Evening star., 1949-12-05
Outlines Revolutionary Changes
In the Arab World

Outlines Revolutionary Changes
In the Arab World
To the Editor Of The Star:
In his recent visit to the Near East JUS
tice William o. Douglas, addressing the
American University of Beirut commence
ment, said: I'VE come as friends, we have
no imperialism to impose on you. Some Of
you may smile and think speak with my
tongue in my cheek" Many did smile, not
because they doubted the Justices integrity
but because any political statement coming
from big power is bound to be taken with
a smile This cynicism is illustrative OF the
crisis Of political maturity In the Arab world.
The Arabs are undergoing several changes
in political, economic and intellectual dispo-
sitions. The nature Of the changes emanates
from the desires of the Arab people to liber-
ate themselves from old patterns Of thought
which have kept them classified among the
backward areas.
Probably Dr. George Hanna was expressing
the intellectual and political attitude of most
Arabs when he said: UNLESS the plans OF the
Zaim are backed with scientific considera-
ton and theoretical background from which
to draw solutions to arising problems. any
such regime is bound to fail; changes in the
Arab world will not be sudden eruption or
an enthusiastic negativism but a change re-
sulting from the intrinsic demands OF the
people to survive in the Goth rather than in
the 17th century"
No doubt the American University Of
Beirut Is factor Of change whose influence
is most widely spread. This institution has
become the meeting place Of East and West
and the cultural center Of the Arab world.
Under the leadership Of President Stephen
Penrose new projects are being installed,
such Is the enlarging Of the school OF engt-
neering made possible by oil companies
contributions and the graduate school
for Arabic studies endowed by the Rock
feller Foundation.
Said Taky Deem, president Of the uni
versity's powerful alumni association. re-
Gently said: "The A. U. B. Is the best in
yestment the United States has undertaken
In the Near East. It has served as an Offset
for many blunders of American policy to-
ward the Arabs" Seeking an explanation
Of the latter remark. he said: From how
things are going it looks as If Americans are
interested in two things % getting the oil
in the tankers. ca getting the Communists
out; In one way or the other Americans are
breeding more Communists while they think
they are cracking down on them"
In an area like the Near East. where
power politics imposes two alternatives Of
reactionary status quo and communism, the
crisis Of democracy and liberalism is truly
q story Of immense courage and solidarity.
Djumblat Wins the Young.
Kanal Djumblat. 2 young Druze leader.
symbolizes more than anybody else this
crisis. Coming from an old feudal family.
he was expected to follow the pattern Of his
ancestors. Instead, he revolted against
feudalism and exposed the intrigues OF all
Arab government. He formed with group
Of intellectuals and labor leaders the So
cialist Progressive Party. Though he had lost
influence In government circles. and has
been harassed In parliament, he has made
iuroady into the hearts Of many young
Arabs.
Conservative elements dismissed Djum-
blat as q child and whispered that he was
Influenced by some crackpot's magnetism.
He Is trying to integrate his Indian spiritual
disposition with an evolutionary pragmatism
into q total philosophy. In his unsettled
idealism he has the charm Of saint.
Perhaps the most revealing change is the
Interest in classical music. Concerts given
BY Nadine Charmoun are gaining more at
tendance. She Is considered one Of the most
inspiring interpreters Of Chopin. Liszt and
Strauss. Diana Taky Deem. scheduled for
brilliant musical career, has been urged by
European musical experts to continue her
studies in Paris or New York.
Art Is taking q new lease for life. In the
the impact Of rationalism and positivism on
traditional romantic and metaphysical
frame Of mind.
These are far-reaching symptoms Of
change In the Arab world. They indicate
strength and determination. The revolu-
tionary nature Of change cannot be con-
trolled but can be influenced.
CLOVIS r. McsoUD.
Portraits in Harte's Bible Book
Praised ~ Pictures Of Poor Peasants
To the Editor Of The Star:
agree wholeheartedly with your views on
the high merits Of Grug Rowe's artistic
portrayals In Houston Harte's I'm Our In
age" He Is to be highly commended for the
piercing realism Of his work. I am surprised
so many Of your readers express such We
hement dissatisfaction with his representa-
ton Of biblical characters.
Those men were peasants who spent their