5 APRIL 1919

Page 1

We certainlyshall not undertake the thankless and impertinent task of

The Spectator

criticizing the actions of the President or of any American statesman, but the logic of the case seems to European observers to indicate that, if the United States wished to be...

A Commission of the Peace - Conference has drafted a Conven- tion

The Spectator

for the international regulation of labour questions, which at any rate sets an ideal standard to which the various countries may conform hereafter. America was unable to accept...

The workmen employed in the Petrograd munition factories were audacious

The Spectator

enough early last month to strike against Bolshevik rule. They objected, it seems, to the industrial con- scription enforced by the Bolsheviks, and were so old-fashioned as to...

The enemy last week refused to consent to the landing

The Spectator

at Danzig of General Haller's Polish Army, which is now on its way home from France. The Armistice clearly provides that " the Allies shall have free access to the territories...

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

The Spectator

fir HE Republican Party Executive in America has taken a very serious step in publishing a series of amendments, suggested by Mr. Root, to the draft Covenant of the League of...

The French Chamber on Saturday last rejected, by a majority

The Spectator

of nearly three to one, a Socialist motion to recall the French troops from Russia. It was stated on behalf of the Government that there would be no French expedition to Russia....

We see nothing to be disappointed at, but much cause

The Spectator

for satirofaCtion, in the fact that the American Republicans cling to the Monroe Doctrine. Like men of sense, they will not part with the substance for the shadow. The Monroe...

The Editor mama accept responsibility for =particles or letters submitted

The Spectator

to him, but when stamped and addressed envelopes are sent he will do his best to - . return sontribiaSons in case of rejection.

Page 2

The figures published on Tuesday for the financial year just

The Spectator

ended do not quite reach the one-time expected revenue of 900 millions, but they exceed by' 7 millions the Budget estimate made in April. 1918. The revenue is 889 millions : the...

The appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the

The Spectator

Income Tax ie the first step towards the reform of that great and essential tax, which has unhappily become more inequitable than usual in its incidence under the stress of war....

Such considerations as these bring us inevitably and invariably back

The Spectator

to the conclusion that the one and only fair means of levying direct taxation is by means of the existing Income Tax. Let every man and every woman be taxed on the income which,...

There are many rumours about the character of the forth-

The Spectator

coming Budget. The governing principle in the new financial year ought certainly to be that the restrictions on trade shall be removed as speedily as possible, and that...

The vagaries of the French judicial system, and the liability

The Spectator

of its machinery to the tampering fingers of the -politician, are illustrated once again in the acquittal of Villain, the murderer of 3L James. Villain did deliberately slay the...

The rising in Egypt has not been no serious as

The Spectator

the compara- tive silence of the Government has led some people to suppose. The disaffected people were inspired by disappointed place- seekers among the Egyptian Pashas, by the...

It may be taken for certain that the Government mean

The Spectator

to establish Imperial Preference, and under the new conditions we have no opposition whatever to offer. Tariffs that were undesirable once will now be required for revenue...

The British Empire must never again be found wanting if

The Spectator

it is to stand a state of siege. It is largely on thegromid that the Imperial garrison must be kept well stocked with necessaries that Imperial Preference can no longer be...

The rumour that Mr. Chamberlain has been considering a graduated

The Spectator

tax on all profits over 10 per cent. seems too bad to be true. The difficulties of collecting such a tax fairly would be enormous. Take the case of a small investor who on the...

Page 3

A temporary Aliens Restriction Bill was introduced by the Home

The Spectator

Secretary on Monday. Until Peace is proclaimed, the Government have full powers to exclude, detain, or deport undesirable aliens. The new Bill will continue these powers for two...

The compulsory acquisition of laud for the State or any

The Spectator

local or public Authority will be facilitated by Mr. Fisher's important new Bill. The ruling.principles of it are that an official valuer will act as arbitrator in any dispute...

The Lend Settlement Bill, which is intended to redeem the

The Spectator

Government's pledge that discharged sailors and soldiers should have full opportunities of settling on the land, was published on Wednesday. The Bill simplifies the...

Colonel Claude Lowther moved the adjournment of the House of

The Spectator

Commons on Wednesday to remind the Government that they were expected to exact the uttermost farthing from Germany by way of reparation. Colonel Lowther and other members...

Public opinion has moncentrated.on demanding that husband and wife should

The Spectator

no longer have their incomes assessed together for the purpose of Income Tax. In the old days before the graduation of income Tax a .united assessment did not matter, as it made...

Of course the general reform of the Income Tax will

The Spectator

wait upon the Report of the Royal Commission. It would not be at all . surprising, however, if Dir. Chamberlain so far forestalled the recommendations of the Commission as to...

The Military Serviee Bill was read a third time in

The Spectator

the House of Commons on Monday. The little group of Asquithian Liberals divided the House against the Bill, but mustered only 64 votes against 282 for the Government. Their...

Mr. Churchill made an important statement about the Territorial Force

The Spectator

at a Conference on Tuesday. The Force is to be reconstituted at once, with a strength of fourteen divisions and fourteen mounted brigadee. The Territorial officers who have held...

The general feeling that the Transport Bill as drafted made

The Spectator

the Minister of Ways and Communications too much of an autocrat led Mr. Bonar Law on Tuesday to promise a, further modification of the Bill. If Sir Eric Geddes formulates a...

Bank. rate, 5 per cent., changed front 6 } per

The Spectator

cent. Apri15,1917

Page 4

THE REMEDY.

The Spectator

paUR object in the article that precedes this was not NJ to emphasize Lord Beaconsfield's prescience, but to lead up to the question whether a remedy can be found. We are not...

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

The Spectator

THE DISCONSIDERATION OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. N O observer of the political situation can have felt anything but the profoundest anxiety at the dis- consideration into which...

Page 5

THE DIFFICULTIES OF PEACE.

The Spectator

A MONG the innumerable difficulties which arc being discussed by the Peace Conference, three stand out prominently. These are the problems of drawing the new Franco-German...

Page 7

THE WAR GRAVES.

The Spectator

W E have received a copy of the appeal circulated by Lady Florence Cecil and Lady Kennedy on behalf of those who wish to impart a personal and individual character to the...

Page 8

MAKING A CHANGE.

The Spectator

N times of emotion and trial men's characteristics become I more marked and take new emphasis. Sometimes a dis- agreeable quality which was hardly to be noticed in the pleasant...

Page 9

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 these which fill treble the space,/ -- MACEDONIA. [To THE...

PREJUDICE.

The Spectator

P REJUDICE is a partial judgment, not original so much as traditional, inherited from the past, or picked up, ready-made, in the present, out of the atmosphere, from the...

Page 10

11ILE GREEK SPIRIT VERSUS GREEK GRAMMAR. (To Tan Emma or

The Spectator

nu "Sezmiima."1 Snr,—Your striking and thoughtful article (is it not an echo of a former one by the same writer in the Spectator some years ago?) on this subject has, I know,...

"THE PILGRIMS AND THEIR HISTORY." (To rim Emma or rue

The Spectator

" SpEcrava."] Sm,—The writer of your article on Mr. Roland Debar's volume has accepted without criticism or reference to authorities Mr. Usher's interpretations of history. Mr....

[To THE EDITOR or THE SPECTATOR...1 SIR.—I shall be very

The Spectator

grateful if you would kindly refer me to the author of the lines quoted in the article "The Greek Spirit versus Greek Grammar" appearing in your issue of March 15th. I mean the...

Page 11

A CENTRAL ASIAN LEAGUE.

The Spectator

(To roe EDITOR or TIM ‘' Elrecnroa."3 Sm,—When we turn our thoughts to the numerous and com- plicated problems which confront the intellectual powers and patience of the Peace...

Page 12

HOLLOW HOUSE-WALLS.

The Spectator

[To smo Eorroa or THE " SpeorsToo."] Sm. — My experience of hollow walla disposes me to agree with Mr. Thackeray Turner and the Spectator, and against the opinion of Mr. J....

[To THE EDITOR OP Tan " SPECTATOR."]

The Spectator

SIR,—In the Spectator of March 15th, p. 332, under Handi- crafts and Reconstruction, you speak of "the abominable practice" of building cavity-walled cottages, and quote Mr....

[To THE Erma or THE "SPECTATOR."3 Sta,—As n former member

The Spectator

of the N.S.L. (Bournemouth) and no an ex-officer of the National Reserve (later R.D.C.), I should like to tell you how pleased I was to rend your articles in your paper of...

[To THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR "] Sia,—Mr. Thackeray Turner's

The Spectator

remarks on hollow walls, in Ids communication published in your issue of March 29th, seem to me important in pointing out the weakness of such walls when they consist of two...

SWITZERLAND DURING THE GREAT WAR. ITo THE Emma or vas

The Spectator

"Sesames.") Sza,—I spent the Last three years of the war in Switaerland after being classed as totally unfit, and my Impressions of the German-Swiss attitude differ radically...

THE NATIONAL RESERVE.

The Spectator

[To THE EDITOR OT THE ..SPECTAT0109 Ete,—I em writing to you as a good friend of the old National Reserve. Do you not think that, in view of the plenteous bestowal of honours...

Page 13

A RACING STORY.

The Spectator

[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR."1 SIR,--III tiro amusing little volume entitled The Note Roan of a Spinster Lady I am made responsible for two notes. Of this I was unaware...

"LIVES OF MEN. "

The Spectator

[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR.") much regret that I cannot allow Mr. Frewen the last word. He says that the N.S.F.P.A. "prefer high prices . even though, as they admit...

GERMAN DELUSIONS.

The Spectator

ITo THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") SIR, —It is rather galling to find that after fighting the Bathes for four years, and after licking them soundly, their educated classes...

" VALENTINE I'. HYDE."

The Spectator

[To THE EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR."] Sus,—Our attention has been drawn to the paragraph contained in your issue of March 15th. which commented on the ease of " Valentino en....

MINING ACCIDENTS.

The Spectator

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] Stn, _t contemporary of yours having written ou the mining industry, that it was a revelation to ntost people that on the average some...

Page 14

FIREWOODS.

The Spectator

[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR.") Stn,—Under the above heading in your issue of March 15th is a notice, reed with interest, of Mr. A. D. Webster's book. Your reviewer speaks...

A FREAK OF NATURE.

The Spectator

(To ran Emma or rim " Smariroa."1 Sta,—In reference to the " dusky, brownish bleak" gall in St. James's Park, as recorded by your correspondent Mr. W. M. Crook, may I say that...

THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

The Spectator

(To THE Emma OP THE " SPECTATOR.") Sin, — As Summer Time began on Monday. would it be asking too much for the closing time of the Reading Room at the Museum to be put back to...

POETRY.

The Spectator

APRIL. I saw April from my window, Chill and early, Frozen stars on her soft tresses Sparkled rarely; These the morning clouds did send Isw, One sweet song-thrush did attend...

(To THE Emma OF THE SPECIAT01."1 Sia,—It has been pointed

The Spectator

out by others than myself that the roots of huge trees should be utilized for this purpose, and can be cheaply made small enough to cart away by being beret with high...

BOOKS.

The Spectator

A L-kND OF ENCHANTMENT.* We are deeply grateful to Lady Clifford, wife of the Governor of the Gold Coast and the delighter of many a novel-reader as Mrs. de la Pasture, for the...

NOTICE.—When "Corresporulence" or Artiolea are signal with the writer's name

The Spectator

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 node of...

t1jt *pertatur

The Spectator

We suggest that there can be no better Present in Peace or War than an Annual Subscription to the Spectator. He or she who gives the Spectator as a present will give a weekly...

Page 16

THE ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS OF PEACE.*

The Spectator

AT a moment when the outlook for a political League of Nations is somewhat gloomy, Mr. Garvin has produced an ardent and lengthy plea for a League which is to be an economic as...

Page 17

THE CAMBRIDGE READING BOOKS.* WE have only one serious complaint

The Spectator

to bring against this excel- lent series, and we may as well discharge it from our mind at once. The price is too high—not that the contents are not • Cambridge Readings in...

Page 18

THE CHURCH AND LABOUR.*

The Spectator

THE two Archbishops have published an instructive memoir on the attitude of the Christian Church towards the industrial and educational problems of the time. It has been drawn...

Page 19

- EDUCATION - AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS •

The Spectator

Tose the education of the citizens ie a matter of supreme im- portance to the State seems nowadays a truism too trite for argument, yet it ie only within the last few...

FICTION.

The Spectator

TDB charming dedicatory note to Camilla goes a long way towards disarming any criticism based on the high standards of Miss Robins's own previous achievement. The novel was...

Page 20

SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.

The Spectator

(Notice in this column dxs not necessarily ' , stelae stamp.' ruins.] THE Aram MONTH:LIM—The first place in the Nineteenth Century is given to an article on "The British Empire...

READABLE NOVELS. —Love and the Crescent. By A. C. Inchbold.

The Spectator

(Hutchinson and Co. 6s. 9d. net.)—A very inter- esting account of the adventures of an Armenian family in Syria during the Great War. The horrors of the Turkish rule in Armenia...

Page 21

The War in Africa and the Far East. By H.

The Spectator

C. O'Neill. (Longmans. 3s. &I. net.)—Mr. O'Neill has summarized very clearly the course of the useful and important " aide-shows " in which all the German colonies in Africa and...

A History of Spain. By C. E. Chapman. (Macmillan. Ha.

The Spectator

net.)—This compact and readable history of Spain, from pre. Roman times to the present day, is based mainly on a popular Spanish work by Senor Altamim, but the chapters on the...

In the March number of the Reese Internationale de la

The Spectator

Croix. Rouge, the new official organ of the Red Cross movement at Geneva, the Japanese delegate, Dr. Ninagawa, urges that a new International Convention should be signed so as...

The Manchester Guardian published on Saturday last a special League

The Spectator

of Nations " supplement, containing articles by Lord Bryce, H. Albert Thomas, Lord Shaw, Lord Haldane, Dr. Hansen, Mr. Clutton-Brock, and others, with the text of the draft,...

Woaws us REFEHENCE.—Debrett ' s house of Commons and the Judicial Bench,

The Spectator

1919, edited by A. G. M. Heselrige (Dean, 15s. net), gives a very full account of the new House, except the Sins Fein members, some of whom evidently prefer obscurity to...

Joseph Shove. By Stephen Holhouse. (Dent. 4s. 6d. net.) —Like

The Spectator

Ferrovius, the redoubtable Christian in Mr. Shaw's play, Androcles and the Lion, Joseph &urge, the eminent Quaker of the " eighties," was troubled by a peppery temper which on...

The Ministry• of Reconstruction has issued two new twopenny pamphlets,

The Spectator

one explaining The Whitley Scheme for Industrial Councils and the other describing what has been done for the State Regulation of Wages, before and during the war. "The question...

The Reconstruction of Russia. Edited by Sir Paul Vinogradoff, (Oxford

The Spectator

University Press. Is. 6d. net.)—The four essays in this little pamphlet deserve very serious consideration. They traverse the view that " the self-determination of peoples " is...