Evening star., 1932-10-02

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special students
The material source Of this study is the Hoo
yer War Library of Stanford University. Its
professional approach is by way OF an instructor
trained to the historical outlook, WayWlSe TO It's
modes of research, keen to its large signitcances
and familiar at the time with its dramatic
and Illuminating sidelights
Specifically, the purpose OF the study Is ex-
pressed in its title In effect. however that
purpose expands to cover generally help1ui
outlook upon the subject OF neutrality in war.
Upon the group of neutrals in the World War,
as we'll dfferentiating these, broadly. upon the
grounds claimed by each for its neutral course
Again, there is here manifest purpose. though
an unobtrusive one. TO explain Norway. even
to Justify Norway in its non -combatant course
And. yet once more, clear intent OF this study
covers the highly useful plan of making the
country more familiar to the world outside than
it has perhaps been able to become since the
peaceful separation between Sweden and Nor
way took place. Especially is this expanded
purpose accepted and used for the advantage
of those Norwegians who are now Americans
settled in such numbers throughout our North
west
And has this enlarged design worked away
from the main theme? Has it, by its bulk in
any measure obscured that central objective?
To the contrary there is here close knit
scheme Of many diverse parts all OF which are
essential. from the standpoint of Norway itself
for clear appreciation of the in both its
military ana its economic aspects, in both
blockade and battle attack. The history Of
Norway. sketched briefly explains its bond to
England here, TO Germany there. The ap-
proaches of war set out the economic resources
of the country and the bearings Of trade upon
the coming conflict. Diplomacy and politics
stand here military technic and design over
there.
With Norway as case in point neutrality and
warfare stand face to face here throughout
the course of the great conflict. Much of in
formation about both war action and inactiv-
ity comes to the fore in this work of expert
search and succinct statement Highly useful
to the economic historian and to the military
student. A deeply interesting book also to the
general reader and student. To these how
ever. the prime engagement is with Norway
itself and its people. With the way in which
climate and the face of the land have made
this courageous hardy. independent free
thinking. cultured race with which by way Of
this study come into closer and more ap-
preciatve contacts. To US the average this
study is more than the expertly competent
study Of a war chapter. It is a new touch Of
acquaintance with some of the fine substance
of own population As for the gesture of
apology and explanation over the technical
neutrality Of Norway during the World War,
that IS, in some measure an instructive gesture.
The scientists those new back -traers Of man
kind are telling now that mans first united
move was war move. Probably true. Maybe
true. Certainly fair accounting for the in
stinct Of the human to take sides to pull off
his coat on one side or the other all the way
from dog fight to formal engagement in a
world war
Stepping back into the dignites of univer-
sity research and production let us hasten to
say, again, that THE Neutrality OF Norway in
the World War brings to hand a study that
combines the technicaity specific with the
broadly instructive in a high degree of eff
cheney and at the same time. in a manner that
is calculated to engross readers with its drama
and important event An outstanding contri-
button to the Stanford University series of
timely publications in history, economics and
political science
SONS. BY Pearl S. Buck, author of The Good
Earth etc. New York: The John Day Co.
HE land. Escape from it. Return to it.
This mans story the earth around. This
the sum Of civilizations, too, each in it's own
rise and fall.
Endless, laborious coaxing Of reluctant soils
for food, dress, shelter and other whatnot of
human need in a slow growth toward suff-
cheney. Then the instructive turn toward
change, escape. War business, pleasure have
so far, according to call. provided the chief
means OF release. And again a gradual settling
once more to earth individual and peoples
alike.
The Good Earth" plus Sons makes clear
that Pearl Buck is already two thirds along
that old trail of history setting down the soul
and-body story Of China itself by way Of Wang
Lung and his line
1T was Wang Lungs wedding day" THE
Good Earth stepping into the open. Wang
Lung lay dying" Sons" uttering its first word.
Clipped and naked phrases. Yet, they set the
metes Of Wang Lungs life. More They out
post the land era, millions Of Chinese peasantry
plucking sustenance from the soil. These scant
words point, also, upon the turn upon escape
for Wang Lungs three sons, watching and