He ap peared to be in his early thirties and had all the unaffected charm of an unspoiled country child. His hair was so sparse as to give him the appearance of being clean shaven. What is more he �52 THE SYRIAN WORLD was of a pronounced blond type, his ruddy complexion standing out in sharp contrast to the dark-skinned, bushy-haired men who clustered about him. Emir Tallal Pasha El 'Amer would receive me in his official reception hall, which was of recent construction and stood independent of the main building, but I expressed a preferenee for the old quarters, and affecting the flowery manner of speech of his people, profusely begged him to first finish the business at which he had been engaged. It was with some reluctance that he agreed, and I was made to precede him into the large, dark, square room which formed the combination court room and plebeian reception quarters. A narrow mastaba ran the whole length of the four walls, on which squatted or reclined a dozen or so natives. To the rear was a small iron-grated window which alone admitted light and air. Thither the emir conducted me and sought to make me comfortable by spreading a mat for me on the otherwise bare mud and stone mastaba. I did not smoke because no one else did, but there was ample means of entertainment otherwise in listening to the continuation of a trial wnich my arrival had apparently interrupted. Two peasants, it appeared, had come to the emir to settle a dispute over a donkey. The purchaser had agreed to a price for the animal which later he refused to pay in full. It was evident that the emir was reluctant to use his judicial authority and more anxious to effect an amicable settlement. It was also evident that the obduracy of the litigants was caused more by the vital amount involved than by personal ill-feeling. Taking all these matters into consideration, the emir finally decreed a compromise sum of eight Syrian pounds, or the equivalent of $6.50. Having finished with his judicial business, the emir now refused to listen to my entreaties to hold an interview in the old native reception room whose fascination began to enthrall me the more I stared into its bareness and pondered the strange circumstances which made of it the throne room of a prince whose mere word would rally an army and shape the destiny of a whole people. What a reminiscence of the feudal age from which this docile yet fierce people have not as yet emerged! And to think that only a portion of this people, through sheer will and desperation, could wage war against a first-class military power for two years and gain the upper hand in many an encounter! But now that local affairs of state had come to an end, I �— "APRIL, 1931 53 could not hold out against the persistence of the emir to receive me in the manner he thought more compatible with my dignity— and his. Consequently the modern and more formal reception room was opened, and only dignitaries and men of rank, so to speak, followed. Once within, their natural reserve seemed to become accentuated by the solemnity of the place and the occasion. It was the emir and I who monopolized the conversation. Since the reception room plays such a part in the visit, I feel constrained to devote some space to its description. Unlike the old room, this one had the luxury of windows. Chairs of every description, from the modest bamboo cane to the velvet upholstered settees in a variety of design and color, lined the walls in perfect orderliness. In the front center stood an oblong plain table, spread with an oil-cloth cover whose bold designs and bright vari-hued colors were strongly reminiscent of the primitive home furnishings of the rural districts of America. On the table were a glass pitcher and a dozen or more glasses of different sizes, colors and shapes. The condition of some of the furnishings plainly indicated advanced age and liberal use. The conversation with the emir developed many interesting points. He is, for instance, an officer of the French Legion of Honor, and while a Pasha in his own right, had the additional title of Prince conferred upon him by the French in 1929. It was an unusual procedure, I thought, for a republican government to be dispensing with princely titles and creating social ranksj but then the French were dealing with a special situation in a country where title and rank still counted for more than an empty honor. And was not Tallal Pasha the chief of a clan which for many generations has contended with the powerful Atrash family for the ascendancy of prestige in Jebel Druze? And had he not, furthermore, remained loyal to the French in the last revolution of 1925-26? He himself not only admitted the fact but even seemed proud of it, continually referring to the revolution during the whole course of the conversation as "that deplorable mistake," and coupling every mention of the French authorities with glowing adjectives of praise. Nor could one mistake his attitude for one of diplomatic flattery, for there was evident a ring of sincerity in his speech when over and over again he spoke of the French as "the benefactors of the country, whose 'white deeds' are bound to become more fully appreciated as they come to be more properly understood." �54 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Prince seemed especially proud of the role he played during the revolution as champion and protector of the Christians. "They are our brothers," he declared, "and we owe them protection as a duty. Not a Christian within my jurisdiction will I allow to be molested or harmed." The Prince found a ready and enthusiastic corroborator in the person of Khalil Bey Haddad, declared to be the leader of the Christian element in the district of Shahba, who, like the rest of the company, had maintained respectful silence up to this point, but now added the weight of his testimony to the statement of the emir. "Allah be my witness," he volunteered. "The emir was most solicitous of our safety and welfare during those times of strife, and it is to his protection that we and our families owe our lives." Before taking leave of the emir I asked him if he would consent to pose for a photograph. Certainly he would. And would I want him to appear in formal dress? "Boy, bring my jacket," he commanded, and an attendant hastened to bring from the closet a frock coat on which sparkled the decoration of the French Legion d'honneur, and which the emir slipped over his native robe and was ready for the camera. Naturally, the insistent invitation to remain for a few days, or even for the evening, had to be declined with full appreciation of the courtesy and hospitality of the emir. I had to join my companions for an early start to insure our arrival in Damascus before dusk, and I made my way back in haste to the combination general store and restaurant. To my surprise, I found that the climate of Shahba had lulled my companion into a longer siesta than usual. Alone and forsaken, and feeling that the torrid heat of a Jebel Druze sun and the insidious heat of the imported French wine had formed a powerful coalition to make things utterly disagreeable for me, I sought what I thought would be the hospitable coolness of our car, parked in the shade of a corner building. But it took me only an instant to discover that if I would not smother, I should search for relief elsewhere. We had found the automobile comparatively cool on other occasions, but it could not be expected to be so accommodating while not moving. I sat on the running-board. I took off my coat, then my collar, and was sorely tempted to follow with the shirt, had not a sense of shame seized me when I perceived the natives apparently cool �ItPRIL, 1931 55 and contented with all their encumbrances of clothes and heavy headdress. But where to fly from the stifling heat? Something had to be done lest the nausea, which I felt creeping on me, overpower me. In desperation, I rose and walked to a store of inviting appearance across the square where I observed several men seated in apparent ease. I would talk with them and divert my mind. As usual, the proverbial Druze hospitality was evident here as elsewhere. The storekeeper ordered the floor sprinkled afresh and offered me a comfortable chair. He and his friends were evidently surprised to discover that I spoke their language, and further still, that I came from America. The storekeeper immediately placed me under cross-examination as to economic conditions and possibility of admission. Business in this land is stagnant, he explained, and only in America is there a chance for making a fortune. Immediately America was mentioned, an old man of about seventy, squatting cross-legged atop the counter, began to display marked interest and soon joined in the conversation with gusto. But he was not interested in prospects of trade as much as in the physical wonders of the country. What is America like? What are its reputed wonders? What is there exceptional and distinctive about New York? Etc. I tried to paint a word picture of New York and started with what I thought would prove more impressive. We had buildings more than eighty stories high, through which run elevators that travel faster than the fleetest horse. We had bridges whose single span was more than a mile long. We had railroads under ground, on the ground, above ground, and even running in tunnels under water. We had instances where six tracks ran one above the other. We had single buildings containing more people than half the population of all Jebel Druze! But to my utter stupefaction, the old gentleman showed not the least sign of surprise. He only betrayed a faint smile and remarked indifferently that he had heard about all that before. I was already dripping with perspiration owing both to the oppressive heat and to my spirited oratorical effort, and my feeling at the attitude of the old man was bordering on exasperation. I realized that I had utterly failed in arousing his interest and was dejected under the sting of defeat. Almost panting, and with a final desperate effort, I attempted to deflect the course of �56 THE SYRIAN WORLD the conversion to a more immediate topic. Glancing at the cool and collected men about me, I had recourse to the great American expedient in such desperate straits, and dropped a reFF mark about the weather. fk» lh&A ^ manu n°W evi"Ced a little interest and asked about the kind of weather we had in America-whether or not we had such intense heat as now caused me to complain. W e had, I replied, but only in short spells and never for a protracted period. " The old man seemed mystified. What could cause a break in he summer's heat, he thought, and after a little hesitation, asked tne question. ' "Rain," I replied. I had inadvertently, it seems, exploded a bomb. The man now appeared utterly dumbfounded. He remained for a time oTcreT !> ^ JTi' ^ ^ ^^ in am^ment, his sense of credulity shocked beyond the power of speech. But when he finally recovered, it was with what appeared to be a mixture of mcredulity and accusation. "Rain in summer! La Wallah! ImAllah be praised! I had at last succeeded in conquering the old man's passiveness. The wonder in America that I had invoked so long in vain proved to be so simple. And what was it? m h,v I J tZ men?°f °f k' and PerhaPs the satisfaction of having triumphed, cooled me. It dawned on me only later that for a man who had Jived almost four-score years in a country where the seasons are sharply defined, where it never rains a drop in summer, because summer here is synonymous with the dry season such a startling revelation as the possibility of summer rain should be expected to cause a shocking surprise. But the fact remained that I felt supremely contented. I left to rejoin my companions, and found them already waiting and anxious to leave. But what could mean the presence of a stranger in the front seat by the driver? Were we in need °lll T ' T TWaS * °nX a Precaution^y measure against possible danger? I inquired by glance but not by articulate words, and my cousin hastened to explain. The extra fare was a native of a neighboring town lying about ten kilometers on our way to Damascus. He had offered to sell my cousin live partridges for he price of ten Syrian piasters apiece (less than 8 cents) and the temptation was irresistible. To consummate the deal, the native �, vfPRIL, 1931 —- 57 had offered to borrow a horse, precede us to his home town and have our order, whatever it amounted to, two dozen or even one, ready for delivery to us whenever we pass. The deal seemed exceptionally worthwhile to him judging by his anxiety, and so it seemed also to my cousin who invited him to accompany us to make sure of his earnestness. He proved true to his word and produced the goods. Leaving Shahba around 3 o'clock in the afternoon, we took the north-easterly road to Damascus in the hope of making better time. We drove for one hour, two hours, past mountain and plain, amidst a monotonously bare landscape, with not a sign of a habitation. We had dropped the partridge dealer at his own village and were now depending on our own reckoning. Then came a time when we had to make a momentous decision. The road forked into two branches with no signs to indicate the respective destinations. Naturally all three passengers were strangers to the country and the chauffeur proved equally ignorant. It was finally decided to take the easterly rode. The hours that followed proved the most anxious and hazardous of our journey. We soon found ourselves in an open stretch of the desert, with no mark to guide us except our faith in Allah's compassion and our vague sense of direction. But the desert was not of soft sand. It was of the hard clay surface characteristic of the Syrian plain. A few skeletons of camels and other animals encountered on the way bore an ominous portent. And what aggravated our plight was the lack of water. We had not anticipated so long a journey and failed to make provisions. Our throats were parched and the shimmering reflections of the desert sun made us see fantastic visions. A low hill finally loomed in the distance. The mere fact that it was a hill and broke the monotonous evenness of the landscape gave us a sense of relief and courage, and for no apparent reason we headed towards it. In our anxiety and fear, the distance appeared to be exceptionally long, and although we had not the slightest reason to believe that it could mean anything, we made it an object whose attainment became of paramount importance in our confused reasoning. We finally reached it and our hearts filled with thanks to Allah, to whom all praise is due. But after having reached the hill, what! It was bare and bleak and proved to be nothing better than the desert plain we �58 THE SYRIAN WORLD were so anxious to flee. Its smooth, barren slopes gave no indication of ever having been touched by the hand of man. But now that we had reached it we must pass it. Our first success goaded us on to seek more, and we began to turn the northern flank, when fo and behold! the conical white dwellings E S ^a" jg1 settlement greeted our astonished eyes. It was with difficulty that we suppressed a cheer, but the happy looks we exchanged told volumes. As we drew nearer, the Bey rose in his seat and uttered an exclamation of unrestrained joy. "By Allah and the Prophet his village is the property of one of my friends. I recall now that I visited with him here some time ago," he fairly shouted And so it proved to be, for when we had stopped before the owner s house and the servants came out to greet us, Fakhry Bev recognized many among them and could recall their names Without ceremony, he ordered water in all haste. A big earthen bowl was filled from a basin and offered to us fakhry Bey would not think of drinking first, and I, in order not to let ceremony prolong the common agony, accepted the tempting cup. I no sooner raised it to my lips than decided I was not so thirsty—there was too much animation in the water. And when Fakhry Bey took the cup and looked into it quizzically, he spilled the precious contents on the ground and mercilessly berated the servants for their disrespect in offering us polluted water ^ut this is our common drinking water," meekly protested F one of the servants. "Never mind the excuses," thundered the irate Bey. "Bring us of the special water of your master, and tell him upon his return that I so ordered." Then it was that we drank of the pure water of Barada, carried especially from Damascus for the use of the master K>wf lOUlud T aff,°rd 1° tarry lonS- The sun w*s ^st setting behind the high peaks of Anti-Lebanon silhouetted against the limpid sky behind the ghouta of Damascus stretching at their feet. And although the road was rough and the landscape uninviting we were buoyed by the hope of soon reaching the terP adlSC T f Thich S° aPPealed to the imagination of the Prophet Muhammad And when finally we entered the enchanted domains of the ghouta, and sped smoothly along its level roads, lined with stately poplars and disclosing a delightful vista of heavily-laden orchards and verdant fields, intersected at short d a n tl .1 e f, cl o �"1 *4PRIL, 1931 59 distances with murmuring brooks, we fast forgot the weariness and anxiety of our desert journey and surrendered to the enchantment of this revelation of a terrestrial paradise. Nor could the thick dust of the road we encountered on some stretches of the .Damascus suburbs prove sufficient to dampen the ardor of our elation and enthusiasm. We were safe. We were cool, and we felt the assurance of being back in civilization. The beauty and charm of Damascus linger more vividly in the memory by virtue of the sharp contrast. THE NIGHT AND I "By DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN We know a certain happy tongue, The night and I, For when we fly the listless throng, And each the other tells his tale, And each the other sings his song, Like comrades true, we never fail Where it belongs the motive place,— And so we live our lotted space, The night and I. We understand each other well, The night and I! Nor need we masquerade, nor tell Our moods, nor shrink to speak our fear, Nor fence discretely when we spell The praise of things we hold most dear; For 'tis our naked hearts that beat, Whenever face to face we meet, The night and I. We list to catch the whispered sighs, The night and I, Of space, and in the placid skies, Pursue the sparkling signs or halt Enraptured by the mighty cries And flashing signals in the volt Of rage. And so, in sympathy, We live, and feel in harmony The night and I. ; �60 THE SYRIAN WORLD ALI ZAIBAQ (Quicksilver) "THE UNPARALLELED ADVENTURES OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASHID, OF THE CITY OF BAGHDAD. Translated from the Original Arabic by SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL and CHAPTER THADDEUS S. DAYTON VIII. REVENGE. HTHE damsel, when morning came, assumed the dress and appearance of Quicksilver and lay at the entrance of the baths as though strangled, so that whoever passed and saw her could not doubt for an instant that she was Quicksilver. Now some of the passersby who perceived this body lying there were of the sympathizers of Quicksilver. These grieved for him exceedingly. But there were others who were inclined to favor Salah-Eddin, the Chief of the Secret Police, and these hastened to inform him of the fate of Quicksilver. Salah-Eddin's joy was unbounded and he ran with all speed to the baths where lay the body of Quicksilver. So great was his hatred that he began kicking the senseless corpse of his enemy, and addressing it with insults: "May God not have mercy on you, O you of evil birth!" shrieked Salah-Eddin. "For in your lifetime you occasioned me the utmost torment and suffering. Now it is my turn to have revenge upon you and to quench my heart's hatred with your mother's tears." He flung the body on his shoulders and carried it thus to the door of his own house where he attempted to throw it on the ground. But to his great amazement and fright he could not rid himself of his burden, for the body resisted his every effort and presently its legs extended themselves until they stretched out and became forty cubits long. �I \APRIL, 1931 61 By this time every muscle in Salah-Eddin's body was quivering with fear. At last, by summoning all his strength for a superhuman effort, he managed to shake off his terrible load and began running about and crying as though demented. His wife appeared and viewed his plight, and let him into the house. Presently he went forth again to look upon the body of Quicksilver, which, strangely enough, he found to be in its former normal shape. Again he approached it and made an attempt to carry it into his house, but no sooner did he lay hands upon it than the mouth of the body stretched open to such a gigantic size that it resembled the entrance to some vast and fearful cavern, while the eyes grew larger and larger and increasingly terrible until they became like those of a huge and hideous ghoul. And it said: "O you vilest and most wicked of men, it is my intention immediately to devour you." So thoroughly frightened was Salah-Eddin that he begged for mercy, but the genie's only answer was to seize him suddenly, tie his body in a knot and fly off with him to the palace of the King. In the palace gateway there was a great arch, and at its highest point a ring of iron was fixed. To this the maiden tied Salah-Eddin, leaving him there in that miserable plight. Thereupon she returned to Quicksilver, to whom she related all that she had done. "No doubt the King will perceive Salah-Eddin in this condition and the latter will tell him that it was I who put him there. Now if the King summons me shall I ask for a ladder by which to climb and take down Salah-Eddin?" "No," answered the damsel, "I will accompany you unseen and when you desire to release Salah-Eddin lift your hands and I will raise you to the height unperceived by anyone so that you may readily accomplish your task." When morning came the King and his lords passed through the great archway and Salah-Eddin, seeing them, cried out in a pitiful voice: "() King, have mercy upon me and cover me with the mantle of your protection." Upon hearing this the King and his companions were exceedingly amazed and began gazing about to try to discover whence came the voice; but they saw no one, when Salah-Eddin cried out again: "I am suspended here in this high place where I have suf- �T 62 THE SYRIAN WORLD fered tortures such as no one ever experienced before " Hearing these words, they all looked upward and saw the torm of a man hanging to the iron ring above the great arch The King exclaimed and asked who it was, and Salah-Eddin cried out once more in a voice of agony: "O my master, it is your servant the Chief of the Secret Police." "And who was it that put you where you are?" asked the King None other than Quicksilver," answered Salah-Eddin in great pain. Seeing it was useless to attempt his rescue, the King ordered that Quicksilver be summoned immediately, and when he came the King asked: "Do you know where Salah-Eddin is?" "Yes," answered Quicksilver, "it is he who is suspended above the great archway." "And where did you spend last night " asked the King In the enchanted baths of Toulon," answered Quicksilver. And I have punished Salah-Eddin thus because of his great wickedness. It is also a visitation upon him of the wrath of God lor his many misdeeds." "For my sake," said the King, "release him from his plight " Thereupon Quicksilver lifted his hands toward the sky and the damsel, unperceived by anyone, bore him upward to the top 01 the arch, where he immediately disengaged Salah-Eddin and carried him gently to the ground. Everyone who witnessed this feat marvelled exceedingly at his super-human power, as no one had deemed it possible to extricate Salah-Eddin from the great & height where he hung. When Salah-Eddin once more stood upon the ground, he threw himself at the feet of the King and appealed frantically for protection against the superhuman power of Quicksilver. Whereupon Quicksilver inquired of him if there were any other tasks that he wished him to perform so that no doubt would remain as to his fitness to become the chief of the Zohrs "For the sake of Allah," replied Salah-Eddin in a terrified voice, there is nothing more that I wish except to be spared further persecution from you." Thereupon all proceeded to the royal palace where theKing formally invested Quicksilver with his robe of office as the ruler of the Zohrs, and the criers were ordered to go about the streets �— 11,1 I 1.1, . . .Ill zAPRIL, 1931 63 of the city announcing his succession to the exalted position. The inhabitants of the city received the news with much applause and the officers of the Zohrs gave submission joyfully to Quicksilver. Thereafter the city of Cairo remained in perfect order and tranquillity for the space of a year. "But Quicksilver's troubles are not over," said the tale teller. "They have only just begun. What has already happened is as nothing—as snow upon the desert sand—to the dangers he must encounter. Tomorrow you shall hear of the new seas of danger into which he plunged." CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE DR. PHILIP K. HITTI—Syrian educator, and Orientalist, Professor at Princeton University. BARBARA YOUNG, LEONORA SPEYER, ESTELLE DUCLO, MARY MOORE—American poetesses and authors. CLAUDE BRAGDON—American author and publicist. SYUD HOSSAIN—Moslem Indian lecturer, editor The New Orient. DR. CHARLES FLEISCHER—American author and lecturer, former editor The New York American. REV. ROBERT NORWOOD—American minister of St. Bartholomew's Church, New York. REV. ABRAHAM M. RIHBANI—Syrian minister of the Church of the Disciples in Boston. Author "The Syrian Christ," etc. REV. W. A. MANSUR—Syrian minister of First Methodist Episcopal church, Winside, Neb. MISCHA NAIMY—Syrian poet and critic. CECIL J. BADWAY—American of Syrian descent. vard Law School. Graduate Har- THOMAS ASA, EDNA K. SALOOMEY, PHILIP C. SABBAGHA, LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA—Americans of Syrian descent. DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN—Syrian dentist of Brooklyn. Harvard. Graduate of �64 THE SYRIAN WORLD Political Developments in Syria SYRIAN ELECTIONS AGAIN DEFERRED The political problem in Syria seems to be making little progress towards a solution. So often has it been surmised that the popular elections would take place at a certain date that any further promise along that line is now apt to be considered like the cry of "the wolf" in the fable. By all reasonable expectations, based on earlier predictions, the elections should have been held long ago, but they now seem to be as distant as ever. The Syrian press; has fallen into the mood of discussing them only in the most casual manner. There is, on the other hand, a shifting of interest towards an altogether different development—that of scrapping the draft constitution laid down by the Constituent Assembly and establishing in Syria a monarchical instead of a republican form of government. An international element has also entered into the situation which serves to further complicate matters. While lacking official confirmation, the rumor persists that France has entered into an agreement with former King Ali of Arabia, son of former King Hussein and brother of King Feisal of Iraq, to establish him on the Syrian throne which it is claimed the French have planned to create in Syria so as to frustrate the designs of the Nationalists. What would seem to lend weight to this supposition is the recent visit of the British High Commissioner in Iraq to Damascus and his lengthy consultation with the French High Commissioner in Syria. Of course, there are those who contend that France would never commit herself to the policy of having to consult with England on a question of internal administration of her mandated territory—that the purpose behind the conference was in relation to the Mosul petroleum question, or some other question of common interest between the two powers. Nevertheless, there are those who maintain that Ali is the brother of Feisal, and that the two powers have to contend with an Eastern question much larger than one confined to any one country, and that it is to their mutual interest to agree on a policy that will render the position of both more secure in the East. A significant development is that High Commissioner Ponsot, in opening his new official residence in Damascus, held a formal reception to which he invited, among other prominent Syrian leaders, many outstanding Nationalist personalities. Ponsot, as usual, would not touch on the subject of politics, but it was remarked that he had brilliantly succeeded in promoting a spirit of amity and understanding. On the whole, the Syrian situation may be said to have made no tangible progress during the last month. Some are inclined to believe that the new French policy is to wear down the patience of the Syrians into a condition of submission. LEBANON IN TURMOIL, PEOPLE BOYCOTT UTILITIES The apparently insipient uprising of the students of Beirut against insufficient reductions in the price of admission to places of amusement has given rise to a movement of a �JtPRIL, 1931 much more serious nature which has involved the whole population of the city. The immediate result was that the people awakened to the effectiveness of the boycott and applied the weapon with telling effect on foreigncontrolled public utilities. Due to the persistent refusal of the water and electric company to reduce its high rates in the face of a proposal of much lower averages which a native company offered to give for the same services, the people of Beirut, driven to desperation by what they termed the profiteering practices of foreigners, rose en masse to protest and demand redress. They declared a boycott against the traction company, and for days the street cars sped along their tracks with only armed guards: as passengers. The native taxicab drivers did a thriving business, reducing their rates to even lower than those charged by the company for equal distances. And when the government attempted to restrict the operations of the taxicabs the people were further enraged and indulged in public demonstrations against which police were helpless. Many casualties occurred in the clashes. Three newspapers publishing what the government termed seditious and inflammatory utterances were suppressed. The determination of the people manifested itself so strongly that almost every home in the city was in comparative darkness, only candles and gasoline lamps being used for lighting purposes. The contagion spread to Damascus where also a prominent local naDer was suppressed for similar reasons as those of the Beirut journals. In Tripoli, a demonstration was staged to protest the maltreatment by the Italians of the Moslem natives of Tripolitania in Northern Africa. Several casualties resulted 65 when the police attempted to prevent the demonstrators from marching on the Italian consulate. Already a good deal of campaigning is being done for the coming Presidential elections which fall in Lebanon in 1932. The regular Presidential term is three years, and so far President Charles Dabbas has been elected for two successive terms. Little credence is being placed in the possibility of his reelection for a third term, and the two most prominent candidates mentioned are Emil Eddy and Bishara Khouri, both former Premiers. ARABS OF PALESTINE TURN DOWN PARLEY The suggestion of the British High Commissioner in Palestine that the Arabs send a delegation to London to enter into negotiations with the Colonial Office on the Palestine development scheme, involving a $12,500,000 loan, was reported by press dispatches from Jerusalem on April 14 to have been turned down by the Arab Executive. The fear was entertained, according to a statement by an Arab leader, that the Arabs might be drawn into a round table conference with the Jews, a possibility which they would avoid. Their stand remains one of consistent non-recognition of the Balfour Declaration, and they would refuse to be inveigled into a situation which might be interpreted as an implied acceptance of that policy. In this instance, they maintain that if the questions to be discussed relate to economic and agricultural development, then the logical place for holding the conference would be Jerusalem and not London, since the British conferees would have the benefit of local experts' advice. Jerusalem, according to press dis- �66 THE SYRIAN WORLD patches, was also the scene of popular demonstrations on April 23 against the reported atrocities of the Italian authorities of Cyrenaica in suppressing Moslem demonstrations. A call was issued by the Grand Mufti to attend special services in the Mosque of Omar for the victims, and the office of the Arab Executive presented to all foreign consulates, including the Italian, copies of strongly condemnatory resolutions. The conviction prevails in some quarters that the Arabs are pursuing the wrong tactics in thus openly attacking Italy because they will lose a large amount of sympathy for their nationalistic cause which undoubtedly they enjoy among many elements in Italy. About Syria and Syrians FURTHER COMPLICATIONS IN ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE On the first of May the bishops of the Syrian Orthodox Church in America and several newspapers received cable information from Damascus that the three ranking Patriarchs of the Orthodox Church had finally given recognition to Patriarch Alexander of Damascus, conceding the legality of his election to the vacant seat of the Patriarchate of Antioch and the whole East. Closely following this announcement, however, came another cable dispatch from Patriarch Arsanius, the other church dignitary elected to the same office, stating that the situation had not changed and promising details by mail. In view of these developments, the situation, instead of being clarified, seems to have been further complicated. The difficulties in the question of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate arose upon the death of the late Patriarch Gregory IV in 1929. For two years the two principal factions in the church seemed deadlocked over the election of a successor, until early this year a conclave convened in an attempt to put an end to the indecision. This, unfortunately, proved to add further to the complications in that the dissenting faction proceeded with its own election, giving rise to the anomalous situation of having two heads to the one body. ANGLICAN PRIMATE VISITS JERUSALEM Union of Anglican Protestant Church and Greek Orthodox Church Openly Discussed. For the first time in history, a Primate of England visited Jerusalem while in office. This fact was stressed by the authorities of the Greek Orthodox Church in welcoming the Archbishop of Canterbury upon his visit to the city on April 16. He was welcomed with equal expressions of high regard by the authorities of the Armenian Church. One of the first acts of the Primate was to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where he was re- �' \APRILy 1931 ceived at the entrance by the acting Greek Patriarch, flanked by twelve archimandrites and twelve bishops and also the Armenian clergy. In the Katholicon, which is the Greek Orthodox section of the church, a service was held during which the acting Patriarch prayed for the King and Queen of the royal family of England as well as for the army and navy, after which the choir sang. During the reception held later at the Patriarchate, the visiting Primate referred to the possibility of a union of the Anglican and the Eastern churches and dwelt on a statement made by the Ecumenical Patriarch at Istanbul, (supreme head of the Greek Orthodox faith), that brotherly relations existed between the Orthodox and the English Protestant Churches. An eventual union would not bring the Churches under one command but each would remain independent while maintaining the closest co-operation, he said. "While in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, I prayed to God Almighty to help us in the work undertaken in order to accomplish a union and that the committee which was appointed by the Orthodox Patriarchates of Istanbul, Alexandria and Jerusalem would be successful in its efforts to unite Anglican Protestantism and the Greek Orthodox Church," he said. The Archbishop inspected Greek and Syriac manuscripts in the library. Archimandrite Narcissus, a member of the Greek Holy Synod, said in an interview that the visit of the Archbishop afforded the Patriarchate the greatest pleasure. He said the Greek Orthodox Church deeply appreciated the Archbishop's work in behalf of a union of their Churches and all were hoping that ' it would be accomplished. 67 RIHANI SAILS. PRESENTED WITH LOVING CUP Ameen Rihani, well known Syrian traveler, lecturer and author, sailed for England April 18 on his way to his native land. He plans to make a short stop in Paris to visit the French Colonial Exposition. On April 16 the ceremony of presenting Mr. Rihani with the loving cup bought by popular subscription was held in the auditorium of the American Syrian Federation building in Brooklyn. Although invitations had been issued only to contributors with the privilege of bringing members of their families and friends, the hall was filled to overflowing. Dr. F. I. Shatara, chairman of the committee, presided. In his introductory remarks he dwelt on the public services of Mr. Rihani during his two years' visit in America and expressed particularly the gratitude of his Palestinian countrymen to Mr. Rihani for his defense of the Arab cause. Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin paid a touching personal tribute, and Dr. R. T. Deen, speaking in Arabic, referred to the erudition of Mr. Rihani and his fearlessness in giving expression to his political convictions. The presentation of the cup was assigned to Mr. Salloum A. Mokarzel in 'his capacity of secretary of the committee. In explaining the motive behind the action, Mr. Mokarzel said that in offering the stock of Mr. Rihani's popularity on the market, it had been oversubscribed, leaving a surplus over the price of the cup whidh provided a moderate purse. In responding, Mr. Rihani expressed his thanks and refused the purse unless it was applied to the purchase of some of his Arabic books. �68 THE SYRIAN WORLD Mr. Rihani spoke in both Arabic the author of an epic poem in and English. He expressed deep ap- French for which he has received preciation of the feelings of his the blessing of His Holiness the countrymen in America, declaring Pope. that he would retain the cup as one Such zeal as Rev. Eid has disof his most valued possessions as played is reminiscent of the efforts long as he lived, and that upon his of the early Christian missionaries. death he would bequeath it to the He is completely Wedded to his work National Museum in Beirut for perand is consumed by the desire to manent preservation. His Arabic keep alive in this new land the finer address dealt with his conception of the broader relations that should traditions which have been our racial exist among Arabic-speaking peo- heritage for long centuries. The success attending his activities has been ples. so marked that it is a pleasure to Miss Fedora Korban, the gifted point him out as an example of modSyrian singer, gave several Arabic ern missionary zeal. and English selections. SYRIANS OF FALL RIVER HAVE FINE NEW CHURCH PREPARATIONS FOR SECOND CARNIVAL UNDER WAY The Syrian Catholics of Fall River, Mass., can now boast one of the finest churches of its size in America, erected in record time and after a long period of dissension, through the untiring efforts of their new pastor, Rev. Joseph Eid. A beautiful little book in Arabic and English, just published by the Syrian-American Press of New York, gives the history of the church and the multiple trials attending its erection. The account, however, fails to give full credit to the energy, zeal and tact of the modest pastor through whose efforts the work was made possible. In less than a year Rev. Eid not only brought accord and harmony where dissension had reigned for over twenty years, but aroused sufficient enthusiasm among the community in the face of the economic depression to prosecute the work and bring it to a successful culmination. Rev. Eid is a graduate of the Maronite College in Rome and besides being a D. D. and a Ph. D., is a master of six languages. He is The Lebanon League of Progress of New York has announced that its second annual festival-outing will take place this year at Bridgeport, Conn., the scene of the first and most successful carnival, but the date will be July 4 and 5 instead of labor Day. This latter date has been reserved for holding a similar carnival in the vicinity of Detroit, Mich., so as to afford the populous Syrian centers of the North the opportunity of sharing in the carnival and patriotic spirit. It is hoped that the coming event will prove even more successful than the preceding one. Time for preparation is more ample and almost three thousand participants in the last carnival are sure to come and bring many friends, such was the enthusiasm and satisfaction over the first affair. It is expected, furthermore, that the young Syrian-American generation will be more liberally represented not only because of the varied entertainment provided as much as for the opportunity of living for a day in the charming spirit u �s New Syrian Catholic Church of St. Anthony of the Desert in Fall River, Mass. �70 THE SYRIAN WORLD of the tradition of the old country. Folk dances, sword play, singing and all the appurtenances of a festival occasion will be in evidence. This annual event promises to become a fixed racial institution among the Syrians and Lebanese of the United States, and what must be generally admitted is that it affords an exceptional opportunity for the promotion of a spirit of good-fellowship and general good time. The admission is $1.00 per person for the two days. Refreshments and restaurant service will be available. SYRAMAR GOLF CLUB TO HOLD TOURNAMENT The fourth annual Spring Tournament of the Syramar Golf Club will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, at the Wolf Hollow Country Club, Delaware Water Gap, Pa. Numerous prizes have been assigned to winners of the different flights, from veterans to beginners. The word Syramar stands for Syrian American, and the club has been in existence for over four years, meeting with steadily increasing success. The annual election of officers was held the latter part of March, those chosen being George Tadross, President; David Malhami, Vice-President; Joseph Ghassoun, Secretary and Faris Saydah, Treasurer. MOSQUE IN BROOKLYN The Moslems of New York have formed a society which acquired the property at 108 Powers St., Brooklyn, and converted it into a mosque. It is the first regular Moslem place of worship in the city and was dedicated on April 28. DR. HITTI SPEAKS AT BROOKLYN MEETING Dr. Philip K. Hitti of Princeton was a guest on April 26 at the International Institute of the Y. W. C A. of Brooklyn where he delivered an address on the Arabs' contribution to civilization. Dr. Hitti speaks out of a vast store of knowledge when dealing with historical topics, and in this instance he was particularly informative. A large American audience attended the lecture. The meeting was held at St. Ann's Chapel, Clinton and Livingston Sts., Brooklyn, and was in charge of Miss Bahiya Hajjar, the Syrian associate of the Institute. The exercises also comprised Syrian national songs under the direction of Prof. Alexander Maloof. Following the meeting, a reception was given in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Hitti at the home of the Institute, 94 Joralemon St. ST. NICHOLAS CLUB HOLDS SPRING DANCE The St. Nicholas Young Men's Club of New York held its annual Spring dance in the grand ballroom of the Hotel Bossert in Brooklyn on the evening of April 18. There were about four hundred in attendance and they thoroughly enjoyed the speeches and entertainment. The music was provided by the Mediterranean Radio Broadcasters. Mr. N. S. Sydnawey, the president, While welcoming the guests, took occasion to point out that the name of the club was adopted out of recognition of the charitable spirit of "Santa Claus," and that it did not imply any religious, much less political, affiliation. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1931_04reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 08 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1931 April Description An account of the resource Volume 5 Issue 08 of The Syrian World published April 1931. The issue is especially long as it was published the same month famed poet and frequent contributor to the Syrian World, Kahlil Gibran, passed away. There are only just a few inclusions in the article that are not related to Gibran's passing. The first is an article discussing the concept of chivalry in Arabia and Islam. This article primarily deals with the origin of chivalry, which seems to point to the crusades, in which Moslem and Christian knights met in combat. Salloum Mokarzel, in addition to his tribute work to Gibran, is featured for the continuation of his travels through Jebel-Druze. There is then the usual installment of "Ali Zaibaq," now a regular series of The Syrian World. The issue closes with political developments in Syria and excerpts from the Arab press. Intermingled with the issue's regular stories are works dedicated to Gibran. There is a discussion of his last days followed by a description of his Boston funeral. The remainder of the pieces are works by other authors normally featured in the Syrian World the rest pay tribute to one of the most important Lebanese literary figures of all time. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Funerals Kahlil Gibran Labeebee A.J. Hanna New York Obituaries Poetry-English Religion Reverend W.A. Mansur Thomas Asa https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/0e509c87f6e7c4a51799b39500b89985.pdf 277010d6c84d126e18f1dc3abadb1166 PDF Text Text I VOL. V. No. 7. MARCH, 1931. JL X I VJ SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE m 1 m THE PASSION PLAY OF THE EAST AMEEN RIHANI A JOURNEY THROUGH JEBEL DRUZE SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL READERS SHOULD KNOW 111 EDITORIAL PAN-ISLAMIC IDEA REVIVED AZIZ RAH HAL w ARAB LITERATURE AND PHILOSOPHY m SCOUTING IN SOUTHERN LEBANON MICHAEL HADDAD ALI ZAIBAQ (QUICKSILVER) (A SERIAL) ��THE SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. I By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. V. MARCH, 1931. No. 7. CONTENTS PAGE The Passion Play of the East 5 AMEEN RIHANI Scouting in Southern Lebanon 17 AZIZ RAHHAL Fair Flower (Poem) 20 THOMAS ASA Arab Literature and Philosophy 21 MICHAEL HADDAD Lebanon (Poem) 24 LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA ~ " = �rr CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE A Journey Through Jebel Druze SALLOUM 25 A. MOKARZEL A Song of the Nile (Poem) DR. SALIM 32 Y. ALKAZIN AliZaibaq (Serial) 33 S. A. MOKARZEL AND T. S. DAYTON Speech and Silence 36 G. K. GlBRAN The Holy Grail '.. 37 Editorial Comment:— Readers Should Know 41 Dr. Najib A. Katibah 42- Pan-Islamism Idea Revived ... 43 Political Developments in Syria 46 About Syria and Syrians 50 AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE IN THE COMING ISSUE ON THE FUTURE OF THE SYRIAN WORLD p �IN THIS ISSUE (~)F all the descriptions of his different adventures in Arabia, Rihani's account of the journey he made to the holy places of the Shiite Moslems, during their annual pilgrimage to the tomb of Al-Husain, is undoubtedly one of his best. Perhaps the dangers and discomforts attending the trip, plus the colorful scenes he witnessed, drew the full power of the descriptive ability of the author. The Passion Play of the East, the title of Mr. Rihani's article in this issue, is most appropriate and inclusive. The annual pilgrimage of the Shiites, adherents of Ali, assumes all the aspects of a realistic enactment of the gruesome tragedy which took place over twelve centuries ago. Mr. Rihani braved a serious danger in undertaking his perilous journey at the season when the fanatic Shiites tolerate least any intrusion upon their scenes of grief and hate, but he returned rich in the unusual experience he had acquired. This experience he now shares with our readers painted in the most vivid descriptive colors, and those who appreciate novelty of subject and masterfulness in style will readily acclaim this contribution of Mr. Rihani as I I. a literary treasure beyond price. Nevertheless, the author has been most generous in his gratuitous contributions to THE SYRIAN WORLD in appreciation of the ideal for which it stands and the mission to which it is dedicated. It is only to be hoped that similar appreciation of the generous impulses actuating our foremost literary talent to their cooperation will be evinced by our reading public to the end that the work to which they manifest such devotion will endure. A delightful account of the inception and growth . of the Boy Scout movement in Southern Lebanon is given in a special contribution to THE SYRIAN WORLD by the prime mover in this laudable enterprise. The constructive influence the movement has already had in building up the character of Lebanon youth is well brought out in the. article, as well as some humorous incidents which attended the initial stages of the work. Credit is also due Miss Mary Tweel, a resident of Huntington, W. Va., now on a visit to Lebanon, for having encouraged Aziz Rahhal to send us this account of his efforts and experiences. �\ jy[ICHAEL Haddad, a Syr- is brought about through the ian student at Columbia magic influence of a woman—a University, displays commend- pretty princess whom he meets able activity in bringing to under unusual circumstances Americans a better understand- and for whose sake he braves ing and appreciation of Arab one of the greatest dangers of culture. Readers will find in the his career. Read and discover excerpts from a speech he lately how. delivered at Columbia wholeP"AN any Christian, or nonsome and profitable reading. Christian, for that matter, HE editor continues the de- fail to be interested in the Holy scription of his journey Grail, or the cup which Christ through Jebel 33ruze. In the and His disciples used at the, present installment he takes the Last Supper? This cup, accordreader to the scene of some of ing to a number of eminent arthe finest Roman ruins to be chaeological authorities, may be found in the mountain. He also none other than the Chalice of describes young men with flow- Antioch now in the possession of ing locks and stenciled brows a New York Syrian who has and blackened eyelashes. But consented to exhibit it to the readers should not jump to con- public for the first time since clusions, because these very its discovery. The account is inthe illustrations young men are immune to fear teresting, in war. This is but one of the unique. strange experiences the editor encountered on his journey, a gELDOM, in this column, do we call attention to any edifull account of which is being gradually developed in the torial, but we feel that the exhope that readers will find ception in this instance is justitherein both profit and enjoy- fied. We are embarking on a radical policy concerning which ment. we seek the opinion of our AND now we find our un- readers. The question is vital daunted hero Ali Zaibaq in and we have decided to throw a humorous mood. He wants to it open to public discussion. play a trick on his arch-enemy, Every Syrian animated by the one who has exposed him to loyalty to his racial interests all the dangers attending his should give the matter consieventful career. But this turn in deration and vouchsafe an his serious and resolute nature opinion. T i > i �THE SYRIAN WORLD VOL. V. No. 7. MARCH, 1931. The Passion Play of the East Kerbela, the City of Grief—The Forbidden Pageant of Sorrow and Hatred—Honoring the Arch-Saint of the Shiah Mohammedans. 'By AMEEN RIHANI j\|EITHER my friend nor I had any reason to hope for eternal bliss through a pilgrimage to any of the holy cities of Arabia. For he was not an orthodox Moslem, and I was not even an orthodox traveler. He measured his good fortune by the distance that separated him from the city of his birth, the Holy City of Kerbela, and I measured mine at that time by the reverse process. Nevertheless, he did not flout my point of view. He even offered to be my companion and guide. But he pondered. How would he and his Christian friend be received in Kerbela, which is to the Shiah Moslems what Mecca is to the Sunnis? He must write. He did write. But the reply was not encouraging. It was not wise to visit Kerbela during the commemoration of the martyrdom of Husain, the arch-saint of the Shiahs of the world. But that commemoration was the very heart of my desire. My friend, therefore, wrote again; and after waiting a week for a reply, which did not come, we decided to take our own chance. Sheik Kazem Dujaili, the noted poet and scholar of Iraq, is unoriental, not only in his philosophy, but also in his conduct. He is prompt in keeping his engagements, and'his thoughtfulness is rare among poets anywhere. When he came early the This article was also published in the American magazine Travel for December, 1930. �TT I > i 6 THE SYRIAN WORLD following day to the garage, where we hired an automobile, he brought with him a stalwart and bearded Arab who looked more like the chief of a tribe than a servant of two pilgrims. He had the eyes and the voice of one accustomed to command; but he could smile like a child and he had a weakness for poets When he was introduced as Abd'ul-Hamid, he supplemented, saying, the servant of Sheik Kazem and his illustrious friend." But bheik Kazem was quick to correct the courtesy. "If anyone as much as casts upon us a glance of disrespect," he said, "there is the wrath of Allah." In fact, Abd'ul-Hamid was our bodyguard. I he chauffeur, a little Bagdadi in European clothes and a ±ez looked the more tawdry and insignificant as Abd'ul-Hamid took his seat beside him. No, billah, he did not deem it seemly to sit with the illustrious pilgrims. But he was the only one among us that looked like a pilgrim, and his imposing form before us was, to me, at least, a source of comfort and assurance. The landscape, soon after we emerged from the shadow of the palm-fringe of Bagdad, was a canvas of desolation, a masterpiece of terrestrial harmony. There was not even a thorn in it to tickle a camel's suppressed desire, and no beaten paths to bind a traveler or a caravan; no shadows to restrain the ardor of the sun; not a patch of green to interrupt the flow of the desert gold; and rarely a break, a ditch or a bridge, to mar the even tenor of the horizon's way. Add to this an enveloping dust a heavy curtain of dust shot with the broken rays of the sun and you have a complete picture of a Mesopotamia landscape An hour through this appalling vacancy and the horizon rose in a modest swell. It was not a ridge, or what the Arabs call a rib in the earth, but a vestige of the Yousufiyah Canal, which dates back to the days of the Abbaside caliphs. If this were still in use we would be passing through a bounty of verdure arabesqued with irrigating streams; the palm and the tamarisk would spread a cooling shadow on the road; the dust would keep its place under hoof and wheel, and there would be no reason to curse the Ottoman Turks. The ruins of ancient canals, some of which are said to be of Babylonian days, are strewn over this desolate land, which was once the granary of the East. And the valley between the two rivers was the most productive of all the rich soil of Mesopotamia! But today, for thirty miles from Bagdad on the Tigris to Musaiyeb on the Euphrates, it presents a lurid example of what the Turks have done during four hundred years. �MARCH, 1931 7 Under a shed in front of the khan of Musaiyeb, we refreshed ourselves with laban, a kind of curdled milk, for which the town is noted. It is made in individual bowls of the milk of the buffalo, which is richer than the camel's or the cow's. And at Musaiyeb we beheld the first scene—a customary scene, I was told— of the unique pilgrimage. Two groups, one from Bagdad, the other from Khadimain, were resting in the khan. Resting? The mules bearing the litters and flags and drums for the procession were resting in the square, while they, the pilgrims, were engaged in a heated quarrel. There is a rivalry between the two groups— a rivalry in prowess and the art of grief, and a feud resulting from it, which is carried over from year to year. Who cuts a greater figure in the procession? Who makes the better litters? Who is more pious and brave in the demonstrations of sorrow? Who can swing the heavier chains? Who can make deeper cuts in the head with the sword? They quarreled, they boasted, they fought. And the fight that started at Musaiyeb was finished the following day at Kerbela, in the very court of the grand mosque. Sheik Kazem rose in disgust, Abd'ul-Hamid invoked the mercy of Allah, and the chauffeur, while cranking his car, asked, "Who can make the louder noise?—But this engine has more sense than a pilgrim." And he gave us an example of how well he could drive, as he threaded his way through the narrow and crowded street with a laudable respect for human life. But he quickened the life of everything there, from the chickens to the camels, and he frightened every body except the children. They could even leap on the running board and give him, as they jumped off, the salute by applying the thumb to the nose. Abd'ulHamid admired their bravery, and returned the salute in like manner. We all laughed, and Sheik Kazem explained the gesture by referring to Tommy Atkins who once passed through Musaiyeb. "The curse of Allah upon him, whoever he be," exclaimed Abd'ul-Hamid. "We could teach him and his children some decency," he added as we rattled on. Issuing from the town we came to a ramshackle pontoon bridge, which opened before us, or rather, under us, the delightful prospect of a swim in the Euphrates. But we crossed it safely and into the wilderness again. The sun was getting hotter, the dust thicker, because of the pilgrims before and behind us, and the landscape more depressing. In places the dust had its compensation: it shut from our sight the howling wilderness. But only for a few miles, and then—a most welcome change. " " ' ' ","""' ' - �8 THE SYRIAN WORLD There were dark spots ahead, and there was a shimmer of water. No, it was not a mirage. We were heading for a real stream: we were approaching its shaded banks. The road now wound through the palms, the curtain of dust thinned to a tattered veil, and the air immediately cooled. We breathed as through a wet sponge and praised Allah. The Husainiyah Canal, which flows from the Euphrates near Musaiyeb for about twenty-five miles to Kerbela, is comparatively recent. But around the Holy City it is to the Shiahs what the Ganges is to the Hindus, and some of the pilgrims were bathing in its turbid waters. Kerbela (the city of grief) does not belie its name. Without its two grand mosques, two of the four most beautiful edifices in Iraq, the others being in Najaf and Khadimain, it is a miserable clutter of flat roofs and mud walls and a hopeless labyrinthine tangle of lanes, with a population of about thirty thousand souls, winch, during the pilgrimage, rises to more than thrice that number. A lugubrious city, indeed, most depressing to behold, most painful to contemplate. It is the cradle, the cauldron of a religious passion, which for 1,250 years has filled the shiah soul with bitterness and grief, has kindled its fanaticism to flames, has aroused it to barbaric deeds of piety and sacrifice, has crowned it with the thorns of a tragic memory. Beside that memory, which is the head-spring of its grandiose passion, everything pales to significance > without it, in fact, nothing is worthy of reverence, or even of decent consideration in the city of Kerbela and in the heart of its people. Like the golden domes and minarets of its two mosques, which rise in woeful solitude above the darkness and dim and the squalor and sloth of the city, that passion and that memory dominate in the breast of the Shiah Moslem every other object in life, every other human passion. Thus, the people of Kerbela are, like their city, lugubrious and depressing. They have a labyrinthine mentality, a perverse humor, a dour reticence. But they are also masters of a speech and a gesture that are all grace and charm—and obfuscation. For centuries, because perhaps they were oppressed by the Sunni Turks, they have cultivated a logic which has for its supreme object the concealment of the human mind. Even in their most cherished belief there are times when what they call taqiyah (to conceal out of fear) is a virtue. Otherwise, they are in the shelter of their belief and in the shadow of their golden domes a superior, a "chosen" people. And Kerbela to them is the most I �{MARCH, 1931 9 sacred and the most beautiful city in the world. Nevertheless, Kerbela is miasmatic. As we wended our way to the house of our host, a generous and enlightened Persian, our olfactories were assailed by every odor conceivable, except that of musk and ambergris. But odors are not always the harbingers of disease. There may be nothing miasmatic even in an open sewer. But come with me into the home of a citizen of Kerbela. In the open court of every house of the rich and the poor, is a fountain, the sanctified fountain called howdh ul-kurr, or the specified measure of water, which is described and defined by the doctors of the law. In other words, there must be in the basin, all the time, so many cubic feet of water, over which the mullah prays, repeating a few verses from the Koran, and thus renders it pure and uncontaminable for a period of three months. This fountain supplies the household with water for washing, cooking and drinkingj but it has to be continually replenished to contain the specified measure, and the mullah, every three months, must repeat his prayer and incidentally earn his fee. If this were the whole story of howdh ul-kurr, there would be little or no harm in it. But I observed, when I stood before one of these fountains, that the color of water was such as to baffle description. On the surface was an opaque mystery, and when I stirred it with my hand, it suggested the palette of an impressionist. But that is not all. I made the mistake of stirring it to the bottom with my stick, and, by Allah and the Prophet and his cousin Husain, it smelled to heaven. Every member of the family uses howdh ul-kurr for every purpose, personal and domestic. They wash dishes and pots and pans and clothes in the fountain; and they carry water from it, nontheless, to the kitchen and the table. Often, too, children play, and men perform their ablutions, in its stagnant water. Miracle of purity! For in spite of what I have mentioned—and what I have omitted—the water of howdh ul-kurr, because of the mullah's abracadabra, is uncontaminable. And no matter how colorful it becomes, and how dense, and how odoriferous, and no matter how many kinds of mosquitoes and germs it breeds and disseminates, it can not, once sanctified, do the pious Kerbelite any harm. I must add, however, that there is one exception to its uncontaminability. One thing can vitiate the mullah's prayer, one thing only—the ordure of a human being. And this sometimes *"••" • • - �N 10 THE SYRIAN WORLD gives rise to a nice point of law. Is the fountain really polluted? The question can not be answered without the aid of a chemist, and there are no chemists in the Holy City of Kerbela. But there are mullahs who can quibble as well as pray. If the owners 6f the fountain are in easy circumstances, they are ordered to change the water immediately; and if they are of the poor, they are given the benefit of the doubt—also of the divine dictum, since to the pure, everything is pure—and are allowed to continue to use the water for another period of three months. The poor, I was told, can not afford frequently to change the water, which is carried into the city, and sold, in skins; and they find a material advantage in a religious belief. But some day Kerbela will have a modern system of water supply, and the hydrant in the home will need no mullah to purify its flow. "You have honored our city," says the polite Oriental to a visitor. But this flattery is reversed in Kerbela, despite its howdh ul-kurr. No visitor, be he the Shah of Persia himself, can do it any honor, can add anything to its glory. Our visit was, of course, an honor to us, as we were told. "You have been honored by Kerbela," came after each greeting; and Sheik Kazem taught me what to say in reply, something about the city's sacred dust. For is it not the seat of the mightiest and bravest, the kindest and noblest, the gentlest and sweetest of men? The luminary of the faith, the leader of the devoted, the prince of eloquence and the lord of battle—is he not buried here, in a precious mausoleum, under a dome of gold? But the Shiahs do not speak of the grand mosque as the burial place of Husain. It is the Presence, for he is here ever living, ever inspiring and sustaining. And in the neighboring mosque is his loyal brother Abbas, the Presence of Abbas. Husain is the grandson of the Prophet. His father Ali, the last of the four orthodox caliphs, is the cousin, as well as the son-in-law of the Prophet. But he was defeated at the battle of Saffeen by his powerful rival Moawia and later assassinated. That battle marks the beginning of the great schism in Islam. The Persians, primarily for political reasons, supported the followers of Ali, and in their opposition to Omaiyad power they practically made him their Prophet. The schism might have failed, however, were it not for the succeeding event's. The enmity between Moawia, the founder of the Omaiyad dynasty, and Ali, was transmitted to their offspring and, through the centuries, to their followers. When Yazid sue- MHHBHH|nHH �—. I. —* MARCH, 1931 1 11 ceeded his father to the throne in Damascus and sought to establish his authority in Kufah, where Ali died, the Persians joined the Arabs in revolt and called upon one of Ali's sons, who were then in Medina, to be their leader. Hasan, the eldest, refused. But Husain accepted, and he was supported by the other brother, Abbas. The two, with their harems, their children, their servants and a few hundred followers, went out of Hijaz expecting to find in Kufah an army ready for battle. But they were betrayed. No one even came to their succor, when, fifty miles north of Kufah, on the field where now stands the city of Kerbela, they were intercepted by the Omaiyad army and forced to the alternative of battle or retreat. The Omaiyad army decided to give battle. Husain enheartened his men with the words of the Prophet his grandfather.: "How many times a little band, by the help of Allah, has defeated a big army." Thus, at great odds, the battle of Kerbela was fought 1,250 years ago. For ten days it continued, and in the end Husain himself was slain and his head was carried to the caliph in Damascus. When Yazid saw the head, he pointed with his staff to the parted lips and said: "He had a beautiful smile." "The Prophet kissed him once in the mouth," remarked one of those present. "Take it away," said Yazid, turning from it in contempt. The head was given back to the sister of Husain and his son Ali, who had accompanied it, and they brought it back to Kerbela, where it was buried with the body of the martyr. Another account, which is supported by a few of the historians, is that the head was taken to Cairo and is still enshrined there in the Husain Mosque. A third account, which also has its supporters among those who write history, is that the head was brought back to Kufah and ensconced there in the Mosque of Ali. But the Shiah Moslems, insisting upon their own version, built the grand mosque of Kerbela, and founded the city itself as a sacred shrine to their martyr. But the annual commemoration, the Passion Play, is in two parts, which differ only in title and the date and place of the performance. The first is called "Ashourah, or, The Ten Days," in memory of the battle, and is enacted in Khadimain, another holy city of the Shiahs, across the river from Bagdad, on the tenth day of Muharram; the second takes place forty days after in Kerbela and is entitled "The Return of the Head." The spirit of this Passion Play has in it two supreme notes. t *~4»*<rtattZ, " �\ 12 THE SYRIAN WORLD The first is hate, hate in all its moods—a slumbering, brooding, hissing, growling, flaming, consuming hate—an ever-living hate for the Sunni Moslems of the world, the descendants and successors of Moawia, the arch-enemy of Ali and Husain. The other supreme note is grief, the grief of centuries and of all shades of human expression—the barbaric lament, the exquisite chant, the dramatic gesture, the resigned sigh, the poignant, philosophic silence—the abandon, in other words, and the repression of grief. This living, moving epic of hate and grief has been perpetuated in utter bitterness and horror for more than twelve centuries, from the battle of Kerbela to the present day, by a religious propaganda that is unique in the history of the world. But it is more than religious. It was first conceived in Persia as a political weapon to combat the authority of the Arabs and to undermine jill the Sunni Arab dynasties of the past. The mullah was then, as he is still, the servant of the State, which must achieve solidarity and supremacy, not only in Persia, but wherever there are communities of the Shiah persuasion. "Ashourah" and "The Return of the Head" are, therefore, celebrated annually in India and Syria, as well as in Persia and Iraq. But the most histrionic and impressive performance, a performance of barbaric grandeur, is that of Kerbela, the Seat of the Exalted Presence, the Holy City of Husain. From Persia, from Central Asia, from India, as well as from every town and desert of Iraq, the pilgrims come; and every group has its banners and standards, its insignia and litters, its swords-men and chain-men and breast-beaters. Outside the city the procession forms and begins in the early morning to flow through the narrow streets to the two grand mosques, where the drama is closed with prayers and sermons and more lamentations. For five hours, from the balcony of Government House, I watched the procession with camera in hand; and for the first time in its history Kerbela has experienced, on its day of mourning, the double indignity—a Christian and a camera! But there we were, not only with our friend, Sheik Kazem Dujaili and our bodyguard Abd'ul-Hamid, but also—more assuring—with the Mutasarref, an enlightened gentleman, and his staff. The drama begins in prose, as it were, rises to poetic beauty, drops to barbaric chants, and ends in a flamboyance of oratory. It is not, as a story, coherent; it is not, as a realistic representation, always consistent; it is not a masterpiece in unity and harmony: but in its singleness of purpose and its mechanism, it is a I �MARCH, 1931 13 woeful example of how a religious idea can be made to move millions of human beings to tears, to frenzy, to violence and self-torture. This idea is spread out in twelve scenes; and as noteworthy as the most brilliant expression of it, is the order and peace that mark the whole performance. Not an incident, not the slightest confusion, while it moves. But the moment it ends, the spirit of rivalry is unleashed, the quarrels of the last commemoration are revived, new quarrels are started even within the sacred enclosures of the mosques, and before the sun goes down the cantankerous pilgrims will have added an epilogue, a sanguinary epilogue, to the drama of the day. The curtain rises with the rising sun, along the Husainiyah Canal, and the procession is moving towards the city. Silently, the multitudes are waiting in the streets; silently, women are watching from the housetops; and silently, the first three scenes exhibit the material spirit of history. The vanguards with swords drawn are followed by the standard-bearers—a hundred flags, from a hundred cities, undulating in the breeze. Follows the transport corps, a caravan of pack-camels carrying the baggage and the supplies of Husain and his companions when they left Medina. After this prosaic passage, there is a pause, a perspective, and Jo,the steeds of Husain's little army! About fifty fine Arabs, richly caparisoned, with cashmere shawls covering the saddles, are led by grooms in black tunics and turbans. The clatter of the silver bridles, as the steeds cavort and rear, is a charming interlude between the preceding silence and the sound of drum and cymbal, which is heard before the band is seen. Behind the band, another pause, another perspective. And when the last shrill sound is lost in the winding lane, an Arab of noble mien, with a beard as black as his robes, is seen leading a horse covered with blood—the horse, supposedly, of Husain, when he was slain in battle. This dramatic note precedes a scene of picturesque beauty and domestic loveliness. A long double row of kowdahs, magnificent litters, ornamented in silver and gold, inlaid with motherof-pearl, are glittering in the sunlight as they rock and sway over the backs of camels. Behind those curtains of canopied devotion and care, the imagination of the audience pictures the households of Husain and Abbas, their wives and sisters and children and servants, when they left the Hijaz. And in the center of the ' *V*W» {*t¥SS$SS3®fcs �14 THE SYRIAN WORLD procession, borne aloft by four men, is the gilded cradle of Husain's infant son, also killed at Kerbela. What has already passed is the foundation, the inspiration of what is to come. It is the fuel for the conflagration of grief. And here again the authors of the Play exhibit their skill in dramatic art} the effect of perspective, the suspense, the surprise is masterly achieved. A single black flag precedes the hosts of sorrow, who, in the first scene, are primitively, artlessly, ruthlessly barbaric. The chain-men, about two hundred of them, naked to the waist, their bronze backs with crimson stripes, the marks of the whip, shining in the sun, are marching five abreast and flagellating themselves for the sake of Husain. They swing the whip-like chains above their heads, all in a single movement, and down, with an immutably impassive expression, upon their backs. There are professionals among them, as well as fanatics; and some of the former have a trick of flourishing the chain-whip valiantly, violently, and letting it fall softly upon their skin But the sincerity of the others is written in blood upon their backs. More barbaric than the chain-men are those who strike their heads with scimitars and fall bleeding at the Portal of the Presence of Husain. Some of them even achieve martyrdom in this manner But the Government of the Young Turks, before the World- War, suppressed this practice. The breast-beaters, however, remain; and their performance, although less fatal in its violence, is not less gruesome. Naked like the chain-men to the waist, their open hands rise and fall to the raucous rhythms of their leader, who is chanting a dirge to Husain. Here, too, we observe a purely theatrical note. A few of these breast-beaters, the professionals, perhaps, are performing with one hand and holding with the other a lighted cigarette But the combined effect is that of a weird engine of grief with a thousand pistons at work and a single wail—the refrain of the dirge. The pilgrims come, Husain, to thee, The pilgrims pray for clemency. A world of hearts around thy shrine, Arise and see, arise and see! But these two scenes do not immediately pass together To break their violence, to give it, rather, the histrionic perspective, comes the procession of the ulema, the mullahs and the doctors of the law. Calm and serene, these venerable old men, with �MARCH, 1931 flowing white beards and huge white turbans, betray neither grief nor hate. In them the drama reaches the sublime; in them is the smouldering depth of pathos, the poignancy of silence. But here again are the hosts of the loud lament, the chanters, the wallers, the shedders of tears. O thou sun of Hashem's line, The one incomparable Husain, Arise and see the golden day, Arise, the victory is thine. His sister Zainab, too, is often mentioned in the refrains. Grief is Zainab's share; Kerbela is her heir. Hear ye Zainab's cry: "Where's my brother, where?" } And here are the orators. Their camels are led by the halters, while they, from their high seats, are moving the multitudes to sobs and tears In one of the processions is a conspicuous figure —a black bundle swaying in the saddle of a big black camel Every now and then he removes the cloak from over his head says something to the crowd, and re-assumes the posture of a veiled divinity. He personifies Husain's son, the youthful Ali, who fought bravely in the battle of Kerbela and escaped its slaughter. His words, however, are not an exception to the maudlin rhetoric of the others. But the oration of the day is delivered by a man called Rowdhakhoun, who has a hall to himself and is one of the principal features of the commemoration. This man is more than an orator He opens to the faithful the garden of bliss, as his name implies, and he is a master of the histrionic art. The dramatic, the melodramatic, the tragic, he plays upon with the will and skill of a snake-charmer, and his stops are even more effective than his sighs and cries. A Rowdhakhoun is a combination, in robe and turban, of a spellbinder, a mountebank, and an evangelist. His oration was a series of climaxes, of which I note three. Ihe first was when he told of the tragic event of the past, and, rising to the height of the melodramatic, he paused The audience realized that in reverence for Husain he did not pronounce his name, and they burst out in sobs and lamentations. Ihe second climax was when he told of the traveler who brought a present to his friend from the land of his travel. "What did �mm 16 THE SYRIAN WORLD Ali (son of Husain) bring to his people?" The orator was seated when he spoke ; but suddenly he rose and repeated the question, making it more obvious. "What did Ali bring from Damascus to his people r" It needed no further allusion. Ali brought back the head of his father. The audience shook with sobbing, a tangle of a thousand hands beating upon heads and breasts, and many among the old were drying their tears with their sleeves. This tumultuous and lachrimose demonstration lasted a few minutes, and the orator, with hands folded across his breast, was a picture of gratification. He then chanted a dirge and, sitting down again, told the story of the ring. On the table before him was a ring, which he exhibited to the audience. One of the signs of a believer is the ring he wears, as did Husain, on the index finger of their right hand. "Whose is the ring:" he cried out as he rose to his feet, and the building echoed with the sob-swelling voices of thousands crying, "Husain, O Husain, O my Husain! Woa Husainaaa/z!" It is night. But the City of Grief is still awake, the pilgrims are still praying in the mosques, shadows flit through the labyrinthine streets still sighing, "Husain, O Husain," and the heat of a summer day, likewise, does not abate. W7e move our beds to the roof, but there, too, we do not sleep. The heat brings us a unique compensation. Were it not for it, I would have missed the most beautiful feature, the last act, of the Passion Play. It has in it a touch of grief, but no hate, no fanaticism, not the slightest bitterness. It is an exquisite piece of art, a thing of sheer beauty. The Arabic of the Koran is musical even when it is read; but when it is chanted by a professional reader, whose voice is not the least of his art, it has an ineffable fascination. And there, high in the golden minarets of the two grand mosques, above the maudlin grief of Kerbela, under a limpid sky, seemingly close to the warmth and brilliance of its stars, are the professional readers chanting in winged mellifluence verses from the Koran— words of piety and devotion, of love and peace, of good will to men, and of resignation to the will of the Most High. There are several chanters in each minaret, who, in turn, continue the chanting till the break of dawn. On that roof, a pilgrim in spite of myself, I sat awake till the last hour of the night. And when my eyes closed, I was walking in a world that knew nothing of Kerbela but its golden domes and remembered nothing but the music of its minarets. > I �•I MARCH, 1931 17 Scouting in Southern Lebanon 2?y Aziz RAHHAL Y^/HEN there is hope, difficulties become obviously easy to conquer j and when there is perseverance, the once terrifying impossibilities tend to fade away and change into possible operations that are a blessing to society. There is no work in the form of an organization, which tends to revolutionize the attitude of man towards life, that comes about without obstacles intentionally put to hinder its growth or even put it out of existence. Nevertheless, sacrifice, good-will, hard work, and sincerity come out victorious at last. All this is true of the Scout movement in Southern Lebanon. The first troop was organized in 1920 at the American school in Sidon. I had the privilege of being a member of that troop. The aims and ends of scouting are fascinating. They made us adore it. This love for the movement was encouraged by the several trips which we made. Anyone who has not had the privilege of becoming a scout does not and can not realize the thrill boys feel on their hikes. We used to feel like heroes of tales while sleeping in camps in the open country after crossing the mountains of the Western Lebanon Range. We carried the idea with us to our homes. We were anxious to share with our friends in the villages the pleasure and the real good points we had obtained from scouting. The spark was ignited in Sidon at the school. In the summer of the year 1922, I called a few of my friends to discuss the possibility of organizing a Boy Scout troop in my home town. They grasped the idea eagerly. We labored vigorously all that summer; and at the end of September, before my return to school, we held a reception to which we invited our parents that we might show them something of what scouting taught us. I still think of that meeting as one of the best I have ever attended. That small troop spread the idea to the schools in our home town. We have in Jedeidat two high schools, one French and the other American. In both schools a troop was formed, but in the summer the scouts from each of the schools assembled to work together. This is a new miracle scouting caused: the union �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD of students from two different schools, each with its own programs and spirits and in keen friendly competition with one another! Until the year 1927 our work had been confined within our home-town limits. I was dreaming at that time of making a trip with the Scouts to Lebanon, and, in spite of all difficulties, that dream was finally realized. Funds are necessary for every enterprise of this sort. Where no^w-ll /aS thu P^f?1" The ParentS of the scout* were not willing to pay their children a piaster; and the boys did not have more than a few piasters each in their pockets. Anyone I consulted called me a "fool". "It must be done," I said One afternoon, as I was sitting alone, thinking of a solution, a friend came to me and suggested that we scouts present a play. Indeed it was a bnght idea! In spite of the fact that the boys were young and inexperienced, they sprang up with joy and memorized heir parts in a few days. The play was acted, money was raisedhe scouts made ready; and we set off early in August. We were twenty-one in number and the trip lasted twenty-one days! That trip proved to the people whom we visited how much coming could do to the boys of Syria. Every mother in the Let have r th Boy Sc : rs and feit sorr ^ "hat h-«Ss As ZlIt °fPP0rtfUmty [° become a s<^- There was a chance! As a result of our trip, three troops were formed: one in Sidon proper, and the other two in villages above Sidon. \ The effect of the trip on our boys was most obvious when they returned to their homes. "My son has certainly changed " one mother sa,d to me, "he gets up early in the mormngSs S ^\ »d?£ kfu ' eXerQS eS ateve He buiTt t I "I8 , - * haVe n6Ver Seen him - obedien" i >> *5 the food you give him he willi > ^y u \ her he made° coffee forP visito heer soZ 2wL> t& ' Very m ther fdt roud of h ^ — The blessing spread to all the villages we visited. A cry came thT^ T° ^i1/ZC ^ f°r them- What is -ore affecrmg than this! In a village above Sidon, a group of ten men abovf twenty years of age, some" of them married and paTenTs sent me word saying they wanted to form a scout troop! Twent tthem thinking tint they wanted to have a troop organized n £ village and were anxious to help me. But to my surprise I c£ covered that they themselves wanted to form the troop> i could f II �•tmmm'^-j*^ 3 A Troop of Typical Lebanese Boy Scouts VO �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD not convince them that it was for boys and not for men. They said they would act as boys! I said, "Since you are anxious to have scouting in your village, get the children of your relatives and friends to become scouts." All was in vain, and the troop was organized! Fortunately or unfortunately, that troop did not Ine long, for its members had to look for food fo their children! Every summer a play is presented by the scouts, from which we gain a certain sum of money which serves as a fund for necessary expenses of the troops. Midsummer we go for trips to some new places in order to become acquainted with the different sections of the country. Now, the once young scouts, who began scouting in the year 1922, have become old and experienced enough to manage troops themselves. Four of them are actually responsible for two troops in the two schools in Jedeidat. They are doing good work and their scouts are full of zeal and impatiently waiting for summer to come that they might share in the proposed two-weeks' camping. * We now have seven troops in all Southern Lebanon, but we hope that in a few years we shall be able to boast of more. Our main obstacle, which we hope to overcome in the coming few years, is the lack of scoutmasters. Anyway, the future looks bright to us. \ Fair Flower 'By THOMAS ASA Fair flower that doth so proudly rear its head, Thy face uplifted to the sun and sky, Who knows but the morrow shall find thee dead, And who but knows soon we too must die! Ne'er an earthly flow'r but some pleasure fills, The meanest member of thy kingdom grows To soothe some jaded breast of worldly ills; What matter if it be no queenly rose! �MARCH, 1931 21 Arab Literature and Philosophy 2y MICHAEL HADDAD Editor's Note — The writer of this article is a native of Transjordania, and at present a student at Columbia University preparing himself for a career of usefulness in his native land. He finds time, nevertheless, to bring about a better understanding of Arabic culture by his lectures in churches and societies and occasionally over the radio. The following are extracts of a speech he delivered to members of the faculty and students of Columbia University. \ yHAT outside the Koran and the Arabian Nights there exists an Arabic literature at all, is comparatively little known Arabic literature is the enduring monument of a civilization, not of a people. The birthplace of Arabic literature was a sandy plain, particularly desert. The inhabitants were nomadic and their physical environment moulded their habits. Due partly to their severe struggle for existence and their monotonous life, their philosophy was summed up in a number of pithy sayings and proverbs. Like most of the world's greatest literature/Arabic literature springs into existence in an outburst of poetryPoems were handed down through successive generations of reciters called 'rawis', many of whom had prodigious memories. The heroic age was from 500-622 A.D. It gave forth collections of odes and an anthology of Arabic poetry. It is often remarked that old Arabic poetry can never be satisfactorily translated into any otner language, because the things said vary so little and the whole art lies in the untranslatable manner of saying it. However, a passage quoted from the Mu'allaqa of imru ul-Qays will serve to give one a feeling of this kind of poetry A poet is supposed to be travelling on a camel, with one or two companions The road leads him to the site of a former encampment. He beseeches his companions to halt for a moment and he sorrowfully recalls how, many years ago, he spent here the happiest days of his life with his beloved. Now life with its constant wanderings, has long since separated them and over the deserted scene roams the wild antelope.... Says he: "Stay! let us weep, while memory tries to trace The long-lost fair one's sand-girt dwelling place, �i. I THE SYRIAN WORLD Tho the rude winds have swept the sandy plain, St.U some fa,nt traces of that spot remain. My comrades reined their coursers by my side, And yield not, yieJd not to despair,' thev cried I ears were my sole reply; yet what avail lears shed on sand, or sighs upon the gale?" 1=3. r V the lib - 'tBerli ences are at Oxford. ?C, translated A f Aristotle's Metaphysics fto S °" ?C Which were f "^ °f h'S b°°ks A second philosopher to mention is Al-h'inhi on ° d« "atural •* H„ , j ;\rauttr°offWOrkS °° ,L°giC "* ^^i^FSK on physics and meteorology. His book on « WH ^ felligible" which was circffat^Tatert ^mSev^fS^ ^ lation, continued to be reprinted until the 1 £h l 7 ^ ^U*_ meta physics he wrote on "SuEcT^Time" ^T^r^ " and "Vacuum". ' ' SPace and Measure" . �D {MARCH, 1931 23 Calcutta in a series of 51 volumes and edited by Professor Dietena. A great part of their work dealt with logic, natural sciences, metaphysics, psychology and theology. A resume of their theological thought ,s as follows: God is above knowledge, and above all categories of human thought; from God proceeds the intelligence, and from intelligence proceeds the human soul, and 3,that/°"l.comes Primal matter. When this matter becomes W thl r7rmg dimenSlons/ beco s secondary matter, and ri om that the Universe proceeds. Ibn?" STT 5r°dUCt °f the ferment of thought ^PPears in Ibn Sina who lived m 1027 A. D., commonly knotn and Latinized as Avicenna. He wrote several books on Logic which differ from the Greek by being expressed universally by the negave, for example. All A isnot B-while in Arabic nothing ofA is B. Also he differentiated between the abstract and the objective. In describing the soul he describes it as a collection of faculties or forces acting on the body. The faculties present in the soul may be divided into two classes: faculties of perception and fled and° aCtl0U- ,Df ^ hlS tlme Bagdad Was bunufi and he ned, and it was only through his works that the culture of his period was later re-instituted. id!/ - >-. briefllhilef°n the ^f1 ofT Phil0S°Ph^ if is et to mention briefly a few points about Ibn Rushd, known to the West as ticMvZ V\ W'S thC gTeatef °f ArabiG Phil-oPhers and pracically the last. He composed two theological treatises-one on he agreement of religion with philosophy, the other on the demonstration of religious dogma. There are three different classes of man he says, the highest being those whose i eligious belief is based on demonstration, the result of reasoning The lowest stratum is of those whose faith is based upon the authority of a teacher or on presumption which cannot be argued not'ntlteT,tate bet7ee" *«* two strata are those who have not obtained the use of pure reason but are capable of argument and controversy by means of which their faith can be defended and proved. Popular beliefs he does not accept, but he regards them as wisely designed to teach morality and" t'o develop p^ amongst the people at large. A true philosopher, he says^albws no word to be uttered against established religion because of its being a necessity for the welfare of the people. iC of hi works became well known to subsequent generations particu arly to the Jews, and through them later to Latin scholastics �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD Lebanon TSy LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA They talk of California's sun, Of Italy's blue sky, But the mountains of the cedar tree Is where I long—to die. There I often climbed the fig tree, Took grapes from wealthy vine. There I loved the thyme and habak. The sky and earth were mine! Ah, Sheehah, whom I loved so well, Although you did not know, If you but knew my aching heart To you would long to go! Before I die, I'd see the sky O'er snow-capped Sannin Mountain I'd clasp your hand, perhaps, once more Beside the public fountain. And I'd drink the wine of yesterday To your dear Syrian eyes, And I'd sing a song of love once more— To love that never dies! Then when my song is ended, And I'd drunk my fill of wine, I'd die content in Lebanon— And know that you were mine! / �?LD MARCH, 1931 A Journey Through Jebel Druze 'By SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL III PLACES, PRINCES, AND PEASANTS \ / ^LTHOUGH but seven kilometers from Sueida (about four miles), it took us almost an hour to reach Qanawat by automobile over the apology of a motor road connecting the two places. We could have done better had we decided to walk, but because we had in our company city-bred guests it would have been an insult not to invite them to ride, when there was a car and a road, while the sun was so fierce as to discourage the most hardy and adventurous. And who, anyway, is the seer that can foretell the hardships of such a short ride to what may be termed a suburb of the capital! Yet Qanawat, according to the ambitious plans laid down by the French authorities in Jebel Druze, is to be made one of the main resorts of the country within a few years, and one that will prove a source of substantial revenue to the state by its attraction to tourists. But the long ride to Qanawat proved profitable in affording us a fuller opportunity to study the topography of the country and ponder its glorious past and future possibilities. The road over which we traveled was partly Roman and partly—well, its description had better be passed because its condition was almost indescribable. Our Damascene chauffeur, the very one who had had two years' experience at his trade in primitive Persia, said he had never encountered such hardships in driving. His profanity under the circumstances was excusable, because he so very often had to halt in order to remove boulders from the way, or attempt to fill in holes where travel was too risky. The only pleasant word he had to say was about the sturdiness of his American car. We finally entered the town through a narrow alley flanked by high walls of rough stone ranging in height from ten to fifteen feet and emerged into the spacious public square. Here the atmosphere immediately changed, and instead of the desolate �26 THE SYRIAN WORLD and forbidding landscape of the outskirts we came into a scene of Me and activity that was stranger and more inviting than anything we had seen so far in this forsaken land. And we had the opportunity of witnessing fur the first time the typical Uruze in his unspoiled form, still adhering to those traditions which characterized his seclusiveness and detachment from modern influences. I noticed a group of people who at first glance puzzled me by their appearance. They were attired in the long flowing robes wh.ch may be appropriately worn by either men or women Ineir heads were covered with the conventional kufias and ighals from under which flowed long locks of jet black hair which fell in waves over broad shoulders or protruding chests. The eyebrows were penciled to perfection and the lashes and lids were heavy with kohl. The picture presented all the characteristics ot coquettish femininity, but the conception was rudely shattered with the detection of the heavy mustaches and sometimes bushy beards, forcing the conclusion that these were the men of the tribe, inasmuch as the women were strictly forbidden to uncover their faces in public. I hesitated to ask of any of the young men an explanation of the origin of this strange custom for fear of wounding their feelings. The conviction was slowly formulating in mv mind that these particular youths must be so many Beau Brummels who assumed this role out of sheer vanity, and could not be considered truly representative of the people at large. But I soon perceived an elderly man similarly dolled up and who seemed to look upon me with the same critical manner that I entertained ior him. At his sight my curiosity got the best of my reluctance, and strange to say, he seemed not to be the least offended by mv inquisitiveness Rather, he appeared anxious to explain to me that such was the accepted custom among the men of the country, and that their only cause for surprise is that strangers should see in it anything strange. Yet these apparently effeminate men are the very same Druzes whose hearts of steel have carried their fame throughout the world as being capable of the most prodigious feats of valor in war. At one end of the public square we saw some wonderfully preserved lead pipes running in a bedding of concrete recently uncovered by French excavators. They proved to be a part of �MARCH, 1931 27 Ruins of the Roman temple at Qana-vcat zvhich the natives have converted into living quarters for themselves and pens for their cattle. the old distributing system which the Roman builders had installed to supply water from a central subterranean reservoir to the various sections of the town. The reservoir itself was located and cleared, and after almost seventeen centuries found to be in the finest state of preservation, its vaulted roof as well as its concrete bed with hardly a trace of a flaw. The most imposing ruins in Qanawat are those of the temple, although they in no way approach the grandeur of Baalbek and other places of antiquity in Syria. One of the portals still stands almost intact, and the enclosing walls are partly standing, but once within the court enclosure one comes upon a scene of'utter confusion, with building blocks strewn in all directions. And amidst these ruins of a once advanced ancient civilization, one comes across signs of the most primitive forms of contemporary life, where natives have converted the most suitable parts of the ruins into living quarters, stables, pens or chicken coops. Passing by what had been the outer fortifications, one reaches an eminence commanding a view of the narrow valley deploying itself into a broad sweep until it merges with the plains and'low hills in the distance. This valley was the only verdant spot we had seen in our extensive travels in this country. A good sized stream must have flown through it in times past, along which the \ K �. ._ . THE SYRIAN WORLD «* of wLr S3 y&'A'SyiStftS merfyofTrZk0^^ of the Druzes inH'J ? eXCUrSi0 " * mS Phiii P aS the the Cat Place "% for- of l»t refuge 1 Sraptrd rccetibiC $ £d2 £ d " ^leav "P Sueida the next day and reached ShnhK ^"^ '" "« Ut noon after a mo tonous drive of almoi ,wrT TU ° "°Tht SU day was the nerceTw, TA " °" that "id-August great ^ofS A»f >"* ^T""^' a»d it was with a some Ser "* ^^ 'hat at last we «*U find mre^Lrdn^r arcyhtdFt Ster"/ate ' £ ^"S *~ ardl Were sti11 in a good state of prese vation n ! ? broad and smootf" with wtSe "l i?"""1 ^ "d S abs as the Roma builders had laid hem ,!m„If uf' " ' » > t a W ceeded to *^^t°£ftr »**' ^ =P " two principal streets which eWTdSLte thetownat t£ t^TT*"*' °f ,he cr A number of women waitinn to fill 7k °ss angles, 3 he foUntain hastened to cover their facefnto "" T * * man, noticing £^J^^Z**^* ^JT' a camera ardfixi„gd;7iaToriWhen * P** "" 0m^« estahlL^X Sn.'^fJS get £&* ^ ^ S^ from them before presentmg Xn,^^ HHBBBm^HHni �MARCH, 1931 The obliging Druze horseman who himself posed for a picture and forced the reluctant women at the fountain to do likewise. in this case we made no exception although we were assured by the higher authorities at Sueida that telephonic instructions would precede us to the local authorities at our proposed stopping places to have them facilitate our mission of recreation and study Accordingly we continued our exploration of the town until we came upon a gang of workmen setting up some modern building along the western section cf the principal street. Here the native superintendent, m trim military jacket and baggy native trousers, advanced to greet us with the characteristic profuse expression ot hospitality, and upon learning our identity, especially that our companion was the popular Nationalist leader Baroody he became even more solicitous and obliging. He would take us he said, to where we could feast our eyes on a work of art just discovered and jealously guarded—the elaborate house of the governor of the town at the time of its greatest splendor. We retraced our course with our volunteer guide until we reached a house on the main street near the square, and passingthrough the gate into the patio we suddenly found ourselves in the spacious court of what must have been a sumptuous palace, such as the best we had seen in Pompeii. But the surprise he had in store for us was in the room which must have served a< the dining hall. Here, lying for many centuries under several feet of dirt and now altogether cleared but for a single corner was �ML 30 "THE SYRIAN WORLD a work of art done in exquisite mosaic depicting a festive scene as a central motif, while in an outer circle were drawn, also in delicate muiti-colored mosaic, the principal birds, animals, and fruits requisite to the feast such as pheasants, chicken, rabbits, deer, sheep, grapes, etc. Native women were immediately set to work by the superintendent fetching water to clean the beautiful panel, and when water was poured over the even floor the designs appeared almost living objects in the vividity of their colors The depth of the dirt still visible in one corner of the artTemV Sfea T f° determine why ^h a treasure of art remained hidden for centuries. But the delicate question vas_ How could the authorities dispossess the squatters who had ived in these ruins generation after generation and called them rtht, T eSP,£Ciall-y SinCC the DrUZCS are SO seilsitjve to their rights and might misconstrue every action on the part of the French authorities as rank tyranny and oppression. Especially" COUntlT WaS jUSt from » ^^ thC * blood^ war, Z* and T' the most innocent move of the ""W French might be misinterpreted out of all logical intentions. What could these s3e natives, for instance, understand of archteologie treasures and objects of art when their whole concern did not transcend the elemental of the simplest existence? Here is where the diplomacy and tact of French officials in Jebel Druze have proved capable of winning not only the sub mission but even the love of the Druzes who had be'en at war em y CW arS SJnCe This l have lea he\ , .°K i f tnel«iench bin from the native, themselves. And ed \i «* from the case now under consideration serves as a fitting illustration ; Realizing the right of the Druze settlers to claim these rums as their home, the French governor of the district, ntead of evicung them by force, had a small modern house bui ton a the d p alac md offered k to the SI foT°S , V rums. Naturally they exchange for their ddilapidated - thought they had the better of the bargain and readily accepted, and fhe deal proved satisfactory all around. ' the We decided the "^ "*** °J we ^ to he French French DiT-^r District Governor, and turned the south *>of** the 8 t0 w here our courteous uide di d SvitTJl ^* , , g -t 1 akhry Bey Baroody, as usual, refused to keep us company on official visits, and I and my cousin Joseph went alone. A?d a befitting a formerly great city whose importance had so far gone It I i �MARCH, 1931 7*^' "* -fe> «? *««*•* *V JO»e native children \l ^PSStbyewfcfKhe 80Ver "T - *» P^y « ruin. ourselves fal/,,'^" * gnmd °Pen stairase >«d found our nirs o^and^ ad IHet uS°raThWh° P°'ite,y "^ ^ ushered overlooked the whi ~ ZZ'T "^ """ been at one <ime the ^^rft^T^ m d 5£-T£?S se ltirh ,r ]"? ^ private office Entering "*fptl0n de Service de Refinement » haJ1 and the ,H ii|E^me governor's R y ° ' officier Shahba," received MT^ f^eTf," "ad oT ing ,,d wo be ;learning ;r ,1 r ^ «" W*-s P 1 He we ha^alr ad^heZ?^ T^* PP ""=d «P°» disa "R,ft , y P ourselvt:s t° what could be seen. he the «a rden ?* e, ofT r h0 "^ ;lnd C0 tai S* '" Indi c ai o^r;f a?. mU8 Un oi insi *d "» * in " " * «« ""-ion of statuls The unaffected courtesy of Lt. Eugene Roy, combined with �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD his genuine scholarly interest in the country under his jurisdiction, impressed me even more than did the imposing ruins of Shahba. I was deeply aifected by his display of enthusiasm in speaking cf his plans for restoring Shahba, erecting a suitable hotel in it not Jater than the Spring of 1930 and making of it a principal place of attraction for tourists. The visit I made later to his "little museum" only confirmed me in my conviction of Hs genuine solicitude and scholarly proclivities. The modest stone house in which he lived alone had no bright spot about it except the rtstuettes, the fragments of columns and the odds and ends of antiquities which he seemingly had collected and ; rranrreel with infinite care and loving appreciation. The sight cf this outdoor museum was sufficient compensation for the long trek to the Lieutenatn's house and back over a rough s^one path in the scorching midday sun of an August day in Jebel Druze. A Song of the Nile 'By DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN My waters have buried within your sands, O fair Egypt, secrets which you have been slow at discovering. Had it been given me to flow like ink on paper, I would disclose them to you one after the other. I am Egypt! I reflect its riches, its age, its mystery, its doctrine and the beauty of its maidens, and the might and wisdom of its men. I am great Osiris. I am fair Isis. Yes! and many an Isis (given as an offering for a heavy flood) did my arms fold to my breast of whom you were more worthy. If the daily reappearance of the great Ra is not a satisfactory proof of the immortality of the soul and the revivication of the body, then my annual visit must be an undoubted proof. >-;. . -- m -. �MARCH, 1931 33 ALI ZAIBAQ • • (Quicksilver) THE UNPARALLELED ADVENTURES OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASHID, OF THE CITY OF BAGHDAD. Translated from the Original Arabic by SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL and CHAPTER THADDEUS S. DAYTON VII. THE BATHS OF TOULON SAYS the compiler of this biography: The Baths of Toulon were one of the wonders of that age, having been built by the King Toulon, father of Al-Aziz, who expended on their construction vast sums of money, so that people repaired from all parts of the kingdom to see its wonders. They flourished for many years until they became a place of habitation of the djinns and affreets who were accustomed to strangle everyone who entered there. For that reason people held the place in great fear, and it became the custom of the King, whenever he wished any one executed, to cause him to be confined in these baths where within the scope of a single night he would be strangled by the genii and his body would be found next morning lifeless at the door. Quicksilver awaited the arrival of the evening when he bade farewell to his mother and girded on his enchanted sword and went to meet Salah-Eddin. Together thev proceeded to the Baths of Toulon which Quicksilver entered, Salah-Eddin locking the door behind him and taking away the key. Salah-Eddin thereupon returned directly to the meeting place of the Zohrs and said to his men: "Whichever of you brings me first the news of Quicksilver's death I will share with him my position." Quicksilver remained reclining on a couch but not asleep, until �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD some portion of the night had passed. Then he said to himself: ,,. ,\WllJ e*Plo,re th3S P^ce and find its hidden dangers" At u^l h"C ^ff hKed his e»ch-ted sword and walked by ts" light which to of^e ^ T"^decorated *"* °f *« ^ ^ foid to be be of gieat, magnificence, most richly. After stop ping here for a while he began to explore the different cham bers, looking m all directions until he arrived at a con picuol^ !hegoethenrs.beaUtlfUl ^ ^ * ^^ ^nger Zn T^ While he was so engaged the place was suddenly illuminated r e a ZZllng he a rtd p e deTof ^ ^ ««K rid Ys a species of ddjmn, one who^ is supposed to have been enslaved S?S m °ne ha"d a hrmP of mysterious radiance while he bore with the other a beautiful damsel. The Marid placed the lamn P on a shelf and then addressed his fair companion thus: U Wade'ah you have asked me to conduct you to a bath and th,j]S one of the finest in the whole world. Wait here but' com? the " diSHPpeared aS ^kklV ^ mysteriously as he had -i j > he beared that they had perceived him and that they were devising means to slay him, and he said tcZ th^ t0 Quicks lvei "I will now go forth and kill this damsel and when her com pamon returns I will slay him also." the WvTrJf Fear still b IZ: weeS"" S iSS ed f K Z Pred hlS hiding Place and approached * SaW t0 be WeePinS a»d lamenting. minaat ° » Ws heart, he asked in a hail may y U l ° :°m "' ° damsd ' and Whcref -e d° I see you To which she replied, casting upon him a mournful glance&now O young man, that I am of the daughters of the Kings of Djmn. My father is called King Al-Forastak This Mand whom you saw bring me here became enamo ed of me and asked me m marriage of my father. Upon being^ fused! devised a stratagem by which he inveigled me forth fromm father's palace and seized me. When I found myself powers m his hands, I requested him to conduct me to the lath whet upon he brought me to this place. Now I am in gr^'f^ .i ! zammmm �MARCH, 1931 I L 35 your safety, as you are alone and this tyrannical genii will surely slay you. Better, therefore, that you return from whence you came before he sees you." Upon hearing her words, Quicksilver's heart was moved with compassion toward the maiden. "Rejoice for your safety, O Princess, for surely I will put your captor to death," he replied. "And by what device do you intend killing this terrible giant?" she asked. "By this," he replied, unsheathing his enchanted sword which gave forth sparks of fire. "If you succeed in delivering me from the demon," she answered, "I will be your slave for the remainder of my life." The damsel had hardly finished speaking when torrents of water gushed from the dry fountains of the bath and the maiden trembled with fear, fearing that the Marid would soon reappear. She urged Quicksilver to conceal himself. The genii returned and ordered the damsel to prepare for the bath, but being encouraged by the presence of Quicksilver she refused, whereupon the genii struck her a crushing blow, moved thereto by the excess of his anger, at which she cried out with all her voice: "O mortal, protect me from this monster!" Quicksilver sprang into the chamber with a single great bound and confronted the genii, who no sooner perceived him than he leaped fiercely toward him. Quicksilver struck one blow with his enchanted sword which cleft his breast, the glittering blade protruding from his back. Instantly the Marid fell lifeless to the ground and the maiden, perceiving this, threw herself before Quicksilver, exclaiming: "Ask for whatever you desire and it shall be yours immediately. Even if you aspire to be the King of this land it is in my power to make you so, for you have done me the greatest service possible by delivering me from this demon." "O maiden," answered Quicksilver, my only request is that you play a trick upon my enemy, Salah-Eddin, the Chief of the Sultan's Secret Police," and he proceeded to relate to her his whole story from the beginning to the end. "This," replied the maiden, "will be an agreeable task and you will be much diverted in seeing how I shall humble your enemy." . �36 THE SYRIAN WORLD After having exchanged mutual vows the damsel took Quicksilver upon her shoulders and flew with him until she deposited him safely within his mother's house. "What befell Quicksilver's enemy," said the tale teller, "is one of the most diverting of incidents, and, if it is the will of Allah, you shall learn of it tomorrow after the day's journey is ended." Speech and Silence "By G. K. GIBRAN My loneliness was born when men praised my talkative faults and blamed my silent virtues. When life does not find a singer to sing her heart she produces a philosopher to speak her mind. A truth is to be known always, to be uttered sometimes. The real in us is silent; the acquired is talkative. The voice of life in mecannot reach the ear of life in you; but let us talk that we maye not feel lonely. When two women talk they say nothing; when one woman speaks she reveals all of life. Frogs may bellow louder than bulls, but they cannot drag the plough in the field nor turn the wheel of the winepress, and of their skins you cannot make shoes. Only the dumb envy the talkative. ' -;'. ..,:.- -. . �'MARCH, 1931 37 The Holy Grail Syrian Owner of the Famous Chalice of Antioch to Exhibit it Publicly for the First Time. ! \! fHE decision of Fahim Kouchakji, proud owner of the famous Chalice of Antioch recognized by many internationally known authorities as the original Holy Grail, which Christ and His disciples used at the Last Supper, has consented to exhibit the priceless treasure publicly for the first time since its discovery in Syria in 1910. He expects to sail from New York with the chalice 'and other precious objects of early Christian art in his possession on April 15, taking them to Paris for display at the exhibition of Christian art which will open at the Louvre late in May. The authorities of the Louvre, according to published reports, have informed Mr. Kouchakji that they will arrange with the customs authorities so that the treasure will not be unpacked until it is safe in their hands. The controversy waged over the authenticity of this cup, which had abated during the past few years, has again been revived since the announcement of the owner's decision to permit its public exhibition. Already the metropolitan press and archaeological publications are seeking the opinions of authorities on the matter, and while some hold that the cup cannot date back later than the third century, there are many others of equal repute who maintain that the quality of its workmanship and the design of its ornamentations unquestionably mark it as the work of the first century, while its associations and the circumstances of its discovery bear convincing proof that it was the very chalice used by Christ at the Last Supper. These circumstances would seem to be in keeping with the many appearances and disappearances of the Holy Grail through the centuries. In the legends of King Arthur, the cup voyaged miraculously to Glastonbury until the pure Knight Sir Galahad took it to the mysterious city of Sarras in the East, where it vanished from sight. In the present case, the cup disappeared still another time immediately upon its accidental discovery and only after much search was it recovered. �38 THE SYRIAN WORLD In 1910 excavations were being made in the ruins of a great church built at Antioch in Syria by the Emperor Constantine i n the fourth century and destroyed by an earthquake i n 526 A. D. The precious cup, which later became known as "the great Chalice of Antioch," together with several other silver .objects ofi religious significance /including a goblet which since became known as "the (International Copyright by Kouchakji Freres.) minor Chalice of Antioch," a ce- Original -photograph of the famous Chalice remonial cross of Antioch about one-third its natural size. and three book covers, were discovered, and the whole collection became known as "the Antioch treasure." Soon after the discovery, however, all the objects were stolen by Arabs and recovered only with much difficulty. They came into the possession of Kouchakji Freres, prominent dealers in Oriental antiques in Paris and New York, who took them to their Paris office and had the great Chalice expertly cleaned of the coating of silver oxide which had formed around it. In 1914 it was shipped with the other articles to New York uninsured, over a sea swarming with German commerce raiders, where it was placed in a Bank vault and there remained ever since. It later became the personal property �D MARCH, 1931 39 of one of the members of the firm, Fahim. The significance of the cup, it is stated, was first analyzed by Dr. Gustavus A. Eisen, an archseologist familiar with the forms and ornamentations of art objects in the Near East. The chalice, as described by Dr. Eisen, stands about eight inches high and consists of an inner cup of silver, crudely made and without a base, around which has been placed an elaborately sculptured sheathing of silver and gold leaf. The rough lip of the inner cup extends above the ornamentation, (International copyright by and it is the theory of Dr. Kouehakji Freres.) Eisen that the outer en- A detail of the ornamentation of velope was made to guard the Chalice showing the figure of and glorify the i n n e r St. Jude. cup. The sculpturing on the outer cup centers about twelve figures which Dr. Eisen has identified as Jesus-one figure as a boy and the other as an adult-and ten of His apostle! These trST °fAUS' Dn EiS£n bdieVeS' are His only'authentic po ! traits, made by an artist who either had seen Him or who had obtained a description of Him from men who had known Him C UP bCCaUSe f tion tTtVTTt if'ofTT , ' century. ° tion, to the last half the first itS form and execu- Dr Eisen made an exhaustive study of the cup and published his findings in 1924 in a beautifully designed Ld iLstrated book. His conclusions aroused world-wide interest and discussion among archaeologists some disputing his belief that the cup was first century while others supporting him in his contention 1 he antiquity of the cup was never disclaimed by the dissentth' A,?"? contentioi\beJng t^t it was of a make not earlier than the third century, and as such was too far removed from the time of Christ to be the bowl used at the Last Supper �ea ' 40 THE SYRIAN WORLD Authorities supporting the views of Dr. Eisen on the authenticity of the cup, however, in include such men as Josef Strzygowski, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Vienna and Professor Art h u r Bernard Cook of Queen's College, Cambridge. Professor Cook published his opinion in an article in the Cambridge Review and gave it as his final conviction that no vessel of exactly the (International Copyright by Kouchakji Freres.) same shape and proportions a s Another detail of the ornamentation of the the Chalice of Chalice showing the figure of St. Peter. A n t i o c h is known of a date later than the first century. of r^? the fal1 ?£ Jerusalem> Antioch became the main centre of Christianity m the East," wrote Professor Cook. "And if so her'Tmm T , ^ ^ WaS' ** '^obably, brought thivessel T/emS ml WhCre !t may Wel1 have been the very "I? m aP°St?llCu times ^ the infa«t Church. Indeed, a Last ZT ^Tr^u^r' Jt 7aS n°ne °ther ast stXun^e""31106 °f **** k than the CU P oi the <«** ^> ^ HNnnnDI \\ 1! I �MARCH, 1931 '< • 41 EDITORIAL COMMENT READERS SHOULD KNOW J^ FEW months hence THE SYRIAN WORLD will have finished five years of continuous publication. I am not in a position at the present time to say how long it will continue—that question will have to be determined by the public. What I can say is that public support in sufficient volume to make the publication self-supporting financially has been lacking. Whatever active cooperation has been received was in the literary field—from a number of our talented writers, some of whom enjoy national and even international reputations. They, in their appreciation of the value of the magazine, have been most generous in their contributions to it practically without compensation. Nor should it be forgotten that many of these contributors are professional writers who, were their contributions to THE SYRIAN WORLD to receive proper, remuneration commensurate with their ability and fame, would be our creditors in terms of thousands of dollars. But they chose to assist gratuitously in furtherance of a cause which they considered vital. If thanks are due, our literary collaborators unquestionably have first claim on our gratitude and we here and now wish to express it to them most heartily. A loyal group of supporters have also staunchly stood by the magazine continually since the beginning. But, we must regretfully admit, their number has not been sufficiently large to insure profitable, or even paying, operation. And now we come to a point where the existing economic crisis furnishes a ready excuse for the withdrawal of some of our old support and the withholding of whatever was expected of new. This naturally brings about an inevitable crisis in the publication's existence. It had been operated at a loss in the first place, and with the additional strain brought about by present unexpected developments, it can be readily surmised that the publication's position could not be any too comfortable. I would not have readers draw unwarranted conclusions from this statement. If the publication of the magazine has been conducted at a loss for all these years, without undermining my optimism in ultimate success, readers may safely accept my present \i i �b 42 THE SYRIAN WORLD declaration of purpose not to discontinue it before sufficient advance notice in case such a stef beccmes inevitable. Rather, it is with a view to discover ways and means of evading such a possibility that 1 have decided to make a clean breast of the situation to readers. I am seeking not their financial assistance as much as their moral support and candid advice. I shall ask them to discuss and decide several questions relating to the content matter, the format, the policy and the name of the magazine. I would have them express themselves frankly on the need of such a publication and the requisites for its continuation. To this end I am calling attention to an important statement on the aforementioned points which will appear in the comingissue. The symposium will be maintained for three months, or until the end of our current year, so that in case of any change it will be adopted then. In the meantime, we shall continue along our former course with the same determination and devotion that have marked our efforts during the past five years. Editor DR. NAJIB A. KATIBAH 'Y'HE unexpected death of Dr. Najib A. Katibah came as a great shock to his host of friends and admirers of his versatile talent and high literary ability. Readers of THE SYRIAN WORLD will remember him by the many excellent original poems and short stories as well as his masterly translation of some of the finest Arabic classics. But his human qualities transcended by far his literary genius, for he was a loyal husband, a loving father and a faithful friend. He passed away peacefully during his sleep on the morning of March 18, and his loss created a distinct vacancy in the Syrian community. He will be always remembered as one of the Syrians' literary pioneers in the English language in America. i , �3AARCH, 1931 43 Pan-Islamism Idea Revived Editor's Note — Moulana Showkat Ali, the Indian Moslam leader, was in Syria and other countries of Jae Near East durin:; March to attend the burial ceremony of his brother, the late Muhammad Ali, at th3 Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Both brothers were delegates at the round table conference on India in London where Muhammad died from overstrain. He was immediate.y proclaimed a martyr not only to the cause of India but also to that of Islam, hence the suggestion to lay him at rest not in his native land but in the mosque in Jerusalem which the Mos'em world holds in higher reverence than any ether of their holy plases with the exception of Mecca and Medina. The suggestion was advanced by the Moslem Supreme Council in Palestine and already the effect has been to revive active prosecution of the Pan-Islamic movement in the manner outlined by the brother of the dead leader in the following speech which he delivered at Beirut to a representative Moslem group as reported by the native Arabic press. > h i t \ i- f ' F AM exceedingly pleased at this meeting because of the opportunity it affords me to discuss the necessity of unifying Moslem public opinion throughout the world for the protection of their interests. You certainly must have heard a great deal about my late brother Muhammad Ali. I want to further inform you that he was more like a son to me than a brother. Our father died when my brother was but eighteen months old, while I was not mor. than three and a half years. As we grew, I came to realize that the responsibility of my brother's future rested upon me, and I spared no pains in insuring him an education. At one stage I had to dis pose of all our possessions to send him through Oxford. He be • came an accomplished scholar and poet, and was as well versed in English literature as the best among the English. But all this is as nothing compared to his outstanding characteristic of religious loyalty. Very often, after his return from Oxford, he used to express himself in unequivocal terms about the superior merits of the Koran, stating that of all he had read of poetry and prose in foreign languages there was nothing to come up to the value of a single letter of the Koran. Such was the unshaken conviction of my brother in the superiority of the Koran that he was able to convince the Moslems of India to forego the allurements of European manners and practices and conform rigidly to the tenets of our Holy Book. �44 THE SYRIAN WORLD I, too, believe that all that humanity needs in wisdom and knowledge may be found in ample sufficiency in the Koran. But whether my brother's belief was one of rationality or of rashness, I pray that every Moslem will adhere to it for the immense benefits it will bring to the cause of Islam's unity. The reason for my relating to you these things is to have you realize the urgency and importance of consummating our fond dream of Pan-Islamism. You, in this audience, are the Prophet's own people. You speak the language of the Holv Koran and you .nve at but a hundred miles from the sa:red tomb of the Prophet I his is why we expect of you great deeds and what gives us the moral right to ask you: Have you done your duty in complying with the injunctions of the Koran? Have you been negligent in the defense of your sacred places? It would seem presumptuous on my part, a Hindu who is indebted to you fcr the great boon of the true religion, to point out to you the way of duty. But we, in gratitude for the spiritual Gifts with which you have endowed us, feel it our duty to exert every possible effort to promote the cause of Islam It is for that reason that my brother is now buried in Jerusalem, an honor and a distinction denied princes and sultans. We wish to prove to you that our hearts and sympathies are with you, and that if we entertain any fear for your future it is that you will be contaminated with the corruption of Western influences and socalled civilization. When I was in London I met many Moslems of various countries and discussed with them the urgency of promoting Panislamism. They were agreed that no matter what our political affiliations and national divisions, we should hold paramount in our consciousness our community of religion and rally around the common slogan, "There is no God but God, and Muhammad is the Prophet of God." I am now touring the Moslem countries of the Near East in the interest of promoting this great ideal. I have visited Egypt and have had an audience with His Majesty the King, as well as with Nahas Pasha, the nationalist leader, and other prominent personages I have also visited Palestine and Transjordania and tTZ Awfr* T? H/ MajeSty KmS Hussein and his son Emir Abdullah, and found them all sympathetic to the movement. I am happy to state that all true Moslems cannot fail to perceive the gravity of the impending danger of Western in*i i V �MARCH, 1931 45 filtration into our lands which disguises itself under the cloak of bringing us liberty and independence. exswf-H°T WTuC°me '? thC CrUCkl P°int °f how to achieve this exalted ideal. There is but one way and that is the way of faith and sacrifice I am now resolved to tour the Moslem countries in > men X Uu ? ^ ^^ SUpP°rt °f their Potentates and men of wealth, and a few months hence I shall return to you, and hope by then you would have resolved to sell the silk shirts on your bodies and the rich rugs that adorn your homes and devote the proceeds to this great cause. In the meantime, I shall visit Iraq at the invitation of His Majesty King Feisal and later proceed to Persia where I expect unlimited assistance from the Shah because of my knowledge of the great interest he takes in such a worthy cause. I have been told that in spite of his immense resources, the Shah spends on his own personal needs but three or four pounds a month, and when asked the reason for this seemingly undue economy he replied that he was saving his revenue in order to devote it later to the promotion of the cause of Islam. The immediate duty of the Palestinian Arabs, however is to ward off the danger of Zionism by investing all funds at their disposal in the purchase of land instead of depositing them in banks. 1 am in a position to assert that the Zionists' ambition does not stop at controlling the Holy Land and establishing therein a national home. Their aim is to gain possession of all Arab countries including Syria and Iraq. Dr. Chaim Weizmann, the Zionist leader, himself stated to me that the Zionists plan is to acquire possession of all Arab countries, excepting Al-Hijaz, with the consent of the inhabitants. I could not help but smile at these false hopes and I replied to him: "If you can seize all Arabia and establish your headquarters at Mecca, don't hesitate." But I am in a position to assure you further that Great Britam does not at heart favor the ambitions of the Zionists despite its apparent adherence to the Balfour Declaration, and if the Arabs wjll only show firmness of purpose they will ultimately attain all their political rights. Both England and France fear Russia and the possible effects of the spread of communist teachings in the Last, and for that reason they would rather woo Arab friendship than risk the loss of their prestige. The Arabs are certain to emerge from the struggle triumphant if they will but persevere. �WiBiifcii 46 THE SYRIAN WORLD Political Developments in Syria SYRIAN ELECTIONS AGAIN DEFERRED What political manoeuvres are going on behind the scenes in Syria may never be known, but the effects have been the continual postponement of the promised popular elections. It was at one time announced that the elections had been definitely set for March, but now comes the report that again they had been deferred for an undetermined period, tentatively set by some as two and possibly three months. The rumor crop, however, is still plentiful, but out of all the maze of published reports only very little so far has proven accurate. What seems to be authentic is that the leaders of the Nationalist Party, fretting at the frequent postponements of the elections, have finally decided to call a national convention to be held in Beirut sometime in March. Their choice of Beirut is obviously to prove to the French authorities their steadfast resolve to adhere by their original demands and to reiterate their declaration of policy even under the nose of the High Commissioner. Some observers ascribe other motives to this bold move of the Nationalists, principally that of discrediting the recurrent reports that dissension has crept into their ranks. By meeting as a solid, cohesive body under the very shadow of the High Commissariat building, they hope to prove that not alone the Nationalists of Damascus are united, but also the representatives of the Party throughout the country, who would attend the convention and establish the Na- tionalists' unity by their actual presence. It is yet to be seen whether these plans of the Nationalists will materialize, as there are some who express the fear that hindrances might be placed in the way of holding the convention. Other rumors, and many there are, insist that the Nationalists have agreed to participate in the elections providing they were guaranteed noninterference by the government. Previously it was asserted that they made their participation conditional upon the deposition of the Tajeddin government because of their lack of faith in its fairness. The visit of several members of the royal Hashemite house to Syria within the last few months has given impetus to the movement to recreate a royalist party whose candidate for the throne would be one of the sons of ex-King Hussein. The party has been duly organized and is said to include many of the leading citizens and notables of Damascus. The announcement of its organization, published February 10, states that its progam follows closely upon that of the Nationalists. The Royalists demand a united, sovereign state, with the privilege of independent foreign representation. The government is to be a constitutional monarchy with Islam as the state religion and Arabic the official language; a national army will be created that would be an independent and distinct unit; a general amnesty will be sought for all political exiles and prisoners; a basis of understanding with France will be established with the view of safeguarding Syria's interests and facilitating its entry in- ; " �ft - MARCH, 1931 to the League of Nations; public education will be made compulsory under a state program, and the Hijaz Railway will be restored as the property of all Moslems with a view of facilitating pilgrimage. 47 lords at the end of the rental year at the beginning of June. The Arabs decided on this firm policy in order to refute the allegations that they were ready to enter into negotiations with the Jews for a modus vivendi in Palestine in conjunction with the visit of Dr. Weizmann, although a strong eleARABS DECLARE BOYCOTT. SHUN JEWISH PARLEY ment of orthodox Jews headed by Rabbi Chaim Sonnenfeld is sincereThe visit of the Jewish Zionist ly desirous for such an understandleader, Dr. Chaim Weizmann, to Je- ing because of their fierce opposirusalem in March was the signal tion to political Zionism. for the Arabs' declaration of a new The Arabs have undoubtedly been and more extensive boycott against heartened in their stand by the visit the Jews and the reiteration of thei- of Moulana Showkat AH, the Indian oft announced intention never to Moslem leader, who had been a deleconsider a policy of reconciliation gate to the round table conference with the Jews so long as the Balfour on India in London. His assertion Declaration was operative in Pales- that Indian Moslems would spare no tine and upheld by the British gov- effort in upholding their Palestinian ernment. This new development gave brothers in the pursuit of their narise to fear of disturbances on the tional rights confirmed the latter occasion of the Easter season which in their conviction that they had the coincided with the Jewish Passover support of not only the Arabs but , and the Moslem festival of Nebi of the whole Moslem world. MouMoussa. The authorities are conse- lana Muhammad AH, brother of quently taking no chances and have Showkat, who also was a delegate held large forces of military and to the London conference and died police in readiness for any emer- as a result of strain, was buried in gency. Jerusalem instead of in his native The declaration of the Arab boy- India. This was a further indication cott of the Jews preceded the ar- that among Moslems religious corival of Dr. Weizmann. Their slogan hesiveness and loyalty were paris reported to be: "Sell Jews every- amount in their consideration. thing except land and buy nothing The Archbishop of Canterbury, from them." The appeal to the boyhead of the Anglican Church, will cott is issued by the Arab Executive arrive in Palestine shortly after and is addressed particularly to Easter, according to press reports. women. The object of the boycott, acThe Vatican is said to have indicording to announcement, is to show cated its disapproval of his visit as the world that the Arabs are scruputending to create further complicalously guarding their interests and tions among Christian claims in the are united in their desire to protect Holy Land. The Greek Orthodox their national rights. Archbishop of Bethlehem, however, The Jews, on the other hand, are declared publicly that he could see said to be preparing to retaliate by refusing to sign new leases for no justification of such an assumpshops and houses with Arab land- tion. The Anglican Archbishop's visit does not bear any official cha- �man 48 racter, as 'he is going to the Holy Land only as a pilgrim of exalted rank. He is the guest of J. P. Morgan, the American financier. MOSUL OIL DISPUTE DEFINITELY SETTLED Port of Tripoli to Get First Benefit of Pipe Line from Iraq Petroleum Fields to Mediterranean. The long and heated controversy between France and Britain over the route of the pipe line through which the Mosul oil will pass to Mediterranean outlets has finally been settled in a manner apparently satisfactory to all parties concerned, according to special dispatch to the New York Times dated March 28. American oil interests, it will be recalled, have a 23% per cent interest in the total output of the Mosul area and will share proportionately in the costs of the pipe line, although it is not yet known whether the American companies will use the French terminus or that of the British. A number of important details concerning the construction and the length of time to elapse before the oil begins to flow are now being discussed, but the main problem has been solved by the decision to build a single pipe line from the Mosul fields to a point near French-mandated Syria. From there the French branch will continue through Syria to Tripoli and a second branch will be pushed through British-controlled Palestine to the port of Haifa. While this solution will involve the expenditure of considerably more money, it nevertheless surmounts a delicate political issue which on several occasions caused a strain in the THE SYRIAN WORLD economic relations of France and Britain. The whole question had been the subject for the exchanges of dozens of notes, and as recently as two months ago the issue appeared to be as far from settlement as it possibly could be. Because of the shorter route planned for the French branch, it is likely that all the participants in the Mosul agreement, including the British, will use the French outlet until the longer British line is finished. From this it may presumed that the French won a further point in that they seem to have overcome the British and American opposition to the immediate construction of the line. The present world overproduction of oil and the serious depression it has brought about caused the British oil interests to oppose strenuously the exploitation of the Mosul fields until world consumption increases. Inasmuch as the French line will not be ready for two or three years, it is hoped that world oil conditions will be greatly improved when the first Mosul wells. begin to function and the pipe line opens. In anticipation of the operation of the Mosul fields, the French Chamber of Deputies on March 27 adopted two oil conventions, the first giving a legal status to the French Petroleum Company—a private concern to which France has ceded her 23% per cent in the Mosul fields—and the second setting up a national refining industry to handle the French portion of the Mosul oil. The State will participate in the company to the extent of 35 per cent, and of the 900,000,000 francs to be raised for the initial work on the pipe line the government will put up 245,000,000 francs. Under the provisions of the two conventions, American and other I \ ' �MARCH, 1931 foreign oil companies in France will continue to exercise their present privileges. Clauses in the original conventions having the effect of seriously compromising the future activities of American and British oil interests were removed, and American refining plants, which cost many millions of dollars and which were jeopardized in the terms of the original projects, are now assured of a fair opportunity to carry on. The settlement of the pipe line controversy was coincident with the signing of a contract between the government of Iraq, in Which the Mosul fields are located, and the Iraq Petroleum Company—a holding corporation representing the participants in the Mosul fields. In this company France and the United States have equal shares. The AngloPersian Oil Company, through the D'Arcy Exploration Company, Ltd., and the Royal Dutch Shell group, through the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company, each has a 23% per cent interest. Thus the British oil interests have nearly 50 per cent, giving them virtual control of the fields. The remaining 5 per cent has been held by C. S. Gulbenkian, an Armenian operator, but recently it was reported he had sold his interest to the Anglo-Persian company, although this has not been confirmed. Drilling operations are under way at five places in the Mosul fields. Oil was struck for the first time in October, 1927, at Kirkuk. The well was capped pending the building of a pipe line. It 'has been estimated that the international oil interests included in the Iraq Petroleum Company up to August, 1930, had spent nearly $18,000,000 in developing Iraq's oil resources. The estimated cost of the remaining work, including the pipe line, has 49 been never definitely fixed, but it is believed that when oil is flowing through the two outlets and the necessary facilities are created considerably more than $500,000,000 will have been expended. In its agreement with the Iraq Government the Iraq Petroleum Company is understood to have agreed to pay Iraq 4 shillings a ton for the unrefined oil produced, plus an annuity of $1,000,000. In addition to this a loan of $1,000,000 without interest will be advanced to Iraq. This will be reimbursed if Iraq's benefits exceed $2,000,000 a year. The international concession consists of twenty-four plots of eight square miles each in Northern Iraq along the Tigris. It runs for seventy-five years, beginning with March, 1925. Other potential sources remain at the disposal of Iraq, and at least one other international group with half a dozen national interests involved is seeking the right to work the remaining areas. REPUBLICAN PARTY FORMED IN LEBANON In Lebanon there is a plethora of parties and a lack of parties at the one and the same time. The explanation of the paradox is that, over there, they are so individualistic that everyone constitutes a party by himself. Late papers arriving from Lebanon, 'however, announce the formation of a regularly constituted Republican Party for the purpose of "acquiring for the country the full benefits of a republican regime" in which the people would have the controlling voice in the conduct of government, the plain statement seems to be sufficiently explicit of the form of government now prevailing. �50 THE SYRIAN WORLD About Syria and Syrians RIHANI SAILING BACK TO SYRIA Syrians of United States to Present Him with a Loving Cup on the Occasion of His Return. After two years of bri'liant work in the United States, the well-known Syrian author and traveler, Ameen Rihani, will return to his native land for a well deserved rest. Mr. Rihani's presence in the United States was at a time when he was able to render marked services to the Pan-Arab cause which he has long championed and to the Palestinian Arabs' side of the controversy which developed its greatest intensity during the past two years. His defense of the Arab stand was conducted vigorous^ in the public press and on the lecture platform. His lecture engagements, besides, took him to all parts of the country, and everywhere he helped raise Syrian prestige by his versatile ability and broad accomplishments. Out of a feeling of pride in his achievements, and as a token of appreciation and gratitude for his signal services, a committee was formed in New York to present him with a loving cup on the occasion of his departure. Over seventy representative Syrians formed the committee of which Dr. F. I. Shatara was elected president, A. K. Hitti treasurer and S. A. Mokarzel secretary. The cup is to be bought from the proceeds of popular subscriptions in order to afford, in the words of the committee, "all our countrymen the opportunity of sharing in this expression of love and appreciation for Mr. Rihani on the occasion of his departure." The presentation of the cup will be made at a dinner which the committee is planning to hold sometime before the date set for Mr. Rihani's sailing, which is still undetermined. SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH STILL IN TURMOIL All efforts at effecting a reconciliation between the different factions of the Syrian Orthodox Church on the question of the Patriarchal elections have so far failed, according to the latest reports of the Syrian press. The supporters of both Patriarchs Haddad and Tahhan are adamant in their contentions that their actions are legal, with the result that the rift in the church is becoming wider with the growth of passion and factionalism. The laymen's committee formed in Beirut to bring about an understanding has so far failed in its efforts. ) The latest move in the cause of peace was the appointment by the three ranking Orthodox Patriarchs, those of Constantinople, Alexandria and Jerusalem, of a special representative to study the question of the Syrian Patriarchate and make the necessary recommendations for its solution. This representative has now arrived in Syria and is bending every effort to save the unity of the Orthodox Church. A possible move, guardedly hinted at by one of the factions, is that in case of failure to win full recogni- n> WHHHH9MHHH ... �MARCH, 1931 tion of their claims they will make an open bid to join the Anglican Church. The Archbishop of Canterbury, now visiting Jerusalem, is expected to accelerate the consummation of such a step once it is finally decided upon by the faction having it under consideration. SYRIANS OF CLEVELAND GIVE SUCCESSFUL PLAY V ( \ X • The Syrians of Cleveland, Ohio, are acquitting themselves creditably in their representation of the cultural attainments of their race. Last year they were the first among the foreign groups of the city to present a native play at the Theatre of Nations sponsored by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, but this year their presentation was even more appropriate to the occasion in that they chose a play whosa theme and scene were native Arabian. The account of the play given by a special writer of the Plain Dealer on March 2 credited the actors with much ability and gave unqualified praise for the success of the presentation. This year's Syrian presentation was Antar Ben Shaddad by Shukri Ganem which was first written in French and played at the Odeon Theatre in Paris in 1910 where it had a run of several months and was most favorably received by European critics. The Cleveland play was the Arabic version of the French original. The entire proceeds of the play, according to a statement by the Plain Dealer, were devoted to Syrian charities as explained between acts by Dr. H. B. Khuri (in Arabic) and Jess. N. Saba (in English). The cast of characters was as follows: 51 Joseph Shiekh, as Antar; John Sadick, as Shiboob, his 'half-brother; Sam Kassouf, as Malik, prince of the Beni-Abs; Sophie Jeha, as Princess Abla, his daughter; Mrs. Dorothy Joseph, as Selma, her waiting maid; Karim Khury, as Prince Amarat, Antar's rival for Abla's hand; George Ziady, as Zobeir, captive chief of an enemy tribe; Elias Kaforey, as a prince; Fred Shaheen, Assad Abraham, and Elias M. Ellis, as shepherds. DR. HITTI TO SPEAK AT BROOKLYN MEETING The International Institute of the Y. W. C. A. of Brooklyn plans a series of month'y Sunday afternoon meetings to which it will invite prominent representatives of different nationalities as speakers. For its coming meeting of Sunday, April 26, it has invited Dr. Fhilip K. Hitti, of Princeton University, to deliver the principal address at St. Ann's Chapel, Clinton and Livingston Sts., Brooklyn, at 3 P. M. A choir will sing Syrian national songs under the direction of Prof. Alexander Maloof. Following the meeting a reception will be given in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Hitti at the home of the Institute, 94 Joralemon St. WORLD'S OLDEST RESORT FOUNDED BY PHOENICIANS A special cable dispatch to the United Press from Nice, in Southern France, stated that that city was proud in the distinction of being the oldest seaside resort in the world, having been founded by the Phoenicians in 350 B. C. Its climate, the dispatch states, has attracted in �_..". 52 THE SYRIAN WORLD turn Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and the nations of medieval and modern Europe. It may not be as old as the port of Marseilles, also founded by the Phoenicians as a trading post, but its distinction lies in the fact that as a popular seaside resort its has had an uninterrupted creer of twenty-five centuries. KURDISTAN PRINCESS DANCES IN NEW YORK A young Oriental princess of magnetic personal charm arrived in New York late in February to exhibit her talents in interpretive Oriental dancing. She came highly recommended not only by her Eastern friends in France and the continent but by a number of the best known European critics. The Syrians of the city, however, reserved judgment on her art until after she had given an exhibition, but once they saw her grace and reserve, her modest demeanor and her exceptionally artistic interpretations, they felt proud of the visiting princess and hailed her as one of the more worthy exponents of the fine arts of the East, one who helps dispel the popular conception that all Oriental dancing is of the vulgar, suggestive type. Princess Leila Bederkhan is this visiting princess, and she had 'her American debut at a concert she gave at Town Hall in New York on the evening of March 3 under the direction of Mr. Richard Copley. The musical score was by various Syrian composers, principally Mr. Alexander Maloof of New York, who conducted the orchestra and played several solo piano selections of his own composition Which were wejl cpm- Princess Leila Bederkhan Artistic Oriental Dancer mented upon by American critics. Princess Bederkhan later responded to public appreciation of her art by giving a second concert at the Booth Theatre on March 18. She will give a third concert at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on April 4 prior to filling several engagements in Chicago, Detroit and other principal American cities before returning to Europe. Princess Bederkhan is of Kurdish descent but spent most of her youth in Egypt and later finished her education in Switzerland and other European countries. She is a fluent linguist and has a good command of Arabic, �MARCH, 1931 SYRIAN FEDERATION HOLDS ELECTIONS • The American-Syrian Federation of New York held its annual elections on the evening of March 12 at its clubhouse, 123 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn. George C. Dagher, the popular leader of the First Assembly Republican District, was elected President. Mr. Dagher, despite his many political and business activities, still finds time to engage in all constructive Syrian public affairs and invites rather than evades association with his own people. It is hoped that he will bring his talent for organization and his capacity for energetic work to bear in formulating a wide program of new activities for the Federation. Other officers elected were: A. H. Macksoud, First Vice President; Wadih Gorra, second Vice President; Alier Couri, Treasurer; Thomas Amoury, Secretary. The four new members elected to the Board of Directors were: Said Akel, retiring President, John Kerge, 0. A. Herro and Salim Totah. SYRIAN JUNIOR LEAGUE HOLDS ELECTIONS it The Syrian Junior League of New York held its elections early this year, on Tuesday, March 31, due to the approaching trip to Europe of its president, Miss Adele Macsoud. The officers elected were: Miss Selma Milkie, president; Miss Louise Dibs, Vice President; Miss Maud Abouarab, 2nd Vice President; Miss Violet Zrike, Corresponding Secretary; Miss Mary Mokarzel, Recording Secretary; Miss Leyla Mabarak, Treasurer, and Miss Selma Diab, Assistant Treasurer. The annual spring dance of the club is being held on April 11 in 53 the Italian Village of the Hotel St. George. Arrangements have been made to insure its success and to more than fulfill the expectations of those who attended the league's past affairs. Miss Helen Jacobs is chairman of the committee in charge of the dance. SYRIAN GIRL EXHIBITS AT NEW YORK ART SHOW The Fifteenth Annual Exhibition of Independent Artists was opened at the Grand Central Palace in New York on March 6 and was the most successful from the viewpoint of attendance than any of the former exhibitions. A Syria:i girl, Miss Margaret Bishara, although still a student, had two paintings of an Oriental theme on display. Her work shows much latent possibilities. A large portrait of her in a setting of Lebanese scenery was also on display by the American artist L. Vasser Elam. Miss Bishara was born in Brummana and is of a distinctly Oriental type. Her native town, crowning a ridge of the Lebanon range overlooking Beirut and fringed with stately pines, introduced a pleasing color scheme in the canvas. W. J. Z. RADIO MUSIC CLAIMED FOR SYRIAN Editor, The Syrian World: Every Sunday, for the past few months, we have been hearing Oriental music of exceptional quality over Station W. J. Z. The strains that come over the air are very familiar to all of us, as most of them are the original work of our wellknown composer Alexander Maloof of New York and of Mr. Wadih Sa- �.-." 54 bra of Beirut. My purpose in writing this letter to you is to voice my protest at the unfairness, on the part of the Director of this broadcasting-, in not even mentioning the name of the composer of these Oriental melodies. He even goes so far as to convey the impression, to his radio audience, that he is the originator of these compositions. I have a:so noticed that in programming the name of the composer of these pieces is not mentioned. I know of no other radio programmes where this evasive method is used. If ha is the arranger let him state the name of the composer. Surely these melodies must have been composed by someone! My friends and I have many times heard this same Director use a few bars of a well-known Syrian or Persian air and a few bars of another, etc., in order to make a complete composition, and the announcer merely says: "and now we hear the camels coming through the desert," or something to that effect; but where does the poor composer come in? Of course if tSus is done with the composer's permission then it would be perfectly proper. But I wonder if these pirates of the air are just reaping a harvest on the fruits of Mr. Maloof's labors and others. James Arnore. Brooklyn, N. Y. EGYPT YIELDS TRACES OF PREHISTORIC PEOPLE A prehistoric civilization, hitherto unknown, has been revealed as a result of this season's excavations just completed at El Medai, a suburb of Cairo, on the eastern bank of the Nile, according to a special dispatch THE SYRIAN WORLD to the New York Times from Cairo dated February 9. Professor Mustapha Emer of the Egyptian University, who carried out the excavations, says the discoveries provided knowledge of a civilization in the Neolithic period, preceding the most ancient Egyptian dynasty. The layers of debris in the earth yielded evidences of dwellings, such as storerooms, and there were large jugs probably used for storing provisions. That some of the dwellings were oval-shaped could be determined by wooden posts still in place, about half a yard in height. Only one example of a square dwelling place was found. An exceptionally large collection of small objects was discovered. Indeed, no other site in the valley of the Nile has given up in one season such a large quantity of pottery so well preserved. There were more than a hundred jugs in different shapes and ranging in height from several inches to a yard. Some of the jugs had lids. The painted pottery bears a slight resemblance to the well-known pottery of Upper Egypt. Among implements found some were of basalt, oddly shaped, and others were of limestone, flint and stone. More than 1,000 pieces of flint as well as 1,000 fragments, including pieces of daggers, hammers and mallets, were located. There were also pallets of very hard limestone. The prehistoric dwellers in El Media were rich in copper, judging from the traces of this metal found there. A few beads of alabaster, plaster and bone also were discovered. The finds indicate spinning was known to these inhabitants and that they led an agricultural and pastoral existence. - �MARCH, 1931 COLLEGE STUDENTS RIOT IN BEIRUT Some of the Beirut papers hailed the disturbances caused by college students in Beirut early in March as a sign of lifo in the nation, and significantly commented that college students everywhere were ever the torch bearers of progress and all reform move-menu. The riots, as it appears, were caused by the refusal of some amusement houses to allow the students the regular discounts in the price of admission formerly prevailing. This action was caused by the increase in taxation which the government placed on all amusements. The students indulged in wild public demonstrations and carried their grievances to the president of the republic. Bravo, college students. Let us share the faith some of your admirers place in you as the instruments of the nation's salvation. But could you have found no better cause for riotous demonstration than the puerile reason of not receiving sufficient discount on the price of movie tickets! POPULATION OF SYRIA LESS THAN 3 MILLIONS According to figures published by the Bureau of Statistics of the French High Commissariat, the total population of all Syrian territory under French mandate is 2,763,000, distributed as follows: Syria proper 1,620,000; Republic of Lebanon 800,000; Alaouite State 283,000; Jebel Druze 60,000. The rural population is 1,720,000 or 62 per cent., while the urban population is 360,000 or 13 per cent. The inference is that the remaining 25 55 per cent, is composed of unsettled Arabs. The total area of the French mandated territory is 150,000 square kilometers of which 127,000 are in the State of Syria, 10,503 in the Republic of Lebanon, 6,500 in the Alaouite State and 6,000 in Jebyl Druze. SYRIANS AMONG VICTIMS OF SEA TRAGEDY The collision between the British aircralt carrier Glorious and the French liner Florida in the fog near Gibraltar April 1 caused a known loss of life of thirty-two persons killed and eight missing. The Florida was returning from Buenos Aires and carried a large number of returning Italian and Syrian emigrants, who were the principal sufferers of the sea tragedy. SYRIANS OF BRAZIL BUILD SPORTS CLUB Through the generous gifts of some wealthy merchants of the community, the Syrians of Sao Paolo, Brazil, were able to fulfill their leng cherished desire of establishing a sports club of their own. This project, according to a report of the Syrian newspaper Al-Afkar, was undertaken because of the discrimination against Syrians in other clubs they had been forced to attend. The two athletic societies for Syrian young men and young women have cooperated to bring about this welcome result. �S6 THE SYRIAN WORLD MALOOF GUARDS "SESAME" TO CITY'S ORIENTAL MUSIC BORN AMONG LEBANON'S CEDARS TRANSCRIBE mn cv» IAN MELODIES ON PIANO IN d^SS^SS STUDIO^" (Reprinted from the New York Evening Post, March 23, 1931.) By RUTH SEINPEL In Carnegie Hall there is a studio had known and loved at home. Mr door which bears the name "AlexMaloof heard the call and went to ander Maloof," and at certain times work. during the day the corridor is Syrian music had never been writfilled with the sweet wail of Orientten down. It was played and sung al melodies played feelingly on the from memory, and each performer piano. They are played by the finhad his own version. SD Mr. Maloof gers of Mr. Maloof himself, a stocky wrote down all the songs and tunes man with the look of a maestro. he knew, and for those of his counHis countrymen think a lot of Mr. trymen who had phonographs inMaloof. For he is the guardian and stead of pianos—a rapidly growing protector of Oriental music in number—he had phonograph recAmerica. Without him the younger ords made. generation might never have heard He wrote many compositions of the plaintive tunes their shepherd his own, too, based on Oriental ancestors used to pipe, dreaming of themes. All together he published dancing girls in the bazaar, while five plump volumes of music and watching over the flock on the hundreds of records, and not only plains of Syria. Syrians in America, but Syrians at home on Mediterranean shores gobBrought Out Syrian Culture bled them up. The Near East is strewn with Mr. Maloof's books and Mr. Maloof is a musician and a records. composer of music. He was born in While he was working, Mr. Mathe Biblical mountains of Lebanon, and came with his family to this loof took into account the tastes of country at the age of seven. While the younger generation. They like still very young he began to study their Oriental music, he says, but with Joseph Henius, then head of they like it modernized. The true the Institute of Musical Art, and Syrian song is sung in unison, withpresently he became Mr. Henius's out harmonies. Mr. Maloof harmonassistant. ized the melodies, because harmony Meanwhile, the Syrians who had pleases the Americanized ears of ^grated to this Western world were the young Syrians. The words, too, suffering from a thirst for their own have been written into Roman type music. Western music was all right for the youngsters who aren't so m its way, they felt, but it was quick at reading their native script, very different from the music they and for their parents the script is printed below. \ ': �{MARCH, 1931 57 Syrian Women Do Serenading Mr. Maloof opened one of the books of songs at random and wa asked to translate the title. The song, it anpeareJ, was addressed to one Barhoom and told in some detail of the beauty and charm of that gent'eman's person. 'That's in interesting point for you," Mr. Maloof said. "In America your love songs are all sung by men in praise of women. In Sy.Ia it is just the other way; it is the wo man who sings of the beauty of her lover's eyes." But there are the torch songs, the reporter suggested. "Oh, those caveman songs, you mean. No, the Syrian songs are nothing like that. The Symn songs are about men who are kind and tender." Another book contained songs Mr. Maloof himself had written. The first was entitled "Lindy," and it told about how Lindbergh flew to Paris, and all that, the composer said. The second song was "Uncle Sammy." , "You see, we try to Americanize the Syrians," Mr. Maloof explained. There are 200,000 of his countrymen in the United States, and they are very well behaved. You never 'hear of a Syrian going to jail—or at least Mr. Maloof never had. Mr. Maloof himself is a thoroughly patriotic American, for back in 1912 the New York Board of Education held a competition for a patriotic anthem that would be within the range of the ordinary voice, and Mr. Maloof won it with his "For Thee America." Dr. Walter Damrosch sent him a letter praising the song. Opera Among His Activities Mr. Maloof is very busy, these days, with teaching music and playing and conducting orchestras on the radio. He is also writing an opera, half Oriental and half Occidental, I ALEXANDER MALOOF for which he hopes Ameen Rihani, an outstanding Syrian literary man in this country, will do the libretto. Many dancers dance to Mr. Maloof's music, and the radio broadcasting musicians are also very fond of it, apparently, for he is constantly hearing bars of his compositions played irt those musical interludes that are supposed to provide atmosphere. They never play enough of one composition, 'however, to have to pay for the use of it, and it is a kind of plagiarism for which the composer has no redress, Mr. Maloof complained gently. He plays frequently himself, both Oriental and Occidental music. Recently he played for Rabindranath Tagore at a reception, and presented to the Hindu poet the manuscript of a song composed in his honor. Tagore was deeply touched. Mr. Maloof played for Professor Albert Einstein, too, at his reception. �58 THE SYRIAN WORLD SYRIA. LEBANON. PALESTINE, EGYPT OR ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE NEAR EAST Can Best Be Known by VISITING — SEEING Our native staff is in a position to give you first-hand information on any of these countries, as well as expert advice on planning itineraries that will afford the maximum of benefit for the minimum of expense. A. K. HITTI & COMPANY 83 WASHINGTON STREET NEW YORK CITY Phone Bowling Green 2765 """'' _ MMM \ y\\ � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1931_03reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 07 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1931 March Description An account of the resource Volume 5 Issue 07 of The Syrian World published March 1931. The issue opens with Ameen Rihani's article titled "The Passion Play of the East," in which he describes his journey to the tomb of Al-Husain during the time of annual pilgrimage. The article that appears next informs the reader of the inception and growth of the Boy Scout movement in Southern Lebanon, as well as the influence the movement had in the lives of Lebanese youth. Michael Haddad is featured after a poem by Thomas Asa, where he discusses Arab literature and philosophy in a speech he delivered to his own college, Columbia University. Salloum Mokarzel also continues his description of his journey through Jebel-Druze, where he takes the reader to Roman ruins and describes locals of the area. "Ali Zaibaq" is continued in this issue, before an article discussing the possible discovery and exhibition of what is believed to be The Holy Grail. The issue ends with an article discussing the revival of Pan-Islamism, political developments in Syria, and excerpts from the Arab press surrounding Syria and Syrians. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Ameen Rihani Archaeology Druze Michael Haddad New York Poetry-English Thomas Asa Travel https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/ed4d782ddccf726baa8ac0ac13661c8f.pdf 5a1035cf10770da5aa90c03c02ed63de PDF Text Text VOL. V. No. 6. i A FEBRUARY, 1931. THE SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE m SO ARE THE LEBANESE ARABS? PHILIP K. HITTI, PH. D. OUR COMMISSION TO POSTERITY REV W. A. MANSUR A JOURNEY THROUGH JEBEL DRUZE SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL THE TRAVELS OF AN ARABIC WORD: AL-JUBBAH JOSEPH J. RAYMOND mm 111 m WILL SYRIA HAVE ANOTHER KING? ALI ZAIBAQ (QUICKSILVER) THE COPY 50c m m m& (A SERIAL) ��THE SYRIAN WORLD "Published monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. V. FEBRUARY, 1931 No. 6. CONTENTS PAGE Are the Lebanese Arabs? PHILIP 5 K. HITTI, PH. D. The Secret Pll Cherish (Poem) DR. N. A. KATIBAH A Journey Through Jebel Druze — 77 SALLOUM I 16 A. 17 MOKARZEL The Blind Astronomer (Poem) 26 THOMAS ASA Our Commission to Posterity u REV. W. A. 27 MANSUR �t CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE To Youth (Poem) J. D. 34 CARLYLE.- The Arabian Nights (Poem) DON C. 35 SEITZ Ali Zaibaq (Quicksilver)—(Serial) S. A. MOKARZEL AND T. S. Past and Future 26 DAYTON 40 G. K. GlBRAN Advice to a Girl (Poem) 41 LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA The Travels of an Arabic Word: Al-Jubbah JOSEPH J. 42 RAYMOND From the Arabic 44. Will Syria Have Another King? 45 Political Developments in Syria 49 About Syria and Syrians 52 �I IN THIS ISSUE W^HAT we believe to be one of the finest efforts of Dr. Hitti is his condensation of the whole history of Lebanon from the dawn of time within the limits of a few pages. The question "Are the Lebanese Arabs?" was put to him by the editor of Al-Hoda, and in his comprehensive answer he epitomizes the whole history of the country, tracing the effects on it of the various conquering races from the Assyrians and Egyptians to the Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Turks, and drawing conclusions which cannot fail of interesting every student of history. Dr. Hitti gives his opinion with due appreciation of his standing as a scholar. It is evident that he strives to establish facts without regard to personal feelings or political considerations. This article of his, although originally written for a daily newspaper, is worthy of an encyclopaedia. It is so crammed with facts, so logical in the sequence of its argument, that we deemed it a special privilege to translate it into English for the enlightenment of our young generation in America and those of the American public who are interested in learning about our ancestry but cannot find the ready sources. Now the facts are here presented in the most concise form, in the plain, untechnical language that everyone can understand. Our readers, we feel sure, will not only enjoy reading it once, but decide that it is worthy of keeping for future study and as a source of reference. Tr) many of our readers, Don C. Seitz will need no introduction. He is a nationally known American author and journalist who, even after his retirement from active journalism, still wields great influence in American newspaper circles in New York. Mr. Seitz was for almost a quarter of a century the managing editor of the New York World, at the time when that paper was making newspaper history. He is an admirer of Eastern literature and his poem on the Arabian Nights, contributed to THE SYRIAN WORLD, will surely inspire a more generous appreciation and admiration by our young generation of the literary treasures of their mother tongue. �pEV. W. A. Mansur's present contribution is on the commission of the Syrian pioneers in America to their posterity. The fine qualities of the Syrian race which the writer points out should command especial consideration. It is evident that the learned and patriotic divine wishes to address himself to our young generation in a spirit of exhortation to emulate their ancestors and strive to perpetuate their finer racial attributes and characteristics. Rev. Mansur's articles are always inspirational, and should recommend themselves not only for their educational value but for their deep sincerity as well. *THE editor's travel article in this issue deals with his observations and experiences in Sueida, capital ,of Jebel Druze. He faithfully describes the town from all angles, and tells of an interesting visit to the State Orphanage for Druze children. His estimate of the French officials should be especially interesting, inasmuch as they now seem to be respected and even loved by the very people who a few years since rose in rebellion against them. The coming article will describe the editor's visit to Qanawat and Shahba, two of the most interesting historical places in the Druze Mountain. "THE tasks of our hero Ali Zaibaq are becoming increasingly difficult. Has he succeeded in effecting his escape from the Enchanted Fortress? And if so, what was his fate? Let the famous Arab tale-tellers of old give you an account of Quicksilver's exploits in their own inimitable way. T*HIS issue is especially rich in contributions of poetry. Gibran's prose poems always contain a high spiritual message. Dr. N. A. Katibah, whose attention had been monopolized lately by an important new work, still finds time to make an occasional contribution. Thomas Asa is as staunch and constant a friend as he is an able writer. Miss Labeebee A. J. Hanna returns to delight her many admirers. IT took an American student of Princeton to follow a word almost through a dozen languages and in as many countries and finally trace it back to its Arabic origin. Joseph Raymond's scholarly efforts in identifying the Arabic word AlJubbah in many languages are certain to meet with the high appreciation and commendation of our readers. , c- �THE SYRIAN WORLD VOL. V. FEBRUARY, 1931. No. 6. Are the Lebanese Arabs? By PHILIP K. HITTI, PH. D. of Princeton University Editor's Note:—The conflicting claims respecting the ancestry of the modern Lebanese caused the editor of Al-Hoda to call on Dr. Hitti for an authoritative opinion on the subject. Hence the following article which first appeared in Al-Hoda in the Arabic original on January 3. The English translation, although undertaken by the Syrian World staff, was submitted to the author for revision and approval before publication. . i • A RE the Lebanese Arabs? This question, put to me by Mr. N. A. Mokarzel, editor of Al-Hoda, touches an important historical subject. In answering it I shall confine myself to the purely scholarly aspect, despite the complicated political questions that beset the theme. In a study of such character we must be guided only by the desire to ascertain facts, holding ourselves aloof from partisan considerations. Let us begin by defining our terms. Who are the "Lebanese" intended by the question? The term Lebanese here applies to the inhabitants of the Lebanon Mountain considered in its geographical delimitation and not in its administrative form. Especially dqes the term here apply to the Western Lebanon range extending from the Nahr ElKabir (the Eleutheros of the ancients) in the north to the bend of the Litani River, known in modern usage as Nahr El-Qasimiyeh, in the south. The inhabitants of both coastal and interior cities now annexed to Lebanon, such as Beirut and Baalbek, are excluded from the general term. Emphasis cannot be too strongly laid on the additional fact that by the term Lebanese is here meant the overwhelming majority of the inhabitants of Lebanon, not each and every individual without exception. �r 6 THE SYRIAN WORLD And whom do we mean by the term "Arabs"? If by Arabs we understand those who have adopted the Arabic language and culture, then the question becomes superfluous j because in that case the answer is obvious. The Lebanese, from this point of view, are "Arabs" or Arabicized, from the standpoint of language, culture and general psychology. Some of them are even so from the standpoint of religion. But if we mean by the term "Arab" the ethnological lineage, blood relationship and racial descent, then the question is open to discussion. >; It is plain that the Arabs meant in the question are those natives of the Arabian peninsula who entered Syria at the time of the Islamic invasion about the middle of the seventh century A. D. or those who came into the country as a result of that invasion, or, in a more general sense, those of the peninsular Arabians who migrated during historic periods and settled in Lebanon. This constitutes an important point which it is quite important for us to determine, owing to the fact that certain scholars are of the opinion that what we call today the Arabian peninsula was in all probability in pre-historic days the cradle of the whole Semitic race comprising those later termed Babylonians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Phoenicians, Arameans and Hebrews. In fact this broad claim would take in all peoples speaking a Semitic tongue. Those who have read my two little Arabic books entitled Suriyat w-al-Suriyun min Nafidhat al-Tarikh and Al-Lughat alSatmyah al-Mahkiyah ft Suriyah wa-Lubnan will recall that I share the afore-mentioned historical theory. But granting that all this is true it does not form a part of our present discussion; because, firstly, it is only a theory and whatever connection it has with the subject is pre-historic. Secondly, because the Semitic peoples who migrated from the peninsula, granting that the theory is tenable, were not, strictly speaking, Arabians. A similar case may be found in the ethnology of the French and English peoples whose ancestry may be traced back to barbarian tribes who once inhabited Germany 3 yet the French and English cannot be properly called German. All European peoples, besides, are supposed to have come from Asia; but it does not follow that they, for that reason, should be styled Asiatics. Thirdly, because the same theory is based on the assumption that these Semitic peoples, before they settled in the Arabian peninsula, were one and the same race with the Hamites inhabiting Northern Africa. Reduced to its fundamentals our question then becomes: Are HHHnHnHHHHHHBHHHHHM * i i �FEBRUARY, 1931 most of the inhabitants of Lebanon today descendants of those Arabians who migrated to Syria as a result of the Islamic invasion or who filtered in before the invasion during historical periods? If it should be necessary to give an unequivocal answer in a single word, that word would be "no." A short introduction and a detailed explanation follow. WHO WERE THE FIRST LEBANESE? The late Alfred Day, professor of zoology and geology at the American University of Beirut, discovered in the cave of Antilyas a few years ago ancient human remains together with those of deer, gazelles, and wild ass and other species of wild animals now extinct. This proves that pre-historic man lived in those sections and dwelt in caves, subsisting on the meat of wild animals which 4ie slew with stones, using the skins for clothing. The discoveries of Pere Zemmoven, S. J., along the coast of Kisrawan corroborate the same theory. In all, archaeologists have found no less than a dozen depots in Lebanon for the manufacture of stone implements before man came to the discovery of metals and learned their use. The southernmost of these depots is at 'Adlun, situated between Tyre and Sidon, and the northernmost is one for the manufacture of flint on the banks of the River Abu 'Ali (Qadisha) above Tripoli. But the principal ones are those of the Nahr El-Kalb (Lycos River), Nahr Ibrahim (Adonis) and the Antilyas River. Whoever visited the museum of the American University of Beirut must remember the large showcases filled with the flint implements which the first Lebanese used in the stone age as knives and weapons. The prevailing opinion among contemporary scholars is that Egypt and Babylon were the first historic seats of civilization, but the man of that period living on the banks of the Nile or on the banks of the Euphrates represented a high type of civilization because he had already attained an agricultural stage of development. It should be taken for granted that thousands of years must have elapsed before he learned how to cultivate the soil and domesticate animals. Previous to that stage, however, man was a hunter subsisting on the flesh of wild animals and wild vegetation. From that state he emerged into a pastoral one and began to subsist on the produce of animals which he had learned — — MBBOTBHW1^^" �8 THE SYRIAN WORLD to domesticate. In our present day the nomad bedouins represent that stage. It was only after the elapse of centuries that man entered into the agricultural stage symbolized by the Babylonian and Egyptian civilizations. The natural deduction is that Lebanon was partly, not totally, inhabited thousands of years before the historic era or the advent of the Babylonian and Egyptian civilizations. This represents the first point in our thesis which we wish to establish. Let us now pass on to the subsequent and better known historic ages. The first historical reference to Lebanon occurs about 2800 B. C. when Sargon, the Babylonian, invaded it. Others from among the Sumerian and Babylonian kings visited it either for the hunt for procuring its timber for building their temples and palaces in a country singularly lacking in forests and building stone. The reader may be surprised to learn that Tiglatt-Pileser, the Assyrian, as early as 1100 B. C. mentions in one of his records that he had hunted the elephant in Lebanon. Even to our present day the cuneiform inscriptions of the Babylonians and Assyrians appear on the living rock at the mouth of Nahr ElKalb (Dog River), the most important of which being that of the Chaldean conqueror, Nebuchadnezzar. The first reference made in the hieroglyphic Egyptian characters to Lebanon and to the Alaouite district, which is geologically complementary to the Lebanon range, occurs in a letter of Thutmose who overcame the kingdom of Arwad about the year 1500 B. C. and waxed eloquent in the description of the fertility of the country. He referred to the bounty of the land, the beauty of the orchards and the abundance of the wines. (They had no prohibition in those days!). To quote literally some of his remarks: "Their gardens were filled with their fruit, their wines were found remaining in their presses as water flows, their grain on the terraces upon [the mountain side]." Here is the first reference in history to the characteristic mountain terraces (jail,) indicating that the Lebanese mountaineers even in the middle of the second millenium before Christ, terraced their land in the manner still obtaining to this day. Ramses came in the wake of Thutmose and perpetuated the record of his invasion of Lebanon by the imperishable inscription he had carved on the rock at the mouth of the Dog River where the Lebanese took their strategic stand in defense of their country. r �FEBRUARY, 1931 WHO WERE THE PHOENICIANS? Now to what race belonged these first Lebanese at the dawn of recorded history? Undoubtedly they belonged to the Semitic race. Some, unquestionably, were Canaanites who were akin to the Arameans,— both being of the same Semitic stock. As regards the Phoenicians, they are none other than the Canaanites who lived on the sea coast and who were called Phoenician (blood red) by the Greeks who knew the Phoenicians as traders in purple. The history of the Phoenicians began in Lebanon about 2000 B. C. Traces of Phoenician temples, tombs and forts are still in evidence not only in Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, 'Amrit and the rest of the coast cities, but also in Afqa, Samar Jubail, Bait Miri, Hermon and other localities situated far in the interior of the country. The recently established Lebanese National Museum in Beirut contains the finest collection of Phoenician antiquities in the world, comprising sarcophagi, inscriptions and relics the like of which are not to be found even in the Louvre or the British Museum. While the foothills of Lebanon flourished with the Phoenicians about the middle of the second millenium B. C, the country was invaded by the Hittites who were of northern and therefore non-Semitic origin. The Hittites hailed from Anatolia and first settled on the banks of the Euphrates where they established their capital Carchemish (modern Jarablus). They later invaded the valley of the Orontes and set up their southern capital at Qadish, in the neighborhood of Hims (Emesa). Sweeping later from the Biqa' plain they took possession of the higher reaches of Northern Lebanon and contended with Thutmose, Ramses and other Egyptian Pharaohs for the possession of Lebanon and Syria. Incontestable proof of the Hittites' hold on Lebanon may be found in the celebrated Tell el-Amarna records. There is at least one biblical reference (Judges 3:3) to the Hittites and other nations "that dwelt in Mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon unto the entrance of Hamath." The modern Arabic vernacular of Lebanon bears traces of the early Hittite occupation of the land in certain common words of Hittite origin, such as shaghur for waterfalls. Lebanon was mentioned not less than sixty times in the Old Testament, the references occurring principally in description of its majesty, its beauty and its waters and cedars. But in Ps. 72:16 �r 10 THE SYRIAN WORLD there is a reference to its fruit, and in Hos. 14:7 occurs a mention of its wine, indicating that the Hebrews knew Lebanon, at least in certain of its sections, populated. It should not be understood that we mean that Lebanon at that early stage of history was densely populated. Such could hardly be expected of an inaccessible, cold mountain abounding in forests and ferocious beasts. What we mean to convey is that some sections of the mountain, especially the northern portion, were a habitat of man from the earliest known history, just as other portions were inhabited even in pre-historic periods. This forms the second point which we wish to establish. In the years 64 B. C. Pompey, the Roman general, came to Lebanon as an invader. Geographers of that period mention in this connection three Lebanese fortified strongholds. With the Roman occupation the Lebanese entered upon a golden era of prosperity and progress because of the well-known Roman policy of colonization involving the opening of highways, building of bridges, erecting of aqueducts and crowning many hills with magnificent temples, besides establishing summer resorts which afforded the colonists relief from the heat of the seacoast. Even to this day we find clear traces of these public improvements initiated by the Romans, such as the aqueduct (qanatir) of Sitt Zubaida in the outskirts of Beirut, the water canal of the cAr'ar spring, the temple of Dair El-Qal'a, and the temple of Faqra above Mazra'at Kfardibyan at the foot of Mt. Sannin—not to mention innumerable Roman inscriptions and sarcophagi to be found all over the mountain. It is indeed surprising that traces of a Roman road formerly connecting Byblos and Baalbek and passing over the higher reaches of Lebanon in the direction of 'Aqura are discernible to this very day. In the Byzantine period, which followed as a complement to the Roman period, the Lebanese gradually embraced the then new Christian religion. Lebanon attracted particularly the hermits and ascetics inclined to a life of monastic seclusion, and became a haven for the persecuted among the inhabitants of the coastal and interior plains. This gave impetus to the rise in its population. Ernest Renan in his Mission de Phenicie, describes several Lebanese Christian churches which date back to the Byzantine period, principally the churches of Mashnaqa and Hadthun and the temple of Kfar Shlaiman. The net findings are that during the Roman and Byzantine » I �;** r FEBRUARY, 1931 11 periods Lebanon enjoyed an era of great prosperity and progress and experienced a large increase in its population. This constitutes the third important point in our theme. And now we face the crucial problem in the whole discussion. RELATION OF LEBANESE TO ARABS Between the years 633 and 640 A. D. the Moslem Arabs invaded Syria and settled in the country. Their Umayyad caliphs even made Damascus their capital, and so it remained until the fall of the Umayyad dynasty about the middle of the eighth century and the consequent rise of the 'Abbasid dynasty in Baghdad. What then became of the original inhabitants of the country? Before the Arab conquest they numbered about five million souls, according to the lowest estimates. They were Christians speaking the Syrian Aramaic. They enjoyed a flourishing civilization. They had magnificent cathedrals such as the basilica of St. John in Damascus which later became the famous Umayyad mosque. What became of all these people? Did they evaporate and simply vanish? But our discussion is now confined to Lebanon, and we would ask: What became of its population after the Arab occupation? It is incontestable that the mountain, especially in its populous northern section, maintained even after the Arab invasion much of its autonomy and even succeeded for many centuries thereafter in retaining its native Syriac language. Its Christian religion was never forsaken and has been preserved to this day. The invading Arabs were unable to gain a foothold in it because of its inaccessibility, the severity of its climate and the preoccupation of the first caliphs in waging war against the Byzantines on the one hand, and on the other in suppressing the Shiites and other insurgents within their own boundaries. Such being the Arabs' predicament, the Byzantine emperors took advantage of it to reinforce the mountaineers and increase their power of resistance. To that end they dispatched to Lebanon certain contingents whom al-Baladhuri calls Jarajimah, and who, in the opinion of Pere Lammens, are none other than the Maradah. This new warlike people not only settled in the moun- �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD tain but began to make incursions against coastal and interior cities and proved themselves a thorn in the sides of the Arab caliphs of Damascus to the extent that the caliph 'Abd-al-Malik ibn-Marwan concluded a truce with the Byzantine monarch and agreed to pay him an annual tribute for the sole purpose of putting an end to the harassing attacks of the Maradah. In this, according to al-Baladhuri, 'Abd-al-Malik was only continuing the policy of his great predecessor Mu'awiyah, the founder of the Umayyad dynasty. And let it also be remembered that the reign of the Umayyads was at its zenith under 'Abd-al-Malik and his son al-Walid. In later periods, however, some of these Maradah tribes returned to their homeland in Cilcia, while the remainder settled permanently in Lebanon and were amalgamated with the original inhabitants, thereby forming what became known as the Maronite nation which in the last analysis springs from an Aramean origin. Al-Baladhuri and al-Ya'qubi are authority for the statement that when the caliph Mu'awiyah decided on repopulating the localities which the Romans had evacuated in the districts of Beirut, Jubail, Tripoli, 'Arqa and Baalbek, he imported contingents from Persia for the purpose. It naturally follows that the Persians formed a component part of the modern Lebanese nation, but not of the Christian element in it. Other elements may be noted in passing: The Janbalat and Tmad clans are of Kurdish stock, while the Talhuqs and 'Abdal Samads are Maghribis. In this connection it becomes necessary to call attention to some pertinent considerations respecting the Arabs who came to Syria as a result of the conquest. The point becomes more important in view of the uncertainty and ambiguity surrounding it in the popular mind. First:—Historians of the period of invasion place the number of the Arab army at twenty-eight thousand. Let us increase the estimate by another twenty-two thousands, who followed subsequent to the conquest, and we will have a round total of fifty thousands representing the purely Arab element among the then existing Syrian and Lebanese population of between five and six millions. Second:—As is natural, most of the newcomers were men representing the fighting units of the army. The women among them were few. Once settled, they intermarried with native women, and as a result, the second generation was only half Ara- - �i t FEBRUARY, 1931 nil 13 bian. The third and fourth generations became less Arabian, and so the fifth. The same process of reasoning applies as well to the Arabs of Spain. Arab blood in the veins of 'Abd-al-Rahman III, the founder of the Spanish caliphate, was infinitesimal, according to scientific computation. Another case in point is that of the Ottoman Turks who gradually lost all traces of their racial identity, so that, computing the amount of Mongolian blood in the veins of Sultan <Abd-al-Hamid, a certain scholar found it not to exceed one per cent. Third:—The Arab occupation of the country was in the nature of the case restricted to the cities and coasts: Damascus, Hims, Hama, Beirut. The invaders had no interest in the mountainous section which offered no inducement to them considering its cold climate, meagerness of natural resources, lack of communication and its total dependence on agricultural products. Let us, besides, not overlook the important fact that the policy of Umar ibn-al-Khattab was to prevent free intercourse between the Arab army and the natives causing his men to be secluded in restricted camps such as al-Jabiya and 'Amwas. Who of us can imagine a bedouin family migrating and taking up its abode in Lebanon? Has any one heard that within the last five hundred years any Arab tribe settled in Lebanon for permanent occupancy? The Turks occupied the country four whole centuries, but how many Turkish families became domiciled in Lebanon? In every land in the world it is the population of the country places, the mountains and the hinterland, that represent the original native stock, the urban population being in every case a mixture with a large proportion of late comers and foreigners. A study of the statistics of the city of New York will reveal that only one out of five of its inhabitants is a native city-born. Fourth:—The cities are more open to the spread of epidemics and diseases, and city dwellers fall prey to a life of ease, luxury and excesses which sap their vitality. Modern statistics place the average life of the urban family at not more than three generations, or ninety years. If this is the case in our modern cities teeming with public health precautions and hygienic measures and scientific ways of living what could have been the case in medieval times when ignorance was rampant, medical science primeval and general means of prolonging life non-existant. In those days cholera, plague, smallpox, diphtheria and var- �-jmmm 14 THE SYRIAN WORLD ious forms of fevers and other epidemics swept the cities with appalling results. Infantile mortality was undoubtedly at the rate of 75% or more in those days and under those conditions. But mountain inhabitants everywhere and at all times are comparatively immune against epidemics because of the blessings of fresh air and sunshine, of a green vegetable diet, open-air life, field work, early sleep and safety from contact with sources of disease and pollution. The general rule the world over is that cities rejuvenate their depleted vitality by the absorption of pure and virile mountain blood, through the accretion of those mountaineer youth of both sexes who are attracted by city life and join the caravan which is headed for inevitable extinction. Another important point, not in agreement with popular conception, must also be clarified: The Moslem Arabs, whether in Syria or other conquered countries, were little concerned with forcing the natives into changing their original religious beliefs. This is due to the fact that profession of Islam constituted in itself an automatic exemption from the payment of tribute. Economic considerations, therefore, prompted the Arabs to grant conquered peoples freedom to practice their prevailing institutions, whether religious, civil or social. From the foregoing it must be deduced that Syria in its entirety remained Syriac in its language, Christian in its religion and Aramean in its traditions throughout the period of the orthodox caliphs and in that of the early Umayyads. Its Arabicization and Islamization were gradual and slow processes which began towards the end of the Umayyad period and assumed greater proportions during the 'Abbasid rule. Let it be noted, however, that the 'Abbasids, like their predecessors the Umayyads, took little notice of the mountain and confined their interest only to the occupation of its southern sections, apparently failing to properly recognize its strategic importance. It was not till the advent of the Crusades that the mountain strongholds were rebuilt and fortified, principally Hims al-Akrad, Marqab and alShaqif. Consequent upon the Arab invasion of the Syrian coast and hinterland Arabic began to be spoken in various parts of the country, including Lebanon. But men are ever inclined to change their political allegiance more readily than their linguistic heritage, with the result that the native Syriac language held valiantly �FEBRUARY, 1931 the^rabic11 f°r * /5 Pr traCted time tefore ifc gave ° wa X in favor of The Arab historian Ibn-al-'Ibri (1226-86) informs us that the Syriac language was still spoken in Lebanon in his times. a w^H T/^SSem.anl) b his bi°graPhy of Nuh Bqifawi who TJT XT I451 m Bqlfa' (betWeen Ehden and Bisharri) reports that Nuh composed poetry in Syriac Bishop Jubra'il Lihfidi, better known as ibn-al-Qila'i, who died in 1516, left us certain works in Arabic which bear unmistakable traces of Syriac linguistic influence. In the year 1611 George Karmsaddini compiled a Syriac-Arabic dictionary, for which he collected material, according to his own statement in the preface, from the inhabitants of the neighborhood, especially Hasrun. In the year 1632 Chausteuil paid a visit to Lebanon and discovered that the inhabitants of Hasrun still spoke Syriac All this goes to prove that the process of Arabicization was an extremely slow one, making it possible for some north Lebanon towns to maintain their original Syriac language up to the middle of the seventeenth century. It is a well-known fact that even to this day there are three towns in Anti-Lebanon which have reJub'eadinnaC ^ a SP ken kngUage ° > namelv ' Ma'lula, Bakha and Syriac has left noticeable traces in the Arabic colloquial of Lebanon, affecting its grammar, syntax and accent. Towns and localities bearing names of unmistakable Syriac origin and derivation outnumber by far those bearing purely Arabic names. It should not be deduced from the foregoing that all the Lebanese are of Aramaic origin. Southern Lebanon, for instance, was occupied by Arab tribes both following the Islamic invasion and during the Crusades, their principal representatives being Ma<n, Tanukh and Shihab. Undoubtedly, also, some of the southern Christians are of Ghassanid Arab origin, although most of the southern Christians filtered originally from the Maronites of the north. Other Christians, as should be further noted, may be traced back to crusaders' origin. We are of the opinion, on the whole, that Greek and Roman blood is just as negligible among the inhabitants of the mountain as Arab blood is, and for substantially the same reasons. The Greeks and Romans, during their periods of occupation, confined themselves to the cities and coasts and found no potent attraction to draw them to the moun- �THE SYRIAN WORLD 16 tain. But whatever the case may have been, the elapse of centuries has caused such a complete fusion of Ghassanid and Crusaders' blood with that of the natives that scarcely a trace of the imported stock now remains. Nor should one be led to infer from the above discussion that the cultural and linguistic heritage of a people is negligible in the face of their biological or ethnological relationship. Most of the Lebanese are biologically, racially, of native Syrian stock, but their Arabic language and culture are vital bonds that unite them with the other nations of the Arabic-speaking world. The significance and the importance of this linguistic and cultural heritage of the Lebanese should never be underestimated. Thy Secret Fll Cherish (From the Syrian Folk Song Abu Zolof) "By DR. N. A. KATIBAH At the shrine my heart's darling secret's intrusted; To the hermit my love I confessed; There, alone, for an hour, on my knees I rested, To be shriven and pardoned and blessed. And the call has no mouth of my love to tatter, And the monk,—Oh, I know him so well! He has ears, he has lips, but no matter— Of my heart's darling fears will not tell. But the thought for a moment will out like an arrow, And the hold of my bosom defies; Then, I write of my love on the wing of a sparrow, As for ink—the red tears of my eyes. But oh no—no, no, darling! Thy secret I'll cherish In my heart though my tears be shed red; Nor fear not that I speak, though I perish And arise when the graves yield their dead. MMn '? �? FEBRUARY, 1931 17 A Journey Through Jebel Druze By SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL II. A DAY IN THE CAPITAL ^N almost infallible rule is that a country may be judged by its capital. The very word implies a meaning of superiority *nd general representation. It is the head, the seat of administrative power and the focal point of the dominating intellects in the land. The best and strongest in a nation finally work their way to a position of authority and naturally converge on the capital. Being the head, the capital becomes the logical center of both the intellectual faculties and the physical senses of the nation. It is as much the country's guiding mind as it is its watchful eye and the center of the sense of touch that is ever feeling the nation's pulse. Nor is the capital less important in its representation of the country from its physical aspect. The general view of the capital, its dimensions, its activities, its public buildings and institutions, its squares and thoroughfares, tell more eloquently than the written word of the true condition of a nation, its power and progress and aesthetic qualities. Hence we consider Paris and London and Rome and Washington the whole of the countries of which they are the respective capitals in miniature. Constantinople was a true symbol of old Turkey, but new Turkey expresses its spirit of aggressive progress and tendency to self-assertion in Angora. It broke away from old traditions and. set out to express its creed of rejuvenation and independence in new surroundings and along different, unconventional lines. Applying the simile nearer home, we find Beirut, Damascus and Latakia engaged in ambitious projects of civic improvement. They are following the natural course of making the capital expressive of the spirit of the nation. There are in each ineffaceable traces of an old civilization and culture, but a veneer of modernism is being added to give the faded past a lustrous polish. And such is the tendency of the people. Hence the anomaly of entering Damascus, for instance, along a broad .;'"i;i§?E" �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD boulevard lined with electrically lighted cafes only to be led to the time-honored covered bazaars characteristic of the old Eastern metropolis. Sueida, capital of Jebel Druze, proved no exception to the general rule governing capital cities. From a distance the town presents the appearance of a shapeless pile of black stone of restricted dimensions. Drawing nearer a few buildings of modern construction and pretentious size and appearance begin to take shape, while higher up the mountain Hank looms the grim square form of the citadel which dominates the city. The fort lacks the imposing appearance of either old castles or new fortifications, but the element of reckless bravery which characterized both the attack and the defense in the Druze revolt of 1925 marks the place as one of prime interest in Sueida. Uuring those trying times the Druzes besieged the French garrison and hurled themselves desperately against the ramparts of the tort m an attempt to capture it by sheer human force, inasmuch as they lacked either siege artillery or field guns. While the besieged French held out through grim determination despite hunger thirst, and lack of ammunition. For weeks the defenders subsisted only on the meager supplies dropped occasionally by airplanes in a desperate effort to revictual the depleted commissariat of the fort. I \ i At the very entrance to the town one comes upon the civic centre representing a small park around which are clustered the administrative buildings. The sight of the trim structures and the pleasing color of flowers and shrubs is most welcome after the long travel m the dreary waste of the fields. But the pleasant touch of vegetation seems to be confined to this one spot all else reverting to the sombre appearance of black basalt stone. Nature seems to have withheld from this country the softening influence of green, and the character of the people seems to have grown along the lines dictated by nature-grim, determined and fatalistically resigned in the struggle for existence. The lean, sinewy hgures of the people proclaim the life of arduous toil to which they are destined, while their serious countenances reflect the mental attitude with which they view life. It requires little power of analysis and deduction to arrive at the conclusion that these hardy and resigned people have little time or means to indulge in the finer amenities of life. We disregarded the advice of the obliging French officer of \ �? FEBRUARY, 1931 The civic center of Sueida, capital of Jebel Druze, showing the government bmldtngs grouped around the only public park. W to seek the madhaf or guest house of Atrash Pasha alUrSe haS CVer beCn the aCCe ted traditi flTnff r^ V,° P in this tar-ott land The custom springs from the fact that tourist travel, or travel of any kind, for that matter, was little known in former times and the establishment of hosieries consequently unnecessary. The people's hospitality, on the other hand' made up for the seeming deficiency, and the homes of the richest and mo distinguished citizens took on the semi-public character of hostleries We were relieved of the necessity of taking advantage of th1S traditional custom because of the existence of a commercial note m Sueida established since the suppression of the Druze revolt by an enterprising Lebanese. We were fortunate in finding two of the hotel's four rooms available, this being the dull 6 season. .15 \ The Royal Hotel is one of the few red-tiled roof buildings of the capital and faces the public square. The street level is devoted to stores, while the single upper story comprises the hotel proper. It is reached by a stone staircase leading directly from the street to an open-air veranda which serves as cafe The interior is divided by an «L" shaped corridor, the lower arm of which serves asdining room. The bedrooms, although few, are spacious. All beds are covered with mosquito nettings, It it would seem, as much for protection against the mosquitos'a BBKBHag*8»5®*®^^^Sn*s^^^ _ �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD against the swarms of flies that infest the place like a veritable pest. Still that was the only hotel and one of the most up-to-date judged by the standards of the country. Although we had every reason to believe that the authorities were forewarned of our visit we were singularly free from any form of interference notwithstanding the fact that the country was under direct military administration and that we had in our company one of the principal Nationalist leaders instigating the last revolution. But we could not translate our sense of liberty into any form of profitable use because of the limited sphere of activity in this strange capital. It was a town of only seven thousand population whose dwellings we could almost count from the balcony of our hotel. Its principal business street extended less than the distance of an ordinary city block and was devoted mainly to grain and feed stores, and except for the little cafe attached to the hotel there is in the town no place of amusement of any nature. We were advised that whenever motion pictures are shown they would be specially imported for the entertainment of the French officers and their families and the soldiers of the garrison. Nevertheless Sueida is the capital of a full-fledged sovereign independent State under the French mandate in Syria, having a Representative Council (whose twenty-four members receive each the munificent sum of $20.00 per month), a State militia and all the other trappings that form the cherished prerogatives of an independent government. The economic importance of the country is in keeping with its area of less than 10,000 square miles and its population of 50,000. Its export of wheat, representing the surplus over the population's needs, is to the value of about $125,000 while exports of wool and sheep butter represent an additional sum of about $150,000. The government revenue averages 300,000 Syrian pounds, the equivalent of $240,000 a year. The fortuitous meeting with an old friend from New York in the person of Philip Catzeflis, for several years secretary to the Governor General of Jebel Druze, saved the day for us. He not only brought us a touch of "home," but supplied us with much valuable information and proved helpful in many other ways. On his advice we devoted the greater part of the afternoon to a visit to Qanawat, an important historical town at a distance of less than five miles from Sueida, a description of whose ruins I �•m * Many buildings laid to ruin during the revolution have not yet undergone repairs. A view of Sueida from the only hotel. I* The abundance of black basalt stone in Jebel Druze may be imagined by the great piles which seem to rise everywhere in Sueida. »! ! I.IM!"—" " - ' -*1 �22 "THE SYRIAN WORLD will be given later. Another but equally interesting visit was the one made to the State orphanage established by the French for the care of war orphans. Although this visit was in the nature of a surprise to the two nurses in charge nothing was discovered that would occasion criticism. The dormitories, the halls, the kitchen and the dining room were most orderly and clean. So were the boys in their quaint native uniforms. They were made to give us an exhibition of the dabke dance, and to one who had seen the dance performed by practiced adults it was surprising to see how well the youngsters succeeded. They moved in unison with uncanny precision and seemed all to be born with a response to the rhythm The leader, a boy of hardly over eight years, was even masterful He not only displayed surprising physical agility but showed such emotional reaction on his serious face as to make his feelings contagious. The orphanage, by its modern, sanitary building, and ,ts well-kept flower beds and cheerful surroundings, is one of the few places that leave a pleasant impression of a visit to Sueida. * Returning to our hotel we met another individual who reminded us of America, this time in the person of the landlord who seemed to have come on a visit of inspection. He had made a comfortable fortune abroad and returned to invest it home and spend the remainder of his days in peace and contentment. We could have never guessed his identity or the circumstances of his hit but for the anxious manner he evinced in questioning the Lebanese lessee of the hotel, which prompted us in turn to make inquiries about him. To meet him in the street one would take him for an ordinary native who had never crossed the limits of his town because of his having reverted to complete native garb Irom kuffia and ighal to slippers and even to the habit of partly covering the face. He represented the old line natives who could never be content with any form of innovation. But almost at the same time we were introduced to a dapper young man in his early twenties faultlessly attired in European dress with the exception of the native tarboush. We were not a little surprised to learn that he was Emir Hassan El-Atrash the ranking prince and titular leader of the whole country, which'still adheres to hereditary leadership. He is setting the pace in modernism for the younger Druze generation. Emir Hassan is now reconciled to French occupation and even lends it his fullest cooperation. He has forsaken the career of general for that of a �FEBRUARY, 1931 > • I lit 1 23 gentleman farmer, his foremost interest being that of improving agricultural methods on his vast estates where he is conducting extensive experiments with modern farm machinery. The Emir was insistent in his invitation to us to be his guests for the night at his palace at Qaria, a few miles from Sueida, but we had, already planned to leave next morning, and to once accept a Druze ^prince's hospitality and refuse to stay long enough for him to display his generosity would be, to say the least, uncourteous. Besides, there was not the prospect of riding in a cavalcade Col. Clement Grandcoun in the company of a feuFrench Military Governor of dal prince. He offered Jebel Druze. to take us in his car which he himself drives accompanied but by a single attendant. The following morning was devoted to official calls. Mr. Catzeflis presented us to Col. Clement Grandcourt at the official residence and we were again assured the freedom to travel through the country. Meeting this upright French soldier of unassuming manner and evident sincerity and kindness of character, one is not surprised at hearing that when he offered to resign the Druzes themselves petitioned to have him remain. Almost all other French officials we met in Jebel Druze seemed to be ingratiating themselves with the people and winning their affection by their tact, kindliness and devotion. This is all the more surprising since the revolt of the Druzes was ascribed to the arrogant and intolerant overbearance of their first governor, Capt. Carbillet. -'-;—. ; -.- .--- �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD I 'A \ Inmates of the State Orphanage for Druze children in Sueida. Note the trim native uniform. In telling Col. Grandcourt of the purpose of our visit we did not fail to mention that our companion, Fakhry Bey Baroody, refrained from joining us on this personal visit to him because of his political affiliations. At which the governor seemed surprised and replied: "He would have been equally welcome. Neither he nor any other has anything to fear from us." This attitude of friendliness seemed to be the general policy on the part of French officials in Jebel Druze. It was further demonstrated a few minutes later when we visited the Intelligence Bureau, this time Fakhry Bey Baroody joining willingly. Rather, he was the principal in this visit and we the guests, because he and the head of the department were on the friendliest terms. And the reason for the friendship is most significant. It would seem to be the key to the solution of all France's difficulties in Syria. Fakhry Bey Baroody, staunch Nationalist as he is, frankly admitted that if all the French were of the character of his friend there would remain no cause for misunderstanding. And the character of his friend was that of simple human honesty and uprightness. It was put to a test when, during the revolution, Fakhry Bey was being tried for his life on a charge of complicity in plotting the death of a French officer, but this other French officer, the one in whose office we now were, testified to ) �•:. FEBRUARY, 1931 « w French-commanded Druze, volunteers who now maintain order in the formerly turbulent Jebel Druze. I 1 the innocence of the accused and brought about his acquittal "2 ou have saved my life," frankly admitted the Syrian leader addressing the French officer in our presence. "You are not in the least under obligation to me," replied the other. "I was only interested in upholding the cause of justice." Going through the Saraya, or government building, visiting the various administrative bureaus, one is impressed with the efficiency of the officials, whether native or French, and the evident alacrity with which they go about their tasks. In the courtyard we encountered a group of natives on various missions, and all were being treated with manifest courtesy. Such a scene could not have been staged as it was evident that it formed a part of the regular routine. In the face of such evidence one cannot escape the conclusion that wherever the quality of French officials in Syria is of the proper character satisfaction of the natives inevitably follows. My friend Catzeflis escorted us to the outskirts of Sueida. Y es, he was contented, which I interpreted to mean that he was resigned. But, oh! how he wished he were with me on the way back to America! �mum 26 THE SYRIAN WORLD I The Blind Astronomer INVOCA TION W Inscribed to Galileo 'By THOMAS ASA The starry train wend on, their sight unseen By mortal eyes once nightly turned to them— Oh days of utter darkness without hope! — Not of the blackness of the shadowed skies,— Not of the cavern depths of underworlds, Not fathomless deeps of somber waters,— But this: the darkness of these stricken eyes That rove in futile, maddening despair, By ruthless veils of mortal finitude Shut off from the visible world of Men! O Pow'r Divine, just is Thy Sacrament! Nature outraged has sealed for evermore The sacred Light of Heaven from these eyes, That nightly upraised in mute communion With Thy great works,—Thy glory infinite! f O Moon! thou full-orbed splendor of the sky! Where art thou in thy pristine loveliness? Hesperus, thou steadfast, shining lamp of night! Whose beauty has enthralled earth, sky, and sea. The fair Pleiades, the joyous Seven;— Venus, Neptune, and God-like Jupiter! And all the mighty kindred of the spheres! These have I left behind, in blindness sealed. Their ceaseless Light, on earth forever loved, Shall mark my way to God's Eternity! &«J ' �FEBRUARY, 1931 27 Our Commission to Posterity t\ < » By REV. W. A. MANSUR \£/E: pioneers of the Syrian race in America forevision the rise of our race to greatness,'prosperity, and powerj we foretell the awakening of our race to leadership, commerce, and empire: and we foreshadow the progress of our race in civilization superiority, and happiness. We Syrian-American pioneers have found the way to the rising sun, we have caught the vision for our race survival, and we have heard the call of our destiny that will make us, our posterity, and our achievements great, glorious, and honored among the races in America. In the pioneer period of the Syrian race in America we laid the foundation for the future survival, progress, and glory of our posterity. In a progressive spirit, in law-abiding families, in industrious living we built for the future prosperity of our descendants. In our self-awakening to our racial heritage, in our aspirations for our progress, and in the defense of our race we thought ot the future of our Syrian posterity. It is because we pioneers of the Syrian race in America believe in the renaissance of our race to a preeminent place in the world; accept the challenge of destiny to civilization, progress and achievement} and respond to the urge of race survival?ra2 enlightenment, and race happiness that we hereby bequeath our commission to our posterity. The writer is hereby giving expression to the prevailing sentiments of our times, setting forth the hopes of our enlightened leadership, and stating the racial aspirations of our race in this sevenfold commission to our Syrian posterity in America. /. Preserve Our Syrian Race Identity in America. I Our paramount commission to our Syrian posterity in Amerm ica is to preserve our Syrian race identity among the races in America. We of the pioneer period realized the fact of the superior numbers of other races in America. We sensed the danger to our Syrian race by its being absorbed by other races. We felt the necessity for race defense against race prejudice, discrimina- �28 I THE SYRIAN WORLD don, and defamation. We awoke to the splendor of our Syrian race history, talent, and achievement. Thus arose the paramount preservation of our Amerk ce as a Syrian race identity in We urge race organization for the preservation of our Syrian race in America. Bishop J. H. Oldham quotes Arthur Keith's Nationality and Race in his Christianity and the Race Problem Kace instinct comes into play only when men, women, and children or the same stock are organized into communities. Until such a community is organized, race instinct conquers or restrains hybridization » Bishop Oldham says, "The repugnance to intermarriage is thus rather a social bar promoted by a desire to maintain the purity and integrity of the community than a natural repulsion on the part of individuals." \ For the preservation of Syrian race identity cultivate the Syrian religious philosophy of life. Organize Syrian societies for culture, fellowship, and inspiration. Foster Syrian churches with trained leadership and adequate endowments. Educate the rising generation in the history, talent, and achievement of our race While other races seek fame, place and power through military conquest, material exploitation, and race aggression, let our Syrian posterity seek racial splendor, glorious power, and undying fame through the preservation of our race identity, race progress! and race contribution to human welfare. //. Uphold True Loyalty to Our American Homeland. We challenge our Syrian race in America to uphold true loyalty to our American homeland. We have enjoyed the benefits of America s citizenship, institutions and prosperity. We pledeed our allegiance to the Constitution of the United States, obedience to the nation's laws, and readiness for the nation's defense It is imperative that we and our posterity ever maintain true fidelity to our American homeland. We give it you strict in charge that you always stand for America first and nothing else S. A Mokarzel leader of the Syrian Awakening, said in a radio address on The Syrians in America, "During all the time fcey have been in America, the Syrians have proven themselves most law-abiding and loyal to the institutions of the country It is the opinion not alone of casual observers, but of official authorities that the Syrians in America are one of the most constructive and industrious elements among the heterogenous stocks of the I « I i : i. �-T« l FEBRUARY, 1931 29 American nation." (Syrian World, May, 1930.) It is our desire that our descendants shall ever uphold the Syrian-American tradition of true loyalty to America as laid down by the Syrian pioneer fathers and mothers in America. It is our wish that our posterity be known as standing always for America first and nothing else. It is our commission that our future generations shall exemplify law-abiding, liberty-loving, industriousliving, and single-allegiance citizenship. Let Syrian-Americans resist the nullifier of the Constitution of the United States, frown upon the law-breaker, and fight for the nation's defense against all enemies. Therefore, let the Syrian name in America be synonymous with pure Americanism, fidelity to the nation's Constitution, laws, and institutions j and a readiness for the nation's defense. III. Perpetuate the Glorious Heritage of Our Syrian Race. \ • f X:. It is our commission that our Syrian posterity will forever perpetuate the glorious heritage of our race. Let Syrian-Americans enlighten themselves regarding their race history, race talent, and race contributions to mankind. Let them understand the nature of Syrian home life, the virtues of their race character, the loyalties of their Syrian-American patriotism. Let them realize the meaning of their race emigration to America, the Syrian race awakening, and the Syrian race aspiration to achievement power, and glory. L. Darwin says in Eugenic Reform, "Mechanical contrivances have also greatly facilitated the transfer of knowledge or the flow of tradition from age to age; 'tradition' here being held to include all that mental stimulus and all the information which human beings receive from their predecessors by word of mouth, by books, or through the changes previously made in their surroundings, changes which often in effect embody thought." Let Syrian youth be ennobled by the illustrious traditions of our race heritage. Let Syrian leadership be inspired by the great achievements our race has made for the progress of mankind. Let Syrian worthies be aroused by the splendor of our Syrian name Let Syrian hearts respond to the divine calling of our race to the urge of the talents of our kind, and to the preservation of our glorious legacies throughout future generations of SyrianAmericans. Let the self-appreciation of their race by Syrian-Americans �1 30 I THE SYRIAN WORLD increase their race awakening, race pride, race solidarity, and race progress. W e, therefore, implore our posterity to ever defend our race against those who would slander and libel our Syrian race. Lhe pen is mightier than the sword," is an axiom of truth and power. Let us and our posterity storm, smite, and smash the slanderers and libellers of the Syrian race with truth, argument, and achievement. In intelligent union there is superior strength, therefore, organize for the creation of superior race power Let us and our descendants educate, propagate, and federate for the perpetuation of our splendid heritage, for the defense of our honorable name, and for the steady progress of our race. We Syrian-American pioneers are dreaming of the glory that shall be realized by our posterity. Therefore, Syrian youth, intelligently understand the meaning of the glorious heritage of our Syrian race; hold fast to the honorable name of the fathersand move forward to achieve the high calling to which thou art destined. \ IV. Honor the Memory of the Syrian Pioneer Fathers and Mothers. By the tears of our loved ones in our motherland, by the breasts of the mothers who gave you birth in our adopted country, and by the heart throbs of the fathers in our American homeland we commission our posterity to honor in loving memory the Syrian pioneer fathers and mothers in America "Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee," says the commandment of Holy Writ. This commission inspired the rising generations to perpetuate the high traditions of the Hebrew race awakened in youth the noble aspiration to emulate their forefathers, and created race solidarity for race defense, race enlightenment, and race progress. Hebrew youth honorably remembered their fathers and mothers by extolling their noble characters, by recalling their heroic deeds, and by reverencing 6 their lofty aspirations. 1 ! / > ' - The ancient Romans placed statues and busts of their distinguished ancestors in the vestibules of their houses that they and their children might be reminded of and led to imitate their noble deeds. . It is the purpose of the pioneers of the Syrian race in America to lay a foundation of race vitality, vision, and achievement lj ' / �! I FEBRUARY, 1931 that will promote the future greatness of their posterity In the pioneer period Syrian-Americans have striven by awakening as piratoon, education, and achievement to make way for the rise of their Syrian posterity to name and fame, to place and power Amer and the world ie p 3 n rbu M r ^ z eveVfml e , n ^ -° * ^ "^ ^ Heaven f the God of ever smile upon our Syrian race in a worthy posterity mothers, to extoll the name of the great and worthy in all aees \ ' shioTfT 51St0^Aand.t0 P-- the noble and heroic lead! - ship of the Synan-Amencan race will perpetuate from eeneS turn to generation the glorious history, L'nobleSTS splendid progress the superior talents,'and the beneWentlga cies of a foremost race among the races in America. V. Train the Syrian Child for the Constant Progress of Our Race. Teachef'" ^/^vf^ '° T* U"t0 me>" Said the D f r f SUch is the kJ d heaven He£ is 1 ^to"? ° °progress, here is'^ of heaven. " Here the key human the° seed for human happiness, here is the door to human betterment Let our Syrian posterity remember the divine calling to educate train and bequeath to the rising generation the best phys S' mental, soaal and spiritual inheritance for the progress o'f the n srK ssz Sf ^it^^r&it the m ttsr^ — - -^s: Let it be remembered that the child is the seed that makes he race of tomorrows that the youth perpetuates the heritage of the race, and that the man reaps the glory of the harvest. Therefore plant m the body, mind, and soul of the Syrian child of today what you desire in the man and woman of tomorrow 1 write deliberately: fundamental to the preservation progress happiness and glory of the Syrian race in America is the heritage of worthy children. Without trustworthy childre our Syrian race w,l fall into decay. Without trained childre ou Synan hopes will fade into nothingness. Without virtuous ch3dren our Syrian heritage will shrivel in dishonor. It is through ter pTom^' T^' "* ^^ children that We g-e character, promote achievement, perpetuate legacies, and harvest glory �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD • j *. 1 I throughout future Syrian generations in America. The sum of the whole matter is this: that our history, our heritage, our achievement, and our hopes must have worthy children to carry on the preservation, progress, and hopes of the Syrian race. Therefore, let Syrian mothers magnify the splendor of the Syrian soul into the hearing of her child, let Syrian fathers praise the ability of the Syrian people, and let Syrian leadership inspire the rising generation by arousing ambition, vision, and achievement for the constant progress of the race. VI. Maintain the Integrity of the Syrian Home in America. We commission our posterity to maintain the integrity of the Syrian home in America for the preservation of our race identity, the progress of our descendants, and the happiness of future generations of our race. The welfare of the home means the welfare of our race. The high character of the home means the high character of civilization. The training of the rising generation of Syrian-Americans in social obligations, high virtues and happy homes means the education of the leadership, the citizenship, and the home lovers of the race of tomorrow. Thomas Jesse Jones says in Essentials of Civilization, "The third essential of civilization is the effective transfer of the social heritage from one generation to another. As the home and the household have the primary and main responsibility for the transfer, the third essential is largely concerned with the conservation and strengthening of the home with the rights and responsibilities of womanhood, and with the care and sound development of infancy, childhood, and youth." The changes in the social order due to the development of the political, mechanical, and industrial revolutions, have brought many inroads upon the home: parent, child, and society. SyrianAmericans must assert the sacredness of the marriage relationship Syrian-American parents must affirm the place of discipline in the life of the child. Let adjustments be made in keeping with the progress of humanity, but ever maintain the integrity, the rights and obligations of the home in society. Let Syrian motherhood be held in highest honor, for motherhood is the queen calling of Syrian womanhood. Let Syrian fatherhood find highest achievement in worthy sons and daughters. Let Syrian youth be ambitious to achieve a worthy name - ... 1 \ - I 1 f:; t ' .,... " �• I I FEBRUARY, 1931 33 glorious success, and high honor for the glory of their homes and families in America. VII. Educate the Syrian Race in the Principles of Religion and Morals Which Are Common to Mankind. "Righteousness exalteth a nation," said the Hebrew writer, "but sin is a reproach to any people." Micah the Hebrew Prophet said, "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." (Micah, 6:8.) We commission our Syrian posterity to remember the true and living God, to practice righteousness, and to uphold the higher moral values of life. Remember God, it is the verdict of history that no people can long survive that has forgotten God. Remember righteousness, it is the judgment of experience that no nation can endure that has neglected righteousness. Remember spirituality, it is the teaching of wisdom that no civilization can abide in which the youth are not educated in the spiritual and moral evaluation of things. Therefore let our Syrian posterity remember that "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom," that "righteousness exalteth a nation," and that the training of the young in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord" are essential to the life, liberty, law, and happiness of nations, races, and civilizations. ft Ever promote the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man, and the universal kingdom of God on earth. Uphold the right of human freedom, freedom of religious worship, and liberty of conscience, and thwarting of freedom of thought. Maintain under all conditions the separation of the church and the state. Let there be intelligent education of the young in the high principles of religion and morals; preserve the natural rights of freedom of religion, mind, and conscience; and practice righteousness in all the affairs of life. Woodrow Wilson, the great war time president, said, "The sum of the whole matter is this: that our civilization cannot survive materially unless it be redeemed spiritually. It can be saved only by becoming permeated with the spirit of Christ and being made free and happy by the practices which spring out of that spirit." O Ye Sons and Daughters of Syria's fair land where'er ye be on the land, in the air or on the sea; in what time or climej �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD in whatever language or tonguej and among whatever race or nation, I challenge you to join me in the noblest of crusades for the glorifying of the Syrian name. The blood of our ancestors calls to us from the ground to maintain the splendor of their fame The voices of our children cry out to us from innocent hearts to claim for them equal rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The vision for our posterity impells us to uphold equal respect and opportunity for our race among the races in America and mankind. Let my challenge descend from Heaven and enroll you for the glorious service of our Syrian race, and the progress of man- I K.II1CI. Let my crusade call from the earth and commission you to jus.ity Syrias glorious race among the races of the earth Let my voice leap from the sky and charge you to vindicate oyna s fair name among all people. Let my message rise from the sea and send you to uphold the integrity of the Syrian home in America and everywhere Let my blessing descend from the Lord to ordain you, inspire you, and empower you in this your benevolent service for the glorifying of the Syrian race in America and the world To Touth Translated from the Arabic by J. D. CARLYLE Yes, Youth, thou'rt fled, and I am left, Like yonder desolated bower, By winter's ruthless hand bereft Of every leaf and every flower. With heaving heart and streaming eyes I woo'd thee to prolong thy stay, But vain were all my tears and sighs, Thou only fled'st more fast away. Yet tho' thou fled'st away so fast, I can recall thee if I will; For I can talk of what is past, And while I talk, enjoy thee still. \ * ' 11 �— I I FEBRUARY, 1931 35 T/fe Arabian Nights By f DON C. SEITZ Dreams of the desert and the narrow streets Of ancient Cairo where the wide world meets In strange confusion 'mid the city's mart. There called together by the teller's art: To hear with eager longing and surprise The Thousand Tales of wonder and emprise: Tall travellers from the Mountains of the Moon Swart Syrian sheiks from distant Scanderoon; Dark Abyssinians, and the lords Who rule in terror over Sinai's hordes} Pale Persians from Ispahan; Wild servants of some Tartar Khan; Red rovers from Aden's shore And Hindoo hinds from Midnapore; Pilgrims and priests from Cashmere's'lovely vales Or born from Ceylon's Isle by fav'ring galesOut of the East where poor mankind was born To greet the Prophets in the early momListening with widening eyes and open ears To changeless romance from departed years. Here rise Aladdin's castles on the sands While jewels shower from the Afrit's hands; And Sinbad's voyages over surging seas Through great adventures to luxurious ease: The Geneii loosened from his copper flask Expands his form and now essays his taskShah Zemen greets his Princess from her 'cave Deep in the coral, underneath the wave, Arid 'round the Bagdad streets at midnight hour Wanders the Caliph and the wise MesrouH O glorious tales! To make a gray world bright And leaven dullness with their fancy's flight; Ye come from Nothing and go back again Into the spaces of the Asian plain! �THE SYRIAN WORLD ALI ZAIBAQ (Quicksilver) C^Tr^rJliLr^LED ADVENTURES OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASHID, OF THE CITY OF BAGHDAD Translated from the Original Arabic by SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL and THADDEUS S. DAYTON CHAPTER VI. LIVLNG DEATH J-JARDLY had the door closed upon them when Hassan began kment but ollT T°n the fate Which had befa"en them, but Quicksilver encouraged him to rouse himself and to aid him in exploring the fortress in order to find some means of escape Walking side by side, they continued for a great distance untd Qu,cks,lyer chanced to lift his eyes and perceived through the darkness a bright ray of light at the height above him of two 6 e y alled his rkand^d" T^f !/ —P-i-'s attend" to it and standing on his shoulders, was able to discover that the Lght a from a door of polished brass from which hung a r ng of the same metal. This Quicksilver grasped and wa« able to open the door which disclosed a small but very beautif"l chamber into which he climbed. There he found suspended from the te'rsTf goTd°SC magmhcent SWord> on which "as inscribed in let- this^^U ° TT' ?* pIaCC' th°U art most fortu»ate i° UP n thCe f r is the e cha word Lt by K a^ sage of 7dages °past. Take ' ° it'*and »*d sword smite» with it made whatsoever thou wiliest whether it be rebellious human creator those of the tribes of the genii and their death will folQuicksilver's heart was filled with joy over this wonderful sword which he bore with him when he descended to the place I,? » M i �FEBRUARY, 1931 . 3? where Hassan was waiting. Together they forgot for a time their ctesperate plight in admiring the workmanship of the enchanted weapon which Quicksilver finally took into his own hands, giving to his companion to carry the sword he formerly had borne -through the darkness, with much difficulty, they retraced their steps to the great door by which they had entered. About the mid hour of the night they were aroused by hearing a key turning in the lock. Their first thought was that the King had dispatched some of his men to slay them, and the two captives immediately drew their swords. The door opened and with a bound Quicksilver and Hassan sprang forth. But to their amazement they saw only a single muffled figure there who cried out: "O Quicksilver, I am the daughter of the King, she whom you delivered from death at the hands of the Blacks. When I learned of what my father had so treacherously done to you it grieved me sorely and I waited until my father slept and then stole the key of this fortress from his girdle and came to deliver you." Thereupon she conducted them to her palace where she set before them a royal repast. It was dawn when they arose and girded on their swords, making their way straight to the palace of the King. Entering there Quicksilver uttered a crv that struck terror to the heart of the monarch and said to him:' "So that was our recompense, O treacherous King, for all the good that we did. Know that now the hour of your death is at hand." The King called for his guards to seize Quicksilver, but as they advanced, falteringly, Quicksilver with a single bound reached the King's throne, and with one blow of his enchanted sword severed the King's head from his shoulders and sent it rolling on the ground. The courtiers seeing what had befallen their monarch, begged Quicksilver to spare their lives, crying out that they had long hated their king because of his cruelty and treachery. "No harm shall come to you," responded Quicksilver. "Take up the body of this vile creature and bury it. Then seat upon his throne the Princess, his daughter. Such are my commands." Thereupon the princess was brought, and Quicksilver received her at the palace gate, saying: "Your father was a treacherous man, and I have slain him *- �38 THE SYRIAN WORLD because of his perfidy. Now you shall be queen of this city and ot this land, and deal justice to all your subjects. If you have fear of any person, do but tell me and I will make him drink straightway of the cup of death." To this the Princess replied: "I know of no one among the subjects of my father who is my enemy," whereupon the courtiers acclaimed her and expressed their great joy at having her for their Queen, and criers were sent out throughout the city to spread the tidings among the inhabitants. Quicksilver remained in the city for three days, participating in the festivities, and on the fourth, when he decided to depart, the Queen said to him: "O my Lord, I cannot repay you for all the good deeds that you have done for me. First you rescued me from the captivity or the Blacks, and then you saved our country. All belongs to you—myself, my subjects and my kingdom—and you are under no obligation whatsoever to us. I humbly offer myself to you in marriage ,f such is your wish, and you will be absolute king of all this land." ° "It is impossible for me to estrange myself from my mother and from my country," replied Quicksilver. "It would give me great joy to remain here, but my duty calls me home. I must go " • u S^? '?S excGedinSh grieved at the prospect of parting with Quicksilver, but seeing that he could not be swerved from his purpose she brought to him the magic box of the AllSeeing Eye, and ordered the preparation of all that was necessary for his journey. 1 In the morning Quicksilver set forth, accompanied by Ibn ^USI"yJ 7 theur°ad t0 Egypt Th&y Journeyed for many nights and days through great deserts until there remained be- ' tween them and the city of Cairo but three days' travel. Then Quicksilver said to Ibn El-Husry: "I charge you to precede me into the city and to inform the King of my approach. Request him to command the Chiefs of 6 t0 C e and meet me as l have m that iT\ b ght with me whichu IT wentT forth to seek." > The King was exceedingly pleased with this news and showS hTL7- 7°rS Up(frIbn E1"Husry- Then he commanded Salah-Eddin to come before him, and after informing him of the success of Quicksilver, ordered Salah-Eddin to go forth to meet him bearing the banner of the secret police J 1 1 1 f'l 1 \ i ' i �FEBRUARY, 1931 I 39 Upon hearing this the gall of Salah-Eddin nearly burst with anger and envy, being sure that his position was about to be wrested from him; nevertheless he assumed an appearance of joy and satisfaction and immediately went forth to meet Quicksilver whom he greeted with congratulations on his safe return, notwithstanding that he was still secretly planning to destroy him. As they entered the city they were met by great throngs who had already heard of Quicksilver's wonder achievements and came out to greet him with banners and songs of praise and welcome. That day was one of the greatest that the city of Cairo ever witnessed. Quicksilver proceeded through the multitudes until he reached the court of Al-Aziz where he was warmly welcomed by the King and his court. The hero presented the King with the priceless trophy, which caused him unbounded surprise and joy and amazed all those present, for it was a wonder to all beholders. The King caused Quicksilver to be seated by his side and asked him to recount all the details of his journey, which he did without any omissions or additions. Now the King, after congratulating Quicksilver upon his safe return, addressed Salah-Eddin saying: "Now that Quicksilver has accomplished the task that you set for him it is time that you should cede to him your position." But Salah-Eddin, with his usual perfidy, turned to Quicksilver saying: "I am but a servant of our lord and master the King who has ordered me to relinquish my position to you, which I am ready to do. But before so doing I beg of you to undertake still another task." "Ask of me what you will," replied Quicksilver, "and it shall be granted." "My request is that you tarry for a single night in the Baths of Toulon." "I accept your challenge and by dusk of this evening I will set forth." Saying this Quicksilver took leave of the King and sought his own home where his mother was anxiously awaiting him, having heard of his arrival in the city. Upon seeing him she gave thanks to Allah for the safety of her son, and then she fell upon his neck, covering him with kisses. Quicksilver then proceeded to �I 40 THE SYRIAN WORLD i acquaint her with all that had befallen him, including the task that Salah-Eddin had set for him that same day. Notwithstanding her great joy over again seeing her son, Fatimah was plunged in grief at his having accepted so readily this new challenge, and she said to him: "O my son, his only purpose is to throw you into the sea of danger, for he is intent on accomplishing your destruction." "I have promised, O my mother," replied Quicksilver, "and I will not retreat, no matter if I were to drink the cup of death." "What befell Quicksilver in the Baths of Toulon is one of the most marvelous episodes in the life of this hero of ages past " said the tale teller. "This I shall set forth tomorrow when the aldebaran rises in the eastern sky to march across the skvr of night." i' \ Past and Future 'By G. K. GIBRAN My house says to me, "Do not leave me, for here dwells your past." And the road says to me, "Come and follow me, for I am your future." ' And I says to both my house and the road, "I have no past, Z mgj {Utm If 1 Stay here there is a H l\ u > g°-g » W stay and if I go there is a staying in my going. Only love and death change all things." * * * * How can I lose faith in the justice of life, when the dreams Hre,m fS. sleep"V01} feathers are not more beautiful than the dreams of those who sleep upon the earth? Strange, the desire for certain pleasures is a part of my pain. I �FEBRUARY, 1931 41 Advice to a Girl "By LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA If I could plant your garden And fill it full of joy If I could paint the world for you And offer it a toy. I'd like to play your music, too— To soothe you and to please. I'd like to take your medicine And never have to tease. I'd like to stop the wilder winds When they start to blow. I'd like to keep the sunshine So strong you'll surely grow. i Alas, the garden and the wind And medicine and pain Must all alike be shared by you I'd only help in vain. And when you are a woman grown And just as old as I You, too, will know the pain I feel When old friends pass you by. Alas, dear girl, here is a spade And here are seedlings, too. I'll guide you, dear, but the garden Will be planted by you. * 1 �42 THE SYRIAN WORLD i'l The Travels of an Arabic Word: Al-Jubbah (*JJ) 'By JOSEPH J. RAYMOND Graduate Student in the Department of Oriental Languages and Literatures, Princeton University. \ \^ORDS, like people, can travel. The same word, unlike a person, can find itself in a dozen countries overnight, there to Jive for centuries and centuries, changing in due course so that it resembles words of that country, or else it dies a quick death because it is such a total stranger. No tombstone marks its demise, to show future generations that such a word existed in that country. Why one word receives a welcome in one country and not in another is still greatly a matter of conjecture and has no import on the task before me—to tell you of the wanderings of Arabic al-Jubbah. I had known since boyhood that there were many Arabic words in English and other European languages. Algebra, alcohol, alkali, Gibraltar had all been borrowed from the Arabic and had spread into the languages of Europe. But when I started to trace where al-jubbah had gone to and still existed I travelled all over Europe on one side and had journeyed to Persia and the Hindustan on the other side of Arabia when I decided I had travelled far enough. I still might be going—and some day I might go up China-way to see if al-jubbah ever got up there— if I hadn't stopped when I did. Al-jubbah means a long cotton or woolen robe, so the name right from the start, had prolific possibilities. It could go anywhere where men who wore clothes went. We find the earliest borrowed form, al-jubbah, a Spanish word then, in a dictionary that goes back to the end of the tenth century. It probably came in with the Moors when they conquered Spain. The word has its original meaning. From Spain the garment and word went to the other Romance countries We find Old French Juppe, jubbe, gippe, French jupe, Italian giuppa, giubba; we also find the same word, but with a suffix attached, ! i i �** FEBRUARY, 1931 I 43 showing that the word had made itself to home: It. giubbone Sp jubon, Fr. jupon, Portuguese jubao, gibao. Italian added a diminutive ending to the root and formed gmbbetto, giubetta. It came to mean not only "little coat" but also "the gallows," as the halter was jokingly considered "a little coat. Similarly the Spaniard calls a flogging "jubon"—a coatseeing it is put on the shoulders. From the Italian diminutive form, through the French, the word gibbet meaning "gallows" has come into English. However, the English word might come from Old French gibet, meaning the staff that extends out from the gallows-post. This is not so likely as the first theory. Al-jubbah, through the Romance languages, was taken over by English in multifarious forms, chief of which are jupe, jupon and gipon. Until the last century the words were in common use! but now they are used only in Scottish dialects or as direct imitations of the French. The earliest use of jupe occurs about 1290 when it meant a loose jacket or tunic. Then it came to mean a woman s jacket, kirtle, or bodice and still later, as in French a skirt. ' . Gipon was first recorded by Chaucer in the Prologue of his Canterbury Tales: "Of ffustian he wered a gypon." Chaucer, in the Kmghfs Tale, says: "in a lyzt iopoun." Here we find a third form, jupon, which was a close-fitting tunic or doublet worn under the hauberk. Later it became sleeveless was made of rich material, emblazoned, and worn on the outside With the passing of chivalry and a change in dress the word came to mean a short kirtle of a woman, later, in imitation of the .French, a woman's skirt. Along in the fifteenth century al-jubbah came into Germany from the Latin countries in the meaning of "a jacket, a long and wide upper-garment." We find the forms jope, schope, and schube which have given in modern German Juppe and schaube, both of different meanings, the first "a coat," the second "a long outer-garment." The word travelled to other Germanic coun tries, for in Dutch we have jupon—a skirt, and the archaic Norwegian form—skubskind—a leather or fur coat, related to German schube above. But in Slavonic countries al-jubbah got the warmest reception and made itself right at home, so much so that we have seven distinct forms. The meaning varies from a coat, fur-coat �44 THE SYRIAN WORLD a corset; Polish zupa, an under-garment; Lithuanian zipouas a g 7 B of cangOM' J^Tt « h > ^ura^a Srt of cap Old Czech, cuba, a'?*' fur-coat^ } Old Polish zoppa, a sort of wZut sf rmentlSerb°-Cr0atian dzUbe' a lon« Wer4armen ZUny a a dreSS COat n a work cL Russ. R ' Dialect nUS,Smn cananu, ? a sort of" under-wear. ' S-"** work-coat; All these forms have a varied history. Some came into Slavic through Persian and Turkish, some through Ita "an and G rman S me are lder th th YetTll hirfh K meaning—some - ° ° form °the-though -efore let all have the basic of dress, the dress may vary immensely from the original it HI ApLlthUamanu We ,have a curio^ muddle. Lithuanian, though it is the most archaic language spoken in Europe, has been influenced greatly by German and Slavonic, betweenwhich two groups it is spoken. We have subas, suba, meaning a fur-coat. The 3 has been borrowed from the German. From the Slavonic^ ing trill'Ter' rZTl m T /^ V^-Sown, and no" SC 10n word n for lord 2 TI I ? ^ ~P° ^ is their word tor lord si. They kept the words ziuponas and ponas separate but on their analogy they formed the feminine ziupone-a ladv tTese wo hi?" ****»-<* a J-fc lady-like" Neither "f these two have any connection with clothing, except that perhaps 5J&SSL W mU Ve al aziup5nas and therefore " de bbah if h ? n !? > here in eastern Europe. As I said e Wa d hWt^hefa iV ; " ^ " lndla-and P***PS further tlCS t0 aSCCrtain that But t0 tr Lti A I avel from Arabia to the edge of one continent and close to the edge of anotte is quite a distance to travel-and to be still alive 2Efl£ri*£ tZ centimes after starting on the journey! That's wonderful isn'tTt s*J\ J^J& FROM THE ARABIC ^^\ u ^5 U %*Li Sy. er^ \ 4»U-1 "Hard is the fate of him who's blind," Moaned a blind man in despair "Indeed it's so," joined a one-eyed man, "For of that I'm half aware." A �FEBRUARY, 1931 45 Will Syria Have Another King? Recent Happenings That Portend Important Changes in the Relations of the French and the Royal Hashemite Family. \ A A gYRIA has not been able as yet to extricate itself from the grip of political confusion. M. Ponsot regularly ferries between Syria and France and is represented on every trip as having negotiated the final solution, although he himself is careful not to let anything escape from his closely sealed lips. But in the final checking up nothing is found to have been accomplished. The Syrian situation still is where it was two years ago upon the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly; the Tajeddin government is still in power despite all the hue and cry raised against it; the Nationalist Party is still undecided whether or not it will participate in the coming elections; the "coming" elections, in fact, have been long coming yet never arrived, and the High Commissioner will not say when they will be held. And even at this late hour there seems to exist grave doubt as to the form of government that will be given Syria, whether it will be republican or monarchical, the decision of the Constituent Assembly to make Syria a republic notwithstanding. During the months of January and February M. Ponsot made several trips to Damascus and held many conferences. So did Sheikh Tajeddin make several trips to Beirut, but although the movements of the heads of States could not be concealed the objects were effectively shrouded in mystery. The only positive fact is that nothing tangible has yet transpired of all the elaborate preparations going on so far. One thing, however, has transpired which portends a possible serious change in the Syrian situation. It is the apparent swerving of sentiment in favor of establishing a monarchy in the country and the possible placing of one of the sons of ex-King Hussein of Arabia on the throne. The Syrian press discusses frankly such a possibility and gives indications of growing sentiment in favor of a monarchy. What would lend credence to rumors to this effect is the extraordinary enthusiasm displayed by the populace in the reception of ex-King Hussein and his sons on their recent visit to Syria and the solicitude of the French authorities in surrounding them �46 THE SYRIAN WORLD with all forms of attention and honors. Nor was this display the product of chance and confined to a single instance, because it was repeated on three different occasions with growing manifestation of enthusiasm. The first occasion was the visit of ex-King Hussein himself to Beirut on his way from his exile at Cyprus to Transjordania where he still remains with his son Abdullah. The second was the visit of ex-King Ali, eldest son of Hussein, which followed quickly upon that of his father. And the last that of Emir Zeid, youngest of Hussein's sons, which took place in February. The greatest manifestations, however, were those which attended the visit of ex-King Ali who had succeeded his father on the throne of Arabia in a vain effort to save the throne from the powerful enemy of the Hashemite family, King Ibn Saoud. King All is now a resident of Baghdad, where he frequently acts as regent in the absence of his brother, King Feisal. He had journeyed to Amman, capital of Transjordania, where his other brother Emir Abdullah rules, ostensibly to visit his father exKing Hussein. But upon his return he came to Daraa, which is within the territory of the French mandate, to make connections for the trans-desert journey back to Baghdad. This apparently gave the French mandatory authorities in Syria an opportunity to extend the ex-King a fitting welcome, and the High Commissioner sent a special representative to invite him to Beirut, which is far out of his way, as the guest of the French authorities. In Beirut Ali was received with a great display of official hospitality and was in conference for several hours with the High Commissioner. Later, in Damascus, the Arabian ex-King was received with much acclaim by the populace but he consistently refused to discuss politics. His younger brother Emir Zaid, also traveling to Baghdad with his two sisters, was at Beirut the guest of the High Commissariat which also put at his disposal a private car to convey him to Damascus. He was accompanied on this trip by Fakhry Bey Baroody, the Nationalist leader, at whose house he stopped to receive the dignitaries of the city. The exceptional display of hospitality by the French to the visiting members of the royal Hashemite family is interpreted by many as indicative of a new political move in Syria which might hasten the solution of the country's knotty problem. The solution, it is claimed, might be the reversal of the policy that gave rise to the problem itself. The first serious difficulties in k fe i X zl �FEBRUARY, 1931 47 His Majesty Ex-King Hussein of Arabia Who has been permitted by the English to leave his exile in Cyprus and visit his son Emir Abdullah of Transjordania hi< visit giving rise to new rumors on the possibility of placing his son Ali on the Syrian throne. �48 THE SYRIAN WORLD Syria, it is pointed out, sprang from the ambition of the Hashemites to create an Arab union at the head of which would be King Hussein, the father, reigning in Arabia with his several other sons ruling in the surrounding Arab States. The first step towards the fulfillment of this broad scheme was the proclamation of Emir Feisal King in Syria soon after the end of the World War and the withdrawal of the Allied troops under Gen. Allenby from Damascus. But the events of 1920 which led to the French occupation of the interior of Syria and the abdication of King Feisal, to be followed later by the victory of King Ibn Saoud of Arabia over King Hussein and his son King Ali, brought the ambitions of the Hashemite family to an abrupt end. Now the only redeeming feature of the scheme is that Feisal is king in Iraq while his brother Abdullah is Emir of Transjordania. If, however, Syria is again made a monarchy and one of the sons of King Hussein placed on its throne three brothers would be kings of Arabian States and France will have won over the Hashemites and at the same time solved the Syrian problem by putting an end to the prevailing uncertainty as to the form of government as well as to the unending plotting of political leaders for power. Aside from the immediate change involved in the Syrian situation proper, such a move might have an important bearing on the Arabic world in general, especially in what affects the relations of the countries controlled by the Hashemites with the kingdom of Al-Hejaz and its powerful ruler Ibn Saoud, who was the cause of the downfall of the Hashemite dynasty. It is pointed out, on the other hand, that a treaty of amity and peace was concluded between King Ibn Saoud of Al-Hijaz and King Feisal of Iraq through the good offices of Britain not long since, but whether these bonds will stand the strain of the threatening danger implied by the formation of a strong coalition of Hashemite kingdoms around Ibn Saoud's country remains to be seen. It is obvious that the situation is fraught with serious possibilities, and that Syria has assumed a.place of prime importance in shaping the political future of the Arabic-speaking world. I �FEBRUARY, 1931 49 Political Developments in Syria ENGLAND REVERSES ITSELF IN PALESTINE POLICY A wave of jubilation swept over Jewish circles throughout the world When word was flashed that the British government had materially modified its stand on the question of its Palestine mandate as expressed in the official White Paper of Lord Passfield, Colonial Secretary, issued last October. By reverse order, this new move created consternation in Arab camps and brought forth vigorous protests. Powerful pressure undoubtedly had been brought to bear on the Labor government to cause it to so quickly and completely turn about face and incur the anger of the whole Moslem world. After a lapse of almost a month, however, the government has been able to keep matters well in hand. The new British po'icy was enunciated in a letter of Prime Minister MacDonald to Dr. Ohaim Weizmann, former President of the World Zionist Organization, and placed before the House of Commons February 13. The letter, although nominally "explaining certain misconceptions which have arisen in connection with the government's position on Palestine," in reality makes some very definite and generous concessions to Zionists on important points of the White Paper to an extent as to reverse the meaning of the original document. The government's most important concession is doubtless on the point of Jewish immigration, which is restored to the old principle of "immigration according to the absorptive capacity of the country" instead of the principle of "estimating Jewish immigration with regard to Arab and Jewish unemployment," wh'.ch the Passfield White Paper introduced. Another important concession which altered the conditions existing prior to the issuance of the White Paper is the establishment of the "right of the Jews to a share of employment on public and municipal work commensurate to the Jewish contribution to public revenues." This takes the place of the previous method of establishing the Jewish s'hare in this work on the basis of their share in the population of the country. Restrictions on land purchase by Jews is virtually removed, and many other concessions are made with the intention of proving the British government's sympathy with the Jewish cause. Naturally, the Jews were elated over this signal success, but the Arabs, in the words of the formal protest sent by the Arab Executive to the High Commissioner for transmission to London regard MacDonald's policy as a retreat and show a clear disposition to fight the issue through. The Arab newspaper Al-Hayat, organ of the Moslem Supreme Council, asserts that MacDonald's letter had at one stroke destroyed the Arabs' confidence in the mandatory power's good faith, while the English Edition of the Arab newspaper Falastine, in voicing its surprise and indignation at the MacDonald letter treats with the broader principle of Eastern and Western civilization declaring that "the issue becomes clearer daily that Zionism means to the Arabs and other �50 THE SYRIAN WORLD Moslems the spear point of imperialism and foreign culture, but the East refuses to be Europeanized under the false plea of civilization and intends to shape its own destiny." JEWS FEAR OUTBREAK A report by the Arabic paper Falastine of Jaffa that a Jew had been caught in the act of kidnapping two Moslem children, and hinting that the purpose might be "ritualistic murder," gave rise to fear among the Jews that the Moslems were planning another anti-Semitic outbreak such as took place in the summer of 1929. Another Arab paper later explained the origin of the report as the attempt of a halfwitted Jew to play with some children in the Arab quarter. Falastine was indefinitely suspended by order of the High Commissioner. SITUATION IN SYRIA Ever since the return of M. Ponsot from France, ostensibly carrying in his portfolio a plan for a definite solution of the Syrian political problem, nothing has transpired as to his intentions. The Syrian press gives expression only to hopes and promises and seems occupied with discussing the attitude of the various leaders towards the coming elections. What has been lately rumored but vigorously denied, is that dissension has crept into the ranks of the Nationalists, some being reported as favoring participation in the elections while others are holding out for the original provisions of the Constitution as drafted by the Constituent Assembly. Other rumors would 'have some prominent Nationalist leaders favoring a monarchy and joining a federation of Arab States. The Nationalists continue to com- plain of the unlawful tactics which they accuse the Tajeddin government of employing to prevent them from holding meetings. Such occurrences have taken place not only in Damascus but in Aleppo as well. Formal complaints 'have been lodged with the High Commissioner but the press continues to report repetitions of the same harassing tactics. An important development is the apparent success which the royalist party is reported making in impressing public opinion with the advantages of establishing a monarchy in Syria and placing a son of ex-King Hussein of Arabia on the throne. This phase of the Syrian political situation is treated separately elsewhere in this issue. BRUTAL ATTACK ON LEBANESE EDITOR The daily Arabic paper Al-Hoda of New York received a special cable dispatch from the secretary of the Press Club in Beirut on January 23 stating that Joseph Mokarzel editor of Ad-Dabbour, the most widely circulated paper of Syria, had been brutally attacked by two masked men while on his way to his home late in the evening of the 22nd. The cable asked for moral assistance and stated that public opinion was highly incensed over the attack on the popular editor. The Lebanese papers reaching New York late in February gave the following details of the attack and the causes leading to it: Joseph Mokarzel had waged a strong campaign against certain clergymen of his own faith, (Maronites), who had been known to sympathize with the Papal Nuncio in Syria in his supposed efforts to create sentiment in favor of an �FEBRUARY, 1931 m. -*JL k jMf * 1 ^! 51 *-' ? jt^fe* 4^£ jfc «. ^^^HMT 9f '" i w - f Joseph Mokarzel Italian mandate over the country. The situation was aggravated by the fact that ten thousand Maronites had a dispute with their bishop and announced their intention of turning Latins, otherwise coming under the direct jurisdiction of the Nuncio. Certain relatives of one of the clergymen under attack resented the imputations of the paper and waylaid the editor while about to enter his house, beating him with sticks and striking him with brass knuckles until he was left for dead. Nothing daunted, the plucky editor filled the following issue of his weekly with even more bitter attacks on the political activities and motives of the Nuncio, which brought forth official protests from the latter to the High Commissioner who ordered Ad-Dabbour suspended for one month on the ground of having offended the representative of a friendly power. The Press Club of Beirut sent a special delegation to wait upon the Secretary of the Interior protesting such attacks on men of the journalistic profession. What they demanded, and in this they have the support of all the papers both in Arabic-speaking countries and in America commenting on the incident, is that suspension of papers should not continue to be on summary action of the administration, but that wherever there is cause for complaint papers should be subject only to judicial discipline. The Beirut police later apprehended the perpetrators of the attack, but the editor refused to press a charge against them preferring to fight his battle along his own lines with 'his trenchant pen. SULTAN PASHA ATRASH PLANS NEW CAMPAIGN A news dispatch to the New York Evening Post from Paris dated February 26 reports that Sultan Pasha Atras'h, leader of the Druze revolt of 1925-26, and now in voluntary exile in the Syrian desert outside of the zone of the French mandate is planning another campaign against the French to be launched the latter part of May. The report first came from Egyptian sources, but the general tendency is to discredit it owing to the known limited resources of Atras'h Pasha in men and materials, not to take into consideration the fact that in planning a campaign no general will notify the enemy in advance. �52 THE SYRIAN WORLD About Syria and Syrians SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ELECTS TWO PATRIARCHS Ever since the demise of His Beatitude Gregory IV, Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church of Syria and bearing the title of Patriarch of Antioch and the East, the Syrian Orthodox Church has been meeting with difficulties in electing his successor in view of the dissension which has beset the church following the Russian debacle. Russia, having been the largest Orthodox nation,, exercised influence over the affairs of the church throughout the world, but with the advent of the Bolshevists and their avowed antirehgious policy, the different Orthodox churches began to act independently, causing considerable confusion. Syria was not to escape the effects of this chaotic condition. On February 10, however, two Syrian papers of New York received cables bearing the glad news that the long-drawn confl;ct between the factions of the Syrian Orthodox church had been composed resulting m the election of the Rt. Rev. Arsanius Haddad bishop of Latakia, to the Patriarchate. But following quickly on the receipt of the first dispatch came another cable emphatically denying the legality of the first election and promising further details. These came through the mail which reached America the latter part of February and announcing that although the Rt. Rev. Haddad was elected by a majority of the conclave of bishops meeting in the monastery of Homaira, he was not the people's choice, since the laymen in the Orthodox Church have defined rights in proposing candi- dates for the high office. As a result of these differences four of the eleven bishops of the church repaired to Damascus where they held another conclave and elected the Rt. Rev. Alexandres Tahhan, bishop of Tripoli, to the vacant office. The latter election is in accordance with the wishes of the Orthodox laity of Damascus which is said to control the majority of the popular vote. The situation was officially brought to the attention of the civil authorities by both factions seeking recognition and support, but neither the native nor the mandatory authorities were reported to have taken any official action in the matter. Appeals have also been sent to the various Orthodox Patriarcchs throughout the world. ARABIA YIELDS SECRET TO ENGLISH EXPLORER Bertram Thomas Succeeds in Crossing the Great Desert of Rab'ul-Khali. In a copyrighted despatch from Be'hrein, on the Persian Gulf, received February 23, the New York Times announced that the English Orientalist and explorer Bertram Thomas, had successfully crossed the great desert of southeastern Arabia known as Rab'ul-Khali, having left Dhofar, in Southern Arabia, in December and reached Dohah, on the Persian Gulf, fifty-eight days later. This first news was supplemented �FEBRUARY, 1931 a few days later by a succinct personal account of Mr. Thomas himself describing his experiences. His most important discovery, it would seem, was a salt water lake seven miles long, together with traces of an old caravan route which traders in ages past must have used in crossing Arabia. The possibility of there being an old people living in isolation from the rest of the world and constituting a remnant of the once flourishing Arabian civilization was exploded. This great section of the Arabian peninsula which had defied all efforts at exploration comprises a territory of about 500,000 square miles, extending 650 miles from north to south and 850 miles from east to west. Mr. Thomas' feat was acclaimed by scientists as ranking foremost among the world's great discoveries comparable to the explorations of Livingstone, Peary, Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen. In their report of this important news, we noticed that the Times and other papers gave the name of the great hitherto unknown Arabian desert as Ruba-el-Khali. In the interest of correct transliteration we would respectfully submit that the name should be written Rab'-ulKhali, and more correctly with the addition of the definitive article here pronounced "Ar" instead of "Al" for euphony. In the first form, "Ruba", the word would mean quarter, in the sense of one-fourth, while in the second form "Rab' ", it would imply a meaning of space, which the Arabic word clearly indicates. The original meaning of the word "Rab*" in Arabic is a camping ground, so applied because of its relation to spring and to grass, which the nomad Arabs sought most in selecting their camping 53 grounds. The term was later applied to any section of land without dist'nction. Exception should also be taken to the use of the term "white man" in describing the exploit of Mr. Thomas. Both in their bold headlines and in the text of their despatches the Times and other papers frequently refer to Mr. Thomas' journey as being the first to be successfully accomplished by a "white man." If by the use of the term is meant Europeans it should so be stated to escape the objectionable reflection that the Arab natives of the country are not "white." DAGHER NIGHT A GREAT SUCCESS Many celebrities as well as State, Federal and City government officials were present on Dagher Night, the 31st annual ball in honor also of George C. Dagher. executive member and leader of the 1st Assembly District Republicans which was held at the Elks Club in Brooklyn Tuesday, February 10th. Mr. Dagher is the only American of Syrian extraction to be a leader and executive of a political organization in the State of New York if not in the United States. His interest in politics, good government and civics very early in life has brought him into contact with many prominent officials in the community. His ability has been shown early and he was quick to rise. It is the first affair of the club itself of which he is now the head. Last year when he won this promotion his friends, both Syrian and Americans, gave him a testimonial dinner under the auspices of the American-Syrian Federation. �54 SYRIAN PHYSICIAN CHAMPIONS PALESTINE ARAB CAUSE Although hardly organized, while their Jewish opponents are highly organized, the champions of the Arab Palestinian cause in America are meeting with telling success in their efforts to bring to the attention of the American public a better understanding of the basic differences underlying the bitter struggle between Arab and Jew in Palestine. Ameen Rihani, celebrated Syrian author and lecturer, has unquestionably made the largest single contribution along this line, traveling throughout the country engaging in debates, delivering lectures and writing for newspapers and magazines. His countrymen entertain for him the warmest appreciation for these effective voluntary services. Others contributing in a limited way are the students from Arabicspeaking countries at Columbia and other American universities. But perhaps foremost among the laymen volunteers is Dr. Fuad I. Shatara of Brooklyn whose qualifications as a logical speaker are enhanced by his willing response to what he terms the call of duty in defense of the Arab cause. Dr. Shatara is Palestinian by birth and a close student of the politics of his native land, as shown by his many articles published over the course of years in the Syrian World. Dr. Shatara was a guest speaker at a dinner given by the Economic Club of Portland, Me., on February 14 to discuss the Palestinian question. Other speakers were Elihu D. Stone, U. S. district attorney of Boston and president of the New England Zionists for seven terms, who defended the Zionist viewpoint; and Capt. Lothian Small, assistant secretary general of the Interna- . ..: :. ' THE SYRIAN WORLD tional Federations of the League of Nations Societies, who spoke from the British angle. Reporting on Dr. Shatara's address, the Portland Sunday Telegram of February 15 states that the speaker "declared the opposition of the Arabs in Palestine is to the setting up of a Jewish political State through the creation of a majority of Jews over the wishes of the majority of the present occupants ... He denied that the Arabs would object to equal rights for the Jews in Palestine, but that they refuse to admit that the Jews have any more of a right to establish a nation in Palestine than the Arabs would in Spain which they once colonized. The occupancy of Palestine by the Jews was but a matter of 400 years while the Arabs have lived there over 1300 years." While in New England, Dr. Shatara engaged in another debate at the Dorchester Forum with Rabbi Abrams of Boston, on Sunday, February 15 and where his argument was equally well received. SYRIAN AVIATRIX PLANS TRANS-ATLANTIC HOP Miss Alice Khoury, a Syrian girl of Hopewell, Va. and still in her teens, has qualified as an expert flier and already plans a solo transAtlantic flight, according to reports in the New York Syrian papers. The only reason for her not being a licensed pilot, continues the report, is that she has not reached the legal age of twenty-one. Miss Khoury is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Assaf George Khoury of Niha in the Shouf district of Lebanon. Her parents moved to Hopewell during the war boom attendant upon the manufacture of �FEBRUARY, 1931 ammunition at the Du Pont factories there. She, however, was educated for a stenographer, but living in the proximity of an aviation field inspired her with the desire for flying. She has already made several solo flights and it is said that the cit'zens of Hopewell are planning to make her a gift of a plane to be bought by popular subscription. This is the second instance brought to public attention of a Syrian girl in America having taken up aviation. Of young men there are a much larger number, men'ion of whom has previously been made in the Syrian World. P.ROOKLYN PASTOR HONORED ON 25TH ANNIVERSARY The Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Paul Sanky, pastor of Virgin Mary's Melchite Syrian Catholic church in Brooklyn celebrated the twentyfifth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on February 5, on which occasion a singing high mass was held at the Syrian church by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Molloy of Brooklyn assisted by a number of visiting Syrian Catholic clergymen. Following the religious ceremony a banquet was held at St. George Hotel which was attended by over four hundred guests. Mr. Edward Leon, who presided, presented the Rev. Sanky with a purse of $500.00 raised by popular subscription from the congregation in token of their love and appreciation for their pastor. IN DEMAND Lissan Ul-Hal of Beirut reports that for six vacancies on the Police force there were 750 applicants, some of whom being college graduates. An advertisement for a night watchman brought 1000 applicants, 55 notwithstanding that the monthly pay is eleven Syrian pounds, amounting to less than $8.00. SYRIAN FEDERATION HOLDS RECEPTION The American-Syrian Federation held its annual reception at its clubrooms in Brooklyn on February 21 and provided a wealth of enjoyment to the several hundred guests who fi led the two main floors of the building. An American orchestra provided dance music for the younger generation, while lovers of native music were entertained on another floor by excellent singers and oud players. The occasion was the seventh birthday of the Federation. In his printed word of greeting, the President assures the community of "our willingness and readiness at all times to place the facilities of the Federation at their disposal, to make its home the center of all educational, civic and social activities." ARABIC PLAY GIVEN FOR CHARITY SUCCESSFUL The Ruler by the Will of God, an eccentric caliph of the Fatimide dynasty who claimed divinity and terrorized Egypt in the 13th century, was again brought to life in the play of his name given at the Brooklyn Academy of Muse on January 13 by the Al-Kalimat Committee. The proceeds of the performance were devoted to charity and the play was well patronized. The Ladies' Aid Society of New York was the recipient of half of the proceeds for distribution among the Syrian needy of America while the Al-Kalimat Committee, the original sponsor of the play, devoted its share to the building of a home for the aged in the city of Aleppo. �56 THE SYRIAN WORLD SULTAN'S KIN CLAIM PROPERTY IN SYRIA EGYPTIAN CIVILIZATION IN VENEZUELA REPORTED Cable dispatches from Beirut late in January stated that all the Princes and Princesses of the former Ottoman ruling family met in that city to discuss continuing their legal battle for the possession of the vast properties left by the Sultan Abdul Hamid in Syria and Lebanon, despite their recent defeat' in the Turkish courts of Istanboul to obtain control of the properties which were taken by the victorious powers after the World War. A deputation of the Princes waited upon the French High Commissioner to lay the claim before him. The Ottoman Princes under the Treaty of Lausanne, are allowed to apply to the native Syrian courts. Their counsel are now drawing up a list of the late Sultan's possessions in Syria and Lebanon before filing a plea for restitution. The Syrian press publishes pathetic accounts of the conditions to which some of the Princes have been reduced. Not a few of them have been forced to become taxi drivers, and the humiliation they feel when encountering a fare of their acquaintances is pitiful. The disclosure of secrets of the earliest civil'zation in South America is promised soon when Dr. Rafael Requena, president of the State of Aragua in Venezuela, publishes the results of a life study on his part declared to present conclusive evidence of the existence of an ancient Egyptian civilization in Venezuela, according to a correspondent of the N. Y. Times cabling from Port of Spain Trinidad, on Feb. 18. JAMES J. TUNNEY ON SYRIAN TOUR Late in January Major James J. Tunney, popularly known as Gene Tunney, former heavyweight champion of the world, sailed with his wife to Syria to join an archaeological expedition. He will spend a few weeks in Egypt before proceeding to Beirut, Damascus and Baghdad. It is not yet known whether he will remain with the Haardt-TransAsiatic expedition in its proposed travels through central Asia. The correspondent declares that Dr. Requena gave him an interview at his headquarters at Maracay, the capital of Araqua, where the military headquarters of General Gomez, former President and now dictator and commander-in-chief of the army, is located. A remarkable private museum attached to the house contains excavated idols of primitive man, bones of prehistoric monsters and flint hammers. "I firmly believe in the ancient existence of Atlantis," Dr. Requena said. "When Atlantis was submerged the survivors, originally Egyptians, found their way here. I have indubitable proof which will startle the scientific world. I intend to write a Spanish treatise and translate it into French and hope to publish it this year. Years after the Egyptians came there was an invasion of Chinese colonists from across the Pacific." The fact, that the Egyptians were never a sea-faring people, but employed the Phoenicians for the conduct of their trans-maritime trade, may in the end prove the latter to be the real founders of the ancient American civilization. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1931_02reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 06 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1931 February Description An account of the resource Volume 5 Issue 06 of The Syrian World published February 1931. In Dr. Philip K. Hitti's article titled "Are the Lebanese Arabs?" he discusses this question that was posed to him by Salloum Mokarzel. In his reply he traces the history of Lebanon in order to discover the answer, looking back at the various ethnic groups that were at one time settled in Lebanon. In Salloum Mokarzel's second article covering his travels through Jebel-Druze he highlights his experiences in Soueida, the capital city. More specifically, he talks about his visit to the State Orphanage for Druze children in which he describes his most interesting observations of the French officials stationed there. Rev. W. A. Mansur is also featured for his contribution concerning the Commission of Syrian "pioneers" to their Posterity in America. While there are numerous poetic contributions in this issue of known poets like Gibran, J.D. Carlyle, and Asa, Don C. Seitz is also featured for his poem concerning The Arabian Nights. Seitz as a nationally well-known American author presents the very reasons the young generation should praise the classic literature of their mother-tongue. Another part of the "Ali Zaibaq" series is again featured in this issue, before Labeebee A. J. Hanna's poetic "Advice to a Girl." The last article featured is by Joseph J. Raymond, on the word Al-Jubbah, and the significance of its travel throughout the world. The issue closes with a discussion of Syria's potential to have a future king, political developments of Syria, and excerpts from the Arab press that represented Syria and Syrians. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Al-Jubbah Druze J.D. Carlyle Joseph J. Raymond Kahlil Gibran Labeebee A.J. Hanna New York Philip Khuri Hitti Poetry-English Reverend W.A. Mansur Thomas Asa Travel https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/2173c0be7dcdb54cf465d85739e3ce70.pdf 473c9b20160f289712e31f7d93099f69 PDF Text Text ! ^^^^^^^^^m. m@®Bm mmm mBBwm&Sm VOL. V. No. V. IP JANUARY, 1931. THE tip mm 11IP1PP SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE I A JOURNEY THROUGH JEBEL DRUZE m SAI.LOUM A. MOKARZEL ANCIENT NATIONS OF THE NEAR EAST THOMAS ASA CHRISTMAS IN OTHER LANDS A. F. ZAINEY 1 m THIS YOUNG GENERATION! AN EDITORIAL OF AL-HODA ALI ZAIBAQ (QUICKSILVER) (A SERIAL) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA THE COPY 50c m ��ifR* TT-TF SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly except July and A ugust . by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at t'he post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. V. No. V. JANUARY, 1931 CONTENTS PAGE A Journey Through Jebel-Druze—I SALI.OUM A. 5 MOKARZEL The Rote (Poem) 14 THOMAS ASA Ancient Nations of the Near East 15 THOMAS ASA . 1 Marvel and a Riddle G. K. GIBRAN Christmas in Other Lands A. F. 18 ZAINEV 19 �as CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE On a Miser (Poem) 22 J. D. CARLYLE Rubaiyat Abu-Tayeb (Poems) 23 AMIN BEDER French Author Gives Views on Syria 24 MLLE. ALICE POULLEAU E KTpt 28 TOUFIK MOUFARRIGE Alt 7,aibaq (Serial) S. A. 3Q MOKARZEL and T. S. DAYTON Two Arabic Gems (Poem) DR. SALIM 33 Y. ALKAZIN This Young Generation! 34 AN EDITORIAL OF AL-HODA From the Arabic ^6 Grave Situation in Palestine 37 Editorial Comment:—Binding Traditions 41 Readers' Forum 4-7 Political Developnents in Syria 45 About Syria and Syrians 40 �MS IN THIS ISSUE yHERE is an element of mys- erary discovery representing tery in Jebel Druze. The Voltaire's appraisal of the culcountry, like its inhabitants, tural wealth of the modern compels continued interest de- Syrians' ancestors. To bring to spite all that has been written light all the fine inspirational about it. Every traveler sees it material which should bolster in a different light and gains our race pride is a distinct confrom it a different impression. tribution which our scholarly The editor in this issue be- collaborators are making to the gins a series of articles in de- national cause, and which THE scription of his recent travels to SYRIAN WORLD is happy in bethis mysterious country. He ing the medium for its dissemitakes the reader from Damas- nation. But for the research cus and its verdant oasis to the and genuine interest of our colbleak and desolate land over ' laborators many of the fine which Mt. Hermon stands sen- material being presented would tinel on the West and which remain hidden to all but a few, still abounds in relics of Roman and once they are being made occupation. In the present in- available'our readers cannot but stallment the reader reaches the share with us the feeling of apcapital Soueida, in the very preciation of the efforts of the heart of the country, going fine body of learned and patriothrough the section which was tic volunteers who are so splenthe scene of the desperate fight- didly serving our racial cause. ing between the Druzes and We only fear that Mr. Asa will the French only a few years have to pay the price of his ago. The account does not lack growing popularity with our of a touch of humor, because readers by sustained contribuone of the editor's companions ticns, which so far he has given was the leader of Syrian Na- generously. tionalist youth, the fascist of the country,and happily he was jy[ANY are the Syrians in a buoyant mood. throughout the land who are helping spread correct ALTHOUGH liberal in his knowledge about our racial hispoetical contributions, Tho- tory and traditions in their lomas Asa treats our readers in calities. We are glad to refer this issue to a truly valuable lit- to Mr. A. F. Zainey as one of mBMOTH —— �this army of able volunteers. The speech he delivered on Ch ristmas observances in various lands, published in this issue, served him as an occasion to fittingly describe the fine Syrian customs observed at the Yultide season and paint a vivid picture of the beautiful family spirit that prevails in the Syrian home. Mr. Zainey's address furnishes profitable reading at any season. ^BU'L TAYEB Al-Mutanabbi is at last finding able admirers to give translations of his beautiful Arabic poetry. In this issue two of our poets, Amin Beder and Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, by a strange coincidence, have drunk at the same spring, and the reader is bound to appreciate their respective selections. We have more of Dr. Alkazin's translations, and trust to receive more of Mr. Beder's. WHAT does the veteran editor of Al-Hoda, the famous ^\ND again our undaunted Arabic paper of New York, hero, Ali Zaibaq, performs think of our young generation? some impossible feats which R.ead the translation of his edi- only lead him on to further latorial on the subject and you bors and trials. One would will know. And what is more, think that after his possession of don't hesitate to write us your the Magic Box of the All-Seeopinion on this subject whatever ing Eye he should deserve a it may be, because we believe little rest, but such was not his the discussion of such an im- destiny. The reader will be portant matter as present rela- thrilled with the present chaptions between parents and chil- ter as he never was before. dren cannot fail of producing beneficial results. The young pHOSE who are politicallygeneration should have a meminded will find in the exdium of expression and we haustive accounts of the polihereby provide it. Parents are tical developments in Palestine, also invited to give their point Syria and Lebanon that which of view, and if they cannot will satisfy their most sanguine write in English they may do interest. Especially are condiso in their mother tongue and tions grave in Palestine, and the we will undertake the transla- account given in this issue covtion. ers reports of press dispatches We are inviting a symposium as well as original material from in the hope of providing native sources. Syria is expectgrounds for better understand- ing important developments ing through a frank and open since the return of the High exchange of views. Commissioner, A �TTTP SYRIAN WORLD VOL. V. No. V. JANUARY, 1931. A Journey Through Jebel Druze By A\ SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL JN the. minds of the people of Syria, the name Jebel Druze is associated with a sense of dark mystery. The country must have taken on the character of the people who have lent it their name, because the Druzes, who inhabit the mountainous region, are noted for the mysteriousness of their religious creed. They are, in this respect, not unlike our better known secret societies in that they maintain an attitude of unrelenting denial of the authenticity of all disclosures bearing on their secret tenets or rituals. But wherein the Druzes differ is that membership in their society compasses a whole people. They are initiated when born although later they are admitted to the several degrees of the order upon proper qualification passed upon by a legally constituted hierarchy. Hence, also, membership is not open to outsiders. Nor, for that matter, does their number, according to commonly accepted belief, decrease or increase, because of their belief in metempsychosis and its consequent restriction. Such being the character of the people, the country has gained a reputation in keeping with this intriguing element of mystery. The military exploits of the Druzes, whether in the remote or immediate past, and their fierce zeal in the defense of their country against foreign aggression, lend added weight to the conception of exclusiveness. They were known to have successfully withstood the organized attacks of both Turks and Egyptians in the nineteenth century, and their revolt against the French in recent times is a record of unparalleled feats of desperate bravery. Their unbending determination is best illustrated by the fact that n—mwjijgm .ill. �THE SYRIAN WORLD S55-"S; WE? £ th1 &£S~ £ This illustrates J S3?d^S^STS?"' ""fen" "UTO,dergedness which legend ta ^^^"SSJ'V^ "^ to Jebel Druze, therefore, cannot fail of taking 1 ( '"""f7 hazardous adventure to thl. * . taking the form of a er CqUamted with the histOT of this mysterious par of lvrl / y SP rit that W viewed our contemplated trip o ft NotT ?"** ' * least fear for our convenient or ,af«v fo Wf enterta">«* *e seem, nowhere in all my travel in Win ' ^ "V' "* eoast and hinterland, JongcHyZ^'ZTT'1 a',d ?lai"> with any situation bordpri,,„ .1 j and bedou, had I met expectatfon ol ^* atla"b% t^"^ *ut * — *e of novel situations and condhon he' ^S of TTf0" PC of going through a country and amonVTn^nl ". g P e assoclat popular conception with the 2?H? 5 ed m the md m st our trip to the Draze Mm.„,, 1 u y "> , that lent haraCter0f adTC tUre A d in thisle were nof: fclTa t:ed " - " * * C ^Z^^itZ^%t °TT>- beside y y an Nati0 alist leader, Fakhry Bey Baroodv T„ '"T " "h WeVer that I not surprised when the ktterronf, V^' ° ' in his life had he v shedthe n »/° me that never bef°re travention of truth Forh re if **?""» WOuld be a «* sufficient leisure to grat fy a LlTTf ?* *"* P°Mm and the conditions of a count wf i ' f°r traVel to stud>( shape. That he Ld Z "enttddur'ml" ° g hS "/ fort"^ odd take the half-day iourncv ,„ ul "' >' years to nevertheless, „&* ,** 8 country, considered, fence. To me th sfrved as , / SX"\fmM be without signibelief that JXDETt* W^P^fe^ ^ P°H« f rb dd,ng a d m terious in its almost complete iSioT ° ' " ^ FortnetriSt^ �JANUARY, 1931 7 mos bottle in Beirut, and had ample occasion on this trip to lament my oversight and negligence. The flood of golden sunshine was just breaking over the old city of Damascus, hurdling towering minarets and massive mosques and palaces and finding its way into the narrow and irregular streets, when we wound our way past Al-Marje, the Umayyad mosque and into the quarter of Al-Midan. It was Sunday (August 11) but the city had risen early and was already for some time in the swing of its activities. Sunday in Damascus is an ordinary workday, because the Moslem day of rest and prayer is Friday, and owing to this fact we soon discovered that we could make but little progress on our way out of the city. We were in the company of a popular leader, at a time in the seething conditions of the city when the people needed a leader and sought him for advice on a thousand and one matters We were stopped ever so frequently by grain and feed merchants, flour and produce merchants, and all the other categories of merchants whose shops lined the street from the center of the city to its very .limits. The merchants wanted advice and assistance in their many grievances. They were subjected to unfair competition on the part of foreign interests; they were willing to agree to any proposition advanced by the leaders to improve their intolerable situation. To all of which Fakhry Bey would deliver a lecture on the imperative necessity of cooperation. I later learned from him that he had been successful in organizing the native millers into a form of a cooperative and protective association, a trust, if you please, to pit their combined efforts against the foreign depredatory interests. But in this instance the "interests" were not the French, nor were the motives involved of a political nature. It was the case of some enterprising Jews installing modern flour-milling machinery, and investing in the business such large capital as to effect substantial savings in the purchase of supplies, enabling them in turn to undersell the native millers who still adhered to all methods. To meet the menace the natives had to have recourse to the modern methods of their competitors. They installed modern machinery to effect economy in production and organized to effect economy in purchase. They engaged their opponents for a time in cut-throat competition and soon regained the grounds they had lost. They now readily admit that the "interests" were their benefactors in having taught them a valuable economic lesson. �8 THE SYRIAN WORLD Once outside the city limits the landscape presented a desolate appearance. The waters of Barada do not flow in this direction, with the result that the land presents an aspect of desert aridity. But compensation was to be had in a different form. Standing bare in the wilderness was a great white dome, which our companion explained was a memorial erected on the very spot where stood the Prophet Mohammad when he refused to proceed any farther for fear of jeopardizing his entry into the celestial Al-Jannat if he were to enter the city of Damascus which in its ravishing beauty appeared to him as a terrestial paradise. As we proceeded further we came to a town whose white buildings, huddling solidly together, and its many slender minarets rising sharply from a solid mass of masonry, stood in bold relief against the drab landscape and a Lmpid blue sky. This, as we learned, was Al-Kaswa, the historic town which marked the starting point of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, at the time when Damascus was the great rallying center of all pilgrimages. Al-Kaswa, literally translated, is the covering of Al-Kaaba. Out of reverence the Moslems of the world fashioned every year, on the occasion of the pilgrimage, a magnificent piece of cloth embroidered with gold and brocaded with intricate designs drawn from precepts of the Koran to coyer the black stone at the holy city. This covering was carried in great pomp and ceremony at the head of the pilgrimage procession. The caravan started across the desert from this town near Damascus. The ceremony of loading the rich covering of the Kaaba, Al-Kaswa, took place in it, hence its name. The town of Al-Kaswa is preeminently the starting point into the desert and all those regions of the unknown which lie east and south of Damascus. No sooner we emerged from the shade of its walls than we began to experience that peculiar sensation which comes to him who is embarking on a desert adventure. We were now entering Hawran, the Aurentes of the Romans, where great cities and formidable fortresses once formed the outposts of the Roman Empire, but which now has been reduced to an and land suitable only for dry wheat cultivation. One could sense in the very air a compound of mystery, the very feeling which knowledge of the lore of the Druze country gave the traveler a sense of the dramatic and mysterious. The feeling deepened as our car sped further into the countrv. Not alone in its present aspect, but against the background of'its hoary history, the land we were now crossing in the most modern of con- �i (unn^r", ay T TSS'S ^^ pl *J3U<* ?P ? f ^SCLS ^^Ss^ £.§ %<?? § b �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD veyances impressed itself on our imagination. Everything upon which our eyes rested seemed to be reminiscent of the ages of long ago. Across the horizon, silhouetted boldly against the clear blue sky, stood historic Mt. Hermon with the refreshing sight of its perpetual snow amidst the scorching desert heat. Between the road and the mountain range were to be seen some Arab camps, whose droves of camels meandered leisurely in the vast wilderness feasting on its most abundant luxury, thistles. Here and there the newly opened dirt road crossed, or ran parallel to, some wonderfully preserved Roman road which was at once a reminder of past glory and a challenge to future effort and achievement. But aside from its dreariness there was nothing formidable about the country, nothing to substantiate the fear and awe associated with every mention of Hawran and Jebel Druze. It was somewhat disappointing. So far nothing of what we had seen was formidable, although now we were in the heart of the country. What then could have gained for this part of Syria its sinister and redoutable reputation? Surely it cannot be the nature of the country' as much as the character of the people. About 10 A. M. we had reached Azra', a military post situated midway between Damascus, capital of Syria, and Sueida, capital of Jebel Druze. The town is not of prepossessing appearance— a few incongruous stores ranged along the crooked road with but a few habitations built of sombre basalt stone and merging perfectly with the drab landscape. At a point near the military headquarters we were brought to a halt by a rope stretched across the road. A dapper little officer advanced to examine our credentials. His manner and speech were of the proverbial French politeness. He not only let us pass but even volunteered advice as to where we could find lodgings in Sueida, directing us to the house of Geaffar Pasha Atrash. No concern was shown over the fact that one of my traveling companions was a Nationalist leader and the the other a journalist who at times indulged in considerable vituperation against the mandate. Although the country was still under military rule as a result of the last insurrection, freedom of travel was apparently permitted to all classes. The apprehension of Fakhry Bey Baroody that he might be held in suspicion owing to his known revolutionary affiliations was seemingly unfounded. This open-minded policy on the part of the French authorities of Jebel Druze was later illustrated more forcibly in the capital. One could but infer that the French now feel their �MM JANUARY, 1931 /; grip on the situation adequately secure, and that if they fear no further outbreaks it is because they have placated the people by proving to them their genuine solicitude for the peace and progress of the country. What I saw in Jebel Druze only confirmed the belief that the French were best loved (relatively) where they were in direct control. They are in such control in the Alaouite State and m Jebel Druze, and of all the administrative divisions of Syria, these two show comparatively the most progress. Pehaps the hands of the French authorities are not here tied down by considerations of local politics, and they are thus prompted to a feeling of direct responsibility in the discharge of their duty. This would be the sounder explanation than the one accusing the French of displaying more efficiency and conscientiousness where they are in direct control simply to expose the disadvantage of relegating the administrative power to the natives. We still had a good two-hour drive to Sueida, and while not watching the monotonous landscape we listened to the Bev's outlining of his ambitious reform program. From politics he covered the whole field of reforms that usually engage the mind of a young and enthusiastic national leader. Oh' What he would not do to improve education, agriculture, industry and raise the cultural standard, and effect the economic prosperity, and enhance the national prestige of the Syrian nation, if only the country were rid of French domination. And as behooves a man of his enthusiasm, there was no doubt in his mind as to the ability of the Syrians to look after themselves and shape their own destiny. • |Th?i5khry Bey W°uld revert to one of his frequent whimsical and light moods, displaying a surprising versatility and scope ot interest. His conversation with the chauffeur was typical This chauffeur was a native Damascene and had had an unusual career of which the Bey knew every detail. All the youth of Damascus are the proteges of the Bey inasmuch as they all acknowledge him their leader. The chauffeur was asked how he enjoved his stay m leheran, and he at once became voluble. "All the chauffeurs of Persia are Syrians," he began, "but in spite of their exceptional opportunities for gain they pine for the life of Damascus. I could not stand my self-imposed exile for more than a year, and here I am poorer but happier." "Missed your sweethearts, perhaps?" suggested the Bey by3 way of furnishing a lead. �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD "La, wallah!" came the quick and frank reply. "I had six wives during the year I spent in Persia." "Quite a harem " "La, wallah! not all at once. A new one regularly every two months." "Rather reckless in divorce!" "La, wallah! rather by advance mutual agreement." "But you are a Sunnite," came the surprised question of the v c F c Bey. ] c ( "But I was in the country of the Shiites and took advantage of their regular institutions," was the plain rejoinder. This matter-of-fact colloquy illustrates a social-religious institution practised in some parts of the East which is given little consideration by the outside world. The Moslems, it should be pointed out, are divided into two main sects, the Sunnites, who are considered the orthodox among Moslems, and the Shiites who are the adherents of Ali. Some of the latter sect may be found in Syria and Lebanon, but their principal stronghold is in Mesopotamia and Persia. One of their religious tenets is contract marriage—an agreement between the contracting parties to live together in a conjugal state for a stipulated length of time, at the expiration of which their union is automatically annulled. The time may be a day or a year. Some instances are known where a union is entered into for but a few hours. But in the meantime the marriage is considered absolutely legal. No witnesses are required. This form of contract marriage has been in effect in that part of the East for something like fourteen hundred years. So-called moderns in the West who preach trial and companionate marriages and the like will have to cast about further afield for originality. The country we were now traversing presented a striking resemblance to tKe desert on which it bordered. True, its topography is mountainous, but the rolling hills gave one the impression of sand dunes rather than cultivated land. The whole land is planted to wheat, and the harvest had just been gathered, leaving the yellow stalks cut with a hand scythe about a foot from the ground shimmering under the bright flood of golden sunshine. Not a tree or a green shrub was to be seen in the whole vast horizon, and the only touch of color that broke the monotony of the landscape was the huge piles of black basalt stones that mmm. nmm - s J s i �—— JANUARY, 1931 13 were so plentiful as to be awesome. Even the patience and industry of such a resigned people as the Druze peasants must have proved inadequate to clear the land of this stone pest. Or was it only indifference that gave way to expediency? We noticed fields so encumbered with stones that they could never be tolerated in Europe or America. Yet we actually came across innumerable instances where a few straggling stalks protruded boldly from crags in the rock or from amidst a handful of earth between some stones. But even these few were not overlooked by the scrupulously efficient mower. Perhaps, even, they were originally planted by design. Not even the few villages we passed offered a break in the monotony. They were all of the same basalt stone that denoted the volcanic origin of the country. The houses are built low, close together and have flat roofs that seem to present an unbroken surface viewed from a distance. One had to look intently to discern a village from its sombre surroundings. Hardly a tree was to be seen even in the villages. And that despite the fierce sun that beats mercilessly in these regions. An unprotected traveler would fare ill in these vast stretches of desolation which provide neither water nor shade. We met a lone woman traveler painfully winding her way along the dusty road. She was heavily dressed and her head covered with the conventional ighal. Being a native she must have considered herself immune to the midday heat, yet we noticed blood dripping from her nose. We were now approaching Sueida with an anticipation of relief from the trying journey. A bare hill loomed ahead which was designated as the spot where the ill-fated expedition of Gen. Michaud, the first punitive column to be despatched against the Druzes in 1925, met its crushing defeat at the hands of Sultan Pasha Atrash and his men. This signal victory of the Druzes emboldened them to assume the offensive and carry the war out of their territory into the very heart of Syria and Lebanon. The French military command at that time had acted in haste and miscalculated the strength of the enemy, causing a prolongation of the conflict with all its attending suffering. Historically the country is extremely interesting, but why should it be so bare and forbidding? The new roads being built are unquestionably good. They may be planned with military considerations in mind, but they serve commercial purposes nevertheless. Yet this is not all what the country needs. Are the �fcfi£ THE SYRIAN WORLD 14 French doing anything in the way of general rehabilitation and improvement? We noticed along the flank of the mountain overlooking Sueida a patch darker than the common aspect of the landscape. Being all strangers to the country we fell to conjecturing as to its nature. Two of us maintained that the patch was nothing but basalt rock of a darker hue than the rest. Judging by what we had seen of the country in nearly four hours of fast travel no other conclusion seemed admissible. Trees seemed a rarity unthought of in these surroundings. Still one of us maintained the dark-blue patch was vegetation, a growth of shrubs. There was life in it, a subdued dark green color without the dull reflection of the shiny black stones. This view proved correct as we drew closer. The dark patch was actually a growth of shrubbery representing the first attempt of the French at reforestation. The sight was most welcome and refreshing, accentuating our feeling of relief and delight at having at last reached the gates of Sueida. The Rose By THOMAS ASA In thoughtless mood I plucked a rose one day, And, breathing of its essence, heard it say: "Thou soulless man! to break me from my stem, When ah too soon I'll finish my short stay." And leaning closer I heard it further speak— "Thy worldly praises thrill my blushing cheek, As Queen of Flora's kingdom I am named,— But soon thereat you leave me deathly weak. "The queen of thine own country you adore, In your submission you her temper bore; And when in regal anger gives command To you, bend humbly to the polished floor. "But, me, you found beautiful, mild and free, The wold my home, my palace floor this lea; Forthwith you plucked me to adorn your queen,— The rustic queen outshines man's majesty!" warn wmmm �JANUARY, 1931 15 Ancient Nations of the Near East Voltaire Offers to Modern Syrians High Proof of the Cultural Greatness of Their Ancestry. By THOMAS ASA ETROM his chapters on Syria, Phoenicia, and Arabia, which are embodied in his admirable Philosophy of History, Voltaire, the most universal personality in the annals of French literature, presents to the modern Syrian innumerable vestiges of the antiquity and cultural greatness of his ancestry. Commenting on the topography of ancient Syria, Voltaire writes, "By all the monuments which remain for our inspection, I find that the country which extends from Alexandretta to Scanderoon, nearly to Bagdat, was always called Syriaj the alphabet used by this people was always Syriac; that the ancient cities of Zobah, Balbec, and Damascus, were here situated, and afterwards those of Antioch, Seleucia, and Palmyra. Balk was so ancient that the Persians pretend that their Bram or Abraham came from Balk amongst them. Where then could that ancient empire of Assyria, of which so much has been said, be situated if it were not in the land of fables?" He continues in his chapter on Syria, "I do not, in other respects, hesitate believing that the Syrians were much more ancient than the Egyptians, for this evident reason, that the lands which are most easily cultivated, are necessarily the first peopled, and are the earliest in a flourishing state." Concerning the Phoenicians, those bold and enterprising entrepreneurs of transmarine navigation, the French philosopher becomes more specific and increasingly eulogistic in his enthusiasm, "The Phoenicians were probably united as a body of people as early as the other inhabitants of Syria. They may not be as ancient as the Chaldeans, because their country is not so fertile: Sidon, Tyre, Joppa, Berith, and Ascalon, are barren lands. Maritime trade has constantly been the last resource of every people. They began by cultivating their land before they built ships to go in search of other countries beyond the sea. There is no mention made by any maritime expeditions, either among the Chaldeans or the Indians. Even the Egyptians looked with horror upon the �16 . "THE SYRIAN WORLD sea; the sea was their Typhon, an evil disposed being; and this makes the four hundred ships that were fitted by Sesostris for the conquest of India very questionable; but the enterprises of he Phoenicians are real. Carthage and Cadiz were founded by them, the discovery of England, their trade to India conducted by Ezion-gaber their manufactures of valuable stuffs, their art of dyeing purple, testify their abilities, and those abilities caused their grandeur. "Commerce necessarily required registers, which supplied the place of our ancient books, with easy and lasting signs to fix those registers. The opinion which supposes that the Phoenicians were the authors of the written alphabet is therefore very probable I shall not aver that they invented such characters before the Chaldeans; but their alphabet was certainly the most complete and useful, as they expressed the vowels, which the Chaldeans did not. The word Alphabet itself, composed of their two first characters, is an evidence in the favor of the Phoenicians. 1 J'1 dr u0t fi,nd that the Egyptians ever communicated their eir kn Ua e to an 0 ItTS, g S J y ^er people: on the other hand, CEIUaai S 1 1 th V ]angUa e t0 the who »ft S T ^ "'?- t ^ Carthagenians 7holiTrTrr r8Cdu *' TJhelr ktterS Were transformed into X of £ §£&*? a d-ded ^f * *«* of the antiVoltaire now centers his attention on a figure that looms preeminent among the historical and philosophical writers of the pre-Christian era. Sanchoniathon, whose personal history is unfortunately obscure, writes authoritatively on the origin and cusiTwrV gir aUd S6CUcr' °f hk lineal ancestor*> the Phoenicians, in writing his account, Sanchoniathon was animated by the same lofty-spirit and ambition that dominated the authors of the Zend and Vedam, the same influence that resulted in the work of Manethon in Egypt and Hesiod in Greece. The great prestige of oroveea:1 h*Tan Wnter " att£Sted' aS ^tairegresumes ^Wha tZThe firH gI°U/-antiqUlty °f thC b°0k °f Sanchoniathon is, teries of I, Tr °f * T" ^ * the cele^ation of the mys h mage Which the E tIans would 2 have h T' ,° «* Greeks would not paid to 'a foreign author, had^P he not been one of che first sources of human knowledge." CeedS t0 3 sourI?oTtrdT° sources of the different terms ktit ,de f uaiw ; ° in designating *» i'^'-^t, the employed the Su preme Being, "The word El, signifying God Loi^tl" fi'st �93MB JANUARY, 1931 17 Phoenicians, has some analogy to the Alia of the Arabians; and it is probable that the Greeks composed their Elios from this monosyllable El. But what is most observable is, that we find the ancient Phoenicians had the word Eloa, Eloim, which the Hebrews for a very long time afterwards retained, when they settled in Canaan. "The Jews derived all the names they gave to God, Eloa, Iaho, Adonai, from Phoenicia; this cannot be otherwise, as the Jews in Canaan did not for a great while speak anything but the Phoenician tongue. "What deserves particular observation, is that Sanchoniathon, in relating the ancient cosmology of his country, speaks at first of the chaos enveloped in dark air, Chaut-Ereb. Erebus, Hesiod's night, is derived from the Phoenician word, which the Greeks preserved. From chaos came Muth or Moth, which signified matter. Now who controlled this matter? It was Colpi Iaho, the spirit of God, by which animals and men were created. "We may easily be convinced that this cosmogony is the origin of almost all the others. The more ancient people are always imitated by those who succeed them. I am sensible how obscure are all the origins of the Chaldeans, the Syrians, the Phoenicians, the Egyptians, and the Greeks. What origin is not so? We know that Babylon existed before Rome; that the cities of Syria were powerful before Jerusalem was known; that there were kings of Egypt before Jacob and Abraham; but to know with precision which was the first people, a revelation is necessary." Turning to Arabia, we find that Voltaire has caught the fiery spirit of independence that has ever characterized the ancient people of this mysterious country. Traversing with impartial judgment the existing milestones of the authentic history of this nation, the French philosopher has found them to be one of the great peoples of antiquity. "The Arabians, whose defense are their deserts and their courage, have never submitted to a foreign yoke. Trajan conquered only a small part of Arabia Patrasa: they to this time brave the power of the Turk! This great people have always been as free as Scythians, and more civilized. "Those may be properly called the people of Arabia who were the real aborigines, that is to say, who from time immemorial inhabited this fine country, without intermixing with any other nation, without having been conquered or conquerors. Their- --.-.: f: : ...,., ;;:,,... .. .. �^saaass IS THE SYRIAN WORLD SSSPS ?G~T and s pk f [ T ° -** <*^ » &r so foe Ld dear 1 TTf ^ ^ Which Seemed> «* -ore magnihce ex han n otl ^ ^V ** of God with part f atUre emj the planets s mediatr ?" " - TheX considr° Wed thi relSon t thefc£ f M^ G°d ** ^ ^ fol~ addicted to man^sup ^tit" s° s^h0met- * bdieVe thc>' * from the rest of the world l' J T^ ""^ but detached of a delicious ^X*^ SfJSr^ P" essartJy have been Jess nrnn* * • i j ' the^ must necP rious as other nations ° ***«**«> «* not so supersti- x r h n - ^^; ^^zt^ ^^\ r ^ ***** connection with that littlilS^Ja \^? th^ had no the ob ject and foum&tion of o^^^-^ I8.1**0 a certain kind of authors"opvoef T^ h,St0rieS> wherei» forget three-fourths of the "earth " " ° ***' ^ ^ a11 hi - Wife a^^^:?x T' v* are many, as they are men- hut magnificent leadership th mg " of fhe m °dern Syrians nm^ rf^1—^ ^ C,v,hza alone, undivided and unequalled their *on are theirs A Marvel and a Riddle By G. K. GI BRAN the %Zt ' 1,C '" hu^of" £&&.*" tht dUSt mC "** - °f ^ *«"='« and unaware of a d " ' -;„d talked upon fh= Sn*ing with the days and dreammg withthe night, I > But behold a marvel and a riddle' The very sun that gathered me cannot scatter me t?*?^^^ of foot do T walk upon the banks i �I) JANUARY, 1931 19 n l- h Christmas in Other Lands By A. F. ZAINEV Editor's Note — Although the Christmas season has passed, the following study of the customs and practices of various peoples in celebrating Christmas is of permanent value in that it collects a wide variety of general information on the subject. The author is a member of the legal profession and is keen on the subject of bringing about a better understanding of the Syrians by the general American public. What follows is the text of a speech he delivered at the Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. ^MERICAN children and many grown ups, too, are apt to think that Christmas is celebrated in the same way all over the earth. They picture children everywhere hanging up their stockings on Christmas Eve, and dancing in glee on Christmas morning before trees gay with lights, ornaments and gifts. It is not surprising that we should have this idea when last year five million Christmas trees were cut from Canadian farms, and that together with six million trees from the northern states of our country were then on the way to American firesides. With the Christmas tree in the American home and before the fireside, it is pleasant to know that people in other parts of the world have charming Christmas customs, too. Take the Yule Log! The first mention of the Yule Log turns one's thoughts to old England. But before England adopted the idea, bringing home the log amid merry cheer was part of the nature worship of the early Germans. In America, the nearest thing we have to the Yule Log ceremonies is the chopping down of a tree, then burning as large a log as our firesides will hold, or buying a log at some store and lugging it home with fun and frolic. Doing this takes us into another country than England. We have touched Norway by this custom, for there, during the Christmas festivities,, father and children go to the woods, select and chop down a tree, and bring it home together. Once upon a time Christmas was observed boisterously and the Lord of Misrule ran riot, but nowadays Christmas is a day, or season, of family reunions and of domestic happiness. The Christmas we know is a home day, and it grows so, more and more, all over the world. Every one tries to get home on Christ- '^BMMHHMBHHHIHBi HMMHSB �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD mas. Schools close. Colleges give vacations and people try to spend the day, and longer if possible, at home. Christmas has become a children's day and we are all children together when this festival comes around once again. We know how Christmas is celebrated here in America, because we are a part of the celebration, and while each family has its own special customs and traditions, everything revolves about the Christmas stocking, Christmas tree and candlelight. But other countries have other ways of marking the day. Finland, for example, has not Christmas trees, but Father Christmas, dressed as a Yule Goat, goes from house to house with gifts to which verses are attached. He reads each verse aloud before presenting a gift. Some are funny, others have beauty of thought. No one is left out, servants as well as relatives are remembered and the animals are especially well fed. In fact some countries give special care and attention to animals on Christmas Eve, in commemoration of the belief that animals can speak for a short period on this night. Children of Finland sleep on a little straw on Christmas Eve, because the Christ child was laid in the hay in a manger. In Roumania on December 24th, the last day of Advent, Turte is eaten in almost every home. This is a special "kind of cake", made of layers of thin dough, with melted sugar or honey and powdered walnut. The dough is supposed to represent the swaddling clothes of the Christ child. The boys sing from house to house on Christmas Eve.* Each one carries a six-cornered star made of wood fastened to a pole. A small burning candle in the middle of the star shows through the colored paper and makes a merry jungle as the boys walk. The "Stars" are carried about in this manner until the end of the month and gifts are exchanged on New Year's Day, instead of Christmas Day. Ukraine, the country north of the Black Sea, used to be called Little Russia. There Christmas lasts three days. There is no Christmas tree, but gifts are exchanged. In the homes a jolly family dinner is served on Christmas Day and one custom which occurs during the meal is worth mentioning. For so many years, no one knows when it began, it has been the custom to present a gift to the one on the table who sneezed first. It has to be a real sneeze, not make believe, nor one occasioned by aid of the pepper shaker. Why anyone should sneeze at a Christmas table is not told. But a gift of a lamb, a pig, or a calf was the reward -_ ______ II �JANUARY, 1931 2/ of a sneezer at Christmas time in this country, that is if it was the very first sneeze at the feast. The special dish in this country is "Kontia", a raisin cake that, according to all accounts, is delicious, and about which a tender ceremony clusters. One of the children is chosen each year to carry the Kontia to table on Christmas Eve. He crosses himself three times and bows before the ikons or pictures of the saints which are lighted by candles. Then he goes outside the door and brings in some hay. Upon the hay he puts the Kontia or raisin cake, and on top of this is placed a loaf of bread. He crosses himself again three times and bows. Then all the family bow, after which each one sits down at the table and the cake is set before tnem. In Italy there is no Christmas tree, instead they have a Christmas Urn, into which the gifts are placed by "Banfanta", who takes the place of Santa Clans. For several weeks before Christmas the children learn poems and songs, and on Christmas Eve, the family gathers and listens to them. Later thev sit before the hearth which ,s filled with blazing logs or with a big Yule Log Gifts are not given out until the twelfth night in remembrance of the arrival of the Wise Men in Bethlehem. The Italian home has a "Presepo" as the principal feature oi Christmas. This is a miniature manger scene. The evening before Chnstmas the Yule Log is lighted, and at dusk the "PreTnTJrlu W/lh1Ca"dles- * sunset cannons boom forth, announctag that the Holy Season has begun. Throughout Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Russia, Czechoslovakia, and in some other countries the Christmas tree is the symbol of the season. All Christian nations celebrate, but not m the same way. Some countries observe Christmas as a religious day, others make it wholly gay. And each country mentioned has some special Christmas viands that help to make the season different. In America we have turkey and mince pie spiced with various sorts of spices and other Oriental ingred! lents in commemoration of the offerings made bv the Wise Men 01 trie rLast. th, *W E,a?mrCTtneS' Armenia> Via, and Greece, lamb is the chief article of diet at Christmas. Old England gave the boar's head the place of honor at the Christmas dinner and the second place of honor in those great festivals of the Middle aees was given to the peacock, whose head was placed at one end of �THE SYRIAN WORLD W^ifS kS of the ;itt" -hdy StUffed With S ices in the cen P SP, eading " f ° ^ COl red tail ° ^r of the platter * the othe " -d Throughout Germany, Jittlc frosted spice cakes shaped like stars and animals belong to the Christmas Eve. The children save he,r pennies to buy then, In France, bakeries turn out cakes In Syr" °0f TtVf Pe°Pk and are *" F to cus^ rT .Syria, of which Palestme ,s a provincial State, is the birthplace ittl£ t0WU f ^les ST,5" th^ ° ^thlehem about S miles ZT'ofsouth of Jerusalem, Christ was born. Syria is my native is openedI in the Holy Land. We do not have trees or Yule Logs, nor do we exchange gifts. We do, however, extend to our feJlowmen the season's greetings. At midnight of he 24th Mas sung i„ the neighborhood churches lasting till two o'dock in the morning, at the end of whirh tk„ . until the priesf'gives L^^stlet^ ""W" ~ A family reunion takes place on Christmas morning and a council is held to determine ways and means of celebrafing the N Year S EV£ The bet Tvisit ' neighbors "2meoers oTthtft^w'rS or the family forth and the and friends go while the female members remain at home tfrece ve endS iS On each t0 the Surn^rh'^f r of/rare****** ta^SdkSTk return the hospitality wines and sweetmeats and Turkish coffee. The greetings are expressed with hopes that the recdviS family may live for a good many years to come to eniov thf tHat dl th£ ^Ztfor^^/r^ ^veanJc°eLnd trespasses be forgotten and forgiven and other expressions relat -g to the words of Christ-'Teace on earth and g'ood wiTl tfall On a Miser Translated from the Arabic by J. D. CARLYI.E "Hang her, a thoughtless, wasteful fool She scatters corn wher'er she goes »— Quoth Hassan, angry at his mule, That dropt a dinner to the crows. ^ MMBMMNMll �JANUARY, 1931 Rubaiyat Abu-Taveb Translated frotn the Arabnc by A\iIN, BEDER Not all thy hopes, O Man, canst thou attain ,„;.-.Some few are quickly won—the rest are vain, For favoring winds the venturing sailors pray; Yet what they meet is calm or hurricane. .jS>. j,\ j, 0j But if indeed thy soul aspires to rise, Aim for the highest—aim beyond the skies; The pang of death is anyhow the same— For all the way, or half the wav likewise. J.>=J \ ^ 1^ j^sJ \ j .j "A. *yli If fame thou seekest, wed thyself to toil, Divorce thy consciousness from earth's turmoil; To rob a honeycomb is hard indeed; A sting thou mayest expect before the spoil. / The best of men are targets of their time— And O, the fatal shots they meet before the climb; Worry forsakes the ones with little sense; They live to eat, their pleasure is sublime. �\\ 24 THE SYRIAN WORLD French Author Gives Views on Syria Editor, THE SYRIAN WORLD cus Under Bombardment » 8 " my kst work "!" Damas- ** with such fS^^1fe-*f- -PecSlly if it Synan But, on the other hand everv „1 i , Question. Jcate his viewpoint and S2i%t£ * ^i** t0 *" him. This, unfortunately Urn nTh5 T ?" d'Sagree with possibility of my gettin/a heTri " c d° beCaUSe of the **Jike my book, are^ U?X a b "f Si ^M" Y answers, P-ent me from %£g m^ of which is calculated 5 America, the land of liberty vou win K j d° h°pe that in g d Cn Ugh to ub]ish this reply which I feel I 2st makT °° ° P y ,CW f You are right in your aoDr^ f° T T ° ^ bookment on the reVolution^erio?" iT b°°k aS a human d^uof a "delicate faaiKSS? j?^ Seen in ** light In part, it is neither a histo ica comn I 7 "^ meant oth e. Foreign Office, but ratherS3^°"' n°r a rePort of the a brief expose of the S^inTwT ~^^° Which Was add*d the subject the averse FrTch^T u ^T f° enlighten °» Perhaps I -Klt^^ publishing this personal diary had I nnTl ^ °f § amazed at the number of books on the aS n " L? by people who were £^S^ETH ^t^ " FranCC S,nan revolution ^^ ^^^ ^^ �JANUARY, 1931 I 2$ thor who, JZ. JTfhou Id L'UeSt",n,the testim°"y "f » authose other auZAwh'n ,l ?. ? '^ pn°nt>' of bdirf °v«" »he incidel took^llce " ****** ""* ** W W after will^UardsThetriantf^ 1 ' f°U"d °+ »«« ««l »»sibility forThe war i, X<:edT th '5 " T 1 that the resP°'th Syrian pe0 ,e as a mean, rf^SJfc rnandT r P ^ mistaken belief ffj£&£ W Tn? '^ "V^ the der ,Lthe d,scussi0 " of Politi« the victims were forgotten U„ t.me a stranger to political manoeuvres^ demon«ra e ,JT H £ rtLTrSM otfh r' ^^s^rst being fried on it" "ho is e frymg pan but he it, it is perhaps'necess^toLpl „' hf tolTon': m"^"' 2 my ldeas and opinions during mv stav in sJ^ T u J 7 .he object of X^".SMtSdS&r ^e feminine standard of intellect Fnr fnT dCSlg ned to raise th T nd to the march of politics* It^ensh^lT. .' * t ideas on the question of the manda 1 Piling French But then a dou tion took place in me Mv^TJ? We evoluu Damascus con^^^Ztt^^tToI^T " m bein from our best classes h«*v» ; k . , • S drawn formed their opimo"' **£££ on 25 ** ^ **" those Frenchmen who were 1 thZ 5,he,rueXpenence with found in that circle of S> ns ^"h wh ch I « ^ ^ ^ * marks of education andUL o wl ch r Su ^^ th0Se d been accu while in France The result-«,! u ? , stomed myself drawn^erTth ^£g±%** ' ^ This, also, was the cause of the revision of my ideas on the �26 THE SYRIAN WORLD mandate. Astonished at the mediocrity of the Frenchmen I encountered, I applied myself to a study of the politics of the mandatory administration and I discovered that it was far from conforming to the principle of liberty as we understand it in France. 1 could hardly believe that France could oppose the aspiration of another people to that independence which it has so persistently advocated and defended at home, while the French are eminently known for their logic. In the meantime the war broke out in Syria. Now, whatever was the provocation, this war in my judgment was inexcusable because it could have been averted by the Mandatory Power. It was not, like our war of 1914, inevitable I would not be French were I to accept without question the killing of our solders unless under extreme necessity. I have many proofs that from the outset this necessity did not exist. All these considerations made me look upon the Syrian insurgents as true patriots fighting for their liberty not against France but against the mandate, (to which a group of Frenchmen is still opposed.) I could not, therefore, side with the Frenchmen of Syria against the Syrians. The duty of being true to one's conscience takes precedence over that of patriotism (especially if patriotism is understood in terms of hiding the shortcomings of one's countrymen.) This is what converted me into a champion of Syria not against France, but against the mandate at least in the manner I saw it then applied. Every reader of my book should keep this in mind that no wrong conclusions may be drawn. Unfortunately the book appeared too late. Like Diogenes, I sought for four years a publisher who would be a man, without finding one But courage is not always a masculine virtue. I finally had the book printed at my own expense. Because of its tardy appearance, it is only with difficulty that it is expected to counteract that "historical truth" which I referred to previously and which was officially broadcast by any number of books and newspapers under subsidy. Amidst this promandatory chorus, the contradictory yet isolated voice of mV book can hardly be heard. Perhaps, too, it has only been published at would have rallied all was during that period come a little late for the Syrians Had it the time of the upheaval in Damascus it their man-power. As it happened, there an admirable unanimity of national sen- / �JANUARY, 1931 27 timent reinforced by the common sharing of suffering b our years passed Syria was torn into small factions which fought against each red,Z,ng f atthUS k Was mak w" mTch r r ^ ^ little f w *as much France, realizing the necessity of pursuing such policy as that suggested by my book, reformed fts V a&n po icv and began to grant m degrees those liberties for which TheSr «« fought in 1925. As a result, many were thev amonethem who, having quickly forgotten they had been "iLurTenfs " do not like my book to remind them of the fact. PersoStterest .^usually one of the most potent factors for the changing 5SS S } l haV£ reC£ived b P? h6 S oft Chat TT ,X ^ r at llC' Papei Which meek] * re «5 ST^to f/t >o° '^ S n° " y tne slanders of L Orient of Beirut which, by the way P^ed I have since forced to retract. On the other hand, there wereW „um ber of distinguished personages from among the pelp e the preTs" Wy circles, from Parliament and even from Xrdln coTm tries who congratulated me for having dared to champion the cause of France against these Frenchmen of the ma'Xe who would in .me have compromised its rime-honored"^ Thanking you in advance for the courtesy of publisht emv eply for the information of the readers of THE SSS^&ET tion A t0 aCCCPt S,r ' ' th£ aSSUrance of highest consider? tion and sincere appreciation of your work which so spk didlv serves the cause of a country dear to me splendidly ALICE POULLEAU Member, Literary Society of the French Provinces. Nolay, France, Dec. 9, 1930. �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD Egypt Editor's Note — This prose poem originally written in Arabic, was published by the London Graphic in its issue of November 22. The author though a resident of Egypt, is of Lebanese descent. The poem was composed at the suggestion of the Graphic's editor for their special Egypt number. By TOUFIK MOUFARRIGE £GYPT, gift of the Nile, the crossroad of nations, the bride of the desert, the cradle of wisdom, mother of civilization yesterday and its prey today. The caravan of days and generations has passed her by, from the Hyksos to the Pharaohs, from Greek to Roman, Arab, Turk. Egypt has ever moulded the conqueror to her pattern. She changed nations, played with them, but herself kept changeless. \f _ Famine, scarcity, stagnation sweep across her, then blessings rain down. In either state she stays smiling, untroubled by impoverishment, unscathed by glitter. Her grandeur is like the waters of her Nile river—it falls and rises. Her history is a reservoir of greatness and story, brimming with glamour; her history from yesterday feeds today's J glory. The Nile hangs upon her neck and pours at her feet dominion and ever-old memories. Not water but pure gold flows along the Nile stream. But for it, Egypt would be a desert that scorches like Sinai or the Empty Quarter. In Egypt, none gainsay the truth "and we have created of water everything alive." The Sphinx records how that Egypt brought forth young, and through three score centuries nourished them at a breast holding a secret which is not revealed—a secret that is the riddle of generations and ages. The Sphinx tells nothing and does not talk; yet it speaks and is never silent. r-l!!:_Jr — �JANUARY, 1931 29 \m> The Sphinx and Pyramids Imperturbable guardians of the ancient glory of Egypt cJ^ th7t Ef^Pt'S P>Tamid> temPk of her immortality, sarcophagus of her kings and priests and sages — A king desired thee, and thou wast fetched forth, a mountain of stone in lovely design, that lifts the heart with awe. These are not stones in the Pyramid, they are tears petrified from the eyes of a poor people, to stake a tyrant's desire. Omar beheaded thee, and thou livest a headless body. And those forty centuries resting in thy shadow, at what do they look? 32dK^**her youth'her evei-beat^ he-' ^ toW.vfr' lherAo{c 1'^ yesterday and its daughter today! Forty hundred years watch from behind the Pyramids. workP,nH I 7 ? r,esPlendcrnt' the P^sent is hers, holding woi k and breeding toil; but the future is God's '- ' ......i!..]..-..!.,.....)„J.J.,uium �30 THE SYRIAN WORLD ALI ZAIBAQ I (Quicksilver) THE UNPARALLELED ADVENTURES OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN . AL-RASFIID, OF THE CITY OF BAGDAD. Translated from- the original Arabic by SALLOUM A. MOKARZEI. and CHAPTER THADDEUS S. DAYTON V. WHAT BEFELL QUICKSILVER IN THE ENCHANTED CITY QUICKSILVER forthwith proceeded to the palace of the King * and at his request was given a body of two thousand horsemen with which to make an immediate attack on the army of the Blacks. They sallied forth with Quicksilver at their head and assailed the camp of the Blacks under cover of darkness. Then ensued a conflict such as can hardly be depicted, for brave met brave and the hoofs of war steeds trampled on the breasts of the fallen, and cries like thunder reached the ears of heaven. The plain was covered with a surging, fighting multitude, weapons flittered in the darkness like flashes of lightning as swords and spears and shields clashed together. It was not long before the ground was drenched with the blood of the wounded and the dying. The brave held their ground fearless of death while the craven fled seeking safety but finding none in that terrible scene of carnage where the Judge of Death sat on his blood-stained throne mercilessly dealing out his sentences. The night was a night of woe and sorrow to the Blacks because of the heroic Quicksiher who waded through seas of blood attacking the thousands of the enemy and dealing destruction with his deadly sword. By the time that morning dawned the battle was ended and the army of the Whites, after gathering together the vast treas- �I JANUARY, Ifftr I 31 "oTheirdcitriChCTh°/ ^ "T^ Bkcks > rctu d triumphantly dom of the \\-hues, whereupon he was unbound, and toge hi The inhabitants of the Fnrhnnt^ r:*,, i • , . h peaceful slumber. The next mo I L P *<*'* ' *' ?&. * silver m,rl ,h„ I ,. i j mor""ig the King summoned Quick^d a^tnt M d If,'0 him CVery detaiI uf *»*< had ocn , f ' , ibJ'md of Enchantment. The King was ama/ed ,, JSS ~"" in ,ri 8i i " "« back ** «- the mage box o d th th b which he d e :"fx ^, d ^ »^ la" m luir ,ie w h K s court Ali of them marve,cd :nd tL K^t.d —*K wh; n:tt?n?„r;afL7rdorbe^sTh:ded mrmp?hing wonderful treasure was i£^J££*£^£ LCSI cnt magic of this wonderful creation." The next morning the King, his wazir, Quicksilver Hassan of the k gdom proceeded to ££££$??£ T the magic box ofSthe2S or the mountain taking with, them AH woHf ^ "d th£re' ln SUCC£Ssi0"' -ch viewed the whole world with its treasures and riches, its rivers and seas and dtie" all spread out before them whichever way they turned ' .Such was the King's amazement over this marvelous thine nea hC; SSl « ^ ^^ f° the C^ a"d - ^ cS near he called to him his Grand Wazir and said to him^ecretly f,r nff TA Xt iha' th{\ESVP^n comes to my country from a far-off land and takes this wonderful box of which there s no counterpart ,n all the earth when in reality it is my propertv nee * belonged to my father and my-grandfather before L'iZ �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD found in my country and surely I should be entitled to its posses%£• rT- J •? my c?mmand that you devise some means of putting Quicksilver and his companion to death so that this heritage irom the great sorcerer shall be mine." "This man Quicksilver has done to us nothing but good," anHe ddiV d y Ur d St WheBI IaZ11and Y, Tyour ° kingdom *> *i from the Blacks, then rescued from^ these*same people. Therefore it would seem to me most ungrateful to recompense him in such a way." "If you do not obey my commands," the King replied "I will straightway sever your head from your shoulders " "O mighty King," responded the Wazir in terror, "it is not within our power to overcome this man by force, for swords have no effect upon him and spears are all too short to reach him In the morning, therefore, do you say to him: 'Arise and come with me that I may show you the wonders of this great city,' and upon his so doing take him to the enchanted fortress. Once he is within, make some excuse to retire, closing the door behind you. Then Quicksilver and his companion, finding no way of escape, will surely die of thirst and hunger." This counsel pleased the King exceedingly. Now there was in that city a famous stronghold, known as the enchanted fortress, which had been built in immemorial ages y en trUnCe WaS by 0ne great door of massiv Kfc e iron to which £ there was .but a single key. Such was the place in which the King and his Wazir intended to confine Quicksilver and his companion, for there seemed no means of their escaping therefrom. When morning came Quicksilver and Hassan repaired to the WVI*3 7 t0 bld ^ farewd1' but the KinS '»*** that before their departure they should view the wonders of his city as their own King would no doubt inquire of them respecting it ion fin £? fd HiS ^Zir' Quicks^er and his companion, hnally reached the great fortress, the King saidW « ' ° T fnenJd' that this strongh°W was created by the same sorcerer who made the magic box of the All-Seeing Eve which M now ,n your possession, and he embellished its interior1 m a manner that would bewilder the mind. If you are inclmed to enter and view ,ts marvels, I shall be glad to open its gate :' Quicksilver replied in the affirmative, and the King- unlocked m m �JANUARY, 1931 33 thC A fueatJ°0r Which disclosed a dark passage which the Kins and the Wazjr hesitated to enter, expressingtheir fear QS si ver laughed and responded that he had ijfear. Saymg which" he passed over the threshold followed by Ibn El-Husry Once 1 thC mad a Slgn Which o beXed" ^: ^ ** t «— ^ dSS answe^t^ ^ KT C°mPanion here" There is no escape," answered the King as he turned the key and made his way back Y to his palace, overjoyed at the success of his plan. the m WaS thC Ki g S treachet XTZ7oll7 ^ u ' T>" ^id bCneath thC etenial the tale teller. "On *«* l Wil1 ^ *» of Two Arabic Gems By DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN TRUE DEATH J$j>A\ j^ j\ jSL3 & J^.. Call him not dead who 'neath earth's friendly crust Hath found a rest, but him whose Fires are cold, Whose heart hath no more wonders to unfold And on the Way e'en stirreth not the Dust. • WEAN IT WHILE TENDER What of the soul? >Tis like a nursling childWean it while tender, and it will forego Its mother's breast; neglected, it will grow ' And for the nursing have a passion wild. m.-/7hiS ^ \translatioJ1 of a couplet from the "Burda" the most famous ode ,n the Arabic language in praise of Moham- - �THE SYRIAN WORLD This Young Generation! In Editorial of Ai.-H OOA \J/HAi may be termed the extreme of ignorance is that the young generation, he they young men or young women, snouM presume that they are more intelligent than their parents more learned than their parents... wiser than their parents and' in general that they are modern while their parents are lagging helplessly behind on the road of progress. Under the en cum stances it would seem that the great crime of the parents is that they tolled and suffered and underwent untold privations to support and ecicate and keep in good circumstances the child who thus shows them his gratitude. Oh! how ugly are these presumptions! Who of the young generation who can lay a just claim to bang m elhgent and educated can at the same time deny that he is what his parents are, that he is a "part" of them, and that »* their material is mferior so also is his. There may be some tools who c'aim that narcissus sprouts from a lowly tube, that diamonds originate from coal. But how can we deny the logic i* the situation that but for the tube and the coal there Would be no fragrant flower or diamond, We max even go farther and -•v that but tor the fer ilixer the earth would not give its beau firul crops. And what is this modernism oi which the ignorant rather than the wise youth boasts: Tt is in spending thi night in d-mcin;: and drinking and riotous licentiousness. It is in pretending wealth, power and influence through sheer and unpardonable vanity. It is in being prodigal with the hard-earned savings of those 'olu- fashioned" parents. It hhi borrowing frem this, that and the other for no tcgiti mate and honorable purpose, but simply to indulge in reckless adventures. Fealty to one's parents is a duty and not a favor. - :. . t �IWBBHMHBWBP'i Via. JANUARY, 1931 35 The mother merges her own life into that of her child. Every mother is an example of inselfish sacrifice. The father toils and s peats to provide both sustenance and protection for the family. And how often do parents give of their own luxuries and eve3 of their necessities for the sake of then- children. How often do the parents go almost naked to cloth their children, go hungry to feed them, go thirsty to satiate them, and sacrifice of their comfort and well-being and very often mortgage whatever property they possess to educate'them. If utter all this the chidren prove ingrates where then is our boast or human virtues! It is the duty of the parents to provide a good education for their children until such time that the latter are fit to take up the struggle of life. Children wh continue to depend on their parents after they become of working age are parasites. Children should also realize that their parents can in no way be obligated to them. Rather, children should understand that it is their paramount duty to care for their parents even if the latter are possessed of independent means. Parents -at times act on the mistaken notion that thev would only be showing their children marks of natural affection when they let them have their way. They must realize that this policy might prove not only ruinous but perhaps tragic in that it might lead the children to laziness, continued dependence and perhaps a criminal career. Do we not hear the remarks of spendthrift boys and flapper girls that the fault lies with their parents in that, by neglecting to train them properly, they caused them to drift into the habit of spending without earning? This, it must be admitted, may be partly true, but the spoiled child should not find therein an everlasting excuse for nursing a grudge against his parents and refusing to work. Yes, young men. Your father may not be dressed according to the most approved fashion, but remember that he is the one who, depriving himself, made it possible for you to appear in your fashionable attire. Ye i L \y°Ung kdy- Y°Ur mothcr m;lv not be able to dance, but she has more genuine culture than vou can ever claim. She cooks, sews, mends and perhaps fasts for your sake, while vou in your conceit feel ashamed of her. The truth of the matter is �f* 36 THE SYRIAN WORLD 1 From the Arabic DESERVING OF PARADISE f maS uliM khrit hadlak trlriHttuT^ ° «^ -IUI vvue a woman or extreme no-f n^co P" TUabout as a result of tu» „ , ugliness. Ihis came face 0? ^'tatt^^^***^ The hlto the Al-Jan„at (ft^Kt^ttaA?'"* " *»" <* the SjffcSSS" y°U t0 SUCH a **"»«'" *—« ADVICE ON MATRIMONY 'ld0m 1° thlh° Advise nae „„ Wh giVC manage " AlHta?e L d rGi^to 7/aUghter in for if he should come to {"e hJllm^t"^ "' round her with comforts and if h' 1 M °r her and surhe will at least be Z^J^t^T * ^ ^ K Lt C of ttS «':,e'I W r �JANUARY, 1931 37 Grave Situation in Palestine Jewish Elections Show No Disposition to Compromise, While Arabs Reply to the British White Paper Reaffirms Former Stand. RECENT events in Palestine point to the continuance of the Hnlv 7 Vf k belWeen Arabs and JeWS over mastery of the Holy Land. Iff anything, the British White Paper and the disappointment it has created among the two factions only tended h^fFr^ thT6 S1TT aSfhow» ^ the popular elections lately held for he Jewish-elected Assembly. The results permit of iS that b th the ews a d he arelo're deeTretat10^' than f1Chever " ^ are more determined on °pursuingJ their» prescribed courses without the least hint of a compromise Prescnbed Upon the issuance of the British White Paper the world witnessed manifestations of the great indignation of Jewrv over what they termed their betrayal by the British government" And it the Arabs were pleased, it was because of the comparative admission by the government of their inalienable and prior rights But how far the British government was ready to act on its p^ fessed convictions still had to be seen. Only a short time after LtfoTS^ WJit€ ¥Tl «? B-^governmen "lowed signs of faltering in face of the formidable Jewish opposition and made some recession from the stand it had taken S 6 5 Wkh StH1 m re distrust of the estv'of ° esty of tT??the British in t'r dealing with the Palestine situation hon1 he Arab stand is clearly re-stated and elucidated in their latest < 1Cement n f he P litical situatio ,?nThe f °'T , °reply , to °the British White » asPaper embodied in the Arab Executive's This reply according to the English Edition of the Arab newspaper Falastine, published in Jaffa, had no necessity to be dekyed owing to the uncertainty of the precise meaning of the White Paper. Not that the average reader could not understand it but^ the propaganda of the Jewry obliged the British Cabinet to Vive new meaning to that paper. Even to this hour the Arabs are not certain whether the execution of the White Paper would not give it a new form if not new meanings. The reply of the Arab Executive, however, takes its stand upon unalterable principles and �2C THE SYRIAN WORLD indisputable facts, and, what is more admirable, rests independent of political interpretations and opportunist explanation? » of theN^lork T° neS ^n *#' ** *<"**" —po'n'dent LlX \ , ' a dlSPatch ***** f*»»ry 11, states lu u unb KXmit!VC ateOT"P«raed the reply with'a letter to the Hlgh Commissioner in which it asks him to transm t opies of the statement to the British Colonial Office and to^he Per manent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations and manzes the demands w Sr0;r A ^ ^ «~£ 1. Abolition of the Balfour Declaration and mandate as con ' tradictory to the promise given by the British Government to the Arabs dunng the World War and as contrary to Article XXII of the covenant of the League of Nations ' a government responsible to a elected -^SSStaf Arai Ss" thC "* ^^ hMfa - °f ^ —d by 4. Cessation of Jewish immigration into Palestine The letter says the Arabs enjoyed national, regional and mu nicipal self-government under the Turkish regime and v^ere" and urged that measures be taken to ameliorate the distress of iSorthern Palestine, which are now farmed on an extensive scabunder concess,ons held by wealthy Syrian and Arab groups If statements by the press may be taken as an indication of popular sentiment then the temper of Palestine Arabs goes beyond the sedate phraseology of the Arab Executive's repfy Fal tt ffi" fVT 0f,December 27> Portly before the issuance of he official Arab reply to the British White Paper, thus portrav he Palestine Arabs' feelings: «***The Arab repVshaUbeET lated into English so that the British nation, wL^epuation was responsible for the Arabs' faith in the Macmohan prorn^ may know that the Arab allies have been wronged ma kitted and^misrepreseiited. After all, the replies and coSSr repS nothing but polemics, Nations who intend to "be independem W to be self-dependent. The Arab can not plead exLpttn If he wants his rights he has to sacrifice for them, andff he2 bm sacrifice no one can rob him of the heritag which i ^ 4f) f �JANUARY, 1931 <Q The Jews on the other hand, show equal determination to make England live up to the spirit and letter of the Balfour Declaration as a binding obligation. Aside from the commotion nnsed by Jewry all over the world to bring pressure to bear upon England the Jews of Palestine have shown by their recent elec t.on to then- special Assembly that they are as militant and un compromising as ever. The several Jewish parties seem to differ not so much on prmciples as on methods; they are all agreed on aggressive Zionism and determined to carry it out. Among the Jews of Palestine there seems to be no such party as moderates The elections for the Jewish-elected Assembly were held throughout Palestine January 5 and indicated a victory for the i-abontes who oppose the employment of Arab workers in 'Jewish agricultural enterprises. The Revisionists, who constitute the opposition, would even take more radical colonization measures Before the elections, the national president of the Palestine /ion' ist Revolutionist party made the following statement: hv rS^Tf ie7ry-IUnderSta1nds * last that small colonization bj a handful of families yearly and immigration of a few thousand families each year is devoid of any political or even economic importance. Until now the Jewish masses believed Jewish sacrifice of money and human efforts would induce Britain to enlarge the possibilities of Jewish immigration. "The people therefore did not believe in the Revolutionist warning that small colonization could only endanger Jewish national rights tor mass colonization and mas; immigration ' Thev now recognize that they have lost all. "Revisionists and Spanish Jews as a future majority on the Jewish National Council have decided therefore to take direct action at Geneva and Washington and in Paris and other European capitals m order to mobilize Gentile public opinion through out the world against England's breach of its solemn obligations We do not recognize any negotiations by Dr. Chaim Weizmann 1 nd n Wh m n l0n r -ictin r^ f * ' H ;° ° ° ° & ^thorized to act in the name of world Jewry or the Jews of Palestine. As long a< he White Paper remains we shall have nothing to do with the J.onclon Uovernment which endorsed it." What the various Jewish political factions in Palestine stand for, as well as the reaction of the Arabs to the result of the elec10ns, were discussed by Fakhry Bey Nashashibi, prominent Mo,lem and notable leader of the Arab moderate partv, according �40 THE SYRIAN WORLD to the Jerusalem correspondent of the New York Times Fakhri Bey also said thl c;ecnonf> fld the Arab leader, of view the reLt o ' t e cttTshouM?' "t^* ^ they proved, first, the ^S^tS *«"* sigent elements always eained m. , . , e Jewish intranand prevented any^aUe ^Dn ' ^ ^d 0n imp°rtant issues the Arabs and theVewsfandS^T* ^"f effeCted ***"«« selves were divided I 'witlsTed K^t ^l^ JeWS am^ them" Palestine Jewish Labor mr v and tl P —"ng betWeen the Joting. Undoubtedly, he'astted ^J^ ** during the balto the Jewish Assembly Xre the I ^T Z^ be Carried >sts would be at loggerheads and t u "** a"d the Revisi ish Government, tfe world a "1 I ^ ^ f° sh°W the ^~ ment itself that the aSS were in di T" *C Zl°nist movd stituting a Jewish national hoTe ^ mCth°ds of co<- dh& rS £:S *J Arabs should regard the I The moderate Arabs whoTthe f ?*^ t0 the Arab <*"* a faint possibility of ZmeVortZ ^^ haVe observed militant element amongTe lew fWSUTan «ement with the nong JeWS Cannot vivendi, he said. > "° ^visage any modus while the Revisionists are 1° f *• ** WeU f in other colo'"4 majority i„ Palesti, n^&&-£**** * *-« \': gained n^tn^ooo' S°" T Sh W the Lab ° - P*«y lots entitling it **£?*$£,%£* °* *• ^We the Re with almost 10,000 votes will h„u f ' sionists, SeatS thou h position probably willbTZ Lh°" j "T", ' 8 theitwith fifteen seat^, joln'S^^^^ Jews, 8 f( * �JANUARY, 1931 41 EDITORIAL COMMENT BINDING .TRADITIONS '' V-: mit of further acceleration now jgEING comparatively new- that in addition to the influence comers to America, the Syr- of the public school, has come ians now are going through that the restriction of immigration stage of transition which many and the fusing faculty of easier earlier immigrant groups have contact through rapid transporpassed. And for the Syrians the tation. transition process may be harder because of their special handi- ; But there is bound to remain w every race certain native caps It must be realized that they did not come in large num- characteristics which will adbers and settle in rural districts here as tenaciously as some and thus through their relative high y revered and cherished family traditions. The des seclusion succeed in retaining those characteristics peculiar to cendants of certain racial stocks, giving in time more care to the the motherland. Thus to this study of their racial backday, and despite the passing of many generations, we have dis- ground will come to appreciate tinctive types in the Pennsyl- that which is best in their heritvania Dutch, the Louisiana age and cultivate rather than stifle it. Now that we are a French, the Wisconsin German young nation still struggling and the Minnesota Scandinaagainst divergent forces, there vian. Even in large cities where may be some overzeal in concommunities of large proportions admit of a condition of demning all that which is "forseJf-efficiency, we find old tra- eign". But once our homoditions clinging desperately and geneity is assured in the sense of giving way only slowly. The banishing from our minds all doubt and distrust of our varinstinct of self-preservation ious elements, we will cease to would seem to apply to racial traditions and native character- look upon everything imported istics as much as to more fun- as being "foreign" and calculated to introduce an incongrudamental conditions of life. In time, to be sure, Amer- ous element. As we grow we ica is bound to be fused into will look upon things in their one homogenous nation as re- true meaning and significance gards language and social and welcome that which will forms. This process may per- add to our store of culture. * lewmg the situation in this �42 light, we must admit that the sooner we perceive the value of that which is distinctively good it; our racial heritage and act to preserve and strengthen it the richer we will ultimately become. What we need, under the circumstances, is to search outsoul for the exploration of its hidden treasures and try to shape our destinies along definite, systematic lines. The Syrians arc endowed with many distinctive traits worthy of preservation, not the least among which being what may be described in general terms as family cohesion and devotion. The Syrian, whether he originate from the upper reaches of Lebanon or from the plains of Syria and Palestine, is governed by the same strong traditions respecting family relations. The love of the parents for their children knows no end to sacrifice, while filial devotion may be said to be carried close to the point of ancestral .worship. It is a beautiful manifestation of one of the loftiest and most constructive human virtues. We are squarely placing the matter at the door of the younger generation because they are our logical constituents. It is to them that we wish to bring a proper appreciation of their racial heritage, and no higher or more valuable trait could be THE SYRIA*; WORLD found than our characteristic family devotion. We believe it devolves upon the children to sympathetically study those sturdy characteristics in which their parents were brought up even as on their mothers' milk, and to adopt all that they can possibly assimilate. Prompted by their steadfast love, the parents may in all reason be expected to give proper regard to those influences of modern conditions which of necessity render some of their practices impracticable and obsolete. There are virtues, that are fundamental mid everlasting, more refined perhaps among some peoples than among others owing to longer adherence in practice, and these are what could and should be preserved. The editorial of Al-Hoda, published elsewhere in this issue, might have been prompted by some flagrant breach of filial respect. Its scathing denunciation, however, should only prove the high indignation that such action arouses among Syrians. Although aimed at Migrate children, it carries a timely admonition to those who may be wavering in their filial obligations. Home ties are strong and sacred among Syrians, and our young generation is bound to gain ultimately by adhering to this tradition viewed and valued as one of our finest. $ i I I �JANUARY, 1931 43 II Read ers AGAIN THE FEDERATION Editor, The Syrian World. I p I You will surely be pleased to learn that the Syrian youth of Witchita, Kansas, have decided to organize a club for the promotion of their racial interests. We are acting on the conviction that the Syrians have decided to make America their permanent home, are thinking with an American point of view, and are gradually coming to a solidarity of race consciousness. Under the circumstances we realize all the more the necessity of the Federation of Syrian Societies in the United States which you advocate and would like to receive information tending to enlighten Syrian-American youth on. methods of organization so as to more effectively work together for the welfare of the rising generation. William F. Farha. Witchita Kansas. ENDORSING A SUGGESTION Editor, The Syrian World. , 'M I have followed your recent travels abroad in Syria with the greatest p'easure and interest, especially as I had the opportunity of traveling practically the same itinerary two years after the late war. It has also been especially fortunate for me in the position of inactive participant in your travels to compare the conditions prevailing in Syria today and the conditions of a few years ago. In closing my appreciation for your splendid endeavors, I wish to rorum say that 1 heartily endorse the suggestion of Rev. W. A. Mansur to make your travel articles available in book form. Thomas Asa. West Brownsville, Pa. THE SYRIAN WORLD ANT) THE UQUOR BUSINESS Writing encouragingly and enthusiastically, Dr. 0. Assid Corban of Kihikihi, New Zealand, makes the following remarks a propos of the Syrian World Corporation: I see you have launched out into a potential corporation—a wise policy. Reminds me of the policy of the "Liquor Trade" a few years* ago in N. Z. It issued shares to the public promising 10 per cent dividends It worked very well, and at a time when the trade may have been in danger of extinction, quite a number of new enthusiasts considered its interests a little more because they were financially concerned. I have heard it said that in a certain Southern city half of the parsons took shares, which of course, is a gross exaggeration, but usefully illustrates the point. I doubt now if they will ever get prohibition in N. Z.— at least in the near future. The tide has turned the other way. All of which doesn't mean to suggest, ot course, that the Syrian World is in danger of annihilation when one views this latest manoeuvre. But there's nothing like increasing the number of your propagandists. If one man like yourself has been able to do so much creditably, the magazine by all rules of the game should �44 THE SYRIAN WORLD survive, but it also shows how much more might be done if you get oth- highly educational and entertaining ers feeling they have a finger in the value of the publication. There can pie. I rather expected when the next be no disagreement on the fact that ' issue was due to find the amount the Syrian World is an important factor in bringing about a closer oversubscribed, yet such is the naunity of the Syrian race throughout ture of our folk that they often can't the world. see a good thing when it's offered to Especially do I wish to record my them, or are so "cussed" and conappreciation of the rendition into trary that they exhibit apathy in no English of the fine selections of small degree. So I hardly expect you Arabic poetry, which, upon analysis, to go very far at the moment in prove on a par with, if not superior raising $25,000 if only you measure to, that of any other language. it in terms of my present subscripFollowing up the splendid work tion. Rather reminds me of the story you have started to bring about uniIn one of your former issues when a fication and cooperation between the certain prince who made a present scattered Syrian communities in of a black slave to some higher digEnghsh-speaking countries, may we nitary. There was in the refusal of hope for a visit from you or any the gift a reference to the fact that there was no color worse than black, other racial representative to our and no number smaller than one. shores? We would be particularly Yet the intention may have been anxious to show Syrian-Americans the fine country which their brothers good. of New Zealand have adopted. (Editor — There can be no ques• Simon Keruse. T , tion as to the esteemed doctor's inNelson N. Z. tention. He has shown it by an actual subscription, and ever since the appearance of the magazine has been AN INSPIRATION quite active in interesting his friends m it and making numerous gifts. Editor, The Syrian World: He may rest assured that his subWhat an inspiration to read such scription, although limited to one unit, does not fall in the category lofty sentiments as expressed in the of black slaves but rather of that sayings of G. K. Gibran and Dr. Saof the beautiful white slave-girls Hm Y. Alkazin! In fact the high noted for their accomplishments and so highly-prized by the Arabs. Nor standard maintained by The Syrian is his gift in danger of being re- World is a credit to our people and fused.) speaks plainer than words can express of the ability of your contributors. It makes me feel proud of AN INVITATION being a Syrian. Would that your Open to anyone who can afford the message could be carried into every cost! Syrian home in America that our Editor, The Syrian World: young generation may appreciate the As a subscriber to your valued worth of their racial extraction. magazine in a distant land, permit Joseph S. Joseph. me to express my admiration for the Cleveland, Ohio. t i •i * �JANUARY, 1931 45 Political Developments in Sy na SYRIA The present political situation in Syria permits of two interpretations: either the problem is so hard of solution that those at the helm of affairs cannot see the light out of their difficulties; or that they are confident of their hold on the situation and are deliberately procrastinating for reasons of their own. The Plain truth is that matters have dragged so long through the apparently dilatory tactics of M. Ponsot that many observers are admittedly at sea as what to make of his motives. But one of the most outspoken statements coming from a responsible source is the assertion of the Syrian correspondent of Al-Mokattam of Egypt that far from being at a loss for a solution of the Syrian problem, the French are deliberately introducing elements of delay to wear out the patience of the Syrians. What lends more weight to the statement is that the paper publishing it is manifestly of Nationalist sympathies, advocating complete independence for Syria on the assumption that the Syrians can and should rule themselves. That it should give expression to such a feeling as that contained in the letter of its Beirut correspondent would indicate the existence of a grave turn of affairs admitting complete mastery by the French over the situation. Analyzing the evolution of the political problem in Syria, the correspondent makes the bold assertion that the French now are deliberately putting off the elections or the taking of any definite steps towards a final solution because of their conviction that this is the most effective remedy for tempering the radicalism of the Syrians. "The French High Commissariat," according to the correspondent "intends to continue the policy of procrastination which it has so far pursued in dealing with the Syrian problem and withhold from setting a definite date for the elections. By this policy it expects to temper the excesses which the various Nationalist blocs in Damascus indulged in in framing their demands. It holds the belief that the more it temporizes the more the Syrians will become weary of politics and give up the struggle. As a matter of fact it cannot be denied that this policy has brought about the desired result in that the extreme Nationalists have somewhat moderated, and the French, scenting their advantage, are inclined to pursue it to the fullest limits." What, in the correspondent's opinion., is uppermost in the mind of the High Commissioner is the reorganization of the political bureaus of the various Syrian States and accelerating the economic rehabilitation of the country. The first task will fully take a month, according to the correspondent, and the High Commissioner has been busily engaged at it ever since his return from France. The economic program, on the other hand, waits upon the arrival of a commission of experts which is scheduled to arrive from France sometime in February or March. Upon the findings of this economic commission will depend the inauguration of the enterprises ex- .,.:.:. . �THE SYRIAN WORLD pected to bring wealth and prosperity to the mandated territory. give the country some form of assurance as to what it may expect. From other sources it is learned Reports from Damascus indicate that preparations for the coming that government orders bearing on elections are going apace in Damasthe coming elections required the cus. Some reports would set the date supervisors of election districts to of the e'ections as early in March, submit their lists of qualified electand that instructions already have' ors before January 10. been issued by the High Commissariat to prepare lists of qualified So far M. Ponsot has refrained voters. In this connection it is said from making any official statement that th? government of Sheikh Taj- as to his future policy, but unusual eddin is active in lining up its forces activity has been observed at headfor the coming political struggle and quarters since the High Commissionthat all indications are in its favor. er s return from France. All his poliSeme minor parties, it is asserted tical representatives in the various have promised the government sup- Syrian States were summoned to a port, while the Nationalists are said secret conference, and upon their reto have been isolated and have oth- turn to their respective posts they erwise lost hope of success due to began to call the leading tribal and defections in their ranks. The delay local chiefs for apparently imporattending the definition of the new tant and confidential communicaadministrative policy has had the tions. Generally speaking, the Syreffect of disorganizing the Nation- ian press now reflects a spirit of exalists, it is claimed, and many of pectancy not devoid of confidential their leaders have given up the hopes for a decisive and fair solustruggle in despair and decided to tion. devote their attention to their own LEBANON private affairs, long neglected. Rumor even persists that some of the The Lebanese government is now Nationalist leaders have entered into occupied with pure'y administrative negotiations with Sheikh Tajeddin, matters, and such as are not of a having become convinced of the fu- very important nature. Aside from ti'ity of active resistance. tne flurry of excitement which attended the reception of Marshal The Beirut correspondent of Ali'Vanchet dEspesey, who came on a Bassir another Egyptian newspaper tour of inspection of the mandated discussing the evolution of the politerritory, and the unveiling of a tical situation in Syria, makes the monument in Beirut to the Syrian unqualified assertion that the French martyrs who were executed durinnow have reached a point in their the war by Jama! Pasha for their study of the Syrians that thev know po itical activities for independence the Syrians better than the latter the capital went about its routine of know themselves, and calls on the squabbles among the deputies. SomePwwh I., depart from the policy of what of a sensation, however, was experimentation and proceed to concreated by a certain Moslem deputv crete action. Procrastination, he asserts, has been carried beyond rea- who in all earnestness introduced a sonable limits, and it is now expect- bill demanding direct French administration in Lebanon and the cured of the mandatory authorities to tai'ment of the native ministers' sett e on a stable policy which would powers. This move was so radical j i\- �JANUARY 1931 47 that it bordered on the ridiculous and it was so treated by the Kepre- Pott Tort interests m Beirut are ssmative Assembly. It transpired controlled by French capital. Chat the deputy in question, who happens to be a large landowner, had -at> between France and Lebanon, taken exception to some policies of which is supposed to be the forethe Minister of the Interior affecting runner of a similar treaty to be later taxation. The upshoot was that he entered into between France and showed hi, btk uf faith in al, na 'Vna emphasize the arrangements fve officials and invited complete for Lebanon's political representacontrol by the French. What lent tion abroad, by which Lebanon is to "'ore significance to his action was "jcy the right of maintaining politoat ha is normally of the party on\:il] '^P^sentatives not alone in 1 using the mandate. "is, but wherever there are large Of tha other important happen- I ebanese colonies, especially 7n ings late y reported from Lebanon Wh and South America. During Js the rising up in arms of the mem'he earlier stages the Lebanese rep-.•ntatives will serve as attaches "' - of the Representative Assembly agsinst what they termed disuh trench consulates or legations, r gard rf their dignity and standing out then- status is to undergo a gradin matters of procedure in official ual modification so that in time they functions. On two specific occasions «" become priviVged to act inde"hen the deputies were invited they -'lentiy. No time limit is set for "US change. were assigned places beneath numerous subordinates of the High The treaty further stipulates that Commissariat. And on the two occa^-"^ «'ill use all possible influence sions mentioned the deputies refused at first to attend and swallowed to facilitate Lebanon's entry in*o their pride only after earnest repremembership of the League of Nasentations by high government oftions at the earliest possible opporficials that their action might be tunitv. misconstrued as an insult to the i rench authorities. In diseasing the proposed treaty the press draws particular attention A proposition was advanced to to thoss clauses affecting French build a railroad connecting Lebanon control of the finances of the countrv Jrth Palestine, but when the mandatory authorities were approached and warns native authorities against for a verification of such a project rmdue concessions. The inference is t-'v decared they could never that France seeks to so control fiscal ^nagement, customs regulations sanction it for the obvious reason ;!, "l development of economic enterthat ,t would spef the ruin of the prises as to paralyze native initiative port of Beirut by diverting trade to As regards military affairs, Prance the port of Haifa. Even under pres"nderta&es to furnish advisers to <nl conditions, if was explained Bei .? <','<';i1'' ;,n ""dependent native rut importers are storing goods in military force, to be used exclusively Alexandria for transshipment as for nome defense, while in case of reeded, bv.t if storage facilities were war the Lebanese government agrees to become available nearer home the to.place all its port and transportaPractice is liable to become general and cause severe losses to the home tion facilities at the disposal of the !• rench government. �48 THE SYRIAN WORLD m About Syria and Syrians NEW YORK SYRIANS HELP ALLEVIATE DISTRESS given to the Ladies' Aid Society for local charity, while the other half Three days of every week a long will be devoted to the home for the line of men may be seen forming aged which the Al-Kalimat Society in Washington street and extending maintains in Aleppo. The commendat times deep into Rector street. The able custom of devoting the price line would move slowly to St. of wreaths in funerals for some George's Melchite church at 103 charity or public institution is growWashington street whence the men ing more general among New York Syrians. While all Syrian papers are would emerge with a neatly wrapped package and a contented smile. In- devoting liberal space to appeals for quiry reveals the fact that Mgr. donations to charity. Considering the situation by and Bernardos Ghosn, rector of the church, distributes on each of these large the Syrians of the United three days almost four hundred States are suffering less than the double sandwiches to the unem- average, owing to their industry. Only the papers are raising a pitiployed. It is his contribution to public charity in the present economic able wail from lack of sufficient remittances. crisis. Many other charitable agencies among the Syrians of New York are contributing their share to alleviate the distress. The Syrian Ladies' Aid Society this year has met the demands upon its resources splendidly, helping scores of deserving families in a sustained and silent manner. The Syrian Junior League gave a Christmas party at the club-rooms of the American-Syrian Federation to about a hundred children and added to the cheer of entertainment substantial gifts of food and clothing. The Syrian Chapter of St. Vincent de Paul Society attached to the Virgin Mary's Melchite church of Brooklyn gave an entertainment and dance for raising funds to help the poor under direction of the pastor, Mgr. Paul Sanky. The Al-Kalimat Society of New York is giving a play on January 31 half of whose proceeds wil} be PAPERS ON DISINFECTION BY SYRIAN SCIENTIST Five separate papers, representing as many stages in the science of disinfection three of which are the separate work of Dr. George Knaysi and the other two prepared in collaboration with Dr. Morris Gordon of Ithaca, N. Y., were published in the October, 1930 issue of Infectious Diseases and later reprinted in pamphlet form. The papers cover the whole range of disinfection in the most exhaustic scholarly treatment. Suffice it to give the titles as an indication of the wider range: 1 The development of knowledge of disinfection. 2—The manner of death of certain bacteria and yeasts when subjected to mild chemical and physical agents, 3—The taking up of iodine by yeast cells. 4—Do bacteria die logarithmically? 5—Some properties-of frequency curves and their use in studies of disinfection. I *, �JANUARY, 1931 49 SYRIAN GOLF CLUB HOLDS FIRST DINNER n a patient auditor and witness. Miss Emilia Hall niece of George A. Ferris, dean of Syrian lawyers in New York, gave several well appreciated piano selections, as did her teacher and uncle the well-known composer Alexander Maloof. Gene Trabulsi led a men's quartet in a number of breezy songs. A glance at the program is sufficient testimony to the spirit of the club and an indication of its efficient management. It tells in picture and legend the story of the evolution of golf from Adam (of blessed memory) up to our contemporary age. Judging by the chronological portrayal, it would appear that clubs and balls were wielded throughout all ages and to very good purpose. it was not before known that the club's president was a poet, but he must have been exceptionally inspired since he took up the game, as shown by the three well directed Strokes, (here meaning stanzas) which may be interpreted not only as a golfer's excuse for his desertion of home but a bid to join Syramar. They are copied from the program. YOU DON'T PLAY GOLF Brother, I tell you when your health is low, When your lively pace has become too slow, When lines of worry have started to grow, There is one thing wrong that I want you to know. . . You don't play golf. It was a gay affair that the Syramar Golf Club of New York held at the Delia Robia Room of the Vanderbilt Hotel on the evening of Saturday, January 24th. This occasion, however, was not one of wielding niblicks and driving to holes. It was a purely social endeavor calculated to promote a spirit of good fellowship, cultivate a proper appreciation for the clean, healthy game of golf and help drive away the gloom and depression that seem to have taken possession of men's souls. Golfers, as a class, are incorrigible optimists, and what was seen of their buoyant spirits on this occasion proved them to be confirmed enthusiasts of the good things of life. The dinner and the music were excellent, and the 250 attendance went at the dancing and merrymaking, figuratively speaking, in their shirt sleeves. The figure applies to men, because ladies were conventionally unsleeved, and they represented a fine collection of figures. The dancing lasted until the wee hours of the morning. The courses of entertainment were as varied and wholesome as the courses of the dinner. There were speeches and singing and music. Richard Macksoud, chairman of the entertainment committee, acted as master of ceremonies. He proved both masterly and unceremonious. Miss Elvira Halal, who was said to be headed in a bee line for the Metropolitan Opera, gave a fine exhibiWhen you reach your home on tion of her talents. Henry Hadad, dragging feet, President of Syramar, made a pubYour wife, tho smiling, you fail to lic profession of faith in the omnigreet; potence of the golf mania, the fact You sit at the table but cannot eat, that it desolates so many homes and The thing that's wrong—I want creates so many so-called golf wito repeat dows notwithstanding. His wife was You don't play golf. § �50 THE SYRIAN WORLD f Miss Elvira Halal, gifted If at length you take to the green and sky And count your strokes, where'er you lie And watch them mounting hundreds high; You try to improve, but the more you try The more you dub, the more you sigh... Don't swear my friend — don't wonder why You don't play golf. —Henry Hadad LOS ANGELES SOCIETY GIVES BENEFIT DANCE The Syrian Young Men's Society of i,os Angeles California, held a Renefit Charity Dance on December 19 the proceeds of which were de- joung Syrian singer voted to help Syrian families in need in and around Los Angeles during the Christmas season. Although the admission was set at 50c voluntary donations of money, clothing and food were expected to swell the total of the charity fund and otherwise provide comfort and cheer to the needy. FORMER U. S. CONSUL IN SYRIA DIES William Stanley Hollis, former American consul in Syria during the World War, died at his home in Chevy Chase, Md., at the age of 66, following a stroke. Through the courage and resourcefulness of Mr. Hollis thousands of refugees who were fleeing the Turks were aided in their escape from the \ i �JANUARY, 1931 51 country. He was also charged at that time with the protection of allied subjects and interests. At the end of the war he was detailed to duty in London, and was later transferred to Lisbon where he served for seven years. I I MALOOF PLAYS FOR EINSTEIN AND TAGORE (From the Musical Courrier, New York, January 3, 1931.) Alexander Maloof, one of New York's well known musicians, was soloist at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on December 7 for the New History Society at a special reception given in honor of Sir Rabindranath Tagore, the poet and philosopher. The affair was sponsored by Louis Stuyvesant Chanler, former Lieutenant Governor of New York State, and Mrs. Chanler. Mr. Maloof's piano playing won instant recognition especially when he played his own Rhapsody Orientale. This number is an original composition and he performed it in a manner which convinced his audience immediately of his qualifications as pianist and composer. After Tagore's entrance, Mme. Fedora Kurban, a soprano, sang a song composed by Mr. Maloof for the occasion. The music was set to a poem by Tagore, and after Mme. Kurban's rendition the original manuscript was presented to Tagore by the composer. The famous poet was deeply touched. Mr. Maloof's playing at Tagore's reception was so enthusiastically received by the large audience that the New History Society re-engaged him to play at the reception given in honor of Prof. Albert Einstein, December 14, in the grand ballroom of the Ritz Carlton Hotel. His play- Prof. Alexander Maloof ing again was well received. It was on this occasion that Einstein delivered his first speech in America, the subject of which was world peace. Mr. Maloof has done considerable concert work of late, and at one of his concerts given for the N. Y. Tribune Fresh Air Fund at the Marks Memorial Auditorium, he played before a large Dutchess County audience the Twelfth Hungarian Rhapsody by Liszt, also the second and the Rondo Capriccio (Mendelssohn) and several Chopin numbers, all of which were well received and warmly praised by the press. Mr. Maloof is also widely known as a conductor, having done considerable radio work for the National Broadcasting Co. and the Bamberger Symphony Orchestra over WOR with success. He has also made records for the Victor Company and some piano recordings for the Duo-Art. This talented musician needs no �JHRhl '-:.. 52 introduction to the musical world whenever Oriental music is mentioned, as he is recognized as one of its foremost exponents in America, having written several volumes of this kind of music and having perfected this type to the extent that it is sought after by large symphony orchestras and well-known conductors. He wrote the music to the Oriental Ballet performed by Adolf Bohm and the music for the late Rochanaias Oriental dances. These numbers were played at Carnegie Hall by the New York Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Walter Damrosch. However, Mr. Maloof does not confine his composition to Oriental music only, as he has to his credit many Occidental compositions, one especially well known entitled, For Thee America, a national anthem endorsed by Mr. Damrosch and other well-known celebrities. This anthem was officially adopted by the New York Board of Education and also in other cities in America and is sung daily at many <»f the public schools throughout the United States. CRANE SAILS TO VISIT KING IBN SAOUD Charles R. Crane and his movements will ever be a subject of interest to Syrians because of his own great interest in them and in Arabic-speaking countries and Eastern peoples in general. It will be recalled that this wealthy and philanthropic American had a memorable experience with the French authorities in Syria in 1923 when he was accused of having indirectly incited the Syrians to revolution. It was erroneously reported at the time that he had been court-martialed and sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment if he ^Hw^^nwuwvuwigiHMaHffiQRpgMningHBnH THE SYRIAN WORLD were apprehended in Syrian territory. Now Mr. Crane has sailed from New York on January 23 to visit King Ibn Saoud of AI-Hijaz whom he characterizes as the "most important man in the Arab world since the time of Mohammed." Mr. Crane is also the friend of Imam Yahya of Al-Yaman to whom he has made lately a gift of a modern bridge to be erected in a pass on the road leading to the capital San'a. From Arabia Mr. Crane will proceed to China where press dispatches report that he has been appointed honorary political adviser to the Nanking government. His first connection with Far Eastern affairs was in f908 when he was named by President Taft Minister to China. At a stop-off in Chicago en route to China a speech he made angered Japan, and he was recalled before sailing. Later he joined the Democratic party and was named Minister to Peking by President Wilson. For many years Mr. Crane has contributed generously to various philanthropies in China. AL-YAMAN SHOWN IN MOTION PICTURE Al-Yaman, an independent country along the southwestern coast of the Arabian Peninsula now ruled by AlImam Yahya, has for the first time on record been shown in motion pictures. This has been made possible through the enterprise of a SovietGerman Commission which obtained a special permit from Al-Imam for the purpose. As a film of exploration and travel, Al-Yaman should hold forth special interest particularly to those interested in Arabia. It is being » * �JANUARY, 1931 53 shown by the R. K. O. Corporation at the Cameo Theatre. New York. Reading Rihani's latest book "Arabian Peak and Desert," dealing particularly with Al-Yaman, one gets a vivid impression of this little frequented part of Arabia. But the impression is naturally greatly enhanced by the motion picture scenes. The architectural beauty of the dwellings of Sana, the capital, is fully demonstrated. Only in the sense that music is given with the pictorial presentation may Al-Yaman be called a talking picture. An attempt was made to introduce Oriental tunes as accompaniment, but the effort falls short of expectation. The value of the film rests solely on its pictorial merits, which are considerable. INSTALLING WIRELESS IN ARABIAN DESERT Press dispatches from London on January 6 stated that a contract had just been signed between King Ibn Saoud and the Marconi company for fifteen wireless stations, which will link every important centre in the joint kingdom of Hedjaz and Nejd. Within eighteen months it will be possible to flash instantaneous messages from the Red Sea to the Persian Gulf across the desert which Colonel T. E. Lawrence took weeks to cross during the World War. Even the holy city of Mecca will have its wireless telephone and telegraph. Within the sacred precincts, where none but believers may enter,' a Mohammedan engineer will be' placed in charge of installing the powerful receiving and transmitting apparatus. The dispatch further stated that the King has also ordered four portable sets, fixed on motor trucks, so he can keep in constant touch with his capitals, Mecca and Riyadh, during the journeys into the desert.' Commenting editorially on this development, the New York Times, after referring to the hardships undergone by Doughty and Lawrence in their wanderings in the desert, gives expression to the following friendly sentiment: "And now what was the solitude is to become audible and is also to speak in its own language to the rest of the world. Even the sacred city, which only believers are permitted to enter, may hear giaour voices. Across the stretches of desert music will sing to villages and walled towns that have sat solitary and voiceless by the water of oases in the midst of a land of 'rocky 'lava drifts girt in by savage crater 'peaks.' May their own voices be strong enough to reach our shores and let us share with them the charms of the vast desert. If another wish were to be added, it would be that we might hear voices that have spoken there in the ages past, evoked from its long silent ether." IRAQ ENTERING INTO FAMILY OF NATIONS A wireless dispatch to the New York Times from Baghdad on Jan. 23 announced that the Iraqian government had just adopted a resolution authorizing King Feisal to sign the Iraqian-Anglo-American treaty and protocol which were concluded January 9. The treaty embodies an acknowledgment by the United States of special relations between Great Britain and Iraq. Under the treaty American citizens are to enjoy all rights given to citizens of members �54 of the League of Nations, while the United States also agrees to suspend capitulatory rights which are not granted now to any League member. Article III authorizes Americans to hold property in Iraq in accordance with international law, without any preference or concession over other powers. The protocol acknowledges that Iraq has the right of eminent domain. Eeligious liberty is guaranteed to Americans as well as all other foreigners, while Iraq maintains the right to apply laws for the maintenance of public order, security and the like to all American institutions in the country. One of the most important articles of the treaty stipulates that, although the relations established between the United States and Iraq under this treaty are based on the special relations between Iraq and Britain, any modification introduced into the latter's relations will not affect America's rights unless acknowledged and approved by her. The treaty is to terminate when the special relations between Iraq and Britain end which will come about when Iraq joins the League of Nations next year, thus abrogating the triple treaty and requiring negotiations between the United States and Iraq for a new agreement. RICH DISCOVERY OF GREEK ART IN SYRIA What is considered the most important archaeological discovery in Syria of Greek colonial architecture has just been made at Alexandretta, which used to be the main port of Syria in the time of Alexander the Great, according to a wireless dispatch from Beirut to the New York Times dated Jan. 24. THE SYRIAN WORLD Pere Boulos Shammas Kaldans, a native Syrian priest, working independently, uncovered a magnificent Greek palace in excellent condition, dating back to the fifth century B. C. Several compartments and corridors shed new light on the life, customs and culture of ancient Greek aristocrats. The first room, which was named after Hercules, contains a statue of this Greek god handing a wand to Mercury, who is standing near by. The same chamber contains a large porcelain bath with water pipes leading to it. In the middle of this bath is a tall fountain encircled by pillars which have been dislodged from their original position, probably owing to an earthquake. Apparently this "Hercules room" was a luxurious bathroom for a noble Greek family living in ancient Syria. In the southern part of the room was found a mosaic portico of a beautiful design, while near by was a shattered statue of a man and woman. Two other rooms lead off this chamber one containing a statue of a goddess, bearing a legible inscription in ancient Greek, "Aritotha the First." Facing the statue is a fountain constructed in mosaic. The second room contains a bust of Archelaus, hero of the Greek wars, bearing an inscription in this name. Another room has a statue of Cupid with his two wings intact, bearing bow and arrows. This room was named after the bird of paradise which with a pomegranate tree, form a statuary group in the middle of the room. The same chamber also contains a statue of an ancient plower, as well as a statue of Nineveh, builder of the old Syrian city of the same name. Another room contains a splendid statue of the sea god Poseidon, car- i •! �JANUARY, 1931 f <i rying a serpent and trident, while to the left Cupid rides a dolphin, at t'he same time extracting a red fish from the ocean. Among other discoveries were a considerable number of coins, chandeliers, porcelain jars and earthenware sti 1 bearing the trade-mark of the manufacturers, while bronze candlesticks cast in one piece were also found. Probably the most outstanding find of this marvelous collection is a representation of a terrestrial globe spinning on its axis, with both north and south poles clearly shown. The French authorities have placed the excavations under a very strict guard. SYRIANS OF BOSTON JOIN IMMIGRATION PROTEST The proposal to halt immigration into the United States entirely for periods of from two to five years prompted leaders of various racial groups in Boston to hold a meeting of protest and communicate their disapproval to Congress. Greeks, Italians, Jews and Syrians were represented at the meeting which was held on December 13 and reported by the Boston Herald of that date. The spokesman for the Syrians was Elias F. Shamon, an attorney and president of the Massachusetts Syrian Association of American Citizens. The Boston paper reported him as having summed up the objections to the proposed complete ban on immigration as follows: Only 123 Syrians are permitted to enter the United States yearly, and to pass the proposed measure would do a great injustice to a land which has been sorely neglected by the so-called ethnologists set up by 55 Congress to determine the nationality of people in this country under the national origin act. The present protective law is sufficient, and to pass an act of complete annihilation of immigration will be interpreted by the world not as a protective measure, not as an aid in the interests of ameliorating economic conditions, but rather will be viewed, and rightly so, in the light of the vindictive and acrimonious proponent of the national origin act, as more fuel added to the fire which preceded the welding of that act. SYRIAN-AMERICAN BANK PROJECT MEETS SNAG The Beirut papers of December report that the project of the Syrian-American Bank which had started with great promise has been temporarily discontinued owing to differences among the organizers. The principal mover in this enterprise had been Mr. Paul Knabenshue, now American consul at Jerusalem and for many years previously stationed at Beirut. He was in America last year in the interest of enlisting the support of American financiers for the proposed institution. It was reported at the time that he had succeeded in raising in New York a large proportion of the necessary one-millon capital. The principal cause of disagreement, according to reports, is that Mr. Knabenshue insisted upon receiving 5 per cent, of the capital investment as his commission for organizing the bank, to which the Syrian stockholders objected, and upon finally breaking with Mr. Knabenshue they entered into direct communication with American capitalists for a new basis of understanding. �H II THE SYRIAN WORLD 56 The annual ball has always drawn many prominent persons from Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. FAR ROCKAWAY MERCHANTS HONOR SYRIAN MEMBER George C. Dagher Popular Political Leader The civic zeal of A. J. Tannous, prominent Syrian merchant of Far Rockaway, N. Y.. has so impressed members of the local Chamber of Commerce that they gave a banquet in his honor which was held at the principal local hotel the latter part of November and was attended by ever a hundred representative business men. Mr. Tannous was chairman of the Dollar Day Committee whose activities under his leadership were attended with exceptional success. He was presented with a silver cigarette case as a token of the business men's appreciation. REPUBLICAN CLUB TO HONOR DAGHER It is a pleasure to note the continuous rise of our countryman George C. Dagher in esteem and popularity. The Brooklyn Times reports that members of the 1st A. D. Republican Organization, of which George C. Dagher is leader and executive member, are making plans for their 21st annual ball to be given at the Elks* Club on Boerum PI., Tuesday night, Feb. 10. It will mark the first ball under the leadership of Dagher. continues the paper, and because of his successful bringing together of the various factions which existed prior to his assuming the leadership role, his friends have designated the event as "Dagher Night" in honor of the leader. IHHHMi SYRIAN BOY'S BRAVERY HAS TRAGIC RESULT On the afternoon of December 8 a hold-up man entered the grocery store of a Syrian, Thomas Rizk in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the guise of a customer and When the proprietor was off his guard whipped a gun and ordered him to hold up his hands. Rizk complied and the robber was about to rifle the cash register when Rizk's son, a lad of nine, entered the store and quickly realizing the situation picked up a butcher's knife to attack the robber in defense of his father. The robber thwarted in his designs, fired a shot at the father and fled the store. The shot proved fatal and the little hero was overcome with grief. -- a* � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1931_01reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 05 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1931 January Description An account of the resource Volume 5 Issue 05 of The Syrian World published January 1931. The issue opens with Salloum Mokarzel's telling of his trip through Jebel-Druze and its capital of Soueida, which lies in the very heart of the country, the scene of the Great Druze Revolt (1925-1927) only a few years prior. Next are two works by Thomas Asa, one a poem titled "The Rose," and the second an article titled "Ancient Nations in the Near East," in which he speaks on Voltaire's discussion of the cultural greatness of Syrian ancestry. Asa's presentation of this information is an important contribution to the Syrian World and in the lives of researchers and readers. It is important because of the fact that it showcases the infamous philosopher’s praise of the cultural wealth and significance of Syria and its people. Following a work by Gibran, A.F. Zainey brings about the discussion of Christmas in other lands, which is an informative account of the customs observed during the Yuletide celebrations in Syria. Following a poem by J.D. Carlyle there are a number of translated poems by Abu-Tayeb presented in The Syrian World (trans. by Amin Beder). French author Alice Poulleau then gives her account of Syria, before Toufik Moufarrige describes Egypt. After another installment of "Ali Zaibaq," The editor Salloum Mokarzel discusses the young generation. His primary focus is the concept that they seem to think themselves more intelligent than their predecessors and parents. Finally the issue closes with a discussion on the situation in Palestine, the Reader's Forum, political developments in Syria, and excerpts from the Arab press about Syria and Syrians. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Alice Poulleau Christmas Druze Egypt Kahlil Gibran New York Poetry-English Thomas Asa Toufik Moufarrige Travel https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/d99bb6615d2b34c33c935625e5570a0f.pdf 01b1f456b17ac20a383248d63638c76d PDF Text Text DECEMBER, 1930 VOL. V. No. IV. THE SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE H l Hi? M WHAT EVERY SYRIAN BOY AND GIRL OUGHT TO KNOW REV. W. A. MANSUR I p 1 ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION OF SYRIA PROCEEDS .SLOWLY LOVE AND WAR IN THE DESERT THE TWO SEAS PHARES BEHANNESEY §%2 ALI ZAIBAQ (QUICKSILVER) (A SERIAL) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA § ��THE SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York. N. Y. Ey subscription $5.00 a year. Singia Copies 50c Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. V. No. IV. DECEMBER, 1930 CONTENTS PAGE What Every Syrian Boy and Girl Ought to Know ........ REV. W. A. 7 MANSUR Song .. 13 G. K. GlBRAN Economic Reconstruction of Syria Proceeds Slowly 14 D. F. MCGONIGAL Vice Consul, Beirut The End and the Beginning (Poem) 20 AMEEN RIHANI The Two Seas 21 PHARES BEHANNESFV 11 �CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE In the Garden of Love (Poem) DR. SALIM Y. 26 ALKAZIN Love and War in the Desert 27 On His Friends (Poem) 34 J. D. C-ARLYLE Alt Zaibaq (Serial) SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL 35 and The Gardener (Poem) THADDEUS S. DAYTON 41 THOMAS ASA Editorial Comment:—Racial Considerations 43 Syrian Societies 45 Readers' Forum 45 Political Developments in Syria 4g About Syria and Syrians 51 �BEL IN THIS ISSUE GE ! 5 1 ^O more timely subject could be chosen for discussion than that which forms the topic of Rev. W. A. Mansur's article in this issue. We feel confident that readers will find as much pleasure in reading it as the author experienced in writing it. And judging by the letter of the Rev. Mansur accompanying the article, this was one that swelled his heart with more joy than any he has heretofore written. When readers would have finished with it they will concur in our opinion that it supplies the essence of the educational program which the Syrian-American generation should follow. We would be inclined to counsel every Syrian boy and girl to read it not only once, but repeatedly at regular intervals, so as to keep alive in their memory the fundamental requirements of their racial education. The article, besides, will be found replete with historical information and copious quotations which seem always new and enlightening. An appraisal of Rev. Mansur's contributions is published in the Readers' Forum of this issue, and we believe that his present article will raise much higher the appreciation of this patriotic clergyman's efforts by the grateful Syrian-American generation to whom he has become such a wise and benevolent mentor. J^ story with a real thrill is that of War and Love in the JDesert which, contrary to expectations, is not translated from a book, nor does it deal with a happening of long ago, but is most modern and is being treated sensationally by the contemporary press of Syria. The story revolves upon the love of an impetuous young sheikh for a beautiful maiden of another tribe which culminates in his kidnaping her. Then the desert is set aflame with the spirit of war. Murders are committed and reprisals planned, and thousands of warriors assemble to confer on strategy and methods of revenge. Those who relish a burning love story staged in the burning sands of the desert by a genuine sheikh lover will find this story after their own heart. �I gTILL more thrilling and replete with the fantastic creaI tions of a most fertile Oriental . imagination is the present installment of the serial Ali Zai, baq. Our hero in his present exploit goes out to seek the AllSeeing Eye in the Enchanted Isle. You will be thrilled by "his extravagant adventures in encountering the ever-playing swords that reduce great stones to powder. And you will be more thrilled when you follow the hero on his return journey, expecting to meet the king, and, incidentally, his beautiful daughter, only to find the city besieged by a great army of Blacks. Follow Ali Zaibaq in his adventures and you will be fully compensated. RUT not all the material of this issue is of this nature. The article on the economic conditions in Syria, based on consular reports, will prove most instructive. The general information it contains on the resources of the country and the efforts of the government is most comprehensive. 'THOSE who ponder the peculiar social order in America will appreciate the editorial entitled Racial Considerations. There are facts continually challenging our attention which we just as persistently overlook or ignore. The case in point here cited should give Syrians in America ample food for thought. THE department About Syria and Syrians is always interesting. It may prove extremely so now to those interested in the future of this publication. The report of the dinner held in New York to discuss the Syrian World Corporation gives an idea of what our leading men think about our racial heritage and the means of preserving it. There is also in this issue a liberal amount of poetry by such outstanding names as Rihani, Gibran, Alkazin and Asa. Political developments in Syria are, as usual, treated concisely and comprehensively. Palestine, Syria proper and Lebanon are undergoing remarkable changes which are here faithfullv recorded. �- THE SYRIAN WORLD VOL. V. No. IV. DECEMBER, 1930 What Every Syrian Boy and Girl Ought to Know TIMELY ADVICE TO THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN GENERATION By IB REV. W. A. MANSUR ""pHE idea of this publication," said S. A. Mokarzel, founder of THE SYRIAN WORLD, "was conceived in the spirit of service to the Syrian-American generation." He stated that, one of our chief objects in helping Syrian-Americans discover themselves is to breed in them a consciousness of appreciation for their racial qualities and inheritances so that they may comport themselves with a befitting sense of honor as citizens of this great American nation.1' (Syrian World, Vol. L No. 1, Tulv, 1926.) . . When Syrian boys and girls know that their ancestors are among the greatest people, of all times they will become proud of their race. When Syrian boys and girls understand that their forefathers gave to humanity the greatest legacies of all ages they will appreciate the splendor of their fame. When Syrian boys and girls realize that they are descendants of a most illustrious race, that they possess superior talents, and that they are destined to become foremost among the peoples of the earth they will become enlightened as to their place in the world. Now is the time for Syrian boys and girls to become intelligently informed about their race history, race ancestry, race talent, and race heritage. Now is the hour for Syrian boys and girls to become enlightened about the glorious place of the native �THE SYRIAN WORLD land of their race and its relation to the races, nations, and peoples of the earth. Now is the period for Syrian boys and girls to awaken to the appreciation of their race history, their superior race talents, and their potentialities for race progress to a foremost place among the races, nations, and empires of the earth. Therefore in order to Awaken Syrian boys and girls to an intelligent understanding of Syrian race history, to arouse them to appreciation of Syrian race inheritance, and to spur them to high achievement through race appreciation, race pride, race solidarity, and race progress, I thought it good to write of some elementary things every Syrian boy and girl ought to know. /. Every Syrian Boy and Girl Ought to Know the Importance of the Geography of Syria. Of vital significance to the right understanding of the Syrian race, its character, its history, and its future is the knowledge of Syria's geographical location, its topographical condition, and its relation to the rest of the countries, races, and nations of the earth. "Syria, the name given generally to the land lying between the eastermost shore of the Levantine Gulf and a natural inland boundary formed in part by the Middle Euphrates and in part by the western edge of the Hamad, or desert steppe. The northern limit is the Tauric system of mountains, and the southern limit the edge of the Sinaitic desert. This long strip extends, therefore, for about 400 m. between 38' and 31' N. lat. with a mean breadth of about 150 m." (Encyclopaedia Brittanica, article, SYRIA.) The physical geography of Syria is one of the most important keys to the right understanding of Syria, Syrians, their character, their history, their problems, their religions, and their world view. Syria's location on the map will reveal its relation to neighbouring nations, races, and cultures. It will show Syria's relation to ancient world empires: Egypt, Babylonia, Nineveh, Assyria, Macedonia, Greece, and Rome and others. Syria has been called a battle-ground, a market-place, and an international highway between empires, races, and cultures. Syria has been called a hub, a bridge, a link between Asia, Europe and Africa. Syria has been called the mother of religion, the cradle oi civilization, and the promoter of commerce. Already Syria is becoming the center of world interest. With the awakening of the Syrian race, with the entrance of the Syrian �'DECEMBER, 1930 Rev. W. A. Mansur Minister of the First Methodist Church of Winside, Nebraska, nation into modern civilization, and with the rise of surrounding nations into the family of modern nations, Syria will again become the center, the hub, the bridge, and the highway of world activities. Every Syrian boy and girl ought to know the geography of Syria, its reJation to other countries, races, and cultures, and its effect on the Syrian race: its character, its religion, its problems, its culture. //. Every Syrian Boy and Girl Ought to Know the Origin of the Syrian Race. The modern Syrian race is Caucasian of race, Semitic in stock, and white in color. The racial stock of the Syrian race is of Semitic origin. Being centrally located, Syria became the meeting place �8 THE SYRIAN WORLD of races, nations, and cultures. Into Syria came, repeatedly, various racial admixtures. This explains the highly mixed character of the Syrian nation, the Syrian race, and the Syrian culture This explains the presence of a variety of people in modern Syria Ihis explains the presence of numerous religions in modern Yn C «Tu ?kl oS the natUre of the Problems of modern Syria. The modern Syrians," says Philip K. Hitti in "The Syrians m America " "are the remnant of the ancient Phoenician-Canaanite tribes who entered Syria about 2500 B. C, the Aramean-IsraeledC ifS arnved about} S00 B. C, and the Arabs who drift ed, and still drift in, from the desert and gradually pass from a nomadic to an agricultural state. "With this Semitic stock as a substratum the Syrians are a highly Wh m s0me ri htl cZt *"£ f y tr^e their origin back to the j° , Greek settlers and colonists of the Selucida, period, others to the Prankish and other European Crusaders, still others to Kurdish and .Persian invaders and immigrants." The Syrian race has survived many recurring invasions: military, racial, and religious. The language of the invaders and con- e ASE 6 kngU age f " ° ^ W: ** ^ Aram ^ ^,-Af' f^°karze1' leader of the Syrian-American awakening, said. In the same manner that the Americans are a highly mixed nation because^tney are drawn from many racial strains, so are the Syrians Drawing an analogy, we may safely state that the Tynans, ethnologically, are the Americans of the Old World " (Syrian World, Editorial, May, 1930.) The Syrian-Americans are progressive in spirit, possess religl°Z T'i mSlght'r P[°m0te mUtUal Welfare> ^-abiding and abide by the vote of the majority, highly intellectual, adaptable, industrious, home-loving, and country defending citizens III Every Syrian Boy and Girl Ought to Know the Syrian Race Legacies to the World. "YefpW Gibb0'^T in ^History of the Roman Empire, ^et Phoenicia and Palestine will forever live in the memory of Wdl aS Euro e h H SmCe ^"T?' P > ^ received leTters irom the one and religion from the other." George Adam Smith says in Syria and the Holy Land, "Syria chiefly, because it includes Phoenicia and Palestine, has been of greater significance to mankind, spiritually and materially, than 1* .„, H: �•TiTiirTiirfirTiiiiiMBiiimii[>iifMiiilwn "DECEMBER, 1930 ,. 0 any other single country in the world." «v W'lliam A* Masson says i" A History of the Art of Writing \ et these two Semitic nations, the Phoenicians and the Israelites! have influenced more profoundly the western civilization and the culture and refinement of Europe than all the civilizations that have preceded them." • ^7 S£iaa h°y and gIrl OUSht t0 klww ^at Syria, because it includes Ihoemcia and Palestine, is the greatest benefactor of the nations, races and countries of the earth. Every continent every race, and every civilization is for all time indebted to the Syrian race and its native-land. While Greece gave her culture, Kome her Jaw, Syria is eternally giving the world the Syrian Gospel: the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man, and the Kingdom of Universal Peace. Every Syrian boy and girl ought to know that Svria is great m the annals of mankind, spiritually, morally, and materially Uur ancestors, the Phoenicians, gave mankind the alphabet, the art or navigation, and trans-marine commerce. Our forefathers of the pre-Christian era, produced the highest ideas in religion! morals, philosophy, and society. Our forbears, of Christian times initiated the spirit that Christianized mankind. Our medieval fathers carried civilizing influences to Europe, Asia, and Africa Every Syrian boy and girl ought to know that they are the custodians of the legacies of the Syrian race, that they are the car- ' ners of the blood strains of the great peoples of the past, that they are destined to become one of the greatest people in modern times. IV. Every Syrian Boy and Girl Ought, to Know the Reasons for Syrian Emigration. We Syrians emigrated to escape the deadlock which dominated our beloved motherland in search for religious, political, and economic freedom in the world. With the breakdown of military autocracy economic exploitation, and intolerable ignorance the m de ° 7Lmn went everywhere in pursuit of religious freedom, political liberty, and economic independence. We have found freedom from overpowering religious intolerance, we have found liberty from oppression by autocratic control, we have found independence from enslavement bv economic exploitation N. A. Mokarzel, with true insight, says, "The only influence in the East that should be reckoned with is that of the clergy .-. �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD The whole political structure seems to be still raised on religious foundations." He says further that "..... the real influence governing the peoples in all walks of life is paramountly religious." (Syrian World, May, 1930, in editorial, Al-Hoda, Feb 28 1930.) ' S. A. Mokarzel, with true observation, says, "Religion seems to be in that country the axis upon which revolves all human activities and with which is inalienably involved the whole social fabric, from the family, to the clan, to the whole nation." (Syrian World, May, 1927, The Religious Problem in the East.)' Every Syrian boy and girl ought to know that the backgrounds of the political, economic, and cultural life of the Syrian people are different religious philosophies of life. They ought to know that from such religious backgrounds developed the deadlock which in turn brought on the causes which eventuated in the Syrian emigration to the ends of the earth. With the understanding of the background of the thought, feeling, and life of the Syrian people we shall understand better the causes of their emigration. Philip K. Hitti, with true historical accuracy, says, "The primary impulse for Syrian emigration can be faced back, in the main, to economic causes, yet it cannot be wholly explained on that ground. The movement is the resultant of a combination of political and religious forces as well." We Syrian-Americans have found religious freedom, political liberty, and economic independence in our American homeland. Syrian boys and girls, descendants of the foremost race emigration, race expansion, and race progress in modern times, guard well the spiritual heritage entrusted to thy keeping for the glory of God, home, and posterity! V. Every Syrian Boy and Girl Ought to Know the Patriotic Loyalty of the Syrian Race to America, S A. Mokarzel, leader of the Syrian awakening, says, "During all the time they have been in America, the Syrians have proven themselves most law-abiding and loyal to the institutions of the country." (Syrian World, Radio Address, The Syrians in America, May, 1930.) «* ?' JS G,-bran SayS 'n "T° Y°UnS Americ*ns of Syrian Origin," And I believe that it is in you to be good citizens." (Syrian m SB .: �__ i1 'DECEMBER, 1930 11 World, July, 1926.) Talcott Williams says of the Syrians in America, "None more swiftly feels the American spirit ". (Syrian World, Tune, 1930.) ' J ' We Syrian-Americans became Americans first in our hearts. We have chosen to make America a permanent homeland. We have decided to uphold America's Constitution, laws, and institutions. We have proven our American loyalty by an honorable record of upright citizenship. We Syrian-Americans stand for America first and nothing else. Let it be remembered that we still hold in loving memory the native land of our race, that we will maintain the identity of our race, that we shall preserve the traditions of our famous' ancestors. We want to be clearly understood, without equivocation or mental reservation, that we give first place to our American homeland, that we uphold single allegiance to our country, and that we will always be ready for America's defense against all enemies. We Syrian-Americans urge our posterity to abide by the Constitution, to acquiesce in the vote of the majority, to stand for religious freedom, free speech, free press, loyal citizenship, and for the nation's defense. Every Syrian boy and girl ought to know that loyalty to America is fundamental to the honor of the Syrian name, the prosperity of our posterity, and the progress of the Syrian race everywhere. VI. Every Syrian Boy and Girl Ought to Know the Progress of the Syrian Race in America. Every Syrian boy and girl ought to know of the splendor of the Syrian race progress in America: materially, religiously, morally, patriotically, and culturally. S. A. Mokarzel says with pride in an article on the History of the Syrians in New York, "The Syrian community in New York may well be taken as an example of all other communities, although in some respects it enjoys certain distinctions which cannot be claimed by all others. In general, however, what is said of the Syrians of New York applies equally to all sister communities." (Syrian World Nov 1927.) We Syrian-Americans, sons and daughters of the famous Phasnicians, are now duplicating achievement and glory similar to that which was enjoyed by our illustrious ancestors. Arthur — .n . �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD Brisbane commenting on the Phoenicians, who are Semites, says, lime has wiped out the empires of Alexander and of Rome. And on the other side of the Atlantic, crossed by Semitic ships so Jong ago, Semitic trading genius rules in a mw world There is more organized Semitic trade between Fourteenth and FiftvNinth streets m New York than there ever was in all Phoenicia and Carthage." (Jan. 6, 1930.) Every Syrian boy and girl ought to know that intelligent understanding of our race progress will create self-appreciation of our racial inheritance, arouse race pride, and inspire the mind and heart toward high ambition, noble living, and glorious achievement. Probably no race in America can boast the miraculous prosperity that has been achieved within the lifetime of the Syrian pioneers in America. Our Syrian race progress may be exemplified by N A Mokarzel, the Journalist; Antonius Bishallany, the Pioneer: G K Ubran, the Poet; Ameen Rihani, the Traveller; Philip K Hitti the Historian; and S. A. Mokarzel, the Leader. Many others are rising to prominence through splendid achievement. In the fields of business, industry, and commerce; in religion morals, and citizenship; in journalism, literature, and scholarship; in leadership philanthropy, and progress, the Syrians in America are second to none in their rise and achievement to a ioremost place among the races in America. VII. Every Syrian Boy and Girl Ought to Know the Challenges of the Hour to Syrian-American Youth. Every Syrian boy and girl ought to know they are being challenged to great achievement because they are the custodians of the Syrian race heritage, because they are the founders of the Syrian race in America, and because they are the ancestors of the glorious Syrian race posterity. We pioneers of the Syrian race in America bequeath it as our last will and testament to our posterity to uphold the honor of our Syrian name in America. We urge you to maintain our bynan race identity among the races in America. We challenge you to law-abiding citizenship; to constant industrious living- to continued mental, moral, and religious enlightenment; and to preserve mental, religious, and political freedom. Talcott Williams says of the Syrians in America, "No more intellectual immigration has come to us in the past forty years �If "^ 'W"8*^ ..M*.*,.*.^ DECEMBER, 1930 13 None more swiftly feels the American spirit, or retains more tenaciously the spirit of Syria and the Syrians." (Syrian World, June, 1930, or, Hitti's The Syrians in America.) Every Syrian boy and girl ought to know that the blood of our ancestors calls upon them to maintain the splendor of their name by high achievement. Every Syrian boy and girl ought to know that the illustrious legacies of our forefathers challenge them to uphold the glory of their fame by great progress. Every Syrian boy and girl ought to know that we Syrian-American pioneers urge them to glorify the honorable foundation for Syrian race greatness laid down by the Syrian pioneer fathers in America. We Syrian-American pioneers in America believe Syrian youth will ever honor the Syrian name by their race awakening, race achievement, and race progress. We are confident because of our reliance upon their race heritage. We are certain because of our faith in their race pride. We are sure because we have laid a glorious foundation for Syrian race enlightenment, race achievement, and race progress in America. Song Bv G. K. Gi BRAN A great singer is he who sings our silences. How can you sing when your mouth is filled with food? How shall your hand be raised in blessing if it is filled with gold? They say the nightingale pierces his bosom with a thorn when he sings his love song. So do we all. How else should we sing? The song that lies silent in the heart of a mother sings upon the lips of her child. �14 THE SYRIAN WORLD Economic Reconstruction in Syria Proceeds Slowly Public Works Program Expands—Crop Returns Improve, But Prices Lower—Credit Stringency Continues. Based on Reports From Vice Consul D. F. and Official Sources. MCGONIGAL, (From Commerce Reports, Oct. 13, 1930.) Beirut, - RECENT developments in Syria point to a gradual expansion of the public-works program, with a view to expediting the economic reconstruction of the country. Activity has been particularly evident in port improvements, road extension and repairs, and exploitation of the water-power resources. While funds for this work have been limited by the adverse economic situation, the growing need of these projects has brought about a moderate increase in allotments from Government revenues. The plans were aided somewhat by the less unsatisfactory economic conditions in 1929, when crop returns were considerably larger than in the preceding year, though prices were lower and industry was more active. Domestic trade continued to suffer from the impaired purchasing power of the population as a result of the poor crop returns in 1927 and 1928, and this was reflected in the difficulties of many importers and the continued credit stringency. Budget revenues have been fairly satisfactory, with a small surplus indicated. Increased imports in 1929 resulted in a larger adverse trade balance, and trade with the United States expanded. Agricultural Production Larger. After two years of poor yields, returns for 1929 showed bumper crops for the country's leading products. The benefits from these favorable returns were, however, considerably reduced by a sharp decline in the world prices. The fruit crop was excellent, with the orange output about twice the normal returns, or approximately 40,000 metric tons. Orange exports were favo'red by the opening of the Russian market. Grape production was H �• 'DECEMBER, 1930 15 larger, but marketing was difficult because of smaller domestic demand. The olive output was larger, but this crop also was affected by diminished demand from both local and foreign sources. Activity in the licorice-root trade was restricted by the imposition of a heavy tax. Cocoon production totaled 3,500 metric tons, as compared with 3,350 metric tons in 1928. The development of cocoon culture continued during the year, with free distribution of mulberry trees by the Government. Further progress was made in the culture of cotton, production in the State of Syria amounting to 2,466 metric tons in 1929 as against 570 metric tons in 1928. In the Alaouites the cotton crop totaled 710 metric tons, as against half that amount the year before. Government nurseries and agricultural experiment stations were active during 1929j in the Alaouites, 250,000 trees, mostly orange and pistachio, were distributed. The number of sheep in the State of Syria increased from 1,934,000 in 1928 to 2,239,000 in 1929, with similar increases in other regions, due to favorable weather. As a result, the wool clip was reported to be excellent. Industry Active. Industry, which is relatively small in Syria, was fairly active during 1929, textile manufacturing showing the principal gain. Modernization of industry in general continued, with the establishment of many workshops and small manufacturing plants in Damascus and Aleppo. These included principal tanneries and plants for the manufacture of textiles. A cement factory near Tripoli, nearly completed at the close of 1929, is expected to produce about 50,000 tons in the first year of operation. With a view to stimulating the creation of new industries and encouraging development of existing ones, the Prime Minister of the State of Syria on June 7, 1929, issued a decree authorizing the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce to form an industrial bank with a capital of 500,000 Syrian pounds ($392,000), part of which will be furnished by the State Bank. A commission was appointed to study this project. Credit Situation Unimproved. Owing to numerous bankruptcies in 1929 there was no change in the credit situation, extreme caution prevailing. While bankruptcies were due in part to domestic trade conditions and to over --"r-ifi �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD Entrance to fort of Beirut where extensive facilities are being created as fart of the public-works program. extensions of credit by certain foreign exporters, they were also attributable in part to the ease with which "judicial liquidations" were arranged, thereby enabling settlement of debts at a fraction of their value. Action by the authorities in the latter part of 1929, however, soon put an end to this practice, which had tended to undermine legitimate business operations. Budget Surplus Indicated. ?! Preliminary data on budget operations in the mandated territory for the year 1929 indicate a small increase in revenues and a slight decline in expenditures, as compared with 1928, the surplus amounting to 3,794,200 Syrian paper pounds as against 3,462,000 Syrian paper pounds for 1928 (the Syrian paper pound equals 20 French francs, or $0,784). Revenues are estimated at 21,905,200 and expenditures at 18,111,000 Syrian paper pounds-, the respective figures for 1928 were 21,639,000 and 18,177,000. The decrease in expenditures is attributed to the failure to utilize total funds allotted for public works. In the State of Syria revenues totaled 12,748,210 Syrian pounds (1,1,950,000 in 1928), and expenditures 10,567,190 Syrian pounds (9,950,000). Budget estimates for 1930 anticipate a decline in both receipts and expenditures from 1929. Syrian Exchange Stable. The Syrian-Lebanese paper pound continued stable during 1 i I [ 1 �-_____. DECEMBER, 1930 17 1929, averaging $0,784, or practically unchanged from 1928. The Turkish gold pound, which with silver still continues to serve largely as a currency of commerce in the interior, was slightly lower at $4.34, par being $4.40. The value of Turkish silver currency, however, slumped sharply toward the end of 1929, in sympathy with the drop in the world price of silver. The policy of encouraging the use of Syrian instead of Turkish currency was continued during 1929 in the form of lower rediscount rates for the former. Official rediscount rates written in Syrian paper currency averaged from 6 to 61/. per cent, and bills written in Turkish currency from $y2 to 9 per cent. Private rates, however, were much higher. Small Increase in Note Circulation—New Silver Coinage. Notes in circulation on December 31, 1929, totaled 8,730,000 Syrian-Lebanese pounds, according to the Banque de Syrie et du Grand Libanj this compares with 8,610,000 pounds at the close of 1928. The volume of Turkish currency in circulation in the interior was unofficially estimated to be almost equal to the Syrian currency, although efforts are being made to replace it with Syrian currency. The issuance of silver coins to the nominal value of 10, 25 and 50 Syrian piasters C100 Syrian piasters equal 1 Syrian pound) was authorized by the French High Commissioner by decree of April 16, 1929. The maximum amount to be issued was fixed at 1,500,000 Syrian pounds, or about 50 piasters per inhabitant. This money was expected to be put into circulation in 1930. The decree provided further that one-third of the profit resulting from the issue should be placed in the reserve fund and used for currency stabilization, and the remaining two-thirds given to the Agricultural Bank. Ottoman Public Debt Agreement. An agreement was signed at Paris on January 19, 1929, between the representatives of the bondholders of the Ottoman Public Debt and the States under French mandate, under the terms of which the Syrian States paid during 1929 the equivalent of 1,364,910 Syrian pounds (approximately $1,070,000) in pounds sterling. The annuities, 244,000 Turkish gold pounds ($1,073,600) until 1935, reach 415,000 Turkish gold pounds ($1,826,000) at the highest, and then gradually decrease until �Iri'ltti lift i i ,h; ,.,-, ___ 18 THE SYRIAN WORLD the year 2017, when the payments will end. The customs receipts are pledged as security for payment. Under this agreement the Syrian States' share of the capital of the old Ottoman Debt amounts to 10,870,000 Turkish gold pounds ($47,938,000), or 8.41 per cent, of the total. Transport Extension gradual—Shipping Increases Slightly. I I I The year witnessed a normal amount of repair, improvement, and extension of existing roads. A regular bus service was inaugurated in October, 1929, between Beirut, Tripoli, Latakia, and Aleppo, and work was begun on the only interurban electric railway in the mandated territory, to run from Damascus to Douma, 12 kilometers (iy2 miles) northeast of Damascus; this line will carry freight as well as passengers. The volume of traffic over the transdesert route between Damascus and Baghdad was well maintained during 1929, despite the increasing competition from airplane service and the railroad to Nissibine, which connects with Mosul and Kerkuk (Iraq) byauto service. Airplane service between Beirut and Marseille (France) was started in June, 1929, with weekly trips maintained throughout the year. This line is part of the proposed route from France to French Indo-China. Preliminary data on shipping for 1929 indicate a small increase over 1928 in the total number and tonnage of vessels calling, at Syrian ports. For Beirut, however, the principal port, a small decline was recorded. Part Improvements. Developments during the year indicate a definite program for expansion of port facilities. New customs warehouses at Beirut, having a floor space of 7,000 square meters, were completed during the year, and an area comprising about 30,000 square meters of the bay was filled in; the latter area is now available for loading and unloading operations, as well as for warehouses. Work was begun in October on the deepening and improvement of Latakia harbor. When this is completed in about two or three years, ships of average tonnage will be able to enter the harbor. With a view to supplying northern Syria and southern Turkey with gasoline, construction of storage tanks was begun in the port of: Alexandretta. Proposed construction of a port" for airplanesat Tripoli was also announced early this year. ! �. . „,,,. 'DECEMBER, 1930 19 Adverse Trade Balance Larger. Syria's foreign trade position in 1929 was less favorable than in the preceding year, owing to an increase of 10.4 per cent, in the total value of imports and but little change in the value of exports. Consequently, the adverse trade balance totaled $37,187,000, as compared with $30,802,000 in 1928. Among the imports the principal increases occurred in cotton and cotton goods, wool and woolen goods, vehicles, animal products, oil, machines and tools, rubber, and chemicals. Some of these, to a certain extent, reflect the increasing needs for reconstruction and development work. Declines occurred chiefly in purchases of cereal and cereal products, fuel oils, and silk goods. The continued heavy imports of cereals in the early months of 1929 were necessitated by the failure of the crop in 1928. Exports and reexports, exclusive of precious metals, compare favorably with 1928, despite the lower price obtained, as the large increase in volume over 1928 indicates. Wider Exploitation of Water Resources. Important progress was made in developing the water resources of the country during 1929. A hydroelectric plant on the Kadisha River, which will supply electric current to the city of Tripoli and environs, was completed; work was begun on a dam and hydroelectric plant on the River Orontes, to supply the cities of Horns and Hama, and a similar project was begun in the last quarter of 1929 at Nahr el Safa. The latter station will supply power to Beirut, the villages of Deir el Kamar, Damour,- Aley, Souk el Gharb, and Bhamdoun, as well as the radio station at Khalde and the D. H. P. Railway shops and the military airplane shops at Rayak. In addition, studies are also scheduled for electric-power projects on the Euphrates, Khabour, and Yarmouk Rivers. Radio Service Extended. A direct radio service between Beirut and New York was inaugurated on September-3, 1929. Formerly messages were relayed via the French station, Sainte Assise. In October, 1929, radio communication between Aleppo and Deir ezZof was'established. France Chief Source of Imports: -••; • •• - • ± - ' Imports in 1929 came chiefly from France, which furnished �'I 20 THE SYRIAN WORLD 13.9 per cent. (14.8 in 1928) of the total. It was followed by the United States with 11.8 per cent. (9.8); England, 10.9 per cent. (10); Italy, 8.4 per cent. (8.7); and Turkey, 6.7 per cent. (7.5). Exports and reexports went principally to the United States, which took 17.5 per cent. (15.1 in 1928) of the total. Palestine was next, with 16.9 per cent. (15.04); Egypt, 14.5 per cent. (19.2); France, 12.9 per cent. (17.5); and Italy, 6.9 per cent. (5). Trade with United States Increases. ' Imports from the Unites States in 1929 totaled 8,586,150 Syrian-Lebanese paper pounds ($6,723,000), or 11.8 per cent, of total, as compared with 6,466,370 Syrian-Lebanese paper pounds ($5,063,000), or 9.8 per cent, in 1928. Automobiles and accessories, cereals, and various machines and agricultural implements, show the principal increases; declines occurred in purchases of petroleum products, textiles, and leather. Exports and reexports to the United States in 1929 amounted to 4,472,240 Syrian-Lebanese paper pounds ($3,502,000), or 17.5 per cent, of total, as compared with 4,022,340 Syrian-Lebanese paper pounds ($3,149,000), or 15.01 per cent., in the preceding year. Exports declared to the United States through the American consulate at Beirut were valued at $5,032,770, as against $4,349,300 in the preceding year. Shipments of wool, goatskins, nuts, camel hair, and rugs increased in value over the previous year; the principal declines were noted in foodstuffs, licorice root, and sheep casings. The End and the Beginning By AMEEN RIHANI The deed is done, O Kings: the blood is shed: The sword is broken:—broken, too, the Cross. But she, the mother eternal of the dead, Though sorrow-laden, smiles at the loss. You go down grimed with the blood and smoke of wars; Your armies scattered and your banners furled; She comes down covered with the dust of stars, And gives her life again to build the world. i �-DECEMBER, 1930 21 The Two Seas By PHARES ANTON BEHANNESEY (The following is the text of an address given by Mr. Be Hannesey at the Lions Club of Hollywood, Calif., of which he was President in 1927. Enthusiastic admirers of Mr. Be Hannesey had thousands of copies of the address printed and handsomely bound for discriminate distribution. We are glad of the opportunity to give it further publicity.) • , JN the very heart of my native land there Jie two bodies of water that are remarkable for their physical features, past history and present aspect. The name of the one is the Sea of Death, that of the other the Sea of Galilee. These two inland lakes are only a few miles apart, and yet the character of the one is as far above the other as the heavens are above the earth. Both receive into their bosoms the same sweet waters of the Jordan, as well as those of other mountain streams, and yet the water of the one is intensely bitter, salty and poisonous; no life can exist in its fatal depths, while that of the other is fresh and wholesome, sweet to the lips of man and beast. It is especially famous for the countless variety of fish which therein abound. The country surrounding the Sea of Salt is as dead and barren as the Sea itself, and nourishes but two kinds of trees, and both of those are worthless. The one is that out of which was composed the Crown of Thorns for Him who died on Calvary; the other has fruit resembling golden apples, which, when you offer to taste them, crumple to ashes on your lips. The region adjoining the Sea of Galilee is wonderful for its surpassing fertility. Almost the year around it is a perfect paradise of beauty. Not only oranges, lemons, laurels and magnificent oleanders flourish there in profusion, but the entire country is embellished with luxuriant wild flowers and crested with the clinging fingers of a thousand vines; and as one inhales here the sweet air of blossoms, and hears the chorus of the nightingales as they chant their heavenly music, he realizes that his youthful dreams have been fulfilled; at last Galilee with its beautiful Rose of Sharon is all he fancied in childhood. /: '..,,.. r~\ - -- : - . . . . �Co The Sea of Galilee on which border hills and -plains of enchanting beauty, in marked contrast to the scenery of the Dead Sea. sag! O �mm 'DECEMBER, 1930 ffl 23 To him who may chance to visit these two unlike seas the contrast is wonderful beyond description. It is a never-to-be-forgotten moment when he looks for the first time upon the shining waters of the Dead Sea as they extend before him to the very horizon. Strange and memorable scene! High mountains tower above them to the east and west and seem to rise from the gloomy shores heavenward in their robes of purity as some celestial visitors might withdraw from the dark, evil passions of mankind. To the south extends a long, narrow belt of sand and ashes. From the north iiows slowly the mighty Jordan, desirous apparently to prolong its luxuriant meanderings in the silent valley, reluctant to pour its sweet and sacred waters into the accursed bosom of a sea doomed to inactivity. Not a cloud breaks the blue serene of heaven and not a breath stirs the air. Scarcely a ripple relieves the glassy surface of the lake. The silence is most oppressive. Oh, for the voice of a bird, the hum of an insect to break in upon the overwhelming monotony! Oh, for a screen of leafy boughs to shelter from the glow of the sun and the glare of the sand! What an impressive evidence there exists along this barren strand of the conflict between the forces of life and death! Here and there are scattered trunks and branches of trees—venerable patriarchs of the forest—rent by violent floods from their ancient dwelling places near the sacred river Jordan, dashed into the Sea of Salt; then, after being steeped in brine, flung upon the dreary beach to petrify into mute memorials of the past. Dead, yet they live. Voiceless, yet they speak, and with a voice in comparison with which the mighty roars of Niagara are but a whisper. But why should one linger amid such gloom: Let him but behold the Sea of Galilee and he is at once enraptured. On every side the scenery is charming. Glorious indeed are the glimpses which he gains of the Galilean shore, to which history, poetry and legend give undying interest. Blue beneath the Syrian sun, flecked with light shadows of the passing clouds; or dark and wrathful beneath the storm, this Sea is a constant source of pleasure and fascination. Paths of ideal beauty wind about its snores, sun-sheltered by the trees, rendered cool and fragrant by the breezes from those calm waters upon which the Man of Galilee walked and, in His majesty, spoke peace to the angry winds, hushing the surging waves to silence beneath His feet. Anticipate what you will, you never can be disappointed in .i.i' .... �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD the Sea of Galilee. In the words of the Queen of Sheba the astonished traveler exclaims, "The half has not been told!" Nor does familiarity with its glorious and charming scenes lessen their effect, for, according to that immortal poet, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." Whatever else may be forgotten in this crowded life of ours, such a vision of this glorious Sea will linger like an inspiration with him who has stood on its shore, until memory shall have lost its power, until his eyes shall have closed upon the finite to behold the Infinite. In remote ages the Sea of Death was as beautiful as the Sea of Galilee; its scenery as charming. That was the time when the fated cities of the plains flourished in its vicinity till their crimes drew down from above the consuming fire and they were withered from off the face of the earth. When we consider that once the contrast between these two seas was almost imperceptible, the first thought that comes to the mind is, "Why such a contrast today?" It is a well-known fact that every inland lake must sooner or later become salty, bitter and poisonous if it has no outlet; and this is precisely the cause of the existing condition of the Sea of Death. Situated as it is, in such a low crater-like basin, fourteen hundred feet below the sea-level, it receives great volumes of water from every direction, giving nothing out except what is forced by evaporation. Thus it becomes still more bitter, salty and poisonous. It is even seven times more salty than the ocean, while the Sea of Galilee becomes sweeter and more beautiful as the countless ages sweep into fathomless eternity, for underlying its action is the fundamental law of the universe of God, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." These two seas, so near and yet so unlike, represent two types of human life; the one governed by selfishness—the other, by love. How low must be the impulses of him who absorbs the resources of others to gratify his own selfish desires. If he were not living on such a low plane, fourteen hundred feet below the level of the Heart of Humanity, he surely would be conscious of that sacred power, so lofty and sublime, implanted in every human breast, which, if not perverted into selfishness, would fling outwardly upon society and even upon the brute world. As the Sea of Death receives great volumes of water and never becomes full, so is that nature that absorbs, always having a sufficiency but never enough. The time at last comes when there is not even a sufficiency and it is the means of its own destruction. As the ' '"' »iiiiiuiHBPW»P*r �"— — — —-- : 3&**1 _ ——- 'DECEMBER, 1930 25 Sea of Galilee pours out its sweet and sacred waters forever, and never becomes empty, so is the human soul made infinite in power to love and serve; the higher mortal ought to mourn that he has thus far Jived having helped so few with this godlike thing—the lingering image of the Great Creator. A Syrian of the tenth century, feeling the littleness of himself, once said, "A bird could fly across the whole heavens, and why can't I enter into wider realms of truth?" Our age would reply, "There is nought to hinder. Let him fly everywhere and see the extent of the human-divine kingdom." No bird can race in the great blue sky against a noble soul. In a single hour America's love and sympathy fell, like a shower of manna, upon the earthquake victims of Japan. Though we climb fame's proudest height, Though we sit on hills afar, ^ Where the thrones of triumph are; Though all deepest mysteries be opened to our sight, If we win not by that power For the world a richer dower, If this great humanity share not in our gain, We have lived our life in vain. Though our lot be calm and bright; Though upon our brows we wear Youth and grace, and beauty rare, And the hours go swiftly, singing in their flight; If we let no glory down Any darkened life to crown— If our grace and gladness have no ministry for pain, We have lived our life in vain. But the life of men and women in this sort of work is not thus to be spent; their souls are not dumb, but eloquent. There is no value in education unless we can act out the wisdom of the school. There is no merit in culture if sleep and stupor can fill its place. It cannot be that an era so powerful, a country so vast and marvelous as this, asks only for the common pursuits that bring us daily bread for the table or shelter from the storm. There must be something more than this, and today, more than ever, - - r -.W'.rm-^tT^i HMMMMI �THE SYRIAN WORLD 26 there is a flag of progress and service waving over every hill and tower. Happy are we if we can see this divine banner, if our ear can from the noises of this world separate the whisper that asks us to be soldiers of mankind. As such, in our highest form, we must be in ceaseless action, with an Americanism simple in creed but rich in activity; and, like the Americanism of Abraham Lincoln, let it all be incarnated in life; like the red in the rose, let Americanism be in us 3 let it be our color, our very form of being. We may find times for patience with radical theories of government, but let us be as impatient of their wrong application as a good musician is impatient with discord; and all of this will soon form into a river, the streams whereof will make more and more glad the whole of humanity and our God. /// The Garden of Love By DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN HE cypress swayed with ecstasy, T.The roses flushed with anger, When on her lips I pressed my lips, And on her heart my finger. Beside the violet bed, beneath the jasmine vine There dreamed the rivulet, the daisies seemed to pine. But not a word we spake, For fear the spell to brake— Our hearts were speaking— But from her eyes I deeply quaffed the ancient wine. With magic reeking. / i �'DECEMBER, 1930 i > . 27 Love and War in the Desert An Actual Love Drama Among the Bedouins and its Sequel THE eternal forces of love and hatred, of injury and revenge, as intense and relentless as the heat of the desert sun, still exercise their sway among the Bedouin Arabs as in the remotest times of the past. Just as the mode of life of these sons of Ishmael has not changed for countless centuries, so have their characteristics, born of the hard life of their inhospitable surroundings, remained immutable. Even to our day and in the face of the great strides the world has made in science, invention and methods of transportation, we read of raids and feuds and wars of retaliation such as we are wont to find in the lore of the remotest ages. The Syrian press has of late been full of sensational details of the rising of the bedouin tribes of the northern Syrian desert to what threatens to develop into a general war—war as fierce and relentless as only the Arabs in their inad desire for revenge can wage. Already several casualties have occurred which served to fan the fire of passion into greater flame. An emir was murdered in cold blood in defiance of the laws of hospitality which has been held unbroken among the Arabs of the desert from time immemorial, and the indignation aroused by this action has swept the land as a great conflagration. Immediately the scattered sections of the tribe of the murdered chief rallied from all parts of the desert bent on retaliation, and those of the enemy tribe did likewise for self-defense. Only the timely intervention of French armed forces comprising tanks, airplanes and artillery prevented a general clash. But the French admit that they have a serious problem on their hands in dealing with these untamed sons of the open sandy wastes who are still dominated by their age-old traditions and refuse to be appeased unless revenge is had in their own way. In this case the injured tribe would be satisfied only if a man of equal rank from the attacking tribe is offered as a propitiatory sacrifice, and to no other solution would they consent, even if they were to kill hundreds and thousands of common enemy men. Revenge among the nomads of the desert is a sacred tradition considered most essential for pur- �esa 28 THE SYRIAN WORLD poses of self-respect. It is to them an assertion of power that serves as warning to enemies that their attacks and depradations will not be permitted to go unpunished. This has been the law of the desert from time immemorial and no civilizing influence can eradicate from the breast of the bedouin this deeply-rooted tradition so long as he adheres to his roving instincts and is apparently far from the reach of organized agencies of the law. As would be expected, the cause of strife was a woman. Sabha, the belle of the Hudaidi tribe, and reputed the most beautiful among the women of the desert, was desperately sought by rival chiefs. An emir of her own tribe was a suitor, as well as a young emir of the powerful tribe of the Mawalis, Nawaf El-Ahmad by name. Emir Nawaf had at first followed the prescribed tribal tradition governing such cases among the Arabs and asked the hand of Sabha of her elder brother, to whom he paid the sum of £150 in gold as dowry. But it later developed that the brother acted without sufficient authority since the father of the girl was still alive and his consent had to be had in preference. Furthermore, the accepted custom among the tribes is that no union with another tribe is to be consummated unless the permission of the ranking chief is first sought and granted, and remonstrances by the latter engendered fear in the heart of the young emir that he would be denied possession of his beloved. Acting in the impatience of youth, emir Nawaf set out one night to execute a bold plan. His consuming love for the bedouin maiden would brook no interference and it mattered not to him if he plunged the whole population of the desert in bloody strife. Accompanied by his young brother and another brave of his tribe, he surprised the girl while asleep and proceeded to carry her away in the most approved romantic style. But her father, awakened oy the commotion, raised the alarm among his townsfolk who hastily armed themselves and rode out in pursuit. The posse overtook the kidnappers in the outskirts of the village and engaged them in battle. The sheik-lover placed the girl in charge of his companion and with his brother held the pursuers in check, but owing to the latter's superior numbers they were gradually closing in upon him. The guardian of the girl was quick to perceive the danger of the situation and hastened to the assistance ( of his companions. It was then that the girl seized the oppor- i tunity of this momentary relaxation of the vigil and made aj " WRfe---- �DECEMBER, 1930 29 -^ to •** ^ « •** ^ i • <^ • #. 1 ... <?* s * ^> <a ~ss i&fatjfil fer' m *% -.' •-> -ft « \ w T-" ¥ 13$ P isr 1 to •* ** «S "+-, •v» "-<* T , V-*-"5 ^ rv-•*• - v*^ . *+-. o to '> -—» S to <* to *» 8 K t>0 » « -^ to i • -* $11- - -<8 ^ ~s ; o 1| 5J^^>'*I r ! V J**W* ' > "'- V* * * S ">s \ .- 5* o to >-> H^ *-< to �«L 30 THE SYRIAN WORLD dash for liberty. But her strength was not'equal to the task and she fell exhausted in the line of fire. A member of the posse made a desperate effort to rescue her but was felled by a wellaimed bullet. Another braved the danger in the same effort and met the same fate. Then the father boldly dashed to save his daughter, but instead of shooting him from a distance the embattled Romeo engaged him in a hand-to-hand tussle and finally laid him helpless on the field with a dagger in his side. None of the pursuers now dared brave the fire of the kidnappers, who carried the girl and rode swiftly away on their fleet Arabian horses and were swallowed by the night. The posse carried its dead and wounded back to the village and sent news of the attack to members of the tribe in the locality. Soon the news spread all over the desert with amazing rapidity and there was great indignation over the manner in which the deed was committed. The sympathy of the bedouins was all on the sides of the girl's father and his tribe of Hudaidis. But something soon occurred which caused a most serious change in the situation and reversed the sentiment in favor of the Mawalis, the tribe to which belongs the young emir-lover who was responsible for the kidnapping. It came about in the following manner. Emir Abdur Razzak, ranking chief of the Mawalis, had hastened from the city of Hama to the scene of the disturbances in an effort to bring about peace since emir Nawaf, the kidnapper, was one of his relatives. He had reached the district of Marrah, about midway between Hama and Aleppo, which is considered within the territory of the Hudaidis. He pitched his camp and awaited the opportunity to enter into negotiations with the Hudaidis on the assumption that the kidnapping incident was but a trivial matter which could be easily smoothed over. But he had reckoned ill with the temper of the emir of the Hudaidi tribe who was a suitor to Sabha and had been promised her hand in marriage by the father. No sooner did the emir of the Hudaidis, Naif, learn of the presence of emir Abdur Razzak within his territory than he rode at the head of fifty of his men bent on revenge. At their approach Abdur Razzak came out of his tent unarmed and made them a sign of peace. He expressed regret at the action of the rash youth who caused this unpleasantness to arise between the two friendly tribes and promised to use his authority and influence to make redress. But the Hudaidis had �S S.,g n> 3 ri ? 5 - S*W "• g'B rf g. ft o £ i-. S2. EL I* & h— o i SLOQ i re n- i '< i en P- I CO Pu W - 8 8 to Pa w French desert police in Syria standing guard over a group of Arabs. I �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD murder in their hearts and would entertain no such course, and to the blunt auestion of the Mawali emir as to what they finally wanted the Hudaidi emir replied: "We will be satisfied only with your life." Saying which he levelled his rifle and sent a bullet through the heart of the Mawali chief. He was about to kill more but his followers restrained him and induced him to return with them to their camp. Now the women of the murdered emir whom he was bringing with him from his city residence were witnesses to the crime and the cry they raised was echoed throughout the desert with such force and speed that within less than twenty-four hours tens of thousands of armed bedouins of the Mawali tribe and their adherents had responded to the call of danger. The scenes which followed were considered sinister forebodings of coming events, and the French authorities prepared for eventualities. The funeral of the murdered emir was described as one which the desert has not witnessed for many a generation. Thousands of horsemen swore that they would not dismount until they had taken revenge and rode in the funeral procession fully armed. Their women, who were ever in Arab history the sustainers of the spirit of the men in war, gave vent to the most pitiable wailings and lamentations. Their praise of the beauty, the generosity, the hospitality and the youth of the murdered emir incited the men to greater frenzy. Their spirit of anger and impatience seemed to be transmitted to their fiery steeds which strained at their reins as if anxious to plunge into action. Marching in the cortege with their slow, measured gait, were hundreds of camels draped in black silk and lending a strange and sombre aspect to the procession. Riding on their humps were more wailing women who at times stood at full length and made wild gesticulations while emitting piercing shrieks. All this had the effect of arousing the already enraged tribesmen to the highest pitch of frenzy. The body of the murdered chief was carried on the shoulders of some of his men. Behind them walked his afflicted sister dressed in a manner calculated to further arouse the anger and steel the determination of the tribesmen. She had donned her brother's garb, even to the riding boots and the head dress, consisting of koufia and ighal. She had girded herself with his cartridge belt and slung his rifle across her back. On her left swung his long curved sword and on her right hung his short ipB[Sjg0K^SwRs®«' ' r - --:: ..- . :.. - . �m.% DECEMBER, 1930 33 ornamented dagger. "The dogs did not give you a chance to fight, but I shall show them how terrible will be our revenge," she shouted once and again, and her spirit ran like fire through the immense throng. Word had reached the Hudaidis of the war preparations of the Mawalis and they engaged in similar preparations. But word also had reached the French military authorities of the threatening danger and they were no less prompt in taking action. Soon a squadron of airplanes were hovering over the district and the armored cars and the several batteries of artillery which followed arrived in time to wedge themselves between the two tribes arrayed for battle and prevent an actual clash. Col. Bonnot, French military commander of the Northern Syrian district, offered to act as mediator and strained every effort to convince the warring tribesmen of the futility of engaging in continued strife. The chiefs promised to use all their influence to hold their followers in check. But the Mawalis were most frank in stating their position. "We do not wish to drench the desert with blood," they said, "but our sense of self-respect will not permit us to let the murder of our emir go unavenged." "But emir Nawaf, when he carried away the girl Sabha, killed two of the Hudaidis and wounded the girl's father," pleaded the French officer. "Even so the scale is in favor of the Hudaidis," replied the Mawali emirs. "We may kill thousatids of them and not feel fully avenged. We will rest only when we have spilled the blood of their emir or one of his sons, for then there would be an equality in rank, and they would have more respect in the future for the great reach of our arms." No words could carry a plainer meaning of the intent of the Mawali bedouins. It is said that they are not as strong numerically as their enemies the Hudaidis, but they have a reputation throughout the desert of being the fiercest and most desperate warriors. And their passion for revenge may smoulder but will never die. Under the conditions the French authorities are taking no chances. They are keeping a strong armed force in strategic positions and are prepared for all eventualities. To let the fierce bedouins follow their natural bent would soak the whole desert with blood. Nor would the fighting be confined to the desert but there is �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD every danger of it spreading to the border cities which the bedouins are known to frequent. About the end of October, when news reached Aleppo of the tragedy which was enacted in the desert resulting in the murder of Emir Abdur Razzak, Emir Abd Ibn Ibrahim Pasha of the Mawalis was in conference at the Intelligence Bureau of the French military authorities, and upon learning the news he left in great anger bent on proceeding immediately for the desert to engage in the war. At the entrance of the building he met an emir of the Hudaidis, the tribe which had committed the murder, and without parley or explanation he drew his pistol to kill him. But another emir of an impartial tribe who happened on the scene stepped between them -and prevented another tragedy. Meanwhile, young emir Nawaf who had plunged the desert into this condition of turmoil and unrest because of his uncontrollable love for a maiden of another tribe, still remains at large in the desert. News at one time reached Aleppo that a posse had overtaken him near the banks of the Euphrates, preparing to plunge still further into the trackless desert. But he gave his pursuers battle and escaped with his prize. The same determination that prompted him to resort to kidnapping has not forsaken h'm in still defying the machinery of law and braving the wrath of the whole Arab society through his mad love for the girl he set his heart on possessing. On His Friends Translated from the Arabic by J. D. CARLYLE With conscious pride I view the band Of faithful friends that round me stand, With pride exult that I alone Can join these scatter'd jems in one:— For they're a wreath of pearls and I The silken cord on which they lie. 'Tis mine their inmost souls to see, Unlock'd is every heart to me, To me they cling, on me they rest, And I've a place in every breast:— For they're a wreath of pearls, and I The silken cord on which they lie. �DECEMBER, 1930 35 ALI ZAIBAQ (Quicksilver) THE UNPARALLELED ADVENTURES OE THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASHID, OF THE CITY OF BAGDAD. Translated front the original Arabic by SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL and CHAPTER THADDEUS S. DAYTON IV THE ISLE OF ENCHANTMENT QUICKSILVER tarried seven days while preparing for his ^ iourney, and on the eiehth he rode forth on a camel and proceeded in the direction of the Island of Enchantment. But Hassan said to him as he departed: "O my lord and companion, I desire to go with you and serve you in whatever you undertake, and I entreat you to give me permission to do so." But Quicksilver answered him that it was impossible, and that in order to realize the accomplishment of his quest and the task that was imposed upon him he must proceed alone. Thereupon he bade him farewell, and pursued his journey. For six days he continued with but little rest and finally reached the shore of a sea where he found a village in which he spent the night. On the morrow Quicksilver gave the man who had sheltered him ten pieces of gold and asked him to provide a boat so that he might reach the Island of Enchantment. The fisherman was overjoyed at the munificence of the payment and made haste to comply. Thereupon they embarked and rowed a long distance through the sea until they reached the island. There Quicksilver left the boat in the keeping of his companion while he proceeded to explore the place. In the center of the island he perceived two opposing swords �36 THE SYRIAN WORLD which played swiftly in the air, up and down, without striking each other. At sight of these he stood transfixed with wonder at their diabolical, never-ceasing movement. Finally he lifted from the earth a huge stone which he cast between the swords, and they instantly reduced it to powder. Thereupon he retired a little distance to a secluded spot and stood pondering upon his predicament, not knowing which way to turn or how he should go about it to make the swords pause in their incessant motion. While thus engrossed with his thoughts sleep overcame him and he saw in a dream a celestial being who addressed him saying: "Arise, Quicksilver, and toss at the ever-playing swords the branch of the palm tree which you brought from Egypt." Quicksilver awakened from his slumber, took the branch of the palm tree and threw it between the ever-moving swords. It came to pass exactly as had been foretold in his dream; their action immediately ceased. At the same moment the heaving sea became calm and the island shook with the tremors of an earthquake, after which the swords disappeared completely and there came into view a great dome whose only entrance was a brazen door upon which was inscribed in letters of gold the following legend: "Oh thou, who enterest this place, pass without fear, and take thy booty, the magic box of the All Seeing Eye, and depart." No sooner did Quicksilver read this inscription and comprehend its meaning than he advanced and set his hand against the brazen door whose ponderous weight immediately yielded to his touch. He entered and found within a vast circular chamber beneath the dome enormous quantities of gold and jewels which shone with a radiance that dazzled his eyes. In the midst of all this treasure, resting on a pedestal beneath the center of the dome, was the magic box of the All-Seeing Eye, at sight of which his reason almost fled from him. Recovering himself quickly, for he dared not delay an instant, he advanced and lifted the enchanted box upon his shoulders and bore it swiftlv out of the place without pausing to gather up any of the vast riches that lay heaped within. But no sooner had he passed across the threshold than the brazen door closed with a thunderous crash and an awful voice that resounded to the heavens cried: n 9HIBH �».. DECEMBER, 1930 .. . -.. 37 "To the end of time! To the end of time!" Quicksilver looked back in fear and was amazed to perceive behind him Hassan who had emerged from the portal by a hair's breadth before the closing of the door. Upon perceiving his companion Quicksilver was seized with rage and demanded what had brought him to the Enchanted Island, to which Hassan replied: "O my lord, may your wrath be appeased. When you left me in the Enchanted City I followed your footsteps taking care not to let my presence be known to you, and I continued to pursue you until you reached this place. I followed closely when you entered and as you lifted upon your shoulders the magic box I hastily gathered these precious stones which I brought forth with me. I had no thought but to render to you whatever aid might be within my power, for to you I owe my life." Quicksilver, whose anger had how cooled, marvelled at Hassan's words and took the jewels saying: "Verily, I entered this great treasure house and came away without thinking of gathering any of the vast stores of jewels that lay about me. I will take these gems as an offering for the shrine in Egypt." Thereupon both men made their way to the shore of the island and crossed to the mainland where they mounted their camels and pursued their journey for nights and days until they came within sight of the Enchanted City. There they were surprised to see about the walls a vast armed camp and to hear a deafening noise which filled the air and rose to the skies. It was then night and Quicksilver, who was at a loss to discover the reason for the presence of such a great army before the city, said to Hassan: "Wait for me here a little while until I can ascertain what peoples these are that have come here in such war-like array." So saying he dismounted from his camel and made his way on foot without detection until he reached the outskirts of the encampment. There he discovered that the multitude was a mighty army of Blacks and it became clear to him at once that the King of the Blacks and the Soudanese had come all the way from his own country to avenge the death of his emissaries who had been destroyed and to take by force the daughter of the King of the Enchanted City. Quicksilver being as wise as he was brave, saw that his un- �38 THE SYRIAN WORLD aided strength could not prevail against such a great host. He therefore retraced his steps to where Hassan awaited him. His companion counselled him to evade the besieging army and to make a detour about the Enchanted City with the hope of finding some place to enter it. "Such is not my plan," responded Quicksilver, "my intention is to capture the King of the Blacks by artifice and to bring him forth from his camp to this place, after which the rest will be comparatively easy." Thus saying he ordered his companion and friend to make a fire over which he placed a pot into which he poured water dissolving therein a powder such as spies use to disguise themselves in time of war. After letting the water and the powder boil for a necessary time he took the liquid which had now become of an inky blackness and bathed himself with it, straightway becoming as though he had been born a black slave. Then in order to more successfully achieve his purpose he bound his left arm in a sling and proceeded towards the encampment of the army of the Blacks. There he mingled with the soldiers, lifting his voice in a plaintive cry, and perfectly imitating their vernacular, he said: "O sons of my maternal uncles, I am now under the wing of your protection. May curses fall like torrential rain on the heads of the Whites!" Perceiving him in the pitiable condition which he had assumed, the Blacks gathered around him in great numbers demanding the cause of his outcry. "To none other than the Whites do I owe my grievous condition," answered Quicksilver. "It is they who have covered me with wounds and from them I have received this broken arm. But my story is long to tell. Take me therefore to our most powerful and gracious King so that I may inform him of all that has befallen." The Blacks, unsuspicious of his identity, conducted him to the royal tent within which Quicksilver immediately perceived the King, seated in the center surrounded by his officers and aides with drawn swords, his countenancec resembling a tower of anger. Immediately Quicksilver raised a great cry of lamentation which attracted the attention of the King who ordered the supposedly wounded soldier to be brought before him. Whereupon Quicksilver, after saluting the King, said: �'DECEMBER, 1930. 39 "Know, O my Lord, that this night, in company with some of the sons of my uncle, I bethought myself of approaching the gates of the city with the hope of discovering something of importance relative to the enemy. When we neared one of the gates we were surprised to find it was open and immediately rushed in, but a great number of soldiers sprang at us from an ambush and there ensued a battle in which our small company fought valiantly but was finally overcome. All my companions were killed and I alone succeeded in escaping, as though by magic. Thereupon I hastened to inform your Majesy of this affair and of the treachery of our enemies." Upon hearing this the king became terribly enraged, his eyes seemed to start from their sockets and he swore by the fire that he worshiped that he would put the inhabitants of the Enchanted City to the sword. To Quicksilver, as a reward for his services, the King promised a beautiful white maiden as soon as he was able to effect the capture of the Enchanted City. After expressing his gratitude, Quicksilver withdrew from the royal tent and mingled with the King's body-guard outside feigning that he was cold. These took compassion on him, gave him clothing and asked him to spend the night with them, as he appeared weak from his wounds. Quicksilver wished for no better opportunity for carrying out his designs, and remained awake until he was assured that all the guards were plunged in heavy slumber. Then he took from his bag some antidote for benj which he placed in his nostrils, and taking a bowl of metal he filled it with a mixture of benj and dried herbs which he lit, causing it to smoke so furiously that soon the tent became filled with the poisonous fumes, straightway stupefying all of the King's body-guards. Thereupon he proceeded stealthily to the royal tent " u">e he repeated the same stratagem so that the King also completely lost all consciousness. That night being dark and the whole army asleep, Quicksilver bound the King with heavy cords and wrapped him as a carpet. Then Quicksilver lifted the King upon his shoulders and succeeded in getting clear of the camp and reaching the spot where he had left Hassan, whom he acquainted with what he had done. They then hastened to the great gates of the Enchanted City where the guards on the high walls greeted them �40 ?HE SYRIAN WORLD SiSZSd ^^that the^w- *-*> ** "Withhold your hands! We are friends of your Kin*! T am Quicksilver whom I hope you have not yet &Z£fl Upon heanng this the guards informed the King who straight way came to meet Quicksilver, accompanied by £?v£fa^ ancfa1 the d-gnitanes of his court. The King ordered that rones should be let down from the top of the wall so that Quicksilverand his companion might be hoisted up. ^suver ana his Now Quicksilver was still black with the dve nf k« Aed trnform^8 Tt^ eXCeedi : "^ ^ Q"ick0 utlS! alter delivering me from them. I have been sick 55. « * being captured and delivered over to the erne" fate thf h K awaiting me, but now my heart is filled with : and I feel that my safe y a'Sthe ate^S Y ^J°«reOln, y f Ur bn8d m 1S once more assured by your presence ° ° ° deserSrnt^s^'thl Se^t^ -» a rated of the amazing adventures oQuicklver in the he rv"^ C,ty of Enchantment. All these 1 shall rem,,„,, " . Unt will be well worth Z hearing » ° """'i^, and they *' (»o be continued) ./ �DECEMBER, 1930 41 The Gardener By THOMAS ASA UN-ARRESTED qualms a day beset me, Ephemeral visions of an unknown shoreChaotic hopes and fears that would decree 1 he truth of pages from forbidden lore— But divine revealment was not to be For swiftly closed again the unseen 'door. Then I started from my chair in great confusion, And in thoughtless haste I left the chambered gloomBu uppermost, my mind had touched the grave Illusion, Wherein reposed the secret of eternal doom :Oh why had Fate so stirred the hoarded fusion And transformed my soul into a darkened tomb! And then unheeding of the darkened sky And like a madman thru the hiding night, I fled as from pursuit the damning Lie — Punitive Hand that dawns with guarded LightUnbroken Watch that keeps the fearful Eve— 1 he destinies of Life in Godly sight. Along a winding path, with unseeing eyes I T?.nLy t,houghts in blinding, searing haze: And high above, with ill-portent, the hov'ring skies— But none of this I saw in fevered mental craze While, over humble fields which fall and rise' Simple peasant folk would stare in great amaze. My strength had gone from soul's exertion So perforce I stopped to gaze in doubt On an unmarked grave in rank desertion That lay half-hidden amidst a leafy rout What had led me here but His assertion, To best my probing mind with soul devout 11 �42 ?HE SYRIAN WORLD Silent-voiced and vision fastened to the mound,— And then I heard the summer shower break, And cool the fevered brow and still the sound That my madly struggling thoughts would make— What form from which new faith to found, And in what wise the sentient lesion wake? I And, in grateful pension of the cooling rain, Stood in rigid silence with uncovered head, With my mind once more, in common, sane, And pondered whereat my tortured soul had led} The restless doubt, in past long years inane, Has come to light as from the secret Dead. And then anon the summer shower ceased, And from the dampened foliage rose A scented vapor, from the earth released, As with reluctance from the grave it goes. But what ghostly sight is that from out the East? As from the sodden earth the vapor rose. The ghostly mass took form before my faltering sight, And nearer drew it to the crumbling grave} And then on the nonce a ray of super-light Flashed at its base, as though the way to pave} And back I stepped in preternatural fright— To stop, for from without a Hand doth wave! And, like a graven image, stood I there To see the ghostly sight a human born, In hallowed robes of snow-white blinding glare Then to bend o'er the wasted grave, and shorn Soon lies the alien weed, and blossoms fair— And bloom,—my questioning Faith in like reborn! :..-.. �DECEMBER, 1930 43 EDITORIAL COMMENT RACIAL CONSIDERATIONS I AMERICA has not as yet passed the stage of racial considerations. Evidences of this condition continue to assert themselves in various ways despite claims to the contrary. The condition seems to be one that not only cannot be ignored but is given tacit approval and even taken advantage of on various occasions. This by no means should be construed as division in the American nation, but rather a natural attempt by each ethnic group to assert itself and vindicate its moral rights in the face of similar policies on the part of other groups. The situation would seem to justify the conclusion that just as much as the Americaii government is one of parties so is it one of racial groups. One can hardly think of the government of New York City, for instance, without associating it with Tammany and the Irish, nor of some Mid-Western States without affiliating them with the German element. The senatorship of a certain State has even become the heritage of a particular family controlling the votes of a racial element. No secret was made of this fact in the last general elections. But these remarks are not prompted by happenings of long ago. Something more recent and of equally strong significance has been enacted on the stage of New York politics which again brings racial considerations to the limelight. And there was no mincing of words about it. The discussion was freely indulged in not only in the public press but in the courts. The very expression "racial considerations" is borrowed from the official records. This came about through the investigation into the appointment of ex-Magistrate George F. Ewald to the bench in 1927. Supreme Court Justice McCook, presiding at the trial, is thus reported by the N. Y. Sun of Nov. 26, 1930, to have reviewed the case in his charge to the jury. "Justice McCook said that in the spring of 1927, Mayor Walker was considering a vacancy about to occur on the magistrates' bench. Magistrate Oberwager, a German-American, was to be retired, and the Mayor might have had it in mind to choose a GermanAmerican to be his successor. In any event, the Mayor received �44 THE SYRIAN WORLD letters recommending Ewald principles were against the infrom the Steuben Society (Ger- terest of America we would unman organization) and from hesitatingly disapprove of it. Victor A. Ridder, the publisher Not alone that, but we would of the Staats-Zeitung (German be the first to combat it and use newspaper)." every means to stamp it out. "According to the prosecu- Our loyalty should be to our tion," he continued, "Ewald adopted country whole and unknew he must get Healey's divided. THE SYRIAN WORLD backing if he were to be ap- has always stood for the prinpointed a magistrate, while the ciple of Americanism unflinchdefense contended that Ridder, ingly and without equivocation. the German-American Steuben And other than this course it Society and racial considerations will never follow—other than were the only factors involved this policy it will never enterin Mayor Walker's choice." tain. So racial considerations still But it is not here a question are very much in evidence in of loyalty. It is a question of America. Racial organizations group interest signs of which deal out their recommendations we observe all about us at all for political favors and political times and in various ways. The favors are granted on racial inescapable conclusion is' that considerations. We say this what is permitted to others neither in a spirit of approval could not within reason be denor of criticism, but as a mere nied us. statement of facts. If, therefore, we advocate Our only reason for stressing race consciousness and race the point is to bring the subject solidarity it is for the service closer home to Syrian-Ameri- of ourselves as an integral cans. Syrians are late comers to group in America and for the America and should for that service of America through our reason be the more race con- united effort. We would claim scious. They may be so indi- our rights as we discharge our vidually but they certainly fail obligations. We would mainto show any traces of such con- tain ourselves in the standing sciousness collectively in any or- due every self-respecting group ganized form. It would seem, or community. under the circumstances, that Leaving aside political conthey are wanting in the practice siderations we urge first the deof an accepted American tradi- velopment of that which is best tion. in our racial heritage for perIf coming together on racial petuation as our contribution to �^DECEMBER, 1930 America. Let us admit that we cannot make an impression as a political force, but there is no end to our potential contributions along more constructive and enduring lines. To secure these benefits we must first develop that consciousness of power which alone is the incentive to achievement. The development of this consciousness depends largely on a proper estimation of our inherent racial qualities which our younger generation fails to appreciate through inadequate methods of enlightenment. Our efforts, therefore, should be directed towards self-enlightenment as a means of proper self-appraisal. An interest in racial organizations sponsoring cultural programs, as well as in other mediums for the spread of proper knowledge bearing on our history and past achievements, should not fail to bringabout their desired results. SYRIAN SICIETIES yHE growing movement for united, organized action among the Syrians of America, so much in evidence of late, is a most welcome one. It is a sign of reawakening that holds great portents. It is an unfailing indication that the Syrians are coming to a realization of their latent powers and are striving to develop them. In this issue of THE SYRIAN 45 several new Syrian societies are reported organized in widely scattered parts of the country. What is more significant is that they are invariably the result of the efforts of the younger generation. Syrian young men and young women are coming together on a new basis of understanding and racial consciousness. They have come to appreciate their especial situation and to vision their opportunities. Untold benefit could come from this movement if the various organized units were brought together under a national federation along the line once suggested by this publication. Perhaps it has been for the best to have held the consummation of the movement in abeyance after once having aroused widespread interest in it. Its resumption in the future might prove of immensely greater benefit owing to the larger possibilities offered. WTe shall await the opportune time to again take up the task of forming the federation. In the meantime, we cannot urge too strongly the necessity of forming a Syrian-American society wherever the size of the community warrants. This will not only bring about close cooperation among members of the particular community, but will pave the way for the larger possibility of national solidarity. WORLD �46 THE SYRIAN WORLD Readers' Forum SYRIAN-AMERICAN LEADERS Contributions of Rev. W. Mansur Hailed as Inspirational. Editor's Note—The writer of the following letter, a prominent physician of Flint Mich., is a typical Syrian-American of open mind who bases appraisal of service purely on merit. We publish his letter not so much for its laudatory references to The Syrian World as for its expressions of appreciation for the very valuable contributions of our many collaborators. We especially welcome his suggestion of publishing biographical sketches of our pioneers and leaders in various fields of endeavor and trust to be able to take up the task in the not distant future. Editor The Syrian World As you well know, I have been a constant reader of The Syrian World ever since its infancy. I can honestly say that I have read every article ever published in The Syrian World; I have presented it at least to one friend and introduced and praised it to many others. I ask neither praise nor reward for doing so, because I do not care for praise, and because the growth and the flourishing of The Syrian World is my greatest reward. May it grow, may it flourish, and may it endure as a guiding star to our Syrian-American people. I hope you will live long enough to guide its footsteps. My reason for this correspondence is to tell you how much I enjoy The HHHMMBfe Syrian World and how mueh I benefit by it. My second reason is to compliment Rev. W. A. Mansur on his article viz:—"Great SyrianAmericans of Our Times." I think it is a most timely article. I want Rev Mansur to know that I join him in paying tribute to the great SyrianAmericans in general and to those whom he wrote about in particular. I would also ask him to give us an epitomized biography of those great men whom he wrote about in the October issue of this year, because there are many Syrians who do not know much about these great men. I myself had the good fortune of reading Al-Hoda daily and therefore I have known quite a bit about N. A. Mokarzel. He is a man I admire but I was never as yet lucky enough to meet him personally. I have had the good fortune to read the articles of the other men, and to meet Mr. Ameen Rihani in Detroit last year and Dr. Ph. K. Hitti in Chicago a f ew years ago while I was studying nedicine. I also had the good fortune of reading every article that Rev. W. A. Mansur wrote for The Syrian World. I hope some day to meet Rev. Mansur or at least to read about his life and works in The Syrian World. His articles have always been inspiring to me. I also believe his articles were inspiring to many others. The more he writes and tells us about these great men, the more we progress, because we begin to imitate and copy after him and after such great men. I wish you would please accept a great deal of my tribute to yourself and to The Syrian World, for you have been a great mediator, and a �'DECEMBER, /9Jtf 47 great influence in bringing an appreciation of culture, information and education to our people. You are in my estimation just as much a pioneer in this field as N. A. Mokarzel in his. That is a great influence indeed. Jos. A. Macksoud M. D Flint, Mich. PROUD OF ORIGIN Editor, The Syrian World • • Since we have been reading The Syrian World we have gained so much valuable information about our country of origin that we now feel proud of proclaiming our Syrian descent. It is only now that we can appreciate the value of this publication in English which is the only means of enlightening us on the "st history of the mother country of our parents and the wonderful achievements of our forbears. To praise the pioneering spirit which made possible this invaluable means of public service is but to express the natural gratitude of those who are deriving such concrete benefits rom it. I Syrian-American Modern Society Oklahoma City, Okla. \N OPINION FROM EGYPT Editor, The Syrian World I began receiving The Syrian Uor d with the September issue and nave enjoyed reading it exceedingly as it gave me a wider conception of the activities of the Syrians in America. The publication fills a long-felt need in the Syrian world. To the Syrians in America it is invaluable as it helps to keep them in touch with the mother country and acquaints them with the literature, culture and traditions of their fore- fathers. To non-American Syrians, on the other hand, it should be of great benefit in giving them a new notion of the industrial and cultural activities of their fellow countrymen in the New World. I feel confident that in the very near future The Syrian World will have a far-reaching influence, drawing nearer and binding together the Syrians all over the world, and thereby achieving that which it has set forth to accomplish. Before closing I would like to draw your attention to a small error occurring on page 16 of the September issue where College Hall of the American University of Beirut is erroneous'y named West Hall. Albert A. Mirshak. Cairo, Egypt. A SUGGESTION Editor, The Syrian World * It is my hope that you will in due time publish your travel articles which have been appearing in the pages of The Syrian World in book form. I have been enjoying them immensely, and would like to see them in book form and made possible in that manner to the public. Rev. W. A. Mansur. Winside, Neb. A CORRECTION Editor, The Syrian World You make mention of Tartus as the birthplace of St. Paul, while his birthplace is the city of Tarsus, in Asia Minor. One of your contributors mentions that inscriptions at Nahr El-Kalb commemorate, among others, a Napo'eonic invasion while Napoleon never reached so far north in Syria. A Reader. New Kensington, Pa. �THE SYRIAN WORLD Political Developments in Syria PALESTINE QUESTION STILL UNSETTLED The Palestine Question cannot be expected to be settled by the simple issuance of a British White Paper, although the British declaration of policy may be said to have materially altered the situation existing up till then in Palestine. It has had the effect of causing a reversal of sentiment in the two opposing camps in a wholly unexpected manner. Where the complaints and the howling came heretofore almost exclusively from the Arab side, the expression of grievances now has apparently been monopolized by the Jews. Judging by the moderated tone of the Arab press, and the official pronouncement of Arab leaders, one cannot escape the conviction that the Arabs are now disposed to cooperate with the British in all matters short of a definite renunciation of their basic national rights. Press dispatches from Jerusalem of November 19 report that the Arabs are believed ready to cooperate with the legislative council, though an Arab opposition leader is reported by the New York Times correspondent to have said that as long as the mandate and the Balfour Declaration remain the White Paper must be considered incompatible with Arab aspirations. "Though the Arabs will accept the White Paper," he is further reported to have said, "they will continue to struggle for obtaining full independence and a United States of Arab countries." Although this statement unmistakably indicates a policy of conciliation and cooperation on the part of the Arabs despite the expression mBKBHHmmXHmmt' of adherence to the larger national demands, a truer indication of the present Arab feeling may be had through the declaration of the Arab paper Falastine, in its English edition of November 22 commenting on a statement by the Jewish leader Dr. Bergmann. "The Arabs are neither averse to an understanding, honorable and just to both peoples," it remarks "nor do they undervalue the gain from cooperation, but they cannot bind themselves to statements which are falsified by actual practice. * * * An honest Zionism may prove the salvation of both peoples. As it is, it has ceased to respond to the spiritual call. Rachel mating with Israel could not leave behind the gods of Laban, and Zionism mating with Palestine has brought with it the gods of Europe. It came to find its soul; losing the way it has set up as the high priest of Baal." But it would seem farthest from the intention of the Jews to relinquish the fight for a Zionist Palestine conforming with their original conception. Press dispatches from Jerusalem of November 19 inform us that the National Council of Palestine Jews, which is the supreme body of Palestine Jewry, issued on that date a statement denouncing the British government and expressing its determination to forever continue to struggle. On this point the statement reads: "Palestine Jews call on Jewry the world over to fight against the repeated attacks of his Majesty's government. No abuse from any government will break the eternal bond of Palestine and the Jewish people. Our rebuilding and the regeneration IMMMMM �"DECEMBER, 1930 of our country will proceed." Meanwhile conferences continue in London between the British government and representatives of the Jewish Agency on the government's policy in Palestine. Lord Passfield, Colonial Secretary, defended the government's Palestine policy in the House of Lords on December 3, stating that the government would not prohibit the purchase of land in Palestine or prevent the exclusive employment of Jewish labor on land held as the inalienable property of the Jewish people. This is taken by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency to mean a marked retreat by the British government from its recently announced Palestine policy. The next Zionist Congress will be held in February, probably at Carlsbad, and it will serve as an indicator of the fate of Zionist leadership, which is to be discussed at the congress as a result of Dr. Chaim Weizmann's resignation. 49 achieved perhaps no man can bring it about better than the present High Commissioner. Although slow in reaching a solution he is conceded honest intentions and conscientious efforts in devising a plan that would at once meet the reasonable demands of the Syrian Nationalists and be compatible with the dignity and alleged rights of France. But despite all efforts no solution has so far been reached and the country is anxiously awaiting the return of the High Commissonier in the hope that by now he must have exhausted his studies and formulated the longawaited solution. Surely his unusually long stay in Paris cannot be barren of some concrete results. The return of M. Ponsot, according to reports of the Syrian press, was definitely set for November 25. As a part of his political program, he is said to be contemplating a stop-over of several days in Egypt for conferences with Dr. ShahbanMAJOR CHANGES EXPECTED dar and other exiled Syrian leaders. IN SYRIA AND LEBANON He is also reported to have engaged several prominent economic advisPalestine figures more prominently ers to assist in the rehabilitation of than other sections of Syria in cur- the country. rent news because of its Jewish asAccording to what seems to be sociations and the greater activities authentic reports M. Ponsot's first of the Jewish news agencies. For efforts will be directed to economic news about Syria and Lebanon we reform. Large projects are contemare therefore reduced to dependence plated which are expected to greatly on the native press which accounts enhance the economic prospects of for the fact that this particular the country. Included in his program news is comparatively late. are important irrigation enterprises Aside from the economic depres- and putting into immediate operasion, which perhaps is as acute in tion the general economic council. Syria as anywhere in the world, the The political question, important uncertainty of the political situation as it may seem, only comes second continues to be the absorbing topic in order in the High Commissioner's of the country. After almost eleven program. Surely it is not proposed years of mandate the people are to delay unduly an attempted solustill struggling to define their poli- tion of this question, but owing to tical status and reach a proper unthe delicacy of the situation and bederstanding with the mandatory cause matters have dragged so long, power. If such a result is to be no hasty action is contemplated, a �50 policy seemingly consistent with M. Ponsot's method of procedure. The latest date given by any observer for holding elections however, is summer of the coming year when it is hoped the country would have had the opportunity of digesting the I Ian which the High Commissioner proposes to lay before it. Granting Syria a fuller measure of self-government seems to be taken for granted, as well as a proposal to substitute the present form of mandatory administration by a treaty agreement. But to elect a de jure government capable of negotiating the contemplated treaty is what may prove the stumbling block in the successful carrying out of the I logram. The present Syrian government is described as resorting to frantic efforts to perpetuate itself in authority and for that reason us'ng all its prestige and the advantJRC3 of its position to influence the coming poiuar elections. But the important Nationalist bloc cannot be l?ft out of the reckoning, and if they should decide to take part in the elections their former success at the rolls may be repeated and they would be in control of the Assembly. The Nationalist principle of first asserting national sovereignty is well known, and it is for the purpose of averting such complications that the High Commissioner is said to be abiding his time before calling the elections. Credit is given M. Ponsot for having influenced the decision of French and American interests in Mosul petroleum to favor Tripoli as the terminus of the pipe line which it is proposed to lay across the desert to the sea. England had steadfastly stood for the port of Haifa in consideration of the fact that it is within British mandated territory, and in view of the uncompromising British attitude the other interests THE SYRIAN WORLD involved decided to act independently of England. This decision is bound to bring incalculable benefit to Syria as a whole and to the cities of Tripoli and Horns in particular. Tripoli might develop into the first seaport of Syria and already Beirut is showing no little uneasiness over the future. As to Horns, being situated inland directly east of Tripoli, it will become the emporium of the plain owing to its advantageous location. Negotiations for this new development have progressed far beyond the initial stage, the press of Beirut reporting that early in November a r3r.resentative of the Iraq Petroleum Company arrived in Beirut and held several lengthy conferences with the President of the republic, following which the President called a meeting of the cabinet and laid before it the results of the negotiations. If reports of the native press may be taken as a criterion, the population of Damascus is overwhelmingly Nationalists in its sympathies and ever ready to do the bidding of the leaders despite all efforts of the government to stifle the popular enthusiasm. One of the most popular and effective weapons employed is that of passive resistance as expressed in the cessation of all business activities in the city to the accompaniment of peaceful demonstrations. Early in November Damascus shut down in protest against an attack on the popular Nationalist leader Fakhry Bey Baroody by several men supposed to be henchmen of the president. Had it not been for the issuance of a timely statement by Baroody enjoining the populace from resort to violence there would have been every likelihood of clashes with the military. �"DECEMBER, 1930 51 About Syria and Syrian: SYRIAN WORLD CORPORATION LAUNCHED . . and civic pride to get behind it." He went on to explain the terms of the incorporation, stating that the 1000 Prominent Leaders Endorse Publi- shares of capital stock, at $25.00 par cation and Pledge to it Moral and value, bear 7 per cent, interest and Financial Support. are all offered for sale to the public To every holder of a unit of four shares of preferred, however, goes The Syrian community of New one share of common stock in the ^ork expressed its unqualified approval of The Syrian World as a form of a bonus. It is not necessary, he further explained, to sell all of racial organ and pledged itself to the preferred stock to effect the its liberal support, both morally and financially, at a dinner held at the transfer of the publication to the hheik Restaurant on December 8. public, but what was immediately intended was to raise a sum of $5,000 The attendance was representative to effect the reorganization and make of the best professional and business possible the carrying out of the elements. The Board of Directors of the Syrian World Corporation, liv- program of enlargement. In laying these plans before the public he asking up to their promise of restricted those present to give free expresing the meeting to a conference on sion to their opinions and called on the future of the publication, refrainDr. Philip K. Hitti for a few words. ed from any attempt to sell stock Dr. Hitti, the foremost Syrian but it was evident that the reaction educator in the United States, who of all those present was most favorhad come especially from Princeton able to the new move of having the to attend the conference, prefaced public share in the financial responbis remarks with a historical outsibilities—and assured benefits—of line of Syrian immigration to Amerthe corporate enterprise. ica. Although some Syrians may In opening the discussion Mr have reached the United States in George A. Ferris dean of Syrian the middle of the nineteenth cenlawyers in New York, who presided tury, the immigration movement en Rave a brief sketch of The Syrian masse started only in the early W orld, its mission and its possibilities. Having himself drawn the ar- eighties. That, he explained, may be ticles of incorporation he explained termed the pioneer stage, the stage of economic dependence, when the that the publication had an estabSyrians bent all their energies on lished good-will value and has been establishing themselves and insurconducted for nearly five years on ing a means of earning a living for the personal initiative and effort of themselves and their children. Then the founder. Now that it has proven came the second stage, that of ecoits merit "I and some others felt and feel that the continuation of nomic independence, which he dethis magazine is so important to us fined as being that period of affluall that it is a matter of civic duty ence between the beginning of the World War and the present year �___ THE SYRIAN WORLD 52 Proceeding to the description of what 'he termed the third stage he outlined what he believed was the duty of the Syrians as a racial group in this country. Syrians' Duty Defined. "Beginning with the year 1930, we are facing a new stage in our development as a people in this country," declared Dr. Hitti. "We have come to the point where we have to share in the intellectual, educational and spiritual life of the country. There are, of course, various ways in which this can be done, but I believe that The Syrian World, and what The Syrian World can be with your fuller cooperation and interest, will be one of the finest means by which we can usher in this new stage. We want to educate the American people further about our history. We want our children and coming generations to take part in this higher life that we are being ushered into. The Syrian World is one of the most potent mediums by which this can be accomplished." No less emphatic was the endorsement of the eminent author, lecturer and traveler, Ameen Rihani. He not only visioned in The Syrian World an inestimable medium for the perpetuation of what is best in our racial heritage, but expressed the confidence that it could be made into a tremendous financial success. This opinion he ventured on the strength of his observations during his extended travels throughout the country and his personal contact with the young generation Syrians everywhere. Rihani Stresses Cultural Heritage. The following are extracts from Mr. Rihani's address: "We all agree that culture is a good thing, and that the spirit of culture is essential to the welfare of civilized peoples. But my remarks this evening shall be on a feature of foreign culture in this country. The people of the Old World, whether from Europe or Asia, who have immigrated in the past, and are still immigrating to this country, have not come here without any capital at all. They may be poor, they may be ignorant, they may be truly devoid of resources, but they have come here with a capital. They have come here with racial heritage and culture. This is fundamentally human. It may have some things in it that are obsolete, but in essence, I say, it is a vital thing. It is vital and vitalizing, it humanates and mellows the character of an individual or of a people. That is true of every foreign group that has come to this country. We Syrians, although we are the youngest of the foreign groups, have a culture that is very ancient, a culture that is of real significance morally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. This culture I maintain, is independent of education. For a Syrian may be illiterate, and yet be well bred. That is to say, thoughtful of the feelings of others, courteous in his ways and manners, generous in his dealings, and on the whole, mellow and not selfish. You take for instance, a Syrian peasant who may be illiterate, and a longshoreman who reads his newspapers on his way to work. Which of the two would you prefer to sit with to dinner? Which of the two has a deeper insight to life, has more common sense, has more generosity, more courtesy and more thought for the feelings of others, who has more endurance in the face of adversity? That is what I call racial culture and heritage. The foreign groups of this country strive �"DECEMBER, 1930 i . -; to show the best there is in their racial heritage and make of it a vital addition to American life, and we Syrians should be in the first rank in this matter, because we are not a very important foreign group numerically. In other words, I do not think there can be more than one sound opinion on the subject— the best of our heritage we should stick to, and at the same time we should do our best to secure the best of what America can offer us. But how can we stick to the best that is our heritage outside of our mother land, if we do not keep ourselves and our children in touch with the historical past and present of our mother land ? That is the word that was left for me to say. It brings me down to the subject of this night's meeting. "I found during my travels last year that the new generation does not read Arabic, although very much interested in their people's affairs. This is one of the reasons why I have repeatedly recommended The Syrian World. When Mr. Mokarzel wrote to me about it the news gave me a thrill. Here, I said, is a man like Columbus. He just saw the thing, it was a simple thing open to plenty, but he was the first to get it. I wrote him and said this was going to fill a great gap in the life of the Syrians of America, and I now feel that The Syrian World is necessary to our life here, necessary for the enhancing of our standing, necessary for our prestige, and I am going to add another word, and this also I say with conviction: the magazine can be made a commercial success. Now I say this not as an amateur, although I have no knowledge of commerce, but as a practical observer. During my travels last year through the United States, I came in contact with Syrians everywhere. 53 1 spoke to them about Syria, and 1 found them so eager to know about Syria. They all felt that they were being deprived of something. So, I say, there is a desire, and this magazine can be made a commercial success if the merchants get behind it. The cultural importance of it, I have tried to impress upon you. The practical side of the subject has been placed before you by our Chairman, and I think it is up to you gentlemen to give us your practical suggestions of how to promote and make good this magazine and bring the benefits of it to a greater number of Syrians in America." Other Prominent Speakers. The audience being drawn from the best elements of the Syrian community, the chairman called on some others for their opinions. N. A. Mokarzel, dean of Syrian editors in New York and publisher of AlHoda, spoke in Arabic. Having his fingers on the pulse of the Syrian people in America, his opinion was eagerly looked to in the present situation entailing the support of an English publication. But he was unhesitating in his advocacy of the necessity of The Syrian World, adding that the public's backing of such a worthy enterprise was a true test of the Syrians' fitness for cooperative action in all phases of national life. Other speakers were Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, well known to readers of The Syrian World, Henry Hadad, manufacturer, Peter S. George, lawyer, and Alexander Maloof, composer. John Trabulsi manufacturer, and A. K. Hitti, steamship agent, both members of the Board of Directors of the Syrian World Corporation, announced that they had each secured one thousand dollars in subscrip- �54 tion to stock from their respective friends. The spirit of the gathering was one of high hopes for the success of the new corporation, auguring not only the future stabilization of the publication but its greater enhancement as a cultural and unifying racial organ. THE SYRIAN WORLD SYRIAN LADY ENDOWS CHAIR OF ARCHAEOLOGY Through the munificence of a Syrian lady who prefers to withhold her name from the public, the American University of Beirut has been endowed with a chair for archaeological research, according to an announcement by the Alumni Monthly, organ of the American University. So much pains has been taken to AMERICAN PROFESSOR DIES IN BEIRUT shield the identity of the donor that not even her country of residence is Alfred E. Day, professor emeritus given, other than to state that she of natural sciences at the American is a Syrian. This at once gives rise University of Beirut, with which he to many conjectures, with opinion had been associated for forty years, favoring the assumption that the died in Beirut on December 5 after donor is from the United States. a long illness, according to a cable However, out of deference for the dispatch from President Bayard donor's motives, it would seem best Dodge of the University received by for the public to be satisfied with the Near East Colleges Association the knowledge that a genuine movein New York. ment of scientific giving is already Professor Day was born in Jack- te king shape among the Syrians. sonville, 111., June 11, 1867, and at In making the announcement the the age of 22 was appointed to the General Secretary of the Alumni Asfaculty of the American University sociation of the American University of Beirut, where he first held the characterized the Syrian lady as chair of natural sciences, then that being of "princely generosity. . . does of botany and geology. He con- not crave for fame or publicity, but tributed many articles to magazines is only gratified to know that her on these subjects. In 1924 he was a money will serve science and will member of a scientific expedition bring untold good to her people and that sought new material on the to the other peoples of this part of "vexed subjects of the Cities of the the world. Like many other patriotic Plain" Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, persons in this land she has for a Zebolim and Zoar. Professor Day's long time felt that some of the edulast book "Geology of Mount Leb- cated young men of Syria and the anon" has just been published. Near East should be trained to do Readers of The Syrian World will original archaeological research recall Professor Day's article on the work in their own countries." Geology of Syria and Palestine pubAmplifying on the purpose underlished in our issue of June, 1927. He lying the gift, the Alumni Monthly declares himself of the opinion that describes the richness of the field the country is not sufficiently rich for research in Syria and the benein mineral resources, but "if the fits bound to accrue from a fuller higher parts of Lebanon, which are knowledge by Syrians of their anunsuitable for cultivation, are ever cestry. "These historic lands," it covered with forests, they will be states "were for centuries in the the greatest asset of the country." past the centres of education, civil- �DECEMBER, 1930 ization and culture. Invasions, wars and time left traces of their work in demo ishing or concealing under Mother Earth the marks and evidences of past civilizations. Historians, archaeologists from Europe and America, either singly or in groups, and expeditions representing governmenti and institutions of learning aa\e for many years been spending time and money in excavating old towns and cities and in digging out and bringing to light the rich treasures of the civilizations of the past, and in studying in the ancient ruins the arts and the customs of the past as they are depicted by these ruins." Already Dr. Harald Ingholt of Denmark has been engaged for the (hair created by the Syrian lady's endowment. He will assume his duties in 1931, devoting the first semester to teaching at the University and the second to excavations he has already started in the neighborhood of Hama. We heartily subscribe to the sentiment expressed by the Alumni Monthly in its concluding paragraph: "All honor to this gentle and cultured philanthropist who has raised high the name of the Syrian woman and has set up such a noble example for other rich men and women of the East to emulate." RIHANI LECTURES ON ARABS' CONTRIBUTIONS An audience that filled the main hall of the American-Syrian Federation building in Brooklyn heard Mr, Ameen Rihani, author and lecturer, discuss the Arabs' contribution to civilization on the evening of December 2. The speaker traced the progress of Arab civilization from the time of the nourishing of the Arab empire i' ( 55 in Al-Yaman many centuries before the Christian era down to the time of the Arabs' long occupation of Spain and their close contact with Europe. The Abbaside era in Baghdad Mr. Rihani characterized as the golden age of Arab culture, when not only the caliph Al-Ma'moun encouraged learning but himself engaged in debates and wrote treatises on controversial questions. To the Arabs the lecturer attributed most of the credit for the preservation of Hellenic culture and its transmission to Europe. He also gave comprehensive sketches of original works by many Arabs whose names are familiar to all Western scholars such as Avicenna, Avirroes and others. Mr. Rihani's lecture was given as the first of a series in an educational program which the AmericanSyrian Federation has planned for this season. SYRIAN ARTISTS ENTERTAIN CELEBRITIES The New History Society of New York on December 7 entertained the celebrated Hindu poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore at the Ritz-Carlton. Mr. Louis Styvesant Chandler, leader of the Bahai movement in the city and president of the society, arranged to have address the gathering several speakers of international reputation. We are pleased to state that the musical entertainment was supplied by two Syrian artists, Mrs. Fedora Kurban, the singer and Mr. Alexander Maloof the composer. Mr. Maloof made a special composition for the occasion of which he presented the original copy to the distinguished guest. The same society held a reception December 14 in honor of the famous German scientist Professor Einstein. �Hi THE SYRIAN WORLD Also on this occasion our gifted musician Mr. Maloof was engaged to furnish the musical program. POLITICAL APPOINTMENT John Mansur Shadrawy, born m Hadath Jebbe, Mt. Lebanon, and for the last few years a resident of Boston, whither he came from Vermont, has been appointed by Governor Frank G. Allen of Massachusetts assistant examiner of the Insurance Department of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mr. Shadrawy is the first Syrian appointed to a political post of consequence in the city and it is hoped that by his conscientious devotion to duty and native ability he will achieve a rapid rise in the political life of the city and state. SYRIAN BOY ORATOR The University of Oklahoma had a special Armistice Day program broadcast over its own station WNAD on November 11. Those taking part in the program had each won either a state or a national contest, according to the Daily Oklahoman. Their subjects dealt with government and world peace. Among the speakers was the Syrian boy Louis Dakil of Jededat MarjAyoun, who had competed in many oratorical contests and won many honors and prizes, being at one time state oratorical champion. At present he is a student at the University of Oklahoma. TWO SYRIAN GIRLS HEARD ON RADIO On November 30 Miss Louise Yazbeck, the gifted Syrian music teach- er of Shreveport, La., gave an Oriental music program over station KWKH of that city. We are pleased to learn that Miss Yazbeck's musical talents are meeting with such public recognition that she is frequently called upon to take part and at times take full charge of musical functions in her city. While visiting Shreveport in September, Miss Ruth Shadid of Elk city, Okla., was extended the courtesy of the same station to make a radio address and send her greetings to her home town, an opportunity of which the Syrian young lady availed herself to the best advantage for extolling her race. NEW SYRIAN SOCIETY IN SOUTH CAROLINA A promising Syrian organization has recently been formed in Columbia, S. C, under the name of the Syrian-American Society. It is modeled along the lines of other associations of that nature in that it stands for the promotion of Americanism without losing sight of the rich cultural heritage of our race. Officers elected for the first year were: S. A. Sabbagha, president; E. S. Mack, vice-president; S. Koosa, secretary, and N. J. Marsha, treasurer. The Board of Executives consists of George Alexander, Norman Khoury and N. J. Marsha. The Syrian World has every reason to believe that this society will be particularly successful in its efforts to promote the ends for which it was established. One of the initial efforts of its president was to urge every member to become a constant reader of The Syrian World considering that it is our only publication in English striving to con- f\ j �"DECEMBER, 1930 serve the best in our native culture. The response to his appeal was most gratifying, resulting in over fifty per cent, of the members becoming subscribers. When an organization of Syrian-Americans is capable of displaying such a spirit there could be left no room to doubt that success will crown its every endeavor. SYRIAN YOUNG WOMEN FORM ORGANIZATION ' 57 tribution to thIS country. Naturally, when a large group is brought together by a single purpose the mere tact of their meeting under such auspicious conditions will bring untold benefits to them individually and collectively in the form of social entertainment and otherwise. l,,AM"ArZTC?Ub WaS first su-ggested by Miss Juha M. Rais, a teacher in the public schools of Globe, who was elected President. Other officers elected were Sam Kiamy, Vice Pres ident; Alex. Zude, Secretary; GeneMeve Kiami, Corresponding Secretary; Anis Nader, Treasurer. The Club is non-sectarian and has already held several social and educational functions. The enrollment is so far about thirty members of both sexes. A group of young women in Oklahoma City, Okla., have formed the Syrian-American Modern Society and immediately engaged in many public activities. Their objects are charitable, social and patriotic. They plan to hold evening classes for the teaching of Arabic as a cultural asset, and have already started a Who's Who contest for popularity and Civic usefulness. On Dec. 20 they will give a SYRIAN-AMERICAN CLUB, TUCSON, ARIZONA play entitled The Birth of Christ whose proceeds will go to charity. A Syrian-American Club has been The following officers were elected: formed in Tucson, Arizona, through Mary Bashara. President; Eva Kou- the efforts of some patriotic Syrri, Vice President; Camella Eddie, ians who realize the value of orSecretary; Rosa Farris, Assistant ganization for constructive effort Secretary; Lillie Nayphe, Treasurer, Th,s club represents the new trend and Louise Rahill, Assistant Treas- ot thought among the younger genurer. eration and is non-sectarian and dedicated to the purpose of promoting a better understanding between Syrians and Americans. Its object also AL-ARZ CLUB, GLOBE, ARIZ. includes social and political activiA correspondent of Globe, Arizona, ties. The officers elected were Faris F writes that the younger generation of Syrians and Lebanese in the Ganim president; William E. Jacob Globe-Miami district have formed a vice-president; E. M. Courey, secsocial club to which they have given retary; Taft Jacobs, treasurer; John the name of Al-Arz Club. They were Mabarak, sergent-at-arms, and Edmoved primarly by cultural consi- ward Aboud, councillor. derations and plan to devote their energies to the cultivation of those The Lebanese government has apnative characteristics which they propriated $400,000 for repairing the consider to be their richest racial ruins of Baalbek and building a road heritage and their most valuable conbetween Baalbek and the Cedars �- 58 THE SYRIAN WORLD PAN-ARABIAN PICTURE CORPORATION, LTD. Authorized Capital Stock 40,000 SHAKES COMMON $5 PAR VALUE Main Office: ")12 Union Bank Building Los Angeles, California. This is a purely Arabian organization, the first and only corporation of its kind in the world dea'ing in ths moving and talking picture industry in Arabic. It comprises the three elements necessarily associated with the film industry namely, production, distribution and exhibition. This is the age of amus2ment and our people, whose enterprises and adventures are proverbial, must have their due share in this flourishing industry. It is the intention of this company not only to furnish the entertainment but to insure also for our people the organizing credit and profit. We will make talking pictures of an Oriental character which will acquaint our people in the American continent and in the East with our historical deeds and cultural attainments. This we will perform directly and through various theatrical groups. We will also produce pictures of various phases of Syrian life in the different cities and countries and present them to our countrymen in other parts of the world and at 'home together with pictures of famous men and great events in both the East and foreign lands and wherever Arabic-speaking peoples may be, so thr.t they may be informed of each others leaders and affairs. We intend to train the talented ones of our race in music, singing, acting etc., in order to have our own professionals and thus provide t'hem with employment. Will you help us to attain that goal? Be a stockholder and gain the privilege and credit in making this corporation a success. You will not be risking anything. Your money is amply protected by the laws of the state of California which guarantee you that only 10 per cent, of what you pay for the stock will go toward the preliminary expenditure if the-company does not raise the necessary capital for the work. Otherwise your investment will be very profitable. The general sales agent, Edward Gillett, will travel throughout the United States in the interest of the corporation. Application for subscription to stock may also be made to the corporation's headquarters in Los Angeles or to any of the Syrian papers, or to the corporation's representative in New York State, Mr. A. G. Milkie, 160 Greenwich St.. New York City. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1930_12reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 04 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930 December Description An account of the resource Volume 5 Issue 04 of The Syrian World published December 1930. The issue begins with an article by Rev. W. A. Mansur that features his thoughts on the educational program that the Syrian-American generation follows. Mansur imbues his writing with patriotism. This is followed by yet another piece by G.K. Gibran titled "Song" there is an article with a slightly different tone discussing the economic reconstruction of Syria. In D.F. McGonigal's article "The Vice Consul of Beirut" speaks on the resources of the country and the efforts of the government in a comprehensive manner. Falling back into the more lyrical and fictional literary contributions in this issue there is a poem by the well-known Ameen Rihani, as well as an address given by Phares Anton BeHannesey at the Lions Club of Hollywood, CA. Before the two primary fictional inclusions in this issue, there is also a poem by Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin titled "In the Garden of Love." Hailed as the most thrilling contribution is "Love and War in the Desert," a modern story that revolves around the love of a young sheikh for a maiden of another tribe, which culminates with her kidnaping at his request. This narrative is further followed by the next installment of "Ali Zaibaq." The last work in the issue is a poem by Thomas Asa titled "The Gardener." The issue concludes with the Reader's Forum, an update on the political developments in Syria, and a number of excerpts from the Arab press that specifically touch on Syria and Syrians. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Beirut California Education Kahlil Gibran New York Phares Anton BeHannesey Poetry-English Reverend W.A. Mansur Salim Alkazin Thomas Asa https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/2d47223c3b99851a35024a0e168671a4.pdf cbab0e17e260dd7015cf3567654d221c PDF Text Text NOVEMBER, 1930. k^ SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE or '•...'IN. ^^55 B^r DEFINING NEW BRITISH POLICY IN PALESTINE DR. F. I. SHATARA THE SYRIAN IN AMERICAN ART If AMEEN RIHANI THE CAPITAL OF THE UMAYYADS SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL ALI ZAIBAQ (QUICKSILVER) (A SERIAL) S. A. MOKARZEL and T. S. DAYTON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA THE COPY 50c m ��"~1 THE! SYRIAN WORLD 'Published monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. V. No. 3. NOVEMBER, 1930. CONTENTS PAGE Defining New British Policy in Palestine DR. F. I. 5 SHATARA The Syrian in American Art 10 AMEEN RIHANI The Capital of the Umayyads SALLOUM 17 A. MOKARZEL V Ships Sail Out (Poem) 30 ALICE MCGEORGE Alt Zaibaq (Serial) 31 �• "1 T CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE The Rubaiyat (Poem) 34 THOMAS ASA Book Reviews:— Another Rihani Book on Arabia 35 Usamah in Arabic 36 A Frenchwoman's Defense of the Syrian Revolution 38 The Garment Fair (Poem) DR. SALIM 40 Y. ALKAZIN Editorial Comment:-— The Lessons of the Past 41 The Corporation 42 Know Yourself 43 The Palestine Issue 44 New British Policy in Palestine 45 Political Developments in Syria .-. 49 About Syria and Syrians 51 �J IN THIS ISSUE E attention of the whole found most interesting and inworld is now focused on Pal- formative. estine. The momentous struggle taking place in that small coun- yHE eminent standing of try which has given the world Ameen Rihani in the world two of the principal mono- of letters would render supertheistic creeds is fraught with fluous any attempt at introducthe gravest dangers. The Jews tion. His shining gifts and verclaim it for the reestablishment satile talents mark him out as of a national homeland, while one of our inestimable national the Arabs, Moslems and Christ- assets. ians, stand in solid opposition to We are now pleased to anthe claim. England, as the man- nounce a special article by Mr. datory power, is charged with Rihani on the subject of The the difficult task of reconciling Syrian in American Art. We between Jewish claims and Arab believe the tribute is as much rights. How is the situation de- to his race-pride as it is to the veloping and what will be the ability and the talent of the inoutcome? dividuals he has chosen for A clear expose of the present mention. His concluding rePalestine situation is given in an marks on the mission and the article by Dr. F. I. Shatara. value of THE SYRIAN WORLD The author, himself a Pales- should be well pondered by tinian Arab and a physician of every Syrian who would feel Brooklyn, has followed closely proud in his origin and want to political developments in his claim his rightful place among mother country. His interest in the races of the world. politics and his fearless espousal of the Arab cause brought him Y^OULD you have an intimate the offer at one time from exview of Damascus, that city King Hussein of Arabia to be of proverbial picturesqueness his diplomatic representative in and enchantment? You are here Washington. Now he is fre- treated to one in the present inquently called upon for lectures stallment of the editor's account, and debates on the Palestine of his Syrian travels. The opquestion. Being an authority on portunity is afforded to meet the subject his article will be the President of the Syrian gov- �"—— ernment, the Minister of Education and many leaders in the political life of the city and the nation. You are, besides, taken on a tour through the principal quarters and to the places of foremost historical interest. In this account, brief as it is, you are afforded a glimpse into the various interesting phases of the city's life. The editor would also like to get from readers their reaction to the series which ; are meant for their enlightenment as to actual conditions in the country of their ancestors. those attributed to Ali Zaibaq. Our hero, in this installment, is engaged in one of his greatest exploits—war and love and chivalry and revenge in the most grandiose manner. We need not urge readers to follow up this interesting serial which in many ways rivals the famous Arabian Nights. QTHER departments in this issue are unusually interesting. The poetry is thrilling, the editorial comment most timely and the news section replete JsJONE but an Oriental imag- with important happenings. ination could weave such Read the whole issue because prodigiously fanciful tales as everything in it is of interest. A LITERARY EVENT The most delightfully entertaining book of Ameen Rihani's series on Arabia has just been published in America. The new book, "Arabian Peak and Desert," deals with the richest and most inaccessible district of Arabia, Al-Yaman. The possession of a copy of this book should be the proud distinction of every cultured Syrian home in America. �- •' 'liiiiirr ^v,**^.^ TTTF SYRIAN WORLD VOL. V. No. 3. NOVEMBER, 1930. Defining New British Policy in Palestine By DR. F. I. SHATARA PALESTINE is again on the front page, and the subject of editorial columns. In the summer of 1929, world attention was focused on that little strip of land known as the Holy Land. The country was in the throes of serious disturbances leading to bloodshed. Zionist leaders and propagandists denounced these disturbances as the product of religious fanaticism, fanned into flame by a few mischievous and selfish offenders and agitators. Arab leaders, through the meagre channels of publicity at their command, informed the world that the disturbances of 1929, like the two previous ones, were the result of political Zionism, which attempted to create in Palestine an imperium in imperio; that the overwhelming majority of Palestinians were opposed to Zionism and would fight it to the last; that the Arabs of Palestine value their liberty and independence far more than any material benefits which Zionism may bring to the country, and that the Balfour Promise, the cornerstone of Zionism, was sandwiched between two promises to the Arabs which are absolutely incompatible with that promise. The British Government, in an earnest desire to get at the facts through a neutral and reliable source, despatched the Shaw Commission, which after an exhaustive study, and hearing evidence presented by able counsel, submitted its report. Space does not permit more than a brief reference to that report, but the outstanding feature was its refutation of most of the claims made by the vociferious Zionist propagandists. Thus the report asserts that the Arab attacks were not premeditated, and absolves the �6 "THE SYRIAN WORLD Arab Executive and the Grand Mufti of planning or inciting actual disturbances. One significant statement was:—"That the incident among them which in our view contributed most to the outbreak was the Jewish demonstration of the Wailing Wall on August 15." The Shaw Commission made several important recommendations, chief among which were:—"That his Majesty's Government should consider the advisability of issuing a clear statement of policy. * * * Our recommendations regarding immigration and land questions are largely based on the assumption that in their definition of a policy the government will clearly state that the rights and position of non-Jewish communities in Palestine are to be fully safeguarded." Discussing the land problem the report recommends that— a scientific inquiry should be undertaken by experts into the prospects of introducing improved methods into Palestine * * * It is of vital importance that in any scheme of land development, adopted as a result of the expert inquiry, regard should be had to the certain and natural increase in the present rural population. It is of vital importance that, pending the results of this survey, the present tendency toward the eviction of peasant cultivators from the land should be checked." The British Government, acting on these suggestions, commissioned Sir John Hope Simpson, an expert on Indian affairs, to study the situation in Palestine and report on three important questions, namely:—land settlement, immigration, and developy ment. His report on these three questions, according to cabled dispatches, is that the Arab land already available was limited in extent, that the Arabs were not receiving sufficient consideration in its allocation, and that Jewish immigration should be better regulated and in certain categories checked altogether until more lands are developed for settlement and until better provision is made tor the landless Arabs. r ,AC-T^nying thf rep°rt of Sir J°hn HoI* Simpson the Colonial Office issued a White Paper setting forth the British Government's future policy in the administration of its mandate over Palestine. In the White Paper Lord Passfield reminds the Zionists that in their zeal for the 160 000 Jewish inhabitants of Palestine, they have lost sight of the fact that Britain has a responsibility of �-Tmlii.liii..iii.i.ii „.,.„., J{pVEMBER, 1930 7 safeguarding the rights of the 700,000 Arabs. While praising the work of the World Zionist organization, that organization is emphatically reminded that it is not the government, and that Great Britain's responsibility for Palestine as the mandatory power cannot be delegated to it. The following extracts from Lord Passfield's statement will give the reader an idea of its general tenor:—"The condition of the Arab peasant leaves much to be desired Some of the attempts which have been made to prove that Zionist colonization had not had the effect of causing previous Arab tenants to join the landless class have on examination proved to be unconvincing if not fallacious It can now be definitely stated that at the present time and with the present methods of Arab cultivation there remains no margin of land available for new immigrants with the exception of such undeveloped land as the various Jewish organizations hold in reserve Under the present circumstances his Majesty's Government considers their suspension of immigration under the labor schedule last May fully justified." The statement calls attention to and criticizes the rule of the General Federation of Jewish Labor that Jewish settlers in Palestine must never employ Arab labor. Lord Passfield then offers to set up .a Legislative Council comprising the High Commissioner and twenty-two members, of whom ten will be official and appointed by the High Commissioner, and twelve unofficial and elected by primary and secondary elections. The High Commissioner has the power to appoint enough members to bring the number to twelve, if, through failure of a section of the population to participate in elections, an insufficient number is elected. He also sees to it that the mandatory power will carry out its obligations to the League of Nations, and is invested with power to enact urgent legislative acts, and to maintain order. Immediately after the publication of the Simpson report and the government statement, Dr. Chaim Weizmann handed in his resignation as president of the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency. His example was shortly followed by Lord Melchett, leader of the British Jewry, and Felix Warburg, president of the American Jewish Agency. Vigorous protests, threats, and denunciations of Great Britain from Zionists all over the world are coming thick and fast. It is �8 THE SYRIAN WORLD even hoped that the announcement will lead to the fall of the MacDonald Government. Baldwin, Lloyd George, Amery, and Smuts have expressed their disapproval of the new policy, but whether they are sincere in their protests or are simply playing politics is a question. The Arabs so far have maintained silence. It is understood that Hajj Amin El-Husseini, the Grand Mufti, will probably reject the new offer. On the other hand, in a published interview, Ragheb El-Nashasheeby, Mayor of Jerusalem and leader of the Moderates, accepts the offer as a working basis and expresses the opinion that a majority of the Palestine Arabs will accept it. In a cautious statement given out by Mr. Peter S. George on behalf of the Arabs in New York, it is indicated that although Britain's offer does not fulfill all the Arab aspirations, it will be accepted as a starting point towards a fuller measure of selfgovernment and ultimate independence. The statement adds: " * * * Both the Shaw and Simpson reports have vindicated the demands repeatedly made by Arabs at home and abroad concerning the fundamental rights of the overwhelming majority of the inhabitants of the land. We hope that these rights will be completely achieved and that in the future independent and fully representative government, Arab and Palestinian Jew will enjoy equal rights." The Editorial Comment in the Metropolitan daily press is exemplified by the following extracts: Thus, the New York Times on October 22, states:— "Great Britain's new policy in Palestine is a blow at Zionist aspirations only in the sense that it registers a verdict already pronounced by the facts. The claims of political Zionism were always inadmissible. Neither justice nor the forces of nationalism let loose by the war, nor Great Britain's pledges to the Arab people would tolerate the imposition of Jewish ascendancy by high pressure methods upon a native population four-fifths' hostile." The Herald Tribune warns against the transfer of Zionist headquarters to the United States thus: "But the suggestion made by Dr. Weizmann, that Zionist headquarters might be transferred from London to the United States, must have been a very hasty impulse. ***Britain is and will continue to be the mandatory for Palestine, and the Zionists will have to cooperate with Britain in any possible policy concerning the national home in Palestine. To transfer headquarters to this country, which, to be sure, sup- �NOVEMBER, 1930 9 plies most of the Zionist capital, would seem like an effort to involve the United States in the argument. It is not a suggestion which would be welcomed by either the British or the American governments. It would hardly promote that international good will upon which the future bi-cultural Palestine so largely depends; it might even increase the anti-Semitic currents in the world which thoughtful Jews and Gentiles so heartily deplore." The New York Evening Post states: "But it is time that American and English Jewry recognized the realities of the Palestine situation and appreciated the difficulties of the position in which England finds herself." The British Daily Mail of October 24 says: "The Balfour Declaration was only one of many contradictory promises given by the Allies in the war. * * * We have tried to force on the people of Palestine the Zionist predominence which they detest and to which they will only submit so long as they are held down by British bayonets. That foolish experiment has got to stop, and it has got to stop now." In conclusion, the writer cannot refrain from expressing amazement at the short-sightedness and numerous serious blunders committed by Zionist leaders. As one studies the events of the last twelve years he is led to the inevitable conclusion that Zionist leaders have failed to understand the psychology of the Palestine Arab, or to comprehend the difficulties of the situation. Instead of trying to understand and cooperate with the Arabs they put their trust in high pressures, and often false propaganda. They apparently went to Palestine in the belief that money can accomplish everything. To be sure, large sums of money have been expended to bolster up a movement which Henry Morgenthau long ago characterized as "economically unsound, wrong in principle, and impossible of execution." But high pressure methods often act as a boomerang and the pendulum now is swinging in the opposite direction and one is reminded of Lincoln's statement: "You cannot fool all the people all the time." It is earnestly hoped that after this clamour dies down, sober reflection will convince Jewish leaders, who do not earn their livelihood from the Zionist Movement, that the only hope for the future lies in the abandonment of political Zionism, the full recognition of Arab rights, and the pursuit of a policy in which Arab and Palestinian Jew can live and work together in harmony as they did before the ill-advised Balfour Promise. �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Syrian in American Art By AMEEN RIHANI NATIONAL art, no matter how distinct in vigor and manA^ ner, is seldom free from foreign influences; and when these develop in harmony with the native elements, it begins to have a universal appeal. The national spirit, in other words, gives art a voice, the universal spirit gives it wings. But it does not lose its identity when it achieves the universal. On the contrary, its native character, like the foundation in a design, the undertone in a rhapsody, the color scheme in a canvas, becomes in the contrast more distinct and often more impressive. In the process of development, however, it must necessarily undergo certain changes in form and technique, even in spirit. The foreign elements do not readily fit, do not easily fuse. They may be either too crude or too refined, too racial or too exotic to harmonize. The change must, therefore, be in the native expression, as well as in the material for assimilation. It must be from within and without. This is, on the whole, the present state of American art; and not the least among the contributors to its development, are those whose Americanism is not the most valuable portion of their heritage. The foreign groups, in other words, are becoming more assertive, more emphatic in artistic expression; and the Syrians, who are the youngest of the foreign groups but one of the oldest in a cultural sense, are beginning to bid for the honor of participation. With an Oriental heritage of no mean significance—a heritage that is neither too racial nor too exotic—they are destined to a place of eminence in the American art of the future. Already there are several artists in this country, singers, musicians and painters, who deserve to be better known and appreciated, at least, by the Syrians themselves. In the canvases and miniatures of Nicholas Macsoud, the compositions of Alexander Malouf, the voice of Madhat Sarbaji, are evidences of the Syrian's power of assimilative and creative expression. Western forms are made to yield to the Orientalism of his spirit. The quaint and the picturesque in the sensuous and the spiritual alike, are vividly reflected through the medium of his adoption. The wr-istful appeal, the distilled, as it were, exoticism, the gesture that has �NOVEMBER, 1930 11 in it the grace and languor of an ancient tradition, these are noteworthy features of the compositions of Malouf, the paintings of Macsoud, the singing of Sarbaji. These three Syrians have already received a certain recognition. Malouf's songs are sung in Syrian and American homes j Macsoud's miniatures are especially prized by the connoisseur, and Sarbaji's voice has been coupled by an authority with Caruso's. Personally, I do not feel a great joy in melody, native or exotic, and I do not overvalue the purely picturesque. There is in the two a fatal facility and a surface glamor; there is in the two a common rhythm which readily drops to the common-place. The Oriental heritage is, indeed, of deeper significance. Its spirituality is not less real than its sensuousness. It is always dual in its emphasis. When I first heard in Beirut Madhat Sarbaji mould the music of Arabic poetry into the classic forms of the West,—when I first heard him sing Arabic in an opera technique, —I realized the possibilities of a supreme harmony in the art of two worlds. Here was for me the fascination of a double magic. But the rarest joy I have yet experienced was when Fadwa Kurban first visited Freike and there, from the balcony of my home, strew over the wadi below the golden beauty of her voice. It was one of those memorable moments that seldom recur in life. The singing of Miss Kurban first evoked a memory of the Metropolitan Opera in New York, when one afternoon I attended a recital by Galli-Curci. But there, amidst the ruggedness of the ancient Lebanon, over its scented vales and pine-clad heights, was a presence that was neither Italian nor Syrian—a presence divine. At that moment I felt that I was receiving a message, through Fadwa Kurban, from the gods. After the Barcarole she sang Izkorini in Arabic, and the village women coming up from the spring below laid down their jars and the ploughmen stood transfixed at their ploughs in a transport of joy. Even the birds in the olive groves must have wondered at the voice of this Syrian nightingale. From Freike to the Metropolitan Opera House in New York is a far cry. But if the presiding deities of a great musical centre are always en rapport, as it were, with the Divine Giver, Fadwa Kurban will yet attain the mundane heights of recognition and fame. Some of the musical critics have already nodded, and a few (^ the managers have paused while surveying the firmament. Here is a voice that has the rarest qualities of what is called a ! " - "• < " —— �The Hol _ y Sepulchre, by Nicholas Macsoud inis painting by the Syrian artist was once used by the Literary Digest as a cover d. '{ffla^*^a^«^assi^MHfe** . . ,v �NOVEMBER, 1930 13 Fadwa (Fedora) Kurban soprano colorature. To me it seems orchestral. In timbre and range, in volume and texture and versatility, it combines the lyric with the dramatic. It rises to the peaks of power and 'descends to the murmuring depths of poesy with the same facility and fascination. Fadwa Kurban, if the world of music is not out of joint, will yet 'arrive'. Another gifted Syrian is Anis Fuleihan who twelve years ago made his first appearance in New York. And what he unfolded of his knowledge of the masters in that recital at Town Hall, was not the least of his talent. His creative as well as his interpretive power charmed his audience and made me wonder. Here is a Syrian with the consciousness of the West and the intuitiveness of the East. Here is a student of the technique that is fundamentally intellectual and the emotion that is essentially esthetic. The one is embodied in a science with instrumentalities of the string and wood and brass, the other is reflected in a heritage �14 THE SYRIAN WORLD .which for centuries has been nourished with the poetry of religion, as well as the blood and tears of passion and romance. An Occidental concept, an Oriental dream, an American background —what possibilities for a musical art that may be more universal in its appeal than anything that has hitherto come out of the East or the West. _ It may be presumptuous on my part to express a technical opinion. But Anis Fuleihan seems to me to be more at home in his Oriental compositions than either Debussy or Tchaikowsky. He is even more real and more profound. He does not attempt to dramatize his choice. He does not take, as a foreign composer naturally would, the first conspicuous thing that appeals to him, which is often a surface rune or a banal tintinnabulation, and impart to it, through the medium of string and brass—particularly the latter—an artificial intensity. As a native he can go deeper and without an effort. And he can evince from the head-springs of secular and religious passions and the superimposed mosaic of human desires, a rhythmic beauty of great scope;—a rhythmic beauty which combines, for instance, the pious madness of the dervish with the suggestive mellowness of the mystic}—a rythmic beauty that emphasizes the gesture of the soul, as well as that of the body. Anis Fuleihan at the piano, even in his rendition of Bach or Liszt, has the subtlety and fervor of an Oriental esthete, as well as the skill and power of an Occidental technician; and as a composer, he is a born Oriental with two big black eyes in his head and another eye, which can also hear, as the Sufi poet would say, in his heart. About the time Anis Fuleihan made his first appearance in ^ew York, another talented Syrian was struggling with his racial heritage, through the medium of paint, in the woods of Pennsylvania. It was through Bach that I made the discovery. For when I went to Bethlehem to attend the Bach Festival, which is one ot the most notable musical events in this country, I was asked to see an exhibition of paintings which strongly reflected, I was told, the poetry and spirituality of the East. The name of the artist, L. J. Halow, because of the slight corruption, was at first misleading. But there was Esau or Isa, a fellow Syrian, who is a descendant of the well known family of Hilu of the town that bears its name in the neighborhood of Tripoli. And he spoke Arabic with the accent of a beduin Arab! I was as much pleased with the discovery as I was with the landscapes that were on exhibition. For although he was still experimenting with color �n» NOVEMBER, 1930 15 and technique, his brush was unmistakably the obedient instrument of that ancient Syrian art that was cradled in Tyre and crowned in Damascus. Here was a descendant of the Phoenicians who invented dyes of beauty, notably the Tyrean purple, and whose esthetic sense even in those days was highly developed. This heritage of color and estheticism was the dominating note in those early canvases of Halow; and through the process of expression there was, to be sure, in form and perspective, a poetry of suggestive charm and a spirituality of deep significance. The artist in forest and meadow was indeed a descendant of the artists of the ancient temple. But the sacred passion was not without an artistic restraint. Here was a Syrian-American artist of great promise^ I thought, and I was right glad to have been the first to say so in print. Since then Halow has been fulfilling his destiny and confirming my prediction. Although he came to this country in his teens, his work js a florescence of a very ancient beauty, an Orientalism of unfading fascination. In his early landscapes there is an adumbration of what has been developed in his recent canvases. The artistic restraint in the former was but a promontory, as it were, from which he was to soar on the wings of the imagination. But his past, his country's past, is not far from him—it is in his soul. With an Oriental fancy unrestrained and a Phoenician feeling for color and texture undimmed by distance or time, hz unfolds a symbolism of loveliness, he clothes with glorious purple an ancient theme, he endows with permanence a mysticism of beauty. An American critic would say of the purples of Halow that they recall El-Greco. But why El-Greco? Why not Halow's very ancestors, who discovered the Murex that yielded the purple dye?^ Here again the Syrian's inspiration is from within, and not, as with an Occidental in the Orient, from without. It is a thing of the soul, and not of the intellect. In his mysticism and symbolism, as well as in the depth and texture of his colors, Halow is making a distinct contribution to American art (1). In the work of these Syrian artists, who should be a source of pride especially to the Syrians of this country, is a strong evidence of what I have said on various occasions about the native heritage of our people. It is a rich heritage, as rich as any other, European or Asiatic; and when it finds exponents of genius, it < (1) I have not mentioned Khalil Gibran in this article, because his work, in pen and brush, deserves a separate study. — A. R. �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD becomes invaluable as an element of permanence and beauty in American art. If the Syrian-Americans were more conscious of this, they would be less prone, in the process of Americanization, to discard the entire dowry of their heritage and their past. They can, indeed, be better Americans, and more worthy of respect, by adhering, in principle and practice, to what is of abiding worth in that heritage and thus encourage the talented among them to contribute to the art and culture of the country of their adoption—to help in the creation of an American art that shall be more universal in its appeal than anything hitherto known in the world. In these paragraphs, therefore, is more than a tribute to a few gifted Syrians. In them is also a conviction and an appeal. The conviction is that only through the exchange of art and culture and the consequent creation of an international supermedium of expression and appreciation can there be better understanding and a better guaranty of peace and good will among the nations of the world. As for the tribute and the appeal, they are actuated by a sentiment that is racial in origin and inter-racial in scope. The artists I have mentioned are the pioneers of the Syrian artists of the future; and that the future will be more artistically and culturally expressive, more creative, than the present, depends upon the Syrian-Americans themselves. If they remember and continue to cherish the best there is in their heritage and encourage those who are exceptionally conscious and expressive of it, there is hope. If they do not, they will be lost in the great melting pot, and the loss will entail something of real value to the country of-their adoption. In this connection, and with the permission of the Editor of this Magazine, I wish to add another word. The new Syrian generation can not- read Arabic, and its American education includes little or nothing about the mother land. Here then is the mission of THE SYRIAN WORLD. Its Editor was the first to realize the necessity of bringing to the young Syrians, in the language they can read and understand, the knowledge that is lacking in their education, the knowledge that gives them more self-confidence and self-respect, the knowledge that makes them better citizens, productive and creative in every walk of life, the knowledge, in a word, that will save them as Syrians and ennoble them the more as Americans. THE SYRIAN WORLD is indispensable to the new Syrian generation. �NOVEMBER, 1930 17 The Capital of the Umayyad A CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF THE EDITOR'S TRIP ABROAD By SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL XII. T Sv ^lted dme I C°Uld Spend m Damascus was ant to be devoted to serious business, but one cannot help making observations of diverse character in this city of hoary age and Checkered historical record. It was rather pleasantly diverting to a new comer to see the old and the new in close proximity aUisdZ'eVieW thC P litiCal U in "f of Sh D ^T ° ?" *' country, ot which Damascus was the storm petrel, against the back ground of count ess centuries, and above all,'to"be witness to\ palpable and rapidly growing revival of a national consciousness manifesting itself in all forms of activity. That my ? me was so metu^to'Z'f "t8 li?itati °n t0 a ^ » dfor - ^"^ measure to the fortunate circumstance of **» having companions my cousin Joseph Mokarzel, editor of the popufar BeiruTweZ tndot oUfr'thae ^^^ BrAB Pr min t kaderS jy> f the native of Damascus S Partv F^khrv 1 ° T ° ^ian Nationalist larty Kikhry Bey ,s -the scion ofr one of Damascus' old and wealthy families who, due to his social position and m^mene land holdings, cannot he p but be interested in politics. BuTkit be said in justice to him that his interest is not perfunctory jfi patriotic motives transcend by far any personal advantage that he may have, and he has given proof of his sincerity of convk ion by the heavy sacrifices he has undergone. His interest beside h ma^ofthe S ^^ PConstituent rlkiCaI PhaSAssembly / Akh°^and ^ -St retariesof the Syrian the author of the Syrian National Anthem, he is an active patron of the art and a leading organizer and promoter of native industries Everv where when together I had ample occasion to obse ve both Ws Only on one occasion was I deserted by both of my compan- �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD ions. It was when I declared my intention of visiting the President and other government officials. Naturally, Fakhry Bey could not accompany me by reason of his affiliation with the opposition party. But the editor too thought it inappropriate for him to make the visit when every issue of his paper teemed with bitter criticism and uncomplimentary cartoons of the President. But by virtue of the fact that I was neutral in my politics, any idea of my forgoing the visit was out of the question. President Tajeddin waived formalities in according me an immediate interview without previous appointment. He is comparatively a young man teeming with activity. He speaks rapidly Sheikh Tajeddin El-Hasani and with unmistaken poPresident of Syria sitiveness. He could not .... , be drawn into discussing politics but was voluble on other topics. The economic rehabilitation of the country seemed to be uppermost in his mind. Roads were being built and irrigation projects undertaken which held great promise. The district of Deir Ezoor offered immense possibilities of development. Its soil is as rich as that of Egypt and its water supply as plentiful. The Euphrates runs for a distance of almost three hundred miles in Syria but is not yet utilized in the least. The government is vigorously pushing the training of technicians to carry on the work of reclamation and �NOVEMBER, 1930 > development. A score or more are now being educated in France at government expenses. The President, however, appeared to be particularly fond of the project of converting Bloudan into a firstclass summer resort. A large modern hotel was being erected in the town which would not only attract Damascenes but visitors from Palestine, Iraq and Egypt. Bloudan being within the Syrian state, the summer resort facilities it could then provide would divert the stream of tourists that now flows into Lebanon, and consequently the stream of gold. 19 Muhammad Kurd Alt Syrian Minister of Education This policy of husbanding the resources of the state seems to be not simply the pet conviction of the executive but one that is consistently followed by other departments. I had occasion to have it demonstrated to me in a different form when I visited Mohammad Kurd Ali, Minister of Education, upon leaving the President's office. The Minister is as genial as he is learned. rie is ranked among the foremost scholars of the East and has recently published several authoritative works on the history of Damascus. He received me with the informality and openheartedness evidently characteristic of the journalistic fraternity everywhere, for the minister was formerly an editor. Naturally the conversation revolved on education. To my inquiry as to the progress being made in this direction, the minister evinced pride in citing figures of new schools opened and the increasing attendance. Damascus, he said, now boasts a University of the first rank, where all teaching is being conducted in Arabic, and which is attracting students from Lebanon, Iraq and Transjordania. Altogether there are now some 350 schools of all grades in the country, including a teachers' training school. The radical policy has been adopted by the government of sending a Moslem girl ��NOVEMBER, 1930 27 to France this year to specialize in the study of education. Altogether the government school attendance is about 30,000, which figure is conaderably swelled by the large attendance in private nnn u PP7^nntioUS ,f°r public "**"«*">* in Syria were £216,000 gold in 1929, while similar appropriations in Iraq, whose P?2lnT £um°re tha^ three and a haJf milliojls> did "« exceed ±200,000. This proved the great interest of Syria in public edur cation. . I "But," remarked the minister dolefully, "we could achieve much more had we competent teachers. We have the funds and we appreciate the crying need for the spread of' elementary education, still we find ourselves compelled to proceed'Howiy until such time that teachers can be trained to fill the ri%^ It was heartening to hear the minister outline his wide^educational program, but I failed to see the reason for delay when I had just learned from no less a person than-the fV^ent of Lebanon that the problem of the Lebanese was exactly *he opposite: I hey had an excess of the learned gentry in Lebanon so that industry and agriculture suffered, and in order to maintain a safe balance, they were planning to place restrictions on education Could not Syria draw on Lebanon for what the former needed and the latter had, and thereby accelerate the educational progress of the country? The minister gave the following sad explanation: The Syrian government had decreed a ban on the employment of Lebanese in any of its departments in retaliation for a similar policy previously adopted by the Lebanese government. It was a pitiful situation, but one that could not be helped. Not even the excuse that Lebanon could not accommodate its own large army of office seekers would be entertained. If discussion of politics was anathema with the men in power it was the order of the day with the Nationalists. One could not help but feel himself in the maelstrom of politics when in the company of such a man as Fakhry Bey Baroody. I expressed a wish to meet Hashem Bey El-Atassi, leader of the Nationalist Farty and President of the Constituent Assembly. The latter was not averse to giving me a lengthy account of the recent political history of Syria and explaining the Nationalists' grievances. The interview was treated separately and has already been published in THE SYRIAN WORLD. Every hour that passed proved that seeing Damascus with �The tomh of St. Jahn Chrysostom still preserved as a revered shrine in the great mosque"of the Umayyads in Damascus ^^^^^MWWWBI" SSSHBMHHHHHBHHHBBHfcL. 3 O �— .D NOVEMBER, 1930 25 such a distinguished guide as Baroody was a potent advantage. Of course the foremost place of interest in the city was the great Umayyad Mosque. Our route to it was through Souk El-Tawile known to the world as the street called Straight. It has been repaired since the famous bombardment of 1925, but its original aspect has been retained, roof and all. It seethes with activity and the,shops present all the display that is wont to be expected in this most famous of Oriental bazaars. It leads directly to the great mosque, where one is treated, even oefore entering to a view of its magnificence. What must have been the peristyle of the edifice when it still was a Christian basilica remains evident in the huge granite columns in front of the main entrance The space between them has now been utilized for book and curio shops. Building encroachment has been carried to the very walls or the mosque. Overshoes were offered us before entering the sacred precincts but seeing that our companion had shed his shoes we did likewise! 1 he magnificence of the great inner court was only exceeded by ,at °* the mosque proper whose main entrance is from the court Ihe mihrab and tribune are masterpieces of Oriental art The tomb of St. John Chrysostom, still standing in the center of the mosque is not only maintained in good repair but highly revered by the Moslems. A number of worshippers were devoutly engaged at their prayers, but presently an imam came to our host with a tale of woe: "A rug has been stolen from the mosque yesterday, he exclaimed, wringing his hands. He seemed disconsolate. "But how could the thief have escaped with it?" asked our guide in surprise. "It is one of the small prayer rugs," came the reply "The thief must have tucked it under his jubbah." To see the countless rugs and carpets covering the immense floor space of the mosque, one wonders how a small rug could be so soon missed. In the fountain of the court were more faithful performing their ablutions. They were so intent on their task that they did not as much as give a glance to the sight-seers. Our guide would show us a sight that few so far had seen. He conducted us back to a corridor near the main entrance and pointed to a place on the wall where the plaster had recently fallen as a result of a shock of unknown cause. It revealed a beautiful landscape design done *— " — �wmmmmmmmmmmmmmmimmmm 24 THE SYRIAN WORLD Interior view of the great Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, showing the tribune and the tomb of St. John in exquisite mosaic. It is a known fact that the whole great edifice, both from within and without, was at one time covered with similar work. It was with regret that we left this great building considered not only the most magnificent in Syria but among the finest in the East. What great processions and ceremonies it must have witnessed in the brilliant history of the city since the advent of Islam. The tall minarets rising on the four sides still issue the call to prayer as when the city was the capital of the Umayyads and later of Saladin. From the great court one can see only the canopy of the sky, but then the spacious dimensions of the mosque from a sufficiently vast horizon, whether to the eye or to the memory. It bears witness in every column and wall and pavement stone to the procession of great historical events of which it saw the enactment through the succession of centuries. It was but fitting that from this mosque of great historical associations we visit an equally memorable shrine just without the walls on a side alley. It is the tomb of the famous Sultan Salah Ed-Deen, known to the West as Saladin, and his vizier 'Imad Ud-Deen. The remains of the great Moslem ruler and general who crushed the power of the crusaders in Syria lie in a modest resting place devoid of anything equalling the splendor of similar or lesser historical personages of Europe and America. —— .- �NOVEMBER, 1930 25 Perhaps his injunction is still observed when, at the approach of death, he caused a crier to go about the streets of Damascus carrying a shroud and admonishing the pious Moslems that the few yards of cloth were all that the great sultan would take with him to the grave. A short walk hence brought us to the Adeliah School buildings, erected bytheAl-Adel (the Just), and reminiscent of an era in the history of Damascus when it was the capital of learning in the East and perhaps the world. It was the period when the city boasted of three hundred and sixty schools of various grades, some twenty Fakhry Bey Baroody of which formed what f would compare to our pub- le °* lhe most P°PuJ^ leaders of the S rian lie school system in that y Nationalist Party they supported their pupils from the income of special trusts and foundations. It now houses the national museum of art and serves as a home for the Arab Academy of Science. The Academy comprises in its membership not alone the foremost Arabic scholars of the East but the outstanding Arabist of the West. This institution forms the nucleus of the renaissance of Arab learning in Syria. Again emerging to the narrow streets of Damascus, one is led, through open alley and covered bazaar, to what is truly termed the Arabian Nights' Palace. The approach may be disappointing and is certainly deceiving. The great arched doorway opening on the street is like many other entrances to sumptuous Damascene palaces, a drab and dreary aperture in a high wall that well conceals the beauty and splendor within. But once past the door one is literally dazzled by the spectacle of beauty and �r rm—rp^ 26 THE SYRIAN WORLD Section of the inner court of the great palace of Al-Azm in Damascus spaciousness that is unfolded to the eye. It was the famous palace of the family of Al-Azm we were visiting which was now turned mto a museum of Oriental art pooh ZtntTh111 SUperflu°US f° refer to ^ « Y fountains and the mode h the,Spaa°7 mner court when in Damascus even the modest home has its fountain, and when in more pretentious residences spouts are found in the main reception half and even triv'ance fr°TS- ft ** *? ** > k n<* «* ordinary con tnvaice of sink and faucet-it is the continuous running stream sort or another of artistic et SiTLT > > » «"•» Joy is never i - compietf RS wkhou^t DamaSCeneS music a d The Al-Azm Palace was the residence of the Emir El-Hai or commander of the pilgrimage, a position of great Tesdge and fabulous income when Damascus was the starting pSff the th£ M slems fro Erf % MT ° - great all"he coun! tries of SfTT the East gathered ,n ^ it for the march in one caravan across the Arabian desert. This event was attended bfgrlt'omp and ceremony, and the commander of the pilgrimage wielded over all those ,n the caravan the authority of the ship's c^ak because he assumed even greater responsibilities. Surdythe'dan gers attending the long march across the burning desert sani �NOVEMBER, 1930 27 was attended by the same dangers as those besetting an ocean voyage in past times. Now conditions have changed in both cases The greater part of the pilgrimage route as far as Medina is now covered by rail over a line built in the reign of the Sultan Abdul Hamid with Moslem contributions. Besides, the automobile has robbed the pilgrimage of all its former frills and thrills and danger and ceremony. Imagine, then, the income from the pilgrimage tax, and the value and volume of gifts from wealthy pilgrims, that came to the commander of the pilgrimage caravan. Imagine, also, that a large proportion of this great income was lavished on the creation and decoration of a palace in the traditional manner of Oriental conception, and you have Al-Azm Palace in Damascus. The reception halls of the palace are completely covered with mosaic expressive of the most delicate Oriental art. They also are invariably constructed with a raised dais, covering almost three-quarters of the floor space of the room, a relic of the times in the East when hosts and guests shed their slippers by the door before treading on the thick-napped carpets, or sitting crosslegged on the silk cushions and divans. Very little of the movable furniture in the palace remains, however, except it be in the harem quarters which visitors are not permitted to see, because they are occupied by the families of the French officers in charge. What would have been a magnificent modern palace, is the unfinished building of marble and white stone which rises'on the right side of the great court. It stands out in -vivid architectural contrast to the older and distinctly Oriental buildings grouped around the court. Perhaps it is best that it should thus remain a subject of study of the old and the new in close proximity In a large room by the main entrance was a motly assortment of Oriental ware on display. I inquired if they represented any special art collection, and was rewarded for my interest by the shocking explanation that they were private merchandise on consignment for sale. What a prostitution! Under the expert guidance of Fakhry Bey we were able to cover considerable ground in a comparatively short time, and benefit by the best expert advice obtainable. Only in one instance did Fakhry Bey's store of knowledge fail, and that was on the occasion of our visit to Bab Sharki, or the Eastern Gate, immortalized by the escape of St. Paul from Damascus. Our host-guide was not acquainted with the details of this historic incident, nor �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD A salon in a sumptuous Damascene home giving an idea of Oriental conception of luxury are many Christians who should be, for that matter But the S 8 Wd thC Wind W fr m Which us uTw" !^down ° basket, mute SdW« us St St IPaul was'," lowered in a °wicker andtell ao- y ntro er ible witnesses to rr I ^r r i ^ **&^ of z legend We reached the historic spot by a long winding route that took us alternate y through Baghdad Street to Bab Touma otherwase known as the Christian quarter, thence to Bab SWki �NOVEMBER, 1930 29 without the old city walls. Travel could not be fast owing to the congestion in the narrow winding streets, and it was well that it were so, for one then had a fuller opportunity to drink in the intoxicating allurement and fascination of a truly Oriental atmosphere apparently preserved stationary and unchanging from the most ancient time. It was the East in its original colors and heterogenous and crowded activities, going about its daily routine of life unconsciously as in the remotest ages of antiquity. A more beautiful animated picture of one's dreams and fancies of the days of the Arabian Nights could hardly be conceived. It was the reality substantiating the dream in all its color and glamor. We profited of our presence in the Bab Touma quarter to visit the Na'san factories of Damascene handicraft. Here we saw the skilled workmen at their tasks of carving and inlaying wood with mother-of-pearl, of hammering brass or inlaying it with silver and gold, and of weaving rugs or fine cloth. No child labor laws are in effect in Damascus, and children in their early teens may be seen bending all their energy on the execution of their allotted tasks. But the pity felt for them is mixed with unbounded admiration for their deftness and precision. It would seem an advantage that they grow with their art—for art indeed are their wonderful products, that could be had at such reasonable prices! They still grow and live under conditions reminiscent of the ancient guilds. What is surprising, and would appear peculiarly Eastern, is that trades and handicrafts are not only confined to families but to religious classes. Hence we were given, all innocently and in a matter-of-fact way, the curious information that brass work is the exclusive field of the Moslems, the woodwork of the Christians and the tapestry and rug weaving of the Armenians. To further illustrate religious lines of demarkation, Damascus, as well as most other cities of Syria, has its separate quarters for Moslems, Christians and Jews. Christians have subdivisions according to their different sects. While now has come the added complication of creating Armenian quarters. But in the old city of Damascus there are signs of a healthy industrial rejuvenation not alone in the line of old crafts but in most modern fields of endeavor. In all staple necessities the city can be self-supporting. Fakhry Bey illustrated present conditions to me by proudly pointing out that every article he wore from head to foot was the product of home industry, excepting msamSmmmm ,-,,-. �'.„:;., , Mil* HH-^ 30 'THE SYRIAN WORLD the tarboush and the pass-time beads. His sense of humor made him fully appreciate the purport of my remark that the two things he excepted were the on~s most distinctively Oriental Damascus is a city of a past and a present, and by all reasonable indications, it also is a city of a great future, and as such it would be presumptuous on the part of anyone to attempt to condense a description of all things of interest in it and about it within the limits of a single article. A volume could be written not only about the city itself but about any number of interesting single places in it. Both the reader and I, therefore, have to be content with the foregoing passing remarks. What may be truly said, however, is that the real beauty, the prepossessing romantic appeal, the distinctive picturesqueness of the city, can" never be fully appreciated unless seen. The city left on me a very deep impression, as did the many ot its citizens whom it was my good fortune to meet. To Fakhry Bey Baroody, who was so generous in his hospitality and solicitous in his attention, I owe the fullest measure of thanks. After what 1 had seen of him I am not surprised at the degree of popularity he enjoys. I vividly remember one of his shining characteristics —his liberality with kisses. Everyone we met—and many they were-he greeted with a fond kiss. Naturally we encountered only the male folks, and to them I strictly confine my observations It is not surprising, therefore, that he should be so idolized by the youth of Damascus who do his bidding whatever the sacnnce And since kisses are his specialty, it would perhaps please him to learn that some are now being sent him from across the seas. Ships Sail Out By ALICE MCGEORGE The ships sail out on a glassy sea, Farther and farther away they go; Will ever my ship come back to me? The ships sail out on a glassy sea; A sailor's life is full and free; To the sailor's wife the sea 's a foe. The ships sail out on a glassy sea, Farther and farther away they go. �NOVEMBER, 1930 31 ALI ZAIBAQ (QuicksiherJ THE UNPARALLELED ADVENTURES OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASHID, OF THE CITY OF BAGDAD. Translated from the original Arabic by SALLOUM A. MOKAUZEL and THADDEUS S. DAYTON CHAPTER III. QUICKSILVER'S STRATAGEM OUICKSILVER, after having left the two men who had been sent out to waylay him, whom he encountered at the well in the desert, proceeded on his way without thinking further of the incident. He had left them bound and gagged, but the next day a caravan chanced to nass that way and set them free. One of these spies returned to Cairo, but the other, Hassan Ibn El-Husry, pursued Quicksilver to the Enchanted City in order to contrive his destruction. But in the course of the whole journey he found no trace of him, Quicksilver having pursued a different course. Thus it happened by the will of God that Hassan Ibn ElHusry made his appearance at the gate of the Enchanted City about two hours before Quicksilver's arrival, thinking that the latter had already reached there. No sooner did Hassan, however, draw near to the statue of brass than it shouted its long-awaited cry which was re-echoed by the inhabitants of the city who flocked forth from the gates brandishing their weapons, bent on defending themselves against the invader. Upon seeing this, Hassan drew his sword and attacked the oncoming multitude, engaging them in a fierce combat. It was an hour of such desperate struggle that it would cause the hair of the newborn to turn to gray. All having hurried forth from the palace on hearing the shout of the statue of brass the Princess was left alone." The blacks quickly seized the occasion to enter the city and the royal 1 �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD palace. They found the beautiful daughter of the King whom they bound and put in a sack and bore out of the city by another route which they traversed until they reached a secluded cave in the mountains where they unbound her. It was there that she was discovered by Quicksilver who effected her deliverance as we have already related. Quicksilver and the Princess made their way toward the Enchanted City until they were near the great gate where the battle was being waged. Quicksilver begged his companion to tarry until he could ascertain the cause of the tumult. Therefore she remained hidden in a walled garden while Quicksilver ran swiftly until he came upon the scene of the conflict and beheld Hassan fighting valiantly against great odds, close to death, being sorely pressed by his opponents. Quicksilver recognized him instantly, and divined that he had followed him solely for the purpose of contriving his death. He stood for a moment waiting to see the outcome of the fray. Presently the people of the city succeeded in overcoming Hassan. They bound him and were taking him in captivity back toward the city. Thereupon Quicksilver cried out to the guards who were about one hundred in number: "Woe to you! Release this man, or I shall put you to a most ignoble death which shall be a lesson to all who will not be admonished." Saying which he attacked them with surprising valor, striking with his formidable sword, until they dispersed in flight. Then he approached Hassan and cut his bonds, and lifted him from the ground. Hassan, whose heart had now changed and who was drawn through gratitude to loyalty to Quicksilver, thereupon addressed him saying: "Know, O my lord, that the sole reason which prompted me to undertake this journey was to bring about your death; but had it not been for you I would now be surely among those who breathe no longer." Then Hassan begged Quicksilver's forgiveness, promising him his devotion forever afterward. Meanwhile the people of the city had congregated about them so that the plain outside the walls became filled with horsemen and footmen. Quicksilver seeing that he would be powerless if he were forced to contend Jong against this army, made haste to inform them what had befallen the Princess, and how he alone �NOVEMBER, 1930 33 had been able to effect her deliverance from the Blacks. Having thus dissipated the wrath of the people, he returned to the place where he had left the Princess and brought her into the presence of her father the King, who rejoiced exceedingly and thanked Quicksilver profusely. After this the King and his guards proceeded to the cave where the Blacks lay under the influence of Benj. They were restored to consciousness, tightly bound, and placed in a dungeon. When the King had returned to his palace, accompanied by Quicksilver and Hassan, he could not control his joy over the deliverance of his daughter and begged Quicksilver to name any reward that he might desire. He gave him at once a magnificent palace and ordered for him and his companion provisions of food and drink of which they partook to their satisfaction and then retired for rest and sleep for they were exceedingly weary from the long journey and the day's ordeal of combat. The next morning they appeared before the King who received them most graciously and reiterated to Quicksilver his gratitude, his praise for his chivalry and his promises of great reward. He asked him what disposition should be made of the Black captives, whereupon Quicksilver demanded that they be brought before him. No sooner had they been conducted into his presence than Quicksilver, overcome by thought of the baseness of the act they had attempted, drew his sword, sprang upon them and caused their severed heads to roll in the dust. He left one alive, however,—their leader, whose nose and ears he cut off. "Now go to your master," shouted Quicksilver, "tell him what has befallen your companions, and show him the degradation that has been visited upon yourself." The leader of the Blacks fled from the Enchanted City with all speed, and did not delay until he had returned to the City of the Blacks from whence he came and had fullv informed his King of all that had occurred. Quicksilver acquainted the King of the Enchanted City with his whole story from the beginning to the end: how he had left his country to gain possession of the magic box of the All Seeing Eye in compliance with the task that had been imposed upon him by the Chief of the Sultan's secret police. He asked the King's help in the accomplishment of his purpose, and the King replied: �THE SYRIAN WORLD 34 "Know, O Quicksilver, that you have bound me to you with gratitude for the great favors you have done me, which I shall never forget, and even if you should demand of me even my whole kingdom I would readily grant it. But, O Quicksilver, know you further, that the magic box of the All-Seeing Eye that you have set forth to obtain is beyond the reach of all possibility. Many a man has sought it before you, but in vain. I can give you no aid in this matter. You alone must seek it in the Island of Enchantment." "Now this caused great events to be brought about, a recital of which will be given hereafter," said the tale teller, "Allah guard us until the morrow, and you shall learn what befell Quicksilver in the Island of Enchantment." The Rubaiyat By THOMAS ASA THOU canst in this late hour bring with thee Visions of Orient lands that Omar knew; The calm and past'ral breath of Arcady, The storied past of Times, then old, now new. Wise Omar mused within thy fragrant scope, Mused with FitzGerald in another clime; And left the world the vision of no hope In other lands than ours, all else to Time. What realms of truth and beauty has he left In thy still form, gift of another shore; The dreams of Youth and Love have since bereft All thought and hope of what might be before. Beneath a sky-enraptured cypress tree He moulded into perfect thought thy shape; Left to the listening Spheres what well might be The beginning and end of Life—the Grape. —— �NOVEMBER, 1930 35 Book Reviews ANOTHER RIHANI BOOK ON ARABIA Arabian Peak and Desert, by Ameen Rihani. 280 pp. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, $5.00. flIHANFs material on Arabia seems to be inexhaustible. During each of the last three years he has been giving out a large volume dealing with a different section or a different phase of that country of mystery and charm. And, to be sure, his study is as thorough as is his description colorful and entertaining. One need not fear a dull moment when traveling with Rihani through any part of Arabia, coast or hinterland, desert or settlement, on mule or on camel, and in the company of kings and potentates or that of plain townsfolk or soldiers in rags. Travel with Rihani m Arabia is a thorough education on that country hitherto called mysterious because of the dearth of authentic information about it. Now, however, not only do we have the information but we are treated to it in the most palatable form, coming from the pen of a master artist. Rihani's latest work, Arabian Peak and Desert, forms the third of a series dealing with the author's experiences and observations in Arabia in 1923-24. The former volumes dealt, the first with Al-Hijaz and King Ibn Saoud, published under the title of Maker of Modern Arabia, and the second with other Arab potentates and their dominions and was entitled Around the Coasts of Arabia. Such was the demand for these authoritative works on a country which is fast claiming the attention of the world that the first editions were soon exhausted. Rihani's latest book covers the one important section of Arabia with which he failed to deal extensively in his former volumes. MA aman, a country ruled by an autocrat and still adhering to the practise of Islam in its pristine purity, may be termed the most inaccessible part of Arabia. And this not because of its geological nature as much as for the fierce suspicion its people entertain for foreigners. And if the foreigners seeking entry be Christians their chances of success are reduced almost to the vanishing 6 point, • �36 THE SYRIAN WORLD Yet Ameen Rihani, thanks to his mission of working for Arab unity and to a letter of introduction from King Hussein which he carried to the Image of Perfection Imam Yahya, was able to reach San'a, the capital of Al-Yaman, perched in the mountains at an altitude of over 8000 feet. But that very potent medium proved the cause of a very unhappy experience, since it led to the incarceration of the author under the strictest surveillance over an extended period of time. This may be attributed to the efficiency of King Hussein's secretary who, in drafting the letter, failed to mention the name of the man it meant to introduce. Hence the added suspicion of the too cautious Imam. But the reader need not fear any dullness in the description of those days of anxiety and growing aggravation of the author. Of a truth, the chapters dealing with his captivity are the most interesting. The subtlety of Arab diplomacy is nowhere better illustrated and the author here surpasses himself in vividity of description and wealth of anecdote and power of analysis. Aside from its intrinsic interest and value, this, as well as all other books by Rihani, should be held in special consideration by the author's countrymen to whom he brings honor and prestige by his valuable contributions to knowledge and literature. It should hurt us in our national pride to find such a gifted one among us more honored and appreciated by others. And our appreciation of him should not be confined to mere verbal expressions, but rather should be expressed in the acquisition of his works so as to better profit by his knowledge. It is not too much to hope that a collection of Rihani's works should form a prominent part of every cultured Syrian's library. USAMAH IN ARABIC Usamah's Memoirs (Arabic), edited by Dr. Philip K. Hitti, 294 pp. Princeton University Press. THE appearance of this work ushers a new era in the publication of Arabic books in America, inasmuch as it presages the creation of a publishing center in America that may be hoped to rival, if not excel, similar establishments in Europe, where the researches of Oriental scholars might find ready and adequate expression. — I �NOVEMBER, 1930 37 Usamah's Memoirs is the Arabic original of the work which appeared in English under the title of "An Arab-Syrian Gentleman of the Crusades", (Columbia University Press, 1929). Dr. Hitti is responsible for its publication in both languages, he being the translator of the one and the editor of the other. The book is a valuable literary discovery. A review of the English edition, previously published in THE SYRIAN WORLD, gave an outline of the contents. What lends the later Arabic edition its particular importance is the fact that it is now made available for the first time in the original. This was brought about by the happy combination of two elements—the tireless scholarly efforts of Dr. Hitti, and the moral and material cooperation of those to whom the editor gives acknowledgement in his introductory note, namely, "Professor Harold H. Bender, chairman of the Department of Oriental Languages and Literatures, Mr. James T. Gerould, librarian of Princeton University, and the Mergenthaler Linotype Company." The dedication is made to Mr. Joseph T. Mackey of the Mergenthaler Linotype Company. The mention of the Mergenthaler Linotype Co. in this connection reveals another splendid contribution of this American concern in the promotion of Arabic typography. Having adapted its composing machine to Arabic some twenty years ago, it has been assiduously striving at improvement ever since, so that the Linotype is now equipped to produce Arabic composition of the most exacting nature and meeting all scholarly requirements. The first scholarly work composed on the Arabic Linotype was "As-Suyuti's Who's Who in the Fifteenth Century," (The Syrian-American Press, New York, 1927). The Princeton University Press has since been equipped with Arabic Linotypes of which "Usamah's Memoirs" are the first product. This is indeed a great step forward in Arabic publishing in America, and considering the resources of Princeton University and the wealth of its Arabic manuscripts that await the editor and the printer, nothing now seems to impede the Princeton University Press from flourishing into a great Arabic publishing center. Surely this would stand as a monument to American scholarship and its love for the propagation of knowledge. "Usamah's Memoirs" are set down as Volume I in Princeton's Oriental Texts, and it is to be hoped that other volumes will be forthcoming fast and frequently. �38 THE SYRIAN WORLD The type assortment used in producing the book proves the vast range of which the Linotype is capable in Arabic composition. It is cause for regret, however, that the composition falls short of coming up to the highest standard of the machine. The average reader may not be as conscious of these defects as the typographical expert, but the eye accustomed to certain forms in the complicated Arabic composition would resent the commission of digressions not integral to the machine, and surely not coming within the scope of its mechanical limitations. It is to be hoped that cause for such criticism as we feel being compelled now to make, will be obviated in the future. A FRENCHWOMAN'S DEFENSE OF THE SYRIAN REVOLUTION A Damas Sous les Bombes—(French)—by Alice Poulleau. 15 Fr Bretteville Freres, Rue de la Republique, Yvetot (S-I)n France. THE popular French adage "Plus royaliste que le roi" may well apply to Mile. Alice Poulleau in that she seems to be more Syrian than the Syrians. For irrevocable proof, one onlv need refer to her latest book and peruse but a few pages at ran?!??;,At.times .sh,e expresses her sympathies in such strong terms that the imparfcal reader's faith in her impartiality is put to the severest test. She mercilessly lashes her own countrymen on every occasion and discovers attenuating circumstances for every motive or act of the Syrians. It surely is a great test of moral courage to publish such a work, and the fact that the French ladV bearded the task proclaims all the more her great sympathy for the Syrians and her championship of their cause "In Damascus under Bombardment" represents the diary of the author as originally written under the impressions of the moment. Mile. Poulleau had lived in Syria and Egypt fo^ spirit. That she found herself in Damascus during the tragic days of the Syrian revo ution of 1925 must have sefmed to her S!T m:sf°Te'? ** She lived throu&h ^e danger and was able to witness first-hand the desperate struggle of her brother Syrians for liberty. And as behooves an enfghtened teacher �NOVEMBER, 1930 39 and a woman of most delicate sensibility, the human appeal in the situation proved the strongest to her. She records the sufferings of the women and children and the heavy sacrifices of the men with the minimum regard for war exigencies. The photographic illustrations in the book, some of which were taken by the author herself, bear out her text admirably. One sees only scenes of ruin and desolation and executions. As a human document this book may be considered a valuable contribution to literature on the Syrian revolution. It is doubtful, however, that it could have much value as a work of reference from the political point of view. Although there is an apparent attempt to give the causes and results of the revolution, they are unmistakably biased and highly colored. Plainly an effort is made to put the onus on the French, an effort which testifies to the author's love for the Syrians and her championship of their cause. To cite a single illustration one may refer to her account of the partial destruction of the AlAzm Palace. While she deplores the Alice Poulleau irreparable loss of some invaluable in the house dress of a objects of art, caused admittedly by Damascene lady the attack of the rebels on the palace in an effort to take General Sarrail prisoner, she condones the acts of the Syrian revolutionists and blames the French High Commissioner for having caused the destruction by his presence. The same spirit of untempered criticism of the French permeates the whole book, even to the point where she expresses an unmitigated feeling of shame for some of the acts of her own countrymen. �40 THE SYRIAN WORLD Because she is French and offers herself as a voluntary witness, Mile. Poulleau's testimony cannot fail of being of great weight in support of the Syrian Nationalist cause. As a war document, however, her book could be reckoned most in its sentimental value—the description of the human side of the reign of terror in Damascus during the revolution, but owing to its obvious partiality it fails of being impressive as a legal document. It surely should prove valuable ammunition in the hands of the Nationalists who may be expected to avail themselves fully of the opportunity. Of one thing there can be no question, and that is Mile. Poulleau's genuine sincerity in her love for Syria and the Syrians. Although she has returned to live in her native country, she finds her greatest joy in making her surroundings reminiscent of the years she spent in Syria. There is a room in her house for Syrian art, as well as a room for Syria in her heart. She is always singing the praise of Syria and defending it with vehemence and ability on every occasion. The writer can testify to this fact from personal knowledge. S. A. M. The Garment Fair By DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN QAN it, thy cherished, treasured name, Unflinching face the eye of light? Has it escaped the touch of shame— Unsoiled, still comely to the sight? Has it, thy petted, fondled heart, Escaped the hard'ning hand of timeDoes it with all the grieving smart, Or blithely with the joyous, chime? Then, 'should thy cloak of purple rare, Or sacking coarse, if such it be, Seem wondrous bright and passing fair To them who have the light to see. �DipVEMBERy 1930 41 EDITORIAL COMMENT THE LESSONS OF THE PAST T'HERE would seem to be as much fascination in exploring records of the past as in speculating about the possibilities of the future. Both hold that element of mystery which has ever challenged human love of discovery. And in this urge for exploration and research may be found the key to h uman progress. It would be a drab and monotonous world indeed that would not be kept on moving by the potent forces of science, motivated by the human craving to explore the unknown. Especially now, when he has reached a comparatively high stage of development, is man anxious to wrest from the bosom of the past the secret of his gradual progress. Lands known for their old civilizations are being overrun by archaeological expeditions in the hope of discovering traces that might tend to shed further light on the secrets of the past. With every new discovery of an important Jink in the chain of human evolution in the past comes a thrill that rocks the world even more than does a new invention. Human thoroughness would not be satisfied until the whole mystery of the origin and evolution of the race is cleared. Hence our elation and surprise at every important find of old human records of civilization in Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia and other lands of antiquity in the Near East, as well as in Asia, Europe and America. The Incas archaeological discoveries in Yucatan may be cited as a recent instance. What is of especial importance to us Syrians is the growing evidence of the widespread influence of our forebears, Phoenicians or Arabs, in the spread of civilization. True, some records of their achievements have been preserved and are appropriately evaluated. But much more might be hidden that will add lustre to their name once their spirit of enterprise becomes more fully known and appreciated. And what is of especial significance is that most of the important recent discoveries seem to bear some relation to our ancestors. The recent discovery of a Mexican tribe speaking pure Arabic reported by the Associated Press adds another link to the chain of circumstantial evidence that the Phoenicians, �42 or other Near Eastern people, were the first to discover America. It is to be hoped that the scientific expedition reported to have been equipped by the Mexican authorities will succeed in clearing this new and strange mystery. It would be indeed a strange turn of fortune if the iirst reports were authenticated and the happy result brought rbout by an itinerant Syrian peddler. We may remind our readers in this connection of another similar discovery in the Amazon Valley also reported by the Associated Press. Mention may also be made to the contention of some scholars that the Aztec civilization of Mexico had its inception in Egyptian origin. Witness the pyramids and architectural principles common in both countries. The Egyptians were not a seafaring people but cooperated in the conduct of trade with the Phoenicians, ?nd the latter, being familiar with Egyptian customs and usages, may be reasonably said to have been carriers of the Old World civilization to the New World, which they adopted when hardships of sea travel in the days of old forced them to settlejiermanently in the new land they had discovered. Truly there is incentive and hope in looking to the future, but let us not forget the thrill of romance, the benefit of THE SYRIAN WORLD knowledge and the valuable lessons of experience that dwell in the past. THE CORPORATION |N the matter of the corporation we have chosen to make haste slowly. The able business men who compose the board of directors are giving to THE SYRIAN WORLD corporation the same devoted attention they apply to the management of their own affairs. Their wise counsel, based on ripe and experienced reasoning, may be depended upon to guide the steps of the young collective Syrian publishing enterprise along the path that will lead to unfailing success, inshallah! But this wise and measured course should not be misunderstood as being the result of inertia or indifference. The decision of the Board is to the effect that the corporation will not assume active control and management of the publication until a definite sum is raised from the sale of stock. The object is to insure the smooth and uninterrupted working of the corporate machinery once it is set in motion. Our friends who on different occasions have expressed their faith in THE SYRIAN WORLD and their readiness to substantiate that faith by subscription �.'KOV EMBER, 1930 to stock once the publication is incorporated, could materially hasten the execution of the wide program laid down for it by their immediate subscriptions. "We would urge them to send in their subscriptions regardless of the amount, not only as proof of their faith but to insure the widest possible distribution of stock. We need not repeat that holding stock in THE SYRIAN WORLD corporation implies not only a sense of patriotism but is also a mark of good business judgment which visions the possibilities of exploiting in full a virgin field replete with possibilities. We trust that the response will prove both immediate and substantial, that THE SYRIAN WORLD might inaugurate with the new year the wide and comprehensive program that will insure its greater circulation, its stronger appeal and benefit as an advertising medium, and its more appropriate ^representation of higher and finer Syrian culture. KNOW YOURSELF gUCH a glowing description of the beauty of Lebanon's scenery as has come from the pen of Dr. Sylvester Beach, had it been the contribution of a Lebanese or Syrian, would have been attributed to undue -_ 43 enthusiasm and not at all warranted by fact. But the testimony of Dr. Beach is incontrovertible. He is a world traveler who can well cite instances for comparison. He mentions the outstanding beauty spots of Europe, Asia and America and unhesitatingly states his conviction that Lebanon affords the most beautiful beauty spot on Earth. We have no reason to take issue with him. That passage of Dr. Beach's article copied in the October issue of THE SYRIAN WORLD should prove of manifold interest to Syrians in America. It should prove an incentive to them to make an occasional trip to their motherland to acquaint themselves with its unequalled resources of natural beauty to which their eyes are being opened by foreign travelers. Particularly should this appeal to Americans of Syrian descent who are prone to belittle the country of origin of their parents simply because they know little or nothing about it. To see it, therefore, as foreigners see it, with an eye to its singular natural beauty, as well as its unparalleled historical associations, cannot fail of being a potent educational factor and an incentive to a much needed sense of racial pride. It is an established fact that a large number of the SyrianAmerican generation suffer a �THE SYRIAN WORLD sort of complex that is causing first reports on the reaction to them to drift away from any the newly enunciated British association of origin. Many policy, neither the Jews nor the have been known to deny their Arabs are satisfied. From a descent because of lack of judicial viewpoint this might be knowledge of anything about considered a sign of fairness and it. They had no ready sources justice to both parties concernto get any information and this ed. But judging by the temper bred in them apathy and mis- of the Zionists, it Would be diftrust. Illustrations of this con- ficult to foresee an end to the dition were cited on several oc- dilemma. They are mobilizing casions in the Arabic press in all their forces to influence America and admitted by the world opinion, while the Arabs, persons involved themselves. aroused to a greater sense of This condition need not con- national consciousness and relytinue. Information of the sort ing on the sympathy and supneeded to inspire not only re- port of the whole Moslem spect, but pride and admira- world, seem immovable in their tion, is now fully available. It demand for complete recogniis coming not deliberately from tion of their sovereign rights. native sources but also gratui- This clash of interests will give tiously from-American sources, England an excuse for perand of the highest type. At manent occupation of the counleast such testimony as that giv- try. en by Dr. Beach, if it does not Unquestionably the Palestine arouse an interest in travel, problem is fraught with elemshould at least spur SyrianAmericans to greater interest ents of great danger. And bein enlightening themselves on cause it is essentially a Syrian facts bearing on their country problem we are resolved to deal of origin—historical, cultural, with it in the fullest possible educational, political, social and manner, adhering, at the same otherwise. The more they know time, to our policy of strict the prouder they will feel. It fairness and impartiality. Our rests with them to cultivate the readers will bear in mind that will to learn. Palestine is geographically an integral part of Syria, and as such its destinies should hold THE PALESTINE ISSUE for us a paramount interest. RECENT events affecting the When our own problem bePalestine | situation hold comes a world issue we cannot great portents. As evident from afford to ignore or dismiss it. i �NOVEMBER, 1930 45 New British Policy in Palestine RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON JEW ISH IMMIGRATION — PROMISE OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVE RNMENT MADE — JEWS INDIGNANT AND AR ABS DISSATISFIED The long awaited report of Sir John Hope Simpson on Palestine was issued by the Colonial Office of the British Government on October 20 together with a White Paper setting forth the government's future policy in the administration of its mandate of that country. The immediate effect was to cause consternation among the ranks of the Zionists and jubilation among the Arabs, because the Jews saw in it a repudiation of the Balfour Declaration while the Arabs read in it a plain admission by the British of their prior right to their own homeland. At the time this is written, twenty days after the issuance of the Colonial Office's statement, Jewry all over the world is reported up in arms against the British and directing against it all manner of accusations and threats, while the Arabs, flushed by their initial victories, are reported not altogether satisfied with the British admissions and concessions and insisting on the full recognition of their sovereign rights. Immediately upon the publication of the British statement Dr. Chaim Weizmann, president of the Jewish Agency for Palestine and of the World Zionist Organization, sent a strongly worded letter to Lord Passfield, Secretary for the Colonies, denouncing the British policy as unfair to the Jews of the world to whom Great Britain gave to understand that it would faithfully aid them in reestablishing a national homeland in Palestine. Later he issued a pub- lic statement giving the reasons for his action in detail and asserting that on several instances in the past Great Britain acknowledged the right of the Jews to reconstruct a national home in Palestine and pledged its aid to them in the furtherance of their program. The White Paper of 1922 was cited as having made such an explicit pledge to the whole Jewish people who were to take their place in Palestine "by right and not by sufferance." He takes issue with the government statement on the question of unemployment in Palestine and denies that it is caused by Jewish immigration. Jewish immigration was to be restricted, he pointed out, not because it would cause unemployment but because unemployment already existed among the Arabs. "This distinction is of great importance because the possibility of giving Jewish immigrants employment depends in large measure upon the import of capital into Palestine from the Jewries of the world," he declared. "The capital is sent to Palestine to promote the growth of the Jewish national home —it is sent to create employment for Jewish immigrants. If it cannot serve that purpose, Jewish capital will not go to Palestine." Following the action of Dr. Weizmann, Lord Malchett, chairman of the council and political committee of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, also resigned both chairmanships as a protest against the new Palestine policy of the British Government. �46 In his letter of resignation he showed plainly the temper of the Jews over tfca government's action, characterizing it as "an act of almost unparal eled ingratitude and treachery committed by a government toward a credulous and harassed peoph who believed they had found a haven under the broad aegis of the British flag and the guaranteed word of British statesmen." The effect of the British statement on American Jewry was even more pronounced. They held mass meetings of protest and proposed to appeal to the American Government and to Congress for action against Britain on the grounds that the United States was definitely committed to favor the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Felix M. Warburg announced on October 31 his resignation as chairman of the administrative committee of the Jewish Agency for Palestine charging that Lord Passfield had misled him and that the statement of Britain's policy was "a cruel betrayal of trusteeship" in Palestine. Leading Jews of America, including chief Justice Brandeis, also registered strong protests. CAUSE OF JEWISH COMPLAINTS The principal cause of Jewish grievance against the newly enunciated British policy in Palestine is the imputation of the White Paper that the Jews have taken too much for granted and acted on the assumption that they were the government and not the British mandatory authority. England, therefore, proceeds to formulate a policy that in its opinion will represent its obligations impartially towards both the Jews and the Arabs. Accordingly it lays down two fundamental principles for its future government of the country, the first being the re- THE SYRIAN WORLD striction of Jewish immigration and the second the establishment of a tirm of representative government that in its opinion will be expressive of the will of the people and suitable to present conditions of the country. The government has not gone far enough to satisfy Arab demands m full, but it has certainly conceded to the Arabs sufficient privileges to render the Jews fearful of the collapse of their dream of establishing a homeland in the country of their ancestors. The decision of the goverment to restrict Jewish immigration is based on its study of land available for settlement. On this point the statement discusses the relative positions of the Jews and Arabs as follows: "The condition of the Arab peasant leaves much to be desired and a policy of land development is needed if the improvement of his condition of life is to be effected. The sole agencies which have pursued a consistent policy have been the Jewish colonization societies, private and public. The Jewish settlers have had every advantage that capital, science and organization could give them. To these and the remarkable energy of the settlers themselves their remarkable progress is due. On the other hand, the Arab population, while lacking the advantages enjoyed by the Jewish settlers, has by an excess of births over deaths increased rapidly, while the land available for its sustenance has decreased by about 250,000 acres. This area has passed into Jewish hands." Concerning the present and future distribution of land the government says: "It can now be definitely stated that at the present time and with the present methods of Arab cultivation there remains no margin of �NOVEMBER, 1930 land available for agricultural settlement by new immigrants with the exception of such undeveloped land r.s the various Jewish organizations hold in reserve. The provision of a margin availabh for further settlement depends upon the progress made in increasing the productivity of the land already occupied." With reference to further Jewish immigration, which is inseparable from the land question, the British government again cites its Palestine mandate, which "directs that the lights and position of other sections of the population shall not be prejudiced by Jewish immigration." "Clearly, if the immigration of Jews results in the prevention of Arabs obtaining work necessary for their maintenance, or if Jewish unemployment unfavorably affects the general labor position it is the duty of the mandatory power to reduce or if necessary to suspend such immigration until the unemployed portion obtains work," continues Lord Passfield. "Under the present circumstances his Majesty's Government considers their suspension of immigration under the labor schedule of last May fully justified." NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT On the subject of the second important point, that of constitutional development, the British government reviews the* efforts made in the past to give the inhabitants of Palestine some measure of self-government and criticises the Arabs for failure to cooperate in these schemes and for demanding a form of constitution incompatible with Britain's mandatory obligations. Despite such opposition and past failures, the British government declares itself of the opinion that the time has come to set ua a new form of Palestine government and has determined to 47 do so. Moreover, it gives warning that "all possible steps will be taken to circumvent any attempt Which may be made to prevent the establishment and operation of such a government." The new government machinery, as described by Lord Passfield will consist of a Legislative Council comprising the High Commissioner and twenty-two members, of whom ten will be official and twelve unofficial. The unofficial members are to be chosen by primary and secondary elections. If through the failure of any part of the community to participata in the elections not enough unofficial members are chosen by ballot, they will be ajjpointed by the High Commissioner. Furthermore, the commissioner will retain the power to insure that the mandatory power will carry out its obligations to the League of Nations including urgent legislative acts, and also the power to maintain order. The legislative council will, of course, include both Jews and Moslems. For the purpose of maintaining order and preventing in the future such disturbances as happened, last year Britain will maintain in Palestine and Transjordania two batallions of infantry, two squadrons of aircraft and four sections of armored cars. Measures will also be taken to strengthen the police force. The British Government concludes the statement of its future policy in Palestine with an appeal to both Jews and Arabs to cooperate with each other and Britain. "It is only the closest cooperation between the government and the leaders of the Arab and Jewish communities that can prevent Palestine from drifting into a situation that would imperil on the one hand the devoted work of those who have sought to build up a Jewish national home, and on the other the interests of a majori- �48 THE SYRIAN WORLD ty of the population who at present possess few resources of their own with which to sustain the struggle for existence. "To the Arabs, his Majesty's Government would appeal for recognition of the facts of the situation and for sustained effort for cooperation m obtaining that prosperity for the country as a whole by which all will benefit. "From the Jewish leaders his Majesty's Government ask recognition of the necessity of making some concessions on their side in regard to the independent and separative ideals which have been developed in some quarters in connection with the Jewish national home, and for accepting as an active factor in their policy that the development of the country shall be carried out in such a way that both Arabs and Jews receive adequate consideration." ARAB REACTION Although the effect of the publication of the British White Paper was one of consternation and dismay 'among the Jews of Palestine, it did not cause much jubilation among the Arabs. The latter,, it is true, felt some elation at the limitation set on Zionist dreams of expansion, but the concessions made by Britain were not sufficient to meet all their national demands. In proof of their partial gratification, however, they have decided not to hold this year their regular strike of protest on the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration. The Arab viewpoint was made clear in a statement given out by the Arab Executive and contained in a special dispatch to the New York Times. It reads as follows: "Despite publication of the White f'aper recognizing the rights of the Arab people in Palestine, the Arab Executive must continue to protest with all its force against the Balfour Declaratic. , which is still part of the program un which the London Government bases its policy in Palestine and which is a stumblingblock on the road of Arab national aspirations. "The Arab Executive asks the government to do away with this policy and also demands definite abolition of the Balfour Declaration because only with that abolition will the Holy Land have real peace." It is learned from the same source that the Arabs are divided into two camps, the extreme nationalists who would be satisfied only with the complete abolition of the British mandate and the moderates who appear anxious to have the mandate continued. The latter party comprises many Moslems as well as all the Christians who believe British evacuation under present conditions holds an element of great danger. IMMIGRATION PERMITS A few days after the issuance of the White Paper, the British authorities approved permits for 1,500 new Jewish immigrants to Palestine. This neither satisfied the Jews nor alarmed the Arabs, inasmuch as the newcomers would not affect the Arab labor market but would be engaged in existing Jewish enterprises. The Arabs' sense of caution, however, prompted their Executive to draft a strong statement which the High Commissioner cabled to the Colonial Office in London. The government is urged to prevent dangerous unrest among the Arabs by publishing a statement allaying their anxiety and silencing Jewish protests. ' �NOVEMBER, 1930 49 Political Developments in Syria FRANCE TO ENTER INTO TREATY RELATIONS WITH LEBANON — SYRIANS AWAIT RETURN OF HIGH COMMISSIONER m During the long absence of High than the English in the terms the Commissioner Ponsot in France the latter granted to Iraq. The fact that King Faisal had Syrians had to adhere perforce to spent considerable time in Paris and a policy of watchful waiting. Under was in frequent conference with the the circumstances, nothing could be highest French authorities lends done until the High Commissioner weight to the belief that he was issued a new declaration of policy let into the secret of the new French embodying the results of his conpropositions for Syria. ferences in Paris. And M. Ponsot is What may be a hint as to the known to be deliberate to the extent of aggravation in the opinion of some probable solution of the Syrian probSyrians. Still it is generally agreed lem is the reported new plan that that to wait a reasonable time and France is said to 'have prepared to reach satisfactory results is pre- apply to Lebanon. The papers of ferrable to hasty action that will lead Beirut have referred lately to unto further complications. The Syr- usual activity in official circles and ians at present seem to be hopeful reported an exchange of secret visits between the President of the Reof satisfactory results. public and the Acting High CommisWhat is considered a major de- sioner. The cause of this unprecedvelopment in the Syrian political ented activity was explained by Lisituation is the statement given out san Ul-Hal as presaging radical by King Faisal of Iraq while en changes in the relations of France route to Baghdad from Europe and Lebanon. The paper claims to through Transjordania. The state- have received authentic information ment is considered all the more im- from its Paris carrespondent on the portant in view of his Majesty's in- nature of the new changes involved, terest in Syrian affairs and the fact which, summarized, are as follows: that he was at one time king of Substitution of the mandate by a Syria and dethroned by the French. treaty agreement between the two The purport of his statement is republics, subject to ratification Tt>y unqualified advice to the Syrians to the respective legislative bodies of refrain from passive resistence to the two countries. the French and to cooperate with France will agree to protect Lebthem wholeheartedly in carrying out anon against military aggression the proposed program which High and demands in return that Lebanon Commissioner Ponsot will outline to place at its disposal in case of need them upon his return, The French, alT its transportation and port facilihe is reported to have said, propose ties. France also agrees to the creato be most liberal in their future tion of a Lebanese national army, policy in dealing with the Syrians, under command of French officers, and shall not be found less generous but subject to service only within �50 Lebanese borders and for purposes of national defense. Lebanon will enjoy the widest possible form of self-government, employing only French technical advisers where natives are not available. French advisers will act only in an advisory capacity and will be paid by the Lebanese government. France also undertakes to facilitate the entry of Lebanon jn the League of Nations at the earliest [ossible opportunity, and to accelerate the economic rehabilitation of the country by the employment of French capital. The Lebanese paper, however, is silent on the conditions governing the employment of French capital and guardedly hints that this might rrove the stumbling block in the successful conduct of the negotiations. The return of M. Ponsot was expected early in November. Information reaching the Syrian press from Paris was to the effect that he would soend a few days in Egypt to confer with Syrian leaders in that country on his proposed plan for the solution of the Syrian problem. Then with all the preliminaries arranged he would order general elections for the Representative Assembly which in turn would elsct a president or chose a king or decide on any other form of government without restriction. There were rumors at one time that the mandatory power had agreed to permit the unity of the States of Syria, the Alaouites and Jebel Druze, but later it transpired that the negotiations then on foot were for a closer economic cooperation between these states under a supreme economic council.. Otherwise, it is argued, a separate constitution for each would not have been promulgated. Reports from Damascus announce active preparations by the authori- THE SYRIAN WORLD ties for the coming elections, but so far the attitude of the Nationalists remains vague, no definite policy having yet been reached by them on the subject of the elections. LEBANESE DECORATIONS WIDELY PROTESTED Ever since the announcement of the Lebanese government's decision to award decorations of merit to a number of Lebanese and some French consular officials abroad, a storm of indignation has been raised by the press of both the United States and the home country. The principal objection seems to be not as much against the award as against the indiscriminate manner in which the decorations have been conferred. Moreover, the liberality of the government in the matter was cause for bitter criticism and ridicule. To issue decorations to a list of over five hundred and fifty, with promise of increase, was unprecedented. The government is accused of having shown extreme bad taste in including in the list persons -of little consequence and who c'aim no outstanding service in the cause of their country, but to whom the award was made simply as a favor to some of their influential relatives. This at once destroyed whatever value may have attached to the decoration and prompted many recipients to reject it as a gesture of protest. Widespread criticism is said to have moved the government to a reccrs:deration of its action with the possibility of rescinding the decorations altogether. ' ' �NOVEMBER, 1930 51 About Syria and Syrians MEXICAN TRIBE SPEAKS ARABIC Lived in Inaccessible Part of Mexico for Over Four Centuries. The Associated Press made public on October 20 the following dispatch irom its correspondent at Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chalpas, Mexico: "Wandering Turkish merchants returning here from the Simojovel district, 'have reported discovery of a strange tribe speaking a language similar to Arabic which inhabits an almost inaccessible mountain retreat there. The tribe which calls itself Absolutan", preserves Oriental customs, does not speak Spanish or any Indian dialect and shows no trace of the Malayan civilization which is so common in other parts of Chiapas. "The merchants said members of the tribe claimed to have inhabited the region for almost four centuries, remaining entirely apart from the outside world." Mexican Paper's Report. A Syrian paper of Mexico reports the same discovery on the authority of the Excelsior, the principal paper of Mexico City, and gives the latter's version of the important event as follows: "While a Syrian peddler was traveling in little frequented places in the districts of Chiapas and Tapasla, his steps were fortunately guided to a mountain ridge supposedly uninhabited and of extremely rugged formation. Penetrating the virgin forests, the peddler-came across a tribe of natives whose hospitality he sought for the night. He addressed them in Spanish, with which he is well conversant,, but they answered in Arabic to the effect that they could not understand his language. Naturally the Syrian peddler was struck with surprise at the unexpected development as it was beyond his wildest fancy that he should address members of a Mexican tribe in the native language of the country and they should profess ignorance of it and answer him instead in the language of his own ancestors. "The peddler asked them why they had chosen to live in such an isolated section away from civilization, and they answered him in intelligible Arabic that they had been living there in self-sufficiency for hundreds of years and that the only language they know is the Arabic. "When the exploring peddler returned to the city and reported his discovery to the authorities they immediately took great interest in the matter and prepared to equip a scientific expedition to visit the home of this lost tribe and ascertain its origin and ancestry. Also a special investigator was sent by Excelsior to accompany the expedition and report on its findings. "In speaking of the tribe the Syrian peddler said that its language was pure Arabic of the Egyptian dialect, and that its customs and dress were in strict conformity with Arab standards." [Editor's Note—The reference by the A. P. dispatch to the "wandering merchants" being Turks is erroneous. Aside from there being no Turks in Mexico the Turkg do not speak Arabic. The reference may �52 THE SYRIAN WORLD have been prompted by the fact that in certain sections of Mexico Syrians and Lebanese are commonly known as Turcos.] Aztec Related to Chinese and Egyptian. Coincident with this report comes the announcement by G. Ryden, archaeologist, of Los Angeles, Calif., that he is forced to deduce the existence of a connection between the Aztec civilization of Mexico and that of the Chinese and Egyptian as a result of the finding of ancient funeral urns in a buried city in the State of Jalisco, Mexico. This news was also given publicity by the Associated Press in a dispatch from Los Angeles on October 2. The urns discovered are believed by Mr. Ryden to date back to at least 2 500 B. C, according to the report. The twenty-six that are in the possession of the archaeologist stand from two to four feet in height and were taken from excavations made in tombs beneath an old city at the Hacadera Los Copales. "Without question," Ryden said, "there was a connection between the Chinese and Aztec civilizations and possibly with the Egyptian. Many of the faces on the urns are pure Chinese in character and others strongly resemble ancient Egyptian sculpture and pottery. The tombs were so old that an ancient and ruined city had been built above them." Phoenician Traces in South America. Less than a year ago, in December, 1929, an Associated Press dispatch from Brazil had reported the discovery of important Phoenician inscriptions in the Amazon Valley which would justify the opinion that the Phoenicians were the first to have discovered America. This important news was reported in The 'Syrian World at the time, but in view of the more recent discoveries referred to above, and in the interest of presenting a complete record, the earlier dispatch on the Brazilian finds would bear republication. It follows: "Discovery of inscriptions carved on Amazon Valley rocks has revived a belief that 4,000 years or more ago Phoenicians discovered America, navigated the Amazon and built a city there. "The finds were made by Dr. Barbosa while on a trip a few months ago with General Rondon, Brazil's most famous explorer. The carvings were in hieroglyphs. "Information about them is withheld while decoding goes on, a job expected to take about a year. They were found in rock formations along the Cumina River in the State of Para and on bits of pottery. "If the decoding comes up to the expectations of archaeologists, it is said excavations will be attempted on the shores of the Cumina in search for the buried site of a city. "The name of this city, according to tradition, was Atlantida. Curiously, this is the same as the name of the continent that some geological and archaeological writers say once existed in the Atlantic Ocean and that may have formed either a land bridge or link for communication between the old and the new hemispheres. "Other localities in the vast Amazon basin have furnished Phoenician traces. At the confluence of the Solimao and Negro rivers, on a small is'and called Pedro, what appears to be a Phoenician ship-is carved on a large rock." �NOVEMBER, 1930 RIHANI TO SPEAK AT TOWN HALL With the opening of the Fall lecture season our celebrated author and lecturer, Ameen Rihani, finds himself called upon to fill a heavy speaking program. On November 22 he is scheduled to speak at Town Hall under the auspices of the League for Political Education. This organization is known to sponsor lectures and discussions by outstanding visitors to America. Mr. Rihani will deliver two additional addresses during November, one at the National Arts Club on the twelfth and the other at the Poetry Society on the 20th. LADIES' AID SOCIETY GIVES DINNER-DANCE The Ladies' Aid Society of New York opened the social season by a dinner-dance given in the grand ball-room of the Elks Club in Brooklyn. Mrs. Dominick J. Faour, the president, in her brief address of welcome, announced that the society had collected and distributed since its organization a sum of $75,000. Mr. S. Dowaliby acted as master of ceremonies. LEBANESE GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST SUFFERERS When news reached Lebanon of the Santo Domingo disaster, in which several Lebanese lost their lives and others suffered almost a total loss of their belongings, the President of the republic called a special meeting of the cabinet to discuss ways and means of extending aid to the sufferers. An appropriation of 50,000f was made for immediate relief and for repatriat- 53 ing those who elect to return to the homeland. The mandatory authorities will be consulted as to the best method for dispatching and distributing the relief appropriations. SYRIAN COMPOSER ARRIVES IN NEW YORK Metri El-Murr, a well-known Syrian composer, arrived in New York for a limited visit. For the last thirty-five years Mr. El-Murr has been in the lead in the movement for modernizing Arab music. He is particularly noted for his knowledge of the Byzantine technique. RADIO TALK ON EDUCATION IN SYRIA Mr. Ibrahim Dada, a Columbia student hailing from Damascus and specializing in education, was given the opportunity by the Y. M. C. A. of making a radio talk on the subject of education in Syria. Undoubtedly actuated by the best intentions, his talk was a very effective expose of the "abject ignorance" of 80 per cent, of the population of Syria. The talk might have been intended as an appeal, but it was certainly cast in the wrong phraseology. Such discussions might prove of value at the proper place and time, as when addressing an audience interested in the study of education. But to go on the air with a gruesome description of black ignorance among one's own people is far from being desirable. It would be better we wash our dirty linen in private, and not expose ourselves to further misunderstanding by stressing or magnifying an unfortunate condition. �——— 54 THE SYRIAN WORLD HITTI TO PUBLISH IMPORTANT BOOKS WARM PRAISE OF SYRIAN SINGER Upon publication of the Arabic edition of Usamah's Memoirs, reviewed elsewhere in this issue of The Syrian World, the American press of New York hailed the occasion as marking a new era in American publishing enterprise in that the book represented the first work in Arabic published by an American University press. In an interview with the correspondent of the New York Sun, Dr. Hitti is reported to have outlined his plans for the publication of the second volume in the series of Princeton Oriental texts, entitled Baha-Al Din's "Al-Juz' Awwal" the sacred book of the Druzes of Syria. It will be recalled that two years ago Columbia University Press published a book on this subject by Dr. Hitti, in which he made use of the manuscript which will form the basis of the new volume. This manuscript, with several others dealing with the religion of this Mohammedan sect, is in the Garret collection on deposit in the Princeton University Library. The account of the interview further states "that the publication of this manuscript will bring to light for the first time the secret scriptures of an interesting Islamic sect which has been greatly influenced by both Judaism and Christianity." Fedora Corban, styled the Syrian nightingale, had a successful Western tour last summer and received praise from music critics that would bear out Mr. Rihani's appraisal of her gifts as expressed in his article published in this issue of The Syrian World. We copy the following from the Kansas City Times of July 3. "Radio listeners had the unusual experience yesterday afternoon of hearing a fine coloratura soprano, great in volume and with dramatic timbre, broadcast over WDAF. Fedora Kurban was the singer and in her voice was the dreamy and sensuous charm of the Orient from which she came. "With a voice that encompasses three octaves, is warm and fluent throughout its range, she sang the "Bell-Song" from "Lakme" and followed it with the brilliant aria that forms the climax to Bellini's opera, "La Sonnambula," in which the sleep-walker awakens to love and happiness. "In her singing of Delibe's music, the singer disclosed rare good taste and a skill that is likely to be the despair of most Occidental singers. The wealth of vocal ornamentation in the "Bell-Song" was delivered with effortless ease. Trills, staccato passages, sustained high Ds, Es, and finally a triumphant F floated out to a multitude of listeners. In Bellini's music she disclosed a lovely pianissimo, swelling to a full ringing tone. "She sang in English a song of the desert, "Allah, Hear Me Calling" by Maloof, in which the tropical warmth of her voice carried with it genuine emotion. "The Garden of My Heart" was another example of temperament and fervor." —M. K. P. ALICE POULLEAU'S BOOK BANNED FROM SYRIA Publication of Mile. Alice Poulleau's new book "In Damascus Under Bombardment", caused the French authorities in Syria to take drastic action against it. An official decree by the High Commissioner bans entry of the book into Syria and forbids all translation or publication of its contents. BBHWBH �NOVEMBER, 1930 SYRIA REFUGEES' DUMPING GROUND The press of Syria reports a strange migration movement to that country which has been going on steadily for several months in a manner calculated to attract as little public attention as possible. The movement finally assumed such proportions as to arouse public suspicion, and resulting inquiries revealed that the new immigrants were neither Armenians nor Greeks, although most of them had embarked at Greek ports. They finally proved to be Chaldeans who before the war inhabited Kurdestan but have since scattered throughout Caucasia and Russia while some found their way to Persia and Greece. The present immigration movement into Syria is said by the Syrian press to be the result or an agreement between the mandatory authorities and the representative of the Chaldean Patriarch in Beirut. The authorities promised homestead sites for these refugees on condition they would settle and engage in agricultural occupations, otherwise all assistance would be withheld from them. Already over a thousand families have settled in the district of Deir Ezzour under the terms of the agreement. Homes as well as many other facilities have been provided for them. Coincident with these revelations comes the report that three Armenian representatives arrived in Beirut the latter part of October to make arrangements for settling in Syria and Lebanon fifteen thousand additional Armenian refugees now in Greece. With economic conditions in the country at their Ipwest ebb, the press is by no means complimentary of the action of the mandatory power in facilitating the influx of all 55 these aliens. A leading paper of Beirut publishes the account of this new migration movement under the caption: "Syria 'has now become the home of the homeless." SYRIAN-AMERICAN CLUB HOLDS ANNUAL CELEBRATION The Syrian-American Club of Danbury, Conn., held its annual celebration in its clubrooms Sunday afternoon and evening, October 5. The attendance was well over five hundred drawn from many parts of the New England States and from New York City. There was music and dancing as well as speechmaking. Mr. Michael Trabulsi presided. The Syrian-American societies of New England, particularly of Connecticut, have for many years been holding these annual celebrations which take at times the form of national gatherings, attended by deputations from a score, or more societies, who come with gifts and expressions of good will. The effect has been a strengthening of racial ties along with a keener appreciation of citizenship obligations. SPANIARDS SHOW TOLERANCE TO MOSLEM STUDENTS Spain is well on the way of losing its stigma of having been the land of the Inquisition. Not only are the Spaniards showing tolerance towards Christians of other denominations, but they are even displaying unusual courtesy towards nonOhristians. The following Associated Press dispatch from Cordova, Spain, dated November 7 plainly interprets the signs of the times. It reads: "The high chant of a Moslem religious service rose in the ancient Cathedral of Cordova today for the �56 THE SYRIAN WORLD first time in 500 years, interrupting But the young sheikh could not for a moment a Catholic mass being as easily dismiss from his heart the celebrated by the local clergy. love of the beautiful urban maiden. "A group of Moorish students, So, carried on the wings of desire, touring the old province of Andalu- he chose two companions of proven sia, which was wrested from their valor and set out in the direction forebears five centuries ago, halted of the village to carry out a bold in a corridor of the cathedral where plan. They forced the house of tJhe verses of the Koran still decorate girl in the most approved romantic the walls. style and proceeded to carry her "Oblivious of their whereabouts, away from her bed. Awakened by the they burst into the chant as the commotion, her father raised the Catholic service was in progress in alarm among the inhabitants who another part of the church. The hastily armed themselves and sallied Catholic clergy, realizing that the forth in pursuit of the kidnappers. students were touring under gov- They overtook them on the outernment auspices, suspended their skirts of the village and engaged service until the chant ended." them .in..battle. The sheikh-lover placed the girl in charge of one of his companions and with the other held the pursuers in check. The vilARAB SHEIKH ENACTS lagers, owing to their superior numREAL LOVE DRAMA bers, were gradually closing in upon the Arabs. It was now a hundred, What a pity that the camera man then fifty, then twenty-five yards. was absent! The situation was becoming desperFor there was enacted in northern ate and the Arab appointed to guard Syria the latter part of October a real love tragedy of which the hero the girl left her to come to the aid was a genuine Arab sheikh and the of his companions. She, profiting of villain the father of his beautiful the opportunity, broke away to join beloved! her father, but fell exhausted in noThe story as reported by the Syr- man's land. A villager made a desian press mentions the names of the perate dash to rescue her but was persons and places involved in the felled by a well-aimed bullet. Andrama and leaves no room for doubt as to its authenticity. other member of the posse made a Briefly, it relates that Emir No- similar attempt and met the same waq El-Ahmad, a ranking sheikh of fate. Then the father made a last the Mawali tribe, young and hand- desperate effort to reach her and the some and romantic, became enamorembattled Romeo plunged a dagger ed of Sabha, a bewitchingly beautiful maid of the village of Nahtara, in his side. Then lifting his prize in district of Edlib, in northern Syria. his powerful arms, he swung her beHe sought her hand in the conven- hind him on his fleet Arabian horse tional manner but was dismissed by and rode away with her under the her father with the remark that he mantle of the night. would never consider giving his daughter in marriage to a wanderWhat romancer could invent a ing bedouin. more daring and blood curdling plot! �——- NOVEMBER, 1930 57 PAN-ARABIAN PICTURE CORPORATION, LTD. Authorized Capital Stock 40,000 SHARES COMMON $5 PAR VALUE Main Office: 512 Union Bank Building Los Angeles, California. This is a purely Arabian organization, the first and only corporation of its kind in the world dealing in the moving and talking picture industry in Arabic. It comprises the three elements necessarily associated with the film industry namely, production, distribution and exhibition. This is the age of amusement and our people, whose enterprises and adventures are proverbial, must have their due share in this flourishing industry. It is the intention of this company not only to furnish the entertainment but to insure also for our people the organizing credit and profit. We will make talking pictures of an Oriental character which will acquaint our people in the American continent and in the East with our historical deeds and cultural attainments. This we will perform directly and through various theatrical groups. We will also produce pictures of various phases of Syrian life in the different cities and countries and present them to our countrymen in other parts of the world and at home together with pictures of famous men and great events in both the East and foreign lands and wherever Arabic-speaking peoples may be, so that they may be informed of each other's leaders and affairs. We intend to train the talented ones of our race in music, singing, acting, etc., in order to have our own professionals and thus provide them with employment. Will you help us to attain that goal? Be a stockholder and gain the privilege and credit in making this corporation a success. You will not be risking anything. Your money is amply protected by the laws of the state of California which guarantee you that only 10 per cent, of what you pay for the stock will go toward the preliminary expenditure if the company does not raise the necessary capital for the work. Otherwise your investment will be very profitable. The general sales agent, Edward Gillett, will travel throughout the United States in the interest of the corporation. Application for subscription to stock may also be made to the corporation's headquarters in Los Angeles or to any of the Syrian papers, or to the corporation's representative in New York State, Mr. A. G. Milkie 160 Greenwich St.,, New York City. �58 THE SYRIAN WORLD STATEMENT OP THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT. CIRCULATION of The Syrian World, published monthly at New York, N. Y., Oct. 1, 1930. STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK. Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the state and county aforesaid, personally appeared Salloum A. Mokarzel, :who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he s the pub isher of The Syrian World, and that the fo lowing is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, management (and if a da ly paper, the circulation), etc. of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in he above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section 411, Posial Laws and Regulations, printed on the reverse of th's form, to wit: 1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, manag'.ng editor, and business managers are: Name of— Post office address— Publisher, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. EJitor, Sal oum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. Managing Ed'tor, Salloum A. Mokarzel 104 Greenwich Street. Business Managers, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenw ch Street. 2. That the owner is: (If owned by a corporation, its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereunder the names and addresses of stockho ders owning or holding one per cent, or more of total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a firm, company or other unincorporated concern, its name and address, as well as those of each individual member, must be given.) Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. 3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or hoiding 1 per cent, or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other secur ties are: (If there are none, so state.) None. 4. That the two paragraphs next above giving the names of the owners, stockholders, security holders, if any, contain not only the list of stockholders and security holders as they appear upon the books of the company but also, in cases where the stockholder or security holder appears upon the books of the company as trustee or in any other fiduciary relation, the name of the person or corporation for whom such trustee is acting is g-ven; also that the said two paragraphs contain statements embracing affiant's full knowiedge and belief as to the circumstances and conditions under which stockholders and security holders who do not appear upon the books of the company as trustees, hold stock and securities in a capacity other than that of a bona fide owner; and th's affiant has no reason to believe that any other person, association, or corporation has any interest direct or indirect in the said stock, bonds or other securities than as so stated by him. 5. That the average number of copies of each issue of this publication sold or d'stributed, through the mails or otherwise, to paid subscribers during the six months preceding the date shown above is. (This information is required from daily publications only.) S. A. MOKARZEL. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6th day of October, 1930. [Seal.] Edna M. Huckner. (My commission expires March 30, 1932.) � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1930_11reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 03 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930 November Description An account of the resource Volume 5 Issue 03 of The Syrian World published November 1930. The issue starts off with an article by Dr. F. I. Shatara discussing the New British Policy in Palestine. Shatara, a Palestinian Arab, followed the events closely and wrote an article describing the situation. It primarily focused around the religious wars of the area, and England's place in reconciling the situation as the colonial power in charge. Featured next is a special article from Ameen Rihani discussing the subject of the Syrian in American art. Following that is Salloum Mokarzel's account of Damascus from his travels, in which he takes the readers through the principal quarters and places of historic importance. Following a poem titled "Ships Sail Out" by Alice George there is a continuation of the "Ali Zaibaq" serial from the previous two issues. In addition to the usual book reviews of the last few issues there are two poems, one by Thomas Asa and the other by Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin. The issue concludes with a further editorial discussion on the New British Policy in Palestine, more on the political developments in Syria, and lastly articles from the Arab press that specifically relate to Syria and Syrians. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Ameen Rihani F.I. Shatara Law New York Palestine Poetry-English Salim Alkazin Syria Thomas Asa Travel https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/748f86b70e5de481a32b47ab11cdc1d0.pdf f0fbb0ecce766a656cb5310c6344f482 PDF Text Text PI SUP! PiPiiPiiiiPL &*< $m &*s OCTOBER, 1930 VOL. V. No. 2. 1Hi | I I1 THE SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE mm IP I 1 l m GREAT SYRIAN-AMERICANS OF OUR TIMES REV. W. A. MANSUR ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS S. A. MOKARZEL I THE TRAGIC LOVE OF A CALIPH (SHORT STORY) IT I p jjjj f 'm THE SYRIAN WORLD A CORPORATION ALI ZAIBAQ (QUICKSILVER) (A SERIAL) S. A. MOKARZEL and T. S. DAYTON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA THE COPY 50c «M �H �SYRIAN WORLD Published monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c, Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York N Y - -. under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. V. No. 2. OCTOBER, 1930 CONTENTS PAGE Great Syrian-Americans of our Times W. A. REV. 5 MANSUR On the Road to Damascus S A. 16 MOKARZEL Damascus (Poem) 23 THOMAS ASA The Syrian World a Corporation 94 Alt Zaibaq — Chapter II. ?7 Hunger (Poem) 31 MISCHA NAIMY SFt5*s*yii!U'*s"-\ijf vs, ., �— "-" '-. I III CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE The Tragic Love of a Caliph (Short Story) 32 On Giving and Taking G. K. GlBRAN Ed-itorial Comment:— The Syrian World, Inc. 39 Relative Obligations 40 The Mission of THE SYRIAN WORLD 41 AMEEN RIHANI Political Developments in Syria 49 Situation in Damascus Remains Unchanged 42 France, Italy and the Syrian Mandate 43 Moslems and Christians Quarrel in Palestine 44 About Syria and Syrians 47 �IN THIS ISSUE fsJO judicial appraisal of pubciate his efforts in analyzing the I lie-spirited men among the distinctive characters of the Syrians could fail to place the chosen men. It is evident that Rev. W. A. Mansur among the he aims to inspire race pride and foremost rank. The unstinted exhort to emulation. We are patriotism, the tireless energy, glad to give publicity to his the lofty ideals and unselfish findings both as recognition to motives of this Syrian clergy- the men selected and as a tribman should endear him to all ute to the idealism of the writwho value noble public service. er, although the editor would Although a pastor of an Amerhave much preferred not to be ican congregation in Nebraska, included in the list, it being his his heart is with his own people conviction that what he has done and he strives to keep in con- is but little of what he would stant touch with their various like to do, conditions favoring. activities. His scholarly procThis article of the Rev. Manlivities and passion for research sur will be found most interprompt him not only to record, esting reading. It should not but to weigh and properly eval- tail of achieving its purpose of uate the spiritual qualities and arousing a fuller and keener the moral and material accom- appreciation of our talents and plishments of his countrymen. accomplishments. Truly the Rev. Mansur has been a discovery for the Syrians. Having been isolated ^HERE are any number of from his people by reason of legends and Syrian folk tales his occupation and environment, associated with Wadi'1-Karn. we now see him a powerful This mysterious valley was exmoral force that must eventuplored and described by the ally be reckoned within the editor during his last trip shaping of the Syrian destiny through Syria. In this issue he in America. gives a description of its topoIn his article published in this graphy and records the reacissue, the Rev. Mansur gives an tions of a traveler's passage appraisal of six Syrian-Amer- through it. The present installcan leaders in different fields of ment of the editor's travel arendeavor. Readers will appre- ticles also describes the ap- �""i ii in H proach to the famous city of Damascus in preparation for a full and interesting account of his visit which will appear in a coming issue. corded are not simply a concoction of the Oriental imagination. RECENT political developments in Syria and Lebanon JSJ^l Zaibaq, the superhuman are of unusual importance, and, hero whose exploits rival in as usual, they are treated withrichness of mystery any record- out bias or prejudice. Especialed in the Arabian Nights, is ly is the situation in Palestine dared to get the Magic Box aggravated by certain serious from the Enchanted City. He differences that have risen beencounters traps and is con- tween the Moslem and Christfronted by an army. One of his ian Arabs. The cause of the extremely perilous situations is nft and the resulting murders when he discovers that a com- and disturbances are reported pany of blacks had kidnapped in detail. the king's daughter to whom there was no equal in charm and ^E believe most of our readbeauty. How does he act under ers will be interested in the the circumstances? The reader announcement that THE SYRwould be well recompensed by IAN WORLD has been made a perusing the present install- corporation. This statement is ment of Quicksilver and shar- made on the strength of the fact ing in its thrills. that most of our readers have been steady subscribers from the inception of the publicaJN the September issue we pub- tion. As such they are in a posilished the first part of a short tion to realize and appreciate story dealing with the love of our consistent efforts at mainthe caliph Yazid. The second taining it at the highest standpart is published in the present ard indicative of our culture and issue and should prove most finest traditions. And because enjoyable reading. We may of this appreciation on their well repeat that the story is part we would invite them to based on historical facts, and become active partners. The the reader would do well to very attractive conditions of keep in mind that the extraor- subscription to stock are given dinary happenings therein re- in the announcement. �. TTTP SYRIAN WORLD VOL. V. No. 2. OCTOBER, 1930 Great Syrian-Americans of our Times By REV. W. A. MANSUR JHE Jives of great Syrian-Americans of our times are now _ exemplifying Syrian-American awakening, foreshadowing Syrian raceprogress, and founding Syrian race immortality. A great people is but the lengthened shadow of the character, achievement, and influence of its great men. It is great men who make a people great, who make visible their race character, and who constitute the vanguard of the people's progress Greatness consists in heroic devotion to a life that sacrifices, a work that endures, and a purpose that ennobles. Great men make ideals visible, concrete life, stimulate achievement, radiate vision, and ennoble living. Great men scorn superficial fame, disdain selfish ambition, and despise sordid gain. Despite human frailties there is in great men that which is permanent, overriding changes of time, overcoming carping criticism, and ever renewtself through enthusiasm aroused in others. In great Syrian-American souls lie the Syrian race's enlightenment, leadership, and progress. Already the people feel the urge or their power, recognize resemblances in them to their strivings and approve within their souls their race leadership. Great Syrian-Americans, because of nobility of character, sincerity of heart and purity of motive through heroic devotion to some high purpose, are now enriching the Syrian race, glorifying its achievements, and enshrining its name in splendid immortality "The search after the great," said Emerson, "is the dream of youth, and most serious occupation of manhood." The writer is ':--'----:---- - , 5-"v--vti £-*-*„-;:. �6 THE SYRIAN WORLD hereby calling attention to some great Syrian-Americans of our times who are bringing the Syrian race to the forefront among the races in America, who are enshrining the Syrian race in honor through splendid achievement, and who are leading the Syrian race in enlightenment, progress, and glory. For the love of our glorious race, praise of our famous heritage, honor of our splendid leadership, and vision of our springing yuth, I pay loving tribute to the following great Syrian-Americans of our times. /. The Defender of the Syrian-American Race: N. A. Mokarzel. Emerson said, "Every true man is a- cause, a country, and an . age; requires infinite spaces and numbers and time fully to accomplish his thought;—and posterity seem to follow his steps as a procession." Such a true man. is N. A. Mokarzel, for he is a cause, a country, and an age in himself. His vision enlarges our vision, his character supports our heritage, his leadership inspires leadership, and his achievements enrich our race. N. A. Mokarzel's name is known wherever Syrians dwell as a defender of the Syrian race, upholder of Syrian welfare, and enhghtener of the Syrian people. Sentinel-like he stands on the watch for the defense of our race. Hercules-like he stands prepared to uphold the rights of our kind. Beacon-like he stands ready to enlighten our people. All creeds, all sections, all parties have found in him a staunch defender, preserver, and upholder of their rights, liberties, and happiness. During the period of race immigration he gave the vision to guide his people. During the era of race struggle he defended our race against race prejudice, race defamation, and race disparagement. During the rise of Syrian nationalism he led with wisdom, sympathy, and courage the thought life of Syrian-Americans. In America, shepherd-like, he has been leading his people in culture, philanthropy, and progress. In Syria, statesman-like, he has been standing for the rights and liberties of his native land. In mankind, humanitarian-like, he has sought the welfare of the Syrian race. He has been educator of Syrian-Americans, promoter of philanthropies, exposer of hypocrisies, and builder of Syrian character, leadership, and welfare. He has smitten sinister forces, unmasked sham leadership, and uncovered selfish movements. He has been the friend alike of the poor and the rich, the weak, the -rr,— HttSMMM ""'-'""' s 1 a k 2 �OCTOBER, 1930 N. A. Mokarzel strong, the ignorant and the wise, and always for truth iustice liberty and welfare of Syrian-Americans ' J ' acclaim'N AJMgtCnt P? ^^ exPerience> and posterity will acclaim N. A. Mokarzel the Grand Old Man of the Syrian-Amer y mer ican pioneer generation. ~ 2 ' ^any^0^ °f ** ^"'^"can W- Antonius Bishal"All the past we leave behind, We debouch upon a newer mightier world, varied world, �s THE SYRIAN WORLD Antonius Bishallany Fresh and strong the world we seize, world of labor and the march, Pioneers! O Pioneers!" —Walt Whitman. In Antonius Bishallany we have a first-fruit of the Syrian renaissance, a first-token of Syrian progress, and a first-wave of Syrian-American immigration. The age-long barriers to Syrian progress began to crumble j autocratic domination, religious oppression, and economic exploitation. Yet within Syrian hearts were aspirations for religious freedom, political liberty, and economic prosperity. The first Syrian immigrant to America is a symbol of the aggressive freedom, race vitality, and aspiration toward progress of the Syrian race. In this Syrian-American pioneer we have illustrated the primacy of the spiritual over the material interpretation of life. He exemplified the basic philosophy of Syrian thought: the religious character of life. Whether political, economic, moral, social, or otherwise, to the Syrian mind, the spiritual interpretation of life is fundamental to human welfare. �OCTOBER, 1930 9 In this Syrian-American pioneer we have the symbol of the most benevolent race expansion in history. Through other race immigrations there may be military power, colonial expansion, material exploitation, or the spread of some particular religion, culture or civilization; in Syrian immigration we have the spread of mutual welfare, race good-will, law-abiding citizenship, and friendly commerce toward mutual material welfare, happiness, and progress. While Greece gave her culture, Rome her law, Syria is eternally giving the world the Syrian Gospel of the Fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, and the kingdom of universal peace. In the Syrian pioneer among the races, nations, and tongues of earth Providence is founding a Syrian World Empire based on the primacy of the spiritual life, the ethical evaluation of man, and the universal diffusion of human welfare. 3. The Adventurer of the Syrian-American Spirit: Ameen Rihani. George Adam Smith says in Syria and the Holy Land, "Hebrew and Greek writers acclaim the wealth of Phoenician industries and the size and the range of Phoenician ships. Long before the Christian era these galleys had passed the Straits of Gibraltar as far at least as the Canaries and Sicilies 5 and had sailed down the Red Sea and along the east coast of Africa." In Ameen Rihani the Phoenician adventuring spirit returns to life, carrying civilizing influences to countries, nations, and races of earth, and acting as sympathetic interpreter of various cultures, peoples, and civilizations of mankind. In him we have illustrated a trinity of Syrian traits: sympathetic understanding, mutual welfare, and cultural preservation. His travels were for the benefit of civilization. He sought to interpret sympathetically a people's history, talents, and culture. He sought to preserve the treasures of a people's culture for the enrichment of mankind. The benevolent purpose of his travels will immortalize him in the histories of Arabia, Syria, and Syrian-Americans. The Syrian-American race, through Ameen Rihani, contributes its share toward the civilization of mankind. His travels into Arabia are among the most significant of the century. For Arabia is the cradle of the Semitic race, and the birthplace of its far-reaching influences on human progress. Thus the sympathetic understanding of its people, the just appreciation of its achieve- �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD Ameen Rihani ments, and the friendly assistance of its people in their present need, will mean much toward the future peace, prospTritv and F happiness of mankind. ' Prospenty, and In this Syrian-American's understanding, appreciation and promotion of Arabia's welfare is a symbol of heTrv ce the Syr The earth! "^ HW''" »* "* ^ > * «S iwii in: IIIJUWM �I- J OCTOBER, 1930 11 G. K. Gibran i. The Singer of the Syrian-American Soul: G. K. Gibran. T. B. Macaulay says in his "Essay on Milton", "He who, in an enlightened and literary society, aspires to be a great poet must first become a little child." G. K. Gibran has the heart of the child of the kingdom of God, full of faith in God, abounding in love for mankind, and rejoicing in song over goodness beauty and truth. In Gibran there is a radiancy of the Syrian soul, there is an �I 12 THE SYRIAN WORLD effulgence of the human spirit, there is an uplifting power of enlightenment. He is a seer of the unseen, a herald of the truth, and an interpreter of the vision. G. K. Gibran is the singer of the Syrian-American soul in the true poet there is the delicately tuned ear to hear the primal song Deity has placed in the earth. There is the finely tuned mind to catch the whisperings of the Creator in all creation I here is the harmoniously tuned eye to behold the beauty the Great Artist has spread on the canvass of nature. There is the virtuous y tuned heart to feel the profoundest emotions of the human heart. For it takes divinity to understand divinity true nature to appreciate nature, and harmony to catch the harmonious cadences of earth, sky, and sea. _ Gibran is great because he is supremely human, vibrant with imagination, and clear in seeing and singing of the invisible. .What the eye is to the body, the window to the house, imagination is to the soul: it is the eye of the soul. In the true poet we have ecstasy of feeling, superior range of imagery, and divine gift of expression. The true poet, mystic-like, pierces the unseen with dynamic spiritual insight; musician-like, catches the harmonious cadences of reality; and psalmist-like, breaks forth in songs or praise, gladness, and worship. In Gibran the Syrian-American soul rises to sing of the Great Singer, the Great Poet, and the Great Artist. The Syrian soul rises to exalt human feelings, human seeing, and human appreciation to the glory of the Creator and Father of mankind. Such a singer must lie close to the heart of nature, have insight into reality, have commerce with the unseen, and have confidence in the victory of goodness, beauty, and truth. 5. 77;,? Scholar of the Syrian-American Mind: Philip K. Hitti. In Philip K. Hitti is the rise of the Syrian mind toward the highest pinnacle of world scholarship. In our new homeland he represents the Syrian intellect's power to climb to the heights By his achievement the way is pointed out to the younger generation to achieve the highest within their heritage. He personifies to the world the potentialities of the Syrian mind, its intelligence its character, and its reach. ' H. G. Wells says in The Outline of History, "At Cordoba in particular there were great numbers of Christian students, and the influence of Arab philosophy coming by way of Spain upon �OCTOBER, 1930 13 PMip K. Hitti the universities of Paris, Oxford, and North Italy and upon Western European thought generally, was very considerable indeed." J^nilip K. Hitti is already shedding light in the New World upon the treasures of the East. He is arousing respect for the Syrian race, its history, and its native Jand. He is interpreting the history place, and contributions of the Near East to the modern world. In him is the founding of Syrian intellectual, cultural, and civilizing influences in the university centers of the world In this worthy scholar of the Syrian-American race we have �14 THE SYRIAN WORLD inspiration for ambitious Syrian-American youth. His writings are now turning the tide toward appreciation of our race His personality is winning a way for a larger place for our race among the races in America. In the persons of some characters we see a nation turn the corner to better times, and of such persons is Philip K Hitti His success marks a landmark of the Syrian mind, shows the trend ot Syrian mentality, and points the way to greater Syrian achievement. Some men's influences color the history of all succeeding ages In the rise of this scholar of the Syrian-American mind we have set in motion influences which forever color the history of the Syrian-American race, the American nation, and the modern world. 6. The Leader of-the Syrian-American Awakening: S. A. Mokarzel. Rupert Brooke, the soldier-poet, said. "Now, thanks unto God who hath matched us with this hour." S. A. Mokarzel is a leader whom the Lord has matched with this hour of our Syrian-American race awakening, with this era of Syrian-American race Americanism, and this period of our Syrian-American race solidarity for enlightenment, achievement, and glory. Prophet-like, he discerned the awakening of the Syrian-American race to their race history, race talents, race legacies, and race-glory. Seer-like, he saw the need of the Syrian-American generation for race enlightenment, race solidarity, and race Americanism. Genius-like, he has endeavored to enlighten the Syrian-American mind, promote race solidarity, and spur the Americanism of the Syrian-Americans. In this great soul are envisioned the aspirations of our generation. In his noble efforts are foreshadowed the attempts of our race. In his hopes are symbolized the ideals of our people Some men are interpreters of their race to the races of mankind. They act as mediators between the races of earth. They lift their race to fame, power, and prestige among the races of humanity. In S. A. Mokarzel we have a leader whose sterling leadership is given to arouse the American nation to the appreciation of the Syrian race and its contributions to human progress. S. A. Mokarzel is a leader whom Providence has raised for our times. He possesses the true qualities of leadership for the Syrian-American race awakening: character, ability, vision, spirit- =- s �OCTOBER, 1930 15 uality, personality, Americanism and will H. • K J • 1S broad the legacies of the Syrian race to th? A • . ^stmg Syrian American va7thZ I I j Amencan nation, spurring America,, ra^enf^ and race pride Alreadv^ ' T Amencanism> race solidarity, dom of his undertaking * AI motives, and the wis- J * * * makeZ'w +£F£*? T ***** <*> - must believe in grit ^Cal^^;* * ^l* tory, only biography." ' ' There 1S no real his~ It is natural, right, and timely that we Svrhn A, honor the great men, leaders cfta,actcr characters f tt ^nan-AAmericans race. Other races nnL tfT > of the Syrian-American great men other great le,H ' 5 I ' "ations extoll their them we honor ourselves menet "*" S >—A P ' m honorin g rican youth to splendid achieve- Thc knowledge that in the city is a man who invented the i uili oad, raises the credit of all the citizens. —Emerson. ^=__; " �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD On the Road to Damascus A CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF THE EDITOR'S TRIP ABROAD By A. SALLOUM MOKARZEL XI QF all the cities of the East, Damascus remains by far the most tyically Eastern. The veil of romance which guards its charms rnd mysteries has defied the efforts of time to remove. Its ancient landmarks, its tortuous, narrow streets and covered bazaars, its singular distinction of being the outpost of settled civilization, the border line between the desert and the sown, all remain as evident today as at any time during the hoary history of the city, reputed to be the oldest in the world. It is a strange feeling one experiences when approaching this most famous of Syrian cities. The reverence and awe inspired by its religious and political associations strangely mingle with the buoyant feeling of delight aroused by its rich heritage of legend and fable. And the actuality does not fall for short of the expectation. Whichever way you turn, your enraptured eyes rest upon a scene as beautiful as it is strange. Perhaps nowhere else in the world are such extreme contrasts to be found in such close proximity. A camel strides leisurely in the crowded street jingling his bells heedless of the tooting of automobile horns. A shepherd drives his flock of goats and fat-tailed sheep in congested streets and over trolley tracks as if his was the right of way. Veiled women flit about like phantoms while others parade nonchalantly in ultra-European styles. And at the same time and in the same air of incongruity you will see men of the desert with their heavy ighals and long flowing robes, brushing elbows with others in cut-away coats and spats, while soldiers in trim uniforms and shining muskets offer a strange contrast to the desert horsemen in the immemorable accoutrement of their tribes with but the addition of a long-barreled rifle. * * * * I shall not here dwell on the history of Damascus and its kaleidoscopic career throughout the ages. I shall, rather, confine I �1—mi.i OCTOBER, 1930 }? myself to recording my personal impressions and experiences on my mt to the great city which I had read so much about but had never seen. As mentioned in a previous installment, conditions prevailing in the country up to the close of the 19th century, when I migrated to America, did not induce much traveling, bad roads and brigandage being potent deterrents, as well as a particular pass ,n the Anti-Lebanon reputed to be extremely dangerous, its very name striking terror in the hearts of travelers lhis pass had always been known to be infested with brigands and almost invariably desperadoes and outlaws sought the Safety of its crags and winding passes when fleeing pursuers. Wadi'lKarn, or Valley of the Horn, was a name associated with the most sinister traditions. H°'A £ Washed wish of visiting this pass was to be gratified. We were ,n times of peace and security and all we could draw upon for thrills of danger was our imagination. It was my farm purpose to see the country entire, and where I entertained any preference was for those hitherto little frequented or inaccessible spots over which legend had thrown a shroud of mys- We crossed the Plain of Al-Beka< over a fine asphalt road which continued for some considerable distance over the gently r-jsing foothills of the Anti-Lebanon range. The scenery aW he valley was more pleasing than we had anticipated, judging by the barren view of the mountain as a whole, because of the care given to forestation. Crossing a hill about midway in the mountain we came upon a narrow gorge marking the beginning of Wadi'1-Karn To all appearances there was nothing formidable or awesome about the place; no precipitous or high towering cliffs that could not be scaled, no extraordinary rock formations or caverns suitable for hiding or holding siege On the contrary, the wadi looked tame with its low flanking hills of almost even height. The early mental picture I had formed of it was rudely shattered But we had not progressed far before I began to reform my first opinion as I gradually discovered why the wadi cast such a sinister spell over travelers, especially those acquainted with its pas history. The farther.we went the stronger, the ominous feeling grew, so that it was with a welcome sense of relief that one emerged into the relatively hospitable valley of Maissaloon. What gives to Wadi'1-Karn its sinister spell, ks forebodings of lurking danger, is not its impressiveness as a valley as much �—I 18 THE SYRIAN WORLD T thebaTl °L i°TtB71 %T m tke Valley °f Mtssdoon, where the battle that deaded the, fate of Syria was fought between the byrtans and the French in 1920 as its peculiar topographical formation. It is a sort of canvon running through hills of uniform height and forming ,arZ and restricted honzon. It is desolate and bleak and, what is more its ^Jigging course never permits of a perspective of more than re d to e LotTer T°"^ *"** » be"angles, "° another aatt St extremely short t^ distances and sharp and for many m,leS V f the uns would would wear , V. ThC «i-~ turns down the nerves^>""*"* of the bravest,° especially when under old conditions, caravans of camels or pack mules took many r t0 neg0ti PaSS thaTZ T K f 5 thC that the nlH old Lebanese folk song so- Littk SUr rise theref P 'the woman ^> highly praised wW husband proved so brave as to "journey to Damascus Debouching from Wadi'1-Karn at Maissaloon one comes in touch with the first signs of civilization. An old inn by the side or a rill has been turned into a gasolene station. Here also the eye is regaled by the sight of vegetation, and flocks of goats doing to it their proverbial damage, leaving only the old and lofty} trees uninjured. To the east of this spot rises a hill which commands the little valley and on which could still be discerned traces of the fortifications which the Syrian army, composed mostly of raw recruits, hastily threw up in its valiant but vain effort to check the advance ot the French army under general Gouraud in 1920. That battle �D OCTOBER, 1930 19 The cemetery of the French soldiers who fell in the battle of Maissaloon, at but a short distance from the tomb of the Syrian Minister of War. decided the fate of Syria and paved the way for the French occupation of the interior. Its anniversary, falling on July 24, is commemorated with elaborate ceremonies every year, delegations coming from all sections of the country to take part. On the day of our visit, August 10, some of the wreaths placed on the tomb of Joseph Bey Azme, the Syrian War Minister who preferred death to retreat, were still in evidence. The tomb was wrought in white marble but stood in an open field, in sharp contrast to the finely kept and walled-in cemetery of the French dead. We gained the summit of the hill over a sharp-winding road which gave access to a vast deploying plateau as level as it was bare. The straight road reaching the farther hills to the east stretched like a narrow ribbon. To the south rose towering Mt. Hermon whose sombre grey monotony was relieved only in spots by lingering snow patches. What wonders of transformation could be wrought in this beautifully located spot among the mountains by the magic touch of water! But nature seems to have reserved its bounties for a spot further east, and a little lower in elevation. We had to make a few detours in crossing the plain where repairs were being made to the road. But the hard and even surface of the ground made travel possible in any direction without �':#.* PANORAMIC VIEW OF DAMASCUS 3 Co 3 The famous capital of Syria with its flat-roofed houses and towering minarets,"appearing like a sparklmg gem of multicolored hues set in a vast emerald field." ' ft 5 || P 3 fir Gf cr o a O ST ET a, P P c« OfQ C O 3 K* El 3 3 fD ^ 3" 2 5-^3 22 O % b �MM OCTOBER, 1930 21 much discomfort, The opposite hills were reached in less than half an hour. The most widely quoted reference to the beauty of Damascus and its famous Ghouta is the story related of the Prophet Mohammad that when, during one of his commercial journeys, he emerged from the sandy wastes of the desert and beheld the dazzling green of the Damascus orchards, he exclaimed, "This is a terrestial paradise. I will not enter it for fear of jeopardizing my chances of entry into the Paradise of the hereafter." The Prophet's exclamation of surprise and admiration may well be, in modified form, that of all travelers approaching Damascus, whether from the east or the west. Except that from the west the first effect of exotic delight at the music of murmuring streams and the beauty of rich verdure and the welcome coolness of the embalmed air is intensified by progressive stages a« one descends the gentle slopes to gain the plain. Here the more one advances the wider the fields of green expand in testimony to the magic effect of the branching waters. One no longer remembers the scorching heat of the desert sun, nor the desolate expanse of sandy wastes. The eye that hungered for a touch of green is here treated to it in unexpected measure, and the feeling of ecstasy becomes supreme. The sharp contrast attending the sudden transition from one extreme to the other is, perhaps, what accentuates this feeling of relief. The effect is such as to create a most happy predisposition to enjoy the many other beauties of the city and its setting. The road runs along the banks of River Barada amidst enchanting scenery. The gently sloping terrain offers an ever changing vista of charm and beauty. Alternating cascades and pools afford endless temptations for the pleasure-loving Damascenes. The single railroad track on the opposite bank is cause for but little disturbance in the quiet of the pleasant surroundings, trains being run hardly more than twice a day. This neighborhood of the head-waters of Barada, bearing such musical names as Dummar and Hamat, has long been the inspiration of poets and the theme for many a popular song. Emerging from these sylvan retreats and scenes of delightful rusticity, the traveler comes to a point affording a dazzling panoramic view of the city spreading in the plain. It appears not unlike a sparkling gem of multicolored hues set in a vast emerald field. The domes and minarets of its many mosques, the huge �f0t ! 22 THE SYRIAN WORLD A typical scene in one of the old quarters of Damascus, where a shepherd claims the right of way for his flock over trolley tracks. glass-covered roofs of its bazaars looming like great hangars, the drab of its closely huddled buildings frequently relieved by rich touches of green in streets or courtyards, all combine to lend it an aspect of a dream city, especially to one just emerging from the waste and desolation of the desert. Now the city is not entered through a gate as of old. The approach is over a broad boulevard that still bears the marks of an early stage of development, having progressed only to the point of being lined with ultra-modern looking cafes all along the water course. The only imposing building before entering the confines of the city proper is the old Turkish barracks now transformed into a university. Soon after we were at the entrance of the principal hotel and being received by a porter in native dress, not altogether sightly, and in bare feet and slippers. This was not calculated to impart a favorable first impression, but the place proved to be good in all other respects. After lunch and a short rest we started on what proved to be some of the most interesting experiences of our travels through Syria. .,... .,-.- .. awwMMfe*ri.^ �OCTOBER, 1930 Damascus (The Pearl of the East) By THOMAS ASA The Prophet's earthly paradise thou art, Eternal mound in countless ages lain; And though another has usurped thy part, Ten thousand years shall over thee in vain. And in the midday sun thy minarets, Resplendent with their alabaster gleam, Tow'ring rise, which no mortal eye forgets, The earthly vision of some poet's dream. And to the Desert sight thy sheltered bow'rs Give strength to wearied limbs of pilgrimage; Thou should'st have been the mart of sacred pow'rs, O'er which three shrines in futile efforts wage. And with the advent of the evening hour, As fades the purpling sun into the West, The faithful Muezzin cries from his tow'r, And calls to pray'r who seek the Prophet's rest. And when the welcome canopy of Night Embraces thee within its dark'ning shades, The moon and stars, with their celestial light, Illume with Love thy gardens, streams, and glades. 'Tis then I think what once wise Omar thought: Drink deep of wisdom, beauty, happiness; Conform thy Life to what the Earth has wrought, Ere Death shall close thee to the Sun's caress. mmnmHHmSmi-. �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Syrian World a Corporation An Investment Productive of Moral Benefit and financial profit. JN all the history of Syrian immigration to the United States no pubhc project has yet been undertaken that combines the two TuzZf "w ] ^^i and finandal Profit as the PublicationTf L SUCh THE SYRIAN W RLD is SiL thfH °- u* ° « ^der- V S thC Sen US consi nir^H Q T 1 ° deration of every publicspirited Syrian, Lebanese, or any of the other immigrant ele- thC ArabiC tOI e "ns de^ ^ ^^ ^now - The -eh consideration are many and varied, and that~£ the publication h" tZZToT" "^ ^^ fr°m COm m n ownershi AmeriT^ f 1 r ° P th£ of ^vidualSUf the Syrian people in ^ASSS* " ^ SUbmltted " Pr°SpeCtiVe LeS" HISTORY OF THE PUBLICATION is the realization of an ideal. It was conceived in the spirit of service to the Syrian American geneTa tion who had no ready means of satisfying their naturafdes re to be mformed on the ancestral background of their parents as THE SYRIAN WORLD CW PP mSS am n th£ del in Zt^ T^ r ° S different'commu'nt ties, in America and abroad, with whom they had natural bonds of racial interests. Another and equally important obje is "or the Syrians m America to provide a medium for the proper interpreta ion of Synan culture and the representation of the Syrians in heir true standing as a component element in the American nation. These two objects THE SYRIAN WORLD has consistently striven to attain throughout its career. Its efforts have been such as to evoke the commendation of Syrians and Americans alike. I he Syrians have found in the publication a dignified organ fittingly representing them in their finest cultural traditions, and the Americans have welcomed it as a source of information urgently needed on Syria and the Syrians. The four years of THE SYRIAN W0RLD'S publlc tl h d to estaW4 .t ^ JVRIAN I n the esteem of the thinking element in our community. The test or its usefulness and necessity is in the answer to the ques- �OCTOBER, 1930 25 toon: Has THE SYRIAN WORLD been of benefit to the Syrians, and can we afford to dispense with it?" A thinking Syrian, man or woman has yet to be found who would not consider the suspension of THE SYRIAN WORLD, or a publication of its character, an irreparable national loss. As a racial element in America we are in need of an organ. THE SYRIAN WORLD has supplied this need and vindicated its existence as a necessary national institution. HOW TO PROMOTE AND PERPETUATE THE GOOD WORK Its necessity established, the next consideration to arise is to give THE SYRIAN WORLD, first, a guarantee of permanency and, second, an opportunity to expand so as to more efficiently and thoroughly carry out the mission set for it. To secure this end, the best means was to turn the publication over to public ownership by organizing a corporation in which all would have the opportunity to share. This at once provides the necessary financing tor putting into effect the plans for expansion, and lends to it the prestige of public support, which comes from the public's participation in ownership. CORPORATE ORGANIZATION AND METHODS OF SUBSCRIPTION TO STOCK THE SYRIAN WORLD has been incorporated under the laws of the State of New York with a capitalization of 1,000 shares of preferred stock having a par value of $25 each and bearing interest at the rate of 7% per annum; and 1,000 shares of common stock of no par value. The preferred stock has a first lien upon all of the assets of the corporation and is to receive interest at the rate of 7% per annum before any dividends can be paid on the common stock. The voting power is vested in the common stock and in a Board of Directors composed of men of integrity and business ability who will control the policies and management of the corporation. That the stock may be distributed as broadly as possible the corporation has decided to offer four shares of preferred stock with a bonus of one share of common for the price of $100 for the unit. Should any subscriber desire a lesser quantity than a single unit, subscription may be made for one-half or one-quarter of each unit. For illustration: If a subscriber should purchase eight shares [of preferred stock he will receive two shares of common stock; �26 THE SYRIAN WORLD or, if he subscribes for three shares of preferred stock he will receive three-quarters of a share of common stock All net earnings of the corporation over and above the diviSt Ck arC able t tnTrT 7ofSffif* ° holders ^of cretion of the Board Directors to the the«^excommon St ck wil1 be held untif ^V^ "* °fthe ° successful operation * < of* until aa^ven'sum^ given sum is received insuring the plans for expansion and improvement. PROSPECTS HOLD GREAT PROMISE m Jh7dditi°nai CaPltal ra'Sed ^ the sa]e of st°ck will be used to introduce into THE SYRIAN WORLD those improvements whch will not only enhance its standing as a national organ 17the Syrians in America, but also increase its popular appeal and sub stantially enlarge its circulation with a consequent increase in revenue. This in turn would further add to the effectiveness of its service in carrying out its educational mission. The immediate field for the increase of circulation is extensive. Being the only organ for the Syrians published in English every English-reading Syrian in America or abroad is a potential subscriber. The Syrians in the United States are conservatively estimated at 250,000 of whom at least 100,000 are American born. Conceding that only 10% of this number can be ultimately induced to subscribe, the publication would not only be carrying out its educational mission effectively, but would also prove a financial success. *" The capital sought by the sale of stock is to form the necessary organization that would seek the means of reaching the vast number of prospective subscribers among the Syrian communities scattered throughout the United States. Besides, the circulation of THE SYRIAN WORLD need not be restricted to Syrians. Every Syrian proud of his name would be .nterested ,n having his American friends read his national pubcircuTation immediately open an unlimited field for In view of the above stated facts, investment in THE SYRIAN 2riSJ e0rp0ratl°!: Su°Ulrd haVC the Str°nSest aPPeal *> publicspirited Syrians, whether from consideration of profitable investment or the promotion of a work that exerts the strongest influence on our standing in America as a race ^ m �OCTOBER, 1930 27 ALI ZAIBAQ (Quicksilver) THE UNPARALLELED ADVENTURES OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASHID, OF THE CITY OF BAGDAD. Translated from the original Arabic by A. MOKARZEL and THADDEUS S. DAYTON SALLOUM CHAPTER II. THE ENCHANTED CITY "Q my son," said Quicksilver's mother, "the Enchanted City is at a distance of forty days' journey from Cairo. No mortal man has yet visited it and returned alive. Know also that the Magic Box of the All-Seeing Eye, is constructed of precious stones: emerald, diamond, ruby, and turquoise. It was fashioned by a certain Greek Sorcerer who was accustomed, by sitting within it, to view therefrom all parts of the world and all their treasures, simply by turning about. "After finishing this work he performed an act of geomancy, and it was disclosed to him that after his death this box would fall into the hands of a certain stranger from Egypt. Therefore, he selected an island far from the Enchanted City, and there he built a great dome beneath which he deposited this enchanted box which was the fruit of his life's toil. Then, as a further precaution, he enchanted the island and caused two opposing scimitars to play up and down forever before the entrance so that no one might pass. Also he built a great statue of brass which he placed at the entrance of the Enchanted City as a guardian against anyone who might come with designs against this product of his witchery. Now the function of this statue of brass is to utter a thunderous cry whenever a stranger from Egypt approaches the gates of the city, thereby informing the inhabitants of his presence. Thereupon they will rush forth to slay him." "^?^Tr.i-< �po THE SYRIAN WORLD lifeT0W^mZJ°n,"l.-0,IltinUed Fatimah> "y°u are risking your Me ,n undertakingthis hazardous task, but if you persist in it I e y U rCP Zt nCe t0 tHe Shrine f and r ° ° ^Pt's Patron saint, asl f° 1° and ask for his intercession with God so that he will help you to P Y execute successfully this undertaking." Accordingly Quicksilver went that night and lay down in the shnne and whi e he was in peaceful slumber therecame to hfm uTAnd a heavenly voice called to him and said- two ruhi?,UlCkl .1 5ef°re Ly°U depart CUt out a branch about that temn e nVnarry ^ K y U^n Mm ^0WS before this ]t Wlth y Ur *** Urne You 13 K / ° ° ° J° y- U find that it w 11 be of great service to you in executing your mission » Upon arising next morning Quicksilver cut off a branch of he palm tree as he had been directed, and went forth as if transported on the wings of a great hope e Ud 7 f r S£Veral dayS thr0U h a vast de His^ nnr f ^ T ° exhausted and he gwas on the point ^t. u His supply of water became of perishing from thirst. While he was meditating upon* ni 3 f^T? the distance a palm tree toward which he directed his steps. Beneath it he found a well of pure and delicious water, but to his great surprise could discover no bucket or rope by which it could be reached. Therefore he unwound hi urban and took his belt from his waist and tying both together iuench HftTirs^ "* ** T " *" "" "** «* ft ~* While he was so engaged he saw reflected in the water at the bottom of the well the faces of two men secreted amid the branches of the palm tree that overshadowed it. He instantly suspected that these men were lying in wait for him After satisfying his thirst he took from his bag some antidote for benj which he secretly placed in his nostrils. Then he lighted a phosphoric stick and by that means burned a quantity of that powerful drug benj, so that the smoke rose in a dense cloud CS hidden °f th£ ^ WhCre the tWO men were After waiting until the benj should take effect, Quicksilver nsThn 1 /^e a « f°Und tHf tW° men ly'mZ amon& the inches as though dead He pitilessly cast them to the earth and then descended, and bound them hand and foot. This done, he administered the antidote for the drug whereupon they sneezed and recovered their senses. Finding themselves helpless, they beg& ged for mercy and said: * ^.-,;W««* �OCTOBER, 1930 2p "Quicksilver, hasten not to visit punishment upon us, for we are only emissaries of Salah-Eddin who has sent us to intercept Y Tw t*TY and preVent yoUr return to Cair°; bu< the mantle or Allah s .Protection seems to cover you." Thereupon Quicksilver tightened their bonds and left them alone and helpless by the well in the desert while he proceeded on his way He continued his journey until he approached the Enchanted City. It was then in the dusk of the evening, and considering that this was not an opportune moment to enter the city he sat down, saying to himself: "I will repair to the mountains nearby and remain there until morning; then I will go into the city, for it is now dark and undoubtedly danger lurks in the way." At that moment Quicksilver heard a great tumult and cries rising in the distance in the direction of the city; so he left the path and made for a cave that was not far distant. There he remained until night had fallen and everything was dark Then his restless spirit urged him forth towards the Enchanted City but on his way he perceived a light burning dimly in a cave near the road and he turned aside to discover the reason for a light in that desert place. As he drew near and reached the mouth of the cavern he saw a company of blacks surrounding a beautiful damsel of fair complexion, whose face resembled the moon at its full She was lamenting, beating her breast and shedding tears like pearls and when Quicksilver perceived her he was greatly amazed, and said to himself: "No doubt this beautiful maiden is of noble birth and has been kidnaped from the house of her father and brought to this secluded place by these black slaves who undoubtedly intend evil against her. I must save her' from their hands and return her safely to her home." Thereupon he took from his traveling bag a phosphoric stick which he covered with benj and when it was aflame threw it into the cave. After waiting a little while, he entered and found all the blacks lying on the ground as though dead. He proceeded directly to where,the maiden was-and administered to her an antidote which revived her-and she opened her eyes in wonderment saying"Where am I ?. . For the sake of Allah!" To which Quicksilver responded:' "6 beautiful damsel, I pray you tell me how you came to be in the hands of these blacks." �30 THE SYRIAN WORLD On hearing these words the white maiden answered: "Know, O young man, that I am the daughter of the King of the Enchanted City, who is the ruler of all this land. "Now there was in our city a most precious treasure—the work of a great sorcerer. This magician discovered that this treasure would one day be taken by force by some stranger from the land of Egypt. Therefore he hid it away on an island distant from our city, and he cast a spell of magic over that island also. Then he caused to be made a great statue of brass which he placed at the entrance of the Enchanted City so that if a stranger from Egypt should approach it would raise a great outcry at which the people would rush forth to defend themselves against the invader. "It was not until this very day that this statue, which had been silent for ages, raised its voice, and thereupon the inhabitants of the Enchanted City, remembering the ancient tradition, rushed forth, led by my father the King, and all the occupants of the palace. "There was no one left in the palace but myself. While I was thus alone these blacks made their appearance. They bound me and carried me to this isolated spot, saying to me: " 'We have waited long for this favorable occasion. You, and you alone are what we are seeking.' " "No sooner had I heard these words," continued the Princess, "than I despaired of my fate. There seemed no hope of deliverance from the hands of these savages. O bravest of the brave, accept my sincere, undying gratitude, for rescuing me. When my father learns of this he will enrich you with money and jewels and high honors in recompense for your noble act." But instead of accepting these golden prospects Quicksilver's thoughts centered themselves on the strange coincidence which had brought about his encounter with the daughter of the very king whose country he was seeking to enter. Straightway Quicksilver and the Princess turned their steps in the direction of the Enchanted City. Now it happened that this Princess was the most beautiful woman of the age. The fame of her loveliness, wisdom and accomplishments had traveled far and wide and was the subject of conversation in the courts of kings. She was sought in marriage by the greatest men of the time, but her father loved her so much that he would never consent to be separated from her. �OCTOBER, 1930 J; Now it also happened that the news of her great and surpassng beauty had reached the ears of the King of the Blacfaand the Soudanese the ruler of a great empire, and his heart and mind were filled with the thoughts of the loveliness of the Princess of the Enchanted City. So he sent an embassy to ask the Princess s hand in marriage, but the King, her father, refused. This enraged the King of the Blacks, and he called for the most noted of his champions and the most cunning of his spies and related to them everything from beginning to end. He commanded them to disguise themselves and to go to the Enchanted Uty and there to contrive some stratagem for obtaining possession of the daughter of the White King and bringing her to him. It they were successful he promised them whatsoever they might It was not long thereafter before this company of spies and warriors set out on their journey, in the guise of merchants. They reached the Enchanted City and entered it, finding lodgment in some of the khans and awaiting an opportune moment for the accomplishment of their master's desires. "This unexpectedly came about in the manner which I shall relate to you," said the tale-teller, "at the end of our next day's march, should Allah vouchsafe us his protection from the genii that are abroad by day and night upon this great desert." (To be continued) Hunger By MISCHA NAIMY Into my heart a seed was cast And it took root and sprouted fast. It spread so far and reached so high, Until it filled the earth and sky. And now its boughs are weighted low With fairer fruit than angels know; Yet I whose heart sap feeds the root, Though famished, dare not taste the fruit. �i ! 32 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Tragic Love of a Caliph A SHORT STORY Adapted from the Arabic (Continued from the September issue) For a time Saada permitted Yazid to relax while surrounding him with the most ingenious display of the tenderest solicitude. She was preparing him for the climax which she had most cunningly planned. At times she would appear in the role of critic and admonisher and at others she would assume the role of loving comforter. Under her subtle influence it was not long before \ azid lost what little he had of will power and became a ready tool in her hand. Having worked Yazid to such a submissive and receptive mood, Saada was now ready to spring on him her great surprise. She had laid her plans most skillfully and was now about to proceed with their execution. "What can now trouble the mind of my lord and master?" she began by way of preparation. "Has my beloved Yazid not accomplished his most sanguine ambition? Is he not now the successor of the Prophet and the Prince of All the Faithful? What more exalted situation can a mortal desire? Oh! that it were in my power to read my master's thoughts that I might devote every moment of my life towards their fulfillment!" "Beloved Saada," wearily replied Yazid, "I have truly come to the fulfillment of my ambitions, but the caliphate to me is worth but little in comparison to your sweet company." Yazid was making an attempt to be chivalrous. He' loved Saada of a sort, and this she realized only full well. She filled a place in his official life, but not the place that the genuine love of a woman fills in a man's heart. "But why the apparent despondency of my beloved lord and master," Saada continued. "Here you have attended today the official function at which the homage of the world is laid at your feet. And if this were not to gratify your desires, behold me now at your side ready and willing to lay down my very life for the consummation of your utmost personal happiness. But will not my master confide implicitly in me? What desire is there mmnnHmMmni I, �OCTOBER, 1930 < 33 weighing on his heart that I could relieve? My lord thirsts for a drink, does he not?" and before he could answer she clapped for her slaves, who came in bringing wine, and fruit, and all manner of the most delectable relishes. Yazid drank and ate, but all the wine that Saada forced on him could not shake him out of his melancholy mood. Saada, however, was not alarmed, not even depressed. Rather, she was wont to smile in satisfaction at the auspicious working of her plans. Now Saada was ready to shoot the last arrow out of her • quiver of artifices. She drew near to Yazid and caressed him softly. "I^know that my lord is concealing something from his loyal slave," she said, "something that even the most coveted power in Islam could not make him forget. There surely is some personal concern weighing over your heart. You must tell me, Yazid, for Allah is all compassionate and merciful, and his ways of rewarding his faithful servants are mysterious and strange, and perhaps he has chosen me as the vehicle for rewarding you and bringing joy to your heart. Now you must admit, Yazid, that your happiness is not complete. All the pomp of the caliphate was insufficient to fill the void that you feel in your bosom. Tell me, Yazid, do you not still lack something?" She looked into his eyes as if to read the innermost reactions of his soul, but he still clung to his secret, simply replying- "No sweet Saada, I lack nothing." "Yes you do,'" she insisted in an assertive tone, "and while I might have detected the truth, I wanted vou to voluntarily impart it to me. You still feel the lack of something, or someone, a beloved person, a comforter. Do you not, of a truth?" Now that Saada had progressed in the disclosure of her knowledge of his mind from the "something" to the "someone," Yazid realized that she knew more than she had already divulged. For was it not the absence of this "someone" that made him lose all the joy and satisfaction of succeeding to the caliphate? Was it not originally his ambition to seek the caliphate with all the power attending upon it, only to be in a position to regain possession of the greater prize which he had lost when he was forced to sell the incomparable slave-girl Hubaba? Now he had gained the lesser prize but was still lacking the greater and more precious one. The memory of Hubaba was forever the spectre that stalked his path and haunted his every move, and now that Saada had so subtly hinted at his continued loss, his grief and �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD anguish were mercilessly crushing him. Nor did he entertain the hope of ever finding her. He had already made secret inquiries and was told that she was sold first to a master in Iraq, and then to another in far-off Marrakesh; whence she seemed to have completely vanished and all traces of her lost. Oh! that he could confide his woe to a sympathetic soul that the burden of his misery might partly be lightened by being borne with another! Why should Saada now open his wounds and remind him of the emptiness of wordly pomp and power when the man in him nursed a dead heart consumed to ashes by a desperate and departed loveI azid was so enfolded in his despondent thoughts that he became oblivious of the presence of Saada. The only world to him was the enchanted world which Hubaba alone could create by her presence. He could not help but heave a sigh. Oh, that she were only there to complete his happiness! At the thought of Hubaba a faint smile played over Yazid's countenance and Saada was not slow to understand. She had been actually thinking with him and divining his every notion. She followed the success which she had already gained. "My master has not yet answered my question," she breathed softly to interrupt his reverie. "My master would do well to open his soul to me." "Saada," almost cried Yazid in an attitude of surrender "I do lack something, and that very badly. Lack it to the point of placing not the least value upon my whole realm in comparison to it And that something is not a thing, it is a person. Forgive me for baring my heart to you, but my heart is at the breaking po:nt from anguish. If the truth will not hurt you, I will tell " But Saada showed by her every action that she was fully sympathetic and understanding. She was the one urging him to con"My lord should realize my sincere solicitude for his happiness. Nothing that will effect his pleasure can hurt me" she sweetly whispered. ' "Then I shall tell you," said Yazid. "I shall not be fully happy until I recover possession of Hubaba." At this Yazid almost broke down, but the all-thoughtful and comforting Saada was quick to the rescue. He startled when she asked him. '|And would you recognize her if you were to sec her now?" "Is she here?" adced Yazid, in a tone of both supplication and surprise. "I beg of thee, Saada, beloved, hold me not in �OCTOBER, 1930 35 cruel suspense any longer." For answer Saada made a hurried exit from the chamber and returned leading Hubaba by the hand. The slave-girl, fresh from the bath and resplendent in costly dress and sparkling jewels, was more beautiful than ever. Yazid, in the exuberance of his joy, cast aside all reserve in his welcome of her. For once he felt his pleasure complete and forthwith proceeded to add to it some more for good measure. The whole royal household were summoned to the grand hall of festivities to celebrate the return of Hubaba. And the caliph's hilarity could not fail of being contagious. Singers, musicians, jesters and dancers gave of their best, and there was no restriction on the consumption of wine. Fate was kind to Yazid for some time. For over two months his only concern was to indulge in the orgies of pleasure which the return of Hubaba inspired. By her song Hubaba could make him weep with contrition, or dance of sheer delight. He was wont at times to fill a special basin in one of the inner courts with wine and plunge into it fully dressed. On other occasions he would carry a cushion on his head and parade about the room, crying, "Fish! fresh fish! Who will buy fish of the fisherman!" in imitation of the hawkers of the street. The playful spirit of Yazid could not be suppressed. Now the people of Damascus began to grumble at the caliph's continued neglect of the affairs of state and some of his advisers made bold to bring the matter to his attention. "Your predecessor, Omar, was a man of noted piety and justice," they pleaded, "and your continued inattention to the affairs of state is bound to cause discontent, which might lead to more serious consequences. Appear then to the people this coming Friday and lead them in prayer, as behooves the successor of the Prophet and the Prince of the Faithful." Yazid was impressed with the cogency of the argument and promised to repent. For two days thereafter he sat in judgment and devoted his entire time and attention to public matters, not even once visiting the harem quarters. Hubaba became alarmed. Friday marked the third day of Yazid's repentence, and, true to his word, he was proceeding to the great mosque to lead the faithful in prayers. But Hubaba had planned otherwise, and her influence on Yazid was never known to fail. She bribed one of his personal attendants to hide her in a convenient place along the corridor where Yazid was to pass on his way to the mosque, and �36 THE SYRIAN WORLD when he drew near she pleaded with him to resume his former attentions to her. And Yazid could not resist. He forthwith ordered his chief of guards to lead in prayer in his stead while he straightway followed Hubaba into their regular haunts of pleasure. The relapse of Yazid into his former irresponsible state was cause for great concern "to his advisers, and the very vizier who had caused the temporary repentence again came to press the argument. Yazid proved attentive but not amenable. He would give his consent only conditionally and proposed a bargain. "Under pretense of being blind," he suggested, "you will accompany me into the harem to listen to Hubaba's singing and attend other forms of entertainment. If, after personal observation, you insist on my giving up my pleasures I shall repent irrevocably." Saying which, Yazid led the vizier by the hand into the precincts of the harem. Immediately the slave-girls gathered about the stranger and threatened to beat him, some even throwing their slippers at him. They were appeased only by the intercession of Yazid and hisassurance that the man was blind. For otherwise no stranger could lay eyes on the harem of the caliph and be suffered to live. Yazid then commanded Hubaba to sing and the other slave-girls and entertainers to indulge freely. "What is your verdict now?" whispered the caliph into the ear of the vizier. . "Truly this is not of the earth," stammered the transported vizier. "This is of the ecstasy of Al-Jannat. By Allah, keep it up. H ou are absolved of any blame." And^ Yazid did keep it up, pursuing his pleasures with a vengeance, if such were possible. The affairs of state were carried on by the very strong impetus which characterized the early rise of Islam. Debauchery was in the palace but not in the victorious armies fighting under the banners of the Arabian Prophet. One day Yazid was so transported with joy that he said to Hubaba: "Beloved, I will fly without wings if you so command me." But his beloved was considerate. She could not permit his embarking on such a hazardous feat! "I know that your joy is of such buoyancy that you can fly without wings," she remonstrated. "But who is there to guide the destinies of the empire after you? There is but one Yazid." "I will proclaim you my successor and appoint Abdullah �OCTOBER, 1930 climax " hC COntiniled hy W 37 ^ ()f aln T'»g the pleasantry to a "I dismiss the regent," she hastened to say in a show of authonty. /P^u Y°u dismif the man J aPPoillt-?" he retorted in anger, and forthwith retired to his own apartment Yazid, however, could not bear Hubaba's absence for more than a day, although he could not with dignity take the initiative towards a reconciliation. He called to him Hubaba's favorite <3hat may y0Ur mistress be doing now?" he inquired She is occupied in play, O Prince of the Faithful," the servant replied. "Go and engage her in a game of chess," commanded the caliph, and at a given time pick up the pawns and run hither in my direction." The servant did as ordered, and when Hubaba was chasing the offending servant she ran into Yazid's arms! Yasid resolved there should be no further scenes to mar the even flow of his happiness. He would plan his days in a manner that each would surpass the other in the perfect consummation of pJeasure. He would disprove the common contention that happiness could never be complete to any man for a full daV He would have of that not only one day but many days. Accordingly } azid proceeded to carry out his plans. He ordered barred all intruders whatever the nature of their business and retired with Hubaba to a rose bower in a secluded corner of the royal gardens Slaves came in long trains carrying wine and fruits and viands and all other forms of appetizing delicacies. Hubaba sang and plaved and sported with the caliph in her happiest mood of buoyant hilarity And 1 azid went into ecstasies of delight. So far his com lete false! P - The common adage was branded as Yazid's high spirits made him extremely playful Not a device of merriment could he think of than should be tried Hubaba s resourcefulness was responsible for many ingenious games. While in this mood Yazid began pelting Hubaba with luscious pomegranate seeds which she roguishly caught in her mouth The play proceeded merrily until a seed became wedged in Hubaba's throat. She coughed and writhed in a desperate effort to dislodge *" j £ ,TS fra,ntlC and called for assistance like one become mad. Hubaba could not be saved and she soon ceased her strug- �38 THE SYRIAN WORLD gle and dropped her head like a withered rose. Fate was mightier than the caliph! She was also cruel in her revenge! For days Yazid would not permit the burial of Hubaba's body. He could not bring himself to realize that she was dead. He abstained from all food and drink until he became a mere shadow. His great grief was pitiful to behold and whatever he had left of strength cracked under its weight. It was suspected that he was intent upon hastening his end so as the sooner to join his beloved in Al-Jannat. He followed her into the beyond forty days after her tragic end. Yazid was the only caliph of Islam known to have died a martyr to love. On his death bed he was heard to whisper: "Fool is he who would stay the hand of Fate. Complete happiness can never be the lot of mortal for a whole day, not even for a part thereof. The hand of Allah is above all others!" Saada's grief over the death of Yazid was sincere, but between her tears a faint smile would play over her countenance when she thought of her nursling son and the future of Islam. On Giving and Taking By G. K. GlBRAN You owe more than gold to him who serves you. Give him of your heart or serve him. I would walk with all those who walk. I would not stand still and watch the procession passing by. How mean am I when life gives me gold and I give you silver, and yet I deem myself generous. How heedless you are when you would have me fly with your wings and you cannot even give me a feather. They spread before us their richest of gold and silver, of ivory and ebony, and we spread before them our hearts and our spirits: And yet they deem themselves the hosts and us the guests. �OCTOBER, 1930 39 EDITORIAL COMMENT THE SYRIAN WORLD, Inc. yHE announcement of the incorporation of THE SYRIAN WORLD, published elsewhere in this issue, is self-explanatory. The purpose, aside from raising funds for improvement and expansion, is to pass the publication into actual public ownership in substantiation of the claim that it is a public Syrian institution. The result will be a gradual building up of an organization that will be trained to carry on the work and make it an enduring monument to the Syrians of America. In furtherance of this plan, the incorporators have decided to issue the preferred stock at a moderate par value so as to insure for it the widest possible distribution. It is felt that there should be stockholders in THE SYRIAN WORLD corporation wherever there are Syrians, because, aside from its investment value, ownership of stock is proof positive of racial pride and civic interest. Purchase of stock in THE SYRIAN WORLD corporation should also prove of strong appeal to patriotic societies whose avowed purpose is the promotion of Syrian public welfare. It can readily be realized that while their sphere of activities might of necessity be restricted to their local communities, they can through their sponsoring of THE SYRIAN WORLD, extend their interest to the national held and thereby render a double service. THE SYRIAN WORLD has been carried on for over four years as an individual enterprise, and although its resources have been limited, it has succeeded in proving that its scope of public service is beyond limit. It has furthermore established itself as an indispensable institution which we should be impelled by a consciousness of racial pride not only to support and continue but also to increase its facilities as an instrument of public service to our Syrian-American generation as well as an indispensable national organ and a disseminator of our culture and a champion of our racial interests in the language of the land. We earnestly ask organizations and individuals to give serious thought to the proposition of investing in THE SYRIAN WORLD corporation on the consideration that it is an investment in the most vital public enterprise yet undertaken among the Syrians in America. �MM ' (! 40 It is high time we develop a sense of cooperation and a proper appreciation of the benefits of collective action in matters of public interest. RELATIVE OBLIGATIONS J"HE two leading Syrian papers of "America, Al-Hoda and Meraat-Ul-Gharb, have taken up seriously of late the discussion of the relations of the Syrians in America to their motherland. Both seem to be of accord that the duty of the Syrians in America is towards their own immediate interests first. Such a statement, on the face of it, would appear superfluous *n view of the self-evident truth that no other course would be logical. But the fact remains that there is abundant reason for thinking otherwise, giving rise to the timely complaint of the two papers. The Syrians of America, judging by the comment of the Syrian-American publications, are being unduly exploited for all manner of schemes and propositions and enterprises in the mother country that have no direct bearing on their immediate interest or welfare. This evil, according to the argument advanced, could be mittgated if the Syrians of America would show as much interest in vital public matters that immediately concern them as they do in remote and somewhat irrelevant THE SYRIAN WORLD schemes foisted on them from abroad. But the fact of the situation is they do not, hence the aggravation. Although no specific instances are cited, which fact may be attributed to a magnanimous impulse, enough is said in general terms to give a clear idea of the object in view. The prevailing note is an expression of indignation and surprise that foreign enterprises attract much more support than do those of home. A newspaper publisher of no standing comes to America and collects in subscriptions in the course of a few months more than a publisher of a home newspaper could hope to accumulate in years, if he is at all successful in reaching the figures of the foreigner. This circumstance seems to be particularly aggravating to our SyrianAmerican publishers because of their feeling that America is their own particular field, and whatever income is to be derived from it should go by right to them. For, they argue, are they not fighting the battles of the Syrians in America and catering to their immediate needs? Why then should someone from abroad compete with them in their own field and carry away what should be law* fully theirs? Furthermore, Arabic-Language newspapers in general are complaining of decreased �OCTOBER, 1930 41 demands from ab ad, I^d ^—- P^^ing in the tion. Schools, hospital, dvk improvements church L~!_ repairs and various public and private chanties have taken a toll of the Syrian-Americans' funds seemingly at the expense of their own public enterprises, and aJJ for no reason other than the Syrians' tharitable disposifirm in/) sentimental „ a.! .1 w^T .* tion and ^ £TS °f the *«bic d • « »tmct commun ty ,„ Amenca our paramount interest should be in our own vital public matters. We owe it to ourselves and to posterity to develop a civic spirit alive to our public requirements. From purely humanitarian and sential considerations we may mental considerations we may is ^tsna&sr to sr^V «* for thingsTK^kS688 rftam T int£reSt in the affair" Ur h metown or It may be recalled tti th i K ° 1 ° homeland, S n C ndition that subject w^onL treated in THI V^ ° ^ ° SYRIAN WORLD by A Halim T "*"?* d°CS n0t adversely writing under the ruti^The f °\ ^ public welSage of Washington Strelt'' QZ ? ^"S" °U1" dUty t0 firSt In Such a discussion wa bound io th I ^f find ourselve find its way finallvTnto n„Kl ' s in hearty agreement with print in the A abic Dress I the stand taken i 7fe Mission^fThFs^i^W^ 5 rpuu . y AMEEN RIHANI c THE new Syrian generation can not read Arabic, and its moth" Tnded^1°»1-lud- little or nothing about th motner land. Here then ,s the mission of THE SYRIAN WORLD. Its editor was the first to realize the necessity of ana understand, the knowledge that is lacking in their edu that 8 es hm more -E££ZlSr l makes them tit-co,^ k , / that ana sell respect, the knowledge better citi e" zens productive and creative in every walk of fife£ knowledge,, in a word, that will save them as Syrians' and ennoble them the more as Americans. THE SVRLTK WOR D IS indispensable to the new Syrian generation D �42 THE SYRIAN WORLD Political Developments in Syria SITUATION IN DAMASCUS REMAINS UNCHANGED These must be exceedingly trying times for the Syrian Nationalists who are eager to find a solution of their present political difficulties and find their way blocked by the vacillating policy of the French High Commissioner and the equally changing attitude of the French Foreign Office. The latest solution proposed by M. Ponsot proved utterly unacceptable, and although the League of Nations upheld the French in their execution of the mandate, High Commissioner Ponsot is said to be tarrying in Paris for the purpose of devising another scheme designed to placate the Nationalists by providing an acceptable settlement of the country's difficulties. As usual, however, the nature of this new solution remains a sealed secret and only when the taciturn Ponsot choses his time and place to divulge it will it become known. The latest reports from Beirut would set the date of M. Ponsot's return to Syria about October first. He is said to have attended the meeting of the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations at Geneva where he defended his policy in dividing the country into several administrative units and then returned to Paris to take up with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the question of devising a new plan for the mandated territory. Some Syrian papers guardedly publish the rumor that such an arrangement has been reached and that already orders have been issued to officials in Syria to prepare the necessary machinery for putting the new plan in operation. The rumor went so far as to infer that immediately upon the return of the High Commissioner popular elections will be held on an acceptable basis yet to be defined. What would seem to bear out this contention is that President Tajeddin of Syria undertook a tour of the principal populous centers of the country proceeding as far north as Aleppo. The Nationalists attempted to place every impediment in his way and it is claimed that the apathy with which he was met was counteracted only by the appearance of paid demonstrators. Some opposition papers even made so bold as to accuse Tajeddin and his administration of using treasury funds for hiring the men who staged the pseudo public . demonstration. Further accusations represent the Tajeddin government as resorting to unfair and unconstitutional means to suppress the lawful activities of his opponents. Al-Ahrar, a liberal paper of Beirut whose editor is Minister of Public Instruction in the Lebanese government, was proscribed from entry to Damascus by President Tajeddin, and when the French authorities set aside this decree Sheikh Tajeddin confiscated issues of the paper offered for sale. The Nationalists, on the other hand, seem to be still marking time. Their principal grievance would seem to be directed against the continuation in power of the government of Sheikh Tajeddin, which fact, they claim, bars all possibility of understanding with the French. The Nationalists are also said to be planning a general convention to define �OCTOBER, 1930 their stand and prepare for whatever action might be necessitated upon the return of the High Commissioner. FRANCE, ITALY AND THE SYRIAN MANDATE 43 England which has had its hands full in carrying out its own mandates and seeks to divert public attention at home from its own failure by creating complications for others. Otherwise^ argues the French paper, how are we to account for the publication of the latest rumors concerning France's intention to relinquish its Syrian mandate simultaneously in London and in Beirut? Besides the publisher of Al-Nada, the Syrian paper which first gave publicity to the rumors, is a Druze, a people whom the English have befriended and protected to counterbalance the influence of the French with the Maronites. But, concludes the French paper, this latest manoeuvre has failed to bring to England the relief it expected in easing its own critical position in its mandated territories. Although repeated denials have been issued by all parties concerned, the rumors bearing on Italy's intrigues to secure the mandate over Syria and Lebanon through the support of the Maronites still persist. The indirect denial by the Maronite Patriarch issued through the Catholic paper Al-Bachir was followed by a signed statement of the Patriarch categorically branding all rumors of political designs of some European powers through him or any of his bishops as false. As a further gestEconomic conditions in Lebanon ure of amity and understanding between the Patriarch and the Papal remain acute. The shortage of crops Nuncio in Lebanon, the latter made resulting from the locust invasion an extended visit to North Lebanon and the general depression in the and spent several days as a guest of prices of all native products, printhe Patriarch. Some papers would cipally silk, together with the deattribute the origin of these rumors pendence of the country on importato the reckless enterprise of a new- tions^ have all combined to aggracomer in the newspaper field who vate the situation. Added to this is sought this sensational means of the poorness of the summer season launching on his career as a means which this year attracted only about six thousand to the country. It is the of attracting attention. In spite of these denials, the in- opinion of many observers, openly cident seems to have been taken expressed, that had it not been for seriously by a number of French pa- emigrant remittances Lebanon would pers who would accuse Mussolini of be reduced to a condition bordering sustained political ambitions in on famine. Syria. Nor do they absolve England of blame in secretly fomenting An extra session of the Repretrouble in the country to harass the sentative Assembly has been called French. Le Journal of Paris, comfor September 15, and already it is menting on the situation, asserts that France is determined not to rumored preparations are under way relinquish its Syrian mandate, and to bring about the downfall of the that the recurring rumors to the cabinet. How else could politicians contrary are chiefly the work of give vent to their pent-up energies? �44 MOSLEMS AND CHRISTIANS QUARREL IN PALESTINE Press dispatches from Palestine have stressed lately certain differences arising between Christians and Moslems which led to murders and reprisals. While these incidents tending to disrupt the unity of the Palestine Arabs may be considered important as news material, there are graver happenings now taking place in the country on which dispatches maintain a mysterious silence. Some reporters or news agencies must have a nose for news only in certain directions. What may be rightly termed the most important recent development in Palestine is the effort of the British police to evict the Arab tenants of Wadi El Hawareth from their homes and lands. The case of these lands has been hanging for several years but has now come to a head through the determination of the government to use forcible methods of eviction. Early in September an armed force sent to this valley had an encounter with the settlers and is said to have used force without sufficient provocation. The principal cause of complaint is that the British police wounded several Arab women so severely as to necessitate hospital treatment, and in arresting them manhandled and manacled them. The Arab press was indignant at what it termed undue cruelty on the part of the police in their treatment of the Arab women defending their hearths and an Arab paper was suppressed for its criticism. This case 'has in it all the tragic elements of the land problem in Palestine, where the tenant farmers find themselves subject to eviction through the purchase by Jewish interests of their land from absentee landlords, while they, the tenants, apparently have THE SYRIAN WORLD no recourse to redress. The Shaw Commisson of Inquiry realized the importance of the Wadi El Hawareth situation and reviewed it fully in its report. We copy from the English edition of Falastin (Jaffa) the text of the Commission's report on this case in view of its intrinsic importance and its possible bearing on future events. It follows: "The second case to which we will refer is the recent purchase of the land known as Wadi el-Hawareth. We do so because the sale of this land was made the subject of many protests addressed to us during our stay in Palestine and because this transaction serves to illustrate the extremely difficult position in which the Government of Palestine are liable to be placed. The lands in question which belonged to Arabs were mortgaged in 1882 to a French subject. Between 1882 and 1923 there were two transfers of the mortgage without the consent of the mortgager. After legislation in the course of which the validity of the mortgage was disputed judgment was given in favor of the heirs of the mortgager and an order for sale was duly made. "The area offered for sale was 30,826 dunoms and the Jewish National Fund purchased the property for £41,000. The land was registered in its name on the 27th of May, 1929. The persons occupying the lands which have been sold number about 1,200 and own between two and three thousand head of stock, about a third of the land is used for grazing purposes; among the crops grown on the remaining areas are melons and the tithes paid in the "Among the persons now occupying the land are actual cultivators who received in August, 1928, notice to quit expiring on the last October, year 1928 indicate that the crop was worth at least £7,000. �OCTOBER, 1930 1929. On the 30th of November, 1929, an order of eviction was made against a large proportion of the occupiers. At the time when we left Palestine, we understood that the police had not executed the order of eviction and that the reason for their failure to do so was that they did not know of any locality to which they could move the present occupants and their flocks. We were informed that this action on the part of the police might at any time result in proceedings for contempt at the instance of the purchasers who are not disposed to abandon any of the right which they possessed under the orders of the Courts or to postpone the enforcement of those rights. The purchasers have, however, offered to put approximately 5,000 dunoms of land in the Beisan area at the condition that they are paid one fifth of the produce of that land. We were informed that this land is irrigable but the present occupants of the Wadi Hawareth land know nothing of irrigation and that furthermore the Beisan lands contain no grazing area. When we left Palestine no State or other land had been discovered to which the persons to be evicted could be transferred. ^ "It is noteworthy that both the Sursock land and the Wadi-elHawareth lands were the property of absentee landlords and in their absence were being cultivated by persons who paid as rent a percentage of the produce yielded by their holdings. The sale of lands over the heads of occupant tenants and the consequent dispossession of those tenants with or without compensation is not peculiar to Palestine but the position there is complicated by two factors which can seldom obtain elsewhere. In the first place the dispossessed tenant in Palestine is unlikely to be able to find alternative land to Which he can remove. Secondly, in some cases, the cultivators who were or may be dispossessed have a strong moral claim to be allowed to continue in occupation of their present holding. Under the Turkish regime, especially in the latter half of the eighteenth century, persons of the peasant classes in some parts of the Ottoman Empire, including the territory now known as Palestine found that by admitting the over-lordship of the Sultan or of some member of the Turkish aristocracy, they could obtain protection against extortion and other material benefits which counter-balanced the tribute demanded by their over-lord as a return for his protection. Accordingly many peasant cultivators at that time either willingly entered into an arrangement of this character or finding that it was imposed upon them, submitted to it. By these means persons of importance and position in the Ottoman Empire acquired the legal title to large tracts of land which for generations and in some cases for centuries had been in the undisturbed and undisputed occupation of peasants who, though by the new arrangement they surrendered their prescriptive rights over the land which they had cultivated had undoubtedly a strong moral claim to be allowed to continue in occupation of those lands." In commenting on this report, Falastin lays stress on the findings of the Commission that the occupant tenants have a strong moral claim in view of the peculiar conditions obtaining in Palestine which can be found nowhere else and therefore constitute a unique problem. It justifies the resistance of the Arabs on these grounds. The paper further sees in the incident a cause for increased estrangement between Arabs and Jews. The action of the police it �46 THE SYRIAN WORLD brands as "very untactful and most ORIGIN OF RELIGIOUS STRIFE IN PALESTINE brutal... The feelings of the Arab world (in the matter) are best left The incident leading to the presunwritten. The incident will not ent condition of religious strife bemake them any kinder to the Jews tween Christians and Moslems in Palestine had its origin in a controor grateful to the British." Another cause of apprehension in versy over the ownership of a cemethe Palestine situation is the tension tery in Haifa. Al-Bachir, the Jesuit organ of created between Christians and Moslems as a result of the murder of a Beirut, reports that during the war Christian editor in Haifa over the a cemetery belonging to the Greek ownership of a cemetery. A Moslem Catholics was used by the Moslems in Jaffa is said to have been mur- as a burial ground. Because of this dered in reprisal, giving rise to fear fact the custodian of the Moslem that the movement will spread to religious foundations sought to apother sections of the country. Joseph propriate the cemetery and exclude M. Ley special correspondent of the Christians from any right to it. the New York Times in Jerusalem, The difference was finally settled by reports that the Grand Mufti, relig- the agreement of both factions to ious head of the Moslems, has de- use it jointly. Within the cemetery enclosure cided to go in person to Haifa "to meet some Christian religious digni- there had been at one time a group taries with the purpose of attempt- of huts in which lived some Christing to find a way of opposing Mgr. ians of the poorer class. These huts Hajjar, Catholic Bishop of Haifa, were burned not long ago by willful who insists on going on with the persons whose identity remained untrial against Rashid Haj Ibrahim, known. The Greek Catholic bishop, the Grand Mufti's representative in Mgr. Gregory Hajjar*, having decided Haifa, who is sti'l incarcerated in to rebuild the huts sent a gang of the Acre Fortress prison on a charge workmen to undertake the work and of murdering the Christian Arab placed in charge one of his trustees, newspaper editor" who is of Mgr. Jamil Bahry, editor of the Arabic publication Az-Zuhoor. No sooner Hajjar's denomination. The Times' correspondent further the workmen started work than they reports that the Christian Arab pa- were set upon by a group of Moslems per Falastin charges the Zionists of who attacked with knives, sticks "paying large sums of money to and stones. In the fighting three both Christians and Moslems for the Christians were wounded, including express purpose of bringing about the editor whose wounds proved enmity and quarrels between them." fatal. The incident being the outcome of The same correspondent also rereligious differences, the feeling of ports that a large number of Chvistthe Christians became extremely ian Arabs, who since the British occupation of Palestine have taken to tense and the murdered editor was wearing hats, are now again donning given a public funeral in which all the fez for self-protection and in or- traditions among the Christians der to escape the notice of Moslem were broken, being attended not only fanatics. Many Christians in Jaffa by the representatives of the Cathohave also applied to the government lic churches but also by those of the Orthodox and the Protestants. for permits to carry firearms. �OCTOBER, 1930 . 47 About Syria and Syrian: SYRAMAR GOLF CLUB HOLDS TOURNAMENT other golf veteran and close friend of the champion. Mr. Ferris has to win the championship laurels still anothThe Syramar Golf Club of New er time to gain permanent possesYork held its fourth annual tourna- sion of the coveted. Syramar trophy ment at the Wolf Ho'low Golf course consisting of a solid silver platter. at Delaware Water Gap on Saturday . The CIub> however, was not sparand Sunday, September 6 and 7 ing m its distribution of prizes. Both Members and their friends turned the champion and the runner-up reout in large numbers, and the en- ceived valuable mementoes, as well thusiasm for the game was as pro- as the winners of the qualifying nounced as the delight of the large matches. The Club's policy is to fos gathering over the opportunitv ter love of this healthy and digniwhich brought so many friends to- hed game among the Syrians and gether under ideal conditions. From its efforts are meeting with gratifyevery point of view the tournament ing results. Already the sport is findproved a complete success. ing increasing favor among our Saturday and Sunday morning people as proven by the steadily were devoted to qualifying matches growmg membership of the club. and the championship contest was As an integral part of the tournaPlayed between George A. Ferris and ment a brilliant social function was George Aboarab. It was a hard- held at the club following the Sunfought game which was decided only day game. President Henry Haddad at the 20th hole. After having taken proved himself a resourceful and enthe lead early in the game Mr Fer- tertaining chairman. Mr. George A ns found himse'f in the uncomfort- Ferris dean of Syrian lawyers in able station of two down and two New York and one of the founders to go on the 17th tee. But his cham- of the organization, was assigned pionship mettle began to te'l and by the duty of distributing the prizes winning the two remaining holes he following the unbroken tradition succeeded in squaring the match. ot the club ever since its foundation. The 19th was halved with fives and Salloum A. Mokarzel, editor of the only on the 20th was the issue deSyrian World and the only honorary cided when Mr. Ferris emerged vic- member of Syramar, was also a tor by 4 to 5. speaker. 'The Syramar Golf Club is one of One of the surprising features of the contest was the form disriaypd the few Syrian organizations in by Mr. Aboarab, a youth who has which the growth of enthusiasm taken up golf only within the last seems to keep pace with the advance two years, but has devoted much in years. Its membership is increasing steadily and every year witnesses time to practice. improvement in its tournaments and Mr. FernVs victory marks his attending functions. The name third of the Syramar annual chamstands for Syrian-American and thpionship contests, the fourth having fallen to the lot of Mr. Mallouf, an- abbreviation and contraption are designed for euphony. �SYRAMAR GOLF CLUB OF NEW YORK Co R o p _ ,—.. �OCTOBER, 1930 49 Henry Haddad (left) presenting Syramar championship trophy to Geo A. Ferris (center). George Aboara b, the runner-up (right) looks on cheerfully. ARAB INFLUENCE IN ARGENTINE POLITICS Aside from the general interest they should have in the Argentine revolt as a major world event, the Syrians should have an especial interest in the historical background of Argentine politics culminating in the late developments because of their immediate associations with Arab influence. The revelations of the true causes leading to the deposition of President Irigoyen are of a startling nature, especially when viewed in the light of the long struggle going on for decades among the different classes of the population. The causes for this long-drawn struggle are laid at the door of certain inherited traits and customs of one section of the population which was invaluable at one time for the protection of the country but has now apparently outlived its usefulness. Had a Syrian or Arab writer laid claim at any time to the Arabs exercising such great influence in the political and social order of a new and progressive country in the New World such as the Argentine Republic, his claim would have been branded as preposterous. Immediately the accusation would be made that we would want to claim everything for the Arabs, the Phoenicians, and other Eastern peoples. Present tendencies are to break away as much as possible from old influences and above all, to claim all credit of human progress for the so-called Nordic influence instead of the Eastern. Especially is this true in the case of America where the cosmopolitan nature of the population brings the controversy over the relative racial virtues to an acute point. �mm 50 In the present case the Arabs are net advancing any claim for influence. They are accused of having it. Press dispatches from the capital of Argentina early last month gave lengthy descriptions of conditions leading to the revolt, ascribed to Arab influence. That this influence did not prevail till the end is not the question as much as its having existed and lasted for so long a time i:i the history of Argentina, and havi: g been so strong as to be the cause for the safety of the country while it lasted. A staff correspondent of the New lork Times writing from Buenos Aires under date of September 7 fives the following account of the causes leading to the downfall of 1 resident Irigoyen: 'The downfall of Dr. Irigoyen d-finitely marks a new era in Argentine his.ory in an even more romantic sense, for it means the passirg frcm history of the o d caudil os (petty chieftains), who were a prodvet of gaucho civilization o.i the pEmpas. Argentina owes its very existence to these gauchos who were v .1 j nomad horsemen, whose fathers Landed down to them the Moorish blcod they brought from Spain in the d:ys of the conquest and whose mo hers were South American Indians. "The gauchos retained many characteristics of their Arabian ancestors who had overrun Spain and lh:y formed a barrier between the tiny outposts of civilization and the wild Indians of Pampas, who until the late 80s resisted Argentina's efforts to establish herself as a nation. The gauchos were arrogant individualists, receiving and asking no 'help from the town authorities. "The gaucho who was the best horseman, the quickest with his knife and the most arrogant in his dea!- THE SYRIAN WORLD ings with his fellow-men became recognized as a caudillo (petty chieftain), under whose leadership the gauchos formed when danger threatened them. These caudillos led the numerous civil wars which for so many years retarded Argentine rrogress until another gaucho caudil o, Juan Manuel de Rosas set himse f up as dictator and ruthlessly wiped out all other caudillos who opposed him, thus paving the way for organized government in Argentina. "Dr. Irigoyen is the last of the caudillos. Although he is a town man rather than a gaucho, he is one of the most characteristic caudillos in Argentina's history. His leadership has always been arrogant and personal. The Radical party has never had a platform. It was organized around Dr. Irigoyen as its personal leader and his word was the party's law." SYRIAN HISTORIAN OF SOUTHERN LEADERS A young Syrian who is attracting much attention in the South as a historian and scholar is Mr. John E. Hobeika of Dillon S. C. His efforts are appreciated not alone because he was born a foreigner, but because they show genuine merits which have elicited the highest praise from noted Southern scholars. "His tribute to the Confederate Soldier," according to an editorial in the Charlotte Observer, "was regarded as worthy of being printed in pamph'et form and is given introduction by Dr. Oliver Orr who feels that God has called forth this student, writer, historian and Christian gentleman." The paper itself adds its tribute by terming the work of Mr. Hobeika 'one of the finest pieces of literature ever contributed to the �OCTOBER, 1930 . 51 history of the South." ed with the Egyptian National AnWe gather from the wealth of them, followed by selections from material about this young Syrian Puccini given by Miss Margaret historian published in many South- Romaine of the Metropolitan Opera ern papers that he has had a re- Company. Prince Muhiuddin played markable scholastic career. Having the 'cello, and Miss Ruth St. Denis come to the United States with his gave an exhibition of the Directoire parents at the age of 10 in 1912 and Waltz assisted by Mr. Ted Shawn. settled in Dillon, S. C. he entered the Mr. Rafa"elo Diaz, also of the Metropublic schools and joined the class of politan Company, gave several Miss Laura Heath whose love of the selections. The reception was brought days and the "gentlemen of the old to a close with the playing of the school" was contagious to young American and Egyptian National Hobeika and prompted him to spec- Anthems. ialize in the study of Southern hisThe exceptional quality of the protory. He developed a great admira- gramme as well as the distinguished tion for General Lee and has visited attendance, over two hundred guests every place in the country connected drawn from the exclusive circles of with the Confederate commander. the city, lent the occasion an air of He has collected a library of Gen. dignity and refinement. Lee which is said to be unequalled in America, and he has drawn on this wealth of material, some of which has hitherto been little known, MOSLEMS IN AMERICA to write a biography of the General ISSUE A PUBLICATION Which will be published by a New York firm this fall. He also has under preparation biographies of many Also Establish a Mosque and a Misother Southern leaders. sionary Center in Chicago. RECEPTION IN HONOR OF KING OF EGYPT His Excellency Anis A. Raphael, Royal consul of Egypt in New York, gave a reception at the Hotel Ambassador on October 9th in honor of the anniversary of the accession of His Majesty King Fuad I of Egypt. The reception hall was elaborately decorated for the occasion, and a portrait of the King surmounted by a multicolored electric crown was displayed between the American and Egyptian flags. The staff of the Egyptian Consulate all donning the tarboush, assisted at receiving the guests. The musical programme was open- .... - ... The disciples of Islam are aggressively conducting missionary efforts in America, but with what success it is not yet possible to tell. The Moslem Sunrise, a 24-page quarterly in English published in Chicago and edited by Sufi M. R. Bengalee gives an account of the various missionary activities conducted by the Moslems in the city and vicinity. The missionaries belong to the Ahmadiyya sect founded by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of India who died in 1908. He is styled by his disciples the "Promised Messiah and Mahdi and the expected Messenger of all nations." These Moslem missionary activities are commented upon by many Chicago newspapers, the Daily News �—fc 52 publishing the following interesting account: "The first mosque devoted to the religion of Islam opened its services in the Auditorium Building on Wabash Avenue. * * * Dr. Bengalee is the Chicago missionary preacher of what is declared to be a new form of the Islamic faith, which goes back to the original form of the religion as preached by the Prophet Muhammad. Among the interesting theories set up by Dr. Bengalee is that Christ did not die on the cross, but lived to a venerable age in northern India and the Ahmadiyya movement, as its missionary terms it, holds that Christ is another of the great prophets, but not divine." Another Chicago paper quotes the leader of this new Moslem movement as "stressing particularly the nonviolent feature of the Islamic faith, contrasting it with our Western Christianity which, though essentially non-violent employs force in its nationalism." The Moslem Sunrise is sold for 25c a copy, but the publisher makes an ardent appeal for "generous contributions.... that the light and lustre of Islam may be shed through this magazine throughout the length and breadth of this country particularly and all over the world." SYRIAN AVIATRIX MAY VISIT NEW YORK Al-Hoda of New York, reports on the authority of Mr. Ed. Jallad, President of the newly formed PanArabian Pictures, Ltd., now visiting in the city that Mrs. Afifa Maloof of Zahle, a resident of Rodondo, Cali fornia, has won her pilot's licens; and may soon attempt a non-sto{ transcontinental flight to New York She has ordered a new plane for the purpose. THE SYRIAN WORLD MODERN AGRICULTURE INVADES NEAR EAST Sons of Wealthy Landowners Learn to Operate Farm Machinery. Efficiency and culture are coming to count for more than birth among the wealthy noble families of the interior of Western Asia where feudalism has existed for many centuries, according to President Bayard Dodge of the American University of Beirut. In the sixty-fourth annual report for this American University in Syria, President Dodge states that "heretofore the sons of great landlords have inherited power and, regardless of education, they have exploited their peasants by forceful measures. "Today the new governments are taxing landed proprietors so heavily, that they cannot maintain their positions, unless they have had the advantages of modern education. Efficiency and culture are coming to count for more than birth. "Accordingly, many noble families are sending their sons to the University and there is a rare opportunity to train the young aristocrats to appreciate democratic adjustments. "Instead of idling away his time and exploiting his many villages one graduate is studying agriculture and striving to improve the conditions of his peasantry. Another spent a whole summer in overalls learning to manage farm machinery so as to be able to build up his family estates. "University men who honor work and feel a responsibility for their tenants, form a great contrast to the untrained sons of a decadent aristocracy who are losing ground before the advance of a, new order of things. �OCTOBER, 1930 oun 53 n who iack mod idZ tr * ideas seek low paid positions in government offices and business houses and lack initiative to make any conland t0 thC deVel °Pment of their "Many graduates of the American University are building Up depart sirs se]iT A «~- . ooiies and Popularizing wMt(lm novations. Several have fould for eisn markets so as to reviwaffa "The University is endeavoring to teach men how to undertake new en- ulnf e/roTing-Last *«" two g a rad ter-prises and to apply scientific n t0 ev°era i former /o 2" students ^startpH ^ processes to industrial work. One an u several graduate has mastered the fruit pre- selhng automobile insurance int^ One alumnus has developed a flour serving business in Dublin and is »£* m4ustry tor the sale and eXstarting a new industry 0f his own. Several young men have been specializing in chemistry so as to be --er resort oAheLal^: able to aid their fathers with soap manufacture and leather tanning Students are choosing maior Numerous graduates have studied courses which will fit them for partT engineering and are successful in construction work. tion of their communities. Among "Before the Armistice business the junior and senior classes leTave decided to major in biology and aZ a ried a Very way T he merchant °l " used to *« way. The sit in»1 a culture, 12 in chemistryfe in econo shop which was small because he "»cs 44 are taking advanced work kept most of his goods in a nearby m Commerce and 24 mechanics and and engineering." warehouse. He bargained over prices S rt f Way se d off*tT ^ ° ° customers, ' kept coffee to prominent the simplest sort of books and male no effort to advertise. Corporals were unknown and successful partnerships comparatively rare. Technical experts usually came from FREE ENGLISH CLASSES AT BROOKLYN Y. W. C. A. abroad and progressive methods o" commerce and industry were seldom street, offers an opportunity to girls and Wom f gyrian ^l ^ &* The International Institute of the entage to learn English, to meet "Today a change is taking place others of their own nationality and Shops are becoming modernized with show windows and well arrangubs ^ " SOdal Hfe' -eluding dubs parties and other recreation ed counters. Advertising is popular The English classes will meet and good book-keepers are in de" every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 mand. Local capital is being invested P. M. There will a]So be Wednesday to form new banks, cloth mills cement factories, mechanical flour comern00;>,ClaSS f°r th°Se Wh0 c« come m the evening. It will meet at mills, soap works, potteries tourist two o'clock. companies and agencies of other The homelike rooms of the Instisorts. There is a definite attempt to tute are aiwavs avai,able for go pool native resources so as to compete with Western industry along gatherings of every sort. Call Miss Bah,a Hajjar, Main 4163, for further modern lines. information. �BRM 54 LEBANESE DECORATIONS CONFERRED ON EMIGRANTS Controversy Over Award Arises Before Official Notification. Lebanese papers of Beirut made an advance announcement of the intention of the Lebanese government to confer decorations of merit on prominent Lebanese emigrants abroad on the occasion of Lebanon's Independence Day which falls on Saptember 1. President Charles Dabbas is said to have offered the suggestion and instructed the Premier to prepare a list of prominent Lebanese abroad who deserve to be so honored. Press reports indicate that the list will be very broad, comprising scores of Lebanese all over the world in all walks of life. The tentative list, according to the Beirut papers, includes Mr. N. A. Mokarzel, editor of Al-Hoda, and Elia D. Mady editor of As-Sameer, both of New York. The award to Mr. Mady, however, was made on the ground that he was the editor-inchief of Meraat-Ul-Gharb of New York and son-in-law of its publisher, Mr. N. M. Diab. In its characteristically fearless manner, Al-Hoda was the first to take up the discussion of the propriety of the awards. Mr. Mokarzel reminded the Syrian-American public of his consistent policy of refusing all decorations and other honors from foreign governments, a policy he announced when he refused the decoration of the French Legion d'honneur several years ago. His criticism of the Lebanese government, therefore, should not be misconstrued as prompted by any personal motives because of his disap- THE SYRIAN WORLD proval of conferring the honor on other individuals. Taking up the choice of Mr. Mady, the editor of Al-Hoda points out that he (Mady) was never loyal to the cause of Lebanon, but rather gave aid and comfort to its enemies and sided with them in all political controversies arising on Lebanese questions. Under the circumstances Al Hoda questioned the wisdom and tact of the Lebanese government in making promiscuous awards of its decorations, granting that early reports on the subject were true. Meraat-Ul-Gharb was not slow in engaging in the controversy in defense of its own prestige, Mr. Diab the editor, declaring that never in the history of his pub'.ication had anyone but he been its editor-inchief. He was not seeking the decoration for himself, he asserted, but no other should be the recipient of it under false pretense. This drew the fire of Mr. Mady who, in a long article published simultaneously in several papers, centered his attack on Meraat-UlGharb, the publication of his fatherin-law, and reminded the public of the fact that he had won his literary laurels before he joined the staff of any paper. That he should be given credit for the excellence of his work, although published anonymously, is through no fault of his own, he declared. He would not commit himself as to whether or not he would accept the decoration. Meanwhile, the Lebanese government still seems to be having the list of those whom it wants to honor under advisement, no official announcement having yet been made on the subject. It would seem from present indications that its promiscuous distribution of decorations seemingly without regard to signal services is defeating its purpose. �- OCTOBER, 1930 MOSUL OIL AFFECTS FUTURE OF SYRIA Controversy Between France and England Over Terminus of Pipe Line Said to Have Been Settled. The long-drawn controversy between France and England over the Ua: sportation of Mosul oil has been tentatively settled, according to information which Al-Ahrar, of Beirut, claims to be authentic. The stumbling block in the way of a settlement had been the insi3trnee of England on making Haifa, the newly developed port of Palestine which is under British mandate, the terminus of the Mosul Oil pipe line, while France maintained that the natural terminus would be the port of Tripoli, in the territory within its own mandate. The British plan is said not only to extend the line for hundreds of miles, involving enormous extra expenses, but to rlace it in territory continually exposed to attacks by bedouins. These two features are eliminated if the French plan were carried out. England having consistently been unwilling to swerve from its stand, the new arrangement said to have been arrived at is to create a central distributing station at Abu Kama! situated about midway between L osul and the coast outside the boundaries of the mandated territories. 1 rom this point on, two separate pipe lines would be constructed, one carrying the French portion of the oil and terminating at Tripoli and the other ending at Haifa. * Another element entering into the Mosul oil situation is reported by a special cable dispatch to the New York Times from Paris under date of Sept. 29 to have developed recently The dispatch is illuminating and 55 deals with this new aspect of the controversy in detail. It follows: The approaching weeks are expected to witness a denouement in one of the most important international oil controversies which has dsve'oped since the close of the WorlJ War. The stakes are tfea rich and as yet unexploited oil fields of Iraq, and the contestants are the present ho'ders of an exclusive concession— the principal oil groups of Great Britain, the United States anJ Fra.ice, the Royal Butch of Holland a.id the Gulbenkian Armenian group- and an entirely new international oil group in which the guiding genius is understood to be Benko Mussolini. The issue involves the question of whether the present concessionaires, by their undertaking with King Feisal of Iraq did not agree to a somewhat stringent time clause committing them to proceed with the exploitation of their fields before November 1, 1930 under penalty of losing their concessions to new and more active groups. The so-called allied concession holders maintain that no such limitation was placed upon their contracts and that the present world oil crisis, due to overproduction, is ample reason for proceeding slowly with a program of development of the fields, the chief item of which is the construction of a pipe line from Iraq to a Mediterranean port at a cost estimated at $800 000,000. King Feisal, who is eager to obtain the largely increased State revenues which active exploitation of the fields wTould insure, recently visited European capitals with a view to bringing the issue to a conclusive stage. From the Italians, it is believed, he received promises of financial as well as political support for his new �_J 56 State, provided he agreed to turn the Iraqui concession over to the new group known as the British Oil Development Company, but in which Italian capital and influence are said to be dominant. SYRIAN VICTIMS OF DOMINICAN DISASTER The hurricane which struck the city of Santo Domingo September 3 took a toll of four Syrian lives and caused serious injuries to about thirty others, according to a special communication to Al-Hoda from the stricken city. The victims are: Thomassa, wife of Khalil Saadie of Ehden and her twenty-five-year old son; Maria Zaiter, 45, of Ghazir; Carmehista Dibs 13, of Ghazir. The more seriously injured are George Dibs, Emilia Zaiter and Enhel Zaiter. The Syrians' loss in property and merchandise was heavy, and their lot was no better than the thousands of others who were left destitute by the terrible disaster. Al-Hoda opened a subscription for the relief of Santo Dominican sufferers and has so far raised considerable funds which it has turned over to the Dominican Consulate in New York which acknowledged their receipt with profuse thanks for this display of generosity on the part of the Syrians. SYRIAN GIRL WINS FIRST PLACE IN AUDITION (Special correspondence) Shreveport, La., Sept. 27.—Miss Olga Maroun of this city, a Syrian girl who is studying voice for an opera career, won first place in the ?HE SYRIAN WORLD girls' class in the District of Louisiana Atwater Kent Radio Audition held Sept. 19 and 20 in Shreveport and broadcast over Station KTBS. She will represent the fourth district of Louisiana at New Orleans where she will compete for State honors. She competed against girls from six parishes, and received high praise from the local papers. The parents of Miss Maroun are Mr. and Mrs. Najeeb Joseph Maroun of Amcheet, Mt. Lebanon, Syria. PUBLIC MORALS IN NORTHERN LEBANON When two couples living together without the benefit of clergy in Ehden, Northern Lebanon, refused to mend their ways or leave the town, a visiting bishop publicly denounced them from the pulpit during the Sunday services and served on them final notice to leave. This did not take place in the Middle Ages, but during.the latter part of August of the year of our Lord Nineteen-Thirty. And an enterprising reporter of a Lebanese paper did not hesitate to give it full publicity. It was explained that the two couples involved were not natives of the town, but came to it as summer residents. Nevertheless, the high sense of morality of the North Lebanese would not tolerate any such conduct, and the public warning of the bishop met with general and whole-hearted approval. Nor did the explanation of the two couples satisfy or appease the natives. The offenders attempted to prove that the wives of the men and the husbands of the women had migrated to America and (had not been heard from over a long period. It was natural for them, therefore, to enter into this union for mutual I! �OCTOBER, 1930 comfort and support. But instead of living: together as common-law husbands and wives they were married by a clergyman whose church placed no bans on such unions. This is held out as proof positive that the evils of moral laxity characteristic of the times has not yet infiltrated into the sequestered parts of North Lebanon. 57 tial contributor to the educational development of all the surrounding country. Her progress has been the result of admirable policies followed in its direction and she has merited the large patronage she receives today and the prominent position held in the cultural work of- this part of the country. Each day has seen her service become of more essential value and today she is indispensable to the community." SYRIAN MUSIC TEACHER PRAISED FOR ABILITY Miss Louise Yazbeck, whose distinctive musical attainments were recognized by the city of Shreveport, La. when the authorities appointed her director of Musical Week in the city, as previously announced in The Syrian World, has been making rapid progress in her musical career. She has lately opened a new studio in the fashionable suburb of Broadmoore, while retaining her original studio in the heart of the city. A musical critic, giving an appraisal of Miss Yazbeck's musical ability, wrote the following glowing account in one of the local papers: "As the purpose of this review is to give the outside world an adequate idea of our social, industrial, artistic and educational progress we deem it quite appropriate to call the attention of the public to the efficiency and great work that is being carried on by Miss Louise Yazbeck. "Miss Yazbeck understands both the art of music as well as the art of teaching. She puts all her energy and soul into the music and is able to impart to her pupils both the technique and the spirit of each selection. She takes an interest in each pupil and gives them individual attention and has them specialize in music that is adapted for their talents. "Miss Louise Yazbeck is an essen- LEBANON UNSURPASSED FOR NATURAL BEAUTY Writing in the Princeton Herald the Reverend Sylvester Woodbridge Beach, D. D., describes the wondrous scenery of Lebanon as follows: "I am not exaggerating my own impressions when I say that, so far as my travels have afforded opportunity to enjoy the scenery in Switzerland, the Italian Alps, Sicily's Taormina and the Amalfi of Capri and Sorrento, Spain and the familiar bits of scenic grandeur in Western and Central Europe, the Carpathians and Balkans of the east and south-east; and the majestic mountains and unparalleled geologic wonders of America—I have never found any spot on earth where the scenery is more won derful and enchantingly picturesque than in the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon regions of Syria. Their beauty and glory are indescribable. My friends on the rear cushions (of the automobile) kept up an interminable line of talk, interlarding it with frequent ejaculations and exclamations as "Oh, my! Isn't that great? It takes tne cake!" But I sat speechless, drinking in the soul and beauty of what thereafter would be a part of my life an element and influenca that could never lose its magic charm and power, wherever I might be." �mm MM BOOKS BY SYRIAN AUTHORS To recommend to Syrians the acquisition of books in English by Syrian authors would seem superfluous, especially when the books are such as to cause every Syrian to feel proud of the fact that their authors are of his countrymen. All the books listed below have been exceptionally well received by American critics, some of them gaining national and even international distinction. Not alone as a matter of racial pride, but also as a valuable addition to every modern library and as an indispensable medium of wider culture all Syrian homes should have all or most of these books. All prices quoted include postage. • Books by Ameen Riliani Maker of Modern Arabia The Path of Vision A Chant of Mystics and Other Poems $6.00 1.25 1.25 Books by Kahlil Gibran Sand and Foam Prophet—Reg The Madman The Forerunner Jesus, The Son of Man 2.25 2.75 2.00 2.75 3.75 Books by Dr P. K. Hitti As-Suyuti's Who's Who in the 15th Century (Arabic) Pap^r Cover Usamah, an Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior of the Crusades Syrians in America Syria and the Syrians (Arabic) History of Syrian Commerce in the United States (Arabic; Illustrated) By S. A. MOKARZEL. Immortality (By DR. I. G. KHEIRALLA) m i. i'. . i i illi-1... i ,t» 3.50 3.00 4.75 1.25 1.1U 3.25 1.25 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1930_10reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 02 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930 October Description An account of the resource Volume 5 Issue 02 of The Syrian World published October 1930. The issue begins with another piece by Rev. W. A. Mansur in which he discusses the important material and moral accomplishments of his ethnic peers in order to showcase their overall greatness. He gives an appraisal of six Syrian-American leaders in different fields in order to showcase their important achievements and imbue other Syrian-Americans with pride. Next, the editor continues to discuss traveling through the mysterious valley of Wadi'l-Karn, and briefly discussing his time in preparation to Damascus. Also about Damascus is a poem by Thomas Asa. "Ali Zaibaq" returns in this issue and the "Tragic Love of a Caliph" is also continued, before a poem by G.K. Gibran titled "On Giving and Taking." The issue concludes with a discussion led by Ameen Rihani on the mission of The Syrian World before the usual installation of the political developments in Syria this month, specifically dealing with the situation in Damascus, The Syrian Mandate, and Moslem and Christian tensions in Palestine. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Ameen Rihani Immigration Kahlil Gibran New York Palestine Poetry-English Religion Reverend W.A. Mansur Syria Thomas Asa https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/d559ab736cdc67c6615d2b09c48953d9.pdf 4758dd4c1e496e43f636feef57f35c28 PDF Text Text THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 569876A TILOZM FOUNDATIONS R 1931 L 1 THE SYRIAN WORLD "Published monthly except July and August by THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single Copies 50c Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. V. No. 1, SEPTEMBER, 1930 CONTENTS PAGE Woman in the Near Hast 5 AMEEN RIHAM American Near Eastern Colleges 14 PROF. CHARLES D. MATTHEWS The Tragic Love of a Caliph ,.-. 19 (Short Story, adapted from the Arabic) The Twin Cities of the Orontes SALLOUM A. 25 MOKARZEL �CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE The Battle (Poem) 35 Y. DR. SAI.IM l> ALKAZIN Alt Zaibaq (Quicksilver) (Serial) SALLOUM A. THADDEUS MOKARZEL S. Greatness 35 and DAYTON 41 G. K. Gi BRAN The Tale of a Rose (Poem) 42 THOMAS A&A Editorial Comment: L Our Fifth Year 44 What's in a Name? 45 Racial Representation 47 Political Developments in Syria 4^ About Syria and Syrians 53 �IN THIS ISSUE TO determine the degree of a people's progress, one must look to the home. The mother is the one to rear a | nation. In the East, woman had been held down to straight jacket traditions forcing her to the strictest seclusion. She could not broaden and develop sufficiently to accelerate the march of progress. The East was man's realm exclusively. Not so are conditions at present. Woman is emerging from . her confinement and asserting I herself in almost a radical manner. She is seeking education and already discussing political franchise. It's a sign of awakening that cannot fail of carrying a weighty portent. The woman's movement in the East is a subject of fundamental importance. The whole question of national progress hinges on it. And Ameen Rihani discusses it in a most enlightening manner. In his present article he gives the whole history of the movement and cites many instances of its progressive and effective manifestation. Mr. Rihani's standing as an expert in Near Eastern matters is well-known. PROF. Charles D. Matthews of Birmingham Southern :— - - College is an Arabic scholar of recognized ability. He visited Syria and the Near East last year and made a study of its social, political, educational and economic trends. His present contribution to THE SYRIAN WORLD on American educational institutions in the Near East is both informative and entertaining. We are happy to welcome him to our circle of contributors, and feel sure that our readers will immensely enjoy his writings, both in poetry and prose, inspired by the beauty of some wondrous scenes he beheld in our motherland. VWE begin in this issue a serial of the nature of the famous Arabian Nights, and done in the same order. Ali Zaibaq, or Quicksilver, is one of those superhuman) heroes created by the fertile Oriental imagination and around whose person are woven tales of the most wonderful exploits. The translation of Quicksilver was undertaken many years ago by the editor in collaboration with his friend Mr. Thaddeus S. Dayton. There was no thought at the time of publishing THE SYRIAN WORLD, and the manuscripts were forgotten. Lately, however, our loyal friend and �• collaborator discovered us and learned of our work and generously turned over the longfmried literary treasure to us. We are now happy to pass it along to our readers. They will surely find it to be a real discovery. love. How he lived and loved and died is graphically told in an exclusive translation from the Arabic original. yHE Political Department in this issue is teeming with interest. Political developments in Syria are being watched by Europeans and Americans as never before because of the mandatory experiment. Surely these developments should hold more interest for Syrians and those of Syrian descent. They are treated in a concise and comprehensive manner in CONTINUING the description of his trip through Syria, the editor takes the reader in his present installment to the interior of the counery, first on a pilgrimage to the tomb of Abu'l-'Ala, and then to a visit to Horns and Hama, the twin cities of the Orontes. Readers who have followed THE SYRIAN WORLD. the editor's travel articles will In this issue the supposed find the current installment plottings of Italy to gain the most interesting. mandate over Syria through the Papal Nuncio and the MaJTiE Umayyad dynasty at ronite clergy are disclosed in all Damascus saw the heyday their details. of the power and glory of Islam. Yazid, a son of Mu'awi- THIS issue marking the entry yah, succeeded to the throne of of THE SYRIAN WORLD in his father when most of the its fifth year, an editorial on civilized world was paying trib- the subject surveys the past and ute to the Prince of the Faith- promises a most important anful in the capital of Syria. But nouncement to be published in the heart of Yazid did not the coming issue. Also discusscrave pomp and power—he ed editorially is the advisabilwanted love, and in the pursuit ity of a change of name for the of his worldly pleasures he con- Syrians in America. This subtemptuously neglected the af- ject should be of general infairs of state. Of such strength terest and expressions of opinwas his love that it killed him ion on it would be welcomed if and gave him the distinction of treated logically and dispasbeing the only caliph to die of sionately. �TTTP SYRIAN WORLD VOL. V. No. 1. SEPTEMBER, 1930 Woman in the Near East By AMEEN RIHANI pROM the seclusion of the harim the women of the Near East are going out to the public school, to the open forum, to the dance-hall, even to the business world. The change, social and intellectual, is evident everywhere, from Turkey to Arabia and from Egypt to Afghanistan. There is also a European, a Western direction of significance. Eastern women attend women congresses in Europe, Western women travel in the East with a message and an appeal; and in both places they meet on common ground and exchange views and confidences. The status of woman, fashioned and upheld by man for centuries, must change. But how fast is it changing in the Near East? There is Occidental speed in Turkey; there is a steady advance in Egypt; there is determination flavored with controversy in Syriaj and there is in Arabia, Persia and Afghanistan a traditional caution highly spiced with the modern ambition. Everywhere there is a common urge, however, and an uncommon tendency to get together. At the Woman Congress held in Damascus last June, were delegates from all the countries I have mentioned. And the speeches were made in languages that were not all Asiatic. The representative of an international organization for women in Europe spoke in French; the delegate from Persia delivered an address in English, and the head of the Turkish delegation made a gracious concession to Damascus in fluent Arabic. We may infer from this that the sources of inspiration are as vital as the points of convergence. Arabic, of course, was the common medium; and through Arabic, with English and French as the auxiliaries of its modern culture, the cardinal objectives of the woman move- �THE SYRIAN WORLD ment will eventually be achieved everywhere in the Near East of gress TeTr' i" "*"** **right ***** ^choose ingress, ar'th are three, namely, monogamy,^the of a girl to her own husband and the abolition'of seclusion. Which mea" that polygamy and the veil and the harim are passing way They have already passed away in Turkey. The woman move ment ,„ the most successful of Oriental repubfehasTte Sulfan AbTl R ^ ^ eJlf—hisement. It"began where that li f^amid Cnde,d and Progressed slowly to the poiM hat marks the beginning of Mustapha Kemal. Since then Has soTalge°x;iitSntsy Th^f ** Tf *»*" °f economic" a'nd C tCmp and not the TnlQi9 TT ? °' spirit, has changed " ,|J tant' noP] e: rShe was the first woman to unveil in public and after she had finished her speech, she waved her vefl\ a mX f/reedom- ^any women after that followedh r x ample, and soon the eloquent,gesture became superfluous author of 2 T H!' ^^ ** ^ustapha^ema is the author of the Turkish woman's freedom. He is its official nm tagon.st and its guide. But what share and what trouble he mav be haying ,„ gu,ding it, may be only inferred. The Amerkan Pin°cl W ?rlS in CTtantin°Ple--w Istanboul-is SlT h principal factor in modern education; and from Pierre T nt? „ sna aes or a European experiment. argiJhdies of^he^ "CVer ^^ ^ ***** of the lethmUSt g f SCh o1 but th must sf work work Thev mT even 2* the ^mistresses, ° ° ° more ' aiso l hey must be or ^ Jess of their own destiny. Earn your living, find your own husband solve your own domestic problems Freedom'. husband, are seldom free from frcel^T^hTs compensations How much the modern Turkish girl is beginning to feel ment bne is still n the glow of dawn; and encouraged bv the Dictator, stimulated by his edicts, she is bravely going ahead The publicists of the Republic are her prophets. The dogrn^ of the mu lah has been replaced by the dogmaof the propagf'dist Bu there are, for her diversion, playgrounds on the wayg And there are dance-halls and beauty contests to keep up her spirit There are also cafes where she may tarry to surve'y L 3L world Sip§ her ddnk and curette * who t^ cigarette. XI Barbers, *? too, but yesterday were poeticamokeTEer about the �SEPTEMBER, 1930 7 unseen beauty of the hair they now consign to the litter basket. Alas for romance. But the girl who read Pierre Loti in the secrecy of the harim now reads Bernard Shaw and Bertrand Russell on a park bench in Taksim. What is the poison and what is the antidote? No one, I dare say, can be judicious and precise, at the present time, in answering the question. Our modern prophets may be responsible for a revival of interest ultimately in the romantic era—may even drive us back to its scented shades. Meanwhile, the Turkish woman, who has unveiled her face and her mind, is willing to stand European fashion before the judges of a beauty contest. And the editor of the Turkish review receives and publishes her photograph with the nonchalance of a theatrical manager. His readers, too, may judge—and choose. From the slave-market to the beauty review, is not, after all, an innovation. It is a development in, at least, the masculine mentality. For while in the past a Turk inspected a slave as he would a brood mare, he has to stand today at a virtuous distance, trusting his eye and mind, or even be content with a vision, on paper or on the screen, of semi-nudity. But other contests of a more serious nature are taking place today in Turkey; and the Turkish girl, even as a typist, is catching up with her American sisters. On the other hand, her Muslem sisters in other parts of the Near East do not altogether approve of her speed. She is too fast for them, even as Mustapha Kemal is too fast for the mullahs of Afghanistan. The fact is that the woman movement in Turkey, because of its ultra-revolutionary spirit, is exerting little or no influence beyond the Turkish frontiers. This revolutionary spirit may be compatible with the Turk in whom the Islamic religion is not, after all, deeply rooted; but it can not find free access into such strongholds of Islam as Persia and Arabia or be received enthusiastically in such centres of Islamic learning as Cairo and Damascus. Thus, by its own force and scope, the movement is isolated. But there are before it the possibilities of either increasing in power and overcoming the barriers of tradition in other Eastern countries about the time the woman movement there had become somewhat radical, or of experiencing a reaction which will force the Turkish woman to take a few steps backward to meet her slowly advancing Eastern sisters. The latter, in my opinion, is more probable. To leap is as bad as to creep. But from the kitchen to the platform direct is not so dangerous a leap as from the harim �' mmmm THE SYRIAN WORLD Moslem women venturing in public had to be heavily veiled according to time-honored traditions. �SEPTEMBER, 1930 I Manifestation of the emancipation movement in the Ens!. Deleapes to the Women's Congress held hi Damascus }>/ June of this year. to the dance-halls, for instance, or to the business world. A woman publicist may also be a good dancer and a good wife; but she can not be of much help to the thousands of her sisters who, through the same new economy of life, go astray. Even a publicist in the whirl and upheaval, may become a publican. And a Jupanar, which very seldom existed in Islamic countries, is not an improvement upon the harim. Slippery, indeed, is the dancing floor of the Republic. In Egypt the way to the dance-hall has not yet been open to the Muslim girl, and may not be for a time to come. Instead of a slippery floor, however, she has a thorny path. And the thorns are not from Europe. The Azhar University of Cairo is a hothouse of a variety of spinous plants, and it furnishes the nation with hedges of every kind. The Azhar dons, who are more intransigeant and straitlaced than any of their colleagues elsewhere, oppose with the Koran every innovation imported from Europe. Not long ago there was �' — 10 THE SYRIAN WORLD a flaming controversy between them and the young reformers about the hat; and one of the dons wrote a book to prove that the hat is not the proper thing for an Orthodox Muslem—it is not sanctioned by the Koran. Incidentally, I might say that in a part of southern Arabia the sun, and not the Koran, is the recognized authority. The Arabs there, men and women, who are not less religious than the learned shaikhs of Al-Azhar, find it necessary, when they are working in the fields, to wear hats—large straw hats of their own making. ^ When it comes to argument it does not require much effort to drive the heavy-turbaned Muslem dons to the wall. QasimAmin, one of the greatest of modern Egyptians, drove them all to the wall, but apparently, as it was then observed, to no purpose. More than a dozen books were written against his one book The Emancipation of Woman. And on both sides the Koran was in-i voked. "Woman's place," said the dons, "is where the Prophet placed her." "The Prophet," said Qasim Amin, "found woman in bonds, a miserable chattel, and after lifting her to a position that was compatible with the spirit of the times, he opened to her, through the very Koran, the way of gradual development and freedom. We are continuing the work of the Prophet." And the reformer, who was an eminent jurist, could not be accused of misunderstanding or misinterpreting the Koran. This was forty years ago, when in Turkey rarely a voice was heard for the emancipation of woman. Qasim Amin was then alone, not only in Egypt, but in the whole Islamic world, and now, fifteen years after his death, he is the guiding light of a nation-wide movement and he has many disciples even among the students of the Azhar University. But the foremost exponent of his principles today is a woman of rank and power, the widow of the nationalist leader the late Sa'd Zaghloul. When her husband was exiled by the British Governmenet in 1922, she was asked if she would like to accompany him. "No," she replied, "I will remain here to continue his work." Another influential disciple of Qasim Amin, who like the widow of Zaghloul has discarded the veil, and who takes an active interest also in politics, is Huda Shi'rawi, a society leader and organizer of exceptional ability. Lady Huda is also one of the best known Oriental women in Europe, where she frequently sojourns, moving from one woman congress to another in the interest of her country and her sex. �SEPTEMBER, 1930 Qasim Amin has also received, directly and indirectly, official recognition. At the Egyptian University, not Jong ago, tribute was paid to a young authoress whose work was inspired by the reformer; and when the Egyptian sculptor Mukhtar was commissioned by the Government to make a monument to Egypt, he conceived it in the terms of the woman movement. His work is in reality a tribute to Qasim Amin; for the Mother of the Nation in marble stands erect and unveiled. But the veil in itself is no more a vital issue. The change from a heavy material to a light chiffon, white or black, is a significant comment upon its evolution. From an esthetic point of, view, however, there is a hope, even among the moderns, that it does not thin down to nothing. The Egyptian flapper in high heels, a short skirt and a filmy veil, is a picturesque contribution to that kaleidoscope of color and fashion the Musky. She exemplifies the potency, even the gaiety of silken defiance. And as a recruit, she is also often seen among the more conventional of her sex in the political demonstrations of the day. Thus, through the various channels of politics and education, of culture and fashion, the mission of Qasim Amin is being accomplished. It also radiates its influences to other Arabic-speaking countries through the written word. There are today several magazines in Cairo devoted to the movement and edited by Christian and Muslem women. But the most distinguished among the writers is Mary Ziadi, a Christian from Mt. Lebanon, whose home in Cairo is the magnet of the intellectuals of both sexes and of all religions. It is the only salon that I know of in the Near East. Miss Ziadi writes under the pen name of Maiy, and she is fast becoming a power in the woman movement, not only in Egypt, but wherever Arabic is read. In Syria many other forces and influences are at work. But the Muslem woman there, although opposed to the old traditions, is not ready, it seems, for any radical action. She has not the heroic quality of the Turkish woman, who tore her veil and waved it as a banner of freedom; nor is she favored with the economic conditions that enabled many families in Egypt during the past forty years to employ foreign governesses and teachers for the education of their girls at home. Moreover, the spread of French fashions in Syria, the fashions, rather, of the Paris Boulevard, with a powder puff and a lip stick to complete the public defiance, aroused even the Muslem youth to indignation and rage. There were their sisters and �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD sure' bu0tUchdWiVeS '^ *' "5 °V ^ to shoP> m agen f French fabrics a full li Jr ]T ° iled to be > which exhibited fc WaS 0Utra 0US was insuffeSb But the trf^ **? T ' *even insurteraole. But indignation of men expressed^itself more outrageously, criminally. Musiem women, dresed in^ att cked the streets with £s£ir&s "n,t ^r"^ fn ^e face T 3 L„S 5' u S me ffl whs ° °f them were burned m Damascus > which is more conservative than r in style, walked through the bazaar unveiled and was slapped in he face by a fanatical shaikh. These two instances of the asserdele'd ?&*"> ^ °ninthe ^^ aesired effeTTh^t ettect They checked the extravagance style But be yond the surface deep in the soul of woman, theyawakened a were capable of more resistance than they had shown Instead of publicly protesting, however, they are organizing And as a reply, perhaps, to the fanatical shaikhs of Damascuf' .Woman ^ hdd * ^ — -ient of cities SS^ An essential feature of the movement in Syria and Palestine and Iraq, is that women of all creeds, Muslems Christians ,nd Druses, are working together, and they are all^reedCiS bo. » not the wisest policy and that organization^ not tS" I hey are all agreed that education is even more popular thnn the Pans fashions Twenty years ago there were not mo", than thirty Ol forty Musiem prls ,n the various schools of these four cit e today mBeirut alone, I was told by the Minister of Kcmca on' the attendance ,s more than one thousand. nation, Beirut, the leading centre of education in the Near Fast his more schools and colleges, native and foreign, than any ciVo its size m the world But its girl schools, before the W rid \V were all fore,gn and more or less of a missionary charac er Tki is why Musiem parents refused to send their daughters to thern! But during the war, when all the foreign schools were closed a Syrian woman Marie Kassab, opened a native schooTwhere she herself was taught, in the building of the English Mission The success of the school was such that the attendance in a few years rose from twenty to three hundred, and an enthusiasm for educa ion was kindled in all the neighboring countries. From Iraq from Palestine, from all parts of the Arabic-speaking world' gxk of all creeds, Muslems and Christians and Drufes, come �SEPTEMBER, 1930 13 Modern training for Syrian g-lrls. — Physical culture exercises at the Ahliyah School for Girls in Beirut. today to the Ahliyah School of Marie Kassab. The secret of its popularity lies principally in the fact that, besides being native, it is non-sectarian. Technically and executively also it enjoys an uncommon reputation. The emancipation of woman in Turkey has been achieved, as we have seen, principally through legislation3 but in Egypt and Syria, in all the Arabic-speaking countries, as well as in Persia, it is being achieved through education. While emphasizing the power of the school, however, the leaders of the movement do not deny the power of the Government. The two together are certainly more effective and more permanent in their good than the edicts of a dictator even if they include the adoption of a European code of civil law. The Damascus Congress, aside from the cardinal objectives referred to at the beginning of this article, has adopted, as part of its programme, resolutions to secure ( 1) compulsory education for boys and girls, (2) legislation to prohibit the employment of children under the age of fourteen, and (3) the establishment by the Government of technical schools for both sexes. �14 THE SYRIAN WORLD American Near Eastern Colleges By PROF. CHARLES 1). MATTHEWS of Birminghm-Southern College. Editors Note — Prof. Matthews pivcs in the following article a comprehensive, yet concise, account of American educational activities in the s «/p • f' ~?cia! emPhAasi,s on tha work of the American University of Beirut The writer is an Arabic scholar and in his travels in Near Eastern countries, which he undertook last y2ar had the advantage of studying first-hand the effectsi of the solendid educational endeavors of America in those lands. Prof. Matthews has pledged to The Syrian World his steady co-operation and our readers may expect many valuable contributions from his pen in both poetry and pross. ^0 Americans who visit the important Mediterranean city of Beirut one of the most interesting sights is the American University. The institution, with its more than fifty buildings, its large faculty, and its more than 2,500 alumni who are filling places of responsibility in the life of many Near Eastern countries, is the outstanding member of a group of such schools. "Broadcasting international good will," as their slogan reads, there are six American institutions in the Near East College Association located as follows: Robert College and The Women's College, in Constantinople; International College, Smyrna; Sofia American Schools, Bulgaria; and Athens College, Greece, and the university here in Syria. In addition, there is a recently founded American University in Cairo, not connected with the group. Although some of these institutions have not reached full collegiate standing, they all are having an important part in adapting these lands of ancient civilization to modern life. Through them America as a product of Western civilization is partly repaying the debt which the West owes to the East. Robert'College is said to be one of the most potent social forces in this part of the world. The Women's College of Constantinople, as the only institution for higher learning in Turkey, has a unique position of influence. International College in Smvrna lays emphasis on commercial training, and especially on agricultural because of the richness in natural resources of the district in which it is located. The American Schools in Bulgaria have increased opportunities for service and leadership since liberation in the country " �. SEPTEMBER, 1930 15 —which came about indeed, it is said, by inspiration of the ideals promulgated by Robert College. Respect in which the American institutions are held in the Near East is well shown by the foundation of the American University in Athens, in 1925, undertaken by request of the people of Greece, is given a campus by a wealthy citizen, and awarded unusual privileges by the governmental decree. Other countries, like Iraq or Mesopotamia, have asked for similar institutions, and many lands of the Orient are asking for graduates for various types of work. The American University of Beirut was opened in 1366, and has exerted a continually growing influence in the Near East. One of its outstanding schools is that of medicine, which now has more than 800 graduates throughout the Near East, a territory where modern medical science was sorely needed. Other departments, in addition to the regular college of arts and sciences, are those of commerce, pharmacy, dentistry, and nursing. Along with the medical school there is a well equipped hospital where thousands of cases are listed yearly. A preparatory division trains young students for their college work. Everywhere one goes in this section of the world, he finds doctors, dentists, editors, and government officials who are educated at the American University of Beirut. It is the "educational capital" of the Near East, students coming here from other institutions to complete their training. The Near East is making unmistakable progress. In the annual report of the Near East College Association for 1928-29, a document which portrays a romance of practical missionary endeavor, President Bayard Dodge, of Beirut, points to the "dramatic" leadership of four great personalities. They are: Ras Tafari of Abyssinia or Ethiopia (an ancient Christian country); Mustapha Kamal Pasha of Turkey; Shah Riza Khan of Persia, and Ibn Saoud, who is called "the Maker of Modern Arabia." Beirut itself is a considerable city, having near 250,000 inhabitants, a fine harbor with about 3,000 ships annually, and a unique location at the foot of the Lebanon Mountains. If the business man or ordinary citizen feels uncomfortable in the summer warmth of the city, by a trip of an hour by auto he can ascend to one of the innumerable, picturesque villages scattered over the mountains and there enjoy a climate as of spring! The city is very old, its history reaching back to the maritime state of the Phoenicians, as interesting objects in the university and municipal museums attest. Phoenicians, Egyptians, Assyrians, Romans, �s=asHss 16 THE SYRIAN WORLD �17 Arabs, Crusaders, Druzes, Turks, and now the French, have been its masters throughout history. The memorials of past rulers are impressively sculptured on the rock cliffs of the Dog River, Nahr el-Kalb," a few miles to the north of the city, where eleven tablets of inscriptions tell of campaigns from those of ancient Egyptians and Assyrians to that of Napoleon when he was seeking to emulate Alexander in this part of the world. Evidence of French control at present is seen everywhere—in the colorful observance of Bastile Day, July 14; in the ubiquity of the French language; in the war memorial to French soldiers and sailors on the waterfront; in the large number of soldiers still stationed here (many of them black Colonials), and in the ex tensive program of enlargement of the city by which, old narrow lanes of native buildings are being replaced by modern structures. ^ We have been living more than a week in the village of "Souk el-Gharb," where there is a summer school for boys as a division of the university, and also a summer school for religious workers of the American Mission in Beirut. As luck would have it, we happened upon a hotel owned by a voung Syrian-American who was born in North Carolina "and wants to get back there as soon as possible!" It is impossible to give more than a hint of the pleasant situation here. From the hotel open-air dining room we can look down on the entire city and environs of Beirut, fully 10 miles away (though appearing to be within a few minutes walk,) and 20 miles by the winding automobile roads or the equallv windimnMlway. We have a wonderful view of the sea, from far north of the city and harbor, to several miles south, past the radio tower over which w- recently sent a message and received an answer m a very comforting fashion to people far from home. We watch the sunset here every afternoon,—or climb to the top of the mountain a few minutes away, to obtain a grander view and to watch the lingering reflection on the higher mountains to the west. And then we return as the delicious!v cool breezes begin & to be a little chill. The chief business of the people here, in addition to raising fruits, praoes. vegetables, and cocoons for the silk trade of France', and driving American-made automobiles for hire, seems to be running hotels for the summer visitors. Hotels and pensions and cafes are sprinkled all over the mountains. Our hotel is a middle class one, with a friendly, social spirit and very tasty Syrian food. Last night we walked further up the mountain'to a de luxe �(T~ 1 o THE SYRIAN WORLD establishment, and there saw, as one of the chief sights, vacationnLZT" ^ntlJmCn and voluPtuou* Egyptian ladies winder's TJu? "salary! ^ rmentS at the table more than a allege teachers monthly ° In a measure fulfilling their war-time promises to the Arabs the BmHh created in Syria after their success against th Turks of M °A ?"* W,th Feisd' the so» of f< r King Hussein of Mecca and the native spirit of the revolt, as the monarch. But he French were determined to have Syria according to their prearranged plans, and the kingdom was short-lived; Feisal was forced to abdicate, fleeing to Mesopotamia or Iraq where he wa given a "consolation throne" in that ancient country of the Assyrians and Babylonians watered by the great Tigris and Eu60611 kd hy the HauS > 1925 thP°rrfUChI Ih3Ve "" ^Uzes reor anized four ZZ s' I," ?T g of ^ the territory into "TeUl .n yna" uebfr' thG Akouites 0n the n«rth), and Jebel ed-Druse," south of Damascus in the Hauran. The greatest measure of freedom has been given to the people of the Lebanons, the state of which Beirut is an integral part. They have a NeTtcoL'Z ° rfT^ and/ h°USe °f -P-e"tadveesa JNext come the people of the state of "Syria," which includes the great port,on of the territory, including the region between AW po and the Euphrates and running south past Damascus The "Syrians," as the inhabitants of this artificially hewn-out state are called, have a president but no representative assembly. French ESSES" °Ver th£ ^^ and the brave ^WaUy Svrif?^ D°Se thUS defnbeS the new State University of Syria, located in Damascus, dean of cities: "Perhaps there is no other university in the world with such a picturesque sett ng The Muslim School of Theology is in the 16th cenLy mosque of miroTthe cf orm side ofacourt withthe ;°r , ' owSldhanty de a des A K ^ 5°? "'I r P rtment on the other three sides. A beautiful tank of water is in the centre. The department 8 ,n lted Ht by domes iike batV T T fr^ £^ waters of n " ^ ^^ old park, with is an the the wateis of Damascus pouring down from Lebanon through lovely groves of poplars and fruit trees. Most of the instruct is given in Arabic, and one of the aims of the institution i to Je^mg of the West:'""1 bCing ^ "* T thR ^ "-*» �19 The Tragic Love of a Caliph A SHORT STORY Adapted from the Arabic gAADA, the ranking legal wife of the caliph Yazid, successor of the Prophet, Prince of the Faithful, retired to the most secret recesses of her quarters in the spacious palace of the harem in Damascus and gave orders to her maids and eunuchs that under no conditions should she be disturbed. It was a strange and inexplicable action on the part of the queen when the capital was given up to great reioicing over the accession of the new caliph. Shouts of Allahu Akbar rising from thousands of throats floated to the palace from the crowded streets, while in the palace itself the generals of the great Arab army, the princes of the empire and the notables of the capital, were gathered to render homage to the new sovereign. Even the harem quarters, whose strict seclusion is proverbial, especially those of the caliph's palace, could not escape the contagion of popular joy. The women inmates staged their celebration in their own way: musicians playing gleeful times on their ouds, singers making the palace resound with songs of the happiest moods, and dancing girls performing with the extreme of unguarded abandon, as would spring from the most sincere and spontaneous feeling. But the motives behind the queen's seclusion no one dared question. Nor did anyone seem to care amidst the hilarity of national festivities. Presently, coming stealthily from a secret passage, a man was seen to enter the queen'3 private apartment, with whom she appeared to be on terms of greatest familiarity. For a time she was engaged with him in earnest conversation, after which she opened a secret chest from which she brought forth several bags of gold and an immense quantity of precious stones and jewelry which she handed him. The man soon thereafter disappeared through the same secret passage whence he had come. * * * Three months later the great city of Damascus, then the capital of an empire which had grown within less than a century to greater proportions than the Roman Empire ever reached at the �€ 20 THE SYRIAN WORLD zenith of its power, was the scene of a demonstration such as it had never witnessed in all its long history, notwithstanding the tact that it is reputed to be the oldest city in the world. Great caravans were converging on it from all parts of the vast-flung empire. Arabia, Egypt, Marrakesh and Spain contributed their contingents. The hosts of Mohammad had conquered almost half of the world, and the responsible caids of this all-sweeping religious-military movement who had been apprised by special courners of the accession of the new caliph were proceeding to Damascus to render him homage and pledge loyalty. They were bringing the choicest and most precious gifts of their respective lands to the successor of the Prophet. The splendor of their equipage was dazzling in its gorgeous display. Emirs in flowing silk robes, bedecked with fine jewelry, and their chargers caparisoned in silver and gold, rode in retinues scarcely less gorgeous Behind them trailed long caravans of camels bearing rich stuffs, and spices, and precious metals and stones intended for gifts to the new caliph. The population of the city, almost to a man, was foregathered at the city gates or in the public squares. The muezzins, from atop hundreds of minarets, sent forth from silvery throats joyous shouts of Allahu Akbar that rolled over the city like distant echoes of a celestial choir. All activity in the city had ceased, except that which had direct bearing on proclaiming the ascendency and power of Islam. Entering the city by the southern gate, the African contingent, coming from Al-Maghreb, was by far the most imposing both by extent of numbers and display of wealth. It was composed not only of Moroccans and Tunisians but of representatives of all the Barbary States of North Africa as well as of. those of Egypt. Somewhere in Morocco a man and a maid had joined this caravan and during the whole march maintained themselves in strict seclusion. The man was apparently the master or custodian oi the girl, because he was extremely jealous of her and solicitous for her welfare and safety. He had sought the caid of the caravan at the outset of the journey and confided to him something of apparently great moment, because the caid assigned to him and his charge a place in the line immediately following his own bodyguard, and none was suffered to interfere with them or molest them. With the single exception of the caravan leader none knew who the pair were, nor whence they had come or whither they were going. Once inside Damascus the man and the maid fell out of line �SEPTEMBER, 1930 d Stant absence we,« practically unnoticed ' ^ thdr The man apparently knew his way about the citv well He ^SSSX-^s stow? -• queeTt^hicrLdicaSd'JLt'the6 ******** «*-^ of the 1 Up n which she had se the man Masrour w,, k "'I"" ° a second ^Z^/ZZ^^TL!^^ ** embraced him affectionately. The auTen's conrtn't , , d q ed only bv the f>rt n,„. vi f conduct can be explainMaSTOUr Was her truste adviser d servant and hardty att'ed! "* """" ^ "*ed the ""«"' »» excitement nlVHIMlJy her '» vour presence » re aWalt y UC c° °rderS t0 brin g £-ES2£° ~« °* ** "^ - ^ the" ftitt»Si2rs.the ^TeS^ whe thou kMwest m ss&s** - &*%£z?z Masrour was not long in returning with Hubaba H, k-i left her only ,„ one of the ante-chambers there to await Ws en 1 The girl was of surpassing beauty. Contemporary Arab chronic lers describe her as the most beautiful as we is rL \ plished woman of her times. She %"dSri^SJSrf the most emment masters of the age and was versed in nottrv in Arab lore, and in vocal and instrumental music TL?^' none other that surpassed her in all the art S& profuse in her show of loving soiicit^But stwtld not^ *—" �22 THE SYRIAN WORLD her long m this condition after her long and trying journey. She clapped for her maids and had them take Hubaba to the bath, and, Jater, clothed her in her choicest queenly robes and bestowed upon her the costliest jewels. Truly, after her refreshing bath and her appearance in the gorgeous regal robes, Hubaba stood out like a hounat from Al-Janna, a temptation and a subject of admiration to all mortals. So far Hubaba had said nothing beyond a few words of appreciation and thanks, so overwhelmed was she by the profusion of the queen's hospitality and kindness. Now that she had been through her bath, and was sharing with the queen the bountiful repast that a long train of eunuchs and slave-girls were serving them in an endless variety of tempting courses, Hubaba made bold to ask of the queen the reason for such action. The queen was frank and explicit. "You realize, my dear, the love of Yazid for you," she said. *.ver since his brother Omar, when caliph, forced him to part with you he was disconsolate. Now that he has come to the caliphate it occurred to me that I would be doing an act which would secure for me the joys of Paradise if I brought you two lovers together. Our Prophet Mohammad, (prayers and salutations of Allah be upon him,) has so promised whomsoever did such an act of kindness and charity. As Yazid's wife I love him, but he in turn loves you, and because of my love.for him I resolved to contribute to the fullness of his happiness by giving you to him I herefore have I sent my trusted servant to seek you and purchase you from your new master whatever the price. Now my happiness is complete that I found you." Hubaba could well realize the reason behind the queen's apparently strange action. She, Hubaba, was not a freewoman and could never aspire to the rank of Saada. And the caliph must have his diversions and pleasures, especially if he be of the character and temperament of Yazid. Of slave-girls he had aplenty, and the addition of just one could not materially affect the situation. Still there was cause for some vague, undefined doubt in Hubaba s mind. Her feminine intuition told her that behind this profusion of kindness and generosity there must be a definite and thus far hidden, reason. But she who was so diplomatic and tactful could not openly question the motives of the queen For a moment she remained silent, deliberating on the manner to un- �SEPTEMBER, 1930 23 cover the queen's designs without causing offense. Then she spoke: j qy g "Beloved mistress and queen," she ventured, "words fail to appropriately express my deep feelings of thanks and gratitude to you. I am your servant and slave, and thus shall I remain to the end of my days. My only regret is that, owing to my humble station, I can only show my gratitude to you in words. Oh, that I could be of some service to you in any other capacity. My life would be the least I could offer in payment for your great kindness." At these words the queen was exceedingly pleased, and she again drew Hubaba closer to her and encircled her with her arms. "Sweet Hubaba," she said, "it is true that I am the ranking wife of Yazid, but you should realize it is equally true that you are the ranking woman in his affections. Ever since Omar forced him to sell you there was a void in his heart that none other than you could fill. But upon his accession to the throne 1 determined to bring you back to him whatever the cost." Saada had said something of this nature before and she felt that the repetition did not fully satisfy the curiosity of Hubaba. None but a woman can sense the secret of another woman's heart, and Saada felt that in the heart of Hubaba lurked some deep and subtle suspicion. She decided to tell all. "Beloved Hubaba," she continued. "While I am solicitous for the happiness of Yazid, 1 am also extremely conscious of the future welfare and safety of the state. You, more than any other, know Yazid's temperamental nature. In a fit of irresponsibility he is liable to say or do anything. Now that you know this, and realize that I am the first legally wedded wife of Yazid, and the ranking queen of his harem, and since you display such gratitude for the small favors I have done for you, you would amply repay me by an act that will bring you no harm and result in lasting benefit to the state and the line of Yazid. Use your influence with Yazid to have him proclaim his son by me his legal heir. That is my only request of you." Hubaba gave her consent readily. She was aware of the rivalry between Saada, Yazid's first wife, and Zongia, his second, and could not help but give the former her wholehearted sympathy. Especially since Zongia was known to be negotiating for the purchase of Selma, another famous singing girl, to make a gift of her to Yazid. Hubaba could not help but feel slighted in �M. 24 THE SYRIAN WORLD preeminent standing, and naturally sided with her own mis- dal wood/ltts?dav w „ ,',nCe"Se Md ,rbergeris a"d -»- W h introduced* , U^^SfJ H \father Muawi>^ tad ? his element Hi T tradition. But Yazid was out of a.Kft"gnHe ,tem,':;:dtnpoass,on r the..he,oveKo°fwon*-*« to the Flithfd"t ,h, ° T' * °V 'S injunction W e : A d hC W U,d h te tered his thro"e StSS at '" f ", e ° 'of his harem with hi,fcS& a , "ers aTd " ^ ""? ^"^ panions. lancers and singers and cup com- ^^^"Sff ^ the h b ught him since to Yazid personal ZTtt * m°St Urgent matter- And considerations of tate he f"S7£r^ TI m°re imPortailt *» and proceeded ?0 S&SSSjfS *" ^-^ ing himself on a divan to rll.v / l { ,qUeen'there throw0 nof even inc^rmgXu th "atrTof th^b" " °f 2? ** a"d he buSmess which cau Saada to send after him Y, "T sed loyalty fitter TS£ ^ COOJnoBdf«* only of Saada's n tion her -otivL. p 4^ &fe i£Ls% s r e to drag him away from the boredom of nffl, f ? ° mCanS S was content to let her have her ^ with h*Ul1 ^^ s*^^,^^ r to her not unlike ^LZZdA u aS He like an op eVCIy m Ve -^ ° - He was spoiled so long as he"SntwIuS^Tto^ *°r ? he *" through him she could comeTo herealfzaton U ***** ^ tions. realization J of her own ambi(To be continued) �SEPTEMBER, 1930 25 The Twin Cities of the Oron tes A CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OE THE EDITOR'S TRIP ABROAD X By SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL 1 journey from Aleppo took the nature of a real adventure O)UR i he vast expanse of uninhabited country we had to traverse, m h only a few reckless automobiles making desperate efforts to pass us on the way, or a solitary horseman fullv armed, stopping to watch until we passed, and giving us the while some moment" of mtense anxiety, gave us the feeling of one crossing a real desn!"l f T countryside was totally bare of vegetation. Not onJy rorests were conspicuous by their absence, but even single rees or bushes. The only point of difference between Xs vas bare plains and the desert was in the visible traces of earlier cul7' } enWe,"e n°W hl mid-A"g^t d the grain had been a C lori cane was w,anfh ^ §f ^theThe °'^ ° soil <S to the landscape that imparted from nature of the A striking peculiarity of the Syrian plains in this section is their division into longitudinal narrow strips of almost perfect uniformity. Starting from the road in either direction, these^rS ran for what appeared to be a mile or more long. Their boundary hnes were plainly traced both by the different in the maim r of cultivation or the various hues of the earth and the withering P S Patches lanted t0 i^tWH f • of ? sombre °T CaSCS retained a color green, which Pwas most watermelons welcome in breaking the oppressive monotony of the landscape. This odd manner of laying out the farm lands was explained by the fact that all land in the interior of Syria, even up to represent day, is communal property. The community holds the title to the land which is divided into proportionate shares. Every -hie or four years the land is reapportioned among the shareholders and each is allotted property in the amount of area to which his shares entitle him. But it is the invariable custom that the same and is not given to the same person for two or more successive terms. This would have the obvious benefit of not permitting a �XT' 26 'THE SYRIAN WORLD few to hold a monopoly on the choice parcels, whether by location or fertility. Hence, also, the explanation of the strange fact that no forests or fruit groves or any sort of permanent planting is to be found in that part of Syria. No one would go to the trouble or expense of planting for another to reap the benefit, since the lease on the land is of such a short duration. About thirty miles south of Aleppo we came to a town which apparently was favored with an abundant water supply, since there were evidences of extensive truck gardening by irrigation,while the surrounding country for miles around was thick with green groves It proved to be Ma'arrat-ul-Naman, the birthplace of the famous Syrian poet and philosopher Abu'l <Ala, and as such had an especial attraction for us. It was yet early in the afternoon and we decided to make a pilgrimage to the tomb of the famous bard. Close by the main road stood two huge buildings occupied by a mixed l<rench and Syrian garrison. Between them the road Jed to the town proper lying a short distance behind. The immediate neighborhood of the barracks presented a pleasing sight with its small but well-kept gardens. But the appearance of the town proper was uninviting, except, perhaps, for its clinging touches of primitive Onental atmosphere. The houses were huddled together in han-hazard fashion, while the main street, or bazaar consisted of two rows of small booths where the merchants squatting cross-legged in the center, could reach every article of merchandise around. Vegetables seemed to be plentiful and cheap and the storekeepers apparently undisposed to take advantage of tourists. If they did we were not conscious of the fact. We bought several luscious watermelons for the equivalent of a few cents each. I made inquiries for the tomb of Abu'l-'Ala, and immediately a bright Jad of about seventeen volunteered to conduct me to it. He seemed to be the only one among the group to whom I addressed the question who knew anything about Abu'l-'Ala or entertained any reverence or appreciation for him. The blank look in the eyes of the others seemed to imply the question, "Who can be this celebrity among us who arouses the curiosity of strangers that they would rather visit his tomb than tarry at our bazaars?" The youth led me through several narrow streets, past a huge stone arch, and into a narrow alley along the sides of which rose high garden walls. He stopped at a dilapidated wooden gate rrom which we entered a court about forty feet square. A chorus of �' SEPTEMBER, 1930 27 A scene of the vast flams In the interior of Syria in the harvest season. Primitive methods are still used in threshing grain. juvenile voices rose from a room to the right, through whose open door we could see a turbaned school master squatting on the mud floor and surrounded by a group of children seated in like position. Our guide went directly to him and apprised him of our mission, and he immediately called for his slippers, which one of the pupils placed before him. He then rose and felt his way along the wall until he reached a door which he unlocked with a key which he carried constantly about his waist, and in the center of a small, dingy chamber, into which light entered only through the door, we saw the slab marking the tomb of the famous Arab poet. For the few moments I stood in reverential awe at this shrine, I could not help but make a damaging comparison. Only a month before, on my way to Syria, I had visited Lisbon, capital of Portugal, and marveled at the magnificent marble tombs which the Portuguese wrought for some of their national historians and poets, going to the extent of raising them to the exalted station of saints by devoting to them the most elaborate chapels of the magnificent convent of Jeronymosj while the tomb of Abu'l-'Ala whose intellectual influence has been growing steadily for the last thousand years, is permitted to remain in the most abject condition of neglect. Something must be radically wrong with the East, at least to our modern conception Abu'l-'Ala is not unknown to Occidental scholars. It may �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD P er Abu i Ma, photographed from the center of the public square. ow'l^^ef ^ torT 'I*?*** **» '"an by his iaeed by a number ofZl I Wei?.d's s^ 3nd P""y '"ans- a ProWs D s MargoLurs CMir S -„ and poet, Ameen Rif^m L.T °f - lo our own author IN1 on verse which wleTubli^d nfST^ITS §*"* Un der the t.tJe of "The Luzumiat of AbuVAla " " and Wdent,ean„Cdl1ism ";Ak " *"• bo °f *d *d *ought was able to master the arts a„M c : • , ' How ne he achieved is th m rve o S,01« Sfe d£ ^ th°roUghneSS of the eleventh century, before^"te* was born, and the similarity of thought „£;5? . f Kha>Tam two leads Mr. Rihani to conclude that «0 ?f betWeen the reason to believe, was an iJ^£S2&£SSftL &*" �SEPTEMBER, 1930 29 ^r^ °I thf ^f °f AMJAla in the courtyard of the elementary school conducted by a blind teacher, the second fZnthe left. tPfSi0to kl^lT °f ^UJPAla' gaV£ US license <° mention chair of he /tT"1 tHat the P,"esent incumbent of the chan of the great Arab poet was aJso stricken w^ blindness in SdL? "ame " Sh£ikh ISmail S1—• Wh - -rlng: sented"^^ ^° ^"^ the toP°^aPhy <* the country presented the same desolate aspect as that previously encountered and not a trace of formation could be seen until we Secthe banks of the Orontes. But in Hama we discovered that Irigat on was done by pnrmtive and laborious means. Thctj^Tr th s city Js d raise the S term intI h ^ r* 'PP y^zvz Zeakn^nfTh stone arches. The hSS. g W SU ds ,S contmuou orted b * and atrocious, but to f he in .ong and that for the obvious reason that water to the Arab renP resents the most precious gift of life " We were told that the principal sight of Hama was the nub T"? *7 ,thC bndge- We saw the'^ nothing but caf6s W" mg the high banks of the river. Sheikhs in tuHnns fnrffl • robes, aiid Effendis in European garb and £toE,tL*322 lechmng on low cushions, or seated around the tabled on low �rV 30 THE SYRIAN WORLD Abu'l-'Ala, the Voltaire of the East. (A conception by G. K. Gibran.) >:r >.-;-v^v-sf;---:':.. -•' •.--: ': �' SEPTEMBER, 1930 rush-bottom stools, some smoking their arghiles and others nlav mg games or drinking black coffee and refreshments W^ enter-" rg m St rd r d ssome o me lie ""^ t0 ? *< loath ° to ^^ ordered beer,^ my companion being nartake^^ of the refreshments concocted of unfiWd wfter. But here no intoxi cant beverages were to be had. The town was under strct Mo " hammedan influence which prohibits all forms of liquor-in b 5 another °fder\d a ">«**** we did not drink, a'nd crossed to" another cafe where we also ordered some beer 11 He ha to ^ '^who TaIter ,m°re that °bli^" to c^ultThet consult the manager explained he could "send^ned out" kC liqU r n he tXt^bln "^ ? ° u° / P^^ w£ld£t tT await Z 2 ^T °f ^ Tf-buildi»^ out of public view, to await the messenger's return? We readily consented Our groats were parched but my companion was' adamanfagabst In the meantime we ordered some watermelon which the waiter said could be served forthwith. We waited fifteen Smites and my companion's patience became exhausted. K? the square to have the melon prepared in decent style Now it t0 th Se CCuli shoTwtrtSjVT. E °orf raw, ° hot P and-cold Oriental fid shops where all the food, cooked is exnosed o nubhc view but not in .lass cases. The restaurat^r won^X artyouyour choice of meat and broil it on iron spits while you wait. When we reached the shop he was handling our melo which h T\haUdS, "^ amm^ the sIic- in the mTntr tr*WTKl m W1" V° bC SCrVed t0 wrists from aSS thanks" 1Cft ^ h'm Unt°UChed With ~ >«*« ed Pkce in the Caf6 to aw the ^T Tihalf S** ait the bleVfnd beer, and at the endA of an hour decided that our first sneakeasy experience in Syria was a failure. We paid and left But before we reached our car the waiter came ruling from a tlnAA TT W:th somethin* wrapped in his apfon He nroduced a bottle with a German label that felt as if it had just P f 5 6 The Wa5ter ha d°tol r 'el "r "? 'T! that' he had to go to a Christian hotel ,n - town for the«P«3 beer as none can behad anvwhere else. We carried our thirst to Horns the tTtrit°h.Hama on thc nVer °rontes'and about «*S^£ Our arrival in Horns, sometime after sundown, furnished us ��SEPTEMBER, 1930 33 one of the most trying experiences of our journey through Northern Syria. Our driver had haggled with a storekeeper in Hama over the price of a can of gasoline and drove off without taking a provisional supply, assuring us that he had more than sufficient to reach Horns. But crossing the gently rolling hills between the two cities we noticed that the driver shut off the ignition and simply coasted down the inclines. It was evident that he was economizing on gas. What we had to tell him need not be repeated here, but before climbing each hill he assured us that the city lay immediately behind. We crossed more than a dozen hills and were met at each turn with the same desolate horizon. There was not a single habitation or a living soul on the way, and our fears rose as our gasoline supply became lower. The sense of solitude in the wilderness, unarmed and in a strange country without provisions, was not comforting. The sun disappeared behind a hill and we began to expect the worst, when in the fast gathering dusk, the tall minarets of the mosque of Khalid Ibn Al-Walid loomed from behind the last hill and we were in view of the city. Praise be to Allah! We were safe at last! Once in the city we soon forgot the trials and tribulations of the day. By the fountain of the new municipal gardens, caressed by a cool breeze blowing from the west, we came across friends known to us either in person or by reputation. The Homsians are by no means scarce in the Syrian community of New York and some of them were then in the home town on a visit. Meeting them brought pleasant memories of our new home country. That night a feature program was to be given at the municipal theatre. We had not been inside a movie house in Syria so far and decided to take advantage of the opportunity now offered. Our hosts took a loge in the balcony, affording a splendid view of the floor below. I advisedly refrain from calling it the orchestra or pit because that would be a misnomer. The floor is level and has no permanent seats. It is no more nor less than a regular cafe. Tables are set all about where large or small parties form to enjoy their wonted manner of amusement with the cinema as an adjunct or an added feature. Arghiles are served as well as coffee and refreshments, and between the acts, or the reels, the waiters circulate to give service and the audience indulges in conversation. The scene was typical of a phase of city life in Syria. The cosmopolitan nature of the audience gave rise to some amusing incidents. It was composed of French officers and their wives, sheikhs from the desert, transient tourists and townsfolk. -aur - ^,,.,,--.., �— -T— '€ 34 THE SYRIAN WORLD The original titles of the picture, in French, were thrown on the screen only for a few seconds. The Arabic translation, written in a crude hand, was at times misleading. This caused vociferous com^'aint from both French and natives. The forenoon of the following day we were taken in charge by Mr. RafFoul Nasser, founder of the National College of Horns, for a tour of the city. A straight, broad boulevard is being opened in the center of the town leading to the railway station, now in the outskirts. It stands in sharp contrast to the old souks which still retain all the marks of their Oriental primitiveness. We visited the silk bazaar and it proved to be an immense quadrangular building, with a spacious interior open court, where trading caravans display their wares and put up while in the city, in the immemorial Eastern fashion. The permanent shops are located in an upper tier running around the whole building. Horns is noted for its silk fabrics. The mosque we had first seen nroved to be one of the outstanding places of interest in the city, whose history dates back to the early Moslem conquest. It was rebuilt some twenty-five years ago along the plan of St. Sophia in Constantinople, Sultan Abdul Hamid donating all the rugs for its furnishing. The tomb of Khalid Ibn Ul-Walid, the Arab general who conquered Horns, occupies a prominent place in the edifice. There are also some Christian shrines of interest in the city. Our learned volunteer guide conducted us to the Greek Orthodox church of St. Lian whose miraculous specialty is mental and nervous diseases. We were shown a narrow, stuffy compartment behind the main altar where patients are confined for a night, emerging either cured or non-violent. Horns may also claim the title of the windy city. At night a western wind usually blows that attains at times a velocity of sixty miles an hour. The Homsians claim this as one of the distinctive advantages of their city, because it cools the nights as in no other place in the hinterland of Syria. And in Horns also we had occasion to witness the efforts of the prohibition policv in Syria. We were driven to the once famous gardens of Al-Meemas, where the waters of the Orontes have wrought a fairyland of cool atmosphere and beautiful vegetation. Alas! the walks and the shrubbery and the ponds were in the worst state of neglect imaginable, because the concessionnaire of the only cafe was forced to close for having been caught twice selling arac. �SEPTEMBER, 1930 35 The southbound train leaves Horns at 1 P. M. every day. We arranged to take it to Baalbek rather than risk another long journey across the Syrian wilderness with our half-breed chauffeur. The Battle By DR. SAI.IM Y. ALKAZIN gKNDING low its lofty crest To elemental rage, That in their maddened hurry, And unabated fury A battle royal wage, Smiting at its sides and breast, Pitilessly. Moaning, still Its crown with steel-like spring, Persistently regains Its former poise, its pains Forgotten, like a sting Causing ne'er a mortal chill. Mid the fray some limb was torn, Some leaf was torn away? Is not the heart still sound, And in the friendly ground The roots embrace the clay, Drawing life for life unborn? Watch it greet the youthful spring As bride her mate, draped o'er With gauzy finery, And magic broidery The while the bridal score, Silver throated warblers sing. �=— 36 THE SYRIAN WORLD ALI ZAIBAQ (Quicksilver) THE UNPARALLELED ADVENTURES OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASHID, OF THE CITY OF BAGDAD. Translated from the original Arabic by A. MOKARZEL and THADDEUS S. DAYTON SALLOUM FOREWORD This story of Quicksilver, the Chief of the Secret Police of the Caliph Haroun Al-Rashid, has been more popular than the Thousand and One Nights in all Mohammedan countries from time immemorial. The name of the author of this remarkable work and the date of its origin are alike unknown. It existed for many centuries in the memories of professional tale-tellers wandering with caravans across the deserts of Arabia. Only within the last two hundred years has it been put into manuscript form in Arabic. Doubtless, like the Thousand and One Nights, it is the product of many romancers, each of whom has added something to the original story. I N the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful! This is the story of whom there is no peer, the star whose lustre surpasses that of all other stars, the Lion of the Forest and the Conqueror of All Enemies: Quicksilver, Chief of the Secret Police of the Sultan Haroun Al-Rashid, of Baghdad, who triumphed over the wicked Dalila and out-witted all the other contestants for his coveted post, thereby causing his fame to be borne by caravans throughout the length and breadth of the whole World. CHAPTER T. DALILA THE SERPENT "JTIERE was, in the time of Haroun Al-Rashid, a man called Ahmad El-Danaf who had attained great fame for his intel- �SEPTEMBER, 1930 27 Jigence bravery and wonderful feats of valor. For that reason the Caliph recognized his proven fitness for the service and invested him with the position of Chief of the Secret Police, in and around the great city of Baghdad. At the time there were only tour bodies of secret police in the whole Islamic Empire, namely, at Baghdad, Aleppo, Damascus and Cairo. The last three were subordinate to Baghdad. At this time there was in the city of Ispahan, the capital of I ersia, a woman called Dalila, who had attained great favor in the eyes of the Shah of Persia and Khorassan, because of her mastery of all the arts of trickery and wickedness. The Shah trusted m her implicitly, and when he heard of the surpassing beauty of the daughter-of the Moslem Caliph, Haroua Al-Rashid, he longed to possess that princess. Forthwith he summoned Dalila. She straightway appeared before him and after kissing the ground three times at his feet she asked for his commands. The Shah told her of his desire to have brought to him the peerless daughter of the Prince of the i'aithrul, and Dalila assured her sovereign of the comparative ease with which she could execute his wish and forthwith put on the dress of travel and was soon on her way to Baghdad. Dalila, the Serpent, who was secretly faithful to nothing but her own caprice, no sooner had beheld the beauty of the city of Baghdad than she decided to throw the mission of her master to the winds and to make her permanent home in the Abode of 1 eace as the Moslems call their capital. Instead of endeavoring, therefore, to gain possession of the daughter of the Caliph she set to work conspiring against Ahmad El-Danaf in order to supplant him as the head of the Secret Police. She committed or caused to be committed many atrocities, assassinations, robberies and other crimes which threw the city into an uproar and caused the populace to cry out against Ahmad El-Danaf who was seemingly powerless either to prevent or to detect the causes of these disorders. Thereupon the Caliph caused a crier to go about the streets of the city proclaiming immunity and pardon to the perpetrator of these crimes if he were willing to disclose himself. Now this is what Dalila desired and she forthwith repaired to the court of the Caliph and made herself known to him ' Haroun Al-Rashid was greatly surprised that a woman was able to out-wit all the forces of his secret police and he invested her with a robe of honor and proposed to install her as the Chief if Ahmad El-Danaf proved to be unequal in the future to the task. �-L. 38 THE SYRIAN WORLD Ahmad El-Danaf, whose hair had been turned prematurely gray by the trickery and subtlety of Dalila, readily assented. That was a great day of rejoicing for Dalila the Serpent, but Ahmad El-Danaf, in jnortal fear of this new enemy, forthwith called unto him some of his faithful and trusted aides and friends among the Secret Police and fled with them to Alexandria, in the Province of Egypt, the city of his birth. There was, among the friends of the deposed chief, an Egyptian called Hassan Raselghoul, who had the renown of being the most courageous of all the secret police in the empire. He stood loyal to Ahmad El-Danaf and returned with him to Egypt where he subsequently married Fatimah, daughter of the Sheik Noureddin, the Magistrate of the City of Fayoum. When Hassan Raselghoul reached Egypt he had to disguise himself for fear of Salah-Eddin who was the head of the Secret Police of the Sultan in Cairo. This Salah-Eddin had previously supplanted Hassan Raselghoul in this post and had caused him to flee to Baghdad. After many encounters in Alexandria with the spies and emissaries of Salah-Eddin, of whom he killed in all about five hundred, Hassan Raselghoul repaired to Cairo in order to take reprisal on his enemy in person. But there some of Hassan's influential friends interceded for him with the King, who granted him pardon. After having brought about a reconciliation between him and his mortal enemy, the King made Hassan Raselghoul a Chief of the Secret Police, conferring upon him powers equal to those enjoyed by Salah-Eddin, who continued in his place as before. But Salah-Eddin did not forget his former enmity. He caused to be sold unto Hassan Raselghoul a beautiful slave-girl whom he instructed to administer poison to Hassan with his food at the first opportunity, promising her that if she were successful he would make her his wife and give her precedence over all the other women in his harem. Hassan Raselghoul fell an easy prey to the wiles of this beautiful woman. The slave-girl had been only three days in the household when Hassan Raselghoul was found lifeless. The cause of his death was not apparent. Fatima, his Wife, while weeping over his corpse, in the madness of her anguish grasped the hair of her husband's head and was amazed to see it fall, like withered leaves, to the ground. Then she knew that his death was brought about by poison. �SEPTEMBER, 1930 in 39 She interrogated the slave-girl and by means of threats and tortures wrung from her a full confession of the conspiracy against her husband on the part of his ancient enemy, SalahKddin. The slave-girl was put to death and her body thrown to the dogs outside the city walls. The corpse of Hassan Raselghoul was buried with all due honor in a secluded spot in the gardens of his home. Fatima was overwhelmed with grief, but nevertheless concealed the fact of her husband's death and announced that he had departed on a long journey. Not many days thereafter she gave birth to a son whose countenance shone like the full moon and who showed every indication of being of masterly intelligence. The sages said of him that undoubtedly he was predestined to attain great fame and many honors; that he would be the cup-companion of Kings. He was named Ali, but became known to all the world as Quicksilver. Such was the origin of the Shining Star, the Lion of the Forest, the Bravest of the Brave, by whom the most wonderful achievements of his age were predestined to be executed. By the time Quicksilver had attained the age of twelve he had mastered all knowledge of horsemanship and sword play and was notably dexterous in the arts of war. His fame spread throughout the city until it reached the ears of Salah-Eddin, who had compassed the death of his father, and who had learned of Quicksilver's identity. He instructed his men to seize the boy at the first favorable opportunity so that he might make him drink the cup of death. Quicksilver's mother, however, thwarted this plot by sending her son to his father's former chief. 'On arriving at the house of Ahmad El-Danaf and disclosing his identity Ahmad El-Danaf exclaimed: "O Quicksilver, your father was the bravest man who ever drank of the waters of the Tigris and the Nile. He was my brother-in-arms, and Salah-Eddin poisoned him." Upon hearing this Quicksilver cried out in a voice like thunder: "I will show you what I will do to this dog Salah-Eddin. I will avenge- the blood of my father." And he demanded that Ahmad El-Danaf invest him with a title of chief of the secret police of Cairo in place of Salah-Eddin. This being done, and Quicksilver being given the insignia of �40 THE SYRIAN WORLD the office, he returned to Cairo. Fatimah, who had carefully preserved her husband's weapons, brought them from the places where they had lain hidden and gave them to her son. There were the famous scimitar, the mace, the rope ladder with hooks used in climbing roofs, his father's trusty bow and sheaf of arrows, and all other paraphernalia such as robes of apparel suitable for disguise j benj, which renders the conscious unconscious, likewise its antidote which restores to their normal state those who have been drugged; also phosphoric sticks which blaze at the least touch of heat and illuminate all that is around. She also instructed him in the use of these various things and invoked the aid of Allah for his success. Thereupon Quicksilver was spurred to fury and performed many deeds which struck terror in the heart of Salah-Eddin and his men and threw the people of Cairo into such tumult that the city seethed like a boiling pot. Finally Salah-Eddin, while invoking the wrath of Allah upon this new pretender to his pos^ made up his mind that it would be useless to continue his resistance to him and consequently repaired to the court of the King. The King asked if he had succeeded in capturing this enemy O my lord," answered Salah-Eddin, "Allah grant that'I may be a ransom for you, and may your name be everlasting I have exhausted all means at my command to capture this superhuman enemy and bring him in bonds to your presence. But so far he has proved beyond all my efforts and skill. He is not -i man. He is rather a genie. Therefore I deliver myself to you to suffer my prescribed fate and cede my position to him. Your servant, O my lord, believes that it is better to live in obscurity than to court death in splendor. You are the master of my head " Salah-Eddin, having relinquished his post, a crier went about the streets of the city proclaiming the King's immunity and parr don for Quicksilver. When these tidings reached the ears of Quicksilver he straightway put on his best apparel and repaired to the palace of the King. There he bowed to the ground before his sovereign and addressed h.m most eloquently. The King was amazed at Quicksilver's youth and received him with all honors. Addressing Salah-Eddin, the King said: "Here is your rival. Do you cede your position to him now?" Q my lord," answered Salah-Eddin, "may your reign be ever characterized by justice and impartiality. Suffer me to bring to your attention that it has always been the custom of your mmnm c, „ ^, �SEPTEMBER, 1930 4J ^Xo^^r"l ^task -* - « p- doP^S^ ^"* ** *» ~" ««* Quicksilver "HuTti? gTant l°ug JifC t0 y°Ur m*i«*y»B rePlied Salah-Eddin, 6 1 makC f him is that he J ! , V^ ° Box, the All-Seeing should Eye bring" us from from thT the Enchanted City the Magic S U ht th alive Th^tL0 ; & . 5 Endiaated City had returned alive. I h,s task seemed certain death to Quicksilver, yet he was undaunted, and hastened to set forth Quicksilver went to inform his mother of the task which he must undergo to become chief of the secret police of Cairo His mother begged him to desist from this undertaking Bui finding that he was obdurate she told him what she had fe'arncc of the Enchanted City and the perils that he would encounter But now, my comrades," said the tale-teller to his comrades of he caravan, "Arcturus is high in the heavens, and we must go to rest Tomorrow mght, if Allah wills, I shall tell you of the amazmg thuigs that befell Quicksilver in his quest of , A Seeing Eye. ( To be continued) Greatness By G. K. GIBRAN Every great man I have known had something small in his 11 which ^Tm^irsSr — woul^&eS"ehe Wh ° ! »^ W Uld maSt6r n ° ° "* -d *» I would not believe that man is a mediocre simply because he kills the criminals and the prophets. >*.cause I am the flame and I am the dry brush, and one part of me P consumes the other part. �^<ss^K«!miistvM^m . THE SYRIAN WORLD 42 The Tale of a Rose By THOMAS ASA W/ITHIN the shadow of a noble wood, Where through summer days I lonely stood, And flung my fragrant breath upon the air. Yet solitude had claimed the ceaseless time,— A visitor from some exotic clime, For none more beautiful than I was there. Though the witching magic of the day Could aught but make one wish to play. And laugh and dance with the whisp'ring breeze, Yet I bemoaned the will of my stem, That caused me to be but one of them,— Silent and dumb to my restless pleas. When, as if in answer to my prayer, One day a lovely maid came to my lair, Her eyes the color of a changing sea. And from that moment she my fancy held, While in her face youth's rapture welled, Then to my bush she came and gazed at mt\ Lovely, and yet more lovely, she became, As she in voiceless wonder called my name, And leaning nearer kissed me with her breath; Which, far more sweet and pure than mine, Made me swoon as if some heady wine Had taken me within its joyous death. The virgin lips expressed her childish praise, Which to my ears surpassed the poet's lays,— And placed her tender hand upon my stem; But drew it back without the treasured sight, For as bidden by some inner might, To leave me there alone to rest with them. I But I bowed my blushing head to her, And opened wide my stores of richest myrrh, And bade her take me to adorn her breast. �SEPTEMBER, 1930 While she, succombing to the potent lure, To own temptation as the only cure, Broke the stem and freed me "from the rest. To her chamber went the lovely maid, Where within a crystal vase she laid And cooled my fevered pulse with scented rain; Then* placed me on the mantle near her bed, Where I could see at night her drowsy head,' And ever o'er her never love shall wane. Each passing day she tendered me her care, Belike my silken petals bloomed more fair,— And trembled with delight at her caress. But one day came when I negelected lay, And like a prisoner passed an endless day, That nothing could allay or fears suppress. A week of days had drifted to the past, And left me withered in my morbid fa'st, Without the pride of loveliness I knew; But never could I hear her coming feet, As she had daily to me come to meet That under her fond gaze I fresher grew. Soon I lost hope of seeing her once more, When who but she, one morn, came thru the door,Back from a distant visit she had come. Up to the faded Rose she softly came, Sorrowful of my state she called my name, In great surprise at what I had become. And from her eyes the pearly tears I felt," In her chaste sorrow my dead heart would melt To bring back the smiles to her sweet face. In her soft hands she pressed my withered folds, And against her heart this Rose she holds, The harvest of the days she would efface.' In memory of the beauty I had known,— As for her cruel neglect she would atone, She placed my shrunken frame within a book; And sealed my sight forever from the day, Which I had thought too cheap and cast away, All for a moment's pleasure of a look. 43 �H THE SYRIAN WORLD EDITORIAL COMMENT OUR FIFTH YEAR attempted or deemed feasible, JTVER since its appearance, only demonstrates the value of the value of THE SYRIAN - the service the publication represents and the growing appreWORLD has never been quesciation of its timeliness. tioned, whether as a needed It is then with natural elaorgan for the Syrians in America in the language of the land, tion and pardonable pride that or as a medium for disseminat- we hail the advent of each new ing and perpetuating that which year as proof of stability and is best in Syrian culture by growth. Our path/ so far, has acquainting the Syrian-Amer- not been strewn with roses it ican generation with their is true, but hardships are to be expected in all pioneering ancestral heritage. work. What matters is the as But there was doubt as to surance of achievement. New the ability of the publication to courage is always born from the continue along the high standconsciousness of work successard it has set for itself and fully accomplished, and the enlist sufficient popular sup- passing of each year in the life port to insure stability. In or a publication is but another this connection, it must be stimulus of this consciousness borne in mind that the circumand an incentive to further stances of THE SYRIAN WORLD effort. differ from those of most other We are not satisfied with publications of its character. merely holding our ground. It was launched on personal We want to accelerate our initiative and conducted under progress so as to render the useprivate management without fulness of THE SYRIAN WORLD subsidy or organized support. more effective and far-reachIn this respect, it was a purely ing. This necessitates organizaprivate undertaking although tion and planning that would devoted to the service of a pubbreak the restricted bounds lic cause. That THE SYRIAN within which the publication WORLD, under these conditions, has been moving up to the has been able to negotiate safely present. The expansion is bound what is considered the crucial stage in the career of a new to be fruitful of the most beneficial results in that the sphere publication, especially one repof influence of the periodical resenting a pioneering enterwill be greatly enlarged and prise that had never before been its message carried to greater �SEPTEMBER, 1930 45 limits than those it has been reaching hitherto. Of these preparations and plans we hope to be able to make an important announcement in the coming issue. And we feel confident that our loyal friends will immediately realize that the contemplated step will mark a new era of progress in the career of the publication, fitting it the more to portray their culture and finer racial qualities. These remarks could not be conscientiously brought to a close without an expression of deep appreciation of the efforts of that band of volunteer collaborators who represent our finest talent in America. They have been steadfast in their loyalty to THE SYRIAN WORLD and generous in their contributions towards the success of its educational mission. Their names are familiar to our readers. Nor could we omit mention of those hundreds of loyal subscribers who have not wavered in their constant support. Many among them have even constituted themselves volunteer agents and helped introduce the magazine to many a new subscriber. They were actuated by their enthusiasm for the cause which they felt was their own. Such loyalty cannot fail of inspiring confidence and trust in the future. WHAT'S IN A NAME? y\ VIOLENT controversy seems to have developed as a result of the adoption of a dual name for the Syrian pageant held in Boston. We are informed by the Boston correspondent of a New York Syrian newspaper that the difference is being aired in the columns of the American press of Boston. This, indeed, is regrettable, and it was for fear of just such a result that we took our former stand in the matter. We held that inasmuch as we had been all along known in this country as Syrians, by such a name only we should remain to be known whatever the internal administrative divisions in the mother land. Syrians, Lebanese and Palestinians could be included in this classification because their respective countries are within the natural geographical boundaries of Syria. Besides, all Arabicspeaking elements in the United States come from Syria, and to merge them in the allmclusive term "Arabs" would destroy our work of half a century in America and necessitate our starting the work of education as to our ethnological descent all over again. It behooves us to bear in mind the all important fact (hat we in America are Americans first and preeminently, �46 and that to our posterity in America we owe our prime duty. This duty is partly to identify ourselves by our country of origin. This country, happily, happens to enjoy an independent historical record as well as a distinct geographical entity. Furthermore, the statistical records of the United States do not classify us by our spoken tongue but by our country of origin. It will therefore be immediately seen that we stand to lose more than we could ever hope to gain by a change of name. At best this would only introduce in our status an element of confusion. We would like to make our stand clear on the matter. We do not approve either of the broad or of the restricted term. Fxcept among ourselves, and in cases requiring clarification, we would not approve of the term Lebanese or Palestinian Syrians, nor of the term SyrianArabs. Syria, we hold, is an independent geographical entit> which we are bound to recognize. From there we come and by its name we should be known. We have been known in America by this name for for over half a century and it would be a* decided loss for us to undo the work it has taken us so long to build and begin anew the work of education with all its resultant confusion and possible misinterpretation. THE SYRIAN WORLD It is through no prejudice or inimical feeling that we are prompted to take this stand. It is rather in fulfillment of a duty to our race in America as we conscientiously feel it. We fail to see any benefit in the change of name or the adoption of a dual name. Rather, we believe that such a course would result in injury to our standing in America, injury in the sense that we would lose -our former identity of long standing and be confronted with the necessity of establishing ourselves anew. And we cannot too strongly emphasize the fact that we stand pledged to uphold our national name and defend our racial interest as an ethnic group in America before and above any other consideration of old-country politics. THE SYRIAN WORLD is for the service and defense of the Syrians in America first and it is owing to these considerations that it is forced to take this stand. We exceedingly regret that *uch a situation has developed. "Regardless of our affiliations or sympathies with old-country politics, we should never have lost sight of the fact that our duty towards ourselves as a racial group in America is paramount and preeminent. The conditions we have chosen to leave cannot claim our interest in the same degree as �SEPTEMBER, 1930 those we have chosen to live in. We must be fair to ourselves and give first consideration to our standing in our country of adoption. We must be fair to our children and considerate of their immediate interest by clarifying their stand instead of complicating it. We maintain that the term "Syrians" is the only logical name by which they should be known. RACIAL REPRESENTATION 47 Syrians of Cleveland were the first group to give a play in their mother tongue under the new scheme. But neither the Interpreter nor any other paper commentig on the movement made any reference to the Syrians. And for this we cannot hold them to blame. The point of interest in the movement being the encouragement of native art, the "expectation was that each group would produce that which is native and intrinsic. This the Syrians failed to do. They produced not an original play but one translated from a European language. Naturally the motivating interest was lost. Another recent case where the Syrians made commendable efforts at enthusiastic participation in patriotic and civic movements but failed to choose the proper method of representation was the Worcester Syrians' contribution of a float to the historical pageant on the occasion of the tercentenary of the city's foundation. Their portrayal was of a purely American episode, whereas the expectation was for something characteristic of their own race. The Greeks made the proper choice and won first prize. F'HE Interpreter, organ of the Foreign Language Information Bureau of New York, published recently an article on the Theatre of Nations sponsored by the Plain Dealer at Cleveland. The Interpreter is read by the editors of all the influential papers in the country, and its information usually elicits much favorable comment. Its object is to interpret the finer qualities of our racial groups, to the end that the American public will better rnderstand and appreciate them. Obviously, itr service is most commendable. The object of the Theatre of Nations is to sponsor and encourage the cultural contributions of the various ethnic groups to America. The InterIn the future we should hope preter's article was commented to avail ourselves of such sin I'pon favorably by the leading gular opportunities to better New York papers. advantage. We wish to recall that the �48 THE SYRIAN WORLD Political Developments in Syria POLITICAL SITUATION IN SYRIA UNSETTLED No major political developments have taken place in Syria since High Commissioner Ponsot sailed for Fi-ance after making public the draft constitutions of the several Syrian States, and none are expected before his return which may be delayed until the end of October, according to late reports. This delay is said to be due to the fact that France has not yet decided on a definite policy for Syria in spite of assertions to the contrary. The French Foreign Office is said to have been impressed with the strong protests lodged with it and with the League of Nations against the announced policy of the High Commissioner in perpetuating the political division of the country in the manner proposed in his latest proclamation. What may be considered a most significant manifestation of the new national spirit in Syria is the sinking by the political leaders of their party differences to refute a statement made to the Mandates Commission in the French report on the' alignment of the Syrian political parties. The statement was to the effect that a strong Syrian party approved of t'he French mandate and of the new administrative arrangement which constitutes of Syria several independent States. Upon news of the purport of the French report reaching Syria a telegraphic protest was dispatched to the League of Nations and to the French Foreign Office signed by the responsible leaders of all political parties denying the truth of the statement. This was considered a most wholesome manifestation of a new spirit of unity hitherto lacking in Syrian politics. Especially that the leader of the Royalist Party willingly joined in signing the petition of protest with the explanation that the Syrians may be divided as to the most suitable form of administration for the country, "but t'hat they were of one mind in matters of basic principles. The Royalist Party, it may be explained, is the most powerful political unit after the Nationalist bloc. It had been previously taken for granted that upon his return from France High Commissioner Ponsot would order the holding of elections according to the provisions of the new constitutions, or if deferred at all the elections would be held not later than the coming spring. Seemingly confidential reports reaching Syria from Paris represent the French government as being undecided as to the course of its future policy in Syria. The French Foreign Office, according to these reports, had been satisfied that the Syrians were well pleased with the new administrative program laid down by the High Commissioner, and even interpreted the popular strike in Damascus not as of any political bearing but rather as of an economic nature. But owing to frequent and collective protests from the various Syrian political parties the French Government is represented as having experienced a change of mind, to the extent of seriously considering the appointment of an impartial commission to conduct a thorough investigation of the Syrian situation. If such a step should finally be decided upon, the delay attending �SEPTEMBER, 1930 the solution of the Syrian problem might carry it well into the indefinite future. The tenth anniversary of the battle of Maisaloon in which the small volunteer Syrian army was defeated by the French invading army under command of General Gouraud, was celebrated with extraordinary display of patriotic fervor this year. Delegations of the principal cities gathered at the tomb of Joseph Azme, the Syrian Minister of War who lost his life during that battle, and held patriotic exercises. But the mass meeting in Damascus which followed was such as to overshadow any previous demonstration of similar nature. Some of the poems composed for the occasion aroused great popular feeling and the Syrians there gathered pledged themselves anew to the unrelenting prosecution of their national demands. The Tajeddin government remains the butt of bitter and constant criticism. The latest action to arouse the anger of Its opponents was its peremptory prevention of a meeting of the Royalist Party for which a regular permit had been issued by the local authorities of Hama. It is feared that the government is preparing to control the coming elections by the use of intimidating methods. The office of the High Commissioner announced on July 14 the issuance by the President of France of full pardon for fifty-nine Syrian political prisoners and exiles sentenced for their part in the last revolution. The military leader of the revolution, Sultan Pasha Atrash, and Dr. Abdul Rahman Shahbandar were not included. Sultan Pasha Atrash issued from his desert exile a call to the Syrian nation to adhere to their original demands for the political unity of 49 the country, and branded the new administrative divisions proposed by the French as an effort to forever keep the country divided. He also sent a protest to the League of Nations on the new French administrative program declaring his resolve to continue the struggle until the Syrian national demands are granted. ITALY SEEKING SYRIAN MANDATE? That Italy is conspiring to secure the mandate over Syria, using for the purpose the influence of the Papal Nuncio in Lebanon and the prestige of the Maronite Patriarchate, is the bold assertion of some Syrian papers who claim to have come into secret information bearing on the subject. The inception of the conspiracy is placed as far back as 1922, when three bishops are said to have induced the aged Patriarch to sign a petition to the Pope asking to be relieved of active duty and to have a vicar appointed to take charge of the affairs of the Patriarchate. The Pope is said to have doubted the authenticity of the petition because the Patriarch had visited Rome only a year before and was apparently in the best of health and spirits. Consequently His Holiness sent the petition back to the Patriarch for verification and by this action the plot of the conspirators was frustrated. This would have been only of local religious interest had not political motives been ascribed to the plotters. The Papal Nuncio was mentioned as being the real instigator of the conspiracy to remove the Patriarch because of the latter's steadfast loyalty to the cause of France in Lebanon and Syria. The S^Q-^^^'iAtalian, would nat- �H1 50 ura'ly want to see his own country the mandatory in Syria and since the Patriarch was the stumbling block in the success of the plan, he soug'ht to have him removed that he may recommend a bishop to succeed him who would favor an Italian mandate. The rumor having been first given publicity by Moslem papers, almost all the Christian papers of Beirut denounced it as being utterly without foundation and concocted in the brain of an office-seeker who unsuccessfully sought to enlist Ihe support of some bishops and resorted to this means as a measure of revenge. Finally Al-Bashir, a Catholic pa^er pub'ished by the Jesuits in Beirut, officially denied, on the authority of the Maronite Patriarchate, that there was any foundation to tha rumor. The Lebanese government was o only accused of wholesale corrupt'on by a member of the Legislative Assembly in a press interview. His v barges, although not specific, aroused the government to action and a special meeting of the cabinet was ca'le 1 to consider the matter. Jt was at first decided to instruct the public prosecutor to bring court action against the offending legislator, but upon further consideration this decision was rescinded. Regulation of the tobacco industry is giving the governments of all the Syrian States no little cause for concern. Ever since the abolition of the Regie, or the monopoly held by the French by a franchise from the late Turkish government there has been a scramble for manufacturing and sales privileges. Foreign companies were at first admitted to do business under the same conditions as native concerns, but an amendment is said to hive been Introduced later giving foreign interests THE SYRIAN WORLD special privileges which would place the natives at a decided disadvantage. These privileges include the right of foreigners to trial by their respective consuls and their placing wholly outside the jurisdiction of native courts. Consequently the cry has been raised that Whatever the name, it is simply one Regie replacing another. BRITAIN BLAMED FOR PALESTINE DISORDERS The League of Nations officially pub ished on August 25 its mandate commission re.ort on an examination of the Palestine riots of 192J, together with the British Government's comments on the report. The papers disclose a sharp clash of opinion on the responsibility for the bloody" disorders, according to an A. P. dispatch from Geneva. The whoe matter will he laid for discussion before the League council when it convenes on September 5. The mandates commission, composed of the strongest Power;; of the League, accused the British Government of having failed in its e.rlministration of the Palestine mandate, specifically in failing Lo sati fy the political aspirations of the Arabs, in failing to procure security for persons and rroperty for establishment of the Jewish home, and for being taken by surprise by the outbieik of last August. Kr. Henderson pointed out the difficulty of satisfying the political ambitions of the Arabs and at t'.ie s:me time advancing the cause of a Jewish national home, while carrying out orders of the League of Nations to maintain the rights of a'l inhabitants of Palestine regardless of race and religion. White the controversy over Palestine is waxing hot in Europe the I �SEPTEMBER, 1930 situation in Palestine itself is no less turbulent. Dispatches from Jerusalem under date of August 22 brought the information that the Arab Executive had issued proclamations calling for a general strike on the anniversary of the outbreak of last year's rioting. The strike was to be a protest against commutation of the death sentence of the Jew Orphali in connection with the riots, while the Arabs tried and sentenced for the same offense were executed. The authorities confiscated the proclamation and suspended an Arab paper for publishing it. It was feared that its widespread distribution would lead to the renewal of the disorders, because it characterized the 120 Arabs killed during the riots of last August as "martyrs" and accused the government of doubleedged justice. Zionism was called a branch of British policy. "You are not under a mandate, but clearly under British rule," the proclamation also declared. 51 sets forth certain conditions preliminary to their discussion: It holds that the Jews should agree not to evict a single fellah, not to compete with Arab officials or workers, to employ at least 80 per cent. Arabs in their undertakings, not to claim government aid for their industries, not to compete with Arab merchants, to accept Arabic as the only official language in Palestine, to abandon "the dreams" of a Jewish national home in Palestine and not to oppose Palestine's joining an Arab federation. This, of course, is the individual opinion of an Arab paper and it may not represent the minimum conditions upon which the Arabs may be willing to reach a compromise with the Jews. The official, and what are supposed to be the irreducible demands of the Arabs, are those submitted by the Arab delegation to the MacDonald Government in London last June and published recently in the English Edition of the newspaper Falastin. They are: Harry Snell, Labor member of the 1—Legislation to prohibit sale of Palestine Inquiry Commission, made forty-two proposals for Arab and land by an Arab to a non-Arab. Jewish co-operation which were pub2 —Immediate stoppage of Jewish lished the last week of August by immigration. the Brith Shalom Society headed by 3—Return of those lands which the Dr. Judah L. Magnes, chancellor of Government took away from the the Hebrew University and endorsed people on the ground that those in by it. They included the establish- possession did not own the lands acment of Arab-Jewish chambers of cording to the Tabu entry. commerce, the extension of credit 4—Return of the land from which by Jewish organizations to the Arab peasants have been expelled Arabs, the admission of Arabs to by the Jews on the excuse that these Jewish schools, the extension of lands were bought from the Jews Jewish research to Arab districts, by their owners. the extension of Jewish medical and social service to the Arabs and the 5—Re-institution of an Agriculallocation of a special member of tural Bank and the protection of the the Jewish Agency Executive to de- country's produce. vote his time to Arab-Jewish relafi—Institution of a national reptions. resentative government according to The Arab Palestine paper El Car- clause 22 of the Covenant of the mel, commenting on the proposals, League of Nations. �52 THE SYRIAN WORLD About Syria and Syrians an open-air meeting of communists who were attacking the institutions of the United States. The orderly Sunday, Aug. 31st and Monday, manner of the Lebanese celebration Sept. 1st were gala days for the and their expressions of loyalty to Lebanese and Syrians of the East- American institutions stood out in ern States on the occasion of their sharp contrast to the other disturbFestival-Outing held at Champ's ing element. His honor remained to Farm, Bridgeport, Conn. Over two witness folk songs and dances and thousand attended the celebration other forms of entertainment which and took part in the different forms pleased him immensely. of entertainment provided by the Mr. N. A. Mbkarzel. editor of committee in charge or supplied by Al-Hoda and founder of the Lebvolunteers. A holiday spirit per- anon League of Progress, presided vaded the gathering which was rem- at the official function and welcomed iniscent in most particulars to sim- the mayor. Mr. Salloum A. Mokarilar festive occasions in the mother- zel, editor of The Syrian World, reland. sponded officially to the mayor's adThe idea of the festival was con- dress. Rev. K. A. Bishara of Brookceived and sponsored by the Leba- lyn spoke also in English on Syria's non League of Progress of New and Lebanon's place in history. York. The committee on arrangeOn other occasions there were ments, headed by Mr. A. K. Hitti, speeches in Arabic as well as reliwas indefatiguable in its efforts to gious exercises. The celebration was provide means of entertainment and of such a nature as to delight both comfort for the guests. This being the first generation immigrants who the first celebration of its nature to had an opportunity to live over again be held in America, there was no their earlier days in the motherland, possibility of judging the volume of and the second generation who were attendance, and when about five hun- given an actual exhibition of some dred automobiles began streaming phases of social life of the country to Bridgeport bearing visitors from of origin of their parents. The conthe New England States, as well as census of opinion was that such from upper New York State, Penn- gatherings were immensely profitsylvania, New Jersey and even more able and enjoyable, and it would southerly States, it was evident that seem beyond doubt that they will the proposition met with hearty and be enthusiastically patronized in unanimous approval. It is now plan- the future. ned to hold the celebration annually The arrangements committee, in and perhaps extend it to other sec- explaining the object of these festions of the country. tivals, gives the following reasons Mayor Buckingham of Bridgeport indicative of its motives and policy: welcomed the Lebanese to the city "The prime motive of the Festival in the highest words of praise. He is to bring the Lebanese and Syrians remarked that while coming to at- of Vhe Eastern States together in a tend the Lebanese festival he passed spirit of racial brotherhood and LEBANESE FESTIVAL IN BRIDGEPORT mSBmsBKaBSmBmKBKi I �SEPTEMBER, 1930 53 good-fellowship. It is to be hoped value of their racial contribution to that the movement will spread to our comparatively young American other sections of the country for the nation." oovious benefits that are bound to accrue from it. "While we come together as a SYRIAN PAGEANT IN BOSTON SUCCESSFUL racial group bound by ties of kinship and common ancestry, we are, From both special correspondence nevertheless, only too mindful of and fragmentary accounts of the the fact that we owe our undivided American press in Boston received, allegiance and unwavering loyalty we gather that the Syrians of Bosto our beloved adopted country and ton took a leading part in the celeto all that for which the flag of the bration of the city's Tercentenary Stars and Stripes stands in ideals held in the middle of July and won and principles. Our past record of the praise of both officials and publoyalty as American citizens pre- lic. cludes the necessity of our reassertThe pageant, held on July 15 at ing our stand on this question. Symphony Hall, was arranged and "Our coming together on such a managed by a general committee gathering is because we are influ- composed of Faris S. Malouf chairenced by the same traditions gov- man, Miss Labeebee A. J. Hanna, erning our former social conditions. Miss Theodora Scoff, Rev. Shibley D. We are in the United States a dis- Malouf, Rasheed Abdelnour and tinct group who owe their adopted George J. Khouri. Mr. Ameen Rihacountry the contribution of the best ni, Prof. Ph. K. Hitti of Princeton that is in them towards its culture and Prof. James R. Jewett of Harand future progress. And we are vard acted in an advisory capacity. proud to claim one of the most Symphony Hall was packed to precious heritages that have fallen overflowing during the Syrian pato the lot of any small nation in hisgeant, among the attendance being tory. By coming together as an etha large representation of Boston's nological unit we propose to keep highest literary and intellectual alive those distinctive features of elements. Mr. Rihani, who was our racial heritage for permanent contribution to our land of adoption. specially invited by the committee to take part in the celebration, ex'We believe that such gatherings plained the various historical epiwill enhance civic interest and pride, sodes represented in a manner to and promote a spirit of co-operation cause surprise and admiration. in all constructive endeavor. The committee published a pam"The folk songs, dances and other phlet on the Syrian and Arab conforms of entertainment that will now tributions to civilization for free be given are the relics of an old and distribution on the occasion. progressive civilization, going back Miss Labeebee A. J. Hanna, a to our ancestors, the Phoenicians, Boston high school teacher, contrilong before our Christian era. buted materially to the success of "That the Lebanese have been the pageant by her enthusiastic and able to maintain these traditions in tireless efforts in coaching the acunbroken continuity for such a long tors, selecting the costumes and succession of centuries proves the composing the special music. inherent virility of the race and the The special pamphlet issued by �BBSS 54 the Syrian committee for the occasion was fittingly closed by the following pledge: "Mindful of the contributions our ancestors made to humanity and feeling the urge to intellectual cultural and humanitarian achievements, we, in commemoration of the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and as a token of appreciation for and loyalty to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, pledge our religious, moral and racial inheritance to the service of our new homeland, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Republic of the United States. "We conclude with the words of our former President, Calvin Coolidge, 'All peoples have points of excellence and are justly entitled to the honorable considerations of all nations.' " THE SYRIAN WORLD A SECOND PAGEANT BY SYRIANS OF BOSTON Aside from their participation in the general tercentenary celebration, the Syrians of Boston took a leading part in other exercises held under the auspices of the Catholic Charitable Bureau on the Common. The Boston Globe, in reporting this second event, concedes "that uie most elaborate feature was presented by the Syrian group," although Italians, Poles and other nationalities were represented. Following is the full account of the Boston Globe: "Two men, dressed in Oriental robes, and playing clarinets, headed the procession in which was a truck decorated with the flags of America, Syria and Lebanon. Around the sides' of the truck were Oriental rugs and cedars. In the center of the group The following paragraph is given was an Orientally decorated camel in the pamphlet as an indication of ridden by a Syrian boy dressed as the Syrians' place in, and contribu- a chief. tions to, America. The "Pageant of Syria and Leb"In writing about the Syrians in anon" was a graphic representation America, Salloum A. Mokarzel, edi- by men, women and children of those tor of The Syrian World said, 'They countries, of eight memorable epihave helped plant the love of Amer- sodes in Bible history, beginning ica in the hearts of millions of peo- with Adam and Eve and ending with ple speaking the common Arabic the sending out by the Savior of language, and they have proven Matthews, Mark Luke and John to their gratitude and loyalty to their spread His Gospel throughout the adopted country by responding in world. vastly more than their proportionate The various scenes and tableaux, quota to the appeal of the govern- the greater portion of the represenment, both for financial aid and for tation being in pantomime, were reman power in times of-national call.' garded by the hundreds of specta(Syrian World, November, 1927.) tors with reverence, and yet with Rev. W. A. Mansur, in writing about an enthusiastic interest that several the Syrian-Americans in the Syrian times found expression in hearty World, said, 'They exemplify in their applause. lives industrious living, patriotic There were a number of Syrian loyalty, law-obedience and love of and Lebanese dances by children or liberty.' Talcott Williams said of young women, several choruses by the Syrians in America, 'No more young people of both sexes in cosintellectual immigration has come to tumes of Oriental character, and the us in the past forty years.'" music was quaint, simple and in �SEPTEMBER, 1930 keeping with the time and the counhy represented. There was. a tableau of Mary with the Holy Infant in her lap and Joseph by her side, with the coming of winged angels and richly garbed wise men of the East bringing gifts, followed by the allegory of the spreading of Christianity. The final feature was a spirited Oriental sword and shield combat, reminiscent of the days of the Crusades and more dramatic than most combats in tragedies as presented in the theatre. The solo dancers, each of whom deserved high praise were Celia Saliba, O'ga Scoff, Mrs. Amelia Corey, Rosanne Letourney, Annie Hanaty and Alice Thomas. A dance for two was executed by Pauline Hanaty and Josephine Moussally. Some of the chief roles in the pageant, with their impersonators were: Adam, Frederick Assad; Eve. Olga Scoff; Abel, S. H. Attaya; Cain, Samuel Haddad; Noah, Solomon Moses; Moses, Antonio Corey; The Savior Ceorge Kirk; Joseph, Elias Hajjar; Mary, Agnes Shadrawy; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, respectively, John Lufty, Charles Assad, Nadra Escaf and Joseph Hajjar. The sword combatants were Nicholas Najjar and Habib Wayshek. Rev. Archimandrite Peter Abouzeid, B. S., of the local Syrian Catholic Church was on the stage most of the time, directing proceedings and making necessary interpretive announcements to the audience. The executive committee, which saw that there was no hitch or inappropriate incident in the progress of the enterprise, consisted of two Harvard men, Elias F. Shamon and John H. Shadrawy. The pageant was planned by the local Syrian-Lebanese committee, cooperating with the Catholic Charitable Bureau. 55 RIHANI DELIVERS SERIES OF LECTURES For the whole week beginning July 21, our well-known author and traveler, Ameen Rihani was engaged at giving a series of lectures at Chautauqua to a select audience orawn from all parts of the United States. The Chautauqua Daily, in each of its issues for that week, featured accounts of Mr. Rihani's addresses and stressed his e oquenee and forcefulness of argument The paper was expressing the public sentiment of the ever-growing audience which flocked to hf-ar the visiting speaker. Mr. Rihani spoke on the political, social and cultural conditions of the various Arabic-speaking countries of the Near East. Tracing Arabian history from 800 B. C. and outlining the Arabs' contributions to arts, sciences and culture, the speaker covered the whole span of centuries through succeeding periods until our present time. He dealt separately with the Arab countries under mandate and expressed the opinion that no pacification is possible without, unity. In one of his lectures, Mr. Rihani treated the subject of Arabic poetry giving translations of his own and of other Arabic scholars. While in Chautauqua, Mr. Rihani was a guest of his friend and admirer, Mr. M. Rashid, at a luncheon attended by a large number of prominent residents and visitors. LOS ANGELES SYRIANS TO PRODUCE PICTURES In an Arabic circular letter sent to the Syrian press of the United States and to The Syrian World, Dr. Alexander Mulki of Los Angeles announces the formation of a Syrian stock company for the production of �56 moving pictures known as the PanArabian Picture Corporation, Ltd. The organizers are five leading Syrians of Los Angeles and Hollywood, Charles Andrews, Dr. Alexander Mulki, J. Haik, Tom Davis and Edward Gillett. They announce their object as being, first, the production of talking films in Arabic, English and Spanish, and perhaps in other languages later, featuring the historical background of the Syrians; and, second, to create by this means a medium for better understanding and co-operation among the various Syrian communities in all parts of the world and throughout the Arabic-speaking peoples in their homelands. The organizers stress the advantage of their location in Hollywood, the greatest picture production and artistic center in the world, and express the utmost confidence in the ultimate success of the undertaking. THE SYRIAN WORLD "These excavations give the world in a remarkable way a 'history of The culture in Palestine that it is possible to read alongside biblical history as the supreme test of its trustworthiness," said Dr. Kyle. "Only real events leave anything which can be dug out of the ground. "The fortress at Tell Beit Mirsim, thirteen miles directly southwest of Hebron, which is the ancient Kirjath Sepher, proved to be a moond of ten cities each separated by burned levels. These ten cities represented only five civilizations." "The first city dates from 2000 B. C, perhaps earlier, which is Abraham's time in the Scriptures," he continued. "The same social and political conditions of the story of Lot and the angels are reflected in the ruins of this first city which approximates the civilization of that Hme and not the time of the Kings of Judah in the eighth and seventh centuries B. C. "There was only one city in the early bronze age, about 1900 to 1600 B. C, there were six different cities, Discoveries by the joint American one above the other, the first two expedition at Kirjath Sepher in Pal- representing the transition from estine conclusively prove biblical the early to the middle bronze age, stories and fix the date of Abra- the next four being typically middle ham's time according to a cable bronze. These were definitely disdispatch to the New York Times tinguished by their pottery. from Jerusalem dated Aug. 19. Dr. "The last city on the mound was Melvin Grove Kyle, director of the the city of the Kings of Judah, dejoint expedition of the Xenia Theostroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, as is logical Seminary and the American conclusively testified to by the disSchool of Oriental Research of Jerucovery of stamped jar handles which' salem, is reported to have so asserved as tax receipts from King serted in a public statement. AssistJehoiakim, who reigned a few years ed by a staff of ten archaeologists, oefore Nebuchadnezzar's destrucincluding many Americans and 110 tion. native workmen, the expedition un"In modern tines Nebuchadnezcovered a mound containing ten diszar stands as the symbol of military tinct cities one above the other, linkruthlessness although in fact his ing Abraham's arrival in Canaan destruction was less terrible than from Chaldea of the period of Nebuany of the others of these ten burnchadnezzar, who raided Canaan. ings. The Israelites, for example, IMPORTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES IN PALESTINE �SEPTEMBER, 1930 destroyed the city at the time of the conquest of Canaan so thoroughly that they destroyed all traces of it, but Nebuchadnezzar left walls four or five feet high." Dr. Kyle said it was possible to confirm that the Abraham and Lot story was true, because he found a house such as that described in the scriptural narrative of Lot and the angels, with a strong door capable of resisting onslaughts of a mob. "This disproves the contentions that the story of Lot and the angels was written in King Hezekiah's period in the city of the Kings of Judah about 700 to 600 B. C. because the sociological and political conditions differ," he asserted. "In the last city on the mound there is evidence of adequate police arrangement in the fact that no doors were found, merely arches with curtains or light coverings, whereas in Lot's time many heavy doors were uncovered, proving the people took their own defense precautions. It is unlikely that a historian of the time of Hezekiah would appreciate such a subtle distinction in sociological conditions proving the biblical narration that Lot actually harbored celestial visitors from the fury of an attacking Sodom mob." Dr. Kyle sad he hoped to resume excavations in 1932 to elicit further conclusive biblical proofs. SYRIAN INVENTS SUCCESSFUL HELIOCOPTER Nassif Shibley, a Syrian of Wheeling, W. Va., is said to have invented a successful stabilizing device for airplanes for which patents have Been issued to him recently. The device also permits of the taking off and landing of the machine perpendicularly in perfect safety, thus eliminating the necessity of spacious flying fields. Shibley is said to have many other useful inventions to his credit. He is a mechanic by trade and has been applying his talents to his latest invention for several years. TRAINED NURSING IN EAST BEGAN AT THE A. U.B. Nursing in the Near East has progressed in six steps from the first when the grandmother of the family nursed the ailing members to the modern trained nurse, according to Mrs. George Shahla of Beirut, Syria, an alumna of the American University of Beirut School of Nursing. This School has just celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary. In discussing the accomplishment of the school, Mrs. Shahla summarized the six steps in the evolution of nursing as 1—the grandmother of the family, 2—the midwife, 3—the maiden aunt, 4—the Nun with very little special training, 5—the Deaconess with more practical training, 0—the modern trained nurse. The modern trained nurse in Syria has been the outcome of the School for nursing established in 1905. Byfore that a few isolated nurses were found but they were either foreigners or Syrians who had been trained abroad. The School began with five girls and the first graduating class of 1908 had three members. Until the close of the world war the school numbered about twenty trainees. Since then the number has risen to fifty-seven including three Persian girls the first to study nursing, and two girls from the Sudan, also the first Sudanese to study nursing. Miss Jane E. Van Zandt, superintendent of the School for Nursing, �S8 says that one hundred and fifty nurses have been graduated in the twenty-five years and are scattered throughout the Near East though the majority are in Syria, Palestine and Egypt. Many of the gir's marry and take an active part in teaching other women in the community how to care for their babies and their homes. A number are doing infant welfare work in Palestine, one in Tel Aviv, one in Bethlehem and several in Jerusalem. One is a school nurse in Ramallah with health classes for children. One graduate went to a mission hospital in Addis Ababa, Abyssinia, last year and is doing excellent work. Two of the nurses went to a mission hospital in Bahrein, an island in the Persian Gulf, four years ago and did excellent educational work on the island where primitive living conditions were responsible for much preventable illness. Some of the graduates do private nursing but the majority are interested in institutional and publichealth nursing. A certain number remain at the University hospital, others enter work in Tuberculosis Sanitoria. Miss Mary Beard of the Rockefeller Foundation who was a guest at the twenty-fifth anniversary of the School of Nursing commented the work of Miss Van Zandt and said that "the science of preventive medicine and its promulgation among the masses is the greatest contribution of this age to the health and happiness of mankind." AL-HODA MOVES TO BROOKLYN The Syrians of the United States missed their leading daily paper, AlHoda, for a week when it moved its publication plant from 55 Washington St., New York, to 169 Court St., Brooklyn, early in August. That Al- THE SYRIAN WORLD IFoda did not suspend for a longer period is due to the untiring energy of its management Which made possible the moving of the heavy presses and the many Linotypes, together with tons upon tons of paper and books, in what is considered record time for an Arabic publication. We wish to congratulate Al Hoda upon its reappearance from its new offices and regret that it has given up its old quarters in the heart of the Syrian colony in New York where it made history. ARAB ARGUMENT ON THE WAILING WALL During the taking of testimony by the Wailing Wall Commission of the League of Nations in Jerusalem last July, Ahmed Zaki Pasha, noted Moslem scholar, presented the Arab case. He read a declaration submitted by the Arab delegation in which it was said that Palestine was not recognized as a "Jewish National Home." Zaki Pasha then went into Palestinian history, according to the Bible, from the time of Abraham to show that neither Jews nor Arabs were original owners of the country, but the Canaanites. He submitted documents which he said were from Christian travelers, declaring the Jewish practice was to mourn and not to pray at the Wailing Wall, and he said that statements of other Christian writers that the Jews prayed at the wall may have been made because travelers mistook mourning for praying. Jews he declared, were turning persecutors of the only people who had never persecuted them. The Arabs, although conquered by the Crusaders, were never expelled from the country, while the Jews, he asserted, were definitely expelled 2,000 years ago. �58 says that one hundred and fifty nurses have been graduated in the twenty-five years and are scattered throughout the Near East though the majority are in Syria, Palestine and Egypt. Many of the gir's marry and take an active part in teaching other women in the community how to care for their babies and their homes. A number are doing infant welfare work in Palestine, one in Tel Aviv, one in Bethlehem and several in Jerusalem. One is a school nurse in Ramallah with health classes for children. One graduate went to a mission hospital in Addis Ababa, Abyssinia, last year and is doing excellent work. Two of | the nurses went to a mission hospital in Bahrein, an island in the Persian Gulf, four years ago and did excellent educational work on the island where primitive living conditions were responsible for much preventable illness. Some of the graduates do private nursing but the majority are interested in institutional and publichealth nursing. A certain number remain at the University hospital, others enter work in Tuberculosis Sanitoria. Miss Mary Beard of the Rockefeller Foundation who was a guest at the twenty-fifth anniversary of the School of Nursing commented the work of Miss Van Zandt and said that "the science of preventive medicine and its promulgation among the masses is the greatest contribution of this age to the health and happiness of mankind." AL-HODA MOVES TO BROOKLYN The Syrians of the United States missed their leading daily paper, AlHoda, for a week when it moved its publication plant from 55 Washington St., New York, to 169 Court St., Brooklyn, early in August. That Al- U, -.-„>,- * THE SYRIAN WORLD Ifoda did not suspend for a longer period is due to the untiring energy of its management which made possible the moving of the heavy presses and the many Linotypes, together with tons upon tons of paper and books, in what is considered record time for an Arabic publication. We wish to congratulate Al Hoda upon its reappearance from its new offices and regret that it has given up its old quarters in the heart of the Syrian colony in New York where it made history. ARAB ARGUMENT ON THE WAILING WALL During the taking of testimony by the Wailing Wall Commission of the League of Nations in Jerusalem last July, Ahmed Zaki Pasha, noted Moslem scholar, presented the Arab case. He read a declaration submitted by the Arab delegation in which it was said that Palestine was not recognized as a "Jewish National Home." Zaki Pasha then went into Palestinian history, according to the Bible, from the time of Abraham to show that neither Jews nor Arabs were original owners of the counti'y, but the Canaanites. He submitted documents which he said were from Christian travelers, declaring the Jewish practice was to mourn and not to pray at the Wailing Wall, and he said that statements of other Christian writers that the Jews prayed at the wall may have been made because- travelers mistook mourning for praying. Jews he declared, were turning persecutors of the only people who had never persecuted them. The Arabs, although conquered by the Crusaders, were never expelled from the country, while the Jews, he asserted, were definitely expelled 2,000 years ago. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1930_09reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 01 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930 September Description An account of the resource Volume 5 Issue 01 of The Syrian World published September 1930. The issue opens with Ameen Rihani's discussion of Women in the Middle East, specifically that up to this point in history women were forced into submission and seclusion in a male dominated world. Rihani discusses how women are now claiming their independence and for the first time gaining an education and discussing politics. Rihani discusses the fundamental importance of the women’s movement in the East. Next Prof. Charles D. Matthews discusses American educational institutions in the Near East as a part of a study he conducted while visiting Syria and studying its the social, political, economic, and educational trends. There is also a short story adapted from Arabic titled "The Tragic Love of a Caliph," which details Yazid, ruler of the Umayyad dynasty, and his quest for love which ultimately kills him. Salloum Mokarzel then continues to describe his travels, first on a pilgrimage to the tomb of Abu'l-'Ala, and then to the twin cities of the Orontes. Featured in this issue is also a serial titled "Ali Zaibaq" or "Quicksilver," translated by Salloum Mokarzel in collaboration with Mr. Thaddeus S. Dayton. The last two works in the issue are poems, one by G. K. Gibran titled "Greatness" and the other titled "The Tale of the Rose" by Thomas Asa. The issue concludes with a discussion of The Syrian World’s fifth anniversary, excerpts from the Arab press, and more on political developments in Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Ameen Rihani Education Kahlil Gibran New York Poetry-English Rivers Thomas Asa Travel https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/e200c01e257a5727698cbe4e1f3a8781.pdf 6255c2e8ae7cfc5959ee290f33af5aed PDF Text Text VOL. IV. No. 10. JUNE, 1930. TTTF SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE CAN THE SYRIAN RACE SURVIVE IN AMERICA? REV. W. A. MANSUR THE SYRIANS IN AMERICA DR. TALCOTT WILLIAMS <si ALEPPO, METROPOLIS OF NORTHERN SYRIA SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL 3L LOVE AMONG THE ARABS (SHORT STORY) LEBANON MOUNTAINEERS TAKE UP HEALTH INSURANCE STUART CARTER DODD POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA THE COPY 50c 1 ��~mmm THE SYRIAN WORLD "Published monthly by SALLOUM A. THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS MOKARZEL, Editor. I 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single copies 50c. Entered as second-class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. IV. No. 10. JUNE, 1930, CONTENTS PAGE Can the Syrian Race Survive in A merica? REV. W. A. 5 MANSUR Reconciliation (Poem) 12 DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN The Syrians in A merica 13 DR. TALCOTT WILLIAMS Aleppo, Metropolis of Northern Syria SALLOUM A. 16 MOKARZEL On Hatred 28 KAHLIL GIBRAN Love Among the Arabs (Short Story) 29 �•' •'"• ' — ^ * CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE On Temper (Poem) J. D. 34 CARLYLE Lebanon Mountaineers Take Up Health Insurance 35 STUART CARTER DODD The Prophet (Poem) 40 THOMAS ASA Editorial Comment 41 Another Milestone 41 Syrians Only 41 Talent Available 42 Organization 44 Publication Dates \ 1 44 Spirit of the Syrian Press 45 Political Developments in Syria 48 About Syria and Syrians 53 i -— �— MM IN THIS ISSUE REV. W. A. MANSUR discusses a question that should seriously engage the attention of every thinking Syrian in the United States. "Can the Syrian race survive in America?" he asks, and proceeds to give his weighty reason for an affirmative answer. Our readers know the scholarly merits and sound reasoning of the Rev. Mansur. Not a statement does he make but gives for its support ample quotations from the most competent authorities. Especially is his article in this issue instructive. We would ask our readers to give serious thought to the question raised because the situation becomes more and more critical. Should we endeavor to maintain a certain form of separate identity, compatible, of course, with our spirit of loyalty to our adopted country, or shall we go down in defeat and admit our unworthiness? Read the able article in question and see if you can agree with the erudite writer. * * * DR. TALCOTT WILLIAMS has long since expressed an opinion that not only conforms to that of the Rev. Mansur but even goes much farther in certain particulars. Few are those among students of contemporary American literature who do not know who Dr. Williams is, especially that he was so influential in shaping the course of American literature by his direction of the School of Journalism at Columbia University. One is almost tempted to make the assertion that Dr. Williams holds a much higher opinion of us than we do of ourselves. Also that he entertains of us much stronger hopes. Else what could account for the apparent lethargy noticeable in our racial affairs! Dr. Williams' article should prove a strong stimulus to us in efforts of that nature. It also contains invaluable material for quotation whenever a Syrian finds himself in a position of self-defense. We cannot too strongly recommend a most attentive reading of this article. * * * THE EDITOR takes you in the current installment of his travel articles through northern Syria as far as the ancient and romantic city of Aleppo. Would you visit a typical Oriental city such as you find described in the Arabian Nights? Then here is where you may have your wish fully gratified. A great city without taxis, with covered bazaars, vaulted streets that run in a baffling maze like a catacomb, open-air gardens with dancers and singers and audiences fresh HHR �from the desert. All this you will find described in a vivid narration interwoven with exceedingly interesting historical facts. The trip to Syria with the editor is well-worth taking. * * * STUART CARTER DODD, professor of sociology at the American University of Beirut, discusses a most interesting experiment in health insurance undertaken" by a Lebanese physician who graduated from the American University. Dr. Rasheed Ma'took, the physician in question, is unquestionably a benefactor to his town and district. The account given by Prof. Dodd of his activities is most interesting. Perhaps the example set by Dr. Ma'took will before long be emulated throughout Lebanon and Syria. It is a novel case and a noble experiment for the detailed description of which we feel grateful to Prof. Dodd, and which we feel confident our readers will thoroughly enjoy. * * * THE FICTION in this issue is not really fiction. It is facts told in a romantic manner and dealing with the general subject of love among the Arabs and the case of two famous lovers in particular. Arab chivalry is here portrayed in its noblest methods of expression. The principals are a lad, a lassie and a mare. Readers will profit much by enlightening themselves on the details of courtship as it existed among the Arabs of olden days, and which persists to a certain extent to our day. * * * THE EDITORIAL COMMENT in this issue is a discussion of many timely and pertinent subjects. We would call particular attention to the suggestion of enlisting able native talent for our better representaton at all public functions. * * * THE SPIRIT OF THE PRESS is ever teeming with topics of interest because it is a condensation of the best comment appearing in our native press. From this department the reader can glean much information on subjects nowhere else discussed. * * * POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS in Syria should be of more than usual interest at this time because of the great upheaval taking place in the country. In this department we give a comprehensive summary not only of cable dispatches but of the reports of the native press. Nowhere else in English could students of political affairs in Syria find such a wealth of information, because we are in direct touch with original sources. Syria proper, Lebanon and Palestine are all covered in this department. * * * In all, every endeavor is being made to make of THE SYRIAN WORLD a medium of information meeting every need of SyrianAmericans and those interested in Syrian affairs. �THE SYRIAN WORLD JUNE, 1930. VOL. IV. No. 10. Can the Syrian Race Survive in America? By REV. W. A. MANSUR IN an article on The Future of Syrian-Americans which appeared in THE SYRIAN WORLD the writer raised the question of the survival of the Syrian-American race. "Shall they be as the proverbial 'lost ten tribes'? Shall they be destroyed through race destroying factors in the modern social order? Or, shall the present Syrian-American generation realize its racial self-consciousness, bring about a healthy adjustment to the new situation, and enhance the renaissance of the Syrian spirit in all its glory in the future Syrian-American?" (Syrian World, Sept., 1927.) In an able article in THE SYRIAN WORLD on Syrians* Future in America George A. Ferris says, "In studying the history of foreign minorities in the United States, it would seem to indicate that separate, distinct, racial groups are doomed to be absorbed into the body politic leaving little, if any, traces of their racial characteristics." His conclusions are that while the Syrian race will make its contribution to the upbuilding of the American nation, it is nevertheless "bound in the process of time to lose" its "racial identity." (Syrian World, May, 1929.) S. A. Mokarzel, editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD, asks the following provocative questions in an editorial on Future of the Race, "Shall we drift aimlessly, letting matters take their course, which we may well admit is being determined by the organized efforts of other groups, or shall we make an equally conscious effort to assert ourselves?" "In other words, are we to assert our racial characteristics, and in the latter case, what are the best I^BHBHHHiHMiMMMHHHHI^VBBlBBH^BMBBMBBiMBm �r — 0 THE SYRIAN WORLD M?y,S192V)e aChieVCment °f SUch an ob ect? J " (^an World, The writer believes in the future survival of the Syrian race in America. He believes that the inherent race vitality, race pride, and race progress are already resisting the absorption of the Syrian race by other races in America. He is persuaded there are forces now at work that are making for the preservation of the Syrian race. He is convinced that Syrian-American pioneers, Syrian-American leadership, and Syrian-American race awakeninhave already established a determined race consciousness, pride*, and hope that mark the stemming of the tide of race amalgamation, race absorption, and race extinction. The writer suooorts PP his conviction by the following considerations: /• The Syrian Race Can Survive Because its Background Is a Religious Philosophy of Life. the nl ^°StOV;z"ff ^ jj. hi,S Rome in the chaPter on Causes of t*?<u7 °f ATentA Cwdizati > "!" the East we never obwh rU KgCnera and Permanent ch^"ge of mental attitude which ,s characteristic of the West-that Oriental culture was based on a dehnite view of religion, which survived all change ofde ta,KeS and SaVCd mCn fr m fallin ° S int ° the « The strongest factor in the preservation of the Syrian race in America is the Syrian religious philosophy of life. Permeadng our economic, educational, social and political views of life S rflin?,^ exP^"g itself in a spiritual evaluation relitLeusltldtfwg,VeS th£ H,gheSt mea,li g t0 life is a " *y The Syrian race is pre-eminently the race of prophets seers i§ prets"hin:nanS: °f ^ "&»* ^ m*ral ^ ,g] US aUd VdueS '£? inter-' thl?r£ ZtlT ^ relationships .° °and progresst0in]ifeterms - Ij ofis he race that defines things, he highest welfare to all of life. In this vitality! inherent" th race of a religious philosophy of life, lies the future survival of the Syrian race in America. //. The Syrian Race Can Survive Because of the Renaissance of Race Consciousness, Race Talent, and Race Greatness. The Syrian race consciousness began to be born in the decision of Syrian-Americans to make America a permanent homeland! �JUNE, 1930 7 It is now being organized in the mind and heart of the Syrian people. It is now showing signs of fruitfulness through the rise of Syrian-American leadership. Already Syrian-American youth are successfully answering the challenge of the hour by splendid achievements. The leader of the Syrian-American awakening, S. A. Mokarzel, editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD, said in A Call to Form a Federation of Syrian Societies, "During the past two years there hai> been increasing evidence of a healthy awakening of racial consciousness among the younger generation of Syrians in the United States. From every section of the country comes news of the formation of new societies of our young people among both sexes. Where once there had been suspicion of indifference, even hesitancy and reluctance to admit one's racial extraction, we have in these societies proof positive that our young generation is beginning to show genuine pride in its origin." (Syrian World, Nov., 1928.) The Syrian race awakening is inspired by intelligent understanding of our glorious race inheritance. There is evidence in education, commerce, religion and civilization of the rising tide of Syrian race talent. There is rising on the horizon the rising greatness of a SYRIAN WORLD EMPIRE. In the rise of a common race re-birth, common race re-juvenation, and common race achievement lies sufficient community interest to hold together our race, perpetuate race identity, and promote race pride, inheritance and greatness. ///. The Syrian Race Can Survive Because Race Persecution Has Aroused Our Race to Self-Defense. The World War brought the nations, races and languages of mankind to grips with one another. Self-determination has become the watch-word of the times. Race equality has become a race issue. Language became the accompaniment of the national and racial questions. Bishop J. H. Oldham says in Christianity and the Race Problem, "A claim to permanent domination exclusively on the ground of race is bound to be resisted by other peoples with all their force. A thoroughgoing racialism cannot be advocated on one side without provoking an equally intense racial consciousness on the other." Ameen Rihani said in an address Americanism and Native II �8 'THE SYRIAN WORLD Culture, "Every people, ladies and gentlemen, has a certain culture, which reflects the best of its racial heritage; and the nation in which these various cultures abound and are incorporated harmoniously into its own spirit, without losing altogether their original identity, is destined to become the greatest nation in the world." "On the other hand, the foreign-born and their descendants in this their adopted country, cannot better perform their duties as citizens than by preserving their native culture and keeping alive all that «s good in their racial characteristics." (Syrian World, April, 19^9.) The race struggle in America brought on a wave of race defamation, race disparagement, and race depreciation. It aroused the various races in America to self-defense. The Syrian-Americans began the study of their race history, their race talents, and their race achievements. It awakened them to the glory of their forefathers in navigation, trade and commerce; in religion, morals and philosophy; in mathematics, law and civilization. With enlightenment regarding Syrian race heritage arose race pride, race defense, and race organization. Due to our sufferings because of race prejudice we are compelled to struggle for individual and race survival. Due to hindrances because of race defamation we are forced to develop the racial talents within us. Due to our children because of the equal right to equal opportunity we are urged to push forward for the sake of our posterity. In the memory of the Syrian-American race, in the mind of our children and our children's children, and for many generations to come will live the story of the struggle of the Syrian race in America, its sufferings, and its sacrifices, which in turn will ever promote the future survival of the Syrian race in America. IV. The Syrian Race Can Survive Because Disillusionment Regarding Western Races Has Accentuated Our Appreciation of Syrian Race Virtues. Bishop John Francis McConnell says in Human Needs and World Christianity, "The war itself led to disillusionment." The World War brought to a climax complete disillusionment about Western nations, races and religion. It was realized the Western civilization was established on a triumvirate of military power, material exploitation, and race aggression. The Russo-Japanese war smote the first blow to Western claim to superiority. The rise of nationalism smote the second blow to western �JUNE, 1930 9 greed. The World War smote the third blow to western aggression. Western nations, races and civilization are being weighed in the balances in the Near-East, the Far-East and through the nations of mankind. Western thought on the race, home, religion, education, commerce, marriage, democracy and nationalism are being weighed in the balances of justice among the races, nations and peoples of earth. Syrian-Americans are finding their race to be of the highest intellectual ability, possessing great religious and moral capacity, and capable of a tremendous urge for progress. They are finding their racial character to be one that makes for the highest homeloving, liberty-loving, law-abiding and industrious-living citizens in America. The self-appreciation of their race by Syrian-Americans will create a high sense of enjoyment of their race qualities, hold together the various scattered elements, and promote the preservation of the Syrian race as a race identity in America. V. The Syrian Race Can Survive Because of the Establishment of Syrian Denominational Churches in America. The establishment of Syrian denominational churches in America is a social insurance for the preservation of Syrian race identity. "Where there is a difference in religion, religious loyalty may suffice to keep communities distinct; in India Hindus and Mohammedans retain their separateness," says Bishop J. H. Oldham in Christianity and the Race Problem. "In Ceylon Tamils and Singhalese live side by side and intermarriage between the two communities seldom takes place. In Switzerland the German-speaking and French-speaking communities preserve their distinctness though they belong to the same nation. The Jews have for centuries maintained their identity while living in the midst of other peoples j religion has no doubt been a powerful factor in bringing this about, but a sense of racial community seems also to be involved, since the separateness is maintained even when religious fervor dies down. The founding of Syrian churches in America marks an important factor in the preservation of our Syrian race distinctness. Investigation will reveal a most powerful factor in the awakening of race consciousness, race pride, and race defense. It will be discovered that there are Maronite Churches, Greek Catholic �- "'Sa 10 '• " , THE SYRIAN WORLD Churches, Antiochan Greek Orthodox Churches, Syrian Greek Orthodox Churches, and Syrian Protestant Churches. It will be found that Mohammedans, Druze and Mitwalites, though small in numbers, have such meetings as meet their religious needs. Let it be remembered that these churches and religious organizations are shepherded by native priests, ministers and sheikhs. Through the Syrian churches in America there is being awakened by education appreciation of Syrian race inheritance, being urged the emulation of our glorious ancestors, and being promoted the upbuilding of our Syrian race legacies for the preservation of the Syrian race. The following statement is taken from an address by S. A. Mokarzel which was delivered to the United Maronites Society in Brooklyn: "With the present generation this precious heritage (referring to Maronite heritage) seems to be safe, but the concern is for the future and it rests upon the coming generations to insure the continuity of the work that has so far endured for nearly sixteen centuries." "It is to be hoped that they will imbue coming generations with this same sense of obligation towards a sacred cause, to the end that this noble heritage which has come down to them through the ages will endure to the lasting glory of a valiant race and a most worthy saint anc1 reformer." (Syrian World, March, 1929.) The Syrian churches in America because of their religious ritual, their training of the young, and their appeal to pride in racial heritage and supported by centuries of historical background in present day world wide organizations will ever make for the survival of the Syrian-American race. VI. The Syrian Race Can Survive Because the World Has Become a Community Through Modern Invention, Discovery and Transportation. The discovery of the New World by Columbus began the process which made the world a neighborhood of nations and races. The modern missionary impulse is making the world a brotherhood of all people. The rise of the machine is now making the world a community of citizens. "The mechanical revolution," says H. G. Wells in The Outline of History, "the process of mechanical invention and discovery, was a new thing in human experience, and it went on regardless of the social, political, economic and industrial consequences it might produce." The advent of the steamship, the �* • JUNE, 1930 n railroad, telephone, telegraph, automobile, and the airplane is shrinking the world, demolishing barriers, and destroying provincialism everywhere. The myriads of inventions, discoveries, and modern methods are making education universal, luxuries common to all, and speedy travel within the enjoyment of all people. Early immigrant communities were isolated from their native homelands because of their remoteness. Scattered individuals and families, because of high cost of travel, were largely dependent on other racial groups for social intercourse. The advanced in education, business, and prestige sought social contact with individuals of like standing among other people. During the last quarter of the nineteenth century there began he impulse which brought into full swing the mechanical, industrial and social revolution of our times. The coming of Syrian immigrants to America dates about the eighties of the nineteenth century. During that period began the acceleration of popular education, increase of railways, invention in the mechanical, electrical and various scientific fields. With the aid of native language publications, newspapers, magazines and books: with the helo of modern means of travel, by railroad, automobile and airplane; with possibilities of immediate communication, by telephone telegraph and radio, the Syrian race in America is holding itself together during the transitional period, and thereby maintains Syrian race identity in America. With the modern means of communication, transportation and information the Syrians in America, whether'in cityPor counm^/?UPS °rM f!?11' as.illdividuals or as families, are within immediate possible fellowship with their countrymen at, practically, any time or place. With the automobile they are within treVw?, f^ t0,Syrlan fellowshiP- With the telephone they are within talking distance with Syrian people. With the radio hey are within hearing distance of Syrian leadership. With television they are within seeing distance of their loved ones friends and others With the airplane they are within flying 2sance to Syrian fellowship friendship and society in America, and soon among the nations of earth. Social intercourse among the Syrian-Americans is now an every day practical possibility: is promoting Syrian race solidarity, race pride, and race progress is preserving Syrian race identity; and is making for Syrian race survival for all time in America. The writer has stated the factors and forces whose cumulative �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD power will preserve Syrian race identity in America among the races of the nation. For it is our belief that the day is coming, (may Heaven speed the way!) when for one to say "I am a Syrian-American" will be more glorious than the Roman Eagle, more honorable than the Star and Garter, more desired than the riches of Croesus, and more noble than the Lordly Caesars. It is, therefore, our purpose to plant in the body, mind and heart of Syrian-American youth intelligent understanding regarding the glorious history of our ancestors, their benevolent influences upon mankind and their superior race talents and thereby arouse race enlightenment concerning the greatness of our race among the races in America. It is our desire that our descendants shall ever remember their race identity, race heritage and race talent and preserve the same to the lasting honor of our glorious Syrian race. It is our commission to our Syrian posterity that they preserve our race identity, uphold our race legacies, and defend our race honor in America through race enlightenment, splendid achievement, and race loyalty to our American homeland. Reconciliation By DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN O come, and let us turn this leaf, And cover this disfigured page; Disputing not the cause of rage, Nor whose the balance of the grief! Or if thou must, then gently chide; For wert thou wholly innocent, Or I alone on mischief bent— But why by troublous tales abide? Come, let us dash this cup of pain To earth, and on its fragments rise, And with life's beauty fill our eyes, And lure dead love to life again. I �j; 13 JUNE, 1930 The Syrians in America AN APPRAISAL OF THEIR CHARACTER AND HISTORY By ' DR. TALCOTT WILLIAMS CYRIA and Syrians constitute the first land and the first people in Southwestern Asia who have entered into modern civilization. They stand alone in this. If Syria were an islanded-land, instead of being four thousand years a thoroughfare of conquering peoples, swept by many tides, it would be, in its place, as striking an example of progress as Japan. Southwestern Asia begins with the fringe of the vast tableland of the Central Asia steppes, lifted into an Arctic air, a vast desolation. The Khanates of Turkestan have changed the drill of their soldiery and are responsive to Russian administration; but they are as they are, imitating and not well the flaming architecture of the days of Tamerlane and still walking in the track of the Institutes of Bokhara. The book shops in the city of that name are still the great center of the book-buying of Islam. If the Emir of Afghanistan has his aeroplanes, Cabul could neither make nor repair them. Beluchistan is where it always was. The lithographed pages of the newspapers of Persia are a pathetic proof of a land still in the age and bondage of the written word, not having attained the full liberty of print. Mesopotamia, were the English troops withdrawn, would be where Mosul was when, as a child, I saw its gates nearly seventy years ago, as far as the real life of the desert, the town and the rivers twain are concerned. The Armenian Soviet Republic has far more self-government than the Russian province of Erivan in 1913. Armenians are scattered over the trade of the world. They almost monopolize in some of the cities in Europe and America the trade in Asiatic rugs, but they have not taken a place in European banking as has Greece, nor is their trade as far-flung as that of the Syrian merchant. Nor has the Armenian created a new literature on the same scale as has Syria and the Syrians. The strength of Angora is to-day the strength of the past rather than of to-day or to-morrow. To me, the Angora group as I meet the few I �14 'THE SYRIAN WORLD have come in contact with, follow their work and see their utterances remind me more of the old Turkish Pashas whom I saw as a boy after the Crimean War, than of the young Turks of the past fifteen years, whom we once believed and hoped, alas, m vain would recast the Ottoman rule. I am strongly inclined to think that Mustapha Kemal Pasha would have felt much more at home with Barbarossa, or the greater viziers of the past, than he has with Envers Bey or even Talaat. The Syrians have in the last seventy years added a new chapter to the loftier tone of the Arabic literature. I can myself remember seeing even Moslem eyes brighten as the poems of Nasif el Yaziji were adequately read; how hard a task and how difficult to achieve. A new field of fiction has been created in Syria which influences the Arab world as a whole. Modern journalism in Arabic has been almost wholly created by Syrians. A Syrian edits the organ of the Shareef of Mecca, who sits in the seat of Muhammad. The leading magazine at Cairo, foremost in the Arab world, was brought into being by Syrians. Wherever there are newspapers in Arabic, they are generally, not always, edited by Syrians. The new literature of the Arab tongue, in science, in history, in the discussion of modern issues, is by no means as large, as effective or as widespread as the like literature in the newly awakened peoples between the Aegean and the Baltic but the output of Syria on modern topics and the progress of to-day exceeds that of any land or people in Southwestern Asia. This is not due simply to access and position. Egypt has access and position as much as Syria. Persia has as lofty a tradition. Intellectual ability is still high in Mesopotamia. Narrow as is its intellectual tradition, cramped as it has been by fanaticism, yet no one can fail to see that the Khanates have powerfully influenced Moslem legalism. Let us not forget, this is one of the great systems of law, the weight of whose codes, statutes, traditions decisions and precedents are still cited and argued, and establish property and personal rights, from the Judicial Committee of Privy Council of Westminster to the far-flung frineine palms of the Malaysian Archipelago. But the trading instinct of the Phoenician has carried the Syrian trader over both North and South America as well as Africa and Southern Asia. He has penetrated to the head-waters of the Amazon, he is to be found in all parts of the West coast of Latin America and more than one national legislature and city ordinance has acknowledged the superior commercial ability of the Syrian �JUNE, 1930 15 by trying to exclude him altogether. The trade of Brazil passes more and more into his hands and every year there appear at Beirut from the very ends of the Western world and the outer Eastern coast of Asia, the sons of the alumni of the American University at Beirut returning each autumn to share the education of their fathers, at the site of the greatest university of the Mediterranean, since the Roman Empire reached its utmost bounds from Bactria to Britain, from the great Atlas to the North Sea. This cosmopolitan note lends significance and weight to the Syrian migration of our day. I know no American city where I have not spoken Arabic and no port on the Gulf or the Caribbean where the Syrian is absent. Twenty-five years ago, I found a Syrian in command in the Southwestern corner of Morocco, north of the Atlas, of an outpost, awaiting an attack from the locally independent tribes of Wad Sur. No more intellectual immigration has come to us in the fast forty years. None more swiftly feels the American sprit or retains more tenaciously the sprit of Syria and the Syrian. No melting pot is the United States. It never has and it never will reduce our population to a common amalgam. The stocks of many European peoples and most of the Mediterranean races have been grafted on our national stock. There they will remain and retain their old life, strength, genius and flavor. They all, if they abide in belief in liberty, shall be grafted in and grow, maintaining an identity through centuries to come. So after three centuries, Hollander, Huguenot, men of the Palatinate and both banks of the Rhine, of Brittany and of Sweden and Switzerland retain their identity in their descendants. The descendants of Baron Graffenreid of Berne who founded Newbern are still among us. What would we not give if we had a close and contemporaneous study of the Huguenots who came here two centuries ago in such throngs that a sixth of Philadelphia spoke French when Franklin began his work there as a printer? A like service has Dr. Philip K. Hitti done in his book "The Syrians in America." His intimate acquaintance with Syrian immigration, his sympathy with the life from which this addition to American life comes, all these things enable him to understand, to appreciate and to describe the Syrian in America. For all these Syrian traditions I have the deepest sympathy. There I was born and there to-day the youngest of my father's descendants are passing their childhood days. �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD Aleppo, Metropolis of Northern Syria A CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF THE EDITOR'S TRIP ABROAD IX By SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL I^ATAKIA could have claimed more of our time by virtue of its being the capital of that district of Syria which Renan once described as the treasure house of the archaeologist. Its interest lies not alone in the fact that it was a flourishing Phoenician settlement fifteen hundred years or so before Christ, but in its checkered career during all the succeeding centuries. Relics of Seleucides, Romans, Arabs and Crusaders in and around it are still to be found in great abundance, and the strife of which it was once the scene between Moslem and Christian a thousand years after Christ forms a bloody, yet most interesting, chapter of history. The cynical poet Abul 'Ala, who saw only with the eye of reason, once wrote of it: Latakia is the scene of constant strife Between the hosts of Mahomet and Christ. While these ring bells and cause a steady din, The others send loud shrieks from minarets. Each claims his faith the greatest of the two. Granting their claims, I wonder which is true? But our present trip was only in the nature of a reconnoitering tour and, considering the limitation of time, our itinerary had to be carefully planned so as to permit a visit to all parts of Syria. Our reliance was on the smattering knowledge of the historical background of the country to render the visit, short as it is, more proportionately profitable. Accordingly, we planned to leave Latakia as early as possible in the afternoon in order to insure arrival at Aleppo by daylight, and we gave our chauffeur instructions to that effect. But the half-breed was not unlike the proverbial sailor, with a cause for �JUNE, 1930 I ! 17 delay in every port, and a faculty for inventing for his tardiness the most ingenious excuses. This was our first experience with him on this score, and, unfortunately, it was not destined to be the last. Finally the swarthy, diminutive Lebanese-Mexican-Indian came driving madly to the hotel. He greeted us with a broad diabolical smile and the provoking question: "Are you ready?" To which we could only answer in a disgusted, searching look. But the scoundrel would not be abashed. He hastened to explain: "\ ou see," he said, "we are about to travel in an extremely hazardous country. Not that we are in danger of attack by highwaymen, for the roads are perfectly safe in this respect. But we shall have to travel over mountains and through valleys where the winds blow with the fierceness of winter gales. I know these sections well and you can't find in all Syria another chauffeur to compare with me in experience. Considering which I had to take the necessary safeguards, and the cause of my delay was to secure rope to protect my car." Surely enough, the canvas top of the open car was securely tied to the iron frame in all the vulnerable places. We had no further reason to question the cause of his delay, but we were at a loss to account for the necessity of such precaution. To give the devil his due, we will readily admit that in this instance the action of the chauffeur was fully warranted. We had no sooner left the plain of Latakia and begun the ascent of the mountain leading to the plateau of the Syrian hinterland than we realized the truth of his prediction. The wind that played around the barren hills and forced its way through the narrow valley.s attained at times the velocity of a hurricane. But it was a scorching wind which smote our faces like blasts from a raging furnace. We had to hold handkerchiefs to our mouths and noses as a protection against the dust and sand. It was an unconscious imitation of the Arab in completely covering his face when caught in a sandstorm. But in~spite of all this discomfort, the chauffeur insisted on talking and extolling his .foresight and his many other virtues, gesticulating the while and lapsing into his wonted habit of relinquishing his hold on the wheel while driving at 110 kilometers. What would my companion have given just to be able to talk back and tell that crazy driver where he belonged. But howcould he when he was huddled in the corner of the open car almost at the point of suffocation from the heat and the sand �•* •-4. Co o Panoramic view of Aleppo, showing the towering form of the great fortress dominating the city. mmm jsmm O "• M^ —! rr* rr\ * >. '— r\ '-.:- in b �JUNE, 1930 19 and the pressure of the handkerchief. I was in a like predicament and all we could do was to exchange occasional glances laden with reciprocal sympathy for our common suffering. Once across the mountains conditions became more bearable and we began to take notice of the landscape. We could not help admiring the fine condition of the road which was being kept in constant repair by gangs of workmen at regular distances. We noticed here what we had failed to see in almost all other parts ot byria, namely milestones along the way and conspicuous road signs inscribed in both Arabic and French at all intersections. We crossed the Orontes over the Shagour bridge at a point sixty-hve kilometers from Latakia. It was the first time we had come to this historic and famous Syrian river, and the setting was well calculated to give emphasis to the mental picture we had formed of it. If anything, Shagour is a perfect relic of the medieval ages. Its closely huddled houses of massive masonry and flat roofs formed but a slight break in the uniformity of the terrain panorama. Only the bridge was impressive by its stupendous size and the pnmitiveness of its construction. Then began a monotonous drive through the plains of Syria across immense stretches of fields presenting a most desolate aspect after the harvest. Now and then we passed an isolated town of low mud huts of conical shape, but what was most conspicuous by its absence was forestation. Both in this section and m the vast ondulatmg territory between Aleppo and Horns and Hama hardly a tree is to be seen except on the banks of the Orontes or in the immediate vicinity of Muarrat Nahman A tired laborer or a weary traveler could not find a shady nook for scores of miles around to protect him from the scorching ravs of the Syrian sun. Late in the afternoon we had ample compensation for the discomforts of the journey by the welcome sight of Aleppo. The impressive appearance of the city as one approaches it from the west justifies its claim to the proud title of Queen of Northern Syria. The uniformity of its attractive white buildings is broken by its numerous mosques with their stately minarets, while dominating the city, and almost in its very center, looms the huge form of its famous citadel. The great expanse of the city bespoke its importance from time immemorial as the emporium of Northern Syria. We passed through a residential quarter which in point of modernity would compare favorably with any section of an Amer- �=SBBgg— WA 20 mmmmmmmsBBSBssm THE SYRIAN WORLD A typical view of Aleppo. The mosque in the foreground being the traditional spot where Father Abraham had his sheep pen. ican or European city—wide streets, spacious side-walks, and so many balconies that further carry the picture by giving the impression of fire-escapes. The streets were also uniformly clean, even the covered bazaars presenting the appearance of extreme care and orderliness. Here, as in Beirut and Damascus, the work of destruction and reconstruction is going on apace, many old quarters giving way to wide, straight boulevards. The Hotel Baron was recommended to us as the best in the city and thither we went to secure accommodations. The registration blank we were requested to fill is a valued memento of our experiences. "Police regulations," the affable clerk apologetically explained when he noticed our surprise, adding that we �JUNE, 1930 21 had the option of giving the information in either Arabic, English, French or Hebrew. Here was our "third degree." 1. Name in block capitals. 2. Nationality. 3. Occupation. 4. Residence. 5. Date of Arrival. 6. From where. 7. Proceeding to. 8. Ultimate destination. 9* Signature. 10. Room No. 11. Date of Departure. * Having gone through the ordeal, we decided to dispense with any serious business for the evening and see the life of the town. I made short shift of washing and dressing, more especially because of the din of a gasoline motor which sounded as if coming from the adjoining room. Inquiry, A detail of the fine Arabesque designs however, brought the as- done in mosaic in one of the mosques suring information that of Aleppo, formerly a church. the motor was the hotel's electric generating plant, located within the building. But in order to insure the comfort of the guests, there was an auxiliary motor outside the building to relieve the regular "inside" motor in night duty. That news was certainly relieving, for how could a person sleep with the constant detonation of a gattling gun beside his pillow! After the trying drive of the day we had dismissed our chauffeur and counted on going about town with a native taxi driver. Inquiry at the desk, however, elicited the information that in the great city of Aleppo there were no taxis. The only means of getting about, sir, is in the reliable old horse carriages, dependable hacks of proven merit, which can take you through the tortuous, narrow alleys of the old quarters as well as through the �22 THE SYRIAN WORLD wide, straight boulevards of the new quarters. And the price is very reasonable, only three mejides per hour (about $1.50). Having resolved to see the town, we figured it would be better to see it slowly, and slowly we did. Everything seemed to keep pace with the horse, even the action of the dancers 'and singers! The driver informed us that the f a m o u s Egyptian singer, Saleh Abdul Hay, was in the city. The opportunity was exceptional. Would we want to profit by it? We did and the driver drove us about until the hour set for the opening of the performance, The Perfumery Bazaar in Aleppo, a 9 o'clock. The theatre typical street of the old city totally was an open-air cafe to which the admission was stone-vaulted. one mejide. It was packed to overflowing with pleasure-loving Aleppian music enthusiasts. Small and large parties were clustered around tables heaped with arac glasses and the indispensable maza. Circulating coffee servers went about offering their commodity to the wanting, free, in common cups. Others carried braziers full of Jive coals to add to the waning fire of your arghile. While still others peddled delicacies to the fastidious. The scene was certainly one of quiet and dignified merriment. Not a sound was heard but that of the click of glasses and the melodious chant of the venders. Here was a real night club of an Oriental city but without the boisterousness of an American or European gathering. But where was the public entertainment? The opening was scheduled for 9 o'clock, and here it was ten- �n **""*'1*' JUNE, 1930 23 thirty, and the principal has not appeared. Could it be that he has met with an accideent? We were about to leave when at last the famous singer made h i s triumphant entry! He was-dressed in impeccable European fashion with the tarboush as his only Oriental distinguishing mark. He took his seat between the oud, kanoun and violin players amidst .deafeningapplause. It was another fifteen minutes before he warmed up to begin. "Ya Leil," he began and paused. "Ya Lei he continued and paused longer. And "Ya Leil/' he repeated betwee n 1 o n g and short pauses until more than fully The Red Slipper Bazaar in Aleppo, twenty minutes were conso railed because it is the centre of sumed without him "bethe shoe trade. ginning his song. But such is the accepted manner of Oriental entertainment, and whoever disapproved could leave. And that is exactly what we did because of our having lost the Oriental sense of evaluating time. We paid a mejide each to hear a single "Ya Leil." Our trusted hackster, whom we found waiting at the gate, offered to drive us to a real native resort, where there was action and motion. The place proved to be arfother open-air cafe where a woman sang and danced with what the natives appeared to consider a good deal of spirit. But neither her words nor her motions conveyed the suggestive interpretations one encounters on the American vaudeville stage. The surprising feature of this second visit was that most of the audience were bedouin Arabs—young men in aba, koufia and �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD The fortress of Aleppo viezved from the main entrance showing the tzvo gates and the bridge over the moat. ighal and patent leather pumps. They displayed all the primitive qualities of the sons of the destrt in these urban surroundings and appeared to thoroughly enjoy the performance. The night at the hotel was a truly miserable one. The sheets were clean and the bed comfortable. But the din of the infernal dynamo was not conducive to sleep. True, they had shifted from the one inside to the one outside, but the change did not improve the situation. The night motor was directly below my window! Next morning we were up, perforce, bright and early, and we decided to take a stroll for a further and fuller inspection of the town. We had not reckoned that there would be many others up and about much earlier than we. We had gone less than half a square when we were accosted by two little tots in rags who appeared to be not much older than six and four. Their disheveled long hair hung over their shoulders and their dirty dresses, made apparently of plain sacks, trailed on the ground. They were on the side of my companion, and the elder, with one hand holding on to his baby brother, and the other outstretched in begging appeal, mechanically repeated: "A small barghout, a small barghout," this being the smallest monetary denomination. The alms given them was not a small but a big barghout. But I could �ir > JUNE, 1930 IUMIBW 25 Close-up of the main tower at the entrance of the Aleppo forttress showing some details of the fine work in what once formed the^ residence of the lords of the city. see that the effect of this early scene on my companion was anything but favorable. It was but natural to feel pity for the sad plight of two children of such tender age, but the mind of the business executive wandered in other fields. John began to reason: "Why should the government permit such vagrancy? Both from humanitarian and utilitarian considerations orphanages or asylums should be provided to care for destitute children, where they could be taught some trade for their future self-support. Where in civilized countries are such young children permitted to drift about and subsist by begging? Much reform seems to be still needed in this land!" Later in the morning I visited the office of At-Takaddum, the daily Arabic paper of Aleppo. I hope I am not betraying any confidence by echoing the complaint of the editor that its circulation is shamefully small, barely reaching 1500, for a city of the size of Aleppo which claims a population of almost 200,000. The explanation was equally surprising: The lower classes seemed to have a certain apathy for reading, while the educated L. �26 "THE SYRIAN WORLD class read almost exclusively foreign papers. In all, the proportion of the patrons of the press could scarcely rise over one or two per cent. To one who had had the preconceived notion that Aleppo was a city of arts and letters these revelations were shocking. But perhaps the interest of the people was directed into other channels. I had known that the Maronite bishopric of the city enjoyed a long and brilliant record of scholarly pursuits and achievement, and I would visit its press which I was told was located in the "Crusaders' " Street, an odd name for a street in a city located so far in the interior of Syria and never occupied by the Crusaders. Here I was pleasantly surprised to discover the nearest approach to a modern press among all the native printing establishments in Syria. I was advised that the press is maintained by a special trust fund which yields an adequate income. Its specialty is religious and scholarly publications. My visit later to the bishop's house further confirmed what I had learned of the sustained interest of this religious institution in scholarly pursuits. Bishop Michael Akras had his secretary, Father Elias Galy, conduct me to the formal reception hall opening on the patio of the building. The room proved to be nothing less than an immense treasury of rare manuscripts carefully sorted and catalogued. All around ran bookcases reaching to the ceiling with here and there a few portraits of former bishops of the diocese. It was evident from the atmosphere of the place that the arts and letters were fully appreciated in this institution where such traditions have been maintained in unknown continuity since the time of the famous Arabic poet and scholar Bishop Germanos Farhat, who lived about a century and a half ago. In a prominent position on the wall hung a life-like painting of St. Elias, patron saint of the cathedral, which the admiring guide told me dated from 1489. It was executed on parchment, making possible the finest shades and details. Other objects of art were to be seen all about the room. Such, then, is the setting in which the Maronite bishop of Aleppo holds formal functions and receives distinguished visitors. We had reached the bishop's residence through a covered street lighted, even in daytime, by kerosene wall lamps. It is a peculiarity of this old quarter of the city that most of its public streets are in the form of underground passages. But once within the gate of a residence you emerge into a spacious court flooded with sunshine and smiling with shrubbery and trees. In places �JUNE, 1930 27 the streets are not on an even level and as one peers through the semi-darkness, with the flickering light of the street lamps creating fantastic shadows, one cannot help imagining oneself in some sub-terranean passage of an immense medieval fortress or in the intiricate maze of a catacomb. Strategic reasons undoubtedly forced the building of the old city in this manner. Even the square of the cathedral, which we had to pass on our way out, was completely inclosed, access to it being available only through vaulted passages, commonly called streets. What perhaps is the most impressive sight in Aleppo is its famous fortress. The main gateway and the ramparts are in a fair state of preservation, and the purity of its Arabic architecture is a delight to the eye. The perfectly smooth sides of the hill on which the fortress stands attest the truth of the contention that it is mostly artificial, so raised as to dominate the city. Facing the main gate is an immense open square that has withstood building encroachment, but in other directions building has been carried to the very edge of the driveway skirting the deep moat. We arrived at the fortress shortly before noon and the Senegalese guards, after much persuasion, would permit us access only to the second gate across the bridge. Public visits are permitted only at 4 in the afternoon, and although we could have applied to Mr. Lavastre, local representative of the High Commissioner to whom I had been recommended, for a special permission, we decided that possible formalities might delay our departure which we had planned for the early afternoon considering the long distance we had to cover. What we had already seen of the immensity and ornate decorations and vestiges of former splendor of this great fort was considered sufficient reward for anyone's pains to travel any distance to see. After all, the finest specimens of art work are in the facade of the main entrance. The outer tower guarding the bridge is imposing as a piece of masonry, but the architect's and the decorator's art is chiefly in evidence at the main gate and the huge building rising over it. King Al-Zaher, son of the famous Saladin, had lavished untold wealth on improvements in the fortress which he meant for his official residence at the time he considered making Aleppo the capital of Syria. Additions and decorative details were later introduced by Sultan Kalil ibn Kalaoun about 1250. Throughout the decorative details, the nail and horseshoe motif predominate. Running along a section of the fortress is a broad boulevard �11 ' 28 "" '" THE SYRIAN WORLD lined with tall shade trees. Here one comes across a scene that is typically Oriental in its picturesqueness and a relic of the ages of long ago. In the cool shade, lined against the wall of an old barracks, are the curators of that old Oriental institution known as "public scribes." There they are with all their versatility waiting to write you anything from a letter to an absent husband or son, to a petition to the governor. In former days they used to squat on the ground and hold court wherever convenient. Now they are assigned definite places and enjoy the luxury of a desk. Modern conditions have not succeeded in completely eliminating them, however. They are there to this day and seem to be enjoying a thriving business. On Hatred By G. K. GIBRAN Oftentimes I have hated in self-defense; but if I were stronger I would not have used such a weapon. * * * How stupid is he who would patch the hatred in his eyes with the smile of his lips. * * * Only those beneath me can envy or hate me. I have never been envied nor hated; I am above no one. Only those above me can praise or belittle me. I have never been praised nor belittled; I am below no one. * * * Your saying .to me, "I do not understand you," is praise beyond my worth, and an insult you do not deserve. �29 JUNE, 1930 Love Among the Arabs A SHORT STORY Adapted from the Arabic Original. THE Arabs of Al-Jahiliat, or pre-Islamic era, were noted for the fierceness of their zeal in guarding the honor of their women. A girl would be trusted to wander alone in the wilderness shepherding the flocks, but once she was suspected of contracting a secret friendship, she was immediately and mercilessly secluded. If her love affair attained such proportions as to become a topic for public gossip, the cruel custom prevailed of interring her alive. The father would resort to this method as a last extremity in expiation for the family honor and the tribe's good reputation. This custom of burying alive maidens suspected of straying on the hazardous road of romance before marriage was later so modified as to only ban the marriage of offending couples. Most of the love epics among the Arabs are based on such cases. The famous case of Majnoun Lila, who when forbidden from meeting his beloved, deserted civilization and roamed for the rest of his life among the wild beasts, affords the most striking example. Kais Ibn Al-Molawah, the real name of Majnoun, which is but a nickname meaning "madman," was one of the foremost Arab poets who sang of tragic love and the pangs of separation. To this common rule there were, however, some noteworthy exceptions. The love affair of gallant Mussab and beautiful Rihana was one such. The happy ending of the courtship was due mainly to the self-assertion of the lady and her insistence on marrying only the man of her choice. This tale of romantic courtship and happy marriage abounds in incidents indicative of the finest Arab virtues. It is here told in strict conformity to the spirit of Arab chroniclers who revel in lauding the chivalrous and the beautiful. The persona; dramatis of the play are the two young people directly involved} the father of the maiden, a prince of his tribe; a troubadour poet who was instrumental in bringing about the meeting of the principals, and last but not least, a famous mare of a powerful chieftain which was required of the aspiring young man as a dowry. �HMHMHMMMMHMMMMHMfHMMH 30 THE SYRIAN WORLD Following is the manner in which the tale is told in the Arabic original: Providence had been most generous to Mussab, a scion of the powerful tribe of Beni Sakhr, in gifts of personal distinction. In hospitality he was unexcelled, in war he was ever victor, in debate and in conversation he possessed the strongest argument and the most captivating charm, and in physical appearance he was the handsomest of men. But Mussab was not of princely blood nor of exceeding wealth. In the north of Arabia Emir Faiz ruled over a powerful tribe. His only daughter was Aida, a maiden of extraordinary intelligence and charm, who had been wooed by many but accepted none. Her people were extremely proud of her and looked up to her with the reverence of subjects to their queen, although, in her extreme affability, she treated them as brothers. They called her "Rihana", a term applied to aromatic flowers. There also lived in those days a certain troubadour whose name was Sayyah and who roamed the land singing the praise of princes and chieftains of distinction among the Arabs. At regular intervals he alternated his visits between the tribe of Beni Sakhr in the south and the tribe of Emir Faiz in the north. In his accounts of his experiences he unfailingly lauded to the Sakhrs the virtues of Emir Faiz and particularly his gifted daughter Rihana, and to the tribe of Emir Faiz he was loud in his praise of the extraordinary qualities of Beni Sakhr and particularly their idol and youth without peer, Mussab. In this manner he was unconsciously instrumental in kindling the fires of love between Mussab and Rihana. Often, at the request of Mussab, Sayyah would spend nights giving accounts of the extraordinary qualities of Rihana both from personal knowledge and current legend. Mussab felt a strong urge to ask for the hand of Rihana in marriage and was restrained only by the fear of being refused owing to his station in life. To him who was the strongest in battle and the most open-handed in hospitality such a blow to his pride would be well nigh unbearable. Rihana, on her part, had innumerable offers of marriage. Many were the princes and men of great wealth who sought her of her father but were refused because the proud princess had formed the decision that only Mussab was her worthy mate. Her father had left her destiny in her hands, and she abided her �JUNE, 1930 31 time and awaited the periodical visits of the roaming poet with increasing impatience. One day Sayyah made an unexpected appearance at the camp of Beni Sakhr. This time he was louder than ever in his praise of Rihana. To the interested group of men that gathered about him he repeated the verses which he said Rihana was fond of reciting lately, to the effect that Heed not the accident of birth, but let good deeds Replace the honor of a noble blood. The man is what he rriakes himself, not he Who can but boast of what his father was. Mussab took sufficient courage from this quotation to overcome his timidity—Rihana was bidding him overlook the causes which had so far prevented him from seeking her hand. She was far above considering the mere accident of birth a valid reason for overlooking the merit of personal achievement. And he forthwith prepared himself for the journey to the country of the Arabs of the North. Incognito, Mussab sought hospitality at the tent of the Emir. There he remained three days receiving treatment as an honored guest without a question being asked as to his motives or his identity. Feasts were spread and conversations held but without the slightest infringements on the accepted proprieties of hospitality. The guest was found to be of a most charming personality and entertaining manner, and Rihana always took a position behind a partition in the tent where she could hear and see without herself being observed. She very soon came to the conclusion that if she were to marry any other than Mussab, her choice would be this fascinating guest. At the conclusion of the prescribed three days of hospitality, Emir Faiz asked of his guest, "Who may be the brother Arab whom we have the pleasure of entertaining?" And Mussab revealed his identity, and was received with further expressions of welcome. Then the Emir asked, "And what may be the object of the guest's visit?" To which Mussab replied, "To become unto the exalted Emir like one of his sons." No more welcome news could have been broken to Rihana, but to her father it was the cause of a perplexing dilemma. How could he consent to giving his famous daughter to an Arab of common birth after having turned down many wealthy notables and powerful emirs? In personal qualifications, Mussab was �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD fully acceptable to Emir Faiz, but have not the Arabs said: "Marry your son to people of might, but your daughter to people of position and wealth? Not willing, however, to definitely refuse such a sterling man without plausible excuse, the Emir finally asked of him as dowry for his daughter the famous mare Nuhama, the pride of all Arabia, belonging to Emir Malik of the powerful tribe of Beni Aida. Plead as he may, Mussab could not shake Emir Faiz from his decision. He then realized that the request was but to test his courage and resourcefulness and resolved to secure the coveted mare whatever the cost. Without returning to his tribe, Mussab made directly for the Valley of Beisan, the camping ground of Emir Malik. He loitered for several days around the camp in the hope of scenting news of the Emir and his famous mare, and what he discovered only tended to add to his difficulties. For the Emir could not be conquered in battle, nor was his vigil over the mare ever relaxed sufficiently to permit of her being stolen. Still Mussab would not despair. One day Mussab learned that the Emir was about to visit some of his outlying districts alone, and he laid his plans carefully to profit of this singular opportunity. He therefore inquired about the route that the Emir was to follow, and laid in wait for him on the way. He would resort to a ruse so long as the mare could not be taken otherwise. Noticing the Emir approach, Mussab began to roll on the ground as if writhing in pain. The Emir dismounted and offered assistance to the extent of having the supposedly unfortunate man mount the mare while he led her by the halter. But Mussab would have none of that: "Is it not enough that so exalted a prince should walk while I ride that he should also lead himself the mount of one who is not fit to be his servant?" The ring of sincerty in Mussab's speech was so convincing that the Emir reluctantly released the halter, at which the supposedly helpless sufferer immediately stiffened in the saddle and Nuhama's fleet feet soon left the bewildered Emir far behind. In bitter remorse, Emir Malik bit his fingers until they bled, but before Mussab was out of hearing he called on him to halt for a parting word. "What is the wish of my lord the Emir?" asked Mussab. 'You well realize, brother Arab," pleaded Emir Malik, "what �JUNE, 1930 33 every Arab's horse is to him, particularly what Nuhama is to me. I beseech you to return her to me and ask what you will in money or cattle." But Mussab could not at that time think of Emir Malik's loss in Nuhama as much as of his own loss in Rihana. Here was a princess and a mare placed in the balance, and to the lovestricken Mussab there was no price too great for winning the hand of his beloved. The plea of Emir Malik fell on deaf ears. But as he again turned to go the Emir begged of him to listen to a final word, and while Mussab remained mounted and at a safe distance, he said: "Now that you are in possession of Nuhama I willingly relinquish to you all right in her. Take her and may Allah reform your ways. But when you reach your people they will surely insist upon you telling them how you came by this highly prized horse. Now take my advice and conceal the truth. For if you tell them that you won her by a base ruse you will set a disreputable precedent among the Arabs, and owing to the result of your deception and perfidy, no one would thereafter be willing to lend a stricken wayfarer a helping hand. This would kill every emotion of honor in the breasts of men. But what I advise you to do is to say that you have met Emir Malik in fair combat and killed him and won his mare. By this you will preserve my honor and yours and maintain unsullied the record of Arab chivalry." Up to this time Mussab had only thought of Rihana, and of the mare as but a means of winning her hand. But at the words of the Emir the chords of his nobler feelings were touched, and for a few moments he was the prey of the most conflicting emotions. Should he, the chivalrous Mussab, be guilty of such a base trick for the sake of a girl? Not on the honor of the Arabs! And he forthwith dismounted and returned the mare to the astonished Emir, remarking: "Not even for Rihana will I take Nuhama. Much above both do I value my honor." Emir Malik soon extracted from the confused young man the full story of his rash and desperate action, but whatever the causes, the valiant Emir could not conceive of anything nobler than the return of Nuhama after once having had possession of her, and his admiration of Mussab was beyond bounds. He insisted that he return with him to his camp, and there displayed to him the extreme of hospitality. And at the end of three days Emir Malik further surprised his guest by declaring that he �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD would accompany him in person to Emir Faiz and seek for him the hand of Rihana. Needless to say that Emir Faiz received his guests with the greatest manifestations of joy and hospitality, and one evening, while all the notables of the Arabs of the North were gathered in the tent of Emir Faiz, Emir Malik solemnly recounted to them the peerless deed of Mussab. Then addressing Emir Faiz he said: "If thy demand for Nuhama is a test of Mussab's courage and resourcefulness, thou shouldst realize that his character should be above such tests. But if in truth thou desirest Nuhama as dowry for thv daughter, then both the mare and her owner are at thy disposal. If I were the father of Rihana and had such as Mussab ask for her hand I would give her to him in preference to a hundred Arab emirs of noble blood." To which Rihana's father replied: "If such is thy sentiment, O noble prince, and such the chivalry of Mussab, I shall not be the knave among the three. From this moment Rihana is Mussab's bride, while Nuhama remains thy proud property, and from this day till the day of judgment there shall be peace and friendship between the tribe of Beni Aida and the Arabs of the North." The festivities attending the nuptials of Mussab and Rihana were unequalled in splendor among the Arabs of that age. After which Mussab returned with his bride to his tribe of Beni Sakhr, while Emir Faiz rode at the head of a chosen band of his men to escort Emir Malik to his country in the Valley of Beisan. On Temper Translated from the Arabic by J. D. CARLYLE Yes, Leila, I swore by the fire of thine eyes, I ne'er could a sweetness unvaried endure; The bubbles of spirit, that sparkling arise, Forbid life to stagnate and render it pure. But yet, my dear maid, tho' thy spirit's my pride, I'd wish for some sweetness to temper the bowl; If life be ne'er suffer'd to rest or subside, It may not be flat, but I fear 't will be foul. i �I JUNE, 1930 35 Lebanon Mountaineers Take Up Health Insurance By STUART CARTER DODD Professor of Sociology, American University of Beirut. J7IGHT years ago a young Syrian doctor, a graduate of the American University of Beirut, settled in his native village of Duma in the Lebanon. Gradually he acquired the confidence of the people and came to be familiar with the sicknesses and pains of every one of them. One day Dr. Rasheed Ma'took suggested to the father of one family that they arrange a group fee for the doctor's attendances on his family, instead of paying for each visit. He pointed out that his family was large and when sickness came several of them were apt to be ill at once. He found it difficult to pay the fees when so many came at once, but could do it well if scattered over the year. The doctor knew that on the average the total, number of calls during a year to such a family did not vary greatly. So they arranged an annual fee in return for which the doctor was to care for all sickness in that family. The father now could set aside a certain amount from his income each month, or pi the annual harvest time when cash could be in hand, to pay for health care of his family. The idea was passed around of an evening on the village doorsteps or under the walnut tree in the vineyard of a Sunday afternoon. Other heads of families observed how the doctor would go to that family without the father having to think of the fee each time. They saw how the doctor would stop there and advise what to do to keep the rest from catching some current sickness. Soon other families had made similar bargains with the doctor to care for their health on an annual salary basis The community was a typical Lebanon mountain village. One half of its nominal population of 5,000 had emigrated to better their fortune in foreign continents. But most of these still called this "home" and returned to marry, or die, or to visit their relatives and childhood home. On any doorstep your host would hail passing villagers and introduce his guest—a cousin returned �THE SYRIAN WORLD 36 from twenty years in the Klondyke, a neighbor who had made his fortune in Australia, a friend who was studying medicine in America, an ex-cowpuncher from the Argentine, an ex-boss in a steel mill in Pittsburgh, or his nephew away at school in Beirut. Education had come to the village seventy-five years ago and become a cult. Now sixty to ninety per cent, of the people of Duma are literate in a country without free public schools and a very low general literacy rate. In the smaller villages where there is no school, the literacy is very much less. The villages depend mostly on silk worm culture. A little wheat is grown on the floor of the valley, olive trees and grapevines for local use surround most of the houses, and sheep and goats are herded over the barren mountain slopes. The ancient cedars and all the forests have long since gone and only diligent terracing holds enough soil to grow anything. Most of the land is devoted to raising mulberry trees whose leaves support the silk worms. Wealth is reckoned by the yardstick of "He owns so and so many mulberry trees." At one tree every three meters, this measures acreage. The harvest season is June when the cocoons are ready for sale and cash is in hand to pay all debts. There are now six hundred families that are insured. This means around six thousand individuals, as with the patriarchal joint family system persisting, the average family is large. This is about one-half of the population of the twelve villages in the valley. Two hundred families pay two Turkish gold pounds (about $9.00) each a year, two hundred pay one gold pound, one hundred pay half of a gold pound, and one hundred are included free. The amount to be paid by each family is determined, neither by the size of the family nor by the frequency of sickness it has had in the past, but, by the ability to pay. Each is assessed according to the number of mulberry trees, cattle or other sources of income it possesses. The village meets in caucus and then the elders draw up the neatly handwritten list in Arabic script informing the doctor how the village will collect their share of his annual stipend. Generally no difficulty is met in collecting the amount, because its charges are less than former doctors' fees. The public opinion strongly sanctions payment. Dr. Ma'took firmly believes that the scheme is worth continuing because of its good effect upon the general health, but, unfortunately, he had kept no statistical records of sickness to demonstrate the results in an objective form. :f Bl— — �—— JUNE, 1930 -" 37 One big difficulty presents itself at the start and serves to deter neighboring doctors from adopting the plan more widely. When payment is no longer proportionate to the number of calls, anyone can call on the doctor for every little ache and pain and enormously increase his work. This happened to Dr. Ma'took. But instead of giving up the plan it drove him to a defensive adaptation of a distinctly social sort. He proceeded to educate the villagers to take care of themselves. Whenever he was called for a child's digestive upset, he would call in the whole family and the neighbors and tell them what to do for such symptoms and how to feed children properly. When he visited a malaria case, the neighbors as usual would gather and he would instruct them in the use of a thermometer and quinine so that only in the most serious cases need they call for him to come riding five or six miles over the mountain trails. For contagious cases, he instructed the headman about isolation and simple disinfection techniques so that the neighbors would insist on a child with measles being promptly isolated from the other children. This campaign of! education proved successful to the point where now the number of calls upon him per month is less than formerly under the feeper-visit system—and the villagers have learned hygiene. From the social point of view the complete shift of emphasis from curative to preventive medicine is the biggest feature to consider in evaluating the plan. Flis selfish interest as well as his altruistic impulses are lined up behind preventive work of educating people in hygiene and sanitation. It will mean less work for him in the future if the villagers eliminate a source of mosquitoes and malaria; it will mean a more loyal clientele if he inoculates them for small pox and they see that only clients of other doctors get the disease; it will mean not only fewer calls but public prestige when he insists that the school management, in order to reduce colds and measles, establishes proper hygienic precautions among the children. When the influenza swept through the country he rode from doorstep to doorstep advising the families how to guard themselves. His authority and intimate touch with the simple villagers enable health education that no amount of public print, lectures, or posters could accomplish. He advises both the children and the parents in the home itself, knowing its conditions and traditions. He is thus able to attack the whole situation and not the ailment or defect of one member of the family, which may often be but a symptom of the habits in the home. The family doctor, in short, has become completely �38 THE SYRIAN WORLD "socialized." But he is not a public health officer salaried by the government. He can be economically supported in a community too poor to pay taxes to support a Public Health department. But more important is the motivation which is retained by this plan and may be lost in a government official, appointed or elected by devious ways. Here the doctor must keep the confidence of each family and give service that satisfies it or at any time it may leave the annual payment basis and revert to a fee-by-the-visit basis with a rival doctor. But without being a government official he acts as such, for his selfish interest in his practice is best prompted by interceding with the government to improve health conditions—whether the need is a mosquito campaign, free vaccine, hospital care of a destitute tubercular or insane case, or literature on baby welfare. In evaluating the factors that make this insurance plan work, the factor of the personal qualities of Dr. Ma'took needs investigation. How far is the plan feasible elsewhere and how far is its success here due to his particular qualities? For evidence on this point some cases of the doctor's personal leadership will be described and then a case of the plan worked out by a different doctor. The health insurance plan is only one among several projects through which Dr. Ma'took is striving towards his avowed life purpose—to create co-operation among the different sects and factions in his villages towards the public welfare. The project of controlling the floods of the river is famous all over the Lebanon. A rock ledge blocks the valley and prevents the swift mountain torrent from washing the deforested hillsides out to sea as fast as they erode. Behind this ledge silt has been deposited until a strip of land two miles in length has been built up. This strip is flat in remarkable distinction from all the other rugged valleys of the Lebanon. The stream used to change its channel during the Spring rains and flood the floor of the valley, killing the wheat, yellowing the mulberry leaves till the worms even turned against them, and covering the fertile land with a layer of pebbles often a foot deep. Dr. Ma'took succeeded in collecting the villagers and organizing their desire to straighten and deepen the channel. The banks were bound by planting willow trees along them and by throwing up dykes of pebbles. Here and there a sluice gate of sticks would allow the water with its silt to run over the land under control while sifting out the HHiHnanHD i �MM JUNE, 1930 39 pebbles. Each property holder in the valley was assigned a share to be paid in money or labor as he preferred. Each Spring after the rains the doctor appoints a day when the villages will gather and inspect the damages, decide on repairs, and allocate shares in proportion to property ownership. The government has nothing to do with the scheme; the enforcement of the decisions upon the lazy is accomplished by the force of public opinion brought to bear in very personal and forceful ways by the neighbors and the doctor himself. Its proven advantage in enabling wheat to be grown between the mulberry trees on the valley floor and in improving all crops is the chief incentive, however, to every man to contribute his share. Another illustration of the personal leadership factor in the success of the insurance system was the case of the telegraph service. Negotiations had been made with the Government which had agreed to furnish the wire and a wireman, if the villages would furnish the poles and labor to bring the telegraph line from the plain up two thousand feet to the valley where Duma and the other eleven villages were situated. But the villages could not raise the money. Several attempts had been made and each time the official had pocketed the contributions collected. So Dr. Ma'took decided to get action in a form which was not open to being frustrated by official corruption. One morning the village saw him walking down the road with a pick over his shoulder. On being questioned he replied he was "going to dig a hole for a telegraph pole." Others followed the example of the idolized professional man turned day laborer. The idea caught hre and within two weeks, with the co-operative labor of the whole village, four hundred poles had been cut and planted and the telegraph line was brought to town. It is quite characteristic also of Dr. Ma'took that he does not believe in settling troubles and disputes among the people through the court. He aims at reconciliation and mutual understanding. His personality and prestige enabled him to assume the position of judge for the farmers and many a story is being told of how he peacefully settled a bitter quarrel. It is for this purpose that he is now studying law two months a year in the University of Damascus. His future plans are still more adventurous. He is planning to have the villages send one of their boys to specialize in agriculture, then come back and scientifically develop the production of the valley. Building a modern hospital for the district is being �40 THE SYRIAN WORLD thought of and discussed. Perhaps still bolder than any of these is his idea of turning the richly endowed Lebanon Monasteries into centers of education! Dr. Ma'took's own evaluation of the personal factor is worthy of being quoted. "The urgent need of my country is not for educated young men, but rather for those few of them who are willing to go back to their villages and are able to win the public confidence in leading the people to act in co-operation for the common welfare." Advocates of social insurance, national health insurance, and such measures may well consider this type of insurance. It works in a community where insurance by the government or a company is unknown and would make no headway. It comprises personal elements of confidence and individual advice and group education which no large organized insurance project can hope to include to such a degree. Under such a prospect, practice in rural regions which is now avoided by young medical school graduates, may acquire a new dignity and attractiveness. The Prophet By THOMAS ASA To G. K. G. A trackless empire hearkened to thy word,— Rose from primordial dust to dreaming spires; Infused it with the voice of Godly lyres, Lead by the vision of the sacred Bird Of Heaven, whose message thou hast heard} And from thy heart emerged the fusing fires, And love divine in sodden minds inspires;— Rule thine own people, in one nation gird. And thou hast formed in thy short span of life, From Sedrat's shaded desert thou hast made, An ever-shining beacon to thy fame; That all the world may wonder that the strife Of thine own musing, God-like soul hast laid The enduring wisdom of thy noble name. �I 41 JUNE, 1930 EDITORIAL COMMENT ANOTHER \ MILESTONE YY/ITH this issue THE SYRIAN WORLD passes another milestone on the road of public service. It has completed its fourth year and now enters upon the fifth. On its past record we shall refrain from any comment, leaving to our readers the responsibility of judging its merits, its accomplishments and its earnest effort at improvement. Nor shall we dwell upon the discussion of whatever plans we may have for the future. What we may be permitted to say, in all modesty, is that we have always striven to give of our best in the past, and that we shall continue to bend all our energy and devote all our resources towards continued and progressive improvement in the future. We shall not, however, venture on the hazardous path of making any definite promise. Our record of sustained and unstinted effort during the past four years should be sufficient proof of our intentions. Still it should be no secret that, owing to difficulties of various natures, the travel so far has been extremely arduous. This should not imply, however, that these difficulties are insurmountable. THE SYR- * KSoSfctafra , . IAN WORLD is already an established institution which should endure for the proven moral prestige it brings to our race in America. And endure it shall because the will to continue it exists, and the way should not be difficult to find. To that group of loyal friends who have constantly given of their encouragement and collaboration goes our heartiest gratitude. They shall always be remembered as having most liberally contributed to the success of the movement for the Syrian reawakening. A detailed account of their individual contributions will be given in due time. They were the first to grasp the importance of the mission of THE SYRIAN WORLD and the strongest to foster and sustain it, and future generations should always remember them in the fullest sense of appreciation and gratitude. We shall enter upon our fifth year strong in the faith of their continued support and growing interest. SYRIANS ONLY A LTHOUGH written some six years ago as an introduction to Dr. Philip K. Hitti's book "The Syrians in Amer- �E 42 ica," Dr. Talcott Williams' eulogistic appraisal of the SyrSan people should always be timely, especially to the Syrians themselves, and for this reason we are reproducing it in this issue. We would call on our readers to ponder well the statements of Dr. Williams, whose place among American educators and thinkers was appropriately recognized by his appointment as director of the School of Journalism at Columbia University, which office he filled until his death. Coming from such an authority, the testimony as to their glorious past should be fully appreciated by the Syrians, as well as the. evaluation of their splendid qualifications as desiralile immigrants. What should be more relevant in the thesis is the author's opinion on the supposed function of the so-called melting pot. The lesson the Syrians should derive from the writer's trend of reasoning is obvious. He answers for us the question as to whether or not we should forgo our rightful name or our racial heritage. Certainly, as would seem plain from the study of our past history and from our record in America, we have every reason to be proud of our race and of our name. We have our place in the sun and we should adhere to it and defend it. We have estab- THE SYRIAN WORLD lished for ourselves a name that we should not trade for another. The Syrian should be proud to be called Syrian and to work to add lustre to the name. For the last half century we have been known in America as Syrians, and as Syrians only we should continue to be known. It is an admission of inferiority to countenance a change. TALENT AVAILABLE brilliant success of the T HE convention of Syrian societies held under the auspices of the Syrian-American Society of New London, Conn., at the latter city on June 22, gives rise to a timely and pertinent suggestion. Why not call on our best talent, wherever and whenever available, to fittingly represent us at such gatherings when Americans are invited to participate, or to insure the full moral benefit of such meetings when Syrians alone attend? The question, we believe, is worthy of serious consideration. At the convention of SyrianAmerican societies at New London, the mayor and many other high officials of the city attended. What they saw and heard tended to confirm their belief in the high moral standard of. the Syrians, their industry, lawabidedness, integrity and desirability as stock for American citizenship. Syria's place in �HBi JUNE, 1930 history, old as it is, was made evident anew to the mixed audience, inspiring in Americans a higher respect and in the Syrians themselves a fuller sense of self-esteem. This is a most constructive method for making better citizenry. The presence of N. A. Mokarzel, editor of Al-Hoda; of Ameen Rihani, well-known author, lecturer and traveler} of Faris Maloof, prominent Syrian lawyer of Boston, as well as of many other distinguished visitors swelling the ranks of delegations from nearby and distant cities of Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York, afforded a material contribution to the already fine representation of the host society. For having shown such broad vision, intelligent initiative and befitting racial pride in our native talent, the SyrianAmerican Society of New London is to be highly commended. We Syrians in America are comparatively a very small group, and, aside from those of pivotal centers, few Syrian communities in the United States number more than a few hundred. Nevertheless the necessity exists that they should be properly represented. They command higher respect and enhance their local prestige when outstanding individuals of their race are called upon to assist in their public functions. Furthermore, such policy would materially assist in building up the prestige of the race nationally. THE SYRIAN WORLD offers its services to communities and organizations to promote work of this nature by being ready to supply necessary information on the availability of native talent for public functions. There are among us many lawyers and able public speakers who we are sure will subscribe to the idea. We may be able to advise .applicants on the availability of talent perhaps in their immediate locality, thereby dispensing with the necessity of calling them from distant places. Although these remarks are made in their broadest sense, we would illustrate by citing a case in point. We now have among us our celebrated author and lecturer, Ameen Rihani, who by his lectures at universities and before the most intellectual and critical audiences throughout the United States has brought much honor to the Syrian name. We maintain that if he is so appreciated by others he should be more so by us. His presence is bound to lend prestige to every gathering and we would be passing by a rare opportunity by not profiting of his cooperation during his stay among us. Sure- �""* THE SYRIAN WORLD 44 ly his convenience will have to be consulted owing to his heavy speaking program, but we cannot conceive of the possibility of his refusing invitations from his own people whenever feasible. In case of necessity we can draft him to the service of our common cause. His sense of racial duty, however, renders such a course unlikely. Another outstanding figure is our scholar and historian Dr. Philip K. Hitti of Princeton whom we know to be much sought after as a speaker to the most select audiences. He also should be drafted to the service of the common cause. We have a right to the services of such of our distinguished men and they should not evade the call to duty. The Rev. W. A. Mansur of Nebraska is another able representative who should be available within a certain radius from his city, and we feel confident that he can do honor to every public occasion. Only when these and others, too numerous to be here mentioned,find it impossible to respond should we forgo the advantage of their presence. We should awaken to the necessity of mobilizing our native talent for the most effective service they can give. It would be gross negligence on the part of our scattered Syrian communities not to avail themselves of such opportunities. ' ORGANIZATION HERE is an object lesson to the Syrians of America in a recent example set by the Jews. The number of Palestinian Jews in the country does not exceed five thousand, yet they have formed a national federation of their societies at a convention held in New York and attended by one hundred delegates. Could not the Syrians be brought together to work in cooperation and harmony when their number in the countrv exceeds 250,000? T PUBLICATION DATES pOLLOWING the precedent etablished last year, THE SYRIAN WORLD will suspend publication during July and August of this year also, as well as during each following year until further notice. This would make the regular year of THE SYRIAN WORLD ten months, a practice followed by many other publications of a special character. Owing to the editor's absence in Syria last year we had fallen behind our regular publication dates. This delay will be eliminated in the future when we hope to resume our former method of publishing each issue at the beginning instead of at the end of its particular month. The coming issue for September will therefore appear early in that month. I^^M -• �.—m JUNE, 1930 45 Spirit of the Syrian Press Under this caption we hope to present from time to time a microcosmic picture of the Arabic press, not only in this country, but wherever Arabic dailies and magazines reflect the opinions of responsible, thinking writers who are treating the different problems that confront the Arabic-speaking world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will take no part in the discussions reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. Our task will simply consist in selecting, to the best of our knowledge and with utmost sincerity, what we think is representative of the public opinion as expressed in these editorials. Editor. PALESTINE DELEGATION MAKES GOOD POINT A point well taken in the statement of the Palestine delegation now visiting in the United States is their exhortation of their fellow countrymen to retain their lands and other property, and to acquire what there is of such lands for sale, in order to prevent its falling into the hands of the Jews. This would seem to be the only safe and sane course to follow, as no benefit could accrue from inciting to riot and bloodshed. Violence is calculated to benefit only the wealthy classes in that it would bolster their prestige and strengthen their hold on the ignorant. The only recourse of any country boasting of independence in an effort to ward foreign penetration should be the encouragement of agriculture, industry and mining, and the establishment of a system of public education that would be truly non-denominational, such as now exists in the United States and in France. The separation of civil government from religious influence cannot be too strongly emphasized. This, and not the mere sending of delegations to collect funds, should be the supreme goal of those who would see their country free from any outside interference or tftie danger of foreign invasion. AI-Hoda, N. Y., May 10, 1930. ARMENIANS IN SYRIA, JEWS IN PALESTINE The proportionate number of Armenians in Syria, we believe, is much larger than that of the Jews in Palestine, yet between the immigration of the two groups there is a vast difference. The Armenians came to Syria as honest immigrants with the will to toil in contentment and share witJh the natives some of their privileges and gifts of life, while the Jews came not as immigrants, but as usurpers who would impose themselves on the country not by their might but by their financial influence on European government, especially the English government, one of whose spokesmen lately stated that the Balfour declaration was a war necessity designed to influence Jewish financiers in Germany against subscribing to the war loans of their government. The Armenians in Syria came to �mm 46 settle in the land and earn their living by the sweat of their brows, but the Jewish influx into Palestine was of a decidedly different character—they came from the ends of the earth with the fixed purpose of establishing a Jewish state. THE SYRIAN WORLD SYRIANS' PROGRESS IN THE UNITED STATES Every day we have a new proof of the progress of the Syrian and Lebanese immigrants in the United States. This progress, it should be borne in mind, is not restricted to Under the circumstances Syria's the commercial field; it has encomlot is much better than that of Pal- passed every field of human endeaestine, because the Armenians are vor and is cogent proof of the native peaceful and industrious and are Intelligence, resourcefulness and proving a potent factor in the eco- versatility of our immigrants. We nomic rehabilitation of the country. now find amongst us many men of They did not advance any claim on standing in science, in arts, in letSyria. They did not boast that they ters and even in politics. Many are had a right in the land which they those who have become recognized came to claim. All they did was to writers of high standing in the Engenter into competition with the na- lish language. We also have lawtives which is a natural right of all yers, architects, physicians and immigrants who abide by the laws dentists. We can also count several of the land. bankers. And this in spite of the Not so are conditions in Palestine fact that our immigration dates where no sooner had the Jews made back to no farther than forty years. Perhaps the outstanding achievetheir entry than they began laying claims to the legal possession of the ment of the Syrians is in the field country, its holy places, its govern- of commerce. Not only in New York ment and its resources. They had but everywhere throughout the their language proclaimed as an of- United States they have succeeded ficial one and bent every endeavor in establishing flourishing business to revive and impose their tradi- enterprises which bear testimony to tions from which they will not move their inherent ability and sustained a single iota. This has resulted in energy and industry. We would rather say that our bitter enmity between them and the brothers in the interior have scored natives. an advance over us in mingling Had the Jews sought to settle in with Americans and sharing in the Palestine in the same spirit that the social and political life of the comArmenians came to Syria there munity. There is hardly a city in would have been none to bear them the interior where we do not find enmity or wish them ill. Instead, the Syrians prominent in civic mattheir presence has been cause for ters and well known by the authorioting and bloodshed at every op- rities and the community at large. portunity. Such is the result of the We are prompted to these reaggressive policy of their leaders marks by the success of the Syrianwhich aimed to usurp the country Lebanese community of Worcester, from its inhabitants by force and Mass., in capturing second prize in succeeded only in gaining the enmi- the celebration held by that city on ty of the country which they sought the occasion of the tercentenary of to settle. its foundation. The Syrians and Lebanese posAs-Sayeh, N. Y., July 3, 1U30. - I WJ �2£^ JUNE, 1930 sess a moral force of whose existence many of us seem to be unconscious. This force is what preserved the life of the nation throughout the centuries in spite of the many vicissitudes which befe'l it. And this latent force is what the Syrians and Lebanese should rely upon and cultivate for the enhancement of their prestige in this country. This should be a powerful weapon in their hands which they could wield in self-defense and which is more potent than any material power they could muster. It is gratifying to see that the Syrians and Lebanese are gradually awakening to the potentialities of this latent force, and that they are having recourse finally to the only method which insures their benefiting fully by it. We refer to the steady and growing formation of Syrian-American societies which at once preserve out entity and permit our participation as a racial unit in Hie life of the nation. Our wholehearted participation in all phases of American public life should be t once admitted beyond argument. Organized, our participation will be more beneficial and effective both to ourselves and to the Americans who should be convinced that our loyalty to our adopted country is equal to theirs. Ash-Shaab, N. Y., June 28, 1930. 47 be in a much better condition than the one we are in now. During the Turkish regime our rulers sought to fan the fires of religious and sectional prejudice in pursuance of the policy of keeping us divided, but what excuse have we now in continuing such practices? As Syrians, we should confine our discussions to our national problems without touching on creeds, and as Arabs, the interest of the whole Arab race should be our concern regardless of geographical divisions. Europeans and Americans despise us only as a result of our dissensions and divisions, and the mandatory powers offer no excuse for the continuation of their occupation of our country except that of protecting the minorities owing to the danger of conflict between Christians and Moslems. The Arabic press has been grievously responsible for this condition. The Moslem and the Christian press share the blame in an equal degree. This is a sad commentary on the mentality of a people who claims the right of independence. If we would be truly free we should free ourselves first from the pernicious influence of re'igious prejudice, allowing to the Christian and the Moslem the right to worship God in his own way but joining hands in matters affecting the national welfare. Syrian Eagle, N. Y. July 1, y930. RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE OUR NATIONAL EVIL & Is there no means of preventing the Arabic press in general from indulging in discrimination between religious creeds amoeg the Arabicspeaking peoples? Religious prejudice has been at the root of our misfortunes and without it we would MUCH ALIKE Truly Beirut is the Paris of the East. Do we not see how cabinets rise and fall with the same quick succession that such events take place in the Paris of France. As-Sayeh, N. Y. �THE SYRIAN WORLD 46 settle in the land and eam their living by the sweat of their brows, but the Jewish influx into Palestine was of a decidedly different character—they came from the ends of the earth with the fixed purpose of establishing a Jewish state. Under the circumstances Syria's lot is much better than that of Palestine, because the Armenians are peaceful and industrious and are proving a potent factor in the economic rehabilitation of the countryThey did not advance any claim on Syria. They did not boast that they had a right in the land which they came to claim. All they did was to enter into competition with the natives which is a natural right of all immigrants who abide by the laws of the land. Not so are conditions in Palestine where no sooner had the Jews made their entry than they began laying claims to the legal possession of the country, its holy places, its government and its resources. They had their language proclaimed as an official one and bent every endeavor to revive and impose their traditions from which they will not move a single iota. This has resulted in bitter enmity between them and the natives. Had the Jews sought to settle in Palestine in the same spirit that the Armenians came to Syria there would have been none to bear them enmity or wish them ill. Instead, their presence has been cause for rioting and bloodshed at every opportunity. Such is the result of the aggressive policy of their leaders which aimed to usurp the country from its inhabitants by force and succeeded only in gaining the enmity of the country which they sought to settle. As-Sayoh, N. Y., July 3, 11)30. SYRIANS' PROGRESS IN THE UNITED STATES Every day we have a new proof of the progress of the Syrian and Lebanese immigrants in the United States. This progress, it should be borne in mind, is not restricted to the commercial field; it has encompassed every field of human endeavor and is cogent proof of the native intelligence, resourcefulness and versatility of our immigrants. We now find amongst us many men of standing in science, in arts, in letters and even in politics. Many are those who have become recognized writers of high standing in the English language. We also have lawyers, architects, physicians and dentists. We can also count several bankers. And this in spite of the fact that our immigration dates back to no farther than forty years. Perhaps the outstanding achievement of the Syrians is in the field of commerce. Not only in New York but everywhere throughout the United States they have succeeded in establishing flourishing business enterprises which bear testimony to their inherent ability and sustained energy and industry. We would rather say that our brothers in the interior have scored an advance over us in mingling with Americans and sharing in the social and political life of the community. There is hardly a city in the interior where we do not find the Syrians prominent in civic matters and well known by the authorities and the community at large. We are prompted to these remarks by the success of the SyrianLebanese community of Worcester, Mass., in capturing second prize in the celebration held by that city on the occasion of the tercentenary of its foundation. The Syrians and Lebanese pos- �JUNE, 1930 <;l sess a moral force of whose existence many of us seem to be unconscious. This force is what preserved the life of the nation throughout the centuries in spite of the many vicissitudes which befe'l it. And this latent force is what the Syrians and Lebanese should rely upon and cultivate for the enhancement of their prestige in this country. This should be a powerful weapon in their hands which they could wield in self-defense and which is more potent than any material power they could muster. ^ It is gratifying to see that the Syrians and Lebanese are gradually awakening to the potentialities of this latent force, and that they are having recourse finally to the only method which insures their benefiting fully by it. We refer to the steady and growing formation of Syrian-American societies which at once preserve out entity and permit our participation as a racial unit in the life of the nation. Our wholehearted participation in all phases of American public life should be t once admitted beyond argument. Organized, our participation will be more beneficial and effective both to ourselves and to the Americans who should be convinced that our loyalty to our adopted country is equal to theirs. Ash-Shaab, N. Y., June 28, 1930. 47 be in a much better condition than the one we are in now. During the Turkish regime our rulers sought to fan the fires of religious and sectional prejudice in pursuance of the policy of keeping us divided, but what excuse have we now in continuing such practices? As Syrians, we should confine our discussions to our national problems without touching on creeds, and as Arabs, the interest of the whole Arab race should be our concern regardless of geographical divisions. Europeans and Americans despise us only as a result of our dissensions and divisions, and the mandatory powers offer no excuse for the continuation of their occupation of our country except that of protecting the minorities owing to the danger of conflict between Christians and Moslems. The Arabic press has been grievously responsible for this condition. The Moslem and the Christian press s'hare the blame in an equal degree. This is a sad commentary on the mentality of a people who claims the right of independence. If we would be truly free we should free ourselves first from the pernicious influence of re'igious prejudice, allowing to the Christian and the Moslem the right to worship God in his own way but joining hands in matters affecting the national welfare. Syrian Eagle, N. Y. July 1, y930. RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE OUR NATIONAL EVIL Is there no means of preventing the Arabic press in general from indulging in discrimination between religious creeds among the Arabicspeaking peoples? Religious prejudice has been at the root of our misfortunes and without it we would MUCH ALIKE Truly Beirut is the Paris of the East. Do we not see how cabinets rise and fall with the same quick succession that such events take place in the I'aris of France. As-Sayeh, N. Y. �THE SYRIAN WORLD 48 Political Developments in Syria SYRIANS PROTEST NEW CONSTITUTION Hold Public Demonstration in Damascus and Other Cities. High Commissioner Ponsot Leaves for France. Instead of pacifying the Syrians the proclamation of a republic has only tended to reawaken their militant spirit and prompt them to take energetic measures of protest. Syrian papers reaching the United States bearing dates as late as June 15 depict the country as being in a tense state of excitement, with public demonstrations of protest and encounters with the police taking place in Damascus, Aleppo and many other cities. The apparent placidity with which Ihe Syrians first received the proclamation of the new constitution would seem to have been the result of astonishment which atrophied the populace into inaction. What they were given was completely out of harmony with what they had expected. After a patient wait of almost two years following the suspension of the Constituent Assembly, they were nursing the hope of being given something that would at least serve as a basis for a possible solution. The result was a further curtailment of their liberties and an offer of new elections which would aggravate the chaotic conditions prevailing in the country. The present situation is seething with elements of danger. The new constitution having been proclaimed on May 22, no definite action was taken until a fortnight later when Fakhry Bey Baroody, a Nationalist leader and Secretary of the Constituent Assembly, called a meeting of his Nationalist colleagues to meet at his house on June 11. The provisional government, still in control and opposed to the Nationalists, sought to prevent the meeting on the pretext that no permit had been granted for holding it. Police, militia and firemen laid siege to the house of Baroody and blocked all access to it. The encounters which ensued with the demonstrators resulted in several casualties. But the Nationalists outwitted the forces of Ihe government and the meeting was held on schedule at the house of Jamil Bey Murdam, another Nationalist leader. Fiery speeches were made by Fares Bey Khoury and others, and the following resolutions adopted and sent to the High Commissariat, the French Foreign Office and the League of Nations, signed by Murdam: "I am authorized by the throngs gathered today in a public demonstration of protest, and who have the support of the whole city which has declared a general strike, to dispatch a strong protest to the League of Nations against: 1, the action of the authorities in preventing the Constituent Assembly from pursuing its natural functions; —2, the proposed division of the country and the bestowing upon it of five different and separate constitutions; —3, the inclusion of Article 116 which nullifies the constitution and our national independence; —4, maintaining in power a provisional govern- t �i JUNE, 1930 ment which has held office for years against the will of the people; —5, denying a large number of Syrians the right of return to their country; —6, the government action in restraining the liberty of the people in their own homes by force of arms. They wish to declare themselves as determined against recognizing any action or treaty that does not emanate from the people or their lawful representatives." J Other than the above, no official reply to the action of the High Commissioner has been issued from Nationalistic sources. The nearest approach to any such action is the press interview given by Fakhry Bey Baroody denying the existence of dissension in the ranks of the Nationalists and asserting that the country would never acquiesce in the administrative arrangement decreed by the new draft of the constitution. "Even a superficial comparison between our constitution and that of the mandatory power," he said, "will demonstrate the utter impossibility of the people's acceptance of it. It irrevocably decrees the division of the country into separate states when we demand unity. It makes of the temporary arrangement a permanent institution and thereby perpetuates the illegality first committed. The Provisional government owes its existence to the will of the Mandatory Power which has ignored the desires of the lawfully-elected representatives of the people. Furthermore, the proclamation of the new draft of the constitution was undertaken without the consent of the Constituent "\ssembly." Baroody Bey makes by this deca ration a direct contradiction to the High Commissioner's statement i which he asserted that the sec- '' "' " 49 retariat of the Constituent Assembly was consulted before action was taken on the constitution and that it had tentatively subscribed its approval. What is considered of paramount importance in the statement of the Syrian Nationalist leader is his unequivocal declaration of the Syrians' desire to be a part of the pan-Arab movement! Hjis exact words are: "Arab unity is the goal of every Arab. If efforts are directed towards its materialization then the nation may be said to have discovered the right path leading to the fulfillment of its aspirations. I, personally, will not deviate a hair's breadth from pursuing the strict line of pan-Arab policy, and I trust that the whole nation realizes that the policy of decentralization and regional divisions is doomed to failure." The Nationalists' spokesman here took pains to deny that any serious difference on matters of policy had arisen in the ranks of the party and attributed rumors to that effect to the malicious intentions of persons in alliance with the "colonists." The nature of these rumors is, indeed, disturbing. They represent President Tajeddin as having succeeded in splitting the Nationalists by a tentative coalition program which would admit some Nationalist leaders into office. This arrangement would leave Tajeddin at the head of the government while Jamil Bey Murdam (Nationalist) would be offered the Premiership and Hashim Bey Atassi, President of the dissolved Constituent Assembly, would be made President of the coming Representative Assembly. Some sort of verisimilitude is lent these rumors by the fact that the Nationalists called a convention for June 9 to be held at Aleppo, when it was expected they would deliberate their future policy and �. -, 50 issue a formal statement on their stand in the face of the new developments. This failed of materialization and rumors went abroad that dissension had arisen within their ranks. Royalists Active. There is now in Syria, on the other hand, a royalist party which is said by its adherents to be gaining in strength the more the people realize their unpreparedness for a republican form of government. The acknowledged leader of the Royalists, Aref Pasha Adlebi, proceeded to Beirut soon after the declaration of the Constitution and lodged a protest with the mandatory authorities against proclaiming Syria a republic. His contention is that the overwhelming majority of the population favors a constitutional monarchy, asserting that if the coming elections are free from administrative interference fully seventy-five per cent, of the deputies elected will be of his party. The Royalists' candidate for the proposed throne is Ahmad Nami Bey, erstwhile President of Syria, who is said to be the only man able to bring harmony between the Syrians and the French on one hand, and between the large bedouin element and the urban population on the other. Clearly, as some Syrian papers comment, not a single element of the Syrian population is satisfied with the result of the latest move of the French High Commissioner. Meanwhile, M. Ponsot sailed for France on his annual vacation and for the purpose of being near to give advice when the question of the new political arrangement in Syria comes up for discussion in the League of Nations. Already the French representative on the Mandates Commission has submitted to THE SYRIAN WORLD his colleagues the drafts of the new constitutions for the several Syrian States and the general expectation is that they will be approved. What is claimed by the correspondent of Al-Ahram of Cairo to be authentic information is that the Syrian Nationalists have finally decided to take part in the coming elections on three conditions, namely, the issuance of a general amnesty, dismissal of the present government, and appointment of a neutral government to supervise the elections. These conditions are said to have been submitted by Hashim Bey Atassi to the French authorities. CONDITIONS IN LEBANON The economic situation in Lebanon, as well as in all other parts of Syria, is far from being satisfactory. The French authorities called a conference early in June to discuss means for improving conditions and tentatively decided lo lower the tariff. The unstability of the political situation in Syria has tended to aggravate matters already acute. Lebanon depends on the summer resort industry as one of its chief sources of income, and the native government had taken extra pains to attract residents and tourists to the country this season. The main dependence is on Egypt whence thousands of families come to Lebanon each year for the summer, and a special Lebanese representative was sent thither to lecture and otherwise conduct propaganda. Prospects had been exceptionally good until an order was issued requiring every Egyptian coming to Xebanon to be inoculated with anticholera serum due to the discovery of a few cases of bubonic plague in Egypt. This immediately raised a storm of protest which caused the �1 JUNE, 1930 ' 51 Lebanese authorities to rescind the to the growth of home industry. harmful requirement. It later trans- The native governments of the varpired that the native Lebanese gov- ious Syrian States have been reernment had no part in, or even quired to take over the property of knowledge of, the issuance of the the dissolved Regie at a figure fixed order. The health authorities at the by the French authorities, while headquarters of the High Commis- charters are being issued to foreign sariat had done so on their own interests to compete in the tobacco initiative. When the Arabic papers trade of the country. The Regie, as of Egypt condemned the action the a result, may be reorganized to enter President of Lebanon went in per- the field after having .disposed of son to see the acting High Commis- its old stock and obsolete machinery sioner and made strong representa- at a handsome price and enter into tions to him. It is a sad commen- competition with the natives with tary indeed on conditions in the decided advantage. country that things have to be done in such manner. Still the necessary PALESTINE rectification of the matter was made before much damage had been done. Case of the Wailing Wall—Arab The new developments in the SyrExecutions. ian political situation had a depresThe International Commission apsing effect on Lebanon. The papers pointed by the League of Nations to of Beirut, almost of one accord, disinvestigate the Moslem and Jewish approve of the French High Comclaims to the Wailing Wall was remissioner's plan for solving the ported in press dispatches from tangled problem. Many are boldly Jerusalem on June 25 to have opencommenting on the inadequacy of ed its hearings. The Jews presented such half-way measures and cite the ineffective and unsatisfactory work- a lengthy memorandum establishing ing of the Lebanese constitution as their right to worship at the Wall an example of the one proposed for from time immemorial, a right which the Arabs denied. The ComSyria. mission is still conducting its hearLebanon seems to be doomed to ings. continual political upheavals. The The fortress city of Acca in Palpress criticism directed at the cabi- estine was the scene on June 17 of net of August Pasha Adib fore- the execution of the three Arabs bodes ill for it. Some observers condemned for participation in the would see in the growing volume bloody riots of August 23 of last of criticism signs of an approaching year. The original number of Arabs crisis bound to result in the cabi- under death sentence was twentynet's downfall. It has already been five, but a reprieve was granted in in office three months and has the case of twenty-two. The Arabs achieved nothing. Three to six of Palestine mobilized the whole months has been the average life of Arab world to intercede for the Lebanese cabinets in the past few other three, influencing King Feiyears. sal of Iraq and Emir Abdullah of Although the Regie, or tobacco Transjordania to send telegraphic monopoly, has been terminated in petitions in their behalf to King Syria and Lebanon, the result has George, but all to no avail. not been found very encouraging On the day of the execution all �MII1UL »LH 11II. JIIIWIUH.JHH1.t 52 Palestine went on strike, and although the day passed without serious disturbances, a British police officer was stabbed by a Moslem in Jaffa. Commenting on the execution, the Arab national organ Falastin, in its English edition of June 21, declares that the three executed men are "in the eyes of their countrymen martyrs to the National cause. It has been suggested that murders do not make martyrs. It is a misreading of history. To take a comparative recent instance, the man Who murdered the Archduke of Austria and was the tangible cause of the Great War, was honored by his government officially, after his death. It Is another thing to judge a man objectively, in cool moments, with the ordinary law. But when nations are sold away for selfish ends by mightier powers; when they are economically murdered as foully as any physical murder; when theirs and their children's bread is snatched under treaties to which they are not a party; when an alien people -is set amongst them to insult them every day by different means; when all attempts to redress the wrongs have failed; then human beings do not use the ordinary weapons or submit to be enslaved, but strike back blindly, passionately and cruelly. * * * These three Arabs could not be treated like ordinary criminals. *** If the government thought these men very dangerous, it could easily save society by keeping them 7n prison. To disregard all the passionate appeals (of Arab rulers) is to show the value it sets on the friendship of those who tried to intervene. Can it then wonder if the Arabs pay back in similar sentiments and hug closer their dead Che more to nurse the bitterness of humiliation?" THE SYRIAN WORLD PALESTINE MARTYR'S WILL Fuad Hijazi, one of the three Palestinian Arabs executed at Acca on June 17, was an educated young man and a government employee. Before going to the gallows he is reported to have addressed the British officials present in their own language condemning the policy of their government in Palestine and warning them of the consequences of their tyranny, asserting that the Arabs did not fear their might. In his last will he addressed each member of his family personally, admonishing one of his brothers against "disturbance of the peace and all other activities liable to impede his success in life." To his brother Ahmed he says: "I was exceedingly touched by your vow of yesterday to avenge my death. Know, my beloved brother, that this matter should not be your personal concern any more, because I am become the son and brother of the whole nation." In addressing his mother he expresses himself as follows: "Grieve not over my death, but rather wish that you had a thousand sons who would offer their lives for the nation. Your son Fuad is not des.d. I have become immortal, thanks to God, and my name shall be handed <Town from generation to generation. You should rejoice that your son Fuad has achieved such distinction and died before passing the second decade of life.... A nation is deserving of life in proportion to the number of its sons willing to offer the supreme sacrifice. The nation that meekly submits to oppression and tyranny should have its name stricken from the book of life... . Behold how I offer my life as a cornerstone in the foundation of the independence of Palestine within the Arab federation." I �Ill III" I JUNE, 1930 53 About Syria and Syrians SYRIAN CELEBRATION AT NEW LONDON The Syrian-American Society of New London, Conn., held its annual celebration at Wendell's Pavillion on the afternoon and evening of Sunday, June 22, and made of the occasion a great success. The mayor and many other officials and notables of the city, as well as numerous delegations and representatives of Syrian communities in other cities, were present. The program called for an afternoon session, which was conducted in Arabic and at which N. A. Mokarzel editor of Al-Hoda, presided, and for an evening session conducted in English at which the editor of The Syrian World acted as chairman. N. A. Mokarzel read an original poem in Arabic which he composed for the occasion. The list of the Arabic speakers included Joseph S. Hage, President of the Syrian-American Society; Rt. Rev. Antoun Anid, Syrian pastor of New London; Fred Hashim, President of the LebaneseAmerican Club of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and head of a visiting delegation; Esper Ganim of Bridgeport, Conn., who although a boy of fourteen and American-born, spoke in English on the necessity of the perpetuation of the Syrian heritage in America; Ameen Rihani, author and lecturer; Rev. Louis Eid of Fall River, Mass.; A. Rustum of Orange, N. J.; Farris S. Maloof, attorney of Boston; S. P. Hamrah of Hartford, Conn., and Elias S. Hage of New London. During intermissions Mrs. Julia ssia sang Arabic selections to the accompaniment of B. Hallal on the oud. American music was supplied by Shepard and Swanson Orchestra. Speakers at the evening session, besides the chairman, were Hon. C. D. Twohmey, mayor of New London; Homer K. Underwood, Headmaster of Bulkley School; Deputy Judge John McGarry; Prosecuting Attorney Max Boyer; Ameen Rihani and Farris S. Maloof. The Syrian speakers acquitted themselves most creditably on this occasion and the society is to be highly complimented on its good judgment in inviting them. The success of the celebration may be judged by the visiting delegations which came from New York City, Syracuse and Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; North Adams, Boston, Fall River' New Bedford and Springfield, Mass.; Providence, R. I.; Torrington, Danbury, Waterbury, Bridgeport, New Haven, Ansonia, Willimantic and Norwich, Conn., and from as far as New Jersey. The delegates were banqueted at noon at the home of A. J. Maloof, an ex-President of the society, and in the evening, at the Pavillion. The Syrian-American Society of New London has done much during its short existence to enhance the prestige of the Syrian community in the city and state. Its word of greeting appearing in its program is illuminating. It says in part: "While our society came into existence as an organized body only a few years ago, the SyrianAmerican community of New London has been at all times striving toward the fulfillment of the ideal for which their society stands, �T 52 Palestine went on strike, and although the day passed without serious disturbances, a British police officer was stabbed by a Moslem in Jaffa. Commenting on the execution, the Arab national organ Falastin, in its English edition of June 21, declares that the three executed men are "in the eyes of their countrymen martyrs to the National cause. It has been suggested that murders do not make martyrs. It is a misreading of history. To take a comparative recent instance, the man Who murdered the Archduke of Austria and was the tangible cause of the Great War, was honored by his government officially, after his death. It Is another thing to judge a man objectively, in cool moments, with the ordinary law. But when nations are sold away for selfish ends by mightier powers; when they are economically murdered as foully as any physical murder; when theirs and their children's bread is snatched under treaties to which they are not a party; when an alien people-is set amongst them to insult them every day by different means; when all attempts to redress the wrongs have failed; then human beings do not use the ordinary weapons or submit to be enslaved, but strike back blindly, passionately and cruelly. * * * These three Arabs could not be treated like ordinary criminals. *** If the government thought these men very dangerous, it could easily save society by keeping them 7n prison. To disregard all the passionate appeals (of Arab rulers) is to show the value it sets on the friendship of those who tried to intervene. Can it then wonder if the Arabs pay back in similar sentiments and hug closer their dead {he more to nurse the bitterness of humiliation?" THE SYRIAN WORLD PALESTINE MARTYR'S WILL Fuad Hijazi, one of the three Palestinian Arabs executed at Acca on June 17, was an educated young man and a government employee. Before going to the gallows he is reported to have addressed the British officials present in their own language condemning the policy of their government in Palestine and warning them of the consequences of their tyranny, asserting that the Arabs did not fear their might. In his last will he addressed each member of his family personally, admonishing one of his brothers against "disturbance of the peace and all other activities liable to impede his success in life." To his brother Ahmed he says: "I was exceedingly touched by your vow of yesterday to avenge my death. Know, my beloved brother, that this matter should not be your personal concern any more, because I am become the son and brother of the whole nation." In addressing his mother he expresses himself as follows: "Grieve not over my death, but rather wish that you had a thousand sons who would offer their lives for the nation. Your son Fuad is not des.d. I have become immortal, thanks to God, and my name shall be handed uown from generation to generation. You should rejoice that your son Fuad has achieved such distinction and died before passing the second decade of life.... A nation is deserving of life in proportion to the number of its sons willing to offer the supreme sacrifice. The nation that meekly submits to oppression and tyranny should have its name stricken from the book of life.... Behold how I offer my life as a cornerstone in the foundation of the independence of Palestine within the Arab federation." �" " . ——^M^— JUNE, 1930 53 About Syria and Syrians SYRIAN CELEBRATION AT NEW LONDON The Syrian-American Society of New London, Conn., held its annual celebration at Wendell's Pavillion on the afternoon and evening of Sunday, June 22, and made of the occasion a great success. The mayor and many other officials and notables of the city, as well as numerous delegations and representatives of Syrian communities in other cities, were present. The program called for an afternoon session, which was conducted in Arabic and at which N. A. Mokarzel editor of Al-Hoda, presided, and for an evening session conducted in English at which the editor of The Syrian World acted as chairman. N. A. Mokarzel read an original poem in Arabic which he composed for the occasion. The list of the Arabic speakers included Joseph S. Hage, President of the Syrian-American Society; Rt. Rev. Antoun Anid, Syrian pastor of New London; Fred Hashim, President of the LebaneseAmerican Club of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and head of a visiting delegation; Esper Ganim of Bridgeport, Conn., who although a boy of fourteen and American-born, spoke in English on the necessity of the perpetuation of the Syrian heritage in America; Ameen Rihani, author and lecturer; Rev. Louis Eid of Fall River, Mass.; A. Rustum of Orange, N. J.; Farris S. Maloof, attorney of Boston; S. P. Hamrah of Hartford, Conn., and Elias S. Hage of New London. During intermissions Mrs. Julia Assia sang Arabic selections to the accompaniment of B. Hallal on the oud. American music was supplied by Shepard and Swanson Orchestra. Speakers at the evening session, besides the chairman, were Hon. C. D. Twohmey, mayor of New London; Homer K. Underwood, Headmaster of Bulkley School; Deputy Judge John McGarry; Prosecuting Attorney Max Boyer; Ameen Rihani and Farris S. Maloof. The Syrian speakers acquitted themselves most creditably on this occasion and the society is to be highly complimented on its good judgment in inviting them. The success of the celebration may be judged by the visiting delegations which came from New York City, Syracuse and Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; North Adams, Boston, Fall River, New Bedford and Springfield, Mass.; Providence, R. I.; Torrington, Danbury, Waterbury, Bridgeport, New Haven, Ansonia, Willimantic and Norwich, Conn., and from as far as New Jersey. The delegates were banqueted at noon at the home of A. J. Maloof, an ex-President of the society, and in the evening, at the Pavillion. The Syrian-American Society of New London has done much during its short existence to enhance the prestige of the Syrian community in the city and state. Its word of greeting appearing in its program is illuminating. It says in part: "While our society came into existence as an organized body only a few years ago, the SyrianAmerican community of New London has been at all times striving toward the fulfillment of the ideal for which their society stands, �54 namely, to promote the civic welfare of the Syrian and Lebanese people in this country. Coming from a race which has given much to the world, it is our ambition to give to America the best that is in us of our racial heritage by making every effort to be loyal American citizens." RIHANI LECTURES AT CHAUTAUQUA Ameen Rihani, noted Syrian traveler, author and lecturer, has beer invited to give a series of lectures covering the whole week of July 20-26. He is, to our knowledge, the first Syrian to appear on the Chautauqua platform for such a long engagement. The Syrians are to be congratulated on the distinction achieved by one of their most brilliant sons in America. Prior to his appearance at Chautauqua, Mr. Rihani is expected to take part in the Syrian pageant at the tercentenary celebration of the city of Boston by invitation from the local Syrian community. WORCESTER SYRIANS WIN SECOND PRIZE The city of Worcester, Mass., celebrated on June 28 the tercentenary of its foundation, by a historic pageant in which all racial groups took part. The Syrian community, under the leadership of the recently organized Syrian-American Club, contributed a float representing an American historical scene. They won the second prize consisting of a state flag. The first prize was won by the Greeks who represented the progress of civilization and the prominent part Greek culture played in its acceleration. The prize consisted of a gold cup. THE SYRIAN WORLD VISITING EDUCATOR RETURNS TO SYRIA Having wound up her campaign for the Ahleyah School in Beirut, Miss Marie Kassab will sail for home about the middle of July. During her stay in the United States she visited the principal Syrian centers and succeeded in raising a fund exceeding $6,000. She returns by way of France where she expects to spend some time studying modern and improved educational methods for introduction in her school. BRILLIANT SYRIAN SCHOLAR Having won his Ph. D. at Princeton at the age of twenty-one, Costy Zrike of Damascus, sailed for Syria early in July to take up his duties as Assistant Professor of Oriental History at the American University of Beirut. Dr. Zrike's scholastic record has been a most brilliant one. Having made his studies in Arabic in one of the native schools of Damascus, he won a scholarship at the American University where higher studies are conducted in English. During the summer recess the boy set about studying English and passed his examinations for admission to the elementary school. In five years he had graduated with high honors and won another scholarship Which brought him to the United States, where he studied at the University of Chicago, Columbia and Princeton. FIRST LEBANESE IN BRAZILIAN CONGRESS The Sphinx, an Arabic-language paper of San Paolo, Brazil, reports that Dr. Jose Petro Abi Deeb has been elected a member of the Bra- t �1 JUNE, 1930 zilian congress for the State of Espirito Santo. Dr. Deeh is of Lebanese origin, his father having migrated from Zgharta in North Lebanon and settled in Victoria, capital of the Brazilian State of Espirito Santo. He is, according to the statement of the paper, the first Lebanese to hold such office. LEBANESE GIRL BEAUTY QUEEN Arabic papers of South America report that as a result of competition in a beauty contest held in the sixteen states of the Uruguay Republic, a Lebanese girl, Miss Aneesa Juan Antoun of Gouma, Lebanon, won first prize in the state of San Jose and was consequently given the title of "Miss San Jose." Now the Lebanese girl is entitled to enter the national contest for the selection of the beauty queen of the whole republic. Her chances are strong for being selected as the Uruguayan representative at the world beauty contest to be held in Rio Janeiro, Brazil. PALESTINE JEWS FORM FEDERATION / A national federation of Palestinian societies was formed in New York early in July at a convention of more than 100 delegates of local organizations of Jews who were born in Palestine, according to a report of the New York Times. The delegates, Who came from Chicago, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston and several other cities, gathered at the Pennsylvania Hotel, where messages of greeting were read from Felix M. Warbrug, national chairman of the Allied Jewish Campaign ' 55 for Palestine and other prominent American Jews. Joseph Gabriel of New York, who opened the convention, pointed out that there were more than 5,000 Jews in the United States who had been born in Palestine and that many of them wished to return to their native land. The significant point in this news item to Syrians is that the Palestinian Jews who number but 5,000 should have so many societies as to send a hundred delegates to a national convention. Granting that the Syrians have societies in the same proportion, will they respond to a call for a federation in the same manner? DAMASCENES INCENSED AT POLICE HELMETS Aleph Ba, a leading paper of Damascus, reports that a good-sized demonstration was staged by ulemas, merchants and artisans to protest the action of the police in wearing cork helmets during the summer season. The demonstrators are reported to have first visited the mufti of the city hoping to induce him to voice their protest to the authorities, but he refused to take an active part in the matter. Undaunted, they marched to the Saraya and complained personally to President Tajeddin, demanding that he issue peremptory orders prohibiting the innovation. Their argument was that the heat was no excuse for breaking age-long traditions held in high reverence by the Moslems. Members of the police force, they claimed, could wear the kerchief and ighal or otherwise adhere to the tarboush. . The President calmed the excited demonstrators by promising to con- �56 THE SYRIAN WORLD duct an investigation into the matter, stating that the action of the police was taken without the knowledge or sanction of the government. It will be recalled that Dr. Ayub Tabet, when Minister of the Interior in Lebanon, forced the police to wear the helmet over the protest of the reactionary element. tion. Many articles, especially statues of the Pharaohs, bore hieroglyphic inscriptions and were traced to about 2,000 B. C. All the newly discovered objects, coming under twelve categories, went to the National Museum, none having been permitted to leave the country. SEVENTY ALAOUITE FAMILIES CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY DR. FORD'S COLLECTION BEQUEATHED TO LEBANON The majority of the inhabitants of the villages of Taffaha and Jenainah, in the district of Tartous, in the Alaouite State of Syria, comprising about seventy families, are reported by the Syrian press to have embraced Christianity at the hands of a Jesuit missionary. The religion of t'he Alaouites is Islam of the Shiite sect, or followers of Imam Ali. They are bitterly opposed to the Sunnites, or Moslems of the orthodox faith. Following this group conversion, attacks on the converts are reported to have been made by some of their neighbors before the authorities could intervene and furnish adequate protection. A most valuable addition to the National Museum of Beirut 'has been made possible through the generosity of Dr. Ford, an American missionary who lived in Sidon for nearly fifty years. At a time when the natives knew little or nothing of the value of the antiquities which were to be found in large quantities in and around Sidon, once the flourishing capital of the Phoenicians, Dr. Ford was patiently and persistently gathering his collection. Some of his articles are invaluable as relics of Phoenician civilization. The collection is carefully arranged and stored in a building of fifteen rooms. Soon after the declaration of the Lebanese Republic, the Lebanese government was anxious to secure the Ford collection for the National Museum and bid for it $200,000. Dr. Ford, however, set a price of $500,000. Dr. Ford has since died, and when Sis will was probated it was discovered that he had left his whole collection outright to the Lebanese government with the only condition that it be preserved complete at the National Museum without permitting a single object to leave the country. The Council of Ministers at Beirut ffeliberated the offer and voted to accept it on the donor's conditions. Out of gratitude for so great and BYBLOS YIELDS MORE TREASURES Archaeological research at Jebail, in Lebanon, on the site of the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos, has yielded recently much valuable treasures, according to a report of the curator of the National Museum at Beirut. Among the discoveries were several bronze statues of sacred cows covered with gold leaf. Some of the objects were in a fine state of preservation while others had rotted beyond the possibility of redemp- t r �1 JUNE, 1930 valuable a gift the government bestowed its highest decoration on Dr. Ford's widow and on the American Consul General in Beirut. SYRIAN ANTIQUITIES DISPLAYED AT YALE mmmm 57 the Syrian sun god about 2,500 years ago. Material of great importance in tracing the history of the old Syrian city and the religious cults of Syria before the advent of Christ was found during excavations in private houses and in the towers of the city walls. A rare collection of antiquities, the fruit of two years of excavations SYRIAN PUPILS in Syria, was placed on public exWIN FIRST HONORS hibition for the first time at the The Montreal correspondent of Yale Gallery of Fine Arts as part Meraat-Ul-Gharb sends a glowing of the commencement celebration, account of the extraordinary success according to reports in the American of Syrian pupils at a certain public press. The collection comes from school of that city at the last comSyria, where the historical objects mencement. were found after being buried in In the East side of Montreal, he sand for several thousand years. states, where live most of the SyrRare idols of worship are included ians, there is a public school whose among the collection. There is also pupils number 1,000 drawn from all a fine bas-relief of Atargatis and nationalities. The annual prizes of Hadad—a copy of what is believed the school are equally divided beto be the great cult statues at Baal- tween the boys and the girls, four bek; a Parthian altar with bas-re- for each group. liefs; a head of a man sculptured in Out of the thousand or more atstone; and several inscriptions, tendance the Syrian pupils count pieces of pottery, coins and some about fifty. But in the distribution specimens of unusual jewelry. of medals and prizes they won five The finds were made during ex- out of eight, a very high percentage cavations in the last two years at fndeed considering the large attendDoura-Europos, on the Euphrates ance and their relatively small numRiver, a place famous in olden times ber. before it was buried under a heavy The winning Syrian pupils were: blanket of sand. With the permis- Olga Salim Kassab, Edna Abi Kasion of the Syrian Government, ex- lam, Adeeb Nicola Tannaj, Shafic cavators from Yale University have Zerebtani and Kalil Hajje. worked with a scientific group representing the French Academy on the ancient fortress, and with outSYRIAN CANDIDATE standing success. FOR CONGRESS The famous Temple of Artemis has now been partly uncovered. This A Syrian paper of New York refamous institution had been located ports that Sassin Letaif, a Lebanese previously by Professor F. Cumont resident of Cross Plains, Texas, has of the French Academy and beside been nominated by the Democratic it a Temple of Atargatis and Hadad Party for congress. His chances of was also discovered. Atargatis was success are excellent owing to the sung as the Syrian goddess of fer- strength of the Democrats in the tility and Hadad was worshiped as South. —•-. �BOOKS BY SYRIAN AUTHORS To recommend to Syrians the acquisition of books in English by Syrian authors would seem superfluous, especially when the books are such as to cause every Syrian to feel proud of the fact that their authors are of his countrymen. All the books listed below have been exceptionally well received by American critics, some of them gaining national and even international distinction. Not alone as a matter of racial pride, but also as a valuable addition to every modern library and as an indispensable medium of wider culture all Syrian homes should have all or most of these books. All prices quoted include postage. Books by Ameen Rihani Maker of Modern Arabia The Path of Vision A Chant of Mystics and Other Poems $6.00 1.25 1.25 Books by Kahlil Gibran Sand and Foam Prophet—Reg The Madman The Forerunner Jesus, The Son of Man 2.25 2.75 2.00 2.75 3.75 Books by Dr P. K. Hitti As-Suyuti's Who's Who in the 15th Century (Arabic) Pap<;r Cover Usamah, an Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior of the Crusades Syrians in America Syria and the Syrians (Arabic) History of Syrian Commerce in the United States (Arabic; Illustrated) By S. A. MOKARZEL. Immortality (By DR. I. G. KHEIRALLA) 3.50 3.00 4.75 1.25 1.10 3.25 1.25 /I �1 i JUNE, 1930 59 ( [ SYRIA, LEBANON, PALESTINE, EGYPT OR ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE NEAR EAST Can Best Be Known by VISITING —SEEING Our native staff is in a position to give you first-hand information on any of these countries, as well as expert advice on planning itineraries that will afford the max imum of benefit for the minimum of expense. A. K. HITTI & COMPANY 83 WASHINGTON STREET NEW YORK CITY Phone Bowling Green 2765 ! �60 THE SYRIAN WORLD *<<«<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< THE LEBANON NATIONAL BANK 3 1 9 FI FTH AVENU E, COR. 3 2N D STREET Legal Depository of The United States — New York State — New York City Member of The Federal Reserve Bank — New York State Bankers Association — American Bankers Association 4y2% INTEREST We are pleased to announce that our Board of Directors has decided to raise the rate of interest on savings accounts from 4% to 4^2%, computed every three months, which raises the rate considerably above 4^4% ptr annum. On check accounts, interest will be paid at the rate of 2% for daily balances below $5,000, and 3% for daily balances of $5,000 and over. a The Lebanon National Bank inaugurates the return of control to its original founders by this liberal policy of sharing profits with its depositors. Out-of-Town accounts are solicited on the same basis. We shall be glad to correspond with anyone, anywhere, interested in availing himself of our facilities and liberal terms. BANKING BY MAIL is a conception of good business. You can begin at once to enjoy the facilities of our "Banking by Mail" department. THE LEBANON NATIONAL BANK "THE BANK OF FRIENDLY CO-OPERATION" 319 FIFTH AVE., Corner 32ND ST., New York City i *»>»>»>>>»»»»»»>>>>>>»>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>»> »frg �IY JERE J. CRONIN FUNERAL DIRECTOR MORTUARY CHAPEL Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to: LADY ATTENDANT Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire 115 ATLANTIC AVENUE BROOKLYN, N. Y. The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverence and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a verj little cost. No charge for use of our services or funeral parlors. Telephone—MAIN 1398-1399-8130-3655 THE MOSLEM WORLD A Christian Quarterly Review of Current Events, Literature and Thought among Mohammedans. Editor: SAMUEL M. ZWEMER It is the only magazine published in English, which, from a Christian standpoint, has dealt exclusively with the Moslem problem in all its phases in all lands for two decades. It is indispensable to those who are students of Mohammedanism and who need authoritative and complete information for their own use or to interest others. MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING CO. 156 Fifth Ave., New York City TWO DOLLARS A YEAR SHEIK RESTAURANT A well-appointed Syrian restaurant in the heart of the Syrian Quarter, in lower Manhattan, where you and your friends can enjoy the most delectable Oriental meals amidst the charm of an Oriental atmosphere. PARTIES CATERED TO Kirdahy & Esper, Props. 65 WASHINGTON ST., New York �• THE ARABIC LINOTYPE in the FAR EAST From the Far West of the Old World, Morocco, Tunis, etc., to what is known as the Far East, the Arabic Linotype is coming into general use. It has covered not only the countries that speak Arabic as a native language, but those speaking various Oriental languages using the Arabic characters. There are around two hundred and fifty millions coming under this category. The Malayan language was one of those to benefit by the adaption of the Linotype to Arabic, and the government of the Federated Malay States was quick to avail itself of this modern, economical, and versatile type composing machine. In the Government Press at Kedah there are now two American Model 14 Arabic Linotypes setting Malay Arabic, and having all the distinctive features known to the wonderful Arabic Linotype. QRflDE LI N OTYPE K ) MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, U. S. A. CABLE ~ LINOTYPE ~ NEW YORK LINOTYPE CLOJSTLR SERILS < I �• \ li t; ^•yj ytTtj. _ r.JLJJl (JU1 J .^ffi\ „jJl ji JU-i !^» i-i ^vi JyJV. ^J^* y ^ Ji - ^*I^-J Jl jljJJl J Li? y-J <L*^. oVi ^ -V.^1 s-uUl cAJ WlL (JkCa ^Jl «iU»- J J. V.^1 «M W^C pid. '.JU> **JU£J y|.4Jl y^VJl lJ*.j •V.^'1" W»_r»- "^ (jT* "^^ • VjJU y~~i-J y^'U y« Ji V jl~cYI cJjjJl J--W.-. 4*jizJ\ oU3l ^j^l l> <i! c-lT JSj Jl ;j_*«ljl UM. oLVj <«_j5^ ciaiJi o-UlJl j£ <-jJl u*V u- SJ^uH 0* -rf**1 u J' -^ ^ 0* °J^VI 01JLT J ^CJl "4xi« J oVl J-J «£»J -^jr-Jtj JU^VI Kl Jl 0lj;J y- V. ^ �64 THE SYRIAN WORLD ALPHABETS, NUMERALS AND BANK ACCOUNTS i Just as languages must have alphabets and mathematics figures, likewise you must have pennies to accumulate the dollars. If you don't save the ten dollars you will never have the hundreds, and by saving the hundreds you will have the thousands. If you fail to begin today in saving the dollars, the tens, and the hundreds, you will never have the thousands. In fact if you fail to accumulate you will lose. The best way to save is to open a savings account with Faour Bank and be thrifty, as the proprietors of Faour Bank are themselves a model of thrift. Faour Bank is always ready and willing to counsel and assist you to the best of its ability. Let your dollars be the beginning of your wealth as the alphabet and figures are the foundation of literature and mathematics. The dollar you will save is your best friend, particularly when old age and misfortune occurs through illness, etcetera. The deposit you have in the bank will be your best friend, and you can depend on it for help. Faour Bank accepts time deposits from $5.00 to $10,000.00 at 4^2 per cent, interest per annum. Checking accounts and thrift accounts may be opened by mail, as well as in person. FAOUR BANK D. J. FAOUR & BROS. Established 1891 Under Supervision of New York State Banking Department 85 WASHINGTON ST., • NEW YORK, N. Y. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1930_06reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 04, Issue 10 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930 June Description An account of the resource Volume 4 Issue 10 of The Syrian World published June 1930. The issue begins with Rev. W. A. Mansur's engaging question, "can the Syrian race survive in America?" He proceeds to give his concise response with sound reasoning, crafting an article that is certainly meant to make readers think deeply on the question. Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin is next featured with his poem titled "Reconciliation," which discusses forgetting the past in lieu of forgiveness. Dr. Talcott Williams continues on the topic of Syrians in America. Salloum Mokarzel then continues to relay his travels in northern Syria and the city of Aleppo in a vivid narration interwoven with the region's history. Kahlil Gibran is featured with another piece titled "On Hatred." There are a number of fiction pieces in the issue described as "not really fiction," but a formation of facts told in a romantic way, dealing with attributes like chivalry, love, and courtship. Finally Stuart Carter Dodd, a professor of Sociology at the American University of Beirut, writes the last article presented in this issue. He discusses an experiment regarding health insurance undertaken by Lebanese physician Dr. Rasheed Ma'took. After a poem by Thomas Asa titled "The Prophet," the issue concludes with excerpts from the Arab press and more on political developments in Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text 1930s Kahlil Gibran Lebanon Medical New York Reverend W.A. Mansur Salim Alkazin Stuart Carter Dodd Syria Talcott Williams Thomas Asa https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/63102579a5a5ae3b6c65bb9009f3e920.pdf d3c11cfeea51f6a95214ac5878f5a353 PDF Text Text MAY, 1930. THE SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE m i ORIGINALITY IN REFORM AMEEN RIHANI FROM TRIPOLI TO LATAKIA SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL ESSAY ON LIFE (POEM) THOMAS ASA THE SYRIANS IN AMERICA SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL ARE THE SYRIANS ARABS? (AN EDITORIAL) SYRIA PROCLAIMED A REPUBLIC THE COPY 50c ! ��attamam THE SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly by SALLOUM A. THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS MOKARZEL, Editor. 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single copies 60c I• Entered as second-class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. MAY, 1930 VOL. IV. No. 9. CONTENTS Originality in Reform 5 AMEEN RIHANI From Tripoli to Latakia SALLOUM 15 A. MOKARZEL On the Art of Writing 26 KAHLIL GIBRAN Essay On Life (Poem) 27 THOMAS ASA The Minor Key (Short Story) LABEEBEE 31 A. J. HANNA The Syrians in America 37 SALLOUM : \^::.>.'---,.':VJ -:---...^..<•<: :<,... A. MOKARZEL �— " -"—' I 11 II 'II «,» —— "•' ' "•' " 'I ———II ^^» CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE Editorial Comment.— A Are the Syrians Arabs? 41 Express Yourself! 43 l Spirit of the Syrian Press 44 Political Developments in Syria Syria Proclaimed a Republic 49 About Syria and Syrians 52 ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CLOSING OF THE CONTEST FOR THE SYRIAN WORLD'S FREE TRIP TO SYRIA APPEARS ON PAGE 4 -• �IN THIS ISSUE AGE 1 3 4 9 P, AMEEN RIHANI seems public in Syria should be conto have an inexhaustible store sidered a historical event of of rich Arabian experience. His paramount interest. The manlatest book "Around the Coasts ner in which this came to hapof Arabia" bears testimony to pen together with pertinent the truth of this assertion. And comment on the attitude of the he tells about them in such an Syrian Nationalists, will be inimitably fascinating way. The found most timely. * * * The account of his experiences with principal poetical contribution men and things in Jeddah, and in this issue is an able essay by his near-haj to Mecca, as told THOMAS ASA, whom our in his article appearing in this readers came to know and apissue of THE SYRIAN WORLD, preciate by his many former should prove a feast of delect- contributions. DR. S. Y. ALable reading to the discerning. KAZIN also contributes one of * * * Continuing the account of his delightful lyric composihis travels in Syria, the editor tions. * * * A short story by takes his readers in the present LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA instalment beyond the borders gives an intimate and graphic of Lebanon and into the Ala- description of a phase of Syrouites—to Tripoli and beyond, ian-American home life. * * * into a land rich both in Phoe- We wish to call particular atnician relics and magic-like tention to the editorial in this Crusader's castles. Readers will issue dealing with the imporalso undoubtedly enjoy the des- tant question of whether the cription of the Pond of the Syrians in America should Sacred Fish, which, by the way, choose to be called Syrians or is no "fish story." They will Arabs. A symposium is encouralso appreciate the uncomfort- aged in an effort to ascertain the able feeling of the editor and drift of sentiment on this subhis companion with a chauffeur ject. * * * The department of of an oddly mixed breed who the Spirit of the Syrian^ Press insisted on being familiar and will be found teeming with inhad the habit of relinquishing terest and giving reactions to his hold on the steering wheel public questions in the fairest while the car was tearing up spirit of impartiality. * * * The the road at 110 kilometers an news section is exceptionally hour. * * * Declaration of a re- broad and inclusive in this issue. __ 1 - �CONTEST CLOSED A NEW OFFER MAY BE CONSIDERED Owing to the delay in the publication date, we are able to announce the closing of THE SYRIAN WORLD Contest for a free trip to Syria, set for June 10, in this issue. We regret to state, however, that none of the contestants has attained the mark necessary to win the Grand Prize. Their awards for subscriptions secured will be forwarded them in the course of this month. Hard times and the shortness of the contest period have been partly blamed by some entrants for their failure. If some of the present entrants wish to make another attempt, with a whole year in which to work for the prize, we might consider a further extension on the same conditions. New entrants wishing to register for the contest are also invited to communicate with us as a second offer of the prize will not be confined to old entrants. Rather, a substantial addition of new entrants will favorably influence us to consider another offer. New participants wishing to know the conditions of the contest will be supplied with literature upon request. We would ask them to write to us early. The prize would be, as in the former offer, a free trip to Syria and return with liberal cash allowance to cover expenses of all shore excursions on the way over. Address all communications to Contest Editor, 104 Greenwich St., New York. SYRIAN WORLD, THE �y-nffiitw THE SYRIAN WORLD MAY, 1930. VOL. IV. No. 9. Originality In Reform An account of some of Mr. Rihani's strange experiences and observations in Arabia. By AMEEN RIHANI * A UN UR-RAFIQ, uncle of King Husein and former Sherif of Mecca, was a man of wit and violence;—a philosopher with a smile and an axe;—a sarcastic, caustic, iconoclastic Arab. He refused to acknowledge, for instance, that pilgrims are people. Pilgrims are—pilgrims. But what matters if the Grand Sherif gives them the cold shoulder? Allah and the Prophet will give them, of a certainty, a warm welcome in Al-Hijaz. The sun of Al-Hijaz! thinkest thou that those who come to scald their sconces in it are people? Thinkest thou, O most pious one, that those who come from the end of the earth to drink the salt water of Zamzam, and smell the stenches of sacrifice at Mina, and burn in the Juhannam of 'Arafat, and starve in the streets of Mecca, and if they survive, go back with the germ of pestilence in their blood—thinkest thou that they are people? They are pilgrims, O most pious one, and they deserve what they get. And 'Aun ur-Rafiq was descendant of the Prophet with Wahhaby tendencies. He could see no use in tombs of waits (saints) especially, to which the widow and the barren wife and the halfnaked, half-witted Bedu repaired for divine assistance. The tomb of a wali is called a maqam, a shrine with a dome, of which there is a multitude in Al-Hijaz, and on which the facetious 'Aun pronounced judgment. Let the widow and the barren wife go to the right man, said he, and let the half-witted Bedu go to the Kaaba. Invoke Allah alone: the waits are dead and cannot help. Every �THE SYRIAN WORLD domed shrine was therefore doomed; and many of them were destroyed. The people groaned and moaned and appealed in vain. The Sherif 'Aim the maqamoclast would not hear^ would not care. But when the agents of destruction, the hosts of a Unitarian faith, arrived at Jeddah and stood with their spades before the greatest maqam in Al-Hijaz, in Arabia,—in the whole world, —which is the three-domed tomb of "our mother Eve," (1) the citizens of Jeddah, knowing that the Sherif would not hear their protests, appealed to the European Consuls. But what had the Consuls to do with a religious reform in Arabia? They asked themselves this question; and one of them, a man of genius, answered. We have much to do with it. Eve is neither a saint nor a Moslem woman: Eve is our mother as well as the Muslerns'. The Consuls, therefore, took action, and the Sherif was amused. "But think you," he asked, "that 'our mother' was so tall? If the stupidity is international, let the tomb stand." But King Husein had a gentler wit and a milder method of reform. He was subtle and original. Without touching a tradition he modified, and often nullified, its evil. One of the marvelous features of the Hajj, for instance, was that some of the pilgrims, in an ecstasy of devotion, would throw themselves in the well of Zamzam, believing it to be the quickest and safest way to eternal bliss—a short-cut to Paradise. Now, King Husein did not say to them that this was a form of insanity, nor did he prevent them from indulging in it; but he had the well covered with a wire net. That epidemics accompanied the hajj in the past, even nested in the Holy Places, is a matter of common knowledge; and there was more than one or two or three reasons for it. King Husein saw one reason immediately before him. The water ducts in Mina were open, and the pilgrims, who go there to stone the devil, do not give a thought to the microbe. They trample upon it, and throw it in the stream, and then by drinking the water, put an end to it! To the pure all things are pure. Which His Majesty also repeated, and believed. But to cover the ducts is not irreligious, and a hydrant can work no evil. With a hydrant and iron pipes, therefore, did he combat the microbe in Mina. Indeed, he has even gone so far as to establish hospitals and (1) It is sixty-five feet long with three domes and in an enclosure outside the city wall containing other tombs. The women of Jeddah visit it every Thursday. . �MAY, 1930 ' combat disease in a scientific manner. Of the two hospitals in the City of Mecca one is exclusively for the poor; but both have examination and operation rooms completely equipped, competent doctors and nurses, a drug department, and special wards for women and children as well as for the pilgrims. Thus the test of faith—the hardships and the sufferings and the disease which the pilgrims welcome and endure—is fast disappearing. In a middle degree, however, it may still be found at Kamaran (1) and.at the Island of Abu Sa'ad(2). Nevertheless, King Husein thought that his Quarantine is the best in the world. Moreover, the English at Kamaran were usurping, not only his rights, but also his own Arab islands,—"Let them come and see how well we can disinfect and how well we can care for the health of the pilgrims. They cannot be more solicitous about them, O dear one, than we are Our Quarantine is incomparable. Come and see with your own eyes." His Majesty clapped for the servant and ordered the launch. He was ever thus, with rarely a program for the day, but always sudden and surprising. An excellent method to keep the servants alert and the soldiers on guard; but it does not always succeed in Arabia. The launch! And in a few minutes, while every one in the Palace was in a flurry of preparation, a soldier came in to say that the launch was ready. Nothing else was. His Majesty put his galoches on with his own hand and walked out without his black sleeves, without his Secretary, and without uttering a word of dissatisfaction. We were accompanied by the Ameer Zeid and the Minister of the Navy. In a few places, as we steamed out of the landing, the launch touched bottom and the sailors had to get out and punt Whether in a motor car or a motor boat in the Hijaz we were sure to get stuck in the sand. Once we were in the open, however, the engine hummed, and in an hour we were at the Island of Abu Sa'ad. The pilgrims, seeing the royal launch, crowded around the landing. The Turks in baggy trousers—souvenirs of the old regime—shouted at them and tried to drive them back. King Husein motioned, Nay, with his head and hand; and as soon as he landed he was besieged by them. They came rushing from every direction to kiss the royal (1) The Red Sea Quarantine for those who come from the East. (2) The Quarantine of Jeddah. �8 THE SYRIAN WORLD hand. Not a word was spoken, not a voice was heard. Of all the pilgrims, the Javanese are the most welcome at Jeddah and the most liked; for they are rich with piety and devotion, as well as in the things of the world. Moreover, they are the first to arrive and the last to depart. To them the pilgrim season is seldom short of six months;—six months in the vicinity of Allah and the Prophet!—and they shed tears of sorrow when they leave. They shed tears of joy too when they saw the Descendant of the Prophet. I have never seen such expression of reverence, of devotion, of ecstatic servility; and as they crowded around this man, grovelling, bending, whining words of worship, they seemed at a loss how to bow or kneel. Those that fell on both knees kissed the hem of his robe. Others rubbed their face against his shoes, others against his breast; and having done, they withdrew, but not their gaze, and stood at a little distance with outstretched hands. More than King was he to them, and more than Sherif: they stood before a revelation, as it were, a substantiation. The Prophet himself seemed to be patting their cheeks, their backs, their hands. I could see that the King was moved, and his words were few. He made no effort to free himself, but stood there the centre of the most .extraordinary demonstration, the rarest human devotion;—a victim of his own faith and the faith of his fathers, which, transplanted in the tropics, in equatorial regions, sapped every vestige of other faiths and developed to the proportions that border on the ugly and grotesque. For half an hour we were lost in that half-naked yellow mass of human devotion. Nor could we proceed. We were squeezed out of one group into the press of another, for there were in the Island that day about two thousand Javanese. Out of one of the houses the women came and stood near the door hesitating, some of them looking beseechingly with outstretched hands. The King turned in their direction and in a moment he was swallowed up. Now and then his white turban would become visible, as they surged and resurged around it and carried it eventually into the house. We stood watching and waiting. The King was again visible. He stood at the door and clapped for one of the servants, who came cringing and trembling; and, with tilted head and folded arms, he received a good rating in Turkish. One of the women had complained of the lack of water. The Quarantine consists of about ten buildings, mostly one story, each with two doors in the centre facing each other. You �MAY, 1930 \ His Hashemite Majesty ex-King Husein (From the only photograph known to be in existence) enter into a vestibule on either side of which is a concrete floor about a foot high. There the pilgrims, after they had passed through the fumigation room, spread their mats and rugs and bedding, and pile their luggage as a partition between each other. In a sense, the place reminded me of our Ellis Island. But here �. —1.— -^.... 10 .. THE SYRIAN WORLD are no iron bars, no dark rooms, no stuffy sleeping quarters, no smelling berths, no heart-eating suspense, and no danger of deportation. The utter lack of furniture made these buildings look so clean, so airy, so hygienic. The only complaint seemed to be about water. Had they had any previous knowledge of Jeddah, however, their present thirst would be more supportable. They would accept it, one said, as a test of faith;—the only one remaining, and lasting only three days. Those who have contagious diseases are removed from the steamer direct to another island not far from Abu Sa'd, with a hospital in it, and beds in the hospital, and doctors and nurses in charge;—and they have a little to do in the pilgrim season, in spite of Kamaran at one end of the Red Sea and Tor at the other. Only a few, however, escape with their contagion to Jeddah; but most of them carry among their baggage a pack of precious merchandise. Oriental treasures,—pearls and jades and precious stones, and silks and cashmeres and rugs,—the rarest sometimes and the oldest, are brought to the Hijaz by the pilgrims. They pawn them or sell them when their money gives out. Or they carry them as presents to the Grand Sherif or to the Kaaba. But eventually they find their way to the merchants of Jeddah, who are careful not to expose or advertise their treasures. Not for them the tawdriness of the bazaar; but in their homes they transact business, and only through the courtesy of a native can the stranger find them. It is the East, indeed, reticent and retiring, —ever content with what the day will bring. Even the motawwifin (guides) are acquiring again this native quality, thanks to the legislations of the Hijaz Government. For as soon as the pilgrim lands in Jeddah, he receives a circular printed in his own language in which his attention is called to the fixed tariff. Everything, from the sanbook in the harbor to the last ceremony of the Hajj in Mecca,—board and lodging in the two cities, the trip to Mt. 'Arafat, the Zamzam drink, the guide's fee, even the bakshish is listed. This much and no more must you pay, O most worthy hajj; and please report to the authorities any violation of the Tariff. The only item he has to bargain for is the transportation to Mecca, because, the circular says, the fee depends upon the availability of camels. But I do not think the circular is exact; for I suspect that the camel market cannot be controlled, and the cameleer remains a mercenary and an unrepentant one. | �MAY, 1930 IT To the motawwifin also, in spite of the Tariff, all pilgrims are not the same. There is, to be sure, a scale of desirability and favor, at the top of which stands the Javanese and at the bottom the blacks of Takrour. The reason is obvious. The motawwif or his agent has a tourist rather than a pilgrim in a Muslem of Javaj but in a Takrouri black there is nothing to attract a servant of the Kaaba. He is as hard as a stone;—a hard working man, rather, who works his way across, coming from Port Sudan empty-handed, carrying and fetching in Jeddah, and after a few months, with his well-earned piasters in his bosom-pocket, he walks to the Holy City, where he loafs and invites his soul. Between the two extremes there are different shades of liberality, of sanity, and of sordidness. The Indian pilgrim reads well the Tariff and keeps it in his pocket} the Egyptian reads it once and forgets it} the Syrian glances over it and tears it up. He knows better. He is, of all pilgrims, the most impervious to bunco. He is the "wise" one. The Egyptian is perhaps as wise} but he is not so close-fisted as the hajj from Syria. To the Sherif 'Aun, however, they were all pilgrims; and to his nephew King Husein "they are all our children, O dear one, and they all deserve our care and attention The Quarantine is good, is it not so? And can we not fumigate as good as the English? And can we not mitigate, by the grace of Allah, the evil effects of this new creature they call the microbe?" We were in the launch on our way back to the City, and His Majesty was in a talking mood.—"When I was in Stamboul, O dear one, I was asked by the Padishah and his Grand Vezier if it were not possible, in order to combat the cholera, to build for the pilgrims houses outside of Mecca. What do they know about the pilgrims, they who live thousands of miles away from the Holy Places? And what do they know about the cholera and its cause? Ibn'ul-Athir in his History says that from Iraq alone in the pilgrim-season came eighty thousand camels—I say, eighty thousand camels} and often two and sometimes three pilgrims ride in a litter. But Ibn'ul-Athir mentions not the cholera. Not one case among a hundred thousand pilgrims that came across the desert. It is not so with those who come by sea. For among two or three thousand who make a sea voyage of twenty or thirty days, disease is certain to break out, either in the boat, or in Jeddah, or in Mecca itself. This, O my dear, is one of the facts. "And there, are others which our friends in Stamboul and �dL 12 THE SYRIAN WORLD even in Europe do not know. When the cholera breaks out in Mecca it confines itself to the pilgrims. The natives do not catch the disease. They are fortified—I say, fortified. Allah, in his wisdom, through the climate of Al-Hijaz, prepares them for a state of resistance and maintains them in it. Otherwise, who would serve the pilgrims? Even in At-Taief the microbe of the cholera does not prosper outside of its own environment. Six thousand cholera-infected pilgrims were once sent to At-Taief, and not a single case among the inhabitants—I say, not a single case. What is the conclusion, O dear one? The microbe is brought from the East, across the ocean, into our land, and does not take to our people. Allah, praised be he, is all-knowing. And thinkest thou that houses outside the City will keep away the microbe? There is another vital point, O perfect one. The pilgrims come from afar to pass the pilgrimage days in the Great Mosque and in Holy Places,—inside of Mecca—I say, inside of Mecca, and not outside. What do they know of the pilgrims, they who live thousands of miles away from the Holy Places?" His Majesty smiled and held up his two hands, the palms toward his breast, in a gesture of finality. After which, reverting to the Quarantine, he asked me again if I did not think it was a perfect institution. The International Medical Commission, which was inspecting quarantines that year, had arrived in Egypt, and I suggested to His Majesty that they be invited to see Abu Sa'd, thinking that he might be thus made to realize a few of its deficiencies. But he took my suggestion at its face value, and ordered his Foreign Secretary to cable to the Hashemite Agent in Cairo about the matter.—"Let the esteemed Commission come and inspect our Quarantine and the means of purification and health at Abu Sa'd." Of all such means, I think King Husein only believed in the sun and the air;—"Consider, O thou brilliant one, the cupidity of people. They charge the pilgrim for fumigation at Tor, and they charge him for fumigation at Kamaranj and they want furthermore to have a hand in Abu Sa'd and thus exercise full authority over the pilgrims, our children and our brothers. But this shall never be, it is impossible—I say, impossible." One of the clauses of the Angler-Arab Treaty, which King Husein refused to sign in the winter of 1921, was that Great Britain shall have the right to appoint English doctors for the Quarantine of Abu Sa'd. Not the trifle of an income for a few of their doctors was the clause meant to insure, it was suspected, �13 MAY, 1930 but the establishment rather of British authority over the Hajj. The suspicion may not be justified. But it should be noted that the modern British method of interfering in the affairs of Arabia and establishing or maintaining an influence in the country, includes an interest shown in public health and is sometimes confined to it. It should also be stated that the Quarantine at Abu Sa d is a superfluity, considering the one at Tor in the north-end, and the other at Kamaran in the south-end, of the Red Sea. Had King Husein ordered it closed, therefore, he would have closed with it that imaginary door to health through which Great Britain is supposed to be seeking to establish her influence in the Hijaz. He might have even reformed Abu Sa'd or abolished it by applying to it his famous method, which I have mentioned, and of which I give another example. There was in Mecca an ancient royal band with a cobweb or traditions upon it. Which band played before the royal Palace three times a day, and three times a day drove His Majesty to infidelity. But traditions have to be respected, nevertheless, and doctored in a gentle manner. Now, one of the traditions concerning this band was that its members shall serve for life; and when one of them died, the King appointed another to take his place But King Husein, the wise and patient reformer, seldom failed in his method of shuffling off a mortal coil. Five years ago a drummer died, and there was no appointment. A year later one of the buglers gave up the ghost, and His Majesty said: "What harm if it be a bugle less?" Soon after the tambourine was orphaned, and the royal pleasure was great. Thuswise by the help of Allah and 'Izrail, the Angel of Death, he hoped to get rid of the whole band. Let the reformers come to Mecca and learn. Bttt they may not like myself, get any farther than Hadda in their schooling; and I doubt if they will get a better reward for their pain His Maiesty, after staying two weeks in Jeddah for the sake of the perfect guest", went back to Mecca on important business, leaving me with the Poet-Minister and the Poet-Soldier (I discovered one night that my fellow countryman and friend Captain Yanni has also a liaison with the Muse). Nevertheless, I was in the suds Even the chanting of Sheikh Fouad had lost its magic. "Perish our vain desires! the tempest dark Heeds not the wishes of the driven bark." �14 THE SYRIAN WORLD Indeed, O my Sheikh, indeed. I could have welcomed the Mecca band in those dreary days. My thoughts even dwelled upon the drearier tradition which kept me out of the Holy City; and I sat down, yielding to the mood, and wrote to my royal friend the following lines: My Lord King Husein, Allah uphold him: There is a heart in my heart, and thou art today its Kaaba; and there is an eye in my soul, and thou art today its only horizon. If a religious tradition prevents me from following thee to the Holy City, it cannot prevent my heart and my soul. But I am human, O thou of Majesty; and the body would feign follow the heart Canst thou not make it possible? Wouldst thou thus abandon a loving guest, who feels, in thine absence, like a weaned infant in a desert of separation? Shall not the desert blossom and the silvery waters therein stream again by single word—the word, Come—which My Lord canst utter? It is the. fond hope, the dream, which is still cherished by Your Majesty's Devoted and Grateful Friend. Two days after, I received a reply signed by His Majesty at the top, and couched in a phraseology which is even more savory than my own. Here in proof is the translation: My dear esteemed one: Salaam and profound respect. Thy note was received with the fingers of love and longing; and great as my joy was in perusing its precious words, even greater was my shame in having left thee in leddah. The sincere one, thine ever, hath done himself the wrong of depriving himself of the pleasure and the benefit of the virtues of thy liberal mind. And howsoever important the necessity of this deprivation be deemed, it is, alas, but an argument against me. Albeit, there be in thine excellences and the discernment thereof what renders all explanation superfluous. Nothing in sooth will lighten the affliction which I impose upon myself so much as my belief that the causes and reasons (for such action) are among the things which thy virtues deem worthy of consideration. Allah protect thee, O dear one, and favor me with the opportunity to compensate for what hath passed. Neither in Arabia's golden meadows of prose, nor in her hanging gardens of poesy find I words more mellow and flattering. His Majesty returned to Jeddah a week later, and in his majlisy of a certainty, were compensation enow. a �15 MAY, 1930 From Tripoli to Latakia A CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF THE EDITOR'S TRIP ABROAD VIII By r SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL A LL my travels so far had been through a relatively familiar country. I had not ventured beyond the borders of my native Lebanon, and although I now visited many a place I had not seen before my migration some thirty years ago, I felt I had of it some intimate knowledge which dulled the edge of novelty. Not so, however, with the interior and outlying sections of Syria. They had seemed as strange and distant as any part of Europe or America. Under the old order, Antioch, Damascus or Aleppo, were as difficult for a Lebanese to reach as Egypt or Europe. This was due to both political and physical reasons. Lebanon enjoyed an administrative autonomy which raised between it and its neighbor states all the barriers known to international conventions. Nor were the physical means of access conducive to more intimate relationship. Where roads existed they were bad or dangerous, and it was a feat of valor, immortalized in popular song, for one to travel to Damascus alone. Aleppo and Antioch were at a much greater distance, and only the desperate attempted to reach either city on business, much less undertake a pleasure journey. For one whose early recollections of the country were of such nature, a journey to the interior and border sections of Syria was in the nature of real adventure. It was in this spirit that I ventured on it, and the many novel surprises and thrills with which I was met were ample compensation. We descended the slopes of Lebanon from Ehden early on Monday, August 5. One of my companions was familiar with the country and its lore and made many an interesting observation. Passing through a small town he told us that it was Sebel, famous for its wine of which the poet sang: �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD "All wine may under prohibition fall Except the goodly, sparkling wine of Sebel." And this from a native priest. Further on we passed a fort-like monastery crowning a strategic hill. Said our companion: "This is where the Lebanese hero, Joseph Bey Karam, defied an army single-handed when he was in open revolt against the dowlah (state). Daoud Pasha, first governor of autonomous Lebanon, at the head of a Turkish regiment, intrenched himself in this monastery. He knew that he could not overcome our hero by force and resorted to a stratagem. Declaring a truce, he invited Joseph Bey to a conference, and our hero would not show fear. He entered the building alone and left his men on guard without. But when the Pasha ordered him arrested as a rebel, he drew his trusted sword and cleaved his way through the ranks of Turkish soldiers to freedom. The battle that ensued between the men of the Bey and the soldiers of the Pasha is recorded in Lebanon's history in letters of gold. Its tale of horror will cause the hair of infants to turn grey." Shortly after we reached the town of Zgarta in the coastal plain of Tripoli and not far from the latter city. The tale my companion told of this town is curious but nevertheless authentic. Zgarta in the plain is the winter abode of the inhabitants of Ehden, which lies in the upper reaches of the mountain. Every year there is a general migration from one town to the other at a fixed date. During summer Ehden is a beehive of activity, with its milling throngs of natives and visitors, while Zgarta is a dead city with only a few watchmen to guard the deserted houses. The order is completely reversed in winter when the population moves to Zgarta and Ehden is totally evacuated. It would be interesting to learn if a similar case exists anywhere else in the world, where each family has two fully equipped homes, and a general exodus of the population takes place every year with the inexorable regularity of Lebanon's seasons. We reached the city of Tripoli in time to keep our luncheon engagement with Kabalan Effendi Ontra, Vice-President of the Town Council, who had arranged to have us meet at this function many city notables and government officials including the governor, Khaled Bey, the President of the City Council, Hashem Effendi Zouk, and Nejib Bey Maloof, Military Commander of the Northern District of Lebanon. Jamil, the son of Kabalan Ontra, then took us in charge for a tour of the city. �The great citadel of Tripoli, occupied successively by Crusaders, Arabs and Turks, the parapets of which saw the enactment of the stra nge love tragedy recounted to the editor �18 'THE SYRIAN WORLD The governor of Tripoli and other guests at the luncheon given the editor by Kabalan Ontra, Vice-President of the City Council who is second from left, the governor fourth. We sped along a beautiful highway among Tripoli's famous citrus groves to the Port, a few miles distant. The latter place bears all the ear-marks of a hoary antiquity. We had to pass through an arched street to reach the quay, stepping at times over the bodies of the porters sleeping peacefully in the cool shade on the pavement. Only row boats and a few sailing vessels were in the harbor. But Jamil had reserved for us a better treat. Upon our return to the city he conducted us through steep and winding, narrow streets to the great citadel which crowns the highest hill of the city and awes and dominates it. Many were the times the place had changed hands from Crusader to Arab, and the masonry bears marks of the different periods of occupation by each. During the reign of the Turks it was used as a penal prison; now it is completely deserted and shrubs and trees have grown in the moat. The fortress is immense and ominous, but a beautiful panorama'-ef^the city is had from its parapets. My companion, John Trabulsi, would fain welcome me to the ancestral seat of his family. The Trabulsis, he explained, were the descendants of Godfrey de Bouillon who ruled in the castle of Trabulus (Tripoli), and John's visit to the family castle inspired marked * �(MAY, 1930 19 ancestral reverence and pride. I had not known before that I was traveling in the company of nobility! At a point overlooking the city in the direction of the sea, Jamil stopped. He had a story to tell and we had to listen. He had intimate knowledge- of the history of the place because of his having served as an officer during the early French occupation and was therefore entitled to a hearing. His story was of the nature of a barracks scandal. "On this spot," he began, "was enacted not long ago a strange tragedy. A comely guard spied a beautiful woman promenading on yonder roof. The flirtation soon bloomed into infatuation Clock Tower in the principal square of Tripoli. and the guard proposed elopement. The woman would not agree at once and the guard threatened to kill himself. At this the woman thought she would tease him and pointed to her foot, meaning that she cared for him as much as she did for her slipper "Mithl Ijri". At which the guard was so incensed, and his masculine pride was so deeply wounded, that instead of taking his own life, he leveled his gun at the woman and shot her through the heart." , Jamil led us to the "blood-dungeon" where the guard murderer-lover was confined. The interest the place held for us was in the gruesome relics of cruelty of the middle ages. The day had dragged and we were anxious to resume our journey north. Obliging Ontra Eifendi, being agent for an American automobile concern, had pledged himself to secure for �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD us both a good car and an honest driver. "Not all drivers are dependable. You must have one who knows the country well," he insisted. The driver he secured proved to be a dependable entertainer, but not much more. What strange experiences we had with him during the week he was in our hire! We left Tripoli at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Had we made an earlier start we could have reached Latakia in daylight, all halts on the way notwithstanding. But we reckoned ill with our chauffeur. We did not know until too late of his strange temperament begotten of an oddly mixed breed. By too late I mean only about half an hour, once we had crossed the city line of Tripoli. The chauffeur wanted to break down at as an early stage as possible in the journey the barriers of formality. He knew that we were from America and insisted on proving to us that between him and us there was a bond of kinship, a valid excuse for intimacy. He would take us in charge and plan our itinerary and act as our exchequer even to the point of dispensing the backshish himself. The account of his life interested and amused us. up to the point when, in the heat of his narrative, he could not control his native temperament and resorted to the uncomfortable method of gesticulating with his two hands, forgetting the wheel altogether, while driving at almost one hundred kilometers an hour! And the villain would not heed our remonstrances. Lawlessness was in his blood! Here is his story and, inferentially, the explanation of his strange actions. His father was a Lebanese who migrated to Mexico where he married a native Indian woman. Just before the war the father brought his wife and three children to Lebanon on a visit and was prevented from returning owing to the outbreak of hostilities. Then followed the famine which claimed the lives of almost a hundred and fifty thousand Lebanese. "It was then a desperate case of everyone shifting for himself 'sauve qui peut', and we, the children, begged or stole and managed to keep alive. But our parents were too proud to beg and too honest to steal, and they perished." So it was the hot Mexican-Indian blood in the veins of the chauffeur that made him usurp the gesticulative prerogatives of the Italians to the point of letting go completely of the wheel while driving at break-neck speed! But now a change was out of the question. Our first halt beyond Tripoli was at the Baddawi Mosque t �MAY, 1930 21 and its famous pond of sacred fish. I had seen and heard of many fish before, but had never been privileged to see any sacred species. Consequently, no matter what the hour, I must see these fish and learn wherefor they became sacred. The mosque is about three hundred feet from the main roadand the pond directly in front of it. We were given rush-buttom stools and brought iced refreshments. There were about a score men at the broad edge of the pond watching the antics of the fish. And the fish were very obliging and accommodating in their entertainment. A few crumbs thrown in the water by some watchers would cause such a stampede among them that the whole pond would convulse violently. They were of a drab color and rounded form, and the largest about a foot long. The water was literally black with them. I made bold to inquire of a turbaned sheikh, in the dress and the reserved deportment of an alim, an explanation of the legend of the sacred fish. He smiled in the complaisant manner of one who would say "a fish story!" And his verbal explanation bore out the correctness of the inference. "The fish are sacred because they are inedible. I have been attached to this mosque for a long time, and against the weight of tradition, I caught about a dozen fish on a certain occasion to prepare them for a private banquet to some distinguished friends. They were a rarity inasmuch as no one had had them before, or confessed to having had. I ordered my chef to serve them cooked and fried and bathed with appetizing sauces in the most elaborate manner known to the culinary art. But all our efforts, and in consequence our expectations, were in vain. The fish were putrid and could not be touched in whatever form. Those originating the legend on the sacredness of the fish surely did so not from any pious motive." Scholars tell us, however, that religious reverence for fish was common in the days of pagan Syria. Fish ponds were a complementary accessory to most temples in that section of the country, and it was customary for the worshipers to feed the fish as part of their devotional exercises. The manner in which the sacred fish of the Baddawi Mosque are treated would indicate that the custom has its roots in pagan times. We resumed our journey north over a fine road traversing the fertile fields for which the district of Akkar is famous. Nahr El-Kabir, midway between Tripoli and Tartus, is spanned by a fine new two-arched bridge of heavy masonry. This marks the �22 THE SYRIAN WORLD The great fortress of Al-Markab which looms gigantic to the traveler in the vicinity of Banias. It is one of greatest Crusaders1 strongholds in Syria. extreme northern boundary of Lebanon and the southern point of entry to the Alaouite State. No passport visa or any other formaiity is required for travel between Lebanon and the Alaouite or any other State of Syria. About half an hour later we came to the site of the old Phoenician city of Amrit, famous in old history for its orgies of the opulent and pleasure-loving Phoenician. The most distinctive relics marking the site, and at but a few hundred feet from the main road, are the two imposing monoliths known as Maghazeel, or spindles, so-called perhaps for their tapering shape. They were Phoenician mortuary monuments dating back to the fifth century B. C, and rise to a height of about fifty feet. In less than ten minutes we had reached Tartous, the birthplace of St. Paul and a stronghold that played a leading part in the wars between the Moslems and Crusaders. Its great Basilica is an imposing relic of Christian occupation. The huge fort by the sea still stands to bear testimony of its one-time strategic importance, while directly across, at a distance of not over twomiles, is the historic small island of Rouad, or Arvad, where the Knights Templars made their last stand in Syria. Its elongated form gives it the appearance of an anchored battleship standing guard over the city. SK*^S.: �MAY, 1930 23 The fortress of Al-Husn, another wonderful Crusaders' stronghold in Syria, also located in the Alaouite State in the neighborhood of Horns. It was built by the Knights Hospitalers. The next place of importance on the way to Latakia was Banias, situated at about 25 miles north of Tartous. We pushed towards the place in the closing hours of the afternoon, and had the satisfaction of viewing in daylight the imposing fortress of Al-Markab. This great stronghold was the key to the conquest of northern Syria, and passed alternately from the hands of the Prince of Antioch to those of the Count of Tripoli. It resisted even the great Saladin in his wars with the Franks and was taken by Sultan Qalaoun only after a long siege in the latter part of the 13th century with the help of Egyptian sappers. Its great size and strategic location bespeak its old importance. The fortress proper crowns a steep hill about 1,200 feet above sea-level, while almost directly above the road by the shore is a huge round tower which served as an advance post in the defenses. Al-Markab saw the heyday of its glory during its occupation by the Hospitalers who rebuilt it after the earthquake of 1170 and planned it in such large proportions that it could accommodate 2,000 families and a garrison of 1,000 men and 1,000 horses with sufficient provisions to withstand a siege of five years. We could not visit Al-Markab that afternoon because part of the way to it has to be covered on horse-back, but even from a distance, the sight of this great relic of the Crusades held sufficient compensation. �1 - :: KHRVM THE SYRIAN WORLD 24 Our stop at Banias was of the shortest. We would have spent the night in the town had we found suitable accommodations. The only hotel, if such it could be called, is in the nature of a khan. The innkeeper received us in his night-gown and showed us the available rooms. When we asked for something better he offered to rigg us beds in the reception room. But to the fastidious taste of my traveling companion this was unthinkable. We decided to continue to Latakia, only 35 miles away, which our hot-blooded chauffeur, in his trusty American car, promised to cover in much less than an hour. All the roads of the Alaouite State are comparatively of new construction and in excellent condition. They run through an enchanted country of field and forest. Especially pleasing was the sight of the vast fields planted to cotton and maize and typifying the rich potential agricultural resources of the country. While non-existent five years ago, the cotton planting area has grown to a thousand hectars in this district. Latakia, a city of about 25,000 population, seventy-five per cent of whom are sumnite Moslems, is the capital of the Alaouite State of Syria. It was a Phoenician city of great opulence as far back as 1500 B. C. During the occupation of the Crusaders it was comprised in the Principality of Antioch. The many imposing relics of Greek, Roman, Frank and Arab origin bespeak its importance during these various stages. Broad avenues are now being cut through it and modernization processes are being applied in every manner. Since the suppression of a native revolt in 1921 the country was placed under direct French administration, and the French can here claim to have done an excellent piece of work. Up to six years ago there had been no motor road reaching Latakia, now a net-work of the finest roads connects the capital with all parts of the state. We passed by a huge modern building of Moorish architecture facing a spacious square. I thought it was the Saraya, or government building. But no. It was a public school built by the French. Public instruction has been pushed tremendously in the decade of French occupation and administration. From only thirty schools in the whole State under the Turkish regime the number has now increased to one hundred and thirty. All other administrative departments show the same marked degree of progress. The governor, M. Schoefler, is acclaimed as a genius of organization, and his work is highly praised and appreciated by the contented natives, I did not meet him during my short mm �MAY, 1930 25 The modern Tourists* Hotel built by the French in Latakia, facing the beautiful fublic gat-dens of the, city always maintained in the finest condition of cleanliness and care. stay at Latakia because he had been critically ill for three weeks, but I met the young Emir Munir El-Abbas, son of Emir Jaber El-Abbas, President of the Representative Assembly and the ranking chief of the Alaouites, and what I learned from him was testimony in a more direct form of contentment and satisfaction with the French administration in the country. Of my conversation with the young Emir I shall have more to say later. We spent the night at the modern Tourists' Hotel built by the French directly on the beach. Here you can enjoy the luxury of a bath and running water. The view from the balconies is enchanting, especially of the fine municipal gardens facing the hotel. A Moslem shrine topped by a white dome built on a rock projecting into the sea lends colorful charm to the panorama. On the following day I visited the Saraya and fancied myself in a museum. The strappling Moroccan guard at the office of the Chief of the Information Bureau, in his colorful native attire, acted as guide in showing me the antiquities, chiefly statues and columns of the Phoenician and Roman periods, which were liberally scattered around the corridors for lack of a museum. I wanted to meet the editor of the local paper but he was in Beirut. The publication establishment was a converted shop about fifteen feet square, the whole front being open in the manner �THE SYRIAN WORLD 26 of shops in Oriental bazaars. The sole compositor offered to bring refreshments—coffee—cigarettes, but we thankfully declined. We explained that we were in haste and had to visit the new cotton spinning mill established through the enterprise of a Latakia citizen since native cotton began to be grown. We wanted directions to get to the mill—a verbal explanation only. But the bright young printers' devil who had been watching me and my companion with unconcealed wonder and admiration would have none of that. "I want to have the honor of escorting the inventor of the Arabic Linotype," and his eyes sparkled with pride at having met someone who had achieved something in his craft. The boy so typified the willingness and alertness of the devils of his class I had known in America, that I could not resist the pleasure of his preferred service and for a few minutes indulge in talking to him shop. On the Art of Writing By KAHLIL GIBRAN Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky. We fell them down and turn them into paper that we may record our emptiness. * * * Should you care to write (and only the saints know why you should) you must needs have knowledge of the music of words, the art of being artless, and the magic of loving your readers. * * * They dip their pens in our hearts and think they are inspired. * * * Should a tree write its autobiography it would not be unlike the history of a race. sassssa �ttamKM MAY, 1930 27 Essay On Life By THOMAS ASA A MID the somber presence of the grave And unknown meaning of the after-years, No worldly magic of the mind can save It from the weight of preternatural fears. When subtle nature in its various forms, Can rear its human bondage as it wills, And, in the madness of its pow'r, transforms Them into casts of monumental ills. And yet the searching wisdom of the past Has left no potent mark upon the time Allotted to the living forms,—but last Upon the ruling graces of the clime. And with the boasted bounty of the Mind— The weaver of exalted structures, seen Only in ephemeral dreams of humankind,— Ashes of design against the future screen. And while the Nations with unceasing might Wrest the treasures of the earth to build their sway, Watchful Nature will, on some unguarded night, Take its stolen riches and hide the hoard away. While thoughts so widely differ within kindred breasts, And no thinking mortal has the same desires, Yet one and all would know where Future rests,— Upon the tide of ages or in sinking mires? Though Man has never found the guarded way, That compasses the realm of the unknown, He has stored his vault against the coming day, That signals his departure from this earthly zone. Some are burdened with time-tempered creeds, That compel the knowing silence for relief} Mysteries and cants refresh their growing needs, And support the wav'ring flame of their belief}— < «*. �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD Without the fadeless pulse of Nature's bloom To check the fruitless Teachings of the Soul;— That shrouds the trend of Life in chambered gloom, And finds the end no nearer to the goal. ..__, While the lowly savage in his native haunts, Impells the sacred likeness of his God Into a crudely chiseled image, which he flaunts Before him, where the evil spirits trod. And with the unchecked passion of a childish mind, He conforms his living as his idols will,— That a lifeless bit of clay or stone should bind Even this untutored savage in its mill— Where the humble peasant seeks his daily bread, And when a day of labor closes with the night, He droops his aging frame and bows his weary head, The brilliant stars of Heaven as his only light. Thankful for the simple gifts that come his way, Divining in his joyless state he has been blessed; For each virgin morn has left no empty day, And each day will find him nearer to his rest. How unlike the doubting pedant of the strife, Who follows in the wake, and whose raucous cries Are base reflections of his own bewildered life, His harmless echoes swallowed in the hollow skies. And the student who but learns from Nature's page, And who well knows the meanness of his powers; But who yet dares to probe the buried age Of all Life, and its celestial bowers. But, in the strength of his conceiving brain, Varied secrets of the earth are yielded him; Where some were lost he found them once again, Nature's arcana made clear that once were dim. And in the eager spirit of his own desires, God's domain has lost its fearful face; Which the terror of the vast unknown inspires, And made the countenance of Life a peaceful grace. af �MAY, 1930 29 And some, are there, who know no staying hand. But ride upon the crest of proud display; And set the pow'r of fortune as their one command, Without divine compassion to dispose their way. Oblivious of the state of those below And far outside the casemate of their social caste; A grim reminder of our worldly woe, A gnawing menace to the honor of our past. And those compelled to traffic in the flesh, And offer to the bestial lust of soulless man;— Caught and held forever in the choking mesh, That bleeds all semblance of the Godly plan. No kindly glance or helping hand is sent their way, But each seeking mortal sets them further on The endless journey, with the Devil's pay,— Chains them to their bondage till all life is gone. And there are serpents in the human mould, Who hide behind the mask of honest deeds, And prey like vultures on the helpless fold— Spoil the fruits of labor and sow the wasted seeds. Where utter greed of gain has left amiss The cleansing flame of that sublime despair; That calms the savage heart and fords the dark abyss, And leaves the mind where only good will bare. Oft seen is the pious pilgrim on a summer day, Walking the dusty roads that stretch beyond And o'er the distant hills and vales, where lay The hallowed haven of the Priestly bond; Where he stilled the restless yearning of his soul, And took away with him a bit of ancient sod; And what had been in parts was now made whole, With peaceful resignation to his God. Now within the compassed vision of the mind, Behold the figure of a man, whose four-score years , »'. Have lightly graced his frame, and left behind All trace of th' embittered burdens of past fears. , [], J af �30 ' 'THE SYRIAN WORLD Upon his brow where wrote the stress of time,— Made known the joys and ills that Life may send; The fleeting days have changed his manhood's prime Into a cast that calmly views the end. The beauty of the world his heart has known,— The promise of the morn and then the night; Never for a moment through the day alone, And with every passing hour some new delight. The humblest forms that God thru Nature made, Assume exquisite imagery to his mind; All breathing Life approach him unafraid, For he is but the shepherd of their kind. No unhallowed temple built by mortal hands Enchains him to its dark, unseeing sphere; No humble gesture at its stern commands— Inspires him with no touch of earthly fear. God in his wide domains can only claim Sweet adoration from his inmost heart; And bring to chastened lips the sacred name That is to him more than his life apart. , , The calm majesty of distant mountain peaks, The splendor of one boundless reach of sky; Where pulsing Nature in its silence speaks An inner wisdom from the Throne on High. No fulfillment of desires and worldly dreams Mar the sweetness of his solitary way; Amid the troubled wastes his heart redeems The vain inanities of mortal clay. The world he knows so well, and soon to leave For realms uncharted within human skill; The shadow of Life's end will never grieve To meet his debt to Universal Will. The revealments of the years have left no doubt, That God shall weave the finished threads unseen; Though Life to him has never been without The guiding Hand that maketh all serene. « �—^_ 31 MAY, 1930 The Minor Key A SHORT STORY By LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA 17 VA sat down at the piano and allowed her fingers to run over the keys lightly. Then she shook her head and her beautiful chestnut curls caressed her face. She looked down at the keys and struck a minor chord, and holding these notes—clutching fast, she threw her head back and closed her lovely eyes. The tones gradually died away. She repeated the minor chord in a related key. Then another and another. In a frenzy she played all the tonic chords of all the minor keys—and arose rapidly from the piano. She closed the lid gently. Eva loved her piano. It was the most prized of all her possessions. It did not so much matter to her that G minor was the relative of B major. It did matter very much that music was uplifting, soothing, exciting, sympathetic in turn. It did not so much matter to her that she had not the technique of the most practiced. It did matter very much that her music lived, and had expression. After all, anyone can drum a piano with some practice, but not everyone could give it feeling, make it throb with life. These chords she had played gave her pleasure—she couldn't tell why. Perhaps the minor chords suggested sadness to her, and so far her life had been rather full and happy. We all have a sad and a happy part of us. Probably this is the way she satisfied her sad part. She would have liked to go on playing more, but even the chords were music, and then, if she dressed quickly enough, she could return to her piano before leaving for the night. At sixteen, life is enchanting! To Eva in particular. This night a musical comedy with some friends, and a cabaret, her first, later! She quickly went to her room, encountering a saucy brother on her way. "What's the rush, big sis?" "I wish God had given me a sister instead!" she retorted. Her mother was busy with the dinner. Her father was out— �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD probably making a sale of some real estate. Her elder-brother had gone goodness knows where with a young uncle. She could dress in peace—no outside interruption. She wore a long, form-fitting black dress—sleeveless—whose only touch of color was a bunch of grapes at the left waist. She put another bunch of grapes in her hair. Quite demure, really, but sophisticated, she thought. On her way back to the piano she again encountered her young brother. "Pipe the long black dress! On your way to an old lady's funeral!" he cried. "Mind your own business!" she retorted—and hurried in. At the piano again, she struck a major chord all the way up the piano, then down. Suddenly, in another key, she played, "Waylee Min El-Gharamy" so that a listener might think she poured her whole sad heart in music. Though she did not know it, she had an audience outside— of two young men and a girl. A full minute after she finished playing, the door bell of her apartment rang. She wondered vaguely why it hadn't rung while she played. She soon knew when, as three young people trodded in, one young man exclaimed, "Syrian music, eh, Eva?" "Syrian, right!" answered the other boy for her. "Play it again, Eva!" "Yes, do!" chirped the other young lady. "Fred has the right idea." "Fred will sing it, too. Eh, Fred?" said the first boy. "He's a great singer! Try it once and you'll always buy, doncha know! Come on, Fred, sing!" "Oh, cut it out, Sour! You're the singer here!" said Fred. "We'll all sing!" said Eva. "Come, Marge, show the boys what you can do!" "I'll sing if they all do," chirped Marge. "They all do. Eh, Fred?" said Sam. And they all did, with gusto. Syrian music—Syrian words, making allowances here and there for mispronunciations and words forgotten. Sad? These young people seemed all to be nursing a broken heart! Beautiful? Yes. It might have been music in the Lebanon. Charming Lebanon, With lute, and peasant costumes, and the I 1 \ �-T; 33 3d AY, 1930 great outdoors. Voices, perhaps more mature, but certainly no more appealing. That night, musical comedy. Then cabaret—jazz, dancing, cigarettes and rotten food. But—fun! II One day Eva's father died. She had known it was coming, but she had not expected it would be so soon, nor had she realized the seriousness of his condition. He had helped some customer repair a door, and a rusty nail had poisoned his system. It was the inevitable, and it effected her terribly. Her grief was so great that it blotted out all else for the time being—and for a long time after. While the body lay in state in the parlor with all mirrors and pictures covered—and even a spread over the piano, Eva had the greatest desire to tear the covering off the piano and play_play anything for the last time, for him whom she had loved more than anyone else. She was in great grief. She wished sincerely that all these kind people would leave her alone with the body that she might do as she wished. It would be a Syrian song—a simple folk song of the Lebanon, a song her dad had taught her when she first studied the piano. "Na'af laal Baab Fatahtilloo." He had played it on his clarinet—often—to her piano accompaniment. And then, too, she had enjoyed sitting back on a divan listening to the bell-like notes of the clarinet as he played alone—though the high notes often missed— scraped, but then, the instrument was noted for this deficiency in its makeup. She remembered, too, his wonderfully rich voice which had a rare appeal—a genuine appeal—somehow, she knew he dreamed of Lebanon. She felt he would have liked this burial in the mountains of his birth. Perhaps, some day—she hoped some day to do this. Meanwhile, the song—she sang it with her mind's voice. A little, tender folk song. "Na'af laal baab Fatahtilloo: Ahla wa sahla 111 til loo. Tafad dal estreeh, Ya oomree, Wa srajil bal— JCan yasree," �THE SYRIAN WORLD 34 III For a long time after the funeral, Eva was forced to keep away from her beloved musical instrument for the sake of relatives and family. People were constantly coming to offer sympathy, so that she felt like one whose hands were tied. One day no one was about, and Eva, no longer able to contain herself, stole down to the piano—and making sure that all doors and windows were locked—sat down to play. Without conscious thought, she played softly "Na'af laal Baab Fatahtilloo." Once. Twice. Higher notes, bass notes. She found herself beginning to sing. She felt the presence of her beloved father close beside her—and nearly choked. She sang with tears in her eyes—and a quiver, a catch in her throat. A few words. She stopped short and burst into tears all by herself in the immense parlor as she sat bent over at the piano. For several months she rarely played. Singing was out of the question. One day, Fred, Marge and Sam came to see her. They were determined that she would go with them—anywhere, to forget. "No, no. Please. I'd rather stay home. I'm always so tired!" pleaded Eva. "Oh, no, dear! You shan't stay home. And such glorious weather out!" chirped Marge. "It's not glorious to me." "Yes," said Sam, "Fred will take us for a ride." "Tell you what!" said Fred. "Let's go for a nice, long ride in the country. We'll get some air. Beautiful scenery, dontcha know. We'll all sing. Then we'll go somewhere, and hear some soft music. How's that?" It was finally decided that they were to go for a ride—and land where they would. The ride proved glorious. The wind caressed the faces and wafted odors of lilac and wistaria toward their nostrils as they sped the south shore road. Hardly realizing what they did, they stopped and encamped at Green Harbor. The beach was lovely, the salt air bracing. To Eva the beach meant melody. The wind sang, the waves swished and sang in monotone. Even the tiny dunes seemed to be waves of music. And the song they sang was a sad, sad song. Eva had been here the last time with her father. His song— their song—was in the swishing waves. It was in a minor key. K/ �MAY, mo 35 Sitting on the long beach they all four looked straight before them. Eva had her own thoughts. The others had sympathy. Eva leaned back against Sam's shoulder and allowed the salt wind to do what it would with her hair and face. They spoke of trivial things—or of nothing, three of them. Occasionally Eva nodded "her head or acquiesced to something they had said, not realizing what. Eva was walking up the long beach with her father. Lva was teasing her dad about not going into the water. Eva was sitting before her father—talking with him for mutual benefit. Eva was leaning against her father— Suddenly the girl jumped up. "Oh'" she said. "Let's go somewhere! Anywhere! Quick! «Oh' Don't you like it here?" Marge felt disappointed "Where would you like to go?" Sam rose and rested his large, dark eyes on Eva. He touched a little curl. "Anywhere! Away from here! I can't stand it here another t minute!" Another long ride. It finished at Marshfield. Here they bowled. Even bowling couldn't distract Eva. Fred remembered Warwick Inn but didn't know if he dared mention such a thing at such a time. Perhaps if they suddenly found themselves there they would go in without much ado. "Let's ride'" he suggested. "Try the Nautashet road. Its been widened. Six car widths on the road. We'll open her up!" "Oh!" said Marge. "That's great!" Away they went, to the throaty singing of Marge. Even Sam joined in. There were American songs—and old Syrian folk songs, and new songs. Sam loved the Syrian songs and sang with feeling. When he sang "Ah-h Ya loun II Soud Hayati Iounon Soud" all three looked at his beautiful bright dark eyes —and joined in the chorus. "That's great! Eh?" he finished. All agreed, looking at his fascinating eyes. "Look what's here!" suddenly exclaimed Fred. "Warwick Inn!" Marge clapped her hands. "In we go!" said Fred. "Why not? You'd like it, eh, Eva?" said Sam. "We'll try it. Anything to take away my tired feelings. At Warwick Inn they ate, and smoked, and listened to the music Finally they danced. What Eva had expected would be �. - . . MMMMMMBMMBRBMi THE SYRIAN WORLD 36 a nerve-racking ordeal became a nerve-soothing affair. The happy side of her was struck. We all have a happy and a sad side, and she had been developing her sad side and neglecting the happy for a long, long time. That night—before going to bed, Eva played the piano. Sam had kissed her good-night. The first time. She sat at her piano, and played some happy chords. Then she threw her head back, chestnut curls and all—and played with gusto—jazz. The Tainted Draught By SALIM Y. ALKAZIN VWHY taint the beauty of to-day With suspicions of the morrow? Why dim the glow of pleasure's ray With confounding thoughts of sorrow? Or does the thought of sure decay Add whiteness to the snow-drop's snow, The lurking perils of the way Enhance the pleasure as we go? Or is your own the gambler's joy— Between what may or may not be, In Chance's hand his heart a toy, Or child upon her rocking knee! Ah Doubt and Hope! man's friend and foe, Or foe and friend,—who knows their worth, Or which the queenly rose does grow, Or which the thorn, upon man's earth? �<&MY, 7950 57. The Syrians in America The Editor's radio talk over Station WPCH given under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association and Reconciliation Trips on Sunday, June 8. I I # \ IT has been said of the Syrians that they are the most misunderstood people in America. This is regrettable, because Syria and the history of its people should be familiar to every American. And this not alone for reasons of general knowledge about a certain racial group in America but also for the many intimate associations that Syria has had with the march of human progress and the history of civilization. I shall attempt to give a brief outline of Syrian history in order that the Syrians here in America may be better understood and more fully appreciated. Syria, according to the most competent historical authorities, has had more influence on human progress, spiritually and materially, than any other country of equal size. This is^<hiefly due to the fact that Syria contains within its natural geographical boundaries Palestine, which we know as the Holy Land, and Phoenicia, the home of the great navigators of old and the land whose people have given us that great instrument of knowledge and progress, namely the alphabet. To every student of the Bible the name Palestine is familiar, but it is necessary for us to understand also that all other parts of present-day Syria are biblical lands. Old Phoenicia is none other than the Lebanese Republic of today, and Lebanon and its beauties and the majesty of its Cedars were glorified in immortal song by the poets of the Bible. Due to its geographical location, situated as it is at the junction of three continents, Asia, Africa and Europe, Syria, in olden times, was the hub of the known civilized world. It is inalienably associated with all the great world movements of the past. Traces of its historical importance are in plentiful evidence even to this day. While on a visit to that country during the past summer, I visited many shrines which conjured memories of an immortal past. By the mouth of the Dog River, a few miles north of the city of Beirut, there is engraved in the living rock inscriptions dating from as far back as three thousand years before Christ. Conquerors of old seemed to vie with each other in recording �JUIiB'LI'l' 38 , THE SYRIAN WORLD their feats on the imperishable rock which is now one of the greatest shrines of antiquity in the world. Close by one another we find these inscriptions dating from the time of the Egyptians and Assyrians down to the times of the Greeks, the Romans, the Arabs, and the Allies. A little further to the north along the coast we come across the site of the old city of Byblos which in Greek mythology was the scene of the love episode of Venus and Adonis. The river that still waters the plain of Byblos and is now called River Ibrahim, is the very river known to the Greeks as the River Adonis, so named after the God of Love and Beauty. That river still runs red today in the spring flood, a phenomenon naturally explained by the red earth formation through which run tributary streams, but a phenomenon, nevertheless, to which the ancients gave a different interpretation. They believed that the waters of the river turn red each year in commemoration of the slaying of the God, Adonis, by the wild boar on the banks of that stream. A short distance to the south are located the great Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon which to the present day bear unmistakable signs of their great antiquity. In the plain of Beka, dividing Lebanon from Anti-Lebanon, the great city of Baalbek, known to the ancients as Heliopolis, still jealously guards the mystery which has defied the efforts of scholars and scientists during all time to unravel. The great ruins of Baalbek are classed by competent authorities as being superior in majesty and grandeur to the ruins of the Acropolis at Athens. How was this great city built? What ingenuity or power was used to raise the great stones to position—stones some of which are of almost unbelievable dimensions, being 63 feet in length, 13 feet in height, and over 10 feet in thickness. They were moved a distance of miles from the quarry and raised to position high above the ground, but with what instruments no one has ever been able to tell. But this is not all the glory that was Syria. The Cedars of Lebanon are still young in spite of their age of four or five thousand years. The city of Damascus shows every sign of youth and virility in spite of the fact that it is the oldest city of the world. Crusaders' castles still crown the strategic points of Syria bearing mute testimony to the desperate struggles which that country has seen during its various stages. In northern Syria we also have the city of Antioch which was once the rival of Rome in the glorious role it played as the metro- �r&fAY, 1930 ! If IN 3 ? polis of the East, and the city where the followers of Jesus of Nazareth were first called by the name Christians. While in Southern Syria, in the section known as the Druze Mountain and bordering the great desert, invaluable finds of Roman relics are being unearthed in the ruins that dot the whole country. For miles and miles in this section, while on my visit last summer, I observed Roman military roads still in the finest state of preservation after the lapse of twenty centuries. This section of Syria is perhaps the most romantic because it is still the most primitive. People there still lead the simple pastoral life of Biblical times. In a certain town which I visited to see its Roman ruins I observed the men, young as well as old, wearing their hair in long locks and their eyelids blackened with Kohl like women. But these men are brave to the point of recklessness in war. Almost a handful of them defied all the military resources of France for almost two years only a short time ago. The Druze element, however, is but about 2>4 per cent, of the total population of Syria. There is also in Syria an Arab nomadic element whose habitat is confined to the desert border. But ninety per cent, of the population of Syria is of the settled element, descendants of the race which has been in occupation of the country for thousands of years, and whose old cities bear testimony to their high degree of civilization and culture. t The foregoing is a brief outline of what Syria was in history. It is from that country that the Syrians now in America have come. From the oldest country in the world to the land known as the New World, they bring their priceless racial distinction as heirs to the culture of ages. They come with the gifts of all thie attributes of varied but virile blood—Phoenician, Semitic, Roman, Grecian, and Arabian. And it is a significant fact that the first of the Syrians to emigrate were the Lebanese of the north who claim direct lineal descent from the Phoenicians. It would seem that the law of atavism seeks to assert itself and here finds complete vindication. The great sea-wanderers of old have bequeathed their wanderlust to their long line of descendants. Syrian immigration to the United States began about fifty years ago. Now there are about 250 thousand Syrians in the country of whom about 25 thousand are in New York City alone. But nowhere in the United States do we not find Syrians. This great dispersal is accounted, for by the nature of their early occupations. Having landed in the country with no -capital, no knowledge of the language, and no business experience, they �40 THE SYRIAN WORLD took to peddling. And their first wares were typical. They began by selling religious articles imported from the Holy Land, the country with which they were first identified. But in their roamings and wanderings their customers began to ask for a variety of articles which they made efforts to supply. In this manner their business began to expand and from these very modest beginnings were built up the great commercial enterprises throughout America that are now associated with Syrian names. There would seem to be an element of real romance in this evolution of Syrian commercial enterprise. The descendants of the Phoenicians would vindicate the fame and duplicate the achievements of their ancestors. How otherwise can we explain the fact that from such modest beginnings and in comparatively such a short time, the Syrians in America have come to play their role of merchant princes with central offices on Fifth Ave. in New York and ramifications reaching to all parts of the world? But not alone to commercial enterprise has Syrian initiative been confined. Their influence is becoming more and more evident in the arts and the professions, in industry and in finance. There are now two progressive banking institutions in New York City controlled by Syrians, one of which is a National Bank. During all the time they have been in America, the Syrians have proven themselves most law-abiding and loyal to the institutions of the country. It is the opinion, not alone of casual observers, but of official authorities that the Syrians in America are one of the most constructive and industrious elements among the heterogenous stocks of the American nation. For a people whose history runs back thousands of years and whose representatives in America are found practically in every city and town in the country, only the high spots of their history and activities could be touched upon within the limited time now available. But it is my sincere hope that the ladies and gentlemen of the radio audience would have learned enough about the Syrians, both their past and present, from what has been now said, to understand them in their true light and appreciate their genuine cultural, industrial and commercial contributions to America. They came first in quest of opportunity, it is true, but have now become integral to the American nation. They wish to be known as Americans first, but not to lose sight of their ancestral background with all its spiritual and cultural advantages which should prove a distinct contribution to their beloved adopted country. . I « : �41, (MAY, 1930 EDITORIAL COMMENT ARE THE SYRIANS ARABS? pROM three distinct and widely-separated places in the United States comes to us in the course of one month, the significant question, "Are the Syrians Arabs r" Upon receipt of the first inquiry from an intelligent reader in Washington we answered privately, assuming that the request for information was prompted by personal curiosity or the settlement of a local controversy. But when the same inquiry was addressed to us from different parts of the country, and news reached us that our countrymen of Boston were to take part in the city's tercentenary not in the form of a purely Syrian pageant, but in one to which they have chosen to give the name ''Syrian- Arabic," we deemed it our duty to call attention to our special status not only! as a distinct element ethnologically, but also as a social group forming a distinct entity and occupying a clearly-defined position in the American commonwealth. That the Syrians are not wholly of Arab stock is a historical fact which should be beyond argument. They speak the Arabic language but they themselves are not Arabs. The Arabic language was imposed on them in the manner that the tongues of conquerors were forced on other subjugated races. The Egyptians, the Algerians, the Tunisians, and the Moors are not Arab albeit they also speak the Arabic language. The Americans are not English because of their use of the English tongue. In the same manner that the Americans are a highly mixed nation because they are drawn from many racial strains, so are the Syrians. Drawing an analogy, we may safely state that the Syrians, ethnologically, are the Americans of the old world. English culture and influence transcended in America in the exact manner that Arabic power established itself in Syria. Dr. Philip K. Hitti, the wellknown historian, at the very beginning of his authoritative work, "The Syrians in America," denies categorically that the Syrians are either Turks, Arabs or Assyrians. Under the definitive caption "The Syrians not Arabs" he specifically states that "the appellation awlad PArab of which they (The Syrians) are particularly fond is �42 THE SYRIAN WORLD t a misnomer. It has linguistic But even were we to conrather than ethnic connotation. cede, against the weight of all The Syrians spoke Aramaic historical authority, that the throughout the greater part of Syrians were Arabs, what justheir history, and their adop- tification could there be for detion of the Arabic tongue is a priving a nation of its rightful comparatively recent event, be- identity, or of making of it a ing subsequent to the rise of Is- tail-end subsidiary of another? lam and the Arab invasion. Why should not Syria enjoy Some Syrians are undoubtedly the right of a distinct identity of Arab stock, but, after all, cul- since it has had its separate and ture, and not a strain of blood distinct place geographically, is the determining factor in the historically and culturally over a period of time for antedating identification of a race." Continuing his argument, that of any other nation this same authority asks, "Who in recorded history? are the Syrians then?" and For another and equally gives the following definite valid and weighty reason the answer: Syrians in America should not "The modern Syrians are countenance a change in name. the remnant of the ancient They should not destroy by a Phoenician - Canaanite tribes stroke of the pen what it has who entered Syria about 2500 taken them more than a half B. C, the Aramean-Israelite a century in America to build hordes who arrived about 1500 in reputation and prestige. If B. C, and the Arabs who drift- at all a change has been brought ed, and still drift in, from the about by the World War in desert and gradually pass from the political status of their a nomadic to an agricultural mother country, that change is state. admittedly for the better and "With this Semitic stock as should be capitalized to their a substratum the Syrians are a further advantage. By this is highly mixed race of whom meant that if before the war some rightly trace their origin the Syrians were a subject race back to the Greek settlers and they now enjoy an infinitely colonists of the Seleucidae pe- more advantageous political riod, others to the Frankish status in being internationally and other European Crusaders, recognized as a national entity and still others to Kurdish and and assigned by the League of Persian invaders and immi- Nations to Class A mandate. grants." They have fought and are still I t c \ i i I mmm t �u ' MAY, 1930 fighting for complete recognition as a sovereign nation. Under the circumstances, what valid reasons could be advanced for submerging their identity into that of another nation? The Syrians in America are about equally divided between Syrians and Lebanese. The Lebanese were the first comers and remained for a time an overwhelming majority. If a dual name were to be used at all that name should be rightly Syrian-Lebanese and not ArabSyrian. Of real Arabs,—Arabs from Arabia proper,—there is not a single one in America with the exception of some transient Adenite sailors manning English tramp steamers. Would the existence of these be sufficient reason to influence us into a change of name with all the consequences such a step entails? Let us act cautiously in such a momentous matter, taking in consideration the fact that no matter from whatever point it may be considered, the change from Syrian to Arab, or to Arab-Syrian, could not redound to our credit or advantage. Syria has its place in both ancient and contemporary histories. It has its own background of advanced civilization and culture. Hence the reason for not losing its distinct and n? separate identity. The Syrians n? would only be inviting injury ** to themselves by tolerating a 43 change of name. We may be closely associated with the Arabs, but we are not Arabs. We admit that the Arabs have had a glorious past, but their present is not such as would make us anxious to associate our name and destiny with theirs. Especially should we Syrians in America be jealous to retain the name under which we have been known for half a century. We cannot afford to destroy the work of all these years and begin to build anew on a doubtful foundation. We have built our reputation as Syrians and as such we should continue to be known, for our greater advantage. EXPRESS YOURSELF! READERS of THE SYRIAN WORLD should not hesitate to communicate to the editor their opinions on current topics, or, for that matter, on any other subject of public interest. The same policy of fair and impartial treatment pursued in the publication of excerpts from the Syrian press will be maintained in publishing communications in the Readers' Forum. Whatever the opinion, pro or con, it is eligible for publication. At present we would particularly invite comment on the subject of the preceding editorial, as we are in need of defining our status in face of threatening chaos. �44 THE SYRIAN WORLD Spirit of the Syrian Press Under this caption we hope to present from time to time a microcosmic picture of the Arabic press, not only in this country, but wherever Arabic dailies and magazines reflect the opinions of responsible, thinking writers who are treating the different problems that confront the Arabic-speaking world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will take no part in the discussions reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. Our task will simply consist in selecting, to the best of our knowledge and with utmost sincerity, what we think is representative of the public opinion as expressed in these editorials. Editor. THE SPIRIT OF THE IRISH Following their annual custom, the Irish ip New York paraded on March 17 over twenty thousand strong after having attended services in the churches and given proof of their religious tenacity and racial solidarity. The green shamrock which they all wore was but a sign of youth and a pledge to continued growth. Fourteen centuries ago St. Patrick came to Ireland and won its people over to Christianity. The Irish have been ever since one of the truest peoples to the faith and the most zealous in its defense. The Irish have in them a good deal of Phoenician blood. By the law of atavism, they naturally rebel against oppression and ignorance. They have their heroes and men of achievement in the arts of war and peace, just as the Phoenicians have their Hannibals and other great leaders. The Lebanese of today are the direct descendants of the Phoenicians, and between them and the Irish there are many points of similarity. But the Lebanese seem to lack one essential quality of col- ... lective action and national solidarity. The Lebanese are, rather, more individualistic, otherwise the difference is slight between the sons of St. Patrick and those of St. Maron. Al-Hoda, N. Y., March 18, 1930. WESTERN TACTICS AMONG EASTERN PEOPLES Students of political movements in the East, and of the policies of colonial powers, will not fail to discern the subtle designs behind the tactics of Western governments in their attempt to strengthen their hold on their Eastern possessions. Their favorite policy is to sow the seeds of dissension between the governed people and to incite one faction against another by dealing out lavish promises that are never destined to be fulfilled. In this manner they provide an outlet for the surplus energy of the oppressed people but in a direction that will work to its detriment. In the meantime they would be watching the enactment of the drama from behind the scenes, and when the play comes to an end they emerge as �45 (MAY, 1930 victors without showing in the least that they had a hand in the staging of the tragedy. In this manner the West has been able to oppress and govern the East, and such will ever be its tactics until the East reaches the age of reason and realizes that colonial powers entertain no kindly motives towards them. Rather, they are exploiting them as backward nations and treating them like helpless minors. Meraat-Ul-Gharb, N. Y. April 23, 1930. DESTRUCTIVE POLITICS No sooner was the Eddy cabinet in Lebanon defeated and the Adeeb cabinet appointed to succeed it, than rumors appeared that the latter will soon meet the fate of the former and will be as short-lived. If this be true the political situation in Lebanon must be extremely deplorable. It is bound to result in new elections which will cost the Lebanese dearly in time and money, and who knows that the result of the new election will be different than the one we now have. Such lack of cooperation among the elected representatives of the people might be frought with the most serious consequences. For it must be remembered that the ultimate hopes of the Lebanese are to achieve complete independence upon the conclusion of the term of the mandate. How can such a result be expected when no concrete progress is noticeable in our exercise of representative government? During the twelve years of the nandate no progress OL whatever nature has been accomplished in Lebonon other than in the economic I field, and this result may be attributed directly to French administration. In the realms of politics and administration we have remained at a standstill, and this must be interpreted as actual retrogression. The political situation in Lebanon is deplorable and should not be suffered to continue much longer. It is no wonder that the Lebanese now wish they remained within their former boundaries when they had adjusted themselves to a certain fixed condition with which they were seemingly content. In view of these conditions, the Lebanese emigrants would reiterate their willingness and readiness to aid the motherland in times of stress and trial as they have done in the past, but they expect to see a certain degree of honesty and true patriotism among the political leaders of the country, where a true spirit of sacrifice would prevail and the common weal placed above personal interest. Ash-Shaab, N. Y., April 23, 1930. THE EDDY CABINET The fall of the Eddy cabinet in Lebanon is not in itself a matter of surprise, for cabinets are liable to rise and to fall overnight in republican governments. But the surprise is in the reasons which led to the fall of this reform cabinet. They prove conclusively that the country is not yet ripe for any large degree of progressive reforms. We can only analyze the reasons for this political disaster in that Premier Eddy attempted to carry out his reform program too hastily. There can be no question as to the honesty of his intentions, but he committed the mistake of biting �— 46 more than he could swallow. In his attempts to affect economy he discharged an army of bureaucratic sinecures who raised a storm of protest against him. Then in his efforts at educational reform he aroused the suspicions of the Moslems by the closing of some of their elementary schools. At best, these schools were but stupid apologies for educational institutions which the Premier meant to replace by effective instruments of learning, and it is a pity that he was not given the chance to carry out his plans. Had Premier Eddy been satisfied with a gradual application of his reforms as to give the people an opportunity to absorb them he would have succeeded in maintaining his hold on the government and rendered the country the greater service of introducing real and effective reforms. As it is, he was too hasty in the application of his honest designs in a country still subject to antiquated party and religious allegiances. As-Sayeh, N. Y., April 24, 1930. FRANCE ENCOURAGES ARMENIAN IMMIGRATION While the Syrians flee their homeland to escape economic depression and French oppression, the Armenians are being steadily imported into the country to replace them. Syria has now become another America to the Armenians, thanks to the benevolent attitude of the mandatory power. This prompts us to ask: Is it the intention of France to create an Armenian Question in Syria just as her partner in deceit and perfidy has created a Jewish Question in Palestine ? But what will stop her? Is it her conscience? She and England are vying with each - . I nili .11 .11111 > THE SYRIAN WORLD .1 other in bringing ruin to a weak country by populating it with outcasts and vagabonds. Recent reports from Constantinople indicate that thousands of Armenians are migrating to Syria presumably to escape the hard times prevailing in Anatolia. But are conditions in Syria any better that France should import into it such new and incongruous material without restriction? The answer is plain. France not only welcomes this new element but actually seeks it in order to maintain a balance against the native Arab population. Al-Bayan, N. Y., April 21, 1930. A SUBSERVIENT GOVERNMENT The French High Commissariat in Syria ordered the Lebanese government to suspend a native paper because of the latter's publication of derogatory statements about Queen Mary of Roumania and her daughter while in the country as guests of the mandatory authorities. This would simply mean that the French resorted to high-handed action over the head of the Lebanese government which had no other course but to comply. Surely the French would not take such action against Le Temps, or Le Matin, or Le Petit Parisien. Why then not apply fairness to dealings with the Lebanese press? When the Queen and her daughter were in America many notorious accounts were published about them, but no action was taken. We would want the French to act in Lebanon as they would in Paris without consideration for Balkan interests. And what is more, we would want the Lebanese government to refuse to submit to ignominy and contempt. Al-Hoda, N. Y., May 19, 1930. s' P r I �MAY, 1930 47 Text of the Syrian Constitution AS ORIGINALLY DRAFTED BY THE SYRIAN CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY IN 1928 AND NOW PROMULGATED BY THE FRENCH IN SYRIA IN A SLIGHTLY MODIFIED FORM. Chapter I deals with the political status of the country and contains four main articles as follows: « Personal liberty is the inalienable right of every citizen. All those who, under the law, are deprived of their personal liberty by the regularly constituted authorities must be notified of said action not later than the second day of the issuance of the decree and be allowed immediate recourse to legal methods of selfdefense. Article I declares Syria an independent sovereign state whose territory is held indivisible. Article II defines the State of Syria as all lands within the natural borders of Syria seceded from the Ottoman Empire. The State as Torture is declared illegal, as also such is declared an indivisible polideportation and exile or the refusal tical unit regardless of whatever of any Syrian's right to residence administrative changes may have in any particular place, or his combeen introduced into it following the pulsion to reside in any special World War. place, or his compulsion to tdoo det Article III declares the Syrian place, except under the circumState a representative republic "the stances and conditions defined by religion of whose president shall be law. Islam" and whose capital shall be Homes are declared inviolable. Damascus. Personal property cannot be seized Article IV describes the official flag except for public interests and subto be adopted by the Syrian State ject to a fair compensation. and defines it as follows: "It must Freedom of worship is guaranteed be twice as long as it is wide and be divided into three equal hori- individuals, the State undertaking to zontal colors, the top being green, protect all religious bodies in the the center white and the bottom exercise of their religious rites unblack. The center stripe must bear less found to conflict with law and on an even line three red, five-point- order and undermine public morals. Freedom of thought and speech ed stars. are guaranteed citizens of the State. Chapter II deals with the status The press is relieved of all form of of the individual onder the law and censorship. contains twenty-four articles which Elementary education is compulmay be summarized as follows: sory for both sexes and the State All Syrians are equal before the guarantees to provide free educalaw. No distinction is drawn between tion to all. one citizen and another because of Religious minorities are protected his racial origin, his language, his in their legal rights and are allowed religion or his denomination. �^ 48 THE SYRIAN WORLD to establish private schools to educate their children in their own languages on condition of complying with state regulations. Arabic is the official language of all departments of the State. Chapter III deals with legislative and executive powers and with other conditions governing elections and representation and complete the one hundred and fifteen articles of the Constitution. The principal articles in this section may be summarized as follows: All authority is declared to emanate from the nation. Only one representative body is constituted and is called the Representative Assembly in which is reposed the power of legislation. The executive power is reposed in the President who has the right to appoint a Ministry subject to the approval of the Assembly. Twenty is declared the legal voting age. Balloting is made secret and every candidate for election to the Representative Assembly must be thirty years of age or over, the term of office being four years. Religious minorities are allowed special rights of representation. Maintenance of order within the Assembly is the sole right of the representative body, and no armed force may enter the premises or be stationed near its doors except by request of the President. The President is elected by a majority vote of the Assembly for a term of three years. He may be elected for a second consecutive term but not for a third except after the lapse of three years since his last term. The oath of office for ident ig as follows; ~~ the Pres- "I swear by the Almighty God that I shall respect the Constitution of the country and its laws and guard its independence and the security of its territories." The President selects the Prime Minister and appoints the ministers subject to the latter's recommendation. He also appoints diplomatic representatives to foreign powers and receives foreign diplomatic representatives accredited to the Syrian Republic and presides at official functions. The Council of Ministers is restricted to seven, all of whom shall be responsible collectively to the Representative Assembly for the general policy of the government, and each of whom shall be responsible individually for the conduct of his own ministry. Amendments to the Constitution are permissible by a two-thirds majority of the Assembly at any regular session. No amendment could be made to the present form of the Constitution, however, before the lapse of three years. A national army is to be formed under a special law. A special administrative bureau is to be created for the nomad tribes which shall be guided in its policy by the special conditions and requirements of each tribe. Public religious foundations should be considered purely denominational institutions and shall be governed by special boards elected by the Muslims. The final, and what is termed as a temporary article of the Constitution, vests in the Constituent Assembly the right to elect the first President of the Syrian Republic for a term of office not to exceed two years. . mmm - : �(MAY, 1930 49 Political Developments in Syria FRENCH PROCLAIM SYRIA A REPUBLIC Nationalists apparently withhold approval—New elections to be held in the fall. i I JL' Press dispatches from Paris carried the glad announcement that the Syrian problem had been settled at last by the action of the French High Commissioner in proclaiming Syria a republic on May 22. Comments of the French press on this development gave the impression that the final solution was bound to please and reconcile the Syrians, inasmuch as France had proven herself extremely liberal, going as far as her special position as mandatory permitted, and "even exceeding this limit," in the opinion of some commentators. Cable dispatches, however, failed to give details of the new solution beyond stating that the original draft of the constitution as laid down by the Constituent Assembly was accepted by the French in its entirety with the simple reservation that the originally objectionable articles would not go into force until after the election of a de jure government which would enter into negotiations with the mandatory power for defining the status of the relations between the two governments. But first accounts of the Syrian press would indicate that this supposedly final solution is far from being satisfactory to the Nationaliists. The Constituent Assembly, which they insist is the legally elected representative body of the people, and the one in which is vested the power to draft the constitution and elect the president, is not recognized in its vested rights by the High Commissioner. Rather, it is ignored altogether and the provisional government to which the Nationalists offered strenuous objection is continued in power and authorized to supervise the new elections for the Representative Assembly as defined by the constitution. Furthermore, the basic article of the constitution has been so altered as to throw the whole document out of balance. This is article II which defines Syria as "all lands seceded from the Ottoman Empire" and declares the State as such an indivisible political unit regardless of whatever administrative changes may have been introduced into it following the World War. This original definition, on the face of it, would bring within the natural boundaries of Syria Lebanon and the other independent States of Jebel Druze, the Alaouites and Alexandretta. But even with the elimination of Lebanon, to which the Syrian Nationalists concede a special position, not even the other States understood to be an integral part of Syria are comprised in the new republic. Special constitutions have been drafted for each of them separately and individually, which would reduce Syria proper to its present limited confines. M. Hoppenot, Chief of the Political Bureau of the French High �50 Commissariat, in making public in Beirut on May 22 the text of the new Syrian Constitution, declared to representatives of the press that the Nationalists had not been consulted in reaching the decision on this new move. M. Ponsot, on the other hand, in the published text of his letter to the French Minister of Foreign Affairs dealing with the matter, declares that negotiations had been carried on with the Administrative Bureau of the Constituent Assembly and that "it was expected that the Bureau would accept this final solution." No date has yet been set for 'holding new elections which probably will take place in the fall. A Federal Council of a'l the Syrian States is created by the terms of the new declaration, whose principal functions will be to adjust economic relations between the different States. The High Cbmmissioner is expected to leave for Paris before the end of June so as to be near to give the French government the benefit of his advice when it submits the constitution drafts of the several Syrian States to the League of Nations for approval. It would seem that this supposedly final solution was reached long before its publication in Beirut, because printed copies of the Syrian Constitution were furnished the European press simultaneously with the official declaration of the French High Commissioner for Syria,—another cause for Syrian grievance, according to first reports. To one knowing the temperament of the Syrian Nationalists, it would seem that the Syrian problem, so far as they are concerned, is far from settled. They might take part in the proposed elections and win control of the Representative As- THE SYRIAN WORLD sembly as they did in the case of the Constituent Assembly, but their logical stand, judging by the consistency of their former demands, is to insist on the rights of the existing body, in which case they may be expected to boycott the new elections. A new armed revolution would seem now to be out of the question. LEBANON In submitting the drafts of the new constitutions of the different Syrian States to the Minister of Foreign Affairs at Paris, M. Ponsot, the French High Commissioner in Syria, pointed to the Lebanese Constitution, which has been in force for the past four years, as a model of the new drafts, holding that it proves the success of democratic, representative government in Syria. Now in Lebanon political affairs seem to be in a sort of a chaotic condition. The downfall of the Eddy Cabinet, which was brought about by Moslem discontent with the educational program, did not put an end to the perennial differences, plotting and counter-plotting. August Pasha Adib's Cabinet does not seem to be making much progress, and there are strong rumors that its downfall is in sight, perhaps to give way to another Eddy Cabinet, Eddy being admittedly the strong man of the hour in the little republic. The Regie, or tobacco monopoly, has at last been decreed out of existence in Syria and Lebanon, and full rights of free planting and trade in tobacco products are restored to the population. This has done little, however, to improve the stringent economic conditions in the country. I f �.T»^«l>," - MAY, 1930 In an official interview, M. Charles Dabbas, President of Lebanon, declared that it has been definitely agreed to make the Mediterranean outlet of the Mosul oil at Tripoli. The announcement was hailed with great joy by the Lebanese, especially the Tripolitanians, and rents in the city took a sudden boom. But the Iraqians and Palestinians immediately raised a storm of protest and appealed to England to insist on making the port of Haifa, in Palestine, the Mediterranean outlet for the Mosul pipe lines. To this the Lebanese make the counter demand that France break her agreement with England and the United State?, if necessary, so as to insure bringing her share of Mosul petroleum to Tripoli. A storm was raised over a circular letter sent by M. Alphonse Ayyub, economic agent for the Lebanese government in Paris, to the Lebanese press in America, proffering his services to Lebanese nationals. The French consul at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, published an open letter in the Lebanese papers of that city denying M. Ayyub the right to make such proposals, claiming that all representation of Lebanese abroad is the exclusive privilege of France. The comment of the Lebanese press on this subject is strong and bitter, all agreeing that France is proving by such actions a systematic attempt to hold down Lebanon from making any independent progress. The Representative Assembly of Lebanon has approved of the bill appropriating a round sum of $750,000 for establishing a flying field near Tripoli. This action was taken in spite of the great popular objection raised because of its supposed misapplication of the economy 51 program. Some liberal papers, however, boldly take the stand that the hand of the Lebanese government was forced owing to pressure from the High Commissariat, but the Lebanese are at a loss to understand why they should bear all the cost of establishing the landing field for the benefit of a French aeronautical concern. What is cause of greater surprise is that the Lebanese government should approve of the project almost without deliberation and in face of a large deficit threatening the treasury. PALESTINE The Arabs of Palestine seem determined to adhere to their original demands for representative government in the country in which representation would be in proportion to the different elements of the population. Their delegation to London, which returned empty-handed, was, nevertheless, received with great popular demonstration upon its arrival home. Judging by reports of the native press, no weakness can be observed in the Arabs' demands for restriction on Jewish immigration. The Arabs of Palestine are being strengthened in their stand by the whole-hearted sympathy of their brotJher Moslems throughout the world, especially those of India. This factor might prove of potent influence in the study of the Palestine situation by the League of Nations which now has the matter under consideration. Dr. Drummond Shields, the British Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, told the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations that Britain would be guided in her future policy in Palestine by the findings of Sir John Simpson who is now conducting an investigation. - �THE SYRIAN WORLD 52 About Syria and Syrians AMERICA'S MISSION IN THE NEAR EAST Young America receives rich reward from Eastern nations in exchange for her educational contributions. Albert W. Staub, Campaign Director of the six American Colleges in the Near East, returned from a visit to Syria the early part of April. "This is the first time that I have had the opportunity of being in Syria during the spring season. It is a veritable fairy land," he enthusiastically declares at the opening of his report. He then proceeds to describe the wonderful constructive work in the way of helpful and practical education that is being carried on by the American University of Beirut, and asserts that "the University has made a profound impression on the peoples of the Near East which is apparent not only in Beirut but throughout Syria and adjacent countries." The University's influence is evident in many native schools, principally Miss Kassab's School for Girls, which he describes as "one of the best organized institutions I have seen in Syria," being considered "a grand-daughter of the University." A vivid account is furnished by Mr. Staub of one of his experiences while in Beirut on the occasion of a banquet given by the alumni of the University. One of the Syrian speakers, he recalls, made a statement that stirred the American soul: "When a strong nation endeavors to help a backward race one of two things is inevitable," he quoted the Syrian speaker as saying. "Either the backward race develops an inferiority complex or else it becomes parasitical. You do not make us feel inferior because of the spirit in which you have come. You have come not as a conquering nation, but with such sympathy and understanding that you have captured our admiration and our love. Instead of making us parasitical, you have inspired in us self-respect." This called forth the following response on the part of Mr. Staub who was endeavoring to outline the purposes of the six American Colleges in the Near East: Mr. Staub's Remarks This movement in America may be looked upon as a modern crusade— not militant but in the interest of peace, not arguing the theories of religion but emphasizing the experience we have in common as human beings based upon spiritual facts. It might be considered an educational mandate in the Near East— not political, but inspired by a desire to share that which we have found to be helpful to us culturally, not imperialistic but as a gesture of friendship. The Colleges have been referred to as broadcasting stations of international good will, recognizing the essential values of nationalism, but stimulating a world patriotism. These institutions serve as the medium of two important currents of thought. As Americans we share �. MAY, 1930 the fruits of our idealism and culture with others. As representatives of other nations you share with us the product of your mature culture obtained through centuries of experience. Our life is highly commercialized —we need the mysticism of the East. Our manners are crude compared with the refined hospitality of the Orient. Our religion is practical, but lacks the richness acquired through thoughtful meditation and contemplation. We are too responsive to every new idea. We need poise — the product of age-long traditions. We need an outlet for the pent-up energies of a successful people lest we become self-centered and overbearing. We do not claim to have a formula of our own which we wish to impose on others. We are seeking with the help of others the conditions which will result in the economic freedom of all peoples; the permanent spiritual values of life for all peoples; the mutual respect for all peoples, one for another; and the cooperation of all peoples for the common good. What we are striving for is not a substitution of the characteristics of one type of civilization for another—not the destruction of human values wheresoever found, but the blending of the cultures of many peoples so as to build up a human brotherhood—a fraternity of kindred spirits for the benefit of all mankind. SYRIAN POLITICAL LEADER HONORED BY FRIENDS The Syrian community's elation over the election of George C. Dagger to the Republican leadership of the First Assembly District of 53 Honorable George C. Dagher Brooklyn was demonstrated by the large attendance at the dinner tendered him at the Elks Club on June 5. The festive gathering was the largest in the history of the Syrian community, the attendance being over 700, drawn mainly from the select professional and business elements. The banquet was under the auspices of the American Syrian Federation, and that it proved such a success in spite of the short notice given is eloquent testimony of the popularity of the Syrian political leader. Albert Macsoud, chairman of the Committee on Arrangements, opened the speaking session and turned the chair over to S. J. Akel, President of the Federation. Joseph Ferris made the presentation of a gold watch to the guest of honor in the name of the Federation. �1 , 54 Mme. Fedora Korban, styled the Syrian nightingale, gave several operatic selections and was applauded heartily. The American speakers were Philip Elting, collector of customs at the port of New York, United States Attorney Ameli, Postmaster Firmin, Justices Dodd and Martin of the Supreme Court, Port Appraiser Kracke, Collector of Internal Revenue Corwin, Transit Commissioner Lockwood and Amy Wren, co-leader of the First Assembly Republican District. Many of the government officials present were Democrats who wished to assist in honoring the young Syrian Republican leader for his sterling personal qualities regardless of party affiliations. Collector Elting delivered a long address in which he emphasized the principle that loyalty to American institutions is the prime consideration in determining the meaning of the term American. "We are all of foreign stock," de declared, "and only the Indian aborigines are fullblooded Americans." VISITING SYRIAN EDUCATORS HONORED BY COMMUNITY The Syrian Educational Society of New York held a banquet on May 3 at Joe's Restaurant in Brooklyn in honor of two prominent Syrian educators now visiting in the United States, Miss Marie Kassab of the Ahliya'h School for Girls in Beirut, and Prof. S. Saad of the National School in Damascus. A. K. Hitti, President of the Syrian Educational Society, presided as toastmaster. The principal speakers were Dr. Ph. K. Hitti of Princeton and Dr. Albert W. Staub, Director THE SYRIAN WORLD of the American Near East Colleges. Miss Kassab and Prof. Saad also spoke in explanation of their missions. Mme. Fedora Korban and Midhat Sirbagi, noted Syrian operatic singers, received loud applause. In giving his appraisal of the native institutions which the visiting educators represented, Mr. Staub, in speaking of American leadership in the East, said that "one wonders at times when Americans will become less dominant." He particularly praised the organization and the advance methods of teaching which he observed at Miss Kassab's school, declaring "that he was more impressed with it than any other educational institution he saw in the Near East." BANQUET IN HONOR OF WILLIAM CATZEFLIS William Catzeflis, a member of the literary fraternity Ar-Rabitah, and a leading literary and social figure in the New York Syrian community, recently elected to the vicepresidency of the Lebanon National Bank, was given a testimonial dinner by his friends and admirers at the Hotel Pennsylvania May 24. Fouzi Breidy acted as toastmaster and the speakers included G. K. Gibran, George Ferris, Dr. N. Barbour, Dr. S. Y. Alkazin, J. Mandour, President of the Lebanon National Bank, N. Diab, editor of Meraat-Ul-Gharb, S. A. Mokarzel, N. Arida, R. Saliba, T. Fakhr, M. Naimy, M. Saidy, A. A. Haddad and Salim Mallouk. Mr. Catzeflis responded in English and in Arabic in appropriate expressions of thanks and pledged himself to further efforts in the service of the community. �. ' ' MAY, 1930 55 Telegrams and letters of congratulations were received from many parts of the United States. SYRIAN SINGER PROMISED METROPOLITAN AUDITION The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, in its issue of June 3, carried on its first page a feature story by Isabelle Keating giving an account of the persistent struggle of Mme. Fedora Kurban for recognition as a singer, which efforts were finally rewarded by a promise from Gatti-Cassazza to give her an audition next October. "An audition at the Metropolitan Opera House of New York," says the writer, "is a notable event for any singer; but for Fedora Kurban it is a miracle, considering the family prejudices and objections she had to overcome in pursuing her career." Mme. Kurban is rapidly establishing a name for herself as a gifted singer, and has come to be known as the Syrian nightingale. The quality of her voice is described by critics as being exceptional, and for her complete operatic success she may be sure of the heartiest best wishes of all her compatriots who wish to see the Syrian name shine in added splendor. SYRIAN-ARABIC PAGEANT TO BE HELD IN BOSTON (From a Correspondent) Boston—In connection with the Tercentenary celebration in Boston, Mrs. William L. Putnam, wealthy and influential leader, was appointed by State authorities as Chairman for the Racial Group Committee. Mrs. Putnam requested Faris S. Malouf, lawyer, to accept the Chairman- -GO& Mme. Fedora Kurban ship for the Syrian group. Working in conjunction with Mr. Malouf are Rasheed Abdelnoor and Labeebee A. J. Hanna. In preparing a general outline of a pageant to depict the history of Syria and Arabia and their contributions to civilization, the committee is indebted to the following for valuable information: Ameen Rihani, lecturer and author; Dr. Ph. K. Hitti, of Princeton; Miss Theodora Scoff, and Professor Jewett of Harvard. Miss Labeebee A. J. Hanna was elected to organize and compose the pageant, which consists of eight episodes, covering the following years: .500 B. C.-1930 A. D. She is also preparing a very interesting music and dance program with the help of Mr. George Leesha. �56 The Syrians of Boston look forward to seeing friends from all over the country on July 15, the day of the pageant—as it promises to be quite extraordinary and instructive, and at the same time entertaining. Ameen Rihani, who has prepared a pamphlet on the history of Syria and Arabia for the occasion, will take the character of History; and Labeebee A. J. Hanna will take the character of the princess at the caliph's court in the Golden Age episode. THE SYRIAN WORLD ther hieroglyphics nor Assyrian cuneiform characters, but evidently parts of the first alphabet made of 26 and 27 signs, were found by a young Alsation archaeologist on the Syrian coast of the Mediterranean, at a place called Ras-Shamra, near Latakia. The expedition had discovered there a necropolis, the 4,000year-old ruins of a Phoenician palace and town, and numerous ancient vases, jars and statues of great archaeological and historical value. The opinion was put forward by the Academie that these ruins represented traces of an Aegian colony that existed on the Phoenician coast 2,000 WASHINGTON CLUB years before the present era, and HOLDS ELECTIONS whose civilization was of the MyThe Young Men's Syrian Club of cenian period. Salomon Reinach, the Washington, D. C, held its annual famous French historian, who was elections at a recent meeting which present when the report was preresulted as follows: Jack Haje, pres- sented, declared that the discovery ident; Louis Teehan, vice-president; was a most extraordinary one, and Nelson Haje, secretary; John Kiat- that it would be of the greatest imta, treasurer, and George Atohi, portance for the study of ancient sergeant at arms. The entire enroll- history. ment was present at the meeting. Following their election the officers were tendered a testimonial ROYALTY IN SYRIA dinner by the club followed by an able dramatic presentation by Tony After visiting Egypt in March, Furrah and George Atohi. The ban- Queen Marie of Roumania and her quet was attended by the outstand- daughter Princess Iliana crossed ing element of the Syrian community Palestine to Syria where they were the guests of the French High Comof Washington. , missioner and visited the principal places of interest in the country, particularly Beirut, Damascus, BaalWORLD'S OLDEST LIBRARY bek and Palmyra. FOUND IN SYRIA The Syrian press lived up to the What is supposed to be the most highest tradition of journalistic enancient library in the world, consist- terprise and thoroughness in reing of documents written in the first porting the movements of the two alphabetic signs known to savants, royal ladies, even to the extent of was discovered in Syria by a French observing a hole in the Princess's archaeological expedition, according stockings, and remarking that she to reports in the American press. was seen on one occasion to be Eighteen large and small tablets darning her own stockings. When engraved with letters that are nei- she attended Mass at the Orthodox �MAY, 1930 Cathedral the belles of the city dressed in their best and came out in force to meet royalty, but the Princess appeared in the simplest attire to the utter confusion and discomfiture of the native women. While in Damascus, the Queen was accosted by a reporter of a local paper with a petition pleading for her intercession with the mandatory authorities for ousting the government of Sheikh Tajeddin which was bringing economic ruin to the country. Al-Ahrar, the principal paper of Beirut, was suspended for three months for publishing uncomplimentary remarks about the Queen, thereby "offending a guest of the mandatory power," according to the wording of the official statement. And this is in spite of the fact that the publisher of the offending paper is a member of the Lebanese cabinet. ARMENIANS IN SYRIA The claim of Syrian papers that France is encouraging Armenian immigration to Syria with the purpose of establishing in Northern Syria a national home for the Armenians which will serve as a sort of buffer state between Syria and Turkey, was denied emphatically by the Armenian paper Aztak published in Beirut. The Armenian organ advances the argument that the total number of Armenian refugees now in all parts of Syria and Lebanon does not exceed 100,000, which is but a small proportion of the race. Their total number in their own homeland, Armenistan, is one million, and these do not plan to migrate. In Russia and Caucasia there are half a million who are not permitted to leave, and scattered throughout the world are another half a million who could 57 not be induced to return. This plainly shows, according to the Armenian paper, that the danger of an Armenian influx into Syria is more fancied than real. DAMASCENE CROWD APPLAUDS A MURDER Because Oriental Code of Morals Approves Action in Avenging Family Honor. Husni Ibn Bayezide, a nineteenyear-old boy of Damascus, could not withstand the shame his older sister east on the family name and resolved to avenge his honor with blood. He armed himself with a razor and sought his sister in the prostitutes' quarter. He met her offering a rose to a stranger and attacked her with the ferocity of a madman. A crowd collected but he warned them against interfering. He stood over the prostrate body of the young woman until she breathed her last. The police had by then reached the scene and rushed upon the murderer with drawn revolvers, but he shouted to them that he would surrender without resistance. He appeared relieved at having accomplished the deed—he had washed his honor with blood. And the crowd cheered him loudly all the way to prison... LOCUSTS RAVAGING SYRIA Reports continue to be received from all parts of Syria telling of the continuous spread of the locust plague and the excessive damage being done to plantations. The pests have covered almost all of Lebanon and spread throughout Syria as far north as Latakia and Aleppo. �BOOKS BY SYRIAN AUTHORS To recommend to Syrians the acquisition of books in English by Syrian authors would seem superfluous, especially when the books are such as to cause every Syrian to feel proud of the fact that their authors are of his countrymen. All the books listed below have been exceptionally well received by American critics, some of them gaining national and even international distinction. Not alone as a matter of racial pride, but also as a valuable addition to every modern library and as an indispensable medium of wider culture all Syrian homes should have all or most of these books. All prices quoted include postage. Books by Ameen Rihani Maker of Modern Arabia $6.00 The Path of Vision 1.25 A Chant of Mystics and Other Poems 1.25 Books by Kahlil Gibran Sand and Foam 2.25 Prophet—Reg 2.75 The Madman 2.00 The Forerunner 2.75 Jesus, The Son of Man 3.75 Books by Dr P. K. Hitti As-Suyuti's Who's Who in the 15th Century (Arabic) 3.50 Pap«;r Cover 3.00 Usamah, an Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior of the Crusades 4.75 Syrians in America 1-25 Syria and the Syrians (Arabic) 1.10 History of Syrian Commerce in the United States (Arabic; Illustrated) 3.25 By S. A. MOKARZEL. Immortality (By DR. I. G. KHEIRALLA) 1.25 The Nationalist Crusade in Syria; A Comprehensive and Authoritative Discussion of the Syrian Question 2.75 By ELIZABETH P. MACCULLTJM. — -„-ra4* � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1930_05reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 04, Issue 09 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930 May Description An account of the resource Volume 4 Issue 09 of The Syrian World published May 1930. The issue opens with more of Ameen Rihani's experiences in Jeddah and his near-haj to Mecca. Salloum Mokarzel then recounts more of his travels, specifically to Tripoli and Latakia. Mokarzel describes the lands around him in detail. Gibran is yet again featured with a piece titled "On the Art of Writing." The principle poetic contribution in this issue is Thomas Asa's "Essay on Life." Follows is a short story by Labeebee A. J. Hanna that details an intimate and graphic aspect of Syrian-American home life. Salloum Mokarzel's editorial is the last work in the issue, and it deals with the important question of whether the Syrians in America should choose to be called Syrians or Arabs. The issue closes with excerpts from the Arab press and more on political developments in Syria, specifically the formation of the Syrian Republic (1930-1958). Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Ameen Rihani Immigration Kahlil Gibran Labeebee A.J. Hanna New York Thomas Asa Travel https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/a27c489e68056d624ea2342aed8919a9.pdf 41e935eda93c2a7200f1873d95424ec4 PDF Text Text R1PIP11IIKPIIP te \ \ VOL. IV. No. 8. I APRIL, 1930. THTi SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE ill 111 1 ii 1I 1 I1 1 1ft AN INTERVIEW WITH EL-ATASSI SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL IMAGINARY SPEECH TO THE SENATE REV. W. A. MANSUR THE RETURN HOME (SHORT STORY) I LOUIS MARON iff FROM BEIRUT TO THE PALESTINE BORDER SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL IS POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA m THE COPY 50c 1 I ��THE SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly by SALLOUM A. THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS MOKARZEL, Editor. 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single copiea 50c Entered as second-class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. IV. No. 8. APRIL, 1930. CONTENTS PAGE An Interview with El-Atassi SALLOUM 7 A. MOKARZEL Helpfulness 13 KAHLIL GIBRAN Imaginary Speech to the Senate REV. W. A. 14MANSUR Despair (Poem) 22 NAJLA SABE Wayfarers of the Lowly Road (Poem) PAUL DEAB I'S �mmm H5 CONTENTS (Continued) The Return Home (Short Story) Louis 24 MARON Beethoven (Poem) 27 THOMAS ASA From Beirut to the Palestine Border SALLOUM A. 28 MOKARZEL The Syrian Laborer (Poem) 38 JONARD EGIS Book Reviews:— Another Notable Book by Rihani A Useful Book A Book on Religion English and Arabic Manual — Revised EnglishArabic Dictionary 39 40 41 42 Editorial Comments:— Asfuriyeh a Criterion 43 Potential Field 45 Readers* Forum 46 Political Developments in Syria 49 About Syria and Syrians 53 LAST CALL TO THE GREAT SYRIAN WORLD CONTEST FOR A FREE TRIP TO SYRIA : : �IN THIS ISSUE REV. W. A. MANSUR has in defense of my people. I send ever in his writings the element it with my prayers that my of inspiration. No doubt our blessed Master and Saviour readers are glad that he writes may bless it to those who read so frequently on the different it." * * * The account of the phases of the transitional period editor's interview with Hashem we are now going through in Bey El-Atassi, Syrian NationAmerica. It is a period frought alist leader, should prove timewith the gravest consequences ly and enlightening at the presif not dealt with in the proper ent critical stage of Syria's remanner. Rev. Mansur is con- lations with France. * * * The tributing considerably towards editor's travel article in this isthe creation of that proper con- sue covers his journey from sciousness that will materially Beirut to the Palestine border, enhance the Syrians' evaluation passing through sections of of their sterling racial qualities. Shouf to Sidon and Jedaidat This in turn will react to a sa- Marjioun. The latter is a modtisfactory adjustment of the el Lebanese town abounding transition problem. In his pres- in matters of interest. * * * ent contribution he has a Syrian The short story in this issue is character deliver an imaginary written by a college student speech to the United States who conceals his or her identity Senate apropos of some deroga- behind a nom de plume. Pertory remarks made against the haps the author will be inSyrians in that body. We have duced to reveal himself or herno doubt that our readers will self upon ascertaining the pubshare with the learned clergy- lic's appreciation of the touchman the spirit that prompted ing story. * * * Our poetical him to write it. In truth, it is contributions in this issue are more real than imaginary. And not only numerous but of exas proof of the intense degree tremely high quality, and all of his sincerity we quote the by Syrian-American talent. following from his covering Many of the poets are already letter: "Nothing that I have known to our readers, the only written have I cared more to present to the readers of THE new one being Jonard Egis, which is a nom de plume. SYRIAN WORLD than this speech �Great Syrian For a FREE TRIP to The editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD having made a trip to Syria in the summer of 1929, which he is now describing in a series of articles in the magazine came to realize not only the great educational and cultural advantages of such a trip, but its unrivalled possibilities for pleasure and recreate. In our enthusiasm for the benefits of such tours, we decided to offer one as a prize to our readers. This is on a par with the most liberal offers made by the b,ggest American publications, whose readers are hundreds of thousands and even millions. Needless to say that this is unpreTHEinSYRIANt0WO°mAnabiC J<TaHsm' whether * America or abroad. THE SYRIAN WORLD, m making the great prize offer in spite of the heavy sacrifice involved, considers that in so doing it is promoting the cause of sympathetic understanding of the motherland. This is in keeping W!th the main object behind the publication of the magazine. Whether tne winner be a boy or girl, American or Syrian, the purpose would have been served by the actual contacts established with the great scenic beauties and places of immense historical interest in our country of origin The proposition is unprecedented, the advantages great the condi tions most liberal. It is surely the opportunity of a lifetime for the ambitious. " e ITINERARY OF TRIP i 66 HP ffered by THE SYRIAN i WORLD takes the same route f ., ^ I" J° followed by the editor in his recent trip to Syria. Passage will be Cabin class on the luxurious steamer Providence, of the Fabre Line, sailing from New York July 2nd. Stops on route and shore excursions will be made at Ponta Delgada, Azores Islands; Lisbon, Portugal; Naples, Italy; Palermo Sicily, and Piraeus and Athens, Greece. In Syria and Lebanon, the winner may remain as long as he desires and return on any of the Fabre Line steamers to New York also Cabin Class. Sailing from New York will be under the direction and full assistance of the firm of A. K. Hitti & Co., the well-known steamship ticket agents The Beirut Branch of the same firm will render the winner all necessary service and advice free. The editor, thanks to the contacts contracted on his last trip, will also give the winner letters of introduction and recommendation to many influential friends who would render all necessary courtesies. The winner, representing THE SYRIAN WORLD whose services are fully recognized in the motherland, will be assured of the most friendly reception by the authorities and the public. �World Contest SYRIA and RETURN SYRIAN WORLD OFFER The prize offered by THE SYRIAN WORLD to the winner in the contest is free passage, Cabin Class, both ways from New York to Beirut and return, together with a liberal cash allowance for the shore excursions above mentioned on the outward passage. Is this not a worthy prize to try to win? CONDITIONS OF CONTEST 1. THE SYRIAN WORLD prize of a Free Trip to Syria and return will be awarded the individual securing the largest number of New subscribers to the magazine at the regular price of subscription. 2. Considering the great value of the prize offered, the minimum number required to win the award must be not less than one hundred. 3. Every contestant, other than the winner, securing more than one hundred new subscriptions, will be awarded a special cash premium of $1.50 for every subscription. Those securing less than one hundred will be given $.100 for every subscription. In the event of two or more contestants tying for the Grand Prize, all will receive identical prizes. 4. The contest closes June 10, 1930. Letters post-marked later than this date will not be counted. Announcement of the awards will be made June 15. 5. Every subscription must be a new subscription, and must be accompanied by a remittance of the full price of $5.00. 6. Gift subscriptions will be counted as direct subscriptions. For instance, if a contestant succeeds in inducing a friend to make gifts of a year's subscription to each of five individuals, he will be given credit for five individual subscriptions. Multiple subscriptions to the same person will not be counted by the number of years; as, for instance, a single individual subscribing for two years will not be given credit for two subscriptions. 7. Those wishing to enter the contest must write to register, in which case they will be furnished with special blanks and helpful literature. 8. The contest is open to all friends of THE SYRIAN WORLD anywhere in the United States and Canada. �IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE SUBJECT OF THE SYRIAN WORLD CONTEST OWING to the appreciation by the public of our liberal offer Won/ rl^ !? ^ Syrla aS ? firSt Prize in the cur^nt Syrian World Contest and m compliance with numerous requests to this effect, we have decided to extend our offer as follows l~While the minimum number of subscriptions required to win P rCmainS at ne hundre SLT ° d, any contestant, besides the winner, procuring one hundred subscriptions has the option of receiving either the cash prize or a one-wayy free trip to Syria. 2—If a contestant should procure two hundred, he receives a rree round trip. 3—For all subscriptions above two hundred the winner, as well as any other contestant, receives a cash premium of one doJJar for each subscription in excess of two hundred. 1 011 8 arC e enter the ^^fhe , any Vindividual Tnfd<°member. the !^ pnze to co test a » "d award 5-Contestants working for the limited prizes of either a oneway trip or a round trip may withdraw once their goal is reached and sail on any Fabre Line steamer, cabin class, before the date set for the close of the Contest. Registered contestants to date are the following: ttj. Hashem, Poughkeepsie, Mrs. J. Rafful, Toledo, Ohio N. Y. Ed. Hershewe, Fort Dodge, H. Abood, Brooklyn, N. Y. Iowa. Mrs. R. Hamrah, Naugatuck, Conn. S. Kallil, Detroit, Mich. N. Sayed, Georgetown, S. C. F. A. Coriaty, Manchester, E. George, E. Liverpool, Ohio N. H. ONE MORE MONTH IN BWwB^ilvi^fiL'iW.'^.'twii'w.'Mii.i.ii*^ WHICH TO WIN. �THE SYRIAN WORLD APRIL, 1930. VOL. IV. No. 8. An InterviewjgWith El-Atassi i Syrian Nationalist Leader and President of the Constituent Assembly Discusses the Political Situation. By I SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL "THAT the frequent changes of French High Commissioners in Syria is but a part of French policy to wear down Syrian resistance by dilatory tactics is the belief of Hashem Bey ElAtassi, President of the Syrian Constituent Assembly, and foremost Nationalist leader, as expressed to the writer in a private interview while in Damascus last summer. He holds that High Commissioner Ponsot, however, is the most sympathetic and the best qualified of all the High Commissioners France has so far sent to Syria. The Nationalists believe that if ever a satisfactory solution is to be reached in the Syrian problem it will be through him. That such a solution has not yet been reached indicates the degree of the Syrian Nationalists' insistence on their sovereign rights as against France's interpretation of her mandatory authority. They are not unwilling to concede to France its special position, but only to such a degree as will be compatible with their sovereignty. In the light of the latest dispatches from Syria, the problem seems no nearer an acceptable solution now than it was last summer. Hashem Bey El-Atassi had a long interview with High Commissioner Ponsot in Beyrouth on April 11, later issuing a statement announcing the failure of the negotiations. This climax came as a distinct shock to the high expectations of the Syrians who had called a special meeting of the Constituent Assembly on April 4 to formulate the minimum demands they would ' HHRBHHBHHHHHHHMa �8 THE SYRIAN WORLD accept for presentation to the High Commissioner. Substantially, therefore, the Syrian situation has not undergone the slightest change since the High Commissioner dissolved the Constituent Assembly in August of 1928, and the declarations of the Syrian Nationalist leader would hold true at this late date as when they were first given the writer last summer. My interview with Hashem Bey El-Atassi took place on August 12, 1929, at the house of one of the most militant Nationalist leaders, Falchry Bey Baroody. It was on the anniversary of the declaration of Syrian independence and about forty of the foremost Syrian Nationalists of Damascus had gathered at the Baroody mansion ostensibly to attend as a body the betrothal ceremony of the son of a certain minister of the Provisional Government. El-Atassi drew me to a corner of the spacious hall of the men's quarters, and to the tune of the running fountain, a prime feature in all Damascene palaces, poured out in an eloquent flow of words the account of the Syrian Nationalists' struggles and aspirations. He was speaking with the knowledge and the authority of one who occupied the most responsible state offices both during the reign of King Feisal and after. When the first People's Assembly, which declared the independence of Syria before the French occupation, was called he was elected President and later became Prime Minister during the short reign of King Feisal, and was finally elected President of the Constituent Assembly which formulated the Syrian Constitution found objectionable by High Commissioner Ponsot. He reviewed not only the events associated with these turbulent times but touched on the preliminaries leading to them, including the unsuccessful efforts of the United States at adjusting the Syrian political situation. On this point he spoke in unequivocal terms: "At the conclusion of the World war, Syria looked to America with the fondest expectations. The world was then being reborn to new conditions and every nation was given to understand that it would be free to shape its own destiny on the principal of self-determination. During the war we had suffered much and hoped that the intervention of America would be the panacea of oppressed peoples. America was idealistic, disinterested and rich. Being strong, she was in a position to enforce her will in demanding for the weak their just rights. We had even hoped that Amer- V �"^ ~-'^<*w*Trtf*#Mt APRIL, 1930 ica would guide us, on our rebirth to national life, along the Ipaihs of self-government, and we so expressed 'o u r selves to the King-Crane Commission at the time it visited Syria. But America failed us and left us to drift alone on an uncharted course subject to European greed. The .disappointment was most severe. But this much I can say with the same degree of truthfulness and sincerity: we harbor no bitterness against America in spite of all our suffering 'which we attribute to this Hashem Bey El-Atassi, failure on her President of the Syrian Constituent Assembly. part. If she has withheld her active political support, we are still hopeful of her continued interest and moral support. We are firm in our belief that she is the most unselfish and disinterested among the great Powers. One could not mistake the ring of sincerity in the voice of El-Atassi. As he spoke an expression of deep feeling crept over his features. It was evident that the review he was making of the recent political history of Syria stirred the very depths of his �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD soul. The bhthing of the roseate hopes which the Syrians had cherished in America's interest was cause for the deepest sorrow. The veteran leader soon regained his composure, and to the question as to the extent of help expected from Syrian immigrants in America, he replied that this help could be only moral and financial. The sympathy of Syrians abroad gives the active workers in the field strength and courage to prosecute the national cause to a successful finish, while financial aid is the sinews of all political campaigns. The emigrants' past assistance is fully appreciated, and the hope was expressed that this display of interest would be continued without abatement or interruption. The conversation then shifted to the subject of the present political situation in the country. Hashem Bey El-Atassi does not believe, in spite of the continual setbacks attending the course of negotiations, that the situation has reached an impasse. "The Syrian people are dependent on the righteousness of their cause and determined to hold negotiations only with France in the firm belief that she will act in the end on her reputed sense of justice. All hope of English aid and fair play has been abandoned. England, like Turkey, only used the Syrians as pawns in the political game without regard for their own welfare. The Syrians concede that France is in occupation of the country by the same right that would be claimed by any other Power, although the illegality of any such claim is beyond question. But since Prance is in actual occupation, the Syrians would be satisfied with her mandate if it could be applied in a manner compatible with Syrian sovereignty and dignity as a nation, a condition on which the Nationalists insist." Here the Syrian leader surveyed the evolution of political events in the country from the time of the termination of the war up to the dissolution by High Commissioner Ponsot of the Constituent Assembly. He related how the British and Arab forces occupied the country upon its evacuation by the Turks and how Emir Feisal, then commander in chief of the Arab army was entrusted with the task of government. Transjordania at that time, was comprised within Syria as well as the four districts of Baalbeck, Hasbaya, Rashaya, and Beka which were later annexed to Lebanon. The Syrian Government was still a military one the Syrians declaring a monarchy and raising to its throne King Feisal only after the failure of the American Commission to take decisive action. Hashem Bey El-Atassi was the president of the �V* V ¥ VJ I | |— fm» | . l_L u O 7* P- W -l» «w ^ 3 Al-Marje, the principal square in Damascus, massec I with French -whippets during the Syrian revolution. *, �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD Congress which declared Syrian independence and became later the first and only Prime Minister during the six months' reign of King Feisal. "That short period of complete and actual Syrian independence," he said, "shall ever remain a golden dream which we shall continue striving to again translate into actuality." The British forces had evacuated the country and the Syrians were in full control. Only Lebanon was under actual French occupation, and in order to bring this latter country into the Syrian fold the proposition was advanced by the Syrian Government to form a Syrian federation, "chiefly to permit Lebanon to retain its status of independence." But then the political tempest broke out and General Gouraud sent his famous ultimatum containing the five conditions to wit: Acceptance of the French mandate; disbanding of the national army; acceptance of the paper issue of the Syrian-Lebanese bank as legal currency; surrender by Syria to France of all railroads and appointment of a commission to determine the terms of the application of the mandate. What followed this famous ultimatum is history. King Feisal claims to have answered it upon receipt, agreeing to all conditions, while General Gouraud insists that the answer was received only after the elapse of the time limit and when he had already ordered the mobilization of the army. Then came the battle of Maisaloom and the entry of the French into Damascus for the first time after the great war. Hashem Bey El-Atassi here supplied some extremely important details which have not so far appeared in print. King Feisal, according to his account, was not in Damascus at the time the French entered the Syrian capital as commonly believed. On the contrary, he was at the town of Kaswa which is beyond the confines of Al-Ghouta and on the borders of Hawran. He immediately returned to Damascus upon receiving the news that the French were in occupation of the city, but no sooner had he arrived than the French themselves told him to leave. This would absolve King Feisal of any accusation of cowardice in having fled the city upon the approach of the French. Here Hashem Bey El-Atassi recalled the frequent changes of High Commissioners and consequently of policies: How De Jouvenel had permitted the convocation of a Constituent Assembly with the tacit understanding that it would eleci. a native government on the basis of entering into treaty negotiations with the r �13 APRIL, 1930 mandatory power. But De Jouvenel departed, never to return, and his successor, Ponsot, not only sanctioned his action but promised to give the people of Syria a free hand in choosing their own form of government. The elections to the Constituent Assembly resulted in an overwhelming victory for the Nationalists, and they decided on a republican form of government for which they naturally laid down a constitution. Here was the stumbling bloc to the orderly progress of Syrian efforts towards achieving national life. The High Commissioner objected to six articles which he held to be incompatible with the right of France as the mandatory power, while the Nationalists, in the words of Hashem Bey El-Atassi, as expressed to the writer, maintain that the Constitution will cease to be a constitution at all of a free and sovereign nation if shorn of these articles." It is now over a vear and a half since the High Commissioner dissolved the Syrian Constituent Assembly owing to these objectionable articles, and during all this time, in spite of frequent and earnest efforts on the part of both parties, no middle ground seems to have been reached. Such is the political situation in Syria today, and the faith of the veteran Syrian leader, Hashem Bey El-Atassi, remains unshaken that if ever a solution is to be reached it shall be through High Commissioner Ponsot and on the strength of the Syrians' belief in their inherent fight and in France's sense of equity and justice. Helpfulness By KAHLIL GIBRAN We are all climbing toward the summit of our hearts' desire. Should the other climber steal your sack and your purse and wax fat on the one and heavy on the other, you should pity him; The climbing will be harder for his flesh, and the burden will make his way longer. And should you in your leanness see his flesh putting upward, help him a step; it will add to your swiftness. * * * * * You cannot judge any man beyond your knowledge of him, and how small is your knowledge. �rf 14 THE SYRIAN WORLD Imaginary Speech to the Senate By REV. W. A. MANSUR /. The Greatness of the Loyal Syrian-American Citizens. SENATORS, all history praises the venerable Syrian race because of its prominent place in history, its contributions to avilization, and its potentialities for future world service. Europe America and the world are its debtors. Cultures and governments inherit vital impulses from this race. The world itself could no progress, could not attain happiness, and could not achieve freedom were it not for the legacies of the Syrian race q nt I iTC °nuy °ne authority to impress upon you the debt of the world to the Syrian race and its native land. Edward Gibbon says in The History and the Decline of the Fall of the Roman EmPre, "Yet Phoenicia and Palestine will forever Ive in the memory of mankind; since America, as well as Europe has receded letters from the one and religion from the otW» to hum-^nr 06 ^l ^ the m°St imP°rt^t contributions to human progress. Their ancestors, the Phoenicians, gave us the alphabetj the art of navigation and transmarine commerce Their forbears of pre-Chrirstian times gave us the highTsTcon ceptions of man regarding religion, morals and sociefy Thdr Christian forefathers began the missionary impulse that Chris lamzed the world Their mediaeval fathers car'ried the dvilit mg influence to the nations, races, and languages of Europe and The Syrian race survived world conquerors, repeated miera tions, alien cultures and race struggles. Their country, sSd be ween Africa Europe and Asia, was made a settlement ground for the quarrels of surrounding nations. There Alexander the Macedonian, Pompey the Roman, Tamerlane the Tartar, Nap0_ !rvenbahtet,eFsrenChman' & ^^ the *«&* * W*Xmn TV ^S"^"1,6^3"8 h^'e proven themselves perhaps the most law-abiding, hberty-loving and industrious-livingof he races in America. During the World War they contributed �e APRIL, 1930 racially, perhaps the highest percentage to the army and navy; they enthusiastically supported the nation's financial drives, and they faithfully upheld American patriotism. For Syrian-Americans believe in America's constitutional government, rule by the vote of the majority, separation of church and state, law-obedience, free speech, press, and assembly, and readiness for the nation's defense. II. The Attack upon America's Constitutional Patriotism. Recently, Senators, you heard the illustrious Syrian race slandered to your faces; you saw the glorious Syrian race crucified before your eyes and felt the innocent Syrian race stabbed at your feet. But, sirs, these talented people, these progressive citizens, and these high-grade, liberty-loving, law-abiding, loyalminded, industrious-living, and God-fearing Americans are slandered, crucified and stabbed for no other reason than race prejudice. • • i t m But, Senators, America's constitutional patriotism, principles and future are being attacked, undermined and destroyed by the slander, disgrace and hatred of American citizens. The assault is upon the charters of independence and freedom, the ideals and hopes, the welfare and future of the nation. The charge is against millions of children and youth, millions of weak and helpless, and millions of law-abiding, loyal-hearted and industrious-living citizens. What think you of him who tramples under his feet the principles of the Constitution? What think you of him who flings to flames the flag that stands for our liberties? What think you of him who betrays the rights of the peoples of our nation? Sirs, trust him not who arrays race against race in America. Trust him not who spurrs America's races to alliances with outside races. Trust him not who promotes the division of America on the basis of race, color, or creed. Trust him not who plants seeds of discord in the body, soul, and spirit of America. I care not what his power or pelf, his name or claim, his race or place, he who divides our nation into hostile races based on race prejudice, discrimination, and hatred betrays the nation's soul, leads you astray, and plants seeds of decay in the nation. Let us beware of a narrow patriotism, the ruin of nations; a divided nation, the bane of governments; and race prejudice, the destroyer of good-will. Let us learn a lesson from history. �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD H. G. Wells says in The Outline of History, "She (Rome) understood the value of allies; she could assimilate; abroad as at home she could in those days at least "give and take" with a certain fairness and sanity. There lay the peculiar power of Rome. By that it was she succeeded where Athens, for example, had conspicuously failed. The Athenian democracy suffered much from that narrowness of "patriotism", which is the ruin of all nations. Athens was disliked and envied by her own empire because she dominated it in a spirit of civic egotism; her disasters were not felt and shared as disasters by her subject-cities. The shrewder, nobler Roman senators of the great years of Rome, before the first Punic war overstrained her moral strength and began her degeneration, were not only willing in the last resort to share their privilege with the mass of their own people, but eager to incororate their sturdiest antagonists upon terms of equality with themselves." When I behold the declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the oath of citizenship, my mind becomes clear as to the true nature of American patriotism. It is upon Constitutional patriotism that we should continue to build America. Upon the following principles rest the harmony, prosperity and defense of America: That all men are created equal, that they arc endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That we stand for a perfect union, the establishment of justice, and the guarantee of domestic tranquillity. That we uphold the provision for the common defense, the promotion of the general welfare, and the securing of the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. That we believe, preserve and defend the Constitution of the United States. Senators, he who slanders any race within our nation violates the spirit of the Constitution, lays a precedent for the insult of other races, and prepares the way for national discord. He who counsels you thus would delude you, betraying the trust of our American forefathers, and leading to the dissolution of the Republic. I counsel you to abide by the Constitutional guarantees as m so doing you stand by the soul of the Republic, you uphold the spirit of the Union and you promote harmony among the races in America. * �APRIL, 1930 17 III. The Solution of America's Immigration Problem. What is the occasion for the disgrace, disparagement, and contumely of other races: It is the immigration problem. Is it not possible for men of honor, intelligence, wisdom, and humanity to study, discuss, and solve this perplexing problem without contemptuous reproach, insolent temper, and disgraceful vituperation: Prejudice, racial, religious or national, is usually mothered by ignorance, born in conceit, cradled in isolation, and reared in ill-will. Prejudice blights the mind, atrophies the sympathies and impoverishes the life. Shall prejudiced men who have belated minds, are ignorant of other world values, and lack the principle of good-will, be permitted to lead the nation astray? Prejudiced men are incapable of thinking upon and solving America's immigration problem in a clear, sympathetic and just manner. Thinking men are agreed that America's welfare demands restrictive immigration. We are convinced that we muts safeguard America's principles, institutions and future; that overwhelming numbers cannot change their attitude, customs, and culture quickly enough; that we cannot provide adequate means for the Americanization of incoming multitudes. We are convinced that the incoming peoples would supplant the rights, opportunities, and future that rightly belong to Americans and their children. We are convinced that it is difficult for some races to be amalgamated, transformed and Americanized to produce harmony with American ideals. For patriotic, economic, and cultural reasons, restrictive immigration is necessary. As President-elect, Herbert Hoover was right in saying, "The restriction upon immigration is a boon not only to those of my hearers who were born on American soil, but to those who have come from the old countries, for every one would suffer equally by the lowering of our wages and standards of living." Sirs, I propose a solution of the immigration problem on more American, equitable, just and honorable basis. Without insult to any race, without discrimination against any people, and without nullification of human rights. My proposition is simple: First, let the number of races and their population be ascertained. Second, find the percentage of each race and nationality in penitentiary and jail, in orphanage and poor-farm, in illiteracy and �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD poverty. Third, secure facts about the health, education, patriotism of the rising generations. Fourth, let the immigration quota be set on the basis of American loyalty, law-obedience, and industrious living. Let it be remembered that the public schools will help solve the immigration, education and Americanization problems. Restrictive immigration will give guidance in selecting incoming people, accelerate the Americanization process, and protect America's nationalism. The Constitutional guarantees will maintain pure Americanism, provide adequate defense and uphold national harmony. IV. The Decision of Syrian-Americans to Uphold the Honor of Their Race. It seems the Senator who slandered my race knew that we Syrian-Americans, being few in number, could not be heard above the crowd. The Senator who villified my race must have known that we Syrian-Americans were not racially organized and could not speak powerfully for ourselves. The Senator who insulted my race must have realized the Syrian race in the world was small numerically, unrepresented by ambassadors, and unaMe to resort to arms. Did the Senator lack the milk of human kindness: Was he ignorant of Syrian race history? Was he filled with race bigotry that he inaugurated race persecution? Is race organization necessary in America as insurance against race slander by the Senator? Sirs, what man of you who nursed from his mother's breast whose blood would not boil with indignation at the slander of his mother and her kind? What man of you with human feelings would not be fired with resistance at the insult of his person and race? WThat man of you with paternal instincts for his child would not fight at the disgrace of his child and family? Sirs, shall we Syrian-Americans submit like dumb, driven cattle to this ignominy and disgrace? Shall we keep silent lest we offend you by our self-defense? Shall we cower like brute beasts before greater numbers of other races? Sooner will our tongues be torn by their roots, our eyes gouged out of their sockets, and our hearts plucked from our breasts ere we consent to such cowardly proposals. Sirs, we shall not submit, we shall not keep silent, we shall not cower; rather, we shall resist, fight and press our righteous cause before heaven. But Senators, this is not the question of one race, but of all 1 ..ijffBiii !_ > » »K.£V. I rif _ �APRIL, 1930 . t- races, civilizations and nations. The slandering senator has made the American immigration problem the occasion for the world race question. Again let us be guided by the lessons of history. Yesterday the cohorts of Persia, Babylon, Nineveh and Egypt overran the Near East. Yesterday the armies of Hannibal, Alexander, and Caesar galloped over the earth. Yesterday the Ottomans, Spain, and Portugal swayed their powers over mankind. Today they are all lying in the dark past, their powers destroyed, and their civilizations a memory. Seventy-five years ago Japan would have been considered among the backward and inferior races. One hundred years ago Russia, Prussia and Austria were not even mentioned at the Holy Alliance. One hundred and twenty-five years ago China, Japan, Belgium, Australia, and South Africa had not appeared on the world horizon. One hundred and fifty years ago the United States did not exist. He would be a rash, unreasonable, and presumptuous man who, in the light of history, would venture to draw permanent lines for all times separating the backward from the forward people, the inferior from the superior races, and the uncivilized from the civilized nations. There is no basis of scientific facts, divine revelations, or historical deductions that any race, nation, or people is forever to be the superior of earth. For the backward, inferior and uncivilized race, nation, or people of yesterday may tomorrow supplant the forward, superior, and civilized races, nations, and peoples of today. Thus, in the light of history, there is nothing to be gained from race arrogance, national exploitation and military dominance. As for the Syrian race it is among the most intelligent of the races, among the most talented people of mankind, and among the most progressive of immigrant races in America. Chas. W. Eliot, president of Harvard University, said, "Millions of European and Near-Eastern people have crossed the Atlantic and taken the serious risk of attempting to secure a foothold in fresh and free America, because they hoped to escape from economic pressure and chronic poverty. * * * The early comers took the risks of the wilderness, the Indians, the untried climate, and the unknown diseases. The late comers have dared the perils of congested cities, of novel industries and of insecure employment. Hence, by heredity, the white Americans of today ) \ ::.;- . .-... * ' �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD —of whatever race or stock—have a fair chance to be by nature independent, bold, and enterprising." George Adam Smith quotes Hogarth's statement, "There is no more enterprising, no keener intellect in the Near East than the Syrian of the Fringe —the inhabitants of the Lebanon and the Syrian littoral." Talcott Williams says of the Syrians in America, "No more intellectual immigration has come to us in the past forty years." The modern renaissance of the Syrian race is already bringing forward a world Syrian race, world Syrian influence, and world Syrian commerce. Therefore, as Syrian-Americans, because of our race inheritance, race legacies, and race progress we boldly stand for the honor of our race, and resist the slander hurled at us in the senate chamber. I . The Demand of Syrian-Americans for Their Rights as American Citizens. We Syrian-American citizens demand what are our rights as Americans. First, on the basis of the Constitutional guarantees. Second, on the ground of having made the supreme sacrifice during the World War. Third, on the foundation of being Godfearing, liberty-loving, law-abiding, and industrious-living people. We ask for no special privileges, we desire no exceptional favors, and we want no rights but what belong to all Americans. It is what a man is through choice, growth and achievement that counts and not what he is by accident of birth, place and circumstance. That is the true basis of American citizenship, ideals and institutions. That is what lies back of America's character, prosperity and progress. That is the real ground of America's spirit, development and future. That is the foundation of America's doctrine of equality. . We Syrian-Americans are proud of our ancestors because we would emulate them. We are proud of the achievements of our forefathers because we desire to achieve like them. We are proud of our fathers because we would imitate their progressive spirit. As for pride of race, in itself it is a delusion, for no man chose his race. As' for pride of place, in itself it is a fiction, for no man picked his birthplace. As for pride of color, in itself it.is a superstition, for no man selected his color. I demand what rightfully belong to Syrian American citizens on the basis of American citizenship. Chas. W. Eliot groups the Syrian Christian immigrants in America with the highest types �—" — 21 APRIL, 1930 of America's pioneers. "The English Pilgrims and Puritans, the French Huguenots, the Scotch Covenanters, the Moravians, the Quakers, the Russian jews and the Syrian Chnstians all fled from religious hostilities or restrictions, and meant to secure, or expected to find, in the New World freedom to worship God each in his own way. They found that liberty, and ultimately established in the United States a regime of absolute religious toleration " We Syrian-Americans are Americans in heart, have made America a permanent homeland, and have an American outlook. Let us Americans repudiate race superiority, for it is at the expense of other races; let us do away with race prejudice, for it is due to lack of appreciation of other races; let us do away with race discrimination, for it is founded on the discount ot equal opportunities to other races. On the basis of America's doctrine of equal liberty to American citizens we Syrian-Americans claim equal respect for our race on the ground of equality with other races in America, as well as equality of citizenship, equality of opportunity and equality before the law. VI. The Assurance of Victory Is Trough a Firm Trust in God. Senators, the assurance of victory for the honor of the Syrian race is a firm trust in God. Since our trust is in God our faith is well founded. We are confident of final triumph because ot the righteousness of our cause. But let it be remembered that we did not choose this race controversy, we did not provoke this race strife, we did not bring on us this race struggle. Shall Senators rally to the side of race good-will, national harmony, and human brotherhood, or to the side of race prejudice, national sectionalism, and human strife? Will you sing the hymn of race hatred of the slandering Senator and betray, like Judas Iscariot, the Gospel of Christian brotherhood for the glittering things of earth; will you apostatize, like Julian the Apostate, from the truth that would make mankind free to uphold a dying superstition; and will you bargain, like Benedict Arnold, the republic of free men for the sordid reward of the enemy of human progress? I believe God has given the standard to which we should rally It is my belief that God is the Creator, preserver and governor of the universe; that He is the Father of all races alike- that the Golden Rule is the guide for race relationships; inmiffismim . ... --.. ,: ? . sessssMsssis - v;-5v-"«;».>v.->. �22 THE SYRIAN WORLD and that we ought to be brethren. It is my sentiment that we uphold pure Americanism, equal citizenship, and industrious living. In the name of God, in the spirit of America's founders, and for the sake of posterity let there be no race arrogance, race division, or race hatred among us, rather let there be one race, an American race; one flag, an American flag; one allegiance, an American allegiance that shall transcend race, color, creed and birthplace in a common American patriotism. I predict the outcome of the race problem in America. The day is here, and it is coming to the whole world, that no more shall any one, group, or race be slandered, hindered or judged on the basis of race prejudice. With my eyes lifted to the God of mankind, my hand saluting the flag of our country, and with a prayer in my heart imploring Divine blessing, let us judge patriotism on the guarantees of the Constitution, men on the basis of character, races on the ground of humanity, and issues on the foundation of justice. It is upon the Constitution, character, humanity and justice that I claim equal respect for the glorious Syrian race among the races of mankind. Despair By NAJLA SABE I wandered by the sea last night To watch the foamy waves, But more to hear their dismal groans Resounding in the caves. I heard them tell their tales of woe In melancholy tones, And heard their answer to my prayers In mournful, fitful moans. * * * Oh Sea! If thou, a soulless thing, Hast felt the pang of Life How much more I, who live and love, Must shoulder in the strife' ,, �^ 23 APRIL, 1930 Wayfarers of the Lowly Road By PAUL DEAB EWER searching, our eyes seek a star, That most precious jewel in the diadem Which night does wear. And from afar Our lowly road seems to wind on endlessly, For we may not rest now and then To hear the matins of birds, and lovingly To touch the crimson of a rose, Whose fragrance tells us its presence is so near. We would forget that mortal woes Shall be our fate. We would have not e'en one fear— If in willows' shade we might lie, And glimpse through swaying branches the magic sight Of moods that fill the golden sky As it dons the star-flecked sapphire veils of night. Life sent for our journey the hours, But gave us not one to spare for happy things; Not one for music or flowers. As though imbedded in our mind, ever rings The cry that these hours are soon gone; And the omnipresent fear there be no bread. By a thousand fears are we torn. Onward, we are into Eternity led, Very weary. Yet shall we smile For having rejoiced to feel the ecstasy Of kind hands leading us awhile, Of friendships made on this road of Destiny. �' ---•- THE SYRIAN WORLD 24 The Return Home (A SHORT STORY) By Louis MARON MAJIB was leaning on the railing of the upper deck at the stern of the ship. He was watching the unending, foamy path trailing behind them in the water. He could still see dimly the harbor of Beirut, in the distance, and a little nearer, the American University, his Alma Mater. His young, handsome face lit up as he fondly thought of the beautiful site of the college, of his evening walks around the campus, and of the magnificent view of the waters and harbor as seen from the college. Nothing had so inspired him as the lovely sunsets on the Mediterranean waters. He used to stay for hours at a time watching their colorful, slow progress, in enraptured silence. How he was going to miss these! Yet, they had told him of many more wonderful things in America. Perhaps they have beautiful sunsets there, too. His brain was a whirl of past and future events. He thought of his friends and how they had envied him when he told them that he was going to America to continue studying. He wondered if the college in New York was as nice as his in Beirut. His eyes kindled as he thought of New York! In a few weeks he would be there and see for himself all that was claimed for it. New York had always seemed to him a realm of opportunity and adventure; yet today, as he thought of it," he felt uneasy. His reveries seemed to have a flaw in them, a, worldly element which was constantly interrupting them and troubling him. And then he thought of his mother—sad and lonely, looking at him with pleading, tearful eyes. Yes, that was why his happiness was not complete. He covered his face with his hands. He was ashamed at the thought of leaving his mother without a word of parting. What would she do when she found out that he had gone—gone to a country which she knew so little about? He trembled! How would she bear it? He made a resolution, then, to pray each night for her welfare and health. Najib loved the fulfillment of his ambitions and had allowed this passing love to conquer his everlasting, sincere love for his mother. But �25 APRIL, 1930 lie would repay her! Yes, he would write to her always—comforting letters. He would earn much money in New York—New York, the city of fortune, teeming with good American dollars. Yes and he would send her many of them, and perhaps then she would be happv. The thought of acquiring money easily and quickly braced him. He straightened his strong, lithe body. Again he gazed at the rippling foam of the waters. He was surprised to rind that Night had suddenly taken possession of the world during his reveries. And he was glad. He loved Night; it helped him to dream such lovely things. The sight now from his position on the deck was much more beautiful than before. The moon was directly above the path of foam and was decorating it daintily with sparkling dots of silver. It was a perfect orb, with a soft, mellow halo about it. Fluffy, black clouds covered it now and then. Najib felt like a child and delighted in catching sight of it as it emerged from behind its temporary hiding place, beaming and radiant with light. He stayed there for a long while, discovering new sights and visions to refresh his sensitive, weary mind. * * Three years have passed and Najib is still in New York. He is now taking only one course at college, devoting most of the day to his work. He has had a hard time promoting a business enterprise of his own and even now he is having trouble trying to keep things going smoothly. Just a little time remains to himself and this he generously gives to his blond American friend He liked her ever since he met her at an affair given by one of his friends. She always seems to him so pleasant and cheerful He likes the way she pronounces his name and admires even more the way she talks in her inimitable, babyish way. His letters to his mother have dwindled to an average ot about one every four months. She is writing him faithfully, pleading with him to come back. She enquires constantly about his health and well-being. He knows in advance what each of her forthcoming letters will contain. Yet he likes to receive and read them He can picture his mother so vividly wnen reading her letters He wants to write to her more often, but his time is not his own. No, his time belongs to his business. His career needs all his attention now. When he becomes successful he will make up for everything. His mother must realize this. Doesn t �26 THE SYRIAN WORLD she want him to become rich? For then he could send for her his IitH " "IT f ,Ve *?&***"• He *nUes as he thinks of his little, o d-fash.oned mother. What would she think of New \ork and ,ts dazzlmg, breath-taking activities? He ho es she will bke his American friend. Yes, she will have to if she is to live with him. But, now, he must forget about the future and concentrate on his business. Plenty of time for these other things! * * * * nt is now more ful \yeHe £ hhas f Sdiscovered Fd ^ Najib ful, IutnT but not much. that his dreams of successacauir- NfwTorrevJntit "" "^ ^ ^ * "* ^ * Najib is changed. Success and riches do not lure him on to work as they used to. He has no more the blond, babyish^frienS With the sweet sm.le. He has no more the pitiful letters from m h, ag.„g th H ]S done now_]onesome and de nde°n He s,t at his desk and gazes blankly at the world. What ails him? l<or months he searches for the cause of his despondency It dawns upon him suddenly that he is homesick-homesick for everything—his mother, and Lebanon with its beautiful hills and plains. But most of all his mother. He longs to see her againYnSl rVKSt g°A baCk- ?°thing n°W entices hi to «tay in New York. O her, deeper things lure him. But he'll come back to New York! Oh, yes! For when he is well again, he will pick up he stray threads of his business and ambitions and everyth g y g will be as he wishes it to be. Again he is on the ship, standing on the spot where he had stood seven long years ago. He is thinking of the mother whom he has not seen for so many years! Is she changed? Will she greet him the way he had imagined she would? He dopes'so and is confident of it. * l He has reached his little town in Lebanon radiant with the thought of seeing his mother again. Najla, his childhood friend, tells him about her. Najib,s stunned! He cannot believe it He is dazed and seems oblivious to everything. Not until he has" seen the little rooms of his home, does he realize it all. He cries bitCOnSC IA U L flce tortures hi - Why hadn't he communiCr And his h dreams fututTf °/KtenerL "F and °P£S and o£ hears their future life ,together: Shattered lost! He constantly the soft, consoling voice of Najla—his mother's faithful com- PMHHBMIHHMHMHBHI ' �" 27 APRIL, 1930 panion. But not even that will fill the vacuum in his heart. He needs no comfort. He wants to fight it out alone with himself. Many months pass and Najib is still living in the same state of misery and loneliness. One day he finds himself gazing fondly at Najla, who is now keeping house for him as she had for his mother. Najla is pretty! Was she always like that? He never noticed it before. How quietly she went about her duty! Everything she does or says now seems perfect to him. Her presence makes him happier now. He wants her to be near him all the time. Najla is conscious of the sudden change in Najib. She blushes when their hands accidently touch. Najib wonders. Does she feel the same way about him as he does about her? He determines to find out! Would she ? He is relieved when she reassures him. Najib is happy. He hasn't felt so in such a long time that now it seems almost unreal. Najla is happy, too. Happy to be with him, and happy because they are going to America. On the day that they are to leave the little town of^ thenchildhood, Najla brings out a large oil painting of Najib's mother. Najib reverently kisses it and prepares it for its long journey home with them. Beethoven By THOMAS ASA Oh, immortal master of divine intent! Though you now rest in silence and repose, And thy knowing heart and eyes did close Upon the world you knew, with full content, Your deathless voice has chained this firmament jMade it forget its earthly cares and woes, Dispelled the menace of life's hidden floes— A messenger of love by Heaven sent. The wings of time shall bear the joyful praise Of creatures of the earth, with lips released By thy vicarious touch of Godly flame j That shall guide the soul through fruitful ways,A light to ages yet to come—till all has ceased} Your genius has not left the world the same. u �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD From Beirut to the Palestine Border A CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF THE EDITOR'S TRIP ABROAD By SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL VII RISING directly behind Beirut, and forming a sort of backdrop to the level plain which serves as stage to the capital city, is the district of Ash-Shouf, one of the most beautiful and populous sections of the Lebanon range. Aleih, the summer capital of the Lebanese Republic, is in this district, and although situated at an elevation of 2500 feet, the distance from the capital proper is but twenty minutes by automobile. Along the same latitude towards the south are a number of important towns but a few miles apart. If all places of interest in Lebanon were to be seen, these could not be missed. Aleih is the gateway to this section in that it lies directly on the Beirut-Damascus highway. It offers much of the cosmopolitan aspect} its cafes and shops and bustling traffic and general activity immediately betray its official character. But as one travels further south, away from the main highway, he comes more and more into the Lebanese atmosphere, although of a decidedly refined and modern character. The comparative proximity to the city and the increasing means of easy transportation have converted the towns of this district into virtual suburbs. I was told that since the war regular commutation to Beirut has been maintained during all seasons. Aside from considerations of general interest, I had definite personal reasons for visiting this section. Souk-El-Gharb is the hometown of my friend and schoolmate, Nasib Kalaf, and the summer residence of the great Arab scholar, Jabr Dumit, whose golden jubilee as teacher of Arabic in the American University of Beirut was celebrated only a year before. We were friends through correspondence, and in paying my respects to mm I �mamm APRIL, 1930 29 him I was voicing the admiration of his thousands of Syrian and Lebanese admirers throughout America. Alas that he should have passed away before the close of the year! From there the road led to Shamlan. This is a town I would not have failed to visit even if it were not so easy to reach. It is the hometown of our celebrated scholar Dr. Philip K. Hitti as well as that of our well-beloved compatriot Ibrahim K. Hitti. Who knows that this little hamlet will not some day house a national shrine? And only a few miles further south was Abeih, hometown of one of our shining literary lights in America, Dr. Salim\ . Alkazin. I could tell by the first glance at his venerable mother, sitting serenely on the stoop of her home facing the massive old church, whence had come her son's rich spiritual heritage. Ihen there must be something inspirational in the natural topography ot the town. It nestles snuggly on a bluff overlooking a succession of gently deploying valleys which terminate in the vast stretches of the coastal plain to the south of Beirut. The plain here appears like an immense checkerboard with its yellow patches of desert and green squares of sown. It merges harmoniously into the limpid blue of the placid Mediterranean. This circumscribed tour of the district was accomplished in a single afternoon. That night I spent in the city to permit ot my early continuation the next morning on the last eg ot my travels through Lebanon. At that season they were busily engaged in widening the road from Beirut to Sidon and covering it with asphalt. General traffic was permitted only at certain intervals during the day, and the authorities were most strict in showing no favoritism. Hence the necessity of an early departure. The morning of August 21 found us speeding south in the direction of the Palestine border. Soon we came to the famous olive grove of Shwaifat, said to be the third largest in the world. Then we passed the wireless station at Khalda, which is in daily communication with the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Ad-Damour, with its vast mulberry groves and numerous silk filatures, was the next town of importance on the way. At that time of the year, however, its river had almost dried up leaving the broad beach in a not altogether hospitable appearance of deso ation and nakedness. Tradition tells us, nevertheless, that it was hospitab e enough to Jonah when he was cast ashore by the inhospitable whale after his three days' incarceration. �1 30 ^ THE SYRIAN WORLD While passing through a small town below Ad-Damour, our chauffeur, who in this instance was a Metwali native of the section, brought his car to a sudden stop and complained of being hit by a pebble. Blood was trickling from a wound in his forehead just above the left eye. He had been more observant than we and said that two small boys about a hundred feet away were engaged at the pastime of pelting passersby with stones, and he would remonstrate with their parents who were the keepers of a nearby inn. At first we thought we would not interfere, but soon we heard piercing shrieks and screams from the direction of the inn. Fearing the little incident might develop into a serious affair between the chauffeur and the lads' parents we decided to investigate. Think of our surprise when, upon our arrival, we discovered the father belaboring the youngsters mercilessly with a mulberry twig. He was profuse in his apologies to us and to the chauffeur. "The boys are of an irresponsible age," he remarked, "but they must learn to welcome and protect strangers instead of molesting them." This was in strict keeping with the universally observed Lebanese tradition. We reached the city of Sidon shortly before noon. My cousin, Joseph Mokarzel, would not rest until he found his local agent. And he was right in his insistance, for the agent proved to be a neat young chap having ready access to all quarters and all places of historical interest in the city. The car could not travel in the narrow, tortuous streets of the old town, so he led the way on foot to the waterfront. Going through this once famous Phoenician seaport one did not have to draw much on his imagination to reconstruct its hoary civilization and the conditions under which its inhabitants of old lived and worked. The guide led us to places the ordinary tourist could hardly hope to see—through the old Moslem and Christian quarters, past rows of small doorways opening on inner courts that left much to be desired from the sanitary viewpoint. Every block seemed to be a fort in itself, built in heavy masonry with narrow and dingy passages giving the aspect of catacombs, and the denizens flitting about noiselessly like phantoms. The guide explained that he was leading to the old Crusaders' fort, of which only an isolated tower and a block house remained. But the objective did not prove as interesting as the sites encountered en route. At one time we actually had to stoop to pass under a stone arch supporting tower-like dwellings. He made the amazing statement that i �The plain of Saida, ancient Phoenician city, viewed from the piazza of a palace crowning one of the neighboring hills. o* �b; V: General view of the Crusaders'* Castle protecting the harbor and city of Saida. Its only value at present is that of a relic of antiquity. » <,m.... « m I .1.1 ill I MJXjf WgSWgB •oBpp si it �* APRIL, 1930 33 that passageway was actually not only a public thoroughfare, but one of the main traffic arteries of the old quarter of the city. Perhaps the most imposing sight in Sidon is the sea fort. It is reached over a causeway that has fallen in ruins in places and is covered by planks. Within this causeway was buijt an acqueduct to supply the fort with potable water during sieges. The lone guardian of the fort opened the dilapidated wooden door to let us into the enclosure. Alice Mokarzel, an Egyptianborn niece of Joseph Mokarzel, displayed not only bravery but sure-footedness in negotiating the risky passages of the fortifications We went as far as the extreme tower, at the base of which can still be observed, in a good stage of preservation, the ominous looking sea gate. What desperate hand-to-hand encounters must have taken place throughout the centuries in the narrow passages leading up from the landing within this tower! The guardian called our attention to the walls of the fort facing the sea in which were still embedded the solid cannon balls used before the invention of explosive shells. He also pointed -' out the ruins of what was once the chapel during the occupation Tof the Crusaders. , .. , The mental picture of days gone by, with all their bloody and desperate struggles, evoked by the sight of these historic ruins, was rudely shattered when we repaired to what was described to us as the cleanest restaurant in town. There we discovered that this was made possible through the enterprise of a former Syrian emigrant in America, one who had seen service on Atlantic Ave. in Brooklyn and who was now doing a thriving business by providing his patrons with clean napkins and decent service. We could have continued from Sidon to the other famous Phoenician city, Tyre. But I chose to visit Jedaidat Merjioun and enter Palestine from the inland route. The road led to the Khardaly Bridge, where the French army made its last desperate stand against the Druze rebels in 1925 and effectively stemmed their tide. Above this bridge, on the crest of a steep hill whose bare sides rise almost perpendicularly from the depth of the valley, is the famous Crusaders fort of Shakif, its black walls silhouetted menacingly against the azure skies. One could hardly imagine a more imposing and awe-inspiring sight. Before reaching Jedaidat we stopped at a melon-grower's hut to sample the watermelons for which this section is noted. �I —IIW MMMn 34 THE SYRIAN WORLD A section of the old. sea fortification of Sidon, now partly used as dwellings, as viewed from the causeway leading to the Crusaders' Castle. They proved to be of a small variety, only a little larger in some cases than ordinary oranges. They are sold by weight and the virtues ascribed to them were surprising. "Place the melon in the shade for three minutes and it becomes as cold as ice," asserted the vender. We acted on his advice but were not convinced. The natural flavor of the melon, however, was all that was claimed for it. That evening I was the guest of Ceasar Rashid, brother of mv good friend in America Mubadda Rashid of Chautauqua. About twenty prominent citizens attended the dinner, and their geniality, hospitality and culture were in keeping with the standard of their compatriots in America. The host requested George Samra, then on a visit from New York, to act as toastmaster. The speakers included Dr. Mujalli Jabara, George Nada, George Shadid, Dr. Michel Jabara, N. Farha, Alfred Samra and the editor of Al-Nahdat, one of the two local papers. In responding, it was but natural to tell the homefolks of the wonderful success their townsmen had achieved in America. The immigrants of Jedaidat are a credit to the Syrians in every field of endeavor. It was most gratifying to learn of the extent of progressiveness among the inhabitants of Jedaidat. Here is a town that is MM I �\\ APRIL, 1930 35 A general view of Jedaidat, taken from the highest hill of the town which is to be soon converted to a reservoir through the enterfrise of Jedaidat immigrants in America. one-hundred per cent, literate. Education is paramount in the mind of every citizen so that out of a population of two thousand, the twelve hundred minors of school age all attend school. In this respect it may be held out as the ideal town of Lebanon. Another virtue of the citizens of Jedaidat is their civic pride and patriotic solidarity. While entering the town I noticed a beautiful cemetery, surrounded by a neat stone wall above which could be seen stately cypresses and numerous elaborate tombstones. Inquiry revealed that all denominations, Orthodox, Catholics and Protestants, had subordinated denominational differences to the creation of this civic enterprise. Jedaidat supports two weekly newspapers, both well edited and of good typographical appearance. They not only serve the local community, but furnish the connecting link between the town and its emigrant sons abroad. _ Ceasar Rashid accompanied me on a visit to the Melchite cathedral where we met the Rt. Rev. Clement Sayegh who had just returned from a visit to South America. The bishop was occupying temporary quarters while his residence was being rebuilt after it had been destroyed by the Druzes during their occupation of Jedaidat in their last revolution. The church building during those eventful times was used as a stable, and the I �:^*y BaasMSM ': aaiBw 56 THE SYRIAN WORLD mf!e*w;- i 77;,* Old-Country conception of kaif—a picnicking party at the headwaters of the Hasbani river on an improvised island-cafe. Running water is music to Lebanese ears. sacred vessels carried away. Bullet marks were still visible in the dome and other parts of the church. N. Farha treated me to a pleasant surprise. He led me up the highest hill in Jedaidat commanding a superb view of the countryside for miles around. "On this spot," he said, "we plan to build a reservoir which not only will supply Jedaidat with drinking water to be distributed in the homes, but also furnish ample water for irrigation purposes. Water is plentiful in yonder river below, and the hydroelectric power we will generate will serve both to supply the town with light and power and serve to pump the water to the reservoir. Then this arid land will be transformed into radiant gardens. We could ship the produce to nearby and distant markets and can the remainder according to American methods for home and foreign markets. This will become possible when power is made available. Building of home industry is the salvation of the country." Farha was a successful business man in the United States. He returned to Lebanon early in 1929 to devote himself to the promotion of this project in which he is being morally and financially supported by his fellow immigrants of Jedaidat in America. He has already secured the franchise from the Lebanese government. �APRIL, 1930 37 Part of the party at the Hasbani river during the editor's visit to Jedaidat. Mr. Farha is the bare-headed man with glass in center. Mrs. Farha is mixing the ingredients for the Kibbe. With such initiative and enterprise, Jedaidat could be transformed into a garden spot. The following morning we breakfasted at the modern home of the Samras. The revolution had visited this, as well as many other homes in Jedaidat, with either complete or partial destruction, and all are being rebuilt or repaired principally with funds from America. Nejib Samra went back home for a visit a few years ago, and his brother George undertook the same pilgrimage last year, and each contributed to make the parental home a model of modern comfort. One is actually overwhelmed by the wholehearted hospitality of the people of Jedaidat. I was anxious to cross early into Palestine, only a few miles distant, but they insisted on treating me to a real picnic at the headwaters of the Hasbani River. Farha was host on this occasion and the lambs slaughtered and the Kibbe pounded and the Arac provided were sufficient to provision an army. And we were in fact a small army and lived up to the most accepted army traditions in this respect. There must have been in Jedaidat at the time more than a score who were returning from the United States alone for a visit to the homeland. One of these was bent on roughing it to the limit When the party broke up in the late afternoon he despisingiy spurned the offer to ride back to town in an automo- �THE SYRIAN WORLD 38 bile. Shouldering his gun and rolling up his pants almost to the knee, he hit the road alone with the assertion that he would reach town before dark. Close by Jedaidat is the town of Hasbaya which was the scene of a bloody massacre during the uprising of 1860 and to which we paid a short visit. Midway between Jedaidat and Hasbaya is Kawkaba, whose inhabitants covered themselves with glory by their valiant defense of their homes during the recent revolution. From time immemorial the history of that part of Syria seems to be a continuous record of bloody feuds. I crossed the border into Palestine that afternoon only to encounter another bloody outbreak with the memorable Arab-Jewish riots of August 23. The Syrian Laborer By JONARD EGIS "THE factory whistles shriek: it's five o'clock. The mother lays her child in bed and goes To heat the supper "Liz, be sure to rock The baby if he cries." Fair Lizbeth throws Her doll aside and runs to baby's bed, To look into his laughing eyes and say That baby has the prettiest little head In all the world. It seems, at end of day, Her brother feels that father will arrive; For now he smiles and waves his clenched fist To show the world he's happy he's alive. The mother looks outside: a treacherous mist Pervades the streets and father has not worn His coat She worries In the hall she hears His step At last the father's come. Man born To work is he: a giant with no fears —Except that one, of God. No school had he In youth to aid him in his later life; No books of science and philosophy; Yet see what Life has granted him: a wife Who loves, is faithful; children satisfied; A place called Home to which he returns at night: A happy, God-bless'd man, who spaces wide Can face and shout that all on Earth is right. it �APRIL, 1930 39 Book Reviews ANOTHER NOTABLE BOOK BY RIHANI Around the Coasts of Arabia, by Ameen Rihani, New York, Houghton Mifflin Company, 364 pp. $6.00. ANY book by Ameen Rihani on Arabia is bound to be hailed as a distinct contribution to Arabian lore. His former book entitled Maker of Modern Arabia, or Ibn Saoud, His Country and His People, was considered the most notable addition in modern times to the sum total of our knowledge on Arabia. And if it is so considered with almost common consent it must rank among the most notable contributions of all times, because Arabia remains today as in all times past the country of inscrutable mystery of whose forbidden interior only the most daring had ever had a glimpse. Not so, however, with our celebrated author and traveler Rihani. He had access to every spot in Arabia with the exception of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. And even these he could have seen if he but wished to profess Islam, but this he would not do not through any religious scruples, but simply because he would not buy a privilege on any condition. He is so broad on matters religious that he could not conscientiously be bound to any one creed. Rihani's accounts of his Arabian experiences and adventures lose nothing, however, through this seeming deficiency. Of the two Moslem holy cities Mecca is by far the most important, and Mecca is forbidden to all but Moslems, which puts it beyond the immediate interest of travelers, while descriptions of it so far published by Moslems and others have deprived it of a good deal of its element of mystery. All other parts of Arabia, however, are lands of potentialities, yet only very little was known about them. Never before, we believe, was such a comprehensive account given of these parts of the world as in Rihani's recent work. . ,.,- j Rihani is one of the very few contemporaries qualified to speak authoritatively on modern Arabia. His travels in that country were conducted under the most auspicious circumstances.y T,rw-~i**"**- �ammamm 40 THE SYRIAN WORLD making it possible for him to learn and observe what the casual traveler could never hope to know. He was the guest of the Arab potentates wherever he went, inasmuch as his professed object was to bring about a federation of Arab states. Arabic, besides, being his native language, he was able to gather all his information first-hand. While in his former work Rihani dealt with Ibn Saoud's kingdom, in his other book just published he deals with all the countries along the Arabian coasts. The book is in five parts, the first dealing with the author's experiences while with King Husein in the Hijaz, the second while with the Adrisi, the third is on the subject of Kuwait, the fourth about Bahrain and the fifth about Aden and the Protectorates. The book abounds with interesting information and anecdote. Rihani in it is at his best and the reader finds himself fascinated by the charm of description and the wealth of material. One almost lives with the author those memorable days he spent with each potentate, so vivid and gripping the style. To our readers this, as well as other books by Rihani, should have a special appeal. The author is one of us, and to share with his host of admirers throughout the English-speaking world their admiration of him is the least that could be expected of us We should have his works not alone as a gesture of appreciation but as a distinctive mark of culture in our homes and pride in our men of outstanding achievement. A USEFUL BOOK The Syrian-American Directory Almanac for 1930, Arida and Andria, New York, $2.50. By the publication of this book, Nasib Arida and Sabri Andria have rendered the Syrian community a genuine service which fills a Jong-felt want. The arrangement of the work is comprehensive. It is divided into two main parts, the first being in Arabic and containing much useful information serving as a source of ready reference on Syrian history, political divisions of the country and a historical sketch of Syrian immigration to the United States, while the other section contains a business and residential directory of Manhattan and Brooklyn in both Arabic m —— a t r \ �I APRIL, 1930 41 IF. and English. This should prove invaluable for business purposes whether for Syrian or American concerns wishing to circularize the Syrians. The publishers promise to issue the directory annually, with additions that will gradually cover all parts of the United States and perhaps, in time, Canada and Mexico. With the appearance of Arida and Andria's publication, announcement was made of similar projects to.be undertaken locally for the city of Detroit and the State of California. Naturally, when the Syrian-American Directory is complete, as we hope it will be in time, the other local directories will become unnecessary. A Syrian-American Business Directory for all the United States was published over twenty years ago by S. A. Mokarzel and H. Otosh. It was discontinued after the first year for lack of sufficient public support. Now, after the lapse of almost a quarter of a century, we trust that the Syrian community will appreciate the benefits of such a useful public enterprise sufficiently to lend it their support so that it may not prove as shortlived as its predecessor. A BOOK ON RELIGION The Pearl of Revelation, by Rev. Emmanuel Elkouri Hanna, published by the author, 88 Washington St., New York City. Rev. Emmanuel Elkouri Hanna is a Syrian Catholic missionary priest in America known among his friends for his original theories as to the High Priest Melkizadek. In the foreword to his book he makes plain the fact that one of his principal objects in its publication is to "show who was Melkizadek and to prove that he was a true man, a true priest and a true king having a real father and mother." Other objects of the book are "to prove that the sacrifices of the Old Law were real symbols of our Divine Sacrifice, which is the Manna from Heaven; and that the institution of the Holy Eucharist is Divine." Church authorities and theologians are better judges of the merits of such a work, and their approval is apparent from the fact that it is published by the authority of His Eminence Cardinal Hayes of New York. The dedication is to the Rt. Rev. Joseph Schrembs, bishop of Cleveland, Ohio. �MM 42 THE SYRIAN WORLD ENGLISH AND ARABIC MANUAL MB k a G eya by Ur A J ArbeeJ ~ N.^ Z \y\~ ti k - - ^ M. Dwb, N. Y., 670 pp. $6.00. Publisked by The second edition of this useful book was published by N. M . Diab, editor of the Mirror of the West, who bought the pub^ n rl ^Jrpmtht estate of the author, the late Dr. Arbeely I he second edition is printed from the original plates of the firk and is in every respect similar to it. I 7 ?A cArbeely was one of the first Syrian immigrants to the United States Having had his English education in the mother! land and following it up to a great deal of advantage in Amer- MSST*qualified for such a difficult work as appears Mainly, the object of the book is to serve as a self-instructor m English to readers of Arabic. The lessons are simplified by the= transliteration of the exercises and the giving of the pronunciation in both languages. In this respect it is one of the most useful books to be had in its class. An added advantage of the work is the appendix consisting of forty pages intended to help English-speaking persons learn the Arabic language. The same simple and effective method is here lollowed as in the other part of the book dealing with the teaching of English to Arabic-speaking persons REVISED ENGLISH-ARABIC DICTIONARY Ellas' Modem Dictionary, by Elias A. Elias, Ettas' Modern Press, Cairo, Egypt. Mr Elias' Dictionary is by no means the only one of its nature, but it surely ranks among the best. In its revised form appearing late in 1929, many corrections and additions have been introduced making the work more serviceable and dependable whether for the student or the scholar. The hundreds of illustrations occurring in it give it a decided advantage. Other recent publications by this publishing concern include Arabic translations of The Socialistic Movement, by Ramsay MacDonald; A Monk's Romance, by Alexis Bouvier, and other novels and works on sociology by English and French authors �APRIL, 1930 43 EDITORIAL COMMENT lished in a former issue a short report by Miss Hilda Fox on the Lebanon Hospital for pOR Dr. Corban's enthusiasm Mental diseases. We now wish over the Lebanon Hospital to announce that we have refor Mental Diseases, otherwise ceived from Miss Fox a numknown as Asfuriyeh, there is a ber of copies of the latest report plausible reason. He is a spec- on this institution for free disialist in mental diseases and is tribution. Anyone interested in a position to appreciate the may write us for a copy and it great need of such institutions. will be cheerfully sent him. Mentally deranged persons are We are again referring to no longer considered, in this advanced age, as being pos- this hospital apropos of the sessed by the devil and shackled publication of Dr. Corban's and confined to dungeons. communication on the subject. Medical science, combined with We cannot too highly comhumanitarian treatment, has mend the active .interest which restored many an unfortunate this New Zealand-born Lebto a normal condition of health. anese physician has taken in the Neglect in the initial stages of promotion of this project. It mental, as well as of other dis- would be most gratifying to eases and physical irregulari- see some Syrian or Lebanese ties, is bound to aggravate the physician in all other countries patient's conditions and perhaps follow his lead. Such work falls lead to an incurable state, naturally within the province whereas scientific care, applied of medical men and they in time, might prove the means should take the initiative in promoting it. A physician apof a complete cure. In our age of high-tension preciates more than any other living, mental derangements the importance of mental hyand nervous breakdowns are giene and the necessity of such more prevalent than in former humanitarian enterprises, and a times. Hence the necessity of committee of physicians, if greater attention and care, and formed for the purpose, should the urgency of providing suit- find little difficulty in interestable means for the proper treat- ing our men of wealth in the cause. ment of mental ills. Dr. Corban has taken the THE SYRIAN WORLD pub- ASFURIYEH A CRITERION �44 initiative in New Zealand. He has succeeded in interesting the local press and raising considerable funds. He has set the goal for his campaign at $15,000. A further and most important consideration is that we cannot depend forever in the upkeep of our educational and humanitarian institutions on foreign charity. All claim to national pride and all assertion of the right for independence fail of their own weight when we make no concrete move to take care of our own public institutions. Independence in educational and charitable enterprises should even be more important to us than economic independence. The latter will follow as a natural result of the former. We cannot hope to develop a national consciousness when our educational and charitable destinies are controlled and directed by foreigners. So far practically all institutions of higher education in Syria have been established and are still directed by foreigners, principally missionary interests. The same statement, with perhaps a few exceptions of recent origin, applies to charitable enterprises. This condition of continued dependence on foreigners spells ill for the country's future. THE SYRIAN WORLD But with the present awakening of national consciousness this condition should not be suffered to continue much longer. Already we are extended the invitation to share in the management, and ultimately to assume complete control, of many such institutions. We would naturally retain for the founders the gratitude due their benevolent initiative, but aside from that, control and direction should be in our hands. The American University of Beirut is one of the institutions coming under this class—the last campaign to raise funds from among its alumni and their friends was launched on this understanding. It was a clear invitation to the natives to share in the support and management of the institution with the avowed purpose of ultimately assuming full control. Other institutions may be expected to adopt the same policy. Our fate is in our own hands, and it would behoove us to ponder the result of our continued dependence on foreign charity, and to seriously consider the effect of such dependence on our national character, for then we might be prompted to accelerate the movement for educational and economic independence which we believe is bound to come eventually. �APRIL, 1930 POTENTIAL FIELD 45 would still have ten or fifteen thousand Syrian-Americans of a comparatively high standard of education. Are these not sufficient as potential readers? A correspondent from South Africa writes that his greatest regret is that he cannot compete in THE SYRIAN WORLD What would seem to be the contest for a free trip to Syria. greatest obstacle in reaching This would indicate that the this large number of Syrians is idea of a free trip finds favor that they are too widely scatwith lovers of travel, especially tered. But, on the other hand, when travel is to the homeland that should be all the more of one's ancestors. Here in reason why they should be America we have had unstinted reached. Protracted isolation praise of the idea. It is agreed will in time result in complete that the prize is valuable, the loss of one's racial identity. terms liberal and the object This would be unfortunate for most worthy. But why no con- what it would mean in the futestant has so far approached ture. Knowledge and appreciathe goal we are at a loss to un- tion of one's ancestral backderstand, except that entrants ground is a decided asset in the in the contest are unwilling or cosmopolitan nature of the unable to give the work suf- American nation, and a symficient time and effort. Other- pathetic understanding of one's wise the goal should be easy of racial cutlure would mean a attainment. The excuse of distinct addition to American hard times is not sufficient to culture now in process of forstand in the way of securing a mation. hundred subscriptions. Syrians in America can contribute largely along this line. Out of a total of 250,000 Syrians in the United States, It would be a sad commentary 100,000 at least are American- on our racial pride if we canborn. All these must have at- not be aroused to an adequate tended school, and no less than appreciation of our singular fifty per cent, must have grad- racial heritage. We are only too anxious to uated from high school. Pubhave someone win the prize. lication of THE SYRIAN WORLD was undertaken primarily for But it is only reasonable that this element. They should all in order to win one should be potential readers. Even if show results commensurate we were to concede a drastic with the value of the prize reduction in this estimate we offered. i �46 THE SYRIAN WORLD Readers' Forum SYRIAN SPECIALIST SUPPORTS ASFURIYEH HOSPITAL PROJECT Dr. Corban of New Zealand has Faith that Syrians will not Be Satisfied with Erection of One Ward. Editor The Syrian World I was very glad indeed to see commendable and honourable mention of the Lebanon Mental Hospital in your November issue. Unlike yourself, I have not yet had the good fortune to pass by on the Beirut-Damascus road and view in reality what you bear witness to as "the trim buildings, the well-kept grounds, and the apparently contented inmates giving indications of efficiency and benevolence in management." At the moment I cannot think of any more worthy object for interested Syrians to spend their money on in their old home'and, unless indeed it be the direct relief of any of their own relatives in necessitous circumstances. At heart the average Syrian is a supporter of good causes, and often a builder of worthy structures. Before men had enough medical knowledge to take practical interest in cooperative healing, they inclined more to the attractions of religious belief, and sacred edifices formed a common vehicle for expressing themselves. Then came general hospitals. Finally the most highly specialized of all, dealing with the mind—mental hospitals. Religion, physical healing, mental healing—a serial of progress in three chapters. In all these the Arab mind has played a significant role. Dr. Withington in his book "Medical History from the Earliest Times," states that "in an age when no Christian monarch, with the rare exceptions of Charlemagne and Alfred the Great, troubled himself in the slightest about the education of his subjects or the progress of science and literature, we find Caliph after Caliph, and Vizier after Vizier establishing schools and libraries for the public benefit, and filling their courts with pihysicians and philosophers. Their remarkable generosity to the former would alone entitle them to the gratitude of the profession, and even had the Arabs themselves made no scientific discoveries, they would at least deserve the praise of having encouraged others to do so." Nearer home, we have the testimony of Usamah and others to show that the older Arab physicians had an intelligent conception of the treatment of mental disorder. Are we sufficiently honouring their skill and wisdom by exercising in the present generation more than a passing interest in their achievements? A tendency of the present age is to take the big things of the past for granted while hurrying on to ultra modern stunts. With what exuberance does the modern Syrian scatter a few thousand dollars in a big to-do to express delight on some such occasion, say, as a memorable air-journey by a Carranza? When those in high places pass by in the land, the Syrian is ready to meet and to fete. \ f,' �1" APRIL, 1930 Of course open-heartedness can be and is expressed in many channels. One will build a neat new church in his old native village; another will be benevolent to a charity in his new Western home. Being specially interested in mental hygiene I perhaps run some risk of being labelled biased, or of seeing the world along one main path. As the business man roughly classifies humanity for his purpose into those who buy and those who sell, so I suppose the doctor cleaves a line between those who are sick and those who are well; the psychiatrist likewise into the more or less sane and the more or less insane. The absence of any sharp-demarcated boundary should make all thinking folk attempt to visualize the aspect from either side. Miss Hilda Fox's article and your endorsement are very timely and deserving of the consideration of all Syrians Who realize the necessity of dissimulating indifference to past heritages from the illustrious Arabs, and the urgency of present day claims to exercise the benevolent instinct in a thoroughly sound channel. Only Miss Fox was far too modest in suggesting the donation of one mere ward— a good half dozen would better meet the case. At our hospital here (Tokanui Mental Hospital, Kihikihi, N. Z.) we have this week opened modern wards for over a hundred patients, and the extensions are contemplated to make provision for at least a thousand. In addition, there is also being erected a very fine new nurses' home to house over sixty. At the very least, a hospital like Asfuriyeh wants its accommodation douK • d almost right away. A hospital run on such amazingly sound and proper lines should be as speedily as possible built up to a minimum of five hundred beds. It would then 47 be in a position to make its facilities and amenities properly known, and it could easily be filled within a short time with all manner of mental patients. This amplifying of accommodations on the; very modern system of detached wards (houses or villas) allows both the proper classification of patients according to type, and the provision of more homelike and curative features without the evils of overcrowding. Housing of staff is also most important—nurses deserve all the consideration that can be given to make their work more efficient and pleasant to themselves and their charges. The great object of a mental hospital is not much to harbour nervous wrecks (the old idea, hence the term asylum) as to cater to individuals in the early stages of mental disorder and speedily return them to their former useful spheres in a condition of normalcy. Mental hospitals in the Near East are frightfully inadequate in accommodation when measured by Western standards. Whatever the French may have done in Syria for the improvement and betterment of its inhabitants, the handling of the problem of mental hygiene has not been one of their strong points. The more the pity, since it was a great Frenchman, Philippe Pinel, who over a century ago did much to bring the treatment of insanity into the high place it now occupies. Contemporary with him was the great English Quaker, William Luke, who in 1792 established at York the long famous Retreat, a hospital in close sympathy with that at Asfuriyeh. Where others may have failed, then, the Syrians the world over now have upon them the duty of focussing their attention and interest upon problems which are gaining in importance and which merit con- �48 THE SYRIAN WORLD certed effort and action. I feel that "Western Civilization." the greatest difficulty with the SyrDr. Bishara observed that Mozart ians in the past has been insufficient and Beethoven were among the first acquaintance with the problems con- great musicians who intuitively refronting them at home and abroad. cognized the inherent beauty and For that reason alone they should dignity of Arabic musical themes. support any magazine like The Syr- No nationalistic school of music has ian World which coordinates thought been able to escape the subtle fasciand action, and expounds and feanation of oriental melody. The Rustures those problems touching upon sian school, which is preeminently the welfare of the race. Therefore oriental in tendency, is prominently in view of the publicity which has now been given to the Lebanon Hos- represented by the composer Rimpital in your pages, it would be dis- sky-Korsakov, who employs oriental appointing if the assistance were themes in his "Scheherazade" symlimited to a single ward especially phonic suite. The Norwegian school when there are probably patriotic is represented by Grieg with his individuals who would be glad to "Peer Gynt" suite; the French school personally donate a ward privately, contributed "Samson et Dalila" by Saint-Saens, and the Spanish and if only the claims are made suffiItalian schools are likewise repreciently clear to them. I have nosented. where else heard of such a good In the classical works of Beethoward being able to be erected and ven, specifically where the minor furnished for the very small sum of signatures are employed, we are £'3000. But one feels that the Syrians abroad will miss no occasion frequently arrested by measures in of showing that they will not let which Arabic themes are almost such opportunities pass by without exclusively developed. In the hands acquitting themselves honourably. of this great genius the simple meloC. Assid Corban, M. B., Ch. B. dies of Syria and Arabia assume, Kihikihi, New Zealand, with their new harmonic embellishments, forms of entrancingly original euphony, making them equal if ARABIC THEMES IN not superior to other musical sysWESTERN MUSIC tems. And it is in the spirit of admiration and gratitude that I feel, Mozart and Beethoven recognized and the Syrian world in general their inherent beauty and dignity. should feel, for the service rendered by this great master, in whom no raEditor, The Syrian World: The very interesting article con- cial prejudice existed, and who recogtributed by Dr. K. A. Bishara to a nized inherent beauty and worth former issue of "The Syrian World" regardless of the source, that I have impressed me as being decidedly inscribed the slight but sincere apopportune during the present period preciation which is enclosed. Thomas Asa. of racial agitation. The article furW. Brownsville, Pa. ther emphasizes the incalculable influence the Arabic-speaking world has had in the formation of what is ambiguously designated the Editor's Note—A poem by Mr. Asa on Beethoven is published elsewhere in this issue. h ( 1 �APRIL, 1930 49 Political Developments in Syria PALESTINE , < England has taken a definite stand against the principal demand of the Palestine Arabs looking towards the establishment of representative government, for the prosecution of which they had sent a delegation to London. The refusal of England is based on the claim that such a proposal is incompatible with the requirements of the mandate. The mandate, on the other hand, is an instrument entrusted to England by the League of Nations, and to act contrary to its provisions would be a breach of trust. This England will not undertake to do. Lord Passfield, the Colonial Secretary, according to a dispatch to the New York Times from London under date of May 14, gave the Grand Mufti and his colleagues of the Palestine-Arab delegation a sweeping rebuff, reaffirming the fidelity of the MacDonald government to the Palestine mandate. The Arab delegation had arrived in London shortly before the publication of the Shaw commission's report. Among other things, the delegation urged the immediate creation of a Palestine Parliament in which Arabs and Jews would be represented in proportion to their present population. This demand Great Britain refuses to concede, as indicated by the following official statement of the Colonial office: "The conversations which have taken place in London between members of the Government and the Palestine Arab delegation are now at an end. The delegation has expressed its views on a number of subjects, particularly land, immi- gration and the grant of a constitution. His Majesty's Government has taken note of its view on these subjects. "It was pointed out to the delegation that the sweeping constitutional changes demanded by them were wholly unacceptable since they would have rendered it impossible for His Majesty's Government to carry out its obligations under the terms of the mandate. It was made clear that no proposals could be considered which were incompatible with the requirements of the mandate." The Arab delegation made no attempt to conceal its bitterness at this turn of events. It immediately retaliated by the publication of the following statement: "We have decided to leave for home with the-: impression that the Palestine Arab case will not be justly solved by the British Government, with which the Zionists have such great influence as to hinder it from doing justice or from removing injustices in our case. We are convinced tJhat every Arab in Palestine prefers to die in defense of his natural rights and existence than to submit to the oppression inflicted by any measure of coercion. As the Arab and Moslem worlds are our co-partners in Palestine, it is our duty to make them acquainted with the dangerous situation threatening, the very existence of their holy country and brother inhabitants." The general impression in London is that the Palestine situation is now worse than it ever was before. It is plain from the statement �50 THE SYRIAN WORLD of the Arab delegation that they The Alshura, an Arabic newspaper count on the support of their broth- in Cairo, which is the Palestine Arab er Moslems in India whom England Nationalist's organ, has telegraphed is endeavoring to play against the to London demanding the Arab poHindu followers of Mahatma Gan- litical delegation to return as a sign dhi, in the present civil disobeof protest, while other Arab organs dience movement. What success such declare the delegation ought to retactics will 'have is a matter of con- turn and devote itse'f to internal jecture. It is plain however, that activity which has been neglected in neither the Arabs nor the Jews are the past few years, saying: satisfied, the former because of the "It is impossible to solve the Arab denial of their demands and the latter because of the nature of the problem in London as long as it remains unsolved in Jerusalem." Shaw report. New life seems to have been inThat Palestine is facing a new jected in the Palestine Arab cause era of political disturbance owing to the recent developments may be in America with the arrival in New inferred from a dispatch to * the York, the latter part of April, of a New York Times from its Jerusalem new Palestine-Arab delegation comcorrespondent dated April 10 which posed of Emir Adel Arslan and Issa states that Mahatma Gandhi's cam- Bandak, editor of Sawt Ash-Shaab (Voice of the People). Emir Arslan, paign in India is having a considerhead of the delegation, is a brother able effect upon the political conof Emir Shakib who came to Amersciousness of the Near East. In Palica on a similar mission in 1927. estine, the correspondent further He took active part in the Dru/.e reports, a new Arab political party revolt against the French in Syria • ailed Isteqlal, (meaning independand chose voluntary exile with Sulence) intends to imitate Gandhi's tan Pasha Atrash in the Arabian methods to some extent and is ordesert. ganizing ;i procession of youths in In a public- statement which the cities, towns and villages throughdelegation gave to the Arabic press, out Palestine similar to Gandhi's inarch in India. they declared that they represented The Isteqlalists aim thus to re- the Central Arab Relief Committee vive the movement against Arabs of Jerusalem which is the financial selling their lands to Jews. The branch of the Central Arab Execuyouths will be called the "Arab tive Committee, and that their misDefense Army," and the party's sion was two-fold: first to collect newspaper the Meraat Elsharq, has relief funds, and the second to lay already appealed to Arab youths before the Palestine Arabs of Amerurging participation in the week- ica authentic information on conditions in the motherland in the hope long march. of enlisting their interest in the reAral, feeling in Palestine is greathabilitation of the country and inly aroused over Prime Minister ducing theni to invest in its agriMad >ona Id's statement in the House cultural development. Purchase of of Commons that Britain does not land by the Arabs, they insist, will intend to relinquish her mandate or not only result in considerable finabrogate the Balfour Declaration. ancial profit to investors but will • 3 �APRIL, 1930 51 27, 1927, and their resolve to extend the hand of conciliation to the French on an honorable basis. Later elections were held to the SYRIA Constituent Assembly in which the The official view of the Syrian Nationalists emerged victors and Nationalist Party is that the polit- made a sincere attempt to interpret ical situation in the country is the will of the nation in formulatgrowing more alarming. The nation ing the draft of the constitution. is being driven to desperation by the Great was their surprise when they continued inaction of the French were called upon to eliminate the six authorities in finding a suitable principal clauses which the French solution to the present difficulties claimed to be objectionable. Then and the protracted silence of the followed the suspension of the AsHigh Commissioner is interpreted sembly for a period of three months as bearing ominous portent. Never- and the growing gravity of the sittheless, the Syrian official stand is uation attending this troublesome period was such as to tax the nathat of patient waiting. The above conclusion is deduced tion's utmost patience. This proved from the statement published in the conclusively, however, the nation's aptitude to weather political crises form of an open letter to the Syrian nation by Hashem Bey El-Atassi, inasmuch as they retained their leader of the Syrian Nationalist self-control in spite of the increasdevelopments. Party and President of the Con- ingly aggravating stituent Assembly, reporting the "We have repeatedly appealed to result of his conversation with High the nation to be patient and it conCommissioner Ponsot upon the tinually showed admirable response, latter's return from France. The but we now entertain the gravest meeting took place in Beirut on fear that its patience will soon be April 11 and El-Atassi's statement exhausted as a result of repeated was published on the 15th. Through- disappointments." out the document there runs a feelThe statement further points out ing of deep disappointment and bit- that the Syrian nation adhered to terness but hope is nevertheless its policy of peaceful cooperation manifested in the ultimate success in spite of repeated adjournments of the cause through the tradi- of the Assembly, hoping the French will in the end act on their protional liberalism of France. The Syrian leader prefaces his fessed good faith. This continued statement by an account of the trials until Jan. 11, 1929, when the High the long under which the country labored Commissioner offered during the first eight years of awaited solution which proved only French occupation, and in which a means for the annulment of the there were continued efforts to reach whole constitution in that it suga proper solution of the political gested deferring action on the six problem that would safeguard to objectionable clauses until after the the nation its self-respect. The enactment of treaty relations bepacific intentions of the Syrians tween France and Syria. Still the were demonstrated by the meeting Syrians showed patience and M. of their leaders at Beirut on October Ponsot again sailed for France and also have considerable effect on the Arab cause politically. : [ �THE SYRIAN WORLD the Syrians awaited his return with high hopes. But weeks and months passed without his undertaking a move for the solution of the problem. Meanwhile the Executive Bureau of the Constituent Assembly continued functioning within the rights invested in it by the Assembly, and by this authority addressed the High Commissioner suggesting a conference. This took place in Beirut on April 11, and although it lasted over an hour all that could be drawn out of the High Commissioner was the indefinite promise of "undertaking soon a definite solution of the problem based on the same liberal attitude characterizing his former policy." At this point El-Atassi appeals to the nation for further patience and for the maintenance of the spirit of solidarity which alone is a guarantee of ultimate success. "The history of nations is replete with object lessons. No weakness can overcome a nation unless that nation becomes divided upon itself. The greatest crisis in the life of any nation is when it gives itself up to internal quarrels and dissensions and thereby lays itself open to the designs of the foreigner. I would exhort you to maintain your united front as this is your best guarantee of retelling the aggressor. This in your hands is the most effective weapon against force. For a solid union I appeal to you, as well as forrising above personal rancor which might stand in the way of such union. The ground of your country soaked with the blood of your martyrs cries loud to you to be solidly united." The French High Commissariat maintained its habitual silence in the face of these developments and the only unconfirmed rumor ap- mmm* pearing in the press is that M. Ponsot is still studying the problem. M. Ponsot paid a visit to Damascus after his conference with the Syrian Nationalist leader but met there only French officials. A current report is that he plans another visit to Paris soon for a further conference with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There is now in Syria a growing tendency for joining the proposed Arab federation under the leadership of King Ibn Saoud. Political observers claim to see in this orientation of Syrian public opinion a triumph of English diplomacy into the hands of which the French are playing unwittingly. England is now at peace with the Arab elements and if Syria were to be drawn into an Arab federation France would find herself facing a new problem which would make her position in the East extremely untenable. LEBANON The cabinet of August Pasha Adib, formed March 25, submitted its program to the Legislative Assembly on April 5 and was accorded a vote of confidence. The same reform plans laid down by the Eddy cabinet were adhered to with the exception of those objectionable clauses which caused the latter's downfall, especially those touching on education. A new and serious development in Lebanon is the advocacy by the Moslem element of a change in the relations between Lebanon and France to take the form now existing between Iraq and England. This movement is expected to meet with little success, but it will tend to demonstrate to the mandatory power the disastrous effects of its continued policy of temporization. - �APRIL, 1930 5$ About Syria and Syrians conceal the fact of his Syrian extraction. His affiliation with the American-Syrian Federation and his By the unanimous vote of the 54 sustained interest in all Syrian members of the Republican Assem- public activities speak eloquently bly District Committee of Brook- for his pride in his racial descent. It is men such as he Who through lyn present George C. Dagher was elected executive member of the sheer personal ability and merit gain the respect of the American First Assembly District at a meetpublic both for themselves and for ing held on May 7, according to the report of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle their race. ond other metropolitan newspapers Mr Dagher was elected to succeed the late leader D. Harry Ralston SYRIAN WOMAN LAWYER who died April 4. RECEIVES APPOINTMENT The New York papers give long Miss Emily Ferris, the only Syraccounts of the political and military careers of Mr. Dagher who has ian woman lawyer in New York, been a resident of the district and was appointed Deputy Attorney active in politics for twenty-five General for the State of New York years and who saw service during to take office on May 1. She is to be in charge of incompetency prothe war in an artillery regiment The New York Syrian papers hail ceedings. Miss Ferris has attained rapid the election of Mr. Dagher to this important post of leadership as success in her chosen career. Having marking the first important success gained admission to the bar in Nebof a Syrian in national politics. The raska her native State, in 1926, she American-Syrian Federation of moved to New York the following year and in the same year was adBrooklyn, of which Mr. Dagher is mitted to the bar in the latter state. a director, plans a dinner in his She is a sister of the well-known honor to be given at the Elks Club Syrian New York lawyer Joseph W. early in June. Mr. Dagher is an example of the Ferris. best type of Syrian-Americans. He has served his country by enlistment during the war and is most SYRIAN PRINCESS LECTURES ON SYRIA active in serving it in politics in times of peace. During his long Emira Najla Bellamah of Montpolitical career his character has real, Canada, has been giving a been above reproach, and it was series of lectures on Syria at the through his sterling qualities that invitation of the Oriental Club of he was elevated to the post of lead- McGill University of Montreal. ership of his important district Emira Bellamah come to America without contest. only a few years ago to join her Mr. Dagher makes no attempt to SYRIAN ELECTED REPUBLICAN LEADER �54 brother who is engaged in business in Montreal. She knew very little of English, although she had been engaged for a consideroble time in editorial work in the mother country. Her rapid mastery of the language denotes the degree of her intelligence and application. The gifted princess is to be congratulated on her splendid efforts in bringing obout a better knowledge of her mother country to the people of Canada. SILVER JUBILEE OF A MAKONITE PRIEST Over one hundred and fifty guests met at the Hotel Statler in Boston on Sunday, April 27, to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the ordination of Chor-Bishop Stephen El-Douaihy to the priesthood. Among the celebrants were delegations from many distant cities. Elias F. Shamon, President of the Jubilee Association, was toastmaster. Speakers included Miss Labeebee A. J. Hanna, "An appreciation of Monsignor Douaihy" followed by a poem, "Planted in Lebanon"; ExCongressman Joseph A. Conry, former Ambassador to Russia; Rev. Michael Saab; District Attorney William J. Foley; Monsignor Abouzaid; Mrs. Mary Ahwaji; George Faour; Mirshed Abdo; Joseph Reesha and Josepn J. Sarofeen. Mgr. Douaihy was presented with a gold purse which he immediately pledged for the erection of a new church and school. In the course of his speech the Hon. S. A. Conry said: "You should not bend your knee to any. Your race is as good as any of the others. The teachings of your people have been granted by parents who de- THE SYRIAN WORLD serve t'he greatest amount of respect. Developing fiction can not equal the work of your country." "The best sailors, from Tyre," he continued, "had accomplishments which have never been surpassed The courage and bravery of the men and the beauty of the women have been unequaled by secular or religious history. "The Irish have the greatest affection for you. We are related. The Irish came from there originally— the Phoenicians for old Erin. From them the Irish descended. "On behalf of His Honor Mayor Curley, I re-welcome you here for a strong building of the commonwealth." District Attorney Foley said, "I can honestly and sincerely say that your people have given me less trouble than any other people, and I am proud of you." NEW MILLION-DOLLAR BANK IN SYRIA The Arabic press of Beirut an^ nounces definitely the success of Mr. Paul Knabenshu, former American consul in Beirut and American consul in Jerusalem, in the organization of a Syrian-American bank with a capitalization of $1,000,000. Mr. Knabenshu had conceived the idea of the bank when he was still in Beirut, but owing to his transfer was unable to complete the details. The capital stock of the bank is divided into twenty thousand shares of $50.00 each, fifty per cent, of which is reserved for American subscribers, forty for Syrians and Lebanese and ten for French. The Syrian-Lebanese quota was over-subscribed immediately the shares were offered. ! �J APRIL, 1930 Syrian papers further announce that Mr. Knabenshu has sailed for the United States to raise the necessaiy American quota. Mr. .). P. Morgan is said to have consented to act as chairman of the Board of Directors. RIHAN1 FETE I) BY COUNTRYMEN A correspondent in Los Angeles writes that while in that city on his Western lecture tour, our noted author and traveler Ameen Rihani was extended a banquet by the Syrian and Lebanese community at the Hotel Roosevelt at which over 150 were present. George A. Fuleihan of Hollywood was master of ceremonies and introduced the speakers who included Charles Andrews, P. A. Be Hennesy, M. K. Doumani, Dr. A. S. Abdel Nur, Charles Cressaty, S. K. Karam, Miss Helen Gastine and Miss Margaret Andrews. 55 Readers of The Syrian World can lend their co-operation to the cause of better understanding between the Syrians and other races by in ducing their friends to tune in on the coming talk of the editor which is designed to show the Syrians in their proper light. SYRIAN JUNIOR LEAGUE GIVES DINNER-DANCE The Syrian Junior League of New York gave a dinner-dance o.i the roof garden of the Hotel St. George in Brooklyn on May 10 which was attended by 350 guests. The Brooklyn department store at Fredrick Loeser conducted the fashion parade held in conjunction with the affair. Miss Adele Macsoud, President of the League, made a statement on the organization's activities. The speakers of the evening were William Catzeflis and Assad Milkie. SYRIAN SOCIETY HOLDS ELECTION ^AND DANCE COMING RADIO TALK P»Y S. W. EDITOR The editor of The Syrian World will speak over station WPCH in New York City, at 4 P. M., on Sunday, June 8, on the subject of Syrians in New York City and the United States. The program will be under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association and the Reconciliation Trips. Although this will be the second time the editor will broadcast under the auspices of the above named organizations, he has already given many radio talks on Syria and the Syrians since his return last year from Syria. The Syrian Young Men's Society of Los Angeles, Cal., held its annual meeting for the election of officers for the season 1930-31, the successful ticket being as follows: Leon Saliba, President; Leo Saad, VicePresident; Samuel Mamey, Secretary; Elias Baker, Treasurer. Previous to the induction of the new regime, the society gave a dance on April 30 at the Diana Studio Ballroom which was attended by about five hundred of the best element of the Syrian community. Albert Dager acted as master of ceremonies for the evening and introduced both the retiring ond incoming officers. �56 LEBANESE SCIENTIST AIDED IN WORK We are glad to copy from "Science," the official organ of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the following announcement appearing in its issue of April 25: "The Committee on Scientific Research of the American Medical Association has made an appropriation of $500 to the department of bacteriology of the School of Medicine and Dentistry of the University of Rochester at Rochester, N. Y., for research on chemotherapy in tuberculosis. The grant is to aid the work of Dr. George Knaysi, of the New York State College of Agriculture, who has been granted leave of absence by Cornell University and will conduct his experiments at the University of Rochester." Dr. Knaysi plans a visit to Syria this summer and will sail early in June. SYRIAN GIRL WINS POPULARITY CONTEST I The Elk City Daily News of Elk City, Oklahoma, announces in its issue of April 5 that Miss Vaughncille Joseph and her co-worker, Miss Bessie Shadid, have won the beauty and popularity contest conducted by the leading mercantile establishments of Elk City. The winners will accompany the Beauty Queens of fifteen other cities of Oklohoma on an eighteen-day tour of the Western part of the United States. The whole party is to consist of thirty-two women who will travel in a private pullman car. Bessie is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. M. Shadid of Elk City. Miss Joseph is a music teacher and a THE SYRIAN WORLD studio director of the radio broadcasting station KGMP. Both young ladies are eighteen years of age and graduates of high school. SYRIAN BOY WINS ORATORICAL CONTEST The Lake Charles American-Press of April 11 publishes on its first page a picture of Edward L. Shaheen with the announcement that he had won the State oratorical contest of Louisiana and was to go to Kansas City to enter the zone contest to be held sometime in May. Edward is a Syrian boy of nineteen who 'has been in this country not over ten years and whose academic career has been one of extraordinary success. He is the son of Louis Shaheen Baaclini of Bzebdin, Lebanon. SIX BROTHERS IN ONE SCHOOL The American University of Beirut is perhaps the only educational institution in the world that can claim the distinction of having six brothers attending its classes at the same time. They are the sons of Dr. Dawud Suleiman Bulus who graduated from the University in 1905. The boys range in age from six to sixteen, and accommodations for all are provided in the university. Dr. Bulus has held many important medical posts in the Near East and was a captain in the medical corps of the Egyptian army. He is now chief of the Haifa Hospital. The delay attending the publication of this issue permits reporting news for a part of May. �I APRIL, 1930 SOUND PICTURES AROUSE INTEREST IN SYRIA By Vice Consul D. F. MrGnnigal, Beirut. (From Commerce Reports) The first talking pictures to be shown in Syria were exhibited on February 12, 1930, at a theater in Beirut. The American sound system was used. The program consisted of an animated cartoon, a one-reel comedy, a news reel and an American feature picture starring a famous French actor. All were talking films and all were in English with the exception of a few songs and monologues in French. The program aroused the enthusiasm of the local public and there seemed to be little objection to the fact that the dialogue was in English. The theater, which seats about 700, doubled its prices, increased the number of its weekly performances from 11 to 21, and extended the showing of the program from 1 to 2 weeks. The average weekly receipts of the theater when showing silent pictures is understood to have been about $375, whereas the gross receipts for the first week of the talking picture is said to have been $3,307 and $1,575 the second week. The cost of the program for the two weeks is reported to have been about $1,000. Other theater owners have been impressed by the success of the talking-film exhibition and are considering the installation of sound equipment. The local censorship law provides for the showing of all pictures at the French High Commission but as the official projection hall is not equipped to handle sound pictures, the Beirut exhibitors arranged to have the censors come to their thea- $7 tor for the required examination. Although no new official rulings have been announced, it is understood by the exhibitors that a sound picture found unsuitable will be rejected as a whole and no attempt will be made to modify it in any way, because of the technical difficulties involved. It is too early to predict the effect of the introduction of sound pictures into Syria on the market for silent pictures, but it would appear that the demand for silent pictures will continue active for some time to come. SYRIA INVADED BY LOCUSTS In spite of all efforts to check their advance, the locusts are making considerable headway in their invasion of Syria and Lebanon. The latest reports indicate that swarms of the pests have appeared in the vicinity of Beirut. In the district of Damascus they have invaded the Ghouta, after having overrun the plains of Hauran and Jebel Druze. Further north they have reached the outskirts of Aleppo. The governments of all mandated countries are taking the most energetic measures to destroy the eggs before 'hatching in an effort to save the crops. REVIVING A DEAD SYRIAN CITY The Syrian government is actively engaged in rebuilding the famous city of Palmyra, once the capital of Queen Zenobia who for a time successfully challenged the authority of Rome. Already 100 lots have been awarded settlers and 45 houses built. The highway leading to Damascus is being paved and the debris of the old native houses removed from within the enclosure of the Great Temple. �58 THE SYRIAN WORLD STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, CIRCULATION of The Syrian World, published monthly at New York, N. Y., Apr. 1st,1930 STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK. Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the state and county aforesaid, personally appeared Salloum A. Mokarzel, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the publisher of The Syrian World, and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, management (and if a da.ly paper, the circulation), etc., of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August .24, 1921, embodied in section 411, Postal Laws and Regulations, printed on the reverse of th s form, to wit: 1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business managers are: Name of— Post office address— Publisher, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. Editor, Salioum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. Managing Editor, Salloum A. Mokarzel 104 Greenwich Street. Business Managers, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenw.ch Street. 2. That the owner is: (If owned by a corporation, its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereunder the names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding one per cent, or more of total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a firm, company or other unincorporated concern, its name and address, as well as those of each individual member, mhst be given.) Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. 3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent, or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other secur.ties are: (If there are none, so state.) None. 4. That the two paragraphs next above, giving the names of the owners, stockholders, security holders, if any, contain not only the list of stockholders and security holders as they appear upon the books of the company but also, in cases where the stockholder or security holder appears upon the books of the company as trustee or in any other fiduciary relation, the name of the person or corporation for whom such trustee is acting is given; also that the said two paragraphs contain statements embracing affiant's full knowledge and belief as to the circumstances and conditions under which stockholders and security holders who do not appear upon the books of the company as trustees, hold stock and securities in a capacity other than that of a bona fide owner; and this affiant has no reason to believe that any other person, association, or corporation has any interest direct or indirect in the said stock, bonds or other securities than as so stated by him. 5. That the average number of copies of each issue of this publication sold or distributed, through the mails or otherwise, to paid subscribers during the six months preceding the date shown above is. (This information is required from daily publications only.) S. A. Mokarzel. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11th day of April, 1930. [SEAL] EDNA M. HUCKER, (My commission expires March 30, 1932.) � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1930_04reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 04, Issue 08 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930 April Description An account of the resource Volume 4 Issue 08 of The Syrian World published April 1930. The issue opens with an interview conducted by Salloum Mokarzel with El-Atassi, a Syrian Nationalist Leader and President of the Constituent assembly. This is followed by a quote by Kahlil Gibran titled "Helpfulness." The most important article in this issue is Rev. W. A. Mansur's writing about the transitional period occurring in America in his story he has a Syrian character deliver an imaginary speech to the United States Senate, apropos of some derogatory remarks made against Syrians in America. This is followed by two poems, one by Najla Sabe and the other by Paul Deab. Louis Maron then presents one of his short stories titled "The Return Home," which recounts the story of a boy named Najib and his journey back and forth between Lebanon and the United States over several years. Salloum Mokarzel, the editor, then presents another portion of his journey through Lebanon, covering his travels from Beirut to the Palestine border. The last work in the issue is a poem by Jonard Egis (using a nom de plume) titled "The Syrian Laborer." The issue closes with the Reader's Forum, excerpts from the Arab press, and more on political developments in Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s El-Atassi Immigration Kahlil Gibran Lebanon Najla Sabe New York Palestine Paul Deab Poetry-English Reverend W.A. Mansur Travel https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/0256c2568d3a7038ea1a276717c3084f.pdf ba9f019488dfc35adf7c7252bcd775d9 PDF Text Text ww^s^^^^mm wg^^ammm m m CSC! 26 $QW VOL. IV. No. 7 MARCH, 1930. PR THE SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE m m MEETING THE MARONITE PATRIARCH SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL ij THE OLD AND THE NEW IN ARABIA AMEEN RIHANI HAROUN AL-RASHID AND THE TWO LOVERS (AN ARABIAN NIGHTS* STORY) THROUGH SOUTHERN LEBANON m SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL I 8 CAUSES OF PALESTINE RIOTS 1 THE COPY 50c KJwS ��1. ' THE SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly by SALLOUM A. THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS MOKARZEL, Editor. 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single copies 50c Entered as second-class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. MARCH, 1930, VOL. IV. No. 7. CONTENTS PAGE Meeting the Maronile Patriarch SALLOUM A. 7 MOKARZEL The Old and the New in Arabia 19 AMEEN RIHANI On Life (Poem) 27 J. D. CARLYLE Haroun Al-Rashid and the Two Lovers 28 (An Arabian Nights' Story) On Giving and Taking KAHLIL 32 GIBRAN �CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE The Tzvo Answers (Poem) DR. SALIM 33 Y. ALKAZIN The Traveler (Poem) 3+ ALICE MCGEORGE Through Southern Lebanon 35 SALLOUM A. MoiCARZEL Advice to a Rash Youth (Poem) LABEEBEE 43 A. J. HANNA Editorial Comment 44 Causes of Palestine Riots 46 Political Developments in Syria S3 About Syria and Syrians 56 GREAT SYRIAN WORLD CONTEST FOR A FREE TRIP TO SYRIA AND RETURN IS ANNOUNCED ON PAGES 4, 5 AND 6 OF THIS ISSUE spec Ma �IN THIS ISSUE E • « L ROVERS of travel will find in this issue much material to their liking. Mysterious Arabia and romantic 'Lebanon are here described in some of their most interesting phases. AMEEN RIHANI gives us a further account of his experiences in Jeddah — how King Hussein made his subjects live up to the Koranic law and how they proceeded to break it once he turned his back. He also tells how banking operations are conducted in the public square, the President and Cashier leaving their money unguarded, simply covering it with a straw mat, to attend to their noon prayers at the mosque. The whole narrative abounds in the most interesting information. * * * THE EDITOR describes in a special article his visit to the Maronite Patriarch at his summer residence. Some of the truly wonderful natural scenes in Northern Lebanon are worth knowing about, and they are fully described and illustrated. The Patriarch's opinions on home politics and on the religious future of his spiritual children in America are faithfully recorded. * * * In another article describing his journey through Southern Lebanon, the editor recalls some amusing experiences and gives an account of his observations in Mashgara, Jezzine, Kfarhouna, AlMukhtara, Beit Eddeen and Deir El-Kamar. * * * KAHLIL GIBRAN is preeminent in his originality of thought. He is here quoted on the nature and meaning of giving and taking. The beautiful decoration appearing with his quotations is of his own design. * * * DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN, as usual, contributes some of his highly valued poetical compositions, as do Labeebee A. J. Hanna and Alice McGeorge. * * * A SHORT STORY, in the nature of those of the Arabian Nights, is an original translation from the Arabic. Many are the tales of love and tragedy that have not yet found their way into English and which THE SYRIAN WORLD gives for the first time to its readers. * * * A SUMMARY of the official report of the Shaw Commission of inquiry into the causes of the bloody riots of last August in Palestine is published in this issue, as well as a full account of the political developments of the month in Palestine, Syria and Lebanon. JOIN THE GREAT SYRIAN WORLD CONTEST �Great Syrian For a FREE TRIP to The editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD having made a trip to Syria in the summer of 1929, which he is now describing in a series of articles in the magazine, came to realize not only the great educational and cultural advantages of such a trip, but its unrivalled possibilities for pleasure and recreation. In our enthusiasm for the benefits of such tours, we decided to offer one as a prize to our readers. This is on a par with the most liberal offers made by the biggest American publications, whose readers are hundreds of thousands and even millions. Needless to say that this is unprecedented in the history of Arabic journalism, whether in America or abroad. THE SYRIAN WORLD, in making the great prize offer in spite of the heavy sacrifice involved, considers that in so doing it is promoting the cause of sympathetic understanding of the motherland. This is in keeping with the main object behind the publication of the magazine. Whether the winner be a boy or girl, American or Syrian, the purpose would have been served by the actual contacts established with the great scenic beauties and places of immense historical intei'est in our country of origin. The proposition is unprecedented, the advantages great, the conditions most liberal. It is surely the opportunity of a lifetime for the ambitious. ITINERARY OF TRIP The free trip offered by THE SYRIAN WORLD takes the same route followed by the editor in his recent trip to Syria. Passage will be Cabin class on the luxurious steamer Providence, of the Fabre Line, sailing from New York July 2nd. Stops on route and shore excursions will be made at Ponta Delgada, Azores Islands; Lisbon, Portugal; Naples, Italy; Palermo, Sicily, and Piraeus and Athens, Greece. In Syria and Lebanon the winner may remain as long as he desires and return on any of the Fabre Line steamers to New York, also Cabin Class. Sailing from New York will be under the direction and full assistance of the firm of A. K. Hitti & Co., the well-known steamship ticket agents. The Beirut Branch of the same firm will render the winner all necessary service and advice free. The editor, thanks to the contacts contracted on his last trip, will also give the winner letters of introduction and recommendation to many influential friends who would render all necessary courtesies. The winner, representing THE SYRIAN WORLD whose services are fully recognized in the motherland, will be assured of the most friendly reception by the authorities and the public. a>*^xa*i~.-i*i"±a. i �World Contest SYRIA and RETURN SYRIAN WORLD OFFER The prize offered by THE SYRIAN WORLD to the winner in the contest is free passage, Cabin Class, both ways from New York to Beirut and return, together with a liberal cash allowance for the shore excursions above mentioned on the outward passage. Is this not a worthy prize to try to win? CONDITIONS OF CONTEST v 1. THE SYRIAN WORLD prize of a Free Trip to Syria and return will be awarded the individual securing the largest number of New subscribers to the magazine at the regular price of subscription. 2. Considering the great value of the prize offered, the minimum number required to win the award must be not less than one hundred. 3. Every contestant, other than the winner, securing more than one hundred new subscriptions, will be awarded a special cash premium of $1.50 for every subscription. Those securing less than one hundred will be given $.100 for every subscription. In the event of two or more contestants tying for the Grand Prize, all will receive identical prizes. 4. The contest closes June 10, 1930. Letters post-marked later than this date will not be counted. Announcement of the awards will be made June 15. 5. Every subscription must be a new subscription, and must be accompanied by a remittance of the full price of $5.00. 6. Gift subscriptions will be counted as direct subscriptions. For instance, if a contestant succeeds in inducing a friend to make gifts of a year's subscription to each of five individuals, he will be given credit for five individual subscriptions. Multiple subscriptions to the same person will not be counted by the number of years; as, for instance, a single individual subscribing for two years will not be given credit for two subscriptions. 7. Those wishing to enter the contest must write to register, in which case they will be furnished with special blanks and helpful literature. 8. The contest is open to all friends of THE SYRIAN WORLD anywhere in the United States and Canada. �IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE SUBJECT OF THE SYRIAN WORLD CONTEST QWING to the appreciation by the public of our liberal offer of a free trip to Syria as a first prize in the current Syrian World Contest, and in compliance with numerous requests to this effect, we have decided to extend our offer as follows: 1—While the minimum number of subscriptions required to win the Free Trip remains at one hundred, any contestant, besides the winner, procuring one hundred subscriptions has the option of receiving either the cash prize or a one-way free trip to Syria. 2—If a contestant should procure two hundred, he receives a free round trip. 3—For all subscriptions above two hundred the winner, as well as any other contestant, receives a cash premium of one dollar for each subscription in excess of two hundred. 4—Organizations are permitted to enter the contest and award the prize to any individual member. 5—Contestants working for the limited prizes of either a oneway trip or a round trip may withdraw once their goal is reached and sail on any Fabre Line steamer, cabin class, before the date set for the close of the Contest. Registered contestants to date are the following: H. J. Hashem, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. H. Abood, Brooklyn, N. Y. Mrs. R. Hamrah, Naugatuck, Conn. N. Sayed, Georgetown, S. C. E. George, E. Liverpool, Ohio TWO IN Mrs. J. Rafful, Toledo, Ohio Ed. Hershewe, Fort Dodge, Iowa. S. Kallil, Detroit, Mich. F. A. Coriaty, Manchester, N. H. MORE MONTHS WHICH TO WIN. �THE SYRIAN WORLD MARCH, 1930. VOL. IV. No. 7. Meeting the Maronite Patriarch NJ By SAI.I.OUM A. MOKARZEL "THE MARONITES are the largest single group in the population of Lebanon. They take their name from that of St. Maron who lived in the fifth century and whose disciples sought refuge in the fastness of Mt. Lebanon fleeing their flourishing monasteries on the banks of the Orontes to escape religious persecution. For almost fifteen centuries they maintained themselves in Lebanon against great odds in defense of their rights to independence and freedom of worship. The Maronite clergy has always played a leading role in the shaping of the destinies of this valiant people. From time immemorial the clergy were looked upon as not only the guardians of the faith but as defenders of the political liberties of the nation as well. These traditions have obtained, in an unbroken succession, ever since the Maronites became a homogenous entity. During the almost continuous internecine feuds and wars with native and foreign enemies, and during the trying times following the crusades, the Patriarch, as the ranking prelate in the Maronite hierarchy, was the accredited representative of his nation in both political and religious matters. Even the chaotic conditions resulting from the World War could not shake these deeply entrenched traditions. Rather, the momentum which they had gathered during fifteen hundred years seems to have carried them beyond their natural bounds, so that the Maronite Patriarch was conceded the highly complimentary distinction of representing all the religious groups of Lebanon, Christians and non-Christians—Orthodox, Melchites, Druzes and Moslems alike—at the Versailles �I 8 I THE SYRIAN WORLD peace conference. On that occasion he was given by common agreement of all elements, who for once forgot their party differences for the sake of the common weal, the significant and all-inclusive title of the "Lebanese Patriarch," instead of his restricted title of the "Maronite Patriarch." Nor have the frequent readjustments in the political alignments and administrative changes in Lebanon during the postwar period apparently affected the prestige of the Maronite Patriarch. Bekerkey is still a name to conjure with in matters affecting the political destinies of the country. We read that the President of the Republic, on the occasion of his reelection, inaugurated his new term of office by paying a visit of courtesy to the seat of Maronite ecclesiastical authority. The French High Commissioner must be persona grata with Bekerkey, and is bound by tradition to call on the Patriarch to exchange expressions of good-will between France and the Maronites. Admirals of French fleets visiting Syrian waters are lacking of tact if they do not pay the customary visit to Bekerkey, and when the Patriarch elects to return the call he is given a salute of twenty-one guns, like heads of states. Bekerkey is the official seat of the Maronite Patriarch. It is situated directly above the seaport of Jounieh at a short distance north of Beirut, and in the heart of the almost exclusively Maronite district of Kesrawan. It serves as the residence of the Patriarch during nine months of the year. In this respect, Bekerkey has the logical and weightier claim to be symbolic of Maronite ecclesiastical authority. It is so considered in the public mind. But during the three months of summer the Patriarch takes up his residence at Ad-Deeman, situated in North Lebanon at a short distance from the famous Cedars and in the Heart of a densely populated district that is exclusively Maronite. From the viewpoint of tradition and historical associations, as well as of geographical location, the summer seat should be more representative of Maronite prestige and ruggedness of character. The buildings may be comparatively recent, having been undertaken by the present Patriarch some thirty years ago, but the location itself is associated with the history of the Maronites from their earliest settlement of the country. Forming a sort of semi-circle around Ad-Deeman are the important towns of Hadath, Hasroun, Becherri, and Ehden, which figure prominently in native lore, while in the other direction there is afforded I �*. , I MARCH, 1930 Rising on the very brink of the precipice is the town of Hadsheet, the windows and balconies of its houses overlooking Wadi Kadisha in a sheer drop of 2500 feet. the most imposing view of Wadi Kadisha, so called because of its many monasteries and hermitages where the disciples of St. Maron first took up their abode. No more appropriate location could be chosen for the seat of the Maronite authority and the perpetuation of their traditions. I was fortunate in having had the opportunity to interview the Maronite Patriarch in these imposing surroundings, so rich in historical and romantic associations. * * * The morning of August 3 we left Al-Hadath in the direction of Ad-Deeman. The summit of Al-Mizab, the highest peak in Lebanon, rising to a height of 10333 feet, loomed surprisingly near, while the winding valley of Kadisha offered an ever-changing panorama of wondrous scenery. Along the way we came across a view that was not only arresting, but awe-inspiring to the utmost degree. We stopped in our tracks for a considerable time to marvel at the extraordinary setting. Rising from the depths of the valley, which seemed fathomless from our high position, was a perpendicular cliff, crescentshaped and projecting into the yawning gorge. The cliff was of solid rock with hardly a trace of vegetation along the sides, but s^ =» �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD crowned by a plateau which abounded in mulberry groves, interspersed here and there with tall and stately poplars, indicating the existence of abundant water. But this was not the cause of our surprise. We could well imagine that the vulcanic convulsions responsible for these earth formations could cast them into any fantastic shape. Rather it was what seemed to us either the desperation or the foolhardiness of man which gave the place its awe-inspiring aspect. For rising directly from the edge of the precipice, in fact, an unbroken coninuation of its steep sides, were a cluster of dwellings bordering the fringe like a crown, or like some battlements surmounting the walls of a huge natural fortress. One could see any number of windows opening directly on the valley, while in some cases there were overhanging balconies balancing precariously over the abyss. I was told that the sheer drop to the bottom of the valley was somewhere around eight hundred meters, or more than 2500 feet. I could also distinguish a church built in like manner on the very edge of the gaping gorge. The founders of the town must have had a special reason for adopting such a building policy, and all succeeding generations lived up to blind tradition ever since. I further learned from trustworthy sources that an average of three or four fatal falls, mostly among children or workmen, take place every year. I could not be informed whether the town has a special graveyard at the bottom of the valley for the unfortunate victims. The name of the place is Hadsheet. We arrived at Ad-Deeman at about ten A. M. and were met in the outer court by the personal attendant of the Patriarch who informed us that his Beatitude was then at his prayers, it being his life-long custom to fast on Saturdays and consecrate the day to devotion to the Virgin Mary. The attendant, Mansur Harb, proved in many respects a good entertainer and well-informed guide. He conducted us to an overhanging rock commanding a superb view of the Sacred Valley, pointing out to us the monastery of Kanoubeen, in the lower reaches of the valley, and appearing like a white speck amidst the dark green of the forests and mulberry groves and vineyards. This was the former seat of the Maronite Patriarchs, who chose the location for its inaccessibility and security. The monks, by the patient labor of centuries, succeeded in terracing the steep sides of the valley to save the soil from being washed away by the floods, and were thus enabled . .., : - .. ; -.; - �11 MARCH, 193D The Sacred Valley in Northern Lebanon as viewed from the heights of Ad-Deeman. The white spots on the terraced sides to the right are the old monasteries. m to make the soil yield to them the bare necessities of a frugal existence. Wadi Kadisha is unquestionably the most majestic and imposing view of Lebanon. Setting aside its historical associations, its proximity to the Cedars and the many thriving towns it supports on its massive shoulders, the natural view itself gives rise to the greatest admiration and wonder. The earth formations at some places are both majestic and phantastic. The opposite side as you look from Ad-Deeman, for instance, gives the impression that a great temple, with massive columns and arcades as if designed by a master architect, is wrought in the solid rocky ribs of the mountain. The recesses distinguished by the deepening shadows indicate the existence of numerous caverns. Huge slabs of rock protruding over the precipice give the impression of overhanging balconies. The Valley is uniformly deep, but takes a winding course which makes possible varying effects of light and shadow at all hours of the day. One could spend hours and days admiring the kaleidoscopic colors of its fascinating beauty, but the attendant had many other places of immediate interest to point out, start- ',.'. ; . ~:~~ �JL 12 THE SYRIAN WORLD ing with the solitary tree on the projecting rock immediate1y below where we stood, and under which Archbishop Joseph Dibs, the famous Oriental scholar, spent many a month working on his "History of Syria." He was about to relate more about places and things in this little spot s o abounding in interesting associat ions, when Bishop Paul Akel, secretary to the Patriarch arHis Beatitude Elias Petrus Howayeck, rived to greet us. He conducted us by the main entrance and through a labyrinth of vaulted corridors to a large reception hall whose windows on the one side opened in the direction of the Cedars, and on the other on Wadi Kadisha. The furnishings were of the simplest—windows with wooden shutters but no curtains; an unpretentious divan with stationary masnads, or back rests, running along the four walls, and a solitary table in the center on which were a few books. The walls were also bare except for a few sacred pictures. The whole atmosphere of the place was thi of such simplicity as to be severe in its quiet dignity. It was ii strict keeping with the traditions of extreme austerity characteristic of the Maronite clergy from time immemorial. There is, however, another reception hall on the upper floor of Ad-Dee- ^ w1*"**" I I Thi �MARCH, 1930 13 I The lowly, yet exalted throne of the Patriarch who in spite of his eighty-six years insists on rising unaided. man, furnished in a style befitting the dignity and prestige of the nation which the Patriarch represents. This is used only on the most formal occasions. Soon the room began to fill with clergymen and laymen, residents and visitors. Archbishops Abdallah Khoury and Elias Reesha soon entered, followed by many priests and seminars and visiting priors of near and distant monasteries, while a group of young people accompanied by a village priest paced nervously one of the corridors. They had come from the farthest end of Lebanon for a special dispensation to consummate a marriage without the publication of banns. The priest came with them to intercede and to plead. Youth was impatient! It was now almost eleven and the Patriarch was still at his devotions, but having been informed of our arrival he graciously consented to grant us an interview before noon. Soon the measured fall of a cane on the stone-paved corridor was faintly heard in the distance. As the sound drew nearer a hush fell on the assembly in the room. The Patriarch was coming! He presently entered. To one knowing his age he appeared to be bearing well under the weight of his eighty-six years. The large bright eyes gleaming from beneath the bushy eye-brows showed vigor of spirit that defied the physical weight of age �14 THE SYRIAN WORLD indicated by the stooping shoulders. The Patriarch walked majestically, slowly. He proceeded to the corner of the room where a large cushion was spread on the floor and squatted on it, Oriental fashion, the rising sides of the high divan serving as his back rest. The lowly cushion was the Maronite Patriarch's exalted throne! I was told that he receives princes in this informal fashion. He chooses to assume this position both for reasons of comfort and of humility. I had seen his Beatitude Elias Howyeck once before some thirty years ago when he was elevated to the Patriarchate, but I was in no position then to fully appraise either the man or the dignity of his office. On the present occasion, however, three1 decadds of ^experience had their effect in bringing to me a fuller appreciation of both the office and its incumbent. The Patriarch was most solicitous for the well-being of the Maronites of America. "Is it not strange," he remarked, "that fully fifty per cent, of our people have now migrated to lands across the seas! We ask the Almighty to grant them the grace of persevering in the faith of their forefathers. It would be a most grievous calamity if the precious legacy which has come down to us through fifteen centuries should be lost in a generation." A candid discussion of the spiritual conditions of the Maronites in America followed, the Patriarch displaying the keenest interest in the subject. He readily agreed that the crying need was for missionary priests capable of understanding the spirit of the times and appreciating the evolutionary processes of the changing conditions. Only those priests who have a thoroughly modern education and are capable of true missionary zeal and sacrifice should be permitted to come to America, and not those who are still primitive or provincial or mercenary or exploitative. Perhaps, it was suggested, a Maronite bishop in America might succeed in coordinating and controlling the now loosely held strands of authority. Would not Rome consider the special privileges and traditions of the Maronites and grant a request to that effect? It was agreed that the plan was beset with many obstacles, but that an effort was, nevertheless, worth attempting. Then someone injected the question of politics, and it proved like the proverbial snow-ball that gathered momentum the more it rolled. From that moment on nothing else was discussed. Owing to the great prestige of the Maronite Patriarch, his opinion on matters political is anxiously sought and appropriately i ! �15 MARCH, 1930 The four Maronite prelates, keepers of the old Maronite faith and traditions, are from left to right: Bishops Elias Reesha and Abdullah Khouri, the Patriarch and Bishop Boulos Akel. i evaluated. Nor was his Beatitude averse to discussing the political and economic situation of the country. The temporal welfare of his people was of paramount concern to him after their spiritual well-being. It affected him deeply, he said, to see the people of Lebanon being driven to economic ruin through the muddling tactics of politics. He who in spite of his advanced age undertook the trip to Paris to safeguard the interests of his people, can he suffer seeing them being systematically deprived of the little they possess of economic resources through the greed of some unscrupulous foreign interests? Would that he could again undertake the journey to Paris to fight for the rights of his beloved people! If this proves impossible there remains the alternative of sending a delegation of dignitaries direct to Paris, and over the heads of officials in Syria, to plead the cause of saving the country from impending ruin. Then the Patriarch quoted his favorite Latin motto to the effect that right will assert itself and prevail in the end, no matter how hard the trials. It was now noon and the Patriarch made an effort to rise. He supported himself with both hands on the edge of the divan and was able to rise only in slow stages and with visibly painful effort. I was surprised that those nearer him made no effort to —^-—— �* 16 THE SYRIAN WORLD Main entrance to Ad-Deeman, summer seat of the Maronite Patriarch, overlooking Wadi Kadisha, or the Valley of the Saints. assist him. They stood in their places motionless, speechless. The situation was getting beyond my power of endurance. Could it be that the code of manners here was so diametrically opposite to that obtaining in civilized countries where the weak and the aged are concerned? I took a step forward in the direction of the old prelate intending to profer assistance, but a bishop intercepted, and in a quiet tone laden with despair confided to me: "His Beatitude never countenances assistance from anyone and insists on rising unaided." Then it was that the situation became clear to me, and for the few moments that I watched the laborious efforts of the aged Patriarch struggling under the weight of his years, summoning the strength of the spirit to overcome the weakness of the body, the whole history of the valiant Maronite people, struggling for centuries against the heaviest handicaps, flashed rapidly through my mind. How symbolic was the incident! Here was the head of a nation who may be deemed old judging by standards of age among individuals, and here was his nation that may be deemed equally old judging by standards of life among nations. The chief, through sheer will power and strength of character, refuses to admit weakness and insists on rising alone. Will his nation act likewise? Can the action of the aged Patriarch be interpreted as a good augury? Through fifteen centuries this nation has i �mmm^ MARCH, 1930 17 Rear view of Ad-Deeman, showing the new magnificent chafel under construction. fought enemies both of elements and of men. It has wrought the miracle of transforming a barren mountain into a smiling garden. Will it succeed in maintaining its traditions under changing circumstances which call for the same fundamental strength of character but only by resort to different tactics? We stood for the Patriarch to pass. His gait was slow and measured and the company that followed seemed a part of a ceremonious religious procession. At a certain point at the intersection of the corridors the Patriarch halted. To us who were strangers to the routine of this religious establishment every movement, as well as every stop, seemed to be charged with an element of mystery. Bishop Akel, who walked by my side, seemed to read my thoughts but apparently delighted in my mystification. At a certain marble block in the pavement the Patriarch raised his cane and tapped once, twice, three times. He repeated the operation again and again and before the echoes of his tapping had stopped reverberating, through^ the.-vaulted corridors he proceeded in the^directiohof-the^tfKhg^rrxtfri.'./ , Then the mystery was cleared.- The tappings were the equivalent of the dinner bell, and at their sound doors began to fly open from all directions in the various corridors and a stream of bishops, priests, and secretaries came flocking to swell the ranks �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD of the marchers. These and the scores of visitors falling in step formed an imposing procession. To call the great hall in which meals are served a dining room would be a misnomer. It is rather a mess hall—a huge vaulted room about a hundred feet or more in length having a single center table reaching from one end to the other. The Patriarch sits at the head of the table by the entrance, the bishops taking their positions at the right and at the left, followed by whomsoever guests are to be honored, after whom sit the priests and the general visitors. At times there are two or even more sittings. After lunch the Patriarch and the bishops graciously consented^ to pose for a photograph. And when I asked for an autographed photograph of his Beatitude he conducted me to his private1 room which caused me no end of surprise at its austere simplicity. All the personal luxury that the powerful Patriarch of the Maronites enjoys is a plain iron bed, two chairs and an apology of a wardrobe. Perhaps the nearest thing to luxury in the furnishing of his room was a prie-dieu. Twice while I was in the Patriarch's room official papers were brought to him to sign, and on both occasions I was able to observe the same surprising charasteristic. No matter how long the document, he never affixed his signature to it until he had read it through. Then bishop Akel took us for a tour of inspection through the building. Up the grand staircase we went to the main reception hall which was not yet completed but even then gave indications of great sumptuousness. A corridor led to the roof of an extension building from which we could admire the new elaborate chapel under construction. But from this vantage point a view could be had of something greater than man could ever build of the Sacred Valley, with its many natural temples, winding its way in a majestic sweep to the very hill on which nestles the famous grove of the Cedars of Lebanon, reverentially called the Cedars of the Lord, toward which we set our course that same afternoon. �19 MARCH, 1930 The Old and the New in Arabia By AMEEN RIHANI INCONSISTENCIES may meet in every man; and for every Arab of note today there are two Kaabas, the Kaaba of religion and the Kaaba of the world. He may turn his face towards the East once or five times, between sunrise and sunset; but for the rest of the day he turns towards the West, towards Europe. O thou my Kaaba when I dress, and when I eat, and when I ride in the automobile. But the new Kaaba is hedged about with complications and expenditures, which cannot be conquered without the help of either international treaties and financial loans, or scientific expeditions and economic concessions. King Husein tried both, and was still wavering when I saw him between a foreign treaty and a national concession. He sent to Syria for specialists, mining and agricultural, chemical and medical,—the alchemists of modern science,—who would discover and dig up for him the wealth of Al-Hijaz; and they were all Arab Moslems who could go anywhere, in the sacred precincts and beyond, without let or hindrance. For a whole year they roamed and nosed about; smelling oil here; seeing gold there; giving to certain hills and spots such names as copper, mica, iron; and asserting that there is even a diamond mine in the vicinity of Mecca. But there was not in all Arabia a national syndicate to exploit this hidden wealth and save His Majesty from the fangs of foreign corporations. Soon, however, a syndicate, headed by a Syrian Muslem, was formed for the special benefit of King Husein and Al-Hijaz. Its resources, financial and technical, were adequate; its conditions for exploitation were incredibly liberal; and its Muslem sentiment, which washed its motives of every tinge of selfishness, was unquestioned. It would give the Government of AlHijaz 40% of its net profits and an option of purchasing 25% of the shares of the Companies formed. It also offered to build for the Government two railroad lines, one from Jeddah to Mecca, another from Yambo* to Al-'Ala, free of charge, as the pious friends of the Syndicate put it. What the Syndicate proposed was to build the lines, turn them over with all their equip- �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD ments to the Hijaz Government, for its exclusive use, and collect the bill afterwards by instalments paid out of the 40% profit. If there were no profits, more would be the gain to the Hijaz Government who would have gotten two railroads free of charge. But King Husein was still dreaming his pan-Arab dream, which necessitated a treaty with Great Britain, whose conditions, to be favorable to His Majesty, depended upon his granting the concession to an English company closely connected, it was said, with the Colonial Office. So, the offer of the pious Muslem Syndicate was rejected, and the Anglo-Arab treaty in the end met with a like fate. What was left to the Hijaz, therefore, of the fruits of the Scientific Expedition were the Military College and the Agricultural School of Mecca. The two do not hang together in a modern scheme of progress j but the Agricultural School is of no use in a country that has no agriculture. As for the Military College its success depended upon the Bedu, who are the born enemies of order and discipline. They know how to carry a rifle, putting it always to its right use, and that is sufficient. If you would teach them anything else and subject them to a rule, you have to pay them, instead of charging a fee. King Husein paid something at the start; for he would replace, at any cost, the regular army of Al-Hijaz which was wiped out in the winter of 1919 by the Ikhwan, the Wahhabys of Najd, in the battle of Tarabah. In order to maintain the Military College, therefore, and reestablish a regular Army, which was to redeem the pride and glory of Al-Hijaz, King Husein came down with a heavy hand upon the merchants of his Kingdom. How else could he arm the Bedu and teach them to step in line? The merchants paid and groaned at first in the bazaar; but His Majesty would make them pay double for groaning. Willy nilly, they paid and did their groaning afterwards at home. Some of them, however, who had no homes, were offered the hospitality of the jail. Or they were asked to Mecca, which is much worse. For there, King Husein had a dungeon, many feet underground, which 'was as prominent in the history of Al-Hijaz under his reign as was the Bosphorus in the days of Abd'ul-Hamid. He was terrible in his anger; and when any one by royal order was sent to Mecca, there was nothing left for him but the dungeon and the mercy of Allah. Guilty or innocent, they wrote their wills before leaving their homes, they who were ordered to Mecca. A British squadron anchored one day in the waters of Jed- �MARCH, 1930 21 dah and was the topic of conversation. "But the Hashemite squadron," said one of the citizens, who was deemed a wit by some, a fool by others, "the Hashemite Squadron is greater. Otherwise, the battleships of the English would not have come to make salaam." A few days later he was ordered to Mecca; and when he arrived at the Holy City, he was taken directly to the dungeon where he remained four months without a hearing and without knowing what was his offence. He was then brought before His Majesty the Great Emancipator, who pinched his ear and gave him a lecture to help him in the future to better speech when the Hashemite Government and its Navy are mentioned. I spoke with one of the distinguished citizens of Jeddah about a bright boy he had, and asked him to send him, not to Europe, but to Egypt or to Syria for an education. Reply: That is my wish, but Saiyedna will not permit. There are others too in Jeddah who would educate their children outside of the Hijaz, in Syria or in Egypt—but Saiyedna (our Lord) will not permit. I have already dwelled upon King Husein's profound respect for tradition. Even more profound is his respect for the Koranic law. Everything that is contrary to it in word and deed, in the life of a Muslem; and everything that has aught in it with a tendency to give the Muslem a freedom, which might take him out of the law and the tradition; yea, everything with a germ of knowledge in it, which might develop, even after two or three generations, into a grub of infidelity, these are evils which the wise legislator and the just ruler, if they be far-sighted, will alwavs combat even before they come to light. Above all things King Husein desired eternal happiness for the Muslem people;—the happiness which Allah describes and to which the Prophet points in the Holy Book;—the happiness that does not depend upon music or dancing or wine or riches, nor upon education in foreign schools. If, however, he tolerated certain things, which do this "eternal happiness" no ill, as aeroplanes and armored cars, to use against the Ikhwan, or a condenser to use against the malaria of Al-Hijaz, he could not tolerate at all such things of knowledge as would confuse the mind and corrupt the heart. He could not tolerate anything that has the tendency of drawing the Arabs, even though a span, from the straight path of their religion, which is their most precious treasure in this world and the next. His Majesty often said to me that the only education the Arabs need is that which suits their life and the nature of their �22 THE SYRIAN WORLD land, "and enables them, within the bounds of religion—I say, within the bounds of religion—to enjoy its perfections." There are two public schools in Jeddah, where about two hundred boys find these "perfections" in the three Rs, a little geography and history, and a profusion of the Koran. At both of these schools, which I visited, speeches were made by the "stars" of the class welcoming the guest, their "brother Arab" who has come from atar to help "our rising Mother" to achieve the perfections (the King's phraseology was the style in those days); and one of the boys, a hery little spirit, after the usual praise overture, impressed upon me, m eloquent words and gestures, the need of my doing so 'without fear or compromise". But there was an undue amount of the alcohol of politics, for a boy of his age, in the sherbet of his praise. He informed me that the Hijaz is indebted to His Hashemite Majesty the Great Emancipator and to his valiant sons for the freedom and independence it has regained hut we want to see this freedom and this independence spread all over the Arab Peninsula." And then, in the bold and fearless manner of his race, after asking me pointblank if I did not think so, he proceeded to answer his own question. "You would not have come from far-away America, the mother of freedom, to Al-Hijaz, the first-born of Arab-freedom, if you did not think so." From the school we went to a more modern and more specialized public institution, the T. and T. (Telegraph and Telephone) Office, which is one of the modern Departments of the Hijaz Government. It is called the Department of Communication, and the Chief has time to receive visitors and do the customary honors. Coffee and tea and soda water were served in succession, other guests coming in at that particular moment to share in the bounty of the Government, while the Chief was dilating on the easy tenor of his Department's way. The operators are all Arabs, who use the Arab system j and their business is simple, for they send every message by cable across to Port Sudan—the only cable connecting the Peninsula on the West side with the outside world. Next to the Chief's private office is the Markaz, or Central, the only place of its kind in the world, I think, which is not hallowed by the presence of the hallo-girl, nor her "allo" sister. The operators are gentlemen in long skirts, who hide the receiver under silk sumadahs crowned with silk ighals, and add a line to their fine figures with a red or a green sash wound jauntily �MARCH, 1930 23 around the waist. Markaz! Central! and the affable young gentleman is ever ready with marhaba (welcome). The perpetual smile is there too—in his voice. 1 said, "ever ready" in haste; for he is at times, especially in the afternoon, caught napping. His switch board has twenty-five wires distributed to the Government Departments and the long-distance to Mecca and At-Taief, Markaz'—Mecca—His Majesty. And you hang up the receiver. In half a minute, a minute at the most, your telephone rings and Markaz calls you respectfully by your name. How did he knowI He knows the voice of every one of his customers. Marhaba, riis ) Majesty will speak with you.—Or his Eminence the Supreme jucw _or anyone you desire in the Government outside the Kaaba! There, the telephone wires, unlike the wires of the electric, are not permitted. On our way back from the T. and T. Office, as we were walking up the main street, I was attracted to a little square balustered platform, jutting between the baker's shop and the grocers, on which sat or rather knelt two men opposite each other. One of them had a roll of bills in his hand; and before him on the carpet were little stacks of silver of small denomination, while in a movable case with shelves and pigeon-holes were stacks of dollars of various kinds—Egyptian, Turkish, American, etc. One of the men was counting his bills, the other was counting his 1 i It was about noon when we passed, and 1 witnessed what was more extraordinary than the open-air bank or the kneeling bankers The Mosque was across the way, and the muazzen was in the minaret calling the Faithful to the noon devotion. So, when the man finished counting his bills, he and his partner got up, stepped down from the platform, covered it with a straw mat, ind leaving their bank thus behind them, went to say noon-day ra'r __0 Memory, be not unkind. Efface the vision of the city bandits of the West who walk into a bank at high noon, and, under the muzzle of a gun, make away with what they find before them. Or shall I ever forget the straw mat guarding the bank of Jeddah while its President and its Cashier were making their genuflections in the Mosque to Allah and the Prophet? But the Justice of the Peace, whom 1 met the following day at a dinner, was not surprised at all when I was relating enthusiastically about the matter. "There are no robberies in the City, he said "Because we apply the shot* (The Koranic Law); and �*** 24 THE SYRIAN WORLD there are but few people in the jail. The political offenders are sent to Mecca; the robber, after his hand is cut off, is set free to be an example and a warning; and only those who are guilty of petty offenses do we imprison. The Arabs quarrel very much, with reason or without reason,—they fight for nothing,—a word said in anger, even a word which one fails to say sometimes, causes a fight. In sooth, such a case once came before me. A beduin quarreled with another and struck him because he did not reply to his greeting. But the poor fellow, who failed to salaam, was deaf. The Arab is often foolish in his pride, and his temper is like fire." His Honor, a burly but unconcentrated figure of a gentleman in stockingless feet and a heavy turban, was neither an Arab nor a Sudanese, but a third or fourth generation one would say, of both. For he was of a color hard to define:—burned ivory under a wash coating comes nearest to it. Nevertheless, he had the manners of a sherif brought up in Stamboul. I asked my host afterwards if His Honor was a good judge. "He fills the diwan" was the reply. He sprawled, to be sure, upon the diwan, but he had the politeness to conceal his feet. Nor would he have spoken of the law and the jail, had I not opened the subject. It is one of the fine traits of the Arabs that they do not talk shop. But Captain Yanni,whose official title is assistant Director of the Aviation Department, is neither Arab nor Muslem, and is therefore forgiven for airing his views ever and always on the Air Force of King Husein. He had, moreover, a shop of ideas which he would never close for the sake of Arabia. Captain Yanni would have been a centre of trouble, of change, of activity, of infidelity, of progress in Hijaz the Holy, if Hijaz the Holy was not a wilderness. He was the one man in Jeddah who did not hold down in the presence of the King. And he drank, and he smoked, and he once had a Muhammedan mistress. Captain Yanni is a bandit of the spirit: he has in him the blood of his own bandit-ancestors, the modern Greeks, as well as that of a saintly Syrian family. His maternal uncle was a bishop; his father was a publisher, and he was in Hijaz the necessary evil of King Husein. The necessary good, if the Old Man knew well his business. Yanni would supply the Hijaz Government with all the instruments of modern warfare,—the surplus or the second-hand stock of one of the Allied Powers,—in perfect condition, at one-tenth of the cost price!—Tanks at a -$1,000 each to mow down the �Wahhabys; aeroplanes at $500 apiece to scatter the Idrisi forces to the wind and banish the Idrisi House clean out of Arabia; auto-busses at the price of a second-hand Ford for the comfort and delectation of the pilgrims; and, ye Gods of the Acropolis! this infernal Roumi, this Greco-Syrian revolutionary, would open a cafe and a cinema in the very heart of Jeddah. A performer of miracles, if the Old Man would only nod. What he did once, for my benefit, was equal to a miracle. The Condenser was out of order for a few days, and there was no water in Jeddah but that of the wells, which was brackish and lukewarm and scarce and dirty. Even the water that oozed out of the earthen jar and gathered in the bowl that held it was of the color of whey. I took it with lemon juice, in addition to the quinine, to ward off the malaria. The Condenser water was clean but not always perfectly desalted. Besides, it was always as lukewarm as the water from the wells. This was the calamity that lasted twenty days. Never in my life did I have a greater desire, a more oppressing desire, for a glass of ice water. One day I heard a noise in the kitchen that resembled the tinkle of ice in a pitcher of water in the hand of a negro boy at the door! and I was transported to New York, elated for a trice, and tormented for a long time after with the disillusion. I poetized before my friend about ice water, even about spring water, even about the water of Ashokan in distant Manhattan. And what happened: The following day at luncheon a glass of ice water was placed before me. I could not believe my eyes. I could not believe my hand. But the glass was ice cold and the vapor was on my ringers. Praised be the Most High! No glass I have ever raised to my lips gave me a more intoxicating delight. Now, where in Jeddah did the ice water come fromr Yanni is not a magician—I say—in the manner of His Majesty—he is not a magician. But I will discover to you the trick and leave you to judge of his ingenious and enterprising mind. A steamer had anchored in the harbor, and Yanni had seen the two thermos bottles I had in my bag. A moment later one of his Takrourmyrmidons, with a note and the said two bottles in his hand, was seen hiring a sanbook at the port. The King was still in Mecca that day. So in the evening, our friends who came to dinner took their Scotch with water instead of soda—ice water, thanks to Yanni—and took it in the drawing room! But when His Majesty was in Jeddah, we had to go into a closet and in the light of a candle do the bloody deed. - - ' ' ' �i THE SYRIAN WORLD MA He had us all cowed, the Old Hashemite. For in his days Jeddah was supposed to be dry, and the smuggling of liquor was inevitable. Much of it was even smuggled into Mecca. One of the King's Secretaries once lost his job, because, while packing to return to the Holy City, a bottle dropped out of the bag in the presence of the King. But as soon as His Majesty was out of the city gate, Jeddah began its celebrations. The bottles came out of the chests, the lute and the tambourine were uncovered, and he who had a voice gave it the freedom of the night. The King is gone to Mecca, Allah be praised! But when he came back to town, the Jeddites put on sackcloth and ashes, and their city became a sanctuary submerged in tea and soda-water and milk. The drinking in the closets by the light of the candle, nevertheless, continued, and Pericles of the cork helmet and the latest brand from Athens or London, came withal to the King's majlis, and kowtowed and fawned and kissed Majesty's hand. The bootlegging Greek! if the son of the Prophet but knew.—In Jeddah once I met an accursed Roumi who was what the Americans call a bootlegger, and I took him by the throat and smote him thus. Old Pericles, feeling a distant kinship to Yanni, often came in the evening bringing a bottle with him; otherwise, the Army officers would not Jet him join in a game of poker. A few came to the Guest House for fellowship—and a drink—only; and one of these had a few ideas as wild as Yanni's. He was the most liberal turban in Jeddah, and he would always drink till his liberalism began to reel. Sheikh Qasem, who speaks English, Turkish and Arabic, was sent to Constantinople in the days of the Young Turks to represent the Hijaz in Parliament. There he met and befriended the translator of Homer into Arabic, the Christian philosopher and poet Sulaiman Bustany; and every time they had a discussion, Qasem would say to Sulaiman: "The only way to reform the world is to make you Sheikh 'ul-Islam and be myself the Pope of Rome." He would then quote, being an orthodox boozer, from the English translation of Omar Khayyam: noth 26 "Would we not shatter it to bits and then Remould it nearer to the heart's desire?" When Sheikh Qasem first told us the story, one of the Army officers exclaimed: "Nothing can reform it but the sword." The poet demurred: "You had the sword and you reformed are i ing over t Mil X Shei tinu the or r till —A (l) (2) (3) �mm—mm "— ""' 27 MARCH, 1930 nothing." The merchant interposed: "Our curse is the Bedu—the Bedu are a problem which only Allah can solve." Whereupon Captain Yanni, leaving the poker table and coming to the centre of the room: "Armed ignorance can only be overcome by armed education." "Excellent!" exclaimed the Army Officer. "The Hashemite Military College was established for that purpose." "Hashemism can reform nothing." The voice was that of Sheikh Qasem, who calmly laid down his glass and calmly continued, "Zu Hasan (1) will remain robbers and cut throats till the end of time;° the Bedu of Ruwais (2) can never be educated or reformedj and the Buqoum (3) will lie and cheat and betray till Allah wipe out the last of their seed. Pray upon the Prophet! —And thou O Roumi, fill the glass." (1) Zu Hasan are sherifs who live between Lith and Jeddah along the coast and are pirates and highway robbers. (2) The Bedu of Ruwais who are like Zu Hasan beyond Government control, operate in the north between Jeddah and Yambo'. (3) The Buqoum is a tribe that lives in Tarabah and Khurmah on the border line between Najd and the Hijaz; and among them are Sherifs who have become Wahhabys. The King claimed them because they are of Benu Luaiy, the sherifs of the Hijaz, and the Sultan of Najd claimed them because they had become Wahhabys. But the question was settled at the battle of Tarabah (1919), in which the Army of the Hijaz, 12,000 led by the Ameer Abdalla'h, was wiped out completely by 6,000 of the forces of Ibn Sa'oud. On Life Translated from the Arabic by J. D. CARLYLE Like sheep, we're doom'd to travel o'er The fated track to all assign'd, These follow those that went before, And leave the world to those behind. As the flock seeks the pasturing shade, Man presses to the future day, While death, amidst the tufted glade, Like the dun robber, waits his prey. �THE SYRIAN WORLD Haroun Al-Rashid and the Two Lovers AN ARABIAN NIGHTS' STORY (Translated from the Arabic original) [N the days of the illustrious Haroun Al-Rashid, there lived in the city of Baghdad a great musician and singer by the name of Mouabbad whose fame had spread throughout the land and who sang not only in the court of Jaafar but in the court of the caliph himself. Through the excellence of his art he had amassed great wealth, so that in his affluence he consented to sing only for the highest circles and for exceedingly large fees. Those of moderate or limited means could never aspire to the distinction of having him sing for them. As related by an Arab chronicler on the authority of Mouabbad, the latter found himself one day face to face with a strange situation which demanded quick decision, inasmuch as it affected his personal prestige on the one hand and the loss of a large sum of money on the other. He was not slow in coming to the decision, but his surprise was not in the personal benefit involved as much as in the happy ending which his action brought about in one of the strangest love incidents ever to happen in the city of Baghdad, even at the pinnacle of its romantic career during the merry and glorious reign of the caliph Haroun Al-Rashid. Mouabbad relates his strange experience as follows: "On the afternoon of a certain day, when I had chosen to seclude myself in the privacy of my house, denying myself to all callers, my servant came to report that an insistent young man was at the gate seeking a private audience with me. The servant had strict orders not to admit anyone, and it seemed to me strange in the extreme that in the face of my explicit orders he should disturb me with such a request. But his excuse was that the determination and insistence of this particular caller were such that he could not deny him at least the transmission of a message. And I could trust the intelligence of my servant to feel confident that he must have exhausted all possible means before he chose to bring the request to me. �MARCH, 1930 29 "Realizing the situation, my curiosity was aroused and I had the caller admitted. He proved to be a youth of handsome features and stately bearing, but who seemed to suppress under a serene countenance emotioas of the deepest pain. He greeted me politely, and almost without any preliminaries laid before me a bag of three hundred gold pieces, saying: " 'In consideration of this sum please sing for me the following couplets: " 'My eye has brought deep torture to my heart, But it shall pay in floods of bitter tears. No! Never with my secret will I part, Until I die, or she to me appears.' " Said Mouabbad: "I sensed in the poetical selection that some love tragedy had befallen the youth, but rather than disappoint him by refusing to sing them, I thought that by complying with his request I might soften his sorrow and I forthwith tuned my oud and sang the verses in a soft and plaintive tone which 1 improvised to fit the meaning of the verses. Imagine then my surprise when the youth fell unconscious, so that it was with great effort that my servant and I could revive him by'sprinkling his face with rose water and rubbing his hands. "The youth showed his extreme gratefulness by bending over my hands and feet and covering them with kisses, but so great was his longing that he implored me with copious tears to repeat the song just once more. This I refused to cio, telling him bluntly that I feared for his life if I were to again tap the source of his pent-up emotions by a repetition of the song which had so affected him. But again he was insistent and exclaimed, 'Oh! of what value is my life any more! Would that I could only meet my death amidst such sweet melodies!' "Yielding to his solicitations, I again sang the verses even in a more touching manner, and as on the previous occasion, he again swooned and fell unconscious, and it was with much more effort that my servant and I could revive him this second time. But once he came to, I laid the bag of gold in his lap saying: T have had sufficient trials for the day. Please take back your gold, may Allah have pity on you, and depart in peace.' "The youth, however, would not listen to my counsels and importunities. Rather, in his desperation, he countered by saying: 'Master, not only this sum, but another of equal amount �30 THE SYRIAN WORLD will I give you if you but sing me the verses just another turn.' And again he fell at my feet weeping as if he had lost all control of his will. "I will admit that the double sum which the youth offered me tempted my weakness, and I consented to his request only on condition that he accept my hospitality and partake of some food that he might be able to withstand the coming ordeal. To this he proved agreeable and in this manner I was able to extract from him an account of the experience which brought on him his present state of misery. " 'About a year ago,' he began, 'I sought the banks of a brook in a picnicking party with some members of my tribe. There we encountered a company of young women, apparently of a strange tribe, disporting themselves in the water, and among them was a maiden the like of whom I had never beheld, and never expect to behold. She had the beauty of the rising sun, except that I would compare the sun to her, she being the more beautiful in my eyes. Her eyes were overpowering magnates, irresistible in their attraction. One felt in her presence that life was of no value to be laid at her feet. I became her helpless slave the moment I first laid my eyes on her. 'That night I returned to the encampment in a state of bewilderment. I was ill with an illness which the doctors of the tribe could not diagnose, but an illness, nevertheless, that was : devastating my frame and reducing me gradually to a mere skeleton of skin and bones. The women of the tribe alternated in keeping vigil over me as I was expected to pass away any moment. 'One of my cousins, suspecting the cause of my illness, implored me one day to confide in her my secret. By that time I had grown so weak and despondent that I thought I had better die with the secret of my heart on my lips, and with burning words I told my cousin the story of my love. 'Now this cousin smiled at me sympathetically and said: 'Why grieve you thus when you know not whether your love is unrequited or not? Perhaps the damsel entertains for you the same love that you bear for her. Take courage, then, and let me assist you in discovering a means of communicating with your beloved.' 'Saying which she explained to me that the tribe of this damsel was in the habit of passing by our district twice every year, in the spring and in the fall, and since they had now gone south they were due on their return journey within a few short months. She also promised to keep watch for the return of the A* �" mm "> MARCH, 1930 31 tribe and to do all possible to put me in communication with the captivator of my heart. 'Under the gentle ministrations of this sympathetic and understanding cousin I began to take courage and become stronger, and in due course of time the tribe returned, and my cousin and I sought the banks of the same stream, and to my great delight saw there my own beloved damsel. 'I felt as if I could fly to be by her side, but modesty restrained me, and I had my cousin recite to her the following verse: 'She shot a dart that found the heart and left Without attempting once to heal the wound.' 'Upon hearing which the damsel replied by the following quotation: 'Our case is even worse than you suspect, Abide your time, for succor may be near.' , Continued the youth: 'Hearing this, I refrained from any further exchange of quotations and waited until the damsel and her company departed, I following them until I discovered her tent. After which we used to meet under the mantle of night and exchange the sweetest conversation. But this bliss was of short duration, because her folks soon became aware of our trysts and caused her to be kept under the strictest surveillance and seclusion, even refusing to consider my offer of marriage for the well-known reason among the Arabs of preventing any marriage between persons whose love relations become publicly known. And here I am a helpless prey to my love, while I know that the love is returned and only the moral code of the Arabs prevents the consummation of our happiness.' Said Mouabbad: "Having heard the story of the youth, I felt no further reluctance in singing him the verses and he departed apparently relieved. But it was now my turn to be troubled, and I forthwith sought the court of Grand Vizier Jaafar and asked permission to sing him the very verses which the youth had suggested in the same tune I had composed for them. And Jaafar was exceedingly pleased, and asked me how 1 had come by this beautiful selection. This was the very occasion I was seeking and I recounted to him the whole story of the youth and his predicament. Whereupon Jaafar commanded me to fetch him, and I did, and he had us all accompany him to the presence of MM �M THE SYRIAN WORLD 32 the great caliph Haroun Al-Rashid who, upon hearing the song and the story of the youth wrote to his agent in Al-Hijaz, where the tribe of the damsel was then encamped, ordering them to his presence. And at his command the two lovers were united in marriage regardless of all considerations of moral codes or traditions, he even supplying the bride with the necessary dowry and bestowing upon the couple many valuable gifts." On Giving and Taking By KAHLIL GIBRAN k, We are all beggars at the gate of the temple, and each one of us receives his share of the bounty of the King when he enters the temple, and when he goes out. But we are all jealous of one another, which is another way of belittling the King. You cannot consume beyond your appetite. The other half of the loaf belongs to the other person, and there should remain a little bread for the chance guest. I stopped my guest on the threshold and said, "Nay, wipe not your feet as you enter, but as you go out." Generosity is not in giving me that which I need more than you do, but it is in giving me that which you need more than I do. You are indeed charitable when you give, and while giving, turn your face away so that you may not see the shyness of the receiver. The difference between the richest man and the poorest is but a day of hunger and an hour of thirst. v �> 1 33 MARCH, 1930 The Two Answers By alf DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN A MIDST a loving few the Prophet sat, Inhaling deep the balmy breath of night, Musing, pondering long; his eyes tracing Upon the domed page of heaven the signs— The mystic signs of fate—the awful lines Of light and flame—and what between the lines He read, I cannot tell. He listened long, He gazed and gazed. Perchance Gabriel's face He saw among the stars and heard his voice. Or more, perchance the airy legions he Perceived with faces turned towards the Throne And heard their song. A sigh the silence broke— How deep the sigh! How awful was the spell It broke! Then one by one upon the ears— The anxious ears, and longing, thirsting hearts— Like drops of dew upon the parched land His words now fell: "All, all that dwell in heaven Above, and all that crowd this earth below And all that fill the space between extol And praise Allah! At night the gates of heaven Are open wide—extol and praise Allah!" The name of God the spell of silence broke. Then one, a stranger lately come, a new Convert unto the faith, advanced and said: "O Prophet of Allah, my heart has gone To thee. I love thee well—dost thou in turn love me?" "Thy heart will tell thee, friend. It knows, for hearts Are witnesses." The Prophet spake and turned His back upon him and he vanished in The night. "What made him go?" the whisper ran, �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD "The question put: the answer given: and what Is there:.... Yet hold, how strange that answer was!" Then one, "I love thee, too; my heart has gone To thee, O Prophet of Allah. Hast thou A place, though small, within thy heart for me?" "My friend, there is a silent, secret road— A bridge from heart to heart. I've answered thee." The Traveler By ALICE MCGEORGE I saw a pleasant winding roadway, Trees lapping overhead, 'Twas splotched with sunshine, knit with shadow I wondered where it led. It slyly whispered, "Follow, follow," There's romance just ahead; Adventure lurks, and pleasures beckon. "I come," I softlv said. A river winding down the valley, Trees arching overhead, The eddying current dimpled brightly, I wondered where it led. It boldly shouted, "Follow, follow," Then breathless on it sped, No time to loiter, or to reckon, "The rapids," I cried in dread. �MARCH, 1930 ! 35 Through Southern Lebanon A CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF THE EDITOR'S TRIP ABROAD VI By ' SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL f"YWING to its central location, Zahle was my starting point for many flying excursions in all directions of Syria and Lebanon. It is situated mid-way between Beirut and Damascus, while tht famous city of Baalbek, in the northern end of the Beka' plain, is at less than an hour's drive. The southern end of the plain is equally as convenient to reach from Zahle. So taking advantage of the ready convenience, we bid farewell early one morning to the host of friends along the Bardouni and sped along an even road in the direction of Mt. Hermon. My destination for that day was Mashgara, the native town of my better half, whose folks I had heard so much about but never met. For over twenty years I was having it dinned in my ears that Mashgara was the most beautiful town in the world— a terrestial paradise, and attributed the statement to the natural pride of every native in his own home town. And if that native happens to be of the fair sex, and above that your wife, there remains no ground for fair objection, and submission or acquiescence becomes inevitable. Now, however, I was afforded the opportunity of visiting the town for the first time in my life, without the benefit of wife. I could judge it by its appearance, free from any interference, and whatever merits there be to the case I could take at their face. At a point near Kabb Elias we left the level road and began a gentle ascent up the mountain which permitted of a wider perspective of the enchanting beauty of Al-Beka' plain the higher we rose. This section of Lebanon is but sparsely settled, and one could admire on one side the rugged, natural beauty of the mountain, and on the other the symmetrical and designed beauty of the plain. The scene continues thus until one comes �36 THE SYRIAN WORLD abreast of Mt. Hermon, when the western Lebanon range is broken in the higher reaches and permits of a sharp turn from south to west through a narrow pass. It is then that one comes into the thickly populated section of Al-Beka', passing in rapid succession through such important towns as Saghbin and Aitaneet, until one reaches the metropolis of the district, Mashgara. The reason for this condition is that water abounds on the western slopes and is scarce elsewhere. Mashgara, owing to its abundant water supply permitting of the development of a tanning industry, fared better than any other town in Lebanon during the .war, because of the need of the Turkish army for leather. We passed a point midway between Aitaneet and Mashgara which I cannot pass here without comment. Rising on a prominent hill was a beautiful mausoleum of Carrara marble, which I was told was especially imported from Italy. A wide path was cut from the main highway to the mausoleum enclosure, and such pains were taken to beautify the place that shade trees were planted on both sides of the path, giving it the appearance of a miniature Taj Mahal! The legend of this beautiful sanctuary of the dead in its manifestly odd surroundings is that a certain citizen of Aitaneet migrated to America and prospered. He returned and impoverished himself by heavy investment in property. Again he returned to America and accumulated a second fortune, but this time he acquired for himself a rich wife and conceived the idea of the mausoleum to perpetuate his memory. Such carefully laid plans did he have, and such pains did he take in the execution of every detail, that he even planted vines and a variety of fruit trees for the accommodation of the visiting pilgrims to his grave. He wished them to eat and drink and be merry and ask mercy for his soul! The surprising development is that even before his demise he saw both the trees he planted and the plans he laid come to fruition. One of his entesprising young townsmen, aided by his pretty and coquettish wife, opened a cafe alongside the mausoleum which became immediately popular with the lovers of Kaif! The automobile road to Mashgara was in the early stages of construction at the time of our visit in year of Our Lord 1929. This would sound strange for a progressive district metropolis, but in justice to the otherwise laudable enterprise of the Mashgaranians it must be recalled that Mashgara before the war was under direct Turkish rule as a part of Syria, and not annexed to auto- �MARCH, 1930 37 Mashgara, whose lower quarter stretches into the valley of the river Litani in a beautiful setting. nomous Lebanon as it is now. And a royal road to Mashgara in its rugged mountainous setting takes time to build. At the town boundary we came to a bifurcation in the road which exemplifies the enterprising spirit of the people of Mashgara. One branch led to the heart of the town and that was the public highway, while another branch led to the upper quarter which is populated predominantly by the Trabulsi family. The Trabulsis built this private road out of their own funds. The town owes them also many other public improvements, principal among which is the contemplated project for generating hydroelectric power in the falls of the Litani intended to provide the town with electricity. At the end of the private road, which, by the way, is of considerable length, we came to the house of Suleiman Trabulsi, leading citizen of Mashgara and for several decades its sheikh or magistrate. His benign face and outstretched arms bespoke his open hospitality. And that not because I was his brother-inlaw, as he was known for this generous quality throughout the length and breadth of the land. Then came Sophia, sister of Helena my wife, blessed be the souls of both! She made me feel the first touch of feminine �38 THE SYRIAN WORLD lips since I left home. And she was so motherly prodigal in the display of her affection! She kissed me first for, her sister, then for each of her children and grandchildren in America. \o\v of her children alone in America there are seven, and of grandchild dren an equal number. Under her volley of kisses I felt that she must have taken account also of her children at home of whom there are no less than four, and added a liberal quantity for good measure. I promised to distribute some to her loved ones upon my return. What sterling qualities this grand old woman of Mashgara has! Her voice rang with such sincerity when she told me that she considered me like Nesib, her oldest son, who, by the way, is about my own age. The Trabulsi house hugs tightly the side of a steep mountain which rises abruptly to the rear. From the heavy stone railing of the flat roof a magnificent view is had of the opposite mountain and of the rolling hills marking the opening of the valley. The town below seems piled one house above the other in serrated formation. The incline is so steep that no lower story of any house seems to need but three walls, the fourth being the solid side of the mountain. But amidst this profusion of rustic scenery there was brought a touch of ultra modernity that was all but amazing. Wonderful America, how far thy influence has traveled! Within the enclosure of the Trabulsi property, made by planing several terraces, was a tennis court! A modern apartment was built on a corner of the immense flat roof of the house that is all but a New York penthouse! The furniture is in period style and the windows have wire screens! A bath room is available with running hot and cold water! And to further carry out the effect, you have the luxury of a day bed! Yes, you are cramped for space in Lebanon! Elias, a son of Suleiman, is a dealer in antiques in New York. He paid a visit to the parental home a few years ago, and this modern creation in an antique setting was the result. That night almost half of Mashgara gathered at the Trabulsis to congratulate them on meeting with their brother-in-law. We chose to hold the reception on the roof bathed by the silvery rays of the moon and in close,proximity to the twinkling stars. John Trabulsi was also there. He too is of New York where he has an exclusive Fifth Avenue apartment and loves the comfort of American city life. He had been to Paris but left it with �MARCH, 1930 39 the impression that it was still very much wanting in comparison to American cities. To Mashgara, his beloved hometown, he wanted to bring all the possible modern conveniences and amenities that would make it worth living in. John would have the streets, if such there are, swepUgnd sprinkled in summer as a sanitary measure. If the public revenue of the town is only eight hundred liras it should be increased by further taxation. The roads should be kept in good repair and cheap electricity provided. Joseph Mokarzel, the progressive publisher of Ad-Dabbour, approved of John's suggestions in toto. But the rest of the people were groaning under their taxes as they are, and felt that if a few rich citizens of the town in America could stand an increase in taxation, they could not. John finally had to satisfy his civic zeal by liberally sponsoring the hydroelectric project. The following day we decided to visit Jazzine and continue on our trip through Southern Lebanon. A military road had been opened the year previous between Mashgara and Jazzine over the twin mountains called At-Towmat, which it was proposed we should take. The fact that the road was very steep most of the way, and had been badly washed out in places by the heavy rainfall of the previous winter, gave us ground for many exciting experiences. We were.in two automobiles and, contrary to most similar accounts we read, it was our car and not the other, fellow's which went awry. At every climb it would simply refuse to move, and we would have to scramble out and take the shorUcut and meet it at the next turn. Even when we had reached the summit and began the descent, we rode only in short hauls, preferring to walk than to trust our lives to a balky car and a cranky driver. We had climbed in and climbed out so often that I became careless of my movements. And therein was the cause of another calamity. It so happened that while leaving the car at one time in disgust, I was caught on the seat of my trousers by the sharp point of the door, and the rip that resulted was in proportion to my disgust. What added to my discomfiture was the ringing laughs of the ladies riding in the other car,—Trabulsis all, by the way,—Rasheedi of New York, Olga of Zahle and Angele of Mashgara.—And I could not possibly retort. I only appealed to their sense of decency to turn their faces the other way, slipping meanwhile behind a boulder for a few minutes. What a relief to have an extra pair of trousers! Let the comedians poke �THE SYRIAN WORLD 40 m -. • -«*U •; I . ! /: View of Jazzine from the north, showing the high 'perpendicular cliff and the numerous large, modern hotels. all the fun they want at those buying two-pants suits and burning a hole in the coat."The hole there is better than elsewhere! The engagement of that car was the poorest bargain John ever made. He was carried so far by his desire to patronize a townsman that he had dismissed for his sake a chauffeur of a neighboring town who had served him long and well on many other journeys. At Jazzine we were the guests of Dr. and Mrs. Habib Nassif who lived up to the highest traditions of Lebanese hospitality. I had heard much of the beauty of Jazzine from its many sons in America, and on this visit I discovered that they were not exaggerating. Especially is the view of its famous cliff and falls imposing. The sheer drop is even higher than that of Niagara, but the volume of water, especially in summer, is unconsequential. We took refreshments on the balcony of a hotel built by Mgr. Paul Rizk directly at the edge of the precipice. Jazzine has become within the past few years one of Lebanon's most popular summer resorts, and its many hotels are among the largest and the best appointed in the country. A suggestion was made that we go to Kfarhouna, a town near Jazzine, to witness the celebration of the feast day of the local patron saint. The reason advanced was that this fete attracted annually enormous crowds from all the countryside. Obviously, the proposition was an attractive one, because it afforded us a w �MARCH, 1930 i / i ! 41 unique opportunity to see a typical native celebration of these feast days on an elaborate scale. Kfarhouna lies in a depression amidst several low hills. We reached it at dusk when the festivities were at their height. In the principal square were several thousand people of all ages bent on merry-making. Here was a group drinking and listening to an oud player; there was another drinking and listening to a quawwal or singer ; still another group was drinking between their dabke dances, and finally any number of groups just sitting and drinking. I observed several parties who had brought phonographs in the conviction that the instrument would obey them in giving their choice selections more than the temperamental human artist. But nowhere was there any rowdyism or objectionable drunkenness. The only surprising feature was that the church was deserted! I tried to extract from an old resident of the town an account of how the feast originated and he obligingly informed me that Our Lady of Kfarhouna had miraculous qualities. He could not recall just what miracles were wrought through her intercession, but the first intimation of her powers was when she revealed herself in an apparition to a notable of the town .and directed him to dig for water at a certain spot and there would gush forth a spring which would bring great blessing to the town. When the notable doubted, she appeared to him again, and this time he did dig at the spot indicated and struck water. The water effected many cures and believers began to flock to the town in increasing numbers as the years went by. And this in spite of the fact that the spring dried up shortly after its appearance. Incidentally, I learned that the said notable was a large property owner. All honor to him, for his dream has actually come true, and his having obeyed the command to dig has brought a never-drying stream of prosperity to his town. From Jazzine and Kfarhouna we proceeded to visit other interesting places in Southern Lebanon. Passing through an intensively cultivated country we reached the town of Al-Mukhtara, seat of the powerful Druze family of Janblatt. There Sitt Nazira rules in her beautiful ancestral palace, but not in the manner of the feudal system of yore. She is not only one of the most enlightened, but one of the most progressive women of the country. Her initiative in inaugurating industrial progress is truly admirable. She generates electricity from the abundant water supply of the palace which once went to waste and uses the ... ... ....... �- 42 THE SYRIAN WORLD The approach of Belt Eddeen from the south is over a road that skirts a steep precipice appearing in the right foreground The palace is in the center background power to operate a flour mill, an olive press and a carpentry shop, besides lighting the palace and part of the town. I had an interview with her which lasted almost two hours, in which she discussed unreservedly the widest range of subjects, from the economic rehabilitation of the country to the status of the Druze women both at home and abroad. A fuller account of this interview will be given separately. At a short distance to the north we came to Beit Eddeen, the one-time capital of Lebanon during the long and glorious reign of Emir Bashir Shehab. Unquestionably the Emir's palace is the finest example of Eastern architectural and decorative art in Lebanon. It can be truly called a palace both in its proportions and in its fine design and arrangements. It is still in the finest state of preservation. Then the road led on a straight line north to historic Dair ElKamar which also claims the distinction of having once been the capital of Lebanon. Through the massive door of the old Saraya one reaches the inner court where in the war of 1860 a thousand Christians were trapped by the treachery of the Turks and slaughtered in cold blood. You are shown the balcony from which the bodies of the victims were thrown to an outer yard which still serves as their resting place and is called the martyrs' graveyard. �MARCH, 1930 43 But for the good road.s in this district we could not have visited so many interesting places in less than a day. As it was, we had ample time to visit the famous springs of Al-Barouk and Ain Zhalta and reach the heights of Dhour Kl-Baidar, on the Beirut-Damascus road, before the sun had stolen from Sannin its golden crown and hid behind the placid waters of the Mediterranean. Advice to a Rash Youth By I LAIJEEBEE A. J. HANNA I would not sail on what I knew— Straight to the open sea: I'd try to learn a little more To go on some mad spree! 1 A little knowledge does not give A license — or a wing! I'd want to know the notes and rhythm Before I tried to sing! I would not travel with a young fool To show that I could lead3 I'd rather follow an able guide— No others do I need. I would not shout to the heavens When a stormy wind blows by; I'd rather sing on a summer's day My voice would reach the sky! : �THE SYRIAN WORLD 44 EDITORIAL COMMENT ^E TRUST that the change in format, introduced with this issue of THE SYRIAN WORLD, will please our readers. Hitherto the quality of paper used was bulky but light, whereas the present paper is smooth and heavy. This permits of printing the illustrations in conjunction with the text, insuring their appearance nearer the points intended to illustrate. Obviously this was impracticable with the former arrangement when the illustrations were printed separately and inserted where convenient. While this change will affect the apparent thickness of the magazine, it will not actually cause any reduction in the amount of Reading matter. The number of pages remains the same, and whenever the necessity arises additions could always be made. * * Vj7E would be anxious to bring THE SYRIAN WORLD up to the highest standard obtaining among American periodicals. Nothing would please us more than to be able to double and triple its size, to print it in colors, to have the material especially illustrated, and otherwise introduce such typographical improvements that would materially enhance- its attractiveness. We know that some of our critics take pleasure in pointing out our shortcomings particularly along that line. They see the appeal in the great American magazines and establish the comparison without consideration of capital invested, staff engaged and revenue from advertisements and from a circulation running into the millions. While we who cannot use even the plural for thousand in counting our subscribers, who do violence to the editorial "we" in reference to staff and who even have to contend with the still prevalent Syrian notion that a subscription is synonymous with a gift, we are expected to attain the high standards of American publications on such meager resources! Our critics do not even stop to consider that if we were to pay for contributions there would not be left the shade of a possibility of publishing a single issue. We have exhausted all available methods for increasing circulation, our last and most ambitious effort being the prize offer of a free round trip to Syria. We would be loath �- 45 MARCH, 1930 to admit that the Syrian business instinct asserts itself even in matters cultural to the extent of buying quantity instead of quality—of wanting size and appearance in a publication regardless of the cause it is meant to serve. But the contrary remains to be proven. for the kind of service we have pledged ourselves to promote. *P *l* *P ALTHOUGH six installments of the account of the editor's trip abroad have so far been published, the subjects have been confined almost exclusively to Lebanon. With the coming installment, however, A GAIN we would emphasize we hope to bring the account of that THE SYRIAN WORLD is our travels in Lebanon to an under no subsidy and that it end and proceed to other parts receives no financial assistance of Syria, following our itinerof whatever nature or from ary in chronological sequence, whatever source. It was under- traveling from Tripoli through taken for the service of an ideal the Alouite State to Aleppo, and the only obligation it feels Hama, Horns and Damascus. is to that company of voluntary Jebel Druze will follow with a contributors who have given of full account of the many intertheir best towards the promo- esting experiences met with in tion of this service. They are that section of Syria lying on the thinking element who feel the fringe of the desert and the value of the principles still abounding with the elewhich THE SYRIAN WORLD ad- ments of romance and mystery. In order, however, to further vocates and have generously rallied to its support. If their expedite the account, interviews efforts and ours meet with such with religious and political little response, then something leaders will be dealt with sepamust be radically wrong either rately, following the manner with us or with the Syrian pub- of describing the meeting with lic for which the publication is the Maronite Patriarch appearintended. We would like to ing in this issue. This would learn where the fault really lies mean the publication of two and what could be done to- articles dealing in some form wards its correction. We pledge or other with the editor's exourselves to give full publicity periences in Syria in each of to all opinions of whatever the coming numbers. The apshade or tenure. Let us see if preciation of these descriptive we can get together on some and highly informative acconstructive effort and ascer- counts shown by our readers tain if there is really any need justifies the action taken. �THE SYRIAN WORLD Causes of Palestine Riots SUMMARY OF THE REPORT OF THE SHAW COMMISSION OF INQUIRY ON THE RESULT OF ITS INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES OF THE PALESTINE DISTURBANCES OF AUG., 1929. _ Editor's Note:—The long-expected report of the Shaw commission of inquiry was made public in London on March 31. Forecasts of the findings of the Commission cabled earlier in the month represented the report as favoring the Arabs. It does favor them to the extent of absolving them from the charge of premeditation in the August riots, as well as of any hostile design against the British mandate. The Grand Mufti, however, is subject to mild censure for having failed to exercise the prestige of his office to ward off the danger. At the same time, the Jewish Palestine Executive is given to understand plainly that it is not entitled to share in the function of government, while the several constructive recommendations of the commission would clarify the political situation in Palestine, regulate immigration, curb the press and maintain a strong military garrison capable of coping with further outbreaks. The dissenting member of the commission, Harry Snell, a Laborite, lays a greater share of blame for the riot at the door of the Grand Mufti and is otherwise more partial to the Jewish cause. The following summary of this historical document was cabled from London on the day of publication by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and published in the New York Times of April 1. Summarizing its findings as to the cause of last August's outbreak, the Shaw Commission declares that the fundamental cause "without which! in out opinion, the disturbances would either not have occurred or would have been little more than a local riot, is the Arab feeling of animosity and hostility toward the Jews, consequent upon the disappointment of their political and national aspirations and fear for their economic future. "The feeling as it exists today is based on the two-fold fear of the Ar^bs that by Jewish immigration and land purchases they may be deprived of their livelihood and in time pass under the political domination of the Jews. In our opinion the immediate causes of the outbreak were, first a long series of incidents connected with the Wailing Wall which began on the Day of Atonement in September, 1928, and ended with the Moslem �MARCH, 1930 I 47 demonstration of August 16, 1929. "These must be regarded as a who'e, but the incident among them which in our view contributed most to the outbreak was the Jewish demons stration at the Wailing Wall on August 15. "Next in importance we put the activities of the Society for the Protection of the Moslem Holy Places and in a lesser degree of tha Pro-Wailing Wall Committee; secondly, the exciting and intemperate articles which appeared in some Arabic papers, in one Hebrew daily paper and in the Jewish weekly published in English; thirdly, the propaganda among the less educated Arab people, of a character calculated to incite them; fourthly, the enlargement of the Jewish agency; fifthly, on the inadequacy of the military forces and reliable police available; sixthly, the belief due largely to a feeling of uncertainty as to the policy that the decisions of the Palestine Government could be influenced by political considerations." The commission's report, devotes considerable space to recommendations for the future. In this regard it says, "We attach the highest importance to our recommendation that his Majesty's Government should consider the advisabiHty of issuing a clear statement of policy, the value of which would be greatly enhanced if it dealt with the points which we set out in the second stipulation of the following clause: "Our recommendations regarding immigration and land questions are largely based on the assumption that in their definition of a policy the government will clearly state that the rights and position of non-Jewish communities in Palestine are to be fully^safeguarded." In defining this policy the report says, "It is our view that the issuance of a clear statement of the policy which the government intends to pursue in Palestine is essential to good government. We therefore recommend that the government consider the advisability of issuing such a statement with the least possible delay. "It is important that the government make clear that they intend to give full effect to that policy with all the resources at their command. Whatever form the statement of policy may take, its value would be greatly enhanced if it contained a definition in clear and positive terms of the meaning which the government attaches to passages in the mandate providing for the safeguarding of the rights of non-Jewish communities in the country and if it laid down for the guidance of the Palestine Government directions more explicit than any yet given as to the conduct of the policy of such vital issues of land and immigration." The commission's recommendation on immigration declares that "any uncertainty as to the line of policy to be pursued in the vital matter of immigration is bound to be reflected in the conduct of the Palestine Government in the attitude and temper of the Arab people and those representing Jewish interests. We recommend, therefore, that the government issue at an early date a clear and definite declaration of the policy which they intend to be pursued regarding the regulation and control of future Jewish immigration to Palestine, and in framing that declaration they should have regard to our conclusions on the subject of immigration. "The administrative machinery for the regulation of immigration should be reviewed with the object of preventing a repetition of the excessive immigration of 192.3-26. Consideration should be given to the pos- �48 THE SYRIAN WORLD sibility of devising some more suitable method of regulating the disposal of immigration certificates under the labor schedule. Until such time as some form of representative government is established in Palestine, machinery should be, if possible, devised whereby non-Jewish interests in Palestine could be consulted upon matters which, had there been a legislative council, would have been referred to a special immigration committee, of which mention is made in a statement of policy contained in the White Paper of 1922." Discussing the land problem the report recommends that "a scientific inquiry should be taken by experts into the prospects of introducing improved methods of cultivation in Palestine. The land policy could then be regulated in the light of the facts ascertained by these scientific investigations. It is of vital importance that in any scheme of land development, adopted as a result of the expert inquiry regard should be had to the certain and natural increase in the present rural population, mentioned elsewhere. The Palestine Government should consider the posthe present tendency toward the eviction of peasant cultivators from the land should be checked by the adoption of one of the alternative methods mentioned elsewhere. The Palestine Government should consider the popssibility of reviving the agricultural bank or providing by other means for the needs of the poorer cultivators who require credit facilities to enable them to improve their present methods of farming." On constitutional developments the commission declared: "We do not wish to make any formal recommendation on this question. We would, however, urge that when the question of the constitutional development of Palestine again comes under review regard be had to our conclusion in another chapter of this report that the absence of any measure of selfgovernment is greatly aggravating the difficulties of local administration." Discussing the Wailing Wall, the commission declared: "In December last, while we were still in Palestine, we communicated to you a recommendation that the government take steps to secure the early appointment under Article XIV of the mandate of an ad hoc commission to determine rights and claims in connection with the Wailing Wall. The early determination of the rights and claims connected with the Wailing Wall is a measure essential to the peace and good government of Palestine. We consider, therefore, that the constitution of a commission and its departure for that country should be expedited by every possible means." Referring to fhe activities of religious societies, the report says: "Since the disturbances in Palestine legislation dealing with offenses against the State, including sedition, has been repealed and replaced by an ordinance based on English criminal law. In the circumstances we feel that it is unnecessary for us to make any recommendation under this head." On the matter of the incitement of the press, the report recommends that "steps should be taken to insure that the attention of the senior officers of the Palestine Government in the future be called to any article appearing in the Palestine press which is of an inflammatory character and likely to excite the feelings of the people. The Palestine Government should examine the press law now in force with a view to making provision, if such provision does not exist now, which would enable them to obtain convictions from the courts in any case in which it is proved that articles �MARCH y 1930 49 tending to a breach of the peace hod been published in a newspaper in palps tin6.,J Regarding incitement, the report urges that steps be at one etaken to remedy admitted defects in the intelligence service of Palestine. An adequate and efficient intelligence service is essential to enable the government to check the activities of persons who endeavor to stir up racial feelings." . On the functions of the Zionist Organization and the Palestine Zionist Executive the report recommends that "the government should reaffirm the statement made in 1922 that the special position assigned to the Zionist Organization by the mandate does not entitle it to share in any degree in the government of Palestine. We recommend for the consideration of the government that they should examine the possibility of laying down some precise definition of the meaning of Article IV of the Palestine mandate." , . ., Recommendations for defense and security are that "the question of the most suitable form of garrison for Palestine should be referred to the appropriate advisers of the government. Until that question has been decided and thereafter until racial feeling has shown some marked improvement, no reduction should be made in the present garrison of two battalions of infantry. An independent inquiry should be made by an experienced police officer from some other dependency into the organization of the Palestine Police Department. You have already accepted and acted on this recommendation. The Palestine Government should be instructed to inquire into and report upon the possibility of forming a reserve of special constables." While praising the conduct of the British Police in Palestine during the period of the disturbances, the report admits in discussing defense and security that the policy of reducing the garrison in Palestine and Transjordania was carried too far. "The Palestine Police, regarded collectively, were not to be relied upon after fire had been opened or for purposes of fighting at close quarters," it says." "The Transjordanian frontier force behaved with exemplary loyalty, but the intelligence service in Palestine proved inadequate." The outbreak was not, nor was it intended to be, declares the report, a revolt against British authority. Referring to the Zionist complaints against the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, the report declares that the motive of his alleged desire to make secure his own position as president of the Supreme Moslem Council, which formed part of the case put forward against the Mufti, had not been established. "The Mufti, so far as we can see, had no reason to suppose that his tenure of office was in any danger," says the report, "and in playing the part that he took in the formation of societies for the defense of Moslem holy places and in fostering the activities of such societies the Mufti was influenced by the two-fold desire to annoy the Jews and to mobilize Moslem opinion on the issue of the Wailing Wall. "He had not intended utilizing this political campaign as a means of inciting to disorders. Inasmuch as the movement which he partly created became through the force of circumstances, a not unimportant factor in the events which led to the outbreak, the Mufti, like many others who �-———————______— 50 THE SYRIAN WORLD directly or indirectly played upon public feelings in Palestine, must accept a share in the responsibility for the disturbances." The report says that there is no evidence that the Mufti issued any requests to the Moslems of Palestine to come to Jerusalem on August 23 and that no connection has been established between the Mufti and the work of those who were either known or thought to have been engaged in agitation and incitement. After the disturbances had broken out, the report points out, the Mufti cooperated with the government in its effort both to restore peace and to prevent an extension of the disorders. Referring to the Zionist complaints against the Palestine Arab executive, the report concludes that the charges of premeditation and organization of the disturbances are not proved against the Palestine Arab executive, and "if made in relation to the actual events of August 23 and the following days are negatived by the known facts. The charge of deliberate incitement to disorder has not been substantiated against the Palestine Arab executive as a body, but we have little doubt that some of the constituents who have been elected to the executive carried out among the more ignorant Arab people a campaign of propaganda calculated to incite them. It is probable, though except in one case there is no proof, that individual members of the Arab executive further exacerbated racial feeling after the disturbances had begun. For their failure to make an attempt during the week preceding the disturbances to control their followers, to declare publicly and emphatically that they were on the side of law and order, neither the Mufti nor the Palestine Arab executive can be acquitted of blame." No blame can be properly attached to H. C. Luke, Acting High Commissioner of Palestine during the riots says the report referring to the Zionist complaints against the government on the ground that he did not obtain reinforcements from neighboring countries before August 23. "Looking back on the question in the full light of our present knowledge, it is our view that it would have been a reasonable precaution if Mr. Luke had mobilized the troops within his jurisdiction at some convenient place in Palestine some time during the days which immediately preceded the disturbances, but for reasons which we have explained elsewhere we do not think that any serious criticism can be properly levied against Mr. Luke for his failure to adopt this course. "We endorse Mr. Luke's action in declining to arm a considerable number of Jewish people, whose services were offered on the 17t)h. We are satisfied that in taking his decision that forty-one Jewish constables should be disarmed, Mr. Luke was following the highest military advice available to him and using his own unbiased judgment as to the line of action which was best calculated to serve the interests of the people with whose wellbeing he was charged. Many exciting and intemperate articles were published in the Palestine press between October, 1928, and August, 1920. We consider that the power of the Palestine Government to suspend the press should have been invoked against the papers which published some of these articles. "We cannot attach any blame to any police officer for the failure to prevent the Jewish demonstration at the Wailing Wall on August 15.- It is our view that those who were present during the discussions with the �MARCH, 1930 51 leaders of the Jewish youth failed to make clear to Major Saunders that the Jewish leaders declined to accept one of the conditions which Mr. Luke attached to his decision that the procession should be allowed to go to the Wailing Wall on the 22nd.- Any attempt to have prevented by force the Moslem demonstration on August 16 would have been dangerous and ill-advised. "Rumors current in Palestine immediately before were the natural consequence of the two demonstrations of the 15th and 16th." Turning to the complaint that the Palestine Government had consistently shown a lack of sympathy toward the Jewish National Home and that its policy had been one of weakness the report says that this ' is in large measure due to the difficulties inherent in the mandate and the failure to appreciate the dual nature of the policy which the government has to administer. It is our view that the government did discharge to the best of its ability the difficult task of maintaining a neutral and impartial attitude between two peoples whose leaders had shown little capacity for compromise." . On the subject of immigration the report admits that Jewish enterprise and Jewish immigration were not in excess of the absorbtive capacity of the country and "have conferred material benefits upon Palestine, in which the Arab people share. We consider, however, that the claims and demands, which from the Zionist side had been advanced, regarding the future of Jewish immigration into Palestine, had been such as to arouse among the Arabs apprehension that they will in time be deprived of their livelihood and pass under the political domination of the Jews. "We further consider that Sir John Campbell was right When he reported that the crises of 1927-28 were due 'to the fact that immigrants came into Palestine in excess of the economic absorbing power of the country' There is incontestable evidence that in the matter of immigration there has been a serious departure by the Jewish authorities from the doctrine accepted by the Zionist Organization in 11)22 that immigration should be regulated by the economic capacity of Palestine to absorb new arrivals. -„ . , In conjunction with other and more immediate causes for the disturbances, the feeling of Arab apprehension caused by Jewish immigration was a factor which contributed to the outbreak. The land problem comes in for considerable attention. On this matter the report savs: "Soon after the institution of civil government in Palestine, the administration became anxious lest the interest of the tenants and cultivators be prejudiced by the sale of large estates. The land transfer ordinances of 1920 and 1921 were passed with the object of protecting the interest of cultivators and preventing their expropriation from the soil. These ordinances failed to achieve their objects and were replaced by the cultivators' protective ordinance of 1929. "Between 1921 and 1929 there were large sales of land, in consequence of which numbers of Arabs were evicted without provision of other land for their occupation. In some cases, the Arabs who were dispossessed received cash compensation, and no criticism can be levied against the Jewish land companies in respect to these transactions. Those companies were acting with the government's knowledge �52 THE SYRIAN WORLD i "The cultivator's protective ordinance of 1929, while giving compensa- I tion for the disturbance, does nothing to check the tendency toward dispossession of the cultivators from their holdings. The mere provision of compensation in money may even encourage that tendency. The position is now acute. There is no alternative land to which the evicted persons can be removed. In consequence a landless and discontented class is being created. Such a class is a potential danger to the country. Source of Discontent Seen. "Unless some solution can be found to deal with this situation the question will remain a constant source of present discontent and a potential cause of future disturbance. Palestine cannot support a larger agricultural population than it at present carries unless the methods of farming undergo radical changes. With more intensive cultivation, should this prove to be possible, room might be found for a number of newcomers in certain districts." The constitutional grievances of the Arabs also come in for some attention in the report, Which says on this subject: "It is a matter of regret that the Arab leaders did not accept the offer of a legislative council that was made to them in 1922. Today the Arab people of- Palestine are united in a demand for a measure of self-government. This unity of purpose may weaken, but it is liable to be revised in full force by any large issue which involves racial interests. It is our belief that the feeling of resentment among the Palestine Arabs consequent upon their disappointment at their continued failure to obtain any measure of self-government is greatly aggravating the difficulties of local administration." The difficulties inherent in the Palestine mandate in the Balfour Declaration, the report declares, are factors of supreme importance in a consideration of the Palestine problem. "The issue of a clear definition of policy backed by a statement that it is the firm intention of the government to supplement that policy to the full would be of the greatest assistance in securing good government of the country." Labor Member's Reservations. Harry Snell the Laborite member, differs from the other members in attributing to the Grand Mufti a greater share in the responsibility for the disturbances than is attributed to him in the report. He is of the opinion that the Mufti "must bear the blame for his failure to make any effort to control the character of the agitation conducted in the name of the religion of which, in Palestine, he is the head." Although he agrees that the Arab Executive was not of necessity responsible as a body for the words or acts of its individuals or followers, Mr. Snell finds it difficult to believe "that the actions of the individual members of the Executive were unknown to that body, or indeed that these individuals were acting in a purely personal capacity." In regard to the campaign of incitement Mr. Snell is unable to agree with the conclusions in the report acquitting the Moslem religious authorities of all but the slightest blame for the innovations introduced in the neighborhood of the Wailing Wall. It is his opinion that the innovations "were dictated less by the needs of the Moslem religion and the rights of property than by a studied desire to provoke and wound the religious susceptibilities of the Jewish people." « The �MARCH, 1930 53 Political Developments in Syria four declaration. Judging by the tenor of the commission's findings, The Shaw Commission's report on this interpretation could not be oththe causes of the Palestine disturb- erwise than a disavowal by Britain ances of last August was published of any intention to help the Jews in London on March 31, and if it establish a national home in Palescaused a certain degree of elation tine against the interest of the among the Arabs, it aroused pro- Arabs. In fact, considerable sentiportionately twice as much bitter- ment seems to be developing lately ness among the Jews. A summary in favor of establishing cantons in of the report is published elsewhere Palestine similar to the Swiss sysin this issue of The Syrian World. tem of government. This would perAs a result of the commission's mit of local or district governments findings, Premier MacDonald made bound together only by national a statement in the House of Com- obligations. Where the Jews premons on April 3 reaffirming Great dominate, such as in the district of Britain's resolve to continue to ad- Jaffa, they would be given the right minister Palestine under the terms of autonomous government, in which of the League of Nations' mandate. case they would assert themselves In this declaration of policy the Pre- within limited bounds. This would mier received the hearty support of tend to relieve the tension created both former Premier Baldwin for the by the desire of the Jews to lay Conservatives and David Lloyd- claim to the government of the George for the Liberals. This is whole country when their total numtaken to prove conclusively that ber does not exceed 150,000 as comGreat Britain's colonial policy can- pared to an Arab population of not undergo any material change something like 750,000. under no matter what form of govThe native press of Palestine and ernment. Those under British rule, Syria continues to publish frequent in fact under the domination of any reports of attempts by the Jews to European power, should by now smuggle arms and ammunition into realize the fact. Press dispatches from Palestine Palestine. The Arab boycott of the state that publication of the Shaw Jews is reported to be still in full Commission's report in Jerusalem force, and although no fresh outbreaks have been reported, thanks was received with a large amount to the vigilance of the authorities, of placidity, because both Arabs and Jews had taken the forecasts se- passions seem to be restrained with riously so that the publication of difficulty. A Palestine Commission, headed the official text caused little surby the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, prise. The Jews, however, were the the one who is censured by the Shaw ones to feel the disappointment more commission for having neglected to keenly because of the commission's recommendation of a more lucid in- use the prestige of his office to preterpretation by Britain of the Bal- vent the bloody riots of last August, PALESTINE �i MARt THE SYRIAN WORLD 54 is now in London in the interest of furthering the claims of Palestinian Arabs. Upon the publication of the commission's report, members of the Palestinian delegation were reported to have expressed satisfaction with its findings and recommendations. Lord Balfour, author of the famous Balfour Declaration pledging England to help the Jews in the establishment of a national home in Palestine, died in London on March 18. SYRIA An important development in the Syrian political situation was the meeting in the week of March 16, of the Constituent Assembly at Damascus for the purpose of discussing the deplorable condition to which the affairs of the country have been reduced as a result of the continued policy of procrastination by the French High Commissioner. What lends the meeting more significance is the fact that the Assembly was dissolved by the High Commissioner on the promise to study its demands and find a mutually satisfactory solution. To have convened without the approval of the High Commissioner indicates the degree of desperation to which the members of the Assembly have been driven. Their action constitutes an open defiance of the authority of the mandatory power. The meeting was said to have been attended not only by the legally elected members but by many delegates of the Syrian Nationalist Party from all parts of the country. The deliberations continued for several days, resulting in the preparation of a memorandum to be presented to the High Commissioner as embodying the final and concrete de- :: :- : mands of the Syrian nation. The signers are said to have emphasized at the outset that the Constituent Assembly remains the only legal body empowered to represent the people, inasmuch as it derives its powers from the people themselves through popular election. Furthermore, the Assembly consented to the act of suspension only on the understanding that by so doing it would give the mandatory authorities time to consider the national demands and promote the policy of understanding. Now that over a year has elapsed since the cessation of its functions, during which time no progress seems to have been made toward effecting a satisfaetoi-y solution, the Assembly feels it is obliged to resume its duties to save the country from threatened economic ruin. The Syrian Nationalists further insist that a copy of their tentative draft of a constitution be submitted to the League of Nations for consideration. By this they hope to forcibly call attention of the Powers to the justice of their demands. One of the main grievances of the Nationalists, as set forth in the petition, is the continuation in power of the Tajeddeen government. They contend that this provisional government was only set up to supervise the elections to the Constituent Assembly. It has continued in power ever since and has grossly abused its privileges by granting national concessions to foreign interests. In this the Nationalists claim the government is acting illegally because it cannot claim a de jure status and they demand the revocation of all grants and concessions so undertaken. A Nationalist editor has been sentenced to a year in prison for having accused a minister of the I �MARCH, 1930 ever, was an argument which developed between him and the President of the Assembly, a Moslem, over a point of parliamentary procedure. The next day a resolution concurred in by 27 members was introduced demanding a vote of confidence in the Cabinet without debate. The signers of the petition, sympathizers of the President of the Assembly, being overwhelmingly in the majority, carried the day with steam-roller tactics. Premier Eddy immediately handed in his resignation. Reports state that consequent upon these developments, the President of the Republic visited the French High Commissioner to confer with him on the situation. The Premiership was said to have been refused by both the defeated Premier Eddy and former Premier Bishara Khoury, as well as by many others who would not expose themselves to the intrigues of a politiLEBANON cal machine. Finally August Adeeb The Eddy cabinet met the fate undertook to form a cabinet and of its predecessors and was defeated succeeded in winning a vote of conm a stormy session of the Repre- fidence. His choice for Minister of sentative Assembly on March 20 by Education was Gibran Twainy, who an adverse vote of 27, the twelve is expected to placate the Moslem other members present having re- element in the matter of the application of educational reforms. The frained from voting. This is all the more regrettable Eddy reform and economy program, because of the high hopes placed on on which so much hope had been the application of the ambitious re- placed, seems to have been thrown form program of the Premier who into the discard. The new Premier is a man of seemed to be making considerable progress in effecting needed econo- wide administrative experience. A mies. He met his nemesis,, as it Lebanese by birth, he entered the would appear, in the attempt to do employ of the Egyptian governaway with sinecures and abolish ment and rose to the highest post to inefficient schools. The unfortunate which a foreigner is eligible in the part is that most of these schools Ministry of Finance. Through purely were for the Moslems who interpret- patriotic motives, he returned to his ed the Premier's action as prompted native land at the conclusion of the World War and was appointed delby religious bias. The immediate cause of the crisis egate to the conference on the adwhich terminated in his defeat, how- justment of the Ottoman debts. Tajeddeen government of profiteering by the granting of concessions. A movement that threatens to assume serious proportions is the demand of the Aleppians for secession from the central government of Damascus. Six copies of a petition whose authors claim the backing of the overwhelming majority of the Aleppians were being circulated for signatures prior to presentation to the High Commissioner when the authorities took peremptory action to stop the movement as being of a seditious nature. The grievances of the Aleppians are that they are not properly represented in the government, that they pay three-quarters of Syria's taxes and receive no benefit in return, and that all poblic improvements are being confined to Damascus. The petitioners demand separation from the State of Syria as a measure of safeguarding their interests. i 55 �' 56 ' THE SYRIAN WORLD About Syria and Syrians RIHANI ON A LECTURE TOUR OF THE COUNTRY INCREASING APPROPRIATIONS FOR BYBLOS EXCAVATIONS Our noted traveler and author, Ameen Rihani, is at present on the Pacific coast fulfilling lecture engagements with universities, clubs and societies. In the week of March 10 he gave a series of three lectures at the University of Illinois on various political and historical topics. The week following he lectured in Kansas City and crossed west to Portland, Oregon, thence proceeding to San Francisco and Los Angeles. Newspaper clippings reaching us from these various sections through the courtesy of our readers concur in describing the high degree of enthusiasm with which Mr. Rihani's addresses are met at every stage of his journey. A bill asking for an appropriation of £S35,000 for excavation work at Jubail, ancient Byblos, for 1930 was reported to the Lebanese Representative Assembly and is expected to be favorably acted upon. The author of the bill proposes that about 75 per cent, of the appropriation go to the purchase of land known to have been the site of ancient cemeteries, the balance being devoted to actual excavation work. This section of Mt. Lebanon is admittedly very rich in ancient relics, as Byblos was once a flourishing kingdom and the seat of the Phoenicians' most advanced civilization. In the excavation work of 1929, relics of immense historical value were recovered and placed on exhibition at the National Museum of Beirut, which is now one of the principal places in the itinerary of tourists visiting the country. The many specimens of exquisite workmanship in jewelry and pottery executed by the early Phoenicians nearly four thousand years ago are cause for the greatest admiration. SILVER JUBILEE FOR A MARONITE PRIEST The congregation of Our Lady of the Cedars Maronite church in Boston will give a banquet on April 27 in celebration of the twentyfifth anniversary of the ordination of their pastor, Rev. Stephen Douaihy, to the priesthood. Father Douaihy has had a most interesting career. Educated at the Maronite College in Rome, he became private secretary to the Patriarch upon his return to Lebanon, and accompanied the prelate to Paris at the conclusion of the World War on his political mission. Father Douaihy came to the United States in 1920 and was pastor of the Maronite congregation of Scranton, Pa„ until 1929, when he was transferred to Boston. SYRIAN AND LEBANESE STUDENTS IN FRANCE An official of the French Ministry of Education is quoted by a Syrian paper as saying that the total number of registered Syrian and Lebanese students now in French schools and universities is 208, of whom 156 are in the city of Paris. An analysis of the courses of study taken up by these students t MAR �MARCH, 1930 shows a marked trend towards practical sciences, indicating an awakening to the pressing needs of the country. While at one time the studies were almost wholly literary or artistic, there are now 57 students taking up courses in commerce and industry and 16 studyin% scientific agriculture. Of medical and pharmaceutical students there are 39. SYRIAN BOY WINS HIGH SCHOLASTIC RECORD A reader of The Syrian World sends us a clipping of a New Bern, N. C. paper which we are glad to copy while extending the boy the heartiest congratulations. Said the American paper: "Probably one of the best records, in the history of American schools, has been made by Joseph Salem, of New Bern, North Carolina. "Joe was born in Mt. Lebanon, Syria, and came to America with his parents, when he was nine years old. At that time 'he could not speak one word of the English language, not even "Good morning." Yet he completed eleven years of school work in eight years and five months; always stood at the head of his class, and not once did he have to take an examination, being always exempted because of his high daily average. For this unusual record and high standing, a scholarship from the University of North Carolina was granted him last June. "Besides being a good student, he is a gifted linguist, speaking three languages fluently: English, French and Syrian. "Among the offices held by him during his high-school days were the following, Member of the National Honor Society; secretary of the Hi-Y Club; secretary and treas- 57 urer of his freshman class; vice president of his sophomore class; treasurer of his junior class; assistant manager and assistant editor of the Bruin school paper all four years, and besides being interested in these activities he worked continuously to help pay for his education." EXILED DRUZE REBELS IN DIRE STRAITS Reient reports from Palestine state that a son of Sultan Pasha Atrash, leader of the Druze revolt against the French in Syria during 1925-27, arrived in Haifa and declared in an interview that the condition of the rebels under his father had become well nigh unbearable. Their number is now reduced to eight hundred souls, counting men, women and children. They occupy a section of Wadi Sirhan within the boundaries of Nejd, under the protection of King Ibn Saoud. But they have run out of provisions and are reduced to eating the green leaves of trees. They are in great need of medical supplies owing to the prevalence of disease. HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT ON THE ORONTES A concession for the generation of electricity from the waters of the river Orontes (Al-Asi) has been granted to a French company which immediately started operations and has now completed the digging of the canal to a point midway between Horns and Hama, where it intends to erect its plant. The canal is six kilometers long, four meters wide and two meters deep. The waterfall will be from a height of fifty meters, and it is calculated that four thousand h. p. could be gener- �56 THE SYRIAN WORLD About Syria and Syrians RIHANI ON A LECTURE TOUR OF THE COUNTRY INCREASING APPROPRIATIONS FOR BYBLOS EXCAVATIONS Our noted traveler and author, Ameen Rihani, is at present on the Pacific coast fulfilling lecture engagements with universities, clubs and societies. In the week of March 10 he gave a series of three lectures at the University of Illinois on various political and historical topics. The week following he lectured in Kansas City and crossed west to Portland, Oregon, thence proceeding to San Francisco and Los Angeles. Newspaper clippings reaching us from these various sections through the courtesy of our readers concur in describing the high degree of enthusiasm with which Mr. Rihani's addresses are met at every stage of his journey. A bill asking for an appropriation of £S35,000 for excavation work at Jubail, ancient Byblos, for 1930 was reported to the Lebanese Representative Assembly and is expected to be favorably acted upon. The author of the bill proposes that about 75 per cent, of the appropriation go to the purchase of land known to have been the site of ancient cemeteries, the balance being devoted to actual excavation work. This section of Mt. Lebanon is admittedly very rich in ancient relics, as Byblos was once a flourishing kingdom and the seat of the Phoenicians' most advanced civilization. In the excavation work of 1929, relics of immense historical value were recovered and placed on exhibition at the National Museum of Beirut, which is now one of the principal places in the itinerary of tourists visiting the country. The many specimens of exquisite workmanship in jewelry and pottery executed by the early Phoenicians nearly four thousand years ago are cause for the greatest admiration. SILVER JUBILEE FOR A MARONITE PRIEST The congregation of Our Lady of the Cedars Maronite church in Boston will give a banquet on April 27 in celebration of the twentyfifth anniversary of the ordination of their pastor, Rev. Stephen Douaihy, to the priesthood. Father Douaihy has had a most interesting career. Educated at the Maronite College in Rome, he became private secretary to the Patriarch upon his return to Lebanon, and accompanied the prelate to Paris at the conclusion of the World War on his political mission. Father Douaihy came to the United States in 1920 and was pastor of the Maronite congregation of Scranton, Pa., until 1929, when he was transferred to Boston. SYRIAN AND LEBANESE STUDENTS IN FRANCE An official of the French Ministry of Education is quoted by a Syrian paper as saying that the total number of registered Syrian and Lebanese students now in French schools and universities is 208, of whom 156 are in the city of Paris. An analysis of the courses of study taken up by these students �MARCH, 1930 shows a marked trend towards practical sciences, indicating an awakening to the pressing needs of the country. While at one time the studies were almo.st wholly literary or artistic, there are now 57 students taking up courses in commerce and industry and 16 studyin% scientific agriculture. Of medical and pharmaceutical students there are 39. SYRIAN BOY WINS HIGH SCHOLASTIC RECORD 57 uier of his freshman class; vice president of his sophomore class; treasurer of his junior class; assistant manager and assistant editor of the Bruin school paper all four years, and besides being interested in these activities he worked continuously to help pay for his education." EXILED DRUZE REBELS IN DIRE STRAITS Reient reports from Palestine state that a son of Sultan Pasha AtA reader of The Syrian World rash, leader of the Druze revolt sends us a clipping of a New Bern, against the French in Syria during N. C. paper which we are glad to 1925-27, arrived in Haifa and decopy while extending the boy the clared in an interview that the conheartiest congratulations. Said the dition of the rebels under his father had become well nigh unbearAmerican paper: "Probably one of the best records, able. Their number is now reduced in the history of American schools, to eight hundred souls, counting has been made by Joseph Salem, of men, women and children. They occupy a section of Wadi Sirhan withNew Bern, North Carolina. "Joe was born in Mt. Lebanon, in the boundaries of Nejd, under the Syria, and came to America with protection of King Ibn Saoud. But his parents, when he was nine years they have run out of provisions and old. At that time he could not are reduced to eating the green speak one word of the English leaves of trees. They are in great language, not even "Good morning." need of medical supplies owing to Yet he completed eleven years of the prevalence of disease. school work in eight years and five months; always stood at the head HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT of his class, and not once did he ON THE ORONTES have to take an examination, being A concession for the generation always exempted because of his of electricity from the waters of the high daily average. For this unusual river Orontes (Al-Asi) has been record and high standing, a scholargranted to a French company which ship from the University of North Carolina was granted him last June. immediately started operations and "Besides being a good student, he has now completed the digging of is a gifted linguist, speaking three the canal to a point midway belanguages fluently: English, French tween Horns and Hama, where it intends to erect its plant. The canal and Syrian. "Among the offices held by him is six kilometers long, four meters during his high-school days were wide and two meters deep. The wathe following, Member of the Na- terfall will be from a height of fifty tional Honor Society; secretary of meters, and it is calculated that the Hi-Y Club; secretary and treas- four thousand h. p. could be gener- �58 ated with present facilities. Horns and Hama are promised electric service by July, 1931, under the terms of the franchise, but may get it in the current year if the work is maintained at its present rate of progress. LOSS OF TREASURE DRIVES SYRIAN MAD Losing money on stock speculation is not the only reason for insanity or suicide. Here is a novel reason for driving a Syrian laborer out of his mind. While engaged in removing red dirth in the vicinity of Aleppo, a laborer noticed a black box which he thought contained ammunition left by the Germans and Turks in their hasty flight from Syria. He called the gendarmes who, upon opening the box, found it to contain forty thousand pounds in gold. The laborer fainted at the sight of the glistening yellow metal, and later lost his reason completely. SYRIAN PAPER HELPS FRENCH FLOOD SUFFERERS Al-Hoda, the Syrian daily of New York, invited contributions for the sufferers of the disastrous floods of Southern France, opening the subscription list itself with a substantial sum. The lists published by AlHoda show that the response to its appeals from its Syrian and Lebanese readers is both generous and country-wide. The funds collected were turned over to the French consul General in New York. LOCUSTS IN SYRIA The authorities in Palestine are making considerable progress in checking the locust invasion, but the country is not yet free from danger. In Syria the locusts have invaded THE SYRIAN WORLD certain districts of Houran and reached some outlying sections of the Damascus territory, but have not reached the G'houta proper. Aleppo has so far escaped the danger, but the vanguaru of the locust hordes have made their appearance at a point sixty miles to the east of Homs. OTTOMAN PRINCE A TAXI DRIVER A reporter of a Damascus newspaper in Beirut hailed a taxi and thought that he had seen the driver sometime, somewhere. When the driver's Arabic proved unintelligible the reporter addressed him in Turkish, and it was then that he recognized him as Hassan, the grandson of the Tin-kish Sultan Abdul Aziz and nephew of the Sultan Abdul Majid. The driver made no attempt to hide his identity, explaining that he was driven to this occupation as the only one open to him for earning a living. Shades of Russian nobility in Paris and other cities of Europe! SETTLING THE BEDU There is in the government of Syria a special department for the regulation of the affairs of the bedu, or the nomad Arabs in the country. This department had laid a program for the gradual settling of the nomads and the direction of their interests and energies to agriculture. It is now announced that it plans the enforcement of this program by the erection this year of one thousand houses in the district of Deir Ezzour, which will be turned over to the Arabs on easy terms as an inducement for them to settle permanently on the land. They will also be taught modern methods of agriculture. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1930_03reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 04, Issue 07 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930 March Description An account of the resource Volume 4 Issue 07 of The Syrian World published March 1930. Editor Salloum Mokarzel opens the issue with a special article on his visit to the Maronite Patriarch at his summer residence, discussing his opinions on home politics and the religious future of his spiritual children in America. Ameen Rihani then presents a further account of his experiences in Jeddah including interesting discussions with King Hussein, specifically dealing with Koranic Law, and unorthodox banking operations. Followed by a poem by J.D. Carlyle and An Arabian Nights' Story, Kahlil Gibran showcases his thoughts on the meaning of giving and taking, surrounded by his own illustrations. Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin is next, contributing his another one of his poems titled "The Two Answers," followed by another work of poetry by Alice McGeorge. Salloum Mokarzel is featured yet again in this issue with more describing his trip, this time through Southern Lebanon, specifically to Mashgara, Jezzine, Kfarhouna, Al-Mukhtara, Beit Eddeen, and Deir El-Kamar. The issue ends with a poem by Labeebee A. J. Hanna titled "Advice to Rash Youth" in which she discusses the trouble with making quick decisions. The issue is once again closed with excerpts from the Arab press, information on the Causes of Palestine Riots, and more on political developments in Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Ameen Rihani Kahlil Gibran Labeebee A.J. Hanna Lebanon Maronite Church New York Poetry-English Salim Alkazin Saudi Arabia https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/f9f1fd66a443fca13af9c7892a8911ba.pdf 0eb2ee819b9e6d3012e78ffa27eb34f4 PDF Text Text VOL. IV. No. 6. FEBRUARY, 1930 | THE 3 I SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE j5 mm .Ay I fa 3 AR-RAZI AND HIS MILLENIAL CELEBRATION DR. F. I. SHATARA II 1 A DISCIPLE IN NOMADISM AND WISDOM AMEEN RIHANI THE OLD CRIMINAL RAJAH F. HOWRANI 1 FROM THE DOG RIVER TO THE CEDARS SALLOUM A. MOKAKZEL MAGGIE AND JOE (A SHORT STORY) LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA THE COPY 50c w m �—V-», �THE SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly by SALLOUM A. THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS MOKARZEL, Editor. 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single copies 50c. Entered as second-class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. FEBRUARY, 1930 VOL. IV. No. 6. CONTENTS PAGE A r-Razi and His Millenial Celebration DR. F. I. 7 SHATARA While Mortal (Poem) 13 DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN A Disci-pie in Nomadism and Wisdom 14 AMEEN RIHANI Song of a Homesick Man (Poem) 21 NAT LA SABE The Old Criminal RAJA ; F. HOWRANI Tears (Poem) 29 R. A. I—w_- 22 NICHOLSON �urn inn wini, i CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE From the Dog River to the Cedars SALLOUM A. 30 MOKARZEL CO Maggie and Joe (Short Story) LABEEBEE A. J. 39 HANNA To My Father (Poem) LABEEBEE S 44 A. J. HANNA t! Editorial Comment 45.. Spirit of the Syrian Press 47 Political Developments in Syria 51 About Syria and Syrians 54 h P1 Pi th rr fi bi si A a; A s< ti SI i ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE General View of the Dog River Showeir and its Heights The Dog River Park The Solitary House at the Dog River A General View of Beit Shabah The Hub of Ehden The Spring of St. Sarquis c a t F c �IN THIS ISSUE ) V DR. FUAD SHATARA should prove most helpful to contributes to this issue an ap- those who would be initiated preciation of the eminent Arab into the intimate life of the physician Ar-Razi apropos of country, or those contemplating the proposition to celebrate his a future visit to that interesting millenial anniversary. It is re- land. * * * LABEEBEE A. J. freshing to learn through the HANNA contributes an origbiography of Ar-Razi of the inal short story that deals with substantial contributions of the a phase of Syrian life in AmerArabs to medical science even ica and is quite original in its as far as a thousand years back, treatment. Her additional conAnd the account is by no means tribution of a poem will be scientifically dull—on the con- found of extremely tender aptrary, it is of a happy, facile peal. * * * RAJA F. HOWRAstyle and abounds with anec- NI translates from the Arabic dotes. *** AMEEN RIHANI a treatise entitled "The Old gives us another delightful Criminal" by the foremost chapter of his eventful travels Arabic woman writer, Mary Ziand describes in his present con- adah. The theme is based on a tribution some of his rare ex- radical method of reasoning and periences in Jeddah. The read- affords much material for er is here introduced to a novel thought. Mr. Howrani is at Prayer Club, the like of which present a student at Columbia is possible only in Arabia. The University. * * * DR. SALIM author further gives a most en- ALKAZIN gives various reatertaining account of a conver- sons for enjoying being mortal sation he had with the Arab in a charming poem.* * * NAJKing, in which His Majesty LA SABE, a new contributor of cites many heretofore unknown Brooklyn, echoes the song of a reasons for 'Allah's especial fa- homesick man in the delicate vors to Arabia. *** THE EDI- feeling of a young girl. * * * TOR takes us on another leg of Other departments will be his travels in Lebanon. In this found unusually interesting. installment he covers the disJOIN tance from the Dog River to THE GREAT the Cedars and describes many SYRIAN WORLD interesting places on the way. CONTEST This series of travel articles �mg/m Great Syrian For a FREE TRIP to I I \ The editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD having made a trip to Syria in j the summer of 1929, which he is now describing in a series of articles in the magazine, came to realize not only the great educational and cultural advantages of such a trip, but its unrivalled possibilities for pleasure and recreation. In our enthusiasm for the benefits of such tours, we decided to ' offer one as a prize to our readers. This is on a par with the most liberal offers made by the biggest American publications, whose readers are hun^ drede of thousands and even millions. Needless to say that this is unprecedented in the history of Arabic journalism, whether in America or abroad.^ THE SYRIAN WORLD, in making the great prize offer in spite of the heavy sacrifice involved, considers that in so doing it is promoting the cause of sympathetic understanding of the motherland. This is in keeping with the main object behind the publication of the magazine. Whether the winner be a boy or girl, American or Syrian, the purpose would have beerit served by the actual contacts established with the great scenic beauties} and places of immense historical interest in our country of origin. The proposition is unprecedented, the advantages great, the conditions most liberal. It is surely the opportunity of a lifetime for the ambitious. ITINERARY OF TRIP The free trip offered by THE SYRIAN WORLD takes the same route followed by the editor in his recent trip to Syria. Passage will be Cabin class on the luxurious steamer Providence, of the Fabre Line, sailing from New York July 2nd. Stops on route and shore excursions will be made at Ponta Delgada, Azores Islands; Lisbon, Portugal; Naples, Italy; Palermo, Sicily, and Piraeus and Athens, Greece. In Syria and Lebanon the winner may remain as long as he desires and return on any of the Fabre Line steamers to New York, also Cabin Class. . Sailing from New York will be under the direction and full assistance of the firm of A. K. Hitti & Co., the well-known steamship ticket agentsl The Beirut Branch of the same firm will render the winner all neces^ sary service and advice free. The editor, thanks to the contacts contracted' on his last trip, will also give the winner letters of introduction and recommendation to many influential friends who would render all necessary courtesies. The winner, representing THE SYRIAN WORLD whose services are fully recognized in the motherland, will be assured of the most friendly reception by the authorities and the public. \ �World Contest SYRIA and RETURN \ SYRIAN WOULD OFFER The prize offered by THE SYRIAN WORLD to the winner in the contest is free passage, Cabin Class, both ways from New York to Beirut and return, together with a liberal cash allowance for the shore excursions above mentioned on the outward passage. Is this not a worthy prize to try to win? \ CONDITIONS OF CONTEST / 1. THE SYRIAN WORLD prize of a Free Trip to Syria and return will be awarded the individual securing the largest number of New subscribers to the magazine at the regular price of subscription. 2. Considering the great value of the prize offered, the minimum number required to win the award must be not less than one hundred. /' / 1 8. Every contestant, other than the winner, securing more than one hundred new subscriptions, will be awarded a special cash premium of "> $1.50 for every subscription. Those securing less than one hundred will be given $.100 for every subscription. In the event of two or more contestants tying for the Grand Prize, all will receive identical prizes. 4. The contest closes June 10, 1930. Letters post-marked later than this date will not be counted. Announcement of the awards will be made June 15. 5. Every subscription must be a new subscription, and must be accompanied by a remittance of the full price of $5.00. V » < 6. Gift subscriptions will be counted as direct subscriptions. For instance, if a contestant succeeds in inducing a friend to make gifts of a year's subscription to each of five individuals, he will be given credit for five individual subscriptions. Multiple subscriptions to the same person will not be counted by the number of years; as, for instance, a single individual subscribing for two years will not be given credit for two subscriptions. 7. Those wishing to enter the contest must write to register, in which case they will be furnished with special blanks and helpful literature. 8. The contest is open to all friends of THE SYRIAN WORLD anywhere in the United States and Canada. \ �IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE SUBJECT OF THE SYRIAN WORLD CONTEST * QWING to the appreciation by the public of our liberal offer of a free trip to Syria as a first prize in the current Syrian World Contest, and in compliance with numerous requests to this effect, we have decided to extend our offer as follows: 1—While the minimum number of subscriptions required to win the Free Trip remains at one hundred, any contestant, besides the winner, procuring one hundred subscriptions has the option of receiving either the cash prize or a one-way free trip to Syria. 2 If a contestant should procure two hundred, he receives a free round trip. 3—For all subscriptions above two hundred the winner, as well as any other contestant, receives a cash premium of one dollar for each subscription in excess of two hundred. 4 Organizations are permitted to enter the contest and award the prize to any individual member. 5—Contestants working for the limited prizes of either a oneway trip or a round trip may withdraw once their goal is reached and sail on any Fabre Line steamer, cabin class, before the date set for the close of the Contest. Registered contestants to date are the following: H J. Hashem, Poughkeepsie, Mrs. J. Rafful, Toledo, Ohio Mrs. V. Z. Shehab, Brooklyn, N. Y. N. Y. R. Hajjar, Brooklyn, N. Y. Ed. Hershewe, Fort Dodge, H. Abood, Brooklyn, N. Y. Iowa. Mrs. R. Hamrah, Naugatuck, S. Kallil, Detroit, Mich. Conn. F. A. Coriaty, Manchester, N. Sayed, Georgetown, S. C. N. H. E. George, E. Liverpool, Ohio THREE MORE MONTHS IN WHICH TO WIN. ) �THE SYRIAN WORLD FEBRUARY, 1930 VOL. IV. No. 6. Ar-Razi and His Millenial Celebration I By DR. F. I. SHATARA AL MUKTATAF, one of the leading Arabic magazines published in Egypt, has arbitrarily set January 30, 1930, as a date for celebrating the passing of one thousand years since the death of the famous Arab physician Ar-Razi, and has called upon the Egyptian Medical Society, the Arab Academy of Damascus, and other scientific and medical organizations throughout the Arabicspeaking world to consecrate that date in memoriam of Ar-Razi, and to send in scientific contributions describing his life and works. In the December issue of the same magazine is published a splendid lecture on Ar-Razi delivered before the Arab Academy of Damascus last October by Dr. Joseph Faraj Hiraiz. In view of this, the Editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD has accorded me the honor of asking me to review the life and accomplishments of this famous physician. I do this gladly but with the understanding that I am unable to contribute anything original to what has already been written, and with the hope that his life may be another reminder to the Syrians in America of their rich heritage, and a stimulus to them to emulate his by contributing their share to the upbuilding of culture, learning and civilization of the land of their adoption. Abu Bakr Mohammad ibn Zakariyya was born at Ray, near Taharan in Persia, so that he, like many of the scholars of his day, was an Arab culturally though not racially. The surname Ar-Razi or Rhazes is derived from the name of his birthplace. He was probably the greatest and most original of all the Moslem physicians and one of the most prolific as an author. He stands in sharp contrast with Avicenna, for Avicenna was a better �«=***** 8 _. *- THE SYRIAN WORLD philosopher than physician, while Ar-Razi was a better physician than philosopher. (Browne). There is some uncertainty about the date of his birth and it can only be guessed at by computing from the date of his death, which is somewhat less uncertain, occurring probably in the year 923 A. D. Ar-Razi spent most of his life in Persia and was first interested in music, finance and other pursuits and did not take up medicine until the age of 40. His interest in medicine was aroused by visits to the Adudi Hospital in Bagdad, and conversations with an old druggist who informed him that the first herb medicinally used was accidentally discovered along a river bank by a descendant of Aesculapius who had suffered from inflammation of his arms. On a subsequent visit to the Hospital, he beheld a fetal monster with one head and two faces, and this aroused his curiosity and interest in medicine. One of his principal teachers in medicine was Ali ibn Rabban of Tabbaristan, whose father Rabban was either a Christian or a Jew, probably the latter. Ali, according to Al-Qifty, embraced Islam after he entered the service of the Caliph Al-Mutawakkil. He is the author of Firdaws-ul-Hikmat—the "Paradise of Wisdom", a treatise on medicine and philosophy which was probably used as a text by Ar-Razi. Shortly after completing his medical studies his ability was recognized and his fame spread rapidly. He was made physician in chief to the hospital at Ray, where large clinics were held by him and his pupils, and his pupils' pupils. Every patient who reported to the clinic was first examined by the latter, and if the case proved too difficult for them it was passed on to the Master's immediate pupils, and finally, if necessary, to the Master himself. Subsesuently Ar-Razi became physician in chief to the Adudi Hospital in Bagdad, which received the name of the great Adudu'd-Dawla. Here exists some confusion, for this ruler's reign extended from 949 to 982 A. D., long after the probable date of Ar-Razi's death. Ibn Abi Usaybia states that when Ar-Razi was asked to select the most suitable site for the Bagdad Hospital he caused pieces of meat to be hung in different quarters of the city, and selected the section where they showed the least signs of decomposition. Another writer, Kamal-ud-Din Abi-Turab, states that in selecting the physician in chief to the Bagdad Hos- h �- FEBRUARY, 1930 pital, Adudu'd-Dawla resorted to a process of elimination and had a list prepared of about one hundred of the most famous physicians. Out of this list he selected fifty according to ability and skill, and out of the fifty he picked fifteen, and then three, and out of these chose Ar-Razi. It is agreed by all biographers that Ar-Razi's code of medical ethics was of the highest standard. Thus Ali Ibn Ridwan, an Egyptian, states that the most befitting description of his standard of ethics is that contained in the Hippocratic Code, namely "that the physician shall be more interested in curing disease than in obtaining reward; in treating the poor more than in treating the rich; and that he should diligently pursue learning and devote himself to the benefit of others." Ibn Abi Usaybia, in describing Ar-Razi, says:—"He was intelligent, kindly to the sick, diligent in curing their ailments, persistent in his search into the mysteries of medicine and other sciences, and spent most of his spare time in reading and having a friend read to him the writings of Hippocrates, Galen and others." The Editor of the Fihrist states:—"He was the man of his day and age, who possessed the knowledge of the ancients, especially in medicine. He traveled about the country and was very friendly with Al-Mansur, in whose honor he wrote his book Al-Mansuri." He was described by a native of Ray as "an old man with a large drooping head, who sat among his pupils to whom patients reported, and never interrupted unless the case was too difficult for them. He was generous, virtuous and sympathetic." He became blind toward the end of his life from a cataract and refused to undergo an operation on the ground that he desired to see no more of a world with which he was disgusted and disillusioned. (Browne). As contributing causes to his blindness it is stated by some that he was hit on the head by a patron to whom he dedicated one of his works on alchemy when he refused to put his theories into practice by the actual production of gold. Others ascribe his blindness to the excessive eating of beans of which he was very fond. For this there is no medical justification. There is less uncertainty about Ar-Razi's writings than about other phases of his life. The Fihrist enumerates 113 major and 28 minor works by him, besides two poems. Browne states that of his many monographs the most celebrated is his well-known di te zi al 1 \ \ le ns b, IS- I / K "-'i;: I^BHHIIH*~w*;'ff>',< �. 10 " THE SYRIAN WORLD treatise on small-pox and measles first published in the Arabic original with a Latin translation by Channing (London, 1766). Of this a Latin translation had already appeared in Venice in 1565 and an English version by Greenhill was published by the Sydenham Society in 1848. This tract was formerly known as "de Peste" or "de Pestilentia" and, as Neuberger says, "on every hand and with justice, it is regarded as an ornament to the medical literature of the Arabs." Other monographs of Ar-Razi were on stone in the bladder and kidney, on gout and rheumatism, and on colic. He gave a description of spina ventosa, spina bifida, hernia and its treatment, and other surgical topics, borrowing largely from Hippocrates, Aetios and Paulos of Aegina. For cancer he advised against excision unless the disease was limited, in which case the entire mass affected should be removed. For bites of rabid animals he prescribed the cautery. He added several chemical preparations to the category of official medicines. Among these were orpiment, blue and green vitriol and borax. (Wilder). He wrote an entertaining work on the success of charlatans and quacks in securing a popularity often denied to the competent and properly qualified physician. Of his major works on medicine, the best known are the Jami or compendium, the Kan or sufficient, the Lesser and Greater Madkhal or introduction, the Muluki or royal, the Fakhir or splendid, the Mansuri or Liber Almansoris, dedicated to AlMansur, one of the kings of Khorasan, and the Hawi or Continens. Unfortunately, the Hawi has never been published in the original and what exist are translations of some of its volumes, three of which are in the British Museum, three in the Bodleian, four or five in the Escorial and others at Munich and Petrograd. The Fihrist enumerates 12 volumes while the Latin translations contain 25. On account of its enormous size, and the mass of details it contained, The Hawi appalled the most industrious copyists and was beyond the reach of all save the most wealthy bibliophiles, so that Ali Abbas tells us that in his day he only knew of two complete copies. There are many accounts and various valuable observations by Ar-Razi depicting his skill in the art of medicine. The following case reported in Kitabul Faraj ba'da Shedda (book of relief after distress) is typical.—A young man of Bagdad came k w �-- FEBRUARY, 1930 K d. ns \ y- v .0- of i M\ / 11 to him seeking relief for vomiting blood. After careful examination no cause for this malady could be determined and the patient was in despair, believing that where Rhazes failed no one could succeed. Rhazes, touched alike by his faith and his distress, proceeded to question him carefully and found that he had drunk water drawn from a stagnant pool, whereupon he said to the patient:—"When I come to-morrow I will treat you and not leave you until you are cured on condition that you order your servants to obey me in all that I command them concerning you." The patient consented to this. On the following day Ar-Razi returned with a large quantity of moss (tuhlub) which he ordered the patient to swallow. The patient obeyed until he was unable to take any more, whereupon Ar-Razi ordered the servants to hold him flat on his back and force more and more of the weed down his throat. This induced severe vomiting, and on examining the vomitus a leech was found. This had attached itself to the patient's stomach and sucked his blood until it transferred itself to its usual and more congenial medium—the water weed, and thus the patient was cured. Numerous case reports similar to the preceding could be cited. These show the unusual skill, intuition, and power of observation of Ar-Razi. The following are a few of the edicts he announced:—"Treatment of disease according to book instructions is dangerous unless controlled and supplemented by the judgment and opinion of the skilled physician." "The physician should foster in his patient the belief in ultimate recovery even where the physician is in doubt as to the outcome, for the vital processes of the body are greatly influenced by the status of the patient's mind." "Stick to one physician in whom you have confidence. The possibility of his error is negligible. In changing from one physician to another you are likely to suffer by the mistakes of all." "If the physician is able to treat by natural means instead of drugs he is pursuing the right course." "The physician should be of moderate circumstances neither too wealthy and tempted to attend to material pursuits, nor too poor and obliged to be distracted from his scientific endeavors." An Evaluation of Ar-Razi: No medical Hall of Fame would be complete that did not dedicate a liberal space to a statue or some other concrete way of commemorating Ar-Razi. If it were possible to resurrect all '-4BHHMPMMBHH �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD the dead Masters of Medicine from the time of Hippocrates up to the present day and assemble them on a stage for the present generation to view, Ar-Razi should be, and rightly belongs, in the front ranks. If we possessed a yardstick for medical achievements and a scale to weigh ability, the achievements and ability of Ar-Razi would hardly be outweighed or outmeasured by, any of the greatest physicians in history And what is the secret of his greatness: Was it because of his unusual skill, his high code of ethics, and the wisdom of his edicts? Was it because he was one of the most prolific writers or was it because "he walked with kings and yet did not lose the common touch" and thus won the respect and admiration of the highest and the lowliest of his day and age? While he possessed all these unusual qualifications, any one of which alone entitles a man to distinction among his fellow men, the secret of his greatness lay elsewhere. It lay in his ability to use his five senses to better advantage than any other physician of his day and age or any other day and age. He resolved every medical problem to simple fundamentals and then found and applied a simple remedy. He was not awed, or dazzled. His insight was clear, his observation keen, and his reasoning precise. He went right to the heart of a problem and did not permit incidentals to befog his vision or detract his attention. When Adudu'd-Dawla asked him to select a site for the hospital in Bagdad, he knew that the driest section of the city would be the healthiest. He did not possess, as we do now, an instrument of precision to measure the degree of humidity, but did not permit this handicap to thwart his efforts, and therefore contrived a simple but efficient method of hanging pieces of meat and watching for putrefaction. When the young man who vomited blood was brought before him he diagnosed the condition with startling accuracy and applied the remedy with equally startling efficiency. No X Rays, stomach tubes, blood tests or any of the numerous modern diagnotic aids were available to him. If that young man were to present himself to-day before a group of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of modern times, it is doubtful if after a very exhaustive study they could arrive at the diagnosis as quickly and as accurately as did Ar-Razi alone and unaided, and if they did succeed in making the diagnosis it is doubtful if they could prescribe such a simple and efficient remedy. Modern scientific discoveries and inventions have been a great Fl bo (i / �^5.: 13 FEBRUARY, 1930 boon to humanity, but they have had the tendency of benumbing and rendering dull the greatest gifts that a physician has—his five senses. It is a matter for pleasant speculation to conceive of a physician possessing all the native ability of Ar-Razi combined with all the modern scientific methods of diagnosing and treating disease. History as yet has not produced such a physician. He is a superman. While Mortal By X LP V V DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN To Fortune's smile I will respond With rapture and with pleasure; And when her brow is overcast, With pain I fill my measure, For still I am a mortal. And in the silver throat of song, I find the secret thrilling} But in the gloomy house of death, I am a mourner willing, For still 1 am a mortal. In Beauty's castle I submit To signs of magic power, And either laud the golden fruit, Or sing the crimson flower, Just like a humble mortal. To drug the passions of my soul, Or still its silent voice, Or drive it like a thrall in chains Will never be my choice. Nor will it lead me at its will,— But governed by concern, Like friends, the mutual goblet fill, And each will quaff in turn Till I no more am mortal. �in mi WWII nniiiiniwiB THE SYRIAN WORLD 14 A Disciple in Nomadism and Wisdom By AMEEN RIHANI THERE is no need in ordinary hospitality for a liaison officer between the host and his guest. You may ask for what you want, you may refuse what is offered, you may even have an especial desire, without any messengers, between you and your host, except good taste and common sense. But royal hospitality is different. The first rule is that you must not refuse anything offered you or conferred upon you. The kings of Arabia, despite what is attributed to them of clannishness and coarse taste, are, in this respect, like all other kings. They never surprise a guest, lest he become confused in speech or conduct. Therefore, in addition to the servants, they appoint a special person as companion to the favored one,—a sort of liaison officer between him and Majesty,—whose business, like a lightning rod, is to absorb desires and spontaneities, and conduct them in mild form from one end to another. My friend Constantine Yanni was this lightning rod; and on the third day after my arrival on Arabian soil, he came to me with a flow of speech which flashed with titles and decorations. This would have been annihilating had it fallen upon me direct from the lips of Majesty. But I reminded Constantine of the hermit of Freike and of twenty years the said hermit spent in America, a pitifully democratic country, without even a reminiscence of any title or decoration. And then, impressing the matter strongly: "I am at thy mercy, O Constantine. Be quick to intercept the boon before it falls." Whereupon he said: "What about presents?"—"Of presents I will accept anything that comes." On the following day one of the black slaves of the Palace came carrying upon his two hands, from His Majesty the King, a bundle wrapt in cloth of silk, on top of which was a Meccan dagger in a scabbard of filigreed gold; and in the bundle was a kiswah—a suit of Arab garments—and a piece of the cUftaiii- of the Kaaba, on which In the name of the Most Merciful God is elaborately designed in what looks like a bas-relief in gold. My Y3 �FEBRUARY, 1930 15 friend Constantine's mission was a great success. He must have said to His Majesty: This Rihani is a hermit, and sacred things are more worthy of him than a title. Of a truth, the Kaaba curtain-piece is the most sacred and precious thing that ever comes out of the Holy City, and is seldom presented to a Christian. I was as happy too in my change of clothes. I put on the white cotton smock with the long tapering sleeves, embroidered in red around the collar and down the opening on the breast; girded myself with the Meccan dagger, judmiyah (V); slipped my bare feet into sandals; covered my head with a richly wrought Indian sumadah and an ighal of gold thread, and went straightway to thank His Majesty. He opened his arms, when he saw me in this guise, and exclaimed: "O, my dear one, O, my own eye!" embracing me, pressing me to his heart. Needless to say that I too was moved, so much so, that I felt something forming in my eye; and I hastened to where I usually kept my handkerchief, but not finding even a pocket in my new garment, I dried my tear with the end of my sleeve. His Majesty laughed and said: "Verily thou art now of the Bedu." We then sat down to a political discussion, which did not last long. For the French Consul and some Jeddah worthies came in to say salaam, and His Majesty, changing the subject, spoke to us, for the benefit of the new beduin, methinks, about the Bedu and their unwritten law of protection and hospitality. ***"Three have the right to khewvcah (brotherhood) and protection; the temporary guest (2), the moving tent (3), and the rafiq, or traveller's companion. When a temporary guest comes into a town or a dirah, the first house or tent he passes by claims him, having the first right to offer him hospitality—I say, O my dear one, the first right. If the traveller goes to the next door neighbor, the people in the first house consider it an offense and ask the neighbor to give back the guest.—'He passed first by our door, billah! and are we not Arabs, and have we not, of the bounty of Allah, the wherewithal to receive a guest?' If they f- / (1) A dagger is called in Al-Hijaz qudmiyah, a front-piece, because it is worn in front. The q in Al-Hijaz and in Najd is pronounced j—judmiyah. In Al-Yaman it is called jambiyah, a side-piece, because it is worn on the side. (2) A passing traveller. (S) He who enters the dirah seeking its protection, sets up his tonb or booth of hair in its pasture land. By the tent or tonb is meant the nomad himself, even though he has none. �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD do not make this protest, at least, they are looked upon with disdain. Some of them will even insist upon their right, clutching at the guest and forcing him back to save their honor He who entertains a passing traveller, O brilliant one, has to offer him protection for twelve hours after his departure, even if he has to travel with him, or send someone to accompany him the distance of a day's travel To ask for assistance of kinsmen against a foe, has its limits. The right ceases beyond the fifth degree; —that is, I have the right to ask my cousins only from the fifth down—I say, from the fifth only No, there is no difference in this respect between Arabs and ashraf (sherifs=descendants of the Prophet). But in case of a murder premeditated, the life of a sherif is entitled to a double diah, that is two lives." In adjudication all Arab rulers continue to observe certain customs of the Bedu, because the Koranic law is not always accepted in the desert. Of the traditions of the Bedu, for instance, is that any Arab can be and has to be judge, when he is called upon. But when the difference is between two tribes, the case is heard in the private majlis of the King. His Majesty, relating of the trial, said: "Each party selects twelve men to prove his case, the plaintiff selecting his from the tribe of his opponent, and vice versa. Of the twelve men four affirm, four inform, and four adjudicate. The first four, O thou brilliant one, state the case; the second prove or disprove it; the third, decide it. Says the affirmer: The case is thus and thus. Says the informer. I saw or I heard thus and thus. Says the adjucator: The decision is thus and thus." \\ ' / % How approximately come the Bedu in their litigations to the judicial system of civilized nations. They are even more certain of discovering the truth and achieving the highest justice. For do not the plaintiff and the defendant choose their men, that is their lawyers and witnesses and judges, each from the tribe of his opponent? And do not the adjudicators or judges resemble the jury in Europe? When I mentioned this to His Majesty, he said: "Allah, praised be he, did not signal out the Europeans for all the human { v[ virtues. We Arabs have a few. And thou, O my dear brilliant one, art better informed of this. Not everything that comes from Europe is free from fault or flaw—is perfect. The Europeans may still be ignorant of certain things, the knowledge of which we possess and can impart. Take medicine, for example, ThoU I') i �GENERAL VIEW OF THE DOG RIVER Let. ponls du fleuve du Chien of which has been rebuilt or repaired by Seleucids, RoA panoramic view showing the three bridges, the upper P mans and Arabs since as far back as 250 B. C �HHHM&.-. THE SOLITARY HOUSE AT THE DOG RIVER to This is a sort of a wayside inn that an enterprising returned emigrant built at the farthest settled point on the Dog River towards the source. THE DOG RIVER PARK The clearing on the southern bank of the Dog River makes an ideal setting for Kaif connoisseurs. �SHOWEIR AND ITS HEIGHTS < This is one of the principal summer resorts in Lebanon. The town proper is spread on the mountain side while the new development on the heights appears in the left background. A GENERAL VIEW OF BEIT SHABAB This town was once the foremost industrial center in Lebanon and is situated at an elevation overlooking the canyon dividing Al-Kateh and Kisrawan. �THE HUB OF EHDEN FEB hast! May pain; from The public square of Ehden, North Lebanon, as it appeared teeming with humanity on the Sunday afternoon of The Syrian World editor's visit. THE SPRING OF ST. SARQUIS A partial view of the cafes clustered around the spring which is given the name of 'the patron saint of Ehden. Standing under the branches of the big tree to the extreme left, is Representative Kabalan Frangei, who was our host. tur« wor bou �FEBRUARY, 19 SO 17 hast seen, O dear one, the best doctors; but they did not cure thee. May Allah, through the medium of our doctor, rid thee of thy pains. Thou wilt then say to them, "Recovery has come to me from the vicinity of Mecca, from Allah and his Prophet." \ \ i u He then said: "It may be hallucination, O dear one—I say, hallucination—imagination. Animals are also subject to it like human beings. I will cite an example among camels. When a certain one refuses for physical or temperamental reasons to suckle her foal, we take him to another. But she too, for even a better reason, withholds her milk. She will not suckle a strangfer. Now, what does the Arab do, the Arab of short-wit? He is not always short-witted, O brilliant one. He blindfolds the beast and then gags her, thus driving the wind inward and causing her stomach to swell. Whereupon, with a sharp knife he performs a slight operation, makes a few incisions in her genitals, deep enough to be felt—I say, deep enough to be felt. The foal is then brought near her and the bandages are removed. Instinctively, she turns her head to the region of pain, smells blood, sees the foal, and is duped. She yields her udder with motherly tenderness. No, the Arabs are not slow-witted, O my dear one. I They are also as quick with their eye and hand. Hast thou seen khc boy that comes to the lagoon every day about sunset carrying ia basket and a stick in his hand? I watch him often with amusement from this window." | I had indeed seen that boy the day before from closer vantage, from the opposite side of the lagoon, when he was knee-deep in the water, prying about, peering through it. At small intervals he would stop, strike something at the bottom with his stick, place his foot quickly upon it, and stoop to pick it up. He had caught something, which he placed in his basket. Slowly wading through the clear blue water, slowly with his keen eyes penetrating to the bottom, and every time the stick went down, some' thing was brought up. Not once did he miss, so trained was his hand, so quick his stroke, so keen his eye. He was catching crabs. His Majesty was so pleased that, like himself, I had also observed this object of wonder. And he went on, from one subject to another, holding forth on the strange and interesting features of a country which he knew as good as the Holy Book. ***"No, Allah hath not deprived us of all the virtues, O worthy one, nor hath he deprived us of all the fruits of his bounty. There is a wadi near At-Taief, wadi Liyah by name in �I—— —, — 18 ——— ii ———! THE SYRIAN WORLD which the pomegranate grows. Big pomegranates, some as big as the head of a man, and with seeds that have very little of the hard matter in them—full of the sweet juice. Excellent remedy for the lungs. Some of the fastidious take it like a sherbet squeezed into a glass. But a pomegranate should be eaten, not drunk; for half its taste is in the pleasure of exerting the teeth upon it. Our young men have pomegranate competitions, in which a prize is given to him who eats the whole fruit first and without dropping a single seed on the ground Yes, yes; it is\ a competition. Young men everywhere, methinks, will have their games We have also a plant that grows in the late summer; it has a white flower, on which the bees feed; and they produce a honey unsurpassable in the whole world. I say so upon the assurance of a distinguished traveller, the Khedive Abbas. For when he came here a-pilgrimaging, he ate of our honey and added to the two Testimonies (1), saying: 'And I testify that the honey of Al-Hijaz is the best honey in the world.' As for our pomegranates of wadi Liyah—'From wadi Liyah,' the hawkers cry. 'Good for hediyah* (present)!—When I sent some to the Sultan Abd'ul-Hamid, he exclaimed on beholding them: 'Praised \ be Allah and Peace upon his Prophet! These fruits are not only the best of their kind in the world, but they come from the best spot in the world.' Of a truth, O my son, we have a few good things, and we are therewith content. Our pomegranates and \, our honey, here be a proof that Allah, praised be he, hath not forgotten us Arabs, the Arabs of Al-Hijaz." That they might be forgotten one day is not morally conceivable since they have in Jeddah a form of piety and wisdom the like of which I have not seen anywhere else in Arabia. It is a club of seven members only, all sages;—a small circle of light, without a line of darkness to define it;—a unique institution. The founder is the Mayor of Jeddah, who is one of those Oriental sages that are rare in the public life of Europe and America. He is a simple soul with an ingenious mind, who realizes that even in India, where he spent many years, civilization has a few things that Jeddah might well envy. But he will not concede that man in a desert waste can not order the world to him. ' \ v.' He defines civilization as man's right relation between God and Nature, and finds the right means to such, an end in a prayer <v (1) The two Testimonies of the Muslem are: I testify that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah. wmmmmm �— FEBRUARY, 1930 19 rug and a hand-ball. He is the organizer and the moving spirit of the Prayer Club of Jeddah. i \ But it is more than a Prayer Club, for it combines its exercises so they include the body and the mind as well as the soul. It might be better called the Koran-Athletic Club. Even then the name is not inclusive. A triangle of practical wisdom, balancing the three purposes of life, without anything to hold it together;—a unique conception;—a Club without a club house, without a president, without by-laws, without dues. There is but an understanding, an article of faith, and a pledge to attend the daily meetings. The understanding is based on the article of faith, which is the Mayor's definition of civilization, and the article of faith is made a living principle at least an hour each day. Bring your prayer rug and meet us on the sand outside the city at sundown. There, on an elevation, beyond the citadel, I joined these good people one day, and in spite of a deficiency, an irregularity rather, in my Triangle, they took me into their blessed circle. But I was beaten by their elder in throwing the ball, and by their cadet in a poetic tilt. The meeting was always started by standing in a line facing Mecca to say the sunset prayer; and the member who led in prayers as imam would be the first afterward to dctff his jubbah and start the ball game. They use a cannon ball about the size of what we use in bowling, which they hold in both hands, swinging it in a half-circle between the legs and above the head, preliminary to the throw. He who throws farthest scores. After the games, a few movements in callisthenics are executed, and then the discussion, the intellectual exercise, to complete the Triangle. Having taken you, O worthy one, to the Club, allow me now to introduce the members. Here is Hajji Zainal, the octogenarian who beat me at throwing the ball. He is brother to the Mayor Abdullah Zainal, and is fond of quoting from the Persian poets, Hafez and Sa'di and Jalal'ud-Din Roumi. The Zainals are of Persian origin, and Hajji Zainal quotes in the original which his brother translates. Here is one of his favorite quatrains from Jalal'ud-Din Roumi the Sufi poet: "When first my lips cajoled the flute, it moaned i\.nd told the secret of the world's ill:— It said: When I was severed from Love's Tree I wrept, and all the world is weeping still." �— 20 1 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Collector of Customs, Sheikh Muhammad Tawil, is the Beau Brummel of Jeddah. His jubbah, which he changes every day, tells of a variety in his wardrobe that ranges from striped cashmere to flowered silk. Under the jubbah is a waistcoat equally radiant in design;—one of light green material, with green buttons of a lighter shade, I particularly remember;—and under the waistcoat is a robe of pongee silk or of barred Damascus weave, which comes down to a little above the ankle upon which peeps the famous linen pantaloons, whose lace or open work graces a ( pair of patent leather pumps. His turban alone is like that of his fellows,—a regular Hijaz turban, which is a bonnet of green and red and yellow cloth woven together in mosaic fashion, and around which is wound, not too heavy, a white sash. But this Arab Beau Brummel is also a man of business, the most practical and the most energetic member of the Hijaz Government. He collects and he pays out with a conscience and an accuracy unexcelled in Arabia, except it be by the Parsis of Aden. The Ghabel brothers, Sulaiman and Abd'ul-Qader, most sincerely flatter the Honorable Collector, but they do not always succeed in imitating him. The lace upon their linen underwear is always more evident, however, and their perfume announces them before they approach. All Arabs love perfume; but the Ghabel brothers are artists in the composition of essences. I have always imagined East and West flowing from their robes, without any particular spice or flower intruding itself, without even noticing in the swooning effusion a waft from a Paris bottle. But they are nontheless extremely pious. If they pay five pounds gold for a bottle of French perfume, they pay their homage five times a day to Allah and the Prophet. Sheikh Sulaiman seems to think that it is necessary to train oneself in mortal ease preliminary to an immortality of it. But Sheikh Naser of Najd, who thirty years ago shook the sand of the Nufoud from his sandals, remains a Wahhabi both stern and serene. He yields not to the luxuries of the people of Al-Hijaz, but he frowns not upon them. He has learned tolerance in his travels, and is a true Brother, disdaining not to pray, as a Wahhabi of South Najd, with Muslems of other sects. Opposite to Sheikh Naser in belief is the Persian Mulla Husein of Shiraz, he who is a master in mechanics and a disciple of Jalal-ud-Din Roumi. He supplies the lux lights to Jeddah, repairs its sewing machines, and airs his Sufism in the bazaars. But , I * V / �FEBRUARY, 1930 I 21, the Prayer Club is non-sectarian. Bring your prayer rug and meet us on the sands. If you have a new book of verse, bring it also with you. But Mulla Husein carries his book in his head; and it is a rare joy to hear him intone in opulent Persian accents the couplets of our Master Jalal'ud-Din. I "I am a piece of wood, Cut from the Tree of Love, And made into a flute:— The flute forevermore pines for the grove." ±41 \ <• Although I was but a passing traveller, a moving guest, I too feel that I am a piece of wood cut from that blessed tree— the tree of the Prayer Club of Jeddah—and made into a flute And the flute forevermore pines for the grove. Sang of a Homesick Man . By NAJLA SABE My heart's in the hills, The Lebanon hills. Where I first learned that beauty dwells; And bliss sublime In the sunniest clime The peace of the world foretells. How I love the pine And cedar trees That shadow the Lebanon plains; And Mount Sannin In her immaculate sheen As a monarch of beauty, she reigns. My eyes are dim And my hair is gray, Yet my joy has banished my ills, For they promised, you see, They'd bury me With my heart on the Lebanon hills. �as 22 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Old Criminal A PORTRAYAL OF LIFE THROUGH ITS TRAGIC ELEMENT By MARY ZIADAH Translated from the Arabic by RAJA F. HOWRANI Translator's Note—The following article is a translation, more or less free, from an Arabic Monthly Review, Al-Muktataf, (February, 1928) under the title "Al-Mojrim-ul-Kadeem", The Old Criminal. The author of the Arabic text, Mary Ziadah (pen name, Mey) is the leading woman-literarywriter in the Arabic-speaking world, and her style is among the best of modern Arabic literature. Mey, however, is not original in this literary piece. She has adapted it from a play written by a Gei-man poet—a certain. Reinhardt? This play, or better tragi-drama, centers around a historic figure, the Ephesian Herostratus, who lived around the middle of the 4th century B. C. The following account of Herostratus is given in Smith's "Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology." "Herostratus, an Ephesian, set fire to the temple of Artemis at Ephesus, which had been begun by Chersiphron, and completed by Demetrius and Paeonius. It was burnt on the same night that Alexander the Great was born, B. C. 356> whereupon it was remarked by Hegesias the Magnesian, that the conflagration was not to be wondered at, since the Goddess was absent from Ephesus, and attending on the delivery of Olympias: an observation, says Plutarch, frigid enough to have put out the fire. The stroke of Genius in question, however, is ascribed by Cicero, whose taste it does not seem to have shocked, to Timaeus of Tauromenium. Herostratus was put to torture for his deed, and confessed that he had fired the temple to immortalize himself. The Ephesians passed a decree condemning his name to oblivion, but Theopompus embalmed him in his history, like a fly in amber." In the present article Herostratus is justified in his deed. The article itself, I take it, is an artistic expression, every part of which when analyzed, admirably coincides with the theory of Aesthetic appertaining to literature (prose) as Art and especially to that tragic element which is the solution for the problem of evil in Aesthetics. In spite of its so-called pathetic element—and pathos indeed is essential in a tragedy—this picture of human destiny affords us the proper purgation of emotions not only through pity and fear but also through admiration for the hero as portrayed by the artist. The writer is sensibly aware of the difficulty of the task which he has undertaken. He duly confesses that the Arabic text at certain culminations la immeasurably superior to what he can put into English. Every language has its own 'genius' and translation becomes a hazardous matter to that I* VjV �FEBRUARY, 1930 23 genius. This is especially true in this case because of the very limited knowledge the writer has of the philosophy of Art whether in Arabic or any other language. DOETS sometimes show mercy. It was Reinhardt whose heart was touched by compassion, and who composed a dramatic tragedy around this historical episode, whose hero was the un| lucky, ill-fated Herostratus. Around the middle of the fourth century B. C, Greece was at the zenith of her glory. Nay, even more—by virtue of her attainments she creates in us that sense of greatness itself which perturbs our souls whenever Greece and her glorious history are recalled. If it be true that such an effort is produced in us after so many centuries, how much more true in the Greeks themselves, and it was they who made live their greatness and created it day after day in the exuberance of pride and the love of competition and excelling. Apropos of this, history records Themistooles' reputed statement, "The wreath which crowns Miltiades drives sleep from me," which is an indication of their competitive spirit. Every unfolding of their supremacy they immortalized in the form of a brilliant poem, and objectified through an artistic medium. It was by this means that men learned to become heroes, and heroes aspired to become gods. Moreover, the land with its beautiful location and its clear azure-blue sky shone with a radiance greater and brighter than that of the sun—namely the radiance of life and exquisite beauty created at the hands of the Greeks. But Athens among the Greeks was the pinnacle of greatness and the climax of posterity, for it was Athens of the Genius, of the Parthenon, of Wisdom, of Democracy, with Pericles at its summit. And there, across the sea in Ephesus, arose another man, Herostratus by name, destined to perform the role of despair along with happiness and defeat along with victory. Instead of seeing in that criminal a crazy fool, the German poet created in him another aspect of defeated greatness. Through a person immortal in his defeat and despair he brings to us emotions indigenous to the human heart. For who of us has not, at least once in his life, tasted the bitterness of defeat and the fruitlessness of hard work? "In this ultimate sense, most of human life is tragic." (Parker). The poet sensed that remote crime, and �THE SYRIAN WORLD 24 extracted from it the essence of life. Herein lies the greatness > of the artist: his ability to see through the walks of the soul and probe into the innermost of consciousness disclosing what others, can not see. He then falls back to his special tools by the aid of I. L which he shows us, through his own eyes, the secrets of life. We then stamp our immediate approval interfused with a little astonishment, and with him we are moved to comprehend what he has sensed. Indeed, Browning has sung the fame of such an artist in Truth is within ourselves; it takes no rise From outward things, what'er you may believe. There is an inmost center in us all, Where truth abides in fullness; and around, Wall upon wall, the gross flesh hems it in, This perfect, clear perception—which is truth. A baffling and perverting carnal mesh Binds it, and makes all error; and to KNOW Rather consists in opening out a way Whence the imprisoned splendor may escape, Than in effecting entry for a light Supposed to be without. —Browning, Robert, Paracelsus. L 726-37. \ Or Parker when he wrote: "The artist will try to reveal the j hidden unities that so delight the mind to discover. He will aim \ to penetrate beneath the surface of experience observed by comman perception to its more obscure logic underneath. In this way he will go beyond what the mere mechanism of imitation requires"... Or again, "Out of the infinite fullness of nature and of life, the artist selects those elements that have a unique significance for him. Music, when soft voices die, Vibrates in the memory, Odors, when sweet violets sicken; Live within the sense they quicken; Rose leaves, when the rose is dead; Are heaped for the beloved's bed; And so thy thoughts when thou art gone, Love itself shall slumber on. Observe how, out of the countless things which he knows, the poet has chosen those which he feels akin to his faith in the immortality of love." / 1 �FEBRUARY, 1930 ess ,nd ers of) We onhe tist l V 10WS, i the F Ji i 25 Herostratus in this tragi-drama possesses a poignant, artistic, temperament, true in its aspiration and pain, nevertheless one with its irregularities—perhaps weaknesses. Surely he deserves compassion and mercy, for he is a hero in his reactions and aspirations; meagre in his work and production, he aspires to chisel the magnificent statues and to create masterpieces of beauty, but succeeds only in being an insignificant apprentice who accomplishes mediocre monuments and small idols of worship. How could he endure this humiliation and feeling of impotency while he is living in the shadow of the great temple Artemis? George Moore in "Confessions of a Young Man" says: "How terrible are the languors and yearning of impotency! how wearing! what an aching void they leave in the heart! And all this I suffered until the burden of unachieved desire grew intolerable." It was Paeonius who erected that riddle in marble, the temple of Ephesus, the center of admiration and envy of both the Greek and the Barbaric worlds. Foreigners, Athenians, Spartans and multitudes of pilgrims nocked from every direction to that temple for religious worships and aesthetic enjoyment. But he, Herostratus, while looking at the walls and high friezes of the temple, is reminded of the immortal genius, of the old artist who has embodied the last work of undying fame. As he recalls all this, Herostratus becomes increasingly aware of his impotency. Around the temple throbs the rich and varied life of the people. Here is the day destined to dedicate Artemis. The people raise their voices high unto heaven, unto their gods. Ships embark multitudes of worshipers. Processions of priests, Greek notables, and young men and women leave the temple with music and songs—an exaltation of life that envisages the Greek world in its fervor and happy religion and in its devotion to real beauty. Amidst this exaltation Herostratus alone stands disappointed, and weeping, waives the consolation of his beloved mother who creeps out of her mean dwelling in a vain attempt to heal his drooping spirit. Thus he answers her: "Remember! it was none but you who, once, led me to this temple and with burning zeal uttered in my ears: 'My son! let the love of fame envelop you. Be a model of your father who shed his blood in the pursuit of greatness and glory. Let your impelling motive be world-widefame'. I then knelt down before the altar of the temple and my tender lips whispered fervently the prayer: 'Grant me fame, Ye great gods'". �*t m ms* 26 THE SYRIAN WORLD His mother disappeared like a 'drunkard staggering toward home', leaving her son in a state of mental destitution. Then came Agasias, dealer of the statues of Artemis, rebuking him and calling him to resume his 'mean, unpleasant' task. He heard him not, nor did he hear the voice of the Ionian maiden, the pretty Cilisea, the descendant of Paeonius. For, although he had reciprocated her love, his hunger for perfection made him J cruel and fierce and locked his heart to every tender and sweet \, sentiment. While young Cilisea, the incarnation of youth, who knew nothing of life save love and its paths, who comprehended not the significance of perseverance and sorrow, and whose main concern was a "friendly dwelling with life itself," turned to him and said: "Listen, Herostratus! but we are guilty if we succumb to sorrow and grief in our bright moment. Let us avail ourselves of the most in life while at the prime of youth and envy not even the builder of the temple himself. He has passed away to his destination, but we are the children of this life." "No! No!" answered Herostratus, "We do not belong to this life! nor are we living! because we did not excel. Life is but victory and conquest, or it is death, yea more bitter than death. The children of life are Phidias the ideal sculptor, Homer the peet, and a host of outstanding 'men of genius'. They are and will continue to be living, enjoying a beauty of godly youth which does not wither, notwithstanding the wind that scatters their ashes into the four corners of the earth. We might just as well have been unborn—I wish we were." Herostratus, the criminal, fully realizes the worth of the Message that great men leave to posterity. Those who, owing to their imaginative power, have created a disingenuous, complete world, have realized it through their art, thus enriching the wealth of the world by their creations which became a part of the real world—be they philosophers, politicians, leaders, artists, or poets. In fact, were it not for their intuition, decades and centuries would have passed and the world have been less rich, less noble, and less beautiful; nations, like animals, would have fallen into an abyss of utter insignificance. It is this message, which is the guarantee for the compensation of the genius and his radiancy, that Herostratus' tragedy lies. He is the man who fully comprehended the significance of that Message, yet failed. He had aspirations, but lacked technical skill—his art would not obey him. i' �stam FEBRUARY, 1930 I*> [• i 27 Now his chance lies before him. The City of Ephesus determined to replace the old wooden statue of Artemis by a marble one with which to decorate the temple. Herostratus, because he was a citizen and because he was a sculptor, was intrusted with this task. Like an electric shock, genius and intuition challenge Herostratus, "Blessed be Ye Artemis," he cried, "Ye who responded to the prayer of the child who was reared at your feet—now is the time that people should know him as a creator." He confined himself to his room, closing his eyes to Cilisea and to any talk of love. He burned his midnight oil in imagination, working persistently and untediously, now measuring and then remeasuring, trying and erring, carving, building and destroying, and rebuilding anew; disappointment turns out to be his product. He could picture and visualize a great image, but alas! the hand would not obey the inventive mind. His people grew impatient with him. They announced a competition between their Herostratus and the celebrated Athenian, Praxiteles. The latter arrived on board an Athenian ship, and was greeted by multitudes of people who flocked to meet him: processions of priests, elders, and young men, led by the pretty Ionian maidens who were playing their guitars, singing their songs of merriment and welcome, and posing their beauty— and beauty is intensified before those who appreciate it—to the new artist who might pass for a conqueror. While proceeding toward the majestic temple, Praxiteles appeared to be the carrier of Athens' greatness and its Genius. There was hardly a measure of comparison between Herostratus and his rival. The latter loved life sympathetically, free from sorrow—life to him meant the enjoyment of the passing moment. Work for him was play. He would neither give heed to, nor would he crave for unsubstantial and hypothetical immortal glory. Through his character (nature) he spanned the chasm which lay between Herostratus and beloved Cilisea, and soon, with her, a mutual understanding was reached of problems of life and ecstasy of love. Herostratus, the unsuspecting, became an enemy to life through his art which disobeyed him, while Praxiteles, the happy conqueror, created his goddesses from the very girls whom he saw. To him girls and goddesses were one, and in the charming looks of the former, divinity and humanity were combined, and art and life became one. �I ,.... I... * — 28 .BWIIUMLTWH.... THE SYRIAN WORLD Beauty is the bridge which connects earth with heaven. In Athens, inspired by an Athenian maiden, Praxiteles craved his Aphrodite, and in Ephesus his Artemis shall be inspired by an Ephesian beauty. Around him gathered the Ionian girls singing and dancing, and among them he caught sight of Cilisea. Soon his eyes glistened with inspiration; isn't this Artemis declaring herself to the Artist? Her beautiful, yet fading, youth, and her looks over-laden with love, Praxiteles shall reap and immortalize in the beautiful marble. How wouldn't Cilisea love the Athenian and be inclined toward him after her long experience of bitter loneliness and misery? But how wouldn't the tragedy flame in the soul of Herostratus, the defeated, both as a man and as an artist? For a second time, he was experiencing a new defeat. The Athenian sculptor, having completed his admirable work which emphasizes the Praxitelian conception, the human-divine conception, objectifying the beauty and the grace of the body of Cilisea, exposed it to the onlookers, among them Herostratus, who became an inculcation of fruitless effort. There he stood lamenting the love of which he did not avail himself, and the glory which passed from his hands. The demon of jealousy and hatred overwhelmed him as he thought of that stranger who robbed him of everything 'lightly'. Looking at the magnificent statue, he felt the unrealization of his dreams and the futility of his aspirations—yea, more than that, he felt an inferiority in his personality. In view of all this, and under the stress of emotional disturbance, he picked up the chisel of his rival which lay beside the statue, and went back home; and with one stroke he smashed the incomplete statues and cut down the disobedient marble, in which he tried his Art, and his luck, and his aspirations. And, coming out of his home, he caught sight of Cilisea weeping for her lover who, having completed his monumental work, was ready for departure to Athens, where a new glory awaited him, and the Athenian maidens invited him for a new love. Thus he addressed her: "With this chisel I have smashed my statues and models; my failure is complete and to my rival is due all the laurel crowns of victory. Come now to me, Cilisea, you girl of the moment! Grant me the joy of the fleeting 'happy festival of life', for which I cared not hitherto. Will you remain true to him! he who left you without sorrow—unhesitatingly?" "But I love him," answered Cilisea, "and I shall remain true to him." i. / �29 FEBRUARY, 1930 "Ye beautiful world!" cried Herostratus, "Are you created to be in your entirety subservient to this man? Wouldn't you grant me the crumbs which fall from his table, not even the withering flower that falls from his laurel crown? Do the gods so unjustly distribute their gifts? And I, the fool, trust in their justice and mercy?" Despair overwhelmed him and the tragedy was inevitable. Fire and smoke pierced through the darkness which enveloped the earth. The great temple was burning and in front of it Herostratus was standing dishevelled, with eyes fixed, holding a torch in his hand and crying like a madman in ,' the phantasy of his delirium. He was incapable of creating anything, but he destroyed / everything. No temple, no statues, no columns, nor any immortal remains do we have after this day. Would they imprison him and condemn him to death, and his name to oblivion? Yea! death is far better than life which deceived him. If fate has thus decreed to him, he has demolished everything else: Cilisea, under the afflication of love (to Praxiteles) threw herself into the sea; the temple is gone forever—in vain did Praxiteles come and useless was his art, and his love, and his inspiration. Similarly, the spirit of evil, of jealousy, of hatred, and of repugnance had corrupted the enigmatic ancient world. But Herostratus is justified—as the German poet sees him—by his great pain and sacrifice in loss and suffering. It is but an Imitation of life—a true one representing defeated humanity and its subdued, though struggling, Genius. "It is a picture of human destiny with all its significance," as Aristotle expresses it. I Tears Translated from the Arabic of Al-Khansa by R. A. py . lin ?» i NICHOLSON Tears, ere thy death, for many a one I shed, But thine are all my tears since thou art dead. To comforters I lend my ear apart, While pain sits ever closer to my heart. �30 THE SYRIAN WORLD From the Dog River to the Cedars A CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF THE EDITOR'S TRIP ABROAD v V By SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL I EBANON claims many places of historical interest. The ruins of its famous cities of old are among the wonders of the world. They dot the coast of what was formerly old Phoenicia all the way from Tyre and Sidon in the south to Byblos and Tripoli in the north; while the majestic ruins of Baalbeck are reminiscent of the glory that was once the great city of the central plain. But all these are dead relics, representing a glory that has passed and a civilization that exists only in memory. The pulse of life does not throb in them, nor do they possess any inherent virility that could defy time and insure their continuity. They were destroyed when the civilization which they represented came to its end. They existed so long as the race which reared them was able to defend and preserve them. They were a flare which illumined the horizon and diffused the light of culture and knowledge while they lasted, but when they were consumed, only the cinders remained, mute evidence that man's mightiest physical achievements are subject to his own fate, that mortal cannot build anything eternal, that only that which is native to the soil, and is an integral part of mother nature, can lay claim to any degree of perpetuity. But there is in Lebanon two living witnesses to its hoary civilization and ancient glory that have withstood the ravages of time and defied and challenged the actions of elements. They are records imperishable. They are an integral part of the history of man's progress on the road of culture and his ascent to the heights of human power and achievement. Their virility is inherent, making them self-perpetuating. In his reckoning of his future by the study of his past, man will find these two living memorials conspicuous milestones on his road toward progress. Such is their quality that not only will they retain their distinc- K I �FEBRUARY, 1930 \ 31 tion, but grow in comparative importance as man realizes his primitive beginnings for the proper evaluation of his gradual advance toward his ultimate ends. The living rocks at the mouth of the Dog River, and the seemingly everlasting Cedars of Lebanon, are the two silent, yet unimpeachable witnesses of this march of human progress since earliest recorded history. The two huge piles of rocks forming the gorge through which the waters of the river Lycos flow into the Mediterranean are forbidding in their bareness, inhospitable in their aspect, awing in their approach. But engraved in their flanks are evidences of the greatest articulate expressions of man's power,—and vanity. They bear inscriptions in hieroglyphics, in cuneiforms, in Roman alphabetical characters, in Arabic, in English and in French. They tell the story of the great exploits of world conquerors in pictures as well as in words. Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Arab and European have all left their mark of passage on this immutable rock. Why was it that throughout succeeding centuries the great of the world passed through this place, and took pride in recording their deeds on its barren rocks, for the edification and admiration of posterity? Can it be any reason other than that this place is the pivot of the world, the imperishable tome of history, the observation place of all generations to come? What an honor for a country to boast of being the perpetual repository of such an historical treasure? A little further north, in the same small, serrated territory, are other living witnesses to a hoary age and to the steady march of human progress. They are not as mute as the rocks, because they have the faculty of growth, and for that reason are more eloquent. Their virility was the subject of lyrical praise both in the Bible and in pagan literature. Their hardihood is proverbial, and their quality of inherent youth is held forth as a symbol. We need but mention the Cedars of Lebanon to evoke admiration for a thing that is at once old and young, whose roots are imbedded deep in the earth and branches reaching high toward the heavens; trees that are as old as man's earliest recorded history; that have furnished beams for the Temple of Solomon | as well as for the temples of pagan gods; that have served to build the great navies of the Phoenicians and of the Egyptians; that have stood at their vantage point, overlooking the sea and the plain, reviewing the passage of some of the mightiest armies and navies ever marshalled throughout history marching to certain destruction, while they, the great Cedars, defied time and �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD the elements. These are the Cedars reverently called by the natives of Lebanon the "Cedars of the Lord," because they proclaim His glory and His mark of eternity, and both through pride and as a good augury have been chosen the emblem of the young republic of Lebanon. It is the privilege of the tourist to visit these two great, natural monuments of Lebanon in a single day, while at intermediate points en route many other places of immense historical interest may be passed. We spent the night of August 2nd at Dhour or Heights of Showeir, one of the principal summer resorts of Lebanon, situated at an elevation of 1200 meters and at about an hour's drive from Beirut. The resort may be said to be the growth of ten years, during which the lonely, pine-covered hills were almost magically transformed into a bustling little city where one would scarcely find accommodations in its score of hotels, especially during week-ends, without advance reservations. Its attractions are many and varied, chief among which is its dry climate, and the bracing air of its pine forests which exhilarate intoxicating fragrance. At night it is a scintillating cluster of a myriad of lights, pulsating with the strangeness of a highly cosmopolitan life, to which the Egyptian not only contributes his presence and all his natural gaity, but adds to that his musical and entertaining talent. At the time of our visit two famous Egyptian singers were giving recitals, coincident with the appearance of a theatrical company. Nor was the purely native touch lacking, for in one of the principal open-air cafes hundreds of devotees of the fine art of improvised poetry in the Arabic vernacular had gathered to hear one of the leading exponents in the country of this rapidly waning art. We made the rounds of all the principal hotels in quest of accommodations, but without success. A courteous hotel-keeper, a former emigrant who had returned to invest his acquired fortune in home industries, offered us his family quarters for the night, but the offer was declined. Instead, we chose to put up in a hastily arranged room on the ground floor opening on the gardens, which corresponds to attic accommodations in America. I suggested that we seek some secluded spot to spend the evening; a place of quiet and repose where we would have thej companionship of the pines, and the entertainment of the scintil- �I I FEBRUARY, 1930 33 lating stars of the clear Lebanon nights. It would be well to evade for a time the Broadway atmosphere of this lively Lebanon resort, especially that our time was limited, and we were touching on the high spots of the country with little opportunity for sharing the many natural advantages it affords the true vacationist. A companion suggested a drive through the "Bois," so named after the famous Bois de Bologne of Paris. And it proved an enchanting place: miles of pine forests so thick in places that they completely hid the sky, while here and there they permitted of some apertures for the shiny stars to peep through on the roadway. We had driven up from Beirut that afternoon, and in the sweltering heat of the city we had failed to provide for the change of altitude. How we wished then to be in a closed car, or to have some sort of warm covering! We finally halted at a cafe deep in the woods. Everything was still and peaceful. Only a few small parties were in the clearing among the pines engaged in quietly sipping their arak and nibbling at their maza. The gentle murmur of running water was all that could be heard. But seeing us approach, and realizing we were strangers, the obliging proprietor hastened to treat us to some lively music, and he began to play one screeching American jazz record after another! In the morning we had a fuller opportunity to appreciate the unique advantage of location which gained for this resort its deserved popularity. It is situated on a central ridge of the Lebanon range, commanding at once a superb view of both land and sea. Sannin stands at close proximity, and the picturesque valleys to the East form a kaleidoscopic panorama of endless variety. While to the West a succession of hills and valleys, dotted with thriving villages, gently slope down to the vast expanse of the sea. Crowning the crests of most of the hills in this section are massive churches or monasteries which project their bulk forcibly into the landscape. 1 f The fortnight I had spent in Lebanon so far had been confined to Beirut and its immediate vicinity. But now was to begin my extensive trips to the outlying sections of Lebanon and Syria. Our itinerary called for covering the stretch from the Dog River to the Cedars in a single day. The Dog River is mid-way on the �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD Lebanon littoral being only eight miles from Beirut, and although we did not carry out our program to the letter, we can truthfully claim that we covered half the length of Lebanon in a single afternoon. The descent from the Heights of Showeir was begun early on August 2nd through beautiful Bikfaya, to the once foremost industrial town of the countrv, Beit Shabab. In times past the town was an important center of pottery and textile manufacturing and brass and iron foundries; the bell-casting industry is a monopoly of the NafFah family. Not so prosperous are its industries at present, however. It is maintained, as many other towns in Syria and Lebanon, by emigrants' remittances. We breakfasted at the house of Ibrahim Rahhal Mokarzel, the mukhtar, or mayor of Beit Shabab, who, although in his early fifties, has retired from the active management of his extensive business interests in South Africa, which he has left to his sons, and has chosen to spend the rest of his days in the congenial surroundings of his homeland. He built himself a large modern house on the highest crest in the town and surrounded it with extensive vineyards and fruit orchards. The large court commands a magnificent view of the countryside, and it was in this court that the board was spread for breakfast. Life in Lebanon is almost totally in the open air during the summer. Milhem, the son of Ibrahim, was then on his bi-annual visit to the parental home. He was young and adventurous, and waxed enthusiastic about joining us on the trip to the Cedars. When his father could not dissuade him from his hasty decision, he decided to come along too. And it was well that he did, for he proved a vernacular poet of no mean talent, offering us no end of entertainment by his copious improvisations. Being, furthermore, the mayor of his town, he had the privilege of carrying weapons, and he brought along his double-barreled hunting rifle. A quail or a rabbit might prove a delicious addition to a meal, and he would use the privilege of his office to our benefit. On the way he stopped for some cartridges, but when, later in the day, he spotted a quarry and wanted to load, he discovered that the storekeeper had given him cartridges of a wrong calibre! For the three days that we were together, his honor, the mayor, every time he looked at the gun which he was toting as useless extra weight, forgot the dignity of his office sufficiently to curse the idiotic storekeeper in some of the most original expressions I ever heard. ? / �FEBRUARY, 1930 \ \i ' 35 We took hasty leave of the Hayeck family in Beit Shabab, and made swiftly for the neighboring town of Freike, there to bid farewell to the family of the distinguished author Ameen Rihani, now in the United States. Half an hour later we had reached Antilyas by the sea, whence we turned northward in the direction of Nahr El-Kalb, or the Dog Rfver. Except to passing tourists, the great historical importance of the inscriptions at the Dog River gorge seem to be little appreciated. The most modern of the inscriptions, that which is commemorative of French occupation, is the most legible and conspicuous. With some effort one can locate the Assyrian inscription which remains in a remarkable condition of preservation -' considering that it dates back to almost three thousand years. But the rest of the great record of the marsh of human history seems to be in a deplorable state of neglect. This spot should be second in importance, if not equal to, the ruins of Baalbeck among Lebanon's historical shrines, and one would think that the government would show its appreciation of the singular honor of being the custodian of such invaluable relics, by taking some action to protect them and make them more accessible to tourists of limited time. As it is, a modern road has been built about half a mile through the gorge to a little clearing used for a popular cafe. It fails even to reach the old Roman bridge, only a short distance further inland (1). It almost borders on the profane to speak in the same breath of these sacred relics of the ages and of the modern trivialities that are now made their close associates. Nahr El-Kalb is now visited for the attraction it has been lent by an enterprising and yet romantic Lebanese emigrant who has chosen to be an amateur botanist and naturalist, and who is an addict of the sport. Sab4 Rouhana, a former resident of Drumright, Okla., is the proprietor of the so-called casino at Nahr El-Kalb. He returned to Lebanon after the war and was attracted to this historic place for its sport possibilities. He built himself a house on leased land, and when not catering to picnickers he indulges in the chase. He was proud in showing me his menagerie of a / (1) An article by Dr. Philip K. Hitti in description of the Dog River and its inscriptions and strategic importance during the ages was published in a former issue of The Syrian World, a few copies of which are still available. �"- — —— 36 —— THE SYRIAN WORLD corend, a hyena, a fox, a deer and a wolf. He even has a young eagle in a cage, perhaps, like the Greek philosopher of old, to ascertain personally his longevity. Whenever he cannot engage in the hunt he finds diversion in fishing. We were his guests until 3:30 that afternoon and we discovered that he had retained a good deal of his American business acumen, for he charged us Oklahoma prices. The drive north along the seashore towns of Lebanon is fascinating. At times the waves almost lap the road which runs along the even level of the beach; at others the road is hewn in the rock and almost perches over the breaking waves. Before we reached the outskirts of Tripoli we came to the rock of Mesailaha, through which the road winds in sharp curves until it reaches what formerly was an unnegotiable pass. Now they have carved a tunnel through the high rock, overlooking the sea, and the thrills of the passage are the delight of the adventurous. We did not stop long at Jebail, ancient Byblos. But we tarried sufficiently to contemplate with reverence the abundant waters of Nahr Ibrahim, to which the ancients gave the name of Adonis. What memories the name invokes! For here were laid the scenes of the most famous love episode in history—the tragic love of Venus and Adonis. To the present day the waters of the river turn red in the spring flood, because of the red earth formation of the neighboring hills, and mythology ascribes the phenomenon to the desire of the gods to commemorate annually the flow of blood of Adonis when gored by the wild boar. Futher north is the town of Batroun, known in times past for its sponge fisheries. We stopped there to take some refreshments. We were treated to the experience of having a drink of running water—from a stationary barrel. Before dusk we reached the outskirts of Tripoli, but instead of continuing to the city we took the road leading to the mountain. We had an oppottunity to admire the beautiful plain of Al-Koura, a duplicate in miniature of Al-Bika' plain, resplendent in its dark-green of olive groves. Then began the steep ascent of the mountain in the gathering dusk. We could feel the labors of the engine negotiating the steep climb. But night was merciful in having spread its cloak over the countryside while we made the ascent. We reached the town of Al-Hadath where we spent the night, and when we rose in the morning to view the scene of the previous night's climb, we thanked both the night and the able chauffeur in the person of our courageous cousin, Milhem ibn Ibrahim. ) I i �FEBRUARY, 1930 S \ I 1 37 The morning of August 3rd found us again on the march on the way to the Cedars. But we could not pass by Al-Diman without a halt. Fo Al-Diman is the summer residence of His Beatitude the Maronite Patriarch, the spiritual ruler, as well as the political leader, of the Maronites. We were detained as his guests for lunch, and only permitted to proceed after considerable entreaties. From the vantage point of Al-Diman we could behold the imposing panorama of Wadi Kadisha, or the Sacred Valley. From an elevation of seven hundred meters we saw as small specks clinging to the sides of the valley, the old monasteries that served for many centuries as the seats of the Maronite Patriarchs, when they and their adherents stood in constant fear of persecution and sought for refuge the most inaccessible spots in the rugged mountain. We were maintaining a furiously fast pace, as no sooner were we permitted to leave the precincts of Al-Diman, in the early afternoon of August 3rd, than we tore along the road leading to the Cedars. We passed through Hasroun, birthplace of the most famous of Oriental scholars, Assemani, who was at one time the Librarian of the Vatican; thence to Bcharri, home of our famous contemporary author, Kahlil Gibran, author of "The Prophet," the literary masterpiece which has been translated into more than twenty languages; thence to the Cedars, our ultimate goal, where we spent the night of Saturday and the forenoon of Sunday, meeting experiences that make one live the life of a thousand years or more back. Truly, after one's experience in traveling to the Cedars, and beholding their majesty, one cannot fail to exclaim that they are Lebanon's crowning glory (1). Sunday noon found us again at Bcharri, there to meet Archbishop Antoun Arida and the Board of Directors of the Nahr Kadisha hydroelectric project, the enterprise which spells the indomitable native spirit of enterprise and initiative, and then to partake of the bounteous hospitality of the mayor, Sheikh Najib Daher. That afternoon found us in the neighboring town of Ehden, famous as the birthplace of the Lebanese hero, Joseph Bey Karam, and as the town of the free and the home of the brave of Lebanon. We waived formalities to first pay homage to the re(1) The visit to the Cedars of Lebanon will be described independently in a eoming issue. \ �— 38 THE SYRIAN WORLD mains of the great patriot and hero, reposing in state in the principal church. To one familiar with the history of Lebanon in the nineteenth century, the sight of the body of Joseph Bey Karam, lying as if in restful sleep after the lapse of more than seventy years, cannot fail but inspire admiration for the great leader whose patriotism, piety and courage upheld the Lebanese tradition of sacrifice to the extreme in the cause of liberty. Our entry into Ehden was by the southern route known as Dawaleeb; otherwise the wheels. They are a succession of cafes terraced one above the other and all thronged with merrymakers. The roads also were congested for a mile or more from where we first entered the precincts of the town until we reached the public square. And the square, as well as its cafes, was also congested. Where do all these multitudes come from? In the square we were received by the newly-elected representative of the Northern District, Kabalan Bey Frangie. He insisted that we be his guests at the spring of Nahr Sarquis. There prohibition is not in force, and the few hours we spent at the cool, refreshing spring left no room for doubt as to the hospitality of the people and their leader. The abundant spring which takes its name from the neighboring monastery of St. Sarquis, gushes from the heart of a rock. Last year, when Rev. Simon Akle, who was at one time a prior of the monastery and is now in America, visited his home town, he contributed several thousand dollars towards the creation of a public park by the spring. The improvement was already noticeable. | • -i u jfj That night our whole party, composed of Ibrahim, Milhem and Joseph Mokarzel, John Trabulsi of New York and myself, were guests of Sheikh Joseph Estephan, member of the Representative Assembly, who had been in the United States the year previous. His home town, Kfar Sghab, is midway between Ehden and Bcharri, and he had anticipated our coming. This should be sufficient explanation for the elaborate preparations. The two cakes which the hostess had prepared could have aroused the envy of the most expert New York chef. On the chocolate coating, in beautiful Arabic script, were the words: "Long live the Lebanese Emigrants" and "Long live the Mokarzels." It was with a great effort that we were able to get leave of our hosts to depart the next morning, crossing country by the most roundabout ways, to reach the city of Tripoli and regain our way to the northern cities of Tartus, Latakia and Aleppo. FE< J thrc necl gier ers ing Ag£ , I this fro) mu! you tun heifer she Ma best to pra' �FEBRUARY, 1930 39 Maggie and Joe A SHORT STORY By s. re ic > i- LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA "Y^HERE did I hit her with the snowball?" asked the boy— confidentially. The girl looked at him, took his arm, and dragged him through the snow and around the corner. "It was some blow! Eh, sis?" "Well, Joe," said the girl, hesitatingly, "you hit her on the neck and the snow must have gone down inside her clothes." "Serves her right. What do you think she'll do now, Maggie r "Gosh, I don't know! She'll tell her mother." "Yeh, girls always tell their mothers everything." Maggie wasn't sure but what girls ought to tell their mothers everything, but kept still. She had her reasons for not wishing to appear dogmatic at this moment. "Let's hurry on to the library! We must get that book! Poor Aggie. You had no reason for hitting her that way!" "Well, I did it just for fun!" and to the boy (and every boy) this was final in any argument. Maggie had no desire for an argument, but couldn't refrain from exclaiming, "You're always having fun hurting someone!" "Yeh!" and he turned to leave her. "Oh!" and she caught his coat, "you're all right, only, you must be careful. You're perfectly all right, but I don't want you to get into trouble." "What kind of trouble? Good grief! You girls!" and he turned quickly. "All right. It's all right. Only, come with me!" and Maggie held on to Joe's coat for dear life. He didn't dare to leave her for fear his coat would tear—and then! Why the dickens didn't she hold his hand? He could easily wriggle away then. But Maggie knew his strength and her weakness. She knew she could best hold him by his coat with her left hand. She knew, as others to their sorrow, that those fingers were strong from constant practise on the violin, and she held him! "Are you gonna let me go?" �-=1* 40 THE SYRIAN WORLD "No!" "Well, I won't go, if you don't!" "If I let you go, will you come?" "All right." They went on Down Brookline Street to the doors of the library. Her left hand was ready in case he changed hs mind J.m stopped Maggie looked at him menacingly "Don't forget!" she warned. "Oh, all right!" taxi 6 11 b k y bspecial renn^'in ' school f*7°°* °° ^ >'0U'J1 ^ PreP^ed for your report tomorrow." Peciai "But you said you'd help'" miJ 'qf^f/T,? f ShTall~h' remembe^ self-reliance!" Ir you don't help, I won't do it'" That night, Maggie and Joe worked together. Toe was so pleased with his oratorical attempt, as practised on hisristeTth* wo TEN YEARS LATER. gaj Margaret (she no longer allowed the name Masael hSH g her hand on Joe's. It was growingg dark but he hm JI 2 made no attem t to put on the light. ' P "Don't say that again, Joe'" bUt 3 hUm di ger Pd Slam her said"tte!" " "'" " ' ^Remember, Joe, she's your wife I" W <&* » she ing hKS °',e mMher- She h- - b—s bring"Do you love Mae?" "No." She knew he lied. "Even so, you must go back to her. no woT'"11 y0U1 Hfe! " And liSten t0 h£r knocki "g because I have bbeMd e Margaret arose and walked to the window c?jtz ca sh SI l i 5 * - * -Ma £**£ S w ; »1 �___»^— RLD FEBRUARY, 1930 wrme** ' mmm 41 "Joe!" she exclaimed suddenly. He lifted his head. "What is it?" "Have you still your driving license?" "Yes." "Is it true that any one having a car may join an independent taxi company, providing he paints it with the colors and stripes?" "That's right!" "Well, look here! Wouldn't my car make a good taxi?" "It's too old." "I've had it two years, but it's only gone fifteen thousand miles! And I've taken good care of it." "Perhaps. Well, what do you want to do?" "I'll turn it into a cab and you can be my chauffeur!" "That means I must get a chauffeur's license. I'm broke." "I'll get it for you." "All right. If you'll give me the car. Too much trouble working for someone else." "I won't give it to you, but I'll sell it. You can have a mortgage on the car." "I don't care. You'll never get the money either way." "How well I know it!" He laughed. "Well, you know, sis, if ever I can, you'll get your money. Whether I sign or not, my word is just the same." "Yes, I know—just as bad." He laughed again. She turned away from the window and sat down. "You know, sis, there's a lot of expense to turn a car into a cab. Paint job. Meter. Partition. Special license. Membership." "How much all together?" "Over seven hundred dollars." "Good grief! That's terrible! You know I haven't been ; working long." "Well, it's up to you. I'm not forcing you!" "All right. Only don't tell Uncle Abe. You know nobody approves of my helping you." "They're dumb!" "Well, back to your wife you go!" She gave him her car, and nobody knew. �40 FE THE SYRIAN WORLD "No!" "Well, I won't go, if you don't!" "If I let you go, will you come?" "All right." They went on. Down Brookline Street to the doors of the library. Her left hand was ready in case he changed his mind. Jim stopped. Maggie looked at him menacingly. "Don't forget!" she warned. "Oh, all right!" "We'll get your book and you'll be prepared for your special report in school tomorrow." "But you said you'd help!" "Yes, of course I shall—but, remember, self-reliance!" "If you don't help, I won't do it!" That night, Maggie and Joe worked together. Joe was so pleased with his oratorical attempt, as practised on his sister, that he waxed enthusiastic, and the next day received a high compliment from his teacher. taxi miJ wo gal TEN YEARS LATER. Margaret (she no longer allowed the name Maggie) laid her hand on Joe's. It was growing dark, but she made no attempt to put on the light. "Don't say that again, Joe!" "My, but it was a hum dinger! I'd slam her again if she said that!" "Remember, Joe, she's your wife!" "Yes, but I have only one mother. She has no business bringing her into our affairs!" "Do you love Mae?" "No." She knew he lied. "Even so, you must go back to her. "Not on your life! And listen to her knocking because I have no work!" "Of course, it was wrong of you to marry so early in life, but after all she's your wife and you've got to stick together." Margaret arose and walked to the window. She looked out, and at the curb beheld the car in which she had just brought her brother home. W cal sh / ; W( ap �FEBRUARY, 1930 ft )\ J I 41 "Joe!" she exclaimed suddenly. He lifted his head. "What is it?" "Have you still your driving license?" "Yes." "Is it true that any one having a car may join an independent taxi company, providing he paints it with the colors and stripes?" "That's right!" "Well, look here! Wouldn't my car make a good taxi?" "It's too old." "I've had it two years, but it's only gone fifteen thousand miles! And I've taken good care of it." "Perhaps. Well, what do you want to do?" "I'll turn it into a cab and you can be my chauffeur!" "That means I must get a chauffeur's license. I'm broke." "I'll get it for you." "All right. If you'll give me the car. Too much trouble working for someone else." "I won't give it to you, but I'll sell it. You can have a mortgage on the car." "I don't care. You'll never get the money either way." "How well I know it!" He laughed. "Well, you know, sis, if ever I can, you'll get your money. Whether I sign or not, my word is just the same." "Yes, I know—just as bad." He laughed again. She turned away from the window and sat down. "You know, sis, there's a lot of expense to turn a car into a cab. Paint job. Meter. Partition. Special license. Membership." "How much all together?" "Over seven hundred dollars." "Good grief! That's terrible! You know I haven't been working long." "Well, it's up to you. I'm not forcing you!" "All right. Only don't tell Uncle Abe. You know nobody approves of my helping you." "They're dumb!" "Well, back to your wife you go!" She gave him her car, and nobody knew. �*2 THE SYRIAN WORLD TWENTY YEARS LATER. "Say, ma, Aunt Maggie is coming in!" A young girl turned away from the window into an untidy sitting room. "Who did you say?" answered the older woman, stout yet pinched looking. "Aunt Margaret!*' and the girl laughed in derision. "Well, Joe isn't home yet!" and the woman continued with her cooking. v "Did papa want her for something?" "Well! Guess she wants some more help, trying to keep us broke!" "Where's John?" "Out, goodness knows where—just like his father!" The door bell rang. Bertha ran to let her aunt in. "Why, Aunt Maggie!" "How are you, Bertha?" answered the woman frowning at the "Maggie." "Is your mother in? I see. And where's Joe?" "Oh, he isn't home yet. Mother says you must excuse the appearance of the sitting room." "That's all right." "Mother says you'd better not ask for money for you always keep us broke." "Keeping you broke: Is that so? Where is your mother?" "You just sit down. She'll be right in." "How's your brother John?" "Out." "I should have liked to see him. I don't often get a chance to come here—and you people never think to visit me." "We're always busy." When the mother finally came in it was to make one long continuous excuse for keeping her sister-in-law waiting. Then she went on to tell how hard times were and how badly in need of money they were. After that she began to admire her visitor's clothes and to inquire the price of each article. There had been a time when Margaret had pleased herself to hurt the other by telling the exact price of articles. Now, however, she had become more careful and said little concerning expense. She had learned to direct the talk into other channels, for envy did not please her any longer—nor ever had to any great extent. The young girl sat in the corner of the room, listening to all that passed—and certainly agreed to all her mother said and did �FEBRUARY, 1930 '( j: 43 —and disapproved of her aunt. It was some time after that Joe came in. He threw his hat on the hatrack and saying, "Hello, Maggie!" dashed into the kitchen. fj j When he came back, he sat down and stretched out his long legs lazily. "Oh," he said to his wife, "there's something burning in the kitchen!" She rushed in. "You go in, Bertha, and help her." The girl went. Margaret sat silent, looking straight at Joe. Her brother! She didn't belong here, no matter the blood. "Joe," she finally said, "I need money." "I was just gonna ask you for some. John needs a new tire on his roadster. He's got some snappy car!" "How's your cab company going?" "Oh, I've got about seven cabs—all going now, but the expense is terrible. I've got so many bills to pay." "You usually have. Well, what am I to do? I've been giving you money for years." "What can I do? Times are tough, you know." "They usually are," she said, drily. "Say, why don't you get a husband? Don't you think it's about time?" "Get a husband? For what?" "Then you won't have any more worries and you'll have all the money you want." "That is an idea—and just like you. But, as I have always said to you, I can't marry for money, and besides, I have had no time to think of marriage with so many family aifairs occupying my mind. On top of that, I'm too old now." "No," but he looked at her. Margaret was old. True, her hair hadn't turned nor had her face become wrinkled over much . —but her eyes, when she looked at you, how old they were! Of course, they had always been old eyes, but they were extremely so now, especially since they didn't seem to laugh at you any more. Queer how time had changed his sister. Was this the little Maggie who had rushed him along to do his homework when he was still at school? Was this the pretty Margaret who had given up so much that he might be with his wife always? And she had never complained. He would call her Margaret to please her. �rtl 44 THE SYRIAN WORLD "Margaret," he began. She looked up, surprised. "Why have you done so much for me? I didn't deserve t." "You are my brother," she said simply. "My God!" he exclaimed. He hid his head in the palms of his hands. "Joe, for goodness' sake, don't!" She arose and came to him, and placed her hands on his head. "I didn't deserve it! I didn't deserve it! How can I ever repay you!" he repeated over and over. "You can't. I'll go on like this." "You're alone and we've never given you a thought. Oh, my God!" Joe's wife appeared suddenly. "Come in, Joe," she called. "How long do we have to wait for you?" Margaret tightened her coat about her. She had kept it on. She drew herself up to her greatest height, but her sister-in-law ignored her. She knew she was dismissed. Joe rose and quickly followed his wife. Margaret let herself out, to walk home alone. To My Father (February 12, 1880—July 17, 1923) By LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA Nothing but the sky So large, so firm, so fine — And trees with tiny leaves, so new, Open spaces — And my thoughts turned to you. Nothing but the sea So green, so blue, so deep — The waves, each movement ever new, And the sand dunes — And my thoughts turned to you. Nothing but black walls So hot, so firm, so sure, My soul that tires and is through And agony And my thoughts turned to you. I / �D 45 FEBRUARY, 1930 /e EDITORIAL COMMENT lo jr QO FAR the contest for a free trip to Syria has produced more enthusiasm than actual results. There has been an addition this month to the number of registered contestants, but none has so far attained results anywhere approaching the minimum goal. The fact, however, that the contestants are enthused holds forth good promise. It is to be hoped that before the date set for the closing of the contest the leaders would have far exceeded the mark. We wish to again call attention to the important concession that gift subscriptions are credited as direct subscriptions. * Uur Our recor records show that scores of M j sympathii izers with the cause of / THE S^ SYRIAN WORLD have made gift subscriptions ranging from five up to twenty. This fact indicates a commendable disposition to help circulate the magazine because of its patent service to the Syrian cause. Undoubtedly there are many more who could be brought to share this disposition, and a few such would help swell the list of any contestant materially. Why not try for them? There are any number of wealthy Syrians and Lebanese throughout the United States who, once the 1 fact is made plain to them, would welcome the opportunity to make such a valuable gift, at low cost, to their American and Syrian friends. Contestants should find it comparatively easy to arouse the racial pride of their wealthy friends to the extent of availing themselves of such a suggestion. It is our ambition to ultimately have THE SYRIAN WORLD reach every Syrian home in America and the Free Trip Contest we have inaugurated is but one means to that end. No doubt the prize is large and seemingly out of proportion with the limited means of a small publication, but this only goes to show the extent of our determination. And let it again be said that in the publication of THE SYRIAN WORLD we are not simply striving to exploit a popular need. In truth, although such a publication seems to be a need indeed, we are struggling against almost insuperable odds for its bare maintenance. It is rather our conviction that the service is indispensable in its ultimate benefits of arousing among our race a consciousness for the best that is in them, that we are hoping for a grad- �46 THE SYRIAN WORLD ual awakening to the appreciation of the true value of the publication. And on the strength of that hope we shall continue to strive, to the end that THE SYRIAN WORLD and its benefit will in time be adequately appreciated. READERS of THE SYRIAN WORLD will notice that our material covers a broad latitude and is designed to give the widest possible variety of reading consistent with the nature of the magazine. History, travel, literature, poetry, fiction, politics and general news are to be found in almost every number. Our contributors comprise practically every known writer of standing in the United States, and we are happy to state that we are discovering a good deal of new talent, some of whom show distinct promise.We believe we are justified in the pursuance of such a policy, inasmuch as THE SYRIAN WORLD is the only publication of its nature extant, and as such it has to cater to all manner of needs and tastes. As often stated, it is in a class by itself, creating its own standard, and can by no valid reason be held up to comparison with the general run of English periodicals. These enjoy an extensive field which permits of a high degree of specialization. s As matters now stand, THE even with its cosmopolitan nature and its general appeal, has good reason to complain of its limited circulation. SYRIAN WORLD, would, nevertheless, welW]Ecome our readers' opinions r on the general policies of THE SYRIAN WORLD. Not that we invite commendation and approval only, rather, we would be most anxious for constructive suggestions and advice on methods of betterment and improvement. We wish our readers to fully and frankly give us the benefit of their reactions, and every practical suggestion making for improvement in the magazine will be cheerfully acted upon. ^HILE on the subject of readers and their reactions, may we not also invite their appraisal of our various material? We would be gratified to learn that they appreciate and approve of this article or department, or condemn the other. Perhaps they might have a little more information to add to some particular subject under discussion, which would be welcome for publication. Whether the opinion be in praise or in criticism, we feel confident that all our contributors would welcome an expression of opinion on the part of the readers. / A, 9 ! '•I �FEBRUARY, 1930 47 Spirit of the Syrian Press Under this caption we hope to present from time to time a microcosmic picture of the Arabic press, not only in this country, but wherever Arabic dailies and magazines reflect the opinions of responsible, thinking writers who are treating the different problems that confront the Arabic-speaking world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will take no part in the discussions reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. Our task will simply consist in selecting, to the best of our knowledge and with utmost sincerity, what we think is representative of the public opinion as expressed in these editorials. Editor. RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE IN THE EAST Tho misinformed on true conditions among Eastern peoples and in Eastern countries take it for granted that public opinion, as represented by the press, is the controlling power, in the shaping of Eastern affairs. This is an illusion which should be corrected. The only influence in the East that should be reckoned with is that of the clergy. The whole political structure seems to be still raised on religious foundations. Taking the Arabic-speaking countries, we find that the governments of King Ibn Saoud, of Imam Yahya, of King Faisal of Iraq, are all based on religious influence and governed along religious considerations. Even the Constitution which the Syrians had drafted for a republican form of government in their country was impregnated with the religious spirit. While in Lebanon itself, and in Egypt which is noted for its modernism, and in Turkey which is apparently adapting itself by a revolutionary process to Western methods, the real influence governing the peoples in all walks of life is paramountly religious. For this reason we cannot escape the conclusion that all our ills and misfortunes, whether in the mother country or abroad, can be traced to religious beginnings and to the harmful influence of the clergy. We would even state unequivocally that political and social leaderships are but nominal figures which bow in impotence to the great prestige of religious influence. Al-Hoda, N. Y.. Feb. 28, 1930. CLOSING SCHOOLS IN LEBANON The reform and economy program of Premier Eddy of Lebanon seems to be overreaching itself. The need for a dictator in Lebanon should not extend to the point where the most vital department of government, that of education, would be demoralized in the interest of false economy. The judicial department could stand a good deal of retrenchment, but to curtail expenditures on education is an unpardonable crime. What Premier Eddy has done so far indicates that he is pruning the small twigs and sparing the big branches. Only those whose salaries are insignificant have so far fallen �, 48 under the knife, while those drawing fat salaries seem to be safe from molestation. What can the result of such false economy in the closing of native schools mean other than that our children will now have to flock to foreign educational institutions where, to say the least, they could not have an equal opportunity to learn the rudiments of true citizenship. They will learn to respect the foreigner and despise the native and become on that account willing tools in the hands of the colonizers. Meraat-Ul-Gharb N.Y.,Feb. 18, 1930 PALESTINIANS FOREIGNERS IN THEIR COUNTRY The status of Palestinian citizenship came up for discussion lately in the British Parliament and drew from the under secretary of the colonies the explanation that the regulations in force apply equally to Jews and Arabs without discrimination. "Any Palestinian who has not forsaken his Turkish citizenship," explained the British official, "will be permitted to return to Palestine if he is sound of mind and body. A twoyears' residence will entitle the applicant to citizenship." How strange are the workings of English policy in Palestine. A foreign element of various nationalities and tongues are permitted to enter the country without restrictions, while the original inhabitants of the country are denied the right of entry except under hard and almost prohibitive conditions! Such is the policy that the reputed "British Justice" is pursuing in Palestine to fedeem a pledge made by Lord Balfour during the war, a policy Which recks with injustice in that it places a race of strangers THE SYRIAN WORLD on a par with the original people of the land. The net result of these regulations is that the Palestinian Arab may return to his homeland if he has retained his Turkish citizenship, subject to medical examination, while if he has become a naturalized American he is confronted with all manner of restrictions. But the Jew, the wanderer who supposedly owes political allegiance to any number of countries, may enter Palestine and have the right to settle in it without the slightest restriction if he but passes the physical examination ! It would be in order to extend to Great Britain condolences over the passing of what was known as "British Justice". But it is well to recall a famous Arab maxim which warns that: "No tyrant but will reap at some time the just reward of his injustice." Al-Bayan N. Y., Jan. 30, 1930. FRANCE AND LEBANON A rumor gained circulation that the Ehdenites of North Lebanon opened negotiations with the inhabitants of Deir El-Kamar, of South Lebanon, with the object of the two factions joining hands in demanding for the country direct administration under a French governor. The rumor proved to be false. It was discredited by the Ehdenites both at home and abroad. If it had any foundation of truth the Ehdenites of the United States would have known of it because one of the characteristics of these Lebanese is that they will undertake no public action before a general consultation among themselves, whether they be at home or abroad. Some of their prominent leaders in America have f ; / �FEBRUARY, 1930 assured us that the rumor was a pure fabrication. We have reason to believe that some trafickers in patriotism engineered the rumor for possible later benefits to themselves. We cannot too often state that while Lebanon loves France it will not renounce its independence. If France will agree to be Lebanon's aegis and defender, without exploiting it to the personal benefit of the profiteering among its colonizers, then she will be the queen of Lebanese hearts and Lebanon will be to her a more impregnable stronghold than Gibraltar. This should be sufficient to eliminate any greed on the part of France and any fear on the part of Lebanon. But if the profiteering among the French and Lebanese should combine to pervert this policy of amity then the two nations are bound to lose, and the Lebanese in that case would be the more to blame. We want France as a friend and not as a domineering mistress. We want her in that capacity for our own honor as well as for hers. For this reason we find no recourse but to declare a moral war for the purging of our relations with France from any influence that might corrupt these lofty motives. Al-Hoda, N. Y., Feb. 27, 1930. FAISAL AND ZIONISM / In support of their contention of having a right to Palestine, the Jews produced a ten-year-old document in the form of a letter written in 1919 by Emir Faisal, now King of Iraq, to Prof. Frankfurter in which he approves of the Jewish aspirations for the creation of a national home in Palestine and states that the Arabs harbor no ill-feeling towards th» Jwwi in the latter'* prosecution 49 of this claim, "because the leaders among the Arabs are in complete sympathy with Zionism." This document was produced by the Jews as evidence in support of their case before the Shaw commission of inquiry and was reproduced textually by the Boston Transcript. As would be natural, there arose a heated controversy among the Arabs as to the authenticity and the propriety of the said document. There were some who claimed that at the time of its writing Zionism had not reached its present acute stage, while others defended Faisal on the ground that his hands were forced by political motives which he could not well disregard. We are of the opinion that both contentions are wrong. It seems to be the object of both factions to defend Emir Faisal, overlooking the all-important consideration that the missive itself is of no inherent value and cannot be entered as material evidence. When Faisal wrote the letter he was not representing the country in any logical form, while on the other hand Palestine cannot be considered an article of barter which the Emir could trade for some personal benefit to please the Zionists or conform to the dictates of whatever diplomatic considerations prevailed at that time. On the date of the letter, Emir Faisal was in Paris negotiating for an Arab throne which he could occupy and for the sake of which he was willing to make many concessions, the least of which would be the approval of Zionist claims. Even if Faisal, who is now King of Iraq, were to approve the Jews' claim to Palestine, of what weight would be his opinion when he is but a stranger who can claim no legal right to represent Palestine when the country does not authorize him �THE SYRIAN WORLD 50 the Lebanese constitution in such to act in such a capacity? It would seem to us that whether manner that it became a mockery. Faisal be the author of the afore- He deprived the Assembly of all mentioned letter or not, or whether power and saw to it that the powers or not he wrote it under political vested in the High Commissioner, of pressure, none of these considera- whom he was the personal repretions could be seriously considered sentative, were well guarded. In view because the life of a nation cannot of these facts, we feel justified in be bartered by the mere letter of a the belief that the regrets expressed stranger, nor can it be affected by at the departure of this French ofthe wrecklessness of a political ficial were not genuinely sincere. schemer who exhausted every means We also would add our expressions at his command to achieve his poli- of elation in view of the announcement that the gentleman is not to tical ambitions. As-Sayeh, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1930. return. Meraat-Ul-Gharb, N.Y.,Feb. 15, 1930. A GLAD FAREWELL The Syrian press reports that on the occasion of the departure of M. Solomiac for France, the President of Lebanon, as well as the Premier and many ministers and representatives bade him farewell on board his ship and showed otherwise many marks of esteem to the departing French official. The importance of the event is that M. Solomiac was the "power behind the throne" in the Lebanese government. He had held his office as special representative of the High Commissioner for four years during which he performed his duties with the utmost consciousness. He was the bugaboo of the Representative Assembly and took great pains in safeguarding French influence and French interests. Whenever covert diplomatic suggestions failed to have the proper effect he resorted to overt acts of intimidation to make the representatives think his way. He often rose in the Assembly and attempted to silence the resolute and courageous members who opposed foreign interests in their defense of native interests. M. Solomiac also helped frame THE LESSER OF THE TWO EVILS The two principal towns of Lebanon, Ehden in the north and Dair El-Kamar in the south, are reported to have entered into negotiations on the advisability of asking for direct French administration over the country by the appointment of a French governor who would supercede the present republican form of government which has given rise to many misgivings. This is said to have been brought to a climax by the application of the Eddy program which has wrought havoc in the administrative regulation of the country, depriving some of the principal centres of distinctive privileges which they formerly enjoyed. It is an incontestable fact that the Lebanese have been driven to desperation by the successive administrative changes which have taken place in their country since the French occupation. The republic has been more of a preparatory school than a going concern. And while all these changes were taking place the high officials were fattening on their salaries while the rest of the people were in dire distress. / �FEBRUARY, 1930 Due to these disturbed conditions many opinions have been advanced for administrative changes in the country. There were those Who advocated direct French administration, while others favored a dominion status or some sort of a condition which would place Lebanon on the same basis as outright French colonies. Still others clamored for complete independence along the same terms that our brother Syrians are demanding for their own country. Under present circumstances we are of the opinion that the Lebanese Republic should remain in its present form because it is the form of government most suitable to the needs of the country. The Lebanese should seek neither a principality, nor a monarchy, nor any other form 51 of government that savors of absolutism. Many other nations have experimented with all sorts of government theories and discovered that the republican principle is the best. It is well for Lebanon to profit by the experience of other nations. We are not inclined to offer any apology for present conditions in Lebanon. The situation is of the gravest whether from the political or economic standpoint. But what we would say is that when one is confronted with two evils he chooses the lesser one. Under the present circumstances, the wiser course is to let matters take their course under the direction of the Eddy cabinet until such time that we can see concrete results, otherwise the situation will adjust itself at the proper time. Ash-Shaab, N. Y., Feb. 19, 1930. Political Developments in Syria / PALESTINE Peace seems to have returned to Palestine—peace in the sense that no further riots have been reported and that the activities of both the Arabs and the Jews are confined to propaganda and political manoeuvres. In the battle of words the Arabs appear to be having the upper hand in that the public opinion of the world is being won over to their favor, a fact admitted by the Jews themselves. The most concrete result of the post-riot period is that a noticeable change is observed in the attitude of world Jewry towards Zionism. The stand of Dr. Magnes, President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has had the effect of dimming a good deal of the enthusiasm characterizing the earlier stages of the Zionist movement. Now the Jews seem to be realizing that the Arab element can be aroused to popular action and that once such a condition prevails it becomes difficult to deny a whole people an inherent right. It had been the hope of the Zionists to gradually populate Palestine with their coreligionists, depending for the success of this plan on Great Britain's direct administration of the country and the interpretation of the Balfour declaration in a manner favorable to their designs. Meanwhile their policy called for opposition to any form of representative government because of the overwhelming Arab majority. Arab demands are naturally the direct op- �THE SYRIAN WORLD 52 posite of any such plan. Mufti of Jerusalem and reports that At present both sides are anxiously when he asked him what Balfour had awaiting the report of the Shaw in mind during the war when he commission of inquiry which is ex- made promises to both Jews and pected to be made public in the near Arabs, the Mufti replied: "He had future. Recent dispatches from Lon- England in mind." The proposal that an Arab commisdon stated that forecasts of the report suggest that it will be favorable sion go to London to further defend to the Arabs. The Commission, it is the case of Palestine Arabs has not further understood, will not confine yet been carried out. its report to the causes of the riots SYRIA of last August but will deal extensively with the whole Palestinian Conferences are still reported to situation, offering many suggestions. be taking place between High ComAccording to one account, the Commissioner Ponsot and his lieutenants mission "considers the time not yet ostensibly for the purpose of seeking ripe for the Zionists to take control a solution to the Syrian problem. in Palestine." Furthermore, accordNot a word, however, has come auing to the same source, one of the thoritatively from the High Commisrecommendations of the Commissioner as to his future plans. A sion is likely to be that a wider inParis newspaper definitely announces terpretation should be made of the that M. Ponsot will soon return to Balfour declaration on the establishFrance for further consideration of ment of a national home for the the Syrian question with the Foreign Jews, and some consider that the Office and perhaps for attending tb* report may raise the whole question coming session of the Mandates of the future of the British mandate Commission of the League of Nain Palestine. tions. In an article appearing in The The latest rumor to gain circulaNew York Times, Emil Ludwig, the tion on a possible solution to tha eminent German author who is mak- Syrian question is that High Coming a tour of the Near East, ex- missioner Ponsot has offered the presses the belief that a parliament Nationalists what are supposed to be in Palestine is inevitable and re- the maximum terms that France can marks that "only by mutual under- give, which are reported by the standing can the Arabs and the Damascus paper Al-Qabas to include Jews live together in the country, the following concessions: which both races possess by virtue 1—The Constituent Assembly, as of tradition and by virtue of prom- at present constituted, to be given ises given in recognition of their the status of a Representative Asconduct during the World War." No sembly with full powers to elect a prudent Zionist, he continues, speaks permanent government which would any longer of the Jewish State of enter into negotiations with the Palestine, but all speak of a home French tending to the conclusion in Palestine. of a treaty. The established right of the Jews 2—The State of the Alouites will to Palestine which Mr. Ludwig seems be permitted to join the proposed to concede to them is the very thing Syrian Republic on condition that the Arabs deny. the former retain a form of fiscal Mr. Ludwig interviewed the Grand ~ ^ „ -.*•-**£* autonomy similar to that now en- / �53 FEBRUARY, 1930 i joyed by the districts of Alexahdretta and Antioch. 3—The city of Tripoli will be made a free port to serve as a maritime outlet for Syria, or perhaps it may be definitely annexed to the State of Syria. 4—France will waive its reservations concerning the six objectionable articles occurring in the first draft of the Syrian constitution. While this offer seems to be most liberal on the face of it, there seems to be special conditions which Franee demands in the making of the Treaty which the Nationalists hesitate to concede. On the other hand, the High Commissioner is said to have warned the Nationalists that in case his last offer is not accepted he is ready to proclaim Syria a monarchy and raise to the throne the sherif Ali Haidar Pasha, one of the lineal descendants of the Prophet. Meanwhile, sheikh Tajeddin remains in control and is apparently as distant as ever from the Nationalist bloc. A great cry has been raised against his application of the strictest censorship to the press and his causing the imprisonment of an opposition editor and the fleeing of several others from the country to escape persecution. The Paris correspondent of the Beirut newspaper Al-Ahwal reported that Jaberi and Arslan, who claim representation of the Syrian nation in Europe, have entered into an agreement with Italy for transferring to it the mandate over Syria on condition that it place ex-Khedive \ Abbas Helmi of Egypt on the Syrian throne. The report was vehemently denied by Emir Shakib Arslan, one of the two concerned. Rumors that Sultan Pasha Atrash, leader of the Druze revolt, had been warned by the government of Trans- jordania to leave the country by the end of winter, and that he intended to seek refuge in Persia or sail for Europe, have been authoritatively denied. The self-exiled leader announces that he intends to remain in Wadi Sirhan within the boundaries of Nejd falling under the jurisdiction of King Ibn Saoud. LEBANON The Lebanese Cabinet is still engrossed in the task of enforcing the economy program which Premier Eddy insisted should be carried out before he accepted administrative responsibility. The pruning of sinecures is proceeding steadily and material economies have been effected. Naturally, objections are being raised by the sufferers and their sympathizers, but the Premier seems to be enjoying the support and the confidence of an overwhelming majority of the people. Where the application of the program caused the the greatest objection was when it cut deeply into the appropriations for public schools. The Moslems being the largest beneficiaries under the eld system, their losses were naturally the most felt and they were not unfailing in rising to protest. They claimed that discrimination was being applied owing to religious considerations, but the Premier refuted this accusation by the citation of statistics and the enumeration of flagrant cases where teachers drawing pay for several years were in some cases illiterates and in others constant absentees. What appeared for a time as a serious move on the part of the Ehdenites to voice their protest on present conditions in Lebanon was their reported negotiations with the inhabitants of Dair El-Kamar tend- �mat THE SYRIAN WORLD 54 ing to the taking of action to demand direct French administration in the country. Bishop Augustine Bistani, to whom the Dairanians submitted the matter, counseled patience before deciding on such a drastic step. The Ehdenites later denied that they had authorized any such move. The significance of the matter is that Ehden and Dair El-Kamar are respectively the most important Maronite towns in north and in south Lebanon. A committee of prominent citizens , of Tripoli sent telegraphic protests to the Lebanese Government and to the High Commissioner on the Eddy policy of curtailing educational facilities, accusing the Premier of improper motives and of desire to kill the native language in an effort to raise a generation of Lebanese knowing only French. Legal action was brought by the Premier against the signers of the petition and when they refused to appear in court by reason of the Ramadan fast, they were tried in their absence and sentenced to a short jail term. About Syria and Syrians PASSING OF BUSTANI, GREAT ARABIC SCHOLAR Sheikh Abdullah Bustani, concededly the greatest Arabic scholar of the age, passed away in Beirut on February 16 at the age of seventysix. His body was taken to Dair ElKamar for interment, while the funeral services, held in the city of Beirut, were attended with such pomp and marks of reverence on the part of the clergy, the government and all classes of the people that newspaper reports agree that no other funeral of recent times approached it in ostentation. The deceased scholar was famous throughout the Arabic-speaking world for his mastery of the language and for his gifts as a poet. His works comprise numerous plays in both poetry and prose. But his greatest contribution to the language is Al-Bustan, the new Arabic dictionary which has revolutionized the method of word classification. It i3 published in two volumes by the American Press of Beirut. Perhaps the outstanding distinction of Sheikh Abdullah is his halfcentury of teaching advanced Arabic in various colleges of Beirut, principally the Maronite College. Some of his pupils are among the foremost Arabic scholars of the day. The Syrian-Lebanese community of New York is planning a memorial meeting for the deceased scholar to be held early in April. A committee has been elected of which N. A. Mokarzel, editor of Al-Hoda, is chairman, Sheikh Abbas Shakra, secretary, and A. K. Hitti, treasurer. The loss of Sheikh Abdullah Bustani is more keenly felt because it follows so closely on the death of Prof. Jabr Dumit, who died on January 20, and who held the chair of Arabic literature in the American University of Beirut for over half a century. LEBANON NAT'L BANK ELECTS VICE-PRESIDENT William Catzeflis of New York City has been elected a Vice-Pres- 1/ �FEBRUARY, 1930 ident of the Lebanon National Bank of New York. Mr. Catzeflis was general manager of the firm of Mallouk Brothers of New York for a period of 12 years. He is a college graduate and thoroughly conversant with the English, French and Arabic languages. His long business career and wide popularity eminently fit him for his new post. 55 city's prominent Syrian lawyers. The entertainment was preceded by short exercises in which the present incumbent of the Presidency, Said J. Akel, lauded the services of his predecessor and his untiring activity in the intei^est of the organization. Mr. Ferris followed by a short speech in which he outlined the purposes of the Federation and stressed the intention of creating of the splendid building of the Federation a civic centre for the Syrian community at large. PALESTINIAN WOMEN THANK RIHANI The women of Palestine broke traditions to the extent of holding public demonstrations and engaging in many other activities in support of the Arab cause which were unprecedented among women of the East, especially Moslems. They also called a convention for the public discussion of means to further their ends and gave by their display of aggressiveness and determination great courage to the workers for the Arab cause. The Syrian World has learned that one of the first acts of this first congress of Palestinian women was to send a cable of thanks and appreciation to our eminent author and lecturer, Ameen Rihani, for his effective defense of the cause of Palestine Arabs in America, reports of which caused great rejoicing among the Arabs of Palestine. AS-SAYEH RESUMES PUBLICATION As-Sayeh, formerly one of New York's Arabic dailies, which had suspended publication temporarily, has resumed publication as a weekly magazine. The announced purpose of this change is to reinvest the publication with its distinctive literary character which it had largely disregarded while appearing as a daily. As-Sayeh is the organ of Ar-Rabitah, the literary society of which our famous author Kahlil Gibran is president, and which counts among its members such known literary figures as Mischa Naimy, Nasib Arida, William Catzeflis, Nadra Haddad, Richard Ayyoub and others. POPULATION OF LEBANON: FEDERATION HONORS FORMER PRESIDENT The American Syrian Federation of New York held an entertainment and dance on the evening of February 22 in honor of its former president Joseph W. Ferris, one of the The census Bureau of the Lebanese Republic announces that at the end of 1929, the registered population of the country was 840,650. These figures comprise only Lebanese citizens and do not include foreign residents. �56 THE SYRIAN WORLD NEW FIND CONFIRMS ORIGIN OF ALPHABET CRISIS IN ELECTION OF ORTHODOX PATRIARCH Fourteen Sinaitic inscriptions on stones dating from about 2000 B. C, which are expected to establish conclusively that Egyptian hieroglyphs furnished the basis for the Phoenician alphabet, the ancestor of our modern scripts, have just been discovered on and near the plateau of Serabit-el Khaden, in the Sinai desert, by an expedition sponsored jointly by Harvard University and the Catholic University of America, according to a dispatch to The New York Times from Sinai dated March 13. The discoveries were made near the site of the ancient turquoise mines in Wadi-el-Maghara and in the ruins of the Egyptian Temple of Hathor, goddess of love and beauty, on the plateau itself, which were first explored by Sir Flinders in 1904 and 1905. Among the Egyptian hieroglyphs then photographed by the English scholar were certain crudely executed inscriptions which, although resembling hieroglyphs, defied translation as Egyptian. It was not until 1918 that two English Egyptologists, Professors Peete and Gardiner, announced these mysterious inscriptions were not Egyptian at all but an adaptation of the picture-writing of the Pharaohs into arbitrary signs forming consonants of the Semitic tongue. On this basis Professor Gethe, a German scholar, deciphered the majority of the inscriptions and illustrated their kinship with various late Semitic alphabets. Thereupon another German Egyptologist, Professor Grimme of Munster, made the sensational announcement that the names of Moses and the Egyptian Princess who rescued him from the Nile appeared in the Petrie documents. Ever since the death of the Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church, well over a year ago, futile attempts have been made to choose his successor. Several conclaves have been convened but they invariably resulted in failure, at times accompanied by physical violence owing to the interference of laymen in the deliberations of the clergy. The latest news to reach the United States from Syria indicates that a convention of laymen was held in Beirut at which it was decided to call on the bishops to elect a Patriarch within a fortnight from Jan. 29, otherwise the laymen's convention will bring the matter formally to the attention of the mandatory power and to that of the native governments of the Syrian States, and will further disclaim all representative authority of the bishops in church matters. This decision was precipitated by a call issued by the Patriarch of Constantinople to an ecumenical congress to be held in Saloniki, which is said to be the first of its sweeping nature to be convened since the division of the Eastern and Western Churches. .. FAMOUS ORIENTALIST DIES MOHAMMEDAN The Syrian press reports the death in Paris (date not given), at the age of 68, of the famous French Orientalist Etien Dene who had embraced Islam and performed the pilgrimage to Mecca. He was especially noted for his paintings of North African scenes. His funeral took place at the Mosque of Paris and was attended by the Minister of Marine and many I in �57 FEBRUARY, 1930 French officials and notables, as well .B by many Moslem sultans of North African countries visiting in Paris. His body is to be sent to Algeria for burial in a special grave lie had prepared before his death. LITERACY IN SYRIA AND LEBANON According to official figures made public by the French Commissariat, illiteracy in the different states of Syria and Lebanon is as follows: Country LOCUSTS IN PALESTINE A special cable dispatch to The New York Times from Beershaba dated February 27 states that Arabs and Jews have drowned their differences and joined hands in fighting He dread locust invasion which has ppeared in the Jordan Valley. The J alestine Administration has appropriated $250,000 to combat the menace and already more than 3000 men have been enrolled to carry on the fight. The latest scientific devices known are to be employed to check the invasion, including flame throwers and poison. In olden times the natives attempti to check locust invasions by beat.\g drums. \ AUTOMOBILES IN SYRIA According to the latest census, automobiles in Syria at the close of the year 1929 were as follows: Lebanon 3,670 Syria 4,150 Alouite State ... 795 Jebel Druze 275 Some Lebanese newspapers complain that the number of automobiles in Lebanon far exceeds the needs of the country, inasmuch as its population is only eight hundred thousand souls. They remark that lack of gainful occupations has driven large numbers to exploit the automobile traffic. Percentage of Illiterates. Lebanon 40 per cent. Syria 77 per cent. Jebel Druze 93 per cent. Alouite State 85 per cent. These figures include the whole population of both sexes and all classes and ages. LEBANESE HIGHLY RESPECTED IN URUGUAY REPUBLIC The Arabic press of South America reports that the Lebanese colony of Montevideo, Uruguay, has presented the government of that country with a portrait of General Otiva, the liberator of Uruguay, woven in threads of silver and gold and true in every detail to nature. The woven portrait, equalling in artistry the finest European tapestries, was executed by native artists of Zouk in Mt. Lebanon. The presentation was made on the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the independence of the Uruguayan Republic. PEACE AMONG ARABS Through the good offices of Great Britain, King Faisal of Iraq and King Ibn Saoud of Arabia met on board a British sloop on February 24 and signed a treaty of peace and amity. The countries of both kings are contiguous on Syria and peace among them should affect stabilization of conditions on Syria's frontiers. �THE SYRIAN WORLD 58 I <***>«f,'**-*r-r*r<^ t THE LEBANON NATIONAL BANK 3 19 FIFTH AVENUE, COR. 32ND STREET Legal Depository of The United States — New York State — New York City Member of The Federal Reserve Bank — New York State Bankers Association — American Bankers Association * * 4-^% INTEREST We are pleased to announce that our Board of Directors has decided to raise the rate of interest on savings accounts from 4% to 4J4%, computed every three months, which raises the rate considerably above 4}4% per annum. On check accounts, interest will be paid at the rate of 2 ) for daily balances below $5,000, and 3% for daily balances of $5,U00 and over. l The Lebanon National Bank inaugurates the return of control to its original founders by this liberal policy of sharing profits with its depositors. Out-of-Town accounts are solicited on the same basis. We shall be glad to correspond with anyone, anywhere, interested in availing himself of our facilities and liberal terms. BANKING BY MAIL is a conception of good business. You can begin at once to enjoy the facilities of our "Banking by Mail" department. THE LEBANON NATIONAL BANK "THE BANK OF FRIENDLY CO-OPERATION" 319 Corner New York City FIFTH AVE., 32ND ST., » >>»>»»»»>>>>>>>>»>», »>>>>>>>>>»>>>>>> >>>>»>»» � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1930_02reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 04, Issue 06 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930 February Description An account of the resource Volume 4 Issue 06 of The Syrian World published February 1930. Dr. Fuad Shatara opens the issue with an appreciative account of Arab physician Ar-Razi. This article highlights the achievements of Arabs in medicine. Following a short poem about mortality by Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, Ameen Rihani further details his travels through Arabia. This time Rihani covers his rare experiences while in Jeddah, and a particularly interesting conversation had with King Hussein. Najla Sabe's song, Raja F. Howrani's translated treatise "The Old Criminal," and R. A. Nicholson's poem "Tears" proceed another portion of Salloum Mokarzel's travels in Lebanon. In this issue he covers the distance from the Dog River to the Cedars. Finally Labeebee A. J. Hanna contributes an original short story that discusses a phase of Syrian life in America, followed by one of her poems titled "To My Father." This issue concludes with excerpts from the Arab press and more on political developments in Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Ameen Rihani Fuad Shatara Labeebee A.J. Hanna Lebanon Medical Music Najla Sabe New York Poetry-English R. A. Nicholson Raja F. Howrani Rivers Salim Alkazin Saudi Arabia Travel https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/af33fc06699bf8fe5c3cd4474b402a3f.pdf d6c7a1f91dbeedb2b9657f09a6fea0e1 PDF Text Text VOL. IV. No. 5. SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE I ft m MODERN SYRIANS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO CIVILIZATION REV-. W. A. MANSUR I m SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL I grig THE AHLEYAH SCHOOL OF BEIRUT m THE CHANGING EAST AMEEN RJHANI THE STRANGE CASE OF HASSAN AND HUSNA (AN ARABIAN NIGHTS* STORY) THE WAGER-A SHORT STORY I m Ml AREF EL-KHOURY m THE COPY 50c wBssr m* ��^^^__^________ SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly by SALLOUM A. THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS MOKARZEL, Editor. 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single copies 50c. Entered as second-class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. IV. No. 5. JANUARY, 19 JO CONTENTS PAGE Modern Syrian'' Contributions to Civilization REV. W. A. 7 MANSUR From the Arabic 14 The Changing East 15 SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL Advice to a Lover (Poem) LABEEBEE 27 A. J. HANNA The Master-Builder (Poem) DR. SALIM Y. 28 ALKAZIX The Tzvo Learned Men KAHLIL GIBRAN 29 �HHHHK CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE The Last Leaf (Poem) 30 MISCHA NAIMY The Ahleyah School of Beirut 31 AMEEN RIHANI The Strange Case of Hassan and Husna 33 (AN ARABIAN NIGHTS' STORY) Arab Wisdom 38 The Wager (Short Story) 39 AREF EL-KHOURY The Greatest of These Is Charity (Poem) 41 ALICE MCGEORGE Editorial Comment Beauty Contests On the Nature of Cursing 42 43 Spirit of the Syrian Press 45 Political Developments in Syria 49 About Syria and Syrians 53 ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE A Minister of Lebanon at Home A View in North Lebanon An Enchanting Scene in North Lebanon Miss Lebanon in International Beauty Contest A Flourishing Native School Physical Training for Syrian Girls �IN THIS ISSUE 1 REV. W. A. MANSUR contributes a splendid appraisal of the Syrians' Contributions to Civilization. This patriotic minister's writings have been uniformly inspirational, and we feel sure that those anxious to learn things of value of their ancestral background will feel grateful to him for the wealth of material he takes so much pains to provide for them. We urge a careful reading of his current article.*** SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL discusses in this issue some of the changes now taking place in the East, with partiuular emphasis on the fundamental orientation in the character of the people. He tells of the birth of a new spirit of co-operation which is showing unusual manifestations, especially in the economic field. The great hydroelectric project of Nahr Kadisha, wholly native in conception, execution, capital and management, is here described at length, together with detailed accounts of special interviews with Archbishop Antoun Arida and the prominent leaders connected with the undertaking. The account of the obstructive tactics of inimical "foreign interests", and how the natives succeeded in overcoming them with grim determination, is worth reading.*** AMEEN RIHANI writes a vivid account of the inception and growth of the Ahleyah School in Beirut. Miss Marie Kassab, the founder, is now in New York in the interest of the institution.*** DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN has another beautiful poetical contribution which carries a fine moral, as usual.***AREF ELKHOURY, an aspiring young Syrian writer of Welch, W. Va., has an original short story whose scene is laid in Damascus and whose characters are a Syrian-American boy and girl. It boldly emphasizes the spirit of American daring.*** OTHER CONTRIBUTORS include:— Kahiil Gibran, Miss Labeebee A. J. Hanna, Mischa Naimy and Alice McGeorge. The department of political developments in Syria for this month is particularly interesting, as well as that of the Spirit of the Syrian Press. The reaction of the Arabic-speaking elements to European diplomacy is gaged here as it can be nowhere else. JOIN THE GREAT SYRIAN WORLD CONTEST NOW J �Great Syrian For a FREE TRIP to i k. The editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD having made a trip to Syria in the summer of 1929, -which he is now describing in a series of articles in the magazine, came to realize not only the great educational and cultural advantages of such a trip, but its unrivr.lled possibilities for pleasure and recreation. In our enthusiasm for the benefits of such tours, we decided to offer one as a prize to our readers. This is on a par with the most liberal offers made by the biggest American publications, whose readers are hundreds of thousands and even millions. Needless to say that this is unprecedented in the history of Arabic journalism, whether in America or abroad. THE SYRIAN WORLD, in making the great prize offer in spite of the heavy sacrifice involved, considers that in so doing it is promoting the cause of sympathetic understanding of the motherland. This is in keeping with the main object behind the publicati >n of the magazine. Whether the winner be a boy or girl, American or Syrian, the purpose would have been served by the actual contacts established with the great scenic beauties and places of immense histork:il interest in our country of origin. The proposition is unprecedented, the advantages great, Lhe conditions most liberal. It is surely the opportunity of a lifetime for the ambitious. t< rc a! t! 2. 3. ITINERARY OF TRIP 4. The free trip offered by THE SYRIAN WORLD takes the same route fol'owed by : or in his recent trip to Syria. Fassage will be Cabin class on the luxurious steamer Providence, of the Fabre Line, sailing from New York July 2nd. Stops on route and shore excursions will be made at Ponta Delgada, Azores Islands; Lisbon, Portugal; Naples, Italy; Palermo, Sicily, and Piraeus and Athens, Greece. In Syria and Lebanon the winner may remain as long as he desires and return on any of the Fabre Line steamers to New York, a>so Cabin Class. Sailing from New York will be under the direction and full assistance of the firm of A. K. Hitti & Co., the well-known steamship ticket agents. The Beirut Branch of the same firm will render the winner all necessary service and advice free. The editor, thanks to the contacts contracted on his last trip, will also give the winner letters of introduction and recommendation to many influential friends who would render all necessary courtesies. The winner, representing THE SYRIAN WORLD whose services are fully recognized in the motherland, will be assured of the most friendly reception by the authorities and the public. 6. f, / I I �World Contest SYRIA and RETURN SYRIAN WORLD OFFER The prize offered by THE SYRIAN WORLD to the winner in the contest is free passage, Cabin Class, both ways from New York to Beirut and return, together with a liberal cash allowance for the shore excursions Jove mentioned on the outward passage. Is this not a worthy prize to try to win? CONDITIONS OF CONTEST 1. THE SYRIAN WORLD prize of a Free Trip to Syria and return will be awarded the individual securing the largest number of New subscribers to the magazine at the regular price of subscription. 2. Considering the great value of the prize offered, the minimum number required to win the award must be not less than one hundred. 3. Every contestant, other than the winner, securing more than one huntt, T* sllbscriJ,ti0RS> wil1 be awarded a special cash premium of $1.50 for every subscription. Those securing less than one hundred will be given S.liO for every subscription. In the event of two or more contestants tying for the Grand Prize, all will receive identical prizes. 4. The contest closes June 10, 1930. Letters post-marked later than this date mil .:ot bs counted. Announcement of the awards will be made June lo. 5. Every subscription must be a new subscription, and must be accompanied by a remittance of the full price of $5.00. 6. Gift subscriptions will be counted as direct subscriptions. For instance if a contestant succeeds in inducing a friend to make gifts of a year's' subsection to each of five individuals, he will be given credit for five individual subscriptions. Multiple subscriptions to the same person will not be counted by the number of years; as, for instance, a single individual subscribing for two years will not be given credit for two subscriptions. 7. Those wishing to enter the contest must write to register, in which case they will be furnished with special blanks and helpful literature. 8. The contest is open to all friends of THE SYRIAN WORLD anywhere in the United States and Canada. �IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE SUBJECT OF THE SYRIAN WORLD CONTEST fYWING to the appreciation by the public of our liberal offer of a free trip to Syria as a first prize in the current Syrian World Contest, and in compliance with numerous requests to this effect, we have decided to extend our offer as follows: 1—While the minimum number of subscriptions required to win the Free Trip remains at one hundred, any contestant, besides the winner, procuring one hundred subscriptions has the option of receiving either the cash prize or a one-way free trip to Syria. 2—If a contestant should procure two hundred, he receives a free round trip. 3—For all subscriptions above two hundred the winner, as well as any other contestant, receives a cash premium of one dollar for each subscription in excess of two hundred. 4—Organizations are permitted to enter the contest and award the prize to any individual member. 5—Contestants working for the limited prizes of either a oneway trip or a round trip may withdraw once their goal is reached and sail on any Fabre Line steamer, cabin class, before the date set for the close of the Contest. Registered contestants to date are the following: Mr. H. John Hashem 63 Thompson St., Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Miss Evelyn Assmar 181 - 79th St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. Richard Hajjar 180 Warren St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. Hafey Abood 179 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, N. Y. Mrs. Rose A. Hamrah 56 Scott St., Naugatuck, Conn. FOUR MORE MONTHS IN WHICH TO WIN. �VOL. IV. No. 5. JANUARY, 1930. Modern Syrians' Contributions to Civilization By REV. W. A. MANSUR 1*HE MODERN Syrians, descendents of the famous Phoenicians, are now making significant contributions to civilization. The rise of the Syrian race through the renaissance of the Syrian spirit, the emigration of the Syrian people, and the progress of Syrian talent marks a new era in the progress of civilization. The modern Syrians' contributions to civilization are based on prosperity, commerce, welfare, progress, and not on military conquest, colonial exploitation, or racial aggression. The world needs enlightenment regarding the origin, history, character, talent and progress of the Syrian race. Tames Bryce says in The Holy Roman Empire: "During the Middle Ages, Western statesmen and churchmen, Western thinkers and writers, took little note of the Eastern Empire which stubbornly held its ground at Constantinople down to A. D. 1453." "Even in later times the part played by the people and rulers of New Rome was inadequately appreciated, and it is only in our own days that history has begun to atone for this long neglect." We must inform the world regarding Syrian race history, Syrian race talent, and Syrian race contributions to mankind. Through knowledge about the awakening of the modern Syrian race we shall plant intelligent information, arouse sympathetic understanding, and win cordial appreciation. "Fundamental in every search for entrance into the mind of a race other than our own," says Bishop Francis John McConnell in Human Needs and World Christianity, "is straight-forward justice." I i �8 THE SYRIAN WORLD Bishop J. H. Oldham says in Christianity and the Race Problem^ "In order that the different peoples may enrich the life of the world by the contribution which each is best fitted to make, each must have freedom to develop a distinctive life of its own." When president, Calvin Coolidge said, "All peoples have points of excellence and are justly entitled to the honorable consideration of other nations." The present awakening of the Syrian race is bringing to the forefront an illustrious race whose native land, contributions to humanity, and racial talents are again to bless mankind. The world will soon acknowledge the "straight-forward justice," recognize with appreciation the "distinctive life," and grant with regard "honorable consideration" a prominent place to the Syrian race and its benevolent influences on civilization. The following modern Syrians' contributions to civilization are meant to indicate the trend of the modern Syrian race, the legacies it is making to human welfare, and the vindication of the race's awakening, vitality, leadership, civilization and progress. /. The Modern Syrians Are Contributing Leadership for the Arabic-Speaking World. "Syria and Syrians," says Talcott Williams in an introduction to The Syrians in America, "constitute the first land and the first people in Southwestern Asia who have entered into modern civilization." Remember that for centuries Syria was under military suppression, autocratic control, and devastated condition. The expression of racial talent was hindered, the exchange of learning was stopped, and intercourse with the outside world prohibited. Three impulses helped bring the Syrian renaissance: the Napoleonic invasion, European interest, and contact with the outside world. "The twentieth century found the Syrians," says Philip K. Hitti in THE SYRIAN WORLD, "the teacher and literary leader of the Arabic-speaking world." (July, 1926.) In a masterful article on "Syrian Leadership in Arabic Affairs" he says, "Not only have the Syrians in recent times supplied a large part of the leadership throughout the Arabic world in progress, in commerce, in education and in literature but in nationalistic movements, too." (Aug., 1927.) The character of the modern Syrian leadership will deter- i �mine largely the nature of the rising civilization in Arabic-speaking lands. The modern Syrian is moulding the thought life, inspiring emulation of modern democracy, and awakening the talents of Arabic-speaking races and nations. 77. The Modern Syrians Are Giving Original Religious and Moral Impulses for World Welfare. The leadership of mankind is already recognizing the superior religious and moral capacities of the Syrian race for world civilization. "The destiny of the Near and Middle East will go far to determine the trend of the new world's life," says Basil Mathews in The Riddle of Nearer Asia. "For those lands between the Aegean and the Nile on the one hand, and the Caucasus and mountain buttresses of Persia on the other, are strategically a pivot on which world issues swing, while immeasurable possibilities lie undeveloped in their human and material resources, and, above all, in their spiritual capacities." The modern Syrian is awake to his religious, moral and racial inheritance. He recognizes his native talents. He realizes the contributions his ancestors made to humanity. He feels the urge to intellectual, cultural and humanitarian achievement. The world is again to be led by the religious and moral enthusiasm of Syrian prophets. The truth will be heard through silver-tongued Syrian heralds. Righteous dealing will be advocated by golden-mouthed Syrian statesmen. Human brotherhood will be preached by divinely-inspired Syrian missionaries. 7/7. The Modem Syrians Are Promoting True Inter-Racial Idealism Toward Sympathetic Appreciation, Human Brotherhood, and World Civilization. "As for the Asiatics," says Tyler Dennett in A Better World, "they have, from the dawn of history, been the great creative religious folk. They have given religion to the world: Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Mohammedanism. A Roman or an Anglo-Saxon may be the organizer, but it takes an Oriental to write a psalm or to make a prophecy.—When Christianity is restored to the Orient from which it came it uncovers energies and vitalities such as were characteristic of the Apostolic days." The world is in great need of the Syrian gospel of inter-racial appreciation, brotherhood and civilization. The world suffers from race prejudice, color discrimination, and national aggression. �y -10 THE SYRIAN WORLD The modern Syrian is promoting the true gospel of interracial equality. Equality of the races, equality of the rights, and equality of privilege will be preached to mankind. Equality of human worth without regard to race, color, creed, time, clime or place will be heralded to human minds, hearts, and life everywhere. The modern Syrian will blast the Syrian evangel of interracial brotherhood to humanity: from Syrian hearts the equal love of God will be preached, from Syrian minds the universal truth of God will be proclaimed, and from Syrian tongues the even righteousness of God will be heralded for human brotherhood to every race, nation and tongue. The modern Syrian hearts, minds and tongues are already promoting the new order of human brotherhood. The world everywhere awaits with expectation the regenerating power of the Syrian Gospel of inter-racial brotherhood! IV. The Modern Syrians Are Disseminating the Principles of Freedom: Intellectual, Religious and Political. S. A. Mokarzel, editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD, in writing of the Syrian community in New York as an example of the Syrians in America, says, "It has helped plant the love of America in the hearts of millions of people speaking the common Arabic language, and it has proven its gratitude and loyalty to its adopted country by responding in vastly more than its proportionate quota to the appeal of the government either for financial aid or for man power in times of national crisis." (Syrian World, Nov., 1927.) What is here said of the Syrians in America applies equally to Syrians in every country in the world. Modern Syrians are carrying to the ends of the earth the ideals of intellectual enlightenment, political liberty, and religious freedom. Wherever the Arabic language is spoken Syrian leadership is broadcasting the principles of democracy. Wherever Syrians dwell there is founded a radiating center for modern human freedom. The modern Syrian will act as mediator between the old and the new civilization, between the old and the new generation, between the ideas of Arabic-speaking millions of the meaning of liberty, its proper uses and its benefits upon mankind. He will give personal testimony to the uplifting influence of religious, intellectual, and political freedom as evidenced in his adoption, prosperity, and progress in the lands of liberty. %»fti �JANUARY, 1930 V. The Modern Syrians Are Carrying Forward the Means of Civilization: High Standards, Beneficial Commerce, Progressive Living. Like his famous ancestors, the modern Syrian is an advance agent of civilization. George Adam Smith says in Syria and the Holy Land, "Hebrew and Greek writers acclaim the wealth of Phoenician industries and the size and the range of Phoenician ships. Long before the Christian era these galleys had passed the Straits of Gibraltar as far at least as the Canaries and Sicilies; and had sailed down the Red Sea and along the coast of Africa." The modern Syrian is disseminating modern trade, commerce and high standards of living. S. A. Mokarzel says in THE SYRIAN WORLD, "He is in Paris, London, Manchester, Berlin, New York, Sao Paolo, Buenos Aires, Shanghai, Yokahama, Manila, Sydney and every leading commercial center that you may think of. And he is there a trader, a purveyor to the needs of the public, an. agent for the cause of civilization! But let us not stop at that. Let us delve deeper into the interior of the five continents and we will find the Syrian there—in the jungles of Brazil, in the wilds of Africa, in the wastes of North America—a trader, a merchant, a practitioner of the art of peaceful penetration, an advocate of higher standards of life through the art of trade and commerce." (Issue of Aug., 1926.) J. Ray Johnson, editor of The Interpreter, organ of the Foreign Language Information Service in New York, says, "The modern Syrian merchants advanced into almost all the maritime cities of Europe and carried their trade across the seas to South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, South America, Mexico, Canada and the United States." (The Syrian World, June, 1928.) The modern Syrians, descendents of the illustrious Phoenicians whose civilizing influences forwarded the progress of mankind, are rising to claim similar fame by contributing to the progress of humanity. They are becoming the merchant princes of modern times. They are forwarding friendship, mutual-welfare, and civilized life wherever they dwell. They are the exchangers of merchandise, culture and high standards. They examplify in their lives industrious living, patriotic loyalty, law-obedience and love of liberty. �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD VI. The Modern Syrians Exemplify Loyal Citizenship to Their New Homelands: Patriotism, Loyalty, Gratitude, Service. The modern Syrians are, perhaps, par excellence the most loyal citizens in their new homelands. Let it be remembered that love of our new homeland is compatible with love of our motherland. We modern Syrians will stand for our race virtues, proclaim our love for the motherland of our race, uphold the splendor of the Syrian race legacies to humanity, and claim for our race a rightful place among the races of earth. We modern Syrians believe in our new homelands, are loyal to their laws, and work for their welfare. The true Syrian-American believes in America First} the Syrian-Argentinian in Argentine First} the Syrian-Brazilian in Brazil First} the Syrian-Australian in Australia First. A. Hakim, "The Sage of Washington Street," expressed the true sentiment of the Syrian-Americans toward their new homeland. He says, " that we are in America to stay} that we owe it our allegiance whole and undivided, and that whatever assistance we render the motherland is prompted by humanitarian, sentimental considerations only." (Syrian World, Oct., 1928.) The modern Syrians are vindicating their pure patriotism, loyal citizenship, and sincere gratitude to their new homelands. Capt. Emilio Carranza, the Mexican air hero, said at a reception held in his honor by the American Syrian Federation of New York, "The cost of my plane was raised by popular subscription. The Mexicans and all other racial groups contributed two-thirds while the Syrians of Mexico alone contributed the other third." The Syrian Bolivians decided to show their gratitude with a full-sized statue of General Bolivar, the Father of Bolivian liberty, as their snare of the centennial celebration of the Independence of Bolivia. The Syrian merchants of Sao-Paolo, representing the Syrian community in Brazil, decided to show their loyalty by presenting President Washington Luis, with a golden tray with a message of loyalty engraved thereon. The SyrianArgentinians responded generously toward the purchase, from the French Government, of the house in which Gen. San Martin, the Argentine Liberator, died. The Syrian-Americans are, as shown by their record during the World War, perhaps the most loyal, patriotic and devoted among the races in America, and "unexcelled—even by the Americans themselves." n �JANUARY, 1930 VII. 13 The Modern Syrians Represent the Most Benevolent Kind of^ Emigration: Enter-prising Trade, Mutual Welfare, Righteous Dealing, Loyal Citizenship. The modern Syrian immigrants represent the most benevolent type of race emigration in the modern world. They represent a peaceful emigration which carries with it enterprising trade, mutual-welfare, and cultural influence. They are following in the footsteps of their ancient ancestors the Phoenicians. H. G. Wells says in The Outline of History, "The great trading cities of the Phoenicians are the most striking of the early manifestations of the peculiar and characteristic gift of the Semitic peoples to mankind, trade and exchange." The writer of Tyre: Its Rise, Glory, and Desolation says of the colonies of ancient Phoenicia, "These colonies were not obtained by conquest, or, as in the case of many other nations, by the forcible removal of the original inhabitants, and the settlements of others from time to time by bold navigators, and which were considered to present opportunities for originating and maintaining commerce." The modern Syrians are dependent upon peaceful, prosperous and friendly intercourse for their welfare as well as that of the people among whom they live. Other races, nations, and peoples may make progress through exploitation of the material resources of others, military domination, and numerical superiority. The modern Syrian immigration is free from aspiration for establishing colonies advantageous to a particular religion, free from ambition for founding centers for selfish exploitation of other lands, and free from desire for political domination of other countries. Through the modern Syrian immigrants every race, nation, and people are enriched by their wholesome influences. The Syrian communities in their new homelands are prophetic of the rise of prosperity, peace, and progress to their respective communities, countries, and nations. Syrian communities everywhere are centers of beneficial trade, mutual welfare, and progressive citizenship. The modern Syrians' contributions to civilization are bound, in their cumulative effect, to draw the intelligent attention of mankind, awaken sympathetic appreciation of the race's civilizing influence upon humanity, and command a high position of leadership among the races, nations, and peoples of earth. A �14 THE SYRIAN WORLD The knowledge of these contributions will enlarge the vision of growing Syrian youth, appreciation will spur the rising Syrian leadership to greater achievements, and propagation will arouse Syrian race consciousness, Syrian race solidarity, and Syrian race pride. From the Arabic TRUE GREATNESS Meeting one of the retinue of the Vizier Ibn Al-Ameed, AlAsjadi asked him: "How find you our lord the Vizier?" and the man replied: "He is a branch whose sap has dried, and he has become so adamant that no charitable impulse finds its way into his heart. Instead, his position seems to breed in him extreme suspicion." "But," insisted Al-Asjadi, "see you not the pomp of the court, and the imposing palace, and the luxurious furnishings, and the great fame that goes with power?" And the man replied: "Power does not necessarily imply magnanimity, nor good fortune signify glory. If you were to have proof of a man's true greatness, note the number of his visitors and the seekers after his munificence; and how they leave his court, if in a thankful and appreciative mood,—and what is the nature of their comment after they leave, whether their praise is prompted by fear or by a spirit of earnestness. Truly, such are the signs of popular leadership and inherent magnanimity of character and well-deserved glory." THE THREE VICES The three most detestable of cardinal vices are the following: Pride that leads to inertia, miserliness that is impossible of eradication, and vanity that insists on displaying itself under all circumstances. TRUE FRIENDSHIP Your true friend is he who hastens to your aid when you fall; who spares not criticism when you err; who is pleased to see you clothed in virtue, and is grieved to see you fall in the esteem of men. But he is not your friend who shows unconcern in your fate, and it is immaterial to him whether you go astray or find your way. fir �JANUARY, 1930 15 The Changing East By f' SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL yHE EAST, after all, does change. That part of it which I visited the past summer is undergoing a rapid, almost phenomenal transformation. People of the East do not seem to be any more given up to that passiveness which springs from their belief in kismet. True, one still comes across the petty merchants squatting in their stalls smoking their water-pipes and waiting for the favor of Allah—and a customer; but there is also noticeable abroad in the land a spirit of strong initiative, even to the point of aggressiveness. And the change is not confined to the physical appearance of the country; it is permeating the character of the people and effecting a radical change in their lives and traditional viewpoints. Changing economic conditions are responsible for this transformation, and although the peoples of the East are still novices at the task, they are showing marked progress in their earnest efforts to adopt from the West its methods of organization and its principles of cooperative, collective action in economic pursuits. When I landed at Beirut, the city was hardly recognizable to me after an absence of thirty years. I actually had to search for those scenes and places which are typical of the East, and found only a faint vestige of them to have remained. Almost gone were the narrow, covered bazaars and their Oriental picturesqueness. Work of demolition was going on everywhere and new, well-paved, broad streets, flanked by buildings of pleasing uniformity, were rising everywhere. I was told that a native architect, who, although having studied in Europe, had retained his appreciation for the charm of Eastern architectural designs, was responsible for the happy blending of Eastern and Western effects which characterize the new Beirut. The colonnade arrangement over the broad sidewalks predominates, and serves as a protection from both sun and rain. Those who recall the Rue de Rivoli in Paris can draw from it a picture of the modern streets of the Syrian city. Women circulated freely in the streets. Those of the Mos- 2 — �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD lems who had discarded the habara and the veil, were dressed in the latest fashion creations much like their Christian sisters. I was told that the newest Parisian styles reach Beirut almost at the same time, if not before, they reach New York. I was expecting to encounter everywhere the sherbet venders or sweets peddlers with trays balanced on their heads tinkling their cups and saucers and singing the praises of their refreshments and wares in their peculiar and inimitable way, as they were wont to do in times of old. Instead, I saw many sellers of ices pushing about wheeled carts, while the peddlers of sweets had, instead of the exposed tray, closed boxes with glass tops as a protection against dust and flies. The change was brought about as a result of a vigorous, systematic public health campaign waged by Dr. Ayoub Thabet at the time he was Minister of the Interior in the government of Lebanon. Dr. Thabet had his education in the United States. The policemen of Beirut give an indication of the general transition from old conditions. They are dressed in trim navy blue uniforms with holster belt. Those who are on traffic duty carry a short, white club. But the most conspicuous thing about them is their helmet. The Oriental, especially a Moslem, clings to his headgear as his most revered sartorial tradition. He may change into Western garb, but he must never forgo his turban or tarboush. I saw the policemen of Egypt keeping their posts under the torrid heat of a tropical sun with no head protection other than the close-fitting, unbrimmed, tarboush. Such being the attitude towards the tarboush, the change to the helmet must be considered as of a revolutionary character. And so it is, and the way it was brought about is even more startling considering the prejudices of the East. The man responsible for the change from the tarboush to the helmet was Dr. Thabet also. I visited him at his summer camp near his native town of Bhamdoun, in Lebanon. He was leading the life of a semi-recluse, and although he was out of office he was not out of the reckoning in politics. He belong:, to a religious minority in a republic which still adheres in its form of representation to sectarian traditions, but his admirers and followers among all denominational factions are legion in consideration of sheer merit and ability. I discussed with him the different phases of the transition movement now taking place and inquired particularly about the circumstances attending some of the revo- �mmtm^- A MINISTER OF LEBANON AT HOME This intimate snapshot of Dr. Ayoub Thabet was taken of him at his summer camp near his native town of Bhamdoun in Mt. Lebanon during The Syrian World editor's visit to him last summer. Dr. Thabet is responsible for many notable reforms while Minister of the Interior. (See article "The Changing East.") A VIEW IN NORTH LEBANON The steep mountain from which gushes the abundant water of Nahr Kadisha above Bcharri, now harnessed for generating electricity. Along the side of the mountain runs the narrow canal described in article "The Changing East." �AN ENCHANTING SCENE IN NORTH LEBANON The whole district of North Lebanon is dotted with thriving villages. This view was taken from a point overlooking the town of Hasroun. 3J~"T1 ^ 3 a" -t ~- n! r> I HHT-l OWTItn--* —•<-,!— M r-^-_ ^ �JANUARY, 1930 n lutionary changes he had inaugurated. Here is how he explained "The East is not unreasonable," he said. "What it needs is men of intelligent, unselfish leadership whose motives are above suspicion and who have the courage to act on their convictions Unce a step in the proper direction is taken and the reform n^ into effect, objection will cease. But the curse of our country has been the policy of temporizing. Our public opinion has not yet reached the stage of coalescence. Our public affairs are still governed by the personal influence of factional or religious leaders whose main concern is to preserve their traditional prestige. Our great bugaboo is our sentimental consideration for tradition especially when it affects our brother Moslems. I have proved by my ordinance inaugurating the change from the tarthan red e © JS be B 13o I* ^ ^ COnsiderations are more imaginary "What I did was to act on my authority as Minister of Public Health peremptorily and without submitting the matter to public discussion. I had secretly ordered bought all available helmets in the city and issued them one summer morning to the police men as a complement of their regular outfit. The Moslem members of the force welcomed the change with even more alacrity than did the Christians. The general public, although at first surprised, soon came to realize the benefits of the change and heartily approved of ,t. Not even from the ulemas did we encounter any objection." To one who was born and raised in Syria, the modernization processes now rapidly working in the country are amazing. In Beirut I saw a furniture factory employing several hundred men run on Western industrial principles and employing modern machinery, even to the individual motor for every unit. In Damas cus, supposedly the stronghold of conservatism, modernization in industry is just as evident. The Syrians are awakening to the realization that the exigencies of modern economic life cannot be met with antiquated methods, and they are fast adopting thnew processes which enable them to successfully compete with foreign industries. u?neB°f fi£ ^r°min1e,nt leaders of ^e Syrian Nationalists, Pakhry Bey Baroody, illustrated to me the progress of Syrian industry by pointing out that every article of clothing he was wearing, from the fine broadcloth suit to the underwear socks IT �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD and shoes, were of native manufacture. The Syrians have even developed a match manufacturing industry. They now have about three hundred young men in Europe and America receiving technical education in different lines. They are not, as it seems, inalienably bound to tradition. Breaking down the barriers of tradition, especially as it affects the status of women in Syria, is most obvious in Beirut. The first customs official I met upon landing at that port on July 21st was a native woman. Later, upon visiting the Saraya to pay my respects to Mr. Chas. Dabbas, President of the Lebanese Republic, I discovered that the head of the Information Bureau also was a native woman who had at one time been a resident of the United States. I was interested in discovering the extent to which the women of the East had progressed in their movement for emancipation and asked that lady for information on that point. She told me that in the government service alone there were no less than two hundred young women, while in the city of Beirut much over five hundred native women were employed at various gainful occupations. I was not surprised, therefore, when later in passing through one of the principal streets, I came across a large sign in Arabic and French reading: "Girls' Business School— Courses in Typewriting and Stenography." What further caused me much pleasant surprise was the discovery in Beirut of several Arabic Linotype machines imported from America. They had been in operation for several years and were satisfactorily manned by native operators. But the greatest transformation I was able to observe was in the psychology of the people. A deep appreciation of the necessity of collectivism seems to be gradually dawning upon them. Where in the past every undertaking was the result of personal initiative and individual management we now find the people of Syria seriously attempting collective action. This disposition is being demonstrated both in political and economic undertakings. In the political field, we have as proof of this phenomenon the solidarity of the Nationalist Party in Syria which has held together in the Constituent Assembly in face of the most trying conditions. While in Lebanon it has actually given birth to the first republican form of government to be established among Arabic-speaking peoples. Trials there are, of course, as would be natural in any first experiment, but the attempt itself attests the existence of an awakening which disproves the contention that the East never changes. c j t c V c F 0 �JANUARY, 1930 /p What I would advance, however, as the most cogent proof of the new order that is invading that portion of the East which is closer to the West and coming into more intimate contact with Koropean and American influences, is what the Lebanese term the great corporate enterprise for the generation of hydroelectric power ,n Northern Lebanon. This undertaking is onehundred per cent, native in conception, execution, control and operation. It has been watched for the last fifteen years bv natives and foreigners alike as a test of native initiative and fitness tor group action. I was fortunate in having been in that part of the country when it was first put in operation and the historic town of Bcharri lighted by electricity through the enterprise and determination of its own citizens. THE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT OF NAHR KADISHA It was Saturday, August 3, when I decided to visit the famous Lectors ol Lebanon which are reverentially called by the people of the country the "Cedars of the Lord." I had until then hard very little of the hydroelectric project of Nahr Kadisha, or the Sacred River, which was being developed in Bcharri, the highest point of habitation in Lebanon on the way to the Cedars, and nestling snuggly on a ledge of the mountain at an altitude of 1230 meters Certainly at the time, my interest in the town was confined to the fact that it was the birthplace of my friend and countryman Kahlil Gibran, author of "The Prophet," and consjdenng die limitation of time, I thought that an hour at most would be all that I could reasonably tarry at the place We reached Bcharri at four o'clock in the afternoon, and stopped at the principal square by the church to take some refreshments. The cafes on all sides were crowded and the shops doing a bustling business. WTe took our places around a running fountain in the basin of which floated many watermelons and baskets of grapes and other fruit to be cooled. When my companion, Joseph Mokarzel, insisted on having our presence announced to a certain Father Tanius Jahjah of whom he had spoken in the highest terms of praise, I immediately realized that such a course irretrievably defeated my purpose of staying only a short time in the town, knowing the open hospitality of all the people of that locality. V . » < �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD The priest presently came and joined the circle which had formed about us. He was a man of about fifty, tall and slender, his steady gait showing poise and determination, and his keen eye and high forehead denoting unmistakable signs of intelligence and latent energy. He was, however, sincerely modest, for when my cousin introduced him as the father of the hydroelectric project of Nahr Kadisha, he blushed like a child. Attempts to draw from him an account of the trials and sufferings attending the earlier stages of the promotion of the project were futile. My cousin whispered to me that we could get that account later from other sources. Besides, in going over the ^rrain which lay on our way to the Cedars, we would be in a better position to understand the enormity of the task. That same afternoon, despite the importunities of the good folk of Bcharri, we resumed our journey to the Cedars over the new motor road, opened to traffic only two weeks before. The road left much to be desired, but the Minister of Public Works, Hussein Bey El-Ahdab, who had made an inspection only the preceding day, promised to provide the essentials of safety before the coming season. What it needs most is a stone parapet to give nervous motorists a feeling of security in negotiating the steep sides of the mountain which rises to almost three thousand feet. In all this distance not a tree is to be seen, nor even a small terrace such as are common in other parts of Lebanon to break the smoothness of the even slope. It is indeed bad travel for those who suffer from a weak heart or unsteady nerves. But the panorama of Lebanon from the eminence is most beautiful to him who entertains no fear. From the side of this mountain, directly below the famous Cedars of Lebanon, gushes forth from a cleft in the rock the abundant spring which waters the successive valleys until ft reaches the city of Tripoli by the sea, and is known as Nahr Kadisha, which is now harnessed for generating electricity. Due to the lateness of the hour and the dangers of the road, we decided to defer inspection of this master feat of engineering till the following day. So next morning, on the way down, we stopped at the reservoir by the road, built on a direct line a thousand feet above the power station. The guard, a lad of not more than twenty in native garb, was standing unconcernedly on the edge of the precipice. He told us that to get to the grottoes we must follow the concrete-covered canal of only two feet width skirting the mountain to a distance of a mile. We must balance /, �- JANUARY, 1930 2/ ourselves well, he admonished, because the over-hanging rocks were very low in places. vi t ) s «, !u° 7* thJhree «>mpanions we filed singly along the narrow walk. As the guard had predicted, we almost had to crouch to the ground in places to negotiate the passage. In other places, the canal was carried through completely covered tunnels where seeping water made walking extremely slippery. But for the most part it formed just an open, unprotected footpath in the side of the smooth, pyramid-shaped mountain. The grottoes were never reached from this side of the mountain before, but only by a trail runnmg through the other and more accessible side of the valley. In covering the whole distance of a mile we never thought of looking behind once. We glanced to the side; we looked directly ahead; we watched every step we made, but the one coming behind had to be satisfied with the oral assurance of the one ahead It was as if one were balancing himself on a tight rope. Imagine our surprise, therefore, when upon reaching the broad clearing at the entrance to the grottoes and looking about, we beheld two sturdy men trailing us and of whom we had not heard a sound. They proved to be workmen who had once been employedI in the cutting of the canal in the side of the mountain. lhey had attended early mass that Sunday morning and had come on a picnic to the scene of their former labors, where we thought the angels would fear to tread. "You must have had a trying time completing this difficult work, I a ked one of the men. He laughed and proceeded to explain. "For five years," he said, "we worked incessantly hewing the side of the mountain. At first we had to be let down by ropes until we could cut for ourselves a foothold. We labored from dawn to nightfall and slept at our places. Some of us did not return to our homes for weeks at a time and had food lowered to us in baskets. But Father Jahjah is a saint for whose sake we are willing to risk anything. He and the engineer used to be lowered down by a rope, too." The laborer, in his simple words, had given the most eloquent description of the character of the father of the project of Nahr Kadishah. Here was a dynamic leader of the community, a priest who sensed the needs of his people and led them by word and example to constructive efforts. He realized the intense respect of the people of that section of Lebanon for their clergy and directed �».' I 22 THE SYRIAN WORLD it to the improvement of their crying economic needs. I had been told while at the Cedars that the fine modern hotel built there even before the opening of the motor road was also made possible through the initiative of a Maronite priest of Bcharri. But that is not all that can be told of the efforts of the Maronite clergy along that line. A greater surprise was in store for me upon my return to Bcharri that memorable Sunday of August 4. At the northern entrance to the town, on a sharp bend in the road of descent, we were stopped by Father Jahjah who had been awaiting our return since early morning: "It's an insult to pass through our town without giving us an opportunity to break bread with you," he said, "Besides, our Archbishop Antoun Arida is visiting us today and upon being informed of your presence he expressed the wish to meet you." Meeting the Archbishop I could not refuse, and I was led by Father Jahjah to the modern home of that dignitary's sister where he was staying. I found the outer court full of people, while the spacious reception hall within was packed to the door. Rising voices reaching the outside betrayed a heated discussion, and when I was led to where the Archbishop was seated in the extreme center the tumult was immediately hushed. The Archbishop led me to an adjoining room for a private conversation. From him I learned that this was a general meeting of the stockholders of the Kadisha Hydroelectric Power Co., called to discuss two important questions, viz: raising of the capital stock from £75,000 to £100,000 and consideration of the proposition to consolidate the Kadisha Company with a similar project known as the Nahr Abu Ali Co., now controlled by the sheikhs Estephan, also of the North Lebanon district. The latter project was organized to furnish power, while the former was chartered only to furnish light. The market for both companies was the district of North Lebanon and the city of Tripoli. So those fostering the spirit of corporate enterprises in that Eastern land of traditional individual initiative proved still further the degree of their progress along those lines by sponsoring the movement for the merger of the two companies. "This is our first attempt at corporate action, and we must carry it on to success," they argued. "All the resources of our country are being developed by foreign capital and management because of our lack of co-operative effort. This being our first attempt at a collective undertaking, we cannot under any circum- �JANUARY, 1930 23 stances suffer it to fail. A merger will be positive insurance against failure because of the economy in management and the substitution of co-operation for competition. We owe this not only to our interest as stockholders but to our sense of self-respect and patriotism. Our failure in this will spell the doom of every future collective enterprise undertaken independently by the natives. We are under moral obligation to push on in the only logical course open to us, which lies in a combination of the capital and management of both enterprises." This argument carried the day for the proponents of the merger. Archbishop Arida, who was the moving spirit in the initial enterprise, was continued as honorary president of the amalgamated companies. The multiplying signs of this new spirit of co-operative enterprise were a revelation to me. I was more surprised to learn that the pioneers in these new realms of Western principles were members of the clergy. It was gratifying to witness that the . efforts of these enlightened clerics, who have been from time immemorial both the religious advisers and the political leaders of this solidly Maronite section of Lebanon, were now directed towards promoting the economic welfare of their people. To me this was cogent proof of the contention that the crying need of the East is intelligent, enlightened and unselfish leadership. "How did you succeed in raising the necessary capital for this project?" I inquired of the Archbishop. His answer was much broader than my restricted question. "You will realize," he said, "that if any co-operative effort were to succeed in our section of the world its success is more likely in the district of Northern Lebanon than anywhere else. And we want to prove that such success is possible. The country is ours and we should have first claim to the right of exploiting its resources which are, at best, very meager. Foreigners should step in only in case of our failure to carry out the work properly, and this we are not willing to concede. We are a homogenous people in these parts of Lebanon. We have held together for centuries past in defense of our right to life and freedom of worship. Now we want to prove the same solidarity in the face of economic danger. Our people are now awakening to the necessity of working together for constructive effort instead of mere defense. We are determined to prove both our initiative and our fitness. "The Kadisha enterprise is 100 per cent, native in control " — umnmmmm �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD and operation. The concessionnaire is Father Jahjah, one of my priests. The engineer is Albert Naccash, one of our countrymen. The capital was raised wholly by subscription from native sources. Foreign interests did their utmost to impede our efforts, both before the grant of the concession and after, but we would not go down in ignominous defeat. It was our hope that those responsible for the shaping of our destinies would b« helpful to us in our constructive efforts instead of placing all forms of hindrances in our way. But our hopes were an illusion. We now have come to realize that they only want to exploit us for their own benefit." Archbishop Arida could not be induced to go into more explicit details of this "foreign interference." He would only reiterate that it was evident in every enterprise that the natives undertook. He mentioned another new project of his for the manufacture of cement on the same lines that he had organized the hydroelectric undertaking, and asserted that before being granted the concession he was subjected to the most determined interference. The supposed reasons for this policy on the part of "foreign interest" I was to get later from other sources. In the meantime, I listened to the Archbishop's account of how he was able to raise capital for the Kadisha project. "America has had a telling influence in the shaping of our destinies," he resumed. "We owe her not only a large part of our working capital but the credit for bolstering up our spirit of initiative as well. And think not that I am complimenting America because of her being the land of your adoption. The people of this very town, Bcharri, were the first Syrians to migrate to America, and their enterprise has resulted not only in benefit to themselves but to their home town also. We were able to draw on the citizens of Bcharri abroad for a considerable amount of our capital, and we feel confident that we can draw on them for a good deal more once they realize that they can profitably invest in their homeland. We are also hoping that they would return to further benefit the country by their wealth of commercial and industrial experience. Some of them have already done so. You must have noticed, while coming up the mountain at the parting of the road near Tripoli, the large, modern factory building on the coast. Well, that represents not only American capital but American industrial methods also. The owners are emigrants from this section who returned to study manufacturing possibilities here and concluded that they were justified in establish- �JANUARY, 1930 25 ing a textile mill utilizing the products of the land in silk, cotton and wool. Their modern methods brought them success and they will be enabled to effect further economies, and consequently earn more profits, when we supply them with cheap electric power." I felt that the Archbishop spoke with good economic sense, and being unwilling to further keep him away from his stockholders' meeting, I took leave to join the engineer of the Kadisha Company who was to conduct me on a tour of inspection through the plant, situated on the outskirts of the town. The plant consists of a huge stone building with two generators and a control room in the rear. The water descends through a 600-meter pipe having a perpendicular fall of 275 meters. In the so-called dry season, the power generating capacity is 1200 H. P., while in the abundant or flood season, comprising eight months of the year, the capacity is on a basis of 3600 H. P. With the consolidation of the Kadisha and Abu Ali companies the total capacity will rise to 10,000 H. P. This is more than ample for the light and power needs of the section. Mr. Naccash, the engineer, was bitter against the French and outspoken in his condemnation of their tactics of opposition to native enterprise. I learned from him that which the Archbishop had alluded to only guardedly. While I am not accepting his explanation of conditions as being true in toto, I can conscientiously state that the grumbling against the petty, obstructive tactics of the French were evident in all parts of Lebanon and Syria, particularly in the district of North Lebanon which is considered the bulwark of French influence in the country. Here is the gist of the complaint, whose warp is politics and woof is economics. "French interests have heavy investments in Syria and Lebanon, and for that reason wish the continuation of the occupation. There is in France, on the other hand, a strong faction opposing this policy because of its strain on the national budget. To create, therefore, as strong a sentiment as possible for the policy of occupation, French officials are working assiduously and systematically to increase the investment of French capital in the country, and to that end, they place every hindrance in the way of native projects in order to make way for the employment of French capital. In such eventuality there would be justification for the continuation of French occupation, and the swarms of French officials now finding lucrative employment in Syria would i �»>:>.^.gi—loiiai 26 THE SYRIAN WORLD feel secure in their jobs. Besides, Syria's strategic value to France would be safeguarded by the increase of invested capital." Apart from the difficulties placed in the way of native projects in North Lebanon, the accusers of the French charge that this studied policy of impediment on their part is also the real cause for the continued delay in beginning work on the truly gigantic project of deflecting the course of the Orontes river in the interior of Syria. This scheme was proposed several years ago and had been hailed as the greatest step for the economic rehabilitation of the country. The Orontes is the largest river of Syria and was once navigable for a considerable distance. Hence the importance of the ancient city of Antioch, once the rival of Rome. The English, previous to the opening of the Suez Canal, had seriously considered opening a water route to India by widening the Orontes and connecting it by eanal with the Euphrates. It can be reasonably deduced, therefore, that a river of such size can be employed to irrigate immense areas whose productivity is curtailed by lack of water. This is made impracticable at present owing to the great depth of the valley through which the river flows almost the whole length of its course. Water for drinking purposes and for partial irrigation is drawn in many places by water-wheels, which are most numerous in the city of Hama. While if a dam were built near the source of the Orontes, and its course deflected so that it may run in irrigation canals in the vast plains which are now arid, immense wealth would accrue to the country from the development of its greatest latent resources, namely agriculture. The reason for the delay in carrying out this irrigation scheme, as it was explained to me in the course of my discussion of the economic problems of the country with many leading men, was that the French had not an irrigation engineer big enough to qualify for the job, and rather than entrust the task to the English, who have many competent specialists in this line, they preferred to hold it in abeyance regardless of the country's welfare. Whether these accusations be true or not, they represent, nevertheless, the current native opinion of the economic policy of the French in the territory under mandate. The French are openly charged with a systematic attempt to stifle all native initiative in the economic field. But the success of the hydroelectric project of North Lebanon, not to mention numerous lesser enterprises being undertaken in all sections of the country, proves that the Syrians are 1 �JANUARY, 1930 27 determined to shape their own destinies in the way of economic rehabilitation. Furthermore, they are marchalling for the task the strength that comes from collective effort. Such evidences of co-operative action were never before so evident in the East. It is the sign of a revolutionary change in the character of the people which is pregnant with immeasurable possibilities. Advice to a Lover By LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA Keep heaping coal on the fire Or else it will go out: The fire of love needs fuel, Or else it will go out! Keep nearest to your loved one, If you would have her love youj Take a walk in the moonlight,— Gaze at stars above you. Keep thinking of your loved one, And she will think of you. Even if you go away: Just write a line or two. Keep heaping coal on the fire Or else it will go out: The fire of love needs fuel, If it must not go out! (/ i �. 2€ THE SYRIAN WORLD The Master-Builder By DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN ^H, Master-Builder, sayest thou the task is done, And wouldst have the king survey the house thou hast built for him and his posterity? Wouldst have him mount its roof, and from that dizzy height observe and speak his praises and thanks? Wouldst have him view his city at his feet, a crowned queen, stately, fair and rich; The plains beyond—a page in nature's Diwan, illumed with gold and emerald; The river, crowded with a thousand sail, washing the feet of yonder cloud-beturbaned mount? Be it so, Master-Builder! Tis as my heart would have it—praise be unto Allah! My gratitude to thee, Master-Builder, For hath not thy hand also engraved my name on nature's page in terms gigantic, So, when king and builder are no more And time unfolds the future's breast, Wrhen in the streets the fall of stranger's feet resound, And in their dusty crevices strangers' voices stir the echoes They may see and read my name? Dost envy me? Nay, Master-Builder, begrudge me not this! I have watched thee at thy work— I've seen the daughters of thy imagining spring to life, And watched thy hand unveil their charms and robe them in splendour: And as higher and more spacious grew the noble pile, As halls spread out their wings and towers their heads reared high, As angle emphasized a curve and arch to pillar added grace, As massiveness seemed to enhance the charms of slenderness, As strength with beauty vied, Master-Builder, I envied thee. I �n JANUARY, 1930 29 But what of thy boast in market-place, Of a keystone for destruction thou hast arranged, Which, once displaced, reduces all this wondrous work to ruin. Is it true, Master-Builder? Hast thou no other loves than for reward, Seest nought in a child but service for his sire? Nay, Master-Builder, but thou hast erred! He who builds should ne'er of ruin think except to guard against it, And, a Builder once, to die while still one 'twere better! Thy reward? To save thee from thyself, Master-Builder. The king hath spoken. The Two Learned Men By KAHLIL GIBRAN Once there lived in the ancient city of Afkar two learned men who hated and belittled each other's learning. For one of them denied the existence of the gods and the other was a believer. One day the two met in the market-place, and amidst their followers they began to dispute and to argue about the existence or the non-existence of the gods. And after hours of contention they parted. That evening the unbeliever went to the temple and prostrated himself before the altar and prayed the gods to forgive his wayward past. And the same hour the other learned man, he who had upheld the gods, burned his sacred books. For he had become an unbeliever. �30 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Last Leaf V By MISCHA NAIMV QN a lonely bough - Of a lonely tree Sits a lonely leaf Lost in reverie. . While the sky is but one heaving, Grim, unending cloud j And the wind is deftly weaving For the earth a shroud. Neighbors, friends and mates Left her long ago. None came back to tell Of the world below. Nightingales no longer flutter Gaily round her bed. Only ravens come to utter Dirges o'er her head. Dry is now the breast Whence she sucked the sap; Frozen now and cold Is her mother's lap. Yet she neither joys, nor sorrows, But serenely sways, Knowing that all her to-morrows Are but yesterdays. For upon her face, Shrivelled though and wet,— As within her heart,— All the seasons met. �JANUARY, 19 SO 31 The Ahleyah School of Beirut u } i By AMEEN RIHANI of the mysteries of life is that calamities are not without 0 NE compensations; and of the compensations of the calamity of Syria during the World War is one which continues in its benefits to grow and spread. It started like a candle lighting a little circle of education and developed in ten years to a torch of enlightenment in a nation. And this is due to a Syrian woman is whose heart God kindled the fire of true patriotism—the patriotism that combines the love of country with the love of humanity—and endowed her with an inexhaustible energy and an undying faith. Marie Kassab, a peerless daughter of Syria, carries high the lighted torch and goes forth bravely in the interest of knowledge and education. When darkness came upon Syria during the War, the foreign schools in the country were closed, and Marie Kassab realized the opportunity, saw the compensation in the calamity.—The day has come when we must cease to be the beneficiaries of foreign education. She took the burden—a divine calling—upon herself and started to teach a few small boys and girls in her own home. The few very soon increased and the class became a regular school, which she called the Ahleyah, or National School. But a school can not exist without a house. The native teacher appealed to the Turkish authorities at that time and succeeded after some difficulties in realizing her desire. The Ahleyah School occupied the house of the English Schools for Girls in Beirut. It was not, however, in the manner of British occupation. For the English Principal returned after the War to reopen the School, and Marie Kassab had to give up the house. Were it not for her indomitable purpose, her energy and faith, she might have also given up the struggle. The English lady said to the Syrian: Now that we have reopened our School there is no longer any need for yours, and you should transfer your pupils to ours. The Syrian lady replied: No, Madame. The war has �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD taught us and tried us, and we should depend upon ourselves for the education of our boys and girls. And she went out to look for another house for her school. The second house was also an English property—the property of a Scotch Mission—and when she rented it from the agent, she hoped that she could hold it forever. Marie Kassab, therefore, summoned all her resolution and faith in the will to purchase the house. Her School was becoming very popular and she saw no reason why this popularity cannot be materialized. With text book and tackle she went forth. —Blessed are the benefactors who opened their purses to her. "Miss Kassab's School," says Dr. Bayard Dodge, President of the American University of Beirut, "is the best example that I know of what the people of this country can do to help themseivse." Marie Kassab purchased the house, which soon became too small for her rapidly growing school. So, she added an extension to it, thereby adding to her financial worries. But she did not despair. Difficulties doubled her energy and sharpened her resolution. She came to Egypt, where the Syrians and Lebanese responded to her appeal; and a month later, returning to Beirut, she bought the building and the property around it, which are now the legal and permanent estate of the Ahleyah School. And the work goes on in its development and progress. But so many are the applicants—even from Egypt and Palestine and Iraq many girls seek this national fountain in Beirut—that a new worry has come upon Marie Kassab. She is reluctant to refuse and she is reluctant to accept; for in the first instance she would be denying the benefits of education to hundreds of young girls, and in the second she would be crowding her school and rendering it less efficient. But geniuses do not readily surrender to difficulties. A new thought sometimes suffices for a new victory. Marie Kassab crossed one sea—she came from Beirut to Cairo—and her school acquired the ownership of one building. Now she crosses two seas—she comes from Beirut to the United States—that the one building might become two or three. �A FLOURISHING NATIVE SCHOOL A partial view of the campus of the Ahleyah School for Girls in Beirut, showing students in trim uniform during recreation period. PHYSICAL TRAINING FOR SYRIAN GIRLS Exercises at the Ahleyah School for Girls in Beirut conducted by a competent instructor along modern methods. I 7U ��JANUARY, 1930 33 The Strange Case of Hassan and Husna t ! AN ARABIAN NIGHTS' STORY (Translated from the Arabic Original.) ["HERE once lived in Baghdad a comely youth by the name of Hassan who owned a slave-girl the like of whom there was to be found none other in all the world. Her name was Husna, and not only was she surpassingly beautiful, but she was gifted with an exceedingly dulcet voice and had mastered the art of music to such a point that hardly could it be imagined within the gift of mortals. And her master was of such appreciative soul that he prized her possession beyond all other perishable things. He devoted himself exclusively to her and could not bear parting with her for the shortest length of time. And although at the time he came into possession of her he was exceedingly rich, he neglected all his affairs and spent lavishly on her maintenance, so that soon he was reduced to a dire condition of want. When he awoke to the realization of his state the day turned into night in his eyes and he gave himself into weeping and lamenting over his unhappy lot. During his affluence he could count his friends bv the score, but once his plight became known he was evaded and shunned, and all the help he could expect of his pseudo-friends was that of oral advice. Claiming not to have the means to assist him financially, they counseled him to sell his slave-girl as the only way out of his difficulties, but he preferred death to parting with her. Still he could not let her starve, even though he himself was willing to undergo the direst privations, because his love for her was too great to let her suffer. He reasoned that it would not be love, but selfishness of the basest sort, to have the one he held so dearly suffer for his sake, and as the result of his own foolish prodigality. And when he came to her with tears in his eyes and informed her of the advice of his friends, he found her not unwilling to approve of this solution. "Because," she said, "you can never bear having me sing for the entertainment of strangers as a means of profit, due to your intense jealousy; �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD whereas if I were to be offered for sale, none but a rich man could afford to buy me because of my accomplishments, and the price is bound to be large, and it will insure your comfort to such extent that I would feel sufficiently compensated for the anguish of your loss." Realizing there was no other solution to his predicament, he finally consented to the sale, and took her to the public slave market, where she was heatedly bid for by many anxious aspirants to her possession. In the end she fell to the lot of a rich Hashimite of Al-Basra, who paid for her the high sum of one thousand five hundred dinars. Although he had received for his slave-girl a fabulous price, Hassan was disconsolate over her loss. He could not return to his own residence because of the many associations in it which reminded him of her. And in his distracted condition he wandered about the streets until the time of the evening prayer, when he happened to be in the neighborhood of a mosque, which he entered in the hope of finding some spiritual consolation. He was exhausted by his sorrow and and long wanderings, and placing the bag of money on the ground, he rested his head on it and soon fell asleep. It was early morning when he awoke, only to find that a stranger had snatched the bag from under his head and was about to make away with it. He attempted to follow him, but discovered that his feet had been tied, and before he could undo the knot the stranger had made his get-away and disappeared in the tortuous alleys of the great city. This proved the last straw in the load of his misfortunes, and in his despair he attempted to do away with himself. Bent on carrying out this resolve, he directed his steps toward the Tigris where he hesitated but for a minute to bind a kerchief around his eyes, and then plunged into the water. But fate had written that he should be saved. Some passers-by had seen him fall into the water and hastened to his rescue, not doubting that he had fallen by accident. But he protested that he wanted to die and recounted to them the whole story of his misfortunes, whereupon some pitied and some blamed. An old man, however, took him aside and began to scold him for his lack of trust in the justice of Allah ; "Thou art not the first to lose his fortune. And dost thou not realize that thy condition is the creation of thine own folly? Why, then, despair: Thou wouldst not only lose thy life and possible future worldly pleas- �/ JANUARY, 1930 35 ures, but thou wouldst also gain for thyself the eternal tortures of Gehennam by such a rash deed." This had the effect of bringing him to his senses, and he promised the kindly old man not to make any further attempts at self-destruction. But return to his house and the scene of his former joy and affluence he could not, and he resolved upon migrating to another city, far away from anything that could remind him of his former condition. And he again sought the river bank and borrowed from a compassionate friend the pitiable sum of fifty dirhams aand awaited a ship that would sail for Wasit, midway between Baghdad and Al-Basra. Now it happened that a ship was about ready to sail for his destination and he sought the captain and asked him for passage. He was told that the ship was privately owned and not in the passenger traffic, but if he would pay a certain sum and disguise himself as a sailor, he would be permitted to go aboard. Hassan was so desperate as to be willing to go to any extreme, and he readily consented to buy a sailor's garb and pay the sum required. But how great was his astonishment when he discovered that the owner of the ship was none other than the buyer of his beloved Husna. He then thanked Allah for His great mercy in having spared his life. Presently a feast was spread and a curtain raised behind which the slave-girl was placed and asked to sing. But she was in the most dejected mood, and only after the most earnest solicitations could she be induced to take up her oud and sing a refrain. And this song was of the most plaintive nature, so that she had no sooner finished than she fell in a swoon and could be revived only with difficulty. Seeing which, Hassan was so overcome with emotion that he himself fell to the deck in a faint, and no sooner was he brought to his senses than the owner of the ship asked of his captain, "How could you permit a demented man among the crew? Throw him overboard." This had the effect of sobering Hassan so that he comported himself thereafter with more restraint, until the ship sailed far away from Baghdad and was being carried by the stream swiftly towards Al-Basra. Towards evening, the merry company had feastad and drunk and so reveled at the exotic strains of Husna's music and the enchantment of her voice, that they decided to land on an inviting spot on the shore where they could roll merrily on the grass and have the open spaces of the country as a stage for their hilarity. They were away for several hours, during which time �36 THE SYRIAN WORLD Hassan seized on the opportunity to arrange the strings of the oud in a manner known only to himself and to Husna, and he then repaired to the sailors' quarters. When, upon their return, they again asked Husna to sing and she took up the oud and felt its strings, she uttered a strange cry and swore that her former master was even then with them, as only he could have arranged the oud in the manner in which she found it.. And her new master then said: "If what you say be true, we shall only be too happy to have him as a boon companion, for then you will be in a better mood to give us the best of your art, and we shall be exceedingly glad." The master then asked his captain if he had taken any stranger on board, and before the latter could reply Hassan made his presence known, and the master said to him: "Know, my son, that I am a man to whom Allah has been most generous. He has given me not only material wealth but the spirit of contentment. And I swear to thee that I have not known Husna, nor have I bought her as a concubine. Now if thou wilt only consent to let her entertain me and my friends by her song, from behind a curtain, we shall feel amply satisfied, and I shall give her back unto thee and join thee with her in marriage and thou wilt be relieved of all want." Hassan was overjoyed at this turn of fortune, so was Husna who now began to pour out her melodies with such emotion that the whole company was transported with ecstasy, while Hassan urged her on all the more by suggesting new songs and airs which she rendered in the most perfect manner. Thus the first night was spent, in a steady ship gliding softly over the smooth waters of the Tigris, with the low-hanging moon casting its silvery reflections over sail and sea and lending an air of sweet mystery to the enchanted scene. A cool breeze inflated the sails and carried the ship in a steady motion, and the soft swish of the water only added to the beauty of the music. Hassan had all this, together with his meeting again with his beloved Husna, to induce him to indulge in drink, so that towards morning he had almost lost possession of his senses and felt as one living in another world. As a matter of fact, the whole company was in a similar state, and being bent on making more merry in every manner conceivable, whether there was reason for their actions or not, they decided on making another landing, and this time Hassan also went along. f �JANUARY, 1930 37 Now it so happened that Hassan detached himself from his companions, and being heavily under the influence of liquor, he laid himself on the cool grass and fell asleep. When he awoke his friends had departed and there was no trace left of either them or their ship. Hassan was desolate. He cursed his luck and foreswore drink. For what greater misery could befall him coming after such good fortune? He had sought death and found life, and no sooner had he felt his grip tighten on it than it slipped from his hands. But now Hassan saw in life a ray of hope. Husna was not lost to him forever as he had at first imagined. For had not her master given her back unto him on the most generous of conditions? All that he now had to do was to seek Husna and her master, and to that task he resolved to dedicate the rest of his life. He hailed a passing ship and begged for transportation to Al-Basra. Once there, he roamed the streets in the hope of finding the rich Hashimite who bought his slave-girl, but only met with failure. He entered a store to buy some provisions with what little money he had left. Now the storekeeper was of a kindly disposition and took an interest in him, and Hassan complained to him of his misfortune, and told him he was a stranger in the city without funds, but took care to conceal from him the true circumstances of his plight. Seeing that Hassan was of good education and beautiful handwriting, the storekeeper offered him employment and showed otherwise in him genuine fatherly interest. After the lapse of a month, the storekeeper found that Hassan had caused him considerable savings by his honesty and accuracy, and he became greatly attached to him, so that at the end of a year he took him in partnership and gave him his only daughter in marriage. But Hassan was not reconciled to his new condition; he still longed for his beloved Husna aand hoped some day to find her. He seemed only to live with that object in view. One day the streets began to fill with crowds carrying palms and candles in a form of religious celebration. Hassan was moved by a strange feeling and inquired about the nature of the event, and was told that it was the Palm Sunday of the Christians. Something vaguely told him that among the surging multitude he would find his beloved, or a trace of her, and he asked leave of his father-in-law for the day. -- �38 THE SYRIAN WORLD Hassan went home and dressed in his best. He then joined the crowds and began to scan their faces, and very shortly his search was rewarded by meeting the very same company with whom he had traveled from Baghdad that fateful night in which he was lost. "Praised be Allah!" exclaimed the rich Hashimite who had bought Hassan's slave-girl. "Our happiness at finding you cannot be limited within bounds. We had given you up for dead, believing you had been drowned in attempting to regain the ship. And how pitiful was the condition of Husna upon realizing your disappearance! She absolutely refused to be consoled. She donned the dress of mourning and sat day and night weeping by a semblance of a grave. Hasten now to her that she might rejoice at finding you still alive." The meeting of the two lovers was most pathetic. Husna raised a great cry of surprise upon seeing Hassan and swooned. She was revived with difficulty by the sprinkling of rose water. Now the Hashimite requested Hassan to remain in the company of Husna and never to leave her again, and Hassan forthwith returned to his father-in-law, the storekeeper, and having explained to him all the strange circumstances of his life, divorced his daughter and returned to live in happiness and peace with his beloved Husna. Arab Wisdom Let your faith be above your knowledge; your deeds greater than your words, and your dress below your rank. There are four manifestations of ignorance: To show anger when displeased j to associate with evil company j to plead poverty to one equally poor, and to meddle in matters not of one's concern. The truly wise is he who receives the censure of the adviser more readily than the praise of the flatterer. �. JANUARY, 1930 The Wager A SHORT STORY By AREF EL-KHOURY P)AMASCUS lay squatted on the plane, its stone walls giving the appearance of bas-relief on emerald-green, deep sea Chinese majolica among the overlapping orchards and gardens; and up on the balcony of the Victoria Hotel, a group of Syrian-American girls stood looking at the panorama. Suddenly Edna spoke: "That dragoman took us to every place in the city except that section behind the big railway station." "Every place worth seeing," commented Ruth. 'Of course he knew best," added Mary, the self-appointed guardian for the group. "Well," answered Edna," I am going to explore it,—and how!" "It may be the dirtiest section in Damascus; better be careful, dear," came Mary's advice. "You may go, but how about your coming back?" asked Ruth, allowing a sardonic, bravado smile to pass across her crimson lips. "I am old and wise enough to take care of myself." "I'll bet you a dollar that you won't venture five yards behind the avenue, over there," said Ruth. "Who—I? Show the color of your money, baby," said Edna with enthusiasm. Ruth opened her compact and took out a powdered dollar and handed it to Mary. Edna did likewise. "But remember," Mary added, "our cars will leave for Beirut in about thirty minutes." "These drivers will never know what punctuality means. If we are on time, they are late," Edna flung this back over her shoulder as she departed in the direction of the station. "She was a fool and I made a bigger fool out of myself when I let her go," said Mary regretfully. "Don't let that worry you; she is exactly as the Arabs say I �40 THE SYRIAN WORLD 'Throw her in the sea and she will emerge with a fish in her mouth,' " philosophized Ruth. Edna reached the first alley leading into the residential section, and soon developed a feeling of suspicion that perhaps the dragoman may have been correct in leaving this area out of his itinerary. As the alleys became narrow and twisted and surrounded by high walls, she quickened her steps until she reached a market place. Continuing ahead, she passed market after market until she was in the western section of the Straight, not far from the Inn of the Cheese. Hesitating momentarily, she was suddenly confronted by a slender youth. Edna now realized that this was no place for a self-respecting girl to be. Presently a tall figure left the cafe on the opposite side and ran toward her, and the youth made an effort to stop him. A throng soon gathered around them, rogues, half-naked urchins, half-caste girls, and lawless women. Edna looked around for help, but the khaki uniform of the Damascus police was not to be seen. The tall man unceremoniously seized her by the hand to lead her away, brushing the youth away with a gesture of impatience. The youth backed away to a vegetable stand and began pelt ing his adversary with whatever came to hand. A true Damascus street battle was soon in full swing as men and women sided with this or the other. In the excitement Edna attempted to escape, but the milling crowd blocked her way. At the end of the street appeared two horsemen. "Let us watch the battle," suggested one, a native of Damascus by the name of Mahmud. "Great," answered Walter Ayoub, who was his classmate at the American University of Beirut, and of Syrian parents born in America. "Look," they exclaimed simultaneously and spurred their mounts through the milling crowd. Mahmud struck with his bamboo wand the latest man to seize Edna while Walter lifted her to his saddle. Mahmud faced the throng and shouted: "Whelps, terriers, mastiffs, go to your kennels or Wallah! I shall make seives out of your bodies." Recognizing a scion of one of the leading families of the city they slunk away. "Where to, Madam?" asked Walter as Mahmud hailed a \ I j I I! / S I! / �41 JANUARY, 1930 k / 1 1 * / carriage, which seemed to appear magically at the wave of his bamboo wand. "To the Victoria, and I certainly am much obliged to you both," replied Edna, as Walter and Mahmud saw her safely out of the district. "Well! That's that," said Walter as they watched the cab disappear. A few minutes later Walter, with a suddenness which Mahmud could never understand, spurred his mount and clashed off. Mahmud followed with astonishment until they approached the Victoria, when a knowing smile passed over his face. At the hotel they were told that the girls had already left for Beirut. "We must go. 1 forgot to tell her something," said Walter. "Are you in earnest or is this another of your crazy American ideas?" asked Mahmud. "Earnest: Yes! This is serious. We must rush." Together they galloped to the home of Mahmud, where the latter directed his Armenian chauffeur to bring out the Rolls. Walter brushed him aside and took the wheel with the remark that this was a time for some one to drive who could drive. They overtook the girls near the frontier of Lebanon. "Come here, sister," said Walter, singling Edna from the group, "I forgot to tell you something." "Oh!" "Come," he insisted and held out his arms. "Say, Ruth, I won my bet," said Edna, smiling over Walter's shoulder. "Just as I said—Throw her into the sea and she wouid come out with a—Oh! I must buy you a wedding present." Mahmud shook his head. "These Americans!!!" THE GREATEST OF THESE IS CHARITY By ALICE MCGEORGE No matter if the day be short, the sun be garmented in grey, Sweet Charity will fill each hour with plenteous kindly deeds Today. No matter if the rainbow bright, fades out at setting of the sun, Sweet Charity will pierce the clouds, and through the rift God smile: "Well done." 11 �""" '- —-—- 42 THE SYRIAN WORLD EDITORIAL COMMENT BEAUTY CONTESTS THEY are now introducing beauty contests and all other forms of modernistic practices in the East. The stronghold of conservatism seems to be gradually giving way to European and American innovations. Under the circumstances, the logical question imposing itself is: How far will these modern fads go, and how long will they last? Coming, as they do, as the immediate result of the World War, will they be just a fleeting phenomenon or will rhey take a permanent hold on the people and produce a genuine change in their manners md customs? These are relevant questions that cannot be massed lightly. It is well to ponder the nature of the transformation now taking place. Indeed, while this transformation encompasses the whole manifestations of the people's life, it is most significant and noticeable in the social sphere. The first barriers to crumble before the onslaught of modernism seem to be those of human relationship. Heralding the coming of the new order was the tendency to discard the veil. In Turkey the transition was sudden and complete, while in Egypt, Syria and other countries of the Near East coming more or less under European influence, the struggle for emancipation is being waged vigorously by the disciples of modernism, with all the odds in their favor so far. It seems but a question of time, say another decade or the coming of another generation, when the old social order in the East will be history. What seems to overshadow anything else as an indication of this transformation is not the change in garb, but rather the change in the viewpoint of the status of women in the East. The. traditional viewpoint was that women were created for the home, and to that capacity they have been heretofore restricted. Hence the harem and the veil and absolute seclusion. When, considering the traditional strictness of these social customs, we find the women of the East now engaging in beauty contests, openly and with no apparent compunction, then the term "radical" would seem conservative in describing the change. With the sanction of Mustapha Kamal Pasha, a Turkish newspaper recently launched a beauty contest in which hundreds of Turkish young wo- \ W ! ! �JANUARY, 1930 i men participated. And be it remembered that all these were Moslem young women who have discarded the veil only a few years since. Modernism is certainly making rapid strides in Turkey. But let us concede that Turkey is an exceptional case; that the modernization policy of Mustapha Kamal would place nationalism above religion, and in an effort to more quickly Europeanize the Turkish nation, would force these new methods on an otherwise reluctant population regardless of tradition or moral code. But what about Egypt where the dramatic arts are flourishing as never before, and where illustrated publications are full of photographic reproductions of native beauties, and where a native moving picture industry is fast developing along the most advanced Western lines? Then, too, we have the case of Syria, hitherto the stronghold of conservatism, where there seems to be no objection taken to the launching of a national beauty contest. Rather, the objection taken was to the choice of Miss Lebanon from among the Parisian colony, whereas the contention is held that the choice should be from among resident Lebanese. They seem to vie for the honor. Considering these develop- 43 ments, the logical deduction would be that the East is undergoing a modernistic craze, something of the nature of indulgence to excess after a long period of forced abstention, as otherwise it would be expected that transition be slower and more orderly. But the Arabic East is bound to check itself in due course of time. The novelty of these indulgences will wear off sooner or later and the effect of centuries of tradition will compel a more rational and conventional course. The East, it is true, cannot escape adopting some of Europe's customs and Europe's ways, but not to the extent of a complete change of its character. A middle course will be found which will be neither wholly Western nor altogether traditionally Eastern. The East will profit by these evolutionary tendencies to develop a character all its own. ON THE NATURE OF CURSING THE BRITISH authorities in Palestine have deemed it necessary to hold cursing a misdemeanor punishable by a heavy fine. In this they are actuated not by a desire for moral reform but by purely political motives. Theirs is a hard task keeping Arabs and Jews at peace, and in their study �*""—-"-•• 44 of the basic causes of enmity between the two factions they have introduced the anti-cursing ordinance as a possible deterrent from, further trouble. How this apparently simple measure can effect the maintenance of law and order may be better understood when the [nature of cursing in the East is explained. It may be held axiomatic that the nature of cursing denotes a people's character and trend of thought.While these remarks ar& not intended as a scholarly dissertation on the subject, a few illustrations are bound to be helpful in drawing a conclusion. While all cursing is intended as an expression of contempt, it is expressed in different terms among different peoples. The English invoke God's damnation, or otherwise address an insulting remark directly to the person involved. The French, in their anger, call one a pig or a beast. But in all cases the insult is personal and very rarely is anyone implicated other than he who is directly concerned. In the East, however, one is not cursed himself, but his religion is, or something pertaining thereto which he holds sacred. Hence the Prophet, or his beard, or the holy places, or the cross, or heaven itself are showered with imprecations, while the one at whom THE SYRIAN WORLD the curse is directed personally escapes. One of the most ready excuses in the East for collecting an angry crowd or inciting to attack is to accuse one of having cursed another's religion. Consequently, because religion in the East is held in such sacredness, a devilement of it is calculated to hurt one in his most vulnerable sensibility. Especially does this apply to the land which has given birth to so many religions, and which has been, and still is, the subject of so much contention for none else than purely religious motives. An Emir of M. Lebanon, over a hundred years ago, realized the benefits of such a policy and ordered every one heard uttering a curse fined a quarter of a Mejidi. A certain elderly person noted for his profanity restrained himself as much as he could, then called a law officer and said: "Here is a whole Mejidi—I must relieve myself. The words in my throat are choking me." The British would lessen causes of dissension among the people of Palestine by an effort to stamp out cursing. It is to be hoped that they will succeed in this effort, as they would be changing the very character of the people even jwithout offering a substitute for the expression of one's anger. V } f i Ir �% 45 JANUARY, 1930 Spirit of the Syrian Press vl I Under this caption we hope to present from time to time a microcosmie picture of the Arabic press, not only in this country, but wherever Arabic dailies and magazines reflect the opinions of responsible, thinking writers who are treating the different problems that confront the Arabic-speaking world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will take no part in the discussions reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. Our task will simply consist in selecting, to the best of our knowledge and with utmost sincerity, what we think is representative of the public opinion aa expressed in these editorials. Editor. BRITISH JUSTICE NON-EXISTENT When the British Government sent its commission of investigation to Palestine, it gave it explicit instructions not to invade the realm of politics, but to confine its activities to the ascertainment of the causes of the disturbances. The commission went to Palestine, then returned to England, without accomplishing anything of consequence, and a full month has now passed without it presenting its report on the main causes of the uprising. The reason for this delay is quite plain: the British Government wants to temporize in an effort to smooth over matters by delay, as it cannot be in ignorance of the real causes of the uprising, which are the Balfour declaration and the encroachment of the Jews on the rights of the original inhabitants of the country. If Great Britain wished to settle the Palestine question in a true spirit of justice it would not have found it necessary to send a commission of investigation to the country, because self-evident facts should not be held subject to inquiry. But England had /already committed herself to a prom- , 5l ise of a national homeland to the Jews and she feels loath to break her promise, especially because the Jews are financially and politically strong, while her own interests require that she maintain a strong foothold in that part of the world. It follows that "British Justice" is a myth and all hope for its operation a dream. Proof of this is in the fact that no sooner had the commission of inquiry completed its labors than England proposed the appointment of an international commission in which there would be no British representation, and this even before the publication of the findings of the special commission sent to Palestine. In truth, we fail to understand the reason for all these manoeuvres when there should be no question of self-evident facts. But Great Britain, like all other colonial powers, uses the well-known strategy of dilatory tactics to gain her ends, and when she fails in this she has recourse to fire and sword, mean* while accusing those who seek liberty and justice of being savages and barbarians. , This has been the bane of Palestine and all other Arab countries who have the misfortune of being under �46 mandate. It follows that our dependence on "British Justice" will avail us no more than if we depended on the very devil. On this point we wish to make ourselves clear and do not hesitate to state that "British Justice" exists only in. Britain, and applies only to the British people. The same may be said of French justice and French liberty. These Colonial powers acknowledge justice and liberty only in their own lands and among their own peoples but abroad they interpret these virtues into oppression, treachery and injustice. They believe that all nonEuropean nations should be held under subjugation and prevented by all possible means from rising and progressing, while the irony of the situation is that these self-same European nations seize their preys on the pretext of civilizing these peoples and preparing them for the task of independence and self-government. Such is tiie truth, whole and unadulterated-, and it follows that if we were to appeal to the so-called "British Justice", we would be in the position of htm who has recourse from the heat of the sun to the fire. Because both Britisher and Jew are in league against us and our country: the first with the object of affirming his foothold in Palestine under the pretext of protecting the Jew, and the second with the object of seizing our country under the protection of Britain. Let us then forget all about this misapplied "British Justice", for even though it may be tangible and real in Great Britain, it is but a farce and a lie in Palestine as well as in other similarly weak countries. Our brothers in the homeland are awakened to the realization of this truth and learned to place no more THE SYRIAN WORLD trust in this counterfeit "British Justice" in the attainment of their just aspirations. For this reason they have resolved upon boycotting the new commission which His British Majesty proposes to send to Palestine for investigating the question of the Wailing Wall, as if Moslem sacred places were public property subject to adjudication. This new move, indeed, is but another BritishJewish plot to distract attention from the real causes under controversy. "Nothing like your own nail will scratch your skin" says our Arabic adage, and our dependence upon the benevolence of this one or the other for the attainment of our rights of liberty and honorable existence is manifestly wrong. Let our dependence be upon ourselves alone and none other. Al-Bayan, N. Y., Jan. 27, 1930. 'I TRUE GOVERNMENT We understand by the Lebanese Government the native government which SHOULD be the supreme authority in its own country exaept in matters requiring expert advice or. where France should exercise the role of an honorable ally and a powerful guardian. But if the functions of the government should be restricted to levying taxes as a means of revenue for salaries, and disregarding thereafter all the inherent rights of the people in such manner as to deny the natives all access to the resources of their own country, then it were better that the country be annexed to the mandatory power and let matters rest at that. In such eventuality, it should be understood that the Lebanese and not the French must be held respon* l I �1 JANUARY, 1930 sible for the outcome. But what redress can there be to such a situation when greed for office is at the root of all our woes in Lebanon? Al-Hoda, N. Y., Feb. 6, 1930. THE BALFOUR DECLARATION I J 1/ The English press is awakening to the danger attending the insistence upon carrying out the Balfour Declaration. The Daily Mail, that great English paper which is noted for its uncanny foresight, and which had warned Great Britain of the approaching war with Germany many years before 1914, has now taken the lead in warning its country of the dangers attending its policy of disregarding the dictates of honor m dealing with the peoples of the East. The Daily Mail is absolutely justified in its predictions. The findings of the Shaw commission of investigation into the causes of the last riots in Palestine have revealed the extent of the conspiracies which the Zionists have framed against the country on the flimsy pretext that their ancestors had been In possession of it thousands of years back. Lord Balfour should be reminded, it seems, that his Declaration in favor of a homeland for the Jews cannot be taken as the pivot of British policy. It would seem timely to remind the people of Great Britain that antedating that famous declaration were other declarations which should be held just as valid. In truth, they should be held more valid in view of their priority. These declarations and promises referred to deal with the Allies' solemn vows to the Arabs to help them attain their independence and to leave them fuH liberty to determino 47 the form of government best suited to their needs. We may remind Great Britain of the manifesto addressed to the Arabs and which its airplanes dropped freely among Arab communities during the war assuring them of unconditional assistance in the attainment of their national aspirations. No doubt the archives of the Foreign Office contain copies of this manifesto and it would be well for the statesmen who are now in control of British policy to refresh their memories on its contents, that they may ascertain the possibility of reconciling between these earlier promises to the Arabs and the later contradictory promises to the Jews which followed much later. Meraat-Ul-Gharb, N.Y.,Jan. 27, 1930. UNITY SPELLS SUCCESS The advocates of Svrian independence have shown by their steadfast tenacity that no obstacles will swerve them from the pursuit of their ends, and because of this strong spirit of determination they are bound to achieve success. This same spirit characterizes the activities of the Palestinian Arabs these latter days. Whether the incentive is their own, or whether it is the Syrians' who are showing such active interest in the Palestinian question lately, we do not pretend to discuss, because the Syrians seem now to be in control of the guidance of Palestinian destinies. But whatever the case, we cannot fail to admit that the Palestinians are bound to succeed in their endeavors because of the strong determination characterizing their efforts. It is gratifying to see that Great Britain herself has been favorably �— 48 impressed by the attitude of the Arabs. This should serve as a lesson to the Arabs to appreciate the great benefits of unity. Syrian Eagle, N. Y., Jan. 28. 1930. JEWS OF NEW YORK BEING DISILLUSIONED It is a fundamental truth that the surest and safest means of success is in unity. Unified efforts are the greatest factor in assuring for every nation the attainment of its aspirations and the breaking down of all obstacles obstructing its way. We are prompted to these remarks by the honorable stand which the Arabs have assumed in the Palestinian question, whether in the home country or abroad, and which caused a pronounced change in the attitude of their Zionist foes. By such action they have given cogent proof of their fitness for national independence which all other free nations enjoy. Now the Jews of America are coming to gradually awaken to the utter impossibility of the success of Zionist designs in the face of the organized Arab defense. And American Jewry, as is well known, is the backbone of Zionism. Because were it not for American money which is being poured into the Zionist treasury by the hundreds of thousands the Zionist movement would not have gained such impetus and made possible the calling of the Zurich congress which revealed the sinister designs of the Jews against the Arabs. Nay, had it not been for that, the sons of Israel would not have dared desecrate the holy places of Islam and make such bold attacks on the people of the country which resulted in the bloody uprising in which the Jews reaped the reward of their perfidy and treachery. THE SYRIAN WORLD Now the former illusions of the American supporters of Zionism are being dissipated, thanks to organized Arab propaganda. Instead of the visionary homeland which they aspired to erect, they have come to realize that the Arabs have in the land sacred places which they hold inviolable, as well as traditions which surpass by far anything that the Jews may claim. Besides, the Arabs in Palestine are strong in numbers and have millions of their Arab brothers in neighboring countries who would never permit an alien people, whomsoever that people may be, to carry out its designs against Palestine which the Arabs hold so dearly. Al-Bayan, N. Y., Jan. 21, 1930. LOST OPPORTUNITIES Had the Syrians, in the early stages of their immigration, realized the great latent opportunities in the acquisition of real estate in Washington Street, many would be the millionaires among them today. As it happened, they were laboring under the false hypothesis that they were only transients, and their stay in America destined to be only of short duration, for, say, a few years in which they would acquire a small fortune and return to their homeland. Had they but realized earlier that their stay would be permanent they would have invested in real estate and reaped the great profits that they now see slipping from their hands. Washington Stret in New York is popularly known as the Syrian Quarter and the great building activities now taking place in the district have made land in this street as valuable as anywhere in the metropolitan area. Ash-Shaab, N. Y., Jan. 30, 1930. La been I the t ' takei 4* " �• mm- \ 49 JANUARY, 1930 Political Developments in Syria PALESTINE Law and order now seem to have been restored in Palestine. Even with the trials of those accused of having taken part in the last bloody uprising going on, no fresh outbreak 'has been reported. When the Jewish policeman Hinkas accused of leading a mob of his coreligionists against an Arab family and murdering them in cold blood, was tried and found guilty, the verdict was received with indignation by the Jews, but no recourse was had to violence. Present activities seem to center on the political phase of the situation. While the Shaw Commission of Inquiry has not yet submitted its report, there are other moves being considered by the British Government apparently for the purpose of bringing a definite settlement of the Palestine question. The latest such move is the proposition to appoint a commission by the League of Nations for determining the rights of Moslems and Jews in the Wailing Wall. Great Britain would then claim to have shifted the responsibility from her own shoulders so that whatever decision is reached would be considered the concensus of opinion of the world. This move, if the Arabs have their way, will prove abortive, as they plan to boycott such a commission if appointed and never to admit in principle that their sacred places are subject to foreign interference and regulation. Indicative of Arab feeling in this matter is the editorial comment of Al-Jamia al-Arabia, an Arab daily of Jerusalem considered the mouth- piece of the Moslem Supreme Council, which the correspondent of the New York Times cabled to his paper on January 26. Coming from what is admittedly a highly authoritative source, the editorial may be taken as fairly expressive of the official Arab point of view on the Wailing Wall question. As reported in the dispatch to the Times, the appointment of a new commission would be considered by the Arabs an Anglo-Zionist plot designed to deprive the Arabs of their inalienable rights. Part of the editorial follows: "The commission is an AngloZionist plot which should be carefully watched. The British Government desired to throw the burden of solution of the Wailing Wall problem on the mandates commission, but the latter refused because it did not want to shoulder the responsibility of this conflict, arisen out of evil religious and political designs, and because they considered there was, in appointing such a commission, a sort of concession to the Jews by the British Government at the expense of the Moslems. "Despite this the British Government did not rest and still aims to throw its responsibility on the League. "The appointment of this commission, consisting of three members, is received by us with the greatest surprise and astonishment, because it again proves how great is British influence on the League, so much so that the latter finds it difficult to refuse any British demands." Discussing a communique issued by the Palestine Government con- �mmmmm 50 cerning the appointment of this commission, the editorial goes on to say: "We surmise that the Council of the League agrees with Britain that the present conflict existing in Palestine between the Jews and Arabs is religious and hinges on the Wailing Wall, and not that it is a political conflict over the rights of Palestine Arabs, of which they a^e being robbed by the fact that the country is being handed over to the Jews under the mask of a British mandate and the supervision of the League." Asserting that the Wailing Wall is a purely Moslem shrine the editorial quotes the last paragraph of Article XIII of the mandate, which states that the rights of Moslem holy places should not be disputed, and that they are to be safeguarded for ever. "We see," the editorial continues, "that nine years have passed since the ratification of the mandate, and no commission has been appointed to solve the religious conflicts among the different non-Mos'cm communities, as provided by Article XIV of the mandate. "Why, then, does the British Government now force the Council of the League to appoint a commission on the wall, ignoring established Moslem rights to their religious shrine, which are assured by the mandate? Is not the whole affair a plot worked out by the British Government with the Jews for the purpose of granting the latter imaginary rights to the Wailing Wall ? Yet this plot is being arranged with the approval of the League and under its supervision. "We call the attention of the Moslem Supreme Council and the entire Islamic world to this serious state of affairs, and propose that Palestine rr~r~~-!r THE SYRIAN WORLD Moslems boycott this commission which the British Government is trying to stamp with the seal of the League of Nations. "Palestine Moslems should reject any solution which would in the slightest way infringe upon their rights to religious places. We want the British Government and the whole world to know that the conflict in Palestine is political between the rightful owners of the country and those trying to rob them of their rights. Any solution of the Wailing Wall problem, right or wrong, will neither aid nor hinder solution of the national conflict of Arabs and Jews." A special correspondent of the New Yoi-k Herald Tribune, writing from Jerusalem under date of January ]0, points out a new, important development in the attitude of the Aabs and anti-Zionist elements towards the land question in Palestine. This correspondent reports that the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem is strongly anti-Jewish, and that in its efforts to block Zionist acquisition of land necessary for the develorment of some of their colonization schemes it is acquiring possession of the land itself. The Zionists, according to this report, fear that the purchase of land for colonizing purposes will become increasingly difficult as a result of this new development. The Latin Patriarchate has lately purchased a village that is considered of great strategical importance for the security of Emek Israel, the main center of Jewish post-war colonization. It is also considering the purchase of another equally important property hindering the colonization scheme of the Zionists in another locality. The Moslems are also bending \ \\ �JANUARY, 1930 every effort to fight the Jews with their own weapons, namely, the use of money and the acquisition of land. The Moslem Supreme Council, a government department which administers the income from the Moslem religious trusts, has purchased a plot of land which the Jews wished to buy so as to extend one of the settlements destroyed during the disorders. The Keren Kayemeth, the land purchasing instrument of the Jewish Agency, failed to acquire the property for lack of funds. For that reason the Jews now plan a special drive to raise funds in the United States for their depleted treasury, but they are experiencing increasing difficulty in the task owing to recent publicity on flagrant cases of mismanagement. On its way to the United States is also an Arab delegation headed by Emir Adel Arslan whose object is to influence American public opinion on Palestinian matters and induce, at the same time, Arab residents of America to use their resources for the development of the mothercountry. The delegation was last reported in Egypt where it is being lavishly entertained by Arab sympathizers. SYRIA Rumors concerning expected developments in the Syrian political situation continue to fill the air— and the press. Party caucusses, conferences of officials and discussions of various programs are of everyday occurrence. But M. Ponsot continues in his silence. Not a declaration has he made since his return from Paris last summer, and the expected solution of the Syrian problem rests on the results of his extended study. 51 A rumor which was given much credence was to the effect that contemplated reforms in Syria are to be shaped along the lines of those now being introduced in Lebanon. This would mean drastic economy in administration by the reduction of the numbers of officials and the adoption of a semi-dictatorial rule. Those discrediting the probability of this rumor advance as their only reason the long delay attending such a policy, which would mean a wait of at least six months, while the Syrians have suffered and waited long enough not to be subjected to such further delay. From another source it is learned that a group of thirty prominent notables of Damascus met in Beirut and decided to petition the High Commissioner to terminate as speedily as possible the present uncertain condition in the political status of Syria. While insisting on the immediate dismissal of the present provisional government headed by Sheikh Tajeddin and demanding the substitution of a permanent, responsible government, they left the form of government to be chosen to the discretion of the High Commissioner. Strong sentiment seems to be developing in favor of a constitutional monarchy for Syria, judging by reports of the Arabic press of Beirut. A convention of a large number of prominent Syrian leaders was declared to have been held in Beirut early in January and to have petitioned the High Commissioner for declaring a monarchy. The comic element in the situation is that all those present at the conference, while agreeing on a monarchy in principle, differed as to the person to be chosen. They were divided into three principal factions, one favor- �52 ing Ahmad Nami Bey, the other the Sherif Ali Haidar Pasha, and the third Adel Ibn Iyad. The two first factions actually presented to tha High Commissioner an identical petition simply substituting the name of their candidate for that of the other, while the third faction deferred action. LEBANON Premier Eddy of Lebanon has at last begun putting his economy program into effect. Some papers describe his activities as a whirlwind and others as bombs. Quite naturally, there has been occasioned some grumbling as a result of hundreds of government employees losing their jobs, but the general sentiment seems to be one of satisfaction and approval. The Lebanese Academy of Science, formed only recently, has been abolished. Eighty-five schools of different grades have been suppressed and a saving of over one hundred thousand dollars effected in this department alone. The judicial department was also severely pruned. Premier Eddy is described as being indefatiguable in the pursuit of his policy of economic reform. He is reported at his desk in the Saraya even on Sundays, and many of his subordinates and colleagues are made to work just as hard. Rumors are being freely circulated to the effect that reductions in salaries will be made to affect even members of the Representative Assembly. What is more, there are reports that the whole Assembly will be reorganized along the lines obtaining in Lebanon in the pre-war period, which means that the number of representatives will not exceed twelve, instead of forty-five as at present. The Eddy program is said to have THE SYRIAN WORLD \ the whole-hearted approval of the mandatory authorities who, according to reports, plan to introduce similar reforms in all the states of Syria under mandate once they prove effective in Lebanon. Surely, in the present financial stringency of the country, the crying need is for administrative economy. The tobacco monopoly in Syria and Lebanon has been granted an extension of three months from January 4. The Regie, as it is called, is under French control and had been granted the concession during Turkish rule. THE DRUZES The government of Transjordania has officially notified the Druze refugees within its borders to either leave the country or take up their residence within the city of Amman, capital of the country, where they would be under constant surveillance. This action is said to have been the result of an attack on an automobile caravan sometime ago in the desert which the Druze refugees are accused of having perpetrated, although in some quarters this sudden decision of the Transjordan Government is said to be the result of an understanding between the French authorities in Syria and the British authorities of Palestine which bound the latter to force the native government of Transjordania to take this step. About a hundred Druze exiles with their families have already returned to Syria and surrendered to the French who are declared to be willing to extend them clemency except in cases of personal offenses. Among those to return was the brother of Sultan Pasha Atrash, leader of the last revolt, but the leader himself is said to be contemplating seeking refuge within the borders of Arabia further south. -«s>a. »***-«» >** ' I ill �JANUARY, 1930 53 About Svria and Syrians SYRIANS AGAIN CONTROL LEBANON NATIONAL BANK While the Lebanon National Bank of New York was originally a purely Syrian institution, having been launched through the initiative oT Mr. J. A. Mandour, its founder and president, its control passed out of Syrian hands through purchase of the majority stock by the New Jersey Banking Corporation, then anxious to extend its banking activities into the metropolitan area. Now, however, control of the Lebanon Bank again reverts to Syrian hands through the purchase of the majority stock by the Lebanon Financial Corporation, a holding company in Which about three hundred leading Syrian business men of the city are interested and also launched and presided over by Mr. J. A. Mandour. This turn of affairs is bound to please those who regretted the loss of control of the Lebanon National and to insure fres'h support to this Syrian financial institution which is a distinct credit to Syrian business enterprise. SYRIAN JUNIOR LEAGUE GIVES SUCCESSFUL PLAY \ During the three nights that the Syrian Junior League of New York gave its play, "Blue and Green Mat", at the Brooklyn Little Theatre, Jan. 30 and 31 and Feb, 1, the house was filled to capacity. After the last performance a supper-dance was held by the League and was well attended. The story is by Constance Wilcox, and the play was directed by Adele Gutman Nathan. The cast was composed wholly of members of the League supported by male members of the Syrian community. Considering that this was their first effort i' dramatic productions, the actors displayed creditable talent. The group of dancing girls, directed by Esther Markowitz, performed exceedingly well. John Maesoud, in the ro^e of the Wandering Piper and Miss Josephine Ayoub, in the role of Zahira, the heroine, elicited considerable admiration for their fine I laying. Others contributing to lend to the play its charming Oriental atmo sphere were Anis Fuleihan, who composed the music and directed the orchestra, and Helene Jacobs, who designed the costumes. MARCNITE YOUNG WOMEN HONOR PATRON SAINT The feast day of St. Maron, patron saint of the Maronites, having fallen this year on Sun., Feb. 9, the Daughters of the United Maronites Society of Brooklyn celebrated it this year by a luncheon and dance at the Leverich Towers. Anis Azoury, president of the Holy Name Society of the church of Our Lady of Lebanon, acted as chairman. The speakers included N. A. Mokarzel, editor of AlHoda; Joseph M. Khoury, editor of Ash-Shaab; Dr. Najib Barbour, representative of the Lebanese president in New York; Dominick Faour, N. Hatem S. Harfoush and S. A. Mokarzel, editor of The Syrian World. Over two hundred were present. �54 THE SYRIAN WORLD PLAY IN ARABIC FOR MARONITE CHURCH SYRIANS PARTICIPATE IN BEAUX ARTS BALL "Fee Sabeel Ettaj", a play in five acts translated from the French by Rev. Mansour Estephan, was given at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on January 18 for the benefit of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite church of Brooklyn, of which tho Rev. Estephan is pastor. The leading roles were acted by Mrs. Aseen Azoury and Said Harfoush who showed such talent as to be a credit to professionals. The director was Salim Mechelany who is a veteran in this line but contributes his time and effort for charity. The Brooklyn Academy of Music was packed as it has been only on a few occasions since the Syrians began to use it for their entertainments. The program, a huge book of 168 pages was the largest so far produced for any Syrian affair. The Painters and Sculptors Society of Brooklyn, of which Nicolas Macsoud, the well-known Syrian miniature painter is president, gave its annual ball at the Leverich Towers in Brookiyn on Feb. 8. This is considered one of the most important society events of Brooklyn and almost rivaled this year the Beaux Arts Bail held in New York a few weeks earlier. The ball this year took on a decidedly Oriental atmosphere, which was added to by the presence of several members of the Syrian Junior League of Brooklyn who served Arabian coffee of the well-known Sheik Brand imported by M. E. Howatt. Among the coffee dispensers were: the Misses Adele Macsoud, Najla Macsoud, Florence Jabara, Selma Milkie and Helene Jacobs. CLASS OF LEBANESE TEACHER WINS CERTIFICATES SYRIAN PHYSICIAN PLANNING HOSPITAL The principal papers of Boston carried an account of how two rooms of the Bowditch School of Jamaica Plain, had been awarded Certificates of Achievement for excellent work in Hygiene by the Boston Tuberculosis Association. The two classes are conducted by Miss Labeebee A. J. Hanna, a teacher of Lebanese descent. In the illustrations accompanying t5ie account, the recipients of the certificates, together with their instructor, are shown receiving the scrolls of distinction from Mr. Frank Kiernan of the State League. The activities of the pupils in the winning classes as described in the accounts, attest the intelligent devotion which the teacher paid 'her work. Dr. M. Shadid of Elk City, Okla. has announced the formation of a corporation for the erection of a "hospital with the idea of eventually serving Western Oklahoma on the basis of the actual cost of hospitalization." The project is capitalized at $100,000 and some of Dr. Shadid's associates include many men prominent in the business and financial fields in the State. It will be remembered that Dr. Shadid had made plans for such an undertaking in Syria and actually went abroad to study the situation. We understand that he has not altogether given up his original intentions and that his present enterprise might prove the prelude to a similar one to be undertaken later in Beirut. \ �JANUARY, 1930 LEBANESE PHYSICIAN DEFENDS FRENCH \ In a letter addressed to The New York Times under date of Jan. 18, Dr. Najib Barbour, signing himself as the Representative of the Libano Syrian Colony, takes issue with a Mrs. Orth on statements by her published in The Times criticizing the French administration in Syria and i Lebanon. \ \J "The FrencV said Dr. Barbour, "have their mandate from the League of Nations and are responsible for their conduct in Syria to that group of powers who constitute the League. The mandatory government has already reported its work officially to the League and received its sanction and approval." Explaining the work of the French in the country under mandate, Dr. Barbour continues: "The French are doing real constructive work in Syria, and all neutrals and reasonable people who have come in contact with French activity in that country can testify to the truth of this. "Again let me state that the French mandate has been, and is now, acceptable to the various races and creeds now in Syria. To them it means continued peace, security of life and constructive substantial progress." SYRIAN STUNT AVIATOR WINS HIGH PRAISE Joseph Musleh, a Syrian aviator of Jacksonville, Fla., is "recognized in aviation circles as one of the most intrepid in the South," according to the Jacksonville Times-Union. In its account describing the feats of the Syrian aviator, the Jacksonville paper characterizes them as / 55 "most daring, and being done for the love of the sport and not for the applause they bring, and of such character that other aviators are awed at the manoeuvres." Through a letter received from Miss Mary Sabbag of Jacksonville, we learn that Mr. Musleh came to America about eleven years ago when at the age of twelve. He knew little or nothing of English, but through attending night school, he not only learned the language but acquired such an education as to be able to pass the strict test required of licensed pilots. Furthermore, at the U. S. Army Air Corps in Montgomery, Ala., he withstood the examination and was passed to become, if he desired, a second lieutenant of Reserve Officers. There were thirty men taking this examination and only two were accepted, one being Musleh. Recently, he was admitted to membership in the Federation Aeronautique Internationale which entitles him to any assistance or aid that may be required in this or any foreign country. Mr. Musleh purchased his plane out of his own funds and while the craft is not of the most modern type, his handling of it in his hazardous feats emphasizes his great skill as an aviator. CARAVANEERS OF BOSTON ELECT OFFICERS The Caravaneers Club of Boston elected the following officers for the coming year: George G. Naymie, President; Nicholas Samaha, Vice-President; Harry Nassif, Treasurer; Anna Shire, Secretary. President George G. Naymie has appointed Labeebee A. J. Hanna, who �56 THE SYRIAN WORLD needs no introduction to readers of Treasurer; Alfred Abdalla, SecretThe Syrian World, as corresponding ary; Sydney Abdalla, Chaplain; Schofik Mickal, Sergeant-at-arms. secretary of the club. The Caravaneers are now hard at work rehearsing Channing Pollock's "The Enemy,'" to be presented on LEBANESE ENTERTAINS Friday, March 7, 19G0. The coach, AMERICAN AUTHOR Miss Gertrude Spaulding, is well How an individual tan be of efknown in Boston and vicinity for fective service to the cause of better hc-r talent and ability. understanding of his motherland The members of the club have was demonstrated the past summer reason to feel very proud of one of by Mr. Michel Maloof, of Boston, their members George Shaghoury, while on a visit to Zahie, his homeSenior at Boston University. We have learned that in a contest con- town in Lebanon. Mr. Maloof counts among his ducted by a New York publishing house, for seniors only, at the close friends many Americans prominent of last year, young Mr. Shaghoury, in the domain of arts, the letters and the only Junior to compete—at the finance, some of whom were his urgent request of his instructors— classmates in Harvard. So once back was the winner of a very fine set in his hometown, he decided that of law books. We feel that the young other and impartial eyes should see man has a successful future as a the beauty of Lebanon and judge it lawyer in store for him, and wish on its own merits. He therefore cabled his friend Mr. Lester G. him well. Miss Hanna will be happy to open Hornby, the well-known American correspondence with any Syrian So- arti3t and author who was then in cieties anywhere concerning club in- Paris, to visit him in Lebanon. Mr. terests. Those desiring to may write Hornby came and was the guest of Labeebee A. J. Hanna in care of the Mr. Maloof for over a month and a Caravaneers, 37 Sharon St., Boston, half during which they visited the Mass., and may be assured of an famous Cedars, the ruins of Baalbek and many other outstanding immediate response in every case. places of interest. Mr. Hornby, in an interview with one of the Lebanese papers, is declared to have been imNEW SYRIAN CLUB IN McCOMB, MISS. pressed with what he saw in this country as he never was in all his A correspondent in McComb, Miss., travels in any other country in the writes that the Syrian-American world. He is also said to be preparyouth of that city had formed an ing an important book with many organization to which they have given the name of "Young Peoples' original illustrations of the natural Syrian Club" and whose object is beauty of Syria and Lebanon. the promotion of good-fellowship and the cultivation of knowledge of their racial background. The following officers were elected: Kinnon Amuny, President; Corinne Abdalla, Vice-President; Foeh Assaf, } U- JOIN THE GREAT SYRIAN WORLD CONTEST ¥ Jl � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1930_01reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 04, Issue 05 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930 January Description An account of the resource Volume 4 Issue 05 of The Syrian World published January 1930. The issue begins with a discussion of Syrians' contributions to society introduced by Rev. W. A. Mansur. As is usual with Mansur's writings in the Syrian World, it is imbued with patriotism and inspiration in relation to the value of the Syrian people. Salloum Mokarzel is featured next with a discussion focused around the changes taking place in the Middle East, with particular attention paid to the fundamental orientation in the character of the people. He discusses the new presence of cooperation taking place within the economic field, the great hydroelectric project of Nahr Kadisha, and detailed accounts of special interviews with Archbishop Antoun Arida. Labeebee A. J. Hanna and Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin follow his article with poems, and Kahlil Gibran presents his literary genius with yet another of his prose poetry titled "The Two Learned Men," a story that showcases the struggle of faith. Following yet another poem by Mischa Naimy, Ameen Rihani gives a vivid account of the inception and growth of the Ahleyah School in Beirut. Aref El-Khoury's short story titled "The Wager" is the last work of prose in the issue. The story is set in Damascus, with a Syrian-American boy and girl as its characters. The issue closes with excerpts from the Arab press and an update on the political developments in Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1930s Ameen Rihani Aref El-Khoury Kahlil Gibran Labeebee A. J. Hanna Mischa Naimy New York Poetry-English Reverend W.A. Mansur Salim Alkazin Syria https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/d76dcfa809fa576b33f8e11a78502080.pdf 3d22cdd8d3c14a34feff54fb2d30ae0b PDF Text Text 1 VOL. IV, No. 4^# DECEMBER, 1929 THE SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AP^AIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE RR DESERTS OF FACT AND FANCY AMEEN RIHANI ZAHLE AND POINTS EAST SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL DRUZE EXHORTATIONS AND PRAYERS DR. PHILIP K. HITTI THE MURDER OF THE PATRIARCH (A TRUE STORY) IN OLD DAMASCUS ADELAIDE E. FARIS STAGING A DESERT SCENE EMILE DUMIT THE COPY 50c ��THE SYRIAN WORLD Tublished monthly by SALLOUM A. THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS MOKARZEL, Editor. 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single copies 60c, Entered as second-class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. IV. No. 4. DECEMBER, 1929 CONTENTS PAGE /] Deserts of Fart and Fancy 5 AMEEN RIHANI Renaissance (Poem) 10 PAUL DEAB Zahle and Points East SALLOUM 11 A. MOKARZEL Restless (Poem) 18 DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN Druze Exhortations and Prayers DR. PHILIP K. 19 HITTI The Murder of the Patriarch (True Story) FOUAD F. BuSTANY I 22 �1 ' I III \ CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE In Old Damascus 27 ADELAIDE E. FARIS / Need You No More (Poem) LABEEBEE A. J. 35 HANNA Staging a Desert Scene 36 EMILE DUMIT Great SYRIAN WORLD Contest 4-0 Editorial Comment The Contest 42 Arabic Newspapers 44 Spirit of the Syrian Press 4-5 Political Developments in Syria 50 About Syria and Syrians " ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE The Tomb of St. John General View of Zahle Inner Court of the Umayyad Mosque The Plain of Al-Bika( 53 \ �*m -s IN THIS ISSUE u AMEEN RIHANI minces no words in exploding the popular American conception of the stage sheik. After having traveled extensively in Arabia and visited with kings and common bedouins, and seen the real sheikhs in their native habitat, Rihani should know what he is talking about. The reaction of intelligent American public opinion to his exposure of the cinema sheik may be gathered from the letter of Dr. Henry Van Dyke of Princeton which is printed as a footnote. For those who wish to be enlightened, or disillusioned, this article of Rihani should prove invaluable. * * * DR. PHILIP K. HITTI has succeeded in procuring what were hitherto supposed to be the inaccessible books of the secret Druze religion He has made literal translations of some of the exhortations and prayers contained in these books. They are of a nature to arouse the interest of scholars and the general reading public. Some of these selections are published in this issue. * * * MISS ADELAIDE E. FARIS made a trip to Syria with her family a few years ago and appears to have been fascinated with Old Damascus. Being a college graduate with a keen sense of appreciation for the picturesque and romantic, Miss Faris has drawn a vivid picture of life in this historic Syrian city. She takes you not only to the bazaars and public places, but lets you share with her the privilege of a visit to a private Moslem home. This contribution by Miss Faris is her first to THE SYRIAN WORLD, and we feel sure our readers will appreciate the valuable information she supplies. * * * EMILE DUMIT, a graduate of the American University of Beirut and now taking advanced courses at Columbia, contributed his share in interpreting the true character of the Arabs to Americans by dramatizing a desert scene which was given at International House in New York. As a literary product his effort is commendable. That passage of his play describing the desert scene is reproduced in this issue. * * * SALLOUM MOKARZEL continues his chronological narration describing his trip to Syria. In the present installment he entertains the readers with an account of his visits to Zahle. Not only does he give an account of general �conditions in this popular Leb- prolific and versatile writers. anese summer resort, but gives THE SYRIAN WORLD makes a you also an introduction to many first announcement in this issue personalities both residents and of a great contest for a FREE visitors. If you would know TRIP TO SYRIA. The offer ,what is Kaif in Zahle, here is is unprecedented in the annals your opportunity to get as fair of Syrian journalism and an idea as can be had. * * * should prove of great appeal PAUL DEAB is the pen name to the ambitious. The terms are of a gifted Syrian-American most liberal, especially where writer who has contributed be- provision is made that gift subfore to THE SYRIAN WORLD. scriptions in any number are Her present poem must have counted as direct subscriptions. been inspired by the dreary All contestants are guaranteed winter days of the comely Con- adequate compensation for their necticut hills. We are not per- efforts. * * * The political sitmitted to divulge her SEX or uation in Syria is taking a most real name, although we would interesting turn, while in Pallike to have her receive due estine developments continue credit for her ability. * * * to engage the attention of the DR. 8ALIM Y. ALKAZIN world. Some of our reports on and LABEEBEE A. J. HAN- the situation are taken from NA have each a charming poet- original sources and never beical contribution. Our readers fore published in the American may expect much more of these press. I GREAT SYRIAN WORLD CONTEST FOR A FREE TRIP TO SYRIA AND RETURN IS ANNOUNCED ON PAGES 40 AND 41 OF THIS ISSUE V ' -: �THE SYRIAN WORLD VOL. IV. No. 4. DECEMBER, 1929 Deserts of Fact and Fancy By AMEEN RIHANI fHE desert has an irresistible fascination for those who have never been through it. In the pages of a novel or on the screen it never fails to cast its spell. The novelist and the film producer wave a wand and lo, a banquet is spread for the eye and for starving hearts. The imaginary banquet of the khalif in the "Arabian Nights" cannot hold a candle to it. But the guests at the desert feast, unlike the guest of the khalif, cannot hit back. They eat up the glamour, which satisfies a certain craving produced by civilization, and go home satisfied, fascinated. That the empty dishes were carried pompously into the banquet hall by the phantom steward and as pompously whisked away from before the bewildered guest, is immaterial. The words of tue khalif—the novelist, in our case, and the film producer—have the fiat of magic. The novelist, camera man, artist and musician are the stewThis article originally appeared in the Magazine Section of The New York Times of Sunday, December 18, 1929. Under the same date, Dr. Henry Van Dyke of Princeton, the well-known American critic, wrote the author as follows: "Your article on "Deserts of Fact and Fancy," in the N. Y. Times today is admirable,—the kind of thing that can be written only by the man who knows. I have enjoyed it and wish to thank you for the pleasure. "Our age is cursed by the commercialized fakirs,—critics of the school of Wynken, Bunkum and Pod. The Hollywood "Sheik" is an abomination to God and Man,—a fraud. "Oh, wot's the use, of "red gods," and "Pan" and all that stuff! " 'The natcheral facts of Springtime is wonderful enuff.* " "Let us go back to Nature, pure and simple and real, as the Master from Nazareth taught us." �6 THE SYRIAN WORLD ards of the public; the explorer is the steward of science. The first four seldom go beyond a certain limit in their travels; and with the instruments at their command they order the desert to them. The process of magic is reversed. The artist casts his spell and the desert unfolds its mysteries. But in the unfolding there is a wondrous transformation. The little black tent becomes a castle; the poor roving Bedouin becomes a "sheik"; the camel loses its hump and acquires the wings of Pegasus; the raids for daily bread become kidnapping parties; dangers are clothed in the glamour of adventure, and the tantalizing mirage resolves itself into a blue lake of real water. In a word, the wilderness becomes paradise, and artists of every feather hover around it for inspiration. One musician I know shipped his piano to the coast of North Africa and there had it taken apart and carried on camels to his magic castle—a charming little villa on the outskirts of the Sahara From that villa he caught the melody of the dunes in the dawn and at sundown. From that villa, at his keyboard, he soared beyond the dunes to the wells of silence in their heart. But the bulbuls in his garden and the European canary in its cage were his traveling companions. 3 It would be fatuous to doubt that the song of the bulbul in the heart of the dunes has a charm ineffable. But through all my travels in the deserts of Arabia—and I have been rocked on the hump of a camel for fifty days—the only birds I have seen were of two kinds, a dumb little creature with silver-lined black wings, which in a sandstorm, gave us an exhibition oi a ship, at sea in a gale, and one of like feather but larger, which seemed to take pleasure in flying low before us and circling, when he got ahead of us, to keep within sight of our caravan. He could only repeat his do re mi. "What is the name of the bird?" I asked. "That is UmSalem (Mother of Salem)," replied the chief. "And where is the Father of Salem?" asked Baddah, the wit if the caravan. "And where is Salem himself?" This from Hamad, who always tried to vie with Baddah. Well, we met only the mother of the family and heard her repeat her do re mi. But my friend in his little villa on the outskirts of the desert, soaring on the keyboard of his piano, heard the whole sonata. And later the song of the desert enthralled London and New York. The real song of the desert, of the men of the desert, is enlivening, exhilarating. It has, for the traveler in the desert, I �DECEMBER, 1929 4' m a certain fascination. But to a Western audience, if it were faithfully reproduced, it would be a barbaric yawp. In the wilds of the unknown, in the infinite vastness that is expressive chiefly of danger and of death, the purely artistic is unnatural and does not, of course, exist. It is only in the oasis, under the cool shadow of the palms, in the bosom of friendliness and security, that one hears the soft strains of a Bedouin mother's lullaby or the bewitching plaintive notes of a Bedouin girl in love. And where are the love scenes: The novelist may not go to the expense of building or hiring a villa on the outskirts of the desert. But he sits on the porch of a modern hotel in a town near the coast and, while sipping whisky or soda or Amer Picon, evokes the hidden, the unknown. He may even, for the purpose of his magic, take an excursion in the moonlight to the nearest oasis or the nearest dune. The rest is a mechanical process, which is achieved behind a mahogany desk in London or New York. As for the heroine, who must always be a tall blonde with a firm chin and a piercing blue eye, she might venture out alone and find an interpreter in the bazaar. The interpreter soon rises in the hierarchy of romance to a "sheik." But the "sheik" will not carry his beloved to his castle hidden among the dunes. He is bored, and not being used to fetters he mounts a swift camel and disappears in the moonless night. He may not have so much as a black tent in the desert. He may have to sleep on the sands, under the stars. The "sheik," the harem of the "sheik," the luxury and glamour of the desert dwelling of the "sheik," and the little army of fierce-looking knights, on the swiftest dromedaries or the most fiery Arab steeds, in quest of the European girl for the harem of the "sheiks"—nothing is more thrilling, more bewitching in the pages of fiction or on the screen; nothing is more poignantly pathetic in reality. Don Juan is eternal. But this Arab Don Juan is cinematographic. In spite of the most magnificent incarnation the "sheik" is a failure. He is the product of our mechanical age. Everything about him, even his name, is false. It is not "sheik" but shaykh, which in Arabic means a venerable old man, or a man of learning or of authority. We speak of the Shaykh of AlAzhar University, for instance, or the shaykh of a certain tribe. Among a few families of the Christians and Druzes of Mount Lebanon, shaykh is also an inherited title. But of the material things of life, little or nothing goes with it. �" 8 ""«,. --. ri-r - •. THE SYRIAN WORLD Even when a shaykh has a harem of two or three or even four wives, which is nowadays very rare, he cannot afford an "ensemble." He must segregate them or he is lost. For one woman alone is a problem, two together are an enigma, three or four are a conspiracy. Imagine women huddled together like sheep, or as we behold them on the screen lying in silken ease in the harem quarters, and a black slave, whip in hand, ordering them to the bath. It is a libel upon womankind anywhere in the world. Imagine, moreover, such a scene in the desert. One Arab shaykh I knew had three wives, each one living in a separate compartment in the long black tent, but his wealth consisted only of a horse, a camel and a few sheep. "And how can you support your womenfolk:" I asked. "Allah be praised," he replied, "it is by their help that I can keep the fire burning and the coffee brewing for the guests." But such desert domesticity is too sordid for the screen. We must have glamour, romance. We must have the thing that grips and thrills and enraptures. Here is a raid. Five or ten Bedouins on mangy camels or on horses that look more, like Don Quixote's Rocinante than Arab thoroughbreds, and a flock of sheep tended by a boy shouldering a gun. The raiders shriek their warning and gallop forth invoking the assistance of Allah. The boy fires his gun in the air and runs away, hastening to tell his master. The raiders meanwhile have driven the flock before them and changed their course to elude the pursuers. They disappear among the dunes. The owner with a few of his men, his children or his neighbors, pursues them in vain and returns to his tent in the comfort of resignation. But in a few days later, trusting in Allah, he goes out raiding to replenish his stock. Sometimes there is an encounter, an exchange of shots, a casualty or two, and the recovery of a part of the stolen property. It also happens that when the two parties, the raiders and the raided, are of equal strength and valor, a truce is called, which is followed by a council of war and a division of the booty. The Arab is a sportsman and raiding is his favorite game. You beat us today; we'll beat you, Allah willing, tomorrow. The womenfolk are seldom involved in these raids. The cut-throat Arab is the flower of chivalry. He is also a man of wisdom. If within the sanctum of the harem a comely Husnah is pining for her handsome Hasan, who may be of an enemy ^ if <fl\ \ �- DECEMBER, 1929 «-" 0 [\ tribe the father tries to persuade her with the prosaic kindness oi the bourgeois gentleman; and if she is not persuaded and the kidnapping takes place, in nine cases out of ten the parents resign themselves to Allah. In the exceptional case there is a raiding party and the father of the self-willed Husnah is content with the booty. A few camels or a dozen sheep are better than his minx of a daughter. She is a punishment to the enemvhusband. ' But this worldly wisdom does not scintillate upon the screen. Resignation has no glamour. Cynicism is the enemy of romance ir.ven primitive people, however, are capable of cynicism. Desert realities sharpen the edge of the spirit and naivete soon giveway to a veneer of sophistication. The roving Bedouin will tell you, for instance, that dependence upon Allah is conducive to true piety when the waterskin is full. For does he not, every time he quenches his thirst, praise the All-High, the All-Giver? lo the native the desert has no charm. Even to the traveler with a purpose or on a mission, the charm is intermittent and often fleeting. A continuity of joyous intervals is impossible, unless it be on the screen. The wizards of the studio sift and synthetize and reconstruct. Ihese celluloid artists must serve a public avid of romance Hence, the scenes and spectacles that have become stereotyped We behold them in every film of the desert. Castles on the sands, silhouettes of caravans treading the razor-like edge of the imagination, Arabs charging on fiery steeds, armed with rifles and swords and spears and with nothing to do but kidnap the sheik s" prettiest wife or a European blonde. I recall an instance of the film producer's zeal in behalf of the public. It was in a representation of the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon. Whether she did visit him or not is immaterial Let us concede that she did. In which case she would have had to travel from Saba (Sheba) in Southwestern Arabia by one of two routes, either through the mountains of Asir and the Hedjaz to Petra and thence to Jerusalem, or by sea from one of the Red Sea ports to Akaba and thence through Petra to her destination. But the obliging Queen makes a long detour in her travels for the sake of the cinema public. She goes through the desert of Central Arabia that the producer may have a few sand hills to complete the picture. Enough of the absurdities. There is in the real desert, in the heart of the red sand desert, a potent charm, an ineffable �— ...,-, — — THE SYRIAN WORLD 10 beauty. But such beauty and charm cannot be caught by the camera. The glow of the atmosphere at dawn and sundown, the subtle and elusive coloration of the dunes, the moonlit nights, the vastness and the silence that no perspective can encompass, the long weary hours on the march, listening to the crack of your camel saddle or the tinkle of the caravan bells, hearing even the still voice of your own soul in contemplation—these cannot be reproduced on the screen. No, the pure joys, which are at bottom spiritual, cannot be transported, cannot be filmed. Even the minor gifts of the desert are not transferable. The rocking for days on a camel, for instance, is a sure cure for chronic indigestion. The sun soothes the exhausted nerves. The evening breeze, vibrating through the moonlight, is reconciling. The vast silence invites the heart to the higher, universal realm of love. The infinite spaces, unfolding their horizons, one circle of the unknown after another, stimulate the imagination. But the greatest gift of the desert is essentially spiritual. For the mind, free from the tension of life and all the problems of a civilized society, issues like a chrysalis from its cocoon, a full-fledged butterfly, and then experiences a strange reaction. In the vastnesses of space and silence self is submerged and the spiritual consciousness is awakened to a realization of the divine in the universe. RENAISSANCE By PAUL DEAB When shrill winter winds make eerie the night, And whistle their harsh and moaning song; And black clouds hide the moon and stars from sight; Winter is endless to us who long— For warmth of spring and a zephyrous breeze, For fragrant nights and the peepers' song, And moonlight and starlight silv'ring the seas. But we are impatient! O, God, we pray, (Thy Mercy and Love temper everything) Give us the strength to face each wintry day, That we may live to be reborn in spring. �mmmmmmmmmm DECEMBER, 1929 11 Zahle and Points East A Chronological Record of the Editor's Trip Abroad By SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL IV d. ns a in. he ne I (CROSSING the Lebanon range over the Damascus Road from the direction of Beirut, one reaches the highest altitude at a point called Dhour El-Baidar, or the heights of the threshing floor. Here one needs some protection against the cold even in mid-summer. There are no habitations for miles around, and the low, square stone buildings seen here and there along the way are the ice-storage plants upon which the city of Beirut depended entirely in the past for its supply. Even after the introduction of ice-manufacturing plants, natural ice continues to be used to quite a large extent. The sherbet you buy from the itinerant saqi is cooled not with the manufactured, but with the natural ice. And it is not ice at that—it is the natural snow flake packed hard in winter and stored in the vaulted stone buildings for summer consumption. You have it served in sparkling balls whose very sight imparts a feeling of natural coolness that is most welcome in the torrid heat of the seashore. Manufactured ice somehow fails to produce the same psychological effect. From Dhour El-Baidar you begin a slow descent along the gently sloping terrain towards the Baka' plain. The plain, however, is not yet visible. You follow a long bend skirting the hills forming the left side.of the valley until you reach the gorge, and it is then that the plain, in its fascinating beauty, begins to deploy itself before your wondering eyes. There comes from that first sight a thrill indescribable. On the left you see Sannin, and on the right, at a greater distance, Mt. Hermon, commonly known as Jebel El-Shaykh. Anti Lebanon is directly ahead and seems surprisingly near. A few villages may be seen along its foot-hills but it presents a desolate and forbidding appearance. The two ranges draw closer as you look south until they come together close to Mt. Hermon near the Palestinian border. But once this general survey is made the eye becomes riveted to the beauty of the valley for the unending variety of designs �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD and colors it presents. The courses of its numerous streams are traced by parallel lines of tall and graceful poplars which form thickets here and there around ponds or lagoons. In places, one can distinguish dark-green orchards, located principally along the fringes of the plain, and forming a sort of hedge to what appears from the heights like one immense field. Otherwise, the whole plain is given up to seasonal crop cultivation. The beauty of the Baka' grows on you as you draw nearer and are able to discern the nature of the plantations and analyze the variety of colors. Here is a patch that is uniformly dark-red which apparently had been planted to winter wheat and is now being prepared for another sowing. Yonder is a thick field of dark-green which you soon distinguish as a vineyard, while here and there are other fields ranging in color from delicate green to golden yellow according to the earliness or degree of maturity of the crop. The Baka' plain, seen from the heights of the western Lebanon range, is much like an immense carpet whose delicate designs and variegated hues are such as to give rise to boundless admiration. Such is the approach to Zahle, claimant to the proud title of the "Bride of Al-Baka'." We reached Zahle by dusk of Saturday, July 27. It was necessary to drive slowly owing both to the narrowness and to the congestion of the old street. Here we discovered that the automobile did not enjoy the right of way unless it pleased the cameleer, or the muleteer, or the back driver to halt to let it pass. But we were not in a hurry. We were coming for a week-end and not rushing to business, American-wise. The indispensable bath after the dust of the roadj-, especially when you do not have the foresight to provide yourself with a burnus, could be deferred a little longer. For here were sights to the fullness of your heart's desire, and it were well to take them in slowly. Such sights you do not encounter in the big, self-containing city where there is bound to be some sort of uniformity. The main street of Zahle was such a medley of people and things as to stagger the imagination. It is more so on a Saturday night. For Zahle is neither a big city nor a small town, nor is it self-containing. In all seasons its markets draw a large rural element from miles around, while in summer it has that and the summer residents and visitors to boot. I did not feel at all strange there in my Panama hat, while my companion was in a tarboush. You �rtf- m -~ DECEMBER, 1929 n could see scores in like attire before proceeding a dozen paces. And, besides, you had the quaintness of the shops and their helter-skelter formation to give you endless surprises. Due to the topography of the city, which lies in a narrow valley and does not permit of much digression or expansion from the limit of the principal street, trades cannot be segregated into the bazaars typical of Eastern cities. Feed and vegetable stores, garages and harness shops, rug stores and drug stores, and cafes galore, were all mixed together. And in many places of prominence along the street you could read many a signboard of a dentist or a physician with the typical Armenian ending of "ian." Debouching from the business street, you come to the broad boulevard running along the right bank of the River Bardoni and flanked by modern hotels ablaze with light. This is the real Zahle you long to see. Palatial homes massed above each other on the steep sides of the valley converge on the rocks from which issue the turbulent waters of the river. It can be readily seen how valuable space is in this center by the fact that a large hotel was built at the mouth of the gorge hewed in the side of the rock. Close by is one of the old flour-mills still spouting torrents of water from its several gaping openings to add a touch of rustic picturesqueness to the landscape. \ One cannot retire early on a summer night in Zahle. Of course, the statement must be made with some qualification. The Hotel Trabulsi, for instance, where I stopped for the night, is a conservative family hotel where the orchestra stops playing at midnight signaling the end of social activities. Then the doors are locked and the patrons permitted to be lulled to peaceful sleep to the magic tunes of the soothing Bardoni waters flowing close bv instead of the strains of stringed instruments. But as every rule has its elastic features, this hotel has an annex where those afflicted with the Zahle insomnia may come in at any hour of the night—or morning—without having to take off their shoes. Abraham Trabulsi, who had been once in America and returned eighteen years ago, rightly guessed the state of mind of one coming to spend as much as possible of a wakeful month in Lebanon during the enchanting summer season and assigned me to a room in the Annex. My companion on this occasion, as on many others, was my same cousin Joseph Mokarzel, publisher of Ad-Dabbour. He constituted himself in this instance not only guide and guardian, �= 14 THE SYRIAN WORLD but "absolute dictator." He was to lead and I to follow. Zahle was to him his second hometown! Poor Joseph! He reckoned ill with actualities and did not foresee that his dictatorship was destined to be short-lived. For who breaks in on the quiet of our dinner but my old friend Shukri Baccash, publisher of Zahle Al-Fatat, whom I had known in New York in the dual capacity of editor and recruit in the American Army during the war. Shukri had put on some flesh, but did not suffer any loss of activity. All his old fire and zest remained. He thundered and bellowed his disapproval of my not having notified him of my coming in advance. Did I want to slight him in his capacity as "absolute dictator" in Zahle ? Joseph should have known better not to let me commit such a faux pas. And herein was my cue out of a dilemma and into salvation. I sensed that in the apparently republican atmosphere of Lebanon, the sub-consciousness of dictatorship was strongly in evidence. Here were two editors supporting a republican government, thinking and talking of nothing but absolutism. Is it possible that therein could lie the remedy for the chaotic condition pervading the country? But right then it was too early to venture on a discussion of politics. The monster, once aroused, could not easily be put to rest. I was only anxious to escape the holy wrath of my old friend who had risen from a "comrade" in the ranks during the war to the role of "dictator" in times of peace. I could not but realize my shortcomings if I were to run the risk of an argument with the "autocrat," especially when he was in a buoyant and militant mood. I put the blame, therefore, on the "other dictator," and the trick worked to perfection. The immediate result was a heated argument as to who by right was the real dictator. Neither would now tolerate my interference or be satisfied with the explanation that occupants of such exalted posts in the United States are called "bosses," and that bossism could be of many forms,—national, state, and city. It seemed for a while that a battle royal was developing with no quarters asked or given; but, like all good citizens of a republic, the disputants finally settled the matter by a compromise, Joseph Mokarzel being conceded the "dictatorship" of Beirut and Shukri Baccash that of Zahle. Under the conditions, Shukri had the winning hand, became we were then within the sphere of his jurisdiction and there could �DECEMBER, 1929 15 be no appeal from his decisions. He fortwith proceeded to exercise his authority and took us in hand to show us Zahle. Now to Shukri, Zahle at night converged on one focal point, and meant but one spot, that being Wadi Bardouni, otherwise the enchanted valley where springs the fountain of joy eternal that characterizes the life of this Lebanese city. And truly it was a dream of a place. Walking along the narrow path-way through the deep gorge leading to the Wadi, one saw high cliffs rising perpendicularly on both sides and a surging, turbulent stream beating against the rocks and rushing madly through the narrowing defile, forming a miniature Niagara Rapids. Then at the turn of a sharp bend in the winding way, one comes suddenly into a dazzling view of brilliantly lighted cafes thronged with holiday crowds whose merriment cannot fail of being contagious. You pass between rows of crowded tables and every group insists that you join their company. And there are those who either prefer to walk or else do so perforce because they cannot find places near the water, and their continuous milling motion lends the scene an aspect of life and activity. The whole atmosphere is charged with a spirit of buoyancy. We crossed a plank bridge to the left and more spacious bank of the river. Shukri led us to an abundant spring gushing from the side of the mountain. "This is Ain Al-Baccash," he said by way of explanation. "Not many years ago the spring, as the name indicates, belonged to my family, together with all the adjacent land. Through a pious impulse our grandfather donated it to a religious order. Now the material benefit from the development goes to enrich a few monks, while all that is left us is the consolation of a name." Kaif, that subtly elusive Arabic term which defies definition m English, can be better understood by describing its requisites. Through all my recent travels in Syria I saw no better manifestation of it than at Zahle. One of Kaif's primary requisites is water. If it is the gushing spring or the running brook blending its soft murmurs with the sweet notes of the songbirds it is ideal. Otherwise a pool or a basin will serve the purpose. Water is life itself in the desert, and inasmuch as the Syrians have fallen heirs to Arabic culture' they have learned to appreciate most those amenities of life which the Arabs exalted. The other requisites are verdure and a graceful form, all of �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD which an Arab poet succinctly put in a single refrain. In the Wadi all the above mentioned requirements abound. Water not only runs in the river bed, but is brought by canals through the cafes to impart a spirit of Kaif to those who are not fortunate to find seating accommodations on the banks. And in these canals some addicts to Kaif actually plant their tables and chairs and sit astride the running water so as to enjoy it the more. The Wadi is also thick with trees and shrubbery, while the third requisite is fittingly represented by the women of Zahle who are noted for their beauty and grace of form. But the urban Syrians have improved upon the Arab conditions: they have added to them the arac and maza, and made of the additions an art. Zahle is famous for its arac, although some fastidious persons now prefer whiskey, perhaps because it is imported. But as to the maza, otherwise the relishes, it affords both a feast to the eye and to the palate. You order a Khamsinia, or fifty-gram measure of arac, and along with it comes a tray of twenty or more little dishes of dainties at which the drinker nibbles as he slowly and spasmodically sips his drink. There are, besides, any variety of extra choice relishes sold by circulating venders, from hearts of green walnuts to roast chicken or leg of lamb. Here and there you find a oud musician accompanying a singer, while those groups that have not such an advantage are entertained by the blind singer who performs on request. Our fortuitous visit to the Wadi on a Saturday evening was most fortunate. Shukri made no mistake in conducting us thither to see the real life of the town. Although this first visit to Zahle was by invitation from my friend and fellow traveler Michel Maloof, I planned to have it serve a double purpose. Hence my surreptitious entry without notifying my host. I trusted to his sympathetic understanding to accept my explanation, which he did. Sunday, however, was devoted to my host, the peremptorv claim of Shukri to dictatorial power notwithstanding. He would not exercise his prerogative even if he could, because he also was a guest, along with about twenty-five of Zahle's most prominent citizens and others, among whom were Deputy Shibl Dammns; Dr. Joseph Hitti; Dr. Ashkar; Shehadi Shehadi, editor of Al-Kulliyah; Dr. Najib Farah; Khalil Harawi; Joseph AbouKhater; Abdullah Bey Abou-Khater, former deputy; Prof. Boulos Kfoury; Anis Farah; Ibrahim Esper Elkhoury; Joseph �A GENERAL VIEW OF ZAHLE Lying snuggly in the Valley of the River Bardouni, at the foot of majestic Mt. Sannin, is the proud city of Zahle, styled the "Bride of Al-Bika'." �THE PLAIN OF AL -BIKA', LEBANON The fertile valley that forms the dividing line between Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon, at the northern point of which are located the famous ruins of Baalbeck. �DECEMBER, 1929 i 17 Lawand; Raji Rahi; Iskandar Issa Maloof, the well-known scholar and historian; Issa Abousamra; Ccasar Bey Maloof; helix Fares; Joseph Mokarzel and others. The Maloof residence crowns Zahle's highest hill and commands a magnificent view of town and countryside. The topography of Zahlc appears from this vantage point rising sharply along the two sides of the valley, while stretching far into the distance on one side are the town's famous vineyards, and on the other looms the towering form of majestic and venerable Mt. Sannin. Mrs. Sassul Ferzan, Michel's elder sister, made a perfect hostess. Naturally, toasts were drunk over real champagne and the virtues of the emigrants sung in fitting poetry and prose. The gentle atmosphere of Zahle is productive of the most flowery language. Besides, Michel Maloof not only suggested many civic improvements in his native town, but contributed liberally toward their promotion. Towards dusk, symptoms of the irresistible urge in every good citizen of Zahle to direct his steps towards the inviting atmosphere of the Wadi began to be noticeable. So to the Wad; we all repaired, and there joined in the life of the town up to the respectable hour of midnight. They insisted on accompanying me to my hotel. The moon hung low in the clear sky like a silver disk; the murmur of the river running parallel to the road was soothing; the cool, dry mountain air was exhilarating, and the temptation to exercise one's limbs under this ideal setting was well nigh irresistible. We broke into small groups and appeared like an army on a slow march. But whatever the hour, the Lebanese sense of good manners would not permit of parting sans a further invitation. The hotel was my temporary home and it was my privilege to act the host to my hosts at the only place available. Would they not give me the pleasure of their company for another half-hour? There was a good representation of the fair sex in the crowd and they appeared timorous. The hotel closes at midnight and that hour had already struck. Plausible excuse. Realizing my predicament in being anxious to entertain but not wanting to offend, Shukri stepped in to exercise his prerogative of dictator. Michel's role as host had come to an end with the expiration of Sunday, and the heralding of a new day was �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD DEt the signal for Shukri to resume his authority. In that capacity he commanded, and all obeyed. Trabulsi was most obliging. No sooner were the doors of the main drawing room flung open than he disappeared like a flash to rouse his help. First in order was the bartender, then the steward who prepares the maza, and finally the members of the orchestra. The lively tunes which the musicians struck and to which the company danced proved the men fit for any emergency. But not all the music was instrumental. The dulcet songs of George Jebaily, laden with passionate feeling and coming at that tender hour of the morning, sent the company into delirious ecstasy. The two other nights I spent in Zahle, although at different intervals, were as full of pleasant associations. On one occasion we were in the company of Ahmad Bey Showky, poet laureat of Egypt, Isaf Bey Nashasheebi, a poet of Palestine and a certain Chinese poet resident of Paris. Showky Bey retired at midnight, but all the rest held the fort until Shukri, in the exuberance of his enthusiasm, insisted that the Chinese poet sing the songs of his native land. He sang, and the ladies fled. On the other occasion, it was my privilege to be the guest of Ibrahim Trabulsi together with Khalil Moutran, styled the poet of the two hemispheres, Michel Maloof and others. Moutran Bey's oratorical ability proved to be on a par with his poetical gifts. He spoke in terms of the highest praise of the Syrian and Lebanese emigrants. Moutran Bey, as behooves all good poets, is not regular in his habits. We broke company on that occasion with the break of dawn. RESTLESS By DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN Not for the superhuman power That stills or backward turns Life's wheel I crave, but that Life's woe and weal Be crowded in one fleeting hour. D Peoi enlig Drus centi ritui anot liirio trem Hitt pray V th pari whi< begi puri rem si on regs kno' thus com tion ing hisl �DECEMBER, 1929 19 Druze Exhortations and Prayers By DR. PHILIP K. HITTI of Princeton University Editor's Note:—In his latest work entitled "The Origins of the Druze People and Their Religion," Dr. Hitti gives the world one of the most enlightening and scholarly studies on the Druzes. The mysteries of the Druze creed have ever been the despair of scholars who, throughout the centuries, have advanced many opinions and conjectures as to the tenets, rituals and moral precepts of this people. Confusing between one creed and another in the East is made easy because of the existence of so many religious sects, all more or less shrouded in mystery. It is, therefore, extremely significant that in one of the several appendices to his book, Dr. Hitti gives a literal translation of some of the Druze exhortations and prayers which help to shed light on their religious beliefs. Exhortations and Prayers by AL-SAYYID ABDULLAH AL-TANUKHI I* I Exhortation to the tAqil IT IS incumbent upon the 'Aqil (enlightened, initiated, wise) that he should direct his energy only to the next world, preparing for it the provisions of piety, and not trusting this world which is a world of passage and not of settlement. He should begin with training his character, sensing its good qualities and purifying it from whatsoever alienates it from Allah (may He remain high!), such as bodily passion, greed for worldly possessions, anger, revenge, ill-temper, pride over others, and selfregard—all of which stand as a screen between him and the knowledge of his Creator (may He remain high!). And if he is thus screened from the knowledge of his Creator, he then becomes a victim of evil habits. "On the other hand, if the worshiper makes his chief ambition and desire the religion of Allah and the fear of Him, holding fast to His commandments, abiding by His laws and turning his back upon what He has forbidden, then shall the Lord (may �to THE SYRIAN WORLD He remain high!) accord him success, bestow upon him His wisdom, and enlighten his heart rendering it like a polished mirror in which the divine facts are reflected. For wickedness, feebleness, evil whisperings and corruption lie dormant in the innermost part of the souls; and if the light of Unity and gnosis (Arabic Ma'rifah,—knowledge) should shine upon it, then all wickedness therein is destroyed, extinguished and exterminated— just as when the light of the sun shines, the light of the planets is eclipsed and entirely put out. Although the planets' light is extinguihsed in effect, yet it is in heaven in fact, but so long as the light of the sun is shining, the planets can produce no effect whatsoever. When the sun sets, however, then the planets will appear. Such is the case of the soul. As long as the light of reality and the knowledge of Allah (may He remain high!) are shining upon it, its darkness and its wickedness are dormant and have no trace. But in case wisdom and the knowledge of Allah (may He remain high!) set, then will evil qualities appear and reveal themselves in the same way as the stars reveal themselves when the sun sets. Nothing, therefore, is more incumbent upon the 'Aqil than to persevere in the reJigion of Allah, to abide by it day and night, and to bend every effort to keep the company of those who are useful and godly, so that they may add to his enlightenment. He should also imagine that Allah (may He remain high!) is with him, watching over him, and not departing from him for one wink of the eye. At all times should he be mentioning Allah's name, waiting upon Him, and not neglecting Him for one instant. He should fear no blame in the pursuit of truth, but should rather devote all energy and direct every sound mental power to the acquisition of the favor of the Lord of mankind, and the following of the path of right guidance which leads to victory on the last day. II Covenant Between Allah and Servant Said Allah: "O my servant, ten for thee and ten for me:— Be industrious and I shall give thee aid; demand, and I shall bestow; repent, and I shall forgive; thank, and I shall increase; depend, and I shall suffice; strive, and I shall give thee success; beseech, and I shall respond; be content, and I shall enrich thee; ask, and I shall give." �DECEMBER, 1929 21 III Prayer O my God! Here is thy runaway slave returning to thy door, thy disobedient slave coming back for reconciliation, thy sinning slave bringing to thee his excuse. Pardon me by thy indulgence, accept me through thy bounty, and look unto me with thy mercy. O God! Forgive me my past iniquity, and guard me against committing iniquity in the remaining days of my life; for in thy hand is all good, and unto us thou art compassionate and merciful. IV Prayer to Be Recited Before Sleep In thy name, my Lord, I lay down my side; and in thy name, I lift it up. Protect me, O my God, against thy punishment on the day in which thou gatherest together thy creatures. In thy name, O Lord, I live and I die; and in thee I seek refuge against the evil of my own self, as well as against the evil of every creeping creature subject to thy control. Thou art the first: so before thee there is naught. Thou art the last: so after thee there is naught. O my Lord! Thou hast made my soul, and protectest it; thine is its death, and thine is its life. If thou, therefore, causest it to die, wilt thou pardon it; and if thou permittest it to live, wilt thou preserve it? O my Lord! I beseech thee for health. I pray thee to awaken me at the hour that is most agreeable to thee, and to use me in the kind of work that is most acceptable to thee. Let thy grace draw me nigh unto thy favor, and alienate me from thy wrath. As I pray thee, grant my request; as I seek thy pardon, forgive me; and as I call upon thee, answer my prayer. "In the name of Allah, the merciful, the compassionate." "Allah! There is no god but He, the living, the eternal. Slumber doth not seize him, nor sleep. His is whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him but by His own permission? He knoweth what hath been before them and what shall be after them; yet naught of His knowledge shall they grasp, save what He willeth. His throne reacheth over the heavens and the earth, and the upholding of both burdeneth Him not—and He is the high, the great!" �•- J THE SYRIAN WORLD 22 The Murder of the Patriarch A TRUE STORY Depicting Conditions of Life in Lebanon in the Early Nineteenth Century. By FOUAD F. BUSTANY (Translated from the Arabic Original) • - •• • A BOU K1SHK was one of the leading notables of Kfar'kab, an important town in the district of Baslcinta, in Lebanon. His physical build was that of a veritable monster, and his character fitted in with his appearance. His small head rested on a stout neck between two immense and slightly stooping shoulders. But his most distinctive feature was his drooping thick lips and his bulging eyes which had the constant wandering look as if ever in search of a prey. His stomach was not only uncommonly large but extremely flabby and loose, which was the cause for his townsmen giving him the sobriquet of "Abou Kishk" (The greedy glutton.) Abou Kishk was blessed with four sons. Surely they were a blessing to him, but not to the community. If such were possible, they even exceeded him in gluttony and greed, as their methods of extortion were more subtle and effective. The family being of one mind, they waxed exceedingly prosperous on the proceeds of their loot. Now it happened that Abou Kishk had a niece who fell heir to a large fortune, and he immediately conceived the design of taking her in marriage for one of his sons. His heart was set on acquiring her money and property and, considering the success of all his schemes in the past, he already began to count on her wealth as his own. But the niece added to her inherited cunning the natural subtlety of her sex, and while outwardly consenting to an engagement to her cousin, she secretly continued her amorous relations with a comely youth of the neighbors. ' The betrothal dragged. The girl was beating her cousin and fianc6 at his own game. She had succeeded in wrenching from him many valuable gifts of jewelry as well as large <JUm% 'of �DECEMBER, 1929 23 money. And when the nuptials were delayed beyond the customary limit among the people of Lebanon, the wagging tongue of gossip began to place on the matter all sorts of interpretations. In time, the ugly rumors floating around reached the ears of the young man and he attempted to force his fiancee into an immediate decision. But the answer he received was a point blank refusal to marry him and an unequivocal statement that she did not care for him and never would. The son of Abou Kishlc was beside himself with frenzy at this unexpected turn of affairs. What is he to do for revenge? His father is the one best qualified to advise him. And together, the two decided on the elimination of the rival who was the cause of the failure of their plans. Not long after, the inhabitants of Kfar'kab were aroused by the reports of several shots. The night was pitch dark and they could not locate the scene of the shooting, but in the morning they discovered the riddled body of the rival of Abou Kishk's son along a lonely road on the outskirts of the town. Three days later, two of Abou Kishk's sons were lodged in the prison of Beit Eddin. r m Abou Kishk had reckoned with everything except the implacable justice of Emir Basheer. In his passion for revenge, he had discounted the Emir's uncanny powers for unraveling mysteries and visiting untempered punishment upon law-breakers. He had forgotten that the unbending policy of this benevolent autocrat was to stop murders by execution, and prevent shedding of blood by the spilling of blood. And when he came to realize his predicament the chance for retrieve had passed. But a way must be found to save his sons. The use of force or stratagem was out of the question, because the prison of the Emir was impregnable. There remained no other alternative but the power and influence of intercession. But who was the one big enough to influence the Emir, especially where a contemptible case of cold-blooded murder was involved? At that particular time, the Greek Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Sarruf was visiting at a neighboring monastery, and to him went Abou Kishk with a plea for intercession. The Patriarch, although realizing that the Emir could never be influenced to stay the course of justice, acceded to the request of the supplicant as a matter of formality. He wrote to the Emir a letter couched �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD in the most submissive terms appealing to his mercy to spare the condemned men for the sake of their aged father by transmuting their sentence of death to one of life imprisonment. But before the Patriarch's messenger reached the court of the Emir, the men had already been hanged in the outer court of the palace, and the news plunged the household of Abou Kishk into the deepest sorrow and dejection. "It was the Patriarch who caused the death of my sons," he reasoned, "for he must have either purposely delayed the sending of the letter or else written something that did not denote sincere solicitation. The Patriarch, therefore, must be punished." Abou Kishk communicated his designs to his two remaining sen? and the three began to concoct schemes for revenge. The blow to their pride and prestige was too severe to be tolerated. Their opportunity came on November 5, 1812, when the Patriarch, in the course of his pastoral visits, was traveling over a lonely road in upper Kisrawan. He was accompanied by a small retinue of attendants and could conceive of no danger in the peaceful reign of the Emir. Suddenly, three masked men sprang from ambush and faced the Patriarch. As they levelled their rifles they shouted, "Revenge for the blood of Abou Kishk's sons." The Patriarch fell, bathed in his blood, and his followers fled in all directions and spread the news of the tragic murder. No trace could be found of Abou Kishk and his sons after the tragedy. Rumors filled the air about their hiding places but not one could be substantiated. Some said they had fled to the farthest borders of Palestine, or to the mountain fastness of Houran, or had even crossed the seas to distant lands. Others, who could not conceive of anyone risking the dangers of such journeys, insisted that the murderers remained in hiding in some of the inaccessible caves of the mountain. But where the murder of the Patriarch had done most damage was in the blow it dealt to the prestige of the Emir. People ceased to be awed by the proverbial reach of his power, and the longer Abou Kishk and his sons remained at large the more the Emir's authority became undermined. There were persistent rumors that the culprits had sought refuge in Cvprus. Cyprus, the distant island in the vast sea where only the desperate in those days would venture! How can the Emir ever find the means to drag the murderers from that distant and isolated land! �DECEMBER, 1929 25 But the Emir was not to be daunted in his determination. Me was laying carefully and secretly his plans and abiding his time. And once he became reasonably sure that the murderers had fled to Cyprus, he called to him Mahmoud, one of his most trusted Druze lieutenants, and gave him the necessary instructions. Towards the close of December and out of a raging gale, a small sailing vessel sought the harbor of Cyprus and landed a passenger in Lebanese attire who covered the lower part of his face with the end of his silken shawl, apparently as a protection from the cold. He went immediately about inquiring for three of his compatriots who had preceded him to the island. Not long afterwards, he found them in one of the cafes and accosted them with a friendly greeting. The elder of the three was visibly frightened and hastened to cover his face with the end of his shawl, but the two younger men showed more presence of mind and asked the stranger who he was and what he wanted. "I, like yourselves," he replied with the most natural affectation of sincerity, "am a Lebanese exile. I incurred the wrath of the tyrant and was forced to flee my home and country and face the perils of the sea at this season seeking safety in this island." The newcomer was master at the art of deception and the three soon showed confidence in him as a brother exile. The reason for his flight, as he disclosed it to the father and his two sons, was substantially as follows: "Being of the Druzes of Arkoub, and consequently a neighbor to the Emir, the latter caused my brother to be hanged for having committed a petty offense. Since then I could think of nothing but revenge and decided to murder Khalil, the Emir's son. I saw my opportunity when the latter was out once on the chase, but owing to my fear and nervousness, my shot went wild. Some of my neighbors informed on me and 1 had to flee to this distant island seeking safety." The account was quite plausible, and for a month thereafter the four Lebanese exiles exchanged accounts of their experiences at home, and in this manner the Emir's emissary came into possession of the complete details of the murder of the Patriarch. He invariably joined them in all their bitter complaints against the tyranny of the Emir. One morning, however, Mahmoud came to join his companions affecting a condition of extreme terror. He had learned by secret channels, he said, that the Emir had discovered their �26 THE SYRIAN WORLD hiding place and was bent on using every effort to extradite them. It was him, Mahmoud, that the Emir was seeking most, because of the attempt he had made on the life of his son. This explanation tended to appease the fright and anxiety of Abou Kishk and his sons for the all too natural reason that another was running even a greater danger than they were. The result was that they confided in him the more fully. Mahmoud was not lacking of a plan. He had many relatives among the Druzes of Houran who would be only too glad to welcome and protect them. The Emir could never reach them in the inaccessible wilds of Al-Lajah, and the Druzes would never deliver to an enemy a refugee to whom they would have given asylum. . It was therefore decided that they sail back to Lebanon ana make their way along the northern border to the interior. Mahmoud was to risk a secret visit to his family and meet his companions in the town of Baalbeck. While in northern Lebanon, father and sons could feel absolutely safe as the Emir had no reason to suspect their return. Besides, the distance was too great for him to get the news immediately even though they were detected. . On this understanding, Mahmoud left his companions soon after landing at a deserted spot along the shore of Al-Batroun. The three made their way slowly up the mountain until they reached the town of Al-Hadath. The night of the third day following, twenty heavily armed horsemen were besieging an apparently deserted house on the extreme border of the town. Their captain ordered the occupants to open the door and surrender, but shout as he may, there was no response to his commands. The door was finally battered down and the soldiers of the Emir entered the house with levelled rifles. Crouching in the farthest corner were three abject looking figures whose tongues had been tied by fright immediately they realized their plight. Only too late did they realize that the hand of the Emir was all too far-reaching. Abou Kishk and his two last sons were hanged on the same scaffold that served to hang his two other sons before. The news spread rapidlv throughout the land and struck terror in the hearts of the lawlessly inclined. In every home in Lebanon could be heard the exclamation of surprise and admiration: "MasMM! He has dragged the murderers from Cyprus! �DECEMBER, 1929 W! 27 In Old Damascus Impressions of a Syrian-American College Graduate of her Visit to Syria. By ADELAIDE E. FARIS a. 'QNCE to the Mediterranean—again to the Mediterranean. You'll come back!" That is the wise prophecy given on the first glimpse of the countries bordering those blue waters—a prophecy truer than is realized at the time, for then shoulders are smilingly shrugged &s in light assent. But there had been no reckoning with the "after effect" the memories of laughing skies over blue, blue waters—yes, different from all others, else why the expression "Mediterranean blue —hills and valleys made round and graceful with time sunrises and sunsets, starlit and moonlit nights that made David of old break out into unsurpassed song, riotous color, perfumes from a hundred flowers, soft, lazy breezes barely breaking through that too comfortable Mediterranean warmth. The sea itself, at times an easy, jelly-like mass, too satisfied to moveagain gently rippling—and occasionally showing its vigor with rollicking waves. Yes, if one doesn't actually revisit each little place—one returns a thousand times—remembering. Damascus, the oldest existing city in the world, is enough to offer unlimited possibilities. One peeps into a past that has gone by everywhere else, but is a today in Damascus. The train ride from Beirut to Damascus is a delightful one A few words must be said about the train. There is nothing "express" about it, for when it isn't stopping it is just going. An excellent walker might get there first. At the different stations the water jugs are filled and fresh fruits—even tiny crisp mictie (small cucumbers)—may be bought from any of the many peddlers who come to the windows of the compartments. One goes through rich and fertile valleys with small, winding rivers. There are masses of trees heavily laden with ripe fruits—peach, apple, plum, lemon, orange, pear, pomegranate, cherry, almond,' walnut—oh, an endless number of varieties. Brightly hued �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD flowers are everywhere. There is an atmosphere of abundance, content, prosperity and mellow beauty—a suitable entrance for Damascus, the city of age, mystery, color, where merchants' wares from all of the Eastern World find their destination, where every kind of fruit may be obtained, the city that Mohammed likened to paradise. It is a striking contrast to the route one takes by automobile, through barren hills and empty plains. The city itself,—how can one describe Damascus, not the new section, for that is like any American or European city with its civic center, park, automobiles and hotels j but the real Damascus, the Eastern section that is as remote and different from the Western section as it is from Chicago. Shut your eyes and see color, color, color, and more color—not crude, harsh shades, but rich, sleepy reds; bright reds that Saladin might have worn in the Crusades; deep blues that remind you of the Mediterranean—dazzling blues that rival the skies above j greens—restful greens of the fields j a glowing orange that brings to mind the luscious ripe apricots of the fertile valleys. Smell the odor of soft and mysterious perfumes—attar of roses, jasmine, that come from jars of exquisite workmanship. Hear the click-click of the Kibkabs—(shoes made of wood, some even inlaid with mother-of-pearl)—on the shaky cobble stones; see the women walking around with their faces veiled, men with their baggy trousers, turbans, or fezzes. Move to one side, press close against the wall, when you hear a pitter patter and down the narrow street come several donkeys or horses or even a few camels. The driver will shout "Ou aa, ya Hourmey" (get out of the way, lady.) . In the midst of all this comes a carriage, top down with the driver proudly tooting a shrieky horn—you must get out of the way! Let the low purring of the bubble-bubble of the narghile (Turkish pipe) soothe your tired Western nerves—for you are in the East now! Yes, the two shop-keepers across the street are smoking their pipes and are having a friendly chat. That shout you just heard merely announces the commencement of a game of damma. Are you thirsty: Here comes the little boy selling drinks and crying out "Tybeen Bardeen" (they are deliriously cold.) Or perhaps you are hungry. On the corner they sell hot kibi (little round cakes made of lamb meat and wheat) and there the woman calls out "Tybeen Sukhneeyne" (deliriously hot,) �DECEMBER, 1929 29 Now one sees a group of men drinking coffee from tiny demitasse cups in brass holders. They are merchants who have no customers at the moment and so are enjoying a social hour. rime is not money in Damascus! The narrow streets are empty, it seems. Of course, it is about four o'clock and all good followers of Mohammed are praying. Yes, you're in Damascus, the city that claims the distinction of being the oldest in the world. f'j The bazaars of Damascus are fascinating. It is folly to enter them, for you cannot force yourself to leave them. Merchandise from all the Near East and Northern Africa finds its way into this center. Merchants from everywhere go to this city, for it is the place to buy and to sell. You find there anything you could ask for—Eastern things, of course, and oh! so many you wouldn't ask for, because you have never known they existed. Here they Jiterally open up and shut down shop, for the doors slide up and down like the top of an old-fashioned desk. The streets take their names from the merchandise that is sold in them. Silk is sold in one street, cotton in another, silver m another, gold in its street, candy in the candy street. They are naively named Suk El-Harieer (Silk Street), Suk El-Fudah (Silver Street) and so on. It is really very convenient, for if you are buying, say, a piece of jewelry made of silver, you can inspect the jewelry in all of the stores, and then go back to the piece you have decided upon. The proprietors of the stores will be in their doorways, waiting for you and watching you go from store to store. They find out what you are looking for and what price others offered you. Each will call to you and tell you he will sell that scarf cheaper than anyone else! He has all of his scarfs ready for you to see and he tells you how much more beautiful his are than the others'. When you buy in Damascus everyone knows what you have bought and how much you have paid for it. The Silk Street is the most alluring. There are so many lovely and colorful things on display, all hand woven. One learns to differentiate between the silk that is native and that which is imported. The former is pure and far surpasses the imported. What shall you buy? Surely you must own an Abbaye (wrap). Perhaps the one in peacock blue with strands of silver woven with the silk to form an artistic design. You v/ill ask about the price and Shafic, the blue-eyed proprietor (yes, and light hair) �3J0 THE SYRIAN WORLD will smile graciously and say "Whatever you wish—what does it matter?" And he will drape the lovely thing around you and tell you that you make it more beautiful. Again you will ask him the price and he will shrug his shoulders and make you feel that you are a little too eager about mere dollars and cents, for he says "At your command, name your own price" But in the end you pay Shafic's price! Scarfs are always popular. There is an array of them, small, medium, large, square, and oblong, with tiny stripes and large stripes. The first striped scarfs came from Damascus and the Roman striped are really copied from them. It is just as difficult to find old jewelry in Damascus today as it is to find it anywhere. They proudly show you brand new jewelry that was probably made in Czecho-Slovakia such as may be found in any Woolworth store. One has to look in the outof-the-way places and in the tucked away corners of the shops to find delicate filagree, twisted and braided silver, or the grain of wheat design. The silversmiths like to dip silver in gold and the effect is really very lovely. The "Street called Straight" mentioned in the Bible is still the long street of the city. Along it are many small places where caned articles of wood are made. The men sit on the floor singing, as they work on the wooden shoes (kibkab) or make interesting designs on the quaint bellows—it is all done in the same way and with the same kind of tools that have been in use there always,—and each man can finish completely whatever he is working at and it is with pride that he sells what he has so carefully, almost lovingly, made. There seems to me something personal about each little bellows, about the wooden shoes, when you buy them from the man himself. The finest brass is made in Damascus and the brass factory is not a noisy place, for everything is made by hand. And although we wouldn't be without our great factories, it is a joy to find one factory minus machines—aesthetically speaking! Pictures are nicely hammered on some of the brass so that each piece tells a story—mftny of them Biblical which is as it should be in this city where St. Paul spent so much time. Designs are finely chiseled on other pieces of brass and again there are articles of chiseled workmanship with silver inlaid. Everything imaginable is made of brass—tiny bud vases to large jardinieres; desk sets, ornaments, lamps—one gasps when looking around the display room. The stands that go with the large trays to form coffee - �PK. m DECEMBER, 1929 1 31 tables are of especial interest because of the way in which they are made. There are men who sit on the floor and carve the pieces of wood into intricate patterns and designs, manipulating instruments by using their feet and hands at the same time. The muscles of their toes are as well developed as those of their fingers. The few men who can do this work have been taught by their fathers who were in turn taught by their fathers and so on. Certain families could do this kind of workmanship—it was their specialty. Mother-of-Pearl inlaid furniture is made at the same place. Everything imaginable is made here, too. Living room sets, including divans, desks, chairs, tables of all sizes and shapes, boxes, smoking stands and many other pieces of furniture. Yes, it is the exceptional person who can leave the bazaars of Damascus without being heavily laden! f I In spite of its remoteness, Damascus is a city where many events have taken place—it has been in existence long enough for much to happen, surely. St. Paul risked his life there and the house where he was imprisoned is being made into a church so that its identity will not be lost. One of the workmen, noting your interest in the place, very kindly offers to demonstrate how St. Paul made his exit. A basket is lowered from a window, pulley line effect, and the obliging workman laughingly jumps out and bows. The house where the early Christians held secret meetings is still preserved and is under ground, giving proof of its age. It also has been kept as a place of worship. The beautiful Amawi Mosque is the third largest in the world. You may visit it on a day when a group of men are being taught the Koran—a sort of "Sunday School Class"—and Mohammed help the pupil who doesn't know his lesson, for the teacher is severely shaking his finger at one poor man. In the center of the mosque proper is an elaborate tomb where they say John the Baptist's head is buried. As one gazes in awe at it, going back hundreds of years in history and visualizing the hardships endured by early Christians, a loud voice breaks the reverie, saying, "Baksheesh for the sake of St. John's head"—this from a Mohammedan. And of course, if you are a good Christian, you give the Mohammedan "Baksheesh" for the memory of a Christian martyr in a Mohammedan mosque that was once a Christian church! There are still Christian inscriptions all around the �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD walls. There is exquisite mosaic work on the ceilings and walls. The mosque itself is built around a court in the center of which is a large "bahra" or fountain. Many good Mohammedans bathe their feet there before entering the mosque for worship, thereby obeying their law of cleanliness. On entering the mosque, shoes are changed for the slippers provided for the visitors. The Damascus Palace Hotel was once one of the first inns— in the oldest city—and has plenty of "atmosphere". Colorful hand-woven Damascus draperies decorate the large windows while chairs, divans and couches are upholstered in the same material. Brasses and Mother-of-Pearl inlaid bric-a-brac are placed here and there. The cuisine is excellent, one is served French, Syrian or English dishes. On the night of the anniversary of Mohammed's birthday the roof of the hotel is a good place for the spectator. The celebration is carried on in the streets and everyone—Mohammedans only, of course—rides an animal of some sort if he possibly can. The riders, carrying torches and waving swords, shout continually. I The visit to the little Mohammedan school is a memorable one. It is above one of the stores on the "Silk Street." The boys, I of primary school age, all wear the red fezzes in small sizes and 4 they are certainly becoming to them. They are like any other little boys, only more afraid of their teacher than our American children! He is rather a severe looking person, more like the teacher of our early Colonial times that we delight in picturing perhaps a bit unfairly. But he loves them, all the same. One can tell from the way in which he answers them if they know their lessons! There are no girls here, for they go to their own schools. The boys do not even turn around when the teacher is in the room, but as soon as he is gone—the teacher for the boys is a man—they certainly are natural again. They have a lively time looking at the visitor and answering questions promptly, and occasionally asking them rather bashfully. How they love the trinkets or the pennies that you may give them. Are they from America? That makes them more precious. Of course they know a great deal about the country, they are going there some day. But the teacher comes back again and the smiles of mischief are gone, all are at attention. There is a great deal of drill work for the boys. When the bell rings, announcing the end of ***** �INNER COURT OF THE UMAYYAD MOSQUE The famous mosque of Damascus converted from a Byzantine Cathedral. Syria and the third largest in the world. n » V P-J </i v t) T3 .3 fiS d h u W u S 5 =» r* rf »~ _12 <— 3 h It is the most beautiful in > o o 3.2t? O .3 -S -£ Q fc -xj 13 �THE TOMB OF ST. JOHN Still preserved in the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus is the Tomb of St. John, held in great reverence by the Moslems. The tomb occupies the center of the mosque facing the main entrance. *>t- gr ?f?H5!^&? v<0 O 3 r.% </> ^ tr >-t tr .—• w o r» C" a* rt & M *J STS- �DECEMBER, 1929 33 the session, they scramble out as quickly as our boys on Main Street do! It is the anniversary of Mohammed's birthday, so the school children will march through the business streets—just as our children sometimes take part in the exercises on some holiday. They march four abreast, wearing their fezzes and their faces wreathed with smiles. And no wonder, for all the shoppers are m their doorways waving and shouting, and, what is better, showering the boys with candy—girls do not march. The old streets are sweet with the fragrance of the attar of roses that the onlookers have been throwing on the gay little school children, the hope of the country. They are singing patriotic songs at the top of their youthful voices and the people in the streets join with them. It is a gala time, the shops and streets are decorated with a riot of colored streamers of all shapes. Holidays are big days in Damascus—and all the world is merry. r > As one walks through the streets of Damascus one wonders that there are no beautiful or even attractive homes. The streets are narrow and dingy; there are high walls on either side, walls that look rather uninteresting and unpromising. But again one is mistaken. You are to enter a home that is not on exhibition, as are some of the old and truly beautiful places. These homes nave been in the family for years but the present generation is in need of money so they exhibit the rare and lovely interiors to tourists, charging so much a person. But today you are to visit a place that is not open to travelers, but through the courtesy of some friend you are invited to see this home that has been in existence for hundreds of years. You anticipate a great deal, for it is a family of pashas—formerly judges of the district. Again you walk along one of the dark streets, narrow, dingy—surely there is to be nothing lovely there. Your friend stops in front of a high gate in the very darkest and dullest corner of the street, where the wall seems most unyielding and grim. But the gate is opened and you catch your breath. It is as though you were in another town, for there is sunlight and space—beauty and fragrance. Before you is a lovely court, in the center of which is a pool and fountain, beautifully inlaid with rich colors. The ground has been covered with marble, but at irregular intervals are patches of green grass, in the center of which is a tree or a group of trees. It is all truly effective. There are all kinds of trees: lemon, orange, fig, date, pomegranate, rare rose �« THE SYRIAN WORLD 34 bushes and delicate jasmine growing here and there, \o\x take a deep breath—of fresh air and fragrance. Blue skies are above, the sound of running water is refreshing, birds are singing, it doesn't seem that all of this loveliness could be on the other side of the dark and dingy street. No wonder the wealthy Mohammedan women are content to stay at home! The house is built around the court and you know that it will be as much of a surprise as is the outside. As you gaze in open and frank admiration, the family come out to greet you. A lovely little lady, like a piece of delicate Dresden china, comes first. Her pure white hair brings out the clearness of her blue eyes. Then come three tall, slender girls, beautifully dressed in Parisian clothes, no veils and robes while they are at home Two of the girls have golden hair and blue eyes while the third has dark eyes and hair. They speak Arabic and French well and a little English. While greetings are being exchanged, the gate opens and a handsome young man in his early thirties enters. The girls give little cries of delight and run up to their cousin and playfully throw their arms around his neck, pull his tie and joke a bit. It is all so gracefully and unconsciously done. What a mistaken conception we have of Mohammedan women, or is it that we have heard only about the poorer or peasant type! The young man goes directly to his aunt and kisses her hand, while she kisses him on the forehead. After the introductions, he tells you that it is a pleasure to have you there and that he will be delighted to show you their old house. He speaks English, French, Arabic and German perfectly, for he has studied abroad. The inferior of the house is a revelation. The room that was once a court room is filled with museum pieces and lost arts. There is a platform where the judges sat, and the divans are covered with rare tapestries exquisitely embroidered with gold and silver. The embroidery is the same on both sides. There are vases of delicate workmanship, pictures that are lovely as well PS old. The walls of the room are all inlaid with workmanship that cannot be duplicated, for it was made in the time when slaves worked for the master—hundreds of years ago. Small squares of the wall have been taken out and you wonder why anything so rare should be demolished. You are told that during the World War, when money was scarce in this family, pieces of the wall were sold. There are robes that belonged to the family many years back, all artistically embroidered. It is a veritable museum, this house, filled with objtts d'art. \ f �DECEMBER, 1929 ' 1 55 ^ Jltde Fl u"ngS y0U Water delicately flavored with ros* min!rM °^u f f-?yS' and each Slass de^rated with a jasmme blossom. The family has been so hospitable and so graciousg t0 shoW LH n /°uu their reIics- They hope that you have Jiked Damascus and that you will visit it again berin ^ ^ f° ^° ^ UnJeSS Y U already haVe ° / Need You No More By LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA When the thunder rolled above the clouds, And the lightning struck a tree, And the awful darkness made me fear Then I wanted you with me. \ When the storm sent waves up over the deck We became wet through and through, And the danger made me shake with fear. Oh, then, how I wanted you! When the enemy levelled its guns at me And tried to snuff out my life, Bullets came from every side— I was alone in the strife. But now the world is bright again: There are many good things in store. You come to see me with a smile! You must know that I need you no more! ' ' Remera " �_ THE SYRIAN WORLD 56 Staging a Desert Scene By EMILE DUMIT (Editor's Note—On December 7, the students resident at International House in New York gave an entertainment of which the main feature was the staging of a desert scene among the Arabs. The author, Emile Dumit, sought to dispell some of the misconceptions about the character of t)he Arabs through a dialogue between an inquisitive, though sympathetic, American tourist and an Arab sheikh. The American is readily convinced of Arab virtues and promises to "carry the message to his people in the West." This message could permit of some modifications, especially where claim is made that raiding by Arabs is "done for fun," but we are glad to give it further publicity in that it represents an earnest effort to give an honest apologia for desert life." MR. The scene is in the tent of an Arab chieftain DUBOIS: (American tourist) "The Arab race I've long admired. They've stood throughout the ages long For freedom and democracy. Yes! Freedom is the desert song!" SHEIKH FADIL: u Oh, this is more than we deserve. Like other men we rise and fall. When Allah blew His Holy breath It was one clay that made them all." MR. DUBOIS: "Tell me more about the Arabs; How they live and what they live for. Little knows the world about them. Even that is fairy lore." SHEIKH JABIR: "We the Arabs of the desert Live on dates and bread and butter. Thus on diet light and tasty, Health and pleasure thrive together. We have sheep and we have camels. But for food we never slaughter ZX �DECEMBER, 1929 Save when guests our dwellings honor, Do our utmost for their pleasure." SHEIKH JAMAAL: "So we keep our bodies slender, Strong as steel yet light as feather. We endure both thirst and hunger, And the hardships of the weather." MR. DUBOIS: "Tell me if you like the strangers From the foreign lands and distant, With their customs and religion From your own so different." SHEIKH FADIL: "When a stranger asks for refuge And protection, we protect him, Even tho this leads our tribesmen To a war with those that seek him." SHEIKH JAMAAL: "Yet to those who come to exploit We are tough and hard and bitter. Even when we're overpowered We keep up and hope for better." SHEIKH JABIR: "For, above all things we value Is our freedom and our honor." SHEIKH AMEEN: "Sacrifice whate'er is precious That the race may live for ever." MR. DUBOIS: "What of industry and learning?" SHEIKH JABIR: "These we leave to our brothers Who the desert have abandoned To the land of flowing rivers. There they till and plough the soil; And they grow the fruits and flowers. 37 �THE SYRIAN WORLD 38 And in cities they can hustle Through the noise of looms and hammers." SHEIKH HABEEB: "We supply them with the butter, And the wool of sheep and camels. They give back the finished products: Cloth, utensils, shoes and saddles." MR. DUBOIS: "There's a point you have to clear up: That about your love for raiding Of one tribe against the other. This the world says is your trading." SHEIKH JABIR: "Yes, at times we raid each other. But we do it for the fun. Tho we raid with swords and rifles Yet seldom kill we anyone. Once we gain much loot and booty. Other times we lose the game. Neither gain nor loss affect us. Our belongings keep the same." SHEIK HABEEB: "Thus our raiding is not subtle As the modern business raiding." MR. DUBOIS: "How delightful is the weather And romantic is the moonlight! Is the moon full once a week Or do you have it every night?" SHEIKH FADIL: "Oh no! Oh no! How can that be? Our time is reckoned by the moon Of which each cycle is a month. When full, as once per day 'tis noon. Of our months are Ramadan, Month of fasting, pray'r and brooding, �DECEMBER, 1929 And Muharram, month of truce, When Allah outlaws all fighting. In the month of Ramadan, How they wish the moon to speed In its cycle in the heavens. But my honest humble creed And my wish — Oh! Allah knows — When Muharram blows the horn That the breaks be steeped upon For an extra peaceful morn!" MR. DUBOIS: "Strange to hear of wheels and brakes Not of camels and of steeds." SHEIKH RAJA: "Still we have them; still we love them; Still we have the finest breeds. But we keep them for the sport. Cars we drive with greatest speeds." MR. DUBOIS: "Oh, the sheikhs are interesting. How is it they make the women All so crazy? Will you teach me?" SHEIKH JABIR: "Oh! It seems in love you've fallen." SHEIKH RAFEEK: "Only one of two gets crazy. Either one about the other. . Since 'tis you who have become so They will not about you bother," MR. DUBOIS: "This, your message I shall carry To my people in the West; And shall tell them that the wisdom Of the desert is the best." 39 �Great Syrian For a FREE TRIP to The editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD having made a trip to Syria in the summer of 1929, which he is now describing in a series of articles in the magazine, came to realize not only the great educational and cultural advantages of such a trip, but its unrivalled possibilities for pleasure and recreation. In our enthusiasm for the benefits of such tours, we decided to offer one as a prize to our readers. This is on a par with the most liberal offers made by the biggest American publications, whose readers are hundreds of thousands and even millions. Needless to say that this is unprecedented in the history of Arabic journalism, whether in America or abroad. THE SYRIAN WORLD, in making the great prize offer in spite of the heavy sacrifice involved, considers that in so doing it is promoting the cause of sympathetic understanding of the motherland. This is in keeping with the main object behind the publication of the magazine. Whether the winner be a bov or girl, American or Syrian, the purpose would have been served by the actual contacts established with the great scenic beauties and places of immense historical interest in our country of origin. The proposition is unprecedented, the advantages great, the conditions most liberal. It is surely the opportunity of a lifetime for the ambitious. ITINERARY OF TRIP The free trip offered by THE SYRIAN WORLD takes the same route followed by the editor in his recent trip to Syria. Passage will be Cabin class on the luxurious steamer Providence, of the Fabre Line, sailing from New York July 2nd. Stops on route and shore excursions will be made at Ponta Delgada, Azores Islands; Lisbon, Portugal; Naples, Italy; Palermo, Sicily, and Piraeus and Athens, Greece. In Syria and Lebanon, the winner may remain as long as he desires and return on any of the Fabre Line steamers to New York, also Cabin Class. . . , . „ . . Sailing from New York will be under the direction and full assistance of the firm of A. K. Hitti & Co., the well-known steamship ticket agents. The Beirut Branch of the same firm will render the winner all necessary service and advice free. The editor, thanks to the contacts contracted on his last trip, will also give the winner letters of introduction and recommendation to many influential friends who would render all necessary courtesies. The winner, representing THE SYRIAN WORLD whose services are fully recognized in the motherland, will be assured of the most friendly reception by the authorities and the public. ^ tej ret ab trj 2. 4. 7. �World Contest SYRIA and RETURN SYRIAN WORLD OFFER The prize offered by THE SYRIAN WORLD to the »inner in the contest is free passage, Cabin Class, both ways from New York to Beirut and return, together with a liberal cash allowance for the shore excursions above mentioned on the outward passage. Is this not a worthy prize to try to win? CONDITIONS OF CONTEST 1. THE SYRIAN WORLD prize of a Free Trip to Syria and return will be awarded the individual securing the largest number of New subscribers to the magazine at the regular price of subscription. 2. Considering the great value of the prize offered, the minimum number required to win the award must be not less than one hundred. 3. Every contestant, other than the winner, securing more than one hundred new subscriptions, will be awarded a special cash premium of $1.50 for every subscription. Those securing less than one hundred will be given $1.00 for every subscription. 4. The contest closes June 10, 1930. Letters post-marked later than this date will not be counted. Announcement of the awards will be made June 15. 5. Every subscription must be a new subscription, and must be accompanied by a remittance of the full price of $5.00. «. Gift subscriptions will be counted as direct subscriptions. For instance, if a contestant succeeds in inducing a friend to make gifts of a year's subscription to each of five individuals, he will be given credit for five individual subscriptions. Multiple subscriptions to the same person will not be counted by the number of years; as, for instance, a single individual subscribing for two years will not be given credit for two subscriptions. 7. Those wishing to enter the contest must write to register, in which case they will be furnished with special blanks and helpful literature. 8. The contest is open to all friends of THE SYRIAN WORLD anywhere in the United States and Canada. �sasEaa THE SYRIAN WORLD 42 EDITORIAL COMMENT THE CONTEST IN OFFERING a prize of a trip to Syria, THE SYRIAN WORLD is inaugurating a movement which should prove of incalculable cultural and recreational advantages. Having himself made the trip in the summer of 1929, the editor came to realize the benefits of such tours as proven by the enthusiasm characterizing his description of his experiences and observations abroad in the series of articles now running in THE SYRIAN WORLD. It was but natural that the trip which was to him a source of so much pleasure and profit should be the thing he considers most valuable to offer to his readers. The route across will be identical to the one taken by the editor on his trip. Not alone that, but it will also be on the same ship and the corresponding date as well. The facilities of attention and courtesy for which the firm of A. K. Hitti & Co. are noted will be accorded the winner in THE SYRIAN WORLD contest. The countries touched upon on route offer an unlimited variety of scenery and possibilities for recreation and study; and shore excursions in them will be made . available^as part of the prize. „ : -. .; .:-: The sea voyage itself in midsummer along the Southern Atlantic route and across the Mediterranean is in itself sufficient inducement. For a profitable, restful, enjoyable summer vacation there can be nothing nearer the ideal. Once on Syrian soil, the winner in THE SYRIAN WORLD prize contest will have all the advantages of service and attention by the Beirut branch of the firm of A. K. Hitti & Co. Friends of the editor, both official and private, will assure the winner the maximum of comfort and enjoyment during his or her stay in the country. Such an offer, we believe, is exceptional in its magnitude in the annals of journalism. It is surely unprecedented in the history of Syrian newspaper enterprise in America or abroad. While the object is not purely altruistic, there is in it a good deal of the altruistic motive. We want ambitious people to see our motherland; to appreciate its beauties and its historical shrines; to place its true value on the people and the land whence we came. But, on the other hand, we like to have profit by this generous offer those who show by the greater degree of their enthusiasm the �DECEMBER, 1929 extent of their appreciation for the racial service THE SYRIAN WORLD is endeavoring to render. It is but natural that to him who assists us most in extending our service should be expressed our appreciation in the form of a liberal reward. This reward we have chosen to conform to the nature of the cause we are trying to promote. We are anxious to have our readers avail themselves of this truly exceptional opportunity. To that end we have made the conditions the most liberal consistent with the cost involved. These conditions are too obvious in their liberality to need comment. And what is the nature of the publication one is asked to sell? It is one in which, we may be permitted the remark, everyone of Arabic-speaking extraction should take pride. Unquestionably it is a fitting organ of our culture, a champion of our rights, a promoter of true Americanism through the propagation of better understanding, and the only Syrian publication in English. Our best Syrian talent has rallied to its support in the most splendid manner. During the three and a half years of its existence, it has admittedly done more good than any other single agency in the history of our immigration to bring about a better understanding of the Syrians, and 43 bring honor to the Syrian name. Such being the case, it is manifestly a proud distinction to work for the promotion of such an organ. A Syrian boy or girl soliciting subscriptions need not feel he is imposing. Rather, it should be his conviction that he is rendering a public service not only to the cause of his people but a genuine, personal service to the individual approached. An American working for the same cause of fostering better racial; understanding which THE SYRIAN WORLD advocates has the same cogent argument. And the field is by no means limited. In many a single Syrian community throughout the land many times a hundred subscribers might be' secured. Why should not THE SYRIAN WORLD be in every Syrian home? Besides, solicitation need not be limited to Syrians. Many an American, if properly approached, would be glad to receive such a publication to learn more about Syria and the Syrians. What more satisfaction could be felt than to have an increasing number of other races evince greater interest in understanding and appreciating us! Entrants in the prize contest have five months in which to compete for the awards, from January 15 to June 10, 1930. It is our fond hope that the number of contestants will ba �44 large and widely scattered. The cause is worthy, the terms liberal and the award magnificent. THE SYRIAN WORLD complete elimination from the life of America with the extinction of the present generation of foreign-born. The Arabic-language press in the United States is bound to ARABIC NEWSPAPERS be among the first to disappear. This is due to the restricted AT a certain stage in the de- field and to the small quota of velopment of the American Arabic-speaking immigrants nation, the existence of foreign- permitted entry annually. The language newspapers was not fact that all the Syrian papers only advisable but necessary. have stayed the hand of fate so Restrictions on immigration had far is due chiefly to the economy not been raised and the influx practised in publication and to of newcomers was at times aver- the desperate efforts of the pubaging a million or more every lishers to carry on by sheer year. Practically all the immi- pluck. grants, with the exception of But if the growing comthose coming from Great Brit- plaints of the publishers bear ain, could not speak English. any portent, the inevitable To them the existence of their doom must be rapidly approachnative-language newspapers ing. Already some breaks have was indispensable. These news- taken place in the ranks, and papers were their only medium others threaten. Efforts at connot alone for keeping posted on solidation in the interest of furworld events, but for acquiring ther economy seem to be desthe necessary knowledge of con- tined to failure owing to the ditions in the new land which uncompromising political attithey chose to make their home. tudes of the publishers. And With the enactment of the even if such were possible it present restrictive laws on im- would prove but a temporary migration, conditions have stay of fate. undergone a radical change of Perhaps some enterprising which the first to feel the effect Syrian publisher might launch were the foreign-language an English publication to supernewspapers. Their readers are sede the Arabic ones. But will steadily decreasing in number there be sufficient race conand they are fast facing the sciousness to warrant the step crisis in their existence. The when even THE SYRIAN WORLD inevitable result will be their is complaining? �DECEMBER, 1929 45 Spirit of the Syrian Press Pe t0 PrCSent fr m time to time >tatr£! TV0"Pre ^8Sh°n0t ° » »icroco.»ic nly in tMs countr but wh ££? „V . ' ° y« * er Arab c SlS T^TVf^ thG °Pini°nS °f resP^^e- thinking wrtor. where treating: the different problems that confront the Arabicf8peakJ£ world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will tTken?Sta th. ****** reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. Our tesk^lS ZStT^t w 6"ST?* *° ^ b6St °f °Ur thmk 18 repreSentat n^dtolTs EMIGRANTS' REQUESTS OF LEBANESE GOVERNMENT kn ^ and 4n^tm7. - * the public opinion as «pr-..d Editor. have migrated, and the further appointment of Lebanese representatives in all French consulates, whose salaries would be paid by the consulate out of its commercial revenue. It is but right that French consulates should not be the sole beneficiaries of the revenue they receive from the Lebanese without adequate service rendered. Lebanon should not be a milch cow to the French, nor is it a colony that they may control its destinies peremptorily. But it is up to the Lebanese themselves to affirm their rights and not put the blame wholly on the French. The Economic Bureau of the Lebanese Government has issued a questionnaire inquiring, among other things, about the naturalization status of its nationals abroad. To this we would reply that even if the Lebanese emigrants were to maintain their former political allegiance and loyalty their children are perforce natives of the country of their birth and are lost to the mother-c«untry of their parents. Furthermore, the Lebanese abroad finds himself in an anomalous condition, thanks to the conventions of the Treaty of Lausanne. Nor are those Al-Hoda, N. Y., Jan. 8, 1930. of them who did not adopt a new allegiance recognized as Lebanese citizens. This because they failed to register at a French consulate in ARABS IN AMERICA pursuance of the conditions of the MUST ORGANIZE Treaty. Before the outbreak of the revoThis is a serious situation which lution in Palestine, the ranks of the we have discussed before and which natives were loose and their forces requires correction. What we would disorganized, but when they realized now suggest to the Lebanese Govthe danger they were facing, they ernment is the following: sought to close their ranks so that The appointment of a Lebanese now they have succeeded in presentrepresentative or attache at every ing to the enemy a solid front. No French ambassy or legation in coun- doubt this salutary turn of affairs tries to which Lebanese nationals will result in complete success for �46 the Nationalists, because with their solidarity, neither a foreign enemy nor any other inimical power can prevail against them. This has been the result of our efforts in the homeland, but what have we, the immigrants, done to give further impetus to the beneficial work already started? The answer to this question will require an explanatory statement. It cannot be denied that a large number of our compatriots in the United States, Canada, Mexico and South American countries have done their duty in part by collecting funds for the relief of the sufferers of the outbreaks. This is proof of the genuine sympathy the emigrants entertain for their countrymen in the motherland and their sincere desire to see their country achieve its independence. It further proves that the Arabs, no matter how far away they are from home, and how long their absence, will never forget their sacred duty to the motherland, especially when the country is victim to disaster of some sort. But what this paper strongly urges is that our brother immigrants concentrate now on an effort at organization. They already have several committees and societies apparently for the promotion of the same cause. Now if these separate organizations were to consolidate into one central body their power for service would be immensely increased. The cause is worthy and the need urgent. There are in Palestine any number of sufferers who are in dire need of relief; Palestine delegations are about to come to England and America to work for the cause of the mother-country; and all this requires funds for the proper promotion of the work. Furthermore, we should not overlook the neoessity of conducting intensive propaganda in THE SYRIAN WORLD' Ameriea for the defense of our national cause, because the Jews have filled the air with their cries and lamentations in an effort to raise funds, and American Jews, as is well known, are the richest in the world. It would be impossible to effectively counteract the organized efforts of our enemies except by resort to their own methods, i. e., organization. We feel confident that when American Jews are made aware of the true facts in the Palestine situation they will withhold financial aid to the Zionists and the Arab cause would have found therein its vindication. Al-Bayan, N. Y., Jan. 9, 1980. SIGNS OF LIFE IN SYRIAN NATION Those patriotic Syrians who have set as their goal the independence of Syria are undergoing many trials. We see them now fail, now rise. But in either case, there are strong signs of virility which portends the success of these patriots in achieving ultimate success. It cannot be denied that there existed once among the Syrians a sinister form of fanaticism which gave rise to suspicion and fear among certain elements. But it can now be truthfully stated that this fanaticism is showing signs of recession, so that it may be confidently hoped that a strong spirit of unity will soon assert itself and make possible the co-operation of all Syrian creeds and factions. The announcement lately made by the Syrian press of the intention of the Nationalists to call a general convention of all the Syrian parties and groups to decide on a method of procedure for the attainment of i �DECEMBER, 1929 the national aspirations is a step in the right direction. It is declared that the Syrians will demand a degree of independence similar to that enjoyed by Egypt, and exceeding that of Iraq. This sure'y will be attained if the Syrians can develop a spirit of co-operation. Syrian Eagle, N. Y., Jan. 10, 1930. ARABIC NEWSPAPERS FACING EXTINCTION Our neighbor, As-Sayeh, which is being published daily, has announced the possibility of its reverting to its former condition of appearing semiweekly, owing to financial considerations. As-Sayeh may be as valuable in the one frequency of publication as in the other, but its making public the possibility of taking such a step, while it was supposed to be financed by a strong corporation must be prompted by serious reasons. It had been, besides, enjoying the moral and editorial support of a group of our foremost men of letters in America. We do not presume to know the real motive behind such a decision, if it should materialize, but speaking in general terms, we must admit that Arabic newspapers in all the countries of immigration are "marching toward eternity." This unless immigration laws are so amended as to permit the entry of a substantial number of new immigrants who would naturally have their native language papers as their only medium of information. But the immediate reason for the plight of some of our newspapers is what may be termed the extravagance of overhead expenses and their adherence to some practices which react to their injury in that they 47 cut deeply into their revenue. To rei ->dy this condition we have often urgeo upon the publishers the necessity of consolidation as a means of economy, but our individualistic tendencies seem to be too strong for such an undei-taking. What may be done as an alternative move is to agree on some common rules and regulations for the treatment of personal news and for requiring advance payment by subscribers. The advantage taken by some subscribers in being delinquent in their payment is due to the laxity of the publishers and their liability to agree as a body on enforcing advance payment. Al-Hoda, N. Y., Jan. 11, 1930. THOSE FOREIGNERS! AND THEIR MORAL CODE There is in Beirut a French newspaper called La Syrie whose editor seems to take special pleasure in insulting the Syrians. He is supposed to be the mouthpiece of the High Commissariat, but we are loath to believe that those in authority sanction the unspeakable accusations that this filthy foreigner directs at Syrian womanhood, while accusations of this nature only fit his own kind. This indeed, is the height of impudence and bad manners. A guest in our land takes delight in making us the butt of his jibes and respects not even the honor of our women which we hold most sacred! Vicier, the editor of this French newspaper, had been in Egypt before and even so early in his career was given to virulent attacks on the Syrians. He reached a point in his insults that prompted the late Salim Sarkees to publish in one of the last issues of his publication the �48 THE SYRIAN WORLD ization. They were the torch-bearers of learning when the rest of the world was groping in darkness. But it should also be admitted that the Arabs reached a certain point and stopped. They became, in the course of years, prey to religious fanaticism which tore their unity to shreds and permitted the people of the West to overcome them and despoil them of their freedom and independence. Now if the Arabs, both Moslems and Christians, wish to revive their old glory, they must eradicate the evils of this prime cause of their retrogression. No longer should the Moslem look upon his brother Christian with contempt and hatred as an unbeliever, nor should the Christian be in constant fear that the Moslem is bent on his destruction. Once mutual trust and confidence are established the Arabs can direct their attention towards improving their conditions and they are sure to rival the people of the West in achievement because they are not inferior in their native intelligence and ability. The claim may be advanced that the Turks were the ones who planted the seeds of mistrust and dissension IN COMMEMORATION between Christians and Moslems in OF ARAB GLORY order to break the unity of the Arab A suggestion reaches us from the race. But are our brother Moslems Arab colony of San Luis Potosi. free from blame as regards these Mexico, signed by Moslems and efforts of the Turks? Why did they Christians, advocating setting aside approve of this policy on the part a special day to commemorate the of the Turks, and even encourage glory of the Arab race following it? It is painful to us to refer to such the example set by the Latin races. It is further proposed that the year conditions, but we find it imperative 1930 be celebrated as commemorat- to do so in order to clarify the situaing the thirteenth century of the tion and help along the movement launching of Arab conquests, which for establishing a day of commemorating the glory of the Arab race. began in 630. We cannot pass this suggestion The Arabs must be united before without comment. The Arab race, it they can hope to succeed in any must be admitted, has contributed race movement and it would seem materially to the progress of civil- to us that the initiative along any following remark: "The brave youth of Al-Mazraa have left the land so that none remain to confront this vicious Vicier and write a protest across his face with flaming red ink." Is there no one now to strike the face of this offender and teach him a lesson that he has failed to learn before ? Why not let him understand in the only language he knows that even the High Commissariat cannot hold back your holy wrath when it is a question of insulting you in your honor. It would seem that the proper course for the High Commissariat to follow is to take upon itself muzzling this vicious creature as a service both to the honor of the French and to that of Syria and Lebanon. This would have the effect of warding off suspicion from the French themselves, otherwise a repetition of the Carbillet episode when the country was drowned in a sea of blood is bound to recurr again. Meraat-Ul-Gharb, N.Y.,Dec. 28, 1929. �DECEMBER, 1929 such line should come from our brother Moslems, because the Christians have ever been receptive to all proposals of peace and mutual understanding. The Christian element in the Arab race has rendered invaluable services to Arabic, the language of the Koran. Why should the Christians take so much interest in perpetuating and propagating the Arabic language if it weren't for their interest in the promotion of the cause of the Arabic race? Their loyalty to the Arab cause is, therefore, beyond question, and once mutual confidence and trust between them and their Moslem brethren are restored their concerted efforts could be directed effectively to the upholding of the glory of the Arab race. Ash-Shaab, N. Y., Dec. 24, 1929. TIME FOR UNDERSTANDING WITH THE ARABS Dr. Weizman does not consider the present time opportune for acting on the suggestion of Dr. Magnes President of the Hebrew University, for an amicable understanding between Jews and Arabs. But Dr. Weizman did not designate when, in his opinion, such a time would become opportune. All that he expressed was the fervent hope that England will live up to its moral obligation contained in the Balfour declaration. Inferentially, this statement implies the fear that once England forgoes its mandate over Palestine the Zionists will fold up their tents and depart quickly, leaving to the Arabs all their investments for the building of a Jewish national home. They would rather do that than run the danger of losing their lives. I 49 It's a pity that England will not relinquish her mandatory rights for at least a single month, as it would be interesting to see what Dr. Weizman will do in vindication of his policy of opposition to an understanding with the Arabs. ZIONISTS AND ARMENIANS There are points of resemblance as well as of difference between the influx of Zionists into Palestine and of Armenians into Syria and Lebanon. The Jews come to the country with means of self-support, and their welfare is looked after by strong organization, while the .Armenians come penniless and destitute and must subsist on the means of the country, which are at best precarious. Still their immigration is encouraged by the mandatory authorities even to the point of banishing the tribe of Dandash from their lands in the neighborhood of Horns in order to settle the Armenians in their place. Such a policy does not serve the best interests of the country. The Armenians compete with the natives in every manner of occupation and render the lot of the natives extremely hard. They maintain the lowest living standard and consequently are able to work for the lowest wages. If such is the result of Armenian immigration into Syria and Lebanon now, what will it be in time to come? They are still coming in increasing numbers and the authorities seem oblivious to the obvious menace of their increase. Surely, but for the political designs of the Zionists in Palestine, their presence would be infinitely more desirable than that of the Armenians. Meraat-Ul-Gharb N. Y., Jan. 7, 1930. �mmmmmmmmm •> I THE SYRIAN WORLD 50 Political Developments in Syria PALESTINE The Shaw Commission of Inquiry, appointed to investigate the causes of the Arab-Jewish disturbances of last August in Palestine, returned to London early in January after having spent nine weeks in Palestine taking evidence. The board plans to hear further testimony on the Palestinian situation before submitting its report, which it has promised to do before the end of January. That it will be able to finish its work by that time seems rather doubtful. Both Jews and Arabs are planning to send special delegations to London to further present their case before the commission, and the same difficulties that beset the work of the Board while in Palestine may prove the cause of further delay in London. Up to the middle of January the Arabs had not decided on the personnel of their delegation, and this gave rise to reports that serious differences had arisen among them. Hajj Ameen Al-Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and leader of the Arab movement, refused to be a member of the delegation and with his elimination there was reported to be serious dissension as to the choice of a leader. Meanwhile, conditions in Palestine seem to have returned to a'most normal. Correspondents seem to have nothing more important to report than the conviction of two Arab policemen for neglect of fluty on the testimony of a Jewish member of the police force. Physical violence appears to have come to an end and what remains as the aftermath of the bloody encounters of last August is the commercial boycott which j not only does not show any sign of abating but rather appears to be gaining in force. The Arabic press of Beirut reports < that as a result of this boycott, the Jewish colony of Tell Aviv, having a population of about forty thousand, had been forty days without fresh meat owing to the fear of the Jews to travel to Jaffa for their supplies. Although the distance is not over ten miles, the country is infested with bands of Arabs whom the Jews fear to face. They have appealed to the authorities for protection and relief. What news dispatches failed to report of the nature of the testimony of Hajj Ameen Al-Husseini before the Inquiry Commission was supplied by the Arabic newspaper Palestine of Jaffa. When the commission visited the Grand Mufti at his residence, according to the paper, Sir Boyd Merriman cross-examined him as follows: Q—Were you sentenced in 1920 ? A—I was tried and sentenced in my absence. Q—Were you granted a pardon? A—I was granted a pardon but refused to accept it because I refused to admit that I was guilty. Q—Why were you sentenced? A—Because one thousand nine hundred years ago, and only two hundred yards from where the august commission is now sitting, Christ was sentenced to die at the instigation of the Jews. Dr. Magnes Replies Following Zionist attacks on his recommendations for entering negotiations leading to conciliation with » MIIUHI...J. ... �— DECEMBER, 1929 the Arabs Dr. Judah L. Magnes, chancellor of the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus in Jerusalem, issued a pamphlet entitled "Like All the Nations" in defense of his stand. Dr. Magnes reiterates his condemnation of the use of force, asserts that Jewish control of Palestine is not so important as other factors of Judaism and urges political reform that would immediately put Jews and Arabs upon an equal basis. He does not favor the resort of Jews to bayonnets, "like other nations," but would overcome all obstacles through all other weapons of civilization: spiritual, intellectual, social, cultural, financial, economic, medical—brotherly, friendly weapons. As may be expected, the views of Dr. Magnes are being vehemently attacked by the Zionists who would see a numerical preponderence of Jews in Palestine before consenting to a representative form of government in the country. SYRIA ON EVE OF POLITICAL SOLUTION i tig-i- Out of the maze of conflicting reports on political developments in Syria, the following is the gist of the sober discussions of the Syrian press: High Commissioner Ponsot has not as yet given any public indication of his proposed program. He has called his agents in various sections of the country to a conference in Beirut which lasted three days, but its decisions were kept secret. What is claimed by persons in close touch with the authorities as being the ultimate solution of the Syrian problem may be summarized as follows: Appointment of the Sherif Ali Haidar Pasha general governor of Syria for life, being neither a mon- 51 arch nor an elected executive. His cabinet is to be responsible not to him but to the Representative Assembly. Once this stable form of government is established the French will enter into negotiations with it for the conclusion of a treaty which is to be of twenty-five years' duration. Syria will be granted the right of diplomatic representation abroad but will not be given absolute powers in matters of major importance. If the Constituent Assembly, now suspended, will agree to enter into negotiations on these terms the French will permit its convocation, otherwise new elections will be held after the lapse of one year. As regards internal questions arising between Syria and Lebanon, a referendum will be held in those sections annexed to Lebanon to determine the wish of the inhabitants. If both parties fail to come to an amicable agreement between themselves the matter will be submitted to the League of Nations for adjudication. Comment in the Syrian press on the foregoing propositions seems to be favorable, but no indication is given as to when the High Commissioner will begin putting his program into effect. Unless the activities of the agents of Sherif Ali Haidar in Damascus, which have become intense of late, presage some definite action in the near future. One of the sons of the Sherif made himself conspicuous by his activities in Damascus in conducting propaganda for his father, and it was reported that the government of Sheikh Tajeddin ordered him to leave the city. Other reports would have it appear that France has reached the limit of her patience in dealing with the Syrian situation and would like �ssaDiaat 52 mmmmmrirmm^nHmattmmmmmm THE SYRIAN WORLD to bring it to a quick settlement, as she fears the effects of the protracted delay on her moral prestige in the East. LEBANON Although one of the provisions of the Eddy program was almost revolutionary in character, demanding the suspension of the constitutional rights of the Representative Assembly, the program was approved by an overwhelming majority. Now the Cabinet can proceed with its proposed reforms without the delay attending parliamentary debates. The Cabinet is empowered to use this almost dictatorial power until July. 1930. The objections to this grant of authority were apparently well taken, inasmuch as they were based on fear of making grants and concessions which would bind the country ever after without any recourse to redress. But the implicit trust in the integrity and patriotism of the Premier prevailed in the end. The Lebanese seem to have come to realize the necessity of dispensing with dilatory tactics in enforcing necessary reforms. The Eddy program is concerned chiefly with economic improvements and administrative changes. It was learned from authoritative sources that High Commissioner Ponsot heartily approves the program of Premier Eddy. In fact, understanding between the two men was reached on all major points while they were both in Paris last summer and before M. Emile Eddy consented to form a cabinet. This firm action now being taken in the administration of Lebanon's internal affairs appears to be a preparatory move for the general readjustment of the whole Syrian problem. The Lebanese Government has passed an appropriation of £750,000 for the creation of a naval base in Tripoli as the terminus of the direct air mail line between France and Syria. Protests were voiced that Lebanon should stand this cost instead of France, but the objections were soon stilled. It is presumed that this move was undertaken to benefit Tripoli in an effort to counteract her tendencies for secession from the Lebanese Republic for union with the State of Syria. ENEMY ARABIAN KINGS TO MEET A special wireless dispatch to the New York Times from Bagdad dated January 16 states that despite the long-standing feud between the Arab royal families, King Feisal of Iraq will soon meet Ibn Saoud, the Wahabi ruler, in a neutral zone on the Iraq-Nejd frontier. The two* monarchs will confer on the "best measures for ending the activity of malefactors whose raids are liable to disturb the friendly relations between the sister States of Iraq and Nejd." A great stir has been caused in Bagdad by the announcement of the meeting which is a direct result of Ibn Saoud's recent pursuit and capture of the rebel sheik Feisal ed Dowish and his followers. Admiration is everywhere expressed for King Feisal's being able to disregard the family quarrel, which reached its climax in the loss by Feisal's family of the Hedjaz throne. His willingness to meet his old enemy is considered a convincing proof of Ibn Feisal's desire to place Iraq's interests above all other considerations. �11 ! '""" - n .i ... i i L.I,,, —— DECEMBER, 1929 53 About Syria and Syrian PHOENICIANS WERE FIRST TO DISCOVER AMERICA Inscriptions on Rocks in Amazon Valley Revive This Belief. Reference was made on several occasions by the Syrian press of Brazil, and noted by The Syrian World, to the research being made in the Amazon Valley for Phoenician inscriptions which would justify the opinion of certain scholars that the Phoenicians were the first to discover America. Now it is the Associated Press that reports on the progress of this research in a dispatch from its correspondent in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil dated Januarv 1 1930. ' The Associated follows: > Press dispatch "Discovery of inscriptions carved on Amazon Valley rocks has revived a belief that 4,000 years or more ago Phoenicians discovered America, navigated the Amazon and built a city there. "The finds were made by Dr. Barbosa while on a trip a few months ago with General Rondon, Brazil's most famous explorer. The carvings were in hieroglyphs. "Information about them is withheld while decoding goes on, a job expected to take about a year. They were found in rock formations along the Cumina River in the State of Para and on bits of pottery. "If the decoding comes up to the expectations of archaeologists, it is said excavations will be attempted Sl eS 0f Cumina in searc fo7tl , site ^ of « for the T buried a city "The name of this city according to tr.d,t,o„ w.. Atlantida. Curious y, this is the same as the name of the continent that some geological and archaeological writers say ont existed in the Atlantic Ocean and that may have formed either a land bridge or link for communication between the old and the new hemis ther J a,itieS ln the Vast zon°h r A^zon basin have furnished Phoenician traces. At the confluence of thTSS mao and Negro rivers, on a sma 1 .land called Pedro, what appear^ iaye?o:kn"cianshipiscarvedoNEAR EAST COLLEGES CAMPAIGN SUCCESSFUL Fifteen Million Raised to Endow Six American Institutions, of which Syrians Contributed $150,000 The Executive Committee of the Near East College Association announced the completion of the $15 000,000 campaign for the endow': meat of the American University of Beirut, Robert College, Constantinople Roman's College, International College of Smyrna American College of Sofia and Athens College Greece, as a memorial to the late' Cleveland H. Dodge. Mr. Dodge was for many years president of the board of trustees of Robert College, Constantinople �THE SYRIAN WORLD 54 and was instrumental in combining the financial and administrative work of the Six American Colleges in the Near East in a joint office for increased efficiency in management and in raising the endowment funds necessary to secure their maintenance and development in the future. His death in June, 1926, occurred while plans for the $15,000,000 campaign were under discussion. The plan which he outlined was carried out by the executive committee as a memorial to him and to his efforts in furthering American education in countries in the Near East. The $15,000,000, according to the statement of the executive committee, has been raised during the past three and one-half years. Sixteen thousand two hundred persons have contributed to the fund including many alumni and former students living in the Near East, Africa, Europe, North and South America. The largest single gift was $3,500,000 from the estate of the late Charles M. Hall. Three large gifts were conditional on the securing of the entire amount by January first, 1930, namely, $1,000.000 from Edward S. Harkness, $500,000 from John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and $250,000 from Julius Rosenwald. Among the notable gifts was an appropriation of $750,00 from the Laura Spelman Rockefeller memorial made just before that organization was merged with the Rockefeller Foundation; $150,000 from Ery Kehaya of which $100,000 went to Athens College and $50,000 to the American College of Sofia; $100,000 from Charles R. Crane, through the Friendship Fund; $60,000 from Professor J. R. Jewett of Harvard University for endowing a chair of Arabic at the American University of Beirut, and $150,000 from alumni of the American University of Beirut. Mrs. Seth Millikan, as the Chairman of the Women's Committee, engaged William Fellows Morgan, as the Chairman of a Men's Committee, in an animated money raising contest which resulted in approximately $1,500,000 from friends of the Colleges in New York City. Mrs. Frank A. Vanderlip served as the Chairman of a Women's National Committee and addressed a number of meetings from coast to coast. The object of the campaign was to bring the endowment of Robert College up to $4,500,000; Constantinople Woman's College ot $2,500,000; the American University of Beirut to $4.500 000; International College of Smyrna to $1,000,000, and to provide $500,000 for the building program and $500,000 for the endowment of both the American College of Sofia and Athens College, Greece. Greeks who requested the Association to establish an American College in Greece similar to Robert College agreed to raise the $500,000 necessary for the College buildings and have done so. Another feature of the campaign was the endowing of the presidency of Constantinople Woman's College by a committee in Boston, of the Athens College presidency by a Cleveland Committee, the presidency of International College by a Los Angeles Committee, a professorship at Robert College by a group in Philadelphia and the Millikan Chair of Science at the American University of Beirut by friends in Pasadena. The campaign was managed by Albert W. Staub, the American Director of the six American Colleges, with offices at 18 East 41st Street, New York City. «am mm I DEC SYRL if The York irodui pe'r-Di Theat Janua The r Mat" be giv settinj procec social by th< The series Adele Elmer Shube ; supers I presid I & Scu �? f! II DECEMBER, 1929 U SYRIAN JUNIOR LEAGUE TO GIVE ARAB PLAY The Syrian Junior League of New I York will give its first dramatic iroduction and After-Theatre- Supper-Dance at the Brooklyn Little Theatre, 122 St. Felix Street, on January 30th, 31st and February 1st. The play is called "B;ue and Green I\!at" by Constance Wilcox and will be given in the Arabic manner with settings and music of Arabia. The proceeds will be applied toward the social service activities conducted by the organization. The play is to be the first of a series and is being coached by Mrs. Adele Gutnian Nathan who directed \ Elmer Rice's "The Subway" for Shubert's. The settings are being supervised by Nicholas Macsoud, president of the Society of Painters & Sculptors of Brook'yn. The music is special'y written by Anis Fuleihan, pianist and composer. The costumes are specially created by Helen and Albert Jacobs and the dancing supervised by Miss Esther Markowitz who was supervfser of the dancing of the Arts & Festivals Committee of the Neighborhood House of Greater New York. The Syrian Junior League is a group of the younger set of prominent Syrian families. It was organized two years ago by Mrs. Joseph W. Ferris, arid has for its purpose the cultivation, fellowship and development of social, educational and cultural programs. Funds are also raised throughout the year for various social service endeavors. The officers of the Syrian Junior League are: Mrs. Joseph W. Ferris, honorary president; Miss Adele Macsoud, president; Miss Florence Jabara. first vice-president; Miss : Helen Jacobs 2nd vice-president; Miss Marie Trabulsi, recording sec- 55 retary; Miss Selma F. Milkie, corresponding secretary and Miss Wisteen Makla, treasurer. This first dramatic effort of the Syrian Junior League will undoubtedly prove a revelation. Those who have witnessed the rehearsals testify to the unusual talent displayed by both the young men and the young women taking part. The success of the presentation seems assured. RIHANI IN DEBATE ON ZIONIST QUESTION The Foreign Policy Association held its regular fortnightly luncheon and discussion at the Hotel Astor in New York, on Saturday, Januaiy 18. The occasion was devoted to the discussion of the Arab-Jewish question and our celebrated author and traveler, Ameen Rihani, undertook to defend the Arab viewpoint. Engaged in the debate were a Zionist and an Englishman who contributed to the interest of the occasion with their presentation of the Zionist case and the English policy respectively. The debate was broadcast over WEAF. Jabir Shibli, a student of Columbia, and one of a large number of Syrians attending the luncheon, also spoke for a few minutes in defense of the Arab cause. COMING RADIO TALK BY SYRIAN WORLD EDITOR The editor of The Syrian World will speak over station WPCH on Sunday, February 2nd, at 4 P. M., on the subject of Syria and the Syrians in the United States. This talk will be a part of the National Y. M. C. A. Radio educational Programs. �wmv 56 PROF. JABR DUMIT DIES IN SYRIA News reached Emile Dumit, a graduate of the American University of Beirut and now taking advanced courses in Columbia of the death of his father, Prof. Jabr Dumit, in Beirut on Januray 20. Prof. Dumit was one of the foremost Arabic scholars of the East. He occupied the chair of Arabic literature at the American University of Beirut for fifty years and his golden jubiee as teacher was celebrated all over the Arabic-speaking world in the summer of 1928. Prof. Dumit was connected with the University almost from its inception and his demise must needs be felt as a great loss to Arabic letters. Prof. Dumit leaves a widow, three sons and three daughters. PRESIDENT OF LEBANON GOES IN SUBMARINE M. Chas. Dabbas, President of the Republic of Lebanon, accepted the invitation of the Admiral of the French Mediterranean fleet to a ride in a submarine. They boarded the craft in the harbor of Beirut and it took them under water to the port of Jounieh, about eight miles north, returning in the same manner. The president expressed great satisfaction with his experience. PORT OF BEIRUT TO BE ENLARGED L'Orient, of Beirut announces definitely that the French have decided to enlarge the port of Beirut and have appropriated for the purpose a sum of 150,000,000 francs to be spent over a period of five years. THE SYRIAN WORLD The French expect to realize on their investment from the sale of reclaimed land which they propose to fill in in the process of enlargement. The new port will be divided into sections and will make possible the" docking of large steamers which now have to anchor in the roadway. IBN SAOUD SEEKS TO MODERNIZE ARABIA The surrender of the rebel sheik Feisal ed Dowish will enable the Wa'habi King, Ibn Saoud, to continue the constructive policy he has begun in the Hedjaz, including the provision of electric street cars for Mecca, according to a wireless dispatch to the New York Times from Jeddah, Arabia dated January 12. All parts of the country are now linked by radio and automobile transport is being rapidly developed. In four years 1,200 automobiles and trucks have been brought to Jeddah for the transport of pilgrims to Mecca and Medina. The Hedjaz Government is now studying two important schemes. The first is for the installation of an electric plant midway between Jeddah and Mecca to supply both cities with electricity and later run electric tramways. The second is for the provision of harbor works at Jeddah and lighthouses and beacons along the Arabian coast. The government is also legislating for the improvement of education, agriculture and public health. SYRIAN CENTENARIAN LEAVES 90 DESCENDANTS Joseph Gorab, a Syrian centenarian of Paterson. N. J., died late in December leaving ninety children and grand-children in America and Syria. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1929_12reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 04, Issue 04 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1929 December Description An account of the resource Volume 4 Issue 04 of The Syrian World published December 1929. First in this issue Ameen Rihani discusses the American conception of the "stage sheik," and he corrects this view as he has the experience to do so, with his travels throughout Arabia. Following that there is Paul Deab's poem titled "Renaissance," which paints a wintery scene. Salloum Mokarzel, the paper's editor, is featured next with more of his trip to Syria. This issue covers his trip to Zahle. His account is followed by a poem by Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin titled "Restless." Dr. Phillip Hitti is featured next with his discussion of the Druze religion, a rather secretive organization. Through translating some of the original text and prayers never before seen, he presents an interesting account of the religion. Adelaide Faris is also included for her own account of Syria, taken from her family trip a few years prior. Within it she presents a vivid account of the historic beauty of Syria like never before. An excerpt of Emile Dumit's play "Staging a Desert Scene" is presented last before an advertisement for the Great Syrian World Contest, which if won includes a free trip to Syria following the same route the editor Salloum Mokarzel took the summer of 1929 with his family. The issue concludes with excerpts from the Arab press, and an update on the political situation in Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1920s Ameen Rihani Druze Emile Dumit New York Paul Deab Philip Khuri Hitti Salim Alkazin Syria Travel https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/2e8f671f1b207769d7bcf6a98045cc70.pdf a25a958641daf805faa8aac48ed9a14c PDF Text Text 30'29F VOL. IV. No. 3. NOVEMBER, 1929. TTTF SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE I i i a OFFICIALDOM AND THE GENTLEMEN OF THE PRESS SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL A DESERVING INSTITUTION HILDA FOX RIHANI—THE MAN AND HIS WORK ELIZABETH P. MACCALLUM ESS A LEGEND OF THE NILE DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN I SUCH WAS FATE! (A SHORT STORY) LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA jHjJ i THE COPY 50c ��THE SYRIAN WORLD SALLOUM A. Tublished monthly by MOKARZEL, Editor. THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single copies 50c Entired as second-class matter June 257^192671uf the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. IV. No. 3. NOVEMBER, 1929 CONTENTS PAGE In This Issue 3 Officialdom and the Gentlemen of the Press 5 SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL A Deserving Institution Miss 14 HILDA FOX Riharii—The Man and His Work ELIZABETH P. 20 MCCALLUM To the Mm With the Hard Eyes (Poem) 28 BARBARA YOUNG A Legend of the Nile (Poem) DR. SALIM Y. 29 ALKAZIN �.IDII —°— —m CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE Such Was Fate! (Short Story) LABEEBEE A. J. 32 HANNA Editorial Comment Racial Consciousness Variety 38 40 Letters to the Editor 41 Spirit of the Syrian Press 42 Political Developments in Syria 46 About Syria and Syrians 50 ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE President of Lebanon Entertains Publishers President Charles Dabbas of Lebanon Sheikh Bishara Khouri, Premier of Lebanon Farewell Luncheon to Lebanese Editors Ameen Rihani in Arab Costume The Valley of Freike Partial View of Freike �IN THIS ISSUE ELIZABETH MACCALLLTM is a serious student of foreign affairs, being on the research staff of the Foreign Policy Association. The early struggles and achievements of Ameen Rihani, both in the literary and the political realms, hold a strong fascination for her. She made a thorough study of his life and works and wrote an illuminating article on the subject which was published in the November number of the SURVEY GRAPHIC. It is but proper that THE SYRIAN WORLD, to which Ameen Rihani has contributed so freely, reproduce this authoritative appreciation of him by an American writer of standing. Miss MacCallum, it may be recalled, is an authority on Syrian and Near Eastern affairs, she being the author of the "Nationalist Crusade in Syria." Her article on Rihani, as well as the accompanying illustrations, are reproduced by special permission of the author and of the SURVEYGRAPHIC. * * * SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL writes for this issue another chapter of the account of his recent tour in Svria. In this installment he tells of his interviews with the President and Premier of the Republic of Lebanon, and with the acting French High Com- missioner. Not alone do you get an estimate of the character of each of these high officials, but some pertinent information on various governmental affairs in the country. Besides, the writer takes you on a tour of the newspaper and printing establishments, and recounts his personal experiences and contacts with the members of the newspaper fraternity. * * * DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN spent several years in Egypt while a youth and became well versed in the mystic lore of that ancient country. He contributes to this issue a fascinating legend cast in poetic form and having all the gripping interest of a mystery tale. The reader can follow the moving narrative as easily as he can an easv-reading short story. * * * LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA contributes to this issue an original short story, whose scene is laid in America and whose theme is a phase of Syrian life. Surely the cosmic force of love moves all men alike, but the new factor of immigration coming into the lives of the Syrians and causing the breaking up of many a home makes the plot of Miss Hanna's story possible. While she initiates you into certain forms of Syrian social activities in New York, �she holds your interest until the final denoument which reveals a tragic incident in a Syrian couple's life. * * * BARBARA YOUNG, the wellknown American poet, is a loyal friend of the Syrians and THE SYRIAN WORLD. She has contributed many an original poem before and makes of her present contribution a further proof of her continued interest. * * * HILDA FOX, General Secretary of the Lebanon Hospital for Mental Diseases, writes on the history and needs of this, the only institution of its kind, in Mt. Lebanon. Syrians interested in the progress of humanitarian endeavors in their mother-country will find it most profitable to acquaint themselves with the indispensable work of this institution, supported so far solely by American and British philanthropy. * * * REGULAR DEPARTMENTS are being improved and added to constantly. Political Developments in Syria continue to hold the center of the starre in Near Eastern affairs. The Arabs are prosecuting vigorously their claim to a place in the sun and have so far succeeded in creating a tremendous impression. To follow the epoch-making events now taking place in Syria and Palestine is to read history in the making. These develop- « ments are concisely and conscientiously summarized in every issue of THE SYRIAN WORLD. * * * The Spirit of the Syrian Press in this issue is as informative and as indicative of public opinion among the Syrians as ever. Passions seem to be aroused to an unusual degree over many political matters under controversy. The comments are faithfully reproduced as they appeared, our purpose being to give an adequate picture of what transpires in the Syrian press. * * * Letters to the Editor in this issue seem to concentrate on one subject. We invite our readers to express themselves freely on all current matters. Criticism and suggestions for improvement are equally welcome.*** The News Department in this issue is enlarged and contains a wide variety of material. Readers can add to its interest by sending us news of all matters of public concern occurring in their localities. Our readers surely share with us the satisfaction of making an appreciable gain in overcoming the delay in our publication schedule. This issue appeared only three weeks since the publication of the last. We trust to be able to continue this gain so as to overcome the discrepancy with the second issue following. �—. — I, .,., ,._,.,, ..., T1TF SYRIAN WORLD VOL. IV. No. 3. NOVEMBER, 1929. Officialdom and the Gentlemen of the Press A Chronological Record of the Editor's Trif Abroad By SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL III. QF the month I spent in Syria a little over ten days were spent in Beirut, though intermittently. I could have profitably spent many more but for the limitation of time. For Beirut is not only the capital of the Lebanese Republic, but the emporium of Syria, its principal seaport and, perhaps, the chief cultural and educational center of the whole Arabic-speaking world. Its ranking educational institutions are the American University and L'Universite de St. Joseph of the Jesuit order, while its colleges and schools of lesser rank may be counted by the score, some under native and others under foreign direction. Beirut, besides, does not lack of historical or legendary importance. It was a flourishing center of commerce and learning both before and during Roman rule, and through the stormy epoch of the Crusades it played an important role. The Bay of St. George, where the valiant Christian knight slew the dragon and saved the maid, is one of the chief beach resorts of the city, while the valuable archaeological discoveries made in the city proper and vicinity, have enriched the National Museum to the point of making it the foremost museum in the world in Phoenician relics. The invaluable sarcophagus of King Ahiram, unearthed in Byblos in 1924 and �,A 6 THE SYRIAN WORLD bearing the earliest inscription ever discovered in Phoenician characters, is in the possession of the Museum of Beirut. This is but part of what gives Beirut its claim to intrinsic historical importance, while the additional distinction of being the seat of the French High Commissariat since the mandate, enhances its position as a political center. Having been shown exceptional courtesies by the native government, my first act was to call on the President to pay my respects and render due thanks. President Charles Dabbas was courteous to receive me at an early hour. He is at his desk during summer punctually at eight. When I was ushered into his office at about nine he had cleared his desk of the morning mail leaving only a huge pile of local and foreign papers untouched. My companion on this occasion, as on most of my other formal calls, was Joseph Mokarzel, publisher of Ad-Dabbour. But in the company of President Dabbas one immediately feels the unnecessity of all formalities. My first impression of him was that of a clear-visioned, affable diplomat, hiding under a screen of suppleness a firm tenacity of purpose. He is eminently fitted for his exalted post both by character and training. Being a lawyer of note and having held high administrative posts in the native government before the inauguration of the republican regime, he is master of all details of administration. Perhaps he excels in the role of conciliator and mediator, and this first impression I had of him was later confirmed at the time he acted as host in his official residence to a group of the leading publishers and editors whom he invited to a luncheon and reception he was gracious to extend to me. What I witnessed at the time, when he handled one of the most difficult situations with infinite tact and adroitness, convinced me of his supreme fitness for the honor of being the first president of the first republic in the Arabic East. President Dabbas expressed the greatest solicitude for the welfare of Syrian and Lebanese emigrants in America. He would like to see the bond of relationship further strengthened between them and their mother country. Not that he would expect them all to return, but that they should not disrupt definitely their relations with the motherland and lose all interest in its welfare. Now that Lebanon is entering upon a new era of progress and expected prosperity, the President believes that Lebanese emigrants could not only contribute substantially to the acceleration of the advance movement, but that they could profit materially �NOVEMBER, 1929 I I 7 by the promotion of basic industrial enterprises. The audience with the President lasted for over an hour. He was anxious to get first-hand information on America and I of the motherland. Prominent personalities among Lebanese emigrants were not unknown to him. He particularly inquired after the well-being of my brother, publisher and editor of AlI-loda of New York. "The country," volunteered the President, "owes Mr. N. A. Mokarzel a lasting debt of gratitude for his signal services in his long and constructive career. I trust you will be good enough to convey to him these sentiments as expressions of the deep appreciation of his motherland. Through him our thanks may be appropriately transmitted to that vast number of generous emigrants who so splendidly responded to his call to aid the motherland in its times of trial and affliction." The President was referring to the numerous occasions when Al-Hoda, through popular subscriptions, raised thousands of dollars in money, clothing and foodstuffs in aid of Syrian and Lebanese sufferers. It may be parenthetically stated that this sentiment of appreciation and gratitude to the editor of Al-Hoda was prevalent throughout the land. I heard it expressed in the President's office, in the Maronite Patriarch's see, in District Governors' bureaus, as well as in the public squares of the remotest and most isolated villages. To the common people he was the ideal patriot, fearless in his championship of the nation's liberties. He was everywhere proudly and lovingly referred to as the "Tiger of Lebanon." The conversation with President Dabbas encompassed all vital subjects from the economic, to the social and educational. Politics, however, were only lightly considered. It was perhaps best to exclude this topic from consideration in the highest executive office of the country when every other place in the land seemed to teem with it. The very atmosphere of Lebanon appears to be impregnated with politics. Before I had gone through half of my first day I had come to the conviction that no group could be together for more than five minutes before the conversation veered to politics. There was something or other wrong with everything and everybody, and all was wrong with the government. Alas! if only the people directed their energies to some constructive effort, what a change could be wrought. And this condition, I must hasten to state, does not apply �<m«*r* ** - 8 THE SYRIAN WORLD only to governmental circles and the people of the capital j it was epidemic throughout the land. You could not possibly escape it even if you "sought seclusion on the mountain top," as the Arab adage goes. For even there the goatherd will come to you with his complaints and grievances, and your native companions would find excuses to revert to politics in the question of reforestation, road-building, taxation, petty graft and a score like matters. From the President's office we stepped into that of the Premier, adjoining. Sheikh Bishara Khoury had been in office only a few months but even then was considering to resign. Politics in Lebanon is the most trying of games and it would seem that the most honest and capable must of necessity devote the major portion of his time and energy to maintaining himself in office instead of applying himself to his duties. One's first impression of the Premier is that of a man of extraordinary capability and energy. His clear, blue eyes have depth and firmness. He greets you with the affability and dignity of the born aristocrat. His every movement denotes decision. The Premier was as solicitous for the Lebanese emigrants in America as was the President. Our conversation ran along almost identical lines. When asked for his photograph he wrote across it a beautiful message to the emigrants. For if the former conception of the emigrants remaining an integral part of the mother country is gradually giving way, it is doing so reluctantly. All classes of the population appreciate to the full the contributions of the emigrants to the maintenance of the motherland— their continued remittances are an immense invisible item in the revenue of the country, while the large amount of emigrant capital invested in industrial enterprises is helping materially in its economic progress. The Premier lauded as a most helpful move the promotion of tourism. From the office of the Premier we crossed the hall to that of M. Solomiac, simply as a matter of formality, he being the liaison officer between the French High Commissariat and the Lebanese Government. While on the subject of formal calls, I may here mention that some of my newspaper friends advised my visiting M. Tetrau, the acting High Commissioner in the absence of M. Ponsot. The audience was arranged through John Bey Ayoub, director of the Bureau of the Press in the High Commissariat. To M. �• I P T i n « T *» I T •" a 1 f» I P <! (1 i PRESIDENT OF LEBANON Guests at the official luncheon given by President Charles D From left to right: Shukri Baccash, Bishara Khouri, Gibran karzel, Gabriel Khabbaz, President Dabbas (central figure tany, Kheir Eddin El-Ahdab, Wadih Akel, Joseph Souda, Jo O "i r» o5 *<: i i i p v n n w ENTERTAINS PUBLISHERS abbas of Lebanon in honor of the Editor of The Syrian World. Twaini, Alexander Riashi, Michel Zakkour, Salloum A. Moin white), Mohammad Al-Bakir, Assad Akel, Alexander Bisseph Mokarzel. �PRESIDENT CHARLES DABBAS OF LEBANON From the autographed photograph given to the Editor of The Syrian World. �_ SHEIKH BISHARA KHOURI Premier of Lebanon 4# '>: u,o To my In tion of wishes return. TRANSLATION OF THE PREMIER'S INSCRIPTION ON HIS PHOTOGRAPH friend, Mr. Salloum Mokarzel, remembrance of his visit to the Lebanese homeland and in recognihis services to this country, coupled with greetings and sincere best to Lebanese emigrants. May God grant them prosperity and safe Beirut, August 21, 1929. BISHARA KHOURI, Premier of Lebanon. �lUflli1" -J* FAREWELL LUNCHEON TO LEBANESE EDITORS The sixth figure from the left is Sheikh Bishara Khouri, Premier of the Republic of Lebanon. Immediately at his right, wearing a tarboush, is Ahmed Showky Bey, poet Laureate of Egypt. The second from the left is Sami Effendi Shawa. MMMMMMHH t M t->* !- aa il /-* rt i 3 **M �MrtlWWlHUU l.i.l.lh.'fl NOVEMBER, 1929 Tetrau I explained the purpose of my trip and stressed the project of encouraging tourism to Syria and Lebanon. 1 ventured the opinion that it would be a profitable move to issue suitable literature in English for the purpose, the which could be distributed among the American traveling public. M. Tetrau replied that this had been done; that a few thousand descriptive pamphlets had been printed and distributed, but how and where he could not tell. He searched in his desk for a copy and gave it to me. It was a diminutive thing that would compare ill with any piece of literature a steamship company issues to advertise a single cruise. No copies of the small edition, to his knowledge, had been sent for distribution in America. But in French literature the tourist trade of the country fared better. The acting High Commissioner showed me the latest product of French effort along this line. It was a pretentious book by Col. Jacquot, an officer of the French army of occupation, on the Alouite State. I had seen the book before through the courtesy of the purser of the S. S. Providence while making the crossing and admired its scholarly information. The High Commissioner obligingly informed me that the book was on sale at the Jesuit Press in Beirut, where it could be bought for forty francs, as it was privately printed to the account of the author. I took the hint and bought a copy, which I consider well worth the price, but I could not escape the conclusion that this was poor propaganda for the country. The High Commissioner, however, further obliged me with an explanation as to the reason for the reluctant attitude of the French toward the encouragement of tourism. In his statement he left nothing for inference. His words were clear and indicated a well-defined policy. "Under prevailing conditions in the country," he said, "we do not want to encourage tourism. Hotel facilities are not adequate and we fear that by inducing tourists to visit the country in its present stage their reactions will be such as to bring injury to the tourist industry in the future. Our concern at present is to provide first-class hotels equipped with all modern conveniences. We plan to have such hotels erected at strategic points throughout the country, in a line running from Beirut, to Tripoli, to Aleppo and Damascus. The railroad companies are raising the necessary capital for this project and we expect to have a number of hotels opened in the principal cities within a few years." I was not inclined to enter into an argument with the acting �*'? 10 THE SYRIAN WORLD High Commissioner. I was seeking information and got it. The stand of the French authorities on the question was clear and they gave their reasons unequivocally for so doing. But I could not help asking myself the reason for such a divergence of policy between the French and the native authorities. Here was the Lebanese Government making annual appropriations for the encouragement of tourism and the promotion of Lebanon as a summer resort, while the French expressed the fear that until the completion of the contemplated hotels the country would be more hurt than benefited by the tourist trade. How can the two viewpoints be reconciled? I not only put the question to myself but put it to others to native political leaders who seem to have developed an uncanny perspicaaty in delineating French motives. Here was their explanation: "The French are in the country primarily for their own interests. If the tourist trade is to be profitable the profit must be theirs. It will not be theirs so long as they have no capital invested in the hotel business. They are, therefore, biding their time in the promotion of tourism until the railroad interests, which are French, are ready with their plans, all other excuses notwithstanding. We have in Lebanon better equipped and managed hotels than any in Palestine,—better even than the government-built hotel in Latakia. But Palestine does not seem to suffer from any harmful reaction of its tourists. The truth of the situation is that the country's progress is being sacrificed to French greed." This is the pro and con of the situation. I am neither indicting nor defending. What I can frankly and unreservedly state, however, is that I heard grumblings against this policy of the French in every section, mostly, rather, in northern Lebanon, which is supposed to be the bulwark of French influence in the country. While on the subject of officials, I could not pass a general reference to many French officials in various parts of Syria who entertain genuine solicitude for the welfare of the Syrian people, and who have succeeded in establishing themselves firmly in the love and esteem of all classes. Wherever such are found they are fast repairing the damage done to French prestige by the overbearance and arrogance of their predecessors. I shall relate my pleasant experiences with these officials in due course of these accounts. �NOVEMBER, 1929 11 Some of my most pleasant memories of my experiences in Beirut are those of my contacts with members of the newspaper fraternity. The editors had been most hospitable in their reception and kind in their treatment of me. I had known everyone by his work and came to evaluate his true character. I could expect fairness from them all at all times, but never dreamed that they would carry their generosity to the extent they dealth to me. Our relations were not only those of genuine cordiality but of sincere mutual helpfulness at the same time. In their political views they may be irreconciliably divided, as would be natural, but on one particular point, that of admiration for the emigrants and appreciation of their generous help to the mother country in times of need, they are of a single mind. They sought of me information on the conditions of the emigrants covering every phase of life, while I was immensely enriched by their wealth of experience on general conditions in the motherland. I am happy over the privilege of being the medium of transmitting to my fellow Syrians and Lebanese in America the high opinion of them entertained by the representatives of the intelligent public opinion of their mother-country. Learning of my interest in making a study of the progress of the printing industry, the publishers of (Beirut gave me free access to their printing establishments. I must confess that I had hoped to see the industry in a more advanced state for a city of the educational and cultural importance of Beirut. With a little more initiative and technical knowledge, a modern press could be established in Beirut which the city and the country at large could well support. It would be the means for cultivating the sense of the beautiful in the printing art which is an unfailing sign of a nation's progress. On my visits to the American and Jesuit Universities, I was given beautifully printed year books and other pieces of literature on the two institutions, but the work was done in France! Almost all the newspaper establishments of Beirut are identical in equipment. A cylinder press, and in a few cases two, of European make fed by hand; one or more job presses; a paper cutter and any number of old-style type cases which the Arabic newspapers of America have discarded entirely after the advent of the Linotype. Even the folding is still done by hand. One would think that with the cultural and educational leadership of the city the printing industry would be more progressive. The two best equipped plants are those of two foreign mis- i �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD sionary institutions: L'Imprimerie Catholique of the Jesuits and the American Press. In the latter establishment I was pleasantly surprised to see an automatic-feed American Kelly press and the latest model Arabic Linotype. The manager expressed his complete satisfaction with both machines. He was particularly elated over the advantages of the Linotype which he characterized as a boon beyond value, enabling them, as it does, to set type not only in various Arabic faces but in all European languages. At the time of my visit the operator, a graduate of the American University of Beirut, was turning out English composition of a technical nature. He said he was in love with the machine. Another well-equipped plant which is capable of enormous production is that of Al-Hoda. All its equipment is of American make comprising two Linotypes, two folding machines, one Miehle Press, and several cylinder and pony and job presses. The principal public occasion in which I had the good fortune to meet the leading editors and publishers of the country as a body was the reception and luncheon with which President Dabbas honored me at his summer residence at Aley on July 30. Those present were: Joseph Souda, editor of Ar-Rayat and member of the Assembly; Wadih Akel, editor of Ar-Racid; Kheir Eddin El-Ahdab, editor of Al-Ahd Al-Jadid; Alexander Bistany, editor of Lisan Ul-Hal; Assad Akel, editor of Al-Bairaq; Mohammad Al-Bakir, editor of Al-Balagh; Gabriel Khabbaz, editor of L'Orient; Michel Zakkour, editor of Al-Marad and member of the Assembly j Alexander Riashi, editor of As-Sahafi AtTaih; Gibran Twaini, editor of Al-Ahrarj Bishara Khouri, editor of Al-Barq; Shikri Baccash, editor of Zahle Al-Fatat and Joseph Mokarzel, editor of Ad-Dabbour. These editors represented not only all religious creeds but all political alignments. The President, himself a former editor, lived up to the highest ethics of the profession and drew no distinction. One of those invited had his paper under suspension even then for attacks on the Premier. But throughout the afternoon the President manipulated the conversation so that it would steer entirely clear of politics. Lebanon weather, unlike that of America, being outside the pale of discussion as a ready excuse, the President discussed poetry. For ingenious diplomacy this could be termed a master stroke, because once you mention poetry, you touch the Lebanese's tenderest spot. They are poets all in Lebanon. �1 7== NOVEMBER, 1929 13 The other occasion was when the above editors, with a number of others, accorded me the honor of attending a farewell luncheon given at the seaside cafe of Alphonse on August 21. The additional guests included Prime Minister Sheikh Bishara Khoury; Ahmad Showky Bey, the poet laureat of Egypt, styled "Poet of the Prince and Prince of the Poets"; Sami Shawa, the celebrated violinist; Halim Dammous the poet; Joseph Sader, editor of Al-Hokouk; Joseph Nasr, editor of Ar-Rakib of Tripoli; John Bey Ayyoub, chief of the Press Bureau at the High Commissariat; and John Faggaly and Toufik Mokarzel of AdDabbour. On this latter occasion neither the discussion of politics nor the flow of poetry could be stemmed. Halim Dammous's poem in praise of the emigrants was expressive of the loftiest sentiments. Forced by the circumstances to act as spokesman of the emigrants, I attempted to state our position in terms that would permit of no misinterpretation and admit of no ambiguity: The emigrants have definitely chosen America for their home; they owe but one political allegiance and that is to the country of their adoption; their return as a body is beyond all hope; their interests and that of their children is better served by banishing forever any illusion in this respect. Under the circumstances, our brothers of the mother country should view the loss of the emigrants as a fait accomfli. But this does not preclude sympathy by the emigrants for the mother-country and solicitude for its progress and welfare. This interest should not be confined to the first generation immigrants but should be transmitted to their children. It is the assumption that knowledge of one's historical background makes of him a more self-respecting and useful citizen; while indirectly this appreciation by the new generation of their ancestral background will keep alive the interest in their ancestral country's welfare. The publication of THE SYRIAN WORLD was one means to such an end; encouraging tourism to the ancestral land another. A newspaper man's weakness is talking shop, and I find myself inclined to indulge perhaps at too great length in accounts of my experiences with the fine group of confreres I met in Beirut. I must, however, overcome the weakness for the present. Cominrr accounts will deal with other topics. i . �- 14 ——-— ., - & ,, , ;- ' THE SYRIAN WORLD A Deserving Institution By Miss HILDA FOX General Secretary, Lebanon Hospital for Mental Diseases r; Editor's Note.—While in Lebanon this past summer, the editor had frequent occasion to pass by the Lebanon Hospital for Mental Diseases, commonly known as Al-Asfuriyeh. Limitation of time prevented an extended visit to the institution, but the trim buildings, the well-kept grounds, and the apparently contented inmates gave indications of efficiency and benevolence in management. The following paper by the General Secretary of Asfuriyeh, however, supplies that information about the institution, its history, facilities and general management which we would have liked to obtain. We are glad to publish it not only for its information value, but also for the appeal it contains to the human sympathy and national conscience of Syrian emigrants who should appraise the true value of such public institutions. We trust the appeal will not go unheaded. In her private note accompanying the article, Miss Fox makes the following remark: "Syrians, so far, have given no funds to enlarge this Hospital, although a very few have contributed to current expenses—it has been done by Europeans and Americans—and yet we feel that there must be many Syrians, whose affairs have prospered in the New World, who would like to do something for their country's needs to whom this work might specially appeal. But it is difficult to find them." In a supporting letter from Mr. F. Hourani, a prominent Syrian of Manchester, England, the writer also makes the following pertinent remarks: "For several years I have had the honor of serving on the Committee of Asfuriyeh in London, and as I know also intimately the Director in Syria and have visited the Institution itself, I can testify from personal knowledge that the whole organization is worthy of the sympathy and support of all thoughtful Syrians. Indeed I know of no other institution which is served by such a devoted band of men and women and with such zeal and efficiency. Surely the time has come for Syrians to take part in the upkeep of such places, otherwise the question may fairly be asked 'Why should British, American and Continental people provide such hospitals for the use of our mentally afflicted people?" The editor wishes also to testify to the great interest displayed by Dr. C. Asid Corban in the maintenance and progress of Asfuriyeh. Dr. Corban, a psychiatrist of New Zealand, is in a position to appreciate ths needs of such institutions. Although Dr. Corban was born in New Zealand, the call of his Lebanese blood is still strong and is accentuated in this cas? by general humanitarian considerations. The Syrian World wishes to declare itself in hearty sympathy with the principle of the Syrians helping themselves whenever and to whatever extent possible. The appeal in the case of Asfuriyeh is timely and deserving. �NOVEMBER, 1929 75 The editor would be happy to serve in an intermediary capacity between prospective donors and the Committee. )N the foothills of the Lebanon Mountains, about six miles from Beirut, is to be found an institution which should have the proud support of the whole Arabic-speaking world. Of all of the afflictions that come to man, surely the worst and most pitiable is that form of illness which affects the mind. Every country has its host of sufferers, and Syria, Palestine and Egypt are no exception. Indeed, although there are no statistics available, the number of mentally deranged people in the Near East seems to be increasing. The old idea of insanity as possession by the devil dies hard, but, thanks to the work of three pioneer Hospitals in the three countries named—the Lebanon Hospital for Mental Diseases (Asfuriyeh, near Beirut, Syria), the Government Hospital for Mental Diseases near Cairo and the Jewish Mental Hospital near Jerusalem—all founded about 30 years ago, more scientific and more humane views have gradually spread throughout the Near East. And now it is at last beginning to be realized that insanity is indeed an illness, comparable with physical illness and equallv susceptible of cure. The earlier that skilled medical care can be given, the more likely is it that the cure will be complete and permanent. Of the three countries mentioned above, by far the worst provided for now, so far as mental illness is concerned, is Syria (see the table at the end), and therefore it is for Syria that this special appeal is made—an appeal to increase the number of beds at Asfuriyeh. The Hospital has had an uphill task. Money to purchase the land and build the necessary houses one by one all had to be raised, and as Syria was unable to do it, the funds had to be found in Europe and America from the charitable public. This took many years of hard and devoted work on the part of the founder, Theophilus Waldmeier, a Swiss missionary. His work in Abyssinia and later in Syria had impressed upon him the appalling need for a hospital of this kind, and thanks to his efforts for these afflicted people the hearts of many kind people in England and other countries were touched, so that men and women formed themselves into committees and laboured to raise the necessary money. The land was bought in 1898 and the Hospital opened �-- THE SYRIAN WORLD 16 in August, 1900, with 10 beds, gradually being increased to 157 beds. And now there is urgent need for further expansion, and the General Committee in London appeal to Syrians and all who speak the Arabic language, the world over, to band themselves together to provide the cost of a new house. Present Position of the Hospital Come and visit Asfuriyeh in spirit. It Was spring time when the writer was there, the time of almond blossom, when the ground is strewn with scarlet anemones and pink and white cyclamen, as many of you who read this must have seen it. The little colony of white stone, red-roofed buildings looks most attractive and homely, set on the hillside above the sea. The present stage is interesting. For 15 years (since 1914) there has been no new house built at Asfuriyeh. Instead, a policy of steady perfection of the existing buildings has been pursued, with the result that now all the dilapidations and depradations of the War have been made good; the houses have been fitted with an excellent sanitary system; the laundry has been enlarged by the addition of a large drying-room, and washing machines are being installed for the heavier work; an ampler water-supply will, we hope, be available this winter, owing to a new artesian well which is being sunk; the grounds have been planted with olive, fig and almond trees, and otherwise improved; power houses, pumps and workshops are working efficiently. Altogether, with its solid and spotless buildings, beautiful grounds and trees, its laboratories, pharmacy and lecture hall, the Hospital is a medical unit of whose efficiency and completeness those who have helped to found it may well be proud. Visitors are always struck by its well-kept appearance and scientific equipment. Future Policy This stage is now practically completed, and a new policy of expansion is clearly indicated. The place is getting painfully crowded and demands for admission continually grow. Patients often have to be turned away for lack of room, and it is becoming impossible to take the slight or early cases which would be the easiest to cure. As there is nowhere else for them to go, this is a very serious thing for the country. During the last year a new upper story has been added to . .,:;. • - :..,...,..;..- .. aSBKMKjKS ',-.- �ill I NOVEMBER, 1929 17 one of the women's houses, at a cost of £900, and a row of eleven single rooms for acute women patients is now being built, mainly with funds from America, connecting two of the other women's houses (cost £800). The comfort of these single rooms for some of the more restless and noisy patients will be indescribable. When these two additions are finished, the number of beds should be increased from 157 to 185. This is indeed a great thing. But it is not enough. To meet the need, two, if not three, new pavilions of 30-35 beds each must be built. We shall try to raise funds for one of these in Europe this winter, but we think that the second ought to come from the Arabic-speaking world. The cost of these houses is unusually moderate, owing to the excellent building stone available in the adjacent ground and the fact that our Medical Director can build without employing expensive contractors. A charming bungalow for 30-35 patients can be provided for £3,000, complete with marble floors in the corridors, tiles in the rooms and a red-tiled roof. The best type of house is E-shaped, and contains three dormitories and ten single rooms, besides lounge, dining rooms and bathrooms. There is ample space for new houses without in any way spoiling the amenities of the present ones. Moreover, once the new houses are built, it is likely that they will be largely self-supporting, for all patients pay what they can and for the destitute the French Government now pays a small capitation fee. Social Life at Asfuriyeh We were struck by the delightful open-air life led by the patients. The bedrooms all have large windows, and one gets a sense of light and air everywhere, as well as of order and kindly care. There are many shady spots for rest, and a great variety of beautiful views, down over the Beirut River, or out to the sea beyond, or across the Damascus Road (which bounds one side of the estate) to the-Lebanon Mountains. There are also many pleasant walks within the grounds which cover 36 acres. To watch the motors flying up and down the Damascus Road and the leisurely trains of camels and donkeys is also an endless interest. There are no walls round Asfuriyeh, and no gate at the entrance. Such things are unnecessary as well as unkind. People rome here and stay here because it is here that they find the best understanding and help in their illness. �'" 18 1.1 '. ' THE SYRIAN WORLD In a large group of people like this, there are sure to be some who like to work and some who do not. Some lead a very busy life, helping with the meals and the cleaning, chopping wood, sawing, preparing the special mattresses used, sewing, ironing and washing, gardening, helping with the pumping machines, doing carpentry and smithy work. Perhaps three-quarters really do definite work, and they are all encouraged to be as active as possible, as work has a curative as well as a moral value. There are people of every class and variety, of many religions, numerous nationalities and races, and every kind of temperament. Some are suffering from melancholia, some are feebleminded (such as an old negro man found on the streets, without name or home, who sleeps most of the time), there are many young people who have had shocks which have split their personalities, many men and women who are misfits in life and cannot be kept in ordinary homes, degenerates, drug and alcohol addicts, some criminals, some obsessed by one idea, several who believe that they are the Creator or some earthly potentate. Some are rich and of old family; others have not a penny in the world, nor any home. Some are silent and some are exceedingly noisy. Some alternate between the two. Many look absolutely happy in these nice surroundings. Sad though it is to see them, one's uppermost thought is thankfulness that Asfuriyeh exists, to care for them and help them, and that so much devotion and skill is being lavished upon their welfare. Many get perfectly well, and still more go out improved. In the short time that the writer was there quite a number of new patients arrived, some brought bound by the military, others in the charge of friends. The first thing always done is to loose them from their shackles. Our A p-peal The appeal of such a Hospital is wide and comprehensive. It commends itself to all who feel the need to relieve human suffering, whether Christians, Jews or Moslems; to all who wish to promote international co-operation and good-will; to all who love the Holy Land, as the original h«me of their faith or as their native land; to the scientific and medical mind, for this hospital is not only carrying out treatment on the most approved and modern lines, but is also a centre for training and research. Its Director (Prof. Watson Smith) is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Beirut, and his students (Syrians, Armenians, Jews, Turks, Arabs, Africans, Persians, etc.) go to the Hospital IB NC eve ing all spei froi for< this and late era! Cor T] EG m PA: SY1 Cor �NOVEMBER, 1929 ;p every week for theoretical and clinical teaching and are spreading more enlightened views and treatment of mental disease all through the neighbouring lands. The Hospital must also specially commend itself to those who have friends suffering from this particular form of illness. The members of the General Committee in London therefore beg all who read this paper to join with them in helping this voluntary, international hospital. The need is very great and very urgent. Give now, and also remember the Hospital later on. Contributions will be most gladly received by the General Secretary in London (Miss Hilda Fox, Lebanon Hospital Committee, 139 Marylebone Road, London, N. W. 1.) SOME FIGURES BEARING ON THE PREVALENCE OF MENTAL DISEASES IN THE NEAR EAST and the Number of Beds provided in Mental Hospitals EGYPT Population 13^4 million Beds: Abbassiyeh (Government) 1,900 Khanka (Government) 1,000 2,900 beds = 1 per 4,500 of the people PALESTINE Population about 1 million Beds: Bethlehem (Government) Jerusalem (Jewish, voluntary 60 79 139 beds = 1 per 6,000 of the people SYRIA Population 2>y2 million Beds: Asfuriyeh (voluntary, international) Damascus (French Government) 159 57 216 beds = 1 per 16,300 of the people Compare ENGLAND AND WALES Population 38 million Beds 141,000 = 1 in 270 of the population (Syria is larger than England, Scotland and Wales put together) �ft THE SYRIAN WORLD 20 '!' t t \ 1 ' Rihani —The Man and His Work l ( By ELIZABETH P. c t MACCALLUM < ""THE seeker after knowledge, bending low over the tray marked "Palestine," fingers a wealth of titles in the catalogues of our libraries. But if these are English titles, he will find few of them concerned primarily with the history, the traditions or the philosophy of the Arabs, who have been in occupation of Palestine for the last thirteen centuries. Most of the titles concern Christian and Jewish traditions. We all may have gloried in the romantic, if somewhat bloody, progress of Joshua through the land of Canaan. But few of us have ever read that other story, epoch-making and equally as romantic, of how Omar of Arabia conquered the same country in the seventh century. And yet the name of Omar is a household word throughout much of the Near East. xAgain, we know in our own time more about the hopes and the program of organized Zionism than we do about the hopes and the program of amateur Pan-Arabism. The Arab idealist expresses himself in a language adequate to his immediate purpose. And that language is seldom English. A great desert of silence thus interposes itself between the American reader and the peoples of Arab culture in the Near East. But there are a few oases in this desert of silence which the American may find for the seeking. The springs of one of them, strangely enough, have gushed at the very gates of the New World. They are the sparkling waters of information and understanding to be found in the writings of Ameen Rihani—who was born of Arabic-speaking parents in the mountains of Lebanon in Syria but who early tasted life in a crowded immigrant colony in Lower Manhattan. New Yorkers who know Washington Street, with its hawkers, its greengrocers, its sweetmeat-venders, its numerous children, its untidiness, its occasional hubble-bubbles and backgammon boards, and its constant array of handsome black mousta- BWWMHM "*88nBMBMHBMWHB r i i i i $ t a c c t 1 f ^ r c t F t 2 c a I t t r r b ' tJ �NOVEMBER, 1929 21 chios, are not apt to associate with it the refinement of spirit which gives birth to reflections such as Rihani has set down for the consideration of his readers in The Book of Khalid, or in The Path of Vision. The ordinary New Yorker thinks of Washington Street not as a training school for poets, artists or philosophers, but merely as a first foothold for new-comers to this country, and more particularly for those from the Eastern Mediterranean, the majority of them Syrians. Yet from Washington Street has come more than one philosopher, more than one poet. And it was in Washington Street that this particular philosopherpoet spent one of the highly impressionable periods of his life. The secret of this interpreter, who makes the Arab ideal intelligible to Americans, lies in the fact that both Arab and American are intelligible to him. "The West for me means ambition," he writes, "the East contentment: my heart is ever in the one, my soul, in the other." He has divided his time between two continents—between New York and his home at Freike in the Lebanon, high over the rocky pass on whose walls Rameses the Second, Sennacherib, Esarhaddon and Allenby inscribed their successive victories. But there is a difference between Rihani and the majority of those who are bound by a double allegiance to two distinct civilizations. He is not a mere commuter between the lands of his first and second births. He has participated in establishing communication between the two. He has not only experienced the contrasting moods of contrasting civilizations j he has expressed them. And the shafts of his description are feathered with a poetic reflectiveness which carries them straight to the heart of the inquirer. With many Arab leaders he is on terms of friendship, both in Syria and in the Arabian peninsula. On the platforms of capital and provincial town, in the intimate conversations of tent and hall, from the columns of newspapers and pages of books his message in the Arab tongue has always been the message of those who desire above all things an opportunity for their people to live today in a political strength devoid of fear, and of the resort to violence which is bred of fear—an opportunity which will make possible the blossoming anew of an ancient culture. Unrest in the Arab world, north, south, east or west, has been a familiar because frequently recurring phenomenon of this first quarter of the twentieth century. From the mountains d �22 THE SYRIAN WORLD of Morocco to the deserts of Iraq, and from the green valleys of Yaman to the covered bazaars of Aleppo there has come from time to time news of uprisings and riots, of bloodshed and revolt. Whatever aspects the disturbances may have assumed, whatever the precipitating factors may have been, the underlying cause has always proved to be one and the same. The Arab would be free. Whether it is Turk or Englishman, Frenchman or Spaniard who wields the scepter of authority, the Arab would wrest it from him. Inheritor of a living and vivid tradition of former supremacy, discontent weighs heavily upon him at the spectacle of his present subordination. Like other people who remember a past more glorious than the present, he would return to that past. Or, to speak more accurately, he would re-create in the present the condition of political independence enjoyed in the past in the hope that the future may see a recrudescence of the material and cultural wealth of bygone centuries. The Arab, like the Jew, is convinced that there is a direct relationship between the happiness and productivity of a people and its enjoyment of free nationhood. He will remind you that if the West borrowed straight from the Arabs such words as "algebra" and "alcohol" it was not just because Arabian mathematicians and Arabian physicians of the past imposed those words on a docile Europe. It was because a free Arabia contributed to the fund of common human knowledge hitherto undiscovered facts and theories which the West was eager to utilize in the realms of mathematics and medicine, as well as in the realm of astronomy. Nor was Arabia's contribution confined to these three branches of science. It included religion, too, and philosophy and poetry. If in the past Europe was hospitable to the science of Arabia, as Asia and Africa have been to its religion and poetry, why, the Arab asks, should not the contribution of an Arabia Rediviva be equally acceptable in the future? Living as we do in a quarter-century which is far excellence the quarter-century of new nationalisms, the point of view of any nationalist is familiar to us in some degree. We understand the nationalism of Americans, of Canadians, of Mexicans, of Nicaraguans. We have watched the growth of nationalism in Italy since Mazzini, in Turkey since Enver, in Czechoslovakia under Benes, in Poland under Paderewski and Pilsudski. The Jew rebuilding Zion is motivated by as profound a devotion to nationalism as the Irishman battling for the restoration of Erin. And both are understood. Nothing, in fact, is more taken for granted i �'Wtmttmmmamtmmmmr NOVEMBER, 1929 23 today than the existence among all peoples of that combination of ambition and self-esteem which goes to make up nationalism. But what form does nationalism take, and in what guise does it appear to a people with whose writings and whose manner of life we are not familiar? Rihani answers this question with particular authority with respect to the Arabs, not only because he knows the Arabs of the mandated territories—Syria and Greater Lebanon under French mandate, Palestine, Transjordania and Iraq under British—but because he has also travelled extensively through Arabia itself. These travels are recorded in two new volumes which will stand for all time as classics, along with the works of Niebuhr and Palgrave, Burckhardt and Doughty, in the literature of Arabian exploration and travel. The lands in which Rihani has journeyed are not all remote. The Book of Khalid, containing a rare portrayal of immigrant Jife in New York, is evidence enough of this. But whether near or far he engages in exploration of those immediate and subtle realities of life which so often escape the attention of even careful observers; he expresses them in language one does not easily forget; he follows everywhere the quest for a reasonable life, whether in the shade of Lebanon's old cedars or behind the staring windows of New York's newer skyscrapers. And it is such an interpreter whom the American reader seeks. For the American reader it is especially advantageous that this interpreter should have known his West almost before he recaptured his East. Ameen Rihani came to Washington Street a small boy, very much like any number of the black-haired, blackeyed ten-year-olds who swarm on the street of early evenings today, or whom one may see going to confession of a Saturday afternoon, kneeling at the altar-rail for an interminable four minutes of devotion before swinging out, on two bare feet, into the noise and vivacity of Washington Street. Even in those days, old St. George's probably had banks of white paper lilies to gaze upon, and pillars twined with green and pink crepe paper. But there must have been at least this difference between Rihani and the lads of today—that whereas the latter are taught to pray to St. Anne to obtain for them both a knowledge of their sins and sorrow for them, Ameen Rihani refused to do anything of the sort. Instead, he tells us that he shot craps around the corner. Neither is it recorded that he prayed, as his successor today does, for a faithful and constant observance of his state of life. Rather, he tells us again, did he use the tainted gains of �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD his crap-shooting to buy books for himself—English books, books from the second-hand dealers in the shadow of Trinity. And with the help of these books he avoided the constant observance of his own state of life; rather he succeeded in passing rapidly from one state of life to another without finding that ideal state which faithful supplication would doubtless have helped him to achieve. He didn't like working in his father's commercial world. He wanted to read. He didn't like keeping books. Nor beinglectured about his shortcomings. Falstaff he loved better than all the fat men who came to talk about business, and Jean Valjean better than all the law-abiding immigrants whom the day's routine brought to the establishment. Neither did he like to live in a dark basement down a flight of stairs from the level of the street. Still less did he enjoy the business of pumping water out of the basement which was his home. But he had to continue to do these things; for the Irishman who at that time lived in the upper stories of the Washington Street tenement houses refused to admit Syrians to anything better than lodging below street level. Meanwhile the city authorities were as helpless as Canute before the high tides of winter, which annually overwhelmed all the basements of the district. In the excess of his unhappiness the boy ran away from home four times. At seventeen he went on the stage with a travelling stock company, which had the misfortune to fail somewhere in the Midwest, an unconscionable distance from home. Back he came, though reluctantly, and worked again at columns of figures. At night he went to class until finally he was admitted to the New York Law School. The Law School was to have been the gate to Paradise and freedom. But he found when he got there that it was only a window-casement from which he looked forth on a world as barren and forlorn as the world of trade and barter he had just tried to quit. He wasted no more time than he could help on this second dismal prospect. He escaped. And physical misfortune was the means of his escape. The repeated inundations of his cellar and the constant dampness had by this time affected his lungs. He was sent back to Syria to recuperate. This was only the first of a number of long visits paid to Syria by Rihani. It proved, moreover, to be the very gateway to Paradise which he had vainly sought in the New York Law School. For now, having learned his literary Arabic at the hands of �— AMEEN RIHANI IN ARAB COSTUME MMBBMB^BH �.1 THE VALLEY OF FREIKE, VIEWED FROM RIHANI'S HOME ^i Mi JK- . -^J*^ 1 . / - 1 - ' VLl. ':, i H V Partial view of Freike showing the Rihani home with the massive arch in the centre background. i -. -- ' '' . -:r.y.- �I *~^ NOVEMBER, 1929 25 competent teachers in the Lebanon, he began in his spare time to translate Arabic poetry into English. Returning to New York, he continued this work in the intervals between tspeaking engagements. Thus came to light The Luzumiyat of the Arab poetphilosopher Abu'1-Ala, a forerunner of Omar Khayam. Rihani's literary career had begun. His next task was a greater one. From translating poetry out of one language into another he turned to the task of interpreting an entire civilization, both to its own children and to the people of another hemisphere. To examine the writings which now appeared is to discover what Rihani found both of good and evil in the culture of the Arabic-speaking world. It is to discover, too, the concern felt by a great body of Arabs, whom he fittingly represents, lest what is good in Arab civilization be overlaid and smothered by the West, or lest the undesirable features of Arab civilization grow more pronounced through the conflict between East and West. Endowed as he was with a strong belief in the virtue of Arab culture, and imbued as he was with a living hope that this virtue might some day find an unhampered medium for self-expression, free from the inhibitions and the silences imposed upon it by the unhappy circumstance of foreign domination, it is not surprising to see Rihani visiting the Arabian Peninsula itself in 1922 with a definite objective in view—an objective quite different from that of his illustrious predecessors, Doughty, Palgrave, Burckhardt, Burton and the rest. Arabia to Rihani was not merely a tilted tableland to explore; its kings were not peripatetic curiosities hiding behind barriers which only the intrepid might overleap and then boast of knowing for the remainder of their days. Arabia was to him a land of living human beings, speaking the language he had spoken in early boyhood (and which now he used with a noted grace). It was a land with whose traditions he was not unfamiliar, a land in which he hoped to find sources of vitality that might be put to the service of a vigorous and useful Arab civilization rather than continue to fritter itself out on activities devised to meet only tribal expediency. It was a land which, unlike the mandated territories, was for the most part free from foreign control. But it was a land where civilization and education lagged far behind the standards prevailing in Syria. It was a land where those who hoped for intelligent participation in reviving Arab culture could find much to do as missionaries of peace and propagandists of an ideal. �26 THE SYRIAN WORLD When Rihani actually reached Arabia he found situations there which affected him strongly. "The first thing that repelled me," he said—and it must be remembered that his visit to the Hedjaz took place before Ibn Saoud assumed control of that country: "the first thing that repelled me when I went out of Jeddah halfway towards the Holy City (Mecca) were the armed Arabs. Not a herdsman, not a Bedouin in rags, but carried a rifle. Ignorance in arms! And not a hand to control it, and not a head to direct it to its own good. They were all out for loot, and they cut each other's throats for it. Ignorance in arms! I turned away from it both in anger and in sorrow. "But in the Yaman, as we made our way from Aden slowly up the mountains of San'a, the situation was in a sense even worse. There we were confronted with Ignorance and Fanaticism in arms. The Imam of the Yaman," he went on to explain, "was making war on his neighbor, the Idrisi, because the ancestors of the latter had come to Arabia a little later than his own, and because the Idrisi belonged to a different Moslem sect, and because the Idrisi was grateful to the British for making him a present of the seaport town of Hudaidah, which the Imam of the Yaman himself coveted." Indeed, traditional rivalry and traditional enmity, traditional fanaticism and economic pressure were at the bottom of almost all the disunity he had come to Arabia to try to counteract. But he believed that Arabian rulers would respond to statesmanlike proposals for the composing of Arabia's differences and that, now that the hand of Turkey had been withdrawn, it might be possible to set up in Arabia itself a confederation of friendly states which ultimately might include even the countries now under mandate in the North. And so the Pan-Arab dream of reviving the activity of an almost dormant Arab culture through establishing an era of peace might be fulfilled. No longer may it be said of the* nomad tribesmen of the Arabian hills and deserts that there is not a hand to control them, nor a mind to direct them to their own good. Ibn Saoud has controlled them j Ibn Saoud is directing them—and hitherto at any rate his direction has been immensely to their advantage. Rihani tells how Ibn Saoud conceived the idea of domesticating the nomads in order to keep them under control. Every tribe or section of a tribe was allotted an area of land near a water-spring, where the sheikh moved with his people and began to build villages and to till the soil. They were ordered to sell their camels. They fought for Ibn Saoud when there was need of fighting. I f • �_*lKSfe NOVEMBER, 1929 27 But when there was need of peace they had to be prevented from engaging in forays of their own as they had always been accustomed to do in times past. Besause they were zealous adherents of the puritan Wahhabi creed, Ibn Saoud was able to send missionaries among them, in the name of Islam, to preach the doctrine—backed as it was by ancient though neglected tradition—that a rich believer were better than a poor believer. They were encouraged to accumulate wealth in a way they had never done before. Interest in forays grew less keen. Raid and counter-raid have ceased except along the extreme borders of Ibn Saoud's dominions. And in the towns, never was such security in the memory of living man. No one dare touch what is not his. But Ignorance is still there. Ibn Saoud is inaugurating a new era in the Arabian peninsula which so many centuries have found and left unchanged. Iraq is developing a national life of its own with prospect of being admitted shortly to membership in the League of Nations as a self-governing and independent country. Representative institutions have been established in the Lebanon, and among the people of Transjordan. Syria, after a two-year rebellion, is hoping to achieve a parliament (although just what basis of agreement it can find with the French authorities is not yet clear). In Palestine, alone, of the Arabic-speaking territories of the Near East, no progress seems to have been made yet toward achieving even a minimum of autonomy in national government. Here, too, however, there are leaders among the Arabs whose goal, like that of Rihani, is not the freedom of anarchy but the freedom of ordered government. International pressure has prevented their object from being attained hitherto; but disappointment has not stampeded them into militant obduracy. These leaders await an opportunity to discuss the affairs of Palestine with British and Zionist officials in the spirit of moderation. It is to be hoped that the service they are prepared to render their country will not be ignored by champions of repression on one side or of violence on the other. �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD To the Man With the Hard Eyes By BARBARA YOUNG CHE said, "What is that in your hand, A golden piece? You say that I shall have a valleyful Of golden pieces. You say that I shall have a coach and castle, And you will make it so That all the lovely maidens and gay young lords Shall come my way, and stop within for feasting} And I shall be raimented as a princess is. "No. I have a copper penny in my scrip. I have a worn brown cloak. I know a man in a hovel on a hill. I will go to him there. He looks upon the world With laughter and great sorrow in his eyes. I like laughter and sorrow and copper pennies and worn cloaks. The man on the hill has words that warm me Like fire on a cold hearth. I will go there. The pilgrims come along that way, And the wandering minstrels. We shall set out for them and us a bowl and plate} And you may keep your valleyful of golden pieces. I should grow very weary counting them." ^^S^^W^ 1 gwJSj^!w^^A )yVwKA^J3sk!w3| �——mmm NOVEMBER, 1929 29 A Legend of the Nile OR AN EGYPTIAN SCARAB/EUS By "" DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN J^AST night I woke from out a dream For I had wandered far Into a strange and ancient land, Led by a silver star. I dreamt I stood on Soudan's soil, High, on a mountain crest; A dusky maid with silken curls Was leaning on my breast. "Where yonder river wends its way Through fertile fields below, A desert stretched its leafless plain, Three thousand years ago. No trace of beauty graced the earth Save in the Pharaoh's pride; He built rich palaces and tombs His honored crimes to hide. "Green vines and cypress trees grew near Within the garden close, And rarest lilies rich and sweet Were blooming with the rose. Within the carven corridors Where musk perfumed the air, Fair statuary graced the walls, With hangings rich and rare. "Twelve mistresses had walked its halls And shared the Pharaoh's bed; Twelve mistresses were cast aside And numbered with the dead. One day a priest of Osiris Had gained the palace walls; " in in �THE SYRIAN WORLD 30 I met him in a frightened mood Half-crouching in the halls. "He caught my arm, 'Queen Semuta, 'Tis time for thee to fly, For Pharaoh brings another bride, And thou art doomed to die. Hark! thou canst hear the marriage-guests Already on the stair.' He caught my fainting form and cried, 'There is no time for pray'r!' "Down through a secret way we went To 'void the mocking throng; Yet in my half-unconscious state I heard the Pharaoh's song. I paused within the arbor's shade And brushed aside a tear. The good priest fanned my aching brow And tried to soothe my fear. "The roses hinted as we passed With their delicious breath, The utter loneliness before; The gloomy wings of Death. I thought of loved-ones far away Beyond the barren plain; I thought of him, of whom I loved, But ne'er could see again. " 'Dear child, Osiris will not leave You to a cruel fate, But he will lead your feeble feet Close to the open Gate. An alternative waits for thee But it is cast in gloom. One, is the desert for escape, The other is the tomb.' "And so I chose the desert plain And journeyed long and far; I Hi f£x% i. WH W iagaMiMMl! �r- NOVEMBER, 1929 My guide by day—the rising sun; By night—the evening star. But thirst and hunger brought me low, Though hunger was the least, For in my wild deliriums I dreamt of many a feast. "I saw rich gardens sweet with flow'rs, And vainly did I call; I heard the babbling of a brook, I saw the fountain's fall. And even in my dreams I plead, 'Osiris hear my cry; One goblet of that sparkling rill; Just one, before I die!' "But mercy was not meant for me, And so my life swept on, Into a fairer, brighter realm— In Paradise 'twas born. But from my bed, a river sprang And laughing danced along. With snowy ripples on its breast; Its shallows full of song. "It grew and grew, a mighty stream Beneath the azure skies, And in this ancient land, it proved A blessing in disguise. This scaraba;us you wore, dear friend, Was placed upon my breast, And shows Osiris can give The weary, peace and rest. "It shows a bit of history Of a once noble race, But like a 'brand' it marks the shame Upon its Pharaoh's face. And could your eye decipher it, (Though 'tis not worth the while), You'd find half-hidden in the clay, This legend of the Nile." 4 31 �THE SYRIAN WORLD 32 Such Was Fate ! (A SHORT STORY) By LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA DABE ALDON carried her twenty-five years becomingly and was at the point in her career when she was in love with life. And everyone was in love with Babe. Was Babe in love with Buddy Hazzar? He certainly cared for her—enough to pay for her expensive diamond. Soon Babe and Buddy would be married and they would go home to visit her mother. Poor Mother! Alone for four years. How she would be longing to see Babe! Oh, well! Soon! Babe wondered concerning Buddy's folks, and their home in Virginia. Would Roanoke be as lovely as they say? She knew Buddy's father would love her, for hadn't Buddy said that her eyes were like his father's—the same depth, the same twinkle? Buddy rarely spoke of his mother, except to mention that she hadn't wanted him to do a certain thing, and she hadn't wanted him to do a certain other thing. Nicholas Handar, too, cared for Babe, but in spite of his secret attachment he continued shy for a long time. The closest he had approached her up until April was to ask her to play "The Vagabond Song" on the piano at the club rooms. She had looked at him—and there was a song in her heart, she knew not why. In turning over the music sheet, their fingers touched, and at the sudden thrill each, frightened, pulled his hand away. No opportunity presented itself. However, his feelings could not long be hidden, and especially since he had a close friend in George. Why, George knew the meaning of every movement of Nicholas. — And now he was worried concerning his friend. Nicholas Handar and George Manam, on their way to the club rooms one evening, fell to discussing Babe—at first awkwardly, and then,—quite naturally. Nicholas was thinking of Babe. He would see her this night. But, Babe was engaged to Buddy. "Come," said George, "snap out of it, Nick! You're making us all sick! Why don't you talk to Babe? I think she likes«you " "Well, I love her. But I just can't talk to her." "Not talk to her! Of course you can! She loves you—and �~*% NOVEMBER, 1929 33 you're making yourself and your friends sick thinking of her." "Possibly. But what of the man whom she professes to love —to whom she is engaged? I can't stab him in the back like a gutter snake!" "It isn't stabbing him in the back! And whatever you did .you wouldn't be a gutter snake. We all know that. Where's your nerve?" "I don't know. But she's engaged now—and I believe she's happy. She loves him and I have no right to interfere." The conversation was interrupted here by the appearance of a tall, handsome young man whose most prominent feature was a Roman nose. "Hello, Buddy!" both boys hastened to exclaim. "Hello, Nick! Hello, George! I didn't know you two boys were in town—or that I'd meet you here in the subway. Coming to the club? "Well, thought we'd drop over," said George, nonchalantly. "Aren't you bringing Babe?" asked Nicholas, somewhat gloomily. "Babe is taken care of. Eddie and his sister will bring her in. She spent the week-end with her cousins on Seventh Street in Brooklyn. I called up before coming to remind her to bring some music with her. She promised." "Will she sing?" asked Nicholas. "Perhaps." Buddy eyed Nicholas curiously. At Boro Hall the three young men got out of the subway and soon after were in the club rooms on Schermerhorn Street. The three looked around for one person—whom they knew would, nevertheless, have not come yet. Two young men were busily arranging tables for bridge. A young girl and'young man were leaning against the piano—waiting—they didn't know for what and didn't seem to care. At a little distance away from them was a laughing group of girls in pretty pastel shade dresses, occasionally throwing side-long glances at the boys at the piano —but the boys were not interested. Babe wasn't there. Nick, George and Buddy went up into the Men's Parlor to smoke. Meanwhile, groups large and small arrived. Some were inclined to mingle with the rest, while here and there a few kept to themselves. Long about eleven o'clock two young girls, one �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD in black, the other in purple, arrived, escorted by a tall, muscular young man. The girls were smiling at everyone and no one and seemed to draw many friendly glances. The girl in black seemed well poised and gave one the impression of being taller than she really was; while the other seemed to shrink back a little in silent admiration of her friend. "There's Babe," said someone, and not a few looked up. The girl in black smiled. "Here, Isabel," she said, "as usual we're late for bridge. There will be dancing shortly. That, of course, suits you." The girl in purple drew her lovely white fur piece from about her neck and smiled as she followed Babe up the stairs. "We won't be long, Eddie!" both girls called back over their shoulders. "Right into my arms, Babe!" someone said, and Babe looked up to find Buddy smiling down at her. She said inimitably, "Always, dear!" and both laughed for no reason at all. "See you later, Bud!" after both girls had been helped with their wraps, and went into the parlor to repair their persons. Bridge over, there was a short entertainment by the club talent. Needless to say, Babe Aldon sang—and accompanied herself. Nicholas was thrilled to find she included the "Vagabond Song." Somehow he knew it was for him. Then there was dancing. Babe was rushed. She was, of course, all attention for Buddy—but she quite obviously enjoyed her dance with Nicholas. Buddy was all smiles to his friend, Nicholas, but Nicholas was awkward in Buddy's presence. That night was the last for a few months that Buddy would enjoy with his friends, for the next day he was leaving for Pennsylvania where he was representing his father's firm. With Buddy Hazzar in Pennsylvania, George Manam suggested that Nicholas see Babe Aldon. It was a dirty trick. Nicholas could not do it. Two months passed. One stormy night, towards the end of April, Nicholas called up Babe. "May I see you?" he asked bluntly. "Why? Oh, is something wrong?" "No, Babe, I just have a little time and I would like to see you •» �NOVEMBER, 1929 35 "Why, er er, where are you, Nick?" "Oh, at 51st and Broadway. I'm leaving for Boston tonight and since the boat trip has been cancelled on account of the storm I must go by bus. It doesn't leave until ten. May I come?" "But, I'm way out at 119th! You won't have time!" "Oh, yes I shall.. Say I may!" "Well, all right, come over if you must." Nick Handar was happy. But why? He was going to see a girl who was engaged to somebody else. He called himself a cad and all sorts of things. But he couldn't hold back now. There was no harm in seeing a girl! The Fifth Avenue bus? No, that was too slow. The subway? Certainly not when one goes to see Babe. Nothing short of a luxurious cab! There was one just outside the Pennsylvania. He jumped into it and was off! The car went on swiftly for a few blocks, then stopped. Why will they have these horrid signal towers? Can't they know he is going to see Babe? He turned his head to one side. Crowds, crowds, windows, displays, signs, other cars, officers, crowds, crowds, crowds. Could they hear the song in his heart? Oh, they were going again! After all, these traffic conditions are a darned good thing—but why don't they go faster? It was a long ride, a long time. He seemed to be emerging out of a dead past when he came out of the cab and found himself ringing Babe Aldon's bell. Soon he was in the parlor. She was there in a trim suit of dark blue. How alert she looked! She had only been in this country four years! Or is it that they are already far ahead of us there? "How do you do, Nick?" she greeted. "All right. In a rush, I guess!" Both laughed. "Well," he began to explain— . "Do sit down," she interrupted. He chose a hard chair near the piano. He was too nervous to sit back comfortably in an easy chair. "You look tired," she went on. "Oh, no, Babe! Not that." "Well, what is it?" "Why, nothing much. Thought I'd drop in. — You must be very lonely since Buddy went away." �36 THE SYRIAN WORLD "Why, not so frightfully." She laughed nervously. "Still, I'm able to catch up with my studies a bit now." What a delightful voice! Almost unbelievable that she was really new in this country. Barely a trace of an accent—just enough to give melody to a naturally soft voice. "However, Babe, you'll allow me to escort you to the Junior League affair next Saturday on my return? That is, if there is no one else?" "I was thinking of staying home." "Why do you want to stay home?" Feebly she answered, "To study." "Not really to study? And miss a perfectly wonderful timer Let me come for you and I'll take as good care of you as any brother would." Babe wasn't certain. It was finally decided that he would call up on Saturday at seven to find out if she had decided to go. She went to the piano, and as she played "The Vagabond Song" he felt the thrill which came to him when at the club their fingers had fortuitously met. On Saturday night the latest arrivals at the club were Nicho las and Babe Aldon, and Isabel, Eddie and George. Not a few looked their way and wondered. Thus it was that at the first Nicholas and Babe were together in a group. They were together again and again throughout the remainder of April and through May, but more and more they were alone, indeed. Buddy was expected soon. Babe wondered at her lack of enthusiasm in his return, this time. For two weeks now, no letter had come from her mother, but she did not seem worried at that. She was thinking too often of Nick. On May 23rd there came a letter from Buddy, a humorous, happy letter. He would be back the thirty-first. She criticised herself for not caring whether he came soon or late. On May 27th there arrived a letter whose border was black. Back to earth came Babe. What was the tragic news? Buddy's father. Surely not—dead? Her own father, so her mother had told her, had died long before she was born. She had hoped to gain a father through marriage. Poor Buddy! He would be rushing home to Roanoke. She must go, too. He will need her. A hurried good-bye to Nick over the phone, He would �NOVEMBER, 1929 37 gladly escort her. She felt it best to go alone, but promised, if she had need, to call him. On the train, she thought of her own father. She remembered his picture in her parlor at home with a little colored American flag in the left lapel of his coat. He had been 23. How sad her mother had always been concerning him! How often her mother had looked at Babe's eyes and remarked, "How like your father's, Babe!" At Roanoke, the body she saw in the candle-lighted parlor was that of a man who had been tall and muscular and very handsome. There was something vaguely familiar about him. She tried to put that fact out of her mind. Perhaps it was just that Buddy resembled his father somewhat. But, no, there was something more. She could not put it out of her head. Later, Buddy Hazzar arrived. He had had a longer distance to come. The poor boy was shaking. She felt very close to him somehow, and realized that in some way it was not on account of love. There seemed a newer bond—a different bond between them. Babe felt an immediate dislike on the part of the mother for her. She herself, thoroughly disliked the mother on sight! Both, however, were civil to each other. On the night of the funeral, when all the pictures were uncovered in the house, Babe was aghast to see the picture of a handsome young man on the wall directly over the spot where the body had lain. There was an American flag in the left lapel of his coat. His eyes were like hers. It was the same picture her mother had often stood in front at home in her own front parlor, of the father whom her mother told her had died so long ago. "Buddy!" exclaimed Babe. "Buddy, who is that?" Buddy looked at the picture. Dismally, he said, "That is my father when he was young." "He has only just died!" exclaimed Babe, aghast. "I have attended my own father's funeral," she murmured at the picture. Buddy looked at Babe. For a minute he forgot his great grief. Babe puzzled him. That evening Babe and Buddy had a long discussion. They sympathized with each other. They were to say nothing whatsoever to Buddy's mother. Brother and sister could not marry. Babe called Nick. �e THE SYRIAN WORLD 58 EDITORIAL COMMENT RACIAL CONSCIOUSNESS ("\VER ten years ago, the editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD, who was then publishing a monthly magazine in Arabic, ventured what was considered at that time the radical prophecy that the Syrian mothertongue, as a spoken language, could not survive the first Syrian generation in America. He based his statement on the general law of evolution as manifested in the blending of the different races of this country into one homogenous nation. He expanded his prophecy to include even the Eastern churches in the matter of their rituals. In support of his views he gave what he considered valid arguments. At that time, although not so far back, his supposedly radical opinion was received with astonishment bordering on dismay by the Arabic-speaking elements in this country. Some even characterized it as blasphemy and treason. How can a publisher of an Arabic organ be so disloyal to the cause of his mother-tongue? Instead of championing its cause, could it be possible for one in such a position to sound its doom? There was even at the time a movement on foot to create sentiment among the Syrians in favor of establishing an Arabic University in America, in the hope of stemming the tide that threatened the Arabic language with extinction. This view was challenged, and a public debate arranged by the Syrian Educational Society of New York on the question. The affirmative side, taken by the editor, lost the decision. Some of the judges even engaged in the debate before retiring to consider the evidence and proclaimed with a good deal of vehemence the virtues of the Arabic tongue and the necessity of perpetuating it. But the last decade has brought about a surprising adjustment to the supposedly radical view then expressed. Especially during the last four years, discussion of the Syrians' future in America as a racial entity is indulged in openly and with amazing frankness. Arabic-language newspapers themselves now make the bold assertion that their span of existence is becoming more and more contracted. Now it seems to be taken for granted that Arabic, as a spoken language, will not survive the present generation. At the same time, there is evident a strong racial consciousness that is ~fc»-j �NOVEMBER, 1929 i growing in proportion to the extent that the use of the language is diminishing. The intelligent element of the younger generation, those to whom the language has the least appeal, appear to be the strongest factor in bringing about this revival of race consciousness. They are, to be sure, as true and loyai Americans in spirit as can be found. Their allegiance is not and cannot be divided. But in this matter it is with them a question of selfrespect, of a firm belief in themselves as good material of American citizenship as can be found. They are awaking to the realization that they come of good stock, that they have valuable contributions to make to the culture of America, and for that reason they resent being classed among the inferior and unfit. We believe this to be the more logical, appropriate and enduring view. Language could be preserved only to the extent that it serves a cultural purpose. Language, after all, is but a medium of expression and understanding, and now that we are definitely settled in America, the language of the country should serve all our practical purposes. It is the easier to acquire and the more utilitarian. Knowledge of the mothertongue or any foreign language is a cultural accomplishment. 39 But adequate appreciation of one's genealogical descent is quite different from the preservation of one's mother-tongue. The American nation is drawn from many racial roots, and for it to be more fully moulded into one homogenous whole there must be appreciation and understanding by each strain for the qualities of the others. This could be brought about without violence to the American principle of homogeneity. One can prove his worth without maligning his neighbor. Rather, it should better serve the common cause of true Americanism that all efforts to bring about a better understanding between the component elements of the American nation be encouraged instead of suspected and misinterpreted. But the Syrians have ever been a proverbially divided race. This shortcoming is accentuated in America by the fact that they are widely scattered and have jiot had so far the benefit of a sufficiently strong unifying influence. This condition will result in many a young Syrian being lost to himself and to his race, whereas if he were brought to the proper appreciation of his racial heritage, he would be spurred to do bigger and better deeds. Pride, in its nobler sense, can be the source of untold good. �,. THE SYRIAN WORLD has those who share our belief in been striving ever since its ap- the vitality of the mission of pearance to awaken in the the magazine to assist us in young Syrian generation in carrying out this mission in America an appreciation of full. their racial background and cultural heritage with the single VARIETY purpose of strengthening their belief in themselves in an ef- "THE position of THE SYRIAN WORLD is singular in that fort to bring forth the best that it is the only periodical in is in them. Self-respecting citizens are the only desirable citi- English published for the Syrzens, and once this consciousness ians. As such it must cater to of rational self-evaluation is a variety of tastes and encombrought about, concerted efforts pass all possible needs. Hence would be exerted to dispell any our policy to make it as general misunderstanding of the race. in its topics as compatible with Some deplorable evidence of those needs. Literature, polithe prevalence of such misun- tics, economics, social topics and derstanding was had only a few news of current events have months since when the Syrians their departments. And with were derogatorily referred to all these efforts we cannot claim to fill every want. on the floor of the Senate. We have, nevertheless, some THE SYRIAN WORLD shall continue to serve this cause of critics, — friends who would better understanding with the have the publication conducted double purpose of enlightening along the highest standards the Syrians about themselves known to the profession, exand enlightening others about cluding all but the choicest litthem. The management of the erary products. Their contenpublication only regrets that tion is that we owe it to our these efforts towards creating a racial standing to make the pubbetter understanding are not lication a fitting indication of sufficiently far-reaching—they our culture. This would make of the are limited by the circulation of magazine a highly specialized the publication which is restricted almost to the Syrians them- organ, and we doubt that as selves. This, of course, serves such it would find more supone side of the double purpose, port than the meager amount but the other side is equally as it is now receiving. Perhaps important and should not be such high hopes might materneglected. It is incumbent upon ialize in the future. THE SYRIAN WORLD s . - •: -,: I �41 NOVEMBER, 1929 Letters to the Editor customs inspector. I can't refrain from saying (and this is complimentary in every sense) that his publication is well-named Ad-Dabbour, (The Bee), and that his ability is equal to its title. I' have an idea that you will put your travels between two covers. They should be kept together for future enjoyment and reference. Edna K. Saloomey. Bridgeport Conn. TRAVELING COMPANION Editor, The Syrian World: * * * I have enjoyed the September issue of The Syrian World, notably the first article about our voyage on the steamer Providence. My nephew and I read it with great interest and lived over again many of our happy experiences. I was also interested to learn of your experiences in Palestine. May I ask you if you could speak to the Men's Club of St. Andrew's Parish on Palestine and Syria? You will have a large attendance of very interested and receptive men, for the most part New York business people who would give you keen attention. Your talk on the subject on the S. S. Providence was much appreciated. Rev. F. C. Todd. South Orange, N. J. FOREKNOWLEDGE NECESSARY Editor, The Syrian World: Having made the trip to Syria last year, I have thoroughly enjoyed your description of the first leg of the voyage. Such accounts should be appreciated both for their entertainment and instructive values. In any profitable trip to Syria a foreknowledge of the historical background of the country is essential. Such a visit undertaken under these conditions should prove a source of great cultural wealth to Syrian-Americans. Ruth Shadid. Elk City, Okla. COUNTRY OF EXOTIC LURE Editor, The Syrian World: * * * I have enjoyed so much the two issues of The Syrian World which have come to me and have road with great interest the account of your journey thus far. Your description is so vivid that one sees v/ith you the beautiful sights and hears even the distinctive noises of each place—or it may be enjoys the silence of the more tranquil places. One is imbued with a great desire to see these self-same places which intrigue one's interest with an exotic lure. Isabelle Howard. Rochester, N. Y. A SUGGESTION Editor, The Syrian World: * * * I had a fine time accompanying you upon your arrival at Beirut. I particularly enjoyed the encounter your cousin had with the French ACCOUNTS INSTRUCTIVE Editor, The Syrian World: * * * I find it easy to follow you through your trip. You make the picture quite clear. I refer to a map also—it is extending my knowledge of geography. The entire volume is interesting to me as well as instructive on a country and people of which I had been quite in the dark. The great beauty and intensity of the Arabic poetry as well as the many other distinctive features of the publication are equally appreciated. Sally E. Skiflmgton. New York. I ,:.:;%aws»«w �42 THE SYRIAN WORLD Spirit of the Syrian Press Under this caption we hope to present from time to time a microcosmic picture of the Arabic press, not only in this country, but wherever Arabic dailies and magazines reflect the opinions of responsible, thinking writers who are treating the different problems that confront the Arabic-speaking world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will take no part in the discussions reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. Our task will simply consist in selecting, to the best of our knowledge and with utmost sincerity, what we think is representative of the public opinion as expressed in these editorials. Editor. SYRIA AND PALESTINE, HAITI—PHILIPPINES The Syrians are Orientals. So are the Palestinians and the Haitians who are African Orientals, and the Philippinos who are Asiatic Orientals, and in the countries of all these peoples there are now disturbances and conflicts. Hauran only bides her time to make new demands and embark on new wars. Damascus seeths as a boiling caldron. In the Philippines there is unrest and unconcealed dissatisfaction. In Haiti there are strikes and bloody encounters. Oriental blood is what accounts for this all, for reasons both known and unknown. We wish to go on record as being firm believers in the principle of evolution—in rebelling against all that is rotten in the Old. We believe that reform cannot be brought about by mere adherence to traditions, for the simple reason that such would shut out beneficent development. But we believe just as strongly that reform cannot be brought about by anarchy, license and communism. It is a historical fact that the Irish are originally Orientals because they are mostly descendants of the Phoenicians. But the Irish have achieved a certain degree of independence because they sought it through courage, knowledge and right. The Philippinos are not in the same category, because they demand independence on grounds of fanaticism and ignorance. They ar.d the Hauranians, the Syrians and Palestinians, are in the same class. But this is a subject on which we shall not dwell at the present time, because our principal object is to comment on the disturbances now taking place in Haiti, a republic of blacks, whose people were only up to a short time ago actual slaves who could be bought and sold in the market and who now are in control and direction of the destinies of the country. There is no gainsaying the fact that the United States is a nation of charity freedom, democracy and material and scientific wealth. For that reason it must be taken for granted that it has no ulterior motives of colonization or exploitation either in Haiti or the Philippines. Rather, her main purpose is that her neighbors, such as the Haitians, �43 NOVEMBER, 1929 pretend patriotism while seeking only their selfish ends. Orientals should remain under liberal "Occidental mandate" until such time that they become fit for independence. It is axiomatic that undeveloped children are in need of conscientious and learned mentors. Al-Hoda, N. Y., Dec. 10, 1929. , be under the protection of her benevolent power. Besides, she wishes to have law and order respected by her neighbors for the simple reason that they are her neighbors, and for the added reason that she will not permit them to disturb the peace because of their perverted understanding of liberty and their aptitude to use their independence in a manner that will spell injury to the interests of other peoples. And because the education of such peoples has not become sufficiently ripened for the exercise of self-control and national independence, their situation is like that of swamps which breed disease-bearing mosquitos and are a menace to the wellbeing of mankind. ARAB OVERTURES TO JEWS REPORTED It must be understood that these people are loud in their shouting for liberty only to use it as a weapon to stifle the liberty of others. Or else, unwittingly, they would work injury to their own cause of orderly and lasting liberty. The Philippines realize full well that once the United States withdraws they will become the slaves of the Japanese. The Hauranians and the Damascenes clamor for independence only to smother the liberty and the independence of the Lebanese. The Palestinians befriend their enemies only to become their slaves smarting under the cruel lash. All these are facts which can be readily proved. This newspaper is Oriental in everything but fanaticism and license. If, therefore, we advise the Haitians to remain under American mandate, the Syrians and Lebanese under French mandate and the Egyptians under British mandate we should not be accused of treason, as in that case we would be combatting the treachery of those who -— :^:\:/:^^:.^'-.^^ .-, r:: \ ^<^ .' "Sheiks of fined villages ask Palestine refugees to return to plow.— Promise to protect them.—While the boycott of Jews in cities throughout Palestine is growing stronger daily, the Arab peasant is beginning to show repentence." Under this heading and lead, the New York Times of December 18 published a wireless despatch from its Zionist correspondent Mr. Levy giving plain evidence of Zionist ingenuity at subtle propaganda. On the face of it, this can be taken to mean nothing more than an appeal for funds in the most deceptive manner. The Jews are the ablest people in inventing lies and harping on imaginary occurrences in an effort to influence public opinion. Their whole history testifies to the truth of this statement. But people cannot be deceived any further with these subtle methods to which the Jews are wont to resort. No one believes them any longer. The above wireless dispatch is but an appeal to the Jews of the world to bear up further and not give in to despair, but to respond to the call of their needy coreligionists in Palestine. And because the Jews are miserly and unwilling to spend anything unless they have complete assurance against loss, this correspondent hastens to assure them that the • �44 Jews of Palestine are now enjoying complete security and that the Arabs will not molest them any further. All financial help, therefore, coming from the Jews of the world will be spent in the proper channels. He also makes an ingenious appeal to the Jews by picturing to them the increasing force of the Arab boycott. This is meant to arouse the Jews to contribute further funds for the relief of their Palestine brethren. We wish to call the attention of Mr. Levy to the obvious truth that it is easier for the Jews to reach the moon than to gain possession of an Arab country. Al-Bayan, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1929. LEBANESE REPRESENTATIVE IN FAVOR 01' umTY There are recurrent evidences that many Lebanese leaders have been converted to the principle of complete union with Syria. The latest such evidence is the statement by Representative Michel Zakkour, made at a political gathering held recently in Beirut to the effect that "all his constituents approve of the principle of union with Syria," and that "if we love France, it is because we want to be free men and not slaves." This shows plainly that the Lebanese are losing confidence in their state of isolation from Syria. We had been in the vanguard of those who advocated Syrian-Arab unity in the old country, but following the events of the last revolution which proved to us the continued existence of sinister fanaticism, we were convinced that it would be better for Lebanon to remain separated from Syria until such time that religious bigotry and intolerance died out in the country. In view of the change of policy of Lebanese leaders, it would seem that a readjustment of the political situation is opportune. These may THE SYRIAN WORLD be taken as portents of a new spirit of tolerance now overtaking Syrian and Arabian countries. Under these conditions, and in view of the manifest desire of the Lebanese to effect unity with tneir brothers of Damascus, why not hasten this end by dissolving the Lebanese republic? We must take the statements of Lebanese leaders at their face value, or they would be open to an accusation of duplicity to which they should not stoop. Syrian political leaders have been most frank and outspoken in proclaiming their stand. They have made plain their demands and have stood by them under the most trying situations. The Lebanese should be credited with as much honesty. Syrian Eagle, N. Y., Dec. 18. 1929. COST OF A NEW DEPARTMENT Now that the majority of Syrians and Lebanese in the United States have become naturalized, forming an integral part of the American nation and engaging in all forms of industrial and commercial activities, it becomes necessary for the Arabic press of the United States to cater to their needs from this special angle. Syi'ian papers must not overlook the radical change that has taken place in the social and economic position of the immigrants, and because many of these still do not have an adequate knowledge of the English language, they naturally look upon the press of their native language to sunply them the information their new conditions require. Especially is this true of the economic situation. The editor of this paper has personally ascertained this need through personal knowledge during his frequent travels in the interior. For that reason we would only be too glad to devote a page of our paper to the discussion �NOVEMBER, 1929 45 of economic developments in the are not, therefore, free and indecountry as suggested by one of our pendent in the full sense of the term, readers. But to create this new de- because they are helpless to prevent partment would entail a weekly ex- the United States from meddling in pense of thirty-five dollars as salary their internal affairs, or otherwise for a third assistant editor, and this unable to go counter to her will. additional outlay we find too large Now we would ask: what differin the hard times prevailing at ence can there be between this conpresent. We find that many work- dition of the power of an unwritten ingmen subscribing to the Syrian mandate and the prescribed mandate papers are now out of work, with in Palestine, Syria, Iraq and other the consequence that these papers countries placed under mandate by are called upon for increased ex- decree of the League of Nations? penditures while returns are dwindl'rhere may be a difference in form ing. But if we should receive in ' ; in spirit. Because by the 0A, creased returns through subsc*- \/o^ v* t: ight that England is charged tions we shall be glad to inaugural s'.*^ AN le mandate over Palestine r further improvements. A"?t Rnce over Syria and Lebanon, Ash-Shaab N. Y., Dec. 9, 1929. scr^e United States exercises the same right as regards Central American countries, even to the extent of resorting to military occupation, alMANDATES ARE ALIKE though she may not be charged with No sooner had the papers an- any official mandate by a legally nounced the start of a revolution in constituted body. But the exercise of such power Haiti than we heard that it had come to an end, thanks to the mili- is most beneficial when it is intended tary steps taken by the United to guide the weak to the point of States. We must not, however, becoming self-sustaining and capimagine that these steps entail the able of independence. The perempmobilizat:on of all the military re- tory application of such power is sources of the United States, be- unjust only when it is meant by the cause all the American forces in strong to use the weak for his selfHaiti do not exceed 1200 men. But ish ends. it is due rather to the conviction The presence of American maof the Haitians that they cannot rines in Haiti may be interpreted or>pose such a power as the United by the powers as military occupaStates that they hastened to give tion incompatible with the right of their submission. They have before the Black Republic to independence. them the example of Venezuela But in the view of humanitarian Santo Domingo, Nicaragua and powers, such action by the United other Central American republics to States is a boon to the population realize that the United States will of that country because it brings not tolerate any unwarranted dis- forcibly to their attention that the turbances by its neighbors. This, in place of small nations is to keep fact, is the application of the Mon- the peace, otherwise they would be roe Doctrine which means nothing exposing their independence to loss other than what we have come to in this age when the small is at the understand in more recent diploma- mercy of the big in every phase of its national existence. tic parlsvce os the rijrht of mandate. These Central American republics Ash-Shaab, N. Y., Dec. 10, 1929. �- THE SYRIAN WORLD 46 Political Developments in Syria PALESTINE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY CONTINUES ITS INVESTIGATION — POLITICAL SIT UATION IN SYRIA UNCHANGED — REFORM PROGRAM IN LEBANON APPROVED. PALESTINE Unquestionably the most important development of the month bearing on the Palestine situatiov 'he " 4> joint statement of the thr of the Palestine manda. ie, Lloyd George, the Earl o t a 0* and General Jan Christian I g '^'hadvocating a new and sweepj^.-vestigation into the whole operation of the mandate. The Balfour Declaration, it should be borne in mind, although issued by the Earl of Balfour, was not a hasty step taken on that British statesman's own initiative. It was the result of a well-considered British policy representing the decision of the whole cabinet. Lord Balfour, as the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, was only the instrument for issuing the declaration. Now the three men responsible for th's political document which is bringing to the British such unpleasant results have declared to the world that their action has miscarried and they would advise methods of correction. Following is the gist of their new decision embodied in a joint statement published in the London Times and reported to the New York Times in a dispatch dated December 19. "As members of the war cabinet which was responsible for the Balfour Declarat:on twelve years ago, and for the policy of a national home for the Jewish people which it foreshadowed, we view with deep anxiety the present situation in • Palestine. On the events of last August which are now the subject of an inquiry by a special commiss 'on we forbear comment. But it s clear that whatever the finding of the commission may be on the risibility of the outbreak, the to which Britain set her hand at the close of the war is not proceeding satisfactorily. "The Balfour Declaration pledged us to a policy; the Palestine mandate entrusted us with vital administrative duties; but causes which are still obscure have impeded the task of administration and consequently the full carrying out of the policy. "In these circumstances we would urge on the government the appointment of an authoritative commission to investigate the whole working of the mandate. The commission at present in Palestine was aDpointed with linrted terms of reference to inquire into specific matters. This commission, in our view, must, as soon as it has reported, be supplemented by a searching inquiry into major questions of policy and administration. Our pledge is unequivocal, but in order to fulfill it in the letter and spirit a considerable readjustment of the administrative machine may be desirable. "Such a commission would be an advertisement to the world that Britain has not weakened in a task to which her honor is pledged and at the same t'me an assurance to Jews and Arabs alike that any proven defects in the present system of government will be made good." �NOVEMBER, 1929 Meantime, the commission of inquiry is proceeding with its task. Recent developments indicate that its methods of procedure are causing resentment by both Arabs and Jews. As a result, th.2 Arabs are being- further emboldened in their accusation of the British of baing the instruments of carrying out the Zionist policy of making Palestine a Jew'sh homeland, while the Jews, according to testimony given before the inquiry commission by Harry Sacher member of the Palestine Zionist Executive, "condemn the Palest'ne government for weakness in policy during the outbreaks, and also for lack of sympathy toward the Jews ever S'r.ce British occupation." One of the princiral witnesses was the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Ameen El-Husseini, who insisted on the observance of an old Turk:'sh prerogative which allowed the heads of religious communit'cs to testify in their own residences. The commission, with counsel, did not ins'st on his appearance before it in regular court for fear of raising another issue. This action was severely criticized by members of the English colony in Jerusalem on the ground that it affects British prestige not only in Palestine but in the whole East. The Grand Muft;, in his testimony, insisted that he not only did not incite the outbreaks but sought to pacify the turbu'ent element and prevent bloodshed. He blamed Arab unrest on the unkept promise of England to grant them independence as a reward for their participation in the war. He introduced as evidence a letter from Lord Balfour to King Hussein, dated 1918, thanking the Arab leader for his aid to the Allies and stating that the pledges of independence made by Colonel Lawrence would be fulfilled. 47 Following the Arab witnesses the Jews among them members of the Palestine Executive, were called by the commission. The Chief Rabbi of Palestine, Abraham Isaac Kook, in contrast to the action of the Grand Mufti, waived the right to give his testimony at his own residence. His explanation to the commission of the reason for his action is that he wanted "to pay due honor to those sitting in judgment, because in ancient days, when the Temple existed, the Jewish priest, when called to testify, always appeared before the judges." The Chief Rabbi further made an indirect attack on the action of the Mohammedan relIigious d gnitary by quoting an old Jewish saying that "the truth is neither shy nor afraid." Testimony bearing on the origin of the August riots has been contradictory, each sde incriminating the other. The Grand Mufti, for instance, testified that he attempted to Check the riots and that he has always worked for peace and order. He claimed that he was officially thanked by the government on many occasions for exerting his calming influence. The cause of the outbreak, he maintained, is the des're of the Jews to influence the new British Labor Cabinet to change the status quo in their favor. This decision, 'he intimated, was reached at the Zurich congress. Jewish testimony, while disclaiming all guilt for the outbreaks, has been so far mostly directed toward proving the economic benefits of Jewish immigration to Palestine. Harry Sacher, a member of the Palestine Executive, insisted that the public revenue of the country ultimately is dependent on Jewish immigration and Jewish resources. Speaking of the aim of Zionism he declared that the "Zionists did not seek a Jewish state, but wished a �48 Jewish majority in a national home under the aegis of Great Britain," whatever that may mean. Sigfried Hoofien, general manager of the Anglo-Palestine Company, asserted that the Jews have so far brought $225,000,000 into Palestine. He further stated, according to a dispatch of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, that Jewish immigration had materially benefited the Arabs, as much of the money brought in by the Jews passed into the Arab economic system through the Jews paying for rural and urban lands, for goods, services and rent. As an example he said that the annual rent bill of the Jews of Haifa to Arab landlords reached $270,000. The Arabic papers of Beirut report the discovery, the latter part of November, of a supposed Jewish plot to smuggle arms and ammunition on a large scale into Palestine. The designs of the smugglers were frustrated by the vigilance of the Beirut police who arrested the ringleaders and seized great quantities of arms in the plains of Shweifat, on the southern coast of Lebanon. The booty included several machine guns and a large number of old Turkish army rifles. Some native Syrians were in conspiracy with the Jews but all those arrested disclaimed ownership of the weapons and claimed that they were in the vicinity by chance. One of those apprehended is a Palestine Jew who is supposed to have come to Beirut to negotiate for the purchase of the war material. This incident drew a formal protest from the President of the Arab Executive Committee of Palestine to the British High Commissioner. In his complaint, the Arab leader reminds the authorities that this is not the first time the Jews have attempted to smuggle arms and ammunition into Palestine for the ob- THE SYRIAN WORLD vious purpose of attacking the Arabs. He also charges that the Jews have well-disciplined secret military organizations which the authorities apparently sanction, as they have done nothing to suppress them. The direct accusation that the President of the Arab Executive Committee makes is that this lenient policy toward the Jews on the part of the British authorities is what led to the unfortunate outbreaks of last August. On the other hand, the Daily Mail correspondent in Palestine accuses the Arabs of arming themselves to an extent heretofore unknown for a coming struggle with Great Britain and the Jews. Large quantities of arms and ammunition are being smuggled across the Transjordanian and Syrian borders in a systematic manner proving the existence of well-laid plans. The correspondent charges the British authorities with gross neglect for not taking the necessary precaution against a recurrence of the bloody outbreaks of last August. SYRIA Nothing of importance has transpired in the Syrian political situation during the last month. Unconfirmed rumors stated that She'kh Taj Eddin, the Provisional President has resigned, giving no details. Other rumors were to the effect that the,, French High Commissioner had replied to the memorandum of the Nationalists in a conciliatory manner. About all that has an appearance of authenticity, however, is that the High Commissioner is pursuing his well-known policy of deliberate and unhasty action. He :s meeting with leaders and is supposed to be formulating plans for a final proposal which is hoped to be acceptable. The Nationalists are �NOVEMBER, 1929 abiding their time and endeavoring to maintain their hold in the face of growing activities by other political factions who aim to profit by the present political confusion. The question of the French mandate in Syria came up for discussion in the French Chamber of Deputies on December 13. The advisability of continuing this expensive experiment by France was questioned by one of the deputies of the Left, but the War Minister replied that the mandate was a task entrusted to France by the League of Nations which made France honor-bound to live up to the trust. A vote was taken on the issue raised and the government was upheld by a majority of 330 against 247. The proposal for reducing French military appropriations for Syria by forty million francs was also voted down by 325 against 249. LEBANON The much discussed reform program of Premier Eddy's cabinet was submitted to the Legislative Assembly on November 22. It proved to be a long document dealing with every phase of national life and suggesting logical reforms. Its proposals were said to have been well received by the Assembly but on a motion from the floor final decision was delayed for a fortnight to give the Assembly time for more mature consideration. Premier Eddy makes no attempt to conceal facts. At the outset he admits the existence of an economic crisis which if not corrected immediately and effectively will lead to dire consequences. The principal remedy he prescribes is economy in the cost of government. Instead of sixteen administrative districts in the country he proposes the reduction of the number to only five, effecting thereby considerable savings in salaries. He further proposes re- 49 organizing the educational system by concentrating on teaching of applied subjects and the inauguration of a form of civil service examination for teachers in an effort to choose men of proven fitness. The judicial department is also scheduled for a readjustment in favor of efficiency and economy. The additional proposal is made for a more equitable levying of taxes that they may be more proportionate to actual values. The savings thus made will be used for road improvements and for the promotion of irrigation enterprises which would enhance materially the prosperity of the country. What may be considered the most radical feature of the program is the demand of the Premier for what is tantamount to dictatorial power for the enforcement of the reform provisions of his program. He has asked the Assembly for absolute authority for a limited term that he may put his reforms into effect by administrative edict to insure speed. This feature is what caused the Assembly to request the delay for giving its approval so as to have time for mature consideration. Following the publication of Premier Eddy's program, representatives of the State of Syria are said to have impressed upon the High Commissioner the inadvisability of terminating the tobacco monopoly which was a concession held by the French since the old Turkish regime. But owing to the fact that public feeling in Lebanon was running high against the continuation of the monopoly, Premier Eddy later prevailed upon the High Commissioner to consent to its cessation. Henceforth tobacco cultivation and manufacture will become an open privilege in Lebanon. This is expected to improve materially the economic conditions of the country. �THE SYRIAN WORLD so About Syria and Syrians RIHANI S DECEMBER SPEAKING PROGRAM Speaking both under the auspices of the Foreign Policy Association and other organizations, Mr. Ameen Rihani is making a wide circuit of lecture engagements. The fact that this issue of The Syrian World is published the latter part of December makes it possible for us to list the speaking engagements which he has filled this month. From the first to the fifteenth he spoke nine times in as many different cities before large American audiences. In Northampton, Mass., he spoke to the Mass. Progressive Club Forum; in Amherst at Amherst College; in BronxviHe at Sarah Lawrence College; in Cleveland, Ohio, at the Women's City Club; in Gambier, Ohio, at Kenyon College; and in Cincinnati Columbus, Buffalo and Rochester for the Foreign Policy Association. In most of the cities he visits Mr. Rihani is being extended popular receptions by the Syrian communities who are anxious to do honor to the man who is bringing so much honor to the Syrian name. On many occasions he is also called upon to address special meetings of Syrians on political and other topics. EDITOR SPEAKS TO SYRIAN ASSOCIATION The American Syrian Federation of New York, the principal Syrian organization of the city, asked the editor of The Syrian World to address its members on general conditions in Syria, calling for the purpose a special meeting. The audience was drawn from the leading :.-. - -. : business element of the city who were most interested and receptive. Questions from the floor on economic, social, political and educational conditions stretched the time of the talk to an hour and a half. CONCERT IN BOSTON FOR SYRIAN RELIEF (From our correspondent) The Syrian Relief Assoc:ation of Boston held its annual concert on December 8 at the Municipal Building, West End, which was attended by nearly one thousand, some coming from Lawrence Worcester, Brockton, Lynn and other Massachusetts cities. President Faris S. Malouf gave an outline of the Assoc'ation's activities and spoke of future plans. Mr. Nassour Abraham entertained with his witty and typical Arabic verses. Young Peter Solomon of Prov;dence, gave an unexpected treat with his playing of Arab:c songs on the violin. Mme. Fedora Korban, styled the Syrian Nightingale, fully justified her reputation by the veritable song feast she gave to an appreciative aud'ence. She has the voice of a nightingale indeed! There is a ring in her voice, coupled with a charming mannerism, that held the breath of her audience. Mr. Isiah Seligman, famous p:anist in Europe and America, accompanied Mme. Korban. His solo offerings were exquisite, and many wished that he had more experience in the playing of Arabic selections. The concert was a financial success. �L NOVEMBER, 1929 SYRIAN PRIESTS ATTEND CARDINAL'S ANNIVERSARY A correspondent of Al-Hoda in Boston reports that on December 8 three hundred clergymen of various ranks attended a banquet in celebration of the seventieth anniversary of Cardinal O'Conncl!, amons' whom were four Syrian priests serving parishes in the Boston diocese. The correspondent delights in stating that while none of the Syrian clergymen were assigned to speak on this occasion, the cardinal noticed the fact and had the chairman call on Msgr. Estephan Eldowaihy. the Maronite priest of Boston, whom he had known in Rome. Msgr. Eldowaihy made some impromptu remarks interspersed with expressions of good wishes in Arabic which delighted the audience. Then two other Syrian priests, Father B. Bellama and Archimandrite Peter Abouzaid, were called upon by the chairman and their remarks were equally well received. This, according to the deduction of the correspondent, proved to the learned audience that in the Eastern churches there are priests who live up in every respect to the high tradition of the Catholic Church. ORTHODOX BISHOP DIES OF GRIEF Aleph Ba (Damascus) reports the death, early in November, of the Orthodox Bishop Boulos Abou Adal, of Jebail and Batroun. His death, according to the report of the paper, was hastened by grief over the dissension developed in the Orthodox Church of Syria over the election of a Patriarch. The dead church dignitary had journeyed to his native city of Damascus expressly to attend the conclave of bishops, but had to follow the proceedings 51 through oral reports while confined to his bed. When the meeting was adjourned and the bishops dispersed without reaching a conclusion, Bishop Abou Adal was so affected that he could not survive the shock. The dead prelate was most active in promoting educational facilities in his diocese. He succeeded in founding three boarding schools and 25 parochial schools, besides twenty-five new churches. SYRIAN GRANDMOTHER TAKES UP PROFESSION Ambition, as proved in the case of Mrs. N. Haick, a Syrian woman of Brooklyn, N. Y., is not confined to youth. Although a grandmother, this ambitious woman took up the study of chiropractice for several years and graduated with high honors. She now has a successful practice from among Syrians and other nationalities. Dr. Haick was born in Mt. Lebanon and immigrated while young to the United States. She received her early education at an American missionary school in her native town. While her children needed her care she could not engage in any professional study, an ambition which she always cherished. She succeeded in taking this branch of the medical profession after she was a grandmother. ARAB SCENE WINS FAVOR The students resident at International House in New York gave an entertainment on Saturday, Dec. 7, which was participated in by most of the national groups. The Arabicspeaking group, mostly Syrians, staged what proved to be the most popular piece. It represented a des- �. 52 ert scene wherein all the characters appeared dressed in native costumes. The author of the play is Emile Dumit who also played the leading part. The cast of characters is as follows: Sheikh of Anezi Tribe—Tamir Shibly The Poet—Emile Dumit The Musician—Rafik Asha The Scribe—Habib Kourani The Sportsman—Raja Hourani Religious Head—Fadel Jamali Sword Dancer—Jamal El-Kourdaji American Tourist and Guest of the Tribe—Philip Du Bois. Fortune Teller—Mrs. Lois Naylor Star of the Tribe—Miss Rose Mokarzel Miss Alice Mokarzel gave Oriental piano selections. SYRIAN EDUCATOR ADDRESSES AMERICANS Dr. Philip K. Hitti, the well-known Syrian educator and scholar, spoke to over two hundred members of the Sorosis Club at the Commodore Hotel in New York on December 9 on the Syrians' contributions to civilization. Dr. Hitti finds time amidst his many duties at Princeton University to deliver frequent illuminating talks on Syria and its history, and in this he is rendering his country and race signal services which are highly appreciated by the discerning. SYRIAN WOMAN EDUCATOR ARRIVES IN AMERICA Miss Marie Kassab, founder of the School Al-Ahliah in Beirut, arrived in New York on the S. S. Berengaria in mid-December. She comes to visit relatives and to study the principles of the American educa- THE SYRIAN WORLD tional system for possible application to her own school. She will visit some of the leading American Universities by previous invitation and will travel across the United States to the Pacific coast. Although Miss Kassab's school has been founded only thirteen years ago it ranks high among the educational institutions of Syria and is attracting students from all parts of the Arabic-speaking countries. Miss Kassab plans to remain in the country for about six months. STREET IN ARGENTINE NAMED AFTER LEBANON The city of Jonin, numbering eighty thousand inhabitants, has named one of its principal streets, formerly known as that of Entre Rios after the Republic of Lebanon, according to a special dispatch to the Arabic newspaper As-Salam published in Buenos Aires. The dispatch further states tihat the City Council of the Argentine city took this decision unanimously, because of the high esteem in which the Lebanese community of the city is held. SYRIAN MEMBER OF BOSTON WELFARE COUNCIL The Boston correspondents of tihe Arabic papers of New York report that Mr. Assad Mudarry, a wealthy Syrian merchant of the Hub City, has been appointed by the mayor a member of the Welfare Council. Mr. Mudarry has long been a resident of Boston and active in its civic affairs. He is a graduate of the American University of Beirut and for several years took up teaching in the Orthodox High School of Damascus. In Boston he was for �I NOVEMBER, 1929 several consecutive terms president of the local branch of the Syrian Educational Society and of the Orthodox Society of St. John. RANKS SYRIANS HIGH IN ANCIENT CULTURE Archaeological finds that raise the accepted standard of ancient Syrian art to a level hitherto unknown were described on December 17 in a lecture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Eustache de Lorey, director and founder of the French Institute of Islamic Art and Archaeology at Damascus, according to the New York Times. M. de Lorey arrived recently to lecture at the Chicago Art Institute, Princeton, Wellesley and the College Art Association. With the aid of lantern slides M. de Lorey described the uncovering by a delicate process of an area of 2,600 square feet of mosaics in gold, mother of pearl and tinted glass which he was satisfied were created under the direction of Caliph Walid I of the Ommiad Dynasty, who reigned from 705 to 716 A. D. The mosaics were found under the stucco on the walls of the Mosque of Damascus. Prior to their discovery small fragments of mosaics had been discovered about the age-worn walls, but since the Mohammedans were believed not to have tolerated any decorations of this nature in their places of worship, archaeologists had concluded that the bits found had come to be there by accident. M. de Lorey remained skeptical, and, with, the assistance of a staff of experts, removed the outer covering of stucco, revealing representations of landscapes and of fantastically shaped buildings in colors as brilliant as when they awed the "-- ' 53 Arabian pilgrims twelve centuries ago. He said that they wera probably a form of Byzantine mural decoration that came into vogae during the period of iconoclasm, when religious images were forbidden. The artistic merit of tha work he declared to be superior to similar mosaics found in Jerusalem. The graceful palmette trees, undulating acanthus vines, and other flora depicted as arising from classic urns or along the bank of a river were more life-like than any hitherto discovered, he said. He suggested that the large quantities of tinted glass tubes that went into the work were those which, according to Arab chronicles, were shipped to the Caliph Walid by the Byzantine Emperor. M. de Lorey is directing a general archaeological survey of the Islamic monuments in Syria. He has made other discoveries in the last two years in the cities of Damascus and Aleppo. He became interested in the work while first secretary of the French Legation in Teheran. POSTPONING ELECTION OF ORTHODOX PATRIARCH The conclave of the bishops of the Syrian Orthodox Church which met in Damascus the latter part of November having been adjourned, the secretary of that body issued a formal statement in which he gave the reasons for the action taken as being the undue interference by the people of Damascus to influence the members in electing a candidate of their choice. Later the bishops met in one of the monasteries of Lebanon hoping to resume their labors in a more quiet atmosphere. This also resulted in failure and again the meeting was adjourned, this time for an indefinite period. �~1 THE SYRIAN WORLD 54 LARGE ENROLLMENT AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY By Bernice Griswold I Fourteen hundred and thirtyseven students, representing twentysix nations in Asia, Africa, Europe, North, South and Central America and Australia, and belonging to nineteen different religious sects, are enrolled this year at the American University of Beirut, the Preparatory, Elementary and Music Schools under the administration of the University. A recent statement from Beirut on the registration says that the students, "by mutual interest and daily contact in classrooms, on the campus and in the Brotherhood Society, are laying foundations of international friendships which may be an important factor in solving present and future problems in the Near East." The students come from all of the principal cities of Egypt — from Alexandria and Cairo to Asslout and Suez; from all parts of Iraq — from Busra and Baghdad to Mosul; from Teheran. Kermanshah, Hamadan, Urumia, Tabriz, Bushire, Shiraz, Barfrouche and other cities in Persia which have become world famous among collectors of Persian rugs and carpets; from Constantinople, Turkey; from all the cities and towns in Syria and all of the principal cities and towns in Palestine, from Nazareth to Beersheba and G; :a; from Amman, Transjordan; tr nrincipal cities on the Island of Cyi as and from Bahrein and Kuweit in the Persian Gulf; from Aden, . uthern Arabia; Addis Abeba, Abyssinia; Dar-es-Salaam, East Africa; Khartoum and Omdurman, Soudan; Renmark, South Australia; Mendoza and Jujuy, Argentine; Catragena, Columbia; Quito, Ecuador; Mexico City and Tempico, Mexico; Boston; Washington, D. C; Waterbury, Conn.; New York City; Cleveland Ohio; Flint, Michigan; Hartford, Conn.; Philadelphia and Los Angeles, hi the United States; from Cebu in the Philippine Islands and from Shanghai, China. Bayard Dodge is president of the American University of Beirut, which was founded in 186G. i S\RIAN WOMAN LAWYER VISITING UNITED STATES A prominent Syrian visitor in the United States since last summer id Mme Sa'yba Garzouzi, one of the pioneer women of the law profession in the East and a resident 01" Egypt. Mme. Garzouzi was invited to speak at the Williamstown Institute of Politics, where she acquitted herself creditably and gave a comprehensive account of the emancipation movement of the women of the Arabic-speaking countries. She is now staying in New York to fill lecture engagements. She spoke at the Town Hall to a crowded house early in December. The following report of her address was prepared by one of our correspondents. SYRIAN WOMAN LAWYER ADDRESSES LARGE AUDIENCE By T. H. K. Rezmie A vivid picture of the conditions prevailing in the Near East, especially of its womanhood, coupled with a strongly argued appeal for the freedom of Arabian nations, evoked vigorous applause for Mme. Sa'yba Garzouzi, noted Egyptian lawyer, who addressed a large audience at the Town Hall, in New York. "The women of the Old East," said Mme. Garzouzi to the members ^ ^^ H I i �T« I NOVEMBER, 1929 of the League for Political Education, "are rapidly advancing in education, sanitation, nation-building and emancipation. And, strange as may seem, their men are encouraging them in their efforts." As examples of feminine advancement in Egypt, Mme. Garzouzi cited the large number of professional women, who are members of the Egyptian Women's Union, Which a^ one of its activities takes care of 1,400 patients a day in its Dispensary. "The recent bold and patriotic achievement oi: the women of Palestine, who shed all their age-old traditions and marched to the High Commissioner's Unices demanding freedom of their country," said Mme. Garzouzi proudly, "is the sample o± the way in which Syrian women have progressed." Mme Garzouzi declared that the mutilation of Syria after the war has created new obstacles in the way of national development of the Arab peoples, and appealed for the liberation of the country of her birth from "French Dictatorship." Before the Great War, Syria was one single state, autonomous under the Turks. Now she has been mutilated and sliced off into four parts— Syria, Palestine, Transjordania and Mesopotamia—one under France and three under English dictatorship. "The French in Syria have killed 60 000 (?) men and women since the end of the War—2,000 women and children in the city of Damascus alone," she charged, and denounced the MacDonald Draft of the Treaty with Egypt as an instrument "which would simply screen the British Occupation forces in a desert paradise costing the Egyptian Exchequer five mil!ion dollars and would deprive Egypt of an appeal to the League of Nations for twenty-five years more." 5S She appealed for a readjustment of the relations between the Eastern and Western peoples, "not on the basis of the old refrain 'East is East and West is West,' but on the new and higher ideal that 'God s is the Orient and God's is the Occident.' " SYRIA—IRAQ, AIR PASSENGER SERVICE Only a few years ago travel by automobile across the Syrian deserc to Mesopotamia was a pioneering attempt. Now it not only has become a common practice but an improvement is planned by the introduction of regular air service. The papers of Damascus report that the Eastern Transport Co. has purchased a passenger plane capable of accommodating twelve persons with the purpose of inaugurating a regular air service between Syria and Iraq. The initial flight is scheduled for the middle of Decerabi r. SYRIAN'S INVENTION FOR FUEL ECONOMY The invention of Mr. Wm. M. Malouf for economy in fuel oil was given a demonstration on Tuesday December 17, before officials of the Health and Police Departments of the City of New York and newspaper representatives. The invention consists of a cage and ball cvfnstructcd on what is claimed to V !':a heretofore unknown scientific Principle. It is capable of revolving • t a terrific speed without gearing* or lubrication, and, by virtue of its special construction, is capable of increasing the mileage of an automobile 49 per cent, while decreasing the amount of fuel consumed 33 per cent. �56 It also practically eliminates carbon monoxide and smoke, according to the results of the laboratory tests published by the inventor. According to the published prospectus, a company has already been formed to exploit the invention which is destined to revolutionize the automotive industry and greatly benefit humanity. Mr. Malouf perfected his invention in collaboration with Mr. Ros; M. Lynn. He originally immigrated from the town of Kfarkab, in Mi. Lebanon. PRIME MINISTER OF IRAQ A SUICIDE Press dispatches of November 16 announced the death by suicide of Abdul Muhsen Bey Sadoun, Prime Minister of Iraq. The Syrian press arriving with the latest mail carries long accounts of the tragedy and the effect it had on the people of Baghdad. Contrary to former reports, the suicide of the Premier was not induced by financial worries. Rather, it would seem that, out of sheer patriotism, he wished to give the people of Iraq an illustration of the tragic results of indiscriminate attacks on their faithful public servants. It would seem that in discussing certain features of the Speech from the Throne some Deputies misinterpreted a remark by the Premier to mean that the country would resort to force in gaining its legitimate demands from England, instead of his more peaceful words to the effect that unless the British fulfilled their promises by 1932 energetic means would have to be pursued. Moreover, the Premier had been for some time past showing signs of an approaching nervous collapse THE SYRIAN WORLD as a result of his arduous labors. On the day of the tragedy, he retired to hi3 study and wrote a note to his e'dest son, now a student at Birmingham, asking his forgiveness and importuning him to care for hi;; younger brothers. When later his wife noticed him taking out a revolver from a secret drawer, she suspected his suicidal designs and flung herself at him in an effort to stop him, but he threatened to shoot her if she interfered or raised a cry. When the wife could finally call for help the Premier had already expired. All Baghdad was closed as a sign of national grief.King Faisal called in person at the house of his faithi ful friend and is said to have wept copiously. He comforted his family by saying that the Premier had died a martyr in the discharge of national duty, as a soldire would, and may therefore be deemed a national hero. The body was carried through \ densely packed streets on a gun carriage, but before reaching the cemetery a number of lawyers insisted on carrying the body the remainder of the way on their shoulders. After interment, the Bar Association of Baghdad passed resolutions asking the government to buy the dead Premier's residence and make of it a national shrine. POET UNDER TRIAL FOR APPROVING BEER Marouf Ar-Rissafi, the ranking poet of Iraq, was summoned to court by order of the government following a decision of Parliament to that effect. The charge against him is that he published derogatory remarks about the wife of the Prophet and interpreted the sayings of some Ulemas of the Moslem faith to mean that drinking of beer was permissible. mmtmmmmmsmmsmm - � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1929_11reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 04, Issue 03 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1929 November Description An account of the resource Volume 4 Issue 03 of The Syrian World published November 1929. The issue begins with Salloum A. Mokarzel's continuation of his travels into Syria, where he specifically details interviews with the President and Premier of the Republic of Lebanon, and with acting French High Commissioner. Hilda Fox, General Secretary of the Lebanon Hospital for Mental Diseases, wrote about the history and needs of this institution in Mt. Lebanon. Then Elizabeth MacCallum's "On Ameen Rihani" is featured. It discusses his life and works as a frequently featured writer in The Syrian Word. The Barbara Young's poem titled "To the Man with the Hard Eyes" is included in the issue, followed by yet another poem titled "A Legend of the Nile" by Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, a mystical poem that tells of Egypt from the perspective of Alkazin who spent much of his childhood there. Labeebe A. J. Hanna is yet again featured in this issue for her original short story titled "Such Was Fate!" a love story set in the United States focused around the life of a Syrian couple. The issue concludes with Letters to the Editor, excerpts from the Arab press, and further information on the political developments in Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1920s A. Hakim Ameen Rihani Edward B. Karam Kahlil Gibran Labeebee A.J. Hanna New York Poetry-English Syria Travel https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/2d2b52a411d1bfd07bbb7a0a221c51a9.pdf 4bc5491a417ad216f411478f07ed8aa3 PDF Text Text mm^@B®mm mm VOL. IV. No. 2. OCTOBER, 19 THE SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIR? AND ARABIC LITERATURE ^P LEADERSHIP FOR SYRIAN RACE PROGRESS REV. W. A. MANSUR CIRCULATING BOONS IN |!EDDAH AMEEN RIHANT A MESSIAH OF OLD -WILLIAM CATZEFLIS IN THE LAND OF PROMISE SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL THE SMILE OF DEATH (A SHORT STORY) JOHN A. LA EACE THE COPY 50c �I f '. �ll THE SYRIAN WORLD SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL, Published monthly by Editor. THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single copies 50c. Entered as second-class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. IV. No. 2. OCTOBER, 1929. CONTENTS PAGE In this Issue 3 Leadership for Syrian Race Progress 5 REV. W. A. MANSUR On a Valetudinarian (Poem) J. D. 12 CARLYLE Circulating Boons in Jeddah 13 AMEEN RIHANI An Ideal 22 SuMAYEH ATTIYEH A Messiah of Old WILLIAM CATZEFLIS 23 �| CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE Arab Proverbs 26 In the Land of Promise 27 SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL Edwin (Poem) 37 LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA The Smile of Death JOHN ' 38 A. LA EACE Book Reviews 44 Spirit of the Syrian Press 4-6 Political Developments in Syria 50 About Syria and Syrians 54 ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE Partial View of Beirut Entering Beirut Harbor Square of the Martyrs, Beirut Lower Section of Wadi Hammana A Motor Road in Lebanon Pan-Arab Congress in Session Congress of the Desert Druzes in War Conference �IN THIS ISSUE REV. W. A. MANSUR contributes one of his usual brilliant analytical essays on the Syrians' needs in America. Competent leadership is undoubtedly one of the Syrians' crying needs and it would be gratifying to believe that they enjoy such an advantage. The Syrians are one of the most divided people on earth. To work for unity among them is, therefore, a most praiseworthy effort because of the difficulty of the task. Dr. Mansur writes optimistically and logically on the subject. * * * AMEEN RIHANI entertains our readers in this issue with an original account of his experiences while in Jeddah, the principal port of Arabia. In his description of circulating boons he gives a clear account of almost everything that circulates, and the reader is bound to share with him the belief that all are boons! Unless the reader cannot sufficiently contain himself at the various manifestations of circulating boons and volunteers to perform for the author the task of throwing the broken window shutter at the volunteer circulating muazzen. This article from the pen of our fa- mous writer and traveler reveals him in one of his lightest and happiest moods. * * * SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL begins in this issue the account of his experiences and observations in the motherland. It is a chronological record faithfully descriptive of the reactions of an emigrant returning for a visit after an absence of thirty years, and giving a comprehensive comparison between the past and the present. Although the present account covers only the first day, it touches on a multitude of interesting things. A particular kissing scene described puts to shame anything of that nature that was ever seen in the movies. Even in this first installment, the writer initiates you into some of the most intimate aspects of high life in Lebanon. * * * WILLIAM CATZEFLIS is known to our readers by his several delightful contributions during the first year of the magazine. He has now discovered in the writings of Voltaire what should prove of immense interest to those who would learn of the unshaken belief of the Jews in the promised Messiah and of the distant �... causes of the present Zionist movement. The incident described came very near having a tragic ending but for the Solomon-like resourcefulness of the Turkish sultan who succeeded in unmasking the pseudo-Messiah and caused him to prefer Islam to death. Mr. Catzeflis presents an able translation of Voltaire's account from the original French.*** SUMAYEH ATT1YEH ably gives us her conception of an ideal. Miss Attiyeh is a lecturer of note and a former contributor to THE SYRIAN WORLD. * * * JOHN A. LA FACE is one of our promising new crop of writers whose merit is being recognized early in his career. He is now a senior in the University of Cincinnati and his short story which is published in this issue won first prize in last year's contest. The ingenious plot is taken from the Arabic and well worked out. We are happy to introduce him to our family of readers.** LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA is well known to our readers for her versatile ability. A teacher of English in a Boston high school, she nevertheless is in love with Arabic upon which she draws at times for interesting and entertaining material. Her contribution for this issue, however, is on a subject which is universally appreciated. * * * MRS. EUNICE TIETJENS contributes to English literature a new version of the Romance of Antar, the great Arab poet-lover. A comprehensive review of her work is given in this issue. * * * REGULAR DEPARTMENTS of THE SYRIAN WORLD will be found as interesting as usual. To the political developments in Syria have been added accounts of developments in Palestine which, being an Arab country, claims the interest of Arabicspeaking peoples throughout the world. * * * The Spirit of the Syrian Press is being further appreciated owing to the violent disturbances that rock the Arabic-speaking world these eventful days. The reactions of those who feel the people's pulse is well-worth knowing in this troublesome period. * * * The other department, About Syria and Syrians, is always interesting as a record of the principal happenings among Syrians both in America and abroad. It is a monthly journal justly considered by our readers a fitting complement in its informative value to the only publication in English undertaken for the benefit of the Svrians. �THE SYRIAN WORLD VOL. IV. No. 2. OCTOBER, 1929. Leadership for Syrian Race Progress By REV. W. A. MANSUR t EADERSHIP is a prime necessity for Syrian-American race progress: for enlightenment, solidarity, happiness and glory. Before there can be a forward race movement, some one must step out of the masses and lead. World expansion came through the explorer, moral betterment arose with the reformer, and political liberty began in the liberator. Whether in science, education, religion, commerce, or invention the leader is the trail blazer in human progress. Syrian leadership is the trail blazer for the forward, upward, and progressive movement of SyrianAmericans. The challenge of the hour is for Syrian-American leadership that is American in spirit, unselfish in motive, prophetic in vision, j-acrificial in undertaking, and dynamic in passion. The rise of Syrian race consciousness, the desire for race solidarity, and the ambition for race progress makes our period the most important, critical, and prophetic in the history of the Syrian-American race. The question rises as to whether adequate Syrian-American leadership is rising to meet the challenge of our generation. The discussion of leadership for Syrian race progress will arouse intelligent thinking, promote preparation, and consider the tasks of Syrian-American leadership. It will usher in a period of understanding, co-operation, and endeavor for race progress. The following considerations are meant to awaken Syrian-Americans to the importance of Syrian-American leadership, set forth tasks waiting them, and challenge Syrian-American youth. �6 THE SYRIAN WORLD I. The Importance of Syrian-American Leadership. Syrian-Americans are beginning to realize the importance, place, task, and power of leadership. What the shepherd is to the sheep, the parent to the child, the teacher to the scholar, the governor to the state, and the president to a nation, such is the relation of the leader to a people. Right leadership will turn chaos to harmony, doubt to faith, ignorance to knowledge. We need Syrian-American leaders to lead the race by envisaging race hopes, teaching race history, inspiring race youth, spurring race progress, and preparing race defense. It is said "ninety per cent, of the public is usually behind the times} eight per cent, is abreast of them; two per cent, leads the way » The Literary Digest, after making the presidential poll of 1928, stated, "The law of averages is illuminating and dependable. From twenty million names addressed in our recent 'Presidential Poll', only three million returned their ballots. Every post card was stamped with a return postage, but only 15 per cent, made a decision. Making a decision requires a person to think, and it is well known that only a small percenatge of persons ever do any thinking about anything. What better illustration may be had that a thinking minority decide not only elections, but what we shall eat and wear, what motor car we shall buy, what roof we shall put on our house, etc., etc." (Issue of Dec. 29, '28.) Adequate leadership is the great need of Syrian-Americans. Syrian-American leaders to initiate movements for race welfare, give fresh impulses for high endeavor, point the way for the masses, and exemplify in their lives the soul, ideas, and progress of the race, is the imperative need of the Syrian-American people. The present character of Syrian-Americans, their being scattered throughout the nation, their ignorance of their racial heritage, the rise of race solidarity, and the many children and youth make Syrian-American leadership of vital importance, power and service to race progress. 77. The Nature of Syrian-American Leadership. Pure Americanism, individual initiative, and worthy qualifications define the nature of Syrian-American leadership. The paramount principle of Syrian-American leadership is pure Americanism. It must be a single American allegiance, a �OCTOBER, 1929 7 loyal American patriotism, and a decided American outlook. Let us be understood on this very first, most vital, and farthest reaching point that true Syrian-American leadership stands for America First. Without equivocation, mental reservation, or legal evasion, be it religious, moral or political, or otherwise, genuine Syrian-American leadership must be always for America First and nothing else. While we may seek the welfare of our native land, speed the aid of other nations, and encourage the alleviation of other races, we do so because of sentiment, humanity and religion, nevertheless we Syrian-Americans stand for America First in heart, mind and life, because we made America our homeland, we enjoy its benefits, and it is the home of our posterity. Only leadership that is truly American is adequate to lead SyrianAmericans to enlightenment, solidarity, and progress. Genuine leadership is a quality of the individual. President Herbert Hoover says in American Individualism, "Leadership is a quality of the individual." "Human leadership cannot be replenished by selection like queen bees, by divine right of bureaucracies, but by_ the free rise of ability, character and intelligence." Bishop Charles H. Brent says in Leadership, "A leader is one who goes before, who keeps in advance of the crowd without detaching himself from the crowd, but so influencing them to his ideal selfhood." W. T. Powell says in Handbook for Workers with Young People, "The difference between the leader and the crowd is that the leader is just a little ahead in his vision, in his thinking, in his planning, in his attitude." Our American homeland is giving rise to the highest type of leadership among Syrian-Americans. Individuals by sheer ability, splendid character and high intelligence are among the elect of mankind. Their vision, tempered with knowledge, wisdom, and self-sacrifice, is prophetic of race enlightenment, vitality, and progress. Their noble ideals expressing the best in the race, upholding glorious race traditions, and projecting race prosperity are evidences of race idealism and optimism. Their personality, showing itself in understanding, sympathy, tactfulness, and sacrificial service, is already transforming the race. ///. The Rise of Syrian-American Leadership. Our Syrian race urge is impelling the race forward. Our Syrian race awakening is catching the vision of race prosperity. Our Syrian race preservation is moving us toward race co-opera- �THE SYRIAN WORLD tion. Our Syrian race progress is inspiring leadership for the onward movement of the race. The discovery of Syrian race greatness; the abundance of opportunity free from autocracy of government, religion, and ignorance ; and the growing record of splendid achievement are giving rise to a glorious leadership. Count Hermann Keyserling said in an illuminating article on America and Germany, "Just as Lindbergh is more representative of young America than anything one may read, in the same sense men like Dr. Eckener and the great pioneers of science and enterprise, who have already won back a good deal of Germany's world prominence in their respective fields, are more expressive today of Germany's best spirit than any work of abstract contemplation. Germany is beginning her career over again." (The Forum, Feb., '29.) In the following Syrian-American leaders we have trailblazers for future Syrian generations, torch-bearers of Syrian race enlightenment, and range-finders for Syrian race progress: N. A. Mokarzel, journalist, defender of the Syrian race; G. K. Gibran, poet, singer of the Syrian soul; Ameen Rihani, traveller, adventurer of the Syrian spirit; Philip K. Hitti, historian, scholar of the Syrian mind; and S. A. Mokarzel, editor, leader of the Sryian awakening. Syrian-American leadership is now in the making in SyrianAmerican youth. Their study of Syrian history, race talents, and race achievemnets is inspiring Syrian youth. Their imagination is being fired with ambition. Their intelligence is searching for tasks to match their powers. Their talents are finding projects to express the creativeness of the Syrian soul. Individuals are already in the forefront in achievement. They are inspiring the Syrian-American race. They are influencing the future leadership of the race. In the development, achievement, and progress of Syrian-American leadership lies the larger progress of the Syrian race. IV. The Qualifications of Syrian-Amreican Leadership. True leadership is based on individual initiative not popular election; personal qualification not traditional authority; and one's achievements not one's inheritance. The following seven qualifications are among the prominent ones found in successful leadership. �OCTOBER, 1929 9 1. Ability. The New Standard Dictionary says, "A leader is one who is fitted by force of ideas, or character, or by genius, or by strength of will to arouse, incite, and direct men in conduct and achievement." The truest leadership is based on possessed ability. The potentialities of leadership are within his soul. His passions are born of his dreams. His dynamic is inherent in his will. 2. Vision. The leader is a seer, a prophet, a wise man. John R. Mott said to Bruce Barton, "You ask me to give a working definition of vision. I should say it is the capacity — (1) To see what others do not see. (2) To see further than they see. (3) To see before they see." Roosevelt said, "Nine tenths of wisdom is being wise in time." Without men of vision people perish, religiously, morally, intellectually, and socially. Leadership with vision is a paramount necessity for the preservation, civilization, and progress of the Syrian-American race. 3. Religion. The sense of the divine is vital to the noblest leadership. "The call of a need and the call of the crowd are both inspiring," says Bishop Brent in Leadership, "but it is not until there is added to them, or heard through them, the call of God that the leader is fully equipped to achieve." The sense of the divine, the dedication of self to others, and the devotion to higher welfare constitute the religious call to social service. A feeling of the divine breathes into the soul the vision, power, and service of the eternal. A. il 4. Character. The leader must be sterling in character, unselfish in motive, and sympathetic in attitude. "Sincerity is impossible unless it pervades the whole being;" says James Russell Lowell, "and the pretense of it saps the very foundation of character." It is good character that gives power to our efforts, influence to our speech, and success to our undertaking. Character determines the nature of our motives, the direction of our leadings, and the quality of our objectives. 5. Personality. J. Ramsay Macdonald says, "The true test of the work of a leader is what he gets out of his followers, what he enables them to give, the spirit he infuses into them." The leader is supremely a companion, contagious with idealism, and compelling to activity. His personality acts as a spur to worthy ambition, his sacrificial example as a pattern, and his initiative as �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD a drawing or leading power. He radiates courage, inspires confidence, compells perseverance through tactfulness, adaptability, and sympathy. 6. Patriotism. The leader is patriotic: loves his country, seeks the people's welfare, and works for their betterment. The loftiest aim of leadership is the moral elevation of mankind. Newell Dwight Hillis says of William E. Gladstone in Great Books as Life Teachers, "At once the child of genius, wealth and power, this young patrician took as his clients, not the rich and the great, but the poor and the weak." "Reviewing this illustrious life, we see that the genius of Gladstone's life was the genius of patriotism." This is the highest Syrian-American patriotism: to arouse the people to civic American loyalty; to champion the cause of the poor and the weak; to promote the enlightenment of the people; to defend them against misunderstanding, prejudice and injustice; to challenge them to higher standards of living; and to proclaim the fear and love of God for righteous living. 7. Will. "Where there is a will there is a way," is an axiom of truth and power. A leader must believe that he is master of his destiny and cheer his followers into the same belief," says Bishop Brent. What man can imagine that he can perform. What seems impossible to the masses is possible to the leader with a will. All his knowledge, plans and objectives become possible of fulfillment only when a leader wills them into action. V. The Tasks of Syrian-American Leadership. The present needs of Syrian-Americans comprise the immediate tasks of Syrian-American leadership. The call for solidarity, the defense of the race, the enlightenment regarding race legacies, and the inspiration of Syrian-American youth are tasks of first magnitude. The following are attempts to state major, momentuous, and timely tasks for immediate endeavor. First, the leading of Syrian-Americans into fullest American citizenship. Since we made America our homeland, we owe it the fullest loyalty. Since we enjoy America's Constitution, ideals, and institutions, we owe it true fidelity, obedience and defense. Since our posterity is to partake of America's heritage, we owe it an American motive, outlook, and practice. The paramount task of Syrian-American leadership is the Americanization of the Syrian race in America. The preamble of �OCTOBER, 1929 11 the Constitution of the United States gives us the golden text of true Americanism: "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." Let us uphold the Constitution, claim equality of citizenship, and maintain a law-abiding citizenship. Second, the awakening of Syrian-Americans to their inheritance. It is well to remind the reader that this was a prime purpose in founding THE SYRIAN WORLD. The editor, S. A. Mokarzel, wrote, "that one of our chief objects in helping Syrian-Americans discover themselves is to breed in them a consciousness of appreciation for their racial qualities and inheritances so that they may comport themselves with a befitting sense of honor as citizens of this great American nation." (Vol. I. No. 1.) Syrian-American leaders must enlighten the people regarding their race greatness. They must show them how Syria's contributions have been foremost among the civilizing influences in the world. They must awaken the Syrian soul to its superior race traits, its potentialities for achievement, and its illustrious ancestry. * Third, the insuring of Syrian-Americans toward co-operation. "It is now evident that the Syrian people in this country refuse to further remain in obscurity," says David Zail in answering the challenge to organize a federation of Syrian Societies. "It is also gratifying to note that our people have awakened to the call—the call to band themselves together3 to come to the forej to win recognition." Fred S. Rizk says, "The young Syrian element stands, as it were, on the threshold of a new era, » Joseph W. Ferris says, "We are sorely in need of such a body. » (THE SYRIAN WORLD, Jan. '29.) We must inspire the Syrian-American people for co-operation. We must organize our race sentiments. We must create race solidarity for race preservation. We must challenge Syrian-Americans through pride in our ancestry, welfare for our descendents, and law-abiding citizenship. Fourth, the challenging of Syrian-Americans to win recognition. The Sage of Washington Street said to A. Hakim, "What �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD I do believe, however, is that we should never permit ourselves to wane in the appreciation of our racial heritage. The American nation is composed of different racial strains and to the end of time history will record this fact and give each race credit for its especial contributions. It should be our ambition to get our due recognition." (THE SYRIAN WORLD, Feb. '29.) President Calvin Coolidge said to the American Legion Convention at Omaha, Nebraska, "The bringing together of all these different national, racial, religious, and cultural elements has made our country a kind of composite of the rest of the world " "Every one of them has something characteristic and significant of great value to cast into the common fund of our material, intellectual, and spiritual resources." We must acquaint Americans with our racial history. Let us inform them about our race contributions to human progress. Let us enlighten them about Europe's and America's debts to Syrian religion and morals; Syrian navigation and commerce j Syrian letters and science. Let us tell the American nation regarding Syrian race character, race progress, and race loyalty to America. Fifth, the teaching of Syrian'American youth to -perpetuate Syrian race heritage. We Syrian-Americans are dreaming dreams of glory for the future of our race. We are organizing for race co-operation, race defense, and race preservation. We are planting, through education, literature, and achievement, for the happiness of our posterity. Let us remember that we shall realize the dream through our children; bring organization to accomplishment through our young people; and harvest the glory through our descendents. In the hearts of Syrian-American children let us plant the seeds of our race inheritance, race legacies, and race glory. ON A VALETUDINARIAN Translated from the Arabic by J. D. CARLYLE So afraid is Isa, and anxious to last, So afraid of himself is he grown, He swears thro' two nostrils the breath goes too fast. And he's trying to breathe thro' but one. �OCTOBER, 1929 I - 13 Circulating Boons in Jeddah By •» •,• AMEEN RIHANI ^BOUT four in the morning I was awakened by a voice, loud and harsh, void of a single pleasant intonation, crying m the street: Arise and praise Allah, the Living, the Eternal! The volunteer circulating muazzen was passing beneath my balcony. "Sleep no more: the dawn is at the door!" No one had delegated the gentleman to the sleeping population, except it be the circulating orchestra of Jeddah. But of this later. The circulating muazzen was doing a little good work on his own account, something akin to almsgiving; but having nothing, I suppose, to give, he went around at that Muhammedan hour waking innocents from sleep. "Allah is great! It's late, it's late! Sleep no more! The dawn's at the door! Get up and pray! Allah obey!" I could have thrown upon him the broken shutter of my balcony window. But his zeal is appreciated by a pious population. A tall figure in a white robe, passing through the city streets at that grey, moon-veiled hour, would have awakened a different feeling in me, had he a redeeming virtue in his voice. But to perform a sacred duty in a raucous, barbarous yawp were ungodly even to the Prophet. I tried to sleep again, forgetting and forgiving; and again, not long after, I was awakened by a voice crying, Hali'eeeh! (milk)! No, there isn't a good voice in all Jeddah. ' m * I 1 _ The milkman in London cries, Voo-hoo', curt and sharp, in imitation, I was told, of the cow. Which is bad enough. But in Jeddah the long drawn metallic iii-eeeeb is infernal T Give me Beyrouth and Damascus to wake up in: for there the human voice is an improvement on the herd's, sometimes even on the song birds. The milkman there is poetic withal. Pure as the dawn! Eye of the fawn! And not a word about milk. It's indeed a joy to rise to such poetry and music. But in Jeddah, as in London, the milkman is a vulgarian, a boor. Hah'eeeb! It sounded like Hurry up! Luckily for him he hurried in passing; and I tried again to sleep. But someone always does murder sleep in Jeddah. For �T) 14 . THE SYRIAN WORLD while I was still half awake, I heard a whirring noise outside, not very near, like that of an airplane; and then, a knock at my door, followed by a voice, that of the Foreign Secretary Sheikh Fouad: "Get up, get up quick." He almost tore the mosquito netting in pulling me out of bed.—"Hurry up, come out and see —see our airplanes." The Hijaz Government had four in those days, and one of them, of a certainty, was circling over the Palace, serenading His Hashemite Majesty with the lute of the Western world, the motor, and fusillading the citadel of sleep. The only defense now was to abandon the citadel and gird me for the day. It was a raw morning, the wind having executed a volte-face during the night, which is not unusual on the Hijaz coast where rarely more than two winds blow, succeeding each other with equal violence. The aziab or south wind is the harbinger of the simoom, which sucks the humidity out of the atmosphere. Otherwise, it is not conducive of any piety. I could never get into the mood of a pilgrim on an aziab day. But the north wind, which often comes at its heel, is worse in its immediate effect, because the necessary change of clothes is not always possible. One has to go like the Bedv. in but a single garment to combat the aziab*s burning blast; and then, without warning, comes this blustering monster, blowing like mad, chilling the very sands which yesterday were too hot for the bare feet of even a camelherd. The north wind is also exasperating, because the sun, which often comes with it, is as helpless against its winter flow as Ceasar's dust. All that morning it blowed outside, and I shivered within. There was no argument against the north wind's staff of attorneys, ranting through every window. Because of the lattice screens, the lower half, they would not be ruled out by the upper half, the blinds. There was nothing to do therefore but to wrap me in an aba and sit tight, listening to Sheikh Fouad chanting poetry. He always sat cross-legged, even though on a little rush bottom chair, and swung his torso to and fro as if he were riding a camel, the while he droned and moaned his rhymes. It was a fitting accompaniment to the north wind, evoking all the dreariness of the desert waste. And what a memory! He carried an anthology in his head. Any incident of the least significance in the daily life of man and beast, he could illustrate with line from the ancient poets. But he was particularly fond of intoning in an ineffably mournful manner his own accents. Hear his lachrymose Muse: omi \ I !• �OCTOBER, 1929 15 "Myself in tears to sorrow I resign, For tears are of the clemency divine." I \ But when he opened his anthology, which I preferred, he became alternately amorous and war-like. I would shut my eyes and imagine myself in midwinter shivering around a half-heated fire in Mt. Lebanon or near a wheezing radiator in a Paris hotel, while a strange voice from the past of Arabia was droning rhymes of battle or plaintively intoning of love and separation. "In far Iraq is Leila sick, 't is said; I wish I were the doctor near her bed." "The night, and the steed, and the desert me ken,— And the sword, and the lance, and the parchment, and pen." I would then close my ears and open my eyes. Blow on, drone on, my friends. Through the lattice screen, I beheld the sun in all its Arab ecstasy dancing on the lagoon, and on the sands, and on the shimmering breast of the hills beyond. A bright summer day! In sooth, sayeth the Eye. But Gooseflesh knows better. Above the two irrepressible voices, however, rose strange music-like sounds, the strangest of all the circulating abominations of that day. I forgot the north wind and the poet as I opened one of the blinds and saw what stood in the street below. It was the hurdy-gurdy of Jeddah without the hurdy-gurdy;— only the human portion of it,—the most fantastic, the most comically constructed instrument of ambulating music I had ever seen. The man was a Takruri black, a roly-poly of spotted and cracked flesh, bare-headed, bare-footed, bare-breasted, with a pate like a pumpkin, big bulging eyes, and teeth as white as snow in the sun. He wore a few white and blue rags put together and tied up by a piece of rope around his waist. From this rope hung little round bells; and around his legs was a contrivance of brass tubes, tied with straps, containing pebbles. He carried a broken sword m one hand and a stick with an only string attached to it in the other. This was his lute, to which he applied the sword. The result was atrocious. But when he accompanied it with a dance, swinging his hips to achieve a round tStcty it became excruciatingly, diabolically funny. After the performance he sang the praise of the Prophet in accents that sounded like scratches of �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD potchers on brass ; and holding his hand up for the coin, he smiled radiantly whether it was given or not. More than hurdygurdy, indeed; it was the Takruri circulating band of Jeddah that stopped beneath my window that day. And it went on, a circulating boon! But dreading more of circulating boons, which fall upon you, if you are stationary, with a crushing weight, I decided, in order to reduce the effect, to circulate myself. I had a letter of introduction from a booklover in Cairo to a booklover in Jeddah, which I had to deliver because it was more than a letter of introduction. It opened, after the peace and blessing of Allah, with these words: "Forget not, O beloved one, the white doves of Mecea, which thou didst promise many moons ago to send us, that Cairo too might hear them praise Allah and the Prophet." He further urged the matter upon me by saying: "Prowl in the house of Sheikh Muhammad, and loiter in his garden, and steal if necessary. The white doves of Mecca are a sacred treasure, a psecious possession." I went out, therefore, with a manifold purpose, seeking among other things, the booklover and the white doves. Jeddah did not seem new to me. I felt that I had been there before, not with Burton or Bruckhardt, however, but with one who had preceded them by about a thousand years. Ibn Jubair of Granada, who made the pilgrimage to Mecca when Saladin, the mighty and good, was on the throne, is a chronicler of accuracy and courage. His book is still considered the best of its kind; for his description of the Kaaba, the Mosque, and the Holy Places, as well as the ceremonies of the Hajj, which remain till this day the same, is graphic and vivid and accurate. His style is lucid and flowing; and his freedom of opinion is admirable. The Andalusian Arabs did not tolerate anything that shackled the mind and spirit. They had the courage of their convictions— they were protestants. Like the pilgrims that crossed the Atlantic eight centuries later, they also had fled from the tyranny of princes and kings. If therefore the Jeddah of those days was a den of thieves who preyed upon the pilgrims, and if the highroad to Mecca was held by bands of the Bedu who took from the pious multitudes what the Jeddah thieves had overlooked, Ibn Jubair said so in plain Arabic and protested to high heaven against the rank irreligion that nested in the Holy Places of Al-Islam. I do not know how much irreligion is still nesting in the dark and cobwebbed corners of Mecca and Al-Medinah; but the �« ^^ PARTIAL VIEW OF BEIRUT Looking north across the Bay of St. George to the Lebanon range, with snow-capped Sannin in the background. �ENTERING BEIRUT HARBOR Syrian World Photo This photograph was taken as the steamer was passing through the single opening between the two sea walls enclosing the port of Beirut. SQUARE OF THE MARTYRS, BEIRUT The East side of the principal square of the capital of Lebanon. The Maronite Cathedral of St. Gteorge showing in the background. ' �LOWER SECTION OF WADI HAMMANA Syrian World Photo The broad stretch of this enchanting valley, dotted with thriving villages, is one of the beauty spots of the Lebanons. �A MOTOR ROAD IN LEBANON Almost every town in Lebanon can now be reached by adequate roads which are being continually improved. • **" * r 1 �r- —- OCTOBER, 1929 - •-** '"""" 17 den of thieves and the Bedu bandits were not in evidence. The pilgrimage, in those happy days of Hussein the First, Sherif and King, was comparatively safe. But the Jeddah of Ibn Jubair, with this exception, had not changed. The same five-story houses with their attractively walled roofs for summer nights; the same narrow winding streets, which in places enable the housewives through their balconies in opposite buildings, to borrow things from each other or to pull each other's hair; the same woodsheds in the markets and bazars to shut out the fierce Arabian sun; the same squares and camels and shaqdoufs (litters) for the transportation of the pilgrims; (1) the same hodge-podge of humanity which Al-Islam brings together from every corner of the earth; the same bare-footed, half-naked Arabs carrying their only heritage of power and grandeur—a sword; the same winds that beat Jeddah one day on the right cheek and one day on the left, the sword notwithstanding; the same fruits and vegetables that Wadi Fatemah yields to a frugal population; the same watermelons whose delicious quality raised Ibn Jubair to poetic heights of descriptions—they are all still here. Even the balconies seem to have gone through a thousand years of wind and rain and sun. They are mostly of teak unpainted wood, become drab, and of varying degrees of crudeness and artistic finish;—from the simple window with a sort of fence in lattice, in front of its lower half, for the privacy and seclusion of the harem, to the most elaborate designs, artistically conceived and executed, with beautiful carvings in the stalactites of the balconies, such as one sees in the mosques of Cairo. Between the two are many crude and exquisite examples of the individuality of the Oriental that revels in detail. The temperament of the people and their soul are revealed in this phase of their architecture. On the surface, there is equality in chaos;—rich and poor alike bedraggled by time;—a plain balcony almost falling and a beautiful ancient one with a patch in it of last year's timber, both rubbing elbows on the same conglomerate, ramshackle block; but behind them all are degrees of condition. While they all conform to a certain tradition, everybody does so in his own way, and according to his means. There are-but a few things in the Jeddah of today which Ibn Jubair did not see; as the condenser, for instance, which takes the salt out of the sea water for the sake of the Europeans and a (1) They now make the pilgrimage in automobiles. �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD few of the sophisticated modern Arabs. Also the tables and chairs in the cafes—and the flies! Yes, there are stivy dens in Jeddah, where a beduin might rattle his sword for a drink of uncondensed water, where a city tramp might doze over a narghilah, and where Takruri blacks, the porters of the town, are seen stretching their weary limbs and listening to the homtnal gossip of the day. Through a street thus adorned, which Ibn Jubair would have called The Street of the Flies, I made my way seeking the booklover, the Sheikh Muhammad. And I met them all, the friends of Ibn Jubair:—the beduin in a rag and the saiyed in a silk coftan; and the Muslems from Ind and Iran; and the Faithful from Java and Turkestan; and the camels of the morning caravan; and the white donkeys that ran, upsetting the tray and pan of the grocer and confectionery man; and the naked Takruri carrying an oil can, full of water for the bath of my lady Juman or the cook of mylord Othman; and the fierce-looking chieftain of the clan; and the dandy of Jeddah "sporting" a fan; and the moonstruck lover, sorrowful and wan—O, thou Ibn Jubair, they are all still here. And among them is one whom I do not think thou hast seen. He too is thin and wan, and wears a silk coftan; but he carries a book! instead of a fan. My friend the booklover, I said to myself, and I raised my hand to my head and made salaam. He stopped and smiled and did likewise. "Thou art the Sheikh Muhammad, the booklover of Jeddah," I asked. "I am a booklover, praise be to Allah," he replied, "but I have not the honor and good fortune of being the Sheikh Muhammad." A camel just then brushed by and snorted at us. He took the hint and moved from the centre of the street, taking me by the arm. "Thou art a scholar," I pursued, in a bold American manner. "I read in the books," he confessed modestly, "and try to learn something of the secret of life and death. And thou, art thou of the land of the Arabs?" "I have not the honor and good fortune," I said, as we walked together to the house of Sheikh Muhammad. "I come from a country where they make books for the delectation of the young girl, and where people have ceased to worry about the secret of fife and death," t 'i t �tAmm OCTOBER, 1929 19 "And what do they worry about, I pray thee." "Their latest worry is that which has been prohibited thirteen hundred years ago by the Prophet, the Peace of Allah upon him." "And what is that?" I was glad we had reached the house of Sheikh Muhammad, for I was not travelling in the interest of Prohibition. The reverend Sheikh, a portly and dignified gentleman in a huge white turban, a blue silk caftan and a black jubbah, laid down the narghilah tube as my kind young guide entered and came to meet us at the door. He led us into a room which was apparently his library, and up to a carpeted diwan, between six beautifully carved cases of teak wood with glass doors, full of books. The binding is modest and uniform—a black cloth with the title on the back in gold. The narghilah of the Sheikh Muhammad and his rugs are more imposing to the travelling eye. He ordered a smoke for me as he opened the letter I had presented. But while he read, his face gleamed and gloomed, his brows met alternately and separated, and I could see, as he folded the epistle, a tear in his eye. He kissed the envelope and placed it in his bosom. "The Sheikh Hasan," he said, "is the highest example of nobility and worth among men. But I invoke the forgiveness of Allah—either he misunderstood or I misexpressed about the doves. Life of the Prophet! their case is a marvel,— a miracle they are of the creation of the Most High. They are always singing his praise. 'Allah is great, Allah is great!' they always sing. But they are not from Mecca. The name of honor was given to them by one of the Grand Sherifs who was fond of titles. They are from Al-Yaman, and I have written to have a few of them transported to the beloved Sheikh Hasan in Cairo." A black slave brought in a narghilah, the like of which I had not seen before. The water vessel is of beautifully designed brass set on a tripod, with a stem, more than two feet high, of carved wood on which rests a fancy bowl, veiled in silver chains and beads hanging from its rim, containing the tobacco which they call )arak (1) and the burning coals. The tube, made of rich material and covered for protection with linen, is about ten feet (1) The jarak, a word imported from India, is Persian tobacco cured, that is soaked in a decoction of honey or molasses and musk and ambergris and some spices—plug tobacco? * �HnH 20 THE SYRIAN WORLD long. Here be the pink of luxury in the East. The narghilah was followed with unsweetened coffee flavored of cardamon, and then green tea, and then sweetened hot milk served in wine glasses, and then soda water of different colors, the black slaves continuing to come and go till I had risen to take my leave. Meanwhile, there were visitors, a few of whom accepted the invitation to the diwan, while the others, in a modern practical manner, remained standing. And they asked of the Sheikh Muhammad astounding questions. "Did you receive the book of the English Lady who disgrrced the English Court and Nobility? (Meaning the Memoirs of Margot Asquith which had been recently translated into Arabic.) . ,. . "Is it true that the men of science of America have discovered that the rays of the sun are crooked?" "Give me, of your kindness, the name of the Historian who opened his historv of the world with the biography of the devil. "I pray thee, O Sheikh Muhammad, have you in your wonderful library the book of the English philosopher who spoke the truth about the Prophet, the peace of Allah upon him, and praised Al-Islam?" The beningant Sheikh Muhammad, the living encyclopedia of Teddah, would answer in his habitual calm each question, taking cut a book now and then to refresh his memory or confirm his opinion, and allowing the inquirers, the thirsters for knowledge, to take the books home if they desired. A few of them did so; a few others brought with them the books they had taken previously. "Does the learned Sheikh," I asked, "lend out his books?" "Not to everybody, O esteemed one, but to those only who prove to us that they have a thirst for knowledge." "What is the proof that mylord the Sheikh exacts?" "Thev come to his diwan and participate in the discussions, which reveal, of a certainty, the quality of their minds. I am proud of every one to whom Allah in His bounty has enabled me to lend a book. And they all take good care of the books they borrow. Look, for instance, at this one; it has been out for ihe tenth time, and it is still new." The book he showed me was Carlyle's Hero and Hero Worship, an excellent Arabic translation, by the way, in which most of the idiomatic humor of "Thammis" is faithfully reproduced in Arabic dress. The Hero as Prophet which he has chosen to i.t �—— OCTOBER, 1929 21, complete his cycle and add another string to his peculiarly conceived and strangely constructed spiritual Harp, is not having the right effect among Muhammedans. It humors the ignorance of the many and confirms the learned few in their perversity. Had Caryle had access to Ibn Jubair, or had he taken the trouble to acquaint himself with the present state of Al-Islam, he would have added to the Hero as Prophet a chapter on the quackery of mechanical religion. Even the most learned Sheikh Muhammad admired unreservedly the book, accepted it as Cospel, or rather Koranic, truth. He was curious to know more about this philosopher of the English; and to my story of a visit to the house in Chayne Walk, Chelsea, they all listened with wrapt attention. The double wall in the attic amused them. "Had he come to live here amongst us," said one, "we would have invoked the great Allah to silence even the simoom for his sake." "Did he lend out his books," asked the Sheikh Muhammad, combing with his fingers his trimmed white beard. I spoke of our public libraries in reply. "We also have what we call circulating libraries, which lend out books for a period of time to the young girl and the young man who thirst for knowledge—and for thrills." While one of those present was asking what I meant by thrills—it is perturbing, the thrill—not good for the soul—my host was repeating to himself: The young girl, too! He asked for more detail about the circulating library system, intending, I suppose, to improve his own. "The circulating library is an excellent name," said one of the guests. "By Allah!" exclaimed another, who dropped his narghilah tube in excitement, " we shall call it the circulating library of Jeddah." "Yea, O most worthy Sheikh Muhammad," said the third, who moved his turban back and forth to air his shaven skull, "henceforth, it shall thus be called. We thank thee, O honorable one, for this noble idea." When I got up to go, my host recalled that I had come to him recommended by his worthy and beloved friend the Sheikh Hasan of Cairo, and he asked me to be his guest during my stay in Jeddah. He also placed his library at my disposal. "Here is the Index. Please take it with you and glance over �THE SYRIAN WORLD 22 it. There may be a book among this small collection of the slave of your virtue which you may desire to read." I asked if he had one on Al-Yaman, and he pointed to a few in the Index. He was very pleased, for the sake of his friend in Cairo and the white doves of Mecca, to know that I was going to that part of Arabia. "I will give you a letter to my friend there to deliver to you the doves. You will be charmed with their singing." An Ideal By SUMAYEH ATTIYEH To forget the mistakes of the past and work for greater achievements today. To be too big for worry, too noble for anger and too strong for fear. To be so firm that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and success to everyone you meet. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be cheerful under seeming obstacles and to have a smile for everyone you meet. To think well of yourself and proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds. To see the golden truth in all religions and to realize that the world is your home and all its people are your brothers and sisters. To live day by day making each day a worthy chapter of your life. 1 �— I" OCTOBER, 1929 Ok i 23 A Messiah of Old By WILLIAM CATZEFLIS ^ITH Zionism arrayed against the nationalism of the Arabs, and the conflicting claims of Syrians and Jews creating for Great Britain, as the mandatory power in Palestine, a rather embarrassing position, the Jewish question has of late claimed the interest of the whole civilized world. Readers of THE SYRIAN WORLD may be interested, in this connection, to read about an occurrence of the last half of the 17th century, which is indicative of the mentality of the people in those days, a mentality of which traces can i till be found among many races and creeds even in this so-called enlightened century. Voltaire, one of the greatest thinkers and writers of the world, reports the occurrence referred to in his "Essai sur les Moeurs et l'Esprit des Nations", tome 11th, chap. CXCI of his works. We give it herein for what it is worth, and will let that great master relate it in his own, inimitable way. During the war with Candie, (1666), there happened in Turkey, an event which attracted the attention of both Europe and Asia. A rumor had been spread, based on idle conjecture, that the year 1666 was destined to witness a great revolution on earth. The mystic number: 666, which is found in the Apocalypse, was the source of that opinion. Never was the expectation of the Anti-Christ more universal. The Jews, on their side, claimed that their Messiah was to come that same year. A Jew of Smyrna, named Sabatei-Sevi, a man of culture and the son of a rich broker for English factories, took advantage of this general trend of thought, and declared himself the Messiah. He was eloquent, of attractive appearance, affecting great modesty, preaching justice, speaking as an oracle, and declaring that the end of times was at hand. He travelled first in Greece and Italy and while in Livourne eloped with a girl of his race, whom he took with him to Jerusalem, where he began preaching to his brethren. �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD There is a constant tradition among the Jews that their Shilo, their Messiah, their avenger and king, can come only with Elie. They are persuaded that they have an Eliah, who will reappear at the rebirth of the earth. That Eliah, whom we call Ely or Elie, was thought by many "savants" to mean the sun, from the Greek derivation of the word, and also because Elie having been carried from earth in a chariot of flame, drawn by four winged horses, has a great deal of resemblance with the chariot of the sun and the four horses invented by the poets. But without further pursuing these researches, and without examining whether the books of the Jews were written after Alexander, that is to say after the Jews began to know something about Greek mythology in Alexandria, suffice it to say that the Jews have been awaiting the return of Eliah from time immemorial. Even today, (in Voltaire's time), when these people circumsize a boy, they place an armchair in the room for Eliah, in case he chose to honor them with his presence. Elie is to bring the Sabbath, the Messiah, and the universal upheaval. That idea pre\'ailed also among the Christians. Almost all fanatics expect their Elie. In 1724 the police magistrate of Paris had two men arrested and incarcerated in an asylum, because they were fighting to determine who, of the two, was the genuine Elie. It was, therefore, absolutely necessary that Sabatei-Sevi be announced to his brethren by an Elie, lest his mission should be doubted and ignored by his people. He found a rabbi, named Nathan, who thought there was enough gain for him in playing this second part. Thereupon, Sabatei declared to the people in Asia Minor and Syria that Nathan was Elie, and Nathan assured them that Sabatei was the Messiah, the Silo, the One awaited by the chosen people. Between the two of them, they did great work in Jerusalem, where they reformed the synagogues. Nathan interpreted the prophets and convinced the people clearly that, by the end of the year, the Sultan would be dethroned, and Jerusalem would then become the mistress of the world. All the Syrian Jews were convinced of that truth, and the synagogues echoed with their chants: "Arise, arise Jerusalem, in thy strength and thy glory; there shall be no uncircumsized nor impure in thy midst." Every Jew made ready to lodge one or more persons of the lost ten tribes, and their hopes and faith were so great that they neglected their business and all prepared for the trip to Jerusalem. Nathan selected twelve men, in Damascus, to preside over �-*+. OCTOBER, 1929 25 the twelve tribes. Sabatei-Sevi went back to Smyrna, to show himself to his brethren, and Nathan wrote to him: "King of kings, lord of lords, when shall we be worthy of standing in the shade of thy donkey? I prostrate myself to be trodden by the soles of thy feet." Sabatei, in Smyrna, deposed several doctors of the law who had refused to recognize him, and replaced them by others. Frightened, one of his bitterest enemies, named Samuel Pennia, was suddenly converted, and publicly acknowledged him for the son of God. One day, Sabatei had occasion to visit the Cadi of Smyrna, with many of his followers. Several of these swore they saw a column of flames between him and the Cadi. This, and other ''miracles" of the sort, sealed his mission in the eyes of his people. Jews from all over were now bringing their gold and jewels and depositing them at his feet. The Pasha of Smyrna was about to have him arrested, when he fled to Constantinople with the most zealous of his followers. But the Grand Vizier, Ahmad Cuprogli, who was about to go to the siege of Candie, had him arrested and put in jail. All the Jews who wanted to could see him, for a money consideration, as is the custom in Turkey. They went there in numbers to kneel at his feet and kiss his chains. He blessed them and preached to them, and never did he complain. But the Jews of Constantinople, believing that the advent of the Messiah abolished all obligations, refused to pay their debts. The English merchants of Galata betook themselves to Sabatei, and told him that as he was the King of the Jews, he must order his subjects to pay their debts. Whereupon he wrote the following: "To you who await the salvation of Israel, etc., satisfy your legitimate debts. If you refuse to do so, you shall not enter with us in our joy and our empire." The debts were paid. The prison of Sabatei was always full of worshipers. But the Jews had begun to make a whole lot of noise in Constantinople. The people were then dissatisfied with the rule of Mahommed IV, and it was feared this tumult might endanger the peace. It would seem that a government as severe as the Turkish government would have put him to death, but they simply transferred him to the Castle of the Dardanelles. The Jews then clamored that it was not within the power of man to put him to death. �" " W" 26 """,l1 .11 I. II , THE SYRIAN WORLD His reputation having spread to all the European countries, he began receiving deputations of Jews from Poland, Germany, Livourne, Venice and Amsterdam, who paid very dearly for the privilege of kissing his feet. It was probably this which saved his life. The talk about him and his miracles was so great that the Sultan Mahommed had the curiosity of seeing and interrogating him They took the "King of the Jews" to the Seraglio, lne Sultan asked him, in Turkish, if he were the Messiah. Sabatei replied modestly that he was. But as his Turkish was bad, the Sultan said to him, "You speak badly for a Messiah, who should have the gift of languages. Tell me, do you perform miracles?" — "Sometimes," replied Sabatei. "We'll," said the Sultan, "take off his clothes. He shall serve as a target for the arrows of my archers. If he proves invulnerable, we shall recognize him as the Messiah." Sabatei fell to his knees, and weeping, confessed that that was a miracle beyond his power. They then proposed to him either to be impaled or else to become a Moslem, and to go publicly to the Mosque. He did not hesitate, and became a Mahommedan on the spot. Then he began a new sort of a prediction, to the effect that his mission had been from the beginning intent upon substituting the Moslem religion for the Judaic, in accordance with ancient prophecies. It can easily be seen what was the discomfiture and the shame of his adherents. That event added greatly to the contusion and unhappiness of the world's Jewry. Arab Proverbs If you should do a good deed conceal it, but if a good deed be done to you proclaim it. Trust not in him who cannot restrain his tongue. To have to keep company with the ignorant is one of the worst punishments. Experience is the beginning of knowledge. Every container must reach the filling point, except the container of knowledge which increases in capacity the more you add �' OCTOBER, 1929 27 In the Land of Promise A Chronological Record of the Editor's Trip Abroad By SAI.LOUM A. MOKARZEL II. QUNDAY, July 21, broke bright and clear amidst a riot of colors. The placid surface of the sea revealed the beautiful transparency of the inimitable Mediterranean blue. A few clouds with silver linings and gold rims tinted by the rising sun floated gently with the breeze. That was all that could be seen in an otherwise perfectly clear sky. We were now in Syrian waters and all our expectations of ideal atmospheric conditions were coming true. All on board were astir with unusual activity. Beirut was the last port of call of the "Providence" before making her home port of Marseille, and all the remaining passengers expected to land at the Syrian city. True there were about a hundred odd Syrians returning for a visit to their motherland, and the excitement among them would be but natural. But there was also about an equal number of tourists, mostly American, who were coming to visit Syria and the Holy Land, and the excitement among them was no less tense. We had been eighteen days at sea, and although sailing conditions were ideal, we all were anxious to reach our destination. The novelty of the sea voyage had just about reached the waning point. Along about noon someone sighted land and all passengers crowded on the port side of the ship to view the welcome sight. But it was not the land of our ultimate destination. What we saw looming on the clear horizon were the mountains of Cyprus, situated along the northwest coast of Syria. All were happy, nevertheless, in the realization that we had actually come in sight of the first outpost on the last leg of our journey. Cyprus looks but a tiny speck on the map, but to us its ragged coastline seemed interminable. Our anxiety to reach port was running foul of our reason and we were seeing things in exaggerated forms. After a while we began to lose interest in the mountains of Cyprus. They appeared inhospitable in their nakedness. They were beginning to work an unfavorable impression on our �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD minds lest the other mountains we were to see, those of Lebanon, prove to be of the same nature. But there were those who kept scanning the horizon persistently and with the utmost anxiety. They scrutinized every cloud in the sky in the hope that it would be a land outline. And strangely enough, those most anxious were not Syrians or Lebanese, but Americans. Around three o'clock I felt a sudden grip and thug at my arm pulling me toward the railing, and an excited voice exclaiming, "Look, look! It is the peak of Sannin!" The speaker was Dr. Wm. A. West of the American University of Beirut who, to use his expression, was returning "home" with his wife and mother. One could see by the expression of his face that the strongest emotions of happiness and expectation were surging within him. I strained my sight to distinguish the form he was pointing out. Wasn't there a possibility that it was a cloud bank? I was so excited myself that I felt the need of double assurance. But the Professor was absolutely positive. "I am too familiar with Lebanon to be deceived. See that high peak directly ahead? That is Sannin as it looks from the northwest. And that dense white patch along the side of the faint outline of the peak? That is the perpetual snow characteristic of the Lebanon. Perhaps you have been away too long to be able to identify it as I can." I admitted that I had been away for almost thirty years, and asked how Jong he had been absent from "home." "Only two years," he replied, "and I consider them a lost portion of my life, such is my love for the Lebanon." Dr. West was born in Beirut. Soon the shape of the mountain began to take more definite form. The summits emerged plainly from the haze and the valleys became discernible. Then the beauty of Lebanon began to unfold itself gradually before our admiring eyes. It was unlike anything we had seen, except, perhaps, some parts of the Italian coastline. The mountain was not at all deforested as we had been led to believe by some descriptions. Where it was not thickly wooded it was planted to mulberry or olive groves or symmetrically terraced for vineyards. The whole range was dotted with what appeared to be prosperous looking villages of fine white stone houses covered with red-tile roofs. The panorama, as we approached, was fascinating. The dark green of the forests was broken with the vivid white and red colors of the dwellings in �OCTOBER, 1929 29 such pleasing contrast that the landscape appeared like a huge canvas fresh from the brush of a master artist. The pilot in his red tarboush gave us the first intimate indication that we were in Oriental waters. Now we began to distinguish human forms on the quay, and the returning Syrian and Lebanese emigrants were straining themselves to recognize some relative or friend. The slow progress of the big steamer into the inner harbor seemed to be interminable. We had no sooner anchored than a swarm of boatmen and welcomers boarded the ship. Among the first arrivals was Ameen Hitti, Beirut member of the New York firm of A. K. Hitti & Co., followed by his men with the name of the firm in bold letters on cap and right arm. Boatmen of all other steamship or travel agencies appeared in the same manner, a regulation put into effect since the French occupation. Only those who are acquainted with conditions at the port of Beirut during the Turkish regime can appreciate the necessity of such precautions. I shall have occasion to refer to these conditions later. The scenes on board when relatives met one another after a long separation caused one's heart to melt with sympathy. Here was an aged father still in native costume and displaying all the simplicity in speech and manners characteristic of the mountaineers of Lebanon, weeping with joy in the arms of a returning son. Brother met brother and husband wife in the same ecstasy of delight. But for the shouts of the boatmen and the excited inquiries of some anxiously expectant relatives one could have heard nothing but sobs and the resounding smacks of kisses. And of all the kisses I have seen enacted or heard described there was none to compare with what I saw on this occasion. I particularly noticed a young man who apparently was greeting his brother spring at him with the agility of a panther and overwhelm him with kisses. They were kisses so warm and fa^t that the recipient seemed helpless under the onslaught. And they were not staged or affected kisses. On the contrary, they were kisses that plainly displayed an exuberance of joy uncontrolled. This particular kisser, though untrained in the art, could outkiss any professional of Hollywood. He began by holding his brother-—for such we must consider him—in a vise-like grip of his powerful arms and began kissing him on the neck and shoulder. Then he held him at arms' length and looked him straight in the eyes for a minute, his face beaming with delight, and resumed his fervid kisses in such manner that every inch of the brother's �30 THE SYRIAN WORLD face was fully covered. For he kissed him first on one cheek and then on the other repeatedly and swiftly, shifting to the forehead and descending systematically to the eyes, the cheeks, the lips and the chin. He was hungry for his brother and fairly devoured him. Because, seemingly not content with what he had had, he began another onslaught, but in this instance with more moderation. He again gazed into his eyes for a second, and with the utmost deliberation, kissed him this time on the tip of the nose. But this was not the climax of the performance. Some finishing touches had been left out and he proceeded to execute them. With still another gaze into his brother's eyes and as if tasting of a choice bit of sweets at the conclusion of a meal, he handled fondly the pointed tip of his brother's mustach and gave it the parting kiss. For warmth of affection and exuberance of joy I had never seen a scene to equal this in unaffected manifestation. It was characteristic of the East and was well worth coming all this distance to witness. In the welcoming party were representatives of all classes and sections of Syria and Lebanon. Some had come from as far north as Aleppo and as far east as Damascus, while from Zahle and other nearby localities of Lebanon there were welcomers by the score. The formalities of visaing the passports over, there was a scramble to land. All around the steamer were rows upon rows of rowboats manned by sailors in native costume. The picturesqueness of the scene is one that holds great appeal to one witnessing it for the first time and without knowledge of the traditional ruthiessness of Beirut boatmen. But to him who has had previous dealings with them, the very mention of their name strikes terror in his heart. We had been informed that they were made to behave after the coming of the French. Now it was our opportunity to verify the truth of the statement. It fell to my lot to experience this change of conduct on the part of the Beirut boatmen in person. The opportunity came unexpected!}' and proved to be a complete and adequate test. A Syrian passenger came to me as I was ready to disembark and asked for assistance in landing. He said a certain boatman had taken his baggage without his consent in an effort to induce him to take his boat. He stated that he was one of Hitti's passengers and wanted me to advise him on what to do. He appeared unduly excited, and after appeasing him I called the �OCTOBER, 1929 i 31 matter to the attention of Amee'n Hitti who immediately detailed one of his men to claim from the unauthorized boatman the baggage of the passenger. I thought the matter was settled and betook to my boat. Before I had settled in my place I heard a commotion and turned to find that the Hitti boatman was wrangling with the other boatman over the right of the transportation of the passenger and his baggage. I was in the Hitti boat and that of the other boatman was immediatelely alongside. The action that followed was very swift. Words led to blows and there was a grapple. The footing of the two contenders, each in his boat, was not sure and they were soon rolling over the sides of the swaying craft. Now one would be on top and then the other. The edges of the two boats nearly touched water and there was fear that they would capsize. There were shouts to me from deck to jump to one of the other boats nearby. In former days such a dispute would have inevitably lead to tragic consequences. Even now there were threats by each of drowning the other. At one time the head of one was pushed perilously near the water. But while the struggle was going on other forces were put into motion which worked methodically and swiftly. The Maritime Police officer stationed at the head of the ladder had noticed the scuffle and whistled for the Police launch. In but a few minutes it reached the scene and the officer in charge sternly commanded the two fighting men to stop. And they immediately stopped. Not a shot was fired nor a stick wielded nor a knife drawn. It was simply the stern voice of authority which this heretofore lawless element has learned to obey to the relief of the traveling public. I later learned that the offending boatman was sentenced to jail for ten days. I was further informed that such incidents have become the rare exception at the port of Beirut, while formerly they were the common rule. Upon landing at the Customs House the first official I encountered was a native woman. I was later to be delightfully surprised in learning that the women of Syria were rapidly effecting their economic emancipation by seeking employment in independent and gainful pursuits. The customs officials were most courteous. We were advised that the government of Lebanon had issued explicit orders to waive the regular formalities in connection with the landing of �as 32 THE SYRIAN WORLD the tourists traveling under the auspices of the firm of Hitti and as a mark of encouragement and appreciation. For this the editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD, who was a personal witness to the considerate treatment accorded the Syrian tourists on this occasion, can express the grateful appreciation of all passengers concerned for this action of the Lebanese government. But even before leaving the Customs House I was made witness to a peculiar incident which I later discovered was typically indicative of the trend of thought among the people of the country. The people resent what they believe is the overbearing attitude of the French in the exercise of their duty. Some French officers are accused of not being civil in their treatment of the natives although they may be within their incontested rights. This particular incident came about through the efforts of my cousin and companion, Joseph Mokarzel, publisher of Ad-Dabbour, a popular weekly of Beirut, to gain permission for a simple peasant to enter the Customs House to greet his father who was returning from America. The French officer stationed at the door dismissed the request with an attitude of impatience which hurt the impetuous publisher. What followed seems almost incredible. The publisher flew immediately into a rage and threatened to "dump" the French officer into the sea. "This is outcountry and not yours," he shouted at him. "You allow privileges to some and refuse them to others. This is a condition we will not tolerate and you shall soon find this out to your regret." A crowd of several hundred men soon collected and pressed around the two men. There were shouts of encouragement to the dynamic little publisher to keep up his tirade. Right or wrong, it was apparent that the sympathy of the crowd was with their countryman. The incident was brought to a close by my representation to the officer of the facts of the situation which made him rescind his earlier refusal. Obviously, the unpleasant incident could have been avoided had he granted the permission in the first place. Otherwise, if he considered himself in the right, he should hive adhered to his first decision regardless of the consequences. "What made you display such temper so quickly?" I asked of my cousin immediately after we had left the confines of the Customs House. "The French in Syria have adopted such a vacillating policy that they can be rightly accused of having no policy at all," he THE SYRIAN WORLD �OCTOBER, 1929 . S3 replied. "What I said to the Customs officer is true. Favors are granted some and denied others. The French in Syria cede only to force. When they find the people submissive they abuse them. The attitude of some French officials is so arrogant that it is wellnigh becoming unbearable." That night I did not sleep in Beirut. It was Sunday and the city was almost deserted. It is so convenient for the inhabitants of the capital city of Lebanon and the greatest seaport of Syria, to seek relief from the torrid heat of midsummer. In within fifteen minutes to an hour they can reach any altitude to their liking, even up to an elevation of eight or nine thousand feet. One of the distinctions of Lebanon, for instance, is that its winter and summer capitals are only twenty minutes apart by automobile. Beirut, the winter capital, is semi-tropical in its climate. Even an occasional snow flurry causes the greatest surprise. One of the familiar expressions in description of the severity of a winter is that "it snowed on the coast." Yet Aley, the summer capital, can be seen crowning a hill directly above Beirut at an elevation of 2,540 feet, while the summit of Sannin clothed in its perpetual mantle of snow and rising to almost 10,000 feet, looks surprisingly near. This being the topography of the country, urbanites of even moderate means can indulge in the weekend exodus to the cool regions of the mountain. My cousin and companion was in sympathy with my plans to profit of every moment for study and observation and he helped materially carry them out. We therefore decided to spend the night at Saufar, the reputed resort of the elite of the country and the rendez-vous of the fashionable and sporting element. I was anxious to see the interior of a gambling casino, inasmuch as I had never been in one before. It was then dusk and the hills of Lebanon began to scintillate with their myriad electric lights. Villages could be distinguished by the density of their illumination and resembled so many great Milky Ways in the shadowy expanse of the landscape, while on account of their elevation, they almost merged with the heavens and their lights seemed to form a part of the galaxy of stars. Sporadic lights appeared here and there to indicate isolated habitations or newly established resorts. This new condition in Lebanon was a revelation. The mountain could never be seen in such a brilliant mantle of light before except on the day commemorating the discovery of the Cross. The Lebanese hold this day in great reverence and celebrate it by extensive illumination �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD using for that purpose primitive but effective methods. This consisted principally in soaking ash piles with kerosene and setting fire to them. These fires would be located on the fringes of church roofs and other buildings and would give the effect of the whole mountain being ablaze. Except for this phenomenon, there was little for us to see of the natural beauty of Lebanon by night. But the expectation of being soon at Saufar, and of spending our first night in Lebanon in the reputed center of the greatest social activities in the country, was sufficient compensation. We lost no time in hiring an automobile to convey us thither. Saufar is situated at an altitude of four thousand feet and we reached it in half an hour. The road leading to it is the main highway between Beirut and Damascus and owing to recent improvements, has become one of the finest motor roads in all Syria. The dry mountain air as we climbed higher and higher was exhilarating. We stopped at the Hotel Royal, conducted by Wadih Mokarzel, where we had an excellent dinner. But although this hotel is almost directly opposite the Grand Casino, there seemed to be little activity for such a fashionable center. It was a distinct advantage to have for companion and guide such a man as the pubJisher of Ad-Dabbour, who seemed to know everything and everybody, and to be known by everybody as well. With him it was never a matter of guess work. He could place his finger on the cause and point out the effect with absolute certainty. He had served his apprenticeship in the newspaper profession abroad and combined to this acquired knowledge the native talent of the Oriental. I wish to state that I am indebted to him for a good deal of the information I possess, some of which, however, I shall not feel at liberty to use, out of respect for the ethics of the profession. He conducted me to the Grand Casino and led me through the spacious gardens to the grand entrance. Then he led me through the grand lobby to the grand ballroom. And all the while I was promising myself the sight of the grand activities that were to be seen within. But alas! the wheel of fortune had turned against me on this occasion. We did not encounter a single'soul in the bar except a' solitary bar-tender dressed in immaculate white and doing his best to look cheerful. Then we passed through the heavy velvet curtains into the equally grand casino proper. All around were all sorts of devices for games of chance, but the �OCTOBER, 1929 35 tables and the devices were deserted. Strange, indeed, that the most popular resort of its kind in the country should present such a desolate appearance on a Sunday! But we were not to be disappointed altogether. At the far end of the room was a group of players whom we approached leisurely and stopped to watch. There were about a dozen men and four women absorbed in the study of their cards. We could not possibly disturb them, so intent were they on their tasks. Not one as much as raised his head or batted an eyelid. The stakes must have been large. We watched for about ten minutes. Not a sound was to be heard except the call of the stakeholder. Nay, I must correct myself. There was the lady addict to the arghile who held the stem tightly between her teeth and caused a continuous gurgling in the bottle. All others were smoking cigarettes. We could not very well engage in conversation while the atmosphere was so tense for fear of distracting the players. But once we had satisfied our curiosity my companion and I retired to a far corner where we could safely engage in a whisper. "Who are the ladies and gentlemen?" I inquired, anxious to learn something about their standing in the community. Being a stranger to the country, I could not tell whether the participants were professionals or casual players. But my companion, knowing everything and everybody, as I have stated, was in a position to know. "This group represents the elite of our society," was the reply. Two of the ladies are members of one of our wealthiest families whose summer villas are located nearby. The man at the head of the table is an ex-minister who is also a scion of another wealthy family. The rest are drawn from other walks of life but all ranking high in the social ladder." "But why the deadness of the atmosphere? Is this the extent of the activities in the foremost summer resort of the mountain at the height of the season?" I again asked. The question was apparently beyond the publisher's ability to answer promptly and satisfactorily. But he was resourceful and would not admit defeat. He sought the manager of the Casino. Mr. Najjar is a corpulent individual who must have been extremely jovial by nature, but now appeared visibly worried. He clapped for a waiter and ordered coffee, then sat to give us a dissertation on what is basically wrong with the economic conditions of the country. �36 THE SYRIAN WORLD What I heard from this hotel manager was the first note of dissatisfaction that later re-echoed in my ears wherever I went in the country. Everything was wrong because of the government. The government was held to blame for the rise in the price of flour as well as for the unpopularity of gambling resorts. It would seem to the visitor that but for the equable climate of the country-, the government would be blamed even for the change in the weather. The people expected the government to take the initiative in every move. This state of mind plainly indicated the utter dependence of the people. It is the continuation of a condition of paternalism and feudalism from which the country has not yet succeeded in shaking itself free. Its manifestations encompass the whole range of national life from the educational to the social and economic. The people seem not to have developed either the courage or the strength to stand on their own feet. The first night spent in Lebanon fully proved the widely proclaimed virtues of this mountain as a health resort. I retired late and rose early fully refreshed after but a few hours' sleep. The early morning walk up the motor road to where we could view the beautiful panorama of Wadi Hammana, immortalized by Lamartine, made us doubly enjoy the generous breakfast served in the open-air dining room of the hotel. A week's vacation in the bracing air and soothing quiet of this resort would have been ideal, but the call to duty was too urgent. We must be back in the city that very morning, my companion to prepare copy for his paper and I to meet and greet a host of friends whom I knew by name but had never seen. We managed to leave before the congestion, for they have their rush hours in Lebanon, too. The descent down the slopes of Lebanon along a road running now through the heart of a dense grove of pines or a wellcultivated vineyard, now through the main street of a bustling little village, and all the while in full view of the sea and of the city of Beirut, left no regrets except that it was accomplished too quickly for the fuller enjoyment of the beautiful scenery. Beirut, resplendent in a robe of dazzling white, hedged about by the green groves of the rich coastal plain, facing the immense expanse of the blue Mediterranean, its myriad windows reflecting the rays of the rising sun as it emerged from behind Sannin, presented the appearance of a huge diamond in a gorgeous setting. Between this captivating view of the city and the ever changing beauty of the mountains around, one felt the time pass all too quickly. We soon found ousselvcs by the tombs of the �OCTOBER, 1929 37, Pashas at Al-Hazimyeh, marking the boundary of the city limits. Then it was a swift drive over the broad and level road to Sahat Al-Burg, now rechristened Place des Canons, which faces the Small Saraya, administrative building of the native government, in contradistinction to the Grand Saraya, seat of the French High Commissariat. At last we were in the metropolis of Lebanon, the emporium of Syria, the cultural center of that part of the East and the capital of the first republic to rise in the Arabic-speaking world. There we were to come in contact with the political forces that are guiding the destinies of the country, to study the courses of the social, economic and cultural life of the people, and to see whatever remained of the distinctive Eastern characteristics in a city that is coming faster than any other under Western influences. This I set myself to do from the very first day. Edwin By LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA The rose bloomed for a day And withered And fell; My cheek bloomed as the rose And grew pale And wan. Our love bloomed like the rose And withered And died— And remnants remaining Grow ashen And dried. Tenderly put the ash In an urn, And save— And decorate and lable As any Grave. �THE SYRIAN WORLD 38 The Smile of Death A SHORT STORY By JOHN A. LA EACE IDLENESS does breed mischief. Men who are busily engaged in the problems of life and existence have no time to ask needless and unfathomable questions for mere curiosity. But a vain and idle man—particularly a monarch—invariably will subject his advisers to deep and intricate inquiries in order to gloat over the prospective torture he will inflict upon them in event he is not satisfied with their answers. Sultan Omar was such a vain and idle monarch. The magnificent throne he sat upon did not even tempt an admiring look from his haughty eyes. Beautiful mother-of-pearl from the Persian Gulf inlaid in precious wood from the cedar forest of Mt. Lebanon; golden tigers clawing at each other savagely—the work of some Persian artist;—rubies and sapphires in attendance on a large moon-glowing diamond—drew the always admiring and covetous eyes of the court attaches, but no recognizance from the ruler. On this particular day, something seemed to be troubling his otherwise peaceful mind. He glanced about the walls of the throne room in an absent-minded manner. His eyes roamed nervously over the beautiful tapestries that fairly shouted for attention without outwardly acknowledging them until they rested upon one in particular—one which was the object of interesting comment by the ministers and of sacred awe by the Moslems. It depicted the Prophet sitting on a heavenly throne with a look of wisdom in his eyes, glancing down upon Islam represented by a row of bowed caliphs at his feet. His left hand was extended as a token of peace, but his right rested on a brilliant scimitar. He was clothed in the sacred garments of the highest caliph, which enveloped him in a profusion of linen and silks. The sultan's eyes, now alert, were fixed on a remarkable adornment which hung in a secluded cove to the right of the holy tapestry. It was a likeness of one of Sultan Omar's distant sires,—AliPasha the Dreaded. It was this Sultan Pasha who subjugated the outlying tribes which roamed the expanses of the Syrian i -wo- - i i i t I t a c \ F t v s n o Si d w t! �OCTOBER, 1929 29 Desert—the fierce Bedouins and the war-like Kurds, bringing them into the folds of the empire. He was an immense individ uai, standing, as he was in the painting, six feet six inches of brutality, his fierce countenance scowling even in the picture, with huge moustaches fairly bristling against his cheeks. His large cat-grey eyes shot forward like lances thrust from the sturdy arm of a Spartan, and his luxurious, disheveled hair added to the fierceness of his appearance. On his left cheek was a long jagged scar which, tradition tells us, was received in a savage encounter with a tiger, which he brutally strangled to death. Tradition continues to relate now he was merciless beyond belief It was he, also, who crushed his eldest son to death in a terrible embrace, because the latter ret used—rather prudently, one should thinkto pursue a wounded tiger unarmed! ,Ic was no^ed by the more observant, that although the sultan s eyes would roam somewhat absently about the chamber they always turned to the likeness of his savage forefather, and that his eyes would suddenly illuminate when they met the features of Aii-.Fasha. lhe boldest among his courtiers would even venture beyond this in telling of certain instances when his. dreaded majesty would peer intently into Ali-Pasha's features, his eves would flash lividly and his face would assume a pallid, rigid appearance which was alarming to those who knew him. It was common gossip about the court that the sultan did not inherit the physical brutality of his forebearers, but that he was blood-thirsty and treacherous beyond common acceptance And herein lies our story. One particular day, when Sultan Omar sat thus captivated by Aii-Pasha, his features suddenly relaxed into a hideous smile, a smile tnat quickly transformed his suave countenance into that of a snarling, yapping, blood-thirsty beast; the peaceful room was immediately turned into the sometimes roaring, sometimes pacific, dark, treacherous jungles of deepest Africa. Omar was tne silent brutal cobra, and his quaking panic-stricken attendants were the hares and yea! even the gazelles of the jungles which succumbed to the fangs of the demon. Yet, as that smile slowly melted away, the lingering expressions suggested the cunning of the fox, and forecast, as those who associated with him knew some ugly finesse, which would terminate in the bloodv, hackine death in which he delighted. Such was the smile of death and woe unto the unfortunate one who would fit into the plans of the demon and fall into the clutches of that deception I �THE SYRIAN WORLD Motioning from his royal seat, the sultan of thetwokiruV pheres and the ruler of the two seas, (as his title goes) the lust for blood deeply possessing him, summoned before him his vSier Al-RaJa^ and addressed him thus: "Slave, I£D 4km thee ilitil an hour before the hour of prayer to solve the following problem which has been puzzling me constantly. It, at the end of this period, you have not sufficiently enlightened me, by Allah I will forfeit thy head!" , Poor Rassan's heart sank. The smile of death was directed toward him! He turned his head momentarily, and tried to imagine some cruel question his lord could inflict upon him He hufdered violently when he considered the fate of his predecessors (the viziers were always the target for the cunning and the cruelty of the sultan inasmuch as they were supposed to be exceptionally enlightened, and therefore, the sultan always liked to match his wits with theirs, with their life at stake). So far, no vizier had emerged victorious from this battle of wits! "I am ready, your Highness, to enlighten you with any matters, as much as Allah permits, that might disturb your most "^"AtleTdl" Omar fairly leaped as he said, "Who is God? in what direction is His face turned? and What is He always doing?" The startled and despairing look of the frightened vizier was' in marked contrast to the confident countenance of the ruler who felt like the cat which toys with the mouse, enjoying its suffering before mercifully putting it to death. "Can Your Most Dreaded Highness allow your unworthy slave an extension of the allotted time to enable me to see my family?" Al-Rassan was heard to plead pitifully. "Emphatically no!" roared the sultan, "and furthermore, vou are not allowed to leave the palace." Slowly and wearily, the vizier dragged his well-nigh useless body to an ante-chamber, where he sank at the foot of an image of Mohammed which was on the wall. "Oh Allah and Mohammed," Al-Rassan cried, "What have I done to deserve such a cruel fate? Who am I, to be able to divulge the affairs of heaven? Oh my favorite wife Zura, and my precious son Achmed, soon you will be thrown upon the harsh treatment of an unsympathetic world! If only I could save you from such a disaster'" and he bowed his head in sorrow. "Perhaps you can, my son," a voice suddenly spoke above him, "Allah may have decreed that 1 be sent to help you. �— OCTOBER, 1929 41 The vizier was startled, and in his troubled frame of mind, imagined that the likeness of Mohammed had vanished from the wall. He turned suddenly about him in fear, but saw nothing. "Look not with thine eyes, my son, for I am without the perception of human vision, but human ears can hear me, so hearken to my advice and I will deliver thee from the clutches of yon monster." "By Allah, what a heavenly voice," thought Rassan, but acquiesced and listened to its instructions. "Do exactly as I bid thee, and no earthly being can harm thee," it concluded and suddenly ceased. "I am thy servant and thy slave, whosoever thou may be," answered Al-Rassan passionately, and sank again with reverence to his knees. When he arose, his mind was clearer, and he was strengthened by the unknown voice. Glancing at the wall again, he noticed, somewhat perplexed, that Mohammed's likeness once more was upon it. As he stood there, still confused by the trend of events about him, and dazed by the apparent deception of his eyes, a bell suddenly echoed musically from the throne room, and with a start, Rassan realized his presence was demanded there. "Allah is with me!" he whispered fervently, as he parted the gorgeous tapestries that hid him from the presence of those in the court chamber and entered into the hushed atmosphere within. Mohammed's successor seemed in a jovial mood as his vizier appeared before him and glanced about the room in a conceited manner, as if saying to his attendants: "no one could match wits with Sultan Omar!" Al-Rassan, on the other hand, appeared as composed as a martyr, and drew the unconcealed admiration of all those about him. "Wretch, are you prepared to enlighten me?" demanded the sultan of his vizier. "I will satisfy your curiosity, Most Exalted One, if you will only agree to do my bidding!" answered the unemotional councillor. "What is the first part of your question?" he continued. "Who is God?" quietly said the sultan, a broad smile creeping across his face, and his eyes glowing in anticipation. �THE SYRIAN WORLD "Will Your Highness count from one to ten?" asked AlRassan. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten," hurriedly counted the sultan. "Now count down from ten," interposed the vizier. More cautiously, the sultan descended: "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one,.;. " Here he paused uncertainly, and looked up inquiringly at Al-Rassan. "Will Your Majesty not continue?" besought the latter. " zero," faltered the monarch. "And still further," urged the vizier. "Impossible, you fool!" bellowed the sultan. "Then beyond the realm of human accomplishment lies God and His power," reverently replied Al-Rassan. A murmur of mingled surprise and approval rippled through the audience; the monarch, undaunted, emitted a short ejaculation, but the stoical face of the vizier betrayed no emotions. "Now, where is His face turned?" demanded Omar, as domineering as ever. "Will Your Majesty order a lighted candle be placed on that table?" a^ked Al-Rassan. No sooner was this asked than done by many eager hands, and then: "In what particular direction is the light o£ this candle shed?" shot Rassan at the king. Omar broke into a boisterous laugh at this seemingly absurd question, and his mirth became so uncontrollable that it threatened to burst his jugular vein, which was becoming dangerously prominent. His flushed face to an uniformed onlooker might imply a genuine sense of humor or good nature, but those who knew and understood his ways realized what a terribly false impression this was, and, as if accentuating this idea, they unconsciously backed away from the author of the outburst. Wiping his brow leisurely with a silken handkerchief which he always concealed in his sash, the sultan condescended to answer the inquiry if Rassan would repeat it, "for," he said, a "the pig may be seeking to ensnare me in a trick question." Rassan repeated his question and the skeptical king was convinced that it was ethical enough. "Well," drawled Omar, "in all directions, of course," and gazed presumptuously about the faces in the court room. "Then the face of God is turned in all directions," reverently replied Al-Rassan, as unmoved as ever. \m �43 OCTOBER, 1929 Omar plainly became uneasy, and a scowl of displeasure swept across his face; he realized that in Al-Rassan he had met a worthy wit. The assembly was murmuring loudly, and slowly edged toward the throne, as the incoming tide surges upon the sandy shores, becoming louder and louder as it bursts with a roar on the beach. Undismayed, the stubborn sultan clung tenaciously to a mask of indifference which gave him a calm and unruffled appearance, and the courtiers milling about him stopped abruptly in thentracks at this remarkable exhibition of self-control. Glancing up at the painting of Ali-Pasha, Omar muttered to himself, "I will triumph yet!" "Tell me what is He always doing ?" he asked the vizier haughtily, still hoping to stave off defeat and disgrace. "Will Your Excellency allow me, your most respectful slave, to wear the clothes of state, and gird the sacred scimitar and sit in your stead on the throne?" Al-Rassan said in a half-mocking voice which was losing all pretence to submissiveness. Omar was openly baffled at this sudden turn of events, and became suspicious of the true motives of the vizier. He remembered, however, his promise to do the other's bidding; therefore, he allowed Al-Rassan to change robes with him, and to gird the emblem of authority. "Now," the vizier began, but was interrupted by the outburst of the spell-bound assembly, which had suddenly come to life, like an unheralded storm on the south seas, and madly roared about the throne. Al-Rassan cleared his throat, faced the cowering sultan and began anew: "I have demonstrated what God is always doing; humbling the despotic and conceited mighty, and elevating the weak and oppressed." * * * * The spell of the smile of death was broken forever, and when the hour for prayer was announced, all the people of the land turned toward Mecca, the holy city, and thanked Allah the Almighty and His favorite Mohammed for their deliverance. �44 THE SYRIAN WORLD Book Reviews AN ARAB WARRIOR-LOVER The Romance of Antar. By Eunice Tietjens, New York, CowardMcCann. 219pp. $2.50. Antarah, commonly called Antar, is a historical character. He was one of the great Arab poets whose merits were recognized by the hanging of one of his epic poems on the walls of Al-Kaaba, in Mecca, in pre-Islamic days. There used to be held each year in Mecca in those times a national literary contest, as it were, to determine the relative worth of the nation's contemporary poets, and only those poems judged by acclamation as superior in merit were accorded the honor of being hung in AlKaaba. The literary fair was called Suq Akaz, and the poems which in all the history of Arabia deserved the honor of being chosen to be hung up in the holy place of Arabia were called AlMuallaqat, or the suspended ones. Antarah's poem is one of these immortal seven. There is no gainsaying the fact that Antarah was a great poet, lover and warrior. His beloved, Abla, still lives in song to the present day. Arab story-tellers still recount the exploits of Antarah as one of the great heroes of the race. There has sprung up among a certain class of Arabs what would be equivalent to Antarah Societies, certain enthusiasts coming together to hear recalled over and over again the great exploits of the hero as told in his poetry and added to by legend and the weaving fancy of the fertile Oriental imagination down the ages. But Antarah, although known to the Western scholarly world for over a century, was not a popular character. He was treated more like a classical figure appraised more for his literary qualities than for his war deeds. Perhaps that the Story of Antar, as it exists in Arabic, is too long and contains too much of vaunting verse to have served as popular material. Arab story-tellers consider Antar's poetry an integral part of the story itself and tell it in the fullness of its detail. The late Chukri Ganem's French dramatization of the story in operatic form, served only to have it produced for a season at the Odeon. But now that Mrs. Tietjens has undertaken to retell the story of Antar, there is ground for hope that the Arab hero will receive his due share of popularity. Mrs. Tietjens has �OCTOBER, 1929 45 succeeded in epitomizing the story and casting it in such romantic form, in spite of its brevity, as to meet contemporary reading requirements. She has capably shaped the plot so as to hold the attention of the reader from beginning to end. Even what appears to be the post climax, the chapter telling of the hero's death, does not detract from the interest of the legend. The story of Antar is familiar to all natives of the Arabic language. It is one of the chief sources of inspiration of Arab pride. Born in slavery, Antar's ambition is to rise to the rank of an Arab freeman. In this he is inspired by his great love for his cousin Abla. All his great courage and superhuman strength he directs to the attainment of this end. He is put to many trials, from which he emerges victor, but his great quality is his fidelity to his one and single love. He contemptuously spurns the temptations of ease and luxury in the royal courts of AlMunzer, the Arab, and of Chosroe, the Persian, and elects to return to his desert encampment to be near his beloved. Not even slave girls of great beauty and accomplishments tempt him, other than to make gifts of them to Abla. He finally achieves his great desire and lives in happiness with his wife for ten years, until an enemy whom he had blinded takes revenge by shooting him from ambush with a poisoned arrow. The author of this popular version of the Romance of Antar may not be an Arabic scholar, and had to follow the translations of the legend as they exist in European languages. For that reason those conversant with Arabic can readily excuse the faults of transliteration of some Arabic names. Munzar, for instance, could have been more properly spelled Munzir, or Munzer. Milik does not faithfully reproduce the Arab sound of Malek. This would appear essential in view of the fact that innumerable references to Abla occur in Antar's poetry as the Daughter of Malek, and a proper rendition of the original sound would seem necessary, especially that this modern retelling of the Romance of Antar holds great promise of becoming the popular book that it deserves to be. On the whole, we believe Mrs. Tietjens efforts, even from the critical viewpoint of one who has read the story in the original Arabic, is admirable. She has brought into the recasting of it the art of a master in faithfulness to the main theme and the recording of essential details. Her book is one that every lover of Arabic lore should welcome for the sheer delight one gets in reading it. �THE SYRIAN WORLD 46 Spirit of the Syrian Press Under this caption we hope to present from time to time a microcosmic picture of the Arabic press, not only in this country, but wherever Arabic dailies and magazines reflect the opinions of responsible, thinking writers who are treating the different problems that confront the Arabic-speaking world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will take no part in the discussions reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. Our task will simply consist in selecting, to the best of our knowledge and with utmost sincerity, what we think is representative of the public opinion as expressed in these editorials. Editor. THE RIGHT OF THE JEWS TO PALESTINE For the Moslems, Christians and Pagans in the East to persecute the Jews is a shameful injustice. The Jews, it is true, are not above reproach. Not every one of them is a saint, nor are they, without exception, honest and exemplary of conduct. But what can be rightly said of the Jews is that no other nation of their size, beset as it is with persecution and tribulations and condemned to dispersal, has produced as many and as illustrious men of genius and talent in all branches of science, philanthropy and the arts. Only ignorance, bigotry, laziness and the selfish designs of the leaders are arrayed now in opposition to the Jews because the latter have succeeded in their work of reclamation and are laying plans for the economic progress and prosperity of the country. Honest, right-thinking men cannot bear malice against a people who are capable of doing such constructive work. Only the indolent and the wicked can harbor such motives. Civilization has an incontestable right which cannot be overruled by any right of possession. Otherwise cannibals would be, even to our present day, the masters of vast territories, and nomads would be roaming about with no respect for law and order. The Jews originally occupied the Land of Promise by force, and after them came the Westerners and then the Arabs. It is by no other right that the British now occupy the country, and to us Easterners there is a lesson in present conditions. It is to our benefit to learn from the people of the West their respect for the law and their belief in firmness of policy, until such time that we become fit for independence and the Westerners w^ll then retrace their steps and leave us to our destiny. As conditions now stand, they have complete right to require that their neighbors be on a level with them and conform to their standards. This is in keeping with our accepted axiom that city ordinances require inhabitants not to disturb others cr trespass upon the commonly prescribed rules of decency. Al-Hoda, N. Y., Nov. 22, 1929. �OCTOBER, 1929 ZIONISM EXPIRING The wise among the Zionists are now coming to believe that they cannot expect peace in their promised national home in Palestine by dependence on the English or the use of force. Lord Balfour promised them peace and security in the Holy Land and they thought his promise was sufficient in itself. Now that they have discovered that they cannot expect peace based upon unreasonable demands they have turned about face and decided to make peace with the Arabs. The Zionist id? a is now in the throes of death. It has come to this end because it does not deserve to live. Its doom is due to the fact that it ;s not based on a just cause, condemning, as it does, one people to replace it by another. If, therefore, the wise among the Zionists are now seeking to "come to an understanding with the Arabs it is because they have no other alternative open to them if they wish at all to make of Palestine a sacred home for themselves just as it is now for the Moslems and the Christians. As-Sayeh, N. Y., Nov. 23, 1929. PAN-ARAB UNION Recent dispatches from Palestine indicate complete co-operation between Christians and Moslems in national matters. Such developments are bound to bring joy to the hearts of all those who wish the prosperity and welfare of Arabicspeaking countries. This is particularly pleasing because of the fact that those who now proclaim the necessity of union and co-operation are the same elements who previously declared that the Arab movement is primarily a Moslem'one. 47 Now that they have corrected their stand and begun to see the futility of their former views there is ground for hope that the pan-Arab union will be much advanced. One pf the immediate results of this change of policy is that the Lebanese have declared themselves heartily in support of the stand of the Arabs of Palestine in spite of the well-known policy of the Lebanese in upholding the French mandate and the administrative separation of Lebanon and Syria. What has been the trouble is that religious mistrust stood all along in the way of consummating an Arab union. But now that the Moslems are beginning to show signs of toleration the Lebanese declare themselves in hearty support of the aspirations of their brother Arabs. We may expect the realization of the Arab union immediately there is established true equality between Christian and Moslem in the Near East and there is absolute trust of each faction in the other. Syrian Eagle, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1929. JEWISH NATIONAL HOME The most recent statistics ind-'cate that the total number of the Jews in New York has reached 1,835,030 and that by next year their number is expected to increase to over two millions. This is approximately more than one-third of the inhabitants of the American metropolis. Is it not cause for wonder that ever since Lord Balfour made his famous declaration the Jews are straining every effort to usurp Palestine from the hands of its legitimate owners in order to establish for themselves a homeland in that country while their logical homeland is here in the city of New York? Can they not perceive that in this �48 city they wield a power that is by no means negligible and that they here enjoy complete security of life, property and trade? The total number of the Jews in Palestine does not exceed one hundred and fifty thousand, including both the Arab Jews and those others whom Zionist designs have inveigled into the country there to be the adversaries of its people and the disciples of aggression against the right of every man in the possession of his lawful property. While the number of the Jews in Palestine does not exceed one-fourth, what right have they to claim a right to the ownership of the whole country, while in New York they are almost a full third and they here hesitate to exercise the privilege of ownership, although they are here the most industrious, prosperous and respected element? The wise among the Jews should hold in check the ambitions of the unruly element which seeks to establish a national homeland in Palestine which can never materialize, and in the establishment of which both their money and their lives will be sacrificed in a vain effort to accomplish the mad designs of their leaders As-Sayeh, N. Y., Nov. 14, 1929. SYRIAN SOCIETIES IN AMERICA Whosoever ponders the future of Syrian immigrants in America realizes the imperative necessity of combining all their societies and clubs so that they may have an organized body to promote their interests and properly represent them. Many societies have sprung in our midst during the past which were of local benefit and perhaps served to do more harm than good. They THE SYRIAN WORLD did not have the proper objectives in view and their failure was a foregone conclusion. But the one organization that is bound to bring genuine benefit to the Syrian immigrants is that which interests itself in the Syrians' affairs in this country instead of abroad. We must keep in view the obvious truth that we have adopted this country as our permanent home and have acquired its citizenship. Consequently we have lost all political rights or claims in either Palestine, Lebanon or Syria. It behooves us, therefore, to occupy ourselves with the immediate interests that affect our standing and welfare in this country instead of living in the past. What we urgently need is to work for a Syrian-American federation of all our clubs and societies to direct our national affairs, while each individual organization retains freedom of action in all its local matters. This has been the procedure of all other ethnic groups in America and it is time we follow in their footsteps. Ash-Shaab, N. Y., Nov. 6, 1929. TOURISM IN LEBANON The program of the Eddy Cabinet discloses an earnest desire to encourage tourism and summering in Lebanon. In its tentative budget it has included a considerable sum to be spent abroad for this purpose. There is no gainsaying the statement that this policy is one of the most constructive moves for the improvement of economic conditions in Lebanon. But up to the present it remains in the formative stage. And there is the danger that what has been practiced in the past will be followed in this case also. A department would be set up to which would 1 �wmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmammammmmmmamMmxmMmtmmmmmam* PAN-ARAB CONGRESS IN SESSION Photo Al-Lataif Delegates from all the Arab countries attended the congress held in Jerusalem on October 27, 1929, to protest British policy and Zionist designs in Palestine. CONGRESS OF THE DESERT Photo Al-Lataif Nationalist leaders of Syria and Palestine who met at Wadi Sirhan at the call of Sultan Pasha Atrash, who is indicated by figure (1) in the center directly in front of tent pole. �DRUZES IN WAR CONFERENCE A typical scene at the Druze Headquarters during their revolt against the French in Syria in 1925-27. �OCTOBER, 1929 be appointed a head receiving a large salary, and under whom there would be an army of petty officials, and the matter would rest at that. What is required of the government is to devise the means at the same time it seeks the end. So far all patrons of Lebanon's summer resorts have been drawn from neighboring countries — Egypt, Palestine and Iraq. While it is a known fact that Americans, owing to their enormous wealth, have become the greatest tourists and travelers in the world. To profit, therefore, from the American tourist trade, the Lebanese government should undertake an active propaganda in America to acquaint the American public with the advantages of Lebanon's climate, the greatness of the ruins of Baalbek and Palmyra, the beauty of the famous Cedars of Lebanon and similar distinctive and exclusive features. Let the Lebanese government not be deceived into the belief that the French consuls can be depended upon to undertake this necessary mission. These officials know nothing of Lebanon and the Lebanese, or of Syria and the Syrians, other that Syria and Lebanon are under French mandate. The Lebanese government could very well afford to curtail in some of its unnecessary expenses to furnish funds for the promotion of this vital matter. Ash-Shaab, N. Y., Nov. 18, 1929. CHANGING ARABIC CHARACTERS The Arabic press of Egypt has given serious consideration to the preposition of a Dutch scholar on the adviBability of substituting the Latin for the Arabic characters. We cannot conceive of any valid reason 49 for such a change, inasmuch as Arabic characters have long stood the test of all requirements. Unless there is a hidden design on the part of Europeans to bring about a severance of the ties which bind the Moslems of all nationalities with their sacred Book, Al-Qoran. If this be the purpose then the proposition is doomed to abject failure, because the Moslems are too wise to be deceived by the subtle devices designed to estrange them from their religion. Es-Saada, Morocco, Sept. 28, 1929. JEWISH LOGIC! The Rev. Rabbi Stephen Wise of New York accused the Christians of being the instigators of the spirit of dissension between Arabs and Jews in Palestine, and went so far as to say that if he were a Christian he would teach these troublemakers something of the true spirit of Christianity which they seem to lack. Undoubtedly the Rev. Wise has in mind the admonition of Christ to His followers not to return injury for injury. But why should he not leave questions of religion aside and confine himself to the single question: By what right does an alien people muster its forces throughout the world to attack another people in their own land in an attempt to take it away from them under no other pretext than the promise of an English statesman? Or, if we were to put the question in another form, we would say to Rabbi Wise: Why should one people be permitted to invade Palestine with the might of England, and the people of Palestine themselves be prevented from defending their own country by the combined power of their Moslem and Christian elements ? As-Sayeh, N. Y., Nov. 2, 1929. �— 50 THE SYRIAN WORLD Political Developments in Syria Arab congress in Palestine protests Zionist aggression — French High Commissioner Ponsot returns but is reticent on his plans — New Lebanese cabinet still deliberating reform program. Recent events in Palestine have had the effect of rallying the Arabs to the defense of their threatened rights and of promoting a spirit of unity between Moslems and Christians as never before. A call to a pan-Arab congress to protest Zionist aggression was issued by the Central Executive Committee and the meeting held October 27. It was attended by almost one thousand delegates and prominent visitors from the different Arabic-speaking countries. At the conclusion of the congress a Moslem imam and a Christian priest embraced each other publicly as a token of lasting amity and union between the followers of the two religions in defense of their common cause. The following are some of the momentous decisions reached by the congress: 1—Al Buraq, (the Wailing Wall) is incontestable Moslem property, being an integral part of the Mosque Al-Aqsa, and cannot be subject to controversy as to its ownership. Moslems and Christians are of one accord as to its status whether nationally or politically. Permission for the Jews to visit it, providing such is devoid of all ritual, paraphernalia or sound, is only an act of toleration by the Moslems, and whatever transgresses on the mode of observance of this visit is plain violation of the rights of the Arabs, whether such violation be on the psrt of the government or of the Jews. 2—All sale of land to the Jews is to be strictly prohibited: a boycott of Jewish merchants is to be put into effect, otherwise those of the Arabs patronizing the Jews will themselves be boycotted. Only the purchase of land from the Jews is sanctioned. 3—Inasmuch as the authorities have shown themselves partial to the Jews, the Arabs will adopt a policy of passive resistance by the non payment of taxes. A special committee was appointed to further study the causes of Arab grievances for submission to the next session of the congress. 4—The British High Commissioner in Palestine, Sir Chancellor, having displayed unmistaken partiality towards the Jews by accusing the Arabs of aggression and barbarism, the congress strongly condemns this unjust attitude on the part of the High Commissioner and declares the lack of confidence of the Arab nation in him. Other resolutions condemn unrestricted immigration, the retention by the government of Mr. Bentwitch, the public prosecutor, in spite of his bias against the Arabs and his avowed pro-Zionist leanings; the use of force in dealing with the Arab demonstrators in Damascus, and corporal punishment of Arab pupils in the schools of Nablus. Recent developments in the Palestine situation indicate a change in sentiment which bids fair to ag- �OCTOBER, 1929 11 gravate the split in Zionist ranks concerning the ultimate goal of Zionism. It is a well-known fact that Jewish settlement in Palestine had been going on long before the Balfour declaration, and no protest to the movement was evinced on the part of the Arabs. The appearance on the stage of aggressive Zionism, and its striving to establish in the country a national home for the Jews with a distinct political status, aroused the Arabs to the appreciation of the danger of the situation especially when the Jews began to flow into the country backed by almost unlimited funds. But since the conflict of interest between Arab and Jew began to manifest itself in serious disturbances which at times developed into bloody encounters, a certain element among the Jews began to perceive the futility of the Zionist policy as it now stands and to advocate a peaceful understanding with the Arabs with a view to establishing only a cultural center for the Jews in their historic homeland. The most influential protagonist of this policy among the Jews is Dr. Judah L. Magnes, Chancellor of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, who was reported in recent dispatches to have declared himself in favor of the establishment of a parliament in Palestine as a solution of the Arab-Jewish problem. He further elaborated on his views by advocating the declaration of Palestine as an international holy land, which would entail the renunciation by the Jews of all idea of political domination and the restricting of their ambitions to the creation of a cultural center in the country. This proposition, if finally adopted, would serve as a basis for a permanent understanding between Arabs and Jews as the Arabs offer no objection to the establishment of a Jewish 51 cultural center in Palestine providing the Zionists renounce their political designs. As would be expected, the militant Zionists in America and Europe were loud in their denunciation of the heretical proposals of Dr. Magnes, but it is plainly noticeable that discussion of this saner course of action in Zionist policy is being conducted with more frequency in Jewish organs while previously it was an almost unanimous cry of revenge and punishment against the Arabs. The recent outbreaks in Palestine, while rousing the Jews to great indignation at first, have served to bring to the Jews a keener appreciation of the gravity of the situation of their brothers now struggling against great odds to maintain themselves in a country overwhelmingly Arab and hostile to their aspirations. Sporadic assaults against the Jews continue to take place in Palestine, but the authorities now seem to have the situation well in hand and to be conducting their investigation in an atmosphere of order. The events of Palestine had their repercussion in all the neighboring Arabic-speaking countries. In Damascus there were great popular demonstrations in which police interfered and were accused of having assaulted the native editors taking part in the march. This caused the publishers of all the Damascus papers to suspend publication for a day as an act of protest. There were demonstrations also in Beirut and the other principal cities of Syria. Beirut newspapers for Nov. 2, the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, carried a uniform protest in bold type expressing the disapproval of the Arab nation in all parts of the world of the Balfour Declaration and declaring that this day would be observed every �52 THE SYRIAN WORLD year as a day of mourning so long Commissioner. When the latter exas the declaration remains unre- pressed surprise, mingled with admiration, according to some press pealed. Special action, however, was taken reports, at their action, their leader by the Syrian Nationalists in the declared that "Not only are we form of a memorandum presented ready to discard the veil, but to take to the consuls of the foreign powers up arms and shed the last drop of in Beirut for transmission to their our blood in defense of our country." A delegation representing the governments and to the League of Nations. After explaining that the women demonstrators later waited Balfour Declaration is at variance upon the foreign consuls to express with the promise of Great Britain their grievances. They were said to to the Arabs to create Syria an in- have been well received by the dependent State of which Palestine American consul who is reported in would be an integral part, and stat- the Arabic press as saying: "The people who displays such patriotism ing that the Jews are an alien race constituting but a small minority in and whose women take such a decisive stand in defense of their rights the country, the petitioners make is unquestionably fit to take its place the following demand: "For the reasons advanced, the in the sun and to be granted its independence." Syrian people demand that an end The representative of the Arab be put to direct English administration in Palestine at the earliest King Ibn Saoud in London was reopportunity and that the country be ported to have upheld the rights of turned over to its own people that the Jews in Palestine, and when the they may set up a parliamentary Syro-Palestinian Executive Commitgovernment in which Arabs and tee called this matter to the attenJews would be represented propor- tion of His Majesty he officially retionately. To this end we would ask plied that his stand cannot diverge an immediate cessation of all ar- from the "traditional policy of Isbitrary methods designed to carry lam as regards other religions out a promise which is impossible which preceded it" and that he of fulfillment so long as Moslems shall continue in the future as he and Christians throughout the world had in the past to share with the are determined to oppose such an Arabs of Palestine their ambitions unjust policy to the bitter end with and aspirations. all means at the command of the INCREASE IN POLITICAL > Arab race." ACTIVITY IN SYRIA The signers of the memorandum, all members of the Constituent AsM. Henri Ponsot, French High sembly from Damascus, are Zaki Commissioner in Syria, arrived in Khateeb, Said Gazzi, Faiz Khoury, Beirut on the 25th of October travAhmad Lahham and Lutfi Hajjar. eling overland by way of Egypt Concurrent with the convocation of the Arab congress, the women and Palestine. While in Jerusalem of Palestine took the unprecedented he had a long conference with the course of holding a public demon- British High Commissioner Sir John Chancellor. His arrival in Beirut stration of protest against the Balwas unheralded and unostentatious, four Declaration, wherein they apand he immediately went into conpeared unveiled, and in such condition waited upon the British High ference with M. Tetrau, who WM �WBHHritonHBHMVH MMpBHnnpMM OCTOBER, 1929 acting High Commissioner during his absence. M. Ponsot's aversion to public statements is well-known. Ever since his return he has refused to give any statement to the press or to make any public declaration. But a French journalist of Egypt reports having interviewed him during his stop at Alexandria and elicited from him the information that France holds no objection to the establishment of a monarchy in Syria if that be the wish of the population. The High Commissioner is also reported to have guardedly stated that he has reached a complete agreement with the Foreign Office on the future policy of France in Syria and that he is now in a position to offer all the assistance needed for the progress of the country whether financially or technically. Some observers are inclined to deduce from the attitude of M. Ponsot that he is now in a position to inaugurate a more liberal policy in respect to the Syrian question and that the solution, according to his reported statement, "is nearer than many are inclined to think." The Syrian Nationalists bestirred themselves to greater activity following the return of M. Ponsot and their leaders held several conferences both in Damascus and Beirut. Their deliberations resulted in the preparation of a memorandum which they presented to M. Ponsot on November 1st and which may be summarized as follows: "While welcoming your return we wish to call your attention to the fact that we have acted on you.suggestion embodied in a letter to the President of the Constituent Assembly and that we have suffered the suspension of the Assembly three times in the hope of reaching an amicable agreement with the French Government. Our amicable S3 intentions are proven by our baring maintained a quiet atmosphere for the orderly conduct of the negotiations leading to an understanding. This understanding, we wish to affirm, can be reached only on the basis of recognizing Syria's sovereignty and independence and the establishment of treaty relations similar to those pursued in the case of Iraq." SITUATION IN LEBANON Although the program of Prime Minister Emile Eddy has not yet been published, it is understood to recommend drastic methods of administrative economy by the abolishment of over four hundred offices said to be created for sinecures and constituting a drain on the resources of the government. Already a loud cry has been raised against such action and the Prime Minister may be compelled to alter his stand. Lissan-Ul-Hal, one of the most influential papers in Beirut, affirms that 66 per cent, of the government revenue is now being spent in salaries, leaving only 34 per cent, for all other public needs. The complaint of the objectors is that throwing four hundred government employees out of employment at once will serve to aggravate the economic difficulties of the country. CONGRESS OF THE DESERT On September 26 Sultan Pasha Atrash, leader of the Druze revolt of 1925-27, issued a call to all Syrian parties and political bodies to a conference to be held at his desert exile in Wadi Sirhan on October 25, for the purpose of dscussing the present political situation in Syria and Palestine. The conference was well attended and passed the following resolutions: �— I.I i in .1 .1,1.,. mi. THE SYRIAN WORLD 54 1 .Disapproval of the present administrative division of Syria. 2—Adherence to the original national demands. 3—Protest against present conditions in Palestine and condemnation of Zionist propaganda in favor of a Jewish homeland. 4—A call for understanding and cooperative action among the various Syrian political bodies. 6—A protest against the policy of M. Ponsot, French High Commissioner in Syria, especially his dissolution of the Constituent Assembly. 6—A call for funds of which a part is to be used for propaganda and publicity and the balance devoted to succor the needy among the refugees and exiles. 7—Expression of thanks to former contributors. ! About Syria and Syrians RIHANI IN DEMAND AS PUBLIC SPEAKER The gifted Syrian author and speaker, Ameen Rihani, is no stranger to the United States. He was well known in American literary circles long before he chose to return to his native town of Freike, in historic Lebanon, to lead the life that best suited h's creative literary proclivities. Now that he is visiting the United States he is being hailed as an apostle of better understanding between East and West, and his profound knowledge of Near Eastern affairs gained during his extensive travels in Arab countries as well as his intimate contacts with rulers and political and cultural leaders, is being drawn upon for the enlightenment of the American public. He has already spoken extensively under the auspices of the Foreign Policy Association which has arranged for him a program that will eventually take him to all parts of the country. On November 20 Mr. Rihani spoke at the Cosmopolitan Club in New York on the countries under mandate in the Near East. He had just returned from a lecture tour which took him to Boston, Hartford, Springfield, Philadelphia, Elmira, Chicago and other points west. While in Chicago he spoke at the University of Chicago and at a meeting of the Council of Foreign Relations. His audiences on all occasions were drawn from the highest intellectual classes. One of Mr. Rihani's principal subjects is the attitude of the Arabs towards the Zionist question. He has written extensively on this topic in the Nation, Current History and other publications. I LEBANESE GOVERNMENT TO HELP EMIGRANTS The Lebanese press reports that the government is in receipt of information to the effect that there are now in America eight thousand Lebanese emigrants in distress and anxious to return to their native land. The government had previously appropriated about four thousand dollars for the return of those of its nationals unable to earn a living abroad, which sum it is now willing to spend to repatriate those i �OCTOBER, 1929 wanting to return and to make further appropriations if necessary. Three thousand of these Lebanese are said to be in Brazil, and two thousand in Argentina, while the rest are in various other countries. Commenting on this news, AlHoda of New York, reiterates its disapproval of the action of the Lebanese government remarking that if there be any Lebanese unable to earn a living in America he would be so indolent as not to be worth the expense for his repatriation. TRAGEDY IN SYRIAN NEWSPAPER OFFICE The Syrian newspaper Ar-Raid, of Sao Paolo, Brazil, had been publishing scurrilous inuendos which a Syrian merchant of that city, Toufik Khoury, born in Beirut, fancied were directed at him. On the afternoon of October 28 Khoury visited the office of Ar-Raid demanding an explanation, and during an altercation with the editor, Najeeb Constantine, was shot by the latter three times and instantly killed. Constantine made his escape during the confusion and so far has not been apprehended. Al-Hoda of New York states that this is the fourth murder committed by Constantine, who is also wanted in the United States for a murderous assault on one of his countrymen. SYRIAN WOMEN HOLD ANNUAL CONVENTIONS Ever since 1924, the Federation of Syrian Women's Societies composed of twenty-nine units, has been meeting in annual conventions to determine the Syrian woman's role in influencing national life. 55 The Syrian press reports that the Federation has issued a call for the 1930 convention in which it has mapped out an ambitious program composed of three main divisions, namely: emigration, the family and economics. One of the interesting recommendations under the first title is to combat emigration tendencies by the promotion of a spirit of selfrespect and love for productive labor together with the encouragement of home industries and the fostering of the spirit of co-operation and collective action. la the economic field, one of the principal recommendations is for the Syrian people to depend less on emigrant remittances, otherwise funds from America, because of the harmful effects this dependence is having on the attitude of the people towards productive work and selfsupport. This admission, on the face of it, indicates an earnest determination on the part of the Syrian people, as represented by the attitude of its women, to bravely face actualities and work out their own destiny independently. ' SYRIAN WORLD EDITOR SPEAKS ON HIS TRIP Following his return from his trip to Syria, the editor of The Syrian World is being repeatedly called upon to give talks on his experiences and observations abroad to both American and Syrian audiences. The latter part of November was particularly crowded with speaking engagements. On the afternoon of Saturday, the 23rd, he spoke to a large group of the Professional Women's Mission Club of Peddie Memorial Church of Newark and their friends at the hall of the Bowling Green Neighborhood Associa- �56 tion. The meeting waB under the auspices of the Rev. Clarence V. Howell, founder of the Reconciliation Trips movement, and Mrs. S. Willard Coleman of Newark. That same evening the editor spoke under the auspices of the Lebanon League of Progress of New York to a large Syrian and Lebanese audience at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Sunday evening, November 24, he addressed an audience of over five hundred Syrian and Lebanese in Paterson, N. J., meeting under the auspices of the Lebanese Society of that city. Mr. N. A. Mokarzel, editor of Al-Hoda, acted as chairman. Monday, the 25th, an interview with Miss Teresa Nagel broadcast over station WPCH was designed to give general information about Syria, its historical interest, the sU.tus of its women and other subjects of interest to the American public. LEBANON LEAGUE OF N. Y. GIVES ENTERTAINMENT The Lebanon League of Progress of New York gave a musicale and entertainment at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on November 23 which drew a large attendance both from the city and nearby towns. Mr. N. Hatem presided. The principal speakers were S. A. Mokarzel who gave an account of his observations in Syria and A. Rustum who delivered an original poem composed for the occasion. Zaki Murad, a noted Egyptian singer, gave several selections. He was assisted by his brother Meyer Murad and a native orchestra composed of Fethalla Abyad, Zaki Baz, Sami Rumieh and Mike Hamaway. Mrs. Fedora Corban sang the Indian THE SYRIAN WORLD Bells from Lakmee and The Garden of Your Heart. Mrs. Julia Asia gave several classical Arabic songs to oud accompaniment by her uncle, Bishara Hallal. Miss Rasheede Baabdati performed an Oriental danse. PROPOSED STATUE OF JOSEPH BEY KARAM Joseph Bey Karam, the foremost Lebanese patriot of the nineteenth century, was a native of Ehden, in northern Lebanon. He died in exile in Italy but his body was brought back to his native town where it now reposes in the principal church. His memory is invoked in Lebanon as an inspiration to patriotism. Natives of Ehden in the United States have formed a committee to collect funds for the erection of a statue to Joseph Bey Karam. Already a sum of over $4,500 has been realized. Al-Hoda, the influential Lebanese paper of New York, is supporting the movement. MOSLEM MOSQUE IN THE UNITED STATES According to an announcement in Al-Bayan, an Arabic paper published in New York, the Moslem colony of Ross N. D., is planning the erection of a mosque in their town on which build:ng operations will start this coming spring. A committee has been formed to prosecute the work and an appeal issued for the collection of funds from all the Arab settlements in the United States. Al-Bayan strongly supports the project and calls on its readers to contribute generously towards its realization, promising to publish a full list of the names of the contributors and the amounts of their contributions. �57 OCTOBER, 1929 STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, CIRCULATION of The Syrian World, published monthly at New York, N. Y., Oct. 1st, 1929. STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK. Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the state and county aforesaid, personally appeared Salloum A. Mokarzel, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that 'he is the publisher of The Syrian World, and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, management (and if a daily paper, the circulation), etc., of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1921, embodied in section 411, Postal Laws and Regulations, printed on the reverse of this form, to wit: 1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business managers are: Name of— Post office address— Publisher, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. Editor, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. Managing Editor, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. Business Managers, Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street. 2. That the owner is: (If owned by a corporation, its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereunder the names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding one per cent, or more of total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a firm, company or other unincorporated concern, its name and address, as well as those of each individual member, mhst be given.) Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greeswich Street. 3. That the known bondholders, mortgagee, and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent, or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities are: (If there are none, so state.) None. 4. That the two paragraphs next above, giving the names of the owners, stockholders, security holders, if any, contain not only the list of stockholders and security holders as they appear upon the books of the company but also, in cases where the stockholder or security holder appears upon the books of the company as trustee or in any other fiduciary relation, the name of the person or corporation for whom such trustee is acting is given; also that the said two paragraphs contain statements embracing affiant's full knowledge and belief as to the circumstances and conditions under which stockholders and security holders who do not appear upon the books of the company as trustees, hold stock and securities in a capacity other than that of a bona fide owner; and this affiant has no reason to believe that any other person, association, or corporation has any interest direct or indirect in the said stock, bonds, or other securities than as so stated by him. 5. That the average number of copies of each issue of this publication sold or distributed, through the mails or otherwise, to paid subscribers during the six months preceding the date shown above is. (This information is required from daily publications only.) S. A. Mokarzel. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14th day of October, 1929. [SEAL] EDNA M. HUCKER, (My commission expires March 30, 1930.) I �A VALUABLE GIFT TO SUBSCRIBERS OF THE SYRIAN WORLD We wish to double the number of our subscribers before Christmas. THE SYRIAN WORLD will be better than it has ever been before, and we would like to see it more generally circulated among the Syrians of America. Our regular subscribers who have loyally stood by us and encouraged us in our efforts during the past three years need no inducement. But to those who have not yet had occasion to be acquainted with the publication, and to those who are willing to co-operate in enlarging its circulation, we make the following liberal introductory offer: Every -paid subscriber making a gift of a subscription, or frocuring a new direct subscription, will receive free any one of the books listed below. For every additional subscription he receives an additional book. Think of the opportunity of securing free one or more of these fine books by two of our foremost authors. Think of the timeliness of making gift subscriptions of THE SYRIAN WORLD to your fn during the Qhristmas season and securingfor vourself a free fine gift besides. Especially that the gifts are books that all Syrians should be proud to possess. BOOKS GIVEN SYRIAN WORLD SUBSCRIBERS The books we are offering as prizes are the following: The Syrians in America — By Dr. Philip K. Hitti. The Path of Vision, A book of Prose — By Ameen Rihani. A Chant of Mystics and Other Poems, A book of Selected Poetry, By Ameen Rihani. Here is a wide range of subjects for your selection—History, Essays and Poetry. And each or all are yours for only the little effort of procuring a new subscriber. Besides, you have the satisfaction of helping propagate an organ published for you and your cause. Won't you show your interest? � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1929_10reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 04, Issue 02 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1929 October Description An account of the resource Volume 4 Issue 02 of The Syrian World published October 1929. The issue begins with Rev. W. A. Mansur's essays on the Syrians' needs in the United States. Ameen Rihani recounts his experiences while in Jeddah, giving a clear account of circulating boons. This is followed by the account of Salloum A. Mokarzel's experiences and observations in Lebanon after spending 30 years of his life away from his homeland. William Catzeflis is featured next for his discussion on the Zionist movement in relation to the Voltaire’s writings. This is followed by a poem by Sumayeh Attiyeh titled "An Ideal." John A. La Eace then presents his short story titled "The Smile of Death," an original reworking of an Arabic classic. Labeebee A. J. Hanna is featured yet again in this issue for her poem titled "Edwin." The issue concludes with excerpts from the Arab press and more on the political developments in Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1920s Ameen Rihani Labeebee A.J. Hanna New York Poetry-English Reverend W.A. Mansur Saudi Arabia Travel https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/63ffce430152067ce818024332683023.pdf ffba7148af6cb7b29c383e692199a963 PDF Text Text SEPTEV VOL. IV. NO. l.( THE 4 I SYRIAN WORI A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH D WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITE 4 i ON THE WAY TO SYRIA THE EDITOR THROUGH PALESTINE DURI RECENT UPRISING MANDATES IN THE NI AMEEN RIHANI ISAF (A SHORT SI LABEEBEE A. J. H )LITICAL DEVELOPMENTS ABOUT SYRIA AND S THE COPY ��T!-?S NFW YCF.t C LIBRARY 9577A THE ASTOR, LENOX AND T1LDEN FOUNDATIONS R 1930 L SYRIAN WOKEB SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL, Editor. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK, By subscription $5.00 a year. N. Y. Single copies 50c. Entered as second-class matter, June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. IV. NO. 1. SEPTEMBER, 1929. CONTENTS PAGE On the Way to Syria 3 THE EDITOR Fire — A Riddle Translated from the Arabic by J. D. Mandates in the Near East 16 CARLYLE 17 AMEEN RIHANI Arab Proverbs 23 Thwarted (Poem) 24 DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN Isaf (A Short Story) LABEEBEE 25 A. J. HANNA �__————-—— CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE Success (Poem) 29 THOMAS ASA Beyond (Poem) 29 ALICE MCGEORGE Through Palestine During the Recent Uprising SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL 30 Books and Authors 4-0 Editorial Comment Grateful Acknowledgment The Editor's Itinerary Abroad 43 44 Spirit of the Syrian Press 46 Political Developments in Syria 49 About Syria and Syrians 51 ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE Syrians Dancing the Dabke Reception in Honor of King Fuad I DATES OF PUBLICATION Due to unforeseen conditions resulting from the editor's extended absence abroad, publication of the September number of THE SYRIAN WORLD was delayed until the end of October. An attempt will be made, however, to issue future numbers at less than a month's interval in the hope of coming up to our regular schedule before the first of the year. �Mfc. THE SYRIAN WORL VOL. IV. No. 1. SEPTEMBER, 1929. On the Way to Syria A CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF THE EDITOR'S TRIP ABROAD By THE EDITOR Note—Syria being our ultimate destination and the country in which we are chiefly interested, a description of the first leg of our voyage up to our arrival must necessarily be brief, serving only as an introduction to the more lengthy accounts that are to come. s. A. M. I QUR eventful voyage began on July 2nd. The term eventful is^ used here advisedly in the sense that the voyage was replete with interesting events, especially to one who had not taken a trip abroad in thirty years and whose knowledge had been confined to book information based on the observations of others. The prospects, therefore, of going out into the big, broad world; of feeling anew the sensation attending an ocean voyage; of visiting countries strange yet familiar, having a hoary history yet just being reborn again to new conditions and to a new life; of visiting ancestral lands which have been hallowed by the most glowing accounts of recorded history; of seeing the remains of a once astonishing civilization which have withstood the ravages of centuries and which still bewilder and perplex modern man at the contemplation of the work of his distant ancestor for his vastness of conception and his masterly execution; all these prospects keyed one's expectations to the highest pitch and created a happy disposition to appreciate the many surprisingly delightful treats that were to come. �•mmmmmim 4 THE SYRIAN WORtD Most of the passengers being American tourists or returning emigrants, and all under the entrancing spell of the same expectations, the atmosphere on board the S. S. Providence of the Fabre Line was a particularly buoyant and happy one. Farewells were taken not amid tears but with radiant smiles. The milling throng on board and on the dock was in holiday spirits. It was rather a disappointment on the p'art of the stay-at-homes at not being able to join those departing. Not even when the shrill siren of the big steamer gave its first warning blast was there a tear shed; not even when it cast off its moorings and began to move slowly away from the dock. The waving of hands and handkerchiefs was almost one of glee. Why not when the season for travel was so propitious and the trip so promising? The morning of the next day we were in Boston. It is one thing to travel to the Hub City by land and another to approach it by water. Its sight is most impressive. One can detect in it even some imposing skyscrapers, which proves that its commercial aspirations, as well as its intellectual achievements, run high. It supplied us with a substantial quota of our passenger list, who proved, as the voyage proceeded, to be very human and sociable. The young college girls from Boston and vicinity were not exactly a terror, but they did not suffer from lack of life. They could execute the latest step in dancing, and they could talk any professor to a standstill on any subject. They represented the modern American girl in her happiest form, and they were fit ambassadors of modern American feminine culture abroad. But that was not all. We had on board as many types as we had classes, if not more. The cosmopolitan nature of our passenger list was surprising. For we had a Catholic bishop and several priests; Protestant ministers of all denominations; professors, teachers, high school principals, and mere worldly laymen and laywomen. The ensemble was a gorgeous affair which amalgamated easily in spite of the differences in sex, social position and creed. I saw Protestant ministers attend regularly Catholic mass, and many Catholic laymen regularly attend Protestant services. Priests and ministers even came together and talked politics and religion, and, thanks to the presence of a Jewish Rabbi and his talented wife who made no secret of her zeal for the Zionist cause, the relative merits of Moses and Jesus were not infrequently given a public trial. The lady, however, could not understand why anybody but the Jews should have a right » > , ' �w SEPTEMBER, 1929 1 $ of claim to Palestine, holding that not only was it promised to them by God, but that they were its first settlers, whose claim to possession should be valid even after the lapse of two thousand years. She was gently reminded that the Jews came into possession of the country as invaders and conquerors, and that prior to their occupation the country was densely settled by other races. The Bible was extensively quoted to prove this fact, but only on the admonition of her learned husband that "Yes, dear, our forefathers originally came into the country as invaders and conquerors," would she own that Palestine, at various times, belonged to other races. This, of course, was a mere incident and served but to add to the various interesting aspects of the voyage. The congeniality and goodfellowship of the passengers was evident always and everywhere. Even what later proved to be a most humorous incident when a septuagenarian Jewish patriarch mistook the reflection of the stairs in the wall mirror for a continuation of the steps and plunged headlong down the whole flight of ten steps, then rolled down from the lower landing over another four steps, only occasioned heartfelt pity. The venerable patriarch was on his way to the land of his ancestors in the hope of being near when time came to be gathered to them and before the sounding of the last trumpet, but while on board it occurred to him to make an inspection of all the quarters of the curious floating thing which was carrying him towards his destiny. Acting on this impulse, he awaited the opportunity when most of the passengers were at lunch and climbed the steep stairs from the third class quarters until he reached deck A, where he sauntered around for a while and then entered the smoking room. He saw that the hall was long and did not bother to count his steps, and while admiring the beautiful decorations about he suddenly took the dangerous plunge and found himself moaning and groaning at the lower landing. This account would not be written in such vein but for the happy ending of the incident. The patriarch was but a mere skeleton of skin and bones and was easily carried up to a comfortable chair in the smoking room. There he began a systematic series of physical examinations, testing first the right arm, then the leftj raising one leg at a time, and bending, kicking and twisting itj then feeling his ribs one by one to see if they were all sound, and finally taking a deep breath to insure that his heart �! — THE SYRIAN WORLD and lungs were functioning properly. During all these tests the circle of worried passengers which had formed about him were breathless in their anticipation, but their fears were dispelled when, after his exhaustive tests, the venerable patriarch beamed with joy and executed a sprightly dance. He then began to tell volubly of his plans j how after a lifetime of labor and economy in America he had acquired possession of two small buildings, somewhere in Chicago or vicinity} and how he expected to derive from these buildings a steady income of six dollars a week on which he was assured he could live comfortably in Jerusalem. When he was affectionately told that he must have led a most worthy life for God to have spared him until he reached Jerusalem where he would be buried in the ancestral land of his people, instead of dying at sea and being thrown to the fish, he seemed to more fully appreciate the gravity of the danger to which he had been exposed and thanked God anew for his safety. As the voyage progressed the passengers indulged in all forms of diversions. The most fascinating, perhaps, was the dabke dance performed by the Syrians. Being on the way back to their homeland, they loved to evoke memories of their earlier associations in life, and the dabke was the one form of folk dance which aroused m them the tenderest spiritual emotions. And they were not long in finding the necessary requisites. An old man who, perhaps, had not acquired much of his new surroundings other than some American money and an American garb, produced a reed flute. A circle soon formed which proved that these returning immigrants had lost neither their love for their folk songs and dances nor the rhythm of their motion. It was not long before a crowd collected to watch and admire them. The flute player obligingly posed for photographs in the kneeling position he assumes during the height of the performance and was slightly disappointed when he discovered he could not be given a copy immediately. Then it was the turn of the Jews to claim a right to the ship and to public attention, and they took it with determination No sooner had the Syrians started their dance than they began giving exhibitions of their own. Both the Syrians and Jews being Semitic their dances, like many of their other characteristics, must have had a common origin. Certainly the dabke and the hora were performed in much the same manner. The dancers in both instances formed into a circle, holding hands, with a t i r » �SEPTEMBER, 1929 ! ' leader to cheer and inspire. Their steps were well measured, although they covered very little distance. It became evident as the dance progressed that the vocal accompaniment was a necessary requisite. The dancers raised their steps higher and stamped harder as they became more and more enthused by the words of the song. In one main feature, however, the Syrian and Jewish dances differ, and that is in the tone and volume of the singing. In the dabke the leader alone sings the verses while the circle of dancers repeat the chorus, while in the hora all verses are sung in unison. On one particular occasion two performances of the Syrian and Jewish dances were staged at one time, the Jews following close on the formation of the Syrian circle, and the amount of noise the Jews created soon drowned the softer strains of the Syrian song. This was by no means the only form of entertainment. There was dancing and music and moving pictures and games of many descriptions. A Syrian first-class passenger won the championship in shufHeboard. He was of a most genial disposition and consented to being awarded a medal. For lack of the necessary facilities and material for casting an appropriate medal of metal one of cardboard had to be devised. A resourceful Wall Street* broker conceived the happy idea, and his pretty and willing wife proceeded to put it into execution. With consummate artistic skill she carved the medal in the shape of a huge star, and with deft and dainty fingers executed the colored designs and knotted the ribbons. The presentation address was delivered in the main dining hall by the ranking Protestant minister on board, who showed in so doing no mean ability to rise to the appropriateness of the occasion, while genial Captain Vidal pinned the medal on the breast of the worthy champion. Far be it from us to claim for Syrians what does not rightly belong to them, but in the interest of record we find it necessary to further state that a Syrian also was almost unanimously acknowledged the finest specimen on board of masculine pulchritude. Athletic of build, affable of disposition and generous with his money, of which, it may be said, he had aplenty, his popularity soon became evident. His intellectual equipment added to his personal charm, and, naturally, he was a favorite with the ladies. At the masquerade ball given before the ship reached Lisbon, he dressed as an Arab sheikh, winding a curtain for a turban, using a silk bathrobe for dress, and a red scarf borrowed �y * THE SYRIAN WORLD from a lady for a sash. He proved the center of attraction. Captain Vidal proved a most capable, popular and resourceful commander. He appreciated the cosmopolitan nature of his passengers and provided them with diversions to suit their tastes. There being on board a goodly representation of the intellectual class: college professors, high-school principals, teachers, ministers and students, he arranged for them a program of highly instructive lectures, for which he drew on both the ship's talent and on the passenger list. It was the intention to give a series of comprehensive talks on the countries we were to touch upon. While the Portuguese and Italian ship's physician spoke on their respective countries, a Jewish rabbi spoke on Palestine and the editor of The Syrian World on Syria and Lebanon. The various lectures gave rise later to many interesting group and individual discussions. Thus passed the first leg of our journey. The passage from New York to the Azores occupied eight days. The ocean had lost its terrors or had exceptionally favored the "Providence" and its holiday company. The only ripple on the surface of the water was that caused by the prow of the ship or the sportive jumps and dives of the numerous schools of purpoises. A whale once appeared to give a little variety. The skies were beautifully clear and it was a delight to watch the perfect sunsets. Not onpe did it rain or even threaten to. Travel in summer by the southern Atlantic route is certainly a source of continuous pleasure. Under the conditions, sight of land caused but slight excitement. The seafarer's joy at the first sight of land is but an expression of relief from the monotonous or dangerous sea journey. But the sea had given us cause neither for fear nor ennui j rather, the steady riding of the ship and the many entertainments provided and the pleasant personal relations formed prompted a desire for an extension of the voyage. The island of St. Michel gradually loomed bigger as we approached until we could distinguish Ponta Delgada. The little city was fascinating in its picturesqueness—a pile of multicolored houses some of which rose directly from the sea, giving the impression that they once formed a part of the fortifications. On an eminence stood a church which, we were told, dates back to the earlier days of the discovery of the Azores in 1432. While the ship was unloading freight we had an opportunity *i *'. v I �SEPTEMBER, 1929 "I << I 9 to go ashore. Almost all of us made a bee line to the post office to mail letters and cards. We had been away from home too short a time to neglect the duty of writing, and while at sea, there had been left a few spare moments in which to do it. This done, we dispersed in small parties and went sight-seeing. Our own party consisted of five, none of whom could speak a word of Portuguese, and the driver could understand not a word of English or any other language we knew. But we had a merry time of it, especially when we attempted to instruct the driver to take us out into the country. With us was a Hebrew scholar who could also speak German, and besides our common knowledge of English, we had command of French, Arabic and some faltering Spanish. But do what we could, we failed to make ourselves understood. We quoted many terms, some in earnest and others in jest, giving them Spanish terminations: country, terra, camfagna, environs, suburbs, hors de ville, and some other tefms which caused us, at least, no end of amusement. Still the driver kept on taking us up one narrow street and down another until the whole thing became monotonous and we motioned him back in the direction of the ship. Our drive through the city was not, however, devoid of incident. Occupying the center of the back seat in the open car was our handsome Syrian sheikh, and he very soon became the center of attraction. Pretty senoritas, or whatever they call them in Portuguese, who peeped out of their windows or over their high garden walls, began to pelt us with a variety of flowers. Lilies, roses and daisies the size of saucers soon filled the car. Some of them even threw kisses and immediately disappeared behind their shutters. The generous disposition of the people took such proportions that we entertained fears they might even pelt us with some of the big, luscious pineapples for which their island is famous. The streets of Ponta Delgada are narrow and uninviting. The people we found untidy, due, perhaps, to the fact that we were making a fresh comparison with America. Everywhere there were urchins who held out their hands and begged for money. At every turn and every alley you encountered them, with but the single word on their lips, "money." We could not possibly begin by giving one for fear of collecting a whole army of beggars about us. But in this dismal setting there was a sudden flash of mod- �THE SYRIAN WORLD ernity. From a dilapidated house in one of the narrow streets emerged a beautiful young woman dressed in the height of fashion. She appeared as if she had just stepped from the pages of the latest edition of a fashion magazine. How do they manage it, these women of a lonely and forsaken island almost out of touch with civilization? But the ingenuity and vanity of women is one thing we should not question. On the way back to the wharf, we encountered another returning party who had met with an experience similar to ours with a dumb driver, and who suggested that we repair to a cafe close by. Why not, when we were Americans on a spree and there was still an hour to spare? So to the little cafe we repaired and began to sample the different wines. Certainly they were tasty and effective. An elderly gentleman in dapper clothes who spoke English volunteered his advice as a connoisseur in wines. He had been in dry Boston and was now back in his native land just to enjoy its fine vintage. He insisted on treating, as did every one of us in good, old American fashion, and by the time the ship's whistle gave its warning blast we all felt as though we could float back on our own spirits! Once on board, I sought the ship's Portuguese physician and asKed enlightenment on the Portuguese term for country. The memory of our dismal failure still haunted me. I may never have a chance to use it again, but I was incurably curious. The doctor obligingly explained that the Portuguese term for countryside was "pays," just as it is in French; but why we had not thought of it is one of those ironies of fate which cannot be explained. One thing led to another. I had read in literature on the Azores that the name in Portuguese meant falcon. The word not only m its sound but in its meaning, is Arabic. I expounded my theory on the philology of the name to the doctor and he explained that owing to the long occupation of Portugal bv the Arabs the Portuguese language contained many wordc of Arabic ongn. This condition existed long before the discovery of the Azores when the Arabic words in Portuguese, by reason of common use, became integral. Upon the discovery of the islands tftey were found to abound with the falcon, and they were named after rhe bird. The word Azores is spelled in Portuguese Acores. In Arabic the name for falcon is As-Saqr. «A1" being the article in t' �SEPTEMBER, 1929 11 Arabic, the letter "1" is omitted whenever the article occurs befoie so-called sun or "Shams" letters. The "Sad" is one such letter and it occurs at the beginning of the Arabic name for falcon "Saqr." Furthermore, the difference in sound between the "s" and the "c" corresponds exactly to that between the letters "seen" and "sad" in Arabic, which is further proof of the Arabic origin of the word. The "s" at the end is the common plural sign. It is not the claim that the islands have any connection with Arabic influence, but that the name has. Another short sail under ideal weather conditions brought us to the beautiful port of Lisbon, on the river Tejo. The panorama of the city, to use the term frequently employed in the official English guidebook, is "explendid." If the reader is in doubt as to the meaning of the word, he may consult his dictionary, but we took it to mean splendid, which in fact the panoramic view was. The numerous hills which projected gently amidst and around it were crowned either with castle or with old forts, and pleasantly broke up the vastness of the city which claims a population of a million. The tower of Belem stands majestic and beautiful in her white robe at the harbor entrance. Our ultimate objective being Syria and Lebanon, and having in mind the analogous historical background of old Phoenicia and Portgual in maritime exploits, we were strongly inclined to make comparisons. We were surprised to discover, for instance, that the present area of Portgual is much less than that of the Republic of Grand Lebanon, being only 154 kilometers at its greatest length (Melgaco-Faro) and 75 kilometers at its greatest width (Espozende-Mirando do douro). The population is approximately 6,100,000. Lebanon, which is but a part of Syria, is about 280 by something over 100 kilometers. It is the land of the Phoenicians whose maritime exploits rival if they do not exceed those of the Portuguese. The present population of the whole country does not exceed 700,000. In Lisbon we spent a day, and it was a crowded one. One of the principal sights of the city, by common agreement among those who had made an earlier visit, was the suburb of Cintra, the once summer resort of Portuguese royalty. So to Cintra we went driving through some fine squares and avenues of the city, principally that of the Avenue of the Republic. The sur- �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD rounding country is most picturesque, abounding in sweet-smelling pine groves. The people of the countryside seem to have lost none of their romantic characteristics, and many peasants were encountered along the road who were dressed in their multi-colored costumes and were either driving primitive carts or leading oxen. We were told that bulls in Portgual were not permitted on the highways unless led, otherwise they had to be driven along a parallel pathway. There had been too many accidents by bulls charging into passing automobiles. Cintra is a magnificent resort. Long before reaching it one observes two huge and almost monumental chimneys, conical in shape and rising to a great height, issuing from a group of buildings which was once the Dowager Queen's palace. We later discovered that they were but great ducts designed to absorb the fumes of the enormous kitchen. The Queen's Palace fades into insignificance when one later comes in view of the barbaric grandeur of Pena Castle. This is reached by a steep winding road through dense forests or walled gardens, where the grandees of the court built themselves beautiful villas surrounding Castle Mill. The Castle itself is a mass of incongruities, but greatly impressive in sections. The entrance is a winding, vaulted passageway of great height, leading to a spacious court. The walls of the old building rise directly from the edge of a perpendicular cliff, and when one slowly and nervously makes his way to the top of the great dome, a superb view is afforded of both land and sea. The King who chose this spot used it as an observation post when watching for his incoming fleet. The sights of Lisbon are varied and interestnig. After visiting Cintra and Pena we yet had time to visit Jeronimous, that cluster of beautiful buildings which once were a monastery, now turned into orphanage and museum. The inner court of the main building, where played at the time of our visit several hundred young boys, is a marvel of detail of execution. Not two of the columns are alike and many there are which are entwined in formation and fashioned from a single stone. The symbols were mostly of a nautical nature, intended to carry out the general scheme of Portuguese maritime enterprise. Several rooms were set apart as a national pantheon, in which reposed the remains of Vasco de Gama, the great navigator, and other Portuguese patriots, poets and historians. \ I ! ' i i * A 4- * k \ �SEPTEMBER, 1929 I* :•> 13 Some of the passengers had chosen to tarry in the city and take a dip in the surf, the heat being rather uncomfortable. But although others had travelled far afield, all were able to regain the steamer on schedule. The breeze, immediately the steamer weighed anchor, was a welcome relief. That night we doubly appreciated the benefits of being at sea. Our next step was at Naples. The approach to the harbor is a sight never to be forgotten. Close on both sides rose beautiful land robed in delicate green, bathed in golden sunshine, wafting a scented, cool breeze—a veritable delight to the senses. Then rose into sight, imposing and ominous, the famous Vesuvius. It looked from the distance so close to the great city by the sea that one wondered how the latter could escape its wrath when in eruption. By unanimous decision a visit to Pompeii, the famous victim of the great volcano, was first choice with all onboard. Our landing at Naples was effected speedily and smoothly. The Italian government has abolished certain passport regulations, and the simple formalities attending the disembarkation of transients enabled us a substantial saving in time. Once on land we broke up into convenient small parties to make the trip by automobile to Pompeii. Along the wharf had gathered a large group of urchins who milled and fought and gesticulated in traditional Italian form offering their services to the passengers. Most of them spoke English, and when one of them was asked if he had learned the language in America, he explained that he had never been away from Naples, and that he picked up his knowledge along the waterfront through contact with sailors and tourists. He said he was fourteen but looked eight, and he flavored his English with delectable American slang. He was also a good judge of American money values, and a small tip in payment for the information he had given drew a sneer. On the way to Pompeii we went through a section of old Naples, past beautiful churches and quaint little courts and open markets and ever so many statues of saints reposing either on individual altars or in niches in the walls of private buildings. On that particular day, July 16th, there were preparations for celebrating the feast day of one of the local patron saints, and they were being undertaken in conformity with all known Italian traditions of this nature. The square was bedecked with �14 THE SYRIAN WORLD bunting and strung with thousands of colored electric lights. The facade of the church was almost fully draped in cloth of vivid colors, and the streets opening on the square were a beehive of activity. We emerged into a wide street leading out of the city. The dust raised by passing carts and automobiles and flocks of sheep and goats was blinding. Our guide must have been a bacteriologist or a specialist in hygiene, for he took great pains to allay our fears, assuring us that the dust of Naples was "clean dust," and that we need have no concern over its effect. We were not so much concerned over its possibilities of contagion, as over its dirty inconveniences. We soon reached the fine new toll road which, to our relief, had been opened only a week since between Naples and Pompeii. Automobiles were tearing down the road at the rate of sixty and seventy kilometers, not to take into account the pace of the frequent spurts when the hot blood of Italian drivers seemed to be transmitted to their motors. At times we thought we would not mind either foregoing the visit to Pompeii or missing our ship. But we landed safely at a new, clean hotel at the entrance of the Pompeii enclosure, where we were asked to have an early lunch to conserve our time for the tour of the dead city. During that brief half-hour we must have heard all the strains of classical and popular music, opening and ending with O Solo Mio. Of course, the hat was passed around. Pompeii is an impressive and instructive sight. From it one can gain a clear insight as to the mode of life of the ancient Romans. Some of the dwellings have been retrieved almost intact, with their lead piping, mural paintings and mosaic work in almost perfect state of preservation. In one such house they now grow flowers in the inner court as it must have been two thousand years ago. If the city were only roofed it would again become inhabitable. Pompeii has no great temples or other public buildings of outstanding architectural or artistic distinction. Its importance lies in the fact that it is a city buried whole and recovered whole after so many centuries. The Pompeii museum is of great archseologic and historical interest. Our next port of call was Palermo, the really city beautiful. Its clean streets, well dressed shops and magnificent public buildings are a delight to the eye. The old Saracen Palace of dis- <» /' �I m—'l tin <» SEPTEMBER, 1929 15 tinctive Moorish architecture remains one of the wonders of the city. But we were advised to see first the beautiful cathedral of Monreale, and it was excellent advice. The church is situated at about an hour's drive from the city, on a ledge in the mountain reached by a fine road, amidst beautiful fields and gardens. For a work of mosaic we were told it stood first in its class in the world, and it looked the part. Almost every inch of ceiling, floor, columns and walls is covered with the beautiful work in masterly execution and extremely fine design. The colors seem, as bright now as when first set, and the hour we spert there admiring this wonder of delicate and skillful workmanship was most profitable. The legend bearing on the erection of this church is that a certain Saxon king of Sicily buried somewhere vast treasures without leaving any record as to their whereabouts. His son, who succeeded him, had an apparition by the Virgin directing him to dig for the treasures under a certain tree. When he dismissed the vision as a dream, the Virgin again appeared to him and his resultant search for the cache met with success. Out of gratitude to the Virgin for her favor he devoted the whole of the vast sum he had unearthed to the erection of a basilica to her on the spot of the discovery. The building he started took two-hundred years to complete, but it proved well worth the pains. We passed through the straits of Messina by night, and the illuminated coastline, the sharp silhouetting of the rugged mountain skyline against the clear ephemerical sky of southern Italy, was a feast to the senses. Early in the morning of July 19th, we reached Pireaus, in Greece, where we encountered the first landing inconvenience. The Greek authorities insisted on retaining our passports, for which they gave us numbered chips similar to hat checks. The passports were thrown pell-mell in a heap in the disorderly little cage, and when we came to reclaim them later, we were at the mercy of the leisurely convenience of the two not over-anxious clerks. But we were fully repaid for all the discomforts attending the delay at the landing office and the long drive to Athens through extremely barren and uninteresting country by the glorious ruins of the Acropolis. We could see them from the distance crowning the high hill dominating the city which lay spread at its feet. On that historic hill was so much to be seen and ad- �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD mired that we deferred the drive through the city itself until such time that we felt satisfied with the principal visit in our itinerary. And the decision taken proved to be a wise one, for there was room for study and admiration in that group of magnificent ruins to engage one not for a day but for weeks. To attempt a search for adequate adjectives in description of the great ruins would be a sheer waste of effort. There they stand, majestic and overwhelming in their grandeur, as an ever living testimony to the glory that was Greece. One is no sooner through wondering at the magnificent and imposing scheme of the sacred hill than he is confronted by the wonder of the propylaea, or entrance buildings, and the many individual temples that form the Acropolis. What great skill, and effort, and unlimited wealth was expended over long stretches of time to create this masterpiece of the architect, the builder and the sculptor. Even the changes wrought in the original scheme by the transformation of the buildings from their original purpose, first into Christian, then into Moslem places of worship, could not materially detract from the original beauty and imposing grandeur of conception and execution. Our departure from Piraeus was delayed for several hours owing to the interlocking of anchors in the open harbor. We finally cut the chains and left the anchors behind. We had to make Beirut Sunday the 21st. according to schedule, which we did, although a little late. If / f 0 FIRE — A RIDDLE (Translated from the Arabic by J. D. CARLYLE) The loftiest cedars I can eat, Yet neither paunch nor mouth have I, I storm whene'er you give me meat, Whene'er you give me drink, I die. •i i �SYRIAN? ANCI NG THE DABKE A group of Syrians returning on a visit to the motherland performing the native dance of Dabke on board the « Providence" of the Fabre Ltne. �*•• *•*. '*•. M «.. .-,- •Sg£ * MMHHnMM>i'«JC *"«* �SEPTEMBER, 1929 17 Mandates in the Near East First Decade of European Supervision Over Iraq, Syria and Palestine Reviewed by the Author of "Maker of Modern Arabia" < i By 'V V I ,* AMEEN RIHANI HTHE Near East for the last ten years has been a school for mandate and parliamentary government. Both the mandatory authorities and the nationalists are still going through their schooling—and paying for it. They paid dearly at the beginning, because everyone started with the assumption that the hornbook spelled nothing but force. Hence the revolutions in Syria and in Iraq. Hence, too, the growing discontent in Palestine and Transjordania. But along with this is a growing desire to master the art of diplomacy. The subject before the class is now: Bargaining in its relation to the rights of nations. A survey of the most important events that led up to the present position must be very brief. When the planks of the bridge of Bagdad, to begin at the beginning, were groaning under the artillery and the tanks of the British army, the people of the city were reading the proclamation of General Maude, which promised them in the name of the Allies, liberation from Turkish rule and peace and prosperity under a self-determined rule. Those who could read praised Allah for the army of liberation. But those who could not read, principally the tribes, who are more numerous than the urban population, were much like the planks of the bridge of Bagdad. And had the planks an imagination, like the tribesmen, the more would have been their groaning. True, the Turks had gone; their 4001 years of misrule, of tyranny and corruption, of bureaucratic and military blackguardism had come to an end. Moreover, the conquering army of the West, in the twentieth century, unlike the hordes of Central Asia in the fifteenth, did not write with fire and sword the first page of its history of Iraq. It was in the inception an army of liberation; having had its fill of war, it sincerely desired peace. But the tribes cared little for peace, and they were not in need of liberation. Under the rule of the Turks, so long as they said, "The Sultan of Stamboul is our Sultan, billah!" and so �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD long as they left his Bagdad Government in peace, they were free to do as they pleased. The tribes do not like a strong government, because it prevents them from raiding and it makes them contribute to its revenues. It is a double curse in their eyes, and what they fear most is taxation. Indeed, taxation was the monster that stalked around the camps when the bridge of Bagdad was sagging and groaning under the heavy-footed army of the British, and in less than a year that imaginary monster became a reality. His name was Collector of Taxes. How he first fared among the tribes need not be dwelt upon. Suffice it to say that he never traveled without a bodyguard, which were often reinforced by a detachment of the British soldiery. This contact between the armed Britisher and the tribesman did not make for peace. A mutual tolerance soon developed into an attitude of be-advisedand-beware on both sides. There were other elements of discontentment in the country, as, for instance, the Shi'a population, and when the tribes and the Shi'a joined forces in 1920 a revolution was declared. It was the first attempt to force the British out of Iraq. But the revolution would not have lasted almost a year and would not have caused the British a staggering loss in men and money had it not been for the tribes; and because of the tribes,who joined it only to get rid of the tax collector, it served no national purpose. Minor revolutions broke out in the north among the Kurds before Faisal was made King of Iraq in September, 1921. A year later, on King Faisal's anniversary, an abortive attempt was made to free Iraq from British control. But the nationalists did not altogether fail. They succeeded in getting a treaty for twenty-five years with the British Government, and in the negotiations which followed several clauses in the treaty were modified to satisfy their nationalist aspirations. Three times in five years that treaty was revised, and there remain now only three questions in dispute. Diplomatic and consular representation of Iraq in foreign countries, outside of a single representative in London, the British Government will not admit; a nationalist army raised by conscription it will not encourage; and the admission of Iraq into the League of Nations has been postponed from year to year. The Nationalists have also another grievance arising from what they consider a technical error in the placing of the mili- �*=£—. SEPTEMBER, 1929 « 4 ^ 19 tary forces of Iraq, which include the native army, under one single command, that of the Royal Air Force. It might be said that, outside the extremists, whose scowl.is either temperamental or professional, the officers of the native army are the most discontented. But neither the militarists nor the politicians nor the leaders of nationalism give a correct expression of the principal tendencies of a nation. Nor are political events always indicative and conclusive. The question, after all, is this: What are the signs of development and progress, if any, in the life of the people of Iraq? The most important enterprise, which is destined to revolutionize Iraq—that is the vast irrigation scheme of Sir William Willocks—is yet in abeyance, and the exploitation of the oil fields of Mosul has not yet had any effect upon the economic life of the country. Otherwise, there are a few signs of progress. The tribes are beginning to have some respect for government, they no longer shoot the tax collector, and when the raiding lust is on them they go down south toward Nejd or they cross the border to the Syrian desert. The Shi'a of Nejaf and Karbala, who in the past, under the Sunni Turks, were humbled in the dust, and who have been pampered by the British, are now a free and vital and very active element of the State, which they would destroy. They are opposed to the British, to the Nationalists and to King Faisal himself; and at heart they recognize only one authority, that which emanates from the Persian Shi'a throne at Teheran. A constitutional government, with a parliament and a cabinet, has opened the doors of opportunity to men of talent who in the past could only aspire to a place in the servants' hall of a privileged bureaucrat. The automobile lines between Bagdad and Damascus, between Teheran, in fact, and the Mediterranean coast, have increased the importance of Iraq as a centre of trade and transportation. But the most promising and the most wholesome sign of development and progress in the life of the people of Iraq is a sign I have seen in the main street of Bagdad. It is a billboard, which shares the place of honor with the latest announcements at the doors of the cinemas. I have seen it in different wordings written also on the walls and stuck on the lamp posts: "Education Is Life; Ignorance is Death." "Thou Shalt Seek Knowledge from the Cradle to the Grave." "Ignorance Is Servi- �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD tudej Knowledge Is Freedom and Power." "Said the Prophet: 'Seek Thou Knowledge, and Though it be in China'." Who was responsible for these signs? Who pays to advertise education? Neither the government nor the mandatory power. A Society of Culture in Bagdad, composed of young intellectuals, conceived the idea, and what they spent in advertising quickly showed amazing results. But the government schools were not sufficient to meet the demand for education. Illiteracy in Iraq was overwhelming, but men were fired with the passion to learn, at least, to read and write. The Society of Culture conceived another idea—the logical outcome of the first. It established a chain of elementary night schools-^-the first one opened in 1922. In a year from that time, with the help of a few Arab philanthropists, among them King Faisal, it had established night schools in the principal cities of Iraq, and its teachers were teaching hygiene, as well as the A B C's to 30,000 young and old, from the age of 10 to the age of 50, and instilling in them a national spirit. In addition to this movement of combating illiteracy and raising patriotism above all the sectarian passions, there are today more than 200 Iraq students at the American University of Beirut, and many graduates are acquiring the technical sciences in the universities of England and America. Whatever happens politically in Iraq, therefore, the spread of education will continue and it will chasten and perpetuate its national spirit. In Syria and Mount Lebanon the situation does not jusitfy an optimistic point of view. But I must say, before I set down anything against the French, that the problems they have inherited from the Turks are unmatched in all the junk shops of world politics and religions. There are in Syria and Mount Lebanon four principal religions and a dozen different sects, which the Turks tended with political care, humoring and browbeating them alternately, but always keeping them apart and playing them against each other. The result is that every sect became a political party, which has its own platform, its own ideas of self-government or no government, its own truckling politicians, and its own religious leader, who is a cross between a Turkish pasha and a Tammany boss. Moreover, there is among this multitude of politico-religious sects four minorities, each with its own litany of woes, its own fundamental curse of non-cooperation and its own scheme of 1 / '«J > V I.* «I �SEPTEMBER, 1929 A I.' •I1 21 salvation. No form of government other than a benevolent despotism can bring these four minorities together and, redressing their grievances as far as is humanly possible, mold them gradually into a decent element of the State. These minorities are the Maronites of Mount Lebanon, who are noted for their eloquence and Francomaniaj the Druses of Hauran, who are famous for their bravery and warlike achievements} the Alawites in the north, who are the most submissive, and the Shi'a in the south, who are the most fanatical. They are all, in fact, more or less fanatical, and only a benevolent despotism, as I have said, can force upon them a spirit of tolerance and national solidarity. How did France deal with these minorities? The answer is plain when I say that the French Mandatory Government is neither a benevolent despotism nor a despotism pure and simple. It has been, on the whole, for the past ten years a government of makeshift and negation. In ten years France has sent six High Commissioners to Syria, each of whom had a temper and policy of his own. Gouraud the Good, Weygand the Grim, Vindenberg the Gentle, Sarrail the Mad, Jouvenel the Loquacious, and Ponsot the Silent—here is a colorful array of the Statesmen of Despair. For every one of these gentlemen came to Syria with one administrative program and went back with another. General Gouraud, who was called Pere Gouraud because of his subservience to the Jesuits, divided the country into six independent States to please the minorities, especially the Maronites, and returned to Paris when the insurgent bands were still operating in the north of Syria. General Weygand, the ablest administer of them all, was sacrificed to party politics at home. He only had time to pacify the northern border, and when he was recalled, the Druses were polishing their rifles and filling their cartridge belts. General Vindenberg was a gentle tourist who was not given- time enough to see the whole country. General Sarrail antagonized everybody, from the Jesuits to the Druses, who had already shouldered their rifles. He precipitated the revolution of 1925 and lost his position. M. de Jouvenel came to repair the work of General Sarrail, but his flow of oratory impeded, I think, his progress. He was able to establish, however, merely by fiat, the little republic of Mount Lebanon. �22 THE SYRIAN WORLD The revolution was finally subdued and M. Ponsot came to inaugurate an era of peace. For more than a year he applied himself to the study of the intricate situation from every angle, without making a single public utterance. When at last he spoke, he proved himself to be the most liberal of administrators. Syria received the right to elect a constituent assembly for the purpose of drafting a constitution and establishing a government. The elections were most orderly and, with one or two exceptions, free from governmental interference. But the Natoinalists, emboldened by their triumph, drafted a constitution that conflicted in a few articles with the mandate. M. Ponsot went to Paris to get his government's consent to a solution that would harmonize the two documents, returned to Damascus with a proposition that was not wholly satisfactory to the Nationalists, and again went to Paris for another conference, leaving the situation as obscure as ever. In Palestine there is no shilly-shallying and no obscurity. There is a triple government with three official languages and three official temperaments. It is a Panus with three instead of two faces, and they all look to the East and the West with hope everlasting. The first is furrowed by age and suffering; the second is bronzed by the desert sun of pride; the third is slightly pale, with a serentiy amazingly sustained. The first reflects a racial and religious dream; the second is a symbol of national superiority that will not be stifled; the third is expressive of resolution and power. The Zionist, the Arab and their British overlord—will they continue to go on as they have for the last ten years, or will one of them in the end have to drop out? But in the following picture of life in Palestine, with its historical and political implications, the reader may at least see how the wind blows. It has always been the custom of Christians, in ancient as in modern times, to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem during Holy Week, and in the days of Saladin, who wrested from the Crusaders the greater part of Jerusalem, they came in thousands and were a menace to the Moslem population. Saladin, who would not be guilty of intolerance, placed no restrictions upon the pilgrimages, but, to protect the city and maintain peace, without betraying any suspicion or apprehension of the Christians, he conceived the idea of balancing the power of one multitude by another. Accordingly, he instituted the fete of Nabi Musa, whose .'* Li. �'"• I ' SEPTEMBER, 1929 23 shrine is preserved till this day—it is half way between the Holy City and Jericho—and appointed Easter Sunday for its celebration. The Moslems, therefore, flocked in thousands to Jerusalem during Holy Week, ostensibly for this purpose, and were thus ready to repel any surprise attack by the Christians. The fete of Nabi Musa is still celebrated, and its political purpose, which was of no significance and therefore forgotten in the days of the Turks, is now being revived by the Arabs. Two years ago I was in Jerusalem when three holidays were being celebrated in the same week by Christians, Moslems and Jews. Easter and Nabi Musa and the Passover brought to Jerusalem a universal boon—the whole city was plunged in a sea of jubilation. But the parade of the Moslems, which continued for six hours to flow through Bab'ul-Khalil and down the narrow streets to the Aksa Dome, was the most imposing and the most significant. In it was revived the Nabi Musa purpose of Saladin's days, and it was neither hidden nor implied. It was written on the banners and echoed in the slogans and expressed in the mottoes that distinguished the delegations from every city in Palestine. Political songs were sung by the different delegations as the procession moved; political speeches were made by the delegation leaders every time the procession paused in its march j and the burden of every song and every speech was the Balfour Declaration. I read on one of the banners "The Arab and the Native Jew are Brothers," but the prevailing slogans were: "Down with Zionism!" "Down with the British!" It was otherwise a peaceful parade, but in it were all the elements of the present uprising in Palestine. i .1 hi I ARAB PROVERBS He who envies others is beginning by bringing injury to him- t self. ill One must be in the last stages of need to have to ask help cf a knave. Only a fool takes poison depending on the antidote. How can a fool appreciate the delicious taste of wisdom? �THE SYRIAN WORLD 24 Thzvarted \\ (Suggested by an Old Arabic Poem) By DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN No more will roses feel her tender hand, Or nestle in her hair, or 'gainst her heart; Nor will the lily range her virgin band To greet my love each morn, for now, apartThrough her sire's tyranny, Her mother's jealousy— She lives, from herb or flower, Or shady, fragrant bower,— Since once I said, "O rose, take her my love!" No more the breeze, twin sister of the morn, May kiss her cheek or frolic with her hair 5 Nor will the eve's breath, with spices borne From drowsy groves, embrace her beauty rare; For through this tyranny, This strange, strange jealousy, She may not greet the dawning, Nor bid farewell to evening, Since once I said, "O breeze, take her my love!" Then said I to my Phantom-self, "When o'er Her couch you hover, O, beware! Beware Lest when you tap at her heart's secret door, Or touch her lips, you stir the brooding air And awake this tyranny, This strange, strange jealousy,— Then rest will be denied her, Lest even in her slumber A willing ear she turn unto my love!" <\ •vj 1 �t,- , " 25 SEPTEMBER, 1929 ISAF f.4 5/?or; S/ory based on an Arabic legend) By LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA "ISAF, Isaf, let us friendly be: If once in the year the moon is dark, will there no longer) moon be?" "Ya Bint Amar, your tooth has decayed Since two years the shame has been too true. I am Isaf, I am a camel for strength: The wildest horse has been my drudge and you know. If the flies gather on my food, never again is it mine. If the dog licks from the bowl of the wolf, the wolf no longer finds pleasure in the bowl. If two have sat on the one silver saddle—is it not a shame that their faith be marred? I shed my raiment, ya Bint Amar, and stand alone." i ' DABE was in the kitchen in her uncle's.home in Dedham. Uncle John was on the porch singing attabah. She ran out to him. "What a lovely song!" exclaimed Babe. "My dad sang bewt attabah and I love them!" "This has a fine story attached to it," answered John. Babe thought a moment, then said, "They all seem to have, and they're so unusual!" "Yes, they often have an interesting meaning to those who really understand them. This story concerns an unfaithful wife. Would you like to hear it?" "Why, of course!" ' Little Nimry, the daughter of John, heard, and so did Aunt Najibi and a house guest, Isabel. All assembled on the porch to hear the story of John. Little Nimry begged her father to sing again, though she did not understand.' All listened attentively as he repeated the song and when he had finished there was silence for a moment. "We are very anxious to hear the story," said Isabel, who �• 26 THE SYRIAN WORLD made herself pleasant under all circumstances and took every opportunity to smile and show her one dimple on the left cheek. "Yes, papa," cried Nimry. "Hurry! Hurry!" This, though she really could not understand her father's stories but was enthralled by the beauty of the sound of Arabic and the enthusiasm of her father in all things Arabic. "Do you know this story, mamma."—and she went to her mother and put her arms about her shoulders. "I know it, yes, dear," said Najibi, sitting as a queen, although in her kitchen apron, "but your father can give it proper emphasis." Her quiet dignity lent a certain charm to any and all gatherings. Nimry dropped her arms and went to sit beside her father. Thereafter, her eyes never left his face and she gave the appearance of a wonder-child who understood all these difficult words and expressions of the pure Arabic. John began: "The daughter of Amar had been faithless to her husband and he, on learning of this unfaithfulness, placed a sword between them at night. His wife, noting his unusual procedure, enquired its meaning. "Isaf answered, 'You are my sister to me.' "This unexpected answer quieted Bint Amar, but set her on her guard. "The next morning Isaf prepared his horses and person and said, T am going to visit your folks.' "She answered, 'I shall be your companion.' " 'Come then, prepare yourself,' he said. " 'Well, then,' said the wife, 'by the voice, you will not speak.' " 'By the voice I shall not tell, wallah.' Isabel here interrupted, and enquired, "What do you mean 'by the voice'." Babe answered, "It is a promise that he will not tell of her unfaithfulness: that no word of his will betray their condition." "Ah!" agreed Nimry, though she did not understand. John went on: "The horses were ready and they went on their way. "They were just two miles within Amar's home. Amar the woman's^ father, standing with his wife at his door, saw a cloud of dust in the distance. Soon he could make out the forms of those coming. - " it �AJi III II- V SEPTEMBER, 1929 I m 27 " 'Ya hraimah,'' he called his wife, 'your daughter has sinned.' " 'How can you tell,' " 'Note their position as they come. She is not on his right hand. When they arrive take her to your chamber and speak to her.' "On the arrival of the two, the mother with her daughter sought the chamber for privacy, and there the daughter confessed her duplicity without any ado, though she knew in her father's house such a confession meant certain death. Najibi here said quietly, "She might have lied." "Of course," said Isabel, "and saved herself." "The Arab has no fear," said Babe. "She probably realized she deserved death. I think I'd feel the same way." "Well, she confessed," said John, and continued: "While the mother and daughter were speaking, the father and Isaf discussed the weather and horses, and then, — " 'Why is your grass so high.' asked Isaf. 'This might be a fine pasture for your sheep. "We are troubled,' said Amar, 'by a fierce wolf. He lives not far from here and preys upon our cattle. No one dares face him. He destroys our men.' " 'I shall face him,' said Isaf. 'Give me three days. If I do not return then, consider me destroyed.' "He would not change his mind. " 'If you are determined, very well,' said Amar reluctantly. "So next morning, Isaf shed himself of all but the necessary raiment and, taking only one revolver and a knife, set out on foot in the direction of the wolf's lair. "That evening he found the wolf sleeping. "Isaf thought, 'I can easily shoot him but I shall not take advantage. I, too, am tired, and shall sleep.' So he lay down beside the wild animal. Isabel here interrupted, "Has he no fear." "Oh," said John, "this is the famous Isaf—a wolf in strength himself. He feared no one and nothing." "In the morning the wolf awoke, and saw the man beside him—sleeping peacefully. " 'This can be no ordinary man who dares to lie down beside me,' thought the wolf. 'I shall not harm him.' "In time the man awoke and each stared and noted the strength and power of the other. �28 THE SYRIAN WORLD " 'Why do you come here?" asked the wolf. 'Others came and found death here.' " % too, am a wolf and were it not for that I should not seek you to play with you,' answered the man. " 'What will you play?' asked the wolf. " 'Let us box.' "They boxed, but neither won. "Then they wrestled and again were equal in strength. And they awaited the third day. " 'What will you play now?' asked the wolf. " 'This time it is to the death in earnest,' said the man. 'Let us dash at each other and one of us shall be killed.' " 'As you say,' agreed the wolf. "Both walked in opposite directions and stood looking at each other. As though at the firing of a gun they ran toward each other at the identical moment. As they came together, the man clenched his powerful fist and shot it out full at the abdomen of the wolf and felled him. "Isaf cut the wolf's head off and, putting it under his own head as a pillow, lay down and slept. "Meanwhile, the third day having arrived, Amar, with a party of men set out to find Isaf, and located him sleeping on the head of the wolf. "Thereafter, the sheep were free to use the pasture and men no longer feared "On arriving at his father-in-law's house, Isaf made preparations to return home. " 'The stranger longs for his own folks,' he said to Amar. 'Where is my wife?' " 'She has four sisters, said Amar, 'and she has gone to visit each one for a week. She will return in a month.' "Then Amar sent one of his servants to procure a certain bundle. When this came, he gave it to Isaf, saying, 'Before you have gone many miles you will be thirsty. Open this bag, which contains a watermelon, and quench your thirst.' "Isaf thanked him and after many salaams, departed. "As Amar foresaw, Isaf became thirsty. "Ah!' said he, "I am thirsty. Surely that watermelon would be pleasant now.' "He tore the wrappings open—to find—the head of his wife." "But, father," said Nimry, "how can a wolf talk?" "' ;i ': >v» If - �29 SEPTEMBER, 1929 A V "I don't know," said John. "That's the story. I am not making it up out of my own head." Then, at Babe's urgent request, John sang attabah again and explained the meanings of the pure Arabic expressions. Success * i By THOMAS ASA A magic word that casts its potent spell, O'er all the breathing things above the beast,— Without exclusion of the greatest or the least; And transforms the light into a ling'ring hell, Of blinding discontent where peace should dwell. And like the*eager hand that seeks the hidden East, No star to clear the maze before desire has ceased;— To merge the hopes of years amid the mournful knell, That sounds the moulding of a morbid end, Of dead desires and broken threads of dreams, That bridged the chasm of approaching years, And viewed with joy the forms that life may send. But this has changed, the madness of success now seems To be, not gold, but dross and endless fears. Beyond By ALICE MCGEORGE Blue, illimitable, star-decked skies, Eagerly searching, the soul of me sighs; Vainly, with wisdom of ages, it tries; Seeking what mystery yonder lies. Hoping to learn, before it dies, What life is like beyond those skies. �30 THE SYRIAN WORLD Through Palestine During the Recent Uprising (Reprinted, with some additions, from "The Commonweal" New York.) By SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL ^/HEN the Prophet Mohammed witnessed the beauty of Damascus from a distance, he refused to enter the city for fear of jeopardizing his chances of entering the Jannat. In some respects I had a similar experience in the case of Jerusalem, except that I was near the city and anxious to enter it but could not. In my travels in Syria I had counted on making my visit to Jerusalem the supreme goal of my excursions. Proceeding southward through beautiful Lebanon, I had consistently resisted the pressure of friends to tarry longer with them and was making rapidly iov the northern border of Palestine. A night at hospitable Jedaidat Marjioun was all I would permit myself, so anxious was I to conserve my time for a more prolonged stay in the Holy City. Everything in the beginning seemed to go in my favor. Thanks to the representations of my last two companions, Nairn Farha, a prominent native of Jedaidat recently returned from the United States, and Joseph Mokarzel, an influential newspaper publisher of Beirut, the border inspection both at the Lebanese post of departure and the Palestinian post of entry at al-Mutellat was cuickly dispatched. A moment later our car was tearing the road at reckless speed over the steep hills of northern Palestine and later through the fertile plains of Al-Houle. Our first halt was at the military post of al-Ja'oune where a thorough search of the car was made and our identity ascertained. Only a few minutes were spent in giving one of the civil officials information about his uncles in New York. The father of this official, upon being informed of my presence, hastened to further cueston me about his brothers. He was a Protestant minister stationed at Haifa and he extended me a sincere invitation to visit his city for a stay of a few days. But the desire to go to Jerusalem was all-compelling and we were soon on our way to �SEPTEMBER, 1929 r f Ift- 31 the Holy City. I had little anticipated having to go to Haifa the very next day, uninvited. At al-Ja'oune I observed a splendidly built young native officer in trim khaki uniform circling around the automobile. The formalities of inspection having been dispensed with, the movements of this officer puzzled me. He seemed to have something * to say which he was holding back. Being anxious to leave, I asked him what he wanted and in all politeness he begged for a "Jift" to Tiberias. To this I readily consented and the officer, with only a whip and a small bundle of clothes, lightly stepped into the vacant back seat and we were soon on our way to Tiberias. It was well that we had this native officer for companion. He proved to be not only a versatile entertainer but a purveyor of many bits of unique and delightful information. To the inquiry of my driver as to the safety of the road, he having learned of a recent hold-up in the section which we were traversing, the officer replied that the highwaymen had been apprehended and dealt with summarily. He attributed this quick success to the ability of the native police who, he said, were drawn from the rural districts because of their better knowledge of the_ topography of the country which gives them an advantage in discovering the hiding places of criminals. Our officer companion was evidently one of those talented native constables whom he had so eloquently praised. MoslemJewish riots having taken place in Jerusalem and other cities of Palestine, he was being transferred from the comparatively quiet sections of the border to more exposed interior localities. His name was Ta'ih Nemr, meaning the Roaming Tiger, and he was living up to it. We picked him up at al-Ja'ouni and dropped him oS at Tiberias. The next day we met him at Haifa. Roaming Tiger explained to us many points of interest which neither I nor my Syrian driver had known. We were then approaching the sea of Galilea which lies about six hundred feet below sea level in a deep hollow surrounded by high hills. The natural scenery at sunset was wondrous. The bleak hills took on a rich reddish tinge which was accentuated by the gathering darkness on the water. Th«re was something severe and awesome about the panorama, especiallv when viewed in the light of its historic associations. And the Sea of Galilea is no peaceful little body of water. The Tiger explained that in times of storm it is capable of raising waves that wash the roadway which �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD skirts it even at places twenty or thirty feet high. In this my Syrian driver concurred as he frequently conducted tourists in Palestine in winter. Why Lake Tiberias holds its fury in leash is because it is appeased by the exaction of two human victims annually, according to the explanation of Tiger. The origin of this legend the native police officer could not explain, but he was positive in his assertion that the minimum number of the lake's annual victims was two, although in some years it requires more. Our informer was also uncertain as to the sex or age of the victims and to what extent the natives believed in the legend. The night of August 23 was spent in a comfortable hotel in Tiberias conducted by a German. Although it had accommodations for a hundred or more people, the guests on that day did not exceed four: a resident German archaeologist, a missionary and his wife from the American Colony in Jerusalem visiting for a day, and I. At Tiberias I inquired about hotel accommodations in Jerusalem and was given the impression that travel was possible inasmuch as the disturbances of the previous week had been suppressed and the authorities had the situation well in hand. On this assurance we planned to cover the distance of a hundred and seventy-five kilometers from Tiberias to Jerusalem in five hours at the most. So early on the morning of Saturday, the 24th, we hastened to leave Tiberias after but a brief visit to its famous thermal baths and the old quarter of the town. We were rapidly gaining the top of the hill of Hatteen which was the scene of the decisive battle between Moslems and Crusaders which ended forever the occupation of the Holy Land by Christian Europe. Less than an hour later we had reached Kafar Canna, the same Cana of the Gospels where Christ transformed the water into wine. Our next halt was at Nazareth, which, quite in contrast with the other cities of Palestine we had seen, presented a most invitingly clean appearance. It is situated on a gently sloping hill at a short distance from the vast and fertile plain known as Marj Ibn Amer where now flourish many Zionist colonies, principal among which is Balfouriat, named after Lord Balfour in recognition for his having given Palestine to the Jews as a national homeland. It was Saturday and Balfouriat was peaceful and quiet. On the main highway skirting the town was a gang of Arab workmen breaking stones. We stopped to question an isolated one as ^ i I*- �SEPTEMBER, 1929 A • 1 < 33 to general conditions in that section. "The Jews have taken possession of the land and driven us out. We have naught to do but break stones," he complained. My knowledge of Arabic gained for me the confidence of this workman as well as of others whom we met later. It was Undoubtedly due to it that I was saved from possible grave danger. I engaged the workman in conversation in the hope of getting the true reaction of the peasant element to the developments attending the Zionist occupation. "But why did you sell our land to the Jews? Couldn't you have retained it and worked it in the same manner as they are now doing so profitably?" There was a look of deep anguish in the man's eyes as he grasped the meaning of my question. This was his explanation: "It was not we who sold to the Jews. It was the landowners. The whole of the Marj plain was owned by Sursuq of Beirut who was tempted by the high price offered, and sold, and drove us out of employment. For countless generations we had been tenants working the land for the benefit of the masters. We could not, or did not think of saving. What could we earn to invest in the price of land when the whole plain was held as a. single unit and would not be parceled out in small lots? Under these conditions, and inasmuch as we had been in occupation of the land for countless generations, we felt ourselves secure in our possession of it. When the sale was consummated to the Jews we were reduced to the necessity of breaking stones on the roadway as the only remaining alternative." From my conversation with this native Palestinian Arab, I gathered that feeling ran as high against the landowners as against the Jews. The concern of the Arabs is how to earn a living in the traditional manner obtaining in their country from time immemorial. The land problem in all of Syria appears to be the same. I came across the same conditions in northern Syria and in Houran and the Druze Mountain. It is due to this condition of insecurity that the immense Syrian plains present the appearance of desert wastes, especially after harvest time. Not a single tree or shrub is to be seen for miles. The peasants would not waste their efforts planting trees which took time to give fruit and which they felt they had to plant for the benefit of others. From the outskirts of Balfouriat we pushed along rapidly �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD to Al-Afoule. On the way we were stopped by an automobile coming; from the opposite direction. The driver was a native but the occupants appeared to be American or English missionaries: a serious-miened, middle-aged gentleman riding with two boys in the back seat and a spectacled lady sharing the front seat with the driver. The driver offered his advice for "the generous face of Allah." It was unsafe to proceed any farther, he said. They had been stepped before reaching Janin and made to return. AU roads leading to Jerusalem were barred as the disturbances in the city had been renewed. Large numbers of Arabs were fl ' ' ig to the city from neighboring towns and were intent on dealing- decisivelv with the unreasonable ambitions of the Jews. safe oad s were unsafe The military were helc I could divine by the tone of this voluntary adviser that he was • greatly fearful for his charges. Being a native, he was in con-. /-t. f.ton to tee! better the pulse of the country. There appeared to be no doubt that feeling among the Arabs was running high as never before. They had even left the picking of their sumsum crops in the most critical satge to take part in the demonstrations. At this point my own driver began to falter. True, he was wearing a tarboush, which was in itself assurance of safety. But I was wearing a hat which constituted an element of danger. He begged to turn, but I refused. He explained that although he was a Moslem he v,rns a shiite whom the sunnite Moslems hated even more than they did the Jews. He was apprehensive Jesl ! identity might be discovered which would prove dangerous for both him and me. Would I not please consider the msness of the situation and decide to turn back? I was able to prevail uoon him only when I explained that I ran a double danger compared to him. Furthermore, the next military rest at Al-Afoule was quite near and we would get authentic information there. At Al-Afoule there was gathered around the military post a large number of Tews from the neighboring colony of Balfouriat. They immediateJv swarmed around our car seemingly to get information. The ofHcer in charge was insistent upon preventinsi us from proceeding any farther. He had strict orders, he said, not to let anyone pass no matter what his representations. Up to this time I had seen no real indications of any disturbance and could not conceive of any reason for retracing our �SEPTEMBER, 1929 I , : 35 course. Representing myself as an American citizen going to Jerusalem on urgent business, I protested that the general orders upon which the officer was acting did not apply to me and insisted upon seeing: someone of higher authority. This argument had its effect and we were allowed to proceed to Janin, lying some twenty-five kilometers further south on the road which lends to Jerusalem. ©n the way we encountered but two peasants directly on the road close to a native village. We stopped ostensiblv to inquire the distance to Janin but actually to Ret some possible further information about conditions. The older of the two peasants looked at us suspiciously and blurted out the information that the inhabitants of this particular village were all Moslems. Upon being questioned further he assumed a belligerent attitude and we derided to push on. I was fearful that further such incidents would affect the morale of my driver who was none too willing to continue. At last we reached Janin. It was but ten in the morning and considering that it was harvest time and that the day was not a day of rest, Friday being the Moslem sabbath, there were what seemed to us surprisingly large crowds in the square of the mosoue at the entrance to the town. We saw several soldiers md policemen but passed them bv. I had instructed my driver to keep on until stopped, and it was not long before we were. We had not proceeded a hundred and fifty feet beyond the mosque when a crowd motioned frantically to us and ordered us to turn back and report to the authorities. Some were waving s'icfcs and showed bv their gestures and general demeanor that they did not approve of the liberty we were taking. My driver did not need any argument. I must admit that T rjjgQ feU ?orr!e concern as it was plain from the action of the crowd that they were not friendly. I hastened to soeak to them in Arabic, explaining mv haste for proceeding on the way to Jerusalem, and representing myself as an American citizen compelled to report to the American consul. There was unmistaken determination on the part of the crowd, however, that I see the authorities first. They seemed to have their suspicions about my motives. So back we went to report- to the authorities. I was directed to the office of the Chief of Police and left to climb the unguarded stone stairs on the outside of the building alone. But �.WliiiW-'i-i"' / 36 THE SYRIAN WORLD the Chief of Police was not to be found. Only the window was open but the door was locked. Upon descending to where the crowd remained watching me and reporting the situation, a young fellow volunteered to come up with me again, but when he found that that wanted official was really not there he consented to lead me to the office of the governor of the district who immediately ordered me ushered in upon the presentation of my card. "We have read about you in the Syrian newspapers," he said, "and we are glad to have you come to Palestine, but regret that you are coming under such unfavorable conditions. We have strict orders not to allow anyone to go to Jerusalem. The roads are dangerous and the authorities are in no condition to guarantee anyone's safety. I would be only too willing to give you an escort if I could but spare a single soldier." Twice during my stay at the Governor's office he was called on the telephone apparently from headquarters in Jerusalem. "Our district is now comparatively quiet," was the gist of his replies. "The crowds that gathered from neighboring towns were induced to return to their homes today. They are now engaged in the gathering of their sumsum crops. Yes, sir. I am sure we now have the situation well in hand. My forces are inadequate but I anticipate no further trouble. Yes, sir. The roads are all guarded and the distance between here and Afoule is under regular patrol. Yes, sir, your orders shall be strictly carried out." Urjon learning that the governor was of the Husseini family, I asked him if he was related to Haj Ameen Husseini, the grand mufti of Jerusalem and leader of the Arab movement in Palestine. He replied that he was his first cousin. I then produced a letter of introduction which I carried from America to the Mufti from one of his personal friends and represented that I had urgent business with him. But the governor was unrelenting. "Not that we do not wish to let you pass, but we simply think the roads are not sufficiently safe for us to take such risks." Still I would not give up. I said that once in Palestine I had to report to the American consul in Jerusalem and would take upon myself the risk of reaching him. If I should encounter any interference on the way, I felt sure I could explain the situation to the satisfaction of the Moslem population. The Governor gave me the reason for not entertaining even such, an argument: "You will not be given an opportunity to ex- i m �SEPTEMBER, 1929 * « * UK* -» Is ' 37 plain. The mob will not listen to reason and even were I to give you a letter of recommendation there is the grave danger that you will not have a chance to produce it." We were then interrupted by the entry of an American missionary, he whom I had seen the previous night at the hotel in Tiberias and whom I was told was stationed at the American Colony in Jerusalem. He also wanted permission to proceed to his home in Jerusalem, but upon being told of the dangers attending the trip, he-immediately decided to return to Nazareth. The action of this American resident of Palestine irreparably damaged my chances, as the Governor was now in a better position to logically refuse my request. We then shifted the conversation to general topics, at which the governor seemed visibly relieved. We discussed the merits of the Zionist ambitions for settling Palestine as a national home. I could see that the Governor, being a government official, held views compatible with his office. "The country belongs to its conquerors," he said. "The Jews first took possession of it by right of conquest. The Arabs can lay to it no better claim. The country now needs cooperation for its full development, and it is regrettable that the spirit of strife should be so rampant as to retard the progress of Palestine materially." Upon leaving the governor's office, I found that a large crowd had collected by my automobile, but it was plain that they were in a friendly mood. My chauffeur had proved a most able press agent. Being a native and wearing a tarboush, he was asked about my identity and my business and he explained to them in words to which fear lent added eloquence that I was a friendly Christian travelling about the country to study conditions; that I was a prominent Syrian publisher in America and that I had been honored and feasted everywhere I went in Syria and Lebanon and even extended exceptional official courtesies by the authorities. Consequently it was a different crowd around my automobile when I emerged from the governor's office. They courteously opened a way to let me pass and some of them bestowed upon me approving smiles. When I reached the car the driver was in earnest conversation with a dapper young man in a silk Gombaz and a new tarboush who sported a whip as his only weapon. I overheard him admonish the driver not to consent to drive me to Jerusalem if he were offered a hundred pounds. "Not even for a thousand," i �f — 38 ———— THE SYRIAN WORLD replied the driver, who now appeared overjoyed at his safety and in his feeling of assurance that his argument against proceeding would prevail. Then the dapper young man began to deal some of his advice to me. "We would loath to see any harm befall you," he said "We have been informed about you and would wish to show you all hospitality. But if you are safe here you may not be so elsewhere. Now if you will take my advice you will discard your hat as it may cause you to be mistaken for an enemy. No, you will not be given a chance to explain your identity and your motives in the present mood of the population." Therein was the secret of the danger to which I had been exposed. Everyone wearing a hat was taken for a Jew and set upon. A flimsy pretext, indeed, but one sufficiently valid to cause tragic results. I later learned that a young Christian in Jerusalem, because of his wearing a hat, was attacked by a mob and badly beaten. While prostrated on the ground one of the mob was about to plunge a knife into him when he was recognized by a native Moslem and spared. My authority for this story is a trustworthy Christian whom I met at Haifa and who had escaped from Jerusalem that very day. I finally decided it was impossible to continue to Jerusalem and that I would take my chances getting to Haifa in my hat. On the way derisive calls of "Jew, Jew" were hurled at us by boys and workmen on the road, but our car was speeding at too fast a pace to permit of any other interference. We entered Haifa shortly after noon. I proceeded directly to Cook's office both for some information and some Palestinian cash. At Cook's they looked worried over the situation; they had not received mail from Jerusalem for three days, and telephonic communications were interrupted. Up to that time there had been no disturbances at Haifa. During the afternoon conditions in the city appeared to be normal, but towards evening large crowds began to collect in groups in the principal streets. And they were not promenading. An educated Palestinian Christian with whom I was sitting on the veranda of our hotel told me that many among the crowd were peasants from neighboring villages who had come to take part in a proposed demonstration. But that night the authorities ordered all theatres and public places closed. In the morning we learned that in the Jewish colony of Mt. Carmel, the mountain i m* » •1 1 » �' SEPTEMBER, 1929 39 suburb of Haifa, one Jew had been killed and three had been wounded. Travel from Haifa was possible only by train, and inasmuch as reaching Jerusalem was out of the question I decdied to leave the next day for Egypt. At the station I was surprised to see a native soldier approach me with a familiar greeting. He was our friend of yesterday, Taih Nemr,—or the Roaming Tiger, whom we had met at the military station of Al-Ja'oune and taken to Tiberias. The authorities had been anticipating trouble at Haifa and ordered every man they could spare from outlying districts to the scene of possible disturbances. At the junction of Ludd, many refugees boarded the train seeking safety in Egypt. A certain German Jew from Jaffa was outspoken in his commendation of the English. "At a mass meeting of the Jews in Jerusalem yesterday," he told me, "a telegraphic petition to the League of Nations begged that the mandate over Palestine be given either to the United States or to Italy." At my expression of surprise over the choice of the Jews for an Italian mandate, he said his people would be safer with any power than with England. "England," he explained, "is the instigator of all these troubles. She is now performing in Palestine the role she played in India. She is inciting one faction against another to weaken both sides and strengthen her hold on the country. England never wished the Jews well." At Gaza our train stopped to take on water. Engaged at the same task was a troop train headed in the opposite direction. It bore the first military contingent sent from Egypt to Palestine. "Australians?" I asked a tommy who was peering curiously out of the window. "No, from South Wales," he replied. "You will soon quiet them," I remarked, by way of encouragement. "They may quiet us, for all we know," was his laconic reply. We had not proceeded far when we met another train loaded with artillery and ammunition. At Al-Cantara, the ferry town on the Suez Canal, we were informed that the British were draining Egypt of all available men to reinforce their ridiculously small force garrisoned in Palestine. �40 THE SYRIAN WORLD Books and Authors DR. HITTI'S TRANSLATION OF USAMA An Arab Syrian Gentleman and Warrior of the Crusades.—Translated from the Arabic by Dr. Philip K. Hitti. New York, Columbia University Press. 265pp. $4.50. Works of scholarship are generally considered dull and uninteresting except to a restricted number of scholars. The scholar, in the preparation of his work, has in view the amount of his contribution to knowledge by his efforts and cares only for the opinion of the learned few. Hence the unpopularity with the general reading public of works of this character. Happily, this condition does not apply to the latest work of Dr. Philip K. Hitti which was published in September of this year by the Columbia University Press of New York, being a translation into English of Usamah Ibn-Munqidh's Kitab AlPtibar in Arabic. The subject matter of the book is most entertaining and the fact that it is a scholarly work does not in the least detract from its bid for popularity. Usamah, according to the definition of Dr. Hitti, was a hunter, a gentleman, a poet and a man of letters. His life was an epitome of Arab civilization as it flourished during the early crusading period on Syrian soil. He was a flower of the Arab-Syrian chivalry which found its full bloom later in his patron and friend, the great Saladin. Usamah, in his memoirs, proves to be all that Dr. Hitti claims for him. He is a keen observer and a most entertaining raconteur. He flavors his accounts with witticism of the most delectable nature, viewed even in the light of modern times. Readers of THE SYRIAN WORLD will recall some of his chapters published in advance of the publication of the book. Dr. Hitti based his translation on the original copy of Usamah in the Locurial Library of Madrid. This manuscript, judged by the specimen pages reproduced in the book, is written in the Arabic characters of Al-Maghreb and is further rendered difficult by the fact that only rarely do the characters bear any diacritical marks or dots. The astuteness of Dr. Hitti's scholarship could have been put to no severer test than that of deciphering such an • �SEPTEMBER, 1929 > 41 enigmatic document. But the results achieved fully justify the labors undergone. The book is divided into three sections j the first dealing with wars, travels and other experiences; the second with rare anecdotes, and the third with the author's hunting experiences. The erudite introduction of Dr. Hitti is a most enlightening treatise on conditions obtaining in Syria during the life of the Arab author. The study of this period should be of the greatest interest not only to scholars but to all students of history in that it represents the critical times in which the greatest struggle between Crusaders and Saracens took place for the mastery of the Holy Land. THE LANGUAGE OF CHRIST The Language of Christ in America, Rev. Peter F. Sfeir, Buffalo, N. Y. 32 pp. 50c. The main object of the author in the preparation of this work is to prove that the liturgical language of the Maronites is the original language used by Christ himself. The Maronites constitute a large proportion of the Syrians in the United States, and to shed light on the old language which they still use for their religious services is a genuine service not only to the descendants of the Maronites themselves but to the American public at large. The author further lends value to his work by epitomizing the history of the Maronites and recording the testimonials of noted travelers concerning them. The conclusion is an analytical description of the order of the Maronite Mass. Father Sfeir is well qualified for such work. He was formerly a professor at St. Joseph's University in Beirut and is now assistant rector of the church of St. John Maron in Buffalo, N. Y. It is to be hoped that in future editions some of the flagrant typographical mistakes will be eliminated. <- A STUDY OF THE TUBERCULAR GERM A paper dealing with "The Cytology and Microchemistry of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis" and prepared by George Knaysi, of the Department of Dairy Industry of Cornell University, was �42 THE SYRIAN WORLD published in the Journal of Infectuous Diseases for July, 1929, and reprinted separately. It is not the purpose here to review such a highly scientific and technical work. But an acknowledgment of such a paper should be of interest to our readers in that the author is a Syrian and an able and indefatiguable student of bacteriology who has already achieved for himself a name in that branch of science. We shall be further proud to hear of his success in discovering a cure for tuberculosis, upon which we understand he is now working as the ultimate end of his researches. A MYSTERY SOLVED! The Origins of the Druze People and Religion, by Dr. Philip K. Hitti. Columbia University Press, New York. 88 pp. What may rightly be classed among the most valuable contributions to the cause of knowledge on the mysterious people known as Druzes and their religion is Dr. Philip K. Hitti's latest book on the subject published by the Columbia University Press. Dr. Hitti is eminently fitted for the task and has acquitted himself well in his undertaking of it. As Prof. Richard Gotheil of Columbia University appropriately states in his foreword to the book, "Professor Hitti is probably better fitted to make this attempt than is any other scholar. Born in the Lebanon Mountains, Arabic is his native tongue. As a boy, and as a young man, he associated with the Druzes. He has had, and still has access to their literature. It is likely that he knows more about them than they do about themselves." The book is an erudite and comprehensive study of the origin of the Druzes, their theology and folklore. Two photostatic reproductions of pages of their sacred books are taken from manuscripts in the Garrett collection deposited in the library of Princeton University. The book has not yet been placed on the market, and the above is written after a cursory perusal of an advance copy. We shall have more to say about this important work of Dr. Hitti later. • \ �SEPTEMBER, 1929 43 EDITORIAL COMMENT public acclaim. In the face of such unexpected honors, the editor can account for the spon"THE editor's trip to Syria and taneity and warmth of these other countries of the East demonstrations only in the light was a most enjoyable one to of the following reasons: himself. Let us further hope First: For being a member that by the new contacts estab- of the Arabic-language newslished, the experience gained paper fraternity in America and the first-hand information with which he has been congathered, it will also be a profit- nected in various capacities for able one to the readers of THE the past thirty years. ConseSYRIAN WORLD. quently, in honoring him as Not only in the nature of the such, the honors were really inrecognition given, but also in tended for, and logically dethe profusion of unexpected served by, all his colleagues in honors displayed, there were America. marks of the most genuine corSecond: For being a reprediality in the reception. This sentative of that class of Syrian also resulted in the placing at emigrants who, despite their the disposal of the editor of ex- loyalty to their adopted countraordinary facilities for the try, retain a love for their mothstudy of all sorts of problems er country and an appreciation and conditions. He was receiv- of its traditions that prompt ed by the heads of all the gov- them to proclaim publicly their ernments of the Syrian States, convictions along that line and and was extended extraordinary make no secret of their pride honors in the form of official in their ancestry. banquets by the President and Third: For having actively the Prime Minister of the Lebsponsored the movement to enanese Republic. The reception by the press of all political courage tourism in Syria, with shades was also uniformly a view to cultivate an appreciation of its natural and historical cordial. The statement was made that excellences. For this last mentioned reano returning emigrant was ever son due credit should be given given such official recognition or his arrival hailed with such to Mr. A. K. Hitti whose keen GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT i I f i \ �44 vision and sincere love for the welfare of his mother country made the launching of this movement possible. It can be plainly seen, therefore, that a combination of circumstances placed the editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD in a situation where he had to be the recipient of honors which he believes are due others. Under the conditions, and with heartfelt appreciation for all testimonials of recognition and affection, both official and private, shown him during his visit to the mother country, he feels confident that in the expression of his personal gratitude, he is also interpreting the feelings of his fellow immigrants for all the marks of love and esteem shown by; our countrymen abroad. Naturally, a brief acknowledgment of this character must of necessity be general. In the detailed account of his travels which the editor will prepare for serial publication, a full description of places, events and personalities will be given. This also will have to be viewed in the light of recording facts in relation to their intended objectives, with a view to demonstrating the high esteem in which our fellow countrymen of the motherland hold their brother emigrants in general, as otherwise it would be im- THE SYRIAN WORLD pardonable presumption! on our part to lay a personal claim to all honors shown. THE EDITOR'S ITINERARY ABROAD WHILE in Syria, the editor made Beirut his main headquarters, and the starting point for the special trips to all other parts of the country. Zahle, however, proved to be an irresistible magnet which attracted him on many occasions, and because of the fact that it is centrally located, there was always the temptation to take the drive of less than two hours over a fine asphalted road leading through mountains and valleys of bewitching scenery. Longer trips were taken to North Lebanon, passing through historic Byblos by the river Adonis to Batroun, then to Bcharri and the immortal Cedars. The stop at Ehden was utilized to pay homage to the remains of Joseph Bey Karam, the most famous Lebanese patriot and leader of modern times. Ad-Diman, the summer seat of the Maronite Patriarch, situated on a hill overlooking Wadi Kadisha, or the sacred valley, was one of the principal stopping points in this section. Tripoli and its famous cru- �" "»' 44 vision and sincere love for the welfare of his mother countrymade the launching of this movement possible. It can be plainly seen, therefore, that a combination of circumstances placed the editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD in a situation where he had to be the recipient of honors which he believes are due others. Under the conditions, and with heartfelt appreciation for all testimonials of recognition and affection, both official and private, shown him during his visit to the mother country, he feels confident that in the expression of his personal gratitude, he is also interpreting the feelings of his fellow immigrants for all the marks of love and esteem shown by our countrymen abroad. Naturally, a brief acknowledgment of this character must of necessity be general. In the detailed account of his travels which the editor will prepare for serial publication, a full description of places, events and personalities will be given. This also will have to be viewed in the light of recording facts in relation to their intended objectives, with a view to demonstrating the high esteem in which our fellow countrymen of the motherland hold their brother emigrants in general, as otherwise it would be im- THE SYRIAN WORLD pardonable presumption: on our part to lay a personal claim to all honors shown. THE EDITOR'S ITINERARY ABROAD Y^HILE in Syria, the editor made Beirut his main headquarters, and the starting point for the special trips to all other parts of the country. Zahle, however, proved to be an irresistible magnet which attracted him on many occasions, and because of the fact that it is centrally located, there was always the temptation to take the drive of less than two hours over a fine asphalted road leading through mountains and valleys of bewitching scenery. Longer trips were taken to North Lebanon, passi through historic Byblos by the river Adonis to Batroun, then to Bcharri and the immortal Cedars. The stop at Ehden was utilized to pay homage to the remains of Joseph Bey Karam, the most famous Lebanese patriot and leader of modern times. Ad-Diman, the summer seat of the Maronite Patriarch, situated on a hill overlooking Wadi Kadisha, or the sacred valley, was one of the principal stopping points in this section. Tripoli and its famous cru- l �t SEPTEMBER, 1929 saders' citadel were conveniently reached from this point in Lebanon, and ja drive over a fine new highway along the coast took us through to Latakia, capital of the Alouite State. Aleppo, in the north of Syria, was reached by a fine new road which runs over a range of picturesque mountains and crosses the Orontes into the vast plains of that region. Thence the way led southward again through Hama and Horns to Baalbeck and its famous ruins. Farther inland Damascus and its famous Ghouta were visited as well as Houran and the Druze Mountain, scene of the last revolution in Syria. On the return journey the party had the exciting experience of being lost in the desert for several anxious hours. Southern Lebanon also had its distinctive attractions. Crossing the Bakaa plain to Mashgara, the steep twin mountains of Al-Towmat were crossed to Jezzine, whence the way led to Al-Mukhtara and the palace of Sitt Nazira Jenblatt, then to Beit Eddin and its famous palace of Emir Bashir Chehab. A visit to this section is reminiscent of the old feuds and struggles for supremacy among the different clans in Lebanon. Another trip along the southern coast of Lebanon led through Shweifat and Damur 45 to the old Phoenician city of Sidon. Then again up the mountain to Jedaidat Marjioun and Hasbaya and across the Palestine border. In Palestine the editor met with many experiences of which the account published in this issue covers only a small part. And finally it was the home stretch through Egypt, France and England. It may be readily seen from the extent of the distance covered and the countries visited that a comprehensive account of the whole tour cannot be encompassed by a few articles, but will have to be spread over an extensive series. This prompts us to ask of those interested in reading about particular sections and conditions to grant us their indulgence for the publication of a chronological account. Besides the written (account, our readers may expect to see reproduced in coming issues of THE SYRIAN WORLD a large variety of special photographs of persons and places taken on the trip. That this number of the magazine is not profusely illustrated is because our stock of photographs covers particularly those countries which were the principal objective of our voyage. �THE SYRIAN WORLD 46 Spirit of the Syrian Press Under this caption we hope to present from time to time a microcosmic picture of the Arabic press, not only in this country, but wherever Arabic dailies and magazines reflect the opinions of responsible, thinking writers who are treating the different problems that confront the Arabic-speaking world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will take no part in the discussions reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. Our task will simply consist in selecting, to the best of our knowledge and with utmost sincerity, what we think is representative of the public opinion as expressed in these editorials. Editor. LEBANON NOT FOR EXPERIMENTATION Lebanese emigrants are elated at seeing the efforts of the home press centered now on the discussion of the most vital matter confronting the country, namely, the question of Lebanon's independence. It is high time that the term "independence" for Lebanon be defined so that it may be understood in the meaning which true patriots conceive and not in the manner sought by opportunists, political brokers and jellybone proteges of special interests. There are evidences that a certain faction of Lebanese profiteers is in conspiracy with a certain French faction of like motives for depriving Lebanon of its prerogatives of independence. In the face of such a condition, the Lebanese emigrants are ready to again take up the fight in the interest of their mother country. To this end the Lebanon League of Progress of New York has called a meeting in which a resolution was passed to petition the French government for the proper safeguarding of the rights of Lebanon. Al-Hoda, N. Y., Oct. 22, 1929. THE CRIME OF THE ARABS! Truly the Arabs have sinned against the Zionists, because the latter only came to Palestine to substitute civilization for barbarism, and to help its people emerge from the dismal darkness in Which they were plodding aimlessly. Naturally, also, they came to enrich the people of the country and to live with them only as brothers! The Zionists have used their tainted money, gained by monopoly and usury, to subsidize the European and American press in an effort to influence world opinion. But the Arab cause, despite the funds spent by the Zionists for propaganda, has not been lacking of support. There were papers which refused to sell their honor for Zionist gold and which placed truth above personal interests. Foremost among these papers is the Daily Mail whose publisher may rightly claim the undying gratitude of the Palestinian Arabs for his fearless support of their cause in the face of organized Zionist propaganda. Meraat-Ul-Gharb, N. Y., Oct. 21, '29. �SEPTEMBER, 1929 OMENS OF ARAB UNITY [ The Arabs have shown in the Palestine crisis a fine spirit of unity which augurs well for the future of the Arabs in general. For this reason we believe the people of Palestine will sooner or later come into their rights no matter what the obstacles in their way. The Arabs are now conscious that what they lacked is this spirit of national co-operation which was obstructed in the past by religious differences and sectarian considerations. That they have now outgrown these impediments is evidenced by the fact that Moslems, Christians and Druzes are now working side by side for the success of the universal Arab cause. We hail this new and healthy spirit among the Arabs and pray for its continuation. In which case there would be no further excuse for anyone to insist on the division of Arabic-speaking countries, especially Syria, on the ground of incompatibility arising from religious differences. The protagonists of this principle held that successful unity could be achieved only on the condition of the eradication of religious intolerance. Now we see that such a condition has come to exist, and for that reason there remains no further excuse for holding out against unity. The Syrian Eagle, N. Y., Oct. 15, '29. CRYING NEED OF SYRIANS The Syrians in the United States are facing a serious condition which if not corrected will lead to deplorable results. They are still, unfortunately, susceptible to the old influences of discord which for long 47 have torn them into numerous factions and prevented their cohesion as a race. These influences, we are 'rained to admit, emanate from New York, and, what is worse, they are the result of the petty newspaper policies which should not aft the course of our life. Who can deny that we in this country are more in need of concentrating our attention on our immediate social and economic interests than wasting our time and efforts on old country politics or religious differences which cannot result in any benefit to us. On the contrary, we can only bring harm upon ourselves by such diversion of attention because of the resultant disruption in our ranks and the destruction of our chances for creating a solid, compact racial unit in this country. By concentrating our efforts on promoting our racial welfare in this country we know that we are striving towards a known and worthy goal, whereas if we interest ourselves in the polities of the mother country we do not know the cause of whom we serve, while the subject of our interest might be ridiculing us in secret. In view of this condition we find ourselves in absolute need of disregarding these petty differences and old feuds for the sake of uniting together in strong racial ties. Especially that we are now in a country which has become our home whether we so admit or not. And by binding together and fostering this spirit of racial unity we will be i7i a position to present a better front and not only benefit ourselves but a^o the coming generations to whom we would transmit a wholesome spirit of race solidarity. As-Sayeh, N. Y., Oct. 19. 1929. �II — mammmm THE SYRIAN WORLD 48 LIFE OF ARABIC NEWSPAPERS LIMITED Readers of Arabic newspapers in America have the choice of two alternatives, either to discontinue or pay. By following either course they would be bringing relief to themselves and to newspaper publishers. Unless they are intent upon torturing the publishers for a crime of which they are not guilty, a policy to which we cannot think they would stoop. For when was public service considered a crime which merits punishment? We do not deny that the days of Arabic newspapers in this country are numbered. For this there are many reasons to which we have alluded on several previous occasions. But it is unkind of the readers to bring sorrow and disappointment to the newspapers in the closing days of their lives. Rather, it behooves them to let the newspapers die in peace and in the feeling of satisfaction that they have exhausted every effort in the service of their people and country. Ash-Shaab, N. Y., Oct. 23, 1929. FAILURE OF RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY We must reiterate our oft repeated statement that we do not approve of everything Jewish. The Jews evince many characteristics which are objectionable, whether in politics, in business or in social customs. But we hold that it is cowardice to persecute the weak, especially if he is of proven worthiness. And the Jew is worthy in more than one way. He proves it by his industry, his learning, his experience and his beneficial example. The neighbors of the Jew are stimulated by his ex- ample to more productive effort, and this alone should outweigh all his other faults and shortcomings. The Arabs, to be sure, are sorely in need of emulating the Jew in his good qualities. Al-Hoda, N. Y., Oct. 16, 1929. KINGS AND PRINCES! Syrian papers seem to attach much importance to the rumor that Fiance has now decided on the policy of creating Syria a kingdom and Lebanon a principality. In this it is following in the footsteps of England which has sponsored monarchies in all its spheres of influence in the East. Egypt, Iraq, Al-Hijaz, and Transjordania have all been given this form of government. But why the importation of Emir Adel Ibn Iyad for the proposed Syrian throne ? Surely there are in Syria many men who by their descent and their training are better fitted for the post. Then, too, why impose on Syria this archaic form of government when she is striving to follow in the footstops of the West in modern administrative methods?" Undoubtedly, France seeks by this move to use the king as a puppet so that her word will be supreme in the future management of the affairs of the country. But as to Lebanon, it is hardly conceivable that this little country which has long been trained in the art of representative government should be thrown back to autocracy. What Lebanon needs is not a change of government but a change of personnel in the government and the abolition of the excesses which are causing the country extreme economic retrogression. Meraat-Ul-Gharb, N. Y., Oct. 18, '29. �RECEPTION IN HONOR OF KING FUAD I Guests at the reception given by the Egyptia n Consul in New York at the Hotel Ambassador Oct. 9 in celebration of the anniversar y of the accession of His Majesty King Fuad I of Egypt. �llJ.„^. „_„^^ •« ' * ?*mMMffli �SEPTEMBER, 1929 49 f / Political Developments in Syria #1 -• i i 4 1 Rumors persist that there will be a change in the form of government in Syria in the near future. The source of these rumors is Paris and there are many among the Syrians who seem to place much credence in them. The continued absence of the High Commissioner in Europe, dividing his time between Geneva and Paris in an effort to arrive at some sort of solution of the Syrian political tangle, is taken by many as an added proof of some bold move by France which might not be far from establishing a monarchy. The name of the Tunisian Prince Adel Ibn lyad is frequently connected with the proposed throne in some reports, while in others France is said to favor Ahmed Namy Bey, the damad, who was at one time president of the Syrian State and claims a large following among the Syrians. Rumor would also have it that once France proclaims Syria a monarchy and installs the man of her choice on the throne, she will immediately conclude a treaty with Syria and give it then, and only then, the right to draft a new constitution. Under these conditions there would be no further fear that the constitution could go counter to the treaty obligations. In an effort to create the proper psychology for this change, Sheik Tajeddin, provisional president of the Syrian State, is said to be exhausting every effort to come to an understanding with the Syrian Nationalists who had disowned him after his supposed defection from their ranks in support of the policy of the French. President Tajeddin is known to have had a long conference with Riad'h Bey Sulh, one of the accredited Syrian representatives in Europe while the latter was in Aley, the summer capital of Mt. Lebanon. This meeting of the two leaders of opposing groups in Syrian politics gave rise to all sorts of rumors, but the prevailing interpretation seems to be the one just advanced relative to the intention of Sheikh Tajeddin. Following these developments, Hashem Bey Atasi, leader of the Nationalists and president of the Constituent Assembly, was reported by a native paper to have tendered his resignation from the leadership of the party in protest against what he termed the inconsistency of some of the Nationalist leaders. Atasi Bey later denied he had ever made any disparaging remark against any of his party or threatened to resign, but the reporter responsible for the story was as strongly insistent that he had done so. Other reasons advanced for the reluctance of France to permit any discussion as to the form of the Syrian Constitution at the present time are ascribed to the prevailing disturbances in Palestine. France is said to have secured the consent of the League of Nations to this delay on the ground that to engage on such a delicate matter under prevailing conditions of upheaval would revert to the injury of the cause of al) European powers among Eastern nations. England is said to have fully sanctioned this move. Meanwhile, everything is waiting upon the return of the High Commissioner who is expected back in 5C9577A �50 Beirut on Oct. 23. M. Ponsot, quite characteristically, is keeping silent on his plans. The latitude he had given the Nationalists during the elections to the Constituent Assembly and later during the deliberations as to the form of the constitution represented the maximum he could give at the time. What new arrangements he has been able to come to with the home government concerning the solution of the Syrian problem during his long stay in Paris this summer no one knows. But what seems to be felt is that France will take some definite action in the matter without further delay. DEVELOPMENTS IN LEBANON Ministerial crises have been taking place in Lebanon at the rate of one every three months. The cabinet of Bishara Bey Khoury lasted during the summer recess of the Representative Assembly only because no action could be taken on its tender of resignation. The Prime Minister, conceded to be one of the ablest lawyers and administrators in the country, felt compelled to resign only because he could not reconcile between the widely divergent demands of the many political factions. He was appointed on a program of economy because of the widespread dissatisfaction over the present 'high rate of taxation. In his efforts to effect some economy, he reduced the ministerial posts from five to three, but in that he met with the objection that he was not dealing fairly with all the religious denominations who have a right to representation in the cabinet. Upon the return of M. Emil Eddy from Paris the latter part of September, the President invited him •to form a cabinet with a wide lat- THE SYRIAN WORLD itude of power. M. Eddy reverted to the old formation of a cabinet of five in the hope of satisfying the different factions. He is said to have been offered the post while he was still in Paris, and he profited of the occasion to discuss the matter with the High Commissioner and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was promised a free hand in dealing with the situation. The formation of the Cabinet, as announced on Oct. 12, is as follows: Nejib Bey Abou Sawan, Minister of Justice. Moussa Bey Nammour, Minister of Finance. Hussein Bey Ahdab, Minister of Public Works. Said Ahmed Husseini, Minister of Agriculture. The Prime Minister reserved for himself three portfolios, that of the Interior, Public Health and Public Charities. The economic situation in Lebanon is causing much eoncern. By a new arrangement for the distribution of customs receipts the republic's portion was reduced from the original 47 per cent, to 42 per cent. The French company holding the tobacco monopoly has received an extension of time over the limit of its concession. There is everywhere dissatisfaction over the impediments that the French are accused of placing in the way of native enterprise. «fl JEBEL DRUZE The resignation of Col. Clement Grandcour, military Governor of the Druze Mountain, was reported in the Syrian papers of Oct. 8. He plans to return to France. His successor is Col. Moran. Jebel Druze remains under direct French administration since the revolution of 1925-1927. ! �, ' SEPTEMBER, 1929 51 About Syria and Syrians ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENTS OF PALESTINE DISTURBANCES -1 The disturbances in Palestine have had their repercussion in all parts of the world. Organized propaganda has helped to exaggerate the events and to place the blame wholly on one side or the other. The reasons for the recent occurrences may be said to be both local and foreign. The last convention of the Zionists in which it was decided to create a central agency to vigorously prosecute anew the cause of Zionism was the foreign cause, while the local and immediate cause was the clash over the claims to Al-Buraq or the Wailing Wall. Wednesday, August 14, was the anniversary of the destruction of the Temple of Solomon and about ten thousand Jews nocked to Jerusalem to commemorate the event. On Friday, the 16th, the Moslems gathered in large numbers in the Mosque of Omar and held public demonstrations of protests against what they claimed was the increasing aggressive designs of the Jews. On Saturday, the 17th, while some young Jews were playing football in a field outside Jerusalem, the ball fell repeatedly in a tomato patch owned by Moslems and some plants were trampled upon: "This led to a fight between the football players and the owners of the field which resulted in nine Moslems and seven Jews being wounded. The police arrested fourteen Arabs and ten Jews. One of the wounded Jews died later in the hospital and his coreligionists staged for his funeral a large procession which they insisted should pass through the principal streets of Jerusalem against the orders of the police. This time the fight was between the Jews and the British military. A week later, Friday, August 23, the riots were renewed on a much larger scale and spread from Jerusalem to many other cities and towns in Palestine. Reports at the time represented the occurrences as a massacre of Jews by Arabs, but later authenticated statistics showed that the casualties on both sides were about equal. The Syrians in the United States sympathizing with the Arab cause sent a delegation to Washington headed by Ameen Rihani to lay the case of Palestine before Secretary of State Stimson. They also held a national convention in New York on September 23 at which three organized bodies were represented, namely, the New Syria Party, claiming fifty branches throughout the country; the Syrian Pales-, tinian League and the Moslem Young Men's Society. The convention passed resolutions to fight both Zionist ambitions in Palestine and Zionist propaganda abroad, and to help the people of Palestine to achieve their national aspirations in establishing a native government in the country on the basis of popular representation. During the three sessions of the convention Messrs. Salim Towtah of New York, Ferris Maloof of Boston, and William Catzeflis of New York, alternated as chairmen. Among the speakers at the various sessions were Dr. Fouad Shatara, of Brooklyn, Professor R. C. Hana- �52 way, of Wagner College, Ameen Rihani, author, E. D. Mady, publisher of As-Sameer; Joseph M. Khoury, editor of Ash-Shaab; Rajah Hourany, a Syrian student at Columbia, and Ameen Bey Hamadi, a political Syrian envoy. EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHINGTON STREET Washington Street, the heart of the so-called old Syrian Quarter in New York, is being gradually transformed from a district of old tenements to one of first class modern apartments and hotels. It must be a matter of but a short time when the section will be known as the Syrian Quarter no more. Between the Battery and Morris St., a forty-story building is rising to serve as the future home of the Downtown Athletic Club. This organization draws its membership from the financial district. Further to the north, between Morris and Rector Sts., the Battery Tower, an apartment hotel of the first order, is now under construction. The architects' plans call for an arcade on the street level extending from Washington St. to West St., while the first seven floors will be devoted to offices and all other floors to living quarters. The hotel will accommodate both permanent residents and transients. The north-east corner of Washington and Rector Sts. will soon be in the hands of wreckers. An office building will rise on the site and present tenants have been notified to vacate by the first of the year. Other improvements include the renovation of the facade of the building of Al-Hoda, the principal Syrian newspaper in the United THE SYRIAN WORLD States, located at 55 Washington St., and that of St. Joseph's Maronite church adjoining it. More elaborate improvements are planned for the Greek Melchite church at 103 Washington St. along designs prepared by Harvey Kassab, a Syrian architect of the city. Notwithstanding all the construction work going on, Rector St. continues to draw shoppers for linens and fine embroideries from all parts of the city by reason of the large number of Syrian shops dealing in these articles in this locality. CASE OF SYRIAN MURDERED IN FLORIDA The Syrians throughout the United States were aroused over the murder, on May 16, 1929, of Nicholas Romey, styled Romeo, and his wife, in Lake City, Fla. The couple were reported at the time to have met their death at the hands of the police following an altercation over the display of vegetables on the sidewalk in front of the Syrian's store. The woman was shot and killed outright while the husband was wounded and taken to jail, and later spirited away by a mob and killed on a lonely road. It was the imputation, at the time, that if the police had not themselves perpetrated the act, at least it was done with their connivance. Following the publication of the details of the double tragedy in Syrian newspapers, a committee of Syrians was formed in Jacksonville, Fla., to investigate the circumstances of the murder and take necessary action to bring those guilty to justice. The Jacksonville committee, after having conducted a preliminary investigation, decided that it could not proceed further with the case for �SEPTEMBER, 1929 lack of sufficient public support. The funds it had raised were returned to the contributors. A relative of the dead couple, who is the guardian of their minor children and who has moved with them from Florida to Birmingham, Ala., is now attempting to form another committee to take up interest in the case. He has published an open letter of appeal in the Arabic press of New York suggesting the appointment of Dr. H. Elkhoury general agent to collect funds for the prosecution of the case. The suggestion was well received by the Arabic papers but no further action on the matter has been reported. RECENT AMENDMENTS TO NATURALIZATION LAW By Joseph W. Ferris "pHE Naturalization Law is a mat* ter of general interest and the difficulty in understanding the provisions because of the technical language used will excuse their restatement in the following form: The Amendments went into effect July 1st, 1929. 1st. The fee for the issuance of a declaration of intentions (first papers) has been increased from $1 to $5. The fee for filing a petition for naturalization has been increased from $4 to $10. In all cases where a certificate of arrival is required, a charge in the form of a fee of $5.00 is made for the issuance of this certificate, whether it is issued for a declaration or a petition. Where the certificate of arrival is obtained, prior to the filing of the declaration of intention it can be used as the basis for filing a peti- 53 tion for naturalization at such time as the declarant is in a position to complete his naturalization. 2nd. All aliens arriving before June 3rd, 1911, who cannot definitely prove the exact time and manner of arrival or aliens who came to this country without the payment of a head tax before July 3rd, 1921, are now able to have their legal residence established by payment of a $20. fee. Applications should be made to the nearest Immigration office to establish residence. Establishing a legal residence is an absolute prerequisite of final naturalization or citizenship. 3rd. A residence of one year in the State immediately preceding filing of a petition for naturalization was repealed and a six months residence in the county has been substituted in its place. 4th. No declaration of intention (first paper) on and after July 1st can be made regardless of the date of arrival of the applicant in this country until a certificate has been furnished showing his arrival in the United States for permanent residence. Previously this procedure was practiced only in cases of those aliens arriving after June 3rd, 1921, by regulation of the Department of Naturalization. 5th. It is necessary to submit with the application for declaration of intention or petition for naturalization two full face photographs of the applicant, two and one half inches by two and one half inches. These photographs should be unmounted, printed on thin paper, with a light background, clearly showing a full front view of the features of the applicant, without a hat, and must be taken within thirty days of the date they are furnished. �' —"" "•"- "-- —- 54 Full length portraits, snapshot* or group pictures will not be accepted. The applicant must sign each copy of the photograph in such a way as not to obscure the features. 6th. Copies of a lost, destroyed or mutilated declaration of intention or certificate of naturalization can now be issued only by the Commissioner of Naturalization. The fee for this is $10. 7th. The recent amendments also include a new feature of the law. It provides for the issuance of certificate of derivative citizenship. A married woman claiming citizenship through her husband, or any child over the age of 21, claiming citizenship through a parent, may upon the payment of $15.00 ($5.00 for the issuance of certificate of arrival and $10.00 for the issuance of certificate of derivative citizenship) make application for one of these certificates and after furnishing said evidence or proof that the citizenship was so derived, a certificate will be issued. 8th. Prior to July 1st of this year, depositions necessary to prove residence outside of the State in which a petition was filed were taken by a notary public for a fee fixed by the notary. Now all depositions will be taken by naturalization examiners without charge. ANOTHER SYRIAN ADMITTED TO BAR Mr. George J. Mandour, son of Mr. J. A. Mandour, founder of the Lebanon National Bank, was admitted to the bar in New York State and has taken up offices at 80 Maiden Lane, New York City. — THE SYRIAN WORLD LEBANON LEAGUE TO HOLD ENTERTAINMENT According to an announcement in Al-Hoda, the Lebanon League of Progress of New York will give an entertainment at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on November 23 for which a varied program has been arranged. S. A. Mokarzel, editor of The Syrian World, who has returned recently from a visit to Syria, will speak in Arabic on his experiences and observations. He is expected to give a comprehensive analysis of conditions in general from the point of view of an impartial observer. Mr. Zaki Murad, a visiting singer from Egypt, together with Mme. Fedora Kurban and Mrs. Julia Asia, will co-operate in giving an extensive musical program. RECEPTION IN HONOR OF EGYPTIAN KING His Excellency Anis Azer Bey, Royal Egyptian consul in New York, gave a reception at the Hotel Ambassador on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 9, on the occasion of the anniversary of the accession of His Majesty King Fuad I of Egypt. The reception was attended by over two hundred guests representing the diplomatic, social and business world of the city. Mme. Fedora Kurban, the talented Syrian singer, styled the Syrian nightingale, gave several operatic selections which were well received by the critical audience. The Syrian newspaper editors of New York were invited to the reception. Among those present were N. A. Mokarzel, editor of Al-Hoda; / �J. - —I .., SEPTEMBER, 1929 Ameen Rihani, Syrian author and lecturer, and S. A. Mokarzel, editor of The Syrian World. RADIO TALKS BY SYRIAN WORLD EDITOR '. Twice during the month of October, on the 9th and the 23rd, the editor of The Syrian World gave short radio talks over station WPCH in New York City on the subject of his recent trip to Syria. The talks were in the form of interviews with Miss Theresa Nagel. On both occasions the interview was made to cover such subjects as the historic importance of the country, its principal cities, its present form of government and the social conditions of its inhabitants. A statement on the number and general status of the Syrians in the United States was also brought out in the radio interview. t « SYRIAN PRIVATE BANK SUCCESSFUL A report of the condition of D. J. Faour & Bros., private Syrian Bankers in New York, as of September 27, 1929, published in the Journal of Commerce of October 5, gives the total resources of this institution as $1,381,740.15. A comparative statement issued by the bank covering the last ten years shows that its resources have increased almost 100 per cent, during this period, being in 1919 only slightly over $600,000. Their statement for this year shows that the public securities alone they own is much above the whole amount of their combined resources a decade ago. 55 LARGE ENROLLMENT AT THE A. U. B. Albert W. Staub, American Director of the six American Colleges in the Near East, recently stated that in spite of the disturbances in Palestine, enrollment at the American University of Beirut is larger than ever before and that more Palestinian students have enrolled than in previous years. Mr. Staub said that 233 Palestinians are studying at the University this year whereas only 215 were enrolled last year and that there has been a corresponding increase in the number of students from other countries of the Middle East including Egypt, Persia, Iraq and Trans jordania. The total enrollment in the University including the practice teaching school is 1,371. An Institute of Music, opened this fall as a new school in the University, has an enrollment of forty-two students. The Institute of Music is really the outgrowth of a series of concerts given at the University to cultivate an interest and understanding of classical European music. TWO SYRIAN ENGINEERS Messrs. Aziz Tabet and Sadek Baroody, both of Beirut, have graduated this year from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with honors, the first in the textile option of engineering and the second in civil engineering. Both young engineers are expected to leave in the near future for Syria to engage at their chosen profession. It is expected that their services will be much in demand in the present stage of development in that country. �THE SYRIAN WORLD 56 INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION IN DAMASCUS As a means of demonstrating the extent of progress of native industries, an exposition was held in Damascus during the first two weeks of September which is said to have proved a great success. Exhibitors flocked to it from Beirut, Aleppo, Horns, Hama and other cities known for their special industries. The attendance was comparatively large, averaging about ten thousand a day. It is claimed by the sponsors of the exposition that it had the effect of stimulating appreciably consumption of home products and manufactures. The principal exhibits, representing the relative importance of home products, may be classified as follows: Textiles—comprising wool, cotton and silk manufactures. This branch of Syrian industry is expanding so as to take in the manufacture of materials for all contemporary needs, from dresses and underwear to broadcloth and heavy tapestries. Tanning—this industry has so far advanced in its methods that the raw material, a native product, is turned into finished form through all the modern processes known to the industry. Furniture—Aside from the wellknown native makes, this industry is now producing articles for all modern requirements. Some factories in Damascus and Beirut are known to be equipped for the production of complete sets for all home requirements designed to meet the most exacting tastes. Brass Ware—comprising the famous manufactures of Damascus in this line with notable modern improvements. The sponsors of the industrial exposition plan to make it an annual event, in the hope of not only promoting home industry but of creating a better market for its products. To that end they are now fostering the creation of a permanent central body representing the principal chambers of commerce of the country to work collectively for the common cause. COMPANY TO EXPLOIT THE DEAD SEA A $2,000,000 company to exploit the vast chemical resources of the Dead Sea was formally registered in London Oct. 31 under the name of Palestine Potash, Ltd., according to a special dispatch to the New York Times. Actual work will be begun immediately at the confluence of the River Jordan and the Dead Sea, Where elaborate drying plants have been erected and 400 workers engaged. The Earl of Lytton, former Viceroy of India, will be chairman of the new company, which intends to increase its capitalization as business warrants. Shares already have been subscribed by the British and American directors, but additional capital will be offered to the public in accordance with the terms of the concession. Among the American directors are Felix Warburg and Bernard Flexner of New York. Although the start necessarily will be slow, the company is bound by its concession to produce at least 50,000 tons of potassium chloride annually after the tenth year. The work will be carried out by means of huge drying tanks built on the hills on each side of the Jordan's mouth. ./ �SEPTEMBER, 1929 57 A VALUABLE GIFT TO SUBSCRIBERS OF THE SYRIAN WORLD We wish to double the number of our subscribers before Christmas. THE SYRIAN WORLD will be better than it has ever been before, and we would like to see it more generally circulated among the Syrians of America. Our regular subscribers who have loyally stood by us and encouraged us in our efforts during the past three years need no inducement. But to those who have not yet had occasion to be acquainted with the publication, and to those who are willing to co-operate in enlarging its circulation, we make the following liberal introductory offer: Every -paid subscriber making a gift of a subscription, or procuring a new direct subscription, will receive free any one of the books listed below. For every additional subscription he receives an additional book. » ' Think of the opportunity of securing free one or more of these fine books by two of our foremost authors. Think of the timeliness of making gift subscriptions of THE SYRIAN WORLD to your friends durng the Christmas season and securing for yourself a free fine gift besides. Especially that the gifts are books that all Syrians should be proud to possess. BOOKS GIVEN SYRIAN WORLD SUBSCRIBERS The books we are offering as prizes are the following: The Syrians in America — By Dr. Philip K. Hitti. The Path of Vision, A book of Prose — By Ameen Rihani. A Chant of Mystics and Other Poems, A book of Selected Poetry, By Ameen Rihani. Here is a wide range of subjects for your selection—History, Essays and Poetry. And each or all are yours for only the little effort of procuring a new subscriber. Besides, you have the satisfaction of helping propagate an organ published for you and your cause. Won't you show your interest? �THE SYRIAN WORLD TWO NEW BOOKS By Dr. PHILIP K. HITTI (Not only for the scholar but for everybody) THE ORIGINS PEOPLE AND EXTRACTS SACRED OF THE DRUZE RELIGION WITH FROM THEIR WRITINGS This is the first scholarly attempt to determine the basic dogmas and tenets of belief of a unique, secret Oriental sect, and to trace them back, through Mohammedan channels, into Jewish, Christian and other sources. After a brief presentation of the racial and historical background of the Druze people—from the time they figured first in the period of the Crusades down to their recent armed uprising against the French mandate in Syria—, their theology with its deification of alHakim and his Five Ministers, and its emphasis on Prophetic Succession is outlined. This is followed by a discussion of their esoteric and mystical interpretation of the Koran, the Cult of the Calf, their belief in transmigration of souls, predestination, dissimulation and the seven moral precepts of Hamza'h. The Appendix includes six extracts from their sacred writings most of which have never appeared before in any European language. Even in Arabic, the originals are almost inaccessible. Price $2.00 AN ARAB-SYRIAN GENTLEMAN AND WARRIOR IN THE PERIOD OF THE CRUSADES Usamah was a warrior, a hunter, a gentleman and a poet who sojourned in the courts of the Fatimite caliph in Cairo, of Saladin in Damascus and of Zanki in al-Mawsil. His Memoirs, of which only one copy is preserved in the Escurial Spain, constitute an invaluable contribution to our knowledge of Arab-Syrian culture in itself and in its relation to Western thought and practice. Usamah gives us a first-hand description of some of the battles in which he took part in the defence of his castle, Shayzar, against the Fianks and native enemies. He then devotes a section to rare anecdotes, more delectable than which can be found nowhere in Arabic Literature. In their simplicity of narrative, dignity and wealth of contents and general human interest, these Memoirs stand unexcelled in the literature of the Crusades. They acquaint us with the Syrian methods of warfare, hawking and medication and usher us into the intimacies of Moslem court life as well as private home life. Price $4.50 Other works by the same author THE SYRIANS IN AMERICA $1.25 postpaid. ON SALE AT THE OFFICE OF THE SYRIAN WORLD I I i � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1929_09reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 04, Issue 01 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1929 September Description An account of the resource Volume 4 Issue 01 of The Syrian World published September 1929. The issue begins with a chronological report of editor Salloum Mokarzel's trip abroad. This travel journal details the journey to Syria. Following it is a riddle translated from Arabic by J.D. Carlyle titled "Fire." Ameen Rihani has an article next that discusses mandates in the Near East, specifically a review of the First Decade of European Supervision over Iraq, Syria, and Palestine. Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin continues the issue with a poem titled "Thwarted," which seems to discuss the loss of his beloved. Following it is a short story titled "Isaf" by Labeebee A. J. Hanna, based on an Arabic legend. Both Thomas Asa and Alice McGeorge have poems featured in the issue, followed by an account of the Palestine Riots by Salloum Mokarzel. The Palestine Riots were a major event concerning the dispute between Arabs and Jews over access to the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The issue concludes with excerpts from the Arab press and more on the political developments in Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1920s Ameen Rihani Iraq Jerusalem Labeebee A.J. Hanna New York Palestine Poetry-English Salim Alkazin Syria Thomas Asa https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/782d1bfa2a69f2bcc7dcf632bd52e5e3.pdf d9158c0c06efe6f169ccca978cf3ffab PDF Text Text VOL. Ill No. 12 •• .lift Ufi£ JUNE, 1929 THE SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE i EDUCATION AND CATASTROPHE DK. BAYABD DODGE RIHANI'S EXPERIENCES IN ARABIA AMEEN RIHANI THE GREATNESS OF JOHN HASBANI REV. W. A. MANSUR THE REWARD OF HONESTY DR. PHJLIP K. HITTI OTHER ARTICLES AND POEMS BY Rev. Dr. K. A. Bishara, Dr. George Knaysi, Labeebee A. J. Hanna, Thomas Asa, Josephine M. Crick mm ��THE SYRIAN WORLD SALLOUM A. MOKARZEE, Editor. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK, By subscription 55.00 a year. N. Y. Single copies 50c. Entered as second-class matter, June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. JUNE, 1929 VOL. Ill No. 12 CONTENTS PAGE Education and Catastrophe 3 Dr. Bayard Dodge RihanPs Experiences in Arabia 12 Ameen Rihani Will You Come Back? (Poem) .... 18 Labeebee A. J. Hanna The Greatness of John Hasbani (Short Story) 19 Rev. W. A. Mansur Wings (Poem) 27 Thomas Asa lu .r..,-_ -. _.., . . ,f „_.,_,. �CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE The Reward of Honesty 28 Dr. Philip K. Hitti The Green of Innisfail (Poem) 32 Josephine M. Crick The Biological Significance of Youth and Age 33 Dr. George Knaysi Music—East and West 35 Rev. Dr. K. A. Bishara Editorial Comment Changing Frequency of Issue of The Syrian World 37 The Federation 39 Spirit of the Syrian Press 40 Readers* Forum 43 About Syria and Syrians 45 News of Societies 55 THE SYRIAN WORLD WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED DURING JULY AND AUGUST (Read Statement On Page 37) Ett �THE SYRIAN WORLD JUNE, 1929 VOL. Ill No. 12 Education and Catastrophe By DR. BAYARD DODGE President American University of Beirut I The popular English writer, Mr. H. G. Wells, has written the phrase, "History — a race between education and catastrophe." If there was any place where education flourished in the ancient world, it was around the Roman forum. Philosophers gathered from all parts of the Empire to ennoble the capital with their learning. Ancient superstitions disappeared in the light of new wisdom, and crude ideas of religion changed to the lofty idealism of Epictetus and the Emperor, Morcus Aurelius. Science developed to make possible the construction of magnificent buildings. The forum became a wonder of the ancient world, because of the beauty and size of its temples, triumphal arches, and amphitheatres. From the marble palaces beside the forum, the Caesars sent forth their soldiers to conquer the world, by means of their science in constructing ships, engines of war, and weapons of defense. At the same time, their imperial engineers set out to build gigantic acqueducts, and a network of highways and post routes, which reached the North Sea and across the sands to the borders of Iraq and Arabia. ' Orators held the Roman mob spellbound in the courts of the forum. Drama flourished in the theatres; music and art were there, as well as poetry. The heart of the Roman Empire was adorned with a brilliancy of culture. Education transcended differences of race and sect. Egypt- �4. 4 THE SYRIAN WORLD ian devotees of Sarapis; Syrian worshippers of Adonis; Greeks fresh from the Hall of Mysteries at Eleusis, and eunuch priests of Cybele met with giant warriors of Gaul and ebony chiefs of Ethiopia in a common appreciation of that culture, which blossomed on the Seven Hills of Rome. From the marble porticoes of the forum, there radiated out a sparkling enlightenment, which shone in marked contrast to the dark ignorance of the Huns, Vandals and other tribes that harrassed the frontiers of the Empire. Today the glory of the forum is faded, the life of its courts has perished, the temples and palaces are ground to dust. Plundered are the treasures, overturned are the columns, and forgotten are all but a few of the men of learning. Ignorant hordes 'of illiterate barbarians broke the proud spirit of Rome and left her a ruin, bereft of power and learning. Education lost and the struggle was won by catastrophe. If we study the cause of Rome's fall, we discover an unexpected truth. It was not because of the strength of the barbarians on the frontiers that the Empire collapsed. As long as the Romans kept strong and brave, their legions were able to scorn the wild tribes that threatened them. Rome rotted from within, and that very culture and education, which seemed to be her glory, was really her nemesis. What was true of Rome was equally true of Baghdad. At one time mistress of half the world, pride of the caliphs, and centre of culture, she symbolized learning and enlightenment. Her scholars kept alive the best thought of the East and transmitted the lost learning of Greece to later generations. In an age of religious sterility, her Arab masters awakened faith in God. Because of education, Baghdad shone out as a beacon light in the East, whose brilliancy lit up Europe and helped to start the Renaissance. Yet amid this atmosphere of learning and culture, the people of Baghdad grew lazy and weak. Slaves robbed them of their heritage of true manhood and foreign servants did their thinking for them. Thus Baghdad too was ground to dust by ignorant Tartars from the bleak steppes of Asia, her education being overtaken by catastrophe. In order to understand why Rome and Baghdad fell, let us ask,—what are the effects of education? In the first place, peasants leave their farms to seek the at- �JUNE, 1929 5 tractions of the great cities. As formerly they passed from the gardens of the Orontes to the busy markets of Antioch, today they abandon their Lebanon terraces to flood the streets of Beirut. In the second place, enlightened people shrink from the sordidness of commerce and industry, to spend their money for social pleasure. Once a landlord might have farmed out his lands to slaves, so that he could mount his chariot and drive to the villas of Pompeii. Today a man will abandon his farm and business house, to spend his fortune on motors and new pleasures from abroad. In the third place, an educated man loses the rugged strength of farm life and becomes too weak of limb and too fond of luxury to be a soldier in time of war. If there is hard manual labor to perform, or fighting to be done, he hires ignorant mercenaries to do it for him. In the fourth place, humble faith in old traditions of religion is turned to materialism and unbelief. Formerly an Epicurus could deny the powrer of gods over nature and exalt pleasure as the end of life. 'Omar Khayyam could flaunt the faith of the 'Ulema in orthodox religion and sing the praises of women and wine in his enchanted rhapsodies. Thus today many a man is losing faith in the traditions of his fathers, before the inexorable advance of science. In the fifth place/simpie home life gives way to public meetings and amusements. In Rome, education drew men from their quiet homes to classic dramas, pageants of the arena, and political discussions in the market place. Today history repeats itself as so-called "enlightenment" empties the homes and fills the cinemas and places of recreation. In the sixth place, educated women demand freedom. The cultured daughter of some proper Roman matron would break away from her mother's housekeeping, to mingle naked with the elite of Roman society in the imperial bathing clubs of the Caesars. Today educated girls cast off their veils and mingle gaily in the enjoyment of European amusements. Lastly, as education gives freedom from ancient prejudices and social traditions, it inevitably brings moral laxity. The iron physique of ancient Rome was rotted by venereal disease, as simple virtue gave way to vice. Today the educated peoples of great western cities are too often scorning old notions of morality and creating new centers of shame, that outdo Babylon herself. �f-l THE SYRIAN WORLD Since the cannons of the great war ceased to roar, a new day has dawned for the Arabic speaking lands. No longer are they isolated and content to be cut off from the fruitage of science and invention of the West. They are anxious to partake of so-called "modern progress' and to gain prosperity as people of Europe and America have attained it. In this hour of rejuvenation the Eastern peoples have come to believe that education is a cure-all for weakness and a basis for progress. New systems of government certificates are being adopted. Many private and government schools are being built up in Palestine and Syria. New universities are forming at Cairo and Damascus. The Shah of Persia is sending over a hundred students to be educated in Europe and Iraq is developing an active system of state schools. On all sides you hear people saying that there will be prosperity and progress, if there can only be enough educated men to understand modern methods and to enjoy the advantages of science. Statesmen feel that differences of race and sect will disappear, as soon as education becomes common j that superstition and bigotry will fade away as soon as the people become enlightened. It is a popular belief held by cabinet ministers and peasants alike, that public wealth, national unity, and workable democracy depend upon education and that education is the one means of avoiding catastrophe. What a challenge this situation offers, both to teachers in schools and to educated people themselves! Is our education to be truly a blessing, or is it to sap our manhood, to rot our morality, and to create materialism, until modern civilization is wrecked, as were those of Baghdad and Rome? At this point it is important for us to appreciate three fundamental things about education: In the first place it is a weapon of tremendous power. "The pen is mightier than the sword." Ability to think deeply and to set down those thoughts for all to read wields an influence of great force. In these days when printing has given even the poor a chance to read, the masters of men are not the military rulers, but the men of education, who formulate public opinion by power of the pen. In the second place, education may be a force either for good or for evil. Like electricity, if it is controlled, it will give light, but if unharnessed as the lightning, it will strike to destruc- r ,,:> �JUNE, 1929 ' tion. The problem of our age is to use our culture and enlightenment to strengthen manhood, to purify morality, and to quicken progress, so that we can enjoy civilization to the utmost, free from danger of catastrophe. In the third place, we must realize that our modern civilization cannot exist without education. Today a taxi chauffeur must have a more practical knowledge of physics and machinery than did Archimedes and Galileo of old. When I was a child in New York City, a ditch for a water pipe used to be dug by newly arrived immigrants. When I visited New York last winter, I noticed that ditches were no longer being dug by ignorant men. Today a ditch is made by a great steam shovel, which accomplishes the labor of scores of uneducated immigrants. To manage the shovel a highly trained mechanic is necessary. In ancient days an ignorant brute could sit in a gallery, with lash in hand, and force his slaves to pull their oars and drive the ship ahead. At the present time it requires the graduate of an intricate engineering course to manipulate complicated engines, which propel the ship across the waves. If we examine the Temple of Baalbek, the Colosseum at Rome, or the great aqueducts of ancient times, we realize that in spite of their huge size these structures could have been built merely by master mechanics. To construct them required artistic designing, accurate measuring, and expert stone fitting. Higher mathematics, chemistry, and advanced physics were not needed. In our modern times, when a tunnel like the Simplon is built, it is necessary to drill through a mountain for twelve and a half miles, so as to reach a certain point without error of more than a few centimeters. Only engineers of unusual training can perform such a feat of measurement. When a great steel skyscraper or bridge is built, chemistry is needed to mix the metal; strains and stresses must be determined by intricate forms of mathematics; and physics is needed to make allowance for the expansion and contraction of steel, due to changes in temperature. The people of Tyre manufactured their famous purple dye by crushing shell fish. To make modern dyes demands a knowledge of chemistry such as only a few countries have developed. Once the village barber cared for teeth and old women prescribed their herbs to heal disease. Today a self-respecting dentist or physician must have a knowledge of science, such as Hippocrates and even Avicenna never possessed. If Napoleon could once �—— 8 THE SYRIAN WORLD more draw up his long lines of infantry and brilliant ranks of cavalry, how helpless they would be before clouds of mustard gas and volleys from giant tanks! Modern life has become so much more complicated than ancient civilization, that higher education is necessary, whether we wish to seek defense in war, or to enjoy the fruits of peace. Furthermore, ignorance was not a serious drawback, under the despotisms of ancient Persia and the Caesars of Rome. Slaves did the work; few dared to hold original thoughts; and initiative of action or sharing in civic responsibility was discouraged. Things depended upon the command of a despot or one of his underlings. Even at the time of the great caliphs, progress was due to the ability of a few military rulers, rather than to a general participation in the responsibilities of community life. In modern times it is not so. Rulers are elected and not born. Legislation depends upon the will of men and women who can read. Progress is based upon team work in community service. Democracy is a farce, unless the people are well educated. Thus, although education may have paved the way for moral breakdown and military weakness in times gone by, it is absolutely essential for a modern people. Military defense no longer rests upon physical strength, as much as upon chemistry and engineering. Industry, transportation, and democratic government depend altgoether upon education. Accordingly, there can be no thought of getting on without education. We must face the question squarely—as to how we can make education in our modern life a support for morality and progress, rather than an incentive to decay. True education should contain three main elements—technical training; culture broadening, and character building. If the young are taught how to do some one, useful thing in a thoroughly skillful way, it will give them a desire to work, rather than to be lazy. If education can so stimulate pride in technical efficiency that it will cast a stigma upon idleness and superficiality, it will do much to avoid degeneration. But technical skill alone, without breadth of culture, is apt to lead to narrowness and materialism. A doctor, for instance, who has great professional ability, but no other interests, may be a skillful physician, but he can never become a very influential citizen. He will have few points of contact with people who •„„ b t < 1 �JUNE, 1929 y are not also doctors and find it hard to mingle with persons who belong to races and social groups other than his own. Uncultured people find little in life to live for, except for mere money making by means of professional skill. They seldom attain to an international point of view. It is only as men and women read books of all kinds, travel about, and feel the refining touch of poetry, music and art, that they can learn to live for something more than money, and feel a sympathy for mankind as a whole. . . Yet breadth of sympathy and aesthetic emotion cannot alone save active, successful men and women from worldliness and its resulting decline. Only as civilization is fused with some deep moral purpose, will it escape catastrophe. Unless men are public spirited and feel social responsibility, they will degenerate. What is needed in education as the third and most important element is to provide an unselfish motive, so that a skilled and cultured man will net use his influence for personal gain, but rather for social good. As students are given skill and breadth of culture, they must be made to feel that their energies can contribute to something more than transitory, worldly gain, for they can cooperate with the divine power, that is working out a great purpose for the world. If education can lead to service of God and the public good, it will indeed bring our modern civilization to a rich fruitage and save us from the catastrophe that overtook civilizations of the The question arises, then, how are we to breathe into education some higher purpose, to bring forth moral vigor and love of service, as one breathes into a nay to bring forth tones sweet and clear? There is no mechanical or automatic means of accomplishing this task. If the divine power flooded mankind with spiritual refreshment every year, as the Nile floods her banks, we might be sure that generation after generation would yield a harvest of moral virtue, without effort on the part of men themselves. But it is not so. Moral vigor depends upon the active care of men, just as an ordinary garden cannot yield unless it is conscientiously watered and tended. In the days of the Rashedin and Beni 'Umayya, Wadi of el-Kura, for instance, provided rich crops, as landowners used the spoils of jihad to enrich their gardens and maintain series of wells. But when revolt and dis- �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD order set in, the wells were neglected, the gardens became covered with drifting sands and the Wadi lost its fertility. So it is with civilization. Neglect means decay. It is a solemn truth to ponder over, that only as men themselves train their children to value public welfare and virile morality, can they avoid degeneration and final catastrophe. It is not necessary for teachers to be versed in theological learning or to try to force their own peculiar ideas of doctrine upon their pupils. Education need not be prostituted to the propaganda of a sect. In fact, it is not always imperative that religion should be taught as such in a school curriculum. Sometimes children become hypocritical or even revolting, when they feel that their schooling is being used as a means of inducing them to subscribe to some particular sect or dogma. What is absolutely essential is that the teachers should so value spiritual things that by every act and word they spread the contagion of true religion among their students. How sad it is that although many states spend hundreds of thousands of pounds for roads, hospitals, and parks, they support their schools so meanly, that education is entrusted to incapable teachers, who are too often chosen because of political pull, rather than because of moral character. In the same way, many a parent devotes great care to business and social engagements, but leaves the children to be trained by ignorant servants. Only as the citizens of a country realize that the welfare of their state depends upon inspiring the young with lofty ideals, can the state escape decline. Such ideals cannot be imparted to the rising generation by empty phrases or lessons from books. They must be exemplified by contagious personalities, who actually live them. As the Arabic speaking peoples open up a new chapter of scientific advancement and contact with the West, it is timely that they should realize that true national strength does not rest alone upon technical efficiency or economic wealth, for even the empire of the Caesars fell to pieces, because of lack of moral strength. Great Britain is far more powerful than was the vaunted Empire of Rome. Even the Pharaohs and the Caliphs never dreamed of wealth, such as exists in America. Yet the AngloSaxon civilization is doomed to the fate which overtook Rome unless private morality and public service can be preserved by the untiring care of the people. What is true of Anglo-Saxon �JUNE, 1929 u culture is equally true of Arab civilization Our present age is an especially critical one. The Orient is being deluged with new thought from the West Boy and tils are revolting from the simple traditions of their parents 3S&2vsrM«££»s blatently exploited in every eastern ^> J^hfskv is in eve y hidden in the lands across the sea. English whisky is.in every snoD window the beauty of the English home stays behind in cottajof B Htain. French dances and theatres are also in eviH,nrf but the subtlety of French music and art cannot be appreoat d ^SndSnas thrill our Oriental youth with extrava gant passion and adventure, but they fail to portray that respect for labor which has made America prosperous. How Important it is that children of the Orient should not sell tSrirthright for the superficial things from the West, and That the shoulcflearn to appreciate those elements of civilization which have made the 20th century the great age that it is! Thus our modern generations must be tested just as truly as were the generations of the past. Education is indispensable a modern life is too complicated to exist without it. If the people oiZr day use their education to grow rich and in turn employ therWeaTth for the enjoyment of idle pleasure education will not prevent catastrophe, but on the contrary will invite degeneration. The challenge of modern life is to train our youth, that education will sustain a strong moral basis for continued progress and thus ward off calamity. It is a challenge that comes to each one of us as individuals, for it is only as. individual men and women live for ideals that are spiritual, that one generation can leave to another a heritage of enduring strength. ':. . �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD Rihani's Experiences in Arabia A LESSON IN ZOOLOGY AND HEALING By AMEEN RIHANI KING HUSSEIN believes firmly in the principle of reciprocity, whether in politics or in ethics; and he finds, as usual, in the Koran the strongest argument for his belief. It is ordained, for instance, that the Muslem should pray and fast and pay the zakci money; in return for which Allah promised him Al-Jannat (Paradise). This is reciprocity in duties and rights. Now, the English exacted a pledge from the Arabs to fight with the Allies during the World War, which pledge the Arabs made good. The English in return pledged themselves to help the Arabs to achieve unity and independence; but they were not, alas! faithful to their pledge. When His Majesty mentioned or thought of the English, he got the blues. He did not always succeed even in concealing his anger and indignation. But he had in those days a man from Hadhramout, who was his Minister of Finance, and whom he would call into his presence for amusement whenever the pall of the English was upon him. The Hadhromunt Minister was a man of weak nerves, very sensitive to strange voices and motions, and quick to react to the least adventure of insects and creeping things. In plain words, he was a coward, the first coward in the Hashemite Government. There was another, the poet; for His Majesty believes that every poet is a coward. But neither strange voices nor shadows, nor the bugaboos of politics affected King Husein in a manner unbecoming of man. He is strong of sinews, firm of heart. When the Turks were bombarding Mecca and the Kaaba, their shells fell on his palace, piercing the walls of his private majlis when he was therein. But he did not move or show the least sign of perturbation. As for the Turks, they were in his sight but like insects and creeping things, over which he shed his pity and with which at times he frightened people. He is, I learned, particularly fond of little animals and is familiar with their nature and habits. Moreover, they were in those days of especial benefit to him; for �JUNE, 1929 13 with the help of the Hadhramout Minister they dispersed all royal cares and killed the greater monster, which darkened his hall at the mention of the English. One of his black slaves came to me of an evening and said. Saiyedna desires thee—forthwith. I hastened to the palace, where I found, seated opposite his Majesty on the diwan, the British Consul. Evidently the Hadhramout Minister was_ not within reach of the black slaves. But am I, the thought was irresistible, to act in his stead, am I his understudy? No, King Husein could not be so ungracious to a guest. He started his conversation by giving me another surprise. He spoke of the weather! He, the Descendant of the Prophet, the Grand Sherif of Mecca, the King of Al-Hijaz, the Great Emancipator,—these and more titles graced the communications of the Foreign Office to His Majesty—he condescended to talk about the weather. The English have taught him the trick of talking about the weather! I do not think, however, that he has learned from them anything else, except it be a few syllables in the phraseology of diplomacy. But this phraseology can better be acquired in'Stamboul, and King Husein is a master of it, as we shall see. The weather was the general topic that day, however, for it rained the first time, I was told, in twelve years. It rained a drizzle in places for about fifteen minutes, and the joy was great. The King told us that along the sixty-mile front, between Jeddah and Mecca, there were spasmodic and local cloud-bursts— a feeble barrage, fired here and there by the East wind. After all, His Majesty's talk about the weather was not perfunctory. He held forth on the clouds, the winds, and the seasons in eloquent and lucid speech. Indeed, he is most charming when he is not on his favorite topic, the politics of Arabia and Great Britain. "Hast thou not witnessed, O brilliant one, the way of the clouds?—their idiosyncracy, their false promise of rain, their stinted bounty, and their generosity at times when it does more harm than good?" The British Government again, thought I. But he was quick to come down to what did not seem to have any symbolic significance—to the seasons of the year. There are, it seems, five seasons in Al-Hijaz. To the traveller, however, there is but one, which is neither summer nor winter nor autumn nor �14 T::E SYRIAN WORLD spring, but a colorless and not infrequently a most exasperating combination of all four. —"The Arabs of these climes, O worthy One, divide summer into two parts, the first, which is evil, the second, which is good. In the first, that is in May and June, the rain is a calamity because it brings out of the earth a certain worm which devours the grass. Finished, no pasture." His Majesty stroked one hand against the other and continued. "But the latter summer rain there in truth is the white hand of Allah. The winds are our enemy, in all seasons for they drive away from AlHijaz the blessings of the rain-clouds. But the mountains south of Mecca hold them back at times, and At-Taief, the garden of Al-Hijaz, catches the blessings of heaven ... of the nature of our soil, as of our people, is contentment. Our soil requires but a little rain, and the fields are verdant with thankfulness." He then asked me, of a sudden changing the subject, if I had ever seen the dhab. The dhab is an animal we meet with everywhere—in Arabic books; in poetry, in prose, in history, sacred and profane. I have always wondered what it is like, for I have never come upon a description of it; Arab writers thinking, I suppose, that he who knows Arabic must know the dhab. My ignorance, however, was doublefold, so too my humiliation, because I did not know its name in English. But the royal and benign gentleman, who will give us a lesson in zoology, will not only tell us what the dhab is, but actual]v, billah! he will show us the animal. The poet, the second Minister of Fear, was present; and when His Majesty clapped for one of the slaves, he seemed as if he would jump out of the window.—"The dhab, the dhab is coming." The King did not say whether it was a year old or a hundred, whether it was the size of a rat or as big as a crocodile. But the black slave soon dispelled my fear; for he came in holding something in his hand. "Bring it here!" said His Majesty, and the slave placed it on the diwan between him and myself. The British Consul was on tiptoe with excitement. He even rose from his chair, forgetting all formality, and came nearer to see the animal. "This is a chameleon," he said, and I translated chameleon to the King.—"No, no," said His Majesty, "the chameleon's back is round, the back of the dhabt see you, is flat. The cha- �JUNE, 1929 IS meleon's tail is soft like his body, but the tail of this one—give me, O worthy one, thy hand." I do not think His Majesty's intentions were honorable; for he took the Consul's hand and pressed it against the rough spinous portion of the animal. The Englishman felt the sting and showed it in his face. His Majesty laughed. I too now know how rough and sharp are the thorne in its tail} and I know, thanks to King Husein, something of its nature. But I still ask what is the dhab? Is it a lizard? Is it a species of crocodile, or is it a chameleon gone wrong? I still am in a confounding smatter,—and I'd like to know what in the language of Shakespeare and Shelly is the dhab. But my royal Professor from Mecca has something: more to say about it. —"This is a small dhab, O thou esteemed Consul. I have seen others that long," opening his arms, "which might be called the dhab of politics. Its tail is half the size of its body, and it is very knotty. The Arabic proverb, Knottier than the tail of the dhab, is true; and this tail is his sword; with a few blows he kills his opponent. But this is a small dhab—there is neither good nor evil in him." The slave at the door announced the Hadhramout Minister. The King quickly hid the animal under his jubbah, saying, "Yes, yes, there is some good in him." His Excellency the Minister of Finance entered and took his usual seat, three or four spaces down. The King motioned to a place near him, and turned towards me with a furtive smile. The second Minister c>f Fear, the poet, knowing what was coming, moved toward the door; for no sooner the Hadhramout Minister took his seat than the hand of His Majesty, with the dhab in it, stealthily, quietly placed the animal in his lap. The poor man uttered a cry, "O my Master O my Lord!" screaming like a frightened child; and he jumped from the diwan shaking his jubbah, and towards the door running against the black slaves there on guard. His Majesty laughed—we all laughed merrily, like children. Even the poet who was still seated with his arms folded across his breast, as usual, and who had been attempting all along to repress a smile and control withal a fear, surrendered at last to the general mirth, giggling like a school girl. But His Maiestv, becoming serious again, turned to him and half-mockingly said: "Thou hast no right to laugh—no, no:—no right hast thou �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD until thou art willing to ride a horse or go up in an aeroplane." The poet-Minister feared the two as much as his contemporary from Hadhramout feared the dhab. When we left the King's majlis that evening the Consul said to me: "It is the most interesting hour I have yet spent with His Majesty. He is, outside of politics, a brilliant conversationalist, and a gracious host." The which from a consul, though not devoid of truth, was, I thought unfair. Do not all people in politics speak at times only with the purpose of concealing their minds? But I learned afterwards what the British Consul and Agent in Jeddah had to suffer in unravelling the skeins and solving the riddles of the Hashemite Secretariate's communications, which were often written by the King himself. I too realized during my stay of a month in Jeddah how capable was His Majesty in knotting his ideas, and how wonderfully proficient in ambiguity and evasion. He would make the circuit around a certain point, as if it were the Kaaba, seven times without touching it; coming alarmingly near it; and then quickly receding from it; but his hearer, in an attempt to follow, becomes giddy from the circumambulation; knocks his head against a wall or against a door in the temple of mystery; and, turning around to see where he is, finds himslef, alas! very far away from Majesty and completely mortified, not knowing what to say. Nor is there a better refuge in silence. Should he say: I understand, O my Lord, he will set himself down as one of his official sycophants; and should he keep silent, his silence might be misconstrued. Therefore, to escape both difficulties, he nods, and nods, awaiting patiently the end. I have often been attracted by a beautiful gesture of His Majesty's to the mysterious something in his hand and expression; aye, I have been like one enchanted by the magnetic flow from his fingers and his eyes. For what is diplomacy, and what is truth, and what is wisdom as compared with the magic of one who makes you oblivious of the theatricalities of men and the pyrotechnics of nations? Indeed, my Lord of Hashemite eminence and diplomatic nodosities hath pauses in his speech, which humiliate all elormenee; and gestures which can solve even the riddles of the ancient priests; and glances which enthrall his hearer's mind and heart. He holds out the palm of his right hand or both in em phasis, when he feels that he has proven his point; he folds �JUNE, 1929 17 his arms when he pauses for a reply; he rearranges his ighal or his turban when he thinks you are dubious or losing interest; he changes his position on the diwan when he starts, as it were, a new paragraph; and he lays his hands on his knees tilting the head, when he makes an argument irrefutable. Follows, a smile, and silence. What matters, therefore, his meaning and purpose, when he himself is there before you, a personification of majesty and magic? At times, when he changed his seating position, I would avail myself of the ooportunity to ask a question that has no connection with the subject, stating, in apology for my indecorum, <"hat I was a traveller seeking knowledge.—"Indeed, O thou learned one, there is still left of Qoraish (the tribe of the Prophet Mohammad) about five thousand. They are of three sections of the tribe, one section of which lives near At-Taief; and there is still between them and the descendants of the Prophet much sympathy and good feeling. ... As for Benu Sa'd, those whose ancestors nursed the Prophet, their dirah is also near At-Taief, and there is a family among them and of them who have a wonderful knowledge of surgery and medicine. Thev inherit it one from the other. . . . Do vou know, ayuha'n-napb (O thou brilliant one, that fever can be cured by cauterization? Ben Sa'd the surgeons thus cure it." His Majesty held out the proof of it in himself. He had the fever once and he was cauterized. He showed me the marks of the two actual cauteries, one in his right arm, the other in his left leg. "The secret is in choosing the place for the burn, and that reouires a good knowledge of anatomv. The surgeons of Benu Sa'd do not leave the cautery open for a discharge of matter, as others do. They seal it (help it to heal) with a little salt— I say, a little salt, which they strew upon it." Having then observed a twitch, indicating pain, in my arm, the King inquired about it and continued: "Allah mav cure thee, O dear one, through the medium of a surgeon of Benu Sa'd." A dav after, of a certainty, the surgeon arrived from Mecca. He had come bv order of His Maiesty to treat my neuritis. He did not examine me professionally,. Allah be praised! bat he asked me three questions only, and then said: "Cauterization will not benefit thee. Hast thou some butter, mix it with a little mashed garlic, and rub thrice a day. Thus wilt thou be cured �a 18 THE SYRIAN WORLD by the help of Allah, and thou wilt remember me with kindness." Saying which, he salaamed and walked out. In sooth I do remember thee, O Brother Arab, O thou camel-herd and royal surgeon, O thou prince of all the doctors I have met! And I shall ever remember that simplicity of thy manner, and that brilliance in thine eye, and that grandeur in thy voice and gesture. I shall remember too that thou didst not prescribe for me thy special treatment as do the specialists in civilized lands. But thou hast coupled Allah with thy remedy and thus art thou an honest leech and a true sage. I shall always remember thee, O thou royal surgeon and camel-herd, because in the remembrance of thee I forgot my pain. And this, by the life of Allah and thine, is the best cure, the balm that truly heals. Will You Come Back ! By LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA Will the summer bring you back— Bring you back again? Must I only dream of the past— And dream but in vain? The old house is all in ruins— Is all in ruins now. Gone is the porch and the parlor— (Gone the fevered brow). There we sat each afternoon, Just before darkness fell. There we trembled at every step That broke our magic spell. I can still see the wistaria, I smell its odor sweet, The blackberries in profusion, Whose brambles tore our feet. I hear you whisper still: You hardly dared to talk— Hand in hand—with flowers and berriesBack in the garden walk. �19 JUNE, 1929 The Greatness of John Hasbani (A Short Story) By REV. W. A. MANSUR "One of the greatest Syrians of modern times is John Hasbani," said I to my friend as we were evaluating the great men of our race. "That is saying a great deal," he replied. He mentioned many famous Syrians: patriots, preachers, merchants, editors, poets, doctors, writers, lawyers, travelers, educators and others, but among them was not Hasbani's name. "I will support my statement," I volunteered, "if you allow me to relate the story of Hasbani's struggles, achievements and influence." "Glad to hear about him," said he. Briefly this is the story. The Family Tradition. The American Hasbanis came from a healthy, intelligent, industrious and liberty-loving family. Tradition says the Hasbanis withstood fire, sword and lash in the days of autocracy. The father received his education at an American Mission school. The mother, daughter of prominence, attended another American Mission school, married one she "respected, was educated, and had a future." The wanderlust of Phoenician ancestors was in them. In America they proved to be loyal citizens, hard workers, and ample providers for their growing family. The Hasbani children received their education at a public school. They grew up knowing little of their native land, its customs, language, and history. When America entered the World War, Syrian-Americans supported her giant crusade for democracy. Syrian youth, not waiting to be drafted, enlisted in army or navy. Because they received their intellectual equipment in America's public schools, their outlook was wholly American. On hearing America's martial airs; on seeing American soldiers on parade; and in feeling �"TriL 20 THE SYRIAN WORLD within their hearts the stir for liberty, they rallied to support their beloved land. "America has been a mother to us," father Hasbani often said; "we have enjoyed her freedom, her protection, and her opportunities. We show our gratitude to our American homeland by being loyal Americans." The Innocent Abroad. Our interest centers about the post-war period with its political campaigns, economic deflation, and race struggle. It was during the American race agitation that young John Hasbani began to come to himself, his Syrian self. He heard and read much about the "scum of Europe," "aliens," "Asiatics," "foreigners" and "inferior races." It was claimed that inferior races were hindering America's progress. This led to hurried Americanization, inquisitorial patriotism, and race prejudice. Young Hasbani, like all Syrian-American youth, was busy being a good American, getting an education, choosing a vocation, and thinking of a home. Although he knew, read and heard _ about the fierce race struggle, he felt it did not apply to loyal Americans such as he. But this conviction was not to remain so very long. The Great Disillusionment. Disillusionment came during his senior year at the University. He had been taught that all Americans have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that all men are created free and equal; that character is the measure of the man. The climax of the disillusionment came when the University was highly agitated over the race question. This is how it came about. On the way to the sociology class, Hasbani was about to pass a group of classmates. "There comes Hasbani now!" exclaimed Dick Wilson. "Hello, Dick! what's the argument about " inquired John. "We are discussing Americanism and the race question," said Jim Oneill. "Are you a foreigner, or were you born in the United States?" asked Howard Jones. "I am a loyal American," answered John as he tried to evade the purpose of the inquiry." Where a man was born has nothing to do with true Americanism." �JUNE, 1929 21 "Tell us where you were born," demanded Henry Lewis. "I was born in Syria," John challenged. "I want you fellows to remember that Americanism has nothing to do with one's birthplace." "Syria!" exclaimed Fred Maxwell. "Where's that country located?" "It's the Bible country about which you study in Sunday school, on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean sea," said John. "Mediterranean Sea! Why are you a Mediterranean?" shot Howard Clay. "I am a Syrian by birth, and an American by choice. Don't you know Syria, the Bible country?" John asked. Dick, Jim, Howard, Henry, Fred and others who had gathered gave each other an understanding look. "Well, Hasbani," said Henry Lewis, "we were talking about those inferior races about the Mediterranean Sea. We didn't know you were a Mediterranean." Just then Dick jostled Henry to let Mary Khouri, a Syrian classmate, pass by. This afforded opportunity to disband for classes. The Divine Inspiration. "What difference does A make where a man was born so long as he is a loyal American," John kept asking himself as he reflected upon the remarks of his classmate; "these inferior races about the Mediterranean Sea," and "we didn't know you were a Mediterranean." There was evident a changed attitude toward him. Like all Syrian-American youth, he knew America's historical background, the rise of the American nation ,and America's political philosophy; but he did not know his Syrain race history, race talents, and race achievements. He knew of no expression of Syrian race solidarity, no Federation of Syrian societies, and no- Syrian leaders to whom he could point with pride. As a Syrian, John Hasbani felt himself to be an orphan among the races in America. His mental agony increased from day to day at the hands of his classmates. It was Mary Khouri who gave him the much needed sympathy. "John," said Mary, "what do you know about Syrian history?" "That's what I've been trying to find out," laughed John. "Why do you want to know about Syrian history:" "Lucille Jackson asked about what country I came from," said Mary. "I told her from Syria. She asked about where �I _- .:_ 22 THE SYRIAN WORLD Syria was and I said it was on the eastern shore of the Mediter ranean Sea. Since then she avoids me, and so do other classmates. Since there must be something awful about being from Syria, I thought of inquiring into Syrian history." John could contain himself no longer. He recited his experience with his classmates. The similarity of their experiences brought mutual understanidng and sympathy. "But, John," exclaimed Mary, "a country that produced Jesus, Moses and influenced Mohammed must have a great history." "Mary, you give me an inspiration," said John. "Let us make some research together into the origin, history, and achievement of the Syrian race." "I agree," said Mary; "the University library will be great help." The New Light. It was in June when John and Mary began to see each other in a new light. Never did Mary appear so charming. Never did John look so manly. Something was being born in their hearts. Mary inherited from her father the endurance of the Orthodox, from her mother the courage of the Maronites. The Khouris stood for their rights, fought for their liberties, and upheld the honor of their race. Mary, an only daughter among five sons, was the pride of the Khouri household. During their research they seemed to hear the voice of God saying, "Let there be light," and they received light. They found the greatness of the Syrian race. They realized a changed attitude in their minds. And a deeper admiration was growing for each other. Occasionally they would digress to discuss current topics. "Jazz" did not charm them. "Companionate marriage" they scorned. "The strictness of Syrian parents," they commended. "Race prejudice" was repulsive to their finer feelings. In their hearts they felt something nobler, bigger, and of superior worth to race, color, creed and birthplace. They decided and planned to bring the discussion of the race question out into the open in the University. It was a sunny day toward the end of the school year that John and Mary were walking together to the sociology class. �JUNE, 1929 '4 23 "I hope," said Mary, "that we can bring the discussion about so we can work our plan." "The chapter on The Immigration Problem fits well with our plan," said John. "Strange, I, too, thought the chapter appropriate," agreed Mary. "Something tells me that today is the day. I am anxious about the outcome." "Why the anxiety?" John asked. "I am a representative woman of the Syrian race," explained Mary. "I represent the childhood, manhood and womanhood of the Syrian race. The honor, rights and happiness of future generations of the Syrian race are at stake. John, you and I must stand up " "I will stand up for our Syrian race," he answered. "I will stand up_ for the future of our race," she added. "Let us stand together," he asked. "I am glad to stand by you," she answered. "Why the gladness?" he inquired. "It's a secret," she said, her face blushing; "I will tell you later." Facing the Issue. Professor Charles Case was a scholar, honest to the facts of history, and well informed in education, philosophy, and science. He was of American Revolutionary stock. He refused to be swayed by popular prejudice, accept the unproven theories of science, and be domineered by flag waving patriots. "We continue," he said in opening, the class period, "the study of The Immigration Problem. Fred Lawrence, What consequences are there of immigration on the social evolution of America?" Lawrence. "The process of migration has been a socializing factor; it brought intermingling of races, mixture of cultures, and awakening of the races to a consciousness of their kind." Prof. Case: "George Hess, what is the effect of the races upon American nationalism?" Hess: "It is generally held by students of social history that migration exercises a selective factor in favor of the stronger, more energetic, more restless types of people." Impulsive Henry Lewis secures permission to speak. "While what has been said is true of the Old immigration," he said ner- �«--—. 24 THE SYRIAN WORLD vously, "it is not true of the New immigration. I refer to the races bordering the Mediterranean Sea." Prof Case: "Explain your position." Lewis: "The races comprising the New immigration are inferior to the races included in the Old immigration. The Mediterranean and Slavic races, biologically, belong to the sub-races of the white race. They have not shown capacity for self government. By habits of centuries they are enslaved in their mentality. Cultunfjly, they are illiterate, ignorant, and superstitious. Socially, they are clannish, tend to form colonies, and propagate their customs, ideas and language. I am convinced of their inherent inferiority, their detrimental influence, and the necessity of prohibiting their further entrance into the United States." Hasbani felt a quickening, a call, and a decisoin to meet the issue. Prof. Case: "Lewis, you made an able presentation of your side. If we had a statement of the other side, we could pass intelligent judgment. Yes, Hasbani " Hasbani: "I am an immigrant of the New immigration. May I present the other side?" Prof. Case: "To be fair you may proceed." Hasbani: "I wish to maintain, with the help of my notes, that the coming of the Syrian race to America is a worthy addition to America's national life. I hold a Christian philosophy of the race question in relation to America. No man chose his color, creed or birthplace at birth. Such may be due to parental choice, they are never due to personal choice. They may be due to accident of birth in a given time, place or circumstance, they are never due to individual choice, thought or plan. They are due to divine will, but never to human prerogative. A man is either ignorant or a fool to pride himself in that which he is by birth, and in which he had no thought, no choice and no will. It is what a man is by choice, growth and achievement that counts, and not that which he is by accident of birth. "I believe there is no respect of persons, color, creed, race or place, with God. I believe in the Fatherhood of God, the infinite worth of man, and the brotherhood of mankind." "My philosophy is working out successfully in America. Biologically there is no basis in fact for any claim to race superiority. Socially, the races of the Old and New immigration are living happily together. Peace, prosperity and happiness are in- �JUNE, 1929 25 creasing daily. The last presidential election proves conclusively the Americanism of the New immigration in self government and free institutions. Culturally, you must judge a people by not whence they came, but to where they are going. Among those who signed Magna Charta were illiterate men who signed their names with a cross mark. Remember that the American language is spoken, written and read by over 120,000,000 people. They have the same language, ideals and flag. Remember the children love, know and defend only America. "I will now uphold the honor of my race, the Syrian race, by giving three arguments. First, the Syrian race stock is of the highest character. It is a branch of the white race. Scientific scholarship says there are no pure races. All races, due to repeated migrations, are highly mixed races. Several strains make up the Syrian race, chief of which are the Phoenician, Aramean, Greek, Arab and European Crusaders. Syria, situated between Asia, Europe and Africa, became a land-bridge, often making it a battlefield, market place, and highway for trade, culture and migration. The Syrian race survived the vicissitudes of centuries j resurging armies, changing civilizations and repeated migrations. "Second, the Syrian r*ce has ontributed some of the greatest things to human progress. Our ancestors the Phoenicians improved the alphabet, created sea ship-building, sea commerce, and emigrated for trade. Our forefathers propagated the highest thoughts of man in religion, morals and society. They organized schools of religion, philosophy, law, science and education. Among the foremost of earth are Syrian Roman Emperors, Popes, philosophers, lawyers, poets, scientists, soldiers, prophets and preachers. From Syria, as a pivot, learning spread to Africa, Europe and America. "Third, we Syrian-Americans are loyal Americans j we uphold the Constitution, we reverence the flag, and we are ready for the nation's defense. Our World War record is unexcelled for patriotism. We are, perhaps, the most law-abiding, Godfearing, and liberty-loving citizens. We may not be Americans by birth, we are Americans through appreciation, choice and sacrifice. We are a worthy addition to America because of our intelligence, industry, loyalty and achievements. "Therefore, I claim for the Syrian race an equal place among the races which make the Amercian nation." When Hasbani took his seat, Prof. Case led his class by vig- �26 THh SYRIAN WORLD orously applauding the statement of the courageous youth. Lawrence: "Hasbani's remarks make me feel I am ignorant of the true character of other races." Jones: "Hasbani's presentation is a revelation to me." Lewis: "I feel I have been swayed by prejudice. It seems that the races are endowed with different talents. The weaving of various race contributions would make for greater America. I recall my previous remarks." Prof. Case: "Fairness and open-mindedness are American virtues. You have been practicing them today. The day has come for Americans of various races to respect each other on the basis of Americanism, humanity and character. Through you I see a new America." After class, Mary Khouri and Henry Lewis were the first to greet John. Prof. Case and classmates gathered about him to express their approval of his Americanism. Hasbani became the talk of the University. The Bugle, the University newspaper, lavished its praises upon Hasbani. The metropolitan city newspaper broadcasts Hasbnai's Americanism to the nation. The happiest person on the University campus was Mary Khouri. The Secrets of Happiness. "Mary," whispered John one evening, "what about the secret?" Eyeing him lovingly, "Are you anxious to know it?" she teased. "Certainly. Eventually—why not now?" he pleaded. "You have been patient. I said if we succeed in upholding the honor of our race, I will say the beautiful word," Mary answered smiling. John approached her. "Say the beautiful word now," he coaxed. "I—I—would,—that is—if father and mother—" Mary spoke softly. John laughed the happiest laugh of his life. He knew he won Mary's heart. "You are right. We are Syrian-Americans. Syrian fathers and mothers ought to have a part in saying the beautiful word." A deep respect had grown between John and Mary. They were healthy. John was prospering in business. Mary learned the art of homemaking. They attended church. John became a ^ IMPPfeM ,-,-- -,:. I �. 27 JUNE, 1929 leader in his community. Common sense, friendliness and adaptability were their common virtues. Not longer after the wedding of John and Mary was announced. * * * "John Hasbani is a symbol of the enlightened Syrian soul," said I to my friend. "Hasbani defended the Syrian race, upheld the honor of the Syrian home, and vindicated the right of the Syrian race to an equal place among the races. He is one of the greatest modern Syrians because in his life we have the personification of Syrian race virtues; realization of Syrian race inheritance; and prophecy of Syrian race progress. My story is a parable of the rising tide of Syrian race greatment." "Reverend, your philosophy of the rising tide of Syrian race greatness wins my heart," exclaimed my friend. "Do I understand that Hasbani's enlightenment, prospertiy and influence symbolize the awakening, progress, and leadership of the modern Syrian race?" "You understand me perfectly," said I. "I heartily agree that Hasbani is one of the greatest Syrians of modern times. Hasbani is truly an ideal representative of the modern Syrian race." Wings By THOMAS ASA Oh! were the clouds my own exalted wings,— No idle thought has made me utter this, Without erotic dreams of undreamed bliss, But for the nonce to shake the sordid things, To quench the thirst at those Pierian springs; No earthly stream, but where its waters kiss The virgin banks, where God had left amiss The touch that ceaseless march of time soon brings. Where the stress of years has left no broken hours, With the dawning morn no thought to meet desires, And where the vault of heaven shows no hidden way; While the inner soul emerges with full powers, And its seeking heart, without consuming fires, Wrought with the Hand, and never knows decay. �THE SYRIAN WORLD 28 The Reward of Honesty And Other Anecdotes Related in the Book of Usama "An Arab Syrian Gentleman and Warrior of the Crusades" By DR. PHILIP K. i HITTI The following story was related to me on unimpeachable authority: In the course of my pilgrimage as I was making the tour of the Ka'ba I found, all unexpectedly, a pearl necklace, which I tied to the end of my pilgrim's robe. An hour later, I heard a man seeking its recovery by making inquiries in the sanctuary (haram) and offering twenty dinars to him who would restore it. I asked him for a sign proving that the lost article was his, and he gave it to me. So I delivered the necklace to him. Receiving it, he said to me, "Accompany me to my house so that I may pay thee the reward I had promised." To this I replied, "I have no use for that reward, nor have I given the necklace back to thee for the sake of the prize. For, thanks to Allah, I live in great bounty." He asked, "Thou hast not then returned it except for the sake of Allah (mighty and majestic is he!)?" "Yes," I replied. "Let us, therefore, turn our faces," said he, "towards the Ka'ba and thou shouldst say 'Amen!' to my prayer." Accordingly, we turned our faces towards the Ka'ba and he prayed, "O Lord, forgive him (and me) our sins and grant me means to repay him." Then he bade me farewell and departed. It happened later that I undertook a journey from Mecca to the land of Egypt and took a boat to al-Maghrib (Mauretania). Our boat fell into the hands of the Byzantines and I,among others was taken captive. My lot fell to one of the priests, in whose service I remained until the hour of his death approached, upon which he willed that I be set free. Consequently I left the land of the Byzantines and made my way into a certain region of al-Maghrib, where I was employed as a clerk in a baker's shop. Among the baker's customers was one of the great landowners of the town. At the beginning of the new month, a servant of the landowner came to the baker and said, "My master calls thee to make the account with him." 1 �JUNE, 1929 : I ' 29 The baker asked me to accompany him, and we went together to the landowner, who settled the account according to his bills. Impressed by my knowledge of arithmetic and my beautiful handwriting, he demanded me from the baker. The landowner changed my clothes and intrusted to me the collection of the levies from his estate, he being the proprietor of a vast piece of land. In the meantime, he vacated for me a special apartment on one side of his mansion. After the lapse of a short period of time, he said to me, "Abu-Bakr, what thinkest thou of marriage?" I replied, "My master, I cannot stand the expense of my own living; how can I stand the expense of a wife?" He said, "I shall provide in thy behalf the dowry, the dwelling place, the clothing and everything else that thou needest." I said, "Thy order is done." Then he said, "My boy, here is a wife that has a great number of defects," and he did not leave a possible physical defect from her head to her foot which he did not enumerate, while I replied, "I am satisfied." In fact, I felt satisfied internally as I claimed I was externally. Then he continued, "That wife is my daughter." He called a group of people and the contract was closed. A few days later he said to me, "Prepare thyself to enter thy home." He ordered for me superb clothes, and I entered into a house luxuriously furnished and equipped with the best outfit. I was placed on a high seat and the bride was brought covered with a colored woolen mantle. I immediately arose to meet her and, pulling aside the cover, found a coutenance prettier than which I never saw in the world. I fled out of the house. The old man met me and asked me about the reason for my flight, to which I replied, "This wife is not the one thou hast described to me as having the defects which thou hast enumerated." Hearing this, he smiled and said, "Yes, my boy, she is thy wife, and I have no other child but her. But I described her the way I did to thee so that thou mayest not be disappointed on seeing her." And the proper ceremony of unveiling the bride was conducted in my presence. The second morning, as I was admiring the jewels and precious gems she wore, I saw, among other things on her, the necklace which I once found in Mecca. I was amazed at that and was absorbed in the thought of it. As I was leaving the bedroom my father-in-law called me and asked me about my condition, repeating the verse, "Legitimate enjoyment has mutilated the nose �30 THE SYRIAN WORLD of jealousy." (Meaning, I can now ask you without arousing jealousy, as she has become your legitimate wife). I thanked him for what he had done for me and then felt possessed with the thought of the necklace and how it got to him. Noticing that, he asked me, "What art thou thinking of?" I replied, "Of such and such a necklace. For in such and such a year I made a pilgrimage and found itself in the sanctuary, or found some other necklace very similar to it." The man exclaimed, "Art thou the man who returned my lost necklace:" "Yes," said I, "I am he." He said, "Rejoice at the good news, for Allah has forgiven me and thee, for I, at that moment, prayed Allah (worthy of admiration is he!) to forgive me and thee our sins and to grant me means to repay thee. And here now I have delivered into thy hands my possessions and my child. And I have no doubt that my end is near at hand. He later drew his will in my favor, and after a short period, he died—may Allah's mercy rest upon his soul! A funny race between two aged women. I found myself in Tabarayyah at the time the Franks were celebrating one of their feasts. The cavaliers went out to exercise with lances. With them went two decrepit, aged women whom they stationed at one end of the race course. At the other end of the field they left a pig which they had scalded and left on a rock. They then made the two aged women run a race while each one of them was accompanied by a detachment of horsemen urging her on. At every step they took, the women would fall down and rite again, while the spectators would laugh. Finally one of them got ahead of the other and won the pig for a prize. Their judicial trials. A duel. I attended one day a duel in Nablus between two Franks. The reason for this was that certain Moslem thieves took by surprise one of the villages of Nablus. One of the peasants of that village was charged with having acted as guide for the thieves when they fell upon the village. So he fled away. The king sent and arrested his children. The peasant thereupon came back to the king and said, "Let justice be done in my case. I challenge to a duel the man who claimed that I guided the thieves to the village." The king then said to the tenant who held the village in fief, "Bring forth someone to fight the duel with him." The tenant went to his village, where a blacksmith lived, took hold of �JUNE, 1929 31 him and ordered him to fight the duel. The tenant became thus sure of the safety of his own peasants, none of whom would be killed and his estate ruined. I«saw this blacksmith. He was a physically strong young man, but his heart failed him. He would walk a few steps and then sit down and ask for a drink. The one who had made the challenge was an old man, but he was strong in spirit and he would rub the nail of his thumb against that of the forefinger in defiance, as if he was not worrying over the duel. Then came the viscount, the seignior of the town, and gave each one of the two contestants a cudgel and a shield and arranged the people in a circle around them. The two met. The old man would press the blacksmith backward until he would get him as far as the circle, then he would come back to the middle of the arena. They went on exchanging blows until they looked like pillars smeared with blood. The contest was prolonged and the viscount began to urge them to hurry, saying, "Hurry on." The fact that the smith was given to the use of the hammer proved now of great advantage to him. The old man was worn out and the smith gave him a blow which made him fall. His cudgel fell under his back. The smith knelt down over him and tried to stick his fingers into the eyes of his adversary, but could not do it because of the great quantity of blood flowing out. Then he rose up and hit his head with the cudgel until he killed him. They then fastened a rope around the neck of the dead person, dragged him away and hanged him. The lord who brought the smith now came, gave the smith his own mantle, made him mount the horse behind him and rode off with him. This case illustrates the kind of jurisprudence and legal decisions the Franks have — may Allah's curse be upon them! Ordeal by water. I once went in the company of al-Amir Mu'in-al-Din to Jerusalem. We stopped at Nablus. There a blind man, a Moslem, who was still young and was well dressed, presented himself before al-Amir carrying fruits for him and asked permission to be admitted into his service in Damascus. The amir consented. I inquired about this man and was informed that his mother had been married to a Frank whom she had killed. Her son used to practice ruses against the Frankish pilgrims and co-operate �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD with his mother in assassinating them. They finally brought charges against him and tried his case according to the Frankish way of procedure. They installed a huge cask and filled it with water. Across it they set a board of wood. They then bound the arms of the man charged with the act, tied a rope around his shoulders and dropped him into the cask, their idea being that in case he was innocent, he would sink in the water and they would then lift him up with the rope so that he might not die in the water; and in case he was guilty, he would not sink in the water. This man did his best to sink when they dropped him into the water, but he could not do it. So he had to submit to their sentence against him — may Allah's curse be upon them! They pierced his eyeballs with red-hot awls. The Green of binisfail By Josefhine M. Crick The cooling-green of willows as they wave above the stream, The tender green of poplar leaves that hold a starry gleam— The green of fragrant apple trees, fruit laden, bending low— The green of growing meadows with the sinking sun aglow. The green of mist-clad mountains 5 when the sun lifts up the veil, Is the green that I remember, the green of Innisfail. The green of rain washed pine trees with the light just glinting through, The green of young grass shining in the early morning dew. The green of great rocks rising where the moss, sea-splashed climbs high 5 The green of mist clad mountains, when the sun lifts up the veil, Is the green that I remember, the green of Innisfail. �JUNE, 1929 33 The Biological! Significance of Youth and Age By unit of living matter is the cell, that is, as far as we now certainly know, any living system is made up of one or more units or cells which, when destroyed or injured beyond a certain degree, life is destroyed. The smallest known living systems consist of one cell only, which carries on all the complex functions of nutrition, reproduction, etc. In some unicellular organisms the cell may be very complex. Higher plants and animals, such as the human body, are made up of billions of cells presenting great variety of form and associated into tissues. In these cases each cell and tissue is dependent on other cells and tissues to carrv on its function. We commonly say that, on account of long specialization, due to association, these cells have lost the power of living: independent^. Aside from its extreme organization and the intimate interrelation of its parts, the human body is, in a biologic"1 sense, a mere agglomeration of cells, subject to the same laws and presenting similar problems to a colony or a culture of bacterial cells. The similarity is very striking. Suppose now that we take an actively growing bacterial cell and that we put it in a suitable environment, for instance, in a solution containing all of the necessary nutriments. The cell soon increases in size and multiplies rapidly, and the daughter cells grow and multiply until a large number of cells has been formed from the single cell we put in. The majority of these cells presents characteristic form, size, structure and physiological behavior that we recognize as being the form, size, structure and behavior of vouth. This rapid rate of nutrition and multiplication cnnnot, however, go on indefinitely, for soon the culture becomes crowded and a shortage of food may take place. At the same time, the products of life processes accumulate and begin to produce a harmful influence. The rate of multiplication falls, rtierefore, is the cells consume the reserve food material, ? *><* their shape, size, structure and physiological behavior change corTHE 1 DR. GEORGE KNAYSI �54 THE SYRIAN WORLD respondingly into the shape, size, structure and behavior of age. Finally multiplication becomes impossible, and the cells present an appearance of poverty, starvation and disorganization. If now we take one of these old cells and transport it into a favorable environment such as the one we started with, it does not stare multiplication immediately. Several hours may elapse before the first reproduction takes place. This period is commonly referred to as the "lag" period. The writer has suggested the use of the term rejuvenation period, for the cell is then most active repairing its injuries and recovering from the influences of its environment. Before any multiplication takes place, the cell must present again the characteristics of youth. The same phenomenon takes place in the human body. Our cells, like those of bacteria, take their nutrients from the blood which is for us what the nutrient solution is for the cells of bacteria. It is, furthermore, endowed with the remarkable power of self-purification and self-enrichment. Our cells should therefore be constantly bathed with a fresh nutrient medium which should make it possible for them to remain young and multiply. Now multiplication cannot go on indefinitely and is automatically limited by factors known "to the biologist. We are thus confronted with the universal problem of the density of population, referring to the cells that make up our body rather than to the individuals inhabiting a country. Fruit, flies, bacteria and all other living things are confronted with the same problem, and the question arises as to whether it is possible for the cells, while not multiplying, to remain young. Theoretically, the answer should be in the affirmative. The writer, who is now investigating the question, will have something more definite to say before lone- Under actual conditions, however, we know that our cells gradually assume the characteristics of age and, when enough of the cells of an indispensable organ become so old that that organ can no more carry on its vital functions, death follows immediately. Thus the death of one fundamental organ brings about the death of other organs relatively young. Man pays dearly for his complex and efficient organization. It seems that a more thorough understanding of the properties of living matter should enable us to live much longer, if not to render ourselves immortal. �JUNE, 1929 35 Music — East and West By REV. DR. K. A. BISHARA Like beauty and electricity, music is a mysterious something that can be neither comprehended nor defined. Science may hover over its circumference, but can never enter into the center, or the Holy of Holies. Having to deal mainly with the affections, music must cling to Nature, never allowing itself to be unduly artificialized. Oriental music, chiefly the Arabic, is more thrillingly effective than other systems by reason of its contiguity to the bosom of mother nature. It is readily enjoyed by the heart, while other systems are admired by the intellect. It is interesting to notice how the European music has gradually been subjected to the process of orientalization through the efforts of a worthy group of masters in Spain, Italy and Germany. One of the greatest Spanish musicians in Portugal has openly avowed the superiority of Arabic music in melodiousness and scope. He went so far as to declare it the mother of all modern music after the Renaissance. In his words, "The Arabic music is the mother of the Spanish, which is the mother of all modern music in the world." Outside of Spain and Italy, Mozart was the first great musician to enrich modern music with the thrilling beauties of Arabic airs. Others followed, including the great Beethoven whose masterpieces can competently vie with the sweetest melodies ever heard in the halls of Baghdad, Cordova and Damascus. The golden age of Oriental music was inaugurated in the days of Haroun-al-Raschid and his son Al-Macmoun in the celebrated metropolis of Baghdad. Mausali was the Beethoven of those days. A little later on Andalusia, (Spain under the Arabs) became the music hall of all Europe. The age of retrogression set in after the fall of Baghdad in the East, and Grenada in the West, until the most widely developed system of music in the world, which had integrally appropriated and preserved in its bosom the genius of China, Persia and Greece, welded into that of resourceful Arabia, was reduced to a dilapidated patchwork of Tarn Tarns. ', .:.;_ , , ; • �36 THE SYRIAN WORLD The modern Renaissance took its incipiency in the ancient land of Egypt, which has already given to the Oriental world such illustrious names as Hamooli, Salameh, Hilmi, Manilawi, Mahdiah and Um-Kalthoum. Ash-Sham, including Lebanon, Syria and Palestine, has already rendered a remarkable co-operative service in this great enterprise of reconstruction. Madame Fadwah Kurban is an outstanding example, while Mr. Alexander Maloof is making steady progress in his efforts to make Oriental music accessible to the West by the application of the note system. The motto of all these agencies concerned seems to be. Back to the days of Haroun Al-Raschid, then up and on, if possible, to a higher level! Maybe, it's a long way to Tipperari; but— As a modest amateur of small stock, but one intensely interested in music, I feel inspired through my affections to proclaim the fact that music is originally intended to rouse the subconscious in man on his way to a fuller realization of himself as the most glorious visible image of the Creator. For this purpose, the minor keys of music are more effective than the major keys. This secret the Orientals have known for many centuries. And this fact is accentuated, to my mind as well as to my heart, by the psychological fact that man has long been, as he still is, oscillating between "the two well-known factors of self-pity and self-conceit, the former of which being childish while the latter is ridiculous. Now, this ill-developed man is still in need of pity, rather than ridicule. And when music does, as it seldom does, succeed in rousing both the conscious and the sub-conscious in man, he at once, and almost unawares, reasserts and recognizes his inherent dignity—though for a moment, and through indignation and when he is fully roused, whether at home or on the battle-field; just keep off the grass! Man is great and noble and mighty; but he never knew it before. It is at such a moment of transcendent ecstasy that we witness a real case of "Deutchland uber alles! Superman-king-angel, ad infinitum. There is the horizon of the spirit, the realm of the ideal homos, where are to be found the mystic poets, the musical sufis, the seers, the prophets, the apostles and what is higher—where the chosen few may stand and say: After all, the Master didn't ask much when He said. "Be ye perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect." �. rngt/gt/Kj^ JUNE, 1929 37 EDITORIAL COMMENT CHANGING FREQUENCY OF ISSUE OF THE SYRIAN WORLD i ,! For reasons which I shall enumerate below, I have decided to suspend publication of The Syrian World during the months of July and August. This decision applies only to the present year so far as I can now see, but future developments might make it advisable to continue this policy, in which case the regular year of The Syrian World would comprise only ten issues. This step, if finally decided upon, will be announced in due time. Subscribers who have already paid in advance on the basis of twelve issues per year will be adequately compensated either by advancing the dates of their subscriptions or by other suitable awards in books to the value of the two omitted issues. The Syrian World has completed its third year of publication with the present (June) issue. During all this time it has appeared punctually at the beginning of each month without a single omission. The difficulties which I have encountered were many and tremendous, and, I feel constrained to add, cumulative. I need not go into a detailed discussion of these difficulties at the present time. What I can conscientiously state, however, is that these difficulties served only to add stimulus to my determination to carry on the work which I felt from the beginning was destined to endure. In this my energy was sustained by the wholehearted encouragement of a group of loyal friends who gave unstintingly of their moral support. If, therefore, I am now suspending publication of The Syrian World for two of the summer months, the action should not be misconstrued as a sign of faltering determination or weakness. On the contrary, it is but a respite to lay plans not only for a more enduring publication, but for a stronger and a more progressive one. This step is made necessary by my coming trip to Syria and other parts of the Near East, principally in the interest of the Syrian World. The tour which I have sponsored and agreed to conduct is in harmony with the fundamental principle of the magazine in providing better knowledge of Syria and the Syrians' �38 THE SYRIAN WORLD historical background. An educational tour to Syria is obviously a complement to the educational mission of The Syrian World. But the principle object of the trip is to gain first-hand information of present conditions in Syria in order to better serve our readers. A general survey will be made covering the political, social, educational and economic fields. Special attention will be given to the taking of a photographic record which will graphically portray the country and its different phases of life in its present crucial stage of rapid transition. Leaders in various fields of activities will be interviewed and their opinions recorded without prejudice or bias. Personal observations will naturally be made and faithfully transmitted to our readers. This is but a mere outline of the general purpose of the trip, but once on the ground many more points of interest might develop which will widen immeasurably the scope of service. These possible developments will be left to the future. Three years experience in the publication of The Syrian World having brought the conviction that this step had become necessary in order to make the service of the magazine more effective and beneficial, the next problem was how to make the undertaking possible under the conditions governing the publication of the magazine. Ever since its inception, The Syrian World has been an individual enterprise depending mainly on personal efforts. Only in the literary field has any assistance been forthcoming to a limited degree. By this qualification I do not wish to intimate lack of appreciation of this valued co-operation. On the contrary, Iwould fully emphasize that but for this liberal assistance on the part of the loyal friends of the magazine the task would have been rendered doubly difficult. The point in view is that all work aside from this partial assistance had to be performed personally. Such being the case, and there being no substitute to carry on the work of editing and publishing in my absence, it became necessary to decide on the only remaining alternative, which is to suspend publication during July and August. During my absence the publication office will remain open for the transaction of routine business, Our friends are invited to avail themselves of this opportunity whether for the purchase of books and back numbers, or for the payment of past accounts and other matters. Enthusiastic friends of The Syrian World are urging the f« �39 JUNE, 1929 formation of a corporation to fully promote its service which has come to be viewedas indispensable. This and other matters^wi be discussed in the coming issue which will appear in September upon my return. Editor & Publisher THE FEDERATION Although proportionately substantial the replies so^ far received to our questionnaire on the proposed federation of Syr an societies in the United States do not warrant a decision as to the tm and place of the convention. Hardly three agree on any given question, and because of the length of tune neees^or ' bringing about a general and uniform acceptance, it has been £Ed wiser to defer further action on the matter un^efeU. \s regards the ultimate results, our faith remains unshaken. Added reSon for this optimism is contained in the rephes r^eivedto the questionnaire. In each case the responding society pledges tself anew to the support of the cause and voices enthusiastic hopes for the expected benefits to be derived from such a move It is a situation which, having been nursed to its present stage of development, should be handled with extreme care lest its fai ure iniure irreparably all attempts at collective action in the tuZc ItTs for this reason that it has been deemed more advisable not to take any peremptory action at the present stage. In the meantime, pledged members may further prosecute missionary work for the cause of the Federation. They are honorbound to see the work culminate in complete success, not merely for the personal prestige involved, but out of devotion to the basic principle of unity. We have long been unmindful of our future and our racial status, and the example of other ethnic croups seems to have had little effect in rousing us to action 1 he strongest hope now lies in federating our organized bodies for toe promotion of national policies, and although this work shou d proceed with caution, it should, nevertheless, be prosecuted with relentless energy. - �THE SYRIAN WORLD ¥) Spirit of the Syrian Press Under this caption we hope to present from time to time a microcosmic picture of the Arabic press, not only in this country, but wherever Arabic dailies and magazines reflect the opinions of responsible, thinking writers who are treating the different problems that confront the Arabicspeaking world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will take no part in the discussions reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. Our task will simply consist in selecting, to the best of our knowledge and with utmost sincerity, what we think is representative of the public opinion as expressed in these editorials. Editor. CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY FOR LEBANON In view of the persistent factional strife among the Lebanese, we are all the more confirmed in our belief that they are still unfit for complete independence. But for the French, Lebanon would be the slave to either the Turks, the Arabs or the English. And this condition would be brought about as the natural result of the internal strife which would tear Lebanon to pieces and reduce it to a state of complete impotency. Take for illustration the Presidential elections. What greater farce could there be than the manner this is brought about ? Nor are the members of the Representative Assembly of such caliber as to command confidence and respect. They are all there for their personal gain while the French look on in an attitude of total indifference. For this policy we believe France has a well defined reason, which is to prove to the Lebanese that they have not yet grown to the responsible age of being trusted with complete independence. Our program for the government of the country remains as heretofore announced; that a constitutional monarchy be adopted for Lebanon, at whose head would be placed a French prince who would have first embraced Lebanese citizenship. He should rule for life, but his throne should not be hereditary. France should remain the protector of the country, as otherwise Lebanon would become the prey of its greedy neighbors because of its inability to defend itself. —Al-Hoda, N. Y. May 24 THE PARADOX OF LIBERTY The celebrations in Paris for Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans, during the month of May, were intended to recall with pride the great struggle of this patron saint of France for the cause of liberty. It is altogether fitting and proper that the French pay honor to this great heroine. She has succeeded in liberating her country from the grip of the foreigner after an occupation �JUNE, 1929 M> of a hunderd years, and was reward- ty and come to sympathize with us ed for her deed with burning at the in our demand for freedom, instead stake. It is only now that the full of assuming the paradoxial attitude meaning of her great sacrifice is of preaching one form of liberty at being appreciated. France should be home and practicing another abroad. proud of having produced such a —Meraat-Ul-Gharb, N. Y. May 15 heroic Character in the shepherd girl who was instrumental in regaining for her country its independence and LEARNING FROM EUROPE freedom. She was later consecrated a saint and well is she deserving of It is reported that King Ibn Saoud the honor; she met her martyrdom of Arabia intends to visit Europe in in the cause of her country just as the near future in the hope of gainthe saints faced death in their de- ing practical knowledge for the upvotion to the cause of God. lift of his own country. The time Not alone the French, but all liber- is surely opportune, and the Arab ty-loving nations should join in pay- King's observations abroad should ing tribute to the lofty patriotic spir- serve him to good purpose at home. it of Joan of Arc. We may be confident, however, that *** We have often heard our coun- he will not rush matters and commit trymen sing the praise of the French the mistake of king Amanullah of and their great love for liberty. We Afghanistan, because not everyone have listened to their panegyrics of can emulate the example of Mustathe shepherd girl and their expres- pha Kamal Pasha of Turkey with sions of unbounded admiration for the same success. Turkey 'had been her. One hearing them would ima- prepared for the reforms which Kagine that she belonged to them for mal Pasha had the courage to introthe extent of pride they take in her duce, while this cannot hold true of achievements. At the same time, Arabia. The degree of difference is they seem oblivious to the fact that at least a hundred years, and the they are trailing the chains of bond- Arab king would do well to introage and slavery. Cannot the Leban- duce such reforms as would gradualese say to the people of France that ly bring his subjects to the point of Lebanon before their occupation was accepting Western ideas in full. He a free country while now, although could encourage steady settlement having a republican form of govern- and agricultural pursuits to the end ment, it is shackeled to the point of that the ghazu, or raids, will come being a republic in name only? How to an end in Arabia. And perhaps comes it that the French glorify he will learn in Europe the fundaliberty in their own country and erect mental lesson that stability is the monuments in its name, while in prime requisite of a progressive goforeign lands they destroy its temp- vernment, while ambition for agles and shrines and make every at- grandization may react to the injury tempt to smother it completely. of a government that is structurally We heartily join the French in weak. If King Ibn Saoud should honoring their great patron saint succeed in achieving internal reform Joan of Arc, but we hope they will he would be deserving of more credit live up to the principle of true liber- than Mustapha Kamal Pasha him- - ""°| • ' ' *' i n �42 self, in that he would have laid the proper foundation before raising the structure, thereby evading the disastrous mistake of Amanullah. —As-Sayeh, N. Y. May 27 HAS THE SYRIAN BECOME A NEGRO The tragedy of Lake City, Fla., in which the Syrian Nicholas Romey and his wife were killed should arouse the Syrians everywhere in the United States to action. The details of the lynching of this Syrian are revolting. From whatever angle we view the case we can find no justification for the barbarous treatment visited by the police and the mob oh this Syrian family. A full investigation of the circumstances surrounding the tragedy should be made and those responsible brought to justice. The Syrian is not a negro whom Southerners feel they are justified in lynching when he is suspected of an attack on a white woman. The Syrian is a civilized white man who has excellent traditions and a glorious historical background and should be treated as among the best elements of the American nation.American sense of justice should not permit such lynchings without the benefit of a trial, as was done in the case of Romey. Even the anarchist murderer of President McKinley was protected from the fury of the mob and given all the benefits of a judicial trial. We are not making any direct accusation, but we feel that a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the tragedy should be instigated so that those responsible should reap the reward for their I THE SYRIAN WORLD cruelty. -Ash-Shaab, N. Y. May 24 SULTAN PASHA ATRASH TRUE TO PRINCIPLES More than three months have now elapsed since the Havas Agency broadcast to the world the news that Sultan Pasha Atrash , military leader of the Syrian revolution, had offered his unconditional surrender to the French in the hope of returning to his native country from his desert exile. No better proof is needed to demonstrate the falsity of this report than the fact that it has failed of materialization in spite of all this length of time. The elation which the Francophile papers displayed at that time is obviously unjustified. We are in a position to affirm that the hero, Sultan Pasha Atrash, never contemplated submission to the French; nor will he ever return to Syria except on the conditions he laid as the basis for the armed revolution, namely the complete independence of the country from foreign control. Those who know Sultan Pasha Atrash best never wavered in their belief that his loyalty to the sacred cause of the country would remain unshaken to the end. We, as well as many other true patriots, are in constant receipt of letters from the Commander in Chief of the revolutionary forces indicating his tenacity of purpose and unfaltering loyalty to the cause. This should be sufficient proof to unmask the lying intentions of the Havas Agency and brand with shame the foreheads of sympathizers with the colonization policy. —Al-Bayan, N. Y. May 25 • �43 JUNE, 1929 Readers' Forum tional Origins Plan are the product of brains steeped in race-consciousness and full of racial prejudices. Senator Reed protests that anyone Comment on his Recent Remarks who undertakes to debate the subject in Congress of immigration restrictions "will be accused of a raaial prejudice of which he is wholly unconscious." We Editor, The Syrian World, can imagine such a thing happenIt is a curious fact that proponents ing under existing rules of politics of the Anglo-Saxon racial culture in this country. But Senator Reed in America never fail to manipulate cannot claim immunity from critithe Declaration of Independence to cism for racial bias on that plea. suit or cover their own prejudices. His utterances have been too outSenator Reed's earlier statement spoken to admit of an alibi. Only clearly speaks of the "trash of the last month, in the course of a naMediterranen" as "all the Levant- tion-wide broadcast, in defense of ine stock that churns around through his favorite brain-child, the Natonal there and does know what its own Origins Plan, Senator Reed said that ancestry is." And as if these words the plan gave a fair limitation "in did not clearly delineate the parties strict accordance with our racial mentioned, the honorable Senator make-up," because, according to it, went on to specify the countries of "each year's immigration will be in origin of the "trashy stock" and miniature a counterpart of the whole added, "It came here in large num- population of our country." And even bers from Syria and the Turkish those interested in the merits or deProvinces.." It would be the sheer- merits of the National Origins Plan est sort of sophistry for Senator will not fail to take notice of the Reed or any one who thinks like scar of racial prejudice that this h;m to explain away the pointed valiant "defender" of the Declaramention of Syrians as an undesirable tion of Independence, and proponent stock of immigrants. The truth is of the dictum that all men are born that he meant exactly what he said, equal, inflicted on the charter of hufor he does clearly look upon Syria man liberty which is the foundation and the Turkish provinces and dif- of the Constitution of the United ferent countries of the Balkan Pen- States, when he defiantly challenged insula and that part of southeastern the non-Anglo-Saxon races by sayEurope" as the habitat of the trash. ing, "We will not permit our racial I have followed from its begin- composition to be changed by imning this controversy of the restric- migration." Shades of Thomas Jefton of immigration and have no he- ferson and Abraham Lincoln! sitation in asserting that all preObserver tense of fairness and equality notNew York withstanding, measures like the Na- SENATOR REED'S BRAND OF AMERICANISM > �44 THE SYRIAN WORLD A CLERGYMAN ANSWERS Editor, The Syrian World, May I give my opinion of "Senator Reed's 'trash' " ? The more I think of this gentleman's designation of the Syrians as "trash", the more I admire William Shakespeare's play "Much ado about Nothing". The zealous senator must be comparing us, not with other nationalities, his own not excepted, but with ourselves two, three, or four thousand years ago, when we were busy, on a gigantic scale, laying down the foundations of this wonderful American civilization. Instead of wasting valuable time by way of self-defense, —on mere words,— let us get busy making "works" speak louder than words. Nothing is too big for us. We ought to feel proud that our neighbors voice their disappointment when we come short of their expectations. At any rate, Senator Reed should be reminded of the fact that he is counted among the "white trash" by his Southern negro neighbors. I imagine, however, that he pays no attention to this appelation, seeing the source it comes from. Let us learn wisdom from the honorable senator! K. A. Bishara Pastor, Syrian Protestant Church Brooklyn, N. Y. AGAIN THE QUESTION OF DISCRIMINATION Editor, The Syrian World, The outburst of Senator Reed only substantiates what I have repeatedly asserted in what I have contributed to previous issues of The Syrian World, that the Syrian people are discriminated against in this country on account of racial prejudice. Let me repeat, therefore, that the Syrian is better off in his own country living on bread and milk and enjoying the good opinion of his neighbor, than to live sumptuously in a palace and be socially ostracized and discriminated against as a citizen. M. Shadid, M.D. Elk City, Okla. Editor's Note — The controversy v/aged over previous assertions by Dr. Shadid will be recalled as having drawn strong rejoinders from many quarters on the question of social ostracism. As regards his advice to Syrians to return to their motherland for economic considerations, Dr. Shadid himself later altered his stand as a result of personal observation of condition abroad. NEW ZEALAND SYRIANS ORGANIZE Editor, The Syrian World, *** All those in New Zealand who came in contact with The Syrian World were delighted with its contents and the manner in which it is being edited and published. Allow me also to congratulate you upon the success attending your efforts in forming the Federation of Syrian societies in the United States. The prospect of such federation has already influenced the Syrian young men of Wellington, N. Z. to form the Syrian Social Club which was launched with great enthusiasm and under the most favorable auspices. I doubt whether this could have taken place had it not been for the influence of the Syrian World. K. E. Alexander Wellington, N. Z. �^ Mi JUNE, 1929 45 About Syria and Syrians POLITICAL SITUATION IN SYRIA UNCHANGED The summer lull seems to have affected political activities in Syria. During the month covered by the latest Syrian mail hardly anything of consequence was entered in the political record. Following the announced re-entry of the Nationalist Party into the political arena, matters continued to drag in the same manner prevailing since the abrogation of the Constituent Assembly. What seems to have been the direct result of the prolongued negotiations on the political problems in Syria was the wider divergence of opinion as to the possible solution to a point bordering on confusion. According to present indications, no agreement seems possible of being reached this summer. Syria was visited lately by many high French officals presumably for a further study of the political situation. In every instance Syrian leaders were interviewed and their opinions sought as to an acceptable compromise. Most of the visitors have returned with voluminous notes but no decision, and what augurs further delay is the forthcoming departure of M. Ponsot, the High Commissioner, for France in the middle of June. Naturally all negotiations will have to be suspended pending his return. NEW MINISTRY IN LEBANON Following the Presidential elections in the Republic of Lebanon the latter part of March, the Cabinet of Habib Pasha Saad tended its resignation owing to the growing antagonism to its policies in the Representative Assembly. President Dabbas immediately called on Bishara Bey Khouri, a former Premier, to form a new cabinet. This move resulted in the reduction of the ministries to three in the interest of economy. At the same time, the Assembly passed the new amendments to the Constitution empowering the President to adjourn that body on his own authority and call for new elections. New elections are scheduled for June. This measure has been severely criticised by the press in that it reduces the Assembly to the role of mere figureheads, but inasmuch as it was sponsored by the mandatory authorities it was approved. SYRIAN AND WIFE KILLED IN FLORIDA Woman Fires at Chief of Police in Defense of Husband and is shot and Killed—Man Later Taken From Jail and Killed by Mob One of the saddest tragedies in the history of the Syrians in America was the brutal murder of Nicholas Romeo and his wife which occurred in Lake City, Fla., on May 16 and for which the Chief of Police of that town and his men are said to be responsible. From the many �i; 46 accounts published by the Syrian press of New York and coming from various sources, the events preceding and following the tragedy appear to be substantially as follows: In the town of Lake City, Florida, there are but two Syrian families, one of which is that of Romey, corrupted into Romeo. The family cons:'sts of the father, mother and four children, the eldest, leer, a lad of seventeen years. On Thursday, May 9, leer took his two younger sisters out for an automobile ride around the lake. They were struck by another car emerging suddenly from a side street at excessive speed. The occupants of thi.-; car were found at fault and arrested. It was discovered later that they h-id concealed weapons under the front seat and that the car had been stolen, Which seems to account for the!r reckless haste. They were held under bond and a sum of $240. found on their persons was taken by the police. The Syrian boy was not only absolved of all blame but was even promised, according to testimony, to have the cost of repairs to his car met out of the sum seized from the occupants of the stol"n automobile. This supposed promise to make good the cost of repairs seems to have been the cause for the tragedy which followed. For no sooner leer Romeo had the damage repaired than he cpllsd on the Chief of Police to sett'e with the repair man who had refused to deliver back the car unless paid or guaranteed the amount by the Chief of Police. But when the latter was called upon to redeem 'his promise he disclaimed all knowledge of the matter and flatly denied having guaranteed the cost of repairs. It transpired later that THE SYRIAN WORLD the men responsible for the accident had been released and permitted to leave town. A week later, Mrs. Romeo met the Chief of Police and reminded him of his promise to her son, and upon denial by the chief of his ever having made such promise Mrs. Romeo called him a liar. Later the Chief of Police and a number of his men came to the Romeo store and asked for Romeo or his son, and upon being informed that neither was there he ordered Mrs. Romeo in harsh tones and with the use of abusive language to remove from the sidewalk the vegetables she had on display there. She protasted that other storekeepers in the immediate neighborhood had their goods on display on the sidewalk also, and when she refused compliance with his order the Chief of Police and his men attempted to drag her forcibly to their car which they had parked across the street. At this a crowd collected and the woman was released on the protest of some leading citizens. While all th:s was taking place Nicholas Romeo, the husband, was absent in Georgia on business. Upon his return on May 16 he was informed of what had occurred and in his anger called up the Chief of Police and remonstrated with him for his action. It is claimed that he used harsh language and invited the chief to come over and see if things were as he wanted them. Some state that in his anger he even threatened the chief with violence. ' Taking the man at his word, the Chief of Police, with four of his men came over immediately and all entered the store with drawn guns. Mrs. Romeo, fearing just such re- �JUNE, 1929 suit, had concealed her husband's gun. Consequently, Romeo was defenseless against five armed men who are said to have begun firing without the least provocation, but presumably for purposes of intimidation oniy. But when Romeo made an attempt to steal behind the counter, a policeman is said to have struck 'him with a blackjack and felled him to the ground where he lay unconscious with blood gushing from his wound. Mrs. Romeo came rushing to the front of the store at the sound of firing, and seeing her husband prostrate and wounded imagined he had been killed. She thereupon fired at the Chief of Police and wounded h:m, the latter returning the fire with the same result. Just then the son, leer, came rushing to the side of his mother who, fearing he would meet the same fate, was admonishing him not to offer any resistance, when one of the policemen, bending over her, is said to have again shot at her several times with a curse and the exclamation "Aren't you dead yet?" Mrs. Romeo was removed to the hospital and her 'husband taken to jail. The son leer was also arrested, and while being taken to jail is said to have been threatened with lynching "because that is what is going to happen to his father". That same night a mob is claimed to have broken into the jail and taken Nicholas Romeo to a spot several miles from the town and killed him. Thirteen bullet wounds were counted in his body, some of which are said to 'have been dry, indicating that they were inflicted after death. Two negroes occupying cells adjoining that of Romeo are said not to have heard any sound during the 47 whole night in question, which would prompt to the conclusion that the mob, if such was the case, must have acted very efficiently and without encountering the least resistance. On that very night Mrs. Romeo died in the hospital. The Governor of Florida was petitioned for the removal of the son leer from the local jail owing to prevailing prejudice. The other children were also removed to Georgia where they were given over to the care of relatives. The tragedy has aroused intense feeling among the Syrians throughout the country, principally among those in the Southern States where several individuals and organjizai tions have interested themselves actively in the matter. The Syrian papers of New York all carry long accounts of the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, of which new details seem to develop every day. Al-Hoda, the principal Syrian paper, announced that it had retained Mr. Joseph W. Ferris, a Syrian lawyer of New York, and Mr. F. S. Rizk, another Syrian lawyer of Jacksonville, Fla., to study the circumstances of the case and report on a suitable course of action. Mr. Rizk went to Lake City and made a personal investigation of the whole affair and interviewed many prominent citizens of the town—bankers, merchants, newsnapermen, etc.— and embodied his findings in an exhaustive report to Mr. Ferris which was published by Al-Hoda and contains substantially the facts as given above. Al-Hoda is of the opinion that the Syrians should proceed with extreme caution in this matter and await the results of a thorough and impartial �48 investigation before forming judgment. A certain feeling of prejudice undeniably exists against the Syrians in some parts of the South and any rash action on their part might tend to aggravate matters unnecessarily. STAND OF SENATOR REED ON SYRIANS He Amplifies his Statement on 'the Trash of the Mediterranean" Congress The statement of Senator David Reed of Pennsylvania that the Syrians were of the "trash" of the Mediterranean 'has aroused intense indignation among Syrians throughout the country with the result that scores of protests were sent to many Senators in Washington. One such protest came from the Syrian American Club of Cleveland, Ohio, and was read by Senator Burton on the floor of the Senate and published in the Congressional Record of June 7. Later on during this debate not only was there a recapitulation of the original charges of Senator Reed, but an amplification by him of his original remarks which cannot be termed a retraction. As reported in the Congressional Record, Senator Burton prefaced his speech by reading What he termed the "pertinent portion" of the remarks of Senator Reed made in the Senate during the debate on the National Origins clause of the Immigration Bill on April 29, which were as follows: "For a long time before the war" "broke out in Europe this country" THE SYRIAN WORLD "was the trash basket of Europe." "We were sent thousands of immi-" "grants who were excused from" "penitentiary sentences on condi-" "1jion that they would emigrate" "to America. We got the trash of" "the Mediterranean, all that Le-" "vantine stock that churns around" "through there and does not know" "what its own ancestry is. It came" "here in large numbers from Syria" "and the Turkish provinces and" "from different countries of the" "Balkan Peninsula and from that" "part of southeastern Europe." "This sweeping condemnation," said Senator Burton, "seems to include the Syrains, and very naturally the community of Syrians in northern Ohio have protested against such an attack as this. Of my own acquaintance with them I shall wish to speak in a few minutes, but I would ask at this t:me that the clerk read the protest filed by the Syrian American Club of Cleveland." At this point an able exposition of the clean record of the Syrians in the United States, prepared by the Club above mentioned, was read by order of the Vice President. It was signed by the Good and Welfare Committee of the Club consisting of Jess. N. Saba, chairman, James Solomon and Michael Caraboolad. Senator Burton then continued: "I am acquainted with many of the Syrian people of northern Ohio, and I may say for them that their names very rarely appear in the criminal court records. As soon as possible they become naturalized American citizens. Their children are taking an honorable place in the public schools and they, whether as merchants, laborers or in whatever capacity, are becoming an integral and helpful part in otfr cosmopolitan �mmmmmm JUNE, 1929 49 population. I much regret the state- ever made on immigration that we ment made by the Senator from can treat this question only in the Pennsylvania, and at the same time spirit of the Declaration of IndepenI must say that the letter just read dence that all men were born equal, is a little stronger in some of its and that remark is always included adjectives than I would altogether and invariably an effort is made to approve, but it is very natural that . introduce questions of race prejuthe writers should be extremely sen- dice. If America is to legislate sitive about the attack and should soundly on this subject it can not answer with some degree of bitter- be done in that spirit." ness." SYRIAN PROTESTS In defense of his own stand, Senator Reed made the following reSenator Reed's remarks gave rise ply to the remarks of Senator Burto one of the rare occasions when ton. the Syrians throughout the United "It seems impossible to discuss States were aroused to action. The immigration without arousing the Syrian press of New York publishes feelings of a great number of sen- the text of many protests sent by sitive and hypersensitive groups. Syrian organizations and individuals I never said that the Syrian people in various cities. Miss Lila Manwere the trash of the Mediterra- dour, born in Pennsylvania, Senator nean, and anyone who reads my Reed's home state, wrote the Senastatements will see that I did not. tor a strong letter of protest to I said that from all around the which he replied with the explanashores of the Mediterranean came tion that his remarks were not inthe trash of that region and that tended to include all Syrians. He they came from the Turkish Pro- makes no retraction of his statevinces and from Syria and from all ment in Congress, but promises Miss other countries which I could have Mandour to read the book of Dr. listed. That is true. Everyone who Philip K. Hitti "The Syrians in hears my voice at this moment knows America" which she had sent him. that it is true. But it is equally Owing to the identical nature of true that I made no reflection what- the protests, we are omitting their soever upon the Syrians as a race or publication textually. Senator Hias an* immigrant strain. ram Bingham of Connecticut, ack"Anyone who undertakes to de- nowledging the protest of Joseph bate the subject of immigraton res- Hage, Secretary of the Syrian Amertrictions will find himself the un- ican Association of the United States lucky victim of that kind of mis- with headquarters in Connecticut, construction. He will be accused iadvises that "the subject having! of a racial prejudice of which he been considered on the Senate floor, is wholly unconscious. Sometimes I am of the belief that it has now the accusation will be made to curry received sufficient official cognizance" favor with the people in question This advice is timely as regards and sometimes it will be made be- perfunctory protests sent to Senacause of their hypersensitfveness. tors, but it is equally obvious that I have said in every speech I have the Syrians should learn a lesson �===== so from this incident and seriously con-" sider means for improving Ijhercr; status as a component element in the make-up of the American nation. Senator Reed plainly accuses them along with other Mediterranean "trash" of not knowing what their own ancestry is. This is a direct and open challenge to Syrians to develop a little more knowledge of their ancestral background that they may be able, when the necessity arises, to defend and prove their racial extraction. The young generation Syrians in the United States should be especially interested in such poignant remark which seems to be directed squarely at them, and it should arouse them to take interest ' in those matters which affect their status as a racial strain in the country. SYRIAN GRADUATES OF COLUMBIA Six Syrians graduated from Columbia University in New York this year, one of whom being a Syrian girl of Boston who had specialized in the study of ancient history. The graduates are: David Kasir of Mosul, Ph. D. in mathematics and education. Shafik Nafash of Horns, Syria and Union City, N. J., M. D. Miss Theodora Scoff of Zahle, Lebanon and Boston, Mass. M. A. in history. Ibrahim Dada of Damascus, M. A. in education. Iskandar Harik of Shwair, Lebanon, M. A. in education. Jamil Esterabadi of Bagdad, M. A. in business. THE SYRIAN WORLD DR. HITTI SUCCEEDS PROFESSOR ROGERS A special despatch to the N. Y. Times from Princeton on April 27 carried the announcement that Dr. Robert William Rogers, professor of ancient literature on the Paton Foundation at Princeton University and a specialist in ancient Oriental literature, will retire at the end of the academic year. Professor Rogers' course will be conducted next year by Associate Professor Philip K. Hitti, who has been a member of the Department of Oriental Languages and Literature for three years. MEANING OF "SYRIA" Philip C. Sabbagha, a Syrian high school boy of Columbia, S. C, availing himself of the offer of Dr. Philip K. Hitti through the Syrian World to answer historical questions on Syria, has written to Dr. Hitti asking the meaning and the philological derivation of the word "Syria". Dr. Hitti's answer follows: The English word Syria comes from the Greek Suria.. Arabic Suriah comes also from the same Greek word and is nearer to it than the English word because Arabic got it directly from Greek, whereas English got it through Latin and other Romance languages. The first Greek writer in whose works we find Suria is Herodotus, the historian who lived in the fifth century before Christ. In Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Bible, the word Suria is also used. But Homer, the early Greek poet, used "Arameans" for the people of Syria. The Hebrews did not know the word Suria. They use "Aram" in ? �wmm — 7LW£, 7929 r\l t / it ' the Bible. This is the word translated by the Greek Septuagint Suria. Likewise, before the Arab conquest, the Syrians called themselves Arameans, and their country Aram. After the Arab conquest the land was called al-Sham. Now the question is where did the Greeks get the word Suria from? They got it from the ancient Babylonians. In cuneiform, the ancient writing of Babylonia, all the land to the west including northern Syria and northern Mesopotamia is called Suri.. What Sufi means in Babylonian is not certain. Some scholars think it means "the west", others "the highland." English Syria and Arabic Suriyah, therefore, come from Greek Suria. Greek Suria is from Babylonian Suri, meaning "the west" and possibly "the highland". Those who say that Syria is derived from "Assyria" or from "Sur" (Tyre, meaning rock,) are wrong. They are deceived by the superficial similarity of sound. DINNER IN HONOR OF FADLOU HOURANI The Alumni Association in New York of the American University of Beirut gave a dinner at the Hotel McAlpin on June 13 in honor of Mr. Fadlou Hourani, now touring the United States with his family. This public testimonial to Mr. Hourani was in recognition of the fact that he was largely responsible for the success of the Alumni movement which he had sponsored and financed in its earlier stage. Himself an alumnus of the A. U. B. and having achieved considerable success 51 in his commercial enterprises in Manchester, England, Mr. Hourani gave liberally of his time and money to educational, social and church work. He was appointed a member of a delegation of six laymen representing the Presbyterian church of all England at the general convention of that church to be held in Boston. Mr. Nesib Trabulsi, president of the Alumni Association of New York, after briefly welcoming the distinguished guest in the name of the Association, requested Dr. Philip K. Hitti of Princeton University and the foremost representative of the alumni body of the American University of Beirut in America, to act as toastmaster. The speakers were: Dr. R. G. Haddad, prominent physician of Brooklyn; S. A. Mokarzel, editor of the Syrian World; N. M. Diab, editor of Meraat-Ul-Gharb; Albert Staub, American director of the Near East Colleges Association, and Mobadda Rashid of Chautauqua. SYRIAN TO CONDUCT .. PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA During every summer, the Philharmonic Orchestra holds a series of concerts at the Lewisohn Stadium in New York. This year three of the performances will feature Ruth St. Denis, Ted Shawn and their ensemble. Of special interest to us is that all of these three performances will be conducted by our talented pianist Mr. Anis Fuleihan. On each of these occasions the full orchestra will be used, and the pieces to be played are of Mr. Fuleihan's own composition. We are further informed that one of �52 the numbers will represent a North African scene depicting certain Arab ceremonies and rituals. CONCERT IN NEW YORK BY FEDORA KURBAN The first concert in New York by Mme. Fedora Kujrban, styled the Syrian nightingale, was given under the auspices of the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. K. A. Bis'hara at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on the evening of May 16. Mme. Kurban was assisted by Mr. Alexander Malaof and his Oriental orchestra, and the proceeds of the concert were to help the institutions for the blind and the orphans in Syria. Mme. Kurban gave selections in several languages, and her art was well appreciated by the audience of over five hundred. Miss Amelia Hall was at the piano in several numbers. Dr. Bishara spoke in both Arabic and English on this occasion. The text of his English address appears in this issue of the Syrian World. SYRIAN BOY WINS ORATORICAL CONTEST Louis Dakhil, 18, of McAlester, Okla., and sophomore at the University of Oklahoma, has for the second time won first place in the State Oratorical Contest on the subject of "World Peace." Besides the honor of being state champion, the winner also received a cash prize of $100.00. Mr. Dakhil is a graduate of McAlester High School and is now studying medicine. THE SYRIAN WORLD LEBANESE POET DIES IN FRANCE The Syrian press reports the death on April 3 of Chukri Ganem, famous Lebanese poet, at his villa at Anteib, France, at the age of 67. The best known work of M. Ganem was 'his play "Antar' which was acclaimed with great enthusiasm when it was first presented at the Odeon in Paris. This and other works entitled M. Ganem to a high rank among the contemporary poets and writers of France. * He was decorated with the Commandant medal of the Legion d'honneur. M. Ganem was born in Beirut and educated at the Lazahist College at Aintoura, Lebanon. He early in life chose to live in France and in a short time came to move in the highest literary and political circles of Paris. During the World War and after, he was special adviser to the French government on Near Eastern affairs, especially those of Mt. Lebanon and Syria. He counted among his intimate friends M. Raymond Poincare, the French Premier. In recognition of his distinguished services to his motherland, the Lebanese government, at the suggestion of Gen. Weygand when French High Commissioner in Syria, made him an annual allowance of 30.000f for life. i i SYRIAN GIRL OFFICER OF SPANISH CLUB We copy the following item from the Worcester Evening Post of June 1. "Miss Helen G. Agbay, a junior at Emanuel College in Boston, has �^^••-• - JUNE, 1929 been elected president of the Spanish club, El Club Espanol, for the coming college year. Miss Agbay served as treasurer of the club in her sophomore year and was its secretary in her junior year." SYRIAN INVENTS CARDING MACHINE A machine which has long been the hope of manufacturers of hatters' fur has finally been perfected by a Syrian fur manufacturer, Mr. Joseph Morin of Newark, N. J. Mr. Morin has been in the hat fur manufacturing business for a considerable time, and enjoyed the advantage of having learned the industry from the ground up. Realizing both the danger and the waste of the old-style machines used in the application of nitrate of silver to the pelts he conceived the idea of making a machine that would automatically do the work without injury to the quality of the product. He perfected the machine and secured the necessary patents for it in 1928, and this year he placed it on the market by renting it out to hat manufacturers. While the old style machines required the services of almost ten men who ran the dangers peculiar to the industry, Mr. Morin's machine is so simple and practical that it can be operated by two children with absolute safety and accuracy. STORY OF SYRIAN PRISONERS A HOAZ For the past year or so the Syrian press both at home and abroad had been greatly agitated over the supposed existence in Singapore of some -— 33 twenty thousand Syrian prisoners who were said to have been taken by the British during their Mesopotamian campaign and held in Singapore in conditions resembling penal slavery. It has now transpired that the whole story was a hoax concocted by one Sadik Abbas of Bagdad for exploiting patriotic sentiment. The British authorities of Palestine, although having categorically denied the truth of any such reports, continued, nevertheless, their persistent efforts to trace them to their source. Finally Sadik Abbas was arrested and questioned. He denied that he was acting for any foreign government maintaining that his sole object was to secure easy money by this means. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment and deportation from Palestine at the expiration of his term. A Jewish accomplice, also a native of Iraq, was sentenced to only three months' imprisonment and subsequent deportation. NOTED ORIENTALIST AT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO Professor A. T. Olmstead, noted American Orientalist and formerly Professor of History and Curator of the Oriental Museum at the University of Illinois, has accepted a position as Professor of Oriental History in the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. The Oriental Institute is especially interested in the earlier history of the Near East, and has excavations and other work going on in the field in Egypt, Palestine, Asia Minor and Mesopotamia. It has, besides, much research work going on at home at . �54 the University of Chicago. This Institute is one of the foremost American institutions specializing^ in such work, and many discoveries and field expeditions on a large scale may be laid to its credit. Professor Olmstead is the author of several authoritative works on the history of Assyria and has spent several years in Syria engaged in field work and study. Readers of the Syrian World will recall his generous assistance in the translation of articles describing the many interesting antiquities in the Beirut Museum. NEAR EAST RELIEF COMPLETES ITS WORK Further Efforts will be to Help Near East Peoples Help Themselves In a report issued the latter part of May by the American Near East Relief, covering a period of ten years and an expenditure of $100,000,000, an account of its stewardship is given together with recommendations for the discontinuance of all relief emergency work after present commitments are met. The report is declared to "mark the virtual completion of the tragic chapter of massacre and exile, brightened only by deeds of mercy done on such vast scale as the world had »never known before. It marks the beginning of a new chapter—one of constructive helpfulness through education to those who sit in the ancestral house of Christendom that new woes may be prevented." The conclusions of the survey, as reported by the New York Times of THE SYRIAN WORLD May 21, are partially as follows: "American effort in the Near East has been of splendid service in helping in the task of rehabilitating the countries that make up the area. "Unfortunately there has been too much tendency to institutionalize and to consider the institution as an outpost of civilization carrying a message to barbarians. "Great need exists for wholesale training of the masses in ways of earning their daily bread, safeguarding against sickness and appreciating the values of life." , A significant statement in the report is that alluding to the status of the Armenians residing outside Armenia and making suitable provisions for them as "minorities in populations often keenly antagonistic." Another significant statement is the comment on the nature of education heretofore prevailing in Near Eastern countries. While acknowledging the services rendered by American institutions of higher education in the Near East, it points out that their work is badly needed along the line of developing native leadership of the highest type. The outstanding need, it is pointed out, is for "boys and girls with the kind of practical education that will equip them for leadership in the small villages in which the bulk of the population of the Near East lives, not the kind of education that will cause them to turn their backs upon the people from which they came." The main recommendations in the report have already been approved at a conference of American agencies in the Near East, held at Constantinople, a summary of which is contributed to the report by President Bayard Dodge of the American Uni- i i s �JUNE, 1929 55 versity of Beirut, who was chairman of the conference. Cleveland H. Dodge, it was said, heads a committee now working out a program to put into effect the recommendations of the survey. SYRIAN PHYSICIAN CLAIMS IMPORTANT DISCOVERY A paper by Dr. M. A. Shadid of Elk City, Okla., appearing in the May, 1929 issue of Clinical Medicine and Surgery published at Chicago, gives the result of a treatment discovered by Dr. Shadid which is said to be an effective cure for influenza and pneumonia. Dr. Shadid received his medical education in the United States and is the founder of Elk Sanitarium at Elk City. NEWS OF SOCIETIES i ! PLEDGE FROM TEXAS Editor, The Syrian World, At the regular meeting of the Syrian American Club of this city, held on May 5th., the Federation movement was brought up for discussion and I wish to advise you that the entire membership gave it their whole-hearted endorsement. We are of the conviction that this is the first and only logical step toward organizing Syrian-Americans into federated societies, which may ultimately causa co-operative and unifying action among our people. There exists no doubt that we are in dire need of leadership. Our club is still in its infancy; it was organized on April first of f this year, and we now have a substantial membership. We feel that the Syrian WTorld has justified its existence in undertaking the federation movement. Therefore we are happy to extend our congratulations and profound good wishes to your magazine for its most valued and remarkable enterprise. S. J. Ackels, Pres. Dallas, Texas. AMERICANS SPEAK TO SYRIANS ON SYLIA (Special Correspondence) Boston, Mass.—The members of the Caravaneers Club of this city had an especial treat when Miss Grace Freidinger and the Rev. Mr. Lawrence McGuffin entertained them with stories and stereopticon views of Syria on Monday evening, April 1 And it was no April Fool joke, either! for Miss Freidinger and Mr. McGuiiin know Syria very well, 'having lived and taught there. The Caravaneers were very much thrilled to find Miss Freidinger singing Syrian songs written in Arabic. Mr. McGuffin, who is a product of East Lynn, Mass., taught for three years at Suk-el-Gharb, and, while visiting his boys during the summer, took many interesting pictures and had many fine opportunities to know the country. Miss Freidinger, who taught for nine years in the Lebanon Mountains is a product of Springfield, 111. Since her return in December 1927, she has been longing for an opportunity J �$9 THE SYRIAN WQRL& to mingle with Syrians in this country. She is very much interested in Syrian affairs and considered that she had discovered a "gold mine" when she became acquainted with Miss Labeebee A. J. Hanna, a Boston school teacher of Syrian descent, through whom she was introduced to the Caravaneers Club. This informative and entertaining talk held the interest of the members for two hours, not only because of Miss Freidinger's enthusiasm, but because it was about a country of which many of the members had heard but had never seen. PLAY BY LADIES' SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT AND DANCE The Daughters of the United Maronites Society of New York held their fifth annual entertainment and dance at the St. Paul Council of the K. C. in Brooklyn on Saturday evening, June 1st. The affair was thoroughly enjoyed by a large attendance. The Ladies' Syrian Association of Spring Valley, 111., gave a three-act play on the afternoon of Sunday, May 12. for the benefit of St. George Orthodox church of that city. The whole cast was made up of the younger members of the society and were complimented for their display of talent. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Seraphim Nassar; Mrs. Sam Aboud, President; Miss Elizabeth Abrahams, Secretary, and Miss Ameline Jacobs. LEBANESE CLUB FORMED On April 13 the young people of Adams, Mass. formed an organization to which they gave the name of Lebanese Boys' and Girls' Social Club. Their first entertainment was held during the latter of May and was attended by over 250 persons from Adams and neighboring cities. Writing of the purpose of the club, Miss Edna Shakar, the president, NE(WS OF CLEVELAND, OHIO said that "until the formation of the A dance and card party for the club there was little social enterbenefit of St. Maron's church was course among the Syrian community held at the K. of C. Hall on June 1. of the city, but now there has been The committee in charge reported created a common interest." the affair a financial success. The club would like to correspond —The play "Rabeebat Al Gibal", with similar organizations in New given by the Zahle American society England for the promotion of soof this city at! the Metropolitan cial activities. Its address is 87 Theatre on May 12 was well acted Commercial St., Adams, Mass. and consisted of a cast wholly comOne of the first official acts of posed of members under the able the club was in making a gift of a direction of our Dr. H. B. Khuri. year's subscription to the Syrian During one of the intermissions, World to the local public library bethe Rt. Rev. Msgr. Riashi of Akron cause "we want Americans to come gave some appropriate comments to know us as we really are through on Mother's Day. the medium of this wonderful organ A. J. Shalala of Syrian culture." �Memoirs of Usamah By Dr. PHILIP K. HITTI Who was Usamah? »' Usamah was a warrior, a hunter, a gentleman and a poet who sojourned in the courts of the Fatimite caliph in Cairo, of Saladin in Damascus and of Zanlci in al-Musil. His Memoirs, of which only one copy is preserved in the Escurial Spain, open before us a wide and new vista into medieval times and constitute an invaluable contribution to our knowledge of Arab-Syrian culture in itself and in its relation to Western thought and practice. Usamah gives us a first-hand description of the battles in which he took part in defense of his castle, Shayzar, against the Franks and native enemies. He then devotes a section to rare anecdotes more delectable than which can be found nowhere in Arabic literature, and closes with another on falconry as practiced in Syria, Egypt and Mesopotamia. Long paragraphs are devoted to his impressions of the character of the Franks and their methods of medication and judicial procedure. In their simplicity of narrative, dignity and wealth of contents and general human interest, these Memoirs stand unexcelled in the literature of the Crusades. They acquaint us with the Syrian methods of warfare, hawking and medication, and usher us into the intimacies of Moslem court life as well as private home life. This book is published by the Columbia University Press. We rust our readers will show their apprecaition of Syrian scholarship by the liberal purchase of copies both for their private libraries and for gifts. THE SYRIAN WORLD has been appointed sales agent for the Syrians, and sells the book at the publishers' regular price of $4,50, plus 25c for postage. ORDER YOUR COPY NOW JL. �ar" . . E T: •» » » » +» «»-<» *».;>—-<x>~»» o» ^ A BOOK YOU SHOULD HAVE MAKER OF MODERN ARABIA, by Ameen Rihani has proven a literary sensation. Never before has a more accurate, extensive and authoritative picture of central Arabia been presented with as much power. It is an epic of the desert j an up-to-the-minute "close up" of the cradle of the Arabian race. * The author of this great work is a Syrian of whom everyone of his countrymen should be proud. A copy of his book should be found in every Syrian home of culture. "Mr. Rihani's pieture of the Wahabis is the sort of firsthand authoritative stuff that puts this book above and wholly outside the range of the usual treatises either of travel, observation or politics." N. Y. Herald-Tribune. f a II "The command over the subtleties of our anomalous language revealed in these pages, is uncanny. To read is to enjoy the pleasure of music. From Ameen Rihani we have what can scarcely fail to be a final portrait of that formidable chieftain, Ibn Sa'oud, by right of conquest King of Mecca." New York Times. II I i -4 I V ORDER YOUR COPY FROM THE SYRIAN WORLD AT THE PUBLISHER'S PRICE $6.00 postpaid. -J it �!&i&»M^^ A GLORIOUS HOLIDAY AND A GREAT EDUCATION is no better way of spending your summer vacation than by taking our tour leaving New York July 2nd, escorted by the Editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD, Mr. Salloum A. Mokarzel, through THERE I LEBANON, SYRIA and THE HOLY LAND. * ii Visits will also be made to CONSTANTINOPLE, ORAN and LISBON, NAPLES, ATHENS, MADEIRA. CONGENIAL COMPANIONS 1 '! COMFORTABLE ACCOMMODATIONS SURPRISINGLY LITTLE COST Si It For booklets and details as well as for membership in this tour write to A. K. HITTI & COMPANY 60 Washington Street NEW YORK CITY Telephone—BOWLING GREEN 2765-9754 w^^m^mm^^ww^^* �I * MM — <<«<«<<<<4'<<<<«<<<-<<<<<«<<<<<<<*<<<«<<<«<<<<4<44<«-f THE LEBANON NATIONAL BANK 319 FIFTH AVENUE, COR. 32ND STREET DOWNTOWN OFFICE 59 Washington St, New York City LEGAL DEPOSITORY OF The United States—New York StateNew York City. MEMBER OF The Federal Reserve Bank—New York State Bankers Association—American Bankers Association. * * * We invite the accounts of Individuals, Firms, Corporations, Banks, and Trust Companies j offering all facilities consistent with conservative banking. INTEREST DEPARTMENT AT 4% Deposits made on or before the ten days of January, April, July and October, and the third day of any other month, will draw 4% interest from the first of these months, compounded quarterly. Certificates of Deposit, an attractive short-term investment, if left for six months or longer will bear interest for the full term of deposit, at such rates as may be agreed upon. * * * A bank account is ESSENTIAL and advisable. Read carefully the following suggestion: The principle of thrift is the foundation of character. John Dix. Lincoln said:— I will study hard and prepare myself, and someday my chance will come. Banking by mail is a modern conception of good business. You can begin at once to enjoy the facilities of our "Banking by Mail" department. THE LEBANON NATIONAL BANK THE BANK OF FRIENDLY CO-OPERATION 319 FIFTH AVE., Cor. 32nd St., NEW YORK CITY i>>» »>>>>>»>>>»>>>>>»>>>>>>>>>•>>>>>»»>>>>» >>>>>>>v» > �] HAIEK'S TOURS EGYPT, SUDAN, PALESTINE, SYRIA, MESOPOTAMIA Personally conducted tours insuring maximum pleasure and eomIfort at moderate costs. Our experience covering a period of fifty years enables us to provide for our patrons a most interesting program. | \ For information on rates and itineraries address S. K. HAIEK & CO. Winter No 2 Sharia Kamel Societe Orientale de tourism© Cairo, Egypt. Cable address: Haiek Potiphar Summer Beit Cbabab, Liban. Cable address: Haiek. l)^<gs>£\^^/CN<CvCV^^/e^^/^^<;5^^ The Syrians in America By Philip K. Hitti, Ph. D. *f A book that is encyclopedic in its information about the Syrians —their origin, history, progress, faiths, racial peculiarities and particularly their present status in America. Dr. Hitti is an authority on this subject. His book should be read by all Americans of Syrian descent and all Americans interested in Syria and Syrians. Price, $1.25 postpaid. On sale at the office of "The Syrian World" Sheik Coffee is the master coffee made to meet all the requirements of the strict coffee connoisseurs. It is genuine Arabian Coffee and has all its Aroma, Flavor and Quality. Ground fine for the Turkish Cup and coarse for table use. If you are unable to get if from your grocer, order it direct from us. ARABIAN COFFEE IMPORTING CO. 220 5th AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY I �The Arabic Linotype in the Far East s From as far as the Federated Malay States have come orders for the Model 14 Arabic Linotype now adopted as the standard machine for composition in all languages using Arabic as their basic characters. Late in 1928, an order for such a machine was received from the Government Press at Alor Star, Kedah, Federated Malay States. This same Press had purchased a machine in 1924, and its reorder of another one four years later proves its satisfaction with the first machine during its long period of trial. This case is but an indication of the general trend in the printing industry in the East, where the Linotype is bound to revolutionize methods of composing type just as it did in the West. The Model 14 Arabic Linotype is capable of composition not only in Arabic and all other languages using Arabic characters, but in all Western languages as well by the simple change of magazines which requires but a few minutes. ® ® 9 ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ^ i—iliWiiiiMiiw mill ! i— i II i II i i Mergentkaler Linotype Company BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, U. S. A. Cable: LINOTYPE, New York ® ® Ufr ®&®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®©®®©@&®®®®®®®®®®§ LINOTYPED IN THE GARAMOND FAMILY. DECORATION: 10 PT. BORDER 204; MATRIX SLIDES, 6 PT. 5 I 6 AND 3 PT. 1310 ! �mi mm n minimumi mi C*9 i_3J_^Jl i_A/d \—jJx -Jda^aJl ;ocli <-j«l3 i-ijj»Jl J....T,...r N I j\ Jo ^» «^ _^Jl o-iiiij! JJ| oUdJi ^> U^,j V.^ ^^ ol-Us^Jl o-L* ^JO>-) ^Le <w»_y CtiJJ \^YA <^> ji-\j\ oi* jl « SJ*^J| Jlfi 1 LM. oU Vj j\» JLJ_^I Jti • LgJ ^ i._y£>Jl i«Ja.« ^j» ' -TJ -uiiir 4cbv» ^ pUl OUJVI IJS- !AJJ • v^i j, itoUJl l-L* <^J^\ J^J jl r-^^u j ^J3\5* o^—1 ^ ^.^'i i » i ' ^y 5.1 L5_J-" ij^r*^ • V ^la- J <JL*C ,<*J OL^VI f .i_j^~-« J|J-ij| (EESls Mergenthaler Linotype Company j ^43 10 BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, U. S. A. Cable: LINOTYPE, New York ® $ @ @ $ © @ $ I® �ii 1111 i mi s <FSBBBS =SS FAOUR BANK iLil>»J\ • ^y^-^s • ii\Ji I -. A*J±*)\ (_/***" A#Mji-^j J^\J> <-*->'_ JL>'^ ESTABLISHED 1891 AUTHORIZED BANKERS & BROKERS 81-85 WASHINGTON ST. NEW YORK Cable Address FAOUR New York WE GIVE INTEREST 4% PER ANNUM On Saving Accounts Credited Semi-Annually January & July CHBCKJNO ACCOUNTS INVITBD ACCOUNTS MAT BX •PEN*D BY MAIL ' ; , «tianBvr--iX"r r-'r-a rrr. I warn 'TBS.B..T« -' '-: � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1929_06reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 03, Issue 12 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1929 June Description An account of the resource Volume 3 Issue 12 of The Syrian World published June 1929. The issue begins with an article by Dr. Bayard Dodge titled "Education and Catastrophe," which discusses the importance of education as an internal measure of preventing catastrophe in society. Following it is a continuation of Ameen Rihani's travel experiences in Arabia, this time a "Lesson in Zoology and Healing." Rihani spends time with King Hussein, and in doing so sees how much the king enjoys the company of small animals and takes an interest in traditional medical practices. The king enlists one of his own surgeons to help Rihani with arm pain, which disappears after a simple salve of butter and garlic. The next piece is a poem by Labeebee A. J. Hanna titled "Will You Come Back!" which discusses the pain of remembering times lost. The short story "The Greatness of John Hasbani" by Rev. W. A. Mansur is next. A continuation of Dr. Philip K. Hitti's discussion of Book of Usama follows. Dr. George Knaysi writes about the relationship between science and the biological significance of youth and age. The issue concludes with excerpts from the Arab press, the Reader's Forum, and news on the Syrian societies from around the U.S. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1920s Ameen Rihani Education George Knaysi John Hasbani Labeebee A.J. Hanna Medical New York Philip Khuri Hitti Reverend W.A. Mansur https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/1baf0539bcd0bfd39537ba39de13c146.pdf 3f4796fa289b968b011f5d1a4adc786e PDF Text Text VOLUME III No. 11 SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE m SYRIANS' FUTURE IN AMERICA GEORGE A. FERRIS URBAN ARAB AND BEDU AMEEN BIHANI THE SUDANESE SOLDIER § DR. NEJTB A. KAXIBAH A CHAPTER FROM USAMA DR. PHILIP K. HITXI IX THE ROSE SEASON DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN G. K. GIBRAN DR. GEORGE KXAYSI LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA THOMAS ASA II i POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA THE COPY iOc. ��THE SYRIAN WORLD SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL, Editor. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK, N. Y. By subscription $5.00 a year. Single copies 50c £»t*r*d as second-class matter, Jane 25, 1926, at the post office at N«w York, N. Y., under tke act of Maroa 3, 1879. VOLUME III MAY, 1929 No. 11 CONTENTS PAGE Syrians' Future in America George A. Ferris 3 The Justice of Nour-Eddin 8 Urban Arabs and Bedu 9 Ameen Rihani Out of my Deefer Heart Kahlil Gibran ..14 The Sudanese Soldier Dr. Nejib A. Katibah 15... The Place of Poetry 20 A Chapter from Usama Dr. Philip K. Hitti 21 A Comparison 25 r—„, . .T-^—. -,.^- ~Sg .— wmsmsMammuai sssssai -—«-„ :*,.-,. ,^in �CONTENTS (Contimud) PAGE In the Rose Season 26 Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin From the Arabic .... Labeebee A. J. Hanna 28 Sonnets 30 Thomas Asa Man is Potentially Immortal . Dr. George Knaysi wTo My Mistress 31 32 J. D. Carlyle Books and Authors 33 Editorial Comment Future of the Race 35 37 Collectivism Trash 39 ~ 40 Readers' Forum 43 Spirit of the Syrian Press Political Developments in Syria * 49 About Syria and Syrians News of Societies — — ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE Ex-King Hussein of Arabia Dr. Ibrahim G. Khairalls ._ 55 �THE SYRIAN WORLD VOLUME in MAY, 1929 No. 11 Syrians' Future in America By GEORGE A. FERRIS • |T IS well nigh impossible to predict what the future of the Syrian race in America will be, except insofar as we can by a study of the past, partially lift the curtain as to the future. In studying the history of foreign minorities in the United States, it would seem to indicate that seperate, distinct, racial groups are doomed to be absorbed into the body politic leaving little, if any, traces of their racial characteristics. In spite of the persistence of the "Pennsylvania Dutch" in a small section of Pennsylvania and a few French-speaking groups in Louisiana and Northern New York and New England, the racial minorities that existed a hundred years ago have disappeared. There are still, of course, colonies of aliens, many of which are in the cities. New England has a rural population of Polish, Italian and Portugese origin. In portions of the Dakotas, the Scandinavian element persists. Michigan has a colony of Hollanders. Elsewhere are other racial groups cherishing the language of their fatherland, or, as in the case of the Irish, still keenly interested in the current affairs of Ireland. New Mexico and Arizona have large Spanish populations. Yet a glance shows how, with the exception of the Spanish, the French and the "Pennsylvania Dutch", the separate racial groups have gradually been amalgamated. New York State has long been an example. The descendants of the earlier settlers combine in their veins English, Dutch, �i THE SYRIAN WORLD German, French, Irish, Scotch, Scandinavian and Jewish blood. Long Island, west of Brooklyn, and Flushing have been peopled largely by the English 5 the Hudson Valley by the Dutch; the central Mohawk Valley by the German Palatinates, and the region about Johnstown by the English. It is most interesting to note that, although the city and state of New York were settled by people of different racial origins and possessing different languages and in many instances professing different religions, yet the blending of Germans, Hollanders, English and other races has been such that there is a complete amalgamation of these various races and the creating of a composite of all of them. Even though in the process of amalgamation there is a liberal fusion of Irish and Scotch blood, and in recent years additional contributions from many other nations in Europe are bringing fresh material, still the process of complete amalgamation is relentlessly going on. In view of what has happened in New York State and elsewhere, the surprising thing is not so much that racial ties with Europe have been lost as it is that three language groups that are the exceptions—the Spanish New Mexican, the Pennsylvania Dutch and the French Canadian or Lousiana origin— have managed to maintain their separateness so long. These settlers came to America with historic backgrounds of distinct types. In most instances they did not have the community of language, yet in the process of time all racial and other similar characteristics have been practically obliterated. The historic background of the Syrians is most interesting. Our native country is the birthplace of the two great religions, Christianity and Judaism, and is closely related to the growth of the third large monotheistic religion, Islam. The alphabet was given by our forefathers, the Phoenicians, to Europe. It was they who, long before the Christian era, carried the products and wares of Tyre and Sidon as far as the Canaries and the West Coast of Africa. Mathemathics, the basis of all sciences, was the product of the genius of our forefathers. Despite the fact that Syria has been the battlefield of the world from the dawn of history and has been the objective of those seeking world conouest from Thotmose. the Ee-vptian, down to Allenbv, the Englishman, she still survives. Although unable to achieve national unity, yet it has been of greater signifi- �MAY, 1929 3 cance to mankind, spiritually and materially, than any other single country. That the race still survives is striking proof of our vitality and our power of adaptation to changing conditions and circumstances. It is this heritage that has been handed down to us, and no peoples that have sought America for their permanent home have a historic background equal to ours, and it is difficult to bring oneself to the conclusion that a people possessed of such qualities, intellectual and spiritual, are doomed to complete absorption into the body social of the United States. Yet the writer, analyzing the situation dispassionately, has arrived at this conclusion. What is it that induced Syrians to immigrate to the United States? Undoubtedly, because of economic conditions, lack of opportunity and religious and political oppression. During the greater part of the nineteenth century, Syrians sought other fields of opportunity and endeavor. Egypt, because of its close proximity and the fact that it has a common language with Syria, first beckoned to Syrian manhood, and immigration to that country assumed extensive proportions. It may well be said that the future of the Syrians in America may be indicated by their experiences in Egypt. But an analysis will demonstrate the basic differences between the situation in Egypt and that in America. In the first place, Syrians immigrating to Egypt had a community of language. Secondly, the proximity of the two countries did not necessitate the severing of social ties with the homeland. Syrians spent their summers in the Lebanon hills and intercourse between the two countries, commercial and otherwise, rendered a severing of ties unlikely. None of these conditions obtain with regard to the Syrians in America. It is only necessary to point out the radical differences between the two situations to demonstrate that We can draw no analogy from the Syrians in Egypt. In America, a different language is spoken. It is obvious that the younger generations of Syrians in America are rapidly losing contact with the native tongue of their parents. Many of them, educated in the public schools and in colleges, although able to understand the Arabic language, yet are unable to read or write it, and, as indicated by the recent discussion in the pages of the Syrian World, the Arabic language among those of Syrian descent �6 THE SYRIAN WORLD is doomed to extinction, or near extinction. The remoteness of America from the homeland renders it difficult for Syrian-Americans to visit the land of their ancestors, except at rare intervals and for short periods of time, and as in course of time families— a part of which is here and a part in Syria— disappear, the necessity for other than a casual contact will disappear also. A study of conditions in America under which Syrians live will be interesting in the determination of the subject in hand. Syrians are not confined to any one particular locality in America. Wherever there is a village, town or city, you will find at least one or more Syrians, and it is only in the larger cities that colonies of them are established where contact between them is intimate. It is said that there are some three hundred thousand Syrians in the United States, and it is a fair guess that at least half of them are scattered in smaller communities where they have no opportunity for social intercourse with their countrymen and are by force of circumstances dependent entirely on social intercourse with Americans. As to that portion of our countrymen, there can be no doubt that in the process of time, and in a comparatively short one at that, they will rapidly lose their identity as Syrians and become in every sense of the word Americans. In the cities, however, the process is bound to be a little slower. There colonies, numbering in the thousands, are gathered in particular neighborhoods. There social intercourse is largely confined to themselves, but there, again, because of the great business acumen that they possess and the rapidly expanding field of endeavor in which they are engaged, their contacts with Americans are becoming of greater frequency and intimacy. There, again, the younger generation of Syrians are coming in contact with Americans and contracting friendships with them that are bound to wean them away from exclusive social contact with their countrymen. Syrian immigration to the United States commenced in the 80's of the last century. The reasons for their immigration here has already been adverted to hereinabove. Despite radical differences in environment,customs and language,and despite the handicap of inexperience, they have truly accomplished wonders in selfadvancement here. It was through hard work, perseverence and a desire to be law-abiding that they were able to advance from the �humble beginnings of the 90's to their present position in the community, and as they expand their field of endeavor they are bound to come into more and more intimate relations, business and social, with the general community and less with their own race It is interesting to note that while for the first two decades they confined themselves strictly to business, they are latterly invading various professions. Many physicians are to be found amongst them, and it is among the Syrian-Americans that men of the type of Gibran, Rihani, Dr. Hitti and Rev. Mansur have been developed. The lawyers of Syrian-American origin number at least thirty or forty. This is a most encouraging sign and demonstrates the quick adaptability of the race. But, in connection with the subject in hand, doe$ it not point unerringly to the conclusion that as our contacts broaden we are bound in the process of time to lose our racial identity? Of course, that does not mean that no traces of us will be left in America. As each foreign element has been introduced into the body politic, while the element may have lost its racial characteristics, still it has left its impress upon the character of the people, the institutions of the country and an indelible mark upon its history. The Syrians bring to America a proud heritage of historymakers of the past. They come possessed of an inherent love of justice and the desire for truth that successive generations of oppression have failed to obliterate. They have come with the innate desire to abide by the law of the land and an unconquerable love of home and family and the maintenance of the purity thereof, and, lastly but not least, the true Oriental godlike spirit of hospitality that has been handed down for countless generations. Can anyone say that these qualities will not make their indelible impress upon this beloved adopted land of ours? The passage of time and the constant changing conditions cannot obliterate characteristics that the past has failed to change, and the Syrians will make their contribution, and a very important one, to the upbuilding of the country, its people and their character. The analogy has been drawn between Syrians in America and those in Egypt to demonstrate the conclusion attempted to be expressed in this article. We may with profit study the effect of Syrian immigration on Egypt to determine the effect of their im- i �S THE SYRIAN WORLD migration to America. In Egypt the Syrians have attained a dominant position in industry, finance, the professions and letters, only through sheer native ability and capacity for work; and the Syrians in America, in the process of time and by dint of the same qualities, are bound to achieve a comparatively similar position here. To accomplish the greatest possible result, isolation cannot be endured. The best thing for Syrians in America is to avoid colonies where social and other intercourse is confined to themselves. Their capacity for usefulness will be greatly enhanced by the widest contacts. We Syrians in America are here to stay. We are not Americans by accident of birth, but by choice. That we are true Americans in the highest meaning of the word is beyond doubt, as has been amply established by the contribution of Syrian-Americans, both in men and in money, in the late war, and no more fitting exposition of the ideals of Syrian-Americanism can be pointed out than that made in the able article by the Rev. Mansur, published in the April issue of the Syrian World. Limitation of space prevents a further discussion of the question here, and this article will have served its purpose if it gives rise to independent thought amongst our people on this subject, and if it creates a discussion amongst them which is bound to prove interesting and profitable. THE JUSTICE OF NOUR-EDDIN Abu'l Faraj, one of the best known Arab chroniclers, relates the following as the highest standard of justice and integrity in office set by any of the Arab caliphs in history. The caliph Nour-Eddin, he states, would never permit expenditures to exceed the lawful income from his personal possessions. One day, his wife complained to him of the meagerness of her allowance, and he assigned to her the revenue from the rent of three of his stores in the city of Horns, which amounted to twenty gold pieces each year. Upon her protesting that the sum was insufficient, he replied, "This represents the whole of my lawful income. Funds in the treasury I could never permit myself to use because they are a sacred trust for all the Faithful. This trust I shall never betray and thereby render myself deserving of the fire hell for the sake of thy extravagance." �\ BHBKSMSBBK':' EX-KING HUSS EIN OF ARABIA The only photograph of him given out to the world. (See article by Ameen Rihani) �~0 i O ta M _C -C ra 5 V* S 6 rt Sb £ 3H<i^.2 -«« C o C S Si:3l-«< �\ MAY, 1929 9 Urban Arabs and Bedu By AMEEN RIHANI Editor's Note—This is the second of a series of articles by Mr. Rihani describing the first leg of his trip to Arabia. The author's observations on some phases of Arab life and psychology are distinctly original and should add greatly to our knowlege of Arabia. This material was never before published. LJORSES and groom and bishas (1) were waiting outside} and when we got into the saddles, the bishas walked ahead of us, their guns slung butt rearward on their shoulders. They wore short brown smocks, black ighals over red headkerchiefs, and were barefoot. The grooms in white smocks and blue sashes carrying bamboo sticks, walked alongside. A crowd of people had collected in front of the Quarantin Building, but they did not follow. As we passed by the city gate the Mayor excused himself, saying: "I must go to the noon prayer." We proceeded to the madhif (guest house), a two-story building, in front of which is a parched-up garden and two drooping tamarisk saplings; and going up the stairway covered with mats, we came to a vestibule which led to three rooms, a dining room and a bed room right and left, and a reception hall, the length of the building, in front. The walls are practically windows, connected by three or four feet of masonry, commanding a view of the sea to the west and the lagoon to the north; and in each window, the lower half of which is fitted with lattice, the upper half with blinds, is a sort of diwan about a foot high and three feet deep, spread with carpets. The floor was covered with one large Tabriz rug, and all around were rush bottom chairs, a few upholstered armchairs, and two sofas on opposite sides of the room. The oval marble table in the centre was another incongruity, and in one of the windows was the telephone. About an hour after we entered the house, the telephone rang and the servant who answered it announced that His Majesty had arrived at Hadda, which is half way between Jedda and Mecca. Another hour, and an ebony black soldier in blue kirtle and (1) Soldiers of the King's Guard, ori ginally from Bisha, At-Taief. southeast of I �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD red head-dress entered the room, saluted German-fashion, and said: "The automobile of the King has entered the city gate." So, we all went down and walked over to the Palace, which is but a few steps from the guest-house. A multitude of robed and turbaned citizens, sherifs, sheiks, saiyeds and military officers in khaki and ighals, coming from every direction, gathered in front of the Palace. We were standing on the steps when the automobile arrived. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was the first to step out, was followed by two other officials; the Ameer Zeid then preceded his father, a man of short stature in a green jubah and headkerchief and ighal of cream-colored silk. Thus on the 25th. of February, 1922 my feet first stepped on Arab soil and my eyes first beheld the most famous of the Kings of Arabia, the only Arab King, in fact, that was then known to Europe and America. I came from New York with a lingering uncertainty in my heart, caused by the saturnine countenance of His Majesty as revealed in the picture given to the world during the War, the only picture of him known; and he came from Mecca with a picture in his mind of fame and distinction drawn for him somewhat rhetorically by my two friends in his service, the Foreign Minister Fouad'ul-Khatib and Captain Yanni. That we were both disappointed at first, I cannot say. But I soon discovered that the lingering uncertainty which I carried with me from New York was not justified. I shook hands with His Majesty as he stepped out of the automobile and behind him into the Palace. But as we were ascending the stairs he looked back to see where I was, and, taking me courteously by the hand, made me walk by his side. The furniture in the Palace is not superior to that of the guest-house. The usual diwans covered with cotton cloth, the usual rush-bottom armchairs, and the usual, if not more inferior, rugs. It is Arab democracy, which is not unpleasant to one coming from America. There are other signs of it, outward signs, in King Hussein, as in his dress for instance, and his manner of living. His picture does not do him justice, and I have it to thank for my second pleasant surprise in Jeddah. Here is a suavity rather with an undercurrent of sadness, and a serenity coupled with genial grace. He is, of all Arab Kings, the most kingly, if not also the most spiritual and the least clannish. Nor is this strange. �MAY, 1929 I\«l 11 For he is a descendant of the Prophet and he has lived twenty years in Constantinople. His charming personality, therefore, has two sources, innate and acquired—the Prophetic and diplomatic. In his face is an eloquent expression of both. His white beard is not flowing and vagrant; his delicate white skin has in it veins of pink; his straight nose is not formidable; his soft brown eyes are fortified with a ring of blue around the pupils; and his brow is shown to advantage when he wears a turban instead of a sumadah{ 1) and ighal..- Withal, he has a smile than which I have not known a more captivating, except it be the smile of his enemy Ibn Sa'oud, King Abd'ul-Aziz; and his voice—it is softer than the light in his eyes; and his hands—they are more eloquent of blood and more cogent in their proof of a noble, nay, an apostolic ancestry, than all the books of lineage in Arabia. Besides, these excellences were more enhanced in my eyes, because they were devoid of pomp and pose. The King, when traveling, is not distinguishable from any other Arab sheikh exce- t by the yellow silk ighal and the lighter yellow silk sumadah under it. The ighal is an heirloom of the Numaiy, the King's immediate ancestry—the crown of its ruling house. But the turban he wears is distinguishable from other white turbans by a few inches of the end falling over his right ear. This democratic tenu is common to all the Kings of Arabia. His Majesty sat in a corner of the diwan Arab-fashion, that is with one knee folded under him, the other raised as a rest to his arm, and offered me the seat to his right. Something very strange then happened. I said that his was, outwardly at least, democratic. But the citizens of Jeddah came in to prove that in the salaaming ceremony he was not; and I wondered whether the Turkish manner in urban Arabia began or ended in Al-Hijaz. They entered, the distinguished citizens of Jeddah, and came up in a line, silent and head-bowed, their hands folded across their breasts, to make salaam; and every one bent reverently over his Majesty's hand, kissing it once, twice, three times, back and palm. Some kissed it multitudinously in rapid succession- stopped a second for breath, and bussed it a last buss for good measure. Others, not satisfied with the hand, rubbed their lips also against (1) Sumadah in Al-Hijaz, Gutreh in Nejd, Kufiyah in Syria, is the headkerchief worn under the ighal or cord. �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD the royal knee. His Majesty in return kissed a few of his subjects on the cheek, and from a few ethers he withdrew his hand. These were royal cousins, sherifs of the ruling house. Thus are the various degrees of servility and royal favor made manifest, made public. Every one knows his rank in servitude and is not ashamed to betray it by kissing , for instance, the royal knee or by just attempting to kiss the royal hand. These are the urban, the Turkefied, Arabs. But the Turkefying process did not reach the Bedu, who remain free of all the Abd'ul-Hamidian ceremonies imported into the Hejaz. The beduin comes into Jeddah, stands in the street under the Palace window, and calls out "O thou Abu-Ali!" And he makes his demand in forthright speech, as man to man, without preliminaries or embellishments. In his tone is the spirit of equality, the spirit of the desert. King Husein accepted this as he accepted from the civilized, the Turkefied, the kiss of reverence and loyalty. Aye, he accepted with a smile the mark of servitude as he accepted with a smile the liberty-and-equality manner of the Bedu. He did not change in either circumstance. Does it astound you, this royal and apostolic conduct? The urban Arab is usually a merchant, the beduin is usually a fighter. Both are necessary for the welfare of the State and the maintenance of the throne. We take from the one to give to the other j and sometimes we have to humiliate the one that we might be able to take and give, especially if the other be hardheaded and carries withal a gun. Indeed, the Bedu understand but two languages—money and arms;—the language of force pre-eminently, and King Husein unfortunately did not or could not speak forcefully in either tongue. He was firm in the belief that the smile of the descendant of the Prophet was riches to the Faithful, and that his frown was force sufficient. Besides, he always thought well of the Bedu. "The Bedu, O worthy one, are simple, and poor, and ignorant. But they are honest, and they stand by their word." There is much to doubt in the last half of His Majesty's statement. But I learned afterwards that he was speaking, as he often did, in inuendoes, and that he meant to cudgel the English who, in their diplomacy and their pledges, are not even like the Bedu. In the many political conversations that followed he recurred frequently to this subject, and he was always woefully �MAY, 1929 13 cryptic. He spoke in symbols and riddles and proverbs. Seldom did he think a straight thought or express it in a straightforward manner. But in our first conversation he touched but the rings of politics, preferring, in a public majlisy to hold forth on religion and the Arabs, illustrating his words from the Koran and th^e Hadlth ,(Sayings of the Prophet). "The Arabs and Al-Islam are one—who supports the Arabs supports Al-Islam—cling to the bond of Allah and disperse not— Al-Islam, O brilliant one, fights only those who fight it—we fight only in self-defense. Al-Islam teaches simplicity, faithfulness, equality and contentment It were well if the Syrians of America came to Al-Hijaz to live. They could continue to trade and be happy—I say, happy. They would also help us in building an Arab kingdom based upon Arab unity." I had conveyed to His Majesty the salaams of my Syrian friends in New York and of certain Arabs and pro-Arab Egyptians in Cairo.—"We greatly appreciate this visit, O worthy one, and we thank thee—I say—the greatest— to a country which is poor and unattractive, with seas between it and civilization. But thou hast come in obedience to a call of the heart. Thou hast returned after a long migration to the cradle of the highest virtues. Allah keep thee, Allah enfold thee in His blessings." His silken voice drops into inaudibility at times. Whereupon, he repeats his word, preluding it with an 'I say', or 'I say, 0 worthy one'; and sometimes, in emphasis, he repeats his words. The lI say', aqoul, is common with the Arabs, however, as with the English. The distinguished citizens of Jeddah, as His Majesty spoke, were seated all around on the diwans like so many statues of reverence and silence; and when the most ancient among them got up to ask for permission to leave, they all followed suit, performing again, with the same energy and exactness, the ceremony of "kissing hand." Thinking that it was time for me also to leave, 1 made a vain attempt to get up; for seated Arab-fashion in my European clothes, I felt that I was tied into knots and that I had to go through the slow process of untying before I could resume my ambulant habit. But His Majesty motioned with his hand, 'Stay'; and so I availed myself of the opportunity to change my position and thus facilitate the untying process. He then spoke �14 T::E SYRIAN WORLD a word of apology, which was most gracious and sincere,—both eloquent and true. "We are a simple people, and within our crude way of living we offer all that is available. Let this love and devotion intercede for us." I tried to emulate him in the like expression, and I failed. For when I said something about his condescending to come from Mecca to meet me, he silenced me with a motion of his hand and added to my confusion and shame: —"Shall we not traverse a few leagues to meet him who has crossed many seas to visit us?" i f i ( write then looki: equal Hami \ Out of My Deeper Heart By KHALIL GIBRAN Out of my deeper heart a bird rose and flew skyward. Higher and higher did it rise, yet larger and larger did it grow. At first it was but a little swallow, then a lark, then an eagle, then as a vast spring cloud, and then it filled the starry heavens, Out of my heart a bird flew skyward. And it waxed larger as it flew. Yet it left not my heart. O my faith, my untamed knowledge, how shall I fly to your height and see with you man's larger self pencilled upon the sky? How shall I turn this sea within me into mist, and move with you in space immeasurable? How can a prisoner within the temple behold its golden domes? How shall the heart of a fruit be stretched to envelop the fruit also? O my faith, I am in chains behind these bars of silver and ebony, and I cannot fly with you. Yet out of my heart you rise skyward, and it is my heart that holds you, and I shall be content. I .. �MAY, 1929 13 The Sudanese Soldier By DR. NEJIB A. KATIBAH Editor's Note — The following is a reminiscent account of the time the writer served with the British forces in the conquest of the Sudan. He had then just graduated from the American University of Beirut and was out looking for a career and adventure. He succeeded well in both. His other equally interesting account of his experiences and observations in AbuHamed was published in the March issue of the Syrian World. The Sudanese is not endowed with considerable intelligence or wit, much less the Sudanese soldier who is noted for blind obedience to orders accompanied by an innate tendency to gravity and barbarism. I have not known of a single incident where real witticism exhibited itself in the Sudanese, and so far as my personal experience is concerned, I have discovered that the greatest attempt at humor on his part consisted of merely making the greatest fool of himself. Those who wish to classify the following incident under "wit" might do so, but I know for certain that the party in question merely hit upon the reply accidentally. Once a Sudanese soldier applied through me to the Commandant for a day's absence from the camp to see his wife and children. It might be said in passing that the Sudanese batallions in the Egyptian Army are given the privilege of taking their wives and children with them whenever ordered to change camps j but they are not allowed, for the sake of military discipline, to live with their families in one camp. Women, children and non-combatants are invariably alloted separate barracks more or less under military supervision. This soldier's request was accorded by the commanding officer and I communicated the approval to him in the usual military terms of "You are granted twenty-four hours' leave." He, however, did not respond to the roll-call for three consecutive days, neither did he appear at tatoo, retreat or reveil, t �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD and in consequence his name was given as an absentee. He showed up on the fourth day and was brought up before the officer to give an account of his conduct. His explanation was 'that he always asked what time o'clock it was and was told that it was either one, three, nine and even eleven and twelve but never twenty-four o'clock.' There are two contradictory characteristics in the Sudanese, but which are nevertheless co-existant in him, viz: sensitiveness and impassiveness. The latter attribute, I am sure, is considered a well established fact and I need not dwell long upon it to prove its existance in him. I heard and read hundreds of stories where the Sudanese slave underwent physical punishments of the most atrocious nature with unflinching endurance 5 and I have seen black soldiers sentenced to corporeal penalties stand the cutting lash with stoical calmness. Probably when hurt physically the Sudanese suffers it from a sense of pride. I have seen them several times laughing heartily at Egyptian soldiers who cried and twisted their bodies in anticipation of pain before the lash touched their backs. But when the Sudanese is hurt morally the consequence becomes quite different—he cannot brook an insult. The following incident will illustrate this as well as his extreme vendictiveness: A Sudanese soldier of the 9th batallion was one day brought up before the commanding officer of the corps for summary trial. His crime was neither great enough to entail detention, fine or physical punishment, nor yet light enough to be remitted. The officer was quite at a loss what award to give and finally gave vent to his hesitating mind in the somewhat forcible reprimand to which most men of the army are addicted and told him that he was a d—d fool. The Sudanese thought this too derogatory to his personal honor and at once retorted in similar language for which the offended officer sentenced him to ten lashes and 168 hours' imprisonment with hard labor. Three months later, at the engagement of Abu-Hamed against the Dervishes, the soldier in question took advantage of the disorder occasioned by the complete rout of the enemy and murdered the officer in the fray by shooting him in the back of the head. I could quote several instances of this nature where trivial insults occasioned serious trouble and sometimes mutiny, but the �MAY, 1929 17 incident given above is one of the most glaring that was ever brought to my notice. I will, however, relate another incident which occurred to me in person and which will further illustrate the above characteristics of the Sudanese: In the year 1897, when I first joined the Anglo-Egyptian forces in the Sudan, I took my sporting gun one afternoon and went out shooting. I was after small game such as pigeons, quails and turtles, and I necessarily had to go into the fields in quest of them. I crossed one field after another taking great pains not to tread on the herbs and to confine my way to the paths assigned to wayfarers. I finally came to a solitary tree where I thought I could at once take rest and watch for the birds. A Sudanese old man— the only person I saw in the open that day— was languidly occupying himself with his sickle at weeding at a short distance from the tree; but I took no notice of him. He, however, as soon as I attracted his attention, got up, shook his sickle menacingly and ordered me to clear out of the place at once. I did not know much of the people at the time and naturally took offense at his demeanor and told him to keep quiet and mind his own business. What followed took less time than it takes to relate—his bloodshot eyes were eagerly fixed upon me as he ran with all his might towards me shaking his sickle in the air. His intention was quite plain, and to intimidate him I immediately levelled my gun in his face and covered him; but my action did not have the least effect upon him. In a moment I understood that I had only one of two alternatives: either shoot him or take to my heels, and'l did the latter for which I am sure my readers will appreciatinglv commend me. These characteristics are considered by the British military authorities excellent attributes in the Sudanese soldier especially during active service, and this has been greatly justified during the war for the reconquest of Sudan. I can quote hundreds of stones from the history of this war which will verify this, but I wish to speak of my personal experience and observation. " At the battle of Atbara, a detachment of Sudanese -soldiers was ordered off to reinforce a body of Egyptian Infantrv which was being seriously embarassed by odd numbers of the" Dervish Light Gavali-y. Off wem the Sudanese lads quite happv to render assistance and prove their courage. Thev had to crtts a small �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD jungle to reach their destination, but as soon as they were fairly iri the thicket they were surprised by an ambush of Dervish Lancers which sprang up in their very faces. The black lads did not falter but at once charged upon the enemy with their bayonets. It was a terrible conflict, but one in which victory was due solely to numbers. The unhappy detachment would have been completely annihilated had not the enemy been scared by a false alarm and fled away. The detachment was reduced to a dozen or so disabled men who in compliance with their orders were subsequently detected limping off on the other side of the thicket and loudly exhorting the Egyptian Infantry, (who were already losing heart), that they were coming to reinforce them. It must be recorded that this again alarmed the Dervishes and their cavalry at once wheeled aside and retreated with heavy losses into a neighboring ravine. Then again at Karrari, the decisive battle which determined the fate of the Sudan, I was an eye-witness to another exhibition of bravery which has impressed itself strongly upon my mind. This time it was on the part of a banner-carrier of the Dervishes. In fact, the Dervishes manifested great bravery, perhaps recklessness, in this battle, and I do not know what the result of that engagement would have been had they organized their defense according to the modern military system. As it were, they left Omdurman in hordes under various chiefs and huddled into one great mass unmarked by lines or divisions and devoid of any order or organization. We saw before us but a vast assemblage of men armed with swords, spears, old rifles and sporting guns indiscriminately mixed up. Hoisted flags of various colors patched up with texts from the Koran, and round which the pressure of men ostensibly thickened, were seen here and there flying above the heads of this great crowd and indicated the exact number of chiefs under whom this medley of humanity was to make battle. When we opened fire, this gigantic body made a convulsive internal movement by rallying round the flags and splitting itself into so many centers. At our second volley they gave a vehement shout of "La ilaha ilia lah" and rushed madly forward precipitating themselves upon our fire. My attention was dragon to one of their hordes which moved forward mindless of our showering bullets. Their number was ? �MAY, 1929 19 being quickly diminished but they kept leaping over their fallen ones and trotting forward with their flag flying in the center. Onward they dashed and one by one they fell, but the flag kept advancing. Finally the whole body was annihilated and not a single man could be seen accompanying the solitary flag that was proudly flying towards us. Everybody shouted to the man to surrender and let down the flag, but we heard him shouting in reply "I prefer death." A little later his left arm was seen hanging helplessly to one side, but he still advanced. Shortly after he fell on his knees but he clung to his flag and crept energetically onward. He at last fell dead at a few yards from our lines and was carried to the camp hospital where it was discovered that his body was fairly riddled through with bullets. The Sudanese is, moreover, very jealous over his rifle, ammunition and uniform. I know of several cases where, owing to old age or unfitness from wounds or illness, a black soldier would feel greatly humiliated when pensioned off and made to part with his beloved arms and kit. The following incident will, however, bring this characteristic into greater light: Shortly after the hoisting up of the British flag side by side with the Egyptian flag at Khartoum, the Egyptian officers and men took serious exception to the attitude of England in the matter, and it was rumored that they planned an insurrection. The British authorities were anxious to avoid being drawn into fresh diplomatic difficulties over the Egyptian Question and naturally looked for some means whereby they could disempower the Egyptians. It was finally considered expedient to disarm the men temporarily pending the arrival of an adequate British force to Khartoum. In order to make this measure pass under the pretext of a bona fide military expediency, a general order was passed to both Egyptian and Sudanese batallions to return their arms, which have become old, to the Ordnance Store for checking and control, and to await a new issue of arms later on. The Sudanese soldiers, however, refused to give up their arms and insisted upon the new issue being first distributed. When a little coercion was used they actually mutinied and the authorities were compelled to let them have their way. The Egyptian soldiers, on the other hand, with a little pressure, delivered their rifles. That was all that was wanted. "Arm a Sudanese and order him to shoot—were it at his fa- �,~ 20 THE SYRIAN WORLD ther—and he will do it," is a widespread saying among the Egyptians and British officers in the Sudan. This is not an exaggeration, but to those who are inclined to disbelieve it I will quote the following occurrence: The 11th., 13th. and 14th. batallions Sudanese are noted for their close relation and friendliness to each other. Intermarriages among the Sudanese batallions have been going on for some time, but more so amongst the above three corps where it is not an uncommon occurrence to have the male members of one family attached solely to them. Once at Omdurman, it happened that two officers' sons of the 13th. and 14th. batallions, respectively, were circumcised on the same day, and according to custom, the event was celebrated in noisy ceremonials. Both boys were mounted on horses and followed by two long processions of women and children of the batallions who sang, danced, pranked and beat their tambourines as they marched along. The two processions met in one of the streets and each expected the other to make way for it to pass. This occasioned a dispute and a scuffle ensued in which hair pulling was the main feature. The shrieks of the women alarmed the men in the camps who immediately took their rifles and ran to the spot. The two officers, the fathers of the two boys, at once assumed leadership and a real skermish followed. They shot at each other in earnest and peaceable means could not make them cease. Finally the British officer in command at Omdulman ordered the 11th. batallion to the scene and fired at both. The firing on all sides took some time and occasioned heavy loss before peace was at last established. Amongst the killed and injured were several members of one family who fell at their own kinsmen's hands. THE PLACE OF POETRY Al-Nabigha, the poet laureat of the tribe of Beni Ja'da, could not compose a single refrain for forty days, and his admirers were in despair. At that time, the tribe undertook a ghazu and were successful. Upon hearing the news of victory, Al-Nabigha was so thrilled that he began forthwith to pour out verses in torrents. And his people exclaimed, "In truth, we are happier for the return of your poetical inspiration than for having achieved victory." �21 MAY, 1929 A Chapter From Usama By DR. PHILIP K. HITTI Their lack of sense. Mysterious are the works of the Creator, the author of all things! When one comes to recount cases regarding the Franks he cannot but glorify Allah (exalted is he!) and sanctify him, for he sees them as animals possessing the virtues of courage and fighting, but nothing else; just as animals have only the virtues of strength and carrying loads. I shall now give some instances of their doings and their curious mentality. In the army of King Fulk, son of Fulk, was a Frankish reverend knight who had just arrived from their land in order to make the holy pilgrimage and then return home. He was of my intimate fellowship and kept such constant company with me that he began to call me "my brother." Between us were mutual bonds of amity and friendship. When he resolved to return by sea to his homeland he said to me: "My brother, I am leaving for my country and I want thee to send with me thy son (my son who was then fourteen years old, was at that time in my company) to our country, where he can see the knights and learn wisdom and chivalry. When he returns, he will be like a wise man." Thus there fell upon my ears words which would never come out of the head of a sensible man; for even if my son were to be taken captive, his captivity could not bring him a worse misfortune than carrying him into the lands of the Franks. However, I said to the man: "By my life, this has exactly been my idea. But the only thing that prevented me from carrying it out was the fact that his grandmother, my mother, is so fond of him and did not this time let him come out with me until she exacted an oath from me to the effect that I would return him to her." Therefore he asked, "Is thy mother still alive?" "Yes," I replied. "Well," said he, "disobey her not." .... �THE SYRIAN WORLD 22 Their curious medication. A case illustrating their curious medicine is the following: The lord of al-Munaytirah in Lebanon, wrote to my uncle asking him to dispatch a physician to treat certain sick persons among his people. My uncle sent him a Christian physician named Thabit. Thabit was absent but ten days when he returned. So we said to him, "How quickly hast thou healed thy patients!" He said: ~~" "They brought before me a knight in whose leg an abscess had grown; and a woman afflicted with imbecility. To the knight I applied a small poultice until the abscess opened and became well} and the woman I put on diet and made her humor wet. Then a Frankish physician came to them and said, "This man knows nothing about treating them." He then said to the knight, "Which wouldst thou prefer, living with one leg or dying with two?" The latter replied, "Living with one leg." The physician said, "Bring me a strong knight and a sharp ax." A knight came with the ax. And I was standing by. Then the physician laid the leg of the patient on a block of wood and bade the knight strike his leg with the ax and chop it off at one blow. Accordingly he struck it — while 1 was looking on — one blow, but the leg was not severed. He dealt another blow, upon which the marrow of the leg flowed out and the patient died on the spot. He then examined the woman and said, "This is a woman in whose head there is a devil which has possessed her. Shave off her hair." Accordingly they shaved it off and the woman began once more to eat their ordinary diet — garlic and mustard. The physician then said, "The devil has penetrated through her head." He therefore took a razor, made a deep cruciform incision on it, peeled off the skin at the middle of the incision until the bone of the skull was exposed and rubbed it with salt. The woman also expired instantly. Thereupon I asked them whether my services were needed any longer, and when they replied in the negative I returned home, having learned of their medicine what I knew not before." I have, however, witnessed a case of their medicine which was quite different from that. The King of the Franks, Fulk of Anjou, king of Jerusalem, had for treasurer a knight named Bernard who (may Allah's curse �____ MAY, 1929 f 23 be on him!) was one of the most accursed and wicked among the Franks. A horse kicked him in the leg, which was subsequently infected and which opened in fourteen different places, livery time one of these cuts would close in one place, another would open in another place. All this happened while I was praying for his perdition. Then came to him a Frankish physician and removed from the leg all the ointments which were on it and began to wash it with very strong vinegar. By this treatment all the cuts were healed and the man became well again. He was up again like a devil. New Frankish arrivals rough. Everyone who is a fresh emigrant from the Frankish lands is ruder in character than those who have become acclimatized and have held long association with the Moslems. Here is an illustration of their rude character. Whenever I visited Jerusalem I visited the Aqsa Mosque, beside which stood a small mosque which the Franks converted into a church. When I used to enter the Aqsa Mosque, which was occupied by the Templars, who were my friends, the Templars would evacuate the little adjoining mosque so that I might pray in it. One day I entered the mosque, repeated the formula "Allah is great," and stood up in the act of praying, upon which one of the Franks rushed on, got hold of me and turned my face eastward saying, "This is the way thou shouldst pray!" A group of Templars hastened to him, seized him and repelled him from me. I resumed my prayer. The same man, while the others were otherwise busy, rushed once more on me and turned my face eastward, saying, "This is the way thou shouldst pray!" The Templars again came to him and expelled him. They apologized to me, saying, "This is a stranger who has recently arrived from the land of the Franks and he has never before seen anyone praying except eastward." Thereupon I said to myself, "I have had enough prayer." So I went out and have ever been surprised at the conduct of this devil of a man, at the change in the color of his face, his trembling and his sentiment at the sight of one praying towards the qiblah, (direction of the Ka'bah in the holy city of Mecca.) �' THE SYRIAN WORLD 24 Naive conception of God. I saw one of the Franks come to al-Amir Mu'in-al-Din (May Allah's mercy rest upon his soul!) when he was in the Dome of the Rock and say to him, "Dost thou want to see God as a child?" Mu'in-al-Din said, "Yes." The Frank walked ahead of us until he showed us the picture of Mary with Christ (may peace be upon him!) as an infant in her lap. He then said, "This is God as a child." But Allah is exalted far above what the infidels say about him! Franks lack jealousy in sex affairs. The Franks are void of all zeal and jealousy. One of them may be walking along with his wife. He meets another man who takes the wife by the hand and steps aside to converse with her while the! husband is standing on one side waiting for his wife to conclude the conversation. If she lingers too long for him, he leaves her alone with the conversant and goes away. Here is an illustration which I myself witnessed: One day a Frank in Nablus went home and found a man with his wife in the same bed. He asked him, "What could have made thee enter into my wife's room?" The man replied, I was tired , so I went in to rest." "But how," asked he, "didst thou get into my bed?" The other replied, "I found a bed that was spread, so I slept in it." "But," said he, "my wife was sleeping together with thee!" The other replied, "Well, the bed is hers. How could I therefore have prevented her from using her own bed?" "By the truth of my religion," said the husband, "if thou shouldst do it again, thou and I would have a quarrel." Such was for the Frank the entire expression of his disapproval and the limit of his jealousy. Consider now this great contradiction! They have neither jealousy nor zeal but they have great courage, although courage is nothing but the product of zeal and the ambition to be above ill repute. Here is a story analoguous to the one related above: I entered the public bath in Sur (Tyre) and took my place in a secluded part. One of my servants thereupon said to me, "There is with us in the bath a woman." When I went out, I sat on one of the stone benches and behold! the woman who was in �25 MAY, 1929 '! the bath had come out all dressed and was standing with her father just opposite me. But I could not be sure that she was a woman. So I said to one of my companions, "by Allah, see if this is a woman," by which I meant that he should ask about her. But he went, as I was looking at him, lifted the end of her robe and looked carefuuly at her limbs. Thereupon her father turned toward me and said, "This is my daughter. Her mother is dead and she has nobody to wash her hair. So I took her with me to the bath and washed her head." I replied, "Thou hast well done! This is something for which thou shalt be rewarded (by Allah)!" Another curious case of medication. A curious case relating to their medicine is the following, which was related to me by William of Bures, the lord of Tiberias, who was one of the principal chiefs among the Franks. It happened that William had accompanied al-Amir Mu'in-al-Din from Acre to Tiberias when I was in his company too. On the way William related to us the following story in these words: "We had in our country a highly esteemed knight who was taken ill and was on the point of death. We thereupon came to one of our great priests and said to him, 'Come with us and examine so and so, the knight.' 'I will,' he replied, and walked along with us while we were assured in ourselves that if he would only lay his hand on him the patient would recover. When the priest saw the patient, he said, 'Bring me some wax.' We fetched him a little wax, which he softened and shaped like the knuckles of fingers, and he stuck one in each nostril. The knight died on the spot. We said to him, 'He is dead.' 'Yes,' he replied, 'he was suffering great pain, so I closed up his nose that he might die and get relief.' " A COMPARISON A proud Arab poet was told that his ability was belittled by some of his wealthy enemies, and he replied, "Our times are like the sea. Pearls settle at the bottom while dead carcasses float on the surface." �26 In the Rose Season By DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN The rose is king, and his kingdom is in the garden! It is the rose season. It is love's season, And thou art its queen, and thy kingdom is in my heart. Give me thy hand and I will lead thee to the garden. Like Al-Motawakkil, we will don robes of the color of the rose, On our heads we will sprinkle the essence of the rose, We will cool our hands and faces in the water of the rose; We will lay us on a couch of the petals of the rose. We will gaze at the stream, We will cover its breast with roses, and the roses will float down to the sea. It is love's season, and our love shall have the color and the scent of the rose. We will gaze at the day, We will cover its bosom with wishes, and our hopes shall ascend even unto the zenith of the future. O, come with me to the garden and I will tell thee the story of the weaver, The weaver who lived in the days of Al-Ma'moun, the son of Haroun, The weaver who, of all the flowers of the earth, most dearly loved the rose. Day in and day out, on Fridays and holidays, the weaver's loom ne'er stopped its click, But when the earliest May rose pursed its lips to kiss the morning breeze, The weaver left his loom and sped him to the garden, singing: "With happiness the days are rife, For are not the roses here? �MAY, 1929 27 O, let us greet the sun with brim-full cups, Let us rejoice as long as roses live— As long as maiden roses from their chambers venture forth, And roses fully grown the secrets of their flaming breasts expose." And when the wine warmed his heart he sang: "Thirty days and ten and five— Such is the rose's life. Then let us greet its birth with song, And turn its short life to a jubilee, Its progress mark with wild festivity. The rose will hence! O, come with me, And on a bed of roses quaff the clear red wine, As long as roses live." Such was the weaver's custom every year, And thus he sang. And when his story was brought to the hearing of Al-Ma'moun, this prince admired the sentiment and ordered his treasurer to present the weaver with ten thousand pieces of silver as often as the rose season made its appearance. It is the rose season, It is love's season— What will be thy gift to me In the rose season, In love's season? i»i �THE SYRIAN WORLD 24 From the Arabic By LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA Editor's Note — The translator of the following poems from the Arabic is a teacher of English in a Junior High School in Boston. Although born in America, she has seriously takien up the study of Arabic, and with her gift for poetry, is able to make excellent use of her knowledge of the mother tongue of her parents. We hope to give our readers later some original compositions of Miss Hanna. A MAN IS DEAD "Ah! embalmer," said I "Withhold your water. Is he not washed With tears That the eyes of praise and honor Have shed at his .demise? "Ah! embalmer," I cried, Withhold your perfumes And embalming fluids. Is not the memory Of noble deeds Sufficient substitute? "Let his pallbearers be The holy angels. Do you not see They encircle him? "This is more fitting Than to burden the shoulders of men With his weight— For they are already heavily laden With his benefactions." MA: �>ic rn er ier lal 29 MAY, 1929 IBN EL-JAWZY REPLIES \ Ibn El-Jawzy, preacher and mystic Of Islam, of long ago, Was noted for his cutting repartee— As everyone must know. Upon a certain occasion He was called upon to speak, And one of his audience heard a remark That made him very weak! Ibn El-Jawzy recited a poem Of verses one or two About the zephyr and the flowers And the morning dew:— "When I have become like the zephyr, Dainty and soft, As it passes over the flowers in the fields, And whispers aloft, "When I have become sensitive That I feel The intangible And my senses reel. "I drink the wine of subtle meaning And find delight— And enjoy to ecstacy every sound in Nature, And all is right." And everyone listened and was thrilled But one suddenly cried, "And what if the sound be the braying of an ass." At which Ibn El-Jawzy replied: " 'What if the sound be the braying of an ass?' " You boldly ask. Why, then, if you wish to know, I would say, " 'Be quiet, you ass!' " �THE SYRIAN WORLD 3G Sonnets By THOMAS ASA Dedicated to Gibran K. Gibran TO FRIENDSHIP Proceeding with the march of passing years With friendship's beacon light to mark the way, From early morning's breath till close of day, And though its joy is not without its tears Its imprint on the knowing mind endears; While Time has cast its thorns and weeds away, And wrought for it a mold without decay; And strenghtened with the ebbing tide, and rears Itself a throne within the heart of man. And a passion more worthy to possess Has never graced the flowing stream of life— The surest path o'er which the soul may span The reaches of divine perfection, unless God's whole existence is not worth the strife TO A FOND MEMORY How like the ling'ring fragrance of a flower, That implants its chastened breath upon the mind; And the exquisite fancy of its form will find The human heart a perennial bower Of calm repose, and which no earthly power Can change, nor Time's erratic flight can bind It with the chaff of all the worldly kind,— The purest gift that God to man endower. And though the clutching hand that strife commands While yet the bitterness of worldly tears Would taint the mortal mould of natural birth;— The fondness of a memory that knows all lands;— Has drunk the waters of all joys and fears, Is yet the sweetest treasure of our earth. �m^ 31 MAY, 1929 Man is Potentially Immortal By DR. GEORGE KNAYSI Editor's Note — The subject of this article was suggested to the author by a conversation with the editor of this publication upon the former's visit to New York. Dr Knaysi being an instructor in bacteriology at Cornell University, a discussion of the progress of his research work naturally led to the subject of longevity of human life. Such an opinion, in the nature of the case, must only be a bare outline. In giving it, however, he took the precaution to express the hope that "readers will understand from the close of the article that it veils no atheistic tendencies. On the contrary, it pictures the continuous struggle of man against the unknown which he is and in which he is placed, with man's usual slow but sure conquest." The phenomena of life and death, youth and age, have baffled the human mind for ages. Generation after generation have seen the babe develop into man and the man gradually wane and disappear. It was a law, universal in its application, governing both the plant and the animal kingdoms. Youth, age and death seemed to be the corollaries of life. Although the problem of life is still far from being solved, and, indeed, only our faith in human progress gives us hope that some day the human mind may penetrate the secrets of life as it did penetrate the mysteries of space and those of the atom, yet man's attiutde toward life and its manifestations has changed considerably during the last hundred years. The year 1828 will always be remembered as the year during which Wohler, a German chemist, accidentally synthesised urea, a substance known then to be produced only by living matter. The mystery was gone forever. Since then many such substances have been prepared in the laboratory, some of which are very complex indeed. Another significant advance was made toward the beginning of this century when the late Jacques Loeb, then of the Rockefeller institute, was able to fertilize eggs of sea urchins, frogs, etc., by chemical and physical means. Sexual fusion is therefore merely a type of chemical or physical stimulation. The above two great discoveries, however, should not ec- �THE SYRIAN WORLD lipse many less important ones which enable us now to understand more or less thoroughly the basis of heredity, the nature of youth, age and death, and the behavior of the living matter toward various agents and under various conditions. We now know, for instance, that life processes go on exactly according to the laws of physics and chemistry, that age is manifested by structural and chemical changes in the cell under the influence of environment, and that death is a gradual process beginning with age. The old theory that death is a corollary of life can no more be accepted, in the light of modern investigations, and man should be looked upon as potentially immortal. For all these invaluable informations we are indebted to experimental sciences, a century of which did more to enlighten us than ages of speculative philosophy. We are justified, therefore, in looking hopefully into the future for a more complete understanding of living matter, its nature and its properties. The foundation is laid, and we can depend on the man of tomorrow to contribute his share of honest and intelligent effort. As to the question of the origin of life, it is likely to remain a mystery for many years to come, for the simplest living system that we are able to observe shows a very complex organization. The attempts to prepare artificial systems endowed with certain properties of life have, so far, yielded meager results. It is significant, however, to note that all living systems are built according to a general plan which, so far as the writer was able to see, suffers no exceptions. TO MY MISTRESS Translated from the Arabic by J. D. Carlyle Ungenerous and mistaken maid, To scorn me thus because I'm poor! Canst thou a liberal hand upraid For dealing round some worthless ore? To spare 's the wish of little souls, .The great but gather to bestow; Yon current -down the mountain rolls And stagnates in the swamp below. ... �I MAY, 1929 j I * I* Books and Authors If* SYRIAN FOLK-SONGS 33 The Smell of Lebanon, Francis Walterson, Talybont Dyffryn, North Wales. 50pp. $5.50 This is a book of twenty-four Syrian folk-songs collected by S. H. Stephan, the English versions of which are by E. Powys Mathers. Most of the songs are of the variety more in vogue in Palestine, and while some are comparatively old others are fairly modern. The English rendition is generally true to the letter and the spirit of the original and the author is to be commended for his painstaking ability. These songs, however, cannot stand favorable comparison with the selection of similar songs published in the Syrian World in 1926 and 1927 as translated by two of our noted authors and poets, G. K. Gibran and Ameen Rihani. The song of Marmar Zamani (my days are bitter), occurring in both collections, may be taken as an illustration. A laudable feature of the book is that the Arabic original and the English translation are printed on opposite pages to facilitate comparison. This scheme had also been followed by the Syrian World. The Arabic characters of the Walterson book which was printed in Leipzig, Germany, although clear, are of an obsolete face which would have never been used had the book been printed either in Syria or Egypt, or in America. The Arabic faces of the Linotype in which all Arabic composition in America is now being done have been used to infinitely better advantage tage in giving the book a better typographical appearance. USAMA APPEARING SOON We acted on wrong information when we announced in the preceding issue of the Syrian World that the Book of Usama, which is being published by Columbia University Press, will appear next fall. Professor Philip K. Hitti, the translator of this rare Arabic manuscript which sheds interesting light on certain phases of the Crusaders' stay in Syria, assures us that the book �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD will be on the market the latter part of May. This we consider good news which we gladly impart to lovers of worthwhile books and admirers of the versatile talents of Dr. Hitti. In making the statement in our last issue that Usama was a delightful character, we had relied on fragmantary oral information about the nature of his work. We are now glad to give a substantiation of the statement by the advance publication of some chapters which Dr. Hitti has kindly given us. The installment published in this issue deals with the author's appreciation of the Frankish character. In the subsequent installment which will appear in the June issue, he gives a wondrous tale on the reward of honesty which does justice to the highest type of Oriental imagination. Some allowance will have to be made for the frank language employed by the author. Moslem writers are not generally prudish and the translator, true to scholarly ethics, was minutely faithful to original. It should be remembered that Dr. Hitti is making his contribution by the translation of this work on purely scholarly lines, and it is by strict adherence to the original text that an adequate appraisal can be made of the standards prevailing in the particular period under discussion. It should be further stated to the credit of Dr. Hitti that he has given the world an English translation of Usama even before the appearance of the original in print in the native language. CONSTANTINOPLE Stamboul, by Col. George A. Haddad, Shreveport La, 48pp. The author of this little book is a Syrian rug merchant in Shreveport, La., who has seen active service in the American Expeditionary Forces during the World War. He has dedicated the work to his wife and young child and has apparently made every attempt to make of the book a little work of art by a profusion of illustrations, some of which are in colors. If he should decide to issue further editions in the future, he will surely have the language revised to fit more properly the subject matter. No price is mentioned for the book, which fact prompts to the conclusion that the author intends the copies for private circulation as gifts to his friends. V > . �.—. MAY, 1929 35 EDITORIAL COMMENT FUTURE OF THE RACE The able article of Mr. George A. Ferris on the future of the Syrians in America should be provocative of interesting and constructive discussion. While many hold the opinion expressed by Mr. Ferris, to wit, that the action of the melting pot is bound to take its course and that a complete fusion of the different racial strains in America shall eventually take place in course of time. Mr. Ferris here gives a clear and concise presentation of conditions which is to be expected of a man of such long legal training. Mr. Ferris, it will be remembered, is the dean of the Syrian legal corps in New York and the United States, he having been the first Syrian to take up law as; profession. For his pains in writing his opinions for publication in the Syrian World we feel that we owe him full measure of thanks. Mr. Ferris makes no effort to conceal his belief that the opinions he has set forth are highly controversial. He must have in mind the persistent sentiment obtaining among certain elements of ethnic groups that the survival of their racial entity is not only possible but desirable. With the exception of a few isolated cases, as he points out, this has proven totally impracticable. His deductions are that "while the Syrians are bound, in the process of time, to lose their racial entity, ***the passage of time and the constant changing of conditions cannot obliterate characteristics that the past has failed to change, and the Syrians will make their contribution, and a very important one, to the upbuilding of the country, its people and their character." Further continuing his argument, he states that while each foreign element may lose its racial characteristics in the process of amalgamation, still it leaves its impress upon the character of the people, the institutions of the country and an indelible mark upon its history. Here, according to this reasoning, we are driven by inexorable forces to lose our racial entity while our potent characteristics are bound to remain. It is a situation that could stand further elucidation. How, for instance, is it possible to perpe- �36 tuate, for the good of the American nation, those characteristics of each racial element which is destined to lose its identity and entity? Does it behoove these elements to make serious efforts, as distinct ethnic ^oups, to cultivate in their new home that which is valuable of ,their customs and traditions, or would that action on their part be construed as alien to the spirit of America? Is there a distinctly American culture which all newcomers should strive to acquire in the interest of homogeneity, or is American culture still in the making and it is the duty of all elements to contribute to its building in a conscious effort? Pride in one's origin and fealty, to certain valuable traditions do not necessarily mean treason to one's adopted ,country. If in every element there are certain laudable characteristics which are worthy of preservation for contribution to America, the question which then presents itself is how these characteristics should be preserved. If, according to Mr. Ferris's reasoning, only a small proportion of Syrians in the larger cities is able to resist for a longer period the action of amalgamation, while the larger proportion scattered in smaller THE SYRIAN WORLD communities is bound to speedily lose its identity as Syrian, how are we to reconcile the desirability of loss of racial identity and the advisability of preserving native characteristics? It is a fact that many will disclaim their origin because of lack of knowledge about their racial extraction, particularly in smaller communities where the natural tendency for the weaker elements to merge both socially and religiously with the dominant element. Is it advisable, under the circumstances, to bring to these scattered elements what they now lack of the necessary knowledge of their ancestral background so that those valuable traditions that are a distinct racial contribution may be assured of perpetuation? Aside from these isolated instances where the native language itself was possible of preservation so far, there are in many sections of the United States elements whose influence transcends in the community owing to their numerical preponderance despite the loss of the original language. In other instances, as in the case of the Greeks, who are as widely scattered as are the Syrians, with perhaps even less opportunity for exclusive social life, organ- MHHHHWHNIHHI i > �I MAY, 1929 ized efforts are being made to perpetuate the memory of their ancestors out of sheer racial pride. In the confusion attending the present period of transition, with racial animosities being fanned even by some members of Congress who are swayed by racial prejudice and animated by un-American motives, it is difficult to ignore racial divisions. It seems to be a question of pure self-assertion on the part of the different racial elements. Now it is for the Syrians to determine what their future status and influence will be as a component element in the making of the American nation. Shall we drift aimlessly, letting maters take their course, which we may well admit is being determined by the organized efforts of other groups, or shall we make an equally conscious effort to assert ourselves? This is a question we would like to throw open for discussion. We are contending with two extreme elements, one ultra Syrian and the other which tends to ignore altogether its racial extraction and heritage. Is there a middle course that should be defined and adopted, and what are the logical methods of procedure for the at~ 37 tainment jbf such an end? In other words, are we to ignore or to assert our racial characteristics, and in the latter case,what are the best means for the achievement bf such an object? Opinions are solicited on this questoin to the end that our position and disposition may better be elucidated and defined COLLECTIVISM Syrian writers often complain that their countrymen are highly individualistic with almost a total lack of capacity for collective action. This trait is said to have been imported by the Syrians to America where we find them successful in almost all jfields of endeavor as individuals, while not having yet acquired from their new environment the faculty for cooperative effort. The Syrians, being given chiefly to commercial pursuits, this deficiency is particalry noticeable in the lack of corporate business undertakings amongst them. Admitting this to be the case, every attempt at co-ordinating efforts for collective action must necessarily be a difficult one. Native characteristics bred in the race throughout the course of centuries would seem impos- �% 38 •ible of eradication in one generation. There is now evident, however, a healthy sign of a more amenable disposition on the part of Syrians toward collectivism. Many inherent obstacles, it is true, will have to be overcome before the successful operation of a new order of things which is more in the nature of an experiment, but with the existence of the will to act on a firm conviction, success is bound to result in the end. Within only the last few months, there seems to have developed a violent outburst of passion among Syrians for all sorts of co-operative activities. Several large Syrian kimono houses in New York are reported to be conducting active negotiations for consolidation j retail Syrian grocery establishments in Detroit are planning the formatoin of a co-operative association for their trade; several leading Syrian newspapers in New York are facing actualities and openly discussing the necessity of consolidation; a number of Syrian clubs in New England have come together in a federation, while in Paterson local civic organizations, with the approval and assistance of the clergy of all denominations^ have co-operated THE SYRIAN WORLD in forming a general society. The agitation for the federation of Syrian societies in the United States as advocated by the Syrian World has, of course, been going on for some time. The progress of the movement has been regularly reported in our pages. It is cause for genuine satisfaction to state that never before has a public movement of this nature met with such success among the Syrians. With the additional pledge received this month, the number of pledged members reaches twenty. Given this substantial number as a nucleus, and with the application of proper efforts to the propagation of the movement once the federation is formed, the increase in membership should be rapid and continuous. The important announcement we had promised for this or the subsequent issue was in reference to the proposed convention of pledged societies to bring forth the federation. A questionnaire had been sent to all members calling for a choice of date and place of meeting. The answers so far received are insufficient to determine a course of action. Due allowance must be made for the fact that all corporate action must of necessity be slow, especially when �% MAY, 1929 I i , m ; the movement is in the experimental stage and where the members are scattered throughout the length and breadth of the land. The announcement, therefore, will have to be deferred to the coming issue. In reviewing the situation, one cannot escape a feeling of elation at our steady progress in the way of collective action. We are not so sanguine as to believe that the ultimate goal has been reached, but there is sufficient cause for elation in the fact that we are headed in the right direction, and that proof of our progress is steadily accumulating. Such signs as we see appearing simultaneously in different localities and in various forms indicate a growing conviction and presage fruitful action. Our greatest need, under the circumstances, is to further prosecute this advantage in an effort to accelerate this healthy movement. The tendency of the times is towards cooperation and it behooves us to be abreast of the times and not behind them. We would especially urge pledged members to the proposed federation not to falter in their determination to see the movement culminate in the hoped-for success, because they are the custodians of the destinies of the race and theirs will be the honor of achievement in proportion to the effort they bring to use in this crucial and initial stage. TRASH If the different raeal elements in America were to indulge in acrimonious reciprocal accusations, there would be fine prospects indeed for the sympathetic understanding and harmony which are so essential to America's welfare. Senator Reed of Pennsylvania is surely doing his utmost to serve the interests of his constituents by hurling indiscriminate accusations at an element of the American nation. His attitude is about the best that could be conceived for the fostering of a spirit of harmony. We may be sure that the Senator only proves his ignorance when he brands (the Syrians as trash. For the responsible position which he holds, he would be expected to be better informed,not only on the achievements of the Syrians in the past, but on their present contributions to the upbuilding of America. Perhaps the Syrians will learn from this deplorable incident the necessity of organizing their forces to take proper action in such emergencies. �THE SYRIAN WORLD 40 Readers' Forum RECONCILING VIEWPOINTS OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN Girls are Restricted Beyond the Normal Supervision Editor, The Syrian World, their attitude here in America. It is very difficult for a grown-up to adapt himself as readily as a young person. He brings with him, almost entirely, the atmosphere of his native country. He even goes to the extent of continuing to speak his own language to his children all through their life so that his children in turn may speak to him. He tenaciously holds on to all those native things which are dear to him: his language, his food, his religion, his ideals, his culture, his home life. In reading the 16-35-year case which Miss Mary Soloman cites, one would think he were reading a story peculiarly American. It is not uncommon to learn of May and December unions, or unions where the The first generation born here, groom of fifteen years or more older naturally enough, attend the Amerthan the bride. ican schools and daily come in conThe type of people that she had tact with American life. They learn in mind when she wrote that letter of American ideals from the school must have been the kind who regard teacher and the school book. Outtheir daughters as instinctively help- side of the home they learn of Amless children. Their outlook on the erica; but inside of the home they world is that it is a hard place to must live in an old-world atmosphere. live in, and their girls should be Sometimes there is a marked conshielded from all harm. They have trast. Not infrequently the result the right idea, but they carry it a is confliction. They find it difficult to adjust themselves to every sudlittle too far. Fortunately, there are Syrians, and den change. Questions arise: Shall they are many, who have struck a the girls play with boys and girls, happy medium; who believe in al- or shall they play with girls only, lowing their children enough inde- and shun the boys? Shall they go pendence to develop their character to the movies, or shall they not? and, at the same time, the parents Shall they attend the dance with hold out a guiding hand. other young people, unchaperoned, or There has been too much of a ten- shall they not ? Each question must dency to blame parents, especially be answered depending on the indithose of us who are the first gene- vidual case. However, when some ration born here in this country. We some of our parents are ignorant must take in consideration that they of the benefits of a certain thing come from an entirely different they prohibit it to their children racountry as regards customs, free- ther than take a chance that it might dom, dress and climate. All these do their children harm. It is only things have something to do with a natural thing for them to do. It �MAY, 1929 is the idea of protection which prompts them to prohibit. Consequently, some of us rebel, and some don't, depending on the courage we have, or the freedom we have, or the strength of our convictions. Then, there ensues friction, because there is misunderstanding. The children do not understand the parents, and the parents do not understand the children, and neither one makes an effort to understand the other. Must there be submission? I say, no. There should be an intelligent discussion by both parties. The parent should give his view and opinion, and the child have his turn to speak.Then a satisfactory decision might be brought about. If so, the parent can continue to live his way happily, and the child will in all probability have a much more wholesome outlook on life ond will be much more content in the assurance at least,that his parent is really concerned with his, the child's, well-being and happiness. • There are parents, however, who do not value the child's opinion. Then how can they expect the child to value their opinion when they do not show respect by example? I am in sympathy with Mary Soloman, although she has made many statements which inspire lenghty discussions, pro and con. She cites a case which is, fortunately, not universal. Nevertheless, the freedom she asks presents an almost serious problem among many of our young people. It is true, though, that there are girls who are hampered in the development of their mental and physical growth. Certain things which might prove beneficial to their well-being are prohibited, and these very things which are denied them are allowed the boys- Why is this? It certainly is a problem which has risen before my very eyes many times, and which I have always been trying to solve. Whether or not I shall come to an intelligent solution I have yet to know. I feel that I must still dwell upon it and study it before I can state any. Some parents lay too much stress on behavior, and the girl's conduct in the presence of people, and forget the higher, nobler purposes of life, so much so that she becomes selfconscious. Consequently, she does not act natural and the result is suppressed desire or an inferiority complex. It will be difficult for her to make and hold friends. If she does not act in a natural and wholesome manner people will not be anxious for her companionship, and soon she realizes this. So, she goes into seclusion rather than face being shunned. Who loses out? The girl, of course, and not the parent. In the meantime, the boy is leading a much more normal life. The parent has lived his life and has made of it what he could. But what of the young girl? Hasn't she a right to live, too ? Hasn't she a right to mingle amongst all kinds of people so that she may develop the ability to discriminate? Some parents, in their desire to shield their daughters, have lost sight of the fact that their daughters are emotionally the same as the boys, only a little more sensitive. We do not know how different black is from white until we see them both. Hasn't she a right to substantiate her parents' ideals by going out into the world? However, I do not mean that she should go out into the world without being fortified with intelligence and whatever strength of character that her parents have helped her to develop. The girl's life should be just as �42 happy and normal at her mother's. I think that some parents have a tendency to lay too much stress on some things and neglect atiher things which are necessary in the development of one's character. A good many have not struck a happy medium as yet. There is either one extreme or the other. Fortunately, these extremes are gradually passing. As the first generation here grows, marries and have children, they will surely direct the growth of their young ones in a much more satisfactory manner; as they will have profited by the mistakes of their parents. , We all know the result of no freedom at all. When they go out into the world the freedom which they experience is a new sensation to them and tlhey run rampant. The parents have neglected to teach the child to walk with a steady gait. There are stones strewn on the roadway. One may trip and fall and the result in all probability, will be bruises which may or may not leave scars, depending on how hard the fall. Then, there is the other extreme. Not too much freedom, but too little education and intelligent discussions in the home on the part of the parents in the presence of their children. Gross neglect! The home lacks discipline. The system in the home is loose. There is no orderliness. The parents' world is so small that they cannot see beyond their own selves, and the children, therefore, are in want, morally. When they do go out into the world they never appreciate the fine points of life. They mock, they scom, and laugh at the honorable and worthy "character. They do not understand because they have never been taught. How unfortunate for THE SYRIAN WORLD them- They do not know what they are missing! There is a light which I can see through the darkness. It is the hopeful thought that, as the first generation grows and the second generation takes its place, the problem of adjustment which have confronted the first generation and their parents will have been gradually solved, and the darkness will have been changed into broad daylight. Anna F. Shire Roxbury, Mass. > AGAINST MIXED MARRIAGES Editor, The Syrian World, In the question of marriage, we think we should follow the customs of our forefathers. One very seldom hears of our people divorcing, which is something to feel proud of. We would ask Miss Soloman if she remembers one particular reason for the Pilgrims' coming to America. Their children began to marry the Dutch and they did not like it, so they left. By this you can see that the Syrians are not the only people that do not like for their children to marry into different nationalities. When you said that a mother will advise her daughter not to go out with boys as the Syrians will gossip you speak as though the Syrians are the only ones that gossip. Others gossip as well and even better. When your mother advises you, she is doing so for your own good. A girl can find a suitable Syrian fellow easier than one of a different people. Why not adhere to our Syrian ideas. We know that, after all, they are best for our own good. Olga Aurady Josephine Farris Charleston, W. Va. �..„ MAY, 1929 43 Spirit of the Syrian Press Under this caption we hope to present from time to time a micrt mic picture of the Arabic press, not only in this country, but wherever Arabic dailies and magazines reflect the opinions of responsible, thinking writers who are treating the different problems that confront the Arabicspeaking world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will take no part in the discussions reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. Our task will simply consist in selecting, to the best of our knowledge ana with utmost sincerity, what we think is representative of the public opinion as expressed in these editorials. Editor. SYRIANS AS TRASH The Syrians of Massachusetts have sent vigorous protests against what they term an insult to their race in the remarks of Senator David Reed of Pennsylvania during the debate on the national origins Bill when he referred to the Syrians as the "trash of the Mediterranean". This action on the part of our countrymen in New England is praiseworthy and commendable; but rebuke and protests are not in themselves sufficient, and we would expect of our able lawyers to devise some other effective means of action in similar situations. Perhaps Mr. Joseph W. Ferris, leader of the American-Syrian Federation of New York, will volunteer his opinion in the matter. Al-Hoda and the Lebanon League of Progress.on their part, retained a well-known lawyer in Washington a long time since to follow up the proceedings on the immigration and similar questions and report to us on the result. We expect his report soon. There are still among us those who have an inordinate infatuation for office and constitute themselves on their own authority public lead- ers. They organize societies, collect dues, hold meetings and entertainments and require the press to give them full measure of publicity gratis; but when it comes to actual public service these pseudo-leaders are not there. What have these so-called SyrianAmerican societies done so far? Do they not consider themselves under obligation to take up the fight for the rights of the Syrians—who also comprise the Lebanese—whom Senator Reed considers not only of the trash but of the scum? —Al-Hoda, N. Y. May 3, 1929 STATUS OF SYRIANS IN AMERICA Many Americans, including some members of Cpngress, still show helpless ignorance of the historical background of the Syrians and are therefore prone to belittle them. The debate on the national origins Bill and the insulting remarks of Senator Reed of Pennsylvania furnish a recent illustration. We wish to congratulate the Syr- �ians of Boston on the action they have taken in protesting against the utterances of Senator Reed. The moral we should draw from this incident, however, is tihat it is now time for us to form a national association of Syrian citizens which would take upon itself the defense of our people against such attacks. We should realize that we can prove ourselves a potent political factor if only we can organize our strength This national organization should confine its activities to the promotion of the interests of the Syrians in America to the total exclusion of affairs abroad. We have often commented on the imperative necessity of such an organization and believe the time now propitious for its realization. —Ash-Shaab, N. Y. May 3 ANOTHER INDIA There was a time when the most potent political excuse in the vocabulary of the English was their claim of the necessity of protecting the route to India. Now there must be some ironic satisfaction in the English losing the monopoly on this term. France has now resorted to the same diplomatic expediency and, according to a high official of the Committee on Foreign relations in the French Parliament, France must remain in Syria to protect the safety of its communications with IndoChina! To this gentleman it appears imperative that France establish an aerial station in Syria for the safety of its communications with its Far Eastern possessions. Gradually we are given to understand that the mandate in Syria is not what it ap- pears on the surface, but that it is only a link in the great scheme of European colonization. Why, O Lord, hast thou created India a curse on the weak, that the strong may take possession of everything in its nameWhoever dreamed that Indo-China would become an excuse for France's perpetual occupation of Syria? Are we supposed to offer our country as a sacrifice for that far-off land? Why should our country be the open door to outlying French possessions and we become slaves on account of Indo-China ? —Meraat-Ul-Gharb, N. Y. April 19 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALLAH, We are informed by the Arabic press of Damascus that the police of the capital city of Syria arrested seven men for publicly breaking the fast of Ramadan and held them for trial. y tf It is most commendable that the government be actuated with the highest spiritual motives and strive to revive piety in the souls of its subjects. But the surprising thing is that the government should resort to force in imposing pious observances. Would that the government of Syria leave the arrangement of matters of this character to the discretion of Allah, while it occupy itself with the enforcement of civil laws and regulations as, for instance,freeing the country of outlawry and guaranteeing the inviolability of the home, It would behoove the Syrian government, in its excess of pious zeal, to stop and consider the fact that ' : �MAY, 1929 Imposing piety by force is transgression on the prerogatives of God. God may expect governments to teach people the voluntary practice ;of pious observances, but not to resort to force in compelling people to practice that which affects only their individual souls and for which He alone should be the judge on the last day. —As-Sayeh, N. Y. April 8 ISLAM IN VOGUE It is very seldom that we hear of a Moslem in Syria or Lebanon becoming Christian. But we do, at frequent intervals, hear of Christians embracing the Moslem faith. What can be the reason for this onesided action? It has been reported lately that two prominent Christians, both of whom are adherents of the Orthodox church, have renounced their mother religion and embraced Islam. One is Fayez Bey Khouri, a prominent leader in the Syrian Nationalist Party, and the other is Elias Bloudani, a notable of Rashayya. During the Turkish regime, Islam was upheld by force and it became natural for some Christians to seek personal benefit by a change of faith. But Syria is not under Turkish rule today. The mandate is Christian and the form of government democratic, where opportunities ,6re supposed to be equal. Why then do some Christains choose to change their religion? Especially is such a condition deplorable on the part of a prominent Christian of Rashayya where the Orthodox still suffer from the effects of tlno catastrophe! which befell 4S them from their neighbors. The truth of the situation is that several factors combine to make such a condition possible. Personal grievances are partly responsible, but the main cause of such defections from the ranks of Christianity is the weakness of the mandatory administration and of the native government. The Orthodox, in particular, have become awarei that the country is headed for Islam and not for a true patriotic spirit; while those in charge of the mandate show manifest partiality to the Moslems because of their numerical preponderance. Consequently they say to themselves, "Why should we waste our days in an unprofitable struggle in a country which is admittedly Moslem? We will, therefore, embrace Islam!" This is not written in a spirit of enmity to our brother Moslems whose unity we greatly admire, but we cannot fail to comment on the sad situation where religious belief has become the main avenue for political and social opportunities. —Syrian Eagle N. Y. April 24 FOR RELIGIOUS REFORM Our spiritual conditions in all of our countries of immigration are deplorable. While we of the United States may fare better than our brothers of Mexico, still it cannot be denied that we are headed for the same result unless we take energetic action to bring about an improvement. The immigrants represent that progressive element which sought to improve its conditions in new surroundings. Their main object having �46 been achieved, self-interest steadily works to increase their attachment to their adopted country and to gradually forsake the old. Having in mind particularly the spiritual condition of the Maronites in the United States, we can conscientiously state that conditions almost border on the chaotic. Some priests openly rebel against the Patriarchate and their direct and lawful superiors. They find themselves somewhat in the anomalous situation of being between two authorities, the Eastern and the Western, and they have recourse to either one as best suits their convenience. Some missionary priests are a disgrace to their vows and should be recalled, while most are mercenaries who are seeking only to enhance their personal interests. We know, of many cases where Maronites have joined other religious denominations owing to the unethical practices of some of their nat've clergy, and in this we do not' hold them at fault. In view of this situation, we would propose that the Maronite Patriarch delegate as visiting prelate to the United States the Rt. Rev. Archbishop Ignatius Mobarak who, we feel confident, will be enthusiastically received and whose mission is bound to be fruitful of the most good. He may succeed in inducing many parents to send their children to Syria for their education and, besides, put the Maronite house in the United States in such order as to guarantee the perpetuation of the valuable traditions preserved by the Maronites throughout centuries. —Al-Hoda, N. Y. April 15 THANKFULNESS! Arab authors invariably open their THE SYRIAN WORLD prefaces with praise and thanks to Allah. It is the only occasion they have for offering thanks. —As-Saye'h, N. Y. "April 24 BREACH OF PROMISE A Syrian young man was sued by an American young woman for breach of promise and the complainant awarded a verdict of $3,401 Such eases are not only rare but almost totally unknown among Syrians. The Syrian girl does not believe in forcible marriage, nor does she relish living with a man where there are no prospects of maintaining the happy traditions of the Syrian home. This, however, does not preclude the fact that the Syrian and Lebanese young women in America are Traced at a disadvantage. They are hidden pearls whose beauty is not permitted to be brought to light by proper social contact. Due to this deplorable condition, the number of unmarried girls among us is steadily mounting. Such a condition could be remedied only by the active interest of the press, the clergy and social organizations who have the welfare of the race at heart. The custom of seclusion has given rise to a distorted conception of the Syrian young woman by the Syrian young man. Her reticence is interpreted as meaning excessive financial demands. Exceptional and isolated cases of this character may have taken place, but they surely cannot apply to the whole. Tt would behoove Syrian young men to employ some discretion in their choice of companions and not give promises promiscuously and run the danger of court action. —Aslh-Shaab, N. Y. April 80 �HI MAY, 1929 47 Political Developments in Syria What supporters of the Nationalist cause in Syria hail as a new lease of life for their cause is the announced return of the organized Nationalist group to active participation in politics. Substantial results are expected to develop from this move, principal among which is the defeat of the several schemes which are being concocted to reach a compromise with the French which defeat the aims of the Nationalists. Ever since the proroguing of the Constituent Assembly, many political leaders nursing personal ambitions have been engaged in formulating programs aiming at the solution of the problem. Almost all these programs are said to be willing to barter away the sovereign rights of the nation, as denned by the Nationalist draft of the Constitution, for the sake of compromise. One would instijtute new elections under the supervision of the government in the hope of reposing representative authority in a new Assembly more agreeable to an understanding with France; while another would form a permanent government by appointment, and invest it with authority to enter into treaty relations with the Mandatory Power on conditions agreeable to the latter. Realizing, it is said, the danger of permitting the destinies of the nation to be shaped by their opponents, the Nationalists decided to forgo their policy of aloofness and again enter the field of politics in an active and agressive manner. They are said to have decided previously on a policy of passive resistance, resting on the assurance that they had the support of the nation in that they were the lawfully elected representatives to the Constituent Assembly, which authority they do not admit having lost by the peremptory action of the High Commissioner in proroguing the Assembly. But realizing that they were doing njury to their cause by their continued withdrawal from the political field, they were forced by developments to resume their former activities. The stand of the Nationalists has not undergone any change: They stand for the Constitution as drafted and approved by the Constituent Assembly. They are said to be ready to resort to extreme measures for the enforcement of their demands, and to oppose particularly all attempts to enter into treaty relations with the Mandatory Power before the ratification of the Constitution. The Constitution, on the other hand, by the establishment of the sovereign rights of the nation," would place the mandate in a different status than that which it now claims and automatically change the aspects of the situation in favor of the Syrian nation. The resumption by the Nationalists of active politics has not apparently caused any change in the policy of those directing French affairs in Syria. High Commissioner Ponsot is said to be playing a game of watchful waiting in an effort to wear down Syrian resistence. Some observers think that the French have stolen a leaf from the English book of colonial administration and are �: THE SYRIAN WORLD 48 counting on tihe lack of staying powers among Orientals to help them gain their ends by continual delay. A responsible official of the High Commissariat is reported by one of the Damascus papers to have said that the French will never again resume negotiations with the Nationalists owing to the excessiveness of their demands Which are incompatible with France's obligations as mandatory. This is taken to mean that the French are striving to eliminate the Nationalists as an active force in Syrian politics in the hope of inducing the formation of a moderate party. The only disturbances reported in Damascus by the latest issues of the Syrian newspapers to reach the United States are the demonstrations of the Syrian University students in protest against the reduction by the government of about $75,000 from the University appropriations for the current year. Native students in the school of the French Freres in Damascus having joined the student strikers of the University they were expelled, wlv'ch added to the bitterness of feeling both against the French and the native government of Sheikh Tajeddin. ELECTIONS IN LEBANON .. The Presidential elections in Lebanon were held on March 27 and resulted in the re-election of the first President of the Republic, Charles Dabbas, for a second term of three years. The vote of the Representative Assembly was almost unanimous, 42 out of the 43 votes being cast for the President while the single dissenting vote was cast in favor of Sheikh Al-Jisr, President of the Assembly. Followng the elections, th« man- datory authorities are said to have fostered a proposition to extend the term of office of the President to six instead of three years, the amendment to take effect upon the expiration of the present term. Other amendments are said to include the right of the President to appoint Ministers from without the ranks of the Assembly and to adjourn the Assembly on his own authority. Already the signatures of seventeen Representatives are said to have been secured to this proposed amendment which, however, has been received unfavorably by the press. Upon his re-election, President Dabbas paid a personal visit to the Maronite Patriarch as an act of appreciation and courtesy. President Dabbas was born in Beirut in 1884 and received his educaton in the Jesuit University of Beirut, going later to Paris for his law degree. He was at one time editor of the French-language newspaper La Liberte published in Beirut and was sentenced to death by court martial for his liberal activities during the war. He filled several positions of trust in the Lebanese government and was for several years Minister of Justice. When Lebanon was declared a republic in 1926 he was elected first president. He married in 1919 a Frenchwoman, Mme. Marcel, who is said to take a leading part in charitable and philanthropic activities in Lebanon. No developments of any consequence have been reported from Wadi Sirhan, the refugee camp of the Druze revolutionists in the desert. Emir Adel Arslan arrived at Jerusalem ostensibly to recuperate from illness and it was denied for him that he had broken with Sultan Pasha Atrash. �'"» — mmi——— Dr. IBRAHIM G. KHEIRALLA (1850—1929) The Syrian who first brought Bahaism to the United States. ��MAY, 1929 !! 49 About Syria and Syrians DR. I. G. KHEIRALLA DIES IN SYRIA Noted Religious Teacher Was First Missionary of Bahaism in America. By Ameen Rihani The recent death in Beirut, Syria, of Ibrahim G. Kheiralla brings to mind the early days of Bahaism in this country. It was through the efforts of this Syrian Arab, whose country is the cradle of two of the monotheistic creeds, Judaism and Christianity, that the first American converts to Bahaism were made. Ibrahim Kheiralla was born in Mt. Lebanon, Syria, November 11, 1850, and he was the first graduate of the American University of Beirut, heading the class of 1870. He afterwards came to Egypt, where he met some of the Persian Bahaists, who were at that time persecuted in their own country. With these refugees he studied the tenets of the new sect and was accepted by Ba'ha'-Ullah in an especially written tablet as one of his pupils and followers. In 1893 he came to the United States to attend the Congress of religions, which opened to the Western mind new vistas of the spiritual philosophy of the Orient. Dr. Kheiralla was an enthusiastic and discriminating student of this philosophy, which found its embodiment in Bahaism. He was its evangelist. And in a comparatively short time over three thousand converts were made, and several assemblies were orga- nized in Chicago, the headquarters, and in Kenosha, New York, Cleveland, Philadelphia and other cities. It is paradoxial that the first scholar and graduate of the American Missionary schools of Syria should come to America to convert thousands of Christians to the belief that the Arabian Prophet Mohammad was one of the truly inspired Prophets of God. It was, moreover, a labor of love with him, for he preached and taught without remuneration. In 1895, six years after the death of Baha'-UHah, Dr. Kheiralla returned to Acca or Acre, Syria, the present seat of Bahaism, with some prominent American converts.among them the late Mrs. Phoebe Hearst. The Bahaists were then split into two factions, one of which was headed by Abbas Effendi, called Abd'ulBaha. He was Baha'-Ullah's eldest son, and while professing attachment to him, he refused to publish his works and did not strictly adhere to his teachings. "He offered the world a bland cafeteria programme of take what you wish," as Dr. Kheiralla put it. The other faction was led by Mohammad Ali Effendi, and it represented the fundamentalists who insisted upon the promulgation of Bahaism as set down by Baha'-Ullah. In this dispute Dr. Kheiralla supported Mohammad Ali and proved to be as staunch an opponent of Ab'ul-Baha as he had been a faithful follower of his father. Dr. Kheiralla wrote several books and pamphlets dealing with Bahaism, mental science and philosophy. His book "Baha-Ullab," published �50 thirty years ago, contains a comprehensive and thorough study of Bahai theology. His latest booklet on Immortality was published a few months ago, before he sailed for Syria, where he had hoped to spend his last days. But he died very soon after his arrival. He was a man of strong and imposing personality, with a sincerity of conviction and an eloquence of speech that carried his word and his faith to the hearts of the thousands of people he preached to during his thirty-five years of residence in the United States. His deep and clear knowledge of mental philosophy, in which he excelled, was overshadowed, however, by his Bahai mission. Orientalists like Baron Rosen, Count Gobineaux and Professor Browne have studied Bahaism and written sympathetically upon it, but its spread in the West is due solely to the zeal and untiring efforts of Dr. Kheiralla who made it his supreme lifework. As Wahabism represents the Puritan movement in Islam, Baharsm is the expression of the Protestant reform of it. Baha'-Ullah taught that Budha, Jesus and Mohammad all strove for the amelioration of human conditions and the elevation of mankind. In his eye, all the faiths are inspired and should be the means of promoting harmony. Bahaism cannot be better summed up than by the words of Baha'-Ullah himself as quoted by Professor Browne after a conversation he 'had with him: "That all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; diversity of religion should cease and difference of THE SYRIAN WORLD race be annulled. What harm is there in this? Yet, so it shall be. These fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away and the most great peace shall come. Do not you in Europe need this also? Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country. Let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind." SYRIANS OF MASS. PROTEST INSULT Hold Meetings in Boston and Lawrence and Send Telegrams During the debate in the Senate on the national origins Bill the latter part of April, Senator David Reed of Pennsylvania made a broadside attack on the peoples originating iD Mediterranean countries, branding them as "trash of the Mediterranean" the "Syrians and other immigrants from the Turkish provinces." This specific reference to the, Syrians must have been given particular prominence in press dispatches to New England papers which accounts for the display of indignation among our countrymen in that section. No action is reported by the Syrian press to have been taken on the matter by Syrians in other parts of the United States. The resentment of New England Syrians took the form of public meetings of protest and the sending of telegrams by representative Syrian individuals and organizations to Senators Walsh and Gillett of Mass. defending their countrymen against the attack of Senator Reed and calling for retraction. The Boston Herald of May 1 prints the text of such |! �MAY, 1929 51 a telegram sent by Elias F. Shamon, brave to dare to utter such words a prominent Syrian and lawyer of concerning a people whose number Boston, in which the remarks of Se- is almost negligible in a country of nator Reed are characterized as this size.) Where did he get this impression? "false, biased and slanderous." While Have we been asleep? Has somein Lawrence, Mass., the Syrian-Amething been happening of which we rican Citizens' Society took the inhave not been aware? What is this itiative in calling a special meeting insidious weapon which we have not of protest and adopted strong resorealized? What has made the honorlutions, copies of which were sent able senator from Pennsylvania soto Senators Walsh and Gillett and blunt, so harsh, so unfair,—so blustto Representative William F. Connery. Farris Morad as president, rous, so cocky? Hurried meetings of protest have and A. John Ganem, a young Syrian been held in several cities of Massalawyer, acted for the Lawrence sochusetts, notably Lawrence and Bosciety in this instance. ton. Miss Labeebee A. J. Hanna, a SyrThe Boston meeting was to seian High School teacher of English riously discuss the matter of the inin Boston, sends the following acsult to the Syrian by Reed. All of count of the Boston meeting of prothe speakers touched upon the subtest and of how she feels the Syrians ject, although from various points should react to the situation. of attack. The most important facts brought out are as follows:— SHALL WE DESPAIR? America will not appreciate fully who we are and what we are until By Labeebee A. J. Hanna she is shown. We must prove ourAll over the country, more powerselves. We cannot dwell on our ful than a forest fire, more turbu- past, but look to our future — being lent than the stormy seas, has spread Americans, loyal always and showthe news of the terrible insult upon ing it, while retaining the best of the Syrian by Senator Reed of Pennour Syrian heritage. sylvania at Congress during the deWe have faith in our Youth and bate concerning National Origins must do all we can to keep our and the quota on April 30, 1929. Youth worthy and proud of his SyrShall the Syrian be stigmatized? ian heritage as he proves himself a Has some horrible force been on foot real American. that has already tended toward stigWe have not harmed America. We matization of our race? have probably been misunderstood. Have our fathers dared the seas Few are now the third generation and ventured into strange lands to here, but we must forge ahead quickfind this? ly so that we shall not be a target Let us say that Senator Reed does for swaggerers. Our way is strewn with many not know what he is talking about. Let us say that he is an estimable thorns, chief of these being the thorn man, for he must be. Let us say there of lack of representation. We have is no man more self-respecting. Let no ambassador to appeal to in time Ought not us say he is brave, (He must be of stress and insult. �52 France, having a mandate over Syria, do something here—or, can't she be relied upon ? Of the senators from Massachusetts, Gillett semed to dodge the issue by saying, according to Mr. Shamon, "that there must be an error." The Honorable David I. Walsh, in response to telegrams,immediately took steps to reply in our favor to Eeed. Every Syrian knows, and those who have troubled to investigate know, that Syrians come to this country of immigrants (for are we not all of us immigrants, no matter how many generations back?) Syrians come here to make homes. They do not come to acquire wealth and leave. They are here to stay. They are peaceful and law-abiding, and they love America. They give fairness and demand fairness. All the speakers were agreed that we must forge ahead and prove ourselves, but we cannot do much in the face of damning stigmatization. ARABS CAN BOAST EARLIEST SKYSCRAPER The Arabs are being given credit for distinction in many fields, not the least of which is architecture and building ingenuity and creativeness. For, according to our Dr. Ph. K. Hitti of Princeton University, they were the ones who built the world's first skyscraper. This information is contained in a letter by the professor to the editor of the New York Times and published in that paper in its issue of April 25. It would seem to bear out the familiar saying that there is nothing new under the sun, only it takes a man who knows to dig out from the ruins of the past proof to fit every instance. "THE SYRIAN WORLD Following is the letter of Dr. Hitti to The Times: In reply to the question "What was the world's first skyscraper," raised in The Times editorial, that edifice stood in a part of the world where it is least expected—in Yemen of Southeastern Arabia. Ghumdan was its name. Its height was 200 feet and its floors twenty. If we are to believe reports of alHamdani and other early Arab geograpders, this palace was built of granite, porphyry and marble in San'a the ancient capital of al-Yemen by a Himyarite King who flourished in the first century of our era. The King installed his court in the uppermost story, the roof of which he covered with such transparent slabs of stone that one could look through it skyward and tell the difference between a crow and a kite. An early Moslem poet refers to the clouds as the turban of Ghumdan, and the fog as its belt. The structure survived until the rise of Islam in the seventh century and its ruins may have been the ones discovered some sixty years ago by the French archaeologist Edward Glaser. If modern New York wants something over ancient San'a, it has to look for it in some other field than that of skyscrapers. ANOTHER SYRIAN IMMIGRANT FORWARD! (Special correspondence) Boston—It isn't every one who is willing to devote all his evenings to study after a hard day's work—and pass the Bar, even though at the start he could hardly write his name! The information has just come to I �MAY, 1929 our attention of the passing of the Bar examinations by Faris S. Malouf, a naturalized Syrian in his late thirties, and resident of Jamaica Plain, a suburb of Boston. About twenty years ago, Mr. Malouf arrived in America with no knowledge of the language. He first attended evening school in Boston and on graduating, was the speaker of the eveningIn June, 1924, having attended both summer and winter classes, he was graduated from Northeastern Preparatory School where he completed a four year course in two and a half years. It is creditable that he was never absent from school. His courage led him still further. Why not study law? There was none to help him. He realized he would study and strive alone. That would not be an easy task. He was not wholly at home with the language, and many would be studying and rubbing elbows with him who were at a much greater advantage. Mr. Malouf studied and was again successful. He received his L.L.B. Degree from Northeastern University Law School in June 1928. However, that was not all. He must pass the Bar. He redoubled his efforts and continued neglecting his social life to study—every night and all day Sunday. Such courage is deserving of the highest awards. He passed the Bar on December 31 1928 and took the oath May 1, 1929. GIRL PLAYS TUNES ON HER TYPEWRITER The following news item, together with a picture of Miss Olga Elkouri, appeared in the Washington Post of il April 14: "Miss Olga Elkouri, formerly of Detroit, Mich., who held the world champion's title as stenographer-typist for three years, has moved to Washington where she is employed by the Immigration Bureau. "In addition to her title as champion stenographer-typist, Miss Elkouri, who is of Syrian descent, is an accomplished pianist. She is 21 years old and began her career of rapid typing when of high school age. "Miss Elkouri is planning a number of typing exhibitions at schools of the capital and probably will give recitals at the piano as well. One of the favorite numbers of Miss Elkouri's program is playing tunes on the typewriter." The Syrian World further learns that this able Syrian young lady has attracted the attention of motion picture producers and that she has already given an exhibition on the typewriter for the Pathe News, where not only she can be seen operating but is also heard producing on her machine well regulated tunes. SYRIAN COLLEGE GIRL HAS MANY ACTIVITIES Both the Milwaukee Journal and Calumet News publish glowing accounts of the many activities and versatile talents of Miss Irene Nicholas of Calumet, Mich., said to be the only Syrian co-ed in a Mid-West University. Miss Nicholas is now at the Wisconsin University and recently has received many honors. She was elected a member of the Wisconsin Y.W. C.A. International Institute's Foreign Committee which is conducting �„^-^^...a^—f§MMMff * 1 | THE SYRIAN WORLD S4 a survey of foreign nationalities. She is in charge of the Syrian group. The purpose of this survey is to ascertain the race's accomplishments in the literary, artistic and scientific fields as well as to study their living conditions, employment opportunities and other contributions that the race has made to America. SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRIESTS Up to the present time, and owing to the comparatively recent date of Syrian immigration, all Syrian missionary priests of all denominations were educated and ordained in the mother country and sent here by the religious authorities abroad to minister to the spiritual needs of the immigrants. A change in this method is bound to take place, according to Al-Hoda, the leading Arabic newspaper of the United States, in commenting editorially on the recent ordination of a Maronite priest drawn from the ranks of "the immigrants themselves. The newly ordained priest was formerly Far is Nasr Jowdy, who was raised in Niagara Falls and was later sent to a seminary in Cleveland, Ohio, and finally to Switzerland to complete his theological studies. Al-Hoda also recalls that the Catholic Archbishop of Portland, Me., sent an immigrant Maronite \>oy back to Lebanon to study Arabic and Syriac so as to be able to continue here in America the rites of the old Maronite church. The paper points to these cases as an indication of a new order of things which should be seriously looked into for suitable arrangement between the American 1 and Maronite ecclesiastical authorities. TWO PRIESTS PASS AWAY At about the same time early in May, two Syrian missionary priests in the United States passed away. Father Louis Letaif, Maronite, of Utica, N. Y. died of a sudden heart attack, while Father Malatius Fihani, Greek Orthodox , of Pittsburgh, Pa., died of pneumonia. SYRIAN GIRL LEADER IN MUSICAL ACTIVITIES Readers of the Syrian World will recall our numerous references in the past to Miss Louise Yazbeck of Shreveport, La., who is establishing a name for herself in musical circles in that Southern city. We are now pleased to further state that Miss Yazbeck continues to forge ahead in her chosen profession. An important recital was held recently at the ball room of the Washington Hotel of Shreveport for the benefit of the Holy Trinity Rectory in which this Syrian young woman was chairman and in which assisted many of the most noted artists of the South. SYRIAN GIRL WINS HONORS The Elk City News-Democrat of Elk City, Okla., publishes in its issue of April 11 a list of the high school pupils elected to the Oklahoma High School Honor Society, which election is conducted under very rigid rules. Among the seniors receiving the honor this year was Miss Bessie Shadid, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. M. Shadid of Elk City. �mm 55 MAY, 1929 DISTURBANCES IN HOMS imposed they were placed under a rule bordering on martial law. The French are accused of enacting in Homs, a city of Syria, the iniquitous practices which were supMOSLEMS IN AMERICA posed to have been the monopoly of Al-Bayan, a daily Arabic newsthe Turks of the old regime. Words paper of New York, reports in its to that effect were contained in a telegraphic petition by the Homsians issue of April 18 the holding of an important meeting of the Moslem to the High Commissioner. The recent misfortunes of the city Young Men's Society of New York were brought about by the depreda- City which was attended by many tions of a few bandits who terrorized delegates from other cities and at the whole countryside and foiled all which the conditions of the Moslems attempts of the military authorities in America were discussed at length. Resolutions were adopted to join to apprehend them. The authorities ascribed this failure on their hands with other Moslem organizapart to the sympathetic attitude of tions throughout the world for the the population toward the bandits defense of Islam, and the society and retaliated by imposing heavy went on record as favoring the tafines on the while city. This policy king of the necessary steps for regulating religious observances by the Homsians resented, and when they refused to pay the penalties Moslems in America. NEWS OF SOCIETIES ANOTHER SOCIETY JOINS FEDERATION Editor, The Syrian World, We wish to add our name as anther link in your chain of organizations, and are heartily in accord with the fundamental idea of a National Federation. A small group of Syrian young people met on April 12, 1927, with the idea of forming an organization which would prove to be of social value among the Syrians. Insofar as we have succeeded to a certain degree, we are still, notwithstanding, constantly on the alert for opportunities that will further enhance the sociability of our society. Therefore, it is only natural that we should express our desire to join you in extending this chain, and to help make it stronger. a We take this occasion to pay tribute to the parents who sympathetically encouraged us to form this organization; as it was they who so graciously helped us get together, and who readily grasped our purpose of comradeship and good fellowship. We are conciously trying to retain the culture and ideals of our Syrian parents, and to couple them with the spirit of patriotism in an effort to attain the highest type of American citizenship. i One way we can develop and grow in this respect is by learning of other organizations through the Syrian World ;for to isolate ourselves is to remain provincial. The Syrian Young People's Association Anna F. Shire, Secretary �SPSS! THE SYRIAN WORLD SYRIAN- AMERICAN SOCIETY IN PATERSON Up to about two months ago, there was in Paterson, N. J. no general society for the large Syrian community which is said to number between four and five thousand, although numerous societies of a local character had long been in existence. A number of public-spirited Syrians of Paterson sought to remedy this apparently awkward situation by working for the federation of the different local societies in an effort to provide means for more collective action. Their efforts resulted in the formation of the Syrian-American Society which was officialy launched on Sunday, April 21. The hall in which the mass meeting was held was filled to overflowing, and among those present were the pastors of all the Syrian congregations of the city. Mr. Kareem Maroon, Vice President of the society, presided. The speakers were the Rev. A. Gorab, minister of the local Protestant Syrian congregation; the Rev. Abdallah Khoury, pastor of the Greek Orthodox church; Salloum A. Mokarzel, editor of the Syrian World who, after having spoken in Arabic, was also called upon to speak in English for the benefit of the Syrian-American group; the Rev. Cyril Anid, pastor of the Greek Catholic church; Joseph Khoury, editor of the daily Ash-Shaab of New York; George Hamid and Salim Barakat. The officers of the new organization are: John Isaac President; Kareem Maroon, Vice President; Farid Gorra, Secretary; Michael Seergy, Treasurer; Shafik Wanly, Recording Secretary, and Wadih Hatem, Sergent at Arms. - i CARD PARTY FOR CHARITY The Syrian Junior League of New York held a card party and dance at the hall of the American Syrian Federation in Brooklyn on Saturday, April 20, which were attended by over three hundred. Two floors of the spacious building were used for the purpose. The proceeds were donated to the Brooklyn Bureau of Charities. PARENTS' MEETING HELD IN BOSTON The Caravaneers Club, a Syrian student organization, held a parents' meeting on the evening of Monday, May 6, which was well attended. It had been originally as one of the frequent educational meetings and social entertainments of the Club, but owing to the remarks of Senator Reed on the Syrians, it took on the nature of a meeting of protest. The speakers were: President Al Aboud, on the Club Constitution; Louis George on the aim of the Club; Elias F. Shamon on Protest against Unfairness; Labeebee A. J. Hanna, on Enlightening America; Nicholas Samaha, on Praise of Faris S. Malouf; Grace Friedinger, on the Syria of Tomorrow. Miss Hanna's talk, by unanimous request, was given in Arabic, which proves that those born here do not neglect their fathers' tongue. Mrs. Elias F. Shamon, Miss Labeebee A. J. Hanna, Saleem Attyah and Faris Moses supplied the musical entertainment. For refreshments, the Social Committee prepared wheat with nuts, ammmmem >;-::<. ' �MAY, 1929 served like tea in cups, and macaroons. This was styled as distinctly "different." SYRAMAR GOLF CLU3 ELECTS OFFICERS loum and K. J. Nassiff advisory council. After the meeting, the delegates attended a luncheon at the Wendell Hotel. Information regarding the Association can be had from either the President Box 1467 Pittsfield, or the secretary Box 1097 New London. Joseph S. Hage, Secretary. In a communication dated April 19, the secretary of the Syramar Golf Club of New York advises that the following officers were elected for the current year: Nat Mallouf, Pre- CALIFORNIA SOCIETY ELECTS OFFICERS sident; Henry Haddad, Vice-President; Ferris M. Saydah, Treasurer, Los Angeles, Cal. April 20— The and Richard E. Macksoud, Secretary. Syrian Young Men's Society of this Syramar is a compound word ad- city held a meeting for the election opted by the Club to indicate its of officers for the current year, the Syrian-American composition. result being as follows: Elias ShaMr. George A. Ferris was appoint- heen, President; Leon Saliba, Viceed chairman of the Golf Committee President; Samuel Mamey, Secretary which is now working on final arran- and Wm. Baida, Treasurer. gementp for the Spring TournaThe Executive Committee is comment. He was referred to as the posed of the following-.Lester Peters, Club's champion. Andy Abdo, Edward Gillett, David Zail, Samuel Mamey, Leon Saliba, Elias Shaheen. David Zail FEDERATION OF CLUBS . New London, Conn.—Representatives cf Syrian-American clubs and societies in New England met in a preliminary convention at Pittsfield, Mass. on April 14 to form a national association. The organizations represented were those of Pittsfield, New London, Torrington and North Adams. They called the new federation the Syrian-American Association of the United States and the following were elected officers:Louis Habib, President, Pittsfield, Mass.; Michael Karam, first Vice-President, Torrington, Conn.; Edward Karam, second Vice President, Pittsfield, Mass.; J. S. Hage, Secretary, New London, Conn.; George Abalan, Treasurer, Hartford, Conn.; Michael Sal- INAUGURAL DANCE Canton, Ohio, April 12—The Young Syrian-American Club of this city held an inaugural dance of which the two main features were a prize waltz and a fox trot with a loving cup as a prize for each. Two Akronites claimed the cup for the waltz, Genevieve Nahas and Ned Attella, while Nellie Smith of Canton and James Attella of Akron danced away with the cup for the fox trot. The officers of the club are: Geo. Nickolas, President; Florence Namey, Vice President; Mary Sliman, Secretary; Lucy Karam, Treasurer. A. Shalala �STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, CIRCULATION. ETC, REQUIRED BY THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF AUGUST 24,1912. Of The Syrian World published monthly at New York, N.Y,April 1st, 1929 STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NEW YORK, Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the state and county aforesaid, personally appeared Salloum A. Mokarzel, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the publisher of the The Syrian World, and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, management (and if a daily paper, the circulation), etc., of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1921, embodied in section 411, Postal Laws and Regulations, printed on the reverse of this form, to wit: 1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business managers are: Name of— Post office address— Publisher, Salloum Mokarzel 104 Greenwich Street. Editor, Salloum Mokarzel 104 Greenwich Street. Managing Editor, Salloum Mokarzel 104 Greenwich Street Business Managers, Salloum Mokarzel 104 Greenwich Street. 2. That the owner is: (If owned by a corporation, its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereunder the names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding one per cent or more of total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addressee of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a firm, company, or other unincorporated concern, its name and address, as well as those of each individual member, must be given.) Salloum A. Mokarzel 104 Greenwich St. 3. That the known bondholders, mortgages, and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities are: (If there are none, so state.) None. 4. That the two paragraphs next above, giving the names of the owners, stockholders, and security holders, if any, contain not only the list of stockholders and security holders as they appear upon the books of the company but also, in cases where the stockholder or security holder appears upon the books of the company as trustee or in any other fiduciary relation, en; also that the said two paragraphs contain statements embracing affiant's the name of the person or corporation for whom such trustee is acting, is givfull knowledge and belief as to the circumstances and conditions under which stockholders and security holders who do not appear upon the books of the company as trustees, hold stock and securities in a capacity other than that of a bona fide owner; and this affiant has no reason to believe that any other person, association, or corporation has any interest direct or indirect in the said stock, bonds, or other securities than as so stated by him. 5. That the average number of copies of each issue of this publication sold or distributed, through the mails or otherwise, to paid subscribers during the six months preceding the date shown above is. (This information is required from daily publications only.) S. A. Mokarzel. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1st day of April, 1929 [SEAL.] EDNA M. HUCKER, (My commission expires March 30, 1930) ' � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1929_05reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 03, Issue 11 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1929 May Description An account of the resource Volume 3 Issue 11 of The Syrian World published May 1929. The issue begins with an article by George A. Ferris which discusses future of Syrians in America and the possibility of losing Syrian culture while assimilating into American society. The next piece is a travel journal by Ameen Rihani which details his trip to Arabia and his encounter with King Hussein of Jordan, a supposed direct descendant of Muhammed. It is followed by a poem by Kahlil Gibran titled "Out of My Deeper Heart," a discussion of faith. Next is a poem by Dr. Najib A. Katibah titled "The Sudanese Soldier," a piece reminiscent of the time that the writer himself served with the British Armed forces in the conquest of Sudan. Philip K. Hitti has a chapter excerpt from Usama. Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin is featured next with a poem called "In the Rose Season," which discusses the time of year where roses bloom, and which the poet states is also "love's season." Another poem, translated from Arabic by Labeebee A. J. Hanna, follows, titled "Man is Dead." A collection of sonnets by Thomas Asa dedicated to Gibran K. Gibran primarily follow the theme of friendship. The final article presented is written by Dr. George Knaysi, an instructor of bacteriology at Cornell University. The article is titled "Man is Potentially Immortal," and it discusses the uncertainty and curiosity that accompanies the unknown territory of life and death in a scientific sense. The issue concludes with the Reader's Forum, excerpts from the Arab press, and more on the political developments in Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1920s Ameen Rihani George A. Ferris George Knaysi Kahlil Gibran Labeebee A.J. Hanna Najib A. Katibah New York Philip Khuri Hitti Poetry-English Salim Alkazin Science Travel https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/b031746fcfedcca14a21f862a151bb0c.pdf e62da35e9ed1f2ad2bcb02f911afab65 PDF Text Text 111 i g5 I I I 1 3 VOL. III. No. 10 APRIL, 1929 THE SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE m 39 1 SYRIANS' LOYALTY TO AMERICA BEV. "W. A. MANSUB TRIBUTES TO RIHANI DB. PHILIP N. HITTI 8 m 1 DB. MAEION MILLEB SALLOUM A. MOKABZEL m m AMERICANISM AND NATIVE CULTURE AMEEN EIHANI THE VILLAGE CARNIVAL IBN EL-KHOUEY I POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA THE COPY 50c. pmpiKiPi wmmmmmm ^fi^K^S^^&^SSW^: mmmmSMSmffiS ��MgM THE SYRIAN WORLD SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL, Editor. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 N. Y. GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK., By subscription $5.00 a year. Single copies 50c EaWred as second-class matter, June 25, 1926, at the post office at N«w York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. III. No. 10 APRIL, 1929 CONTENTS PAGE Syrians* Loyalty to America 3 REV. W. A. MANSUR The Village Festival 10 IBN EL-KHOURY Sayings of Ali 14 Tributes to Rihani— Rihan?s Contribution to Arabic Lore 15 DR. PHILIP K. HITTI Rihani's Place in English Literature 18 DR. MARION MILLS MILLER The Life of Rihani 21 SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL Americanism and Native Culture 23 AMEEN RIHANI rr'T— :—*--- BJ— ' ' . ':'. '/ : -' :7': ' �CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE Riddles 25 ELTA D. MADI Translated by Andrew Ghareeb Fame \ 28 G. K. GIBRAN Translated by Andrdw Ghareeb Books and Authors 29 An Additional Pledge to the Federation 32 Magic—Old and New 33 ALFRED MUSSAWIR Arab Wisdom 36 Comsy Brother (Poem) 37 LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA Editorial Comment 38 Intimate Talk 38 The Federation 39 Syria to the Front 40 Changing Times 41 Spirit of the Syrian Press 42 Readers' Forum 46 Political Developments in Syria 49 About Syria and Syrians 53 I �THE iU SYRIAN WORLD VOL. III. No. 10 APRIL, 1929 Syrians' Loyalty to America By REV. W. A. MANSUR Syrian-Americans declare our loyalty to America because we W Emade America a permanent homeland, because we pledged our V I allegiance through American citizenship, and because we desire the progress of our race in America. The rebirth of the Syrian race is bringing to prominence a glorious race whose native land, contributions to civilization, and racial talents were mighty disseminators of civilizing influence upon mankind. The revival of the memory of the priceless Syrian race legacies is creating race consciousness, race pride and race appreciation. The modern Syrian is rising to claim a fame similar to that achieved by his famous ancestors, the Phoenicians. The awakened Syrian race consciousness, race solidarity, and race progress are drawing the attention of the American nation. The question rises as to what shall be the attitude of Syrian-Americans toward America's ideals, citizenship, and institutions. We Syrian-Americans answer: We stand for America first and nothing else. We declare America's ideals, our ideals j her citizenship, our citizenship; her institutions, our institutions. We hereby state the nature of our loyalty to America, the basis of our political allegiance, and the test of our sincerity. The following are attempts to state the loyalty of Syrian-Americans to America for the enlightenment of the American nation, for a testimony to our posterity, and for a program toward a fuller realization of our American citizenship. /. Our Loyalty to America Is Based on Intelligent Choice. We Syrian-Americans became Americans through intelligent choice of Amercia. It was not accident of birth, birthplace, or cir- �- 4 THE SYRIAN WORLD cumstance that made us Americans. Our love of political liberty, religious freedom, and material prosperity determined our choice of America as a homeland. "On the one hand," says Herbert Spencer in "First Principles," we shall not in common with the great mass of the unthinking, let our creed be determined by the mere accident of birth in a particular age or a particular part of the earth's surface. . . ." Theodore Roosevelt says in "American Ideals," "Americanism is a question of spirit, conviction and purpose, not of creed or birthplace." President Calvin Coolidge said to Congress, "The standard we apply to our inhabitants is that of manhood, not place of birth." It was after consideration the birth of the American spirit in their hearth, and the realization of progress that Syrian-Americans chose America as a permanent homeland. America does not ask us to do that which by nature cannot be done. It does not ask us to forget our race identity, it does not desire us to forget our race contributions to mankind, it does not encourage us to forget the race talents with which we are endowed. Syrian-Americans will ever love the native land of their race, exalt their race legacies to mankind, and honor the memory of their illustrious ancestors. We Syrian-Americans stand for America first. We were made Americans first in our hearts, we have made America our permanent homeland, and we chose to be Americans first and nothing else. We lay upon America's altar whatever is worthwhile of race character, race contributions, and race aspirations. We give first place to our American homeland, to the flag that guards our welfare, and to the Constitution that guarantees our freedom. l II. Our Loyalty to America Is Grounded in the Constitution. The loyalty of Syrian-American citizenship is grounded in the Constitution of the United States. It is the guarantee of our liberties. It is the protector of our privileges. It is the guardian against our foes. Therefore we believe in upholdnig, preserving and defending the Constitution. President Calvin Coolidge said, "The Constitution represents a government of law." "The Constitution is the whole source and guaranty of national freedom." "We have flourished as a people because of our success in establishing self-government." W. E. Gladstone said, "The American Constitution is \ �APRIL, 1929 the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man." We wish it to be known by the American nation, by our descendants, and by the world that Syrian-Americans are constitutional Americans. We stand for the Constitution above all color, creed, race, birthplace and outward distinction. We uphold the Constitution, every word, part and amendment. We challenge any disrespect, abridgment, or nullification of the Constitution. We would keep America American by upholding, preserving, tid defending the Constitution. We charge our posterity to supreme fidelity to the Constitution of the United States. We urge upon Syt ian-Americans the intelligent knowledge, loyal adherence, and faithful application of the Constitution for their welfare in America. III. Our Loyalty to America Is U-pheld by Its Equality of Citizenship. i i We glory in Amerian citizenship because of its equality. We are proud of America's equality of opportunity and equality before the law, but our supreme pride is in its equality of citizenship. The Constitution says, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." "The right of the citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude," or uon account of sex." Abraham Lincoln defined the doctrine of equality of drizenship in his reply to Stephen A. Douglas at Chicago, 111., July 10, 1858. "We have among us," said Lincoln, "beside these men descended by blood from our ancestors, perhaps half our people who are not their descendants at all; they are men who have come from Europe—German, Irish, French, and Scandinavian—men that have come from Europe themselves, or whose ancestors have come hither and settled here, finding themselves our equal in all things. If they look back through this history, to trace their connection with those days by blood, they find they have none. They cannot carry themselves back into that glorious epoch and make themselves feel that they are part of us; but when they look through the Declaration of Independence they find that those old men say, 'We hold this truth to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,' and then they feel that that moral sentiment, �6 THE SYRIAN WORLD taught in that day, evidences their relation to those men; that it is the father of all moral principle in them, and that they have the right to claim it as though they were blood of the blood and flesh of the flesh of the men who wrote that Declaration—and so they are! That is the electric cord in the Declaration that links the hearts of patriotic and liberty-loving men together; that will link those patriotic hearts as long as the love of freedom exists in the minds of men throughout the world." This equality of attitude, citizenship and freedom makes us Syrian-Americans proud of our citizenship, jealous for the Constitution, and ready for the nation's defense. Because we are God-fearing, liberty-loving, law-abiding, and country-defending, we claim spiritual relationship to the founders of the American Republic. In the doctrine of equal citizenship we claim our rights of equal standing, respect, and reward with any and all American citizens native-born or otherwise. We assert for ourselves, we claim for others, and we challenge our posterity to make paramount, the right to equality of citizenship. - IV. Our Loyalty to America Is in Abiding by the Vote of the Majority. It is the conviction of Syrian-Americans that in a republican form of government the decision of the majority shall be the law of the land. We believe in the protection of the rights of the minority. We are convinced that there shall be no "abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." It is our belief that when the decision of the majority has been made that it shall be the expression of the thought, feeling and will of the nation. Chas. W. Eliot said,"... the true American always acquiesces in the decision of a majority of the legitimate participants in an election or other public contest. This is an American trait of high political value." Elihu Root said in a war-time address, "It is a fundamental necessity of government that it shall have the power to decide great questions of policy and to act upon its decision. In order that there shall be action following the decision once made, the decision must be accepted. Discussion upon the question must be deemed closed." We have been schooled in the republican form of government through American citizenship. We believe in the right of self-government, in the American form of representative govern- :i \ i �APRIL, 1929 ment, and in the progress of the American nation. We stand for the superior rights of the nation over the rights of the individual. We Syrian-Americans stand for law-obedience, law-enforcement, and law-fulfillment; President Herbert Hoover said, "Modification of the enforcement laws which would permit that which the Constitution forbids is nullification. This the American people will not countenance." Let us resist every effort of the law breaker. Let us withstand any attempt to destroy the nation's laws. Let us oppose whosoever plans the defeat of our nation's laws and Constitution by indirection. Let Syrian-Americans perpetuate the Syrian-American pioneers' tradition of law-obedience, exalt the ideal of the nation's welfare, and maintain true loyalty by abiding by the vote of the majority. V. \ Our Loyalty to America Is Founded Upon Its Religious Freedom. Religious freedom has been the desire of the Syrian people for many centuries. We believe in religious freedom because of the disastrous results of the union of church and state in our native land. Woven into the urge of our emigration was the desire for religious freedom. We have advanced in America because of the separation of church and state, the absence of religious wars and the practice of religious freedom. The first constitutional amendment says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." "Washington and his associates," says Theodore Roosevelt in "Fear God and Take Your Own Part," "believed that it was essential to the existence of this republic that there should never be any union of church and state ; and such union is partially accomplished whenever a given creed is aided by the state or when any public servant is elected or defeated because of his creed." "I hold that in this country there must be complete severance of church and state; that public moneys shall not be used for the purpose of advancing any particular creed; and therefore that the public schools shall be non-sectarian and no public moneys appropriated for sectarian schools." We Syrian-Americans stand for the separation of church and state, religious freedom and liberty of conscience. Not mere religious tolerance but religious freedom is the right of all men. We believe there are vital differences between "religion" and "a religion"; between political and non-political religions; between re- �* Tltit SYRIAN WORLD ligious freedom and religious tolerance. We stand for the right to worship God according to the dictates of one's conscience, freedom of religious belief and liberty of human thought. No man should be discriminated against on account of his religious, political, or other convictions when the same do not conflict with the rights and privileges guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. We stand for a free church in a free state. Syrian-Americans prize highly America's religious freedom. In America they are free from religious quarrels, wars and tyranny j they are enjoying political liberty j they are moving toward greater human brotherhood} and they are prospering materially. We pledge ourselves to keep eternal vigilance that the church shall not encroach upon the state, nor the state encroach upon the church. i VI. Our Loyalty to America Is Through Law-abiding Citizenship. Syrian-Americans are law-abiding, liberty-loving and Godfearing citizens. They came to America healthy in body, industrious in disposition, and appreciative of America's freedom. They have lived loyally to their American homeland, they became Americans in heart and mind, and they are upholding a pure Americanism through law-abiding citizenship. Philip K. Hitti quotes in The Syrians in America the following from Lucius Hopkins Miller's A Study of the Syrian Communities of Greater New York: "In his love of law and order the Syrian cannot be excelled. Personal inquiry at police stations and among patrolmen, as well as careful research in the reports of the commissioner of charities and correction, fail to bring out the slightest flaw. . . . The universal testimony of the police authorities is that there is no more peaceful or law-abiding race in New York City." S. A. Mokarzel, editor of The Syrian World, writing of the Syrians in New York as an example of other Syrian-American communities, says: "It is one of the most law-abiding elements and consequently one of the most constructive." "They are law-abiding and industrious." Syrian-Americans have written an illustrious chapter on law obedience into the history of the Syrian race in America. They believe in the reign of American law. They are loyal to the laws of state and nation. They have a single loyalty, they deplore t , t �—g»«MJ—— tmim^——— APRIL, 1929 "— 9 double-allegiance, and they oppose the law-breaker, the nullificationist and the radical. In law obedience is the welfare of Syrian-Americans, in upholding the nation's laws is their freedom, and in devotion to the nation's welfare is their security, prospertiy and happiness. We challenge ourselves, Americans of every creed, color and race, and our posterity, to make law abiding citizenship the glory of America. < II «l VII. Our Loyalty to America Is in Our Readiness for Her Defense. In our readiness to defend America with our lives and possessions we show our highest loyalty. We have the right to call ourselves true Americans because we are ready to fight for America. In our readiness to sacrifice for America's independence and freedom is the measure of our sincere loyalty, pure Americanism and intelligent patriotism. Let it be remembered that we stand for America first, because America is our homeland, America's flag is our flag, America's Constitution is our Constitution. During the World War Syrian-Americans enshrined with glory the Syrian name, brought glory to the Syrian race, and won undying fame for their Syrian-American patriotism. In the magnificent words of Philip K. Hitti in The Syrians in America we read the glorious record set down for all future ages: "Among the foreign born the Syrians hold an enviable war record. In point of loyalty, patriotism and devotion to the institutions of this ) i land, as demonstrated by the war, they have been unexcelled— even by the Americans themselves." "According to a careful estimate based on the reports of the Provost Marshall General and other War Department documents, no less than 13,965 or about 7 per cent, of the whole Syrian community served in the United States army." We believe it our duty to uphold our American rights, protect America's Freedom and Independence, and defend the nation against all enemies. We consider it the duty of our posterity to tmake paramount America's freedom, to remember Syrian-American sacrifices for America during the World War, and to be ready for the defense of their American inheritance. We Syrian-Americans desire the American nation, Americans of whatever race, color, and creed, and the world everywhere to know that we are ever ready for the defense of the United States against all enemies. HI �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Village. Festival By IBN EL-KHOURY £)UE, perhaps, more to the central location of our village than to any particular virtues of our patron saint, our village carnival was a great annual event in the otherwise tranquil life of our district. Other minor factors may not be left out of the reckoning. One such is that the feast day of St. Elias, our patron, falls in mid-summer, the twentieth of July. By then our most intensive labor of the year, which accompanies the silkworm growing season, would haye come to an end with the picking of the cocoons. The relief from an accomplished task would also at this time be accentuated by pleasant anticipation of an anxiously awaited event, the ripening of the grape and the fig. For in our latitude in the mountain this usually falls around the first of August, and to the Lebanese who depends so much on his grape and fig crops for his yearly provisions, this marks a great and happy event. From the grapes he makes his wine and raisins, besides doting on the luscious fruit in season for months, and from the figs he makes his preserve, cooked with sugar and flavored with the hearts of the walnut or the pine seed, besides drying a sufficient quantity for winter consumption. These and other considerations which lighten the hearts of the villagers and exalt the buoyancy of their spirits make the setting for the celebration of the feast day of St. Elias ideal. And because they make so much of the occasion they attract to their village on this annual festival surprisingly large crowds from both near and distant places. The open space adjoining the church then becomes alive with all the pageantry that the simple resources of these mountain folk can provide. The pride which the inhabitants take in the feast day of their patron saint prompts them to extraordinary preparations for its celebration. On the eve of the holiday the church candelabra is all polished and the altar linen laundered. The marble floor is washed with what seems an extravagant use of water considering the limited supply. A long line of sturdy lasses would be going back and forth from the rill carrying water jars and proclaiming their happiness in the task by lusty songs 5 while others I 1 rr is o tl �APRIL, 1929 i« I 11 would be engaged in doing the actual washing just as happily. The cool air of the vaulted church now would take on added freshness which would be so much appreciated in contrast with the scorching heat of a mid-summer sun. Meanwhile, young men and willing boys would bring loads of laurel and olive branches for the decoration of the altar and the garlanding of festoons for doorways and windows. The elders of the village, who would have themselves undertaken this task now left to the younger generation, would come at frequent intervals to give the decorators the benefit of their advice and experience. To add pomp and dignity to the occasion, the bishop of the diocese is often invited to celebrate mass on this day of all days in the village. This would be all the more appreciated because of the presence of the shammas, or chorister, whom the bishop maintains for his vocal and musical accomplishments. Such a treat the villagers receive only too seldom. But bishop or no bishop, the festivities must proceed as usual. The church ceremony usually occupies the whole forenoon, for on this occasion there must be the benediction of the Host, which takes the form of circumambulating the church three times amid chants and litanies in which the whole congregation joins. The thick volumes of incense smoke copiously burned on this occasion impregnate the air for long distances around. ^ But the real festivities are those which follow the religious ceremony. They take the form of hilarious merrymaking or challenges of prowess at wrestling, weight-lifting or other feats of strength. The scene evokes a picture of old pagan festal celebrations of which these might well be a continuity. For along the seashore and in many places in the upper reaches of the mountain are scenes of numerous shrines famed in pagan lore tor their riotous festivities which, even in those days of slow and meager means of transportation, attracted thousands of visitors from Cyprus, Egypt and even from distant Crete and other Hellenic islcs» A general survev of the scene would present an odd picture of vivid variety. In the open spaces surrounding the church, along the roadway, and under the hospitable shade of great oak trees, would be knots of men engaged in all forms of sports or pastimes A circus performer who anxiously watches for such gatherings would be barking himself hoarse to draw the crowd to his attraction. A cluster of boys would be pressing closely around the man with the primitive show-box. A little touch of urbanity �m THE SYRIAN WORLD would be added by the presence of the sherbet vender who clinks his glasses in the musical manner peculiar to his trade, while the seller of sesame cakes, with tray on head, would bid for attraction by his own peculiar call sung in lusty and melodious tones. Delegations from nearby villages would now be coming to swell the crowds. They would have attended mass in their home churches or else made an early start to travel the distance in time for the festivities. At the head of each group would be the standard bearer marching with measured strides to the tune of a reed flute or the martial poetical improvisations of the village bard. A clash is bound to result when the delegations of two villages arrive simultaneously and manoeuvre for precedence in the line of march into the center of the square. The code o^ honor prescribes that the village standard should cede precedence to none, otherwise the reputation for might of the village manhood would be in jeopardy. The group is ready to uphold the tradition by actual force. They will challenge the other group to single combat at wrestling, at weight-lifting, at sword-play or at any other feat of strength in whatever form to prove their right to leadership. But inasmuch as precedence can be the lot of but one, the priest and elders of our village are usually on hand to take the necessary precautions for the avoidance of actual conflict between the visiting delegations. When, however, such a condition arises it acts as a stimulant to the festivities, for then the sports, whether physical or verbal, would be endulged in with more spirit, and those of the verbal variety more often prove the most interesting. Perhaps nowhere else in the world is the talent for poetical improvisation cultivated to the extent to which it prevails in Lebanon. True, such improvisation is done in the colloquial Arabic, but many are those among the literate troubadours who delve deep into the dictionary for a ready supply of reserve material. This form of native poetry is called Qawl and the poet Qawal. Some Qawals are not unlike the itinerant bards of old who roamed the land to engage in contests for supremacy. Almost all engage in this pastime out of sheer love for poetical production and for the honor of raising their prestige in elimination contests, although some are known to have commercialized their talents even to the extent of publishing their creations in book form. It can readily be seen, therefore, why the halaqa, or the circle dedicated to this verbal poetical contest of the festivities attending the village carnival, becomes the most popular. The two bards �'APRIL, 1929 t ';,* • 13 would be seated in opposite positions, each shaking a tambourine or lightly tapping on a durbakka, and surrounded by his supporters and "repeaters." Usually these poetical contests are conducted on such occasions in the friendliest spirit, simply as a match of wits, and there would be plenty of araq or wine and the indispensible relishes or maza to give added inspiration. One would start a matla' or an opening refrain, to which the opposing qawal would answer in the same meter and rhythm. A break or a thrust would at times lead to acrimonious rejoinder, but the surprising thing is that whatever the nature of the contest, or whichever form it takes, it is at times kept up continuously for hours. The satellites of each of the principals would enliven the proceedings by repeating at each turn the prelude of their leader with much gusto. At another part of the field would be an improvised arena for feats of strength and prowess. Usually these take the form of weight-lifting and sword-play which is much different than the familiar form of fencing. For in the native game of Lebanon each combatant is armed with a curved sword and diminutive shield. They begin by dancing lightly in circles, at times striking the air in rapid successive motions, or manipulating the blade now over the right, now over the left shoulder, and striking the shield behind their back. The purpose is to display their litheness and agility and strike terror in the heart of the opponent. This is kept up by both contestants for some time before coming to an actual clash. When this finally comes it is done with a high jump and a loud shriek of warning. Then begins a series of staccato sounds as the blows are warded off by the light shield which fall i like music on the ears of the lovers of this manly sport. No bodily harm is known to have been done during these encounters. Weight-lifting is another sport that also attracts a large crowd. For here is a contest which demonstrates as nothing else superiority in physical strength. The weight consists of a stone mortar such are used for pounding the kibbe, and in the hollow of which would have been wedged a strong oak stick to serve as a handle. Men of normal strength may not be able to lift it with both hands, but the young Hercules take turns at lifting it with one hand. Some succeed in raising it to knee height and there fail, while others may succeed in raising it to the shoulder. The completely successful one, however, is he who raises it to arm's length above his head and walks' with it in that position. A shout of triumph is then raised in his camp of fellow townsmen and admirers, who �I—II ^ 14 —— THE SYRIAN WORLD then surge around him and bear him on their shoulders and sing his praises in wildest jubilation. Nor is the feminine element lacking in these festivities. Brightly dressed maids and matrons are now and then seen to move among the crowds. They come as sightseers or as dispensers of hospitality. The men must be waited on in the East, and to let the guest lack of any of the amenities is the worst of all shame. With gracious smiles, therefore, buxom lasses would also bestow their hospitality in the form of fresh water, and sometimes wine where the supply of the improvident gives way. At times some of them are impressed into executing a dance. Quite often they give vent to their exuberance of joy by hailing with shrill zalageet the feat of one of the heroes in the several contests. Among these human wild flowers grown in native Lebanon soil there is not the least trace of affectation and prudery. And for the time being St. Elias would be ignored, almost forgotten. ,The church would remain open and the wafer floating in olive oil would continue to burn in front of the altar. But for the occasional visits of some old women of the village for special devotions the church would be deserted. In such manner the celebration of the patron saint's feastday; would continue until the dusk of evening. Then the crowds would begin to disperse for lack of artificial lighting facilities. They would depart in groups and seek to lighten their march by song and music, and not until the last echo of all visiting groups is lost among the hills would the people of the village leave the scene of the day's festivities, in final proof of their genuine spirit of hospitality to the extreme end. SAYINGS OF ALI I never doubted truth since it was first revealed to me. A person is not blamed for his forbearance in collecting his own dues, but in claiming what is not his. He who listens" to counsel is more certain of discovering the way to avoid mistakes. Men are enemies of what they do not know. The most important requisite of leadership is broad-mindedness. / >J! �15 APRIL, 1929 Tributes to Rihani TEXT OF ADDRESSES DELIVERED AT THE TESTIMONIAL DINNER GIVEN IN HIS HONOR ON MARCH 2, 1929 Editor's Note — The addresses delivered at the Testimonial Dinner given in honor of Mr. Ameen Rihani were -purposely limited in number. They were designed to encompass his life and travels, together with his literary works in both Arabic and English. The address of Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, dealing with the standing of Rihani as an Arabic writer,, was the only one delivered in Arabic. All others were in English and are reproduced herewith as written afterwards by the speakers at the request of the editor of The Syrian World. In the case of Dr. Philip K. Hitti, some amplification was introduced in the text at the suggestion of the editor in view of the peculiar nature of the subject which could not be adequately covered within the limited time alloted the speaker at the dinner. RIHANI'S CONTRIBUTION TO ARABIC LORE By DR. PHILIP K. HITTI h I I Of all the lands comparable to Arabia in size, and of all the peoples approaching the Arabs in historic interest and importance, no land and no people have perhaps received as little attention in modern times as have Arabia and the Arabs . Here is a country that is one-fourth the area of Europe, larger than India, and yet what we do not know about it fills volumes. We are even beginning to know more about the Arctic and Antarctic regions, through the recent explorations, than we know about Arabia. Certain parts of this land, such as al-Rab* al-Khali, have not yet been crossed by any man. Not even an airplane has yet flown over it. Tut-Ankh-Amen of ancient Egypt, Ur of the Chaldees and Hatti of the Hitties have become household words in the civilized circles, but the twenty-one story palace of Ghumdan (the first skyscraper in history), the remarkable dam of Ma'rib, the Tubba's of Yaman, the Sabaeans and Hi- Xi �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD myarites are, even to the educated classes, an unknown quantity. Most scholars now maintain that before the Akkadians established themselves, some 3500 B.C. , in the valley of the two rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates, and formed the Babylonians of history with their glorious civilization, they were living in that great peninsula of southwestern Asia known to us by the name of Arabia, And before the Assyrians and Chaldeans, who became the heirs of the Babylonians and enriched our civilization with gifts innumerable, chose for abode the eastern horn of the "Fertile Crescent," they were likewise nomads in Arabia. The origins of the Hebrew religion and literature similarly point in the direction of a Bedouin origin in, the desert. The Semitic Phoenicians and Aramaeans were also inhabitants of some part of that same peninsula before they emigrated into the western horn of the "Fertile Crescent." This would make Arabia the cradle of the Semitic race, the race which in its later development has meant more for .humanity, spritually and intellectually, than any other race not excluding the Nordic. By its location and the configuration of its surface, Arabia lends itself admirably to this theory. As the surplus of its population sought new elbow room for expansion and could not find it in the sandy interior nor in the surrounding seas it pushed northward into the more fertile and favored regions. Consequently a study of that land, of its geography, climate, and Bedouin life, is an absolute necessity for the understanding and the appreciation of the background and the antecedents of the Semitic history. Not only was that peninsula the cradle of the Semitic race but of that mighty medieval people, who, under the banner of Islam, spread its conquests westward as far as the Atlantic Ocean and eastward as far as the Wall of China. In one hundred years after the death of Mohammad, his followers were the masters of an Empire greater than that of Rome at its zenith and the name of that son of the desert was called out five times a day from thousands of minarets scattered all the way from Spain to India and from the Caspian Sea to the cataracts of the Nile. But the conquests in themselves are not the chief thing. Soon after that the Arabic speaking peoples became the only bearers of the torch of enlightenment and civilization. In a few years they translated, absorbed, assimilated and reproduced in Baghdad what took the early Greeks centuries to develop. The Christian Syrians acted as the medium between the Greek learning and the Arab mind. Bearing the label of the Arab genius, this early classical heritage if .; t ::.- '!,'.' : �APRIL, 1929 if t 17 was then passed on to Spain and France, Sicily and Italy, and to the rest of Europe resulting in the final renaissance of the modern Western world. We are beginning to realize the magnitude of that debt which the West owes to the Arabic East. Even in such fields as music, the researches of a modern Spanish scholar show Arabic music as the basis of Spanish and south European folk music. The books of al-Razi and ibn-Sina in medicine,of ibn-Rushd and ibn-Bajah in philosophy, and of al-Khuwarizmi, al-Battani and al-Idrisi in mathematics, astronomy and geography, translated into Latin, soon became the standard works for medieval Europe. Just as today no man in the Near East would be considered educated unless he knew some European language, so there was a time, between the twelfth and the fourteenth centuries, in which no European could be considered educated unless he was familiar with the contents of the Arabic books of that age. And at the present time the Arabic script, next to the roman, is the most widly used script in the world. Aside from acting as the vehicle for transmitting the Arabic language, it is the script of a number of Malayan languages, Urdu of India, modern Persia and a number of Turkish dialects. Not only is our knowledge of Arabia and the Arabs meagre and scanty, but we have often misunderstood their religion, Islam, which next to Judaism and Christianity, is the third and only monotheistic religion. All three are the product of one spiritual life, the Semitic life. Historically Islam is an offshoot of these other two religions; and of all faiths it comes nearest to our own. And in spite of all the rivalries and animosities that have in course of time developed between the followers of these two systems of belief, the fact remains that the realm in which Christianity and Islam share is vastly larger than that in which they differ. A faithful Moslem could subscribe to the Nicene creed with very few changes in it. Whoever, therefore, is striving to bring about a better understanding between the adherents of these two world religions is certainly helping to solve a most knotty problem on the solution of which much of the future happiness and peace of the world will depend. It should also be remembered that there have recently developed a number of Arabic-speaking states with strong nationalistic ideas and ideals which are ultimately destined to take their place in the long procession of democratic progress. Since the Great War Egypt has been declared a sovereign and independent nation, / a privilege which it had not enjoyed since the Mamluk days. Iraq �---. 18 THE SYRIAN WORLD has installed a king in its capital, Baghdad, which since the days of the Abbasids has been without a king. Ibn-al-Su'ud, the strong man of modern Arabia, has consolidated a large kingdom for himself including most of central and western Arabia. The people of Syria and Palestine are taking long strides towards self consciousness and self realization. All these countries are Arabicspeaking. Their culture, their literature, their philosophy of life, is Arabic j though their religion is not entirely Islamic and their blood is not wholly Arabian. The future welfare and success of these new nationalities will depend to a large measure upon their ability to understand each other and to cooperate with each other as well as upon the ability of the European nations to understand them and cooperate with them. We have come together tonight to do honor to a fellow countryman, who, through his travels, studies and writings—in both English and Arabic—has contributed to our knowledge of Arabia as a land, of the Arabs as a people, of Arabic as a language and of Islam as a religion. Mr. Rihani has pushed the wall a little back between the known and the unknown. His writings of ibn-al-Su'ud and Najd are particularly illuminating. His name will probably be associated with that subject for many years to come. But above all, he will be remembered as one who did his share towards effecting a better understanding among the heterogeneous peoples who constitute the Arabic-speaking world. May others follow in his steps! \\ 71 1 * A tu ia RIHANPS PLACE IN ENGLISH LITERATURE By DR. MARION MILLS MILLER Mr. Chairman, Honored Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen:— and, I may say, friends and fellow-countrymen, for I am speaking, not only as an American but as one officially admitted to your Syr-^ ian brotherhood, since the great dignitary who stands in the lobby of this hotel, and who must from the splendor of his uniform be the Commodore himself, naturalized me, as it were, into your nationality by saying, as I entered the hotel, "Apple-pickers to the right, Syrians to the left—you go with the Syrians." Of course, as a descendant of Adam and Eve, I might hav* claimect thb-riglit to go with the apple-pickers,.but I am very glad that I came within, the quota of those permitted to join the ancient and honorable to es t �APRIL, 1929 r 19 Syrians, and I take it, from your applause, that you have ratified the action of the resplendent immigration officer. And to prove to you that I have been thoroughly as well as instantly inducted into your citizenship, I will say that I listened to the speech in Arabic of the gentleman who preceded me, Dr. Alkazin, and I heartily endorse everything he said, especially his praise of my old and very dear friend Ameen Rihani. I have known Rihani almost thirty years. He was introduced to me as a poet, the translator of The Luzumiyat, which, I would explain to the American-born guests present, is the work of the Arabian poet-philosopher Abu'1-Ala, who lived in the tenth century of our era, and therefore preceded Omar Kayyam, the Persian poet of The Rubaiyat, and who, in my opinion, based on Rihani's exquisite translation, sang in equally sweet poetic strains a nobler philosophy of life than the Epicurean one of Omar, celebrating as this does the sensuous of "wine, woman, and song." Now the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States has abolished wine—at least from our public banquets— the Nineteenth Amendment, in the opinion of old-fashioned people, by making woman the equal of man, has robbed her of that charm by which she used to gain power over the sterner sex, and jazz has usurped the throne of song. So we will have to resort to the ascetic philosophy of the Arabian poet and make the best of our limitations, finding consolation in the infinite range of thought and imagination possessed by our minds. Abu'1-Ala, aided by Rihani's translation, will, I predict, someday come into its own. First impressions are lasting, and, though he has done great work in other fields in his later years, I always think of Rihani as a poet, yes, and as a young one too, singing foP pure joy in song. In fact, all of my fellow Syrians whom I have met this evening, seem to have been poets in their youth. Rihani introduced one after another to me as a writer of Arabic poetry, and for the few who happen to be lawyers, as Ameen himself had been, but fortunately for too brief a time to lose his poetic soul, he apologized by saying that they had been devotees of the Muse until forced to earn a living in any way they could. In later years Rihani published a volume of verse entitled "A Chant of Mystics and Other Poems," the title of which is an index of the high imaginative quality of his poetic work. I would call your particular attention to a sonnet sequence in it called "Andalusia," showing the mystic sources of Moorish Spain in desert Arabia. 4 �a 20 THE SYRIAN WORLD But I think that he has best shown the imaginative element in the mind of his race in a prose work, "The Book of Khaled," the story of a simple-minded Syrian emigrant to this country, a rustic lad who idealizes all American institutions, finding something mystic and wonderful in each—even in Tammany Hall, which he thinks a kind of a religious order the members of which are unselfishly devoted to the highest benevolent and patriotic practices. A more delicious satire has not been written in the English language. Of Rihani's seven years service in Arabia from which he has just returned and for which we are now honoring him, I need not speak in detail, for you are all familiar with it, especially after hearing Professor Hitti's address on that country and the part Rihani has played in its reconstruction period after the Great War, and the series of volumes he is writing upon his experiences there! Besides, Rihani himself is to speak on the subject. Let me only say that I think that we are too close to these events to appreciate fully their importance. We must wait for that "silence" which the poet Lowell says will come after the passing of "great captains with their guns and drums" properly to assess the work of the rebuilders of nations to which order belongs the man we are assembled to honor. When that blessed time arrives, I predict that in the new Arabia Ameen Rihani's name, like Abu Ben Adhem's in the old Arabia, will "lead all. the rest". He is one who "loves his fellow men." As a school boy in Ohio, because I had read in McGuffey'g Reader the poem, "The Arab to his Steed," beginning, "My beautiful, my beautiful, thou standest meekly by," I always thought of an Arab as a sort of centaur, an inseparable combination of man and horse. The idea has remained with me, and, since Rihani came out of Arabia with not one horse, but a family of horses, sire, dam and filly, the association is stronger than ever. And in recent years I have lived in the Blue-grass region of Kentucky where a horse is considered the more important personage in his association with a man, no matter how great the rest of the country thinks the latter. Thus, when I first visited Ashland, the historic home of Henry Clay on the outskirts of Lexington, I saw a sign at the gate reading, not "This was the home of C]ay, the Great Pacificator," but "Axworthy II, 2.14^". And going into the stableyard I saw a large and shapely marble bath tub which was used as a watering trough for his majesty Ax- h a a 1! e t r �m 21 APRIL, 1929 worthy the second, and a hostler informed me that Henry Clay had brought it from Washington for his own use in the house, the first of such heralds of civilization to cross the Alleghany mountains. So if Rihani sends his Arab family to a Blue-grass pasture, and the long lineage they derive from the horses of Muhammad is continued, his fame as the Pacificator of Arabia may be shadowed by that of the Managyah strain of horse-flesh he brought from that desert country, and a monument in marble intended for him may be converted to their use and benefit. But Rihani needs no monument. He is safely enshrined in the hearts of his people, and his books, of which the chairman asked me particularly to speak, will be his lasting memorials. THE LIFE OF RIHANI EXCERPTS FROM THE REMARKS OF THE EDITOR OF THE SYRIAN WORLD, ACTING AS TOASTMASTER AT THE RIHANI TESTIMONIAL DINNER IN INTRODUCING THE GUEST OF HONOR. BY SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL Having been assigned the task of speaking on the life of our guest of the evening, I feel that I should first tell you something about his birthplace. In the preface of one of his English books of poetry, Rihani thus addresses his American reader: "The stranger at thy gate, hailing from the Orient, holds out to thee a gaunt and tatooed hand. This hand has often made mud-pies from earth that might have once mapped out the stars; or, in a drunken vision, heard the grumblings of a god and made of them a captivating creed; the cheeks of a Jezebel or a St. Takla; the heart of a slave that added beauty and horror to the chariot of a Babylonian king or a Roman conqueror:—any or all of these might have besmeared this hand." This might be taken as somethnig more than an allegorical figure. Who knows that it has not a foundation in fact? For the village of Freike, the birthplace of Rihani, used to be once upon a time a great stronghold. In both its location and its topography it was ideally suited for a natural fort. It is a sort of peninsula in the heart of the Lebanon mountains. Deep gorges which afford natural protection from attack on three sides are crowned by �22 THE SYRIAN WORLD a plateau which is connected with the mainland by a narrow neck of land which is easily defensible. The philology of its name in itself indicates strength and impregnability. The origin of the word is Syriac and means a stronghold. So from this we can deduce that the town must have had its place of importance in the remote past. The location of Freike is, furthermore, amenable to such an interpretation. It is situated directly above the famous cave from which issue the waters of the Dog River, and but a short distance from the famous rock formation at the mouth of this river wherein are inscriptions, preserved to our day, marking the passage of famous conquerors of history from the times of the Egyptians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Romans, the Arabs and other invaders. What lends more color tq this hypothesis is the fact that in our present day we have families in Freike which bear such imposing names as Sultan, King, Wazir, Cadi and other such marks of rank and authority. I wish to assure you, however, that all have been reduced to a plebeian state, and all that remains of what might have been once a flourishing condition are the numerous churches and native ovens which are altogether out of proportion with the present size of the town. So the mud-pies which might have been made of the clay of kings and astronomers might also have had a liberal mixture of ingredients of writers and poets and men of other intellectual achievements. In this town was Ameen Rihani born. He lived amidst its wholesome and rustic surroundings until the age of twelve. His elementary education in the native Arabic was received in the hospitable shade of an olive tree. But then came a young man of the town who had had his higher education in the colleges of Beirut and who cherished educational ambitions of his own. He started a small boarding school affording higher education than that available in the class under the olive tree and which both Rihani and I attended. The founder of this REGULAR school was N. A. Mokarzel, also a native of Freike, and now editor of AlHoda in New York. Rihani then migrated with his father to the United States. They settled in Washington Street, where they engaged in business. But something in the makeup of the boy, due, perhaps, to some atavistic urge, prompted him to take up literature. Readers of his book, "The Book of Khalid," will discover therein I �23 APRIL, 1929 much that is based on the author's actual experiences in his early endeavors. Much midnight oil did he burn in poring over his Shakespeare and other English authors. He once became a Shakespearean actor, and, like the famous bard, became a member of a troupe. He was also the first Syrian in America to take up the study of law. A few years before the close of the century he went back to his native Lebanon and it was there that we again met within the enclosure of an educational institution. But in this instance the institution was of a more pretentious nature, and dignified with the title of college, as colleges go in Lebanon. Here Rihani taught English and mathematics and studied Arabic. He is now as gifted and versatile a writer in Arabic as he is in English. ' Now Rihani makes his permanent home in Freike. Thither may be seen headed automobiles bearing not only Lebanese and Syrian license plates, but plates of much more distant countries such as Iraq, Arabia and Egypt. Freike has become a miniature Mecca to those of the East who worship at the shrine of merit and achievement. Rihani has brought to Freike some of what must have been its former state of glory and fame. To him more than to any other belongs the credit for having put it on the modern map. . Rihani's recent travels in Arabia stand out as epics of achievement. They have made him a world figure as an authority on this mysterious land. We rejoice in his achievements and are proud to claim him as son of our New York Syrian community. Our coming together this evening to do him honor is but an indication of our happiness and pride. I take great pleasure in introducing him now to you. AMERICANISM AND (NATIVE CULTURE Following a few remarks in Arabic, Mr. Rihani spoke in English on his travels and experiences in Arabia. His Arabic remarks, as later rendered by him into English, are as follows: By AMEEN RIHANI Comparatively speaking, the Syrians are recent comers to these shores; for Syrian immigration, which dates from the eighties is not yet a half century old. But one of the characteristics of the Syrians is their power of assimilation, and the American-born �2= 14 THE SYRIAN WORLD among them have become thoroughly, though not altogether desirably, Americanized. I am a firm believer in Americanism} but I believe also in foreign culture. Americanism to me, in its highest and noblest expression, is the perpetuation of the spirit of those who laid the foundation of this Republic, as well as the spirit of those who helped afterwards to make this Republic what it is today. When we honor, therefore, the Pilgrim Fathers and the framers of the Constitution, we must not forget the immigrants that camel later from other countries in Europe and that contributed, through their native culture, as well as through their industry and skill, to the political and intellectual advancement and to the economic strength of this great American nation. Every people, ladies and gentlemen, has a certain culture, which reflects the best of its racial heritage j and the nation in which these various cultures abound and are incorporated harmoniously into its own spirit, without losing altogether their original identity, is destined to become the greatest nation in the world. That is why I think that Americanism, or the American spirit, with what there is in it of the democracy-urge and the humanityimpulse, is not likely to go beyond its geographical limits and prevail in the world, as it is hoped and believed, unless it is hospitable to the native culture of the different foreign groups in the citizenship of the country. On the other hand, the-foreign-born and their descendants in this their adopted country, can not better perform their duties as citizens than by preserving their native culture and keeping alive all that is good in their racial characteristics. That is why I say to the new Syrian generation: Do not sacrifice everything in your racial heritage and do not assimilate everything in your new surroundings. The greatest good is in cultivating the best of both j—the greatest good to you and to the country of your adoption, in which you have become a vital and beneficent element, is in combining, equally and harmoniously, between the two heritages, the innate or native and the acquired. A. �j* 25 APRIL, 1929 iRiddles By ELIA D. MADI Translated from the Arabic by Andrew Ghareeb X. y I Did I know, think you? I do not know. MAN came, Not knowing whence, But came. My feet saw the way, And I walked therein, And shall continue Whether I so desire or not. How did I come? How see the path? I do not know. Think you That,before ,1 was born a man I was nothing Or was I something? Is there an answer To this riddle? Or must it be forever Unsolved? I do not knowj And why I do not now know I do not know. Old or new Is this existence? Am I free Or fettered? Do I lead myself Or am I led? I wish I knew. I do not know. \ i And my path— What is it? Is it long or short? Am I ascending or descending. And sinking deeper? Is it I who travel Along this path? Or is it the path? Or are we two still And is it time that moves? I do not know. IN THE MONASTERY I HAVE been told, In the monastery are people Who understand the mystery of life. Yet there I found naught But stagnant minds And hearts corpse-like, Wherein desire was outworn. I am not blind, Are others? I do not know. It has been said That those best acquainted with life's secrets Are the hermitage's dwellers. Would that I knew! I say, if this saying be true, While in the safe and unseen 1 �26 Then the secret is commonly known. Strange, how veiled eyes Can see the light, While the unveiled Cannot see it. I do not know. If seclusion, Piety and devotoin be, Then the wolf is a monk, And the lion's lair also Is a monastery, Which it is meet and right To love. Would that I knew Whether devoutness Kills or quickens the soul? How can evil erase evil? When itslef is evil? I do not know. In the monastery I have seen Flowers in an inclosure Contented with salt water Rather than pure dew. Around them Is the light that revives: Yet they prefer darkness To kill the heart in,patience, Is that a wise thing to do? I do not know. At morn I entered the cloister Happy as the dawn, And I left it at dusk r Angry as the night. There was but one sorrow Then to vex my soulj Now there, are many sorrows. THE SYRIAN WORLD From the monastery Or from night Does my sorrow come? I do not know. I entered the monastery To question the devotees therein Only to find them As bewildered and amazed As am I myself. Despair overcame them And found them submissive. Lo, on the door Is written: I do not know. Strange it is That the recluse, He, the all-knowing one, Should abandon mankind, When among them Is the beauty of God, For which he went Searching in the desert, What found he there, Water or mirage? I do not know. Recluse, How often have you disputed the truth. Had God intended When He made you That you should not love things beautiful, He would have created you Without heart or soul. Then, what you are doing Is evil? He said: I do not know. // V �27 APRIL, 1929 Fugitive, Disgrace it is to run away. Surely no good will come Of what you are doing, Even to the wilderness. You are guilty, Very guilty, A criminal With no reason for revenge. Shall pod approve And forgive? I do not know. THE SEA I ASKED the sea, Do I come from you? Is it true What some say Of you and me? Or is it a lie? The waves laughed And said: I do not know. 1 And said We ate fruit. > We drank of you And said We drank the rain. Is this true or false I do not know. Sea, : I asked the clouds If they remembered your sands, The leafy trees, Your kindly rains, And the pearls Their birthplace. Together I heard them say: I do not know. The waves dance. Yet in your depths A ceaseless war is waged. There you made fish And ravenous whale. To your bosom You have gathered Life and death; Are you cradle or tomb? I do not know. Sea, How many centuries Have passed over] you? How many a lad and maid, Does the shore know Like Leyla It is kneeling before you? And Ibn-Ul-Mullawah, And the rivers, do they know They are rushing back to you? Spent hours on your shore, Listening and confessing Whence did they come? What was it the angry waves In ecstatic strains Their love. said? Is the sound of the waves I do not know. A lost secret? ! I do not know. Sea, You!send the clouds How many kings at night Which water land and trees. Built pleasure domes We ate you �fcu THE SYRIAN WORLD 2* Beside you. Then morning came And found naught but mist. Will they return, these kings? Are they deep in the sand? The sand said: I do not know. In you, sea, Dwell shellfish and sand. Shadow nor mind have- you. And I have both. Why should I die? And you live? I do not know. Oh, book of time, Has time past or future? I am in time As a small iboat On a boundless sea. I have no goal? Has time? Oh, for knowledge? But how? I do not know. Sea, In my breast Are many secrets, A veil fell on them, And I am the veil. The nearer I come, The farther away I am. When I seem About to understand, I do not know. I am an ocean, sea, Whose two shores are yours, The unknown tomorrow And yesterday. And you and I Are but a drop In their fathomless depth*. Ask not What is tomorrow, What is yesterday? I do not know. Fame By G. K. GIBRAN Translated from the Arabic by Andrew Gharaeb I wrote a line at ebb tide Upon the sand, And therein I confined My heart and mind. Back I came at high tide To the strand Seeking?—only to find That fame is blind. 4j �D 29 APRIL, 1929 Books and Authors VALUABLE SCRAPS The American Scrap Book (400 pp., $5.00). The European Scrap Book (398 pp., $5.00.) W. H. Wise & Co., New York. These two volumes represent American enterprise of the highest type masterfully executed. The splendid quality of the editorial work is in harmony with the beautiful typographical results. Both volumes are appropriately illustrated. They bear out in every respect the statement of the publishers that each, in its domain, is "An encyclopedia of the year, a world almanac of ideas—the most vivid and entertaining portions of every thing that has been discovered, created, achieved or published." It is a pleasure to state that in the American Scrap Book a poem by our gifted writer, Ameen Rihani, was selected as being one of the best poetical expressions of the year. AROUND THE COAST OF ARABIA Before penetrating into the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, our noted author and traveller, Ameen Rihani, made the circuit of the coast of Arabia from the Suez Canal and Jedda to Basra and Baghdad. In this extended sea voyage he found himself at one time touching the coast of India in order to make the proper connections for reaching one coast of Arabia from the other. What he saw during this voyage may be what all other travellers see, but not all are gifted with the faculty of perception and the ability for description with which he is endowed. It may be confidently expected, therefore, that his account of this voyage will be replete with the charm of witticism that none other than a native of the Arabic language and a gifted writer such as Rihani can bring to play under similar circumstances. A new book of travel by Rihani, under the title of "Around the Coast of Arabia," will be published this fall by Houghton Mifflin Co. of Boston, containing the description of what he saw and experienced during his recent travels before making his �30 THE SYRIAN WORLD entry into the inhospitable desert. Admirers of Rihani will welcome this opportunity of further accompanying the author in his travels through lands never before seen through as appreciative eyes or described with as much ability and talent. THE GARDEN OF THE PROPHET °ur ^fted author and poet, G. Kahlil Gibran, author of The Prophet," "Jesus, the Son of Man," etc., has under preparation another book which may be considered complimentary to his former notable works in the series revolving around one grand theme deploying itself with every new publication. The title of the new book is "The Garden of the Prophet" and is expected to be published this fall. As the title indicates, this new work will depict the world in which the Prophet moves and attempt to give expression to the ideas which form the garden of his soul. It would be futile to attempt giving a summary or an outline of what the exact nature of the work will be, as none other than the author can conceive of the subtleties which characterize his works. We may confidently expect, however, that this forthcoming book will be the expression of the maturer philosophy of this author, born in the shadow of the eternal Cedars of Lebanon, who was largely instrumental in bringing a new appreciation of the soul of the East to the American reading public. IN TENEBRIS Dr. Nejib A. Katibah is one of our most gifted poets and taleftted writers. His original stories and his translations of Arabic classics will be remembered by readers of the Syrian World by the masterly art which he has brought into them. It is a. pleasure to announce that Dr. Katibah is now working on a tragedy to which he has given the title "Tenebris" and which we- have" every reason to look forward confidently to its production on the- New York stage. The" plot is woven- around: a recent famous incident replete-with- dramatic possibilities which th£Apoet has utilized'to the greatest advantage. J �SI APRIL, 1929 USAMA A DELIGHTFUL CHARACTER Readers of the Syrian World have had a foretaste of Usama, whom Dr. Philip K. Hitti describes as a Syrian-Arab gentleman and warrior of the Crusades and a contemporary of the great Saladin. What they have read about him, however, is but a scholarly dissertation on the character of the period in which Usama lived and represents only an academic appraisal of the work. The book itself is of a character that brings it within the definition of popular reading. It is replete with witticism and gives the versions of an able Moslem writer on the customs and manners of the Franks as viewed by the native Syrian-Arab. Especially in the field of medicine, the account shows the Syrians much more advanced than the Crusaders. Dr. Hitti has made an able translation of this work which is being published by the Columbia University Press and is expected to be issued this fall. GREEK CLASSICS w Dr. Marion Mills Miller, who gave an appreciation of Rihani's contribution to English literature at the Rihani Testimonial Dinner, is the translator of several classics from Greek into English poetry that has elicited the admiration and the highest commendation of the foremost American critics. Now that we are coming to know Dr. Miller better, we should feel proud of his having joined the ancient and honorable order of the Syrians, as he expressed himself. The two outstanding works of Dr. Miller are The Songs of Sappho and The Greek Idyls, both published by The Maxwelton Company of Lexington, Ky. In the words of Edwin Markham, these books are "sumptuous ... for all seekers after the higher culture . . . a distinguished contribution to American letters." MORE ABOUT THE JINN H. I. Katibah, author of "Other Arabian Nights," is makr ing further excursions into the World of Arabian fairy tales. He has now under publication by Scribners another volume �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD which will appear this fall under the title of "The Jinni of Yabroud and Other Arabian Tales." Yabroud is the author's native town in Syria and its Jinn must be endowed with special powers, manifestations of which should furnish interesting reading. Surely, the work of Mr. Katibah should prove a valuable contribution to this branch of literature. Mr. Katibah sails for Syria this spring as a correspondent of several American newspapers and for purposes of special studies of his own. He has also made arrangements with the firm of A. K. Hitti & Co., of New York, for conducting a special tour in Syria and Palestine for Syrians and Americans who wish to take advantage of seeing these historic countries under the direction of a native scholar. AN ADDITIONAL PLEDGE TO THE FEDERATION The following communication was received through Dr. W. S. Tjirick of Indianapolis, Ind— With this the total number of fledges so far received reaches nineteen from all over the country Editory The Syrian World. The Syrian-American Brotherhood of Indianapolis, Indiana, commends your efforts towards the organization of Syrian societies into a federation. Collectively and individually we indorse this worthy undertaking and pledge our support towards its complete realization. There is a great need for a movement which would unite the Syrian people in this country. A Federation would strengthen its members and be strengthened by them. The ideals, the purposes, and the efforts of the various Syrian societies would be standardized, responsibilities would be greater, and the subsequent accomplishments a source of pride to every Syrian and Syrian-American. We feel that if the Syrian World had done nothing else but undertake this Federation movement it would have justified its existence. Therefore we arise as a body and acclaim this movement. The Syrian-American Brotherhood Indianapolis, Indiana, II �APRIL, 1929 S3 Magic - Old and New Origin of Fire-blowing Trick Identified With a Syrian Slave in Sicily By ALFRED MTTSSAWIB A LL wonder is the effect of novelty on ignorance," says Samuel Johnson. This obvious principle is the foundation of all magic, ancient and modern. Ever since man saw the first flash of lightning} ever since he produced the first flame by rubbing two sticks together, he has looked upon it with varying degrees of awe, reverence and fear. This is the reason why priests of olden days used fire in their rituals, and why the old as well as the modern magicians make use of fire-eating and heat-resistance in their tricks. Good magicians of today, however, have branded it as cliche, and one sees fire-eaters now only at cheap carnival side shows. One of the very early users of fire as a method to produce awe and wonder among people was a man named Eunus, a Syrian, who was, it is said, a man of great courage and daring. He was one of the slaves in Sicily, and during the insurrection of these slaves against their masters he proved of great value to their cause. He was very eloquent and made speeches to his fellows in order to keep up their spirits in their revolt. During his harangues he would pause a while and give an exhibition of blowing sparks and flames from his mouth. In this way he made people believe he had communication with the gods, and thus established courage and confidence in his fellow slaves and proved himself a great factor in their revolution against their cruel oppressors. Eunus' modus operandi was very simple. He used a hollowed walnut in which a hole was punctured at each end. Some smouldering rags or other material were placed inside the shell of the walnut. With this crude apparatus in his mouth he had merely to blow through it in order to emit sparks and flames. This trick today carries with it no element of wonder, but the effect it had in the old days is apparent when we learn that Rabbi Bar-Cocheba, during the reign of Hadrian, caused people to believe that he was the Messiah, by the use of this simple means. i 1 u ! 1 �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD Emperor Constantine, we are also told, fled in terror when informed that one of his bodyguard was seen to emit sparks and flames from his mouth. Since that time the "art" of fire-eating and heat-resistance has improved considerably, and we find that in the middle of the nineteenth century it was one of the most popular forms of magical entertainment. The"Master Fire-Eater", "The FireKing", was the outstanding performer of that period. He was a Frenchman , one Chabert, who was a doctor of medicine, philosopher, chemist and pharmacist, and lived in New York City for twenty-seven years where at various times, besides practicing magic, he also practiced the above mentioned arts. Chabert included poison-eating and other forms of magic besides fire-eating and heat-resistance in his performances. He began by partaking of a hearty meal of phosphorus. He washed this meal down with oxalic acid and solutions of arsenic. The above mentioned are all very violent poisons and are fatal even in very small quantities. He followed this by helping himself, with his naked hands, to large quantities of molten lead followed by several tablespoonfuls of boiling oil, all of which he ate with apparent great relish. Then after allowing a baker's oven to be heated with fifteen fagots of wood, Chabert entered the oven with a dish of raw meat, and when it was properly cooked, he emerged from the oven with it, entered the oven again with another piece of meat and remained there until the second piece was cooked. Subsequently he entered the oven for the third time and remained there for thirty minutes. All this performance was done on the same day! Many challenges and wagers were made as to the genuineness of Chabert's performances, but in every instance he was astute enough to vindicate himself from the brand of faker. He was once accused of being a quack doctor, at which he became very indignant, showing innumerable degrees and letters from various colleges and universities to substantiate his claims. Little of his mlodus operandi is known today. He was killed while making an experiment in chemistry at which a violent explosion occured, blowing him to pieces. History shows a very long list of fire-eaters, heat-resisters and human salamanders such as frog and snake and stone swallowers, the details of which are better omitted because of their nauseating effect. Sword-swallowing is another performance which is now al- I ?\ \ * �II" APRIL, 1929 35 most out of vogue. A sword-swallower of note was one Edith Clifford, a member of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey show. This woman was capable of swallowing ten long blades at one time. The height of her performance was the swallowing of a twenty-three inch bayonet in a very novel manner. The bayonet was loaded into a cannon and fired, driving the bayonet down her throat. The secret of sword-swallowing is very simple. The aesophagus (food passage to the stomach), is a tube of cartilage which can be easily distended, and if done carefully, without injury. The "secret" is to be able to withstand a nauseating effect caused by introducing foreign bodies into the throat. This can be done with a reasonable amount of patience and practice. The amateur first starts by swallowing ordinary walking sticks, and by gradually getting used to %the introduction of foreign bodies into his throat and stomach, he is able to manipulate swords and other dangerous articles. The magic of the old days is now being replaced on the modern stage by elaborate illusions, the apparatus for which runs in many cases well into the five figures. Among some of the more modern illusions is the much discussed trick, done for the first time a few years ago, of "sawing a woman in half." This proved a most successful illusion and has been performed in a ridiculously crude and inartistic manner in the side-shows of Coney Island. Here is a brief description of the trick. A large oblong box is brought upon the stage, at one end of which are two holes and at the other end but one hole. A girl enters the box and puts her two feet through the openings at one end and her head through the opening on the other. In this way both her head and feet are; protruding from the ends of the box. The box is then closed. A large saw is secured and immediately two men saw all the way down to the middle of the box. The two open ends are now covered each by a board so that the audience may not have to view the "gruesome sight" of the cut body. The two halves of the box, each of which contains a half of the separated body, are moved about on the stage to show that the body is really cut in half. I say this trick was successful, but merely from the standpoint of the impressive effect it had on the audience, but from the point of remaining a secret it was a sad failure. The secret, of course, when known, is simplicity itself. When the box is first brought upon the stage, it secretly contains a girl who is a duplicate or double of the one who is to be "sawed up". As " �36 THE SYRIAN WORLD Al soon as the girl to be sawed up enters the box, the girl who is already within puts her feet through the openings at one end while the girl to be sawed up puts her head through the opening at the other end. The girls each curls up in her end of the box so that there is plenty of room in the middle for the descent of the cruel, cruel saw. And that's all there is to that. One of the best illusions of today is the one performed by the famous magician Howard Thurston. It is that of levitigating a woman several feet in the air. There is no visible means of support either over, beneath or around the girl, and the audience is completely baffled to see the girl suspended in this manner. This is a sample of perfect illusion. Many theories have been formulated as to the secret of this trick, but I think it will remain a secret for a long time unless Mr. Thurston becomes careless, which is indeed very unlikely. The master of them all, however, was the late Houdini. He, to my mind, is not only a master magician and showman, but a scientist of the highest caliber whose marvelous career is characterized by unsurpassed gentlemanliness. His tricks, illusions and escapades are never to be forgotten, especially his fight against fake and fraudulent spirit meetings and so-called mediums who have robbed thousands and driven not a few to insane asylums and suicide. This, I believe, is a social service equal to his service of bringing genuine entertainment and pleasure to the millions who have seen him in every nook and corner of the world throughout his long and romantic career. Arab Wisdom Beware of superfluous speech, for it acts to reveal your hidden defects. Knowledge that brings no practical results is like ineffective medicine. Preach to wrongdoers by your good deeds. The slip of the foot might cause a sprain, but the slip of th» tongue might bring untold misfortune. &*-.: �APRIL, 1929 37 Come, Brother By LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA Dedicated to the Proposed Federation of the Syrian Societies In the United States ( Here, take my hand, brother, And clasp it warm, And give me yours in return— I'll clasp it warm! I had grown strangely tired— It's hard this way Alone amidst some strangers Most every day. I love your friendly smile (You understand) The merry twinkle in your eye, Your welcome hand! I never dreamed or hoped For aught like this: To span the miles to find you Now is real bliss! Oh, others are fine, yes! They help, 'tis true, But my fathers, brothers and sisters Are amongst you! Something was strangely lacking; Though 'tis my prime, I've hungered, thirsted for something For a long, long time. it -Pi But, now that I see your smile The twinkle in your eye God help us, brother and sister, You and I. We are of the blood, brother— No better charm! Again take my hand, brother. Oh, clasp it warm! 4 �iiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiT'iiriiHravi i 38 -ii THE SYRIAN WORLD EDITORIAL COMMENT INTIMATE TALK HTHE Syrian World is primarily a class publication. It was launched chiefly in the interest of the Syrian-American generation in an effort to perpetuate a heritage which has come down to them from great ancestors. In the performance of this service, the publication' could not fail but be of benefit: to all lovers of literature and students of ethnic characteristics and racial cultures. But the fact remains that those who should receive the direct benefit of the publication are those whom it was intended primarily to serve. It would be useless at this point to recapitulate the specific objects prompting the publication of the Syrian World. What may be briefly mentioned on the subject of the reaction to its publication is that it has met with the unqualified approval and disinterested support and cooperation of our foremost thinkers, educators and writers. The vision of our public men has encompassed the great advantages that must accrue to our race from the prosecution of the educational and informative nature of the publication. Yet the support of those whom it is mainly intended to benefit, the rank and file of our youth, has been far from sufficient to meet the actual cost of publication. There are thousands of potential subsccribers who should, in justice to themselves, read the magazine. There is no argument that could be advanced against it in view of the fact that during the almost three years since its appearance none such has been forthcoming. How to reach these potential readers is the question on which depends not < only the continuation of the publication, but the assurance that it is rendering in fuller measure the service for which it was intended. Under present conditions, there seems to be no avenue open to us except that of depending on the voluntary assistance of present subscribers to \ bring about the much needed increase. We have exhaustively circularized all available lists but still meet with individual cases where the claim is made that the new subscriber had just had the publication called to his attention. To that would usually be added the unqualified praise of the magazine and its purpose. This goes to prove the existence of a field yet un- I) ? § ii �APRIL, 1929 I \ 39 touched and for the cultiva- crease thtf circulation to the extion of which our only hope at tent of making the publication present is, as previously stated, self-supporting. in the voluntary assistance of We would appreciate this copresent subscribers. operation all the more at this As has been repeatedly de- time when we have almost clared, the; Syrian World is an reached the end of our third individual enterprise having no year. We plan extensive and financial support of any nature substantial improvements for or form. The only cooperation the coming year, and it would received, and the one for which be most gratifying to have an grateful acknowledgment is al- increased number of readers get ways made, is in the form of the the benefit of these added efforts. Especially do we proliterary assistance of our con tributors. We are also happy pose to have the magazine more to add that our contributors extensively illustrated and carcomprise practically all of our rying fresh material from the motherland as a result of the ranking talent. proposed trip of the editor to We venture on these remarks Syria this summer. as a form of partial report on Is it too much to ask each subconditions to our loyal friends comprising our present subscri- scriber to secure another or supbers. It is the kind of statement ply us with a list of prospects not usually made by the ordi- to w,hom w,e would be pleased to nary publication run on regular We would again call atention commercial lines. Our claim is that the Syrian World is differ- to the fact that the Syrian ent in that it is chiefly for the World, in its public character, interest of Syrians. It is an in- is the common property of all terpreter of Syrian culture and Syrians in America and it would should be looked upon by Syr- be gratifying to us to learn in ians1 as upholding their prestige a tangible manner that they are and gaining for them the place acting on this conviction. among ethnic groups in America that is rightly theirs. Looked THE .FEDERATION upon in this light the publicaDuring the month we receivtion is every Syrian's property ed only one additional accepand should be supported as such. This support we do not ask in tance to join the Federation of the form of endowment or sub- Syrian societies in the United sidy but in the simple form of States, but many inquiries. The cooperative effort to help in- acceptance is from the Syrian- �' 40 American Brotherhood of Indianapolis, Indiana, whose very cheering letter is published elsewhere in this issue. We are also in receipt of a poem in praise of the movement from Miss Labeebee A. J. Hanna, {a teacher in Boston, also published in this issue. The inquiries received are from different sections of the country and deal with certain details of the proposed Federation. We entertain no doubt that all these inquiries will ultimately result in favorable action, but their real significance is in the growth of interest in the movement and the obvious intention of many more societies to join once they are satisfied about some points concerning which they seek further enlightenment. On general principles, we wish to reiterate that it is far from; our intentions or designs to dictate the policies of the federation. Our hope and dream has been to bring the societies together on the principle of a federation in the interest of promoting the welfare of the race. The working program is to be left to them. They are the better judges of what can be done whether in the initial stages or in seeking the ultimate goal as the work progresses. In fact, bringing our societies together in a general convention on grounds of common under- THS SYRIAN WORLD standing to dicuss common problems and seeking means of collective, constructive action is in itself a great step forward. There should hardly be any doubt that so many different societies representing Syrian public spirit all over the land, and coming together on a patriotic impulse and for; a common purpose, could fail to act except in the best interest of the race. With such a body of true patriots the destiny of the race would rest in the safest hands. We hope to be able to make an important announcement concerning the federaton movement in one of the two coming issues of the Syrian World. In the meantime, we would urge the necessity of further missionary work, on the part of pledged societies in the hope of further increasing the} membership before calling the convention or taking any other definite step towards concrete action. SYRIA TO THE FRONT ""pHIS issue of the Syrian World goes to press before the scheduled lecture of Professor James H. Breasted at Bryn Mawr on April 11. The announced subject of Professor Breasted's lecture on that date is "The Place of the Near East in Human Development". The Near East comprises many countries besides Syria and the Holy Land, but we may safely l\ �APRIL, 1929 7 m surmise that the learned Professor's remarks will be centered on these latter countries. Professor Breasted is the foremost authority in America on the history of the Near East. He is director of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, and his works in his chosen field of research are textbooks in! many high institutions of learning. He has recently returned from a tour of Egypt, Palestine and Syria which he made in company with Mr John D. Rockefeller, Jr. It is most gratifying to note that the Near East is coming more and more into its own as the birthplace of civilization. Readers of the Syrian World have had material aplenty along this line, chiefly from the pen of our own learned specialist on Semitic languages and history, Professor Philip K. Hitti of Princeton ^University. We can entertain no doubt that Professor Breasted will corroborate the statements of Professor Hitti. After all, facts are facts, but coming from many authorities they are more readily accepted. Then there would be no further ground for accusation that in stating the facts of history one is biased towards his own country and race. It has been repeatedly dinned into the ears of the Syrians that theirs is a most glorious heritage. We trust that with the repetition of this statement from the highest authoritative sources they will come to appreciate this distinction and devote some effort towards the perpetuation of that to which they have fallen heirs. CHANGING TIMES The comments so far received from our readers on the subject of "The Marriage Problem Among Syrians", first discussed by Mr. A. Hakim in his series The Sage of Washington Street, present an interesting study in psychology. We have permitted the widest possible latitude of comment in order to get the true reaction of our new generation. It now is evident that, while there is a strong sentimental attachment to some time honored customs, the, general tendency is for the wider exercise of personal liberty. As stated by students of the evolutionary process among other nationalities, this condition is not confined to the Syrians. We also have to allow due consideration for the spirit of the times in general, where tendencies are to break down the barriers of convention. The movement may not be possible of checking altogether, but it can surely be modified and regulated, so that some of the characteristically Syrian virtues, such as filial devotion and feminine modesty, may not be lost. �4Z THE SYRIAN WQRM> Spirit of the Syrian Press Under this caption we hope, to present from time to time. a micwjco*Ct re A u^ L °f "* Ar*bic presa' not only in *» country, but wherever A»abic dailies and magazines reflect the opinions of responsible, thinkin. writers who are treating the different problems that confront the Arabicspeaking world from all conceivable angles. Needles* to say, we will take no pajrt in the discussions reproduced, no? assume any responsibility Our task win simply consist in selecting, to the best of our knowledge and with utmost sincerity, what we think is representative of the public opi»ten as expressed in these editorials. Editor DEATH OF A GIANT Death struck Marshal Ferdinand Foch like a thunderbolt and in laying him low destroyed many hopes. Words fail to adequately describe the genius, of the greatest soldier of this age. Suffice it to say that he has achieved victory with the minimum of bloodshed that usually accompanies modern warfare. During our visit to Pars, as delegate to the Peace Conference representing the Lebanon League of Progress and other patriotic organizations in America, we visited Marshal Foch at his home on several occasions. We were struck with the extreme simplicity of his home life. We were much more impressed, however, with his extreme solicitude for the cause of fjebanon. We did not ask him at the time for his photograph, but upon our return to our hotel an officer came asking for us and handed to us an autographed photograph of the Marshal with a letter of acknowledgment and thanks to the Lebanon League of Progress for its contribution to the victory memorial which he was then planning-. Marshal Foch expressed to us personally that never will France forsake the protection of Lebanon in its natural rights so long as it had a single army corps left. This we mention as proof of the Marshal's interest in Lebanon and his championship of its cause. Lebanon has lost by the death of this great man one of its greatest and most loyal friends. , —Al-Hoda, N. Y. March 29, 1929 GENERAL SARRAIL Death has claimed in the person of General Maurice Emmanual Sarrail another great Fivnch military figure. He was one of the heroes of Verdun, the commander of the Allies in Soloniki, and, in the opinion of many, the cause of the Druze revolt in Syria. We cannot honestly subscribe to this last contention because the revolt was for a long time brewing for the purpose of revenging old grudges and achieving preposterous ambitions in which Gen. Sarrail had no hand. I �43 APRIL, 1929 There can be no doubt of the military genius of Gen. Sarrail which was admitted by friend and foe alike. But he was not a wise administrator. He was a radical military man who combined certain irreconcilable characteristics which made it unwise to appoint him to the High Commissionership of Lebanon and Syria. This was further aggravated by the obduracy of his supporters, whether in Paris or Syria and Lebanon, which brought about added injury to the country under mandate. At this hour we respectfully bow our heads in memory of Gen. Sarrail remembering only his many virtues. —Al-Hoda, N. Y. March, 29, 1929 ing to the civilian inhabitants. This resulted in no less than five hundred being killed, mostly innocent womeji and children. It is strange that the French should lay the remains of this general, who thus caused the massacre of the people of Damascus, alongside those of Napoleon and Foch. Sarrail may lie in the Invalides, but the shame he has committed will follow him to the grave and will be his outstanding mark of distinction on the pages of history. —Mirror of the West N. Y. March 27, 193? THE DEATH OF SARRAIL The obituary comments on Gen. Sarrail represent him as being one of the great geniuses of the late war but one who could not attain higher positions of trust owing to his radical convictions. During the early stages of the war Gen. Sarrail did show some ability at Verdun, but he showed weakness and incompetency at Saloniki and proved himself a ruthless tyrant at Damascus. His overbearing manner could not have been surpassed when, at Beirut, he refused audience to the Druze chieftains and dealt them a crushing blow to their dignity and pride. They retaliated with sword and fire and but for a little would have taken him prisoner. Gen. Sarrail did not hesitate to order the bombardment of Damascus the oldest city in the world, when the rebels carried the fight on the French to the heart of the city, and did so without even issuing a warn- GENERAL SARRAIL A FRIEND OF SYRIA General Sarrail will be remembered as the French High Commissioner during whose term of office the Druze revolution, otherwise known as the Syrian revolution, took place. Syria has tried many High Commissioners besides Gen. Sarrail, and she must have surely discovered in him a man of truer friendship and more benevolent policy than many others, although at the time she did not realize the extent of her good fortune in having such a sterling man. True value is appreciated only after a loss, and, as the Arab poet remarks, "Only after you had tried others will you realize the loyalty of my friendship". Gen. Sarrail was anti-clerical and very impatient with the motives -which caused the division of Syria into so many small separate political units or States. Instead of regarding him as a true benefactor, these elements in Syria which are the cause of its decadence hated him bitterly �1HE SYRIAN WORLD and rejoiced at hia recall. Gen. Sarrail must have died with much bitterness in his heart over Syria. He was anxious to free the country of its bondage and it was in this spirit that he insulted those who have become accustomed to the yoke of servitude. Instead of being grateful to him they brought upon him the grave responsibility of either bombarding Damascus or permitting massacres that would claim an untold toll of lives. He chose the former course which seemed to him the lesser of the two evils. Syria has had since a succession of High Cmmissioners and has witnessed lately the proroguing of the Constituent Assembly. This should convince the Syrians that the Mandatory Power is in their country to stay and that with the failure of conciliatory policies stringent methods will be resorted to. The Syrians seem to respect m'ore the latter course, as proven by their contentment under the iron hand of Ponsot while restive under the gentle hand of Sarrail. —As-Sayeh, N. Y. March 27 THE SYRIAN CRISIS The latest reports on the progress of the negotiations between High Commissioner Ponsot and the Syrian Nationalists indicate that the crisis is becoming more grave. For these results we believe the Syrians are mostly to blame because of the uncompromising attitude they have assumed. They demanded absolute independence when they should have realized that France, as the Mandatory Power, could not consistently grant them all their demands. They misinterpreted the patience and to- lerance of M. Ponsot and would not yield in good faith to his advice. It is their fault that he had no alternative but to prorogue the Constituent Assembly. We wish to assure our Syria* neighbors that they have our sympathy and good wishes in their struggle for independence. This would be our attitude for obvious reasons with all weak nations seeking independence. But events have so far proved that there are among the Syrians no able statesman capable of handling the delicate situation in which the country finds itself. If in the realm of politics Syrian leaders had shown the same loyalty and ability which the military leader of the revolution has shown in his field their position would now be much different than what it is. On the contrary, they have only shown unreasonable stubborness by demanding what is obviously impossible. We would advise the Syrians to believe in the good intentions of France and follow in their relations with her such course as would prove to her their willingness to enter into a true spirit of cooperation and understanding. They should realize that the use of force will not only be unavailing but will react to the further injury of their cause. —Ash-Shaab, N. Y. Mar. 16, 1929 EVADING TEMPTATION OF BREAKING FAST Ramadan is a month of fast with our brother Moslems in which they are prohibited from partaking of food or drink in any form during the day. During the Turkish regime, if a non-Moslem indulged in satisfying his hunger or thirst, even if ) �*5 APRIL, 1929 that be in the form of taking a glass of water, in view of a fasting Moslem, he was persecuted on the ground that he was causing temptation to one of the faithful. Now the Turkish regime has passed, but not the reactionary custom of restricting non-Moslems in the exercise of their personal liberties. The action of the Syrian government in Damascus in closing restaurants and cafes suspected of affording temptation to the Moslems during Ramadan speaks ill for the success of the republican form of government in that country- It tends to prove the contention of the critics of the Syrians that they cannot be entrusted with the task of self-government where all elements of the population will receive equal treatment. Their stipulation in the Constitution that the President of the Republic should be of the Moslem faith is an indication of their lack of tolerance. Under the circumstances, what logical reason can be advanced against the demand of the non-Moslems to be independent of the Syrian government of the interior? So long as the Moslems act on the assumption that the country is theirs to the exclusion of all others, all promises of equality of treatment to other elements cannot be expected to stand the test of actual proof. —Syrian Eagle, N. Y. March 19, THE WOES OF LEBANON Many developments have come to pass since the enlargement cf Lebanon to its present boundaries which make the Lebanese regret ever having laid claim to any extra terri- In its former condition, Lebanon was almost free from taxation. It was a creditor and not a debtor country. It had consented, during the term of Franco Pasha, its second Mutasarref under the old regime, to forego the annuity of 500 bags which the Turkish government agreed to pay to it following the Protocol of 1860. Now, with the annexation of small strips of extra territory, Lebanon is called upon to pay a disproportionate share of the old Ottoman debt. The Representative Assembly has sanctioned these payments amounting to three-hundred thousand gold pounds a year for a term of eighty-five years. We doubt that the government revenue from the; annexed territories will equal these payments. Our Representatives should have opposed with all determination such an arrangement. They should at least have claimed the sums which they waived in favor of the Ottoman government to partly offset these new demands. They should have placed the interests of their constituents above those of the French who are the chief beneficiaries from these arrangements. Otherwise they should have resigned in a body rather than approve of such an arrangement which spells further economic ruin to a country already exhausted by excessive demands on her small revenues. , —Ash-Shaab, N. Y. March 24 INDEPENDENCE Bravo, Syrians! They have built a church without calling on the emigrants for contributions. There ii nothing like independence. —A»-Sayeh, N. Y. March 98 �46 THE SYRIAN WORLD Readers' Foru m ANOTHER SYRIAN GIRL OUT FOR FREEDOM Editor, The Syrian World, I agree entirely and absolutely with Miss Soloman. Why should Syrian girls be denied the same privileges Syrian boys are allowed? Why aren't our girls allowed to go with boys of other nationalities? Miss Edna Shakar states in her letter of February that no Syrian girl need fear a boy of her own nationality. Does she mean to imply that tihey should fear boys of other nationalities. She also states that Syrian girls are respected by boys of their own race. She says that a boy realizes how morally clean a Syrian girl is. Are Syrian girls cleaner and do they have a higher standard of morals than other girls?. Absolutely not. Don't you think that a boy of any nationality respects a girl of any other nationality who is modest and has a high code of morals ? Of course he does. Miss Shakar calls herself modern. But she seems to be far from it. She also states that she went to a school in this country. Probably a co-educational one where she came in daily contact with boys. When she came home from school, why shouldn't she be allowed her freedom ? Why shouldn't a Syrian girl have, or be thought by her parents, a thorough knowledge and understanding of sex relationship and then be given her freedom. In answer to Miss E. K. Saloomey. Is there any reason why Syrian girls shouldn't hate their parents if they are allowed no freedom or privileges ? What is the result? A girl steps out secretly with the wrong kind of young men. She goes to road houses •where she consequently learns to drink and smoke. If parents are wise and make companions of their children all this and more would be prevented. Let us rejoice there are a few broad-minded Syrian parents. Kathryn H. Rashid Chautauqua, N. Y. MODEL LIFE OF THE SYRIAN GIRL Editor, The Syrian World, Before I undertook to write again on the subject under discusson in the Syrian World, I spoke with fathers and mothers as well as with their sons and daughters, and none seem to share Miss Mary Soloman's point of view. True,I have not studied conditions in the strict sense, but mostly as a social pastime. I have visited at least a radius of 150 miles and nowhere have I seen such strict rules against the girls. Miss Soloman's first letter made us believe her to be an altogether different type than she really is, but now that she has modified her expressions, I can more readily see her stand even if I do not agree with her on all things. She gave me the impression that she is trying to revolutionize Syrian ideas and customs. I now see that she shares the ideas of most of us. i �APRIL, 1929 47 The answer to Miss Soloman's are all members of a common social chib that functions to perfection query as to why won't our parents even if not organized. give us free will to go out with boys Instead of arguing on the marof other nationalities is this: She is riage problem, the question of clubs not thinking of the future, but only which Miss Soloman suggested in of the present. The next generation one of her letters is a much better will be so mixed that our heritage subject and a much quicker way out will be lost, then the remnant of the Syrian race will regret the condi- of the difficulty. I have found out if young people tions and wish we could have remained in our own circle with a trace will have clubs they will find the freedom they are looking for in a of our old customs. Intermarriage with other nation- n'ce, clean and wholesome way that alities and co-ed freedom is coming will not be objectionable to their on with a rush—you cannot make parents. Here's hoping this letter will enit faster nor can I retard it. So why courage some to start a club if they argue about so vital a subject. already haven't one, and let's hear I think I have freedom and yet not more on the subject of club formain the sense you mean it. We are tion than the marriage problem. allowed everything by our parents Edna Shakar except keeping company with boys. Adams, Mass. As I said before, they visit us, and we make up a party and go out in a group. I do like boy and girl companion- A YOUNG MAN ship, but to go out against my paGIVES AN OPINION rents' will is not in me. Perhaps it Editor, The Syrian World, is the way one is brought up. We do not couple up and go out, but as a Miss Soloman lias certainly startcrowd, we go out boys and girls to- ed a very good argument, and now why not let some of the young men gether. The young people in our commu- express their opinion on the subnity do not feel that their freedom ject? Freedom, according to Miss Solois abused because of this. In Adams there are about 15 Syrian families man's definition, is blaming the paliving together most harmoniously. rents. But why not let us Bee why When there is a party everybody is our parents must be so strict. I think that Syrian girls would invited young and old. We dance, have more freedom if it would not sing and play games, at times the be hampered, as it is. not by the old people joining in our fun and at girls' mothers, but by those upon other times we are left alone. whom seems to fall the responsiWe get so whether we are in prebility to burden themselves by prosence of our people or among strantecting other peoples' children. gers we act the same way and with The mothers would gladly let their our usual freedom. We have had daughters have more liberty if those clubs composed of not more than few who are always ready with unten young people, but then, I have necessary gossip of what they have found, quantity doe* not matter. We �48 seen, would only stop to think of the anguish they cause. I have read most all of the letters contradicting Miss Soloman, but I still agree with her on most of her arguments. Her idea of permitting the girls to bring their boy friends home is good and wholesome advice. If the boys are the right sort, they will without doubt accept the invitation to "meet the folks"; and, if our parents cannot see "beneath the skin", why no one can. Miss Soloman should not touch on the subject of mixed marriages on which she is not competent to judge. But I disagree absolutely with. Miss Absi in the matter of parental selection and other mild forms of forced marriages. I am sure she would too, if she would investigate this more closely, especially if it is as she has written, where the parents go out to select a suit with possibly a man inside for their daughter. Many of our Syrian girls attend parties, dances, theatres, go to public places together, have formed many clubs, are active in church work and seem to have as much freedom as other girls, but as to their home activities I cannot speak. I am sure that more than two-thirds of our Syrian girls work all day, have their evenings off, and Sundays to do as they please. Immorality is an unthought of thing among Syrians, a delicate subject to extend to parents and an unapproachable item: to even go as far as to say that girls of different nationalities are immoral is not of much credit to its writer. Young men seem to enjoy unlimited privileges with the exception of course, of being permitted to be seen too often with the same girl unless they ar« expected to marry THE SYRIAN WORLD soon. They cannot be pals, and many certainly need this companionship. Perhaps we may give the girls a rest and I hope that many of the young men will now enter their viewpoint on the matter. Abe J. Shalala Cleveland, Ohio. A SINCERE PRAYER The Syrian World is upon my heart because of its service to our race*** Further, the character of the policies adopted are of vital importance to the highest welfare of the Syrian people in the United States. For these reasons, and there are others, my constant prayer is that our Heavenly, Father may grant you health, divine wisdom for your daily needs, and the assistance of heaven to secure success for your noble undertaking for the glorious service of our race. Rev. W. A. Mansur Loretto, Neb. A NEW OLD DREAM **** I find our magazine of great value in my teaching of both English and geography. One can travel to Syria if one has the time (and the money!) no matter what the inclination; but one can surely try to become saturated to the bursting point with his knowledge of Syria by reading the Syrian World—no matter how casually. It is an education in itself, and invaluable. We of the younger generation — born here, educated here—have been thirsting for just such knowledge about OURSELVES for years, It's been almost a —mystery. And now the doors are flung open, and we are cordially welcomed to a new old realm. Labeebee A. J. Hanna Boston, Mass., �.,- 'I.I APRIL, 1929 49 Political Developments in Syria SYRIAN NATIONALISTS PASSIVE — PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN LEBANON I The political situation in Syria has In the meantime, Sheikh Tajeddin apparently reached an impasse. The remains at the head of the Provisleaders of the Nationalist Party are ional government, which position he assuming a passive attitude towards is said to occupy simply as accomothe French by refusing to entertain dation to the French until they can any solution to the crisis other than see their way through the maze of that of ratifying the Constitution as entanglements. Sheikh Tajeddin, passed by the Constituent Assembly. due to his willingness to cooperate They are abstaining from engaging with the French, made himself perin any form of political activity and sona non grata with the Nationalists have even refrained from issuing an while the French have lost faith in official reply to the edict of the High him since he proved unable to rally Commissioner in which he cited his sufficient support to their policies. reasons for proroguing the Assembly Who their favorite is for the PresiIn the middle of March, a new en- dency remains an open question, but voy of the High Commissioner ar- there are many who are inclined to rived in Damascus to try his skill the belief that Ahmed Namy Bey, the at unraveling the problem which is Damad, and a former president, is becoming more complicated. He is the most logical choice since he is an M. Andre Bruere who bears a long experienced executive, is acceptable list of titles and is said to be invest- to the French and is conceded by the ed with plenipotentiary powers. Ru- Syrians themselves to be honest in mors would have it that he plana his pursuit of the national welfare to solve the problem by forming a as consistently as can be expected coalition government composed of under the circumstances. representatives of all parties which There has been a revival of rucould more safely take up again the mors lately that France favors a mobroken trend of the negotiations on narchical form of government as the the question of the Constitution. It best solution of the Syrian problem. is said for the French, on the other A prominent candidate to the prohand, that they are not over anxious posed throne is a certain Algerian to force matters and would let things prince, now residing in Paris, and drift until such time as the Syrians said to be a descendant of the AndaBee the futility of insistence on their lusian dynasty of lyad. Another demands for complete independence candidate is said to be the Damad. regardless of the obligations of FranWhat, in the opinion of some, lends ce to the League of Nations under color to these rumors, is the demonstration which took place in Damasthe terms of the mandate. �50 cus and other Syrian cities on March 8. The occasion was the commemoration of Syria's declaration of independence during the short reign of King Feisal, now king of Iraq. On that day in 1920, Syria proclaimed to the world her coming into the family of nations as an independent political entity with a regularly constituted king. Gen. Gouraud, then French High Commissioner in Syria, sent to the Syrian government an ultimatum which, it is claimed, was not answered within the time limit specified, causing the French to despatch a punitive expedition which met the unorganized Syrian forces in Maisalon and put them to rout. Nevertheless, the Syrians cherish the memory of that day when they asserted their independence and still celebrate it every year. The principal demonstration this year was in Damascus where, following the Friday prayers in the Umayyad Mosque, thousands of young men gathered in a peaceful demonstration. There were orators, of course, who reminded the people of their rights and protested against the colonization designs of the foreigners. The elders of the city begged the demonstrators to refrain from acts of violence, and the interference of the police was said to be only a precautionary measure. What is said to be the unofficial reply of the Syrian Nationalists to the declarations by M. Ponsot of his reasons for proroguing the Constituent Assembly was contained in a lengthy article published in AshShaab of Damascus, conceded to be the organ of the Nationalist Party. The article was unsigned, although containing many intimate details of the negotiatons leading to the final action of tflie High Commissioner. THE SYRIAN WORLD The article takes up categorically the five reservations of the? High Commissioner and attempts to prove that they strike at the very heart of the Constitution and render it absolutely meaningless. The first reservation, for instance, requires that the Constitution shall not contain anything that will conflict with the obligations of France towards the League of Nations in the question of the mandate. This in itself, the paper contends, is tantamount to the nullification of the Constitution, because France's obligations aTe of a nature to look upon Syria as a backward country unable to manage its own affairs, while the Constitution declares Syria fully capable of governing itself without assistance or supervision. Furthermore, the paper continues, the self-claimed right of the mandatory includes -tihe establishment of a judicial system, the supervision of the religious foundations, the granting of concessions , the exploitation of the economic resources of the country, etc. All these are internal matters which the mandatory claims for herself the right for their regulation, besides the right to diplomatic representation in foreign countries and military occupation and defense. Taking all these matters under consideration, nothing is left to the people of the country themselves and for the Syrians to frame a Constitution that will concede such rights to France would only tend to intensify their bondage. The paper further states that England exercises no such rights in Egypt, all her reservations being ostensibly for the protection of fore'gn lives and interests in the country. The Egyptian Parliament Is supposed to be free in its deliberat- �APRIL, 1929 51 ions and to have full legislative pow- assured, as the Maronite Patriarch ers in matters affecting the internal is supposed to be the strongest sinaffairs of the country. Still the Bri- gle political factor in the country in tish objected to a proposed law gov- that his followers form a majority erning the right of assembly which of the population, and no candidate is purely an internal measure and may hope to win without his support forced the Egyptians to accept or approval. their view. What, the Syrian paper The Maronite support of President then asks, will become of the Syrian Dabbas, although he is not of their Parliament if such rights as France claims are incorporated in the Cons- faith, is due, aside from the outstanding personal qualifications of tihe titution ? man, to the fact that the only other By these and similar arguments strong candidate in the field is Emir the Syrian paper justifies the stand Michel Lutfallah whose inordinate of the Nationalists in refusing to ac- desire for power is said to be his cept the reservations to the Consti- only motive for invading the realm tution on which the High Commis- of Lebanese politics. The few supsioner insisted. Al-Mokattam, a porters of Lutf allah's candidacy base prominent paper of Egypt, terms their preference on the man's huge these declarations the unofficial re- fortune which they say he will use ply of the Nationalists to M. Ponsot for the economic rehabilitation of and considers their issuance in this the country. To this his opponents form as a shrewd political move in reply that the Emir should prove his that the facts are given out to the solicitude for the welfare of Lebapeople without compromising tfce non by launching these life-giving Nationalists in their professed pol- economic enterprises first and the icy of non-interference. Presidency will come to him begging later. Furthermore, t)he attempt to SITUATION IN LEBANON prove the Emir of Lebanese nationThe Presidential election in Leba- ality failed because he was proven to non was set for March 27, all indica- have been born in Egypt. As a clitions seeming to favor the reelection max to all these objections, the actof President Charles Dabbas. The ive support of the Lutfallah's to the Lebanese press is almost unanimous Druze revolution which was attended in forcasting this result, principally by bloody massacres of Christians because denominational considera- is held strongly against a Lutfallah tions appear to have been set aside being elected to the Presidency of a in this instance. The Maronite Pat- republic which was given its present riarch is reported to have expressed independent status chiefly because his preference for President Dabbas it is Christian. A proposed amendment to the to the French. High Commissioner himself upon the latter's visit to his Constitution in Lebanon would extBeatitude to present some of his end the term of office of the Presidnewly appointed administrative as- ent to seven instead of the present sistants. With this the election of term of three years. The French authe present and first President of thorities are said to be in favor of the Republic for a second term seems this move. �THE SYRIAN WORLD INTERVIEW WITH DABBAS A special wireless to The New York Times from its correspondent in Beirut under date of March 24 reports an interview with President Charles Dabbas of Lebanon in which he outlined his plans for the improvement of the grave economic condition now existing in the country and expressed his appreciation of the hospitable treatment by the United States of tJhe Lebanese. Said the President: "It is our intention to improve the economic condition of this republic by a vigorous campaign for wider agricultural activity. The work will include the irrigation of vast areas of fertile land which have hitherto not been cultivated. We also intend to establish agricultural credits. Steps have already been taken for the execution of these plans and we hope to start work in the next few months. The capital involved for this enterprise amounts to $2,000,000, and it will take three to four years. "I admit that an economic crisis unfortunately exists at present throughout the country. This is due to the fact that imports greatly exceed exports, but once the irrigation and agricultural projects have been accomplished they will enable us to export vast amounts of cotton as well as cereals. Our silk cultivation industry suffered greatly during the war when the Turkish army destroyed practically all the mulberry trees, thus necessitating the planting of new ones. We intend to develop sericulture along the most modern and scientific lines. We are also concentrating efforts to attract large numbers of Summer tourists to the Lebanese mountains, which form one of the finest Summer resorts in the world. "Our relations with the United States are most friendly, and my country will welcome any American business enterprise here. We have profited greatly from American culture here, and thanks to the American University at Beirut we now have fine types of educated and cultured men and women. I wish to express thanks on behalf of the Grand Lebanese Republic to the people of the United States for the hospitability accorded to the many Lebanese residing in America." THE WAY OF POLITICS The Lebanese press of Beirut, especially the Christian contingent, publishes with much apparent surprise the rumor that Faiz Bey ElKhoury, Christian member of the Constituent Assembly, had formally petitioned the government at Damascus for permission to embrace Islam. With religious feeling always running high in Syria, one can readily imagine the consternation caused in all circles by such a rumor, especially when the man involved is not only a prominent Christian, but one of the foremost leaders of the Syrian Nationalist Party. It is he who is given credit for drafting the Constitution, and in all debates or negotiations was one of the outstanding figures. There were some who denied the authenticity of the report and were indulgent with Mr. Khoury, holding his change of faith, even if true, a matter of personal concern; while others lashed him mercilessly and ascribed his Islam to political motives, especially that he had approved of the article in the Constitution �MR 5i MARCH, 1929 which stipulates that the President of the Syrian Republic should be a Moslem. , It will be recalled that Fares Bey El-Khoury, brother of Faiz and, like him, a leading figure in Syrian poli- tics, had been but a short time since bitterly denounced by the Moslem press for a statement he had made in a private letter disapproving of the clause in the Constitution relating to the religion of the President. About Syria and Syrians RIHANI LECTURING The Foreign Policy Association of New York gave a private luncheon in February last to our noted author and traveler, Mr. Ameen Rihani. A limited number of selected guests heard him relate some of his experiences during his travels in Arabia. Subsequently the same organization invited him to address its Boston branch on April 4. The Syrian students at International House in New York asked Mr. Rihani to speak to the student body of the establishment on March 24. He spoke for almost an hour and a half to a very appreciative audience. The Syrian students were proud and delighted to point to Mr. Rihani as an outstanding example of Syrian talent and achievement. SYRIAN CONSULS OF LATIN-AMERICAN COUNTRIES Fouad Bey Halabi, newly appointed Chilean consul in the Arabic East, arrived in Damascus on March 15 and presented his credentials to the French and Syrian authorities. The Consul is a Syrian whose parents migrated to Chili from Homs. A i \ He is a graduate of a Chilean university and was for some time active in Chilean politics. Jacobo Dominguez, a prominent Lebanese merchant of Panama City, was appointed Panaman consul accredited to the Republic of Greater Lebanon. He sailed from New York on April 10 for Beirut to take up his post. STORMS IN SYRIA CAUSE GREAT DAMAGE The severe weather reported to have prevailed in Europe this winter seems not to have spared Syria, where storms left in their wake extensive damage to property and much suffering and inconvenience. Especially in Lebanon, where the snowfall was extremely heavy, reaching at times a. depth of four meters, the property loss was much more heavy and widespread. In some cases whole towns perched on mountain summits were destroyed by landslides. Roads were damaged and bridges carried away. Train service between Beirut and interior points was interrupted for forty days because of the clogging of mountain passes. Packs of �$4 $HE SYRIAN WORLD hungry wolves are reported to have invaded many towns. $50,000 FOR CHARITY A correspondent of Ash-Shaab (N. Y.) in Windsor, Ont., Canada, reports that a wealthy Lebanese of that city, Elias Peter Barakat, a native of Hasroun, has donated $50, 000 for the erection of an orphanage and home for the aged in his native town. The Rev. Msgr. Peter Simany has sailed on a six months leave for Lebanon to complete arrangements for the application of the gift. LATINIZING ARABIC! The Lebanese press carries long reports of an important lecture by Professor KhalU Taqi Eddin, President of the Alumni Club of the Ecole Laique of Beirut and Secretary of Parliament, on the question of substituting Latin for Arabic characters. The lecturer, who is an authoritative spokesman for the cultured classes of the Arabic-speaking countries, held that such a change would be neither practicable nor advantageous. Professor Eddin traced the evolutionary stages of Arabic characters from the time they were first used in Al-Yaman until they were finally adopted in their present form following the introduction of diacritical marks by Al-Aswad. He then gave a list of peculiarly Arabic characters which have no equivalents in the Latin alphabet. He was emphatic in his assertion that it is speedier and easier to write Arabic than any language using Latin characters. Aside from these inherent advantages to Arabic characters, Professor Eddin emphasized the point that such a change can be advocated only for the purpose of disrupting the Arabicspeaking peoples by breaking their common bond. One of his cogent arguments against the change is that it would blot the literature of fifteen centuries, as it would be impossible to reprint all the existing Arabic works in Latin characters, while even now there is an untold number of manuscripts still unpublished for lack of funds and facilities. POLITICAL AMNESTY LEADS TO MURDER During the Syrian revolution, the chief of the Bedouin tribe of Dandash, whose encampment is near Baalbek, is said to have murdered in cold blood Khalil Raphael, one of the notables of the town of Ras Baalbek. Ever since, the son of the murdered Christian, Michael, brooded over the loss of his father and dreamed of revenge. The authorities, fearing the revival of a bloody feud between the Baalbekites and the primitive bedouins, sent a mixed Lebanese-French commission of investigation with instructions to use every effort to bring about peace. They questioned Hassan Dandash, the bedouin chief accused of the old murder, and later entered the town to interview the son of the, murdered man. They are said to have counseled the bedouin to remain on the outskirts until such time as they finished their investigation as he would be safer under the protection of the military outpost. Dandash, however, out of a spirit of bravado, followed them to the house where they were holding their meeting, and no sooner Michael Raphael saw him than he whipped a revolver and shot him �; APRIL, 1929 ' dead, exclaiming "this is the result of the general amnesty and the government's leniency." The body of the bedouin chief was removed by his followers with great demonstrations of grief and was buried amidst the discharge of five thousand rifle shots. The authorities dispatched a large military force to prevent further reprisals. CLOSING RESTAURANTS DURING RAMADHAN S5 of the State of Syria, of an order forbidding women to pass through Hamidyah St. at night even if they were on their way to their own homes. The reason given for this drastic ordinance is that this thoroughfare is the one mostly used by the Faithful to reach the Umayyad Mosque. The implication is that the Faithful would be subjected to undue temptation if their pious eyes fall on feminine forms while on their way to prayer- When pilgrimage to the Holy cities CENTRE IN; AMERICA of Islam was possible only by the FOR ARABIC PUBLISHING overland route, Damascus was considered the gateway to Mecca because the caravans were formed there for Princeton University Plans Editing and Publishing Valuable Manuscripts! the pilgrimage. Even in this age. Damascus seems to be jealous of its reputation as the A project is now under way in stronghold of Moslem conservatism and fundamentalism. If the govern- Princeton University to catalogue, ment should wink at some infraction edit, publish and, in some cases, tranof the Sunnite laws, the people them- slate the 3.000 Oriental and Occidenselves will see that she is brought tal manuscripts in the Garrett Collection, according to a special desback to the path of duty. The Syrian press reports that du- patch to The New York Times from ring Ramadhan of this year, devout Princeton under date of March 23. "Hardly any modern archaelogiMoslems of the city were scandalizcal find is commensurate with this ed to witness some moderns of their from the standpoint of the history faith openly enter restaurants during of human thought," said Professor the day while the Moslem fast reHarold H. Bender, chairman of the quires strict abstention from food or department of Oriental languages drink in whatever form between sunand literatures. "With the publicarise and sunset. Consequently, they tion of these manuscripts, and of petitioned the Prime Minister to take others, and by virtue of the superior the necessary measures to put a stop to this scandal. The matter was re- equipment for this work now being ferred to the Minister of the Interior acquired by the Princeton Univerwho promptly consulted the Mufti, sity Press, Princeton promises to beand later ordered the restaurants come a world centre for Oriental under complaint closed during the publishing and printing. This task will take several generations for day throughout the month of fast. Another measure affecting public completion." Contained in the manuscripts in morals was the issuance by Sheikh the Garrett collection is material Tajeddin, the Provisional President �-— —= THE STRIAN WORLD which is expected to alter certain aspects of present knowledge of the crusades and of the history of geography, chemistry, arithmetic, astronomy and medicine thus revealing the debt that the Western peoples owe to Arab and other Oriental civilizations. The collection contains encyclopedias summing up Arabic and Hellenic learning, and also manuscripts revealing Islamic sciences and Arabic thought and literature, including theology, jurisprudence, Sufism, ethics, lexicography, grammar and poetry. Sacred manuscripts of the Druses and other secret sects are included and their editing and publication will bring to light for the first time the mysteries of these religions. Hitherto unknown translations of ancient versions of the Bible are also contained in the collection. The manuscripts are mainly in Arabic but some of them are in Hebrew, Syriac, Turkish, Persian, Armenian. Malayan, Javanese and Sanscript. Hitherto it has been necessary to send Oriental texts to Europe for printing. It is expected in the future that the largest percentage of American work in this field will be done in Princeton. To finance the project more than $100,000 has already been obtained either by gift or by appropriation from the General Education Board, the Mergenthaler Linotype Company and Joseph T. Mackey of Brooklyn. Professor Philip K. Hitti, associate professor of Semitic literature at Prinecton, will have charge of the cataloguing and of the Arabic manuscripts, while Dr. Henry S. Gehman of the University of Pennsylvania will join the Princeton staff this Fall to work, in particular, upon the Coptic manuscripts. YOUNG SYRIAN WOMAN ARTIST WINNING FAME Mr. F. E. Stevens of Portage, Pa., sends us a clipping of the Southern Cambria News concerning the artistic progress of a gifted young Syrian artist which we are glad to reproduce. Said the American paper: "Miss Edna Haddad is winning fame as an artist. She has just completed a painting of Christ for the Syrian Orthodox church of Altoona. She had been engaged to do the work and has just delivered the picture which measures 30 by 48 inches. Although only 18 years old, Miss Haddad has produced several works of art. Among them are paintings of Moses and the Ten Commandments, Angel of Sorrow and a number of portraits. She has been an art student for five years but has always shown great adaptability for painting. On October 1 she will take up studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. FINDS HIS DAUGHTER AFTER TWENTY TEARS The strange story of a Syrian father who had lost his daughter twenty years ago and finally located her in a Catholic orphanage in New York City was told by the Syrian press of New York. A surprising detail of the story is that the girl had been adopted by a wealthy American lady who made her her sole heir to a fortune said to amount to twenty-seven millions. Joseph Habeeb, the father, now a well-to-do merchant in Edenton, N. C, is said to be coming to New York to claim his daughter with the aid of the law, if necessary. About twenty years ago Habeeb �— APRIL, 1929 left his wife and two children and returned to Syria. Later the mother died and the grandmother of the children raised the boy and placed the girl in the orphanage. Upon the father's return to America he settled in North Carolina and prospered. His search for his missing daughter had been relentless ever since his return. The newspaper Al-Hoda condemns the father for his reported intention of taking legal steps to regain his daughter and deprive her of an immense fortune, the like of which in magnitude there are few among the Syrians. A MOSQUE IN NORTH DAKOTA Al-Bayan (N. Y.) in its issue of March 30, reports the purchase of ground in Ross, N. D., for building a mosque for the fifteen Moslem families of that section who are mostly farmers. Building operations will be started this Summer. s ' if ' u SYRIANS PERMITTED TO ENTER COLOMBIA The French High Commissariat at Beirut gave the press on February 18 an official statement announcing that negotiations with the government of Colombia had resulted in the withdrawal by the government of that country of its restrictions against Syrian and Lebanese immigrants. POPULATION OF PALESTINE An official census of the population of Palestine for the end of 1928 places the number at 800,000 of whom 600,000 are Moslems, 100,000 Jews and 100,000 Christians. Of the Christians 50,000 are Greek Orthodox, 25,000 Roman Catholics, 5000 Protestants, 2000 Maronites and 3000 Syriacs. AMERICAN-SYRIAN FEDERATION The following officers were elected for the year 1929 at the last annual meeting of the Federation held in its clubrooms, 123 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn: S. J. Akel, president; Albert H. Macksoud and Gibran Attiyeh, vice presidents; Michel Dahood secretary; Joseph Zaloom, treasurer. At the subsequent meeting of the Federation held on April 9, U. S. Commissioner Amy Wren addressed a large gathering of members and their friends. UNITED MARONITES SOCIETY The annual meeting of this society for the election of officers for the year 1929 was held on March 8 and resulted in the election of the following: President, George Faour; vice-president, Tanius Harfoush; treasurer, A. J. Gorayeb; secretary, Assad Saad. HOLY NAME SOCIETY The Holy Name Society of the Syrian Melchite Church of Brooklyn held an entertainment and dance on April 6 which was attended by eight hundred. The speakers were John Raheb, president; Rev. Archimandrite Paul Sanky, the spiritual adviser of the society, and Joseph M. Khoury, editor of Ash-Shaab. NEW KENSINGTON, PA. A correspondent of As-Sayeh reports the formation in New Kensington, Pa., by the Rev. Nicola Ofeish, of two social clubs for the young men and young women of his parish. The two clubs co-operated in producing an Arabic play on March 10 which was attended by a large number of Syrians from New Kensington and neighboring towns. �A GLORIOUS HOLIDAY AND A GREAT EDUCATION [THERE is no better way of spending your summer vacation Jthan by taking our tour leaving New York July 2nd,| Jescorted by the Editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD, Mr. JSalfdum A. Mokarzel, through LEBANON, SYRIA ancLTHE HOLY LAND. Visits will also be made to LISBON, NAPLES, ATHENS, WSTANTINOPLE, ORAN and MADEIRA. ^CONGENIAL COMPANIONS COMFORTABLE ACCOMMODATIONS SURPRISINGLY LITTLE COST For booklets and details as well as for membership in this tour write to A. K. HITT1 & COMPANY 60 Washington Street NEW YORK CITY Telephone—BOWLING GREEN 2765-9754 mmmm � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1929_04reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 03, Issue 10 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1929 April Description An account of the resource Volume 3 Issue 10 of The Syrian World published April 1929. The issue begins with an article by Rev. W. A. Mansur titled "Syrians' Loyalty to America" which discusses the nature of Syrians' dedication to the United States, the basis of their political allegiance, and the tests of their sincerity. Next, Ibn El-Khoury discusses another aspect of Lebanese culture with an article on the Village Festival, which mostly focuses on religious holidays. Following it is the transcription of an address from the Testimonial Dinner given in honor of Ameen Rihani by Philip K. Hitti, primarily highlighting Rihani's contribution to Arabic lore. After the long discussion of Rihani's importance in literature, there is a collection of Arabic riddles by Elia D. Madi translated to English by Andrew Ghareeb. A short introspective poem by Kahlil Gibran titled "Fame" follows. The next article, written by Alfred Mussawir, discusses the origin of fire-blowing, a talent identified distinctly with a Syrian slave in Sicily named Eunus. The final piece of writing in this issue is a poem by Labeebee A. J. Hanna which is dedicated to the Federation of Syrian Societies and discusses the fellowship present in their confederation. The issue concludes with excerpts from the Arab press, the Reader's Forum, and an update on political developments in Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1920s Ameen Rihani Ibn El-Khoury Immigration Kahlil Gibran Labeebee A.J. Hanna Lebanon New York Philip Khuri Hitti Poetry-English Reverend W.A. Mansur https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/7d71568b2e868bae17709f2444991409.pdf b2f221da8d02158171de8c5d6bb301ec PDF Text Text ^ THE SYRIAN W( A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENG WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABU m AT THE GATE OF ARABIA AMEEN RIHANI A DAY IN ABU-HAMED DR. NEJIB A. KATIBAH DISCOVERING THE SYRIANS JAMES MYERS EASTERN RELIGIONS IN THE WEST SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA THE COPY 50c. �"' " '1 T i-.IE SYRIAN WORLD SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL, Editor. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK, By .ascription $5.00 a year. N. Y. Singl, ^^ ^. Sntw-ed as second-class matter, June 25, 1928, at the post offic. at New York N > - Y., under tke act of March 3, 1879. VOL. III. No. 9 MARCH, 1929 CONTENTS PAGE At the Gate of Arabia 3 AMEEN RIHANI The Saint j 3, KAHLIL GIBRAN Children of A merica \4 Eastern Religions in the West SALLOUM A. lg MOKARZEL Snowdrops 20 PAUL DEAB A Day in A bu-Hanted DR. NETIB 21 A. KATIBAH �W^BpWgpWtMiMlMIP .1— — I DM iwnw-y. . .. . . ; .. l — CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE Verses To My Daughters J. D. 29 CARLYLE Discovering the Syrians 30 JAMES MYERS Arab Wisdom 32 Success of Federation Assured 33 Editorial Comment— Tours to Syria 37 Pride in Ancestry 38 Youth and Age 39 Spirit of the Syrian Press 41 Readers' Forum 45 About Syria and Syrians 50 Political Developments in Syria 56 ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE Ameen Rihani Testimonial Dinner to Ameen Rihani xs �THE SYRIAN WORLD VOL. III. No. 9 MARCH, 1929 At the Gate of Arabia FIRST LEG OF THE EPIC JOURNEY OF THE NOTED AUTHOR AND TRAVELER, AMEEN RIHANI, TO FORBIDDEN ARABIA By AMEEN RIHANI "THEY were loading petroleum, stacking the surplus cargo on the promenade deck of the Dakhalieh, when we arrived. The other passenger, a lady going to Tor, did not seem perturbed, For her, inflammability had perhaps lost its charm; or she was accustomed to a repression hermetically sealed. But for me, there was the possibility of annihilation, particularly because a certain happy climax of life had already been reached. I imagined myself going up in a bonfire East of Suez—it needed but a lighted cigarette to do it—and I enjoyed the extravagant fancy. But, being a reader as well as a writer of books, I had come prepared for everything saving such an end. Civilization was left behind, and all that was antithetic to it I expected to find East of Suez. It were best, however, had I contented myself with the literary conception megaphoned to two worlds by Rudyard Kipling. In any case, there was still a rush-light of romance left, which no disappointment, literary or real, could snuff out. East of Suez, south of Suez rather, particularly on a February afternoon, when the Dakhalieh, with its inflammable cargo, steamed out of the harbor, was full of promise. I deserved all that was coming; for I had insured myself only against Incredibility and its lame cousin Doubt. My sympathetic mood, which often became a sympathetic vision, was my only pass-card to the heart of Arabia, its people, and its kings. I learned to say mashallah and inskallah, whether I was listening to a historical �THE SYRIAN WORLD narrative or to a fairy tale (both are too, often hopelessly mixed in Arabia), and afterwards, despite the buckram of common sense, included Allah in my judgment. I was a traveller, a pious and believing traveller; and, with all the willingness in the world, I was ready to believe that the Red Sea, for instance, was at one time as red as carmine, and that East of Suez is, even in our day of grace, a moral murk, an abysmal continent. For not only Orientals delight in romancing, be it remembered. You may travel in Arabia with the Critique of Pure Reason in your saddlebag; but you have to balance it, willy nilly, with the Koran. WHY THE RED SEA IS CALLED RED The only other passenger on the Dakhalieh, the lady going to Tor, knew something about the Koran and the Red Sea. Indeed, although of Celtic origin, she was at home in both. She told me the story of a sea monster once captured near Tor. The strength of forty men was required to pull it out of the water. She saw it and wrote about it to the Royal Society. It had a head like a monkey's, a thorax like a human being's, while the rest of the body was that of a fish. This was neither a mermaid nor a merman, but a mermonkey, unknown, methinks, to the students of Celtic folk-lore. She also told me why the Red Sea was called Red; and here too she spoke as an observer with a scientific mind. It was not red once upon a time as the legend goes; it is not red everywhere and at all times; but only in the spawning season and in places where the sea swarms with gold fish, which glisten in the pellucid water and impart to it the color that gives it its name— Red Sea! The sundown glow interrupted the folk-lore conversation. Celtic mermaids and gold fish were forgotten as we steamed south between Africa and Asia in what seemed an apotheosis of calm, crowned with chromatic grandeur. Mt. Sinai was partly in shadow; Mt. Ataka opposite to it was in effulgence; while behind us, the canal looked like a green ribbon floating northward, and Suez faded in a purple haze. The scene was continually shifting and changing. No sooner had the sand hills of Sinai lost the glamor of sundown than the hard contours of Ataka softened in the glow, undulating withal. Gradually again the scene was transposed. Mt. Sinai was resplendent in rose and violet hues, its outline seeming wondrously plastic, while in the West the dark grey and sable of Ataka, set off by a rich cream tinged here and there With gold, made its peaks seem more aggressive as the sun dis- �MARCH, 1929 5 appeared. It was indeed a masterpiece of atmospheric beauty and color-contrasts. The ruggedness of Ataka and the delicate splendor of Sinai could not be more appropriately rendered, or more harmoniously composed. Hardly anywhere else in Egypt is the colorful Oriental sky so eloquently expressed. The close proximity of two continents, rising in a supreme effort on either side of the water, must give the sun its cue; and when it goes down, the interval between two splendors is not long. Soon after darkness the sky is crowded with stars. They had all come out to enjoy, like ourselves, it seemed, the warmth and the calm of that February evening. A low sky crowded with stars. It was "rush-hour" in heaven! PURIFYING THE PURIFIED My fellow traveller spoke of the pilgrims and of the Quarantine at Tor. She has been in the Egyptian service more than twenty years, has seen more of Al-Islam in its pious mood and squalor than any one else of her race East of Suez or West of it, and continued nevertheless to love the Muslems and nurse them with tender care. Not without reason is she called Mother of the Pilgrims. She carries in the pocket of her love the key to health and sanitation. She reads the Koran to better understand her children and she continues, for the sake of remembrance, to read the Bible. "Let them go to Mecca," she said; "it's a iplendid spiritual exercise. But they must on their way back make us also a call—at least for a bath." The Quarantine Station at Tor, the second best in the world, is, indeed, one of the guide posts of Civilization East of Suez. It is international; but its administration is in the hands of the Egyptian Government. On that sunbaked sandy wilderness, not far from the village proper, it stands out, a town by itself, hygienically conceived and built; its wards and its stores, its clinics and disinfecting rooms, its soda water factory and ice plants—they recall the best in Europe. It can accommodate from two to three thousand pilgrims at a time, the total number for the whole season sometimes rising to forty thousand. The Egyptian pilgrims, returning from Mecca, are first disinfected and then sent into wards for a period of from three to ten days, according to the prevailing health conditions at the time. No greater service to Al-Islam, to the world, in fact, could be rendered by medical science. Ever since the Tor Quarantine was established, about thirty years ago, Egypt has not had a single �6 THE SYRIAN WORLD cholera epidemic. It is, moreover, teaching the Muslems sanitation and hygiene. They first balked at the idea of a quarantine, resented the interference with the pilgrimage, and objected strongly to the disinfecting process 3 but they have gradually reconciled themselves to it, and now they appreciate the incomparable virtues of Tor. They are beginning to even enjoy the stay, and the first thing they ask for, when they arrive, is the bath. There may be something blasphemous in a disinfectant after a pilgrimage to the Holy Places. "But health and well-being and cleanlniess," said the Celtic Mother of the Pilgrims, "are enjoined by the Prophet." She knows the Muslem's Book as well as her own. MOTHER OF THE PILGRIMS A quiet, modest, sympathetic soul, and not without a warmth of feeling, was my companion of an evening; she had also a sense of the divine, which her silence expressed. I could not help thinking that, like the local deities of old, she had imbibed the spirit of the place. From Suez to Tor and from Tor to Suez is a pilgrimage in itself, chastening, uplifting. For one thing, there are no loud voices on the Red Sea, neither in the sky, nor on the water, nor upon the hills on either side of the Gulf of Suez: —no over tones in the coloration, no dogmatism, as it were, in the forms, no harsh outcries in the waves. Everything seems to contribute to the apotheosis of tender variability. In the morning, at sunrise, the opposite coasts are a pageant of peaks and domes of a texture not unlike the dunes of the Nufoud; they seem so brittle on the African side that they would crumble under a gust of wind; while the play of light and shade on the Sinai slopes, set off by a strip of pinkish haze above, and another of white sand looking like a mirage at the base, is like quicksilver and bronze in a frame of fascinating composition. On neither side do the colors betray the least violence. At sunset they are more expressive but not less delicate. The orange that melts into saffron, and the saffron that goes into mauve, and the mauve that rises to the sky to embrace its azure limpidity, all stand in the background of a picturesque chain which becomes bolder in outline as its color atmosphere becomes more subtle, more ethereal. Even the darkness on the hills is not devoid of a certain glaze, a certain shade of lucidity. It makes them look in their serrated peaks like scalloped black lace hung upside down on a silver thread. �1 MARCH, 1929 * There are also peaks softened by time in the soul of Mother of the Pilgrims} and there is a silver thread for a few ideals among which she sometimes hangs her humor to dry. Some one was carrying in a crate a few geese to Tor. "But surely they can not in Tor afford fresh water for geese," said I. "They are Muhammedan geese," she remarked, "and if they do not like salt water they can have sand.* In any case, they'll die among the pilgrims and go to Paradise." A lucky goose who can find some one to take him to Tor. Measuring my luck, since I cherished the hope of going even to Mecca, though there be something of the goose-nature at the bottom of such a hope, I considered myself the happier traveller. For a moment, however, when saying good-bye to my Celtic friend, a shadow of sadness lingered across my path. What if our humor were the reality, the Koranic truth? Here be a Christian woman doing Al-Islam a noble service; and Al-Islam, in the Paradise to come, gives all its prizes exclusively to the Muslem man. Mother of the Pilgrims, forsooth. I prefer not to dwell further on the subject. Even the Dakhalieh's tea, a murky mixture of something and milk, which was brought early in the morning by the steward in a cup as thick as his thumb, were more welcome than such a Paradise. The sin of the steward was in knocking at my door when I had just gone asleep. For I had spent most of the night on deck, enjoying the blissfulness of an evening of ineffable calm as compared with the disquieting atmosphere of a Transatlantic ship of tourists. In fact, I was still under the influence of the sunset, and the gibbous moon, with malice or without, came offering me another drink. She brought with her a soft enticing breeze—another intoxication. I surrendered myself. I was in thralls. About morning I went down to my cabin, seeking freedom in sleep; but soon after, the steward knocked at the door and, opening it, offered me a cup of tea. I cursed him in Arabic, thinking half-awake that I was on an Atlantic liner. He apologized afterwards—in Arabic! He crushed me. The Dakhalieh is not the best steamer of the Line, but she is better than the general run of Red Sea craft. I was disappointed, because I did not expect anything so good south of Suez —barring the tea—and so clean. What does it matter if she makes * "And if you can not find water, make your ablutions with sand."—The Koran. �8 THE SYRIAN WORLD but seven knots an hour, and if the skipper is a prurient Greek? From Tor down I was the only saloon passenger, and, in spite of the cargo on the promenade deck, the illusion of a private yacht was irresistible. Allah in His mercy has not forgotten His slave Ameen of Manhattan Island. Allah be praised. AN EXCITING FIGHT Al-Wajh, the first Arab port of call, is a little village on a sandy coast, with two mosques, twelve policemen in khaki uniform, a school, and an empty prison. But this should not be mistaken. The prison is empty, not because of the want of criminals, but because they are seldom caught. Nevertheless, Al-Wajh breathes an air of prosperity. It makes its own smacks (sanbooks) which carry its charcoal, its salt fish, and its sheep butter to Suez in exchange for wheat and cotton cloth. And north of Al-Wajh, near Dhoba, I was told, are oil fields unexplored. The seepage along the coast runs visibly into the water. One of the twelve poilcemen of the town, a youth of twenty, carrying a whip with a silver knob, came on board with the school teacher to supervise the discharge of the cargo. There was, to be sure, a chaos of outcries and a crowding of sanbooks; but the only incident that threatened the peace was handled by the young policeman with firmness and decision. A black boy in one of the sanbooks picked a quarrel with an Arab; and the two, from the prows of their boats, not far apart, shouted insults at each other. The black was the first to act. He stretched himself forward, lying on his bosom, and clutching at the Arab's arm, dragged him forth and pushed him into the water. The boy struggled amidst the craft, and climbed up again to his own, crying and cursing aloud. The police lad, who witnessed the quarrel and tried to stop it from the deck, adding his own curses to those of the two boys, sent for the black eventually and there and then applied the whip to his bare skin. The boy did not cry. But when he went back to his sanbook, he stretched himself on the prow, grinned at his victim, and spat into the water. He then looked up towards Abu-Kirbaj (Father of the whip) and grinned and spat in the water again. CAMELS HAVE MANNERS TOO Just then the camel of Sherif Zaggal was in the air above the black's head, hanging by a rope to the derrick chain; and either out of fright or meanness she staled upon him. Where- I �MARCH, 7929 » upon, the Arab boy chuckled and exclaimed: "Allah is just!" The Sherif Zaggal, Governor of Al-Wajh, who was going with us to Jeddah, changed his mind at the last hour and sent his camel instead. The camel, too, might have changed her mind, if she were human. But being a camel, and, although on her first sea voyage, she was indifferent. I paid her a visit on the morning of the following day when she was lying down. A twoyear-old, and evidently a thoroughbred. Her manner, if not her features, was a proof of this; for like an Arab girl she was extremely polite. She got up when she saw me coming and stretched her neck towards me, turning her head to the right and to the left;—turning her cheek rather, for she did not resent being kissed. The camel of Zaggal is gifted also with curiosity; for often she would stretch her neck above the railing and gaze at the sea and snort. As much as to say, Why has the desert changed its color? And why do the sands roll and tumble over each other as if swept by the simoon? Yet, there is no simoon. She sniffed the air which she seemed to enjoy, and, pursuing her adventure, she made an effort with her neck to reach the water. She was wondering whether it was real sand: she would find out for herself. Gifted with curiosity, indeed, is Sherif Zaggal's camel, and well bred. I wonder if his subjects are likewise. The police lad at Al-Wajh was certainly polite, and, in one or two instances, evinced curiosity. He asked me if we had any camels in New York and if we taught the Koran in our schools. I made a straightforward reply, which surprised and shocked him. He was surprised to know that we had no camels, and shocked to hear that we did not know anything a^out the Koran, and that we seldom really pray. At noon and at sunset, the Third Class passengers, who sleep on the lower decks, spread their little rugs or mats or bits of cloth and turn towards the East to pray; they really pray;—honestly, strenuously, fervently pray. For Allah is there, beyond, as palpable as the ship under their knees, and is all-hearing. Beside him sits Muhammad, who smiles benignly upon the Faithful. And the huris are there, too, waiting for the Faithful to come. If this were not so, how could they put up with life, how could they endure its hardships and trials, how could they see and not desire the creature comforts that we in our First Class infidelity were enjoying? No, they neither desire nor envy. They have the best God in the world, the best Prophet in the world, and the best Paradise in the world to come. It is yet my lot, and that �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD of the reader who goes all the way with me, to realize that an illusion in a state of detachment can achieve reality, though but for a spell. AN ARTIST'S DELIGHT Meanwhile, we toy with little things and surrender ourselves to the joy of the moment. Color is not only a form of enjoyment j it is a necessity as well as a luxury—like love. Indeed, color is to the soul what air is to the lungs. And what on the Red Sea is more gorgeous than its blue? It is a limpid and lustrous blue, a deep and sensuous blue; a nile blue which is lyrical in the sun; a blue through which, even in the shade, you can see the porpoises many feet under water. Neither the Carribean nor the Eastern Mediterranean in the shadow of the Lebanons can approach it in purity and rare glaze. It is washed, as it were, of all the atmospheric vapors and all the particles that make the waters of the Atlantic opaque and dark. It is a filtered blue. The eye drinks of it and never tires. In the Gulf of Suez after sunset there still lingered here and there patches of gold which added to the fascination of its blue. The fusion made the slow rolling little waves look like melted emeralds in gold-lined bowls; and where they did not fuse, they presented a charming design, a lyrical design j—a melody of saffron hues moving briskly over the broad cerulean rhythms of the sea. I asked the Maltese ship doctor if it was the same blue early in winter, and his reply was that he didn't pay much attention to it. He further admitted that he couldn't tell one shade of blue from another. But I heard him at table speak of the blue mouth of a pretty girl among the Arab passengers. Her lips are tattooed, said the Skipper, and then made a remark in Greek, at which the Doctor laughed. The wireless operator, a pinkcheeked, clean-shaven youth from Lancashire, who understood the Skipper's Greek by inference or by precedent, did not try to conceal his disgust. He later told me that he was going to leave the ship. Once I tried to change the conversation, asking, to my regret, a question about the Maltese language, which is considered to be a conglomeration of Italian, Spanish, and Arabic. But the Doctor, coming to the rescue, seemed to say, My mother tongue, right or wrong. He told us that Maltese is the ancient Phoenician language and that Arabic is derived from it, that is, �MARCH, 1929 11 from the Maltese! There is always some one on board to spoil a sea voyage. It is not necessary, howerver, to make any serious attempt to avoid an unpleasant subject or situation, on board a ship which brings you everyday to a new port. The change, with a little patience, is inevitable. At Yanbo', which is the seaport to AlMedinah, I met an ancient friend, who is familiar to every one that reads Arabic poetry. For what poet, ancient, medieval or modern, has not drawn upon Mt. Radhwa for a simile or a metaphor? They have made it walk, and ride, and fight battles; but it still stands where it stood of old, casting its shadow over Yanbo', in the morning, and in the afternoon, over the plains and hills which separate it from the second Holy City of Al-Islam. Not only the Mountain has not changed, but it harbors a section of the tribe of Juhainah which shares with it the virtue of immutability. These Juhainah Arabs are herdsmen who have lived apart from their fellow tribesmen ever since the days of the Prophet. They go in sheepskins, live in huts up in the mountain summits, and are self-sufficient. Seldom does any of them come down to the plain, and seldom do any other Arabs go up to their heights. Of a certainty, no traveller, native or European, has visited the Juhainahs of Mt. Radhwa, for the Hijaz Government, even today, cannot give the necessary protection. AT THE GATE OF ARABIA A T LAST About twenty-four hours after we leave Yanbo' we sight the first landmark of the harbor of Jeddah, that is the clearing •7iark of the navigator, which is Mt. Hamaniyah and the saddle of Mt. Hadda beyond it. Soon after we come to the outer reefs near which the water is of a milky color caused by the coral sand, which is stirred up by tidal streams or storms. Over these reefs the billows break and form in winter a line which, seen from Jeddah, gives the illusion of a foaming coast in mid-ocean. From the first reefs to the shore is a body of water, which is only affected by the tide. This is the harbor, and in it are three lines of reefs, with gateways, which are charted minutely for the foreign navigator, giving the direction of the reefs, their size, their form, and their sloping to shoals. All of which the native boatmen know as good as the book of the Red Sea pilot. They even know more, or they have an eye that penetrates the darkness. For they can negotiate the reefs at night without any mishap, zig-zagging around them and gping through the gates �* 12 THE SYRIAN WORLD l as if they were lighted with electricity. We made our way through the hidden gates meandering to an anchorage about two miles from land. The reef formations were betrayed by the light and dark green color of the I j water j—crescents of emerald, floating ribbons of saffron, and here ' and there a white spot indicating a shoal. Another charming passage in the canvas was the ochre over a bed of sand forming a foil to the green, and both balancing a path of deep blue. Jeddah is a clutter of buildings from two to four scories high stretching about a mile along the coast and inward not more than half a mile. Its minarets and its tall buildings make its skyline suggestive in parts of that of lower Manhattan. The architecture is pure Arabic, but not of an elaborate style. The walls are mostly of madrepore plastered on both sides, and a characteristic feature is the woodwork of the mashrabiyahs (lattice screens) which stand before the windows. They have also contrived, to combat the summer heat, a sort of bay window, a projection of wood rather, which hangs like a balcony over the street, and can be opened on three sides to the breeze. From a distance the city presents a decent view of prosperity} it is not even lacking in the aspect of grandeur. Steam launches and sanbooks came zig-zagging around the reefs to meet us. And lo! My friend Constantine Yanni, who, , ten years ago, a beardless youth, was editing a newspaper in Syria \ and fulminating against the Turks, had become a hirsuit Arab and \ was in the uniform of a Captain of the Hijaz Army. Hola, li Constantine! But he had come with other officials of the Hashemite Government, and the greeting, in the name of His Majesty King Husein, was formal, as it should be, and a bit pompous. Later, we slapped each other on the back. At the Quarantine pier, more officials and more ceremony. The mayor of Jeddah expressed to me the regret of His Majesty, who was in a state of uncertainty about my arrival, caused by my neglect to cable from, Suez that 1 was coming on the Dakhalieh. Otherwise he would have come down from Mecca to meet me. "But he is waiting for a word from us," said the Collector of Customs, as he entered into the office of the Quarantine Superintendent. And there I got the first big surprise in my travels in Arabia. A telephone in the Holy City of Mecca! The Collector sat at the desk, and, taking up the receiver before him, asked Central, without any preliminary "Helo" or " 'Elo," to give him Mecca—Royal Palace. There was no parley and no MA woi of cru ou m ar �13 MARCH, 1929 waiting. The Hashemite Secretariate was informed of the arrival of "Saiyed" Ameen Rihani, and in half a minute the Collector conveyed to me the Hashemite Secretariate's reply: "Saiyedna (our Lord) is coming. He will leave Mecca in half an hour." The Saint By KAHLIL GIBRAN TN my youth I once visited a saint in his silent grove beyond the hills j and as we were conversing upon the nature of virtue a brigand came limping wearily up the ridge. When he reached the grove he knelt down before the saint and said, "O saint, I would be comforted! My sins are heavy upon me." And the saint replied, "My sins, too, are heavy upon me." And the brigand said, "But I am a thief and a plunderer." And the saint replied, "I too am a thief and a plunderer." And the brigand said, "But I am a murderer, and the blood of many men cries in my ears." And the saint replied, "I too am a murderer, and in my ears cries the blood of many men." And the brigand said, "I have committed countless crimes." And the saint replied, "I too have committed crimes without number." Then the brigand stood up and gazed at the saint, and there was a strange look in his eyes. And when he left us he went skipping down the hill. And I turned to the saint and said, "Wherefore did you accuse yourself of uncommitted crimes? See you not that this man went away no longer believing in you?" me. And the saint answered, "It is true he no longer believes in But he went away comforted." At that moment we heard the brigand singing in the distance, and the echo of his song filled the valley with gladness. �«= 14 THE SYRIAN WORLD Children of America The following article, based on the research and study of the Foreign Language Information Service, and published in the January, 1929, issue of The Interpreter, its official organ, is an able presentation of conditions obtaining in the homes of recent immigrants in America. The relations between the older and younger generations have been the concern of all ethnic groups, Syrians included. The article touches on many social problems which the Syrian World has been treating for the past three years. Principally because it comes from an organization specializing in the study of conditions among the foreign born, and committed to the policy of sympathetic interpretation of the point of view of the immigrant, the article recommends itself highly to the serious study of our readers.—Editor. "pHE sweeping indictment of aliens as criminals, implied at least in so many discussions these last ten years, has been dismissed by all fair-minded Americans. It had its origin in a racial holier-than-thou attitude and fell to the ground as soon as our sociologists and statisticians had time to marshal the facts. The conclusion of careful students seems to be unanimous that the percentage of law-breaking among our immigrant population is less than with the native born. Yet the "crime waves," which are still with us, have made notorious a host of "foreign" names. The role of inmates in our prisons and reformatories creates an impression of immigrant criminality which is not justified by investigation and statistics. Most often the "alien criminal" turns out to be American born and American bred, with an "un-American" name for his only foreign heritage. It is the second generation that contributes more than its due quota of arrests and commitments to American prisons. The children of immigrant parents have a still higher rate of juvenile delinquency. There is comfort in the fact that this same second generation has apparently produced more than its quota of achievement in science, the arts, business and inventions, of feats of enterprise and valor. In such instances these young people are our pride, not our problem. We speak of them as Americans. It is when they are socially inadequate, that we are apt to refer to them as the second generation. Theirs is an American birthright, with opportunities far greater than their immigrant parents had. With them is no handicap of language. They are beneficiaries of our public schools. In many cases poverty or social environment may work HHH^HHMH^BBHHI^HHHHH^PHMi i i �MARCH, 1929 15 for delinquency but, on the other hand, the immigrant father, just because he has been at the bottom of the ladder, usually does his utmost to see his children ascend. Their frequent failure is the more striking because of the straight path which their parents have kept in a country strange to them. Obviously, no theory of race or nationality fits here. The complaint that there is more respect for law in foreign countries than in America with its tradition of pioneer freedom, does not suffice to explain the apparent anomaly. In the villages and small towns of Europe from which so many of our immigrants have come, behavior was controlled not so much by outside^ pressure as by habits which had been formed in many centuries of living together. That the daily bread must be earned by hard work and by work only, was an experience of daily life for many generations. The few and simple social groupings had developed a strong group solidarity. The mode of life was primitive and for every occasion there were fixed standards of what was or was not fit to do. There were ancient usages, codes of honor and the power of a closely-knitted community opinion. In America the immigrant slowly moves away from his traditional norms but the old habits persist and are still so strong that his proportion of delinquency is below that of native-born Americans. No such tradition exists for the second generation. No cultural values have come to it from long lines of ancestors. The old country community with its fixed limits and standards has no substitute here. Even the immigrant family—the only social grouping to survive the trip across the sea—breaks down, strong as are its ties. Only parents of more than average intelligence and intuition are able to transmit to their American-born children something of their cultural tradition and to preserve the solidarity of the family. More often the "revolt of youth" leaves here much deeper wounds than in native families. The new, English-speaking American is prone to look with contempt upon the language and the queer customs and memories of his parents. He hears the terms of derision which we apply to foreigners and greenhorns. Even in school he may learn that everything that is not American is inferior, and he sees this inferiority exemplified in mine workers and factory hands who want to exercise a parental authority over him. He is ready to gain his way wilfully —maybe with a justifying reference to "American customs''— and when the father tries to enforce obedience in a way which is actually un-American, their relationship may be past remedy. �' " /tf — " tm '"—» »' F//£ SYRIAN WORLD Every teacher, social worker, and discriminating law officer knows how much youthful wrong-doing can be traced to homes which have been broken up by such cultural dualism. If Americanization is too rapid it may be as bad as though it were too slow. Externals of American life are easily assimilated but it is difficult for an individual to establish his own standards in the stream of American migrations, occupational changes, social contrasts and shifting groups. With no fixed habits of conduct young people are apt to assimilate what James Truslow Adams calls our lawless heritage. It is mostly for the sake of their children that immigrant fathers and mothers go to evening school. They are anxious to keep up with their sons and daughters and to make themselves understood in a common language. Often by teaching English to parents our evening schools have helped them to keep their homes together and to check the early delinquency of their children. Yet a knowledge of English can not be a remedy for all cases. The first immigrant generation, no matter how willing it may be, cannot meet the second on the fetter's terms alone. Few immigrants can assimilate the life of America so rapidly as to be able to cope with the influence of our "lawless heritage" on their children. If a too rapid disintegration of our ethnic groups with their traditional standards of behavior is to be prevented, the parents must be met by the children half-way. The task of bringing the second generation nearer to the traditions and ideals of the first cannot be accomplished by the individual father or mother. How many of us can effectively interpret the culture in which we live? There is a task for each immigrant group as a whole acting through its organized bodies. Unlike the immigrant "colony" which is an expression of the newcomer's strangeness in America, the fraternal, social and educational organizations which have been established by various groups, represent their conscious effort to adjust themselves to Amercian conditions. More or less effectively the old country language, culture and associations are reconciled with and brought into touch with the new life in America. An effort by these organizations to reach out after the younger American-born generation is only a recent development. It is dictated only in part by the wish to increase membership. There is always current feeling that the organizations should take care members' children and bridge the gap between the. tw< ations. ; f �MARCH, 1929 »] 17 If they can do it, these foreign language organizations deserve our encouragement and cooperation. There is no danger of perpetuating a foreign language or loyalty even among the American born. Each organization which bids for the interest of its members' sons and daughters, starts by introducing the English language in its publications and lodges; it is the only language in which the second generation can express itself freely. As additional inducement activities and devices are adopted which will attract American born children, and, as a sanction in their eyes, the cooperation of American schools and agencies is looked for. Instead of falling back into alienism, the children will bring their parents further within the influence of American life. They never can have the same interest that the first generation has in politics abroad or journeys to the mother country. But they will be willing recipients of a historical tradition, art and literature in which they can take pride among and as Americans. Italian or Spanish, Slav or Scandinavian books will teach them that it took all sorts of "wops" and "bohunks" to make the world's civilization and that the language and the culture of the old folks may be worth getting acquainted with. If the organization brings to the younger generation an understanding of another civilization and of folkways and traditions of other peoples and inspires in them a respect for their own parents, a benefit will accrue to everybody concerned. As between a "native" neighborhood gang and commercial amusements, on the one side, and a "foreign" club room with American parties, sports and contests, some old country music, song and dance and a "parental blessing" on the other, the choice should not be difficult. Three basic truths must not be forgotten: that crime has always been a problem chiefly of youth; that while there is no single cause for delinquency, the conflict or inadequacies at home lie nearly always at the bottom of it; and that the conflict in immigrant homes is a conflict not only of generations but of culIt is not inevitable. Many of us have traveled abroad, led a foreign language and have acquired another culcoming nearer to prison gates. Why should the generation be burdened only with the conflict to which it is the natural heir? It would sion is to reconcile them and to interpret life the valuable elements of all the its of the "second generation" have rid. �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD Every teacher, social worker, and discriminating law officer knows how much youthful wrong-doing can be traced to homes which have been broken up by such cultural dualism. If Americanization is too rapid it may be as bad as though it were too slow. Externals of American life are easily assimilated but it is difficult for an individual to establish his own standards in the stream of American migrations, occupational changes, social contrasts and shifting groups. With no fixed habits of conduct young people are apt to assimilate what James Truslow Adams calls our lawless heritage. It is mostly for the sake of their children that immigrant fathers and mothers go to evening school. They are anxious to keep up with their sons and daughters and to make themselves understood in a common language. Often by teaching English to parents our evening schools have helped them to keep their homes together and to check the early delinquency of their children. Yet a knowledge of English can not be a remedy for all cases. The first immigrant generation, no matter how willing it may be, cannot meet the second on the latter's terms alone. Few immigrants can assimilate the life of America so rapidly as to be able to cope with the influence of our "lawless heritage" on their children. If a too rapid disintegration of our ethnic groups with their traditional standards of behavior is to be prevented, the parents must be met by the children half-way. The task of bringing the second generation nearer to the traditions and ideals of the first cannot be accomplished by the individual father or mother. How many of us can effectively interpret the culture in which we live? There is a task for each immigrant group as a whole acting through its organized bodies. Unlike the immigrant "colony" which is an expression of the newcomer's strangeness in America, the fraternal, social and educational organizations which have been established by various groups, represent their conscious effort to adjust themselves to Amercian conditions. More or less effectively the old country language, culture and associations are reconciled with and brought into touch with the new life in America. An effort by these organizations to reach out after the younger American-born generation is only a recent development. It is dictated only in part by the wish to increase membership. There is always the recurrent feeling that the organizations should take care of their members' children and bridge the gap between the two generations. �imwMinw, MARCH, 1929 I i V 17 If they can do it, these foreign language organizations deserve our encouragement and cooperation. There is no danger of perpetuating a foreign language or loyalty even among the American born. Each organization which bids for the interest of its members' sons and daughters, starts by introducing the English language in its publications and lodges3 it is the only language in which the second generation can express itself freely. As additional inducement activities and devices are adopted which will attract American born children, and, as a sanction in their eyes, the cooperation of American schools and agencies is looked for. Instead of falling back into alienism, the children will bring their parents further within the influence of American life. They never can have the same interest that the first generation has in politics abroad or journeys to the mother country. But they will be willing recipients of a historical tradition, art and literature in which they can take pride among and as Americans. Italian or Spanish, Slav or Scandinavian books will teach them that it took all sorts of "wops" and "bohunks" to make the world's civilization and that the language and the culture of the old folks may be worth getting acquainted with. If the organization brings to the younger generation an understanding of another civilization and of folkways and traditions of other peoples and inspires in them a respect for their own parents, a benefit will accrue to everybody concerned. As between a "native" neighborhood gang and commercial amusements, on the one side, and a "foreign" club room with American parties, sports and contests^ some old country music, song and dance and a "parental blessing" on the other, the choice should not be difficult. Three basic truths must not be forgotten: that crime has always been a problem chiefly of youth; that while there is no single cause for delinquency, the conflict or inadequacies at home lie nearly always at the bottom of it; and that the conflict in immigrant homes is a conflict not only of generations but of cultures. It is not inevitable. Many of us have traveled abroad, have learned a foreign language and have acquired another culture without coming nearer to prison gates. Why should the second immigrant generation be burdened only with the conflict of the two cultures to which it is the natural heir? It would seem that its natural mission is to reconcile them and to interpret and contribute to American life the valuable elements of all the rultures from which the parents of the "second generation" haTre come, which is all the world. �THE SYRIAN WORLD 18 Eastern Religions in the West Extracts from the address delivered at the luncheon of the Daughters of the United Maronites* Society at the Hotel St. George in Brooklyn, February 10, 1929. By SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL A preceding speaker referred to the fact that the Feast day of St. Maron, the patron saint of the Maronites, falls in the same month as those of Lincoln and Washington. Let me remind you that this in itself is no indication of greatness. Greatness is in the work which endures—in the character of the service that is so essential, so noble, that it is carried on from one generation to another with as much conviction and enthusiasm as when it was first performed by the author himself. NoW here you are in the United States celebrating the feast day of a saint who has given his name to a valiant people and whose work has endured for many centuries long before the discovery of America. There must be something of genuine value and worth in the teachings and the services of this religious teacher that they have endured so long. Owing to this very fact you who are now honoring his memory should be proud that you are carrying on a work and keeping alive a tradition which has withstood the ravages of centuries. This is a privilege and a distinction of which you should be especially conscious. But you are now facing a situation unlike that which obtained during all the centuries since St. Maron was establishing his work. You are now in a new country and encountering new conditions which require unshaken determination to carry on the work preserved by your forefathers. You find that your services and rituals are unlike those practised by your neighbors and might at first waver then decide to break the ties which bind you to the past. In this I would like to issue to you a warning—I would loath to see you lose a valuable heritage and a precious legacy o£ which you are now the custodians. Religion is not a style that could be subject to the vagaries of fancy. Religion is a principle and a creed whose test of worth is in its endurance. It would be a great pity indeed if merely with the change of fcolitica] allegiance you would be prompted to a change of religious rituals. MHMitWWW �MARCH, 1929 19 This could not be construed as an indication of progress since it would not entail a repudiation of creed or change in fundamental dogma, but merely a superficial transition from one form of ritual to another. I wish here to remind you of some historical facts over which you may reflect and ponder. The Maronites profess the Catholic faith. They are as much Catholics as the American, Italian, French or any other Catholics anywhere in the world. The fact that they practice a different form of ritual does not alter in the least the fundamental character of their creed. They shou1'' rather, feel proud of the distinctive merits of this ritual. It is conducted in the very language supposed to have been spoken by Christ Himself. Aramaic, the spoken language of Syria and Palestine during the time of Christ, is a bosom sister of the Syriac. They, together with the Hebrew, Chaldean and Arabic, form the Semitic group. That the rituals of the Maronites' services are conducted in Syriac should be a distinction and an honor of which the Maronites should feel proud. We see the Latin language used in Catholic rituals and we 'ook upon the fact as a matter of course. Now let us see how Latin came to be used as the ritual language of the Catholic church. At the time of Christ Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire, of which Syria was a vassal state. St. Peter, head of the / Apostles, came to Rome to establish Christianity as the state re'i ligion of the Roman Empire. Latin, the spoken language of the state, was adopted for the rituals because it was the language commonly spoken and understood. Hence we discover that the language of the ritual is but an expediency. Latin has now become unintelligible even to the descendants of the Romans. Still we find it used in the ritual out of respect for ancient tradition. This tradition seems to have been sanctified by constant and uninterrupted usage. Now one is prompted to ask: If the question is o-1 one of tradition, why shouldn't we adhere to the tradition that is more substantially based on fact than of expediency? Regardless of the fact that the Maronite ritual is conducted in the language suppose^ to have been spoken by Christ, its hoary age and its hallowed traditions should make it worthy of perpetuation for the particular purpose for which it is being used. In this respect it is of a class with the ritual language of the Greek Orthodox and the-Melchite Catholic churches. They should all be preserved as a matter of racial pride and as indication of tenac- �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD ity in religious principles. To renounce them would be to break the most sacred ties that bind us to our ancient and honorable history. With the present generation this precious heritage seems to be safe, but the concern is for the future and it rests upon the coming generations to insure the continuity of the work that has so far endured for nearly sixteen centuries. Those of the younger generation who are here today celebrating the day of the patron saint of their parents should be congratulated upon their sense of appreciation of a noble and worthy heritage. It is to be hoped that they will imbue coming generations with this same sense of obligation towards a sacred cause, to the end that this noble heritage which has come down to them through the ages will endure to the lasting glory of a valiant race and a most worthy saint and reformer. Snowdrops By PAUL DEAB jyjY love sleeps deep in a snowdrop's heart, That grows on a gaping mountainside, By the banks of streams that leap and dart— Dazzling and ruffling that mountainside. The snowdrop bides in a paradise Of carrolling birds and sighing pines j Of velvety shades and saphire skies; Love's symphony—those sighing pines. My love now lies in eternal sleep $ For the snowdrop did weary of earth. Both secret treasures are buried deep} Loved and cherished by wearying earth. But love is no vagrant gypsy elf Frollicking here and then out of sight. Its roots, deep as the snowdrop's itself, Shall live forever in thy heart and sight. • WL J «(/ �— 21 MARCH, 1929 A Day in Abu-Hamed By DR. NEJIB A. KATIBAH was late in 1897. The Dervishes had been routed at AbuF.Hamed in August, and Kitchener Pasha had already pushed y his troops farther south toward Berber. All was excitement and activity at Wady Haifa, then the headquarters of the Sudan Military Railway. Two construction trains had to be loaded and dispatched to railhead daily, in order to keep the terminus within easy reach of the advancing army, so as to prevent catastrophe in case of unexpected reverses, and to facilitate the transport of ammunition, supplies and reinforcements whenever necessary. With the carrying capacity of that single-track narrowgauge line taxed to the extreme, it was impossible to furnish comfortable passenger accommodations. In fact this was reduced, in many instances, to spare space in the "brake-van," or to a returned empty "animal-truck," in the case of officers and civilians, the troops shifting as best they could on top of sleepers and rails. It was in one of those springless brake-vans that, one day, I found myself traveling, in obedience to orders detailing me for temporary duty at Abu-Hamed. It was, therefore, not without a sigh of relief that I did limp out from my irksome place, as soon as the stout little English engine came to a stop at railhead, now in the midst of the Nubian Desert. "Surely," I said to myself, "they will furnish me with less wearisome conveyance for the rest of my journey." But alas! In this I was doomed to be keenly disappointed; for, from railhead to Abu-Hamed—a distance of about 100 miles—I was made to experience what it was to be churned into—not butter—but a mass of aching muscles and bruised bones. This process was brought about by a Sudanese camel and a Sudanese camel-saddle, minus the makhloofa, the usual riding fur. Ah well! I do not wish to dwell long upon this part of my experience, as the memory of it creates within me a sense of extreme tension and discomfort. There is, however, one thing in this journey, over which my memory loves to hover. It is the desert. There is a peculiar charm in that golden yellow sheet of sand spreading out in gentle undulations all around you. It is the charm of feeling, somehow, greater than you had been hitherto. You feel that you have a �22 THE SYRIAN WORLD personality, and that that personality gradually expands seeking to fill the vast expanse around you, or perhaps to come in touch, to commune, with the universal personality that permeates all space. A feeling of reverence overpowers you. Unconsciously you become—you feel you are—a Moses, a prophet and a leader, free, noble, indomitable and full of holy zeal. On one occasion I was exceptionally impressed as my eye rest fully followed the successive waves of sand until they kissed the azured sky in the distant horizon, describing a clearly denned line against the "welkin's cheek." It was early in the morning, and the east blazed with blending hues of purple, orange, yellow, pink and red, which my Arab guide appropriately termed "Allah's radiating glory." And then all was still—nature was worshipfully silentj and, as it were in obedience to the natural promptings of the heart, my only companion, the Arab, fell on his knees, looked up to heaven, then prostrated himself in befitting adoration. Such, however, were not my thoughts as I neared AbuHamed. I was then musing over war and its horrors. I had previously witnessed an action, and visited the battlefield an hour later. It was sickening. The suffering, the agony, the anguish of the human soul as it violently leaves its earthly abode, without a word of sympathy or term of endearment, away from home and friends, and sullen with deep longing for a last look from that eye that once beamed warmth, devotion and love, was a sight at once repellant and heartrending. Such were the thoughts that arose in me as the tall date trees, fringing the Nile, broke \ upon my view in the distance, and reminded me of the struggle to death between man and man that had taken place there a few months before. Yes, I expected to arrive in a village laid waste and desolate by war, with nothing therein to greet the eye save wounded and disabled men, or no men at all, orphaned children, and disconsolate wives. What was my astonishment, therefore, to find that this was not the case. I found that if, indeed, the people had suffered, their suffering must have been slight; or, perhaps, owing to the childish nature of the Sudanese, upon whose memory fortunes and misfortunes make no lasting impression, the natives had buried their sorrows along with the dead, and, for the time being, given themselves up to merrymaking. The hubbub of voices, mixed with the loud and measured beating of drums, filled the air for miles, and reached my ear long before I arrived at my destination. As I drew nearer, the noise grew louder but more i �MARCH, 1929 J 23 distinct. Finally I alighted in the midst of the rejoicing blacks. My first observation was that the crowd was divided into as many groups as there were drums, each drum being the center of a circle, and each circle making a strenuous effort to out-drum, so to speak, and to out-sing the other circles. The Sudanese will not have to have a cause for frolicking. The whim.suddenly strikes someone to sing, someone else hears him and runs to his side, others soon join, and the contagion spreads like wild fire. The drum-beaters come out. Each one of these worthies is usually affiliated to a staff of volunteer experts, composed generally of a "master-minstrel," a responding chorus, a few noted dancers, and various odd seconds and sympathizers. The drummer, being attracted by the noise, selects a spot of vantage near it, and beats away at his drum; his supporters congregate around him, and by their combined effort attract a crowd. In this instance, however, there was occasion for the hilarious gathering. A buxom Sudanese lass had been receiving attention from two young men at the same time; and as it was not within her power to reject either, and naturally impossible for her to espouse both, the rivals determined to fight it out— the usual recourse in those climes when Eros is thwarted. The drummers were promptly advised, hence the gathering and the noise. The time for the duel not having come yet, the various circles were still intact, wholly absorbed in their noisy songs any naive dances, and ostentatiously displaying their vigor, skill and taste to the admiring spectators. One circle after another could be seen to thin down to the modest number of its performers, and again swell to exaggerated proportions, as the spectators were attracted by uproarious flourishes, now here, now there, by the emulating "artists.." At times the competition grew so keen that the specators themselves were carried away by enthusiasm, and frantically yelled and clapped and hopped in unison. There was dancing in every circle, the man usually holding the woman around the waist in European fashion and dancing in regular steps to the measured beats of the drum. Some of their dances seemed to require practice, but, on the whole, the movements were too violent and the steps too grotesque to suit our taste. However harshly we may express our opinion about his other dances, the Sudanese seems to grin indifferently; but he �__ EggS 24 THE SYRIAN WORLD does not do so when we happen to speak lightly of the Shubbal dance—the goal of every young woman's ambition in that land. The supple Shubbal dancer is the graceful ballet artist of AngloEgyptian Sudan. She is always sure of large and appreciating audiences. Lightly she steps into the enclosure, and at once throws her chest forward and upward, and imitates, with wonderful accuracy, both the movements and the cooing of the male pigeon a-courting. She puts her feet closely together and takes the smallest steps possible, thus making but little progress as she makes her round. She, however, manages to complete the circle, notwithstanding the prolonged stops she makes in front of the men to whom she intends "giving the Shubbal." During these stops she gradually exaggerates the forward and upward upheaval of the.chest, bending backwards, until she makes a sharp curve of her body, her head hanging within a few inches from the ground. At this, the man steps forward, gently stoops over her, passes his hand under her loins, snaps his fingers in a peculiar fashion over her face, and shouts "Hababik ashara, hababik ashara!" (you are ten-fold welcome), then deposits a coin upon her forehead, which she will retain if she manages to keep in the same position so long as she remains thus arched. On resuming the natural erect posture, supported by the man's arm, she makes a side sweep with her figure, and'gently brushes his face with her short braids, thus bestowing upon him the highest public favor within her power. This means as much as a kiss, and is termed "giving the Shubbal," after which the dance is named— the word Shubbal meaning a suit of hair. V Some of their songs struck me as being politically unwise, to say the least. The expedition for the reconquest of Sudan was virtually an expedition for the destruction of the rule of fire and sword created by the Mahdi. And it was only recently that these folk had witnessed the superiority of regular troops to the disorderly hordes of the Khalifa. The breaches made by the cannon balls in the walls of their mud huts had not been repaired yet, and should have stared their dull brains to reflection. Yet there stood those negroes, who had come out much the worse for wear and tear of Dervish misrule, singing the praises of the very impostor at whose door they should have laid their miseries. Here are some of those songs with literal translation: W'el Mahdi ya khulla, D'an nawwar el hulla, th su tu wi to m th fo Y 'C n E �MARCH, 1929 25 Darab el medir zallaj Gumu b'il ajal d'al Mahdi d'az zahar! The Mahdi, friends, It is he who has illumined the camp, The sword of victory he has drawn; Arise quickly—it is the Mahdi who has appeared! Another: El Mahdi nuru tibbi! W'il nima jabik rabbi! B'ul Kasim balabbi. El Mahdi, his light is medicinal! O the grace my Lord has brought thee! It is B'ul Kasim's (call) that I answer. (B'ul Kasim is one of the names of the Mahdi whose full name reads: Mohammad Ahmad Abu'l Kasim El Mahdi.) Another stanza of the same: El Mahdi nur ainaiya, Kharab el dawla el misriya! B'ul Kasim zukhriya. The Mahdi is the light of my eyes, He has destroyed the Egyptian government! B'ul Kasim is my treasure. The nature of these songs spoke plainly of their origin and their date, and at first I was at a loss to explain why they were sung in such an incongruous connection, and at such an inopportune time. Of course wide margin should be allowed for their wild enthusiasm, under the influence of which they were likely to say what they never meant. In confirmation of this I should mention that the very singer (not a drinking man) leading in the first song quoted above, was, soon after, the soloist in the following: Ya teir in masheit sallim ala Amara, 'O kul lihum el balad 'tsallamuha el Baggaraj W'il bint el min gubeil b'il baham tiddara El yom wityet el mallala. �26 THE SYRIAN WORLD O bird, if thou goest, give greetings to Amara,* And tell them that the town is captured by the Baggara;** And the girl who formerly took shelter from the moon's rays, Today steps barefooted on the hot sand. i This will be enough to show that they sang at random, giving no thought to the meaning. But apart from all that, drunkenness was a great factor in this confusion. The Sudanese, both men and women, have a strong appetite for intoxicants, and, like monkeys, take to them naturally. Every Sudanese family brews its own beer under the name of Merissa. It is "dhurra" (a kind of maize), soaked in water long enough to be mashed by hand, then left undisturbed to ferment. Merissa is a repulsive-looking drink, thick and muddy, but to all appearances, its effect is quite equal to that of beverages more tempting to the eye. On occasions like this, Merissa is procurable from any dame who seizes upon the opportunity- of making a few pennies by converting her hut into a temporary tavern. She advertises this by hoisting a rag, plain or red, at her door. There the men (and occasionally women) resort, squat in a circle on the bare ground, and help themselves to repeated and deep quaffs from a wooden bowl—the Sudanese stein—that the woman fills and refills and passes around. The time for the duel having come, its announcement was \ followed by a general scramble for the first line, the sitting row, in the duel circle. The rivals had already taken their places in the enclosure and proceeded to bare their chests and backs. Soon they were ready and stood with folded arms, proudly and defiantly facing each other. They carried no weapons. The commotion arising from the rush for places soon subsided and eventually ceased. Suddenly someone uttejed a loud shout, and tossed a whip into the circle, which fell between the motionless rivals. It was a monstrous article. The handle, which was beautifully and artistically covered over with interwoven strips of variously dyed leather, was a little over one foot in length, of medium weight and of exceptional strength. The lash which was slightly over four * Amara is a village on the Nile, north of Dongola. ** Baggara (herdsmen, cattle breeders) is the aristocratic tribe of the Dervishes, from whom the Mahdi sprung. \1 V, �MARCH, 1929 ays, \ 27 feet in length and moderately flexible, was made of tough rhinocerous hide, emerging thick from the handle and tapering to a free but weighted extremity. "Begin first, Idris," shouted one of the spectators. "No, no, you go first, Fanoos," replied another. At this one of the girls sang a verse in praise of Idris, which was promptly answered by another in behalf of Fanoos. This broke the ice, and a flood of panegyric flowed from all quarters, here in eulogy of one, there of another, until it was impossible to distinguish either words or tunes. In the meantime each rival invited his opponent to pick up the whip, and each in turn turned away from it, haughtily pointing to his back. Finally an elderly man, apparently of some authority, cast lots, and Fanoos was handed the whip. Idris, with perfect composure and apparent indifference—nay, with a faint smile on his lips—leaped into the center of the circle, folded his arms, balanced himself firmly on his feet, and looked fixedly at his rival's face. Forthwith the duel began. The duel is a test of endurance, of fortitude, of stoicism. Whilst being flogged by his opponent, the man must remain motionless and insensible. He must not flinch or wince; an involuntary shrug, an unintentional twitch, a slight betrayal of feeling on his part, will be sufficient to constitute defeat. Each adversary in turn takes the hateful whip in hand, walks, leaps, and jumps around his silent opponent, swings his arms at full length, and works his whip ready for the cut; and when all are silent with exquisite expectation, and the poor devil has strained his nerves to their highest tension in anticipation of the blow—all is brought to naught by the sudden walking away of the man with the whip. He, however, soon recoils and seeks again to quell his victim^ spirit by resuming his hellish work. He jumps exultingly in the air, flourishes his whip and fiercely bites his lip to nurse his ire; now he lands to the right, now to the left of his man; now he gives a terrible cry behind his back, now he steals, cat-like, upon him; here he whips the air to display his skill, and there he flogs the ground to show how deep he cuts the sand; and through it all his piercing eye remains rivited upon his prey. He studies to defeat his rival, not only by the might of his arm and the exercise of skill in managing the whip, but also by wearing out his mettle and never dealing the blow when most expected. The whole sight is repulsive and savage, and this feature of it is the most inhuman of all. The cruelty of the spectacle can be appre- �26 THE SYRIAN WORLD O bird, if thou goest, give greetings to Amara,* And tell them that the town is captured by the Baggaraj** And the girl who formerly took shelter from the moon's rays, Today steps barefooted on the hot sand. This will be enough to show that they sang at random, giving no thought to the meaning. But apart from all that, drunkenness was a great factor in this confusion. The Sudanese, both men and women, have a strong appetite for intoxicants, and, like monkeys, take to them naturally. Every Sudanese family brews its own beer under the name of Merissa. It is "dhurra" (a kind of maize), soaked in water long enough to be mashed by hand, then left undisturbed to ferment. Merissa is a repulsive-looking drink, thick and muddy, but to all appearances, its effect is quite equal to that of beverages more tempting to the eye. On occasions like this, Merissa is procurable from any dame who seizes upon the opportunity of making a few pennies by converting her hut into a temporary tavern. She advertises this by hoisting a rag, plain or red, at her door. There the men (and occasionally women) resort, squat in a circle on the bare ground, and help themselves to repeated and deep quaffs from a wooden bowl—the Sudanese stein—that the woman fills and refills and passes around. The time for the duel having come, its announcement was followed by a general scramble for the first line, the sitting row, in the duel circle. The rivals had already taken their places in the enclosure and proceeded to bare their chests and backs. Soon they were ready and stood with folded arms, proudly and defiantly facing each other. They carried no weapons. The commotion arising from the rush for places soon subsided and eventually ceased. Suddenly someone uttejed a loud shout, and tossed a whip into the circle, which fell between the motionless rivals. It was a monstrous article. The handle, which was beautifully and artistically covered over with interwoven strips of variously dyed leather, was a little over one foot in length, of medium weight and of exceptional strength. The lash which was slightly over four * Amara is a village on the Nile, north of Dongola. ** Baggara (herdsmen, cattle breeders) is the aristocratic tribe of the Dervishes, from whom the Mahdi sprung. �LD yhip was f the ** MARCH, 1929 27 feet in length and moderately flexible, was made of tough rhinocerous hide, emerging thick from the handle and tapering to a free but weighted extremity. "Begin first, Idris," shouted one of the spectators. "No, no, you go first, Fanoos," replied another. At this one of the girls sang a verse in praise of Idris, which was promptly answered by another in behalf of Fanoos. This broke the ice, and a flood of panegyric flowed from all quarters, here in eulogy of one, there of another, until it was impossible to distinguish either words or tunes. In the meantime each rival invited his opponent to pick up the whip, and each in turn turned away from it, haughtily pointing to his back. Finally an elderly man, apparently of some authority, cast lots, and Fanoos was handed the whip. Idris, with perfect composure and apparent indifference—nay, with a faint smile on his lips—leaped into the center of the circle, folded his arms, balanced himself firmly on his feet, and looked fixedly at his rival's face. Forthwith the duel began. The duel is a test of endurance, of fortitude, of stoicism. Whilst being flogged by his opponent, the man must remain motionless and insensible. He must not flinch or wince; an involuntary shrug, an unintentional twitch, a slight betrayal of feeling on his part, will be sufficient to constitute defeat. Each adversary in turn takes the hateful whip in hand, walks, leaps, and jumps around his silent opponent, swings his arms at full length, and works his whip ready for the cut; and when all are silent with exquisite expectation, and the poor devil has strained his nerves to their highest tension in anticipation of the blow—all is brought to naught by the sudden walking away of the man with the whip. He, however, soon recoils and seeks again to quell his victim's spirit by resuming his hellish work. He jumps exultingly in the air, flourishes his whip and fiercely bites his lip to nurse his ire; now he lands to the right, now to the left of his man; now he gives a terrible cry behind his back, now he steals, cat-like, upon him; here he whips the air to display his skill, and there he flogs the ground to show how deep he cuts the sand; and through it all his piercing eye remains rivited upon his prey. He studies to defeat his rival, not only by the might of his arm and the exercise of skill in managing the whip, but also by wearing out his mettle and never dealing the blow when most expected. The whole sight is repulsive and savage, and this feature of it is the most inhuman of all. The cruelty of the spectacle can be appre- �THE SYRIAN WORLD 28 dated only when one sees that every time the whip falls, it inflicts a deep gash from which the blood quickly trickles. But it is the supreme delight of many a Sudanese to hear some admiring girl sing out his praise and pour out her love to him in verse, the louder, the deeper cuts the lash into his flesh. How often have I seen them bare their backs to each other and exhibit the scars in proof of their superior "manliness." In fact, some of them become so enthused over the scene between the rivals that they jump into the circle and brave the whipper to make them flinch. To this end they provoke him, calling him "sissy-armed," "a mere woman," "a feeble stripling," and the like. These are generally friends of the victim, and probably do this to afford him a moment's relaxation, as well as to focus attention upon themselves. And at last, when one of the two is defeated—when he shows he is more normally human than his fellow—he walks away crestfallen, or sinks down to be carried away by his friends. He never again shows his face in that community, but betakes him to some distant land, where ridicule and satire, sung in commemoration of his "unmanliness," never reach his ear. Two verses of such a song are the following: Ya ammati Hawwa, _ Ma jibti 'wleid.. Ya ammati Hawwa, Ma jibti 'wlied; Y'al fanjari daggo kidi rakasan suleib! O Aunt Eve, Thou hast not begotten a man child. O Aunt Eve, Thou hast not begotten a man child; The worthless fellow! When they struck him his backbone danced! Ya ammati Hawwa, Kharji Allah, Ya ammati Hawwa, .... Kharji Allah, Y'al fanjari daggo kidi agio 'nsalla! O Aunt Eve, Allah be my help, PHMI m �29 MARCH, 1929 O Aunt Eve, Allah be my help; The worthless fellow! When they struck him his mind slipped out! Verses to My Daughters Translated from the Arabic by J. D. CARLYLE WITH jocund heart and cheerful brow, I used to hail the festal morn— How must Mohammed greet it now?— A prisoner helpless and forlorn. While these dear maids in beauty's bloom, With want opprest, with rags o'erspread, By sordid labors at the loom Must earn a poor, precarious bread. Those feet that never touch'd the ground, Till musk or camphor strew'd the way, Now bare and swoll'n with many a wound, Must struggle thro' the miry clay. Those radiant cheeks are veil'd in woe, A shower descends from every eye, And not a starting tear can flow, That wakes not an attending sigh. Fortune, that whilom own'd my sway, And bow'd obsequious to my nod, Now sees me destin'd to obey, And bend beneath oppression's rod. Ye mortals with success elate, Who bask in hope's delusive beam, Attentive view Mohammed's fate, And own that bliss is but a dream. �3G i MA THE SYRIAN WORLD nor by t geli Discovering the Syrians By JAMES MYERS Industrial Secretary, Commission on the Church and Social Service of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. (Editor's Note — This article is appearing in the followiing publications. The Baptist, The Churchman, The Christian Leader, The Evangelical Herald and Zion's Herald. It is to be included in a book by the author which is to be published next fall under the title of "Churches in Social action.") JT was with unusual anticipation that I followed the man with the gray megaphone on a trip to Little Syria and later to radical headquarters. The man with the megaphone was the Reverend Clarence V. Howell, an ordained Methodist minister, who has pioneered in the development of Reconciliation Trips in cooperation with Dr. George B. Dean, Secretary of the Department of Evangelism of the Methodist Episcopal Church, working through the New York City Society of that denomination. When I joined the group it had already reached the Syrian quarter on old Washington Street, one block back from the river front in lower New York. We went from shop to shop, viewing the distinctive arts and crafts of the Syrians, the pottery and earthen vessels of the east, the hammered brass, the Oriental rugs, the embroidery and fine linens, the beatiful furniture: tables, chairs and desks all inlaid with ivory and pearl in intricate designs. The personnel of the trip was a study in itself. They were college students from the graduate schools, for the most part, with a few professors, a minister or two, and some social workers. The students included a Negro, a Chinese, a Japanese, a Frenchwoman, and a German, as well as Americans and others. There were Jews, Protestants and Catholics. We were about as interesting to each other and to the Syrians as they were to us. "Oh, look at the Chinese lady," said a little Syrian girl as we passed. "They're slumming," said another, and "He's drunk," remarked a little boy of the Reverend Mr. Howell' as he waved his megaphone at the head of the group. But we were not slumming, i!f I l �MARCH, 1929 31 nor was our leader filled with new wine—a familiar accusation, by the way, of those other disciples under the spell of a new evangelism in the past. Mr. Howell led us to "The Sheik," a Syrian restaurant where a luncheon of native dishes was set before us. There were i two menus, one printed in English, the other in Arabic. Mr. Howell came to each table and explained what we were eating! 1 The menu included stuffed grape leaves, squash dried in Syria and sent over; rice, okra, and lamb roasted on a spit. Thoughts of an ancient civilization and religious sentiment entered in as we were told that the large, thin "loaves" of Syrian bread before us were undoubtedly identical in form and substance with those broken by Jesus long ago by the shores of Galilee. For dessert we had biklawa, a Syrian confection made up of pastry, nuts, fruits, and honey, followed by Turkish coffee. Mr. S. A. Mokarzel, editor of the Syrian World, then addressed us. He alluded to the ancient culture of his people. He recalled the contributions of their forefathers, the Phoenicians, to civilization, including the art of navigation and the invention of the alphabet. He spoke of the hospitality of the east and assured us that this trait had been brought to America by his people, in whose name he extended to us a most gracious welcome. He explained that the Syrians have immigrated only within the last fifty years. They had all been peddlers at first, dealing largely in religious goods, rosaries inlaid at Bethlehem, carved wood from the Mount of Olives. The Syrians have prospered greatly. They are no longer peddlers. Each has his store and the line of goods which they carry has greatly widened in scope. Their more prosperous stores have moved uptown and now occupy sites on Fifth Avenue and the side streets. They do a worldwide trade in laces and rugs. Single houses now have their own factories in China, Japan, Italy, France, Belgium, as well as in Syria. For the opportunity of economic prosperity, the speaker said, his people are deeply grateful to America. Mr. Mokarzel brought out the fact that the Syrians are a most law-abiding element in the population and are seldom found in the courts or jails. The filial respect and devotion of the Syrian home is the ultimate reason for their good citizenship. These Syrian domestic traditions are maintained in this country, although their homes are subjected to serious strain from the prevailing American environment and ideas. He spoke of recent contributions to art and literature by Americans of Syrian birth. "America I V �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD has developed in intellect and material things," he said, <cbut has not yet refined its palate." He pointed to the careful combinations and subtle flavors of Syrian dishes and the sweets, famous from the time of the Arabian Nights, as indications of an ancient culture and one of the Syrian contributions to American life. The question period which always follows an address on a Reconciliation Trip brought a query from the group in regard to the language of Syria, which Mr. Mokarzel said has been Arabic since the conquest of the country by the Moslems but was previously Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus. Other questions followed in regard to assimilation and American citizenship, Syrian women, the "younger generation"; did they go to college? What did the Syrians think of Lawrence? Was the immigration quota law fair to the Syrians? The friendliness, the fairness, and the informative nature of the speaker's address and answers to questions were the climax of our colorful visit to Little Syria. No one in the group would be likely ever again to think of the Syrians as despised foreigners. Rather, one felt a strong inclination to return, as was suggested by Mr. Howell and as many do after Reconciliation Trips, to visit the shops and restaurants and to cultivate a further and more intimate acquaintance with these interesting people. When one realizes that Reconciliation Trips are conducted not to Syrians alone, but to Chinese, Japanese, Russians, Italians, Indians, Mexicans, Latin Americans, to Negro Harlem and to the Jewish Ghetto, to the Stock Exchange, to factories, to regular labor headquarters, and to radical labor groups, some of which I shall describe, the results are felt to be incalculable. Only in that day when the thoughts of all hearts shall be made known, will it be possible fully to measure the results of these human contacts. Arab Wisdom For one to leave wealth to his enemies after his death is better than to be in need of his friends during his lifetime. Two things give rise to the greatest worry: The loss of a beloved and the passing of an opportunity. Little work with knowledge is infinitely better than much work with ignorance. Relaxation of mind is as important as the relaxation of body. a �D i MARCH, 1929 ,-- S3 Success of Federation Assured 11 FIVE ADDITIONAL PLEDGES RECEIVED DURING FEBRUARY PLEDGES RECEIVED Syrian Young Men's Society The Phoenicians American-Syrian Federation Syrian Young Men's Society The Good Citizenship Club. The Goodfellows Club Syrian-American Club Syrian-American Club Ladies' Syrian Association United Young Men's Aleppian Club St. George Young Men's Society The Phoenician Club Young Phoenician Society Ladies' Auxiliary Phoenician Club Progressive Syrian-American Club League of Americanized Syrians Caravaneers Club St. George's Syrian-American Society -Los Angeles, Calif. Jacksonville, Fla. Brooklyn, N. Y. Birmingham, Ala. Birmingham, Ala. Tyler, Texas Detroit, Mich. Cleveland, Ohio. Spring Valley, 111. Paterson, N. J. Canton, Ohio. Birmingham, Ala. Lansing, Mich, Birmingham, Ala. Oklahoma City, Okla. f Oklahoma Boston, Mass. Cleveland, Ohio The number and the tone of responses so far received to our call for a federation of Syrian societies in the United States indicates that the idea is increasing in favor to a degree which promises ultimate success. Although there had been previous attempts at such coordination, judging by the several references to this fact in some of the pledges received, not one, to our knowledge, was ever launched on such a large scale nor received such nation-wide response. A perusal of the pledges will immediately reveal the widespread interest created by our appeal. From as far West as California, to as far South as Texas, and throughout the other sections of the Union the spirit of our progressive element has been aroused to action, and indications are that the movement is destined to complete success. The cause is admittedly worthy and our civic consciousness is now being directed in the proper channels. The example so far set by pledged societies will undoubtedly have its effects in prompting others to take action. As previously mentioned, final action cannot be deferred, �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD indefinitely. It would, therefore, behoove those who still have the matter of joining under consideration to ponder the necessity of an early decision. No single organization need fear the loss of its individual identity and autonomous prerogative, as the fundamental purpose of the Federation is to bring the scattered units together in matters of national policy only. This is a fundamental fact upon which the appeal was based and in conformity with which action has so far been taken. . Furthermore, organization and purpose, together with the definition of the status of the different constituent bodies, will be subjects for decision either by the assembly, if convened, or by referendum, and in this every constituent member will have a voice. From this it can readily be seen that the destiny of the Federation is in the hands of its own members who may shape it in the manner they find best. The immediate objective, however, is to get pledges to the basic idea of the Federation, leaving working plans to be formulated later. It is with satisfaction that we publish the following additional pledges. Thev mark a substantial increase in the general list of acceptances. We further trust that they, also, like formerly pledged organizations, will work actively to promote the movement. BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA WOMEN'S CLUB JOINS MOVEMENT Editor, The Syrian World: The Ladies' Auxiliary Phoenician Club of this city heartily endorses the movement for a national federation of Syrian societies in the United States and wishes to subscribe its unlimited support towards the success of the undertaking. For the benefits that are bound to accrue from such a project, we sincerely wish that it will become a reality in the near future. Heretofore the activities of this club have been limited to the Syrians in this city, but through the Federation, in cooperation with its several constituent bodies, it hopes to extend its field of activities to include the general welfare of the race. The Ladies' Auxiliary is a sister organization of the Phoeni- �MARCH, 1929 35 cian Club, composed of Syrian business and professional men and women of Birmingham. It was organized in 1916 and is chartered under the laws of the State of Alabama. The principal object of the Phoenician Club and its Auxiliaryis to develop its members educationally, socially, physically and morally, and to absorb the ideas and principles of Americanism, thereby creating worthy, representative citizens. It also supports and strives to advance any undertaking which aims towards the betterment and progress of the Syrian race. For your splendid efforts in promoting the Federation Movement, we wish to extend to you our hearty congratulations. Truly no other medium could better serve this purpose. LADIES' AUXILIARY PHOENICIAN CLUB. Mrs. Wm. Meshad, President. Birmingham, Ala. OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. JOINING IN PARIS v r ect, i- < Editor, The Syrian World: At a recent meeting of the Progressive Syrian-American Club of this city, the matter of forming a federation of Syrian societies in the United States which you are advocating was brought up for discussion and an expression of commendation was made by nearly every member present. For your information I beg to state that our club, together with the League of Americanized Syrians of the eastern part of this state, has discussed the organizing of a federation of Syrian societies of this state with the hope that the movement would eventually become a national one. From that you will see that the idea has been in favor with our club and only goes to show the necessity of forming such an organization for the welfare of our race. Kindly keep us posted on the progress of this most worthy movement which we earnestly hope will materialize in the very near future. PROGRESSIVE SYRIAN-AMERICAN CLUB. E. Samara, Secretary. Oklahoma City, Okla. �36 THE SYRIAN WORLD BOSTON, MASS. CARAVANEERS ARE ON THE MARCH Editor, The Syrian World: It pleases me to let you know that the proposed federation of Syrian societies in the United States has met with the wholehearted approval of our organization. We gladly pledge our consent as we are very much interested in the furtherance of this movement. II With every good wish for the success of this patriotic undertaking, and assuring you of our keen willingness to cooperate in all activities along this line, we are, Fraternally yours, CARAVANEERS CLUB OF BOSTON, Samuel E. Kinhan, Secretary. Boston, Mass. CLEVELAND, OHIO BEAUTIFUL DREAM THAT SHOULD BE REALIZED Editor, The Syrian World: I am happy to advise you that the St. George Syrian-American Society of this city has taken under consideration your proposition for federating the Syrian societies in the United States and decided to subscribe to this most worthy movement in view of the great benefits it is bound to bring to our race. This is a most beautiful dream which every true Syrian patriot should cooperate in bringing to a realization. Our society feels it is its patriotic duty to respond to the call and hereby pledges its moral and material support for the success of the undertaking. I wish to add a word of commendation for the lofty motive prompting you to this action and pray that your efforts will be crowned, with the greatest success. ST. GEORGE SYRIAN-AMERICAN SOCIETY No. 1. C. Shantery, Secretary. Cleveland, Ohio. �37 MARCH, 1929 EDITORIAL COMMENT TOURS TO SYRIA AMERICANS are no longer the;! provincial, self-sufficient people they were once reputed to be. Now Americans are the greatest traveling nation in the world. American tours are conducted every year not only to near-by countries of Europe but to every other country of any interest. Americans are becoming increasingly interested in world conditions, and to that end seek to gain more accurate knowledge of countries and peoples by actual contact. This is proving to be the best medium for bringing about a better understanding among nations, and ultimately will develop into a most potent factor for the elimination of misunderstanding and the establishment of permanent peace. It naturally follows that all efforts to develop international amity and accord should be heartily commended and encouraged. Aside from its ultimate effect on international understanding and good-will, travel should be encouraged for its broad educational value. The march of human progress cannot be more graphically illustrated than by a survey of the actual scenes of the outstanding events in history. One can re- construct and appreciate as by no other means the evolutionary stages through which the world has gone. For these considerations, we believe Syria should be the most attractive land in the world for tourists and students of the evolutionary stages of human history. Containing, as it does, the Holy Land with its Biblical and Christian associaitons; old Phoenicia with its remains of ancient cities once the centrifugal point of knowledge and civilization, and its many other points of inestimable interest, Syria should be the land of first choice on every tourist's itinerary. Leaving out of consideration the recreational attractions found in some cities and resorts of Europe, where else in the world could we find within the confines of a small country like Syria such an impressive mass of genuine historical and educational material — Jerusalem, the city holy to three great religions, is in Syria, as also are Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ j Tyre and Sidon, seats of the great Phoenician civilization j Damascus, reputed to be the oldest city in the world; Baalbek, whose ruins have defied time and remain to this day one of the wonders of the world, and many other places �Si of similar import? Not alone to the average tourist, but especially to American educators and to the young American generation of Syrian extraction a visit to the historical places of Syria should prove of unusual interest. Considering the above, and in furtherance of the educational purpose of the Syrian World in bringing to the Syrian-American generation a better understanding of their historical background, this publication heartily endorses and approves of the projected plan of educational tours to Syria now being actively promoted by Messrs. A. K. Hitti & Co. As further encouragement, the editor will conduct in person the first tour scheduled to begin with this summer season. We trust our readers will approve of this step as marking another milestone in our career of service along our chosen line. We further hope to bring back material of such vital and varied interest as will afford them pleasant and profitable reading for a long time to come. It is also our purpose to take photographs of persons and places in an effort to make the Syrian World more profusely and interestingly illustrated than heretofore. Other plans for innovations and improvements in the publication will be announced in due time. THE SYRIAN WORLD PRIDE IN ANCESTRY There is no gainsaying the fact that America is the most democratic country in the world. We 'have no classes and no nobility. The highest office within the gift of the nation is within the reach of every man no matter how humble his birth. The fathers of the country, in framing the Constitution, meant it as a document of complete and absolute disfranchisement of all Americans for all time from all hereditary and distinctive ranks and stations of the old world. Nevertheless, there is that latent desire in human nature which craves for distinction. Somehow, there are still many, even in the most democratic of countries, who place the highest value on social rank and pay high premiums for the privilege of its acquisition. Hence an impecunious European prince recoups his lost fortune by marriage to an American heiress. An American millionaire spends fabulous sums in transplanting whole an old European castle. The art of the old world is being rapidly transferred to American museums and homes. In architecture, old style public and private buildings are being copied profusely in this land in the making, and home furnishings and decorations have taken a decidedly "period" style. In his search for the aesthetic, the modern American seeks to lend the? charm and the grace of antiquity to his new surroundings. In purely American history, it is subject of the greatest pride to trace back one's ancestry to the Pilgrim Fathers. It is of common occurrence to hear one remark, under the flimsiest pretext, that he is American in the fifth, sixth or so many more t ' -' �_ ; 39 ' MARCH, 1929 ViV j£ generations. One of the most indicative recent illustrations of pride in ancestry is the statement by the founder of a nationally known chain of restaurants at a stockholders' meeting at which he was ousted from control, that with him it was a question of family pride to retain control of the company. His forebears, he explained, had been pirates as far back as the thirteenth century and had won for themselves a coat of arms which he 'has adopted as a sign of distinction for his business establishment. His pride in the retention of this family emblem was so manifest that he seemed to deplore the loss of control of the business he founded chiefly on this account. All of which goes to prove that there is that subconscious feeling deeply rooted in human nature which seeks the distinction of that which has been hallowed by age and which cannot be claimed as the common heritage of all sons of man. Material wealth is within the reach of all, and in the attainment of it there is undoubtedly a distinction. But the nouveau riche abhors to be alluded to as such even to the extent that a claim to pirate ancestry having a coat of arms seems to be more of a desirable insignia of honor. Money would have as a complement anything that bears the stamp of antiquity. In the nature of the case, there should be some moral satisfaction to Syrians who can lay claim to one of the oldest civilizations in history, and whose ancestors roamed the seas not as pirates but as merchant princes bent only on promoting the interest of civilization and peace. ~:-. W :'v'-".-:"-'-'->;. .''" YOUTH AND AGE Some wise cousel is being dispensed in the many communications on the subject of the young generation's relations with their parents. It is sincerely hoped that the discussion will result in a better understanding by the youth of the parents' viewpoint. The wide divergence in opinion must have some particular reasons inherent in the writers' special circumstances or resulting from varying points of observation. What must be taken in consideration is that not all home surroundings are alike, nor also the particulaf dispositions and train-i ing of either parents or children. It is dangerous to lay iron-bound rules or draw immutable conclusions. An article appearing in another section of this issue treats of the same problem as it exists among other nationalities. What must be considered is that the period of transition from old traditions and customs to new modes of life is always a painful one, let alone the fact that we are living in a rapidly changing age. Some concession, it would seem, must be made from both sides. In the conduct of this controversy . we are permitting the widest latitude of liberty in order to give each side the fairest possible hearing. It would not be conducive to an amelioration of the situation if the facts were suppressed. Syrians, while perhaps brought up under a stricter code of family restrictions, cannot, nevertheless, be impervious to the influences of times and conditions. Most assuredly practices and standards obtaining in the motherland cannot be rigidly lived up to in America. Conditions in Syria itself are undergoing a violent change, �mmr^r—rvr- THE SYRIAN WORLD 40 and to expect rules of conduct of even a generation ago to be enforced on the present generation would be demanding the unreasonable and the impossible. What we would urge is that the young generation weigh with calm deliberation and in a sincere spirit of moderation the causes which prompt their elders to their action. Surely the parents cannot be accused of remaining altogether foreign to the requirements of modernism after having* been so long in America. It must necessarily be deduced that they cannot be altogether blind and deaf to reason. Their solicitude for the welfare of their children is admittedly above question, and with the proper method of approach they may be expected to make some eoncessions. But the children must never dream of coercive tactics. They must ever bear in mind that their debt of devotion to their parents can never be fully repaid, and the least that is expected of them is kind consideration. The Syrian World, while permitting the freest expression of opinion, is fully alive to its peculiar position in that it is read mostly by the young generation and it is in the hope of bringing to bear the proper influence on the youth that it strives for the establishment of harmony wherever the problem under discussion has become acute in Syrian homes. n CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE AMEEN RIHANI—Internationally known scholar and traveler. Author ef "Maker of Modern Arabia" and of many other works of poetry and prose. KAHLIL GIBRAN — Author of The Prophet and other celebrated works and styled by American writers Poet of the Cedars and The Syrian Poet DR. N. A. KATIBAH — Arabic and English poet and scholar. Professionally a dentist of Brooklyn. One of our regular contributors. JAMES MYERS—Industrial Secretary, Commission on Church and Social Service of the Federal Council of the Churches of of Christ in America. PAUL DEAB — Pen name of a Syrian college graduate living in the vicinity of New York. 1 �D >nim jer debe is ererinpoby in the ;it arier yr- MARCH, 19m 44 Spirit of the Syrian Press Under this caption we hop* to present from time to time * microoe*oti« picture of the Arabic press, not only in this country, but wherever Arabic dailies and magazines reflect the opinions of responsible, thinking; writers who are treating the different problems that confront the Arabicspeaking world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will take no part in the discussions reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. OUT task will simply consist in selecting, to the best of our knowledge and with utmost sincerity, what we think is representative of the public opinion as expressed in these editorials. Editor. EXCLUSION IN MEXICO The present immigration law in Mexico is tantamount to an exclusion measure against the Lebanese and Syrians. Every Lebanese and Syrian seeking entry into Mexico is required to possess 10,000 pesos, or the equivalent of $5,000. It is evident that anyone in possession of such a large capital is not in need of immigration. This represents a discriminatory measure taken by Mexico only against the Lebanese and Syrians. Why such a law was enacted permits of several interpretations, two of which are the most current and seem the most plausible. One would have it that a certain close friend of Gen. Calles was bribed by some of our people and when his case was exposed fell into disgrace. Calles, therefore, is taking revenge on the Lebanese and Syrians for having caused the fall of his friend. The other explanation is that Calles has been repeatedly referred to in the press as being of Syrian extraction, and he, in order not to show any partiality towards his kinsmen, singled them out as an object of discipline. Whatever the case may be, it must be admitted that business rivalry is a potent factor in the situation. The Lebanese and Syrians are noted for their commercial and industrial enterprise, and the natives must seek some way of eliminating their strong competition. Among the Syrians, however, there are thousands of Jews who, while not associating with our countrymen, assume their name. This element has been responsible for gross infractions of the law and the stigma of their onerous actions has attached to the Syrians as a whole. There seems to be no possible way of correcting the situation other than by the Lebanese and Syrians arousing themselves to take collective and effective action to save their reputation from further injury. Al-Hoda, N. Y., Feb. 23, 1929. ZIONIST ACTIVITIES IN PALESTINE The Jews appear to be working methodically and speedily towards the attainment of their racial objectives in Palestine. A perusal of their reports on economic development indicates that they are quietly but steadily making progress along con- < �mm 42 THE SYRIAN WORLD tractive lines. They are engaged In exploiting the resources of the country in establishing factories and pushing land developments. They are reported lately to have asked the government for a protective tariff as a means of insuring the prosperity of some of their infant industries. The Arabs, on the other hand, are loud in their protests and complaints about the activities of the Jews. Their papers are full of lengthy articles on plans and suggestions, while no constructive action is being taken. It is but natural that they should get nowhere if this continues to be the case. For them there is no hope of ever achieving their national aims unless they emulate the Jews and buckle down to work. In other words, they should stop talking and do some working. They should turn their attention to the land and display some genuine energy in cultivating it, the same as the Jews are doing. It is evident that the Jews are making progress in Palestine. They are fast gaining on the Arabs and absorbing the land. Are not the Arabs of the same clay? The only difference seems to be in the willingness to work. Work is the only weapon for waging modern warfare, and if the Arabs are really sincere in their determination to effect the salvation of their country they should employ the only and most effective weapon in hand above mentioned. Meraat-Ul-Gharb, N. Y. Feb. 19,1929 THE NEW SYRIA PARTY The fourth annual convention of the New Syria Party in the United States is an added proof of the Syr- ian Nationalists' determination to continue their fight to the end. Not only the general public but the Mandatory Power itself has come to look upon this Party as the most potent and active factor in the prosecution of the just demands of the nation in the claim of its right to life and liberty. The great sacrifices of the Party have become known and appreciated by all, and the nation that is capable of producing such an active force is a nation that can be trusted to govern itself. It must also be borne in mind that these sacrifices are not confined to the contribution of money but have manifested themselves most nobly in the readiness to court danger in the battlefield. Such a party, therefore, deserves the support of every liberty-loving, liberal-minded Syrian, and those renegade papers Which have been opposing th:s party should cover their faces in shame when they perceive the great efforts the party is doing for the welfare of their country. These papers should at least display some consideration for truth by giving their readers honest and fa;thful reports instead of feeding them on lies. In this they are only exposing themselves to the ridicule of fair-minded observers. Al-Bayan N. Y., Feb. 7 ,1929. EMIGRANTS AND THEIR MOTHERLAND The visit of Sheikh Joseph Estephan member of the Lebanese House of Representatives, to the United States and Australia is bound to result in immense benefit to both the emigrants and their motherland. The two principal objects underlying this \isit are to study the advisability of appointing Lebanese attaches at I �MARCH, 1929 French consulates and to promote the emigrants' interest in the economic development of their country of origin. Both objects are not only feasible but of prime importance. In regard to the first question we can readily see the benefits accruing from the presence of Lebanese attaches at the consulates who would expedite the business of their countrymen and help thereby to eliminate the cause of much misunderstanding resulting from the lack of knowledge of French. This at times gave rise to suspicion which had no foundation in fact. As to the exploitation of the national resources and the development of industrial enterprises in Lebanon, such a policy seems the only way to the salvation of the country from being depopulated through the ever increasing stream of emigracion. The emigrant sons of Lebanon may be depended upon to extend the proper help in all such enterprises. As-Shaab, N. Y., Mar. 1, 1929. ASKING THE IMPOSSIBLE The action of High Commissioner Ponsot in dissolving the Syrian Constituent Assembly had not been altogether unexpected. Ponsot could not with any semblance of consistency concede to the Syrian Nationalists their demands embodied in the six articles under dispute. It must be admitted that he was not sent to Syria to enact the role of French generosity. In his capacity of representative of a definite policy he had to obey orders and under these orders it was impossible to grant the Nationalists their demands, otherwise Ponsot and his whole retinue would have nothing left for them to 43 do in Syria but pack and return home. Looking at the situation from this viewpoint it can readily be seen that in the face of the Syrians' obstinacy the situation had to come to such an impasse with the result that we have seen. Now their Assembly has been dissolved with no prospects for its reconvention in the future. The result is not very encouraging to the success of the Syrian nationalistic policy. The six disputed articles are above reproach in themselves. They represent the enthusiastic aspirations of their makers and stand for lofty Syrian patriotism. But the line should be drawn between the possible and the impossible. The six articles are of such a nature that it is impossible for the High Commissioner to grant them. Now the Syrians have lost the opportunity of winning at least some concessions by bargaining. They insisted on the six articles in whole and only succeeded in los'ng them in whole. The wiser policy would have been to consent to a compromise in an effort to gain the ultimate national ends gradually. As-Sayeh, N. Y., Feb. 14, 1929. UNIFYING LEADERSHIP No great work can be accomplished without the unification of leadersh;p. Even the most casual observation of events will illustrate to us the truth of this axiom. It is doubtful if the result of the World War would have been what it was had it not been for the unification of the Allied command under Marshal Foch. In our everyday surroundings we find that every family or T' �44 THE SYRIAN WORLD dream of democracy was never to be realized. Now we find the world rapidly gravitating towards dictatorship. Foremost among the dictators are Mussolini in Europe and Mustapha Kamal in Asia. Each is doing splendid work for the stability of his people's affairs and the advancement of the cause of order and peace. Amanullah of Afghanistan made a weak attempt to imitate them and failed miserably. If dictatorship has proven of such benefits to Europe it should prove infinitely more so to the peoples of the East. The East is still far removed from democracy because Orientals are still slaves to old traditions and customs which render them incapable of understanding the true democratic spirit. They are envious of their gold brocaded uniforms and what follows in their train of worthless titles. It is surprising that the country which, used to give the Syrians their titles has now discarded them while the recipients cling to them as though of the utmost value. NEED OF DICTATORSHIP Especailly do we believe that Syria IN THE EAST and Lebanon are in the greatest Democracy was the battle-cry of need of a dictator, a man of iron the Great War. Its name was held will and inexhaustible energy who synonymous to the lofty principle would take charge of the helm and of equality for which nations were save the country from its present fighting. The youth of each land chaotic condition. Greed for office gave its blood freely for the dis- has been the greatest curse of our franchisement of the world and the people, leading to the bartering away establishment in all its glory of the of the liberties of the nation. Meraat-Ul-Gharb, N. Y. Feb. 20,1929 great theory. After four years of bloody strugWhy do archaeologists in our gle peace came to the world and the great nations reverted to their greed country restrict their operations to and love for additional power. They digging in the ground? In the very were not cured of the evil of colo- souls of our people there are many nization and the subjugation of weak- antiquarian relics which date back er nations. The autocratic spirit was thousands of years. As-Sayeh N. Y. still rampant in the world and the clan has its leadership, and so on all the way up the line from the city, to the state and the whole country. We Syrian and Lebanese immigrants are in urgent need of an intelligent leadership. Those of us who are in any particular city may speak for themselves but cannot represent all the race in the whole country. What would appear logical under the circumstances would be for the local and regional representatives to elect a national leadership in which alone would be vested the power to speak for the people as a whole. This leadership should enjoy the cleanest record both in its political and economic activities. A convention should be held every year for elections and for the discussion of national policies. A strict account should also be given as to receipts and disbursements. From these different leaderships should evolve a world leadership that would represent all of our settlements in every part of the world. Al-Hoda, N. Y., Feb. 19, 1929. �\1/ MARCH, 1929 45 Readers' Forum I, SYRIAN GIRL EXPLAINS MEANING OF FREEDOM Edna Shakar that I do not believe in free love, companionate marriage etc. Also to Miss Saloomey, "I do' Criticism Directed Only to Some not believe in going to theaters and Syrian Social Practices dances every night." I go to a dance • occasionally, to a theater quite freIS quently, but I have never been inside Editor, The Syrian World: of a night club, and I hope that as I was glad to see the criticism in long as my mind is normal, I will the February issue regarding my never be seen in one. letter which appeared in the Janu"Freedom" does not necessarily ary issue. My letter seems to have mean dances and theaters every caused lively arguments and discusnight, night clubs, and so forth sions, and I am glad because that is Freedom" can be had with very litjust what I wanted it to do. My crittle or no attendance to any of these ics made me realize that my letter places. A girl need not go with every was incomplete. I would say in this Tom, Dick and Harry. That is not connection that the conclusions I at all what freedom means. But a reached in January's letter were the girl should be at liberty to have boy result of nearly two years of study friends. and observation of Syrian social life One of my critics stated that there and discussions with many different were thousands of fatherless children Syrian girls, old folks and all. born each year. That is very true, Through these conversations I find but is it all due to freedom? Can that most of the problems of our you solve the problem by keeping girls are alike, and while there may your daughters home? I say that be many exceptions, the condition really exists among Syrians in gen- you cannot. There isn't a girl but eral, especially in large Syrian lo- desires to go with the other sex sometime or other-not because she calities. is immoral, but because she is huMost Syrians misunderstood that man. word "Freedom," which appeared so Most Syrians seem to think that often in my letter. My critics, Miss it is impossible for a fellow and a E. K. Saloomey and Miss Edna Shagirl to go together unless something kar, misunderstood the word. I am, happens. If that is the case, then therefore, writing this letter to exthere must be something wrong with plain my understanding of "Freethe Syrian morals. Isn't it possible dom." I don't doubt that most people who for a girl and a fellow to go togethread my letter think that I am one er unless something happens ? Can't of those wayward girls who believe a girl and a fellow be companionable, friendly, and have a good clean in doing "everything" and "nothing." time? They certainly can, and for Well, you may be surprised, but I that there is all the proof in the am no*. I want to explain to Miss world. Nothing make* a man out ,- �46 of a fellow more than the companionship of good clean girls, and the same holds true with a girl. Girls and fellows should go together—and there is nothing more wholesome for either. The trouble with most Syrians is that they are narrow-minded and can only see the dark side of such friendships. They never stop to think that there is another s;de, which is bright and beautiful, and which leads to happiness. Does a Syrian mother ever say to her daughter, "Now, daughter, since you are old enough you may have boy friends, but be very careful who you go with. You must always go with someone who is dependable, someone you know very well. Bring him home first. And when you go out always be a lady, and gain the respect of your companions. Never cheapen yourself by doing things against your will. Go only to respectable places, etc. etc." Oh, no! Rather, she would say, "Daughter don't you ever go out with fellows, especially American fellows, because it isn't nice and the people will talk, and no one will want to marry you." So you see, the mother does not even expect her daughter to go out. Perhaps that would be a fine thing if all the girls abided by such a rule, but do they? I don't believe very many do. Instead, many girls will step out secretly and fall in line with the rest of the crowd. Nine chances out of ten, when a girl goes out secretly, she is not going to go with the right company, but when she is expected to bring her boy friends home, she is going to bring someone whom she would be proud to introduce to her folks—a gentleman. Now, then, which is best, to let your daughter go out with your permission and know with whom she is f«inr, or make her stay home .until THE SYRIAN WORLD she becomes rebellious and steps out secretly? Isn't it much better to know that your daughter is being escorted to a theater, party or wherever she may go, by a nice, clean, trustworthy fellow than to know that she is coming home alone which gives a chance for other fellows to pursue or scare her ? How are you going to solve the problem? Surely not by keeping your daughter home. Don't forget that every girl wants to go out and be among young people. She wants to have her good time while she is young and carefree. Some Syrians may let their daughter go out with Syrian fellows but they will hold the line when it comes to going with American fellows. Why is this? Simply because they think that a Syrian fellow is cleaner. He is not. Of course, a Syrian fellow acts nice when he goes with a girl of his own nationality, but does he act in like manner when he goes with other girls? Syrians have the wrong attitude towards American fellows and girls. There are some wonderful American fellows—fellows that are clean, respectable and trustworthy. No parent need worry about their daughter if she goes with a nice, clean American lad. Syrian fellows are all right, but a girl can not always find a suitable Syrian fellow neither is she required to. Syrian fellows do not always marry Syrian girls. When a girl works, goes to school, attends some church, belongs to any club, she comes in contact with Americans, and oftentimes meets an American fellow that she likes to go with. Why not give her the privilege to do so ? The boys have had this privilege all along. American fellows are human; they are Christians, and I believe that American fellows make just as good husbands as Syrian fellows, if not bet- �S^P^S —. MARCH, 1929 I ter. At any rate, no fellow, whether he be Syrian or American, would harm a girl against her will. A girl that respects herself can easily gain the respect of others, but if a girl does not respect herself then Why should a fellow respect her? • Then, we often misunderstand the American girl. The American girl is not as bad as most people think she is. A girl that comes from a good American home is sweet, attract;ve, full of pep, life and ambition. She is a lady—clean in mind and body. She is a girl that fel'ows love and respect. Of coursa, there are very nice boys and girls in every nationality, and there are others that are not so nice. No one nationality gets all the credit. Therefore, we should treat all people alike. I wish to congratulate Miss Edna Shakar on the stand she takes towards popularity, and I only wish that every girl felt the same way. Let's give our girls more freedom, but teach them how to use it. I am sure that most Syrian girls are capable of taking care of themselves. MARY SOLOMAN. M'shawaka, Ind. 47 Probably this is true, but it does not imply that they are far superior to the girls. Not by any means except in one case which I will cite. later. Our parents impose restrictions merely for the protection of their girls against the influence of some degrading social conditions. Independence is often the cause of unhappiness and misfortune; so, girls, let's not complain about not being allowed privileges as are the Syrian boys because our prudent parents know exactly what they are doing. It is for our own good at the present time and in the near future. We owe our parents the highest esteem possible. Sometimes their opinions and moral codes seem a little harsh and do not please us at that particular moment but they generally are true and will be realized later. Miss Edna. K. Saloomey is absolutely right in stating that "If there were more like our Syrian parents, there would be no need for Juvenile Courts, Divorce Courts and the increasing number of private schools which must serve as homes as well." In Miss Edna Shakar's comment about defending the Syrian girl, she advocates that most girls complain about not having "The right to go SYRIAN GIRL APPROVES out with boys at will." Personally, OF OLD CUSTOMS if my mother gave me absolute permission to go out with boys at will, Editor, The Syrian World: The young Syrian generation in T would not care to do so. Now why America must feel grateful for the should I come to this conclusion? The opportunity of expressing them- simple reason is that upon analyzing selves through the Syrian World. this problem, I became greatly proThe magazine is getting to be in- voked at the actions of some girls dispensable as an organ of service in their reach for "Popularity." If a girl is tactful, reserved, well-manand usefulness to our race. In recent discussions in the maga- nered, and possesses poise, she will zine I noticed lately that some easily reach that goal. Our boys are also accused of being girls complain about the fact that most Syrian boys are allowed more parsimonious when in company with privileges than tha Syrian girls. Syrian girls and liberal whan in tn« �48 THE SYRIAN WORLD band meet the demands of his wife after he is married? Another reason for the decrease in Syrian marriages is that a Syrian boy feels as though he is under a certain obligation if he speaks to a girl. Also, if, perchance, "a girl is seen talking to a boy, it necessarily follows that she is engaged or else people will proceed to question the character of the girl as to why that certain boy ended his calls on her." Is this fair to our present generation? No, not by any means. A boy or girl who possesses self-respect is always respected under all circumstances. What harm is there ;n a boy conversing with a girl if he or she were present at some social affair, or anything of the sort, where both are surrounded by many people or just a few? That is the vital po'nt in which our girls and boys are handicapped. People begin to gossip. Nine times out of ten it is mostly false. Syrian girls do not hate their parents (wlr'ch is contrary to Miss Solomon's statement in the January issue), but they are disgusted with the point of view of their parents In Mr. Aboud, in the January issue, regard to matters of personal consuggested reforms in marriage cus- duct. Although I have never attendtoms which are excellent. Pre-nup- ed any Syrian social affairs in New tial demands are quite ridiculous. York, I have heard girls compl&'n This is the cause for a decrease in about their parents' strictness at our present marriages. Girls and these affairs. They stated that quite even parents in many cases expect often they would sit as wallflowers too much from the future husband. during these special occasions. Now Immediately this causes him to hesi- what wrong can there be found in tate about marriage. Can anyone dancing properly, especially in the blame him? How many young men presence of one's parents? I am can readily be classed as being "set- sure certain reforms can be made in tled," say, at the age of twenty five. persuading the parents to become a Quite a minority, indeed. Very few little more lenient. When the Syrian girl starts out are even in business for themselves in life, she is deprived of certain or have a position where there are freedom, which is true. Later OH, opportunities for advancement. Conwhen she «** married, kits * **•• sequently, how can the future kus- company of others. My analysis of this is that our boys look upon our girls in an altogether different capacity. They do not expect anything from them in return and their companionship therefore does not become lavish. This in itself is proof of more respect on the part of our boys for our girls. It has been stated that "few girls have a chance to select their own husbands." In reply to this I would say that the marriages in which the parents did the selecting, the results seem to have been very successful and encouraging. When parents select the husband, they generally use good judgment. They visit the boy's parents several times and then form their opinion as to whether he is suitable or not, for if a boy is good to his parents and very considerate of his mother, naturally he will have the tendency to act the same to his wife. In most Syrian families there is always much peace and happiness. Therefore, the custom of Syrian marriages is certainly worth while in order to aid our race in living happily and successfully. 1' �AMEEN RIHANI Photo by Chas. Matar �TESTIMONIAL DINNER TO AMEEN RIHANI Photo by Nash B. Ne Jame Given by the Syrian community of New York under the auspices of the Principal societies, at Hotel Commodore , March 2, 1929. The attendance was over four hundred , a m o £ « 5» „ >-i °S a. O O 2 o a WBB>ao''adM0<srf<j3Otto»cj-tf g ff g VJ j 2. 3 3 S. 2, h» H, 3 H, 3 o S ao 2s ©g* sft. ito222,_jPsa. ss ' * a. _ a. 3 •>» o. O H JQ W O p) W c tt fp M a* <D P. ^ j3* o 3 1 �"-— M MARCH, 1929 - 3 O VI sCD > 0 •s. m OS <M OS CMf -=u a - o home and children, she knows that even to the end her husband only belongs to her and no other person. I feel sure that we all firmly be|. lieve this is a splendid characteristic 7 found among the Syrians. There is just one more thing I would like to mention about the Syrians as a whole. Why is there so much conceit and jealousy amongst • I us? I believe it is because we attempt to live far beyond our means, and consequently, envy gets the best of us. This problem must be faced and conquered, for "Envy is the root of all evil." Some people become narrow-minded on account of it. When the problem is solved, we all will become happier and more progressive. The decrease in marriages and the problem of social freedom will be solved, if our parents will practice certain reforms advocated by Mr. Aboud. If the Syrians thought more of cooperaton and stopped gossipping and being critical, how much more improvement would accrue especially to the future of our girls and boys? Let's all respond to this chord in the interest of our personal success and happiness and to the good cause of the race. MATILDA G. ABSI, 1928 Graduate of High School. Norfolk, Va. DON'T RAISE SLAVES IN YOUR HOMES Editor, The Syrian World: I am following with much interest the controversy that is being waged in the pages of the Syrian World on the question of social ethics and moral concepts among Syrians. To my mind, it is a mistake 49 to live in this age according to the laws of the past, or to expect compliance with the code of even two or three decades ago. To expect a girl in these modern times to live in strict confinement is to apply to us moral laws that were born in the remote past and are applicable only to particular countries. Why should a Syrian girl be expected to remain at home and be refused the privilege of going out? As for myself, I see no reason for such a strict rule and feel that the girl who is brought up in conformity with Syrian concepts of morality needs no such restrictions. She may be absolutely trusted to be able to take care of herself providing, of course, she would have been properly enlightened and advised as to the consequences of undue liberties. My whole reaction to this situation may be summed up in the following: Don't raise slaves in your homes, but independent, intelligent ladies with the right perspective upon the problems of life, who appreciate the value of a clean, moral character, and they may be trusted to take care of themselves under all circumstances. CLARA K. BISHARA. Brooklyn, N. Y. EDITORIAL NOTICE The editor is in receipt of several anonymous communications on the present controversy which he is compelled to ignore. Letters may be published under assumed names if the writers so wish and advise the editor confidentially. �50 THE SYRIAN WORLD About Syria and Syrians SYRIANS np NEW YORK FETE AMEEN RIHANI Celebrated Author and Traveler Entertained At Reception And Dinner By Over Four Hundred Admirers The Syrians of New York celebrated the return of Ameen Rihani to their midst with fitting jubilation. On Saturday March 2, the Reception and Testimonial Dinner tendered in his honor were held at the grand ballroom of the Hotel Commodore. The large dining room was filled to its capacity of over four hundred. Guests began to arrive at seven, and in spite of the inclement weather had all arrived within an hour. The gradual arrival of the guests permitted orderly introduction to the guest of honor who received in a private room adjoining the ballroom. All were seated promptly at eight. The gathering was one of the most distinguished in the annals of the Syrian community of greater New York. There was, besides, a substantial representation of American men of letters, arts and the professions. The speaking program was restricted to four speakers and planned so as to encompass the life and literary and scholarly accomplishments of the guest of honor. Mr. Salloum A. Mokarzel, editor of the Syrian World, presided and introduced as the first speaker our foremost educator, Dr. Philip K. Hitti of the faculty of Pr'nceton University who gave a comprehensive outline of the history of Arabia, dwelling particularly on the fact that while tlv's old country is in the heart of the world, it still remains a land of extreme mystery, man being ignorant of vast areas in it while he has succeeded in exploring both the North and South Poles. The world, therefore, he concluded, owes a debt of gratitude to Ameen Rihani for the contr-'butions he has made to human knowledge of this interesting country by his travels and researches. Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, the second speaker, equally able in his scholarly attainments in Arabic and English, surveyed the works of Ameen Rihan' in Arabic. , Dr. Marion Miller, American author and critic, gave a glowing appraisal of Rihani's contributions to American literature both as an essayist and a poet. In introducing Mr. Rihani, the toastmaster spoke of his early life and his sustained efforts in his literary quests. Mr. Rihani's address was in both English and Arabic. He expressed pleasure at being back among the friends of his youth in New York and spoke a word of sound advice to the young generation of Syrians on the necess;ty of retaining that which is valuable in their racial characteristics. In his account of his travels in Arabia Mr. Rihani told of many novel experiences in a most entertaining manner. The committee had decided on making an appropriate gift to Mr. Rihani on this occasion and Mrs. �MARCH, 1929 h 4 Joseph W. Ferris, chairman of the Comnv'ttee on Arrangements, was asked to make the presentation. In introducing her, the toastmaster took occasion to refer to her tireless efforts in planning the arrangement for the dinner, and described her as a "human dynamo." The g:ft consisted of a gold watch and a set of thermometer, compass and aneroid. (Excerpts from the speeches delivered at the d4nner will be published in a coming issue of the Syrian World.) At the conclusion of the ceremony, the toastmaster announced receipt of telegrams of good wishes and regrets from the following: Mr. N. A. Mokarzel, editor of AlHoda; Mr. N. M. Diab, editor of Meraat-Ul-Gharb; Mr. and Mrs. Caesar Sabbagh, Mr. Guttas Faris and Dr. Najib Barbour. An old friend and admirer of Mr. Rihani, Judge John Jerome Rooney of New York, sent a beautiful letter of appreciation with Mrs. Rooney. What gives cause for elation is that the dinner, given under the auspices of the Syrian societies of New York in the name of the Syrian Community, was the first effort of its nature undertaken collectively by the Syrian organizations of the city. They came together at the invitation of the editor of the Syrian World and their display of a fine cooperative spirit gives promise of much greater collective and constructive action in the future. The organizations officially participating in the promotion of the affair were: American Syrian Federation, Book Club, Damascus Fraternity, Syrian Educational Society and Syrian Junior League. Guests of honor as given in the program included: Dr. Salim Y. Al- 51 kazin, His Excellency A. Azer Bey, Mr. Sliman Baddour, Mr. Nageeb G. Badran, Mr. and Mrs. James W. Barrett, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur W. Colton, Mr. Najeeb M. Diab, Mr. Nat J. Ferber, Mr. A. A. Haddad, Dr. Fh'lip K. Hitti, Mr. Joseph M. Khoury, Mr. and Mrs. Troy Kinney, Miss Amalie Knobel, Mrs. Laura Miller, Dr. Marion Miller, Mr. Naoum A. Mokarzel, Mr. Salloum A. Mokarzel. Mrs. Max Morgenthau, Jr., Miss Theresa R. Nagel, Mrs. Henry Neumann, Mr. J. G. Raphael, Mr. Ameen Rihani, Mrs. V. G. Simkhovitch, Dr. Riza Tewfik, Miss Lillian Wald and Capt. and Mrs. M. A. E. White. MERCANTILE STANDING OF ARGENTINE SYRIANS A report of American Consul Dana C. Sycks at Buenos Aires, Argentine, gives the following information abstracted from the November 16, 1928, issue of the Review of the River Plate: "The Syrian community in the Argentine Republic consists of 400,000 members and boasts of 18,000 business houses having an aggregate capital of 500,000,000 paper pesos ($210,000,000). Of the 18.000 Syrian firms operating in Argentina, no less than 7,000 are engaged in the textile and dry goods trades. The banking needs of the Syrian community are served by the Banco Sirio-Libanes del Rio de la Plata, established in 1925. One of the recent innovotians to the credit of this bank, and one which has met with the greatest success, is its commercial department and permanent exhibition of merchandise covering the lines of no less than 65 different importing and manufacturing firms operating in Buenos Aires. The per- �52 manent exhibition is so arranged that the buyer from the provinces is able to look over the latest novelties offered by the 65 exhibiting firms in a very short time. The bank does not act as intermediary in any sale resulting from this service, but does handle mail and telegrams for its clients." IMPORTANT LECTURE BY DR. PHILIP HITTI Prof. Philip K. Hitti of Princeton University and formerly of the American University of Beirut, delivered an important lecture at a meeting of the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on February 24. Dr. Hitti's subject was "Civilization's Debt to the Near East" and his easy manner of delivery together with his wealth of historical material made a profound impression on his audience. Dr. Hitti, admittedly our foremost educator in the United States, is ably and nobly serving the cause of Irs countrymen by his erudite exposition of their eminent racial qualities on every possible occasion. It is a pleasure to state that the metropol'tan papers carried long accounts of Dr. Hitti's lecture, some of them devoting to it as much as a whole column. SYRIAN ENGINEER HONORABLY MENTIONED The Sibley Journal of Engineering, in its February issue, publishes the following on the success of one of our Syrian engineers: "Dr. Michel G. Malti of the Electrical Engineering faculty was recently notified that his paper, "A THE SYRIAN WORLD Theory of Imperfect Solid Dietetrics," has been awarded honorable mention for 1927 by the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. "The paper which received this recognition consisted of the last four chapters of a Thesis, presented by the author to the Graduate School of Cornell University, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy." The same Journal announces simultaneously the election of Dr. Malti to its editorial board. DODGE MEMORIAL FUND The late Cleveland H. Dodge will ever be remembered with the deepest feeling of love and gratitude by the people of the Near East for his many benefactions and sincere and helpful endeavors. Especially do the Syrians cherish lr*s memory for the solicitude he displayed in promoting the cause of education in their country through the American University of Beirut of which his son. Dr. Norman Dodge, is now president. The proposed Memorial Fund bearing* h's name and intended to complete the work he had begun should, therefore, be welcomed as a fitting opportunity to honor the memory of the man by helping the cause that was so close to his heart. The appeal explaining the purpose of this Memorial Fund, addressed to us by Mr. Wm. M. Kingsley, chairman of the Executive Committee, should not fail to meet with adequate response from the Syrians of America. It follows: "On the sixty-eighth anniversary of the birth of the late Cleveland H. Dodge, January 26, a group of friends who had been associated with him in his many philanthropies EBaSBB^SSeKfifSMffiHiBSgKra^ • - . -';—:- /- ' I �MARCH, 1929 53 began raising a $4,000,000 "Dodge sociation, 18 East 41st Street, New Memorial Fund" to realize one of his York." most cherished dreams—the permanent financing of the six American Colleges in the Near East. "Shortly before his death in June, MUNIFICENT GIFT TO A SYRIAN NEWSPAPER 1926, Mr. Dodge formulated plans for raising $15,000,000,00 to endow What As-Sayeh, a daily Syrian these colleges with wh'ch his famliy newspaper of New York, heralds as had been connected for four gener- an unprecedented event in the anations and to which he had devoted nals of the Syrian press in the United much of his time, his thought and States, was reported by that paper his wealth. At the beginning of the in its issue of February 26. In their year the fund amounted to $11,000,- comments on this extraordinary and 000. His friends decided therefore unexpected good fortune, other Syrthat the most fitting memorial to ian newspapers agree with As-Sayeh his name would be the completion of that the latter has good reason to the fund by July 1, 1929, the date thank its lucky stars and deal praise which Mr. Dodge determined. to this modern Hatem Tai in fullest "The memorial appeal is a strong measure. one to the men and women who have Here is What happened, according been connected with Mr. Dodge in to the report of the editor of the one or another of his humanitarian Syran paper: and educational undertakings. The Early one February morn, when possibilities for training leadership he came to his office with an overthrough these institutions, in a field burdened brain and an extremely still barely touched by the force of light wallet, the postman handed organized modern education, has a him with the mail a letter from Custrong appeal to believers in inter- racao, B. W. I., which, upon being national cooperation. Mr. Dodge duly opened and its contents carehimself was firmly convinced that fully examined, was found to contain American wealth could be put to no a draft on a New York bank for the more useful purpose than to offer exact amount of $2,361.58. The treasmodern scientific training and an un- urer of the publishing company was derstanding of western ideals to the called over the telephone to be told youth of backward countries. the good news, but April first being "Substantial gifts have already still far in the distance, and the been received toward this Dodge Me- treasurer being too shrewd a busimorial Fund, on condition that the ness man and too practical a fellow, entire amount be subscribed before he refused to believe. How could he July 1, 1929. Among them was a when such a thing was never heard personal gift of $500,000 from Mr. of before? Nevertheless, he came John D. Rockefeller Jr. Friends and down to the office that day earlier admirers of Mr. Dodge throughout than usual, for the purpose of getthe United States are being urged ting to the bottom of what he still to help perpetuate his name and his considered a hoax. But, to his work by sending contributions to the amazement, he found the report aboffice of the Near East College As- solutely true, so true that the �S4 amount was immediately put to use in paying some past due accounts which had been a source of no little annoyance. Now the man who sent in this draft :s a Mr. Waheeb Boulos Simon who had been a subscriber but for a short time and is a total stranger to the editor. Realizing, however, the necessity of supporting such a worthy Arabic newspaper as AsSayeh, he sent the large sum as a price of one share of the stock of its publishing company, the par value of which is $100. The draft was accompanied by a covering letter which left no doubt as the purpose of the donor. Considering the continuous wailings of Arabic papers in re the tardiness of their subscribers in remitting their subscriptions, such good fortune as befell As-Sayeh should give the editors 'hope that chivalry is not dead. THE SYRIAN WORLD a sort of coalition among the different emigrant groups. Recruits to the party will be made from each country as it is reached. The itinerary will include not only Syria, Egypt, and other Near Eastern countries, but South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and countries of the Far East as well. LEBANON NATIONAL REMAINS UNDER SYRIAN DIRECTION A rumor to the effect that the Lebanon National Bank of New York had passed from Syrian hands elicited prompt denial by the bank in a signed statement published in the Arabic-language press of the c:ty. Those who had been associated with the bank since its organization and have so far guided its affairs remain in office. At the last election held in January the President and founder was returned to office as well as many other officers and directors. The present manageN. Y. SYRIAN EDITOR PLANS WORLD TOUR ment is composed as follows: Officers: J. A. Mandour, President Mr. N. A. Mokarzel, editor of the and chairman of the Board; J. F. leading Arabic-language newspaper Connor, Esq., Vice President; J. W. in New York, after a recent visit to Griffiths, Assistant to Vice PresiMexico, announces that he plans to dent; H. A. Walsh, Cashier; N. A. undertake a world tour in the inter- Haddad, Assistant Cashier; Wm. N. est of studying the conditions of Syr- Mandour, Assistant Cashier; C. V. ians in all countries of their immi- Tapp, Assistant Cashier; W. C. Bargration. No definite date is set by ber, Credit Manager. the editor for his tour, but he states Directors: J. A. Mandour, George that he will undertake it immedi- B. Zaloom, M. A. Saidy, Wm. F. Buately the necessary arrangements zaid, Henry Hadad, Hon. George A. can be made. Colgan, Theodore J. Richmond, BarHis plan, as outlined, is to form ron W. Schoder, Nathan Berkman, a party of prominent Syrians, each Abner Baron, Louis Borgenicht, Abof whom will travel at his own ex- raham Jelni, Irving L. Kadin, Hon. pense and take observations which Lester Lazarus, Stuart C. Ross, will be later compared with those Henry D. Sinram, Abraham Prince, of the others with the object of sug- Isidor Wels, Samuel Davis, J. Jogesting improvements and creating nas Jacobs, Edgar A. B. Spencer. \ I \ ' lj �-" m.ii-nrtOTl 55 MARCH, 1929 k NEW EGYPTIAN CONSUL IN NEW YORK A. Azer Bey, the newly appointed Egyptian consul in New York, is the typical modern, well educated Egyptian who combines the genial characteristics of the East with the erudition of the West. In the discharge of his duties he is most efficient and conscientious. He professes genuine friendship for the Syrians and bids them avail themselves of all the facilities of the consulate. Heretofore, however, they had no trade association in which they could come together for the protection of their mutual interests or the promotion of purchase or sales policies. This they are now reported to have attempted to remedy by forming a trade organization early in February to which have already subscribed almost five hundred members. NEWS OF SOCIETIES ELECTION OF ORTHODOX PATRIARCH IN SYRIA ) Following the death of the late Patriarch Gregory Haddad of the Syrian Orthodox Church, rumors have been circulated to the effect that the Greeks are plotting to regain their lost control of this church by the election of a bishop from among them to the vacant see. Other rumors maintain that there exists among the Syrian Orthodox themselves a strong preference for the election of a Russian Patriarch who would give the Syrian Church the benefit of his organizing ability without subjugating it to foreign domination. What appears certain, however, is that a native Syrian will be elected from among the several candidates whose names have been proposed. POWERFUL SYRIAN TRADE COMBINATION The Syrian community in Detroit, Mich., is second only to that of New York City in numbers. It is said to total about twenty thousand. The Syrians of Detroit have gone heavily into the grocery business, their retail stores in this line totaling almost one thousand. At the last election of the Ladies Auxiliary Phoenician Club of Birmingham, Ala., the following officers were elected for the current year: Mrs. Wm. Meshad, President; Mrs. M. H. Bite, Vice-President; Miss Emiline Meshad, Secretary; Mrs. C. S. Meshad, Treasurer; Miss Amelia Mickwee, Publicity Director. Board of Managers: Mrs. J. N. Pharo, Miss Clementine Kabose, Mrs. Abraham Tebsherany, Chairman. NEW YORK The Daughters of the United Malonites' Society gave a luncheon and dance at the Hotel St. George in Brooklyn, February 10th, on the occasion of the feast day of ti>e patron saint of the Maron't'.-s Miss Munera Asfour president of the society, presided but requested Mr. Joseph C. Chediac to act as toastmaster. The guests of honor were the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis Wakim and Rev. Mansour Stephen. The speakers were the Rev. Mansour, Dr. Najeeb Barbour, diplomatic representative of Lebanon with the French Consulate in New York; Naoum Hatem, Dominick Faour and Salloum A. Mokarzel. Miss Margaret Hatem gave several piano selections. A �36 THE SYRIAN WORLD Political Developments in Syria All hope for a rapid solution of Assembly as contained in his letter the Syrian problem seems to have on the subject addressed to Hashem been shattered by the action of the Eey Al Atassi, Nationalist leader French High Commissioner in Syria and President of the Assembly, is in proroguing the Syrian Constitu- contained in the following paraent Assembly only a few days be- graph: fore the date set for its reconvoca"It is neither in an atmosphere of tion on February 11. Ever since misunderstanding nor by attempting the return of the High Commission- to disregard the plain facts of the er from France after his absence of situation that the difference, which almost six months, negotiations had has interrupted for six months the been carried on actively between him work of the Constituent Assembly, and the leaders of the Nationalist can be settled. A preserving effort Party in the hope of finding grounds still appears necessary in order to for a common understanding. When, find an issue from the present difhowever, the negotiations dragged ficulties. But in the meantime, and until almost the very date set for until deep reflection 'has prepared a the reconvocation of the Assembly way for a solution of this essential without any announcement being problem, the convocation of the Asmade of a solution, the Syrians were sembly would be without object. This convinced that the situation had is why, in the present state of unreached an impasse. Their fears certainty, when a definite result, so were justified when the High Com- much desired in France as well as missioner promulgated his decree in Syria, I have today issued a deadjourning the Assembly sine die and cree adjourning sine die the Constitmade public the text of the letter uent Assembly." which he sent to the President of the It will be remembered that, havAssembly stating the reasons for ing permitted elections to the Conhis action. Now the situation is stituent Assembly, the French High shrouded with so much obscurity Commissioner gave this body a free that it isj impossible to advance any hand in framing a constitution for possible suggestion as to the prob- the country. In this the Assembly able outcome. On the face of it, it adopted certain clauses to which the would seem that the Syrian Na- Mandatory Power took exception as tionalists have steadfastly refused being in conflict with the terms of any suggestion of compromise in the its mandate from the League of Nastand they have taken since the first tions. The High Commissioner ofmeeting of the Constituent Assem- fered the suggestion at the time that bly at which the Constitution was the Assembly adopt the constitution formulated containing the clauses minus the objectionable articles which objectionable to the Mandatory would be deferred for discussion at Power. a later date and probable inclusion The reason given by the High in a treaty to be entered into beCommissioner for proroguing the tween France and Syria. This the I -. HI ~~'"~~~—* i < �"*" MARCH, 1929 « Assembly refused to entertain, with the result that it was adjourned for three months pending the result of negotiations between the High Commissioner and the Foreign Office in Paris. The protracted sojourn of M. Ponsot in Paris necessitated another adjournment, but the negotiations initiated after his return the latter part of December having failed, the Assembly was prorogued. , The native Syrian press sheds no light on the exact nature of the new causes of disagreement, but it is hinted in some quarters that the Syrians agreed to exclude the objectionable articles from the body of the Constitution in an effort to arrive at a solution of the difficulties, the articles to be incorporated later in the proposed treaty according to the High Commissioner's original suggestion. At this stage, however, M. Ponsot is said to have insisted on the elimination of the articles unconditionally, leaving the matter to the option of France whether or not to consider them as a basis for future negotiations. This the Syrian Nationalsts are said to have refused on the ground that they were responsible to the nation for carrying out the program upon which they were elected and could not yield to the point of betraying their trust. As the situation now stands, the provisional government appointed for the supervision of the elections to the Constituent Assembly is still in power. Sheikh Tajeddin, the President, continues to enjoy the confidence of the mandatory authorities in spite of the strong opposition to him by the Nationalists. The agitation for the establishment of a constitutional monarchy seems to have abated. Public demonstrations 57 are reported to have taken place in Damascus following the proroguing of the Assembly but without any violence. The Nationalists are extremely reserved in discussing their future plans with the result that the country is as much in doubt now of its future as it ever was. The next move seems to rest with the High Comnrssioner. Sultan Pasha Atrash, the famous Druze leader of the armed revolution in Syria, was reported in press dispatches to have made to the French an offer to surrender. This was promptly denied by the New Syria Party of the United States. Act;ng on the conviction that the Druze refugees in the Syrian desert are still holding against surrender, branches of the New Syria Party are sending funds continually to Sultan Pasha Atrash and h;s band of faithful followers. , THE SITUATION IN LEBANON The approaching presidential elections in Lebanon appear to have assumed secondary importance in face of the violent controversy which continues to be waged around the personality of Emir George Lutfallah who is said to be a candidate for the office. His hopes of ever achieving this ambition seem, however, to have been definitely put at rest with the issuance by the Bureau of Statistics of the Lebanese government of a statement denying him the right of claim to Lebanese citizenship. The Maronite Patriarch is said to have endorsed the present incumbent of the office for a second term, waiving thereby the right of claiming the office for a Maronite, which makes it almost certain that Mr. Charles Dabbas will be re-elected. �iii A y-riiniinitim, GLORIOUS HOLIDAY AND A GREAT EDUCATION is no better way of spending your summer vacation than by taking our tour leaving New York July 2nd, escorted by the Editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD, Mr. Salloum A. Mokarzel, through THERE LEBANON, SYRIA and THE HOLY LAND. Visits will also be made to LISBON, NAPLES, ATHENS, CONSTANTINOPLE, ORAN and MADEIRA. CONGENIAL COMPANIONS COMFORTABLE ACCOMMODATIONS SURPRISINGLY LITTLE COST For booklets and details as well as for membership in this tour write to A. K. HITTI & COMPANY 60 Washington Street NEW YORK CITY Telephone—BOWLING GREEN 2765-9754 1—ff^wpil if '''I'llPlShiMHM � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1929_03reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 03, Issue 09 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1929 March Description An account of the resource Volume 3 Issue 09 of The Syrian World published March 1929. The issue begins with an article by Ameen Rihani titled "At the Gate of Arabia." This article is a travel journal entry of Rihani's own experience traveling to Arabia. Next is a poem by Kahlil Gibran titled "The Saint," which describes an encounter with a wise divine entity. Next is an article titled "Children of America," based off of research and study of the Foreign Language Information Service, which touches on many social problems. Salloum A. Mokarzel is featured next with an article that covers Eastern Religions in the West. The article is comprised of extracts from the address Mokarzel delivered at the luncheon of the Daughters of the United Maronites Society, Feb. 10, 1929. Next is a short story titled "A Day in Abu-Hamed" by Dr. Najib A. Katibah. The last article is "Discovering the Syrians" by James Myers. There is another update on the successes of Syrian-American federations, which also provides a list of more pledged societies formed throughout the United States. The issue concludes with excerpts from the Arab press, the Reader's Forum, and more on political developments in Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1920s Ameen Rihani Kahlil Gibran Maronite Church Najib A. Katibah New York Religion Travel https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/17580152c79d3b5e71901eba7d4d7bf7.pdf 79a025d79711f2b2b40ef02179a3e4b3 PDF Text Text &»«3ig»ilPIII VOL. III. NO. 8 FEBRUARY, 1929 THE SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE ftp RESTRICTION OF IMMIGRATION JOSEPH W. FERRIS OUR SYRIAN-AMERICAN FELLOWSHIP REV. W. A. MANSUR THE PRINCE AND HIS BELOVED DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN THE SAGE OF WASHINGTON STREET ON PERPETUATING THE MOTHER TONGUE A. HAKIM POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA THE COPY 50c. mm iKawpIPlPliP m Hi ��THE SYRIAN WORLD SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL, Editor. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK, By subscription $5.00 a year. N. Y. Single copies 50c. Entered as second class matter, June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. FEBRUARY, 1929 VOL. III. NO. 8 CONTENTS PAGE Restrictions of Immigration JOSEPH 3 W. FERRIS The Great Longing 8 G. K. GIBRAN The Prince and His Beloved 9 Y. DR. SALIM ALKAZIN Abu Ali 11 IBN EL-KHOURY Verses To My Enemies J. D. j; 16 Our Syrian-American Fellowship REV. W. A. MANSUB. Progress of the Federation M.overn-ent 23 The Poet's Nightmare 29 DB. fcs 15 CARLYLE NETIB A. KATIBAH �-.' — J-l CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE Tributes to Gibran 30 Gibran's Place and Influence in Modern Arabic Literature PHILIP K. HITTI, PH. D. 30 Gibran 32 BARBARA YOUNG Gibran's Tears 32 S. A. MoKARZEL The Sage of Washington Street {On Perpetuating the Mother Tongue} A. HAKIM 34 Arabic Proverbs 37 Editorial Comment— Americanism 38 Antiquities 40 Spirit of the Syrian Press 41 Readers' Forum 44 Political Developments in Syria 49 About Syria and Syrians 51 ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE Gibran Kahlil Gibran Testimonial Dinner to Gibran X , �THE SYRIAN WORLD FEBRUARY, 1929 VOL. III. NO. 8 Restriction of Immigration WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE NATIONAL ORIGINS CLAUSE By * JOSEPH W. FERRIS THE immigration question is a matter which has considerably agitated this country. Up to the last Presidential campaign it was one of the great issues between the two political parties. In the recent campaigns, both political parties in their platforms stood for the most restricted immigration, and although the Presidential candidates of both political parties differed as to details, yet both stated that they were against increasing the immigration to this country. Attention is therefore drawn to this question. Until the Act of 1921, only certain enumerated classes of aliens were excluded from admission into the United States, such as (a) idiots, imbeciles etc.; (b) paupers, professional beggars, vagrants; (c) tubercular or other diseased persons; (d) mental or physical defectives; (e) criminals; (i) polygamists; (g) prostitutes, procurers and pimps; (h) contract laborers; (i) public charges; (j) persons previously deported; (10 persons whose transportation was paid by others; (1) stowaways; (m) children under sixteen, unaccompanied by one or both parents; (n) Asiatics from certain territories in Asia, which did not encompass Syria (see Syrian World, Vol. II, Nos. 8, 9); and (o) illeterates. In addition other aliens were excluded, such as (a) anarchists, (b) aliens opposed to or disbelieving in organized forms of government; (c) aliens believing in the overthrow by force or vio- �4 THE SYRIAN WORLD lence of the government or of all forms of law and of various beliefs allied thereto; (d) aliens who wrote or had written in support of the foregoing beliefs j (e) aliens who were members of organizations or groups propagating in support of the foregoing j and (f) aliens advocating or teaching any of such doctrines. In the year 1921, the first restrictive Immigration Act was passed. Under this Act the immigration of aliens of any nationality in any fiscal year was restricted to three percent of the number of foreign born persons of such nationality, resident in the United States, as determined by the census of 1910. On July 1st, 1924, there came into force what is popularly known as the "Johnson Act" which superseded the Restrictive Immigration Act of 1921, and with which we are at present concerned. Immigration quotas were fixed upon the basis of two percent of the number of foreign born individuals, resident in continental United States, as determined by the United States census of 1890, the minimum quota being 100. Each nationality was given an annual quota equivalent to this two per cent and on this basis the total of all quotas was and still is 164,66. Under this Act, quota and non-quota immigrants were defined and preferences within the quotas were enumerated. On the basis of the 1890 census, two percent of the Syrians resident in continental United States was said to be less than 100 and the Syrian annual quota was therefore fixed at the minimum of 100. In addition there was enacted what is known as the "National Origins Provision," under which the annual quota of any nationality for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 1927, and for each fiscal year thereafter, was fixed at a number which bore the same ratio to 150,000 as the number of inhabitants in continental United States in 1920, having that national origin, bore to the number of inhabitants in continental United States in 1920, but the minimum quota of any one nationality was to be one hundred. Under his provision the total of all quotas would be set at 150,000 and this number would be allocated, not according to the number of foreign born persons resident in the country, but upon the basis of the proportionate numerical strength of nationalities among the whole population of the United States. The census of 1920 would be used, the national origin of all the people would be calculated, and, for example, if it should be found that a particular nationality contributed one-tenth of the �FEBRUARY, 1929 5 whole population that nationality would have one-tenth of the total quota of fifteen thousand. I quote the appropriate subdivisions of Section 11 of the Immigration Act of 1924, which were as follows: "NUMERICAL LIMITATIONS. Sec. 11. (a) The annual quota of any nationality shall be 2 per centum of the number of foreign-born individuals of such nationality resident in continental United States as determined by the United States census of 1890, but the minimum quota for any nationality shall be 100. (b) The annual quota of any nationality for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1927, and for each fiscal year thereafter, shall be a number which bears the same ratio to 150,000 as the number of inhabitants in continental United States in 1920 having that national origin (ascertained as hereinafter provided in this section) bears to the number of inhabitants in continental United States in 1920, but the minimum quota of any nationality shall be 100. (c) For the purpose of subdivision (b) national origin shall be ascertained by determining as nearly as may be, in respect of each geographical area which under section 12 is to be treated as a separate country (except the geographical areas specified in subdivision (c) of Section 4) the number of inhabitants in continental United States in 1920 whose orig;n by birth or ancestry is attributable to such geographical area. Such determination shall be made by tracing the ancestors or descendants of particular individuals, but shall be based upon statistics of immigration and emigration, together with rates of increase of population as shown by successive decennial United States censuses, and such other data as may be found to be reliable. (d) For the purpose of subdivisions (b) and (c) the term 'inhabitants in continental United States in 1920' does not include (1) immigrants from the geographical areas specified in subdivision (c) of section 4 or their descendants (2) aliens ineligible to citizenship or their descendants, (3) the descendants of slave immigrants, or (4) the descendants of American abori(c) The determination provided for in subdivision (c) of this section, shall be made by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Labor, jointly. In making such determination such officials may call for information and expert assistance from the Bureau of the Cen sus Such officials shall, jointly, report to the President the quota o± each nationality, determined as provided in subdivision (b), and the President shall proclaim and make known the quotas so reported. Such proclamation shall be made on or before April 1, 1927. If the proclamation is not made on or before such date, quotas proclaimed therein shall not be m effect for any fiscal year beginning before the expiration of 90 days after the date of the proclamation. After the making of a proclamation under this subdivision the quotas proclaimed therein shall continue with the same effect as if specifically stated herein, and shall be final and conclusive for every purpose except (1) insofar as it is made to appear to the satisfaction of such officials and proclaimed by the President, that an error of fact has occurred in " �6 THE SYRIAN WORLD such determination or in such proclamation, or (2) in the case provided for in subdivision (c) of section 12. If for any reason quotas proclaimed under this subdivision are not in effect for any fiscal year, quotas for such year shall be determined under subdivision (a) of this section." The determination of quotas under the "National Origins Provision" was an executive function and under the law the Secretaries of Labor, State and Commerce were to be charged with the responsibility of ascertaining the ratio numbers to be used in calculating quotas to be proclaimed by the President. The law, however, was peculiarly worded. It says: "Such officials shall jo;ntly, report to the President, the quota of each nationality, determined as provided in subdivision (d), and the President shall proclaim and make known thj quotas so reported. Such proclamation shall be made on cr before April 1, 1927." But the law said further: "If the proclamation is not made on or before such date, quotas proclaimed therein shall not be in effect for any fiscal year beginning before the expiration of ninety days after the date of the proclamation. * * * If foxany reason quotas proclaimed under this subdivis;on are not in effect for any fiscal year, quotas for such year shall be determined under Subdivision (a) of this section." In other words, if the "National Origins Provision" did not become operative, the existant arrangement should continue. It must be clear that upon the adoption of the "National Origins Provision" consideration was given the possibility that ascertainment of "national origins" might not be feasible and the above language was employed to provide authority for the continuance of existing quotas in such a contingency. The legislative history of the "National Origins Provision" might be of interest. This provision was first offered in the House of Representatives by the late Representative Rogers of Massachusetts. The House rejected the Rogers amendment. During debate on the Immigration Bill in the Senate, April 14, 1924, the proposition in slightly different language was presented by Senator Reed of Pennsylvania. After amendment it was agreed to in the Senate. The only presentment of the subject matter in a committee hearing before the enactment of the Immigration Act in 1924 was on March 8th, 1924, when John B. Trevar testified before the Senate Committee on Investigation. IV �FEBRUARY, 1929 7 Having been accepted by the Senate and rejected by the Hou*e, the "National Origins Provision" became a subject of consideration of the Committee of Conference, which revised the texx of the entire bill, amended and accepted the "National Origins Provision" and submitted its report, which was debated and the bill recommitted to the Committee of Conference, and finally T)3.SSCCl R v? In 1927 the time for the "National Origins Act" to go into effect was extended to the year 1923, and the figures "1927 from the original text were stricken out and tne figures 1928 were inserted in lieu thereof. In 1928 a similar proceeding was filed and the figures "1928" were stricken out and "1929" inserted. The law to all intents and purposes will go into effect July 5 1st, 1929. . , -Jr* Senator Reed of Pennsylvania, as recently as December 6th, 1928 stated that this Act would go into effect on that day and that the three Secretaries to whom was entrusted the duty of making up the quotas had rendered two, conflicting reports. In their first report they sent in quotas, saying that further study would not materially modify it, and then sent in a report announcing another draft of the first report in which the opinion was expressed that the quotas were too vague for satisfactory use. ^ubsequenly the experts from the Bureau of Census upon whom devolved all the actual labor of the preparation of the quotas, appeared before the Senate Committee and the House Committee and testified that the quotas were made up with a high degree of accuracy and that they had confidence in them. I his is the present status of the matter. i It would therefore be seen that the taking effect of the National Origins Clause has already been postponed twice and proposals are pending to again postpone it, and as a matter of fact, to repeal it entirely. The repeal of the "National Origins Clause" would leave the Immigration Law of 1924 operating as it is now operating. It would leave the present quotas to continue as they now are. The House of Representatives in a resolution postponing the going into effect of the "National Origins Provision" for one year, expresslv stated that the same uncertainty as to the results of regulating immigration by means of the "National Origins Plan will continue to exist and that the Secretaries of State, Commerce and Labor will have little, if any, more positive evidence on which to �S THE SYRIAN WORLD base quota findings than at present, and that it seems far better to have immigration quotas for the purpose of restriction fixed in such a manner as to be easily explained and easilv understood by all. Although there is considerable agitation in favor of putting the "National Origins Provision" into effect, there are many facors indicating that the "National Origins Provision" will again be postponed, if not repealed. B The Great JL onging By G. K. GIBRAN J-JERE I sit between my brother the mountain and my sister the sea. We three are one in loneliness, and the love that binds us together is deep and strong and strange. Nay, it is deeper than my sister's depth and stronger than my brother's strength, and stronger than the strangeness of my madness. Aeons upon aeons have passed since the first grey dawn made us visible to one another; and though we have seen the birth and the fulness and the death of many worlds, we are still eager and young. We are young and eager and yet we are mateless and unvisited, and though we lie in unbroken half embrace, we are uncomforted. And what is there for controlled desire and unspent passion? Whence shall come the flaming god to warm my sister's bed? And what she-torrent shall quench my brother's fire? And who is the woman that shall command my heart? In the stillness of the night my sister murmurs in her sleep the fire-god's unknown name, and my brother calls afar upon the cool and distant goddess. But upon whom I call in my sleep I know not. Here I sit between my brother the mountain and my sister the sea. We three are one in loneliness, and the love that binds us together is deep and strong and strange. �FEBRUARY, 1929 The Prince aud His Beloved Adapted from the Arabic By DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN MOREOVER the prince mused in his heart, And his musings were in this wise: My back is bent under the burden of the cares of the people, And I, the prince, am weary! It is in a maze of schemes that I live and move. And I, the prince, am bewildered! Is it not a task for more than one man to wield the doubleedged sword with one hand and hold high the scales with the other? Is it not a task for more than one pair of eyes to direct the operations of the one and watch the dipping of the other? Is it the task of a mere man to curb the passions of men and at the same time to satisfy their greed? Mv heart is sick within me! Unstable are the favors of the days, Changeable are the moods of the hours! At mid-day a cloud will cast its somber shadow athwart the sun, And at its full a mist will veil the beauty of the moon. From fate's fell bow arrows are flying fast and thick. Hither and thither they speed, They crowd the air, They make a target of every thing that is. Have I not seen them bury their heads deep in many a heart? Have I not seen their feathers shiver with the violence of the impact? But I, the prince, will wrest a single day out of the hands of time, I will be the lord thereof and make of it a slave. It shall do my bidding. I will thrust fate aside and shape this day's destiny. k �10 THE SYRIAN WORLD I will say to my beloved, Give me thy hand, O my beloved one! Against my heart will I press thee, and in thy ear will I pour the fullness of my love. We shall recline on a bed of roses, the reddest of the red; A canopy of jasmine shall shade us; The Buibul shall be our bard, the sprites of the trees shall be our musicians. The east breeze shall listen to our whispers, The flowers shall harken to the beating of our hearts. I will live this day wholly for thee, O my beloved, And thou shalt live it for me And we shall become intoxicated! Ay, and my intoxication shall be three-fold: From thy hands I shall drink the cups brim-full, From thine eyes my eyes shall quaff a wine steeped with magic, And from thy lips my lips shall sip a thousand kisses— A triple intoxication, a triple ecstasy! In a secluded bower, alone with their love the prince and his beloved sat. Around them there was a profusion of flowers, Before them were wines of varied colors, Were heaped all the fruits of the orchards. And they were happy, for there was no cloud in their sky. But while she, the beloved of the prince, was plucking with her pearly teeth the ruby heart of a pomegranate seed by seed, a seed put a stop to her breathing. Like the lily whose cup is weighted with the dew of the night, Like the lily that bends before the withering blast, The lovely head dropped heavily upon the motionless breast. The beloved of the prince was dead! �FEBRUARY, 1929 11 Abu Ali By . IBN EL-KHOURY ""THE only beggar I knew in our town, nay, in our whole district, was a certain Abu Ali, called for short Bu Ali. When I was in my early teens he was about forty, and I can recall many a conversation he had with my father touching on his personal affairs. Bu Ali lived by begging, but his begging operations were conducted in a gentlemanly manner, so to speak. He never asked for alms, nor laid down any conditions j he merely made a round of visits at regular intervals to the people of our town who all came to concede that he was a legitimate public charge and had to be supported by public donations. Who lever there was a feast or a celebration, Bu Ali was sure to make an appearance the next day, and from the abundance of what was left over he was given goodly provisions. Bu Ali was a regular atendant at church every morning. Whenever my father missed him he usually sent me to inquire about him, for only the most serious illness kept him away. Having naught else to do but make his regular rounds of visits, Bu All's services were enlisted in various capacities. His principal role was that of messenger, especially between lovers, but on many an occasion he was entrusted with the more important role of conciliator and negotiator in serious differences threatening the peace of the town and the good relations between various clans or factions. In no other capacity would Bu Ali serve, for he depended for a living on the good-will of all and he was of too keen a judgment to expose himself to the ill-will of any. My father being the pastor of the parish, he was naturally the confidant and adviser of Bu Ali as well as of others, but the town beggar being a regular attendant at church, and, besides, having no regular occupation, he was a frequent caller at our house, especially at breakfast time at the conclusion of Mass. One winter morning Bu Ali behaved in a strange manner. I could observe him hopping on his one normal leg while coming to church in more haste than usual, while his crippled and shorter leg—which, by the way, was the only deformity which accounted �11 THE SYRIAN WORLD for his becoming a beggar, in that it incapacitated him from engaging in any gainful occupation—swung to and fro violently with every stride. All during Mass that day I kept stealing looks at Bu Ali when I least feared detection by my father who was a severe disciplinarian, and especially would tolerate no distraction during the progress of Mass. I was acting as altar boy and any inattention to duty was certain to invite a severe reprimand. But once my curiosity was aroused I could not help but watch the actions of the beggar. He came to kneel close to the altar railing and appeared to pray on this day with redoubled fervor. He would knock at his breast so violently that the echo resounded throughout the empty church. Several times he stepped back a few paces from the altar railing so as to permit himself more space for fully prostrating himself on the stone pavement and kiss the floor. Then he would rise and lift his face appealingly to the portrait of St. Elias, patron saint of our church, which was hung directly above the main altar, and begin to pray in such a loud voice as to almost drown that of my father in his incantations. St. Elias was represented with drawn sword dealing death to the priests of Baal, and to the Christians of Lebanon he symbolizes not only aggressive zeal, but moral and physical strength as well. Bu Ali, in his ardent supplication, seemed to be begging of the Saint some of both. My curiosity was to be soon gratified, for that morning Bu Ali not only accompanied us home, but even preceded us, hopping along the narrow path leading to the house. My father seated himself at his accustomed place on a raised mastaba in a corner spread with cushions. On one side were two long bookshelves built in the form of a partition to serve as a protection from the draft as the door opens. Behind was the solid wall with but a niche for the reading lamp. At the end of the bookshelf-partition was the open fireplace, while all around were spread thick-wooled sheep skins of different colors. Breakfast was served my father on a brass tray resting on a low stool, or tabliah. Bu Ali would not join at the table but helped himself to some thin bread and cheese while squatting on a sheepskin close to the fireplace. I proceeded to build a big fire. My father opened the conversation. "Khair inshallah, Ya Bu Ali," he said. "Nothing but good news, with your prayers and blessings," replied the beggar-guest. MMMS) SBi •,.... �FEBRUARY, 1929 IS Following the exchange of customary formalities, Bu All reached the point of disclosing his object. "You, Abouna (father) Antoun," he began, "are the father of all. We have none other but you to whom we can come with our problems. You are our guide in our perplexities whether temporal or spiritual. I came today to say something to you as though you were in the confessional. Have you a place for a secret ?" "A deep well," replied my father, in the stock answer to such a question. "I am advancing in age," resumed Bu Ali, "and with the passing of every year, and in my helpless condition, I feel more and more the necessity of a life-companion. I came to seek your advice." My father had had no intimation of any such intention on the part of Bu Ali. Here was a man supported by the charity of the townspeople. Only last year they had liberally contributed in labor and material to build him a house. They had looked upon the proposition of building him a house as an absolute necessity inasmuch as no one in Lebanon but had one, even a beggar. They even went to the extent of roofing it with red tile that he might be spared the necessity of having to shovel the snow from off the flat roof. But now I could see by the astonished look in my father's eyes that he considered this new venture of Bu Ali in the nature of an impositon on the good nature of the townspeople. I was still tending the fire, but upon hearing the beggar's proposition the satisfaction of my long suppressed curiosity expressed itself in a loud peal of laughter, which made me drop a heavy log that almost smothered the small sticks I had so painstakingly built to start the fire. The start which Bu Ali gave indicated that he had not been conscious of my presence, while the stern look of my father mad : me fast regain my composure. "He is but a child," he said to the beggar. "I shall attend to him at the proper time. But as for yourself, have you thought of the consequences of the step you are contemplating? Do you think you can support a wife?" "All these matters I have considered carefully, Abouna Antoun," replied Bu Ali, aerain turning his back to me as if disregarding my presence. "You can readily realize that the bed which holds one can hold two (my father smiled), and thai the meal which is prepared for one can also be made to satisfy two with but little additional expense. Besides, the woman I want to I . . ' �, THE SYRIAN WORLD 14 take for wife is frugal and economical. She has promised to be loving and obedient, and you will admit, Ya Abouna, that in my declining age I need someone to tend my fire and make my bed and bake my bread." "And who is the woman?" inquired my father. "Please bury this secret at the bottom of the deepest well," said Bu Ali. "She is Karima El-Aura, the orphan girl who is blind of one eye." "And are you sure of her consent?" again asked my father. "She has given me her word only yesterday," replied Bu Ali. "Ever since my new house was built she has been markedly courteous to me. Seeing which my heart leaned to her and I frequented her house oftener. Soon we began to exchange confidences and she told me that her situation had become well nigh unbearable. She ha^ reached the age of twenty-five with no one making a proposal. But for her minor defect she is constitutionally perfect. She interprets the smiles of other women as expressions of pity for her having reached this advanced a?e without being married, and she has promised me the utmost of attention and care if I marry her." At this junction my father began to show his appreciation of the comedy of the situation, and while struggling to suppress his smiles he asked the beggar, "Inasmuch as the matter is settled between vou, what do you want me to do?" "I have come today," replied Bu Ali, "first to break the news to you and then to reciuest of you the favor of asking her hand in marriage formally for me." "This I shall be glad to do," said my father, "only you now go and tell her to come and see me." Bu Ali now displaved surprising agility. He put on his single shoe which he had shed by the door upon entering and alreadv had reached for the knob, when he suddenly veered around and called: "Abouna Antoun!" "Yes," answered my father. "If we have a boy will he be lame of one leg and blind of one eve?" asked the lame beggar. For some reason which I did not at the time understand, it was mv father who this time burst out into a hearty laugh, and he assured the man that such defecte were not hereditary. * * * There were no invitations to Bu All's wedding. A man and FEB a woi witne office theg pairs merr housi and i • �FEBRUARY, 1929 15 a woman were recruited from among the parishioners to act as witnesses, while I myself was an involuntary witness owing to my office as altar boy. But no sooner the news spread about town than the good people began to trek to the house of the newly-weds in pairs and singles, seizing upon the occasion to indulge in hilarious merriment. And they did not.come empty-handed, and Abu All's house was stocked with rice, and flour, and olive oil, and molasses, and figs, and even wine, for a good many years. I Verses to My Enemies Translated from the Arabic by J. D. Carlyle. WHY thus to passion give the rein? Why seek your kindred tribe to wrong? Why strive to drag to light again The fatal feud entomb'd so long? Think ndt, if fury ye display, But equal fury we can deal; Hope not, if wrong'd, but we repay Revenge for every wrong we feel. Why thus to passion give the rein? Why seek the robe of peace to tear? Rash youths desist, your course restrain, Or dread the wrath ye blindly dare. Yet friendship we not ask from foes, Nor favor hope from you to prove, We lov'd you not, great Allah knows, Nor blame'd you that ye could not love. To each are different feelings given, This slights, and that regards his brother; 'Tis ours to live—thanks to kind heav'n— Hating and hated by each other. �THE SYRIAN WORLD 16 Our Syrian-American Fellowship Apropos of the Federation of Syrian Societies in the United States By REV. W. A. MANSUR ""THE rise of a Syrian American fellowship is being realized among Syrian-Americans, creating new race vision, promoting race solidartiy, and developing a right attitude toward the Syrian race. Hitherto this fellowship was unrealized by Syrian-Americans because of the thought of a return to the homeland, retarded by being scattered throughout the United States, and hindered by lacking a unifying medium. The decision to make America a permanent home, the race urge for self-preservation, and solicitude for future welfare are giving rise to this fellowship. Our Syrian-American fellowship is not political in spirit, economic in purpose, or religious in motive. It is based on pure Americanism, spiritual heritage, pioneering life, and future wellbeing. Knowledge of the nature of this fellowship is a source of inspiration to our race awakening, race pride, social happiness, and future progress. This will create common understanding, eive rise to common courage, and result in common sympathy. This will win for us the intelligent appreciation, respectful friendship, and sympathetic cooperation of the American people. The following seven points of our Syrian-American fellowship attempt to define this fellowship, encourage Syrian-American youth, and establish a common understanding among Syrian-Americans: /. Fellowship Through a Loyal Americanism. The primacy of a loyal Americanism is the paramount principle of our Syrian-American fellowship. It finds expression in an American allegiance, an American attitude, and an American outlook. We stand for America first. America does not ask that we renounce our love of native land, repudiate our race identity, or forsake the legacies our race has bestowed on mankind. America does ask that we give first place to the land that is our home, to the flag that guards our freedom, and to the Constitution of th« United States that guarantees our liberties. 1 I Kl / �M FEBRUARY, 1929 17 Philip K. Hitti says in "The Syrians in America": "Among the foreign born the Syrians hold an enviable war record In point of loyalty, patriotism and devotion to the institutions ot the land, as demonstrated by the war, they have been unexcelledeven by the Americans themselves. "According to a careful estimate based on the reports ot the Provost Marshal General, and other War Department documents, no less than 13,965 or about 7 per cent of the whole Syrian community se-ved in the United States army." _ Syrian-Americans have written for all time their loyalty to their American homeland into the history of the Syrian race in the United States. For Syrian-Americans remember that America's freedom, America's ideals, and America's opportunities drew them to her As American citizens they pledge a single political allegiance, law abiding citizenship, and a readiness for America s defense against all enemies. The record of the loyalty of SyrianAmericans will enhance their standing as Americans, will foster race pride in Syrian-American youth, and claim prominence tor the Syrian race in the United States. II. Fellowship Through, a Spiritual Motherland-. For Syrian-Americans Syria is becoming the symbol of a spiritual motherland. Gradually physical Syria is becoming a memory. Long separations, the passing of older generations, and the rise of new venerations are making the change. It is in its spiritual legacies, Syria's historical background, Syrian race character, and Syrian race achievements that Syria will be enshrined in Syrian hearts everywhere. For in their race urge they feel a contact with Syrian soil, in their hearts they sense a call from Syrian skies, and in their minds thev vision life from Syrian hills. S P Cadman says in an address on "The Friendship ot English-speaking Nations": "A nation reveals and justifies itself, not bv a narrow insistence upon its pre-eminent virtues and dualities but by its specific contribution to the welfare of mankind. Tudea rave the world religion. Greece gave it culture. Rome gave it law, and it still subsists on the rich heritage they beaueathed." „ _ , - -, While the thought of Rome was for Romans, that ot Greece for Greeks, and that of Tudea for Jews, it was Syria that first thought of the welfare of mankind. It was under Syrian skies, on Syrian soil, and in Syrian hearts that mankind first learned to think in the highest spiritual terms: the universal Fatherhood ot �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD God, man's filial relation to God, the world-wide kingdom of God, and the hope of human brotherhood. Knowledge of Syrian history, race character, and Syria's contributions to humanity will enable Syrian-Americans to appraise Syria in terms of the highest spiritual values. For Syrian-American pioneers, their posterity, and Syrians everywhere it is the Syria of their spiritual inheritance that will be enshrined in their hearts as the spiritual, true and eternal motherland of the Syrian race. III. Fellowship Through a Glorious Ancestry. Our Syrian-American fellowship is based on a race that possessed unique talents, developed civilization, and made contributions to the welfare of mankind. Races, nations, and empires whose support was military conquest, economic exploitation, race superiority, numerous population, or divine favoritism have passed away, and will pass away, with their transient dreams. The Syrian race, Syrian history, and Syria's contributions to human progress, whether of our forefathers the Phoenicians, our ancestors of the Christian era, or our fathers of Mediaeval times, have enshrined themselves in human hearts through their beneficent influence upon mankind. George Adam Smith says in "Syria and the Holy Land": "Nor do religion and war exhaust her importance to the world. Syria bred and endowed the people who first brought the fruits of Eastern civilization to Europe, taught the nations the value of sea-power, and set them an example on transmarine commerce and the planting of colonies." Our Syrian-American fellowship is the result of an awakened race consciousness, race solidarity, and race vision. There steals on the Syrian ear the distant triumphant urge of the race. The modern Syrian has caught the spirit of his Phoenician ancestors, is among the vanguard of human progress, and is taking his place in spiritual and material service to human welfare. The revival of the memory of our illustrious Phoenician forefathers is arousing intelligent appreciation of our race, promoting race pride, and inspiring race revival. The thoughtful understanding of our race heritage is liberating the latent talents of our race. The awakened race consciousness is inspiring emulation of the achievements of our famous ancestors. Our SyrianAmerican fellowship is moving us to perpetuate the memory of m �FEBRUARY ,1929 19 our renowned forefathers, uphold their priceless legacies, and maintain their honor through splendid achievements. IV. Fellowship Through Pioneering in America. The modern Syrian has caught the pioneering spirit of his famous Phoenician ancestors. He has endured amid difficulties He has adapted himself to new conditions. He has maintained the dignitv of the race, laid a foundation of true character, rose through industrious living, and vindicated his Americanism through loyal citizenship. H H Jessup says in "Fifty-three Years in Syria": "They have caught the enterprising spirit of western civilization and are starting out in a new Phoenician migration^ to the ends oi the earth, seeking to better their condition " The lives of Syrian-American pioneers are romances oi the hiehest order. It was hardship to sever relation with their beloved land. It was heart-trying-to leave home, loyed ones, and one's kind to become strangers in a foreign land It was embarrassing amoncr those whose language, customs and race were different Yet "throueh their pioneership they followed the gleam, they worked industriously, and lived loyally to their new homeland. Thev are rising to win for themselves the. enviable place that was once their Phoenician forefathers'. We accord the highest honors to the Syrian-American pioneer fathers and mothers. In the villages on the highways, and on the sea shore of Syria have been many farewells to Syria s sons and daughters. They came to America healthy in body, courageous in heart, intelligent in mind, industrious in disposition, God-fearing, libertv-loving, and law-abiding. • Here in our American homeland they are the parents of the rpce that is to be, they are dreaming dreams of glory through love and tears- and they are blazing a trail of glory laden with the leo-ades of their ancestry. • ,«•• O Syrian poet, I pray thee, sing of the Syrian-American pioneers, the pioneers of the glorious race that is to be. V. Fellowship Through Common Problems. The decision to make America a permanent home dosed the oioneer period of the Svrian-Americm race in America. SynanAmen an pioneers met with race misunderstanding race prejudge and social discrimination. These often intensified their suf- �mmmmmmmma. 20 THE SYRIAN WORLD ferings, hindered their progress, and tested their resourcefulness. Yet Syrian-American pioneers emerged from the pioneer period with their race character untarnished, their achievements magnified, and their faith in America unshaken. They upheld Syrian character, intelligence, honor, home, industry and loyalty. Syrian-Americans are now amidst the transition period. The "complete transformation of the psychology of a nation" is a gigantic task. Everywhere Syrian-Americans are meeting like problems, dangers, and sufferings. The transfer from centuriesold language, customs, and point of view to the American language, customs and point of view is beset with many difficulties. Yet everywhere Syrian-Americans are readily adapting themselves, maintaining stability of character, upholding industrious living, and perpetuating a law-abiding citizenship. The rising tide of social problems is pressing for solution. Let Syrian-Americans remember that America is passing through a transformation of a social order the like of which humanity has never experienced. Let it be remembered that modern education is accelerating the development of the human mind. Let it be understood that in meeting the problems there must be intelligence, sympathy, character. I have faith in Syrian-Americans to meet their social problems through resourcefulness, adaptability, endurance and vision. Here is a Syrian-American family with a marriage problem to solve; there a Syrian-American community with race prejudice in the public school; elsewhere is another meeting with social ostracism; another is grappling with race misunderstanding; and still another discovering his ignorance of his race and native land. How shall Syrian-Americans meet these rising social problems, rising from a change of race psychology, the natural accompaniments of adolescence, the intermingling of races, and life in a changing social order? These seven principles will assist in meeting the situation. First, religion is fundamental to humanity and is compatible with science, prosperity, and progress. The family is the basic unit, and marriage is a social sacrament. Remember that adolescence is prolific with problems, that youth is the time for self-discovery, self-assertion, self-determination, and self-realization. Remember that knowledge is necessary to intelligent understanding, that modern life is to be modernly dealt with. Adaptability is essential to happiness and success, that goodwill, patience, adjustability, charitableness and getting along xre master keys to meet problems. Character is life's true purpose, MHIPHHHBHBIP \ �FEBRUARY, 1929 21 that making a life is man's chief destiny. And remember that immortality is the hope of man, that he reaps here and hereatter what he sows here and now. j VI. Fellowship Through Splendid Achievement. There is growing up among Syrian-Americans a fellowship through splendid achievement. Their integrity, industry, iawobedience, and thrift are becoming a glorious tradition. / An admirable summary of the progress of Syrian-Americans was given by S. A. Mokarzel in an article on "The History ot Syrians in New York" in The Syrian World. "The Syrian community of New York," he says, "may well be taken as an example of all other communities, although in some respects it enjoys certain distinctions which cannot be claimed by all others. In general, however, what is said of the Syrians of New York applies to all sister communities." (The Syrian World, Nov., 1927.) ' We shall better appreciate the progress of the Syrian race in America when we remember his late coming, his peculiar handicaps, and his quickness of adaptability. The Syrian is prospering everywhere. And the rising tide of prosperity is prophetic ot larger future success. In the intellectual field Syrian-Americans are already making themselves felt throughout the world. N. A Mokarzel, the journalist; Gibran the poet; Hitti the historian; Riham the traveller- S A Mokarzel, founder of The Syrian World, and a host of other star-lit souls who are bringing glory to our race, encouragement to Syrian-American youth, and honor to our American homeland. In the commercial and industrial field Syrian-Americans are like their Phoenician ancestors blazing the trail for world trade. Thev are successful merchants and traders and are founding branch houses in foreign lands. The Syrian colony of Shanghai China, is prophetic of the rise of the leadership of Syrians in world commerce. (The Syrian World, Sept., 1927.) In the field of American citizenship Syrian-Americans have set an example of superior loyalty through law-obedience, industry and a glorious war-time record. Already in the re igious field Syrian-American churches are endeavoring to uphold the Syrian tradition of the compatibility of religion and prosperity. *- �22 THE SYRIAN WORLD And Syrian philanthropy has written a shining record into the history of the Syrian race in America. VII. Fellowship Through Ambition for Posterity. Syrian-Americans are ambitious for the future of their posterity. They purpose to retain their racial identity through their descendants. They would revive and maintain the memory of their illustrious forefathers through future generations. Their aim is to uphold the priceless contributions made by their fathers to human progress. President-elect Herbert Hoover said: "We no longer have the right to think in terms of our own generation." The spirit of our forefathers calls upon us to revive their memory, make known the truth about their bequests to mankind, and awaken the race to vision, vigor, and vindication. Svrian-Americans are forevisiomng a glorious race in the new world, are laying a foundation of true character, and are making ready for worthy race progress. Leonard Darwin says in his "Eugenic Reform": "Pride in our past achievements must on no account make us turn a deaf ear to the warnings derived from a study of the laws of nature: for it will be seen that such a study makes it certain that to be careless about the future may be to condemn our own nation to disaster." Humboldt is right in saying: "Whatever you would put into the state you must first put into the school." William Allen White in The Heart of a Fool" makes Mrs. Van Dorn say to her father, Dr. Nesbi, "It's the children who carry the banner of civilization, the hope of progress, the real sun-rise." The future progress of Syrian-Americans lies in the rising generations. We must awaken them to their noble heritage We must enlarge upon the historical background of the Svrian race. We must explain the Syrian race's contributions to mankind. We must enable them to realize that in their veins courses the blood of a great race, that they possess latent talents which, awakened and utilized, will bring new service to mankind, and that they are the pioneer builders of a new Syrian race in the new world. _ Success is crowning the efforts of our Syrian-American fellowship in popularizing the knowledge about the greatness of the Syrian race, the rise of race pride based on the race's exalted contributions to human welfare, and a worthy response of SyrianAmerican youth to meet the challenge of their glorious race HHHMHMBSHNSBHflflMMMBI /( S �23 FEBRUARY, 1929 Progress of the Federation Movement SIX NEW PLEDGES RECEIVED DURING JANUARY PLEDGES RECEIVED Syrian Young Men, Society The Phoenicians American-Syrian Federation Syrian Young Men's Society , , Citizenship ^-j.v_ ^I„K The Good Club The Goodfellows Club Syrian-American Club Syrian-American Club Ladies' Syrian Association United Young Men's Aleppian Club St. George Young Men's Society The Phoenician Club ... Young Phoenician Society YSJSS^SL oklvn N Y " ro J ' ' ' 2 ^! ' 1*' Birmingham, Ala. Texag ! ^ i'.. Detroit, Mich. Cleveland, Ohio. b L P"nf vaue^ r\Z' Otto '&2SZ.^ Mkh_ AT this stage of our progress towards the Federation of Syrian societies in the United States, The Syrian World wishes to make it plain that it does not consider the movement its own private undertaking. We believe, and here make public avowal of the fact, that this effort is the spontaneous expression of a desire long entertained by many organizations and individuals It is the materialization of a growing conviction for the necessity of collective action which now seems to have reached the stage ot maturity The Syrian World is but the instrument for collecting the different strands and winding them together into one solid, strong and, let us hope, an enduring cable AU the replies so far received prove the existence of a strong predisposition to such a movement. What seems to have been lacking in the way of crystallizing the sentiment, and translating the desire into action, was the existence of the proper agency. Now all those who have dreamed of such an ideal can feel the sati faction of having discovered the agency that is ready and anxious A �THE SYRIAN WORLD to serve them. What they should further feel is that they are duty-bound to use the facilities placed at their disposal to the fullest capacity. It is a patent fact that no individual, nor single organization; can undertake such a gigantic public task unaided. The success of the movement is contingent upon the collective, concerted efforts of all parties interested. Those organizations so far pledged to the support of the movement have by their very action made public avowal of their high racial ideals. They have signed a declaration of faith in the future of the race and committed themselves to the perpetuation of their precious heritage to the end that they will be proud and useful elements in the American nation. They are pioneers in a movement that is replete with untold possibilities both for their own kind and for the whole nation. Their enterprise will be recorded as the work of far-visioned, public-spirited pathfinders who are laying down the foundation for the better service of posterity. And as such they may justly feel proud of the effort at which they are now engaged. But the assumption of this role involves a responsibility. Approval should not be confined to the mere registration of acquiescence. It implies and invites support by way of propaganda and missionary effort. Each pledged organization must feel honorbound to carry the task to ultimate complete success, and now that we see the pledges doubling every month, the almost tangible success should spur us on to redoubled action. Prompting these remarks is the desire to assure the movement speedy materialization. The preliminary work of accepting pledges cannot be extended indefinitely and the sooner the national organization takes a definite shape the brighter will be the prospects for its future activities. It might be unwise to set a definite date for closing the preliminaries, but, tentatively, a few more months should be considered sufficient. Then the organizations already pledged could proceed to give form to the Federation, while the way would remain forever open to the admission of new members. One of the benefits of speedy action is that the founders could proceed to formulate the plan and the general object of the Federation which would be submitted to recalcitrant organizations for study. This might prove the most cogent argument for them to join, as they would have tangible proof of the benefits of concerted action. In the meantime, our efforts should be intensified towards ! SStt N in ! i �=—. = FEBRUARY, 1929 23 increasing the number of charter members. As we can now see, the movement is fast gaining in impetus so that with a little further effort the partial success so far achieved may be substantially increased by the time the call is sounded for taking final action. Following are the acceptances received during January: CLEVELAND, OHIO UNANIMOUS VOTE OF APPROVAL Editor, The Syrian World: At the last meeting of the Syrian-American Club of Cleveland, we discussed the Federation movement as outlined in the Syrian World, with the result that the Club voted unanimously in favor of such a move. On behalf of the Club, I wish you unlimited success and hope that other organizations may reward your efforts by joining this worthy movement. Enclosed you will find a list of the other Syrian societies in this city and vicinity who could be approached in the matter of the Federation. As for ourselves, we shall do our best to promote the movement among the different organizations here, as we are thoroughly convinced of the necessity of a national organization. THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN CLUB. M. S. Caraboolad, Secretary. Cleveland, Ohio. SPRING VALLEY, ILLINOIS REASONS FOR GIVING 100 PER CENT. APPROVAL Editor, The Syrian World: The Ladies' Syrian Association of Spring Valley, 111., heartily endorses the movement for the federation of Syrian societies in the United States. We believe the time at hand when an appeal of this nature should meet with the support of the public-spirited element among our people in this country. �THE SYRIAN WORLD 26 We can readily realize that the first comers among the Syrian immigrants were too much taken up with economic considerations. They could not be expected under the circumstances to plan and develop such enterprises for their public good as behooves them to do at the present time. Now the Syrians are settled in their new home. They should realize that it is incumbent upon them to develop their racial prestige. They can claim such eminent qualities as should be the pride of any race. They are intelligent, hospitable, industrious and have behind them a fine racial background. The only thing they seem to lack is the ability for cooperative action. Now the opportunity is offered them to fill this gap and claim for themselves the position that is rightly theirs among the racial groups which go to make the American nation. It should, therefore, be the ambition of every one of us who realizes the benefits of cooperative action to lend his best efforts towards the success of the Federation movement of Syrian societies. We wish to state finally that we are 100 per cent, for the Federation movement and pledge for its success our best efforts. We give this unqualified approval to the movement in the hope that others who are still reluctant will take immediate and favorable action. LADIES' SYRIAN ASSOCIATION. Elizabeth Abrahams, Secretary. Spring Valley, 111. PATERSON, NEW JERSEY AMERICAN MOTTO CITED IN SUPPORT OF MOVEMENT Editor, The Syrian World: At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of our Club, held on Jan. 17, the movement for the federation of Syrian societies in the United States was brought up for discussion and met with the wholehearted endorsement of the Directors. In advising you of our action, we wish to commend you for your splendid efforts in promoting the fulfillment of this dream through the agency of your magazine. When such a worthy undertaking is brought to full realization, it will be possible for the Syrians to act collectively in matters of general policy and com- -a �^— HMHaMBNBaaBBnMMBnHaanaHMa 27 FEBRUARY, 1929 mand attention and recognition. We have long been fighting single-handed, in single units, and it seems about time we act on the famous American motto, "E Pluribus Unum"—"L'Union fait la Force." Our only hope is that efforts towards promoting this necessary movement until it is brought to complete success be kept up with unabated zeal. We have been accused of showing a great flash of interest at the initial stages and then dropping the matter and letting it disintegra^. through inaction. We trust this will not be true in this case. UNITED YOUNG MEN'S ALEPPIAN CLUB. John Zaloom, Secretary. Paterson, N. J. CANTON, OHIO OFFERS MORAL AND MATERIAL SUPPORT Editor, The Syrian World: The formation of a Federation of Syrian societies in the United States is a most splendid and worthy undertaking for which the promoter should be heartily congratulated. • Our Club, the St. George Young Men's Society, was organized April 22, 1922. Its main object is to promote better friendship and sportsmanship. You can depend upon receiving our support to further this cause, and to meet any help or obligations that may arise in connection with this great undertaking. ST. GEORGE YOUNG MEN'S SOCIETY. Kyser Salem Shaheen, President. Canton, Ohio BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA MOVEMENT IS A GLOW OF HOPE Editor, The Syrian World: We are happy to extend our congratulations and profoundest good wishes to your esteemed magazine for its most valued and remarkable enterprise. The Phoenician Club of Birmingham, Ala., is always in readiness to lend assistance to any cause that is for the good of �28 SYRIAN the Syrian people, and we believe your success in undertaking a Federation of Syrian societies should be a glow of hope for every earnest member of the race. We hope you will continue to give your best efforts towards this most worthy cause for which we wish complete success. THE PHOENICIAN CLUB, L. C. Bohorfoush, Secretary. Birmingham, Ala. LANSING, MICHIGAN LOGICAL AND NECESSARY STEP FORWARD Editor, The Syrian World: It gives me great pleasure to advise you that our club wishes to be placed on record as anxious for the success of the Federation movement among the Syrian societies in the United States and is ready to cooperate wholeheartedly in all efforts tending to promote the success of a nation-wide understanding among the organized bodies of our race. We believe this to be the logical and necessary step for bringing about the best that is in the young Syrian generation both for their own benefit and for the glory of the American nation. j ,: ,.r;; We had sent a communication to the Syrian World which was published in the November issue, expressing our readiness to correspond with any society willing to enter into negotiations leading to cooperative action. We took it for granted that this would be sufficient testimony to our actual approval of the Federation movement. But inasmuch as our club was not mentioned in the first list of acceptances, we hasten to send in this explicit acceptance. Our club was organized in May, 1927, for the purpose of promoting a better understanding between the older and younger generation Syrians, as well as for promoting and encouraging better means of understanding our ancestral background. Our club is non-sectarian and non-partisan. It has a substantial membership. We hail the Federation movement as a great step forward for the Syrian race in America and wish for it complete and speedy success. YOUNG PHOENICIAN SOCIETY. Lansing, Mich. Ruby Nakfoor, Cor. Secretary. VHMW^HI I �FEBRUARY, 1929 The Poefs Nightmare By DR. NEJIB A. KATIBAH In Memory of Kahlil Gibran's Testimonial Dinner. I sat upon a lofty rock, A ripening field beneath my feet, A clock beside me went tick-tock, Tick-tock,—and bade me mind its beat— Or hastening fall. A spirit bade me close my eyes, And quickly touched my brow, Then whispered in my ears: "Arise, Thy vision is no vision now, Nor sight at all." The clock had vanished from my side; Two thrones of gold within one ring, Upon a dreamy azured tide, Upbore me, wafted on the wing;— Lo! there's a call:— I heard a voice beyond the sun,— (Or was 't my Voice?): "Obey my beck!" —Lo, there! my thrones, two shrouds in one; The ring, a halter 'round my neck;— I could not crawl But lay upon a swaying rock, A precipice beneath my feet, A clock beside me went tick-tock, Tick-tock—a measured hollow beat— But that's not all. A fairy bade me close my eyes, And lightly touched my brow, Then whispered in my ears: "Arise! A clearer vision now hast thou,— But drink this gall." Upon a distant foreign shore Asleep I lie but yet aware; I'm happy there as ne'er before —For with my fairy I am there. —And now that's all. 29 �THE SYRIAN WORLD 3G Tributes to Gibran Being the English poetns and addresses delivered at the Testimonial Dinner given by his admirers to G. K. Gibran, author of The Prophet, Jesus the Son of Man, etc., at the Hotel McCalpin in New York the evening of January 5, 1929 on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the publication of his first literary work. GIBRAN'S PLACE AND INFLUENCE IN MODERN ARABIC LITERATURE By PHILIP K. HITTI, PH. D. AS a student of history, the speaker's objective in all his studies has been and is the fact. In his search for the fact, he divests himself—as far as it is humanly possible—of all personal equation, all prejudice and sentiment, and seeks through a cold intellectual process to ascertain the fact as that fact took place. And having found the fact, he tries to express it, to communicate it to others, in as simple, plain and direct a way as he possibly can. His ideal is truth, his method is objective, rather than subjective, and his style is dry prose. All this, however, does not blind him to the fact that man does not live by scientific truth alone, that he has another phase to his nature, the aesthetic phase, and that phase demands beauty and can be satisfied by beauty and beauty alone. We have come tonight to do honor to "a man whose objective in life has been and is beauty; who, by pen and brush, has achieved the beautiful; and who is himself endowed with a beautiful character. Gibran is an artist and a poet. His ideal is aesthetic, his method is subjective and his style is mystic, symbolic, poetic. Such style, by the nature of the case, is bound to be sometimes obscure. His writings, his creations, while not intended primarily to provide nourishment for starving intellects, have certainly brought sunshine, heat, warmth, radiance, light, joy, inspiration to many a heart and many a soul. And after all, the discrepancy between the two ideals of truth and beauty is more apparent than real. The two are the obverse and reverse of the same coin, the opposite aspects of the one being—the Divine being. God is truth. He is also love: He is beautv. ery, i i \ �—— FEBRUARY, 1929 31 The influence which Gibran exercises in modern Arabic literature can be measured, in a way, not only by the multitude of people who have been benefited by reading him but also by the big crop of would-be Gibrans, quasi-Gibrans and Gibran-imitators who have in recent years, mushroom-like, sprung up and flourj ished all over the Arabic speaking world. So much so that you can hardly nowadays pick up an Arabic paper printed in Beirut, Cairo, Baghdad, Sao Paulo or Buenos Aires without finding somebody consciously trying to write Gibran-like. Of course, the esoteric, figurative, imaginative style, with its flowery expression and rhymed prose, is not a new thing in Arabic literature. It is as old as the Sufis of early Islam who borrowed it from Indo-Persian sources. But our hero of tonight, through his unmatched mastery of this art, through his pure and rich imagery, through his lofty and noble idealism, through his unexcelled diction and composition—be it in Arabic or in English—has become the father of a new school of thought all of his own. While others use empty words, are affected and artificial, Gibran unfailingly produces gems of thought and is always natural and sublime. Besides writers, Gibran has a host of followers who admire him to the highest degree. This silent admiration affords another criterion of measuring his influence. Some of them may be inj clined to treat him even as a prophet and to build up a sort of a cult around his teachings. Of course, in one sense, he is a prophet. Any one who is expounding the eternal principles of righteousness, goodness and beauty, interpreting them in new and modern terms, inculcating them in the minds of his fellowmen is a prophet. In fact we can go one step further. To the extent to I which any man or woman, by his or her creations and discoveries, 7 is serving as an instrument of God, is furthering God's purposes here on earth and executing God's plans for the betterment and the development of mankind, to that extent that person is Godlike, is divine, is made after God's image. In so far as you and I are cooperating with the forces of right to overcome those of wrong, the principles of good to overpower those of evil, the agencies of light to overthrow those of darkness, we are more than prophets—we are divine. In that sense, the bridegroom of the evening is a prophet and more than a prophet. And we have in his common sense, level-headedness and inborn humanity a guarantee that no matter what some of his over-enthusiastic admirers may wish to say or do, he would always remain human, man among men, and would ever maintain that the difference between , f �THE SYRIAN WORLD 32 him and all good teachers, preachers, poets and so forth, on one hand, and the ordinary man, on th<* -'her, is quantitative rather than qualitative. # # * As your fellow countrymen, Mr. Gibran, we rejoice and pride ourselves tonight, and justly so, over your past achievements, both literary and artistic; and we hope and pray that the future will have greater and more numerous things in store for the honor of yourself and for the glory of the Syrian name which we jointly bear. GIBRAN By \ BARBARA YOUNG Sent by Miss. Young from her retreat in Florida to the Editor of The Syrian World to be read at the Dinner to Gibran. [ ET me pour wonders on his wondrous name Like waters on the green crest of a hill. Let me pluck thunders from the thundrous sky, And let me gather lightnings as a harvester Gathering ripened grain For his refreshing. Let me lift up his name upon the wind, Lo,„as the wing of a bird I would lift it up, A mighty wing cleaving the uttermost sky, As a flame, as a living, leaping, deathless flame, All of my days I would lift up his name. GIBRAN'S TEARS By S A. MOKARZEL j FEEL that I cannot add much to your knowledge of Gibran the thinker and author, but I may profit of this opportunity to relate to you one of my experiences of Gibran the man, an experience which has never before been told in print. It was during the World War in 1916 when Turkey had sided with the Central European powers, and a naval blockade of the Syrian coast was being maintained by the Allies. Word reached us at that time that famine had gripped Syria and that the population, particularly that of Lebanon, was succombing by the scores of thousands. An appeal was made to the late Presi- r �. �P* 9 W J'l fc-, t/J QJ c <! c 5 c 3 ^> 6 M'fc «-, u .25- 3o *H CO U XI 4-i m > .-. 4^ Sh $ a b ^| "O|P b rv<u 77 T3 ^ w fe ^ J3: :> -r ns U tr' ?;' -'rtO(j_," < to a> x>H £.2 ".9 u±* O > <U 13 MH BB^w^*B BBr T *V^« 1 fl! L ^ir^if 1 BW ^BBBBBBBRifBBT^ ^ PJr .A H JBT'ISL 1 lii .1 • V * ' *4*£^wflfih*C^^. IF BBBTMflBK^iBBhtfBflk^flB BBKB^BKI^BI BB\ VANBH 'CBB^^I BBI ^ * ^^- firf - 1 V ^P a^Baf BBBBI * M ^^B! B fl^^^^Br ^^^^«fl V •Li '"~**8 IT * ^asr^ P*^«— ^» TJrt^iSMn ^JJ^B BBBH BB ^^^t El i^^BBltf * ' ^"W^^^BW^BL fl '** %^^M BT ^^B Blfl BV# "I.-TB P^^B ^B! BBBH ' '1 1 c •SQ £ O TESTIMONIAL DIN NER TO GIBRAN. ^SKo^ka w H 'fl Dinner given to the celebrated Syrian poet and artist on the twenty fifth year of his literary and artistic activities, and held at the Hotel McAlpin, New York, January 5, 1929. .Gibran appears in the center background to the right of the American flag. 0) IH o 4-1 u CO �_ FEBRUARY, 1929 __ 33 dent Wilson to use his good offices with the Turkish government, with whom the United States had not broken diplomatic relations, to allow provisions to be sent to the famine-stricken population as an act of humanity. This the President did and the help of the American Red Cross was enlisted to provide a ship and provisions. It then devolved upon the Syrians in America to contribute their share towards the relief of their suffering countrymen, and an appeal was made to form a committee to collect funds. But at the very outset a snag was encountered in choosing for the committee a name, some holding out for naming it the Syrian Relief Committee while others were insisting that Lebanon should be recognized by its independent identity, and the committee named The Syrian Lebanese Relief Committee. While these deliberations were taking place, extremely valuable time was being lost. Finally a meeting was called of the leading figures of the community to discuss the situation. The meeting was held in the offices of Al-Hoda of which I was in charge at the time, and among those present was Gibran. There appeared for a time that this last meeting would go the way of the preceding ones and result in disagreement. Both factions were obdurate and hope was about to be given up when Gibran rose to say a word. One could see by the expression of his face that he was choking with emotion. For here were we quarrelling over a word while our countrymen in the homeland were dying for lack of relief. The situation was tense with tragedy and the heart of Gibran could not suffer its continuation any longer. He was to make his final appeal to the nobler feelings of the disputants. But Gibran could hardly speak. There was something clutching at his throat as he seemed to look into the distance and vision the thousands of helpless men, women and children, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters all, being stricken by famine and dying on the highways and byways in their vain search for food. He stood for some time motionless, then managed to spurt out only the single sentence: "My brothers, shall we let them die?" And Gibran could not control his tears. He sobbed as he delivered his pathetic appeal. And the effect was miraculous. Gibran's tears won the day for our people threatened with extermination. This is an unwritten chapter about Gibran which I feel proud to relate on this occasion as further illustrating the singular qualities of the man whom we are gathered to honor this evening. �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Sage of Washingto7i Street ON PERPETUATING THE MOTHER TONGUE By A. HAKIM 1 HAD a definite question to put to my friend the Sage on the occasion of our last interview. I wanted to get his impressions on the future prospects of the mother tongue in America and what he thought of the efforts of some zealots who are raising a cry of despair over the fact that we are fast losing the knowledge of Arabic and that our children seem decidedly averse to learning the language of their parents. I had given the sage no advance intimation of the subject of the interview, as I deliberately sought to get his first reactions. Consequently he was a little slow in venturing an opinion. After reflecting on my question for a few moments, the sage began in a simple and characteristic manner. "Although this is a question that has been discussed in our native press for some time, I doubt if anyone applying the process of cold reasoning could escape the conclusion that the mother tongue will die with the first generation and that with its passing little could the loss be felt. The individual family is the criterion by which the question could be properly judged, and for the purpose of illustration I will cite my own case. "Here I am a man of the first generation immigrants, and one whom some sophisticated persons would call of the old type, meaning thereby that I am behind the times. Whatever my personal qualifications to pass judgment on the question on general grounds, I deem myself competent to discuss the trend of affairs as I see it in my own family. Mine may be cited as the average Syrian family of the first generation.. I was born abroad and married here. My children all attend public school and the effect of public school teaching is the same all over the country. Consequently, we may safely presume that what applies to my case properly fits all others in like circumstances. "Now my children receive their education in English, the language of the country. Whether in the lower or higher grades they are required to do intensive work. Subjects of general "" «' �FEBRUARY, 1929 35 knowledge are so numerous that they scarcely leave room for other matters. Even in the higher grades, where children are given a choice of foreign languages, these languages are chosen for their utilitarian or cultural advantages. Spanish is considered a valuable commercial language in America because of the future great possibilities of trade with South American countries. French is viewed in the same light with the additional scholarly advantages. German was at one time a language of choice for similar reasons. Aside from these principal languages no opportunity is afforded in our public schools for the study of foreign languages. Certainly from the utilitarian point of view Arabic does not rank even with the lesser European languages. "Consequently, through the regular available educational channels of learning, Arabic cannot be acquired. The only two alternatives remaining are private schools and home teaching. As regards private schools, I doubt if any father would consent to sending his children to institutions of extremely limited means in preference to the public schools which abound with unlimited facilities. It is as plain as day that the father who thus places the value of a language of questionable benefit to children in America above that of the general educational advantages of public schools would be subjecting his children to irretrievable loss. Even the parochial schools, with all the power of the Catholic church to support them, are considered by some parents of the Catholic faith to lack in educational facilities and advantages as compared with the public schools. "We now have the remaining alternative of the parents themselves giving their children home courses in Arabic and this we will find to be utterly impracticable. In the first place, only few Syrian parents have the proper qualifications to teach, as the majortiy have but an elementary knowledge of such a highly complicated language as classical Arabic. Besides, the children themselves rebel at the thought because of the necessity of devoting so much time to their compulsory school^ studies. The net result being that besides the lack of personal incentive and interest on the part of the children, they consider the study of a superfluous language an unwarranted hardship. "What can be done, and this is the condition which now generally prevails in Syrian homes, is that the children acquire a speaking knowledge of the mother language of their parents. This, I must say, is due more to necessity than to choice. Where the spoken language of the home is Arabic the children cannot �msss 36 THE SYRIAN WORLD fail but acquire a smattering knowledge, but they can never become sufficiently proficient in it to use as an adequate medium of expression. They cannot even develop sufficient knowledge to understand the classical language when it is read or spoken to them. In fairness, it may be stated that many of those born in the language fail in this understanding. "This prompts us to the consideration of the benefits of learning classical Arabic. Whatever benefits accrue from such tedious labors as are necessarily required by such study are purely scholastic. Only those, then, who choose a literary or a highly specialized educational career are justified in making a full study of the language, and in this, the Syrian-American would be on equal standing with the Orientalist, except for the added advantage to the Syrian-American of being closer to the understanding of the Arab vernacular. "For the average Syrian boy or girl in America I cannot but give an illustration of conditions as they exist in my own house. I have children of various ages, but in one thing they are all alike—they are naturally inclined to speak English, although the language of the household is our native tongue. The youngsters who play with their chums in the street come home to speak the language they find easiest for expression. They demand to eat the things they see on display in bakery shops and grocery stores while our native foods have almost to be forced on them. As for the children of school age they discuss their work not in the language we speak but in that in which they are being taught. Their natural tendency is to speak to us in the language which is easier of expression for them, while if they learn anything of Arabic, such knowledge is confined to what they cannot escape learning from our conversation. "As for myself, I believe that it would do my children no harm to learn an extra language, especially that the language of their parents is the easiest of acquisition. In this I recall our famous Arabic adage that an extra tongue is an extra person. But I must admit that in this I am going contrary to the natural current. This is not a matter of sentiment but of cold reason that other than the native language of the country cannot thrive in America. "You being, like myself, an old immigrant, can readily realize the transformation wrought in our use of the Arabic language within the past two decades. Whereas all our transactions were previously conducted in the mother tongue we now ! �37 FEBRUARY, 1929 find that they are done almost wholly in English. The business of our societies is conducted in English. Not one of our commercial establishments but has its books and correspondence kept in English where such cases were extremely rare not more than twenty years ago. Even our native churches are finding it necessary to bend to the general trend and partially conduct their services in English. In many home gatherings the general conversation almost unconsciously shifts to English, especially where the young Syrian generation is in evidence. "You see that I am neither American-born nor one whose native tongue is Engilsh, but 1 consider it poor policy, to say the least ,to blind one's self to the obvious fact. It is neither in a spirit of pessimism nor criticism that I give expression to these beliefs, but rather in the interest of honesty and truth. I believe it neither possible nor essential to keep the Arabic language alive in America. "What I do believe, however, is that we should never permit ourselves to wane in the appreciation of our racial heritage. The American nation is composed of different racial strains and to the end of time history will record this fact and give each race credit for its special contributions. It should be our ambition to get our due recognition. Our mother language is not essential to the attainment of this end. "Here, where I live, I am in daily touch with people of different racial origins. This district, as you know, was the original settlement of all new immigrants entering through the port of New York. The Irish rubs shoulders with the Italian, the Pole and the Syrian. But in our common dealings we all use the medium of the English language, while each retains his racial characteristics. You can as well say this is America in miniature. In time all trace of foreign languages now spoken in the country will be obliterated and naught will remain but the memory of the various racial origins. It would be preposterous on the part of the Syrians to be an exception to the general rule." ARABIC PROVERBS He who fails at a thing abuses it. He eats with the wolf and keeps tune with the shepherd. �38 THE SYRIAN WORLD EDITORIAL COMMENT AMERICANISM pEBRUARY first witnessed a significant event in the life of America. The President of the United States journeyed from the capital to Florida to dedicate the Bok Carillon and "Singing Tower" at Mountain Lake, Fla. which was erected by Edward W. Bok as a gift to the American people in memory of his grandparents. President Coolidge, on this occasion, expressed himself in terms befitting the high state of spiritual and artistic development of the American people. "The material prosperity of our nation," he declared, "will be of little avail unless it is translated into a spiritual prosperity." He then cited an increasing number of individuals who "have sufficient resources to enable them to minister in a most substantial way to the humanitarian and artistic side of life." Now who is Edward William Bok who has attained such an eminent position in the spiritual and artistic life of the American people that the President of the United States journeys to faraway Florida to dedicate in person a bird sanctuary and retreat he has given the nation? Who are the grandparents of this outstanding figure in America whom he so lovingly honors by dedicating this gift to their memory? Edward W. Bok was but a poor immigrant boy who had his elementary training in the American public schools and rose to the editorship of one of the most widely circulated periodicals in America. He sought the opportunity for advancement and made the best of it. He retired from gainful activities while comparatively young and is now seeking to devote the rest of his life to the promotion of higher culture. He published his autobiography upon retiring and it immediately proved a best seller because the people are fascinated by the simple narration of facts depicting the relentless pursuit of an ideal. The story of Edward W. Bok should be an inspiration to every American boy, especially those of immigrant stock who should know of opportunities for advancement available in America. But the significant thing to us is that Edward W. Bok should so revere his grandparents in thus seeking to perpetuate their memory. In this Bok sets himself up as the champion among successful immigrants of the principle of love and loyalty to one's ancestors—loyalty in the sense of keeping alive and in high esteem their memory while in no way permitting such devotion to conflict with the higher ii �FEBRUARY, 1929 . !V* .> ,). i 39 sense of loyalty to one's adopt- be a strong moral in this action ed country. In this he pro- of Edward W. Bok. A sense of pounds the principle that loy- appreciation of our ancestral alty to one's deserving forebears background cannot fail but is an inspiration to the newer prompt us to worthy achieveimmigrants in America. It not ment. Such a stimulus is needed only prompts the scions of wor- for the continuation of progress, thy ancestors to nobler achieve- especially along the lines of culments but in so doing it brings tural and humanitarian endeavto young America that which is ors. Ours is a history rich in ennobling and spiritually en- spiritual heritage, the very kind riching of the influence of past which President Coolidge deems generations. We believe this so essential that lacking which last accomplishment of Mr. material prosperity would be of Bok an outstanding event in the no avail. It would therefore history of America in that it behoove us to follow in the translates into a glorious deed footsteps of our ancestors and the convictions of an individual bear forth the torch left into on the duty of posterity to their our keeping by them. So far we have not developed ancestors. Especially is this siga Syrian Edward W. Bok, but nificant in America where the nation is drawn from all the ra- we believe we have reached the cial strains of the Old World. comparative stage of material Now for Americans of different prosperity, thanks to the opporracial extraction to revere and tunities available for the exerperpetuate the memory of their cise of our native talents in forebears is but a healthy sign America, where we should deof consciousness of worth. This velop many Boks on a smaller in turn would be translated into scale. The field is certainly healthy ambition to emulate the unlimited for thq display_ of worthy deeds of one's ancestors such proclivities, and principal and transform that ambition in- among our ambitions should be to glorious achievement for the propagation and the perpetAmerica, to the end that this uation of "the worthy deeds of new country of ours shall be- our forebears in such manner as come the repository and custo- would help properly evaluate dian of the best traditions and our contribution to America. the most virile characteristics of It is time we emerge from the the races of the world, all elementary state of pure perblended into one new, distinct, sonal gain and seek the higher level of cultural pursuits. We and ideal cultural whole. For us Syrians there should should profit by the example of �40 THE SYRIAN WORLD Bok who, like most of us, represents the first generation immigrants. Above all, we should be conscious of the fact that we have a precious racial heritage, one of the oldest and the best of which any small nation can boast and that in keeping alive and in reverence the memory and the best traditions of our ancestors we not only do not go counter to the interest of America but obviously serve it by adding our contribution to its accumulating national culture. America, as should be made plain, dees not require us to deny our origin, but rather expects us to give it the best that is in us as loyal and loving citizens. Bringing our share of old culture to our new homeland is our best and most valued contribution, and this we should strive to develop if not by individual testimonials and proofs at least through our concerted and collective efforts. and time and all other new phenomena in means of communication and travel which have become so numerous as to cause little wonder. Our age becomes therefore, not only the age of new marvels but one in which modern science applies itself to the discovery of old marvels which had hitherto remained a secret to man. At the time of the discovery of the tomb of Tut Ankh Amen in Egypt the whole world stood in amazement. Was it possible for old civilizations to have attained such a degree of perfection in culture, in the arts and in science? Then we of this advanced age began to recall that the ancients, in spite of ever present danger from wars and invasions , had made many valuable discoveries which are now lost to the world. The Egyptians and Phoenicians share equal honors in this respect. It follows that, we still have much to learn from searching the past as we have to expect in looking ANTIQUITIES to the future. £)ISCOVERY of relics threeThe Gobi desert has yielded thousand years old or more some valuable finds which help are now being treated as impor- to clear the early history of man tant news of the day. In Iraq, but no part of the world can as well as in Palestine and other ever rival that small section of parts of Syria, many important Asia and Africa bordering on archaelogical discoveries are the southeastern tip of the Mebeing made which are not only diterranean. And paramount of great significance to students in importance among these lands of history but form as interest- is Syria which comprises; Palesing a part of our daily reading tine, Lebanon, the Phoenicia of as Einstein's theories of space old, and the Syrian hinterland. MMHHi Mi '• �FEBRUARY, 1929 41 Spirit of the Syrian Press Under this caption we hope to present from time to time a microeoamic picture of the Arabic press, not only in this country, but whereTtr Arabic dailies and magazines reflect the opinions of responsible, thinking writers who are treating the different problems that confront tha Arabicspeaking world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will take no part in the discussions reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. Our task will simply consist in selecting, to the best of our knowledge and with utmost sincerity, what we think is representative of the public opinion as expressed in these editorials. Editor. rienced European Prince who would be of proven loyalty to Lebanon is Now that Emir George Lutfallah a thousand times more preferable as has arrived in Beirut and is again a governor for life over the country being spoken of as a possible candi- than any native aspirant devoid of date for the Presidency of the Re- these qualifications. public, we wish to reiterate our forWe have repeatedly proclaimed mer assertions that this Emir should that the best form of government never be considered for such a post. for Lebanon would be a constituLutfallah was not born in Lebanon tional monarchy in which the incumand it is nowhere pernrssible in the bent would be elected for life but constitutions of civilized nations for deprived of the right of succession a foreigner to aspire to the Presi- to his he'rs. This would follow the dency of the country. Lutfallah could lines of the Papacy or the Patriarseek Lebanese citizenship and if any chates of the East and would be of his children proves worthy then more in conformity with the tradithe child could claim the right to tions and psychology of the people. the presidency, otherwise the wisest We would not, however, press this course for Lutfallah to follow is to point at the present time in order to invest his large fortune in the eco- prove to our opponents that we abide nomic rehabilitation of the country by the will of the majority. which would bring him more honor Al-Hoda, N. Y., Jan. 9, 1929. than any political office. It has been our contention right along that if a foreigner is to be IRAQ IN THE LEAGUE placed at the head of the Lebanese OF NATIONS State it is best that such Prince be a European, preferably a FrenchThe British member of the League man. We cannot but admit that the election of a native Prince would of Nations Council has openly reclead to endless complications. We ommended the entry of Iraq in the have not yet developed the art of League. The League, it is also regovernment to the point of parity ported, sees the necessity of the with the Europeans. It naturally continuation of the British mandate in Iraq for many more years. follows that a wealthy and expe- THE PRESIDENCY OF LEBANON �r- 42 THE SYRIAN WORLD The British mandate in Iraq began exercise the privilege of the vote we simultaneously with that of the find them failing in seeking political French in Syria. A comparison of offices. Judging by what we read ; administrative progress in the two of the political prom nence of some countries discloses, however, a wide of our countrymen in South Amerdivergence of conditions. Iraq 'has ican countries who have been elected achieved a stable form of govern- to high offices of power and trust, we ment, while Syria is still being sub- see no reason why they should not jected to successive experiments. The meet with the same fortunes in the latest in the way of administrative United States. We have often advocated the nepolicy is the proposed further division of the country by making the cessity of more application to politiNorth, or the Aleppo district, inde- cal activities in our adopted counpendent of the South, or the district try, and a corresponding decrease in of Damascus. This ;s but another our interest in the political fortunes move to weaken the Nationalist de- of our motherland. It should not be mands for administrative reform and inferred, however, that we are in fathwart the designs of the f ramers cf vor of forgetting altogether the country of our birth. On the conthe Constitution. We further discover that the Iraqis trary, we believe in the necessity of have often used their prerogative as the continuance of such interest but an independent nation and openly not along political lines. The main object of our Syn"anopposed the English in their debates -Ameiican societies should be the proin Parliament. The Iraqis had no fear of the British High Commis- motion of the welfare of the race in sioner in demanding their just rights. America primarily. With the creaThe British, however, did not resort tion of such societies in every popto the extreme measure of proro- • u'ous center we would have the nuguing the Iraqi Parliament, nor did cleus of a powerful body both for they seek to weaken the country by defense against our racial status in dividing it into many small units, or case of necessity, and for accelershackle the deputf.es and deport them ating the Americanization movement. to distant places of exile. _ On the These units should in turn be federcontrary, we now see the British ad- ated so that the general objects of vocating the admission of Iraq in the different representative bodies might be better attained. the League of Nations. Ash-Shaab, N. Y., Jan.26,1929. Considering the above, we are prompted to ask: When will there be a stable form of government in Syria, CHARLES CRANE AS A FRIEND OF THE ARABS or France redeem her many promises Mr. Charles Crane is described as and seek to have Syria admitted to the friend of all the Arabs without the League of Nations? distinction. The attack on his party Meraat-Ul-Gharb, N. Y., Jan., 1929. lately, in which one of his missionary compamons was killed, proves IMMIGRANTS IN POLITICS that he has enemies among his supNo less than seventy-five per cent, posed friends. It is said that the friend of all is of our countrymen are naturalized the enemy of all, and this may well American citizens, and although they Ii!i �— FEBRUARY, 1929 HI I I II \ V< h apply to Mr. Crane in that he cannot bo the friend of all the Arabs while they are torn by bitter factional strife and each of their leaders considers the friend of his enemy his own enemy. Mr. Crane is undoubtedly guilty of wrong judgment when he thinks he can be the friend of Ibn Saoud and of Imam Yahya at the same time. The two are wrestling for supremacy in Arabia and it should be but natural for each to look with disfavor upon anyone maintaining friendly relations with his opponent. We wish to tell Mr. Crane that the Arabs are capable of both love and hate. They can be loyal and true, but do not hesitate to take revenge when wronged. Now if you wish to be the friend of all you must beware of all, because the Arab chieftain is a jealous friend and will give his undivided loyalty only to those who prove wholly loyal to him. As-Sayeh, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1929. REFORM IN AFGHANISTAN The revolt in Afghanistan against the reforms introduced by King Amanullah is due to the reactionary influences still predonrnant in that country. In this respect Afghanistan is unlike Turkey, let alone the fact that King Amanullah made the mistake of resorting to the same methods employed by the Ghazi Mustapha Kamal Pasha, not realizing the difference in the psychology of the Turkish and the Afghan peoples. Nevertheless, and in spite of the fact that Amanullah was defeated in his first attempt, his effort will go down in history as a glorious experiment. He will be remembered as one who sought to benefit his people by the introduction of modern reforms. The sincerity of his purpose is above question, but his only 43 mistake was that of applying force where the subjects were not ready for a peaceable change. As-Sayeh, N. Y., Jan. 20, 1929. HARMFUL CUSTOMS Some of us are wont to boast of their old customs to the extent of blinding themselves to the ugly and incompatible in them. They think that adherence to their old, inherited practices are a sign of healthy conservatism and stability of character. They fail to see, however, that some imported customs are unsuited to our times and our new environment. An Oriental, for instance, believes the place of woman to be in the home and that her only usefulness in life is to cater to the comfort and pleasure of the man. Men who hold such antiquated beliefs refuse to consider the inev;table process of evolution which has placed woman on a different scale than that formerly prevailing. A wife in this age cannot be considered a slave, nor the daughters mere chattel whose father can deprive them of all liberty of action. Just imagine the father who would prevent his daughter from bobbing her hair, or wearing short skirts, and see what place he occupies in this modern age. This is not meant as an indictment of all our customs. Undoubtedly we have many commendable ones to which we should adhere. But our objection is to the retention of harmful customs to which some of us are wont to adhere only through sentimental reasons and out of all consideration for the changing times. Such views should not be held in this country and age, and it would be well for those who still cling to them to give a little thought to their new surroundings and conditions. As-Sayeh, N. Y., Jan. 28, 1929. �I 44 FEBRU. THE SYRIAN WORLD Readers' Forum STRONG DEFENSE OF SYRIAN PARENTS Their Criticism Held Unjustified Impartial Opinion of American Social Worker Cited in Praise of Syrian Home Life Editor, The Syrian World, •yHE younger generation has been flinging its challenge to the older generation quite consistently in the "Syrian World." Some of the controversialists would fit very comfortably in that class of the younger generation which, in the words of the writer, Mr. Reuben Maury, six or seven years ago, was about to set our world ablaze and which, at last report, was still striking matches. To see publicly printed unqualified statements belittling Syrian fathers and mothers in general is startling. Even less flattering must be the effect on readers of other nationalities. To honor even in a very small way the splendid manner in which Syrians have acted in their capacity as parents is far more important than counteracting the exaggerated statements of the "match strikers." The younger generation, meaning, of course, those of Syrian descent, has developed a psychosis like the Siamese twins. The similarity lies in the juxtaposition of two channels of conduct and the impossibility of totally disuniting them. The conduct of the younger generation is divided into the channel of the Syrian ultra-conservative ideas of ethics,and that of the American liberal belief in the freedom of the individual. The astringency of Syrian interpretation of right and wrong makes it seem, in principle, impossible to deviate from the ultra-conservative far enough to acquire the freedom of the American mode of living and thinking. Because the younger generation wishes the older generation's approval of the manner in which other young people are living, and because it can not revolt entirely from accepted ethical standards (any more than society at large can revolt from them) it flings its challenges and "calls names." It is not unlikely that the hopes of the fondest believers in the individual's right to self-expression have been surpassed. Since the war the so-called narrow path of right L;ving seems to have widened into a five-line speedway. "C'est la guerre" has been the proper explanation for many queer changes which have come about. There are, undoubtedly, many parents of other nationalities who are as unwilling as Syrian parents to accept all the changes. They are the intelligent parents who consider and weigh, else they would not have given these matters any thought. The young man, who shouldered a gun and went forth to the worst kind of a war the world has ever witnessed, must certainly have come back from the battlefield with a bit of indifference to the smugness of a peaceful civilization's ethical standards. Having sensed the uncertainty of his own existence, he commences to assume that all life is an uncer- I 'II >2\ tainty and The you was throw man's worl inevitably this equal dependenc the young communic of the yoi commence everythini mence to This ur tween the tinue to i become tr been tauj tude of < its wake tified in freedom. It was write ths abroad h their pai blood an What m and all i to those gardless it can i which it appear t of educi heads oi ity whic of blood Whenev had the career, rents, w the pro have be nity be> Miss undue ; she mat Syrian �FEBRUARY, 1929 45 nationalities, etc. We are certain tainty and not worth the struggle. The young woman, in whose path that the persons unworthy of parentwas thrown the opportunity to do a hood do not flourish among the Syrman's work and who did it well, must ians. Why such a general outpourinevitably find herself clothed by ing of hate? An unbiased opinion this equality in the garment of in- may be more acceptable and such an dependence. The attitude of both opinion was had from a social work the young man and woman has been leader, an American. She was escommunicated even to the youngest pecially qualified to judge Syrians of the younger generation. And we as a group as she worked extensively commence to think that we know with a large Syrian population of everything, and our parents com- moderate means. She stated that her organization held Syrians in mence to frown. the highest esteem; that charitable This unsettled state of affairs beassistance had rarely been sought by tween the two generations will conthem; and that very few family quartinue to exist until the younger has rels had even been known. As for become the older generation, and has the Syrian girl who 'hates her parbeen taught by time and the multients, I have never had the misfortude of experience which comes in its wake that our parents were jus- tune to meet such a queer creature. tified in disapproving an unlimited If any of them have nothing to live for, it is due to their own shortsightfreedom. It was amusing of J. M. Abbott to edness. Most of the younger generation write that "children of persons born interpret American life as meaning abroad have little in common with the going nightly to theaters, nighttheir parents . . . but the bonds of clubs and public dances, and an inblood and filial and paternal love." discriminate choice of friendships What more would he have? Any for the sake of having many. The and all other bonds are subservient theaters have a high place in our to those which he mentions. Resocial and educational life, but they gardless of the greatness of a part, are not above reproach. They are it can never exceed the whole of being criticized freely for the laxwhich it is a mere part. What would ity of their standards. The nightappear to a true scholar only a drop clubs are for jaded appetites, which of education is enough to fill the are not desirable. Public dance halls heads of some people with the vannever will be proper places to Syrity which makes them forget bonds ian parents in general, and discrimiof blood relationship and filial love. Whenever we see a child,«who has nating persons know that nothing is had the advantages of an educational lost by not going to them. If Miss. Soloman will look about career, which was denied to his paher, she will see that her American rents, we wonder only how unlimited girl friends, who have attended so the progress of the parents might many dances and with, perhaps, a have been, had the child's opportudifferent escort to each, are no more nity been his. Miss Mary Soloman is taking an content than she. There is an uncerundue privilege in her letter when tainty about the permanency of their she makes the general statement that friendships because the equality Syrian girls hate their parents, their which Miss Soloman advocates so �- sacassEsness: 46 THE SYRIAN WORLD strongly usually results in a certain levity. There is another interpretation of freedom and right living which is acceptable to the older generation. The attending of worth-while plays, of concerts; the cultivation of worthwhile friendships; the entertaining of them at home and the being entertained by them in their homes; all these are acceptable. That is a part of American life which is usually overlooked. Equal'ty does not necessarily enhance a girl's charms. If the truth were revealed, the hospitality of her parents' home (more likely her mother's good cooking) have made a deep impression on her admirer. As for the Syrian young man who likes to have flappers for his friends, he should be wise enough to know that he can find any number of them of Syrian extraction. Hate our parents? On the contrary, we love them because they look as seriously upon the sacredness of their obligations to their children as they do upon their right to teach them what constitutes right and wrong. They belong to that class of parents which is found all over the world, and which believes that conservatism is necessary to the welfare of mankind, even if stifling to the individual's pleasure. If there were more like our Syrian parents, there would be no need for Juvenile Courts, Divorce Courts, and the increasing number of private schools wlrch must serve as homes, as well. Syrian social cancer and social evil. Call it that if you will. We call the guidance of Syrian parents good American citizenship. E. K. SALOOMEY. Bridgeport, Conn. IN DEFENSE OF THE SYRIAN GIRL Editor, The Syrian World: In your January issue, Mary Soloman's article made me very indignant. Many of her views are wrong and quite Moslem, or she must have some sort of a complex. Girls are not coerced into marriage and how she gets that way I'm sure I don't know. She is fifty years behind the times! Maybe she means by following modern customs free love, companionate marriage, divorce, etc. It is a known fact that America leads in the number of divorces. The one case she cites is nothing, and cannot be taken against our race, Kow many May and December marriages are there in this country? Is the girl compelled to marry then? You girls who are dissatisfied, why not analyze yourselves. Aren't you allowed to go to shows, parties, entertainments of all kinds? Boys are allowed to visit you in your homes —am I not right? The thing that you girls are hollering about is "The right to go out with boys at will." Do you realize that among nations the Syrians are one of the cleanest? It is a great exception if one of our girls goes wrong. Is that not enough to make you grrls proud and hold your heads just a litt'e higher? Do not get ths idea that I am a girl from the old country. I was born and educated in this country. I have gone through high, and when I saw what girls did to be popular, I decided I'd much rather be a mouse than do as they did. My people are very liberal w^'th us, that is they allow us everything except going out with every Tom, Dick and Harry. FEBRV Nothing i tions of e among us am so gla , ally we whom w chance ac No Syr her own respected superior fact. He she is ai her incr Come about ox They are Hold yo race con for the divorces By a Adams, ADV1 Editor, Of al kim ha Washin marriai Its i that it affectii also tl which ever si mothei The old fa; bands and sc they i in an �FEBRUARY, 1929 the one in which they were brought up themselves. Some parents, however, are broadminded enough to admit the fact, but will not allow their children to pract'ee modern ways. In this I believe they are about half right. In the first place, the older Syrians want to have their sons and daughters intermarry within their own people and therefore object to having their children chum around with strangers, especially their daughters, because their sons are given more freedom. Now, at times, it is almost a necessity for a Syrian girl to step out. If she is in the business world, she may be benefited. If she goes to school she must step out at times or she ;s apt to be an outcast. EDNA SHAKAR. But the majority of the older SyrAdams, Mass. ians just don't undertand, or else they don't try to. On the other hand, if a girl is allowed her freedom she should not ADVICE TO SYRIAN GIRLS abuse it. We Syrian girls must keep our good reputation. Editor, The Syrian World: Of course "character is what we Of all the topics which Mr. A. Ha- really are, but reputation is what kim has discussed in his "Sage of people think we are." Washington Street" the problem of The two are important factors in marriage is the most important. our lives, and I conscientiously beIts importance is due to the fact lieve that most Syrian girls possess that it is of universal application them. affecting the race as a whole. It is Finally, it must be admitted that also the one great problem with our parents were brought up in which the Syrians have had d:fficuUy their mother country to maturity ever since they migrated from the:r and therefore it is hard for them to mother country. adjust themselves to entirely new The older Syrians still cling to the customs, so we must make the best old fashioned idea of choosing hus- of the s;tuation. bands and wives for the;r daughters RUBY NAKFOOR. and sons, regardless of the fact that they are bringing up the-'r children in an antirely different country than Lansing, Mich. Nothing is done secretly and questions of every sort are thrashed out among us. Perhaps that is why 1 am so glad I am a Syrian. Occasionally we go out with Syrian boys whom we know but never with chance acquaintances and strangers. No Syrian girl need fear a boy of her own race. She is most highly respected by them, nor do they feel superior to her. That I know for a fact. He realizes how morally clean I she is and his respect and love for her increases. Come on, g:rls, don't grumble about our people holding us back. They are doing it for your own good. Hold your heads 'high and let our race continue to be first on the list for the cleanest morals and fewest divorces. By a Modern Syrian Girl. I 47 �48 SYRIANS IN ARGENTINA MASSACRED FOR REVENGE Can Such a Report of a Syrian Newspaper Be True? Editor, The Syrian World: I was deeply interested in an article appearing in Byblos under date of October 21st last which narrates an incident in which an official of the Argentinian Government, against whom some Syrian had complained to his superior officers, retaliated by the cruel and barbarous method of murdering some of our countrymen, including women and children.. The article continued that Syrians in Argentina approached the French consul in Buenos Aires and requested him to take appropriate action to have the offender punished and to prevent a recurrence of such savagery. It was hoped that the Consul would do his utmost to obtain some redress in this matter. It appears that no official notice of the incident had been taken by the Republic of Mt. Lebanon or by the French Government which holds a mandate over Syria from the League of Nations. If this is really the situation, cannot we Syrians who are living in friendly countries where freedom reigns, urge and assist our people at home in obtaining official representation in all the leading countries of the world so that any similar happening which might occur in the future will be speedily and effectively dealt with? To say the least about the matter, it seems unfortunate that when our countrymen residing in a foreign country are the victims of the brutal savagery of some Government, our native country does not immediately raise a protest and THE SYRIAN WORLD take strong measures to prevent a repetition of the brutality, and that it should be left to a society of Syrians in some other country to beg of the French Consul to do someth-'ng. This state of things should not be allowed to continue. Our country may be under the control of a mandatory power^ but surely the Syrian people are entitled to the ordinary protection enjoyed by other nationals throughout the world, and we should not be expected to stand silently by while our brothers and sisters are ignominiously treated and even massacred by officious servants of a fore;gn government. Although the Syrians living in New Zealand are only a handful compared with the number of their countrymen residing in U. S. A., they feel this situation keenly and will do everything possible in assisting $ieir brothers in the homeland in securing official recognition and representation in other countries. If the government at present controlling Syria cannot offer adequate protectfon to the Syrians abroad we must alter the existing state of things or seriously consider surrendering ourselves body and soul to France or some other Power. I sincerely trust that there will be a movement on the part of all my countrymen throughout the world to ensure that we will have the ordinary protection and freedom at present enjoyed by other nations less important than ourselves. S. MATTAR. Foxton, New Zealand. Correspondents are requested to send their communications typewritten and double spaced on one side of the sheet only. I �I FEBRUARY, 1929 49 Political Developments in Syria sioner had been in Paris a long time THE HIGH COMMISSIONER RETURNS TO SYRIA during which he was in constant touch with the Foreign Office seeking M. Henri Ponsot, the French High to reach a favorable solution of the Commissioner for Syria, returned to Syrian question, and while still in his post the latter part of December. Paris Premier Poincare made his He came overland from Egypt and momentous declaration of policy as his arrival in Beirut was almost unregards Syria, reiterating former expected and void of all demonstraassertions that France intends to retions, he having sent instructions in main in the country to carry out the advance that he wished his arrival mandate of the League of Nations to be as unostentatious as possible. regardless of all charges of coloniNaturally, religious dignitaries zation, inasmuch as Syria would be and civil officials flocked to pay their open to exactly such a fate from respects to the High Commissioner other powers if France were to reimmediately upon his arrival, all belinquish its hold upon it. It may ing anxious to learn from him the be safely stated, considering (the nature of his new policy for the adabove mentioned developments, that ministrative and economic reforms M. Ponsot returns to Syria with a in the country, but the High Comdefinite program reached after long missioner adhered strictly to his forand mature deliberation with a govmer policy of reticence, or he may ernment conscious of its power in the have sworn those in whom he conChamber of Deputies. fided to absolute secrecy. But what this program is M. PonBoth government officials and repsot has so far succeeded in keeping resentatives of the Nationalist Party a closed secret. At best one has to in Damascus hastened also to visit take the statements of persons close the High Commissioner in Beirut, to the French Foreign Office but who, and some of the latter were in connevertheless, do not speak with defiference with him for several hours, but the nature of their conversa- nite authority. The most plausible of such reports tions was not made public. It was is that which is sa<d to have been reported that M. Ponsot intended to given by a high French official to a visit Damascus in person immediprominent Syrian politician visiting ately upon complying with some necin Paris, outlining the new program essary formalities. of the French High Commissioner in While M. Ponsot maintains his Syria as follows: characteristic silence, it is futile to 1 Strict adherence to the letter attempt a forecast of the future poand spirit of the mandate of the litical events in Syria. No date has League of Nations to France for the been announced so far for reconvengovernment of Syria. ing the Constituent Assembly, nor 2—A most liberal attitude towards has any official intimation been given the aspirations and demands of the of the nature of the propositions Syrian Nationalists. France intends to make to the Syrian 3 Agreement to the creation of a Nationalists. The Higb. Commis- �50 national army on condition that it be officered by the French. 4—Syria to be granted the right of foreign representation on the understanding that such representation rest on a basis of cooperation between the representatives of Syria and Lebanon and those of the French Republic abroad. 5—The present administrative divisions of the country to remain strictly along their existing lines. 6—Adjustment of the budget for both Syria and Lebanon. 7—Inauguration of a progressive program of economic rehabilitation for the country under mandate. Meanwhile, some disturbances are reported to have taken place in Damascus following the return of M. Ponsot which manifested themselves principally in attacks upon editors of Nationalist papers. Three such attacks are reported to have occurred in as many successive days, prompting the leader of the Nationalists to send a telegraphic protest to the High Comm'ssioner. Little has been heard during the month of the progress of the movement for constitutional monarchy. Wh?.t appears evident is that the Nationalists have almost complete control over the country, and inasmuch as they are not in favor of a monarchical form of government, all efforts along this l;ne are looked upon as a sort cf harmless diversion. THE SITUATION IN LEBANON The principal subject of discussion in the politics of Lebanon during the past month has centered on the political aspirations of Emir George Lutfallah. The Emir arrived in Beirut shortly before the High Commissioner, he having also come from Paris where he had spent several months ostensibly seeking to pro- THE SYRIAN WORLD mote his political ambitions. Upon his arrival he met several prominent politicians and paid a formal visit to the Maronite Patriarch who received him with all manifestations of courtesy and encouraged him in his proposed economic projects for the rehabilitation of the country. The Patriarch, however, made it plain that any political activity on the part of the Emir would be looked upon with disfavor. Nor did the Emir display any interest along this line. Coincid'ng wth the arrival in Beirut of Emir Lutfallah, many reports appeared in the local press on the proposal to re-elect the present President of the Republic for another term. An interview with the venerable Maronite Patriarch represented him as being in favor of this move although President Charles Dabbas is Orthodox. The project to build a railroad running from Tripoli to Nakora along the Lebanon coast has been definitely abandoned. This line would have supplied the missing link for through rail communications between Europe and Egypt. Such an object, however, was not considered commensurate with the cost, inasmuch as the government refused to issue the franchise to private interests. The Lebanese people and government are greatly concerned over the prospective terminus on the Mediterranean of the Mosul petroleum p;pe line. The government has addressed a strong petition to the French Cabinet pointing out the vital importance to Syria and Lebanon of having the terminus in their territory, while from Palestine comes the report that England will insist on making Haifa the terminus and that she is being supported in this view by Turkey. : :| �FEBRUARY, 1929 51 About Syria and Syrians boundary line of Syria a salvo was fired from the guns of the" fort at Maisaloon in honor of the deceased. In Damascus, the seat of the PaSyrian and Lebanese Governments triarchate, the demonstrations were Participate Officially in Funeral even greater than those which took place in Beirut, and for another two The death on December 11 of the days the body lay in state in the late Patriarch Gregory Haddad of Cathedral while great throngs filed the Orthodox Church in Syria was by day and n'ght and services were the occasion for such demonstrations held in which representatives of all of public grief as the country never religious denominations eulogized witnessed before, according to re- the dead Patriarch as a great religious and patriotic leader. ports of the Syrian press. The death of the Patriarch having In the United States memorial occurred in Suq El-Gharb, Lebanon, services were held for the Patriarch his body was brought to Beirut, in all the Syrian Orthodox Churches. where it lay in state for two days, Principal among these obsequies was before it was taken to Damascus the requiem mass held in the Antifor burial. The funeral cortege was ochian Cathedral in Brooklyn on Jancomposed of 267 coaches to which uary 27, which was followed by a was added upon its arrival in the cap- memorial service at which spoke repital a long procession of public of- resentatives of all religious denomificials and religious and civic orga- nations as well as members of the nization. Of the latter no less than Orthodox faith. Archbishop Victor sixty were represented in the line of Aboasaly presided, while Mr. Nicola march. The government of Lebanon Khouri introduced the speakers, declared a day of public mourning among whom were Archimandrite and all activities in the ctiy were Eernardos Ghosn, pastor of the Melsuspended. The foreign consuls in chite Catholics of New York; Dr. K the city joined the funeral proces- A. Bishara, minister of the Syrian s;on along with the highest govern- Piotestant church in Brooklyn; Salment officials and representatives of loum A. Mokarzel, editor of tte Syrthe French authorities. ian World; Archimandrite Hannama While the body of the Patriarch Ka?sab, and Rev.. Gafraol Berro fo was still in Beirut the Provisional the Cathedral clergy; Nagib Badran, President of Syria came in person to editor of the Syrian Eagle: ToufiK Beirut to offer his sympathy in the Kakhr, Assad Mudarry, Moussa name of his government and escort Khouri and Alexander Fakhr. the body to Damascus. All along the Similar services wer.; reported to route of march there were delegahave been held in every Syrian Ortions from every town to escort the thodox community <n the United procession within their own boundaStates and other countries, proving ries ,and when the body reached the SYRIA MOURNS DEATH OF ORTHODOX PATRIARCH �— 1 . ' - 1 " ' 52 the extent of deep sorrow the death of tihis great Patriarch has occasioned among the Syrians in general all over the world. GIBRAN HONORED AT A TESTIMONIAL DINNER Syrians Show Pride in Writer Who Has Brought Honor to Race Gibran Kahlil Gibran, author of "The Prophet," "Jesus the Son of Man," and many other notable works, was tendered a testimonial dinner by his Syrian admirers at the Hotel McAlpin in New York on January 5 on the occasion of the twenty-fifth year of his literary and artistic activities. The sponsors of this admirable gesture of pride and appreciation were the members of the Arrabitah, the literary society of which Gibran is president. The attendance was about two hundred drawn from the best elements of the Syrian community. Copies of a beautiful souvenir book autographed by Gibran and containing choice extracts of his Arabic writings covering his whole literary career, were distributed to the guests. All speeches with the exception of three were in Arabic. There were also many original poems composed erpressly for the occasion. Mr. Wm. Catzeflis presided. The speakers included Michael Naimy, Dr. Philip K. Hitti, Dr. Elias Mussallem, Dr. Najib Barbour, Richard Ayoub, Salloum A. Mokarzel who also read a poem by the American poetess, Barbara Young, composed for the occasion; Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, H. I. Katibah, Elias Atallah, Rashid Abdelnour, Nassib Arida, Jo- THE SYRIAN WORLD seph N. Maloof, Nadra Haddad, Milhem Saidah, Jamil P. Holway, Milhem Hawy and A. A. Haddad. Upon introducing the guest of honor, the toastmaster presented him with a specially bound copy of the souvenir book of his writings, explaining that it was an expression of the appreciation and admiration of his fellow countrymen now gathered to honor him. With visible emotion Gibran then spoke of his pride in his race and in most appropriate terms expressed his deep gratitude for the honor thus shown him. Many telegrams as well as floral and other gifts were received from numerous organizations and individuals from many parts of the United States. Cables were also received from Syria, Egypt and other parts of the world where the genius of Gibran is known and appreciated. BRAZILIAN WOMEN RETURNED FROM SYRIA In an official statement issued by the Brazilian Foreign Office it was stated that the number of Brazilian women in Syria and Lebanon married to men of the Moslem faith does not exceed four, and that their conditions are not such as to warrant apprehension. The statement also explained that the government had taken the necessary steps for the prevention of the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents in the future. Readers of the Syrian World will recall that the plight of these and other South American women in Syria had been the subject of much comment in the Syrian and South American press. Explanations had to be made that the men to whom these women were married were all ji li �• FEBRUARY, 1929 •' I ) of the Moslem faith who believed in polygamy and upon their return to their native country took to themselves other wives of their own kind, which fact gave rise to complaints on the part of their American wives. From Argentina, however, comes the report that Sr. Albert Candioti, former Argentinian consul in Syria who has been recalled by his government, asserts that there are no less than a hundred Argentinian women married to men of the Moslem faith in Syria and Lebanon who all complain of their uncongenial conditions. The consul stresses the fact that such conditions do not prevail among the Syrian and Lebanese Christians, and that the Argentinian women married to Mohammedans should have first inquired into the religious and social beliefs of their husbands. During the year and a half which the consul spent at his post in Syria he had ample opportunity to study and appreciate the true situation. Announcement was made at the same time that the Argentinian consulate in Syria had been closed permanently. 53 DINNER PLANNED IN HONOR OF RIHANI At the invitation of the editor of the Syrian World, the principal Syrian societies in New York have agreed to sponsor collectively a reception and dinner in honor of the noted Syrian writer and traveler, Mr. Ameen Rihani, now visiting in the city. The societies cooperating to give the dinner under their joint auspices in the name of the Syrian community of the city are the American Syrian Federation, the Book Club, Damascus Fraternity, the Syrian Junior League and the Syrian Educational Society. Representing these different organizations on the General Committee are the following: Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, Sabri Andria, Elias J. Audi, Michel A. Dahood, Miss Najla Dowaliby, Mrs. Joseph W. Ferris, Joseph W. Ferris, Abraham K. Hitti, James B. Holway, Nasib K. Kalaf, Habib I. Katibah, Albert H. Macksoud, Miss Mary Milkie, Dr. Fouad A. Shatara and Salloum A. Mokarzel. The dinner is to be held at the Hotel Commodore Saturday. March 2. Mrs. Joseph W. Ferris was appointed chairman of the committee on arrangements and Mr. A. K. Hitti, NEW SYRIA PARTY HOLDS ANNUAL CONVENTION treasurer. The subscription is $5.00 and resAn announcement by the general ervations can be made through Mrs. secretary of the New Syria Party in Joseph W. Ferris, 106 Prospect Park the United States which was organ- West, Brooklyn, N. Y. zed to support the Syrian revolution, An opportunity to meet the guest stated that this year's convention of of honor will be afforded at a recepthe party would be held in Chicago tion which will precede the dinner. instead of Detroit. Unlike the convention of last year, no delegation from abroad is attending the present SYRIAN BACTERIOLOGIST CONTRIBUTES TO SCIENCE gathering, there having developed internal differences within the party At the thirtieth annual meeting abroad which made it advisable to of the Society of American Bactewithhold invitations from the two riologists held at Richmond Va., Deopposing factions. �54 cember 27-29, 1928, Mr. George Knaysi the well-known Syrian bacteriologist connected with Cornell University, whom readers of the Syrian World know by his past contributions to this publication, read two valuable papers entitled "Remarks on two modes of cell division in bacteria" and "A preliminary note on the cytology of mycobacterium tuberculosis" which were printed in the January, 1929, issue of the Journal of Bacteriology, the official organ of the national organization. THE SYRIAN WORLD those pledges which should be sacred to the American people and government. , Mr. Crane evaded on these occasions touching on politics and confined his remarks to the spiritual leadership of Palestine which has left such a deep impress on human progress and urged his hearers to work towards the retention of their position of leadership in the spiritual domain. A SYRIAN'S HONOR GREAT RECEPTION TO CRANE IN PALESTINE On his way to Arabia, where press dispatches reported his having been attacked by raiding Arabs and one of his party killed, Mr. Charles Crane, member of the King-Crane Commission to Syria and noted friend of the Arabs, visited Jerusalem, Bethlehem and other cities of Palestine where he was received with great demonstrations of enthusiasm. In Jerusalem he was tendered a reception by Haj Ameen Hossaini, President of the High Islamic Council and escorted by him to the Mosque of Al-Aqsa where Mr. Crane is reported to have greatly admired the beautiful work of the early Arab architects. The day of his arrival in Jerusalem was designated by the Arabic press as "Crane Day" and in the public receptions held in honor of the visitor he was eulogized as the friend and benefactor of the race. A note of disappointment, however, was evident in some of the speeches over the failure of the plan of the late President Wilson upon which the Arabs had built their hopes for independence. They appealed to Mr. Crane to use his influence to redeem By the Hon. Wm. Lathrop Love (In his dealings with the Syrians Senator Love, of Brooklyn, who is also a highly respected member of the medical profession, has come to intimately know and appreciate them. We are glad to reprint from the Evening Graphic of January 10 this public testimony by Dr. Love of one side of the Syrian's character. —Editor.) In my senatorial district I have quite a few Syrian voters. I have spoken at several of their functions and have admired the distinct contributions that they make to good citizenship. They are an honest, industrious, hard-working people, and very rarely does one go wrong and get enmeshed in the toils of the law. , I have seen few Syrians in the prisons of this state. They impress me as a home-loving people, and the'r women, with the jet-black hair and large brown eyes, are particularly attractive and beautiful. The Syrian men cherish a high standard of honor for their women. I remember a particularly sad case that I saw in Sing Sing prison > i i �— FEBRUARY, 1929 f *« • * J ' 55 some years ago. A Syrian, soft- fering for a crime that you never spoken and intelligent, the last man were guilty of almost breaks my in the world one would pick out to heart, for I am the guilty one." I read the letter. It seemed genuoe a murderer. He was a model ine to me, but the jury hadn't beprisoner, always on the job, never lieved it. He said to me, most wistguilty of any infraction of the rules fully and with tears in his eyes. —never gave any one the slightest "Won't you help me, Senator? I sign of trouble. want to go to Syria and see my old Apparently he had not the slightmother before she dies. She is waitest trace of any criminal instinct, ing for me." He was so mild in manner, so gentle and refined, that he seemed much out of place there. He had been an SYRIAN OFFICER IN inmate of this institution on the HudLAWYERS ASSOCIATION son for many years. In its issue of December 21, The He had a sister-in law, a beautiStar of Indianapolis, Ind. announful, dark-featured girl with pearly teeth and long black hair to whom ces the formation of the Young Lawhe was devoted. She had a lover to yers' Association of that city and whom she had been engaged for a publishes the photographs of its offiyear or more. Their marriage was cers. Prominent among the group is postponed longer than they had anMr. A. F. Zainey, a Syrian lawyer of ticipated, for financial reasons. UnIndianapolis who was elected treader promise of marriage the man to whom she was engaged took ad- surer. vantage of her and deserted her. She was considerably younger than her brother-in-law, and was the idol GIFT OF SYRIANS TO ARGENTINIAN CITY of his eye. He learned of this betrayal and became infuriated, vowThe Syrian papers of the Argentine ing vengeance upon the girl's betray- Republic report that the Syrian coler if he ever caught him. ony of Bahia Blanca made a gift to One day the man was found stab- the city of a fully equipped wing in bed to death. It was known that the the city hospital on the occasion of girl's brother-in-law had a knife of its centenary. This action by the Syrthe type that had been used, and ians greatly enhanced their prestige the threats of vengeance had been as there was a great public demonrepeated often. The chain of circum- stration in connection with the dedistantial evidence was strong, and the cation ceremonies which were attendyoung Syrian was arrested and con- ed by the governor of the State and victed. the leading State and City officials. I talked to him there in the prison. He protested his innocence of the The Syrian press reports that an / crime and showed me a letter from aviation field will be made ready this the betrayed girl Which read: coming summer near Latakia for re"I am thinking of you every day gular passenger and mail service and praying for you that you may between France and Syria. be freed. To think that you are suf- �56 THE SYRIAN WORLD RIFT IN RANKS OF SYRIAN NATIONALISTS NEWS OF SOCIETIES Nassim Bey Saibaha. prominent Syrian publicist residing in Egypt and former delegate to the convention of the New Syria Party in the United States, has been openly questioning in the Arabic press of Egypt the loyalty of Dr. Abdul Rahman Shahbandar to the Syrian nationalist cause. In his most recent article published in Al-Mukattam of Cairo, Saibaha accuses Shahbandar of duplicity and deceipt and of being in the pay of Emir Lutfallah whose activities are said to have caused the split in the Central Syrian Revolutionary Committee. Shahbandar is further accused of writing scurrilous attacks on the military leaders of the revolution under assumed names. Saibaha is supporting the faction of Sultan Pasha Atrash and Emir Adel Arslan who are still holding out with their loyal Druze followers against the French. From this it can be seen that the central figure in the controversy is Emir Lutfallah who, after having supported the revolution during its two years of field activities was said to have incurred the enmity of his colleagues on the Central Committee for advocating a conciliatory attitude towards the French. This was interpreted by some as being a move to further his personal political ambitions, and by others as a protest on the part of the Moslem members aga;nst the fact that he is a Christian. Saibaha, who now is lined openly against him, is also a Christian af Lutfallah's own denomination. A contributory cause to these complications is the supposed mismanagement of the funds received from the United States and elsewhere for relief work among the revolutionists. * si-,. NEW YORK The Syrian Educational Society of New York held a Reunion Dinner at the Syrian restaurant of the Hotel Latham on January 24, the attendance exhausting the capacity of the place which seats close to two hundred. Mr. A. K. Hitti, President of the society, presided, the guests of the evening being the Syrian students at Columbia University, and the speakers including Mr. Khalil Tawta'h, former director of Teachers' College in Palestine; Mr. Emile Dumit, of the faculty of the American University of Beirut who is taking a post-graduate course in physics in Columbia, and Dr. Riza Toufik, the Turkish philosopher who formerly held h'gh educational positions in Turkey. Two prominent patrons of the society, Messrs. Salim Mallouk and Dumit Faour, were called upon for short addresses. St. Nicholas' Young Men's Society of Brooklyn gave a play early in January at the Brooklyn Academy of Music which drew a large attendance from all over the metropolitan district. The play was in Arabic and the principal actors are described by the Syrian press as having done extremely well for amateurs. TORRINGTON, CONN. The Syrian Girls' Society of Torrington, Conn., was formed on Wednesday, January 16, and elected the following officers: Miss Alice Stevens, president; Miss Sadie Ann Ganem, vice-president and treasurer, and Miss Josephine Haddad, Secretary. FEB E( Fail has ae sion ii goveri the co year, pointe recom assisti tend 1 of H< are ir condu afford Con plaini �FEBRUARY, 1929 ECONOMIC DEPRESSION IN SYRIA Failure of the main crops in Syria has aggravated the economic depression in the country and caused the government of the interior to forego the collection of taxes for the present year. A commission has been appointed to study the situation and recommend the amount of financial assistance the government should extend to every district. In the State of Houran, the principal activities are in road building which is being conducted on a large scale so as to afford employment to the destitute. Commercial interests are also complaining of the lifting of the restric- & tions to export gold from the country. Statistics on the gold supply now in the country place the amount at ten million Turkish pounds, whereas at the time of the Allied occupation ten years ago the amount exceeded thirty millions. Further aggravating the situation is the refusal of the population of the interior to accept paper or even silver currency, insisting in all their transactions on payments in gold. This situation led at one time to the forced closing of all butcher shop*, in Damascus for several days because of the refusal of the Arabs to sell the butchers sheep except for gold while gold was unavailable. CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE JOSEPH W. FERRIS — Prominent Syrian-American member of the Bar practicing in New York. REV. W. A. MANSUR — Syrian patriot and scholar, educated in Syria and at present minister of the First Methodist Church in Loretto, Nebraska. He is one of our regular contributor*. KAHLIL GIBRAN — Author of The Prophet and other celebrated works and styled by American writers Poet of the Cedara and The Syrian Poet. BARBARA YOUNG — Noted American author and poet. DR. PHILIP K. HITTI — Historian, scholar and Arabic and English author. Formerly professor at the American University of Beirut and now of Princeton University. DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN — English and Arabic poet and scholar. Professionally a dentist of Brooklyn. One of our regular contributors. DR. N. A. KATIBAH — Arabic and English poet and scholar. Professionally a dentist of Brooklyn. One of our regular contributors. IBN EL KHOURY — Pen name of a regular contributor specializing in description of phases of life in Mt. Lebanon. A. HAKIM — Pen name of an old Syrian immigrant who is contributing to The Syrian World a special series of critical studies on Syrian- American life in general. �^> #fr -^<j» A BOOK YOU SHOULD HAVE " Vli MAKER OF MODERN ARABIA, by Ameen Rihani has proven a literary sensation. Never before has a more accurate, extensive and authoritative picture of central Arabia been presented with as much power. It is an epic of the desert j an up-to-the-minute "close up" of the cradle of the Arabian race. The author of this great work is a Syrian of whom everyone of his countrymen should be proud. A copy of his book should be found in every Syrian home of culture. "Mr. Rihani's picture of the Wahabia is the sort of firsthand authoritative stuff that puts this book above and wholly outside the ranze of the usual treatises either of travel, observation or politics." N. Y. Herald-Tribune. "The command over the subtleties of our anomalous Ianguage revealed in these pages, is uncanny. To read is to enjoy the pleasure of music. From Ameen Rihani we have what can scarcely fail to be a final portrait of that formidable chieftain, Ibn Sa'oud, by right of conquest King of Mecca." New York Times. ORDER YOUR COPY FROM THE SYRIAN WORLD AT THE PUBLISHER'S PRICE X > JS » » •.•tamamMSHaaxtmjMm —I » <» »» »» »»—»» $6.00 postpaid. <»» <*» »» »» » ^ � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1929_02reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 03, Issue 08 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1929 February Description An account of the resource Volume 3 Issue 08 of The Syrian World published February 1929. The issue begins with an article by Joseph W. Ferris titled "Restriction of Immigration." This article relates to the National Origins Clause in the Immigration Act of 1924, which established a quota system for determining how many immigrants could enter the United States, restricted by country of origin. Next is a prose poem by G.K. Gibran titled "The Great Longing," where Gibran names his brother the mountain and sister the sea, showing the connection of human life to nature. Yet another poem follows this one, longer and adopted from Arabic, titled "The Prince and His Beloved." Following it is a story by Ibn El-Khoury about a beggar named Abu-Ali. Rev. W. A. Mansur also has an article in this issue that discusses Syrian-American fellowship. A further discussion on the federation societies formed of Syrian-Americans, this article also includes a progress report of the movement which features a list of societies formed throughout the United States. There is also an address published from the Testimonial Dinner given by admirers of G.K. Gibran in New York January 5, 1929, for the 25th anniversary of his first publication. Lastly there is a continuation of "The Sage of Washington Street" by A. Hakim. The issue concludes with excerpts from the Arab press, the Reader's Forum, and more on political developments in Syria. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1920s Ibn El-Khoury Immigration Joseph W. Ferris Kahlil Gibran Law New York Philip Khuri Hitti Poetry-English Reverend W.A. Mansur Salim Alkazin https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/34f708151c04dbc4b8c774e0cfc2a1f0.pdf fbe339335336dd6566359b2474e60f50 PDF Text Text VOL. Hi. NO. 7 JANUAR: THF SYRIAN WORLE A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE! 8? ARABIA AND ITS PROBLEMS AMEEN RIHANI PROGRESS OF THE FEDERATION MOVEME TRAGEDY OF THE BARMECIDES A TRUE ARABIAN TALE THE SAGE OF WASHINGTON STREE. ON THE MARRIAGE PROBLEM AMONG SYRl A. HAKIM THE SYRIAN POET OF WILLIAMS COLLEGI NEWS ABOUT SYRIA AND SYRIANS THE COPY 50c. 'fSfS W^ �} �I „ THE SYRIAN WORLD SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL, Editor. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS 104 GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK, By subscription $5.00 a year. N. Y. Single copies 50c. Entered as second-class matter, June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. III. NO. 7 JANUARY, 1929 CONTENTS PAGE Arabia and its Problems 3 AMEEN RIHANI Progress of the Federation Movement The New-born Babe 9 17 EDWARD B. KARAM The Sage of Washington Street {On the Marriage Problem Among Syrians) A. HAKIM 18 Defeat 23 KAHLIL GIBRAN The Weaver and the Rose ^^M^^^^^HMHIHHHHIHMMMi 24 �H ip ) CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE 77s<? Syrian Poet of Williams College DR. NEJIB A. KATIBAH 26 A Syrian Sunset 31 GEORGE MALOOF The Tragedy of the Barmecides A TRUE ARABIAN 32 TALE New Books 37 Rihani's Lecture in London 38 Sayings of Ali 41 Editorial Comment— Spirit of Enterprise A New Department Questions Answered Individual Opinions 42 43 44 44 Readers* Forum 45 Spirit of the Syrian Press About Syria and Syrians 50 53 t 1 ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE The Patriarch Gregory Haddad SEE I �I i THE SYRIAN WORLD VOL. III. NO. 7 JANUARY, 1929 * Arabia and its Problems SYRIAN AUTHOR AND TRAVELER REVEALS CONDITIONS HITHERTO UNKNOWN By AMEEN RIHANI YS/HEN the Imam Yahya of Sana' made certain proposals, through me, to the British Government at Aden, Hodeida and the coast towns north of it up to Midi were in the hands of the Idrisi, while Dhala, Shuib, Subbaiha and Ajoud in the Aden Protectorate, were occupied by Zaidi troops. But Hodeida at that time, together with Salif (noted for its salt works) and Loheia, was of more importance to the Imam than what he held in the Protectorate. He was, therefore, inclined to bargain, and he adopted the tactics, which are recognized as sound and efficacious in war or diplomacy, of striking in one direction to compel the opponent to yield in another. The Seyyid Mohammed el-Idrisi, who was then Emir of Abu Arish and Sabia, was the strong man of Asir; and his military * Mr. Rihani is perhaps the best informed authority on present-day conditions in Arabia. His book, "Maker of Modern Arabia" (1928), was immediately recognized as a standard work of reference on Arabia and its politic*. Happenings in Arabia cannot fail to have their repercussion i» adjacent countries, especially Syria, which some reports would have us believe is looked upon with covetous designs by King Ibn Sa'oud as a prospective kingdom for his son. Political interest in Syria would, therefore, ma*umlly include intaarsst i» the conditions of Arabia aad thase have been ably and authoritatively dealt with by Mr. Rihani in this article which first appeared in The London Times of December 11. —Editor. �— " 4 THE SYRIAN WORLD strength, aside from the assistance he was receiving from the British, was based upon the attachment and devotion of his soldiers. For the Emir had a magnetic personality and he was open-handed. Zaidi soldiers, during the Tehama campaign, on more than one occasion went over to him, because they received more pay and were better treated. Besides, the Zaidi soldier, who is noted for his bravery, labors under a great disadvantage when he is fighting at a distance from his hills—in the plains, for instance, of the Tehama. This disadvantage is little known even to those Europeans who are interested in Arabia, and is often overlooked by those who make a special study of Arabian affairs. The Yemen, like most countries in the world, has a "dope," and its people, men and women, young and old, are slavishly addicted to it. This "dope" is called "ghat" {catha edulis), which is like the spindle-tree and has the effect of a drug. The green leaves—the tenderer the better— are chewed as tobacco is chewed, and are supposed to give to the Yemeni the strength and the endurance which the hardships of mountain life require. As a daily function it is to them what tea is to the English. Like a Thirsty Plant This ghat is grown only in certain districts and at certain altitudes 5 and when it is carried to a distance of more than two days' journey by camel it loses its freshness and its potency, but is sold, nevertheless, at a prohibitive price. The soldiers cannot afford to buy it, and when they can they do not find in it what the Americans call a "kick." In the Upper Yemen, the soldier receives a daily ration of ghat; but when he is in a ghat-less land he pines for it and his spirit droops like a thirsty plant. It is a fact that the farther Zaidi troops are from the ghat-grown hills the less fit they are for fighting. That was the case, to a certain extent, in the Tehama; and the Imam Yahya realized that he could not in a protracted campaign conquer the Idrisi. He, therefore, invaded the Aden Protectorate, and, having occupied certain States which are virtually in the shadow of ghat-gardens, held them as against Hodeida and Salif, intimating that he would withdraw his troops if the British would eject the Idrisi from the three coveted coast towns. Another condition was imposed—namely, that the British Government should exercise no authority in the Protectorate, which was to be ruled autonomously by its own princes, and that he should appoint the judges. On the other �hand, the Imam was ready to sign a treaty of friendship and trade with the British, his exact words being, "We will trade exclusively with the Ingliz." A few months after, however, the strong man of Asir died, and he was succeeded by his son, a hare-brained boy who could not manage the affairs of a tribe, much less a tottering State which was the prey of the ambitions of his cousins, all intriguing for power. Here was the Imam Yahya's supreme chance. His army swooped upon Hodeida and occupied all the other towns north of it up to Midi. The boy was subsequently deposed and his uncle, the Seyyid Hasan, succeeding him, entered into a treaty with the Wahabi King similar to the British treaties with the princes in the Aden Protectorate. Now the Zaidi Imam holds Hodeida, the strip of coast up to Midi, and the Wahabis have what amounts to a protectorate over the rest of Asir. The Idrisi are no longer a factor in Arabian politics. Be Independent! But the Idrisi Emirate, which was divided between these two rulers, is a significant commentary upon the general political tendency in Arabia today. It is most unlikely that the Zaidi Imam and the Wahabi King, made stronger by the acquisition, will exercise their strength upon each other. The Imam will not embark upon a perilous campaign outside the Yemen, and the Wahabi King is too wise to follow in the fatal path of the Turks. But both of them will use their strength in other drections. The Imam, who recently evacuated that part of he Aden Protectorate which he had occupied, will not rest until he succeeds in freeing it at least from British control. Be independent of both the British and the Imam—this is the gist of the propaganda that is being conducted in the Protectorate. Will it succeed? Even if it does not, it will add to the difficulties and complications of the task of the British at Aden. Why not simplify the task by holding Aden, which is all that the British Government needs in that part of the world, and let the Protectorate solve its own problems? The question, often asked, whether the States of the Protectorate will be safe if British protection is wihdrawn from them is, to say the least, amusing. When the Turks marched on Aden in 1915, it was the Arabs of the Protectorate who held them in check at Lahej. The irony is poignant. And it is about time that the obsolete method of the East India Company of setting up �T 6 THE SYRIAN WORLD "independent" buffer States to protect British interests, be abandoned. The more honorable and consistent policy would be to find the strong man there and conclude an alliance with him. The strong man is the Imam Yahya, and he is not unamenable if certain concessions are made to favor his political programme. Some such arrangement as the one outlined in this article is still within the bounds of realization. The Wahabis and Iraq In Central Arabia the Wahabi King has recently refused certain recommendations made by the British Government for the settlement of the dispute between Nejd and Iraq about wells and boundary lines. The situation is not so clear as it should be, and I shall try to shed some light upon it. There are no boundary lines in Arabia as they are understood in Europe; for the Arabs only recognize watering places and glens of pasture as possible boundaries. That is why the experts shook their heads when the diplomatists at the Conference of Ojair mapped out, with amused satisfaction, a rhomboid of about 600 or 700 square miles as a neutral zone between Iraq and Nejd. In that rhomboid are several wells of * importance, the nearest to which are the 'Amarat and Dhafir, of the tribes of Iraq, and the Mutair, of the tribes of Nejd. These three tribes have disputed the ownership of those wells, and fought battles round them, and raided each other on account of them long before there were any treaties or political entanglements between Nejd and Iraq. Even northward, beyond the Neutral Zone, there are other wells which seem to be common property, according to the phrasing of the Second clause of the Protocol to the Mohammerah Agreement; and because the outposts were built somewhere near these wells, Sheikh Feisal ed Do wish and his Mutair Arabs cried, Ghazu! (Raid!). while the Wahabi King was seeking diplomatically to get the Government of Baghdad to respect the Second and Third Clauses of the Protocol. The Second Clause reads as follows: Since many wells fall within the boundaries of Iraq, the Nejdi side being thus deprived of them, the Government of Iraq agrees to permit the Nejdi tribes, which live along the edges of the border, to use these wells in Iraq territory, in case of necessity, provided that the said wells are nearer to them than the wells within the borders of Nejd. The situation of these wells is not specified. It may be with- �JANUARY, 1929 ' in any distance, in the vicinity of Nejef, or of Basra for that matter, when necessity or a year of drought drives the Nejdi tribes northward for water and pasture. Who shall say, then, whether the wells of Nejd are farther for those roaming tribes than the wells of Iraq? Water and pasture, these are the magnets of the tribes; and when they gather round the wells in a year of drought or of little rain, even if they are not enemy tribes, they quarrel, they fight, and the strongest drives the others away. It may be possible to police the wells, but if this is not done by both Governments it will only aggravate the matter. As for the Second Clause of the Protocol, it affords no hope of peace and order, because of its loose phrasing. There is a vagueness also in the atraf el-hudoud of the Third Clause. No forts or anything else of a military nature shall be built on atraf el-hudoud, or "the extreme ends of the boundary lines." What this means, where the extreme ends do end, I do not think anybody knows. It seems, therefore, that the first step towards a proper solution of the problem is the policing of the wells by both Governments and the more precise rewording of the Second and Third Clauses of the Protocol of Ojair. i: The Frontier Raids But more important than the wells in dispute is the question of the Shammar, or the section of the Tribe of Shammar which migrated to Iraq after the fall of Hail. Long before this migration, however, other sections of Shammar had made their home north of Baghdad, round Mosul and east of Aleppo in the Syrian desert. The recent immigrants were not, therefore, strangers in the land. They were welcomed by their fellow tribesmen in Iraq and they were also helped by them in their raids on the tribes of Nejd. A few years ago the Government of Iraq was not able to prevent some of these raids and did not punish the raiders when they returned from them and were again within its territory. Sir Percy Cox, who was then High Commissioner, in a letter to the Wahabi King, promised to take the necessary measures to prevent the raids; and the Prime Minister, Abdul Muhsin Bey es Sa'dun, who was then, as now, in office, sent a strong note to the Mutessarif of Mosul and to the Chief of the Shammar about them. "The Iraq," he said, "should not be made a base of operations for raids against the tribes of Nejd." But the raiding did not stop. There were raids and counterraids, and there are many outstanding claims for the restoration �ii" Tiimr 8 THE SYRIAN WORLD of plundered property and for reparations on both sides of the border. Now, why did the Wahabi King not prevent his tribes from raiding the tribes of Iraq, when he could have done so: We find an answer to this question in the Green Book of Neid wmch says that because the Government of Iraq was unable'or unwilling to punish the offenders the Wahabi King had undertaken to do so. In other words, the Wahabi raiding parties were what might be called punitive expeditions. That is virtually what we are told in the Green Book of Nejd. But such publications issued by Governments in trouble as honest confessions do not always confess everything. The old feuds, the amour fro-pre of the chiefs of the tribes, and the necessity in a year of drought of seeking water and pasture and taking them, even at the muzzle of a rifle, wherever they are found—these are the snags in the problem. But they are not unyielding to diplomacy when it is inspired by candor and good will. Absent Treatment They are not, on the other hand, subject to what might be called absent treatment. The British Government in Iraq proposes to prevent the raids by building outposts about 500 miles away from the raiders' base of operations. That is what I call absent treatment. The reader will bear in mind that the home of the Shammar is north of Baghdad in the Mosul region. Now, a raiding party sallying forth on ghazu cannot travel 500 miles' witnout being detected by the Government's Desert Patrol. Is it not reasonable, therefore, to suppose that an efficient Desert Patrol will render the outposts superfluous? One word more about the Shammar. There is in the Syrian desert, as I have said, another section of this powerful tribe. I met its chief, Mijham Pasha, some few months ago in Damascus, and I asked him about the old feuds between them and the people of Nejd. "There are no more feuds between us," said Mijhamj "we and the people of Nejd are brothers." He then invited me to his tents in the desert. "Come to us," he said, "and we will go together to King Abd'ul-'Aziz." Why is not the attitude of the Iraqi Shammar that of their brother tribesmen, the Shammar of Syria? These are the bare facts in the dispute. But there is more behind the facts, as I have attempted to show, than there is in them; and only by removing the screens on both sides can a satisfactory and lasting agreement be achieved. i �JANUARY, 1929 [ I 9 Progress of the Federation Movement SYRIAN WORLD APPEAL MEETS WITH HEARTY RESPONSE FROM ALL OVER THE UNION PLEDGES RECEIVED Syrian Young Men's Society The Phoenicians American-Syrian Federation Syrian Young Men's Society The Good Citizenship Club.... The Goodfellows Club Syrian-American Club i Los Angeles, Calif. Jacksonville, Fla. Brooklyn, N. Y. Birmingham, Ala. Birmingham, Ala. Tyler, Texas Detroit, Mich. ( I THE replies received from Syrian-American societies in different parts of the United States and published herewith eloquently speak for themselves. They prove conclusively the readiness of our scattered organized bodies to join hands in an effort to promote those forces which tend to best serve our interests and those of our adopted country. The replies, all received in the course of December, shed interesting light on various aspects of the undertaking. Each society sees the advantages of the federation movement from a different angle, but all agree that the basic principle is not only sound but unquestionably vital. The committee on the constitution will no doubt take under advisement the many valuable suggestions advanced in the subjoined enthusiastic communications. In some replies there is noticeable a certain disposition towards caution. Perhaps this is caused by the failure of previous efforts at federation and the reluctance of some organizations to commit themselves to what may prove another abortive effort. This attitude we believe is wrong. All former attempts at national organization are to be commended and looked upon as naturally leading to the present effort. It was necessary to prepare the minds for a collective undertaking heretofore foreign to Syrian psychology. Those who took the initiative along this line in the past may be given full credit for the preparatory �1 -"- 10 "" _. -,—1 THE SYRIAN WORLD work. And for those who took part in past efforts to align themselves with the present movement should be but the natural sequence of their convictions previously registered. Persistent effort is but proof of a confirmed determination, and those who believe in the righteousness of a cause should not falter at initial setbacks. There should be, on the contrary, a certain sense of moral satisfaction in the constant pursuit of an ideal whatever the hopes of its realization. In the present case, we are pleased to say, the prospects are all in favor of success. The number and the enthusiastic nature of the acceptances amply attest to this fact. What tends to confirm our hopes is the propitious circumstances of the present movement. Heretofore efforts had been confined to the first generation Syrians who are still more or less influenced by their various traditional differences. To deny the existence of such a condition is a poor palliative. The hope for a truly cooperative undertaking lies with the young generation—American-born Syrians and those who are fitted by the circumstances of their lives and by their education and viewpoint on life to appreciate the benefits of collective action. This view we have expressed editorially in our issue of October, 1927, when even at that time it can be seen that we had in view preparing the minds for a national organization. We wish to thank the societies responding for their patriotic interest. WTe also feel confident that each and all will work actively for the greater promotion of the cause. To the Syrian Young Men's Society of Los Angeles, Cal., belongs the honor of being the first to respond. The Phoenicians of Jacksonville, Fla., were second. We also wish to register a word of grateful appreciation of the sympathetic attitude towards the movement taken by the Springfield Union (Springfield, Mass). Its warning of the latent danger of the movement if it should take a course contrary to the full development of American citizenship is but natural. But we wish to give it the fullest assurance that such danger is beyond the range of possibility. The Syrians' loyalty to their adopted country is too well proven to admit of any danger along that line. The Syrians, nevertheless, should consider this a healthy challenge. Will they form the Federation and demonstrate conclusively just what they are willing to do in tne way of promoting sound Americanism? \ �r 1 JANUARY, 1929 11 OUR BULWARK An Editorial from the Syrian World of October, 1927. IT is a sign of a healthy social condition for the Syrian young folks to establish societies of their own. It is also a sign of intelligent understanding on the part of the parents not to thrust themselves into the affairs of their youth and insist on managing things their own, old way. There is a chasm between the old and the new which has to be carefully bridged by mutual tolerance. For the young generation it is hard to fathom the conventional, decorous methods of conduct which their elders have inherited from a country steeped in the traditions of countless centuries. The elders, quite naturally, will look askance upon any breach of their accepted order of etiquette in conduct. Modernism has been thrust on them too suddenly and not by degrees. Even a moderate exercise of independent action on the part of' their children they are liable to characterize as insubordination and rebellion. What it is necessary for the parents to realize is that conditions and surroundings in America are totally different from those obtaining in their motherland. Changing times must also be taken into consideration. Appreciation of all these differences is essential to bring about a proper understanding between the two elements. The young folks should not be ridiculed or discouraged in any of their legitimate efforts. Coming together in a social club, a fraternal or a benevolent society is a most laudable undertaking. In the management or conduct of such an organization the older generation should not meddle or interfere. The younger generation is bettre schooled in parliamentary procedure and more capable of understanding its own mind. The parents, if they value their traditions and wish to see what is best in them perpetuated, should encourage all forms of social activities leading to cooperation among their youth. This is the best method for holding together the scattered fragments of the Syrian race. It should gladden the hearts of the elders merely to see their youth come together with unflagging spirit and without shame and unite on working for a common cause. In the news section of this issue of the THE SYRIAN WORLD (Oct., 1927) there is reported the formation recently of two organizations of the young Syrian generation in two widely separated cities, each striving to attain a commendable object. Un- �12 JANU THE SYRIAN WORLD doubtedly, there are scores of such organizations of our youth throughout the land, some of which we had occasion to refer to at different times. This movement should by all means be encouraged, not hampered. It may prove to be the nucleus of a nation-wide movement for the unification of the race in what is bound to become a great force for good both for the race and for the nation of which it constitutes a racial unit. Such a national organization would be our best medium for bringing out the best that is in us and using it to the best advantage. It depends mostly on our proper appreciation of the latent possibilities of our youth. OLD CULTURE IN NEW LAND An Editorial from the Springfield Union of Dec. 12, 1928 Mr. Salloum A. Mokarzel, editor of the Syrian World, in an article in that magazine entitled "Can We Retain Our Heritage" presents and forcefully urges a plan for a national federation of Syrian-American societies in the United States which should be of vital interest not only to all members of his race but also to the public in general inasmuch as those to whom the writer addresses himself form a definite part of our citizenship, sharing in and contributing to the progress of our national life. Because we are a young nation and homeland ties are still comparatively fresh, it is not surprising that newcomers to this country should feel the urge to retain their memories and also to keep alive certain spiritual and cultural attributes peculiar to their native land. The natural way to do this, these newcomers have found, is in the formation of societies or organizations—groups which have been readily enough accepted and commended in America. The feeling here has been that any society of such a nature was beneficial because it facilitated the work of Americanization, work which could be done better with an organized group than with individuals. Furthermore such an organization helped to transplant to this country those cultural elements which were of distinct value and which were in danger of being lost to this country unless kept alive by more definite effort on the part of the people with whom they were inherent. Mr. Mokarzel feels that through co-operative union of the Syrian and Lebanese societies of this country his people will be better able to make a more effective contribution to the well-be- ! 4 �JANUARY, 1929 12 ing of the nation and he makes a special appeal to the younger generation of Syrians in this country, hoping to arouse in them a desire to demonstrate to this land of their fathers' adoption that they possess the qualificaions which go to make as fine a type of American citizen as those of any other racial group. He feels that by their solidarity they will be better able to accomplish this end. If this move toward a federation proves successful, the fusion of American ideals with the spiritual and cultural heritage of an ancient civilization that has survived hundreds of years of oppression should result in a genuine contribution to our national life. 4 It would be unfortunate, however, if the racial or the national consciousness should be carried so far as to interfere with the full development of American citizenship. Those whose childhood has been spent abroad cannot be expected to divest themselves of the influences of their native land, and they do not need to, but if they and their children are to become typical Americans their racial or national inheritances should not be cultivated at the expense of their Americanism. There is probably little danger of this, as ordinarily and naturally the grandchildren of those who come to this land from any quarter become fully assimilated into our American life. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA SYRIANS WANT TO WIN RECOGNITION Editor, The Syrian World, V In response to your editorial in the November issue of The Syrian World concerning the proposed federation of Syrian societies, will say that this society wishes to be listed as a prospective member of the "Federation." The Syrian World is to be commended for its position in this movement; for its untiring efforts towards its materalization. It is now evident that the Syrian people in this country refuse to further remain in obscurity. It is also gratifying to note that our people have awakened to the call—the call to band themselves together; to come to the fore; to win recognition. Thus organized, wonders may be accomplished. Undoubtedly, the requisite number of bodies will readily respond to this movement. �___ 14 THE SYRIAN WORLD This society was organized April 29th. 1926, and it boasts of a substantial membership. The chief features are: It is nonsectarian, non-political, and it's membership consists of Syrian young men only, as the name signifies. If further information is required, it will be pleasure for us to furnish it. Very sincerely yours, Syrian Young Men's Society, David Zail, Secretary. Los Angeles, Calif. JACKSONVILLE, FLA. ON THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW ERA. Editor, The Syrian World, I am very pleased to announce that at the last regular meeting of this club, a resolution was unanimously passed heartily endorsing the plan for the federation of Syrian Clubs, now being sponsored by the Syrian World, and expressing its willingness to join in such federation, should it finally be formed. Our Club was organized last May, and has a present membership of about 50. Its objects are general. Social, civic and other activities are within its purvue. We wish to extend to The Syrian World our sincerest congratulations on its undertaking, with the earnest hope that Syrian organizations throughout the country, will not let this opportunity to achieve a notable accomplishment escape them. The Young Syrian element stands, as it were, on the threshold of a new era. If it succeeds in this project much that has been heretofore only a desire or a hope, will become a happy reality. If, on the other hand, it fails—through lack of cooperation—there will be little hope for the Syrian element in the future, with the years thrusting it continually farther away from the memory of its homeland. Now is the time for all good Syrians to come to the aid of this most worthy cause! Yours Very Truly, Fred S. Rizk, Comm#d©re, "The Phoenicians." Jacksonville, Fla. . �JANUARY, 1929 15 NEW YORK CITY SORELY IN NEED OF NATIONAL FEDERATION Editor, The Syrian World: The idea of the formation of a Federation of Societies throughout the United Sattes, with respect to which the Syrian World has at present taken the initiative, was a subject matter of discussion at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the American Syrian Federation. The concensus of opinion was that our organizaton should co-operate in the formation of such an organization and a Committee was appointed to that end with instructions to report back to our Board. Personally I believe that the organization of a central body representative of all the Syrians of the United States would be a splendid undertaking. We are sorely in need of such a body. Permit me to commend your efforts in that direction. Respectfully and sincerely, AMERICAN SYRIAN FEDERATION, By JOSEPH W. FERRIS, President. BIRMINGHAM, ALA. FEDERATION A MAIN OBJECT i\ Editor, The Syrian World, One of the chief principles of the Syrian Young Men's Society of this city has been the keen and sincere desire that all Syrian societies might become a federation. In endorsing this idea we are only emphasizing one of the chief fundamentals of our society. The Good Citizenship Club, another organization of which I am President, has also endorsed the federation movement. Should the movement reach such a stage wherein my services over the country as an emissary and propagator are needed, I shall be delighted to serve freely and gladly. Dr. H. A. Elldae-urie, Pres. SYRIAN YOUNG MEN'S SOCIETY Birmingham, Ala. �THE SYRIAN WORLD 16 TYLER, TEXAS HEARTILY ENDORSE THE MOVEMENT Editor, The Syrian World, In the November issue of the Syrian World you suggested that every Syrian or Lebanese society in the United States which has for its purpose the promotion of the welfare of the Syrian race in America file with you its name and the date of its organization together with whatever information it desires to give. At our recent meeting your article entitled "Can We Retain Our Heritage", was discussed and analyzed to the conclusion, that we, "The Goodfellows Club", heartily endorse the movement for a National Federation, and we offer our utmost cooperation for the welfare and promotion of our race. In order to keep up interest in the Club, we have a program which includes Banquets, Dramas, Parties, Picnics. We also observe and commemorate important events in American and Syrian Histories. Wishing you the greatest of success in your laudable undertaking of organizing a National Federation, and hoping to see Syrians throughout the United States band themselves together for the greater honor and glory of God, our race, and the country of our adoption, we beg to remain, The Goodfellows Club By:Geo. S. Saleh Cor. Secy. Tyler, Tex. ' DETROIT, MICH. PROVES CONCURRENCE OF THOUGHT Editor, The Syrian World, I have been appointed by the Progressive Syrian-American Club of Detroit to inquire about the developement of federating the Syrian-American Clubs throughout the country which you have proposed. Since we have ourselves discussed the matter upward of four years ago, it seems that it is a concurrence of thought among us all, due to the similarity of circumstances surrounding every community. �BWBFBBBIE—M JANUARY, 1929 17 I wish to inform you of our readiness to join the movement when the other clubs rally to the cause. We heartily approve of the attitude of the Syrian World in propagating the idea John A. Nassar. Detroit, Mich. The New-born Babe A SYRIAN-AMERICAN FEDERATION Hark! ye winds, and stop a-whining, Star of the East as of old is shining! See its rays a-scintillating As if beckoning, as if articulating: "Awake! ye sons of the East and stop a-pining. "Awake, awake, I say! and lo behold! "A babe is born amidst your fold. "Keep it alive, keep it nurtured; "Nothing gained if nothing ventured. "Like the wise men of the East, bring forth the myrrh and gold. "In union there's strength you all know, "So let this babe into manhood grow, "Let this be the christening day and rejoice! "For then indeed you can raise your voice "Above the winds that howl and blow!" So come young, come old, come ye noble throng! Let's obey that star with cheer and song. Let us march on, and on together Through sunny or stormy weather And to victory! "The new-born babe" will lead us on. ^. r u AI o EDWARD B. Pittsfield, Mass. KARAM. �-..a 18 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Sage of Washington Street ON THE MARRIAGE PROBLEM AMONG SYRIANS III I By A. HAKIM J^S on the preceding occasion, my last interview with my friend the Sage was by appointment. I realized that the holiday season was a busy one for him and even an "always welcome" friend should not give his visits the nature of an imposition. Had it not been for the assurance the Sage gave me that he was as much interested in discussing our current social problems as I was in hearing him expound them, I would have acted on the advice of the other Arab sage who enjoined friends against making visits too frequent that they may be more fully appreciated. As it was, however, I felt perfectly satisfied that my friend was animated by the true spirit of public duty and welcomed the opportunity to give publicity to his observations and views; and to this, may it be here reiterated, he was prompted by no personal motive, because he had from the outset laid down the condition that his identity should not be revealed. This being the case, the Sage launched immediately on the business of the day. "Not a long time since," he said, "one of our Arabic daily papers invited its readers to give their specifications of the ideal choice for husband or wife. The readers being all Syrian-born, they confined their views to the personal qualifications of the' mates of opposite sexes, seemingly taking it for granted that they should be Syrians. Some expressed preference for the girl bred in the atmosphere of modesty and devotion to domestic duties characteristic of the so-called old fashioned girl, while others voted for the modern, wide-awake girl who knows the ways of the world and can take care of herself under all circumstances. I doubt that those most affected by the peculiar development of our ^social problem derived any benefit from the discussion. "In the present case, however, the result is bound to be different. You are writing in English, the only medium to reach the young generation. And it is my belief that this young generation is vitally interested in the discussion of this grave problem �JANUARY, 1929 19 in the desperate hope of finding a suitable solution. "In our previous conversation I attempted to describe our present social condition and suggested a possible improvement I tried to show that the root of the problem was in the lack ol social contact, the solution of which would be in mobilizing the facilities at the disposal of the two principal agencies—the religious and the civic organizations. Let us hope that these agencies will awaken to the performance of this prime duty, and go about it in such a discrete manner as not to make the purpose too obvious for fear of defeating the very object in view. "Now these conditions previously discussed are the reasons responsible for the large number of marriages contracted mostly between our young men and girls of other racial extractions. We now come to the question: Are these inter-racial unions desirable and conducive to happy results? Or is it safer for one ot a certain racial extraction to marry within his own kind? "I must admit at the beginning that unconditional generalization on any subject is always dangerous. Never can a rule be laid down that will not admit of any infraction, especially in matters subject to the vagaries of emotional influence. In the matter of inter-racial marriages I can point to individual cases where the union was a blessing and demonstrated complete compatibility, while other cases proved to be most unhappy and disastrous. Now one cannot justify one view or the other on the strength of isolated incidents. Too many would-be students of the situation have erred in narrowing their views to isolated cases and thereby building on false premises. It is the law of averages that should be applied in situations of this nature The psychology temperamental disposition and environment of the largest number shoukl serve as a basis for deduction. In this alone could we feel somewhat safe in rendering judgment. "On the basis of the above, I would say in general terms that it is more desirable for the first generation of any nationality to marry within their own kind. For this conclusion I would advance the following reasons: "The success of marriage is based on compatibility, that disposition towards meeting on common grounds, sharing; the|IW views, being actuated by the same impulses and motives and bound by the samf sympathies. Marital union is a -Partnership for life and the prime requisite for its success m the business of building a home aPnd rearing a family is the ability to pull together, to do team work. To insure the success of the enterprise there must �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD exist between man and wife not alone complete intellectual and temperamental affinity but also that quality of general sympathy for persons and things which make up the ensemble of life. This latter quality is a matter of cultivation and acquisition and is not instinctive. It comes mainly from environments and associations from early childhood. It comprises almost everything from the question of food to aesthetic and cultural tastes. Such common sympathies bring understanding and lessen the danger of friction. "Now, for people of the same race and the same generation this condition is more possible of fulfillment. The husband and wife would both be the son and daughter of first generation immigrants. _ Parents of both would have struggled against the same economic difficulties. More probably the parents of both would be of the same district or even the same town in the mother country, each knowing the genealogy of the other even to a remote past. This tends to equalize conditions and eliminate many causes of friction. Think, for instance, what bitter feelings would result if in a moment of anger the husband or wife should taunt the other of being a son or daughter of an immigrant, while the one making the accusation boasts of being American up to so many generations. Strive as we may, we cannot deny such a possibility, especially now that a revival of this spirit has become more evident lately in various shapes and forms. Its influence is even felt in the immigration laws which are suspected of discriminating against particular races, principally those originating in Mediterranean countries. While in rural and other sections uninfluenced by the metropolitan spirit there is open, organized action against men of certain racial extractions and religious beliefs. We Syrians have reason to resent these prejudicial tendencies just as strongly as any other of the affected races because of the open attempt to deny us at one time the right of citizenship. It requires no straining of the imagination to discover the reason for such an attitude. "One of the principal reasons for the desirability of such unions m preference to inter-racial marriages is the psychological affinity between members of the same race brought up in similar surroundings. As has been often repeated, we are in the stage of transition and some of our pet customs and manners are dying hard. The old folks cannot help reminiscing about the motherland, taking interest in activities of the home town, showine *olicitude for the relatives and friends they left behind, remembering the houses in which they were born, the fields they plowed . iVHMHnRMMHHBH �JANUARY, 1929 21 the vineyards and the fig orchards they tended, and the many scenes and incidents of their youth. Of course all these things do not enter into the life of their American-born children, but the latter, in deference to their parents, cannot help sympathizing with these feelings. A certain disposition quite naturally develops to look more kindly on things Syrian. In this respect we may well term the second-generation Syrians as social straddlers inasmuch as they are neither totally Syrian nor totally American in their home atmosphere. Their position, for that reason, is a peculiar, and in some respects, a difficult one, especially where parents and children continue to live together for sentimental or economic reasons. "Considering the above and many similar reasons, how can we escape the conclusion that for this particular class of people the most natural thing would be to marry within their own circle? Not only are they better fitted one for the other temperamentally and by their racial traditions, but their general outlook on the problems of life is conducive to better harmony. "Even under the most propitious auspices, marriage in its earlier stages takes the form of a strenuous effort to adjust tastes and dispositions and find a common meeting ground between husband and wife. How much harder will this process be if racial characteristics prove an added burden to the common difficulties. Not only within the confines of the home, where individual tastes and preferences may differ and lead to friction, but also in the larger field of social contacts lies the danger of divergence of tastes. A Syrian of the second generation would naturally want to move within his own circle. In this circle the influence of the first generation has not been entirely eliminated and cannot be ignored. Deference to the tastes of the parents causes the American-born Syrian to forbear with old customs and traditions if not actually sympathize with them, but his American wife could not be actuated by such feelings and considerations, and if she bears up with what, to her, are unpleasant conditions she would be doing so with a painful effort and at the expense of considerable good feeling. "We also have to consider the different outlook on the question of divorce. Let us admit that no man or woman contracting marriage does so with any mental reservation or ulterior motive. Both husband and wife take each other for better or for worse, but when it comes to the worse the Syrian is at a disadvantage. Most Syrians in the United States are Christians of the two old �22 THE SYRIAN WORLD churches, Catholic and Orthodox, neither of which countenances divorce, and when marital difficulties lead to divorce the Syrian cannot face the situation with the same attitude of mind. The Syrian social mind has not reached the point where it could look upon divorce as excusable or justified, whatever the circumstances. The agreement entered into by man and wife to take each other for better or for worse "until death do us part" holds binding in the fullest sense. Divorces can hope for no recognition in our social life as it now stands. "In this, as in everything else, you will realize that I make statements in their broadest sense. The general viewpoint on divorce as just explained, for instance, could not hold true in respect to our Moslem element whose situation is almost totally the reverse of that of the Christians. With the Moslems it is the men who marry American women because of the scarcity of women of their own faith in this country, due, as explained in former conversations, to the rigorous enforcement of the strict rules of ethical conduct for women in the East. Furthermore, divorce among Moslems is a thing of common practice and is looked upon with much more tolerance than among the Christians. The case of the Argentinian and Brazilian women who complained of desertion and ill-treatment by their Moslem Syrian husbands is of recent occurrence and our papers have discussed the subject at length. All this is mentioned by way of illustrating that an individual case, whether the outcome be good or bad, cannot be taken as a general criterion. The Moslems, on the other hand, are a small minority in our Syrian-American communities and their problems are confined to themselves. It can be readily inferred that in speaking of the Syrian problem the Moslem element must be naturally excluded. "I have tried in this conversation to touch only on the high spots of the problem of inter-racial marriage and do not claim to have covered the subject completely. Such a vital, complicated and extended question could not be fully treated in the course of an hour's conversation. A general outline, however, cannot fail of being helpful even with limitations. "What I would like to stress, nevertheless, is the point that our social status has no bearing on our patriotic or political standing, neither should the two questions be confused. What is convenient for the Syrian-American generation for the congeniality of their home atmosphere should not affect their political loyalty. It does not impugn one's Americanism to marry in the class and �23 JANUARY, 1929 under the circumstances most conducive to his happiness. I am rather inclined to hold that it is in the interest of better Americanism to effect just those conjugal unions which would promote the spirit of harmony and contentment in the home rather than breed disaffection and discord which would naturally grow out of unsuited unions." Defeat By KHALIL GIBRAN HEFEAT, my Defeat, my solitude andjny aloofness, You are dearer to me than a thousand triumphs, And sweeter to my heart than all world-glory. Defeat,'my Defeat, my self-knowledge and my defiance, Through you I know that I am yet young and swift of foot And not to be trapped by withering laurels. And in you I have found aloneness And the joy of being shunned and scorned. Defeat, my Defeat, my shining sword and shield, In your eyes I have read That to be enthroned is to be enslaved, And to be understood is to be levelled down And to be grasped is but to reach one's fulness And like a ripe fruit to fall and be consumed. Defeat, my Defeat, my bold companion, You shall hear my songs and my cries and my silences,_ And none but you shall speak to me of the beating of wings, And urging of seas, And of mountains that burn in the night, And you alone shall climb my steep and rocky soul. Defeat, my Defeat, my deathless courage, You and I shall laugh together with the storm, And together we shall dig graves for all that die in us, And we shall stand in the sun with a will, And we shall be dangerous. �24 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Weaver and the Rose Adapted from the Arabic TOURING the reign of Al-Ma'moun, the son and successor of the illustrious Haroun Al-Raschid, culture and the appreciation of aesthetic pursuits among the people of Baghdad had reached a stage even greater than that which prevailed during the time of Al-Raschid. Al-Ma'moun employed every means to encourage and promote these tendencies, and bid his courtiers bring to his attention all incidents illustrating manifestations along these lines. One spring day, when Al-Ma'moun was holding one of his pleasure seances in the gardens of the palace, admiring the variety of flowers in their riotous colors and listening rapturously to the murmur of scores of fountains weaving their magic spell of rhythmic cadences, he inquired who of the assembly could describe the scene in fitting verse, and a poet recited: The Rose is King! Hearken ye to the sweet call of nature, And divest yourselves of all care while the rose reigns in full bloom. The caliph was greatly pleased and asked the poet if the verse was his extemporaneous composition or quoted from another. Then the poet begged leave to tell how he had come to hear the verse, and upon permission being granted he began as follows: ,* "O Prince of the Faithful! May Allah grant you long days and establish your rule everlastingly. The verse I have recited is not mine but one I have heard repeated by a weaver of the Abode of Peace (Baghdad) seemingly with great transports of joy and an immense depth of feeling. "I was passing in one of the obscure alleys of the city early one spring morning when I heard shouts of revelry amidst which a lusty voice repeated the above quoted verse in ondulous tone and almost insatiable relish. I was driven by curiosity to discover the reason for the celebration at such an early hour, and found my way to the secluded garden whence the sounds emanated. There, seated by a cascading fountain surrounded by well-tended beds ofi beautiful roses in full bloom, was a company of men apparently of lowly station indulging in wine and song. They no sooner I �mam JANUARY, 1929 25 v noticed me than they invited me to join their circle and share in their joy. I thanked them for their proffer of hospitality but begged to be acquainted first with the cause of the celebration that I might more fully join in the spirit of it. At which one of the company, apparently the host, cast a tender surveying look at the flowers about him, then, with a gusto and a surprising display of emotion burst out with the song: The Rose is now King! Hearken ye to the sweet call of nature, And divest yourselves of all care while the rose reigns in full bloom. I then gathered from the accounts of those present that love of roses had become with this man a cult and an obsession. A weaver by trade, he worked at his loom uninterruptedly the whole span of the year, not even observing Fridays or other holidays, but once spring ushered in the rose season, he lay aside his shuttle and forsook his loom, and, with a selected number of boon companions, flung himself unreservedly into the enjoyment of his favorite flower. From early morning till the advanced hours of night they drank and sang their love for the rose and continued thus for the whole six weeks of the season, at the expiration of which the weaver would intone this lamenting farewell: "If God should keep me till thy season come, O Rose, I shall again drown my care in drink and in the admiration of thy beauty, But if, O Rose, my death should precede your return, Then God I pray to make thee my share in Paradise." "This, O Prince of the Faithful," concluded the poet, "is the source of the verse which I recited at your bidding to describe the beauty of this setting, which is made complete only by the presence of your gracious person." Al-Ma'moun was pleased exceedingly by the account of the weaver and remarked: "This lowly man is truly endowed with a lofty soul. But for his aesthetic tastes he could not evince such appreciation of flowers and the inimitable gifts of nature. _ We shall assist him in pursuing the worthy inclinations of his kindly nature." Saying which, the caliph ordered that an annual stipend for life to the amount of ten thousand dirhams be given the weaver during each rose season, that he might more contentedly indulge in the enjoyment of his love for the king of flowers. �THE SYRIAN WORLD 26 The Syrian Poet of Williams College Not only as a translator of Arabic classics, but also as a poet of originality and versatility, Dr. Katibah ranks high for merit and ability. In his class at Williams College he was unanimously elected Class Poet, and the following poem composed on the occasion of the last Class Reunion highly commends itself to lovers of good poetry. —Editor By DR. NEJIB A. KATIBAH I. THE TRIP TO WILLIAMS, UP THE HOOSAC VALLEY Qomes Colonel in one busy afternoon, ('Twas nineteen twenty-sev'n, twelfth day in June,) "To our reunion you must go," he said, "Or else, by Jove, I'm here to scalp your head} Phil James's car is big—a beauty too— He'll take some boys, Lynn Norris, Peake and you." So on th' appointed day, to save my skin, Phil's car I mounted ere the rest were in. —A Cadillac, all-willing and in trim, She seemed to hem and whinny low for him. Phil then hopped in behind the steering wheel, Responsive she, his presence seemed to feel; She breathed a moment and with emotion shook, And heaved as if a deeper breath she took, Then softly, gently, glad had come the hour, She crept along, her heart a muffled power. Ere long New York receded from our sight, And hills and woods went chasing down its flight; The quickened road, now startled by the chase, Upheaved beneath and swam to join the race; And in their turn, or hedge, or inn, or hill, In eager pursuit passed—and we stood still. The spirit seized them all, and, all-possessed, They milled and passed along from East and West. Nor did they flit in fright nor scamper mad, But gave us time t' enjoy the charms they had; JAh �1 27 JANUARY, 1929 However sharp the curve or steep the grade, They bowed us gently by, ere haste they made; The valleys widened to display their charms, And glens and dales approached with outspread arms, Then closed behind us, quick to say adieu, Thus, scene on scene, till Williams came in view. II REFLECTIONS 'Tis good to heed the call of youth again, And by her walls sing Williams' old refrain, —That song of mountains and of woodland heights, We used to sing on Hopkins' steps o' nights. 'Tis good to see these ivied walls once more, That speak a tongue they never spoke before: Each whispering leaf a wistful thought imparts, And plucks a silenced chord within our hearts. The shaded campus—has it shrunk at all? And is that whitened steeple there as tall? Or do the ghosts of thirty years arise To fill the scene and make it small in size? The streets, the trees, the hills are truly there, And yet I feel a change somehow, somewhere. Dear college town, my Alma Mater kind, There is a change-but 'tis in me I find. And here they come, the friends of college days; All hear the call, and each the voice obeys. 0 yes!—The lapse of years has left its traces, Not in their hearts, but in their builds and faces. 1 look at one and wonder whence he came, But as he clasps my hand I call his name; And some their voices bring their names to me, As others in their smiles the youths I see. Ill RECOGNITION Lo, here comes Bliss, his heart upon his face, Unchanged his guileless smile, though changed his pace; �I 28 THE SYRIAN WORLD J/. And Dewey, too, though bald, and stern his air, His sparkling wit and airy soul are there j And Hall, besides this princely part or that, I know him by the way he tilts his hat; Meek-hearted Duley, unpresumptuous pease, And Briggs and Levy—men of God are these. And here comes one—I know his name is Hill, He thrived on Latin once, and, doubtless still; And Miner too, aglow his face with joy, A savant 'mong his peers, once more a boyj And here is Hawkins of the kindly brow, I see his heart a-melting here and now. Gillette, light-heart!—just hear him, now and then, With pious face insert his quaint "Amen!" Magnetic Bird! However grand your girth, I'd know by that eye that glows with mirth. Hey, Wright! If with your weight your might has grown, You'd make poor Amherst gasp again and groan. That's Lee—serener now and stouter too, But single stays his eye, his heart as true. Judicious Burns! I could have once foretold You'd mount the bench at forty-odd years old. Here come some more, bespectacled and gay, Of prosperous fronts that smile their age away; Those stoop a bit and ponder as they talk, Alert their mind, though slow their speech and walk. Lo, Gordon there, now bearded and sedate, His pipe is lit to help him ruminate. Comes room-mate Riggins last.—'Tis Cleveland's bet The dear old soul will never learn to fret. IV UP THE MOHAWK TRAIL It is the hour—oh for that hour of day, When light and shadows hold the soul in sway; When deeper hues in mantled glens are set, And pensive day departs with fond regret j m �JANUARY, 1929 When lingering rays the blushing hilltops kiss, And softened echoes voice their dreamful bliss; And here and there a star in heaven assays To steal our thoughts upon its liquid rays. Along the Mohawk Trail from view to view Th' enchantment passes on forever new: Here lies a glen in sweet retirement gowned, And there a tor with mystic glory crowned, And here a valley, winding round the hills, Enjoys in peace the music of its rillsj And there a meet of chieftains, rising high, Proclaim their pomp and will to earth and sky. Lo, here a precipice that awes your soul, And there a height that soars beyond control; And now a curve that prays you "please, go slow," And now a view that hails you from below; And yonder sweeps a wide expanse of land, Endowed with beauty by a magic hand; And all to Greylock modest homage bow, Who wears his aeons lightly on his brow. A little farther up the Berkshire heights To nobler grandeur rise; the eye delights To dwell upon the scene and contemplate The charms that power only can create. From peak to peak our vision travels on, Here sweeps abroad and there it halts to scan, Until serenely 'gainst the darkened sky The pride of Vermont boldly greets the eye. THE REUNION DINNER: FAREWELL Around the cheer now standing side by side We pay a solemn thought to those who died. Then comes a toast to Williams' honered name —A tribute this with burning zeal aflame. Now comes a speech, a flash of wit by one, A joke, a banter, or a round of fun: 29 �30 THE SYRIAN WORLD In joy the greatest, though in length the least— These happy hours of our reunion feast. Come Roy, I now recall your voice that night When first I heard you sing "Lead Kindly Light}" The organ's tuneful peal, vibrating hum, Resounding through the years how clear they come! And there you stood and proudly heaved your chest, Your voice-control controlling all the rest, Then meekly-powerful came the solemn tune, —Delightful moments those, and passed too soon. Yes Roy—go call Gillette and Drysdale too, I know not now the fourth that sang with you; And while the cheer is still before us set, Whip into proper mood our class quartet, Then let the affection of our former days Revive with college songs and roundelays; And when you've done, I ask this simple boon: Before we part to sing this following tune: REUNION SONG On a day that is gone Old Billville sang a song, And the strains of this song we entone; 'Tis a song without notes, In our minds though it floats With a sweetness and rhythm all its own. 'Tis a song of the heart That each soul sings apart To itself as that day it recalls; Comes its force like a tide That will never subside Till we meet face to face by these walls. Come, this song let us sing Till its echoes re-ring From the hills and the woods we love so; JAN �31 JANUARY, 1929 Let us sing this sweet rhyme And improve it with time, Small however our number may grow. Tune your song to our tone, Do not sing it alone, Sing your song with us all and be true ; Come again to Billville With a heart and a will And the pledge of our friendship renew. A Syrian Sunset By GEO. MALOOF TTS late in the day; we see a hue, Not far away, beneath the blue, We gaze in admiration; Our eyes are fastened to that spot, The air is cooled, where 'twas hot; We voice our acclamation. The end of day has come, too soon, Reflected there; a blazing moon About to disappear; We are intent; it seemed so strange, Too intent to sense the change In the Syrian atmosphere. Then when it seemed the end had come, Entranced, we were, as we watched from Our hill—procrastination Lingered it on, as we each one, Drank the beauty of the setting sun, More than our estimation. Then as the end of a beautiful story, And in a blaze of dying glory, It sank to leave us there In awe, in reverence, and in a daze; We had seen the sun in its final phase Over Syrian soil so fair! �32 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Tragedy of the Barmecides THE PATHETIC CASE OF THE OLD MAN CAUGHT .... WEEPING IN THE RUINS OF THEIR PALACES ... A True Arabian Tale VWHEN the great Haroun Al-Raschid put the powerful Barmecide klan to the sword, supposedly to avenge the indignity attaching to the royal house by the love of Yahya, the vizier, for Al-'Abbasa, sister of the caliph, but more probably to eliminate the influence of the Barmecides which not only rivaled but almost overshadowed that of the reigning house itself, he also caused their great palaces to be razed to the ground so that the ruins may be a constant deterrant to those whose inordinate ambitions carry them beyond their proper stations and prompt them to assume roles which should be the exclusive privilege of the caliphs. The great tragedy befallen the Barmecides plunged Baghdad and all of Arabia and the great Abbaside empire into grief over the fate of this illustrious family whose fame had traveled far and wide for its munificence and splendor. But not once did any of the courtiers of Al-Raschid dare mention the Barmecides to him during the rest of his life, and this rule was followed almost as rigidly during the reign of his son and successor, Al-Ma'moun. One day, however, it was reported to Al-Ma'moun that every night, under cover of darkness, an old man visited the ruins of the Barmecide palaces and wept and lamented as one bereaved of one of his immediate family. Al-Ma'moun became greatly indignant and called to him his trusted servant Ibrahim Ibn Maimoun and ordered him to proceed forthwith to the ruins and apprehend and bring before him the culprit. Says Ibn Maimoun: "I realized by the tone of the caliph's command that he considered the matter of utmost gravity, and I immediately summoned Ali Ibn Muhammad and Dinar the guard and proceeded in all riaste to the ruins. There we concealed ourselves behind a wall overlooking the former court of the principal Barmecide palace, and but shortly thereafter we noticed two phantom-like figures cautiously making their way in the darkness until they reached a position directlv in front of our hiding place. t �JANUARY, 1929 33 One of the two proved to be a servant carrying a rug and a stool which he placed on the ground and retired to a respectful distance. Then the other figure approached and he proved to be an old man of venerable mien and respectable bearing, who no sooner WS seated than he began to bewail in piteous tones and lament the paslng glory of he Barmecides. At times he would wring Ins Lnds nervously or survey the ruins with a vacant stare as if in a daze then after intermittent periods of silence would again indulge in new outbursts of weeping and recite eulogistic verse such as the following: "When in the fury of fate, I saw the sword descend on princely Then "heard the caliph's crier proclaim death to the equally magnanimous Yahya, , mm(1 I renounced the world. For life without them had become meaningless." "After listening to him and watching him for some time, we emerged from our hiding place and seized him in thename_c> the Prince of the Faithful. When he realized his situation he became ^atly allrmed and begged for a few minutes' grace tc> write h, will, which we allowed him to do and he entrusted the paper to WS ^"Atlhe palace Al-Ma'moun, in spite of the lateness of the hour, was still awaiting our return. When we brought the man before him and apprised him of what he had said and done, the Siph rebuked himseverely: 'What have the Barmecides done to See ' he said 'for thee to frequent the ruins of their palaces and amentthem in such ~~#^*^J£^£ fear the man replied: "If the Prince of the Faithful will but grant me leave to explain my case I ^all relate it to him m all detail, after which my life will be in his and in Allah's hands. "Nlw Al-Ma'moun was noted for his clemency and forbearance and he readily granted the man his wish. " 'I am Al-Mundher Ibn Maghirah, of royal descent began the old man, 'and I have met with such a succession of misfortunes that I was forced, in the last extremity, to seU my ancestral home and migrate with my family from Damascus to Baghdad. Here I found myself stranded in a strange city with my familv of thirty wives and children completely desti ute. We sought shelter in one of the mosques ^ * ^f *Erirt I went out to solicit alms. But my pride rebelled at the thought �34 THE SYRIAN WORLD in spite of my great distress, and for almost a whole day I wandered aimlessly about the streets of the city, until I came to an ornate mosque at the entrance of which stood two richly dressed slaves. And I made bold to enter, reasoning that admittance to a house of God could not be denied the faithful. " 'Once in the mosque I saw that a company of one hundred richly dressed sheikhs had gathered therein seemingly for some festive occasion. My realization of the awkwardness of my position caused me great discomfort and covered me with perspiration. But through sheer desperation I decided to remain. Presently an attendant entered and bade the company follow him to the palace of Yahya. Meeting with no objection, I joined the procession and soon found myself in the inner court of the palace where Yahya was seated on a raised dais flanked by ten of his children in semi-circle formation. When each had taken his position there emerged from a side apartment a youth of comely appearance followed by a hundred servants each girdled with a golden belt of at leas'- a thousand weight and carrying a golden brazier in which burned the costliest kind of royal ambergris. The youth advanced and took his position beside Yahya while the servants deposited the braziers in double rows in front of them. Then Yahya addressed the cadi who was at the head of the hundred sheikhs and said: "Pronounce now the word and join my daughter 'Aisha in marriage to this youth, the son of my uncle." And the cadi pronounced the solemn words while all the sheikh? present bore witness. " 'No sooner was the nuptial ceremony concluded than the bridal pair and the whole party were pelted with balls of musk and ambergris in such a shower as to resemble a heavy hail storm. I observed the actions of the company and, like them, filled my sleeve with the precious balls. " 'Then there emerged from a side of the court a long train of servants, as richly dressed as the first contingent, each carrying a silver tray heaped with a thousand pieces of gold. To each member of the company was presented a tray and I noticed that all, including the cadi, emptied the gold in their sleeves and carried the trays under their arms and departed. " 'I was the last to leave. I had hesitated to take the gold and the silver tray until one of the servants motioned to me to do so. But still I walked with faltering step, casting fearful looks behind, and Yahya, noticing my hesitant manner, recalled me for questioning. - in �JANUARY, 1929 35 « 'The servants first relieved me of all that I carried, then Yahya bid me be seated and asked me in a kindly tone for an account of my case, which I gave without concealing a single «<Yahya then ordered an attendant to call to him his son Moussa, and when the latter came he thus spoke to him: Here, my son, is a stranger whom I entrust to your care. Treat him as befits the requirements of our hospitality. « 'Moussa then took me by the hand and conducted me to his house where I was treated with the utmost of kindness and consideration. While I thus enjoyed the bounty of my host only my anxiety for the condition of my family marred my otherwise complete happiness, but all my pleadings to be allowed to leave went unheeded. « 'On the morning of the following day Moussa took me to his brother Al-<Abbas and turned me over to him with the remark "Know, my brother, that our father the er has ordered me to surround this guest with all our facilities for hospftalky. You well realize my duties at court which compel me to neglect personal attention to our guest, and it is for that reason that I now turn him over to your keeping. « 'At the house of Al-'Abbas I encountered equally munificent treatment, and continued for ten days to be handed over from one to the other of Yahya's sons unti 1on the, deventh day, a head servant waited on? me and said that I could leave in peace to reioin my family." «'At this I could not help but lament my cruel fate. "Alas!" I said, "I have been despoiled of the silver tray and the gdd pieces and in this condition of empty-handedness do they want me to reioin my family?" . i tlw> " 'But the servant maintained his silence and raised the rich curtains leading to a spacious corridor, at the end of which was another curtain, then a third and a fourth. « 'At this stage the servant spoke to me, saying. I have been ordered by my master to cater to thy everywant. Only armrise me of thy wishes and they shall be fulfilled. appn ^hen the final curtain was lifted I beheld a spaaous, sunny room such as are described in the abodes of ^**> f m whTch was wafted the fragrance of musk and ^^^£f£ dal wood. And there were my wives and f^^^J, silk and provided with every comfort. They had all been sent for and lodged in the palace of the Barmecides even on the same �36 THE SYRIAN WORLD day that I first entered the court of Yahya. 'Presently servants began to arrive bearing gifts of all description, including not only the silver tray and the thousand gold pieces but one thousand thousand dirhams and ten thousand dinars besides, and a deed to two rich plantations with which lanya saw fit to endow me out of his great munificence. " 'For thirteen years thereafter, O Prince of the Faithful, 1 continued to enjoy the great bounty of the Barmecides, being all the while treated by them with such unabated consideration that none but took me to be one of the family. Then the catastrophe befell them and your agent Omar Ibn Mas'ada levied on my two plantations such heavy taxes that their combined yield was insufficient to meet, and I Xas again plunged in the abyss or destitution and despair, and found my only relief and consolation m paying the nocturnal visits to the ruins of the Barmecide palaces to bewail their fate and mine.' t uTb^ Caliph A1-Ma'mo«n was visibly affected by the tale or the old man and ordered that his tax collector be brought before him even at that very hour. When 'Omar Ibn Mas'ada appeared Al-Ma'moun inquired of him: 'Knowest thou this man? <Yes, O Prince of the Faithful,' he replied. 'He is one or the former proteges of the Barmecides.' ' 'What is the total taxation thou hast collected from him so far on his two plantations?' again asked the caliph, and when he was told the amount ordered that it should be refunded to him in full and a dispensation issued from anv further taxation in any form on the property so long as it remained in the man's possession or in that of his heirs. "At this great act of magnanimity the old man gave way to his feelings in such a violent outburst of weeping that the caliph asked in .surprise: " 'Showest thou such grief, old man, when we show thee only consideration and generosity?' " 'And between his sobs the old man replied: 'O mighty -Prince, it is not with any intention of belittling your great kindness and generosity, but even your present act I cannot help but attribute to the munificent influence of the Barmecides which increases my undying gratitude to their memory. For how otherwise could my plight have been brought to your attention for you to overwhelm me thus with your munificence and bounty had it not been for my frequenting their ruins?' " Says Ibrahim Ibn Maimoun, who had been witnew to the �JANUARY, 1929 37 whole affair: "I then noticed that Al-Ma'moun, in spite of his great fortitude, was moved almost to tears and after a pause of a few moments said to the old man: 'Verily, O uncle, this also may be attributed to Barmecides. They alone thou shouldst thank and their memory mourn and their benefactions recall.'' New Books A NEW BOOK ON SYRIA The Nationalist Crusade in Syria, by Elizabeth P. MacCallum, New York, The Foreign Policy Association, 300pp. $2.50. " Miss MacCallum has been connected for some time with the Foreign Policy Association of New York in the Research Department, and in that capacity was able to fully acquaint herself with the causes and the development of the Syrian Revolution. Her book is the result of these studies, and her marshalling of facts is both interesting and helpful. The author lays claim to being impartial, but it may be readily seen by her interpretation of cai^es and effects that her sympathy lies with the Nationalist cause. The Daughter of David, by Rev. Seraphim Nassar, 40pp. 50c. The author of this religious tract takes for his subject the annunciation and its mysteries, and uses it as a means to remedy the laxity in religious education among the younger generation communicants of the Orthodox Church. The object of the author is best illustrated in the passage where he says: "In this country I noticed in many quarters that the standard of morality and regard for religion was taking a serious decline, the latter in several instances among ministers ot the Gospel This I found to be due in a great measure to a failure to build up education and religious instruction upon the foundation of true and real Christianity, and also as a result of witnessing obscene and indecent shows of both silent and spoken drama, which are presented in many theatres throughout the land. �38 THE SYRIAN WORLD Rihani's Lecture in London (In the December issue of the Syrian World only a brief mention was made of Mr. Ameen Rihani's important lecture before the Central Asian Society in London. The following full account of the lecture and the ensuing discussions by English noblemen and statesmen is taken from The Near East and India of November 15, 1928.—Editor.) TINDER the heading of "Arabia—An Unbiased Survey," Mr. Ameen Rihani lectured to the Central Asian Society at Burlington House on November 7. Brigadier-General Sir Gilbert Clayton, High Commissioner-designate for Iraq, who was in the Chair, spoke of Mr. Rihani as having attained some eminence as journalist and author. The lecturer began by referring to his parentage. It was at the age of ten that he had left Syria for the United States of America. His love for Arabia was not derived primarily from Arabic sources, for what had first fired him were the writings of Washington Irving and Carlyle. Then came Burton, who brought Arabia to him: Doughty, however, carried him to Arabia. His intellect was, therefore,, a complex of the East and the West, for although his point of view might be that of an Arab, his intellectual heritage—which was Anglo-Saxon—made him place the attachment to truth above all racial, religious, and political attachments. In an interestng way Mr. Rihani developed the question of the accessibility of truth. Was perfect impartiality possible on either side in, say, an Anglo-Arabian or an Anglo-Egyptian dispute if the points of view clashed? The Arab who went on a ghazzu, for instance, could see the truth only in the loot: he could not see it in the other man's right of possession. And the man in possession, whether herding his camels or ploughing his field or just sitting upon his pile, could not see the truth in the circumstances that drove the other man to the ghazzu. In the highest summit of human development, however, force should be condemned and it was from this summit of civilization that he carried in his heart a beacon to light his way through Arabia. He went to Arabia, he claimed, with no preconceived ideas: he came out of Arabia with no misconceived opinions. Before he landed in Jidda he had an exaggerated notion of ex-King Husain's power (an error for which the British Government of �JANUARY, 1929 39 was responsible). He soon found that little way outside Mecca and Medina did the Sharif's writ run: beyond that limit were tribes out of his hand and not yet in Ibn Saoud's. These tribes were in the hand of the devil. They represented ignorance in arms, without a hand to control them, not a mind to direct them for their good. The Harb and the Ataibah and the Juhainah, as well as the Sharifs of Zu Hasan round Lith and Qunfudha, were all out for loot. In the Yamaj*, however, between Aden and Sanaa, the position was worse. For there were ignorance and fanaticism in arms, and some of it under the protection of the British Government. The Imam Yahya, moreover, was using the power which he had against the Idrisi of Asir. The "happy Yaman" enjoyed a medieval social condition—no schools, no hospitals, no doctors, no drugs, not a decent inn. When he arrived at Sanaa, the Imam was away, and the lecturer was held in captivity for seven days. He had been suspected by the British in Aden, and was now suspected by the Imam at Sanaa! A letter of introduction from King Husain was useless, because it failed to mention the bearer's name! But finally it became known that "the bearer of the letter is Ameen Rihani, and he is suspected by the British Government." He then was able to interview the Imam. After explaining that he was a "self-appointed missionary of civilization," Ameen Rihani pleaded for an understanding between the Yaman and the British Government and for a treaty with King Husain: he appealed for education and peace. The lecturer then developed his idea of a Yamani-British reconciliation. This might be easily achieved, in his opinion, by the cession of the Protectorates, which were not only a blot on the British escutcheon—their rulers having been corrupted with gold and titles—but were also unnecessary, in view of the Air Force, as a protective zone round Aden. All that was required by the British was a breathing space of, say, ten or twenty miles as far as Lahaj, for instance, in one direction. The rest of the Protectorate should be turned over to the Imam—an act which would be befriending the general tendency in Arabia towards solidarity and unification. For all the Arabs of the Peninsula with a few exceptions, would sooner or later come under the rule' of the two biggest leaders, Ibn Saoud and the Imam Yahya. Turning to Central Arabia, Mr. Rihani narrated the history of British-Najdi relations. The friendship between the two �40 THE SYRIAN WORLD peoples went back to the days of Faisal, grandfather of the present King Abdul Aziz. Whereas men like Polgrave and Wallin, emissaries of foreign powers, had been unsuccessful politically, the Englishman, Pelly, was in 1865, successful. An agreement was signed between him and the Amir Faisal. Subsequently Sir Percy Cox, in 1915, signed an agreement with the Wahhabi monarch; and later still, in 1925 and 1927, Sir Gilbert Clayton was similarly successful. But Sir Gilbert had recently returned from Jidda with an empty portfolio. Why? The lecturer then examined the present relations between Iraq and Najd. King Ibn Saoud, he said, had put an end to the ghazzu in Najd and in the Hijaz. Did similar conditions obtain in Trans-Jordan and Iraq? For the better control of the tribes the British Government in Iraq had built three outposts some miles (30 to 70) from the border line. The lecturer then showed how the Wahabis based their objections to these posts on Articles 2 and 3 of the Protocol of the Treaty of Muhammarah. It had to be borne in mind that there were no boundary lines in Arabia as they were understood in Europe; the Arabs could recognize as possible boundaries only certain landmarks, principally watering places and glens of pasture. Over the wells in the rhomboid the tribes of Amarat and Dhafir, in Iraq, and of Mutair, in Nijd, had long fought. The permission which was given in the Protocol of Ujair to Najdi tribes to use neighboring wells in Iraq territory, in case of necessity (provided that said wells were nearer to them than the wells within the borders of Najd) did not specify the location of such wells. They might be within any distance. This second clause of the Protocol, in fact, because of its loose phrasing, afforded no hope of peace and order. Mr. Rihani then turned to the Third Clause, and examined the problem of the Shammar of Iraq. He disputed the wisdom of building police posts to control the Shammar some five hundred miles away from their base, or dim, for a party going forth on the ghazzu could not travel fifty miles without being detected by the Desert Patrol of the Government. Why could not the Iraq Shammar be like the Syrian Shammar, who were now "brothers with the people of Najd?" But the people of Iraq were not hostile (on the whole) to the people of Najd: King Faisal and King Abdul Aziz had recently exchanged letters of friendship, and the Baghdad press had been warned to cease its attacks on the Wahhabis. It was for the British Government to bring the drama �<&m 41 JANUARY, 1929 to a happy ending, and so not only preserve the friendship of sixty years between the British and the Wahhabis, but also consolidate its position in the Near East. In the subsequent discussion, Mr. Cunningham Graham, author of "Mogreb el Acksa," compared the raiding in Arabia to what took place in, and was the curse of, Morocco. He thought the lecturer's suggestions for the preservation of peace in Arabia quite admirable. Lord Lamington inquired whether Mr. Rihani was satisfied that, if the British were to relinquish certain tribes to the Imam Yahya, they would not be persecuted. To this the lecturer replied that he was so satisfied, that the Imam might have trouble with the subsidized tribes, but that he was fitter to rule them. Mr. G. M. Lees, speaking with considerable knowledge of Arabia and of the Arabs, remarked upon the difficulty of understanding the Arab "mentality"; nor did he believe in the possibility of a united Arabia. The Arab felt that he was, given money and arms, a better man than the European j and this fact caused difficulty. Mr. Rihani's ideal was, however, an admirable one and something to be aimed at. In conclusion, the Chairman dissented from the notion of the Oriental's having a different mentality from that of the Occidental. All the Arab wanted was to be treated courteously and to be told the truth. And, finally, he remarked that, although unable to bring back from Jidda any written agreement, he cherished King Ibn Saoud's word that the differences which had arisen were "differences between friends." Sayings of Ali Boasting of knowledge is proof of ignorance. If I were a merchant I would prefer nothing to perfume: For if I miss the profit I would not miss the fragrance. Youth should be credited with their good traits and not be held responsible for their mistakes. Lift your head high among men, for apparent meekness does not add to what is in the heart, and he who would showmen more than what is in his heart adds hypocrisy to deceit. �THE SYRIAN WORLD EDITORIAL COMMENT SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE ing urgent financial relief. On both of these occasions, however, their hands were forced by compelling necessity. Whatever the reason, it is to their favor that they proved capable of collective action. But now our social conditions in America are undergoing a decided change which grows in momentum with each succeeding year. The effect is marked not only in our economic life but in our social life as well. 'THE record of Syrian immigrants proves that in some respects they possess a wonderful spirit of enterprise. The mere fact that they have taken the courage to leave home and country in quest of better opportunities is ample testimony to that effect. The record of their achievements in America during the comparatively short time they have been here speaks highly for their ability and acumen. Under the circumstances the But the Syrians' enterprise question naturally arises: has shown itself mostly along Should we maintain in our pubcommercial lines. This is ex- lic matters that passive, almost plained on the grounds that indifferent attitude characteristhey emigrated chiefly for eco- tic of our former state, or nomic reasons and concentrated should we develop a different their energies on material pur- tendency that would be more in suits. Let us hope that this ini- harmony with the spirit of this tial stage is now nearing its age and accelerate the moveclose. ment of those forces whose efDue to these peculiar circum- fect we are bound to feel soonstances Syrians showed aptitude er or later? In other words, for collective action only in ex- should we be content to act only treme emergencies. Two occa- on the defensive, at the urge sions in particular stand out as of extreme necessity, or should cogent proofs of their latent we display the vision and enterpowers once aroused, the one prise of those who are capable when they were accused of be- of planning for constructive acing of Mongol descent and on tion in the future? that assumption their right to The opportunity for such citizenship questioned; the oth- needed action is now at hand er when news reached them of and it rests on the success of the deplorable plight of their the Federation movement of country during the war requir- our societies. We are not now -v. �JANUARY, 1929 43 in any danger; no right is de- fying our efforts along those nied us that is enjoyed by other lines deemed most helpful both citizens; but should that repre- to ourselves and to the nation sent to us the ideal state of con- of which we form an integral tentment as model citizens and part. descendants, of a proud race? Now that we are fully settled in our new home and that our A NEW DEPARTMENT young generation is coming more and more into control of With a view to broadening our destinies, *we should assume the scope of its service, the the initiative in planning for something constructive to which Syrian World will now inauguwe would not be driven by dur- rate a department for news of ess but by our full and volun- Syrian fraternal activities. All Syrian societies are intary will to do for the good of! a public cause. By such action vited to avail themselves of alone could we promote our in- this new department to publish terests, enhance our prestige, results of elections, reports of and gain for ourselves the rep- debates, entertainments, educautation and the standing of a ional and civic, enterprises and valuable, and useful element. like news of a public nature. Only through the mobilization There appears to have develof our general forces could we oped lately a growing interest lay down a national program in cooperative efforts. During for bringing to the attention of the past few years a large numthe American people a greater ber of fraternal organizations appreciation of our racial con- has sprung up among the Syrtributions, and for working to ians throughout the country, espreserve that precious heritage pecially among the new generawhich should be the lasting tion. Our young men and woglory of a proud race that has men are awakening to the necontributed in no mean degree cessity of coming together for to civilization and to the prog- the better promotion of objects of common appeal and interress of the human race. This coalition of forces for est. For our societies to be constructive, far-reaching action kept informed of their various is now within our power. It is activities cannot fail but act as in our coming together in a a stimulant and an incentive. nation-wide federation of so- There would be established cieties for mapping a general through this means a better unprogram coordinating and uni- derstanding leading to closer �44 cooperation. Many an idea successfully carried out by one organization might prove the pattern for all others to follow.. What is also to be hoped for above all else is that mutual interest thus developed will create a uniformity of policy which will crystallize and systematize our efforts towards the promotion of our own general interests and the better service of the country. QUESTIONS ANSWERED The question on the spoken languages of Syria at different periods answered by Dr. Philip K. Hitti prompts us to again remind our readers of Dr. Hitti's willingness to answer all questions of historical nature submitted to him through the Syrian World. We consider ourselves fortunate in being able to call upon such an authority and scholar for information, and we take this opportunity to repeatedly thank Dr. Hitti for his proffer of cooperation. Dr. Hitti is one of the first and steadfast supporters of the Syrian World and we wish to make public acknowledgment of our debt ofj gratitude to him for his valuable cooperation throughout the career of the publication. His reiteration of the offer to answer all questions is a fresh THE SYRIAN WORLD proof of his sustained interest. We would only wish to have our readers avail themselves more fully of this exceptional opportunity. INDIVIDUAL OPINIONS The Readers' Forum in the Syrian World is open to the free expression of opinion by our correspondents of whatever nature. We assume, however, no responsibility for individual opinions and our publication of them should not be taken as an indication of our editorial policy. Those holding convictions to the contrary are equally entitled to a hearing and our conduct of this department so far has sufficiently proven our impartiality. The discussion of the marriage problem among Syrians by Mr. A. Hakim has aroused considerable interest among our readers and elicited many comments. Some communications printed in this issue might be looked upon by some as indicat ing extreme tendencies. Parents or others who hold different views are welcome to an explanation of their side. The subject is manifestly debatable and a full exchange of ideas by those interested will undoubtedly assist parents and children affected in formulating a proper policy. �45 JANUARY, 1929 Readers' Forum SYRIAN WORLD WRITER REPLIES TO A CRITIC Editor, The Syrian World: In his letter of criticism appearing in the December issue of The Syrian World, Mr. J. M. Abbott was severest on me. He is not pleased with my treatment of the subject of "divided loyalty" which I discussed in the October issue. He accuses me of setting a stage on which appears a common, ordinary storekeeper delivering a pedantic lecture to a shopper. He exclaims that if I am a friend of his hiding under an assumed name his stepping on my toes should serve me right. I must admit that I have not had the privilege of the gentleman's friendship and therefore 'he need feel no scruples about stepping on my toes. I doubt that he would have any consideration for me anyhow, seeing that he has let himself loose and stepped on everyone's toes. Distributing the shock makes it less painful! But since you, Mr. Editor, have seen fit to publish his letter, I am claiming the privilege of like treatment for this short reply, in which I shall even overlook the fact that you yourself, in your answer to the critic, have deemed it fit to neglect any mention by way of defense of your anonymous contributors. Mr. Abbott accuses me of rambling and murdering a vital subject. Rambled I may have, but does the critic stop to consider that he has paid me the high compliment of choosing for discussion a vital subject? Now insomuch as the subject is vital why not Mr. Abbott take the cue and give us an orderly, logical, unrambling treatment of this admittedly vital matter ? Then there is the question of setting a stage and attributing philosophical discussions to a shopkeeper. The answer to this unjustifiable thrust was unconsciously answered in my second instalment of the series on The Marriage Problem when I quite inadvertently remarked that "wisdom was not the monopoly of the learned." I would loathe to delve deeply into history for illustrations of this truth, but among our great contemporaries I may mention two who "learned wisdom from the mouths of lowly cobblers." I refer to David Lloyd George and our own President Calvin Coolidge. So for me to interview a shopkeeper to learn his opinions on our everyday, homely problems should not be deemed unduly strange. Furthermore, the shopkeeping sage was not delivering his discourse to an ordinary shopper, but rather to one who sought his opinions by prearrangement in the regular, decent, acceptable manner of newspaper interviews. The trouble, Mr. Editor, with this critic is that he has not been following the Syrian World closely in a manner enabling him to come to a fair and judicial judgment of the situation, which fact you have rightly pointed out in your reply to him. It pains me to have to step on the gentleman's toes so painfully. A. HAKIM. Somewhere in the U. S. A. �46 AGAINST A CHANGE IN THE SYRIAN WORLD Dear Editor: I am very glad the Syrian World enlightened us as to the nationality of Mr .Abbott for I would have taken the gentleman for a 100 per cent. American, picturing him with a mouthful of Brown Mule, h;s legs cocked up on the table boasting of the superiority of the Anglo-Saxon race. Constructive criticism bares our mistakes and teaches us to correct them, but Mr. Abbott's criticisms are of the destrucitve kind. I will not ask Mr. Abbott to g've us something better in the place of the things he criticises, for his criticisms are not justified. The Syrian World would lose its value and its very reason for existence if you divest it of the articles which do not seem of interest to Mr. Abbott, such as Arabic poetry, which is unexcelled; archeological research for more exact Syrian history; news of its civil;zation, arts culture, history, political developments, Spirit of the Arabic press, etc. In fact, articles dealing with these subjects are just the things that give the magazine its splendid educational value. What Mr. Abbott wants <« read is not the Syrian World, but the True Story Magazine or the Whiz Bang. JOSEPH MAWOD| Dallas, Texas. SYRIAN-AMERICAN CLUB ENDORSES SYRIAN WORLD Editor, The Syrian World: The Syrian World was discussed at one of our meetings and the mem- THE SYRIAN WORLD bers expressed their approval of the publication and went on record so as to encourage all Syrians in Cleveland to subscribe to it, as they have found it to be the best medium of keeping this new generation in touch with the affairs of the Syrians here and abroad. THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN CLUB. M. S. Caraboolad, Sec'yCleveland, Ohio. HELPS MAKE BETTER AMERICAN CITIZENS Editor, The Syrian World: I wish to congratulate you on such a beautiful and useful magazine. . . . It is my belief that young people who know more of the culture and background of their forefathers will make better American citizens, because they will have more to contribute to American life that is worth while. ROSE A. DAVISON, National Director, Dept. of Racial Groups. National Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Mt. Vernon, Olr'o. SUGGESTING REFORMS IN MARRIAGE CUSTOMS Editor. The Syrian World: All fair-minded observers must admit that what Mr. A. Hakim writes about the marriage problem among Syrians is true. I know of many actual cases to verify his statements. I would not, 'however, call those brides brought over from the mother land "imported wives." As the writer �JANUARY, 1929 explains, social conditions among the Syrians in the past were such that young men had to seek brides abroad. Now, however, conditions have changed, and the crux of the problem is for Syrian girls ;n America to find suitable husbands. \ 47 A SYRIAN GIRL VOICES AN OPINION Complains Girls Are Not Given Sufficient Freedom and Lead Lives of Drudgery. I believe something should be done Editor, The Syr:an World: in the way of educating the parents I wish to congratulate the Sage in changing their point of view in of Washington Street on his wonmatters of personal conduct among derful article regarding the marriage their daughters. Old country stand- problem among the Syrians, publishards are not applicable to, or prac- ed in the December issue. ticable in. this new land. The age The marriage problem is admitin which we live, besides, is not in tedly a very serious one and should harmony with medieval practices and be given much consideration. ethics. It still seems the unchanging It is a shame the way Syrian girls rule among the old folks that a have to live. All their life is nothyoung man cannot speak to a young ing but a drudgery. Something must lady unless he contemplates mar- be done to change our present situriage, and that once a girl is seen ation. Girls must be given more talking to a boy it necessarily fol- freedom. They must be put on the lows that they are engaged or oth- same basis as the boys. Our Syrian erwise people will begin to question boys have the privilege to go into the character of the girl as to why the world and do as they please, did So-and-so stop his calls on her. which is perfectly all right, but how This is carrying the point a little about the girls—shouldn't they be too far and stands in the way of our given the same privilege? g;rls finding mates. Very few g'r's ever have the The question of pre-nuptial de- chance to pick out their own husmands on the part of the parents bands. The parents usually pick out is also a serious matter. I know of the fellow. Most of the times the cases where the groom was required girl has never seen the fellow beto buy a specified quantity of jew- fore, and while she is not always elry, and after the marriage found willing to marry him, she is persuaded by her parents. At other times himself unable to furnish a home. she thinks she can have more freeThen, too. there should be no dom by marrying. I know of a case shame in both husband and wife which involved a 16-year-old girl working and cooperating to bu;ld and a man of 35. She knew nothing themselves a little nest. Syrian of love and she did not love him. girls are now permitted to work, Her parents persuaded her; he lured whereas they were not allowed out her with his gifts; they were marof the house before. Why not show ried. Two or three years later she the same liberal tendencies in other began to awaken to a new realizamatters ? , tion—that she did not love him; he ALBERT G. ABOUD. was of one generation, she of another; their ideas were different; they Detroit, Mich. �48 had nothing in common. She sought the company of others and found love in another. The result: Divorce, remarriage, a broken home, and little innocent children left to grow up into the world fatherless. All this could have been avoided had the fellow found a mate of his own type, and the girl been given the freedom and the privilege to pick out her own mate. We are living in America. We have adopted America as our country—we must adopt her ideas, and live an American life. We must put away those foolish ideas of the past and the Orient. We must give our girls the freedom which other girls in the world enjoy. We are a Christan nation, and a Christian nation treats the women the same as the men. Women are honored and respected. In a heathen country women are treated like dogs. We are not heathens. Do we not claim to be as civilized as any other nation ? God made Man and Woman. Without either the world cannot go on. Both are vital to society. Why then can't the Syrians put them on the same scale? Girls everywhere are beginning to awaken. They want more freedom. They are going to demand it —and will get it. Every time a bunch of girls get together all they can talk about is why they can't have the same freedom as the rest of girls, and why should the boys have all the freedom, and they none. It is not fair. We are only going to ruin our girls. Syrian girls hate their parents, their natiionalality; they lose interest in life—have nothing to live for, no ambitions, and I dare say that any number of girla are on the verge of rebellion. THE SYRIAN WORLD Nine out of every ten girls go out secretly and the tenth goes out openly. The nine girls who go out secretly do not enjoy themselves in that they are always afraid of being caught or of being seen by some Syrian. They are only living under a fear, a false pretense and their whole life is miserable. The tenth girl enjoys a reputation. She is the subject of conversaton for the gossip lovers. Wherever she goes she seems to hear "There goes that girl, she goes out with anybody and everybody." Her life is just as miserable as the other nine. While all ten of the g'rls go out, none of them are very happy, or could be under the circumstances. Why all of the narrow-mindedness on the part of the older generation ? It doesn't get them any place. They cannot expect us to live as they did when they were young. We are living in a different age. They never had radios, pianos, theaters, and dances, and all the modern conveniences we have today. Why all the selfishness? Why not stop and consider the girl's side of it. She is just as human as the rest of the world. Most Syrians think they are doing their daughter good by not giving her any freedom. It is true in their opinion, and the way they look at it, but we have different opinions and look at it from another standpoint—and we have just as much right to our opinions as they have. Girls have lived the way of their parents long enough. It is about time the parents compromise. Syrians are not only doing injustice to the girls, but they are also spoiling their boys. The boys look down upon the Syrian girl and feel superior to her, and have no respect for her. They go out with other ' 'M �JANUARY, 1929 49 girls until they find the right one. to have this freedom soon, and esSometimes they do not find the right pecially with the rising tide of a one and when they have roamed United Federation of Americanaround for a long time, they seek a Syrian societies. I am sure that one Syrian girl whose reputation has not of the purposes of the National orbeen marred by gossip lovers. Tfts ganization, which I hope we will is not fair to either sex. He has have in the near future, will be to had his fun, his fling. He is ready promote understanding among our to settle down—all he wants is a young people of both sexes. I'm hoping that the Syrian World wife who will devote the rest of her will open its pages for the discussion life to his comfort. She has not had of this subject, as it is just as imher fun, is not ready to settle. How can she make a good wife? Never- portant to our American-Syrian generation as any other subject and theless, she is expected to. On the other hand, if the girls had more so. MARY SOLOMAN. the same freedom as the fellows Mishawaka, Indiana. and were at liberty to go with them, there will be a mutual understanding between, and perhaps better matched marriages would result. The CHRIST SPOKE THE OLD SYRIAN LANGUAGE fellows would look up to the girls, and the girls would look up to the Editor, The Syrian World: fellows, and life would be happier In reading Dr. Philip K. Hitti's for both. book, "Syrians in America," I came If the fellows want to marry g^rls across the statement that the spoken of other nationalities, they are at language of Syria was the Aramaic. liberty to do so, and I am sure the Will you please tell me what that girls won't be brokenhearted. Give language was? I was under the them the same privilege and they impression that the Syrians spoke will be satisfied. the language of the people who govNo other people will ever take us erned Syria. into their social circles unless we do JAMILE J. KANFOUSH. away with this social evil. Syracuse, N. Y. Of course, I could go on and on, but what's the use. Everyone should DR. HITTI'S ANSWER be aware of this social evil. A lot Before the people of Syria spoke of the older folks are aware of it, but they won't admit it, and they Arabic they spoke Aramaic, which don't want their daughter to be talk- is a Semitic language and a sister ed about, but if all the girls were of both Arabic and Hebrew. The given the same freedom, there would Arabic language superseded the Aramaic as a result of the Arab be no talking. conquest in the middle part of the Perhaps, some of the older folks 7th century, A. D. Syria itself bewill never submit to this new freefore the Arab conquest was called dom, and perhaps it will never be the land of the Arameans. during this generation but it is bound Aramaic is the language which to come sometime or other. I feel confident that we are going Christ spoke. It was the language ) �50 THE SYRIAN WORLD of culture in all Western Asia before the Arabic language replaced it. It has two branches, an eastern branch and a western branch. The western branc'h is sometimes called Syriac. Aramaic, or Syriac, is still spoken in three villages in Eastern Lebanon, near Damascus. It lingered in Lebanon until the fourteenth or fifteenth century. PHILIP K. HITTI. Princeton, N. J. SYRIAN FARMERS PIONEERS IN CALIF. Editor, The Syrian World: In regard to the statement on Syrian farmers in the United States I wish to add a little information to the survey already covered by Dr. Hitti in his book, "Syrians in America." An area in central California was never touched by a plow owing to the fact that it was a desert, and being such it was shunned by American farmers and others until a Syrian from Zahle came along and bought it from the State for a song. Immediately he and lvs son set to work on this "desert" land and transformed it into one of the most productive ranches in that district. The grapes he raised on it captured first prize in an exhibit'on and the State sent a photographer to take pictures of the crops. Now our BouNajeeb owns several cars and is living on Easy Street. JAMILE J. KANFOUSH. Syracuse, N. Y. Spirit of the Syrian Press Under this caption we hope to present from time to time a microcosmic picture of the Arabic press, not only in this country, but wherever Arabic dailies and magazines reflect the opinions of responsible, thinking writers who are treating the different problems that confront the Arabicspeaking world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will take no part in the discussions reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. Our task will simply consist in selecting, to the best of our knowledge and with utmost sincerity, what we think is representative of the public opinion as expressed in these editorials. Editor. THE WEALTH OF AMERICA In Florida even at this season farmers are busy in their fields and the land is surprisingly productive. In mid-winter grapes are growing on the vines, roses are blooming in the gardens and the fields are beautifully green with systematic rows of beans and pepper plants. Truly, we know but little of America. Opportunities are to be found here as nowhere else in the world. What a boon it would be for industrious Syrians to take to farming, especially in sections where there are no changing seasons and where the earth produces the year around. This brings to mind the report that some of our immigrants in this and other countries have petitioned the home government for return transportation as they are destitute and cannot find employment. Such �51 JANUARY, 1929 people cannot be of any benefit to the motherland and to furnish them with free transportation would be sheer waste of good money, because if they are unable to find employment and remunerative occupations in this land of plenty they will prove equal failures in the poor country of their birth. Al-Hoda. N. Y., Dec. 18, 1928. NO NECESSITY TO MIGRATE themselves profitable occupations, why should the orginal inhabitants complain of lack of opportunities? The trouble with the majority of the Lebanese is that they want to "get rich quick," and they overlook the fact that to gain a livelihood in America at the present time is one of the most difficult tasks. Any man of willingness and industry can make a living anywhere in the world as well as he can make it in America. Ash-Shaab, N. Y., Dec. 11 ,1928. We read in the Lebanese press that the Lebanese have almost gone migration-mad. Any number of them seek passports to leave the country and some of them do not even take the precaution of ascertaining whether they would be admitted to the country of their destination. This has led to deplorable results in some instances where large numbers of immigrants were turned back after a perilous sea trip and found themselves stranded and destitute. The Lebanese Government should take more forcible means to prevent a repetition of such occurrences, and it should employ stricter supervision over the practices of some steamsh;p agents who entice the ignorant and lead them to sad situations. After all, the Lebanese at home envy us for being in America, while we who are here envy them for be^.ng in the most beautiful country on earth, where climate and natural scenery are unexcelled and where one can live in peace and tranquility far from the din and the press of a gigantic civilization which at times has a very sinister effect on the virtues of the soul. . . Furthermore, if the Armenians eom« to Lebanon and find in it for ARMENIANS IN SYRIA The population of Syria was at one time several folds what it is now, still the country enjoyed prosperity and there seemed to exist no fear of famine or lack of gainful occupation. Now we find Syria, in spite of it3 reduced population, in constant fear of losing the little it possesses, and whenever a contingent of Armenian immigrants arrives there is immediately raised a cry of bitter complaint. In view of these complaints we cannot but wonder how a country which normally supported five or six millions is incapable of supporting two millions now. Is it not that the earth is not made to yield its normal crops owing to lack of labor? It is not too much to expect that a population of ten millions should live comfortably and contentedly in Syria. It is therefore to Syria's advantage to encourage immigration for the purpose of increasing pro duction. The Armenians come to the country seeking work and in that capacity they should be welcomed as a useful and productive element. Syria, however, could lay down cer- �52 THE SYRIAN WORLD tain conditions on immigrants in order to insure their engaging in productive occupations, and through that means could enlist them as a most helpful addition to the population of the country in bringing about a rehabilitation of its industrial and agricultural conditions. As-Sayeh, N. Y., Dec. 15, 1928. COMING EVENTS IN SYRIA The Syrians await with impatience the return of High Commissioner Ponsot to learn the nature of the new proposals he brings from Paris. It is now evident that these proposals will not permit of bargaining, but will represent the final conditions laid down by the French Foreign Office for the Syrians to accept. Some form of an agreement will have to be reached the nature of which it is now impossible to determine. As matters now stand, the settlement of the Syrian situation does not rest on right but on might. The Syrians claim natural rights while France claims the right of mandate from the League of Nations. It is evident that Syria cannot assert its own right against the will of the Powers in control of the League. This should not be taken to mean, however, that the Syrians should forego their national aspirations. The mandate is but a temporary arrangement and cannot last forever. It becomes, therefore, the duty of the Nationalists to persevere in the prosecution of their just demands as in that alone they would be fulfilling the trust reposed in them by the nation. —Meraat-Ul-Gharb, N. Y., Dec. 29. General Amnesty Necessary Sultan Pasha Atrash and Emir Adel Arslan remain self-exiled in the Syrian Desert. They have so far refused to go to either Al Hijaz or Egypt where surely they would find the most considerate treatment. But what can be the cause of this persistent refusal? Surely there must be a secret in the matter. Let us see. So long as they remain in the Desert they give the impression that the fires of the Syrian rebellion are still smouldering—that the revolution is dormant but not dead. Now again, is this decision prompted by military or financial reasons? The answer to this last question can best be found in an explanation of the present situation. If the two mentioned leaders were to depart from the Desert there would be no further incentive to the money collecting campaigns waged among some of the misguided supporters of the revolution in America. In which case it would be evident that the revolution had truly come to an end and that to raise money for its further prosecution is but a pretext at extortion. As the situation now stands, the only effective move that France can make to put an end to these campaigns is to issue a general amnesty to include the leaders of the revolution. Then there would be left no valid reason for political tramps to be running all over Europe claiming to be the official representatives of the Syrian cause, while in fact they represent no one but themselves and are only seekers of personal profit and their only political qualification is the ability to deceive the simplehearted Syrian immigrants in America to extract their money. �t\ $3 JANUARY, 1929 With the issuance of the general amnesty Atrash and Arslan in the Syrian Desert could not continue in their claim of still prosecuting the Syrian revolution, nor Shakib Arslan in Europe persist in claiming representation of the Syrian cause before the League of Nations and European governments. As-Sayeh, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1928. SYRIANS ARE TO BLAME The Syrians blame the French for the selfishness the latter display in promoting their own interests. We believe the French are not to blame. Those to blame are the Syrians themselves who are forever busy in petty factional quarrels and open the way for foreigners to gain their ends at their expense. If the Syrians showed but a little capacity for unity and concerted action not only the French but all other foreigners would respect their rights and abstain from taking advantage of them in their own land. The Syrians have many wise sayings but seem to be unable to act on any. We would remind them of what the Arab poet says: Whoso takes his sheep to pasture in a land infested with beasts of prey, And failed to watch over them, the wolf will tend his flock in his stead. Cooperation is necessary not only between Druze and Druze, Moslem and Moslem, and Christian and Christian, but it is imperative between all these different elements in such a public-spirited manner that all should lay aside their religious "fanaticism" in working for the general cause of the country. The Syrian Eagle, N. Y., Dec. 4,1928 About Syria and Syrians DEMAND FOR MONARCHY DEVELOPING IN SYRIA ! The Syrians took the second postponement of the Constituent Assembly with apparent resignation to the inevitable. The extended stay of the High Commissioner in Paris made it impossible to reconvene the Assembly at the expiration of the first three months and this has kept the country in suspense and somewhat lessened the interest of the people in political developments. The general realization is that nothing can be expected before the return of the High Commissioner, while his return has been so long delayed that people have tired of speculating as to his probable future policy. The leaders of the Nationalists apparently remain as steadfast as ever in their demands, but there is a suspicion that their position is being weakened by the heavy inroads which the advocates of a Constitutional Monarchy are making in the popular sentiment. There are even some who assert that an overwhelming majority of the population prefer a monarchy in that it is more in keeping with their traditions and religious concepts. For the furtherance of these claims many an aspi rant to the throne has gone to Paris with the ostensible purpose of influencing the decision of the French �$4 THE SYRIAN WORLD Government in favor of declaring a A mixed commisson has been apmonarchy. Especially are their ef- pointed lately in Syria by an order forts in this direction more intense of the Acting High Commissioner to at the present stage because of their settle war claims and deal with the realization that France will make special cases arising from the revoher forthcoming declaration of pol- lution. It is composed of two Syricy her final word in her conduct of ian and one French members to the Syrian mandate, and if a mon- whom may be added the legal reprearchy is declared it would not only sentatives of the claimant and tha find many enthusiastic supporters defendant. It is given the widest but would also lessen the possibility latitude of power and its decisions of resistance on the part of the Na- are final. tionalist Party which favors a republican form of government. An interview by a representative DEATH OF THE SYRIAN ORTHODOX PATRIARCH of the Egyptian paper Al-Ahram with Emir Said Abdelkader, surCable dispatches from Beirut on named the Algerian, and one of the December 11 reported the death of principal aspirants to the Syrian his Beatitude Gregory Haddad, Pathrone while on 'his way to Paris, triarch of Antioch and of the East would have us believe that this for the Syrian Orthodox Church. Prince, if appointed King, would Death came to the Patriarch after come to an immediate understand- a long illness which at one time neing with the French on the question cessitated an operation at the hosof the six Nationalist demands by pital of the American University of the simple expedient of foregoing Beirut. His advanced age, however, them. The Prince is reported to rendered it difficult for him to rally have said that these points are un- completely. tenable in that they represented deFuneral services were held for the mands impossible of fulfillment, Patriarch in Beirut, after which his principally that point referring to body was taken to Damascus for inthe integrity of Syria which would terment. necessitate the surrender by EngThe late Patriarch was one of the land of Palestine and by King Ibn great ecclesiastical dignitaries of the Saoud of large territories now with- East, and his record is or.e of illusin his jurisdiction. On the question trious achievements. of the National Army, however, the Born at Obeih, Lebanon, in 1859, Prince thought that a suitable solu- he received his elementary education could be reached which would tion at the American Protestant Misbe agreeable to both the French sionary school of the town, but at and the Syrians. the age of thirteen was transferred Prince Said is the grandson of the to the Orthodox seminary of Beifamous Abdelkader who resisted the rut. He later joined a religious French for fifteen years in Algeria order and continued rising in rank and was finally exiled to Damascus. until elected Bishop of Tripoli in He later became one of the staunch- 1890. The succeeding years until tha est friends of France as have subsequently all members of his family. close of the nineteenth century were �JANUARY, 1929 V 55 stormy ones for the Syrian Orthodox ties many favors for the Syrian Church owing to the growing move- Church. During the World War the Patriment for independence from Greek rule. Only a bishop of Greek nation- arch used his great influence for inality was eligible for election to the tercession with the Turkish authoriPatriarchate of the Syrian Church ties for the protection and relief of the Christians, and in the troublous since 1724. times following the war he was one The controversy culminated in vicof the potent political leaders and tory for the Nationalists in 1899 gave his support to King Feisal. when the Greek Patriarch Espiridon Later he transferred his political alwas deposed and Bishop Malatius legiance to the French and exerted Dumany elected to succeed him as great efforts to establish harmony the first native Patriarch. He reand understanding with the Manmained in office six years When, upon datory Power. his death in 1906, he was succeeded by Patriarch Gregory Haddad. The work of the late Patriarch AN ARAB PRINCE was directed chiefly towards interGIVES MUSICAL CONCERT nal reorganizaton of the church and Prince Muhi-Ud-Dn, scion of the in this he succeeded brilliantly durSherinan family and for several ing his long tenure of office. The only sad incident that attended his years a resident of New York, gave administration was the dissension in a recital at the Town Hall on Thursthe Orthodox Church of America fol- day, December 13, which attracted lowing the death of the first bishop a large audience in which the Syrof the church, the late Raphael Ho- ians were largely represented. Prince Muhi-Ud-Din is perhaps the waweeny, who professed allegiance most prominent exponent of Oriental to the Russian authorities. music now in the United States. The The death of Bishop Howaweeny selections he played on the oud thrilland the disorganization of the Rused the large audience Which called sian Church as a result of the defor. several encores. It was apparent, bacle in Russia caused Bishop Gerhowever, that his art was being manos Shehad}, then visiting in heavily impregnated with the WestAmerica, to claim the American see ern technique, at least in the numfor the Syrian Church, and over this bers of his own composition which he matter a heated controversy has played on the oud. His cello proved been waged ever since, causing the to be a revelation. rise of three distinct factions in the The Syrians participating were Syrian Orthodox Church in America drawn from the best class in our and the establishment of as many community. The Syrian Junior bishoprics. League attended in a body. In 1913 the Patriarch visited RusPrince Muhi-Ud-Din is the son of sia at the invitation of the Czar to Sherif Ali Haidar, now a resident assist at the celebration of the terof Beirut and at one time a claimant centenary of the Romanof dynasty. to the throne of Al Hijaz. The He was one of the principal figures ; Prince's love for music took h m to of the celebration and while there Europe to master the western art received from the Russian authori- �56 after having perfected his Oriental technique in Constantinople and other musical centers in the East. Besides his adeptness at his art, the Prince is the perfect type of the eastern gentleman, a true representative of the illustrious Arabian house which claims the honor of having given the world the great Prophet of Islam. THE SYRIAN WORLD IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES The Syrian World is finding its way to an ever increasing number of public libraries in the United States through the patriotic? action of some of our public spirited countrymen. Mr. Frank Karam of Bangor, Me., has renewed his gift for a second year to the Public library of his city, announcement of the fact being made by the Bangor Commercial. In its book column, the Bangor paper lists first the Syrian World in its recommendations for Good Book Reading week and gives an outline of the topics of the magazine and its educational value. SYRIAN NURSE PRAISED FOR HEROISM IN DANGER During the past summer there developed an epidemic of septic sore throat in the small Massachusetts town of Lee which had no hospitals and had to call on neighboring cities for aid. Worcester was the first to respond and its contingent of physicians and nurses improvised a hospital and began immediate care of the stricken population. But for this quick help a large number of the inhabitants of the town would have perished. As it was only fifty succumbed. Among the first to arrive on the scene was the Syrian trained nurse, THE SYRIAN WORLD Miss Laura R. Agbay, who. like the rest, worked in 12 hour shifts. After about a month of the hardest fight under unfavorable circumstances the epidemic was brought under control and Miss Agbay returned to her home town. The Worcester Daily Telegram published a long interview with Miss Agbay and commended her pluck and determination in face of grave danger. AMEEN RIHANI, AUTHOR, ARRIVES IN NEW YORK Ameen Rihani, author of "Maker of Modern Arabia" etc., arrived in New York December 25 after having spent several months in London lecturing on Arabia and the Near East. Preparations are under way by the Syrians of New York City to hold a banquet in honor of this returning son of the colony who has achieved world-wide fame by his travels and his literary works. Mr. Rihani has brought with him the three full-blooded Arabian horses which were presented to him by King Ibn Saoud of the Hijaz. While in the city he is a guest at the Authors' Club. FIRST MARONITE CHURCH IN CANADA What is claimed to be the first Maronite Catholic Church in Canada was dedicated last Fall in Windsor, Ont. The pastor is Mngr. Peter Farah through whose untiring efforts the success of the undertaking was made possible. A generous contributor was Mr. Louis Peters who was knighted by His Holiness the Pope in reward for his gift of $10,000 towards the building fund of the Church. On the occasion of the consecration ceremonies conduct- L �THE LATE GREGORY HADDAD Patriarch of Antioch for the Syrian Orthodox Church ( 1859 — 1928 ) �] �- 57 JANUARY, 1929 ed by the Rt. Rev. M. F. Fallon, D.D. Bishop of London. Ont, Canada, a souvenir ibooklet was issued in English giving the history of this parish as well as of Syria in general, laying special emphasis on the attachment of the Maronites to the Catholic faith throughout the ages. SYRIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN NEW YORK A statement which appeared in the metropolitan press early in December and was taken for its face value by the Arabic press of the city, gave the number of Syrian students in Columbia University and living at International House as only two. The Syrian World asked Mr. Emile Dumit for information as to the exact number of Arabic speaking students living at International House, and he prepared the following list which numbers eighteen, all of whom are studying at Columbia with the exception of two who are studying at New York University. Matta Akrawi of Mosul. — Subject, Education. Rafik Ashsha, Damascus—Business. Ibrahim Dada, Damascus—Education. Emile Dumit, Beirut,—Physics. Hassan A. Ghamrawi, Egypt—Finance. A. Haddad, Transjordania^—Agrjiculture. Iskandar Harik, Lebanon,—Education. William Hazam. Egypt—Journalism. Fuad Husaini, Damascus—Agriculture. Jamil Isterabadi, Baghdad—Business Dawud Kasri, Mosul—Education. Jamal Khurdeji, Dahascus—Electrir cal Engineering. Midhat Sirbaji, Tripoli—Music. George Serrafian, Beirut—Archaeology and Pusiness. Miss. Theodora Skaff—History. George Shiya—Law. Miss. Elizabeth Shiya—Business. T. Shiya—Business The last four are American-born Syrians. 1 CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE AMEEN RIHANI—Internationally known scholar and traveler. Author of "Maker of Modern Arabia" and of many other works of poetry and prose. KAHLIL GIBRAN — Author of The Prophet and other celebrated works and styled by American writers Poet of the Cedars and The Syrian Poet. DR. N. A. KATIBAH — Arabic and English poet and scholar. Professionally a dentist of Brooklyn. One of our regular contributors. A. HAKIM — Pen name of an old Syrian immigrant who is contributing to The Syrian World a special series of critical studies EDWARD B. KARAM — A Syrian-born American of Pittsfleid, Mass. GEORGE MALOOF — A new contributor of Pawtucket, R. I. J �• » » » » 4» +» » »» »»-»» +» » » » »» » j A BOOK YOU SHOULD HAVE MAKER OF MODERN ARABIA, by Ameen Rihani has proven a literary sensation. Never before has a more accurate, extensive and authoritative picture of central Arabia been presented with as much power. It is an epic of the desert j an up-to-the-minute "close up" of the cradle of the Arabian race. The author of this great work is a Syrian of whom everyone of his countrymen should be proud. A copy of his book should be found in every Syrian home of culture. "Mr. Rihani's picture of the Wahabis is the sort of firsthand authoritative atuff that puts this book above and wholly outside the range of the usual treatises either of travel, observation or politics." N. Y. Herald-Tribune. "The command over the subtleties of our anomalous language revealed in these pages, is uncanny. To read is to enjoy the pleasure of music. From Ameen Rihani we have what can scarcely fail to be a final portrait of that formidable chieftain, Ibn Sa'oud, by right of conquest King of Mecca." New York Times. ORDER YOUR COPY FROM THE SYRIAN WORLD AT THE PUBLISHER'S PRICE 1 > » »» » $6.00 postpaid. » <»» »»—»» <»» . «»» <t» <»» »» .»» +» <»+» I � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Newspapers Description An account of the resource <span>To view the finding aid for this collection, </span><a href="https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a> Subject The topic of the resource Arabs--United States Arabic periodicals Newspapers Arab American Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NS 0002 Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. NCSU Libraries Collection NCSU Libraries Collection metadata Finding Aid Link from https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/ns0002 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context TSW1929_01reducedWM Title A name given to the resource The Syrian World Volume 03, Issue 07 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1929 January Description An account of the resource Volume 3 Issue 07 of The Syrian World published January 1929. The first issue of the year begins with an article by Ameen Rihani discussing Arabia and its problems-- an informative discussion on the current issues in the Middle East, specifically Syria and the nations surrounding it. As mentioned in the December issue, there was a desire for Syrian-Americans to join Syrian-American societies. The next article is an update on this discussion that showcases a few of the societies in various parts of the U.S., a show of the collective unification of Syrian-Americans. Following this article there is a poem dedicated to the idea of the new Syrian-American Federations titled "The New-Born Babe," by Edward B. Karam. Following it is yet another inclusion of "The Sage of Washington Street," with a part III discussion of the marriage problem among Syrians by A. Hakim. Yet another poem included in this issue is by Kahlil Gibran titled "Defeat," a poem with a tone of resilience. The next story is a classic adopted from Arabic titled "The Weaver and the Rose," which discusses Al-Ma'moun the 7th Abbasid Caliph. There is another work by Ameen Rihani that is a transcript of his lecture in London titled "Arabia--An Unbiased Survey." The issue concludes with the Reader's Forum and excerpts from the Arab press. Subject The topic of the resource Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals Arabs--United States--Periodicals Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals Language A language of the resource English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salloum A. Mokarzel Syrian-American Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New York Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 104 Greenwich St., New York, NY Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials. 1920s Ameen Rihani Marriages New York Poetry-English Syria https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/e184d21d3ac03f45d13fbaaec3de2c1c.pdf 980cc6c9b55da2f65c91944ebd5d4c96 PDF Text Text Vol. 11%-fto, 6 December, 192 THE SYRIAN WORLD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE KB A FEDERATION OF SYRIAN SOCIETIES. REV. W. A. MANSUR I NIGHT—A PROSE POEM, KAHLIL GIBRAN ALONG THE SYRIAN COAST. . CHARLES W. FOWLE THE TWO BROTHERS. AMEEN RIHANI THE CAMEL. ALICE POULLEAU — SIMONE FRANCE MOSLEM PRAYER A LA PARISIENNE. FAKRY BEY ABBAZA RECENT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA THE COPY 50c. �THE SYRIAN WORLD A. SALLOUM MOKARZEL, Editor. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS ;i 104 GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK, By subscription $5.00 a year. N. Y. Single copies 50c. Entered as second-class matter, June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. VOL. III. NO. 6 DECEMBER, 1928 CONTENTS PAGE A Federation of Syrian Socieites REV. W. A. MANSUR Night 3 10 KAHLIL GIBRAN Translation by Andrezv Ghareeb Leila and the Emeer DR. SALIM 13 Y. ALKAZIN Along the Syrian Coast Charles W. Fowle 14 ..19 The Two Brothers AMEEN RIHANI The Sage of Washington Street {On the Marriage Problem Among Syrians) •_ _.20 A. HAKIM �i CONTENTS (Continued) PAGE The Camel 26 ALICE POULLEAU Translation by SIMONE FRANCE Arab Proverbs 28 Moslem Prayer a la Parisienne _ __29 FAKRY BEY ABBAZA The Seller of Words .32 H. I. KATIBAH The Superstitious Caliph 35 Editorial Comment The Elections Federation of Syrian Societies Answering a Critic 36 36 38 Readers' Forum 41 Spirit of the Syrian Press 48 Political Developments in Syria 51 About Syria and Syrians 53 ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE A view of Modern Beirut The Alarmed Guardian Birdsnest Orphanage in Syria An Encampment of Bedouins in Syria A Camel Caravan Trudging Along the Shore in Syria �i .,;..:. .. /..:,:: THE SYRIAN WORLD VOL. III. NO. 6 DECEMBER, 1928 A Federation of Syrian Societies By REV. W. A. MANSUR DECAUSE Syrian-Americans have decided to make America a permanent home; because they are thinking with an American point of view, and because they are coming to a solidarity of race consciousness, they are organizing an American Federation of Syrian Societies for their future welfare in America. Popular sentiment is seeking to express this decision, make known this solidarity, and express this solicitude to themselves, to the American nation, and to their native land. Syrian-American pioneers laid a foundation of true character, a splendid generaion is about to build thereon, and a worthy leadership is already giving promise of high endeavor. The rising solidarity of race consciousness calls for a crystallization of popular sentiment, the organization of various elements, and the creation of an organization for the peoples' general welfare. The following is an attempt at a statement of fundamentals for an American Federation of Syrian Societies giving in general the spirit, purposes, and methods of it. I. A declaration of our allegiance to the United States is fundamental to the right understanding of Syrian-Americans by Americans, our posterity and our native land. Without equivocation or mental reservation we declare our political allegiance to the United States of America. We renounce all other political allegiance. We believe in, support and are ready to defend the Constitution of the United States. We claim, �f THE SYRIAN WORLD through American citizenship, certain "unalienable rights"— Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." That Americans, our posterity, and our native land may know we declare our allegiance to the United States. In the words of "The American's Creed," by William Tyler Page: I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable, established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity, for which the American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag and to defend it against all enemies." We are Americans first. We pledge to give to the United States a pure Americanism, the fullest loyalty, and an undivided allegiance. We love our motherland, we honor the memory of our illustrious ancestors, and we exalt the contributions our race has made to mankind. We are Americans first because we have made America our home, because it is the home of our posterity, and because we owe it to posterity to be for America first. Here we stand, so help us God of our Fathers. II. The destiny of Syrian-Americans calls for the solidarity of race consciousness based in human instincts, race -preservation, and future happiness. The renaissance of the Syrian race calls for a solidarity of race consciousness. It is a natural human instinct. The urge is race preservation. The object is the fullest happiness commensurate with character, talent, and energy. Syrian Americans are numerically few among America's millions. Dr. Philip Hitti says in The Syrians in America that "it is safe to assume that there are at present about 200,000 Syrians, foreign born and born of Syrian parents, in the United States." But what are the 200,000 among the 130,000,000 in the United States! Is it possible to organize the social consciousness of Syrian-Americans for their future welfare? E. R. Ross quotes in Civic Sociology De Tocqueville's observation in the United States nearly a hundred years ago as showing how a social mind was organized. "It frequently happens in III. �DECEMBER, 1928 5 Democratic countries that a great number of men who wish or want to combine cannot accomplish it, because as they are very insignificant and lost amid the crowd, they cannot see, and know not where to find, one another. A newspaper then takes up the notion or the feeling which had occurred simultaneously, but singly, to each of them. All are then immediately guided toward this beacon j and these wandering minds, which had long sought each other in darkness, at length meet and unite." Through modern means of communication, transportation and co-operation it is possible to organize the scattered Syrian people into a social mind. It is thereby possible to give identity, personality and solidarity to Syrian-American race consciousness. Syrian-American societies already exist in many cities. The organization of an American Federation of Syrian Societies will create a national mind, bind the scattered Syrian people, and claim a larger recognition for our race. III. A larger Co-operation of Syrian-Americans is necessary for the realisation of our racial calling through the study y develofmenty and achievement of a larger life. The American spirit has opened the springs of the Syrian soul. The American ideal has awakened in the Syrian the highest vision, and American hopes have spurred him to high achievement. To fully realize the best in him, he must study his native talent, develop it, and seek opportunities to achieve the most. His object is the fullest self-realization. General John J. Pershing was right in saying at a meeting of the American Legion in New York City, "We have no quarrel with Americans of foreign birth or stock who cling to the music, the art, the folklore and better traditions of the old land. They would be less than human, and we would be poorer, if they didn't j and we recognise our obligation to all these. We want all to know that America is an inspiration, that it is something spiritual, a goal toward which we aim." Having caught the inspiration of the American spirit, the American point of view and the American philosophy of life, we wish to enjoy what talent be in us in the American way. _ We seek our highest progress through American political, educational, social and commercial opportunities. The greater the co-operation through newspapers, public gatherings and national conventions the larger will be the inspiration of our race. �_ THE SYRIAN WORLD IV. The organization of an American Syrian Federation will stand for the -protection of Syrian race interests, a rightful place among the races and against misrepresentation. In J 914 the Syrians in the United States waged a fight to establish their right to American citizenship. This was due to the refusal of District Judge Henry A. M. Smith, sitting at Charleston, S. C, to admit that Syrians are free white persons within the meaning of the naturalization law. The Syrians in the United States rallied their forces in defense of their national honor. They carried their race to a higher court and won. Among the leaders was N. A. Mokarzel, editor of "Al-Hoda," and dean of the Arabic newspapers in the United States. "Both through his influential paper," says S. A. Mokarzel, editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD, "and by his personal efforts he helped crystallize Syrian public opinion and arouse his countrymen to collective action." An able presentation of the question and decisions which settled it once for all was given by Joseph W. Ferris in The SYRIAN WORLD. "A vital question which confronted the Syrians in the United States has in all likelihood been finally determined. Considerable discussion h?d arisen respecting the provisions of our Naturalization Act and its applicability to Syrians, more especially, Section 2169, Revised Statutes, United States Code/Title 8, Section 3599, which declared and still declares that the provisions of the Naturalization Act shall apply to aliens being free white persons, and to aliens of African nativity, and to persons of African descent. "All others are excluded from the privilege of naturalization and thereby citizenship. "So far as Syrians are concernedj it has been judicially determined that they fall within one of the classes to whom is accorded the privilege of citizenship." (Syrian World issues, February and March, 28.) (See also "Christian-Moslem Marriages," by S. A. Mokarzel, "The Syrian World," April, 28.) As a race we claim a rightful place among the races of mankind. We must protect ourselves against race prejudice and discrimination. We must guard ourselves against misrepresentation. We must remove any misunderstanding about our race that would handicap our posterity. Organization will do more for us all than we can do for ourselves separately. An old household fable tells of the father who desired to teach his sons that in union �DECEMBER, 1928 ' there is strength. He gave to each of them a stick. He told them to break it. They did it easily. Then he gave them a bundle of the sticks and told them to break that too. They strained themselves but the effort was in vain. In union there is strength and the same principle holds good for Syrian Americans. V. An American Federation of Syrian-Americans will make for larger diffusion of knowledge about the Syrian race, the education of Syrian youth, and the exaltation of Syria's contributions to mankind. The world is losing much because it has not as yet discovered the Syrian race and Syria, and their contributions to mankind. Various causes contribute to keep them from being rightfully known, understood and appreciated. J. Ray Johnson, editor_of "The Interpreter," organ of the Foreign Language Information Service in New York, says, "Probably no racial group in America suffers more from misunderstanding than do the Syrians." (Syrian World, June, 1928.) The discovery of the Syrian race, Syria, and their contributions to humanity will be of prime importance to world progress. The great Biblical scholar, Sir George Adam Smith, says in "Syria and the Holy Land," "Syria, chiefly because it includes Phoenicia and Palestine, has been of greater significance to mankind, spiritually and materially, than any other single country in the world." , Syria is the motherland of the spiritual and moral forces ot the world. Our illustrious ancestors, the Phoenicians, are the fathers of sea-ship building, navigation and commerce. They improved the alphabet and gave it to mankind. They scattered, through the influence of their commerce, Mediterranean culture to the known world. Among the foremost leaders of those who founded, organized or propagated Christianity, Mohammedanism, or Judaism, have been members of the Syrian race. The renaissance of the Syrian race has made the modern Syrian the foremost leader in literature in the Arabic-speaking world. There is need for the revival of the memory of the Syrian race Syrian historical background, and their legacies to mankind. These are necessary to the spiritual interpretation of human lite Syria's spiritual, moral, and historical contributions to the world are of paramount importance. We need to keep aloft the lighted �n THE SYRIAN WORLD torch of our race before mankind. The education of SyrianAmerican youth in their racial history, racial inheritances, and their racial contributions to mankind is necessary to their future happiness. VI. A national association of Syrian-Americans will promote policies for race welfare, research for social well-being, and development of highest American citizenship. A loyal and intelligent American citizenship is a most essential factor for the welfare of the Syrian race in the United States. We have made the supreme sacrifice in leaving our native land; we have made the supreme decision to make the United States our permanent home; and we have caught the supreme vision to consider our future welfare in the United States. Therefore, we declare, the United States to be our country, her history our history, her ideals our ideals, and her flag our flag. To promote the right understanding of this organization we wish to make our stand plainly understood. We are against the use of this or any other organization for political, religious, or racial propaganda inimical to the welfare of the United States. General John J. Pershing was right in saying in the address already quoted, "But we do object to the foreign-born citizen who attempts to decide American questions for a foreign reason. Whether he be of German lineage and proposes to determine American policy because of German prejudices, or whether he be of Irish, Italian, Hungarian, Russian, who seeks for similar reasons to decide upon American questions, I bitterly resent the abuse of American citizenship or residence for the purpose of political or warlike propaganda in foreign countries. Under no guise can this country be made the breeding place for intrigue." The organization of a Syrian-American social mind will make for the welfare of Syrian Americans. As Americans we shall be better able to Americanize more thoroughly the whole Syrian race in the United States. The policy of research will enable us to promote the better civic, educational, and social ideas. The people will be able to weave their national, racial and religious characters into the fabric of American attitudes, ideals and hopes. The future physical well-being of the Syrian race needs scholarly attention. Greatest attention, therefore, should be the consideration of the welfare of the rising generation: infancy, vocational guidance, and citizenship. Let it be remembered that VII. �DECEMBER; 1928 childhood, youth, education, social life, religious life, marriage, although we are scattered over the United States, our problems, whether racial, educational, religious, social or otherwise, are about the same. VII The foundation of a federation publication is necessary as an official organ, for information, and the general service of th& T$C&» • A fundamental necessity for a national federation of Syrian American societies will be an English publication to serve its needs It will carry the news and official announcements of the societies. It will carry the official announcements of the federation It will act as an agency for the interchange of ideas, it will be for the service of Syrian-Americans, the information of Americans, and for the recording of happenings in the Syrian W01 * It is my hope that when an American Federation of Syrian Societies is formed that THE SYRIAN WORLD will be made the official organ of the federation. THE SYRIAN WORLD, founded and edited by S. A. Makarzel, is now in the service of SyrianAmericans. I remind the reader of the noble motive, disinterested service and far-reaching vision of this Syrian-American patriot who wrote in the first issue, "The Idea of this publication was conceived in the spirit of service to the Syrian-American veneration " THE SYRIAN WORLD has proven itself to be American in policy, scholarly in quality, cultural in program, trustworthy in leadership, and powerful in inspiration Because of the spirit, purpose and quality of it, THE SYRIAN WORLD has become the un-official organ of Syrian societies It is now broadcasting the truth about our race It is the medium of interchange of ideas. It is creating a solidarty of race consciousness. It is promoting co-operative sentiment for our race welfare Already Syrian-American youth feel its enlightening power, its educational force, and its compulsion to high achievement The fundamentals discussed constitute a challenge for the organization of an American Federation of Syrian Societies in he United States. Already Syrian sentiment favors itour future welfare demands it, and our posterity makes it necessary. Let us agitate, educate, and finally federate with the thought of our future welfare, thus keeping alive the legacies of our ancestors, and the trust of a glorious posterity. �m w THE SYRIAN WORLD Night By DEC* In th KAHLIL GIBRAN Translation by ANDREW GHAREEB Editor's Note — Many earlier poems and essays of Kahlil Gibran in his mother language Arabic have never been translated into English. The following prose-poem "NIGHT" is one of the first literary efforts of our gifted writer and is 'here rendered into English for the first time. The characteristic Gibran style is evident in this early composition as it is in his later works. Admirers of Gibran will welcome this valuable addition to his other works already available in English. , Night of poets, lovers, singers, In y< Wh( The Night of shadows, spirits, images, Night of longing, desire, memory, Giant who stands between the dwarfed evening clouds and the brides of dawn, girt with the sword of awe, crowned with the moon, and clothed in garments of silence, who gazes with a thousand eyes into the depths of life and listens with a thousand ears to the sighs of death and annihilation. The The You are darkness that makes us see the light of heaven; and day is light that enshrouds us with the darkness of earth. You are hope that opens our eyes to eternity;and day is vanity that holds us motionless like blind men in the world of time and space. You are a silence that reveals in tranquillity the secrets of ever wakeful and restless spirits; and day is a clamor turbulent in souls prostrate beneath the sharp hoofs of ambition and desire. You are a just man who gathers in slumber's wings the dreams of the weak and the hopes of the strong. And you are a kind man who closes with his mystic fingers the eyelids of the wretched and carries their hearts to a world less cruel than this. Th Tl �DECEMBER, 1928 n In the folds of your gray garments, lovers lose themselves; on your feet, wet with dew, the lonely-hearted shed their tears; in the palms of your hands, perfumed with scents of the field, strangers place their longing and despair. To lovers you are a friend, to the lonely a comforter, to the desolate a host. In your shade poets' fancies creep; on your bosom the prophetic heart awakes; in your hair imagination stirs; for to the poet you are a ruler, to the prophet an inspiration, to the thinker an intimate. When my soul became weary of man and my ears were tired of gazing at the face of the day, I sought the distant fields where the shadows of bygone ages sleep. There I stood before a dark, silent and undulating being, moving a thousand feet over plain, mountain and valley. There I gazed into the eyes of darkness and listened to the rustle of invisible wings and felt the touch of silent garments and braved the terrors of darkness. There I saw you, Night, a tragically beautiful and awesome figure, standing between heaven and earth, clothed with clouds, belted with fog, laughing at the sun, mocking the day deriding the slaves who kneel sleepless before idols, contemptuous of kings asleep in silks, staring fixedly into the eyes of thieves, standing guard over a baby's parents, weeping at the smiles of prostitutes, smiling at the tears of lovers, lifting with your right hand the great-hearted and crushing with your feet the mean-spirited. There I saw you, Night, and you saw me; in your awful beauty you were a father to me and I in my dreams a son; for the curtains of being were drawn away, and the veil of doubt was rent, and you revealed your secret purposes to me, and I told you ail my hopes and desires. Then your majesty turned into melody more beautiful than the gentle whisper of flowers, and my fears were transformed into trust more than that of the birds, and you lifted me up to you and placed me on your shoulders and taught my eyes to see, my ears to hear, my lips to speak, my heart to love. �12 THE SYRIAN WORLD Then you touched with your mystic fingers my thoughts; and they poured forth like a running, singing stream, driving before it the withered grass. And you kissed with your lips my spirit; and it kindled like a burning conflagration, devouring all dead and dying things. I followed you, Night, until I became like you, and was your companion until my desires became yours, and loved yop until my whole being was transformed into a small image of your own. For within my dark self are bright stars which passion scatters at evening and doubt gathers at morn; and within my heart is a moon that struggles, now in a space thick with clouds, now in a void filled with processions of dreams. Within my wakened soul is a peace that reveals the lover's secret and echoes the worshiper's prayer;while around my head is a shroud of magic which, though the agony of death rend, the songs of youth will repair. I am like you, Night, and should people think me boastful to resemble you, as they boast of resemblance to the day? I am like you, and we two are accused of what each is not. I am like you with all my dreams, hopes, and being. I am like you though dusk crowns me not with its golden fleece. I am like you though morn does not adorn my trailing garment with its rays of rose. I am like you, though not belted with the Milky way. I, too, am a night, dilate, vast, calm yet agitated. And there is no beginning to my darkness and no end to my depths. When the souls of the departed rise to pride themselves on the light of joy, my soul shall ascend glorified by the darkness of its sorrow. I am like you, Night, and when my dawn comes, then also shall be my end. �13 .3 DECEMBER, 1928 Laila and the Emeer By DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN Now when Laila; the beloved of Tobet, was brought before the Emeer of the Believers, he marveled exceedingly. Not bcause of Laila's fairness did the Emeer marvel, for Laila was not beautiful: Neither because of her eloquence did he marvel, though Laila's speech was sweet and was wont to fall in music from her lips, like that of the reed. Then the Emeer: "May Allah show mercy unto him who said, 'Listen to me, but fix not thy gaze upon my face.' "Art thou the woman whom Tobet made famous? "Art thou she whose renown the caravans carried to the ends of the earth? "Where is the charm that touched Tobet's tongue with fire and gave to his songs the color of the rose? "Where is the grace that freed his passion from its bonds, "That lured from his shadowed realm the Genie of poesy to help Tobet string like pearls the words of love? "Where is the beauty that stirred his heart and made him heedless of aught else? "Is it thou that called a living spring from the desert of his soul, "And hast bowed him, content to worship, before a shrine on which his hands might not be laid? "In thee I see it not—nay, of a truth I see it not." And Laila made reply: "But, O Emeer of the Believers, thou seest not through Tobet's eyes!" And the tongue of the Emeer spoke no further, for its reprotch was answered. �te • -• ' :' ' THE SYRIAN WORLD 14 Along the Syrian Coast THE GLORIOUS SCENERY AND INTERESTING HISTORICAL PLACES THE TRAVELER ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN HAIFA AND BEIRUT By CHARLES W. FOWLE QYRIA offers to American tourists one of the most interesting portions of the Mediterranean tour, at decidedly lower expense than for an equal length of time spent in Egypt or Palestine. Yet few of the ten thousand Americans who visit the eastern Mediterranean each winter see anything of it. As members of the large cruises, which are, of course, well organized and conducted by the several lending tourist agencies, they are permitted usually a few hours in Beirut, with perhaps a rushing automobile trip from Galilee to Damascus and return. The trip from Haifa to Beirut offers a rich experience. Not only is the road excellent (as are most of the roads in Syria) and the scenery perhaps the loveliest in all that section of the world, but every foot of the way is strewn with objects of historical and archeological interest. The journey can be made in a day,"which is another attraction, for the direct time is only four hours by automobile. In nine hours one can stop at all the places of first interest along the road and take time for luncheon. It is, therefore, a practical as well as the most beautiful way of reaching Beirut for those who have already been in Egypt and are "doing" Palestine. Haifa is only one hour from Nazareth by car, or about five hours bv either rail or car from Jerusalem. From Haifa the road is straight north, right along the coast. Leaving Haifa the car runs first on the firm, sandy beach along the very edge of the sea, and for about fifteen miles one speeds with the gulls and keeps dodging the soft-lapping waves. This article on travel in Syria appeared in The Nomad of November, 1928, and is here reproduced by permission. Mr. Fowle went to Syria in the interest of Near East Relief. Since this article was written Birdsnest orphanage was closed and the inmates transferred to the orphanage of Jubeil. �DECEMBER, 1928 15 At the northern end of this bit is the town of Acca, the Ptolemais of the ancients, the St. Jean d'Acre of the Crusades and of Napoleon's campaign. One can easily visit the sea-walls of the Crusaders' Castle and the courtyard of the Mosque of Djezzar, with its beautiful sea-green dome. It is this same Acca which was the last stronghold of the Crusaders in the Holy Land. Continuing northward from Acca, one soon sees stretches of the huge aqueduct, main artery for the Accan water supply, first built, or perhaps only reconstructed, by the Greeks, then by the Romans, repaired by the Crusaders, and repatched many times by the Arabs and theTurks. Its long series of arches, marching across the hollows of the fields, covered often deep in grass and fern and hanging vine, gives the effect of a string of camels trudging noiselessly across the land. On clear days the backdrop to this scene is majestic Mount Hermon, off to the northeast, ten thousand feet high and covered from November to June in deep, glistening snow. The great aqueduct passed, a point of land rises high ahead and cuts sharply into the sea. This is Ras Nakhoura, frontier post between Palestine and Syria, and this between the British and the French mandated territories. Here there is a very neat and efficient passport control by a British sergeant and several Tommies. The next several miles are scenically and historically most interesting. The road is at times cut right out of the solid rock and rises two hundred feet above the sea, which is almost directly under the car. Scenery and sharp curves combine to take one's breath, but one need feel no fear, for thousands of cars have made the trip without accident. This is the marvelous bit of road which General Allenby had cut out by his engineers and troops in October, 1918, when the unexpectedly rapid progress of his other armies up the inland valleys of Palestine, Transjordama and southern Syria made it necessary that his guns travel fast along the coast. The construction was actually in three days' time, to the utter consternation of the Turkish forces, who suddenly found British cannon threatening their flanks through country where wheeled vehicles had never before passed. This contributed largely to the collapse of the Turks. What this new road means can best be judged by noting bits still to be seen of the old road, known to the Greeks and Romans as the Ladder of Tyre, because travelers were compelled literally to climb up or down steps in �16 THE SYRIAN WORLD the solid rock from the bottom of a narrow, steep gully, so few pack animals and no vehicles were able to pass that way. After a few minutes at the French frontier post, for passport control similar to the British a few miles back, the traveler skims along to Tyre, now a sleepy town, its approach much of the time half-buried in sand along the causeway, which Alexander the Great built to join this island city to the mainland. The Arabic name of Tyre is Sur or Syr, and the name Syria merely means the Land of Tyre. Hardly a vestige remains of its former greatness as the chief city and seaport of powerful Phoenicia. Just before reaching the causeway leading to Tyre, the road turns to the right and goes on up the coast, with Sidon as the next place of importance. On the way the tourist would do well to stop for a half hour to visit some of the old rock tombs from Greco-Roman days, some of them dating even much further back to the Phoenicians. They are close to the road, their square cut openings into the solid rock making it impossible to miss them. A little beyond the tombs, up to the right on the edge of a rocky hog-back, is the little village of Zarpeth, identified as the Zerephtha to which the Prophet Elijah used to come for comfort and solace. A bit beyond is the region called by the Greeks Ornithopolis, City of Birds. The name seems well justified even now, for as cars pass in the spring-time countless thousands of birds rise from the fields, circle about and then settle again, or else fly away in wheeling clouds. It is said here grows a plant, just as it grew many centuries ago, with seeds which are a great delicacy to these birds. After leaving this point the traveler is really in Lebanon, the name given to the mountain range which stretches, majestic, parallel with the coast, from Tripoli on the north to the Palestine border and beyond, and to the fertile and populous region between this mountain range and the sea. On the left is always the sea; on either side of the road are fertile fields, shaded gardens, terraced vineyards, and groves of mulberry and olive; on the right, low hills with many a palm-capped little village snuggling in the hollows or proudly riding the crests; and beyond, up and up, in endless terraces and ridges and peaks, the mountains of the Great Lebanon. In early spring the flowers are profuse and beautiful—cyclamen, anemone, poppy, all in one glorious riot of color. Sidon is well worth a halt, to see its land and sea castles �A VIEW OF MODERN BEIRUT The Avenue des Francais lined with .Palatial Homes Facing the Sea �'Birdsnest," the Orphanage of Near East Relief Near Sidon in Syria. AN ENCAMPMENT OF BEDOUINS IN SYRIA �DECEMBER, 1928 17 and to walk through its quaint covered streets, practically unchanged through many centuries. One cannot help wondering how they differed when Saint Paul stopped here to see his friend while being taken to Rome, or when this was the second chief city of the Phoenicians. The south side of the hill, on which is the land castle, is one huge mass of broken murex shells, from which was obtained the Tyrian purple so famous and costly in ancient days, the secret of whose extraction in unknown. Archaeologically Sidon is one of the richest sites in all the Near East. There is hardly a garden or field or hillside round the town which has not yet yielded treasures, sarcophagi, jewelry, irridescent glass, pottery and coins, and there must be more hidden than has yet been unearthed. It is here, in a field just north of the town, that there were found some thirty years ago the famous Alexander Sarcophagus and its mate called The Weepers, now the chief treasures of the National Turkish Museum in Constantinople. Sidon has for many years been a chief station of Near East Relief. Birdsnest, the orphanage here, is perhaps the most appealing of all Near East overseas stations. The road up the coast passes within a few hundred yards of it, out of Sidon en route to Beirut. From Sidon the way is interesting because of the intimate glimpses one gets of the daily life of the inhabitants. There is much traffic of camel trains carrying produce to the towns and returning to their mountain homes with manufactured goods and foodstuffs which cannot be home-grown; of carts drawn by a single horse or mule, carrying crates full of oranges, lemons and loquats from the famous fruit gardens of the vicinity and returning with the empty boxes (these usually travel at night, and the tinkling bell on the collar of the animal and the glimmer of a lantern slung underneath the cart, are all part of one's picture of travel along this road); of carts more heavily laden, drawn by three or four mules hitched always in one long row, with the best trained beast out in front; and of numberless donkeys, pattering, unmindful of the weight of their loads or the heat of the midday sun. Often one sees a Bedouin encampment or a group of Gypsies with black goat-hair tents, the large animals grazing in some nearby field, the men squatting in a circle smoking endless pipes or cigarettes, while women and girls tend the fire and cook the meal, and children and dogs and goats tumble about in joyful unwashedness. �18 THE SYRIAN WORLD Along this road one spies an occasional section of a fluted marble column from some long lost Greek or Roman palace or a huge stone sarcophagus, which may now be doing duty as the village watering trough. To see reminders of ages and civilizations long past puts one to wondering whether it is A. D or B. C. when a date is mentioned. It takes no time at all in the Near East to realize that history does not begin in 1492, when Columbus discovered America. Near Damur is a sandy stretch of shore on which, according to tradition, the Prophet Jonah was heaved out by the inhospitable whale. A little further along is the single mast of the French wireless station, which talks nightly with the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and for the next three miles the traveler is in the third largest olive grove in the world, with some of the trees so big and so hollow that it is reasonable to suppose they saw the Crusaders ride by. Off to the right, some fifteen hundred to twenty-two hundred feet above sea-level but within easy reach by automobile in twenty to forty-five minutes, are several of the important towns where the people of Beirut and many from Egypt go for the summer season: Abeih, Schweifat, Shimlan, Sukh-ul-Gharb and Aleih. This last is the summer capital for the French military and civil administrators of the country. Beirut itself is a most interesting city to one having regard to the signs of the times, past and present, and who is interested in the forces surging there. Its population is about two hundred thousand—probably more rather than less—and it is a mixture, both racially and religiously. Arab, Turk, Druse, Persian, Jew, Armenian, Greek, Bedouin, Iraqi mingle in one grand maelstrom with French and Italian and few Americans and Englishmen. Many trips can readily be arranged out of Beirut,—north of Tripoli and Aleppo and east to Baalbek and Damascus and beyond—to Palmyra, Bagdad and Persia. There is an ample supply of large, comfortable American cars of the best makes, and automobiles are by far the best mode of travel, for cost, comfort, speed and dependability. Roads are good and quite safe, so no one need hesitate about taking such trips. The hotels compare favorably with those in Palestine and every effort is made to please tourists who visit Syria. Beirut has a good harbor, which is being enlarged so that shortly even the largest tourist ships can be accommodated inside its breakwater. Now, larger ships anchor a few hundred yards �19 DECEMBER, 1928 outside, but barge and boat service are good and landing and embarking easy. Big tourist steamers sailing between Egypt and Palestine to the south and Tvrkey or Greece to the north and west can easily stop at Beirut to pick up land travelers and to give their passengers a chance to see this fascinating country. The Two Brothers By AMEEN RIHANI The poet tried to embody in these stanzas the idea, shared partly by the Sufi, that God and the Universe are one. In the grotto the forest designed, Where the fire-fly first dreamed of the sun And the cricket first chirped to the blind Zoophyte,— in the cave of the mind We were born and our cradle is one. We are brothers: together we dwelt Unknown and unheard and unseen For aeons; together we felt The urge of the forces that melt The rocks into willowy green. For aeons together we drifted In the molten abysses of flame, While the Cycles our heritage sifted From the vapor and ooze, and uplifted The image that now bears our name. I am God: thou art Man: but the light That mothers the planets, the sea Of star-dust that roofs every height Of the Universe, the gulfs of the night,— They are surging in thee as in me. But of the Chaos, to lead us. The Giants that borrow our eyes And lend us their shoulders, must heed us;— They yield us their purpose, they deed us Forever the worlds and the skies. �20 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Sage of Washington Street ON THE MARRIAGE PROBLEM AMONG SYRIANS II. By A. HAKIM MY LAST visit to my friend the Sage was by appointment. He had promisd to resume his discussion of the marriage problem among Syrians, which he had begun at our last meeting and I was most anxious to hear the continuation. When I arrived at the appointed hour he had cleared his counters and was ready for immediate action. The preliminary exchange of greetings occupied but a minute. "Since we last discussed the marriage problem as it now manifests itself among us," he began, "I have given the subject earnest thought and come to the conclusion that of all our problems this should be considered the most serious. I have made no attempt to correlate causes in their natural sequence or to make any scientific arrayal of facts. In your treatment of the subject you may make any arrangement of the material you see fit, but I, a simple observer of obvious occurrences, I can only give you the impressions as I feel them in the manner of a man of my elementary education." I assured my friend that my conversations with him were in no way intended as educational tests but rather came from the desire to gain his reactions on the different currents of life as he can detect their course and probable influence in our community. Wisdom, I said, was not the monopoly of the learned, and the gift of intuitive perception may be the paramount faculty in discerning the basic truths of life. I have known my tried friend to be impervious to flattery, but my last remark seemed to have dispelled some misgivings which I had detected in his hesitant manner.He presently resumed with the same confident and unaffected simplicity which he was wont to display in our former conversations. "In my capacity of an old-time immigrant who has been witness to the gradual evolution of our community from its earliest beginnings, I cannot but judge present conditions in the �DECEMBER, 1928 21 light of their early causes. I hope you will agree that this is an essential requisite to an adequate presentation of any subject under consideration. For this reason, and in view of the fact that we took under review in our last discussion marriage customs as they originated and are still more or less prevalent in our native country, we will now proceed to the consideration of social conditions which existed among the Syrians in the earlier stages of their immigration which gradually gave rise to the marriage problem as it now exists in our present day. "As a reader of the Arabic-language press you cannot escape noticing the news items that appear from time to time about Syrian men returning to America with imported brides. I need not point out to you that this is the relic of a custom that was once in great vogue among our immigrants. It had its roots in the peculiar conditions governing our earlier stages of immigration. Due to the strict seclusion of women in the East, only the Syrian men emigrated at first. All came with the intention of making as much as possible in as short a time as possible in order to return quickly to their native land, the husbands to their wives and families and the unmarried men to seek wives. Almost all, however, reckoned wrong with actualities, because the married men soon began to send for their families, and the single men to take the trip back only to marry and return. For then it was not through the restriction of immigration laws, but rather to the equally binding force of custom that single women could not be allowed to venture on a journey alone. "Due also to the fact that the earlier immigration was restricted to the males, unmarried men among the first immigrants had of necessity to return to the mother country for wives. They themselves were not settled in their convictions as to the permanency of their stay in this country, and to think, under the circumstances, of marrying 'foreign' wives was beyond the pale of reason. This pilgrimage to Syria in quest of brides is what I termed previously as the relic of the old custom inherited from our earlier stage of immigration and still evident to a certain exent even in our present day. "But we must also realize that the men who are actuated by such motives are only a relic of our old order of things. Perhaps for these it is better that such be the case because men of their type, still living in the ideals of the past, could find no comfort or peace or compatibility except with mates of their own �22 THE SYRIAN WORLD class. They belong in soul and mind to the old country and it is only where their hearts lay that they can find their treasure. "You will also observe that an outgrowth of this custom has been the occasional visits of bride-seekers to populous Syrian centers in quest of mates. Usually the parish priest is sought for advice and guidance, and not infrequently do we hear of marriages being arranged and consummated within a very short time through the good offices of the clerical agency. These cases, we might say, are a sort of compromise on the trip to Syria. A bride is sought of the man's own nationality, one who, in the opinion of the priest, would fulfill the requirements of the seeker. Invariably the ones embarking on such a quest are Syrian-born men who have settled in a locality where they are held down by business connections, but could not find suitable mates of their kind and would not marry outside of their race. The brides, however, are not necessarily Syrian-born. There are many American-born Syrian girls who are still more or less influenced by the social dictates of their parents. These matches at times prove happy ones especially where the girl trades a life of drudgery for one of comparative ease and comfort. But in many cases the preliminaries assume the method of pure bargaining, the parents laying down conditions which either cause the breaking off of negotiations or are promised and never fulfilled. "I know of an actual case where a diamond of a certain size was insisted upon by the parents of a certain young woman, and when the assortment of rings brought over by the hopeful bridegroom for the inspection of the girl and her parents was rejected, and insistence made on a stone in the exact specifications laid down by the parents, the would-be groom gathered his rings and went away never to return. "You will surely commend the wise decision of this young man, for such a match, if consummated, could never lead to happy results judged by all standards of human experience. This whole system of marriage by bargaining should be condemned just as strongly as the older custom of marriage by arrangement. Still this condition exists and a full exposition of its harmful results might tend to effect some correction. "So far we have followed the evolution of our marriage problem and viewed it first in its relation to the Syrian-born among themselves and subsequently in its relations to both the Syrian and American-born. Surely from both these standpoints �DECEMBER, 1928 23 the subject could be elaborated upon extensively, but for the sake of brevity 1 will now proceed to the discussion of the th lrd and final phase of this evolution as it now manifests itself among our American-born youth. In this I am basing my remarks on ong observation. I have had occasion to study this new psychology not only in my own young children but in the older children ot my friends and neighbors as well. 1 may add that 1 have discussed this subject often and at length with many parents, some of whom are inclined to view some manifestations of this problem with unconcealed alarm. "We cannot fail to notice the increasing number of marriages lately between Syrians and descendants of other nationalities One might say that this is but natural in cases where boys and girls of all racial extractions mix together in our public schools and contract early friendships. This condition is the actual melting pot But have you stopped to observe that the proportion ot our young men and women who marry outside of their race is strangely unequal? Try to count those whom you know to tall in this class and you will soon discover that almost all those contracting mixed marriages are the boys to the almost total exc usion of the girls. There are some of our girls, to be sure, who do marry outside of their race, but their proportion to the bc,ys is so small as to be almost negligible, the ratio barely exceeding one "The reasons for the prevalence of this condition should be obvious Bovs are naturally more adventurous and enjoy among us much more freedom than do the girls. Our boys go the way of their American chums and encounter no restrictions in courting and taking their girl friends to dances and parties and theatres, the natural result being proposal and marriage. "These same boys may know Syrian girls for whom they might have developed preference as wives if it were but possible for them to meet oftener under favorable circumstances. But the shadow of old customs still darkens the atmosphere of our social relations. The old generation insists on adhering to its old methods and gives way to modern practices only slowly and with great reluctance. Underlying all this, we must admit, is the archaic fear that liberties allowed girls might be seized upon by wagging tongues and branded as license But for this many SfhtLd parents would undoubtedly be willing to let their daughters go the way of modern times within, of course, the �_ .. 24 THE SYRIAN WORLD limits of reason and propriety. But they must conform to the moral concepts of the community in which they live, and their communal life, we must admit, remains overwhelmingly Syrian. This is especially true of populous centers where there are large Syrian communities. "These conditions are bound to prevail so long as the first generation Syrians remains. Later Syrians are bound to lose their identity as have members of every other nationality in their inevitable amalgamation with the great body of the American nation. What will remain, and should remain by all means, is the memory of our descent as a precious racial heritage. "But now that we are confronted with an actuality what is it that could be done to remedy the situation? Should we remain drifting aimlessly with no definite course of action, no set policy or specific objective? "As a Syrian I keenly feel the crisis of the situation and the urgency of remedial means, but as a lay member of the community I find myself powerless to inaugurate any such move. In my humble opinion, however, I believe that no panacea could be prescribed for the situation in the sense of effecting general reform. There are those who when born with an idea will carry it with them to the grave, and these it would be impossible to reform. But our young folks should not be the victims of such notions with the possible result of marring or ruining their lives. Even in the present situation, I believe, a modus vivendi could be reached which would serve to bring together the young generation without antagonizing the old. The two principal agencies that could be employed and whose duties it is to lend their unstinted support are the churches and the civic bodies. The Arabic press could be of help in encouraging such a movement, but I maintain that the carrying out of the work is the duty of the churches and the societies in the order mentioned. I will unhesitatingly affirm that our clergy have been miserably failing in this prime duty. I fear that most of them are still under the influence of old-country ethics of social conduct which cannot apply to our present circumstances. Most of our clergy of all denominations are of the old school of thought who may be able to get along with the old generation but who utterly fail to understand the psychology of the rising generation. Most of them too are not fitted by education or training or even the understanding of the psychology of the times to serve the interests �DECEMBER, 1928 25 of the young generation to the best advantage. If they would but follow the lead of the American clergy of whatever denomination they would find therein not only the solution of our matrimonial problem but of that of their church difficulties as well. Why not hold dances, parties, outings and like affairs to bring more intimately together the younger people of their congregations? Do they fail to see that this is the best insurance against a fate that is fast overtaking their old forms of worship as it has already swept away political allegiance to the native country? "What I now say is but an expression of my personal convictions based on long reflection and observation. And I am stating this to you, my friend, in the form of a general outline which could be developed once the way is pointed out. I am but a layman, and an obscure one at that, who can but express an opinion. But those entrusted with public charges are the ones responsible for the service of the public weal. The church has ever looked upon marriage as a cardinal sacrament, and for the clergy to encourage and facilitate it is but to carry out a sacred trust. "Where our churches fail our societies should step into the breach. It is not sufficient for each society to hold annual affairs in the form of plays or similar entertainment where little opportunities exist for social intercourse. Popular entertainments should be held, and quite frequently, to bring our young people together and provide means for acquaintanceship. I would place more emphasis on the duty of our societies had it not been for the fact that I do not believe we have reached the stage of ripened conviction for collective and co-operative action. Not only should the officers of our organizations be far-visioned and willing, but they must be assured of general support to carry through whatever plans they may devise. It is mainly for this reason that in remedying our social problems I am inclined to lay the greater responsibility at the door of our clergy." I felt at this stage that I should not further tax my friend by a continuation of the discussion, especially when in my opinion he had adequately covered those points of the problem which go to the root of our present social condition. I was anxious, nevertheless, for his views on the interracial phase of our marriage problem, but I was content to elicit from him a promise to discuss this question in our next interview. �26 THE SYRIAN WORLD The Camel BY ALICE POULLEAU Translation by SIMONE FRANCE From the French of Pages Damascenes yHE name "camel" in the Arabic language is of the same derivation as the word signifying beauty. Now if the camel is considered beautiful then our conception of beauty is confused indeed. For this odd animal is nothing but humps and angles. He appears, like certain college boys, to have stepped right out from the work-shop of a cubic painter; he is awkward and unsightly, but nevertheless carries his head high on a proud and long and goitrous neck. His mouth is decidedly bestial, his jaws constantly drivel and champ; they open between loose flaccid lips shaken by a perpetual tremor, like an old devout who says her paternosters. When two camels tied side by side move their jaws in silence over their ocre teeth, they seem like aged door-keepers exchanging secret confidences. Ask the camel "what is your trader"—"I am a silk winder," he replies. "So your muzzle shows," retorts the malicious Arab. But he has the most beautiful eyes in the world, at times meditative and aloof, velvety and shiny between two barriers of immense eye-lashes, haughty, however, like the eyes of certain beautiful houris. His arrogant gaze is decidedly funny; with such a burlesque and absurd figure, should he not have the meek air of the ass supplicating clemency for his ugliness? But like a conceited snob, he derives glory from it and continues to look at the common pedestrians with his extraordinary air of superiority. He is dirty and shabby; a wooly desert-colored fleece blankets him, a stiff small tail tufted with dirty hair adorns his crupper, and a black tasselled tarbouche caps his hump as it would the skull of a respectable effendi. His long stilt-like, knock-kneed legs rest on four Michelin tires, for Nature has supplied him with everlasting rubber-shoes. And how startling it is in a narrow souk to see the tall, lank figure suddenly silhouetting its irregular shadow without having heard him approach. �DECEMBER, 1928 27 In spite of its silence, it is a musical pleasure to watch a camel caravan pass by. There is in its march a rhythmic movement, a uniform cadence, a repetition of motif at measured intervals. It is a delight similar to that of contemplating the highsailed feluccas as they glide one after another down the green Nile, or a succession of lofty-pro wed, slim-bowed gondolas on the still water of a Venitian canal. It is like a theater parade in which the camels play the part of extras. First comes the staid young ass as dignified as a school master, then the first camel with a slowly oscillating bell following the regular beat of his heavyfelted hoofs. To see a camel train quiets one like a well-ordered flower bed or a well-drawn avenue,—even if it does stop the traffic. Surely the Arabs have responded subconsciously to this rhythmic harmony since thev found inspiration for their songs in the modulated calls of the camel driver. What does it carry, this "ship of the desert?". The baskets of chopped straw and fresh lucern that a moment later a stray ass will pick up with one stroke of his teeth; the slender poplars from the Ghouta that sway lengthwise, now sweeping the ground, now striking the passers-by; the olive stumps almost too hard for even the fire to bite; everything from the millstones in black basalt from Hauran, between which the grain is crushed in the windmills of Barada to the building material ingeniously piled on his Lordship's back. Often a Bedouin, agile like a cat, clambers on the camel's back;first he hangs to his bulging neck, then he sits nonchalantly on the crupper, dropping his legs,—or else, clutched tight to the flaky hair, girdling with his arms and legs the humpy spine, he is lulled to sleep by the motion of the silent step. Sometimes a bedraggled Bedouin woman with sun-baked skin and strands