Open Season for Moose

Among the G.I.s of the U.S.'s Far East Command, the capital city of South Korea is rated as a real suzushii (cool) town. Fraternization is the order of any evening in Seoul, and the frizzled heads of willing young Korean misses, in military tow, bob around town in jeeps, and bend over ice cream cups at the snack bars. If an officer prefers a "stateside reject"--his term for the Caucasian girls from the civilian relief agencies-he takes her to "Round Eyes Night" at Seoul's baroque Chosen Hotel. But "Moose Night" is more popular. Then the brass show up with their "musume"--a Japanese word whose literal translation, "daughter," has been indescribably enriched by U.S. troops.

Last month a disapproving shadow fell athwart this happy scene. It belonged to Lieut. General John H. Collier, 56, new deputy commander of the Eighth Army. One horrified look around, another at Seoul's roster of prostitutes (4,000 registered professionals), and the general spoke: after July 31, no more moose in Collier's officer clubs. The order was obeyed-at clubs within his command. Collier's Eighth Army officers merely mounted new assault waves on Moose Night at the Chosen, controlled by the tolerant Korea Civil Assistance Command.

Last week, hands trembling in frustration, Collier lifted the ban. Henceforth his officers could squire whom they choose --but he hoped they'd be choosy in Chosen. Said he: "Standards of acceptability in Eighth Army clubs in Korea are the same high ones normally established in officer clubs throughout the world."

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