Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-23

GREAT JAPAN; Study of National Eff
cheney. BY Alfred Stead. With Fore
word by the Earl of Rosebery, K-G,
sc. New York: John Lane.

cheney. By Alfred Stead With Fore
word by the Earl of Rosebery. K.G.,
&C. New York: John Lane
A new phrase has coma into significant
use of late. the result, in large measure, OF
the rise of a new force In world affafrs
National eificiency--it strikes the note OF
a sentiment which must be analysed In
order to gain trlse concept of the ideal
state Mr.. Stead has recognized in Japan
the type of the nation of which the conn
ponent individuals are all striving for the
advancement of the whole body polite, In
morals in ethical fitness. in material pros
perity in prestige in the world. Lord
Rosebery acquie secs in this definition OF
the new Japan and deplores the prospect
that the lesson which 1t teaches is not
likely to be quickly learned by Great Brit
ain. His foreword in Introduction OF this
valuable work is an interesting personal
document. 1t WILDLY reflects his own at
titude toward the course of events political
in his own country. One sees through these
few pages reflection of the Rosebery
whose withdrawal from active partisan
leadership has puzzled the world He rec
ognizes the necessity of party organization.
but expresses sense of chagrin that Eng
land with all her natural ability, all her
energy, all her advantages has not risen
efficiency, on which all men work first for
the state at large without question, without
hesitation and without difficulty in recog-
MIXING the true line of national duty.
Mr.. Steads study of Japan leads him to
reject emphatieally the notion of a Japan
of aggression or menace The forty years
of progress have brought her to the point
of a substantial holding of her own, not
only for herself but for Asia. Japan, he
points out, has by her recent victories and
declarations set up a Monroe doctrine for
the far east, as distinct and as respectfully
acknowledged as the Monroe doctrine of the
United States. But IL is not as a militant
foe of the west that Japan now stands
forth in triumph, but as the friend of the
east. There will be no reason to dread that
which has been absurdiy termed the yell
low PERIL e cry raised Mr. Stead sug-
gests. By the German emperor to call atten-
tion to the danger of the territorial hold
ings in Asia of the European nations,
wrested from the Asiatics without need or
warrant.
A Pan-Asiatic movement may evolve from
Japans activities. but not for conquest or
for exclusion. The Pan-Asiaism for which
Japan stands to work for the mental,
moral and me- terial advancement of the
Aslatics within their own present lines,
and Mr.. Stead believes that the national
efficiency gained by the Japan through her
emergence from isolation. her studies of
the west her acquisition of the best the
west has afforded in guidance and the care
full application of the warnings the west
has given through its own mistakes and
suffeFings, will make for lasting peace be-
tween the nations.
The volume is filed with suggestive dis
cussions and covers the whole field of the
practical progress of the japanese. In
every department of the national life is
shown the fitness of the individual
member of the state the patriotism that
makes for accomplishment In war. In peace.
in culture in ethical advancement
THE COMPANIONSHIP OF BOOKS; and
Other Papers. By Frederic Rowland
Marvin. New York: G. p. Putnam's
Sons. Washington: Woodward
Lothrop.
When the novels have exhausted their
possibilities for entertainment, and the
books on the current issues of the day
have ceased to instruct and interest. the
good old friends of the shelves come in for
their turn, often for the hundredth or the
thousandth time. These are the books of
the companionship of which DR. Marvin
writes so delightfully."- in his opening essay
He bespeaks for these tried and true COM
panions a greater consideration in the days
Of hustle. He cites them sure cures for
many of the ills of modern life. 1t is i'm
possible to read this paper without feeling
a sympathy for the biblophile of taste and
resources and for the porer over ancient
tones containing the original text of great
classics Some of the other papers in this
volume reveal the results of the authors
books that live through the centuries. He
has been a discriminating reader, and he
has at the same time acquired the habit
of jotting down his passing thoughts. Some
of these contents are obviously extracts
from his note books, barely more than
brief memoranda, but all couched in an at
tractive, polished style that betrays the
man Of letters and TASTE
TWISTED EGLANTINE. By H. B. Mar
riott Watson. Illustrated by Frank
Those intimately acquainted with the per-
sonal history of English society of a hun
bred years or so ago may determine
whether or not Sir Piers Blakiston, whom
Mr.. Watson sketches so artistIcally In this
novel. is parsonage of record. or is mere
~ fanciful creation. Thoughts of the
immortal Brummell Immediately arise
There are certain resemblances of pose,
manner and even OF character. Sir Piers
is set forth one of the most attractive
scoundreNs who ever breathed. Indeed, the
generous reader may finish the book Won
dering whether he were really such a
scoundrel after all. For Sir Piers acted as
did the majority of men of his period He
followed the social code serupulously, even
to the point of violating the moral code OF
a more rigorous society. He lied like a
gentleman and when cornered by some I'M
with grace and Subtlety. Mr.. Watson has
contrived with admirable skill to focus
sympathy upon this entertaining exquisite
despite his abominable morals. He shines
like star beside tallow dip In contrast
with scrupulous young Faversham who is
very much of a bore. Mr.. Watson's story
attracts from the first page to the last. It
is never dull
THE INDIAN DISPOSSESSED. BY Seth
k Humphrey. Illustrated from Photo
graphs. Boston: Little. Brown & Co.
Were It not that Mr.. Humphrey is sup
ported in his position with regard to gov
eminent dealings with the Indians by ex-
tracts from official records; If, In fact, the
text OF these documents were not often
more forcible than the comment his read
ers might be justified in the belief that he
was special tpleader against the admin
tstration of Indian affairs. 1t has become.
Of course currently known that in Its re-
1ations to the Indians our government has.
FROM various motives. committed acts which
are with difficulty to be distinguished from
thostS deeds which. in individuals. 1t pun
tshes with the full weight of the law 1t is