The December Magazines M. Paul Hymans in the Nineteenth Century
describes the political situation
in " Belgium Today." Frade and in- dustry have revived since the currency was devalued, but the decline of the Catholic Party has been accompanied by a revival of the Flemish agitation and by the rise of M. Degrelle's Rexists, who are anti-democratic._ new conditions have compelled 'the Premier, M. van Zeeland, to abandon the military agreement with France.
Henceforth Belgium will concentrate on her own defence. Professor A. L.
Bowley examines the question of " Poverty and Nutrition," and con- cludes that the estimates of malnutri- tion recently put forward are no true guide to the numbers of persons affected. " Malnutrition, slight or serious, is widespread," but its extent should not be exaggerated.
In the Contemporary Review Mr. G. Soloveytchik points out that, while Hitler denounces Moscow, he offers Soviet Russia a new credit of 300 million marks for the development of Russo- German trade. Herr Hitler has consistently followed this policy. Mr. Soloveytchik concludes, therefore, that Hitler's anti-Soviet clamour is a ""gigantic piece of political fraud." Mr. W. Horsfall Carter discusses " The Spanish Imbroglio " in the light of a recent visit to Catalonia. He argues that the non-intervention agreement helped the insurgents. The federalist movement hi Spain has, he says, been strengthened by the revolt.
In the Fortnightly Mr. J. A. Spender, under the heading of " Arms and the State," explains why he, as a member of the Royal Commission on Private Trade in Arms, came to the conclusion that the trade must continue, though tinder much stricter control. Lord Elton, who dislikes the " Politics with- out Inspiration " that he finds in the King's Speech, suggests that the de- fence of democracy in the British Commonwealth should be a vitalising idea.
The Round Table takes a very serious view of the international situation, which it expresses both in " Danger Signals for the Commonwealth " and in " The Army in Imperial Defence." The League offers no security. The Com- monwealth must depend on its own defences and its unity. The danger from sudden air attack is frankly emphasised ; the nation should be pre- pared to meet any such emergency. Reviewing Hitler's policy in the light of Bismarck's, the writer of an article, " From Agadir to Nuremberg," con- tends that Germany's demand for the return of her lost colonies is put forward to divide the former Allies and should be firmly rejected, as it could only lead to new demands.
Chambers's Journal has an enlarged and very readable Christmas number. Mr. Henry Hardinge's account of " Old Nativity Plays of Provence " is fresh and topical. At Seguret, in the Vau- cluse, one of these traditional plays, performed in the church by the villagers, was revived as recently as 1930.
Blacluvood's has an interesting article by. Major C. S. Jarvis on " A Partridge Preserfe in Sinai "—a well-watered valley in the desert where the partridges, strange to relate, will often perch on trees in front of the guns.
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