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NOVEMBER, 1930.
k^
SYRIAN WORLD
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING
WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE
or
'•...'IN.
^^55 B^r
DEFINING NEW BRITISH POLICY IN PALESTINE
DR. F. I. SHATARA
THE SYRIAN IN AMERICAN ART
If
AMEEN RIHANI
THE CAPITAL OF THE UMAYYADS
SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL
ALI ZAIBAQ (QUICKSILVER) (A SERIAL)
S. A. MOKARZEL and T. S. DAYTON
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA
THE COPY 50c
m
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THE!
SYRIAN WORLD
'Published monthly except July and August
by
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y.
By subscription $5.00 a year.
Single Copies 50c
Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York,
N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879.
VOL. V. No. 3.
NOVEMBER, 1930.
CONTENTS
PAGE
Defining New British Policy in Palestine
DR.
F. I.
5
SHATARA
The Syrian in American Art
10
AMEEN RIHANI
The Capital of the Umayyads
SALLOUM
17
A.
MOKARZEL
V
Ships Sail Out (Poem)
30
ALICE MCGEORGE
Alt Zaibaq (Serial)
31
�• "1 T
CONTENTS (Continued)
PAGE
The Rubaiyat (Poem)
34
THOMAS ASA
Book Reviews:—
Another Rihani Book on Arabia
35
Usamah in Arabic
36
A Frenchwoman's Defense of the Syrian Revolution 38
The Garment Fair (Poem)
DR. SALIM
40
Y.
ALKAZIN
Editorial Comment:-—
The Lessons of the Past
41
The Corporation
42
Know Yourself
43
The Palestine Issue
44
New British Policy in Palestine
45
Political Developments in Syria
.-. 49
About Syria and Syrians
51
�J
IN THIS ISSUE
E attention of the whole found most interesting and inworld is now focused on Pal- formative.
estine. The momentous struggle
taking place in that small coun- yHE eminent standing of
try which has given the world
Ameen Rihani in the world
two of the principal mono- of letters would render supertheistic creeds is fraught with fluous any attempt at introducthe gravest dangers. The Jews tion. His shining gifts and verclaim it for the reestablishment satile talents mark him out as
of a national homeland, while one of our inestimable national
the Arabs, Moslems and Christ- assets.
ians, stand in solid opposition to
We are now pleased to anthe claim. England, as the man- nounce a special article by Mr.
datory power, is charged with Rihani on the subject of The
the difficult task of reconciling Syrian in American Art. We
between Jewish claims and Arab believe the tribute is as much
rights. How is the situation de- to his race-pride as it is to the
veloping and what will be the ability and the talent of the inoutcome?
dividuals he has chosen for
A clear expose of the present mention. His concluding rePalestine situation is given in an marks on the mission and the
article by Dr. F. I. Shatara. value of THE SYRIAN WORLD
The author, himself a Pales- should be well pondered by
tinian Arab and a physician of every Syrian who would feel
Brooklyn, has followed closely proud in his origin and want to
political developments in his claim his rightful place among
mother country. His interest in the races of the world.
politics and his fearless espousal
of the Arab cause brought him Y^OULD you have an intimate
the offer at one time from exview of Damascus, that city
King Hussein of Arabia to be of proverbial picturesqueness
his diplomatic representative in and enchantment? You are here
Washington. Now he is fre- treated to one in the present inquently called upon for lectures stallment of the editor's account,
and debates on the Palestine of his Syrian travels. The opquestion. Being an authority on portunity is afforded to meet
the subject his article will be the President of the Syrian gov-
�"——
ernment, the Minister of Education and many leaders in the
political life of the city and the
nation. You are, besides, taken
on a tour through the principal
quarters and to the places of
foremost historical interest. In
this account, brief as it is, you
are afforded a glimpse into the
various interesting phases of the
city's life. The editor would
also like to get from readers
their reaction to the series which
; are meant for their enlightenment as to actual conditions in
the country of their ancestors.
those attributed to Ali Zaibaq.
Our hero, in this installment,
is engaged in one of his greatest exploits—war and love and
chivalry and revenge in the
most grandiose manner. We
need not urge readers to follow
up this interesting serial which
in many ways rivals the famous
Arabian Nights.
QTHER departments in this
issue are unusually interesting. The poetry is thrilling, the
editorial comment most timely
and the news section replete
JsJONE but an Oriental imag- with important happenings.
ination could weave such
Read the whole issue because
prodigiously fanciful tales as everything in it is of interest.
A LITERARY EVENT
The most delightfully entertaining book of Ameen
Rihani's series on Arabia has just been published in
America.
The new book, "Arabian Peak and Desert,"
deals with the richest and most inaccessible district of
Arabia, Al-Yaman. The possession of a copy of this
book should be the proud distinction of every cultured
Syrian home in America.
�- •' 'liiiiirr
^v,**^.^
TTTF
SYRIAN WORLD
VOL. V. No. 3.
NOVEMBER, 1930.
Defining New British Policy in
Palestine
By
DR.
F. I.
SHATARA
PALESTINE is again on the front page, and the subject of
editorial columns. In the summer of 1929, world attention
was focused on that little strip of land known as the Holy Land.
The country was in the throes of serious disturbances leading to
bloodshed. Zionist leaders and propagandists denounced these
disturbances as the product of religious fanaticism, fanned into
flame by a few mischievous and selfish offenders and agitators.
Arab leaders, through the meagre channels of publicity at
their command, informed the world that the disturbances of 1929,
like the two previous ones, were the result of political Zionism,
which attempted to create in Palestine an imperium in imperio;
that the overwhelming majority of Palestinians were opposed to
Zionism and would fight it to the last; that the Arabs of Palestine
value their liberty and independence far more than any material
benefits which Zionism may bring to the country, and that the
Balfour Promise, the cornerstone of Zionism, was sandwiched
between two promises to the Arabs which are absolutely incompatible with that promise.
The British Government, in an earnest desire to get at the
facts through a neutral and reliable source, despatched the Shaw
Commission, which after an exhaustive study, and hearing evidence presented by able counsel, submitted its report. Space does
not permit more than a brief reference to that report, but the
outstanding feature was its refutation of most of the claims made
by the vociferious Zionist propagandists. Thus the report asserts
that the Arab attacks were not premeditated, and absolves the
�6
"THE SYRIAN WORLD
Arab Executive and the Grand Mufti of planning or inciting
actual disturbances.
One significant statement was:—"That the incident among
them which in our view contributed most to the outbreak was
the Jewish demonstration of the Wailing Wall on August 15."
The Shaw Commission made several important recommendations, chief among which were:—"That his Majesty's Government should consider the advisability of issuing a clear statement
of policy. * * * Our recommendations regarding immigration and
land questions are largely based on the assumption that in their
definition of a policy the government will clearly state that the
rights and position of non-Jewish communities in Palestine are
to be fully safeguarded."
Discussing the land problem the report recommends that—
a scientific inquiry should be undertaken by experts into the
prospects of introducing improved methods into Palestine * * *
It is of vital importance that in any scheme of land development,
adopted as a result of the expert inquiry, regard should be had
to the certain and natural increase in the present rural population. It is of vital importance that, pending the results of this
survey, the present tendency toward the eviction of peasant cultivators from the land should be checked."
The British Government, acting on these suggestions, commissioned Sir John Hope Simpson, an expert on Indian affairs,
to study the situation in Palestine and report on three important
questions, namely:—land settlement, immigration, and developy
ment.
His report on these three questions, according to cabled dispatches, is that the Arab land already available was limited in
extent, that the Arabs were not receiving sufficient consideration
in its allocation, and that Jewish immigration should be better
regulated and in certain categories checked altogether until more
lands are developed for settlement and until better provision is
made tor the landless Arabs.
r ,AC-T^nying thf rep°rt of Sir J°hn HoI* Simpson the
Colonial Office issued a White Paper setting forth the British
Government's future policy in the administration of its mandate
over Palestine.
In the White Paper Lord Passfield reminds the Zionists that
in their zeal for the 160 000 Jewish inhabitants of Palestine, they
have lost sight of the fact that Britain has a responsibility of
�-Tmlii.liii..iii.i.ii „.,.„.,
J{pVEMBER, 1930
7
safeguarding the rights of the 700,000 Arabs. While praising
the work of the World Zionist organization, that organization is
emphatically reminded that it is not the government, and that
Great Britain's responsibility for Palestine as the mandatory
power cannot be delegated to it.
The following extracts from Lord Passfield's statement will
give the reader an idea of its general tenor:—"The condition of
the Arab peasant leaves much to be desired
Some of the attempts which have been made to prove that Zionist colonization
had not had the effect of causing previous Arab tenants to join
the landless class have on examination proved to be unconvincing
if not fallacious
It can now be definitely stated that at the
present time and with the present methods of Arab cultivation
there remains no margin of land available for new immigrants
with the exception of such undeveloped land as the various Jewish organizations hold in reserve
Under the present circumstances his Majesty's Government considers their suspension of
immigration under the labor schedule last May fully justified."
The statement calls attention to and criticizes the rule of the
General Federation of Jewish Labor that Jewish settlers in Palestine must never employ Arab labor.
Lord Passfield then offers to set up .a Legislative Council
comprising the High Commissioner and twenty-two members,
of whom ten will be official and appointed by the High Commissioner, and twelve unofficial and elected by primary and secondary
elections.
The High Commissioner has the power to appoint enough
members to bring the number to twelve, if, through failure of a
section of the population to participate in elections, an insufficient
number is elected. He also sees to it that the mandatory power
will carry out its obligations to the League of Nations, and is
invested with power to enact urgent legislative acts, and to maintain order.
Immediately after the publication of the Simpson report and
the government statement, Dr. Chaim Weizmann handed in his
resignation as president of the World Zionist Organization and
the Jewish Agency. His example was shortly followed by Lord
Melchett, leader of the British Jewry, and Felix Warburg, president of the American Jewish Agency.
Vigorous protests, threats, and denunciations of Great Britain
from Zionists all over the world are coming thick and fast. It is
�8
THE SYRIAN WORLD
even hoped that the announcement will lead to the fall of the
MacDonald Government.
Baldwin, Lloyd George, Amery, and Smuts have expressed
their disapproval of the new policy, but whether they are sincere
in their protests or are simply playing politics is a question.
The Arabs so far have maintained silence. It is understood
that Hajj Amin El-Husseini, the Grand Mufti, will probably
reject the new offer. On the other hand, in a published interview, Ragheb El-Nashasheeby, Mayor of Jerusalem and leader
of the Moderates, accepts the offer as a working basis and expresses the opinion that a majority of the Palestine Arabs will
accept it.
In a cautious statement given out by Mr. Peter S. George
on behalf of the Arabs in New York, it is indicated that although
Britain's offer does not fulfill all the Arab aspirations, it will be
accepted as a starting point towards a fuller measure of selfgovernment and ultimate independence. The statement adds:
" * * * Both the Shaw and Simpson reports have vindicated
the demands repeatedly made by Arabs at home and abroad concerning the fundamental rights of the overwhelming majority
of the inhabitants of the land. We hope that these rights will be
completely achieved and that in the future independent and fully
representative government, Arab and Palestinian Jew will enjoy
equal rights."
The Editorial Comment in the Metropolitan daily press is
exemplified by the following extracts:
Thus, the New York Times on October 22, states:— "Great
Britain's new policy in Palestine is a blow at Zionist aspirations
only in the sense that it registers a verdict already pronounced
by the facts. The claims of political Zionism were always inadmissible. Neither justice nor the forces of nationalism let loose
by the war, nor Great Britain's pledges to the Arab people would
tolerate the imposition of Jewish ascendancy by high pressure
methods upon a native population four-fifths' hostile."
The Herald Tribune warns against the transfer of Zionist
headquarters to the United States thus: "But the suggestion made
by Dr. Weizmann, that Zionist headquarters might be transferred from London to the United States, must have been a very
hasty impulse. ***Britain is and will continue to be the mandatory
for Palestine, and the Zionists will have to cooperate with Britain
in any possible policy concerning the national home in Palestine.
To transfer headquarters to this country, which, to be sure, sup-
�NOVEMBER, 1930
9
plies most of the Zionist capital, would seem like an effort to
involve the United States in the argument. It is not a suggestion
which would be welcomed by either the British or the American
governments. It would hardly promote that international good
will upon which the future bi-cultural Palestine so largely depends; it might even increase the anti-Semitic currents in the
world which thoughtful Jews and Gentiles so heartily deplore."
The New York Evening Post states: "But it is time that
American and English Jewry recognized the realities of the
Palestine situation and appreciated the difficulties of the position
in which England finds herself."
The British Daily Mail of October 24 says: "The Balfour
Declaration was only one of many contradictory promises given
by the Allies in the war. * * * We have tried to force on the
people of Palestine the Zionist predominence which they detest
and to which they will only submit so long as they are held down
by British bayonets. That foolish experiment has got to stop,
and it has got to stop now."
In conclusion, the writer cannot refrain from expressing
amazement at the short-sightedness and numerous serious blunders committed by Zionist leaders. As one studies the events of
the last twelve years he is led to the inevitable conclusion that
Zionist leaders have failed to understand the psychology of the
Palestine Arab, or to comprehend the difficulties of the situation. Instead of trying to understand and cooperate with the
Arabs they put their trust in high pressures, and often false propaganda. They apparently went to Palestine in the belief that
money can accomplish everything. To be sure, large sums of
money have been expended to bolster up a movement which
Henry Morgenthau long ago characterized as "economically unsound, wrong in principle, and impossible of execution." But
high pressure methods often act as a boomerang and the pendulum now is swinging in the opposite direction and one is reminded of Lincoln's statement: "You cannot fool all the people
all the time."
It is earnestly hoped that after this clamour dies down,
sober reflection will convince Jewish leaders, who do not earn
their livelihood from the Zionist Movement, that the only hope
for the future lies in the abandonment of political Zionism, the
full recognition of Arab rights, and the pursuit of a policy in
which Arab and Palestinian Jew can live and work together in
harmony as they did before the ill-advised Balfour Promise.
�10
THE SYRIAN WORLD
The Syrian in American Art
By
AMEEN RIHANI
NATIONAL art, no matter how distinct in vigor and manA^ ner,
is seldom free from foreign influences; and when these
develop in harmony with the native elements, it begins to have
a universal appeal. The national spirit, in other words, gives
art a voice, the universal spirit gives it wings. But it does not
lose its identity when it achieves the universal. On the contrary,
its native character, like the foundation in a design, the undertone
in a rhapsody, the color scheme in a canvas, becomes in the contrast more distinct and often more impressive. In the process of
development, however, it must necessarily undergo certain
changes in form and technique, even in spirit. The foreign elements do not readily fit, do not easily fuse. They may be either
too crude or too refined, too racial or too exotic to harmonize.
The change must, therefore, be in the native expression, as well
as in the material for assimilation. It must be from within and
without.
This is, on the whole, the present state of American art; and
not the least among the contributors to its development, are those
whose Americanism is not the most valuable portion of their
heritage. The foreign groups, in other words, are becoming more
assertive, more emphatic in artistic expression; and the Syrians,
who are the youngest of the foreign groups but one of the oldest
in a cultural sense, are beginning to bid for the honor of participation. With an Oriental heritage of no mean significance—a
heritage that is neither too racial nor too exotic—they are destined
to a place of eminence in the American art of the future.
Already there are several artists in this country, singers, musicians and painters, who deserve to be better known and appreciated, at least, by the Syrians themselves. In the canvases and
miniatures of Nicholas Macsoud, the compositions of Alexander
Malouf, the voice of Madhat Sarbaji, are evidences of the Syrian's power of assimilative and creative expression. Western forms
are made to yield to the Orientalism of his spirit. The quaint
and the picturesque in the sensuous and the spiritual alike, are
vividly reflected through the medium of his adoption. The wr-istful appeal, the distilled, as it were, exoticism, the gesture that has
�NOVEMBER,
1930
11
in it the grace and languor of an ancient tradition, these are noteworthy features of the compositions of Malouf, the paintings of
Macsoud, the singing of Sarbaji. These three Syrians have already
received a certain recognition. Malouf's songs are sung in Syrian
and American homes j Macsoud's miniatures are especially prized
by the connoisseur, and Sarbaji's voice has been coupled by an
authority with Caruso's.
Personally, I do not feel a great joy in melody, native or
exotic, and I do not overvalue the purely picturesque. There is
in the two a fatal facility and a surface glamor; there is in the
two a common rhythm which readily drops to the common-place.
The Oriental heritage is, indeed, of deeper significance. Its spirituality is not less real than its sensuousness. It is always dual
in its emphasis. When I first heard in Beirut Madhat Sarbaji
mould the music of Arabic poetry into the classic forms of the
West,—when I first heard him sing Arabic in an opera technique,
—I realized the possibilities of a supreme harmony in the art of
two worlds. Here was for me the fascination of a double magic.
But the rarest joy I have yet experienced was when Fadwa
Kurban first visited Freike and there, from the balcony of my
home, strew over the wadi below the golden beauty of her voice.
It was one of those memorable moments that seldom recur in
life. The singing of Miss Kurban first evoked a memory of the
Metropolitan Opera in New York, when one afternoon I attended
a recital by Galli-Curci. But there, amidst the ruggedness of the
ancient Lebanon, over its scented vales and pine-clad heights,
was a presence that was neither Italian nor Syrian—a presence
divine. At that moment I felt that I was receiving a message,
through Fadwa Kurban, from the gods. After the Barcarole
she sang Izkorini in Arabic, and the village women coming up
from the spring below laid down their jars and the ploughmen
stood transfixed at their ploughs in a transport of joy. Even the
birds in the olive groves must have wondered at the voice of this
Syrian nightingale.
From Freike to the Metropolitan Opera House in New York
is a far cry. But if the presiding deities of a great musical centre
are always en rapport, as it were, with the Divine Giver, Fadwa
Kurban will yet attain the mundane heights of recognition and
fame. Some of the musical critics have already nodded, and a
few (^ the managers have paused while surveying the firmament.
Here is a voice that has the rarest qualities of what is called a
!
"
-
"• <
"
——
�The Hol
_
y Sepulchre, by Nicholas Macsoud
inis painting by the Syrian artist was once used by the Literary Digest as a cover d.
'{ffla^*^a^«^assi^MHfe**
. . ,v
�NOVEMBER, 1930
13
Fadwa (Fedora) Kurban
soprano colorature. To me it seems orchestral. In timbre and
range, in volume and texture and versatility, it combines the lyric
with the dramatic. It rises to the peaks of power and 'descends
to the murmuring depths of poesy with the same facility and
fascination. Fadwa Kurban, if the world of music is not out of
joint, will yet 'arrive'.
Another gifted Syrian is Anis Fuleihan who twelve years ago
made his first appearance in New York. And what he unfolded
of his knowledge of the masters in that recital at Town Hall,
was not the least of his talent. His creative as well as his interpretive power charmed his audience and made me wonder. Here
is a Syrian with the consciousness of the West and the intuitiveness of the East. Here is a student of the technique that is fundamentally intellectual and the emotion that is essentially esthetic.
The one is embodied in a science with instrumentalities of the
string and wood and brass, the other is reflected in a heritage
�14
THE SYRIAN WORLD
.which for centuries has been nourished with the poetry of religion, as well as the blood and tears of passion and romance. An
Occidental concept, an Oriental dream, an American background
—what possibilities for a musical art that may be more universal
in its appeal than anything that has hitherto come out of the
East or the West.
_ It may be presumptuous on my part to express a technical
opinion. But Anis Fuleihan seems to me to be more at home in
his Oriental compositions than either Debussy or Tchaikowsky.
He is even more real and more profound. He does not attempt
to dramatize his choice. He does not take, as a foreign composer
naturally would, the first conspicuous thing that appeals to him,
which is often a surface rune or a banal tintinnabulation, and impart to it, through the medium of string and brass—particularly
the latter—an artificial intensity. As a native he can go deeper
and without an effort. And he can evince from the head-springs
of secular and religious passions and the superimposed mosaic of
human desires, a rhythmic beauty of great scope;—a rhythmic
beauty which combines, for instance, the pious madness of the
dervish with the suggestive mellowness of the mystic}—a rythmic
beauty that emphasizes the gesture of the soul, as well as that
of the body. Anis Fuleihan at the piano, even in his rendition of
Bach or Liszt, has the subtlety and fervor of an Oriental esthete,
as well as the skill and power of an Occidental technician; and
as a composer, he is a born Oriental with two big black eyes in
his head and another eye, which can also hear, as the Sufi poet
would say, in his heart.
About the time Anis Fuleihan made his first appearance in
^ew York, another talented Syrian was struggling with his racial
heritage, through the medium of paint, in the woods of Pennsylvania. It was through Bach that I made the discovery. For when
I went to Bethlehem to attend the Bach Festival, which is one
ot the most notable musical events in this country, I was asked
to see an exhibition of paintings which strongly reflected, I was
told, the poetry and spirituality of the East. The name of the
artist, L. J. Halow, because of the slight corruption, was at first
misleading. But there was Esau or Isa, a fellow Syrian, who is
a descendant of the well known family of Hilu of the town that
bears its name in the neighborhood of Tripoli. And he spoke
Arabic with the accent of a beduin Arab! I was as much pleased
with the discovery as I was with the landscapes that were on
exhibition. For although he was still experimenting with color
�n»
NOVEMBER, 1930
15
and technique, his brush was unmistakably the obedient instrument of that ancient Syrian art that was cradled in Tyre and
crowned in Damascus. Here was a descendant of the Phoenicians
who invented dyes of beauty, notably the Tyrean purple, and
whose esthetic sense even in those days was highly developed.
This heritage of color and estheticism was the dominating note
in those early canvases of Halow; and through the process of
expression there was, to be sure, in form and perspective, a poetry
of suggestive charm and a spirituality of deep significance. The
artist in forest and meadow was indeed a descendant of the artists of the ancient temple. But the sacred passion was not without an artistic restraint. Here was a Syrian-American artist of
great promise^ I thought, and I was right glad to have been the
first to say so in print.
Since then Halow has been fulfilling his destiny and confirming my prediction. Although he came to this country in his teens,
his work js a florescence of a very ancient beauty, an Orientalism
of unfading fascination. In his early landscapes there is an adumbration of what has been developed in his recent canvases. The
artistic restraint in the former was but a promontory, as it were,
from which he was to soar on the wings of the imagination. But
his past, his country's past, is not far from him—it is in his soul.
With an Oriental fancy unrestrained and a Phoenician feeling for
color and texture undimmed by distance or time, hz unfolds a
symbolism of loveliness, he clothes with glorious purple an ancient
theme, he endows with permanence a mysticism of beauty. An
American critic would say of the purples of Halow that they
recall El-Greco. But why El-Greco? Why not Halow's very
ancestors, who discovered the Murex that yielded the purple
dye?^ Here again the Syrian's inspiration is from within, and not,
as with an Occidental in the Orient, from without. It is a thing
of the soul, and not of the intellect. In his mysticism and symbolism, as well as in the depth and texture of his colors, Halow
is making a distinct contribution to American art (1).
In the work of these Syrian artists, who should be a source
of pride especially to the Syrians of this country, is a strong evidence of what I have said on various occasions about the native
heritage of our people. It is a rich heritage, as rich as any other,
European or Asiatic; and when it finds exponents of genius, it
<
(1) I have not mentioned Khalil Gibran in this article, because his
work, in pen and brush, deserves a separate study. — A. R.
�16
THE SYRIAN WORLD
becomes invaluable as an element of permanence and beauty in
American art. If the Syrian-Americans were more conscious of
this, they would be less prone, in the process of Americanization,
to discard the entire dowry of their heritage and their past. They
can, indeed, be better Americans, and more worthy of respect,
by adhering, in principle and practice, to what is of abiding worth
in that heritage and thus encourage the talented among them to
contribute to the art and culture of the country of their adoption—to help in the creation of an American art that shall be
more universal in its appeal than anything hitherto known in the
world.
In these paragraphs, therefore, is more than a tribute to a
few gifted Syrians. In them is also a conviction and an appeal.
The conviction is that only through the exchange of art and culture and the consequent creation of an international supermedium
of expression and appreciation can there be better understanding and a better guaranty of peace and good will among the
nations of the world. As for the tribute and the appeal, they are
actuated by a sentiment that is racial in origin and inter-racial
in scope. The artists I have mentioned are the pioneers of the
Syrian artists of the future; and that the future will be more
artistically and culturally expressive, more creative, than the
present, depends upon the Syrian-Americans themselves. If they
remember and continue to cherish the best there is in their heritage and encourage those who are exceptionally conscious and expressive of it, there is hope. If they do not, they will be lost in
the great melting pot, and the loss will entail something of real
value to the country of-their adoption.
In this connection, and with the permission of the Editor of
this Magazine, I wish to add another word. The new Syrian
generation can not- read Arabic, and its American education includes little or nothing about the mother land. Here then is the
mission of THE SYRIAN WORLD. Its Editor was the first to realize
the necessity of bringing to the young Syrians, in the language
they can read and understand, the knowledge that is lacking in
their education, the knowledge that gives them more self-confidence and self-respect, the knowledge that makes them better citizens, productive and creative in every walk of life, the knowledge,
in a word, that will save them as Syrians and ennoble them the
more as Americans. THE SYRIAN WORLD is indispensable to the
new Syrian generation.
�NOVEMBER, 1930
17
The Capital of the Umayyad
A CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF THE EDITOR'S
TRIP ABROAD
By
SALLOUM
A.
MOKARZEL
XII.
T
Sv ^lted dme I C°Uld Spend m Damascus was
ant to be
devoted to serious business, but one cannot help making observations of diverse character in this city of hoary age and Checkered
historical record. It was rather pleasantly diverting to a new
comer to see the old and the new in close proximity aUisdZ'eVieW thC
P litiCal U
in
"f of
Sh D
^T
°
?"
*' country,
ot which
Damascus was
the storm
petrel,
against the
back
ground of count ess centuries, and above all,'to"be witness to\
palpable and rapidly growing revival of a national consciousness
manifesting itself in all forms of activity. That my ? me was so
metu^to'Z'f
"t8 li?itati
°n t0 a ^
» dfor
- ^"^
measure to the fortunate
circumstance
of **»
having
companions
my cousin Joseph Mokarzel, editor of the popufar BeiruTweZ
tndot oUfr'thae
^^^ BrAB
Pr min
t kaderS
jy>
f
the
native of Damascus
S
Partv F^khrv 1 °
T
°
^ian Nationalist
larty Kikhry Bey ,s -the scion ofr one of Damascus' old and
wealthy families who, due to his social position and m^mene land
holdings, cannot he p but be interested in politics. BuTkit be
said in justice to him that his interest is not perfunctory jfi
patriotic motives transcend by far any personal advantage that he
may have, and he has given proof of his sincerity of convk ion
by the heavy sacrifices he has undergone. His interest beside
h
ma^ofthe
S ^^ PConstituent
rlkiCaI PhaSAssembly
/ Akh°^and
^
-St
retariesof the Syrian
the author
of
the Syrian National Anthem, he is an active patron of the art
and a leading organizer and promoter of native industries Everv
where when together I had ample occasion to obse ve both Ws
Only on one occasion was I deserted by both of my compan-
�18
THE SYRIAN WORLD
ions. It was when I declared my intention of
visiting the President and
other government officials. Naturally, Fakhry
Bey could not accompany
me by reason of his affiliation with the opposition party. But the editor too thought it inappropriate for him to
make the visit when
every issue of his paper
teemed with bitter criticism and uncomplimentary
cartoons of the President.
But by virtue of the fact
that I was neutral in my
politics, any idea of my
forgoing the visit was out
of the question.
President Tajeddin
waived formalities in according me an immediate
interview without previous appointment. He is
comparatively a young
man teeming with activity. He speaks rapidly
Sheikh Tajeddin El-Hasani
and with unmistaken poPresident of Syria
sitiveness. He could not
....
,
be drawn into discussing
politics but was voluble on other topics. The economic rehabilitation of the country seemed to be uppermost in his mind.
Roads were being built and irrigation projects undertaken which
held great promise. The district of Deir Ezoor offered immense
possibilities of development. Its soil is as rich as that of Egypt
and its water supply as plentiful. The Euphrates runs for a
distance of almost three hundred miles in Syria but is not yet
utilized in the least. The government is vigorously pushing the
training of technicians to carry on the work of reclamation and
�NOVEMBER, 1930
>
development. A score or
more are now being educated
in France at government
expenses.
The President, however,
appeared to be particularly
fond of the project of converting Bloudan into a firstclass summer resort. A large
modern hotel was being
erected in the town which
would not only attract Damascenes but visitors from
Palestine, Iraq and Egypt.
Bloudan being within the
Syrian state, the summer resort facilities it could then
provide would divert the
stream of tourists that now
flows into Lebanon, and consequently the stream of
gold.
19
Muhammad Kurd Alt
Syrian Minister of Education
This policy of husbanding the resources of the state seems
to be not simply the pet conviction of the executive but one that
is consistently followed by other departments. I had occasion to
have it demonstrated to me in a different form when I visited
Mohammad Kurd Ali, Minister of Education, upon leaving the
President's office. The Minister is as genial as he is learned.
rie is ranked among the foremost scholars of the East and has
recently published several authoritative works on the history of
Damascus. He received me with the informality and openheartedness evidently characteristic of the journalistic fraternity
everywhere, for the minister was formerly an editor. Naturally
the conversation revolved on education. To my inquiry as to the
progress being made in this direction, the minister evinced pride
in citing figures of new schools opened and the increasing attendance. Damascus, he said, now boasts a University of the first
rank, where all teaching is being conducted in Arabic, and which
is attracting students from Lebanon, Iraq and Transjordania.
Altogether there are now some 350 schools of all grades in the
country, including a teachers' training school. The radical policy
has been adopted by the government of sending a Moslem girl
��NOVEMBER, 1930
27
to France this year to specialize in the study of education. Altogether the government school attendance is about 30,000, which
figure is conaderably swelled by the large attendance in private
nnn
u PP7^nntioUS ,f°r public "**"«*">* in Syria were £216,000 gold in 1929, while similar appropriations in Iraq, whose
P?2lnT £um°re tha^ three and a haJf milliojls> did "« exceed
±200,000. This proved the great interest of Syria in public
edur
cation.
.
I
"But," remarked the minister dolefully, "we could achieve
much more had we competent teachers. We have the funds and
we appreciate the crying need for the spread of' elementary education, still we find ourselves compelled to proceed'Howiy until
such time that teachers can be trained to fill the ri%^
It was heartening to hear the minister outline his wide^educational program, but I failed to see the reason for delay when I
had just learned from no less a person than-the fV^ent of
Lebanon that the problem of the Lebanese was exactly *he opposite: I hey had an excess of the learned gentry in Lebanon so that
industry and agriculture suffered, and in order to maintain a
safe balance, they were planning to place restrictions on education Could not Syria draw on Lebanon for what the former
needed and the latter had, and thereby accelerate the educational
progress of the country?
The minister gave the following sad explanation: The Syrian
government had decreed a ban on the employment of Lebanese
in any of its departments in retaliation for a similar policy previously adopted by the Lebanese government. It was a pitiful
situation, but one that could not be helped. Not even the excuse
that Lebanon could not accommodate its own large army of office
seekers would be entertained.
If discussion of politics was anathema with the men in power
it was the order of the day with the Nationalists. One could not
help but feel himself in the maelstrom of politics when in the
company of such a man as Fakhry Bey Baroody. I expressed a
wish to meet Hashem Bey El-Atassi, leader of the Nationalist
Farty and President of the Constituent Assembly. The latter
was not averse to giving me a lengthy account of the recent political history of Syria and explaining the Nationalists' grievances.
The interview was treated separately and has already been published in THE SYRIAN WORLD.
Every hour that passed proved that seeing Damascus with
�The tomh of St. Jahn Chrysostom still preserved as a revered shrine in the great mosque"of
the Umayyads in Damascus
^^^^^MWWWBI"
SSSHBMHHHHHBHHHBBHfcL.
3
O
�—
.D
NOVEMBER, 1930
25
such a distinguished guide as Baroody was a potent advantage.
Of course the foremost place of interest in the city was the great
Umayyad Mosque. Our route to it was through Souk El-Tawile
known to the world as the street called Straight. It has been
repaired since the famous bombardment of 1925, but its original
aspect has been retained, roof and all. It seethes with activity
and the,shops present all the display that is wont to be expected
in this most famous of Oriental bazaars. It leads directly to the
great mosque, where one is treated, even oefore entering to a
view of its magnificence. What must have been the peristyle of
the edifice when it still was a Christian basilica remains evident
in the huge granite columns in front of the main entrance The
space between them has now been utilized for book and curio
shops. Building encroachment has been carried to the very walls
or the mosque.
Overshoes were offered us before entering the sacred precincts
but seeing that our companion had shed his shoes we did likewise!
1 he magnificence of the great inner court was only exceeded by
,at °* the mosque proper whose main entrance is from the court
Ihe mihrab and tribune are masterpieces of Oriental art The
tomb of St. John Chrysostom, still standing in the center of the
mosque is not only maintained in good repair but highly revered
by the Moslems. A number of worshippers were devoutly engaged at their prayers, but presently an imam came to our host
with a tale of woe: "A rug has been stolen from the mosque
yesterday, he exclaimed, wringing his hands. He seemed disconsolate.
"But how could the thief have escaped with it?" asked our
guide in surprise.
"It is one of the small prayer rugs," came the reply "The
thief must have tucked it under his jubbah."
To see the countless rugs and carpets covering the immense
floor space of the mosque, one wonders how a small rug could
be so soon missed.
In the fountain of the court were more faithful performing
their ablutions. They were so intent on their task that they did
not as much as give a glance to the sight-seers. Our guide would
show us a sight that few so far had seen. He conducted us back
to a corridor near the main entrance and pointed to a place on the
wall where the plaster had recently fallen as a result of a shock
of unknown cause. It revealed a beautiful landscape design done
*—
" —
�wmmmmmmmmmmmmmmimmmm
24
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Interior view of the great Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, showing the tribune and the tomb of St. John
in exquisite mosaic. It is a known fact that the whole great edifice, both from within and without, was at one time covered with
similar work.
It was with regret that we left this great building considered
not only the most magnificent in Syria but among the finest in
the East. What great processions and ceremonies it must have
witnessed in the brilliant history of the city since the advent of
Islam. The tall minarets rising on the four sides still issue the
call to prayer as when the city was the capital of the Umayyads
and later of Saladin. From the great court one can see only the
canopy of the sky, but then the spacious dimensions of the mosque
from a sufficiently vast horizon, whether to the eye or to the
memory. It bears witness in every column and wall and pavement stone to the procession of great historical events of which
it saw the enactment through the succession of centuries.
It was but fitting that from this mosque of great historical
associations we visit an equally memorable shrine just without
the walls on a side alley. It is the tomb of the famous Sultan
Salah Ed-Deen, known to the West as Saladin, and his vizier
'Imad Ud-Deen. The remains of the great Moslem ruler and
general who crushed the power of the crusaders in Syria lie in a
modest resting place devoid of anything equalling the splendor
of similar or lesser historical personages of Europe and America.
——
.-
�NOVEMBER, 1930
25
Perhaps his injunction is
still observed when, at the
approach of death, he
caused a crier to go about
the streets of Damascus
carrying a shroud and
admonishing the pious
Moslems that the few
yards of cloth were all that
the great sultan would
take with him to the grave.
A short walk hence
brought us to the Adeliah
School buildings, erected
bytheAl-Adel (the Just),
and reminiscent of an era
in the history of Damascus
when it was the capital of
learning in the East and
perhaps the world. It was
the period when the city
boasted of three hundred
and sixty schools of various grades, some twenty
Fakhry Bey Baroody
of which formed what f
would compare to our pub- le °* lhe most P°PuJ^ leaders of
the S rian
lie school system in that
y
Nationalist Party
they supported their pupils
from the income of special trusts and foundations. It now houses
the national museum of art and serves as a home for the Arab Academy of Science. The Academy comprises in its membership not
alone the foremost Arabic scholars of the East but the outstanding Arabist of the West. This institution forms the nucleus of
the renaissance of Arab learning in Syria.
Again emerging to the narrow streets of Damascus, one is
led, through open alley and covered bazaar, to what is truly
termed the Arabian Nights' Palace. The approach may be disappointing and is certainly deceiving. The great arched doorway
opening on the street is like many other entrances to sumptuous
Damascene palaces, a drab and dreary aperture in a high wall that
well conceals the beauty and splendor within. But once past
the door one is literally dazzled by the spectacle of beauty and
�r
rm—rp^
26
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Section of the inner court of the great palace of Al-Azm in
Damascus
spaciousness that is unfolded to the eye. It was the famous palace
of the family of Al-Azm we were visiting which was now turned
mto a museum of Oriental art
pooh ZtntTh111 SUperflu°US f° refer to ^ « Y fountains and
the mode h the,Spaa°7 mner court when in Damascus even
the modest home has its fountain, and when in more pretentious
residences spouts are found in the main reception half and even
triv'ance fr°TS- ft ** *? **
> k n<* «* ordinary con
tnvaice of sink and faucet-it is the continuous running stream
sort or another of artistic et
SiTLT
> > » «"•» Joy is never
i - compietf
RS
wkhou^t
DamaSCeneS music
a d
The Al-Azm Palace was the residence of the Emir El-Hai
or commander of the pilgrimage, a position of great Tesdge and
fabulous income when Damascus was the starting pSff the
th£ M slems fro
Erf
% MT
°
- great
all"he
coun!
tries of SfTT
the East gathered
,n ^
it for the march
in one
caravan
across the Arabian desert. This event was attended bfgrlt'omp
and ceremony, and the commander of the pilgrimage wielded
over all those ,n the caravan the authority of the ship's c^ak
because he assumed even greater responsibilities. Surdythe'dan
gers attending the long march across the burning desert sani
�NOVEMBER,
1930
27
was attended by the same dangers as those besetting an ocean
voyage in past times. Now conditions have changed in both cases
The greater part of the pilgrimage route as far as Medina is
now covered by rail over a line built in the reign of the Sultan
Abdul Hamid with Moslem contributions. Besides, the automobile has robbed the pilgrimage of all its former frills and thrills
and danger and ceremony.
Imagine, then, the income from the pilgrimage tax, and the
value and volume of gifts from wealthy pilgrims, that came to
the commander of the pilgrimage caravan. Imagine, also, that
a large proportion of this great income was lavished on the creation and decoration of a palace in the traditional manner of Oriental conception, and you have Al-Azm Palace in Damascus.
The reception halls of the palace are completely covered with
mosaic expressive of the most delicate Oriental art. They also
are invariably constructed with a raised dais, covering almost
three-quarters of the floor space of the room, a relic of the times
in the East when hosts and guests shed their slippers by the door
before treading on the thick-napped carpets, or sitting crosslegged on the silk cushions and divans. Very little of the movable
furniture in the palace remains, however, except it be in the
harem quarters which visitors are not permitted to see, because
they are occupied by the families of the French officers in charge.
What would have been a magnificent modern palace, is the
unfinished building of marble and white stone which rises'on the
right side of the great court. It stands out in -vivid architectural
contrast to the older and distinctly Oriental buildings grouped
around the court. Perhaps it is best that it should thus remain
a subject of study of the old and the new in close proximity
In a large room by the main entrance was a motly assortment
of Oriental ware on display. I inquired if they represented any
special art collection, and was rewarded for my interest by the
shocking explanation that they were private merchandise on consignment for sale. What a prostitution!
Under the expert guidance of Fakhry Bey we were able to
cover considerable ground in a comparatively short time, and
benefit by the best expert advice obtainable. Only in one instance
did Fakhry Bey's store of knowledge fail, and that was on the
occasion of our visit to Bab Sharki, or the Eastern Gate, immortalized by the escape of St. Paul from Damascus. Our host-guide
was not acquainted with the details of this historic incident, nor
�28
THE SYRIAN WORLD
A salon in a sumptuous Damascene home giving an idea of
Oriental conception of luxury
are many Christians who should be, for that matter
But the
S
8
Wd
thC Wind W fr m Which
us
uTw"
!^down
° basket, mute
SdW«
us St
St IPaul
was',"
lowered
in a °wicker
andtell
ao-
y
ntro er ible witnesses to
rr I ^r r i
^ **&^ of z
legend We reached the historic spot by a long winding route
that took us alternate y through Baghdad Street to Bab Touma
otherwase known as the Christian quarter, thence to Bab SWki
�NOVEMBER, 1930
29
without the old city walls. Travel could not be fast owing to
the congestion in the narrow winding streets, and it was well
that it were so, for one then had a fuller opportunity to drink in
the intoxicating allurement and fascination of a truly Oriental
atmosphere apparently preserved stationary and unchanging from
the most ancient time. It was the East in its original colors and
heterogenous and crowded activities, going about its daily routine of life unconsciously as in the remotest ages of antiquity.
A more beautiful animated picture of one's dreams and fancies
of the days of the Arabian Nights could hardly be conceived. It
was the reality substantiating the dream in all its color and
glamor.
We profited of our presence in the Bab Touma quarter to
visit the Na'san factories of Damascene handicraft. Here we
saw the skilled workmen at their tasks of carving and inlaying
wood with mother-of-pearl, of hammering brass or inlaying it
with silver and gold, and of weaving rugs or fine cloth. No child
labor laws are in effect in Damascus, and children in their early
teens may be seen bending all their energy on the execution of
their allotted tasks. But the pity felt for them is mixed with unbounded admiration for their deftness and precision. It would
seem an advantage that they grow with their art—for art indeed
are their wonderful products, that could be had at such reasonable prices! They still grow and live under conditions reminiscent
of the ancient guilds. What is surprising, and would appear peculiarly Eastern, is that trades and handicrafts are not only confined to families but to religious classes. Hence we were given,
all innocently and in a matter-of-fact way, the curious information that brass work is the exclusive field of the Moslems, the
woodwork of the Christians and the tapestry and rug weaving
of the Armenians. To further illustrate religious lines of demarkation, Damascus, as well as most other cities of Syria, has its
separate quarters for Moslems, Christians and Jews. Christians
have subdivisions according to their different sects. While now
has come the added complication of creating Armenian quarters.
But in the old city of Damascus there are signs of a healthy
industrial rejuvenation not alone in the line of old crafts but in
most modern fields of endeavor. In all staple necessities the city
can be self-supporting. Fakhry Bey illustrated present conditions to me by proudly pointing out that every article he wore
from head to foot was the product of home industry, excepting
msamSmmmm
,-,,-.
�'.„:;., , Mil* HH-^
30
'THE SYRIAN WORLD
the tarboush and the pass-time beads. His sense of humor made
him fully appreciate the purport of my remark that the two
things he excepted were the on~s most distinctively Oriental
Damascus is a city of a past and a present, and by all reasonable indications, it also is a city of a great future, and as such
it would be presumptuous on the part of anyone to attempt to
condense a description of all things of interest in it and about it
within the limits of a single article. A volume could be written
not only about the city itself but about any number of interesting single places in it. Both the reader and I, therefore, have to
be content with the foregoing passing remarks. What may be
truly said, however, is that the real beauty, the prepossessing
romantic appeal, the distinctive picturesqueness of the city, can"
never be fully appreciated unless seen.
The city left on me a very deep impression, as did the many
ot its citizens whom it was my good fortune to meet. To Fakhry
Bey Baroody, who was so generous in his hospitality and solicitous
in his attention, I owe the fullest measure of thanks. After what
1 had seen of him I am not surprised at the degree of popularity
he enjoys. I vividly remember one of his shining characteristics
—his liberality with kisses. Everyone we met—and many they
were-he greeted with a fond kiss. Naturally we encountered
only the male folks, and to them I strictly confine my observations It is not surprising, therefore, that he should be so idolized by the youth of Damascus who do his bidding whatever the
sacnnce And since kisses are his specialty, it would perhaps
please him to learn that some are now being sent him from across
the seas.
Ships Sail Out
By
ALICE MCGEORGE
The ships sail out on a glassy sea,
Farther and farther away they go;
Will ever my ship come back to me?
The ships sail out on a glassy sea;
A sailor's life is full and free;
To the sailor's wife the sea 's a foe.
The ships sail out on a glassy sea,
Farther and farther away they go.
�NOVEMBER, 1930
31
ALI ZAIBAQ
(QuicksiherJ
THE UNPARALLELED ADVENTURES OF THE
CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN
AL-RASHID, OF THE CITY OF BAGDAD.
Translated from the original Arabic by
SALLOUM A. MOKAUZEL and THADDEUS S. DAYTON
CHAPTER
III.
QUICKSILVER'S STRATAGEM
OUICKSILVER, after having left the two men who had been
sent out to waylay him, whom he encountered at the well in
the desert, proceeded on his way without thinking further of the
incident. He had left them bound and gagged, but the next day
a caravan chanced to nass that way and set them free. One of these
spies returned to Cairo, but the other, Hassan Ibn El-Husry,
pursued Quicksilver to the Enchanted City in order to contrive
his destruction. But in the course of the whole journey he found
no trace of him, Quicksilver having pursued a different course.
Thus it happened by the will of God that Hassan Ibn ElHusry made his appearance at the gate of the Enchanted City
about two hours before Quicksilver's arrival, thinking that the
latter had already reached there.
No sooner did Hassan, however, draw near to the statue of
brass than it shouted its long-awaited cry which was re-echoed
by the inhabitants of the city who flocked forth from the gates
brandishing their weapons, bent on defending themselves against
the invader. Upon seeing this, Hassan drew his sword and attacked the oncoming multitude, engaging them in a fierce combat.
It was an hour of such desperate struggle that it would cause
the hair of the newborn to turn to gray.
All having hurried forth from the palace on hearing the
shout of the statue of brass the Princess was left alone." The
blacks quickly seized the occasion to enter the city and the royal
1
�32
THE SYRIAN WORLD
palace. They found the beautiful daughter of the King whom
they bound and put in a sack and bore out of the city by another
route which they traversed until they reached a secluded cave in
the mountains where they unbound her. It was there that she
was discovered by Quicksilver who effected her deliverance as
we have already related.
Quicksilver and the Princess made their way toward the
Enchanted City until they were near the great gate where the
battle was being waged. Quicksilver begged his companion to
tarry until he could ascertain the cause of the tumult. Therefore
she remained hidden in a walled garden while Quicksilver ran
swiftly until he came upon the scene of the conflict and beheld
Hassan fighting valiantly against great odds, close to death, being sorely pressed by his opponents.
Quicksilver recognized him instantly, and divined that he
had followed him solely for the purpose of contriving his death.
He stood for a moment waiting to see the outcome of the fray.
Presently the people of the city succeeded in overcoming Hassan.
They bound him and were taking him in captivity back toward
the city. Thereupon Quicksilver cried out to the guards who
were about one hundred in number:
"Woe to you! Release this man, or I shall put you to a most
ignoble death which shall be a lesson to all who will not be admonished."
Saying which he attacked them with surprising valor, striking
with his formidable sword, until they dispersed in flight. Then
he approached Hassan and cut his bonds, and lifted him from the
ground. Hassan, whose heart had now changed and who was
drawn through gratitude to loyalty to Quicksilver, thereupon
addressed him saying:
"Know, O my lord, that the sole reason which prompted me
to undertake this journey was to bring about your death; but had
it not been for you I would now be surely among those who
breathe no longer."
Then Hassan begged Quicksilver's forgiveness, promising
him his devotion forever afterward.
Meanwhile the people of the city had congregated about them
so that the plain outside the walls became filled with horsemen
and footmen. Quicksilver seeing that he would be powerless if
he were forced to contend Jong against this army, made haste
to inform them what had befallen the Princess, and how he alone
�NOVEMBER, 1930
33
had been able to effect her deliverance from the Blacks. Having
thus dissipated the wrath of the people, he returned to the place
where he had left the Princess and brought her into the presence
of her father the King, who rejoiced exceedingly and thanked
Quicksilver profusely. After this the King and his guards proceeded to the cave where the Blacks lay under the influence of
Benj. They were restored to consciousness, tightly bound, and
placed in a dungeon.
When the King had returned to his palace, accompanied by
Quicksilver and Hassan, he could not control his joy over the
deliverance of his daughter and begged Quicksilver to name any
reward that he might desire. He gave him at once a magnificent
palace and ordered for him and his companion provisions of food
and drink of which they partook to their satisfaction and then
retired for rest and sleep for they were exceedingly weary from
the long journey and the day's ordeal of combat.
The next morning they appeared before the King who received them most graciously and reiterated to Quicksilver his
gratitude, his praise for his chivalry and his promises of great
reward.
He asked him what disposition should be made of the Black
captives, whereupon Quicksilver demanded that they be brought
before him. No sooner had they been conducted into his presence
than Quicksilver, overcome by thought of the baseness of the
act they had attempted, drew his sword, sprang upon them and
caused their severed heads to roll in the dust. He left one alive,
however,—their leader, whose nose and ears he cut off.
"Now go to your master," shouted Quicksilver, "tell him
what has befallen your companions, and show him the degradation that has been visited upon yourself."
The leader of the Blacks fled from the Enchanted City with
all speed, and did not delay until he had returned to the City of
the Blacks from whence he came and had fullv informed his
King of all that had occurred.
Quicksilver acquainted the King of the Enchanted City
with his whole story from the beginning to the end: how he
had left his country to gain possession of the magic box of the
All Seeing Eye in compliance with the task that had been imposed
upon him by the Chief of the Sultan's secret police. He asked the
King's help in the accomplishment of his purpose, and the King
replied:
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
34
"Know, O Quicksilver, that you have bound me to you with
gratitude for the great favors you have done me, which I shall
never forget, and even if you should demand of me even my
whole kingdom I would readily grant it. But, O Quicksilver,
know you further, that the magic box of the All-Seeing Eye that
you have set forth to obtain is beyond the reach of all possibility.
Many a man has sought it before you, but in vain. I can give
you no aid in this matter. You alone must seek it in the Island of
Enchantment."
"Now this caused great events to be brought about, a recital
of which will be given hereafter," said the tale teller, "Allah
guard us until the morrow, and you shall learn what befell Quicksilver in the Island of Enchantment."
The Rubaiyat
By
THOMAS ASA
THOU canst in this late hour bring with thee
Visions of Orient lands that Omar knew;
The calm and past'ral breath of Arcady,
The storied past of Times, then old, now new.
Wise Omar mused within thy fragrant scope,
Mused with FitzGerald in another clime;
And left the world the vision of no hope
In other lands than ours, all else to Time.
What realms of truth and beauty has he left
In thy still form, gift of another shore;
The dreams of Youth and Love have since bereft
All thought and hope of what might be before.
Beneath a sky-enraptured cypress tree
He moulded into perfect thought thy shape;
Left to the listening Spheres what well might be
The beginning and end of Life—the Grape.
——
�NOVEMBER, 1930
35
Book Reviews
ANOTHER RIHANI BOOK ON ARABIA
Arabian Peak and Desert, by Ameen Rihani. 280 pp. Houghton
Mifflin Company, Boston, $5.00.
flIHANFs material on Arabia seems to be inexhaustible. During each of the last three years he has been giving out a large
volume dealing with a different section or a different phase of
that country of mystery and charm. And, to be sure, his study
is as thorough as is his description colorful and entertaining. One
need not fear a dull moment when traveling with Rihani through
any part of Arabia, coast or hinterland, desert or settlement, on
mule or on camel, and in the company of kings and potentates or
that of plain townsfolk or soldiers in rags. Travel with Rihani
m Arabia is a thorough education on that country hitherto called
mysterious because of the dearth of authentic information about
it. Now, however, not only do we have the information but we
are treated to it in the most palatable form, coming from the
pen of a master artist.
Rihani's latest work, Arabian Peak and Desert, forms the
third of a series dealing with the author's experiences and observations in Arabia in 1923-24. The former volumes dealt, the first
with Al-Hijaz and King Ibn Saoud, published under the title of
Maker of Modern Arabia, and the second with other Arab potentates and their dominions and was entitled Around the Coasts of
Arabia. Such was the demand for these authoritative works on
a country which is fast claiming the attention of the world that
the first editions were soon exhausted.
Rihani's latest book covers the one important section of Arabia
with which he failed to deal extensively in his former volumes.
MA aman, a country ruled by an autocrat and still adhering to
the practise of Islam in its pristine purity, may be termed the
most inaccessible part of Arabia. And this not because of its geological nature as much as for the fierce suspicion its people entertain for foreigners. And if the foreigners seeking entry be Christians their chances of success are reduced almost to the vanishing
6
point,
•
�36
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Yet Ameen Rihani, thanks to his mission of working for
Arab unity and to a letter of introduction from King Hussein
which he carried to the Image of Perfection Imam Yahya, was
able to reach San'a, the capital of Al-Yaman, perched in the mountains at an altitude of over 8000 feet. But that very potent
medium proved the cause of a very unhappy experience, since it
led to the incarceration of the author under the strictest surveillance over an extended period of time. This may be attributed
to the efficiency of King Hussein's secretary who, in drafting the
letter, failed to mention the name of the man it meant to introduce. Hence the added suspicion of the too cautious Imam.
But the reader need not fear any dullness in the description
of those days of anxiety and growing aggravation of the author.
Of a truth, the chapters dealing with his captivity are the most
interesting. The subtlety of Arab diplomacy is nowhere better
illustrated and the author here surpasses himself in vividity of
description and wealth of anecdote and power of analysis.
Aside from its intrinsic interest and value, this, as well as
all other books by Rihani, should be held in special consideration
by the author's countrymen to whom he brings honor and prestige
by his valuable contributions to knowledge and literature. It
should hurt us in our national pride to find such a gifted one
among us more honored and appreciated by others. And our
appreciation of him should not be confined to mere verbal expressions, but rather should be expressed in the acquisition of his
works so as to better profit by his knowledge. It is not too much
to hope that a collection of Rihani's works should form a prominent part of every cultured Syrian's library.
USAMAH IN ARABIC
Usamah's Memoirs (Arabic), edited by Dr. Philip K. Hitti, 294
pp. Princeton University Press.
THE appearance of this work ushers a new era in the publication of Arabic books in America, inasmuch as it presages the
creation of a publishing center in America that may be hoped to
rival, if not excel, similar establishments in Europe, where the
researches of Oriental scholars might find ready and adequate
expression.
—
I
�NOVEMBER, 1930
37
Usamah's Memoirs is the Arabic original of the work which
appeared in English under the title of "An Arab-Syrian Gentleman of the Crusades", (Columbia University Press, 1929). Dr.
Hitti is responsible for its publication in both languages, he being
the translator of the one and the editor of the other. The book
is a valuable literary discovery. A review of the English edition, previously published in THE SYRIAN WORLD, gave an outline of the contents.
What lends the later Arabic edition its particular importance
is the fact that it is now made available for the first time in the
original. This was brought about by the happy combination of two
elements—the tireless scholarly efforts of Dr. Hitti, and the moral and material cooperation of those to whom the editor gives
acknowledgement in his introductory note, namely, "Professor
Harold H. Bender, chairman of the Department of Oriental
Languages and Literatures, Mr. James T. Gerould, librarian of
Princeton University, and the Mergenthaler Linotype Company."
The dedication is made to Mr. Joseph T. Mackey of the Mergenthaler Linotype Company.
The mention of the Mergenthaler Linotype Co. in this connection reveals another splendid contribution of this American
concern in the promotion of Arabic typography. Having adapted
its composing machine to Arabic some twenty years ago, it has
been assiduously striving at improvement ever since, so that the
Linotype is now equipped to produce Arabic composition of the
most exacting nature and meeting all scholarly requirements.
The first scholarly work composed on the Arabic Linotype was
"As-Suyuti's Who's Who in the Fifteenth Century," (The Syrian-American Press, New York, 1927). The Princeton University Press has since been equipped with Arabic Linotypes of which
"Usamah's Memoirs" are the first product. This is indeed a
great step forward in Arabic publishing in America, and considering the resources of Princeton University and the wealth of
its Arabic manuscripts that await the editor and the printer, nothing now seems to impede the Princeton University Press from
flourishing into a great Arabic publishing center. Surely this
would stand as a monument to American scholarship and its love
for the propagation of knowledge. "Usamah's Memoirs" are set
down as Volume I in Princeton's Oriental Texts, and it is to be
hoped that other volumes will be forthcoming fast and frequently.
�38
THE SYRIAN WORLD
The type assortment used in producing the book proves the
vast range of which the Linotype is capable in Arabic composition.
It is cause for regret, however, that the composition falls short
of coming up to the highest standard of the machine. The average reader may not be as conscious of these defects as the typographical expert, but the eye accustomed to certain forms in the
complicated Arabic composition would resent the commission of
digressions not integral to the machine, and surely not coming
within the scope of its mechanical limitations. It is to be hoped
that cause for such criticism as we feel being compelled now to
make, will be obviated in the future.
A FRENCHWOMAN'S DEFENSE OF THE SYRIAN
REVOLUTION
A Damas Sous les Bombes—(French)—by Alice Poulleau. 15 Fr
Bretteville Freres, Rue de la Republique, Yvetot (S-I)n
France.
THE popular French adage "Plus royaliste que le roi" may
well apply to Mile. Alice Poulleau in that she seems to be
more Syrian than the Syrians. For irrevocable proof, one onlv
need refer to her latest book and peruse but a few pages at ran?!??;,At.times .sh,e expresses her sympathies in such strong terms
that the imparfcal reader's faith in her impartiality is put to the
severest test. She mercilessly lashes her own countrymen on
every occasion and discovers attenuating circumstances for every
motive or act of the Syrians. It surely is a great test of moral
courage to publish such a work, and the fact that the French ladV
bearded the task proclaims all the more her great sympathy for
the Syrians and her championship of their cause
"In Damascus under Bombardment" represents the diary of
the author as originally written under the impressions of the
moment. Mile. Poulleau had lived in Syria and Egypt fo^
spirit. That she found herself in Damascus during the tragic
days of the Syrian revo ution of 1925 must have sefmed to her
S!T m:sf°Te'? ** She lived throu&h ^e danger and
was able to witness first-hand the desperate struggle of her brother Syrians for liberty. And as behooves an enfghtened teacher
�NOVEMBER, 1930
39
and a woman of most delicate sensibility, the human appeal in the
situation proved the strongest to her.
She records the sufferings of the
women and children and the heavy
sacrifices of the men with the minimum regard for war exigencies. The
photographic illustrations in the
book, some of which were taken by
the author herself, bear out her text
admirably. One sees only scenes of
ruin and desolation and executions.
As a human document this book
may be considered a valuable contribution to literature on the Syrian
revolution. It is doubtful, however,
that it could have much value as a
work of reference from the political
point of view. Although there is an
apparent attempt to give the causes
and results of the revolution, they
are unmistakably biased and highly
colored. Plainly an effort is made to
put the onus on the French, an effort
which testifies to the author's love
for the Syrians and her championship
of their cause. To cite a single illustration one may refer to her account
of the partial destruction of the AlAzm Palace. While she deplores the
Alice Poulleau
irreparable loss of some invaluable
in the house dress of a
objects of art, caused admittedly by
Damascene lady
the attack of the rebels on the palace
in an effort to take General Sarrail prisoner, she condones the
acts of the Syrian revolutionists and blames the French High
Commissioner for having caused the destruction by his presence.
The same spirit of untempered criticism of the French permeates
the whole book, even to the point where she expresses an unmitigated feeling of shame for some of the acts of her own countrymen.
�40
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Because she is French and offers herself as a voluntary witness, Mile. Poulleau's testimony cannot fail of being of great
weight in support of the Syrian Nationalist cause. As a war
document, however, her book could be reckoned most in its sentimental value—the description of the human side of the reign of
terror in Damascus during the revolution, but owing to its obvious
partiality it fails of being impressive as a legal document. It
surely should prove valuable ammunition in the hands of the
Nationalists who may be expected to avail themselves fully of
the opportunity.
Of one thing there can be no question, and that is Mile.
Poulleau's genuine sincerity in her love for Syria and the Syrians. Although she has returned to live in her native country,
she finds her greatest joy in making her surroundings reminiscent
of the years she spent in Syria. There is a room in her house for
Syrian art, as well as a room for Syria in her heart. She is always
singing the praise of Syria and defending it with vehemence and
ability on every occasion. The writer can testify to this fact from
personal knowledge.
S. A. M.
The Garment Fair
By
DR. SALIM
Y.
ALKAZIN
QAN it, thy cherished, treasured name,
Unflinching face the eye of light?
Has it escaped the touch of shame—
Unsoiled, still comely to the sight?
Has it, thy petted, fondled heart,
Escaped the hard'ning hand of timeDoes it with all the grieving smart,
Or blithely with the joyous, chime?
Then, 'should thy cloak of purple rare,
Or sacking coarse, if such it be,
Seem wondrous bright and passing fair
To them who have the light to see.
�DipVEMBERy 1930
41
EDITORIAL COMMENT
THE LESSONS OF THE
PAST
T'HERE would seem to be as
much fascination in exploring records of the past as in
speculating about the possibilities of the future. Both hold
that element of mystery which
has ever challenged human
love of discovery. And in this
urge for exploration and research may be found the key
to h uman progress. It would be
a drab and monotonous world
indeed that would not be kept
on moving by the potent forces
of science, motivated by the human craving to explore the unknown.
Especially now, when he has
reached a comparatively high
stage of development, is man
anxious to wrest from the bosom of the past the secret of his
gradual progress. Lands known
for their old civilizations are
being overrun by archaeological
expeditions in the hope of discovering traces that might tend
to shed further light on the secrets of the past. With every
new discovery of an important
Jink in the chain of human evolution in the past comes a thrill
that rocks the world even more
than does a new invention. Human thoroughness would not be
satisfied until the whole mystery of the origin and evolution
of the race is cleared.
Hence our elation and surprise at every important find of
old human records of civilization in Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia and other lands of antiquity in the Near East, as well
as in Asia, Europe and America.
The Incas archaeological discoveries in Yucatan may be cited as
a recent instance.
What is of especial importance to us Syrians is the growing evidence of the widespread
influence of our forebears,
Phoenicians or Arabs, in the
spread of civilization. True,
some records of their achievements have been preserved and
are appropriately evaluated.
But much more might be hidden
that will add lustre to their
name once their spirit of enterprise becomes more fully known
and appreciated. And what is of
especial significance is that most
of the important recent discoveries seem to bear some relation
to our ancestors.
The recent discovery of a
Mexican tribe speaking pure
Arabic reported by the Associated Press adds another link
to the chain of circumstantial
evidence that the Phoenicians,
�42
or other Near Eastern people,
were the first to discover America. It is to be hoped that the
scientific expedition reported to
have been equipped by the
Mexican authorities will succeed
in clearing this new and strange
mystery. It would be indeed a
strange turn of fortune if the
iirst reports were authenticated
and the happy result brought
rbout by an itinerant Syrian
peddler.
We may remind our readers
in this connection of another
similar discovery in the Amazon
Valley also reported by the Associated Press. Mention may
also be made to the contention
of some scholars that the Aztec
civilization of Mexico had its
inception in Egyptian origin.
Witness the pyramids and architectural principles common in
both countries. The Egyptians
were not a seafaring people
but cooperated in the conduct
of trade with the Phoenicians,
?nd the latter, being familiar
with Egyptian customs and
usages, may be reasonably said
to have been carriers of the
Old World civilization to the
New World, which they adopted when hardships of sea travel
in the days of old forced them
to settlejiermanently in the new
land they had discovered.
Truly there is incentive and
hope in looking to the future,
but let us not forget the thrill
of romance, the benefit of
THE SYRIAN WORLD
knowledge and the valuable
lessons of experience that dwell
in the past.
THE CORPORATION
|N the matter of the corporation we have chosen to make
haste slowly. The able business
men who compose the board of
directors are giving to THE
SYRIAN WORLD corporation the
same devoted attention they apply to the management of their
own affairs. Their wise counsel,
based on ripe and experienced
reasoning, may be depended
upon to guide the steps of the
young collective Syrian publishing enterprise along the
path that will lead to unfailing
success, inshallah!
But this wise and measured
course should not be misunderstood as being the result of inertia or indifference. The decision of the Board is to the effect
that the corporation will not assume active control and management of the publication until
a definite sum is raised from the
sale of stock. The object is to
insure the smooth and uninterrupted working of the corporate
machinery once it is set in motion.
Our friends who on different
occasions have expressed their
faith in THE SYRIAN WORLD
and their readiness to substantiate that faith by subscription
�.'KOV EMBER, 1930
to stock once the publication is
incorporated, could materially
hasten the execution of the wide
program laid down for it by
their immediate subscriptions.
"We would urge them to send in
their subscriptions regardless of
the amount, not only as proof
of their faith but to insure the
widest possible distribution of
stock. We need not repeat that
holding stock in THE SYRIAN
WORLD corporation implies not
only a sense of patriotism but
is also a mark of good business
judgment which visions the
possibilities of exploiting in full
a virgin field replete with possibilities.
We trust that the response
will prove both immediate and
substantial, that THE SYRIAN
WORLD might inaugurate with
the new year the wide and comprehensive program that will
insure its greater circulation, its
stronger appeal and benefit as
an advertising medium, and its
more appropriate ^representation of higher and finer Syrian
culture.
KNOW YOURSELF
gUCH a glowing description
of the beauty of Lebanon's
scenery as has come from the
pen of Dr. Sylvester Beach,
had it been the contribution of
a Lebanese or Syrian, would
have been attributed to undue
-_
43
enthusiasm and not at all warranted by fact. But the testimony of Dr. Beach is incontrovertible. He is a world traveler who can well cite instances
for comparison. He mentions
the outstanding beauty spots of
Europe, Asia and America and
unhesitatingly states his conviction that Lebanon affords the
most beautiful beauty spot on
Earth. We have no reason to
take issue with him.
That passage of Dr. Beach's
article copied in the October issue of THE SYRIAN WORLD
should prove of manifold interest to Syrians in America. It
should prove an incentive to
them to make an occasional trip
to their motherland to acquaint
themselves with its unequalled
resources of natural beauty to
which their eyes are being opened by foreign travelers. Particularly should this appeal to
Americans of Syrian descent
who are prone to belittle the
country of origin of their parents simply because they know
little or nothing about it. To
see it, therefore, as foreigners
see it, with an eye to its singular natural beauty, as well as
its unparalleled historical associations, cannot fail of being a
potent educational factor and an
incentive to a much needed
sense of racial pride.
It is an established fact that
a large number of the SyrianAmerican generation suffer a
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
sort of complex that is causing first reports on the reaction to
them to drift away from any the newly enunciated British
association of origin. Many policy, neither the Jews nor the
have been known to deny their Arabs are satisfied. From a
descent because of lack of judicial viewpoint this might be
knowledge of anything about considered a sign of fairness and
it. They had no ready sources justice to both parties concernto get any information and this ed. But judging by the temper
bred in them apathy and mis- of the Zionists, it Would be diftrust. Illustrations of this con- ficult to foresee an end to the
dition were cited on several oc- dilemma. They are mobilizing
casions in the Arabic press in all their forces to influence
America and admitted by the world opinion, while the Arabs,
persons involved themselves.
aroused to a greater sense of
This condition need not con- national consciousness and relytinue. Information of the sort ing on the sympathy and supneeded to inspire not only re- port of the whole Moslem
spect, but pride and admira- world, seem immovable in their
tion, is now fully available. It demand for complete recogniis coming not deliberately from tion of their sovereign rights.
native sources but also gratui- This clash of interests will give
tiously from-American sources, England an excuse for perand of the highest type. At manent occupation of the counleast such testimony as that giv- try.
en by Dr. Beach, if it does not
Unquestionably the Palestine
arouse an interest in travel,
problem
is fraught with elemshould at least spur SyrianAmericans to greater interest ents of great danger. And bein enlightening themselves on cause it is essentially a Syrian
facts bearing on their country problem we are resolved to deal
of origin—historical, cultural, with it in the fullest possible
educational, political, social and manner, adhering, at the same
otherwise. The more they know time, to our policy of strict
the prouder they will feel. It fairness and impartiality. Our
rests with them to cultivate the readers will bear in mind that
will to learn.
Palestine is geographically an
integral part of Syria, and as
such its destinies should hold
THE PALESTINE ISSUE for us a paramount interest.
RECENT events affecting the
When our own problem bePalestine | situation
hold comes a world issue we cannot
great portents. As evident from afford to ignore or dismiss it.
i
�NOVEMBER, 1930
45
New British Policy in Palestine
RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON JEW ISH IMMIGRATION — PROMISE
OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVE RNMENT MADE — JEWS INDIGNANT AND AR ABS DISSATISFIED
The long awaited report of Sir
John Hope Simpson on Palestine was
issued by the Colonial Office of the
British Government on October 20
together with a White Paper setting
forth the government's future policy
in the administration of its mandate
of that country. The immediate effect was to cause consternation
among the ranks of the Zionists and
jubilation among the Arabs, because
the Jews saw in it a repudiation of
the Balfour Declaration while the
Arabs read in it a plain admission
by the British of their prior right
to their own homeland. At the time
this is written, twenty days after
the issuance of the Colonial Office's
statement, Jewry all over the world
is reported up in arms against the
British and directing against it all
manner of accusations and threats,
while the Arabs, flushed by their
initial victories, are reported not
altogether satisfied with the British
admissions and concessions and insisting on the full recognition of
their sovereign rights.
Immediately upon the publication
of the British statement Dr. Chaim
Weizmann, president of the Jewish
Agency for Palestine and of the
World Zionist Organization, sent a
strongly worded letter to Lord Passfield, Secretary for the Colonies, denouncing the British policy as unfair
to the Jews of the world to whom
Great Britain gave to understand
that it would faithfully aid them in
reestablishing a national homeland
in Palestine. Later he issued a pub-
lic statement giving the reasons for
his action in detail and asserting
that on several instances in the past
Great Britain acknowledged the right
of the Jews to reconstruct a national
home in Palestine and pledged its
aid to them in the furtherance of
their program. The White Paper of
1922 was cited as having made such
an explicit pledge to the whole Jewish people who were to take their
place in Palestine "by right and not
by sufferance." He takes issue with
the government statement on the
question of unemployment in Palestine and denies that it is caused
by Jewish immigration. Jewish immigration was to be restricted, he
pointed out, not because it would
cause unemployment but because
unemployment
already
existed
among the Arabs. "This distinction
is of great importance because the
possibility of giving Jewish immigrants employment depends in large
measure upon the import of capital
into Palestine from the Jewries of
the world," he declared. "The capital
is sent to Palestine to promote the
growth of the Jewish national home
—it is sent to create employment for
Jewish immigrants. If it cannot
serve that purpose, Jewish capital
will not go to Palestine."
Following the action of Dr. Weizmann, Lord Malchett, chairman of
the council and political committee
of the Jewish Agency for Palestine,
also resigned both chairmanships as
a protest against the new Palestine
policy of the British Government.
�46
In his letter of resignation he showed plainly the temper of the Jews
over tfca government's action, characterizing it as "an act of almost
unparal eled ingratitude and treachery committed by a government
toward a credulous and harassed
peoph who believed they had found
a haven under the broad aegis of
the British flag and the guaranteed
word of British statesmen."
The effect of the British statement on American Jewry was even
more pronounced. They held mass
meetings of protest and proposed to
appeal to the American Government
and to Congress for action against
Britain on the grounds that the
United States was definitely committed to favor the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Felix M.
Warburg announced on October 31
his resignation as chairman of the
administrative committee of the
Jewish Agency for Palestine charging that Lord Passfield had misled
him and that the statement of Britain's policy was "a cruel betrayal
of trusteeship" in Palestine. Leading
Jews of America, including chief
Justice Brandeis, also registered
strong protests.
CAUSE OF JEWISH COMPLAINTS
The principal cause of Jewish
grievance against the newly enunciated British policy in Palestine is
the imputation of the White Paper
that the Jews have taken too much
for granted and acted on the assumption that they were the government and not the British mandatory
authority. England, therefore, proceeds to formulate a policy that in
its opinion will represent its obligations impartially towards both the
Jews and the Arabs. Accordingly it
lays down two fundamental principles for its future government of
the country, the first being the re-
THE SYRIAN WORLD
striction of Jewish immigration and
the second the establishment of a
tirm of representative government
that in its opinion will be expressive
of the will of the people and suitable
to present conditions of the country. The government has not gone
far enough to satisfy Arab demands
m full, but it has certainly conceded
to the Arabs sufficient privileges to
render the Jews fearful of the collapse of their dream of establishing
a homeland in the country of their
ancestors.
The decision of the goverment to
restrict Jewish immigration is based
on its study of land available for
settlement. On this point the statement discusses the relative positions
of the Jews and Arabs as follows:
"The condition of the Arab peasant leaves much to be desired and
a policy of land development is needed if the improvement of his condition of life is to be effected. The
sole agencies which have pursued
a consistent policy have been the
Jewish colonization societies, private and public. The Jewish settlers
have had every advantage that capital, science and organization could
give them. To these and the remarkable energy of the settlers themselves their remarkable progress is
due. On the other hand, the Arab
population, while lacking the advantages enjoyed by the Jewish settlers,
has by an excess of births over
deaths increased rapidly, while the
land available for its sustenance has
decreased by about 250,000 acres.
This area has passed into Jewish
hands."
Concerning the present and future
distribution of land the government
says:
"It can now be definitely stated
that at the present time and with
the present methods of Arab cultivation there remains no margin of
�NOVEMBER, 1930
land available for agricultural settlement by new immigrants with the
exception of such undeveloped land
r.s the various Jewish organizations
hold in reserve. The provision of a
margin availabh for further settlement depends upon the progress
made in increasing the productivity
of the land already occupied."
With reference to further Jewish
immigration, which is inseparable
from the land question, the British
government again cites its Palestine
mandate, which "directs that the
lights and position of other sections
of the population shall not be prejudiced by Jewish immigration."
"Clearly, if the immigration of
Jews results in the prevention of
Arabs obtaining work necessary for
their maintenance, or if Jewish unemployment
unfavorably
affects
the general labor position it is the
duty of the mandatory power to
reduce or if necessary to suspend
such immigration until the unemployed portion obtains work," continues Lord Passfield. "Under the
present circumstances his Majesty's
Government considers their suspension of immigration under the labor
schedule of last May fully justified."
NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT
On the subject of the second important point, that of constitutional
development, the British government reviews the* efforts made in the
past to give the inhabitants of Palestine some measure of self-government and criticises the Arabs for
failure to cooperate in these schemes
and for demanding a form of constitution incompatible with Britain's
mandatory obligations. Despite such
opposition and past failures, the
British government declares itself of
the opinion that the time has come
to set ua a new form of Palestine
government and has determined to
47
do so. Moreover, it gives warning
that "all possible steps will be taken
to circumvent any attempt Which
may be made to prevent the establishment and operation of such a
government." The new government
machinery, as described by Lord
Passfield will consist of a Legislative Council comprising the High
Commissioner and twenty-two members, of whom ten will be official and
twelve unofficial. The unofficial members are to be chosen by primary
and secondary elections. If through
the failure of any part of the community to participata in the elections not enough unofficial members
are chosen by ballot, they will be
ajjpointed by the High Commissioner.
Furthermore, the commissioner will
retain the power to insure that the
mandatory power will carry out its
obligations to the League of Nations
including urgent legislative acts,
and also the power to maintain order. The legislative council will, of
course, include both Jews and Moslems. For the purpose of maintaining order and preventing in the future such disturbances as happened,
last year Britain will maintain in
Palestine and Transjordania two
batallions of infantry, two squadrons
of aircraft and four sections of armored cars. Measures will also be
taken to strengthen the police force.
The British Government concludes
the statement of its future policy
in Palestine with an appeal to both
Jews and Arabs to cooperate with
each other and Britain. "It is only
the closest cooperation between the
government and the leaders of the
Arab and Jewish communities that
can prevent Palestine from drifting
into a situation that would imperil
on the one hand the devoted work
of those who have sought to build
up a Jewish national home, and on
the other the interests of a majori-
�48
THE SYRIAN WORLD
ty of the population who at present
possess few resources of their own
with which to sustain the struggle
for existence.
"To the Arabs, his Majesty's Government would appeal for recognition of the facts of the situation and
for sustained effort for cooperation
m obtaining that prosperity for the
country as a whole by which all will
benefit.
"From the Jewish leaders his
Majesty's Government ask recognition of the necessity of making some
concessions on their side in regard
to the independent and separative
ideals which have been developed in
some quarters in connection with the
Jewish national home, and for accepting as an active factor in their
policy that the development of the
country shall be carried out in such
a way that both Arabs and Jews receive adequate consideration."
ARAB REACTION
Although the effect of the publication of the British White Paper
was one of consternation and dismay 'among the Jews of Palestine,
it did not cause much jubilation
among the Arabs. The latter,, it is
true, felt some elation at the limitation set on Zionist dreams of expansion, but the concessions made by
Britain were not sufficient to meet
all their national demands. In proof
of their partial gratification, however, they have decided not to hold
this year their regular strike of protest on the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration.
The Arab viewpoint was made
clear in a statement given out by
the Arab Executive and contained in
a special dispatch to the New York
Times. It reads as follows:
"Despite publication of the White
f'aper recognizing the rights of the
Arab people in Palestine, the Arab
Executive must continue to protest
with all its force against the Balfour Declaratic. , which is still part
of the program un which the London
Government bases its policy in Palestine and which is a stumblingblock on the road of Arab national
aspirations.
"The Arab Executive asks the
government to do away with this
policy and also demands definite abolition of the Balfour Declaration because only with that abolition will
the Holy Land have real peace."
It is learned from the same source
that the Arabs are divided into two
camps, the extreme nationalists who
would be satisfied only with the
complete abolition of the British
mandate and the moderates who appear anxious to have the mandate
continued. The latter party comprises
many Moslems as well as all the
Christians who believe British evacuation under present conditions
holds an element of great danger.
IMMIGRATION PERMITS
A few days after the issuance of
the White Paper, the British authorities approved permits for 1,500
new Jewish immigrants to Palestine.
This neither satisfied the Jews nor
alarmed the Arabs, inasmuch as the
newcomers would not affect the Arab
labor market but would be engaged
in existing Jewish enterprises. The
Arabs' sense of caution, however,
prompted their Executive to draft
a strong statement which the High
Commissioner cabled to the Colonial
Office in London. The government is
urged to prevent dangerous unrest
among the Arabs by publishing a
statement allaying their anxiety and
silencing Jewish protests.
'
�NOVEMBER, 1930
49
Political Developments in Syria
FRANCE TO ENTER INTO TREATY RELATIONS WITH LEBANON
— SYRIANS AWAIT RETURN OF HIGH COMMISSIONER
m
During the long absence of High than the English in the terms the
Commissioner Ponsot in France the latter granted to Iraq.
The fact that King Faisal had
Syrians had to adhere perforce to
spent
considerable time in Paris and
a policy of watchful waiting. Under
was in frequent conference with the
the circumstances, nothing could be
highest French authorities lends
done until the High Commissioner
weight to the belief that he was
issued a new declaration of policy
let into the secret of the new French
embodying the results of his conpropositions for Syria.
ferences in Paris. And M. Ponsot is
What may be a hint as to the
known to be deliberate to the extent
of aggravation in the opinion of some probable solution of the Syrian probSyrians. Still it is generally agreed lem is the reported new plan that
that to wait a reasonable time and France is said to 'have prepared to
reach satisfactory results is pre- apply to Lebanon. The papers of
ferrable to hasty action that will lead Beirut have referred lately to unto further complications. The Syr- usual activity in official circles and
ians at present seem to be hopeful reported an exchange of secret visits between the President of the Reof satisfactory results.
public and the Acting High CommisWhat is considered a major de- sioner. The cause of this unprecedvelopment in the Syrian political ented activity was explained by Lisituation is the statement given out san Ul-Hal as presaging radical
by King Faisal of Iraq while en changes in the relations of France
route to Baghdad from Europe and Lebanon. The paper claims to
through Transjordania. The state- have received authentic information
ment is considered all the more im- from its Paris carrespondent on the
portant in view of his Majesty's in- nature of the new changes involved,
terest in Syrian affairs and the fact which, summarized, are as follows:
that he was at one time king of
Substitution of the mandate by a
Syria and dethroned by the French.
treaty agreement between the two
The purport of his statement is
republics, subject to ratification Tt>y
unqualified advice to the Syrians to
the respective legislative bodies of
refrain from passive resistence to the two countries.
the French and to cooperate with
France will agree to protect Lebthem wholeheartedly in carrying out
anon against military aggression
the proposed program which High
and demands in return that Lebanon
Commissioner Ponsot will outline to
place at its disposal in case of need
them upon his return, The French,
alT its transportation and port facilihe is reported to have said, propose
ties. France also agrees to the creato be most liberal in their future
tion of a Lebanese national army,
policy in dealing with the Syrians,
under command of French officers,
and shall not be found less generous
but subject to service only within
�50
Lebanese borders and for purposes
of national defense.
Lebanon will enjoy the widest possible form of self-government, employing only French technical advisers where natives are not available.
French advisers will act only in an
advisory capacity and will be paid
by the Lebanese government.
France also undertakes to facilitate the entry of Lebanon jn the
League of Nations at the earliest
[ossible opportunity, and to accelerate the economic rehabilitation of
the country by the employment of
French capital.
The Lebanese paper, however, is
silent on the conditions governing
the employment of French capital
and guardedly hints that this might
rrove the stumbling block in the successful conduct of the negotiations.
The return of M. Ponsot was expected early in November. Information reaching the Syrian press from
Paris was to the effect that he would
soend a few days in Egypt to confer
with Syrian leaders in that country
on his proposed plan for the solution
of the Syrian problem. Then with all
the preliminaries arranged he would
order general elections for the Representative Assembly which in turn
would elsct a president or chose a
king or decide on any other form of
government without restriction.
There were rumors at one time
that the mandatory power had agreed
to permit the unity of the States of
Syria, the Alaouites and Jebel Druze,
but later it transpired that the negotiations then on foot were for a
closer economic cooperation between
these states under a supreme economic council.. Otherwise, it is argued, a separate constitution for
each would not have been promulgated.
Reports from Damascus announce
active preparations by the authori-
THE SYRIAN WORLD
ties for the coming elections, but so
far the attitude of the Nationalists
remains vague, no definite policy
having yet been reached by them on
the subject of the elections.
LEBANESE DECORATIONS
WIDELY PROTESTED
Ever since the announcement of
the Lebanese government's decision
to award decorations of merit to a
number of Lebanese and some
French consular officials abroad, a
storm of indignation has been raised
by the press of both the United
States and the home country. The
principal objection seems to be not
as
much
against
the award
as against the indiscriminate manner in which the decorations have
been conferred. Moreover, the liberality of the government in the matter was cause for bitter criticism
and ridicule. To issue decorations to
a list of over five hundred and fifty,
with promise of increase, was unprecedented. The government is accused of having shown extreme bad
taste in including in the list persons -of little consequence and who
c'aim no outstanding service in the
cause of their country, but to whom
the award was made simply as a
favor to some of their influential
relatives. This at once destroyed
whatever value may have attached
to the decoration and prompted many
recipients to reject it as a gesture
of protest.
Widespread criticism is said to
have moved the government to a reccrs:deration of its action with the
possibility of rescinding the decorations altogether.
'
'
�NOVEMBER, 1930
51
About Syria and Syrians
MEXICAN TRIBE
SPEAKS ARABIC
Lived in Inaccessible Part of Mexico
for Over Four Centuries.
The Associated Press made public
on October 20 the following dispatch
irom its correspondent at Tuxtla
Gutierrez, Chalpas, Mexico:
"Wandering Turkish merchants
returning here from the Simojovel
district, 'have reported discovery of
a strange tribe speaking a language
similar to Arabic which inhabits an
almost inaccessible mountain retreat
there. The tribe which calls itself
Absolutan", preserves Oriental customs, does not speak Spanish or any
Indian dialect and shows no trace of
the Malayan civilization which is so
common in other parts of Chiapas.
"The merchants said members of
the tribe claimed to have inhabited
the region for almost four centuries, remaining entirely apart from
the outside world."
Mexican Paper's Report.
A Syrian paper of Mexico reports
the same discovery on the authority
of the Excelsior, the principal paper
of Mexico City, and gives the latter's version of the important event
as follows:
"While a Syrian peddler was traveling in little frequented places in
the districts of Chiapas and Tapasla,
his steps were fortunately guided to
a mountain ridge supposedly uninhabited and of extremely rugged formation. Penetrating the virgin forests, the peddler-came across a tribe
of natives whose hospitality he
sought for the night. He addressed
them in Spanish, with which he is
well conversant,, but they answered
in Arabic to the effect that they could
not understand his language. Naturally the Syrian peddler was struck
with surprise at the unexpected development as it was beyond his wildest fancy that he should address
members of a Mexican tribe in the
native language of the country and
they should profess ignorance of it
and answer him instead in the language of his own ancestors.
"The peddler asked them why they
had chosen to live in such an isolated
section away from civilization, and
they answered him in intelligible
Arabic that they had been living
there in self-sufficiency for hundreds
of years and that the only language
they know is the Arabic.
"When the exploring peddler returned to the city and reported his
discovery to the authorities they immediately took great interest in the
matter and prepared to equip a scientific expedition to visit the home
of this lost tribe and ascertain its
origin and ancestry. Also a special
investigator was sent by Excelsior to
accompany the expedition and report on its findings.
"In speaking of the tribe the Syrian peddler said that its language
was pure Arabic of the Egyptian
dialect, and that its customs and
dress were in strict conformity with
Arab standards."
[Editor's Note—The reference by
the A. P. dispatch to the "wandering merchants" being Turks is erroneous. Aside from there being no
Turks in Mexico the Turkg do not
speak Arabic. The reference may
�52
THE SYRIAN WORLD
have been prompted by the fact that
in certain sections of Mexico Syrians
and Lebanese are commonly known
as Turcos.]
Aztec Related to Chinese and
Egyptian.
Coincident with this report comes
the announcement by G. Ryden, archaeologist, of Los Angeles, Calif.,
that he is forced to deduce the existence of a connection between the
Aztec civilization of Mexico and that
of the Chinese and Egyptian as a
result of the finding of ancient funeral urns in a buried city in the
State of Jalisco, Mexico.
This news was also given publicity by the Associated Press in a
dispatch from Los Angeles on October 2.
The urns discovered are believed
by Mr. Ryden to date back to at
least 2 500 B. C, according to the
report. The twenty-six that are in
the possession of the archaeologist
stand from two to four feet in height
and were taken from excavations
made in tombs beneath an old city
at the Hacadera Los Copales.
"Without question," Ryden said,
"there was a connection between the
Chinese and Aztec civilizations and
possibly with the Egyptian. Many of
the faces on the urns are pure
Chinese in character and others
strongly resemble ancient Egyptian
sculpture and pottery. The tombs
were so old that an ancient and
ruined city had been built above
them."
Phoenician Traces in South America.
Less than a year ago, in December,
1929, an Associated Press dispatch
from Brazil had reported the discovery of important Phoenician inscriptions in the Amazon Valley
which would justify the opinion that
the Phoenicians were the first to
have discovered America. This important news was reported in The
'Syrian World at the time, but in
view of the more recent discoveries
referred to above, and in the interest of presenting a complete record,
the earlier dispatch on the Brazilian
finds would bear republication. It
follows:
"Discovery of inscriptions carved
on Amazon Valley rocks has revived
a belief that 4,000 years or more ago
Phoenicians discovered America, navigated the Amazon and built a city
there.
"The finds were made by Dr. Barbosa while on a trip a few months
ago with General Rondon, Brazil's
most famous explorer. The carvings
were in hieroglyphs.
"Information about them is withheld while decoding goes on, a job
expected to take about a year. They
were found in rock formations along
the Cumina River in the State of
Para and on bits of pottery.
"If the decoding comes up to the
expectations of archaeologists, it is
said excavations will be attempted
on the shores of the Cumina in
search for the buried site of a city.
"The name of this city, according
to tradition, was Atlantida. Curiously, this is the same as the name of
the continent that some geological
and archaeological writers say once
existed in the Atlantic Ocean and
that may have formed either a land
bridge or link for communication between the old and the new hemispheres.
"Other localities in the vast Amazon basin have furnished Phoenician
traces. At the confluence of the Solimao and Negro rivers, on a small
is'and called Pedro, what appears to
be a Phoenician ship-is carved on a
large rock."
�NOVEMBER, 1930
RIHANI TO SPEAK
AT TOWN HALL
With the opening of the Fall lecture season our celebrated author
and lecturer, Ameen Rihani, finds
himself called upon to fill a heavy
speaking program. On November 22
he is scheduled to speak at Town
Hall under the auspices of the
League for Political Education. This
organization is known to sponsor
lectures and discussions by outstanding visitors to America.
Mr. Rihani will deliver two additional addresses during November,
one at the National Arts Club on
the twelfth and the other at the
Poetry Society on the 20th.
LADIES' AID SOCIETY
GIVES DINNER-DANCE
The Ladies' Aid Society of New
York opened the social season by a
dinner-dance given in the grand
ball-room of the Elks Club in Brooklyn. Mrs. Dominick J. Faour, the
president, in her brief address of
welcome, announced that the society
had collected and distributed since
its organization a sum of $75,000.
Mr. S. Dowaliby acted as master of
ceremonies.
LEBANESE GOVERNMENT
TO ASSIST SUFFERERS
When news reached Lebanon of
the Santo Domingo disaster, in
which several Lebanese lost their
lives and others suffered almost a
total loss of their belongings, the
President of the republic called a
special meeting of the cabinet to
discuss ways and means of extending aid to the sufferers. An appropriation of 50,000f was made for
immediate relief and for repatriat-
53
ing those who elect to return to the
homeland. The mandatory authorities will be consulted as to the best
method for dispatching and distributing the relief appropriations.
SYRIAN COMPOSER
ARRIVES IN NEW YORK
Metri El-Murr, a well-known Syrian composer, arrived in New York
for a limited visit. For the last
thirty-five years Mr. El-Murr has
been in the lead in the movement
for modernizing Arab music. He is
particularly noted for his knowledge
of the Byzantine technique.
RADIO TALK ON
EDUCATION IN SYRIA
Mr. Ibrahim Dada, a Columbia
student hailing from Damascus and
specializing in education, was given
the opportunity by the Y. M. C. A.
of making a radio talk on the subject of education in Syria. Undoubtedly actuated by the best intentions, his talk was a very effective expose of the "abject ignorance" of 80 per cent, of the population of Syria. The talk might
have been intended as an appeal, but
it was certainly cast in the wrong
phraseology. Such discussions might
prove of value at the proper place
and time, as when addressing an
audience interested in the study of
education. But to go on the air with
a gruesome description of black
ignorance among one's own people is
far from being desirable. It would
be better we wash our dirty linen
in private, and not expose ourselves
to further misunderstanding by
stressing or magnifying an unfortunate condition.
�———
54
THE SYRIAN WORLD
HITTI TO PUBLISH
IMPORTANT BOOKS
WARM PRAISE OF
SYRIAN SINGER
Upon publication of the Arabic
edition of Usamah's Memoirs, reviewed elsewhere in this issue of
The Syrian World, the American
press of New York hailed the occasion as marking a new era in American
publishing
enterprise
in
that the book represented the first
work in Arabic published by an
American University press.
In an interview with the correspondent of the New York Sun, Dr.
Hitti is reported to have outlined
his plans for the publication of the
second volume in the series of
Princeton Oriental texts, entitled
Baha-Al Din's "Al-Juz' Awwal" the
sacred book of the Druzes of Syria.
It will be recalled that two years
ago Columbia University Press published a book on this subject by Dr.
Hitti, in which he made use of the
manuscript which will form the basis
of the new volume. This manuscript,
with several others dealing with the
religion of this Mohammedan sect,
is in the Garret collection on deposit in the Princeton University
Library. The account of the interview further states "that the publication of this manuscript will
bring to light for the first time the
secret scriptures of an interesting
Islamic sect which has been greatly
influenced by both Judaism and
Christianity."
Fedora Corban, styled the Syrian
nightingale, had a successful Western tour last summer and received
praise from music critics that would
bear out Mr. Rihani's appraisal of
her gifts as expressed in his article
published in this issue of The Syrian World.
We copy the following from the
Kansas City Times of July 3.
"Radio listeners had the unusual
experience yesterday afternoon of
hearing a fine coloratura soprano,
great in volume and with dramatic
timbre, broadcast over WDAF. Fedora Kurban was the singer and in
her voice was the dreamy and sensuous charm of the Orient from
which she came.
"With a voice that encompasses
three octaves, is warm and fluent
throughout its range, she sang the
"Bell-Song" from "Lakme" and followed it with the brilliant aria that
forms the climax to Bellini's opera,
"La Sonnambula," in which the
sleep-walker awakens to love and
happiness.
"In her singing of Delibe's music,
the singer disclosed rare good taste
and a skill that is likely to be the
despair of most Occidental singers.
The wealth of vocal ornamentation
in the "Bell-Song" was delivered
with effortless ease. Trills, staccato
passages, sustained high Ds, Es, and
finally a triumphant F floated out to
a multitude of listeners. In Bellini's
music she disclosed a lovely pianissimo, swelling to a full ringing tone.
"She sang in English a song of
the desert, "Allah, Hear Me Calling" by Maloof, in which the tropical
warmth of her voice carried with it
genuine emotion. "The Garden of
My Heart" was another example of
temperament and fervor."
—M. K. P.
ALICE POULLEAU'S BOOK
BANNED FROM SYRIA
Publication of Mile. Alice Poulleau's new book "In Damascus Under Bombardment", caused the
French authorities in Syria to take
drastic action against it. An official
decree by the High Commissioner
bans entry of the book into Syria
and forbids all translation or publication of its contents.
BBHWBH
�NOVEMBER, 1930
SYRIA REFUGEES'
DUMPING GROUND
The press of Syria reports a
strange migration movement to that
country which has been going on
steadily for several months in a
manner calculated to attract as little
public attention as possible. The
movement finally assumed such proportions as to arouse public suspicion, and resulting inquiries revealed that the new immigrants
were neither Armenians nor Greeks,
although most of them had embarked at Greek ports. They finally proved to be Chaldeans who before the
war inhabited Kurdestan but have
since scattered throughout Caucasia
and Russia while some found their
way to Persia and Greece.
The present immigration movement into Syria is said by the Syrian
press to be the result or an agreement between the mandatory authorities and the representative of the
Chaldean Patriarch in Beirut. The
authorities
promised
homestead
sites for these refugees on condition they would settle and engage in
agricultural occupations, otherwise
all assistance would be withheld
from them. Already over a thousand
families have settled in the district
of Deir Ezzour under the terms of
the agreement. Homes as well as
many other facilities have been provided for them.
Coincident with these revelations
comes the report that three Armenian representatives arrived in
Beirut the latter part of October to
make arrangements for settling in
Syria and Lebanon fifteen thousand
additional Armenian refugees now in
Greece.
With economic conditions in the
country at their Ipwest ebb, the
press is by no means complimentary
of the action of the mandatory power in facilitating the influx of all
55
these aliens. A leading paper of Beirut publishes the account of this
new migration movement under the
caption: "Syria 'has now become the
home of the homeless."
SYRIAN-AMERICAN CLUB
HOLDS ANNUAL CELEBRATION
The Syrian-American Club of Danbury, Conn., held its annual celebration in its clubrooms Sunday afternoon and evening, October 5. The
attendance was well over five hundred drawn from many parts of the
New England States and from New
York City. There was music and
dancing as well as speechmaking.
Mr. Michael Trabulsi presided.
The Syrian-American societies of
New England, particularly of Connecticut, have for many years been
holding these annual celebrations
which take at times the form of national gatherings, attended by deputations from a score, or more societies, who come with gifts and expressions of good will. The effect has
been a strengthening of racial ties
along with a keener appreciation of
citizenship obligations.
SPANIARDS SHOW TOLERANCE
TO MOSLEM STUDENTS
Spain is well on the way of losing
its stigma of having been the land of
the Inquisition. Not only are the
Spaniards showing tolerance towards Christians of other denominations, but they are even displaying
unusual courtesy towards
nonOhristians. The following Associated
Press dispatch from Cordova, Spain,
dated November 7 plainly interprets
the signs of the times. It reads:
"The high chant of a Moslem
religious service rose in the ancient
Cathedral of Cordova today for the
�56
THE SYRIAN WORLD
first time in 500 years, interrupting
But the young sheikh could not
for a moment a Catholic mass being as easily dismiss from his heart the
celebrated by the local clergy.
love of the beautiful urban maiden.
"A group of Moorish students, So, carried on the wings of desire,
touring the old province of Andalu- he chose two companions of proven
sia, which was wrested from their valor and set out in the direction
forebears five centuries ago, halted of the village to carry out a bold
in a corridor of the cathedral where plan. They forced the house of tJhe
verses of the Koran still decorate girl in the most approved romantic
the walls.
style and proceeded to carry her
"Oblivious of their whereabouts, away from her bed. Awakened by the
they burst into the chant as the commotion, her father raised the
Catholic service was in progress in alarm among the inhabitants who
another part of the church. The hastily armed themselves and sallied
Catholic clergy, realizing that the forth in pursuit of the kidnappers.
students were touring under gov- They overtook them on the outernment auspices, suspended their skirts of the village and engaged
service until the chant ended."
them .in..battle. The sheikh-lover
placed the girl in charge of one of
his companions and with the other
held the pursuers in check. The vilARAB SHEIKH ENACTS
lagers, owing to their superior numREAL LOVE DRAMA bers, were gradually closing in upon
the Arabs. It was now a hundred,
What a pity that the camera man then fifty, then twenty-five yards.
was absent!
The situation was becoming desperFor there was enacted in northern
ate
and the Arab appointed to guard
Syria the latter part of October a
real love tragedy of which the hero the girl left her to come to the aid
was a genuine Arab sheikh and the of his companions. She, profiting of
villain the father of his beautiful the opportunity, broke away to join
beloved!
her father, but fell exhausted in noThe story as reported by the Syr- man's land. A villager made a desian press mentions the names of the
perate dash to rescue her but was
persons and places involved in the
felled
by a well-aimed bullet. Andrama and leaves no room for doubt
as to its authenticity.
other member of the posse made a
Briefly, it relates that Emir No- similar attempt and met the same
waq El-Ahmad, a ranking sheikh of fate. Then the father made a last
the Mawali tribe, young and hand- desperate effort to reach her and the
some and romantic, became enamorembattled Romeo plunged a dagger
ed of Sabha, a bewitchingly beautiful maid of the village of Nahtara, in his side. Then lifting his prize in
district of Edlib, in northern Syria. his powerful arms, he swung her beHe sought her hand in the conven- hind him on his fleet Arabian horse
tional manner but was dismissed by and rode away with her under the
her father with the remark that he
mantle of the night.
would never consider giving his
daughter in marriage to a wanderWhat romancer could invent a
ing bedouin.
more daring and blood curdling plot!
�——-
NOVEMBER, 1930
57
PAN-ARABIAN PICTURE
CORPORATION, LTD.
Authorized Capital Stock
40,000 SHARES COMMON
$5 PAR VALUE
Main Office:
512 Union Bank Building
Los Angeles, California.
This is a purely Arabian organization, the first and only corporation of its kind in the world dealing in the moving and talking picture
industry in Arabic. It comprises the three elements necessarily associated with the film industry namely, production, distribution and
exhibition.
This is the age of amusement and our people, whose enterprises
and adventures are proverbial, must have their due share in this
flourishing industry. It is the intention of this company not only to
furnish the entertainment but to insure also for our people the organizing credit and profit.
We will make talking pictures of an Oriental character which will
acquaint our people in the American continent and in the East with
our historical deeds and cultural attainments. This we will perform
directly and through various theatrical groups.
We will also produce pictures of various phases of Syrian life in
the different cities and countries and present them to our countrymen
in other parts of the world and at home together with pictures of
famous men and great events in both the East and foreign lands and
wherever Arabic-speaking peoples may be, so that they may be informed of each other's leaders and affairs.
We intend to train the talented ones of our race in music, singing,
acting, etc., in order to have our own professionals and thus provide
them with employment.
Will you help us to attain that goal? Be a stockholder and gain
the privilege and credit in making this corporation a success.
You will not be risking anything. Your money is amply protected
by the laws of the state of California which guarantee you that only
10 per cent, of what you pay for the stock will go toward the preliminary expenditure if the company does not raise the necessary capital for the work. Otherwise your investment will be very profitable.
The general sales agent, Edward Gillett, will travel throughout
the United States in the interest of the corporation. Application for
subscription to stock may also be made to the corporation's headquarters in Los Angeles or to any of the Syrian papers, or to the corporation's representative in New York State, Mr. A. G. Milkie 160
Greenwich St.,, New York City.
�58
THE SYRIAN WORLD
STATEMENT OP THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT. CIRCULATION
of The Syrian World, published monthly at New York, N. Y., Oct. 1, 1930.
STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF NEW YORK.
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the state and county aforesaid,
personally appeared Salloum A. Mokarzel, :who, having been duly sworn
according to law, deposes and says that he s the pub isher of The Syrian
World, and that the fo lowing is, to the best of his knowledge and belief,
a true statement of the ownership, management (and if a da ly paper, the
circulation), etc. of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in he
above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section
411, Posial Laws and Regulations, printed on the reverse of th's form, to wit:
1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, manag'.ng
editor, and business managers are:
Name of—
Post office address—
Publisher, Salloum A. Mokarzel,
104 Greenwich Street.
EJitor, Sal oum A. Mokarzel,
104 Greenwich Street.
Managing Ed'tor, Salloum A. Mokarzel
104 Greenwich Street.
Business Managers, Salloum A. Mokarzel,
104 Greenw ch Street.
2. That the owner is: (If owned by a corporation, its name and address
must be stated and also immediately thereunder the names and addresses
of stockho ders owning or holding one per cent, or more of total amount of
stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a firm, company or other unincorporated concern, its name and address, as well as those of each individual
member, must be given.)
Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street.
3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or hoiding 1 per cent, or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other secur ties are: (If there are none, so state.) None.
4. That the two paragraphs next above giving the names of the owners, stockholders, security holders, if any, contain not only the list of
stockholders and security holders as they appear upon the books of the
company but also, in cases where the stockholder or security holder appears
upon the books of the company as trustee or in any other fiduciary relation,
the name of the person or corporation for whom such trustee is acting is
g-ven; also that the said two paragraphs contain statements embracing affiant's full knowiedge and belief as to the circumstances and conditions under which stockholders and security holders who do not appear upon the
books of the company as trustees, hold stock and securities in a capacity
other than that of a bona fide owner; and th's affiant has no reason to believe that any other person, association, or corporation has any interest
direct or indirect in the said stock, bonds or other securities than as so
stated by him.
5. That the average number of copies of each issue of this publication
sold or d'stributed, through the mails or otherwise, to paid subscribers during the six months preceding the date shown above is.
(This information is required from daily publications only.)
S. A. MOKARZEL.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6th day of October, 1930.
[Seal.]
Edna M. Huckner.
(My commission expires March 30, 1932.)
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The Syrian World Newspapers
Description
An account of the resource
<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
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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.
Identifier
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NS 0002
Access Rights
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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.
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
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TSW1930_11reducedWM
Title
A name given to the resource
The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 03
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1930 November
Description
An account of the resource
Volume 5 Issue 03 of The Syrian World published November 1930. The issue starts off with an article by Dr. F. I. Shatara discussing the New British Policy in Palestine. Shatara, a Palestinian Arab, followed the events closely and wrote an article describing the situation. It primarily focused around the religious wars of the area, and England's place in reconciling the situation as the colonial power in charge. Featured next is a special article from Ameen Rihani discussing the subject of the Syrian in American art. Following that is Salloum Mokarzel's account of Damascus from his travels, in which he takes the readers through the principal quarters and places of historic importance. Following a poem titled "Ships Sail Out" by Alice George there is a continuation of the "Ali Zaibaq" serial from the previous two issues. In addition to the usual book reviews of the last few issues there are two poems, one by Thomas Asa and the other by Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin. The issue concludes with a further editorial discussion on the New British Policy in Palestine, more on the political developments in Syria, and lastly articles from the Arab press that specifically relate to Syria and Syrians.
Subject
The topic of the resource
Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals
Arabs--United States--Periodicals
Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals
Language
A language of the resource
English
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Salloum A. Mokarzel
Syrian-American Press
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
New York Public Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Coverage
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104 Greenwich St., New York, NY
Format
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Text/pdf
Type
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Text
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials.
1930s
Alice George
Ameen Rihani
F.I. Shatara
Law
New York
Palestine
Poetry-English
Salim Alkazin
Syria
Thomas Asa
Travel