Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-05
Reviews of New Books

this historical survey picture Mexico
under Diaz. emphasizing the stability
and progress brought to the country
by the drm and sagacious sovereignty
Of Diaz. whom the writer eulogizes in
terms of unqualified admiration and
confidence. The study passes then to
the revolutionary confusion of Mexico,
after Diaz. and. at this point, draws UP
line after line of evidence in support
Of its claim that Germany has been,
by design and definite plan, a malev-
olent influence in Mexican affairs. It
is very frank and positive statement
Of the Mexican situation in its inter-
national relationships. It is also 4
well as an important one. Mrs. Alec
Tweedie has studied Mexico at first
hand and with a thoroughness Of de-
tail that leaves one in no doubt as to
has lived it. and read 1t, studied 1t.
and written 1t. till she may we'll be
accounted authority on this subject.
Tobenkin. author Of "Witte Ar
rives." etc. New York: Frederick
A. Stokes Company.
About the middle of the last century,
when Europe was afiame with revolu-
tionary doctrines. there was. conse-
quent upon this upheaval. a great exo-
dus toward America. Leaders in the
new thought came to the United States
for the distinct purpose of planting in
this soil Of freedom those emancipat-
ing ideas which to them seemed 80 glo-
rious. With these ideas they would
build communities free from the old
evils that had ever stood in the way Of
mans advancement. What the new
world did to these reformers. how it
took them and shaped them in the pat
rF1 NJ 70 hut t. al nfN
It is this story. however. which Mr..
Tobenkin has objectifed and out Of
which he has created a particularly
strong novel. Going back to the close
the present. the novel includes three
generations Of Conrads-"the house"
that Gottfried Conradi, ardent follower
Of Ferdinand Lasaffe's gospel of so
cialism. dreamed that he would set up
In America as the center Of a fair and
righteous socialistic state. Poor Gott-
fried and his dreams really Amer
lean home with his grandchildren is
| the end of Gottfried's mission. Along
the way of this development Mr.. To-
lAmericanizing influences of neighbor-
hood. and school. and church. and bust
ness. AZ these contribute to the habits
of thought and action that stamp the
American from mon and women Of 9TH
or surroundings. of other modes of
thought and feeling. Since the story ID
| one OF marked fidelity to the situation,
1t is q pathetic revelation Of the awak-
| ening of Gottfried. a very touching
drama of the making of an American
family out Of an alien substance. One
cannot oyerestimate the fine and seri-
Gus work that this book presents with
out break. or let-down, In its whole
course.
MISS AMERIkANkAs Story. BY
Olive Gilbreath. Illustrations by
Sigismund de Ivanowski. New
York: Harper & Bros.
| Not SO much story. either. though
in outlineit does present Anat sequence
Of events which leads. finally. to the
predestined contamination implied in
tho events themselves. Rather IL 1t &
eeries OF Impressions. As story 1t has
to do with the experiences OF q young
American girl who CROSSES, by the 81
/ heria q IA ilKax {rana China into Ruasia