BOOKS AND AUTHORS.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3106, 9 June 1917, Page 11

BOOKS AND AUTHORS.

(By Libbr.)

BOOKS OF THE DAY The New Pacific. In "The New Pacific: British Policy and. German Aims" (Maemillan and Co.), Mr. G. Brunsdon Fletcher, associateeditor of the "Sydney Morning Herald/' and an Australian, journalist of long standing and.va.Vied experience, deals with , what is a. question of the highest interest and importance, not only to tho British oommumtieg in these seas, but to the 'Empire as' a whole, namely, probable poet-war condition!) in the Pacific. Mr. I'lotoher'a work 16 honoured by a preface by r Viscount; Bryce and a foreword by the Right Hon. W. M. Hughes, Primo Minister of the Australian Commonwealth. The former is a somewhat tepid production. Mr. Hughes strikes a more decided and very spirited note of warn- i ing against Germany's designs on the ] Pacific What ho nays is well worthy, of attention bv British and Australasian legislators alike. Mr. Fletcher begins by giving an exhaustive yet compact and readable record of tho progress of European settlement in tho Pacific and ot the coming into existence and development of both British and German rulo in tho various groups. A special feature of 'the book is the justice done by tho author to /tho splendid work done.in tho twin causes of civilisation and Christianity bv lending missionaries such as Stevenson's friend, Tamate Chalmers, Dr. George Brown, and Dr. Lonmor Pison, and to tho brilliant capacity-it was nioro than moro capacity, it was positive genius-displayed by Sir William M'Gregor as British Administrator in Kew Guinea. To Dr. Gcorgo Brown, Air. Fletcher pays a special and most enthusiastic tribute, not only on account of the fine work done as. a missionary by this -noble old man, but as an unoftcial British agent, ever watchful against Uorman plots and schemes to usurp authority in the various islands. Much has been said and written against tho allegedly •improper use of their powers and influence by tho British missionaries, but no one can rise' from perusal M JUr. Fletcher's book without reoogmsinc tho conspicuous services men like Chalmers, Brown, and I'ison have rendered to tho Empire. Incidentally the author makes interesting references to Sir fctoorgo Urey, who, as New Zealandow should all know, did his best to bring Downing btreet to a proper senso of its responsibilities in the Pacific, and who strongly advocated a British anieiution of Siimou. After'dealing at length, with la© earlier history 'of the pacific, Mr. Pletctter proceeds, in succeeding chapters, to ttiscuas tne land tenures in tho . various groups, tne nuuv-o labour question, ami Weriutw methods of government, 'i'ho autnor is evidently in ■ considerable doubt as to what may bo tho ultimate outcome of tho war so far as the native labour problem w concerned. Ho sees, it is dear, an olement of futuro troublo in the presence of to : many Chinese in the islands. "In Samoa," he says, "it is impossible at present to see what is to talie the place of the Chinese; and under the forms of capitulation they oanaofc bo turned out until tho end of the war makes that > or soniothinE else possible." The author closes his remarks on tho labour question bv saying: •"Wherever one looks this question of labour comes up, aid without a settlement of it tho future of the Pacific is full of serious doubt if not of ruisgivins;." On the much discussed subject of a "White Australia," Mr. Fletcher has much to say that is both new and in- .. foresting. He says the truth undoubtedly is "that tropical Australia is still a hopeless problem ' for, tho averaEo whito man." At ono time. Sir Thomas M'llwraith advocated tho introduction of "indentured" Indian labour. Mr. Flotcher himself apparently favours the idea. Tho recent recommendations of tho Imperial Conference oxcludo, howover, the nossibility of such a solution of the North. Australian problem, for "indentured" Indian labour is to cea6o. . With regard to tho future government of the Pacific Mr.Flotoher does not commit himself to any very definite viws or recommendations. Ho would seem to favour, howover, British rulo—British ■Imperial rule by administrators—for some time to conic, until Australia and New Zealand, havine acquired a larger population and solved somo of their own domestic problems, would bo botter fitted to tako over theso wider and greater responsibilities involved in their political control of the various island groups. Tf Mr. Fletcher may somewhat disappoint his readers by not being moro definite in his suggestions for'lho futnre. ho mnst bo credited with liarine provided thoso who are interested in the problem-of the Pacific with ranch now and mod vnluablo information jipon whioh to base fntino and profitable discussion. The book is ono whioh should be read by every public man in Australia and Now Zealand. (N.£. price, 95.) Two Books on Verdun. Two books, each dealing with tho great struggle which has raged round Verdun, reach mo/from Messrs. Hutchinson and Co. (per Whitcombe and Tombs). Tho first, "'Neath Verdun, August-October, 1911," is written by Manrico Gcnevoix, I the English translation, being by H. Grabame Richards. Tho special feature of the book is its insistence upon tho actual verities. As Monsieur Lavisso says in his preface, many of the war books fairly disgust the actual combatants, so carefully "doctored" and sensationally coloured are a large proportion of them. M. Genevoii is a realist by literary taste, and ■hi 3 book conveys tho impression of complete sincerity. AVhen tho war broke out the author was a second-yoar pupil of the Eoolo NormaJe, and contemplating a. literarv career, had just completed a study of De Maupassant; A. month later he was under fire, faking part in the fighting which brought, the eastern wing of the battle_ of tho-Mavne up to the Meuse., Ho gives us a, most fascinating narrative of his experiences, showing us the FTench soltlier in all his moods. Specially noticeable is tho fine spirit of comradeship which exists between officers and men. It is not exactly the same relationship as thai: which holds good between til© British officers and tie Tommies, and it is interesting to an English reader of this book and those written by men of our own armies to note wherein the difference lies. From a literary point of view the book is ono of tho most notable productions of the war, well worthy of being placed alongside Jacques Bonlrou's "Diary of a French Private," reviewed, in these columns a few weeks ago. The book in dedicated to the memory of Lieutenant Porchon, a. professional eoldier from th« St. Cyr Acadomy, who was killed at Eparges in February, 1915, and between whom and. the anthor thero existed a oloso and very bea.utiful friendship. (Price, 7a. Bd.) In a second book on 'Verdun, "Th© Battle of Verdun" (Hutchinson and Co., per Whitcombe and Tombs), M. Henri Uugard has done, so it is claimed, for tho .army of Vprdun what Lord Ernest Hamilton did for "The First Seven Divisions." M. Dugardt never allows himself to break the course of his fascinating narrative by indulgence in any attempt te .be "literary" or "psychological." H> Teoords elemontal facts and leaves litem to speak for themselves. And what a marvellous, record of well-orderrd' plans executed by 'melt inspired with a patriotism which is positively heroic in its exemplification _is this story of Iho terrific struggle which look place between February 21 and May ,10 last. year. "It is your glorious resistance," 'said Jofi'ro in his Order of (ho Day, addressed In Hie army of Verdun, at'the end of 19111, "that WP owe our victory which will si art to-morrow." And .loffre wim right, for ju«| as the retreat on tho Marne inaugurated the first phase of German, failure, and was a portent of Ihe final, if still delayed, triumph of tho Allies, so tho smashing of tho German offonsivo at Verdun, in the spring of last year, ushered in a new order of things for tho French and their gallant British Alließ.

Give' 0> »Uir>, o, pipe he can smoke, Give a, moffl> a booh he can read; 'And his home is bright with a calm delight Though the room be poor indeed.

—James Thomson* M. Dugard retells, with many new de« tails, and many more valuable sidelights, the story of the capture, recovery, and recapturo of Douauniont; describing thn terrible struggle which follower! the German bids tor Morthommn and Bill 304. and quotes report, after report, and onecdoto after aneodole, in illustration of tho combined tenacity and gallantry of , his countrymen. Not the least valuable feature of the hook is the light thrown by the author on the deliberately mendacious bulletins issued by the enemy, and tho crushing exposure of tho attempt—an attempt which in the long run was quite unsuccessful—made by the inspired German Press to "save the face" of tho Crown Prince, and to disguise tho fact that from first to last tho enemy's effort to break through tho Verdun line was a foredoomed and ignominious failure. M. Dngard's book, which has been translated by P. Appleby Holt, 8.A., contains a largo number of interesting illustrations, and will probably take its place in tho literaturo of the war as the most detailed and authoritative record of the Verdun battles we are likolv to hove for some tirao to como. (Price 75.. fid.) Australia in Peace and War. "Australia in. Peace and War," by W. M. Fleming (Lothian and Co., Melbourne), is the title of a book of verse by an Australian writer whoso name is well. known by his frequent contributions to the Sydney and Melbourne Press. Mr. Fleming, who is a member of the Federal Legislature, being M.H.R. for Bobertson, N.S.W., enlisted in tho Australian Expeditionary Force, and is now, I believe, "somewhero in France." His muse wanders ovor a wido rango of subjects, for his verses deal alike with bush and station life and with city experiences, also with subjects suggested by tho war. Amongst the most successful of Mr. Fleming's patriotic efforts are two sonnets, evidently penned tho first just previous to the 4akiug of tho now famous Boferendum vote, the second, immediately after the muoli-to-be-lamented majoni'ty had been given for tho "Noes." The first is headed "Shall She Be Shamed?" and runs as follows :— Her hair a golden halo; in her eyes Still soft with slumber, wonder and amaae, , Seoing men stand at 'the parting of tho ways With words of question. And a writ surpriso ' > Shadows those orbs, blue as her noonday To see t'hoso things that meet her steadfast gaze. . To hear Death's rattle in the throat of Praise; . ~ , Seo Shame como creopmg after ilign Emprise. How 6hall wo answer, being answered then, , ~ Honour or shame, shall be licv lasting meed; ,v , ~ Youth's goldon Empress through tho world acclaimed. Or but a byword in the mouths of men. As one who promised much, but failed at need, ~ . . Australia waits; our Queen! Shall she be shamed? Alas, "shamed" she was, for the day canio whon tho poet bad to write, under tho heading "Uiito Seventy limes Seven, the following beautiful but pathotic lines: Shadow of doubt and agony of shame Thcso are her portion, she who stood so fair, And snug besido the sea, so debonair, So joyous in her youth, so marked for fame . The world would woo her. Suddenly there cauio , , , ■ Tho day of doeds. She who had known no care . Shrank, wrung her hands, and creeping in despair Sought, rofugo from tho glory of her namo. . ,i Again she stands, again looks ocr the sea. Not as sho was all golden m her youth, But scarred with knowledge; honour, dutiful , „ , , "1 May still uplift her, still may keep <>" free ■ ■ Of true beauty she ran yet. show piwil, Sho who so lately .was so bountiful, Mr. Fleming's ptaaut book of voit» docs credit alike to tho author's heart and pen. (Price 55.) Sfrav Leaves. Tho Birthday Honours list includes, J. notice, tho names of Mr. John Foster Eraser, the well-known, journalist and globe-trotter, and Mr. William Watson, the poet. What was tho exact; reason for 60lcctin?-Jlir. Fraser for a knighthood is, to mo at lc«6t, somewhat of.a mystery. Admitted that Mr. Fraser is a olever journalist, and that he has writton several readable, if careless and sadly inaccurate; works of travel, thero ore surely many other English journalism and literary men far m«jro doserviDg of a knighthood. As for Mr. William Watson, bo has, in his day—especially Ins earlier day—written some vory dignified and beautiful verse. His "Wordsworth s Grave," for instance, is a littlo but inhiseaso again thero «ro other British writers, notably Thomas Hardy, whose claims to such an honour are immeasurably superior to any possessed by Mr. Watson. It would be interesting to have Mr. Asquith's and, ovon more so, Mrs. Asquith s opinion on tho eranting- ot a knig'hthod'to Mr. Watson, for it is notorious that the wife of the 'ate -Prime Minister was aimed at in Mr. Watson s extraordinarily malignant verses, Ino Woman With tie Serpent's Tongue. Ther were first published in a New York weekly when the post wart on a visit to Hie United States some five or six years ago. and when they found'their, way! across, the Atlantic, created quite a succes do roa-ndnlo in society circles in London. It may interest my readers to seo how Mr. Watson poetically envisaged Mrs. Asquith (the heroine, by the way, of ». V Benson's onco raucb-discnssed novel "Dodo"). Horo are some extracts from tho verses in question:— . She is not old, she is not The Woman with tho Serpent's Tongue, Tho haggard cheek, the hungorin? eye, Tho poisoned words that. wildly fly. Tho famished face, tho fevered handWho slights tho worthiest in tho land; Sneers at the just, contemns the brave, And blackens goodness in its grave. In truthful numbers bo she sung. ''LTie Woman with the Serpent s Tongue; Concerning whom, Faroe hints at things Told but in shrugs and whisperings; Ambitious from tho natal hour, And scheming all her lifo for power; With littlo left of seemly pride, ■ With venomed fangs sho cannot hide; Who half makes' lovo 10. you to-d»y, To-monow gives her guest away. Burnt up within by that strango soul She cannot slake, or yot control; Malignant-lipped, unkind, unsweet, Past all example indiscreet; Hectic, and always overstrung—The Women with tho Serpent's TongueNo. decidedly, Mr. Wm. Watson's cnanco of knighthoed must ha.ve been small indeed, so long as Mr. Aaqnith remained in ofßco. . Lady. Poqre, who was well-known ill Australia, and New Zealand when her husband. Admiral Foore, was on. the Australian Station, and whose "Roaumswnces of an Admiral's Wife" was such ii. readable book, has published (through Smith, Elder, and Co.) a second instalment of her pleasantly-recorded memories, under tho title, "The Making of an Admiral's Wife." f hone to give a, roviow of tho book, next week. Amongst w.\t books of some importance iioh- on salo in Wellington buukshops aniltiidviu-d Kipling's "Diversity of Creatures" (a collection of short stones, with, interpolated verso); Robert Mitchellss new novel. "In the Wilderness," a now story by that amusing writer, Mr. Pott Ridge ("Three Wonderful Years"); and Mr. Phillips Oppenhoim's latest ■ novel, "Tho Hillruan."