RUMOUR DANGER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 174, 17 June 1940, Page 2

RUMOUR DANGER

|| "CHATTKRBUGS" BUSY WAS IT SUBVERSION ? FAVOURABLE ATTITUDE I Whether it was merely the result aa of misinterpretation of some mesI I sage picked up in a radio broadcast from a foreign source, or whether it was the mischievous and dangerous act of some person with sub versive intentions, a rumour spread like fire through a neighbouring town last week, which had a disturbing effect, states an exchange. No one could be found who could give anything even approaching a confirmation of the story. The "news" was that Spain had declared war on France. In spite of all that has been said by those in positions of authority concerning the necessity, especially in present circumstances, of accepting with reservation all stories that have no support in official circles, and also of the danger of assisting to spread rumours, this story flew from person to person with amazing rapidity and was even helped along its way by some persons who might have been expected to help in check ing it, or at least to aiTv'se fits ac-< ceptance with reservation. I Unfortunate Moment, I "Chatterbugs,'' however, it seems, will have their way, and the mischievous character of the receni rumour, coming at the time when the community, and most of the world, had been shocked by the turn of events in Belgium, the opportunity, if the matter was one of design by some subversionist, was well chosen, and calculated to create just that state of mind which the new British Minister of Information, Mr A. Duff-Cooper, was at the time counselling the nation to avoul A possible explanation of the origin of the story is just such an event as that of which Mr DuffCooper issued a warning. The story was said to have been heard on a short-wave broadcast, and it is quite possible it was a direct attempt by some enemy station switching in on the same wave-length as another station most likely American, folloAving its ordinary broadcast, to create scare conditions among the subjects of Ailied countries. It is emphasised that such information, even if heard from radio stations, should be received .with the utmost suspicion, when the source of the news is indefinite.

Subversionfsts' Opportunity,

1 Many persons were shocked and surprised at the story and as one man put it: "That's an unexpected one"; and then added: "One shouldn't be surprised at anything now." And it is just that attitude of readiness to accept thp most fantastic stories that makes the opportunity for the "chatterbug-sub-versionist" a splendid one for under mining the morale of the public.

There were not wanting eviclen- ? ces of the disturbing effect of the rumour, which were reflected in the reaction of some persons in the course of the carrying out of their ordinary occupations, in which it was plainly seen they were not in a normal state of calmness. Hitler gives you his iLricable Hitler's tactics must be known only to himself, but one of his latest moves, possibly with some significance, is reiteration that Britain alone is his enemy, and that he soon will make a peace offer to France. Hitler has announced a timetable for a new European order, jironouncing from a French city on May 24, peace on July 15, thus leav ! ing himself few additional weeks to deal with the British Empire. The Times diplomatic correspondent, referring to these dates, says they correspond to those given to the Pope and Mr Sumner Welles. Thus it is clear Hitler is staking all on an issue this summer.