Evening star., 1918-07-07
THE EASTERN QUESTION, A His
tOrical study In European Diplo-
macy. BY ]. A. II. Marriott. Oxford:
The Clarendon Press.

1 NioippIu koi bSININO' ~ 10
bold In outline. free from
the lumber of confusing
non-essential details, 1t is
rich In maps to give concrete ex-
preston to various topics whose
appeal to the mind is largely through
the eye. Each chapter is supplement-
ed by a discriminating book list for
reference and a further study In de-
tall. The subject itself Is approached
not only with an intimate knowledge
Of the facts of history which 1t in
wolves. but with the sense of historic
values and meanings. Besides. the
study comes across to the reader
'x.tseh after. the manner Of an inter-
esting and stimulating personaiIty.
The author has the gift OF writing as
well as the power to gather and CO.
ordinate knowledge. Because of all
this. one feels sure that here is the
book on the Balkans for which he has
been In quest. In actual historical
substance the study reaches from tho
time when the Ottomans invaded Eu-
rope to the Balkan wars OF 1912 and
1918. Preceding this body of historic
event there Is quick gathering up
Of the factors in the perplexing prob
lem OF the near east, together with a
review Of the physical features Of
the Balkan region with the unstable
politics that this geographical en-
historic study Is an epilogue that
covers the war years from 1914 to
1916-an outlook over the dread facts
OF these years and q tentative further
glance into that future which. alone.
civilization will accept. Appendices
A, b and c give valuable information
to the student concerning the facts
Of the Ottoman occupation Of south
eastern Europe. The body of the
study moves easily and swiftly from
the advent, the rise and the fall of
the Ottomans in Europe to the
emergence Of the familiar eastern
question: question that matured
rivalry OF Russia and Turkey The
entrance OF France through the in
strumentality of Napoleon compli-
Gates the perennial question:; the
struggle of the Greeks for independ-
.ence Involves 1t still further: the en-
trance OF all the great powers pre-
cipitntes the Crimean war; and the
Balkan instructions give ultimate
risQ to the Balkan states, which en-
J gage In additional wars, and leagues,
and more wars. The last portentous
factor in the momentous problem is
Germany, bent to the consummation
of = Mittleeuropa to bind Hamburg
ical bond of Germanic control. These
various lines OF state rivalry en-
bedded in the subtleties and usual in
sincerities of European diplomacy are
here brought within the reach of tho
reader in an illuminating and most
readable manner.
JAPANi The Rise Of = Modern Power.
BY Robert 8. Porter. author of ''rhe
Full Recognition Of Japan" etc.
Oxford: The Clarendon Press.
Within the past half century Japan
has come out into the open as state
Of full modern type, Back Of this
sudden appearance OF Japan within
the CIRCLE Of modern states there
stretch many centuries Of jealously
guarded seclusion. iayiolable laws of
non-intercourse with outside nations.
Here historic fact objecti1es the old
myth wherein lesser deitfes are said
to have leaped forth from the brow
Of almighty Jove full panoplied with
within these ancient centuries of iso-
lation were the seed of this unique
Manifestation Of modern adjustabiiity
and progress. The book in hand un-
dertakes to uncover these long-hid-
den potentialities In order that. by
ccping into closer touch with the
fundamental character of the Japa-
nese. one may arrive. also. at fair
comprehension Of the essential nature
>of this new modern state. This
Of reasonable calculation as to the
Japanese plans for further develop
ment and for participation in the
world movements Of the future. Quite
two-thirds of this scholarly exposi-
tion is given over to an examination 4 n
painstaking array of Japanese history
the writer keeps ever in mind the
effect of their insular environment
upon the mind and character Of the
effect of this mind and character upon
the environment itself. The story
goes back 600 years before the Chris
tian era began, and. following the
salient points In Japanese develop
,%ents i comes on to tie November be
German surrender Of Kiao-Chau to
Japan. The second part of the book
gives broad outlook upon tho pres
ent aspect of the country. One finds
here summary Of Japan's resources
and its industrial progress. Of its do
mestic and foreign commerce, Of the
evolution of its army and navy. There
is brief review, also, Of the litera-
ture and art Of Japan. The book is
competent and authoritative survey
OF the many-sid essentials of Jap
anese life in its development from far
sources. It ts time ly book. for
Japan. by virtue Of it's substantial
service to the cause of the allies. as
well as by Its full emergence into the
circle Of modern states, is a subject
OF immediate interest that requires
acquaintance and understanding on