Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-23
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

dark shadows of the depression are
lifting. and one explanation Of the
phenomena Is TO be found In the
extraordinary stimulus TO trade and
travel resulting from the celebration
of the Silver Jubilee Of King
George v.
In sober fact, the communication
has had q marvellous and seemingly
lasting or permanent effect. It
''primed the pump" Of recovery. On
exceptional forces eventually might
have accomplished as much. but their
pace has been vastly accelerated.
Progress that would have required
years has been achieved in q few
weeks.
But 1t may be difficult for the aver
age American to understand how any
sort of jolliflcation, however patriotic,
could work an economic miracle. The
repeal Of prohibition did not serve to
Danish poverty in the United States.
Logically, it appears incredible that
rejoicing over the Kings twenty-flfth
anniversary could get his country out
Of the red.
Started Money Flowing.
The basic factor in the story, how
ever. is the key to the mystery. All
England-every man, woman and
child-has participated in the festiv-
tiles; the occasion has been q COM
pletely democratic fete. The sovereign
Is popular with all classes, and the
humblest Of his subjects has joined
with the highest to do him honor.
Naturally, each incident in the Sum-
mer-long program has involved ex-
penditure for labor and materials.
Money, therefore, has been placed in
circulation TO an unprecedented
degree-war costs alone excepted.
But 1t likewise Is true that quan-
titles Of money have been imported
into England In connection with the
jubilee. London. especially, is crowded
with returned colonial, each Of whom,
it has been estimated, spends at least
/ FL day. A typical case Is that OF
family from Melbourne. Australia.
They brought small fortune with
them from home in the belief that
1t would be ample for their needs. yet.
at the end of six weeks, they were
obliged to cable back for further
funds. Nor had they been notably
exuberant in their spending. They
simply had travelled further, stayed
longer, bought more largely than they
had anticipated. Prices. they realized,
were not much higher than they
previously had been. The crux Of the
business was that England was unac-
countably more attractive than ever
before in their experience.
The change, Of course, Is predomi.
nantly psychological. People are
hopeful, and the fever Of their opti-
mism is contagious The celebration
furnished an opportunity for q review
of the past quarter century. and each
such survey prompted feeling that
England had much to be thankful for,
much TO be happy about. Granted,
there had been the war and many far
reaching social changes since 1910.
But with one eye on the continent,
the British public was glad things
were not worse than they were. Old
England, 1t suddenly remembered with
undeniable pleasure, had not gone
the way Of Russia, Italy or Germany,
nor the way Of France. nor even the
way Of America. The future, patiently,
| should be bright, and the present,
therefore, was reasonably good.
King Given Credit.
Moreover, the people freely credited
the King with having deserved well Of
them. It is no accident that he has
won the affection Of the masses.
Rather 1t is the natural fruit Of his
own personal gifts Of character and
temperament. He has been O con.
stitutional monarch. never presuming,
but constantly lending himself and all
his persuasive talents to the purposes
Of orderly progress, honorable peace
and merited prosperity. Never once
has he dictated national policy. His
influence has been indirect, but II has
cut across all party lines and for that
reason has been universal in effect
he has been not Tory king, nor q
Liberal king, nor Q Labor king. He is
merely the acknowledged leader who
Ia consulted and whose advice Is So
licited. His modesty, his dignity, his
cheerfulneSs even when desperately
ill, his love of children, his keen in
terest in sport, his humane and
thoughtful integrity have endeareo him
to the millions. In fine, he has
reasned over an age and is entitled 10
gratitude for ali the good values which
that age has embraced In terms Of
survival, comfort, security and-moSt
mportant-hope.
The British people and their guests
from overseas, it follows, are thinking
constructively. They are making the
prosperity they desire. Wishes, for
once. are horses and erstwhile beg
gars are riding. Men greet each other
with the assurance, Things are look
| ing up" and repetition is an argument
toward that end.
London Becomes Gay.
Not since the hectic, bitter, fatal
istic excitement immediately after the
armistice has London been 20 gay.
Theaters and cafes are packed
people stand in line for the privilege
of seats in restaurants. The shops Of
Bond street. Oxford street and Regent
street are crowded with customers who
cannot resist the lure Of IN inter-
minable variety of articles displayed
in the windows and advertised in the
press. The railroads, naturally, are
advantaged BY the boom-they carry
the people and the goods and have
been enjoying the best season IN o
generation. Hotels, even in small
towns far from the metropolis, are
booked solid" and so-called pensions
the continental name for boarding
houees-perforce must take care Of
the overflow.
The celebration will continue until
October, and by that time England
should have authentic and substantial,
not merely imaginary, reasons for
feeling prosperous.