The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-30
N JEANETTE l.. GLIDER
A BOOK that has been waited for
~ with much interest Is Amer
lea and Her Problems" by

~ with much interest Is "Amer-
y lea and Her Problems" by
Paul II. b. d'Estournelles de
Constant tMacmillan). The author Is
a member OF the Senate OF France
md was 4 collegiate to the peace con-
,crrnc-s at The Hague. 1899 and 1907.
lie has visited this country more than
ur0 and has given special care to the
iudy of our institutions.
The book Is divided into two parts.
he first being devoted to conditions.
he second to the consideration Of
problems. 1t is written in a simple
manner and each chapter is divided
into various paragraphs with descrip-
live headings so that you AN put
your finger In a moment on any sub
ject hat you are particularly inter-
ested in. There Is also q very COM
pick index and the chapter headings
are so voluminous that a run through
the table OF contents gives you In a
condensed form a very good idea OF
the book. But you will not be salts
fed with that: II IL q book to be read
and we'll considered.
M. d'Estournelles de Constant n not
only . trained observer, but he had
unusual opportunities for making his
observations. There IL hardly a sub
Jet connected with the United States
that he does not touch upon. from the
President Of the United States TO ex-
Presidents. from Mrs. Eddy to An
drew Carnegie. from Lake Mohonk
Mountains and tho Pacific slope. I do
-. 49, 49,. 49, $3.50 $3.50,
subjects touched upon and more In
diligently. Tho book 10 thoroughly
up to date, a. the last chapter was
written since tho breaking out Of the
present a
The preface Of the American EDITION
of this book Is dedicated to the people
Of the United States. In this preface
he tells US, what we might have dis
covered In reading tho book. that It II
the fruit Of a lifetime Of observation.
study and travel in distant countries.
Much Of II was written almost on
the eve of the var that Is now being
waged.
n. d'Estournelles de Constant has
had two objects in view in writing
the book. One was to do his best, not
only to show the United States how
fully he appreciated their vast re-
sources, but to make them realize
the incalculable service they could
render to civilization. as well O. to
themselves. by remaining faithful to
their peace policy. which IL the main
aus Of their prodigious prosperity.
Secondly. after defining this peace
policy and quoting facts to show that
t vas inspired neither by shortsight-
cdness nor by cowardice. I have tried
10 indicate its patriotic grandeur and
its advantages for other nations, es-
pecially for those who believed in the
superiority Of militarism. I have given
my readers a choice between two
forms Of actual experience-two
models. the first TO be followed. a
peace policy. and the second, to be
avoided, a policy Of adventure and
armament"
The present war. the author thinks,
VII teach neutrals a terrible lesson.
Whether they like 1t or not, their
interests are bound up with those Of
me belligerents who are fighting for
peace and justice. Fortunately for
themselves and for civilization they
al III hioic iicc titiiistiNtS thiS
bond than they car escape from the
more and more complex obligations
OF international intercourse. On the
other hand they do not wan to com
promise themselves.
Their position is extremely difncult.
What Is their duty? Nothing could be
a more delicate matter. for instance,
than for the Government Of the
United States to avoid becoming in
volved In this world confagration and,
in a word, to remain neutral.
But how are we to understand neu
trality itself? No n suggests that
the United States should take UP arms.
a. a nation, on behalf Of any OF the
belligerents. but on the othe- hand
no n "a conceive the neutrality Of
the land Of American independence as
amounting to Indifference"
NJ. d'Estournelles de Constant
laments the persistent silence OF the
United States Government on ques-
lions Of this war, and ne believes that
this silence Is a great mistake. He
thinks that America should have made
a vigorous protest against the viola
ton Of Belgian neutrality and OF the
Hague conventions signed by It's rep
r~esentatives.
He begins his book with his landing
In New York, which city he considers