SYRIANS AND THE COLOUR BAR

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 160, 2 April 1921, Page 12

SYRIANS AND THE COLOUR BAR

Sir, Will you allow me the necessary space in your columns in which to reply to the letter appearing under the heading, "The Asiatic Menace,” m yesterday’s issue of your paper I am rather a poor writer of English, but as I bar one or two facts to reveal to your readers I shall be grateful if you will publish this letter without altering tho writer’s meaning—even though you may correct grammatical errors. Had your correspondent not have mentioned Syrians in his letter I would have no reason to reply thereto. Strictly speaking, tho Asiatic menace means the immigration of Hindus, Chinese, Japanese, Mongolians, Malays, the Arabs of Southern Mesopotamia and Southern Arabia, the Rarsees of Southern Persia, etc. The United States of America’s Immigration laws do not forbid Syrians from landing there, and together with Armenians and Georgians, they ore considered as "white" races. These three races are noted for their good features and general standard of physique, which compares more than favourably with other European races. Your correspondent, should not look at them through his "black and yellow” goggles. In so far ns the Syrians aro colncorned, youl- correspondent is quite wrong in his assertion that they breed quickly. It was so at one time, but not now. We were then tine Christians. -and believers in God and his morality. But noir we are like the rest of the white peoples. There. i.« no need to fear an influx of Syrians when we realise that the Syrian population, including Palestine, is onlv 21 millions. Also, it is only tho Lebanese who emigrate, ami the whole population of their district (is . but 300.000. It might also be mentioned that before the war the population of the Lebanon district was 600,000, which was reduced by two-fifths as a result of their being on the side of the Allies during the iwhedo iperiod—particularly thc~British and the French. We arc often called undesirables because our country is in Asia. But those who have visited Syria and know its history Vo Hot Tank inferior races. Syria has been a battle-ground for European and Asiatic invasions for many centqrios. Even now it is the intention of Franco and England to use her as a buffer State between Europe and Asia. I would again urge your correspondent to acquaint himself with tho history of Syria before Christ, before Mahommod. liefofo Abraham, before tho Turk, and think what they were— Phoenicians in the prime of civilisation 5600 years ago. There is no need rer me to state that the part the Syrians played in the world war, and of their loyaliv Io the Allies cause. Only n few days ago the Rt. lion. IV. F. Massey was generous enough to pay lie tribute for our loyalty and qualities of citizenship. Hai? some wise colonial states l - j man spoken kindly of Syria; before or even during the war Syria and the Syrians would bo in a different, position to-day.. Freedom in sweet—independence ie sweeter. Had wo the luck

to enjoy these things your correspondent would hardly dare assail us in the way he does. Thanks to some of our pi'esent members of Parliament (notably Mr. T. M. AV'ilfori!) eome pains have been taken to show such people as-"A Believer in Race Purity" exactly where Syria is on the map, otherwise their ignorance might have been more pronounced. In conclusion, I may add that the Syrian of to-day is, in ways and habits, much tho same as tho Britisher. There aro good and bod the same as in those of other breeds.—l am, etc., SYRIAN. March 30, 1921.