The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-04-24
"SEE AMERICA" OPPOSITION.

IL is evident that the See America
First" movement has already encoun-
tered positive and active opposition. 1t
was to be expected that the steamship
companies whose vessels ply across the
Atlantic would inaugurate q counter
move to hold Americans to the idea
that they must see Europe or be no
bodies, that they would foster by ey-
cry means In their power the shoddy
sentiment that European culture is
necessary for Americans; that in order
to be able to converse intelligently they
must see the great things OF nature
and of man in the older lands. or stamp
themselves as lacking In something that
well-bred people consider essential
Accordingly. this country is being
Hooded with circulars, folders, pamph-
lets. letters. Newspapers are being
importuned to take boost" articles for
European travel or travellers: and In
every way possible the effort Is stren-
uously made to keep up the interest in
foreigni trips. Tourist agencies join In
the opportunities, offering supposedly
attractive itineraries In which the cost
is exactly stated and made surprising
ly small, of taking person from the
dock in New York, giving him q set
series of Journeys In Europe. and re-
turning him TO the same dock, for an
amount 80 small that It Is calculated to
make him feel ashamed to stay at
home.
We have one Of these circulars be-
fore US now. 1t opens with the state
ment that There never was a time
when interest in European travel was
SO general and so widespread among
the American. people as 1t is today.
Not only do twice as many Americans
travel In Europe as compared with ten
years ago, but very many who have
neither the time nor the means to 60 to
Europe are interested In European
travel because so many of their friends
and acquaintances go. A trip TO Ell
rope is becoming more and more GEN
orally regarded as fitting climax to a
liberal education. Throughout Europe
Americans are considered the greatest
travellers in the world both in numbers
and In llberality"
1t is quite supposable that the writer
Of that circular had the matter down
fine, that his statements express about
the truth There has not been time vet
TO get the See America First" Idea
sulnciently indoctimated Into the
American mind to materially interfere
With the rush TO Europe from this coun-
try during the summer vacation season,
1t is all SO easy TO go. The ships will
carry the tourist at a mere nominal
price: the tour is all prepared. and the
utmost economy consistent with rea-
sonable comfort and service In trans
portation, lodging and food, provided
for. The tourist is taken In hand. Is
shown everything on the route, is at no
trouble for anything, Is cared for thor
oughly. and comes home enchanted
with his visit He has been at no In
convenience, has not had to wait I'D /
on himself at all has had no anxiety |
about his baggage; has. In fact thrown |
off all care. has done" the sights and |
the cities, and Is thenceforward an auo
thority, a travelled man.
II is evident that the "See America |
First" propaganda. excellent and fully |!
attractive as II is in all respects, prac.
tical. sentimental, and patriotic. must
bestir itself to meet this stimulated |
zeal of the promoters OF foreign travel.
There must be catchy Itineraries
mapped out. with comfortable trans