The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-09-18
Religion and Politics in the Orient

Lothrop Stoddard. Charles Scribners
Sons.
r OTHROP STODDARD is an au-
thority on the Near East. His
various experiences have given
him an unusual insight into the Mos
lem world He is, therefore, able to
write on the ferment which seethes
over Islam. His book is on the whole
very tair minded. He does not at
tempt to draw any conclusions. but
summarizes the facts. His book will
seem optimistic to some people. and
pessimistic to others.
The creed of Mohammed is essen
TALLY a missionary creed 1t is
spreading more rapidly than Chris
tianity in certain regions, notably
Africa. The author states that no
race which has ever accepted the
prophet has been reconverted. This
is, perhaps, as true as any sweeping
generalization. A notable exception is
the case of the Albanian Moslem.
Mr.. Stoddard has watched with keen
interest the effect of modern indus
trialism upon the Mohammedan. He
says: In 1900, there were in the
whole Islamic world not more than
200 propaganda journals. BY 1906
there were $780, while in 1914 there
were well over 1000. Moslems fully
appreciate the post office. the rail-
road and other modern methods of
rapidly interchanging IDEAS"
He stresses the unity of the Moslem
world, and its desire for self-govern-
ment. He quotes a proverb of long
standing. "A Moslem ruler though he
Cypress me, and not a Kafir though
he work me veal" All Mohammedan
countries are called the House of
Islam, and all infidel regions the
House of War. This is like our
own division of the world into Chris
tian and heather countries. There is
frequent strife among Moslems. but
it is family quarrel, and when the
religious question is really raised
Islam will show a united front. The
Mohammedans essentially practise the
fraternity which they preach. The
Holy War of the Kaiser fizzled be-
cause 1t was not a holy war. The
followers Of the prophet refused to
be used for any other purposes. How
ever, the jehad may still be a menace.
Since the days of Herodotus, Asia
and Europe have been spiritual units
standing for different ideals. The
crusade is a mistake, but it Is also
wrong to try and fuse the two civili-
cations. The Asiatic makes different
demands upon life than the white
man. He is learning to fight fire
with fire, and to employ the arts OF
the modern West to free himself. In
previous days idolators were hated
by Islam more than the Christian
and the Jew. The Mohammedan, how
ever, was stirred by the victory of
Buddhist Japan. Oppression makes
strange allies. Mohammedans and
Hindus have less in common than any
other sects. Mr.. Stoddard is sceptical
as to any lasting union between them.
He believes that British rule Is neces-
sary in India. However, he quotes
many startling evidences of the grow
ing friendliness between them. He
did not mention the fact that at the
funeral of Tilak, a leading Hindu
Nationalist. Moslems acted as pail
bearers.
Pan-Islamism is additionally anti
national. However, many new ma
tional dreams have been created. The
Pan Arabian theory points to the
sanctity OF the Arab stock, which gave
Islam to the world and preserves IL in
its essential purity. The Pan-Turan-
ian theory is that other races have
nearly run their course. and that new
blood will conquer and rule the world
History shows that progress is not
incompatible with the creed of Islam
and 1t may again become powerful
Mr.. Stoddard realizes. however, that
there is great jealousy between the
Turk. essentially a man OF the North
and the Arab, essentially OF the South
These races cannot work together.
The Moslem world If being united by
the cynical attitude Of the Allies. The
intransigeance of the French in
Syria is the chief obstacle TO better
understanding between East and West
Many other instances Of Western
greed are bearing fruit In strong re-
sentiment. The author does not draw
any conclusions Consequently each
reader will be strengthened In what
ever opinion he holds. To one mind
at least the facts as stated seem to
make evident that the Moslem menace
will be weak or strong in fair pro-
portion to the justice or injustice of
the Christian world.
JOSEPH GOULD.