New-York tribune., 1921-09-11

fully to agree. He believes that we
should have ratified the Treaty of Ver-
sailles, entered the League of Nations
and accepted the mandate-practically
he justly explains, receivership-for
administering largo part Of the for
mer Ottoman Empire, particularly Ar
menia. We did not do so, and for that
evasion OF duty, as he regards it, he
expects us to be compelled some day
TO pay heavy penalty. Although he
thus places himself in opposition to the
overwhelming judgment of the Amcri-
can people, and also, we are convinced.
to the increasingly powerful logic of
events since that rejection of the league
and Its mandate, DR.. Williams does not
seek refuge In despairing pessimism.
On the contrary, he suggests two most
hopeful features of the case.
One of these is the passing Of the
religious hegemony Of the Moslem world
from Turkey to Arabia. He points out
that the Ottoman Turks have suffered
grave, probably an irreparable, loss In
the separation Of the great peninsula
from their empire, so that thew no
longer hold sway over the holy cities
Of Islam. At last, under the protection
OF Great Britain-which we may be sure
Will be adroitly and resolutely main
tained-the Koreish Clan has come to
its own again over the usurping par
venus of Gilman. A Moslem king of
the line of the Prophet now rules the
Hedjas in security and independence,
and to his city Of Mecca all Islam looks.
from the American ruled millions in the
far southeast, to the wandering tribes
in the Arctic twilight of Siberia "a
those who dwell "where Atlas casts his
shadow far Ger the Western foam"
And mecca is in many ways the power
house of Islam" That this formidable
circumstance will have a profound in
f1uence upon the future of the Turkish
problem" it is impossible to doubt.
The other feature of the case is the
opportunity or the duty Of America, now
that it has so definitely and irrevocablv
decided against the meddling mandate
Of the league. There is, DR.. Williams
urges, no place in the world where
American wealth can do moro to make
the future of southwestern Asia less
blood-stained than the past than by
gifts and contributions to the American
colleges at Constantinople, Smyrna,
Beirut, Harpoot, Marsovan, Aintab and
Tokat. It is no inconsiderable thing
that the Minister of Education in the
government Of Mustapha Kemal Pasha
Is an alumna of the American College
for Girls at Constantinople. We do
not, by the way, recall woman hold
Ing Cabinet portfolio in the govern
ment Of any Of the great Christian pow
ers. Through such influences as may
thus be exerted we must believe that
America can fulfill its duty and improve
it's opportunity Of confirming peace and
promoting civilization, even better than
by making itself party to the political
combinations and conflicts Of the Old
World.
Second only to the downfall Of the
Hohenzollern despotism, that result of
the World War which probably caused
most universal interest and gratifca-
ton was the redemption of Palestine
from Turkish rule - the Seventh
! Crusade. Timely and welcome, there
fore, Is a volume presenting direct,
frst-hand, authentic and vitally
graphic accounts Of that country as it
exists to-day. and especially of its
people and their manners and customs.
Owing to its singular status as an OBJ
ject Of contention among three great
religions, Palestine has been kept in
more backward condition than any
other land of the civilized world;
circumstance not altogether to be re-
gretted. Indeed, we may regard it
with large degree of gratitude, since
thus 1t has been retained more nearly
| as 1t was in New Testament times, and
Is to-day an unequaled commentary
upon or expository of that book.
DR.. Grants knowledge of his sub
ject Is not only encyclopedia but also
highly sympathetic. He is equally ex-
pert In describing the technical details
Of art and industry, and in presenting
living pictures Of the people in their
occupations and in all the manifesta-
tions Of their temperament His many
years Of life and labor at Jerusalem
have made him able to write not as an
observer or Investigator from the out
side, but from within, as though he
Were himself Palestinian seeking to
be tho exponent of his land and coun-
tsymen to the outside world. With its
amplitude Of knowledge, its vivacity
and charm Of style and It's profusion
of admirable photographic illustra-
tions, his volume must hold high and
lasting place among works about one
Of those three countries Of the ancient
world which most profoundly affected
the whole trend and destiny Of the
human race.