A Letter From The Publisher, Oct. 21, 1946

The following letter came to us recently from one of our overseas readers who was introduced to TIME under unusual circumstances:

My dear sirs:

Today I finally can do that which was impossible during the two and a half years that I was a prisoner of war in Camp Crossville, Tenn. — namely, write a letter to the editors of TIME.

Throughout my entire stay in the United States I subscribed to TIME; 7 even tried to have it forwarded to Germany after leaving the camp, which, of course, was quite impossible at the time. TIME is to a great degree responsible when, after my return to Germany, I say that I have never in my life been so well informed as I was during my prisoner-of-war stay in America.

TIME consistently supplied the best background for the camp information center I established, and for the numerous lectures I delivered. I cut out many articles of particular interest to me and brought them home for fur, ther study. TIME’S “synoptical” arrangement, world-wide news content, clever commentaries and ingenious style; the outstanding biographies of

American and foreign leaders, the exceptionally clear maps, and many otherthings, made TIME a traveling companion I shall not do without in thefuture. . . .

Not long ago I was surprised to see a notice in the Berlin press that TIME would soon be on sale again in Germany. Later that evening I made my newsdealer swear to save TIME for me for the rest of my life. Today the familiar cover of TIME glowed from Berlin newsstands, and in a few hours all copies were sold out. In the subway I entered into conversation with perfect strangers simply because they carried a copy of TIME under an arm, or were reading it. It was as though we were old friends.

I managed to bring my copy home safely and resolved to write TIME immediately, saying everything I had wanted to say for so long. May I once again assure you how glad I am to finally receive my TIME regularly. It has become and will continue to be indispensable to me.

Yours very truly, Dr. Herwig Weber

Berlin-Dahlem Königin Luisestr. 41

These kind words typify the sentiments of a great many former German, Italian and Austrian P.O.W.s who have written to us during the last few months. So far as we know, almost all of them picked up their first copy of TIME in the canteens and education classes at prisoner-of-war camps in the U.S. Many became subscribers while they were imprisoned here.

A year ago U.S. officers at several camps let us know that many P.O.W.s about to be repatriated had asked whether they could subscribe to TIME and have it mailed to their homes in Europe. We replied that we would accept the subscriptions and send the copies when occupation restrictions were lifted. Hundreds of prisoners from the 155 camps throughout the U.S. took the offer.

Those in Italy have been receiving their copies of the Atlantic Overseas edition since last spring. The Austrians will get theirs, beginning with this issue. Because of the occupation authorities’ mail restrictions we can not yet fulfill the German subscriptions, but readers like Dr. Weber may be buying their copies on the newsstands.

Cordially,