PERSUASIVE JAPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 42, 19 February 1943, Page 3

PERSUASIVE JAPS.

PROPAGANDA WEAPON

Invitations To Surrender In New Guinea

N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Reed. 12.30 p.m. SYDNEY, this day. Failing to capture Wau by the might of their armed forces, the Japanese have introduced propaganda into their campaign in northern New Guinea. This has taken the form of notices nailed to trees, politety requesting the surrender of the attacking Australian troops. With their mounting death roll already more than 1100, the enemy's persuasion appears to have been singularly ineffectual.

The surrender invitation notices were discovered at the Japanese "first-line defences" around Mubo when the Australian forces attacked this advanced enemy base six weeks ago. These persuasive appeals to the offensive-minded Australians read: "War memorandum. Japanese Imperial forces has already occupied the whole of the Philippine Island, Malay Peninsula and Dutch East Indies. In the Pacific , the .. British Solomons, New Ireland, New Britain and a large portion of British New Guinea are also captured by us. It is understood that Wau and nearby districts will also be captured in the very near future. Therefore it is advised that the only wise and best thing to do is to surrender at your earliest. And if you do so we will see you are given food and shelter. And during the remainder of the war you will be sent to Japan." This invitation, signed by "Commanding officer of Japanese naval landing party," was followed by detailed instructions in surrender procedure. Other notices found were addressed: "Chief commander of fighting forces in New Guinea," and read: "We ask you to surrender. Your life will be spared. We will treat you well. Plenty to eat and good commendation. Also jobs with our troops." One of the Australians now pursuing the retreating Japanese complains: "We are finding it hard to catch up with them to give them our answer."