The Sea Coramonwealth, and other Papers. Edited by A. P.
Newton. (Dent. 3s. 6d. net.)—This new volume in the " Im- perial Studies" series contains, among other things, interesting essays on "France and Colonial Power" by Professor Mantoux and on "The Monroe Doctrine" by Professor Pollard. But the most suggestive paper is that by Mr. Basil Thomson on "Problems of the Pacific," especially in the pages on the so-called " unprogressive races." Mr. Thomson, who has bad an unusual experience of remote peoples, says bluntly : " I am beginning to doubt whether any uncivilized race is really inferior in capacity to Europeans." He points to the effect of education on Maoris and Tongans, Fijians and New Guinea children, and even on Andaman Islanders and Masai. But he qualifies his assertion by adding that, though all races are tractable, " it is character rather than intellect that achieves things in this world, and it takes many generations of habit and example- to build up character." Who shall say that any race is incapable of the effort 1 Cicero warned Atticus against employing British slaves because they were stupid; yet a Welshman now governs Great Britain and helps to rule the world.
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