The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-09-29
CHINESE KEEPS
COOKS ON BALL.
FOR US. AIRMEN
BY Darrell BERRIGAN
United Press staff Correspondent

Oh DfAnn1A DEnNAUfAlN
United Press stafF Correspondent
FORWARD ECHELoN HEAD
QUARTERS, 14th AIRFORCE,
China (UP)-Mike says: "a famous
man Is like a fat pig. He's soon
killed" But Mike can't help being
famous-or at least well known
among the Americans occupying
the many air bases in China.
Mike Lee is the acting manager"
Of one of the hostels at this base,
He is a 23-year-old Chinese who
was educated at Hong Kong Uni
versity, worked for the postal de-
partment of the Hong Kong gov
eminent, and then escaped from
the British colony when the Japa-
nese took over. Since June of last
year Mike has been working for the
War Area Service Command, the
Chinese organization which fur
nishes the barracks for American
men In China and the food they
eat.
Mike describes himself as every
eager mixing Chinese proverbs
with the latest American slang. He
YEARLY tells all who wish to listen
that he has "one hell time keeping
those boys on the ball." referring
to the Chinese boys hwo cook and
serve the food Americans eat.
Expounds on Americans
The coffee. If It Is not quite llp
to his rigorous standards, Is mot on
the ball." and the hot cakes and
eggs and pork chops similarly. In
fact, according to the officers and
men he serves Mike is doing a
pretty good job of keeping every
thing he directs ION the ball.
That's why 1t Is hard to believe
him when he answers CT ffiibes
about his work with, cts no use
being good. There's no demand for
a good man."
Mike has very decided ideas about
Americans. II believe" he says to
those who will sit and listen, "the
relationship between Americans and
Chinese are better than others. The
majority of Americans are very
nice. Americans feel lost when they
first come to China. They may be
annoyed when they don't get what
they want or when a Chinese boy
doesn't understand English too good
and brings eggs when they ask for
toast. They (the AmeriacnS seem
to be excited but they don't mean
1t.
Americans" Mike continues,
have natures full of sense of hui
NOR. They are fond Of teasing
others and like to get fun out of
life.
No Stuck-Up Generals
every American is born to be
equal" Mike says. 1.-THE general Is
the same as private American
general Is Just as tender as a private
and don't get stuck up and proud
with his rank" Mike, Is must be
said, has met few generals other
than the 14th Air Forces Maj. Gen.
Claire Chennault, who Is famous
for his democratic attitude and has
on occasion taken Mike along with
him to other bases as interpreter.
Mike Is worried that Americans
coming to China during the war
will form the wrong impression Of
the country because OF the some
times undeveloped nature Of the
part Of the interior they see. "The
interior Of China" Mike explains,
lis not what you call scientific as
the coast towns and didn't develop
until the war. But" he hastily adds,
"the interior is developing quickly"
Mixes ambition, he says, is to
Ego to the States to go through my
education for Diplomacy" HIS
training in the American Army will
undoubtedly help to prepare him
for such career.