Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-20
STORY OF SERBIA, s
4 NATION At BAY
Told Wiih Moving Eloque'sce
and Power by Sergeant
Ruth Farnunt

II has remained for an American
woman to tell the story of Serbia's
crucifxon with passionate power and
moving eloquence. "A Nation at Bay"
by Ruth s. Farnam. sergeant by deed
and not merely by courtesy in the Ser
blan army. is the epic of a heroic na-
tions martyrdom. No more sou1-stif.
ring narrative has been born Of the
entire war than this book. It is In
stinct with the vivid personality Of Mrs.
Farnam, revealing unconsciously her
large-visloned. ereat-hearted, rarely In.
telliEent and splendidly capable quail
ties displayed in laboring zealously and
selfshly--and not merely with words.
but in tol-worn khaki and with strong
hands and unwearied brain--to mitigate
the actual. physical anguish of suffering
Serbians. lsts.
The author is one of those rare per-
sonalities who seem able to witness the
yet emerge from contact with horrors
that transcend the Imagination without
any loss of feminine tenderness and
gentleness. She did not finch at spec.
tacles such as probably no other Ameri-
can woman alive today has seen; vet
her quick sympathies remain uncal-
loused, her fine womanhood retains Its
heroic idealism and truly sublime cour.
age Her narrative Is irresistibly hue
man, informal and intimate. but her view
Ia always the larger view of the true
cosmopolitan. She IL entirely too sem
sible TO indulge in futile shrillness; hef
book Is written with that crystal sim.
plicity of style and freedom from all
pose which is the very essence of art
and the foundation Of conviction.
Sergeant Farnam was officially made
n member of the Serbian army in the
heat Of the famous battle Of Brod In
October, 1915. when the Serbian corn-
mander mistakine her excitement for
fear. urged her to remain calm do
you think I'm afraid?'' she cried. Il
never lived before!' She was promptly
made full-fedEed soldier. III
Before that incident she had already
| seen much active service In Serbia DUR
ing the terrible tyohus epidemic she
had charge NJ a medical department At
vrgntze on the stan of Prince Alexis,
and had previously seen much OF the
| Serbian people. and learned to admire
their simple. hardy. honest natures.
their generosity. intense pride and inde-
pendence. domestic affection and natural
poetry. Her account Of that memorable
retreat of the whole peasant population
through the mountains stirs the pro-,
| foundest depths Of pity.
Their DOM" she comments. has
moved n warning world to futile tears.
Away in the icy roads leading
to Albania the poor ones struggled on
Mothers with their little ones around
them blinded soldiers led by the gentle
hands OF young girls. and carrying In
their arms sick or half-frozen children /:
old men. tottering, stumbling, falling At
last to rise no more; strong and hand-
some women, naggard now withs bitter
fear. their danger greater than any
other a child would moan In its moth
er's arms, and its little life would flicker
out. The mother. kneeling beside ths
tiny form. would take off her great
homespun apron that she might leave thu
side, needed the meager warmth OF TN
loved body decenuy covered. But tn
other suffering children. crying at he
ragged garment, so the heartbrokel
mother with oiteous prayer mus
gather her little brood about her and
leaving her baby uncovered. go Of
again" @
No more glowing tribute to Serbia
heroism could be found than this book
| A NATION AT BAY. Ry Sergeant Ruth
| Farnam Illustrated: Indianapolis. Booos
Merrill Company. $50.