14 SEPTEMBER 1912

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On Tuesday Count Berchtold and Herr von Bethmann. Hollweg, after

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their meeting at Buchlau, announced that they had discussed all the questions of the moment, particularly those of the Near East. But the exact nature of Count Berchtold's...

Last Saturday Colonel Mangin, in command of the French column

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for the rescue of the nine French prisoners at Marakesh, reached the city. The Pretender, El Hiba., escaped in disguise, and the people of the city came out to meet Colonel...

sr * * The Editors cannot undertake to return Matti/script in any

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COAL

Mr. Borden landed at Quebec last Sunday on his return

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from his visit to England, and had an enthusiastic reception. He has made several speeches since, of which the most important was that at the banquet in his honour at Ottawa on...

The Temps says in this connexion: "A Naval Convention Las

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recently been concluded between France and Russia. Every Naval Convention implies between the two countries who sign it a well-defined division of duties in case of war, and we...

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

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O N Tuesday the French Government announced their deci- sion to concentrate almost the whole of the French Navy in the Mediterranean. This decision was taken in June. Admiral...

Secondly, we admit most readily that the strategy of the

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Triple Entente, though there may be no formally signed arrangement, does in many ways correspond to the strategy of a regular alliance. It could not be otherwise. The Triple...

He then continued, according to the Times report :—

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"The full information we asked for has not yet arrived in its final form, but when it does the Government will con- sider and determine. It is better to consider and determine...

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Polling took place on Tuesday in Midlothian, and the result

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was declared at noon on Wednesday, Major Hope, the Unionist candidate, being returned by a majority of 32, the figures being Major Hope (U.), 6,021; Mr. A. Shaw (L.), 5,989;...

Mr. Winston Churchill's speech at Dundee on Wednesday was mainly

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a eulogy of the Insurance Act and of Mr. Lloyd George. Speaking at a meeting organized by the Dundee Women's Liberal Federation on Thursday, he gave away the whole case for Home...

The question of Syndicalism was raised at the Trades Union

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Congress on Friday on a resolution approving its alter- native, i.e., independent working-class political action. The Syndicalist point of view was stated with fervour and...

The Mosque of St. Sophia, built under Justinian in the

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first half of the sixth century, and the grandest extant specimen of Byzantine architecture, is threatened with collapse. Two years ago bands of glass and cement were plastered...

The papers of Monday published four important documents from the

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Admiralty dealing with administration and discipline. The first two documents state and explain a new distribution of Admiralty business. The third provides for the better...

The Second Annual Report of the Development Commis- sioners has

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been issued as a Parliamentary Paper. During the year 110 applications - were received under the head- ing of Agriculture and Rural Industries. Out of a total sum of £867,385...

The Daily Telegraph of Tuesday has an interesting article on

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government by secret societies in Ireland, with special reference to the "Molly Maguirea " or Ancient Order of Hibernians, now an approved society under the Insurance Act. It is...

This nightmare of a scheme shatters the case for the

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present Home Rule Bill in two respects. First, if every district which in any sense could be said to be sell-containing or to have a unity of interests were to have a right to...

The second respect in which Mr. Churchill fatally shows up

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the Home Rule Bill is in pretending that it is the jumping-off ground for a vast system of federalism. The Home Rule Bill is entirely anti-federal in character. It admits the...

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A meeting of members of the theatrical profession convened by

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the Actors' Association was held on Tuesday to discuss the opening of theatres and music-halls on Sunday. Sir H. Beerbohm Tree, who presided, said they had to ask themselves...

In the Agricultural Section Mr. Rew, Assistant Secre- tary of

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the Board of Agriculture, surprised his audience by statistics showing that the United Kingdom produces rather more than half of its total food supply. To the layman fur the...

It is impossible to do more than briefly mention some

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of the subjects discussed by the British Association since our last issue. The burning subject of the origin of life raised in Professor Schafer's Presidential address kept...

The changes in Naval discipline are based on the recom-

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mendations of the Committee presided over by Rear-Admiral F. E. Brock. We cannot even summarize them, but the tendency is to get rid of punishments which are thought to be...

M. Yves Guyot's paper on the effect of the nationalization

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of the Western Railroad of France proved most instructive. The result of State management had been increased expendi- ture; the working expenses had increased from 1908 to 1912...

The Returns of Foreign Trade for August show large increases

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in value in imports, exports—in which the previous "record" for a single month has been surpassed—and re- exports. We quote from Monday's Times the comparative table showing the...

The week has been saddened by another terrible flying disaster.

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Lieutenants Hotchkiss and Bettington of the Army Air Corps, both expert airmen, while on their way from Salisbury to the manceuvres, were killed instantaneously by the collapse...

The Times of Wednesday, in an article on the high

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shipping freights, says that probably there has never been a time when freights were so uniformly good. Shipbuilders are unable to supply cargo vessels fast enough to meet the...

Bank Rate, 4per cent., changed from 3 per cent. August

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29th. Consols (2i) were on Friday 741—Friday week 741.

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TOPICS OF THE DAY.

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THE MIDLOTHIAN RESULT. W RITING last week on the Midlothian by-election we said that this electoral contest was in many ways one of the most interesting that have occurred for...

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THE MA.RCONI AGREEMENT.

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W E referred briefly last week to a moderate and sensible article in the National Review by Major Archer-Shee on the Marconi agreement. We must draw further attention to the...

THE OUTLOOK IN - FOREIGN AFFAIRS. T HE prospect in the Balkans

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has not often been more gloomy than now, but happily there is no part of the world in which black clouds disperse so quickly. It is always April weather in the Balkans. At the...

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THE GROWTH AND CONDUCT OF A NEWSPAPER.

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Fr ith Times has celebrated the appemance of its Forty- Thousandth Number in a manner worthy of its great history. It has specially identified itself with the history of that...

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THE DIGNITY OF IDLENESS.

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QIMPLE, bard-working people see the dignity of idleness, and with the absence of all grudging which distinguishes them in this country they frankly admire it. In a rich neigh-...

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THE "ROUND TABLE."

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W HEN a newspaper or a magazine reaches the stage of its existence at which it passes from an adventure into an institution, the most interesting point in its history is the...

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THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CATTLE.

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M OST people regard cattle as the dullest of all our domestic animals. The donkey, it is true, is not exactly an intellectual beast, but then he has positive qualities,...

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SAFEGUARDS IN THE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND BILL.

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[To THZ ECM& OF TIER "SPECTATOR."' SIR, — The Rev. R. G. S. King, of Limavady, made serious allegations in a July issue of the Spectator in reference to the Province of Quebec....

THE BRITISH BOYS' TRAINING CORPS.

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[TO THE EDITOR. OP THE " SPECTATOP."] SIR, — We shall be obliged by your kindly permitting us to draw attention to a scheme for providing a systematic course of combined...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

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THE RIGHT OF REBELLION. [To THE EDITOR OF THZ "SPICTAIOPA1 Srn,—Ulster, according to Mr. Robert Lynd, is actuated by hatred of a "nightmare vision of self-government." What...

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REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN SMALL PLACES.

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[To TEE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR...3 Sra,—We are so accustomed to see representative institutions carrying on the government of the country and the admini- stration of county...

GERMANY'S ," PLACE IN THE SUN."

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.") Srit,—When the German Emperor used the famous phrase about Germany's "place in the sun" I took it for original, but I find the phrase was...

MALAYAN SEAMEN: A SUGGESTION. [To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

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Sin,—Those of your readers who do not chance to possess shares in Plantation Rubber Companies will probably never have heard much of this country except as the scene where the...

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ROBERTSON OF BRIGHTON.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.'1 Sin,—As I heard Frederick Robertson preach when I was a child, in 1851, I wish to bear my testimony to his wonderful eloquence. I have never...

BRITISH CREDIT.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THZ "SPECTATOIL"1 SIR,—Your correspondent Mr. Lehfeldt (Spectator, August 31st), writing from Johannesburg, ascribes mainly to "the increased production and...

THE HOUSING WORK OF MISS OCT.A.VIA. HILL.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTILTOR."1 Srn,—Will you allow one who has had the inestimable privilege of seeing close at hand and, to a very small extent, sharing the work of Miss...

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FROM RELIGION TO PHILOSOPHY.

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[To THE EDITOR Or THE "SPECTATOR."] Sin,—Is not " Gamaliel" (in your issue of August 10th) making, to some extent, the very mistake made also by many ecclesiastically minded...

• CHARACTER-GIVING.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:] SIR,—It is even more important to servants looking for a new situation that they should have trustworthy information as to the character of...

THE MIGHTY MONOSYLLABLE.

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[To THE EDITOR OE THE " SPECTATOR.'] SIR, — The article in your issue of August 31st on the use and effect of the "Mighty Monosyllable," by "J. F. R.," makes interesting and...

DOKEbiie SERVANTS WANTED.

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After 21 years' service, — —recommends comfortable Situa- tion as Cook-General, in small family. Good wages, regular hours, very little washing, and considerate mistress.—Apply...

[To THE EDITOR OF TEE "SPECTATOR."] Sre,—In view of the

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second paragraph of your article in last week's issue, on "Character-Giving," the enclosed advertise- ment in yesterday's Daily Telegraph is rather interesting.—

ANGLICAN INTOLERANCE.

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[To THE EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR:] SIR,—For some weeks during last year I was under surgical treatment in a nursing home attached to one of the great hospitals in London. It...

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STAR LORE OF ALL AGES.

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[To TEE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTLTOR.'l Srn,—I have jnst received a review of my volume, "Star Lore of All Ages," published by you June 29th. In this you state that it is fantastic...

POETRY.

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THE BATTLE OF THE BIOLOGISTS. SCHIFEB, fresh from the perusal Of your stimulating screed, With its resolute refusal Of the vitalistic creed, I at once anticipated That a score...

A CAT STORY.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.1 SIR, - My sister sends me the following cat story from New Zealand :—A certain woman came with her baby to stay for a week with a friend in...

NOTICE.—When "Correspondence" or Articles are signed with The writer's name

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or initials, or with a pseudonym, or are marked "Communicated," the Editor must not necessarily be held to be in agreement with the views therein expressed or with the mode of...

PROTESTANT MISSION TO THE PIITITMAYO.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOB.."] SIR,—The appeal for £10,000 made a short time ago has met with a most encouraging response. Already £1,3S7 has been given and £1,599...

M U S I C.

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THE FUTURE OF BA.YREUTH. THE thirty-six years that have elapsed since the opening of the theatre at Bayreuth have brought about many changes in the attitude of musicians and...

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BOOKS.

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A HISTORY OF ENGLISH LITERATURE.* To write a good history of a great literature is a privilege granted to few. Usually such a book is the collective work of many authors. Done...

FIFTEEN THOUSAND MILES IN A KETCH.*

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THIS is a book to put on the shelf beside Robinson Crusoe and Captain Cook's Voyages. It is a true narrative of a long voyage across the most perilous seas in the world in a...

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PROBLEMS OF EMPIRE.* AT no time in its history has

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our political conscience been more keenly awake than during 'the ,present century. Never have we been so acutely conscious of the shortcomings of our polity, more firmly...

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TWO STUDIES OF ST. PAUL.*

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IF we compare the books written upon St. Paul to-day with those of a generation ago we are struck, first of all, by the much greater extent of common ground among them and the...

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ITALIAN PLAYS AND PLAYERS.* Mn. McLEon writes about the Italian

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stage of to-day in a spirit of sane criticism. He is capable of the fervent admira- tion of an enthusiast, yet can discriminate with the most meticulous. He has seen much of the...

THE FINANCES OF IRELAND.*

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OF' those who support Irish Home Rule, in federal or other forms, none is likely to command more respect among Unionists than Lord Dunraven. He has deserved well of his country,...

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PORTER'S PROGRESS OF THE NATION.. THE substantial volume which Mr.

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Hirst has issued on the progress of the nation is a little disappointing. It is an attempt to bring up to date the famous book bearing this title by G. R. Porter. Whether,...

FICTION.

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LONDON LAVENDER.t THERE is a peculiar quality about these "entertainments" of Mr. E. V. Lucas which gives rise to a good deal of unthinking criticism. He disregards all the...

THE OPERATIONS IN TRIPOLI.* COLONEL RIMACIOTTI'S little book is in

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no sense a record of the Turco-Italian War, being merely, as the title-page announces, "a narrative of the principal engagements." There is a certain disadvantage in this...

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Chains. By Edward Noble. (Constable and Co. 6s.)—Mr. Noble always

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writes well of the sea, and this story is no excep- tion. Also he usually has an ulterior purpose. For strong stomachs there may be no harm in seeing his terrible pictures of...

A Little of Everything. By E. V. Lucas. (Methuen and

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Co. Is. net.)—Mr. Lucas is the most prolific and happiest of writers. Sometimes, one thinks, he must be the happiest of men. He does and sees everyth:ng that one wants to do and...

SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.

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[Under this heading we notice such Books of the week as have not boos reserved for review in other forms.) The Life of General Booth. (T. Nelson and Sons. 7d. net).—This is a...

READABLE Novxts.—Betty Harris. By Jennette Lee. (Methuen and Co. 35.

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6d.)—A slight but pretty tale of Greek emigrants in Chicago and a kidnapped child.—G olden Vanity. By Maisie Bennett. (Mills and Boon. 6s.)—The pruning knife was lacking in this...

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Historical Studies in Philosophy. By Emile Boutroux. Author- ized translation

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by Fred Rothwell. (Macmillan and Co. 8s. 6d. net.)—In no subject is there more reason for doubting the value of history than in philosophy. History, the knowledge of tho past,...

Pheasants in Covert and Aviary. By Frank Townend Barton. (John

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Long. 10s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Barton remarks in his preface that there are "only one or two manuals published relating to a description of the Phasianidm and their management, the...