Evening Star Newspaper, September 29, 1929, Page 46

Soviet Makes Entering More Easy for Visitor in Hope of Building Prestige of Nation as Well BY WILLIAM RUFUS SCOTT. Travel in Soviet Russia has been made less difficult than in former years, be- cause the government now actively en- courages tourist trafic where formerly it was barred. Hence various defi- clencies and perils attending a visit to Russia either have been overcome or largely reduced. In other words, having decided to seek tourists, Russia is doing what France or any other Continental nation s doing—trying to provide facilities that will make tourists comfortable, al- though Russia is considerably behind the remainder of Europe in this under- taking, - Outside of the large Russian cities, the hotel and other travel accommoda tions still need much improvement. ‘The fastidious traveler might hesitate before going through Russia, but the traveler capable of taking things as they come and who is not oversensitive will flnd conditions better than he ex- pected. John D. Rockefeller, 3d, visited Russia in August, with other rich foreigners. By the time of next year's tourist in- vasion, the season running from May to September (except for those going specifically on business), there doubt- less will be further improvements in| travel facilities and arrangements. The points of most interest to visitors now are fairly well charted, and lessons were Jearned from this year's business. Aware of U. S. Tourists’ Part. ‘The Soviet is fully aware of the great | part American tourists have plaved in | the financial rehabilitation of Central Europe since the World War. ‘The United States Department of Commerce estimated that Americans would spend in France alone during 1929 $240,000,000, or more than all the allied nations would pay in the year on ‘war debts to the United States. Soviet leaders now want to turn some of this stream of American gold to Russia. ‘Why they are willing to admit tour- ists with comparative freedom now has back of it an important explanation. ‘They believe the Soviet regime is suffi- clently strong to stand the scrutiny of tourists. They believe. further, that the Socialist state can stand the reports ‘which tourists take back to America and other capitalist nations. Where cameras formerly were rigid- ly supervised in Russia, the Amer- ican tourists of 1929 went about freely, taking pictures as they pleased. One group of American students in Rus- sia in July, 1920, had a moving picture outfit, and found no restraint upon its use. Why? The explanation seems to be that the Soviet government believes that everything uncomplimentary to Russia has been photographed so much already that nothing is left to depict that will do much harm to outside opinion. Trying to Sell Nation. Moreover, the Soviet lea seem to believe that most Americans will return home feeling better about Russia than they did upon arrival, even if they are not converted to the Socialistic view- point. This is what advertising experts call “selling” a country. With Russia assumed to be fairly stable, the Soviet government is undertaking to sell it to the world by opening the doors and ad- mitting the worl ‘There remain certain formalities for entering Russia more difficult than those encountered elsewhere. The indi- vidual traveler must get permission from the foreign office in Moscow, since no consular officer of Russia is authorized ,to grant a visa on his own initiative. ‘The procedure is to apply for a visa tfther direct by mail to Moscow or tirough a Russian consul. Moscow #then will write or wire favorably or ‘unifavorably. Most visitors to Russia so far have gone in groups or parties, and their visas were obtained by the travel or- ganization sponsoring the tours. These organizations, of which several now are in the fleld, have established relations with the Soviet government, so that their applications for visas get special consideration and applicants seldom are refused admission Russia. Some steamship lines alto are conducting tours to Russia and attend to the visa Tequirements. As there are no Russian consuls in the United States, applicants for visas must write directly to Moscow or apply through a travel organization specialie- ing in Russian trips. For the first visit to Russia of the average traveler it is found by experience that going in a group is preferable, though the smaller the group the better. Perhaps the chief obstacle to touring there is the lan- guage. They do not use the same alphabet that we, or Europe generally, use. Thus reading street llfn! or seek- ing guidance from other written matter is more difficult than in Spain, France | or some other country for the person having no linguistic attainments. Interpreters From Government. ‘The State Travel Bureau in Russia, which is & government _institution (theze being no American Express, Z or similar private travel agen- cig 4 supplies guide-interpreters, both men and women, who speak excellent English and who have been schooled in the art of imparting information about Ruasian history, the present Soviet re- gime and its activities in education, art, industry, culture and through the whole range of Socialist activitics. is is an appropriate place to state that the “they won't let you see any- mmumy don't want you to see” policy has been abandoned in Russia, judging by 1929 experiences. If Americans had any restraints upon their curiosity, they were not apparent. Naturally visitors cannot poke around forts, munition fac- tories, military and naval reservations, and the like, any more than they may in the United States. But the idea that police or secret officers are watching one’s every move and will ppunce upon the traveler at unexpected moments can be dismissed. The traveler who might have come to Russia with ulterior motives—that is to say, who tries to get into touch with Russians suspected of counter-revolu- tionary aims, or who are otherwise un- der suspicion of the Soviet authorities— no doubt soon would be spotted. at is said here of travel in Russia, how- ever, refers to the normal tourist who merely wants to see and learn all he can about a strikingly new ern- mental and social order, and who has neither secret mor open intentions of |. Interfering in the Liternal affairs of the At border the customs and other | or is full ripe in the fleld, and if rains | regulations are surprisingly easy. The are interested in any books fl“umm of an anti-Communist nature | sions of tne have, and it is_(or | ki that a traveler m ‘was) required that travelers state how much money in any form they are ing in, the statement to be com- on from Russia with the mon en out. amount of clothing or other articles in the than was expected, because the trains are fairly clean, run tast, and are fur- nished comfortsbly. The custom in Russia of mixing the sexes on sleeping ears sometimes upsets travelers, A woman may find herself in a sleeping compartment with three men, or three women with one man, or any other distribution of the four berths, .as Bankroll experiences were reported in 1929. ‘Where there is a party of tourists they usually can arrange to share compart- ments. The custom of mlxln's‘the sexes ar;cln-ud, however, before the revolu- n. The influx of visitors to Russia is limited by hotel accommodations. A careful scheduling of arriving visitors in 1929 enabled the Russian hotels to care for approximately 4,000 visitors over the season. In Leningrad there was only one hotel satisfactory to for- eigners. In Moscow there are three or four that will do, but only one or two which are sought after. In the other clties the accommodations are more lim- ited and considerably inferior to the standards in the two chief centers. As there is 50 much elemental misin- formation about Russia, it may be use- ful to record that the tourist hotels have electric lights, elevators, baths, clean linen on the beds and in the dining rooms, and similar furnishings found in ,ood, though not exclusive, hotels. The food is generally satisfactory, and the service was manifestly founded on & desire to please. Tipping is and is not done. The tendency observed in 1929 was of a growth in the inclination to accept gratuities. Some Russian hotels and other employes catering to travel- ers will refuse tips. If one orders a la carte without regard to cost, some sur- prisingly good food may be had. ‘Taxicabs and pleasure cars are avail- able, some of ancient vintage and some up to date. ‘Ihe charges here, as gen- erally in Russia, are higher than in the remainder of Europe. Street cars are used freely by tourists, despite the crowded traffic thereon, but in moving about the guide nearly always is present to pay fares and meet other situations where ignorance of the language and customs might cause difficulties. The people everywhere were friendly, espe- cially on learning that the tolrists were “Americansky.” Often they asked ques- tions through the guide about America. ‘The Russian women showed especial in- terest in the clothes of the American women. Leningrad Is Depressing. In Leningrad the surface impressions are more depressing than in Moscow. Residents in the former city are dressed with less variety and poorer quality generally than in Moscow. The shop windows are barer and the general at- mosphere one of less activity, but even in Leningrad signs of a revival were seen in the repairing of streets, laying of sewers and restoration of buildings neglected for years, while some new construction was noted. Leningrad is slowly shaking off the description of be- g the “dead capital of a dead nation named after a dead man.” ‘The things which the Soviet govern- ment wants a tourist to see are, after all, exactly the things which a tourist wants to see. Czars' palaces, art and historical museums, parks of culture and rest, workers’ vacation homes, mother and child clinics, old churches, marriage and divorce registration bu- reaus, new apartment buildings, schools, model factories, prisons using reforma- }oghhutnd of punitive methods, and so orth. ‘The wise tourist, however, does not | draw too sweeping deductions from these exhibitions, Vrcause often they are just tendencies v~ her than the acti complishmer % throughout Russii all prisons W's model prisons, and not all sections @7 Russia have model fac- tories and stivools. | There is no ostentatious display of soldiery in Russi The fact is that fewer soldiers e seen by American | tourists than would be seen in Italy,| Poland, Spain or any other of the coun- tries having dictatorships. One likely explanation is that in czarist days the soldiers were freely moved about to im-| press the people with the power of the | government. The sweep of Cossack cavalry through the streets was a bitter memory of revolutionary Russians. So when they seized power in 1917 they| Proceeded to use power just as ruth-; essly as was necessary to crush all opposition, and now that they feel se- cure they keep the soldiery in the back- ground in contrast with czarist practice. Nevertheless, the Soviet government has the power, and still uses it with the utmost vigor when occasion demands. On anniversaries of revolutionary events or for other special reasons the red army gives great public parades. Both fovtmmem and people believe the army s equal to the best. Older People Go to Church. Churches were open and services were fairly well attended, though mainly by older people. The government continues | | vigorously its campaign against religion by propaganda and by strict regulation of religious groups, but does not forbid ect from holding serv- ite ald has been with- of the low economic level of the country, the churches, de- pending upon private gifts, pear in financial distress. Edifices cannot be repaired or maintained as well as the religious element would like. In the schools and in many other ways the children are instructed in the collective ideas of Communism and en- couraged to abandon all belief in re- ligion. ‘This frequently means difficult situations in home life when parents still cling to religious concepts. The child may have Lenin’s picture in his room while the purents retain icons on the wall. It does not follow that the Soviet leaders are trying to substitute Lenin for ieons in a worshipful sence. They do not want to make a saint of Lenin and thereby get a new ecclesiasticism in place of the old ecclesiasticism, but they do want to exchange the fervor of religion for the secular zeal exemplified in an ardent admiration of Lenin and his ideas of social welfare. ‘The Volga River trip is a decidedly worth-while use of time in Russi Steamers are spacious and the food and rooms agreeable. From the deck, how- ever, there is no intimate observation of Russian village life, since ordinarily | ! the river is from one-half to a mile and one-half wide, with high banks on ide and low banks on the other, the latter being covered with water in the high stages of the river. Villages or | variety in the small individual Any excessive | every seen occasionally, is better | ment finds the small American woman | ol can be seen best if the traveler, after the river trip, takes a train back to Moscow of from 24 to 35 hours, mc- cording to the length of the river excursion. Rural Life Is Attractive. In July Russian rural Jife is attractive the eye, Wheat is being harvested have been normal there is a pleasing ts, laid out som THE SUNDAY STAR. WASHINGTON, D. €., SEPTEMBER 29, 1920—PART 2. strawberries and fruits being sold on the streets, and of men and women lounging around in open spaces taking sun baths gave one much the feeling of b’;l‘nl in an American city in Summer- time. ‘The fact that most Russian men now- adays are smooth shaven (at least in the cities and in the Summer) was an- other surprise for tourists. Even the peasant young men are not so much addicted to whiskers, while many men have their hair cropped close during the warmer months. Many go to Russia with specific lines of investigation in mind, such as the theater, art or aschools, cultural and economic institutions generally. The traveler who goes intending to see any- thing and everyshing will get the richest reward. Because the Communists burned all bridges behind them, there is some- | thing new wherever one turns, some- thing challenging tb one's convictions, prejudices, training and emotions. How one reacts to the arresting ideas is one's own business. It has been stated that Soviet leaders want tourists because they feel Russia is ready to accommodate them and be- cause of the financial benefit. ‘Tourlsts mean much more than stimulation to hotels and rallroads. There is hardly a line of business in a country which does not profit by tourist expenditures, even while hotels get the major share. ! ‘Tourists buy souvenirs in many forms to take home, and that helps business. The baggage of Americans leaving Russia proves it, The same is true of Ameri- cans leaving France or any other country. ‘The question suggests itself, what will be the effect on Russia of a real tourist invasion, such as now seems to be set- ting In? WIll the sight of so many prosperous persons from capitalistic na- tions cause Communist Russians to think longingly of corresponding com- forts and luxurles? The tourists are visible proof that capitalism does turn out infinitely more prosperous citizens than Communism so far has been able to_produce. The question is answered by the Com- munists with the assertion that Russia, too, in time will turn out more pros- perous citizens, though possibly never up to the individualistic level of the United States, because Russia c¢oes not allow individual forging ahead. The aim is to lift the whole mass of the prosperity out over the whole mass, in- stead of having a particular class nota- bly prosperous. Americans Grow Enthusiastic. Soviet leaders have apparently weighed all the arguments fer and against tourism, and have decided in favor of cultivating it for Russia. They undoubtedly look for a leavening of thought in America and elsewhere by returning tourists, who are expected to report substantially that Russia is “not as bad as painted.” That much of a negative compliment would be consid- ered in Moscow as an advance over a general ignorance of Russia based on lack of actual contacts and on written reports sometimes unfair to Russia. It was observed that the psycho- logical effect on American thnn in Russia in 1929 was virtually as outlined. By finding Russia better than it was expected to be the Americans grew people simultaneously and to spread B somewhat enthusiastic, even though conditions were such as they would not | want to endure themselves as bona fide | residents of Russia. ‘The tourist nat- urally gets a creamy view of Russia. Statesmen in all countries might as well begin taking into consideration the effect that seeing Russia at first hand will have on the nationals of their re- spective countries. On the other hand. Soviet leaders may in time see reactions within Russia from such contacts un- Iike those they have anticipated. . Anti-Fascist Letter Writer Sent to Jail Another stiff decision in the name of patriotism stands to the credit of the special Fascist tribunal, special organ of justice maintained by the Pascist regime for handling special cases involving acts and utterances against the government. Arnaldo Guerini, a minor employe, found him- self out of work some months ago and in order to express his discomfiture sat down and wrote a long letter to a friend in Paris, bitterly criticizing the unem- ployment situation. In order to avold government censorship he intrusted the ter to a sailor, Gilberto Mazzotti, who was to have mailed it at a French port. In some manner the authorities got wind of what was going on and took both men Into custody, later presenting them at the special tribunal for sen- tence. There it was brought out that Guerini had made “false and defama- tory remarks about Italy” and that he had indicated the existence of “a great crisis in agriculture, industry and gom- merce and of excessive unemployment.” Attorneys for the state asked a sentence of five years for each man, but the court was inclined to be more lenient, giving the writer of the letter only four years and eight months in jail and the sailor three years and four months, Shanghai Business Men Fear Mission Considerable disturbance to business Is seen In the offing by business.men in the announcement t) committee lmmm::‘t al commerc! organizations area of Shanghal. It is pointed out the government has never been 1l in regulating business inter- past local administrations looked upon such interests as their imate prey for exorbitant taxes, A flurry was created some months when it was announced that the m istry of finance intended to redefine and redistribute the powers of local cham- bers of commerce. This was later de- nied, but this new move for the amal- r.-muon of commercial organizations seen as the same threat, but in & different guise, The first action of the government’s committee has been to take over the administration of the Nauntao Chamber of Commerce. Nantao is a section of the Chinese city on the berder of the international settlement. Uniform Factory Diet patchwork quilt. Some are as the countryside of brick made or refuse for use in could be noticed in fl.lwe. already is widely known that Rus- ts do not live on their farms, and 1 there go. it o I deriary. - Siacks baked sun| yard the Winter as fuel It of ts & problem in the use of trac- rs, since property lines are so close together. l&wfi". this problem is be- ing tackled and in some degree is being ved, ‘Tourists will be well advised to take to Russia clothes for and cool weather. In Jul were days Successful in Japan Introduction of & standardized diet -mng‘ residents of a factory dormi- wsl Ehime %-umn has proved such a success that it is likely that the plan will be l‘no in a large ble A woman operatives being obl to live in the dormitories, was tha re was too much rice and not h_other . The introduction diet was found to neficial as well' as mal n{ for a at ing in tie smount of ®worl By this MAJ. C. P. GROSS, In charge of the preliminary survey for the proposed N _(Contimypd from First Page.) valley from the mouth of the Espinol to lock No. 5, which is 9.09 miles from Lake Nicaragua, is narrow and crooked, with hills on either side ranging from 150 feet upward in height, the route at this point being through several spurs with rather deep, but short, cuts. From the fifth to the th lock, 2.04 miles, the Rio Grande gorge gradual widens, opening into the so-called Tol asin. In the 1.83 miles to lock No. 7 the route crosses the bed of the Rio Grande several times. The distance from the seventh to the eighth lock is 2.43 miles, | N with conditions practically the same as in the preceding section. The eighth lock connects with tidewater, “is lo: cated in a projecting spur and will h: a rock foundation. Its Iift will with the tide from 28.5 feet at mean low water to 20.5 feet at mean high water.” From lock No. 8 to the outer part of Brito Harbor the distance is 1.15 miles, History of Project. ‘Though this is the first time in about 28 years that activity has been renewed with & view to carrying through the Nicaraguan Canal project, the plan was launched many years before 1901. ‘The project first came to official no- tice in Andrew Jackson's time. The first actual survey of a probable route was made by Col. Childs in 1850-52 and has formed the basis for all subse- quent ones. Nothing came of this study, though the Navy Department became interested In it, with the result that Comdr. Lull made a survey of the route in 1872-73. After various surve: Fed ect in 1885. In the same year an engi- Lobbyists (Continued From First Page) __ solely with regard to earthquakes, to: nadoes and tidal waves, and perhaps a | few other events of a character which man's intelligence has not yet learned | to influence. Ordinary events, and es- pecially events of the sort that we de- scribe as “public affairs”—such events rarely “happen,” or—to use another word whose use ought to be limited— rarely “occur.” ‘When a historian uses the phrase “it happened that,” the truth is he does not know what did happen—that is, he may know the outcome, but he does not know the mechanism that brought it about, the steps that led up to it. What I have sald with clumsiness and circumlocution was onee put into an epigram by a most brilliant practitioner of the art which he epitomized. It was ‘Will Hays who sald, “Things don't hap- pen; they are brought about.” Mr. Hays was, and is, himself one of the most effective “bringers about” in the contemporary world. To a very large degree he “brought about” the sup- planting of the Democratic majority in the Lower House of Congress in 1918. To a considerable degree he brought about the big majority Harding got in the presidential race of 1920. ‘We can illustrate by a sequence of three events or conditions with which Mr. Hays was associated. About the year 1921 there was widespread demand from churches and nlnplren for State or municipal censorship of motion pic- tures. The motion picture people e ployed Mr. Hays, then Postmaster Gen- eral, to be what was sometimes called the “mevie czar.” Presently there was less demand for motion picture censor- ship. 1: the first of these conditions, the demand for censorship did not spring up ntaneously as the “will of the people.” There Is no such thing as Swill of the in the sense of a pecple ‘spontaneous force intelligently directed. ‘What happened, undoubtedly, was that many persons were shocked by the early motion pictures. Some of those persons devoted themselves to bringing about censorship. Those s, by that act,” were ingers ut.”” The fact that & man's purpose is not per- sonal profit does not alfer the fact that he is proj ndist or lobbyist if he is e“fi'"d bringing about statutory action by Congress or Legislature. A considerable portion - of the lobbylsts and nmpcd l:lndlltl in Wuhlnajtfin .l;f en| i3 ui les common| o mflu‘e‘fi to_be lguzo:le. for motives that :;eh amfl:lh. ‘There 4'13 1; m'lny'ln:; and propagan: n favo naval lkmuaan as there are Shearers or others against it. Paved Roads’ Appearance. Let us turn to one of the most famil- far of present-day phenomena and con- sider how it was col or W] ive. m" paved rosds have ‘W '&m- lly everywhere in the United States. In 1909 there were ly no paved . 'Today there are tens of thou- sands of miles, Now how did that “come about"? More accurately, how were good roads “brought about”? The ave man does not know. His 8oes informal no farther than what he has seen. On a certain day gangs of men & with steam-shovels and concrete-mix- ers—and presently there was & paved Nicaraguan Canal Project neer named Menocal, who had been a civilian assistant to Lull, made another survey. ‘The Ludlow commission surveyed the course in 1895 and following a year of study declared it a worthy project, but suggested further study. Then came the first Walker board, including Admiral Walker, Col. Haines and Prof. Haupt. | They first recommended it in 1898. Im- | mediately thereafter a larger commis- sion, headed by Admiral Walker, was created to survey the entire isthmus and select the best route. This com- mission made a thorough study in 1899-1901 and reported favorabiy to the | i uan project. Panama Route Chosen. About this time the Panama Canal Co.. a French organization, which had | acquired the rights of the original Prench company to a route across Pan- ama, began dickering with the United | States, offering to sell these rights for $109,000,000. ‘The estimated cost to build the canal | was $144,000,000, in addition to the French company's price for its rights. The estimated cost at the same time to construct the Nicaraguan Canal was | | 189,864,062, and a recommendation fa- vorable to the latter project went through the House. The French company got busy and| so lowered its price for its rights that' the total cost to build the Panama | | Canal then estimated to approxi- mate closely the estimate for the Nica- | raguan route. ‘Then the commission | recommended the Panama Canal proj- ect and it went through. Since 1901 several treaties have been made in conjunction with the Nicara- guan Canal project. (Copyright, 1929. by North American News- | paper Alliance.) in Capital tion by the Legislature, & bond issue | | and taxation. | Who brought that about? In the course of preparing a history of “Our ‘Tim¢ I felt it a duty to include the history of the building of good roads in America. Among the material gath- ered I have a letter from a pioneer of | road building in the United States. His letter begins (I condense and para-| | phrase it somewhat): “In 1901 I was elected president of |& roadmaking machinery company. | From that date until 1909 I established and carried out the policy of absorp- tion of competitors. In 1901 the total volume of roadmaking machinery busi- ness was a few hundred thousand dol- lars. By 1909 our companies were what Bryan used to call a ‘trust.” Having the direct responsibility of pushing forward of these com| fes, I began to do some real thlnkmr. My thoughts took the form of realizing that whatever roads were built in the United States they were going to be paid for by the people. The problem, therefore, seemed to be a simple one of getting the people of the United States interested in road- building. If they were interested they would tax tifemselves to build them. If they did this our companies would get their share of the business. So it came down to a question of how to get the flflnh of the United States interested in roadbuilding. I became a director in the American Roadbuilders’ Associa- tion. I thought that bringing the manufacturers and highway builders together into such an organization would be an important factor in help- ing to gain public interest, as well as be beneficial to the industry itself.” Good Roads Innovation. The good roads that have spread throughout the United States are com- monly econsidered to be a laudable in- novation, But it was private interest, profit-making interest—the interest of manufacturers of roadmaking ma- chinery that started the movement— Joined later b{ cement manufacturers and automobile manufacturers and others. And their method of operation was largely propsganda and lobbying. Just @ few weeks ago there was started in a Southern State a move- ment for a bond issue to bulld improved roads. Surely the people of that State that movement did " In any event, pres- joint_committee for highway bonds." Presently there was a “oampalgn manager.” Presently the campaign manager wrote a letter, des- tined to be embarrassing, in which he set forth the need for money what “is to be known as the legislative fund . . . the funds to come from the material men, contractors, bonding and insurance companies and machinery people. This fund is to cover the legislative expenses nside of the o n to ¢l A% wnurg: with the individual and to report to the general to the several the two houses. We have selected excellent, well trained and ) Muzlnninwmvcluve c‘t’:'moh confidence to handle this work.” History ought to (but rarely does) tell how things come about. Things commonly come about 'betmuu wwmeu rson . or wan! m E‘mu;ht mm are willing to pay money to have them brought about. That simple formula describes more of the mechanism behind events than any | ently there was a 1 IDA GILBERT MYERS. THEY STOOPED TO FOLLY; A Comedy of Morals. By Ellen Glas- w, author of “The Romantic 'omedians,” etc. New York: Dou- bleday, Doran & Co. RONIC twins. Prodigies in their line at that. Beautifully fit, there- fore, that one of these dedicate & fresh literary triumph to the other. 8o, in the proper place for this plous ritual, Ellen Glasgow writers: “Ta James Branch Cabell,” with a bow toward “Something About Eve” and a smiling murmur, “this book that com- memorates the chivalry of men.” “They Stooped to Folly” is bent to the business cf showing that morals, like everything else, take on new aspects in changed general conditions, “Morals are not what they used to be,” in & word. To give concrete value to the thesis Miss Glasgow makes use of three generations of gentle folks bred to the Virginia tradition of honorable living. First, there is “poor sister Agatha,” housed for 50 years and now no more than a ghost, for the reason that on a night of Juns and moon and man so long ago Sister Agatha stooped to folly, irremediable. For the neighborly entleman already possessed a home, & lovely wife and children, several shades of children. 1In the next generation appears pretty Amy Dalrymple, a local siren, who achieved two husbands—I think it was two—and several near- husbands—I'm sure it was several. But Amy is of the clan, you know. so much has to be condoned. The next one, the girl of the present, is Milly Burden. who, gallant, stands by her “folly." claiming the right to steer her own little craft through the stormy waters of simply being alive. Milly, of the three, forces something of respect, maybe envy—yet each of her own day. Around these three is the Vir- ginia community to which they belong. You will find here the perfect wife, in which this locality specializes. Perfec- tion, however, is the most wielrln‘l of domestic commodities, the husband half admits as his eye roves over to the back porch of genial Amy Dalrymple, seated in a screen of inviting greenery. And here, too, is ths perfect daughter, Mary Victoria, who did marvels over across in war time, winning mentions and medals and things. Incidentally, Mary Victoria kidnaped a young man and brought him home, a husband to help out of his shell-shock, or whatever it was that ailed Martin. And Martin ran away, crying like a child “for loneliness,” for escape from the house- hold aura of perfection. Such, most sketchily, is the story itself. Its implications, however, are away beyond naming, as its manner also is far and away past describing, Savage as an iron bludgeon in the hand of a cave man _down at the bottom is that manner. But in the hand of this surpassing- ironist it becomes fine steel that darts and pierces and slithers to new points. It is the deadly flash of lightning that shivers a_great tree or strikes down a human. Wi, irresistible, | in’te diving into human life and coming out with a shred of the human soul, un- trate. To read the bool tinuous adventure in exploration, in discovery, in acceptance and in sheer amazement over the power of this woman to discern, to gather, to project in the colors and essence of life itself. 1 said at the second e, “I must write this down,” but it can’t be done. For every page is a revelation, an experi- ence, an acknowledgment to this Vir- ginia writer, who is possessed of the spirit of comedy in its true power to set out manmade conventions by way of an ironic wit bent to human char- acterization, appraisal, judgment. In a quite innocent seeming it is Daniel brought to judgment by way of this brilliant achievement that so politely promises to ‘“‘commemorate the chivalry of men.” Beyond price, this! ¥k x % ALTAI-HIMALAY. A Travel Diary. Illustrated with _ paintings. By Nicholas Roerich. New York: Fred- erick A. Stokes Co. ERE is a book that is unusual in its source, its method, its quality. A book of uncommon distinction calcu- lated to be welcomed warmly be ar- tists, by writers, by all those who are in pumsuit of the undercurrents of life, in ‘quest of the common meaning of existence wherever men have lived, and thought -deeply, and experienced pro- foundly. “Altai-Himalaya™ is the story of a mission, of a seeker after truth. In form it is a diary, gathered here and there, bit by bit, much as Nicholas Roerich, the artist, sketched on scraj of paper this view or that one to ser as motive of later expanded paintings. In the case of the book, however, the notes as l.lu( were gathered become the book, ch by such a plan offers @ vital moving picture of Asia, particu: larly of the Himalayan region. An in troduction to this unique travel book by Claude Bragdon gives an apprecia- tion of the personality and artistry of Nicholas Roerich. Of this book, Mr. Bragdon says, “it was written ‘in the saddle’ more literally than figurative- iy esses, therefore, vividness, immediacy, authenticity, “giving the reader a sense of actual participation, giving him also intimate glimpses of the workings of the author’s mind in the presence of sublime scenery, new hu- man types, strange manners and cus- toms” Further along, Mr. Bra sketches the life and artistic ve- ments of the author of “Altai-Hima- laya.” “In the history of the fine arts certain individuals have appeared from time to time whose work has a unique, profound and, indeed, & mystical qual- ity.” Such were Leonardo, Rembrandt, Durer. Such Balzac, Beethoven and Rodin, whose work “shows flashes of daemonic and eerie beauty, which is the sign whereby they may be identified as belonging to a mythical mystic brother~ hood.” Of these is Nicholas ch. “For 35 vears Roerich has been going up and down the world—Europe, Amer- jca, Asia—absorbing the auras of diverse people, making pilgrimages to remote places, and always and every- where scattering wisdom, planting seeds of beauty, some of which have sprung up, flowered and scattered seeds of their own.” Merely a touch of quotation, this. to indicate the distinction of the book in hand, to indicate, also, the promise that it holds out for the ariist, for the serious traveler, for the ex- plorer in human life—in its outlook, its vision, its direction, its goal. * k% ¥ THE SPLENDOR OF GOD. By Honore ‘Willsle Morrow, author of ‘“Forever Free,” etc. New York: William Mor- row Co. ONORE WILLSIE MORROW has the heart of a pioneer, of a cru- s?der. too. So when she lets her o power in their way, she turns, naturally, to the venturer, of human eq X to the christianizing zeal of the far traveler. Her novels and short stories, biographic studies and historic Ameri- can trails have to finer tlers, wifte; of el ., This time to Burma. The story is of a missionary trail followed by Adoniram Judson and his young wife, Ann, the first Baptist missionaries to go into REVIEWS OF NEWEST BOOKS A Comedy of Morals From the Pen of Ellen Glasgow—TTravel Diary and Several Novels From Well Known Writers. that young pair at the outset of their work. Strange dangers surround them—hostile natives, horrible customs, sinister suspicions, secret menace by night and day. To be sure, the gentie Ann died out of the misery. And we read along through the despair of Adon- iram, through the unconquerable spirit that would not let him go from the work he had set for himself. Today we question the missionary, suspect him of being & bit meddlesome—but not in that day was there any question. In positive pain do we follow the years of Adoniram Judson, secure in the faith of a righteous mission. Then we r too, of the solace which Sarah Boa man brought to Adoniram as his se ond wife and the most ardent of up. lifters for the wild Karens. Together they established in Rangoon a church which is today still offering salvation to a heathen people. A stirring story, an unhappy story, begun and sustained t, wil l%frm o h“gnnm terest, Wi y a vague implic: tion of futility about it. Heroic adven- ture and terrible self-surrender rise, vivid and vital, out of our American history 2t the hands of this sympathetic and ciearly competent dramatist. * * k¥ THE CHIEF OF THE HERD. By Dhan Gopal Mukerji, author of “Gay- Neck,” etc. Illustrated by Mahlon Blaine, New York: E. P. Dutton & ‘OU recall the beautiful story of | “Gay-Neck,” that herolc war pigeon, that happy companiop of his friend and master. Of course, you re- member that story, and will for long, long years, I hope. No, I am not talk- ing to children now. I'm talking to any one who had the beautiful experi- ence of ‘Ol"f along with this pigeon in his astonishing career. And now the same man who wrote that enduring story has written, greatly, of ‘he jungle life in whose near neighborhood his own life was spent. This is a tale about elephants, a wild herd of these, and of the strange ritual of initiation that brings a new leader %o the herd upon the death of the old king. Mot sessing any kinship for animals, one likely to discount reports of behavior | on their part which in any degree 2p- | proaches the boasted sagacity of the| “lord of creation,” the man animal. Knowing them, even a little, hovever, discards such superficial knowledge as worthless and accepts good cviderce that within their needs animals hnveI worked out an economy of existence not so greatly behind that of man's own invention. To these Dhan Gopal's tales of the jungle animals of India hold a clear fascination through the| insight of this writer in respect to the | wild life of his country. Understand- ing in spirit, tender in attitude, poetic jand simple in his way of talking and writing, Dhan Gopal Mukerji sets down ‘matters here that no one for a minute | dreams of questioning. The herd life | of the elephant, the family life, too, are | ‘worked out here in terms of daily habit, rms of instinct turned to the prac- tical account of preserving life and con- | tinuing the herd customs that have | {rmown from experience in self-preserva- | and perpetuation of the tribe. Sec- ond only to the beautiful story itself | are Mahlon Blaine's {llustrations, which eat and drink and have their active being straight through the long trail | a;f this “chief of the herd” ené his fol- | wers, * k% ¥ | FIRE. A novel of Hawaii. By Armine | von Tempski, author of “Hula,” etc. | New York: Frederick A. Stokes Co. | JLOVE of Hawaii, deep rooted in the | soft and tenacious stuff of child- | hood, hes, so far, produced Hawaiian setting for the spirited romances of | Armine von Tempski. “Fire” gives fresh evidence of the shaping influences of that outpost of the Pacific upon the art | | of this novelist. To those born and | reared within this lone and lovely apot | it bequeaths a passion for freedom, 2 revolt against the innumerable short | circuits of crowded places. | This romance, picturesque with the ! Hawalian landscape and compact of its | characteristic mode of life stands in| substance as that immemorial call of | the blood which, time out of mind, has repeatedly broken through the imposi- tions of convention in a backward surge toward its remote beginnings. A girl, | born in Hawaii but schooled in the United States becomes here the case in | point. Once more in her native sur-| roundings the girl almost at once comes under the spell of the early life. The | Intervening years fall away. The friends | made within these v take a dimmed | second place. Even the young man of | her choice out of those years becomes | a second choice. Here is the region of glamour—the lonely uplifting moun- tains, the vast ranches, the thousands of cattle, ranchmen and cowboys. Here is s) Here is freedom. Into this exultant happiness comes the Hawaiian cowboy—mixed Scoteh, Spanish, Poly- nesian—he, too, glamorous and desir- able. And here in the midst of stimu- lating work and play in the free open of the islands there is set up the | familiar contest between sense and no sense. Enchantment, however, is on the side of ultimate disaster. It comes and at this point the novel assumes the conventional pattern of behavior for women, matter ends on the uncertain note of personal sacrifice | tinged with a new period of self-de- lusion. A most buoyant beginning l{)l’!./d into high excitement and then | slides off to the drab colors of mak- ing the best of things. It is with the background of her novels that Armine | von Tempski achieves freshness, spirit, | interest, even a clear and positive | charm. 1 * k¥ % | THE FIVE FLAMBOYS. By Francis| Beeding, author of “The Seven| Sleepers,” etc. Boston: Little, Brown & Co. OMEBODY with a nose for that sort of trail and time to follow its lead will no doubt look into Mr. Beeding's hankering after titles adorned with numerals—*“Seven Sleepers,” “Six Proud Walkers,” “Five Flamboys.” A deep mat- ter, perl Esoteric even, maybe. But let 'us get along with the doings of the mysterious “Flamboy” group. Romantic, this writer cannot be satisfied with the crass crimes of the familiar urban gang. | He requires distance for glamour, for the appurtenances of something like royal existence, for an easier credulity than our’hard-boiled proximities permit. So, off to the Near East does he invite the reader, there to watch the deep in- trigues of the “Flamboys” under the direction of a really inspired rascal, & captivating gentleman as well. The un- seating of a youthful king, the theft of rich oil wells, the stirring up of revolt at delectable : : s . The average man derstands . Yet rarely do the books of | that utterly strange and terrifying . vaguely that hnl'.o! this :l:‘mdmemn m"%‘i the mr:w‘-’pcrl find out the |land. Twenty years of thrilling ad-|ters. They are s y was an intricate mechanism of profit- [ name of the man who wanted some- |venture make up the bodfl of this nu'xl. Not one of them alone, but all of them thing brought about, how much money | that is 80 urgent, and, indeed, 50 ter-|unite in snaj action, in clever ruses, he put up and whom he hired. (I should [rifying in_ its effect. Over s hundred|in el talk and certain indi- P8 inas “fre "newspapers_ sre rather | years ago this en i seigion had | vidua! diotyncrasies that give to_ the shrewder and more penetrating than its start. And, today, whole course of the ad: ndl-. the college historians.) exudes the awful loneliness that besel ance of wit, originality and a fresh ! |Stuart, E. H. Inc., ¢ | Bradley, fronting from the old business of hunt- ing down crime. Such is the Beeding distinction. BOOK RECEIVED [ THE STRAY LAMB. By Thorne Smith, author of “Topper,” etc. New York: Cosmopolitan Book Corporation. HOW LIKE A GOD. By Rex Stout. New York: The Vanguard Press. DOBE WALLIS; A Story of Kit Car- son’s Southwest. By Stanley Vestal, author of “Fandango,” etc. Boston: Houghton, Miffiin <o. THE MODERN LIBRARY—FOUR FA- MOUS GREEK PLAYS. Edited, witi an introduction, by Prof. Paul Landis. New York: The Modern Library. SHEPHERD OF ISRAEL. By Leonora Ey‘l;!: New York: Harcourt, Brace HARD LIBERTY. By Rosalind Mur- ény. New York: Harcourt, Brace & 0. THE MARK OF THE RAT. By Arnold Fredericks. New York: J. H. Sears & Co. THE MYSTERIOUS PARTNER. By A. Fielding. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. KEPT WOMAN. By Vina Delmar, su- thor of “Bad Girl,” etc. New York: Harcourt, Brace & Co. THE WHITE COAT. By Gen. P. N. Krassnoff. Translated from the Russian by Olga Vitali. Edited, with an introduction, by Henry Irving Brock. New York: Duffield & Co. QUEST FOR LOVE. By Emily Cod- dington _Williams, ~ author of “Homing Pigeon.” New York: The Macaulay Co. THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF ANNE ISABELLA, LADY NOEL BYRON; From Unpublished Papers in the Possesslon of the Late Ralph, Earl of Lovelace. By Ethel Colburn Mayne. With an introduction and epllogue by Mary, Countess of Lovelace. Illustrated. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. THE LAYMAN LOOKS AT DOCTORS. By 8. W. and J. T. Plerce. New York: Harcourt, Brace & Co. CROOKS OF THE WALDORF: Being the Story of Joe Smith, Master De- tective. By Horace Smith. New York: The Macaulay Co. ROUX THE BANDIT. By Andre Chamson, author of “The Road.” etc. Translated by Van Wryek Brooks. New York: Charles Scrib- ner’s Sons. MASTER OF MY FATE: A Discussion of Personality and Behavior. With Emphasis _upon Self-direction. By Herschel T.Manuel, professor of edu- cational psychology, University of Texas. New York: The Century Co. CRISTINA AND I. By Arthur Stringer. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Co. SOLDIERS OF MISFORTUNE: The Story of Otho Belleme. By Percival Christopher Wren, author of “Beau Geste.” etc. New York: Frederick A. Stokes Co. THE RED NAPOLEON. By Flowd Gib- bons. New York: Jonathan Cape & Harrison Smith. DESTROYING VICTOR. By Carleton Beals, author of “Mexico,” etc. New York: The Macaulay Co. THE NEW IDOL. By Gaston Leroux Translated by Hannaford Bennett. New York: The Macaulay Co. THE BROKEN 3; A War Mystery of the A. E. F. By Karl W. Detzer, author of “The Marked Man,” etc. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill Co. THE NECESSARY MAN. By Agnes L(‘)ltlcn, Indianapolis: Bobbs-Mer- il Co. AN ANTHOLOGY OF CZECHOSLO- VAK POETRY. Edited by Clarence A. Manning, assistant professor of Slavonic languages in Columbia Uni- versity. With the assistance of Anna V. Capek and Alois B. Koukol. New York: Columbia University Press. MY BEST TEACHERS: Or, Practical Lessons_in Psychology and Philoso- phy. Prepared by James Arthur Dupre, author of “Lessons_ in Finance.” Boston: Meador Pub- lishing Co. EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESE AND SPIRIT. By Louis Allyn Wight. Boston: The Christopher Publishing House. HISTORY OF HERRING LAKE® With Introductory Legend, The Bride of Mystery. By John H. How- ard, the bard of Benzie. Boston: ‘The Christopher Publishing Hou: THE PUBLIC LIBRARY l Recent_accessions to the Public Li- brary and lists of recommended reading will appear in this column each Sunday. High Schools. McDonald, M. F. Learning High School. IU-M 14 1. Roemer, Joseph. Secondary Schools of {he *Southern Association. TUSS- 62 Jessen, C. A. Requirements for High School Graduation. IU-Jd9r. National Committee on Research in Secondary Education. The Rural Junjor High School. IU83-N214. Covert, Timon. Educational Achieve- ments of One-teacher and of Larger Rural Schools. IU83-C837e. Monroe, W. S., and Weber, O. F. The High School. IU-MT5. Waples, Douglas, and Reavis, W. C. Problem Exercises for High &chool Teachers. IU-W 196. Raleigh, North Carolina, Public Schools. Statement of the Aims and Educa- tional Program. IU86S-R 13. In the Technology Division. Bragj %i: ‘W. H. Creative Knowledge. Burling, B, B. _Preparatory Eleetricity. v. 1. TGU-B92 De Vine, T. L. Manual of Printing Of- fice Practice. 1926. ZH-D482m, Fowler, J. F. American Investment ‘Trusts. HLT-F82. Fox. Gordon. Electric Drive Practice. TGV-F83. Frank, J\i\}égl Pressman’s Ink Manual. RQS-F85. Gibson, C. R. Modern Conceptions of Electricity. TEA-G35m. Loomis, R. A. Printshop Practice. ZH- L876p. McDonald, P. B. English and Sclence. R-M 146. Monsen, Thormod, and Son. Inc., Chi- cago. Type Manual. ZHD-MT75. . D. C. A Scientific Approach to Investment Mm-g‘mem. HR-R72s. ttsburgh. Type 1927. ZHE-8t92. A in the Book. 1 | Trade Foundations Based on Producing Industries. R-T672. Travel. Mrs. M. H. Tralling the ‘Tiger. G68-B72. Cu‘e::gcn. J. Four Faces of Siva. G685- Ellsworth, . n the Arctic. G14-El um Foster, H. L. bing the Caribbees. G97-F813c. Gann, T. W. Discoveries and Adven- Wies' in Central America, - Horton, George. Home of Nymphs and Vampires. G32-H788. Jackson, Emily. A Student in Sicily. 1926. G358-J 13. , E. R.G,ostlx,r‘l‘n;a o;u L;u Great in Europe. G30-P#47s. ( ; does not w:up. lea:x)‘ Alh{ er.‘“u Roerich, N. L Himalaya; & Travel Diasy, GOAROIT