LIBRARY NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1935, Page 8

LIBRARY NOTES

ADDITIONAL LOOKS REVIEWED. Relevant to our review of “Peace With Honour,” in the notes of last ■fortnight are Bertrand Russel 1 s comments on Lloyd George’s recent discovery that “war is contrary to the mind of Christ, and is contrary to human brotherhood,” (New Statesman and Nation, June 22, 1935, page 918). Mr Russell points out that Lloyd George was obviously unacquainted with the Gospels during the years of the Great War, since at that time, he was putting people in prison for stating what he now himself affirms about the Founder of the Christian religion. He adds that a Chinese examination paper once set the following subject for an essay: “When the Philosopher, Mo-Ti, taught that war is wicked, Chinese soldiers laid down their arms. The same doctrine is taught by the Christian churches, but has not had the same effect.in Christian countries. Explain this.” Russell concludes by wishing that Lloyd George could be induced to write that essay. In this connection, the attention of readers is drawn to a review of the fourth volume of Llovd George’s war memories. “The Baton in the Knapsack.” (Laurence Currie): This book tells in two ■hundred pages the whole story of Napoleon from birth to death, with special emphasis., on his military, career. A,s a study of “the baton in the knapsack,” that is to sav, of promotion in the Napoleonic army, it is cor- ! rect, sensible, and not exactly dull. From it we gain a knowledge of the jealousy, resentment, patriotic misgivings and personal loyalty which | mingled in the hearts of Napoleon’s companions, and it brings out the fact | that, as the Empire hardened into de- , spotism, advancement was increasingly I won through favour rather than j merit. Mention is made of Massena, “the darling of victory,” Davout the I victor of Auerstaedt, King Murat, the bean sabreur, Bernadotte, shrewd founder of a dynasty, and Soult, a forcible art collector on a quasi-Napoleonic scale. It concludes sagely that Napoleon.- was “a genius who committed blunders that would have been discreditable to a mediocrity,”, “a conqueror ranking with Alexander and Caesar,” who lost all liis conquests, j'and a good deal more; and indeed, quite a man,- if he had not been so ambitious.”

, Volume IV of Lloyd Gecrgb’s “War Memoirs,” which has been in demand for some time is now available to subscribers. This is the. most notorious volume of a most provocative work, the one which has aroused the anger of the generals, the one against which General Godley complained on hi s recent visit to Hokitika.' Lloyd George, throughout the work, attacks the General Staff and the high command for stupidity, obstinacy, and ignorance. He recalls their opposition to increasing the numbers of machine guns, the refusal to see" the enormous possibilities of the tank, and the reluctance with which . Air Force increases were permitted. Whether Lloyd George is correct or not one cannot sa y without a. much wider knowledge of the relevant literature and of facts which have not yet been made public. However, it is significant that many well known military men have delivered angry outbursts about the “armchair soldiers,” but not one has come forward with a convincing refutation of the charges. It is well that these things be made public so that our army should at least be efficiently equipped and efficiently led. A Christchurch paper recently in a leading article, hinted a good dc-aT of this blundering might be due to tbe venerable age of the commanders, in the Crimean War an overwhelming number of generals were over 82 years of age. In the last war two aged heroes died of shock before even leaving England and only a minute percentage was under fifty years of age. Briefly the most important headings are the formation of the Imperial War Cabinet", tbe campaign in Palestine and Mesopotamia, the struggle to obtain recognition foy the Air Force, the growth of the Labour movement, tlm battle of Paschendale and the disaster of Caporetto.