BOOK DEPARTMENT
Members of the Institute, both regular and associate, may save money by ordering books through its Book Department, which will supply any obtainable book. A discount of 10 per cent is allowed on books published by the Institute, and 5 per cent on books of other publishers (government and foreign publications excepted). Address Secretary-Treasurer, U.S. Naval Institute, Annapolis, Maryland.
CAN WE BE NEUTRAL? By Allen W. Dulles and Hamilton Fish Armstrong. New York: Published by Harper & Brothers for Council on Foreign Relations, Inc. 1936. 191 pages. $1.50.
Reviewed by Professor Allan Westcott, U. S. Naval Academy
“No country was ever so thoroughly against war as our own,” said Thomas Jefferson in 1793, but a little later he expressed the hope that the new world would “fatten on the follies of the old.” These two motives, fear of war and hope of gain, which stood out in the neutrality situation of 1793, stand out also in that of 1936.
Of the problem today we get a sensible, realistic treatment in this little book Can We Be Neutral?—a treatment such as we would expect from its two authors, Mr. Dulles with his extended service in diplomacy and Mr. Armstrong with his background as a soldier, traveler, and editor of Foreign A fairs. In about 120 pages they sketch our earlier experience as neutrals, review the legislation and executive moves during the past year, and discuss our future policy. This is followed by some 60 pages of documents and bibliography.
The authors consider it highly important that our neutrality legislation should not be permanent, binding us as in a plaster cast, but flexible and adaptable to the highly varying circumstances in which we may find ourselves in future international complications. They feel that even an automatic arms embargo, applicable to both belligerents, might be dangerous as a fixed policy, operating to the advantage of strong, industrial, aggressive nations more fully prepared for war. They are inclined to favor restriction on public (though not private) loans to belligerents, and to favor also the withdrawal of protection from American trade with belligerents and from Americans traveling on merchant vessels of warring nations. They are strongly opposed, on the other hand, to any quota system or “cash and carry” system of regulating our trade with belligerents, or even to restriction by “moral suasion,” chiefly because of the great difficulty of enforcement, the injury to our trade, and the premium placed on various methods of evasion. The undesirability of a permanent policy of sweeping war-time embargoes on such trade is easily shown by considering various possible situations, such as war between an American and a non-American state, or between Japan and China, or between some strong aggressor nation and the League powers.
Even these authors seem to feel, however, that while there are very definite neutral duties, neutral rights are a highly dubious affair. This may be true to the extent that the only guarantee of these rights is the willingness and ability of the neutral to defend them. Yet it cannot safely be denied that such rights exist, and that on occasion it may become not only our interest but our moral duty to stand ready for their defense. The “right” of the neutral to protect its trade with belligerents is questioned, while it would no doubt be generally agreed that the neutral has a “right” to forbid such trade. But wherein lies the great difference between these two “rights”? Italy has said that neutral restrictions on her oil supply would be regarded as an unfriendly or even hostile act. And England might well consider it an unfriendly act if, immediately upon her entry into a war, she should find her food supply cut off by Denmark, Ireland, the United States, and other neutral nations. The right of Holland to export certain goods across her frontier to a belligerent Germany would probably not be questioned—then why question the right of a neutral to send such goods to a belligerent overseas, subject always to interdiction by such recognized military methods as blockade.
Indeed such rights exist, and it is the part of wisdom that our neutrality legislation should provide against their surrender. It is true, of course, that our foreign trade is no such vital matter today as it was during the Napoleonic Wars, or even in 1914-17. In 1914 we were exporting 8 ¼ million bales of cotton and 155 million bushels of wheat, as compared with corresponding figures of 6 ½ and 36 ½ million in 1934. In these circumstances the protection of our trading rights may not be worth the risks involved. But if this is so, the withdrawal of protection should be put on that basis; it should not be put forward as a condemnation of such trade, nor as a surrender of the right to protect it, nor as a permanent policy.
POWERFUL AMERICA. By Eugene J. Young. New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company. 386 pages. 1936. $3.00.
Reviewed by Lieutenant Commander Wallace S. Wharton, U. S. Naval Reserve
This book should be made must reading for every naval officer and all citizens interested in foreign affairs, for it is an able and scholarly presentation of the tangled state of international relationships from an American viewpoint and free from propaganda for the benefit of any foreign nation. In this respect the book is indeed unique, especially since the flood of propaganda released to influence Americans for and against certain powers.
The main theme of the book is that America today faces a junction of the paths in foreign affairs, due to the mantle of power that hitherto has been Britain’s passing westward. The problems, Young contends, must be faced realistically and in keeping with pure American traditions, which have too often in the past only been evidenced in a blundering manner.
The primary choice, the author insists, is whether the United States shall participate in world affairs or not. Inactivity in proper exercise of the nation’s power will lead to military and autocratic anarchy, while activity, even if it imposes the risk of war, will tend to maintain peace and fulfillment of American ideals through the traditional police policy of permitting the individual (in this case nation) to solve his own problems so long as he does not disturb community peace or serenity.
Stubborn persistence of the spirit of nationalism in the world, and in the United States in particular, is something that must not be overlooked because it is an essential factor to be reckoned with at all times. Young regards it as a healthy spirit, and deplores attempts of theorists to controvert it by the “big-brother-to-the-world” ideas of pacifists and internationalists. He intimates that even big brothers sometimes find it necessary to box the ears of younger brothers for the general good of the cause.
America, he insists, can serve the role destiny has assigned her only by being strong—and national strength in his estimation must realistically include the sinews of war as well as general economic and cultural development.
Further, he points out, a realistic policy in foreign affairs will do much toward solving domestic problems by creating outlets for the inherent strength and productive wealth of the nation. This, too, without undue collision with other national interests, because America has so much to offer that the world wants.
Young gives the reader many intriguing back-stage views of manipulations that have taken place in international affairs in the process of building up background for the present, and his forecast for the future. Incidentally he does not pretend to have all of the answers for the future, but rather wisely restrains himself to consideration of possibilities.
Among the revealing and startling back- stage glimpses given are:
How the ideal of the League of Nations was distorted by France and England to serve their own imperialistic aims, and how they intended to force America into the League to protect the status quo of their empires.
How the conflict of interests between England and France brought utter failure to the Geneva and London disarmament conferences.
The part Adolph Ochs, owner of the New York Times, played in the preliminary negotiations for the Washington naval treaty conference and how America sacrificed her actual naval superiority to the British.
How recognition of the Soviet Union by the United States forestalled a threatened invasion of Eastern Siberia by Japanese forces, mobilized at the port of embarkation.
How and why the Monroe Doctrine has been gradually replaced by a Caribbean policy on the part of the United States.
Young has no other ax to grind than that Americans should awaken to the actual situation of political affairs in the world at large and realize the significance to themselves.
He is well suited to the task of writing this book, for since 1902 he has been telegraph editor of the New York Times, telegraph, war editor, news and foreign editor for the New York World, and since 1931 cable editor of the Times. He brings to the task a fund of new information and a scholarly mind that enables him to objectively analyze the various problems and present them ably.
The several chapters devoted to oriental problems have already created a sensation in Japan, for Young has not “spared the horses,” no matter from what pasture they come.
THE TOMLINSON PAPERS: Selected from the Correspondence and Pamphlets of Captain Robert Tomlinson, R. N., and Vice-Admiral Nicholas Tomlinson. Edited by J. Bullocke. London: William Clowes & Sons, Ltd. (Navy Records Society Publication. Vol. 74.) 1935. 25r. 6d.
Reviewed by Louis H. Bolander
The correspondence and public papers of the Tomlinsons, father and son, have considerable interest to present-day students of naval history, for they throw much light on a period when the mighty Navy of England was in a state of decline. Robert Tomlinson, the father, a friend of Admiral Hawke, was an unsparing critic of the administration of the Navy under Lord Sandwich. His letters, covering a period of twenty-eight years, from 1768 to 1796, reveal the weaknesses and abuses in the Navy’s administration, with recommendations for their remedy. His experiences, as a commander charged with the duty of securing new recruits by impressment, had shown him the iniquities and appalling injustices of the system, and he labored unceasingly for its abolition. In 1774 he drew up an “Essay on Manning the Navy without Recourse to Impressment.” In this essay he would do away with impressment entirely and substitute for it a system of voluntary enlistment with a definite limit for each seaman’s period of service. He would make service in the Navy a stepping-stone to preferment in the merchant marine, and would provide a pension for the seaman’s old age. His scheme was set forth with force and ability and furnished a wealth of detail that showed the greatest familiarity with his subject. Tomlinson’s scheme was presented in Parliament, March 11, 1777, but failed of passage.
However, the elder Tomlinson was interested in material as well as personnel. He was acutely interested in the ever-present problem of securing suitable oak for shipbuilding purposes in the Navy. The hasty building of ships in the Seven Years’ War, coupled with a lack of effort to correct the shortage of timber, produced such a chaotic condition that it was difficult to maintain an adequate fleet during the seven years of the American Revolution. Tomlinson attributed part of the Navy’s timber shortage to a lack of attention to the proper preservation of timber, and in 1775 he wrote an “Essay on Timber Preservation.” His observations in the light of modern scientific knowledge have little value, but they show much study and keen insight in the problem. We know that he was a man of considerable learning, a master of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, and endowed with a sternly religious nature. In his old age he turned to religion as a solace, and wrote a number of pamphlets on religious subjects.
Captain Tomlinson’s three sons all became naval officers, the youngest, Nicholas, rising to the rank of vice-admiral. His life was a much more active one than his father’s. Early in his naval career, in 1776, he was sent to the coast of North America and served against the revolting colonies for three years. In the early part of 1781 he was given command of a gunboat in an expedition up the rivers of Virginia. In the siege of Yorktown, Nicholas was in command of one of the advanced batteries, and earned Lord Cornwallis’ personal thanks. In about 1790 he was recommended by Lord Hawke, his father’s friend, to the Russian Ambassador, and joined the Imperial Russian Navy, commanding a line-of-battle ship, but resigned his command when war with Napoleon threatened England. From 1803 to 1809 he was employed with the Sea Fencibles in the county of Essex.
Nicholas Tomlinson’s career in the Navy was a turbulent one, marked by deeds of great courage and ability of a very high order, but marred by many disagreements and quarrels with his superiors. He even had the temerity to criticize the great Lord Nelson for his conduct of the Battle of Copenhagen. The most important part of his correspondence in this volume relates to the Copenhagen and Walcheren expeditions.
The correspondence of both father and son in this volume was gleaned from the family documents and letters in the possession of Miss Lance, the great-great- granddaughter of Captain Robert Tomlinson.
ELEMENTS OF DIESEL ENGINEERING. By Orville Adams. New York: The Norman W. Henley Publishing Co. 1936. 478 pages. $4.00.
Reviewed by Professor George Beneze
Most of the books dealing with the Diesel engine fall rather definitely into one of two general categories. In one category may be placed those books written for the college student, the designer, or the man who has had the advantage of a formal engineering education. In the other may be placed those intended for the mechanic, the operator, or the man of limited formal education.
The author of a book belonging to this second class finds himself limited in the exposition of the theories and principles involved, since he must conclude that the student’s knowledge of physics, thermodynamics, and mathematics is very limited. Unfortunately, many authors of books belonging to this latter class solve this problem to their (but not to the student’s) satisfaction by giving what might be termed catalogue descriptions of the engines and their accessories, and make little or no attempt to explain the theories or principles which govern their design and functions.
This book is certainly intended for the man of limited education. It is very elementary. However, the author has made an honest effort to explain the underlying principles which affect the design, construction, and operation of the various parts of the Diesel engine in very simple language. While his treatment of some of the theories involved is rather unorthodox, he accomplishes his purpose.
The author traces the history of the internal-combustion engine from the time of Abbe d’Hautefeuille to the present, and covers the stationary’, marine, locomotive and automotive types. His references show that he has kept abreast of the time, and he clearly indicates that he believes in the future of the Diesel engine. The book contains some 284 illustrations, many of which are excellent, and at the end of each chapter are questions and answers designed for home study.
This reviewer does not recommend the book as a college textbook, but to the mechanic, the operator, or the layman who wishes to broaden his knowledge of the Diesel engine, this book will be most valuable.
ADVENTURES OF GENERAL MARBOT. Edited and illustrated by Major John W. Thomason, Jr., U. S. M. C. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1935. 499 pages profusely illustrated. $3.00.
Reviewed by Lieutenant Neil K. Dietrich, U. S. Navy
The writings of few officers of any military’ service have attained the well- deserved popularity accorded those of Major Thomason (who achieves the unique distinction of being promoted from captain to major between the outside and inside of the striking color-jacket of this volume). The many readers of Fix Bayonets, Red Pants, Marines and Others, Jeb Stuart, and Salt Winds and Gobi Dust will expect to find the usual Thomason characteristics in Adventures of General Marbot, and they will not be disappointed, for the same effectiveness, choice of telling detail, swift revelation of character, sharp decisive action, correct technical detail, and dry wit are found in this work. The adventures have been selected from the most interesting and exciting in the memoirs of Marbot, but the editing and illustrating are all Thomason and serve to establish more firmly his reputation as one of the outstanding American delineators of military’ men.
The memoirs of General Marbot do not constitute a treatise on strategy’ or abstract theories of warfare; he does not attempt to describe scenes or ascribe motives beyond his personal knowledge, nor does he concern himself with much outside his soldier’s world—he gives us a fascinating picture of the life of the soldier of the Napoleonic wars, exciting, interesting, and almost incredible in its thrills.
Marbot was born, almost in the saddle, in 1782, the son of General Marbot, and entered the armies of the Republic as a cavalry trooper at the age of seventeen. From the beginning of his career his bravery, sound judgment, coolness, and initiative made him outstanding and attracted such favorable notice that he received his first commission four months after his enlistment. From then on he was close to Napoleon in many of the great battles of Bonaparte’s career—Austerlitz, Jena, Eylau, Wagram, the passage of the Moskwa, the slaughter of the Beresina, the retreat from that tragic scene to France, and finally Leipzig and Waterloo. He served in Spain with Massena, was wounded a dozen times, and had countless exciting adventures with Russians, Spaniards, Austrians, and all the rest of the nations who opposed the French. After Waterloo, Marbot was forced to flee his country, but in 1818 he was recalled; in 1829 made a general; and in 1848 retired. “He loved France and the Army, and all his record is honorable.”
The Napoleonic literature is vast, but all too little of it deals with that uncounted host of humble and anonymous soldiers and officers who made stupendous marches, dared everything, endured everything, and served for soldier’s pay and the abstract ideal of glory, giving up home and loved ones for France and the Emperor. General Marbot was of this background and his memoirs provide a rapidly moving picture of concentrated military action that leaves never a dull moment. He disliked politics and left it severely alone, but he knew that he was a good officer and with a soldier’s honesty and distaste for false modesty he saw no reason to be less than frank about it. Major Thomason’s book gives life, vigor, and color to the picture of the Napoleonic times, the military man will find in it many personalities and situations that recur in the present day, and it will be a very real addition to the library of any lover of history and adventure.
THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD: ITS SHIPS—DUTIES— STATIONS. By Ensign Evor Samuel Kerr, Jr., U. S. Coast Guard. New York: Robert W. Kelly Publishing Corp. 1935. 104 pages. $3.00.
Reviewed by Commander R. A. Hall, U. S. Navy
Ensign Kerr has compiled a book which appears to be the first to cover thoroughly that most efficient and little publicized service, the United States Coast Guard.
The volume begins with a short historical sketch of the Coast Guard from its inception as the Revenue Cutter Service, through its amalgamation with the Life Saving Service and up to the present time. It describes the many and interesting duties and activities of the Coast Guard both afloat and ashore; and it gives the complete data and description of all Coast Guard vessels and airplanes now in commission.
Of the chapters dealing with activities the most interesting are those on the Coast Guard Academy, the International Ice Patrol, and the Bering Sea Patrol. The last two named are both important and little-known, and contribute annually to the safety and well-being of thousands of persons.
The book is illustrated profusely, and both the subjects and workmanship of the pictures are excellent. Particularly interesting are the pictures of early and historic ships, of actual rescues and salvage work, and of the ice patrol.
The binding is sturdy linen in blue and silver around heavy glazed paper with large type.