AMERICA AND THE WAR

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 23, 26 January 1918, Page 5

AMERICA AND THE WAR

A RECENT VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS.

Fresh from a lengthy stay in California, Mr. A. E. Kdrnot spoke interestingly to a Post reporter of the attitude of America towards the war.

Seventeen miles out of San Diego, he said,, there is Camp Kearney, where 35,000 men are undergoing training, and there are also 10,000 horaes and mules. The camp had only been established for some two months when he was there, but the drainage was perfect and the roads were as "level as a billiard table.". The site was formerly a waste, covered with scrub, and was given by the San Diego authorities for the purposes oi a camp. "Walking along with an officer," said Mr. Kernot, "I was shown a number of hutments, and their brief history is illustrative and illuminating. The ground was .cleared one day, the erection of the hutments from standardised parts ,\vaß commenced at 5 o'clock the next morning, and the same evening they were occupied by 1500 men." "What is the attitude of America towards the war?" Mr. Kernot was asked. "The American is quite frank about it," he said. "He didn't go into the war to help England, but to help America. Incidentally her sympathies are greatly with France and Belgium. At the same time, he has become a most faithful ally; ths former somewhat sympathetic attitude towards the Central Powers has entirely disappeared, and they are enthusiastically pro-Ally." - Further, says Mr. Kernot, the American is intensely interested in his air service, which is being fostered to an enormous extent. "While I was in San Diego, on the golf links, every day aeroplanes were rising from the adjoining camp all day long, trying out cadets and machines. It was no uncommon thing tc( see from 40 to 50 machines overhead at a time. Before a man is passed as efficient, he not only has to loop the loop but to fly upside down." Naturally, no details can be published of the number of troops leaving America for the front, but almost daily men are being sent in large numbers r to the various ports of embarkation. 'And here is an interesting sidelight on the mental attitude of the people. On 21st December a parade of troops belonging to the Army and Navy took place at San Diego. It was a very fine sight indeed, but the crowd of people who lined the streets viewed it in almost absolute silence. At the same time there was an undercurrent of deep pride in the men, who were a magnificent lot, but very grave in their bearing. One of the most striking evidences of the cordiality between the Americans and the Allies is the fact that English officers are engaged in instructional work at every camp., They are men who have been through the fighting, in some cases since the beginning of the war, and are on loan to the American Government. Their.reception is absolutely cordial, both on the part of officers and men.

As a. further illustration of the way in which America views the war, it is interesting to note that there is ohe meatless day every week, and one wheatless day. On the meatless day no meat is consumed at any public restaurant or hotel, and the butchers' shops are closed, and the people observe the letter and spirit of the regulation with complete loyalty. On the wheatless day no bread made of wheat nor -dishes composed of wheat may be consumed. Just lately there has been instituted an ice creamless _ day—perhaps on» of the ' greatest sacrifices Americans could be called on to make. Tt is not yet the law, but public opinion is very strong in its favour, and on that day there is no demand for the luxury.

Constantly, said Mr. Kernot, the newspapers urge the heed of economy, which is a very difficult lesson for the American to learn, as he is essentially an extravagant liver. Mr. Kernot added that he found a very cordial feeling towards New Zealand, and many people he met declared their intention of paying the Dominion a visit.

Speaking of the American Navy, Mr. Kernot said that a large number of wealthy young men had joined as seamen, and were doing splendidly. At a. ball at one of the fashionable hotels in San piego he saw an ordinary seaman dancing in the same 6et as the Admiral of the Pacific Fleet. Sailor and Admiral were personal friends, and the- sailor's wife is one of the most fashionable and wealthiest women in San Diego. The Admiral's flagship was the celebrated Oregon, which played such a gallant part in the engagements at Santiago and Manila during the American-Spanish War.