Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-28

which the mining engineer elaborated
with the artist in him.
Since that time Madariaga has be-
come a prominent citizen of the world
CaSsou has compared him to Andre
MauroiS. But despite the obvious SINH
larities in style and observation-disclosures
would have liked to sign The Sacred
Giraffe"-still there is something more
dynamic, something more profoundly
human, in Madariaga. His work as d.
rector Of the disarmament section of the
League of Nations and his constant
polemicS and debates show him almost
as a new Messiah of world peace-a
Messiah divorced of all pontifical nom
sense. For instance, his essay, Eng
lishmen, Franchmen, Spaniards," has
been unanimously acclaimed as a very
significant contribution to comparative
psychology. France has honored it with
the Prix de PEurope Nouvelle, and
Spain and Great Britain have cheered
with delight.
Worships No Idols.
Notwithstanding. Madariaga has burnt
incense to no idols. His analysis Of
national characteristics is charged with
caustic remarks rather than silly en-
coniums. His experiments in ethno-
psychology have permitted him to Wis
Both his Genius of Spain" and his
recent more exhaustive Spain" are
thorough searchings into the dark maze
Of an oversentimentalized tradition. His
Spain" deals with anthropology, cleri-
caliSm and the agrarian question, with
industry, militarism and commerce, and,
in fact, with the entire ethoS and
mechanism of modern nation. The
more romantic readers will find here no
mantillaed senoritas strutting about I'M
der q shower OF caStanetS and carambaS.
Formed and nourished by three rich
traditions, trilingual Madariaga will
make an exceptionally good ambassador.
He seems to understand well the pSy-
chology Of the Anglo-Saxon peoples
his little masterpiece, The Sacred
Giraffe" is a thoroughly English book,
the breviary of a disciple of Jonathan
Swift. And, besides, his profound faith
IN world peace and world understanding
Is valuable Endorsement, almost an
essential requisite, in an age of taut
sentiments. unctuous smiles and Seeth-
ing rancor.
Wife From United States.
The new Spanish Ambassador to the
Court OF st. James has q great deal in
common with Madariaga. He also is .
globe trotter, masters several languages
and has an Anglo-Saxon wife-Madari-
aga's came from England, Perez de
Ayala'S from the United States. But
beyond these superficial resemblances
one finds in both men similar sense Of
humor, a similar intellectual adroitneSS
and similar intellectual approach to
social and political problems.
Perez de Ayala was born 81 years ago
In Oviedo (Asturias), studied in Jesuit
schools and colleges and then took up
law. Like the James Joyce Of "a Por-
trait Of the Artist as q Young Man, !"
he has bitterly reacted against JeSuitism
in his photographed novel, "a. M.
D. G." The strictness Of the JesuitS'
educational system hurt him so deeply
that throughout his more serious works,
and even in his journalistic articles, one
can sense his almost instructive hatred
for any kind Of compulsion and formal
ism. Perez de Ayala prefers the "ath-
letic" sense Of life, the capricious evolu-
ton OF Intellectual and social ideals.
His attitude Is pagan, essentially Greek.
Critics have dwelled so much on the
mystic aspect of Hispanic civilization
that to speak of the Hellenic sentiment
in a Perez de Ayala sounds almost para
doxical, even nonsensical.
If Madariaga has distinguished hat,
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