10 FEBRUARY 1917, Page 20

Belgian's Case: a Juridical Inquiry. By Ch. de Viaschee. (Hodder

and Stoughton. 3s. 6d. net.)--After they became conscious that the invasion of Balgiuni was condemned by the whole world, the Germans began to ,spin elaborate theories to excuse and justify their action. Professor de Visacher, of the University of Ghent, has been at pains to examine these arguments in the light of international law and the ,treaties guaranteeing Belgian neutrality. His book is not easy reading, as German Professors engaged in defending...hat. is indefensible entangle themselves in dense thicket' of barbed-wire sophistries. But he has blown all their entanglements into the air and proved, as we all knew before, that Germany had no moral or legal excuse at all for her criminal act,