Britisher Surprised When Offered US Trip By FLORA FURROW Holding his pipe and looking as though he should be loung ing in a big armchair with slippers, a glass, a book and a dog before some roaring fireplace. Major (“it’s Peter, not Frank”) Ashton, in between sips of coke and puffs on the pipe, answered questions about himself Thursday. “One day my colonel rang me up and asked if I'd like to go to the United States. I said you’re kidding, old boy. He said, no, he wasn’t. So here I am,” the major ended in his British accent, smiling his British smile and crinkling the corners around his deep-set British eyes. “Of course everyone was very "jfealous of me,” the Commando offi cer added, casually easing his feet onto the desk top. “And where did you spend your childhood?” we asked eagerly, making mental notations of his soft plaid linen shirt and tweed suit — for he had discarded the military uniform in favor of civil ian dress. It seems the major grew up in the rural districts “a great deal like the country around here” in southern England near Sussex and his boyh&od was filled with riding horses to hounds, chasing foxes, at -fcending a small private school that “you couldn’t possibly have heard of.” The major’s father was killed in the last war, his younger brother is a lieutenant in southern France —(this with a far-away look in the battle-accustomed eyes of the soldier) and his sister is “working like hell” as a Wren in Britain. During the conversation we found that he landed in New York about a month ago, “saw all the clubs and hotels,” he confided, add ing, “as far as I know” but fin ished with “It got much more colorful, however, when I reached Not Time to Retire . . . Time to Repair DAN WYNN'S Associated Service llth and Hilyard Don't Let Static Interfere with your favorite program EUGENE RADIO SHOP 128 E. 11th Ave. Phone 4954 California." This was accompanied by a blush spreading over the tanned features of the young offi cer, probably in memory of the luncheon date with Joan Fontaine in Hollywood. Besides having luncheon and swimming in Joan's private pool, he had dinner with a fellow-Britisher, Nigel Bruce, and “went to the most incredible party I've ever seen. There were hundreds and hundreds of guests, (this with a wave of the hand and an incredulous voice) it lasted ALL night and everyone was dressed in cowboy clothes. San Francisco is quite the NICEST city I’ve been in.” Major Ashton made several radio broadcasts and spoke to workers in the four Richmond Kaiser yards while in the Bay area under the auspices of the British information service. In commenting on the interna tional postwar situation, the major stated he believed the future peace of the world depends upon America and Britain staying strong and “working very closely together.” He went on to say “I’m a soldier, not a politician” and “say exactly what I think. My opinions are not necessarily those of Britain.” When asked about his own per sonal postwar plans he surprised us by stating “I would like to set tle down on the west coast of the United States.” Well, er, ah, or, why the west coast? “I was just struck with it, that’s all . . . just struck with it.” We were interrupted in the 20 minute interview by a knock on the door. The British major took his feet off the desk, said goodbye and was escorted to dinner by five (we counted ’em) five girls. Letters to the Editor (Continued from page two) wishful thinking