VALUE OF THE TRUTH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 98, 25 March 1942, Page 5

VALUE OF THE TRUTH

IN THWARTING ENEMY. SYDNEY, March 2-1

“One cannot wage war under preKent. conditions without the support of public opinion, which is tremendously moulded hv the Press and oilier forces of propaganda,” declared General AlacArthur, in an address to Australian, American and foreign Press representatives. tie proceeded: “Men will not fight and will not die unless they know wliat they arc fighting or dying for. It is essential that the public know the truth.

“There has been nothing more astonishing in the progress of a war, which is really the application of the mechanics of force to human nature, than the position that public opinion occupies. There is- almost a voluntary censorship now. Mo one wants to help the enemy. •'The reasons for the efforts made by the United States and this Com-, moiiwealth to inlorm the public and keep the public informed of what is going on are that if the public docs not know the truth its imagination at once comes into play. If it does not know the truth ils confidence is reduced and the silence will begin to react against you “Therefore it is most important that the public be instructed so that it can summon all its confidence and determination and all its purpose in support ol" the war effort. 'That is where you arc one of the most valuable components to have. Without your help wc cannot get the maximum in order to will.” , Addressing returned soldiers and sailors at the Imperial League in Canberra the Prime Minister (Mr Curtin) expressed the opinion that Japan had discovered that blitz tactics would not enable her indefinitely to swallow one country alter another. The rapidity with which Japan had moved_ since her initial success on December 7 could no longer be maintained. It could be said on the highest authority that the enemy had now reached a stage where the future held increasing disappointments and retreats. Mr Curtin added that there had been 100 much talk by armchair strategists about the 'way the offensive against “Japan should he conducted. It. would be well lor Germany, ftaly, and Japan to realise that they were a long uav from dictating peace terms. In- i need, the writing was on the wall fori those men who thought they could rule! tin' world by force of arms.

A cable from Chungking says the Chinese Government spokesman declared that Japan has reached the peak of her military glory and fortunes. The war now will gradually turn in favour ol the .Allies. Chinese optimism has grown appreciably as a result of deveiomnents in the Pacific iri the last week. He cited favourable factors, including General MncArthurs transfer to Australia, successful convoys to Australia, the liaison between Chinese and British troops in Burma, and the arrival of Sir Stafford Cripps in India.