THE RHINE ARMY COMES HOME

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1929, Page 3

THE RHINE ARMY COMES HOME

(By SIR. BERCIVAL PHILLIPS in London “Daily Mail.”) The British Army of the Rhine will come home reluctantly, but with the knowledge that it has performed, a difficult task wisely and well. i .Whatever German propagandists may say.;;lto:.tlfe> ficnt>ai;y,- /.it has. .giuped '-tTi§! respect and confidence, and to, a large extenrthe good will,\ of/the civil population in occupied territory. IE comes home leaving behind no trace of bitterness or enmity. .S*This self-contained organisation has been superimposed on an alien population without affecting in any way the normal life o>f the latter; it has been a tangible thing, yet practically invisible sharing the same towns and villages even the public resorts; aloof in every respect, while maintaining an entirely correct attitude in all dealings with the people and their officials. The Rhine Army has grown into an institution. It has not only its owl dress, language, business and family life, schools hospitals, clergy, amusements and sports, but even its own newspaper and literature. It has created its own history and traditions and even a kind of folklore based on the exploits and adventures of certain “personalities”' associated with the early days of the occupation. it has its heroes and its popular characters and the stories about them' have reached every British depot containing soldiers who have served in Germany. The gossip of the Rhine is current in the bill -stations of' India as well as in tbe barracks of Shanghai. The Army has even developed its own drama with stars who are as firmly placed in popular opinion as any 'favourites of the London stage. There have been many changes since the Army came into being in the first delirious da5 7 s of peace. Generals, staff afficers, and units have come, served rnd gone again. Very few war ribbons are to be seen to-day. A new generation has succeeded to the British watch m the Rhine but the spirit is the same is when every man in tbe Army v of Jccupation arrived by way of the West nm Front. In its own quite way the Army has leen an able propagandist for Britain L'lie life of the civilian population has ieen carefully protected from undue interference. Orders to the troops lave been framed in such a way as to ivoid all unpleasant “incidents.” Fratsrnisation has been strictly avoided, ind even sports competitions with the Germans have been 'forbidden, despite he often expressed desire of the later to engage in friendly games with he soldiers. Many of the old bad illusions, conerning the British troops, which surived after the war, have been effectally dispelled. British justice has been iscovered by the natives to be a fine nd fair thing. The Summary O"' ■hicli has sat twice weekly in Wiosaden is an object lesson to the civi 1 opulation, which it has taken to heart. ( Shopkeepers do not want the army , i leave. They see their profits dwitid- ~ ng in the new era of “freedom”. The ' icupation has been a bless’ng to them - nancially, and if they join in the pol- , ical lyonn of thanksgiving when the ( nion daric is hauled down on Army l eadquarters, it will be in the minor ;