The War Journal of Lila Smith by Irving Warner

Author:Irving Warner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: world war ii, womens issues, alaska, pow, aleutian islands, native americans, japanese in wwii, captivity narrative
Publisher: Pleasure Boat

July 31, 1943. Otaru Barracks, Japan

When all seems tolerable the intolerable returns. Chief Constable

Osimi proudly announced yesterday that through valiant efforts we are

now self-sustaining, and no more food rations will be issued. All staples

now, in view of our “affluence via wages,” are to be purchased.

Bathhouse, health services, water, and such municipal services, though,

will continue to be provided at no cost.

To commemorate the occasion, and as a reward, all of us were given

slippers for indoor use. (Even after all this time, our guards view in horror the

Attuans’ continued practice of wearing footwear indoors.)

This announcement done, Chief Constable departed with the two

individuals who were present for the occasion, somehow connected to

the gift of slippers.

That evening the adults were not convinced this was a serious

development. In fact, they saw the gift of slippers as a sign of our hosts’

good will. A windfall, as it were. Sadly Alexi, who like the rest, has no

concept of budgeting, saw no problem in buying rice and such

provisions. We were being paid, after all.

There is no concept of the amount of all monies earned vs the

amount needed to buy all supplies. So they don’t realize that this figure

must sustain them entirely, including non-food items, such as tobacco.

Friend Annie and husband Mike are the exceptions, including to a

lesser degree Heratina and Lena, the shoppers. “Well, they must be

going to give us more scrip,” Heratina guessed in her mixture of English

and Aleut, “for they take all we have each week, and we even owe more

they say.”

Lena, in her meek way, is even more suspicious than Heratina.

Mike, as is his practice, says nothing publicly. The most worldly of all

the villagers, he harbors his knowledge carefully so not to offend. In

private, he shook his head and predicted, “I think maybe, breakers

ahead.”

Time, I fear, will convey sad news for my misguided, innocent

friends.

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