BOOKS AND AUTHORS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 208, 29 May 1926, Page 25

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

(By

“CHERSWUD.”)

Give a man a pipe he can smoke. Give a man a book he can read: And his home is bright with a calm delight Though the room be poor indeed. —JAMES THOMSON.

BOOKS OF THE DAY.

Europe Before the Great War.

“The International Anarchy, 190-1-1914,” by G. Lewes Dickinson (Allen and Unwin, London; per Ferguson and Osborn). There is no denying that this work, though the writer is strongly and frankly partisan, is one of suostance and importance One cannot get away, however, from the conviction that having set out to prove a certain theory, Mr. Dickinson has gleaned and arranged his facts accordingly. The unfortunate thing is that his facts are facts, and most stupendous facts at that. If there are other facts which would lessen the force of those brought together in this volume, because their priority made the latter possible, we must search for them otherwhere. Mr. Dickinson is a strong supporter of disai ’’lament. He believes that standing armies and navies must, sooner or later, lead to war between States. Each country in turn claims that its military and naval policies are purely defensive ; but, he contends, all are really offensive in character and intention, from their, very conception. Therefore, he argues, given armies and navies, war is inevitable as soon as one State believes it is in a position successfully to force its will upon another or others. Mr. Dickinson goes on to trace the policies of the various European statesmen ptior to 1914, and to show that the outcome of such policies could not be other than it was. Believing, as he does, that with all the resources of modern science at our disposal, war has become incompatible with the continuance of civilisation, Mr. Dickinson confesses that he has written consciously and deliberately to point a moral. Much of the matter he draws on for this laudable purpose is old, but quite a considerable portion of it is new, and some of the new is seriously unsettling to the reader of complacent nationalist outlook. At the same time, it were well if readers of this work would remember to take Mr. Dickinson’s advice in regard to the writings of others, and applv it to his own Speaking of various war books he says:

. , , they must he read with greater caution, except where they contain, as they sometimes do, contemporary ments. For the authors may have reason for concealing or pervertins the truth; and even where there is no such intention, memory, years after the events, may play them false.

Add to this liis admission that "we do not know all the facts, and we never can know them all,” and however strongly one may be inclined to endorse his conclusions, one will take, nevertheless, a more charitable view than he seems to do of those leaders—political and military—-whose pre-war policy was responsible for Britain’s entry into the Great War. (Price, 905.) Another Book about the War.

“Isvolsky and the World War,” by Friedrich Stieve (Allen and Unwin, London,' per Ferguson and’ Osborn). This is a statement of the German case against Russia and France. Whereas Mr. Dickinson, the author of the war-volume reviewed above, suppresses his nationalism, indeed, discards it, Herr Stieve is first, last, and all the time pro-national. He labours hard and not very successfully to show that Poincare and Isvolsky were responsible for the mischief which ultimately embroiled the world in war. From his study of Isvolsky’s correspondence (as published by the German Foreign Office), he accuses that Russian diplomat of deliberate planning, in 1911, to bring about a European conflict. He tries to show that about the middle of 1912 Poincare joined forces with him to the same end, and that, some eight months or so before the outbreak of hostilities, Sasonov was convinced that a big war would give Russia her long-sought chance of securing Constantinople and the Straits. Unfortunately for _ the good name of Germany, Herr Stieve’s peas are too high for his stakes, and thev wilt badlv. Bedrock facts are essential for his purpose —that, not Germany, but France and Russia, schemed for war—and to seek bedrock facts in this book is as profitable as attempting to gather grapes off thistles. Deductions and generalisations one finds aplenty, but these are but frangible foundations upon which to base such a charge. It is true that Isvolsky, as shown by Mr. Dickinson in his book,

“The International Anarchy,” was of opinion that war was inevitable. Here are Isvolsky’s very words: — I do not indulge in optimism as to the future. After the crisis (Agadir) just, experienced the political situation in Europe is less secure than ever. Beyonu all doubt any Real collision between tno Powers is bound to lead to a general European conflict, in which Russia, liKo every other European State, will hitic to participate.

The foregoing only shows that Isvolsky was a far-seeing statesman, and could read the signs of the times aright. He anticipated war, but nothing in the above, or in any other document that Herr Stieve quotes, proves that he welcomed it; not to say schemed and intrigued for it. (Price 125.). War and What it Brought.

“The Limitations of Victory,” by Alfred Fabre-Luce (per Whitcombe and Tombs). Dissection of the above two books had just been concluded when this volume came to hand. Ihe coincidence went further, for whereas the first was written by a Briton and the second by a German, this, appropriately, was from the pen of a Frenchman. Thus we have before us the mature opinions of representatives of the three chief forces in the Great War. Though not the general view, there are many in Great Britain and her sister nations who share the opinions so ably expressed by Mr. Dickinson, and from what one knows of the sayings and. doings of nublic men in Germany since the signing of the Peace Treaty there are more than enough of his countrymen who believe with Herr Stieve that Germany was the lesser sinner, if not the innocent victim of designing enemy diplomats; but one cannot believe, even after a second and most careful perusal of M. Fabre-Luce’s otherwise informative volume, that there can be many Frenchmen who support his conclusions on numerous points. This must not be taken to imply that his conclusions are not in harmony with the facts, or alleged facts, adduced; but that what he gives' is a personal, and not in the main, or to anv considerable extent, the French view. Like Mr. Dickinson, but unlike him with a seemingly sinister purpose, he selects his facts to fit his preconceived opinions, and he also seconds, perhaps unwittingly, though there is a strong anti-British, pro-Gennan bias in the book, Herr Stieve in his contention (which Dlr. Dickinson shows to be contrary to fact) that Isvolsky schemed for war. He refers to Isvolsky and -Poincare as “the two gamblers,” and savs:

The Frenchman was the bolder and more imperious of the two. MM d’d not intend to declare war. . the Russian sometimes followed his lead iu moderation but he was’The .representative of a Government which aimed at conquest, and contemplated realising its ambitions by aggressive means. The first directed the alliance, the second would bring it into play. That is the keynote of much in tins volume—for the title applies only to a small portion of it—and yet, reading it after Dlr. Dickinson’s and Herr Stieve’s books; somehow I find myself brought into harmony with much of the writer’s conclusion’s and inclined to subscribe to the affirmation that war is seldom brought about by the errors of one party or nation, and that, in order to prevent it, peoples must be insured against their own Governments bv a higher tribunal, and must wish, not for one national will to prevail, but for the elaboration and acceptance of a common truth. Books of Verse.

“Child Verses from ‘Punch’ ” (Saville and Co., Loudon, per Robertson and Mullins, Melbourne,). The title of this volume is itself a guarantee of their good quality. Yet so difficult is it to write for children that the proverbial distance between the sublime and the ridiculous is appreciably lessened. There are a number of verses in this book that suffer because of the lessening of that distance. The great bulk of the pieces are up to the average, and auite a few above it. The' excellent drawings in the Look are by Phillis Chase. “Silver and Gold,” by Enid Blyton (Nelson and Sons, per Ferguson and Osboin). Miss Enid Blyton is nowwell known as an acceptable writer of

children’s stories and verses. She possesses a rare understanding of the child-mind, and sings her songs with a simplicity and charm that goes straight to' the hearts of “the wee folk.” “Silver and Gold” is a creditable companion volume to her other books, “Real Fairies” and “Child Whispers.” The illustrations are by Lewis Baumer, the well known “Punch” artist.

“Songs of Praise” (Oxford University Press; per Ferguson and Osborne). This is a collection of hymns, selected and edited by Dr. Percy Dearmer, Dr. Vaughan Williams and Martin Shaw. Remembering that a hymn book is altogether different from an anthology (some pieces, for one reason or another, are kept out of hymn books that no anthology would be considered complete without; while other pieces are admitted that no anthology could possibly include without incurring the denunciation of the critics) this book is as full of good religious verse as it is possible to press into one handy volume.

“Tails and Tarradiddles,” by “The Perfesser and Alter Ego, Esq.’.’ (Angus and Robertson, Sydney). 'lllis is a “real dinkum” Aust’alasian production, written about “real dinkum” Australasian' beasts and birds for “real dinkum” Australasian boys 'and girls. A foretaste of the humour of the book it, given in the brief but bright preface >n which the “blame” for the several poems and pictures is frankly confessed. The book breaks new ground in children’s verse, and mixes judiciously its ingredients of instruction and humour. Each piece has for subject a native bird or beast. Most of the stories are couched in humorous vein, the language is always simple and the rhyming clinks so merrily that snany of them will be “learned by heart”. by their little readers. Our boys and girls will get much pleasant amusement from this clever book, and, at the satne time, learn lessons in natural history in a way* that is easy and will fix the facts in their minds for the rest of their lives. The. drawings, which lend an additional attraction, are by Alter Ego, Esq. SOME RECENT FICTION From Cassell and Co. “Rivers to Cross,” by Roland Pertwee (per Whitcombe and Tombs), is a novel, that no reviewer could fail to recommend his readers to buy. It is the story of a young engineer sent out to, Porta Rica concession-hunting for a big British firm. He falls in love with the Governor’s daughter. Other engineers, representing other firms, are seeking the same concession, and, incidentally, the hand of the chief maiden of the island. These try their hands at another kind of engineering, and the hero is led through many perplexities and perils, out of which it is a pleasure to watch the author extricate him and see him win all he has set his heart on winning.

“Rough Passages,” by Alice Perrin (per Whitcombe and Tombs). The quiet art of this well-known writer has been revealed in a score of very successful volumes This art and .her knowledge of Anglo-Indian life, which, indeed, is the official life of India, has enabled her to weave into a number of short episodes the mystery and uncanniness of the East. The tales are skilfullv told, and one read compels the reader to uo on to its. successor until at last "The Spell” is laid. Fronn Hodder and Stoughton.

"Assorted Chocolates,” bv O. R. Cohen (per Ferguson and Osborn). This is a volume of eight short stories concerning the wavs and doiims of a negro dandv, all of which are interesting, amusing, and verv enjoyable. A very pleasant change from the eternal and neurotic sex novel.

“Golden Gorse,” bv A. G. Hsles (Whitcombe and Tombs). The versatile creator of “McGlusky” has had so much variety and experience crowded into his own life as to leave him without a valid excuse for being short of good storytelling material. ‘‘Golden Gorse,” if not the best, is certainly not the worst of the “Smiler’s” efforts. Had he not. however, better give up trying to write in the Doric until he learns to spell the words correctly, or his publishers employ a “reader” who knows how ? From Hurst and Blackett.

"Sheen Hall,” by W. Dane Bank (per Whitcombe and Tombs), is a story of a girl “of means,” but low down in the social scale. She marries, “for position,” a morally artd monetary impoverished aristocrat, who, after en-

joying her lovo, sets out to squander her cash. Heart-broken and sick of life, and bitterly repentant of her terrible mistake in seeking social position instead of true love, she finds,, eventually, her true affinity and all is better than well.

“Chariot Wheels,” by E. R. Rashid (per Ferguson and Osborn), is a worthy sequel to that clever story, “The Flower of the Desert.” It gives a most moving picture of the circumstances surrounding an English girl married to an Arab prince, and works out the ultimate triumph of love over human frailty. From Hutchinson and Co.

“The Winning Ga-kie,” by Elizabeth Dejeans (per Ferguson and Osborn). “Limousines and coupes and shining seveu-seaters, she had out-distanced them all as they whirled away from Emily Randsome’s. Let the loungers in their cars recover from too much ‘doctored punch' after their fashion. ‘The drunker I am the better I drive,’ was Barbara's boast.” That is the keynote upon which “The Winning Game” opens, so one cun anticipate the tune to be played throughout. It is an entrancing tune of its kind, and may do good by calling up impressionist pictures of what life ought not to be, if one is to make it happy for oneself and others. “The Snow Patrol,” by H. S. Drago (per Ferguson and Osborn). It is a pleasure to turn from stories of unsexed women and over-sexed men, with all that such connotes, to Mr. Drago’s wonderfully entrancing book. It is a good deed that Sinclair Drago has done. Once again he has shown that the day is not dead when a clean story can be also an enthralling and entrancing romance, as well as a clever “bit o’ writin’.” “Sheila” is the type of woman that makes glad the heart of man; that to admire is to reverence. The author knows his subject—how’ otherwise could he have drawn such a picture of the Eskimo, so convincing and yet so different from that given by other writers. He makes, the long w’hite silences alluring in their very loneliness. This is a book to linger over, and when finished, to read again—and keep.

From Mills and Boon. “The Magic Road/’ G. F. Clarke (per Whitcombe and Tombs). This is Mr. Clarke’s first nevel, and if he can keep up to this standard he will have no cause to regret venturing on the Inkv Way. The story is well told—spright'lv, striking and energetic—and comes like a fresh breeze from the hills. The pictures of New Brunswick scenery are not the least telling portions of a most entertaining volume. "The Rational Hind,” bv B. A. Williams (per Ferguson and Osborn). A story of an American farming family so long and so successful on. the land as to be considered by their poorer neighbours (and to pride 'themselves) as being of the landed gentry. When the story opens fortune, had receded considerably, but their pride seemed to have grown. Esther, the elder sister, gentle of manner and strong of will, “ruled the household with a rod of iron,” and when her brother Leon took up with Jennie Weir, the daughter of a neighbouring farmer of humble station and married her, she sent them packing. Forced to find and fend for himself and wife roused the man in him and proved a blessing. The plot is not much, but the character drawing presents a small band of real live, clean-living, hard-working, worthy people. _

“Gardcn Talks,” by Marion Crann (Methuen, London, per Whitcombe and Tombs). This book is what its title say it is—a book of talks about house gardens. These “talks” were broadcasted from 2LO (the London radio station), and lucky were those who had the good fortune to “listen-in.” But though they are “just talks,” much study, as well as much observation and labour, must have gone to the fashioning of such valuable instruction. Everyone who loves a garden ought to have this volume on his or her bookshelf.