SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[Notice in ais column does not necessarily preclude subscluent review.] The Jego-Slav Committee are issuing in London a series of pamphlets, " The Southern Slav Library " (J. Nisbet and Co., 3ct each). Of these we have 'received the first four, The Southein Slav Programme ; The Southern Slays : Land and People ; A Sketch of Southern Slav history; and Southern Slav Culture. Knowledge of these important and deeply interesting matters is the exception in Great. Britain, and the pamphlets ought to dissipate sonic of the ignorance that is the rule. The large map added to each of the first three is in itself worth study. Their fiery patriotism compels an admiring sympathy, and the appeal to Great Britain is most moving. The Committee should know that in their struggles against Turkish and Magyar oppres- sion the Spectator has been their consistent friend and supporter. They will not therefore take it ill if in warmly recommending their publications to all who wish to learn about a fine and little understood people we utter some words of warning. The programme includes not only the deliverance of all Jugo-Slit vs in Croatia, Bosnia, Dalmatia, &c., from Austrian rule, but also their union with Serbia and Montenegro in one State. Where two branches of the race have already their monarchies, dynastic. problems are threatened. These are no direct concern of ours, nor are they the most serious difficulty here raised. The programme appears, especially from the second pamphlet, to be severely anti-Italian. Not Italy, but the new Jugo-Slav State, must have Fiume, Dalmatia, the islands of the Eastern Adriatic, and even Trieste, as inseparable homes of the people and vital points for their development. Of course these claims are not new, but at this moment we implore the influential Committee to remember that the overthrow of Austria and her allies is the predominant need of the Slays, and for the present the sole objective -of us all. If Italy helps to this end, she earns the everlasting gratitude of the Slays, and no other disappointment should ever make them unmindful of the gain. We do not believe that Italy will be grasping, and until the Central Empire% are defeated we will not listen to anything that condemns the past, present, or future action of our ally. From her we shall expect a generous sympathy with Jugo-Slav aspirations when victory is won, but not a moment sooner can we weigh, conflicting claims.
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