Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-09
IDA GILBERT MYERS,

Tie, brown d 20.
Y VERE is study that presents the
new geography at its best. AS
matter of fact, the most in
l. i elusive of subjects geography
is only now emerging from its
narrow treatment which stopped with
ATTITUDES end longitudes, with boundaries
and place names. and a sketchy gesture
added that pointed vaguely upon the
starry heavens. Today the great sub
ject has come into its own. Today 1t is
conceded that geography includes MIS-
tory, natural products and resources OF
the earth, racial development and dill
ferentiationS all human progress in
science. inventions, industry, social or
carnations, forms of government, the
arts-indeed, the earth and the fullness
thereof are gathered In by this out
reaching in gathering subject of geog-
raphy as 1t is now conceived and &C
cepted.
So. here, these authors sketch briefly
the history that has caused the two
great oceans to change place in i'm
portance. The Atlantic is now plain
highway, its problems in the main those
of simple addition and satisfaction.
Across the United States. however.
spreads the vast uneasy plain OF the
Pacific. whereupon are to be posted
and solved the problems Of the future.
1t is to give to readers who are inter-
ested in the exciting and amazing world
of today some conception OF the nature
Of those oncoming problems. some
plausible forecast as to the results that
will ensue when the various mathen1atl-
cal calculations have ended, that this
book has been written. Col. Etherton
has been officially engaged in China.
Therefore, his point of view for the
Orient is important. since here is one
of our own race trying to show us the
Oriental mind by way of his own ex-
perience with it. Here Is set down the
present international status of the
Pacific, as this was determined by the
International Conference on Disarma-
ment in Washington in 1921. Beyond
this point the authors outline. sue
cinctly, the present and the immediate
future of each of the nations vitality
interested in the Pacific as field of
national support and international
smity. This is a valuable part of the
study. From it each of the interested
countries stands in outline, its main
upon the point under consideration,
making an uninvolved pattern to the
eye of the reader. Beyond this basic
point there follows a discussion of
points at which these national designs
approach one another, touch one an
other. are in certain ways identified
with one another It is here that the
forecast makes its appearance. On
strictly clear lines of fact. supplemented
by the logic Of future plans for this
country or that one, future plans for
further development for fuller par
taking in world shares of progress and
"A 10 r a.
tional future of the various countries
that are so vitality concerned in the
Pacific War? Maybe. War between
the United States and Japan? Not
likely. Less likely all the time as the
years pass by in a growing desire on
the part of Japan to emulate the West
ern world. not only in growing desire.
but as an accomplished fact on the
part of this clever and progressive and
highly initiative race. War even less
likely than 1t was month ago. since
when so many of the governments of
the earth have openly and officially
come out against warfare as a means
of settling Understandings among civil
lized peoples. But. that is another
story. The point here is that this study
leads almost up to the door of such a
conclusion as that of peaceful measures
for the solution of the SURPRISINGLY in
volved, and exciting. problem of the
Pacific. One can hardly praise too
much the clear and robust projection
of the problem from its every point of
view that these authors have given to
it. A most readable discussion, in addi-
ton to its other excellencies.
** y
CREATION BY EVOLUTION. Edited
by Frances Mason. New York: The
Macmillan Co.
IN plain speech that all may under
stand. leading authorities on the sub
iect of evolution have here contributed
to the making of this book About Is
scientists, English and American have
co-operated in the general plan of pre-
senting to the common understanding
a theme that has been the subject of
much confused, and confusing inter-
probation. The extended, expert stud
les o. zoologist botanist, geologist, psy-
chologist are setting straight the earlier
misleading banalities, seized upon by
religiOnist and charlatan in so-called
explanation of the research and tenta-
tive conclusions of Charles Darwin
The book in hand compact of knowl-
edge, both deep and broad, animated
by the zeal for truth which is the stamp
all phases of the evolutionary processes
comes without question under the term
Invaluable" From every point of life,
from every period of existence, from
every true source of information. the
facts gather here to round out a chron-
icle of growth. development. adapta-
ton, new form rising from the readi-
ness of old form to accommodate
themselves to conditions upon which
their continuation depends most
convincing story. but even more anlaz-
ing. more thrilling than it is as simply
true statement of astounding facts.
This book, so high in authority, so
comprehensive in its lesson, is not a book
to read. That is, 1t is not one to read
as books are commonly read. Rather
is 1t book to cherish for a thousand
readings, wherein every chapter is
revelation of truth, of such truth as
makes this story of creation by evo-
luton thing to command wonder of
that degree and nature that lies at the
foundation of all the deepest feelings
that humans possess. Worship, l sup
pose, is the name for this feeling. But,
to move away from such a nervous
topic, let us say that here iG source
OF information upon the most vital of
themes from which one is able to draw
knowledge and inspiration at the same
time. A list of the names of these con-
tributors is warrant for the sterling sub
stance Of this distinguished "consen-
sus'' on the theme of Creation by
Evolution"
X X X
ADVENTURES IN AMERICAN d.
PLOMACY: 1896 1906. BY Alfred l..
p. Dennis, author of Foreign Poll
cles OF Soviet Russia" etc. New
York: z. p. Dutton g. Co.
CULLED from unpublished docu-
ments, this book covers 10 years
of American diplomacy. a field that
among all nations Is barred against
public exploration. However, this pro-
lessor of modern history in an Ameri-
can university Is certainly a nriuilnneh