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&»«3ig»ilPIII
VOL. III. NO. 8
FEBRUARY, 1929
THE
SYRIAN WORLD
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING
WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE
ftp
RESTRICTION OF IMMIGRATION
JOSEPH W. FERRIS
OUR SYRIAN-AMERICAN FELLOWSHIP
REV. W. A. MANSUR
THE PRINCE AND HIS BELOVED
DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN
THE SAGE OF WASHINGTON STREET
ON PERPETUATING THE MOTHER TONGUE
A. HAKIM
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA
THE COPY 50c.
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iKawpIPlPliP m
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��THE
SYRIAN WORLD
SALLOUM
A.
MOKARZEL,
Editor.
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104
GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK,
By subscription $5.00 a year.
N. Y.
Single copies 50c.
Entered as second class matter, June 25, 1926, at the post office at New
York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879.
FEBRUARY, 1929
VOL. III. NO. 8
CONTENTS
PAGE
Restrictions of Immigration
JOSEPH
3
W.
FERRIS
The Great Longing
8
G. K.
GIBRAN
The Prince and His Beloved
9
Y.
DR. SALIM
ALKAZIN
Abu Ali
11
IBN EL-KHOURY
Verses To My Enemies
J. D.
j;
16
Our Syrian-American Fellowship
REV. W. A. MANSUB.
Progress of the Federation M.overn-ent
23
The Poet's Nightmare
29
DB.
fcs
15
CARLYLE
NETIB
A.
KATIBAH
�-.'
— J-l
CONTENTS (Continued)
PAGE
Tributes to Gibran
30
Gibran's Place and Influence in Modern Arabic Literature
PHILIP K. HITTI, PH. D.
30
Gibran
32
BARBARA YOUNG
Gibran's Tears
32
S. A. MoKARZEL
The Sage of Washington Street {On Perpetuating the
Mother Tongue}
A. HAKIM
34
Arabic Proverbs
37
Editorial Comment—
Americanism
38
Antiquities
40
Spirit of the Syrian Press
41
Readers' Forum
44
Political Developments in Syria
49
About Syria and Syrians
51
ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE
Gibran Kahlil Gibran
Testimonial Dinner to Gibran
X
,
�THE
SYRIAN WORLD
FEBRUARY, 1929
VOL. III. NO. 8
Restriction of Immigration
WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO
THE NATIONAL ORIGINS CLAUSE
By
*
JOSEPH
W.
FERRIS
THE immigration question is a matter which has considerably
agitated this country. Up to the last Presidential campaign
it was one of the great issues between the two political parties. In
the recent campaigns, both political parties in their platforms stood
for the most restricted immigration, and although the Presidential
candidates of both political parties differed as to details, yet both
stated that they were against increasing the immigration to this
country.
Attention is therefore drawn to this question. Until the Act
of 1921, only certain enumerated classes of aliens were excluded
from admission into the United States, such as (a) idiots, imbeciles
etc.; (b) paupers, professional beggars, vagrants; (c) tubercular
or other diseased persons; (d) mental or physical defectives; (e)
criminals; (i) polygamists; (g) prostitutes, procurers and pimps;
(h) contract laborers; (i) public charges; (j) persons previously
deported; (10 persons whose transportation was paid by others;
(1) stowaways; (m) children under sixteen, unaccompanied by one
or both parents; (n) Asiatics from certain territories in Asia, which
did not encompass Syria (see Syrian World, Vol. II, Nos. 8, 9);
and (o) illeterates.
In addition other aliens were excluded, such as (a) anarchists,
(b) aliens opposed to or disbelieving in organized forms of government; (c) aliens believing in the overthrow by force or vio-
�4
THE SYRIAN WORLD
lence of the government or of all forms of law and of various
beliefs allied thereto; (d) aliens who wrote or had written in support of the foregoing beliefs j (e) aliens who were members of organizations or groups propagating in support of the foregoing j
and (f) aliens advocating or teaching any of such doctrines.
In the year 1921, the first restrictive Immigration Act was
passed. Under this Act the immigration of aliens of any nationality in any fiscal year was restricted to three percent of the number of foreign born persons of such nationality, resident in the
United States, as determined by the census of 1910.
On July 1st, 1924, there came into force what is popularly
known as the "Johnson Act" which superseded the Restrictive
Immigration Act of 1921, and with which we are at present concerned.
Immigration quotas were fixed upon the basis of two percent
of the number of foreign born individuals, resident in continental
United States, as determined by the United States census of 1890,
the minimum quota being 100. Each nationality was given an annual quota equivalent to this two per cent and on this basis the
total of all quotas was and still is 164,66. Under this Act, quota
and non-quota immigrants were defined and preferences within
the quotas were enumerated.
On the basis of the 1890 census, two percent of the Syrians
resident in continental United States was said to be less than 100
and the Syrian annual quota was therefore fixed at the minimum
of 100.
In addition there was enacted what is known as the "National
Origins Provision," under which the annual quota of any nationality for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 1927, and for each
fiscal year thereafter, was fixed at a number which bore the same
ratio to 150,000 as the number of inhabitants in continental United
States in 1920, having that national origin, bore to the number of
inhabitants in continental United States in 1920, but the minimum
quota of any one nationality was to be one hundred.
Under his provision the total of all quotas would be set at
150,000 and this number would be allocated, not according to the
number of foreign born persons resident in the country, but upon
the basis of the proportionate numerical strength of nationalities
among the whole population of the United States.
The census of 1920 would be used, the national origin of all
the people would be calculated, and, for example, if it should be
found that a particular nationality contributed one-tenth of the
�FEBRUARY, 1929
5
whole population that nationality would have one-tenth of the
total quota of fifteen thousand.
I quote the appropriate subdivisions of Section 11 of the
Immigration Act of 1924, which were as follows:
"NUMERICAL LIMITATIONS.
Sec. 11. (a) The annual quota of any nationality shall be 2 per centum
of the number of foreign-born individuals of such nationality resident in
continental United States as determined by the United States census of 1890,
but the minimum quota for any nationality shall be 100.
(b) The annual quota of any nationality for the fiscal year beginning
July 1, 1927, and for each fiscal year thereafter, shall be a number which
bears the same ratio to 150,000 as the number of inhabitants in continental
United States in 1920 having that national origin (ascertained as hereinafter
provided in this section) bears to the number of inhabitants in continental
United States in 1920, but the minimum quota of any nationality shall be 100.
(c) For the purpose of subdivision (b) national origin shall be ascertained by determining as nearly as may be, in respect of each geographical
area which under section 12 is to be treated as a separate country (except
the geographical areas specified in subdivision (c) of Section 4) the number of inhabitants in continental United States in 1920 whose orig;n by birth
or ancestry is attributable to such geographical area. Such determination
shall be made by tracing the ancestors or descendants of particular individuals, but shall be based upon statistics of immigration and emigration, together with rates of increase of population as shown by successive decennial
United States censuses, and such other data as may be found to be reliable.
(d) For the purpose of subdivisions (b) and (c) the term 'inhabitants
in continental United States in 1920' does not include (1) immigrants from
the geographical areas specified in subdivision (c) of section 4 or their descendants (2) aliens ineligible to citizenship or their descendants, (3) the
descendants of slave immigrants, or (4) the descendants of American abori(c) The determination provided for in subdivision (c) of this section,
shall be made by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Commerce, and
the Secretary of Labor, jointly. In making such determination such officials
may call for information and expert assistance from the Bureau of the Cen
sus Such officials shall, jointly, report to the President the quota o± each
nationality, determined as provided in subdivision (b), and the President
shall proclaim and make known the quotas so reported. Such proclamation
shall be made on or before April 1, 1927. If the proclamation is not made
on or before such date, quotas proclaimed therein shall not be m effect for
any fiscal year beginning before the expiration of 90 days after the date of
the proclamation. After the making of a proclamation under this subdivision the quotas proclaimed therein shall continue with the same effect as if
specifically stated herein, and shall be final and conclusive for every purpose
except (1) insofar as it is made to appear to the satisfaction of such officials and proclaimed by the President, that an error of fact has occurred in
"
�6
THE SYRIAN WORLD
such determination or in such proclamation, or (2) in the case provided for
in subdivision (c) of section 12. If for any reason quotas proclaimed under
this subdivision are not in effect for any fiscal year, quotas for such year
shall be determined under subdivision (a) of this section."
The determination of quotas under the "National Origins
Provision" was an executive function and under the law the Secretaries of Labor, State and Commerce were to be charged with the
responsibility of ascertaining the ratio numbers to be used in calculating quotas to be proclaimed by the President. The law, however, was peculiarly worded. It says:
"Such officials shall jo;ntly, report to the President, the quota of each
nationality, determined as provided in subdivision (d), and the President
shall proclaim and make known thj quotas so reported. Such proclamation
shall be made on cr before April 1, 1927."
But the law said further:
"If the proclamation is not made on or before such date, quotas proclaimed therein shall not be in effect for any fiscal year beginning before
the expiration of ninety days after the date of the proclamation. * * * If foxany reason quotas proclaimed under this subdivis;on are not in effect for any
fiscal year, quotas for such year shall be determined under Subdivision (a)
of this section."
In other words, if the "National Origins Provision" did not
become operative, the existant arrangement should continue.
It must be clear that upon the adoption of the "National Origins Provision" consideration was given the possibility that ascertainment of "national origins" might not be feasible and the above
language was employed to provide authority for the continuance
of existing quotas in such a contingency.
The legislative history of the "National Origins Provision"
might be of interest. This provision was first offered in the House
of Representatives by the late Representative Rogers of Massachusetts. The House rejected the Rogers amendment.
During debate on the Immigration Bill in the Senate, April
14, 1924, the proposition in slightly different language was presented by Senator Reed of Pennsylvania. After amendment it
was agreed to in the Senate.
The only presentment of the subject matter in a committee
hearing before the enactment of the Immigration Act in 1924 was
on March 8th, 1924, when John B. Trevar testified before the
Senate Committee on Investigation.
IV
�FEBRUARY, 1929
7
Having been accepted by the Senate and rejected by the
Hou*e, the "National Origins Provision" became a subject of consideration of the Committee of Conference, which revised the texx
of the entire bill, amended and accepted the "National Origins
Provision" and submitted its report, which was debated and the
bill recommitted to the Committee of Conference, and finally
T)3.SSCCl
R
v?
In 1927 the time for the "National Origins Act" to go into
effect was extended to the year 1923, and the figures "1927
from the original text were stricken out and tne figures 1928
were inserted in lieu thereof.
In 1928 a similar proceeding was filed and the figures
"1928" were stricken out and "1929" inserted.
The law to all intents and purposes will go into effect July
5
1st, 1929.
.
,
-Jr*
Senator Reed of Pennsylvania, as recently as December 6th,
1928 stated that this Act would go into effect on that day and that
the three Secretaries to whom was entrusted the duty of making
up the quotas had rendered two, conflicting reports. In their first
report they sent in quotas, saying that further study would not
materially modify it, and then sent in a report announcing another
draft of the first report in which the opinion was expressed that
the quotas were too vague for satisfactory use.
^ubsequenly the experts from the Bureau of Census upon
whom devolved all the actual labor of the preparation of the
quotas, appeared before the Senate Committee and the House
Committee and testified that the quotas were made up with a high
degree of accuracy and that they had confidence in them. I his
is the present status of the matter.
i
It would therefore be seen that the taking effect of the National Origins Clause has already been postponed twice and proposals are pending to again postpone it, and as a matter of fact,
to repeal it entirely.
The repeal of the "National Origins Clause" would leave
the Immigration Law of 1924 operating as it is now operating.
It would leave the present quotas to continue as they now are.
The House of Representatives in a resolution postponing the
going into effect of the "National Origins Provision" for one year,
expresslv stated that the same uncertainty as to the results of regulating immigration by means of the "National Origins Plan will
continue to exist and that the Secretaries of State, Commerce and
Labor will have little, if any, more positive evidence on which to
�S
THE SYRIAN WORLD
base quota findings than at present, and that it seems far better to
have immigration quotas for the purpose of restriction fixed in
such a manner as to be easily explained and easilv understood by
all.
Although there is considerable agitation in favor of putting
the "National Origins Provision" into effect, there are many facors indicating that the "National Origins Provision" will again be
postponed, if not repealed.
B
The Great JL onging
By G. K.
GIBRAN
J-JERE I sit between my brother the mountain and my sister
the sea.
We three are one in loneliness, and the love that binds us
together is deep and strong and strange. Nay, it is deeper than
my sister's depth and stronger than my brother's strength, and
stronger than the strangeness of my madness.
Aeons upon aeons have passed since the first grey dawn
made us visible to one another; and though we have seen the
birth and the fulness and the death of many worlds, we are still
eager and young.
We are young and eager and yet we are mateless and unvisited, and though we lie in unbroken half embrace, we are uncomforted. And what is there for controlled desire and unspent
passion? Whence shall come the flaming god to warm my sister's bed? And what she-torrent shall quench my brother's fire?
And who is the woman that shall command my heart?
In the stillness of the night my sister murmurs in her sleep
the fire-god's unknown name, and my brother calls afar upon
the cool and distant goddess. But upon whom I call in my sleep
I know not.
Here I sit between my brother the mountain and my sister
the sea. We three are one in loneliness, and the love that binds
us together is deep and strong and strange.
�FEBRUARY, 1929
The Prince aud His Beloved
Adapted from the Arabic
By
DR. SALIM
Y.
ALKAZIN
MOREOVER the prince mused in his heart,
And his musings were in this wise:
My back is bent under the burden of the cares of the people,
And I, the prince, am weary!
It is in a maze of schemes that I live and move.
And I, the prince, am bewildered!
Is it not a task for more than one man to wield the doubleedged sword with one hand and hold high the scales with
the other?
Is it not a task for more than one pair of eyes to direct the
operations of the one and watch the dipping of the other?
Is it the task of a mere man to curb the passions of men and
at the same time to satisfy their greed?
Mv heart is sick within me!
Unstable are the favors of the days,
Changeable are the moods of the hours!
At mid-day a cloud will cast its somber shadow athwart the
sun,
And at its full a mist will veil the beauty of the moon.
From fate's fell bow arrows are flying fast and thick.
Hither and thither they speed,
They crowd the air,
They make a target of every thing that is.
Have I not seen them bury their heads deep in many a heart?
Have I not seen their feathers shiver with the violence of
the impact?
But I, the prince, will wrest a single day out of the hands
of time,
I will be the lord thereof and make of it a slave.
It shall do my bidding.
I will thrust fate aside and shape this day's destiny.
k
�10
THE SYRIAN WORLD
I will say to my beloved, Give me thy hand, O my beloved
one!
Against my heart will I press thee, and in thy ear will I pour
the fullness of my love.
We shall recline on a bed of roses, the reddest of the red;
A canopy of jasmine shall shade us;
The Buibul shall be our bard, the sprites of the trees shall
be our musicians.
The east breeze shall listen to our whispers,
The flowers shall harken to the beating of our hearts.
I will live this day wholly for thee, O my beloved,
And thou shalt live it for me
And we shall become intoxicated!
Ay, and my intoxication shall be three-fold:
From thy hands I shall drink the cups brim-full,
From thine eyes my eyes shall quaff a wine steeped with
magic,
And from thy lips my lips shall sip a thousand kisses—
A triple intoxication, a triple ecstasy!
In a secluded bower, alone with their love the prince and his
beloved sat.
Around them there was a profusion of flowers,
Before them were wines of varied colors,
Were heaped all the fruits of the orchards.
And they were happy, for there was no cloud in their sky.
But while she, the beloved of the prince, was plucking with her
pearly teeth the ruby heart of a pomegranate seed by seed, a
seed put a stop to her breathing.
Like the lily whose cup is weighted with the dew of the night,
Like the lily that bends before the withering blast,
The lovely head dropped heavily upon the motionless breast.
The beloved of the prince was dead!
�FEBRUARY, 1929
11
Abu Ali
By
.
IBN EL-KHOURY
""THE only beggar I knew in our town, nay, in our whole district,
was a certain Abu Ali, called for short Bu Ali.
When I was in my early teens he was about forty, and I can
recall many a conversation he had with my father touching on his
personal affairs.
Bu Ali lived by begging, but his begging operations were conducted in a gentlemanly manner, so to speak. He never asked for
alms, nor laid down any conditions j he merely made a round of
visits at regular intervals to the people of our town who all came
to concede that he was a legitimate public charge and had to be
supported by public donations.
Who lever there was a feast or a celebration, Bu Ali was sure
to make an appearance the next day, and from the abundance of
what was left over he was given goodly provisions.
Bu Ali was a regular atendant at church every morning. Whenever my father missed him he usually sent me to inquire about
him, for only the most serious illness kept him away.
Having naught else to do but make his regular rounds of
visits, Bu All's services were enlisted in various capacities. His
principal role was that of messenger, especially between lovers,
but on many an occasion he was entrusted with the more important
role of conciliator and negotiator in serious differences threatening
the peace of the town and the good relations between various clans
or factions.
In no other capacity would Bu Ali serve, for he depended for
a living on the good-will of all and he was of too keen a judgment
to expose himself to the ill-will of any.
My father being the pastor of the parish, he was naturally
the confidant and adviser of Bu Ali as well as of others, but the
town beggar being a regular attendant at church, and, besides,
having no regular occupation, he was a frequent caller at our
house, especially at breakfast time at the conclusion of Mass.
One winter morning Bu Ali behaved in a strange manner.
I could observe him hopping on his one normal leg while coming
to church in more haste than usual, while his crippled and shorter
leg—which, by the way, was the only deformity which accounted
�11
THE SYRIAN WORLD
for his becoming a beggar, in that it incapacitated him from engaging in any gainful occupation—swung to and fro violently
with every stride.
All during Mass that day I kept stealing looks at Bu Ali when
I least feared detection by my father who was a severe disciplinarian, and especially would tolerate no distraction during the progress of Mass. I was acting as altar boy and any inattention to duty
was certain to invite a severe reprimand.
But once my curiosity was aroused I could not help but watch
the actions of the beggar. He came to kneel close to the altar
railing and appeared to pray on this day with redoubled fervor.
He would knock at his breast so violently that the echo resounded
throughout the empty church. Several times he stepped back a
few paces from the altar railing so as to permit himself more
space for fully prostrating himself on the stone pavement and
kiss the floor. Then he would rise and lift his face appealingly
to the portrait of St. Elias, patron saint of our church, which was
hung directly above the main altar, and begin to pray in such a
loud voice as to almost drown that of my father in his incantations. St. Elias was represented with drawn sword dealing death
to the priests of Baal, and to the Christians of Lebanon he symbolizes not only aggressive zeal, but moral and physical strength
as well. Bu Ali, in his ardent supplication, seemed to be begging
of the Saint some of both.
My curiosity was to be soon gratified, for that morning Bu
Ali not only accompanied us home, but even preceded us, hopping
along the narrow path leading to the house.
My father seated himself at his accustomed place on a raised
mastaba in a corner spread with cushions. On one side were two
long bookshelves built in the form of a partition to serve as a protection from the draft as the door opens. Behind was the solid
wall with but a niche for the reading lamp. At the end of the
bookshelf-partition was the open fireplace, while all around were
spread thick-wooled sheep skins of different colors.
Breakfast was served my father on a brass tray resting on a
low stool, or tabliah. Bu Ali would not join at the table but
helped himself to some thin bread and cheese while squatting on
a sheepskin close to the fireplace. I proceeded to build a big fire.
My father opened the conversation. "Khair inshallah, Ya
Bu Ali," he said.
"Nothing but good news, with your prayers and blessings,"
replied the beggar-guest.
MMMS)
SBi •,....
�FEBRUARY, 1929
IS
Following the exchange of customary formalities, Bu All
reached the point of disclosing his object.
"You, Abouna (father) Antoun," he began, "are the father
of all. We have none other but you to whom we can come with
our problems. You are our guide in our perplexities whether temporal or spiritual. I came today to say something to you as though
you were in the confessional. Have you a place for a secret ?"
"A deep well," replied my father, in the stock answer to
such a question.
"I am advancing in age," resumed Bu Ali, "and with the
passing of every year, and in my helpless condition, I feel more
and more the necessity of a life-companion. I came to seek your
advice."
My father had had no intimation of any such intention on
the part of Bu Ali. Here was a man supported by the charity of
the townspeople. Only last year they had liberally contributed in
labor and material to build him a house. They had looked upon
the proposition of building him a house as an absolute necessity
inasmuch as no one in Lebanon but had one, even a beggar. They
even went to the extent of roofing it with red tile that he might
be spared the necessity of having to shovel the snow from off the
flat roof. But now I could see by the astonished look in my father's eyes that he considered this new venture of Bu Ali in the nature of an impositon on the good nature of the townspeople.
I was still tending the fire, but upon hearing the beggar's
proposition the satisfaction of my long suppressed curiosity expressed itself in a loud peal of laughter, which made me drop a
heavy log that almost smothered the small sticks I had so painstakingly built to start the fire.
The start which Bu Ali gave indicated that he had not been
conscious of my presence, while the stern look of my father mad :
me fast regain my composure.
"He is but a child," he said to the beggar. "I shall attend
to him at the proper time. But as for yourself, have you thought
of the consequences of the step you are contemplating? Do you
think you can support a wife?"
"All these matters I have considered carefully, Abouna
Antoun," replied Bu Ali, aerain turning his back to me as if disregarding my presence. "You can readily realize that the bed
which holds one can hold two (my father smiled), and thai the
meal which is prepared for one can also be made to satisfy two
with but little additional expense. Besides, the woman I want to
I
.
.
'
�,
THE SYRIAN WORLD
14
take for wife is frugal and economical. She has promised to be
loving and obedient, and you will admit, Ya Abouna, that in my
declining age I need someone to tend my fire and make my bed
and bake my bread."
"And who is the woman?" inquired my father.
"Please bury this secret at the bottom of the deepest well,"
said Bu Ali. "She is Karima El-Aura, the orphan girl who is
blind of one eye."
"And are you sure of her consent?" again asked my father.
"She has given me her word only yesterday," replied Bu Ali.
"Ever since my new house was built she has been markedly courteous to me. Seeing which my heart leaned to her and I frequented her house oftener. Soon we began to exchange confidences
and she told me that her situation had become well nigh unbearable. She ha^ reached the age of twenty-five with no one making
a proposal. But for her minor defect she is constitutionally perfect. She interprets the smiles of other women as expressions of
pity for her having reached this advanced a?e without being married, and she has promised me the utmost of attention and care if
I marry her."
At this junction my father began to show his appreciation of
the comedy of the situation, and while struggling to suppress his
smiles he asked the beggar, "Inasmuch as the matter is settled between vou, what do you want me to do?"
"I have come today," replied Bu Ali, "first to break the news
to you and then to reciuest of you the favor of asking her hand
in marriage formally for me."
"This I shall be glad to do," said my father, "only you now
go and tell her to come and see me."
Bu Ali now displaved surprising agility. He put on his
single shoe which he had shed by the door upon entering and alreadv had reached for the knob, when he suddenly veered around
and called:
"Abouna Antoun!"
"Yes," answered my father.
"If we have a boy will he be lame of one leg and blind of
one eve?" asked the lame beggar.
For some reason which I did not at the time understand, it
was mv father who this time burst out into a hearty laugh, and he
assured the man that such defecte were not hereditary.
*
*
*
There were no invitations to Bu All's wedding.
A man and
FEB
a woi
witne
office
theg
pairs
merr
housi
and i
•
�FEBRUARY, 1929
15
a woman were recruited from among the parishioners to act as
witnesses, while I myself was an involuntary witness owing to my
office as altar boy. But no sooner the news spread about town than
the good people began to trek to the house of the newly-weds in
pairs and singles, seizing upon the occasion to indulge in hilarious
merriment. And they did not.come empty-handed, and Abu All's
house was stocked with rice, and flour, and olive oil, and molasses,
and figs, and even wine, for a good many years.
I
Verses to My Enemies
Translated from the Arabic by J. D. Carlyle.
WHY thus to passion give the rein?
Why seek your kindred tribe to wrong?
Why strive to drag to light again
The fatal feud entomb'd so long?
Think ndt, if fury ye display,
But equal fury we can deal;
Hope not, if wrong'd, but we repay
Revenge for every wrong we feel.
Why thus to passion give the rein?
Why seek the robe of peace to tear?
Rash youths desist, your course restrain,
Or dread the wrath ye blindly dare.
Yet friendship we not ask from foes,
Nor favor hope from you to prove,
We lov'd you not, great Allah knows,
Nor blame'd you that ye could not love.
To each are different feelings given,
This slights, and that regards his brother;
'Tis ours to live—thanks to kind heav'n—
Hating and hated by each other.
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
16
Our Syrian-American Fellowship
Apropos of the Federation of Syrian Societies in the
United States
By
REV.
W. A.
MANSUR
""THE rise of a Syrian American fellowship is being realized
among Syrian-Americans, creating new race vision, promoting
race solidartiy, and developing a right attitude toward the Syrian
race. Hitherto this fellowship was unrealized by Syrian-Americans because of the thought of a return to the homeland, retarded
by being scattered throughout the United States, and hindered by
lacking a unifying medium. The decision to make America a permanent home, the race urge for self-preservation, and solicitude
for future welfare are giving rise to this fellowship.
Our Syrian-American fellowship is not political in spirit,
economic in purpose, or religious in motive. It is based on pure
Americanism, spiritual heritage, pioneering life, and future wellbeing.
Knowledge of the nature of this fellowship is a source of
inspiration to our race awakening, race pride, social happiness, and
future progress. This will create common understanding, eive
rise to common courage, and result in common sympathy. This
will win for us the intelligent appreciation, respectful friendship,
and sympathetic cooperation of the American people. The following seven points of our Syrian-American fellowship attempt
to define this fellowship, encourage Syrian-American youth, and
establish a common understanding among Syrian-Americans:
/. Fellowship Through a Loyal Americanism.
The primacy of a loyal Americanism is the paramount principle of our Syrian-American fellowship. It finds expression in
an American allegiance, an American attitude, and an American
outlook. We stand for America first. America does not ask that
we renounce our love of native land, repudiate our race identity,
or forsake the legacies our race has bestowed on mankind. America does ask that we give first place to the land that is our home,
to the flag that guards our freedom, and to the Constitution of th«
United States that guarantees our liberties.
1
I
Kl
/
�M
FEBRUARY, 1929
17
Philip K. Hitti says in "The Syrians in America": "Among
the foreign born the Syrians hold an enviable war record In
point of loyalty, patriotism and devotion to the institutions ot the
land, as demonstrated by the war, they have been unexcelledeven by the Americans themselves.
"According to a careful estimate based on the reports ot the
Provost Marshal General, and other War Department documents,
no less than 13,965 or about 7 per cent of the whole Syrian community se-ved in the United States army."
_
Syrian-Americans have written for all time their loyalty to
their American homeland into the history of the Syrian race in
the United States. For Syrian-Americans remember that America's freedom, America's ideals, and America's opportunities drew
them to her As American citizens they pledge a single political
allegiance, law abiding citizenship, and a readiness for America s
defense against all enemies. The record of the loyalty of SyrianAmericans will enhance their standing as Americans, will foster
race pride in Syrian-American youth, and claim prominence tor
the Syrian race in the United States.
II. Fellowship Through, a Spiritual Motherland-.
For Syrian-Americans Syria is becoming the symbol of a spiritual motherland. Gradually physical Syria is becoming a memory. Long separations, the passing of older generations, and the
rise of new venerations are making the change. It is in its spiritual legacies, Syria's historical background, Syrian race character,
and Syrian race achievements that Syria will be enshrined in Syrian hearts everywhere. For in their race urge they feel a contact
with Syrian soil, in their hearts they sense a call from Syrian skies,
and in their minds thev vision life from Syrian hills.
S P Cadman says in an address on "The Friendship ot English-speaking Nations": "A nation reveals and justifies itself,
not bv a narrow insistence upon its pre-eminent virtues and dualities but by its specific contribution to the welfare of mankind.
Tudea rave the world religion. Greece gave it culture. Rome
gave it law, and it still subsists on the rich heritage they beaueathed."
„ _
,
- -,
While the thought of Rome was for Romans, that ot Greece
for Greeks, and that of Tudea for Jews, it was Syria that first
thought of the welfare of mankind. It was under Syrian skies,
on Syrian soil, and in Syrian hearts that mankind first learned to
think in the highest spiritual terms: the universal Fatherhood ot
�18
THE SYRIAN WORLD
God, man's filial relation to God, the world-wide kingdom of
God, and the hope of human brotherhood.
Knowledge of Syrian history, race character, and Syria's contributions to humanity will enable Syrian-Americans to appraise
Syria in terms of the highest spiritual values. For Syrian-American pioneers, their posterity, and Syrians everywhere it is the
Syria of their spiritual inheritance that will be enshrined in their
hearts as the spiritual, true and eternal motherland of the Syrian
race.
III. Fellowship Through a Glorious Ancestry.
Our Syrian-American fellowship is based on a race that possessed unique talents, developed civilization, and made contributions to the welfare of mankind. Races, nations, and empires whose
support was military conquest, economic exploitation, race superiority, numerous population, or divine favoritism have passed away,
and will pass away, with their transient dreams. The Syrian race,
Syrian history, and Syria's contributions to human progress,
whether of our forefathers the Phoenicians, our ancestors of the
Christian era, or our fathers of Mediaeval times, have enshrined
themselves in human hearts through their beneficent influence
upon mankind.
George Adam Smith says in "Syria and the Holy Land":
"Nor do religion and war exhaust her importance to the world.
Syria bred and endowed the people who first brought the fruits
of Eastern civilization to Europe, taught the nations the value
of sea-power, and set them an example on transmarine commerce
and the planting of colonies."
Our Syrian-American fellowship is the result of an awakened race consciousness, race solidarity, and race vision. There
steals on the Syrian ear the distant triumphant urge of the race.
The modern Syrian has caught the spirit of his Phoenician ancestors, is among the vanguard of human progress, and is taking
his place in spiritual and material service to human welfare.
The revival of the memory of our illustrious Phoenician
forefathers is arousing intelligent appreciation of our race, promoting race pride, and inspiring race revival. The thoughtful
understanding of our race heritage is liberating the latent talents
of our race. The awakened race consciousness is inspiring emulation of the achievements of our famous ancestors. Our SyrianAmerican fellowship is moving us to perpetuate the memory of
m
�FEBRUARY ,1929
19
our renowned forefathers, uphold their priceless legacies, and
maintain their honor through splendid achievements.
IV. Fellowship Through Pioneering in America.
The modern Syrian has caught the pioneering spirit of his
famous Phoenician ancestors. He has endured amid difficulties
He has adapted himself to new conditions. He has maintained
the dignitv of the race, laid a foundation of true character, rose
through industrious living, and vindicated his Americanism
through loyal citizenship.
H H Jessup says in "Fifty-three Years in Syria": "They
have caught the enterprising spirit of western civilization and are
starting out in a new Phoenician migration^ to the ends oi the
earth, seeking to better their condition
"
The lives of Syrian-American pioneers are romances oi the
hiehest order. It was hardship to sever relation with their beloved land. It was heart-trying-to leave home, loyed ones, and
one's kind to become strangers in a foreign land It was embarrassing amoncr those whose language, customs and race were different Yet "throueh their pioneership they followed the gleam,
they worked industriously, and lived loyally to their new homeland. Thev are rising to win for themselves the. enviable place
that was once their Phoenician forefathers'.
We accord the highest honors to the Syrian-American pioneer fathers and mothers. In the villages on the highways, and
on the sea shore of Syria have been many farewells to Syria s sons
and daughters. They came to America healthy in body, courageous in heart, intelligent in mind, industrious in disposition,
God-fearing, libertv-loving, and law-abiding.
•
Here in our American homeland they are the parents of the
rpce that is to be, they are dreaming dreams of glory through love
and tears- and they are blazing a trail of glory laden with the
leo-ades of their ancestry.
• ,«••
O Syrian poet, I pray thee, sing of the Syrian-American
pioneers, the pioneers of the glorious race that is to be.
V. Fellowship Through Common Problems.
The decision to make America a permanent home dosed the
oioneer period of the Svrian-Americm race in America. SynanAmen an pioneers met with race misunderstanding race prejudge and social discrimination. These often intensified their suf-
�mmmmmmmma.
20
THE SYRIAN WORLD
ferings, hindered their progress, and tested their resourcefulness.
Yet Syrian-American pioneers emerged from the pioneer period
with their race character untarnished, their achievements magnified, and their faith in America unshaken. They upheld Syrian
character, intelligence, honor, home, industry and loyalty.
Syrian-Americans are now amidst the transition period. The
"complete transformation of the psychology of a nation" is a
gigantic task. Everywhere Syrian-Americans are meeting like
problems, dangers, and sufferings. The transfer from centuriesold language, customs, and point of view to the American language, customs and point of view is beset with many difficulties.
Yet everywhere Syrian-Americans are readily adapting themselves, maintaining stability of character, upholding industrious
living, and perpetuating a law-abiding citizenship.
The rising tide of social problems is pressing for solution.
Let Syrian-Americans remember that America is passing through
a transformation of a social order the like of which humanity has
never experienced. Let it be remembered that modern education
is accelerating the development of the human mind. Let it be
understood that in meeting the problems there must be intelligence, sympathy, character.
I have faith in Syrian-Americans to meet their social problems through resourcefulness, adaptability, endurance and vision.
Here is a Syrian-American family with a marriage problem to
solve; there a Syrian-American community with race prejudice
in the public school; elsewhere is another meeting with social
ostracism; another is grappling with race misunderstanding; and
still another discovering his ignorance of his race and native land.
How shall Syrian-Americans meet these rising social problems, rising from a change of race psychology, the natural accompaniments of adolescence, the intermingling of races, and life in
a changing social order? These seven principles will assist in
meeting the situation. First, religion is fundamental to humanity
and is compatible with science, prosperity, and progress. The
family is the basic unit, and marriage is a social sacrament. Remember that adolescence is prolific with problems, that youth is
the time for self-discovery, self-assertion, self-determination, and
self-realization. Remember that knowledge is necessary to intelligent understanding, that modern life is to be modernly dealt
with. Adaptability is essential to happiness and success, that goodwill, patience, adjustability, charitableness and getting along xre
master keys to meet problems. Character is life's true purpose,
MHIPHHHBHBIP
\
�FEBRUARY, 1929
21
that making a life is man's chief destiny. And remember that
immortality is the hope of man, that he reaps here and hereatter
what he sows here and now.
j
VI. Fellowship Through Splendid Achievement.
There is growing up among Syrian-Americans a fellowship
through splendid achievement. Their integrity, industry, iawobedience, and thrift are becoming a glorious tradition.
/
An admirable summary of the progress of Syrian-Americans
was given by S. A. Mokarzel in an article on "The History ot
Syrians in New York" in The Syrian World. "The Syrian community of New York," he says, "may well be taken as an example of all other communities, although in some respects it
enjoys certain distinctions which cannot be claimed by all others.
In general, however, what is said of the Syrians of New York
applies to all sister communities." (The Syrian World, Nov.,
1927.)
' We shall better appreciate the progress of the Syrian race
in America when we remember his late coming, his peculiar handicaps, and his quickness of adaptability. The Syrian is prospering
everywhere. And the rising tide of prosperity is prophetic ot
larger future success.
In the intellectual field Syrian-Americans are already making themselves felt throughout the world. N. A Mokarzel, the
journalist; Gibran the poet; Hitti the historian; Riham the traveller- S A Mokarzel, founder of The Syrian World, and a host
of other star-lit souls who are bringing glory to our race, encouragement to Syrian-American youth, and honor to our American
homeland.
In the commercial and industrial field Syrian-Americans are
like their Phoenician ancestors blazing the trail for world trade.
Thev are successful merchants and traders and are founding
branch houses in foreign lands. The Syrian colony of Shanghai
China, is prophetic of the rise of the leadership of Syrians in world
commerce. (The Syrian World, Sept., 1927.)
In the field of American citizenship Syrian-Americans have
set an example of superior loyalty through law-obedience, industry and a glorious war-time record. Already in the re igious
field Syrian-American churches are endeavoring to uphold the
Syrian tradition of the compatibility of religion and prosperity.
*-
�22
THE SYRIAN WORLD
And Syrian philanthropy has written a shining record into the
history of the Syrian race in America.
VII. Fellowship Through Ambition for Posterity.
Syrian-Americans are ambitious for the future of their posterity. They purpose to retain their racial identity through their
descendants. They would revive and maintain the memory of
their illustrious forefathers through future generations. Their
aim is to uphold the priceless contributions made by their fathers
to human progress.
President-elect Herbert Hoover said: "We no longer have
the right to think in terms of our own generation." The spirit
of our forefathers calls upon us to revive their memory, make
known the truth about their bequests to mankind, and awaken the
race to vision, vigor, and vindication. Svrian-Americans are forevisiomng a glorious race in the new world, are laying a foundation of true character, and are making ready for worthy race
progress.
Leonard Darwin says in his "Eugenic Reform": "Pride
in our past achievements must on no account make us turn a deaf
ear to the warnings derived from a study of the laws of nature:
for it will be seen that such a study makes it certain that to be
careless about the future may be to condemn our own nation to
disaster."
Humboldt is right in saying: "Whatever you would put into
the state you must first put into the school." William Allen White
in The Heart of a Fool" makes Mrs. Van Dorn say to her
father, Dr. Nesbi, "It's the children who carry the banner of
civilization, the hope of progress, the real sun-rise."
The future progress of Syrian-Americans lies in the rising
generations. We must awaken them to their noble heritage We
must enlarge upon the historical background of the Svrian race.
We must explain the Syrian race's contributions to mankind. We
must enable them to realize that in their veins courses the blood
of a great race, that they possess latent talents which, awakened
and utilized, will bring new service to mankind, and that they
are the pioneer builders of a new Syrian race in the new world.
_ Success is crowning the efforts of our Syrian-American fellowship in popularizing the knowledge about the greatness of the
Syrian race, the rise of race pride based on the race's exalted contributions to human welfare, and a worthy response of SyrianAmerican youth to meet the challenge of their glorious race
HHHMHMBSHNSBHflflMMMBI
/(
S
�23
FEBRUARY, 1929
Progress of the Federation
Movement
SIX NEW PLEDGES RECEIVED DURING
JANUARY
PLEDGES RECEIVED
Syrian Young Men, Society
The Phoenicians
American-Syrian Federation
Syrian Young Men's Society
, , Citizenship
^-j.v_ ^I„K
The Good
Club
The Goodfellows Club
Syrian-American Club
Syrian-American Club
Ladies' Syrian Association
United Young Men's Aleppian Club
St. George Young Men's Society
The Phoenician Club ...
Young Phoenician Society
YSJSS^SL
oklvn N Y
" ro J ' ' '
2
^! ' 1*'
Birmingham, Ala.
Texag
! ^ i'.. Detroit, Mich.
Cleveland, Ohio.
b
L
P"nf vaue^
r\Z' Otto
'&2SZ.^
Mkh_
AT this stage of our progress towards the Federation of Syrian
societies in the United States, The Syrian World wishes to
make it plain that it does not consider the movement its own private undertaking. We believe, and here make public avowal
of the fact, that this effort is the spontaneous expression of a desire long entertained by many organizations and individuals It
is the materialization of a growing conviction for the necessity of
collective action which now seems to have reached the stage ot
maturity The Syrian World is but the instrument for collecting
the different strands and winding them together into one solid,
strong and, let us hope, an enduring cable
AU the replies so far received prove the existence of a strong
predisposition to such a movement. What seems to have been
lacking in the way of crystallizing the sentiment, and translating
the desire into action, was the existence of the proper agency. Now
all those who have dreamed of such an ideal can feel the sati faction of having discovered the agency that is ready and anxious
A
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
to serve them. What they should further feel is that they are
duty-bound to use the facilities placed at their disposal to the fullest capacity.
It is a patent fact that no individual, nor single organization;
can undertake such a gigantic public task unaided. The success
of the movement is contingent upon the collective, concerted efforts of all parties interested. Those organizations so far pledged
to the support of the movement have by their very action made
public avowal of their high racial ideals. They have signed a
declaration of faith in the future of the race and committed themselves to the perpetuation of their precious heritage to the end
that they will be proud and useful elements in the American nation. They are pioneers in a movement that is replete with untold possibilities both for their own kind and for the whole nation.
Their enterprise will be recorded as the work of far-visioned, public-spirited pathfinders who are laying down the foundation for
the better service of posterity. And as such they may justly feel
proud of the effort at which they are now engaged.
But the assumption of this role involves a responsibility.
Approval should not be confined to the mere registration of acquiescence. It implies and invites support by way of propaganda
and missionary effort. Each pledged organization must feel honorbound to carry the task to ultimate complete success, and now that
we see the pledges doubling every month, the almost tangible
success should spur us on to redoubled action.
Prompting these remarks is the desire to assure the movement speedy materialization. The preliminary work of accepting pledges cannot be extended indefinitely and the sooner the
national organization takes a definite shape the brighter will be
the prospects for its future activities. It might be unwise to set
a definite date for closing the preliminaries, but, tentatively, a
few more months should be considered sufficient. Then the organizations already pledged could proceed to give form to the
Federation, while the way would remain forever open to the admission of new members.
One of the benefits of speedy action is that the founders
could proceed to formulate the plan and the general object of
the Federation which would be submitted to recalcitrant organizations for study. This might prove the most cogent argument
for them to join, as they would have tangible proof of the benefits
of concerted action.
In the meantime, our efforts should be intensified towards
! SStt
N
in
! i
�=—.
=
FEBRUARY, 1929
23
increasing the number of charter members. As we can now
see, the movement is fast gaining in impetus so that with a little
further effort the partial success so far achieved may be substantially increased by the time the call is sounded for taking final
action.
Following are the acceptances received during January:
CLEVELAND, OHIO
UNANIMOUS VOTE OF APPROVAL
Editor, The Syrian World:
At the last meeting of the Syrian-American Club of Cleveland, we discussed the Federation movement as outlined in the
Syrian World, with the result that the Club voted unanimously
in favor of such a move.
On behalf of the Club, I wish you unlimited success and
hope that other organizations may reward your efforts by joining this worthy movement.
Enclosed you will find a list of the other Syrian societies
in this city and vicinity who could be approached in the matter
of the Federation. As for ourselves, we shall do our best to promote the movement among the different organizations here, as we
are thoroughly convinced of the necessity of a national organization.
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN CLUB.
M. S. Caraboolad, Secretary.
Cleveland, Ohio.
SPRING VALLEY, ILLINOIS
REASONS FOR GIVING 100 PER CENT. APPROVAL
Editor, The Syrian World:
The Ladies' Syrian Association of Spring Valley, 111., heartily
endorses the movement for the federation of Syrian societies in
the United States.
We believe the time at hand when an appeal of this nature
should meet with the support of the public-spirited element
among our people in this country.
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
26
We can readily realize that the first comers among the Syrian immigrants were too much taken up with economic considerations. They could not be expected under the circumstances to
plan and develop such enterprises for their public good as behooves them to do at the present time.
Now the Syrians are settled in their new home. They
should realize that it is incumbent upon them to develop their
racial prestige. They can claim such eminent qualities as should
be the pride of any race. They are intelligent, hospitable, industrious and have behind them a fine racial background. The only
thing they seem to lack is the ability for cooperative action. Now
the opportunity is offered them to fill this gap and claim for
themselves the position that is rightly theirs among the racial
groups which go to make the American nation. It should, therefore, be the ambition of every one of us who realizes the benefits
of cooperative action to lend his best efforts towards the success
of the Federation movement of Syrian societies.
We wish to state finally that we are 100 per cent, for the
Federation movement and pledge for its success our best efforts.
We give this unqualified approval to the movement in the hope
that others who are still reluctant will take immediate and favorable action.
LADIES' SYRIAN ASSOCIATION.
Elizabeth Abrahams, Secretary.
Spring Valley, 111.
PATERSON, NEW JERSEY
AMERICAN MOTTO CITED IN SUPPORT OF
MOVEMENT
Editor, The Syrian World:
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of our
Club, held on Jan. 17, the movement for the federation of Syrian
societies in the United States was brought up for discussion and
met with the wholehearted endorsement of the Directors.
In advising you of our action, we wish to commend you for
your splendid efforts in promoting the fulfillment of this dream
through the agency of your magazine. When such a worthy undertaking is brought to full realization, it will be possible for the
Syrians to act collectively in matters of general policy and com-
-a
�^—
HMHaMBNBaaBBnMMBnHaanaHMa
27
FEBRUARY, 1929
mand attention and recognition. We have long been fighting
single-handed, in single units, and it seems about time we act on
the famous American motto, "E Pluribus Unum"—"L'Union
fait la Force."
Our only hope is that efforts towards promoting this necessary movement until it is brought to complete success be kept up
with unabated zeal. We have been accused of showing a great
flash of interest at the initial stages and then dropping the matter
and letting it disintegra^. through inaction. We trust this will
not be true in this case.
UNITED YOUNG MEN'S ALEPPIAN CLUB.
John Zaloom, Secretary.
Paterson, N. J.
CANTON, OHIO
OFFERS MORAL AND MATERIAL SUPPORT
Editor, The Syrian World:
The formation of a Federation of Syrian societies in the
United States is a most splendid and worthy undertaking for
which the promoter should be heartily congratulated. • Our Club,
the St. George Young Men's Society, was organized April 22,
1922. Its main object is to promote better friendship and sportsmanship. You can depend upon receiving our support to further
this cause, and to meet any help or obligations that may arise
in connection with this great undertaking.
ST. GEORGE YOUNG MEN'S SOCIETY.
Kyser Salem Shaheen, President.
Canton, Ohio
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
MOVEMENT IS A GLOW OF HOPE
Editor, The Syrian World:
We are happy to extend our congratulations and profoundest
good wishes to your esteemed magazine for its most valued and
remarkable enterprise.
The Phoenician Club of Birmingham, Ala., is always in
readiness to lend assistance to any cause that is for the good of
�28
SYRIAN
the Syrian people, and we believe your success in undertaking
a Federation of Syrian societies should be a glow of hope for
every earnest member of the race.
We hope you will continue to give your best efforts towards
this most worthy cause for which we wish complete success.
THE PHOENICIAN CLUB,
L. C. Bohorfoush, Secretary.
Birmingham, Ala.
LANSING, MICHIGAN
LOGICAL AND NECESSARY STEP FORWARD
Editor, The Syrian World:
It gives me great pleasure to advise you that our club wishes
to be placed on record as anxious for the success of the Federation
movement among the Syrian societies in the United States and
is ready to cooperate wholeheartedly in all efforts tending to
promote the success of a nation-wide understanding among the
organized bodies of our race.
We believe this to be the logical and necessary step for
bringing about the best that is in the young Syrian generation
both for their own benefit and for the glory of the American
nation.
j
,: ,.r;;
We had sent a communication to the Syrian World which
was published in the November issue, expressing our readiness
to correspond with any society willing to enter into negotiations
leading to cooperative action. We took it for granted that this
would be sufficient testimony to our actual approval of the Federation movement. But inasmuch as our club was not mentioned
in the first list of acceptances, we hasten to send in this explicit
acceptance.
Our club was organized in May, 1927, for the purpose of
promoting a better understanding between the older and younger
generation Syrians, as well as for promoting and encouraging
better means of understanding our ancestral background.
Our club is non-sectarian and non-partisan. It has a substantial membership.
We hail the Federation movement as a great step forward
for the Syrian race in America and wish for it complete and
speedy success.
YOUNG PHOENICIAN SOCIETY.
Lansing, Mich.
Ruby Nakfoor, Cor. Secretary.
VHMW^HI I
�FEBRUARY, 1929
The Poefs Nightmare
By DR. NEJIB A. KATIBAH
In Memory of Kahlil Gibran's Testimonial Dinner.
I sat upon a lofty rock,
A ripening field beneath my feet,
A clock beside me went tick-tock,
Tick-tock,—and bade me mind its beat—
Or hastening fall.
A spirit bade me close my eyes,
And quickly touched my brow,
Then whispered in my ears: "Arise,
Thy vision is no vision now,
Nor sight at all."
The clock had vanished from my side;
Two thrones of gold within one ring,
Upon a dreamy azured tide,
Upbore me, wafted on the wing;—
Lo! there's a call:—
I heard a voice beyond the sun,—
(Or was 't my Voice?): "Obey my beck!"
—Lo, there! my thrones, two shrouds in one;
The ring, a halter 'round my neck;—
I could not crawl
But lay upon a swaying rock,
A precipice beneath my feet,
A clock beside me went tick-tock,
Tick-tock—a measured hollow beat—
But that's not all.
A fairy bade me close my eyes,
And lightly touched my brow,
Then whispered in my ears: "Arise!
A clearer vision now hast thou,—
But drink this gall."
Upon a distant foreign shore
Asleep I lie but yet aware;
I'm happy there as ne'er before
—For with my fairy I am there.
—And now that's all.
29
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
3G
Tributes to Gibran
Being the English poetns and addresses delivered at the Testimonial Dinner given by his admirers to G. K. Gibran, author of
The Prophet, Jesus the Son of Man, etc., at the Hotel McCalpin
in New York the evening of January 5, 1929 on the occasion of
the twenty-fifth anniversary of the publication of his first literary
work.
GIBRAN'S PLACE AND INFLUENCE
IN MODERN ARABIC LITERATURE
By
PHILIP
K.
HITTI, PH.
D.
AS a student of history, the speaker's objective in all his studies
has been and is the fact. In his search for the fact, he divests
himself—as far as it is humanly possible—of all personal equation, all prejudice and sentiment, and seeks through a cold intellectual process to ascertain the fact as that fact took place. And
having found the fact, he tries to express it, to communicate it to
others, in as simple, plain and direct a way as he possibly can. His
ideal is truth, his method is objective, rather than subjective, and
his style is dry prose.
All this, however, does not blind him to the fact that man
does not live by scientific truth alone, that he has another phase
to his nature, the aesthetic phase, and that phase demands beauty
and can be satisfied by beauty and beauty alone.
We have come tonight to do honor to "a man whose objective
in life has been and is beauty; who, by pen and brush, has achieved
the beautiful; and who is himself endowed with a beautiful character.
Gibran is an artist and a poet. His ideal is aesthetic, his
method is subjective and his style is mystic, symbolic, poetic. Such
style, by the nature of the case, is bound to be sometimes obscure.
His writings, his creations, while not intended primarily to provide
nourishment for starving intellects, have certainly brought sunshine, heat, warmth, radiance, light, joy, inspiration to many a
heart and many a soul. And after all, the discrepancy between
the two ideals of truth and beauty is more apparent than real.
The two are the obverse and reverse of the same coin, the opposite aspects of the one being—the Divine being. God is truth.
He is also love: He is beautv.
ery,
i
i \
�——
FEBRUARY, 1929
31
The influence which Gibran exercises in modern Arabic literature can be measured, in a way, not only by the multitude of
people who have been benefited by reading him but also by the
big crop of would-be Gibrans, quasi-Gibrans and Gibran-imitators
who have in recent years, mushroom-like, sprung up and flourj ished all over the Arabic speaking world. So much so that you
can hardly nowadays pick up an Arabic paper printed in Beirut,
Cairo, Baghdad, Sao Paulo or Buenos Aires without finding somebody consciously trying to write Gibran-like.
Of course, the esoteric, figurative, imaginative style, with its
flowery expression and rhymed prose, is not a new thing in Arabic
literature. It is as old as the Sufis of early Islam who borrowed
it from Indo-Persian sources. But our hero of tonight, through
his unmatched mastery of this art, through his pure and rich imagery, through his lofty and noble idealism, through his unexcelled
diction and composition—be it in Arabic or in English—has become the father of a new school of thought all of his own. While
others use empty words, are affected and artificial, Gibran unfailingly produces gems of thought and is always natural and sublime.
Besides writers, Gibran has a host of followers who admire
him to the highest degree. This silent admiration affords another
criterion of measuring his influence. Some of them may be inj clined to treat him even as a prophet and to build up a sort of
a cult around his teachings. Of course, in one sense, he is a prophet. Any one who is expounding the eternal principles of righteousness, goodness and beauty, interpreting them in new and modern terms, inculcating them in the minds of his fellowmen is a
prophet. In fact we can go one step further. To the extent to
I which any man or woman, by his or her creations and discoveries,
7 is serving as an instrument of God, is furthering God's purposes
here on earth and executing God's plans for the betterment and
the development of mankind, to that extent that person is Godlike, is divine, is made after God's image. In so far as you and
I are cooperating with the forces of right to overcome those of
wrong, the principles of good to overpower those of evil, the
agencies of light to overthrow those of darkness, we are more than
prophets—we are divine. In that sense, the bridegroom of the
evening is a prophet and more than a prophet. And we have in
his common sense, level-headedness and inborn humanity a guarantee that no matter what some of his over-enthusiastic admirers
may wish to say or do, he would always remain human, man
among men, and would ever maintain that the difference between
, f
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
32
him and all good teachers, preachers, poets and so forth, on one
hand, and the ordinary man, on th<* -'her, is quantitative rather
than qualitative.
#
#
*
As your fellow countrymen, Mr. Gibran, we rejoice and pride
ourselves tonight, and justly so, over your past achievements, both
literary and artistic; and we hope and pray that the future will
have greater and more numerous things in store for the honor of
yourself and for the glory of the Syrian name which we jointly
bear.
GIBRAN
By
\
BARBARA YOUNG
Sent by Miss. Young from her retreat in Florida to the Editor of
The Syrian World to be read at the Dinner to Gibran.
[ ET me pour wonders on his wondrous name
Like waters on the green crest of a hill.
Let me pluck thunders from the thundrous sky,
And let me gather lightnings as a harvester
Gathering ripened grain
For his refreshing.
Let me lift up his name upon the wind,
Lo,„as the wing of a bird I would lift it up,
A mighty wing cleaving the uttermost sky,
As a flame, as a living, leaping, deathless flame,
All of my days I would lift up his name.
GIBRAN'S TEARS
By S A. MOKARZEL
j FEEL that I cannot add much to your knowledge of
Gibran the thinker and author, but I may profit of this opportunity to relate to you one of my experiences of Gibran the man,
an experience which has never before been told in print.
It was during the World War in 1916 when Turkey had
sided with the Central European powers, and a naval blockade of
the Syrian coast was being maintained by the Allies. Word
reached us at that time that famine had gripped Syria and that
the population, particularly that of Lebanon, was succombing by
the scores of thousands. An appeal was made to the late Presi-
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TESTIMONIAL DIN NER TO GIBRAN.
^SKo^ka w
H
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Dinner given to the celebrated Syrian poet and artist on the twenty fifth year of his literary and artistic
activities, and held at the Hotel McAlpin, New York, January 5, 1929. .Gibran appears in the center
background to the right of the American flag.
0)
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FEBRUARY, 1929
__
33
dent Wilson to use his good offices with the Turkish government,
with whom the United States had not broken diplomatic relations,
to allow provisions to be sent to the famine-stricken population
as an act of humanity. This the President did and the help of
the American Red Cross was enlisted to provide a ship and provisions. It then devolved upon the Syrians in America to contribute their share towards the relief of their suffering countrymen, and an appeal was made to form a committee to collect
funds. But at the very outset a snag was encountered in choosing
for the committee a name, some holding out for naming it the
Syrian Relief Committee while others were insisting that Lebanon
should be recognized by its independent identity, and the committee named The Syrian Lebanese Relief Committee.
While these deliberations were taking place, extremely valuable time was being lost. Finally a meeting was called of the
leading figures of the community to discuss the situation. The
meeting was held in the offices of Al-Hoda of which I was in
charge at the time, and among those present was Gibran. There
appeared for a time that this last meeting would go the way of
the preceding ones and result in disagreement. Both factions were
obdurate and hope was about to be given up when Gibran rose to
say a word. One could see by the expression of his face that he
was choking with emotion. For here were we quarrelling over a
word while our countrymen in the homeland were dying for lack
of relief. The situation was tense with tragedy and the heart of
Gibran could not suffer its continuation any longer. He was to
make his final appeal to the nobler feelings of the disputants.
But Gibran could hardly speak. There was something
clutching at his throat as he seemed to look into the distance and
vision the thousands of helpless men, women and children, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters all, being stricken by famine and
dying on the highways and byways in their vain search for food.
He stood for some time motionless, then managed to spurt out
only the single sentence:
"My brothers, shall we let them die?"
And Gibran could not control his tears. He sobbed as he
delivered his pathetic appeal. And the effect was miraculous.
Gibran's tears won the day for our people threatened with extermination.
This is an unwritten chapter about Gibran which I feel proud
to relate on this occasion as further illustrating the singular qualities of the man whom we are gathered to honor this evening.
�34
THE SYRIAN WORLD
The Sage of Washingto7i Street
ON PERPETUATING THE MOTHER TONGUE
By A. HAKIM
1 HAD a definite question to put to my friend the Sage on the occasion of our last interview. I wanted to get his impressions
on the future prospects of the mother tongue in America and what
he thought of the efforts of some zealots who are raising a cry of
despair over the fact that we are fast losing the knowledge of
Arabic and that our children seem decidedly averse to learning
the language of their parents.
I had given the sage no advance intimation of the subject of
the interview, as I deliberately sought to get his first reactions.
Consequently he was a little slow in venturing an opinion.
After reflecting on my question for a few moments, the
sage began in a simple and characteristic manner.
"Although this is a question that has been discussed in our
native press for some time, I doubt if anyone applying the process of cold reasoning could escape the conclusion that the mother
tongue will die with the first generation and that with its passing
little could the loss be felt. The individual family is the criterion by which the question could be properly judged, and for
the purpose of illustration I will cite my own case.
"Here I am a man of the first generation immigrants, and
one whom some sophisticated persons would call of the old type,
meaning thereby that I am behind the times. Whatever my
personal qualifications to pass judgment on the question on general grounds, I deem myself competent to discuss the trend of
affairs as I see it in my own family. Mine may be cited as the
average Syrian family of the first generation.. I was born abroad
and married here. My children all attend public school and the
effect of public school teaching is the same all over the country.
Consequently, we may safely presume that what applies to my
case properly fits all others in like circumstances.
"Now my children receive their education in English, the
language of the country. Whether in the lower or higher grades
they are required to do intensive work. Subjects of general
""
«'
�FEBRUARY, 1929
35
knowledge are so numerous that they scarcely leave room for
other matters. Even in the higher grades, where children are
given a choice of foreign languages, these languages are chosen
for their utilitarian or cultural advantages. Spanish is considered a valuable commercial language in America because of the
future great possibilities of trade with South American countries. French is viewed in the same light with the additional
scholarly advantages. German was at one time a language of
choice for similar reasons. Aside from these principal languages
no opportunity is afforded in our public schools for the study of
foreign languages. Certainly from the utilitarian point of view
Arabic does not rank even with the lesser European languages.
"Consequently, through the regular available educational
channels of learning, Arabic cannot be acquired. The only two
alternatives remaining are private schools and home teaching.
As regards private schools, I doubt if any father would consent
to sending his children to institutions of extremely limited means
in preference to the public schools which abound with unlimited
facilities. It is as plain as day that the father who thus places
the value of a language of questionable benefit to children in
America above that of the general educational advantages of
public schools would be subjecting his children to irretrievable
loss. Even the parochial schools, with all the power of the
Catholic church to support them, are considered by some parents
of the Catholic faith to lack in educational facilities and advantages as compared with the public schools.
"We now have the remaining alternative of the parents
themselves giving their children home courses in Arabic and
this we will find to be utterly impracticable. In the first place,
only few Syrian parents have the proper qualifications to teach,
as the majortiy have but an elementary knowledge of such a
highly complicated language as classical Arabic. Besides, the
children themselves rebel at the thought because of the necessity
of devoting so much time to their compulsory school^ studies.
The net result being that besides the lack of personal incentive
and interest on the part of the children, they consider the study
of a superfluous language an unwarranted hardship.
"What can be done, and this is the condition which now
generally prevails in Syrian homes, is that the children acquire
a speaking knowledge of the mother language of their parents.
This, I must say, is due more to necessity than to choice. Where
the spoken language of the home is Arabic the children cannot
�msss
36
THE SYRIAN WORLD
fail but acquire a smattering knowledge, but they can never
become sufficiently proficient in it to use as an adequate medium
of expression. They cannot even develop sufficient knowledge
to understand the classical language when it is read or spoken to
them. In fairness, it may be stated that many of those born in
the language fail in this understanding.
"This prompts us to the consideration of the benefits of
learning classical Arabic. Whatever benefits accrue from such
tedious labors as are necessarily required by such study are purely
scholastic. Only those, then, who choose a literary or a highly
specialized educational career are justified in making a full study
of the language, and in this, the Syrian-American would be on
equal standing with the Orientalist, except for the added advantage to the Syrian-American of being closer to the understanding
of the Arab vernacular.
"For the average Syrian boy or girl in America I cannot
but give an illustration of conditions as they exist in my own
house. I have children of various ages, but in one thing they are
all alike—they are naturally inclined to speak English, although
the language of the household is our native tongue. The youngsters who play with their chums in the street come home to speak
the language they find easiest for expression. They demand to
eat the things they see on display in bakery shops and grocery
stores while our native foods have almost to be forced on them.
As for the children of school age they discuss their work not in
the language we speak but in that in which they are being taught.
Their natural tendency is to speak to us in the language which is
easier of expression for them, while if they learn anything of
Arabic, such knowledge is confined to what they cannot escape
learning from our conversation.
"As for myself, I believe that it would do my children no
harm to learn an extra language, especially that the language
of their parents is the easiest of acquisition. In this I recall our
famous Arabic adage that an extra tongue is an extra person.
But I must admit that in this I am going contrary to the natural
current. This is not a matter of sentiment but of cold reason
that other than the native language of the country cannot thrive
in America.
"You being, like myself, an old immigrant, can readily
realize the transformation wrought in our use of the Arabic language within the past two decades. Whereas all our transactions were previously conducted in the mother tongue we now
!
�37
FEBRUARY, 1929
find that they are done almost wholly in English. The business
of our societies is conducted in English. Not one of our commercial establishments but has its books and correspondence kept
in English where such cases were extremely rare not more than
twenty years ago. Even our native churches are finding it necessary to bend to the general trend and partially conduct their
services in English. In many home gatherings the general conversation almost unconsciously shifts to English, especially where
the young Syrian generation is in evidence.
"You see that I am neither American-born nor one whose
native tongue is Engilsh, but 1 consider it poor policy, to say
the least ,to blind one's self to the obvious fact. It is neither in
a spirit of pessimism nor criticism that I give expression to these
beliefs, but rather in the interest of honesty and truth. I believe
it neither possible nor essential to keep the Arabic language alive
in America.
"What I do believe, however, is that we should never permit
ourselves to wane in the appreciation of our racial heritage. The
American nation is composed of different racial strains and to the
end of time history will record this fact and give each race credit
for its special contributions. It should be our ambition to get
our due recognition. Our mother language is not essential to
the attainment of this end.
"Here, where I live, I am in daily touch with people of
different racial origins. This district, as you know, was the original settlement of all new immigrants entering through the port
of New York. The Irish rubs shoulders with the Italian, the
Pole and the Syrian. But in our common dealings we all use
the medium of the English language, while each retains his racial
characteristics. You can as well say this is America in miniature.
In time all trace of foreign languages now spoken in the country
will be obliterated and naught will remain but the memory of
the various racial origins. It would be preposterous on the part
of the Syrians to be an exception to the general rule."
ARABIC PROVERBS
He who fails at a thing abuses it.
He eats with the wolf and keeps tune with the shepherd.
�38
THE SYRIAN WORLD
EDITORIAL COMMENT
AMERICANISM
pEBRUARY first witnessed a
significant event in the life of
America. The President of the
United States journeyed from
the capital to Florida to dedicate
the Bok Carillon and "Singing
Tower" at Mountain Lake, Fla.
which was erected by Edward
W. Bok as a gift to the American people in memory of his
grandparents. President Coolidge, on this occasion, expressed
himself in terms befitting the
high state of spiritual and artistic development of the American people. "The material prosperity of our nation," he declared, "will be of little avail unless
it is translated into a spiritual
prosperity." He then cited an
increasing number of individuals who "have sufficient resources to enable them to minister in a most substantial way to
the humanitarian and artistic
side of life."
Now who is Edward William
Bok who has attained such an
eminent position in the spiritual
and artistic life of the American
people that the President of the
United States journeys to faraway Florida to dedicate in person a bird sanctuary and retreat
he has given the nation? Who
are the grandparents of this outstanding figure in America
whom he so lovingly honors by
dedicating this gift to their
memory?
Edward W. Bok was but a
poor immigrant boy who had
his elementary training in the
American public schools and
rose to the editorship of one of
the most widely circulated periodicals in America. He sought
the opportunity for advancement and made the best of it.
He retired from gainful activities while comparatively young
and is now seeking to devote the
rest of his life to the promotion
of higher culture. He published his autobiography upon retiring and it immediately proved
a best seller because the people
are fascinated by the simple narration of facts depicting the relentless pursuit of an ideal. The
story of Edward W. Bok should
be an inspiration to every American boy, especially those of immigrant stock who should know
of opportunities for advancement available in America.
But the significant thing to us
is that Edward W. Bok should
so revere his grandparents in
thus seeking to perpetuate their
memory. In this Bok sets himself up as the champion among
successful immigrants of the
principle of love and loyalty to
one's ancestors—loyalty in the
sense of keeping alive and in
high esteem their memory while
in no way permitting such devotion to conflict with the higher
ii
�FEBRUARY, 1929 .
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39
sense of loyalty to one's adopt- be a strong moral in this action
ed country. In this he pro- of Edward W. Bok. A sense of
pounds the principle that loy- appreciation of our ancestral
alty to one's deserving forebears background cannot fail but
is an inspiration to the newer prompt us to worthy achieveimmigrants in America. It not ment. Such a stimulus is needed
only prompts the scions of wor- for the continuation of progress,
thy ancestors to nobler achieve- especially along the lines of culments but in so doing it brings tural and humanitarian endeavto young America that which is ors. Ours is a history rich in
ennobling and spiritually en- spiritual heritage, the very kind
riching of the influence of past which President Coolidge deems
generations. We believe this so essential that lacking which
last accomplishment of Mr. material prosperity would be of
Bok an outstanding event in the no avail. It would therefore
history of America in that it behoove us to follow in the
translates into a glorious deed footsteps of our ancestors and
the convictions of an individual bear forth the torch left into
on the duty of posterity to their our keeping by them.
So far we have not developed
ancestors. Especially is this siga
Syrian
Edward W. Bok, but
nificant in America where the
nation is drawn from all the ra- we believe we have reached the
cial strains of the Old World. comparative stage of material
Now for Americans of different prosperity, thanks to the opporracial extraction to revere and tunities available for the exerperpetuate the memory of their cise of our native talents in
forebears is but a healthy sign America, where we should deof consciousness of worth. This velop many Boks on a smaller
in turn would be translated into scale. The field is certainly
healthy ambition to emulate the unlimited for thq display_ of
worthy deeds of one's ancestors such proclivities, and principal
and transform that ambition in- among our ambitions should be
to glorious achievement for the propagation and the perpetAmerica, to the end that this uation of "the worthy deeds of
new country of ours shall be- our forebears in such manner as
come the repository and custo- would help properly evaluate
dian of the best traditions and our contribution to America.
the most virile characteristics of It is time we emerge from the
the races of the world, all elementary state of pure perblended into one new, distinct, sonal gain and seek the higher
level of cultural pursuits. We
and ideal cultural whole.
For us Syrians there should should profit by the example of
�40
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Bok who, like most of us, represents the first generation immigrants.
Above all, we should be conscious of the fact that we have
a precious racial heritage, one
of the oldest and the best of
which any small nation can boast
and that in keeping alive and
in reverence the memory and
the best traditions of our ancestors we not only do not go counter to the interest of America
but obviously serve it by adding
our contribution to its accumulating national culture. America, as should be made plain,
dees not require us to deny our
origin, but rather expects us to
give it the best that is in us as
loyal and loving citizens. Bringing our share of old culture to
our new homeland is our best
and most valued contribution,
and this we should strive to develop if not by individual testimonials and proofs at least
through our concerted and collective efforts.
and time and all other new phenomena in means of communication and travel which have become so numerous as to cause
little wonder. Our age becomes
therefore, not only the age of
new marvels but one in which
modern science applies itself to
the discovery of old marvels
which had hitherto remained
a secret to man.
At the time of the discovery
of the tomb of Tut Ankh Amen
in Egypt the whole world stood
in amazement. Was it possible
for old civilizations to have attained such a degree of perfection in culture, in the arts and
in science? Then we of this advanced age began to recall that
the ancients, in spite of ever present danger from wars and invasions , had made many valuable discoveries which are now
lost to the world. The Egyptians and Phoenicians share equal
honors in this respect. It follows that, we still have much to
learn from searching the past
as we have to expect in looking
ANTIQUITIES
to the future.
£)ISCOVERY of relics threeThe Gobi desert has yielded
thousand years old or more some valuable finds which help
are now being treated as impor- to clear the early history of man
tant news of the day. In Iraq, but no part of the world can
as well as in Palestine and other ever rival that small section of
parts of Syria, many important Asia and Africa bordering on
archaelogical discoveries are the southeastern tip of the Mebeing made which are not only diterranean. And paramount
of great significance to students in importance among these lands
of history but form as interest- is Syria which comprises; Palesing a part of our daily reading tine, Lebanon, the Phoenicia of
as Einstein's theories of space old, and the Syrian hinterland.
MMHHi Mi
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�FEBRUARY, 1929
41
Spirit of the Syrian Press
Under this caption we hope to present from time to time a microeoamic picture of the Arabic press, not only in this country, but whereTtr
Arabic dailies and magazines reflect the opinions of responsible, thinking
writers who are treating the different problems that confront tha Arabicspeaking world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will take
no part in the discussions reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. Our
task will simply consist in selecting, to the best of our knowledge and
with utmost sincerity, what we think is representative of the public opinion as expressed in these editorials.
Editor.
rienced European Prince who would
be of proven loyalty to Lebanon is
Now that Emir George Lutfallah a thousand times more preferable as
has arrived in Beirut and is again a governor for life over the country
being spoken of as a possible candi- than any native aspirant devoid of
date for the Presidency of the Re- these qualifications.
public, we wish to reiterate our forWe have repeatedly proclaimed
mer assertions that this Emir should that the best form of government
never be considered for such a post. for Lebanon would be a constituLutfallah was not born in Lebanon tional monarchy in which the incumand it is nowhere pernrssible in the bent would be elected for life but
constitutions of civilized nations for deprived of the right of succession
a foreigner to aspire to the Presi- to his he'rs. This would follow the
dency of the country. Lutfallah could lines of the Papacy or the Patriarseek Lebanese citizenship and if any chates of the East and would be
of his children proves worthy then more in conformity with the tradithe child could claim the right to tions and psychology of the people.
the presidency, otherwise the wisest We would not, however, press this
course for Lutfallah to follow is to point at the present time in order to
invest his large fortune in the eco- prove to our opponents that we abide
nomic rehabilitation of the country by the will of the majority.
which would bring him more honor
Al-Hoda, N. Y., Jan. 9, 1929.
than any political office.
It has been our contention right
along that if a foreigner is to be
IRAQ IN THE LEAGUE
placed at the head of the Lebanese
OF NATIONS
State it is best that such Prince be
a European, preferably a FrenchThe British member of the League
man. We cannot but admit that the
election of a native Prince would of Nations Council has openly reclead to endless complications. We ommended the entry of Iraq in the
have not yet developed the art of League. The League, it is also regovernment to the point of parity ported, sees the necessity of the
with the Europeans. It naturally continuation of the British mandate
in Iraq for many more years.
follows that a wealthy and expe-
THE PRESIDENCY OF LEBANON
�r-
42
THE SYRIAN WORLD
The British mandate in Iraq began exercise the privilege of the vote we
simultaneously with that of the find them failing in seeking political
French in Syria. A comparison of offices. Judging by what we read
;
administrative progress in the two of the political prom nence of some
countries discloses, however, a wide of our countrymen in South Amerdivergence of conditions. Iraq 'has ican countries who have been elected
achieved a stable form of govern- to high offices of power and trust, we
ment, while Syria is still being sub- see no reason why they should not
jected to successive experiments. The meet with the same fortunes in the
latest in the way of administrative United States.
We have often advocated the nepolicy is the proposed further division of the country by making the cessity of more application to politiNorth, or the Aleppo district, inde- cal activities in our adopted counpendent of the South, or the district try, and a corresponding decrease in
of Damascus. This ;s but another our interest in the political fortunes
move to weaken the Nationalist de- of our motherland. It should not be
mands for administrative reform and inferred, however, that we are in fathwart the designs of the f ramers cf vor of forgetting altogether the
country of our birth. On the conthe Constitution.
We further discover that the Iraqis trary, we believe in the necessity of
have often used their prerogative as the continuance of such interest but
an independent nation and openly not along political lines.
The main object of our Syn"anopposed the English in their debates
-Ameiican
societies should be the proin Parliament. The Iraqis had no
fear of the British High Commis- motion of the welfare of the race in
sioner in demanding their just rights. America primarily. With the creaThe British, however, did not resort tion of such societies in every popto the extreme measure of proro- • u'ous center we would have the nuguing the Iraqi Parliament, nor did cleus of a powerful body both for
they seek to weaken the country by defense against our racial status in
dividing it into many small units, or case of necessity, and for accelershackle the deputf.es and deport them ating the Americanization movement.
to distant places of exile. _ On the These units should in turn be federcontrary, we now see the British ad- ated so that the general objects of
vocating the admission of Iraq in the different representative bodies
might be better attained.
the League of Nations.
Ash-Shaab, N. Y., Jan.26,1929.
Considering the above, we are
prompted to ask: When will there be
a stable form of government in Syria, CHARLES CRANE AS A
FRIEND OF THE ARABS
or France redeem her many promises
Mr.
Charles
Crane is described as
and seek to have Syria admitted to
the
friend
of
all
the Arabs without
the League of Nations?
distinction.
The
attack
on his party
Meraat-Ul-Gharb, N. Y., Jan., 1929.
lately, in which one of his missionary compamons was killed, proves
IMMIGRANTS IN POLITICS
that he has enemies among his supNo less than seventy-five per cent, posed friends.
It is said that the friend of all is
of our countrymen are naturalized
the
enemy of all, and this may well
American citizens, and although they
Ii!i
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FEBRUARY, 1929
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apply to Mr. Crane in that he cannot bo the friend of all the Arabs
while they are torn by bitter factional strife and each of their leaders considers the friend of his enemy
his own enemy.
Mr. Crane is undoubtedly guilty
of wrong judgment when he thinks
he can be the friend of Ibn Saoud
and of Imam Yahya at the same
time. The two are wrestling for
supremacy in Arabia and it should
be but natural for each to look with
disfavor upon anyone maintaining
friendly relations with his opponent.
We wish to tell Mr. Crane that
the Arabs are capable of both love
and hate. They can be loyal and
true, but do not hesitate to take revenge when wronged. Now if you
wish to be the friend of all you must
beware of all, because the Arab chieftain is a jealous friend and will give
his undivided loyalty only to those
who prove wholly loyal to him.
As-Sayeh, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1929.
REFORM IN AFGHANISTAN
The revolt in Afghanistan against
the reforms introduced by King Amanullah is due to the reactionary influences still predonrnant in that
country. In this respect Afghanistan
is unlike Turkey, let alone the fact
that King Amanullah made the mistake of resorting to the same methods employed by the Ghazi Mustapha Kamal Pasha, not realizing the
difference in the psychology of the
Turkish and the Afghan peoples.
Nevertheless, and in spite of the
fact that Amanullah was defeated
in his first attempt, his effort will
go down in history as a glorious experiment. He will be remembered
as one who sought to benefit his people by the introduction of modern
reforms. The sincerity of his purpose is above question, but his only
43
mistake was that of applying force
where the subjects were not ready
for a peaceable change.
As-Sayeh, N. Y., Jan. 20, 1929.
HARMFUL CUSTOMS
Some of us are wont to boast of
their old customs to the extent of
blinding themselves to the ugly and
incompatible in them. They think
that adherence to their old, inherited
practices are a sign of healthy conservatism and stability of character.
They fail to see, however, that some
imported customs are unsuited to our
times and our new environment. An
Oriental, for instance, believes the
place of woman to be in the home
and that her only usefulness in life
is to cater to the comfort and pleasure of the man. Men who hold such
antiquated beliefs refuse to consider
the inev;table process of evolution
which has placed woman on a different scale than that formerly prevailing. A wife in this age cannot be
considered a slave, nor the daughters mere chattel whose father can
deprive them of all liberty of action.
Just imagine the father who would
prevent his daughter from bobbing
her hair, or wearing short skirts,
and see what place he occupies in
this modern age.
This is not meant as an indictment of all our customs. Undoubtedly we have many commendable
ones to which we should adhere. But
our objection is to the retention of
harmful customs to which some of
us are wont to adhere only through
sentimental reasons and out of all
consideration for the changing times.
Such views should not be held in
this country and age, and it would
be well for those who still cling to
them to give a little thought to their
new surroundings and conditions.
As-Sayeh, N. Y., Jan. 28, 1929.
�I
44
FEBRU.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Readers' Forum
STRONG DEFENSE
OF SYRIAN PARENTS
Their Criticism Held Unjustified
Impartial Opinion of American Social Worker Cited in Praise
of Syrian Home Life
Editor, The Syrian World,
•yHE younger generation has been
flinging its challenge to the older
generation quite consistently in the
"Syrian World." Some of the controversialists would fit very comfortably in that class of the younger
generation which, in the words of
the writer, Mr. Reuben Maury, six
or seven years ago, was about to set
our world ablaze and which, at last
report, was still striking matches.
To see publicly printed unqualified statements belittling Syrian
fathers and mothers in general is
startling. Even less flattering must
be the effect on readers of other nationalities. To honor even in a very
small way the splendid manner in
which Syrians have acted in their
capacity as parents is far more important than counteracting the exaggerated statements of the "match
strikers."
The younger generation, meaning,
of course, those of Syrian descent,
has developed a psychosis like the
Siamese twins. The similarity lies
in the juxtaposition of two channels
of conduct and the impossibility of
totally disuniting them. The conduct of the younger generation is divided into the channel of the Syrian
ultra-conservative ideas of ethics,and
that of the American liberal belief
in the freedom of the individual.
The astringency of Syrian interpretation of right and wrong makes
it seem, in principle, impossible to
deviate from the ultra-conservative
far enough to acquire the freedom
of the American mode of living and
thinking. Because the younger generation wishes the older generation's
approval of the manner in which
other young people are living, and
because it can not revolt entirely
from accepted ethical standards
(any more than society at large can
revolt from them) it flings its challenges and "calls names."
It is not unlikely that the hopes
of the fondest believers in the individual's right to self-expression
have been surpassed. Since the war
the so-called narrow path of right
L;ving seems to have widened into a
five-line speedway. "C'est la guerre"
has been the proper explanation for
many queer changes which have come
about. There are, undoubtedly, many
parents of other nationalities who
are as unwilling as Syrian parents
to accept all the changes. They are
the intelligent parents who consider
and weigh, else they would not have
given these matters any thought.
The young man, who shouldered a
gun and went forth to the worst kind
of a war the world has ever witnessed, must certainly have come
back from the battlefield with a bit
of indifference to the smugness of a
peaceful civilization's ethical standards. Having sensed the uncertainty
of his own existence, he commences
to assume that all life is an uncer-
I
'II
>2\
tainty and
The you
was throw
man's worl
inevitably
this equal
dependenc
the young
communic
of the yoi
commence
everythini
mence to
This ur
tween the
tinue to i
become tr
been tauj
tude of <
its wake
tified in
freedom.
It was
write ths
abroad h
their pai
blood an
What m
and all i
to those
gardless
it can i
which it
appear t
of educi
heads oi
ity whic
of blood
Whenev
had the
career,
rents, w
the pro
have be
nity be>
Miss
undue ;
she mat
Syrian
�FEBRUARY, 1929
45
nationalities, etc. We are certain
tainty and not worth the struggle.
The young woman, in whose path that the persons unworthy of parentwas thrown the opportunity to do a hood do not flourish among the Syrman's work and who did it well, must ians. Why such a general outpourinevitably find herself clothed by ing of hate? An unbiased opinion
this equality in the garment of in- may be more acceptable and such an
dependence. The attitude of both opinion was had from a social work
the young man and woman has been leader, an American. She was escommunicated even to the youngest pecially qualified to judge Syrians
of the younger generation. And we as a group as she worked extensively
commence to think that we know with a large Syrian population of
everything, and our parents com- moderate means. She stated that
her organization held Syrians in
mence to frown.
the
highest esteem; that charitable
This unsettled state of affairs beassistance
had rarely been sought by
tween the two generations will conthem;
and
that
very few family quartinue to exist until the younger has
rels
had
even
been known. As for
become the older generation, and has
the
Syrian
girl
who 'hates her parbeen taught by time and the multients,
I
have
never
had the misfortude of experience which comes in
its wake that our parents were jus- tune to meet such a queer creature.
tified in disapproving an unlimited If any of them have nothing to live
for, it is due to their own shortsightfreedom.
It was amusing of J. M. Abbott to edness.
Most of the younger generation
write that "children of persons born
interpret
American life as meaning
abroad have little in common with
the
going
nightly to theaters, nighttheir parents . . . but the bonds of
clubs
and
public dances, and an inblood and filial and paternal love."
discriminate
choice of friendships
What more would he have? Any
for
the
sake
of
having many. The
and all other bonds are subservient
theaters
have
a
high place in our
to those which he mentions. Resocial
and
educational
life, but they
gardless of the greatness of a part,
are
not
above
reproach.
They are
it can never exceed the whole of
being
criticized
freely
for
the laxwhich it is a mere part. What would
ity
of
their
standards.
The
nightappear to a true scholar only a drop
clubs
are
for
jaded
appetites,
which
of education is enough to fill the
are
not
desirable.
Public
dance
halls
heads of some people with the vannever
will
be
proper
places
to
Syrity which makes them forget bonds
ian
parents
in
general,
and
discrimiof blood relationship and filial love.
Whenever we see a child,«who has nating persons know that nothing is
had the advantages of an educational lost by not going to them.
If Miss. Soloman will look about
career, which was denied to his paher,
she will see that her American
rents, we wonder only how unlimited
girl
friends, who have attended so
the progress of the parents might
many
dances and with, perhaps, a
have been, had the child's opportudifferent
escort to each, are no more
nity been his.
Miss Mary Soloman is taking an content than she. There is an uncerundue privilege in her letter when tainty about the permanency of their
she makes the general statement that friendships because the equality
Syrian girls hate their parents, their which Miss Soloman advocates so
�-
sacassEsness:
46
THE SYRIAN WORLD
strongly usually results in a certain
levity.
There is another interpretation of
freedom and right living which is acceptable to the older generation.
The attending of worth-while plays,
of concerts; the cultivation of worthwhile friendships; the entertaining
of them at home and the being entertained by them in their homes;
all these are acceptable. That is a
part of American life which is usually overlooked.
Equal'ty does not necessarily enhance a girl's charms. If the truth
were revealed, the hospitality of her
parents' home (more likely her
mother's good cooking) have made
a deep impression on her admirer.
As for the Syrian young man who
likes to have flappers for his friends,
he should be wise enough to know
that he can find any number of them
of Syrian extraction.
Hate our parents? On the contrary, we love them because they
look as seriously upon the sacredness of their obligations to their
children as they do upon their right
to teach them what constitutes right
and wrong. They belong to that
class of parents which is found all
over the world, and which believes
that conservatism is necessary to the
welfare of mankind, even if stifling
to the individual's pleasure. If there
were more like our Syrian parents,
there would be no need for Juvenile
Courts, Divorce Courts, and the increasing number of private schools
wlrch must serve as homes, as well.
Syrian social cancer and social evil.
Call it that if you will. We call the
guidance of Syrian parents good
American citizenship.
E. K. SALOOMEY.
Bridgeport, Conn.
IN DEFENSE OF THE SYRIAN
GIRL
Editor, The Syrian World:
In your January issue, Mary
Soloman's article made me very indignant.
Many of her views are wrong and
quite Moslem, or she must have
some sort of a complex.
Girls are not coerced into marriage
and how she gets that way I'm sure
I don't know. She is fifty years behind the times! Maybe she means
by following modern customs free
love, companionate marriage, divorce, etc. It is a known fact that
America leads in the number of divorces.
The one case she cites is nothing,
and cannot be taken against our race,
Kow many May and December marriages are there in this country? Is
the girl compelled to marry then?
You girls who are dissatisfied, why
not analyze yourselves. Aren't you
allowed to go to shows, parties, entertainments of all kinds? Boys are
allowed to visit you in your homes
—am I not right? The thing that
you girls are hollering about is "The
right to go out with boys at will."
Do you realize that among nations
the Syrians are one of the cleanest?
It is a great exception if one of our
girls goes wrong. Is that not enough
to make you grrls proud and hold
your heads just a litt'e higher?
Do not get ths idea that I am a
girl from the old country. I was
born and educated in this country.
I have gone through high, and when
I saw what girls did to be popular,
I decided I'd much rather be a mouse
than do as they did. My people are
very liberal w^'th us, that is they allow us everything except going out
with every Tom, Dick and Harry.
FEBRV
Nothing i
tions of e
among us
am so gla
, ally we
whom w
chance ac
No Syr
her own
respected
superior
fact. He
she is ai
her incr
Come
about ox
They are
Hold yo
race con
for the
divorces
By a
Adams,
ADV1
Editor,
Of al
kim ha
Washin
marriai
Its i
that it
affectii
also tl
which
ever si
mothei
The
old fa;
bands
and sc
they i
in an
�FEBRUARY, 1929
the one in which they were brought
up themselves.
Some parents, however, are broadminded enough to admit the fact,
but will not allow their children to
pract'ee modern ways.
In this I believe they are about
half right.
In the first place, the older Syrians want to have their sons and
daughters intermarry within their
own people and therefore object to
having their children chum around
with strangers, especially their
daughters, because their sons are
given more freedom.
Now, at times, it is almost a necessity for a Syrian girl to step out.
If she is in the business world,
she may be benefited. If she goes to
school she must step out at times or
she ;s apt to be an outcast.
EDNA SHAKAR.
But the majority of the older SyrAdams, Mass.
ians just don't undertand, or else
they don't try to.
On the other hand, if a girl is allowed her freedom she should not
ADVICE TO SYRIAN GIRLS
abuse it. We Syrian girls must keep
our good reputation.
Editor, The Syrian World:
Of course "character is what we
Of all the topics which Mr. A. Ha- really are, but reputation is what
kim has discussed in his "Sage of people think we are."
Washington Street" the problem of
The two are important factors in
marriage is the most important.
our lives, and I conscientiously beIts importance is due to the fact lieve that most Syrian girls possess
that it is of universal application them.
affecting the race as a whole. It is
Finally, it must be admitted that
also the one great problem with
our parents were brought up in
which the Syrians have had d:fficuUy their mother country to maturity
ever since they migrated from the:r and therefore it is hard for them to
mother country.
adjust themselves to entirely new
The older Syrians still cling to the customs, so we must make the best
old fashioned idea of choosing hus- of the s;tuation.
bands and wives for the;r daughters
RUBY NAKFOOR.
and sons, regardless of the fact that
they are bringing up the-'r children
in an antirely different country than Lansing, Mich.
Nothing is done secretly and questions of every sort are thrashed out
among us. Perhaps that is why 1
am so glad I am a Syrian. Occasionally we go out with Syrian boys
whom we know but never with
chance acquaintances and strangers.
No Syrian girl need fear a boy of
her own race. She is most highly
respected by them, nor do they feel
superior to her. That I know for a
fact. He realizes how morally clean
I she is and his respect and love for
her increases.
Come on, g:rls, don't grumble
about our people holding us back.
They are doing it for your own good.
Hold your heads 'high and let our
race continue to be first on the list
for the cleanest morals and fewest
divorces.
By a Modern Syrian Girl.
I
47
�48
SYRIANS IN ARGENTINA
MASSACRED FOR REVENGE
Can Such a Report of a Syrian
Newspaper Be True?
Editor, The Syrian World:
I was deeply interested in an article appearing in Byblos under date
of October 21st last which narrates
an incident in which an official of the
Argentinian Government, against
whom some Syrian had complained
to his superior officers, retaliated by
the cruel and barbarous method of
murdering some of our countrymen,
including women and children.. The
article continued that Syrians in Argentina approached the French consul in Buenos Aires and requested
him to take appropriate action to
have the offender punished and to
prevent a recurrence of such savagery. It was hoped that the Consul
would do his utmost to obtain some
redress in this matter. It appears
that no official notice of the incident had been taken by the Republic
of Mt. Lebanon or by the French
Government which holds a mandate
over Syria from the League of Nations. If this is really the situation,
cannot we Syrians who are living in
friendly countries where freedom
reigns, urge and assist our people at
home in obtaining official representation in all the leading countries of
the world so that any similar happening which might occur in the future will be speedily and effectively
dealt with? To say the least about
the matter, it seems unfortunate
that when our countrymen residing
in a foreign country are the victims
of the brutal savagery of some Government, our native country does
not immediately raise a protest and
THE SYRIAN WORLD
take strong measures to prevent a
repetition of the brutality, and that
it should be left to a society of Syrians in some other country to beg
of the French Consul to do someth-'ng. This state of things should
not be allowed to continue. Our country may be under the control of a
mandatory power^ but surely the
Syrian people are entitled to the ordinary protection enjoyed by other
nationals throughout the world, and
we should not be expected to stand
silently by while our brothers and
sisters are ignominiously treated and
even massacred by officious servants
of a fore;gn government.
Although the Syrians living in
New Zealand are only a handful compared with the number of their countrymen residing in U. S. A., they feel
this situation keenly and will do
everything possible in assisting $ieir
brothers in the homeland in securing official recognition and representation in other countries. If the government at present controlling Syria
cannot offer adequate protectfon to
the Syrians abroad we must alter the
existing state of things or seriously
consider surrendering ourselves body
and soul to France or some other
Power.
I sincerely trust that there will
be a movement on the part of all my
countrymen throughout the world to
ensure that we will have the ordinary protection and freedom at present enjoyed by other nations less important than ourselves.
S. MATTAR.
Foxton, New Zealand.
Correspondents are requested to
send their communications typewritten and double spaced on one
side of the sheet only.
I
�I
FEBRUARY, 1929
49
Political Developments in Syria
sioner had been in Paris a long time
THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
RETURNS TO SYRIA during which he was in constant
touch with the Foreign Office seeking
M. Henri Ponsot, the French High
to reach a favorable solution of the
Commissioner for Syria, returned to
Syrian question, and while still in
his post the latter part of December.
Paris Premier Poincare made his
He came overland from Egypt and
momentous declaration of policy as
his arrival in Beirut was almost unregards Syria, reiterating former
expected and void of all demonstraassertions that France intends to retions, he having sent instructions in
main in the country to carry out the
advance that he wished his arrival
mandate of the League of Nations
to be as unostentatious as possible.
regardless of all charges of coloniNaturally, religious dignitaries
zation, inasmuch as Syria would be
and civil officials flocked to pay their
open to exactly such a fate from
respects to the High Commissioner
other powers if France were to reimmediately upon his arrival, all belinquish its hold upon it. It may
ing anxious to learn from him the
be safely stated, considering (the
nature of his new policy for the adabove mentioned developments, that
ministrative and economic reforms
M. Ponsot returns to Syria with a
in the country, but the High Comdefinite program reached after long
missioner adhered strictly to his forand mature deliberation with a govmer policy of reticence, or he may
ernment conscious of its power in the
have sworn those in whom he conChamber of Deputies.
fided to absolute secrecy.
But what this program is M. PonBoth government officials and repsot has so far succeeded in keeping
resentatives of the Nationalist Party
a closed secret. At best one has to
in Damascus hastened also to visit
take the statements of persons close
the High Commissioner in Beirut,
to the French Foreign Office but who,
and some of the latter were in connevertheless, do not speak with defiference with him for several hours,
but the nature of their conversa- nite authority.
The most plausible of such reports
tions was not made public. It was
is that which is sa<d to have been
reported that M. Ponsot intended to
given by a high French official to a
visit Damascus in person immediprominent Syrian politician visiting
ately upon complying with some necin Paris, outlining the new program
essary formalities.
of the French High Commissioner in
While M. Ponsot maintains his
Syria as follows:
characteristic silence, it is futile to
1 Strict adherence to the letter
attempt a forecast of the future poand
spirit of the mandate of the
litical events in Syria. No date has
League
of Nations to France for the
been announced so far for reconvengovernment
of Syria.
ing the Constituent Assembly, nor
2—A
most
liberal attitude towards
has any official intimation been given
the
aspirations
and demands of the
of the nature of the propositions
Syrian
Nationalists.
France intends to make to the Syrian
3 Agreement to the creation of a
Nationalists. The Higb. Commis-
�50
national army on condition that it be
officered by the French.
4—Syria to be granted the right
of foreign representation on the understanding that such representation
rest on a basis of cooperation between the representatives of Syria
and Lebanon and those of the French
Republic abroad.
5—The present administrative divisions of the country to remain
strictly along their existing lines.
6—Adjustment of the budget for
both Syria and Lebanon.
7—Inauguration of a progressive
program of economic rehabilitation
for the country under mandate.
Meanwhile, some disturbances are
reported to have taken place in Damascus following the return of M.
Ponsot which manifested themselves
principally in attacks upon editors of
Nationalist papers. Three such attacks are reported to have occurred
in as many successive days, prompting the leader of the Nationalists to
send a telegraphic protest to the
High Comm'ssioner.
Little has been heard during the
month of the progress of the movement for constitutional monarchy.
Wh?.t appears evident is that the Nationalists have almost complete control over the country, and inasmuch
as they are not in favor of a monarchical form of government, all efforts along this l;ne are looked upon
as a sort cf harmless diversion.
THE SITUATION IN LEBANON
The principal subject of discussion
in the politics of Lebanon during the
past month has centered on the political aspirations of Emir George
Lutfallah. The Emir arrived in Beirut shortly before the High Commissioner, he having also come from
Paris where he had spent several
months ostensibly seeking to pro-
THE SYRIAN WORLD
mote his political ambitions. Upon
his arrival he met several prominent
politicians and paid a formal visit
to the Maronite Patriarch who received him with all manifestations
of courtesy and encouraged him in
his proposed economic projects for
the rehabilitation of the country. The
Patriarch, however, made it plain
that any political activity on the part
of the Emir would be looked upon
with disfavor. Nor did the Emir display any interest along this line.
Coincid'ng wth the arrival in Beirut of Emir Lutfallah, many reports
appeared in the local press on the
proposal to re-elect the present President of the Republic for another
term. An interview with the venerable Maronite Patriarch represented
him as being in favor of this move
although President Charles Dabbas
is Orthodox.
The project to build a railroad running from Tripoli to Nakora along
the Lebanon coast has been definitely abandoned. This line would have
supplied the missing link for through
rail communications between Europe
and Egypt. Such an object, however,
was not considered commensurate
with the cost, inasmuch as the government refused to issue the franchise to private interests.
The Lebanese people and government are greatly concerned over the
prospective terminus on the Mediterranean of the Mosul petroleum p;pe
line. The government has addressed
a strong petition to the French
Cabinet pointing out the vital importance to Syria and Lebanon of
having the terminus in their territory, while from Palestine comes the
report that England will insist on
making Haifa the terminus and that
she is being supported in this view
by Turkey.
: :|
�FEBRUARY, 1929
51
About Syria and Syrians
boundary line of Syria a salvo was
fired from the guns of the" fort at
Maisaloon in honor of the deceased.
In Damascus, the seat of the PaSyrian and Lebanese Governments triarchate, the demonstrations were
Participate Officially in Funeral
even greater than those which took
place in Beirut, and for another two
The death on December 11 of the days the body lay in state in the
late Patriarch Gregory Haddad of Cathedral while great throngs filed
the Orthodox Church in Syria was by day and n'ght and services were
the occasion for such demonstrations held in which representatives of all
of public grief as the country never religious denominations eulogized
witnessed before, according to re- the dead Patriarch as a great religious and patriotic leader.
ports of the Syrian press.
The death of the Patriarch having
In the United States memorial
occurred in Suq El-Gharb, Lebanon, services were held for the Patriarch
his body was brought to Beirut, in all the Syrian Orthodox Churches.
where it lay in state for two days, Principal among these obsequies was
before it was taken to Damascus the requiem mass held in the Antifor burial. The funeral cortege was ochian Cathedral in Brooklyn on Jancomposed of 267 coaches to which uary 27, which was followed by a
was added upon its arrival in the cap- memorial service at which spoke repital a long procession of public of- resentatives of all religious denomificials and religious and civic orga- nations as well as members of the
nization. Of the latter no less than Orthodox faith. Archbishop Victor
sixty were represented in the line of Aboasaly presided, while Mr. Nicola
march. The government of Lebanon Khouri introduced the speakers,
declared a day of public mourning among whom were Archimandrite
and all activities in the ctiy were Eernardos Ghosn, pastor of the Melsuspended. The foreign consuls in chite Catholics of New York; Dr. K
the city joined the funeral proces- A. Bishara, minister of the Syrian
s;on along with the highest govern- Piotestant church in Brooklyn; Salment officials and representatives of loum A. Mokarzel, editor of tte Syrthe French authorities.
ian World; Archimandrite Hannama
While the body of the Patriarch Ka?sab, and Rev.. Gafraol Berro fo
was still in Beirut the Provisional the Cathedral clergy; Nagib Badran,
President of Syria came in person to editor of the Syrian Eagle: ToufiK
Beirut to offer his sympathy in the Kakhr, Assad Mudarry, Moussa
name of his government and escort Khouri and Alexander Fakhr.
the body to Damascus. All along the
Similar services wer.; reported to
route of march there were delegahave been held in every Syrian Ortions from every town to escort the
thodox community <n the United
procession within their own boundaStates and other countries, proving
ries ,and when the body reached the
SYRIA MOURNS DEATH
OF ORTHODOX PATRIARCH
�—
1
.
' -
1
" '
52
the extent of deep sorrow the death
of tihis great Patriarch has occasioned among the Syrians in general all
over the world.
GIBRAN HONORED AT
A TESTIMONIAL DINNER
Syrians Show Pride in Writer Who
Has Brought Honor to Race
Gibran Kahlil Gibran, author of
"The Prophet," "Jesus the Son of
Man," and many other notable works,
was tendered a testimonial dinner by
his Syrian admirers at the Hotel McAlpin in New York on January 5 on
the occasion of the twenty-fifth year
of his literary and artistic activities.
The sponsors of this admirable gesture of pride and appreciation were
the members of the Arrabitah, the
literary society of which Gibran is
president. The attendance was about
two hundred drawn from the best
elements of the Syrian community.
Copies of a beautiful souvenir book
autographed by Gibran and containing choice extracts of his Arabic writings covering his whole literary career, were distributed to the guests.
All speeches with the exception of
three were in Arabic. There were
also many original poems composed
erpressly for the occasion.
Mr. Wm. Catzeflis presided. The
speakers included Michael Naimy,
Dr. Philip K. Hitti, Dr. Elias Mussallem, Dr. Najib Barbour, Richard
Ayoub, Salloum A. Mokarzel who
also read a poem by the American
poetess, Barbara Young, composed
for the occasion; Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, H. I. Katibah, Elias Atallah,
Rashid Abdelnour, Nassib Arida, Jo-
THE SYRIAN WORLD
seph N. Maloof, Nadra Haddad,
Milhem Saidah, Jamil P. Holway,
Milhem Hawy and A. A. Haddad.
Upon introducing the guest of
honor, the toastmaster presented him
with a specially bound copy of the
souvenir book of his writings, explaining that it was an expression
of the appreciation and admiration
of his fellow countrymen now gathered to honor him. With visible emotion Gibran then spoke of his pride
in his race and in most appropriate
terms expressed his deep gratitude
for the honor thus shown him.
Many telegrams as well as floral
and other gifts were received from
numerous organizations and individuals from many parts of the
United States. Cables were also received from Syria, Egypt and other
parts of the world where the genius
of Gibran is known and appreciated.
BRAZILIAN WOMEN
RETURNED FROM SYRIA
In an official statement issued by
the Brazilian Foreign Office it was
stated that the number of Brazilian
women in Syria and Lebanon married to men of the Moslem faith does
not exceed four, and that their conditions are not such as to warrant apprehension. The statement also explained that the government had
taken the necessary steps for the
prevention of the recurrence of such
unfortunate incidents in the future.
Readers of the Syrian World will
recall that the plight of these and
other South American women in
Syria had been the subject of much
comment in the Syrian and South
American press. Explanations had
to be made that the men to whom
these women were married were all
ji
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FEBRUARY, 1929
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)
of the Moslem faith who believed in
polygamy and upon their return to
their native country took to themselves other wives of their own kind,
which fact gave rise to complaints on
the part of their American wives.
From Argentina, however, comes
the report that Sr. Albert Candioti,
former Argentinian consul in Syria
who has been recalled by his government, asserts that there are no less
than a hundred Argentinian women
married to men of the Moslem faith
in Syria and Lebanon who all complain of their uncongenial conditions.
The consul stresses the fact that such
conditions do not prevail among the
Syrian and Lebanese Christians, and
that the Argentinian women married
to Mohammedans should have first
inquired into the religious and social beliefs of their husbands. During the year and a half which the
consul spent at his post in Syria he
had ample opportunity to study and
appreciate the true situation.
Announcement was made at the
same time that the Argentinian consulate in Syria had been closed permanently.
53
DINNER PLANNED IN
HONOR OF RIHANI
At the invitation of the editor of
the Syrian World, the principal Syrian societies in New York have
agreed to sponsor collectively a reception and dinner in honor of the
noted Syrian writer and traveler, Mr.
Ameen Rihani, now visiting in the
city.
The societies cooperating to give
the dinner under their joint auspices
in the name of the Syrian community
of the city are the American Syrian
Federation, the Book Club, Damascus
Fraternity, the Syrian Junior League
and the Syrian Educational Society.
Representing these different organizations on the General Committee
are the following: Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, Sabri Andria, Elias J. Audi,
Michel A. Dahood, Miss Najla Dowaliby, Mrs. Joseph W. Ferris, Joseph W. Ferris, Abraham K. Hitti,
James B. Holway, Nasib K. Kalaf,
Habib I. Katibah, Albert H. Macksoud, Miss Mary Milkie, Dr. Fouad
A. Shatara and Salloum A. Mokarzel.
The dinner is to be held at the Hotel Commodore Saturday. March 2.
Mrs. Joseph W. Ferris was appointed chairman of the committee
on arrangements and Mr. A. K. Hitti,
NEW SYRIA PARTY
HOLDS ANNUAL CONVENTION treasurer.
The subscription is $5.00 and resAn announcement by the general ervations can be made through Mrs.
secretary of the New Syria Party in Joseph W. Ferris, 106 Prospect Park
the United States which was organ- West, Brooklyn, N. Y.
zed to support the Syrian revolution,
An opportunity to meet the guest
stated that this year's convention of of honor will be afforded at a recepthe party would be held in Chicago tion which will precede the dinner.
instead of Detroit. Unlike the convention of last year, no delegation
from abroad is attending the present SYRIAN BACTERIOLOGIST
CONTRIBUTES TO SCIENCE
gathering, there having developed internal differences within the party
At the thirtieth annual meeting
abroad which made it advisable to of the Society of American Bactewithhold invitations from the two riologists held at Richmond Va., Deopposing factions.
�54
cember 27-29, 1928, Mr. George
Knaysi the well-known Syrian bacteriologist connected with Cornell
University, whom readers of the Syrian World know by his past contributions to this publication, read two
valuable papers entitled "Remarks
on two modes of cell division in bacteria" and "A preliminary note on
the cytology of mycobacterium tuberculosis" which were printed in the
January, 1929, issue of the Journal
of Bacteriology, the official organ of
the national organization.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
those pledges which should be sacred
to the American people and government.
,
Mr. Crane evaded on these occasions touching on politics and confined his remarks to the spiritual
leadership of Palestine which has
left such a deep impress on human
progress and urged his hearers to
work towards the retention of their
position of leadership in the spiritual domain.
A SYRIAN'S HONOR
GREAT RECEPTION TO
CRANE IN PALESTINE
On his way to Arabia, where press
dispatches reported his having been
attacked by raiding Arabs and one
of his party killed, Mr. Charles
Crane, member of the King-Crane
Commission to Syria and noted
friend of the Arabs, visited Jerusalem, Bethlehem and other cities of
Palestine where he was received
with great demonstrations of enthusiasm. In Jerusalem he was tendered
a reception by Haj Ameen Hossaini,
President of the High Islamic Council and escorted by him to the Mosque
of Al-Aqsa where Mr. Crane is reported to have greatly admired the
beautiful work of the early Arab
architects. The day of his arrival in
Jerusalem was designated by the
Arabic press as "Crane Day" and in
the public receptions held in honor
of the visitor he was eulogized as
the friend and benefactor of the race.
A note of disappointment, however,
was evident in some of the speeches
over the failure of the plan of the
late President Wilson upon which the
Arabs had built their hopes for independence. They appealed to Mr.
Crane to use his influence to redeem
By the Hon. Wm. Lathrop Love
(In his dealings with the Syrians
Senator Love, of Brooklyn, who is
also a highly respected member of
the medical profession, has come to
intimately know and appreciate
them. We are glad to reprint from
the Evening Graphic of January 10
this public testimony by Dr. Love
of one side of the Syrian's character.
—Editor.)
In my senatorial district I have
quite a few Syrian voters. I have
spoken at several of their functions
and have admired the distinct contributions that they make to good
citizenship. They are an honest,
industrious, hard-working people,
and very rarely does one go wrong
and get enmeshed in the toils of
the law.
,
I have seen few Syrians in the
prisons of this state. They impress
me as a home-loving people, and
the'r women, with the jet-black hair
and large brown eyes, are particularly attractive and beautiful. The
Syrian men cherish a high standard
of honor for their women.
I remember a particularly sad
case that I saw in Sing Sing prison
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FEBRUARY, 1929
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55
some years ago. A Syrian, soft- fering for a crime that you never
spoken and intelligent, the last man were guilty of almost breaks my
in the world one would pick out to heart, for I am the guilty one."
I read the letter. It seemed genuoe a murderer. He was a model
ine
to me, but the jury hadn't beprisoner, always on the job, never
lieved
it. He said to me, most wistguilty of any infraction of the rules
fully
and
with tears in his eyes.
—never gave any one the slightest
"Won't
you
help me, Senator? I
sign of trouble.
want
to
go
to
Syria and see my old
Apparently he had not the slightmother
before
she
dies. She is waitest trace of any criminal instinct,
ing
for
me."
He was so mild in manner, so gentle
and refined, that he seemed much
out of place there. He had been an SYRIAN OFFICER IN
inmate of this institution on the HudLAWYERS ASSOCIATION
son for many years.
In its issue of December 21, The
He had a sister-in law, a beautiStar of Indianapolis, Ind. announful, dark-featured girl with pearly
teeth and long black hair to whom ces the formation of the Young Lawhe was devoted. She had a lover to yers' Association of that city and
whom she had been engaged for a publishes the photographs of its offiyear or more. Their marriage was cers.
Prominent among the group is
postponed longer than they had anMr.
A. F. Zainey, a Syrian lawyer of
ticipated, for financial reasons. UnIndianapolis
who was elected treader promise of marriage the man
to whom she was engaged took ad- surer.
vantage of her and deserted her.
She was considerably younger than
her brother-in-law, and was the idol GIFT OF SYRIANS
TO ARGENTINIAN CITY
of his eye. He learned of this betrayal and became infuriated, vowThe Syrian papers of the Argentine
ing vengeance upon the girl's betray- Republic report that the Syrian coler if he ever caught him.
ony of Bahia Blanca made a gift to
One day the man was found stab- the city of a fully equipped wing in
bed to death. It was known that the the city hospital on the occasion of
girl's brother-in-law had a knife of its centenary. This action by the Syrthe type that had been used, and ians greatly enhanced their prestige
the threats of vengeance had been as there was a great public demonrepeated often. The chain of circum- stration in connection with the dedistantial evidence was strong, and the cation ceremonies which were attendyoung Syrian was arrested and con- ed by the governor of the State and
victed.
the leading State and City officials.
I talked to him there in the prison.
He protested his innocence of the
The Syrian press reports that an /
crime and showed me a letter from
aviation field will be made ready this
the betrayed girl Which read:
coming summer near Latakia for re"I am thinking of you every day
gular passenger and mail service
and praying for you that you may
between
France and Syria.
be freed. To think that you are suf-
�56
THE SYRIAN WORLD
RIFT IN RANKS OF
SYRIAN NATIONALISTS
NEWS OF SOCIETIES
Nassim Bey Saibaha. prominent
Syrian publicist residing in Egypt
and former delegate to the convention of the New Syria Party in the
United States, has been openly questioning in the Arabic press of Egypt
the loyalty of Dr. Abdul Rahman
Shahbandar to the Syrian nationalist
cause. In his most recent article
published in Al-Mukattam of Cairo,
Saibaha accuses Shahbandar of duplicity and deceipt and of being in
the pay of Emir Lutfallah whose activities are said to have caused the
split in the Central Syrian Revolutionary Committee. Shahbandar is
further accused of writing scurrilous
attacks on the military leaders of the
revolution under assumed names.
Saibaha is supporting the faction of
Sultan Pasha Atrash and Emir Adel
Arslan who are still holding out with
their loyal Druze followers against
the French.
From this it can be seen that the
central figure in the controversy is
Emir Lutfallah who, after having
supported the revolution during its
two years of field activities was said
to have incurred the enmity of his
colleagues on the Central Committee
for advocating a conciliatory attitude towards the French. This was interpreted by some as being a move
to further his personal political ambitions, and by others as a protest
on the part of the Moslem members
aga;nst the fact that he is a Christian. Saibaha, who now is lined openly against him, is also a Christian af
Lutfallah's own denomination.
A contributory cause to these complications is the supposed mismanagement of the funds received from
the United States and elsewhere for
relief work among the revolutionists.
* si-,.
NEW YORK
The Syrian Educational Society of
New York held a Reunion Dinner at
the Syrian restaurant of the Hotel
Latham on January 24, the attendance exhausting the capacity of the
place which seats close to two hundred. Mr. A. K. Hitti, President of
the society, presided, the guests of
the evening being the Syrian students at Columbia University, and
the speakers including Mr. Khalil
Tawta'h, former director of Teachers'
College in Palestine; Mr. Emile Dumit, of the faculty of the American
University of Beirut who is taking
a post-graduate course in physics in
Columbia, and Dr. Riza Toufik, the
Turkish philosopher who formerly
held h'gh educational positions in
Turkey.
Two prominent patrons of the society, Messrs. Salim Mallouk and
Dumit Faour, were called upon for
short addresses.
St. Nicholas' Young Men's Society
of Brooklyn gave a play early in
January at the Brooklyn Academy of
Music which drew a large attendance
from all over the metropolitan district. The play was in Arabic and
the principal actors are described by
the Syrian press as having done extremely well for amateurs.
TORRINGTON, CONN.
The Syrian Girls' Society of Torrington, Conn., was formed on Wednesday, January 16, and elected the
following officers: Miss Alice Stevens, president; Miss Sadie Ann Ganem, vice-president and treasurer,
and Miss Josephine Haddad, Secretary.
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�FEBRUARY, 1929
ECONOMIC DEPRESSION
IN SYRIA
Failure of the main crops in Syria
has aggravated the economic depression in the country and caused the
government of the interior to forego
the collection of taxes for the present
year. A commission has been appointed to study the situation and
recommend the amount of financial
assistance the government should extend to every district. In the State
of Houran, the principal activities
are in road building which is being
conducted on a large scale so as to
afford employment to the destitute.
Commercial interests are also complaining of the lifting of the restric-
&
tions to export gold from the country. Statistics on the gold supply
now in the country place the amount
at ten million Turkish pounds,
whereas at the time of the Allied occupation ten years ago the amount
exceeded thirty millions.
Further aggravating the situation
is the refusal of the population of
the interior to accept paper or even
silver currency, insisting in all their
transactions on payments in gold.
This situation led at one time to the
forced closing of all butcher shop*,
in Damascus for several days because of the refusal of the Arabs to
sell the butchers sheep except for
gold while gold was unavailable.
CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE
JOSEPH W. FERRIS — Prominent Syrian-American member of
the Bar practicing in New York.
REV. W. A. MANSUR — Syrian patriot and scholar, educated in
Syria and at present minister of the First Methodist Church in
Loretto, Nebraska. He is one of our regular contributor*.
KAHLIL GIBRAN — Author of The Prophet and other celebrated
works and styled by American writers Poet of the Cedara and
The Syrian Poet.
BARBARA YOUNG — Noted American author and poet.
DR. PHILIP K. HITTI — Historian, scholar and Arabic and English author. Formerly professor at the American University
of Beirut and now of Princeton University.
DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN — English and Arabic poet and scholar.
Professionally a dentist of Brooklyn. One of our regular
contributors.
DR. N. A. KATIBAH — Arabic and English poet and scholar.
Professionally a dentist of Brooklyn. One of our regular contributors.
IBN EL KHOURY — Pen name of a regular contributor specializing in description of phases of life in Mt. Lebanon.
A. HAKIM — Pen name of an old Syrian immigrant who is contributing to The Syrian World a special series of critical studies
on Syrian- American life in general.
�^> #fr -^<j»
A BOOK YOU SHOULD HAVE " Vli
MAKER OF MODERN ARABIA, by Ameen
Rihani has proven a literary sensation. Never before
has a more accurate, extensive and authoritative picture of central Arabia been presented with as much
power. It is an epic of the desert j an up-to-the-minute
"close up" of the cradle of the Arabian race.
The author of this great work is a Syrian of whom
everyone of his countrymen should be proud. A copy
of his book should be found in every Syrian home of
culture.
"Mr. Rihani's picture of the Wahabia is the sort of firsthand authoritative stuff that puts this book above and wholly
outside the ranze of the usual treatises either of travel, observation or politics."
N. Y. Herald-Tribune.
"The command over the subtleties of our anomalous Ianguage revealed in these pages, is uncanny. To read is to enjoy
the pleasure of music. From Ameen Rihani we have what can
scarcely fail to be a final portrait of that formidable chieftain,
Ibn Sa'oud, by right of conquest King of Mecca."
New York Times.
ORDER YOUR COPY FROM THE SYRIAN WORLD
AT THE PUBLISHER'S PRICE
X
>
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»
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•.•tamamMSHaaxtmjMm —I
» <» »» »» »»—»»
$6.00 postpaid.
<»» <*» »» »» »
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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_02reducedWM
Title
A name given to the resource
The Syrian World Volume 03, Issue 08
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1929 February
Description
An account of the resource
Volume 3 Issue 08 of The Syrian World published February 1929. The issue begins with an article by Joseph W. Ferris titled "Restriction of Immigration." This article relates to the National Origins Clause in the Immigration Act of 1924, which established a quota system for determining how many immigrants could enter the United States, restricted by country of origin. Next is a prose poem by G.K. Gibran titled "The Great Longing," where Gibran names his brother the mountain and sister the sea, showing the connection of human life to nature. Yet another poem follows this one, longer and adopted from Arabic, titled "The Prince and His Beloved." Following it is a story by Ibn El-Khoury about a beggar named Abu-Ali. Rev. W. A. Mansur also has an article in this issue that discusses Syrian-American fellowship. A further discussion on the federation societies formed of Syrian-Americans, this article also includes a progress report of the movement which features a list of societies formed throughout the United States. There is also an address published from the Testimonial Dinner given by admirers of G.K. Gibran in New York January 5, 1929, for the 25th anniversary of his first publication. Lastly there is a continuation of "The Sage of Washington Street" by A. Hakim. The issue concludes with excerpts from the Arab press, the Reader's Forum, and more on political developments in Syria.
Subject
The topic of the resource
Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals
Arabs--United States--Periodicals
Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals
Language
A language of the resource
English
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Salloum A. Mokarzel
Syrian-American Press
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
New York Public Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
104 Greenwich St., New York, NY
Format
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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
Ibn El-Khoury
Immigration
Joseph W. Ferris
Kahlil Gibran
Law
New York
Philip Khuri Hitti
Poetry-English
Reverend W.A. Mansur
Salim Alkazin