Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-11

GRANGE upon the hopes Of mankind.
Give us time"
"Ot course. no American pretends."
remarks the Sioux City Journal, that
this country Ia not different. But other
countries are different, too. In England
visitors accustomed to warm homes al
most freeze to death, and in France one
Is lucky II one gets a bath even on
Saturday night. And, finally, Americans
are willing to reach this conclusion
that others may have their own coun-
tries with their differences, and wen
keep this one!"
Mr.. CheSterton Is sincerely worried
so much anguish certainly can come
only from sincerity" comments the Gin
cinnati Enquirer, rabout his American
third and fourth cousins. We have no
villages: our towns are eyesores; We
hang tin signs and build unsightly
shacks along our roadways. All in all,
according to Mr., Chesterton, America
Is about to 60 to pot, and probably q
good thing, too. Sooner or later we
may contaminate Europe and make
away with those remaining traces of
medievalism which are the very core Of
Mr. Chesterton's sentimental heart. In
this respect 1t Is interesting that Eng
lishmen quite willingly sell their medi-
eval relics to Americans. who seem TO
prize them more highly"
ct would be wiser and more philo-
sophie" contends the Columbia Is. c.
State, for such critics, who may very
easily break their shins on the crudity
of our civilization, which has still not
reached adolescence or even puberty, to
consider our age. It would also be prl-
dent for Britons to remember that our
villages are at least vital and growing.
while theirs are admittedly in stage
OF inertia and slow decay. Chesterton
might profitably devote some minutes to
q reresding Of the accepted best por-
traiture Of 8 British village in this
process of decay, once 50 full OF such
charm as:
:" The sheltered cot the cultivated farm,
The never-failing brook, the busy mill,
The decent church that topped the
neighboring hill.
The hawthorn bush, with seats beneath
the shade,
For talking age and whispering lovers
madel
But CheSterton knows, as well as Gold
smith, that these are signs of messy age,
and are impossible in any new coun-
try"
Giving special attention to a later
explanation made by Mr.. Chesterton,
the Chicago Daily News states: From
Gilbert K CheSterton come apologize
explanations Of his recent comments on
the externalS of American small town
and village life. No offense was taken,
however, because Of those comments.
Such community aspects as were the
subject of his remarks are familiar to
and are regretted by many Americans.
AS Mr.. Chesterton notes, rather peril
phrastically. they are incidental to q
rapidly developing country. q country
which has not become static and strait
fed, but still counts on change as the
one absolute certainty"
Similarly the Chattanooga Times Of
fers the judgment: After reading his
statement of explanation and ampliflca-
ton, even the most sensitive of Ameri-
cans are not likely 10 harbor any grudge
against the distinguished critic, and
some may benefit from his criticism.
Newspaper folk will admire him for
fearing a rather wrong impression was
received from what said,' instead Of
saying I didn't say it,"