A Mess, Anyhow
Old Men of War
Sirs:
... In your Nov. 16 issue, one R. D. Johnstone indicates that the Army leaders, in Washington and in the field, are aged to the point of uselessness. To support his point, he cites the ages of certain of the younger historical military characters. While the idea that war is a young man's business is not without merit, there is another side of the picture. . . .
Julius Caesar was 54 at the Battle of Pharsalus. Farragut was over 62 at New Orleans and Mobile Bay.
Lee led the Army of Northern Virginia between the ages of 55 and 58. Mr. Johnstone indicates that Lee was great only en the defensive. I submit that the second Manassas and Seven Days campaigns were superbly conducted offensives, and that Chancellorsville, while strategically a defensive battle, was tactically offensive, and is regarded as one of the most daringly conceived victories in history.
Scott, whose early triumph in the War of 1812 alone is cited by Mr. Johnstone, was 61 when he conducted that most daring offensive in American history, the Campaign of Mexico City. . . .
Bluecher was 73 at the Battle of Waterloo, and although his horse had fallen on him and saved him from death at the hands of charging French cavalry two days before at the Battle of Ligny, his determination and activity alone forced the Prussian Corps through the deep mud from Wavre to the relief of Wellington, who must otherwise have been annihilated by Napoleon. This was contrary to the counsel of his brilliant, and far younger, chief of staff, Gneisenau, who urged immediate withdrawal toward Germany.
What was the age of Foch at the First Marne, when he said in effect, "My right is falling back; my left has been destroyed. I shall attack with my center"? Over 60, as I recall.
What was the age of Hindenburg atTannenberg? He had been recalled from retirement, and his age was 67, but he had four years of high command, ably conducted, before him. .
Camp Barkeley, Tex.
> . . . and how old was August von Mackensen when he overran Serbia in 1916? He was 67.--ED.
Sirs:
. . . Several of the contemporary German generals . . . too capable for our comfort, are more than 60.
SERGEANT L. SHUMACKER Oakland Airport Oakland, Calif.
> Namely: Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt, recently put over all France, 66; Field Marshal Fedor von Bock, Prussian who helped conquer Poland, Paris, the North Caucasus, 61; Field Marshal Siegmund List, who led the Balkan campaign, 62; Field Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb, who commands the northern front in Russia, 66.--ED.
Obit for a Fleet
Sirs:
REMIND US IN DUE TIME TO ERECT A STATUE OF VICTORY IN TOULON HARBOR IN MEMORY OF THOSE IMMORTAL TRENCH PATRIOTS.
R. W. WAKELEY Bloomington, Ill.
Man of the Year
Sirs:
Though others fail the war can still be won. Had he failed the war could not be won. I nominate Marshal Semyon Timoshenko for Man of the Year.
E. MITHOFF NICHOLAS Columbus, Ohio
Sirs:
. . . My candidate: The Mahatma (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi). . . .
S. P. WUNSCH Houston
Sirs:
. . . General Eisenhower as the Man of the Year.
J. GORDON ROSSER New York City
Sirs:
... I nominate the next Republican candidate for the presidency of the U.S., Mr. Henry J. Kaiser. 'Nuf sed.
J. SAMUEL ROSEN U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Base Wilmington, Calif.
Henri the Which?
Sirs:
I enjoyed your article "A King is Available" [TIME, Nov. 23]. For several years I have been studying the House of France and until the U.S. entered the war I corresponded with the Comte de Paris for a short time. I am glad that at last a large national magazine has written an accurate estimate of the Comte's personality. . . .
There is one thing I would like to correct you on, though. The Comte and Comtesse de Paris have eight children, not six as you stated. They are Isabelle (1932-), Henri (1933-), Helene (1934-), Francois (1935-), Anne (1938-), Diane (1940-), Michel and Jacques (1941-). The last two are twins. He therefore has four sons and four daughters.
One other point also: to monarchists the Comte de Paris is considered Henri VI. The Comte de Chambord, last of the main line of the Bourbon House, is often spoken of as Henri V in history books, encyclopedias and biographies. On the abdication of his grandfather, Charles X, in August 1830 he was proclaimed King Henri V, and several times from 1870 until his death in 1883 he was spoken of in Government circles as Henri V. I think you will find that all but officially Chambord is considered as Henri V of France. It is quite likely that Paris might take the title if he gained the throne, but I am sure his choice would be Henri VI.
PRIVATE ANDREW W. MACLAUGHLIN
Chanute Field, Ill.
>Since Chambord never actually ruled, TIME assumed that the Comte de Paris would, if crowned, be known as Henri V; but if he wants to be Henri VI, then--Henri V is dead, long live Henri VI (if there ever is such a thing).--ED.
A Mess, Anyhow
Sirs:
In translating "snafu" (positive) in a slightly bowdlerized form as "situation normal, all fouled up," and "tarfu" as "things are really fuddled up" (TIME, Nov. 30), you have overlooked the much more prevalent comparative form of "susfu," which we will for the sake of clarity as well as purity interpret as "situation unchanged, still fudged up." . . .
D. E. HOBELMAN Commodore
Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club Chicago
Woman's Place . . .
Sirs:
It is rather nauseating to be over here in Egypt and read about the new female army, the female navy and the female air force, if any, which conglomerations are undergoing activation in the old country. (Even if these female uprisings were not occurring, it is still nauseating to be in Egypt.) Now then, if you think this situation is to be taken rather lightly, you should see some of the faces on the lads who receive letters from girl friends and such at home. . . .
It takes a hell of a lot of paperwork to run the Army, Navy and Air Force; there's no getting away from that point. At the same time, it seems rather doubtful that there is enough administration and brittle-bone work to warrant the creation of all these female forces and shake-ups in the home lives of countless families. After all, what is home without a woman? . . .
While there is the very necessary and credible patriotic angle, it is fairly easy to see why most women would reply to requests for enlistments in the forces with alacrity. Try flashing a few bills in a girl's face. Doesn't she dash like mad to the closest half-decent dress shop? (Or are Madame's skirts being rationed to an unholy degree?) By the same token, the prospect of wearing a bright new uniform at no cost, or at a moderate fee to one's self, looms nicely in a girl's mind.
What happens when the novelty of wearing the uniform wears off? While most girls probably wouldn't desert, we fail to see how their hearts could be in their work.
An army means regimentation, from the first crack of dawn till the last detail of the day is done. We get a sweet picture of how the babes will go for that. The average girl will probably be so bored after her first few weeks in the forces that upon her first leave she will cloister herself in some nearby forest and cry a half dozen GI hankies into a complete state of saturation.
Cooperation and team work are the basic foundations of an Army, Jealousy among women is no small item and in lots of cases is rampant. Get a crowd of females together and sooner or later something pops. One thing leads to another and there is a gnashing of teeth, ripping of straps and unsetting of permanent waves, although the last possibility seems a trifle unlikely, depending upon what provision a female soldier's budget makes for trips to the post Helena Rubenstein or Zotos salon.
I like women and I can recall a few instances where women have been known to be rather fond of me, but I am going to like women a hell of a lot less, if I ever get back to the old country. . . .
Woman's place is in the home, and there they should be with their knitting and their ranges. Keep 'Em Frying!
STAFF SERGEANT DAN MALMUTH U.S.A.A.F. Egypt
>Will any WAACs, WAVEs, WAFs or SPARs rise to their defense?--ED.
Koreans Aren't Scots
Sirs:
The same advantages which prompted the Scot to join the Englishman in the successful amalgam, which with Wales, became the United Kingdom, do not exist so far as the Korean and the Jap are concerned.
Mr. Hugh Byas, despite 36 years' residence in Japan, should recognize this when, in his just-published book reviewed in TIME, Nov. 23, he suggests that 23 million Koreans should remain the sheeplike victims of the island butchershop adjoining their country.
SYNGMAN RHEE
First President, Provisional Government Republic of Korea The Korean Commission Washington, D.C.
The Bullet Color Line
Sirs:
. . . Such occurrences as that which happened at the Anaconda copper mines (TIME, Nov. 23) seem to indicate that America is not yet old enough to become a world power when certain groups would discriminate against a group of Americans as loyal as the Negro.
The Jap and German bullet knows no difference in color, and continued discrimination of the Negro means a longer war and more loss of life to white and black America alike.
CHARLES J. HAMILTON
Pittsburgh
Nisei Troops
Sirs:
Attorney General Biddle asks us to regard all aliens of Italian origin as friendly. Rabbi Irving F. Reichert (TIME, Nov. 9) urges that the policy be extended to German aliens. . . . Each case should be decided upon its own merits.
TIME'S editors are virtually the only ones to express the opinion that there may be some merit to the cause of Japanese-Americans. . . . My own ideas, not necessarily those of the
Since before Pearl Harbor I have served with troops from all parts of America, including men of German, Italian and Japanese extraction. . . . Nisei Japanese have these qualities which make them splendid soldiers, worthy of the uniform they wear:
1) They are good soldiers. Their barracks are always in good order and their clothing clean. They do not cause the disciplinary problems that we see among white troops. The military police do not have to watch them while they are on leave, or curb any disorderliness among them.
2) They are loyal and patriotic. They were heartbroken when they were taken from line organizations (infantry, artillery, etc.) of the West Coast because "they couldn't be trusted." Many would prefer to be on the firing; line, but accept the Army's decision to use them in other places. They hate the "dirty Japs" as much as the rest of us.
3) They are industrious. White soldiers would object to the long hours that these men work. They have not sought the so-called soft jobs that exist in certain places in the Medical and Quartermaster Corps.
4) Their morale is good. Their parents are in relocation centers. They themselves are discriminated against, even though they are in uniform. Privileges of white soldiers are not theirs. But their heads are still high and they continue to have the same enthusiasm and hope for Allied victory that the rest of us feel.
No one would contend that all Nisei soldiers have each of these qualities. Naturally, there are good and bad among them, but the good predominate. When the war is over, we shall find decorations on the breasts of many of them. In the meantime, let's show some semblance of fair play toward all Japanese-Americans who would prefer to be accepted as fellow Americans. !amp Savage, Minn.
Deaf, Dumb, Blind
Sirs:
. . . The deaf are enjoying a cycle of prosperity now, but they still have one loud if not vociferous complaint. The U.S. Government does not consider them eligible for the armed forces, classifying them as 4-F, along with the blind, the physically helpless, and the mentally deficient. There are countless tasks in the Army & Navy which the deaf could perform, and they are eager to serve their country. Their young men are as able-bodied as any of our soldiers, with the sole exception that they cannot hear, but does one fire a cannon with one's ears? They can hold their own in any activity where hearing is not absolutely essential--such as in radio communication. Among them are bakers and barbers, painters and carpenters, shoemakers, machinists, truck drivers, draftsmen, chemists, and even radio repairmen. Many of them are college educated. All they ask for is a chance.
B. B. BURNES
National Association of the Deaf Berkeley, Calif.
Sirs:
... A large war plant has this to report on deaf-mutes employed by them. They are good workers, attentive, higher intelligence than average, interested in their work, willing to learn, careful, cautious, work rejections less than average and cooperate 100% with supervisors, leadmen and fellow workers, possess initiative and are self-disciplined, ability above average, production above average. Mutes teach their supervisors few necessary signs, soon the whole shop talks at great distances by a few significant flashes of hands. Every employer expresses great satisfaction with the handicaps they employ. Contrary to previous opinion, there is no saturation point. Given an opportunity, handicaps will do as good or better a job than the so called normal employe. Given consideration they soon make themselves indispensable. No employer need hesitate hiring in this minority group.
ARMAND ANGEL Placement Officer
U.S. Employment Service Inglewood, Calif.
Sirs:
The achievements of the more than 300 men & women working on war orders in California's three state-operated workshops for the blind under the handicap of total sightlessness:
In the twelve months ending June 30, 1942, blind workers completed on schedule war con-- Name withheld by request. tracts valued at $794,000. Their output during the ensuing twelve months will more than double that figure. The San Diego State Blind Shop is loading a boxcar a week with deck swabs for the Navy; the Los Angeles Industrial Workshop for the Blind is turning out 110,000 pillowcases every 30 days, also for the Navy; the Oakland industrial Home for Adult Blind is producing 50,000 pillowcases, over 20,000 brooms and 1,000 pairs of work pants a month for the Army. . . .
The sightless folk in our workshops consider that they have a definite stake in a United Nations' victory ; they know that under a dictatorship the physically handicapped are liquidated.
ROBY WENTZ
State of California Department of Institutions Sacramento
Fighting Methodists
Sirs:
In re Methodist chaplain shortage [TIME, Nov. 23] it's not educational requirements, but the Army won't take unordained men, and the Methodists won't ordain until a. man has been "tried" four years. So many a fine one, two, three-year college graduate now preaching is blocked. Furthermore, Methodist ministers cannot be excused by a local church to go to the Army and find that church awaiting their return. Methodism's interlocking system of pulpits allows for no vacancies, and it is catch-as-catch-can whenever a man moves. Pacifists, however, Methodists are not--in spite of some publicized Conference pronouncements. They have put more soldiers in more United States wars than any other Protestant group,and right now they have more men with MacArthur, Eisenhower, Nimitz & Co. than any other Protestant group. Want to bet?
NOLAN B. HARMON JR. Book Editor The Methodist Church New York City
Rice v. Socrates
Sirs:
As one of John A. Rice's students during his stormy last years at the University of Nebraska, I was much interested in TIME'S account in the Nov. 23 issue of his educational history.
There were omissions, however, that none but his students could fill in. My own case is typical. A discouraged and unknown freshman, I had to leave school for a spinal operation. Mr. Rice called me to his office. I can see him yet, silhouetted in a cloud of smoke against the window of the belfry that served as his office in old U hall. The frayed bell rope hung down ominously over his head. He chuckled and remarked that he had often wished he could break a leg so he'd have time to read. He took me over to the library, picked out some 20 books and carried them out to the car. They were everything--from Jane Austen's Emma to Thomison's Wonder of Life (Rice was my history teacher). He asked me to write and tell him what I thought of them.
He was perhaps the most stimulating student influence at the University of Nebraska during the late '20s. His classes in Greek attracted alert students from all the colleges. Other faculty members were always at a loss to analyze this student admiration. . . .
Privately, we students used to remark that we were sure, not that Mr. Rice looked like Socrates, but that Socrates must have looked like Mr. Rice.
JOSEPHINE FRISBIE
Omaha
Business & Finance--or What?
Sirs:
. . As for the heading--"Business & Finance"--my suggestion would be to change it, if at all, to "U.S. at War Work." This is really what you are trying to put across. Later the word War could easily be dropped, making it "U.S. at Work." But what right have I to express an opinion on a subject of this kind?
ALBERT KAHN Detroit
Sirs:
... I do believe that some change in the name might be advisable, so as to eliminate the use of the word "Finance," as this word, unfortunately, strikes some people a little wrong. This is especially true when they may have heard some of the misleading remarks about corporation profits before taxes. . . .
CHAS. J. GRAHAM
Pittsburgh
Sirs:
... I will only say that TIME as it is is good enough for me, without any embellishments. It is the one magazine which I read, and the captions to the articles are meaningless and of no importance whatever. . . .
B. D. HARRIS Houston
Sirs:
. . . Personally I think we are not as much concerned over "Business," "Finance" or "Economy." The word that covers everything just now is "Industry." We do not speak of the steel business--the copper business--or the magnesium business--but we are very conscious of the steel industry, and other productive industries. Just at this time it takes in a lot of territory. Labor is certainly industry--so is shipbuilding, transportation, agriculture, etc., etc. I cannot quite convince myself that finance is an industry, but naturally those around Broad and Wall Streets would have their own views. . . .
JOHN J. HOWARD Philadelphia
Sirs:
Since when did plain, informative words or expressions in the English language need to be "brought up to date"? Is it possible that TIME has succumbed to the daily headlines and now wants to be either hysterical or unintelligible or both? You don't have to guess or struggle to interpret "Business & Finance," according to the way I have read and written our language for at least half a century. But "U.S. at Work" might be a story on the latest record performance of a female riveting gang, and "America's War Economy" might suggest the worse thought of another half-baked last word on the sure way to win the war by rationing bread to save butter. . . .
IRWIN H. RICE San Francisco
Sirs:
. . . "Business & Finance" is very descriptive at all times, in peace, in war, when business is good, and when there are depressions. . . .
T. HENRY FOSTER Ottumwa, Iowa.
Sirs:
... "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. . . ."
S. H. DUNKEN Dallas
Sirs:
". . . U.S. at Work" or "America's War Economy" seem to me to be names applied to achievements or efforts that are governmental rather than those of private industry. For this reason, we should retain the words "Business & Finance" on the heading of TIME'S business news department, as it refers to something which has been the result of private capital and individual effort rather than that which is governmental. . . .
STANLEY STONE Milwaukee
*Name withheld by request.
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