Evening star., 1901-07-20
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

NE"
AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS. By John
Company. Washington: Brentano's
Certain large questions have occupied the
attention of the American diplomats dur
ing the past few decades in the main to the
exclusion of others and to the evolution of
policy, or perhaps series of policies,
today serving as the American doc
trine before the world. The questions in
the discussion and the settlement Of which
this American position has been defined, as
now considered historically and analyttcally
by Mr. Henderson relate to the fur seals
and the Bering sea award, the interoceanic
canal the Samoan settlements, the Mon
roe doctrine and the northeast coast fisher
les. His chapters on these topics embrace
the steps whereby the negotiations involved
were conducted and form compact COM
pendulum to the voluminous records in those
cases. AS to the fur seal controversy the
author says:
In consequence Of the unequal laws gov
erning their operations, American pelagic
sealing vessels have been driven from the
field. Danger Of further conflicts in Bering
sea is lessened, but the unjust conditions
which are imposed upon the Americans re-
main as a sequel to the closing Of a diplo-
matte incident which from first to last has
been disastrous to American interests"
After reviewing the history of efforts to
secure a waterway across the fsthmuS be-
tween the two American continents, Mr..
Henderson notes the recently cast issues
upon the score Of the neutrality Of the
canal and declares in favor of obedience
to the spirit Of international law in the
construction and maintenance Of the canal,
advocating it's naturalization, which would
avoid the need of fortifications. This
course, he believes. while depriving the
United States of one doubtful advantage,
would relieve it Of host of perplexities.
In the matter of Samoa the author holds
that the United States secured, not
result of all the differences and friction and
adjustments between the powers, all that
it could reasonably desire or profitably use,
naval base Of exceptional strategic value.
The Monroe doctrine calls forth a detailed
consideration Of the historic facts which
led to its enunciation. and these are
brought up to the latest period of interna-
tional history affected by that pronounce
ment. The author inclines to the view that
expression Of the national determination to
preserve the American principles, has now
sufficiently lost its force through changes
to become sort of national political SUI
perstition. He does not argue against it's
enforcement on occasion, but thinks that
it stands now as only the single expression
of a higher principle, the organic law of
Self-preServauion.
After considering the course Of the nego-
tiations concerning the northeast coast
fisheries, which have repeatedly caused in
ternatlOnal m1SunQerStandingS, Mr., HeQder-
son thus sums up the results:
AT last the American fisherman seems to
be satisfied and the Canadian fisherman is
equally without cause of complaint Time
has reconciled disputes which the wisdom
Of statesmen failed to adjust, and it has
successfully composed those questions
which diplomacy could not permanently
solve. And thus the lesson is once more
taught that war postponed is the beginning
of peace. Let it be hoped that the cordial
relations between the two great nations in
interest thus cemented by time may con-
tinue as long as time itself may last"
AND THE WILDERNESS BLoSSoMED By
Almon Dexter. Philadelphia: H. w. Fisher &
Company.
Mature books have come in plenty
during the past few years, revealing a
wholesome trend of thought, and suggest
ing that the intense rush OF the age has
perhaps been partially stayed by the out
look upon the natural world. This book is
refreshing glimpse Of an island In
Maine, purchased by a wealthy man as
his summer home, and made to blossom
through the expenditure Of money, thought,
and, best of all, loving care for the pristine
beauties Of the spot. Mr.. Dexter's descrip-
pie who have surrounded him and his
family In this annual sojourn are charm
ing in their directness, their lack Of effort
and their evident sincerity of appre-
CldtioH. Ills cHdpter on the Men OF
Maine indicates that among the most
fascinating subjects for study he has en-
countered in the woods and villages OF the
pine tree state is the human animal, and
instructive and quaint are the stories he
tells to illustrate his peculiarities and vir-
tues.
THE ROAD TO RIDGEBY'S. By Frank Burlin-
game Harris. Boston: Small, Maynard 4
Company.
Posthumous novels have become unusu-
ally numerous Of late. David Harum's ex-