Jeep Girls

U.S. and Chinese authorities coped with a new problem last week--"jeep girls," a slightly more commercial version of the U.S. bobbysoxer.

The people of Chungking were shocked even by the customs of the modernized coastal Chinese who retreated to the province six years ago. The U.S. soldiers depart even further than the coastal Chinese from Chungking social conventions. Chungking people believe that woman's place is in the home, that no nice girl goes out publicly with a man, that only a trull plays and drinks with a man, that marriages are arranged by parents and no nonsense.

In Chungking the U.S. Army employs many English-speaking Chinese girls, mostly from Hongkong, Shanghai and Tientsin. They have been brought up under Western influences. They like to dance, date boys, kid around. But when they dated U.S. soldiers, Chungking confused them with the jeep girls who ply their trade with great zest and professional abandon.

A fortnight ago there was a rape case involving two foreigners (not Americans). There were also incidents in which irritated G.I.s lashed out at staring, scolding crowds. Lately, street crowds have been spitting at and stoning Chinese girls found with Americans.

Orders are for G.I.s to get out fast from such commotions, under no circumstances to start a brawl in defense of what they believe to be their rights. Now M.P.s in white painted jeeps patrol Chungking's main street. They work with the Chinese police whose orders are to break up demonstrations. The municipal government is planning to license eight dance halls (heretofore banned) to give Americans some safe recreation. It is also trying to explain to the Chinese people that the Americans are a curious people who just want to talk and go out with women. Said Chungking's Mayor Ho Yao-tsu: "Americans, coming from a freedom-loving country, respect the equality of sexes and regard proper social contacts as natural. There is no reason why social contacts between Chinese girls and their American friends should occasion so much surprise to the public."

The chief reason for the jumpiness of Chinese and U.S. authorities is that such mass moods spread from city to city in no time. Civilian disturbances or hostility could immeasurably increase the difficulty of carrying out the joint Chinese-U.S. military program.

Not all Chinese consider jeep girls a national disgrace. One newspaper suggested that they be given medals for bringing in U.S. gold wherewith to balance the national budget.

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