SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[Notice in this column does not necessarily preclude subsequent review.]
Nationalism and Internationalism. By Ramsay Muir. (Constable and Co. 4s. 6d. net.)—Professor Muir in those very able essays shows how the war may be regarded as " the culmination of modern his tory," in that it is " the last and the greatest and the most definite and decisive challenge to, and defiance of, the national cause in Europe." He sketches lightly and firmly the course of European history to make clear the steady trend towards the formation of States on a purely national basis. The only area where this principle had not been applied included Austria and Turkey, and Germany brought on the war largely to prevent the Slays from pursuing their demand for national Govern. ments, which must involve the break-up of Austria and the dismissal of the Turk to Asia once more. Professor Muir points out that the anti-national Powers have been the chief obstacles to the development of international agreements, in which lies the hope of the future. Serious and dispassionate books like this show how futile it is for bland neutrals to talk about patching up a peace. No compromise is possible when such vast issues have to be determined once for all.
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