URUGUAY: Chaperones for Sailors

Fortnight ago the British Legation in Montevideo issued an unusual decree: no British sailor, naval or mercantile, was to leave his ship without a local Briton as escort. Just as amazing was the official reason: Uruguayan maidens had become so immodestly pro-Allied that the honest British tars were embarrassed;* wherever they went they were greeted with effusive hugs and left covered with smears of sticky lip rouge. As the practice grew fashionable, local belles vied for the honor of kissing the most sailors, depositing the most makeup.

Suspicious foreigners suggested another possible...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!