BOOKS OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 264, 27 July 1918, Page 11

BOOKS OF THE DAY

"Baivare the Germans' Peace."

Major Jlaldane Jlaclal'., the clever m'il- ' wliose "Uernucny lit Jinv" wmso reimu-kuule a Ijook, laus iollowod up t'lnit yolumo by another, entitled " Heware the tierumiis* l'eaco" (Gissell ami Lo., }•(;!■ g v MuckajV. 'X'Jio authors übjvct is tu mako it clear to the average man, tlio man in tho street, exactly what Germany's object was iu planum;; and commencing tile war, to ,' 0lv " llu «" long Willi deeply-laid weic her pi*>*>vnr sciwuiw fov lue political, comuud industrial uusUvouavut of ■ the world, to lay bare tn« innermost workings of tlwt mysterious tiling the German eoul, to explain what Germany realty means by "a German peace map,'' to exposo the lull pin-poso of her culculat- . tri Slitluhiess," and to enlighten the Public an to what id spelt by "peaceiul penetration." The author also advocates tho punishment of German crime uud tho establishment of a League of Naiioiits which will make it impossible for either Germany or any other Stato (o inilict upon a peaceful world any renewal of the horrible nightmare of war. Ihe author d stylo is concise and vigorous; he does not rnineo his words, and he makes abundantly clear his meaning. . Ono of tho best chapters in the book is that in which Germany's pre-war policy of "peaceful penetration" is exposed, oays Major Jlacfall:

Iho German club, the German clerk, liio Herman harlot, tho German barber, tlio herimm waiter, oil thefo wore a, deliberate part of tho German war-machine, as much so aa thi} German soldier. Liko the Ocr. n l ttU colonist, all were but tlio outposts ot JJfltlin. German conimcico had no pwe to do with more commercial profits Man with war. Deutsohtuin-that is "Germanism"—is a. couspiracy against tho wholo world for German overlord3hip. Every function, from tho Embassies and Consulates to the governess in our midst, has been part of a deliberate and calculated Veachery to destroy us—keen and utterly unscrupulous espionage. Oermany lias been at war with the world for over twenty-five years. ''Peaceful penetration" is tho employment of a weapon in times of peaco to overthrow all peoples outside Germany, and bring them into commercial subjection and political impotence. The best definition I have seen of it in: "Tho taking advantage by Germans of tho hospitality of a friendly nation." Every German is a spy. "Germanism" seeks to control tho industries on which all other nations are founded. And yet, there are editorial dullards who still speak of Germany, as "our best customer"!

New Zealanders alid Australians will read with high satisfaction Major llacfall's outspoken remarks on. the question of the German colonies and their future. He says we deserve "defeat ■ and utter ruin" if wc allow "the unBtralegie cooings of sentimentalists and pacifists to lull us ipto the pretty-sound-mg •humanity' of 'not humiliating Germany,'" and pertinently asks "why is it that the pacifists, and the tender of will, are so forgiving to the German brutality and so critical of their own people?" He points out (exactly as the "Kreuz Zeitunj" admitted only last week) that "it is tlio deliberate plan of Germany's strategy to creato l Central African Empire right across Africa." Slio aims at tho creation of "vast black armies for the German war towards world dominion." "Tho German colony," ho declares, "is a scandal to the world— a vast brutal tyranny without mitigation or decency tor the natives; tho German colonies are not colonies at all as civilisation understands the word." They must not be given back to Gormnny, and, says I lie author, 'Thank God! the British commonweal across the Beas will see to that, if no ono else docs. They at least' are.not (riven.to'suicide for a phrase or iv mawkish fatuity." Major ITaefall makes out a. very stroll? caso for "reparation and punishment." Reprisals are, lie contends, futile, for the very reason that tho enemy holds so many prisoners. But after the war is over

all aots in tho war Bliould bo brought to a trial and judgment and punishment of the guilty which are acta against tho law of nations. If the German knew that tlii3 would, bo bo, so far from increasing his stiffness in tlio war, it would compel him to liesitatc before he committed bucli act 3. To-day he does not liesitato hecauso lio thinks that peaco will blot out all records against liim.

Tlia author speaks very plainly and sensibly to that stupid class of people, , I( leiilists, who would fain have tlio Allies full upon "dear brother .TTans's" neclc after tho war, and who cant about the dignity of forgiveness." Here is c \ Macfall sums up tho mischicf of the well-meaning idealist:

Every idealist who, through mawki°h sentiment, no matter how deeply rooted in nobility, uses liis influence to prevent tho utter obliteration of the German 3ror.nl from the face o£ tho world, is as criminresponsible for it as tho Prussian. Ho no inoro o, benefactor of mankind than is tho woman who, when a murderer attacks a man, flings her arms round that man and holds his hands whijnt tho murderer commits his ruthless design upon him. For tho woman to Bay that the murderer is a naughty man to strike a defenceless and bound man, doeß not add an inch to her innocence, nor mitigate ono liairßbreadth from the guilt of her abomination. To eomo beforo tlio world and blamo tho murderer is futilo. It. in the business of tho murderer to murder. And ho who does not do all in his power to rid tho world of tho murderer is in tho degreo of his deliberate laxity a partaker in tho crime.

Just now, "the wholo strategy of tlio civilised world is bent to creating universal peace," and to accomplish this, says Major Macfall, "commerce nnd industry must be impelled to the democratic aim of a wido Brotherhood quite as sternly as any other activities of the human pilgrimage." It is of no us* uprooting Prussianism from the chancelleries of the world and leaving Industry or Politics a prey to Major Mac-fall's little hook will, I mist, bo widely read in this country. It "gives furiously to think" as Hie ii'uich phrase goes, and tho thought to which it gives vise should be wholesome and productive of good, both for tie individual and the community. (N.Z. price 3s. Gd.) "Naval Intelligence." In "Naval Intelligence" (Holder awl Stoughton), the clever Padre who gave us those capital books, ''In tlio Northern Mists: A Grand Fleet Chaplain's Note-Book," and "Oiand l'leet; Days/' treats his readers to a series of fifty separate sketches of naval liio and character. Tho padre-author proves that tlio rich mine of interesting tact, agreeable fancy, and wholesome humour, which he discovered in the everyday 'il'o of the British naval ' ollicer and seaman and exploited to such excellent purposo in his first hvo books, is by 110 means exhausted; indeed, in •their freshness and b.waiioy s.uno of tho new sketches aro more than merely equal to their predecessors. Tho author is evidently a gentleman of wido personal sympathies, of wise toleration in the discharge of his spiritual duties, ar.d of immeasurable enthusiasm for tho many good qualities of the officers aial men of tho Navy.. Next to being taken, ,-w me to bo certain lucky New Zealand journalists, on a personally-conducted tour and survey of tho Grand Fleet, nothing could better such a book as this forgiving landsmen a comprehensive and detailed idea of tho everyday lifo of those who aro keeping 6uch laithful watch omi ward "soMMwhero in the North Sea," or further north. Read this book carefully— and the probability is you will read it more than once—and you will come to understand as you havo never understood beforo what a splendid work tho Navy is doing for Great Britain, for the lOiniiire. for the Allies generally, and for all' the world that prays for I he final triumph of liberty ami justice, truth and righteousness, over those who stand allied to and dominated by tlio Powers ol' livil. Tho shrewd insight into personality, tho gra6p of technical detail, plus the capacity to explain such detail to the clear comprehension of tho landsman, tho

unfailing /jonuilily of bin wit and snlire -I, euiilribilto lo make (lie (Imud I'lct-l I 1'".1"'!. 1 "'! "I'iliuit'i popular. I.ucliv are 111 Klllps rii|il|i,,iH,.-i will. li;lve uceil of tlio authoi' i iv|u> in Mniii.-lor lo tlieir l , ll ' n ' ! -' Not ono of lliese litly shouhi, or inth-i'd cun, be fikip]>Cll. I.vi'iyoui' wlin In lies inlerest in tho • wovk-aml piny- of I In, Hrjij.-J, NavyBiul what pnlriolie and loyal New Zealamler dow not ?-idmuld imiliu post hasto to Ins irtvonrito bookshop and order a copy, t the demand, when once a slock arn\es, is 6uro to be keen. (N.Z. price, Cs.) Botany for N cw Zealand' Readers. °f- 1:ofl, "- v p,in " 1 ' 1 1 1li srvnn T' 01 -' tllu "I'l'enninco of tlio fnnl d lU I 1 0,1 o,lUi °" nf a bo( ' k te » i. ft' ' I , t '-- srs ' and iv-itteh h W p lU v ' ,fls M^ially me i y llv - 1 • ]spvo ' 3»1.A., B.Se., to meet the mjuircmonls of candidales for Wi™" ' l i s ' • ion, Public nhnVm. ° .'' anC( '' "'mediate, and who klin i 'I'he author, head ol (he department of natural cil Pnli 1 " l 1 S f (ltion ilcmo ™' 'J'echninrnfn "'j'l "f-'klanil, points out in his bo am deal almost e.tclusively with English plants, and are, therefore, unsnited w'.° ] ' , i c !"V' en,e " te nf s!ealnn«l studeal wTn A 611C,, .^ C «" Zealand books as „ -,U IC s,ll V ecl: aro niainlv contim. ( 't 1 U"l c-ltissifica-I on, tho btuacnfc beings left wifliont cinVlanco on sudi matters as tho "Stride •!!' . '.?Vm\" C 0; "'Adni ,ti,,inn to Snrroumln,rr'»v- i w' "Germinalioti," and tNutritwn. To ll,e nmateur gardener and all inleresled in botauv for ys own uiseuialing interest. (|iiite apari 11 oni _ any e.-anunalion purposes, Air. Aeves well-phiuned, admirably written book should also provo very altvactive. 4 Im additional interest aud pleasuro to be found )n plants, shrubs, and flowers when they are studied by one who lim .even an elementary knowledge nf botany cannot lm overestimated. To voung students fhis book of Mr. Neve's should provo a great boon, as not only is tho lujonnatiou given, based upon expert knowledge, but it is conveved in an eminently eoi-cise and attrnHive milliner. A series of nttcslions follows each chanter, and will lie specially useful to students of botany who aro workin" wtlhout professional guidnnce. The book is most liberally illustrated with reproductions of photographs mid well-drawn illustrnlions of the various classes and sneeies of plants. 'I'he descviplioiis of the N"iv /enlnnd forest flora are exceptionally full, and for this feature alone the volume m.-ikes special anneal (o tourists and. holiday-makers. Tb excellence of the tynmrranhical get-up and of its wclni-inl lenlm-'-s-'s specially i v , comniended, especially as it is nubliMied nt he very reasonable price of four shillings.