24 FEBRUARY 1912, Page 23

Havoc. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. (Hodder and Stoughton. Os.)—This is

a most exciting story of a secret treaty of which the various nations struggle to obtain possession. Tho police of this country and the secret agents of other countries seem to be possessed of great ability and carry the reader on from stage to stage of the struggle with breathless interest. The political moral of the book seems to bo that the balance of power in Europe depends on Russia. The weak point is the sudden change in the Czar's intentions when the text of the treaty which ho has made is read to him at Windsor. It may be doubted whether these specific accusations against friendly nations are iu political good. taste, but it is certain that they make for the excitement of the reader.