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VOICE OF THE PRESS CARELESS TALK Some people hav been inclined te acoff at posters displayed at various points in Canada warning agaiaat careless talk of such things as ship departures. It seems at times that the caution voiced is rather exaggerated, that easual words dropped among friends could not possibly do harm. The story told by a British sea- aian in New York, however, is al- most an exact duplication of the picture story told on some of these wall cards. It the tale of a sailor revealing to a girl friend the time of departure of his ship, and of the news traveling from mouth to mouth until it was re- layed by means of a signal to a lurking submarine, and the vessel was sunk with heavy loss of life. It is a story that should make everyone think. It is a deadly example of just how dangerous it Is to drop even a 'casual word. Careless talk does cost lives. Windsor Star "SMACK JAPS" A boatswain's mate rushed into a Chinese laundry in New York and asked for his bundle in a hurry, because he had to report for duty at noon. He didn't have a ticket but Geyne Sun didn't throw at him the old chestnut: "No tickee, no laundie." Instead he pushed the sailor's dollar bill back to him and gave the fellow his laundry, saying: "No monie. Smack Japs." And no doubt that Mate will smack 'em if he gets half a chance. Peterborough Examiner ANTIMACASSAR Macassar, a section of Celebes which bordess the Strait of Ma- eassar, where a Japanese convoy has been battered was famous in the eighteenth century as the source of Macassar oil, used as a hair oil. The oil was so popular that cloth covers, known as anti- macassars, came into use to pro- tect the backs of chairs from hair en which it had been employed. Sault Ste. Marie Star ANOTHER WAR PERIL Another of the unlisted perils of >var the danger that people may become cross-eyed trying to watch both the Atlantic and the Pacific at the same time. Stratford Beacon-Herald THE OLD DAYS Men's flashy socks are another thing that is out for the- duration. However, these are a minor vanity of the days when Elmer, of Pippin Centre, used to drive along Main street with one foot outside the buggy box and stunned 'em. Hamilton Spectator AND STARTED BACK Hitler went into Russia to find loom to turn around in. Then he turned around. Brandon Sun Russia Too Busy To Attack Japan Naturally, It would be a great relief to our forces in the Far fact if the heart of Japan were bombarded, as it easily could be, from the neighborhood of Vladi- vostok. But the war has to be considered in regard to all He operations on all fronts. There Is BO greater service that Russia could render at this juncture than to engage the massive land armies f Hitler with all her resources, and to continue to inflict the heavy blows she is now dealing. It M true, she has an equipped and self-dependent army in Far Eastern Siberia, and is capable of dealing with any attack that Ja- pan might make. But it is obvl- oui that the opening of a new front would be a distraction from her supreme effort in the west. It is what Hitler would desire, and, therefore, obviously what we should not desire. Supply of Rubber On Alkali Deserto On the alkali deserts of six western states there are 500,- 00,000 pounds of natural rubber enough to supply the United States for five months ready for Immediate harvesting, University of California scientists informed the government. This rubber, although not quite as good as the prime product from the Kasl Imlirs, it entirely satis- fsctory, tho experts reported. Most important, they said, is that it IH already on hnnd and cnri be collected and made into tires, tubes and olhcr finished products without mid ui' effort. It r\i: i in the rabbit brush, a large perennial shrub which cov- ers vast sln-tchcs of the West's great open spaces. California, Nevada and Colorado have most of it but there are lar^e tracts also in N'ew Mexico, Utah, Klnho and pcrlmp!i other states. NDIVIDUAL AtANMAtlWCE A" ft IRAVINJ A. A Weekly Column About This and That in The Canadian Army Last week the only reference made in this column to Arm; slang had a slight note of acidity. This week as Ed. Wynn used to say "The programme is going to b different." For once the re- surrection of Army slang from the dim mists of a peaceful past ties up very directly with a piece of news full of interest for the members of the Individual Citi- in's Army and their army ol relatives and friends. The term is "Square-pushing" and the news the promised issue of a "walking out dress" to all Canadian "other ranks." Per- haps I should clarify "other ranks." This term means all sol- diers other than commissioned officers. It saves paper, which is a commendable war time econ- omy, and it saves breath, a wise thing to do at any time. Were this term not available, it would be necessary to speak of "officers, warrant officers, non-commission- ed officers and men." So the two-word substitution is an econ- omy. The relationship between the story of the new uniform and the slang term "Square-pushing" is very close. In the piping times of peace and I admit there are those who never associate bag- pipes with peace the soldier was issued with two uniforms, one in which to train and fight, and the other, frequently variations of scarlet and blue or the dark green of rifle regiments, for walk- ing out after the day's training was over. This "walking out" uniform in barracks was known as the "square-pushing" uniform, and although today's young sol- dier is perhaps not familiar with "square-pushing rig" as a collo- quial definition the term does not apply to him because by the middle of March he will be the proud possessor of to revert to the piping times of peace again what we used to call a "best suit." This new uniform, a picture of which appeared in this paper two or three weeks ago, consists of a smartly cut jacket and slacks, black low shoes of a lighter weight than the issued "ammuni- tion boots" worn with battle dress, collars and tie and rain- coat. In general appearance, al- though it is cut of the same weight of serge as were our jackets in the last war, it very closely re- sembles the jacket worn by offi- cers even to the brass-buckled cloth belt. The breast pockets have the regulation Army pleat la them and there are patch pock- ets In the sides. This uniform, with which the "off parade" sol- dier is permitted to carry a "swagger stick" therefore be- comea the modern equivalent of a square-pushing uniform. With the aid of a copy of "Songs and slang of the British soldier 1914-1918" which la the personal property of a mem- ber of the staff of the Historical Section of the Army in Ottawa, I have been able to locate several definitions of "square-pushing." The term is first returned in the 1880'a as being current in garri- son artillery units and its orgiin is thought to be derived from the fact that soldiers were frequent!} seen escorting nursemaids as they pushed their perambulators around the "squares," then a frequent feature of town-planting. Lati the term "square-pushing," ac- cording to the authority, was ap- plied to a soldier going out in the evening "to court a particular girl or perhaps to find one." la 1914-18 this piece of Army slang was revived again to apply par- ticularly to boots and, since mem- bers of the Canadian Expedition- ary Force were amongst the best paid allied soldiers, it ia quite likely that they were the principal purchasers of civilian boots to wear with their uniforms when off parade and attending social ev- ents, i.e., "square-pushing." All of this becomes very apt once again as the new issue of "walking out dress" includes something unheard of prior to A.D. 1941 to use the Ordnance term, "shoes black, low, leather, pairs one." 75 Nazi Soldiers Meet 6 Britishers There's not much anyone can do with the odds standing at 76 to six, so the Britishers just sat back and smoked. Londoners got the story from a New Zealand soldier broadcasting to the British Isles. During tho fighting back and forth across the scorching sands of Libya, six British trucks with their crews were returning to their column when they ran smack into 75 German trucks go- ing in the opposite direction. The Germans pulled to the side> of the road and stopped. The British did likewise. And because there didn't seem to be anything else to do about it, all lit up cigarettes. For a few seconds all was quiet, then the firing started and the Britons ran the gauntlet past the German trucks and rejoined their unit safely. LIFE'S LIKE THAT By Fred Neher "Nobody ever aU me anything I know." London Papers Still Advertising Every Advertisement Direct Testimony To Faith In The Future London, where food and cloth- ing are rationed and the shoppers are "less than 20 minutes" from the enemy, is still carrying on its newspaper advertising. Lord & Thomas, New York ad- vertising firm, recently issued a study prepared by its London branch on British business and advertising in the third year ol war, said: "Woven deep Into the ways of democracy is advertising: A bridge between the freedom of pepole to buy and the freedom of people to sell. No Nazi bomb- ing has been able to destroy that bridge in Britain. "Every advertisement appearing there today is a flag of defiance; is direct testimony to someone's faith in the future; is someone's toast to victory." Papers Cut Down Since the Nazi invasion of Scandinavia whence Britain ob- tained the bulk of its paper pulp, British newspapers have been re- duced to four-page issues and no large posters are available. Because of this the demand for advertising space in Britain far exceeds the supply but items ad- vertised there include: Soap, ra- dios, dog food, chocolate, shoes, tooth paste, cider, vaseline, beer, fur coats, clothing. The British Government is the largest single advertiser in . the newspapers, placing 17 per cent of all advertisements published and even on such a major news announcement as the clothes ra- tioning order, used paid adver- tising space. Lord and Thomas said govern- ment advertising has had this ef- fect: "Tin- public is developing stronger than ever habits of studying advertising columns for instructions and advice ... of utmost importance in their lives. The effect of this, on the future of advertising, is incalculable." The firm concluded from its study prepared as the United States plunged into the war. "Drastic changes in our life and business are surely ahead of u. But this (study) will serve its purpose if it shows one thing. That not war only defeat destroys the ways of democracy, tit* spirit, humor and enterprise of a free people." British advertising, Lord and Thomas said, protects the adver- tisers' investment in trade names, keeps contact with the changing habits of the public and the new markets growing up in the war, and "fulfill* its responsibility of maintaining the freedom of the press by non-government support" besides upholding public morale. Tlit firm said one of the strongest supports of British morale has been the "stubborn" resistance of the retail disrup- tions while "buying and selling keep making the best of it." Since Jan. 1, 1942, no new shops may open a new retail business. Any opened since Oct. 28, 1941, had to be granted a government license after proving their services were needed. Norway Invasion Costly To Germans In the final reckoning it will be revealed that Norway made u siz- able contribution to the Allied cause in the form of deaths and damages inflicted on the (iermun fighting forces when Germany in- vaded Norway and during the (52 days of open warfare that follow- ed. The conquest cost the Uer- muns between 00 and 70 thousand lives (some estimates run as high as 100,000) ; it cost Germany one- third of her navy; it co.a Ger- many vast amounts of war mater- ials; it cost Germany her first de- feat en land when the cily of Nar- vik was recaptured by .Norwegian and British forces, i'urlmps most important ofrall, it cost Germany valuable tiuic G- days of fight- ing for what was carefully plan- ned as an "overnight job." Tnat delay was probably in part re- sponsible for the postponi'inum of the invasion of England. THE WAR - WEEK Commentary on Current Events United Nations Stand With Backs To Wall In Far Eastern Battle One bright spot In a far from cheerful picture of the Battle of the Pacific is the news that a Un- ited States naval force has arrived In New Zealand and that other reinforcements have landed at sta- tions along the 4,000 mile route from Pearl Harbour. ThU is an Important victory. It means that the supply line from America to Its terminus In New Zealand is open for reinforcements and for the vital weapons of war. In two months of war In the Far Bast the enemy, striking with su- perior man, naval and air power, has pressed the Initial advantage of surprise into far reaching gains. Th lot of the United Nations has been one of retreat until now they stand at bay in their key defense positions. The call has gone out from headquarters to hold at all costs for reinforcements are on the way. How long can they "hold that line?" The allied task Is compli- cated by the extended lines of the Japanese attacks, stretching over nearly 5,000 miles of land and water. They have opened up so many danger points that Allied forces are unable to concentrate for the proper defense of any one. With Japan's shorter lines of com- munications, the enemy has been able to tlirow superior forces against every point attached. Japanese Strategy The strategy of Japan's vast ex- pansionist programme is now clear. For years systematic planning, spy- Ing and waiting have been part of this stupendous scheme of con- quest. The little yellow men have charted every channel and shoal from the Strait of Malacca to the reefs of Australia and on Into the mid Pacific. They have surveyed every Allied land defense and know their weaknesses. They hq.ve map- ped out Jungle trails and spotted Biiltnble ?roun<l for nir bases. Thus the Japanese knew whpre to at- tack and how and, as fn the case of Pr:irl Harbor, when. With the fall of Singapore 1m- minont. the Allies have boen forced to move their Far Eastern fleets to Piifrh East Indies linics. An all out desperate attempt niust be made to hold Java and Sumatra, already feeling the hard blows of tho Japanese hordes. They arr key points In the (IsvftuiMve system of the United Nations, forming a rampart hrtwonu the Indian Ocrnn and thn China Sea. Hurma Is in grave- danger. The Burma Hnacl, the. vital llfp-Ilnp of supplies from the Pnltod Nations' arsemil to China Is tlirentenod. Tho loss of Burma would !>o :i deadly blow to China. Watching Hitler .Should Slngapni-o fall and th .Tap.vieso bocome I'litrenchcd on the Knst Indies and Java, thr-y would be musters for the- Um boln',' of the entire Somluvcal Pacit'ii; with tho exception of Aus- tralia. Australia would then be- Homo tho Allied si>.-on.t;!\->ld and the point from which the United Na- tions would have to fiifht ttio Ling way hack. The island continent is l>rc;i:u'ing to meet 1ht> threat of a direct invasion. \VYi-ft Japan nlonc to he dealt w itii, the Jmb would be finished i]iik'k!.v. Uut Hi ilnin and the United States have to disperse their for- ces and materials over the face of the earth. Americans are fight- ing on the land, sea and air in the Far Bast. An American expedi- tionary force has landed in North- ern Ireland. American supplies are going to Britain, Russia, Africa, and the Middle East. Neither power intends to let Russia down and permit Hitler to come back next summer and nulli- fy the winter victory which the Russians are consolidating. The demands of the Far East and Aus- tralia cannot be met at the cost of giving aid and comfort to Hitler In thttt fashion. Churchill's Forecast Britain also cannot relax tor a minute in Africa. Things mo- mentarily are going poorly In Libya, showing the need tor considerable reinforcements. De- feat there would expose the Suei Caiial and the oil fields oX Irak, Iran and. the Caucasus to Axfo attack. Likewise, Britain and the United States cannot weaken their strength In the Atlantic to bolster their naval forces in the Pacific and Mediterranean. American sup- plies must be kept flowing acmes the Atlantic at all costs and thts requires heavy convoys. The Ger- mans already have carried their submarine warfare to these shores and generally are expected to pro- duce a new burst of underse-as fury in the spring. Not long ago Mr. Churchill warn- ed that "Japanese naval suprem- acy will last long enough for Japan to inflict many heavy and painful losses on the United Nations ajid their establishments in the Pax East," and added "I believe we shall presently regain naval com- mand in the Pacific tnd begin to establish effective superiority ra the air. Later on in 1943 we should be aible to set about our t:\sk in the Pacific in Rood style." New Command Vice-Admiral, C. E. L. Helfrlch ol the Royal Netherlands Navy has succeeded Admiral Thomas C. tlart as commander of the United Nations, sea forces in the East fndles. Ill-health forced the Ameri- can commander to retire. II Is considered that Helfrich, in the defense of his homeland, will follow a policy of "no re- treats", commensuate with con- serving bis forees for thn roost effective blows against the tn- \ aders. The sea areas over winch the Invaders must move to press home their conquest are scalloped with tiny bays and inlets from which the presumably inferior dffoiullng forces mny dash out to lurry their convoys and wage hit-nnd-run war on their t'lshtinsr units. Admiral Helfrich was described by an American naval spokesman ns a miste 1 - In those tactirs. THREE MEN Franklin D. Uon.^evelt was 1941 Man of the Year, but Adolf Hitler remains the World's No. 1 poison- ality . . . Your description of rhnrchill as: "wholly British and half American" is aptly put to say the least. If e\er any man rated the title of "Man-and-a-half" it's the British prime minister. Two Letters in Time Magazine REG'LAR FELLERS- Chance of a Lifetime By GENE BYRNES NOW JUST RAISE YOUR. HEAD A LITTLE AND TAKE YOUR HAND OUT OF TOUR POCKtT/ 3 NOW TAKE OFF YOUR HAT AND LOOK TO THE UEFT, PUDDINHEAD / IT'3 ALL YOUR FAULT, AGGIE, N YA SHOULDNTA TEMPTED M4 / : - ' ' ' ^