17 JULY 1920

Page 1

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

The Spectator

W E have written elsewhere about the attitude assumed by Mr. Montagu in the Amritsar Debate on July 8th, and abnut what we deem must be the consequences of that attitude. Here...

But if Mr. Montagu's abstract proposition is sound, what are

The Spectator

we to say of Mr. Montagu when, with a double dose of unction, he makes broad his phylacteries and says such things as, "We hold British life sacred, but we hold Indian life...

Perhaps Mr. Montagu would say in his own defence that

The Spectator

he was merely using the old device of making up a man of straw and then knocking it over ; but if that is so, we will tell him that there are plenty of people in this country...

What makes the position more unjust, and this especially applies

The Spectator

to Mr. Montagu, is the fact that nothing was said by General Dyer's accusers about the local situation. One would imagine from Mr. Montagu's speech, and generally from the...

Suppose instead General Dyer had said what was in fact

The Spectator

the truth : "When I went into the square at Amritsar with ninety soldiers under my command, only fifty of them having rifles, and found myself confronted by a mob of four...

That is a most untrue, unfair and sophistical, though we

The Spectator

admit extremely ingenious attempt to beg the question. This defence of the punishment of General Dyer is not based upon the facts or upon the policy advocated by any sane...

NoTicu.—With this week's number of the SPECTATOR is iseued, gratis,

The Spectator

an Eight-Page Supplement, containing the Half- Yearly Index and Title-Page—i.e., from January 3rd to June 26th, 1920, inclusive.

TO OUR READERS.

The Spectator

Should our readers experience any difficulty in obtaining the SPECTATOR during the summer holidays from Newsagents or Railway Bookstalls, will they please communicate at once...

*** The Editor cannot accept responsibility for any articles or

The Spectator

lettere submitted to him, but when stamped and addressed envelopes are sent he will do his beet to return contributions in case of rejection.

Page 2

Towards the close of the debate Mr. Rupert Gwynne made

The Spectator

a remarkable and closely - reasoned speech about Mr. Montagu's whole administration which we wish we could reprint: in full, so serious is the indictment. He stated that Mr....

The reply of the Allies was to summon Marshal Foch

The Spectator

and Sir Henry Wilson to Spa.. The Coal discussion was remarkable for the intervention of Herr Stinnes, the well-known German coal magnate, who lectured the Allies in a...

In the House of Commons on Wednesday Mr. Boner Law

The Spectator

read the message which the British Government have sent to the- Russian Soviet Government proposing an armistice between Poland and Russia. The suggested terms are that the...

The Spa Conference has pursued a wavering course, with some

The Spectator

points for satisfaction and many for dissatisfaction and misgiving. On Thursday weak the Allies rejected the proposal that the Germans should be allowed till -October next year...

On Sir Edward Carson's amendment to reduce the vote on

The Spectator

the Indian Secretary's salary by £100, the Government majority was only 101; 230 were against the reduction and 129 for. The minority was practically made up of Unionists. That...

We cannot fmd space here to deal. with Sir Edward

The Spectator

Carson's admirable speech for General Dyer—a speech moderate, and statesmanlike. He put his finger upon .the spot when he said that we:must remember that, when a rebellion has...

Mr. Churchill's speech was ingenious, and did not suffer so

The Spectator

much from indiscretion as did that of Mr. Montagu. Sir Aylmer . Hunter-Weston spoke well and moderately, and showed the terribly dangerous position in which General Dyer found...

The. next subject for discussion at the Conference was repents.-

The Spectator

tion. On Monday the Conference was not far off s. break-up. The German proposala were vague, the most striking suggestions being that Germany should be allowed to make payment...

Meanwhile Poland has expressed her readiness to negotiate for an

The Spectator

armistice on the terms proposed. It will be observed that under this scheme General Wrangel, who has conducted his comparatively small operations with extraordinary success, is...

Page 3

Sir G. Younger did not appeal for a remission of

The Spectator

the tax, but invited Mr. Austen Chamberlain to undertake that 40 per cent, should be the maximum rate next year in order that traders should have some security and be able to...

the Excess Profits Duty from the present rate of 60

The Spectator

to 40 per cent., though even if this amendment were passed he was doubtful if he and his associates could accept the continuance of the duty at all. As reoefitly as April, 1918,...

We may best sum up our own position M. regard'

The Spectator

to the Excess Profits Duty by saying that though we think the tax injurious in peace, though necessary in war, and hold that its extinction by rapid and -large reductions is...

We regret to record the death of the Empress. Eugenie,

The Spectator

widow of Napoleon III. She died in Spain, her native centrttry, and her death cuts a very real link with the past. Born 'at Granada in 1826, she was a daughter of the Count of...

We all know the sequel—the defeat and capture of the

The Spectator

Emperor at Sedan, and the escape of tho Empress to England In Sir John Burgoyne's yacht. "I ceased to live in 1870" was a saying attributed to her in later days. Nevertheless,...

We regret to record the death of Lord Fisher, which

The Spectator

occurred last Saturday in London. It was in 1902 that Lord Fisher filled the public mind with- his schemes for naval reform, and became one of the most prominent figures of the...

Bank rate, 7 per cent., changed from, 6 per cent.

The Spectator

Apr. 15, 1920; 5 per cent. War Loan was on Thursday, 861; Thursday week, 85t; a year ago, 941.

Certainly the war proved that Lord Fisher's obsession had allowed

The Spectator

the numbers of our smaller craft, destroyers and submarines, to run dangerously low, and during the war there had to be feverish construction to make good the defect. No one...

On Wednesday week Mr. Kipling made a remarkable speech at

The Spectator

Edinburgh University, when the. degree of LL.D. was con- ferred upon him. He dealt with the University's great tradition, in prose that the anthologist of the future ma5 deem...

Some of his methods, let us say, then, were hardly

The Spectator

English in conception, and the system of secret reports on officers in the Navy led to a good deal of heart-searching, and to some extent undermined the confidence of brother...

Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

The Spectator

MR. MONTAGU. I T has been said that we gained our Indian Empire, and so achieved our greatest success in the work of civilisation and humanity, in a moment of unconscious-...

WHY THE HOUSE OF COMMONS SHOULD DEMAND MR. MONTAGU'S RESIGNATION.

The Spectator

/THOUGH there is enough, and more than enough, in 1 Mr. Montagu's record to require his removal, we realize that at the present moment the matter is too con- troversial for us...

Page 6

ITALY OUR FRIEND.

The Spectator

W E publish elsewhere an article which is an invitation to friendship between Great Britain and Italy, and we desire heartily to associate ourselves with the spirit in which it...

Page 7

THE GOVERNMENT'S WAY OF DOING Bustnss. A NYONE who is not

The Spectator

alarmed by the latest Interim Report from the House of Commons Select Com- mittee on National Economy must be almost incapable of alarm. The Report had not been published many...

Page 8

ITALY IN THE ADRIATIC.

The Spectator

T HE recent change in the Italian Government represents many things which those really acquainted with Italian feeling have been foretelling for the past five years as...

Page 9

SPURS AND INCENTIVES.

The Spectator

T O-DAY industry is fighting for its place among the virtues. It has always been liable to periodic losses of precedence. Men cannot forget the accident of its birth coming as...

Page 10

FINANCE-PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.

The Spectator

LIFE ASSURANCE AND INVESTMENT. [To THE EDITOR Or THE " SERCTATOB."] Sin,—In view of the appalling depreciation in high-class investment securities, not merely since the war,...

Page 11

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

The Spectator

[Letters of the length of one of our leading paragraphs are often more read, and therefore more effective, than those which fill treble the space.] THE AMRITSAR DEBATE. [To...

[To THE EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR.") SIR, — In the debate

The Spectator

of July 8th on the proposal to reduce the salary of the Secretary of State for India, Mr. Montagu, in reply to Mr. R. Gwynne, stated that "foul charges were being brought...

Page 12

• SINN FEIN PROPAGANDA.

The Spectator

[To THE EDITOR OP TEE " SPECTATOR.") SIR,—I was much interested to read the letter by " Historicus" refuting the statement in the book recently published by a professor of the...

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.")

The Spectator

8111,—I think it was in the Spectator that I saw the account of General Dyer's name being put on a slab in the Golden Temple at Amritsar, the only other European name being that...

THE MANUFACTURE OF OPINION.

The Spectator

(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") rus,—Since the explanation by the ingenuous Dr. Busch of Bismarck's methods of handling the Press there have never been any revelations so...

Page 13

LICENSING REFORM.

The Spectator

[To THE EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR."3 SIR, —May I trespass on your space to the extent of a few lines on the following paragraph : "Drastic reforms of the saloons might have...

PROHIBITION IN AMERICA.

The Spectator

[To THE EDITOR Or THE "SPECTATOR.") SIR,—Allow me to express my dissent from the statement in your issue of May 29th that Prohibition in this country "was the imposition of the...

ECONOMY.

The Spectator

[To THE EDITOR Or TEl " SPECrATOR.") SIR, - -We all know the Government is snendthrift, and we all censure it, but very few people pause to consider that this is largely our own...

RESULTS OF STATE OWNERSHIP. [To THE EDITOR OF THE "

The Spectator

SPIDCTLTOR."] Sia,—We live in an enlightened age, and economic questions, together with their political development, are becoming increasingly of topical interest. Indeed, the...

[To THE Enrmat or TEl " Brzensoa."1

The Spectator

Sut,—In spite of the adverse criticism of Mr. Churchill's pro- posals to reclothe the Army in full dress for ceremonial, a great number of us who have served in the Army...

Page 14

THE PLUMAGE BILL. [TO THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR.")

The Spectator

Sin,—The pressure of more serious work has prevented me from making an earlier reply to the letter from Mr. H. Y. Massingham which appeared in your issue of June 26th, and as...

THE ASTRONOMICAL INSTRUMENTS OF PEKING. [To ME EDITOR OF THE

The Spectator

"SPECTATOR."] Sia,—Having met recently two Englishmen—Britons, if you prefer it—who., if any, are qualified to speak on Chinese affairs, I asked them what the Chinese Government...

CLERICAL PAY.

The Spectator

[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR "1 SIR,—In your issue of April 3rd, writing of elementary-school teachers, you say : "There is no profession that deserves more than the...

" NABOTH'S VINEYARD."

The Spectator

[To THE EDITOR Or TEE " SPECTATOR "] Sta,—In your admirable article on "A Better Future for Farming" in the Spectator of May 29th, this sentence occurs: " In order to avoid...

Page 15

(To ma EDITOR OT TEE " SPECTATOR."3

The Spectator

SIR, — Re Mr. Massingham's letter, July 10th, p. 44, " moulted egret plumes." I recently returned home and brought a number of " moulted" egret plumes from Bornu. Taking some to...

THE BIRD SANCTUARY AS A MEMORIAL.

The Spectator

[To THE Enrroa or Tim " Serorkroa."1 Sin,—Sunday, July 18th, is the two-hundredthanniversary of the birth of Gilbert White, of Selborne, who did more than any other of our...

CUCKOO'S EGGS.

The Spectator

(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR ".1 Sut,—My attention has been drawn to your recent correspond- ence re cuckoos' eggs. Without laying claim to any exceptional knowledge of...

THE THRESHER AND THE WHALE.

The Spectator

[To THE EDITOR OF TEE "SPECTATOR"] SIR, — The thresher (Alopecia: vu/pes) is a fish-eating shark with a feeble dentition, met with in tropical or temperate seas. That this...

Page 16

NOTICE.—W hen "Correspondence" or Articles an signed with the writer's

The Spectator

name 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...

A CUCKOO STORY.

The Spectator

[To THE EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR.") 6m—flay° you space for a story about a cuckoo's egg ? A ce - antry parson in his round went to see a Mrs. Jones, who Mid to him: "Can you...

A CORRECTION.

The Spectator

[TO THE EDITOR OF TEE " SPECTATOR.") SIR,-My attention has just been called to a notice in your issue of July 3rd of my edition of R. Zouche's work, with which the Carnegie...

CUCKOOS AND CHAMELIONS. [To 'THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]

The Spectator

Sin,—Allow me to demur to the statement made by "A. W. T." in your issue of the 10th inst. 'that the chamelion is able to change his colour "at will." Your correspondent appears...

POETRY.

The Spectator

I. SMELL the air Everywhere! What's the change? Violet-range, Primrose-track- May's back ! Sun sets, Petals close, Honeybees swollen. Home gets Bumble-nose With nectar and...

ght ptrtator TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.

The Spectator

Including postage to any part of the Yearly. United Kingdom .. £2 1 2 OVERSEAS POSTAGE. Including postage to any of the British Dominions and Colonias and India ; America,...

Page 17

BOOKS.

The Spectator

A GREAT BOOK.* IT has been said, and as we think most truly, that great men are commoner than great books. Great authors almost always show certain weaknesses in their work,...

THE THEATRE.

The Spectator

"THE ' RUINED ' LADY," COMEDY THEATRE. IT would appear from the current London productions that there is nothing more difficult than to find a good title for a play— unless...

SOME PLAYS WORTH SEEING.

The Spectator

CarraaroN. — Lord Richard in the Pantry 8.30-2.30 [A farce for a lenient mood.] HaviaanBET.—Mary Rose . . . . 8.30-2.30 [Sentimental enough to have a long run. Clever enough...

Page 18

FREDERICK LOCKER-LAMPSON.*

The Spectator

"IT is less difficult," says Dr. Johnson, "to write a volume of lines swelled with epithets, brightened by figures, and stiffened by transpositions than to produce a few...

Page 19

SATIRE IN THE VICTORIAN NOVEL.*

The Spectator

THE world is always looking for definitions of humour. Perhaps we shall never know why the red nose, the mother-in-law, the kipper, and the ripe cheese are irresistible. They...

Page 20

THE ROMANCE OF RADIUM.*

The Spectator

PRO . FESSOR SODDY, who is one of the greatest living authorities on the new science of radioactivity, has just published a, very readable collection of _Addresses and articles...

AN ENGLISH WIFE IN BERLIN.*

The Spectator

EVELYN, Princess Blucher, was one of those very unfortunate people who found their family interests and allegiances divided by the war. An Englishwoman, married to a German, she...

Page 21

AN ADVENTURE IN WORKING CLASS EDUCATION.*

The Spectator

TB1S book chronicles the genesis and growth of the Workers' Educational Association which was founded to promote the higher education of working men r nd women by means of an...

WITH THE FLYING MEN.t As this book is in essence

The Spectator

a perfectly obvious and straightforward diary kept by the author during his association with the Flying Corps in the War, and as it reveals no wonderful secrets, tells no...

Page 22

POETS AND POETRY, MR. PHILLPOT1'S.•

The Spectator

THEM is undoubtedly something very attractive about Mr. Eden Phillpotts' work. It is always difficult to analyse charm, • As the Wind Blow. By Eden Phillpalks. London • Elkin...

1111, BRICKLAYER AND INFANT MORTALITY.* ALL books on child hygiene

The Spectator

and child welfare seem agreed that the chief cause of infant mortality and of what to. the present writer seems a worse evil than infant mortality, the de- generation of the...

FICTION.

The Spectator

THE BUILDERS.t Miss Grasoow's new novel serves a double purpose. It is partly an interesting study of Virginian politics and politicians in the early years of the late war,...

Side Issues. By Jeffery E. Jeffery. (Leonard Parsons. 6s. net.)—This

The Spectator

is not so much a book of short stories as a series of sketches conveying the author's reflections on post-war con- ditions. The first sketch, which is an account of the services...

READABLE NOVELS.—Denys the Dreamer. By Katharine Tynan. (W. Collins, Sorts

The Spectator

and Co. 7s. 6d. net.)—A charming Irish story in which the world is viewed through rose-coloured spectacles. The reader tired of post-war conditions will find it very restful and...

Page 23

Mr. Thomas Hardy prefaces by a little note a small

The Spectator

book of studies of London by "Dora Sigerson " (A Dull Day in London ; Nash, 4s. 6d. net). Mr. Hardy was struck, as the reader will be, by the author's unusual sympathy with...

How to Observe in Archaeology. (British Museum. 2s. 6d. net.)

The Spectator

—Mr. G. F. Hill has edited for the Archaeological Joint Com- mittee a compact and useful little handbook for travellers in the Near and Middle East who would like to take an...

SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.

The Spectator

[Notice in this column does not necessarily preclude subsequent reviete..) The London Mercury for July contains an interesting poem entitled " Gleaning " by Edmund Blundon, and...

The Book of the Dead. By Sir E. A. Wallis

The Spectator

Budge. (British Museum. Is.)—The learned Keeper of the Egyptian and Assyrian Antiquities has written an admirable account, for general reading, of "the great collection of...

Diplomatic Reminiscences. By A. Nekludoff. (Murray. 21s. net.)—M. Nekludoff, a

The Spectator

well-known Russian diplomatist, has written an interesting volume on his experiences at Sofia from 1911 to 1914, and at Stockholm from 1914 to 1917. As Russian Minister at Sofia...

There is hardly any branch of research from which the

The Spectator

modern yorld expects more than that which includes the study of folk -lore and of psychology. In Mr. Marett's book (Psychology and Folk-Lore ; Methuen, 7s. 6d. net) the subject...

Studies in History and Politics. By Herbert Fisher. (Claren- don

The Spectator

Press. 12s. 6d. net.)—The Minister of Education warns us In his preface that these interesting and thoughtful essays are not the work of his official leisure. Seven out of...

Page 24

Who Was Who. (A. and C. Black. 21s. net.)—This book

The Spectator

fills the gap between the standard biographical dictionaries and the current Who's Who. It contains the notices, reprinted from former volumes of Who's Who, of those more or...

Mr. Milford has published for the British Museum two attrac-

The Spectator

tive shilling sets of picture postcards. One set bears reproduc- tions of the well-known drawings of The Month's Occupations by an English artist in an eleventh century...