SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[Under this heading we notice such Books of the week as haw not been reserved for review in other forms.1 Within the Pale. By Michael Davitt. (Hurst and Blackett. 5s.) —Mr. Davitt went to Kishineff to learn on the spot the true story of the massacres which took place in that town. As to the past, he is convinced that a heavy burden of guilt yeas on General von Raaben, on the Vice-Governor, and on the Chief of Police. In a country where the Press is absolutely controlled by authority they permitted the one newspaper of Iiislaineff to preach murder for months. When the outbreak took place they did nothing, remain- ing ostentatiously indifferent while murder and outrage were going on. The Bishop is scarcely less guilty; so are the clergy, who, with one exception, remained indifferent. What degrees of guilt attach to M. de Plehve, who has thought fit to shield himself by false statements, and to the Czar no one can say. As to the future, Mr. Davitt sees no hope for the Russian Jew but in Zionism. He has no friends in Russia; his only chance is to get • away from the country. This cannot be done soon. Meanwhile let the Czar, suggests Mr. Davitt, publish a ukase to be read in the churches denouncing the fable of ritual murder. Unfortunately, nothing could be more unlikely. Probably It. Pobiedonostzeff, who manages these things, believes, or professes te- believe, in it.
Previous page
