RUSSIAN.

DISCUSSING in the Problemy Velikoi Rossii (Problems of Great Russia) the writer of the editorial article acknowledges that Austria and Germany stole a march on Russia and thus obtained a great advantage over her on the Polish question. Russia was the first to promise the Poles their freedom, but Austria and Germany were the first to make a practical, albeit most inadequate, step towards an autonomous Poland. Nevertheless, Russia alone is in a position to give Poland a real unity and independence, instead of a make-believe autonomy offered her by the Austro-Germans. The writer insists that the Russian Government ought without delay to reiterate its promise to Poland, and to announce to the world at large that it is determined to reconstruct the old Polish State on the basis of full autonomy and racial and territorial unity.

The great importance of the new Murman Railway, which gives Russia a new outlet to the warm seas, through the Port of Kola, is described by a writer in the Russkaya Budushtnost (Russia's Future). This railway which provides Russia with a never-freezing port on the coast of the Arctic Ocean is not only of great strategic importance, which will have a most beneficial effect on Russia's conduct of the war, but also opens up a new country with enormous and hitherto untapped resources. "It amounts to this," says the writer, "that at one stroke we have acquired a new territory, equal in area to the whole of Sweden, a country eminently suitable for colonisation, abounding in timber, fisheries and wild animals, providing rich furs.

A writer in the Russkia Zapiski (Russian Records) considers the paper famine one of the most serious evils from which Russia is suffering at present. Before the war Russia's annual consumption of paper amounted to 7 lbs. per head of the population, while in Switzerland, Norway and Finland it amounted to 35-40 lbs., in Sweden and Norway to 50 lbs., and in Great Britain and the United States of America to about 60 lbs. per capita. Thus the latter had a fair margin for retrenchments, while in Russia a drastic reduction in the available supplies of paper produced a veritable famine which has already deprived the Russian peasant and working man of his "Farthing" Press and cheap popular literature. In a country such as Russia,

where the education of the masses is still in its initial stages, the "farthing" newspaper and the penny brochure performed a work of great educational importance.

In an article in Lyetopis (The Annals), dealing with the growth of the co-operative movement in Russia which has been largely stimulated by the war and the consequent increase in the cost of living, the writer tells of the difficulties in the way of organising branches of co-operative societies in rural districts. In one rural district of the Vologda province, a first general meeting attracted 520 peasants from 32 surrounding villages. Many of these had to walk 20 miles or so to get to the meeting. What the Russian peasant member of a co-operative society appreciates most is not the "divi," or the cheap shopping, but the educational lectures, concerts, etc., which form not the least important part of the activities of Russia's co-operative societies. In fact, every cooperative branch in a Russian village is not merely a shop, but a peasant's club, university and place of refined entertainment, all rolled into one.

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ITALIAN. "ADRIATICUS," in the Vita Italiana, writes on the "Italo-Serb Problem," pointing out that Italy yields to no one in her desire to see a reconstituted and independent Serbia, but that if the creation of a Greater Serbia" is seriously proposed, Italy's wishes will have to be consulted. Pan-Serbian ambitions can only be gratified by the annexation of parts of Albania that lie well within the sphere of Italian influence. The author admits that the Serbians regard Italy with distrust as the probable heir to Austrian pretensions in the Balkans, but he thinks a friendly understanding between the two nations should not be difficult to arrive at. A heartrending article by a Russian, N. Tasin, describes the sufferings of the hundreds of thousands of Russian prisoners in Germany. In addition to the terrible hardships inflicted by the Germans, they suffer acutely through their own illiteracy, making letter-writing impossible, and through the poverty of their families, who are unable to send them food-parcels. The vast majority receive nothing from Russia. A great deal is being done in France to alleviate their misery, and the good work is now being taken up in Italy. There is a violent editorial note complaining of the inadequacy of the Italian Chamber of Deputies in dealing with the internal situation created by the war, betraying a tendency to shriek "traitor " which apparently exists just now in all the belligerent countries.

In the Nuova Antologia M. Casolini outlines the scheme that has just been approved by the Italian Government for providing for the "children of the land" whose soldier fathers have fallen in battle. The noteworthy feature of the scheme is that the children of peasant fathers, numbering 80 per cent. of the war-orphans, are to be looked after by an entirely different organisation from the "children of the town." This is because the Government attributes the greatest importance to the peasant children being all kept in their native villages and receiving the best available agricultural education. With this object the provincial authorities are starting many new agricultural schools and colonies. Dr. Signorelli urges the immediate official enrolment of all Italian unmarried women between twenty-one and thirty, in order to supply not only much-needed nurses for

hospitals, but labour for munition factories and other war-work. The argument is that there are thousands of girls, especially of the lower middle-class, who cannot afford to leave home and do voluntary war-work, and whose services can be made available in no other way. Concerning the furious controversy that has been raging in Rome for and against the performance of German music, l'Italico suggests that German classical music should be listened to, but that Wagner should be banned as being too representative of the modern German spirit and too inimical to all Italian art. Professor Chiappelli writes with warm appreciation of Mr. Balfour's philosophic writings, pointing out that it has been a noble English tradition from Lord Bacon to Gladstone for great statesmen to devote their leisure to high intellectual problems.

P. Arcangeli, in the Rassegna Nazionale, rejoices that since the war Italian Catholics have re-entered fully into the current of national life, and writes with enthusiasm of the complete national unity that will arise on the ashes of old sectarian bitter

ness.

SPANISH.

AMONG the names in the list of contributors to Nuestro Tiempo we see that of Prof. Vicente Gay, a well-known writer of instructive articles on the affairs of the South and Central American Republics, and one cannot help feeling regret that he lost his life (if reports be correct) in championing the cause of Germany against one who had been prominent in founding the exhibition of Raemakers cartoons in Spain. The present article deals with an aspect of the war that has not attracted general attention. The American Republics that are called the Latin Republics need men; immigration is good. Where are the immigrants to come from? Europe will have lost so many that she cannot well spare many for the Latin Republics. Some will go from Spain, as heretofore, but as a matter of fact Spain cannot spare them. In that country, as in most others, there is a surplus in certain districts and a shortage in other parts; where there is a surplus there will be emigration, but that should be stopped, or curtailed and those men sent to the districts where men are badly needed. Greater facilities for the distri ution of labour over the entire country are most desirable and the

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

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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.

THE January number of The Woman at Home contains a gossipy article bearing the title With Footlight Favourites in the Family Circle." Several delightful portraits are a feature. An interesting account is given, in another article, of Mrs. Hughes, the wife of the Australian Prime Minister. The fiction in this number is contributed by Mrs. Arnold Bennett, Annie S. Swan, May Sinclair, etc,

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.