The Washington times., 1923-01-21
.RIHBANY'5 WISE
MEN" CURIOUS
MIXTURE
Written in English, But
Thought in Syrian-Con.
tains Nothing NeW-coue's
Formula Made for Jews.
By MAURICE 8. HYLAND.


Abraham Nitric Rihbany. New
York: Houghton Mifflin Com
pany.
" HE Reverend Rihbany writes
in English; he thinks in
Syrian. The result is a
curious mixture Of apologetics
and prejudices.
/ have examined this book with
deep interest in the hope that /
might encounter something new
on Eastern affairs.
Certainly L have read in tele-
graphic dispatches and magazine
articles the same thoughts ad
vanced by Doctor Rihbany. The
only difference, of course, being
in the choice of words.
The Reverend Gentleman exhibits
downright ability in the art Of
goosegreasing. Particularly in his
Introduction. In his chapter on
Zionism he frankly harpoons the
Jews. And since he presents only
the unfaVorable features OF the
Jewish side, while extolling the
virtues of the present Inhabitants,
especially the Syrians. one con-
cludes he is anti-Jewish.
suspect Doctor Rihbany is
more at home in the pulpit, ex-
pounding the Word Of a Jew-that
is, Jesus.
He has covered a lot of ground.
But his thoughts, at times, are
ambiguous. This, I think, is the
result OF images and ideas crowd
ing upon him beyond his ability
to control them.
Doctor Rihbany declares the
problem (East VS.. West) is neither
political nor sectional. He seems
to think it is spiritual. He also
states he is sending his volume
forth as an appeal to better quail
fled writers to give this subject
the attention 1t deserves. That is
wise. It indicates he recognizes
his own limitations.
His chapter on the Two Minds
is most interesting. On the whole
most persons will agree with him
that there is an Oriental mind
and an Occidental mind. And in
a game of wits the Occidental
mind never runs first. Two or
three Japs. for instance, convinced
the Occidental minds that repre-
scented America at the recent arms
conference that it would be un-
wise for America to fortify it's
possessions in the Pacific!
The Worthy Doctor slams Alfred
Corzybski's book Manhood of
Humanity" with great gusto.
Corzybski's two "discoveries',-
that man is a natural being"
and that man is a ''time-binder"
especially, draws ironic COM
ment.
/ pass the second part. Too
much religion, a subject that is
never convincing.
The third part contains too
much history. Since have read
Wells Outline" IL is obvious that
history such as glimpse it here
would be far from interesting.
But 1 am especially interested
in the chapter on ''Zionism. :"
Certainly the Jewish race is far
superior to the rug-merchant race
the Syrians. And certainly the
Jews are far better fitted to
govern Palestine than the mon
ygrels that occupy it. The doctor
observes that political Zionism is
being forced upon Palestine by a
group of Zionist idealists, backed
up by the British. He is also
fearful the Jews will be gypped
by the British. There is some
thing in the latter statement. The
Jew, as a rule, has nimble mind
and is a decent fellow. In dealing
with the British he will be obliged
to discard decency and employ
brain-power of the highest force
If he desires to win. And l ven
ture to assert the Jews are not
deluded by the British looms en-
deavoring to enchant them.
The Jews have as much right
to purchase land in Palestine as
any other race. And despite Rih.
bany's quotation of Prof. Albert
T. Clay, the Jew will continue to
regard Palestine as the site Of the
royal residence Of David.
The Jewish race is a wealthy
one, and with the aid of the
British-so long as the aid lasts
the Jews will transform Palestine
into a modern sanitary COmmu-