*USS SAN JUAN WEEKLY PUBLICATION*

"T-H-E   P-A-N-T-H-E-R"

Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Ray George

         To the liberated prisoners of war aboard the U.S.S. San Juan and to all who have had a part in bringing this World War II to a close I send my humble thanks. My earnest prayer is the Almighty God will help me to be worthy of your sacrifice. I pray that all people throughout this land of America along with all nations will join in making this a lasting peace by doing the will of God.
         May God's richest blessings be with each of you always.
An American Mother.

JAPANESE WEATHER

         The past week has made all of us conscious of the weather and so we asked Meyer, Aer. M2/C to write an article about prevailing weather conditions around Japan. Here are his answers.
         Japan is about the same latitude as the United States and has seasonal conditions somewhat similar. The eastern coasts of Southern Honshu and Kyushu may be compared to our southeastern seaboard. Japanese climate, however, does not exactly parallel that of the Atlantic Seaboard---differences result from (1) strong monsoonal wind system, (2) mountainous topography of Japan, and (3) the ocean currents adjacent to Japan.
         Like the Atlantic Seaboard, Japan is frequented by tropical cyclones. In the Asiatic Pacific such disturbances are referred to as typhoons, while their cousins in the West Indies are known as hurricanes.
         Typhoons have an area of low pressure as the center, with a counterlockwise wind system. If the observer turns his back to the wind the storm will be ahead and to his left. The diameter of storms vary from 50 to 600 miles. The wind velocity increases as the center approaches. The nearly calm eye of the storm varies with a diameter from 4 to 60 miles and is at the storm's center.
         Typhoons are most frequent in the summer, August being the highest month, and least frequent in the winter months -- February having the fewest. These stroms have their origin in the hot and humid air area 7 to 20 degrees North latitude and between 120 and 150 degrees moving westward from their origin as about 7-10 knots and recurve to the northeast with a gradual acceleration. Not all storms follow the mean track for during the summer the mean track moves to the north and west at which time about 40% of the storms continue westward into China while in the winter the mean track retires to the south and east with about 15% of the storms continuing westward. The storms usually merge with frontal activity after reaching China or recurving and dissipating become a homogeneous air mass in the high altitudes. Cirrus clouds and crassed winds and swell are indications that may proceed a storm by hundreds of miles but their presence is not always indicative of a typhoon. The wind direction and intensity along with a falling barometer are the surest guides.
         The dangerous semi-circle is the right hand half as viewed when looking forward along the typhoon path. It is dangerous for two reasons, (1) a ship might be blown towards the center or the storm might recurve and pass over for a secondtime and (2) winds are higher in this semi-circle.
         Recently there have been many typhoon and storm reports with confusing and misleading results. In a typhoon there are no observable surface fronts separating air masses, temperature, pressure, wind and cloudiness are approximately the same in all quadrants of a typhoon. Storms or frontal activities have a definite observable surface front with marked wind shifts and differences in weather, clouds and temperature. A Storm is born when the typhoon dies and what was once a tropical disturbance has become part of a frontal storm and will dissipate as such.
         Typhoons far over the ocean where reports are lacking cannot be followed with only reasonable degree of accuracy for then flights reports must be relied upon. Consequently, the forecasting typhoons is not infallible (as we know from experience), but until the Ouija Board supercedes the teaching of Bowditch and Petterson we must continue to head the word of the meteorologist whose diligent efforts often go unrewarded.

USE YOUR HEAD!

Two months ago we would not have trusted a Jap under any conditions. With the war over, some strange thinking and acting has taken place. We won the war, yet in some respects we are losing it by betraying the very superiority which gave us Victory, with a type of conduct that is not becoming even a dog. The difference of some few of our men is so great - and their lack of pride so appalling that they will even stoop to illicit sexual intercourse with the worst type of Japanese whore; dirty, diseased, and lacking in every form of decency. It is a denial of the ideals for which we fought; a degrading of ourselves to their level; and impliededly a putting of our wives, mothers, sisters, and sweethearts on a par with a prostitute. It is the most cheapening action possible to any American.

It has been said that 1/3 of the Japanese people have either leprosy or syphilis, and it is certain that the whores don't come from the healthy 2/3. Leprosy (and don't kid yourself that the girl you laid with hasn't got it) syphilis, gonorrhea and other diseases are no fun. If you want these diseases then stay over here in Japan, and at least don't carry them back to your people.

Sexual desire is normal. But, attempting the satisfaction of that desire under the conditions that prevail in Japan is a downright degrading and abnormal. Continuance never harmed anyone. You can control yourself!

- BASKETBALL GETS UNDERWAY  -

         The interdivisional competition has begun and it really got underway with a bang. Two games were played Thursday morning on the basketball court laid off inside a Japanese hanger. The fourth division, captained by Ciocca, met the "C" division in a thriller diller that saw the lead change three times in the last 2½ minutes of play. When the final whistle blew, the "C" division was in the lead by a bare one point, 11 to 10. High scoring honors went to Gish of the "C" division who led his team with 7 points. Haney and Marine both scored 4 points for the losers.
         In the second game the third division took on the "F" division in another jam-up game. With only 2½ minutes to play the score was all knotted up at 8 all. Before the final whistle blew, however, the fire controlmen looped in two filed goals to win the ball game 12 to 8. Due to the limited time, this game had to be played in two 10 minute halves. The high scorers of the game were De Counter of the "F" division with 6 points and Yeager of the third with the same number.
         Now that things have gotten started, let's keep 'er rolling. You snipes and deck apes get your teams primed. One little bit of warning to those who haven't seen the court. It is large and has a concrete floor. Only a small part of the hanger is devoted to the court. The rest of the space is taken as a maintenance line for F4U's. Smoking is prohibited, therefore, in all parts of the hanger. The Marines have very considerately furnished us the court and basketballs, so let's all co-operate with them. The low scores of the first games were due mainly to early season games and the fact that the hoops were hand made. Thursday afternoon regulation baskets were installed and as the teams progress we are looking for bigger and better scores.
         Yes, you have to be rugged to play in this league, but it may well be worth it. It has been suggested that the winning team not only challenge other ships, but be given a beer party at the end. Of course this is no promise, but it is an idea well worth talking up. A vote of thanks is in order for Ensign PRESNELL for making the necessary arrangements for our use of the court and balls.

Line-ups
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         I've always wondered why sick bay kept some people in there a long time and now I've got the answer. It seems a certain seaman from the 2nd Division was kept there so long that he finally decided he liked it. Now, he's in the "H" Division. So, that's how they get their relief's?????

PAMELA PANTHER'S ADVICE TO THE LOVELORN

Dear Pam,
         Over the last few years, I've been writing my girl about my exploits in the Navy, and I guess that I have exaggerated a little bit. I told her that I won the Navy Cross at Santa Cruz for spotting 15 enemy planes and sticking to by battle station as a lookout while the bullets were whistling past my ears. I won my Silver Star off the Marianas when I dove into the water to rescue a wounded pilot who had crash-landed. Off Okinawa, I told her, we were hit by a Kamikaze and in spite of my own wounds and burns, I made my way through fire and debris to rescue the Captain. For this, I wrote that I got the Legion of Merit and a Purple Heart. I wrote all of this because I'm not much of a hand with the girls, and I know I wouldn't have much chance with all the fly-boys with all their decorations trying to make time with my girl while I was away.
         But, now some of these days, we are going to be sailing home, where everyone thinks that I'm a hero. And all I have to show are a few campaign ribbons. What will I do?
                                                                                                 Yours,
                                                                                                  Louie Lookout
Dear Louie,
         I have several suggestions which might be of assistance in your case. First, you might go to the Captain and frankly explain the matter to him. He'll at least give you his sympathy even if he can't do anything else. Second, before you get home, we might be awarded an Occupation of Japan ribbon and a Victory Ribbon. You already have the American campaign the Asiatic Pacific, and the Philippine Liberation ribbons. You could claim one was the Navy Cross, another the Silver Star, etc. and you might get away with is, that is for awhile.
                                                                                                 Sympathetically, Pam.

A JAPANESE HOUSE

In contrast to the American custom of building houses from brick, stucco and almost anything that will stand up, a Japanese house is seldom built of anything but wood. They are usually airy, with the front of the house often having a broad expanse of window, making it look like a sotre. The floors are covered with thick mats (tatami), and the rooms are separated one from the other either by paper screens (syozi) or sliding doors (husuma).

The American idea of interior decorating is completely different from the Japanese. We go in for wall paper, a lot of paint, fancy furniture, and so on. The Japanese are extreme in their simplicity. Usually not a drop of paint will be used anywhere in the house. They attempt to preserve the natural beauty of their house - the walls, coilings and trim will be highly polished and spotless, but without paint or varnish. And instead of having many pieces of furniture about, often you will find only one or two, set off in such a way as to present it in its most pleasant fashion: it may be a statue, a small shrine, or just a bouquet of flowers arranged in some striking fashion. Prior to the War, there were some 10,000 instructors in flower arrangements in Tokyo alone.

A landscape garden is an essential feature of any good house. Where space is limited as in the crowded sections of the city, you will invariably find some miniature tree or plants. Even the poorest families will have one of these dwarf trees, such as a rugged cherry tree or a centenary pine, which has been handed down in the family from generation to generation. While not abusing the privacy of family, notice in your sightseeing trips this attempt on the part of the Japanese to surround themselves in their homes with things of beauty.