ATTACK BY B.B.C.

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20625, 5 August 1941, Page 5

ATTACK BY 8.8. C.

AUTHOR WODEHOUSE BROADCASTS FOR NAZIS “QUISLING LIMELIGHT” LONDON, July 27. “Dr. Goebbels took Wodehouse to a high mountain, and showing unto him all the Kingdoms of the world, said, ‘All this power will I give thee if thou wilt worship the Fuehrer,’ and Pelham Wodehouse fell on his knees.” This was part of the attack on the well-known author, P. G. Wodehouse. over the 8.8. C. on July 6 which drew on the broadcaster columnist, “Cassandra,” such a horrified hail of protests from high quarters. Features of the controversy were a flood of letters in The Times, objecting to the 8.8. C. attack, and public acceptance of responsibility by the then Minister of Information, Mr. Dull Cooper. He said that the so-called canons of good taste must yield to national emergency, “Self-Itcspect Pawned”

"Cassandra,” in his broadcast, said: “I've come to tell you the story of a rich man, trying to make his last and greatest sale—that of his own country.

“It is a sombre story of self-respect, honour and decency being pawned to the Nazis for the price of a soft bed in a luxury hotel, of laughter growing old, and the Judas whine ’ of treachery taking its place. “When the war broke out, Wodehouse was at le Toquet, gambling. He was throwing a cocktail party when the Storm Troopers clumped in on his shallow life. They led him away —this funny Englishman with the vast repertoire of droll butlers, amusing young men, and titled fops. “Disreputable Stardom”

“Dr. Goebbels saw in Wodehouse a useful weapon to wield against the outraged peoples of Britain and America. All the blood of Poland still stained the earth. The blood of murdered Czechs, Norwegians, Belgins, Dutchmen, Englishmen and Frenchmen cried out. “Goebbels wanted the place tidied up a bit. He needed a human blotter to dry up the blood. He found a sponge ready in his hands. "He treated the prisoner gently for months. Wodehouse was stealthily groomed for stardom —the most disreputable stardom in the world, the lime light of the Qusilings.” Speaking directly to Wodehouse, “Cassandra” went on: “You said on Berlin radio that you were unable to work up any kind of belligerent feeling about the war. Bombing of Dulwich “Do you know Dulwich, Mr. Wodehouse? It is the suburb of London where you went to school. “I was there one night not long ago. Something happened that might interest you, who feel so calm and imperturbable. “It was a peaceful night until 10001 b. of high explosive hit the ground with appalling violence. Soon there was silence again. Near me under five, 15, 50 tons of rubble layhuman beings. Most were dead, some were alive, a few were dying. Your countrymen, Mr. Wodehouse! “Rescue squads began work. Some one called for silence. We listened with growing horror. I realised w< were waiting to hear cries of agony and pain from beneath the crushing loads of battered masonry and brickwork. “Trapped, Mr. Wodehouse, trapped —in a ghastly evil cage of pain, made in Germany. “You should have been there, Mr. WqdehouSe, with your impartiality and reasonableness— perhaps even one of your famous little jokes.”