From the News

Dated: June 27, 1919

Trouble at Epsom Seems to have Arisen Over This Question
(By WINDERMERE)

London, June 26

The general public is frankly puzzled over the Epsom riots and seems little impressed by the explanations published from Canadian headquarters that the riot was due to the fact that in small parties of Canadians there have been gangs of rough civilians. One case was mentioned where a Canadian was attacked while walking with an English girl. There may be isolated incidents of this character due to exceptional local personal circumstances, but all the evidence I can gather from Canadian soldiers themselves and local Britishers shows the general kindness of relationships between them. Thus, despite the recent occurrences at the Canadian camp the mayor of Ryhl has written to the press indignantly denying allegations that the British had any ill will towards the Canadians, says whose qualities and popularity they pay striking tribute.

Drastic Measures Taken

The Canadian official statement says most drastic measures are being taken to prevent a recurrence of disturbances. Certainly all licensed houses at both Epsom and Ripon have been closed, and strongly armed pickets have been placed on roads leading from the camps into towns. The question, however, is asked why are Canadian soldiers used instead of British civilian police and why cannot the Canadian military police in these camps be sufficiently strengthened to patrol effectively the districts surrounding the camps to avoid conflicts with the British police who, it should be noted, are not all untrained British “Bobbies”, but in most cases ex-soldiers who fought gallantly in the war and have come back with a new sense of prestige and efficiency.

Soldiers with whom I have talked have much to say about high charges made by the local shopkeepers. They alleged that they have endured profiteering of the most barefaced character. If so, the matter deserves closer Canadian and British official attention than hitherto given. As matters now stand, shopkeepers in Epsom, a tin town, whose premises have been damaged, get full compensation for their stocks and establishments and say they will be able to begin elsewhere afresh. The most effective comment, however, on the whole affair is that delays in repatriation of Canadian soldiers should be immediately remedied. The Canadian officers ask me how it can be explained that 425,000 American troops were repatriated in June alone, making the total number of Americans repatriated about one half million, while all this difficulty remains about Canadian repatriation.

Repatriation Quickly

If labor troubles are no obstacle to American repatriation, why are they allowed to impede the Canadian return? The Manchester Guardian in an editorial says: “The only way of evading family quarrels and keeping our policemen alive, is to repatriate the Canadian troops as quickly as possible. They are extremely fine soldiers in any capacity and rather than unwilling guests, they are the most pleasant I have met or had anything to do with.”