The sun., 1918-07-21
BRITISH HOMES
OPENED TO ALL
US. SOLDIERS
"Sammy's Blighty," Idea of
American Sergeant, Be-
coming Popular.
CLUBS WORK ON PLAN
English Palaces and Lowliest
Abodes to Receive Fight
ers Of Ally.
CLUBS WORK ON PLAN

Special Correspondence TO TEE Sun.
LONDON. July 6.-"Sammy's Blighty"
Is going TO be one of the biggest and
most far reaching schemes of the war.
when King George honored the Ameri-
can troops at the recent march through
London has put the seal on an enterprise
which had been canvassed for many
months Ia private from one Government
department to another without success.
II was the idea Of n sergeant in the
American army, who, meeting with no
tangible support, eventually obtained
the aid OF Hammer Swaffer, editor OF
Lord Northcliffe's Weekly Dispatch. Tho
latter realized the possibilities OF the
scheme and pushed 1t on Fundamentally.
Now newspapers are booming 1t in
every column. Boxing, theatrical. en-
tertainment, sport and club commiUees
are being formed on all hands. Big
towns and cities are forming and get
ting out schemes for opening the homes
OF their citizens for hospitality to
Americas sons. And never was a more
comprehensive hospitality extended from
one nation to another than Britain is
Offering her American soldier visitors
to-day.
from TIE pulpit vi the Wy
reaching from the text, st. John x,
verse O. az am the door" the Rev. DR..
Fort Newton made an eloquent appeal
recently for the British people to ex-
tend warmer hospitality of the home to
Tie lonely soldiers from the overseas.
What" he asked. could be a more
e.tluert symbol than n door? II It be
open. how tempting the vista II Il be
closed. how aggravating: II 1t be ajar,
how tantalizing. 1t made all the differ
ence IL one stood within or without the
door. What picture OF life could be
more beautiful than that of the happy
home circle by the fires!de disclosed by
the open door! How then could one
wonder that men who have been here
from overseas should long to sit in such
circle" They wanted the door to open
TO have a breath of home. Open II to
them and they would have protection
against many enemies that are lurking
in wait for them"
Homes Need Not Re Palaces.
Prof de Sumlohrast, writing on this
subject, says: 1T will be necessary to
bear in mind that the essential point is
lot the entertaining OF large numbers
at a time only, excellent as that is. but
the enabling the greater number, X not
all, Of our American allies to be received
IN the homes OF England. And these
homes do not need TO be palaces or
country houses, indeed. in the majority
Of cases, the visitors would not be as
much at their case as in the homes OF
the middle class or even the working
class. Again. no one should be deferred
by the doubt OF their ability to entertain
their overseas guests suitably These
guests will assuredly appreciate the well
come itself and the intercourse, how
ever brief. with their hosts. IL is n fact
trat English and Scottish homes are
sadly opened to them, which will tell.
The sense of home 1t Is which our men
delight in when on leave: even more
VIII il appeal to the American soldiers.
We'll or wounded. for II will allay in part
at least that Inconsistencies which Is
bound to be felt by them.
The great bulk OF the people are. es
necially in these days, people of mod
crate means and II should be and doubt
less will be part of the efforts OF the new
committee to arrange that soldiers in
all grades Of life shall have an oppor-
turty Of being welcomed. The provision
that cards will be issued containing
necessary information for the use of the
hosts is excellent and will remove any
''Hl mat may nave pttH
taat the guests sent might not be of
the right class.
"0n the other hand It will be neces-
sary to impress on people everywhere in
Great Britain that they should OFFER help
- American soldiers, for no committees
However well selected or hard working
could possibly discover all who might
elaborate in this excellent work. And
In making their offers known to local
committees local hosts should indicate
whether they are prepared to receive
guests for an afternoon or evening only,
or for a day or more. 1t Is sincerely
TO be hoped that the lead given by Lord
R-s"erbrOok will be followed quickly,
er"rGetically and gladly. The results
VIII be seen in the larger knowledge of
mo two nations and in the mutual trust
and good will that are certain to rise
'ti Of the Transformation Of Old Eng
ana into the Americans dear land Of
res; "
Concerts in Palace Theatre.
Perhaps the greatest of the attrac-
t1'' now provided are the Sunday night
"aoerts at the Palace Theatre. There
&c. the best talent in London give ex-
'-Tr's from their various shows: a
special orchestra gives special selec-
IONS from American composers. and
mystical and training exhibitions are
Sven ny Canadian army gymnastic in
NHu1tors. At one of these sh6srs the
5h'ence included Admiral Sims, Gen.
"'dd.e and the Canadian minister.
Another weekly event is the Wednes-
Gay Night boxing entertainment at the
national Sporting Club. Members OF
ne American army and navy. the Brit
~ army and navy, and the Canadian.
australian, New Zealand and South
African forces all take part in these
sports,