26 MAY 1917

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On the Western front nothing startling has happened during the

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week, but everything has gone favourably. Bullecourt, which is wholly in our possession, has been defended against all attacks, The fortnight's hard fighting which won and...

We must put in a word of warning here to

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our own countrymen. Suppose it happens that a Government of Concentration arises in Hungary, under Count Bela Serenyi, or Count Zichy, very ready to throw the German Old Man of...

week. "Help me," he said, "to show that the Russian

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Army is not a demolished temple, but that it is strong and formidable, capable of defending the free Republic of democratic Russia." He went on to say that, though ho had never...

There could not be a more false or a more

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injurious represen- tation of the facts. Sympathy with the Russian Revolution here is universal, and what are foolishly called " Imperialistic " or annexationist demands are...

We have written elsewhere on the whole subject of the

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engineers' strike, which is now practically ended, and need say here only that the unofficial leaders of the strike failed to persuade the Government to receive their deputation...

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

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T HE situation in Russia, and a most interesting announcement of very significant political changes in Hungary, must take precedence in our thoughts this week over purely...

From a military point of view, the prospect of a

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new Russian offensive is one of the pivots of our hopes. Such an offensive coming at a time when the German Eastern front is weakened, when the ` '-beats show signs of failing,...

The Italians have advanced steadily if slowly in the extraordi-

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narily difficult country of the Isonzo. Nearly everywhere they look up from low positions to high positions, and the wooded country occupied by the Austrians screens gun...

The announcement that Count Tisza, the powerful Ilungariaq Prime Minister,

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has resigned proves that very searching and far-reaching reconstructive influences are at work in Austria- Hungary. Count Tisza has been the fugleman of Germany. His business...

THE PAPER SHORTAGE —We trust that readers of the "Spectator"

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will give definite orders to their newsagents for a copy of the " Spectator " to be reserved for them each week till countermanded.

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If we were - to have a Convention, lot us. go

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there without having laid down anything whatsoever. If we laid . it down that it was impossible to settle with the exclusion of. Ulster, Ulster people, when they came together,...

A further proof of the to-operation of the United States

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with the Allies at all points is forthcoming in the generous decision of the Washington Government to assume all .financial responsibility for the work of the Commission of...

Speaking for the Ulster Unionists, Sir John Lonsdale said it

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was his duty to state that they could not and would not be driven into a Home Rule Parliament, and , relied absolutely on the pledges given by the Prime Minister and his...

Mr. Lloyd George went on to state in the - most

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explicit terms that no party would be pledged beforehand to certain definite conclusions, and that no proposal from any side to better the government of Ireland could be shut...

In the House of Commons on Monday the Prime Minister,.

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before outlining the Government proposals for an Irish Con- vention to frame a Constitution,. attributed the failure of successive Ministries- to settle the Irish question to...

Mr. Redmond disclaimed all desire to, discuss the Government's specific

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proposal for an immediate settlement on the basis of ex- clusion. That had failed,-by the Prime Minister's Own admission. The.alteruative proposal was entirely different. For...

Mr. Asquith appealed to .Sir John Lonsdale and his colleagues

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not to disparage the Government's alternative proposal whea laying it before the Ulster Unionist Council s It offered. thaa. best. and it might be the only, chance of a...

Mr. Redmond went on to say that he 'agreed With

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the Prime Moister that -every class, creed, and interest should her represented: - County Councils, Corporations, Chambers of Commerce, Churebecii Irish Peers, Universities,...

It warms the heart to know that M. Ribot, at

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his advanced age. can speak with such fire, eloquence, generosity, and justice as he displayed in a memorable speech at the reopening of- the French Chamber on Tuesday. The...

The weekly return of losses from submarines, issued on Wednesday

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night, was satisfactory. The total of the arrivals and sailings of merchant vessels of all nationalities was higher than any yet sported. The number of British vessels over...

Mr. William O'Brien, while pronouncing partition to be dead-, and

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condemning its revival as an intolerable insult, welcomed the alternative scheme, which if it had been adopted six or seven. years ego would have almost certainly led to a happy...

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The Times of Saturday, May 12th, contains a letter signed

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by Mr. Howard Marshall, Civil Medical Officer to the Cirencester Voluntary Aid Hospital, which contains one of the most amazing allegations ever made in respect of a Public...

in last Saturday's papers the Admiralty announced that the British

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transport Cameronia,' with troops on board, had been torpedoed by an enemy submarine in the Eastern Mediterranean en April 15th, and that one military officer, one hundred and...

As we have said, we cannot but believe that Mr.

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Marshall has somehow or other got hold of a mare's-nest, but if the facts are as stated, then undoubtedly the matter should be sifted to tho bottom. The present writer knows of...

Readers of the Spectator will, we are sure, be delighted

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to hear that one of the members of the Spectator Experimental Company, now Captain Eric Santer (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry), has received the French croix de guerre....

Our comments last week on the half-hearted character of the

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attacks upon Zeebrugge, and the need for freeing us from the wasps by destroying the wasps' nests, have been made the occasion fcr a good many letters endorsing our views. The...

As regards naval action things are very different. The Navy

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bas, and has always had, though the Board of Admiralty has not ahvays recognized, or at any rate made use of, the fact, the power If initiative. This does not mean that all and...

We are next told that the War Office gave "

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restricted " instruc- tions to pay only "when asked, and the instructions should be confidential and not made known to hospitals." If then we under- stand Mr. Marshall's...

Finally comes the announcement that H.M.S. ' Dartmouth ' on

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her way home was struck by a torpedo from an enemy submarine, but happily not sunk. She returned to port with three men killed, one officer and four men missing and seven...

Mr. Marshall makes the further statement that not only has

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the existence of this right to payment been very generally con- cealed, but that, "further, payment was made contingent on signing a form of application binding the civilian...

During their held on the initiative the enemy have been

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most careful never to let us fight where we should endanger their grasp of the coast from . Nieuport to the Dutch frontier, That piece of coast-line they have always regarded,...

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Proclamation

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E' un being persuaded that the abstention from all - necessary consumption of grain will furnish the surest and most effectual means of defeating the deviees of Our enemies and...

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

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THE REFORM BILL IN PARLIAMENT. T HE newspapers and the speakers in the House of Com- mons have been complaining of the lassitude and lack of interest shown by members in the...

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THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

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T HE news that a small Expeditionary Force, amounting to about a division of Regular troops, is to come from the United States as soon as possible to fight in France has been...

THE IRISH CONVENTION. T HERE seems a reasonable hope that a

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Convention will meet and endeavour to solve the problem of Irish government. The Sinn Feiners, who must of course be present if the Convention is to be a reality and not a sham,...

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THE LABOUR UNREST.

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AST week we said that the cause of the engineers' strike J was at bottom the desire of men of military age in munitions works to preserve their privilege of exemption front...

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"PAINSTAKING."

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S ICKNESS, like sorrow, is a prison-house. Pain or misery conducts the sentenced man to tho cells. Outside is the lovely garden of convalescence, but only a faw of the prisoners...

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SOME AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL LETTERS BY "A STUDENT IN ARMS."—I.

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T HE following series of letters was addressed by "A Student in Arms" to Canon Cromer. They throw an interesting light on the development of Donald Hankey's mind, and on his...

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August 11, '15.

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Thank you very much indeed for your kind note. I am at present in hospital in France with a wounded leg—not serious, but tiresome. But I expect to be sent to some hospital in...

August 27, '15. I think I made you a promise

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to let you know how I was getting on. Well, I am still in bed; but I am to sit up on Sunday, and hope to be quite fit within a fortnight. Within a .month at latest I hope to be...

May 1, '15.

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Thank you very much for your very kind letter. I am probably now on my last week-end before going to the front, and I am much afraid that in any case the claims of one's...

September 25, '15.

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It goes without saying that I accept your offer of your friendship most gratefully; but I wonder if you realize what an unpractical dreamer you have taken on! I am afraid I am a...

October 1, '15. Thanks very much for your letter. I

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have ordered a Modern Churchman, but it hasn't arrived yet. Broken Hill is a mining town in Australia, and a hotbed of Labour polities. I have a number of friends there among...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

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[Letters of the length of one of our leading paragraphs are often more read, and therefore more effective, than those which fill treble the space.] AMERICA AND IRELAND. (To...

(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") SIR,—I have read

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with much interest your article in the issue of May 12th entitled "America and Ireland," and I have no doubt that it will exercise a beneficial influence on the minds of your...

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ULSTER AND HER CRITICS. [To THE EDITOR or THE "SPECTATOR.")

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FIR; " The toad beneath the harrow knows Exactly where each tooth-point goes; The butterfly upon the road Preaches contentment to that toad." The comments a the toad on the...

A SIGNIFICANT MEMORY.

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(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECIATOrt.") Sus,—The enclosed letter may at this time be of interest to your readers. The writer under date, Boston, Mass., April 24th, 1917, says that...

A VOICE FROM THE UNITED STATES.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.") Sin,—I have just read the words of Ambassador Gerard, detail- ing the sights he saw with his own eyes in the land of Kultur, and I thank God...

MR. RUNCIMAN'S APOLOGIST.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.") SIR,—It is somewhat curious that the champion's letter of the 19th should have appeared in your columns, while it has not been sent to the...

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FOOD SUPPLY.

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(To ma 11D/TOR OF sue " SPEOUTOR."1 .Suk,—In the latter part of your last article on this subject you state that it would be wrong for the Food Controller to interfere. with...

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY.

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(To MI EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR."1 Sia,—May I call the attention of your readers to a debate that I initiated recently in the House of Lords on the question of the increase of...

BEER AS FOOD.

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ITo THE EDITOR Or TEL " SPECTATOR -"I Sut,—I enclose a cutting of a report of a speech made by Mr. Kennedy Jones, M.P. I think your paper should publish that portion relating to...

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HORSE-RACING AND HORSE-BREEDING.

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[TO THE EDITOR. or THE " SPECTATOR."] :.iii,—At the present time when the public has largely lost faith in authorities and precepts, and desires to know the truth of many...

CAPTURED GERMAN GUNS.

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(To vas EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") SIR,—In your issue of May 5th, in an article entitled "The Prime Minister's Survey," the Prime Minister is reported to have stated at the...

VEGETABLE CULTURE.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] r111,—Seeing in your recent issues certain books and manuals upon the subject of vegetable culture recommended, I venture to call your...

NELSON AND REPRISALS.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") takes a long time nowadays for one's . Spectator to reach 'Western Queensland, and I have only lately read your issue of December 23rd last...

SHIPPING LOSSES IN WAR.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The recent reorganization of the Admiralty is in itself a striking proof of the advantage of going to history for instruction when your...

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" MAUD " AND THE WAR.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] Sta,—I am wondering if any one besides myself has noticed how appropriate are the closing lines of Tennyson's " Maud" to the present war. I...

B 0 0 K S.

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"A STUDENT IN ARMS." Arn lovers of "A Student in Arms" and his work, now to be counted in thousands and to be found wherever the English language is spoken, will be delighted...

POETRY.

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THE CHILDREN'S WAR. Tufa is the Children's War : because The victory's to the young and clean ! 'Up to the Dragon's ravening jaws March dear Eighteen and Seventeen. Fresh from...

DEW PONDS.

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[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR:] Sits—Your correspondent asks about these interesting and useful ponds, the traditional methods of whose making have been handed down from at...

[*** The Rev. 11. K. Carnation, The Rectory, Crafers, South

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Australia, Wishes to thank the unknown friend who sends him the Spectator; - nxid to say that he thoroughly enjoys the privilege of receiving it. Will the sender kindly note the...

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THE NEW PACIFIC.* Poranos can hardly be anything but romantic

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among the islands of the Southern Pacific. Questions of labour and national allegiance are insepetable from the position of the islands—scattered by Nature like epochs of dust...

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FATHER STANTON.* As a remarkable and inspiring preacher and a

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militant Churchman, the late Father Stanton was well known in his lifetime ; the scenes at his funeral—" perhaps the most wonderful ever accorded to an English priest "—were an...

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OUR COUSINS AND ALLIES.*

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ONLY a few weeks ago, not only France and Britain, but many generous and ardent minds in the United States were frankly puzzled and alarmed by President Wilson's scrupulous...

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READABLE NOVELS.—A Marriage has been Arranged. By R. S. Maenamera.

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(Edward Arnold 62.)—It is an enormous pity for every one concerned that the marriage of the title was ever arranged at all. Disaster followed it, and the war provided the only...

The Evolution of Coinage. By George Macdonald. (Cambridge University Press.

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la 3d. not.)—This new "Cambridge Manual" is a brilliant little essay on a large and fascinating subject, which begins in Western Asia long before the days of Croeaus, and in...

FICTION.

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THIS IS THE END.* Miss BENSON pursues her wayward, .witty,, unconventional course with unabated energy, gusto, and disregard for the plain person in her new fantasy. Not many...

Amateur Circus Life. By Ernest Balch. (Macmillan and Co. Cs.

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64. net.)—The merits of tumbling as a form of physical training for boys and girls are lucidly explained, with the help of photo- graphs, by the author, who has been succeasful...

Canada the Spellbinder. By Lilian Whiting. (J. M. Dent and

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Sons. 62. net.)—This pleasant book on the great Dominion gives a traveller's impressions of the charm and vigour of the Canadian cities from old Quebec to Prince Rupert, the...

President Wilson's great speech to Congress on April 2nd, advising

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war against Germany, has been reprinted on stout paper with a portrait, on behalf of the British Committee for the Cele- bration of the Centenary of Peace between Great Britain...

SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.

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[Notice in this column does not neeccsarily preclude subsoluent review.) Spanish Reader of Smith American History. By E. W. Supple. (Macmillan and Co. 4s. 64. net.)—This is a...

Sometimes Think. By Stephen Paget. (Macmillan and Co. 5s. net.)—These

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delightful "essays for the young people" are full of good some and • good. humour. Mr. Paget discourees on such topics as " Handwritings," "Moving Pictures," "London Prido "- a...

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Letters of Richard Watson Gilder. Edited by his Daughter. (Constable

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and Co. 14s. not..)—The late R. W. Gilder wad one of the best known and most popular literary men in America, and had many good friends in England. Ho edited the Century...

We have received a copy of the May edition of

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the Royal Blue Book Court Guide (Kelly's Directories, tis. net). Following the usual custom, in this edition the names of persons occupying houses temporarily are printed in...

Who Can Be Happy and Free in Russia ? By

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Nicholas Nelnassov. Translated by Juliet M. Soskice. (H. Milford. Is. 3d. net.)—It was a happy idea to add to the "World's Classics" Nekrassov's spirited and touching epic of...

Artists and authors have combined once again, under the editor-

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ship of Mrs. W. Hugh Spottiswoodo, to make Printers' Pie an amusing miscellany. It is published at a shilling, and the profits go to the Printers' Pension Corporation, the...

Messrs. Hutchinson have begun to issue in fortnightly parts (Sbd.

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each net) a new work oh The Splendour of France, with very numerous photographs. The first part contains some interesting views of tho Roman amphitheatre at Orange, of...