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30'29F
VOL. IV. No. 3.
NOVEMBER, 1929.
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SYRIAN WORLD
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING
WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE
I
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i
a
OFFICIALDOM AND THE GENTLEMEN
OF THE PRESS
SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL
A DESERVING INSTITUTION
HILDA FOX
RIHANI—THE MAN AND HIS WORK
ELIZABETH P. MACCALLUM
ESS
A LEGEND OF THE NILE
DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN
I
SUCH WAS FATE! (A SHORT STORY)
LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA
jHjJ
i
THE COPY 50c
��THE
SYRIAN WORLD
SALLOUM
A.
Tublished monthly by
MOKARZEL,
Editor.
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y.
By subscription $5.00 a year.
Single copies 50c
Entired as second-class matter June 257^192671uf the post office at New
York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879.
VOL. IV. No. 3.
NOVEMBER, 1929
CONTENTS
PAGE
In This Issue
3
Officialdom and the Gentlemen of the Press
5
SALLOUM
A.
MOKARZEL
A Deserving Institution
Miss
14
HILDA FOX
Riharii—The Man and His Work
ELIZABETH
P.
20
MCCALLUM
To the Mm With the Hard Eyes (Poem)
28
BARBARA YOUNG
A Legend of the Nile (Poem)
DR. SALIM
Y.
29
ALKAZIN
�.IDII
—°— —m
CONTENTS (Continued)
PAGE
Such Was Fate! (Short Story)
LABEEBEE
A. J.
32
HANNA
Editorial Comment
Racial Consciousness
Variety
38
40
Letters to the Editor
41
Spirit of the Syrian Press
42
Political Developments in Syria
46
About Syria and Syrians
50
ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE
President of Lebanon Entertains Publishers
President Charles Dabbas of Lebanon
Sheikh Bishara Khouri, Premier of Lebanon
Farewell Luncheon to Lebanese Editors
Ameen Rihani in Arab Costume
The Valley of Freike
Partial View of Freike
�IN THIS ISSUE
ELIZABETH MACCALLLTM is a serious student of
foreign affairs, being on the research staff of the Foreign Policy Association. The early
struggles and achievements of
Ameen Rihani, both in the literary and the political realms,
hold a strong fascination for
her. She made a thorough
study of his life and works and
wrote an illuminating article on
the subject which was published
in the November number of
the SURVEY GRAPHIC. It is but
proper that THE SYRIAN
WORLD, to which Ameen Rihani has contributed so freely,
reproduce this authoritative appreciation of him by an American writer of standing. Miss
MacCallum, it may be recalled,
is an authority on Syrian and
Near Eastern affairs, she being
the author of the "Nationalist
Crusade in Syria." Her article
on Rihani, as well as the accompanying illustrations, are reproduced by special permission of
the author and of the SURVEYGRAPHIC. * * * SALLOUM
A. MOKARZEL writes for
this issue another chapter of the
account of his recent tour in
Svria. In this installment he
tells of his interviews with the
President and Premier of the
Republic of Lebanon, and with
the acting French High Com-
missioner. Not alone do you
get an estimate of the character
of each of these high officials,
but some pertinent information
on various governmental affairs in the country. Besides,
the writer takes you on a tour
of the newspaper and printing
establishments, and recounts
his personal experiences and
contacts with the members of
the newspaper fraternity. * * *
DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN
spent several years in Egypt
while a youth and became well
versed in the mystic lore of
that ancient country. He contributes to this issue a fascinating legend cast in poetic form
and having all the gripping interest of a mystery tale. The
reader can follow the moving
narrative as easily as he can an
easv-reading short story. * * *
LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA
contributes to this issue an original short story, whose scene is
laid in America and whose
theme is a phase of Syrian life.
Surely the cosmic force of love
moves all men alike, but the
new factor of immigration coming into the lives of the Syrians and causing the breaking
up of many a home makes the
plot of Miss Hanna's story possible. While she initiates you
into certain forms of Syrian
social activities in New York,
�she holds your interest until
the final denoument which reveals a tragic incident in a Syrian couple's life. * * * BARBARA YOUNG, the wellknown American poet, is a
loyal friend of the Syrians and
THE SYRIAN WORLD. She has
contributed many an original
poem before and makes of her
present contribution a further
proof of her continued interest.
* * * HILDA FOX, General
Secretary of the Lebanon Hospital for Mental Diseases,
writes on the history and needs
of this, the only institution of
its kind, in Mt. Lebanon. Syrians interested in the progress
of humanitarian endeavors in
their mother-country will find
it most profitable to acquaint
themselves with the indispensable work of this institution,
supported so far solely by
American and British philanthropy. * * * REGULAR
DEPARTMENTS are being
improved and added to constantly. Political Developments
in Syria continue to hold the
center of the starre in Near
Eastern affairs. The Arabs are
prosecuting vigorously their
claim to a place in the sun and
have so far succeeded in creating a tremendous impression.
To follow the epoch-making
events now taking place in Syria
and Palestine is to read history
in the making. These develop-
«
ments are concisely and conscientiously summarized in
every issue of THE SYRIAN
WORLD. * * * The Spirit of the
Syrian Press in this issue is as
informative and as indicative
of public opinion among the
Syrians as ever. Passions seem
to be aroused to an unusual degree over many political matters under controversy. The
comments are faithfully reproduced as they appeared, our
purpose being to give an adequate picture of what transpires
in the Syrian press. * * * Letters to the Editor in this issue
seem to concentrate on one subject. We invite our readers to
express themselves freely on
all current matters. Criticism
and suggestions for improvement are equally welcome.***
The News Department in this
issue is enlarged and contains
a wide variety of material.
Readers can add to its interest
by sending us news of all matters of public concern occurring
in their localities.
Our readers surely share with
us the satisfaction of making an
appreciable gain in overcoming
the delay in our publication
schedule. This issue appeared
only three weeks since the publication of the last. We trust to
be able to continue this gain so
as to overcome the discrepancy
with the second issue following.
�—. —
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T1TF
SYRIAN WORLD
VOL. IV. No. 3.
NOVEMBER, 1929.
Officialdom and the Gentlemen
of the Press
A Chronological Record of the Editor's Trif Abroad
By
SALLOUM
A.
MOKARZEL
III.
QF the month I spent in Syria a little over ten days were spent
in Beirut, though intermittently. I could have profitably spent
many more but for the limitation of time. For Beirut is not only
the capital of the Lebanese Republic, but the emporium of Syria,
its principal seaport and, perhaps, the chief cultural and educational center of the whole Arabic-speaking world. Its ranking
educational institutions are the American University and L'Universite de St. Joseph of the Jesuit order, while its colleges and
schools of lesser rank may be counted by the score, some under
native and others under foreign direction. Beirut, besides, does
not lack of historical or legendary importance. It was a flourishing center of commerce and learning both before and during
Roman rule, and through the stormy epoch of the Crusades it
played an important role. The Bay of St. George, where the
valiant Christian knight slew the dragon and saved the maid, is
one of the chief beach resorts of the city, while the valuable archaeological discoveries made in the city proper and vicinity, have
enriched the National Museum to the point of making it the foremost museum in the world in Phoenician relics. The invaluable
sarcophagus of King Ahiram, unearthed in Byblos in 1924 and
�,A
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
bearing the earliest inscription ever discovered in Phoenician characters, is in the possession of the Museum of Beirut.
This is but part of what gives Beirut its claim to intrinsic historical importance, while the additional distinction of being the
seat of the French High Commissariat since the mandate, enhances its position as a political center.
Having been shown exceptional courtesies by the native government, my first act was to call on the President to pay my respects and render due thanks. President Charles Dabbas was
courteous to receive me at an early hour. He is at his desk during summer punctually at eight. When I was ushered into his
office at about nine he had cleared his desk of the morning mail
leaving only a huge pile of local and foreign papers untouched.
My companion on this occasion, as on most of my other formal
calls, was Joseph Mokarzel, publisher of Ad-Dabbour. But in
the company of President Dabbas one immediately feels the unnecessity of all formalities. My first impression of him was that
of a clear-visioned, affable diplomat, hiding under a screen of
suppleness a firm tenacity of purpose. He is eminently fitted for
his exalted post both by character and training. Being a lawyer
of note and having held high administrative posts in the native
government before the inauguration of the republican regime,
he is master of all details of administration. Perhaps he excels
in the role of conciliator and mediator, and this first impression
I had of him was later confirmed at the time he acted as host
in his official residence to a group of the leading publishers and
editors whom he invited to a luncheon and reception he was
gracious to extend to me. What I witnessed at the time, when
he handled one of the most difficult situations with infinite tact
and adroitness, convinced me of his supreme fitness for the honor
of being the first president of the first republic in the Arabic East.
President Dabbas expressed the greatest solicitude for the
welfare of Syrian and Lebanese emigrants in America. He would
like to see the bond of relationship further strengthened between
them and their mother country. Not that he would expect them
all to return, but that they should not disrupt definitely their
relations with the motherland and lose all interest in its welfare.
Now that Lebanon is entering upon a new era of progress and
expected prosperity, the President believes that Lebanese emigrants could not only contribute substantially to the acceleration
of the advance movement, but that they could profit materially
�NOVEMBER, 1929
I I
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by the promotion of basic industrial enterprises.
The audience with the President lasted for over an hour.
He was anxious to get first-hand information on America and
I of the motherland. Prominent personalities among Lebanese
emigrants were not unknown to him. He particularly inquired
after the well-being of my brother, publisher and editor of AlI-loda of New York. "The country," volunteered the President,
"owes Mr. N. A. Mokarzel a lasting debt of gratitude for his
signal services in his long and constructive career. I trust you
will be good enough to convey to him these sentiments as expressions of the deep appreciation of his motherland. Through
him our thanks may be appropriately transmitted to that vast
number of generous emigrants who so splendidly responded to
his call to aid the motherland in its times of trial and affliction."
The President was referring to the numerous occasions when
Al-Hoda, through popular subscriptions, raised thousands of
dollars in money, clothing and foodstuffs in aid of Syrian and
Lebanese sufferers.
It may be parenthetically stated that this sentiment of appreciation and gratitude to the editor of Al-Hoda was prevalent
throughout the land. I heard it expressed in the President's office, in the Maronite Patriarch's see, in District Governors' bureaus, as well as in the public squares of the remotest and most
isolated villages. To the common people he was the ideal patriot,
fearless in his championship of the nation's liberties. He was
everywhere proudly and lovingly referred to as the "Tiger of
Lebanon."
The conversation with President Dabbas encompassed all
vital subjects from the economic, to the social and educational.
Politics, however, were only lightly considered. It was perhaps
best to exclude this topic from consideration in the highest executive office of the country when every other place in the land
seemed to teem with it. The very atmosphere of Lebanon appears to be impregnated with politics. Before I had gone through
half of my first day I had come to the conviction that no group
could be together for more than five minutes before the conversation veered to politics. There was something or other wrong
with everything and everybody, and all was wrong with the government. Alas! if only the people directed their energies to
some constructive effort, what a change could be wrought.
And this condition, I must hasten to state, does not apply
�<m«*r*
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
only to governmental circles and the people of the capital j it
was epidemic throughout the land. You could not possibly escape
it even if you "sought seclusion on the mountain top," as the
Arab adage goes. For even there the goatherd will come to you
with his complaints and grievances, and your native companions
would find excuses to revert to politics in the question of reforestation, road-building, taxation, petty graft and a score like matters.
From the President's office we stepped into that of the Premier, adjoining. Sheikh Bishara Khoury had been in office only
a few months but even then was considering to resign. Politics
in Lebanon is the most trying of games and it would seem that
the most honest and capable must of necessity devote the major
portion of his time and energy to maintaining himself in office
instead of applying himself to his duties.
One's first impression of the Premier is that of a man of extraordinary capability and energy. His clear, blue eyes have
depth and firmness. He greets you with the affability and dignity
of the born aristocrat. His every movement denotes decision.
The Premier was as solicitous for the Lebanese emigrants in
America as was the President. Our conversation ran along almost identical lines. When asked for his photograph he wrote
across it a beautiful message to the emigrants. For if the former
conception of the emigrants remaining an integral part of the
mother country is gradually giving way, it is doing so reluctantly.
All classes of the population appreciate to the full the contributions of the emigrants to the maintenance of the motherland—
their continued remittances are an immense invisible item in the
revenue of the country, while the large amount of emigrant capital invested in industrial enterprises is helping materially in its
economic progress. The Premier lauded as a most helpful move
the promotion of tourism.
From the office of the Premier we crossed the hall to that of
M. Solomiac, simply as a matter of formality, he being the liaison officer between the French High Commissariat and the Lebanese Government.
While on the subject of formal calls, I may here mention
that some of my newspaper friends advised my visiting M. Tetrau, the acting High Commissioner in the absence of M. Ponsot.
The audience was arranged through John Bey Ayoub, director
of the Bureau of the Press in the High Commissariat. To M.
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PRESIDENT OF LEBANON
Guests at the official luncheon given by President Charles D
From left to right: Shukri Baccash, Bishara Khouri, Gibran
karzel, Gabriel Khabbaz, President Dabbas (central figure
tany, Kheir Eddin El-Ahdab, Wadih Akel, Joseph Souda, Jo
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ENTERTAINS PUBLISHERS
abbas of Lebanon in honor of the Editor of The Syrian World.
Twaini, Alexander Riashi, Michel Zakkour, Salloum A. Moin white), Mohammad Al-Bakir, Assad Akel, Alexander Bisseph Mokarzel.
�PRESIDENT CHARLES DABBAS OF LEBANON
From the autographed photograph given to the Editor of The Syrian World.
�_
SHEIKH BISHARA KHOURI
Premier of Lebanon
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To my
In
tion of
wishes
return.
TRANSLATION OF THE PREMIER'S INSCRIPTION
ON HIS PHOTOGRAPH
friend, Mr. Salloum Mokarzel,
remembrance of his visit to the Lebanese homeland and in recognihis services to this country, coupled with greetings and sincere best
to Lebanese emigrants. May God grant them prosperity and safe
Beirut, August 21, 1929.
BISHARA KHOURI,
Premier of Lebanon.
�lUflli1"
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FAREWELL LUNCHEON
TO LEBANESE EDITORS
The sixth figure from the left is Sheikh Bishara Khouri, Premier of the Republic of Lebanon. Immediately at his right,
wearing a tarboush, is Ahmed Showky Bey, poet Laureate of Egypt. The second from the left is Sami Effendi Shawa.
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NOVEMBER, 1929
Tetrau I explained the purpose of my trip and stressed the project of encouraging tourism to Syria and Lebanon. 1 ventured the
opinion that it would be a profitable move to issue suitable literature in English for the purpose, the which could be distributed
among the American traveling public. M. Tetrau replied that
this had been done; that a few thousand descriptive pamphlets
had been printed and distributed, but how and where he could
not tell. He searched in his desk for a copy and gave it to me.
It was a diminutive thing that would compare ill with any piece
of literature a steamship company issues to advertise a single
cruise. No copies of the small edition, to his knowledge, had been
sent for distribution in America.
But in French literature the tourist trade of the country fared
better. The acting High Commissioner showed me the latest
product of French effort along this line. It was a pretentious book
by Col. Jacquot, an officer of the French army of occupation,
on the Alouite State. I had seen the book before through the
courtesy of the purser of the S. S. Providence while making the
crossing and admired its scholarly information. The High Commissioner obligingly informed me that the book was on sale at
the Jesuit Press in Beirut, where it could be bought for forty
francs, as it was privately printed to the account of the author.
I took the hint and bought a copy, which I consider well worth
the price, but I could not escape the conclusion that this was poor
propaganda for the country.
The High Commissioner, however, further obliged me with
an explanation as to the reason for the reluctant attitude of the
French toward the encouragement of tourism. In his statement
he left nothing for inference. His words were clear and indicated
a well-defined policy.
"Under prevailing conditions in the country," he said, "we
do not want to encourage tourism. Hotel facilities are not adequate and we fear that by inducing tourists to visit the country
in its present stage their reactions will be such as to bring injury
to the tourist industry in the future. Our concern at present is to
provide first-class hotels equipped with all modern conveniences.
We plan to have such hotels erected at strategic points throughout the country, in a line running from Beirut, to Tripoli, to
Aleppo and Damascus. The railroad companies are raising the
necessary capital for this project and we expect to have a number of hotels opened in the principal cities within a few years."
I was not inclined to enter into an argument with the acting
�*'?
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
High Commissioner. I was seeking information and got it. The
stand of the French authorities on the question was clear and they
gave their reasons unequivocally for so doing. But I could not
help asking myself the reason for such a divergence of policy
between the French and the native authorities. Here was the
Lebanese Government making annual appropriations for the encouragement of tourism and the promotion of Lebanon as a summer resort, while the French expressed the fear that until the
completion of the contemplated hotels the country would be
more hurt than benefited by the tourist trade. How can the two
viewpoints be reconciled?
I not only put the question to myself but put it to others
to native political leaders who seem to have developed an uncanny
perspicaaty in delineating French motives. Here was their explanation:
"The French are in the country primarily for their own
interests. If the tourist trade is to be profitable the profit must
be theirs. It will not be theirs so long as they have no capital invested in the hotel business. They are, therefore, biding their
time in the promotion of tourism until the railroad interests,
which are French, are ready with their plans, all other excuses
notwithstanding. We have in Lebanon better equipped and
managed hotels than any in Palestine,—better even than the
government-built hotel in Latakia. But Palestine does not seem
to suffer from any harmful reaction of its tourists. The truth
of the situation is that the country's progress is being sacrificed
to French greed."
This is the pro and con of the situation. I am neither indicting nor defending. What I can frankly and unreservedly state,
however, is that I heard grumblings against this policy of the
French in every section, mostly, rather, in northern Lebanon,
which is supposed to be the bulwark of French influence in the
country.
While on the subject of officials, I could not pass a general
reference to many French officials in various parts of Syria who
entertain genuine solicitude for the welfare of the Syrian people,
and who have succeeded in establishing themselves firmly in the
love and esteem of all classes. Wherever such are found they
are fast repairing the damage done to French prestige by the
overbearance and arrogance of their predecessors. I shall relate
my pleasant experiences with these officials in due course of these
accounts.
�NOVEMBER, 1929
11
Some of my most pleasant memories of my experiences in
Beirut are those of my contacts with members of the newspaper
fraternity. The editors had been most hospitable in their reception and kind in their treatment of me. I had known everyone
by his work and came to evaluate his true character. I could expect fairness from them all at all times, but never dreamed that
they would carry their generosity to the extent they dealth to me.
Our relations were not only those of genuine cordiality but
of sincere mutual helpfulness at the same time. In their political
views they may be irreconciliably divided, as would be natural,
but on one particular point, that of admiration for the emigrants
and appreciation of their generous help to the mother country
in times of need, they are of a single mind. They sought of me
information on the conditions of the emigrants covering every
phase of life, while I was immensely enriched by their wealth of
experience on general conditions in the motherland. I am happy
over the privilege of being the medium of transmitting to my
fellow Syrians and Lebanese in America the high opinion of them
entertained by the representatives of the intelligent public opinion of their mother-country.
Learning of my interest in making a study of the progress
of the printing industry, the publishers of (Beirut gave me free
access to their printing establishments. I must confess that I had
hoped to see the industry in a more advanced state for a city
of the educational and cultural importance of Beirut. With a
little more initiative and technical knowledge, a modern press
could be established in Beirut which the city and the country at
large could well support. It would be the means for cultivating
the sense of the beautiful in the printing art which is an unfailing sign of a nation's progress. On my visits to the American
and Jesuit Universities, I was given beautifully printed year
books and other pieces of literature on the two institutions, but
the work was done in France!
Almost all the newspaper establishments of Beirut are identical in equipment. A cylinder press, and in a few cases two, of
European make fed by hand; one or more job presses; a paper
cutter and any number of old-style type cases which the Arabic
newspapers of America have discarded entirely after the advent
of the Linotype. Even the folding is still done by hand. One
would think that with the cultural and educational leadership of
the city the printing industry would be more progressive.
The two best equipped plants are those of two foreign mis-
i
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
sionary institutions: L'Imprimerie Catholique of the Jesuits and
the American Press. In the latter establishment I was pleasantly
surprised to see an automatic-feed American Kelly press and the
latest model Arabic Linotype. The manager expressed his complete satisfaction with both machines. He was particularly elated
over the advantages of the Linotype which he characterized as
a boon beyond value, enabling them, as it does, to set type not
only in various Arabic faces but in all European languages. At
the time of my visit the operator, a graduate of the American
University of Beirut, was turning out English composition of a
technical nature. He said he was in love with the machine.
Another well-equipped plant which is capable of enormous
production is that of Al-Hoda. All its equipment is of American
make comprising two Linotypes, two folding machines, one
Miehle Press, and several cylinder and pony and job presses.
The principal public occasion in which I had the good fortune
to meet the leading editors and publishers of the country as a
body was the reception and luncheon with which President Dabbas honored me at his summer residence at Aley on July 30.
Those present were: Joseph Souda, editor of Ar-Rayat and member of the Assembly; Wadih Akel, editor of Ar-Racid; Kheir
Eddin El-Ahdab, editor of Al-Ahd Al-Jadid; Alexander Bistany,
editor of Lisan Ul-Hal; Assad Akel, editor of Al-Bairaq; Mohammad Al-Bakir, editor of Al-Balagh; Gabriel Khabbaz, editor of L'Orient; Michel Zakkour, editor of Al-Marad and member of the Assembly j Alexander Riashi, editor of As-Sahafi AtTaih; Gibran Twaini, editor of Al-Ahrarj Bishara Khouri, editor
of Al-Barq; Shikri Baccash, editor of Zahle Al-Fatat and Joseph
Mokarzel, editor of Ad-Dabbour.
These editors represented not only all religious creeds but all
political alignments. The President, himself a former editor,
lived up to the highest ethics of the profession and drew no distinction. One of those invited had his paper under suspension
even then for attacks on the Premier.
But throughout the afternoon the President manipulated the
conversation so that it would steer entirely clear of politics. Lebanon weather, unlike that of America, being outside the pale of
discussion as a ready excuse, the President discussed poetry. For
ingenious diplomacy this could be termed a master stroke, because
once you mention poetry, you touch the Lebanese's tenderest spot.
They are poets all in Lebanon.
�1
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NOVEMBER, 1929
13
The other occasion was when the above editors, with a number of others, accorded me the honor of attending a farewell
luncheon given at the seaside cafe of Alphonse on August 21.
The additional guests included Prime Minister Sheikh Bishara
Khoury; Ahmad Showky Bey, the poet laureat of Egypt, styled
"Poet of the Prince and Prince of the Poets"; Sami Shawa, the
celebrated violinist; Halim Dammous the poet; Joseph Sader,
editor of Al-Hokouk; Joseph Nasr, editor of Ar-Rakib of Tripoli; John Bey Ayyoub, chief of the Press Bureau at the High
Commissariat; and John Faggaly and Toufik Mokarzel of AdDabbour.
On this latter occasion neither the discussion of politics nor
the flow of poetry could be stemmed. Halim Dammous's poem
in praise of the emigrants was expressive of the loftiest sentiments. Forced by the circumstances to act as spokesman of
the emigrants, I attempted to state our position in terms that
would permit of no misinterpretation and admit of no ambiguity:
The emigrants have definitely chosen America for their home;
they owe but one political allegiance and that is to the country
of their adoption; their return as a body is beyond all hope;
their interests and that of their children is better served by banishing forever any illusion in this respect. Under the circumstances, our brothers of the mother country should view the loss
of the emigrants as a fait accomfli.
But this does not preclude sympathy by the emigrants for
the mother-country and solicitude for its progress and welfare.
This interest should not be confined to the first generation immigrants but should be transmitted to their children. It is the assumption that knowledge of one's historical background makes
of him a more self-respecting and useful citizen; while indirectly
this appreciation by the new generation of their ancestral background will keep alive the interest in their ancestral country's
welfare. The publication of THE SYRIAN WORLD was one means
to such an end; encouraging tourism to the ancestral land another.
A newspaper man's weakness is talking shop, and I find
myself inclined to indulge perhaps at too great length in accounts of my experiences with the fine group of confreres I met
in Beirut. I must, however, overcome the weakness for the present. Cominrr accounts will deal with other topics.
i
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
A Deserving Institution
By Miss HILDA FOX
General Secretary, Lebanon Hospital for Mental Diseases
r;
Editor's Note.—While in Lebanon this past summer, the editor had
frequent occasion to pass by the Lebanon Hospital for Mental Diseases,
commonly known as Al-Asfuriyeh. Limitation of time prevented an extended visit to the institution, but the trim buildings, the well-kept grounds,
and the apparently contented inmates gave indications of efficiency and benevolence in management.
The following paper by the General Secretary of Asfuriyeh, however,
supplies that information about the institution, its history, facilities and
general management which we would have liked to obtain. We are glad to
publish it not only for its information value, but also for the appeal it
contains to the human sympathy and national conscience of Syrian emigrants who should appraise the true value of such public institutions. We
trust the appeal will not go unheaded.
In her private note accompanying the article, Miss Fox makes the
following remark: "Syrians, so far, have given no funds to enlarge this
Hospital, although a very few have contributed to current expenses—it has
been done by Europeans and Americans—and yet we feel that there must
be many Syrians, whose affairs have prospered in the New World, who
would like to do something for their country's needs to whom this work
might specially appeal. But it is difficult to find them."
In a supporting letter from Mr. F. Hourani, a prominent Syrian of
Manchester, England, the writer also makes the following pertinent remarks: "For several years I have had the honor of serving on the Committee of Asfuriyeh in London, and as I know also intimately the Director
in Syria and have visited the Institution itself, I can testify from personal
knowledge that the whole organization is worthy of the sympathy and support of all thoughtful Syrians. Indeed I know of no other institution which
is served by such a devoted band of men and women and with such zeal
and efficiency. Surely the time has come for Syrians to take part in the
upkeep of such places, otherwise the question may fairly be asked 'Why
should British, American and Continental people provide such hospitals for
the use of our mentally afflicted people?"
The editor wishes also to testify to the great interest displayed by
Dr. C. Asid Corban in the maintenance and progress of Asfuriyeh. Dr.
Corban, a psychiatrist of New Zealand, is in a position to appreciate ths
needs of such institutions. Although Dr. Corban was born in New Zealand,
the call of his Lebanese blood is still strong and is accentuated in this cas?
by general humanitarian considerations.
The Syrian World wishes to declare itself in hearty sympathy with the
principle of the Syrians helping themselves whenever and to whatever extent possible. The appeal in the case of Asfuriyeh is timely and deserving.
�NOVEMBER, 1929
75
The editor would be happy to serve in an intermediary capacity between
prospective donors and the Committee.
)N the foothills of the Lebanon Mountains, about six miles
from Beirut, is to be found an institution which should have
the proud support of the whole Arabic-speaking world.
Of all of the afflictions that come to man, surely the worst
and most pitiable is that form of illness which affects the mind.
Every country has its host of sufferers, and Syria, Palestine and
Egypt are no exception. Indeed, although there are no statistics
available, the number of mentally deranged people in the Near
East seems to be increasing.
The old idea of insanity as possession by the devil dies hard,
but, thanks to the work of three pioneer Hospitals in the three
countries named—the Lebanon Hospital for Mental Diseases
(Asfuriyeh, near Beirut, Syria), the Government Hospital for
Mental Diseases near Cairo and the Jewish Mental Hospital near
Jerusalem—all founded about 30 years ago, more scientific and
more humane views have gradually spread throughout the Near
East. And now it is at last beginning to be realized that insanity
is indeed an illness, comparable with physical illness and equallv
susceptible of cure. The earlier that skilled medical care can be
given, the more likely is it that the cure will be complete and
permanent.
Of the three countries mentioned above, by far the worst
provided for now, so far as mental illness is concerned, is Syria
(see the table at the end), and therefore it is for Syria that this
special appeal is made—an appeal to increase the number of beds
at Asfuriyeh.
The Hospital has had an uphill task. Money to purchase
the land and build the necessary houses one by one all had to be
raised, and as Syria was unable to do it, the funds had to be found
in Europe and America from the charitable public. This took
many years of hard and devoted work on the part of the founder,
Theophilus Waldmeier, a Swiss missionary. His work in Abyssinia and later in Syria had impressed upon him the appalling
need for a hospital of this kind, and thanks to his efforts for these
afflicted people the hearts of many kind people in England and
other countries were touched, so that men and women formed
themselves into committees and laboured to raise the necessary
money. The land was bought in 1898 and the Hospital opened
�--
THE SYRIAN WORLD
16
in August, 1900, with 10 beds, gradually being increased to 157
beds.
And now there is urgent need for further expansion, and the
General Committee in London appeal to Syrians and all who
speak the Arabic language, the world over, to band themselves
together to provide the cost of a new house.
Present Position of the Hospital
Come and visit Asfuriyeh in spirit. It Was spring time when
the writer was there, the time of almond blossom, when the
ground is strewn with scarlet anemones and pink and white cyclamen, as many of you who read this must have seen it. The
little colony of white stone, red-roofed buildings looks most attractive and homely, set on the hillside above the sea.
The present stage is interesting. For 15 years (since 1914)
there has been no new house built at Asfuriyeh. Instead, a policy
of steady perfection of the existing buildings has been pursued,
with the result that now all the dilapidations and depradations
of the War have been made good; the houses have been fitted
with an excellent sanitary system; the laundry has been enlarged
by the addition of a large drying-room, and washing machines
are being installed for the heavier work; an ampler water-supply
will, we hope, be available this winter, owing to a new artesian
well which is being sunk; the grounds have been planted with
olive, fig and almond trees, and otherwise improved; power
houses, pumps and workshops are working efficiently. Altogether, with its solid and spotless buildings, beautiful grounds
and trees, its laboratories, pharmacy and lecture hall, the Hospital is a medical unit of whose efficiency and completeness those
who have helped to found it may well be proud. Visitors are
always struck by its well-kept appearance and scientific equipment.
Future Policy
This stage is now practically completed, and a new policy of
expansion is clearly indicated. The place is getting painfully
crowded and demands for admission continually grow. Patients
often have to be turned away for lack of room, and it is becoming impossible to take the slight or early cases which would be
the easiest to cure. As there is nowhere else for them to go, this
is a very serious thing for the country.
During the last year a new upper story has been added to
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NOVEMBER, 1929
17
one of the women's houses, at a cost of £900, and a row of eleven
single rooms for acute women patients is now being built, mainly
with funds from America, connecting two of the other women's
houses (cost £800). The comfort of these single rooms for some
of the more restless and noisy patients will be indescribable.
When these two additions are finished, the number of beds
should be increased from 157 to 185.
This is indeed a great thing. But it is not enough. To meet
the need, two, if not three, new pavilions of 30-35 beds each
must be built. We shall try to raise funds for one of these in
Europe this winter, but we think that the second ought to come
from the Arabic-speaking world. The cost of these houses is unusually moderate, owing to the excellent building stone available
in the adjacent ground and the fact that our Medical Director
can build without employing expensive contractors. A charming
bungalow for 30-35 patients can be provided for £3,000, complete with marble floors in the corridors, tiles in the rooms and
a red-tiled roof. The best type of house is E-shaped, and contains three dormitories and ten single rooms, besides lounge, dining rooms and bathrooms. There is ample space for new houses
without in any way spoiling the amenities of the present ones.
Moreover, once the new houses are built, it is likely that they
will be largely self-supporting, for all patients pay what they
can and for the destitute the French Government now pays a
small capitation fee.
Social Life at Asfuriyeh
We were struck by the delightful open-air life led by the
patients. The bedrooms all have large windows, and one gets
a sense of light and air everywhere, as well as of order and kindly care. There are many shady spots for rest, and a great variety
of beautiful views, down over the Beirut River, or out to the
sea beyond, or across the Damascus Road (which bounds one
side of the estate) to the-Lebanon Mountains. There are also
many pleasant walks within the grounds which cover 36 acres.
To watch the motors flying up and down the Damascus Road
and the leisurely trains of camels and donkeys is also an endless
interest.
There are no walls round Asfuriyeh, and no gate at the entrance. Such things are unnecessary as well as unkind. People
rome here and stay here because it is here that they find the best
understanding and help in their illness.
�'"
18
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
In a large group of people like this, there are sure to be some
who like to work and some who do not. Some lead a very busy
life, helping with the meals and the cleaning, chopping wood,
sawing, preparing the special mattresses used, sewing, ironing
and washing, gardening, helping with the pumping machines,
doing carpentry and smithy work. Perhaps three-quarters really
do definite work, and they are all encouraged to be as active as
possible, as work has a curative as well as a moral value.
There are people of every class and variety, of many religions, numerous nationalities and races, and every kind of temperament. Some are suffering from melancholia, some are feebleminded (such as an old negro man found on the streets, without
name or home, who sleeps most of the time), there are many
young people who have had shocks which have split their personalities, many men and women who are misfits in life and cannot be kept in ordinary homes, degenerates, drug and alcohol
addicts, some criminals, some obsessed by one idea, several who
believe that they are the Creator or some earthly potentate.
Some are rich and of old family; others have not a penny in
the world, nor any home. Some are silent and some are exceedingly noisy. Some alternate between the two. Many look absolutely happy in these nice surroundings.
Sad though it is to see them, one's uppermost thought is
thankfulness that Asfuriyeh exists, to care for them and help
them, and that so much devotion and skill is being lavished upon
their welfare. Many get perfectly well, and still more go out
improved. In the short time that the writer was there quite a
number of new patients arrived, some brought bound by the
military, others in the charge of friends. The first thing always
done is to loose them from their shackles.
Our A p-peal
The appeal of such a Hospital is wide and comprehensive.
It commends itself to all who feel the need to relieve human
suffering, whether Christians, Jews or Moslems; to all who wish
to promote international co-operation and good-will; to all who
love the Holy Land, as the original h«me of their faith or as
their native land; to the scientific and medical mind, for this
hospital is not only carrying out treatment on the most approved
and modern lines, but is also a centre for training and research.
Its Director (Prof. Watson Smith) is Professor of Psychiatry at
the University of Beirut, and his students (Syrians, Armenians,
Jews, Turks, Arabs, Africans, Persians, etc.) go to the Hospital
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every week for theoretical and clinical teaching and are spreading more enlightened views and treatment of mental disease
all through the neighbouring lands. The Hospital must also
specially commend itself to those who have friends suffering
from this particular form of illness.
The members of the General Committee in London therefore beg all who read this paper to join with them in helping
this voluntary, international hospital. The need is very great
and very urgent. Give now, and also remember the Hospital
later on. Contributions will be most gladly received by the General Secretary in London (Miss Hilda Fox, Lebanon Hospital
Committee, 139 Marylebone Road, London, N. W. 1.)
SOME FIGURES BEARING ON
THE PREVALENCE OF MENTAL DISEASES IN THE NEAR EAST
and the Number of Beds provided in Mental Hospitals
EGYPT
Population
13^4 million
Beds: Abbassiyeh (Government)
1,900
Khanka (Government)
1,000 2,900 beds
= 1 per 4,500 of the people
PALESTINE
Population
about 1 million
Beds: Bethlehem (Government)
Jerusalem (Jewish, voluntary
60
79
139 beds
= 1 per 6,000 of the people
SYRIA
Population
2>y2 million
Beds: Asfuriyeh (voluntary, international)
Damascus (French Government)
159
57
216 beds
= 1 per 16,300 of the people
Compare ENGLAND AND WALES
Population
38 million
Beds
141,000
= 1 in 270 of the population
(Syria is larger than England, Scotland and Wales
put together)
�ft
THE SYRIAN WORLD
20
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Rihani —The Man and
His Work
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""THE seeker after knowledge, bending low over the tray marked
"Palestine," fingers a wealth of titles in the catalogues of our
libraries. But if these are English titles, he will find few of them
concerned primarily with the history, the traditions or the philosophy of the Arabs, who have been in occupation of Palestine
for the last thirteen centuries. Most of the titles concern Christian and Jewish traditions.
We all may have gloried in the romantic, if somewhat
bloody, progress of Joshua through the land of Canaan. But few
of us have ever read that other story, epoch-making and equally
as romantic, of how Omar of Arabia conquered the same country
in the seventh century. And yet the name of Omar is a household word throughout much of the Near East. xAgain, we know
in our own time more about the hopes and the program of organized Zionism than we do about the hopes and the program of
amateur Pan-Arabism. The Arab idealist expresses himself in
a language adequate to his immediate purpose. And that language is seldom English. A great desert of silence thus interposes itself between the American reader and the peoples of
Arab culture in the Near East.
But there are a few oases in this desert of silence which the
American may find for the seeking. The springs of one of them,
strangely enough, have gushed at the very gates of the New
World. They are the sparkling waters of information and understanding to be found in the writings of Ameen Rihani—who was
born of Arabic-speaking parents in the mountains of Lebanon
in Syria but who early tasted life in a crowded immigrant colony
in Lower Manhattan.
New Yorkers who know Washington Street, with its hawkers, its greengrocers, its sweetmeat-venders, its numerous children, its untidiness, its occasional hubble-bubbles and backgammon boards, and its constant array of handsome black mousta-
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21
chios, are not apt to associate with it the refinement of spirit
which gives birth to reflections such as Rihani has set down for
the consideration of his readers in The Book of Khalid, or in
The Path of Vision. The ordinary New Yorker thinks of Washington Street not as a training school for poets, artists or philosophers, but merely as a first foothold for new-comers to this
country, and more particularly for those from the Eastern Mediterranean, the majority of them Syrians. Yet from Washington
Street has come more than one philosopher, more than one poet.
And it was in Washington Street that this particular philosopherpoet spent one of the highly impressionable periods of his life.
The secret of this interpreter, who makes the Arab ideal intelligible to Americans, lies in the fact that both Arab and American are intelligible to him. "The West for me means ambition,"
he writes, "the East contentment: my heart is ever in the one, my
soul, in the other." He has divided his time between two continents—between New York and his home at Freike in the Lebanon, high over the rocky pass on whose walls Rameses the Second, Sennacherib, Esarhaddon and Allenby inscribed their successive victories.
But there is a difference between Rihani and the majority of
those who are bound by a double allegiance to two distinct civilizations. He is not a mere commuter between the lands of his
first and second births. He has participated in establishing communication between the two. He has not only experienced the
contrasting moods of contrasting civilizations j he has expressed
them. And the shafts of his description are feathered with a
poetic reflectiveness which carries them straight to the heart of
the inquirer.
With many Arab leaders he is on terms of friendship, both
in Syria and in the Arabian peninsula. On the platforms of
capital and provincial town, in the intimate conversations of tent
and hall, from the columns of newspapers and pages of books
his message in the Arab tongue has always been the message of
those who desire above all things an opportunity for their people
to live today in a political strength devoid of fear, and of the
resort to violence which is bred of fear—an opportunity which will
make possible the blossoming anew of an ancient culture.
Unrest in the Arab world, north, south, east or west, has
been a familiar because frequently recurring phenomenon of
this first quarter of the twentieth century. From the mountains
d
�22
THE SYRIAN WORLD
of Morocco to the deserts of Iraq, and from the green valleys
of Yaman to the covered bazaars of Aleppo there has come from
time to time news of uprisings and riots, of bloodshed and revolt. Whatever aspects the disturbances may have assumed, whatever the precipitating factors may have been, the underlying cause
has always proved to be one and the same. The Arab would be
free. Whether it is Turk or Englishman, Frenchman or Spaniard who wields the scepter of authority, the Arab would wrest
it from him. Inheritor of a living and vivid tradition of former
supremacy, discontent weighs heavily upon him at the spectacle
of his present subordination. Like other people who remember
a past more glorious than the present, he would return to that
past. Or, to speak more accurately, he would re-create in the
present the condition of political independence enjoyed in the
past in the hope that the future may see a recrudescence of the
material and cultural wealth of bygone centuries.
The Arab, like the Jew, is convinced that there is a direct
relationship between the happiness and productivity of a people
and its enjoyment of free nationhood. He will remind you that
if the West borrowed straight from the Arabs such words as "algebra" and "alcohol" it was not just because Arabian mathematicians and Arabian physicians of the past imposed those words
on a docile Europe. It was because a free Arabia contributed
to the fund of common human knowledge hitherto undiscovered
facts and theories which the West was eager to utilize in the
realms of mathematics and medicine, as well as in the realm of
astronomy. Nor was Arabia's contribution confined to these three
branches of science. It included religion, too, and philosophy
and poetry. If in the past Europe was hospitable to the science
of Arabia, as Asia and Africa have been to its religion and poetry,
why, the Arab asks, should not the contribution of an Arabia
Rediviva be equally acceptable in the future?
Living as we do in a quarter-century which is far excellence
the quarter-century of new nationalisms, the point of view of any
nationalist is familiar to us in some degree. We understand the
nationalism of Americans, of Canadians, of Mexicans, of Nicaraguans. We have watched the growth of nationalism in Italy
since Mazzini, in Turkey since Enver, in Czechoslovakia under
Benes, in Poland under Paderewski and Pilsudski. The Jew rebuilding Zion is motivated by as profound a devotion to nationalism as the Irishman battling for the restoration of Erin. And
both are understood. Nothing, in fact, is more taken for granted
i
�'Wtmttmmmamtmmmmr
NOVEMBER, 1929
23
today than the existence among all peoples of that combination
of ambition and self-esteem which goes to make up nationalism.
But what form does nationalism take, and in what guise does
it appear to a people with whose writings and whose manner of
life we are not familiar? Rihani answers this question with particular authority with respect to the Arabs, not only because he
knows the Arabs of the mandated territories—Syria and Greater
Lebanon under French mandate, Palestine, Transjordania and
Iraq under British—but because he has also travelled extensively
through Arabia itself. These travels are recorded in two new
volumes which will stand for all time as classics, along with the
works of Niebuhr and Palgrave, Burckhardt and Doughty, in the
literature of Arabian exploration and travel.
The lands in which Rihani has journeyed are not all remote.
The Book of Khalid, containing a rare portrayal of immigrant
Jife in New York, is evidence enough of this. But whether near
or far he engages in exploration of those immediate and subtle
realities of life which so often escape the attention of even careful observers; he expresses them in language one does not easily
forget; he follows everywhere the quest for a reasonable life,
whether in the shade of Lebanon's old cedars or behind the staring windows of New York's newer skyscrapers. And it is such
an interpreter whom the American reader seeks.
For the American reader it is especially advantageous that
this interpreter should have known his West almost before he recaptured his East. Ameen Rihani came to Washington Street a
small boy, very much like any number of the black-haired, blackeyed ten-year-olds who swarm on the street of early evenings
today, or whom one may see going to confession of a Saturday
afternoon, kneeling at the altar-rail for an interminable four
minutes of devotion before swinging out, on two bare feet, into
the noise and vivacity of Washington Street. Even in those days,
old St. George's probably had banks of white paper lilies to gaze
upon, and pillars twined with green and pink crepe paper.
But there must have been at least this difference between Rihani and the lads of today—that whereas the latter are taught
to pray to St. Anne to obtain for them both a knowledge of their
sins and sorrow for them, Ameen Rihani refused to do anything
of the sort. Instead, he tells us that he shot craps around the
corner. Neither is it recorded that he prayed, as his successor
today does, for a faithful and constant observance of his state of
life. Rather, he tells us again, did he use the tainted gains of
�24
THE SYRIAN WORLD
his crap-shooting to buy books for himself—English books, books
from the second-hand dealers in the shadow of Trinity. And
with the help of these books he avoided the constant observance
of his own state of life; rather he succeeded in passing rapidly
from one state of life to another without finding that ideal state
which faithful supplication would doubtless have helped him to
achieve. He didn't like working in his father's commercial world.
He wanted to read. He didn't like keeping books. Nor beinglectured about his shortcomings. Falstaff he loved better than
all the fat men who came to talk about business, and Jean Valjean better than all the law-abiding immigrants whom the day's
routine brought to the establishment. Neither did he like to
live in a dark basement down a flight of stairs from the level of
the street. Still less did he enjoy the business of pumping water
out of the basement which was his home. But he had to continue
to do these things; for the Irishman who at that time lived in
the upper stories of the Washington Street tenement houses refused to admit Syrians to anything better than lodging below
street level. Meanwhile the city authorities were as helpless as
Canute before the high tides of winter, which annually overwhelmed all the basements of the district.
In the excess of his unhappiness the boy ran away from home
four times. At seventeen he went on the stage with a travelling
stock company, which had the misfortune to fail somewhere in
the Midwest, an unconscionable distance from home. Back he
came, though reluctantly, and worked again at columns of figures. At night he went to class until finally he was admitted to
the New York Law School.
The Law School was to have been the gate to Paradise and
freedom. But he found when he got there that it was only a
window-casement from which he looked forth on a world as barren and forlorn as the world of trade and barter he had just
tried to quit. He wasted no more time than he could help on
this second dismal prospect. He escaped.
And physical misfortune was the means of his escape. The
repeated inundations of his cellar and the constant dampness had
by this time affected his lungs. He was sent back to Syria to
recuperate.
This was only the first of a number of long visits paid to Syria
by Rihani. It proved, moreover, to be the very gateway to Paradise which he had vainly sought in the New York Law School.
For now, having learned his literary Arabic at the hands of
�—
AMEEN RIHANI IN ARAB COSTUME
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THE VALLEY OF FREIKE, VIEWED FROM RIHANI'S HOME
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Partial view of Freike showing the Rihani home with the massive arch
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NOVEMBER, 1929
25
competent teachers in the Lebanon, he began in his spare time to
translate Arabic poetry into English. Returning to New York,
he continued this work in the intervals between tspeaking engagements. Thus came to light The Luzumiyat of the Arab poetphilosopher Abu'1-Ala, a forerunner of Omar Khayam. Rihani's
literary career had begun.
His next task was a greater one. From translating poetry out
of one language into another he turned to the task of interpreting an entire civilization, both to its own children and to the people
of another hemisphere. To examine the writings which now appeared is to discover what Rihani found both of good and evil
in the culture of the Arabic-speaking world. It is to discover,
too, the concern felt by a great body of Arabs, whom he fittingly
represents, lest what is good in Arab civilization be overlaid and
smothered by the West, or lest the undesirable features of Arab
civilization grow more pronounced through the conflict between
East and West.
Endowed as he was with a strong belief in the virtue of Arab
culture, and imbued as he was with a living hope that this virtue
might some day find an unhampered medium for self-expression,
free from the inhibitions and the silences imposed upon it by the
unhappy circumstance of foreign domination, it is not surprising
to see Rihani visiting the Arabian Peninsula itself in 1922 with
a definite objective in view—an objective quite different from
that of his illustrious predecessors, Doughty, Palgrave, Burckhardt, Burton and the rest. Arabia to Rihani was not merely a
tilted tableland to explore; its kings were not peripatetic curiosities hiding behind barriers which only the intrepid might overleap and then boast of knowing for the remainder of their days.
Arabia was to him a land of living human beings, speaking the
language he had spoken in early boyhood (and which now he
used with a noted grace). It was a land with whose traditions
he was not unfamiliar, a land in which he hoped to find sources
of vitality that might be put to the service of a vigorous and useful Arab civilization rather than continue to fritter itself out
on activities devised to meet only tribal expediency. It was a
land which, unlike the mandated territories, was for the most
part free from foreign control. But it was a land where civilization and education lagged far behind the standards prevailing in
Syria. It was a land where those who hoped for intelligent participation in reviving Arab culture could find much to do as missionaries of peace and propagandists of an ideal.
�26
THE SYRIAN WORLD
When Rihani actually reached Arabia he found situations
there which affected him strongly. "The first thing that repelled
me," he said—and it must be remembered that his visit to the
Hedjaz took place before Ibn Saoud assumed control of that
country: "the first thing that repelled me when I went out of
Jeddah halfway towards the Holy City (Mecca) were the armed
Arabs. Not a herdsman, not a Bedouin in rags, but carried a
rifle. Ignorance in arms! And not a hand to control it, and not
a head to direct it to its own good. They were all out for loot,
and they cut each other's throats for it. Ignorance in arms! I
turned away from it both in anger and in sorrow.
"But in the Yaman, as we made our way from Aden slowly
up the mountains of San'a, the situation was in a sense even worse.
There we were confronted with Ignorance and Fanaticism in
arms. The Imam of the Yaman," he went on to explain, "was
making war on his neighbor, the Idrisi, because the ancestors of
the latter had come to Arabia a little later than his own, and because the Idrisi belonged to a different Moslem sect, and because
the Idrisi was grateful to the British for making him a present
of the seaport town of Hudaidah, which the Imam of the Yaman himself coveted." Indeed, traditional rivalry and traditional
enmity, traditional fanaticism and economic pressure were at the
bottom of almost all the disunity he had come to Arabia to try
to counteract. But he believed that Arabian rulers would respond
to statesmanlike proposals for the composing of Arabia's differences and that, now that the hand of Turkey had been withdrawn,
it might be possible to set up in Arabia itself a confederation of
friendly states which ultimately might include even the countries
now under mandate in the North. And so the Pan-Arab dream
of reviving the activity of an almost dormant Arab culture
through establishing an era of peace might be fulfilled.
No longer may it be said of the* nomad tribesmen of the
Arabian hills and deserts that there is not a hand to control them,
nor a mind to direct them to their own good. Ibn Saoud has controlled them j Ibn Saoud is directing them—and hitherto at any
rate his direction has been immensely to their advantage. Rihani
tells how Ibn Saoud conceived the idea of domesticating the nomads in order to keep them under control. Every tribe or section of a tribe was allotted an area of land near a water-spring,
where the sheikh moved with his people and began to build villages and to till the soil. They were ordered to sell their camels.
They fought for Ibn Saoud when there was need of fighting.
I
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NOVEMBER, 1929
27
But when there was need of peace they had to be prevented
from engaging in forays of their own as they had always been
accustomed to do in times past. Besause they were zealous adherents of the puritan Wahhabi creed, Ibn Saoud was able to
send missionaries among them, in the name of Islam, to preach
the doctrine—backed as it was by ancient though neglected tradition—that a rich believer were better than a poor believer. They
were encouraged to accumulate wealth in a way they had never
done before. Interest in forays grew less keen. Raid and counter-raid have ceased except along the extreme borders of Ibn
Saoud's dominions. And in the towns, never was such security
in the memory of living man. No one dare touch what is not his.
But Ignorance is still there.
Ibn Saoud is inaugurating a new era in the Arabian peninsula
which so many centuries have found and left unchanged. Iraq
is developing a national life of its own with prospect of being
admitted shortly to membership in the League of Nations as a
self-governing and independent country. Representative institutions have been established in the Lebanon, and among the
people of Transjordan. Syria, after a two-year rebellion, is
hoping to achieve a parliament (although just what basis of agreement it can find with the French authorities is not yet clear). In
Palestine, alone, of the Arabic-speaking territories of the Near
East, no progress seems to have been made yet toward achieving even a minimum of autonomy in national government. Here,
too, however, there are leaders among the Arabs whose goal,
like that of Rihani, is not the freedom of anarchy but the freedom of ordered government. International pressure has prevented their object from being attained hitherto; but disappointment has not stampeded them into militant obduracy. These
leaders await an opportunity to discuss the affairs of Palestine
with British and Zionist officials in the spirit of moderation. It
is to be hoped that the service they are prepared to render their
country will not be ignored by champions of repression on one
side or of violence on the other.
�28
THE SYRIAN WORLD
To the Man With the
Hard Eyes
By
BARBARA YOUNG
CHE said, "What is that in your hand,
A golden piece?
You say that I shall have a valleyful
Of golden pieces.
You say that I shall have a coach and castle,
And you will make it so
That all the lovely maidens and gay young lords
Shall come my way, and stop within for feasting}
And I shall be raimented as a princess is.
"No.
I have a copper penny in my scrip.
I have a worn brown cloak.
I know a man in a hovel on a hill.
I will go to him there.
He looks upon the world
With laughter and great sorrow in his eyes.
I like laughter and sorrow and copper pennies
and worn cloaks.
The man on the hill has words that warm me
Like fire on a cold hearth.
I will go there.
The pilgrims come along that way,
And the wandering minstrels.
We shall set out for them and us a bowl and plate}
And you may keep your valleyful of golden pieces.
I should grow very weary counting them."
^^S^^W^
1 gwJSj^!w^^A )yVwKA^J3sk!w3|
�——mmm
NOVEMBER, 1929
29
A Legend of the Nile
OR
AN EGYPTIAN SCARAB/EUS
By
""
DR. SALIM
Y.
ALKAZIN
J^AST night I woke from out a dream
For I had wandered far
Into a strange and ancient land,
Led by a silver star.
I dreamt I stood on Soudan's soil,
High, on a mountain crest;
A dusky maid with silken curls
Was leaning on my breast.
"Where yonder river wends its way
Through fertile fields below,
A desert stretched its leafless plain,
Three thousand years ago.
No trace of beauty graced the earth
Save in the Pharaoh's pride;
He built rich palaces and tombs
His honored crimes to hide.
"Green vines and cypress trees grew near
Within the garden close,
And rarest lilies rich and sweet
Were blooming with the rose.
Within the carven corridors
Where musk perfumed the air,
Fair statuary graced the walls,
With hangings rich and rare.
"Twelve mistresses had walked its halls
And shared the Pharaoh's bed;
Twelve mistresses were cast aside
And numbered with the dead.
One day a priest of Osiris
Had gained the palace walls;
" in
in
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
30
I met him in a frightened mood
Half-crouching in the halls.
"He caught my arm, 'Queen Semuta,
'Tis time for thee to fly,
For Pharaoh brings another bride,
And thou art doomed to die.
Hark! thou canst hear the marriage-guests
Already on the stair.'
He caught my fainting form and cried,
'There is no time for pray'r!'
"Down through a secret way we went
To 'void the mocking throng;
Yet in my half-unconscious state
I heard the Pharaoh's song.
I paused within the arbor's shade
And brushed aside a tear.
The good priest fanned my aching brow
And tried to soothe my fear.
"The roses hinted as we passed
With their delicious breath,
The utter loneliness before;
The gloomy wings of Death.
I thought of loved-ones far away
Beyond the barren plain;
I thought of him, of whom I loved,
But ne'er could see again.
" 'Dear child, Osiris will not leave
You to a cruel fate,
But he will lead your feeble feet
Close to the open Gate.
An alternative waits for thee
But it is cast in gloom.
One, is the desert for escape,
The other is the tomb.'
"And so I chose the desert plain
And journeyed long and far;
I Hi f£x% i. WH W iagaMiMMl!
�r-
NOVEMBER, 1929
My guide by day—the rising sun;
By night—the evening star.
But thirst and hunger brought me low,
Though hunger was the least,
For in my wild deliriums
I dreamt of many a feast.
"I saw rich gardens sweet with flow'rs,
And vainly did I call;
I heard the babbling of a brook,
I saw the fountain's fall.
And even in my dreams I plead,
'Osiris hear my cry;
One goblet of that sparkling rill;
Just one, before I die!'
"But mercy was not meant for me,
And so my life swept on,
Into a fairer, brighter realm—
In Paradise 'twas born.
But from my bed, a river sprang
And laughing danced along.
With snowy ripples on its breast;
Its shallows full of song.
"It grew and grew, a mighty stream
Beneath the azure skies,
And in this ancient land, it proved
A blessing in disguise.
This scaraba;us you wore, dear friend,
Was placed upon my breast,
And shows Osiris can give
The weary, peace and rest.
"It shows a bit of history
Of a once noble race,
But like a 'brand' it marks the shame
Upon its Pharaoh's face.
And could your eye decipher it,
(Though 'tis not worth the while),
You'd find half-hidden in the clay,
This legend of the Nile."
4
31
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
32
Such Was Fate !
(A SHORT STORY)
By
LABEEBEE
A. J.
HANNA
DABE ALDON carried her twenty-five years becomingly and
was at the point in her career when she was in love with life.
And everyone was in love with Babe.
Was Babe in love with Buddy Hazzar? He certainly cared
for her—enough to pay for her expensive diamond. Soon Babe
and Buddy would be married and they would go home to visit
her mother. Poor Mother! Alone for four years. How she
would be longing to see Babe! Oh, well! Soon!
Babe wondered concerning Buddy's folks, and their home in
Virginia. Would Roanoke be as lovely as they say? She knew
Buddy's father would love her, for hadn't Buddy said that her
eyes were like his father's—the same depth, the same twinkle?
Buddy rarely spoke of his mother, except to mention that she
hadn't wanted him to do a certain thing, and she hadn't wanted
him to do a certain other thing.
Nicholas Handar, too, cared for Babe, but in spite of his
secret attachment he continued shy for a long time. The closest
he had approached her up until April was to ask her to play "The
Vagabond Song" on the piano at the club rooms. She had looked
at him—and there was a song in her heart, she knew not why.
In turning over the music sheet, their fingers touched, and at
the sudden thrill each, frightened, pulled his hand away.
No opportunity presented itself. However, his feelings could
not long be hidden, and especially since he had a close friend in
George. Why, George knew the meaning of every movement
of Nicholas. — And now he was worried concerning his friend.
Nicholas Handar and George Manam, on their way to the
club rooms one evening, fell to discussing Babe—at first awkwardly, and then,—quite naturally. Nicholas was thinking of
Babe. He would see her this night. But, Babe was engaged to
Buddy.
"Come," said George, "snap out of it, Nick! You're making
us all sick! Why don't you talk to Babe? I think she likes«you "
"Well, I love her. But I just can't talk to her."
"Not talk to her! Of course you can! She loves you—and
�~*%
NOVEMBER, 1929
33
you're making yourself and your friends sick thinking of her."
"Possibly. But what of the man whom she professes to love
—to whom she is engaged? I can't stab him in the back like a
gutter snake!"
"It isn't stabbing him in the back! And whatever you did .you
wouldn't be a gutter snake. We all know that. Where's your
nerve?"
"I don't know. But she's engaged now—and I believe she's
happy. She loves him and I have no right to interfere."
The conversation was interrupted here by the appearance of
a tall, handsome young man whose most prominent feature was
a Roman nose.
"Hello, Buddy!" both boys hastened to exclaim.
"Hello, Nick! Hello, George! I didn't know you two boys
were in town—or that I'd meet you here in the subway. Coming
to the club?
"Well, thought we'd drop over," said George, nonchalantly.
"Aren't you bringing Babe?" asked Nicholas, somewhat
gloomily.
"Babe is taken care of. Eddie and his sister will bring her in.
She spent the week-end with her cousins on Seventh Street in
Brooklyn. I called up before coming to remind her to bring
some music with her. She promised."
"Will she sing?" asked Nicholas.
"Perhaps."
Buddy eyed Nicholas curiously.
At Boro Hall the three young men got out of the subway
and soon after were in the club rooms on Schermerhorn Street.
The three looked around for one person—whom they knew
would, nevertheless, have not come yet. Two young men were
busily arranging tables for bridge. A young girl and'young man
were leaning against the piano—waiting—they didn't know for
what and didn't seem to care. At a little distance away from
them was a laughing group of girls in pretty pastel shade dresses,
occasionally throwing side-long glances at the boys at the piano
—but the boys were not interested. Babe wasn't there.
Nick, George and Buddy went up into the Men's Parlor to
smoke.
Meanwhile, groups large and small arrived. Some were inclined to mingle with the rest, while here and there a few kept
to themselves. Long about eleven o'clock two young girls, one
�34
THE SYRIAN WORLD
in black, the other in purple, arrived, escorted by a tall, muscular
young man. The girls were smiling at everyone and no one and
seemed to draw many friendly glances.
The girl in black seemed well poised and gave one the impression of being taller than she really was; while the other seemed to shrink back a little in silent admiration of her friend.
"There's Babe," said someone, and not a few looked up. The
girl in black smiled.
"Here, Isabel," she said, "as usual we're late for bridge.
There will be dancing shortly. That, of course, suits you."
The girl in purple drew her lovely white fur piece from
about her neck and smiled as she followed Babe up the stairs.
"We won't be long, Eddie!" both girls called back over their
shoulders.
"Right into my arms, Babe!" someone said, and Babe looked
up to find Buddy smiling down at her.
She said inimitably, "Always, dear!" and both laughed for
no reason at all.
"See you later, Bud!" after both girls had been helped with
their wraps, and went into the parlor to repair their persons.
Bridge over, there was a short entertainment by the club talent. Needless to say, Babe Aldon sang—and accompanied herself. Nicholas was thrilled to find she included the "Vagabond
Song." Somehow he knew it was for him.
Then there was dancing. Babe was rushed. She was, of
course, all attention for Buddy—but she quite obviously enjoyed
her dance with Nicholas. Buddy was all smiles to his friend,
Nicholas, but Nicholas was awkward in Buddy's presence.
That night was the last for a few months that Buddy would
enjoy with his friends, for the next day he was leaving for Pennsylvania where he was representing his father's firm.
With Buddy Hazzar in Pennsylvania, George Manam suggested that Nicholas see Babe Aldon.
It was a dirty trick. Nicholas could not do it.
Two months passed.
One stormy night, towards the end of April, Nicholas called
up Babe.
"May I see you?" he asked bluntly.
"Why? Oh, is something wrong?"
"No, Babe, I just have a little time and I would like to see
you •»
�NOVEMBER, 1929
35
"Why, er
er, where are you, Nick?"
"Oh, at 51st and Broadway. I'm leaving for Boston tonight
and since the boat trip has been cancelled on account of the storm
I must go by bus. It doesn't leave until ten. May I come?"
"But, I'm way out at 119th! You won't have time!"
"Oh, yes I shall.. Say I may!"
"Well, all right, come over if you must."
Nick Handar was happy. But why? He was going to see a
girl who was engaged to somebody else. He called himself a
cad and all sorts of things. But he couldn't hold back now. There
was no harm in seeing a girl!
The Fifth Avenue bus? No, that was too slow. The subway? Certainly not when one goes to see Babe. Nothing short
of a luxurious cab! There was one just outside the Pennsylvania.
He jumped into it and was off!
The car went on swiftly for a few blocks, then stopped. Why
will they have these horrid signal towers? Can't they know he
is going to see Babe? He turned his head to one side. Crowds,
crowds, windows, displays, signs, other cars, officers, crowds,
crowds, crowds. Could they hear the song in his heart?
Oh, they were going again! After all, these traffic conditions
are a darned good thing—but why don't they go faster?
It was a long ride, a long time. He seemed to be emerging
out of a dead past when he came out of the cab and found himself ringing Babe Aldon's bell.
Soon he was in the parlor. She was there in a trim suit of
dark blue. How alert she looked! She had only been in this
country four years! Or is it that they are already far ahead of
us there?
"How do you do, Nick?" she greeted.
"All right. In a rush, I guess!"
Both laughed.
"Well," he began to explain— .
"Do sit down," she interrupted.
He chose a hard chair near the piano. He was too nervous
to sit back comfortably in an easy chair.
"You look tired," she went on.
"Oh, no, Babe! Not that."
"Well, what is it?"
"Why, nothing much. Thought I'd drop in. — You must
be very lonely since Buddy went away."
�36
THE SYRIAN WORLD
"Why, not so frightfully." She laughed nervously. "Still,
I'm able to catch up with my studies a bit now."
What a delightful voice! Almost unbelievable that she was
really new in this country. Barely a trace of an accent—just
enough to give melody to a naturally soft voice.
"However, Babe, you'll allow me to escort you to the Junior
League affair next Saturday on my return? That is, if there is
no one else?"
"I was thinking of staying home."
"Why do you want to stay home?"
Feebly she answered, "To study."
"Not really to study? And miss a perfectly wonderful timer
Let me come for you and I'll take as good care of you as any
brother would."
Babe wasn't certain.
It was finally decided that he would call up on Saturday at
seven to find out if she had decided to go.
She went to the piano, and as she played "The Vagabond
Song" he felt the thrill which came to him when at the club
their fingers had fortuitously met.
On Saturday night the latest arrivals at the club were Nicho
las and Babe Aldon, and Isabel, Eddie and George. Not a few
looked their way and wondered.
Thus it was that at the first Nicholas and Babe were together
in a group. They were together again and again throughout the
remainder of April and through May, but more and more they
were alone, indeed.
Buddy was expected soon. Babe wondered at her lack of
enthusiasm in his return, this time.
For two weeks now, no letter had come from her mother,
but she did not seem worried at that. She was thinking too often
of Nick.
On May 23rd there came a letter from Buddy, a humorous,
happy letter. He would be back the thirty-first. She criticised
herself for not caring whether he came soon or late.
On May 27th there arrived a letter whose border was black.
Back to earth came Babe. What was the tragic news? Buddy's
father. Surely not—dead? Her own father, so her mother had
told her, had died long before she was born. She had hoped to
gain a father through marriage. Poor Buddy! He would be
rushing home to Roanoke. She must go, too. He will need her.
A hurried good-bye to Nick over the phone, He would
�NOVEMBER, 1929
37
gladly escort her. She felt it best to go alone, but promised, if
she had need, to call him.
On the train, she thought of her own father. She remembered his picture in her parlor at home with a little colored American flag in the left lapel of his coat. He had been 23. How sad
her mother had always been concerning him! How often her
mother had looked at Babe's eyes and remarked, "How like your
father's, Babe!"
At Roanoke, the body she saw in the candle-lighted parlor was
that of a man who had been tall and muscular and very handsome.
There was something vaguely familiar about him. She tried to
put that fact out of her mind. Perhaps it was just that Buddy
resembled his father somewhat. But, no, there was something
more. She could not put it out of her head.
Later, Buddy Hazzar arrived. He had had a longer distance
to come. The poor boy was shaking. She felt very close to him
somehow, and realized that in some way it was not on account of
love. There seemed a newer bond—a different bond between
them.
Babe felt an immediate dislike on the part of the mother for
her. She herself, thoroughly disliked the mother on sight! Both,
however, were civil to each other.
On the night of the funeral, when all the pictures were uncovered in the house, Babe was aghast to see the picture of a
handsome young man on the wall directly over the spot where
the body had lain. There was an American flag in the left lapel
of his coat. His eyes were like hers. It was the same picture her
mother had often stood in front at home in her own front parlor,
of the father whom her mother told her had died so long ago.
"Buddy!" exclaimed Babe. "Buddy, who is that?"
Buddy looked at the picture. Dismally, he said, "That is my
father when he was young."
"He has only just died!" exclaimed Babe, aghast. "I have
attended my own father's funeral," she murmured at the picture.
Buddy looked at Babe. For a minute he forgot his great
grief. Babe puzzled him.
That evening Babe and Buddy had a long discussion. They
sympathized with each other. They were to say nothing whatsoever to Buddy's mother.
Brother and sister could not marry.
Babe called Nick.
�e
THE SYRIAN WORLD
58
EDITORIAL COMMENT
RACIAL CONSCIOUSNESS
("\VER ten years ago, the editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD,
who was then publishing a
monthly magazine in Arabic,
ventured what was considered
at that time the radical prophecy that the Syrian mothertongue, as a spoken language,
could not survive the first Syrian generation in America. He
based his statement on the general law of evolution as manifested in the blending of the
different races of this country
into one homogenous nation.
He expanded his prophecy to
include even
the Eastern
churches in the matter of their
rituals. In support of his views
he gave what he considered
valid arguments.
At that time, although not so
far back, his supposedly radical
opinion was received with astonishment bordering on dismay
by the Arabic-speaking elements
in this country. Some even
characterized it as blasphemy
and treason. How can a publisher of an Arabic organ be so
disloyal to the cause of his
mother-tongue?
Instead of
championing its cause, could it
be possible for one in such a
position to sound its doom?
There was even at the time a
movement on foot to create
sentiment among the Syrians in
favor of establishing an Arabic
University in America, in the
hope of stemming the tide that
threatened the Arabic language
with extinction.
This view was challenged,
and a public debate arranged by
the Syrian Educational Society
of New York on the question.
The affirmative side, taken by
the editor, lost the decision.
Some of the judges even engaged in the debate before retiring to consider the evidence
and proclaimed with a good
deal of vehemence the virtues
of the Arabic tongue and the
necessity of perpetuating it.
But the last decade has
brought about a surprising adjustment to the supposedly radical view then expressed. Especially during the last four
years, discussion of the Syrians'
future in America as a racial
entity is indulged in openly and
with amazing frankness. Arabic-language newspapers themselves now make the bold assertion that their span of existence is becoming more and
more contracted.
Now it seems to be taken for
granted that Arabic, as a spoken
language, will not survive the
present generation. At the same
time, there is evident a strong
racial consciousness that is
~fc»-j
�NOVEMBER, 1929
i
growing in proportion to the
extent that the use of the language is diminishing. The intelligent element of the younger generation, those to whom
the language has the least appeal, appear to be the strongest factor in bringing about this
revival of race consciousness.
They are, to be sure, as true
and loyai Americans in spirit
as can be found. Their allegiance is not and cannot be divided. But in this matter it is
with them a question of selfrespect, of a firm belief in
themselves as good material of
American citizenship as can be
found. They are awaking to the
realization that they come of
good stock, that they have valuable contributions to make to
the culture of America, and for
that reason they resent being
classed among the inferior and
unfit.
We believe this to be the
more logical, appropriate and
enduring view. Language could
be preserved only to the extent
that it serves a cultural purpose.
Language, after all, is but a
medium of expression and understanding, and now that we
are definitely settled in America, the language of the country
should serve all our practical
purposes. It is the easier to acquire and the more utilitarian.
Knowledge of the mothertongue or any foreign language
is a cultural accomplishment.
39
But adequate appreciation
of one's genealogical descent is quite different from
the preservation of one's mother-tongue. The American nation
is drawn from many racial
roots, and for it to be more
fully moulded into
one
homogenous whole there must
be appreciation and understanding by each strain for the qualities of the others. This could
be brought about without violence to the American principle
of homogeneity. One can prove
his worth without maligning his
neighbor. Rather, it should better serve the common cause of
true Americanism that all efforts to bring about a better
understanding between the
component elements of the
American nation be encouraged
instead of suspected and misinterpreted.
But the Syrians
have
ever been a proverbially divided race. This shortcoming
is accentuated in America by the
fact that they are widely scattered and have jiot had so far
the benefit of a sufficiently
strong unifying influence. This
condition will result in many a
young Syrian being lost to himself and to his race, whereas
if he were brought to the proper appreciation of his racial heritage, he would be spurred to
do bigger and better deeds.
Pride, in its nobler sense, can
be the source of untold good.
�,.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
has those who share our belief in
been striving ever since its ap- the vitality of the mission of
pearance to awaken in the the magazine to assist us in
young Syrian generation in carrying out this mission in
America an appreciation of full.
their racial background and
cultural heritage with the single
VARIETY
purpose of strengthening their
belief in themselves in an ef- "THE position of THE SYRIAN
WORLD is singular in that
fort to bring forth the best that
it
is the only periodical in
is in them. Self-respecting citizens are the only desirable citi- English published for the Syrzens, and once this consciousness ians. As such it must cater to
of rational self-evaluation is a variety of tastes and encombrought about, concerted efforts pass all possible needs. Hence
would be exerted to dispell any our policy to make it as general
misunderstanding of the race. in its topics as compatible with
Some deplorable evidence of those needs. Literature, polithe prevalence of such misun- tics, economics, social topics and
derstanding was had only a few news of current events have
months since when the Syrians their departments. And with
were derogatorily referred to all these efforts we cannot claim
to fill every want.
on the floor of the Senate.
We have, nevertheless, some
THE SYRIAN WORLD shall
continue to serve this cause of critics, — friends who would
better understanding with the have the publication conducted
double purpose of enlightening along the highest standards
the Syrians about themselves known to the profession, exand enlightening others about cluding all but the choicest litthem. The management of the erary products. Their contenpublication only regrets that tion is that we owe it to our
these efforts towards creating a racial standing to make the pubbetter understanding are not lication a fitting indication of
sufficiently far-reaching—they our culture.
This would make of the
are limited by the circulation of
magazine
a highly specialized
the publication which is restricted almost to the Syrians them- organ, and we doubt that as
selves. This, of course, serves such it would find more supone side of the double purpose, port than the meager amount
but the other side is equally as it is now receiving. Perhaps
important and should not be such high hopes might materneglected. It is incumbent upon ialize in the future.
THE
SYRIAN
WORLD
s
.
- •:
-,:
I
�41
NOVEMBER, 1929
Letters to the Editor
customs inspector. I can't refrain
from saying (and this is complimentary in every sense) that his
publication is well-named Ad-Dabbour, (The Bee), and that his ability is equal to its title.
I' have an idea that you will put
your travels between two covers.
They should be kept together for
future enjoyment and reference.
Edna K. Saloomey.
Bridgeport Conn.
TRAVELING COMPANION
Editor, The Syrian World:
* * * I have enjoyed the September
issue of The Syrian World, notably
the first article about our voyage
on the steamer Providence. My nephew and I read it with great interest and lived over again many of
our happy experiences.
I was also interested to learn of
your experiences in Palestine. May
I ask you if you could speak to the
Men's Club of St. Andrew's Parish
on Palestine and Syria? You will
have a large attendance of very interested and receptive men, for the
most part New York business people
who would give you keen attention.
Your talk on the subject on the S.
S. Providence was much appreciated.
Rev. F. C. Todd.
South Orange, N. J.
FOREKNOWLEDGE NECESSARY
Editor, The Syrian World:
Having made the trip to Syria
last year, I have thoroughly enjoyed
your description of the first leg of
the voyage. Such accounts should be
appreciated both for their entertainment and instructive values. In any
profitable trip to Syria a foreknowledge of the historical background of
the country is essential. Such a visit
undertaken under these conditions
should prove a source of great cultural wealth to Syrian-Americans.
Ruth Shadid.
Elk City, Okla.
COUNTRY OF EXOTIC LURE
Editor, The Syrian World:
* * * I have enjoyed so much the
two issues of The Syrian World
which have come to me and have
road with great interest the account
of your journey thus far. Your description is so vivid that one sees
v/ith you the beautiful sights and
hears even the distinctive noises of
each place—or it may be enjoys the
silence of the more tranquil places.
One is imbued with a great desire
to see these self-same places which
intrigue one's interest with an exotic lure.
Isabelle Howard.
Rochester, N. Y.
A SUGGESTION
Editor, The Syrian World:
* * * I had a fine time accompanying you upon your arrival at Beirut.
I particularly enjoyed the encounter
your cousin had with the French
ACCOUNTS INSTRUCTIVE
Editor, The Syrian World:
* * * I find it easy to follow you
through your trip. You make the
picture quite clear. I refer to a map
also—it is extending my knowledge
of geography.
The entire volume is interesting
to me as well as instructive on a
country and people of which I had
been quite in the dark.
The great beauty and intensity of
the Arabic poetry as well as the
many other distinctive features of
the publication are equally appreciated.
Sally E. Skiflmgton.
New York.
I ,:.:;%aws»«w
�42
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Spirit of the Syrian Press
Under this caption we hope to present from time to time a microcosmic
picture of the Arabic press, not only in this country, but wherever Arabic
dailies and magazines reflect the opinions of responsible, thinking writers
who are treating the different problems that confront the Arabic-speaking
world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will take no part in
the discussions reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. Our task will
simply consist in selecting, to the best of our knowledge and with utmost
sincerity, what we think is representative of the public opinion as expressed
in these editorials.
Editor.
SYRIA AND PALESTINE,
HAITI—PHILIPPINES
The Syrians are Orientals. So are
the Palestinians and the Haitians
who are African Orientals, and the
Philippinos who are Asiatic Orientals, and in the countries of all these
peoples there are now disturbances
and conflicts.
Hauran only bides her time to
make new demands and embark on
new wars.
Damascus seeths as a boiling caldron.
In the Philippines there is unrest
and unconcealed dissatisfaction.
In Haiti there are strikes and
bloody encounters.
Oriental blood is what accounts
for this all, for reasons both known
and unknown.
We wish to go on record as being
firm believers in the principle of
evolution—in rebelling against all
that is rotten in the Old. We believe that reform cannot be brought
about by mere adherence to traditions, for the simple reason that
such would shut out beneficent
development. But we believe just as
strongly that reform cannot be
brought about by anarchy, license
and communism.
It is a historical fact that the
Irish are originally Orientals because
they are mostly descendants of the
Phoenicians. But the Irish have
achieved a certain degree of independence because they sought it
through courage, knowledge and
right.
The Philippinos are not
in the same category, because they
demand independence on grounds
of fanaticism and ignorance. They
ar.d the Hauranians, the Syrians and
Palestinians, are in the same class.
But this is a subject on which we
shall not dwell at the present time,
because our principal object is to
comment on the disturbances now
taking place in Haiti, a republic of
blacks, whose people were only up
to a short time ago actual slaves
who could be bought and sold in the
market and who now are in control
and direction of the destinies of the
country.
There is no gainsaying the fact
that the United States is a nation
of charity freedom, democracy and
material and scientific wealth. For
that reason it must be taken for
granted that it has no ulterior motives of colonization or exploitation
either in Haiti or the Philippines.
Rather, her main purpose is that
her neighbors, such as the Haitians,
�43
NOVEMBER, 1929
pretend patriotism while seeking
only their selfish ends.
Orientals should remain under
liberal "Occidental mandate" until
such time that they become fit for
independence. It is axiomatic that
undeveloped children are in need of
conscientious and learned mentors.
Al-Hoda, N. Y., Dec. 10, 1929.
, be under the protection of her benevolent power. Besides, she wishes
to have law and order respected by
her neighbors for the simple reason
that they are her neighbors, and for
the added reason that she will not
permit them to disturb the peace
because of their perverted understanding of liberty and their aptitude to use their independence in
a manner that will spell injury to
the interests of other peoples. And
because the education of such peoples has not become sufficiently
ripened for the exercise of self-control and national independence, their
situation is like that of swamps
which breed disease-bearing mosquitos and are a menace to the wellbeing of mankind.
ARAB OVERTURES
TO JEWS REPORTED
It must be understood that these
people are loud in their shouting for
liberty only to use it as a weapon
to stifle the liberty of others. Or
else, unwittingly, they would work
injury to their own cause of orderly
and lasting liberty.
The Philippines realize full well
that once the United States withdraws they will become the slaves
of the Japanese.
The Hauranians and the Damascenes clamor for independence only
to smother the liberty and the independence of the Lebanese.
The Palestinians befriend their
enemies only to become their slaves
smarting under the cruel lash.
All these are facts which can be
readily proved.
This newspaper is Oriental in
everything but fanaticism and license. If, therefore, we advise the
Haitians to remain under American
mandate, the Syrians and Lebanese
under French mandate and the
Egyptians under British mandate
we should not be accused of treason,
as in that case we would be combatting the treachery of those who
-— :^:\:/:^^:.^'-.^^ .-, r:: \
^<^
.'
"Sheiks of fined villages ask Palestine refugees to return to plow.—
Promise to protect them.—While the
boycott of Jews in cities throughout
Palestine is growing stronger daily,
the Arab peasant is beginning to
show repentence."
Under this heading and lead, the
New York Times of December 18
published a wireless despatch from
its Zionist correspondent Mr. Levy
giving plain evidence of Zionist ingenuity at subtle propaganda. On
the face of it, this can be taken to
mean nothing more than an appeal
for funds in the most deceptive manner.
The Jews are the ablest people in
inventing lies and harping on imaginary occurrences in an effort to
influence public opinion. Their whole
history testifies to the truth of this
statement. But people cannot be deceived any further with these subtle
methods to which the Jews are
wont to resort. No one believes them
any longer. The above wireless dispatch is but an appeal to the Jews
of the world to bear up further and
not give in to despair, but to respond to the call of their needy coreligionists in Palestine. And because the Jews are miserly and unwilling to spend anything unless
they have
complete assurance
against loss, this correspondent
hastens to assure them that the
•
�44
Jews of Palestine are now enjoying
complete security and that the Arabs
will not molest them any further.
All financial help, therefore, coming from the Jews of the world will
be spent in the proper channels. He
also makes an ingenious appeal to
the Jews by picturing to them the
increasing force of the Arab boycott.
This is meant to arouse the Jews
to contribute further funds for the
relief of their Palestine brethren.
We wish to call the attention of
Mr. Levy to the obvious truth that
it is easier for the Jews to reach the
moon than to gain possession of an
Arab country.
Al-Bayan, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1929.
LEBANESE REPRESENTATIVE
IN FAVOR 01' umTY
There are recurrent evidences
that many Lebanese leaders have
been converted to the principle of
complete union with Syria. The latest such evidence is the statement
by Representative Michel Zakkour,
made at a political gathering held
recently in Beirut to the effect that
"all his constituents approve of the
principle of union with Syria," and
that "if we love France, it is because we want to be free men and
not slaves." This shows plainly that
the Lebanese are losing confidence
in their state of isolation from Syria.
We had been in the vanguard of
those who advocated Syrian-Arab
unity in the old country, but following the events of the last revolution which proved to us the continued existence of sinister fanaticism, we were convinced that it would
be better for Lebanon to remain
separated from Syria until such time
that religious bigotry and intolerance died out in the country.
In view of the change of policy of
Lebanese leaders, it would seem
that a readjustment of the political
situation is opportune. These may
THE SYRIAN WORLD
be taken as portents of a new spirit
of tolerance now overtaking Syrian
and Arabian countries. Under these
conditions, and in view of the manifest desire of the Lebanese to effect
unity with tneir brothers of Damascus, why not hasten this end by dissolving the Lebanese republic?
We must take the statements of
Lebanese leaders at their face value,
or they would be open to an accusation of duplicity to which they should
not stoop. Syrian political leaders
have been most frank and outspoken
in proclaiming their stand. They
have made plain their demands and
have stood by them under the most
trying situations. The Lebanese
should be credited with as much
honesty.
Syrian Eagle, N. Y., Dec. 18. 1929.
COST OF A NEW DEPARTMENT
Now that the majority of Syrians
and Lebanese in the United States
have become naturalized, forming an
integral part of the American nation and engaging in all forms of
industrial and commercial activities,
it becomes necessary for the Arabic
press of the United States to cater
to their needs from this special angle.
Syi'ian papers must not overlook
the radical change that has taken
place in the social and economic
position of the immigrants, and because many of these still do not
have an adequate knowledge of the
English language, they naturally
look upon the press of their native
language to sunply them the information their new conditions require.
Especially is this true of the economic situation. The editor of this
paper has personally ascertained
this need through personal knowledge during his frequent travels in
the interior. For that reason we
would only be too glad to devote a
page of our paper to the discussion
�NOVEMBER, 1929
45
of economic developments in the are not, therefore, free and indecountry as suggested by one of our pendent in the full sense of the term,
readers. But to create this new de- because they are helpless to prevent
partment would entail a weekly ex- the United States from meddling in
pense of thirty-five dollars as salary their internal affairs, or otherwise
for a third assistant editor, and this unable to go counter to her will.
additional outlay we find too large
Now we would ask: what differin the hard times prevailing at ence can there be between this conpresent. We find that many work- dition of the power of an unwritten
ingmen subscribing to the Syrian mandate and the prescribed mandate
papers are now out of work, with in Palestine, Syria, Iraq and other
the consequence that these papers countries placed under mandate by
are called upon for increased ex- decree of the League of Nations?
penditures while returns are dwindl'rhere may be a difference in form
ing. But if we should receive in ' ; in spirit. Because by the
0A,
creased returns through subsc*- \/o^ v* t: ight that England is charged
tions we shall be glad to inaugural s'.*^ AN le mandate over Palestine
r
further improvements.
A"?t Rnce over Syria and Lebanon,
Ash-Shaab N. Y., Dec. 9, 1929. scr^e United States exercises the
same right as regards Central American countries, even to the extent of
resorting to military occupation, alMANDATES ARE ALIKE
though she may not be charged with
No sooner had the papers an- any official mandate by a legally
nounced the start of a revolution in constituted body.
But the exercise of such power
Haiti than we heard that it had
come to an end, thanks to the mili- is most beneficial when it is intended
tary steps taken by the United to guide the weak to the point of
States. We must not, however, becoming self-sustaining and capimagine that these steps entail the able of independence. The perempmobilizat:on of all the military re- tory application of such power is
sources of the United States, be- unjust only when it is meant by the
cause all the American forces in strong to use the weak for his selfHaiti do not exceed 1200 men. But ish ends.
it is due rather to the conviction
The presence of American maof the Haitians that they cannot rines in Haiti may be interpreted
or>pose such a power as the United by the powers as military occupaStates that they hastened to give tion incompatible with the right of
their submission. They have before the Black Republic to independence.
them the example of Venezuela
But in the view of humanitarian
Santo Domingo, Nicaragua and powers, such action by the United
other Central American republics to
States is a boon to the population
realize that the United States will of that country because it brings
not tolerate any unwarranted dis- forcibly to their attention that the
turbances by its neighbors. This, in place of small nations is to keep
fact, is the application of the Mon- the peace, otherwise they would be
roe Doctrine which means nothing exposing their independence to loss
other than what we have come to
in this age when the small is at the
understand in more recent diploma- mercy of the big in every phase of
its national existence.
tic parlsvce os the rijrht of mandate.
These Central American republics
Ash-Shaab, N. Y., Dec. 10, 1929.
�-
THE SYRIAN WORLD
46
Political Developments in Syria
PALESTINE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY CONTINUES ITS INVESTIGATION — POLITICAL SIT UATION IN SYRIA UNCHANGED
— REFORM PROGRAM IN LEBANON APPROVED.
PALESTINE
Unquestionably the most important development of the month bearing on the Palestine situatiov
'he
" 4>
joint statement of the thr
of the Palestine manda.
ie,
Lloyd George, the Earl o t a 0*
and General Jan Christian I g '^'hadvocating a new and sweepj^.-vestigation into the whole operation
of the mandate.
The Balfour Declaration, it should
be borne in mind, although issued
by the Earl of Balfour, was not a
hasty step taken on that British
statesman's own initiative. It was
the result of a well-considered British policy representing the decision
of the whole cabinet. Lord Balfour,
as the Secretary for Foreign Affairs,
was only the instrument for issuing
the declaration.
Now the three men responsible
for th's political document which is
bringing to the British such unpleasant results have declared to
the world that their action has miscarried and they would advise methods of correction. Following is the
gist of their new decision embodied
in a joint statement published in
the London Times and reported to
the New York Times in a dispatch
dated December 19.
"As members of the war cabinet
which was responsible for the Balfour Declarat:on twelve years ago,
and for the policy of a national
home for the Jewish people which
it foreshadowed, we view with deep
anxiety the present situation in
•
Palestine. On the events of last
August which are now the subject
of an inquiry by a special commiss 'on we forbear comment. But it
s clear that whatever the finding
of the commission may be on the
risibility of the outbreak, the
to which Britain set her hand
at the close of the war is not proceeding satisfactorily.
"The Balfour Declaration pledged
us to a policy; the Palestine mandate
entrusted us with vital administrative duties; but causes which are still
obscure have impeded the task of
administration and consequently the
full carrying out of the policy.
"In these circumstances we would
urge on the government the appointment of an authoritative commission to investigate the whole
working of the mandate. The commission at present in Palestine was
aDpointed with linrted terms of reference to inquire into specific matters. This commission, in our view,
must, as soon as it has reported, be
supplemented by a searching inquiry
into major questions of policy and
administration. Our pledge is unequivocal, but in order to fulfill it
in the letter and spirit a considerable readjustment of the administrative machine may be desirable.
"Such a commission would be an
advertisement to the world that
Britain has not weakened in a task
to which her honor is pledged and
at the same t'me an assurance to
Jews and Arabs alike that any
proven defects in the present system
of government will be made good."
�NOVEMBER, 1929
Meantime, the commission of inquiry is proceeding with its task.
Recent developments indicate that
its methods of procedure are causing resentment by both Arabs and
Jews. As a result, th.2 Arabs are
being- further emboldened in their
accusation of the British of baing
the instruments of carrying out the
Zionist policy of making Palestine
a Jew'sh homeland, while the Jews,
according to testimony given before
the inquiry commission by Harry
Sacher member of the Palestine
Zionist Executive, "condemn the
Palest'ne government for weakness
in policy during the outbreaks, and
also for lack of sympathy toward
the Jews ever S'r.ce British occupation."
One of the princiral witnesses was
the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj
Ameen El-Husseini, who insisted on
the observance of an old Turk:'sh
prerogative which allowed the heads
of religious communit'cs to testify
in their own residences. The commission, with counsel, did not ins'st
on his appearance before it in regular court for fear of raising another issue. This action was severely
criticized by members of the English colony in Jerusalem on the
ground that it affects British prestige not only in Palestine but in the
whole East.
The Grand Muft;, in his testimony,
insisted that he not only did not
incite the outbreaks but sought to
pacify the turbu'ent element and
prevent bloodshed. He blamed Arab
unrest on the unkept promise of
England to grant them independence
as a reward for their participation
in the war. He introduced as evidence a letter from Lord Balfour to
King Hussein, dated 1918, thanking
the Arab leader for his aid to the
Allies and stating that the pledges
of independence made by Colonel
Lawrence would be fulfilled.
47
Following the Arab witnesses the
Jews among them members of the
Palestine Executive, were called by
the commission. The Chief Rabbi
of Palestine, Abraham Isaac Kook,
in contrast to the action of the
Grand Mufti, waived the right to
give his testimony at his own residence. His explanation to the commission of the reason for his action
is that he wanted "to pay due honor
to those sitting in judgment, because
in ancient days, when the Temple
existed, the Jewish priest, when
called to testify, always appeared
before the judges." The Chief Rabbi
further made an indirect attack on
the action of the Mohammedan relIigious d gnitary by quoting an old
Jewish saying that "the truth is
neither shy nor afraid."
Testimony bearing on the origin
of the August riots has been contradictory, each sde incriminating
the other. The Grand Mufti, for instance, testified that he attempted
to Check the riots and that he has
always worked for peace and order. He claimed that he was officially
thanked by the government on many
occasions for exerting his calming
influence. The cause of the outbreak,
he maintained, is the des're of the
Jews to influence the new British
Labor Cabinet to change the status
quo in their favor. This decision,
'he intimated, was reached at the
Zurich congress.
Jewish testimony, while disclaiming all guilt for the outbreaks, has
been so far mostly directed toward
proving the economic benefits of
Jewish immigration to Palestine.
Harry Sacher, a member of the
Palestine Executive, insisted that
the public revenue of the country
ultimately is dependent on Jewish
immigration and Jewish resources.
Speaking of the aim of Zionism he
declared that the "Zionists did not
seek a Jewish state, but wished a
�48
Jewish majority in a national home
under the aegis of Great Britain,"
whatever that may mean.
Sigfried Hoofien, general manager
of the Anglo-Palestine Company, asserted that the Jews have so far
brought $225,000,000 into Palestine.
He further stated, according to a
dispatch of the Jewish Telegraphic
Agency, that Jewish immigration
had materially benefited the Arabs,
as much of the money brought in
by the Jews passed into the Arab
economic system through the Jews
paying for rural and urban lands,
for goods, services and rent. As an
example he said that the annual
rent bill of the Jews of Haifa to
Arab landlords reached $270,000.
The Arabic papers of Beirut report the discovery, the latter part
of November, of a supposed Jewish
plot to smuggle arms and ammunition on a large scale into Palestine.
The designs of the smugglers were
frustrated by the vigilance of the
Beirut police who arrested the ringleaders and seized great quantities
of arms in the plains of Shweifat,
on the southern coast of Lebanon.
The booty included several machine
guns and a large number of old
Turkish army rifles. Some native
Syrians were in conspiracy with the
Jews but all those arrested disclaimed ownership of the weapons
and claimed that they were in the
vicinity by chance. One of those apprehended is a Palestine Jew who
is supposed to have come to Beirut
to negotiate for the purchase of the
war material.
This incident drew a formal protest from the President of the Arab
Executive Committee of Palestine
to the British High Commissioner.
In his complaint, the Arab leader
reminds the authorities that this is
not the first time the Jews have attempted to smuggle arms and ammunition into Palestine for the ob-
THE SYRIAN WORLD
vious purpose of attacking the
Arabs. He also charges that the
Jews have well-disciplined secret
military organizations which the
authorities apparently sanction, as
they have done nothing to suppress
them.
The direct accusation that the
President of the Arab Executive
Committee makes is that this lenient
policy toward the Jews on the part
of the British authorities is what led
to the unfortunate outbreaks of last
August.
On the other hand, the Daily Mail
correspondent in Palestine accuses
the Arabs of arming themselves to
an extent heretofore unknown for a
coming struggle with Great Britain
and the Jews. Large quantities of
arms and ammunition are being
smuggled across the Transjordanian
and Syrian borders in a systematic
manner proving the existence of
well-laid plans. The correspondent
charges the British authorities with
gross neglect for not taking the necessary precaution against a recurrence of the bloody outbreaks of last
August.
SYRIA
Nothing of importance has transpired in the Syrian political situation during the last month. Unconfirmed rumors stated that She'kh
Taj Eddin, the Provisional President has resigned, giving no details.
Other rumors were to the effect that
the,, French High Commissioner had
replied to the memorandum of the
Nationalists in a conciliatory manner. About all that has an appearance of authenticity, however, is
that the High Commissioner is pursuing his well-known policy of deliberate and unhasty action. He :s
meeting with leaders and is supposed to be formulating plans for a
final proposal which is hoped to be
acceptable. The Nationalists are
�NOVEMBER, 1929
abiding their time and endeavoring
to maintain their hold in the face
of growing activities by other political factions who aim to profit by
the present political confusion.
The question of the French mandate in Syria came up for discussion
in the French Chamber of Deputies
on December 13. The advisability of
continuing this expensive experiment by France was questioned by
one of the deputies of the Left, but
the War Minister replied that the
mandate was a task entrusted to
France by the League of Nations
which made France honor-bound to
live up to the trust. A vote was
taken on the issue raised and the
government was upheld by a majority of 330 against 247. The proposal
for reducing French military appropriations for Syria by forty million
francs was also voted down by 325
against 249.
LEBANON
The much discussed reform program of Premier Eddy's cabinet was
submitted to the Legislative Assembly on November 22. It proved to
be a long document dealing with
every phase of national life and suggesting logical reforms. Its proposals
were said to have been well received
by the Assembly but on a motion
from the floor final decision was delayed for a fortnight to give the
Assembly time for more mature
consideration.
Premier Eddy makes no attempt
to conceal facts. At the outset he
admits the existence of an economic crisis which if not corrected
immediately and effectively will lead
to dire consequences. The principal
remedy he prescribes is economy in
the cost of government. Instead of
sixteen administrative districts in
the country he proposes the reduction of the number to only five, effecting thereby considerable savings
in salaries. He further proposes re-
49
organizing the educational system by
concentrating on teaching of applied subjects and the inauguration
of a form of civil service examination for teachers in an effort to
choose men of proven fitness. The
judicial department is also scheduled for a readjustment in favor of
efficiency and economy.
The additional proposal is made
for a more equitable levying of
taxes that they may be more proportionate to actual values. The savings thus made will be used for road
improvements and for the promotion of irrigation enterprises which
would enhance materially the prosperity of the country.
What may be considered the most
radical feature of the program is
the demand of the Premier for what
is tantamount to dictatorial power
for the enforcement of the reform
provisions of his program. He has
asked the Assembly for absolute
authority for a limited term that he
may put his reforms into effect by
administrative edict to insure speed.
This feature is what caused the Assembly to request the delay for giving its approval so as to have time
for mature consideration.
Following the publication of Premier Eddy's program, representatives of the State of Syria are said
to have impressed upon the High
Commissioner the inadvisability of
terminating the tobacco monopoly
which was a concession held by the
French since the old Turkish regime.
But owing to the fact that public
feeling in Lebanon was running
high against the continuation of the
monopoly, Premier Eddy later prevailed upon the High Commissioner
to consent to its cessation. Henceforth tobacco cultivation and manufacture will become an open privilege in Lebanon. This is expected to
improve materially the economic
conditions of the country.
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
so
About Syria and Syrians
RIHANI S DECEMBER
SPEAKING PROGRAM
Speaking both under the auspices
of the Foreign Policy Association
and other organizations, Mr. Ameen
Rihani is making a wide circuit of
lecture engagements. The fact that
this issue of The Syrian World is
published the latter part of December makes it possible for us to list
the speaking engagements which he
has filled this month. From the first
to the fifteenth he spoke nine times
in as many different cities before
large American audiences. In Northampton, Mass., he spoke to the Mass.
Progressive Club Forum; in Amherst
at Amherst College; in BronxviHe at
Sarah Lawrence College; in Cleveland, Ohio, at the Women's City
Club; in Gambier, Ohio, at Kenyon
College; and in Cincinnati Columbus, Buffalo and Rochester for the
Foreign Policy Association.
In most of the cities he visits Mr.
Rihani is being extended popular
receptions by the Syrian communities who are anxious to do honor to
the man who is bringing so much
honor to the Syrian name. On many
occasions he is also called upon to
address special meetings of Syrians
on political and other topics.
EDITOR SPEAKS TO
SYRIAN ASSOCIATION
The American Syrian Federation
of New York, the principal Syrian
organization of the city, asked the
editor of The Syrian World to address its members on general conditions in Syria, calling for the purpose a special meeting. The audience was drawn from the leading
:.-.
-
-.
:
business element of the city who
were most interested and receptive.
Questions from the floor on economic, social, political and educational
conditions stretched the time of the
talk to an hour and a half.
CONCERT IN BOSTON
FOR SYRIAN RELIEF
(From our correspondent)
The Syrian Relief Assoc:ation of
Boston held its annual concert on
December 8 at the Municipal
Building, West End, which was attended by nearly one thousand, some
coming from Lawrence Worcester,
Brockton, Lynn and other Massachusetts cities.
President Faris S. Malouf gave
an outline of the Assoc'ation's activities and spoke of future plans.
Mr. Nassour Abraham entertained
with his witty and typical Arabic
verses. Young Peter Solomon of
Prov;dence, gave an unexpected
treat with his playing of Arab:c
songs on the violin.
Mme. Fedora Korban, styled the
Syrian Nightingale, fully justified
her reputation by the veritable
song feast she gave to an appreciative aud'ence. She has the voice of
a nightingale indeed! There is a
ring in her voice, coupled with a
charming mannerism, that held the
breath of her audience.
Mr. Isiah Seligman, famous p:anist in Europe and America, accompanied Mme. Korban. His solo offerings were exquisite, and many
wished that he had more experience
in the playing of Arabic selections.
The concert was a financial success.
�L
NOVEMBER, 1929
SYRIAN PRIESTS ATTEND
CARDINAL'S ANNIVERSARY
A correspondent of Al-Hoda in
Boston reports that on December 8
three hundred clergymen of various
ranks attended a banquet in celebration of the seventieth anniversary of Cardinal O'Conncl!, amons'
whom were four Syrian priests serving parishes in the Boston diocese.
The correspondent delights in
stating that while none of the Syrian clergymen were assigned to
speak on this occasion, the cardinal
noticed the fact and had the chairman call on Msgr. Estephan Eldowaihy. the Maronite priest of Boston,
whom he had known in Rome. Msgr.
Eldowaihy made some impromptu
remarks interspersed with expressions of good wishes in Arabic
which delighted the audience. Then
two other Syrian priests, Father
B. Bellama and Archimandrite Peter
Abouzaid, were called upon by the
chairman and their remarks were
equally well received. This, according to the deduction of the correspondent, proved to the learned audience that in the Eastern churches
there are priests who live up in every
respect to the high tradition of the
Catholic Church.
ORTHODOX BISHOP
DIES OF GRIEF
Aleph Ba (Damascus) reports the
death, early in November, of the
Orthodox Bishop Boulos Abou Adal,
of Jebail and Batroun. His death,
according to the report of the paper, was hastened by grief over the
dissension developed in the Orthodox Church of Syria over the election of a Patriarch. The dead church
dignitary had journeyed to his native city of Damascus expressly
to attend the conclave of bishops,
but had to follow the proceedings
51
through oral reports while confined
to his bed. When the meeting was
adjourned and the bishops dispersed
without reaching a conclusion, Bishop Abou Adal was so affected
that he could not survive the shock.
The dead prelate was most active
in promoting educational facilities
in his diocese. He succeeded in
founding three boarding schools
and 25 parochial schools, besides
twenty-five new churches.
SYRIAN GRANDMOTHER
TAKES UP PROFESSION
Ambition, as proved in the case
of Mrs. N. Haick, a Syrian woman
of Brooklyn, N. Y., is not confined
to youth. Although a grandmother,
this ambitious woman took up the
study of chiropractice for several
years and graduated with high honors. She now has a successful practice from among Syrians and other
nationalities.
Dr. Haick was born in Mt. Lebanon and immigrated while young to
the United States. She received her
early education at an American missionary school in her native town.
While her children needed her care
she could not engage in any professional study, an ambition which she
always cherished. She succeeded in
taking this branch of the medical
profession after she was a grandmother.
ARAB SCENE WINS FAVOR
The students resident at International House in New York gave an
entertainment on Saturday, Dec. 7,
which was participated in by most
of the national groups. The Arabicspeaking group, mostly Syrians,
staged what proved to be the most
popular piece. It represented a des-
�.
52
ert scene wherein all the characters
appeared dressed in native costumes.
The author of the play is Emile
Dumit who also played the leading
part.
The cast of characters is as follows:
Sheikh of Anezi Tribe—Tamir Shibly
The Poet—Emile Dumit
The Musician—Rafik Asha
The Scribe—Habib Kourani
The Sportsman—Raja Hourani
Religious Head—Fadel Jamali
Sword Dancer—Jamal El-Kourdaji
American Tourist and Guest of the
Tribe—Philip Du Bois.
Fortune Teller—Mrs. Lois Naylor
Star of the Tribe—Miss Rose Mokarzel
Miss Alice Mokarzel gave Oriental
piano selections.
SYRIAN EDUCATOR
ADDRESSES AMERICANS
Dr. Philip K. Hitti, the well-known
Syrian educator and scholar, spoke
to over two hundred members of
the Sorosis Club at the Commodore
Hotel in New York on December 9
on the Syrians' contributions to civilization. Dr. Hitti finds time amidst
his many duties at Princeton University to deliver frequent illuminating talks on Syria and its history, and in this he is rendering
his country and race signal services
which are highly appreciated by the
discerning.
SYRIAN WOMAN EDUCATOR
ARRIVES IN AMERICA
Miss Marie Kassab, founder of the
School Al-Ahliah in Beirut, arrived
in New York on the S. S. Berengaria in mid-December. She comes
to visit relatives and to study the
principles of the American educa-
THE SYRIAN WORLD
tional system for possible application to her own school. She will visit
some of the leading American Universities by previous invitation and
will travel across the United States
to the Pacific coast.
Although Miss Kassab's school has
been founded only thirteen years ago
it ranks high among the educational
institutions of Syria and is attracting students from all parts of the
Arabic-speaking countries.
Miss Kassab plans to remain in
the country for about six months.
STREET IN ARGENTINE
NAMED AFTER LEBANON
The city of Jonin, numbering
eighty thousand inhabitants, has
named one of its principal streets,
formerly known as that of Entre
Rios after the Republic of Lebanon,
according to a special dispatch to
the Arabic newspaper As-Salam
published in Buenos Aires.
The dispatch further states tihat
the City Council of the Argentine
city took this decision unanimously,
because of the high esteem in which
the Lebanese community of the city
is held.
SYRIAN MEMBER OF
BOSTON WELFARE COUNCIL
The Boston correspondents of tihe
Arabic papers of New York report
that Mr. Assad Mudarry, a wealthy
Syrian merchant of the Hub City,
has been appointed by the mayor a
member of the Welfare Council.
Mr. Mudarry has long been a resident of Boston and active in its
civic affairs. He is a graduate of
the American University of Beirut
and for several years took up teaching in the Orthodox High School of
Damascus. In Boston he was for
�I
NOVEMBER, 1929
several consecutive terms president
of the local branch of the Syrian
Educational Society and of the Orthodox Society of St. John.
RANKS SYRIANS HIGH
IN ANCIENT CULTURE
Archaeological finds that raise the
accepted standard of ancient Syrian art to a level hitherto unknown
were described on December 17 in a
lecture at the Metropolitan Museum
of Art by Eustache de Lorey, director and founder of the French
Institute of Islamic Art and Archaeology at Damascus, according
to the New York Times. M. de Lorey arrived recently to lecture at
the Chicago Art Institute, Princeton, Wellesley and the College Art
Association.
With the aid of lantern slides M.
de Lorey described the uncovering
by a delicate process of an area of
2,600 square feet of mosaics in gold,
mother of pearl and tinted glass
which he was satisfied were created
under the direction of Caliph Walid I of the Ommiad Dynasty, who
reigned from 705 to 716 A. D.
The mosaics were found under
the stucco on the walls of the Mosque
of Damascus. Prior to their discovery small fragments of mosaics had
been discovered about the age-worn
walls, but since the Mohammedans
were believed not to have tolerated
any decorations of this nature in
their places of worship, archaeologists had concluded that the bits
found had come to be there by accident.
M. de Lorey remained skeptical,
and, with, the assistance of a staff
of experts, removed the outer covering of stucco, revealing representations of landscapes and of fantastically shaped buildings in colors
as brilliant as when they awed the
"--
'
53
Arabian pilgrims twelve centuries
ago. He said that they wera probably a form of Byzantine mural decoration that came into vogae during the period of iconoclasm, when
religious images were forbidden.
The artistic merit of tha work he
declared to be superior to similar
mosaics found in Jerusalem. The
graceful palmette trees, undulating
acanthus vines, and other flora depicted as arising from classic urns
or along the bank of a river were
more life-like than any hitherto discovered, he said. He suggested that
the large quantities of tinted glass
tubes that went into the work were
those which, according to Arab
chronicles, were shipped to the Caliph Walid by the Byzantine Emperor.
M. de Lorey is directing a general archaeological survey of the
Islamic monuments in Syria. He has
made other discoveries in the last
two years in the cities of Damascus
and Aleppo. He became interested
in the work while first secretary of
the French Legation in Teheran.
POSTPONING ELECTION
OF ORTHODOX PATRIARCH
The conclave of the bishops of
the Syrian Orthodox Church which
met in Damascus the latter part of
November having been adjourned,
the secretary of that body issued
a formal statement in which he gave
the reasons for the action taken as
being the undue interference by the
people of Damascus to influence the
members in electing a candidate of
their choice.
Later the bishops met in one of
the monasteries of Lebanon hoping
to resume their labors in a more
quiet atmosphere. This also resulted
in failure and again the meeting
was adjourned, this time for an indefinite period.
�~1
THE SYRIAN WORLD
54
LARGE ENROLLMENT AT
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
By Bernice Griswold
I
Fourteen hundred and thirtyseven students, representing twentysix nations in Asia, Africa, Europe,
North, South and Central America
and Australia, and belonging to
nineteen different religious sects, are
enrolled this year at the American
University of Beirut, the Preparatory, Elementary and Music Schools
under the administration of the
University.
A recent statement from Beirut
on the registration says that the
students, "by mutual interest and
daily contact in classrooms, on the
campus and in the Brotherhood Society, are laying foundations of international friendships which may
be an important factor in solving
present and future problems in the
Near East."
The students come from all of the
principal cities of Egypt — from
Alexandria and Cairo to Asslout
and Suez; from all parts of Iraq —
from Busra and Baghdad to Mosul;
from Teheran. Kermanshah, Hamadan, Urumia, Tabriz, Bushire, Shiraz, Barfrouche and other cities in
Persia which have become world
famous among collectors of Persian
rugs and carpets; from Constantinople, Turkey; from all the cities
and towns in Syria and all of the
principal cities and towns in Palestine, from Nazareth to Beersheba
and G; :a; from Amman, Transjordan; tr nrincipal cities on the Island
of Cyi as and from Bahrein and
Kuweit in the Persian Gulf; from
Aden, . uthern Arabia; Addis Abeba, Abyssinia; Dar-es-Salaam, East
Africa; Khartoum and Omdurman,
Soudan; Renmark, South Australia;
Mendoza and Jujuy, Argentine; Catragena, Columbia; Quito, Ecuador;
Mexico City and Tempico, Mexico;
Boston; Washington, D. C; Waterbury, Conn.; New York City; Cleveland Ohio; Flint, Michigan; Hartford, Conn.; Philadelphia and Los
Angeles, hi the United States; from
Cebu in the Philippine Islands and
from Shanghai, China.
Bayard Dodge is president of the
American University of Beirut,
which was founded in 186G.
i
S\RIAN WOMAN LAWYER
VISITING UNITED STATES
A prominent Syrian visitor in the
United States since last summer id
Mme Sa'yba Garzouzi, one of the
pioneer women of the law profession in the East and a resident 01"
Egypt. Mme. Garzouzi was invited
to speak at the Williamstown Institute of Politics, where she acquitted herself creditably and gave a
comprehensive account of the emancipation movement of the women of
the Arabic-speaking countries. She
is now staying in New York to fill
lecture engagements. She spoke at
the Town Hall to a crowded house
early in December. The following report of her address was prepared by
one of our correspondents.
SYRIAN WOMAN LAWYER
ADDRESSES LARGE AUDIENCE
By T. H. K. Rezmie
A vivid picture of the conditions
prevailing in the Near East, especially of its womanhood, coupled
with a strongly argued appeal for
the freedom of Arabian nations,
evoked vigorous applause for Mme.
Sa'yba Garzouzi, noted Egyptian
lawyer, who addressed a large audience at the Town Hall, in New
York.
"The women of the Old East,"
said Mme. Garzouzi to the members
^ ^^ H
I
i
�T«
I
NOVEMBER, 1929
of the League for Political Education, "are rapidly advancing in education, sanitation, nation-building
and emancipation. And, strange as
may seem, their men are encouraging them in their efforts."
As examples of feminine advancement in Egypt, Mme. Garzouzi cited
the large number of professional
women, who are members of the
Egyptian Women's Union, Which a^
one of its activities takes care of
1,400 patients a day in its Dispensary.
"The recent bold and patriotic
achievement oi: the women of Palestine, who shed all their age-old
traditions and marched to the High
Commissioner's Unices demanding
freedom of their country," said Mme.
Garzouzi proudly, "is the sample o±
the way in which Syrian women
have progressed."
Mme Garzouzi declared that the
mutilation of Syria after the war
has created new obstacles in the
way of national development of the
Arab peoples, and appealed for the
liberation of the country of her birth
from "French Dictatorship."
Before the Great War, Syria was
one single state, autonomous under
the Turks. Now she has been mutilated and sliced off into four parts—
Syria, Palestine, Transjordania and
Mesopotamia—one under France
and three under English dictatorship. "The French in Syria have
killed 60 000 (?) men and women
since the end of the War—2,000
women and children in the city of
Damascus alone," she charged, and
denounced the MacDonald Draft of
the Treaty with Egypt as an instrument "which would
simply
screen the British Occupation forces
in a desert paradise costing the
Egyptian Exchequer five mil!ion
dollars and would deprive Egypt of
an appeal to the League of Nations
for twenty-five years more."
5S
She appealed for a readjustment
of the relations between the Eastern
and Western peoples, "not on the
basis of the old refrain 'East is
East and West is West,' but on the
new and higher ideal that 'God s is
the Orient and God's is the Occident.' "
SYRIA—IRAQ, AIR
PASSENGER SERVICE
Only a few years ago travel by
automobile across the Syrian deserc
to Mesopotamia was a pioneering
attempt. Now it not only has become a common practice but an improvement is planned by the introduction of regular air service.
The papers of Damascus report
that the Eastern Transport Co. has
purchased a passenger plane capable
of accommodating twelve persons
with the purpose of inaugurating a
regular air service between Syria
and Iraq. The initial flight is scheduled for the middle of Decerabi r.
SYRIAN'S INVENTION
FOR FUEL ECONOMY
The invention of Mr. Wm. M. Malouf for economy in fuel oil was
given a demonstration on Tuesday
December 17, before officials of the
Health and Police Departments of
the City of New York and newspaper representatives. The invention
consists of a cage and ball cvfnstructcd on what is claimed to V !':a heretofore unknown scientific Principle.
It is capable of revolving • t a terrific speed without gearing* or lubrication, and, by virtue of its special
construction, is capable of increasing the mileage of an automobile
49 per cent, while decreasing the
amount of fuel consumed 33 per cent.
�56
It also practically eliminates carbon
monoxide and smoke, according to
the results of the laboratory tests
published by the inventor.
According to the published prospectus, a company has already been
formed to exploit the invention which
is destined to revolutionize the automotive industry and greatly benefit humanity.
Mr. Malouf perfected his invention in collaboration with Mr. Ros;
M. Lynn. He originally immigrated
from the town of Kfarkab, in Mi.
Lebanon.
PRIME MINISTER OF
IRAQ A SUICIDE
Press dispatches of November 16
announced the death by suicide of
Abdul Muhsen Bey Sadoun, Prime
Minister of Iraq. The Syrian press
arriving with the latest mail carries
long accounts of the tragedy and the
effect it had on the people of Baghdad. Contrary to former reports, the
suicide of the Premier was not induced by financial worries. Rather,
it would seem that, out of sheer
patriotism, he wished to give the
people of Iraq an illustration of the
tragic results of indiscriminate attacks on their faithful public servants.
It would seem that in discussing
certain features of the Speech from
the Throne some Deputies misinterpreted a remark by the Premier
to mean that the country would resort to force in gaining its legitimate demands from England, instead of his more peaceful words
to the effect that unless the British
fulfilled their promises by 1932
energetic means would have to be
pursued.
Moreover, the Premier had been
for some time past showing signs
of an approaching nervous collapse
THE SYRIAN WORLD
as a result of his arduous labors. On
the day of the tragedy, he retired
to hi3 study and wrote a note to his
e'dest son, now a student at Birmingham, asking his forgiveness and importuning him to care for hi;; younger brothers. When later his wife
noticed him taking out a revolver
from a secret drawer, she suspected
his suicidal designs and flung herself at him in an effort to stop him,
but he threatened to shoot her if
she interfered or raised a cry. When
the wife could finally call for help
the Premier had already expired.
All Baghdad was closed as a sign
of national grief.King Faisal called
in person at the house of his faithi
ful friend and is said to have wept
copiously. He comforted his family
by saying that the Premier had died
a martyr in the discharge of national
duty, as a soldire would, and may
therefore be deemed a national hero.
The body was carried through \
densely packed streets on a gun
carriage, but before reaching the
cemetery a number of lawyers insisted on carrying the body the remainder of the way on their shoulders. After interment, the Bar Association of Baghdad passed resolutions asking the government to buy
the dead Premier's residence and
make of it a national shrine.
POET UNDER TRIAL
FOR APPROVING BEER
Marouf Ar-Rissafi, the ranking
poet of Iraq, was summoned to court
by order of the government following a decision of Parliament to that
effect. The charge against him is that
he published derogatory remarks
about the wife of the Prophet and
interpreted the sayings of some Ulemas of the Moslem faith to mean
that drinking of beer was permissible.
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�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The Syrian World Newspapers
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical Note</h4>
<p>Salloum Mokarzel, a Lebanese American intellectual, founded<em> The Syrian World</em> in 1926. Salloum Mokarzel was the younger brother of Naoum Mokarzel, the publisher of the Arabic-language newspaper <em>Al-Hoda. </em>Together, the Mokarzel brothers ran Al-Hoda Publishing, and in 1909, they published <em>The Syrian Business Directory.</em> </p>
<p>Mokarzel created <em>The Syrian World</em> in order to document and celebrate the culture and history of "Syria." At the time, Syria referred to the modern-day countries of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine. The publication was primarily aimed towards second-generation children of immigrants, but Mokarzel hoped that it would also appeal to the general American public.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content Note</h4>
<p><em>The Syrian World</em> was published between 1926 and 1932 as a journal. In 1932, the format was changed from an academic journal style to a newspaper style, which continued until the periodical's end in 1935. After the death of his brother Naoum, Salloum took over the publication of <em>Al-Hoda.</em></p>
<p>The articles in <em>The Syrian World</em> cover a variety of topics spanning from the practical to the theoretical. Practical subjects include international and domestic travel, historical and contemporary Arabic and Arab-American art and literature, and the mental and physical health and hygiene of immigrants. More theoretical, philosophical, and ideological subjects include ideologies of race, the changing role of women, the formation of Syrian and Lebanese-American societies, and the political and psychological relationships between immigrants and their countries of origin.</p>
<p>All issues of <em>The Syrian World</em> are available, along with full indexes for the first four volumes. For volumes five and six, there are tables of contents at the start of the issues.</p>
Subject
The topic of the resource
Arabs--United States
Arabic periodicals
Newspapers
Arab American Newspapers
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Salloum A. Mokarzel
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
New York Public Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1926-1935
Relation
A related resource
<em><a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian Business Directory</a></em>
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/44" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mokarzel Family Papers</a>
<a href="http://hdl.handle.net/11299/175685" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Annotated Index to the Syrian World, 1926-1932</a> at the University of Minnesota Immigration History Research Center Archives
<a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/58" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Al-Hoda Newspapers</em></a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Claire A. Kempa, 2015-2017. Collection Guide written by Claire A. Kempa, 2017.
Collection Guide updated by Laura Lethers, 2023 August.
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials.
These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings.
Identifier
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NS 0002
Access Rights
Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies.
This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
TSW1929_11reducedWM
Title
A name given to the resource
The Syrian World Volume 04, Issue 03
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1929 November
Description
An account of the resource
Volume 4 Issue 03 of The Syrian World published November 1929. The issue begins with Salloum A. Mokarzel's continuation of his travels into Syria, where he specifically details interviews with the President and Premier of the Republic of Lebanon, and with acting French High Commissioner. Hilda Fox, General Secretary of the Lebanon Hospital for Mental Diseases, wrote about the history and needs of this institution in Mt. Lebanon. Then Elizabeth MacCallum's "On Ameen Rihani" is featured. It discusses his life and works as a frequently featured writer in The Syrian Word. The Barbara Young's poem titled "To the Man with the Hard Eyes" is included in the issue, followed by yet another poem titled "A Legend of the Nile" by Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, a mystical poem that tells of Egypt from the perspective of Alkazin who spent much of his childhood there. Labeebe A. J. Hanna is yet again featured in this issue for her original short story titled "Such Was Fate!" a love story set in the United States focused around the life of a Syrian couple. The issue concludes with Letters to the Editor, excerpts from the Arab press, and further information on the political developments in Syria.
Subject
The topic of the resource
Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals
Arabs--United States--Periodicals
Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals
Language
A language of the resource
English
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Salloum A. Mokarzel
Syrian-American Press
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
New York Public Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
104 Greenwich St., New York, NY
Format
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Text/pdf
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials.
1920s
A. Hakim
Ameen Rihani
Edward B. Karam
Kahlil Gibran
Labeebee A.J. Hanna
New York
Poetry-English
Syria
Travel