Evening star., 1941-09-02
BeIow-Deck Rumors
OF Trial Marriages
In Iceland Erred
Troops Discovered Nation
Quite Religious Minded,
But Divorce Is Prevalent
(Tweltth OF a Series on Iceland. J
BY THOMAS X. HENRY,
Star Staff Correspondent.

REYKJAVIK, Iceland. - On the
way to Iceland helow-deck ethnolo-
gists spread the rumor that Iceland
ers have a custom of trial mar
riage"
Since the idea seems generally
prevalent among the troops here, 1t
appeared to merit little investiga-
ton. It was found to have a quite
flimsy foundation. Icelanders them
selves denied the practice existed.
Bertel E. Kuniholm, the American
Consul who has been in Reykjavlk
more than a year and mingled intl-
mately with the residents, has never
heard of it. The story may have
arisen in part from an unfortunate
confusion of IcelanderS with ESkl-
mos. The nation is quite religious
minded and it is doubtful if church
leaders would have permitted such
G practice to come into existence.
On the other hand, it is admitted,
divorce is quite prevalent, no social
stigma is attached to it, and in few
parts of the world has woman at
tanned so much independence. A
wife leads her own life. largely in
dependent of her husband. She is
thoroughly modern in her outlook,
but her life is hard at the best.
Nearly everything she uses In her
household must be imported. Al
most everything she wears comes
from the continent and is neceSsar-
lily expensive.
Turn From Past.
But the present generation of
women has set its face resolutely
away from traditions of the past
end only elderly ladies are seen on
the streets in the old Icelandic cos
tune of black gown and bonnet
and with braided hair.
The present generation of women
Is. for the most part, highly educat-
ed. has representative IN all the
professions, and is strongly progress
sIve in its social outlook. No nation
on earth is more devoted to its chill
dren. In spite Of lack of vitamins
contained in fresh vegetables and
lack of sunshine for at least six
months of the year, the infant NOR
talitv rate is extremely low and the
population has nearly doubled in the
last 80 years.
To military man on leave IN
Feykiavik the first question is:
What can I buy to eat?
He has looked forward for weeks
to some variation from the diet of
ship or barracks. His first reaction
in a restaurant is likely to be one
Of disappointment. For centuries
the Icelandic woman has done her
best to cook appetitZing dishes from
the slender resources of the country
but the choice is small and, until
one gets accustomed to it, not par
ticular tasty.
Hospitality Hurts Efforts.
The Icelanders have hurt theil
culinary reputation by their very
efforts to be hospitable They try
to give the soldiers and sailors
however hard it is in view of their
slender supplies-the dishes to
NfllTT IIltN lIilllh Illt ~ Y
accustomed. They serve the British
mutton-but Icelandic mutton Is
far from British mutton. For Amer
leans and Canadians they try to
furnish steaks. There are very few
cattle in Iceland. ANY real beef
must be Drought from overseas. Pony
steak is apt to be disguised under a
French name.
But all the time the Icelander'
have in great abundance some of
the worlds most delicious fish
trout, salmon and halibut. They
have had centuries of experience in
cooking it. But they seem a little
bashful about offering it and sur
prised that foreigners, accustomed
to meat. should ask for It.
Pastries Are Delicious.
There are plenty of coffee rooms
In Reykiavik where most delicious
pastries are sold-including an ex-
ceptionally tasty native apple cake