Dear Time-Reader

Noel Sherry, assistant circulation manager of TIME-LIFE International, has just returned from a 16,000-mile business trip to Hawaii, Siam, Indo-China, Indonesia, the Bahrein Islands, Iran, Turkey, Israel, and way places around the world. His account of his six-month journey seems to offer an interesting supplement to the daily reports of trained journalists in these areas. It contains much evidence that U.S. influence is truly global and touches the lives of the people everywhere.

In Singapore, for example, a stranger stopped Sherry on the street. "You're an American," he said. "I can tell by the suit. I've got one very much like it." A businessman, when Sherry visited his home, proudly showed a collection of American neckties. In some circles, it is a mark of distinction and a sure way to social acceptance to carry American cigarettes, available on the black market at some 60-c- a pack.

Evidence of U.S. impact surrounded Sherry en route. Americans, in and out of uniform, were everywhere. The native populations showed great interest in American affairs and American thinking. English is now in such general use that, although his work included detailed study and negotiation, Sherry never once needed an interpreter. Even in Siam English is compulsory in the schools and many young Siamese aim to complete their education in the States.

From a circulation man's viewpoint, Indonesia was frustrating. Like most of the world, it is short of dollars and has to restrict foreign publications imports. As a result, the English-speaking population (about 300,000 Dutch, Indonesians and Chinese) has to rely on the U.S. and British Information Services' daily releases for most of their written English-language news. TIME and LIFE International, in limited quantity, are the only American magazines circulating in Indonesia, and our distributors have long waiting lists of people who want to be put on for copies. There is a busy black market in foreign periodicals, on which dog-eared old copies of TIME and LIFE International sell for as much as four guilders ($1.04) a copy.

During an interview with a Dutch Exchange Control official, Sherry noticed that the man kept eyeing a copy of TIME that Sherry had with him. Finally he handed it to the official, who promptly sat back and began to read it, remarking that TIME used to be his favorite magazine when he was able to subscribe to it. Sherry had to "ahem" twice before the interview continued.

In India, the press gets most of its news about the U.S. from non-American news services and Sherry found many misconceptions about America.

"Nevertheless," he said, "because of the wartime presence of our troops in India, and Nehru's visit to the U.S. and our increasing importance in world affairs, there is a growing curiosity about us there. If the Indians fail to understand us, it is largely because they have been isolated so long from direct information about America."

As a circulation man, Sherry was interested in (and depressed by) what appears to be an old Indian custom. Each newsstand dealer has a "readers' circle" of customers who await their turns to rent a copy of TIME or LIFE International for half the newsstand price.

But all along his route, Sherry met TIME and LIFE correspondents, photographers and others--plus, of course, thousands of TIME and LIFE readers. "With one exception," said Sherry, "I didn't feel like a stranger anywhere." That exception was a woman traveler on the plane to Rangoon who wanted to know the name of the company Sherry worked for. "TIME and LIFE," he told her. "My," she said, "you insurance men certainly do get around."

Cordially yours,

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.