The New York herald., 1922-04-02

2nctiAii 1obPdiiys
r L is worth while to reach back
to the slang OF more than forty
years ago for a phrase that
exactly characterizes Mr.. Roberts's
book. 1t is ''red hot"--in the mean
ing of that locution current a gen
Grafton ago: it explains itself, of
course, but it should he noted that
it meant a bit more than our own
"full OF pep" and always implied EN-,
phatic approval. Yet our very hearty
approval of this book needs sone
critical correction. Mr.. Roberts is
a somewhat temperamental writer,
and these papers should be taken
for exactly. what they are--contri-
buttons to popular discussion in
very widely read periodical. written
with definite aim. and spiced to
taste. It is newspaper correspond
ence; OF a high order but still of its
class. Possibly some Of his figures
may need little revision. and some
pictures are a little high colored.
But, with that mild reservation.
there can be not the slightest doubt
of the essential accuracy and fidelity
of his brilliantly told story of con-
ditions on the continent Of Europe.
The title OF the book is trifle
misleading; or, rather. it is made
quate. 1t does not need a thick vol
ume to explain to US why very many
European peoples are eager to leave
home. and especially eager TO come
TO Americas eager that II the
bars were wholly down the exodus
would be limited only by the carry
ing capacity Of all the available ships.
The real purpose of the book is
| twofold: first, to demonstrate that
The question of immigration into the
United States Is primarily a Jewish
question, and secondly, 10 show-as
he does, very efficiently-why We In
America cannot afford to let in any
I more of these "undesirables" if we
hope to preserve any solid remnant
Of our traditional civilization.
Mr.. Roberts speaks right out loud
| and is not afraid to attach plain. un-
| mistaisable names to the objects he
presents. His position will be called
anti Semitic. and he Is. quite aware
that he win be loudly accused Of the
hideous crime OF race prejudice, of
| narrowness. OF faithlessness to an
cient American ideals OF liberty.
a welcome to all the oppressed"
&c. He leaves himself wide open
to the denunciations of the sentiment
talists. But he is well able to stand
all that with equanimity. Denuncia-
ton Is usually one Of the rewards OF
any ono who ventures to emit un-
comfortable truths-but they remain
truths. He says:
"The American nation was founded
| and developed by the Nordic race.
but if q few more million members of
the Alpine, Mediterranean and Semi
tic races are poured among us. the
result must inevitably be a hybrid
race OF people as worthless and futile
as the good for nothing moDgrels of
southeastern Europe" In
fact, as he intimates, that result has
already been attained. to no small
degree. In many of our largest CEN
ters OF population. and the dccadent
effects are widely In evidence
throughout the country, in the pro-
gressive weakening OF moral fiber, in
business, education and politics. rs
contrasted with conditions Of half q
century ago.
| Indeed, some Of us think, Mr.. Rob
erts might well have gone even a
| oltp iuA liici aAi liht - uiotiliSiNcly
worth while in the making OF the
American nation was introduced and
developed not merely by the Nor
dic' race. in general. but by the
definitely individualized branch of
that great race which may be broad
! Iy called English-inclpding therein