1 SEPTEMBER 1917, Page 3

Let us take some instances to show what we mean.

Every one, we supPose, has heard of the brilliant and daring work of Bias Gertrude-Bell. Before the war she was already famous as a daring traveller and a scholar in Oriental languages. Owing to her know- ledge of Arabic, her unrivalled understanding of Arab character, and the extraordinary influence she wields on Arab chiefs of doubtful political allegiance, she has proved herself extremely valuable to the Government. Yet we notice that she receives a comparatively small honour, while both men and women who have done much more pedestrian work have received much higher rewards. if Miss Bell had been awarded the Grand Crows, which in our own opinion she deserved, there at least would have been one unusual stroke of appreciation and a proof of a desire to treat the ex. ceptional circumstances in an exceptional manner.