Evening star., 1919-04-20
Reviews of New Books
THE RIDDLE OF NEARER ASIA.

Viscount Bryce. Illustrated. New
Z, York: George H. Doran Company.
"HIS compact volume presents
an a1l-around view of Asia
Minor-of the Asiatic area ly-
ing just across the European
border. The writer's purpose is to
spread out the sum of present condi-
tions in this region. His secondary
purpose is to estimate the aptitudes
of the peoples of nearer Asia for "a
participation in the new aims and
activities that a world war has been
fought to secure. Asia Minor is the
natural gateway of CommuTlica ion
among the continents of the eastern
hemisphere. All of it's history, since
history began, has been shaped by this
accident Of location. Its future, also.
is destined to rest upon this funda-
mental fact. The logical and inevi-
table Importance of this region as
world highway of the future gives
special point to the study in hand.
This survey centerS around the work
of the Christian missions in the coun-
try. This fact. however. does not con-
note a narrowed vision, since, in these
latter days, the body takes equal part
with the soul in the pursuit and
achievement of salvation. The study.
therefore, sums to a general view of
the life of these nearer Asiatics in
their social and industrial relations
as well as in their religious outlook
and their spiritual progress. A con-
trast between the two civilizations
Christian and Mohammedan-in their
respective aptitudes toward modern
Ideals runs through this informing
study The book, in sum, is an ener-
setic and orderly accounting of those
forces in Asia Minor al =
ready in line to join The procession Of
modern advanCe-of those forces,
therefore, that should. according to
this writer, be supported and encour-
aged.
HUMORESQUE. By Fannie Hurst.
author of "Gaslight Sonatas." etc
New York: Harper * Bros.
The marvel of Fannie Hurst is that
she is able to bring color and warmth
and romance out of places and situa-
tons that are commonly looked upon
as drab and cold and prosaic bits OF
life. Lower New York, upon its mot
ley surface, is the least picturesque
SPOT on earth. Yet in the Hurst sto-
RES its vlolenceS of sound and scent
and color-riot slip into arrangements
and perspectives that turn the sordid
quarter into very Baedad of opulent
appeal And that is a pretty wonder
lul piece of work 10 do by the mere
stringing together of words in the in
terestS of a complete Illusion. And
what more unlikely material for ro-
~ ance than the shop girls the
'steins" and "bergs'' and "inskys"-
that figure almost exclusively as the
herolres in these Hurst stories? Yet.
SONG down under the slang and the
shaboiness and the near views of
hHC vi.
1dlllngiy. with human being so like
the rest of the girls in their yearn;ngs
ana hungeringS after life that the ap-
Ieal is irresistible, and the sense of
kinship is beyond elusion. Reading
through an English that is as sump-
tuous as 1t is lawleSs. one finds in the
a0thor OF these modern pictures of
ne drawn from great city, a writer
that is first a human being, and after
that an artist of unique mold
DANGER; And Other Stories. Ry
Conan Doyle. author of The Ad-
ventures of Sherlock Holmes" etc.
New York: George II. Doran Com
pany.
varying themes come together in this
volume by way of the distinctive literary |
treatment 1eF their author The most !
important of these. as well as the. most
and interesting one. is
Danger. .tte header OF the group. The
Suosta nee Of shis adventure did not set
ut origIna-9y 40 take the form of fic- /
ION Rather was it. in it's inceptiou
I ne oIseussioDao of one of EnsIand's most /
!nportailt problems in time OF war This
Is Che prohiems of Great P-itain's food
supply The, solution of this problem !
lies, according to this writer. in three !
n vols
Hsn channel. Increased food production J
1T hone, and submarine Merchantmen
I nables IN the stresses of party politics.
10 get a nearing for argument on this
euesuop SQran Doyle turned the ma
;erial elnbodted in the problem over to
the side ofrreative liters ture producing
the stirring adventure in hand Here
ar incopsplcuous nation attacks England
with less othan dozen submarines
operating exclusively against food and
supply .shfpss bound for that % countrV ~
The adventure is worked out in minute
strategic detail withre
Spect to the attacking forces The re-
suit Is 2 plausible and startling sequence
OF mlhlary'ssvents cast in the mold of
submarine attack. An exciting and
conginangsstory. The remaining tales
arefof hazard and daring, of the pursuit
or criminals along the familiar lines set
by fhlst stwr1ter. A delightful child story
slipe in here. to the added enjoyment Of
thei reader.
THE sPNNERs. By Eden Phillpotts
author of 'Bruners Tower" etc
new York: The Macmillan Com
PAM.
A seRious story of fine and careful
wof fkmanshfp-such as Mr. -PhilIpotts
habitually produces. Fundamentally.
IT Is the old story Of three-heres of a
man and two women Industries
IS usual with this writer's works
1ts immediate setting. The spirit of
west england forms its deeper and
more significant setting The man
lnherlts spinning business. and with
lt responsibility for the well being of
nose involved in this industry He
youth and careless of his debt +o hjs
1ellowmen- At this point he sows the
Seed OF the gray tragedy that follows
MIN In the stubborn and unayoidahle
facts of a ruined girl and an uIti
mateiy reVengeful son. At the period
of his manhood another woman takes
contfoi, a woman of big vision and a
sense or social responsibility. Here
the story moves into the modern cur
rent OF social endeavor Yet. it does
not, by reason of this come out into
the arena of the modern story-for il
is set in the old feelings of Devon and
Cornwall, cast in its mold of Thought
coiored with its somber hues In a
word, it is Eden Phillpotts exudine
through blood and breath the soil and
sun and ancient spirit of the corner
of England which he himself is in
person. This is one of his best stories
where all are surprisingly good to
the readers of genuine literature
worked into fiction