Current Literature
ABYSSINIAN DATA
Two well-known public bodies, the Royal Institute of
• International Affairs and the League ',of Nations Union, have made ample and timely provision for the._ needs of those sections of the public who desire to add knOwledge to emotion in regard to the Abyssinian crisis. In Abyssinia and Italy (2s.) the former body, which by its charter is precluded , from expressing any opinions on international questiohs, , presents the fruits of pure research, unadorned by any conclusions except such as the facts themselves dictate. It is an able and valuable piece of work. So, equally, is the League of Nations Union booklet, The Abyssinian Dispute (6d.), written by Miss Freda White, which with its 76 pages and four excellent maps has the additional merit of being remarkably good value for money. The story of Abyssinia's relations with the outer world is admirably handled, being concisely summarised down to the date of the entry of the State into the League and after that treated in greater detail, but always dispassionately, and with the texts or 'summaries 11f relevant documents added in an appendix. In the final• chapter only does the writer abandon her objectivity, examining the Italian case, seeking to elucidate Signor Mussolini's real motives and demonstrating what the conflict between him and the League of Nations may mean to the world. But due warning is given in the introduction that this chapter differs in character from what precedes. It would have been well if Miss White had quoted a few passages from the enthusiastic speech of Signor Mussolini's representa- tive on the occasion of Abyssinia's entry into the League. But that is a small matter. The booklet as a whole is most valuable, and at its low price deserves an extensive sale:
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