governing classes should see to the matter or Spain will remain undeveloped, and consequently an inferior nation. If the emigration from Spain be restricted, what will Argentina and other Republics do? Another fact mentioned by Prof. Vicente Gay is that Spaniards are prone to cross the border into France in search of more remunerative employment. That is quite natural; it is done elsewhere, as when the Russians went to work in Germany, but the mention of the fact makes the reader wonder how many Spaniards may be showing their sympathy with France, as well as trying to earn a more profitable livelihood, by working within the boundaries of the French Republic.

In this connection La Lectura prints the statement that the Spanish Legation in Buenos Ayres has been elevated by the King to the dignity of an Embassy, thus showing his appreciation of the friendly feelings existing between Argentina and Spain. In another contribution to the same review, we are reminded that Alfonso XIII. has become an international personage of influence and importance by reason of his work on behalf of the prisoners of war and in the cause of humanity generally.

DUTCH.

"Notes of a Tour in Germany" is the title of the topical contribution to De Tijdspiegel. It is as entertaining as the contributions usually are, and, it is not unfair to state, has the customary pro-German tinge. The journey took place in the autumn of 1916, so it is up to date The party consisted of 14 neutrals, including correspondents of groups of American newspapers; the writer says that the members of the party were free to talk to whom they pleased and were informed that all the German authorities desired was that they would speak the truth in their reports. Generally summarised, the report is to the following effect: Although the Germans are suffering from food shortage, there is nothing like the restriction which is imagined by most Britishers and the prospect of conquering Germany by starving the people is not to be accepted as in any way attractive for her enemies. The Germans are a peace-loving people and war was the last thing they wanted; it is remarkable, as showing how kindly they are, that they have never applied to their enemies such names as their

enemies have applied to them--they do not speak of huns and barbarians when they talk of the British. (The writer seems to forget the Hymn of Hate and the legend "Gott strafe England.") Another fact reported by the contributor is that the Germans are confident of quickly regaining the trade lost during the war; they are making preparations for the continuance of business and treat with something akin to contempt the resolutions passed at the Paris Conference. Other countries, including the present enemies, will find themselves compelled to trade with Germany because they must have certain things which Germany alone produces. The Germans have a grievance against Holland owing to the fact that the newspapers of the Netherlands have not been so neutral as the Germans think they should be. Those journals say little of the failures and defeats. of the British and magnify the lack of success, however small it be, of their nearest neighbours. The people of the Fatherland ardently desire that they and the people of the Vaderland shall always remain good neighbours. One is tempted to remark, after reading the foregoing, that Germany is seizing and sinking Dutch vessels for the express purpose of manifesting her desire to be a good neighbour !

Vrede door Recht contains an article on the manufacture of munitions by the State and by private concerns. The opinion seems to be that the influence of private armament firms is likely to lead countries into war, as the individuals profit thereby, whereas the total production of armaments by the State would tend to obviate the danger, as individuals would not derive profit. The AntiWar League of the Netherlands is seeking to inculcate a desire for peace among the Dutch people; it has issued a book containing reports of speeches, in German and English, by prominent persons in Germany and England.

An article in Vragen des Tijds deals with the re-organisation of the army and navy in connection with home defence, a subject that has naturally received a great deal of attention during the past two years. It is suggested that there should be compulsory service for all between 20 and 40. In the usual monthly sketch of the course of the war we have a very outspoken statement about the deportation of the Belgians. The writer thinks that it devolves upon Holland, before any other country, to make a vigorous

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protest to Germany, seeing that Belgium once formed part of Holland and that so many of the inhabitants are of the same race. It is a matter of honour for Holland to make a protest. "Honour above everything!" he says. We wonder how the Germans would like that for a motto, instead of "Deutschland über Alles ?".

SWEDISH.

IN one of the December numbers of Forum there is a leading article signed "Praktikus " -the nom de plume indicating, no doubt, that the author's views are practicable on "The Art of Neutrality in Our Times." To keep a strictly impartial neutrality is a greater art to-day than in bygone times, an art which has not kept pace with the prodigious developments of the art of war. In the very nature of things it is exceedingly hard to keep a perfectly even balance of commercial neutrality. The author sums up his paper, in which he has in a lucid and convincing way laid down the law as to how this very strict neutrality and equal fairness to both parties is to be carried out, by saying that a neutral State nowadays must not hold on too hard to its rights-which rights most likely cannot always be sustainednor try to keep the belligerents in the dark by mystifications, but instead in all things act perfectly openly and keep a sharp look-out on all smart" profit-hungry traders." "Business as usual " should be the standard of commercial conduct that is, homeproduction, turnover, import, and export, should during war-time stand at, as near as possible, the same figures as in times of peace. "Praktikus" condemns the system of not openly publishing export figures; it only causes suspicion, and makes unnecessary difficulties. After the war there will be a keen competition for "markets," and Sweden has a fair chance of competing successfully if she now plays her cards honestly and well.

SWISS.

JULIAN GRANDE, writing in La Bibliothèque Universelle et Revue Swiss of December, on Germany and her philosophy of war, says that the one wish in the hearts of all people is that this war may be the last, but this wish will come to naught if German mentality is not transformed, and to transform their mentality it is necessary that they should be entirely beaten, when experience will have taught them that war is certainly not as profitable as they expected. For instance, if the war ends in complete victory for the Allies, what will Germany's situation be? She will be bankrupt. She will either have to renounce the reimbursements of her war loans, or, in order to pay the interest, levy taxes such as have never been raised before; whichever method she takes means ruin. War industries and their artificial prosperity are only passing; there will be no raw material to use to reconstruct all the industries which the war has dissolved. And it will be some time before these materials can be procured. There will be quantities of unemployed, and therefore misery in the working classes; and in the country it will be little better. Germany will also be made to pay for damage done to invaded countries; German boats will be taken to replace those destroyed by submarines. Germany having suffered all this it will be improbable that there will be another war for long years to come, if ever-at least in Europe. If, however, an inconclusive peace is come to, a war may break out in a more or less near future; for if the German idea of might is right is unbroken its adherents will never abandon it. Therefore, it is only after being beaten that German mentality can be changed. Later, no doubt, they will be open to listen to less material arguments. But to-day-no.

I AM asked by the Editor to say a few words about Mr. C. Sheridan Jones's book W. T. Stead and the War.* I knew Stead from the old days of Gordon and The Maiden Tribute. We differed violently on some things, but I am convinced that if Stead had lived he would have been one of the most dangerous spiritual and and intellectual opponents of Germanism. The last time I had a serious conversation with Stead was in the ammunition hoist of H.M.S. Dreadnought. He and I, of the same age, were the seniors in a party of journalists who were present at a naval review not long before the war. Therefore we were given places in the lift. The ammunition hoist only held two people. Something went wrong with the machinery and Stead and I were stuck for nearly half an hour. He talked: I talked. When we emerged from the hoist we understood each

other better in regard to many things. Stead's work for the Navy is the work by which I like to remember him. Stead was the first public man of first-rate intelligence to recognise Lord Fisher's astounding energy, capacity and foresight. Stead's work for the Navy was of incalculable value. He did more than anybody else to maintain the Sea Power of Britain.

I could only wish that he had left on record in his inimitable English prose the necessity of using the Fleet as well as building it. More than half our troubles in this war have risen from the fact that possessing Sea Power we have not used it for the destruction of Germanism. My reminiscences of Stead make me doubt whether he is dead. His extraordinary personality and fire convince me that such men do not die.

A. W.

*

THAT Mr. Stead would have been one of the most dangerous opponents of Germanism, this book by Mr. C. Sheridan Jones will fully prove. It is besides a just tribute to a manysided man who for that many-sidedness needs explanation. The aristocrat saw only his radicalism, not understanding that he believed in breeding and that a true aristocrat should be best fitted for direction and governance. The peace man could not understand his advocacy of two keels to one," the Imperialist voted him a scoundrel because he understood better than they that the Empire is rooted in freedom, and that justice combined with sympathy and tact would have obtained the same results that war has done without the cost. All this and much more Mr. Sheridan Jones has shown in his book,

* W. T. Stead and the War: Prophecies that have Come True. By C. SHERIDAN JONES. (Review of REVIEWS Office, London. 1s. net.)

the contents of which have been gathered from Mr. Stead's various writings. That he was a great Imperialist those who knew him well never doubted, but a feudalist he never was, and therein lies a great difference.

The first chapter is headed "Democracy and Empire," the union of the Englishspeaking folk and the ceding of Heligoland. The " Truth about Russia covers a wide area, for Bulgaria and the Balkans naturally belong to this section. Then follows Mr. Stead's successful work for the Navy, during which the lasting friendship with Lord Fisher had its origin, and so, to the end, every chapter has some bearing on questions of great and pressing moment, Ireland among others. Thus we have here not merely an appreciation, but warnings and advice which are worthy of our most earnest attention at this time.