NEUTRALS AMAZED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 60, 20 December 1940, Page 8

NEUTRALS AMAZED

CHEERFULNESS OF BRITONS.

HOW THEY CARRY ON. The average Englishman’s cheerful indifference to the war constantly amazes neutral observers here, writes Guy Murchie from London to the “Chicago Tribune.” Sandbags, pillboxes and barbed wire in the streets apparently are no longer able to penetrate the public’s consciousness. Though many people are seriously working—or wishing to work—to win the war, they think of it as something that will continue till an ultimate victory two or three years from now. It may be of interest to Americans to list the good and bad points of life in England according to a newlyarrived American’s first impressions of London in war time. Tea—served everywhere in England at numerous times a day, even in the third class railroad cars—is the most pleasant custom, and helps to cheer and fortify during the stretches of the day’s work. The morning coffee at 11 has a similar effect.

Another point in England’s favour is the cleanliness of the streets and public places. The people don’t spit on 1 the sidewalks here as in America and dogs are fewer and better controlled. Also there are many public rubbish receptacles, which the people here use. Hedges Neatly Clipped. The good appearance of the public places extends to the countryside, where the grass is luxuriant and the hedges are neatly clipped. The lawns prevent continuous lines of houses and gasoline stations between growing towns. Even in London one can’t go more than a quarter-mile without passing large public squares with green grass and gardens. A further pleasant feature is England’s lack of radio advertising, though this is more than made up for by the weakness of the programmes.

As to the disadvantages in England from the American view there is the pathetic lack of news in the newspapers, which have been cut down to six and eight pages because of the shortage of paper. Many comforts which Americans take for granted are rare here such as water, both hot and cold. Only a few large hotels are Veilstocked with bathtubs and in these the hot water is uncertain. Neither water nor a napkin is served in restaurants and obtaining cold drinking water is a constant struggle.

The Missing Music. The shortage of food as a result of the war is felt by those who keep house, but the wealthier classes, who eat in restaurants, can get along nicely without ration cards. Sometimes the restaurants skimp on the butter and sugar, but the lack of customers, with the reduced city population, usually leaves a surplus allowance. The bacon here is poor by American standards, and green vegetables are scarce because of the war. One notices a dearth pi pianos about London and generally misses America’s universality of music. Poor dentistry here spoils many a pretty girl’s looks, as well as comfort, and the only good dentists are American trained.

Also annoying is the difficulty of buying things that are common in Chicago. Drug stores sell only drugs and close in the evenings.