THE CHINA MAIL, TUESDAY, JULY 26, 1955.
I'M SURE IT WAS
No. 31
by
A. M. BURRAGE
Did it Happen?
This is the story of on experience that could have happened; but did it? Today you can consider--tomorrow
I
the author will give you the answer.
Unprepared
awaited me. Tho lesser
of
these was the furniture--much 100 massive for its setting-and the oll-paintings of Army and Navy ofteers of past genera- tion. The greater surprise was the girl of about sixteen wlin rose to greet me as her mother said: "Its is my daughter, don't yet Mumps, darling, know this gentleman's "name"
I daresay I was still staring us supplied 11. She was about the most vivid and striking young person I had ever seen, with long block hair hanging loose over her shoulders and a
mu
"The greater sur prite was the girt ... who rose to
great me 01 her
mother said: 'This
is my daughter...**
*
Be-
was marked by a
Drawing by BHOWELL
Moscow Finds Satellites a
Mixed Blessing
S
-By Dr V. V. TILEÄ
formar Rumanian Minister to Britain
doctrines
to their sido. But the ovalution
OVIET RUSSIA lost the beginning of Communist at the end of the control the rule of the work- ing class." But very soon they war a unique oppor realised that
the was only tunity. She could rule of Ꮧ. exclusive Com- rife with have won the friendship of munist bureaucracy,
and incom~ the Central and South-East nepotism, bribery,
petence. European people, as well as Strikes, of course, are non- their economic collaborn existent, and absentees Bre tion, if instead of applying heavily punished. Yet in every branch of satellite-industry out- wonderful warm complexion
brutal forec to turn them put in 1954 has declined, and with whom we were T happened many agents
which seemed to light the room jumped to a certain conclusion she would have closed the door man who served me again. He into Communist satellites quality has deteriorated. in already
touch. Then →→
pretti-
gave me a strange look.
There the same
WŁA one particular years ago when I was although I could find no house or ine Chocolate-box
"Well, perhaps it was, but out that mother and daughter, softly upon me for ever. and I oin sure that I should
"Mrs Ellis? a hoy of 18, out in that road
Well, she used she had shown Why? I do not know. It all ΟΠ my list ness?
time to have been wrong.
and their stooges nourished- house-hunting for my decided go and investigate. It reduced me for a
Whatever seemed very strange. But I was to live at No. 31, but she's been tolerance as she has to hope which the Kremlin rulers
Finland. Up, balanceil my bashful nervousness.
the mother may have done yet to realise how extraordinary gone about two years now."
that postwar youth brought up for Well, we sat talking
4 and I suspect nothing mother in a London suburb So I rude
events worse had been the
of that Then, probably mistaking the Unfortunately Stalin, in for ten years now according to ngainst the kerb, and
while and my hostess succeeded thun unpaid bills-there was afternoon.
and look on my face, he added: "A his greed for European and Communist
anti-religious within a mile and a half machine
rung.
in overcoming my shyness by nothing course about her. Of course I remembered Mrs lot of people would like to know world domination, subjug
would be won over of where we were then liv-
talking about herself. Her name sides, a shabby boy with only Ellis's address. The road was what became of her." ing. There were many
was Ellis, and I gathered that coppers in his
as a of young opinion pocket
The innuendo won obvicus. A lated those countries corner shop-1 Invariably hardly fair game for harples. to be let in those
she was a widow. houses
bought cigarettes there on my moonlight it and money owed stepping-stone for the com- against officiaf she addressed her daughter 15
Leninism has been forced way home-and the number 31 all round. Yes, but I'd had tea munisation of France and appeal to parents for help happy Edwardian days, and,
Over tea I told them for Mumps, and I never knew the I was quite unprepared
About having a bicycle and know the sight of the lady who came girl's Christian name.
myself. I wonder if they really reverse of the unlucky 13.
easily memorised as the with her in that house a fort- ing my mother's require to the door. She seemed old to
believed that i
biggest mistake somewhere. iments, I could thus save her my young eyes, although I dare-
But the man described
questions Soviet influence in the satellites One of the many fruitless journeys to some ray she was under forty, and 1
and "Mumys," even mentioning which awaited to be answered has been dealt by the Kremlin's the silly nickname. Further, he at Geneva Is whether Russia recognition of the Tito heresy. which I knew she would not forget how she was dresser, but instinct told me nt a glance that
that the lesson knew about the. Harley Street has learned consider. I had in my pocket she was out of her proper set-
be satollites can eventually doctor, he sakô, “she severni "orders to view" ting in that shabby flttle house.
thari a come more of a liability from local agents, and was.
an advantage. on my way to an address my when the strangest incident of my life befell me. It was on a sunny October after- noon. and, apart from feel- ing lethargic and depressed, I believe I was in a normal state of health,
My way took me along a tram route, and all the side- rondds on my left were culs de-sac, ending at the boun- dary wall of a great park, looked down all these side. roads as I passed, and sud- denly I stopped at a corner and got off my machine- for I had seen a "to let” board slanting over railings about halfway down on the right.
Home
it was a road of small villas, suitable for our purpose,
board belonged the
Just
and
Well, I uncovered, explained
errand, aut apologised for having no order to view. At the same time I offered to show her "orders" from the same
other agent.
"Oh," she said, "I'm sorry. The men ought to bave taken decided the board away, I've to stay on."
I think she recognised me- as already I had recognised her
someone who
had seen I was a shabby,
hetter days.
Prob-
Presently
on
I noticed one of the walls an oil painting of "Mums done apparsally
year or two before. I look- ed
little
amateurish be- side th: otfiers,
and I was no surprised to hear tha It was Mrs EK'S own work.
"Oh, Mumps isa much better artist than I am," she laugh. ed. "Show him
of your
some
untidy, innk-haired, sallow drawings, dear, not at all of the type to interest a heart-hungry widow. ably I looked jaded and tired. Whatever the reason, she said: Won't you come in and have a cup of lea?"
Two surprises
had been-and
Alfred McClel
D
。
trans- attupite author,
land Burrage
ito hai cont1)-
buted stories,
poems and ather
places to at fast
150 publications
an both sides of
the octon
Bir stories have also been tata. vised Ex the United States, and—he reports "broadcast from Nearly AYRIY English-speaking sloties, except the Bsc. As Private X-be hon also written many books based on experiences in the Artists Rilies in the 1914-18 wae.
Born in Middlesex, Butrage was af $1. Augustine's, Ramsgate, and Donal School, now lives in Harrow. te i married, has a son,
probably st111 was the youngest
fessional writer
in
•
pro-
the world,
KHAS
During
Must see her
the following day..
hna polley. Marx-
been
to
in
blow to
night before. There was a silly Italy and he nearly suc "educating" the youth.
But the
in
"Yes,"
ceeded.
her
for ກາ
Signs of panic
the satellite. countries
WHAT can "the faithful" in Finland free, but at the same time friendly towards Russia, now feel after they have not
רטט
was 1 wonder and that I had and indeed for many days-I had a story ne- could not get the girl out of my well-connectel lady,
clforts where she went. It's a long time c head. She baulked my cepted
I felt now. Your guv'nor's going to year to write cheap fletion. before while
as any sensible neighbour must only attacked Tito so vehement- that I must see her again or go have a jeb to find her." шітн stil!
I was too shocked and dazed be, has been of much greater ly in the past, but also liquid- at
mad. school. I had to
resent being taken
use to the sovics, dificult, It did not seem so
spy. All debt-collector's though, own that i had no for a short cycle ride brought realised that a fortnight
me to the corner of her road. before I had had lea with two Scar
Scandinavian Even if she still went to school ladies In
In the house, from which been and my impression was that they had vanished two years economically But even if she did not-there was always carlier while at the same time having maintained her economie exec Mrs Ellis took the chance of meeting her was occupied by others! Fur- and Bnancial relations with the executed because of their me for a young mother out shopping and getting
work RL the time.
Har I was well
while tea."
for her very strange "Mumps" had little to say for whan I came to KU. herself and seemed as shy
Which
#s
to
LO
at
board
My
ther
was
I bocause by
neutrality mistrust
relegated their politically ated or
de facto nationalist Communists?
Rayk In Hungary, Clementis In the
In Czechoslovakia, Patrascanu has
that declared publicly and who
he before being a Communist
countries reduced; much
because Finland,
A ·Rumanian-li were
and
that I had been strongly West, was able to export heavi- heresy Nagy in Hungary
Gomulka in Poland have been attracted to a girl who might be ly to Soviet Russia.
relegated to obscurity, a ghost or a dream.
What does this show of, the It would help
Kremlin's attitude towards fts satellite stooges? It shows an IF Moscow should prove wild- attitude of contempt; the fas
Never solved
ing to extend
this success- ing without any consultation of
a casual invitation to tea. aware that she
For hours at a
& time,
morning3 ilked me, and it
and afternoons. I haunted
the did not account main street of that other suburb behaviour during the next fortnight and She had told me little about haunted it in vain. Passing and un repassing the top of the road I her new acquaintance, But she herself save that she was could catch no glimpse of either
Of course she was neither!ful Finnish experiment to her economic and political policy. unearthed a portfolio and in- widow, but she mentioned one lady, but saw, as I had expected But on the other hand what had will not only prove to the West diplomatic moves of the Krem
satellite States in Europe she The recent and surprising croused
estate-agent's my embarrassment by the relatives when I told her that the
become of her and her mother that she really has changed as in with regard to Austria, Tho showing some purc-drawings about my father's fatal Biness was gone.
I could not possibly have
polley, temporarily at least, but and West Germany were all struck me sent by which had left me a-schoolboxAt the end of the fortnight-reamed of real people
well done but rather of 17 with a penniless mother to decided in desperation to make
she will also help to dispel the made without prior consultation She was just like some other tremely
never heard, whom I had
towards her- with their fellow's mater in the days be- startling. However,
Als support. shc
"sovereign alles." an uninvited coll, timing myself And never since have I heard existing mistrust
the Lay fore poverty had changed
tea-time.
foundation No wonder my played them in the same man-
that this attitude arrive environment, and all my shyness ner in which she might have
excuse?
Oh, I could tell 'Mrs of them nor met any who knew sell and
bosses friendly and good has driven the satellite them. I Ellis that we had not yet found written to
could, of course, have of really went from me on the Instant, "I shown me views of a cathedral.
with to into discontented neighborly relations
and even the Harley Stroot day's subjugated people.
on the followed her into the front
panicky mood, based a suitable house and ask if she doctor, but such a letter would Had I been older and more. surprises experienced
Having fought for a thousand fear that they might be thrown had heard of one. She would be
openly
passively overboard at any moment, the beyond "What a pily," she said, "that see through me, of course, but to cult enough for me even yea
aggression arid he didn't see my uncle And I could not help it. I know I tried in 18
against the
And conftleting comments who was domination of Tartars. Turks, the Russian Press on demands she named a knighted physician ought to keep away, but I went afraid of being taken for a liar Germans and Russians, as well that the Big Four
to desolation and bewilderment, or of plunging into in Harley Street,
troubled as for personal emancipation, the problem of the subjugated Well, I could not stay for ever
waters where he had no busi- the 110 million people of the States at Geneva cannot have and the time come for me to go."Mumps" and her -mother preceded me into the little hall. and I took leave first of the girl. Mrs Ellis opened the door. and I said goodbye to her on the step.
to rootn,
where
two
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No invitation
A change
u
here.
I thought at first it W03 charwoman who came to the cloor, although I could see that had Of course, I had been hoping the furniture in the hall that she would ask me to come changed-and not for the better again, but she did not. Her since my other visit. manner, despite her self-possea-
Ellis?" said the woman, "Mrs. sion, was in the circumstances shaking her head. "No, I don't extraordinary. Sha seemed know the name around almost tearful and might have and we've been here nearly two been parting for ever from an years." old and dear friend. For I knew that she liked me, just
I must have made a mistake knew that she knew I had in the number. "But I was sure fallen in love with "Mumps," of the road, because It was Had I done the incredible in marked by the corner shop, and bending over and kissing her, I the man would know. I went in knew she would have given me and bought
packet of ollitle hug. And a moment later cigarettes and it was the same
ness,
It
WORLD COPYRIGHT RESERVED
and
jn
discuss
Hope aroused
satellite countries continue to added to their peace of mind. So I never solved the mystery day the struggle for freedom. and now but for some very The results of this passive strange chance indeed-I know resistance, 08 shown by in- that I never shall
formation from
Russian and CATELLITE worry has been satellite sources, is impressive;
particularly evident among Of the four mainly agrarian the East German`rulers since countries, Poland, Hungary, they were not allowed to take Rumania, and Bulgaria, all of part in the Eastern milltary com whom used to export grain, mand-another hint that they cattle, and other foodstuffs, the might become the pawn in a first three are now being com- Kremlin deal. And when the
and Invitation to
Dr Adenauer to visit Moscow was announced this panic reached its peak,
I apologised and bolted. After
I
2
DID IT REALLY HAPPEN?
YES
NO
• Put your tick in the space above and keep this pone! by you kntil tomorrow when the angger will be given-with another story" in this series by.
Bernard Newman
● Did yesterday's storywitER SHIP CAME HOME, by Anger Wilson. actually happen? The answer le : NO.
pelled to import whest other food.
On the other hand, I bellevo that all the sudden diplomatic...
of Moscow and the
able hope
Going down THIS shows not only a disor moves
ganisation of agriculture panitity behaviour of the satel itself but, also the resistance of lite rulers has aroused consider- the peasants to collectivisation.
among the subjugated Some industrial workers in people.
hope has been Eastern Europe acclaimed at certainly strengthened by Presi
dont Eisenhower's declaration "that until these States could freely determine their
own Governments there could be no real peace in the world."
This American Holiday Means
Roughing It—At
£3 A
By FRED MANOR
■
Day!
that anyhow
will
And by Mr Macmillan's casur- ance that Britain is seeking peace without appeasement or Surrender" and that she will refuse to agree to settlemente which conflict with justice and with honour."
the
Tobin's Island, Ontario.
clerks are all budding doctors,
In short the satellite rulers jawyers, or engineers, AM spending a cheap
The hope their Kremlin masters will waitresses are future teachers, pot sell them to the West-and holiday here at Muskoka,
"dieticians," librarians and we the subjugated pouple hope the the summer playground of
not dog and hamburger stands type wine, or a cool Chablis, even had a would-be archaeolo Western democracies will North American millionaires.
North of the 48th parallel, and soft, drink bars, has awaits us in the dining room gist, trying in vain to balance a sell them down the river.
My own ballot is that the best preserved ita stamp of Returning from so much beauty tray. And they all expect to be
for the solution of hope to the Inevitable bully beet or tipped. half way between the equa untamed wilderness.
The tips, however, do spam, one cannot but deplore
not satellite problem lies in their tor and the North Pole,
In a "neutral belt The vast pine, maple, and that the Swiss did not discover make them want to work longer, inclusion Muskola is famous as one birch forests teem with wild America. What a Swiss hotel The young ladies
to the not running from the north of the most beautiful spots life. Delicately shaped tiny location!
such keeper could do with a tolerate any lingering over meals the cast of-though similar
This would be to Black Sea.
to on the American continent. humming birds vie with wild
seldom invite the neutral belt," comprising Our suffering in the dining leisurely appreciation. They want the Scandinavian and Benelux Here the millionaires have yellow canaries, blackbirds room is, however, mitigated by to get back to the beach, and Kountries. Germany. ·Austria, their large, splendid villas and nightingales in their the impressive sight of a bevy of so the guests have to hurry! As Switzerland, and italy, recently
beauty beauty which, until a soon. the meal is over, the dotting the lakes, or con- round-the-clock singing con- or while
before the gong personnel disperses, and there is gregate in some of the high- tests. The skies are clear sounded, had been riding the nobody left to serve a cup of tea class hotels. The smaller blue and so is the water in surf on water-skis behind fast or coffee in the lounge, or a glass fry, like myself, are "rough the lakes. It is a Scandina- motor-boats, playing tennis of beer or sherry. The only ing it" in "cheap" hostelries vinn landscape in a Medi- and golf, or just cavorting on drink provided can be found in
the beaches. Now, demure in the
expensive water-cooler at just over £8 a day.terranean setting. And we their atting green uniforms each spouting iced water, My hostel lies on a lovely are on the same latitude as with a card bearing her first
Florence. lake island, whore I sleep.in
a log cabin in a tiny room,
which has a comfortable bed, a miniature, wash-basin
BULLY BEEF
On the lush
•
advocated by Communists.
The first step? HERE are immense difficulies Lin thm. It would mean 'a. retreat of direct Kremlin con trol.
But it would fully meet the purpose of the Communista” name pinned to the bosom, they
"neutral belt”' original
pro THEY WISH diffidently'awalt our orders.
posal of "axcluding direct con The diffidence stems from the
Tot between, the great Power inner knowledge that most Such then
Canadian blocs." green orders will be mixed up and vacation. The gues All thom
The prosect-day
dave to be and one hard chair. I get meadows masses of ripe, red that, before the meal is over selves with bully beer and iced would
ba beckon from some china or glass will three very simple meals, all raspberries
Water (do you get enough to anlood Internationally control. amashed, for the young ladies cat?" the proprietor, auka avory lød free elections, They would comprised in tho
very amidst the orange hue of who serve in, attractive as they day, but he never ask was the sume, the status of Finland or moderate daily charge of the tiger les that aur- are, are no waftromoś....... They food
swimming, of those round them. The woods are are all university students en- join, the wait enderry off, to come the integrationen, would thick with blue berries, and Joying a holiday." And I am not being the shores dotted with resort. -- cxcept for the very it in all much healthier than U.N. EUCHARolety of dimə None of the North American playing golf, or fishing. Perhaps eutral and friendly neighbours Carourity)ubiler facetious about it. This secluded sandy beaches and top hotels where rates are £18 indulging in long, lagy Italian or sum per day is considered hidden coves that repay, ex-day (per cheap in North America, ploration by canoe in offering motor are Ali with cunt Germen beer and sausage on the their con
spermazionit “stan" botiles", of "wina, and is particularly so in this
£8. 46.
Ark will a French, megin's highlighted: by, buities, Buig
select region which, in pite succulent base or tender
of its four-land, super-highs Birting fänder, way."and":íte countless chota Alfabed down
from Rhines
or savouring may mark the
hope, that Geneva