Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-31

of the canal as assured, not entering into
the consideration of the means to be en-
ployed or the perplexities of the present.
country by country. he surveys the field
of possible trade effect. He prints tables
of distances to indicate the saving eff
fected by the canal, and clearly demon
strates the value to American interests
both southern and northern-of a speedier
route, than conditions now permit He
traverses the region with his eyes open for
both commercial and political circum-
stances, and presents South America in a
light which has hitherto been only feebly
shed upon 1t. revealing It's rich possibili-
ties as land of industry. His chapters on
Bolivia are perhaps the most interesting
or all, This comparatively little known
country, without seaport. Is. neverthe-
less, one of the most promising regions of
the southern continent. The canal Mr.
Pepper believes, and shows by his statistics
and deductions, will work a revolutionary
change in its fortunes
An important feature of the work Is the
bearing IL has upon the proposition to bind
all the western countries of South America
together into commercial whole by means
of a continuous railroad system to be
eventually linked to the great railway sys-
tenn of North America. Such a railroad
he demonstrates, will be an effective SUM-
PIGMENT to the canal, and in no wise a de-
terrent influence upon Its usefulness.
Mr.. Pepper adds chapter, highly I'M
portant and directly in harmony with the
purpose of the whole work on the new
basis of the Monroe doctrine showing the
gradual evolution of that principle as Ii
stands today understood by this country
aud as accepted by the European powers
He says: The Monroe doctrine bennett
cent as II has been, at no period has caused
the sale OF a dollars worth of merchandise
in southern markets. Nor in their most
benevolent and belligerent moods, when
ready to fight all Europe in behalf of some
other republic, have the North American
people ever ordered ships cargo from
these markets. The Panama canal
extends the responsibility of the United
States 1t enlarges the commercial oppor-
tunity commensurate with the increased re-
sponsibility, and the rest remains for the
enterprise and initiative of the individual
citizen
THE EDGE OF HAZARD. BY George
Horton, author of Like Another
Helen" &c. Illustrated by c. NJ Rel
yea. indianapolis: The Bobbs- Merrill
Company.
Mr.. Horton works THE long arm of coin
cidence" in this story until 1t is In danger
OF collapse. The hero literally stumbles
into good and bad fortune In a manner to
suggest that the gods who preside over
the fates of lovers are conspiring to crowd
him with exciting experiences He walks
out of his hotel in Moscow to call on the
Princess Romanoff and hail x a cab driver
and mentioning the name of his hostess. Is
whirled to nihilist meeting having been
mistaken for the inventor of a new and
particularly deadly bomb. The real inventor
turns up and there is trouble At the psy-
Geological moment who should enter but a
Jew whom the hero rescued from a mob
in Siberia. This saves his life. after siren
uous happenings Mr.. Horton dlsdains
tedious expiana tons. He offers theories
to account for his condolences. He tells
stirring story that does not bear analysis
II deals with the secret service work OF
Russia and Japan preceding the recent
war the anti-Jewish spirit in Russia, the
intense patriotism of the Japanese and the
commercial aspect of the war. A thrilling
fight on the Amur river between a boat
load of travellers and a company of Man
churian brigands is perhaps the best part
of the book.
THE LIFE OF JOHN WESLEY. BY c. T.
Winchester, professor of English liter
allure in Wesleyan University. With
portraits. New York: The Macmillan
Company. Washington: Brentano's.
Despite the wealth of biographical mate
rails concerning John Wesley. this volume
sounds a new note. Prof. Winchester deals
with Wesley In vein Of human interest
He writes of Wesley as q man rather than
merely as theologian. or q preacher or
a religious leader. His portrait is con-
vincing. At all times sympathetic with
both the personality and the works of wes-
ley, the author does not hesitate to express
his critical judgment of him from either
point of view when occasion arises He
strives to correct the idea which some OF
the strictly theological Biographies have
created that Wesley was austere, devoid of
pleasure In the world IN which he lived. He
shows him rather as an intensely busy man.
too busy to permit himself Indulgence in
social relaxation, yet always fond OF society
and always in great demand as a guest be-