Evening star., 1934-05-27
YOUTH HOSTESS
AWAIT TRAVELLER
Movement to Provide Ac.
commodations for Young
Grows in Europe.

tnem-Lo the youth OF Lne Worlu, says
a bulletin from the Washington head
quarters of the National Geographic
| Society.
From Alpine valleys to Norwegian
fjords, from villages Of Central Eu-
rope to the rocky Hebrides, young
wanderers will find youth hostels'
waiting to welcome them at the end
of long day on the road" the bull
letin says. There, for the price of
shilling, franc, or a mark, is
kitchen where one may cook supper,
and find friendly group of campers
around a fire, and best of all a COM
Portable bed.
certain passport. The young traveller
also must have a membership in one
Of the national hostels associations;
but this is easily obtained, and dues
are only about a dollar a year.
Whether 1t Is the Reichsverband fur
Deutsche Jugendherbergen, La Ligue
Francis pour les Auberges de Ia Jeu-
nesse, or the Gaelic An Oige of the
Irish Free State matters not at all
Reciprocal agreements between the
various countries entitle any member
to the use Of foreign hostel.
Youth and a Slender Purse.
"All the associations are alike in
their ideals of international dennoc-
racy and simple living. There are
no distinctions of race, creed, or social
position. Youth and a slender purse
win first consideration. In fact, in
Bavaria, no one over 20. save the
leader of a group, may use the hos
tells. Luckily for many, England has
no such literal Interpretation, meas
uring age by enthusiasm rather than
gray hairs. Travellers arriving by mo-
torcycle, car, or bus will probably
find themselves politely turned away.
The hostels have no room for the
more plutocratic Summer tourist.
"The youth hostel movement began
in Germany over 20 years ago when
young teacher in Westphalia started
taking his students on Summer walk
ing trips, stopping overnight in empty
schoolhouseS. BY 1914 he had raised
funds for a number of hostels, and
after the war, membership increased
with amazing rapidity. In 1882 there
were over 1900 hostels in Germany,
giving shelter to more than four mil
lion visitors in one year.
Castles and Huts.
youth inns now occupy old castles
along the Rhine, city towers In me-
dieval towns, forest huts in the Harz
Mountains, and even grim old fort
ress at Coburg. The majority, how
ever, are modern buildings with the
most modern equipment. In many of
the cities they have assumed hotel
proportions. One of the largest-the
inn at Cologne-accomm 1900
guests. More recently a chain of hos
tells has been added in East Prussia.
One of these is at historic Weissen-
berg, point Of international impor-
tance where the frontier Of East Prus-
sia meets the boundaries of the Po-
lish Corridor and the Free City of
Danzig.
THE Youth Hostels Association of
England and Wales Is a much young
er and less crowded organization. 1t
was not founded until 1890, but by
1888 could boast of 200 hostels and
$4,000 members. Shelters are of the
simplest kind-farm houses, village
schools, and granaries. There is even
enc In the old City Mill in Winches-
ter-ancient capital of Arthur, Alfred,
and Canute. For those exploring the
Shakespeare country there is the
Shottery hostel across the road from
Anne Hathaway's garden. The noun
taineer in Snowdonia will find lodg-
ing in Welsh cottages hidden in mar
row mountain valleys.
Movement Grows Rapidly.
"a few there are for whom the
Great North Road with its signs read
ing Edinburgh, Aberdeen and the
North has an irresistible lure. The
road leads the adventurous over bare
moors. through steep glens, and past
lonely lochs to the widest beauty in
Britain. Until three years ago when
the Scottish Youth Hostels ASsocia-
ton was founded, much of the grand
est country In Scotland remained In
accessible to the cyclist and hiker of
limited means. Inns are infrequent
and fairly expensive, and it requires
super energy to pack a tent and
camping equipment over the rocky
trails of Wester Ross. Now Scotland
has more than 80 hostels, usually
plain stone huts, often with room for
no more than 10. and sometimes straw
palliasses instead of beds.
Among the popular border hostels
is Broadmeadows by quiet Yarrow
Water, near Scott's beloved Abbots-
ford and blue st. Mary's Loeb. OF
course hostels exist in the Trossachs,
and another chain in Perthshire. If
the traveller is still following the
Great North Road, he will find the
key to Birnam hostel at Macbeth
Cottage Birnam wood still stands,
nor has it come to Dunsinane.