learned Germans on the functions of educa- international affairs. All the Scandinavian THE AMERICAN POPULAR MAGAZINES tion, and the army and navy, and two or three countries, however, are interested in Georg studies of foreign politics that are worthy of Brandes, the famous Danish critic, who has note. On another page we quote an inter- come to be recognized as the most eminent esting German opinion of the "Roosevelt personality of his country. A little about Destiny." In connection with our article on Brandes' eminence is given in a recent number the London town-planning conference on page of Samtiden, the Norwegian review, from 46 some interesting information can be ob- which we quote on another page. tained from Dr. Bruno Schmitz' scholarly paper (in the Nord und Süd) on "The Berlin Housing Problem." A long discussion of the recent Parliamentary developments in Ger- Reverting now to the form of periodical many is contributed to the Deutsche Revue by publication with which our readers are more T. Boisly. Of course the German reviews familiar, the American illustrated magazine, all have something to say on conditions we find that the annual custom of adapting in the Balkans and Turkish finances. the December and January numbers to the Frieherr von Machy, writing in the Kon- supposed requirements of the Christmas seaservative Monatsschrift, thinks that the young son still persists, although the preparation of Turks in their financial extremity must now special holiday features, both in text and ilturn to Germany. lustration, is growing less elaborate from year to year. Notwithstanding the large number appearance in the magazines, a very large proportion of space in the December numbers is left for the so-called "serious" features,— political, social and economic discussions, a few essays and bits of literary criticism, and now and then a descriptive article of the old type, with an occasional chapter of biography, OTHER EUROPEAN COMMENT AND DISCUSSION of Christmas stories that still make their In Italy, the reform of the Upper House and questions of the regulation of art exportations and the lessening of emigration occupy the attention of the magazines. We give elsewhere a statement of the reforming of the Italian senate. Nuova Antologia has a symposium on Tolstoy made up of articles by seven reminiscence, or history. eminent Italians. The celebrated Professor Ferrero contributes some appreciative comments on the literary style of the great Russian. It is not very often that the Spanish reviews publish articles that are of such a nature that they can be condensed and used in these pages. Recent numbers of Espana Moderna, however, have contained several noteworthy articles of interest to Americans. One on "Greater Spain" in a current number deals with variations of the Spanish language found in America, pointing out the difference between Cubanisms, Peruvianisms, etc. We quote on another page from an article in Cultura Filipina on the status of the English and Spanish languages in the Philippines. POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS If any Rip Van Winkle among the magazinists of halt a century ago should come back to earth in this year of grace of 1911, one of the first characteristics that he would be likely to note in the contents of the up-to-date American magazine would be the increased attention to current topics in the political and economic fields. By way of illustration, we have only to look over the tables of contents presented by the leading popular magazines of last month. These are some of the subjects which are journalistically treated in those periodicals: "Insurgence of Insurgency," by William Allen White, a journalist who knows what insurgency means, if anyThe Dutch reviews limit their articles body does, in the American Magazine; "It: largely to topics of national interest. A writer the Politics of Business," by Lincoln Stefin De Gids, however, discusses international fens in Everybody's; "What Are You Going arbitration and disarmament, declaring it To Do About It?" (dealing with political his belief that it will be the duty of Hol- conditions in Colorado), by Charles E. Rusland to bring about some scheme of universal peace. The readers of Swedish, Norwegian and Danish reviews are evidently much more interested in topics of artistic and economic concern in their own countries than they are in sell in the Cosmopolitan; "The New Apportionment of the House," by G. G. Lincoln in Munsey's; "Is Congressional Oratory a Lost Art?" by Speaker-to-Be Champ Clark, in the Century, and in the same magazine "The House of Governors," by W. G. Jordan, who is, and has been chief promoter of that prom- for her in trade relations. The old problem ising institution. In the North American of building up an American merchant marine Review there are two articles bearing directly is attacked in the Atlantic by Mr. W. S. on the present political situation: "Lessons Bowles. of the Election," by Edward G. Lowry, and "Popular Election of United States Senators," by J. W. Perrin. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ARTICLES INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES It is a relief to turn from these rather matter-of-fact articles to the biographical studies that have a place in the December and Among the economic topics treated in January numbers. Prof. A. C. McGiffert December magazines are "Working Girls' has begun in the Century a really new and inBudgets" and "Masters of Capital in Amer- spiring account of "Martin Luther and His ica" in McClure's; "The Honest Farmer" in Work." The Century has been famous in Hampton's; and "Woman, the Lion of Prog- years past for its biographies of distinguished ress" in the Forum. Mr. William S. Ros- men. There seems to be a peculiar need of a siter writes with perception and knowledge in modern life of Luther which will answer the the Atlantic Monthly concerning the dwin- questions sure to be asked by the present dling of that part of our population which con- generation. Professor McGiffert is an enthucerns itself with agriculture. In the American siast on this subject and the introductory Magazine, Mr. A. J. Nock exposes some of the chapters of his work give every promise of a absurdities in our present taxation system most successful and profitable biography. under the title "The Things That Are Mr. Gamaliel Bradford's study of Robert Caesar's." Dr. Booker T. Washington tells E. Lee in the Atlantic is noteworthy as a disin the World's Work "How Education Solves criminating and appreciative contribution of the Race Problem" and in the same magazine a Northern writer to a rapidly growing Lee Mr. Frederic C. Howe defines "A Way literature. Prof. Brander Matthews writes Toward Modern Civics." Mr. C. M. Harger in the Century of "Poe's Cosmopolitan contributes to the North American Review Fame," while in the North American Review a well-informed statement of the relation of Mr. Archibald Henderson contributes an finance to the land movement in the middle West. In Hampton's, Rheta C. Dorr writes on "Another Chance for the Bad Boy" and in the North American Review Dr. P. S. Moxom shows the relation of the modern child to movements for social reform. Several important articles of the month are devoted to commerce and its regulation. In the American Magazine, Miss Ida M. Tarbell makes pointed reference to the public record of Senator Aldrich on the tariff, while in the Atlantic Prof. F. W. Taussig, in an article which we summarize on another page of this REVIEW, attacks the much lauded basic principle of difference in the cost of production as applied to the tariff. The timely subject of reciprocity with Canada is discussed in the Forum by Peter McArthur. (In this connection our readers will note Mr. McGrath's resumé of the American and Canadian arguments in this number of the REVIEW.) entertaining analysis of "The International Fame of Mark Twain." These two American writers, it is safe to say, will not soon be forgotten, even in lands where literary reputation has been won by comparatively few Americans. We quote elsewhere (page 97) from Mr. Howells' appreciation of Tolstoy in the North American. TRAVEL, DESCRIPTION, AND ADVENTURE A few years ago every well-regulated American magazine was supposed to publish in each issue at least two or three "travel articles." This excellent custom is now, we regret to say, more honored in the breach than in the cbservance. In the whole range of contents presented by the December numbers, only three or four travel sketches have a place. These, however, happen to be exceedingly well done. One of them is Mr. Quite apart from questions of tariff and Walter Pritchard Eaton's "The Real Dismal reciprocity, the actual trade conditions of the Swamp," in Harper's; another is Mr. Ernest world are being presented in a series of arti- Thompson Seton's "Arctic Travels," in cles in the Century Magazine. The commerce Scribner's, while Mr. Paul J. Rainey's unof Spain is described in the December number usual experiences in securing Arctic animals, by A. S. Riggs, and those Americans who as related in the Cosmopolitan for December, have thought of Spain as a decadent nation were summarized in our own December numwill be surprised at the showing that is made ber. In the way of description, also, we should not omit mention of Mr. G. W. Og- Mr. Joseph Husband's articles in the Atlantic den's account in Everybody's of the recent on mining conditions. The December instalforest fires of the northwest. In the North ment is a thrilling story of "Fire in a Mine." American Review, Mr. W. R. Thayer writes an We have mentioned only a few of the more appreciative article on "The Clue to Modern prominent topics in the December numbers of Italy." In Hampton's, Mr. Frederic C. the popular magazines, disregarding for the Howe gives an excellent description of the moment a great number of special and semicity of Düsseldorf, and in the same magazine technical articles which constantly appear in Mr. Walter Wellman relates his adventures journals of a limited or class circulation. in his recent attempt to cross the Atlantic in These, however, are not altogether ignored in an airship. this department of "Leading Articles of the Month," in which are noted several scientific topics that are of interest to the general reader as well as to the specialist. As a graphic account of personal experience such as does not often find its way into literature, we commend to the notice of our readers THE TARIFF AND COST OF PRODUCTION THE doctrine of a tariff based on differences "solution" of the tariff question this muchin cost of production has recently re- paraded "true principle" is worthless. Apceived much attention in this country. It plied with consistency, he says, it would lead was incorporated in the national Republican to the complete annihilation of foreign trade. platform of 1908, and in the debates on the As he interprets the phrase "equalization of new Tariff Act, in the following year, it was cost of production," it has only this meaning: repeatedly spoken of by the "insurgent" The higher the expenses of an American proRepublicans as the true and accepted Repub- ducer, and the greater the excess of the exlican principle of protection by which every penses incurred by him over those incurred specific duty on manufactured products was by a foreign competitor, the higher the duty. to be tested. And after the Payne-Aldrich bill had been passed and became a law President Taft was repeatedly assailed because of his alleged departure from this principle in signing the bill. hemp, ascertain how much more expensive it is to grow hemp in Kentucky than in Russia or Yucatan, and equalize conditions with a high duty. This means, then, that the production of any and every thing is to be encouraged - not only encouraged but enabled to hold its own. Automatically the duty goes up in proportion as the American cost is large. As an illustraA fresh discussion of this tariff plan is em- tion, Professor Taussig refers to the producbodied in an article contributed by Prof. tion of tea in South Carolina. Ascertain how F. W. Taussig, of Harvard, to the Atlantic much more expensive it is to grow the trees Monthly for December. Contrary to a very and prepare the leaves there than it is in generally accepted opinion, Professor Taus- Ceylon, and put on a duty high enough to sig regards the scheme as a novel one. At offset. Similarly in the case of Kentucky the outset he shows that in order to apply the principle it will be necessary for the new Tariff Board to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in ascertaining the cost of production of protected articles at home and abroad. He It was on this principle that the duties on warns us that "cost of production" is a slip- lemons and prunes were raised in the Paynepery phrase, that costs differ in different es- Aldrich tariff for the benefit of the California tablishments and cannot be figured out with growers. But, says Professor Taussig, if accuracy in any one establishment without an lemons are to be protected under this princielaborate system of special accounts such as ple in California, why not grapes in Maine? are rarely kept; but he admits that approxi- "They can be grown if only the duties be mate figures may be secured and that if the made high enough. Of course, the more unprinciple is sound it will be of great service to favorable the conditions the higher the duties have careful preparation for its application must be. The climate of Maine is not favorand to reach the nearest approach to accur- able for grapes; they would have to be grown acy that the complexities of industry permit. in hot-houses. But make the duty high But the question remains, How far is it all enough, handicap the foreign producer to the worth while? To this question Professor point of equalization, and the crops can be Taussig's brutally frank answer is that as a grown." But the obvious consequence of all this is that the more unsuited the conditions this much-lauded principle as worthless. In are for efficient and economical production, fact, it begs the whole question at issue, the greater will be the effort to bring about which is: How far shall domestic producers protection. This equalizing principle, then, be encouraged to enter on industries in will work in this way,-the worse the natural which they are unable to meet foreign conditions, the more extreme will be the competition? height of protection. If it is maintained that the principle is not to be pushed to such absurd lengths the question remains, Where shall the line be drawn? Professor Taussig refers to the advance of duties in our present tariff of 50, 70, and 100 per cent., and to Senator Aldrich's remark in the course of the tariff debates that he would cheerfully vote for a duty of 300 per cent. if it were necessary to equalize conditions for an American producer. If 300 per cent., asks Professor Taussig, why not 500 or 1000 per cent.? Professor Taussig would not, however, leave it to be inferred that inquiries about relative cost of production, money rates of wages, and equalization of conditions, are not worth while. On the contrary, he believes that they will conduce to a better understanding of the tariff situation and are likely to lead to improvement in legislation. In two directions, he believes, the investigation of relative costs of production would be of advantage: as to undue gains in monopolistic or quasimonopolistic industries, and as to the extent to which there are vested interests which must be respected in a future settlement of As a proposition for settling the tariff problem, therefore, Professor Taussig dismisses the tariff. A GERMAN VIEW OF THE A REVIEW of present-day political and condensed: Whether some great genius will lead his people into new paths is the most difficult thing in the world to predict. Great geniuses are rare phenomena; they appear suddenly like Pallas Athene springing from the head of Zeus. Such were Pericles, Cæsar, Frederick the Great, Napoleon, Bismarck. Is Roosevelt, perchance, made of the stuff of a regenerator? Who knows? He must not be measured by the scale of the men just mentioned; all the world indeed, is agreed upon that. But he has exerted a great influence upon his nation and may possibly still greatly increase it. In order to be a regenerator of the politics of his country-assuming that Roosevelt wants to venture the great throw-he must, continues the German writer, have a clear realization of his aims and of the means at his disposal. The power that is ultimately to extend over everything must proceed from internal politics. ROOSEVELT The path of the victorious general is not open, unless, it may be, in the event of a war with Japan. It might then well be that, with the lack of trained generals, the "rough rider" of the Far West, the daring volunteer of the Cuban campaign would be placed at the head of all the forces of his country. If the "waves of war do not raise him to such a rôle, there remains only that of a civil dictator, such as Pericles was under democratic forms." Roosevelt's task would be the annihilation of the inordinate power of the associated gigantic capital of New York... The combat with such gigantic powers, carried on not from the standpoint of the foreigner but of the North American patriot, would be an enterprise worthy of a political Hercules. There is many an unfavorable element in the arena-the rigidity of party formations, the diverse platforms, the influence of the trusts and their contributions to party funds. But also many favorable factors-the growing resentment of the masses against the trusts, the existence of a party, the Democratic, already trained to fight these capitalistic powers. Roosevelt, however, does not belong to it. Going over from one party to another in a man of such high position is almost unprecedented. Our former compatriot, Carl Schurz, had the courage to do it.... But Schurz did not occupy the highest place. And he was confronted by many difficulties owing to his change of allegiance. Is Roosevelt willing to undertake the giant war with those powers? People do not know. That he will fight against them is certain; but the tradition, held sacred since the time of Washington, that no one shall be elected President more than twice. The arraignment is not at all pertinent. Roosevelt has thus far been elected only once, in 1904. Before that he had to step in because of McKinley's assassination. Roosevelt's popularity suffered in the last years of his incumbency; not among the people but in congressional circles did opposition to him manifest itself, after he had repeatedly sharply rebuked them; they, among other ways, answered him by granting him only two battleships of the four he had de whether he will do it as a thing of life and death, HAS GERMANY DESIGNS ON HOLLAND THE price to England of an understanding Sir Harry Johnston is a friend of peace and a friend of Germany. As an ex-British pro-consul he has a wide experience of the world and its ways. He traveled through the principal towns of Germany last autumn, and during his visit he made it his special business to ask German officials, German politicians, heads of industries and of great commercial firms why Germany is forcing the pace in the matter of naval construction. He took no notice of the "unreasonable aspirations" of the German jingoes. He embodies in his article what he tells us may be considered the average views of enlightened and intelligent Germans. He has come to the conclusion that no understanding is possible with Germany, and that there can be no abatement in the race of naval armaments unless Great Britain enters into a compact with Germany, written or unwritten, which will make over to the German Empire, as part of the domain in which she exercises dominating influence, the kingdom of the Netherlands and all the appurtenances thereto, the Balkan peninsula, and all that remains of the Turkish Empire. They propose as their theatre of political influence, commercial expansion, and agricultural peninsula, of Asia Minor, and of Mesopotamia, experiments the undeveloped lands of the Balkan down even to the mouth of the Euphrates. They might be willing, in agreement with the rest of the world, to create an Eastern Belgium in SyriaPalestine perhaps a Jewish state-which, merely by the fact of its being charged with the safekeeping of the holy places of Christianity, would quite possibly become undenominationally Chrisexist in Asia Minor, just as there will probably be tian. A Turkish sultanate might continue to for centuries a King or Queen of the Netherlands, of Austria, Hungary, Bohemia, Bulgaria, and Rumania; but German influence at Constantinople would become supreme, whether or not it Fatherland itself, or under the Crescent and Star was under the black-white-and-red flag of the ensign of Byzantium. "Why should this worry you?" asked the Germans. It might inconvenience Russia, but we could square Russia, and in return for the acceptance of her the fullest guaranties regarding the indeour treatment of Constantinople we would give pendence of Denmark, and possibly even we might admit the right of Russia to an enclave on the Asiatic side of the Bosporus, and to a sphere of influence over Trebizond and Northern Armenia, besides recognizing the special need of Russia to obtain access to the Persian Gulf through Northern and Western Persia. BERLIN'S APPETITE FOR HOLLAND The other indispensable condition of a real Anglo-German peace is, according to These are the terms of settlement with Ger- this English writer, the acceptance by Great Britain of "the virtual incorporation of Holland in the German Empire." "More than one enlightened and intelligent German" told Sir Harry Johnston, that include (whether it were publicly expressed or of course, this Anglo-German understanding would not) a recognition on the part of Britain that |