The Washington herald., 1917-06-27
NOVELIST To WRITE
BOOK ON U. S. navy
Winston Churchill Is Gathering Ma
terial in This City,

Winston Churchill, Americas fore
most novelist. who, since early May.
has been wandering about Washington
diligent yet quietly 'doing his bit, -
relaxed from his work for a brief
period yesterday afternoon and grant,
cd a personal nterview-something he
rarely does-to representative from
The Herald.
How best can American novelists
aid their country" was the FIRST ques-
ton.
well" Mr.. Churchill answered.
while I believe that concerted action
at all times Is admirable, am in
cIined to think # Is not practicable in
the case of the country's writers. Each
writer. for the most part, as they
have a different style. so, are possess
ed of a different manner in which
they might aid Uncle Sam and should
work individually. know this is so
In my case.
since my arrival in Washington 1
have been busy delving into our naval
records, getting material to be used
In q book which am writing to ac-
quaint the people Of the country with
their own navy. I will also deal with
many Of the days war questions, as
H. g. Wells. the English writer, Is
doing across the water.
FavOrs Woman Suffrage.
Are you in sympathy with woman's
suffrage?" Mr.. Churchill was asked.
Indeed, yes" the novelist said.
The women of America will get their
vote as sure as shooting. 1t Is certain
to come. OF course" he added quick
ly, "I do not approve Of all that is
being done in its interest In all such
movements many foolish little epi-
sodes are enacted with which we are
not in sympathy but they generally
prove to be OF little consequence in the
enecting OF the great goal"
Benefits From War.
| In speaking Of the war, Mr..
Churchill was optimistic. He did not
attempt to predict how long it would
last, but he said there would be
great and lasting benefits reaped by
the United States" from the expert
ence.
THE present war Is different from
all others" Mr.. Churchill said. at is
not onfy rE=sking for the results which
have come from wars waged since
Ne beginning OF man, but is vastly
changing, yes, reyolutionizIng those
nations engaged in it-and for the
| better"
will your next novel have a war
tinge?" he was asked.
Hardly" Mr.. Churchill returned
smilingly. Il do not think the war
will cause a general change in the
trend Of the present-day literature.
That is, not unless 1t lasts much long
er than is anticipated.
For some time the novels OF Amer
lea have been bringing people to the
point which they are finding them
selves at during the present time.
| They have tended toward a socialiZa-
ton which is fastly becoming efTec-
| tive. In short they have anticipated
conditions which are now existant."
! When questioned as to whether OF
not he believed the proposed liquor
legislation now pending in Congress
was too drastic" Mr.. Churchill said
it did appear drastic" but hastened
to add that "the present was the time
1t should be drastic
| Nowadays the whole nation has
been aroused to the ravages OF liquor.
1t may be decided that during the
length of the war that It must go
! If so, those who use IT, feel, will
be willing to give patriotically and
give it up"
Mr.. Churchill said he intended re-
naming in Washington until he has
gathered all the material he desires
| for his forthcoming book dealing
with the United States navy and
other war questions.