Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-24

There is no use blinking the fact or
antemptInE to blink II that there is
lists. and nothing can be gained by
ignoring It's existence. In It's present
Significance ana future potentlniities
IL is one of the main questions of the
time. II is true also that too much
may be made of this question as well
"a too little.
evident from magazine articles appeal
ing for closer unions between the two
great English speaking nations and In
appeals made ror such union by dis
tingushed British speakers TO audi
cnccs In the States and TO American
soldiers over there. II is no secret
England at this time. is for the pur-
pose. of cemcntinE the ties between
n.nsiand and Amertca The splendid
shows that the English people are
anxious for such a union.
In mingling with the troops after
we trained with the English 1 was sur
prised TO find spirit OF animosity
among many or our men toward their
rcriprocated by the British l could not
cell | doubt very seriously If II was.
really believe TINT the "romintts"
US. and forming their own conclusions.
that they did not rcciprocatc. II indeed
,hey onsSryed any HT n,r of i'll viii
average Enalishman to understand
how there Gamble any feeling of hos
'lity toward his nation.
The existence of this spirit among
our men WAS all the more surprising
20 me because of my own most friend
" relations with the Englishmen whom
u met. travelled with them on trains
aud in iorrics. ate with them. slept
With them loafed and talked with them
81 Hritish officers clubs and hotels In
dressed with their unfaiiins courtesy,
'heir accommodating spirit. their re-
Hnomcnt and culture.
They were not especially cas-? to
n"come acquainted with. Reserve
seems To be !, sor, Of national charac-
,eristic Hu, whenever took the
,n,,aXye nyarIsbiy found w ,hsm
iom group 81 table In a dlning-room.
bow and express the hone that WAS
not intrudinE, TO which they would
hars. sure not" There would be no
conversation between us for n while.
Presently something OF mutual inter
ost would como w. and would Join
TIVE ron|ersation Then we would get
on finely. ON separating they would
"nurtcously cSprcss pleasure in the
one night on a crowded train. where
I could not get even seat In sec
cnd-clnss compartments though held
= Hrst-class ticket, nj English officer
r0cercd to take turns with me he
o,nndinr and taking his scat and
vice versa. dcmurrcd, but he in
'ime or two. Toward midnight II be-
-rnc evident that neither would get
much sleep under that Arrangement
Go I suggested that he keen his seat
for the night while sleep on the Nnor.
Whcu lie saw that was determined on
that course lie got out his trench coat
ana his companions oilsEin and made
RE use them for mattress and COW
srinP.
IN such ways the Ems lehman shows st,,s.
tis uns.lfShncss Of spirit might
mention o'her incidents from my ex-
reriencc surely, such Incidents ar"
common TO many who have been in
coniac. with the noble British.
Nor have the British failed 10 OK
rress th"ir admiration OF American sol
d!ers and American va!o-. they have
not been overdcmonstrativc, perhaps
That could hardly be expected It IL
no, their nature. In Il certain french
town during the war ! was talking
wish British town major who had
been courteous To ME In my work. He
Was complaining Of The care essness OF
had occurred asked. 'Wrre they our
iroops?" NO, no." he replied quickly,
mot yours. Your men are very de-
cent fellows. very decent. indeed They
are always We'll behaved" Very de-
cen" IS = high compliment from an
EuC'ishmar. Over and over again |
have hea-d British officers express the
Gp.uion that Americans arc DID
good soldiers" That Is another char
actcristic compliment
When nations get 70 rubbing clbows
with ON" another, IS has been the case
during tho past Grty-two months, they