New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-09
An ENGLISH "J'ACCUSE'
Zangwill's Contribution to the
Literature of the War.


THE WAR FOR TIE WORLD BY Israel zsng-
win l2mn 3D. 80. The Macmillan Company
To rank Israel Zangwill with the
authors Of "The German Accuse and
Because I Am German would be
unjustifable injustice to stanch'
sound British patriot. His place among
the protestants Of this war is rather
by the side Of Roman ROLAND, from
whom, indeed, he quotes what might
well be called the text OF this book;
"a nation at war must not only defend
its frontiers. but its sanity as we'll
Therefore. like the French idcalist,
Zangwil has become suspect to many
Of his fellow countrymen.
Hence his Introductory "opologia
for not being pro-German' -pro-Prus-
sian were the better word. Zangwill
is not only anti-Prussian abroad; ne
is. above all, and most apprehensively
anti-Prussian at home. The dread of
Englands Prussianization by force OF
arms is dissiDated. In its stead. he
claims. more insidioIs danger has
Prussianization from within. The
Defence of the Realm act, he says, has
made an end of Magma Charta; Habeas
Corpus has been suspended, Parliament
shorn of its rights and powers. A free
press has been muzzled by the censor
ship: and the mob outdocs the govern
mcnt in forbidding Englishmen to
exercise their right of free speech,
opinion. conviction and action. What
is this but Prussanization asks Mr.:
Zangwill, what but the triumph OF
kultur i'm the very home Of the enemy
sworn to destroy il?
Then the inconsistencies Of Eng
lands course in this war. The gov
eminent, while claiming TO fight mil
itarism in Europe, supports japanese
militarism against China:
Why make Turkeys German ally
responsible Tor the Armenian mas
sacrcs. which she could have
stoned by q word, but hold ing
land blameless for Russia's anti
Jewish pogroms? Breathe
one syllable suggesting that
France. Belgium. Russia, Italy,
Serbia. Montenegro and Japan are
not academies Of archangels, and
YOU are pro-German. There was d
moment with Bulgaria balancing
when Sofia. 100. was holy city,
though finally Gar Fer linand had
Jewish nose. Who would dare
say to-day wndt the Westminster
said then that Bulgaria was the
great peasant democracy? That
would be pro-German. Fairness,
in short, is the mark of the beast.
And the latest symptom of British
militant patriotism. according to Mr.
Zangwill, mas taken the form of anti
Scmitsm from Prussianization Great
Britain is progressing to Russifica-
ton. At the request Of the Russian
government his play "The Melting
Pot" was suppressed by the Lord
Chamberlain. And it is treason not to
speak and write with enthusiasm Of
Rosy Russia" once so regrettably mis-
understood and suspected in England,
now seen at last in her true color Of the
dawn Of a new world, a new spiritual
message and mission. Mr.. Zangwill
has the courage of his convictions, Of
his consistency. That one cannot make
war abroad without the creation of a
RAMPANT, unreasOning, unreasonable
war spirit at home is beyond his com
prehension. Nor can he understand
that, though inter Grna silent leQes,
though for the moment England has
/ surrendered her liberties for the more
efficient conduct Of the war, the spirit
of her will survive and automatically
/ restore all liberties voluntarily sur
rendered the moment peace returns.
He. on the spot. foresees a permanent
/ "Prussianization" of British institu-
tions. We. over here, are eXpectant Of
a more truly democratic England than
ever was before.
For all that, this is thoughtful, a
richly suggestive book. Il makes for
world peace but not for the pacifsm
+ that refuses to prepare in world
armed to the teeth. If Mr. Zangwill
disagrecs with Wells, who has accused
! him of treason" because he refuses TO
/ join in the chant Of praise Of all things
/ Russian, he disagrees as strongly with
Shaw, whom he. in his turn call of US
have our inconsistencies), suspects Of
having pronounced pro-German lean
4 ings. And he complains satirically that
I the English novelists have not been
/ invited TO take an official part in the
? conduct Of the war. With Shaw. on the
other hand. he wonders mt mans in
terest in the perfection Of engines Of
/ destruction. so much stronger than his
. interest in the perfection Of the ma