Evening star., 1919-01-19
THE WORLD WAR LEADERSHIP IN

\ Ely, L., LII. L., duLnoF Oi
Property and Contract in Their
Relation to Distribution OF
Wealth" etc. New York: The Mac
milan Company.
N this volume the weight OF DR..
Ely's consideration is given to
the liberalized ideas of govern
/ ment that stand as the first and
most important effect of the war. The
! form of the democratic ideal that is
emerging out of the conflict and gain
| ing general acceptance stands here in
! clear outline. To this ideal DR.. Ely
applies the test of collective human
| nature in its present environment of
human progress, and brings to bear
upon it, as well, earlier experiments
in democracy. In both views he points
out both the hope and the menace of
democratic government. The discus
sion focuses here in the idea of lead
ership, in the kind of leadership that
! the new outlook requires. in the
source of this leadership, in its mo-
tive, its objective. it's method One
likes the restraint and common
sense--the sober conservatism-that t
here leads one between the old king
experienced and unframed rabble of
pure peopledom on the other. Prior to
this study of the new democracy the
author discusses the war in it's tribal
aspect and origin on the side of
Germany, drawing therefrom the logic
who have long passed this phase OF
political development. High scholar
ship of purely modern type is behind
this discussion. This is the scholar
ship that takes account of the street
as well as the study, that seizes upon
the full sum and significance of
modern life as well upon the
classic examples of the past To this
background of seasoned knowledge
there is added an open hospitality of
mind that is most satisfying to the
reader and the student.
THE RECKONING. By James NJ
Beck, author of The War and HUI
manity." etc New York: G. z. Put
MANS Sons.
The purpose of this analytical study
is to open up the most considerable
peace measures which at the moment
are engaging a worldwide attention.
Having spread these out in the full
content of their meaning and intent,
it is the further purpose of this
writer to weigh these measures in the
double balance of morality and JUS
tice. The famous fourteen peace
propositions Of President Wilson fur
nish the point of departure from
which this author moves out into a
strong counter claim for a positive
retributive justice as the only sub
stantial standpoint for permanent
peace reckoning. From this stand
point alone, according to Mr., Beck.
~ ~ fx- r
self: from this standpoint alone can
any hope of freedom from the menace
of future wars be entertained. The
retributive brand of justice that is
advocated here calls for the destruc-
ton of Hohenzollern, and Prussia, and
Prussianism. Here is the old Jehovah
working out through statute and legal
Interpretation from the mass of in
disputable evidence in hand. From
this point of view the study is COM
petent and brilliant one. 1t produces
and emphasizes it's claims with an ex-
pert readiness that sets the whole
question clearly before one. AS a
summary and analysis of current his
tory it is a valuable study 1t sets
one to wondering-contra how
ever-about the nature of retribut1Ve
Justice. Is it possible to administer
it, actually and permanently. in the
face of the immutable laws of being
and world being that work on and out
despite the temporary distractions OF
man-made punishments? Is not the
Hohenzo1lern, and Prussia, and Prus-
sianism, each. at this moment having
it's own punishment out of the nature
and weight Of it's own offense? And
is not this the only punishment that
it can have in reality? However,
these are only ignorant lay questions.
The study here is very informing
and suggestive one.
BEAUMARCHAIS; And the War Of
American Independence. BY Eliza
beth S. Kite. Illustrated. Boston:
Richard G. Badger.
Every one is keen. nowadays. to
learn forgotten or neglected lessons
on the old friendship of France for
America. Elizabeth Kites story of
Caron de Beaumarchais is a finely
stimulating lesson on this the one
we'll worth study. one calculated to
contribute to our sense of debt and
gratitude to the French people. Caron
de BeaumarchaiS Is the Frenchman
who, in revolutionary days, acted as
the secret agent of France in aiding
the American colonists against the
English. 1t was the sagacity and zeal
of Beaumarchais that led the French
government to come out, finally, in
an open support of the colonies
Around this brilliant and compelling
personality Miss Kite has woven the
story of France and America in the
struggle of the latter for indepen-
dence. This book was written twelve
years ago. Only today has the right
moment for it's public appearance
come. At this moment it is the time
prior to this writing did the docu-
ments from which it was drawn come
to light out of the hidden corners of
official report. With these documents
in hand the author constructed live
and impressive story of the revolu-
tionary movement as this was re-
flected in the enthusiastic and able
support Of the statesmanly and zeal
Gus Beaumarchais. This is a story that
is calculated to warm up and put hu-
man interest into the abstract and
impersonal statements that make up
MEXICO FROM CORTEZ TO CAR.
RAMA. BY Louise s. Hasbrouck.
Illustrated. New York: D. Apple
ton & Co.
Within the limits of 500 pages Miss
Hasbrouck covers over four centuries
of Mexican history. In this broadly in
elusive view the highest points in the
story of turbulent Mexico stand clear
from the mass Of details which led
from one climax to another in the
forward march Of this country The
story is, therefore, in the nature of
an outline of Mexican events, through
the long period with which it deals.
Unlike the usual outline view. how
ever, this one has the color movement
of genuine narrative whose course
is directed by fiesh-and- blood men
working out through actual life ac-
cording to their powers and possibili-
ties. 1t is in word LONG ranovo