The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1924-09-05
RETURNS WITH HIGHEST
PRAISE FOR OLD SPAIN
Walter Wood, Back Home After Four Months,
Declares 1t to Have Been Most Misunder-
stood Country in Europe

IBhN u iiotti ~ toat hSss
of five Of the principal coun-
tries of Western Europe, Wal
ter p. Wood. Of this city is
loudeSt in his praise for Spain,
where he became so Cnamored
of the people. the customs, the
scenery. and the ancient palac-
eS and monasterieS. that he let
two months slip by before he
remembered that he was due
back home on September !.
Everywhere I went. In SPAIN"
say Mr.. Wood, IL found such an air
of respect and consideration for
Americans. that II IL impossible to
associate the country with the con.
crption prevalent In many localities
of America. There Is no attempt to
gOugc visitors on every hand, and
every person with whom you deal.
does his utmost to please you and
give good service" lie continues:
"Thrrr IL no hatred toward the
Americans and such u thing 10 the
Spanish American war IL forgotten
10y the people Of Spain. who look
upon the American people with the
highest degree OF esteem. judging
from the treatment accorded visit.
OrS. One finds courtesy n larger
par, of the national life. \ Span
ish passenger on a train for in-
gtuncr. offers his cigarettes in every
one In the cur, before he will take
one himself. If you 20 into
restaurant and sit mt u table with
others. they will rise and stand TN
III you are seated. The courtesy
IL repeated II you lcnvc the table
first.
The cost of travel IL not 80 cx.
penslvc as In other countries. One
finds the hotel service the very
best and ut moderate rates. The
entire bill of fare is brought 10 fhe
table and II the guest doesn't cat
some of everything. the walters arc .
sollcitous. and want TO know II
anything is the matter ana IL any
thing else can he done to satisfy
the guest. .
There Is no hint for tips. and
service doesn't seem tO he given In
anticipation Of any gratuities.
There IL u custom however among
tourists to give ten per cent OF tho
bill in tips by dividing 1t among
those who have rendered service.
zone finds n refreshing pride and
dignity among every class, that IL
evidence of the culture and environ
mrnt that has surrounded the pco.
pie Of Spain for centuries. There
IL no attempt at familiarity, no dis.
respect whatever, and ! believe II a
person were Ia fall down on the
street. not even Il child would laugh
at him.
The general good will that pre-.
walls toward the Americans Is evi.
dent In every part Of Spain. On
the fourth Of July | saw the Ameri-
can Flag flonting mt the mnsthcads.
and nt Gibralter. the British ships
flew the American FLAG with the
Union jack. which reminds me that
with the possible exception Of Eng
land. Spain Is the most interesting
and delightful country IN Europe
today. ! except England because It
seems rs u second home. where the
customs AMI scenery are 80 much
like what we are used 10 seeing In
America.
IL think a large part of the good
will that prevails In Spain toward
the Americans has been built up
10y the efforts of the American Am.
hassndor at Madrid. llOu. Alex l..
Moore. Of Pittsburgh. who for more
than two years has been hopO:ed at
The Spanish capital. Mr. Moore has
the personality TO make himself
agrocably known anywhere. and his
relations at the Spanish court
where h. H. one Of the most popular
n. n III.
the American people, nothing but
the greatest approval and good will.
Everything In Spain Is distinctly
Spanish. and II Is q most hOmgene-
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