The Evening Star MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1943. JAPANESE PROPAGANDA.

Evening Star, Issue 25022, 15 November 1943, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1943. JAPANESE PROPAGANDA.

Japaxesb propagandists 'had a field day last week when they claimed a sea and air victory in. the South-west Pacific of a magnitude calculated to send " the morale of the American public crashing." Not only have the extraordinarily extravagant claims been denied by Washington officials, but the position seems to apply very much in reverse, with the Americans claiming big successes, though not attaining the heights of fantasy reached by the Japanese. The reasons for Tokio making such sweeping claims of victories that exist only in the minds of the propagandists offer interesting subjects for speculation, and more than one may be advanced. Japau has suffered badly at sea for several months now, shipping losses in both" naval and merchant categories mounting steadily. In these days of ceaseless radio warfare it would be inconceivable if some at least of the Japanese had not become aware of the true position'at sea, and perhaps it was solely to offset the spate of bad news for the enemy which Allied broadcasts have spread far and wide that the mythical victories were created. It may be that there is a very great internal crisis in Japan—possibly occasioned by the above factor—of which as yet we know nothing, making a "victory" absolutely imperative to effect some improvement in a dangerous home situation.

Again, the significance of the date of the announcement should not, be entirely overlooked—November 11. A report from Sweden earlier stated that some spectacular victory might be staged bv the Germans before that date in order "to try and destroy the association of ideas with 1918 in German minds. As Germany was .unable to such a victory she probably looked to her Eastern partner, who accordingly obliged, bolstering the morale of her" own. people at the same time. Whether a Japanese victory, so far from Germany, could raise hopes in German hearts is problematical, but, properly handled, it might be successful. In celebrating such a " victory, neither the Germans nor the Japanese mi"ht stop to consider that the Japanese—like the Germans with the British Navy earlier—have, according to Imperial communiques, already sunk more vessels than the United States navy ever possessed., Another suggestion is that the Japanese, in their distorted minds, hope seriously to disturb American morale by making these claims, despite the fact that they have tried that game before without success. Finally, as Colonel Knox declared, thev mav simply'have been on a " fishing expedition." hoping for some American reaction that would provide them with much-needed information. If it gives Premier Tojo any satisfaction to cable his naval commander-in-chief, with a name so like his own, congratulations on a totally non-existent victory, who are. we to spoil his pleasure? So far as the Allies are concerned the Tokio statement may be looked upon merely as interesting propaganda, and for the truth of the situation they may cogitate at will on the statement made by° Colonel' Knox, to the effect that the Japanese in the South-west Pacific are in a more, critical situation than ever before, and the statement by Admiral Nimitz that our time has come to strike. There is yet another statement which may be considered. It appears in the ' Bible: "With their tongues they practise deceit; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness . . . destruction and misery are in their' ways."