New-York tribune., 1920-04-18

4
sumption is Canaan" (Four
Seas) novel of psyche o-analytical, So
Geological, and South American inter
est, by Graca Aranha, of the Brazilian
Academy. The original was written
in Portuguese for home reading. but
its popularity has caused it to be
translated into French and later into
English
The story is of small town in the
state of Espirito Santo, where the in
habitants are constantly opposed by
European immigrants. Native Gus
toms, races and morals conflict with
those of the foreigners and the result
is the genuine American problem, true
! Of both continents north and south
When the old civilization of Europe
comes to the comparatively new civili-
cation of Brazil the new very adroitly
assumes every appearance of the old
| in an effort to seem an established
civilization
Mr.. Aranha introduces much politi-
cal and social comment He has stud
led in Europe and he may hold Ana
tole France as his favorite writer
This speculation is suggested by such
lines in the conversation of two char
acters:
"Milkau-One Of the blunders of the
interpreters Of history is that thew
conceive the idea of race with strong
aristocratic prejudice. Nobody, how
ever, has been able, to this day, to
define the word race, or even tell how
the races are distinguished from each
others. And then, Which is the priyi
legged race that it alone shall be the
tool, the agent of civilization? Civ
ilization moves from group to group
IN history, pouring it's light and heat
on vast tracts Of land . Some are
flooded with light, while others are left
with impenetrable shadows.
"Lentz-Up till now, ! don't see anv
likelihood Of the black races ever at
tanning to the civilization of the white
ones. Never in Africa.
"Milkau-Africa's day will come.
Races are civilized by fusion. 1t is in
the meeting between the advanced
races and the savage virgin races that
lies the conservation of civilization,
the miracle Of its eternal youth"
Lentz, proud Continental, believes
that the only real civilization will come
by developing one race, that the social
problem for the advancement of 81
country like Brazil is the substitution
OF Europeans for a hybrid race, such
rs mulattoes. His friend, Milkau,
llkable cosmopolite, has come from Ger
many to find young civilization which
he hopes will be free from political
violence, lies and secret prejudices.
Canaan is his goal.
HIS hopes are dashed on the rocks
OF commercial jealousy. false pride.
graft and deceits of many kinds which
he finds in the Brazilian colonies. In
other words, Milkau finds Machiavel
hans wherever he goes. Even in a
country with new civilization, design
ing trade and political leaders parade
their intrigues before Milkau's hopeful
horizon, only to prove to him that
everything under the sun in the line of
human. nature is old. Social conditions
IN Brazil are worse than in his own
country, and when Milkau attcmpts
to defend a woman of low standing who
Is wrongly charged with infanticide
great disgrace is brought on his name
by the community This whets his
eagerness to clear her name and he de-
c'des to carry her from injustice to
some land Of promise They fail to
locate Canaan, although they run mad
ly from one place Of injustice TO an
other.
Don't tire yourself in vain.
Don't run. It is useless.
The Promised Land which I was going
to show you, and which ! was anx-
iously seeking, is not beyond the hor-
izon at all. 1t does not exist
yet" arc Milkau's final reflections to
tho woman he seeks to help.