REDS IN BELGIUM

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1940, Page 2

REDS IN BELGIUM

PROPAGANDA FOR. NAZIS

THE BOLSHEVIK MENACE

LONDON, March 5. German propaganda is again hooding Belgium, it points out the discrepancy between officerso and men’s pay, declares that Belgium’s economic straits have been entirely caused by the Allies' blockade, and argues speciously that six months of war without an. attack has proved that the Belgians’ costly mobilisation was unnecessary..

Communist members of Parliament mhl Communists newspapers'have been so active in disseminating this .propaganda that they have: proyoked a retaliatory proposal to declare the Goninninist Party illegal, in spite of the fact that the, Belgian Constitution guarantees that there shall be no persecution for the expression of personal opinions. : : . • 4 -

Some of these newspapers continually decry the linking of Belgian and Dutch interests, and affirm that France would not help if Belgium was attacked. .

The more insidious whispers advocate an immediate peace move. “Even if the Allies win, which is very upcertain, after four or fire years 6f war,” they say, “their losses : will amount to millions of dead or incapacitated men, and financial ruin. Then Italy will intervene and dictate - peace to the weakened combatants. On. the other hand, if peace is made rapidly, Germany, with her Western frontier secure, would concentrate, against Russia, and sweep the Bolshevik menace out of .Europe.” /•, j.' This is the general theme of ’the word-of-mouth propaganda, with the added argument, “Goering has prevented Hitler from suppressing the vehement anti-Bolshevik passage? in the latest editions of “Mein - Ka'in'pf T ” in spite of Ribbentrop’s wishes,• for reasons that you now realise.”