Evening star., 1945-12-09

sions, the topic of conversation was
rarely about domestic issues, except
for speculation about the Labor gov
ernment and the naturalization of
industry. 1t was more likely to be
about Russia, the atom bomb or the
Palestine problem. There was much
concern over what impression Prime
Minister Attlee might have made
during his visit to America. They
wanted you to know that Mr.. Attlee
is an earnest, sincere, Well-meaning
man, however much he may lack the
colorful personality of Churchill.
Attlee Generous to Passengers.
A story was told me to illustrate
the difference between Churchill
and Attlee. It concerned the train
facilities of the two men. Mr.
Churchill had a private train OF
three cars with which he went
about England. When Mr.. Attlee
succeeded him. he did away with
all but one private car which was
coupled to whatever regularly
scheduled train was going where he
wished to go.
Before the train starts, Mr.. Att
lee may be seen walking the entire
length of the train. Any travellers
he finds are forced to stand are in
yited back to have seats in his
private car"
Every one from the man in the
street to members of the House of
Lords is nervous about Russia and
the Soviet attitude of secrecy. List
ening to several hours debate in
the House of Lords, one might have
thought all was well in the byways
of London and that one need only be
concerned with Russia and the atom
bomb.
In regard to the latter, there is
much speculation about the placing
Of an atomic charge on the end Of
a rocket fearful thought nurturee
by Londons experience with rocket
bombs.
Russia, however, is a more imme.
date cause of nervousness. Tht
Sphinx Like quality of the Sovie1
beWilders the Englishman. Re.
Gently a Russian rugby team visitee
England and beat the English al
their own particular brand of foot
ball. This came as blow. Neither
Jeeves nor his master had the faint,
est idea the Russians knew tht
first word about soccer.
On more significant plane, War.
den A. H. Smith of New College
oxford, discussed the tribulations O.
establishing chair of Russian a
Oxford. Six months were spen
in dickering with Moscow for al
arrangement whereby a Russian
educator might be obtained to fiji
the post. At length, the Soviet sait
no, they wanted no part of it ant
oxford had to fill its chair of Rus
sian with an emigre, who natural.
would know nothing Of present-da.
life in the Soviet.
Thus it went, with almost ever.
one I talked with more concerned
about the world than about Eng
land. Nevertheless, when an Amer
lean friend of mine sought to pay TO
the services of medical specials
who had been in attendance at hi
wife's illness, the distinguished doc
tor declared he didn't want to b'
paid in money. He wanted candy
lots Of it, neckties, and variou
articles Of clothing. It wasn't none,
he needed, but articles he coult
foresee no hope Of buying on tn,
English market.
Typical Of England.
The doctor was typical Of England
today, shivering England putting
a docile, patient face on hvinl
miserably and formally referring t,
1t as "a life Of austerity," by whicl
an Englishman means a life o
pinched futility.
Outside Oxford is the Nuffield plant
where Morris automobiles can b
turned out at the rate of one
minute. When / was there the as
Sembly lines were operating at !,
speed of one an hour because OF
showdown strike. A worker told m
the union was demanding q 40 pc
cent increase in pay. It wouldn'
matter to the British motoring pub
lie, however, Is the cars bein