Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-01-24

"a Year as Government Agent by
NiraE B. Whitehouse tMrs. Norman
DeRL Whitehouso). Illustrated. New
York City; Harper & Brothers, Price,
1915, net.
Mrs. Whitehouse was duly appointed
bv George Creel, chairman - the Ameri-
can Committee ON Public Information
during Ehe World War, TO 90 to Swisser-
land. aI a representative of the committee,
and established headquarters at Berne
Her duties were to disseminate correct
and cnlightening information about the
United States and the motives of this
country in entering upon the war. and
also 60 send reliable information about
conditions in Switzerland to this country.
Apparently, a serviceable mission, with
straight and easy duties. But 1T proved
vastly different, rs Mrs. Whitchouse sets
forth in this story OF her experiences.
The difficulties that beset this earnest
and straightforward woman IN carrying
ont her important mission were amazing.
The fact that she WIS woman operated
against her from the beginning, inter
posing aggravating delays and inter
ferences in her departure, and for awhile
almost defeating the object OF her assign
ment She encountered opposition where
she hal expect the heartiest cooperation
in the American legation at Berne, the
United States Minister and his attaches
being very much opposed to her mission.
They looked upon II rs an infringement
upon their prerogatives, and possible
serious interference with diplomatic pro-
cceiure. They attempted to hide the real
nurpose of Mrs. Whitehouse mission,
which thev regarded with dlstrust, and
got her into trouble from the FIRST by
representing it as one OF investigation into
the condition Of women and children in
Switzerland.
But Mrs. whitehouse resoluteiy re-
fused 60 act under a subterfuve, and the
instrumentation of her real purpose
caused her for awhile to be regarded with
suspicion by the Swiss government. She
persisted in her attitude, even against the
omen oppo ositionof the American legation,
going to the extent OF threatening To re-
sign and return home unless she was per-
rnittpd 10 PRESENT herself and her mission
in true colors, and 10 establish head
quarters where she could work openly and
freely. And finally she trlumphed, after
large amount OF correspondents by cable,
President Wilson taking a hand towards
the end by q personal letter that settled
officially her status, and left her free 10
M0TA OUT AhI pun bc<ao "a .A4N s'-%A.t+'-+
she deemed best suited to the occasion.
Mrs. Whitchouse story OF her active
work. after she had so successfully com
batted the obstacles OF rcd tape and
dirlornatic intrigue, Is very interesting.
Bv her open course and straightforward
nlans she succeeded IN disarming sus-
ricion. dealing directly with the President
and other officials of the Swiss Republic,
who COMMUNICATED her and extended
cordial cooperation when they learned
the truth about her mission. She gives
3 revealing picture of the situation IN
Switzerland during her years stay, which
terminated with the conclusion of the
war. and shows how extensive and In
ffuential was the great German propa-
ganda conducted there, encouraged as It
was by the very large pro-German senti-
ment which prevailed IN that country.
And she shows what good was accom-
plished bit the enlightening work of her
bureau for the dissemination of correct
information about our country and the
ideals andIplrrposcs of our government.
An appdndix presents the Illuminating
correspcnd dence, chiefly by cable, that
attended Mrs. Whiteholise's persistent
and successful efforts to beat down diplo-
matte intrigue and official prejudice and
hersself in the capital of SwItzer-
land llnder true colors and with freedom
Of action. This of itself is q brief, bu,
cornprehentive, story of much interest.
Received Of the publishers.