Nazi Propaganda in The Empire

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 66, 10 December 1938, Page 1 (Supplement)

Nazi Propaganda in The Empire

Ct F all the countries of Europe, England is perhaps the least Z? yi troubled by Nazi propaganda (except in so far as it has stimuB B lated the provocative antics of the Fascists), probably because Germany is anxious to secure a friendly agreement-with this

country,” says a writer in the “Quarterly Review.” “Such propaganda as is carried on is limited, for tlie most part, to the German residents themselves and to certain political and social groups.

“The German Press, despite the difficulty of exporting money and the monotonous uniformity of its papers, has a far larger number of correspondents in London than the Press of any other country in tlie world. But not all German journalists are engaged solely in writing for newspapers, as the Britisli Government had to ask three of them to leave the country.

“In the Near and Middle East, propaganda has been rife since 193-1. when legal proceedings were taken by a Jew of Cairo against the local German Society for publishing a pamphlet in defence of Hitler’s persecution of the Jews, which contained the usual anti-Semitic slanders. “The case was lost on the technical ground that the prosecutor was uot personally libelled, and an impetus was immediately given to further agitation, which was extended to Egyptian eirces. In Cairo and Alexandria tlie methods employed are the distribution of libellous leaflets, appeals-—in both Arabic and German—to boycott Jewish firms, inflammatory articles in obscure papers, and street demonstrations. .

“That Germany has played a part in assisting the Arab revolt in Palestine and is exploiting both Pan-Islamism and anti-Zionism is by no means only a rumour. The swastika has appeared in Arab leaflets and German rifles have been captured more than once from Arab terrorists, in Damascus there is a club called ‘EI Nadi el Arrabi’ (The Arab Club), which is generally known to be maintained from German sources.

“Agitation is also conducted in India, where, as reported al the fourth •Reich Rally of Germans Abroad’ by the Calcutta Group Leader, Dr. Claus Haerms. a powerful organization is being created to make the Germans in India ‘a strong advance post’ in the East.

“Much stronger and more menacing than in most countries is the movement in South Africa. The Commission of Inquiry appointed by the Union Government into the administration of South-west Africa reported that 'there has been continual interference by the foreign organization of the Nazi Party

in the affairs of the Territory, and that, as a result, freedom of speech of political association, and even of political conduct has ceased to ex s in le Territory for a large number of Germans who are Union subjects.. “All German settlers, whether naturalized British subjects or not, had been required to take an oath of ‘inviolable allegiance to Adolf Hitler and of ‘unconditional obedience to tiie leaders appointed b v \ liiih. 1 e*. azi ) ganization was consequently suppressed and non-naturalized Germans we forbidden to be members of political bodies, but those who are British subjects continue to propagate Nazi ideas through a new Gciniaii I*n so the situation remains disturbing. “Indeed, Nazism is vigorously fostered In all the principal cities and many smaller towns in tlie Union, and all its branch organizations, such as the Labour Front, Hitler Youth, and ‘Strength through Joy,’ are represented. German ships visiting South African ports contain Nazi ‘cells,’ called ‘Bordzellen.’ and are entertained by the local societies. The Nazis have secured control of the German school in Johannesburg, which receives a subsidy from the Union Government.

“Unfortunately, they have infected a section both of the Britisli ami the Afrikander population, organized in the ‘Grey Shirt’ movement and tlie Nationalist Party’, who are conducting a violent anti-Semitie campaign, but though this has been repeatedly denounced by General Smuts ami other liberal-minded leaders, the Government has yielded to the clamour for re slrieting immigration, from which tlie Jewish refugees from Gcimanj art the principal sufferers.

"The Nazis are also active in Tanganyika, and the provocative conduct of' their leader on the occasion of tlie King’s Birthday celebration at Moshi lias formed the subject of a question in Parliament.

The article concludes with an account of Nazi propaganda in the United states and South America. It closes with the following sentences: There can be no peace for the world nor any hope for the progress of civilization, no matter what political pacts may be concluded, so lo.ng:as. they, peisist-in their policy of pernicious and subversive propaganda. Nothing is likely to contribute sb much toward the attainment of general appeasement as the dissolution and disappearance of the hydra-headed organization of. the Nazi International." . .