1
25
6
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/9b5069c83d2692313819ce0f18d1e193.pdf
1b3d5f33f10060be8e818e23fa7ddc7f
PDF Text
Text
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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
Mokarzel Family
Subject
The topic of the resource
Arabic literature--History and criticism
Lebanese-Americans--United States
Description
An account of the resource
<h5>Introduction</h5>
<p>Naoum Antoun Mokarzel (1864-1932) and Salloum Antoun Mokarzel (1881-1952) were influential intellectuals who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in the late nineteenth century. Both were prominent Lebanese-American intellectuals who used their family-owned publishing house, the Al-Hoda Press, to preserve their heritage for diaspora communities across the world and to educate English-speaking audiences about the rich history and culture of Lebanon.</p>
<p>The Mokarzel brothers were the sons of Antoun Mokarzel, a Maronite Priest, and Barbara Akl Mokarzel. They were born and raised in Frieke, Lebanon. Naoum Mokarzel emigrated to the United States in 1890, at the age of 26. Naoum explored various career options as a young man, including: shopkeeper, bookkeeper, journalist, and medical student. While working as a bookkeeper in Philadelphia he founded <em>Al Asr</em>, a fledgling newspaper which quickly failed. Shortly after, in 1898, Naoum founded <em>Al-Hoda</em><span> [Guidance] as a biweekly publication; the first issue was published on February 22 of that year. In 1902, Naoum moved the paper from Philadelphia to New York and began publishing it as a daily. Newspapers proliferated among the populous Lebanese immigrant community in New York City, but among them <em>Al-Hoda </em>stood out in its wide circulation and international sphere of influence. Though Naoum frequently insisted upon his own journalistic integrity and objectivity, <em>Al-Hoda </em>was guided from the start by a fierce devotion to the cause of Lebanon; it also initially leaned towards Maronite interests, against Orthodox views. In his editorials and articles, Naoum was quick to rise to the defense of both his homeland and himself, a tendency that often stirred controversy even as it furthered Naoum's political goals.<em><br /></em></span></p>
<p>Around the time that Naoum founded <em>Al-Hoda</em>, his much younger brother Salloum joined him in the United States. Though Salloum travelled back to Lebanon to obtain his higher education at St. Joseph’s University, he was quickly folded into the new family trade of publishing. Salloum quickly established himself as an innovator in his own right: in 1909, he catalogued and published <em><a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41">The Syrian Business Directory</a></em>, an inventory of Syrian businesses in the United States. In the next year, he patented the first Arabic linotype machine, an invention which helped modernize Arabic publishing; this innovation contributed to the explosion of the Arabic press in both North and South America. In the 1910s and 1920s, Salloum published scholarly works through the imprint called <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/53" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian-American Press</a>; he also carried forth his interest in Lebanese business endeavors through the monthly journal <span><em>Al Majallah Al-Tijariyeh</em> [<em>Syrian-American Commercial Magazine</em>], which he edited from 1918 to 1926.</span></p>
<p><span>Despite their shared vocation, the two brothers had very different personalities and political goals. Naoum had a fiery commitment to Lebanese independence: in 1911, he founded the Lebanese League of Progress in an attempt to unite the Lebanese diaspora behind the cause of Lebanese independence. Naoum was among the delegation from Lebanon sent to the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. Though Naoum was an outspoken and passionate figure whose devout Maronitism, Lebanese nationalism, and willingness to critique the diasporic community often created controversy. By contrast, Salloum was known as a gentler figure, more interested in building new communities and hybrid cultural identities than in influencing political change in the homeland. Despite his very different aims, Salloum, too, was a formidable influence both to his peers and to younger generations of Lebanese-Americans.</span></p>
<p><span>The difference between the brothers’ personalities and political goals is represented by the differences in their publications. Throughout World War I and the following years of geopolitical chaos and decolonization, Naoum was deeply involved in nationalist movements. His decision to publish </span><span>Al-Hoda </span><span>in Arabic indicates his continuing commitment to a diasporic community which faced towards and participated in the culture and political realm of the homeland. By contrast, Salloum was interested in translating and modifying his birth culture to thrive in various new homelands. To facilitate this goal, in 1926, Salloum launched </span><em>The Syrian World</em><span>, which he initially conceived as an academic journal aimed towards a hybrid audience of second-generation children of immigrants and Americans of non-Lebanese descent. Between 1926 and 1932, </span><em>The Syrian World </em><span>was published as a monthly journal. During this time, it served as an outlet for scholarship on Syrian and Lebanese history, as well as topics pertinent to the immigrant community such as health, current events, and preserving Lebanese heritage for younger generations. In served as a platform for Salloum to initiate his plans for community formation through his editorials; for example, Salloum put out a call for the formation of regional federations like the Southern Federation of Syrian and Lebanese American Clubs in a editorial in the late 1920s. In 1932, the combined factors of the Great Depression and the death of Naoum Mokarzel led Salloum to scale back his involvement in the paper; its format was changed from the style of an academic journal to a more traditional newspaper. This incarnation of the paper--which lasted from 1932 to 1935--consisted of daily news on both transnational and local levels. </span></p>
<p><span>Naoum Mokarzel had three marriages: Sophie Shishim, between 1898 and 1902; Saada Rihani between 1904 and 1908; and Rose Abillama, from 1910 until Naoum’s 1932 death. Naoum had no children, and Salloum and his family were Naoum’s heirs. In 1908, Salloum married Helen Abu Khalil. Together, the couple had five daughters: Mary, Rose, Alice, Yemna, and Lila. By 1919, Salloum and Helen moved their family to Cranford, New Jersey; however, the children were raised to be highly educated world citizens, encouraged towards literacy in both English and Arabic. In 1925, Helen took her five daughters to Lebanon, where the girls travelled and attended school until returning to America in 1927. </span></p>
<p><span>Naoum died in 1932 on a visit to Paris, where he was serving as a representative of diasporic communities for Lebanon’s transition from French colony to independent nation. This led Salloum to take up the role of editing <em>Al-Hoda</em>. During this time, Salloum became increasingly well-known, contributing to the Lebanese pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair and serving as a dignitary at the 1946 opening of the United Nations. Salloum died in 1952. The bodies of both brothers were repatriated by the government of Lebanon, and are buried together in the family tomb in their native city of Freike, Lebanon.</span></p>
<p><span>The Mokarzel brothers’ legacies were carried on by Salloum’s five daughters. After a struggle over the ownership of the paper, Salloum’s eldest daughter, Mary Mokarzel, carried on the publication of <em>Al-Hoda</em>. In 1954--perhaps in remembrance of her father’s English-language journal </span><em>The Syrian World</em><span>--Mary acquired </span><em>The Lebanese American Journal</em><span>, which she published in tandem with the Arabic paper until September 1971. Yemna was also committed to the family business, supporting her sister’s social, political, and business endeavors and serving as a correspondent for the papers.</span></p>
<p><span>Neither Yemna nor Mary married. Rose Mokarzel married Joseph Tanous; the two had three children: Peter J. Tanous, an investment banker, author, and community leader; Dr. Helene Tanous, who specialized in radiology; and Evelyne Nala Tanous, J.D., who served as Chief Counsel of the United States Small Business Administration district office in Houston. Peter has three children with his wife Ann-Christopher Tanous, Helen Tanous Bartilucci, and Will Tanous--and five grandchildren. Evelyn Najla Tanous has one daughter, Chantal Tanous D’Larenti, and two grandchildren.</span></p>
<p><span>Alice Mokarzel married Edmond Jaoudi and had two children: Dr. Maria Jaoudi, a professor of Comparative Religion who has one child, Harrison Smith-Jaoudi, with her husband, Harry Smith; and Edmond Jaoudi Jr., a technology administrator who has three children with his wife Barbara: Michael, Steven, and Anna.</span></p>
<p><span>Lila Mokarzel married George Hatab. The two had five children: Dr. Lawrence Hatab, a professor of Philosophy and author; Helen Hatab Samhan, a non profit executive; Anne Hatab Dill, an educator; Paul Hatab, a senior statistician at Micron; John Hatab, an art and drama teacher. Lawrence and his wife Chelsey Carter have one daughter, Stephanie Carter, and two grandchildren. Helen Hatab Samhan married Dr. Muhammad Kamal Samhan; they have two children, Leila Samhan Soliman and Zaid Samhan, and one grandchild. Anne Hatab married Francis Dill; the two had five children--James, Clare Dill Cruz, John, Peter, and Teresa—and four grandchildren. Paul and his wife Christine have two children, Jemma Hatab Langland and Will Hatab, and have two grandchildren. John is married to Mary Ann Hatab and they have two children, Ryan and Jeffrey Blaine.</span></p>
<h5>Scope and Contents</h5>
<p>This collection, generously provided by Salloum Mokarzel's granddaughter, Helen Hatab Samhan, contains material related to three generations of the Mokarzel family. It consists of: historic and more recent photographs of the Mokarzel brothers and their descendents; articles about the family; journals; and correspondences between members of the family. The collection has a special emphasis on the papers of Mary Mokarzel; these include: correspondences, including Mary Mokarzel's letter drafts and notes; and business papers, particularly relating to the family property in Freike, Lebanon.</p>
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Helen Samhan
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Relation
A related resource
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/42"><em>The Syrian World</em></a>
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41"><em>The Syrian Business Directory</em></a>
<a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/53" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian-American Press and Al-Hoda Press</a>
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Collection description written by Claire A. Kempa
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.
Parts of this collection are restricted due to copyright law as well as restrictions placed by the donor on personal documents.
Book
All or most of a document originally published in book format.
Original Format
If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
Book
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
الشواعر الشريفة [The Noble Sentiments]
Description
An account of the resource
الشواعر الشريفة [The Noble Sentiments] is an edited collection of poems and speeches presented on April 7, 1923 in honor of Silver Anniversary celebration of <em>Al-Hoda</em> [Guidance]; the second half of the text contains material presented at a similar celebration several months later in Mexico City.<em> Al-Hoda,</em> one of the earliest Arabic-language Lebanese-American newspapers,was founded by Naoum A. Mokarzel (1864-1932), who also headed a publishing press under the same name.<br /><br /> Edited by Yaqub Rouphail, who served as editor of <em>al-Akhlaq</em> [Manners] magazine, the text contains contributions by many notable Arab-Americans including: Khalil Gibran, Mikhail Nu’aymeh, Nadrah Haddad, and the feminist writer Afifa Karam. The pieces predominantly consist of celebrations of Naoum Mokarzel, the publishing press, and the numerous cultural and professional accomplishments achieved by the Lebanese-American community in just 35 years.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Yaqub Rouphail, editor
Al-Hoda Press
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Helen Samhan
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
1923
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Language
A language of the resource
Arabic
Alternative Title
An alternative name for the resource. The distinction between titles and alternative titles is application-specific.
The Noble Sentiments
Subject
The topic of the resource
Lebanese Americans--United States
Lebanese Americans--United States--Publications
1920's
Afifa Karam
Al-Hoda
Al-Hoda Press
Books
Books-Poetry
Haddad
Karam
Khalil Gibran
Mikhail Nu'aymeh
Mokarzel
Nadra Haddad
Naoum Antoun Mokarzel
Nu'aymeh
Speeches
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/2e6fbccb615749f8eb9da7e75ad6862b.jpg
3edd299603d0ee94095c84f6b484988b
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
Mokarzel Family
Subject
The topic of the resource
Arabic literature--History and criticism
Lebanese-Americans--United States
Description
An account of the resource
<h5>Introduction</h5>
<p>Naoum Antoun Mokarzel (1864-1932) and Salloum Antoun Mokarzel (1881-1952) were influential intellectuals who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in the late nineteenth century. Both were prominent Lebanese-American intellectuals who used their family-owned publishing house, the Al-Hoda Press, to preserve their heritage for diaspora communities across the world and to educate English-speaking audiences about the rich history and culture of Lebanon.</p>
<p>The Mokarzel brothers were the sons of Antoun Mokarzel, a Maronite Priest, and Barbara Akl Mokarzel. They were born and raised in Frieke, Lebanon. Naoum Mokarzel emigrated to the United States in 1890, at the age of 26. Naoum explored various career options as a young man, including: shopkeeper, bookkeeper, journalist, and medical student. While working as a bookkeeper in Philadelphia he founded <em>Al Asr</em>, a fledgling newspaper which quickly failed. Shortly after, in 1898, Naoum founded <em>Al-Hoda</em><span> [Guidance] as a biweekly publication; the first issue was published on February 22 of that year. In 1902, Naoum moved the paper from Philadelphia to New York and began publishing it as a daily. Newspapers proliferated among the populous Lebanese immigrant community in New York City, but among them <em>Al-Hoda </em>stood out in its wide circulation and international sphere of influence. Though Naoum frequently insisted upon his own journalistic integrity and objectivity, <em>Al-Hoda </em>was guided from the start by a fierce devotion to the cause of Lebanon; it also initially leaned towards Maronite interests, against Orthodox views. In his editorials and articles, Naoum was quick to rise to the defense of both his homeland and himself, a tendency that often stirred controversy even as it furthered Naoum's political goals.<em><br /></em></span></p>
<p>Around the time that Naoum founded <em>Al-Hoda</em>, his much younger brother Salloum joined him in the United States. Though Salloum travelled back to Lebanon to obtain his higher education at St. Joseph’s University, he was quickly folded into the new family trade of publishing. Salloum quickly established himself as an innovator in his own right: in 1909, he catalogued and published <em><a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41">The Syrian Business Directory</a></em>, an inventory of Syrian businesses in the United States. In the next year, he patented the first Arabic linotype machine, an invention which helped modernize Arabic publishing; this innovation contributed to the explosion of the Arabic press in both North and South America. In the 1910s and 1920s, Salloum published scholarly works through the imprint called <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/53" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian-American Press</a>; he also carried forth his interest in Lebanese business endeavors through the monthly journal <span><em>Al Majallah Al-Tijariyeh</em> [<em>Syrian-American Commercial Magazine</em>], which he edited from 1918 to 1926.</span></p>
<p><span>Despite their shared vocation, the two brothers had very different personalities and political goals. Naoum had a fiery commitment to Lebanese independence: in 1911, he founded the Lebanese League of Progress in an attempt to unite the Lebanese diaspora behind the cause of Lebanese independence. Naoum was among the delegation from Lebanon sent to the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. Though Naoum was an outspoken and passionate figure whose devout Maronitism, Lebanese nationalism, and willingness to critique the diasporic community often created controversy. By contrast, Salloum was known as a gentler figure, more interested in building new communities and hybrid cultural identities than in influencing political change in the homeland. Despite his very different aims, Salloum, too, was a formidable influence both to his peers and to younger generations of Lebanese-Americans.</span></p>
<p><span>The difference between the brothers’ personalities and political goals is represented by the differences in their publications. Throughout World War I and the following years of geopolitical chaos and decolonization, Naoum was deeply involved in nationalist movements. His decision to publish </span><span>Al-Hoda </span><span>in Arabic indicates his continuing commitment to a diasporic community which faced towards and participated in the culture and political realm of the homeland. By contrast, Salloum was interested in translating and modifying his birth culture to thrive in various new homelands. To facilitate this goal, in 1926, Salloum launched </span><em>The Syrian World</em><span>, which he initially conceived as an academic journal aimed towards a hybrid audience of second-generation children of immigrants and Americans of non-Lebanese descent. Between 1926 and 1932, </span><em>The Syrian World </em><span>was published as a monthly journal. During this time, it served as an outlet for scholarship on Syrian and Lebanese history, as well as topics pertinent to the immigrant community such as health, current events, and preserving Lebanese heritage for younger generations. In served as a platform for Salloum to initiate his plans for community formation through his editorials; for example, Salloum put out a call for the formation of regional federations like the Southern Federation of Syrian and Lebanese American Clubs in a editorial in the late 1920s. In 1932, the combined factors of the Great Depression and the death of Naoum Mokarzel led Salloum to scale back his involvement in the paper; its format was changed from the style of an academic journal to a more traditional newspaper. This incarnation of the paper--which lasted from 1932 to 1935--consisted of daily news on both transnational and local levels. </span></p>
<p><span>Naoum Mokarzel had three marriages: Sophie Shishim, between 1898 and 1902; Saada Rihani between 1904 and 1908; and Rose Abillama, from 1910 until Naoum’s 1932 death. Naoum had no children, and Salloum and his family were Naoum’s heirs. In 1908, Salloum married Helen Abu Khalil. Together, the couple had five daughters: Mary, Rose, Alice, Yemna, and Lila. By 1919, Salloum and Helen moved their family to Cranford, New Jersey; however, the children were raised to be highly educated world citizens, encouraged towards literacy in both English and Arabic. In 1925, Helen took her five daughters to Lebanon, where the girls travelled and attended school until returning to America in 1927. </span></p>
<p><span>Naoum died in 1932 on a visit to Paris, where he was serving as a representative of diasporic communities for Lebanon’s transition from French colony to independent nation. This led Salloum to take up the role of editing <em>Al-Hoda</em>. During this time, Salloum became increasingly well-known, contributing to the Lebanese pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair and serving as a dignitary at the 1946 opening of the United Nations. Salloum died in 1952. The bodies of both brothers were repatriated by the government of Lebanon, and are buried together in the family tomb in their native city of Freike, Lebanon.</span></p>
<p><span>The Mokarzel brothers’ legacies were carried on by Salloum’s five daughters. After a struggle over the ownership of the paper, Salloum’s eldest daughter, Mary Mokarzel, carried on the publication of <em>Al-Hoda</em>. In 1954--perhaps in remembrance of her father’s English-language journal </span><em>The Syrian World</em><span>--Mary acquired </span><em>The Lebanese American Journal</em><span>, which she published in tandem with the Arabic paper until September 1971. Yemna was also committed to the family business, supporting her sister’s social, political, and business endeavors and serving as a correspondent for the papers.</span></p>
<p><span>Neither Yemna nor Mary married. Rose Mokarzel married Joseph Tanous; the two had three children: Peter J. Tanous, an investment banker, author, and community leader; Dr. Helene Tanous, who specialized in radiology; and Evelyne Nala Tanous, J.D., who served as Chief Counsel of the United States Small Business Administration district office in Houston. Peter has three children with his wife Ann-Christopher Tanous, Helen Tanous Bartilucci, and Will Tanous--and five grandchildren. Evelyn Najla Tanous has one daughter, Chantal Tanous D’Larenti, and two grandchildren.</span></p>
<p><span>Alice Mokarzel married Edmond Jaoudi and had two children: Dr. Maria Jaoudi, a professor of Comparative Religion who has one child, Harrison Smith-Jaoudi, with her husband, Harry Smith; and Edmond Jaoudi Jr., a technology administrator who has three children with his wife Barbara: Michael, Steven, and Anna.</span></p>
<p><span>Lila Mokarzel married George Hatab. The two had five children: Dr. Lawrence Hatab, a professor of Philosophy and author; Helen Hatab Samhan, a non profit executive; Anne Hatab Dill, an educator; Paul Hatab, a senior statistician at Micron; John Hatab, an art and drama teacher. Lawrence and his wife Chelsey Carter have one daughter, Stephanie Carter, and two grandchildren. Helen Hatab Samhan married Dr. Muhammad Kamal Samhan; they have two children, Leila Samhan Soliman and Zaid Samhan, and one grandchild. Anne Hatab married Francis Dill; the two had five children--James, Clare Dill Cruz, John, Peter, and Teresa—and four grandchildren. Paul and his wife Christine have two children, Jemma Hatab Langland and Will Hatab, and have two grandchildren. John is married to Mary Ann Hatab and they have two children, Ryan and Jeffrey Blaine.</span></p>
<h5>Scope and Contents</h5>
<p>This collection, generously provided by Salloum Mokarzel's granddaughter, Helen Hatab Samhan, contains material related to three generations of the Mokarzel family. It consists of: historic and more recent photographs of the Mokarzel brothers and their descendents; articles about the family; journals; and correspondences between members of the family. The collection has a special emphasis on the papers of Mary Mokarzel; these include: correspondences, including Mary Mokarzel's letter drafts and notes; and business papers, particularly relating to the family property in Freike, Lebanon.</p>
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Helen Samhan
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Relation
A related resource
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/42"><em>The Syrian World</em></a>
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41"><em>The Syrian Business Directory</em></a>
<a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/53" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian-American Press and Al-Hoda Press</a>
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Collection description written by Claire A. Kempa
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.
Parts of this collection are restricted due to copyright law as well as restrictions placed by the donor on personal documents.
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials.
Original Format
If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
Framed portrait
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
Portrait of Naoum Mokarzel with his Wife and Brother in Law
Subject
The topic of the resource
Portrait photographs
Description
An account of the resource
A photo of Naoum Mokarzel with his wife and brother in law. Left to Right: Naoum Mokarzel, Rose Abillama Mokarzel, and Asad Abillama, (Folder 2-1-1-9)
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Stone Studio
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Helen Samhan
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
1911
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Format
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Image/jpg
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Image
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Mokarzel 2-1-1-9 Group Portrait_WM
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
311 52nd St., Brooklyn NY
1910's
Abillama
Asad Abillama
Brooklyn, New York
Mokarzel
Naoum Antoun Mokarzel
New York
Portraits
Rose Abillama Mokarzel
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/cefd27629ce34112624bb3a9d15cac7b.jpg
a972ce55ee12c8dc18c10be563614fe4
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
Mokarzel Family
Subject
The topic of the resource
Arabic literature--History and criticism
Lebanese-Americans--United States
Description
An account of the resource
<h5>Introduction</h5>
<p>Naoum Antoun Mokarzel (1864-1932) and Salloum Antoun Mokarzel (1881-1952) were influential intellectuals who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in the late nineteenth century. Both were prominent Lebanese-American intellectuals who used their family-owned publishing house, the Al-Hoda Press, to preserve their heritage for diaspora communities across the world and to educate English-speaking audiences about the rich history and culture of Lebanon.</p>
<p>The Mokarzel brothers were the sons of Antoun Mokarzel, a Maronite Priest, and Barbara Akl Mokarzel. They were born and raised in Frieke, Lebanon. Naoum Mokarzel emigrated to the United States in 1890, at the age of 26. Naoum explored various career options as a young man, including: shopkeeper, bookkeeper, journalist, and medical student. While working as a bookkeeper in Philadelphia he founded <em>Al Asr</em>, a fledgling newspaper which quickly failed. Shortly after, in 1898, Naoum founded <em>Al-Hoda</em><span> [Guidance] as a biweekly publication; the first issue was published on February 22 of that year. In 1902, Naoum moved the paper from Philadelphia to New York and began publishing it as a daily. Newspapers proliferated among the populous Lebanese immigrant community in New York City, but among them <em>Al-Hoda </em>stood out in its wide circulation and international sphere of influence. Though Naoum frequently insisted upon his own journalistic integrity and objectivity, <em>Al-Hoda </em>was guided from the start by a fierce devotion to the cause of Lebanon; it also initially leaned towards Maronite interests, against Orthodox views. In his editorials and articles, Naoum was quick to rise to the defense of both his homeland and himself, a tendency that often stirred controversy even as it furthered Naoum's political goals.<em><br /></em></span></p>
<p>Around the time that Naoum founded <em>Al-Hoda</em>, his much younger brother Salloum joined him in the United States. Though Salloum travelled back to Lebanon to obtain his higher education at St. Joseph’s University, he was quickly folded into the new family trade of publishing. Salloum quickly established himself as an innovator in his own right: in 1909, he catalogued and published <em><a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41">The Syrian Business Directory</a></em>, an inventory of Syrian businesses in the United States. In the next year, he patented the first Arabic linotype machine, an invention which helped modernize Arabic publishing; this innovation contributed to the explosion of the Arabic press in both North and South America. In the 1910s and 1920s, Salloum published scholarly works through the imprint called <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/53" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian-American Press</a>; he also carried forth his interest in Lebanese business endeavors through the monthly journal <span><em>Al Majallah Al-Tijariyeh</em> [<em>Syrian-American Commercial Magazine</em>], which he edited from 1918 to 1926.</span></p>
<p><span>Despite their shared vocation, the two brothers had very different personalities and political goals. Naoum had a fiery commitment to Lebanese independence: in 1911, he founded the Lebanese League of Progress in an attempt to unite the Lebanese diaspora behind the cause of Lebanese independence. Naoum was among the delegation from Lebanon sent to the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. Though Naoum was an outspoken and passionate figure whose devout Maronitism, Lebanese nationalism, and willingness to critique the diasporic community often created controversy. By contrast, Salloum was known as a gentler figure, more interested in building new communities and hybrid cultural identities than in influencing political change in the homeland. Despite his very different aims, Salloum, too, was a formidable influence both to his peers and to younger generations of Lebanese-Americans.</span></p>
<p><span>The difference between the brothers’ personalities and political goals is represented by the differences in their publications. Throughout World War I and the following years of geopolitical chaos and decolonization, Naoum was deeply involved in nationalist movements. His decision to publish </span><span>Al-Hoda </span><span>in Arabic indicates his continuing commitment to a diasporic community which faced towards and participated in the culture and political realm of the homeland. By contrast, Salloum was interested in translating and modifying his birth culture to thrive in various new homelands. To facilitate this goal, in 1926, Salloum launched </span><em>The Syrian World</em><span>, which he initially conceived as an academic journal aimed towards a hybrid audience of second-generation children of immigrants and Americans of non-Lebanese descent. Between 1926 and 1932, </span><em>The Syrian World </em><span>was published as a monthly journal. During this time, it served as an outlet for scholarship on Syrian and Lebanese history, as well as topics pertinent to the immigrant community such as health, current events, and preserving Lebanese heritage for younger generations. In served as a platform for Salloum to initiate his plans for community formation through his editorials; for example, Salloum put out a call for the formation of regional federations like the Southern Federation of Syrian and Lebanese American Clubs in a editorial in the late 1920s. In 1932, the combined factors of the Great Depression and the death of Naoum Mokarzel led Salloum to scale back his involvement in the paper; its format was changed from the style of an academic journal to a more traditional newspaper. This incarnation of the paper--which lasted from 1932 to 1935--consisted of daily news on both transnational and local levels. </span></p>
<p><span>Naoum Mokarzel had three marriages: Sophie Shishim, between 1898 and 1902; Saada Rihani between 1904 and 1908; and Rose Abillama, from 1910 until Naoum’s 1932 death. Naoum had no children, and Salloum and his family were Naoum’s heirs. In 1908, Salloum married Helen Abu Khalil. Together, the couple had five daughters: Mary, Rose, Alice, Yemna, and Lila. By 1919, Salloum and Helen moved their family to Cranford, New Jersey; however, the children were raised to be highly educated world citizens, encouraged towards literacy in both English and Arabic. In 1925, Helen took her five daughters to Lebanon, where the girls travelled and attended school until returning to America in 1927. </span></p>
<p><span>Naoum died in 1932 on a visit to Paris, where he was serving as a representative of diasporic communities for Lebanon’s transition from French colony to independent nation. This led Salloum to take up the role of editing <em>Al-Hoda</em>. During this time, Salloum became increasingly well-known, contributing to the Lebanese pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair and serving as a dignitary at the 1946 opening of the United Nations. Salloum died in 1952. The bodies of both brothers were repatriated by the government of Lebanon, and are buried together in the family tomb in their native city of Freike, Lebanon.</span></p>
<p><span>The Mokarzel brothers’ legacies were carried on by Salloum’s five daughters. After a struggle over the ownership of the paper, Salloum’s eldest daughter, Mary Mokarzel, carried on the publication of <em>Al-Hoda</em>. In 1954--perhaps in remembrance of her father’s English-language journal </span><em>The Syrian World</em><span>--Mary acquired </span><em>The Lebanese American Journal</em><span>, which she published in tandem with the Arabic paper until September 1971. Yemna was also committed to the family business, supporting her sister’s social, political, and business endeavors and serving as a correspondent for the papers.</span></p>
<p><span>Neither Yemna nor Mary married. Rose Mokarzel married Joseph Tanous; the two had three children: Peter J. Tanous, an investment banker, author, and community leader; Dr. Helene Tanous, who specialized in radiology; and Evelyne Nala Tanous, J.D., who served as Chief Counsel of the United States Small Business Administration district office in Houston. Peter has three children with his wife Ann-Christopher Tanous, Helen Tanous Bartilucci, and Will Tanous--and five grandchildren. Evelyn Najla Tanous has one daughter, Chantal Tanous D’Larenti, and two grandchildren.</span></p>
<p><span>Alice Mokarzel married Edmond Jaoudi and had two children: Dr. Maria Jaoudi, a professor of Comparative Religion who has one child, Harrison Smith-Jaoudi, with her husband, Harry Smith; and Edmond Jaoudi Jr., a technology administrator who has three children with his wife Barbara: Michael, Steven, and Anna.</span></p>
<p><span>Lila Mokarzel married George Hatab. The two had five children: Dr. Lawrence Hatab, a professor of Philosophy and author; Helen Hatab Samhan, a non profit executive; Anne Hatab Dill, an educator; Paul Hatab, a senior statistician at Micron; John Hatab, an art and drama teacher. Lawrence and his wife Chelsey Carter have one daughter, Stephanie Carter, and two grandchildren. Helen Hatab Samhan married Dr. Muhammad Kamal Samhan; they have two children, Leila Samhan Soliman and Zaid Samhan, and one grandchild. Anne Hatab married Francis Dill; the two had five children--James, Clare Dill Cruz, John, Peter, and Teresa—and four grandchildren. Paul and his wife Christine have two children, Jemma Hatab Langland and Will Hatab, and have two grandchildren. John is married to Mary Ann Hatab and they have two children, Ryan and Jeffrey Blaine.</span></p>
<h5>Scope and Contents</h5>
<p>This collection, generously provided by Salloum Mokarzel's granddaughter, Helen Hatab Samhan, contains material related to three generations of the Mokarzel family. It consists of: historic and more recent photographs of the Mokarzel brothers and their descendents; articles about the family; journals; and correspondences between members of the family. The collection has a special emphasis on the papers of Mary Mokarzel; these include: correspondences, including Mary Mokarzel's letter drafts and notes; and business papers, particularly relating to the family property in Freike, Lebanon.</p>
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Helen Samhan
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Relation
A related resource
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/42"><em>The Syrian World</em></a>
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41"><em>The Syrian Business Directory</em></a>
<a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/53" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian-American Press and Al-Hoda Press</a>
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Collection description written by Claire A. Kempa
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.
Parts of this collection are restricted due to copyright law as well as restrictions placed by the donor on personal documents.
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials.
Original Format
If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
Black & white photograph
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
Copy of a Portrait of Naoum Mokarzel
Subject
The topic of the resource
Portraits
Description
An account of the resource
A copy of a portrait of Naoum Mokarzel. (Folder 2-1-1-10)
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Unknown
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Helen Samhan
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
Unknown
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image/jpg
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Image
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Mokarzel 2-1-1-10 Naoum Mokarzel Portrait_WM
Mokarzel
Naoum Antoun Mokarzel
Portraits
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/6af8493bf1a45644f2d5e7ca31e73582.jpg
44a4ea36f37d713f5ade649366e08175
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
Mokarzel Family
Subject
The topic of the resource
Arabic literature--History and criticism
Lebanese-Americans--United States
Description
An account of the resource
<h5>Introduction</h5>
<p>Naoum Antoun Mokarzel (1864-1932) and Salloum Antoun Mokarzel (1881-1952) were influential intellectuals who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in the late nineteenth century. Both were prominent Lebanese-American intellectuals who used their family-owned publishing house, the Al-Hoda Press, to preserve their heritage for diaspora communities across the world and to educate English-speaking audiences about the rich history and culture of Lebanon.</p>
<p>The Mokarzel brothers were the sons of Antoun Mokarzel, a Maronite Priest, and Barbara Akl Mokarzel. They were born and raised in Frieke, Lebanon. Naoum Mokarzel emigrated to the United States in 1890, at the age of 26. Naoum explored various career options as a young man, including: shopkeeper, bookkeeper, journalist, and medical student. While working as a bookkeeper in Philadelphia he founded <em>Al Asr</em>, a fledgling newspaper which quickly failed. Shortly after, in 1898, Naoum founded <em>Al-Hoda</em><span> [Guidance] as a biweekly publication; the first issue was published on February 22 of that year. In 1902, Naoum moved the paper from Philadelphia to New York and began publishing it as a daily. Newspapers proliferated among the populous Lebanese immigrant community in New York City, but among them <em>Al-Hoda </em>stood out in its wide circulation and international sphere of influence. Though Naoum frequently insisted upon his own journalistic integrity and objectivity, <em>Al-Hoda </em>was guided from the start by a fierce devotion to the cause of Lebanon; it also initially leaned towards Maronite interests, against Orthodox views. In his editorials and articles, Naoum was quick to rise to the defense of both his homeland and himself, a tendency that often stirred controversy even as it furthered Naoum's political goals.<em><br /></em></span></p>
<p>Around the time that Naoum founded <em>Al-Hoda</em>, his much younger brother Salloum joined him in the United States. Though Salloum travelled back to Lebanon to obtain his higher education at St. Joseph’s University, he was quickly folded into the new family trade of publishing. Salloum quickly established himself as an innovator in his own right: in 1909, he catalogued and published <em><a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41">The Syrian Business Directory</a></em>, an inventory of Syrian businesses in the United States. In the next year, he patented the first Arabic linotype machine, an invention which helped modernize Arabic publishing; this innovation contributed to the explosion of the Arabic press in both North and South America. In the 1910s and 1920s, Salloum published scholarly works through the imprint called <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/53" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian-American Press</a>; he also carried forth his interest in Lebanese business endeavors through the monthly journal <span><em>Al Majallah Al-Tijariyeh</em> [<em>Syrian-American Commercial Magazine</em>], which he edited from 1918 to 1926.</span></p>
<p><span>Despite their shared vocation, the two brothers had very different personalities and political goals. Naoum had a fiery commitment to Lebanese independence: in 1911, he founded the Lebanese League of Progress in an attempt to unite the Lebanese diaspora behind the cause of Lebanese independence. Naoum was among the delegation from Lebanon sent to the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. Though Naoum was an outspoken and passionate figure whose devout Maronitism, Lebanese nationalism, and willingness to critique the diasporic community often created controversy. By contrast, Salloum was known as a gentler figure, more interested in building new communities and hybrid cultural identities than in influencing political change in the homeland. Despite his very different aims, Salloum, too, was a formidable influence both to his peers and to younger generations of Lebanese-Americans.</span></p>
<p><span>The difference between the brothers’ personalities and political goals is represented by the differences in their publications. Throughout World War I and the following years of geopolitical chaos and decolonization, Naoum was deeply involved in nationalist movements. His decision to publish </span><span>Al-Hoda </span><span>in Arabic indicates his continuing commitment to a diasporic community which faced towards and participated in the culture and political realm of the homeland. By contrast, Salloum was interested in translating and modifying his birth culture to thrive in various new homelands. To facilitate this goal, in 1926, Salloum launched </span><em>The Syrian World</em><span>, which he initially conceived as an academic journal aimed towards a hybrid audience of second-generation children of immigrants and Americans of non-Lebanese descent. Between 1926 and 1932, </span><em>The Syrian World </em><span>was published as a monthly journal. During this time, it served as an outlet for scholarship on Syrian and Lebanese history, as well as topics pertinent to the immigrant community such as health, current events, and preserving Lebanese heritage for younger generations. In served as a platform for Salloum to initiate his plans for community formation through his editorials; for example, Salloum put out a call for the formation of regional federations like the Southern Federation of Syrian and Lebanese American Clubs in a editorial in the late 1920s. In 1932, the combined factors of the Great Depression and the death of Naoum Mokarzel led Salloum to scale back his involvement in the paper; its format was changed from the style of an academic journal to a more traditional newspaper. This incarnation of the paper--which lasted from 1932 to 1935--consisted of daily news on both transnational and local levels. </span></p>
<p><span>Naoum Mokarzel had three marriages: Sophie Shishim, between 1898 and 1902; Saada Rihani between 1904 and 1908; and Rose Abillama, from 1910 until Naoum’s 1932 death. Naoum had no children, and Salloum and his family were Naoum’s heirs. In 1908, Salloum married Helen Abu Khalil. Together, the couple had five daughters: Mary, Rose, Alice, Yemna, and Lila. By 1919, Salloum and Helen moved their family to Cranford, New Jersey; however, the children were raised to be highly educated world citizens, encouraged towards literacy in both English and Arabic. In 1925, Helen took her five daughters to Lebanon, where the girls travelled and attended school until returning to America in 1927. </span></p>
<p><span>Naoum died in 1932 on a visit to Paris, where he was serving as a representative of diasporic communities for Lebanon’s transition from French colony to independent nation. This led Salloum to take up the role of editing <em>Al-Hoda</em>. During this time, Salloum became increasingly well-known, contributing to the Lebanese pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair and serving as a dignitary at the 1946 opening of the United Nations. Salloum died in 1952. The bodies of both brothers were repatriated by the government of Lebanon, and are buried together in the family tomb in their native city of Freike, Lebanon.</span></p>
<p><span>The Mokarzel brothers’ legacies were carried on by Salloum’s five daughters. After a struggle over the ownership of the paper, Salloum’s eldest daughter, Mary Mokarzel, carried on the publication of <em>Al-Hoda</em>. In 1954--perhaps in remembrance of her father’s English-language journal </span><em>The Syrian World</em><span>--Mary acquired </span><em>The Lebanese American Journal</em><span>, which she published in tandem with the Arabic paper until September 1971. Yemna was also committed to the family business, supporting her sister’s social, political, and business endeavors and serving as a correspondent for the papers.</span></p>
<p><span>Neither Yemna nor Mary married. Rose Mokarzel married Joseph Tanous; the two had three children: Peter J. Tanous, an investment banker, author, and community leader; Dr. Helene Tanous, who specialized in radiology; and Evelyne Nala Tanous, J.D., who served as Chief Counsel of the United States Small Business Administration district office in Houston. Peter has three children with his wife Ann-Christopher Tanous, Helen Tanous Bartilucci, and Will Tanous--and five grandchildren. Evelyn Najla Tanous has one daughter, Chantal Tanous D’Larenti, and two grandchildren.</span></p>
<p><span>Alice Mokarzel married Edmond Jaoudi and had two children: Dr. Maria Jaoudi, a professor of Comparative Religion who has one child, Harrison Smith-Jaoudi, with her husband, Harry Smith; and Edmond Jaoudi Jr., a technology administrator who has three children with his wife Barbara: Michael, Steven, and Anna.</span></p>
<p><span>Lila Mokarzel married George Hatab. The two had five children: Dr. Lawrence Hatab, a professor of Philosophy and author; Helen Hatab Samhan, a non profit executive; Anne Hatab Dill, an educator; Paul Hatab, a senior statistician at Micron; John Hatab, an art and drama teacher. Lawrence and his wife Chelsey Carter have one daughter, Stephanie Carter, and two grandchildren. Helen Hatab Samhan married Dr. Muhammad Kamal Samhan; they have two children, Leila Samhan Soliman and Zaid Samhan, and one grandchild. Anne Hatab married Francis Dill; the two had five children--James, Clare Dill Cruz, John, Peter, and Teresa—and four grandchildren. Paul and his wife Christine have two children, Jemma Hatab Langland and Will Hatab, and have two grandchildren. John is married to Mary Ann Hatab and they have two children, Ryan and Jeffrey Blaine.</span></p>
<h5>Scope and Contents</h5>
<p>This collection, generously provided by Salloum Mokarzel's granddaughter, Helen Hatab Samhan, contains material related to three generations of the Mokarzel family. It consists of: historic and more recent photographs of the Mokarzel brothers and their descendents; articles about the family; journals; and correspondences between members of the family. The collection has a special emphasis on the papers of Mary Mokarzel; these include: correspondences, including Mary Mokarzel's letter drafts and notes; and business papers, particularly relating to the family property in Freike, Lebanon.</p>
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Helen Samhan
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Relation
A related resource
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/42"><em>The Syrian World</em></a>
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41"><em>The Syrian Business Directory</em></a>
<a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/53" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian-American Press and Al-Hoda Press</a>
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Collection description written by Claire A. Kempa
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.
Parts of this collection are restricted due to copyright law as well as restrictions placed by the donor on personal documents.
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials.
Original Format
If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
Black & white photograph
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
Copy of a Portrait of Naoum Mokarzel
Subject
The topic of the resource
Portraits
Description
An account of the resource
A copy of a portrait of Naoum Mokarzel. (Folder 2-1-1-27)
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Unknown
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Helen Samhan
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
Unknown
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image/jpg
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Image
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Mokarzel 2-1-1-27 Naoum_WM
Mokarzel
Naoum Antoun Mokarzel
Portraits
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/5b26ed0fe6c7941549fbe345ea55e672.pdf
a62d2d68700a3bf93ea6fd7e8fe9bad9
PDF Text
Text
���
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Mokarzel Family
Subject
The topic of the resource
Arabic literature--History and criticism
Lebanese-Americans--United States
Description
An account of the resource
<h5>Introduction</h5>
<p>Naoum Antoun Mokarzel (1864-1932) and Salloum Antoun Mokarzel (1881-1952) were influential intellectuals who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in the late nineteenth century. Both were prominent Lebanese-American intellectuals who used their family-owned publishing house, the Al-Hoda Press, to preserve their heritage for diaspora communities across the world and to educate English-speaking audiences about the rich history and culture of Lebanon.</p>
<p>The Mokarzel brothers were the sons of Antoun Mokarzel, a Maronite Priest, and Barbara Akl Mokarzel. They were born and raised in Frieke, Lebanon. Naoum Mokarzel emigrated to the United States in 1890, at the age of 26. Naoum explored various career options as a young man, including: shopkeeper, bookkeeper, journalist, and medical student. While working as a bookkeeper in Philadelphia he founded <em>Al Asr</em>, a fledgling newspaper which quickly failed. Shortly after, in 1898, Naoum founded <em>Al-Hoda</em><span> [Guidance] as a biweekly publication; the first issue was published on February 22 of that year. In 1902, Naoum moved the paper from Philadelphia to New York and began publishing it as a daily. Newspapers proliferated among the populous Lebanese immigrant community in New York City, but among them <em>Al-Hoda </em>stood out in its wide circulation and international sphere of influence. Though Naoum frequently insisted upon his own journalistic integrity and objectivity, <em>Al-Hoda </em>was guided from the start by a fierce devotion to the cause of Lebanon; it also initially leaned towards Maronite interests, against Orthodox views. In his editorials and articles, Naoum was quick to rise to the defense of both his homeland and himself, a tendency that often stirred controversy even as it furthered Naoum's political goals.<em><br /></em></span></p>
<p>Around the time that Naoum founded <em>Al-Hoda</em>, his much younger brother Salloum joined him in the United States. Though Salloum travelled back to Lebanon to obtain his higher education at St. Joseph’s University, he was quickly folded into the new family trade of publishing. Salloum quickly established himself as an innovator in his own right: in 1909, he catalogued and published <em><a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41">The Syrian Business Directory</a></em>, an inventory of Syrian businesses in the United States. In the next year, he patented the first Arabic linotype machine, an invention which helped modernize Arabic publishing; this innovation contributed to the explosion of the Arabic press in both North and South America. In the 1910s and 1920s, Salloum published scholarly works through the imprint called <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/53" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian-American Press</a>; he also carried forth his interest in Lebanese business endeavors through the monthly journal <span><em>Al Majallah Al-Tijariyeh</em> [<em>Syrian-American Commercial Magazine</em>], which he edited from 1918 to 1926.</span></p>
<p><span>Despite their shared vocation, the two brothers had very different personalities and political goals. Naoum had a fiery commitment to Lebanese independence: in 1911, he founded the Lebanese League of Progress in an attempt to unite the Lebanese diaspora behind the cause of Lebanese independence. Naoum was among the delegation from Lebanon sent to the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. Though Naoum was an outspoken and passionate figure whose devout Maronitism, Lebanese nationalism, and willingness to critique the diasporic community often created controversy. By contrast, Salloum was known as a gentler figure, more interested in building new communities and hybrid cultural identities than in influencing political change in the homeland. Despite his very different aims, Salloum, too, was a formidable influence both to his peers and to younger generations of Lebanese-Americans.</span></p>
<p><span>The difference between the brothers’ personalities and political goals is represented by the differences in their publications. Throughout World War I and the following years of geopolitical chaos and decolonization, Naoum was deeply involved in nationalist movements. His decision to publish </span><span>Al-Hoda </span><span>in Arabic indicates his continuing commitment to a diasporic community which faced towards and participated in the culture and political realm of the homeland. By contrast, Salloum was interested in translating and modifying his birth culture to thrive in various new homelands. To facilitate this goal, in 1926, Salloum launched </span><em>The Syrian World</em><span>, which he initially conceived as an academic journal aimed towards a hybrid audience of second-generation children of immigrants and Americans of non-Lebanese descent. Between 1926 and 1932, </span><em>The Syrian World </em><span>was published as a monthly journal. During this time, it served as an outlet for scholarship on Syrian and Lebanese history, as well as topics pertinent to the immigrant community such as health, current events, and preserving Lebanese heritage for younger generations. In served as a platform for Salloum to initiate his plans for community formation through his editorials; for example, Salloum put out a call for the formation of regional federations like the Southern Federation of Syrian and Lebanese American Clubs in a editorial in the late 1920s. In 1932, the combined factors of the Great Depression and the death of Naoum Mokarzel led Salloum to scale back his involvement in the paper; its format was changed from the style of an academic journal to a more traditional newspaper. This incarnation of the paper--which lasted from 1932 to 1935--consisted of daily news on both transnational and local levels. </span></p>
<p><span>Naoum Mokarzel had three marriages: Sophie Shishim, between 1898 and 1902; Saada Rihani between 1904 and 1908; and Rose Abillama, from 1910 until Naoum’s 1932 death. Naoum had no children, and Salloum and his family were Naoum’s heirs. In 1908, Salloum married Helen Abu Khalil. Together, the couple had five daughters: Mary, Rose, Alice, Yemna, and Lila. By 1919, Salloum and Helen moved their family to Cranford, New Jersey; however, the children were raised to be highly educated world citizens, encouraged towards literacy in both English and Arabic. In 1925, Helen took her five daughters to Lebanon, where the girls travelled and attended school until returning to America in 1927. </span></p>
<p><span>Naoum died in 1932 on a visit to Paris, where he was serving as a representative of diasporic communities for Lebanon’s transition from French colony to independent nation. This led Salloum to take up the role of editing <em>Al-Hoda</em>. During this time, Salloum became increasingly well-known, contributing to the Lebanese pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair and serving as a dignitary at the 1946 opening of the United Nations. Salloum died in 1952. The bodies of both brothers were repatriated by the government of Lebanon, and are buried together in the family tomb in their native city of Freike, Lebanon.</span></p>
<p><span>The Mokarzel brothers’ legacies were carried on by Salloum’s five daughters. After a struggle over the ownership of the paper, Salloum’s eldest daughter, Mary Mokarzel, carried on the publication of <em>Al-Hoda</em>. In 1954--perhaps in remembrance of her father’s English-language journal </span><em>The Syrian World</em><span>--Mary acquired </span><em>The Lebanese American Journal</em><span>, which she published in tandem with the Arabic paper until September 1971. Yemna was also committed to the family business, supporting her sister’s social, political, and business endeavors and serving as a correspondent for the papers.</span></p>
<p><span>Neither Yemna nor Mary married. Rose Mokarzel married Joseph Tanous; the two had three children: Peter J. Tanous, an investment banker, author, and community leader; Dr. Helene Tanous, who specialized in radiology; and Evelyne Nala Tanous, J.D., who served as Chief Counsel of the United States Small Business Administration district office in Houston. Peter has three children with his wife Ann-Christopher Tanous, Helen Tanous Bartilucci, and Will Tanous--and five grandchildren. Evelyn Najla Tanous has one daughter, Chantal Tanous D’Larenti, and two grandchildren.</span></p>
<p><span>Alice Mokarzel married Edmond Jaoudi and had two children: Dr. Maria Jaoudi, a professor of Comparative Religion who has one child, Harrison Smith-Jaoudi, with her husband, Harry Smith; and Edmond Jaoudi Jr., a technology administrator who has three children with his wife Barbara: Michael, Steven, and Anna.</span></p>
<p><span>Lila Mokarzel married George Hatab. The two had five children: Dr. Lawrence Hatab, a professor of Philosophy and author; Helen Hatab Samhan, a non profit executive; Anne Hatab Dill, an educator; Paul Hatab, a senior statistician at Micron; John Hatab, an art and drama teacher. Lawrence and his wife Chelsey Carter have one daughter, Stephanie Carter, and two grandchildren. Helen Hatab Samhan married Dr. Muhammad Kamal Samhan; they have two children, Leila Samhan Soliman and Zaid Samhan, and one grandchild. Anne Hatab married Francis Dill; the two had five children--James, Clare Dill Cruz, John, Peter, and Teresa—and four grandchildren. Paul and his wife Christine have two children, Jemma Hatab Langland and Will Hatab, and have two grandchildren. John is married to Mary Ann Hatab and they have two children, Ryan and Jeffrey Blaine.</span></p>
<h5>Scope and Contents</h5>
<p>This collection, generously provided by Salloum Mokarzel's granddaughter, Helen Hatab Samhan, contains material related to three generations of the Mokarzel family. It consists of: historic and more recent photographs of the Mokarzel brothers and their descendents; articles about the family; journals; and correspondences between members of the family. The collection has a special emphasis on the papers of Mary Mokarzel; these include: correspondences, including Mary Mokarzel's letter drafts and notes; and business papers, particularly relating to the family property in Freike, Lebanon.</p>
Source
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Helen Samhan
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Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Relation
A related resource
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/42"><em>The Syrian World</em></a>
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41"><em>The Syrian Business Directory</em></a>
<a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/53" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian-American Press and Al-Hoda Press</a>
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Collection description written by Claire A. Kempa
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Parts of this collection are restricted due to copyright law as well as restrictions placed by the donor on personal documents.
Document
A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text.
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Paper
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Title
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Draft of Mary Mokarzel's Autobiography
Subject
The topic of the resource
Biographies
Women--Lebanese American
Description
An account of the resource
A copy of a draft of Mary Mokarzel's autobiography. (Folder 2-4-2-13)
Creator
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Mary Mokarzel
Source
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Helen Samhan
Publisher
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Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Date
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Circa 1998
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
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Text/pdf
Language
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English
Type
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Text
1990's
Al-Hoda
Biographies
Brooklyn, New York
Cranford, New Jersey
Fares K. Stephen
Helen Kalil Mokarzel
Joseph Sharbel
Lebanon League of Progress
Machghara, Lebanon
Mary Mokarzel
Mokarzel
Naoum Antoun Mokarzel
New Jersey
New Jersey College for Women
New York
Salloum Antoun Mokarzel
Sharbel
The Lebanese American Journal
Yemna Mokarzel
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/4107383c8060d08475a2ae7393ef0882.pdf
d97e4443d993c85ea60228c3e89bb45e
PDF Text
Text
�AL--HODA
1898-1968
The Story of Lebanon and Its Emigrants as taken
from the Newspaper
AI-Hoda
�AL--HODA
1898-1968
The Story of Lebanon and Its Emigrants as taken
from the Newspaper
AI-Hoda
Published by AI-Hocla on the occasion of its Seventieth Anniversary
OMMU
RZEL
�AL-HODA PRESS
NEW YORK, N.Y.
COPYRIGHT,1968
SALLOUM MOKARZEL
�Naoum Mokarzel, second from right, seated with Daoud Ammoun second from left seated and
other members of the Delegation from Lebanon at a Paris Peace Conference, 1919.
�CHAPTER I
The Early Years of Naoum Mokarzel
Before emigrating to the United States, Naoum Mokarzel the
founder, first publisher and editor of AI-Hoda (The Guidance), and, eventually, the most distinguished Arabic newspaper publisher, never considered journalism as a career. In
school, his main interests were literature and teaching.
He
had studied Arabic and French at the famous "AI Hikmat"
school in Beirut under the tutelage of the renowned Sheikh
Abdullah Al Bustani and completed his education at the
Jesuit College.
Upon graduation, he taught literature for one year at the
Jesuit College in Cairo before being stricken by illness. He
returned to his birthplace, Al Freike, in Lebanon, where he
established a boarding school. Two years later in 1890. he
set out for the United States with a cousin. They had formed
a business partnership and, on their way. they stopped in
Paris to buy merchandise.
Upon their arrival in New York.
they opened a store. which was a quick failure. Having lost
his capital, Naoum Mokarzel became a French teacher at a
Jesuit school in New York. Later. he worked as bookkeeper
for several business concerns.
These experiences were to
provide him with knowledge. experience and training that
were important to his ultimate success as a publisher.
During his tenure as a bookkeeper. he published his first
newspaper. Al Asr, which was printed on gelatin mats. It was
the second Arabic newspaper to be published in the United
States, Kowkab America having been the first. He .soon
abandoned' Al Asr and journalism to study medicine.
But
after two years at medical school and with only one more
year left for his degree, he once again felt the lure of journalism. It was a lasting decision. He left medical school and
founded AI-Hoda on February 22. 1898 in Philadelphia.
AI-Hoda's plant was small, consisting of a few sets of type
�imported from Egypt. a small old fashioned press and a commercial press.
At first it was only a few pages. but the
following year it became an eight-page tabloid with two and
then three-column pages.
For the next four years. the
publisher wrote. edited. made up, and printed his own paper.
He kept his own books and did his own billing. It was almost
entirely a one-man operation; he had an assistant who did
addressing and mailing.
At that time, type was laboriously set by hand and two
or three typsetters were needed to get out the newspaper.
Later. in 1910. Naoum's brother. Salloum Mokarzel. conceived
the idea of adapting the linotype to Arabic. which he did for
the Mergenthaler Linotype Company.
AI-Hoda became the
first newspaper to acquire such a machine. Consequently. he
was then able to expand AI-Hoda to eight standard-size
pages.
When Naoum Mokarzel first published AI-Hoda, literature
and culture were the least of the immigrants' concerns. Many
could not even read and write, and those who could had
little understanding
or contact with Arabic literature.
They
had neither the social circumstances nor the financial means.
As a result. only a few were ready or abie to follow the
Arabic literature.
But above all. the immigrant's primary
concern was finding the right goods to sell and the right
places to sell them. His goal was to make enough money
in the shortest possible time to return home a little richer
than when he left. It was in an atmosphere far removed
from literature and culture that Naoum Mokarzel published
AI-Hoda, with remarkable courage and determination.
The first issue of AI-Hoda on February 22. 1898. carried a
front-page editorial stating the purposes of the newspaper and
its publisher's determined sense of duty and patriotism. These
were the primary motives which had moved young Naoum
to take up journalism as a profession. It was the way to serve
his people and his country. That first editorial said:
Many might wonder whether the policy of this newspaper is pro-Ottoman, pro-Russian, pro-British, or proFrench. But our answer is that our policy is one of re-
form in our country. Lebanon, of which we are very
proud, and one of services, without hypocrisy, to friends
and without fear from enen.ies, because we do not serve
individuals but the public. He who has truth on his side
will always prevail.
This short. concise paragraph summed up the North Star
which guided Naoum throughout his journalistic life. His
heart. his mind. and all his efforts were devoted to the service
of Lebanon.
Though AI-Hocla's setting was culturally anemic. and devoid of Arabic literature. the land from which the immigrants
came was filled with ferment.
Writers were expressing
themselves freely without fear of repression and their readers.
great and small, regarded those writers with esteem. They
were looked upon as leaders.
AI-Hoda's publisher woke up each morning in Philadelphia
within sight of the Liberty Bell, which was also only a short
distance from his office. This symbol of freedom had a
dramatic effect upon him and it was a fitting symbol. He
edwcrys said what he thought to be the truth. regardless of
whom it pleased or displeased, as he pursued reforms in
Lebanon with his editorials.
He wanted his small. beloved
country to enjoy the same level of freedom as the United
States. In reply to an editorial attack on Lebanon in Cairo's
AI-Saltanat
newspaper,
Naoum epitomized his pride in
Lebanon and its people when he wrote in AI-Hoda: "We
couldn't have conceived thai. the publisher of AI-Saltanat
would go to such excesses in attacking Lebanon by accusing
its people of malice in his sick editorial. Had this man known
that in Lebanon there are great men of knowledge and wisdom. compared to whom he is mediocre and insignificant. he
would have renounced his lies, arrogance and ignorance."
But Naoum did not only engage in argument with the
enemies of Lebanon. He spent much time and effort accomplishing the goals for which AI-Hoda was established: uniting
the Lebanese
immigrants, pooling their efforts, and guiding
'them toward the service of Lebanon and the defense of its
ights which the Ottomans were violating. At the end of
3
2
�AI-Hoda's first year, he conducted a campaign for the independence of the postal service in Lebanon. It was a vital
campaign for immigrants who were concerned about mail that
constituted their sole personal link with home and, also,
contained much needed remittances for their families in the
old country,
"We can't understand," he wrote, "why the Lebanese
people do not force their governor to comply faithfully with
the Lebanese statute? Haven't their fathers shed rivers of
blood for the realization of this dear wish?" He continued
to admonish the governor for his disregard of the statute and
called upon the administrative Council of Lebanon, "as the
representative of the people, to demand that the postal
services be independent so that the immigrants might feel that
their mail was secure and the funds which they sent to their
families were safe".
He began AI-Hoda's third year by campaigning for new
harbors in Lebanon; in Jounieh and other towns, so that those
who were leaving ~rreturning to Lebanon be spared the ruthlessness and dishonesty of Beirut's harbor authorities.
These campaigns, however, did not have the impact that
Naoum had sought. They did not produce the awakening.
which he had anticipated, mainly because his circulation of
only a few hundred copies was centered around the cities.
The bulk of the Lebanese immigrants, moving about the
country to sell their wares, could not easlly be reached.
CHAPTER II
COMMITMENT TO LEBANON
After AI-Hoda's initial phase, the way ahead became clear
for Naoum. To make an impact required a widespread
audience among the Lebanese immigrants and therefore his
platform, AI-Hoda, needed widespread circulation. To achieve
his primary goal of serving Lebanon, of moving it toward
freedom, independence and progress, he had to increase the
4
appeal of the newspaper. This, he set about doing.
He began with the hunger of the immigrants for news about
the old country. He had seen their strong emotional reactions
when a letter arrived from a parent, a friend or just anyone
left behind. Sometimes a single letter to one immigrant
contained the news of an entire village and was read by
many people who had come from the same village. The immigrants would' gather in some poorly-lit room to read the
letter over and over again with sadness and emotion. Each
listener longed for his familiar village, for an evening with
his friends around a blazing fire in the winter, or for the
"dabke" on the roof on a warm summer night.
To fill the hunger for news from the old country, Naoum
recruited special correspondents from all over Lebanon. .He
hired these correspondents in Beirut, Tripoli, Iounieh
Baabda Baabdat and northern Lebanon to cover all events,
social end political. Every single issue of AI-Hoda carried
special dispatches from Lebanon. Gradually, Al-!10dc:
became the exclusive source of Lebanese news for all immigrants.
.
.
Yet, despite considerable headway, PhiladelphIa fOlle~ to
provide a proper springboard for lau~ching AI-Hoda mto
national prominence. New York. which had the largest
concentration of immigrants, was far more promising. Thus,
in 1903,Naoum moved AI-Hoda to New York and began publishing it daily in four tabloid-size pages. Th~ newspaper
continued as a daily until 1963-the oldest Arobic newspaper
in the New World.
Naoum spent considerable time, effort and money improving his newspaper. Soon he was able to incre.ase itsfo~r
pages from tabloid size to standard size. Typsettmg was still
done by hand, requiring two or three typsette~s. But ~xpense
did not matter to Naoum; his motto was: We will keep
improving as long as you are interested."
.
Compared with its Philadelphia pressroom WhIChhad only
a few sets of type and two old-fashioned presses, AI-Ho~a
now had the best Arabic pressroom in the world. No ArabIC
newspaper had comparable equipment, for Naoum was
5
�•
extravagant in equifpir!q his New York pres:.:;ro:;m.He bought
set after set of type from Mergenthaler, and machine after
machine of the best quality. When Model 14 was newly
brought out, he immediately bought two more machines; this
model allowed the use of three different sets of type at one
time. Among the more modern machines in Ai-Hocla's pressroom was a press which used rolls of newsprint instead of
sheets, producing from 4,000 copies an hour; a casting
machine to make cuts out of heat-resistant mats to reproduce
news photos; electric saws to cut metal; a furnace to melt 500
pounds of lead, and commercial presses. Typographically, it
was the world's first Arabic newspaper to follow the style of
American newspapers in writing headlines and makeup.
Thus, Ai-Hocla settled in New York, publishing weekly, then
daily, full of news from its correspondents, with columns,
editorials, poetry, science, politics. The material was either
specially written or translated for Ai-Hocla. In the world of
Arabic journalism, AiBocla was the apogee and the Mokarzel
name soon was a household word among the immigrants.
Requests for subscriptions came from every corner of the
country; even some who could not read subscribed to
AI-Hocla and had someone read it to them.
When Naoum found that AI-Hocla was established and
secure, he entrusted his brother, Salloum, with its management and toured the United States to urge the cause of
Lebanese nationalism.
He called upon the immigrants to
believe in and support the full independence of Lebanon. His
fame had preceded him almost everywhere.
Wherever he
went, the immigrants
responded
with enthusiasm
and
encouraged his crusade for Lebanon.
Having aroused the
Lebanese in the United States, he proceeded to Mexico with
similar Success among the immigrants. He soon built a strong
following which found his ideas, his words and his leadership
a rallying point on behalf of Lebanon.
His trip lasted some eight months, during which time the
newspaper did not miss a single deadline under the direction
of Salloum. Greatly impressed by his brother's handling of
AI-Hocla, Naoum wrote many
ditorials praising him. Upon
his return, Naoum resumed his editorial campaigning as he
called again for the independence of the postal services in
Lebanon and the establishment of a free port. He wrote
many editorials on these subjects and admonished
the
Governor General of Lebanon for violating the Lebanese
statute. But he realized that editorials alone were not enough.
He needed, in addition, concrete support from the immigrants,
represented by an organization which could speak in their
name.
Dispersed throughout the country with no organized bond,
the immigrants' ideas of reforms were blurred and disordered.
Naoum's
personal
leadership,
though
far-reaching
and
effective, needed an organization.
Therefore, he wanted to
form a national political organization which would group the
immigrants together in the service of Lebanon. His goal was
to include all the nationalist elements that believed in
Lebanon's sovereignty and independence.
The organization's
headquarters
would be in New York and it would have
branches throughout the United States and in every country
with a Lebanese community.
At hand was an issue around which to rally the Lebanese
immigrants as a first step. In the first decade of this cen:ury,
American courts refused to grant United States citizenship to
Syrian and Lebanese immigrants on the ground th~t the,Y
were "non-white Asians unworthy of becoming Amencans .
This shocked Syrian and Lebanese immigrants who considere.d
the court's ruling incredible.
Naoum decided to put hIS
leadership to the test on this issue. He invited th.e l~aders
of the Syrian and Lebanese communities to a meetmg m the
offices of AIBoda to discuss the naturalization situation. A
committee, "Freedom of Immigration," was formed in order
to pursue the right of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants ~oU. S.
citizenship.
Naoum went to Washington, D. C.,. at ~IS 0:wn
expense several times, meeting with judicial and immiqrcrtion
officials. Months later, he was able to persuade U.S. officials
that the Syrians and Lebanese were Caucasians and, therefore, eligible for citizenship.
.
Meanwhile, Lebanese immigrants were increasmg both in
6
7
�quantity and quality. The earlier immigrants had already
established themselves as respected and useful members of
their communities and the newly-arrived found the older
generation an inspiring example. A Lebanese community
was beginning to emerge in the United States with both
political and personal concerns for the homeland. The immigrants sought political reform in Lebanon as they also
strove to improve the economic situation by regularly sending
funds to their relatives. An intellectual and political awakening among the Lebanese immigrants was energized by the
great efforts of Naoum Mokarzel and his journalistic campaign to stimulate a sense of responsibility and pride in their
homeland.
Naoum rejoiced in the fruits of his journalistic enterprise,
AI-Hoda, as it aroused Lebanese nationalism and loyalty
among the immigrants. After all, this was his primary purpose in founding the newspaper. It was inevitable that the
leaders of the Lebanese community and its intellectuals
recognized Naoum's contribution to Lebanese awareness. As
they supported him, he became the symbol of Lebanese
nationalism.
CHAPTER III
THE LEBANON LEAGUE OF PROGRESS
Developments in Constantinople impelled Naoum to move
quickly to form an organization called the "Lebanese
Union". Though it would be short-lived, this organization
was to become the forerunner of a more lasting group, "The
Lebanon League of Progress". It was in keeping with his
major objective of uniting all Lehanese and mobilizing their
efforts on hehalf of political reform in Lebanon.
To form the "Lebanese Union," Naoum invited the leaders
of the New York and neighboring communities to a general
meeting to discuss establishment of a political organization
concerned with fostering reforms in Lebanon. At that meeting
the "Lebanese Union" was formed, with statutes similar to
its successor organization, "The Lebanese League of Progress".
The "Lebanese Union" did not last long, perhaps because of
the speed with which it was organized and its resemblance to
a sectarian or religious society rather than to an organization
of supporters of Lebanese freedom and independence.
A major reason for the quick formation of the "Lebanese
Union" was Naoum's fear for the rights of Lebanon, following
political changes in Constantinople. These changes were
misinterpreted in Lebanon as ushering in a new Ottoman era
of freedom and dignity for every nation. Naoum's fears were
increased when the Ottoman delegate, Hussein Salahuldin
Bey, visited the Maronite Patriarch, at his see in Diman, to
persuade him to send Lebanese representatives to the Ottoman National Assembly. The reception for the delegate
substantiated Naoum's fears. Naoum saw the delegate's
requests as a flagrant violation of the rights of Lebanon. He
then wrote in AI-Hoda a widely-known editorial warning those
Lebanese who had agreed with the Ottoman delegate.
However, some members of the Lebanese Administrative
Council remained pro-Ottoman and hoped to send Lebanese
representatives to the Assembly in Constantinople. Deceived
by the Turks and their promises. they were unaware of the
traps being set by the Ottomans. Naoum proceeded to expose
the Ottomans and alert the Lebanese to the imminent dangers.
He appointed a special correspondent in Constantinople, Mr.
Ibrahim Salim Najjar, to observe and report to AI-Hoda the
secret plans of the Turks against Lebanon.
Mr. Najjar did an unsurpassed job of exposing the real
intention of the Ottomans and their plan to absorb all the
ethnic entities of the Ottoman Empire, particularly the Arabs.
In his first dispatch. Mr. Najjar documented fears for the
rights of Lebanon with factual information on the Ottoman
design to engulf the country. He confirmed Naoum's recognition of Turkish hypocrisy and his suspicion of their official
statements concerning Lebanon. He also praised Naoum and
the "Lebanese Union": "I was happy to know that you have
formed the 'Lebanese Union Society' for the defense of
9
o
�Lebanon in these difficult times. Our country is in great need
of it. It is not surprising that you should support this patriotic
project and defend Lebanon and become its real strength,
since it is you who has rallied a great number of true
Lebanese nationalists around your newspaper."
In his second dispatch, Mr. Najjar warned of Turkish
aggression. Naoum had already learned from his correspondents in Lebanon that the Turks were about to disarm
the Lebanese. This induced him to write a series of fiery
editorials in which he said: "Every Lebanese knows that
Lebanon's rights and boundaries are violated, that its laws,
harbors, industries, minerals, factories and commerce are not
free. It is like a prisoner who is neither given food nor
allowed to bring it in from the outside." In another editorial
entitled "Today Albania, Tomorrow Lebanon," he said: "Today the Turkish horses step over the land of the Albanians. Tomorrow they will step over the Lebanese churches, unless the
Lebanese protect their rights which are identical to those of
the Albanians."
In 1910-1911,the Turks used every possible means, legal
and illegal, to absorb the ethnic entities. They made every
effort to lure Lebanese leaders, through propaganda and
other means, into sending Lebanese representatives to the
National Assembly and to participate in the great awakening
of "Freedom, Fraternity and Equality" for which the Turks
pretended to stand. In the face of this danger, Naoum warned
the Lebanese of the Ottoman trap to destroy Lebanon's
rights, especially since the Turks had now tried to draft
Lebanese young men into the Turkish Army. He also called
upon France to carry out its responsibility for guaranteeing
Lebanese autonomy.
However, since the Lebanese Union did not fully represent
all Lebanese, the need arose for another, more representative
organization in the face of the growing Ottoman menace in
Lebanon.
Naoum summoned his correspondent from
Constantinople to report personally to the immigrants on the
dangers facing Lebanon. Naoum knew that this would help
promote a new and more effective organization to defend
)0
Lebanon's rights.
After Mr. Najjar's arrival in early August, 1911, Naoum
held a reception for him and invited the leaders of the
Lebanese communities. Many speeches were made clarifying Lebanese-Turkish politics and Mr. Najjar set forth the
designs of the Ottomans. Before the reception was over, everyone agreed to form a new organization to defend Lebanon's
rights and foster political reforms in Lebanon. Naoum also
invited Mr. Najjar to address the immigrants throughout the
United States through the editorial poges of AI-Hoda. In the
course of this campaign, he wrote an aritcle entitled: "Clarification of Purposes," in which he said:
"The Ottoman constitution was proclaimed three years
ago, and Lebanon has rights and prerogatives which
were guaranteed by the Big Powers. The Ottomans tried
to abolish these rights, but they have failed . . . Since
a new governor is to be appointed next year, the
Lebanese face two dangers which they must resist. They
are urged to demand the implementation of their rights
which no one can dispute, includinq a new port under
their own control. The present blockade is ample proof
of the intention of the Ottomans to resist progress in
Lebanon and forestall nationalist sentiment. The
Lebanon League of Progress has three objectives: first,
to defend the rights of Lebanon; second, to insure the
establishment of a Lebanese port; third, to promote its
development."
That was the first time the Lebanon League of Progress was
mentioned anywhere. Naoum, 'who had conceived the idea,
became its brain, its right arm, and its inspiration. It became
an organization that played a vital role in Lebanese politics
and in the struggle for independence and territorial integrity.
Europe was at that time divided into two camps: ~nei ~ncluding Britain, France and Russia, constituted the Tripartite
Alliance; the other, including Germany, Austria and Italy,
was called the Tripartite Coalition. As the conflict between
the two blocs moved them toward World War I, Britain sought
to attract Turkey with its strategic position. Germany
11
�counte:ed ~i~h its Own attempts to attract Turkey. Naoum
found in this mternational situation a danger to Lebanon.
As to France, Naoum's belief was unshaken that she was
the o~y country Upon which Lebanon could depend. For
centurIes, France was the. protector of Lebanon in times of
danger. But he also realized that in international politics
nati~~al self-interest took precedence over friendship and
tradItIon.. France might not raise great objections if
!urkey :lOlated the rights of Lebanon, in view of the explosive
mterrtahonal situation.
. Thus Naoum warned the Lebanese everywhere neither to
gIve up the fight nor to depend upon friendship alone. He
asked them to unite so that the entire world would hear their
voice. This single, strong voice made it imperative to form
a political organization which would represent all the
Lebanese. Thus the Lebanon League of Progress was bornout of concern and out of determination to defend Lebanon
against all dangers.
At the same time as news of the establishment of the
Lebanon Lec;::gueof Progress reached the Lebanese communities, hostilities broke out between Italy and Turkey, and
Italy occupied Libya. Naoum's concern grew greater for
Lebanon when Britain denounced Italy's aggression against
Turkey and accused Germany of manipulating the entire
situation. This British position was designed to lure Turkey into the Alliance. Germany, on the other hand, had
b~g~n to show greater interest in Turkey in order to prevent
Bntmn from capitalizing on the situation. Thus Britain and
Germany competed for the friendship of TUrkey.
Naoum feared that Lebanon might become a sacrificial
lamb to Turkey. He expected the Turks to take advantage of
the international situation to destroy Lebafionis independence
unless the LebanesQ look drastic measures to resist Turkish
aggression. He realized that his newly-established League
of Progress-with branches in Paris, Marseilles, Egypt and
Lebanon-had
to resist Turkish aggression and expose
Turkish designs by spreading into all the Lebanese communities overseas. To carry this out, he left on a tour of the
I
12
United States to form new branches for the League. Within
only a few weeks he was able to establish more than fifty
branches throughout the United States. and many branches
in Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Colombia, Costa
Rica and other Latin American countries. All branches were
directed from the central organization in New York.which was
headed by Naoum.
When he returned to New York, he was optimistic about
the contribution the League of Progress could make to protect
Lebanon's rights. As soon as he learned of renewed attempts
to draft Lebanese into the Turkish army, he called for a
general meeting of the League. As a result, a cable was sent
to the Administrative Council of Lebanon denouncing the
drafting of the Lebanese as a violation of the Lebanese statute
and the resolution of the state's Supreme Council. The cable
read:
"To the Administrative Council of Lebanon: The
Lebanon League of Progress has held a formal meeting
in which it has decided to protest against the drafting
of Lebanese into the Ottoman army. In its name and
in the name of the Free Sons of the Mountain, it presents
its formal protest hereby and requests that the Administrative Council take all orderly steps to preserve the
rights of Lebanon and those of its sons according to its
statute."
In Turkey itself there was a reaction to the cable of the
Lebanon League of Progress. The major newspapers in
Constantinople published many columns about the League
and its branches as well as about its goals. Among those
newspapers, the French language "[eune Turque" received a
dispatch from its Paris correspondent that the League of
Progress in Paris. in conjunction with its head office in New
York, would present to France as the government guaranteeing Lebanese independence the following requests: I) the
building of a new port, 2) the increase in the number of
gendarmes as well as the income of the Lebanese government. 3) the amendment of Lebanese legislation concerninq
the economy and 4) the settlement of the draft question.
13
�Early, in 1912, Naoum decided in conjunction with the
League s branches in Paris and Egypt to form a delegation
to meet the French Prime Minister, Mr. Point carre, in the name
of the Lebanon League of Progress. The delegation presented
the. wishes of Lebanese people and requested concrete French
aS~Istance in instituting much needed reforms. After the his~onc ~eeting, Khairallah Khairallah sent a cable to Naoum
In which he said:
"The delegation of the Lebanon League of
Progress representing the League in Paris, Egypt and New
York met with the Prime Minister of France and the President
of ~rance and expounded to them the Lebanese program for
which the League was established.
The League awaits a
letter from you."
Among those in the delegation were Shukri Ghanim
Khairallah Khairallah and Daoud Ammoun. Shukri Ghani~
delivered a speech before the President of France in which
he said:
"The system which was good for Lebanon in 1860
cannot be good for Lebanon in 1912, since Lebanon has ere~ompTished a great degree of progress:;
This had great
~mp.act upon the French president who promised to help
instituta reforms in Lebanon.
CHAPTER IV
OTTOMAN TACTICS
In the years immediately preceding World War 1, Naoum
and his followers among the Lebanese immigrants were confronted with fhe stalling tactics of the Turks in instituting
needed reforms in Lebanon. It was necessary to maintain
surveillance, to watch over the situation and to act in responss to a changing situation.
Naoum sought to counteract the persuasive efforts of the
Turks in their dealing with the ambassadors of the government guaranteeing
the independence of Lebanon.
Naoum
cabled these ambassadors
in the name of the League of
Progress, urging them to intervene to bring about the reforms
14
and reminding them that the Lebanese refused to modify
demands which they considered vital to the development of
their country. Soon after this cable was sent, the correspondents of AI-Hoda in Constantinople reported: "The ambassadors have met with High Porte and presented new
proposals concerning reforms in Lebanon, stating frankly that
they could not tolerate more delays.
This made an impact
upon the High Porte."
Later, Shukri Ghanim in Paris cabled Naoum:
"We have
been granted our demands to build two ports in Mount
Lebanon.
We still have to pursue other demands."
They
consisted of cidding two new members to the Administrative
Council, one Maronite from Deir Al Kamar and one Druze
from Al Shou£. The Administrative Council, in turn, was authorized to supervise the budget, increase the Lebanese army
to one thousand two hundred men, and abolish the Turkish
annual subsidies which had not been honored by Turkey in
previous years. Electoral procedures were also reformed so
that the Administrative Council would be elected by popular
vote. Each one hundred citizens would elect a representative,
who would vote on a candidate.
Furthermore, the Lebanese
courts were authorized to review commercial suits.
The
French newspaper "Le Temps" wrote an editorial praising the
League of Progress for its accomplishment.
When the first wave of optimism had waned, the Syrian
leaders realized that the "new" regime in Constantinople was
the same as the old one. It did not intend to carry out any
reforms in the Arab world.
Leading Syrians decided to
establish the Decentralization Party in Beirut to pursue reforms
by convincing the Turks that they were necessary in Syria.
(Footnote: Syriu: The name Syria was loosely applied to the Ot.
toman Empire provinces in the Near East. except Egypt and the
Arabian Peninsula.
Even though this included Lebanon. Lebanon
had its own autonomy, protected and guaranteed by six European
powers: England, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Czarist Russia)
under a Christian chancellor sent by Constantinople government.
Lebanon had its own house of Representatives, special privileges
for internal affairs, the agreement violated only by the govrnment
of Constantinople during the First World War.)
15
�But the Ottoman government ordered the governor of Beirut
to outlaw the new party.
Party leaders then protested to all the consuls in Beirut, but
to no avail.
As a result, this repressive action induced the
party to form a branch In Cairo where it enjoyed a new freedom under the British occupation.
In the spring of 1913, the
party decided to hold a convention in Paris to which all the
Syrian and Lebanese leaders were invited. On June 1, 1913,
Naoum received a cable from Rafik Azm, the chairman of the
Cairo branch of the party, inviting him to participate in the
convention. "We would be happy if you joined us in the
Arab Conference in Paris," the cable read.
When Naoum called a general meeting of the League of
Progress to discuss the cable, the League unanimously
decided to accept the invitation and Naoum was selected as
its representative.
On June 7, the League gave a reception
to honor the departing chairman on the day before he left for
the historic Paris conference, which included Abdul Hamid
Zchrcwi, its chairman, Iskandar Ammoun, Nadra Mutran,
Charles Dabbas, Shukri Ghanim, Awni Abdul Hadi, Abdul
Ghani Arissi, [omil Mardam, Ahmad Mukhtar Bayhum, Salim
Ali Salam, Albert Sursuk, Khalil Zeinie, and Ayoub Tabet.
The New York Times reported Naoum's departure on June 8:
"Naoum Mokarzel. publisher of New York's Arabic daily
newspaper, AI-Hoda, left for Paris aboard the Oceanic to attend the Syrian Arab Conference which will open on June
16th.
"The purpose of this Conference is to decide what is to be
done in case the Ottoman government refuses to give autonomy to Syria.
It is reported that Naoum Mokarzel is the
Chairman of the Lebanon League of Progress, a political association with headquarters
in New York and branches in
other cities. The Conference which the chairman of the
League is going to attend is very important because it represents the Moslems as well as the Christians."
At its first meeting on June 18, fhe Conference heard
speeches by Nadra Mutran, Abduf Hamid Zahrawi, Charles
Dabbas, Ahmad Mukhtar Beyhum, and Shukri Ghanim.
It
16
held its final meeting on June -23, in which the deman~s of
the Lebanese were discussed heatedly.
Naoum w~s dis~ppointed to find that some delegates ignored Lebanon s ospirotion for independence
and reform and that the confere~ce
was being exploited in a manner that had nothing to do WIth
Lebanon, although many delegates were Lebanese.
He rose
to the defense of Lebanon and when asked what were the
immigrants'
demands, he replied:
"The independe~ce
of
Lebanon, its customs, postal services and the annexatIon of
the Bekaa."
Thus the Syrian Conference ended in Paris without advantage for Lebanon. When Naoum learned that hidden designs
were contemplated against Lebanon, he decided to_rally th:
Lebanese alone. Before leaving Paris, he agreed WIth Shukn
Ghanim and Iskandar Ammoun to hold a Lebanese Conference. It was held June 27 in Paris. Here is the French press
account
of what' happened:
"The Lebanese Association met in Paris on June. 27
under the chairmanship of Shukri Ghanim. The meetmg
was att~nded by Iskandar Ammoun, President of the
Lebanon League of Progress in Cairo, by Naoum
Mokarzel, President-of the Lebanon League in New Yor;
and by many representatives
of the League fro
America and Africa. It was resolved to inform the
signatories of the protocol of Mount Lebanon of the
following:
.
"First it opposes all efforts toward dissolvmg the
1
,
d
it
11 the
AdIninistrative
Council of Lebanon
espi e a
guarantees
of its independence
embodied in the Inter-
national Protocol of December, 1912.
"Second, it opposes the levy of new taxes upon the
Mountain as a means of balancing
the bu~get of
Lebanon because
the High Porte has promised to
balance
the budget through applicable
international
agreements.
The Lebanese organization, when pre~e~ting these objections, only reiterate~, what the Administrative Council has already stated.
The Lebanon League of Progress also received a message
17
�from Abdul Hamid Zahrawi as follows:
"Venerable Gentlemen, President and Members of the
Lebanon League of Progress, New York. Greetings and
respect. It was a joyous occasion to share with you and
your brethren the activities of the Arab Syrian Conference in which you demonstrated your depth of feeling
by attending it. We must say that the Conference was
enhanced by the presence of Mr. Naoum Mokarzel,
publisher of Al-Hoda. All of us here have decided to
present our thanks to you. In this letter I express my
own appreciation and that of all of us. Please accept
our sincere greetings and respect.
May God preserve
you."
Upon his return from Paris, Naoum realized that his original
goals of protecting Lebanon's rights and instituting reforms
were no longer enough to insure Lebanon's progress.
International developments required that new and greater steps
be taken. Moreover, the rights conceded to Lebanon by the
O.ttoman government and guaranteed by six European countnes no longer satisfied militant and progressive Lebanese.
Naoum decided to escalate his demands to a call for full
independence, the appointment of consuls and ambassadors
and the restoration of Lebcmon's flag. He saw the weakness
wi~ which the Ottoman fought the Balkan War as an opportumty to settle the Lebanese
question by proclaiming
independence.
Naoum expressed his ideas in a lengthy report on behalf
of the Lebanon League of 'Progress, in which he wrote: "The
six governments guaranteeing the independence of Lebanon
must be asked to appoint a foreign prince 'Over Lebanon,
whose goals must be similar to ours, whose interests are like
ours, and whose language and that of his children be ours.
Lebanon should be entitled to the same treatment as Rumania,
Bulgaria, Greece and Albania. We should insist that the flag
of Lebanon be restored, for every independent country has a
flag except Lebanon which had enjoyed a great degree of
independence in the past. Lebanon must be allowed to extend
its original borders, between' the Quasimiya and the Orontes
18
Rivers, under its illustrious princes.
These borders include
the cities of Beirut, Tripoli. Sidon and all the surrounding
plains. In this respect the Lebanese would not be expanding
but retaining their original territories which had been taken
from them.
"We should demand the return of the customs and postal
services to Lebanon, because the (Ottoman)
state had
guaranteed those services but did not fulfill the terms of its
pledge.
Nor did it compensate Lebanon for what is hers.
Since the owner can always reclaim his lost or stolen
property, so should Lebanon regain those services. "! e
should demand the appointment of a Lebanese representatl~e
in Europe to defend its rights and be responsible only to SIX
governments guaranteeing the independence of Lebanon, to
negotiate with their ministers of foreign affairs and to name
Lebanese consuls in all areas where there are Lebanese
immigrants."
But while Naoum planned and deliberated, World War I
broke out in Europe among the six guarantor governments
and it became increasingly difficult to pursue his goals. ~e
reassessed his strategy since it was unwise to antagomze
Turkey when the six governments guaranteein.g Lebane~e
independence were fighting one another and seekmg Turkey s
friendship.
Meanwhile,
reports
reached
Naoum
from
Constantinople, Cairo, Beirut and greater Lebanon that t~e
Turks were preparing to violate the rights of Lebanon whIle
the six governments, busy fighting one another, would be
unable to intervene successfully.
Naoum sent a letter in the name of the Lebanon League of
Progress to the French Ambassador in Washington, Mr. [ossarin, informing him of the dangers threatening Lebanon and
asking him what France intended to do to protect ~ebanon.
After the ambassador replied, Naoum went to Washmgton at
the head of a delegation of the League of Progress to hold
discussions with him on ways and means of protecting the
rights of Lebanon.
19
�CHAPTER V
THE LEAGUE VS. TURKEY
In the spring of 1916 th U
that Syrian Christians
• e b .S. State Department learned
the Maronites were to b:~~ a o.ut to be massacred and that
heard this alarming news. h: ~~l~:~arget.
~s soon as Naoum
League of Progress to c
.d
a meetmg of the Lebanon
to President W'l
onsi ~r appropriate action. An appeal
1 son was decided upon
d
bl
to him stating:
an a ca e was sent
"The disturbing news which h a d
ment, that threatens the Chri t.
r~ached the State Depart.
ns ions m Syria
d L b
especicdly the Maronites
Ith I
an
e anon.
to appeal to you in th • WI
imminent massacre. forces us
influence to rot
e name of Humanity to use your great
late."
•
p ect our unfortunate brethren. before it IS too
Mecnwhile, the Lebanon Lea
cable from the Leag
. Al
gue of Progress received a
.
ue m
excndrkr:
"Leb
..
danger. Hanning and e '1
.
anon IS m great
.,,_
Xl e are spreading
di
Starvation is severe cloimi
accor mg to plan.
Lebanese communit • in ~mmgelght
thousand victims.
The
on
to its sister commu~ities i~P~t~:;
; to work and appeals
prevent the annihilation
f th
an s to take all steps to
the news in the Am'
0
e people of Lebanon.
Spread
.
encas. Ask for help R 1 Th L
in Alexandria."
. ep y.
e ebanese
r
Naoum already knew of the grim situation
H
.
already appealed to th Lb'
e had. m fact.
19 19
e e anese communities on J
• 15. to make contributions through the A
.
Missions.
The League of Progress had
1 d
. mencan
ISSlOns.
a rea y contnbuted g
1
.
.
enerous y.
But no one suspected that th
described by th
bl f e srtuotion was as critical as that
would resort to es:c~ :xt rom Alexandria nor that the Turks
attacked the Turks in hi:e~~t rn.e~sures. Naoum thereupon
from doing so since the b ~ 1 ~na s, after he had abstained
ing them when it E
eqmmnq of the war to avoid provoks uropean protectors were involved in war
on the continent.
In 1916. an American "Committee for the Relief of Syrian
and Lebanese victims" was formed to collect contributions.
It received a cable from Constantinople
through the State
Department describing the terrible conditions under which
Syrian and Lebanese Christians lived. They were reduced
by the Ottomans to eating grass and leaves while at the same
time undergoing .:eligious persecution.
The cable suggested
that something be done to avert death from starvation for
large numbers of Christians.
The Committee had known of massacres. but now it realized
that the greater danger was starvation. Syrian and Lebanese
immigrants had already sent their relatives. through AI-Hoda
alone, $300.000 since the beginning of World War 1. When
other collections were counted. the funds raised by AI-Hoda
exceeded $1.000.000. The Committee. however. suggested that
contributions be made collectively for the aid of all. since
many in Syria and Lebanon had no relatives in the United
States to send them money directly. A delegation from the
Lebanon League of Progress. headed by Salloum Mokarzel.
also went to Washington to discuss the handling of these funds
with the United States Ambassador to Turkey. He assured
them that the funds were speedily remitted to the proper parties without difficulty.
In a series of editorials. Naoum described the crisis in
Syria and Lebanon and urged the immigrants to contribute
more funds.
More than $300.000 was raised and sent to
Lebanon and Syria. In November 1916. Naoum suggested that
contributions for victims in Lebanon be distributed through the
Maronite Patriarch and Rev. Francis Wakim of the Maronite
Church in New York was appointed treasurer of this project.
The Lebanon League of Progress donated $50.000, which was
remitted through the ApostoliC Delegation in Washington. On
March 20. 1917. Naoum organized. in the name of the
Daughters of Lebanon. a bazaar which netted $3.000 that was
also sent to the Maronite Patriarch.
Meanwhile. the Ottoman Turks invaded Lebanon and revoked its rights, justifying their action with the following
21
20
�statement:
"The C?ttoman government, under French pressure, granted
the proVInce of Mount Lebanon an administrative autonomy
which was supported by the Great Powers. Although this
autonomy was the result of the internal situation in 1861 and
not of a binding treaty, and in order to prevent misunderstanding, the Ottoman government found it necessary, in view of
those considerations, to revoke this political situation and install in the said province a government similar to the other
provinces. ,,When Naoum learned of this statement, he called the
Lebanon Legue of Progress Into an emergency meeting. The
result was a protest to the ambassadors of the six guarantor
governments against Turkey's aggression and violation of
International agreements.
The protest read:
"Your excellency.
The Lebanon League of Progress is a
political organization whose purpose it is to work for the good
of Lebanon.
It is honored to present this memorandum to
your government, in the name of thousands of Lebanese
Christians whom we represent, protesting the action of
Turkey, and its usurpation of our rights by occupying
Lebanon through force of arms and revoking current treaties
b~, which. she was bound to respect Lebanon's autonomy.
Ever SInce early history Lebanon has enjoyed a system of
government different from that which applied to the rest of
Syria. After the Islamic conquest, Lebanon became a refuge
for the Christians of Syria who, though persecuted, refused
to convert to Islam. For this reason all the Islamic states
regarded the conquest of Lebanon a religious duty. For seven
centuries the Lebanese repelled the attacks of the neighboring Islamic states, defending their religion. However, they
had lost their independence with the departure of the Crusading Princes during the Ottoman conquest.
. "In ISI6, Sultan Selim I. the Ottoman conqueror of Syria,
Installed the Maanis as princes of Lebanon from Jaffa to
Tripoli. In 1697, the Lebanese elected Prince Bashir Al
Shehabi, a prince over them, replacing Prince Ahmad Maani
whose line became extinct. Thus the Shehabis, like their
predecessors the Maanis, ruled Lebanon enjoying an absolute
sovereignty in the internal affairs of Mount Lebanon, concluding treaties and alliances with other countries. _ The Ottoman
government was content to receive a tax from Lebanon under
both the Maanis and the Shehabis.
However, when the
Egyptians evacuated Syria in 1840, the Turks found it opportune to impose .their sovereignty over Lebanon. For that
end they instigated a civil war between the Christians and
the Moslems of Lebanon which led to the massacre of 1860.
E~ope could not stand by while an entire people was
annihilated because of its religious beliefs and its love of
independence.
France persuaded all of Europe to intervene.
As a' result. a military campaign was conducted by _France,
occupying Lebanon and protecting the Christians.
A conference was then held in Constantinople in June 1861,attended
by the repres.entatives of the nations, and a protocol was
signed to the effect that a new government was to be formed
in Lebanon, and that the Greqt Powers guaranteeing
the
i~dependencl"\ of Lebanon oversee the implementation o~ this
independence which deprived Lebanon of many of the nghts
which she had enjoyed under her princes. Yet a new governmental structure was instituted, free from Ottoman interference,
under the supervision of the .European powers.
"These historic facts prove that Lebanon was never an
Ottoman province in the sense implied by their statement
She has always been autonomous.
_
"Thus, the Turkish government has -occupied Lebanon by
force of arms end annexed her territory despite assurances
to respect Lebanon's independence if the Lebanese re~ained
under Ottomon authority and did not resort to rebelhon or
interfere with Ottoman military operations in Lebanon during
the War. Thus Turkey has broken her word to the Great
Powers guaranteeing the independence of Lebanon and ~as
used armed force anclother extraordinary means to depnve
a defenseless people of their old and sacred rights. W.e submit to overpowering force but we protest and plead to the
neutral nations and to the governments guaranteeing
the
independence of Lebanon to retrieve our rights when the time
22
23
�comes to settle international
differences
"We are honored to be your excellen'cy's servants in the
name of the Lebanon League of Progress. Signed- 'N
Mokarzel."
aoum
The. Embas~ies acknowledged the protest and promised to
refer It to their respective governments
At·
I
I
that f h
.
ypicc rep y was
.0 t e French Ambassador
who wrote to Naoum: "I have
~eceived your letter of the 12th of this month, accompanied
y your protes: against the purposes of the Ottoman Government. as to theIr refusal to recognize the treaties which have
remamed ~or many years the only guaranty
of the safety
of the Synans and the Lebanese.
I did not hesitate for a
moment to relay to my
.
. .
government a copy of your protest
which indicctod clearly that neither Syria nor Lebanon has
eve~ b~~n an Ottoman province in the real sense. There is
no JushfIcatio~ whatsoever for the tyranny which has been
adopted by HIgh Porte."
CHAPTER VI
AL-HODA'S ROLE IN WORLD WAR I
In February, 1917, when the United States declared war
on Germa~y ~nd her allies, AI-Rodo sounded the call for all
Lebanese ~mmigrants to join the battle. It would be a battle
for the Umted States and against Turkey.
The U.S. declaration freed Naoum's pen
Wh
T k
had enter d th
,.
.
en ur ey
.
e
e war on Germany s side, Naoum intensified
hIS espousal ~f. the Allied cause, but he also had to honor the
b?unds of officicl U.S. neutrality.
He realized that a German
y
;Ictor would destroy Lebanese hopes for many generations
urke~ woul.d make Lebanon a Turkish province similar t~
the n~Ighbonng provinces and crush the Lebanese Question.
Bu~ smce Turkey was technically on good terms with the
?mted States, Naoum could not openly call for Lebanon's
mdependence or arouse Turkish animosity
The US d I
ti
f
.
. . ec araIOn 0 war changed this.
24
The voice of AI-Roda resounded in the ears of the immigrants, calling them to volunteer in the war against Turkey
on behalf of the U.S. and Lebanon.
France had already
established a fighting unit called "the Oriental Batallion," and
invited the Syrians and Lebanese to join. This batallion was
to fight in the Levant to regain the lands occupied by Turkey.
Naoum tried in the name of the Lebanon League of Progress
to get the United States government to allow the Syrians and
Lebanese in the U.S. Army to transfer to the French Army in
order to join the Oriental Batallion.
He reasoned that this
would strengthen their demand for the independence
of
Lebanon at the Peace conference.
He went to Washington
and conferred successfully with many officials on the proposal, thereupon writing to the Lebanon League of Progress
from Washington:
"Tell our people the good news. The United States government has agreed to allow us to call for volunteers in the
Oriental Batallion. What's more, all those of our people who
have joined the United States armed forces may transfer to
the Oriental Batallion. Because this great country, with its
devoted men and great ideals, only entered the War in the
support of principles which it wants to carry out in love and
honesty."
AI-Rodo called upon the Lebanese to volunteer in the Oriental Batalion, promising to pay all transportation
to its
headquarters in Bordeaux, France. A great number of young
people responded to Naoum's call but only twenty-five volunteers were able to join because of military and transportation
complications.
In Brazil, however, the number of volunteers
was much greater, eighty-two men joined the Oriental Batallion and were transported to France at the expense of the
Lebanon League of Progress.
What it lacked in numbers,
this effort achieved in significance:
Lebanese immigrants
became directly involved in the war against Turkey.
On May 9, 1917, when the great military hero of the Marne,
Marshal Joffre, visited the United States, accompanied by the
French statesman Viviani, this spirit of the Lebanese immigrants shone in victory as in war. Joffre and Viviani came
25
�to thank American people for their assistance to France and
the entire nation welcomed them. The City of New York
held its reception in the Public Library so all the leaders of
the organizations devoted and linked to France could express
their sentiments.
The Lebanon League of Progress was represented
by Naoum and the League's
staff. Naoum
presented the hero of the Marne with a silver box in which
there were $1,000 in gold coins. Salloum Mokarzel wrote a
description of the reception in AI-Hoda:
"Many memories of that reception might fade away except
that of Marshal Joffre, the hero of the Marne, standing at the
dais in the large room surrounded by his assistants and
guards and by hundreds of those who were happy to meet
him, because last night they were the guests of Joffre. The
invitations were sent out by the French Consul General in
New York. The Lebanon League of Progress had the honor
to be representedorthis
party, where Marshal Joffre and Mr.
Viviani accepted a 'token of love and devotion' from the
Lebanese to Fiance, and to them.
"Marshal Joffre crrived with the City officials and his escort
in uniforms. He stood at the dais and seemed tired, but his
eyes were alert and piercing.
Crowds rushed toward him
with great emotion, and it was difficult for the security people
to control them. Some were as close as a few feet. The
Marshal lifted his arm, attracting everyone's attention and
said: 'Ladies and Gentlemen. I have come here to thank you
for your kind sentiments in the name of France's wounded
and orphaned.
Those great contributions which you have
sent from the United States have alleviated the misery of war.
The United States is forever the receiver of our thanks and
the source of great philanthropy.
I will carry back to France
with me a memory of what I have seen and I shall relate to
the French army your greetings and your love!
"The applause was thunderous and deafening. People tried
again to get closer to the French hero but the security people
controlled them. The French Consul had informed Marshal
Joffre of the gift which the Lebanon League of Progress wished
to present to him. Only one man of the great assembly was
26
chosen to come near the French hero. It was Naoum, who
came forward carrying a silver box in which there were fifty
$20 gold pieces. He told the Marshal it was a token of love
and admiration of all the Lebanese for the Marshal to use
as he wished.
Then he also presented to him and to Mr.
Viviani a ~olid gold fountain pen encrusted with diamonds.
The Marshal received the two gifts and shook hands with
Naoum. It was the hand of the great hero of the Marne; and,
as if expressing the love, devotion and admiration which
every Lebanese held for France, Naoum held the Marshal's
hand and kissed it warmly.
Everyone in the room envied
this privilege, and all the Lebanese could not help but cheer,
from their hearts, in appreciation of the great honor which
was bestowed upon them by the great hero of the Marne who
was worshipped by freedom lovers throughout the world.
"The value of the gift was not in its financial value but in
the feelings which it expressed.
The silver box had a small
golden key and the word 'Joffre' was engraved on top; In
front there was the following engraving:
'A Token from the
Lebanon League of Progress:
"The fountain pens were also engraved-on
the one
presented to Joffre, was this sentence: 'Not all the Lebcnesa
have the courage of Joffre but all their hearts are for him
and for France:
"On the pen presented to Viviani was engraved 'Viviani's
eloquence is rare indeed, but all the Lebanese are as eloquent
when they talk about him and about France:
"Following the party, the two great Frenchmen sent an aide
to the Lebanese Delegation to say: 'Joffre and Viviani feel
that the free Lebanese follow them like the most devoted
Frenchmen.
And many of them were in Verdun.'''
CHAPTER VII
NAOUM AT VERSAILLES
When the victorious allies convened the Conference of Versailles after the war, Naoum urged the immigrants to send
27
�delegates to the Conference and called for the independence
of Lebanon within its natural boundaries. At the outset, he
announced his refusal to undertake such a mission himself,
promising to assist whoever was selected. But his refusal
was not accepted by the Lebanese community; the immigrants insisted that he represent them in Paris. Countless
cables and letters insisted that he go to the Conference.
Naoum relented, going to Pari~ in February 1919. He spent
many months there meeting with dignitaries and discussing
all that was in Lebanon's interest. When the Lebanese dele.
gation arrived from Lebanon, headed by the Maronite
Patriarch, Naoum became a principal aide to him in their
common struggle.
The best summary of Naoum's efforts at the Conference
is found in the daily cables which he sent to the Lebanon
League of Progress. These were published in AI-Hoda and
constitute eloquent testimony to his contribution to the
struggle for Lebanese independence, as is evident in the following selection of these cables:
"Paris, March 17, 1919 - The French Government has
wholeheartedly approved the statute of the Lebanon League
of Progress. It will grant Lebanon independence, a flag of
its own, and protect its borders.
"April 16,- In the name of the Lebanon League of Progress,
I sought and obtained a promise of Lebanon's independence.
"April 17, - Cable the Lebanese in every city and have
them support me. (Long petitions were sent to Naoum from
the United States and were presented by him to the proper
authorities.)
"April 23, - I had a long meeting with Mr. George Picot,
the French High Commissioner, before his return yesterday
to Mount Lebanon. I am delighted to inform the Lebanon
League of Progress that Mr. Picot has assured me that our
goals and principles are identical to his own, and that they
are most sincere and advantageous to Lebanon. The following day he sent to me his aide, Captain Louis Massignon, to
the Hotel Continental to reiterate his happiness with our goals.
I am neither going to Lebanon nor returning to the United
28
States until I accomplish victory or defeat. Do not forget
that many associations and newspapers have sold themselves
( to the enemy). The Lebanese should only have contempt
for them. Those who sell their own principles will also sell
Lebanon.
"May 22, - .The Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited me in
today and informed me that the plan of the Lebanon League
of Progress, which they have been studying for months, has
been fully accepted. I am trying today to present our plan
to the Peace Conference and to the newspapers. Our
independence will be complete. We 'will have no relations
whatsoever with any of our Syrian neighbors except economically. Lebanon therefore, will be fully independent. All civil
servants will be Lebanese except four French advisors who
will help them run the country, and those will conduct themselves as Lebanese and not as foreigners. Do not forget that
this victory is due not only to our efforts alone but mainly to
France's love for Lebanon. Through this French love we
have been able to accomplish what other and more powerful
nations have not been able to accomplish.
"May 27, - I have had the honor of meeting Marshal Joffre
twice. We had a long exchange of ideas and he emphasized
his interest in Lebanon and Syria and approved our plan. He
still remembers the Lebanon League of Progress and its welcome when he visited the United Sfafes. He also remembers
the gifts it presented to him. He has been very kind to accept
from me a whip of pure silver made in Lebanon and a sum
of money to help the orphans and widows of France. He
praised the Lebanon League of Progress and promised to
help us all he can. You cannot imagine how the great men
of France love Lebanon; I am unable to describe their love
for us.
"June 1, - I have been honored by meeting Marshal Ferdinand Foch in his office. He received me very kindly and at
length. He told me we will be victorious. He also stressed
his interest in Lebanon and Syria and told me that glorious
France would never allow atrocities to be committed against
us again. Then he praised the plan of the Lebanon League
29
�of Progress.
He showed as much respect for us as Marshal
Joffre had shown. Madame Foch also honored me with conveying her best wishes to the daughters of Lebanon.
"June 8. - Here is another great man of this century who
supports our demands for freedom and independence
and
appreciates
our struggle.
He is the great Greek reformer
Venezelos.
I met him and he showed great understanding
for our efforts. He told me that Lebanon and Greece are two
sisters. He was ready to render whatever assistance he can.
I shall spend every penny I have for the independence of
Lebanon. In fact. I shall offer my life itself. We want France
alone and none other. I am going to Belgium for a few days
to continue the struggle.
"Brussels. June 10. - A Belgian journalist gave a party for
allied colleagues and I was present.
I had the great honor
of meeting Cardinal Mercier. He is a great nationalist and
this great country remembers his great deeds. I presented
him with a gift of money in the name of the Lebanon League
of Progress to spend on charity.
He accepted it thankfully
and promised to support our plans for our independence.
He
also sent his blessing to the immigrants through the Lebanon
League of Progress.
"Paris, June 21. - I have been to the abdication of Wilhelm
Hohenzollern. Many journalists were present and they all
promised to support our demands.
I went to see the papal
delegate who arrived recently in Paris. After a lengthy discussion I left him convinced more than ever before of the
rightfulness of our nationalist demands. He loves the Lebanese
very much.
We are struggling for the independence
of
Lebanon.
It is necessary to continue the struggle.
France,
of course, has made every promise to grant Lebanon
independence.
The Maronite Patriarch might come to Paris
with Mr. Picot. I am sure he will support the plan of the
Lebanon League of Progress. because this plan is the only
valid plan there is. The greater enemy to our independence
is Prince Faisal who insists that we become fully independent
without any foreign authority. He hopes that because we are
a small country, and if a foreign power is not there to protect
30
us. he will be able
I have had many
Paris. They found
drop of his blood
to annex Lebanon to his father's Kingdom.
encounters with. the Arab delegation in
in me a man who would sacrifice the last
and the .last dollar in his pocket for his
principles.
"Patriarch Rahmani does not want Syria to be divided, but
this policy will not prevail.
Furthermore, this will make
France an enemy of Lebanon's independence.
You see that
I am not writing 'to AI-Hoda because I want to devote all my
time to the service of the Lebanon League of Progress and
011the Lebanese throughout the world.
"June 22, - I have had the honor to meet President Pointccrre
of France. He spoke to me at great length in the presence of
Mr. Pichon. t presented to him the flag of Lebanon which
was designed by the Lebanon League of Progress ( a French
flag with a cedar in the center).
He was very happy to
receive it and complimented my taste. He spoke to me freely
and sincerely about Lebanon and its past miseries and all
the things that the great men of France wish for us and the
way they love us. After talking about the independence
of Lebanon and the political situation, I asked him if he wanted
me to deliver a message from him to the immigrants who
sent me to defend Lebanon .. He' said: 'Tell them that France
will not abandon Lebanon which she loves. She has freed.
Lebanori and she will grant its independence
according to
the wishes of its people and the plan of the Lebanon League
of Progress.'
When I asked him about the forthcoming visit
of the Maronite Patriarch to Paris, he said: 'His Eminence the
Maronite Patriarch and all his entourage are welcome if the
purpose of their visit is to demand the independence
of
Lebanon 'with the exclusive help of France.'
"June 28, - The Peace Conference has proclaimed the
independence
.of Lebanon according
to the plan of the
Lebanon League of Progress and with the help of France.
The Maronite Patriarch vvants to come to Paris to follow the
situation closely, but he has to' wcdt until .MrvPicot is ready
to come. Even though we are independent, we should not
become complacent because grave dangers still threaten
31
�Lebanon from Prince Faisal and England.
telegraphic touch with Lebanon.
We are in constant
"June 28. - The Peace Treaty has just been signed.
I
cable you from the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles where the
Treaty has just been signed.
I have the singular honor of
being the first and only Lebanese who has participated in
this great and historic occasion.
"July IS. - The Maronite Patriarch is coming to Rome and
Paris delegated by a vast majority of the people of Mount
Lebanon.
Lebanese arriving from Lebanon have informed
me that the vast majority of the people there are in accord
with the principles of the Lebanon League of Progress. However. our success remains threatened by the forces opposing
us which are great.
We must sacrifice and continue our
struggle so that we may not lose what we have already
gained.
Prince Faisal is returning to Paris. I have been
asked to remain here until the Patriarch arrives.
I shall do
that.
"August 10. - Very soon the Maronite Patriarch will arrive
in Paris from Rome where he is at present.
The French
government will treat him as the genuine leader of Lebanon.
I have been asked to remain until he arrives. and I will. Sheikh
Joseph Khazen and I are preparing with the help of great
French noblemen the great banquet which will be given in
the Patriarch's honor.
"August 10, - I have had the honor to meet Cardinal Dupuy
who is going next month to Lebanon.
He promised to help
us. The Maronite Patriarch and all the devoted Lebanese
are in full support of the Lebanon League of Progress.
"August 23. - His Eminence Patriarch
Elias Howayek
arrived in Paris accompanied by Bishop Mughabghab.
his
secretaries. the two Archmandrites Maalouf and Shehcb, and
Bishop Shukrallah Khuri, Aghnatios Mubarak. Msgr. Stephen
Duwoihi, Mr. Leon Howayek.
They were greeted at the
train station by representatives
of the French Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. the French Navy. the Cardinal's Secretary,
and a group of clergy and notables. They accompanied the
32
visiting Patriarch to the Hotel Continental where they will stay
until a suitable palace is prepared for them by the French
Government.
They demand the independence
of Grand
Lebanon with the exclusive help of France.
Their principles
are identical to those of the Lebanon League of Progress. I
shall present to the Patriarch the petitions of the immigrants.
"August 26 - At 11:00 o'clock this morning Mr. Pichon
received the Patriarch in the name of the French Government.
Attending were Archbishop Cyrilius Mughabghab.
Bishops
Shukrallah Khuri, Aghnatios Mubarak, Butros Faghali. Msgr.
Stephen Duwaihi, Archmandrite Febrianos Shahadah. Archmandrite Akhwadothios Mcrclouf, Sheikh Joseph Khczen, Dr.
George Somne, Mr. Leon Howayek, Msgr. Emanuel Fanes.
Naoum Mokarzel.
Mr. Pichon confirmed the independence
of Lebanon within its ancient boundaries and exclusive French
supervision according to the plan of the Lebanon League of
Progress."
The most important cable was perhaps the last one which
Naoum sent to New York before his return from Paris. in which
he told the community about the success of his mission. In it.
he said:
"Paris. Sept. 28, - This is the most important cable which
I have ever sent to you and the most pleasing to your hearts.
The Conference has decided to send French troops to replace
British troops in Syria. All of Syria will be under the trusteeship of France.
Grand Lebanon will be independent within
its old boundaries with the exclusive help of France. My sincerest congratulations to the Lebanon League of Progress. to
the Daughters of Lebanon, to His Eminence the Maronite
Patriarch and his entourage. and to all the Lebanese. Marshal
Foch has been the greatest help; to him all our thanks."
CHAPTER VIII
INDEPENDENCE FOR LEBANON
When Naoum left Paris on October
II. it was a matter of
33
�Mission accomplished.
His personal goal, the goal of the
Lebanon League of Progress, the goal of Lebanese immigrants
was achieved.
Lebanon had gained independence.
As soon as Naoum arrived in New York, amidst a thunder.ous welcome from the community, he received a historic letter
from Mr. Pichon, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr.
Pichon complimented him on his efforts in gaining Lebanese
independence and expressed regret that he would not accept
the medal which the French government intended to award
him. Here is the text of this letter:
"Mr. Naoum Mokarezl,
League of Progress.
Dear Sir:
President
of the
Lebanon
I have the honor to inform you of the safe arrival of
all the documents which you have sent to me with your
letter of November 8 and I have read them very carefully.
You certainly know the great and deep love that the
French nation has for the Lebanese who have demonstrated durinq the war the extent of their love for France.
Please be' assured that the wishes of the Lebanon League
of Progress have taken roots in the heart of France.
Please express to the Lebonon "League of Progress
France's thanks and gratitude, and tell them that France
will always defend the rights of th~ Lebanese and their
just demands. I will consider myself very happy to seize
the opportunity to express to you again my feelings of
gratitude and those of my government for the enthusiasm
which you have shown both in America and in France for
your goals and ours. I would have hoped you would
accept the proof of our gratitude.
However, I can praise
the great feelings which have dictated your decision
about the medal which would have pleased all of us
in the French government had you accepted.
'PJease
accept my sincerest respect.
P."
Naoum's refusal of the medal of the Legion of Honor was not
out of disregard for its importance, but because of a higher
loyalty to the welfare of Lebanon. He wanted to feel free to
praise the French administrators when they did well and to
criticize them when they did not.
General
Giroux had proclaimed
the independence
of
Lebanon on the first of September, 1920, in a dramatic ceremony, after the famous battle of Maysaloon. Yet the fears of
the Lebanese were soon aroused again by talk about a union
between Syria and Lebanon.
They were alarmed by news
of the contacts between the French government and the Syrian
leaders after the fall of Faisal. Naoum feared for Lebanon's
independence because of the zeal of some Frenchmen who
wanted to settle differences with Syria at the expense of
Lebanon. He sent cables in the name of the Lebanon League
of Progress to the French President, the French Minister of
Foreign Affairs and to .General Giroux:
"We protest against unity with Syria and insist on full
independence under the exclusive supervision of France."
The French government soon replied to this cable through
the French ambassador in Wcshinqton, who relayed the reply
via the French Consul in New York:
"I have received from the French Ambassador in Washington a reply to your cable to the French Ministry of Foreign
Affairs in which the Lebanon League of Progress and its
branches, over which you preside, protested the unity of Syria
and Lebanon, demanding the full independence of Lebanon
under the French mandate; His Excellency the Ambassador
asked me to answer you and assure you and the Lebanon
League of Progress that the independence of Lebanon is an
established fact, but the unity in question only relates to economic matters which will benefit both countries."
CHAPTER IX
NAOUM IN MEXICO
Early in the summer of 1922, Naoum went to Mexico City
to report to the Lebanese immigrants on what had happened
at the Peace Conference three years earlier and to underline
35
34
�the grave dangers that still threatened Lebanon's independence. He sought to remind them of the need for unity among
all the Lebanese overseas and for their continued support of
Lebanese independance.
Upon his arrival. a memorable banquet was held in his
honor. Poets, singers and orators expressed the sentiments
and the gratitude of the immigrants for his efforts. One of
the most impressive poems was read by Mahboob Khouri
Shartouni, who later wrote a description of the party:
"Early this month a great nationalist descended upon our
capital. He is the great dean of Arab journalism overseas,
Naoum Mokarzel. We had planned to meet him at the train,
but he arrived secretly. The Lebanese rushed to welcome
him. By their welcome they showed how they love him and
support his literary battle against the enemies of Lebanon and
the eccentric clergy.
"Bouffonsaid: 'Style is the man!' If this is so, then I don't
have to say another word about the man and his character
because his writings, which explode like bombs to destroy
the citadels of literary evils, are enough to represent him. But
I saw fit to write about him, since I know that behind his desk
he is a different man from the one his friends know. He is
gentle, easy-going and impressive-looking. He is patient by
experience. If he speaks about his enemies in private, he
mentions their better qualities, as if to prove that the public
campaigns in his newspaper have nothing to do with personalities or venegeance.
"If we considered his journalistic life, we find him angry
and rebellious against silly customs which he is wont to attack
fearlessly. He has so preserved the foundations of the Arabic
language that he does not fear antagonizing even the greatest
authorities so that his language became as beautiful as that
of any of the newspapers in Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and
the whole Arab world. He had coined beautiful Arabic words
for 'telephone, ' 'Communism,' 'moratorium: and many others,
and they have become standard words among young writers.
"I was saddened to see this great Lebanese lion becoming
an American citizen. But even that did not prevent him from
loving his old country. There are his heroic stands in the
service of Lebanon for everyone to see. He has taken his
place among the world's greatest militant nationalists. If
Youssef Bey Karam of Ehden has served the country with his
sword, Naoum has served it with his pen. And he who serves
his country nobly with a pen is as heroic as he who serves
it nobly with a sword.
"Our community knows the position and prestige of our
great visitor. It has honored him in a great banquet where
all our poetic and literary talents converged to praise him.
The master of ceremonies, the great orator, the honorable
friend, Sheik Nassif Fudl, presented the speakers with words
that were like jewels. Then our good compatriot Salim Basha
stood up and dedicated the party to its 'star and moon: using
words as if they were precious diamonds.
"Others then followed in honoring our old country and
AI-Hoda's publisher: Mahboob Khouri Shartouny (a poem),
Elias Haddad, Khalil Daher (poems), Said Harfoush (a
poem), Youssef Helou (a poem), Youssef Ghostee~. (a
speech), Taufic Hassan Shartouny (a poem), Dr. W.Ilham
Neameh (a speech), Sheikh Nassif Fadl (a speech), MIchael
Kaim (a poem), George Raphael Shartouny (a poem), David
Shartouny (a poem), Said Adeeb (a speech), Anton Youssef
Helou (a speech in Spanish),
"After these poems and speeches, the 'star of the party,
publisher of AI-Hoda, stood up and made a beautiful speech
titled 'The Lebanese Flag: He then acknowledged all the
speeches and poems in a manner that please~ everyone.
At 1:00 u.rn. the party came to a close. Naoum s efforts to
establish a branch for the Lebanon League of Progress in
Mexico were successful. All the Lebanese met at the same
club where the party was held and decided to form an organization in the service of Lebanon.
"I am gratified that 1 herd the opportunity to meet the publisher of AI-Hocla,to come into contact with his soul and heart
and to admire his character and politeness. I was happy
with all that. Tomorrow he will return to his ink.well,and I
to the oil well, very much impressed by him!"
37
�CHAPTER X
AL-HODA BECOMES 25 YEARS OLD
In the spring of 1923, when AI-Hoda entered its twenty-fifth
year, the Lebanese community in New York decided to sponsor a silver banquet in honor of its founder, Naoum Mokarzel.
The impetus for the banquet came from leaders in the
community, particularly its business and literary figures. In
their preparations,
they cited the 25-year struggle waged by
the publisher of A1-Hoda for the independence
of Lebanon
and his services to all immigrants.
A committee was formed
and a group of notables invited.
The party was heid on April 7, 1923, at Hotel Bossert in
Brooklyn, with 300 persons attending.
It was a unique affair,
for it was attended by a variety of Lebanese: poets, writers
businessmen, intellectuals, professionals.
It was an impressive moment for Lebanese immigrants, crowned with elegant
poetry and eloquent speeches.
The master of ceremonies
was Joseph Namaan Maiouf. The speakers included Gibr~m
Khalil Gibran, Princess Jamal Helou, Habib Istephan, Prince
Youssef Shidid Abi Al Lamma, Mr. Salloum MokarzeI. Rashid
Ayoub, Dr. Elias Musallam, Dr. Najeeb Barbour, Michel
Niemeh, Melhem Hawi, Abdul Massih Haddad, Nedra Haddad, Assad Milkie, Yakoub Raphael.
Abbas Abishakra,
Alexander Antoun.
At 2:00 a.m. the master of ceremonies had to cancel the
remaining speeches so that Naoum himself could speak. The
words were few and full of gratitude.
Additional evidence of the response elicited by Naoum's
efforts can be found among his private papers. These include
a letter from Madame f'och, wife of the commander of the
Allied forces d.uring the war. She wrote to him as president
of the. Lebanon League of Progress:
"I am most deeply
gratehil for the beautiful gift which you sent me in the name
of the Lebanon League of Progress.
Please be assured that
I shall use this money on works of charity. Those philantropic
organizations which will benefit from your donation will certainly remember you forever.
I have' never forgotten the
generous gifts which you had given me many years ago for
the widows and orphans of France who will always remember you. I have not written to you about this out of politeness.
But now that you have chosen to help them again, I would
like to renew my gratitude for your past and present gifts.
I am very touched that you have chosen to demonstrate your
sympathy in the recent death of my husband, Marshal Foch.
I thank you."
There is also a letter from General Henri Gourant, which
says:
"Sir: I was very pleased and touched when I opened
the little box which you presented to me during my short
and hurried visit. I thank you for the desk set which you have
given me. It has been many years since the Syrian and
Lebanese
committee presented me with a beautiful vase
which bedecks my office at the Invalides.
I thank you again
today as I thanked you before for your new gifts to the Frenchman who had the honor of being the First High Commissioner
in Syria and Lebanon and who will never forget the beautiful
years which he spent there."
CHAPTER XI
LEBANON FACES LOSS OF IDENTITY
Early in 1924, agitation
for unity between
Syria and
Lebanon began to intensify and it was widely reported to
the press of both countries.
Some Syrian leaders employed
propaganda to divide the Lebanese immigrants and to weaken
their determination to keep Lebanon independent. The tactics,
the effort, and the response of AI-Hoda are evident in the
case of Dr. Abdulrahman
Shahbandar,
a leading promoter
of Syrian-Lebanese
unity.
39
38
I'
�Dr. Shahbandar came to the United States in the spring of
1924, convinced that the immigrants were losing their ties to
Lebanon and their devotion to its independence.
As soon as
he arrived in New York, Naoum attacked him in AlBoda,
tracing his strategy and plans from the time he left Damascus.
Naoum also attacked all those who favored Syrian-Lebanese
unity, listing them by name.
He asked the immigrants to
cable the American government asking that Shahbandar be
deported because his presence would create dissension among
the immigrants.
Cables then flooded the American government in response to Naoum's urging and Dr. Shahbandar was
deported.
However, soon after his return to Syria, Prince Shakib Arskm, Nassim Hubeika and Tawfic Al Yazji came to the United
States for the same purpose.
Once again Naoum rose to the
attack, denouncing them in editorials and urging the immigrants to cable the American government asking for their
deportation.
Soon afterwards, the American government put
them under surveillance, preventing them from peddling their
propaganda,
and later deported them.
After the return of Shahbandar,
Arslan, and their companions to Syria, the Druze Revolution broke out against the
French.
At first, the rebels were victorious, pushing the
French into the interior of Lebanon and following them into
Rashaya, Kawkaba, Hasbaya. Marjeyoun and other towns,
pillaging and massacring.
On November 29. 1925, the inhabitants of these areas sent a cable to Naoum:
"The rebels
have committed many atrocities even against women and
children. Twenty thousand people are homeless, and we have
become poor. Help us."
His editorial. "You are Welcome," responded:
"Weare
ready to help the victims in Hasbaya. Rashaya, Kawkaba,
Marjeyoun. and in all the other unfortunate towns and villages
with all our resources."
He promptly formed a committee
under the supervision of the Lebanon League of Progress,
called "The Committee to Help the Lebanese Victims and the
R fugees." In a series of editorials, he urged the immigrants
to contribute generously until they contributed more than half
~o
a million dollars and many bundles of clothing. The community of Detroit produced a play-the
story of Youssef Bey
Karam--and at one bazaar. a picture of Naoum was auctioned
for $500.
Naoum chose a committee of prominent figures in Lebanon
to administer distribution of the aid:
Moussa Bey Nommour,
Speaker
of Parliament. Habib Basha Saad. Sheikh Ibrahim
Munzer. and Prince Fuad Arslan. Both the Lebanese people
and their government were impressed.
The speaker sent a
cable to Naoum. which read: "Parliament has approved in
a roll call vote a motion to compliment the immigrants in the
name of Lebanon for all their humanitarian
deeds and in
particular the Committee to Help the Victims of Lebanon and
its Refugees. Al-Hoda. and the Zahle Committee."
Then in the spring of 1927, news reports indicated Syria
would become a monarchy and would annex Lebanon with
the consent of the mandatory power.
Naoum immediately
sent a cable to the League of Nations in Geneva. Switzerland.
saying:
"The Lebanese in the United States protest making
Lebanon a part of Syria in the name of a unity that only
means the disintegration of the minorities in a larger country
that is not willing to accept democracy and we also protest
against monarchy altogether."
In 1928. Naoum took note of the fact that most Latin American countries still had not recognized the independence
of
Lebanon to the detriment of immigrant interests.
He sent
the Lebanese Parliament a cable urging that the Lebanese
government "persuade France to instruct her representatives
in the United States and Latin America to discuss with them
the independence
of Lebanon and to urge its immediate recognition."
The cable added:
"The occasion is opportune
now, as the Pan-American Conference is being held in Havana.
The movement to encircle the Lebanese is growing
throughout America.
If the Lebanese government does not
want to encourage inmmigration. then the laws preventing
them are debasing and degrading. France can now take advantage of the Conference at Havana to bring up the matter.
Please make every effort for success."
41
�CHAPTER XII
PLANS FOR ECONOMIC
INDEPENDENCE
In 1929, Naoum turned his efforts toward economic
independence for Lebanon, a necessity if political independence were to have full significance.
The Bank of Syria and
Lebanon was his initial target.
An affiliate of the Bank of
Paris and subject to mandate authority, it dominated the economy of Lebanon and all its financial affairs.
Naoum called the Lebanon League of Progress to a meeting
in which he proposed the establishment of a Lebanese Bank.
Its capital of $1.000,000 would be divided among 200,000
shares to be purchased by the immigrants.
The Bank's headquarters would be in Beirut, with branches throughout the
country to help trade and agriculture and free Lebanon from
the domination of the Bank of Syria and Lebanon.
The
Lebanon League of Progress promptly approved the proposal
and Naoum cabled the President of Lebanon and the Speaker
of, Parliament as follows: "The Lebanon League of Progress
has decided to raise $1,000,000 among the immigrants to establish a national bank in the Republic of Lebanon to serve the
country's trade, agriculture and industry.
Details follow by
mail."
The President replied: "We thank you for your patriotism.
We are awaiting the details."
The Speaker replied:
"We
thank you for your patriotism and devotion which you have
repeatedly demonstrated on various occasions."
After receiving these replies, Naoum began to seek immigrant support. His first move was to invite the immigrants
to a general meeting to discuss the project and buy the stock.
But before he could carry out this idea, the Stock Market
crashed and the Depression set in. He had to postpone the
project.
While economic crisis interfered with establishment of a
Lebanese bank, the meeting was still on. It was changed in
42
form and purpose until it became what was known later as
"The Mahrajan."
Thus Naoum was able to bring the
Lebanese together once a year from all over the United States
to meet, consult one another on national affairs and make
important decisions.
From the start, there was a favorable response from immigrants all over the United States. They attended the Mahrajan, where old-country traditions were revived. Poets read
their poetry, orators declaimed,
singers sang, musicians
played, and dancers danced the traditional steps. It was an
ideal opportunity for immigrants to meet for the first time
or for old friends to renew friendships.
Most important, it
was an opportunity to display their feelings for the old country. The Mahrajan had a greater impact on the life of the
Lebanese Immigrants than any other single undertaking.
Meanwhile, in the winter of 1932, the economic crisis in
the United States was worsening and affected many Lebanese
immigrants.
Fathers were without jobs, families without food.
Naoum raised funds to help the destitute and, in the name of
the Lebanon League of Progress, he organized a bazaar. Its
revenue was entrusted to the various churches in Brooklyn
for distribution among their needy parishioners. This was the
last project that Naoum would undertake in America.
CHAPTER XIII
NAOUM'S FINAL EFFORT FOR REFORM
In Lebanon itself, both the political and economic situation
were deteriorating in 1932 when Naoum sought a remedy. It
took him along a long, hard road, indeed it was his final
journey on behalf of Lebanon.
The crux of the problem was the way France was administering the affairs of Lebanon.
Most' of the officials sent
by France to serve in Lebanon were weak, corrupt opportunists who exploited the Lebanese and Lebanon. Naoum viewed
43
�the Lebanese "Republic" as window dressing. The President
was merely a figurehead; members of Parliament were puppets manipulated by the High Commissioner, who was the
real power in the country.
Therefore, Naoum sought a national government
with
genuine authority as a necessity for reform. Such a government, he felt, could not succeed unless a strong and honest
man became president of the Republic.
It would also be
necessary to limit the powers of the High Commissioner, so
that Lebanese officials could operate in the national interest
without interference on behalf of French interests.
Naoum saw Emile Edde as the embodiment of the man
needed to lead the country as President.
He had already
demonstrated courage and determination as Prime Minister
and he understood the workings of the Lebanese economic
and administrative system. Before becoming Prime Minister,
he had prepared a program for wholesale reforms and he
wauld not agree to form a cabinet unless he were given full
authority to carry them out. He went ahead with his program
as soon as he formed his cabinet and carried out several
meaningful reforms in a short time. His name became synonymous with reform in Lebanon.
Then he clashed with the
High Commissioner, who sought to limit his authority.
Edde
refused to yield and resigned.
Against this background, Naoum, now old and ill, dragged
himself back to Paris, carrying a petition with thousands of
names:
"We the undersigned Lebanese immigrants in the United
States are honored to bring to your attention the necessity
of protecting the presidency from anyone who is not honest,
active, competent, and able to bring about order, carrying
out sorely-needed reforms in good faith. We are proud to
nominate for the presidency Mr. Emile Edde, a man who has
demonstrated
throughout his life especially while he was
Prime Minister his abilities and qualifications for the presidency. Moreover, he is the man, in the eyes of all the immigrants who serves no self interest, who can carry out the true
44
wishes and hopes of the Lebanese people."
Naoum arrived in Paris, the scene of his earlier struggle
for the independence of Lebanon, to deliver this petition. He
met immediately with high French officials to argue his case.
The Lebanese, he told French officials, had hoped to attain
prosperity and progress under the guardianship of France,
but, as it turned out, Lebanon had regressed.
The Lebanese,
he said, had counted on France and she had failed them. He
even carried his case to the Foreign Minister and Prime Minister of France.
Our leading immigrants had joined Naoum in Paris to
assist him, including Mr. Youssef Salim of Mexico. Together,
they presented to the French Prime Minister a historic petition which made demands but sought to avoid antagonizing
France.
In the petition, Naoum Mokarzel identified himself
as publisher of AI-Hoda and founder of the Lebanon League
of Progress, and Youssef Salim as founder of the Lebanon
Chamber of Commerce in Mexico, and the bearer of the Medal
of the Legion of Honor. The petition said:
"Two great emotions guide our hearts and steps, the
first is our deep love of our country, Lebanon, and the
other is our deep love for the noble and great France,
who has taught us over the years the rewards of knowing
and loving her.
"Weare
about half a million immigrants in the
Americas. Many of us have arrived through hard work
to amassing fortunes estimated at $400,000,000. We all
desire prosperity for our Lebanon and hope to return
to it some day. But in spite of our desires, we must be
able to offer qucrcntees for those who wish to return
with their fortunes; and such guarantees are only possible with proper administration under the supervision
of France.
"We understand and appreciate the motives of the
French government in granting the mandated people
constitutions which serve to test this system while she
stays above political parties.
45
�"Had our people acquired under this system a maturity in democracy and a wisdom similar to those of
France, we couldn't but praise the French government.
But the situation is not so, and France has an obligation
to guide our steps to reverse a worsening situation. We
the immigrants are versed in the democracy of the New
World and know far better than our Lebanese brethren
the difficulties facing the new government.
Therefore,
as the dawn of our rebirth when we carried the banners
of our love for France, in this spirit we ask now that
she guide our steps toward a secure future.
"We are certain, Mr. President, that you will not neglect our demands.
We are thoroughly convinced that
those great men of France who were yesterday the soldiers of God and tomorrow the soldiers of humanity
would not abandon us. We place our future in the hands
of those great men who so brilliantly decide the destiny
of preat France, whose authority extends over the four
continents of the world.
"Lebanon is suffering, and we would like to help. But
now can we help without the supervision of France? The
Lebanese immigrants who bear their share of their countries'. eocnomics only wish to expand to help their brethren in Lebanon improve their lot. Yet they cannot do
that unless a sound policy is formulated upon order and
econo~y.
They find the best guarantees for the implementation of such policy in the person of Mr. Emile Edde
who has earned ~he confidence of the Lebanese people
overseas.
Here in these petitions, cables, letters, and
signatures is the best proof of our appeal.
Since our
o~y purpose is to serve Lebanon, without any personal
gam, we have come to request your sincere intervention
hoping that our voices would elicit an understanding re:
sponse in your hearts!"
During the days that Naoum spent in Paris awaiting the
re~ly of .the French government, he was in great physical
pam. With great effort, he dragged himself to various offices,
46
discussing the question of the reforms in Lebanon with various
officials and politicians. The waiting ended when he received
a letter from the Prime Minister of France through the Foreign
Minister assuring him that France would do everything to carry out the necessary reforms.
Jubilant over the receipt of the letter, he invited friends to
a dinner at the Continental Hotel to inform them of France's
promise to carry out reforms in Lebanon. In their enthusiasm,
they stayed up until midnight making further plans. When
his friends left, Naoum went to his room, fearing the pain
he had endured all evening. Unable to stand the pain any
longer he called for medical aid.
Leading physicians and surgeons in Paris examined him
and they all recommended surgery but Naoum died on the
operating table, a martyr for Lebanon. When news of his
death reached his land of birth, all Lebanese were shocked
and saddened.
When the news finally reached New York
they couldn't believe that the Lebanese tiger was dead.
They remembered how they all rallied around him in the
service of Lebanon, and they wept.
Their leader fallen, Naoum's followers now had to look
beyond the final battle he had won to the war that continued
On behalf of Lebanon. They had to ask themselves:
Who
could take Naoum's place?
CHAPTER XIV
NAOUM'S FUNERAL
Generally, even Naoum's confidants had assumed that his
last will and testament would leave Al-Hoda to his brother,
Salloum.
A few others thought Naoum would leave his
brother only a half interest in the newspaper.
However,
Naoum's last will and testament was never found. By law,
therefore, AlBoda was inherited by Naoum's widow, Princess
Rose Abillama Mokarzel.
47
�She was on her way to Lebanon when a cable informed
her of his death and she immediately went to Paris to accompany Naoum's body to New York. The Lebanon League of
Progress had insisted that Naoum's body be brought to New
York for the entire community to bid him farewell before
his burial in Lebanon.
When the ship carrying his body docked, it was evening
and thousands of Lebanese from all over the United States
crowded onto Washington Street. The office of Al-Hoda and
of the Lebanon League of Progress were barely able to accommodate the clergy who had come to pay tribute. At the
first sight of his casket, the waiting crowd of immigrants sent
up a cry that reverberated throughout downtown New York
City. Then the procession moved toward the office of Al-Hoda
where his body was displayed exactly where he custumarily
sat to write his famous editorials.
The next morning at ten o'clock, his body was taken to St.
Joseph's Maronite Church. Washington Street was packed
with people who lined the sidewalks five and six deep to bid
him farewell. Preceding the casket were more than 30 priests
and hundreds of notables representing various organizations
and groups.
Perhaps the most suitable eulogy is the tribute made by
Lebanon's famous poet, Gibran Khalil Gibran, at the Silver
Jubilee of Al-Hoda.
He said in part:
"You may differ with Naoum on political matters, but you
can't help respecting the man. You may disagree with him on
a national issue, but you can't but consider him a man of conviction. You may differ with him on a religious question, but
you can't but admire him as a man of his word. You may
say whatever you wish, but you must admit, even secretly,
that Al-Hoda is the major journalistic vehicle and Naoum is
its expert driver who fears nothing.
What's the secret of
our respect for Naoum Mokarzel whether or not we agree with
him ? Here it is: he has an active and effective personality
whose makings, characteristics and merits are markedly different from all other personalities."
The leading newspapers in America wrote of his death, in-
48
cluding the New York Times, and the Herald Tribune. The
Lebanon League of Progress sponsored a giant memorial
.service, where a host of poets and writers eulogized his long
and devoted struggle for the independence of Lebanon. Other
memorials were held throughout the United States and South
America.
Finally, Naoum's body was put in a special place so that
it might be taken to Lebanon for burial, in the heart of the land
which had filled his heart.
CHAPTER XV
THE ERA OF SALLOUM MOKARZEL
In the period following Naoum's death, Al-Hoda fcrced 6:
period of uncertainty, economic crisis, and confusion before
Salloum took over from his brother. It began with the decision of Naoum's widow to run the newspaper herself and
ended when Salloum bought it after a tangled chain of events.
By law, Al-Hoda belonged to Naoum's widow who was
determined to retain it and to exercise the prerogatives of
ownership.
In keeping with her determination to run the
newspaper, she kept on the entire staff and appointed Necib
Arida as editor. Following the change in management, however, the income of Al-Hoda began to decrease considerably.
Heclixinq that her brother-in-law, Salloum, could save the
situation, she offered him the editorship. But he turned down
the offer, for he was now publishing his own English-language
magazine and running his own press. For a few weeks Mrs.
Mokarzel persisted in publishing Al-Hoda, as income decreased even more sharply and deficits began piling up.
The slump in circulation was due neither to bad management nor to change of policy. As the Depression lingered
on, subscribers were lost as they felt the economic pinch.
Moreover, many ~ubscribers, who had known Salloum
throughout the years and had read his editorials and heard
49
�his speeches, hoped that he would succeed his late brother as
publisher. Almost everyone was certain Naoum would leave
the newspaper to his brother; Salloum was regarded as the
logical and the best successor to Naoum. Surprise and 9isappointment caused many to drop their subscriptions as a
result.
In these crrcumstcnces, it became progressively difficult
for Mrs. Mokarzel to carryon. for under her management
AI-Hoda was no longer a profitable enterprise. She decided
to sell AI-Hoda. but refused categorically to sell it to Salloum
when he offered to buy it.
Mrs. Mokarzel thereupon offered to sell the newspaper to
Ibrahim Hitti or to a group of buyers. She also warned that
otherwise she would be forced to auction off the newspaper,
because she could no longer absorb the mounting losses.
Mr. Hitti hesitated a moment and suggested that she contact
her brother-in-law who might want to buy AI-Hoda. Again
she refused to consider such a possibility. saying that when
Salloum turned down her offer to work for her he had offended
her. For that reason. she could never sell him AI-Hoda.
Mr. Hitti then invited friends to his house to discuss the
possibility of buying AI-Hoda.
He told them: Mrs. Rose
Mokarzel has decided to sell AI-Hoda. She has asked me if
I were interested in buying it. This is the reason I have asked
you to come here today. I want to consult you on this matter
and ask you whether we can form a corporation called
'''AI-HodaCompany" to buy AI-Hoda. We can buy the newspaper and the equipment in it for only $10.000. a very low
price."
After a lengthy discussion. Mr. Hitti was authorized to go
ahead with the purchase and the AI-Hoda Company was
formed. Among those attending the meeting was Father
Mansour Stephen. pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite
Church in Brooklyn. New York. who said he did not approve
of the project and left. A few days later, when AI-HodaCompany was formed with Ibrahim Hitti as president, the episode
was reported in AI-Hoda, satisfying the concern and· the
curiosity of the Lebanese communities.
50
When the first issue of AI-Hoda was published under the
new corporation, the reaction was sharply negative. Letters
began arriving expressing disenchantment with the entire
affair. Others simply discontinued their subscriptions and
continued to boycott AI-Hoda. Within the first week AI-Hoda
felt the pinch and the following week was worse. The volume
of angry letters increased considerably while income continued to decrease. When Salloum announced his intention
to publish an Arabic newspaper, Al-Watan, the officers of
the corporation held an emergency meeting and decided to
offer AI-Hoda for sale to Salloum. A delegation visited Father
Stephen and asked him to make the offer. Father Stephen
did, and Salloum agreed immediately. The following day
the announcement was made in AI-Hoda.
Salloum was no stranger to publishing or to AI-Hoda. At
one time, in 1910, he published his own newspaper, Barid
America, which lasted only five months. His brother Naoum
prevailed upon him to close down so that they would not
compete with each other. When he discontinued publication.
Salloum returned to every subscriber the balance of his undelivered subscription, something unprecedented in Arabic
journalism.
Salloum went into business. but it was not his milieu.
Journalism was his vocation. Then a request came from
Naoum, who had become very ill. He was afraid he might
die, in which case he did not want AI-Hoda to die with him.
He summoned Salloum and offered him half interest in the
newspaper. provided he managed the organization. He hoped
to accomplish two purposes: to allow his brother to employ
his journalistic talent and to prepare him to take over when
the time came so that the newspaper would remain in the
family.
Salloum complied. He joined the editorial staff of AI-Hoda
without ever showing that he took his brother's offer of one
half interest literally. Naoum was ill. and Salloum felt that
he should not take advantage of a promise made under the
stress of illness. In fact, he had decided not to accept his
brother's offer so that he might remain independent. After
51
�several months, Naoum recovered and came back to work.
Salloum then left to publish a business magazine.
Salloum published "The Business Revue" - AI-Majallah
AI-Tijariah - to cover the business activities of the community. Among its features was a special article each issue on
a successful Lebanese-American businessman as an inspiration for young Lebanese.
However, Salloum longed for a
wider horizon. He gave up "The Business Revue" and began
publishing "The Syrian World," an English language monthly
devoted to literature, history, sociology and the arts. He wrote
many articles under the penname of Ibn Al Khoury (Son of
the Priest) which received praise and recognition among
scholars.
In 1929, Salloum decided to visit the land of his birth to
study conditions there and report back to the immigrants.
As soon as the linotype manufacturer, Mergenthaler, learned
of the proposed trip, he offered Salloum a $1,500 bonus to
help defray expenses.
Years before, Salloum had adapted
the Mergenthaler linotype machine so that it could set type
in the Arabic language, and his invention enabled the manufacturer to sell thousands of linotype machines to Arabic
presses throughout the Middle East. The bonus was an expression of gratitude.
Once in Lebanon, Salloum was honored by many societies
and organizations.
President Charles Dabbas held a reception in his honor, as did many other civic and political leaders,
government officials and fellow journalists.
Besides the
President and other government leaders, Salloum conferred
with the Maronite Patriarch. Upon his return to New York
he reported his experience and observations in a series of
articles which were translated
by AI-Hocla into Arabic.
Salloum published "The Syrian World" until he bought
AI-Hocla.
Salloum realized AI-Hocla had lost much income, prestige
and effectiveness because of its recent tangled history. Yet
he was certain that all those subscribers who had discontinued
would want to re-subscribe.
At first Salloum met with dif-
ficulties.
AI-Hocla income covered only 25 percent of its
expenses and the U.S. Depression was still going on. It took
him more than a year of constant effort to reestablish AlHodas financial balance and regain the confidence of the
community. Many subscribers, in an effort to aid Salloum
in his rebuilding job, paid their subscriptions for several years
in advance.
After the first year, AI-Hocla was once more self-supporting
and began to show a considerable profit. Salloum had completely supervised the newspaper, including the editing, writing, billing, and handling of advertising.
Now it was time
to get away from his desk, time to resume the mission for
which AI-Hocla had been establshed:
to look after the interests of Lebanon and the Lebanese and to serve as a link
between the old country and the immigrants.
He began
accepting countless invitations to address various societies,
and groups on the history of Lebanon, its heritage, its needs
and its goals.
CHAPTER XVI
THE STRUGGLE FOR LEBANESE IDENTITY
After Naoum's death, the propaganda drive urging SyrianLebanese unity was reopened throughout the United States.
The propagandists
responded to the opportunity presented
by the silencing by death of the voice that supported Lebanese
independence.
They also capitalized on the blurred identity
that Lebanese had among the American public.
The campaign for absorption of Lebanon into Syria was
particularly active west of New York and particularly aimed
at the younger generation which was more vulnerable. Among
the members of the new generation, ties with the old country
were not as strong and most of them were not familiar with
the ins and outs of the Lebanese situation.
A disturbing sign was the progress made even among the
older generation; many were identifying with Syria. A great
52
53
�number of associations and clubs with a majority of Lebanese
members were identifying themselves with Syria rather than
with Lebanon.
The new associations also called themselves
Syrians.
There were only a very few associations outside
New York that still called themselves Lebanese.
In face of this threat, Salloum acted to counter the propaganda among the immigrants.
The propagandists
were
beginning to divide the Lebanese and to create dissension by
pitting one group against another in order to weaken both.
They were accomplishing their designs by instigating confessional. national and regional animosities.
While this band seemed safe in its designs, the new publisher of A1Boda worked to arouse the Lebanese to the dangers threatening them as an entity as a result of apathy.
While the mission of Naoum was to unite and organize the
immigrants, arousing their nationalist feelings in the service
of Lebanon, the mission of Salloum, as he saw it, was to
take up Naoum's mission and to add a new dimension: educating the younger generation on the great contributions, history,
glory and heritage of the Lebanese.
.
This was a difficult mission to undertake in such a large
country as the United States. He could not reach that generation through A1Boda for most of them could not read Arabic.
So he took countless trips throughout the United States and
CJ IV
mo nv peeches in English, preaching the gospel of
1,( I III I
n Ii n Ii m and refuting the propaganda
for ann X t 11 of L banon by Syria.
Sclloum's
efforts were handicapped
by the fact that
Lebanon was not regarded as separate from Syria by Americans. The United States Post Office even refused to accept
mail addressed to Lebanon if the word "Syria" was not added
to Beirut datelines.
Thus, when a correspondent of the New
York Journal wrote a series of articles underlining the separateness of Lebanon and Syria, Al-Hoda translated and published them. The Journal correspondent wrote pointedly:
"The Ford Motor Company still sends shipments of spare
parts to Beirut addressed:
Beirut, Syria, not knowing that
Beirut was not in Syria but in Lebanon, and what's more, it
is the capital of the Lebanese Republic."
Salloum contacted the wire services and informed them
of their error. He sent a lengthy statement detailing the history
of Lebanon, its independence and its international statusall to no avail. Next, Salloum asked the Lebanese government to help rectify the error. In a series of fiery editorials,
he emphasiezd the dangers to the identity of the Lebanese
immigrants.
He suggested that the Lebanese government
require that all press dispatches be accurately detailed, and
refuse to deliver mail that was improperly addressed.
But
even the Lebanese government ignored the urgent situation.
At that point, Salloum realized that only the immigrants
themselves would be able to correct the situation.
Then in 1934, an opportunity presented itself to re-affirm
and to publicize Lebanon's separate identity in the United
States. The people of Lebanon decided to express their gratitude for American efforts and contributions during World War
I by presenti.iq the United States with a few cedars (the symbol of Lebanon).
In the spring of that year, the trees arrived
at the Near East Institute in New York for presentation to
the President of the United States at Easter and for planting
at Arlington Cemetery.
Salloum contacted the Near East Institute and asked that
the Lebanese immigrants, who were born in the shadows of
the cedars, be represented at the ceremonies in their national
dress as an honor guard. When the Institute agreed, Salloum
contacted his friends in various cities and asked them to form
Lebanese delegations to meet him in Washington, D. C., in
their national dress.
On the morning before the Easter
presentation, Salloum arrived in Washington at the head of
the New York delegation.
The other delegations were waiting at the station to meet him. The next day the Lebanese
delegation headed for the cemetery in a procession of automobiles.
Thirteen men, dressed in Lebanese national attire,
wearing embroidered fezzes and carrying glistening swords,
formed the honor guard.
55
54
�Rain was falling abundantly when the Lebanese delegation
was led by the honor guard across Arlington Cemetery to
the tent covering the cedars. At the head of the procession
was Salloum Mokarzel. The police kept order, the Navy band
played, and boy scouts and girl scouts formed an honor
guard for the First Lady, Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, who ac.cepted the cedars on behalf of her husband.
After the ceremonies, all shook hands with the Lebanese
delegation and converged around Salloum to ask him about
the cedars and the history of Lebanon. Here was an opportunity for Salloum to underline Lebanese independence.
He
hoped the newspapers and the wire services covering the
event would carry stories about Lebanon, stressing its national identity.
According to the program. only ten men were permitted
to accompany the First Lady inside the tent. Among them
were Cleveland Dodge. President of the Near East Institute.
Barkley Acheson. Secretary General of the Institute. Admiral
Mark Bristol. Father Anson Stokes and Mr. Salloum Mokarzel.
They all waited near the tent for the First Lady. The band
began to playas
she arrived by limousine. and entered the
tent.
Afterwards. the Lebanese honor guard was sent into the
tent. They welcomed the First Lady and she was introduced
to the dignitaries.
When Salloum was introduced, she asked
him about the Lebanese honor guard and he told her they
were the people of the cedars.
Then she walked to them
and shook their hands as photographers took many pictures.
It was six o'clock in the evening when the ceremony of
planting the cedars began. The first Lady took the ceremonial
shovel and put some soil in the hole around the tree, then
Cleveland Dodge took the shovel. added more soil and passed
it on to Salloum. They were the three people who planted
the cedars at Arlington Cemetery. Mrs. Roosevelt represented
the United States. Mr. Dodge, the Near East Institute and
Salloum the Lebanese.
Throughout. photographers took pictures and radio announcers described the ceremony.
56
Dr. Acheson then read three letters which had accompanied
Mr. Dodge spoke about the meaning of the
cedar, noting that it comes from a land where traditions of
friendship and loyalty live on from generation to generation.
He said that four hours hence the sun would rise over the
Land of the Cedars and added that the cedars were sent at
Easter to emphasize the spiritual meaning of the holiday.
Finally, he expressed gratitude for being chosen to present
the cedars to the American people as a token of continuous
American friendship.
When Mrs. Roosevelt took the rostrum, she expressed her
appreciation for the gift, her reverence for the cedars and
their Significance, and her pleasure in participating in the
ceremony.
She read this message from the President of
the United States:
"Dear Mr. Dodge:
During the Great War and afterwards the American people gave of their food. money.
and labor to alleviate the hardship of the people of the
Near East who were in need.
Those gifts were sent
voluntarily. proving the feelings of my countrymen toward others in sad circumstances.
The only thing we
hoped to gain was to improve the predicament of those
who received such gifts.
Now we receive something
elegantly beautiful in return from the Near East. an area
which gave the world a great deal of the philosophy
and arts that is a part of the genius and culture of which
we are proud today. Through the Near East Relief Committee we have received trees from Mount Lebanon to
be planted here today. In the name of the American
people. I am happy to accept the cedars of Lebanon,
hoping that they would flourish and grow for many
years as a symbol of the spirit of the Near East planted
in a spot we cherish.
Franklin D. Roosevelt."
The ceremony ended with a prayer by Dr. Anson Stokes.
The following morning, newspapers throughout the United
States published full descriptions of the ceremony and a
the three cedars.
57
�variety of pictures.
There were features on Lebanon, its
history, and its independence.
The first Lady was shown
admiring the cedars and the Lebanese Honor guard was
shown in its traditional attire. Next to Mrs. Roosevelt stood
Salloum, who, noting her admiration for the cedars, promised
to have a cedar branch brought to her from Lebanon.
Today in Arlington Cemetery, in the most honored land in
the country, where glory meets immortality and sacrifice
meets honor, where the unknown soldier lies, there are three
cedars from Lebanon. There is a plaque on the trunk of the
largest cedar that reads: "The cedars of Lebanon presented
to the American people by the people of the Near East as
an expression of gratitude and recognition. Easter day, 1934
inaugurated by the Near East Institute."
The New York Times wrote an editorial on the occasion
in which it said:
"Whatever the fate of these exiled cedars,
which are ambassadors of friendship, they should remind us
to be grateful to the country where the cedars have flourished
for thousands of years."
The Secretary General of the Near East Institute sent Salloum
a letter of thanks in which he said:
"I would like to thank
you heartily for your cooperation in the ceremonies of planting the cedars of Lebanon on the eve of Easter. We were
all saddened by the falling rain at that time. But the arrival
of the Lebanese in their national attire as well as your
presence added to the significance of the occasion.
Please
relay my thanks to all the delegations which accompanied
you. Working with you has been a source of pleasure for us."
CHAPTER XVII
A BROTHER'S LAST WISH
In the fall of 1934, Salloum made plans to fulfill his brother's
last wish to be buried in Lebanon.
It was arranged at
Salloum's expense and with the permission of Naoum's
widow.
58
On October 23, 1934, a final farewell was arranged under
the auspices of Lebanon League of Progress at the Knights
of Columbus Hall in Brooklyn, New York. The Hall was packed
with notables, including poets, writers and clergy, and with
delegations from all over the United States. At the end of
the farewell, everyone presented condolences to Salloum and
reiterated support for his leadership of the Lebanese community. The last expression of respect for Naoum from the
Lebanese immigrants was a demonstration in the harbor of
Boston as the ship carrying his body passed there.
When Naoum's remains reached Beirut, AI-Hoda's correspondent sent the following cable to New York:
"A popular demonstration unprecedented in history, marked
the reception of Naoum's remains in Beirut. The President of
the Republic, the cabinet members and the highest officials
were there. The French High Commissioner sent a wreath
and representatives.
The Commander of the occupation army,
the Admiral and all the foreign consuls were present.
A
representative of the Maronite Patriarch, six bishops and one
hundred :priests walked in the procession.
Delegates from
every city, town and village participated.
The procession
of the great immortal leader was unprecedented in the history of Beirut. Hundreds of thousands filled the streets and
roofs of the city. The procession to Freike, the town of
Naoum's birth, was sublime. The Lebanese press called that
day 'Mokarzel Day:"
It was indeed a memorable day. Lebanese left their homes,
towns and villages to crowd the streets of Beirut to honor
Naoum. The press association had made extensive preparations for the reception and the procession, as follows:
1. A delegation of the press, the Mokarzel family and
close friends will receive the coffin on board ship.
2. The procession will start at the Port of Beirut, through
Allenby Street, Weigan Street, Martyrs' Square, the Maronite
Cathedral.
The following order will be observed:
the
Cathedral's Cross, the police, firemen, the band of St. Joseph's
Orphcr.cqe, boy scouts, school children, taxi drivers' syndic
cate, the printers' syndicate, the philanthropic organizations
59
�of the following denominations: Jew, Druz, Islam, Armenian
Orthodox, Syrian Armenians, EvangelicaL Greek Orthodox,
St. Vincent de Paul, Louis Gonzaga's young men, the brotherhood of the Lady of the Hill, the Beiteddin, the Damour, the
Foutouhi, Sons of Fouhauh, Armenian Catholic, Maronite
Shahabite, Physicians and pharmacists associations, the AntiTuberculosis League. the Independent Republic Party, the
Lawyers Association, the Hikmet Alumai. the picture of
Naoum, the General Couneil of Mcronite Association, the
Clergy, Lebanese soldiers. the coffin, Naoum's relatives, the
Press Association. representatives
of the Lebanese government, the High Commissioner's office, the city Council. the
public.
the press association of the north held a meeting and
also decided to participate in the procession.
It was represented by the publisher of AI-Roda.
On the morning of November 13, 1934, when the ship
arrived in Beirut, a delegation went on board comprised of
Youssef Salim, Khalil Kassis, Toufic Hassan Shartouni,
Sheikh Youssef Istephan, and a group of journalists, writers,
and notables.
The coffin, accompanied by the delegation,
was put aboard a motor boat to be transported to the Port.
Other motor boats met the one carrying the coffin and a
French destroyer turned off its engines as the lead motor
boat went by. The coffin. wrapped in the American and
Lebanese flags, was carried into the quarantine center, which
was specially covered by tapestries.
It was placed on the
table surrounded by candles and two guards stood at attention.
Salloum, who stayed at the New Royal Hotel. received
delegation after delegation of notables, journalists. officials
and clergy who came to present their respects. The Maronite
Patriarch sent Bishop Akl to represent him in greeting Salloum.
On the morning of November 18, two platoons of policemen arrived at the quarantine building as an honor guard;
then came the delegation, which filed past the coffin before
joining the procession. The Northern delegation was headed
by Bishop Anton Abd and consisted of Youssef Istphan, Said
Istphcm, Rashid Koiruz, Msgr. Agnatios Koiruz, Tannous [cjo,
Youssef Alexander Ncsr, Youssef Rahmeh, Wakim Bitar, Farid Boulos, Farid Anton. Youssef Sleimcm, Ghalib Sorrdi, Dhoumet Sccrdi, [crnil Hcj, Youssef Dchdch, Michel George. Michel
Zeidrm, Youssef Shidyac. Jamil Kcirouz, Najib Hanna Daher.
Kablan Issa Khoiiri. Habib Kcirouz, Father Antony [ojcr, Father Mansour Lcrdos, Youssef Abd, Saad Abou Saab. Fuad
Abu Saab, Philip Abu Saab, Alwan Alwan, Wadih Chamoun,
Butros Khouri. Sarkis Mubarak. Youssef Hitti, Rashid Mansour
Arida. Father Anton Mubarak, Fuad Saba. Elias Khouri
Boulos.
Similar delegations also came from Futuh, Kleilat Zahle,
Haret Hureik, Falougha. Hammana. Kurtaba. Lohfcd, SoukEI-Gharb, Wadi Shahrour. Marjeyoun. Beit Merri, Beit Shabab,
Shortoun, Deir Al Kamar, Fihrr, Bigraa, Baalbek. Lattakia.
Mctn, Shout, Southern Lebanon. Kasrawan. and many other
towns. A huge number of wreaths were sent. notably from
the President. Sheikh Elias Kaspar. Madame Marianna
Gibran, Emile Edde, the French government. the Lebanese
government.
At 9: 30, the Count De Sillcn, representative of the High
Commissioner. arrived, accompanied by Moussa Muborok,
and the band played La Marseillaise.
Next. Prince Jamil
Shehab arrived. representing the President of the Republic,
accompanied by Georges Haimari.
Then came the Mayor
of Beirut, Salim Takla. Sheikh Beshara Al Khouri. Farid
Khazen, Michel Zcccour, Camille Chcmoun, Gabriel Khabbaz.
Sami Solh, Mussa Namour, the United States Consul, Sheikh
Kalil Khozen, Elias Mudawar, Bishop Abd, Bishop Keiruz,
Youssef Al Soda. Ahmed Takieddin. Amin Abbas Helou,
Prince Raif Abillamah. Adel Solh and many others.
Some seventy thousand people packed the streets of Beirut.
forty thousand of them having come down from the mountains.
All traffic in Beirut was halted. At one point in the procession
a tall priest. Father Antony Jaajaa, joined by Wakim Bitar,
threw two cedar branches on top of the coffin. setting off
emotional cries among the on-lookers.
In the Maronite Cathedral where the funeral mass was
61
60
�held, twenty thousand crowded into a building that can only
seat seven thousand.
After the mass, the President. of
Lebanon, the Prime Minister, Count De Sillan, the Mayor of
Beirut. and high officials shook hands in condolence with
Salloum Mokarzel. Then Salloum went to the inner church
yard where he received condolences and shook hands for
more than an hour and a half. At 1 p.m., the Printers' Syndicate carried the coffin to the hearse which was draped in
American and Lebanese flags.
Then the hearse moved
through the mountains to the final burial place amid emotional greetings.
The Press Association made a statement thanking the
people, the government of Lebanon, the French occupation,
the associations, syndicates and all who participated in the
procession.
The publisher of the newspaper Alet Ba of Damascus, Youssef Issa, wrote an editorial which summed up
the feelings of the Lebanese on the occasion: "Not counting
Naoum Mokarzel's journalistic talents and his valuable
services to his countrymen, the Lebanese, none can ignore
the man's struggle at times so difficult, that did so much for
his fellow man's dignity. He has his God's blessing and our
admiration for his struggle."
CHAPTER XVIII
THE TOBACCO
CONTROVERSY
Before Salloum left the Middle East, he was caught in a
whirl of activity that involved visits, receptions, meetings and
contacts. It was part of his leadership role now that the mantle
had fallen upon his shoulders.
Also, he became involved in
a controversy over the cultivation of tobacco in Lebanon.
This same about during a visit to the Maronite Patriarch,
Elias EI-Howayek.
In discussing Lebanon's political and economic affairs,
Salloum and the Patriarch hit upon the issue of monopolizing
the cultivation of tobacco. The Patriarch opposed the mono-
poly and the French High Commissioner favored it. What
they discussed is not known, but it can be assumed that
Salloum agreed with the Patriarch in view of his subsequent
talks in Paris. Apparently, Salloum promised to support the
Patriarch on the tobacco issue.
Salloum cabled the Lebanon League of Progress telling
it that great harm would befall the Lebanese people should
the tobacco industry be monopolized.
He cited maneuvers
by the French Commissioner and the pressure he was applying to secure approval for his plan despite popular opposition.
The Lebanon League of Progress then cabled its protest to
the Foreign Ministry in Paris and to the High Commissioner
in Beirut:
"In the name of the Lebanese immigrants in the United
States, we respectfully protest against the planned monopoly
of the tobacco industry in Lebanon. Should this project unfortunately be carried out, it would harm the country and
the people considerably.
We hope that France, who has
always carried the torch of human perfection, would not
allow the implementation of any project which would harm
the Lebanese people."
A call was issued by the Lebanon League of Progress
through AI-Hoda to all the Lebanese organizations in the
United States to send similar protests.
Some fifty-five organizations responded by cabling the French government
and the French High Commissioner in Beirut. denouncing the
project.
The High Commissioner soon realized that the immigrants
were strengthening
the Patriarch's
position.
He invited
Solloum to meet with him, knowing that he led the overseas
protest. The High Commissioner argued for the advantage
of the monopoly to Lebanon's economy, hoping to sway him
and thereby gain immigrants' support.
Salloum replied that he opposed monopoly in principle
and that many Lebanese intellectuals and leaders agreed
with him. He told him that such a project would unnecessarily burden the Lebanese planter and ultimately defeat its
purpose. At the end of the meeting, the High Commissioner
62
63
�presented Salloum with a report on the project, asking that
he study it and publish the details.
Also, while in Lebanon, Salloum visited the cedar forest
in the north arid received permission to cut a branch for Mrs.
Roosevelt as he had promised. He toured the country widely.
making a point of visiting the towns that had sent delegations
to his brother's procession.
Then time ran short and he had to decline many invitations.
He was able to include one lecture at the invitation of Lady
Evelyn Butros before the elite of Lebanon. He visited the
President of the Republic, Charles Dabbas, and thanked him
for his hospitality and visited the French High Commissioner
to thank France for participating in his brother's procession.
Throughout his stay in Beirut, Salloum had been widely
received as reported by the newspaper AI-Hoda: "Salloum
Mokorzel, brother of the late great national leader, Naoum
Mokcrzel, is still in our midst receiving the honors due him
from his fellow countrymen.
Officials still visit him and
tender receptions in his honor in recognition of his prestige.
He is the ambassador of our brethren the Lebanese, who still
long for their fatherland."
Before lecvinq, Salloum hosted a dinner party for the press
at the New Royal Hotel. including Moussa Ncmmour, Gabriel
Khabbaz, Michel Zaccour, Mohammed Bacquer, Iskander
Riashi, Karam Milhem Karam, Najib EIiane, Camille Chamoun, Youssef Yczbeck, Zeidan Zeidan, Samaan Farah Seif,
Michel Abu Shahla, Lahd Khater, Farid Mubarak, Hanna
Faghali, Toufic Hassan Chcrtouni. Halim Dammous, Salim
Habbaki, Assad Faghali, Philippe Naccache, Najib Jaber, Afif
Tibi, and Assad Akl.
After the dinner, the President of the Press Association,
Khalil Kassib, presented Salloum with a plaque:
"From the
plains of Lebanon, the publishers of the national newspapers
gathered around Salloum Mokorzel, the Ambassador of the
immigrants to the fatherland, to present their warm greeting
to the sons of Lebanon overseas for their accomplishments
and courage."
The following day, Salloum left for a stopover in Egypt,
where there was another round of receptions in his honor.
The most impressive was a reception and dinner given by
the League of Arabic Literature.
This is the way Cairo's
leading newspaper, AI-Ahram, described the affair:
"A large number of great men of letters, journalists and
notables accepted the invitation of the League of Arabic
Literature in honor
of Mr. Salloum MokarezI. publisher of
AI-Hoda newspaper of New York. Among them there were
Sir Wesley Sidarous Pasha, former Minister Plenipotentiary
of Egypt in the United States, and Othman Murtada Pasha.
Secretary General of the League, Mr. Adel Ghadban, opened
the ceremonies by introducing the honored guest and praising his accomplishments.
He was followed by the League's
president, Abdullah Afifi, praising the valuable
services
rendered by the Mokarzel brothers to Arabic literature. Then
Mr. Hammid Muleiji spoke about the guest of honor and the
Lebanese in general. praising their spirit of adventure. Then
the Syrian leader Dr. Abdul Rahman Shahbandar
greeted
Mr. Mokorzel, praising his important accomplishment in the
service of the Arabic language hoping that he would continue
his valuable efforts. Then the famed composer Sami Shawa
played his violin.
Mr. Mohammed Lutfy then gave a
memorable speech praising the great accomplishments of the
Lebanese immigrants
throughout the world stressing the
vclucble services of Mr. Mokarzel and AI-Hoda in the Arabic
language.
A poem was read by Mr. Adel Ghadban. Then the
guest of honor, Mr. Salloum Mokarzel. spoke extemporaneously about the immigrants and their efforts and accomplishments. His speech was interrupted many times by opplcuse."
AI-Sabah magazine reported another party: "Among the
great guests of Egypt is Mr. Salloum Mokarzel, publisher of
AI-Hoda daily newspaper of New York. Mr. Fouad Scrrouf,
editor of AI-Muktatal. hosted a party in honor of the distinguished guest, which was attended by many literary
figures."
Before leaving Cairo, Salloum expressed his gratitude in
an article he wrote for AI-Ahram:
"I came to Egypt a week ago to know the country and its
65
64
�people. Today I depart having discovered so much about
this great country in such a short time. In the name of all
the Arabic
speaking
immigrants,
whom the Egyptian
brethren have wished to honor in my person, I present my
thanks and gratitude to the great leader, His Excellency
Mustafa Nahas Pasha, whom I had the honor to meet in the
houses of Parliament.
I also thank the newspaper editors
and publishers, all the writers and poets, and all those who
have honored me out of their own kindness and grace. I
thank all the clubs, associations and groups and all the
people of Egypt and the sons of my country now residing in
this happy country."
CHAPTER XIV
ARGUING LEBANON'S CAUSE IN PARIS
In Paris, Salloum argued Lebanon's cause before the French
government and made the necessary round of personal contacts. These included several receptions in his honor including a reception given by the Lebanese Delegate in Paris,
Alphonse Ayyoub, and attended by the leading Lebanese in
France.
.After a brief rest, Salloum undertook the task of informing
the French government of conditions in Lebanon. The following was the case he presented to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs:
The Lebanese had become disillusioned with the opportunistic policies of certain French functionaries and certain high
commissioners.
They had offended the Lebanese, and the
situation might deteriorate unless it were corrected immediately.
The Lebanese people were highly disappointed
with France whose traditional friendship had led them to
trust her. Should France lose the friendship of the Lebanese
people, she would certainly los., prestige throughout the Middle East.
Salloum described further the frustration of the Lebanese.
66
He protested that the same colonial methods used in backward areas were being used in Lebanon where the people
were cultured and educated.
Then he outlined the tobacco
controversy and the harmful effect of a monopoly upon agriculture and Lebanon.
He also detailed the maneuvers of
the High Commissioner and the pressure he placed upon the
deputies of parliament to push through his point of view
despite popular opposition. Finally Salloum reminded French
officials of earlier promises to guide the Lebanese toward
full and complete independence.
To fulfill these promises
he advised the French government to recall from Lebanon all
French functionaries who were exploiting their positions. In
addition, Salloum asked that Lebanese consulates be established abroad.
Salloum left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs feeling
optimistic, for French officials asked him to tell the Lebanese
that France intended to correct all mistakes.
Salloum was
scheduled to mlfet with Pierre Laval, the French Foreign
Minister, but Laval's sudden departure to London had prevented this. The following day lending French newspapers
published lengthy and complimentary articles on his visit and
talks with French officials.
Before leaving Paris, Salloum also met with Jean Passide,
Chairman of the Foreign Affair:; Committee in the French
Parliament, who had visited Lebanon and was familiar with
the situation there.
They met privately and Salloum explained' at' length the situation in Lebanon and the administrative chaos which had overtaken everything. Especially, he
spelled out the issue of the tobacco monopoly.
CHAPTER XX
RESUMING THE MONOPOLY BATTLE
Upon Salloum's return, the Lebanon League of Progress
held a dinner in his honor at Hotel Towers in Brooklyn. It
also became the occasion for renewed effort against the
67
�tob~cco monopoly, for the dinner brought together a crosssection of the Lebanese community and its leading figures.
The speakers included Naoum Hatem, President
of the
Lebanon League of Progress, which sponsored the dinner
Archmandrite Paul Sanky, the Melkite Patriarchal Delegate:
R~v. Mansour Stephen, Archmandrite Hanania Suki, Najib
Dicb, publisher of Memat Ul Gharb, Dr. Najib Barbour Najla
Abillamaa Malouf. Nadra Haddad, Assad Milki, Nassib'Arida,
Rashid Takiedeen, Dr. Fuad Shatara, Michel Abu Sleiman,
Sabri Andria, Tamil Butros Helew, Farid Rehaiem, Najib
Badran, Abdul Massih Haddad, Iskandar Antoun, Najib Najjar. Ghadoub.
Salloum made a memorable speech about his trip to
Lebanon and Paris, outlining in particular the monopoly issue.
At the end of his speech, the banquet became a nationalist
demonstration.
A cable was then sent in support of the
Maronite Patriarch stating:
"Hundreds of notable Syrians
and Lebanese gathered at a dinner honoring Salloum Mokarzel, publisher of AI-Hoda, on the occasion of his return from
Lebanon. It was resolved unanimously
to support the
honorable position of Your Beatitude and to reiterate their
united protest against the monopoly."
Meanwhile, the cedar branch for Mrs. Roosevelt arrived
in New York and Salloum had a base made for it of cedar
wood with ci silver plaque which read:
"A gift from the
Lebanese people to Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt, a token of love
~nd respect and in memory of the President's acceptance
in the name of the American people of the cedars of Lebanon
planted in Arlington Cemetery where the First Lady represented her husband." Upon receiving it. Mrs. Roosevelt responded
with gratitude.
Weeks after SaIIoum's return, the tobacco controversy became intensified and the differences between the Patriarch
and the High Commissioner were exacerbated.
The Patriarch
even t~r~atened to go to Paris to complain about the High
?ommlssl~ner.
Salloum wrote a series of editorials complainmg of the Issue to the immigrants. It was a c1earcut issue: the
High Commissioner bent upon realizing the project and the
Patriarch against it.
Having presented the issue to the community, Salloum
declared the immigrants' support for the Patriarch. Yet he
warned that their moral support, important and unanimous
as it was, needed practical support as well. The Patriarch
needed funds to carryon his fight, especially to go to Paris.
Should the situation worsen, Salloum warned, the Patriarch
might even have to go to Geneva to appeal to the League
of Nations. Salloum appealed to the Lebanese immigrants
to form the "National Defense Committee" to raise funds.
As soon as the next issue of AI-Hoda reached the communities, committees were formed throughout the United States
mid funds began to flow in. Almost $4,000 was sent to
Bkerke, the Patriarcal See, alone, in addition to other contributions.
This campaign coincided with another to raise
funds to build a memorial for Naoum in Lebanon. It was
characteristic that Salloum told the committees that Lebanon
came first even if his brother's memorial had to be postponed.
CHAPTER XXI
END OF THE MANDATE
In 1936, the French mandate over Syria and Lebanon was
entering its last stages as the French government worked out
with the Syrian and Lebanese governments a "treaty of friendship and independence" to end the mandate.
But the treaty
soon met two obstacles.
First, when France proposed the treaty to the Trusteeship
Committee of the League of Nations, it was rejected on the
ground that it did not guarantee equality of religion for minorities. The committee ordered France to return the treaty
to the Syrian negotiators to add these guarantees. As soon as
this was announced, Damascus was enraged and demonstrations spread throughout the country, objecting to these
guarantees on the ground that they were contrary to Islam.
In the face of the reaction, France withdrew its demands for
68
69
�guarantees in order to keep the peace.
Second, France insisted that the treaty give her the right
to keep part of her forces in Syria and to maintain all airports for twenty-five years.
In return, France would
guarantee
the independence
of Syria and relinquish her
rights to all occupation expenses, which amounted to almost
four billion francs. The proposed treaty was identical to a
treaty between Britain and Iraq. However, the Syrians were
reluctant to accept the clause.
After a lengthy exchange,
the Syrians finally agreed to sign the treaty, provided the
French National Assembly approved it. There were many
objections to this treaty on the part of right-wing parties and
the National Assembly rejected it. Then a Syrian delegation
went to Paris to negotiate a modified version of the treaty.
Just prior to the actual signing of the treaty, the negotiations
had become so tense that observers felt they could be disrupted at any moment.
It was reported that the Syrians
would agree to all of France's conditions provided four sections of Lebanon be returned to Syria, including Tripoli, which
had been annexed to Lebanon by General Gouraud.
This
news worried the Lebanese immigrants and they looked to
Salloum for leadership.
Moving with care, Salloum wrote an editorial calling upon
the immigrants to calm their fears until the situation was
cleared up by solid evidence. Yet he had a feeling that there
might be some truth in the reports, so he called a meeting
of the Lebanon League of Progress to inform the members
of his own personal fears.
He then decided to tour the
United States and Mexico at his own expense to consult with
the various Lebanese organizations on a united effort. should
the need arise.
The situation 'thereupon quieted down. Syria signed the
treaty on France's terms and Lebanon also signed its treaty
with France. That marked the end of Lebanese anxiety: it
was felt that an era of stability was at hand.
Then there was another turn of events. France announced
it would not sign the treaties unless further privileges were
granted. When Syria sent another delegation to Paris, reports
70
of new maneuvers reached the United States. It was reported
that Syria offered to agree to France's demands provided
Lebanon was reduced to the size it was before the French
mandate, that is only Mount Lebanon.
Salloum called for a meeting of the Lebanon League of
Progress to discuss what could be done to protect Lebanon's
territorial
integrity.
Having
previously
postponed
his
projected trip, Salloum now decided that it was more urgent
tJ-,rrn ever. He told the assembled members he was ready
to begin the trip at his own expense within a few days.
Salloum told the League members that France might give
in to Syria's demands out of idealism and had therefore
become a greater threat to Lebanon than Syria itself. Leon
Blum was then Prime Minister of France and the majority of
his government consisted of poets and writers who were
better suited to manage the affairs of the arts than those of
state.
What alarmed Salloum was French instability in
handling the affairs.
Salloum embarked upon his tour for two reasons.
First,
his speech-making campaign would brief the communities
on the details of the treaty with France and inform the
American public of Lebanon's international status in order
to gain popular sympathy.
Second, he wanted to unite the
Lebanese immigrants in a common front on behalf of Lebanon.
Salloum concentrated
on Lebanese communities in- the
larger cities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan,
Georgia, Florida, Arizona, California, Tennessee. Alabama,
Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma.
At banquets in his honor
attended by mayors, governors and other civic officialshe expressed his fears for Lebanon, often speaking in English.
As newspapers covered his tour. the Lebanese situation was
publicized. He met personally with the governors of all the
states he visited and the mayors of all the cities. He also
met with prominent Lebanese who. misled by subversive
propaganda from Syria. had felt doubts about Lebanon.
Next. Salloum visited the community in Mexico. which was
noted for its strong Lebanese nationalism.
The response was
nthusiastic and Salloum gave lectures. made personal con71
�tccts and built up nationalist feeling, with the Lebanese
Question the major topic of conversation.
His visit to the Lebanese community in Buala, Mexico, stood
out. The Lebanese went out en masse to receive him at the
city limits in a convoy of cars. At a huge party in his honor,
the prominence of this Lebanese community was evident.
Among the guests were many notable Mexicans such as the
governor of the state, the mayor of the city, the ambassador
of Santo Domingo, and severed foreign consuls.
Speakers
talked of Solloum's struggle for Lebanon, his leadership, his
popularity and his sacrifices in the service of Lebanon.
The
correspondent
of Mexico's Universal
newspaper
praised
Salloum and the Lebanese, then addressed Salloum directly,
saying:
"On behalf of my self and all the journalists of
Mexico; I say to you-welcome,
son of Lebanon, land of
poetry, inspiration and wisdom."
While Salloum was in Mexico completing his six-month
tour, the Lebanese government granted its highest medal. the
Golden Order of Merit of the first category, for his activities
on behal~ of Lebanon in the United States and Mexico.
Salloum first learned of the award by reading it in his own
newspaper.
This came about because his friends in New
York were afraid he might turn it down if consulted in advance. So they had a friendly conspiracy to force his hand.
It came about this way:
Each evening a few friends gathered in Salloum's office
to discuss Lebanese affairs, literary topics, or other matters
of current interest. Even when Salloum was away the group
met and it was during one such gathering that Al-Hoda's
managing editor, Necib Arida, came bursting in with news
of the award.
He told the group that he had written to
Salloum asking his reaction before publishing the story.
They feared he might refuse the medal since he had once
before turned down a similar honor. They also knew how
Salloum felt about publicity and about the Lebanese government's indiscriminate awarding of medals.
Yet they wanted
Salloum to accept the medal for political considerations; it
would strengthen the nationalist spirit among the immigrants.
Accordingly, they agreed to force Salloum to accept the medal
by publicizing the story first and then consulting him later.
At first, Arida declined to take part in the scheme, but they
convinced him. When Salloum found out at last about the
medal. he acquiesced, but he discouraged his friends who
wanted to give a party in celebration of the occasion.
CHAPTER XXII
MARONITE-VATICAN
RIFT REFUTED
When the American press reported a rift between the
Maronite Church and the Vatican, Salloum played a major
part in correcting the report. He cabled the Maronite Patriarch
for clarification and received a flat denial of any rift. The
Patriarch also authorized him to deny any such report in the
United States. Salloum contacted the Associated Press and
at its invitation drew up a denial as well as explanation of
the issue. This laid the matter to rest in a statement of the
Maronite Church that was sent by the Associated Press to
every newspaper in the United States:
"The Associated Press has carried the following story from
Beirut. 'It was rumored that the Antiochan Patriarch Antony
Arida, who is sympathetic to nationalism is trying to separate
the Maronite Church from Rome, with which it had been
affiliated since its inception:
"The Maronite Church
has a following of about one million, about 200,000 of whom are in the United States. The
news has created surprise among them and almost disrupted
their daily lives in New York where there are about 5,000
Maronites, with their churches in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Their newspaper, AI-Hoda, published in Arabic, has investigated this story although it had considerable doubts about
it, and requested permission to deny it from his beatitude, the
Patriarch himself, who is head of the Maronite Church and
whose See is in Mount Lebanon. It cabled him as follows: 'A
harmful TUmor has appeared in the American press to the
,
72
73
�effect that you are trying to separate the Maronite Church
from Rome. The Maronite immigrants are certain the rumor
is false, but we ask your permission to deny it.'
"The answer was soon in our hands:
'The rumor is completely false, we authorize you to state our attachment to
Rome.'
"This clear position of the Patriarch is only natural in view
of the Maronite tradition. Nothing in the present history of
events disturbs the relations of the Maronites with Rome or
deters them from their centuries-old course. The Maronites
have been loyal to the papacy throughout the early divisions
of the church and the Islamic conquests and the resulting
crusaders.
The most glorious chapter of their long history
occurred in the fifth century when they struggled and halted
the Islamic conquest of their mountains with remarkable
courage and sacrifice, so that despite the spread of Islamic
conquests even into the heart of Europe, Mount Lebanon,
though small and in the heart of the Islamic world, remained
devotedly Christian, thanks to the Maronites of those days.
:No doubt the rumors about the Patriarch's rift with Rome
stemmed from his courageous resistance to the opportunistic
policies of the French mandate in Syria and Lebanon. The
high commissioner
declared a state monopoly over the
production of tobacco. The Patriarch considered such monopoly harmful to the interests of the Lebanese people.
The
tobacco industry is all that is left in Lebanon as a means of
livelihood for many poor and deprived people. The Patriarch
had witnessed their plight and suffering during World War I,
and he realized that depriving them of their small lots of
tobacco cultivation would wipe out their only means of
livelihood.
He could not forget the war, for he had once
pawned his golden cross, the symbol of his ecclesiastical
rank, in order to help the poor and deprived.
"His position against this French policy has, therefore, been
constant and clear, although the Maronites are considered
traditional friends of France.
The Patriarch never hid his
belief that the interests of the people came first. The Patriarch's
position coincided with the rise of nationalism in Syria and
74
the movement for independence.
The nationalists did not
waste a single minute in taking advantage of the Patriarch's
position. Both agreed to boycott the monopoly; soon other
French products were boycotted. Later demonstrations spread
out resulting in the grave situation which exists today in
Syria and which attracts the world's attention.
"The Patriarch's clearly sympathetic position toward the
Syrian Question produced many rumors, such as a proposed
French request to the Pope to restrain the Patriarch from
opposing
French policies. Those rumors led to further
speculation that a break between the Maronite Church and
Rome was at hand. But this rumor is now dead and officially
denied.
The Patriarch's
denial is further proof that the
Maronites will never deviate from their beliefs regardless
of the political situation in the area.
We are certain that
the sense of fairness and justice in the American press will
convince it to rectify this error and eliminate whatever effects
it had upon the public."
CHAPTER XXIII
A PROJECT TO HELP THE POOR
OF LEBANON
After the signing of the treaty with France, Mrs. Emile
Edde, wife of the President of the Republic of Lebanon, became chairman of a committee of prominent society ladies
organized to help the country's poor. They set out to raise
funds for the "Project Poor Lebanon," making a direct appeal
to Salloum to assist them among the immigrants.
Salloum responded immediately.
He wrote a series of
editorials in AI-Hoda describing the atrocious conditions in
which the poor lived in Lebanon and explaining the ideal
motivating Mrs. Edde's humanitarian project. AI-Hoda campaigned for funds to aid the project, and in a short time more
than $4,000 was sent to Mrs. Edde. Many thousands more
75
�were sent by the immigrants directly.
Realizing that the Maronite Patriarch's controversy with
the Freneh high commissioner had made him a hero of
Lebanese nationalism, Salloum proposed inauguration of "St.
Maron's Pence"-similar.
to that of "St. Peter's Pence"where at least one church collection a year is dedicated to
the saint and sent to the Patriarchate.
The proposal was not
sectarian, but nationalistic,
for financial support of the
Maronite Patriarch meant also a strengthening of the nationalist movement in Lebonon. However, the project acquired
sectarian overtones and when this happened Salloum left
the project in the hands of the Maronite clergy.
There remained the need to assist the Patriarch in his
political struggle against the High Commissioner; such aid
had to be above sectarian considerations.
Accordingly,
Salloum called a general meeting in his oHice to study the
best way of providing such assistance.
Business leaders,
literary figures, and many other prominent people from New
York and the nearby states attended.
Salloum explained the general situation in Lebanon, emphasizing the struggle of the Maronite Patriarch in the service
of Lebanon and calling for assistance.
A committee was
immediately founded for that purpose called "Committee of
Raising Funds
for Maronite
Charitable
Projects"
and
registered with the state of New York for tax exempt status.
Then Salloum took charge of the project himself. He contacted friends throughout the United States, asking them to
contribute to the project and to form local committees.
In
only a few months more than $15,000 was raised by the
committee, in addition to tens of thousands of dollars sent by
the immigrants directly to the Maronite Patriarch.
In 1937, Salloum was busy on another front, the nationality
issue, to which he devoted much time, money and effort. The
Lebanese government sent a large number of nationality
forms to all the Lebanese it knew of in the U.S. When Salloum
saw that the forms were too few to serve a useful purpose,
he called the Lebanon League of Progress into a full session
to study the. problem. The League then decided to print at
its own expense tens of thousands. of these forms for distribution throughout the country.
The question of choosing Lebanese nationality was not so
much on Salloum's mind as the way of choosing it and the
legal complications involved.
He wanted it to be done
without affecting the rights of the immigrants in the United
States. He called (j{ meeting of Lebanese
to discuss
ways and means of protecting the rights of the Lebanese who
had gained American citizenship.
They decided to send a
delegation to Washington, D. C. led by George Ferris Esq. to
pursue the issue with the U.S. government in the light of
international law. As in other issues for the Lebanese in the
United States, Salloum mixed action with editorial analyses,
explanations,
and suggestions.
The entire process was
evident in the editorials he published on the subject.
CHAPTER XXIV
THE NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR
Early in 1937, New York invited Lebanon to participate in
its World's Fair, an opportunity to strengthen Lebanese
nationalist spirit and to introduce Lebanon and its products
to America and the world. It was an opportunity that Salloum
supported vigorously despite difficulties in completing arrangements.
Salloum wrote to the Lebanese government suggesting
that it accept the invitation and exhibit examples of Lebanon's
role in history and of its modern products. The Lebanese
government hesitated at first, since its limited budget of five
million Lebanese pounds ($1,500,000) did not allow for such
undertakings as participation in the New York World's Fair.
It agreed to accept
the invitation in principle and formed
a committee to study the matter. The committee held many
meetings and kept discussing the issue, but never made any
decision.
Throughout this period, Salloum wrote editorial after editori-
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77
�al urging participation in the Fair. When no decision was made.
rumors began to circulate that the Lebanese government
had decided to turn down the invitation because of cost. This'
upset and disappointed Salloum who wrote to the Lebanese
President. Emile Edde, emphasizing
the importance
of
Lebanon's participation.
He asked him to use his own considerable prestige to bring about a favorable decision.
A few weeks later, the Lebanese government agreed to
participate and appointed the famous poet Charles Corm
to oversee the project. But even before the government decision. the Fair's authority had invited George Dagher, a wellknown politician, to raise the Lebanese flag among the other
flags of the world during the inauguration ceremonies on
October 11. 1938.
When Mr. Dagher received the invitation he went to
Salloum and emphasized
the importance
of Lebanon's
representation
in some manner, even though an official
Lebanese delegate would not be present.
Salloum immediately called a meeting at which a delegation was selected
thct included Metropolitan Aritony Beshir. Archmandrite
Bernardos Ghosn. Dr. Khalil Assaf. Rev. Mansour Stephen,
Dr. Najib Barbour. Sheikh Naoum Hatem. Habib Issct, Najib
Meter, and Iskandar Antoun. Then Salloum chose a group
of pretty girls between the ages of six and ten and had them
dressed in Lebanese attire to take part in the ceremonies
as daughters of Lebanon.
The entire delegation met at the office of AI-Hoda and went
to the Fair in a procession of seven cars bearing Lebanese
and American flags.
After the ceremonies. during which
Salloum and George Dagher raised the Lebanese flag. the
delegation returned to Manhattan for a luncheon. The delegation then sent this cable to President Edde: "Today at the
World's Fair the Lebanese flag was raised among the flags
of the world during the inauguration ceremonies. As Lebanon
has no official representative, this mission was accomplished
by Salloum Mokarzel and George Dagher and a delegation
composed of the heads of churches. the Lebanon League of
Progress and others. It was a fine manifestation of Lebanese
nationalism, after which a party was given where the
Lebanese president was toasted."
The appointment of Charles Corm as manager of the
Lebanese pavilion was well received among the immigrants.
who had known of his militant nationalism.
Salloum wrote
a series of editorials praising his past record and urging the
community to cooperate with' him in every possible way. He
added that it was impossible to evaluate all the circumstances
involved in the delay and suggested that the cause was not
in Lebanon at all. This was a reference to a report that the
real cause for the delay was Syria whose last-minute decision
not to participate created financial and administrative complications for the French authority which had to appropriate
the funds.
Before leaving for New York. Mr. Corm wrote to Salloum
suggesting that the immigrants participate in the Lebanon
pavilion with their products.
Salloum called a meeting to
study the suggestion and a committee was formed of Salloum
Mokcrzel, Edward Leon. Iskandar Antoun. George Shiya. and
Ibrahim Lian. Salloum was chairman and Dr. Nojib Barbour
and Amin Bardawil honorary chairmen.
Salloum appointed
a legal committee composed of George Ferris, Edward Leon.
and George Shiya. An executive committee was formed of
Dr. Philip Hitti, Mansour Abourjaily. Naoum Hatem, Ibrahim
Abu Butros, Michael Mubcrck, Habib Issc, Najib Meter. Tawfie Fakhr, Hanna Sourrij, Farid Rahaim, and Asaad Abood.
When Salloum learned of Mr. Corm's arrival date he called
a meeting to discuss a reception. As a result, when the ship
arrived early in the morning. the waiting room was filled
with businessmen,
notables, .representatives
of various
Lebanese organizations. clergy. members of the Lebanon
League of Progress and members of the Fair committee. Then
a reception was held.
The following day. Mr. Corm asked Salloum to arrange
a meeting with the Fair Committee to discuss what could be
done to help him evaluate a suitable exhibit of the immigrants' products.
After a meeting, Mr. Corm met privately
with Salloum in his office at AI-Roda and gave him a sealed
79
78
�envelope, which contained the following note: "The Lebanese
government realized how much effort and how many sacrifices you have made in the service of Lebanon and sees fit
to show its appreciation for your services a tangible manner."
At first, Salloum thought it was a letter from the Lebanese
government thanking him for his services and encouraging
him to pursue his struggle for Lebanon. But he was surprised
to find a check. He immediately returned it to Mr. Corm
without even looking at the amount.
He asked Mr. Corm
to return it to the Lebanese government because whatever
he did for Lebanon was his duty, he said, and not for profit
or gain. His services, he added, had never been for sale.
The meeting between Mr. Corm and the Fair Committee continued in a spirit of cooperation and understanding.
He often
thanked its members and expressed his appreciation for their
services.
Before his arrival. the Lebanon League of Progress decided,
upon Sclloum's recommendation, to tender a reception in Mr.
Corm's honor and to make it a nationalist demonstration
among the immigrants.
But he refused to accept the honor,
because he had already declined a party by his friends in
Beirut to celebrate the publication of his collection of poems.
Relations between Mr. Corm and Salloum were most cordial
and friendly. Salloum offered to assist him in every possible
way and kept the Fair Committee as well as the Lebanon
League of Progress mobilized for his assistance. He issued a
special World Fair issue of AI-Hoda, most of which was
devoted to Mr. Corm and the issue was distributed free to
visitors at the Lebanese pavilion.
CHAPTER XXV
THE LEBANESE PAVILION
After the opening of the Fair, difficulties arose on the touchy
point of identifying Lebanon as a separate country. Visitors
to the Lebanese pavilion complained that Lebanon was being
described as part of Syria.
Salloum wrote an editorial about "the purpose of the
Lebanese Pavilion" on August 8, in which he reported many
complaints that guides were calling it the Syrian Pavilion.
Even official brochures of the Lebanese government combined
facts about both Syria and Lebanon, including historical data
about both. The guides, Salloum wrote, were not aware of
the differences between Syria and Lebanon and he contended
that the administration should be able to clear up the confusion.
Then he pointed out the opportunity to introduce Lebanon
to the world. The pavilion was not only created to exhibit
objets d'art and relics, but also to present to the world a
picture of Lebanon as an independent country. He warned
that without this emphasis, participation in the Fair would be
pointless.
Thereupon Mr. Corm denounced Salloum and
joined forces against him.
One of the first conflicts between them dated back to a
report that Lebanon's President Edde planned to visit the Fair,
so that the day of his visit would be declared Lebanon Day.
Actually Mr. Corm told Salloum, when he met with him
privately upon his arrival from Beirut, that President Edde
wished to visit the Fair but was short of funds. He then told
Salloum that the President asked him to appeal to Salloum
and the immigrants to raise $15,000 to cover the expenses of
his trip.
Salloum felt that a public campaign to raise funds for the
President's trip would be inappropriate, so he decided to
contact a few wealthy people to raise the money quietly.
Soon after, Salloum was invited to open the St. Maron Festival
in Detroit. Following the Festival. Salloum met with friends to
discuss Edde's proposed visit. The response was even more
than Salloum had expected. He was then sure that he could
raise the amount easily. That same evening, he phoned Mr.
Corm in New York and told him the amount was guaranteed
and suggested that he cable an invitation to President Edde
in the name of the immigrants.
By then, however, Mr. Corm who had at first been most
80
81
�enthusiastic about inviting President Edde, seemed to have
lost interest. He said that at least $25,000 was needed for the
trip. Salloum then guaranteed him the entire revised amount.
When Salloum returned to New York early the next morning,
he sought out Mr. Corm to discuss the details of President
Edde's projected visit. But Mr. Corm declined to discuss the
visit because of his heavy schedule at the Fair and suggested
that some other time might be more appropriate.
Days passed without word from Mr. Corm. He kept postponing any serious discussion of the matter. Finally, Salloum
realized that Mr. Corm had decided to give up the entire idea.
It was ? great disappointment. for Salloum had placed great
hope in this visit as a way to emphasize Lebanon's identity
and to spur nationalism among the Lebanese immigrants.
CHAPTER XXVI
AL-HODA DURING WORLD WAR II
With the outbreak of World War II Salloum's attention and
energies became concentrated on the welfare of Lebanon.
Memories of World War I prompted him to raise funds for
the poor and deprived in Lebanon while the country's strategic
position drew him into contact with the political-military factors
in the fight against fascism.
The fall of France was the climatic event for Lebanon. It
made France and her Mediterranean mandate a target for
Britain. Salloum hoped French forces in Syria and Lebanon
would break with the Vichy government, but they did not.
Furthermore, the warm reception given the Axis mission in
Syria and Lebanon increased the atmosphere of uncertainty.
Even when Charles de Gaulle formed a French governmentin-exile, the French forces in Syria and Lebanon refused to
join. Meanwhile, two representatives
of the Free French
government came to the United States to secure arms and
help.
When the famous French journalist Genevieve Tabouie
82
arrived in New York, Salloum contacted her about the position
of the French forces in Syria and Lebanon and about any
Free French plans to invade Syria and Lebanon.
She told
him that the invasion of Syria and Lebanon was under serious
consideration because of their strategic importance.
One evening Salloum received a telephone call from her asking him to join her for an important meeting. When he arrived,
he saw many Free French leaders and officers, none of whom
he had met before. After meeting all of them, he met privately with Mlle. Tabouie and Mr. Aglion, the Secretary General
of the Free French. They asked him many questions about
the feelings of the Lebanese and Syrian immigrants and what
he knew of the situation in Syria and Lebanon.
Salloum realized that the Free French were preparing an
assault upon both countries in the very near future. They were
trying to determine whether they would be welcomed by the
nationalists.
That was the opportunity Salloum was waiting
for. He urged the Free French to speed the invasion of Syria
and Lebanon and lift the British blockade. He told them ti.e
Syrian and Lebanese people, who had fought long and hard
for their independence, would certainly welcome the democratic forces. The French Secretary General promised that
the Free French government would grant Syria and Lebanon
full independence immediately after the war. From then on,
close relations were maintained between Sclloum and the
cree French, who consulted him on Syrian and Lebanese
positions.
SalIoum's close friendship with the Free French in the
United States bore fruit in Syria and Lebanon after the British
occupation.
He used his influence with the French to solve
problems which came up between the immigrants and
Lebanon, concerning such matters as postal services, packages, and money transfers.
Other services rendered on behalf of Lebanon are shrouded in the secrecy of wartime, but
it is certain they were extensive.
In 1941. when Fordham University invited Salloum to attend
a lecture on the Maronites, he met privately with Fordham's
president. the Rev. Robert 1. Gannon.
Father Gannon told
83
�Salloum proudly that the university had a piece of cedar
which it preserves with great care. Salloum then offered a
live cedar as a gift from the people of Lebanon in recognition
of the university's endeavors in behalf of greater understanding of Lebanon's, identity and history.
May 3, 1941. was designated as the date for the presentation of two cedar trees to Fordham University. Salloum, heading a committee of the Lebanon League of Progress and other
Lebanese-American
organizations,
made a short speech
emphasizing the history of the cedar and its role as the national symbol of Lebanon. He said he hoped the two cedar trees
presented to Fordham would be a good omen symbolizing its
long life. The Fordham President replied by expressing his deep
affection for Lebanon and the Lebanese and said he would
dffix a plaque indicating the history of these two cedars.
Meanwhile, many Lebanese volunteers were fighting with
the Free French forces.
News stories about Beir Hakim
reported that many of them were killed in action, bringing
this reaction iri an editorial by Salloum.
"We have been informed by cable from Beirut that the
courageous sons of Lebanon have actually participated in
the war under the French flag. Many of them have fallen
in the field of honor in the battle of Beir Hakim and other
encounters.
The Lebanese government held memorial masses
for the dead heroes in St. George's Cathedral in Beirut. attended by the President of the Republic, the leaders of government.
General Catrous of France, and the British ambassador."
"Al-Hoda proposes that those heroes be honored here as
they have been honored in Lebanon. It invites the celebration
of memorial services to which the Free French representatives
in Washington and representatives of other nations be invited.
The services in this country will have an added characteristic;
we can commemorate not only our fallen heroes in Beir Hakim, but in all the fields of honor throughout the world in
defense of freedom and democracy.
The 9th of August has
been designated for the services in St. Joseph Maronite Church
in New York."
On the designated day, Msgr. Francis Wakim celebrated
a memorial mass in a fully-packed church. He stood on the
altar between the flags of Lebanon and the United States as
a French Veteran band served as an honor guard. Then the
trumpet played taps. After the mass, a Syriac requiem was
held. Afterwards, a reception and luncheon were held in the
hall of the Lebanon League of Progress.
As host. Sallou'm gave a speech in which he explained the
significance of the gathering by saying that the Lebanese
immigrants decided to follow the example of the Lebanese
government by honoring their heroes and martyrs and took
pride in their courage in the fight for freedom and democracy.
Then Archmandrite Ghosn of the Melkite Church and Msgr.
Wakim of the Maronite Church made speeches.
Other officials on the rostrum praised the Lebanese people and their
sacrifices.
Among them were the consuls of Britain and
France and U.S. government. officials. One speaker was the
French representative, Monsieur Aglion, a close friend of the
Lebanese community.
Representatives
of more than thirty
Lebanese organizations, many from distant points in the
United States, participated in response to Solloum's invitation.
The following day, the New York Times and the Herald
Tribune carried news stories on the event, quoting much of
Salloum's speech. The U.S. Office of War Information broadcast a report of the affair throughout the Middle East.
CHAPTER XXVII
RENEWED BATTLE OVER LEBANESE
IDENTITY
When the United States entered the war, a controversy
over Lebanese identity emerged following a decision to raise
funds for the Red Cross. Politics were inserted into the humanitarian campaign by the proposal that Lebanon be ex:
eluded from the committee's title. It would be called "The
Syrian Committee for Raising Funds for American Red Cross."
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84
•
�The prominent industrialist, Assad Abood, protested, arguing that Lebanese formed more than 8S percent of the entire
Arab-speaking
communities in the United States.
But the
Syrians and some Lebanese who did not recognize the independence of Lebanon insisted on identifying the committee
as Syrian on the ground that the community was known in
America as the Syrian community.
Others argued against
including Lebanon in the title in order to avoid a disruptive
controversy.
Following a meeting at which this disagreement was aired,
many Lebanese left angry and hurt. They headed for AlHoda'e office and, after a lengthy discussion with Salloum,
they decided to call for a general meeting of the Lebcmese
at AI-Hoda's office to decide on a course of action. Before
the meeting was held, Salloum contacted the Syrians, hoping
for a compromise that would include Lebanon in the title.
He pointed out that this would have the unity of the community and avoid ugly repercussions.
He also informed them
that otherwise the Lebanese had decided to go ahead independently in the Red Cross project and every other future
project. But his effort was fruitless.
The general Lebanese meeting decided to form an independent Lebanese committee to raise funds for the Red Cross.
Salloum still made a last-ditch effort to convince the other
side, but a delegation also failed in such a mission. Salloum
had no choice but to call upon all Lebanese organizations
to unite in order to strengthen ties between Lebanon and
its immigrants.
He wrote a series of editorials along these
lines.
When news reports revealed that certain Arab countries
were conspiring against the independence
of Lebanon, a
general meeting was called to form an alliance of all
Lebanese organizations.
The meeting, held in the hall of the
Lebanon League of Progress, was attended by representatives
of more than fifty-four organizations from all over the United
States.
On the first day, Salloum made a speech explaining the
purpose of the meeting and presented a detailed description
of the situation in Lebanon and the danger threatening its
independence.
He recounted the unfriendly statements about
Lebanon by Arab leaders in violation of their promises and
commitments to respect the independence of Lebanon. Then
he described the danger threatening the unity of Lebanese
in the United States from those determined to impose upon
the Lebanese the Syrian identity in public projects.
Salloum left the meeting hall for his office, leaving the
representatives to discuss the ways and means of establishing
a unified Lebanese front. But after hearing Salloum's speech,
they decided the question did not need any debate or discussion. They immediately went to Salloum's office and asked
him to draw up a code for a federation of all Lebanese
organizations.
The following day they met in the hall of
League of Progress for a luncheon given by the
heard the code which Salloum had drawn the
approved it unanimously, and elected Salloum
the Lebanon
League. They
night before,
its president.
CHAPTER XXVIII
AL-HODA'S FIFTIETH
AI-Hoda's golden anniversary in 1948 fired the imagination
of the Lebanese writers and journalists everywhere, from
Sidon to Tripoli and from Beirut to New York. The role of
AI-Hoda and the Mokarzels in creating strong ties between
Lebanon and her sons overseas was a favorite topic of countless editorials and articl,es in advance of the celebration.
Prominent Lebanese
journalists
and close friends of
Naoum Mokarzel wrote lengthy editorials and features about
AI-Hoda, about its founder and his successor, and about their
own personal experiences with the Mokarzels. Naoum's writings were widely reprinted in Lebanese newspapers.
The Lebanese journalist. Elias Harfoush, emphasized the role
of AI-Hoda as a representative
of Lebanese abroad when
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86 '
�Lebanon had no other representative.
He described his own
trips to the Americas where people told him they regarded
AI-Hoda as their sole link with Lebanon.
He recalled that
Lebanon then had neither consuls nor ambassadors,
only
AI-Hoda. He also recalled how many Lebanese emigrants in
the Americas told him they had learned how to read and
write Arabic by reading AI-Hoda.
AI-Ahram of Cairo, the Arab world's most prominent newspaper until a few years ago, published a feature on AI-Hoda
by its correspondent, Assad Akl. Again, the history of the
Mokarzels' struggle for Lebanon's independence
from the
Ottomans was presented in glowing terms.
AI-Hoda's own correspo~dent
in Lebanon, John Faghali,
supplied the newspaper with full coverage of the activity in
Lebanon on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee. The Lebanese
Phalange, Lebanon's only organized political party at that
time, organized a pilgrimage to the tomb of Naoum Mokarzel
and its leaders expressed their admiration for AI-Hoda 'and
its founder.
One of the Lebanon's leading scholars, Tawfic Hassan
Chartouni, sent a message to AI-Hoda expressing a scholar's
view of the value of AI-Hoda in Lebanese history and the
hope that it would always remain the symbol of Lebanese
freedom. Another scholar, Fund Ephrem Al Bustani, likened
AI-Hoda's endeavors overseas in the name of Lebanon with
those of ancient Cadmus who taught the Greeks the alphabet.
Said Akl, a well known Lebanese poet, wrote a beautiful
poem for the occasion and one of the Arab world's best known
and appreciated poets, Ahmad Zaki Abu Shadi, wrote a poem
for the occasion which became a classic.
A prominent Lebanese journalist. the late Ambas.sador
Salah Labaki, wrote a magnificent article on the occosion of
AI-Hoda's Golden Jubilee, calling its history an epic. Others
who commemorated
the occasion with writings included
Elias Rababy, Secretary General of the Phalange;
Emile
Odeimi, president of the Emigrants' Club in Beirut and Joseph
Buaini of the Andalusian League in Brazil.
The New York Times covered the event in the following
story:
"Like the greater city itself, New York's AI-Hoda (The·
Guidance), one of the three Arabic-language
daily newspapers in the world, is celebrating its golden anniversary.
"Looking back over the last decades, Salloum A. Mokarzel,
present editor and publisher of AI-Hoda and brother of its
founder, the late Naoum A. Mokarzel. said yesterday that
the most significant milestone in the paper's long history was
the installation in its old offices at 81 West Street of the first
Arabic linotype.
"Mr. Mokarzel himself had adapted the linotype to Arabic
chracters in the basement of 55 Washington Street. AI-Hoda
adapted the machine in 1912 and was the first Arabic paper
to use it commercially.
This invention made possible and
immeasurably
stimulated the growth of Arabic journalism
in the Middle East.
"Sitting in his book-lined office at 32 East Twenty-eighth
Street. Mr. Mokarzel, himself a Lebanese, said that tributes
from all parts of the Arab world had been paid AI-Hoda on
the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary.
"The Lebanese Government, he said, had recently made
him a chevalier in the Order of the Cedar, its highest decoration, and France had given him the Legion of Honor.
"Old of the reasons why AI-Hoda's influence has been so
great through the years: Mr. Mokarzel explained, ' is that it
brought the American tradition of objectivity to Arabic
journalism.
In the East no distinction used to be made between news and comments.
Everything was, and often still
is, editorialized.
AI-Hoda was the first Arabic newspaper to
treat news strictly as news, to adopt the American system
of headlines and regularly to run pictures.'
"Although most of AI-Hoda's readers belong to the Lebanese
and Syrian groups that settled in New York, Boston, Cleveland, Buffalo, Detroit and other American cities before World
War I. its circulation is world-wide.
It is known wherever
Arabic is spoken.
"'Most of our subscriptions in Lebanon and Syria: Mr.
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�Mokarzel added, 'were entered as gifts. This is an expression
of the patriarchal instinct of our people here who want to
acquaint their relatives and friends with liberalism and democracy as it exists here.
."Mr. Mokarzel was at pains to point out that AI-Hoda is, and
always has been, essentially an American newspaper, that
it has never promoted any sort of divided loyalty.
" 'AI-Hoda, hcis a tradition of fearless and factual treatment
of news without regard to its own editorial policy', Mr. Mokarzel said.
"'AI-Hoda:
he added with a note of pride, 'is looked up to,
especially in Lebanon, as an organ for freedom. I myself
am not so much Arab as Lebanese.
My brother represented
the Lebanese of America at the Versailles Conference.'''
So wrote The New York Times.
CHAPTER XXIX
THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY BANQUET
In mid-January, 1948, a committee representing Lebanese
communities throughout the United States was formed to organize the celebration of AI-Hoda's Golden Jubilee on February 22.
The committee included many prominent personalities.
Some were close personal friends of Salloum Mokarzel;
others were Lebanese loyal to the principles which AIBoda
embodied. Lebanese immigrants from all over the world sent
messages of congratulation to Mr. Mokarzel which he published in AI-Hoda.
At times, entire pages were devoted to
these greetings.
On Friday night, February 20, Lebanese from all over
North and South America began arriving in New York for
the banquet in the grand ballroom of the St. George Hotel in
Brooklyn. Some came from as far as Texas, California and
South America. A representative of the Lebanese press came
from Beirut especially for the historic occasion. During most
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of Friday and all Saturday, the office of AI-Hoda at 32 East
28th Street was jammed with visitors. Though Salloum had
been ill during the first part of the week and could hardly
talk, he insisted on greeting every visitor personally .
Then came Sunday, February 22, 1948. At 6 p.m. the
Lebanese Arabic speaking crowd began swelling at the St.
George Hotel for a banquet that was described this way by
the hotel's banquet manager:
"Never in its history had the
Saint George witnessed a more magnificent or better organized banquet."
At 6: 30 p.m., the official guests began
arriving and were greeted by the Jubilee Committee. They
were the ambassadors,
the consuls, the permanent representatives at the United Nations of all the Arab countries, city
officials, and scholars.
At 7 p.m., Rev. Joseph Awad, an
intimate friend of Salloum Mokorzel, said a short prayer and
dinner was served.
Following dinner, Miss Najiba Murad sang the American
anthem and Mr. Tony Gasson sang the Lebanese national
anthem. The chairman of the Jubilee Committee then made a
short welcoming speech, citing the important role played by
Salloum Mokarzel and AI-Hoda in the lives of all Lebanese
immigrants.
He introduced the master of ceremonies, Dr.
Philip Hitti, chairman of Oriental Studies at Princeton University, who in turn, introduced the speakers:
Mr. Joseph Naman Malouf. dean of Arabic journalism in
the United States.
H. E. Farris Al Khoury, head of the Syrian delegation to
the United Nations, and former Syrian Prime Minister.
H. E. Camille Chcmoun, head of the Lebanese delegation
to the United Nations, and former cabinet minister (and future
president of Lebanon).
H. E. Dr. Charles Malik, Minister Plenipotentiary of Lebanon
in Washington, D. C. (future minister of foreign affairs and
president of the United Nations General Assembly),
Emira Najla Abillama Malouf, writer and leader of the Arab
women's movement, and
Mr. Abdallah Saleh, special representative of the Lebanese
press.
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�At the conclusion of the speeches, the committee chairman
reviewed the flood of greetings received from all parts of the
world.
Among those mentioned were greetings from H. E.
President Beshara Al Khoury of Lebanon; H. E. President
Shukry AI-Kuatly of Syria; His Beatitude Maronite Patriarch
Anton Arida of Lebanon; His Beatitude Syrian Orthodox
Patriarch Alexandros Tahan of Antioch and the entire East;
His Beatitude Melkite Patriarch Maximos IV Sayegh of Antioch and all the East; Syrkm Orthodox Metropolitan Samuel
David of Toledo, Ohio and dependencies; Mr. Henri Pharaon,
cabinet minister in Lebanon; Sheikh Pierre Gemayel, leader
of Kataeb, the Phalangist Party of Lebanon.
The chairman
then presented
Salioum Mokarzel with a
golden plaque inscribed in high tribute to the Mokarzels and
their devoted efforts on behalf of Lebanon and the Lebanese
immigrants.
Then there was a touching surprise.
A film was presented
of the late Naoum Mokarzel making a memorable speech at
the Lebanese Mahrajan of 1931 which was held in Bridgeport,
Connecticut. The topic of his speech was George Washington,
on the occasion of his birthday and AI-Hoda's.
Finally, the master of ceremonies introduced the guest
of honor, Salloum MokarzeL who reviewed the history of
AI-Hoda and renewed his pledge to carryon
unrelenting efforts on behalf of Lebanon and the Lebanese immigrants.
The banquet was attended by hundreds of persons, many
of them representatives
of large associations or delegates of
entire communities.
The associations
formally represented
included:
Syrian Ladies of Charity, Brooklyn, N. Y.; The
Lebanese-American
Club of Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; The Knights
of Lebanon, Poughkeepsie,
N. Y.; Al Salam Association,
Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; Lebanon High Commission in the United
States; The Lebanese-American
Association, Flint, Michigan;
The Saghbeen Union Association, Akron, Ohio; The Biskinta
Union Association, Utica, N. Y.; The Maronite Lebanese Union,
Toledo, Ohio; The Youth of Kafr Sghab, Easton, Pennsylvania;
The Lebanese Union of the Lady of Cedars of L banon, Akron.
Ohio; St. Maron Association. D troit, Michig n: Y u
f B y
Karam Association. Springfield. Mass.; The Golden Cross Association. Newark. N. J. in addition. many priests represented
their parishes.
Mr. Edmond Aboujoudie came from Dekker, Africa. to represent the Lebanese Society there. and also his own family.
who were reloted to the Mokarzels.
THE ACTIVE COMMITTEE
George Shiya, Attorney, President
Alexander Antoun. Secretary
Sheikh Daher Khoury, Treasurer
Subcommittee on Organization:
Alexander Antoun, President; Sheikh Daher Khoury, John Trabulsi, Adib Hatem. Khalil Najm, Habib Issa, Najib Mattar, Said Kawkabani. Butros
Naoum Fares, Ibrahim Helou, Antoun Gasson. Joseph Sahadi.
Abdo Rizkallah. Buddy Ontra, Habib Touma, Albert Rashid,
Michel Zoghbi.
Subcommittee on Reception:
Assad Abood. President; Dr.
Naif Bcsil, Necib Trabulsi, George Dagher, Joseph Maroun.
Fuad Deraney, George Abu Hatab, Victor Helou.
Subcommittee on Speeches: George Debs, President; Necib
Trabulsi, Alexander Antoun.
Subcommittee on Tickets: Frances Dohbe. President; Assad
Antoun, John Saada, Joseph Sharbel.
HONORARY COMMITTEE
Farris Al Khoury, head of the Syrian Delegation to the UN,
Camille Chamoun, head of the Lebanese Delegation to the
UN.
Dr. Charles Malik, Lebanese Minister in Washington, D. C.
Mahmoud Fawzi, head of the Egyptian Delegation to the UN
Fayez Al Khoury, Syrian Minister in Washington, D. C.
Sheikh Ahmed Abdul-Iobbor, First Secretary, Saudi Mini try, Washington, D.C.
n fic A he, Syrian Consul General, New York
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92
�Edward Ghorra. Lebanese Consul General. New York
Ramez Shammaa·. Lebanese Consul. New York
Othman Obeid, Egyptian Consul General. New York
Sheikh Abdullah Bokr. Iraqi Consul General. N. Y.
Amin Rustum. head of the Egyptian Bureau. New York
HONORARY COMMITTEE FROM NEW YORK AREA
Joseph Namaan Malouf. Dean of Arab Journalism in U.S.A ..
Dr. Fuad Akl. Dr. Salim Al Khazen. Dr. Hikmat Arida. Attorney
George Barakat. Dr. Najib Barbour. Dr. Khalil Assaf Beshara.
Elias Bou Arab. Mansour Abourjaily. Ibrahim Karam. Dr. Basil
D'Ouokil, Attorney George Ferris. Kamil Habib. Henry Hadad. Michel Hadad. Butros Hadad. George Abu Hamad. Dr.
Philip Hitti, Melhem Hawie. Dr. John Hazam. Carlos Yafeth.
Wadie Khcrsc, George Jebaily. Elias Abu Khalil. Habib Katibch, Francis Kettaneh. Dr. George Kheirallah. Elias Khoury.
Farid Kiorni, Ibrahim Lien, Joseph Mcrlko, Alfred Nahas. Dr.
Antony Nosif. Dr. Hazim Russi, Wadie Schndi, Attorney William Teen. Dr. George Tawtah. Elias Trubulsi, Butros Trabulsi,
Philip Trabulsi, Aziz Trabulsi, Edward Zrake.
THE DAIS
H. E. Farris Al Khoury
Mr. and Mrs. Camille Chamoun
Mr. and Mrs. Fayez Al Khoury
Dr. and Mrs. Charles Malik
Mohamad Fawzi
Sheikh Ahmed Abdul-Jabbar
Othman Obeid
Mr. and Mrs. Abdullah Bakr
Mr. and Mrs. Rafic Asha.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ghorra
Mrs. Ramez Shamma'
Amin Rustum
Ahmed Al Massiri
Wajih Mustafa
Mrs. Alice Kandalaft Kosma
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Namaan Malouf
Dr. and Mrs. Philip Hitti
Abdallah Saleh
Salloum Mokarzel
Mr. and Mrs. George Shiya
Issa Nakhle
Mr. and Mrs. Karim Azkoul
Dr. Khalil Assaf Beshara
Archmandrite Philip Salmouni
Chor Bishop Elias Basil
Chor Bishop Michael Abdo
Chor Bishop Joseph Dawood
Rev. Joseph Awad
Rev. Francis Lahoud
Rev. Joseph Eid
Rev. Peter Sfeir
Rev. Joseph Solei man
Rev. Paul Khoury
Rev. Elias Abi Nader
JOSEPH NAMAAN MALOUF SPEECH
A long time ago. I stood here as I stand today. I was
lucky at that time to have been chosen chairman of
Al-Hoda's Silver Jubilee. when its founder was alive.
I remember so clearly now manY-0-l:he things which
he said and which should be an inspiration to all of us.
As soon as I announced the close of that banquet.
twenty-five years ago, Naoum drew closer to me and
pressed my hand so warmly that I was deeply moved.
Then he said:
"How gratifying and beautiful to see all these people,
my brother. and how devoted and faithful are our
people.
By God, in honoring me, they are honoring
themselves."
He paused a short moment as if to collect his thoughts
nd w nt on, aying:
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95
�"Life is very dear, as you know, but if one could
c~oose his time to die, I prefer to die right now among
this magnificent spectacle, among my friends and loved
ones."
He said these words and turned his face away so that
I might not see a tear in the corner of his eye. Was
there anything greater than this sentiment?
Destiny must have listened to him. He died shortly
thereafter in Paris among his friends while fighting for
Lebanon.
Frankly, I worried about AI-Hoda after Naoum's death.
I was afraid it would fold up in its shroud. But then,
shrouds do not contain great ideas.
It was AI-Hoda's
good fortune to pass on to his brother, Salloum, who
kept up the good work. picking up where his brother
had left off, nursing his newspaper and caring for it.
My dear friend Salloum, I respect in you your devotion
and your relentless efforts in journalism.
With all my
heart, I ask God to preserve you for all of us so that
you may celebrate AI-Hoda's diamond anniversary.
FARRIS AL KHOURY'S SPEECH
May I greet everyone of you and express my feelings
of admiration and appreciation for the noble purpose
of this banquet.
May I also praise those who have made this idea a
reality, and those who have come to celebrate this golden
jubilee.
The motive which has put all these hearts together is
the link which binds them all to the mother country and
to its language.
No doubt. you all appreciate the prominent role of the Arabic press overseas in keeping this
link alive and strong. In fact. newspapers, churches,
the Eastern rites, the cultural and charitable organization, the clubs and societies of the Arab immigrants are
responsible for keeping the ties alive and active and
nurturing all the feelings of brotherly love and mutual
96
understanding.
These feelings, which the Arab immigrant brings with him 10- this land, preserves in the face
of all difficulties and problems. These ties have produced
brilliant names in literature overseas-poets,
speakers,
journalists, writers, and authors who have become the
pride of their mother countries. These names have not
been confined to their overseas domains, nor are they
limited to the countries from which they had migrated,
but are prominent throughout the Arab world where they
have a huge following of admirers.
It is admirable, indeed, that their new lives, with all
the excitement and activity, with all the wonders of
modern technology, did not weaken their attachment to
their mother countries, their languages and traditions.
It is fitting to send a sincere greeting to the throng of
prominent men of letters throughout the world.
On this occasion of the golden jubilee of AI-Hoda, may
I greet its great publisher, Salloum Mokarzel.
It is said, "He who does not honor himself, does not
deserve to be honored by others."
AI-Hoda has honored itself throughout its history, and
now deserves all the honors. It has honored itself by its
principles for fifty years, in spite of the difficulties and
setbacks.
It has honored itself by persisting in its beliefs which are shared by its readers.
A newspaper
does not belong to its publisher as much as it belongs
to its readers; they determine its policies.
I know of no other newspaper.in
Syria or Lebanon
which has published uninterruptedly for fifty years, except Lisan-AI-Haal. Newspapers had been published in
Beirut more than fifty years ago, but they never lived
fifty years.
But the Arabic press overseas has tasted
freedom of speech and thought. It has used these prerogatives well. Self-respecting newspapers do not abuse
the freedom of speech, but use it to further the truth.
Thse Arabic newspapers are the strongest link between
th immigrants and their countries of origin.
I am happy on this occasion to extend my heartful greet-
97
�ings to AI-Roda and its distinguished publisher, Salloum
Mokarze!, who has nursed it to this day and made it
an instrument of good and truth. I hope it will always
remain a prominent link between two worlds.
In the name of the Syrian Delegation to the United
Nations, I present you all with my greetings.
CAMILLE CHAMOUN SPEECH
This celebration of AI-Hoda's golden jubilee has a
special significance which sets it apart from similar oc-_
casions. It is not merely to honor a distinguished man
in a certain field where his services toward his society
and country have been remarkable.
But it is to honor
an institution, established by a giant assisted by another
giant. Its substance is the mind.
This is proof that the Lebanese, regardless of their
interest in material things, always put the intellectual
values above all others. No doubt this Lebanese characteristic of preferring the spiritual to the material has been
more. personified in AI-Roda than anywhere else. They
had come to these shores in search of material things.
But soon neglected the matter in favor of the mind.
This celebration is shared by all Lebanese, here and
in Lebanon. The Lebanese press has been announcing
it for many weeks, and devoting many columns of print
to its news, thus expressing the feelings of the Lebanese
public and its best wishes. The Lebanese government
is also participating in this celebration.
And as soon as
you prepared this magnificent banquet, cables came
from all over the world for this memorable occasion.
These celebrations clearly express the unity of the
Lebanese spirit, in spite of distance and time and circumstances.
No doubt we all have AI-Roda to thank
for this phenomenon.
Its great efforts under Naoum and
Salloum Mokarzel will go into an illustrious history.
For all these reasons this celebration acquires a
special characteristic, and special Significance. May I
98
present to Mr. Mokarzel on this memorable occasion my
sincerest wishes, asking God to preserve him in the
service of the noble Lebanese goals.
CHARLES MALIK'S SPEECH
We celebrate
the fiftieth anniversary
of AIBoda
happily, because an Arabic newspaper has passed half
a century of continuous struggle in the service of public
opinion and in the service of Lebanon.
This newspaper whose fiftieth anniversary
we are
celebrating today has overcome all changes in the world
in the past fifty years. It was not merely an informative
newspaper, bringing news to its readers.
It was an
excellent newspaper with many journalistic firsts. Many
times I was able to read important news from Lebanon
in AI-Hoda before I read it anywhere else in the Arabic
press.
The existepce of AI-Hoda and the _other Arabic newspapers, all managed by Lebanese, is ample proof that
the Lebanese ideal is alive abroad.
In fact without this
ideal there would not have been a need for Arabic newspapers.
Thus the interest in reading the news of the
old country and following its developments became an
essential part of Lebanese life overseas.
Consequently,
the issues of Lebanon and the Arab world have been
reflected.
At first these issues give the appearance of turmoil and
chaos. Yet these very things are proof of vitality and
creativity.
In Lebanon and overseas, ideas and truths
are freely active. In their free activity, the truth becomes
predominant.
As you see, the journalistic history of Lebanon in one
century is unique. Its seed was sown in Lebanon, whence
the Lebanese carried it to Egypt where it prospered, and
then they carried it even farther away to the New World
where it developed into what you see today.
Today,
Arabic journalists are heard throughout the world. This
99
�intellectual Lebanese press had rendered, and still does,
a valuable service, reflecting Lebanese vitality to the
point where the number of newspapers in Lebanon has
reached a maximum for the size of that country. This
growth has many advantages
and disadvantages.
Spreading rumors, attacking this or that without any
foundation of truth, tends to aggravate the turmoil in
which we live. But this is characteristic of journalism
throughout the world; it might even be a professional secret. It is perhaps the nature of journalism to seek
sensationalism in order to accomplish its primary function.
Leb.anon it seems to me, has spent this stage of her
journalistic activity, producing a remarkable intellectual
activity echoing throughout the Lebanese communities
overseas and uncovering a new age of depth and maturity. The decision of UNESCO to hold its next meeting
in Beirut next summer is proof that this activity has not
gone unnoticed in the world.
AI-Hoda has contributed greatly to the development
of Lebanese journalism both in Lebanon and abroad. I
have myself watched its growth during the last three
y-ears, matching the growth of the Arab countries and
rising to the level of its international responsibilities.
AI-Hoda believes in Lebanon, its entity, its ideal existence. Whether or not its methods have differed from
others, in one area or another, its belief in Lebanon has
never been shaken.
However, he who is not comfortable with the idea of
Lebanon entity, who does believe in its reality or its
necessity, does not know all the truth regardless of how
complete his methods are.
r received yesterday a telegram
government, which read:
from the Lebanese
"His Excellency, the President of
awarded Salloum Mokarzel the Order
officer's rank, in recognition of the
has rendered for Lebanon.
Please
the Republic, has
of the Cedars, and
services which he
decorate him with
this medal at the celebration of the golden jubilee. Our
best wishes.
"Signed: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
Now, my friend, Salloum, in the name of the President,
Sheikh Beshara Al Khoury, and in the name of the
Lebanese government, I have the honor to decorate you
with this Order ct>fthe Cedars.
As I congratulate you personally on this distinguished
honor which His Excellency the President has bestowed
upon you, please accept my warm wishes to you per.sonally and to AI-Hoda, hoping you will always remam a
proud symbol of the Lebanese ideal throughout the years.
REMARKS BY NAJLA ABILLAMA MALOUF
Mrs. Malouf recalled a letter she received from Naoum
Mokarzel when she re-published her literary review, AI.Fajr. In that letter, he supported her endea~ors ~hen
Arab women were supposed to stay out of men s affairs." She talked about his role in helping Arab women
attain equality and dignity.
REMARKS BY ABDALLAH SALEH
Mr. Saleh, the representative of the Lebanese press
at the Golden Jubilee banquet, recalled his own feeling
about AI-Hoda and the past history of journalism in
Lebanon. He said the press had no freedom at all under
the Ottomans.
When it became known that an Arabic
newspaper in New York was fighting for the i~depe~dence of Lebanon, Lebanese journalism found It an mspiration for the freedom of the Lebanese press.
MESSAGE FROM PIERRE GEMAYEL
Fifty years have been borne by AI-Hoda without ever
sparing any effort.
Fifty years of one man's struggle defy the ages and
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101
�become a beacon in a nation's history.
Fifty years have gone by and each one of them has
became part of the history of Lebanon.
In all these years, AI-Hoda was a torch from Lebanon
embracing the Statue of Liberty on the shores of the
New World; a heart
from Lebanon beating with love
for the chosen country; a mind tinged by freedom in the
land of idealism.
Blessed be those fifty pillars of glory for Lebanon,
erected by AI-Hoda, preserving noble traditions and a
great language, so that Lebanon overseas is even more
devoted, more learned, than old Lebanon.
Blessed be those immortal pages; a record of precious
Lebanese heritage and high human values. They have
depicted Lebanon, a country small by size but great in
history, as the most beautiful home. They have become
a link between Lebanon and its sons overseas; there,
responsibility and duty and here, love and memories.
Salloum Mokarzel has preserved the principles and
beliefs of his great brother. He has kept AI-Hoda for
Lebanon displaying its characteristics among the nations
of the earth.
He has provided Lebanese immigrants
with faith and admiration for their country. He has
awakened in all Lebanese overseas the love for tradition
and heritage.
AI-Hoda is Lebanon's guarantee overseas, a trust for
Lebanon, and a gift of history. It is perpetual Lebanese
conquest overseas.
SUMMARY OF SALLOUM MOKARZEL'S SPEECH
(Salloum spoke extemporaneously
and his speech
was not recorded.)
Salloum Mokarzel greeted the guests and thanked
them for attending the celebrations. He told them no
single man was being honored, but an idea, an institution, and then said, in effect:
Centuries from now historians will depend on the
102
written word to compile their histories,
Therefore, ,.it
must be objective and this is AI-Hoda's policy, so that
whether contemporaries read the newspaper or historians refer to it in future centuries they will only find the
truth.
Salloum spoke of the early days of AI-Hoda. He recalled
how he joined his brother Naoum in AI-Hoda two years
after it was published. It was a weak plant in the beginning, depending largely on individual effort and initiative. Some times he had to edit the paper, set the type
and print it all by himself when his brother was away
on a trip.
AI-Hoda's determination only reflects the determination of the Lebanese immigrants, he told the large crowd.
The Lebanese people have been known throughout history for their courage and faith. These people have found
in America an atmosphere which suited their ambitions
and aspirations.
Though they have devoted themselves
to their new adopted land, they have always loved
their old country. Love for America does not nullify
love for one's mother country. Nothing in American
tradition requires such a sacrifice. The American nation
is a mixture of many nations, fused in one.
He said he had heard President Theodore Roosevelt
make a campaign speech in Boston in 1912 in which he
proudly pointed out his Dutch origin. Pride in one's
origin is what AI-Hoda has preached all these years.
in time, people will find the Lebanese community, proud
of its heritage, fused into the body of America. What
AI-Hoda writes is not only intended for those living today
to read, but also those who come after them.
Then he thanked the staff of AI-Hoda for devotion to
their tasks and he called them partners in an institution.
He thanked everyone who came to the banquet or sent
I legram of wishes.
He also thanked specifically the
raid nts of Lebanon and Syria and the patriarchs for
th ir m saages and the speakers for their speeches, eslilly
J
h Naaman Malouf. who witnessed both
103
�the Silver and the Golden Jubilees.
PART II
CHAPTER XXX
THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS
A NEW ERA
For AI-Hoda and for Salloum, the Golden Jubilee was a
milestone, its celebration a demonstration of Lebanese nationalism, and the response of the Lebanese a resounding vote
of confidence. But it was more than an occasion to look back
over past accomplishment. It was also a time to look ahead
as Salloum wrote in an editorial following the Golden Jubilee
celebration:
"In the last issue we turned over a memorable leaf in the
history of AI-Hoda. It was a golden leaf which coincided with
celebrations of the first golden jubilee in the history of the
Arab press overseas.
The communities overseas, the entire
Arab world, its governments and organizations, showed an
historic interest in our survival. demonstrating the extent of
the moral value which they attributed to it. Today the noise
has subsided and the guests have dispersed.
We return to
our work, resuming our daily routine, performing the services
which led to the celebrations, just as we have for the last half
century.
In ~pite of their great importance, the jubilee celebrations
in our view are but a passing event, a rung in the ladder,
though an important one. Yet we are not to stop at this rung,
because we have not reached the top. The climb we continue
is a long one and the obstacles we might encounter, the difficulties which might face us may well be more obdurate
than anything we have yet experienced.
Yet the determination and resolve to render a servicewhich have characterized our past-are
still as strong as ever. We believe th
104
need for this service is great even today, justifying our continuous endeavors as never before.
"We do not consider that AI-Hoda is a means of personal
expression, but a spokesman for an entire people. We owe
them not only truthful and accurate information, but also an
account of the virtues and the distinction of their historical
predecessors whose importance far surpasses their numbers
and their geographical boundaries.
When we aim at such
a goal. we are only motivated by our feelings of dignity,
i.dealism, tolerance and open mindedness in the face of lowly
obstructions.
"The sturdy structure which has endured for half a century
all obstructions and adversities should be even stronger over
the coming years. We want it to become even more beautiful.
more perfect, and more useful in representing all those whom
we serve.
"As we welcome AI-Hoda's fifty-first year, we pledge to
our readers and supporters the realization of these goals. A
newspaper such as AI-Hoda, with all the years and wealth of
experience which it has, ought to make such a pledge a lifelong destiny."
Accordingly, during the postwar years, AI-Hoda's interest in
Lebanese affairs became more diversified and more complex.
Lebanon had become fully independent. the French forces had
left, and a national government was at the helm. Whereas
in the past interest centered mainly around the independence
first from the Ottoman and then from the French, Salloum
was now confronted with a complicated set of social. economic
and political issues.
It was no longer enough to demand
independence and to mobilize the immigrants for that goal.
Salloum proceeded to propose constructive policies suited to
the situation.
His position in the crisis between Syria and Lebanon in the
late 1940's over their joint economic services was an example.
Under the French mandate, customs, import-export and other
uch activities were jointly organized, but after independence,
tho French wanted to separate these services so that each
ounLry would benefit from its own income. However, the
105
�Syrian government objected to certain aspects of the agreement and this led to a Syrian embargo on wheat exports to
Lebanon.
Salloum commented at length and repeatedly on
this crisis in AI-Hoda and urged the immigrants to donate
funds for purchase of American wheat for Lebanon.
His
campaign was so successful that the first shipment of wheat
left New York on February 27, 1948, only weeks after he had
started it. Other shipments followed until the crisis was over
and cordial relations restored between the two countries.
Salloum dealt also with Arab and American affairs. He felt
that Arab interests were important because developments in
the Arab world directly affected Lebanon. However, the immigrant was first of all an American and so Salloum often
dealt with purely American affairs such as his campaign on
behalf of the American Red Cross.
In the field of Arab affairs, Salloum's position in defending
Palestine was famous. When the Palestine Question was undergoing its most critical stage at the United Nations, Salloum
felt AI-Hoda should carry the Arab banner for Palestine.
He
called for a settlement which would safeguard Arab rights.
•
He often wrote editorials warning the United States of the
dangers inherent in appeasing the Zionists and brought to
the attention of the U:S. government the need to respect the
principles of justice and humanity.
These editorials were
influential in Washington, though other factors prevailed in
the Palestine Question.
The complexity of independent
Lebanon's interests .and
thereby those of AI-Hoda also brought about the need for clarifying the relationships between Lebanon and its immigrants
overseas.
In this regard, the Lebanese government sent Mr.
Joseph Abu-Khater to report on the conditions of the Lebanese
community.
Warmly received by the immigrants wherever
he went, his visit was extensively covered by AI-Hoda, although it had little enthusiasm for the Lebanese regime in
power at the time.
Then Mr. Abu Khater sent a secret report to his government
accusing the immigrant press of distorting news of Lebanon
and portraying its conditions negatively.
When Salloum
106
learned of this report. he obtained a copy through his own
sources and published it in AI-Hoda. commenting that AI-Hoda
in particular and the immigrant press, in general.only portray
the realities of Lebanon. The question, however. went much
deeper.
The issue raised by Mr. Abu Khater dealt with the
foundation of the relations between Lebanon and her immigrants, a question that had oflen preoccupied Salloum. He
wrote an important editorial in which he evaluated this relationship as follows:
"With all our love for Lebanon and our desire to see her
happy and prosperous, we cannot ignore the true perspective
of things.
If we did, we would become hypocrites and
deceivers.
Our conscience
and love for our Lebanese
brethren as well as our duty to the Lebanese immigrants
would not permit such deceitful action.
"The truth of the matter is that those who emigrated from
Lebanon did not do so to conquer territory for their country
or to raise a flag in the name of their government, as was
the case in former eras of history with the French, British,
Spaniards, and Portuguese. They did so following the lure of
nations much more powerful than theirs, seeking freedom from
economic necessities in new lands where opportunities are
numerous, without a thought of nationalism.
"True, at first, we had intentions to return to home country.
But harsh circumstances destroyed these hopes, while independence in Lebanon reduced the relationship between her
and the Lebanese immigrants to an emotional attachment.
And this is precisely the area that we are sparing no effort to
develop. We believe that a stronger and deeper emotional
attachment is of primary and overriding importance today.
Anything less is useless."
At the same time, Salloum did not restrict his editorial
concerns solely to Lebanon. In the last years of his life, he
often wrote analytical editorials warning against the dangers
of the cold war and of catastrophes that could suddenly erupt
unless reason prevailed among the great powers. He also
devoted considerable energy to the question of Palestine. He
called for donations to Arab orphans in Palestine. He proposed
107
�and helped establish the Middle East Relief Project which
collected donations and bought medicine and ambulances
for the fighting Arab armies in Palestine.
Yet he opposed
Lebanon's participation in the war, saying:
"Lebanon should
be a land of peace at all times."
Another matter in which he was actively engaged was
Canada's legal designation of the Lebanese as members of
the yellow race and therefore ineligible for citizenship. That
same question had long been resolved in the United States
in a great victory for AI-Roda.
Once again AIBoda became
the defender of Lebanon and the rights of her descendants
abroad.
Salloum wrote editorials, circulated petitions, and
made innumerable
personal contacts until the law was
changed in favor of Lebanese immigrants ill Canada.
CHAPTER XXXI
THE DEATH OF SALLOUM
In 1950, when it became known that Salloum had cancer
of the throat, AI-Roda entered a difficult and troubled period.
Though Salloum maintained his regular activities, news of
his illness created a feeling of uneasiness
among the
Lebanese.
Subscriptions were not being renewed, and at the
same time elements among the Lebanese immigrants aspired
to control of the newspaper.
In 1951, when Salloum became very ill, he had to spend
long months in St. Clare's Hospital in New York City, going
home only for ,a few weeks at a time before returning to the
hospital.
During those months, Scdloum's five daughters
attended him as regularly as they could, but his oldest
daughter, Mary, never left his side until the end. She was her
father's assistant, secretary, consultant, and nurse.
Solloum's stay in the hospital shifted the flow of friends
and help-seekers from his Al-Hoda'e office to his hospital
room. He made every effort. however strenuous, to look
cheerful and hospitable.
He never spoke to visitors of his ill-
ness, only of their problems and of the future. Through close
friends, he maintained a close watch on the state of affairs
in Lebanon.
Salloum knew there were forces in the country interested
in taking over AI-Roda and using it for their own ends. Some
were close friends. He did not resent their efforts so much as he
hoped that their feeling of responsibility to the community
would overshadow petty ambitions.
When Salloum died at home on January 2, 1952, with his
family at his side, the news of his death spread like lightning
throughout the United States and Lebanon. Wherever there
were Lebanese immigrants in the world, people mourned his
death. Hundreds streamed to his house to pay their respects
to his family.
Three years later, the Lebanese government. acting upon
a Parliamentary resolution, asked that the body of Salloum
be returned to Lebanon for burial. The Mokarzel family consented and a committee was formed under the patronage of Dr.
Charles Malik, Lebanon's ambassador to the United States. The
committee's chairman, Hon. Halim Shbea. Lebanon Consul
General in New York. appointed the committ~e's members who
included: Metropolitan Archbishop Antony Bashir of the Syrian Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese; Msgr. Stephen Douaihy.
Vicar of the Maronite Patriarch in the U.S.; Msgr. Elie Skaff,
pester of the Melkite community in New York; Ali Mohiedeen.
P~_esident of the Moslem League; Dr. Alif Jabara. Consul of
Lebanon in New York; Toufic Attala. Hon. Consul of Lebanon
in N. J.; George Beshara. Hon. Consul of Lebanon in Detroit;
Nicholas Zanaty. Hon. Consul of Lebanon in Chicago;
Mansour Zanaty, Hon. Consul of Lebanon in Birmingham; Dr.
Naif Basile, President. Lebanon League of Progress; Alexander
Antoun, Secretary, Lebanon League of Progress; Abdalmasih
Haddad, publisher As-Sayeh, George Debs. publisher. T~e
Caravan;
Dr. Alfonse Chourize, Publisher. Al-lslah; Fand
Ghosn, Editor. Meraat-ul-Gharb; Abraham Lion. representing
Friends of the Deceased; Nacib Trabulsi, representing the Mo
kcrzel family.
On May 19 at 5 p.m. a memorial meeting was held at the
108
109
�Lebanese Consulate on the eve of the removal of the body of
Salloum to his native land. Dr. Malik led a long and distinguished list of speakers who memorialized the late publisher.
"Salloum Mokarzel was a loyal American," said Dr. Malik,
"but his heart was in Lebanon. That is why we are taking
him back to Lebanon."
The next day, the body of Salloum
left for Lebanon aboard the SS. Excordia accompanied by
his daughter Mary. When the boat docked in Marseilles, two
other daughters of Salloum also came aboard, Rose, Mrs.
Joseph Tanous, and Yamna Mokarzel.
On Wednesday, June 8, 1955, Sclloum's body arrived at the
port of Beirut to be met by a delegation that included a Representative of the President of Lebanon, Mr. George Haimary.
Others in the delegation were the Director of the Lebanese
Immigrants Office, Mr. Fouad Braidy; Chief of the Press Syndicate, Mr. Kamil Yousef Chamoun; Minister of the Interior,
Mr. Farid Habib; Minister of Information, Mr. Fouad Kassem;
President of the Immigrants Club, Mr. Emile Odeimy; President
of AI-Qalam Society, Mr. Salah Labaki; and the Representative of the Press Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Mr. Younis Rizk.
As the body was removed from the ship, a police detachment fired a military salute. The cortege following the special
hearse offered by the City of Beirut included a guard of honor,
a military jeep, police motorcycles, limousines for the clergy;
the representatives of the President, for the Mokarzel family,
for the reception committee and a cortege of automobiles
carrying members and friends of the Mokarzel family.
The procession ended at the Church of St. Anthony, where
the coffin was on display until June 12. On that day at 10
a.m., the requiem mass took place in the presence of civil and
military officials while another military salute was fired outside
the church. After the mass, cortege proceeded to the town of
Freike where the body of Salloum was laid to rest in the tomb
next to that of his brother, Naoum.
110
CHAPTER XXXII
AL-HODA CARRIES ON
Salloum's death opened the door to a fiercer struggle for
control of AI-Hoda--a struggle that can only be understood in
terms of what the newspaper meant to Lebanese at home and
abroad.
Since its founding, AI-Hoda has been the voice of Lebanese
immigrants overseas, particularly in North and South America.
Its service to Lebanon and its struggle for her independence
became a legend wherever Lebanese lived. In America in
particular, it came to represent the spirit of Lebanon.
The struggle which followed Salloum's death was therefore
aimed at gaining leadership of the Lebanese immigrants and
at wielding the power this would bring. Two groups fought
over AI-Hoda, one group friendly to Salloum, the other opposed
to him. The first group wanted control in the name of the past
and as a token of their continued faith in Scdloum's mission.
They felt their past support should now be rewarded.
The
second group felt that Salloum's death had removed the last
obstacle in the way of their control of AI-Hoda.
But neither
group considered the basic argument that AI-Hoda could not
grow or even stay alive without a Mokarzel. Some people
on both sides believed in the good faith of each of the leading
contenders, while many were only interested in achieving personal power through control of AI-Hoda.
Some eight years before his death, Salloum had made a
will, leaving his estate to his five daughters.
In one sentence
he mentioned the desirability of carrying on AI-Hoda if it be
profitable. Problems arose when the two executors disagreed,
each joining one of the contending groups. When the struggle
between the two groups became overpowering, the executors
decided to sell AI-Hoda and put an end to the controversy.
AI-Hoda occupied at that time a four-story building on East
28th Street in New York City, an area where real estate was
highly valued. In addition, there was much valuable equip111
�Two bids were made, one for $16,000
ment and machinery.
and the other for $30,000, obviously pitifully low.
Throughout the United States, South America and Lebanon,
Lebanese saddened by the state of affairs urged Mary Mokarzel to buy AI-Hoda. At first she thought it was their way of
expressing sympathy to her. But their urging was in earnest.
Telephone calls, letters and personal contacts from all over
the United States, and from Canada and South America as
well as Lebanon, urged Mary to keep AI-Hoda in the Mokarzel
family. She had never considered the possibility of acquiring
AI-Hoda until the increased pressure led to her decision to buy
out the shares of her sisters, Rose Tanous, Alice [ctoudi, Yamna
and Lila Hatab, who wished to sell.
What followed was a sad chapter in Mary's life. Some of
her father's old friends turned against her and vilified her in
public, while anonymous letters were mailed to AI-Hoda subscribers attacking her character.
Mary offered $60,000 for
AI-Hoda, twice as much as the higher bid. She could have
acquired it for less, but loyalty prevented her from realizing
any saving at the expense of her father's life's work. She
pledged her share of her father's estate, another large sum
from her aunt Lizzie Rahid of North Carolina, and mortgaged
the AIBoda building to make the purchase.
At the signing, one of the executors said she would take
possession within "two or three days." Though he kept postponing the transfer for two years, Mary refused to become
discouraged and give up the newspaper.
Finally she sued
the executor in order to take possession of the property by
court order.
Thus AI-Hoda entered its third phase of ownership and continued its traditional
policy. Mary spared no effort to keep
up with the developments in Lebanon, America and the world,
showing the same faith and determination as her father. While
Salloum's illness and the controversies of the two years following his death had left a serious dent in iUBoda's income,
Mary refused to lower its standards.
Mary also faced a special problem. Having been born in
America, her limited knowledge of the Arabic language
112
prevented her from participating fully in the editorial operations of AIBoda except for setting policy lines. She left the
technicalities of carrying out those policies to the editors themselves. Her problems developed when some of these editors
exploited her trust for their own benefits and even at times
sided with enemies of the newspaper.
But many other editors
were good and doycl people. Especially notable was Joseph
Sharbel who, until his death four years ago, had been with
AI-Hoda 62 years. He had been sent to Naoum "as a son"
by his father, from Baabdat. Lebanon, when he was twelve
years of age. He was the best known, most faithful and the
piliar of the production of the paper, all his life.
Shortly before Sclloum's death, he (Salloum)
wrote on
a piece of paper (he could not talk as his larynx had been
removed) to his daughter Mary: "Mary, depend on Joe".
. Joe was the main guide and teacher of Mary in the much she
had to learn.
In spite of these difficulties, AI-Hoda carried on the mission
for which it had been established.
Under Mary, AI-Hoda's
offices became an open house and a port of call for LebaneseAmericans from all over the United States when they visited
New York. And the newspaper itself maintained the bond
between Lebanon and its sons and daughters abroad.
CHAPTER XXXIII
NEW DIMENSIONS
In 1954, Mary Mokarzel added a new dimension to AI-Hoda's
role. It stemmed from the fact that the new Lebanese generation born and educated in the United States did not read
Arabic. An English-language sister to AI-Hoda was necessary.
Thus in April of 1954, she acquired the Lebanese American
Journal. a thriving and growing addition.
The new paper ran parallel to AI-Hoda which was busy
responding to events here and in Lebanon. In its January 1,
1956, issue. AIBoda described the Tripoli Flood in the River
113
�Abu Ali section in which 500 perished and damage was estimated at over $3 million. Almost immediately the readers
responded. sending money to AIBoda to forward to the victims
of the flood. AI-Hoda printed the names of the donors and the
amounts they contributed. By January 10. 1956. AI-Hoda sent
the first check to the Tripoli Relief Fund Chairman. Rashid
Karami.
While these contributions were still coming in. a new disaster overlook Lebanon. On Friday. March 16. 1956. Southern
Lebanon was shaken severely by three earthquakes at 9:30.
9 :42 and 9: 46 p.m. More than 150 were killed and more than
500 injured, Two hundred villages were in ruins. 20.000 homeless. and damage reached $520 million. Again an appeal was
launched.
By May 1. 1956. $10.976 was collected for earthquake relief through AI-Hoda and its English counterpart.
On September 2 of that year. Dr. Victor Khouri. Lebanon's
Ambassador to the United States. came to the twenty-sixth
Mahrajan. at Narragansett Park. Pawtucket. R.I.. to convey
the gratitude of the President of Lebanon to AI-Hoda and the
Lebanese American Journal. sponsors of the Mahrajan and the
"Lebanon American Emergency Fund."
In formal address
he thanked Miss Mary Mokarzel and the AI-Hoda Committee
for its inauguration of the Fund. He said the Fund was indirectly responsible for raising most of the thirty million
Lebanese pounds that went for the relief of flood and earthquake victims in Lebanon.
In the political arena. AI-Hoda sent a cable to Pierre
Gemayel. leader of the Al Kataeb. Lebanon's most powerful
nationalist party. asking him to outline his party's policies.
The result was the following significant statement in November. 1956:
"Lebanon these days is passing through the most critical
stage of its history since the end of the World War I.
"Despite the difficulties involved in this phase. despite the
problems encountered by the Arab countries and the Near
East in general and despite the gloomy international atmosphere we can say that the liberty of Lebanon. it ind p ndence and sovereignty are secure, becaus of th wi ,c u -
geous and correct policy which was unanimously approved
by all the Lebanese under the direction of President Camille.
Chamoun.
"....
We laid down our policy and proclaimed it time and
again. in the past and also during the important press conference of March 1955. when we said: 'The human heritage. civi) lizntion, religion. culture. the economic interests .. .link us to
the West. and it leads us to establish between ourselves and
the West the firmest ties of understanding. cooperation and
solidarity. within the framework of our rights. obligations and
mutual interests.'
"We consider that the responsibility of the West. in the
maintenance of this cooperation. understanding and solidarity
between itself and Lebanon . . . is greater than ours."
The readers of AI-Hoda and the Lebanese American Journal
welcomed such assurances and responded with a flood of
Letters to the Editor. This underlined the sensitive and important position of these publications in influencing and reflecting
Lebanese
and Lebanese-American
policies, politics and'
thought.
When Lebanon's independence. together with Jordan's was
being threatened by Nesser early in 1957. AI-Hoda and the
Lebanese American Journal urged their readers to cable approval of Lebanon's pro-Western stand to President Camille
Chamoun.
The resultinq flood of cables sent by Lebanese
leaders, individuals and clubs under a program initiated by
AI-Hocla and the Lebanese
American Journal prompted
Lebanon's Foreign Minister Charles Malik to send this cable
to the publications:
"We are deeply touched by your support. Please assure
AI-Hocla and Journal readers ...
that Lebanon's fundamental
policy of friendship and cooperation with the West is unalterable and that Lebanon will never become communist or fall
under communist influence.
"Lebanon is founded on a basis of independence and equality and on principles of freedom and that the individual human
person is ultimate and inviolable. These being the foundations
115
114
�of Lebanon, it is natural for Lebanon to feel close affinity with
the West and especially the United States.
"The friendly and close cooperation with the West that flow
from this affinity are thereiure eternal."
In the fall of 1957, AI-Hoda and the Lebanese American
Journal launched a campaign calling on their readers to protest the rise of communist activities in Lebanon by sending
letters and cables to the government in Beirut. Thereupon,
Lebanon broke off negotiations with Syria for. a military pact
that would have pushed Lebanon toward the Soviet bloc along
with Syria.
Another letter campaign urged the Lebanese government to
accept the Eisenhower Doctrine as Lebanon became the only
Middle East country to sign formally the agreement. President
Eisenhower subsequently praised Lebanon's pro-Western position in accepting the credentials of Lebanese Ambassador Nadim Demeshkiye in February, 1958:
"The devotion which the Lebanese people and their leaders
have demonstrated for the principles of independence and
human dignity has contributed significantly to the preservation of these principles in the world today. The United States
is dedicated to the same cause, and looks forward to continued
collaboration with the government and people of Lebanon in
the interests of this high purpose."
.
In another episode, AI-Hoda and the Lebanese American
Journal denounced "the smallness of some men" who stood
in the way of Dr. Charles Malik's return to the United Nations
to open its September, 1959, session. As outgoing president
of the General Assembly, Dr. Malik was to preside over the
session, but to do so he had to be a member of his country's
delegation. When the Lebanese Parliament opposed this right,
the following editorial stand resulted:
"The whole world appreciates and gives credit to the great
humanitarian,
the philosopher, the great anti-communist
thinker- except his own country. The whole world chose him
as a man among men, a man who towered intellectually and
spiritually above the general run of man-except
the men of
his country. The whole world gives full response to the great
values enunciated by our own Dr. Malik-except
his own
country.
"The reflection is not on Dr. Malik, but on the smallness of
some men who now form the present government-their
pettiness and their small jealousies. It is about time that the
Lebanese cease to consider personalities and begin to forget
themselves and look at others and at events objectively
and maturely, that they cease to be small children and increase
in stoture and fair play."
Judging from the reaction of readers, the comments of both
publications created a sense of outrage and generated great
sympathy for a man unjustly victimized by the petty jealousies
of Lebanese politics. Once again, AI-Hoda had spoken out
as the conscience of its readers.
CHAPTER XXXIV
VOTE OF CONFIDENCE, CHANGE
OF ADDRESS
In close succession, AI-Hoda celebrated its sixtieth anniversary and moved to new quorters. The celebration evoked a
vote of confidence from Lebanese everywhere in the stewardship of Mary Mokarzel as the paper's third publisher, while
the move represented her response to the responsibility of
carrying on the newspaper's traditions.
For the sixtieth anniversary on February 22, 1958, congratulatory letters came from all parts of the world. Well-wishers
included Lebanese President Camille Chamoun; Maronite
Patriarch Paul Meouchi; Lebanese Premier Sami es-Solh; Foreign Minister Charles Malik; Minister of Finance, Information
and National Instruction Farid Kozma; Sheikh Pierre Gemayel;
Director of Immigrants Fouad Braidy; Lebanon's Permanent
U.N. Delegate, Dr. Karim Azkoul; Leader of the National Bloc,
Raymond Edde; Chor-Bishop Mansour Stephen, Our Lady of
Lebanon Church of Brooklyn, N. Y.; Msgr. Elie Skaff, Church
117
116
�of the Virgin Mary of Brooklyn, N. Y.; Adel Osseiran, speaker
of the Lebanese Chamber of Deputies; Robert Abella, President,
Press Syndicate of Lebanon, and Toufic Attallah, Honorary
Consul of Lebanon in New Jersey. A sampling of their statements follows:
Sami es-Solh - "The sixty years in the life of AI-Hoda overflow with glorious deeds which Lebanese here and abroad
recall with pride and dignity.
Thanks to the direction of
AIBoda and its appeals, Lebanese abroad have responded
to every call for help and assistance emanating from Lebanon.
I sincerely appreciate the glorious role which your paper
valiantly plays to unite the sons of Lebanon."
Dr. Charles Malik - " ...
an ever shining, glittering past
which for more than half a century had nothing to offer but
valiant struggle and glorious fight for the sake of Lebanon and
its cause. And its present is-despite
difficulties and obstacles-brilliant
and illustrious.
"Lebanon's Ambassador to the world before Lebanon had
any ambassadors ...
This is Al-Hoda, one of the brightest
pictures in the history of Lebanon overseas. I bow with respect
and reverence before the memory of two great pillars, Naoum
and Salloum, who lived as much for a creed and a nation as
for themselves. And to its present owner may I present my
sincerest appreciation on a noble record which actually is a
source of pride and pleasure to every Lebanese."
Raymond Edde - "No one but a hypocrite would deny
Lebanon's indebtedness to AI-Hoda.
To AI-Hoda goes the
credit of uniting the world of the Lebanese abroad and unifying their ranks. AI-Hoda was Lebanon's loyal ambassador
when Lebanon had no ambassadors or representatives.
The
owner of AI-Hoda kindled the spark of Lebanon's movement
for independence, which is responsible for the glory, dignity
and independence that Lebanon enjoy today. Blessed be the
souls of the two great leaders, Naoum and Salloum, and may
God grant the owner of AI-Hoda all the strength that she
requires."
The year following this milestone, the last issue of AI-Hoda
and the Lebanese American Journal were published at 32 East
118
28th Street. In a front page story, the move to new quarters
was chronicled in the following manner: "This is the last issue
of LAJ to be' put out at 32 East 28th Street. Next week the
presses and shop and offices will be moved to the new AI-Hoda
building at 16 West 30th Street. The policy of our publications
will remain unchanged. We welcome you all to visit us in the
beautiful new offices at our new address." Thus did AI-Hoda
publications begin a new era-with traditional familial solicitude and hospitality.
The move had come about after Mary sold the AI-Hoda
building on East 28th Street for a substantial price that enabled
her to purchase new quarters, and to continue publication.
Without this sale the fate of AI-Hoda and LAl would have
been in grave doubt. perhaps no longer existing.
Salloum had written in his will that he recommended that
AI-Hoda be kept going "if it were profitable". It had not been
and even after the sale of the building was kept alive by
Mary, putting money into it.AI-Hoda moved after Mary spent
another substantial sum of money furnishing the new offices
in spite of decreasing profits.
The February 29, 1960 issue of AIBoda and the Lebanese
American Journal were festive as their front pages carried
news and pictures of AI-Hoda's sixty-second anniversary celebration combined with the dedication of the new buildinq.
There was a message from the President of the United States
extending best wishes to AI-Hoda and excerpts from speeches
by Dr; Malik. Mr. Emile Metter. Consul General of Lebanon in
the United States, andMr. Georges Hakim, Lebanon's UN delegate. Metropolitan Antony Bashir (Orthodox), Chor-bishop
Mansour Stephen (Maronite), Msgr. Elie SKaff (Melkite) and
R v. Paul Schneirla (Orthodox) all took part in bl ssing th
1\
w building.
bing AI-Hoda's mission, Dr. Malik said the now
k P the whole problem of Lebanon alive in t~
m IIdl\ 01 lilt I ( r you who have willingly merged your life
will
lill I II nl 1111
untry." Then he added: "That indeed is
y III dilly III I•• I I I , American, and secondly, Lebanese.
BUI ull , I lit. II
lilly I ( nliment left in you after you have
I(
('1
uerh' "t
119
�discharged your American duties as American citizen, we
would be very happy-all
of us, who love Lebanon-we
will
be very happy to have you think of Lebanon."
In order to carryon
its share of Al-Hoda:« mission the
Lebanese American Journal sought to maintain a bridge between the past and present. Articles were published on the
history and heritage shared by all Lebanese and on the immigrant experience in America.
Noteworthy among such
articles was the writing of Dr. Hitti, Professor Emeritus of
Princeton University.
In 1960, preparations
were also made to organize the
Lebanese World Union. AI-Hoda supported the idea enthusiastically because the organization would serve as a bridge
between Lebanon and the immigrants.
For years, AI-Hoda
maintained support for the Lebanese World Union until it was
confronted witht the bitter truth: some people were using the
organization for their own interests at the expense of the common good.
That year also, the same forces which had tried to take over
AI-Hoda attempted to control the Maronite Institute in Washington D.C. AI-Hoda gave its unquestioning support to ChorBishop Mansour Stephen for president of the Institute and the
opportunists failed.
On August 27, 1962, Patriarch Meouchi visited the United
States for what was an important tour. AI-Hoda devoted many
columns to reporting his trip and its significance.
Special
correspondents were assigned to cover him everywhere and to
write of his activities.
Late in the year, AI-Hoda gave a ceremonial party on December 21 that had great sentimental value and also practical
consequences.
It was in honor of the late Joseph Sharbel on
the occasion of his retirement after 62 years as AI-Hoda's chief
linotype operator. Sharbel's retirement created a major crisis
in AI-Hoda, because of the chronic difficulty of finding dependable, qualified linotypists.
In 1963, the problem became acute. A young man from
Lebanon, whom Mary had sponsored as an immigrant so he
could learn the job, left AIBoda despite his contract. Thus in
120
May 1963, Mary was forced to reduce AI-Hoda's appearance
from daily to three times a week. In March, 1965, AI-Hoda
began appearing twice a week.
In recent years as AI-Hoda approached its seventieth anniversary, there were repeated reminders of its place in the
hearts of Lebanese and Americans and of its place in journalism. On Monday, August 3, 1964, President Johnson asked
the publisher of AI-Hoda and the Lebanese American Journal
to meet with him at the White House together with about 150
publishers of foreign language newspapers in the U.S. to "help
unite the nation" behind necessary measures "to win a victory
for freedom and justice at home and abroad."
The President
spoke to the publishers in behalf of America's minorities and
races, citing the tremendous influence of the foreign publications. He reminded his guests that "Your publications represent one of the most American of American institutions."
On May 26, 1965, when four members of the Lebanese
Parliament visited the offices of AIBoda, they described it as
the "shrine of the Arabic press in America."
The four who
were touring the U.S. as guests of the State Department, were
Sheikh Habib Keyrouz from Besherre, Emile Moukarzel from
Aley, Bashir Osman from Akkar, and Fadlallah Talhouk from
Aley. Mr. Keyrouz made the following statement on behalf
of the group:
"We are honored to pay this great establishment a visit.
W wish to point out proudly the great service that Al-lioda
nd its sister, the Lebanese American Journal. have rendered
to Lebanon and the Lebanese as well as its perseverence in
r intaining the ties of brotherhood and love between Lebanon
(11Ie! It sons abroad.
Those ties of love and devotion are, as
tll y h v always been, a magnificent chapter in Lebanon's
II I ry. As Lebanon grows and remains ever loyal in its ties
r .1 v among its children, so does Emigrant Lebanon grow
w III l v throughout the times-love
for home and land of oriI It, I v for the lands which have received them, and love
I M th r Lebanon, which they have never forgotten generaIt r generation, and which has never forgotten them in
I nt lands."
1?1
�I
Against the immediate background of such sentiments and
such recognition, and secure in a new-found place in the Library of Congress which has microfilmed all its past editions
for posterity, AI-Hoda approached its seventieth cmniversory.
EPILOGUE
Such were the past seventy years in the life of AI-Hoda,
"Arabic language daily of New York." They were years of
full self-denial and sacrifice, and also years in which the ideal
for which the newspaper was founded remained intact.
The first Mokarzel founded what became a monument. The
second preserved and perfected that monument until it became
the image of a people-the
free people of Lebanon. Now, the
third Mokarzel generation of ownership faces the most difficult
task of all: transferring the ideal of AI-Hoda into the adopted
language of the immigrants' children and grandchildren while
trying to preserve AI-Hoda itself into an increasingly uncertain
future.
Thus the Lebanese American Journal. an English-language
weekly published by AI-Hoda has become the wave of the
future. The greatest task facing publisher Mary Mokarzel is
to transfer the spirit of AI-Hodato
the Lebanese American
Journal. During the past sixteen years, the Lebanese American Journal has accomplished much, but more remains to be
done. Most of what is to be done depends largely upon the
new Lebanese-American generations.
They alone can make
of the Lebanese American Journal what their fathers and grandfathers made of AI-Hoda-a
monument for free Lebanon.
Meanwhile, AI-Hoda remains a great force in the lives of the
Lebanese communities, a role that was summed up on the
occasion of its sixty-ninth anniversary in an editorial that ended
with these lines:
"As AI-Hoda enters its seventieth year, we have but a few
short words to say:
"For sixty-nine years this newspaper has carried the banner
of Lebanon, defendir.n her independence, upholding her rights,
122
and spreading her name in glorious letters across the continents.
It has done this for sixty-nine years anticipating
neither reward nor recompense.
It has done this for Lebanon
and for Lebanese immigrants in the United States, motivated
only by faith, confidence and love.
"Today AI-Hoda seeks neither reward nor recompense.
It
asks only that every Lebanese review in his heart the history
of the struggle for Lebanon's independence and preserve its
living monuments."
Those lines express the role which AI-Hoda intends to play
in the future in the life of the Lebanese communities. It will
be one of guidance and self-denial. Though times change and
new problems replace old ones, AI-Hoda will still remain the
image of the Lebanese people abroad, always true to itself,
always loyal to Lebanon, faithful to the past, and optimistic
about the future .
BIOGRAPHY OF NAOUM MOKARZEL
Since the life of Naoum Mokarzel and its meaning to
Lebanese can not be separated from the history of AI-Hoda
and its meaning, his biography is best interpreted and understood by reading this volume. Here, however, are the basic
facts of his biography, sign posts in his Lebanese-American
odyssey.
Naoum Mokarzel was born in the town of Freike in Northern
Lebanon on August 2, 1864, to Father Antoun Mokarzel. a
Maronite priest, and Barbara ( nee Akl) Mokarzel. Influenced
by his family's long prominence in civic and political affairs,
Naoum acquired at an early age a strong sense of patriotism.
Another major influence was his Icthr's devotion to learning,
articularly to theology and literature.
Little is known about Naoum's early schooling, schools
ng scarce in Lebanon at the time. He probably learned
t
ad and write from his father before entering the School
! Al Hikmat in B irut where he studied Arabic and French
123
�literature.
Upon graduating
from St. Joseph's University
in Beirut, he was offered a job teaching literature at the Jesuit
School in Cairo. After a year there, he was struck by fever.
He returned to Freike and established a boarding school.
Then the magic appeal of America touched off a series of
events which have now become part of Lebanese history
abroad.
In 1890, Naoum emigrated to the United States and
opened a store in New York. When the store failed, costing
him his capital he taught French at a Jesuit school in New
York. Later, he joined a business firm as a bookkeeper. While
still at this job, he published a mimeographed tabloid called
"AI-Asr," which was the second Arabic publication to appear
in the United States.
Having shortly been disappointed in
his publication, Naoum enrolled in a medical school and
attended for two years, until 1898, when he published the first,
issue of AlBoda in Philadelphia.
For one year Al-Hoda appeared in tabloid size and for
three years in a standard size with eight pages. It had little'
equipment and only a few subscribers.
In 1902, Naoum
moved his newspaper to New York, the center for Arabicspeaking immigrants.
On August 25, 1902, AlBoda
began
publishing daily in New York and for many years Naoum
did almost everything-from
editorial work to bookkeeping
and billing.
By 1911, Naoum had attained a distinguished position
among the Lebanese communities. He organized the Lebanon
League of Progress to unify the immigrants and he was unanimously elected president for life. From then on, he was involved in practically
every worthwhile project of any
Lebanese community anywhere in the United States.
In 1919, Naoum went to Paris to struggle for Lebanese
independence, a struggle that only stopped with his death
there on April 5, 1932, during one of his recurring visits. He
carried his struggle to the Versailles Peace Conference and
to the League of Nations. He even had designed the Lebanese
flag in 1919. He died in action for his cause, while negotiating with the French govenlment for greater Lebanese autonomy.
124
His biography is best summarized by a testimonial drawn up
by the committee in charge of Al-Hoda's golden anniversary
in 1948:
"On February 22, 1898, a young immigrant from Lebanon
who had come to the United States with the first onrush of
immigration from the Eastern Mediterranean established in
the shadow of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, a weekly
newspaper in his native Arabic ianguage to which he gave
the name of Al-Hoda, meaning The Guidance.
Its founding
in Philadelphia was intended as an augury to the pursuit and
propagation of the ideal of liberty as embodied in the American Declaration of Independence, and giving it the name of
Al-Hoda was by way of declaring a resolve to guide its
readers to the appreciation of full import of .this great ideal.
Newly-arrived immigrants of Arabic speaking origin were
helped through the medium of Al-Hoda to a better understanding of American citizenship, while the influence of Al-Hoda
abroad, with its full freedom of expression in America, helped
accelerate the movement for freedom and independence in
the Arabic-speaking
sections of the Ottoman Empire. For
this Sultan Abdul Hamid issued a decree condemning him
to death.
"The founder of Al-Hod{I was Naoum A. Mokorzel, native
of Freike, Mt. Lebanon, and the elder of the two sons of the
Rev. Antoun Mokarzel, a Maronite priest. He was graduated
from the college of AI-Hikmat and St. Joseph's Jesuit University in Beirut and was Professor of Arabic literature in the
Jesuit University of Cairo, later returned to Lebanon to establish a private boarding school of his own.
"Two years after his founding of Al-Hoda he was joined by
his brother, Salloum, upon the latter's graduation from St.
Joseph's College at Cornet Shehwan, Mt. Lebanon. With this
added assistance, Al-Hoda was promoted to a semi-weekly,
and in 1902, when it moved to New York, it was published
daily and has been so ever since.
"In 1932 Naoum A. Mokarzel died in Paris while on a
i slon in the interest of reform and better government for
L banon. Al-Hoda became the property of his brother, the
12
�present publisher and editor, through purchase from the estate.
'AI-Hoda steadfastly preached loyalty to America and
rendered signal services to the cause of America and its
Allies during the two World Wars.
"To AI-Hoda goes the credit of adapting the linotype to
Arabic and it was the first to use it commercially ,since 1910.
"Today AI-Hoda celebrates its Fiftieth Anniversary as the
oldest Arabic-language, publication extant in all of the Americas, and among the oldest in the whole Arab world.
"Its continued existence is a tribute to the truly liberal and
democratic institutions of America, as well as to the staunch
loyalty of that group of Arabic readers who have given it
their continuous support through their appreciation of clean,
progressive and fearlessly honest journalism."
BIOGRAPHY OF SALLOUM MOKARZEL
By Lila Mokarzel Hatab
The history of journalism is essentially a history of individuals. The long parabola connecting the days of the primitive handset type to the efficient presses of today is filled
with tales of courage, sacrifice, strife and nobility. Not the
least among these narratives of journalistic pioneers is that
of my fother, Sclloum Anthony Mokarzel.
Born in August 1883 in the village of Freike, Lebanon,
amidst the verdant splendor of the Lebanese mountains and
tlie ageless majesty of the biblical cedars, he grew to love
the country of his birth. His respect for tradition was nurtured by the rich folklore of the brave and open-hearted
mountaineers. The example of his father, a humdle Maronite
priest, imbued him with a warmth and generosity to stranger
and friend alike.
Beforethe end of the nineteenth century he came to America
with his mother to comfort his older brother, Naoum, who was
ailing. At the Chicago World's Fair in 1898he exhibited his
flair for oratory-as a barker of the concessions, at the age
126
of 8 !
After several years of struggle, he returned to Beirut to
complete his education at St. Joseph's Jesuit University. Returning to America, he worked briefly as a rug salesman and
then founded a journal of commerce in Arabic. Inevitably
he turned to journalism as an apprentice to his brother who
W{IS then publishing AI-Hoda.
My father's vision of fulfillment was shattered by the
menial tasks to which he was assigned at AI-Hoda.
In a
burst of rebellion and independence, he embarked upon a
new venture-the publication of the Syrian World-a literary
maqazine in English. For many years its. pages introduced
poets and writers of rare quality.
His marriage to Helen Kalil produced five daughters, the
fifth being born after the family moved to Cranford, New
Jersey. In 1927,my father sent his wife and tive daughters
for two year studies in Lebanon. No history book could recreate the wealth of memories stored up by visits to Baalbek,
Tyre, Sidon, Jerusalem and Damascus. He wanted them to
share his deep feeling for the country of his origin.
The romance between my father and journalism flourished
when he was csked by Mergenthaler Linotype Company to
adapt their machines to the Arabic language. This completed,
he represented the company in the Middle East in 1929,and
introduced the publishing houses of the Arab countries to the
linotype. This invention immeasurably stimulated the growth
of Arabic journalism. He consequently adapted the Royal
and Remington typewriters to this difficult language.
Upon the death of his brother, Naoum, in 1932,my father
went deeply into debt in order to purchase the newspaper
he alone was qualified to administer. AI-Hoda was the
.standard-bearer of reform and integrity, and he resolved to
maintain and increase its eminence in the field of journalism.
He gained for the paper new respect by applying the
American tradition of objectivity. He eschewed the Oriental
habit of editorializing in the news, and treated news in a
I rl ss and factual manner.
He innovated with a new
y t m of hoadlinos and increased .the number of pictures.
17."
�-
--~
AI-Hoda soon emerged not only as a symbol of journalistic
integrity but as an instrument for the liberation of Lebanon
from foreign rule. He was awarded the Order of the Cedars
for his perservering efforts in helping to free Lebcmon.from the
Ottoman Empire and in helping to attain, through his paper,
the final independence of his homeland. The French Legion
of Honor was a testimony to his aid in fostering amicable
relations between Lebanon and France.
Although the affairs of Lebanon were important to AI-Hoda,
there was no question of divided loyalty.
My father was
first an American, and Ai-Hoda was essentially an American
newspaper.
He worked hard to make the World's Fair of
1939 in New York a success because he was an American.
The Lebanese pavilion provided Americans with a glimpse of
the talents of the ancient Phoenicians as well as the splendors
of modern Lebanon.
Like many minority groups coming into a new country, the
Lebanese suffered from lack of recognition and sought ways
of banding together.
My uncle and father instituted the
"Mahrajan," a large outdoor festival. which has now become
a yearly tradition. Hundreds of families converge and old
and new friends meet amid the dances, haunting music, and
exotic foods of the Near East. The Mahrajan has now mushroomed increasingly each summer, in every town and city,
all across the country, by local groups.
My father represented a benevolent father image to many
immigrants, but he impressed others as a man of precise
knowledge who was fluent in Arabic, English and French.
He was a gifted teller of tcles., weaving into his stories his
rich knowledge of folklore and historical facts. It was said
"he had the divine gift of restraInt-with
which he kept the
sensational to a minimum. and gave zest to something important by understatement."
The illness that led to his death in January 1952 served as
the final proving ground for his character.
Uncomplaining,
he completed the picture of his life with heroic strokes. As
a fitting tribute to one of their favorite sons, the Republic of
Lebanon requested the removal of his body to the town of
128
his birth. Sacrificing sentiment, his family reluctantly agreed
to this honor.
In May 1955 the body of Salloum A. Mokarzel was received
with great ceremony in Beirut, and laid to rest next to his
brother in their tomb in Freike.
The ancient Cedars of
Lebanon could now give comforting shade to one of her
devoted sons whose pen helped make justice and freedom
a reality.
THE LEBANON LEAGUE OF PROGRESS
Statutes and Bylaws
1. The Lebanon League of Progress is a national association whose purpose is to defend the interests of Lebanon,
restore her original boundaries, make every effort to provide
her with constitutional government, insure her progress in
the political. economic and social fields, and strengthen her
national unity..
2. As a national association, the League of Progre-ss represents every Lebanese and Lebanese descendant both in
Lebanon and abroad regardless of religion or race.
3. The term "to defend the interests of Lebanon" means taking all honorable measures in order to safeguard Lebanon's
rights and the national rights of her citizens both in Lebanon
and abroad.
4. Lebanon's original boundaries include all those that
will be specified .. It is. therefore. the purpose of the Lebanon
League of Progress to use whatever means are needed to alert
the populations of these areas that they are Lebanese by origin and that they should make every effort to attain those
rights which are common to both of us.
5. The original Lebanese territories are Akkar, Dhinnya.
Tripoli, the upper Koura, the lower Kourc, Zawya, [ibbet
Bashari, Botroun, [beil, Muneitrn, Futtuh, Kasrawan. Matn.
Zohle, the coast, Beirut, the west, Manase£. Shahhar. [urd,
Arqub, Shout, [ezzin, Reihan, Kharoub, Tuffah. Sidon. Shaqif.
129
-
�Shouman, Bcherre, Marjayoun, Hula, Hasbaya, Rashaya,
Biqo, and Baalbek.
6. The type of constitutional government which the
Lebanon League of Progress is endeavoring to establish in
Lebanon is comparable to any of the world's constitutional
governments. It will have a parliament elected directly by
the people which would legislate the laws of the land and
administer its domestic and foreign affairs without the domination of any foreign power.
7. The Lebanese are entitled to independence which they
have struggled for since the beginning of history. The Lebanon
League of Progress has attempted to obtain this independence
for Lebanon and will continue to attempt to obtain it as a
natural and sacred right. and it should be restored to the
Lebanese without their ever being dissuaded to give it up.
8. Lebanon will not advance unless she has a parliamentary government to institute justice for all people under the
leadership of capable men who put the common interest
above the private interest and who do not distinguish between
one Lebanese community and another. Public officials have
in the past been chosen on questionable bases causing unpleasant incidents which the Lebanon League of Progress
wishes to avoid. It has, therefore, adopted as its purpose to
try to choose capable and honest men for official positions in
politics and administration.
9. Lebanon's development includes agriculture, trade and
industry and all that is related to her economic growth such
as opening new ports, factories, railroads, exploring her natural resources, insuring the independence of her customs,
postal services, imports and exports. The Lebanon League
of Progress has always tried to improve conditionsin Lebanon
on the premise that a country which does not develop its
natural resources does not attain its full goals of improving
itself.
10. Lebanon's social questions are most important. Public
schools, which. are lacking, should be established to bring
up children and educate them so that no religion dominate
any other. 1t is not enough to make schools available in
order to Insure social progress in Lebanon, but also to insure
freedom of worship, press, speech, thought. and deed, as well
as the pursuit of individual and public happiness. The
Lebanon League of Progress considers this principle to be the
cornerstone and .indispensable necessity for the accomplishment of the goals to which it aspires, and it will continue its
efforts toward achieving this noble goal because social progress is a necessary supplement to political progress.
11. The strengthening 'OfLebanon's national unity includes
many meanings-the most important of which is the unity of
all Lebanese in Lebanon and abroad, regardless of religion
and belief. No religion should have preference over any
other, and all religions must be equally respected by all. The
national unity unifies all citizens under the one religion of
nationalism. The Lebanese urgently need this religion which
can only rise upon loyalty, sacrifice and honesty. Independence cannot be attained fully unless it is based upon national
unity within a free nation which does not distinquish between
one religion and another or between one race and another.
The Lebanon League of Progress has tried and will continue
to .try to strengthen national unity in Lebanon.
House Rules
1. The Lebanon Lenque of Proqross was established in
New York on August 19, 1911 in order to carry out the principles listed above. It has established branches in Lebanon
and most of the lands where Lebanese have immigrated. It
will keep up its efforts to propagate itself wherever Lebanese
live.
2. Every Lebanese or Lebanese descendant whatever his
religion is entitled to join the Association.
3. The Lebanon League of Progress does not however,
admit anyone who does not follow its principles, or who does
not share its goals whether or not he or she is Lebanese or a
Lebanese descendant.
131
130
�THE EMIGRANTS
By Dr. Philip Hitti
(Encyclopedia
of Islam, 1963)
DJALIYA (from Arabic djala (an), to emigrate), used
here for the Arabic-speaking communities with special reference to North and South America. About eighty per cent of
these emigrants are estimated to have come from what is
today the Lebanese Republic; fifteen per cent from Syria
and Palestine and the rest from al-Irak and al-Yaman. Egypt's
quota is negligible.
Overpopulation in mountainous Lebanon, whose soil was
less fertile than its women, combined with political unrest,
economic pressure and seafaring tradition, found relief in
migration to other lands. Egypt, the only country to which
the Ottoman authorities before 1890 permitted emigration,
offered a special attraction particularly after the British occupation in 1882. The response came from the Western-educated group, graduates of the American University of Beirut
(then known as the Syrian Protestant College) and the Jesuit
St. Joseph University. Clerks, government employees, physicians, pharmacists, teachers found rewarding employment
in Egypt and the Sudan. Two of the earliest and most influential learned magazines (AI-Muktataf and AI-Hilal) and
newspapers (AI Mukattam and AI-Ahram) were founded by
such graduates.
In addition a Syro-Lebanese commercial
colony flourished, mainly in Cairo and Alexandria and gained
possession of about a tenth of the entire wealth of the land.
Western Africa, where today Syro-Lebanese communitieswith about 30,000 settlers-are
sprinkled over the major cities
was I not discovered until the late 1890's. South Africa claims
about an equal number.
But the Golden fleece lay in more distant horizons. The first
132
recorded Arabic speaker to land in North America was a
Christian Lebanese youth Antunius crl-Bishrrlrrni,whose tombstone in Brooklyn (N. Y.) cemetery gives 1856 as his date of
death, two years after his arrival. But there was no movement until after the mid-1890's following the World's Fair at
Chicago. The peak was reached in the pre-first World War
period. For the thirteen years ending in 1913 the Commissioner General of Immigration reported 79,420 "Syrians"
(which term then embraced Lebanese and Palestinians), of
whom 4,064 entered the United States in 1901 and 9,211 in 1912.
By that time there was hardly a village in Lebanon which
could not claim an American citizen as its son. Decline began
with the war followed by restricted quota imposed in 1924 by
the United States government.
Its official statistics indicate
that in 1940 there were about 350,000 of Arabic-speaking origin; estimates in 1950 raise the figure to 450,000; but Lebanese
government statistics released in 1958 make those of Lebanese
descent alone in the United States 450,000.
The majority of these emigrants were Christians, who felt
less strange in the Western world, and were recruited largely
from the uneducated classes.
Wherever these people went
they carried along their cuisine, churches and Arabic printing
press. By 1924 they had established two hundred and nineteen churches and missions scattered all over the larger commercial and industrial cities of the United States. Since then
nine mosques have been built. of which the most imposing
is that of Washington,
founded in 1952 and patronized
by the embassies.
Of the estimated 33,000 Muslims, mostly
Palestinians end Yamanites, 5,000 live in Detroit, attracted by
employment in the automobile factories. In 1924 New York
housed six newspapers (in 1960 five) and three monthlies.
The oldest' newspaper extant. AI-Hocla,celebrated on February
22, 1960 its sixty-second anniversary.
A census taken in 1929
lists 102 Arabic periodicals and papers, extant and extinct,
which saw the light of America and 166 in South America.
The first to reach Brazil was again a Lebanese in 1874. The
movement acquired mass proportions in the 1880's following
Emperor Pedro II's visit to Lebanon and Palestine. In 1892
nc..
133
�an Ottoman-Brazilian treaty gave further impetus. Argentina
was equally interested in new emigrants to develop its vast
resources.
The Syro-Lebanese community in Brazil is larger
than that of the United, States; that of Argentina numbers
about 150,000, of Mexico 60,000. A number of streets in Latin
American countries bear the names of Syria, Lebanon or of
a citizen born here. In South America such emigrants felt
more at home than in North America; they also prospered
more arid maintained a stronger Arab tradition. In wealth
and influence the Sao Paulo colony, headed by the Jafeth
(Jafith) familyfounded by a Christian from al Shuwayr.
Lebanon-compares
favorably with that of Cairo. In 1959
the Sao Paulo community maintained two sport clubs (one
Syrian, one Lebanese), two chambers of commerce, one hospital, one orphanage,
two secondary schools and scores
of philanthropic organizations. Its Greek Orthodox Cathedral,
begun in 1939, is the most imposing place of worship created
by Syro-Lebanese emigrants anywhere.
Though originating mostly in villages the bulk of the emigrants to the two Americas took to business.
The general
pattern was to start from peddling, carrying a Kashsha (from
Portuguese caixa) and knocking at doors, move on to shopkeeping and graduate to large store owning and perhaps to
a leading position as a merchant or industrialist. Arabic papers abound in "success stories" of penniless emigrants
developing into millionaires. Arabic-speaking merchants are
credited among other things with contributing to the introduction and popularization of Kimonos, lingeries, negligees,
linens, laces, Oriental rugs and Near Eastern food articles.
The "folks back home" were generally never forgotten.
Remittances to relatives and friends in the course of the first
Worlel War have been credited with saving numberless lives.
Even as late as 1952 Lebanese officicl statistics credit
Lebanese emigrants with remittances to relatives, friends and
religious and educational institutions amounting to $22,000,000. Descendants of emigrants have entered all kinds of
professions.
In 1959 California sent to the House of Representatives in Washington the first son of a Lebanese emigrant/
134
in the same year a second-generation girl singer was admitted
to the Metropolitan Opera in New York, In 1960 an American
citizen whose father was born in Zahleh (Lebanon)
was
elected mayor of a large city (Toledo, Ohio ).
More striking perhaps has been the literary contribution.
New York boasted a literary circle, founded by Kalil Gibran,
whose influence has been felt througout the Arab world. Its
counterpart in Sao Paulo published for twenty years a magazine (al-Andalus) which had a wide vogue.
These writers
treated new themes, struck fresh notes, introduced modern
styles and reflected the Western influences to which they
were exposed in their adopted lands. By their writings, correspondence
and return visits Arabic-speaking
emigrants
contributed substantially
to the liberalizing, modernizing
trends. Some of the tenderest and most often quoted modern
verses have been composed by Arable poets in New York
and Sao Paulo.
Legislative restrictions on immigration into the New World
encouraged the movement into Australia where the SyroLebanese community is estimated at 20,000 largely clustered
in Sydney.
The wave of migration which rolled from the
Eastern Mediterrannean in the decade preceding the first
World War sent sprinkles to the remotest corners of the habitable world. The Canadian community now counts about
30,000.
HIGHLIGHTS IN LEBANON'S HISTORY
The date is 1100 B. C. The place is Gubla (modern Iuboyl,
Latin Byblus, whence our word Bible, meaning book). The
great military powers of the day are the Egyptian in the south,
the Hittite to the north and the Babylonian to the east.
Squeezed in between are pretty city-states on the Lebanese
shore, bent on trade and other peaceful pursuits. For three
centuries, beginning 1200 B.C., these states enjoyed independ135
�ence and prosperity.
The mighty Egyptian Pharaoh sends his envoy, Wen-Amon,
to the prince of Gubla, Zakar Baal, to fetch cedar wood for
building barges in his treeless land. The envoy reports his
experience and tells us that he spent nineteen long days
loitering in his boat and on the shore, requesting daily an
interview with the prince and getting nowhere to pay for
trees. And when at last the audience is granted the ruler
thus addresses the haggard ambassador:
"I am neither your
servant nor the servant of him who sent you. If I cry out to
Lebanon, the heavens open and the logs roll down to the seashore."
The scene changes.
We are now in Tyre (Sur), head of
the league of Phoenician city-states. Tyre was a twin city:
one on the mainland and the other, half a mile away, on
an island. The island city served as refuge for all inhabitants
in time of war. The greatest ruler of the age, Nebuchudnezzor,
in 605 routs the Egyptian army in north Syria and proceeds
for the conquest of the entire area south to Jerusalem. In 585
he attacks Tyre. The mainland city falls, but his military
machine is of no avail against the other city. For thirteen
years the ruler Ethbaal defends his capital against the invader - a record hard to match in military annals.
Tyre had earlier closed its gates for five years (727-722)
in the face of an Assyrian invader, Shalmanezer, and was
later to defy Alexander the Great.
The Macedonian built
from the debris of the mainland city a 200-foot-wide causeway
to reach the island and, after seven months ending mid-Iuly
332, affected a breach in its 150-foot-high wall and stormed the
proud queen of the eastern Mediterranean.
But the glory of ancient Lebanon lay not in this field but
in the cultural one, the contributions it made to world progress.
Its people served as the middlemen between East and West
commerciclly as well as intellectually and spiritually. It was
they who taught the Greeks how to read and write, how to
navigate the seas and how to use certain metals. From the
Greeks much of this knowledge was passed on to the Roman
and other Europeans.
136
Again the scene changes. We are now in the early modern
age. Mount Lebanon has become the home of new settlers:
Druzes in the south and Maronites in the north. The area is
under the nominal sovereignty of the Ottoman Turks in Constantinople.
It is administered by local feudal lords.
In
general the sultans were too busy in the Balkans and. Anatolia
to pay much heed to those tough, freedom loving mountineers.
The measure of authority excercised by each lord of theirs
varied in accordance with his ability and the weakness of
the Sublime Porte. This was exemplified in the case of Fakhrol-Din al-Ma'ni (1590-1635). From his mountain capital Dayral-Qamar, Fakhr extended his domain north and south at
the expense of his neighbors. He demolished the palaces of
his rivals in Akkar and Tripoli and brought stones to build
his palace and mosque, where those stones are still conspicuous. The way to Palestine and Transjordan became open
before the ambitious Lebanese in 1622, when the sultan bestowed on him Nabulus and 'Ajlun. The governor of Damascus, Mustafa Pasha, objected to the deal. "Syria" under the
Ottomans was used as a geographical term for the entire
area including Lebanon, but had no political implication so
far as Lebanon was concerned. Fakhr-al-Din at the head of
4,000 Lebanese met Mustafa Pasha on the battlefield of 'Anjar (al-Biqa'), routed his army of 12,000, and took him a
prisoner. Sultan Murad considered it expedient to recognize
the accomplished fact and bestow on his turbulent subordinate the honorific title of lord of 'Arabistan. A predecessor
of Murad, Sultan Salim, conqueror of Syria (1516), had
bestowed on Fakhr's grandfather the title of sultan of the
mountain (al-barr).
A successor of Fakhr-al-Din, Bashir al-Shihabi (1788-1840),
qqcin defied his Ottoman suzerain and in the 1830s marched
his troops with those of the Egyptian Ibrahim Pasha victoriously northward threatening the destruction of the entire Ottoman Empire.
But here again the glory of Ieudcl Lebanon lay in another
field', that of culture. Both Fakhr-al-Din and Bashir pioneered
in modernizing Lebanon and pointed out to the Lebanese
137
�their destiny. They exposed their domain to Western material
and cultural influences at a time when an iron wall separated
the Ottoman provinces from Europe. It was their achievement
that gave rise to the saying: "Happy is he who has a goat's
corral in Jabal Lubnan."
Princeton, New Jersey
Philip K. Hitti
Silver Jubilee Banquet of AI-Hoda, Hotel Bossert, Brooklyn, 1923
138
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1)'111,
�I
Salloum Mokarzel with members of the Leban on League of Progress at Arlington Cemetery
at the presentation and planting of twenty-one Cedar Trees brought from Lebanon as a gift
to President and Mrs. Franklin Roosevelt. who is shown above.
Banquet in honor of the Arab States Delegation to the United Nations, Starlight Roof. WaldorfAstoria Hotel, November 29, 1946.·
�Prince Feisal of Saudi Arabia (now King),Salloum Mokorzel, with them Governor and Mrs.
Earl Warren of California in San Fronci sco, 1946, at opening of United Nations
Banquet in honor of Sheikh Pierre Gemcvel. bv Lebanese American Society of Greater New
York, Sert Room, Wal dorf Astoria, 1958.
�Salloum Mokarzel presents Robert Gannon, then President of
Fordham University with one of his beloved Cedar trees he brought
from Lebanon for this presentation,
�
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
Mokarzel Family
Subject
The topic of the resource
Arabic literature--History and criticism
Lebanese-Americans--United States
Description
An account of the resource
<h5>Introduction</h5>
<p>Naoum Antoun Mokarzel (1864-1932) and Salloum Antoun Mokarzel (1881-1952) were influential intellectuals who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in the late nineteenth century. Both were prominent Lebanese-American intellectuals who used their family-owned publishing house, the Al-Hoda Press, to preserve their heritage for diaspora communities across the world and to educate English-speaking audiences about the rich history and culture of Lebanon.</p>
<p>The Mokarzel brothers were the sons of Antoun Mokarzel, a Maronite Priest, and Barbara Akl Mokarzel. They were born and raised in Frieke, Lebanon. Naoum Mokarzel emigrated to the United States in 1890, at the age of 26. Naoum explored various career options as a young man, including: shopkeeper, bookkeeper, journalist, and medical student. While working as a bookkeeper in Philadelphia he founded <em>Al Asr</em>, a fledgling newspaper which quickly failed. Shortly after, in 1898, Naoum founded <em>Al-Hoda</em><span> [Guidance] as a biweekly publication; the first issue was published on February 22 of that year. In 1902, Naoum moved the paper from Philadelphia to New York and began publishing it as a daily. Newspapers proliferated among the populous Lebanese immigrant community in New York City, but among them <em>Al-Hoda </em>stood out in its wide circulation and international sphere of influence. Though Naoum frequently insisted upon his own journalistic integrity and objectivity, <em>Al-Hoda </em>was guided from the start by a fierce devotion to the cause of Lebanon; it also initially leaned towards Maronite interests, against Orthodox views. In his editorials and articles, Naoum was quick to rise to the defense of both his homeland and himself, a tendency that often stirred controversy even as it furthered Naoum's political goals.<em><br /></em></span></p>
<p>Around the time that Naoum founded <em>Al-Hoda</em>, his much younger brother Salloum joined him in the United States. Though Salloum travelled back to Lebanon to obtain his higher education at St. Joseph’s University, he was quickly folded into the new family trade of publishing. Salloum quickly established himself as an innovator in his own right: in 1909, he catalogued and published <em><a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41">The Syrian Business Directory</a></em>, an inventory of Syrian businesses in the United States. In the next year, he patented the first Arabic linotype machine, an invention which helped modernize Arabic publishing; this innovation contributed to the explosion of the Arabic press in both North and South America. In the 1910s and 1920s, Salloum published scholarly works through the imprint called <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/53" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian-American Press</a>; he also carried forth his interest in Lebanese business endeavors through the monthly journal <span><em>Al Majallah Al-Tijariyeh</em> [<em>Syrian-American Commercial Magazine</em>], which he edited from 1918 to 1926.</span></p>
<p><span>Despite their shared vocation, the two brothers had very different personalities and political goals. Naoum had a fiery commitment to Lebanese independence: in 1911, he founded the Lebanese League of Progress in an attempt to unite the Lebanese diaspora behind the cause of Lebanese independence. Naoum was among the delegation from Lebanon sent to the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. Though Naoum was an outspoken and passionate figure whose devout Maronitism, Lebanese nationalism, and willingness to critique the diasporic community often created controversy. By contrast, Salloum was known as a gentler figure, more interested in building new communities and hybrid cultural identities than in influencing political change in the homeland. Despite his very different aims, Salloum, too, was a formidable influence both to his peers and to younger generations of Lebanese-Americans.</span></p>
<p><span>The difference between the brothers’ personalities and political goals is represented by the differences in their publications. Throughout World War I and the following years of geopolitical chaos and decolonization, Naoum was deeply involved in nationalist movements. His decision to publish </span><span>Al-Hoda </span><span>in Arabic indicates his continuing commitment to a diasporic community which faced towards and participated in the culture and political realm of the homeland. By contrast, Salloum was interested in translating and modifying his birth culture to thrive in various new homelands. To facilitate this goal, in 1926, Salloum launched </span><em>The Syrian World</em><span>, which he initially conceived as an academic journal aimed towards a hybrid audience of second-generation children of immigrants and Americans of non-Lebanese descent. Between 1926 and 1932, </span><em>The Syrian World </em><span>was published as a monthly journal. During this time, it served as an outlet for scholarship on Syrian and Lebanese history, as well as topics pertinent to the immigrant community such as health, current events, and preserving Lebanese heritage for younger generations. In served as a platform for Salloum to initiate his plans for community formation through his editorials; for example, Salloum put out a call for the formation of regional federations like the Southern Federation of Syrian and Lebanese American Clubs in a editorial in the late 1920s. In 1932, the combined factors of the Great Depression and the death of Naoum Mokarzel led Salloum to scale back his involvement in the paper; its format was changed from the style of an academic journal to a more traditional newspaper. This incarnation of the paper--which lasted from 1932 to 1935--consisted of daily news on both transnational and local levels. </span></p>
<p><span>Naoum Mokarzel had three marriages: Sophie Shishim, between 1898 and 1902; Saada Rihani between 1904 and 1908; and Rose Abillama, from 1910 until Naoum’s 1932 death. Naoum had no children, and Salloum and his family were Naoum’s heirs. In 1908, Salloum married Helen Abu Khalil. Together, the couple had five daughters: Mary, Rose, Alice, Yemna, and Lila. By 1919, Salloum and Helen moved their family to Cranford, New Jersey; however, the children were raised to be highly educated world citizens, encouraged towards literacy in both English and Arabic. In 1925, Helen took her five daughters to Lebanon, where the girls travelled and attended school until returning to America in 1927. </span></p>
<p><span>Naoum died in 1932 on a visit to Paris, where he was serving as a representative of diasporic communities for Lebanon’s transition from French colony to independent nation. This led Salloum to take up the role of editing <em>Al-Hoda</em>. During this time, Salloum became increasingly well-known, contributing to the Lebanese pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair and serving as a dignitary at the 1946 opening of the United Nations. Salloum died in 1952. The bodies of both brothers were repatriated by the government of Lebanon, and are buried together in the family tomb in their native city of Freike, Lebanon.</span></p>
<p><span>The Mokarzel brothers’ legacies were carried on by Salloum’s five daughters. After a struggle over the ownership of the paper, Salloum’s eldest daughter, Mary Mokarzel, carried on the publication of <em>Al-Hoda</em>. In 1954--perhaps in remembrance of her father’s English-language journal </span><em>The Syrian World</em><span>--Mary acquired </span><em>The Lebanese American Journal</em><span>, which she published in tandem with the Arabic paper until September 1971. Yemna was also committed to the family business, supporting her sister’s social, political, and business endeavors and serving as a correspondent for the papers.</span></p>
<p><span>Neither Yemna nor Mary married. Rose Mokarzel married Joseph Tanous; the two had three children: Peter J. Tanous, an investment banker, author, and community leader; Dr. Helene Tanous, who specialized in radiology; and Evelyne Nala Tanous, J.D., who served as Chief Counsel of the United States Small Business Administration district office in Houston. Peter has three children with his wife Ann-Christopher Tanous, Helen Tanous Bartilucci, and Will Tanous--and five grandchildren. Evelyn Najla Tanous has one daughter, Chantal Tanous D’Larenti, and two grandchildren.</span></p>
<p><span>Alice Mokarzel married Edmond Jaoudi and had two children: Dr. Maria Jaoudi, a professor of Comparative Religion who has one child, Harrison Smith-Jaoudi, with her husband, Harry Smith; and Edmond Jaoudi Jr., a technology administrator who has three children with his wife Barbara: Michael, Steven, and Anna.</span></p>
<p><span>Lila Mokarzel married George Hatab. The two had five children: Dr. Lawrence Hatab, a professor of Philosophy and author; Helen Hatab Samhan, a non profit executive; Anne Hatab Dill, an educator; Paul Hatab, a senior statistician at Micron; John Hatab, an art and drama teacher. Lawrence and his wife Chelsey Carter have one daughter, Stephanie Carter, and two grandchildren. Helen Hatab Samhan married Dr. Muhammad Kamal Samhan; they have two children, Leila Samhan Soliman and Zaid Samhan, and one grandchild. Anne Hatab married Francis Dill; the two had five children--James, Clare Dill Cruz, John, Peter, and Teresa—and four grandchildren. Paul and his wife Christine have two children, Jemma Hatab Langland and Will Hatab, and have two grandchildren. John is married to Mary Ann Hatab and they have two children, Ryan and Jeffrey Blaine.</span></p>
<h5>Scope and Contents</h5>
<p>This collection, generously provided by Salloum Mokarzel's granddaughter, Helen Hatab Samhan, contains material related to three generations of the Mokarzel family. It consists of: historic and more recent photographs of the Mokarzel brothers and their descendents; articles about the family; journals; and correspondences between members of the family. The collection has a special emphasis on the papers of Mary Mokarzel; these include: correspondences, including Mary Mokarzel's letter drafts and notes; and business papers, particularly relating to the family property in Freike, Lebanon.</p>
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Helen Samhan
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Relation
A related resource
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/42"><em>The Syrian World</em></a>
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41"><em>The Syrian Business Directory</em></a>
<a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/53" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian-American Press and Al-Hoda Press</a>
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Collection description written by Claire A. Kempa
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.
Parts of this collection are restricted due to copyright law as well as restrictions placed by the donor on personal documents.
Book
All or most of a document originally published in book format.
Original Format
If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
Paper
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
Al Hoda 1898-1968
Description
An account of the resource
This book was published in English to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Al-Hoda newspaper. It is a narrative history of the paper, its founders Naoum and Salloum Mokarzel, the independence movement and formation of Lebanon, and early 20th-century Lebanese immigration.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Al-Hoda Press
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
1968
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Donor retains full ownership of any and all copyright currently controlled in agreement with Khayrallah Center. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA).
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Text/pdf
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Alternative Title
An alternative name for the resource. The distinction between titles and alternative titles is application-specific.
Al Hoda 1898-1968: The Story of Lebanon and its Emigrants as taken from the Newspaper Al-Hoda
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Helen Mokarzel
Subject
The topic of the resource
Lebanese Americans--United States--Publications
1960's
Al-Hoda
Al-Hoda Press
Books
Books-History
Immigration
Lebanon
Mary Mokarzel
Mokarzel
Naoum Antoun Mokarzel
Newspapers
Publishing
Salloum Antoun Mokarzel