The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, July 22, 1941. V.

Grey River Argus, 22 July 1941, Page 4

The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, July 22, 1941. V.

The magnitude, and even the possible further enlargement, of this war. has brought to the front a far greater variety of combative expedients than any previous one. Yet. apart from the enormously greater influence of aviation, no other single factor has gained in influence and extent so much as propaganda. That the enemy peoples are less well informed of events as they occur than the British public is unquestionable, but even so it is essential that they shall forego information in certain respects which can be withheld and of which the disclosure would be calculated Io help the enemy. Differences of opinion in this regard may explain one at least of the latest British Cabinet changes, replacement of the Minister of Information, Mr. Duff Cooper, by Mr. Brendan Bracken (Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister). It is not without significance that the latter already should have been himself more or less associated with pubJicily, since he is stated to be very well known in press circles. However, the most notable propaganda development now in evidence is that of the “V” sign campaign, inaugurated by Britain. and. calculated to extend throughout the countries which have come under enemy occupation during the past two or three years. It is extremely simple in conception, but none the less a. fundamental psychological expedient. It is calculated to give outward expression to what as vet must be no more than a pious hope on the part of the victims of Axis aggression. That it is, however, a radical thrust, the most convincing proof is given by the cleverest German propagandist, Doctor Goebbles, who, as he got an inkling of the part which the British intended to make this letter of the alphabet play, decided that the symbol must be annexed by Germany. What he cannot answer for is, nevertheless, the meaning which the conquered peoples will

see in the sign, whether it is displayed by the invaders or by their victims themselves, a victory for whom must naturally be the same thing as liberation. As for Britain’s retiring Minister of Information, he has probably done good work, even if he did not place the interests of newspapers before those of victory in the war. His new commission is one pointing to the possibility of an enlargement of lhe arena of warfare, he having been delegated to proceed to the Far East and there investigate and report upon the latest trend of international relations. Recently, the British Government sent another Minister to the Middle East, and though the, latter has War Cabinet status, Air. Duff Cooper is doubtless empowered to inaugurate important arrangements such as might be required lest war extend in the Ear East beyond the confines of China, which might, mean in the direction both of Siberia, Malaya and even India. Latest reports, while they indicate that the Germans are disappointed in the hopes of a runaway victory, do not guarantee that Japan will not. take advantage of the situation in connection with her so-called “Greater East Asiatic Prosperity Sphere,” which is another name for a Japanese hegeomony over the eastern margin of the Asiatic mainland, if not also a large portion of the western margin of the Pacific Ocean. The United States is reported to have barred Japanese vessels from the use of the Panama Canal, obliging them to make the journey homewards, under new orders, from the Atlantic by way of Cape Horn. Opinion in the Far East seems to be that Japanese Cabinet changes point to preparations for war. although precise points of tack are only hinted to be possibly Vladivostock and the Burma Road. Air. Duff-Cooper’s delegation to the Far East at this juncture is certainly an indication that there are serious possibilities. although he may in lhe exercise of his powers be able to avert any grave consequences. It doubtless is not for any uninformed observer to attribute to any Power not involved in the Avar designs that are no more than suspected, but at the same time the possibility that they are entertained cannot be ignored. There is, indeed, one great asset which the war demonstrates to be with the British increasingly as the scone of the war widens, and it is that of unity. Hence no matter what eventuality the future may meantime hide, it is certain to be met with a confidence and determination which the “V” sign campaign may be expected to spread among all the other nations for whose liberation the British have borne the real burden of this Avar.