1
25
6
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/e7316eff3caf00b70154de65b7067edb.pdf
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Text
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Angele Hobeiche Kmeid-Ellis Collection: Correspondence
Description
An account of the resource
Materials in the Ellis Family correspondence collection focus primarily on the letters written between Angele Ellis and her family members in Lebanon. The collection contains over 400 letters, cards, poems, articles and drafts, and notes.
Source
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Kail Ellis
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Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Date
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1862-2014
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Ellis Family
Translations by Lala AlSaeedi and Hadia Harb
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Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
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Arabic
English
French
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Text
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KEllis2018-150
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Letter and Envelope from Yousef Hobeiche to Angele Ellis, 1947 January 24
Description
An account of the resource
A letter and envelope from Yousef Hobeiche addressed to Mrs. Angele Ellis, 514 West Street, Carthage, N.Y., U.S.A.,, dated 24 January 1947. Sent via Airmail. Registered Trademark from Lebanon.
Date
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1947-01-24
Creator
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Yousef Hobeiche
Subject
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Letter writing, Arabic
Correspondence
Stamped envelopes
Language
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Arabic
Type
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Text
Format
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Text/pdf
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Kail Ellis
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Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Agriculture
Angele Ellis
Ellis
Fayadieh, Lebanon
Hobeiche
Roads
Shukri Ghanem Barracks
Yousef Hobeiche
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/8022b240753c11f2670948b3d8615caf.pdf
3d21bd28d79d9d122c5d373af900af65
PDF Text
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/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Angele Hobeiche Kmeid-Ellis Collection: Correspondence
Description
An account of the resource
Materials in the Ellis Family correspondence collection focus primarily on the letters written between Angele Ellis and her family members in Lebanon. The collection contains over 400 letters, cards, poems, articles and drafts, and notes.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Kail Ellis
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1862-2014
Contributor
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Ellis Family
Translations by Lala AlSaeedi and Hadia Harb
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
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Arabic
English
French
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Text
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KEllis2018-142
Title
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Letter from Yousef Hobeiche to Angele Ellis, 1946 October 16
Description
An account of the resource
A letter from Yousef Hobeiche to Angele Ellis, dated 16 October 1946.
Date
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1946-10-16
Creator
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Yousef Hobeiche
Subject
The topic of the resource
Letter writing, Arabic
Correspondence
Language
A language of the resource
Arabic
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Text/pdf
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Kail Ellis
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
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Agriculture
Angele Ellis
Baabda, Lebanon
Ellis
Foreign Trade
Gardening
Hobeiche
Yousef Hobeiche
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/7960442be0777f53dc481bc57915880c.pdf
8eeb9bcabbd20b55dbf6b26be10b48c2
PDF Text
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/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Angele Hobeiche Kmeid-Ellis Collection: Correspondence
Description
An account of the resource
Materials in the Ellis Family correspondence collection focus primarily on the letters written between Angele Ellis and her family members in Lebanon. The collection contains over 400 letters, cards, poems, articles and drafts, and notes.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Kail Ellis
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1862-2014
Contributor
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Ellis Family
Translations by Lala AlSaeedi and Hadia Harb
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
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Arabic
English
French
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Text
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KEllis2018-149
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Letter from Yousef Hobeiche to Angele Ellis, 1947 January 14
Description
An account of the resource
A letter from Yousef Hobeiche to Angele Ellis, dated 14 January 1947.
Date
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1947-01-14
Creator
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Yousef Hobeiche
Subject
The topic of the resource
Letter writing, Arabic
Correspondence
Language
A language of the resource
Arabic
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Text/pdf
Source
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Kail Ellis
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
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Agriculture
Angele Ellis
Ellis
Fayadieh, Lebanon
Hobeiche
Hukri Ghanem Barracks, Lebanon
Yousef Hobeiche
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/02b001d1fc2380fcced8a3b6d43cd720.pdf
50c6cc69906301478e952eb069598656
PDF Text
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/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Angele Hobeiche Kmeid-Ellis Collection: Correspondence
Description
An account of the resource
Materials in the Ellis Family correspondence collection focus primarily on the letters written between Angele Ellis and her family members in Lebanon. The collection contains over 400 letters, cards, poems, articles and drafts, and notes.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Kail Ellis
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1862-2014
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Ellis Family
Translations by Lala AlSaeedi and Hadia Harb
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Language
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Arabic
English
French
Type
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Text
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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/.
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KEllis2018-170
Title
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Letter from Yousef Hobeiche to Angele Ellis, 1947 September 26
Description
An account of the resource
A letter from Yousef Hobeiche to Angele Ellis, dated 26 September 1947.
Date
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1947-09-26
Creator
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Yousef Hobeiche
Subject
The topic of the resource
Letter writing, Arabic
Correspondence
Canning and preserving
Language
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Arabic
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Text/pdf
Source
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Kail Ellis
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
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Agriculture
Angele Ellis
Ellis
Fayadieh, Lebanon
Hobeiche
Nuns
Yousef Hobeiche
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/c6e9aee875d0a0f97053d365501c0294.pdf
c943ef7129e0e01267a1ebf1e0c9b977
PDF Text
Text
��.
THE
SYRIAN WORLD
SALLOUM
A.
MOKARZEL,
Editor.
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104
T
GREENWICH STREET, A EW' 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. II.
SEPTEMBER, 1927
No. 3.
CONTENTS
PAGE
The Agricultural Situation in Syria
PROF. J. FORREST
3
CRAWFORD
The Generosity of Hatem
Syrian Folk Songs — Tafta Hindi
9
10
AMEEN RIHANI
I
The Future of Syrian-Americans
REV. W. A. MANSUR
//
The Sanctity of Asylum Among the Arabs
18
The Incompatible Four
21
Famous Cities of Syria—Palmyra, Queen of the Desert
22
Things Wasted
27
�CONTENTS (Continued)
*
PAGE
Everybody's book Shelf—III—Some Good American
Novels
28
BARBARA WEBB BOURJAILY
Bushru's Encounter With the Lion
DR. N. A. KATIBAH
32
The Truly Great
34
"Anna Ascends" (A Play) —Act Two—1
35
HARRY CHAPMAN FORD
The Book-Bazaar of Cordova
45
Notes and Comments — By
47
THE EDITOR
Spirit of the Syrian Press
49
About Syria and Syrians
53
Political Developments in Syria
59
ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE
Agricultural Methods in Syria
A Caravan in the Desert
Motor-Busses in the Syrian Deseit
The Avenue of Columns in Palmyra
Temple of the Sun in Palmyra
Tourists at Palmyra
i
HI
�THE
!(
SYRIAN WORLD
VOL. II.
No. 3.
SEPTEMBER, 1927
The Agricultural Situation
In Syria
By PROF. J. FORREST CRAWFORD,
of the American University of Beirut.
PART I.
Probably a good many of you have heard people say, as I
have, that one of the chief needs of Syria is to have her agriculture well developed. Like so many wise remarks, it is an
easy thing to say, but just saying it does not necessarily prove
that it is true, and even if it were so, merely saying it does not
really help to bring it into effect. Yet isn't there really some
truth in the statement seeing that we hear it from so many people these days? And are there not some ways in which it can
really be brought about? These are the questions to which I
would like to call your attention in this article, for in finding
their correct answer lies one of the chief factors that govern the
future economic development of Syria.
To answer either of these questions satisfactorily, it will be
very advisable to briefly summarize the existing agricultural conditions in Syria, for then we can. better understand the difficulties
of the problem, and how best to meet them.
Syria is preeminently an agricultural country. Well over
half of her total population of 2,500,000 people are employed
directly in agricultural pursuits. And this is quite as it should
be, for her natural geographical location puts her in an important
central position in the Near East, and her climatic conditions,
added to her peculiar geological and topographical formation,
fit her well for her diversified agrarian development.
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
And yet, notwithstanding this, the agricultural development
of Syria has in most respects remained in a very backward condition in recent years, not having changed materially from the systems and methods employed by farmers many hundreds of years
ago. But small wonder it is that no more progress has been
made when one investigates the social, economic and political
conditions which have prevailed in the Near East for centuries.
In recent years, however, all these conditions have gradually been undergoing changes, which should, in time, have a marked effect upon the general industrial and economic conditions of
the country, especially if they are fully understood and directed
along the right lines.
Two of the various factors which are influencing agricultural production in this country at the present time, are more or
less natural factors, and are, therefore, relatively permanent and
unchangeable. These are, first, the geographical distribution of
cultivated areas, and second, the climatic and moisture conditions
pertaining to these areas. Even though both of these factors
can be little changed by man, yet both of them influence agricultural development in a very marked degree, and should, therefore, be clearly kept in mind when discussing agricultural problems.
(2) The Geographical Distribution of Cultivated Areas:—
The total surface area of Syria under the French mandate in
1925 was approximately 16,000,000 hectares, of which not much
over one quarter is capable of cultivation, because of the extensive western mountain ranges and the barren expanse of the
eastern desert. To understand the agricultural conditions in this
cultivated, area it is most convenient to divide it into the following regions: (a) the coastal plain, (b) the maritime mountain
ranges, (c) the central depression with its accompanying valleys
and (d) the eastern plateau, which is the connecting link with
the Syrian desert. Each of these regions has its own agricultural
problems which are slightly different from those of the other
regions, and it is partly due to the presence of these numerous
differences with their marked contrasts, all within an area as
small as that of Syria, that the agricultural development of the
country has been so slow.
(a) The Coastal Plain:— The narrow western coastal strip
enjoys a distinctly subtropical climate where such crop as cotton,
sugar-cane and citrous fruits all do well, provided the moisture
i
I
�SEPTEMBER, 1927
5
conditions are favorable. The soils of this area are mostly alluvial in origin, except for a few sandy sections of marine origin.
The alluvial portion is clayey in character and in general rather
fertile except where depleted through long periods of faulty
cultivation, as has so often been the case. This narrow coastal
plain shows a much higher percentage of cultivated land than do
the other three regions. This is because the natural moisture
conditions are more favorable here, leading to a greater density
of population than elsewhere.
(b) The Maritime Mountain Ranges:— The maritime mountain ranges which form the eastern boundary of the coastal plain
consist of the Southern Amanus mountains back of Alexandretta,
the mountains of the Alouite District back of Latakia, and the
massive Lebanon range back of Tripoli, Beirut and Sidon. These
mountains, running north and south, have a temperate maritime
climate on the western slopes, and except in the steepest portions, are well covered with terraces which have been the immemorial method in the Near East for preserving the surface soil.
In the Lebanon mountains the highest ridges are on the eastern
sides with abrupt, steep eastern slopes, and long rolling western
slopes draining to the sea through many precipitous valleys. The
mountains in northern Syria are of a lower average height, with
their main ridges in general next to the coastal plain, and their
eastern, more' rolling slopes draining towards the Orontes valley.
In general the mountain soil is badly leached out, and much of
the surface has been badly eroded since the destruction of the
once extensive forests.
(c) The Central Depression:— Directly east of the maritime
ranges lies a long, fertile valley forming the beds of two of the
largest Syrian rivers, the Orontes and the Litani. In parts the
valley is narrow, while in others it opens out into broad plains
as the Antioch plain, the Horns plain and parts of the Bika'.
Most of the soil of this central depression is deep alluvial slit
loam which is naturally extremely fertile giving a very large
crop wherever some form of irrigation is carried on. Even in
these fertile plains unfortunately a large proportion of the land
is not cultivated at all, or at best only at intermittent periods.
Not very different from this central depression, and for
our purposes to be grouped with it, are the two other big valleyplains of the Euphrates and the Barada rivers, the latter of
which irrigates the Damascus region. Both of these plains are
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
very fertile, the amount of their agricultural development depending upon the extension of irrigation.
(d) The Eastern Plateau:— Forming the eastern border of
the central depression lies the last agricultural division of Syrian territory, a heterogeneous area, which for lack of a more accurate name, may be called the Eastern Plateau. The actual
plateau land in the north forms the Aleppo region, with its rolling surface gradually falling as it extends eastward from a
height of over 300 metres to the well-watered valley of the
Euphrates. More to the south it forms the upland extension
of the fertile Horns plain reaching out to the desert region
itself.
Between this region and the next cultivable plateau to the
south, lies the mountainous country of the Anti-Lebanon ranges,
whose dry farming problems in all but the irrigated valleys are
mosfi similar to those of the rest of the eastern plateau. To the
south of the Damascus plain the plateau flattens out in part again
into the broad expanse of the Hauran with its rich dark volcanic
soil. On both sides of this important expanse lie mountainous
regions, the Joulan hills on the west and the more noteworthy
and prominent Jebel Druze to the east. The bleak impossible
rugged outcrop of basaltic rock, called the Leja, with its northern extension of the Safa district, covering a total of some 350
square miles, lies immediately to the north of the fertile Druze
mountains. The rest of the eastern plateau area falls in the
uncultivated region known as the Syrian Desert.
The following table taken largely from Government reports,
helps to bring out more strongly the total areas in each political
division of the country as well as emphasizing the vast area capable of cultivation which at present is not cultivated:
TABLE I.
Distribution of Land by Areas
Total area of Syria about
16,000,000 Hectares
Total cultivable area about
4,000,000
"
Cultivated Area by Districts (approximately)
Aleppo
368,000
"
Damascus
349,000
"
Lebanon
200,000
"
Alaouite
160,000
"
Alexandretta
183,000
"
TOTAL:
1,260,000
"
�Ml
SEPTEMBER, 1927
7
(2) Climate and Moisture Conditions:—
Throughout all of these agricultural zones in Syria, the
climate is characterized by a dry hot summer in marked contrast
with a damp cool winter. The coastal zone has a subtropical temperature in summer with usually no rain, but a damp sea breeze
nearly every evening, while in winter the temperature rarely
falls to freezing point, and the rainfall is heavy, averaging about
36 inches around Beirut.
In the mountainous zone the temperature varies somewhat
with the height, averaging a rather cool pleasant summer, and
a cool winter with snow on all the higher ridges. As to rainfall,
the western slopes are well supplied in winter with eastern slopes
receiving much less, while in summer both slopes receive practically no rain, although the western slopes are frequently bathed
in mist.
The weather of the central depression also has quite a range
in season. It has a distinctly cold winter with some snowand a
moderate rainfall most years, and some years a heavy rain and
snowfall. In summer the temperature of this zone generally
warms up in the daytime till it becomes quite disagreeable in
many places. There is no rain during the summer, but in the
northern regions where the maritime range is somewhat lower in
altitude, a fair amount of dew falls on the central plain greatly
aiding the summer crop.
The climatic conditions of the Damascus plain are very
similar to those just mentioned except that the rainfall is much
less (averaging about 10 inches) and the air is distinctly drier.
In the eastern plateau region the rain becomes still less, in
most parts not exceeding 6 or 8 inches. Here the winters are
relatively dry and cold, while the summers are dry and hot.
Fortunately in the region of Hauran, the south winds crossing
Palestine bring a very heavy dew in spring and summer, which
helps make the Hauran a great wheat region, earning for itself
the name of the granary of Syria.
Because of these varying moisture conditions, it is quite natural that the irrigation of the four zones should differ considerably. Due to the meagre rainfall of the eastern plateau region
the water supply there is too small to allow for any extensive
irrigation. But in the central depression, the condition is quite
different. Irrigation is carried on to a limited extent along all
the water cqurses (especially in the Damascus plain), although
�8
THE SYRIAN WORLD
in all of these areas much more extensive irrigation could be
practiced as shown in the following table. Especially is this true
of the valley and plateau land bordering on the Euphrates river,
where rather extensive irrigation schemes are now under contemplation.
In both the maritime range and the coastal plain zone considerably larger area could also be profitably irrigated from the
numerous mountain streams, much of the water of which is at
present lost in the sea.
TABLE II.
Distribution of Irrigated Lands
Area
Damascus
Aleppo
Lebanon
Alaouite
Alexandretta
\
Land now Irrigated
45,000 Hectares
13,000
"
8,000
"
5}000
"
3,000
"
TOTAL:
74,000
"
Estimated land capable of irrigation, 300,000 Hectares.
Along with the problem of extending the cultivated land,
by increasing irrigation, comes the problem of reclaiming swamp
land for cultivation through proper drainage. With this aim,
plans are being made to drain the large Ammulc swamp as well
as several of the smaller ones along the coastal plain, and considerable other areas could also be reclaimed by the application of
systematic methods.
Now besides both of these two above mentioned natural
factors of climate and geographical distribution, there are two
social factors which have played an even more important part in
preventing the improvement of Syrian agriculture. Like so many
social factors these two agricultural factors have become so deeply engrained into the life of the people (especially the farmers)
that they have been practically adopted as the social custom or social law by which the rural population lives. These social factors
are first, the prevailing systems of land tenure, and second, the
customary methods of farm operation. Both of these methods were
developed into their modern form back in the time when all innovation was regarded as sinful, and the introduction of anything
new was socially forbidden. This being the case, it is quite na-
•j9p: f»m*.,zw*r*y - —
(V
�«
I \
\
AGRICULTURAL METHODS IN SYRIA
i
I
Although farming is the principal occupation of the people of Syria, they still adhere to the old methods of
biblical times and plow their fields by oxen as shown in
this photograph.
�A CARAVAN IN THE DESERT
I
The long train of men and beasts is here shown trekking
across the vast stretch of sand beset with continual danger. This slow method of transportation goes ill
with our fast times.
�SEPTEMBER, 1927
9
tural that any agricultural improvements requiring changes would
be looked upon with suspicion, and would only be very slowly
adopted by the people. Farmers in all countries are conservative, and in this country they are no exception to the rule, and
even out-do many other countries in their conservatism.
THE GENEROSITY OF HATEM
Hatem, of the tribe of Tai, was reputed to be the most
generous among Arabs. The story of how he slaughtered his
mare to feed the hungry tribe at the height of famine in a year
of drought is common knowledge and was related in detail in
a previous issue. But one of the rare stories told about his excessive generosity is the following:
A company of Arabs comprising a mixed delegation from
the tribes of Beni Asad and Beni Kais sent to wait on the King
Al-Na£man, stopped on their way to pay a visit to Hatem and deliver to him a message of thanks' and eulogy from their chieftains.
They recited to him several poems in praise of his fine qualitites
composed by their eminent poets, but refrained from asking him
any reward for fear of taxing his magnanimity. They did, however, express the wish of receiving a small favor which they felt
they were constrained to make considering some unexpected development: One of their company had lost his mount during
the journey and they would like to have him accommodated.
Without the slightest hesitation, Hatem made the man a
gift of his own mare. A slave girl of Hatem, seeing the company about to depart, secured the foal of the mare with her
girdle to prevent him from following his mother, but the foal
broke his bonds and took off in pursuit. Hatem was quick in his decision. "Whatever follows you is yours," he shouted to the departing horsemen. While he was thus speaking the slave girl
had taken off in pursuit of the foal in an attempt to overtake
him, seeing which Hatem again shouted: "By the honor of the
Arabs, the slave girl is yours, too."
Said AL-KHALIL: "Sciences are like locks and questions are
the keys thereof."
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
10
Syrian Folk Songs
TAFTA HINDI *
Translation by AMEEN RIHANI
Tafta Hindi, tafta Hindi,
Chiffon, silk and satin rare!
Open for me, O young maiden,
My heart's pining for the fair.
The fair young maid who heard me calling,
Came responding with a smile;
And quickly opened, sweetly saying,
"Enter, please, and rest a while."
* Indian Taffeta.
4
<~~a
\—>
J
AftiJ
J
WORTH OF KNOWLEDGE
Said MA'ADH IBN JABAL: "Seek knowledge, for learning
is a good deed before God; to disclose it is praise, to seek it
is worship, to teach it is charity."
�SEPTEMBER, 1927
ft
11
The Future of Syrian-Americans
By
REV.
W. A.
MANSUR
The future physical, mental, spiritual, social and progressive character of Syrian-Americans depends largely on the spirit
of the pioneer fathers; racial inheritance and environment, and
present day training and outlook of the Syrian-American generation. Formerly Syrian immigrants thought in terms of their
native land, a temporal sojourn, economic independence, and
an early return to the homeland. A new situation was brought
on by the decision to make America a permanent home. The
writer, like many others, is interested in the future of the Syrian people in America. Shall they be as the proverbial "lost
ten tribes"? Shall they be swallowed up by other races numerically superior? 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? The following reflections may help bring
about some creative and co-operative thinking on the future of
our race in America.
V
It is vital to future Syrian-American character that the present Syrian-American generation realize the meaning of the new
situation.
The character, progress, and destiny of future Syrian-Americans' are in the making today. Heretofore, thought, time, energy were directed toward the homeland, now we must direct our
attention toward the preservation, progress, and future of our
race in, America. Syrian-American thinkers in philosophy, sociology, and race relations realize the magnitude of this problem.
Syrians are very few among America's millions. Under modern
conditions peoples may rise and fall in a generation. Modern
governments employ the most erudite scholarship in science, history, religion, psychology, sociology, engineering, economics,
ethics and propaganda. Also greed, hate, revenge, intolerance
and prejudice.
We Syrian-Americans owe it to America, to our ancestors, and
�12
THE SYRIAN WORLD
to posterity to be and become the best Americans possible. The
present Syrian-American generation is1 a link between the pioneer
fathers and those who shall know the pioneers only in name.
Syrian-Americans are thinking in terms of their adopted country, the future of Syrian youth, and the development of most
desirable character in, for, and by posterity. They realize the
meaning, importance and seriousness of the new situation. Indeed it was to the service of the Syrian-American generation
that THE SYRIAN WORLD was established. "The idea of this
publication," said the editor in the first issue, "was conceived
in the spirit of service to the Syrian-American generation." ( Tulv,
VJ
1926.)
"
I am filled with high hopes for the future of the Syrian
people in America because of the quality and success of Syrian
youth. Sam Johnson said to Boswell: "Sir, young men have
more virtue than old men; they have more generous sentiments
in every respect." Francis Bacon said: "And yet the invention
of young men is more lively than that of old} and imaginations
stream into their minds better, and, as it were, more divinely."
And H. G. Wells is right, "No conqueror can make the multitude different from what it is; no statesman can carry the world's
affairs beyond the ideas and capacities of the generation of adults
with which he deals; but teachers—I use the word in the widest
sense—can do more than conqueror or statesman; they can create
a new vision and liberate the latent powers of our kind." For
"Where there is no vision, the people perish." The great need
of our Syrian youth is vision. Reflection upon the future of Syrians in America will feed the mind of Syrian youth, stretch out
the horizon of their vision, encourage their efforts, and free the
latent racial talents of our race.
There is a growing understanding, appreciation, and assertion of the place of Syria's soil and soul by the rising Syrian generation.
The knowledge of the history of Syria's soil is essential to
the development of the Syrian soul in America. The knowledge
of Syria's history, culture, literature, and racial talents are vital
to the progress of our race in America and elsewhere. This will
enable Syrians to know themselves better, rise among their fellows, and command the respect of other races. Things Syrian,
physical, mental, spiritual and otherwise are indigenous to Syria's soil. The progress of the Syrian soul abroad will ever draw
�SEPTEMBER, 1927
13
inspiration from the homeland.
A right appreciation of the geography of the Syrian soul
must include the study of Syria's soil. The geography of the
Syrian soil, in a sense, is the geography of the Syrian character.
"From the conditions of the frontier life," says Frederick J.
Turner in The Frontier in American History" came intellectual
traits of profound importance. * * * The result is that to the
frontier the American intellect owes its striking characteristics.
That coarseness and strength combined with acuteness and acquistivenessj that practical, inventive turn of mind, quick to find
expedients} that masterful grasp of material things, lacking in
the artistic but powerful to effect great ends; that restless, nervous energy; that dominant individualism, working for good and
for evil, and withal that buoyancy and exuberance which comes
with freedom—these are the traits of the frontier, or traits called
out elsewhere because of the existence of the frontier."
A hunger for the knowledge of Syrian history is gripping
our Syrian youth. It is a healthy sign and prophetic of much
good. To know the Syrian one must study the map, geography
and history of Syria and her surrounding nations. Syria is centrally located in the ancient world. Its topographical features
are essential. Syria is a bridge, a highway, between Asia, Africa
and Europe. Ancient, medieval and modern conquerors made
it a battlefield and a market. Syrians repeatedly survived their
conquerors. "To understand, appreciate, and judge the science,
the religion, the art, the moral ideals of today," says John Herman Randall in The Making of the Modem Mind, "it is imperative to understand those great achievements in the past of
mankind that have created the home in which man's spirit now
moves." This is specifically true of Syria and Syrian character.
Syrian character, racial talent, and energy are the product and
survival of both Syria's culture and of those surrounding nations
which periodically conquered and ruled Syria.
Intelligent understanding, adoption, and practice of America's ideals, customs, and points of view are fundamental to the
progress of Syrian-Americans.
It is imperative that Syrians possess true and intelligent
ideas of what makes one American. Much passes for Americanism that, is imitation. It is refreshing to drink in the real thing.
"You are a foreigner," said one to me. "God didn't ask me
about where I was to be born, did he ask you?" disarmed and
�^ ",
14
1 "' "
THE SYRIAN WORLD
enlightened him. Roosevelt said, "I wish to1 be distinctly understood on one point. Americanism is a question of spirit, conviction and purpose, not of creed or birthplace."
America's ideals are compatible with Syrian nature, ideals,
and aspirations, whether they be religious, educational, political,
or racial. In a South Dakota newspaper the following appeared
as my definition of "Who Is An American?" An American
stands for direct self-government by free elections and by a free
people. He stands for citizenship based on free, self-chosen,
and voluntary allegiance. He stands for leadership chosen by
the people and to whom authority has been delegated by them.
He stands for the principles of freedom, equality, justice, humanity. He believes in the ideal of service for the welfare of
the nation. He upholds the freedom of religion, the press and
assembly which is in keeping with the nation's welfare. He believes in the ultimate triumph of moral conviction in the onward
march of humanity. He stands for open and sincere diplomacy.
He stands ready to defend the fundamental human rights. He
stands ready to defend the independence and freedom of the
United States.
The modern Syrians, descendents of ancient Phoenicians,
are finding themselves through America's golden opportunity.
The American point of view is freeing the latent powers of our
race. The renaissance of the Syrian intellect is going on. Syrian thinking, feeling, willing, and doing are showing themselves
in splendid achievement. The American point of view is rejuvenating the Syrian mind and is a boon to worthy endeavor.
Therefore we must dominate our thinking with America's
ideals with an eye to the future of our race. Lawyers for Karl
Klausen, newly made American, showed how he could evade
army service. "If America wants Karl Klausen," he said, "it
can have him. When Karl Klausen came to America he came
all." Syrian-Americans interested in the future and unborn
Syrian generations in America "came all". They have put America first, above their native land. It is only logical and right that
it be so. They have put America first in their political thinking. They have nothing to fear from the politician who wields
the "race peril" slogan j the shallow propagandist who seeks to
save "civilization" j nor from the modern crusader who waves
the flag of "prejudice and intolerance". Syrian-Americans realize
the complex nature of America and believe there is room only for
i
�SEPTEMBER, 1927
15
one flag, one language, one patriotism. This means the welfare
of America first, also the welfare of the world. It means the
greatest welfare for the future of the Syrians in America.
A worthy modern philosophy of life is an imperative factor
for making life worth living, race progress, and world betterment.
Syrian-Americans are giving the highest meaning to life,
a healthy tendency to future Syrian-Americans, and improving
the world through racial contributions, Chauncey M. Depew
said that the blues were hereditary in his family. His father
and grandfather died of the blues. "I think life is worth living
because I decided long ago to think that way." Syria and Syrians were shackled for generations. Now the Syrian spirit is
free. The Syrian nation is born again. There is coming into
Syrian thought and life an inner illumination of the intellect,
a resurrection of race genius for religious, moral and practical
values, and a transfiguration of life in everyday experience.
The materialistic philosophy of life is destructive. Clothing itself in modern achievements abused and ran riot with them.
Knudson, in Present Tendencies in Religious Thought, says:
Science, the belief in progress, and the socio-economic interest—
these, then, are the outstanding characteristics of the modern
thought world. Together they tend to form a unified system.
The dynamic of the system is found in the belief in progress
through human effort} the goal is determined by the socio-economic interest} and the means of attainment are furnished by
science. * * * These three forces constitute a kind of religion
or substitute for religion." Humanity, like the Prodigal Son,
is returning to the worthier and spiritual philosophy of life.
Conditions led Edison to say: "We need a new conception
of the moral values of life. We need to get away from the
craze for rapid wealth—and to stop measuring the standards
of a man by his money." Selfishness, pride, contempt for others, contentment through sensuous enjoyments and possessions,
cheapen life, and tend civilizations and races to decay.
The spiritual and altruistic philosophy of life is bearing
splendid fruit among Syrian-Americans. Elihu Root said: "It
may not be. a more intelligent world than it was 2000 years ago,
but it is a kinder world." Kindness is said to be a mark of the
highest civilized life. A recent editorial in THE SYRIAN WORLD
�16
THE SYRIAN WORLD
on "Syrian Philanthropy" is indicative of the rapid rise of the
Syrian race among Western nations. The judgment is true and
prophetic. "We may safely claim now that we have reached
the stage where we have lost sight of our initial motives in emigrating and are beginning to respond more rapidly to our higher
impulses in our conception of the true aims of life."
Fellow Syrian-Americans, let us courageously answer the
challenge to our generation. Let us remember that the people
are great who strive after nobility of character} show fearlessness, self-sacrifice, and devotion to some great cause; and aim
at constructive work of a permanent character for humanity.
And if a man feel before the bar of God and his own integrity,
that he has used his powers to the best possible purpose, that he
has earned an honest living by useful labor, that he has made
those around him happy, that he has added to the sum total of
public virtue, there is no happiness, nor honor, for him greater
this side of the grave.
A progressive constructive policy in social living in a changing social order is essential to the development of high character
in the future Syrian-Americans.
The ability to make the change from the old to the new
social order is the practical test and proof of the genius of a race.
The Syrian-American has already vindicated his superiority within the lifetime of the pioneer fathers. The transition problems
are still perplexing both adult and youth. Syrian intelligence
has been quick to realize the nature of modern youth, the constantly changing social conditions under the mechanical industrial revolution, the developing power of education, and the
awakened powers of man over nature's forces. The nature of
these social problems, the difficulties surrounding them, and the
methods to meet them should be made subject to intelligent
study and criticism for the benefit of Syrian youth. Adaptability
through intelligent and sympathetic understanding is one of the
talents of our race.
Syrian students of sociology, realizing the dangers of modern social life, feel it a duty to inform, instruct, warn and lead
Syrian-Americans in social living toward self-preservation, happiness and progress.
Eternal vigilance is also the price of health, happiness, race
progress and civilization. William Dudley Foulke enumerates
ten destructive factors of civilization in an article on "The De-
�SEPTEMBER, 1927
n
cline of Modern Civilization" in the Times' Current History:
The relaxation of family ties, lack of discipline in the education of the young, decline of religion, drift of population to the
city, spread of lawlessness, revival of intolerance, apathy toward
public measures, and increase of taxation.
My knowledge and observation of various people in industrial centers and agricultural sections suggest the following counsels. First, obey the laws of the land, vote and pay your taxes.
Second, Guard your health according to the best methods in
hygiene and medicine. Third, Modernize the home. Fourth,
Constantly educate yourself: the head, heart and hand. Fifth,
Keep in touch with God that you may live happily with man
and beast. Sixth, Be thrifty in youth and you will be independent in old age. Seventh, Do the best with what talents Providence has endowed you, be honest, mind your own business, and
don't worry. This is true riches, happiness and heaven on earth.
The quality of the future Syrian-American depends on the
predominance of the morally dominated educated classes and
the fecundity of the superior stocks. "From the biological point
of view," says E. B. Reuter in Population Problems, "the problem of the superior is the problem of their fecundity: the problem of increasing the birth rate of the superior family strains."
But the belief in superiority is not innate, but the result of education. A morally dominated education, therefore, is the real
determinant of superiority, happiness and race progress.
Permanent progress can be made only when people make a
corresponding religious and moral progress to keep up with material prosperity. Charles A. Ellwood is right in saying: "If
men can live together successfully only by taking into account
and observing the laws of a moral world, then there must be a
moral ground of human life and the universe. It (history)
teaches how nation after nation has gone down because it did
not live rightly. It shows that the beginning of this decay is
nearly always to be found in the private conduct and intimate
personal relations of individuals." Moral living backed by religious sanctions will assure the Syrian-American of today of race
preservation and progress, success and happiness, and high character and glorious achievement by the future Syrian-Americans.
�18
THE SYRIAN WORLD
The Sanctity of Asylum Among
The Arabs
An Authentic Arabian Story
The sanctity of the tradition of asylum among the Arabs
is nowhere better illustrated than in the following account which
has been amply authenticated by contemporary and trustworthy
historians. The scene was in Al-Koufa, the first capital of the
great Abbaside dynasty of which the illustrious Haroun Al-Rashid was the fifth Caliph, and the author of the account is none
other than one of the principals of the drama, a prince of the
Umayyad dynasty whose members the Abbasides pursued with
relentless fury until they had exterminated them almost to a man.
When such a fierce passion for revenge obtains among a certain race of men, it is all the more surprising to see to what extent they are able to control their passion under the trying ordeal
of fulfilling the exacting dictates of the tradition of asylum.
Under certain circumstances, as it proved to be in this case, the
one seeking refuge may be the murderer of the host's own father, and to be able to- live up to the strict obligations of the tradition and govern the primitive passions of a wild and unruly
nature must needs require a superhuman effort.
Nevertheless, the tradition enjoyed so much observance
among the settled and nomadic branches of the Arab race that
it became one of their chief characteristics. Every Arab homq or
tent was a sanctuary where the refugee enjoyed protection to the
fullest extent of the host's ability, even at the risk of the loss of
property and life. There are known cases where a false accusation was lodged against an Arab chieftain of holding in trust
property belonging to some defeated rival of a powerful clan,
and upon being called upon to surrender the trust went to war
in defense of the right of asylum and would not even resort to
the simple expedient of denying the truth of the accusation. A
notable case is that of Al-Samou'al, the powerful Jewish Arab
chief and lord of a famous castle who held out in a long siege
memorable in the annals of Arab chivalry and saw his own son
�SEPTEMBER, 1927
19
fall in the gallant defense but would not surrender a quantity
of arms entrusted to him for safekeeping by one whose status
was not more than that of a chance acquaintance. The great epic
poem of Al-Samou'al in extolling this deed of his stands out in
a class all its, own among Arabic classics.
The extraordinary experience of the Umayyad prince is related in dramatic form by the sheik Taki El-Deen El-Hamowi
in his book "Thamarat El-Awraq", or the Fruits of Leaves. In
a short' introductory note the author states that Al-Abbas, founder of the Abbaside dynasty, in spite of his unyielding attitude towards the Umayyads, was induced to grant amnesty to a certain
young Umayyad prince, Ibrahim Ibn Suleiman Ibn Abdelmalek
and attach him to his court. This prince was a man of charming
personality and well versed in Arabic letters and history. One
day, the Caliph Al-Abbas being in a happy mood, he asked the
Umayyad prince to entertain him with an account of the most
extraordinary experience that befell him during the period of
his flight and hiding. Whereupon Ibrahim related to the Caliph
and the court the following story:
"I had been in hiding in Al-Hira," he said, "in a house in
the farthest end of the city overlooking the desert. One day,
as I was strolling on the roof, I noticed emerging from Al-Koufa
a detachment of cavalry bearing black standards. I was seized
with great fear as I felt no doubt that these men were out to
search for me, and acting on the impulse of the moment, I left
the house and came directly to Al-Koufa seeking refuge from
the searching parties of the Prince of the Faithful, and this in
spite of the fact that in the city I had not a single friend. For
a long time I wandered aimlessly not knowing where to direct
my steps, until I came to a gate leading to a spacious court and
a great mansion. Every indication' tended to show that the place
was that of a powerful man and the open door seemed to extend
to me an invitation to enter, which I did. Immediately following me entered a man of serious and venerable mien surrounded
by a large company of slaves and followers, all mounted and
fully armed. Upon seeing me, he inquired the reason for my
presence in his house and I made, haste to reply that I was in
fear for my life and had sought asylum in the sanctuary of his
domain.
"The treatment I received at the hands of this host, O
Prince of the Faithful, was in conformity with the highest tradi-
�20
THE SYRIAN WORLD
tions of hospitality among the Arabs. He took me into his house
and assigned to me a room adjoining the living quarters of his
harem and ordered me provided with all necessities of food and
comfort. During all this time not a single question did he ask
me about my personal matters or what caused me to be in fear
for my life. But one peculiarity of his daily routine I observed
which aroused my curiosity. He was in the habit of riding out,
fully armed, with a company of his slaves and followers, every
day, not missing a single day. This could not be for any raid
or search for booty, and later, having become on more or less
intimate relations with my host and protector, I ventured one
day to ask him the reason for his daily sallies.
" 'Now that thou hast asked the question,' he said 'I will
inform thee that Ibrahim Ibn Suleiman, the Umayyad, has killed
my father, while information has reached me that he is now in
hiding and I have vowed that not a day shall I let pass by without engaging in a search for him to avenge my father's death.'
"At this statement of my host and protector, O Prince of
the Faithful, I was filled with consternation and dismay. I
could not help but bewail my fate which had driven me into the
very house of the man seeking my life. But having enjoyed
the hospitality and protection of my host for such a long time,
I resigned myself to my fate and decided to reveal my identity
to him. Whereupon I asked him his name and that of his father and was convinced beyond the peradventure of doubt that
I was the one responsible for having his father executed. Then
I addressed him saying:
" 'My generous host, I am under a heavy debt of gratitude
to thee for the hospitality and protection thou hast given me,
and in recognition thereof I feel constrained to save thee any
further pains of search by informing thee of the whereabouts
of thy enemy.'
"Upon hearing my remarks, the man's eyes shone with a
strange fire as he realized that his prey was now about to fall
under his clutches and that he could avenge himself at last for
the murder whose perpetrator he had been seeking for so long,
and he asked me impatiently to make haste and inform him of
the whereabouts of his enemy.
"During all this scene I was able to maintain perfect composure and I deliberately and coolly said to him, 'I am Ibrahim
Ibn Suleiman, the murederer of thy father, and it is now within
�SEPTEMBER, 1927
21
thy power to avenge thyself on me for thy father's death.'
"The look of disappointment which came over my host was
as great as his passion for revenge was fierce, but he immediately controlled himself and said to me:
" I fancy thou art a man who has wearied of a life beset
with continual fear and in desperation has sought relief in death.
As for myself, I shall not permit myself to harm thee while
thou art in such a state of unbalanced judgment.'
"But I assured the man that such was not my reason for
thus exposing myself to the danger of death at his hands, and
by relating to him the circumstances of his father's death, even
to the minutest details, I convinced him that I was in full possession of my reason.
"At hearing this the man's eyes became red with fury and
it was with much effort that he was able to maintain control over
himself. For a long time he remained silent, apparently in a
great conflict with his thoughts, but finally he raised his head
and with a voice choked with emotion, said to me:
" 'Now that thou hast revealed thyself to me, I can but
say that thou shalt meet with my father at the throne of an
equitable judge who will meet on thee proper punishment. As
for myself, I shall not soil my honor and betray my pledged
word by permitting harm to befall thee when thou art in my
house and under my protection. Depart then forthwith from
my presence, for I am not sure of my continued ability to hold
myself in check from injuring thee.'
"Saying which the man gave me a thousand gold pieces to
assist me in my flight, but though I refused to take the money, I
made haste to depart from the house in which I had met with
such a strange experience.
"This man, O Prince of the Faithful, is the most magnanimous person I have met with the exception of thyself."
THE INCOMPATIBLE FOUR
No liar can be trusted.
No envious one can be content.
No knave can be gallant.
And no ill-tempered person can achieve leadership.
(From the Arabic.)
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
Famous Cities of Syria
Palmyra, Queen of the Desert
The great Syrian city that once defied the might of Rome
and later the power of Islam in the latter's zenith of power,
may yet regain some of its former importance and opulence, if
not its political and strategic influence, now that the automobile
has superseded the camel as a means of conveyance across the
great stretch of the Syrian Desert. For it must be remembered
that Palmyra owed its importance and wealth, nay, its very existence, to the fact that it was the great entrepot of trade, the natural starting point of caravans between East and West across
the inhospitable desert sands. As a merchant city of the first magnitude it grew extremely rich from taxes it levied on passing
caravans and from the customs it imposed on the exchange of
goods. Several other factors contributed to enhance its importance and add to its wealth and influence, so that by the middle
of the third century of our era it challenged even the power of
Rome, and in an unequal but extremely gallant trial at arms it
blazoned a glorious chapter in history under the masterly genius
of its queenj Zenobia.
Palmyra is the Greek and Latin name of this famous Syrian city, but among its Semitic inhabitants and neighbors it is
called Tadmor. In both cases the meaning of the name is the
same, signifying a palm, and the appelation was undoubtedly
derived from the location of the city which is in a fertile oasis
abounding with palm trees and situated on the fringe of the
Syrian Desert between Syria and Iraq. It is about one hundred
and fifty miles northeast of Damascus.
Its earliest mention in the Bible is in Chron. VIII, 5 where
"Tadmor in the wilderness" is said to have been built by Solomon.
The Arab geographer, Ibn Yaqut, ridicules this theory and
ascribes its1 origin to the fact that everything beyond the comprehension of ancients, especially that which furnished cause for
wonderment, was traced in some manner or other to Solomon
�SEPTEMBER, 1927
23
and the jinn. Ibn Yaqut, however, makes mention of an equally
improbable myth in his account of the Arab conquest of the city.
Mirwan Ibn Ahmad, according to his account, sacked the city
when its inhabitants revolted and ordered it destroyed. As a
further act of reprisal, he had his cavalry ride over the dead
bodies of the defenders and mutilate them. While his army
was thus engaged, he noticed a mound which he ordered dug up,
and presently there was uncovered a mortuary chamber "whose
mortar was as fresh as if it had been applied that very hour".
Upon removing a great slab which marked the entrance, the
mummified body of a woman of dazzling beauty and extreme
bulk was found resplendent in seventy robes of the richest silk.
Her seven braided tresses were secured to her anklets and tied
to one was a gold plate bearing this inscription: "I am Tadmur,
daughter of Hassan. Accursed be he who molests me in my
resting place."
The inference is that the city was built by and named after
this Arab queen whose genealogy is traced directly to Noah in
only eight generations.
No sooner did Mirwan make the discovery, the legend continues, than he ordered the tomb restored to its original condition without removing or disturbing the least thing in it, but
the curse followed him with deadly persistence, and only three
days later he was overthrown and put to death by his enemy
Abdullah Ibn Ali and with him ended the Umayyad dynasty
in Syria which had borne the standard of Islam to a larger domain than the Roman empire had ever reached at the height
of its power.
There is no doubt in the minds of responsible historians
and scholars that the original founders of Palmyra were Arabs.
It is conceded that it was in existence long before the time of
Solomon. Furthermore, Solomon could not have built it or
contributed materially to its growth because it was his policy to
encourage the Red Sea trade to the Mediterranean ports through
his own country, which policy would render it extremely improbable that he should favor the distant caravan route by way
of Tadmor which was beyond his domains. The most plausible
assumption is that the Arabian tribes, in their forward movement
following the overthrow of the ancient nationalities of Syria
by the Chaldean empire, gradually overran the oasis and acquired settled habits. Being naturally averse to agriculture, they,
�24
THE SYRIAN WORLD
however, took full advantage of the favorable geographical location of the settlement to exploit it as a trading post and make it
a converging point for caravans. As organizers of trading expeditions and purveyors of convoys for caravans they proved
themselves extremely able, and soon their city assumed a position
of importance and affluence which later excited the cupidity of
Mark Anthony who raided and plundered it in the year 41 B. C,
under the pretext of quelling an incipient revolt. The population, however, saved themselves by timely flight across the Euphrates which is at a distance of five days march from the city,
proving thereby that even up to that time they had not completely shaken off the mobility of their nomadic nature.
Palmyra was not only a commercial city but a religious center as well. The ruins of the Temple of the Sun are the outstanding archaeological remains of the city. Some scholars place
it in the same category as Mecca in both considerations, for in
each polytheism was practiced and this for the avowed reason
of furthering the interests of commerce. The nobility of each
city was interested mainly in the peaceful conduct of trading
caravans, and in order to placate and humor the naturally militant nomad Arab tribes, they furnished them with all the gods
they cared for in their worship. Hence Palmyra was, like Mecca,
a neutral meeting ground where all could come and enjoy the
free exercise of their religious practices.
The chief ornamental characteristic of Palmyra was its
avenue of columns. This started from the great Temple of the
Sun and extended for about 1,240 yards. It derives its name
from the fact that it is lined with uniform columns along its
entire length, each column rising to a height of fifty-five feet
and supporting statues projecting from brackets at the top of
each. These columns, which at one time numbered 750, are
commonly known as monuments because such was the original
purpose of their erection. Each marked a signal civic achievement by some enterprising or promient citizen, and the custom
proved a great stimulus to the citizens in undertaking public
deeds worthy of commemoration in this fashion. Usually these
deeds were of a commercial nature such as was compatible with
the principal occupation of vthe citizenry. The organization of a
great commercial expedition or the safe conduct of a large trading caravan were, for instance, signal achievements worthy of
commemoration to posterity.
�MOTOR-BUSSES IN THE SYRIAN DESERT
One of the comfortable motor-busses of American make transporting passengers between Syria and Iraq across the Syrian Desert. This photograph shows a halt in front of Zenobia's Temple near Palmyra.
A motor-bus in the Syrian Desert with a patrol of camel police.
(Photos by courtesy "Commerce Reports")
�mmmmmmmBmrnmrnmBmBBBaau^
THE AVENUE OF COLUMNS IN PALMYRA
Starting from a great triumphal arch in front of the Temple of the Sun the Avenue of Columns
formed the most conspicuous architectural feature of Palmyra. This photograph shows the present
condition of the great arch.
TEMPLE OF THE SUN IN PALMYRA
�TEMPLE OF THE SUN IN PALMYRA
A side view of the ruins of the great Temple of the Sun in Palmyra from which radiated the collonnaded streets of the city.
�_;_'__
1
TOURISTS AT PALMYRA
This photograph, taken before the introduction of automotive transportation in the Syrian Desert,
shows a company of tourists on camel back viewing the ruins of Palmyra.
SS^ ^3'* § 33 »'l'g*B?| | Og-3 S-^ig
B*H g 3^ B^g-g 2-3l 3-8,1 ft
�H
SEPTEMBER, 1927
25
The golden age of Palmyra came to it in the second and
third centuries of our era when Rome had asserted its power
over the East and on the overthrow of the Nabathean kingdom
of Petra in 105 A. D. Palmyra was left without a commercial
rival in the overland trade between East and West. Pliny computes that in that period the yearly imports to Rome of silks,
jewels, pearls, perfumes and the like, which were the chief luxuries of the ancient world amounted to not less than three quarters of a million in English money, or about $3,750,000,.00. All
these had to come through the desert route by caravan from the
Persian Gulf by way of Palmyra which levied a high duty on
both imports and exports and played the role of a relentless
profiteer as well as could any well-organized monopoly in modern times. Even the water and the salt, it is stated, were doled
out to transient merchants at almost prohibitive prices; but the
proceeds, it must be said in justice to the Palmyrenes, were used
in all honesty for civic improvements of the city.
Palmyra was for centuries content with its status as a commercial center and judiciously avoided being drawn into the wars
which raged for a long time between the Roman Empire of the
West and the Parthian Empire of the East. It had, nevertheless, a well-equipped army of defense, and its corps of archers
was especially famous and at one time some detachments of this
body served with great distinction in the Roman expeditions in
Gaul and elsewhere. But a time came when the Palmyrenes
aspired to complete political independence. Odenathus (Odhainat) the leader of Palmyrene aristocracy, was secretly engaged
in organizing a revolt when a Roman officer secured his assassination. He left two sons, the elder, called Hairan, appears in an
inscription of 251 A. D., as "headman" of the Palmyrenes. But
it was the second son, Odenathus, who was to play the leading
role in avenging his father's death against the might of Rome.
He spent his youth in the mountains and deserts and, by diligent
and constant efforts, gained the good will of the nomad tribes
who were to prove his chief asset in his later successes. By leading a strenuous life and following the chase he prepared himself
for the physical hardships of a sustained military campaign, and
when the opportunity presented itself to him he was prompt to
avail himself of it. This was at the critical stage of Aurelian's
campaign against Sapor when the Roman legions were all but
cut to pieces by the Persian monarch. Odenathus sent an embassy
�:.-
-.-
*""
26
THE SYRIAN WORLD
with appropriate gifts to Sapor, but the latter disdained them,
at which Odenathus was deeply offended and joined hands with
the Romans as a matter of policy. Rome in her day of disaster
could not afford to be as proud as the Persian and welcomed the
Palmyrene's proffer of assistance. Odenathus achieved victory
after victory and overran not only Syria but Armenia and Egypt
as well. All this he did, however, under the shallow pretext of
supporting the cause of Rome. But once his authority was established, he proclaimed himself king and had money struck in his
own name. This action enraged Aurelian who had by this time
succeeded in establishing the unity of the West and he lost no
time in marching back at the head of his victorious army against
the rebellious East. Odenathus was assassinated in Emesa,
which is the modern Horns, and only his wife Zenobia was left
to oppose all the might of Rome. But Zenobia proved to be
equal to the task — Aurelian himself ascribes to her the chief
merit of her husband's earlier successes. She is described as the
most famous heroine of antiquity and one to whom there Is hardly to be found an equal in her organizing ability, military and
administrative genius, linguistic accomplishments, personal charm
and physical endurance.
Zenobia's armies met the advancing forces of Aurelian first
at Antioch and then at Emesa and in both cases suffered disaster,
but she made light of these defeats because almost all who fell
in the two battles were Romans serving in her army. This is
taken by historians to prove that the war was one of races inasmuch as Zenobia cared little if her Roman recruits were decimated so long as her Arab regulars were spared. As a further proof
of this fact it is stated that the fallahins of Palestine, being Semitic, fought the Palmyrenes determinedly under the Roman
standards, while the people of Antioch and other cities of the
Syrian littoral chafed under the rule of the Arabs of Palmyra
whom they considered barbarians.
Zenobia's military resourcefulness strained Aurelian's skill
to the utmost, and when the famous' queen was at the end of her
resources she attempted to flee across the Euphrates but was overtaken and captured by the light horse of the Romans and formed a part of Aurelian's triumphal return to Rome. There Zenobia, according to authentic accounts, was treated with the utmost
deference and consideration until her death.
The fall of Zenobia may be placed in the year 272. A year
�I
SEPTEMBER, 1927
27
later Palmyra was again in revolt, but on the approach of Aurelian it yielded without a, battle. The city was then destroyed and
th? population put to the sword.
Palmyra never afterwards regained its former importance.
With the advent of Islam the work of destruction was completed
as has been previously mentioned until it had sunk to a mere
hamlet of a few houses huddled in the great court of the Temple
of the Sun.
What the future holds for Palmyra it is difficult to prophecy,
but in the light of recent developments it may not be long before
it regains something of its former importance due to its geographical location. The desert route between Asia Minor and
the East has been found the shortest and most convenient for
both passenger and freight traffic owing to the development of
motor transport. Already several lines of motor buses are in
regular operation between Beirut and Damascus and Baghdad. By this direct line it is possible to travel from the Mediterranean to the capital of Iraq comfortably in approximately thirty
hours. The halting place is naturally at Palmyra where already
a modern hotel has been erected for the accommodation of travellers. Trade and travel between East and West is constantly on
the increase j transportation facilities will naturally increase in
proportion. Iraq, Persia, India and all central Asiatic countries
are brought weeks nearer to Europe by this direct overland route.
It may be reasonably expected, therefore, that Palmyra being the starting point of the long desert journey, this once flourishing capital of the great queen Zenobia will again become the
magnet of a caravan trade of a different order and of quicker
and more prosperous results.
THINGS WASTED
Said Al-Ahnaf: Five things are wasted and serve no purpose:
A lighted lamp in the sun.
Rainfall in a swamp.
Beauty with the blind.
Delectable food offered to one who is not hungry.
And the word of God in the bosom of the tyrant.
�mnHHMGk"-
.
28
-;
.:,-.
::>'.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Everybody's Book Shelf
By BARBARA WEBB BOURJAILY
—Ill—
SOME GOOD AMERICAN NOVELS
While I was making notes for this article I picked up in
the library in New Haven a book by C. Alphonso Smith titled,
"What Can Literature Do For Me?" The chapter headings
which are designed to answer the question asked in the title are
a fine summary of what good reading may be expected to do
for any individual who pursues it both for enjoyment and instruction. I quote them, both in the hope that you will want
to read this particular book, and because they may serve to convince you that more of your time should be spent in reading.
Here they are—remember that they answer the question, "What
Can Literature Do For Me?"
I. It Can Give You an Outlet.
II. It Can Keep Before You the Vision of the Ideal.
III. It Can Give You a Better Knowledge of Human Nature.
IV. It Can Restore the Past to You.
V. It Can Show You the Glory of the Commonplace.
VI. It Can Give You the Mastery of Your Own Language.
This particular article will concern itself only with fine
American novels. I chose novels, passing by the field of American poetry, essay, and biography, because all fiction, if it is enduring, is the interpretation of national life, manners and customs. Even though the subject matter may be laid in other
lands and other times, the American author is constrained by
his. early environment to express a more or less national outlook
on life. And when his theme deals with American characters,
scenes and problems, you will find in his work a deeper understanding of the heart of our country's progress than in all the
books of fact you may read.
It is true, of course, that any great novel passes easily the
)
�SEPTEMBER, 1927
29
barriers of time and place. In it will be found an account of
world-wide problems—problems which exist in every civilization, every country. But the working out of these problems will
reveal the peculiar characteristics and outlook of Americans on
life and will give to those in search of true American culture
the key to our own individual reactions and mental and spiritual
responses.
The early American settlers were a sternly repressed race.
Particularly did they repress their emotions, regarding them as
the sources of evil conduct, distrusting them, and refusing them
outlet. But even in those harsh Puritan days there were human
beings whose emotions carried them into transgression of the conventions and whose later lives were a long expiation of their hot
youth fulness. Against the drab Puritan background of early
New England Nathaniel Hawthorne has laid his rich and colorful drama of "The Scarlet Letter."
Moving in the religious and superstitious customs and manners of the Pilgrim fathers Hester Prynne, Roger Chillingsworth, and the Rev. Mr. Dinsmore work out the consequences
of their acts. The story is simple, as all great stories are simple,
Hester Prynne is branded with the scarlet letter, "A", when she
gives birth to an illegitimate child and steadfastly refuses to reveal the name of her child's father. Hester, although she had
been married in England years before, has long supported herself alone in the New England colony by her fine needlework.
Discharged from prison for her crime of adultery she takes her
child, whom she has given the fantastic name of Pearl, and continues to live as before. Her husband, Roger Chillingsworth,
arrives and demands that she name the father of Pearl. Hester
refuses and Roger sets himself the task of ferreting out the guilty man and exacting punishment.
Beloved and revered for his good works, his godly life,
his chastisement of all fleshly desires in himself, the Rev. Mr.
Dinnsdale is the last man in the colony whom anyone would suspect of being Pearl's father. How his own remorse, the subtle
persecution of Chillingsworth, and Hester's own blameless and
useful life operate to completion of this drama of retribution
must be read in the book. Those of you who have read it know
what scant justice this bold description does for "The Scarlet
Letter". It is New England to the core, and yet a book for all
time. I have given it this much space because it is regarded by
�— "" — .
30
THE SYRIAN WORLD
many critics as the greatest American novel yet written. It is
most assuredly the greatest novel of our early colonial life and
should take first place on any reading list designed to give you
an insight into Puritan character.
There are of course many ways in which to set about reading the great American novels. In this article I shall mention
in their order books that deal with successive periods of American history. "The Scarlet Letter" comes first, not only in point
of greatness, but also because it is laid against a true historic
background of early life in New England.
A group of books which record another angle of pioneer
times I have mentioned in a preceding article. They are the
"Leatherstocking Tales", of James Fennimore Cooper. Marching a little closer to our times we come upon the host of books
written with the Revolutionary War for a setting. I cannot
think of one that compares in artistry with either "The Scarlet
Letter" or the "Leatherstocking Tales", but there are numerous
novels which; are entertaining and well written. One of the best
is "Drums", a realistic story of the Revolution by a contemporary, James Boyd. The glamor of romance has not been allowed
to hide the reality of war in "Drums", and it affords as complete
a picture of its particular period as any book I know.
Years ago, when I was a small girl, I read "Janice Meredith",, whose author, Paul Leicester Ford, has drawn the picture
of a beautiful and high spirited girl who becomes a pawn between the Tories and the Patriots of 1776. It is a fascinating
book crammed full of adventure and entertainment and well
worth reading. "Richard Carvel", by Winston Churchill, is a
third novel of the Revolution that has given me pleasure.
Passing along toward the Civil War period we come upon
another really great book, "The Red Badge of Courage" by Stephen Crane. This is a short novel, telling no particular story,
but vibrant in every line with the reality of war and its affect
upon the mind and spirit of a young boy. "The Red Badge of
Courage" is a masterpiece and the man who wrote it a genius
doomed to a brief and tragic life. Incidentally, though I had
meant to mention only novels in this article, let me urge you to
read the life of Stephen Crane by Thomas Beer. I know of few
biographies which equal it, nor of any which can give more
pleasure.
"The Long Roll" and "Cease Firing" are two long novels
�SEPTEMBER, 1927
31
of the Civil War period which present a panoramic glimpse of
those terrible four years.
The richest development of the novel in our country has
come about since the Civil War. Mark Twain, William Dean
Howells, Thomas Nelson Page, Edith Wharton, Theodore
Dreiser, Willa Cather, all artists of the first rank have lived or
are living in the twentieth century. Their product has been
rich and varied and has concerned itself with no particular period.
In the list which follows I am including, as in my former
articles, only those books which I have read myself. A few of
them I shall mark "must", meaning by that that these are the
books which should be familiar to all Americans. Others may
be read for enjoyment only, although my own conviction is that
deep happiness may be obtained from the reading of many, many
books which are neither great, nor always good.
The Scarlet Letter — Must
The Man Without a Country
Rise of Silas Lapham — Must
Huckleberry Finn — Must
Tom Sawer — Must
Last of the Mohicans — Must
Other Leatherstocking Tales
The Virginian
Janice Meredith
Richard Carvel
The Crisis
Drums
Portrait of a Lady
Penrod
The Red Badge of Courage —
Must
Ethan Frome — Must
My Antonia — Must
The Financier
Java Head
Call of the Wild
The Harbor
Old Gentleman of the Black
Stock
The Time of Man
Luck of Roaring Camp
Poe's Short Stories
The Four Million
This list has been culled from memory for I did no new
reading of novels in preparation for this article. As I made the
list I felt a throb of—homesickness is as nearly as I can come
to describing it, — for the days when I might spend hours upon
hours reading. Each name as it went down had its own associations. May I hope that those of you who read any single book
from this list may feel the same joy and interest in the hours
spent with Tom Sawyer, or Ellen of "The Time of Man", or
young Penrod, or Janice Meredith of the slim ankles, or Henry
of the "Red Badge of Courage", that I have felt?
It would give me great pleasure to believe so.
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
32
Bushnts Encounter With The Lion
By
DR.
N. A.
KATIBAH
(Bushr Ibn 'Awana was as eminent a poet as he was a brave warrior
in pre-Islamic times. He was asked as a dowry by the parents of Ins
bride the head of a fierce lion who had terrorized the tribes of the neighborhood and defied all attempts to rid the countryside of his menace. Bushr
rode out to meet the king of beasts alone, and as his mount reared and
stumbled, he advanced to the encounter on foot. His poem describing the
exploit is a masterly gem of Arabic literature ably rendered into English
Edlton
by Dr. Katibah.)
O, Fatima! Were you but there,
By rising mounds beset,
When lo, a lion from his lair
Your brother, Bushru, met,
You would have seen with your own eye
A duel lacking fear —
A maned prince a prince defy
— A lion meet his peer.
He cocked with pride to see my steed
Bestartled off his course;
I shouted to the shuddering reed,
"Death come to thee, my horse!
"Let then my feet but reach the ground
Alack for thee, alack!
Methinks the ground is firm and sound,
— Aye, firmer than thy back."
And to the beast: — his weapons now
All bristling out and bare,
His savage visage and his brow
One fixed and wrathful glare,
One paw begins to clasp and claw,
His malice pent to keep,
And forward crawls the other paw
To make the fatal leap;
\
�SEPTEMBER, 1927
Each anxious claw and sharpened tusk
Apointing out with ire,
His eyes agleaming in the dusk —
Two glowing balls of fire;
— While in my right the keen of blade,
Athirsting death to deal,
Still bore the marks that death had made
And left upon its steel —
"Come, lion, come, my warning heed,
Go seek thee other meat;
If thou art bent on me to feed
Thou'lt find me gall to eat.
"Heardst not what havoc this, my hand,
In Kazima's wide plain,
Had wreaked upon that vaunted band,
When Amru I had slain?"
He deemed th' advice but sly deceipt
To chill his fire withal;
My brave recital, a conceit
That had no truth at all.
He charged at me, and charged did I —
Two lions of one aim:
Dire death to deal, but not to die,
With vengeance all aflame.
Out came my sword, with it a gleam
Before his burning sight;
Methought that ribboned streak did seem
A flash that ripped the night.
Down came the sword of wide renown
And through his ribs it slashed;
Lo, steeped in blood he crumbled down
— A mighty structure crashed!
•
33
�34
THE SYRIAN WORLD
SE1
One single blow of my keen sword
Unseamed him clear in two,
Whereas he was a single lord
Before that blow him slew.
Said I to him: "I hate to kill
A kinsman peer of minej
Reluctant was my heart, but still
Uncommon rash was thine.
"Thou soughtest what no one but thee
Had ever sought before;
My patience strained and chafed in me
And could withhold no more.
"But sorrow not, my freeman brave,
A freeman hast defied,
Who brooks no insult, slight or grave,
— And freeman hast thou died."
THE TRULY GREAT
A lowly informer sent a petition to Yahya, the great Barmacide vizier of Haroun Al-Rashid, advising him that a foreign
merchant had died in the city of Baghdad leaving a beautiful
slave-girl, an infant child, and a vast fortune which he, the vizier,
should be the logical heir thereto.
Yahya returned the petition after having written on its
margin the following remarks:
"As to the deceased, may Allah have compassion on him;
and as to the slave-girl, may Allah safeguard and protect her;
and as to the wealth, may Allah preserve and increase it; and as
to the informer, may the curse of Allah fall upon him."
Mo'awyah once asked Omar Ibn El-Aas, "What is the extent of your statesmanship?"
Omar replied: "I have never engaged in any affair but discovered an outlet therefrom."
But Mo'awyah said: "As for myself, I have never yet engaged in a matter from which I sought an outlet."
Com
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�SEPTEMBER, 1927
"Anna Ascends
35
ll
By HARRY CHAPMAN FORD
PUBLISHED FOR THE FIRST TIME AS ORIGINALLY
PLAYED ON THE NEW YORK STAGE.
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING ACT
Gents, a high-bred American, is discovered in the restaurant of Said
Coury, a congenial Syrian whose true Americanism is far more than his
poor English indicates. The waitress, Anna, is a hard working, honest
girl who continually strives to learn and always carries a dictionary. Genta
takes interest in' her and helps her learn better English. Two under-world
characters, Bunch and Beauty, have designs on Anna and plan to forct
her into disreputable traffic. They enter the restaurant and Bunch encircles Anna's waist with his arm and moves his (hand in a familiar and
disgusting manner to her breast. She bites him viciously and he hurls
curses at her. Gents springs to her defense and forces an apology from
the detractor. Bunch and Beauty leave threatening Anna with revenge.
Two finely dressed American young women, Nell and Bess sister and fiancee of Howard (Gents), enter the restaurant and are surprised at Howard
frequenting such a haunt. They disdain Anna and Howard proceeds to
prove to them that she is a better American than they are. Howard
leaves with the visitors and presently Rizzo, the cop, enters and announces
that he is looking for Bunch for a recent theft of a shawl. Rizzo departs
and is soon followed by Said, the proprietor, leaving Anna in the restaurant alone. Bunch enters and offers the stolen shawl to Anna who spurns
him and, as he proceeds to use force, she stabs him. Leaving him for
dead, she flees the place in the enveloping darkness of the night.
ACT TWO — I.
Scene represents the private office of Henry Fisk, a newspaper and magazine publisher. There is a door which leads to
other offices. Book cases with books of rare bindings abound the
walls. The room is furnished with massive mahogany furniture
and deep red plush. On the desk is a costly humidor, with spirit
lamp, ash tray, heavy writing set all in bronze, several documents
and a rare book or two. There are also eight or ten of the "Latest" books, fiction, science, biography, poetry, etc., etc. A light
single chair is above desk and is used by the ftpS^St secretary to
take dictation. The entire atmosphere is heavy, dignified, but in
extremely fine state.
�36
THE SYRIAN V/ORLD
At rise of curtain Henry Fisk is discovered dictating letters
to Miss Bird, his private secretary. He is a man in the early
fifties, of very gentle but. firm manner. A thorough business man,
yet very humane, withal.
Miss Bird is a very pretty woman of about twenty-six, severely, yet very becomingly dressed. She gives the impression of
great wholesomeness and common sense.
As the curtain rises Mr. Fisk is in the middle of a letter.
He begins to talk just before the curtain starts.
FISK — (Dictating.) Therefore, my dear sir, it is impossible
for us to give a review of your work? before the next issue of the
"Digest". Mr. Dowles, our reviewer, has your book in hand
and will give it his immediate attention. With very best regards,
I am,
(To Miss Bird.) One more letter, Miss Bird, and then you
are fired
for good.
Miss B. — Yes, Mr. Fisk. (Smiles.)
FISK — Yes. Only one more letter shall I ever dictate to
you, and then I will say "bless you, my children" and speed you
on your way. You are getting a fine boy in young Brandt and
I know you will be happy.
Miss B. — Thank you, Mr. Fisk. I will be happy. Though
I have been very happy here, too.
FISK — A good secretary is hard to find. I hope your successor is good.
Miss B. — I am sure she is.
FISK — Well, you ought to be able to judge. You know
her well, do you not?
Miss B. — Ihave been acquainted with her for over a year
and I feel sure that she will not disappoint you.
FISK — Excellent.
Miss B. — Her command of English is infinitely better
than mine, although she has only been in this country not quite
four years.
FISK — Foreigner, then?
Miss B. — Yes, sir, yet she speaks with only a slight accent.
I do not know her native country, though I surmise she hails
from the Balkans. Then again she may be an Oriental. I do
not know. S/^e has never told me anything about her native
land and of course I cannot ask her.
FISK — As long as she proves herself efficient I will be
�fcfa
SEPTEMBER, 1927
37
content. (Picks up two books from desk.) Here is the letter,
Miss Bird. (Dictates.)
Morris and Lloyd
1114 Chestnut St.,
Philadelphia.
Gentlemen:—
I have before me a semi-economical-fictional work — (To
Miss Bird.) I think that is the proper way to describe it. (Dictates.) Economical-fictional work entitled "Anna Ascends", Author unknown. This work is, by far, the best of its class published during the last ten years and if you would be so gracious,
I would be pleased if you would give me the name of the author,
in order that I !may satisfy the appeals of hundreds of my subscribers. It is indeed a wonderful work, really worthy of a Conrad or a Poe. With all good wishes, I am, yours, very truly.
(To Miss Bird.) I do hope they will furnish me with that
author's name, but I doubt that they even know it.
Miss B. — New best seller, Mr. Fisk?
FISK — Yes, and a dandy. Story of an emigrant young
girl, who comes to this country and fights her way, unscathed to
the top. The writer claims that ninety-eight per cent, of the
foreign girls who go wrong after landing in this country are
forced there through lack of proper protection during that vital
stage, namely, the first two years they are here, when they are
learning the language and ways.
Miss B. — It is quite true that if a little more attention and
protection were afforded them, a great percentage of them would
be saved.
FISK. — That is true. Howard, a few years ago disappeared on one of his mad adventures and lived some weeks in one
of the low quarters down town. When we found him he said
he had been studying the ways and means of helping young foreign born girls. He always claimed practically to the letter just
what this book claims. Now, Miss Bird, you have taken your
last dictation, as I said before, but I am not going to fire you
until you type the letters. I will, however, give you a little
wedding present from the firm in appreciation of your services,
etc., etc. You know the old, long winded speech? Well, consider it said. (Hands her cheque.)
Miss B. — Thank you so much, Mr. Fisk. I hardly know...
FISK. — Get out of here and type those letters, young lady,
�TTrrin
THE SYRIAN WORLD
38
or I will refuse to fire you.
Miss B. — Mr. Howard will be home today? I would
like to1 see him before I go.
FISK — Yes, home today after eight months in Alaska, on
God only knows what kind of an errand. He will stop here before going to the house. You can see him then.
Miss B. — Yes, sir.
FISK — Your successor is due when?
Miss B. —; At one o'clock, Mr. Fisk.
FISK — I have given orders for her to report to me as soon
as she arrives.
Miss B. — Is that all, Mr. Fisk?
— Yes, thank you. (Miss B. exits... Fisk pishes button. Takes up telephone, speaks.) My daugter and Miss Braham will be here in a moment or two, Sparkes. See that they
come in this room at once. (Enters John Stead. Young man of
about twenty-eight.) Hello, John, what's the trouble?
JOHN — I'm playing office boy for you. William has gone
to lunch.
FISK — I wanted him to get me some cigars. But never
mind, now. He can get them later. I expect Bess here in a
moment or two. Hang around and you may get a chance to
see her.
JOHN — Just crazy to.
FISK — How is the course of true love running?
JOHN — Just as true as ever. We had a fine scrap two evenings ago.
FISK — Yes?
JOHN — Yep. She thinks I ought to get a better job. Now
I am here working for you at twenty-one dollars a week and
Pop allows me three hundred. I only went to work to please
her and now she says that I have a sinecure here and am laying
down on the job.
FISK — Well, my dear lad, you are certainly not giving
me twenty-one dollars' worth of work— not one dollar's worth.
JOHN — Oh, well, I know that, but I might as well "sting"
my future father-in-law as anyone else.
FISK — What does Bess want you to do now?
JOHN — She thinks I should take some manual job. Sweat
of my brow, red shirt, over-alls and all that sort of thing, you
know.
FISK
�_
SEPTEMBER, 1927
39
pISK _ Well the Subway isn't finished up town yet.
jOHN
I'll put my foot down today, when I see her.
pISK _ That's the way to talk. Remember that a man
should be the master in his own house.
JOHN — I'll remember it all right, but that is as far as I'll
ever get. (Phone bell rings.)
FISK — (In phone.) Yes? (pause) Oh, yes, let her come
right in. (To John) You'll have to excuse me now, John. 1
am sorry I can't help you in your love affairs, I've a new secretary coming. Miss Bird is leaving today, you know.
JOHN — Yes, sir. (Starts up and as he opens the door
Sparkes enters and ushers in Anna Ayyoub, now known as Anne
Adams. She wears a trim neat business suit and carries herself
in a well poised and easy manner _ Save for a slight accent she
shows little of her former self. Fisk rises respectfully and bows.)
SPARKES — Miss Adams, Mr. Fisk. (John exits.)
pISK _ Thank you, Sparkes. (Sparkes exits.) Be seated,
Miss Adams.
ANNA _ Thank you.
,
(He waits for her to sit, then reseats
— You come highly recommended, Miss Adams, but
I should like to ask you a few questions.
ANNA — Yes, sir.
pISKL _ It will save us both a great deal of time, and perhaps much embarrassment.
.
ANNA — I will be glad to answer any questions that you
mav ask, Mr. Fisk.
JUT
FISK — (Picks up sheet of paper.) By your record here 1
see that you were employed by Stilson & Quade up to three
weeks ago. Why did you leave them?
ANNA — I did not leave. I was discharged.
Discharged? May I ask why?
FlsK _ Indeed?
I bit Mr. Stilson, the senior memANNA _ Certainly, sir.
ber, on the hand.
FISK — What? Bit him on
ANNA — Yes, sir.
FISK — God bless me, daughter, how and why did you
"FISK
CVCT
ANNA - It is an old habit of mine, Mr. Fisk, that I cannot
cure myself of. I have bit as many as eleven men during the
last two years. (Fisk unconsciously rubs hts hand.)
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
FISK
ous girl.
— You do not look like a
ANNA
— I am neither.
er
cannibal
a vici-
Each and every man I bit tried to
kiss me.
FISK — Kiss you!
Ah, I see. You were only protecting
yourself, eh?
ANNA — Exactly, Mr. Fisk. They all have the same method of procedure, and I have the same method of protection.
FISK — Just so. You bite their hand.
ANNA — Yes, sir. It is most convenient
and effective.
FISK — Well, young lady, you need have no fear of anyone in this firm giving you a chance of making a meal of his
hand.
ANNA — Thank you, Mr. Fisk. I will not regret to lose
the habit.
FISK — Just so. Just so.
(Resumes scrutiny of record.)
Before holding your secretarial position with Stilson & Quade,
you were employed by a firm of box makers, namely, Hughes
& Co. Did you lose your position there through your
er
cannibalistic tendencies?
ANNA — Yes, sir, the foreman, this time.
FISK — And so on down the list, I suppose?
A NNA — Yes, sir, a hand bite has been my nemesis, always.
FISK — Good little girl. (Knock at door.) Come in. (William enters with cigars.)
WILLIAM — Cigars, Mr. Fisk. I knew you would run out
of them, so I got them during lunch.
FISK — You are a very attentive boy, William. That is
why I keep you. This is Miss Adams, our new secretary. Don't
try to kiss her if you value your digets.
WILL — (Vaguely.) Yes, Mam.
FISK — (Takes one copy of "Anna Ascends" from desk.)
Give this book to Mr. Dowles and tell him to review it in his
best possible manner.
WILL — (Takes book and goes up stage.) There ain't a
chance in de woirld of 'me trying to kiss the lady, boss, but gosh,
how i'd like to. (Exits quickly.)
FISK — You seem doomed to your Nemesis.
ANNA — I'll kiss the dear little, man, someday. There are
kisses and kisses. (Enters Miss Bird.)
Miss B. — Here are the letters, Mr. Fisk. (To Anna.)
�i-
SEPTEMBER, 1927
41
Howdo.
ANNA — Howdo.
FISK — Thank you,
Miss Bird. You need not send that
letter to Morris & Lloyd, the Philadelphia publishers. I shall
phone them. (Miss B. puts letters on desk. Fisk looks them
over in a hurried manner, selects one and tears it up. Takes up
phone.) You show Miss Adams her room and her filing record,
Miss Bird.
Miss B. — Certainly, sir. This way, Miss Adams.
FISK — (In phone.) Give me Long Distance. (To Miss B.)
She might as well go over her records now. (In phone.) No, no.
Long Distance, please.
Miss B. — (Pointing room.) That is the conference room,
there. Three buzzers to bring you. Two buzzers for this room.
ANNA — Yes, I see.
FISK — Long distance?
(Girls exeunt.)
Miss B. — (As they exeunt.) This is your private office.
FISK — I want Morris & Lloyd, book publishers, Philadelphia. Yes, Mr. Morris I wish, to speak to. The other member
of the firm is dead. Will you rush that through for me? Thank
you. Yes, you have it right. Morris & Lloyd. Thank you. This
is Henry Fisk & Co. Thank you, again. (Bess and Nell enter,
followed by John.)
BESS — Howard not here, father?
FISK — No, was it too much trouble to go to the train to
meet him?
BESS — Not at all. But he did not take the trouble to wire
what train he arrived on.
FISK — Hullo, Nellie, I fancy you are glad that the boy
is coming home. He'll look rather rough. He has been working in a1 lumber camp, I believe.
JOHN — That should please his sister, at any rate.
BESS — Yes, and a few splinters in your hand would do you
no harm.
JOHN — Getting ink on them suits me just as well.
BESS — Well, let me remark that it does not suit me.
FISK — Now here.
If you wish to quarrel, go into the
conference room and fight it out there. It is sound proof, made
that way for our directors' meetings.
NELL — Do you think that Howard will be here soon?
BESS — His wire of yesterday only said, "Will arrive to-
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
42
I
morrow. n
NELL — Most uncertain man»
FISK — Yes, in more ways than
sending telegrams. John,
you take Bess into the- directors' room and see if you two cannot
come to some definite conclusion of what she wishes you to do.
Whether she wants you to be a stevedore or a coal heaver. I
want to talk to Nellie.
BESS — Oh, I suppose I must. Come on, Lord Dundreary.
JOHN — (As they move off.) Why do you persist in my
working, when I can work the Governor, Bess dear?
BESS — That kind of work is too easy for you. Working
other people.
JOHN — Now, Bess, be reasonable. (They exeunt.)
FISK — I am glad, Nellie, that you mentioned the fact that
Howard is so uncertain. Before your father died, he exacted a
promise from me that I would bring you and Howard together,
if possible. And I have done everything in my power to do so.
Now tell, like a good girl, what is the matter.
NELL — The matter? Well, Uncle Hen, I call you Uncle
Hen, as I did when I was a little tot. I simply do not fit into
Howard's scheme of things. That's all.
FISK — And why? You are both of good families, both
of whom are wealthy, why in the name of common sense do not
you two young fools make a match of it?
NELL — I told you why. I have done my best. I've always liked Howard, but he just can't see me. (Laughs lightly.)
Rather hard on one's vanity. I admit, it piques me.
FISK — I'll talk to that young man when he comes in. It
is time that he stopped jumping hither and thither, turned and
twisted, by silly whims of his own. It is time that he settled
down.
NELL — He never* will, I am afraid.
pISK — Well, by jiminy, he will. Or I'll know the reason
why. I had a family when I was his age. And if he does not
feel, inclined to woo you, it must be someone else. I'm for Mr.
Roosevelt, every time.
NELL — Very indelicate remark, Uncle Hen. But I promise you that this time I'll go right after him.
FISK — Good. And see that you get him. It was your father's wish and it is mine. Remember that?
NELL — Trust me.
.
...
�SEPTEMBER, 1927
43
— I suppose John and Bessie have squabbled enough.
Will you join them, daughter, I have some work to do.
NELL — Yes, Uncle Hen.
(As she crosses.)
FISK — There is another couple I can't seem to get going
right. I am an awful poor match-maker, it seems.
NELL — Oh, those two will come out all right. They fight
all the time.
FISK — Perhaps that is a hopeful sign.
NELL — Oh, it's positive, Uncle Hen. (Enters Sparkes.)
FISK — Well, Allen?
SPARKES — Shall we illustrate that special of Keene's, Mr.
Fisk?
FISK — Oh, yes.
SPARKES — Was that Nellie Van Hosen who just entered
the directors' room?
FISK — Yes. Why?
SPARKES — Oh, nothing in particular, except that I am
very much interested in her.
FISK — Indeed? This ofnce is getting to be a regular matrimonial bureau. You don't mean to say that you
you
SPARKES — I certainly am.
FISK — Well, hands off there, my boy. I've got her picked for Howard, and I might add that the lady's inclination run
in that direction, too.
SPARKES — Oh, I'm well aware of that. That is why I
keep back.
FISK —< Sorry, my boy, but her father, you know, I promised, if I could. If I can't, then your chance, you know
er
What am I talking about?
SPARKES — I really do not know, sir, but I understand you
just the same. And I thank you.
FISK — You don't know what I am talking about, yet you
understand me? That is as much fool talk as mine. Howard
will be here today and will have his chance. If he throws it away,
then, you start on your mad career of love making.
SPARKES — Thank you, sir.
FISK — Do not thank me. I am certainly making a mess
of it. Get that Keene article set up at once.
SPARKES — Yes, sir. (Goes up again.) I'll see to the form
at once. (Exits.)
FISK
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
FISK — Right. (Miss Bird and Anna enter.) Everything
all settled?
Miss B. — Yes, Mr. Fisk. Miss Adams will study her files
while I go to lunch. I will then come back to bid goodbye to
the folks and see that she is clear as to her other duties.
FISK — Very easy filing system, Miss Adams?
ANNA — Oh, very. And small in volume, I believe.
FISK — Yes, it contains only my personal correspondence.
Miss B. — I'll be back very soon, Mr. Fisk. (Goes up.)
I'll see you again:before I leave, Miss Adams. (Exits.)
FISK — (Picks up reference paper.) Miss Adams?
ANNA — Yes, sir.
FISK — Previous to your employment by Hughes & Co.,
where did you work? You don't object to my questions?
ANNA — Not at all, sir. I worked in several department
stores, laundries, as a house maid, and my first position in this
country was in a restaurant, down town. It was the only happy
job
I say job, because that is what it was. It was the only
happy job I ever held.
FISK — Why did you leave it?
ANNA — My biting propensity first came to the surface
there.
FISK — The boss, this time, too?
ANNA — No, a customer.
FISK — If you were so happy there, then why did you
leave?
ANNA — (Slightly perplexed.) Well
I
er
I wished to better myself, to receive good schooling
to mingle with
educated people
well
to ascend.
FISK — (Picks up remaining copy of book.) Quite a remarkable coincidence. This book describes in sequence yet in a
narrative way all the facts you have mentioned. Corresponding
almost exactly.
ANNA — Indeed, sir. What book?
FISK — This. (He hands her the book.) Do you know the
work?
ANNA — Yes, I know it.
FISK — You have read it, then?
ANNA — Oh, many, many times.
FISK. — Do you not think that it coincides with your life?
ANNA — It has been remarked by several people that it is
�I
SEPTEMBER, 1927
45
the exact prototype.
FISK — And you believe this girl, Anna, went through all
these remarkable experiences
er
clean
unscathed?
ANNA — I am sure of it.
FISK — Another strange coincidence is that she bears the
same name, Anna.
ANNA — There are many Annas, and just as many young
girls who have had the same sort of experiences.
FISK — But they did not have such a fortunate ending to
their story as Anna, did they?
ANNA — Many of them did not, no. But I do not believe
Anna's story is finished with this book. She has reached her ambition, but not her happiness. We must not forget that.
FISK — Yes, yes, I remember. You know that
(Pointing to book, which Anna holds.) Well.
ANNA — Very well.
FISK — I wish I knew the author's name.
ANNA — Of what consequence would that be to you, Mr.
Fisk?
(To be continued.)
The Book-Razaar of Cordova
(An unusual interest in old Arabic literature has been revived in Egypt where the daily papers are featuring articles on the
study of old Arab poets and writers in the light of modern criticism. The following article, which is chosen for its quaint description and its intimate details of those distant times, is translated for the readers of THE SYRIAN WORLD from Wadi-l-Nil,
an Egyptian newspaper published in Cairo.) — EDITOR.
The book bazaar in Cordova, Spain, at the time of the Arab
occupation, was the nearest thing in those days to a museum in
which were displayed many valuable antiques, and many rare
books and manuscripts. In its general appearance the bazaar was
composed of two rows of large and small shops, built on the
same style as the old public fountain-houses (sabeel) of Egypt.
Each shop was separate, with a tree or two planted by its side,
�46
THE SYRIAN WORLD
while in front of the shop was a little .wooden mastaba, or raised
platform. The owner would be squatted in the center of his
shop in which no light penetrates, except from a little shaft near
a latticed window.
These quaint shops often contained some of the most precious manuscripts — old copies of the Koran, famous letters of
the caliphs, of poets and learned men of Andalusia, Persia and
Egypt. A collector in those days would often come across a letter in the hand-writing of Haroun al-Rashid, or some Koranic
verses written on parchment in the hand of Ali Ibn Abi Talib,
an essay in the hand of Abd-ul-Hamid, the Writer, or a copy
of Kalila-wa-Dumna in the hand of its translator, Ibn-ul-Mukaffa<.
It was also possible to come across .a silken band belonging
to some famous bygone singer or literary woman, on which was
painted some selection of poetry in the hand of the singer or that
of some famous poet. For so fond of poetry were people in
those days that they had it 'painted on their clothes and bands, as
well as on walls. Some of the slave-girls had their faces, breasts
or arms decorated with lines of poetry, which showed under the
transparency of their silken raiment.
The book bazaars of Cordova were among the most crowded of all bazaars, and people came to visit them from every
quarter of Andalusia and the East. Famous men of learning
and men of letters flocked to Cordova from Fez, Damascus,
Baghdad or Cairo to pay pilgrimage to those famous libraries and
museums combined. The Andalusians of those days excelled in
copying, and in the art of book binding, often emulating one another in illuminations with which they decorated their books. The
book trade was a prosperous one.
The literary men and poets of Cordova, when not in the
stoas of the mosques, or in private houses, would be found on the
mastabas of the book sellers.
In general, the people of Andalusia were the best connoisseurs in literature and fine arts in those days.
An Arab was once told: "So and So is a fool but in good
wordly circumstances," and he quickly replied: "Happy is he,
for he is the perfect man."
MMMMNIIMB^
f
�47
SEPTEMBER, 1927
NOTES AND COMMENTS
By
THE EDITOR
We trust that the enthusiasm
and optimism of the Rev. W.
A. Mansur will prove contagious. He is full of hope for
the future of the Syrian-American. We all are, for that matter. It was a good reminder on
the part of the author to quote
the opening paragraph of our
foreword in launching THE
SYRIAN WORLD, to the effect
that the idea of this publication
was conceived in the spirit of
service to the Syrian-American
generation. The, Rev. Mansur
also gives forth some timely
and pertinent suggestions, and
we would urge all those who
have the interest of the race at
heart to give proper consideration to the reflections embodied
in his ably written article.
It is a well worn out platitude, however, that theory and
practice are, altogether different
matters. In the first year of
our publication of THE SYRIAN
WORLD, we have had ample
occasion to study the cross currents of thought among the
Syrian-American
generation.
To any other but a staunch believer in' the future of the race,
arousing the young generation
out of their indifference to their
racial heritage and ethnological
background would seem all but
a hopeless task. We, however,
wish to be classed with the
hopefully optimistic. True, the
task has all the earmarks of a
hard, uphill struggle, but this
is all the more reason why one
should redouble his efforts and
buoy his hopes in an attempt to
vindicate the honesty of his
convictions.
Our experience has been that
those appreciating work along
this line are the educated and
cultured class, always hopelessly in the minority. From these
has come such encouragement
as would give heart to any wavering will. There is compensation sufficient in working for,
and with, such an intelligent
and appreciative body of men
and women. But the support
of this class has, so far, proven
insufficient. It is a painful admission to make, but sooner or
later the truth must be known.
THE SYRIAN WORLD has, so
far, been carried on at continual
loss to the publisher. This, it
must be admitted, may be due
in part to the literary standard
the publication has been striving to maintain. It has had for
�48
its aim the reflection of the best
that is in the race. It has striven to be a fit medium for bringing out to a critical world those
masterly literary efforts of our
best talent many of whom enjoy a tremendous following
among the English - reading
public, even a world-wide reputation. The support of a learned body of men such as the
professors of the American
University of Beirut, as well as
other professors and orientalists
from many leading American
universities, has also been enlisted to contribute to our Syrian-American generation the
benefit of their seasoned studies
and observations on all matters
touching on their land of origin. The choicest treasures of
Arab literature are also made
readily accessible to them. Still
and withal, the response does
not seem commensurate with
the expenditure of effort.
We fear that the mass of our
people are, in a large measure,
still subject to the influence of
their original purposes in emigrating. The main factors governing their lives are materialistic and the offspring is naturally reared in an atmosphere
incongenial to the healthy
growth of cultural aspirations.
Still further, any literary activities indulged in are, under the
above conditions, confined to
THE SYRIAN WORLD
literature of the dime novel
variety or current scandals.
While discussing this problem with a highly -cultured Syrian woman, her frank advice to
us was to give readers what
they want if therein lay the
only assurance of popular support. Another adviser would
have us be liberal with the publication of "saucy stories". We
believe, however, that that
would immediately fhrow us
out of our class and would be
neither acceptable to our present readers, nor fit to make the
publication a proper representative of the best Syrian culture.
The only solution, therefore,
is for the appreciative minority
to exert its influence over the
indifferent majority to the end
that the latter's interest would
be gradually aroused. A good
deal of missionary work is necessary, but we believe this
should be done in the general
interest of the race.
It may be also appropos to
state that several new important
nnovations and features are under plan for THE SYRIAN
WORLD, but it would interest
us immensely to learn the opinions of our readers on the subject. We again extend those
interested an invitation to give
us the benefit of their reactions
which will be treated confidentially if so desired.
i
�——
49
SEPTEMBER, 1927
Spirit of The Syrian Press
Under this caption we hope to present from time to time a microcoimic 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 tak«
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'S NEEDED REVOLUTION
God knows, as well as those who
see with clear vision, that our country is in need of many things which
take priority over independence. It
is in need of a commercial, industrial republic much more than it
needs a political, republic. It is in
need of an economic government
much more than it needs a ministerial government with all its paraphernalia and trappings of offices
and executive and legislative bodies.
Nevertheless, there are those among
the over-anxious, the malcontents
and pseudo-patriots who clamor for
political independence with the least
regard for all the other vital necessities of Syria as if these were absolutely superfluous.
Syria, to be sure, is in need of
independence, but this need does not
take second or third or even fourth
rank among the primary, vital necessities indispensable to existence.
The invalid needs elementary treatment first, then care during the
period of convalescence, and thereafter it would be possible for his
relatives to concern themselves
about his marriage. Such is exactly
the case of Syria who is chronically
sick educationally and economically,
politically and administratively, in
its physical being as well as in its
social being.
*** Before we wage was against
France with all its might with the
idea of driving her out of our country, let us well ponder our deplorable condition for us to realize that
the effort we waste in fighting
France is but a gamble with the
lives of the people and the political
fortunes of the nation.lt is also meet
for us to consider the consequences
that are bound to follow on the
withdrawal of France from Syria
granting that an armed revolution
does prove successful in ejecting
France by force. There are many
who fear that in such an eventuality
there is bound to follow a fratricidal war in which the arms of the
Syrians will be ruthlessly used
against each other. Those who entertain such fears seem to produce
ample proofs of an incontrovertible
nature on the ill designs of the Syrians against themselves.
The armed revolution in Syria has
now come to an end, and it is our
sincere hope that in its place will
be born in the spirit of the Syrians
a desire for an economic revolution
which will awaken them out of their
lethargy so that they may be able
�==
THE SYRIAN WORLD
50
to deflect the growing tide of foreign competition on the resources of
their country. In this they may
count on the active support of their
emigrant kin who can provide the
motherland with such a wealth of
expert knowledge in commerce and
industry, as well as in finance and
management, as would soon raise
Syria to the rank of progressive nations once the two forces are joined.
This is extremely feasible unless the
stay-at-homes still look upon the
emigrants as they do upon the proverbial milch cow, being satisfied
with the mere financial contributions of various natures which they
receive from them.
(As-Sayeh, N. Y., Aug. 11, 1927.)
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM
AMERICA
There seems to be left little doubt
that whatever funds are sent from
America to the motherland are partly, or mostly, garnered by the everhungry Moloch of greed. The apparent reason is that the stay-athomes firmly believe that they have
a right to a share of what the industrious and thrifty emigrant gains
with infinite pains.
We are publishing today a report
appearing in the respectable Egyptian paper Al-Ahram bearing on the
funds collected for the ostensible
purpose of aiding the Syrian revolution and the manner in which these
funds were used.
There is not the least doubt that
the trustees of the contributions
collected to aid the cause of the Riffian Abdel Krim and the Hauranian
Sultan Atrash have misappropriated
the funds. It is also certain that
those who were deceived by the
promises of their leaders got the
worst end of the bargain while they
were the ones who suffered and
fought and died in the defense of a
cause the true aim of which they
were in complete ignorance. The
total amount of moneys collected
reached a hundred thousand English
pounds, or a half-million dollars, of
which only a fifth, or possibly a
fourth, reached those for whom they
were originally intended.
(Al-Hoda, N. Y., Aug. 29, 1927.)
WHY THE COLLECTIONS?
The Druze revolution has been
finally suppressed and most of the
revolutionists have now returned to
their homes with the exception of
an insignificant few.
Nevertheless, we find that those
trafficking in that revolution, be they
in America or Egypt, continue to
collect contributions under the guise
of prosecuting the revolution. This,
to all appearances, is the height of
ignorance and folly.
A reporter of the Beirut paper
Lisan-Ul-Hal has interviewed Moteb
Bey Atrash, one of the leaders of
the Druze revolution who has surrendered to the French authorities,
and learned from him that all that
was received by the revolutionists
from the funds collected in their
name in North and South America
and all other countries where Druze
emigrants are found does not exceed
forty thousand dollars, while the
total amount collected is not less
than three hundred thousand dollars.
Can those who are collecting these
contributions convince us that the
funds received are reaching the parties for whom they are intended?
(Ash-Shaab, N. Y., Aug. 13, 1927.)
�I
51
SEPTEMBER 1927
THE STORY OF RASHAYYA
i
\\
Times and men have not changed,
nor has the earth deviated from its
orbit. Those are the same men who
were in the habit of contradicting
us in everything we said, while now
they repeat to us our former declarations as if they were altogether
new.
Today animosities have somewhat
subsided and people are returning
to reason. With this psychological
change we find that our former detractors are agreeing with us that
it was the French who sacrificed
Rashayya and its inhabitants on the
altar of their stupid diplomacy;
that it was the soldiers of the French
who committed the reported atrocities; and that it was the guns of
the French which laid waste the
once thriving town which causes
everyone witnessing it to lament it
as did Jeremiah over the ruins of
Jerusalem.
We used to say to the people of
Rashayya, "Why not publish the
actual facts about your case to the
civilized world?" and their uniform
answer was that such a course would
antagonize the High Commissariat
and the Mandatory Power. But now
the facts which the Rashayyites
were reluctant in publishing have become a matter of common knowledge, and the reparations which they
were in the hope of receiving have
turned into penalties imposed on
them in the form of arms and in
the appropriation of funds forwarded to them from abroad for purposes
of relief. What have the Rashayyites now to fear so long as all they
had once feared has befallen them?
A FORLORN HOPE
Regardless of all the hopes of the
Syrian and Lebanese papers and of
the length of their comment on the
intentions of M. Ponsot, we are still
of the opinion that Syria will fare
at his hands no better than it has
fared at the hands of former High
Commissioners.
If actual hostilities in Syria have
ceased due to Anglo-French co-operation, or if the revolution has been
quelled, according to the claims of
the French, then why does not the
High Commissioner declare the unity
of Syria and proclaim general amnesty and have his government concern itself with the enactment of
the great reforms of which it has
been boasting for so long and of
which we have not seen so far the
least trace. Indeed, if the mandate
over Syria' were in the hands of any
other power, even if she be of the
smallest, she could have accomplished many of the economic projects
of which Syria stands in the most
urgent need in her aspiration to attain civic and material progress.
France has been in Syria for a
number of years, but during this
period what has she accomplished
in the way of works of public benefit. Unless we consider as such her
having divided the country into
small states and raised partitions
between the inhabitants of the same
house such as the frontiers that
would be traced between peoples of
different race and language. Otherwise, where are the railroads she
has laid or planned; the ports she
has opened; the highways she has
built; the public institutions she has
erected; the mines she has prospectMeraat-Ul-Gharb, N. Y., ed for; etc., etc.?
Aug. 12, 1927.)
Rather, France has brought on the
�52
THE SYRIAN WORLD
country ruin instead of prosperity;
has robbed her of her wealth instead of bringing new wealth to her;
has taken her gold and substituted
for it paper currency, and, what may
be the greatest project she has undertaken was her having imported
the Armenians and the Circassians
by the hundreds of thousands to engage with the natives in a cut-throat
competition on what is, at best, but
a scant existence.
M. Ponsot has returned emptyhanded of all that could conform
with the national aspirations of the
Syrians. The revolutonists have
realized that the change of High
Commissioners is not unlike seeking shelter in the storm from under
one tree to another. They have decided, therefore, not to lay down
their arms in spite of the conspiracy of the French and English authorities against them. They have,
rather, retired to a place outside of
the Syrian border where they shall
abide their opportunity to again assault the usurpers and wage a new
revolt against the French which will
compel the latter to change their
tactics and grant the Syrian nation
its lawful demands.
and whoever differs with him in religious belief is fit only to be discarded or fought until he is converted
to the Mohammedan religion...
This is the race whom some
Christians extol and in the interest
of whom they declare themselves in
favor of an Arab unity in Syria as
well as in other countries of the
East speaking the Arabic language!
If these misguided ones only applied
reason they would soon discover that
the greatest blow to the culture of
the Syrians is to amalgamate them
with the Arabs who are simply fanatic bedouins steeper in ignorance.
As proof of the above it is only
necessary to mention that the highest religious authorities of the Arabs
is, up to present time, undecided on
whether to permit or prohibit the
use of modern inventions such as the
telegraph and telephone, merely because "the Prophet made no mention of such things in his Book"!
Is this, then, the nation which can
be trusted to create a civilized government and make such laws as
would guide any country on the road
of uplift and progress?
(Syrian Eagle, N.Y., Aug. 12, 1927.)
(Al-Bayan, N. Y., Aug. 12, 1927.)
SUMMER DREAMS
FANATICISM OF THE ARABS
O you who clamor to have the
Arabs rule over all Arabic-speaking
countries, we have had enough of
your boasting of the Arabs and
their virtues. The majority of the
Arabs of today are fanatics, and
there are a goodly number of them
who are barbarians. Furthermore,
all that the Arab understands of his
Arabicism is that he is a Moslem,
Sultan Pasha Atrash dreams of
returning to Syria,
The President of the Lebanon
Republic dreams of issuing a decree
without consultation with the French
High Commissariat.
The Lebanese people dream of an
unrestricted Constitution.
(As-Sayeh, N. Y., Aug. 22, 1927.)
i':
�—
SEPEEMBERy 1927
53
About Syria and Syrians
THE AUTOMOBILE IN
h
when private purchasers began to
THE SYRIAN DESERT buy cars the sentiment was general
that the American product was peCrossing the Syrian Desert in culiary adapted to th needs of this
luxurious, comfortable and steady region. Today these territories that
motor-busses, mostly of American were formerly under Turkish rule
make, has now superseded the long may be regarded as much an Amerand tedious journey across the long ican market as any outside of the
stretch of burning sands on swaying Western Hemisphere, 85 to 90 per
camels. The trip from Damascus to cent, of the passenger cars, trucks
Baghdad is now accomplished in and busses registered in these couna little more than a day, whereas tries, outside Turkey, being of
formerly it took weeks and some- American origin.
times months, not to mention the
In almost all Syria and Palesdangers and hardships besetting the tine there are now modern roads
traveler on the way. Most of this suitable for automobiles, the Enchange, according to an article pre- glish and French occupation authorpared by Mr. G. E. Haynes, of the ities having made special efforts
Automotive Division of the Bureau along road building, but in the desof Foreign and Domestic Commerce ert it has been discovered that the
and published in a recent issue of nature of the terrain permits of auCommerce Reports, has taken place tomobile travel without the necessiin Syria during the short period fol- ty of building roads. The ground
lowing the World War.
is firm except in certain rainy peAccording to information and riods, and the flat expanse of the
statistics compiled by the agents of desert making it possible for highthe Department of Commerce, the powered automobiles to travel at
registration of motor vehicles in their utmost speed. In the broad,
Syria as of January 1, 1927, was limitless desert there is no fear of
3,854 passenger cars, 39 busses and congestion, nor are there any traffic
268 trucks, totalling 4,162, while in regulations. Now and then, however,
Palestine the total number of motor a detachment of desert police may
vehicles is 1,950, and in Iraq 2,524. be encountered whose function is
"As a result of the use of Amer- to protect the automobile caravans
ican cars and trucks by the Allied from marauding bedouins. These
forces," states Mr. Haynes, "their patrols are mounted on fast camels
characteristics of ruggedness and and they have come to make themdependability became thoroughly im- selves respected among the desert
pressed on users, both actual and gentry.
potential. The motor vehicles used
The regular automobile route beby our various relief missions for tween Beirut and Baghdad runs
several years after the stoppage of through Baalbek, Damascus and
hostilities aided in crystallizing this Palmyra, the latter being the last
impression. The net result was that stop before crossing the desert and
�THE SYRIAN WORLD >
54
the resting station for the night.
The potentialities of developing the
desert route between East and West
for both passenger and freight
traffic are immense.
NEW HOME OF THE
LEBANON NATIONAL BANK
eral Reserve System.
The new location of the Lebanon
National is most convenient to our
ever-growing business
establishments in the midtown section of the
city, while its old banking house at
59 Washington Street is still maintained as a branch for the accommodation of its patrons in the downtown district.
The Officers and Board of Directors are all men of sound judgment
and extensive business experience.
A valuable addition to the executive
force of the bank is Mr. William J.
Large who has to hia credit a banking record of twenty-five years and
who, for many years, was Federal
Bank Examiner.
The Lebanon National is our outstanding institution in America and
its very existence materially enhances the prestige of the race. It
is deserving of our concerted support to the same degree that it is
worthy of our pride.
The steady growth of the Lebanon National Bank of New York
has fully vindicated the optimistic
forecasts of its sponsors. Within
the five years of its existence it has
doubled its capital and surplus and
more than quadrupled the amount
of its deposits. Let us hope that
its continuous rapid growth under
the able guidance of its organizer
and president, Mr. J. A. Mandour,
will ultimately bring it within the
rank of the foremost financial institutions of the city.
The Lebanon National Bank is now
quartered in its beautiful new building at the corner of Fifth Avenue
and Thirty-Second Street. The ceremonies attending the opening of the
new headquarters on August 15th
were befitting the memorable occasion, scores of friends of the institution coming to inspect the building and expressing their good wishes
in the form of floral offerings. But
what was more significant was the
fact that one hundred and twentyfive new accounts were opened with
our bank on the opening day, which
is sufficient testimony to the confidence placed in the strength of the
institution.
The Lebanon National has also
been made a depository of tfhe City
of New York, having also been for
some years past a depository of
the State of New York and of the
United States, and ever since its
foundation a member of the Fed-
TRADE REVIVAL IN SYRIA
A resumption of normal buying
has been reported following the period of inactivity owing to disturbed
conditions. Imports of cotton goods
during the first quarter of 1917
were rather heavy, in contrast to
average purchases of other commodities; the latter were not in proportion to the recent unusually active retail trade. The rise of Italian
exchange, on which currency a good
proportion of the commitments were
based* however, had an unsettling
effect on the trade most concerned
in the cotton goods market, and
created a difficult situation in the
credit market.
(Commercial Reports.)
\
/
*
�SEPTEMBER, 1927
«
-,
THE PASSING AWAY OF
TWO SYRIAN PIONEERS
*
1
I
I
During the month of August two
Syrians who had distinguished
themselves as pioneers among the
Syrian-Americans in their different
occupations breathed their last.
Rashid Simon was the first Syrian salesman to go out on the road.
It required courage on his part to
undertake the step because of the
manner in which Syrian business
in America had been conducted up
to that time. Syrian business houses,
catering only to the peddling trade,
had been in the habit of waiting
for the customers to call on them.
Then came a time when the peddlers began to cover a larger radius
in their wanderings, calling to replenish their stock less frequently
or not at all, and the Syrian merchants of New York took a cue
from American business and decided
to send out salesmen. Rashid Simon was the first to blaze the way.
Assad Libbus was another pioneer in a different line. To him fell
the honor of being the first operator of the Linotype when it was
adapted to the Arabic language in
1911 and was put in operation in
the printing establishment of AlHoda in New York. Syrian publication methods at that time followed closely along the antiquated methods of Syrian business, and to
have the courage to invest in a
Linotype machine marked an epoch
in the industry. Assad Libbus, with
his keen intelligence and deft fingers, proved to the satisfaction of
the dubious that the machine could
be operated as economically and
rapidly as its sister machine using
English type. It was mainly through
his intelligent operation, therefore,
55
that the Linotype came later to be
adopted by practically all Syrian
publishing houses in the United
States, which step marked a revolution in the publishing industry
int America and through this advantage placed the Syrian papers set
up on the Linotype in a class by
their own in the Arabic-speaking
world.
CREATING A NEW ARABIA
IN AMERICA
Early this month one of the direct
steamers of the Fabre Line between
New York and Beirut carried an
interesting passenger sailing for
Syria. Carl R. Razwan, connoisseur
and lover of Arabian horses, is
making the trip which will take
him to the Syrian Desert in the interest of purchasing Arabian horses
and all equipment necessary to
create a New Arabia in California.
He has now a large stock of horses
of pure Arabian breed, but it is his
ambitious plan to establish what
would be an exact prototype of an
Arab encampment in America. He
has in this project the financial
backing of powerful American interests, and is of the belief that the
introduction to America of a sort
of life which is as close as can be
imagined to mother nature will
prove a success in a comparatively
short itme.
Mr. Razwan is of German descent, but his great love for Arabian
horses prompted him to change his
name from Carl R. Schmidt to
Carl R. Razwan, after the name of
one of his beloved horses. He has
grown up with Arabian horses and
at one time played a part with the
late Rudolph Valentino in the latter's famous picture, "The Son of
the Sheik".
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
56
LEGALIZING GAMBLING
IN .LEBANON
class hotel at Bhersaf, in the neighborhood of Beirut, having three hundred rooms and an equal number of
baths. The company pledged itself
to undertake building operations
immediately it was guaranteed the
gambling charter. It also promised
to make the hostelry the first link
in a long chain of similar establishments with which the beautiful hills
of Lebanon would be crowned. Now
that the gambling bill has been passed we may expect to hear soon of
the inauguration of this project.
The Land of Lebanon promises to
be another Monte Carlo, Parliament
having passed a law in July sanctioning gambling under certain restrictions.
For the two past years the question as to whether or not to permit
gambling as a means of promoting
the summer resort industry had
been the cause of a fierce controversy in the little republic. The authorities., of all the religious denominations were solidly opposed to it.
Several
popular
demonstrations
were organized to protest against
it. A petition was presented to the
Government signed by thousands of
the notables o? the country opposing the passage of the gambling bill,
but the majority in Parliament
thought otherwise.
The grounds on which the bill
passed is that to officially sanction
gambling and restrict it to certain
places contains the seeds of less evil
than to have gambling rampant all
over the country. Furthermore, to
prohibit gambling! is to repress personal liberty!
But the real reason is that, first,
the depleted Lebanese Treasury is
in dire need of being replenished
and, second, certain foreign financial interests have made their building of a string of fine hotels in
Lebanon conditional on their being
allowed to conduct games of chance.
So this was the chance for Lebanon
to attract foreign capital and thereby attract the tourist trade. It loathed to miss the opportunity.
Last year an Anglo-Egyptian company, capitalized at several hundred
thousand dollars, offered the Lebanese Government to build a first-
A PROSPEROUS SUMMER
FOR LEBANON
Statistics on the exodus of Egyptians to summer resorts in foreign
countries show that the total number leaving the country is well over
forty thousands of whom fifteen
thousands went to Lebanon, the others going to different countries in
Europe. The average expense per
capita of these Egyptians abroad is
placed at 60 Egyptian pounds in
Lebanon and at 100 Egyptian pounds
iH Europe, for the season.
The influx into Lebanon of Easterners and Europeans seeking the
benefits of its invigorating climate
has been larger this year than in
any year past, and this, it is hoped,
will bring a corresponding amount
of prosperity to the country. The
last two years had been extremely
lean for the hotel men of Lebanon
owing to the dearth of visitors due
to the prevalence of the revolution.
An active propaganda has been inaugurated to demonstrate abroad the
benefits of summering in Lebanon
which, in many respeets, is considered superior to Switzerland.
�57
SEPTEMBER, 1927
BEIRUT SHUTS DOWN IN
PROTEST AGAINST TAXES
By what has all the appearances
of being a spontaneous movement,
the merchants of Beirut voluntarily
shut down their shops on Aug. 11
tying up all trade activities as a
measure of protest against the further increase in taxation. It was
further rumored that the real purpose of the demonstration was to
force out the present government
which has repeatedly turned the
deaf ear to all demands for
economy in administration. But the
leaders of the movement denied any
such intentions and their good faith
seems to be borne out by the fact
that the participants comprise all
merchants of consequence of all
denominations.
Following the shut-down a delegation of newspaper men and business
men sought to wait upon the President of the Republic in an effort to
urge him to action on the matter,
but he refused them the courtesy of
an audience before resumption of
business in the city. The delegation
later had an audience with the Prime
Minister who urged upon them advising the people to return to their
occupations. The government prohibited street gatherings and sent
out a large force of police and Spahis to prevent any collection of
crowds. What lent an ominous
aspect to the situation was the ordering out of tanks fully manned
to take a position in the square
facing the Ministry of Justice and
later to patrol the streets of the
city. The latest mail arriving from
Beirut, as this is written, indicates
that the "strike against taxation"
waa still in force.
ASK HADDAD: HE KNOWS
Our esteemed neighbor, the New
York World, deems fit to copy from
the Willimantic (Conn.) Chronicle,
in its issue of Aug. 12, the following news item which The Syrian
World is glad to reproduce.
Here is the item:
The St. George Society of the
Syrian Orthodox Church has chosen
the following officers for the ensuing
year: Judge Otto B. Robinson and
Frank P. Fenton, Honorary Advisors; Joseph Haddad and William A.
Haddad Superintendents; Shaheen
Haddad, Treasurer; Joseph Haddad,
Secretary; James M. Haddad, Assistant Secretary; Church Committee, Salim S. Haddad, Chairman;
Joseph Haddad, Moses Haddad, William A. Haddad, Seleme S. Haddad
and James M. Haddad; Financial
Committee, Shaheen Haddad, Chairman, and Solomon Haddad; Service
Committee, Moses R. Haddad, Chairman; Nicholas Haddad, Richard
Haddad, Louis G. Haddad, Peter
Haddad and Saleme Haddad.
SYRIANS
IN
SHANGHAI
Like their forefathers the Phoenicians who sailed from Tyre and
Sidon to explore the farthest shores
of the world, establishing their
trading colonies on what was then
the distant shores of France and the
British Isles, so are the Syrians of
today blazing a way for the promotion of trade that promises to equal
the exploits of their ancestors.
Already the Syrians are in every
country of the Globe and faring
quite well as merchants and traders.
One of their latest objectives was
Shanghai where they went to promote the hand-made lace and em-
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
58
broidery industry. Syrian business
houses by the score now have commercial representatives in that faroff Chinese city.
But the Syrians seem to be alive
to the necessity of organizing to the
end that their interests may be better protected and served. A report
from Shanghai reaching New York
with a late mail is to the effect that
members of the Syrian colony in
Shanghai have organized a club of
their own on June 21 and elected the
following officers: Ellis T. Basha,
president, — A. N. Attyeh, vicepresident, — P. M. Boutross, treasurer, — William Awad, secretary.
The full membership of the club
is as follows: E. N. Atiyeh, general
manager, Alex J. Hamrah & Co.,
Inc.; N. S. Katen, member, Katen &
Katen; P. M. Boutross, member
Boutross Bros.; George Awad, member Nicola Awad & Son; T. B. Bardwil, member, N. B. Bardwil Bros.;
S. Gattas, general manager, Mabarak Bros.; H. Boshi, general manager, Shalom & Co.; N. Zahar, general manager, Jose E. Balesh &
Bros.; Fred Mussalem, general manager, Macksoud Importing Co.;
Anice Mogabgab, general manager,
Saydah & Saydah, Inc.; F. S. Samara, general manager, Georges Bros.;
Fred Haddad, general manager,
Katen & Katen; Wm. A. Lian, member, Lian Bros.; B. Ontra, member,
Ontra & Ontra; W. M. Salamy,
member, T. K. Malouf & Co.;
George Bardwil, member, Bardwil
Bros.; George Alexander Safrashyan, general manager, Elias Mallouk
& Bro.; David Malhame, member,
Malhame Bros.; G. S. Macksoud,
member, Macksoud Importing Co.
'.!
•^
SYRIANS OBJECT
TO PROSTITUTION
Jedaidat Marj'ioun is one of the
large and prosperous towns which
have come within the boundaries of
Greater Lebanon under the latest
political adjustment of the frontiers
between the coastal republic and
the interior State of Syria. By reason of its strategic location on the
border, the French authorities planned to make it a military station
and equip it with a strong garrison.
To this plan the inhabitants had no
objection as they are strong supporters of law and order. But a
rumor went abroad that the authorities were considering a proposition
to set aside a certain quarter of the
town for the accommodation of public women at the solicitation of tihe
soldiery.
Immediately the populace was up in arms and filed
strong petitions of protest with the
authorities against carrying out
such a plan. Their moral standards and traditions, they stated,
would revolt against considering
such a flagrant breach of public
decency. The religious authorities
also took up the fight and through
the relentless efforts of the Orthodox Metropolitan, Theodosius Bourjaily, a promise was exacted from
Gen. Gamelin, commander of tJhe
army of the East, that the wishes
of th population will be strictly adhered to.
FOR PROMOTING AGRICULTURE
By a decree of the French High
Commissioner, all agricultural machinery coming to Syria will be admitted free of duty. Coming under
the same category are all insecticides and; other preparations for the
extermination of vegetable pests as
well as serums for bovine diseases.
;
:-:-
: „
-
�mm
fl '
SEPTEMBER, 1927
59
Political Developments in Syria
PONSOT SPEAKS
The long awaited report of M.
Ponsot, French High Commissioner
in Syria, has at last been given out
to an anxious world. After a lapse
of nine months since his appointment to office,, M. Ponsot was expected to perform a miracle of administrative reform, especially that
he had observed the strictest silence
during all this time and had traveled extensively in Syria and spent
several months in France going over
the political grounds and ostensibly
preparing himself for the issuance
of a dictum that would prove final
in settling the Syrian crisis. The
report, although containing something concrete in the way of promising definite reform measures, still
does not contain anything radical
nor is it supposed to meet all, or
the major part of, the demands of
the Syrian Nationalists. It tends to
assert, on the contrary, the oft expressed attitude of France in the
administration of Syria under the
terms of the mandate as has been
repeatedly emphasized by former
High Commissioners. Ultimate independence is promised Syria by M.
Ponsot, which is nothing new, and
the present status of the administrative and judicial machinery of
the country remains the same. The
only ray of hope appearing through
the mist of the High Commissioner's voluminous report is that the
economic development of the country will receive for the present his
concentrated attention. A sort of
federal council of the several Syrian States will be established which
will have jurisdiction in matters of
national defense and in the promotion of the national welfare, but
this council shall function under the
direct supervision of the mandatory
power. Lebanon is understood to
retain its autonomous status, but it
shall be incorporated in the general
scheme of federation under what is
assumed will be definite reservations. An open invitation is contained in the High Commissioner's
report for the Syrian emigrants to
return and assist in the task of
rehabilitating the country.
FRANCE'S POLICY DEFINED
The report, or statement, of M.
Ponsot as given out officially to the
Syrian press by his diplomatic secretary embodies six clauses which
may be summarized as follows:
1 — Inasmuch as France is in
Syria by a mandate from the League
of Nations for a definite purpose
which she is endeavoring to carry
out, it is altogether impertinent and
irrelevent to discuss the possibility
of her withdrawal from carrying
out this obligation. France has ever
been conscious of the fact that the
peoples of the Near East enumerated in clause 22 of the Treaty
of Versailles enjoy a superior degree of progress necessitating special consideration. In applying herself to the task of fulfilling the
mandate, France has been ever anxious to realize the aspirations of
these nationalities, but the interpretation of these aspirations has
met so far with such difficulties as
to retard and prevent a clearer is-
�60
sue. France, however, is not losing
sight of her original and firm purpose and is now applying herself
to the task of maintaining law and
order which are the foundation of
all true progress, to the end that
these aspirations shall be realized
providing they do not militate with
the rights of the minority and prove
contrary to the general interest of
the country at large.
^
THE SYRIAN WORLD
the immediate establishment
local governments.
of
2 — The general administrative
policy of France in Syria shall continue along the lines defined by M.
de Jouvenel and approved by the
league of Nations. This policy,
touching on the relations of the
mandatory power and the peoples
entrusted to its guidance, must be
clearly defined in the proposed Constitution. This constitution is to be
worked out by the parties interested
themselves; i. e., by the States of
Syria who, during eight years of
effort, have proven themselves capable of taking care of their own internal affairs with the object of removing all internal differences and
making agreements on all matters
of common interest. The mandatory power will use every effort in
the promotion of this work and act
only in the capacity of arbiter in
the differences and misunderstandings that may arise, taking matters
in its own hands only When every
conciliatory effort had failed.
4 — Law and order have now been
restored within all the countries
covered by the mandate, France
having spent great efforts towards
realizing this object with the intention of asserting her fixed resolve
of carrying out to a successful conclusion her great task and establishing firm amicable relations with
the mandated territories. This result
must be perpetuated by the maintenance of whole-hearted co-operation
between, the different native governments themselves, politically, administratively, economically and financially. These governments will
also be required to assist in the
common task of preserving law and
order as, otherwise, the results expected from all these efforts would
be in jeopardy. This should not be
taken to mean that France is to
shirk her responsibility in the defense of the country. Rather, France
shall always be alive to her responsibility in this matter before the
League of Nations, but she expects
the natives to share in the task of
national defense and preservation of
order to the extent that whatever
reduction is made in the forces of
occupation would be fully met by
a corresponding increase in the
forces of the local governments and
the national militia.
3 — In every section of the country where law and order have been
established there have been created
local governments functioning under
full native authority with the advice and under the supervision of
the mandatory power. Where such
conditions have not obtained heretofore it is but necessary to comply
with the prescribed conditions for
5 — The establishment of order
will accelerate the economic development of the country and prove a
great incentive for the return of
emigrants to the motherland. By
putting into effect a constructive
economic program, a larger measure
of co-operation between France and
the native States will be made possible and more effective. The gen-
iBHHHHBKBNMMI
l - ma '
I
\
�B.—,—._,
_
SEPTEMBER, 1927
eral economic improvement throughout the world will undoubtedly have
its effect on the East, and the High
Commissioner has been able to ascertain during his stay in France
that French financial interests are
in a position to give substantial assistance to Syria and Lebanon.
6 — There are many matters of
common interest between the Syrian States covered by the mandate,
and the serious differences which
have arisen at times over these
matters, do not take in consideration
certain overwhelming facts. In order to protect the common weal,
the High Commissariat will reserve
to itself the right of acting in these
matters of general concern until
such time as the native States are
able to create competent bodies to
take over the responsibility.
The world today is moving more
and more towards co-operation and
it is not in the interest of the nations of the East to seek progress
through a narrow policy of division.
The mandatory power will bend
every effort towards bringing about
the desired co-operation between
the States entrusted to its care and
guidance, and these States shall
have the opportunity of working towards harmony and co-operation
through the functioning of the Federal Council. The mandatory power
will promote and encourage every
effort along this line and the desired results will depend on the disposition of the different States and
the action of time. The mandate,
by virtue of its own nature, is not
intended to be permanent nor does
it seek renewal. The solution of the
Syrian problem along this line
should be the object of all concerned.
Impatience will only retard a successful issue of the problem, while
61
the resort to force will detract
from the most justifiable demands.
France, in carrying out the mission
entrusted to her by assisting Syria
and Lebanon to achieve gradual
progress as two independent States,
is acting in conformity with its
traditions of liberty which no one
can doubt, and in this task she shall
not waver nor draw back.
NATIONALISTS DISAPPOINTED
The Syrian Nationalists express
great disappointment at the report
of M. Ponsot which they had expected would come nearer granting
their demands. According to some
reports, there is a movement on
foot to issue a call for a national
conference to discuss the situation.
The Nationalists are nonplussed at
the reiteration by M. Ponsot of
France's intention to maintain her
former status in Syria while they
had expected a larger measure of
independent government. They are
also surprised at the silence of the
report on such vital matters as
giving Syria a direct outlet to the
sea, the right of foreign diplomatic
representation, the organizing of a
national army, the setting of a time
limit for France's occupation of
Syria, the convoking of a national
assembly and other nationalist demands. They believe the announced
policy of M. Ponsot as another effort
in the way of a trial government in
Syria, and it is their intention to
prosecute the agitation for the realization of their full demands.
A report comes from Egypt that
the Syrian-Palestinian Committee
which is credited with the direction
of the revolutionary movement in
Syria is preparing a counter-statement to the report of M. Ponsot
embodying a new appeal for the resumption of an armed revolution.
�62
THE FEDERAL COUNCIL OF
THE SYRIAN STATES
THE SYRIAN WORLD
POLITICAL FEUDS
LEAD TO BLOODSHED
Great interest has been manifestFeeling is running high in Syria
ed in the powers of the Federal as a result of the political feuds
Council referred to in the report of that have been simmering ever since
M. Ponsot. Although no official ex- France took over the mandate over
planation could be (had on the mat- the country arid blighted the hopes
ter either from M. Ponsot or from of King Feisul and his partisans in
his diplomatic secretary, it was establishing an Arab kingdom. Ever
learned from well-informed quarters since the revolution and the setting
that this council will follow closely up of a provisional government unon the lines of the Federal Coun- der the presidency of Ahmad Nami
cil of Switzerland, having jurisdic- Bey, the Damad, or son-in-law of
tion in all matters of common in- the sultan, the nationalist faction
terest between the different States. has been waging a relentless war
It will issue currency, control the against the Damad because of his
national army, regulate and super- conciliatory policy towards the
vise the Posts and Telegraphs and French. The papers have been as
act as an intermediary between the loud in their denunciation of him
native governments and the manda- as the strict censorship would pertory power. Its members will be mit, and the savage attack by a
paid each by the State he represents stranger on the journalist Abi-1and France will be represented in Hoda Elyafi in Damascus on July 26
it by either one third or one fourth was laid at his door. Another naof the membership. It is also hint- tionalist journalist, Najib Rais, was
ed that the constitutional changes also attacked the following day
being' introduced in the Lebanon Re- while visiting his wounded colleague.
public are meant only to pave the
The Syrian papers are making
way for the representation of the much capital out of these attacks,
Republic in the proposed council. but the supporters of the President
Lebanon has been complaining bit- defend him vigorously and attempt
terly of late of sinecures and superto prove his innocence by demonfluous offices, and if more offices
were to be created to further drain strating his high regard for jourthe depleted Treasury, dire conse- nalists, even though they be his enequences are bound to follow. Al- mies. Only lately, it is recalled, when
ready a general shut-down by all Mohammed Kurd Ali, publisher of
the merchants of the city of Beirut
Al-Muktabas and president of the
has been resorted to as a means of
Arab
Academy of Science of Daprotest against the heaviness of
taxes. It is, therefore, proposed to mascus, died, the Damad, although
combine the two present houses of the deceased had been one of his
Parliament in Lebanon into one body staunchest enemies, contributed liostensibly for the purpose of payberally towards defraying the exing the members of the new National Council out of funds from the penses of his funeral and volunteered to bulid a tomb for him out of
present budget.
his personal funds.
H
�,
SEPTEMBER, 1927
INDEX OF VOL. I FREE
: '
A complete index of Volume I of THE SYRIAN WORLD comprising the twelve issues published
between July, 1926 and June, 1927, will be, mailed free to any of our subscribers who wishes to
have his copies bound. Missing numbers will be
supplied, if available, at the cost of $1.00 per
copy.
Subscribers wishing us to have their copies
bound and gold stamped on the cover and back
will be accommodated at the cost of $3.50 per
volume plus postage.
A LIMITED NUMBER
OF BOUND VOLUMES
I l\
A few complete volumes of the first year of
THE SYRIAN WORLD have been bound and are
available at the price of $10.00 per volume. The
binding is in a heavy, dark green cloth cover
stamped in gold on both front and back. The
volumes are bound with index. Orders will be
filled in the order received in view of the iimited
number on hand.
63
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WHAT HAPPENED TO ANNA?
ANNA is the Syrian immigrant girl who, upon landing
in America, discovered herself in lower Washington Street,
New York, but wanted to "ascend".
Read her wonderful story now being published serially in THE SYRIAN WORLD.
By sub;
Enter
VOL.
Follow this virtuous, determined and intelligent Syrian
girl in her defense of her honor and her struggle for success.
Learn what became of her when she was under the
illusion that she was a fugitive from justice for a fancied
murder, and what was the climax of her secret love for the
wealthy, educated and socially prominent young American
who had espoused her cause.
A Pu
"ANNA ASCENDS", by the well-known American
author and playwright, Harry Chapman Ford, was staged on
Broadway and had a successful run of a whole season with
the famous American stage and screen star Alice Brady appearing in the stellar role. The play was later filmed for
the screen. It was never published in book form. Your
only chance to read this gripping love story eulogizing the
Syrian girl is by following it in THE SYRIAN WORLD.
Befoi
"ANNA ASCENDS" is being published in its original
form to preserve all its color and dramatic interest.
The
A limited number of back issues of THE SYRIAN WORLD
containing former instalments of "Anna Ascends" are still
available to new subscribers.
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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
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The Syrian World Newspapers
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical Note</h4>
<p>Salloum Mokarzel, a Lebanese American intellectual, founded<em> The Syrian World</em> in 1926. Salloum Mokarzel was the younger brother of Naoum Mokarzel, the publisher of the Arabic-language newspaper <em>Al-Hoda. </em>Together, the Mokarzel brothers ran Al-Hoda Publishing, and in 1909, they published <em>The Syrian Business Directory.</em> </p>
<p>Mokarzel created <em>The Syrian World</em> in order to document and celebrate the culture and history of "Syria." At the time, Syria referred to the modern-day countries of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine. The publication was primarily aimed towards second-generation children of immigrants, but Mokarzel hoped that it would also appeal to the general American public.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content Note</h4>
<p><em>The Syrian World</em> was published between 1926 and 1932 as a journal. In 1932, the format was changed from an academic journal style to a newspaper style, which continued until the periodical's end in 1935. After the death of his brother Naoum, Salloum took over the publication of <em>Al-Hoda.</em></p>
<p>The articles in <em>The Syrian World</em> cover a variety of topics spanning from the practical to the theoretical. Practical subjects include international and domestic travel, historical and contemporary Arabic and Arab-American art and literature, and the mental and physical health and hygiene of immigrants. More theoretical, philosophical, and ideological subjects include ideologies of race, the changing role of women, the formation of Syrian and Lebanese-American societies, and the political and psychological relationships between immigrants and their countries of origin.</p>
<p>All issues of <em>The Syrian World</em> are available, along with full indexes for the first four volumes. For volumes five and six, there are tables of contents at the start of the issues.</p>
Subject
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Arabs--United States
Arabic periodicals
Newspapers
Arab American Newspapers
Creator
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Salloum A. Mokarzel
Source
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New York Public Library
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Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Date
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1926-1935
Relation
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<em><a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian Business Directory</a></em>
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/44" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mokarzel Family Papers</a>
<a href="http://hdl.handle.net/11299/175685" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Annotated Index to the Syrian World, 1926-1932</a> at the University of Minnesota Immigration History Research Center Archives
<a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/58" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Al-Hoda Newspapers</em></a>
Language
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English
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Processed by Claire A. Kempa, 2015-2017. Collection Guide written by Claire A. Kempa, 2017.
Collection Guide updated by Laura Lethers, 2023 August.
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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.
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NS 0002
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This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
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TSW1927_09reducedWM
Title
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The Syrian World Volume 02, Issue 03
Date
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1927 September
Description
An account of the resource
Volume 2 Issue 03 of The Syrian World published September 1927. The issue opens with an article by Prof J. Forrest Crawford on the Agricultural Situation in Syria. It is followed by more translated Syrian folk songs. There is an article addressed to Future Syrian-Americans by Rev. W. A. Mansur. The famous Syrian city featured in this issue is Palmyra. The play by Harry Chapman Ford is also continued before the section with notes and comments from the editor. The issue concludes with excerpts from the Arab press and more on the political developments in Syria.
Subject
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Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals
Arabs--United States--Periodicals
Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals
Language
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English
Creator
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Salloum A. Mokarzel
Syrian-American Press
Source
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New York Public Library
Publisher
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Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Coverage
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104 Greenwich St., New York, NY
Format
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Text/pdf
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Text
Rights
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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
Agriculture
Harry Chapman Ford
Music
New York
Reverend W.A. Mansur
Syria
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/d6eba4672a18dac015c8037847b09f8d.pdf
bdfbbec46621e7967596b3cbb710b5c7
PDF Text
Text
f
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. II.
OCTOBER, 1927
No. 4.
CONTENTS
PAGE
A Pilgrimage to Byblos
3
AMEEN RIHANI
The Tzvo Hermits
10
G. K. GlBRAN
The Agricultural Situation in Syria — Part II
PROF. J. FORREST CRAWFORD
//
Before We Part (a poem)
19
DR. SALIM
Y.
ALKAZIN
The Son of Haroun Al-Rashid—A True Arabian Tale
20
The Adieu (a poem)
J. D.
28
CARLYLE
�CONTENTS (Continued)
PAGE
Famous Cities of Syria — Byblos, City of Adonis
29
"Anna Ascends" — (A Play) — Act Two—II
33
HARRY CHAPMAN FORD
Choice Arabian Tales:—
Rare Presence of Mind
45
The Test of Friendship
46
Reward and Punishment
47
Notes and Comments—By
THE EDITOR
Bayard Dodge
48
The End of an Experiment
49
Our Bulwark
49
Readers' Forum
57
Sprit of the Syrian Press
53
About Syria and Syrians
57
Political Developments in Syria
62
ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE
Panoramic View of Byblos
The Fortress of Byblos
Relics of Old Glory in Byblos
Astartey Phoenician Goddess of Love and Productivity
A City Gate in Byblos
Sarcophagus of King Ahiram
Two Illustrations of "Anna Ascends"
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OCTOBER, 1927
��SYRIAN WORLD
VOL. II.
OCTOBER, 1927
No. 4.
A Pilgrimage to Byblos
By
AMEEN RIHANI
*
Let Urashlim and Mecca wait,
And China stew in her own juice;
This way the 'pilgrim staff, tho late,
Of Christian, Mussulman and Druse.
1
I
But before we took up the staff, we were quarreling about
the road. Not the road of the pilgrimage, however, but that of
the Young Turks of the New Era. In the, cafe facing Al-Munsheiyah, which had just been baptized Place de PUnion,—the
prosiness of the times is become even in the East a shibboleth of
progress,—my friends were engaged in animated discussion as
to whether the devil, who goes by many names, was not the one
and only Sultan who could never be deposed.
Sheikh Abd'ur-Ruhman, a truth-seeker and distiller of essences, altho doffing the garment of his religion, continued to
wear a black jubbah over his European trousers, and a white
turban. A compromise this between the East and the West, as
between Reason and Faith. For tho he was beginning to have
some lively doubts about the inspiration of the Koran, he still
clung to the spirit of Mohammed's message to the world. A
fine Arabic scholar, which means he is also a versifier; hating the
Turks because, while professing the Mohammedan religion, they
* The author wrote this account of his pilgrimage while on a former
visit to Syria, following the declaration of the Constitution in Turkey.
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
would not deign to learn Arabic. This crime against the classic
beauty of the Book he could never forgive.
Sheikh Atta, a Sufi and horse dealer, is a descendant of the
Nabi and he values his green turban more than he does the Dastur (Constitution). He has a supreme contempt for everything
that does not bear upon its face the seal of mystery. Even a
horse-shoe, to ihim, is a symbol of some sort,—a symbol which
represents a divine idea in the life of mankind. And he hated
the Turks, because, as. he said, they were Europeanizing, vulgarizing Asia.
The third of my friends, Izzuddin, an Arab maniac and
flaneur, was the most picturesque and riotous of the three, both
in sentiment and in dress. To assert the lofty Arabism of his
spirit he wore an Arab costume of flaming red, red from his
boots to the heavy cord pressed over the kufeyiah on his head.
And this was the color of his hatred for the Turks. He served
a week in gaol for repeating one day in the presence of some
Turkish soldier the famous couplet of the desert Arabs:
"Three things naught but evil work,—
The vermin, the locust, and the Turk."
And Izzuddin is a Druse, who had burned the book of his
esoteric creed on his way to Europe. "If there be any truth in
this theory of transmigration," he would say, "I accept it only
on condition that I be reborn in Paris, not in Pekin."
And your honest scribe, reader, in his prosaic European habit, squared this picturesque circle, but did not square with all
its views. Hence our dispute before we started on our pilgrimage, not to the holy places of our fathers, but to a tomb which
to us,—except, of course, Sheikh Attar,—was indeed sacred.
It was in the season of the jasmines and Persian lilacs. The
beautiful gardens of Beyrouth, hidden behind huge walls, dun
and gray, wafted to us their sweet and varied scents, as we passed
through the dusty and crowded streets, to whose noise and traffic
a Belgian Company has added a Tramway. On the bridge outside the city, a flower boy offered us some sprigs of blossoming
Persian lilacs and bouquets of jasmine. Izzuddin bought enough
for us all, and taking his large silk handkerchief from his pocket,
asked the boy to soak it in water. Whereupon, he wraps the flowers in it, and places them in his saddle-bag. A happy thought,
I mused, for which he deserves to dress like an Arab Emir. If
�OCTOBER, 1927
we were tourists the dragoman would have insisted on our visiting the Church of St. George hard by, where the valorous Saint,
tradition has it, did the terrible Dragon to death. Nor did we
tarry at Dog River, my friends being men of ideas and ideals,
and paleology for such hath no charms. Nor, indeed, hath it
for me, except when the poetry of the perennial spirit of Nature
flowers around the sculptures and monuments. The tourists, on
their way to or from Damascus, stopping at Beyrouth for a few
days, never venture beyond this river. And what is there to see
here, except the huge and imposing promontory, can be of interest only to archaeologists. Yet they come, these gentle people of
the cork-hat and Guide Book, and after hearing the dragoman
garbling his Text and lisping of the triumphs and defeats of Assyrian and Egyptian Kings, they go back with a sense of having
deciphered the palimpest and solved the riddle.
Beyond Dog River to the North are the verdant slopes
which rise gently from the coast to hide Ghazir from view.
There, on those sacred hills, crowned all around with convents
and churches, Renan and his sister worked on the Life of Jesus.
From those heights he could encompass not only the fruitful
plains of rationalism but the flowering'gardens of piety as well.
Here be a sky which can soften the hardest logic; here be an
atmosphere which can mellow the bitterest thoughts. I do not
think the rational spirit of the Life of Jesus would have been so
sweetly pious and poetic had not Renan lived for a while among
these hills. Here, as in the Life of Jesus, are whisperings divine,
even among the barren cliffs, even beneath the inexorable logic
of it all.
The terminal of the Lebanon Railway is at Maameltein,
which is at the base of the hill. As we enter the town, the legend, "American School for Girls," dispelled the surprise which
the tune of a piano did give us. And as we passed out of it, the
echoes of a hymn which the girls were singing made in our ears
delectable music. The coast here is desolate, but not dreary.
To our right on the verdant hilltops are convents and terraced
homes; to our left the cerulean blue of the Mediterranean is palpitating under the ardent rays of the Syrian sun. And yonder
in that wide strip of shining shawl, through the little sand islands,
so to speak, the sweet water of the hills makes its way to the sea.
But more refreshing than these is the fig grove which is hidden
behind a knoll. We come to it, after trotting around the cape,
�/
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
'/
and find the women with their red baskets and long hooked staffs
picking the fruits of the season. As we pass by, a sweet wildeyed lass, her! hair tied in a kerchief which suggested the bathing
girl of the summer resorts of the civilized world, greeted us
and offered her basket, saying, " Be so kind to eat of the figs."
And Izzuddin, who is more chivalrous than any of us, dismounted anon, took out of the saddle-bag a bouquet of jasmines and
gave it to her, saying, "May thy days be ever as white
as these, and as sweet." She bounded with joy as she smelt the
flowers, insisted on our taking the basket of figs with us, left it,
billah, on the road-side, and, flourishing the bouquet of jasmines
over her head, hied away like an antelope.
We cross the bridge beneath which the River Adonis of the
Ancients, now called Nahr Ibrahim, debouching from thick hedges
of reeds and rushes, tumultuously races to the sea. And under
a shed of pine boughs near the river is a dingy dukkan (store)
and a resting place for travelers and muleteers. Here one can
refresh himself with arak which the Syrians call the milk of the
virgin, or even with German or American beer, or better still
with the sweet cool water of the spring which rises in the grotto
of Afka, among the high hills, where the Romans had built a
temple to Venus. Around the ruins of that temple to-day, are
the habitations and fields of Nusereyieh, or Ansaries, who still
retain somewhat of the Nature-worship of their ancestors, the
Greeks. Some scholars say the Arabs, but this is not the place
to dispute the question.
We are not far now from Byblos; the coast is not so desolate. Here are villages, even silk factories, or filatures. And
from one of these, before the red disc of the sun had sunk in
the serene blue of the Mediterranean, rose a chant as delectable
as the distant hidden voices of sirens. The factory girls were
chanting the litany before the close of the day's labor. "Kyrieeleison, Christe-eleison," rose the melodious voice of the leader
through the whirl of silk wheels, and a chorus of a hundred girls
drowned the harsh voice of machinery, repeating the invocation.
From the lips of the laboring children of Allah, at the close of
their day's work, this was beautiful, inspiring to hear. And on
a knoll, not far from the filature, is a monastery of one of the
many Lebanon orders of monks, from the chapel of which rose
the doleful Syriac strains of vespers. We could hear both and
simultaneously as we entered into Byblos. "The harbinger of
'
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�OCZOBER, 1927
I
dusk," Abd'ur-Ruhman called the chant of monks. "A serenade
to eternal night," said Izzuddin. And both chants, as they melted in the atmosphere around us, ebbing and flowing, suggested
to me a struggle between zTe Deum and a Miserere. Indeed,
the Lebanon'peasant still labors in joy, raising from her heart a
chant of contentment, of thankfulness, of triumph, while reeling
the silk from the cocoons. And the Lebanon monk, let it here
be said, labors in sorrow only at vespers. He is glum, lugubrious,
funereal, only when he chants.
We are in ancient Byblos. The towering fortress near the
sea makes the clutter of terraced homes look like a heap of cliffs
and boulders. Here, the sea-daring Phoenicians, who were as
strenuous and practical as are the Americans to-day, hammered
at the door of invention and thought, and, entering, discovered
tnt Jphabet, the numerals, the murex from which they obtained
the famous Tyrian purple, and many other things not mentioned
in Sanchoniathon or Baedeker.
In the citadel is the home and the court of the mudir, or
District Magistrate. It is also a sort of caravansery for his tenants
and friends, as for those who come to him with letters of introduction. Thither we wend our way, ignorant of the fact that we
were of neither of the classes mentioned. But my friends, Izzuddin in his gorgeous Arab costume, and Abd'ur-Ruhman in his
black jubbah and white turban, commanded the respect of the
zabty, or officer in zouave uniform, at the gate. We were shown up
to the top loft, after mounting a high and winding flight of stairs,
dark, dingy, cold, and in one of the loopholes of the citadel about
thirty-five' feet deep, which is used as a huge sitting-room with
divans, we were received by his Excellency as courteously as if
we were spies from Yieldiz. One zabty was ordered to look after our horses; another to prepare the inevitable narghileh. And
at table, Excellency made us understand that the chicken, an
old raw-boned hen who no longer deserved her oats, I mused,
was done in our honor, since he, being a right Maronite ate not
on Friday but mujadderah, which is a mess of lentils cooked in
olive oil. And the following day, he insisted on our remaining
his guests. He showed us through the citadel himself, and graciously requested us to attend his court. Strange disputes are
heard here, on which he delivers, Solomon-like, strange decisions.
In the afternoon we walk to Amschit, which is only a few
miles from Byblos, up a gently sloping hill. In these diggings the
�8
THE SYRIMN WORLD
antiquarian digs for his treasures. And the exquisite tear bottles
which; are found here, are sold on Fifth Avenue for what would
buy in these mountains a mulberry patch and a tfeit (booth or
one-room house) to boot. On entering the town, we stop before
a fine white-stone, pink-gabled mansion to inquire about the tomb
of Henriette Renan. The Khawaja who was sitting on the porch
invited us to a sherbet and inquired of Sheikh AbdAur-Ruhman,
to whom he showed particular attention, even deference, (the
turban and jubbah are responsible for this) as to how the Dastur
(Constitution) is faring, and whether the equality principle would
not affect the agricultural interests of the country. Abd'ur-Ruhman tried to prove to mine host that it would not, but luckily he
was interrupted by the servant who came out with the sherbets.
This servant, who was once a distinguished citizen of Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania, pointed me out to his master in a most amusing
manner, as one who had been in America. And the master thereupon exclaimed, "That is the land of promise. Come in, and I
will show you what I have in my house from that country."
We enter into a spacious marble-hall, in the centre of which
is a mahogany roll-top desk, made, I suppose, in Buffalo. We
pass to the dining room among the native furniture of which,
two Morris chairs come all the way from Grand Rapids, obtrude
their presence. And in the kitchen our host points out the American stove, "on which," said he, "we can prepare a banquet of
twenty different dishes. But this is not all. The best must come
last."
And so it did; for in the bath-room, not tiled, but marbled
with choice slabs from Italy, we behold, O America, thine inimitable porcelain bath-tub.
"Allah's great!" exclaimed Sheikh Abd'ur-Ruhman. And
so did I.
Now, Madame, on seeing the strangers is curious to know
who they are. So the erstwhile distinguished citizen of Bethlehem, Pennsyslvania, whispers into the ear of mine host. And
accordingly we are invited into the salon, where Madame, with
a company of friends, is smoking the ubiquitous narghileh. She
rises in deference to Sheikh Abd-ur-Ruhman (I myself was often
tempted to put on a jubbah and a turban); but no sooner learns
she of our pilgrimage than she sits down again, puffs at her narghileh, blows the aromatic smoke in the face of the sheikh, surveys us from top to toe, and inquires in a haughty tone, saying,
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OCTOBER, 1927
9
"And are you like those idiot Franje (Europeans) who come
here and take with them a handful of dust or some pebbles from
around the tomb? And is she so important, this woman, that
people come from beyond the seas to visit her dust? No doubt
she was like her brother, who did not know God, who was, as
Father Nahouche assures us, a rank infidel."
Saying which, she claps for the servant and orders him to
"Take these people to the cemetery" and point out the vault of
the Toubeyiahs where the remains of Henriette were laid.
Before this square vault, severely plain, the surroundings
of which now hunger for a flower, a blade of grass, Ernest Renan shed his tears of love and hope. A large oak throws over
the tomb in the morning an ample shadow, and in the afternoon
the shade of the palms below tries in vain to kiss its sacred dust.
They are planted too far, and the sun, even in the last interval
of the setting, seems helpless. The shadow only reaches the door
of the church, near which is the vault.
Here Henriette was laid amid the chanting of the Maronite priests. For Renan admired the service, lugubrious tho it
be, of the Maronite Church. And he believed that these holy
men in black robes were worthy of saying the last word for the
dead.
The sprigs of Persian lilac flowers we laid at the door of
the vault. And Izzuddin, taking up a handful of dust, presses
therein his lips, and says, "When the people of my country can
see the flowers that shall bloom in this handful of dust, what
great women then we shall have and what noble sisters!"
And Abd'ur-Rahman, with a tear in his eye: "And only
when our harem is blessed with such sublime souls will the cradle
give us a new generation, a new race. Khadijah and Henriette,
blessed be the Joins that bore you, and thrice blessed the children
of your magnanimous spirit!"
It was, indeed, a touching scene. Abd'ur-Rahman, the Mohammedan, waters with his tears the dust in which Izzuddin the
Druse plants the seeds of his love. And a Christian kisses them
both for making the pilgrimage.
"Noble sentiment is the mother of truth," said Abd-ur-Ruhman, as we walked back to Byblos.
"And a pious feeling of love for the princes and princesses
of truth," said Izzuddin, "is the highest and noblest manifestation of the spirit."
�10
THE SYRIAN WORLD
And I, on our way back to Beyrouth —
Let Urashlim and Mecca wait,
And China stew in her own juicej
This way the pilgrim staff, tho late,
Of Christian, Mussulman and Druse.
The Two Hermits
By G. K. GIBRAN
Upon a lonely mountain, there lived two hermits who worshipped God and loved one another.
Now these two hermits had one earthen bowl, and this was
their only possession.
One day, an evil spirit entered into the heart of the older
hermit and he came to the younger and said, "It is long that we
have lived together. The time has come for us to part. Let us
divide our possessions."
Then the younger hermit was saddened and he said, ' It
grieves me, Brother, that thou shouldst leave me. But if thou
must needs go, so be it", and he brought the earthen bowl and
gave it to him, saying, "We cannot divide it, Brother, let it be
thine."
.
Then the older hermit said, "Chanty I will not accept. 1
will take nothing but mine own. It must be divided."
And, the younger one said, "If the bowl be broken, of what
use would it be to thee or to me? If it be thy pleasure, let us
rather cast a lot."
. .
But the older hermit said again, "I will have but justice
and mine own, and I will not trust justice and mine own to vain
chance. The bowl must be divided."
Then the younger hermit could reason no further and he
said, "If it be indeed thy will, and if even so thou wouldst have
it, let us now break the bowl."
But the face of the older hermit grew exceeding dark, and
he cried, "O thou cursed coward, thou wouldst not fight!"
�OCT.OBER, 1927
The Agricultural Situation
In Syria
By
\
PROF.
J.
FORREST CRAWFORD
of the American University of Beirut.
PART II.
\
1
In a country where agricultural operations are as old as they
are in Syria, and where so many political and religious controversies have taken place, and where, as we have seen, the geographic conditions of the country are as varied, it is not surprising to find several systems of land tenure existing. There are
the lands individually owned and operated by small proprietors
as in a good share of the Lebanon region. Then there are the
large holdings of land owned by the various religious organizations, or "wakf" land. In a few parts of the country there still
remains some village-owned land where annual communal distribution of the area is still practised. And lastly, there are the
large landed estates which include a large proportion of the land
of the principal agricultural areas, such as in the central depression, the eastern plateau, and much of the coastal plain. The
conservative methods employed on the wakf lands and on the
estates of the large land owners have always retarded the agricultural development of Syria. Twenty years ago, government
statistics show that as high as 70 to 80 per cent, of all the agricultural land was held under these two systems of land tenure,
and even to this day this percentage is not very much changed.
In recent times, however, conditions have gradually changed so that some of the large landed estates are gradually being
divided up among smaller land-owners and farmers. If the Syrian revolution has no other good results, it at least is helping
to break down the feudal authority and influence in certain areas
as around Damascus, in the Hauran and Jebel Druze, and in
parts of the Lebanon. And fortunately so, for the social conditions fostered by these systems of land tenure have prevented
the operation of the natural tendencies favorable to agricultural
development.
�12
THE SYRIAN WORLD
They have especially thwarted the growth of private initiative which is so fundamental to all economic progress, and
which has been the cause for most of the industrial and agricultural development of the Occident. Where the actual workers
of the land have no individual interest in the land itself, they
naturally fail to develop any tendency to improve its agricultural conditions. And one can hardly blame them, for as the
land is not really theirs, they see no advantage in spending any
time and money towards building up the soil when they know
that the* landlord will get most of the benefits by it.
For many reasons the landlords also are very slow at making any improvements under these systems of land tenure. Some
of them are contented with what returns they are getting from
the land at present, and care not to try to increase them. Others are unable to trust their workers to carry out what improvements they would like to make, and for lack of compentent foremen, therefore, do nothing towards improvement. Others are
afraid that if the fellaheen benefit by the general improvement
of the land, they will no longer be willing to work for such low
returns, and, therefore, deliberately prevent improvements from
being introduced. Still others, and perhaps this group includes
the majority, are simply ignorant of the great possibilities of
agricultural improvement. They are blind to the personal benefits to themselves which would result from these improvements.
We thus see how agricultural development in Syria is bound
to be slow as long as these systems of land tenure remain unimproved, for the continuance of them is the main cause for the
present defective methods of farm operation.
(3) Methods of Farm Operation:—
In describing the methods employed in Syrian agriculture
we must bear in mind the types of farming, the labor supply,
and the equipment and machinery used, for under the influence
of these three factors, the existing methods have been developed. As to the types of agriculture, by far the most extensive is
the dry farming system of grain production. The system fits
in well with the communal grazing system where the livestock
is pastured in the earlier part of the year on the uncultivated
land, and then after the harvest, on the cultivated fields. The
migratory nomadic flocks of the desert also use the grain fields
in the border regions after the harvest is over. Dry farming
!
; i»
i
�—-
OCTOBER, 1927
13
and pasturage, these form the two chief types of agricultural activity in the eastern plateau, and very largely so in the central
region also. In the latter, also, considerable areas are under irrigation. In the rest of Syria general diversified agriculture is
the rule except where local conditions of irrigation, climate and
soil, have led to the development and increase of more specialized forms of field crops and fruits.
Im
I
Fruit raising, especially in irrigated regions, is rather extensively practised in the central depression, in the Damascus
plain, in the valleys of the maritime range, and also to a considerable extent along the coastal plains. Especially is this true
around the wide towns where the raising of vegetables has been
quite widely developed. Vine culture is also very extensive in
several of the regions, both the dry farming and the irrigated
methods being practised acording to district. The cultivation of
mulberry trees for the silk industry is naturally included here,
and is confined mainly to the mountainous region and to the
coastal plain. The culture of hemp is fairly extensively developed as an irrigated fibre crop around Damascus and Aleppo,
while cotton and tobacco are raised quite extensively as a non-irrigated crop. The former is grown especially around Idlib,
south-west of Aleppo, and the latter throughout the Lebanon
and especially around Latakia. In a few places they have been
able to irrigate the cotton, and the government at present is doing considerable experimenting and planning to try and increase
this type of cotton culture.
These above mentioned lines of agriculture are the most extensively followed in, Syria. Unfortunately, they are all lacking
in any constructive way of maintaining soil fertility, and thus
developing a permanent system of agricultural production. Even
in connection with livestock farming, the manure is largely lost
for agricultural purposes, either through the migratory grazing
or through being used as a source of fuel.
For the successful development of most of these types of
agriculture, the present supply of labor is quite inadequate, especially with the existing types of machinery. Except in the immediate neighborhood of the larger towns, the only supply of
labor is that of the fellaheens living in the scattered villages
throughout the land. This is more or less inevitable owing to
the absence of a floating supply of labor, due to the limited industrial development of Syria, and to the inability of most small
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
farmers to pay a living wage for adult labor. In many parts of
the larger plains and valleys even the extensive crop such as
wheat and barley could be greatly extended were a larger labor
supply available, and so naturally the more intensive crop as cotton and tobacco are somewhat limited in the extent of their production because of the defective labor supply.
And unfortunately the existing forms of farm implements
do not in the least compensate for the labor shortage, for they
are very primitive, doing only mediocre work and doing even
that very slowly. Take the matter of plowing, for instance, and
the preparation of the land for sowing. All this is done, as a
general rule, by a yoke of oxen pulling a simple wooden plow
with a light metal plowshare attached. To acomplish anything
like the result that a good modern plow would give, the land
must be plowed three or four times, and even then the result is
not quite the same.
Of course it is certainly true that in such
places as the steep rocky mountain sides, the native ox-plow is
much better suited than the foreign heavy plow, but that is no
argument for the native plow still being used on the larger, more
level and more productive areas. Then the harvesting method
of using the sickle is naturally a very slow and laborious way
of gathering in the crop, while the old threshing-floor system of
threshing out the grain is very tedious, and extremely wasteful
of human labor.
Taking Syria as a whole, there is really a great need for the
introduction and adaptation of better agricultural implements although possibly of a slightly different type from most of our
western machinery, and better adapted to the needs of the country. This improvement in itself would greatly help to solve
the farm labor problem, athough of course it brings in a new
problem, namely^ that of training farm labor how to use and
care for such machinery. Along with some constructive system
of soil management for the maintenance of soil fertility, better
machinery would soon bring about paying results.
The last method of agricultural operation to be mentioned
in which Syrian agriculture has failed to be progressive within
recent times, has been the lack of any constructive system of reforestation. On the contrary, the destruction of existing trees
has, until perhaps the last couple of years, been on the steady
increase. And the uncontrolled cutting of younger trees along
with the ravages of the numerous flocks of, goats have effectively
<
�OCTOBER, 1927
\ll <
(M\
\
15
prevented many of the best fitted areas from naturally reforesting themselves.
The possibilities of reforestation in Syria are enormous, and
the beneficial results therefrom would be great. Not only would
the trees hold the soil from eroding, allow much more absorption and retention of water by the soil, and add more humus to
the soil itself, but they would in time furnish plenty of wood for
the carpenters' use and for fuel, as charcoal and wood, and also
many other economic products 5 as, for example, bark for tanning, and carob (kharrub) pods for food and fodder.
For all these reasons and for many others, including the
scenic and climatic effects on the country, the much-neglected
problem of reforestation should, by all means, be vigorously undertaken.
The following statistics pertaining to lands and crops are
given as a helpful summary to the previous discussion, and not
as a complete survey of Syrian agriculture. The fact that accurate detailed statistics are unobtainable makes it advisable to limit the statements to the few tables given herewith. The Government Department of Agriculture is, as yet, somewhat new and
loosely organized and has not been able to systematically collect
and tabulate complete or accurate records. It is true that there
is a Minister of agriculture in each governmental state, with his
representatives and secretaries and trained agricultural inspectors
in each large agricultural region. This organization is doing its
best to collect statistics, start museums, and encourage farmers in
general. The agricultural department has secured the passage
of several good laws such as the regulations about forestation
and taxation, the edict reopening the agricultural bank and the
projected development of new agricultural schools besides the
old one at Salamiyyah and the little new school at Latakia. The
former of these two schools is being reorganized with better
equipment, and may accomplish good results in the future if it
continues to be developed. As yet the agricultural department
from which most of the following statistics come, either directly
or indirectly, is unfortunately not quite strong enough or well
enough organized to really put through all their own schemes
of improvement.
�16
THE SYRIAN WORLD
TABLE
I.
Distribution of Land by Areas.
Total area of Syria about
Total cultivable area about
16,000,000 Hectares
4,000,000
"
Cultivated Area by Districts.
Aleppo
368,000 Hectares
Damascus
349,000
"
Lebanon
200,000
"
Alaouite
160,000
"
Alexandretta
183,000
"
II.
Distribution of Irrigated Lands.
TABLE
Damascus
Aleppo
Lebanon
Alaouite
Alexandretta
45,000 Hectares
13,000
"
8,000
"
5,000
"
3,000
"
Total land now irrigated
Land capable of irrigation
TABLE
74,000
300,000
1
"
"
if:
III.
Distribution and Area of Alain Crops in Hectares
Crop
Wheat
Barley
Sorghum
Corn
Hemp
Cotton
Lentils
Sesame
Tobacco
Aleppo
200,000
110,000
5,800
280
200
36,000
20,000
12,000
Damascus
Lebanon
Alaouite
158,000
47,000
26,000
45,000
25,000
15,000
10,000
133,000
20,000
11,000
920
152
13,000
100
700
1,500
114
2,000
Alexandretta
28,000
8,000
1,500
2,000
2,000
600
520
/
M
�r^w^'-
OCTOBER, 1927
17
TABLE
IV.
Value of Agricultural Products in 1925 in Gold Francs.
Cereals, fruits, legumes
Tobacco, cotton, hemp
Olives
Grapes
Silk worms
Oranges and lemons
Other fruit trees
Animal products (meat, wool, hides)
Forests
Poultry and Agriculture
450,000,000
10,000,000
20,000,000
25,000,000
30,000,000
15,000,000
15,000,000
15,000,000
5,000,000
20,000,000
Total
605,000,000
Tables I & II largely from Consular reports.
CONCLUSION
i\
After this brief review of the more important factors affecting Syrian agriculture we may be better able to give an answer
to our first two introductory questions. As to the first one about
whether Syria needs any development of her agriculture, I think
the answer is more or less obvious when we consider the economic
importance of agriculture to the country, and the existing status
of the factors affecting its development. If the productive power of Syria is to be improved, there is no question that one of the
most basic ways will be increasing the economic returns from
agricultural operations, whether this be done by increasing the
amount of the products, or by increasing the quality of the products, or by a combination of both.
The second question is the more difficult to answer satisfactorily, for it is a good deal more complicated and involves
so many other factors. As we have seen the two most changeable factors are the so-called social factors or those dependent
on the conditions of society. So it is to these factors that we
should look for possible changes that will lead to agricultural
progress.
The first factor involves more social reform than economic
change, so perhaps the best statement that could be made in a
brief paper like this, is to say that any improvement which would
bring about an increase in the personal initiative and interest of
�18
THE SYRIAN WORLD
the actual farmers would be very effective in developing agricultural operations.
The problem of improving the methods of operation, naturally falls under two heads, first, the problem of improving
existing types and methods of farm operation, and second, that
of developing and introducing new and better types and methods.
As to the first problem, there are several points at which
improvement could be made. The existing methods of farm
operations in handling the soil, the crop and the livestock are far
from being scientifically profitable. A more constructive system
of farm management could undoubtedly be developed and adopted whereby the present evils of soil erosion, soil leeching and
soil defection could largely be checked and replaced by a more
permanent system of developing soil fertility. A better choice
of crops with a well-planned system of crop relation would help
materially in this effort. Still more could be done to improve
the quality of existing farm products by better irrigation and
drainage schemes and better methods of cultivation.
Moreover, both plants and animals could be improved by
systematic selection and breeding. All this would necessitate
the keeping of regular records and the formation of uniform
standards for crops and animals to a much greater degree than
has been done in the past. No one at present can tell the exact
total yearly yield of milk and fat of the various breeds of cattle
or sheep or goats of the country, or the total annual yields per
hectare, of the grain and forage under the different systems of
soil management.
With the establishment of better standards, better markets
will come into existence, which will automatically lead to better
methods of marketing and transportation.
With all these suggestions about the needs of more profitable methods of farm operation, it must not be forgotten that
some of the existing methods, which at first seem to be absurd,
are really very well adapted to local conditions, though many
are imperfect and wasteful and others are actually harmful.
Most of these latter methods are the result of superstition and
ignorance j and the best way to replace them with better methods,
is by educating the farmers to understand the why and wherefore
of the various operations. This means that some kind of education is necessary, either through schools or through demonstration farms or through agricultural extension service, with rep-
OC'TjL
resent
I
ing b<
the m
agricu
demoi
and a
farms
1
simila
initiat
gover
encou
�OCTOBER, 1927
19
resentatives in each section of the land.
In solving the second problem of developing and introducing better types of plants and animals into Syrian agriculture,
the most help will come from the development of constructive
agricultural organizations. These should include the schools, the
demonstration farms and the extension service mentioned above
and also such farms as nuseries, seed farms and experimental
farms.
For the successful development of any of these or other
similar organizations, capital, good management and the right
initiative will be necessary; and, above all, a strong constructive
government programme that will maintain general security and
encourage public investment.
Before We Part
By
DR. SALIM
Y.
ALKAZIN
O stay, and let the aching heart
Relate its tale before we part
Then follow thy desire.
The peoples round for springtide long—
For with it comes the flower and song
That heart and brain inspire—
But my springtide, when in thine eye
Love's sacred flame for me leaps high
To set my soul on fire.
Or is that flame now burning low?
Am I denied its cheerful glow
And of its warmth bereft?
If part we must, then ere we go,
From thy sweet-bitter lips would know
What hope for me is left!
And on thy side, my heart what place
Doth hold? The right—a seat of grace,
Or is it on the left?
�I
20
THE SYRIAN WORLD
The Son of Haroun Al-Rashid
Jt TRUE ARABIAN TALE
translated from the Arabic original.
To the people of the West, more especially to the innumerable hosts of admirers of the Famous Arabian Nights, Haroun
Al-Rashid is the personification of oriental magnanimity of
character and ostentatious splendour and regal pomp. To some
he is but a mythical character around whose personality the fecundity of oriental imagination has woven the delicate
and fanciful threads of the inimitable Arabian Nights.
But to historians he is not only real, but one in whom a great
many of the virtues and vices ascribed to the legendary character were found in actuality. It was with his reign that the golden
age of the Abbaside dynasty in Baghdad saw its dawn, and the
report of his personal benefactions and his going about in disguise in the obscurity of the night through the poorer sections
of the capital, as well as the revelry and the ill-concealed licentiousness prevailing at his court, were not without foundation in
fact.
But the great era of true advancement in literature, in the
sciences and in all matters that count for real progress were fostered by, and found their greatest patron in the person of, the
son and successor of Haroun Al-Rashid, the illustrious Caliph
Al-Ma'moun, whose reign extended over a period of twenty
years and ended with an untimely death at the age of forty-nine.
It was not, however, without contest that Al-Ma'moun
came into power. At the very outset his authority was challenged by his paternal uncle Ibrahim Ibn Al-Mahdi who, not having conceded the right of succession to Al-Ma'moun, claimed
the Caliphate for himself and established his court in the city
of Al-Rai. For one year, eleven months and twelve days, he
held out against the Caliph and harassed his agents while the
latter displayed such forbearance as to cause some of his advisers
to comment that his patience was liable to be misinterpreted as
weakness. Finally the Caliph could tolerate the situation no
longer and, calling together a great army, he set out by forced
marches to besiege his uncle in his capital. Ibrahim was defeated
in a spirited engagement and the city capitulated to Al-Ma'-
i)
I
�"!
OCTOBER, 1927
21
moun, whereupon Ibrahim sought safety in flight to escape the
wrath of his victorious nephew.
An account of the events that followed is transmitted to us
by the contemporary Arab historian Al-Waqidi who records in
the words of Ibn Al-Mahdi himself an account of his experience
with the Caliph on that eventful day when he fell prisoner into
his hands and doubted not that his fate would be that of all
usurpers and traitors. Al-Waqidi states that he heard the account from the lips of Al-Mahdi himself and recorded it with
utmost faithfulness to detail.
Here is his narration:
1
When Al-Ma'moun entered the city of Al-Rai and set a
prize of a hundred thousand dirhams on my head, I was seized with great fear and fled my palace at the noon hour, roaming
about the city all confused and not knowing where to direct my
steps. When about completely exhausted, I came upon a blind
alley and there felt certain that my doom was sealed. For here
I was standing at the entrance of an alley which permitted of
no egress. And I reflected to myself that if I retraced my steps
I would immediately arouse suspicions, while if I continued I
would be cornered like a prey in a cage and meet an ignominous
end. While thus meditating, I observed a black slave standing
at the entrance of a house in the center of the alley and I resolved to take a last desperate chance. So I advanced with steady
step and asked the slave if he could afford me domicile for a
short space of time, to which he replied in the affirmative and
graciously admitted me to his house.
I was pleasantly surprised upon entering to find the house
furnished in simple style but in the cleanest possible condition.
Only straw mats and leather cushions were in the room, but they
were all immaculate. The manner of my host was most hospitable and inviting, and it was with profuse apologies that he
closed the door and left me alone in the room. In my perturbance of mind, I bethought me that he had heard of the award
placed on my head and had gone forth to inform against me. In
consequence of which apprehension I was, all during his absence,
haunted by the most tormenting fears. Presently he returned
in company of a hammal who was loaded with all provisions
necessary for a sumptuous repast. The bread and meat were
fresh and most inviting. A new pot was brought with the lot.
An earthen water jar and ewers were also included in the pur-
�22
THE SYRIAN WORLD
chases of the all-providing host. He no sooner relieved the
porter of his burden than he addressed me with the utmost deference and respect explaining that he was a cupper, and that
fearing I would be nauseated by the nature of his profession if
he were to serve me from his own utensils, he had brought me
new, clean service which no other had used or touched.
I had, by that time, grown ravenously hungry and I proceeded to prepare a meal which I enjoyed as I had none other
in all my life. Having finished, the host asked me if I liked
to indulge in some liquor, to which proposition I showed no
aversion, and he brought me a sealed jar and a new cup of crokery and asked me to help myself, which I did, and found the
beverage to be extremely good. While thus engaged, he brought
me a most tempting variety of fruit, all served in new earthen
dishes, and appeared to be so anxious not to leave his hospitality
lacking in the least respect. Having thus waited upon me, he
respectfully asked me if he could sit at a respectable distance and imbue his own liquor to complete his joy of having
me as his guest, to which suggestion I unhesitatingly agreed. He
drank and became even more radiant with joviality. Presently
he rose and drew from a closet a beautifully inlaid 'oud which
he handed to me, saying: "My lord, it is not compatible with my
lowly station to ask thee to play the 'oud and favor thy slave
and servant with a song, but inasmuch as thou hast given me
the great honor of accepting my hospitality, I am prompted to
take advantage of thy condescension. If thou choosest to grant
me this additional favor I will consider myself the happiest of
men, but I shall not press my request, as thy wish is preeminent."
I_was not a little surprised at his request, but instead of
gratifying his desire immediately, I wanted to parry him a while
to prove the extent of his comprehension and I asked him:
"How comes it to thy knowledge that I am an adept at the musical art?" to which he replied with the exclamation: "Allah be
praised! our lord and sovereign is known by his fame much
beyond such a point. Art thou not our Caliph of only yesterday, Ibrahim Ibn Al-Mahdi, on whose head Al-Ma'moun has
placed a prize of a hundred thousand dirhams?"
He no sooner divulged thus my identity than his station
was immediately raised in my estimation. For such a man in
apparently much need and practising what is generally considered an unclean occupation to forego the temptation of the prize
�Mi I
OCTOBER, 1927
*~
23
money and, while affording me shelter and safety in his house,
to treat me with such generosity and consideration was sufficient
to win my complete confidence. Immediately thereupon I took
the musical instrument, tuned it and, considering my condition
of fear and separation from my family, proceeded to sing the
following verses which were the first to occur to my disturbed
mind:
"May He who caused Joseph's reunion with his beloved ones, and raised his standing though captive
and in prison,
Grant us our prayers and bring about the reunion of
our scattered ranks, for Allah, the ruler of the universe, is omnipotent."
Upon hearing this, the slave went into transports of ecstasy.
He was also prompted by his great joy to ask me if I would permit him to give a selection himself, to which request I readily
assented.
He took the 'oud and sang:
i
"To our beloved ones we made complaint that our
night was dragging long, to which complaint they
answered that to them the night was very short.
For speedily to their eyes comes the assuaging power
of sleep, while sleep remains at all times a stranger to our eyes.
When night, the dread of those enthraled by love, approaches, we fear and shudder, while they with
glee and happiness await its coming.
But if, like us, they were to feel the gnawing pangs of
love, they would, like us, experience in their beds
the same restlessness."
So enraptured was I by the consummate exquisiteness of his
art that I felt the room whirling around and all my fears and
apprehensions disappear. I asked him to sing again and he sang:
"She scorns us for our numbers being few, but I retorted that the noble were forever thus,
Why feel disgraced that we in numbers be lacking,
when our neighbor is protected and the neighbor
of the many is not.
�^=r-
THE SYRIAN WORLD
A people are we who do not see in death disgrace, if
the tribes of 'Amer and Saloul so look upon it.
Our courting death does shorten the span of our lives,
while their evasion of it renders their lives long."
Such was my rapture at hearing this second song that it
had on me an effect more overpowering than liquor, and soon
after I was engulfed in the oblivion of an intoxicated sleep, not
awaking until after sunset, only to find my mind overwhelmed
with appreciation and wonderment at the generosity and hospitality, gift for entertainment and consummate art of this apparently lowly cupper.
Having collected my thoughts, I rose and washed my face
and then awakened my sleeping host. I was in haste to take
leave as my former fears again recurred to me, but wishing to
reward the fellow as best I could with the means available, I
flung in his lap a pouch filled with gold pieces, being all that I
had carried away in my hasty flight, and promised him more
if security and power were again restored to me.
This caused the slave to give vent to a great outburst of
indignation. "My lord," he said, "men of my lowly station are
only despised by men of thy rank. But can I ever permit myself to take reward for the great privilege which Allah has granted me by receiving thee in my house and having the honor to
serve thee? I swear by Allah that if thou art to repeat this offer,
I shall immediately end my existence."
Impressed by the determined tone of the slave, I reluctantly replaced the gold in my sleeve and proceeded to leave. But
I no sooner reached the door than he importuned me to remain:
"My lord," he pleaded, "thou art much safer here than at any
other place thou mightest seek, while in providing for thee I have
not the least difficulty. Why, then, not tarry here until such
time as Allah is willing to grant thee security?"
The proposition was most acceptable, but I asked the slave
to disburse from the gold which he had refused, to which condition he would not agree. For many days thereafter I remained at his house enjoying a most delightful hospitality with
not a thing lacking, until I tired of my confinement and of my
dependence on this good slave which I came to consider a growing imposition. So one day, when my host had gone out to replenish our provisions, I took advantage of his absence to leave the
house. I affected a feminine disguise with robe and veil, and
*
'»!
�OCTOBER, 1927
iv
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25
was no sooner on the street than I was seized with great fear.
I attempted to cross the bridge but was intercepted by a mounted guard who recognized me and made a dash to seize me. In
desperation, I summoned all my reserve strength and gave him
one impetuous push which sent him and his mount sprawling
on the wet, slippery pavement. Taking advantage ri the commotion that followed, I quickened my pace and succeeded in crossing. Once on the other side I flitted into an alley where I noticed a woman by the door of her house. I lost no time in approaching her.
"O gracious lady," I addressed her, "please grant me asylum as I am in great fear for my life."
"You have come to an abode of safety and hospitality," she
replied, and forthwith conducted me to a secluded and neatlyfurnished chamber and brought me food and refreshments,
meanwhile remarking that I need entertain no fear as no one had
detected my arrival.
It was but a short while thereafter when hard and repeated
knocks were heard at the door. The woman made haste to open
and, to my great astonishment and surprise, the guard whom I
had discomfitted a little while previous entered with clothes disheveled and blood streaming from wounds in his forehead and
hands. The woman, let escape a shrill cry of pained surprise,
asking the man the cause of his predicament. He lamented that
he had just been within reach of wealth by capturing the fugitive Al-Mahdi but the latter had escaped. While she was cleaning and bandaging his wounds he related to her the details of
his experience and I then felt certain that my doom was sealed.
Having attended her husband and prepared his bed, the
woman sought me in my hiding place and asked me if I were
not the man implicated in the episode. I did not deny, but the
good woman allayed my fears and was even more solicitous for
my comfort and well-being than before. For three days I enjoyed her protection and hospitality, at the end of which she
apologetically conveyed to me her fear lest her husband discover
me. She graciously consented that I remain until the fall of
night, at which time I again assumed my feminine disguise and
went out in search of refuge and safety. This time I sought
the house of one of my former maids at court who, upon seeing
me, raised her voice in bewailment and lamentation and was most
profuse in her thanks to Allah for my safety. Presently she
wms
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
left with the ostensible purpose of making purchases at the market for my entertainment. I never felt in all my wandering and
flight more secure than I did in this house after such demonstrations of loyalty. But I had no sooner emitted a sigh of relief
than the house was surrounded by the military, horse and foot,
and I saw Ibrahim of Mosul, commander of the bodyguard of
Al-Ma'moun, burst into the house in person accompanied by the
treacherous maid who pointed me out to him. I was carried in
the same feminine attire in which I had been surprised to the
presence of Al-Ma'moun who called the notables to sit at supreme council for my trial. When I was first ushered into court
I greeted Al-Ma'moun with the customery salutation of the Caliphate, and his stern answer to me was: "May Allah never grant
thee peace, nor life, nor security." But I hastened to rejoin by
saying: "I beg thy gracious indulgence, O Prince of the Faithful. He who is the claimant of revenge has the right o£ choice in
punishment. But pardon is more in conformity with piety. Allah, may His name be exalted, has made thee even superior to
pardon just as He has caused my crime to be above all crimes.
If thou now exactest thy punishment, thou wouldst be exercising
thy right; and if thou grantest pardon it would be by reason of
thy great magnanimity," and I then burst out in the following
extemporaneous verses:
"Grievous is my crime to thee, but in magnanimity thou
art greater,
Exact thy right if thou so wishest, or else forego it and
prove thy mercy.
If I be not noble in my deeds, prove thyself noble in
thine."
Al-Ma'moun raised his head and I again addressed him in
verse acknowledging my guilt and beseeching his pardon.
At the conclusion of my recitation, I noticed that Al-Ma'moun had relented perceptibly, and to me this was the augury
of pardon. But Al-Ma'moun did not give expression to his
feelings in words. Rather he called on his son Abbas, his brother Abou Isaac and all the other notables present to give their
opinion in my case, and they all, without exception, counseled
my execution, their only divergence of opinion being on the method of carrying out the sentence.
Al-Ma'moun, however, seemed not satisfied with their
counsel and he called upon Ahmed Abi Khalid to express his
f
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e
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OCTOBER, 1927
27
opinion, and the latter said: "O Prince of the Faithful, if thou
killest him, such course of action would be in conformity with
common practice as there are many of thy like who have killed
many of his like, but if thou pardonest him, then it could be
truly said that none are to be found like thee who have pardoned
any like him."
At this sage counsel, Al-Ma'moun bent his head low in
deep reflection, then raised it and uttered the poetical quotation:
"They are my kin who killed my brother Amim,
If I were to shoot, I would be the target of my own arrow."
Hearing which I lifted the veil from over my face and let
escape a great shout of jubilation, exclaiming, "Allahu Akbar!
The Prince of the Faithful has spared my life." And Al-Ma'moun said: "O uncle, thou mayest now calm thy fears." And I
replied: "My crime, O Prince of the Faithful, is much graver
than could be attenuated by excuses and thy pardon is much
greater than could be met with adequate thanks."
Al-Ma'moun then ordered all my confiscated property restored to me and said: "O Uncle, thou hast witnessed that my
son and brother have prescribed thy death. What sayest thou
to their counselr" and I replied: "O Prince of the Faithful, they
have uttered sage counsel, but thou hast acted on thy charitable
and generous impulses inherent in thy magnanimous character."
Al-Ma'moun's countenance radiated the reactions of extreme inward relief and joy as he remarked: "O Uncle, thou
hast deadened my rancor by the virility of thy apology," and,
prostrating himself on the ground for what appeared a long
time, he finally raised his head and addressed me saying:
"Knowest thou, O Uncle, why I prostrate myself to Allah?" "Yes," I replied, "thou renderest Him thanks for having
delivered thy enemy into thy hands."
"Not so," said Al-Ma'moun, "it was, rather, to render
thanks to Allah for having prompted me to act as I did in pardoning thee."
Whereupon the Caliph assumed a most intimate attitude
and asked me to relate to him the details of my flight and capture. And I related to him my experience with the cupper, the
guard and his wife, and the maid who betrayed me. The latter
was still waiting at her house expecting to receive the award, and
upon being brought to court the Caliph asked her the reason for
betraying her former master, to which she replied that it was
�28
THE SYRIAN WORLD
the temptation of money. The Caliph then inquired about her
personal conditions and if she had husband or child, and when
she replied in the negative, he ordered her flogged two hundred
blows and imprisoned for life. The guard and his wife were
then brought in, and when the Caliph learned from the man that
it was the money award he was seeking, he ordered him discharged from his commission and had him take up the loathsome
profession of cupping. But to the guard's wife, the Caliph said:
"Thou art a woman most capable of handling difficult situations.
Thou shalt be henceforth in my palace." And coming finally
to the black slave he addressed him saying: "Thou hast shown
such nobility of character as would necessitate giving thee ample
award." He then gave him possession of the guard's house with
all its contents and granted him an annuity of a thousand gold
pieces for life.
The Adieu
Translated from the Arabic by J. D.
CARLYLE
The boatmen shout: "'Tis time to part,
No longer can we stay."
'Twas when Maimuna taught my heart
How much a glance could say.
With trembling steps to me she came;
"Farewell", she would have cried,
But ere the word her lips could frame
In half-form'd sounds it died.
Then bending down with looks of love,
Her arms she round me flung,
And, as the gale hangs on the grove,
Upon my breast she hung.
My willing arms embraced the maid,
My heart with raptures beat;
While she but wept the more and said,
"Would we had never met'"
S':n..j
/
y
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.'SyjM
�OCTOBER, 1927
29
Famous Cities of Syria
Byblos, City of Adonis
I
What is now a modest hamlet on the coast of Mt. Lebanon,
about eight miles north of the city of Beirut, was at one time
the seat of a great kingdom and the center of a religious cult
that swept the whole East and extended its influence over Greece
and Italy as well as other parts of the West. For this little hamlet, known in our day by the name of Jubeil, is none other than
the ancient and famous city of Byblos, where Adonis, the great
male god of love and beauty in classical mythology, was born
and died; where was laid the scene of the great love which
Aphrodite bore for him; where flow the waters of the sacred
river which "still runs red" at a certain season of the year from
being dyed with the blood of Adonis after he had been wounded
by the wild boar he was hunting in the hills of Lebanon. The
name of Adonis was given this river and as such it is known in
Greek mythology. Its modern name, however, is Nahr Ibrahim,
or river Abraham, supposedly named after the first ruling Maronite prince of that part of Lebanon who was the nephew of St.
John Maron, the first Patriarch of the Maronites. The waters
of this river "run red" when in flood during spring, owing to
the geological formation of the hills which dominate its course,
and of this Milton says:
"While smooth Adonis from his native rock,
Ran purple to the sea, suppos'd with blood
Of Thammuz yearly wounded."
i
I
Thammuz is but another name for Adonis. He is known
also by many other names such as Osiris of the Egyptians and
the Baal-Peor of the Moabites (Calmet).
His mention occurs in the Bible in Ezekiel (viii, 14), and is supposed to be,
among the Phoenicians who originated his worship, the personification of the sun who, during part of the year, is absent, or,
as the legend expresses it, "with the goddess of the under world;
during the remainder with Astarte, the regent of the heaven."
Astarte, by the way, is another Phoenician goddess whose main
�30
THE SYRIAN WORLD
seat of worship was in ancient Byblos, on modern Jubeil, and she
is none other than the Aphrodite of the Greeks and the Venus of
the Romans. She was the female goddess of beauty and love
and productivity. Her worship, or that of her Hellenic prototype, Aphrodite, may be traced directly to the influence of the
early Phoenician traders who settled on Greek shores. The "Venus
and Adonis" of Shakespeare vividly portrays this great love
drama of mythology which was the inspiration of bygone peoples for thousands of years.
The bibliography on ancient mythology is almost unlimited, and it is not the purpose here to go into the different phases
of controversial opinions on the origin and attributes of Eastern
and Western deities. Suffice it to mention that the inspiration
for the conception of the Greek, and, consequently, the Roman
deities thereafter, was Eastern. Adonis was the symbol of nature. He came to life in Spring and returned to the regions of
the; dead in Winter. This was ascribed to a good reason. Adonis
being the son of the Syrian king Theias by his daughter Smyrna
(Myrrha), his beauty charmed the goddess Aphrodite who was
bent on saving his life when his father threatened to kill the
mother of the ill-begotten child. Myrrha was transformed into a tree bearing her name and at the end of ten months, when
Adonis was born, Aphrodite hid him in a box and handed him
over to the care of Persephone, daughter of Zeus and ruler over
the lower world. Persephone later refused to give up Adonis
and upon Aphrodite making appeal to Zeus, he decided that
Adonis should spend a third of the year, with Persephone (Winter, death of vegetation); another with Aphrodite who was the
ruler of the heavens and the giver of life as her Phoenician name,
Astsarte, indicates} and the remaining third Adonis was to have
to himself.
It is plain, therefore, that all Greek mythology had its origin in Eastern roots, as Persephone, who quarreled with Aphrodite over Adonis, was the direct daughter of Zeus who is the
father of the gods. And Adonis' birthplace and the scene of
his death were on the shores of Phoenicia, at the identical spot
where now is situated modern Jubeil in the Lebanon.
The historic importance of this spot cannot be gainsaid.
It is one of the oldest seats of civilization in the world and one
to which the attention of geologists will be directed for a long
time to come in an effort to make it cede some of the mysteries
Mi
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OCZOBER, 1927
31
of its hoary age. Already extensive excavations have been undertaken which promise to yield important finds, and the attention of scholars is being directed to it as never before. It is also
bound to become a great attraction for tourists in a reasonably
short time.
For Byblos had been an active seat of civilization, a flourishing center of industry, a strategic military post in the line of
march of, the conquering armies of the East and the West for a
long time after the date of its strongest connection with the worship of Venus and Adonis about fifteen hundred years before
the beginning of the Christian era. It was a city of considerable
importance at the time of Alexander's conquest of the East, "at
which time Enylus, its king, when he learnt that his town was
in the possession of Alexander, came up with his vessels and joined the Macedonian fleet" (Arrian). Byblos seems afterwards to
have fallen into the hands of a petty despot, as Pompey is described as giving it freedom by beheading the tyrant (Strab).
It contains the remains of an ancient Roman theatre. It was
the birthplace of Philon who translated Sanchuniaton into Greek.
The name Philon is still commonly used to our present day as a
first name among the people of the town and its vicinity. It
was of such importance, even in the Middle Ages, as to be a see
L of a bishop. The Crusaders occupied it when they came into
possession of the Syrian coast and fortified it by building a great
citadel and encircling it with a wall about a mile and a half in
1
circumference.
Al-Waqidi, an Arab historian of the thirteenth century, menL tions Jubeil in his geographic dictionary and lays particular stress
on that part of its history contemporaneous with the Crusades
and the Arab conquest of the Syrian coast. "St. Giles, (may
he be accursed by Allah)," he writes, "blockaded Jubeil, and after the lapse of some time opened negotiations with its inhabii tants for their surrender. He pledged himself to touch them
with no harm and reinforced his pledge with the most solemn
oath. On this condition they surrendered to him in the year 596
of the Hegira (1218 A. D.)_, and no sooner was he in possession
of the city than he exacted from them a tribute of 10,000 dinars
and had them sell all their jewelry to raise the amount, thereby
accelerating their flight from the city."
Al-Waqidi further informs us that Jubeil remained in the
possession of the Crusaders until Sultan Saladin wrested it from
-. •
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�32
THE SYRIAN WORLD
their hands and established in it a large number of his Kurdish
followers who only ten years later sold it out to the Franks and
its original inhabitants.
Following the French occupation of Syria archaeological
researches were begun on a large scale and many priceless objects
of antique art were found among the ruins. The National Museum of Beirut has set aside a special wing for the antiquities of
Jubeil. In this collection many metal mirrors, statuettes of the
goddess Astarte and coins bearing the likeness of this goddess,
as well as various objects with Egyptian connections are to be
found. It will be remembered that at about the third millenium
B. C. the Egyptians had occasion for frequent intercourse with
the coast of Phoenicia, principally through the port of Jubeil.
Most of their lumber for construction of every description was
imported from the forests of Lebanon through the port of Jubeil. The intimate relation between Egypt and Phoenicia may
be realized by the fact that Isis came to Byblos in search of the
body of Osiris. Isis of Egypt is supposed to be none other than
Aphrodite, or the Astarte of Byblos, Osiris being her husband
and identified with Adonis. Isis of the Egyptians has the same
attributes as those of her Phoenician prototype. She is the goddess of fertility and productivity, a symbol of the rebirth of
nature.
The ruins of old Byblos, as they stand today, are mostly of
Crusaders' origin. As archaeologists dig deeper and deeper they
come across Roman and Phoenician remains. Some fine marble
columns may still be seen standing among the ruins, and sections
of the walls and castles built by the Crusaders are still standing.
Jubeil is reached over a fine motor road from Beirut in
something less than an hour. The plain surrounding it is covered with luxuriant verdure the major part of the year, and one
standing on the acropolis of the promontory projecting into the sea
has an enchanting view of the Lebanon coast both to the north
and to the south, as well as of the majestic Lebanon range. In
the immedate vicinity of Jubeil are also many places of historical
interest.
Said 'Umar Ibn Abdul-'Aziz, the pious Umayyad Caliph,
to a man who had offended him: "Satan had prompted me to
use my authority as a ruler to wreak my vengeance on thee and
bring upon myself what thou wouldst surely receive in the last
day. Begone, may Allah have mercy on thee!"
�PANORAMIC
VIEW
OF
BYBLOS
An extraordinary view of Jubeil, site of the famous Phoenician city of Byblos, taken by the Syrian-American photographer, F. Askar. The hill dominating the town is the site of the
jpolis, or fortress, where recent archa?ologic researches yielded priceless finds, including the sarcophagus of King Ahiram having the oldest alphabetical inscription so far discovered.
acroi
THE FORTRESS OF BYBLOS
Remains of what is supposed to be the Crusaders' fort at Byblos.
chumps are pruned mulberry trees planted in what was once
the court of the fortress.
RELICS OF OLD GLORY IN BYBLOS
The
v*.v
The Phoenician goddess of love and
productivity whose love for Thammuz, or Adonis, had Byblos for its
scene.
Ruins of an old temple in Byblos where extensive excavations
are now under way.
�A CITY GATE IN BYBLOS
SARCOPHAGUS OF KING AHIRAM
This priceless relic was found in the ruins of Byblos. A faint line
running along the massive lid has been declared the oldest specimen
of alphabetical writing in existence. This sarcophagus now reposes in
the National Museum in Beirut.
Parts of the old wall of Byblos, modern Jubeil, are still standing.
The gate illustrated above is the entrance to the main street and
is a relic of the fortificationsn of the Crusaders.
�—_
__
OCTOBER, 1927
"Anna Ascends
33
55
By HARRY CHAPMAN FORD
PUBLISHED FOR THE FIRST TIME AS ORIGINALLY
PLAYED ON THE NEW YORK STAGE.
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING ACTS
Gents, a high-bred American, is discovered in the restaurant of Said
Coury, a congenial Syrian whose true Americanism is far more than his
poor English indicates. The waitress, Anna, is a hard working, honest
girl who continually strives to learn and always carries a dictionary. Gents
takes interest in her and helps her learn better1 English. Two under-world
characters, Bunch and Beauty, have designs on Anna and plan to force
her into disreputable traffic. They enter the restaurant and Bunch encircles Anna's waist with his arm and moves his hand in a familiar and
disgusting manner to her breast. She bites him viciously and he hurls
curses at her. Gents springs to her defense and forces an apology from
the detractor. Bunch and Beauty leave threatening Anna with revenge.
Two finely dressed American young women, Nell and Bess,, sister and fiancee of Howard (Gents), enter the restaurant and are surprised at Howard
> frequenting such a haunt. They disdain Anna and Howard proceeds to
prove to them that she is a better American than they are. Howard
leaves with the visitors and presently Rizzo, the cop, enters and announces
that he is looking for Bunch for a recent theft of a shawl. Rizzo departs
and is soon followed by Said, the proprietor, leaving Anna in the restaurant alone. Bunch enters and offers the stolen shawl to Anna who spurn3
him and, as he proceeds to use force, she stabs him. Leaving him for
dead, she flees the place in the enveloping darkness of the night.
In an elaborately furnished office of a large publishing house in uptown New York, the former secretary of Mr. Fisk, head of the firm, is
about to get married and is inducting her successor, Miss Adams, in her
duties. Miss Adams speaks perfect English but with a slight foreign accent. Fisk examines her credentials and discovers that in a short time
she made several changes. She explains that in some cases she was discharged, in others, left of her own will, but always for one reason, namely that of biting men who attempted to kiss her. She relates a personal
story similar in every respect to a newly published book which proved an
instant best-seller and Fisk's suspicions are aroused as to her identity.
Miss Adams parries with him on the question and he resolves to take
other means of satisfying his curiosity. In the meantime Howard, son of
Fisk, returns from an extended trip and meets Anna but does not recognize her and his "interest" in her is evident from the start.
�•*•" •
34
THE SYRIAN WORLD
ACT TWO—II.
FISK — Merely to satisfy many of my subscribers. And
to tell the truth I expect to satisfy my own curiosity and inquisitiveness. I hope to find out in a few moments.
ANNA — (Slightly anxious.) Indeed, Mr. Fisk. How?
FISK — (Noncommittal and careless like.) Oh, there are
ways and means.
ANNA — I think I should return and study the files. (She
crosses.)
FISK — That's right, do.
ANNA — I am ready to report for dictation when you need
me, sir.
FISK — Yes. (She exits. Phone bell rings.) Hullo. Yes?
I am waiting. (Pause.) Hullo Morris
Oh, fine
and
you?
that's good. Say, I see that you have turned out a
readable book at last
yes
"Anna Ascends". I am giving
it a corking review in this issue. What?
Who wrote the
blamed thing?
What?
What's that?
you don't know?
Are you spoofing me?
Aha
Yes
Yes
What's the lawyer's name? Tupman? You mean Nat Tup man
I know him well. He's in this building. Yes, I'll get in touch
with him
You don't say. Aha
Thanks, Morris. When
you ever run over to a real town, drop in and see me. Yes
Goodbye. (Hangs up and takes receiver off after a slight pause.)
Connect me
or get.me Nathaniel Tupman, attorney, in this
building. (Hangs up.) (Nell, Bess and John enter and all
move toward the outer entrance.)
BESS — We're starving and are going to luncheon.
NELL — Back in half an hour.
BESS — Besides, Howard is sure to telephone here when
his train arrives. Hold him here until we return and we will
all go home together.
FISK — Where are you going to eat?
JOHN — At Henri's, I think. I am stung.
FISK — (As they go out.) I'll phone you as soon as he get*
here. (Picks up phone receiver as bell rings.)
BESS — All right, father. (They exeunt.)
FISK — (In phone.) This is Harry Fisk. Say, Nat, will
you give me an alphabetical list of your clients
complete
list
Yes. Well, you see, we are getting up in elaborate hro-
�—
OCTOBER, 1927
35
chure to secure more subscribers and wish to mail them to real
people. Yes
Yes
It is going to be a very beautiful pamphlet and as I know your clients are real people, I want their
names. Yes
Certainly
(Pushes button on desk.) I'll
send the boy down for it. Thank you so much. (Enters William.) William, go to the office of Mr. Nathaniel Tupman, in
this building, and ask for the list Mr. Tupman promised me.
Stay there until you get it.
WILLIAM — Yes, sir.
FISK — And bring it to me just as soon as you get it.
WILLIAM — (Going up.) Yes, sir.
FISK — And, William
(William stops.)
WILLIAM — Yes, sir.
FISK — Guard it with your life.
WILLIAM — Yes, sir. (Exits.)
HOWARD — (Outside.) My father here, William?
WILLIAM — Yes, sir.
(As Fisk hears his son's voice, he rises and comes to meet
him.)
HOWARD — (Enters.) Hullo, Pop.
FISK — My boy, my boy.
(They embrace in a chummy
manner, not as father and son, but with the air of good fellowship.) Back at last.
HOWARD — You bet.
pISK — Let me get a good look at you. (Howard turns
around.) My, but you look great.
HOWARD — I feel great. And you're looking fine, too, Pop.
pISK — Never better. Never better. Come, sit down and
let us have a good talk. Your sister and Nellie Van Husen just
went to lunch with John. I told them I would phone when you
came.
HOWARD — So, John is still the ever-faithful.
pISK — Yes, yes, Bess and John are hitting it off beautifully. They are quarrelling all the time. Fancy they will get
spliced very soon.
HOWARD — Good business?
FISK — And you, son? No affairs of the heart
at pressent?
HOWARD — No, Pop. Whole heart and fancy so and so.
pISK _ I think that I mentioned that Nellie Van Husen
is with your sitter to meet you.
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
36
HOWARD —
FISK — Just
Yes. How is Nellie?
as beautiful as ever, and whole heart and fan-
cy so and so.
HOWARD — Any love sick swains hanging around her?
FISK — No
You have a clear field, if you want it.
HOWARD — / have a clear field? Why pick on me, Pop?
FISK — It has been my wish for some time that you settle
down, son, and Nellie likes you very much. She is
HOWARD — Aw, now, Pop. I can never get interested in
Nell. Nice girl and all that, but not a serious thought in life
beyond her own self. I'll get married some day, when I meet
the real one. And you can bet I'll know the real one the moment I lay eyes on her.
FISK — You have laid eyes on many
all over the world.
HOWARD — Yes, I know, but I haven't seen her yet.
FISK — Nellie is the
HOWARD — No, Pop, I told you
Not Nellie. I could
not do it even for you.
FISK — I'm sorry, boy.
HOWARD — (Anna enters.) Don't worry, Pop. Some day
I shall meet her. See her and will know, at once. (At the end
of Howard*s speech Anna reaches them.)
ANNA — File thirty-six, in reference to the book, "Hearts
Aflame", is missing, Mr. Fisk.
(NOTE — As Anna enters, she carries an extra heavy record ledger open. Her eyes are glazed to the book until the end
of her line. Then, as Fisk speaks, she lifts her eyes from the
book, only to meet the gaze of Howard, who has turned towards
her on hearing her voice. They hold each other's gaze for a
second or two.)
FISK — Do not worry, Miss Adams, I have that file in the
bottom drawer, here. (Anna, still holding Howard's gaze,
backs away a step or two. Howard shows no sign that he recognizes her as the little waitress he met for a few minutes three
years ago. Anna, of course, knows the man who was kind to her
and whose memory she has ever cherished. Slowly the heavy
ledger slips from her grasp and falls to the floor.)
HOWARD — (Instantly picks up the book, with the same
remark he made to her when he first noticed her in the previous
act— Namely:) Allow me. Rather heavy for a little girl like
you.
i W
�OCTOBER, 1927
37
— (Answers with her first remark she ever made to
him.) Thank you. You are very kind.
FISK — My son, Howard, Miss Adams. (To Howard.)
Miss Adams is Miss Bird's successor.
HOWARD — Oh, I know Miss Adams. (Anna gives a slight
start.) (To Anna.) Were you, not employed in the "outer office"
before I went away?
ANNA — (Showing great relief that he does not recognize
her.) Oh, no.
FISK — Nonsense.
Miss Adams only took up her duties
within the hour.
HOWARD — Strange.
\ could have sworn that you were
with this firm when I went away.
ANNA — Oh, no.
FISK — Never.
HOWARD — (Returns book.) Merely a peculiar twist of
mind, I fancy.
FISK — I'll return to you file thirty-six when I go over
the correspondence of "Hearts Aflame", Miss Adams.
ANNA — Yes, sir. (Starts for door.)
FISK — Please find me the correspondence with Bryant &
Temple, Miss Adams, concerning "Forever and Anon".
ANNA — Yes, Mr. Fisk.
(She exits, with a farting look
at Howard— He, too, watches her until the door closes.)
HOWARD — (With eyes on closed door.) Extraordinary.
FISK — Oh, you have met her somewhere, I guess, and you
do not recall the incident. It will come to you. We have made
no changes in the "outer office". Still have the same young
ladies. (Picks up co-py of "Anna Ascends" and fingers it.) I
wish Tupman would hurry that list.
HOWARD — (Noticing book.) Any good literature turned
out in the last eight months?
FISK — Several good works, and this in particular. (Hands
book to Howard.) Especially this.
HOWARD — "Anna Ascends". Oh, I've read that.
FISK — (Surprised.) Indeed, when?
HOWARD — Oh, I don't know—a couple of years ago, it
seems.
FISK — You never read that work a couple of years ago.
It only came out this month.
HOWARD — No. Is that so? Now, Pop, do you know that
ANNA
�—
38
THE SYRIAN WORLD
I could have sworn I read that some time ago?
FISK — What was the story?
HOWARD — Blamed if I know, but the title seems very
familiar.
FISK — Well, you're wrong, because you would forget the
title, long before you would forget the work. In fact you would
never forget it. It is a masterpiece
in every way.
HOWARD — (Handling book.) Unknown author, I see.
FISK — Yes.
HOWARD — I'll glance through it sometime. (Puts book
back on desk.)
FISK — I forgot to phone the girls that you were here.
(Reaches for phone.)
HOWARD — Never mind, Pop. Where are they? I'll go
get them.
FISK — At Henri's, around the block.
HOWARD — (Takes one more look at door and starts up.)
Yes, I know. (Knocks on door and William enters.) Well, William, who are you pulling for now, the Yanks or the Giants?
WILLIAM — For both, this season, Mr. Howard.
HOWARD — (At door, William has passed to desk.) Good.
We'll take in all the games, as we did before I went away.
WILLIAM — Thank you, sir.
HOWARD — I'll bring them at once, Pop.
FISK — All right, son. (Howard exits.)
WILLIAM — Here's the list from Mr. Tupman, Mr. Fisk.
I had to wait some time. (Hands Fisk list.)
FISK — (Scans it carefully.) Good Lord, it can't be.
WILLIAM — What, sir?
FISK — William, did you ever hear of the story about a
man who searched the world over for a certain thing, only to
stumble over it and break his leg when he returned and crossed
the threshold of his own house?
WILLIAM — No, sir.
FISK — Well, I am that man. (Pushes button on desk.)
See that I am not disturbed for the next five minutes.
WILLIAM — (Going up.) Yes, sir.
FISK — I'll be very busy.
WILLIAM — All right, Mr. Fisk. (Exits as Anna enters.)
FISK — Sit down, Miss Adams. I want to have another
talk with you. A very serious and important talk, this time.
u i-
il
�OCTOBER, 1927
39
— f&tt dubiously.) Yes, sir.
—
(Picks up book from desk.) This book — do you
FlSK
know who wrote it? (Anna is silent.) Do you know who wrote
it? (Anna hangs her head.)
ANNA — Yes, sir.
FISK — Who is the author?
.
It would inANNA _ Do not ask me that, Mr. Fisk.
volve
it would be
It would make me break a certain
pledge to
to
...
FISK — Enough, my child, I knoW who wrote it. You did.
ANNA — Mr. Fisk
FISK — Am I right?
ANNA — Yes.
,
.
. ,
t,
My dear little girl, why hide
FlsK — I deduced as much.
your light under a barrel?
.
ANNA — I can't explain. Certain incidents, episodes from
the book, very especially one, that happened, would
would
Oh, Mr. Fisk, how did you ever find me out?
FlSK _ By playing a shabby trick on a friend oi mine
ANNA
-
I
y0UI
1
/
" A^— Mr. Tupman? Why he doesn't even know where
I am. I have not seen him for weeks.
He has $22,000.00 in
FlsK _ Well, you should see him.
royalties waiting for you with the amount growing every minute.
AJTOA _ (Dazed.) $22,000.00?
FlsK _ Don't you know that your book has created one of
the biggest sensations in the literary world in ten years? It will
be a second Tribly.
.
.
(
ANNA - But I never dreamed
I.... I just wrote from
and Mr. Tupman arranged all the details for its
the heart
PU
By "writing from the heart," classics are born. Why
not take all the fame and glory that awaits you?
It is impossible, quite, quite imANNA _ But, I tell you.
possible. You cannot comprehend and I cannot explain it to
you. If the world
certain people ever knew I wrote that
book
it
I
FlsK _ Never mind, my child, if you have a serious reason
for
your
name
the public
tor keeping
keeping
^
^from
^^
^ ^.
ft ^ neyer ^
FE«X
known.
�40
THE SYRIAN WORLD
— It will never be known. Your secret is safe with
me. (He rises and comes to below desk... Anna rises and comes
to his side.)
ANNA — Thank you, sir.
FISK — (Laughs.) It will be our secret. I suppose, now
that you know you are rich, you will not want to stay in your
present position?
ANNA — I want to stay more than ever. I found that out
a few minutes ago, when
FISK — We will keep the secret and you will write another
book.
ANNA — I have one nearly finished, now.
FISK — That's fine.
ANNA — Mr. Fisk, you must not tell anyone that I have
all that money.
FISK — Of course not.
ANNA — $22,000.00!
That is a great deal of money to
make for telling the truth. What will I do with it all?
FISK — Let Mr. Tupman invest it for you. You will have
more
m
uch more very soon and if your second book is as
successful as the first you will be independent for life.
ANNA — I am sure it will be more successful, for Anna finds
happiness in the sequel.
FISK — When do you expect to finish it?
ANNA — That depends.
FISK — Which means?
ANNA — When / find happiness.
FISK — I see. You have realized your ambition but your
happiness you have yet to find.
ANNA >— Yes, Mr. Fisk. When I find my happiness, so
likewise does Anna.
FISK
FISK — I hope, for your sake and
ANNA —i If it does, I feel that I
FISK — Why?
ness
Anna's, that it comes soon.
have no right to grasp it.
— I cannot explain but I have no right to happiYet.
ANNA
—- Do not be foolish. If happiness comes to you suddenly, take it. (Howard enters quickly.)
HOWARD — William said that you were not to be disturbed, but I knew that you wouldn't mind me, Pop. The folks are
not at Henri's.
FISK
O
w
fa
o
5
H
K
(A
W
i
�THE RETURN OF HOWARD
Howard,
you dear boy, it is so nice to have you back again.
tiowara, you
(<Anna Ascends»
�W*i
MM
NOT YET RECOGNIZED!
Allow me.
Rather heavy for a little girl like you.
A scene from "Anna Ascends".
,
**.
rr
a
ST
3
>S
!-»
o
&• a. or tit.
.,8 2 3.
o
r>
�o_w—
OCTOBER, 1927
41
— Perhaps they changed their minds and went to Martin's. I'll go out and look them up and get a bite, myself. Wait
here, son. Miss Adams, in the lower right hand drawer of my
desk is the correspondence on the book "Hearts Aflame". Take
it and place it on file again.
ANNA — Yes, Mr. Fisk. (She gets letters from drawer.)
pISK — if the girls come back while I am absent tell them
to wait and we will motor home together.
HOWARD — I'll hold them, Pop. (Fisk exits. ^ Anna starts
in an uncertain manner for her room.) Please, Miss
er
Adams. Just a moment. (Anna step nervously.)
ANNA — Yes.
HOWARD — Haven't we met somewhere before today?
ANNA — Perhaps, like ships that pass in the night.
HOWARD — No, I do not mean in that way.
ANNA — Hardly any other way.
HOWARD — It seems we have met at some very formal
function. A banquet, or something of that sort.
ANNA — No, at no banquet, I never attended one.
HOWARD — Well, at some little informal dinner?
At a
mutual friend's?
ANNA — Oh, yes, I am sure of that. I never attended a
banquet, but I have been present at many, many dinners.
HOWARD — Then it was at one of those that I met you.
ANNA — Oh, I am sure of it. It was at one of those dinners.
.
HOWARD — But I am of the impression that 1 met you at
several of them. Not one dinner.
ANNA — No doubt you met me at several, but you only
noticed me at one.
HOWARD — I am quite sure that I not only noticed you,
but I was deeply impressed.
ANNA — Yes?
Impressed? So much so that you hardly
remember the place of meeting.
HOWARD — Places mean nothing, environment means nothing, the time means nothing to me. It is the memory of a face
that counts.
ANNA — My face impressed you, then?
HOWARD — You impressed me.
ANNA — (Nervously.) I think I had better replace this hie.
HOWARD — Please don't go.
FISK
�-*"
—_i
42
THE SYRIAN WORLD
— But my work.
HOWARD — Is it so pressing?
(She hesitates.) You speak
with a slight accent. Surely we have not met abroad?
ANNA — No, I think not.
HOWARD — It will all come to me, I am sure. I could not
have been so impressed and not, at some time, recall where and
when we met.
ANNA — Yes?
HOWARD — Miss Adams, we met in Italy?
ANNA — I am not Italian.
HOWARD — Where were you born?
ANNA — Not in America.
HOWARD — Pardon my persistence, but the thought bothers me.
ANNA — Why not say that we met at a dinner
some
foreign dinner, here in New York? Will not that satisfy your
curiosity?
HOWARD — Yes, I suppose so, but it is not my curiosity.
It is my interest.
ANNA — Is not that the same thing? The words are synonymous.
HOWARD — Not in this instance.
ANNA — What does it matter where and when we met? As
long as we belong to the "same class, the same social strata".
HOWARD — That is true. And we met today for keeps,
anyhow, didn't we?
ANNA — Certainly, so why worry about a thing that is past?
HOWARD — I won't. (Comes nearer.) I hope to meet you
often, little lady.
ANNA — Yes? Please say woman, I like it better.
HOWARD — Say
ANNA — (Quickly.) There is something about the word
lady I do not like. It recalls the phrase "perfect lady."
HOWARD — It seems to me that we have had all this pro
and con before, but I fancy I'm mistaken. As I was about meeting you somewhere.
ANNA — What does it matter? We are here.
HOWARD — You bet.
(Voices are heard.) Here are the
folks. You'll let me talk to you again, if I behave myself. (He
laughs boyishly.)
ANNA — Of course, you are a gentleman. (Hovwrd looks
ANNA
puzzled.
ill talkin
FlSK
BESS
Howard,
NEI
tance.) 1
again.
AN-
Fis
NE
FIS
He
W
natti an
H<
Jo
importa
Fi
Bi
Jc
f
§
F
H
talk to
A
is
F
na.) I
in oft<
P
I
up im
you'll
erenct
�OCTOBER, 1927
4S
puzzled. Fisk, Bess, Nell, John and William enter. They are
ill talking at once.)
pISK — I found them at Martin's.
BESS — (Running down to her brother and kisstng htm.)
Howard, Howard.
NELL — (Comes down and kisses him, much to his reluctance.) Howard, you dear boy. It is so nice to have you back
again.
ANNA — (Standing apart.) Hell, damn.
FISK — Doesn't he look great?
NELL — Adorable.
pISK _ That's it, Nell, keep it up.
HOWARD — Are we all ready to start for home?
WILLIAM — There's a game today, Mr. Howard. Cincinnatti and the Giants.
HOWARD — Not today, William. Maybe tomorrow.
JOHN — I can't leave the office. I've
ehem
some
important work to do.
FISK — What?
BESS — He must be ill. Oh, John.
TOHN _ I know it is a shock, Bess, but it's true.
pISK< _ You all had your lunch but I'm hungry. Come in.
HOWARD — (Crossing down to Anna.)
I'll come in and
talk to you tomorrow, if you will let me.
I'll be glad, if I am not busy.
ANNA _ Do.
NELL (Taking notice.) We are going, Howard dear.
HOWARD - (Very indifferently.) Oh, all right. (To Anna.) I'll take a chance on your being idle sometime. I 11 clrop
in often during the day.
NELL — Howard, dear.
HOWARD - Go to the car, folks, I'll catch up. (Nell goes
up impatiently. There is a general move to the door.) Perhaps
you'll give me your lunch hour. (This last line with all the deference in the world.)
ANNA _ In a week or two, maybe, but not tomorrow.
HOWARD — Excuse me
I
meant na
_
ANNA — (Quickly and smiling.) I know. Please join your
Dartv
its
. embarrassing to
HOWARD — I'm off. (Goes up quickly. All have passed out,
Nell the last, giving the pair a hard look.) No ball game for me
tomorrow, William, I've a better game to attend, but I'll stand
�44
THE SYRIAN WORi
treat for the week, William.
WILLIAM — Thank you, Mr. Howard.
any other game that's better'n Base-ball.
OTOBER
But I don't knc^
— Wait until you are a little older, William, an~
youllknow. (Exits. After the ensemble are off William stand*
m a nervous manner watching Anna. Anna comes center.)
HOWARD
When
ashid, wa
id ever m
"The :
abi', "was
YCS mam
1-Mansur
know^^^ ~~ N°' mam
'
°h> g0sh' y°u
g to the
ANNA — I surmise from your cryptic words that you
do
7
ited.
want the kiss.
"Whe
WILLIAM — (Gulping and stammering.) Well
er
im saying
Mam
it won't hurt me none.
'Bring
ANNA — You shall have it, William, you shall have it, but
The r
you must work for it.
'Art t
WILLIAM — Aw, I knew there was a catch to it.
Jmayyads
ANNA — No, all you have to do is to spell affection for me.
The (
WILLIAM — That's easy. Aff
Eff
Doggorn
if I
&
'Artt
can spell it.
'No,'
ANNA — I'll teach you, William. Now, attention
Af'Then
fection, LOVE.
I
f
the
Un
WILLIAM — Say, that ain't
TheC
ANNA — Oh, yes it is, William
you want the kiss, don't
*
ith
to an;
x
your
f 'The
WILLIAM — You bet.
ee
of all ]
ANNA — Well, spell as I gave it.
reasury o:
WILLIAM — Affection, LOVE.
The :
ANNA — Good boy. Once more.
'Ther
WILLIAM — Aw, rats. Affection, LOVE.
,at
the I
rcL ANNf T ^emember *
always. Here's your kiss
iinted by
(d/ie grabs the boy and kisses him impulsively.)
'•rent sou
WILLIAM — (Out of breath.) Oh, Gosh.
Agaii
ANNA — (Suddenly.) Here, now bite my hand
id
a
pro]
WILLIAM — WOT?
'O R
ANNA — Bite my hand, hard.
tever con
WILLIAM — Say, you're nutty. (He rushes off.)
o the ma
ANNA - (Happily.) Affection, LOVE. (Dreamily.)
t for the*
He said he'd come back.
(To be continued.)
'By i
:.z lNNt "^ William> come here- (He slowly comes on a line
wtth her.) Do you want that kiss now?
WILLIAM — No, mam.
ANNA — Are you sure you don't?
�-1
OTOBER, 1927
Choice Arabian Tales
in
-
1
ndi I
tne
do
)Ut
le.
I
ii't
')
45
ip-
IC
:
.
RARE PRESENCE OF MIND
When Al-Rabi' Ibn Yahya, the Arab vizier of Haroun Alashid, was asked who was the most present-minded man he
id ever met, he related the following story:
"The most present-minded man I have ever met," said Alabi', "was a man of Kufa who was brought before the Caliph
1-Mansur on an accusation of holding in trust wealth belongg to the Umayyads, whom the 'Abbaside Caliph had extermiited.
"When the accused man appeared, Al-Mansur commanded
im saying:
'Bring forth the trusts of the Umayyads!'
The man cooly replied:
'Art thou, O Prince of the Faithful, the legal heir of the
Jmayyads?'
The Caliph said, 'No.'
'Art thou, then, their trustee?', again asked the Kufite.
'No,' said the Caliph.
'Then under what pretext dost thou demand of me the trust
f the Umayyads?'
The Caliph bowed his head in contemplation, thinking whatThen raising his head he said:
vith to answer the Kufite.
I 'The sons of Umayya betrayed the Moslems, and as a truse of all Moslems, I have right in demanding restoration to the
reasury of the Moslems of all that belonged to them.'
The Kufite was not to be confuted. He replied:
'There is one thing more, and that is to produce evidence
at the Umayyad wealth entrusted to me is of that which is
inted by treachery, for the Umayyads had wealth from dif'•rent sources.'
Again Al-Mansur bowed in contemplation, but, failing to
r
Jid a proper rebuttal, he turned to me and said:
'O Rabi', release this man, for, by Allah, I swear I have
tever conversed with a man like him before.' Then, turning
o the man, he said: 'Ask what is thy need that we may fulfill
I t for thee.'
'By Allah,' replied the man, 'I request nothing more thin
�46
THE SYRIAN WORLL
to be allowed to send a letter to my folks whose hearts are sorely troubled and are anxious to hear about my case.,
When the man's request was granted, he turned to the
Caliph and said:
'O Prince of the Faithful, I have none of the trusts ol
the Umayyads, but I beg of thee to bring me together with mj
accuser.'
The Caliph was even more surprised at this declaratioi
and said to the man: 'Why then didst thou not deny the charge
in the first place?'
'Because,' said the man, 'this is more to the point. For had
I denied thou wouldst not have believed it.'
The Caliph then commanded that the accuser of the Kufite
be brought forth, and when he came, the Kufite recognized him
as a slave who had fled from him, after he had stolen three
thousand dinars. And when the slave was pressed he admitted
his guilt, saying that he accused his master with the object of
thwarting him for pursuing him.
Then Al-Mansur asked the Kufite to forgive his slave,
saying: 'Count his guilt in my favor.'
The Kufite complied with the request, adding: 'I have
also given him his freedom for thy sake, O Prince of the Faithful, for this is but little in the way of reward of him who was
the means of my coming to thy presence, and of receiving at thy
hands such undeserved praise.'
THE TEST OF FRIENDSHIP
The famous Arab historian Al-Waqidi related the follow-!
ing story to illustrate the extent to which sincere friends go in
helping one another when in need. He said:
I had two friends, one of whom was a Hashimite, am
we were all in friendship as one soul. One day, when poverty!
had pressed hard on me, my wife said to me: 'My lord, we cai
manage to bear the dire straits of poverty, but my heart is ton
in sorrow at the sight of our children when they see the neigh1-j
bors' children jubilant and attired in new dresses for the feast.
For their sake, go out and manage to get some money that wej
may spend on dresses for them.'
Finding that her plea was for a good reason, my heart)
wu touched. I sat to think of some way to secure the money
�OCTOBER, 1927
47
when I suddenly remembered my Hashimite friend. Immediately" I wrote him to send me what he could dispose of, and he
sent me a bag of one thousand dirhams. I had scarcely received
the money when my other friend wrote asking for a similar
loan from me. I could not resist him, and sent the very bag
which the Hashimite had sent me. Then I went to the mosque,
ashamed to encounter my wife. But when I entered my home
and told her what had happened she rebuked me not.
Presently my Hashimite friend came with the same bag
of gold, still sealed as I had received it.
'Tell me the truth about this bag,' insisted my friend. 1
then told him how after, I had received it my other friend asked
me to send him some money and I sent him the same bag. The
Hashimite smiled as he related:
'By Allah, yea by Allah I swear, that when you asked my
help I had nothing at home but this bag of gold which I sent
you So after I sent it to you I wrote our common friend to
send me some money, and behold he sent me back my own bag.
Seeing then that we three have but this one bag in common, let
us divide it between us.'
Saying which, the Hashimite took out one hundred dirhams and gave them to my wife, and divided the rest amongst
us three, each receiving 300 dirhams.
',.,__.
.
This story reached the ear of the Caliph Al-Ma'moun, who
sent for me and asked me to repeat it. When I did, he was
greatly pleased and, calling my two friends, rewarded each one
of us with two thousand dinars, and my wife with one thousand
dinars.
REWARD AND PUNISHMENT
An 'ingenious man appeared before Haroun Al-Rashid and
asked permission to demonstrate his ability. Upon being granted permission, he produced a number of needles and, placing
one on the ground, proceeded to drop the others from his full
height and they would all strike the eye of the needle placed on
the ground without a single miss. Haroun Al-Rashid ordered
the man flogged a hundred blows and given a hundred dinars,
and upon being asked the reason for his having combined punishment and reward, the Caliph replied: "I have rewarded him for
his ingenuity, and punished him so that he may desist from wasting his extraordinary gifts on what is wholly superfluous.
�48
THE SYRIAN WORLD
NOTES AND COMMENTS
By
THE EDITOR
BAYARD DODGE
With characteristic modesty,
President Bayard Dodge of the
American University of Beirut expounds the mission and
the record of achievement of
the great educational institution
in Syria of which he is the
head with not a single reference
to himself. He is simply "connected" with the University. "It
is my fortune to work in an
American institution" serving
Syria and the countries of the
Near East in general. When
reference is made to the fact
that the French Government
had decorated two members of
the faculty during the past
year, he studiously avoids mention of himself being one of
the two. Yet Bayard Dodge
personally, and the Dodge family in general, have done
more for Syria in their support
of the American University of
Beirut than any other person
or group. Bayard Dodge shared during the World War the
privations and hardships of the
Syrian people as did no other
American or European of nis
wealth and class. The Dodge
children in Beirut even went
without shoes and were restrict-
ed to scant food rations, while
the late Cleveland H. Dodge,
father of Bayard, was in New
York contributing millions towards the purchase of clothing
and food for needy Syrians.
Yet President Dodge proves
that his love for Syrians has
not been exhausted; that his
educational mission to them
has not been fully accomplished j that his work for reconstruction and for "manufacturing" men and women fired with
lofty ideals and trained with
scientific methods has still a
long course to run. And he
consequently chooses to devote
his talents, his energy, his
knowledge, to their service as a
head "worker" in the American University of Beirut. This,
indeed, is a proof of devotion
of rare occurrence, especially in
that it is coming from the millionaire son of a millionaire
father and undertaken wholly
and purely on altruistic motives.
Nor is Pres. Dodge seeking
exemption from his self-imposed responsibilities while in
America. Rather, he is here
working even harder for the
promotion of the work which
is filling his life and, besides,
u
�OCTOBER, 1927
49
mission to make considering the
nature of the service intended
by the .enterprising newspaper.
The fault must lie either with
the newspaper itself in not having furnished service of the
right kind, or with the reading
public which did not appreciate
the value of the service rendered. It is cause for pity that
this pioneering effort should
have run such a short course.
Future attempts of this nature
are bound to be studied more
carefully and provided for
more fully so as not to spell
discredit on the Syrian press by
abrupt abandonment after only
THE END OF AN
EXPERIMENT a short existence.
performing all the exacting
duties of the ambassador of
good-will and understanding
that he truly is. The Syrians
of America have cause^ for jubilation in again meeting the
man who is doing so much for
their country, and the dinner
they are giving in his honor on
November 10 in New York is
but a small1 testimonial of their
feeling of gratitude for the
modest, efficient-and big-hearted educator and benefactor of
their country.
+
u
1
v
We had the pleasure to anOUR BULWARK
nounce in a former issue or
THE SYRIAN WORLD that MerIt is a sign of a healthy soaat-Ul-Gharb, a Syrian daily
of New York, had introduced cial condition for the Syrian
a novel and interesting feature young folks to establish socieby publishing a weekly page in ties of their own. It is also a
sign of intelligent understandEnglish for the benefit of the
Syrian-American generation. It ing on the part of the parents
grieves us now to learn that not to thrust themselves in the
this experiment has come to an affairs, of their youth and insist
untimely end. For two con- on managing things their own,
secutive weeks Meraat-Ul- old way. There is a chasm, beGharb has appeared minus the tween the old and the new
English page, and although which has to be carefully bridged by mutual tolerance. For
the paper itself has made no
the young generation it is hard
specific reference to the fact, it
to fathom the conventional,
was learned from well-informed sources that the experiment decorous methods of conduct
did not meet with sufficient which their elders have inheritpopular support to warrant its ed from a country steeped in
the traditions of countless
continuance. It is a painful ad-
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
centuries. The elders, quite na- social activities leading to coturally, will look askance at any operation among their youth.
breach of their accepted order This is the best method for
of etiquette in conduct. Mod- hoi-ding together the scattered
ernism has been thrust on them fragments of the Syrian race.
too suddenly and not by de- It should gladden the hearts of
grees. Even a moderate exer- the elders merely to see their
cise of independent action on youth come together with unthe part of their children they flagging spirit and without
are liable to characterize as in- shame and unite on working
for a common cause.
subordination and rebellion
In the news section of this
What it is necessary for the
parents to realize is that condi- issue of THE SYRIAN WORLD
tions
and surroundings in there is reported the formation
America are totally different recently of two organizations
from those obtaining in their of the young Syrian generation
motherland. Changing times in two 'widely separated cities,
must also be taken into consid- each striving to attain a comeration. Appreciation of all mendable object. Undoubtedly,
these differences is essential to there are scores of such organbring about a proper under- izations of our youth throughstanding between the two ele- out the land, some of which
ments.
we had occasion to refer to at
This moveThe young folks should not different times
ment
should
by
all
means be
be ridiculed or discouraged in
any of their legitimate efforts. encouraged, not hampered. It
Coming together in a social may prove to be the nucleus
club, a| fraternal or a benevolent of a nation-wide movement
society is a most 'laudable un- for the unification of the race
dertaking. In the management in what is bound to become a
or conduct of such an organiza- great force for good both for
tion the older generation should the race and for the nation of
not meddle or interfere. The which it constitutes a racial
younger generation is better unit. Such a national organizaschooled in parliamentary pro- tion would be our best medium
cedure and more capable of un- for bringing out the best that
derstanding its own mind. The is in us and using it to the best
parents, if they value their advantage. It depends mostly
traditions and wish to see, what on our proper appreciation of
is best in them perpetuated, the latent possibilities of our
should encourage all forms of youth.
i
�OCTOBER, 1927
51
Readers' Forum
ers are historians, housewives, merchants and students and many othEditor, The Syrian World,
ers. It is a huge and difficult task
Paradoxical as it may sound, your
to please them all.
editorial in the September World is
Persons interested in the arts are
in itself a possible solution of the
in the minority. A magazine of such
problem therein described. You have a public nature must cater to the
permitted your readers to share the
majority. I do not agree with you
burden, and I feel that if you will that the majority of our people are
permit them to share in a wider material and have deplorable tastes.
sense that you will have fulfilled all They are of the earthy earth. It
your expectations. I think that may be difficult for the World to be
originally it was your hope to create of the earthy earth, but the struggle
a unity among us all and to make
is worth while. Stoop to the other
us think and know worthwhile
fellow's level, and you will find that
things. I believe that the ideals
he will meet you half way.
which prompted you to publish the
May we have articles on modern
magazine may be realized without
problems
of society? If you will
doing so at your expense.
refer to the index of any number of
You seem to regret that so many
the Forum magazine, you will more
readers demand "snappy" stories.
clearly understand what I mean.
If "snappy" means the trashy literThe articles of "Ibn El-Khoury",
ature of which there is plenty offerMiss
Attiyeh; the story by Mr.
ed on the market, I would say that
Catzeflis;
Dr. M. Shadid's letter; all
the World should go out of existence
these
and
many others were splenrather than offer such stuff. However, if "snappy" means a bit of did.
Do you not think that a contest
airy, fairy, nonsensical romance,
might
be a good thing to make your
then please give us some now and
readers
take more interest? There
then. Whether we are young or old,
are
a
variety
of worth while subjects
philosophers or laborers, we all need
which
might
be offered for the dif}
the fun of romancing.
ferent
elements.
The prize should
The World, must fill all our needs.
be
of
second
importance.
Let your
It must be a versatile magazine
readers
do
some
of
the
work
for a
L*
which can meet the requirements of
change.
such varied tastes as your readers
I know well that I know little, if
undoubtedly have. We have only one
anything,
about conducting a magamagazine and we want it to be a
zine.
Still,
I find courage to expresg
little like the Forum, World's Work,
myself
because
I am sincerely anxLiterary Digest, Ladies' Home Jourious
that
the
World
flourish. Those
nal, Youth's Companion... in fact,
of
us
who
are
not
learned
in Arabic
it must have the finest attributes of
and
anxious
to
know
ourselves
have
all the finest magazines on the
long
been
destitute
for
want
of a
American market. A colossal undermagazine.
I
think
that
you
will
taking? Indeed it is. Your readCONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS
�52
THE SYRIAN WORLD
thousand years ago. We boast of
the present man and not of what
our great great grandfathers used
to be.Articles like Dr. Hitti's and lectures like his and other Lebanese
ASKS FOR ADDED FEATURES
whom I have heard ever cause the
Editor, The Syrian World,
question that was asked of Dr. Hitti
In response to your invitation for when he lectured at Vassar College.
opinions from readers, I think that "What has the Lebanese of today
your policy of presenting only the contributed to the modern world?"
highest literature to represent the
It is action this present world
Syrian culture is commendable. needs. What good is all the educaHowever, by this method, you are tion in the world for the Lebanese
bound to reach only the minority. I when he is lashed with his donkey
certainly would not suggest that you with the whip of a common French
cheapen the tone of your publica- soldier, as I saw it done more than
tion by catering to popular demand once?
to gain support, but I do not think
People are praying for love, unity
it would be amiss to add a fea- and harmony. If the Syrian deture or two that will be of sole ap- nounces publicly the Palestinian and
peal to the average mind of the Transjordanian who are his neighSyrian-American youth whom it is bors and brothers, how could he exyour desire to reach and to whom pect the American to love and rethe present reading matter alone spect him? Why not work together
might prove a trifle "heavy". Grad- constructively on a higher plane
ually, the young folks should come than jeers and criticism!
to appreciate the wonderful backIt is only my love and zeal that
ground offered by this magazine.
urge me to write this. Your purpose
I think your "forum" or "letters for this magazine is great and high,
to the editor" idea, as well as prize so why not encourage articles that
contests might stimulate interest.
are more constructive and uplifting;
Marie Hanna.
articles that create harmony and put
Akron, Ohio.
pep and courage in the new generation to do something for their country, to save her from charity and
PROPER WAY OF APPROACH!
foreign jeers and domination, to rise
Editor, The Syrian World,
when the occasion comes and help
Rather late to express my opinion those who were brave to fight for
about the August number of The their country and freedom, be they
Syrian World, but better late than Druzes or others, and not deceitfulnever.
ly conspire with the enemy with the
The poem of the "Falcon and the result that they are looked upon
Nightingale" is superb and ought to worse than ever. Action, action is
be a golden lesson for the Syrians. what makes men, otherwise, it is
This is an age of activity and not "To each they give his worth! They
of sentiment. People are admired
knew that you
and respected for what they are now Say but do not, and I say not but do."
and not for what they used to be a N. Y. G.
Edma Belmont.
if
find a splendid response to your call.
Edna K. Saloomey.
Bridgeport, Conn.
>>
�53
OCTOBER, 1927
111
Spirit of The Syrian Press
Under this caption we hope to present from time to time a microcoamic 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.
80,000 ARMENIANS IN SYRIA
'
f-
Hi
What can be the cause of the
world's sympathy for the Armenians?
Ever since Gladstone created the
Armenian question we find this race
disappear and then reappear in
greater numbers. They are, so to
speak, like the Jews of Russia who
are represented in works of fiction
as having been exterminated but
who are still found to be in full
possession of authority, even to the
point of wielding dictatorial powers.
The recent news from Geneva reporting the announcement made at
the Golden Rule dinner that the Armenians now in Syria and Lebanon
are to remain there as permanent
residents discloses several interesting facts. It is made plain that the
missionaries help the Armenians
with their influence as well as with
their millions; that the League of
Nations is influenced by those who
work for the interest of the Armenians; that France has taken the
Armenians under her special protection and is building homes for them
in Lebanon while the sufferers of
Southern Lebanon are without shelter; that the High Commissioner
has assured the Armenians of lands
and financial loans to help them establish themselves in Syria.
Under the circumstances, we wish
to ask: Have not the Lebanese and
Syrians a more rightful claim than
the Armenians and Frenchmen to
these promised lands and loans?
If sympathy is to be lavished, why
not begin with the nearest of kin,
as the French have a mandate not
over the Armenians, but over the
Lebanese and Syrians?
Everything now seems to be for
the Armenians: the orphanages, the
contributions and donations and all
that is needed or desired. This is
a policy we believe in, but only after such time when Lebanon and
Syria are in no further need of assistance. And if the High Commissioner is not pleased with such an
attitude, we would suggest that he
remove the Armenians to his own
beautiful France.
After all, the whole trouble seems
to lie with the natives themselves
who are capable only of complaining and are too weak to act.
(Al-Hoda, N. Y., Sept. 9, 1927.)
ARTIFICIAL CALM
The calm now obtaining in Syria
is of an artificial nature. The French,
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
following a war which lasted two
years, have succeeded in creating
this semblance of quiet so that it
may serve them as a subterfuge before the League of Nations and the
civilized world.
Through fear that their claim
would be branded as a lie by the
press of Syria and Lebanon, they
have suppressed the papers, especially the fearless ones.
But the Mandates Commission in
Geneva is well aware of the fact
that the French lie in their reports.
Even the French themselves are
conscious of the fact that they only
deceive themselves and the world in
their claims about conditions in
Syria.
The Syrians, whose fearlessness
and courage increase in inverse ratio to tyranny and oppression, cannot be calm in spite of outward appearances. They are more conscious
now of their progress than they
were heretofore, and the more they
become so the more they become
jealous of their right to liberty and
equality with other men.
The French cannot prolong this
superficial calm because it is unnatural. It is a thin veneer which the
Syrian people will remove as soon
as its hands are unshackled. Nay,
even France may tear off this flimsy
cover once she realizes that souls
of free men cannot be won over by
a policy of terrorism and oppression.
(Meraat-Ul-Gharb, N. Y.,
Sept. 9, 1927.)
THE GREAT POWERS AND
THE LEAGUE
We have often criticised the Great
Powers in the League of Nations,
such as England and France, and
accused them of shaping the policy
of the League in the manner most
favorable to their own interests.
They have opposed universal peace
because it is not in conformity with
their unreasonable and aggressive
policies of expansion. It is they who
prevented the Mandates Commission
from conducting an investigation into the grievances of the nations under mandate, such as Syria, because
such an investigation will only disclose their corrupt practices and intentions and prove to the world that
instead of reforming they have
heaped on those countries additional misfortunes.
France, who boasts of being the
mother of liberty, has suppressed
free speech in Syria and placed iron
shackles on the press in an effort to
thwart it from laying bare actual
conditions. This same accusation applies to England who, it is true, has
established law and order and accomplished many reforms, but, nevertheless, has not given the people
their legal rights, nor has she heard
their grievances or relieved them of
the competition of the Jews. She
has, on the contrary, acted as one
who is legal owner of the land and
not as one who is trustee of a people
in the role of a minor needing guidance and protection.
(Al-Bayan, N. Y., Sept. 13, 1927.)
CAUSE OF THE DRUSE REVOLT
It has now become evident that
the Druze revolution was inspired
neither by motives of patriotism,
nor reform, nor independence, nor
pride. Its flames were fanned by
some lazy malcontents who sought
this as the most convenient means
to gain some small, despicable personal ends.
Those who read between the lines
�I
OCTOBER, 1927
can well discern the implied cause
of the Druze revolt from the statement of Mr. Chamberlin following
his agreement with M. Briand. England is anxious to have France resume relations of friendship with
king Faisul because the latter is one
of the gatekeepers of England in the
East. England, therefore, secretly
supported Faisul so that the latter
may secretly support the Druzes.
The Druzes were the tools of the
Bolshevists who used them to harass
France. England condoned this action covertly because it was on apparent amicable terms with the Bolshevists and sought to deal out
trouble aplenty to France to prevent
her from hampering her (England)
in her designs. But when England
had her dispute with the Bolshevists
she sought the aid of France against
them and used every means to placate her. This had been her policy
with the Riff revolt against France
also, and it naturally follows that
the Druze revolt was never undertaken for the lofty and disinterested
motives that were first claimed for
it.
(Al-Hoda, N. Y., Sept. 21, 1927.)
A MONARCHY, NOT A REPUBLIC
No stronger proof could be required of the prevalence of religious fanaticism and bigotry in
Syria than that contained in the
declarations of the leaders of the
Syrian Nationalist movement and the
influentials in the Syrian nation, to
the effect that they favor the establishment of a monarchy in Syria at
the head of which would be a descendant of the Prophet.
We have alluded before to statements of some Syrian leaders expressing their conviction that this
would be the best solution of the
55
existing Syrian problem. We wish
to refer now to a statement by Ata
Bey Ayoubi, published following the
issuance of the declaration of the
High Commissioner, in which he
advocates openly the monarchical
form of government for Syria with
the proviso that the king be selected from across the border, meaning
that the king should be either from
Iraq, Transjordania, or the Hedjaz,
and be of the family of the Prophet.
Such is the religious fanaticism of
the Syrian Mohammedans.
(Syrian Eagle, N.Y.,Sept. 24, 1927.)
NECESSITY FOR SCHOOLS
We are of the firm belief tfhat
Syrian churches in the United States
will be short-lived if they are not
flanked by Arabic schools.
Who among the students of our
present conditions will deny the fact
that not only our churches, but our
newspapers as well, will not live for
over a quarter of a century if schools
for teaching Arabic are not established in every Syrian community
large enough to support a church
and a school.
We are willing to lend every assistance possible in the way of encouraging the establishment of
Arabic schools because our occupation requires that we keep alive the
language in which we write and
keep it free from impurities and
defects.
Furthermore, we are of the belief
that it is of prime importance to
preserve the spiritual strength of
the Syrian-Lebanese nation, and inasmuch as the schools are the guardians of the churches which in
turn are the source of that strength,
it becomes necessary for us to encourage the establishment of schools
and to lend all possible support
�56
to those conducting them.
(Ash-Shaab, N. Y., Sept. 16, 1927.)
CHANGE OF COMMISSIONERS
A High Commissioner departs
and another arrives while we look
into the face of each in tlhe hope
of discovering a change, but only
too soon discover that the change of
High Commissioners does not alter
the basic mandatory policy of
Trance in Syria. Rather it is only
our ignorance of the truth which
makes us see a difference in the
new High Commissioner for a time.
Foreigners in the East are much
more able than its own people. They
no sooner occupy a place than they
study carefully the psychology of
its inhabitants and get to know
them better than they know themselves. For this reason we find the
East ever struggling impotently
while the West, which rules the
East, stands imperturbed in the
midst of the apparent turmoil wearing a benign smile not unlike that
of the Sphinx which mocks of the
passing tempest. The reason for this
indifference is that the West has for
a long time been convinced that
Eastern uprisings are but harmless
storms that run their prescribed
course and when their temporary
fury is wasted all is calm and serene
again just as if nothing had taken
place.
Indeed, these are storms and not
revolutions. It is a travesty on good
judgment to call the Syrian drama,
which had its beginning in the Druze
mountain, a revolution, while it was
no more than a storm which took
its toll in lives and in destruction
of property and passed out just as if
it had never existed. The only sufferers are the natives who paid a heavy
price for the experiment, while
THE SYRIAN WORLD
foreigners are even at present as
they were in the past, following their
set policy in Syria, wearing the
smile of the Sphinx which mocks of
the passing storm.
(As-Sayeh, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1927.)
HYPOCRISY IN DIPLOMACY
In our opinion, M. Briand is an
arch-hypocrite who professes what
he believes not, and who shams piety
and humanitarianism while at heart
he is a convinced militarist. If he
were not thus he would at least
back up his professions of humanitarianism by a little action in the
way of taking the initiative in reducing armaments.
His
humanitarianism
should
especially be manifest in curbing
those French officials entrusted with
the carrying out of the mandate in
Syria who unravel knotty problems
by means of the sword and deal
with vital questions by the use of
explosives which they hurl from
ifae air on innocent and inoffensive
non-combatants.
Why does not Briand say the
word that will put a stop to the
atrocities of the French officials in
Syria? Nay, why does he not consent to sending a mixed commission
to investigate the charges lodged
with the League of Nations against
the French in
Syria,
charges
which, had they been brought to the
attention of the tyrant Abdul Hamid, would have caused him to put
an end to the motives of complaint.
We only wish that some Syrian
leader would translate these remarks
into the language of M. Briand and
have them published in a French
paper in the hope that the French
Foreign Minister will read them
and learn the opinion which the
Syrians hold of him.
(Al-Bayan, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1927.)
�MJ»—
-
"
"-
OCTOBER, 1927
57
About Syria and Syrians
by aviation authorities as one of the
greatest feats of the air.
But what may further interest
our readers in this connection is that
First and only Syrian to engage in
the biplane Air King is the entry of
manufacture of aeroplanes.
a Syrian in the great air race between New York and Spokane. He
Newspaper readers will recall the
is Mr. C. A. Tannous, president of
valiant fight of the aviator Steve
the National Airways System of LoLacey in bringing his biplane Air
max, 111., which manufactures the
King back to Roosevelt field, L. I.,
Air King biplane. He was in New
on Sept. 22, after having developed
York to witness the start of the
motor trouble on his attempted flight
race and although his pilot insisted
in the New York-Spokane Air Derby.
on making another attempt he preAlthough the aviator had to bring
vailed upon him to give up.
back his ship and give up the atThe National Airways System is
tempt, his fight in bringing the plane
the only concern manufacturing comsafely to earth in what was describmercial aeroplanes in the State of
ed by experts as a perfect landing
Illinois. It was formed through the
was hailed as an unparalleled air
initiative of our countryman, Mr.
achievement. Lacey had made a
Tannous, who is the president and
beautiful take off and was well
largest stock holder. Already it is
across the Hudson River, having
manufacturing aeroplanes at the
passed safely over New York, when
rate of 100 a year, selling for $2,100
he developed motor trouble. He deeach. The demand has been increascided to lighten the load of his biing at such a rapid rate that addiplane and opened the emergency
tional ground has been acquired for
valve of the forward gasoline tanks,
the erection of a new factory.
but the drift of air from the proMr. Tannous may well claim the
peller drove the fluid into the cockdistinction of being the first, and,
pit and filled it to a depth of four
so far, the only Syrian engaged in
inches in a short time. The pilot
the manufacture of aeroplanes. We
and his mechanic were almost overknow of some Syrian aviators but
come with the poisonous vapor but
not of aeroplane manufacturers othLacey gamely stuck to his post. His
er than Mr. Tannous. It certainly
hands and feet were numb and it
requires courage to embark on the
was only by following the motions
risks of such an infant industry.
of his mechanic who was leaning
The Syrian World is glad to make
over the edge to get the benefit of
this discovery and to announce it to
the fresh air that he was able to
its readers. Such news of daring
direct the course of the plane.
and initiative cannot be but stimuHow he was able, while in that
lating.
semi-conscious condition, to navigate
It may be added that Mr. Tannous
the Air King over New York and
is the publisher of the Lomax
bring it safely to earth was hailed
SYRIAN HAS ENTRY
IN GREAT AIR DERBY
t
1M
�--^
\T
58
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Searchlight, the weekly newspaper
of the Illinois town which is identified with his manufacturing and commercial activities and in the civic
life of which he has made himself
a factor of pronounced influence.
PRES. DODGE EXPOUNDS
MISSION OF A. U. B.
President Bayard Dodge of the
American University of Beirut is in
New York for what may be a furlough of a year. He is here with
his family, and his homecoming has
been the occasion of great rejoicing
among his host of friends both
Americans and Syrians. They are
planning a dinner in his honor to be
given at the Hotel Commodore on
November 10.
President Dodge is one of the finest ambassadors of good-will between America and the East. He
has devoted his life to the service
of Syrians and other Eastern races
in what they are most in need of—
education. He could have perpetuated the tradition of the Dodge family by continuing its donations and
benefactions showered on the American University of Beirut and other
American institutions of learning in
the Near East, but he has chosen
to do that and even more. He has
selected to serve the cause of education not only through his financial
assistance, but by the devotion of
his talents and ability in taking up
the active duties of President of the
American University of Beirut and
choosing to live among the people
he seeks to benefit. President Dodge
is today about the best loved foreigner in Syria.
In a letter to the press on the
mission, activities and progress of
the American University of Beirut.
MMM
Pres. Dodge has given expression
to the ideals guiding 'him in presiding over the destinities of the great
educational institution on the shore
of the Mediterranean. "I am 'connected'," he says modestly, "with
the American University of Beirut,
which is helping with reconstruction, by giving young men and women scientific training, and by raising academic standards to those of
the West... Last year 35 students
were in training as teachers. Entrance requirements have been made
so difficult that private and government schools in Iraq, Syria, Palestine, the Sudan and Ethiopa are improving their work so as to fit their
students for college entrance. What
these countries need more than
money is a supply of men and
women, fired with lofty ideals and
trained with scientific methods. It
is my fortune to work in an American institution that is manufacturing such men and women."
"The American University of
Beirut," he continues, "is an institution sixty-one years old which represents no sect or program of proselytism, but seeks to create international goodwill. On the teaching
and administrative force there are
209 persons. Only 69 are Americans; 86 are Syrians; 6 English;
3 Canadian; 14 Armenian; 8 French;
2 Swiss; 5 Greek; 4 Palestinian; 8
Russian; and one from Austria, New
Zealand, Persia, and Poland. This
same group numbers 7 Moslems; 9
Druzes; 1 Bahai; 2 Jews; 14 Catholics; 124 Protestants; and 52 from
the Greek and Armenian Churches.
Salaries, duties and rank are fixed
because of personal ability, independently of race and sect.
"Three British dependencies, and
also the Prince Regent of Ethiopia,
�OCTOBER, 1927
support students at the University.
Two members of the Faculty have
been decorated by the French Government during the past year. Doctors from the French Army, British
colonial service, and universities at
Cairo and Damascus have accepted
invitations to help the Faculty conduct examinations. The Faculty help
the Government of Palestine to conduct Government examinations. One
of my jobs is to appoint doctors for
the Sudan army and civil service.
"Although students are not obliged to attend chapel, many hundred
Moslems, Christians and Jews do
attend regularly.
"During the past year, there were
649 pupils in the elementary and
secondary schools, and 691 in the
schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing and Arts & Sciences.
Over half of them were non-Christians. 220 of them came across the
Palmyra desert from Iraq and Persia. 206 came from Palestine, 98
from Egypt, 140 were Armenians,
and the others came from a variety
of places as far distant as South
Africa and Brazil."
ft
59
the new bishop by his friends and
admirers both in the United State*
and Canada.
PROGRESSIVE SYRIAN YOUNG
WOMEN FORM SOCIETY
Indicative of the spirit of the
young Syrian generation in America is the creation of offices in the
clubs and societies of the young
folks unheard of before among the
older generation. Miss Olga Andrews, of Pittsburgh, Pa., writes
that she has been appointed "publicity director" of the Young Women's Aid Society of that city "organized for the purpose of establishing good-fellowship among its
members and furthering the interest
of St. George Syrian Orthodox
Church of Pittsburgh." Although
the society is but six months old, it
has undertaken its work with characteristic youthful enthusiasm and
vigor. Miss Andrews writes that
the older generation was quite discouraging in its attitude at first,
but when the young society overcame all obstacles and conducted
first a card party at one of the
leading hotels of the city, and then
A SYRIAN ORTHODOX BISHOP
a dance which were both well atFOR CANADA
tended and yielded much more reThe Rt. Rev. Aftimos Ofeish, sults than anticipated, the former
archbishop of the Syrian Orthodox attitude of discouragement and toleOhurch of America, presided, on rant indifference was gradually reSept. 11, at a ceremony held at St. placed by whole-hearted co-operaNicholas' Cathedral in Brooklyn tion. Now the society is planning
during which the Rev. Emmanuel a masquerade ball which it feels cerAbo-Hatab was consecrated bishop tain will meet with much greater
for the Orthodox Syrians of Canada successs.
This society of Syrian young wowith a see in Montreal.
men
in Pittsburgh has a roll of fifFollowing the religious ceremony
teen
members who are bent on doa banquet was held in the hall of
ing
something
of value and going
the Cathedral marked by a great
about
it
their
own
way. Their motto
flourish of oratory expressive of the
is
"Esta
Perpetua".
good wishes of the congregation to
�- -.-.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
A LEADER IN HIS CLUB
Supplementing our account of the
formation of a club by the Syrian
residents of Shanghai, China, published in the September issue of The
Syrian World, it pleases us to state
now that "Mr. Buddy Ontra, a member of Mssrs. Ontra and Ontra of
New York, exporters of embroidered art linens", was referred to by
the Shanghai Times of July 3 as
being "a leader in the American
Lace and Embroidery Association of
China", better known as "The Rose
and Leaf Club".
A SYRIAN CASE OF
LEPROSY IN CALIF.
glad to publish an account of the
scholastic achievement of this young
Syrian as sent to us by Miss Olga
Elkouri of Detroit, Michigan.
"Dr. Macksood," says Miss Elkouri, "came from Syria at the age
of 13 and entered the first grade,
completing the grades school in two
years. He later entered High School
and college completing both in seven
years and taking up philosophy, languages and sciences—Latin, French,
Italian, Greek, German; chemistry,
physics, etc. He obtained his M. D.
degree from Loyola University for
having the highest scholastic honors of any graduate in 1927 amongst
all graduating doctors and he also
holds the key from the Phi Chi International
Medical
Fraternity,
which has 52 chapters in Class A
of Medical Schools. Dr. Macksood
is but 26 years old and is now serving his internship in Chicago."
"A tragedy in real life," states a
despatch from Stockton, Cal., to Los
Angeles papers, "was disclosed here
when Dr. John H. Sippy, head of
the San Joaquim health district,
found a young Syrian woman, mother of three children, affected with
SYRIANS OF LOS ANGELES
leprosy."
HAVE PROGRESSIVE SOCIETY
"The patient," the despatch further states, "was ordered immeAlthough not quite a year old, the
diately to a leprosarium in LouisiSyrian Young Men's Society of Los
ana. Her husband, according to Dr.
Angeles, Cal., has ingratiated itself
Sippy, begged to be allowed to acin the good esteem of the communicompany his wife. When he was
ty by the excellent work it has been
refused permission, he purchased a doing.
ticket to ride in another car on the
The purpose of the society, we are
same train, so that he might walk
informed, "is to facilitate friendship
before her window at each station
among the young Syrian generation
to let her know he was near."
and to maintain the traditional customs of our forefathers... The creaSYRIAN PHYSICIAN
tion of a social atmosphere among
the young Syrian generation in orGRADUATES WITH
HIGH HONORS der to invite and strengthen family
ties..."
Dr. Joseph A. Macksood has gradOutstanding among the achieveuated this year from the Loyola ments of the society is the estabMedical School with a scholastic re- lishment of a free night school for
cord which spells high credit both
teaching Arabic which has been so
for himself and his race. We are
well attended that increased facili-
�lrn«nf-i«-.
61
OCTOBER, 1927
REGULAR AIR PASSENGER
SERVICE IN THE EAST
ties were required shortly after its
opening.
PARDON FOR DOTY,
SESERTER IN SYRIA
-
The Arabic press of Beirut reports that the Kirm Company, a
native concern, has announced the
completion of plans for the inauguration of a regular passenger air
line between Beirut and Cairo, and
between Beirut and Baghdad.
The announcement contains the
further information that the company 'has ordered from the United
States two large passenger planes
for use on the two new routes. The
Lebanese licensed pilot, Joseph
Akar, is to be in charge of one of
the American planes.
Bennet J. Doty, who last year was
court-martialed and sentenced by
the French in Syria to serve a term
of eight years for desertion in the
face of the enemy, has been granted pardon through the good offices
of the American Legion, according
to despatches from Paris on Sept.
27.
Doty is an American who had
seen service in Europe with the
A. E. F. He enlisted in the French
Foreign Legion to engage in the LEBANESE CHILD
war with Abdel Krim. He claims
WINS BEAUTY PRIZE
that he was sent to Syria instead.
A children's beauty contest was
There he admits that he "met anheld
in Waterbury. Conn., under the
other one just as good, Sultan Atauspices
of the Chamber of Comrash". With several others he demerce
in
which entrants from all
serted but was recaptured and
over
the
State
participated. The
court-martialed. It was only through
winner
of
the
first
prize was Adele,
the strongest representations that he
daughter
of
Mr.
and
Mrs. Tannous
was saved from being executed.
Zachia
of
Ehden,
in
Mt. Lebanon
He told a correspondent of the Asand
a
resident
of
Waterbury.
The
sociated Press that his "momentary
winner
was
dressed
in
the
style
of
desertion" was caused not by cowthe
Statue
of
Liberty
and
draped
ardice but by acute homesickness.
with an American flag. She is not
yet four years old.
$500,000 FOR ROADS
The ministry of Public Works in
the State of Syria announces the
appropriation of £100,000, or, approximately, half a million dollars, for
the construction and repair of roads
in the State of Syria proper as the
initial move in carrying out the
construction program of M. Ponsot.
The main expenditure will be on the
road leading to Baghdad in the
South and on those connecting with
Horns and Hama to the North.
MAYOR OF DETROIT
SPEAKS TO SYRIANS
The Arabic newspaper "Liberty",
published in Detroit, reports that
on Sept. 18, Mayor John Smith of
Detroit paid a special visit to the
society of St. John Maron at its
meeting rooms and addressed the
members and the many other Syrians
present on civic topics.
The Syrians of Detroit are numerous and have made themselves a
�62
THE SYRIAN WORLD
power in business there, but now,
through the efforts of their progressive organizations, they are awakening to their civic duties and taking a
live interest in politics.
REBUILDING RASHAYYA
A representative commission of
laymen has been holding conferences
with officials of the Lebanese Government with a view to providing
ways and means for rebuilding Rashayya and repatriating its destitute inhabitants. It was tentatively agreed that a sum of 20,000,000
francs be set aside for reconstruction purposes. Active in these efforts are the Rt. Rev. Bourjaily and
Fares Gantous.
The case of Rashayya has remained, ever since the destruction of the
once thriving town by the Druze
rebels, a painful thorn in the side
of the Lebanese Government. The
destitute condition of the Rashayyites who bore the brunt of the revolutionary fury for no other reason
than their refusal to join hands
with the revolutionists has ever been
cited as a proof of the neglect of
the French authorities in Syria. The
Rashayyites have been holding out
for full reparation, and, in spite of
the extremities to which they have
been reduced, have refused to return to their ruined homes until
their demands are fully granted.
Political Developments in Syria
The outstanding political development of the month in Syria has
been the bending of energies to give
shape to the proposed new National
Army, called by some the National
Militia, recommended by M. Ponsot
in his program. The States of Syria,
as well as the Republic of Lebanon,
are to join forces in the formation
of this military unit whose maintenance is to be borne by all, 43 per
cent, of the expenses falling on Lebanon. This move, while previously
advocated by the Syrian Nationalists, has now aroused considerable
opposition by reason of the heavy
additional burden it is bound to lay
on impoverished Syria. The annual expenses of such an army, it is
claimed, may amount to 10,000,000
francs or more, and this would not
b» in the interest of Syria but rath-
er in the interest of the mandatory
power which would be relieved of
any further heavy appropriations for
its Syrian army of occupation. M.
Ponsot, it is claimed, was able to
win the approval of the parliament
of his country in making new appropriations only on his promise to
reduce the military expenses in
Syria to a minimum during the
year. It is proposed, therefore, to
create the Syrian army so that it
may replace the French forces and
gradually reduce them to no more
than 15,000. The Syrians, however,
claim that such would not constitute
a concession on a national demand
because the proposed army will be
officered by the French and remain
in a subservient capacity.
The opponents of this scheme
claim that Iraq has offered strenu-
\
�OCTOBER, 1927
63
ous objection to raising a national membership instead of an upper and
army of more than 4,000, as that a lower house as at present. It is
would relieve England of the neces- further proposed to decrease the
sity of defraying the cost of the ministries and place all other bumandate. The Syrian Nationalists reaus on a more economical basis.
are putting forth similar objection.
What has caused a storm of proThey also wonder at the reason for test in Beirut is the wholesale suppressing into execution such a clause pression by the government of paof the reform program which en- pers breathing the least criticism
tails so much expense for Syria, of its personnel or policy. In not
while other admittedly more urgent more than a fortnight eight leading
needs of the country are neglected. papers were dealt with summarily
They are now clamoring for econ- in this manner. None were allowed
omic reforms which will accelerate the right of trial or defense, and
the rehabilitation of the country in as a consequence, public opinion
preference to providing for its mili- has been aroused to such an extent
that a certain paper went so far as
tary needs.
The French High Commissioner, to call for the deposition of the govhowever, appears to be proceeding ernment.
It was erroneously reported in
with his program without regard to
objections. He has made a partial earlier despatches that the law legaltour of the country and conferred izing gambling in Lebanon with cerwith government officials and lead- tain restrictions, had been passed.
ers, but refrained from issuing any It now transpires that the governfurther statement or amplifying the ment, while favoring its passage,
one already issued. In other words, thought it wiser not to press it to
he has again assumed his former a vote in the face of the strong
reticent; attitude while concentrating popular opposition which developed.
all his efforts on translating his
The armed revolution has admitprogram into action.
tedly come to an end. A rather unIn Beirut, the capital of the Leb- pleasant aftermath is the controveranon Republic, the agitation for the sy raging among former leaders of
reduction of taxes which culminated the revolution over the disposition
in the shut-down of the city has of funds intended for the prosecusomewhat subsided. The President tion of the struggle or the relief of
of the Republic has given satisfac- war victims. Some rather promitory promises to look into the nent military leaders openly accuse
grievances of the business men and the Syrian-Palestinian Committee,
already Parliament has taken up in charge of raising funds from
discussion of the matter. It appears home and abroad, with headquarters
that a compromise will be reached in Jerusalem, of misappropriating
reducing the proposed new taxes funds and leaving the forces in the
but maintaining them at a level field to suffer and thereby lose the
much above those prevailing dur- war. It's a case of having lost the
fight and wanting to place the blame
ing Turkish occupation.
somewhere.
The accusations and
A further move for economy will
counter-accusations
finding their
be to amend the Constitution so that
the Legislative body will consist way into print do not form wholeof only on« house with restricted some reading.
�64
THE SYRIAN WORLD
2$
INDEX OF VOL. I FREE
A complete index of Volume I of THE SYRIAN WORLD comprising the twelve issues published
between July, 1926 and June, 1927, will be, mailed free to any of our subscribers who wishes to
have his copies bound. Missing numbers will be
supplied, if available, at the cost of $1.00 per
copy.
Subscribers wishing us to have their copies
bound and gold stamped on the cover and back
will be accommodated at the cost of $3.50 per
volume plus postage.
A LIMITED NUMBER
OF BOUND VOLUMES
A few complete volumes of the first year of
THE SYRIAN WORLD have been bound and are
available at the price of $10.00 per volume. The
binding is in a heavy, dark green cloth cover
stamped in gold on both front and back. The
volumes are bound with index. Orders will be
filled in the order received in view of the limited
number on hand.
<sz
�
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
<h4>Biographical/Historical Note</h4>
<p>Salloum Mokarzel, a Lebanese American intellectual, founded<em> The Syrian World</em> in 1926. Salloum Mokarzel was the younger brother of Naoum Mokarzel, the publisher of the Arabic-language newspaper <em>Al-Hoda. </em>Together, the Mokarzel brothers ran Al-Hoda Publishing, and in 1909, they published <em>The Syrian Business Directory.</em> </p>
<p>Mokarzel created <em>The Syrian World</em> in order to document and celebrate the culture and history of "Syria." At the time, Syria referred to the modern-day countries of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine. The publication was primarily aimed towards second-generation children of immigrants, but Mokarzel hoped that it would also appeal to the general American public.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content Note</h4>
<p><em>The Syrian World</em> was published between 1926 and 1932 as a journal. In 1932, the format was changed from an academic journal style to a newspaper style, which continued until the periodical's end in 1935. After the death of his brother Naoum, Salloum took over the publication of <em>Al-Hoda.</em></p>
<p>The articles in <em>The Syrian World</em> cover a variety of topics spanning from the practical to the theoretical. Practical subjects include international and domestic travel, historical and contemporary Arabic and Arab-American art and literature, and the mental and physical health and hygiene of immigrants. More theoretical, philosophical, and ideological subjects include ideologies of race, the changing role of women, the formation of Syrian and Lebanese-American societies, and the political and psychological relationships between immigrants and their countries of origin.</p>
<p>All issues of <em>The Syrian World</em> are available, along with full indexes for the first four volumes. For volumes five and six, there are tables of contents at the start of the issues.</p>
Subject
The topic of the resource
Arabs--United States
Arabic periodicals
Newspapers
Arab American Newspapers
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Salloum A. Mokarzel
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
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1926-1935
Relation
A related resource
<em><a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian Business Directory</a></em>
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/44" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mokarzel Family Papers</a>
<a href="http://hdl.handle.net/11299/175685" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Annotated Index to the Syrian World, 1926-1932</a> at the University of Minnesota Immigration History Research Center Archives
<a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/58" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Al-Hoda Newspapers</em></a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Claire A. Kempa, 2015-2017. Collection Guide written by Claire A. Kempa, 2017.
Collection Guide updated by Laura Lethers, 2023 August.
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.
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
TSW1927_10reducedWM
Title
A name given to the resource
The Syrian World Volume 02, Issue 04
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1927 October
Description
An account of the resource
Volume 2 Issue 04 of The Syrian World published October 1927. The issue opens with a travel journal entry by Ameen Rihani on his Pilgrimage to Byblos. Following it is a continuation of the Agricultural Situation in Syria (by Prof. J. Forrest Crawford). The famous Syrian city featured in this issue is Bylbos, and after its inclusion there is a continuation of the play by Harry Chapman Ford. The issue concludes with the reader’s forum and excerpts from the Arab press. Lastly there is another 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.
1920s
Agriculture
Ameen Rihani
Harry Chapman Ford
New York
Syria
Travel