CURRENT LITERATURE.
CLEAR THINKING.
Clear Thinking ; or, An Englishman's Creed. By L. Cecil Smith. (Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons. 38. 6d. net.)—The first title of Mr. Cecil Smith's book suggests a claim to impar- tiality and coolness which its pages hardly support. Indeed, the author's statement of his creed is definitely and consistently polemic throughout, and will be more effective in supplying powder and shot to his friends than in converting his enemies. The volume contains a brief, though forcible, exposition of the author's views on the more important political questions which are agitating the world of thought to-day. With these views most readers of the Spectator will find themselves in general agreement. Mr. Smith writes as a strong Imperialist, animated by a hearty dislike of sentiment and political catch- words, and of the " humanitarian " and " pacificist" point of view. This attitude leads him now and then to statements which appear to show a lack of idealism. But he has none the less very definite political ideals, the guiding spirit of which is a strong and convinced Imperialism!. As for prac- tical realization, his programme includes a well-reasoned scheme of Federation; peasant proprietorship aided by a
moderate tariff, State Agricultural Banks, and even (where necessary) the fixing of a minimum wage ; Co-operation ; reform of education leading towards a substitution of tech- nical teaching for literary in the programme of the public elementary school; National Service ; and many other most desirable ameliorations of our system.
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