The Philippines. By Joseph Ralston Hayden. (Macmillan. 13s. 6d.)
IT is difficult, in a short review, to give an adequate account of this large and exhaustive book. Mr. Hayden deals with almost even- conceivable aspect of Philippine life, with the Constitution and Presidency which has peculiarly wide powers, with the legislative and local self-government, with schools, school administration and the Universities. He also discusses the questions of Church and State, and shows what an important bulwark of the nation the Catholic Church is. He tells of the Institute specially charged with the task of developing a national language, and the increase of literacy since the time of the Spaniards, when it was only about 20 per cent. He shows the difficulties in the way of progress in health and welfare matters, which are largely implicit in the Oriental fatalism of the remark, "It is my fate." Altogether this would make a useful book of reference for anyone embarking on a study of the islands. It is illustrated by maps and portraits of leading Philip- pine citizens.
Previous page
