Evening star., 1934-02-11


n published in Paris II years ago and
IN now the wave of interest in Ger
n trude STEMS autobiography, veiled
in its publication hast Autumn
1.-THE Autobiography of Alice B.
Toklas" is responsible for this American edi-
ton of her most important work. It is the
story of an American family and with it are
involved the stories of the other families into
which the Herslands marry and those of their
friends. The result is little world of persons
representing many different types. The
Herslands were Western family, who had. Of
course originally come from the East. Bridge
point" is Baltimore, "Gossols' is Oakland,
Calf The different members of the family
beginning with David Hersland and his wife,
live, work make money and lose it, or remain
poor from the start, become educated or re-
main uneducated, marry and have children,
grow old, and die. That is all, just as 1t Is
all there is in the lives of most people. Bernard
Fay says of Gertrude STEMS realism in his
preface to this volume: Her taste for life
brought her always to the center of things.
and her diSnterestedneSs enabled her to stay
there" He also says: "She is more interested
in America more anxious to understand ex-
press, describe and give to her readers the real
America than any other American writer" Yet
she has not been IN America for nearly three
decades. Her Interpretation of America, like
that of Henry James is from distance; but
also like his, it has in it much of truth. Born
in Allegheny, Pa. she has for many years lived
in Paris, where she has a studio salon.
Gertrude STEMS style will probably always
be a stumbling block to the majority of read
ers. Only a few will accept its retardng ef-
feet for the sake of the illumination of life she
has to offer. few more will believe that her
method and her thought harmonious, in
separable Her repetition becomes kind Of
recitative. 1t is not repetition practically en-
ployed to enforce ideas. Prof Fay says:
Repetition in Miss STEMS prose is not a
bah trj M a wa tn handle
life something like the waves of the sea, or like
the beatings of a heart like the regular
turn of the seasons" Her style is as modern
istic as the painting of her favorite PicaSsO.
In The Making of Americans" it is most
typical; in Alice B. Toklas'' it is simplifed.
probably from difference to the average reader.
Yet these sentences from the first page of the
present volume which indicate its theme, are
straightforward enough ut is hard living
down the tempers We are born with We all
begin well, for in youth there is nothing
we are more intolerant of than our own sins
writ large in others and we fight them fercely
in ourselves; but grow old and that
these, our sins are of all sins the really harm
less ones to own. nay that they give charm
to any character, and so our struggle with them
dies away"
LORD RIDDELLS INTIMATE DIARY OF
THE PEACE CONFERENCE AND AFTER.
19181923. New York: Reynal & Hitch
cock.
n the official British press representative
at the Versailles Peace Conference and at
16 succeeding conferences, in addition to the
Washington Disarmament Conference, Lord
Riddell found his diary habit most useful. 1t
enabled him to publish earlier his War Diary"
and now this volume containing his record of
events and associations with world statesmen
and diplomats He appointee Of the
London and provincial newspapers to represent
al nd
was to be IAN official link between the confer
ence and the British press" Entries in the
diary which he considers unsuitable for publi-
cation at the present time he has omitted.
The curious reader, of course, wonders what
they we're. However, enough entertaining ma
terial is left especially that concerning person.
alities. Lloyd George occupies perhaps too large
section of the center stage but that is nat
ural enough for he represented the British
government and Lord Riddell represented the
British press. Lord Riddell, as journalist Of
distinction. fought with large measure of
success against censorship and suppression Of
the news of the Peace Conference.
Here are some of the interesting entries
from the diary: when Constantinople
under discussion, Clemenceau said, turning to
make you Grand Turk" "Clemenceau looks
much shaken. = The old boy has lost his
power of coming to decisions. He is not the
Clemenceau of six months ago. He is over
come by the torrent of Wilson'S eloquence. 1t
seems to paralyze him" Lloyd George is quoted
saying of Northcliffe's attacks on him. II
must let the public know that there is personal
feud which is the reason for Northcliffe's con-
tinuouS attacks think am entitled
to enjoy myself little I always used to be
attacking somebody Lately have had to live
the life of a recluSe. I can never attack any,
body, but people always attacking me-"
H. g. gave an amusing account of introducing
Lady Astor into the House of Commons. He