Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-10-02
Best Sellers Reviewed by Ottawa
t@4ti Readers

Keynes Economic Consequences
of Peace. Or, ]. ". Petit
This is one Of the most notable
books OF the year, not only by reason
OF the fact that it deals with the vital
issues growing out OF the war but for
the additional reason il is Il criticism
OF the attitude of the allies arranging
the peace treaty with Germany, com
ing from an Englishman who certain
ly cannot be accused OF partisanship.
1t is constructive criticism of the
treaty by one who was present when
the terms were arranged,
The following quotation from the
introductory chapter viii indicate the
general scope OF the work. Moved
by an insane delusion and reckless
self-regard the German people over
turned the foundations on which We
all lived and built. But the spokes-
men of the French and British PEG
pies have run the risk OF completing
the ruin, which Germany began. by d
treaty which, il it is carried into of
feet, must impair yet further. when
II might have restored. the delicate,
complicated organization. already
shaken and broken by war, through
which alones the European peoples
can employ themselves and live"
The author does not question the
justice OF the peace treaty except
In so far as it is a violation OF the
fourteen points which were submitted
by President Wilson upon which the
3 arTniGtipn hasaI hn
treaty was founded. His contention
is that the treaty is not based upon
the fourteen points laid down by
President Wilson, but his chief Crit- |
cism is that the provisions forced up
on Germany are impossible of fulfill |
ment. Hence the treaty will prove t.
be dead letter
He backs up his statement with |
statistics and arguments which ap.
pear to be reasonable and correct. We |
may question the wisdom and cxpe
diency of the treaty because it liz
nores the economic solidarity of En- |
rope and, by aiming at the destruc |
ton of the economic life of Germany !
1t threatens the health and prosper. /.
1ty OF the allies themselves He also |
contends that the impossible condi- |
lions imposed stultifies the treaty, |
and leaves Europe more unsettled |
than it found it,
The book is Intensely Interesting and |
and, whether we agree
with the author or not. we must at
least concede that it is quite probable
that the delay Of the United States in
& n he fn tln
10 be a fortunate circumstance. Which,
Will lead to IA re-Opening Of the whole
and the adoption of treaty
by the allies, including the United
States, which will at least be work
able. even il it does not fulfill al the
demands of Justice
Gibbs. Now ii can be told. Re
viewed by J. p. Alvey, enainecr and
overseas veteran
This is perhaps one of the very best
var books watch has auneared II !.
true and accurate. and books OF this
Kind are needed at this time. as many
raise impressions have been created
as to European affairs. because of ;he
strict censorship
PHILIP Gibbs was one of the first |
i've accredited corroSncndeuts on the
western front. and, was an eve Wit
ness to all the principal engagement
of the British army, from frs, Ynrcs
20 the end, The underlying causes
d the numerous disasters, pictured
~ the author, were held IN by the
;ensor and have been published in
his form since the lifting of the cen.
orship, The book is Il grave indie.
nent OF the British high command
md the politicians who were fighting
he war at Whitehall.
The descriptions are as excellent
% they are true, for the writer is a
.een observer and an accurate ra
order, untempered by judgment. The
arratiVe Is well balanced
y Besides being an accurate descrin-
ion and an interesting narrative II
remarkably deep study of the
sychology OF modern warfare A
UNIVERSAL understanding of psvcbolo.
y would accomplish more toward the
revention Of war than any other
gency II the men responsible for
ar had the understandings of it's
leaning that the soldier in the line
assessed. there would be no wars.
The author was able to read the
,uls OF the men who whitfield the
olet odors along the Menin road |
no charged at Loos, and waited in
4 n hn /