The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-05-21
Liberal Viewpoint
By DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

ME most characteristic and pivotal institu-
= lions of our age have been capitalism, ma
tionalism and democracy. All of them find
themselves today in critical condition and
some of them already are showing profound
notifications
Professor Gilbert Slater has rewritten COM
pletely his excellent book on the Making of
Modern England" and has issued the new edi-
ton under slightly different title ('The
Growth Of Modern England" BY Gilbert Slater
Houghton Miff1in 81. In its present form it
is probably the most satisfactory single volume
on the evolution of English civilization and in
situations since the industrial revolution. There
are few books in which one may obtain SO in
teligent an introduction to the genesis of cap
tallsm, nationaliSm and democracy.
In spite of all the extensive literature which
has appeared upon Russia, we have lacked
satisfactory work on the very important expert
ments and innovations which the Russians have
introduced in the field of government, many
of which any reorganized democracy in the west
will be compelled to reckon with.
This gap in our literature has been very sat
isfactorily filed by Professor Maxwell's book
C'The Soviet State" BY Bertram w. Maxwell
Steves & Wayburn. So. 1t clearly describes
the organization and operation of the Soviet
government and also has several excellent chap
tiers on the relation of the Russian government
to social welfare.
MFR. ELMHIRST has written an extremely
1V1 entertaining diary of trip to Russia in
the autumn of 1882 "Trip to Russia" BY Leon
ard K. Elmhurst New Republic. 81 1t is
eminently concrete and descriptive and is very
we'll suited to the American layman who wishes
graphic picture of what is going on in various
aspects of Russian life today Few if any, books
on Russia give in the same brief space so color
full an impression of contemporary Russia
The same snappy and impressionistic
method is carried by Mr.. Dos Passos into his
colorful commentary upon recent social trends
in Russia Spain, Mexico and the United States
en- All Countries" BY John Dos PaSsos. Har-
court Brace $3.50. While his work is pre-
dominantly a vivid description of scenes and
situations. the author makes no effort to con-
ceal his disdain of American conservatism and
his enthusiasm for more radical developments
outside our country. 1t is an exceedingly inter
esting, informing and diverting book.
Professor Rogers has performed a useful
educational service in preparing a clear intro
duction to the political innovations of our time
| ("Crisis Government" BY Linsay Rogers. w. w
Norton s1.75). It should prove immensely
helpful to the intelligent citizens of the United
States who wish to orient themselves with re-
spect to what is going on in the field of po-
litical evolution both at home and abroad
If the politicians of the world have made
lamentably slow progress in reducing the arna-
ments of modern states, some of our more in
telhgent and courageous publlclStS have been
making heavy inroads upon the prestige and
integrity of the armament industry. 1t is rare
that two books of such high merit have ap-
peared simultaneously on a single subject as
those by Messrs. Engelbrecht and Hanighen
C.Merchants of Death" BY H. c. Engelbrecht
and F. c. Hanighen. Dodd, Mead So, and
Seldes CIron, Blood and Profits" BY George
Seldes. Harper. $3.50, which exposes relent-
lessly "the international traffic in arms" and
the worldwide munitions racket
DOTH of these books are to be commended
ID highly. The volume by Engelbrecht and
Hanighen is more carefully written, but that
by SeldeS is more colorful and dramatic. The
authors of the former are inclined to hold that
behind the munitions makers stand the war
makers, while Mr.. Seldes is rather more disposed
to blame the munitions makers not only for
ornaments, but also for wars.
We have not only the casualties of military
but the more tragic casualties of the battles
to make a living. MeSsrs. Clague, Copper and
Bake present an excellent clinical study Of
the way in which the shutdown of factories
affects the life of industrial workers and their
families CATER the Shutdown" By Evan
Clague. Walter j. Copper and E. Wight Bake.
Yale University Press. So 1t is an important
monographs contribution to the literature OF