New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-25
'Wipers Times
Published IN
Cannon S Mouth
By Patrick MacGill,
Au;ho, Of 'Ths Great Push" etc

One day in the early part Of 1916
major and sergeant belonging to the
British army discovered an old print
ing house off the square in the city
of Ypres. Part of the house was blown
into the street, the remainder was
lying on the printing press, and the
type was scattered over the country
side. The sergeant, who had been
printer in a previous existence. an
nounced that he could get the press to
work if permission was granted and
help given. Both were obtained. The
type was dug out of the mud and
washed. Paper was plentiful and ink
in abundance was found. British Off
GERS became journalists, printers
devils and proofreaders. Soldiers in
Khaki forgot the hate of the Hun for
the time being and set themselves to
work to produce the most remarkable
paper which the world has probably
ever seen-"The Wipers Times"
One number was edited in case
mate under ramparts built by Vaubln
| ages ago; another number WAS pro-
duced in the Cloth Hall with the air
/ full of gas shells. Printers devils had
to stand-to in gas masks, and the
editor had 10 correct proofs while a
battle was raging.
The spirit of the men who make war
/ for the freedom of the world breathed
/ through the first editorial.
Having picked up a printing press
/ Slightly soiled) at reasonable price,
we have decided 10 produce a paper
/ said the editor. There is much that
we would like to say in it, but the
shadow of Censorship enveloping US
causes US TO refer to the war, which
we hear is taking place in Europe, in
/ cautious manner. Any little shortcom-
| ings in production must be excused on
] the grounds of ineXperience and the
/ fact that pieces of metal of various
/ sizes have penetrated our press. We
/ hope TO publish the news weekly. but
should our effort come to an untimely
end BY any adverse criticisms or atten-
tions by our local rival. Messrs. Hun &
Co., We shall consider il an unfriendly
I act and take steps accordingly"
The paper was modern in outlook and
tone. A serial story, "Narpoo Rum"
/ by the author Of "Shot in the Culvert."
was prodigious success and did much
TO increase the circulation OF the brill
/ liant weekly.
/ Letters to the editor were an out
standing feature of the paper. Here is
one by Pro Bono Publico:
/ Sir: May draw attention TO the fact
/ that lately the lighting by night in Ok
/ ford and Regent Street has been ter
ribly neglected, star shells being sent
up at very irregular intervals Cannot
some one move in the NATTER"
I The Things We Want TO Know" col
umn bad many pertinent inquiries, such
as:
What Fritz said when he hurriedy
left his ssusages the other day?
/ Are we as offensive as we might be?
/ The price of secondhand Flammen-
werfer?
| The celebrated officer who appears
daily in the trenches disguised as a
/ Christmas tree?
How much money changed hands
when IL became known that the young
officer didn't get married on leave?
The advertisement manager of 1.-The
Wipers Times" did a roaring business.
The Dead Cow Farm Cinema announce
ment occupies now and again d full
page of the paper One of its notices,
which ran as follows, is worthy Of at
tention:
THIS WEEKS SPECIAL PRO-
GRAMME
/ PIPPIED ON THE PARAPET
An Exciting Tale Filmed at Enor-
nous Expense
I MISS MINNIE WERFER
/ Always Meets With a Thunderous
Reception
OTHER ITEMS
OVER THE TOP
"a Screaming Farce
THE EMPTY JAR
"a Rum Tragedy
BIG GUNS
The Entire Original Cast, Including
That Versatile Artist
! HARRY HOWlTZER THE
HOUSEBREAKER
Prices as Usual. Open Always.
The paper encourages art and gives
trench poetry a good hearing. The
Kaiser Limerick, recently published,
"The Kaiser once said at Peronne
That the army we'd got was no bon;
But between you and me,
lie didn't compris
The size OF the job he'd got on"
is only second to the Song Of john
ME the Brigadier":
"Oh! where is Johnnie the Brigsdier.
The joy of his glittering staff
In the hottest hour of the bloodiest
fight
He was never furried or impolite
When he asked for counterstrafe."
In the midst Of the hilarious tone
adopted BY 1.-THE Wipers Times" this
ro,;.a frov, the Agony Column has