Laurel outlook., 1947-11-19
Tells Of Trip To 10
Countries In Europe

Stirring, HoatSon went to the toWr
of his birth where he was disap
pointed by finding the old home haC
been altered, but was able to show
his wife another that was a replica
of the one he had known in youth
even to the thatched roof. Pots and
pans were hanging from chains to
the open fireplace in the kitchen,
just as he had always remembered
them. Of the old friends, only one
was left who devoted his time to
fishing for salmon; the others were
killed in either the first or second
World wars.
Paris appeared to be as usual,
without evidence of damage from
the war, but with that hard-to-de-
fine feeling of about to suddenly
blow up.
From Paris the travellers went
next to Switzerland, and except for
little difficulty at the border oc-
casioned by a guard who took ex-
ceptions to a box of food in the
baggage, found beautiful and well
supplied country. There was no in
dication Of poverty.
In an aside the speaker said no
rain was encountered during the
entire trip, the summer being the
hottest in 100 years.
The trip through Germany was
made in a Greyhound bus. The
only equipment the travellers could
have to use was their pajamas and
shaving outfit; the rest of the
baggage was under seal and was
not opened until arrival in Denmark.
They passed through the British,
French and American zones of oc-
cupation in Germany, but no at
tempt was made to penetrate the
Russian zone. Along the road were
long, beautiful lines of apple trees
on either side. Old women and
children were cleaning the fields,
picking up anything, no matter how
small, that could be eaten. 1t il
lustrated how very poor the people
are, and the speaker commented
that he believed that those people
would have to be helped. He added
that in his opinion not only should
the boxes of gifts going there
should be stamped on the outside,
every item inside should be stamp
ed to tell the recipients that the
goods came from America. Other
wise they would never know.
The bus broke down near Ham |
burg. Food carried in an electric
on the bus was taken !
into a hotel and a good meal was
soon ready, which the travellers ate
while an orchestra played. Coming
cut, Hoatson saw a group of 250
men in a room. Inquiry revealed it
was a Communist meeting.
Hamburg is a shambles. The
only store with anything in it was
an antique shop which had a few
items; the others, if intact, had
nothing to sell. Children
with staring eyes and expressionless
faces gathered around the bus. They
had learned three English words,
Cigarette for papa" This they re-
peated often, hoping for one or
more cigarettes to sell on the black
market for food.
After visiting Copenhagen, Den
mark, the party took their Grey
lound bus on a ship going to
Sweden, a land of plenty. The next
eg was to Norway and Oslo where
4 great ski run with a natural am
can accommodate 100000
spectators. 1t is used but one day
/ year. A great Rolls Royce
passed. "Could it be the kind"
he visitors asked. 1t was, accom-
,anied by one body-guard. The old
ting, wiry and six feet three or
cur inches, is so dearly beloved
hat he is in little danger. He was
.companied by some American
aides to whom he was explaining
he scenery. Mrs. Hoatson took
ome pictures of him, thing denied
~ many presidents and the British
'oyalty.
The travellers came in contact
With members of the underground
Who had opposed the Germans. One
IN editor, was thrown into a con-
camp with many others
Who were executed by lot, one eacn
lay. The editors number did not
ome up, so by chance he lives and
las gained about so pounds. he