The Statesman's Year-Book, 1909. Edited by J. Scott Keltie, LL.D.,
with the Assistance of J. P. A. Renwick, M.A. (Maomillan and Co. 1.0s. 6d. net.)—" Considerable changes have been made," we are told, in the direction of consolidation, uniformity, and generally the displacement of the less for the more useful matter. As the bulk of the volume is an important thing, it will be interesting to give some figures. The British Empire occupies 342 pages, of which 94 are devoted to the United Kingdom and 248 to India and the Colonies. To the United States 214 are given, the States taking up 200 and "Outlying Territories" 14. The Belgian Congo appears among "Other Countries." A little study of the details explains much of what we hear. The Colonial Council consists of fourteen members, of whom eight are appointed by the Xing, really chosen by him, not, as here, by a far;on de parlor. Rubber is exported to the amount of nearly forty-four million francs, and ivory to nearly six and a half. But the total exports fall short of £3,000,000. We may put aside appeals to higher motives and ask: Is it worth while?
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