One of the worst outrages on neutrals yet committed at sea by the Germans occurred on Thursday week, when seven Dutch steamers in a group wero torpedoed or bombed. It is...

I Some German destroyers appeared off the Kentish coast last Sunday night, =nd for ten minutes fired shells at the seaEide towns of Margate and Broadstairs. A British destroyer...

An episode of the submarine warfare that will have more far- reaching results than the Dutch affair was the sinking of the Cunard passenger vessel ' Laconic.' last Sunday...

NEWyS OF THE WEEK. THE PAPER SHORTAGE. -It is not the inten- I tion of the " Spectator" to increase its price. It is necessary, however, that we should loyally obey the...

I The sinking of the 'Laconia,' according to the telegrams in Thursday's papers, is regarded by Mr. Wilson as the " overt act for which he was waiting. The WashiDgton...

I During the past week General Maude has given us a series of successes on the Tigris to match those on the Ancre. In the early part of the week came the news of the capture of...

W E have written in a leading article of the military situation NV' on the Western front. We will say nothing more on that subject here, but will pass at once to naval events....

During the week ending on Sunday, February 25th, the arrivals of vessels over 100 tons of all nationalities (excluding fishing and local craft) were 2,280. The sailings were...

We havo written at length elsewhere of that part of lMr. LlutYd George's speech in the House of Commons on Friday week hhidij introduced a wide and novel agricultural policy....

We are deeply disappointed at W. Iloyd George's appalling I son eqVitur, the greatest and perhaps the most momentous that the world has ever seen-" I may some day want every...

Excellent. But if the ignorant and the selfish are injuring| - .. . . . . I .. I the national cause by eating more than their share, why has the Daily Mail no word for the...

Which if any of these four suggested causes is operating we are utterly at a loss to say. Indeed we confess that none of theni seems to us adequate or likely. All we know is...

The article begina by telling us that " It Is becoming quite clear that Mr. Lloyd George' courageous speech last week, In which he Etated that the stocks of food were...

But this Is not an The Daily Mail goes on to asy i- "Time has already been lost Lord Deronport's appeal to the honour of the nation has produced some good results, but the...

One of the suggestions is that lr. Lloyd George when he formncd his Mini try made certain bargains with the Labour Party, anl that one was that there was to be no war-time...

This, however, Is not the moment for smug congratulations upon a I halI-success, but for Fteeling ourselves for the last and hardest pull on the rope. We have got the...

As a proof .' the absurdity of the position of those who implore I us to save every ounce of food, and declare that if we will not do so voluntarily we must be compelled to do...

A tbird suggestion Is simpler, and is that the "Hidden Hand" is to be found in the Whips' Office. IYr. Lloyd George has been told that the majority of the members of the House...

Surely the mystery of the " Hidden Hand " in regard to intern- ment and the continuation of enemy businesses is child's-play to the mystery which forbids editorial plain...

T The total drink bill of 1916 has been published this week. To our shame we have in the t6ird year of the war apent more oft intoxicants than in any year of our history. We...

THlE CHUPCH SELF-GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION. [To ir- EDITOR O THZ " SrPCTATCOR."] SJI1,-Tn the appeal for membership of the rTw,. AesROcation It I stated that its purposo is to...

[To nT EDITOR OF nw " SPECTITOI."I SrR,-Tn the "Development of Imperial Resources," as advocate by Mr. Wilson Fox, experier.ee has 6hown that, beyond thom indicated by yon,...

Tm DEVELOPMENT OF IMPERIAL PESOURCES. I [To To EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] GTR,-I hare read with great intereat your cordial, if somewhat cautious, endorsement of the...

AN ANIGLO-H ELLENIC IFAMILY. [To TEz EDITOL OF TES " SPrECTATOR. I Sra,-The modern Greeks-whatever one may be tempted to think of the politics of their King and of the circle...

CLERGY OF MILITARY AGZ. [To SXD EDITOR OF TIE "SPEcrIToR."] Six,-" A Churchwvoman's " letter in your Issue of Febrnary 17t demands one's respectful sympathy, but it equally...

WOODEN SHIPS. rro rm EDITOR O TIA " SPECTATOR."' Isa,-Is it possible that we in England may have to return to wooden ships to counter the torpedo and mine menace, especially...

I Chemical DJscoverjy and Inrention of the Twentieth Century. By I Sir IV. A. Tilden, F.RI.S. (Routledge, 7.. 6d. net.)-We are not quit. sure that the author has hit the...

Tour Part in Poverty. By George Lansbury. (Allen and Unwin. I Is. net.)-Mr. Lansbury's indictment of society, the Church, and the State is confused, and his suggested...

I The True History of the Conquest of New Spain. By Bernal Dias, VoL V. (Hakiluyt Societv.)-Dr. A. P. Maudslay has completed his fine translation of the narrative of Bernal...

Thie sMiration8 of Fish. By Alexander Meek. (E. Amold. IO& I net.)-The Director of the Cullercoats Marine Laboratory has put together in this solid and valuable book all that...

SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK. A i Gd "aVm de" " necessirkj preca j!. u5souAm raspo '.] The Hanbury Family. By A. Audrey Locke 2 rols. (t T- Humphreys. 10 guineas net.)-This...

The Hope for Society: Essays on " Social Reconstrvc!ion after the I War." By various Writers. Edited by Miss Lucy Gardner. (G. Bell| and Sons. 3s. nct.)-These outspoken...

I Sqft Toys and IHowo to Make, Them. By E. A. Hickman. (Robert Scott. 2s. net.)-This little book, with its clear directions, illustrations, and diagrams, is intended for those...

Borne Russian Heroes, Saints, and Sin ners. Bv Sonia E. Howe. I (Williams and Norgato. 7s. 6d. net.)-In this verv readable book Mlr. Howe pursues her laudable object of...

VILLAGE CROSSES. [To TEt EXIcOR OF EtZ SrECwrTOR."] BIA,-In these days of compul-wory military service It is, perhaps, not unprofitable to turn our mind's to the giga Lic...

THlE ROYAL CITY OF GUELPH, CAN-ADA, AND ITS GIFT TO T LELG IUM" [TO THE EDITOR OF TRE BPMUrTOR."] Esx,-Yov will be pleamod to know that the Royal City of (Guelph, Cvada, of...

SLEEP. rTo Txs atzros ow T. "I prCTiTOR.'1 Brt,-May I give in full the sleep-reference in Don Quixote mentioned in your recent article?"I do not understand all that," said...

CHARhLES LAMB'S "JOHN WOODVIL.'" [To 7xz EDITC? OF ASK " EPECTITOB."] kiz--In yxvur happy allUEiCa to Mr. H. in your leading article on Saturday last you hazard the suggesticn...

CHILD-SAVING3 AN APPEAL. [TO THE EDITOR OF THrK " SPECTATOIL"] St,-In view of the pressing need for more day nurseries and nursery schools, we venture to appeal through your...

[To Trz ELITOR OF TEX " SPECATOT".'] SXB,-In case no one replies more fully to the inquiry In your isue off February 24th, I would mention that Dalitzsch (Commentary on the...

LORD CROMER AND THE NATIONAL TRUST. [To T1Z EDITO! OF TEA "SPECTLTOR."I SIR,-Amongst the many notices of Lord Cromer's public work his interest in the National Trust appears to...

MEE1E HEALTH OF THE COMING GENERATION. [To TUP EDITGO OF TnE " tPECTATOR."] Sta,-Your c4ostqant interest in the well-Leing of children, and in the future of our country,...

RECENT WAR POETRY. [TO THE ErDTOt oF TIM " SPEcURc."] #t:,-Llentenaut-GCcncral Tyrrell draws attentlin in your issWu of ferbruary 17th to Mr. Harvey's nictaphor"Unscabbarded...

" OUR DAILY BREAD " AGAIN. [To Int EDITOR or THZ " SrECAToSl."] Si,-May I ask for an inch of your space to inform all those of your readers who are intcrested in the question...

SCHOOLS AND FA'M WoORK. LTO THa EDITOI OF THE "SrECTrTOR."] lIs,--The idea of using our schools for farms and gardens seems to be realized more and more. Let me urge the value...

THE HOUSEKEEPING POJOBLEM. I [To TRZ EDIOrft OF THS "SPECTATOR."] WiR,-Last week I was unable to reply to inquirers who ask: " How fm a butcher's bill to be kept down to...

NEWSPAPERTS AND THEIR NOBLE SELVES. [TO THY EDITOM cr T-Er " SprCTATOL."I SiR,-The form of words in which the managers of eome of the daily newspapers announce that they find...

WILD BIRDS AND FOOD RATIONS. [To TEz EDITOa OF TEZZ SPECTATOB."I FIR,-" IHonoria " suggests that we should add blackbirds and thrushes to our food rations. I was listeniung...

[TO TEz EDiTOa OF THE " SPECTATOR."] . - . .- - L 1 - SIR,-Few mistresses appear to realize that the objection of tMse average domestic servant to economy in food arises, not...

THE DISTRIBUTION OF SUGAR. [To THX EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] BIB,-Mr. Hinton fairly states tho retailer3' point of view, but he overlooks the fact that extra and sometimes...

" DOWNING " GERMANY. [To Sxjz EDITOR OF TRx " SPECTATOZ."1 SIR,-Herewith you will find my cheque for $500, to be used as you see fit for the general purpose of "downing" the...

PAPER-SAVIN.G. [To srx EDITOR CR To " SPECrATOI."] SiR,- The Premier tells us that the imports of paper into the country must be reduced and that luxuries must be banned. May I...

" DOWN CLASSES." [To Tax EDITOR OF TX ' 6P- TITOR."] SRX,-In confirmation of your editorial comments on "An Officer in the Front Line's " letter in the Spectator of February...

THE PrTrzoBITION CAMPAIGN. [To Tit EDITOR 01 TEE " SPECTATOR.") tR,-I havo sent one Con0trbution to the Strength of Brlts Movement, and am dicposed to 6end a socond, but there...

VOLUTNTARY .NATTO' NAL SERV'ICE. [To TnI EDITOR Or TRZ " Sr-CTATCR."] Sip,-W'ill you be so good as to let mre place brfore your rfaterl certain considerations in regard to the...

[To TSX EDITOR Or mRI 8PFCTATOR."] S.n,-I would liko to make a suggestion to all IJIsO O your readerg who, like myself, are in strong sympathy with youx "Appeal for...

RERPISAL L. (To sot r,,o).'o or tui " SrTi' ,ATot."I Sin,-Your corrc'-pondent, writing und+r the above hltping in the Spcc-tafor of Iel)ruary 17th, hna in a measure missed the...

A 'DOWN GLASSES " EPITAPH. [To Txz EDITOI OP TH ' brECTkTOR."I Sit,-I send you an epitaph which, in my mind's eye, I sea In moms graveyard of Dcparted Nations in tho near...

FOOD PrODUCTION. [To TEE EDITOR oR Tnr " SPZCTATOR."] S:3,-It may interest your readors, especial]y my hrLt7r'pn the clergy, if I record what this glebe of sixteen acres (fc(Tr...

I We have, dealt In two leading articles with Mr. Lloyd Georgia great speech on Friday, February 23rd, the speech which oame too late in the week for comment in our issue of...

Mr. Lambert scored some debating polnta, but his complaint I that the Admiralty had never consulted the Inventions Committeo of which Lord Fisher is chairman on the submarine...

I A Food Production Department under the control of Sir Arthur Lee has been formed to raise the home production of food to the highest possible pitch this yeaz. Sir Arthur Lee...

i H told them that the applies of food in this country had never been so low. He insisted upon the risks to which the suppliwe from oversea are exposed, and he made the whole...

I farx t Po iSt did his duty. But than came fIlurs plain and palpable. Instead of laying that faced with sfuoh a situation he would not, as long as he was responsible for the...

Lord Curzon said of Lord Cromer that he had devoted to the scheme " an enthusiasm, an assiduity,'and an organizing capacity which characterized everything he did." And again:...

On Friday week the King, scoompanled by the Queen and PlInoes Mary, opened the new School of Oriental Studies at the London institution in Finsbury Circus His Majesty said:" I...

In the debate on the Naval E.stimates on Monday Sir Hedworth I Itetx repeated, with even more frankness and in greater and racier detail, the reasons whiLich he had given to...

In the two days' flerca fightiig something like two thousand| pri3oners were taken a3 wall as gus and war material. Thursday's news shows that our troops have already reached a...

BO O KS. A LEAGUE OF -NATIO'i3. Ar.v~sotca M3r. Brailsford Is a behievr, on the who.ll, In tlhe 1ssi'>i1ity of a League of Nations (otherwise a League to Enifrce Peace), hm is...

POETRY. OXFORD REVISITED LN WAtR TIM& BF.2A.rnT fair Magdalen's storied towers I wander in a dream. And hear the mellow chimes float out O'er Cherwell's Ica-bound stream....

TMCIIRIST IN FLA'NDER3." OwIne to the large and continued demand for copies of the pow entitled "Christ in Flanders," which appeared in our issue of September 11th, 1915, it...

WA STUDENT IN ARMS." Tirs leading article in the Spectator on the death of Lieutsnant 3Hankey and his article " Don't Worry " hare been repuh'ished as a leaflet by Messrs. W....

THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE OF HEALTH. WE look to the author of Pro Christo ei Ecc1o3si to take the orthodox standpoint in regard to theology. Orthodoxy, of course, does not mean...

FICTION. TALES OF WONDER. REATI)Ks of fiction do not, as a rule, read prefaces, even when they are only six lines long, but the conscientious revicver may serve a useful...

I READABLE NOVELS.-TAh Huuse of Fear. By Wadzvwcuth Camp. (Hodder and Stoughton. 59. nct.)-A hair-rai ing story of a haunted theatre. Readers are advised not to Fit up over the...

3MS. HINKSON'S FURTHER REMINISCENCES.* K KiTUArzi.N U TrYIAN's " earlier vclume of Reninlisccncea agrecably whetted the appetite of her readers for further memories, and this *...

A THOUSAND MILLIONS. THE success of the War Loan has surpassed all expectaT tions. It is a tremendous and unprecedented triumph. A week ago Mr. Bonar Law estimated that he...

THE ANKCIO1P OF DOUBT. [COMMUNtSICATED. 1 I F only we could feel sure of anything! " That is what most of us say to ourselves at least once a day. There is nothing certain-new...

SIR THOMAS ACLAND'S EXAMrLE. L AST wecek wo referred briefv to Sir Thomas Acland's princely gift to the nation of a five hundred years' lease of about seven or eight thousand...

THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE. mHE great agricultural policy which Mr. Lloyd George T described in outline in the House of Commons on Friday week means a very considerable...

TOPICS OF THE DAY. THE MILITARY SITUATION ON THE WEST. I T HE past week has been one not merely of good omens T and high promises in every part of the world where the British...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Oxing to the shortage of paper, tre must practise an economy of apace in our Correspondence columins. We therefore ask writers of letters to the "...

AT THE SIGN OF " THE RED TRIANCLE."s Wm all know in general something of the work dons by the Y.M.C.A., and the sign of "The Red Triangle" has become almost as familiar to the...

ACROSS ASIA MIIN'OR.* MR. C,=DsSg exceptionally attractive and brilliant book of travel would of itself suffice to show why the Germans coveted Asia Minor. There is no country...

'WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN. THlIE Prime Minister when he rose to address the T House of Coirmons eight days ago bad the greatcst opportunity that hai ever come, to a titatesman,...