"CA Windows on the World AN we stay sober and orderly?" Europeans seem to be wondering. All the New Year messages from heads of European governments to the United States declared their delight at the prevailing calm in Europe and the ardent desire and firm intention of their own people to preserve peace. Some of them voiced an anxiety lest other people might make trouble. And several of them intimated a wish that the United States would say what it would do in such a case. With such a universal will to sweetness and reasonableness, it would seem that peace ought to be assured. But Europe probably knows herself. And certainly she knows that it is impossible to fight a large-scale war now without material and money from America-and equally that it is impossible to tell in advance what the United States will do. So some of the proposals coming from Europe-like certain unofficial British suggestions-aim to make sure that the United States will not lend its resources to a war-making country that refuses to arbitrate a dispute and that the League of Nations and the World Court declare to be an aggressor. This end might be accomplished by an independent statement of policy by the United States. A plan like that of Foreign Minister Briand, of France, by contrast, aims to make sure that the United States will in all events arbitrate differences and not fight with his country. That would be accomplished by a formal treaty. Against the first sort of scheme stands an instinctive American objection that the United States does not adhere to the League or the Court, and so would be bound by decisions in which it has no voice. This, it seems to me, might not prove an insuperable obstacle, since we might agree to regard as an aggressor any nation that breaks its given word By MALCOLM WATERS DAVIS and makes war, and to apply to it an economic boycott. Against the second sort of scheme there stands the fact that, in case of war, the United States might be embarrassed by a special agreement with one nation. The United States, on its side is trying to extend the principle of agreement to arbitration to include all nations willing to sign. In doing so the Administration appears to be moving along the lines of the ideas first advanced by Senator Capper. Several nations besides France among them Germany-have hinted their willingness to sign an arbitration treaty with the United States. This seems not entirely to the liking of the French, who would be glad to have us promise never to fight them, but sorry to see us promise never to fight any one else who might fight them. All this is quite natural, and makes things complicated for the United Stateswhich is not part of the European system and yet unavoidably involved in the issue of peace or war in Europe. UNCLE SAM can neither suit his action to the wishes of any individual European nation nor consent to be an adjunct to general European policies. But any discouragement he can find a way to give to possible war-makers anywhere is useful and desirable. PA AN-AMERICA is interesting Europe to an unprecedented degree, and I note that especially in the Latin nations the Pan-American Conference soon to open in Cuba is commanding attention and comment side by side with the affairs of the old continent. And the League of Nations is taking a leaf out of the book of the United States and sending to the Conference unofficial ob servers. Louis Guilaine, writing in the semi official "Temps" of Paris, argues that the Union may seriously prejudice the work of the League, on the ground that the smaller American republics represented in the League and its Council are more or less under the influence of the United States. Thus, he contends, the United States, while not adhering to the League, can affect votes at Geneva. This is a picturesque reversal and variation of earlier American fears that Great Britain would control the votes of the Dominions at League gatherings. "The Conference was called to consider the proposed American international code, drawn up by the PanAmerican Committee of jurists which met in Rio de Janeiro in April and May 1927, and which should free Latin America from the tutelage of the Mon roe Doctrine," concludes M. Guilaine "The attitude of the delegations of the Latin-American states in this decisive Conference will indicate in what meas ure their co-operation in Europe may considered as independent and free from the irresponsible influence and sugges tions of the Government at Washing ton." be So much for a French attitude towards the cardinal policy of the United States in the American hemi sphere. Gomez de Baquero, writing in the similarly important "Sol," of Madrid asserts an even more antagonistic Span ish point of view: "The Monroe Doc trine had its hour. Today, however when Europe does not threaten Amer mask t ica, it is nothing more than cover Yankee supremacy." And he pre dicts that the Pan-American Conferenc will end in futile discussions withou accomplishing anything. Obviously, the gathering at Havan will be an event for Americans to watc closely-for the forces and motives a work there will be not only inter-Ameri I can but European as well. And th 三 prece policies of the republics of Latin America will need to be understood in terms of their relations to their sister Latin nations of Europe. HINA is again shifting the pieces in her political puzzle. But I have seen few signs of either curiosity or surCprise in the United States. Evidently, uence most Americans after a stir of interest in the Chinese game last year when the Nationalist civil war seemed to be taking at understandable form-have again given alit up. (By the way, what's become of Mah Jong?) Dr. C. C. Wu and Dr. Sun Fo have United States, and Dr. Sun is the son of Pressure from the hand of Marshal Admiral Bristol, commanding our Asiatic fleet, is leaving China on his flagship to go to Guam, and then to Manila to stay indefinitely. Evidently, he has decided that an American officer accustomed to accomplishing something has nothing to do in China just now. A HEAD TAX on travelers is slated to go into effect in France, and American tourists may take warning. The measure, as passed by the Chamber of Deputies, imposes a rate of 50 francs on all first-class transatlantic steamer tickets, with reduced rates for other classes. The purpose is to provide sailors' pensions, and the logical French legislators have decided that travelers are the ones to do it. I $727,500... the original cost N the purchase from Napoleon in 1803 of the territory which is now Louisiana, the United States paid France approximately $15 a square mile. It would be difficult to measure in money, today, the value of this State to our Nation. Like its Southern sisters, Louisiana's greatest progress is still ahead of it. And like the whole South, evidence of its progress is plainly apparent. Louisiana is one of the most fertile states in the Union, but not alone is its wealth derived from sugar cane, rice, cotton, fruits and food staples. This 'state harbors the second greatest port in America. It already boasts the largest single unit sugar and the largest oil refineries in the world. Its varied industries range from oyster canneries to rice and coffee mills, from the manufacture of naval stores to pulp paper, carbon black, salt and "celotex." Louisiana has the largest iron works in the South and the world's largest natural gas field. Power is plentiful, combining the use of hydro-electric, natural gas and oil. In sponsoring sound investment securities which rest on the fast advancing, prospering South, Caldwell & Company have been prominent for many years. This Southern investment house is intimately acquainted with Southern conditions and with the growing values behind the municipal, railroad, utility and industrial securities of this section. Sound Southern Securities today offer unusual opportunities. Write for our current suggestions. CALDWELL & COMPANY WANTED-CARTOONS The Outlook wishes to receive cartoons from its readers, clipped The Editors of The Outlook, 120 East 16th St., New York City Ivory P Apes & Peacocks The Newest Contributions of American Genius to the Art of Living TH HE genius of America expresses itself in many ways, but in none more effectively than in raising the general standard of living. The best scientific, inventive, and artistic brains in America are being applied to the production of things that minister to our comfort, our amusement, or our sense of beauty. The editors believe that no view of current affairs is complete that A does not include some account of OSSIBLY stimulated by the Book-ofthe-Month Club, a nursery in Englewood, New Jersey, is offering a service which it calls the Bouquet of the Week Club. Just send them the and lady's name address-and your own, naturally, so they won't also send her the bill-and behold! each week she receives from you a box of beautiful cut flowers. Each week she will think of you, whether you happen to be thinking of her or not. A great saving of thought in that. We think it is awfully nice-all these services that make it so easy for us nowadays to pay these little personal attentions-with so little personal attention. Developing as they are, another ten years will probably see firms in existence which ask her to marry you, buy the ring, and lead her to the altar. We really see practically no limits to their usefulness. can GOLFING friend of ours who make things with tools, built himself a putting game which even we, who are rather weak on golf, found a good deal of fun. There were various devices into which you endeavored to get the ball, the most important being a box with a hole in the top which was approached by what we can only call a ramp. You putted the ball up the ramp and into the hole. Now we see that a somewhat similar game has been brought out, called Tiz Golf, for either indoor or outdoor play on rug or lawn. There are nine holes, each different. Golf has its horrors, too. We saw some flower-stands and lamps which took us back to the days of the gilded sewer pipe and the gilded cattail. The legs of these atrocities were three golf clubs, tied in the middle, so that they formed a double tripod, if you know what we mean. partment for shoes in the main body of A the case, and a larger compartment for hats, lingerie, toilet articles, and whatever else. It seems to us a great improvement on the regular suitcase, since everything is held in place, and if the NEW kind of fire-lighter-or perhaps it isn't so new, but we haven't seen it before is a rosin-prepared briquette called the Dixie. You just shove one of these under your logs, light it, and presently your fire is blazing mer rily, all without either splitting kindling or getting yourself smeared up with kerosene. HERE is a new electric iron on the TH market which does away with the dampening and sprinkling which has always been necessary before ironing. We have not tried this iron. We never tried ironing but once, anyway, and then we got the iron too hot or something and broiled the side of a pair of whiteflannel trousers a fine rich brown, But we pass on this information to those who wield a more expert iron. It seems that there is a water reservoir in the handle of this new iron, and a conduit which leads from it to a row of tiny holes on the bottom plate. The bottom plate being hot, the water issues as steam, which is evenly distributed between the ironing surface and the garment, thus dampening the goods as you iron. The water supply is regulated by a turn-screw valve near the handle. A few drops of a favorite scent added to the water will give a delicate perfume to undergarments and bed linen, says the manufacturer. M ORE of those things that lead a double life are being brought to our attention every day. When the two lives have some relation to each other, we have no objection to them. There is a combination pocket lighter and cigar cutter which would seem to have a logical raison d'être. And there is a pocket knife containing scissors and blades and a small pencil, which is compact and useful. But how about the humidor that is also a book-rack? And did we tell you of the leather-topped brush which contains either a sewing set or a manicure set? Worse than these, of course-far worse are the hypocrites, the things that look as if they lived one kind of life and really live an entirely different kind. This is a painful subject, and we shall therefore cite only one of these objects. Could anything be more dis couraging, we ask you, than the small cocktail shaker which turns out to be a table lighter? ods T gulated cho The and: Speaking of Books A New Literary Department Edited by FRANCES LAMONT ROBBINS What Everybody Is Reading HE books in greatest demand are usually those most discussed. The following list is compiled from the lists of the ten best-selling volumes sent us by wire by eight book-shops each week. These particular book-shops were chosen because we think that they reflect the tastes of the more representative readers. These shops are as follows: New York-Brentano's. Boston-Old Corner Book Store. Denver-Kendrick Bellamy Co. Fiction of "Jalna," by Mazo de la Roche. Little, Brown & Co. A clannish family in Canada survives the potentially disrupting love affairs several members. If you like a good story, peopled by startling and brilliant caricatures, you will enjoy it. Reviewed November 2. "Death Comes for the Archbishop," by Willa Cather. A. A. Knopf. This imaginative biography of a French missionary bishop to the Southwest is fine in spiritual concept, rich in beautiful description and moving characterization. Reviewed October 26. "Kitty," by Warwick Deeping. A. A. Knopf. A young wife's struggle against her dominating mother-in-law for the possession of her husband, set in post-war England. You will enjoy it if you like a machine-turned story with humor and wholesome sentiment. viewed last week. Re"Adam and Eve: Though He Knew Better," by John Erskine. The Bobbs-Merrill Company. You will find this an entertaining satirical tale dealing with the first companionate and the first Mr. and Mrs. marriages. Reviewed last week. The Bridge of San Luis Rey," by Thornton Wilder. Albert and Charles Boni. in the operation of fate, whereby widely A study divergent lives are brought to the same end. This is not merely a clever device for relatIng fundamentally unrelated stories, as in "The Cabala" or in Lubbock's "Roman Pictures." Readers of this startlingly brilliant book will miss its worth if they fail to see the emotional depths which the shimmering surface covers. Reviewed by Mary Shirley, last week. Non-Fiction The Trader Horn," by Alfred Aloysius Horn and Ethelreda Lewis. romantic story of an ancient adventurer, full Simon & Schuster. of poetry, guileless wisdom, action, information, and color. Reviewed November 16. "Count Luckner, the Sea Devil," by Lowell Thomas, Doubleday, Page & Co. This is the account of Luckner, the daring German seaman, his sailing ship Seeadler, and their exploits in the World War. old tale of privateering days, it brings back As thrilling as any the ancient romance of the sea. last week. Reviewed "Napoleon," by Emil Ludwig. Boni & Liveright. You will find this engrossing biography a fine foot-note to the Napoleonic period. Reviewed November 9. "Bismarck," by Emil Ludwig. Little, Brown & Co. This splendid biography by a master craftsman is unhesitatingly recommended to any one with a taste for solid reading. Reviewed November 9. Harcourt, "Mother India," by Katherine Mayo. Brace & Co. account of some aspects of Indian society is This highly gifted reporter's not calculated to endear us to India, but is providing lively reading to lots of Americans. Reviewed June 22. week which has not already received detailed notice on this page. The titles change slowly. Books get under way in the East, where most of them are published, and move Westward, advertised, in the last analysis, by word of mouth. This list, varying as it has only slightly in three months, is interesting to look over. In fiction Willa Cather towers as an artist above the rest. Granted that all novelists write for money or fame or both, she is fundamentally sensible of the impulsion of creative force. "Death Comes for the Archbishop" began to be read on the strength of her other books, but got its own hold quickly. Not all readers are sensitive to its beauties of concept, style, and setting. But the lives that it portrays are lives of sublime and heroic sacrifice. Of all ideas that capture and enthrall the incurable romantic, the idea of selfsacrifice is the most powerful, the most fascinating. "Jalna" is a picture book and a prize book. Its author, indifferent performer, bungling amateur, as she is, still uses her talents with sincere intensity. Set down half her book's sales to the prize, and half to the hot, highspirited pictures. (Advance reply to the accurate, "You're right, there are no illustrations in 'Jalna.'") Deeping writes by clockwork. "Kitty" is liked for the reasons that clockwork is. If oiled and wound, it will run, keep to plan, do what's expected, spring no surprises. It is comfortable and the tick is nice. Erskine-shoot back the cuffs, spread out the palms toward the audience. "It is all legerdemain, ladies and gentlemen; keep your eyes on the professor." Erskine's heart is said to be in his music. It is not in his writing. "Adam and Eve" for its popularity leans heavily on "Helen of Troy." The people in the next apartment were talking and giggling about it last night-"Yeah, it's cute. But it's deep, too, don't forget it; there's real deep stuff in it." In biography Ludwig's name leads all the rest. He is a scholarly worker, a penetrating student of the psychology of genius. If in the process of making his important contributions to the study of history he can capitalize the present passion for biography, so much the better. It is a passion common and strong, because we all like, sitting in the office, fretting over household budgets, correcting examination papers, to be reminded that there are lives less level, men bolder and more Scientific Facts About Diet A CONDENSED book on diet entitled "Eating for Health and Efficiency" has been published for free distribution by the Health Extension Bureau of Battle Creek, Mich. Contains set of health rules, many of which may be easily followed right at home or while traveling. You will find in this book a wealth of information about food elements and their relation to physical welfare. This book is for those who wish to keep physically fit and maintain normal weight. Not intended as a guide for chronic invalids as all such cases require the care of a competent physician. Name and address on card will bring it without cost or obligation. HEALTH EXTENSION BUREAU GOOD HEALTH BLDG. magnificent, women more beautiful and Have You Seen These ? The Cultured Barbarian Readers with a more than casual About the essay on "Culture and Barbarism" it is possible to quarrel with Lewisohn. If you do, he may set you down at once as a barbarian; and you need not try to silence him with "propagandist." He will not object to that, since he says, "Powerful natures in literature are always propagandists on one side." It is doubtful if the limiting clause was needed. Is it only in literature that inadequacy and indifference masquerade as tolerance? Lewisohn's particular propaganda is for the romantic as against the classic, for the subjective as against the objective, for the individualist as against the mass-minded. With much of it, it is easy to agree. But some of it has the look of a house trying to divide against itself. Actually, subjective and objective are interdependent; the individualist becomes imperceptibly the leading unit of the mass; the romantic expresses himself in classic gesture. The subjective Lewisohn gives us a piece of objective critical writing in pure classic mood. Skin Deep "The Ugly Duchess," by Lion Feuchtwanger, Translated by Willa and Edwin Muir. The Viking Press. In a translation so smooth that it is not recognizable as such, Feuchtwanger's new book has just been published. His "Jew Süss" set a standard of brilliance which might easily not have been maintained. It was written with a smashing power not commonly found in so-called historical novels, and the setting of the gaudy gallantry and flashing cruelty of an eighteenth-century petty Court was one calculated to lend great variety and color to the book. But "The Ugly Duchess" does not disappoint. It is a far more somber story, set in the bleak when Tyrol, in the fourteenth century, the central European mountain country was almost untouched by the glorious, stirring life of France and Italy, and lay in a sort of drab fog of dumbness, superstition, and sodden brutality. The only lights in this heavy cloud were the conflicts of a few able political minds. "The Ugly Duchess" is written, fittingly, in a low key. It is marked by massive and important construction rather than by high color. Mediævalists will enjoy Feuchtwanger's intelligent grasp of the curious mediaval mind. They may have a few quarrels with him, particularly for his omissions in the matter of corroborative detail. But the mediævalist is always wanting to scratch fiction and find history. Most readers have better sense. For them it suffices that "The Ugly Duchess" is a good and brilliantly written story. It concerns Margarete, duchess in her own right of the Tyrol, a woman cursed with hideousness of face and body, gifted with an able, constructive mind. The curse of ugliness is indeed the whole theme of the book-the praise of beauty, perhaps for the Duchess, in her efforts The Outlook |