Evening star., 1933-03-28
NEW BOOKS
AT RANDOM
M. G..

M. u.
MANS MORTALITY. BY Michael Ar
len. New York: Doubleday, Doran
q Co., Inc.
To say that this new novel, in a
totally new class, by an entirely
Gus" gesture is putting the case mild
ly. Even the word stupendous shrinks
into smallness and inadequacy as an
able definition of the theme and the
force and quality Of its development
IN Mans Mortality"
Some preparation for what Is to come
Is afforded in a note preceding the
story, for 1t explains the organization
and functions of the PAX Aeronau-
tica." which was born way back in
1885 and had during its more than
half century of operation spread its
influence into the furthermost parts
of the earth. Thus, the story itself
covers that period In the worlds his
tory dating between the years 1885 and
1000.
To attempt to portray the world
more than half century, perhaps
century, from now may seem fantastic.
Mr.. H. G. Wells says that 1t is big.
ton" But is it actually either fantasy
or imagination? The foundations for
such world as Mr.. Arlen pictures are
by no means built in sand. and It is
possible that his book, whether he in
tended 1t SO or not, may serve as a
wedge to crack and weaken the corner
stone so that the grotesque superstruc-
ture may never materialiZe.
INlriDp tho CT r,to rfor Of fItc
ent century almost the entire world
is part and parcel of Pax Aeronautica,
symbol Of the great comfy Of nations.
in which, theoretically, peace over all
the earth prevails and is supreme. A
few small countries remain obstreper-
GUS, and Italy and China have failed
to fall into line to complete the dream
OF the founders of Pax Aeronautica,
tie splendid dream OF peace Growing
out of the chaos which trailed fer
nearly twenty years in the wake OF
the Great War, this new world policy
dwelt in the hearts of men and gave
them courage.
What price peace? Peace at any
price. Tyranny, aukocracy, 6estruc-
ton OF entire races II need be, but
peace at all costs! This is the new
world policy-and for the salvation of
humanity from war! theoretically the
institution which has brought peace
to the world. actually Pax Aeronautica
is the tool Of e great aeronautical cor
poration, known as International Air
craft q Airways. Inc, a group of
international flnanciers who have arro-
gated to themselves absolute power over
all nations. Heartlessly, mercilessly
and diabolically it has bent to its will
nearly every nation and every race
on the face of the glcbe. 1t has wiped
out natio1alism and forbidden it to
rise again. Wherever resistance has
manifested itself lesson" has been
promptly taught--the complete annihi-
lation by an attack from noiseless air
craft OF a well or thickly populated
section or city Of the country, or a
valuable port. International Airways
has sovetized the world, and it brooks
no opposition to the autocratic and
rapaclous power which it has assumed
1t Is an age Of unbelievable inven-
tons. There are invisible aircraft Ct
many varieties, equipped with silencers;
magnetizers which control and direct
unerringly projectiles more deadly than
anything which grew out of Germanys
campaign Of frightfulness in the Great
War; Sensitizers which locate oth,r
travellers in the skies as we'll as opposi-
ton forces on the ground, and beams
OF hight which kill any living thing
touched by their rays. Science, cold and
deadly, Is the weapon which teaches
recalcitrant people the lesson Of peace
on earth. Who dares to rebel? Who
knows enough to rebel? International
Always controls the press, and it prints
under orders. Only those brave enough
to desert the service of I. A. are in
formed. and as soon as they desert they
know that they are marked for speedy
death.
This gigantic air corporation is DOM
mated by a Russian woman whose
ruthlessness compares favorably with
the cold-blooded cruelty practiced by
tne tyrant cars. But one member of
the board of directors possesses any
spark OF genuine feeling for man as
an individual. and he is Julian Grad
dock, president of Great Britain. Re-
signing from the board because he
refused to be party to some of the
plans for breaking the wills of the So
called weaker nations, he devotes him
self to interest in the activities of
young David Knox. inventive genius of
the century. Mr.. Craddock is a char
acter to enjoy and to love Who could
help developing deep affection for a
president Of Great Britain whose kindly
tolerance, sense of humor and homely
applications of common sense, and
whose sensitive, aching feet. seem to
be the only evidences Of sanity left un-
def1led in a world gone mad?
The paclfists, communists and
others who are endeavoring to sovietize
the universe. to crush out nationalism
and to legislate into a comfy of ma
tions peoples of the earth who have no
medium of understanding each other
will not like Mr.. Arlen's lesson as it is
taught in Mans Mortality" It is too
big, too powerful to be assimilated by
those whose comprehension Of interna-
tional politics is limited to the belief
that If no more fire engines are built
there will be no more fires. Yet the
story Is not an argument against
communism, or sovietism, or against
the sincere efforts of thinking groups
for world peace. 1t is. on the
contrary, compelling argument for
sanity and reason in the delegation
of power to the end that if and when
the millennium arrives and the splendid
dream of peace on earth comes true i.
will be through the gradual and there
fore complete understanding which
is attained by laborious application Of
Intelligence ana sanity to world prob
lens and not through chasing rain
bows of idealism for pots of gold which
do not exist.
There is not dull page in this STIR
ring romance of nearly a century
hence. 1t moves swiftly and surely
through air battles in which planes
equipped with shining blades cut
through steel and concrete as though
such materials were straw 1t pictures
international intrigues and political sit
uations in vivid and dramatic colors.
1t relates the romance between David
Knox and Carlotta, his cousin. in a
whirl of motor engines and scientific
inventions which befuddle the brain.
Through all the madness in the con-
Knox for supremacy of power Car
lotta and Mr.. Craddock hold the bal
ance of reason and give q promise to