THE CONTEMPORARY.
Mr. Masterman, discussing "The Political Situation" in an optimistic spirit, anticipates "a Parliament full of interest and energy. He foresees "a session of almost non-contro- versial legislation, an autumn devoted to propaganda, organi- sation and foreign affairs, and no substantial difficulty arising until perhaps in the Budget of 1925," when the Liberals may, he thinks, be forced to vote against some Socialist measure of expropriation. Mr. Masterman contemplates a possible split in the Labour ranks but not, curiously enough, in the Liberal Party: Mr. F. D. Acland writes temperately and helpfully on "Agriculture—the Election and After," urging that the f tr.cer needs assistance and that the three parties should come to some agreement as to the method by which such assistance may be given. Mr. Denis Gwynn interprets "The French Senatorial Elections" as less of a triumph for M. Poincare than the figures suggested at a first glance.- important and timely article by Mr. S: Maecoby dealsith "The Rhineland in inter-Allied negotiations during the War," and brings out the fact that from as early as the winter of 1914 France was trying to secure Russian support for a French Rhine frontier, while our Governments made no serious attempt to induce France to define her war-aims. The Tsar, just before his fall, had pledged himself to uphold* the full French programme. A new Workmen's Compensation Act was passed last November, and might have been expected to suffice for a time, but Mr. J. G. Lockhart criticises it in a very unfriendly fashion, and goes so far as to suggest compulsory State insurance against all accidents. Dr. G. W. Wade has an uncommonly interesting paper on Biblical phrases, which are current in forms widely dissimilar from the originals, partly through errors of translation. The clever young Spanish dramatist, Martinez Sierra, is celebrated in an- attractive article by Dr. Walter Starkie ; one or two of his domestic dramas should be worth introducing to English audiences.
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