The Denver Jewish news., 1921-03-30
ANCIENT PEOPLE OF CHALDEA
SOON TO HAVE INDEPENDENCE


has just now consented to turn over
the territory it now occupies by man
date. in Upper Mesopotamia, to the
remnants of this ancient tribe.
1t is an interesting fact that these
people, whose numbers have dwindied
thru nearly two thousand years OF
persecution, will represent the small
est nation in the world, when they are
finally given complete autonomy by
The French. They will number as
nation less than half n million souls
\ number of these are now in train
ing under the French military au
thorities at AleXandrette, for while
being placed finally in an independent
position with a government of their
own. they will still be surrounded 10y
their old enemies, and precaution Is
rhe order of the day in that wide land
of many conflicting racial and re-
ligiOus opinions.
Thru many centuries this ancient
race, to whom we owe many OF our
first important lessons III CIVILIZATION
has fought for the mere privilege of
remaining Christians.
For centuries. while their numbers
have steadily decreased. these people
have resisted their enemies until to-
day by curious circumstance OF
world strife, they glimpse that spirit
Of freedom and national Independence
which the earliest members of their
race first gave to the world.
Was War Chaplain.
Father Naayem, who represented
his people at the Paris Peace Confer
ence. where he made plea for their
autonomy as nation among nntions'
also served during the World War as
chaplain general for the Allied pris-
oners of war in Turkey.
In his book just translated into Eng
lish here. Father Naayem. in relating
the history of this interesting people.
and their struggle for independence,
refers feelingly to their sufferings
during the World War. when more
than quarter of million were slain
| while fighting in the Allied cause or
uldSSstCEeu ny
mies--the Turks. the Kurds. the Per-
slams and the Arabs.
Finally. today the Chaldean army,
now organizing, and in training, Will
| fly the flag Of the new Chaidcan Gov
crnment. SO. for the first time since
this historic race of people were
placed in semi-slavery. beginning with
their conquerors. the Modes and Per-
slams. "A few centuries before Christ,
the dignity of personal government
control will he restored to them.
The restoration of Independent gov
eminent for these people will he ol
especial interest to historians. mas
much us Chaldea may Ike said TO have
been at one time the seat of the
worlds learning. giving 10 the world
| nearly five thousand years before
| Christ the foundation of many of the
sciences and arts we enjoy today, in
| Guiding the first written expression of
| thought.
| Further proof of their contribution.
not only to civilization. but to Chris
tiamity." said Father Naayem. lies in
the fact that the Chaldeans were the
F., first race, apart from the Jews con
verified at Jerusalem, to receive the
Faith at the hands of the Apostles
Their language was that spoken by
Christ Himself. and in which the first
of the four Gospels were written.
Even amid their terrible persecu'
ton they proved themselves the great
champions of learning. and their uni
vcrsities ut Nisibin and the famous
Edessa flourishe,l glOriously until the
Ninth century. After their conversion
to Christianity they drew largely up
ON the literary resources of Greece.
and in their turn handed on the torch
of learning towards the Arabs.
Once Governed Millions.
Towards the end of what we call
the Middle Ages. the Chaldean Patri-
arch had Jurisdiction over more than
12O.OOO.OOO of people in not only their
native country. but in China. Japan
and India. where the Chaldean mis-
sinoaries met with great success. Even
in India today there are more than
1.OOO.OOO people who speak the Chal-
dean language and use its literature.
when the war broke out" said
Father Naayem. the young Turks
vented their fury upon all Christian
elements in Turkey.
Turkey for the Turns,' they every
where proclaimed. and to realize this