Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-18

and demanded for some real or fancied
need of their owh-this is one OF the
tangible things for which men have
fought and are still fighting. And men,
since they became men. have been
fighting for ideas-for religion in the
earlier times and latterly for that in
tangible complex known as nationality.
1t is upon this basis of nationality.
upon the effects of national ambitions
and national exclusiveness, that the
writer continues this study. One by
one he takes up the various countries
that are now uppermost in the mind of
the world. examining into the case OF
each of these. for a discovery of the
peculiar demands of nationality that
press upon each. for 4 review of the
policy of each under the stress of this
national urge. All Europe and parts
of Asia come under this scrutiny in
the writer's quest of the problems of
national development. In effect this is
a study of sea problems, as sooner or
later each nation comes upon this as its
supreme problem. A surprisingly COM
prehensive and Illuminating study to
which the writer adds a critical study
of the proposed remedies for war. Not
finding any remedy in sight, according
to his own appraisal. he discusses the
part of this study is the mastery treat
ment of the various countries that are
now in the throes of national develop
ment.
THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING. BY
Meredith Nicholson. author of
''Otherwise Phyllis" etc Boston:
Houghton Miff1in Company.
This is an essentially true story. Not
true. however. in the sense that one be-
taking himself to the middle west city
that stages it could identify the partic
ular group of persons that sustain and
almost any American urban community
one would be able to find pretty, spoiled
Nan Farley, the center of interest here
Nor would it he difficult to discover
there Billy and Fanny Copeland, d
vorced. and jeremiah A. Amidon, the
raw stuff of future success, and John
Cecil Eaton. poised and ripened citizen
of the world. The story follows the
zigZag course dictated by the vagarious
moods of its hayward heroine. Nan
Farley, Part of the time Nan is the
life of the smart set. carrying on a for
hidden and dangerous Irritation with
Billy Copeland meanwhile. Part of the
time she is the efficient and enthusi-
astic assistant of Fanny Copeland, sue
cessful farmer, in which capacity she,
with characteristic whole -heartedness.
repents of the case of Billy. All the
time she is the torment and joy of old
Mr.. Farley, her foster-father. On the
whole, she is good deal of a trouble
to the reader. besides. One clearly
wants to like her. She is obviously
meant for liking. But her faults are
so fragrant and undergraduates be
frank, Nan is such liar that one finds
it hard to forgive her so cowardly
vice The romance ends in a double
surprise: one. too, that impresses the
reader as shade unwarranted. How
ever, this is an uncommonly interest
ing picture of some of the actual as
poets of modern social life Why
though, THE Proof of the Pudding?
Why not Birds of Feather?
STAR OF THE NORTH. BY Francis
William Sullivan. author of Chill
dren of Punishment" etc New York:
G.. p. Putnam's Sons.
Just this story opens Tom Bris-
coe is rehearsing his movie company