The Panama Canal. By Harmodio Arias, LL.B. (P. S. King
and Son. 10s. 6d. net.)—This is one of the series of " Studies in Economics and Political Science" appearing under the editorship of the Hon. W. Pember Reeves. Mr. Arias gives us an historical retrospect of the Canal question and then proceeds to discuss it from the juridical point of view. The chief factor is, of course, the position taken up by the United States. The most advanced position ever assumed by this Power was that the Canal was to be considered as part of the American coast-line. This has been very considerably modified. The United States are to be the protecting Power—any neutralized territory must have such—and their assertion of the right to fortify may be considered as part of the duty thus imposed upon them. Anyhow, Mr. Arias thinks that fortification is no infringement of neutrality. The treatise is full of interest and information. One thing is manifest as we read, and that is the desirability of the Arbitration Treaty lately concluded. It is easy to see that very difficult questions might any day arise when the Canal becomes a working institution.
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