The Northern Advocate “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1942. Enemy Radio Serpent

Northern Advocate, 14 August 1942, Page 2

The Northern Advocate “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1942. Enemy Radio Serpent

A CABLE message printed today gives point to the frequently made contention that _the Axis Powers are fighting the war to a large extent by means of propaganda. It is said that a captain of the Australian forces who was taken prisoner after the fair of Malaya is being employed to deliver war commentaries over the Tokio radio. There is not the slightest ground for suspicion that this officer would be a traitor to the United Nations. Rather is there the strongest ground for believing that he is acting under duress. The diabolical cruelty with which the Japanese have treated some of those who have fallen into their hands is sufficient to suggest that if the officer, a man who comes of a military family who have played a valiant part in the war, refused to. broadcast, he, or his companions, would be subjected to exquisite torture. Indeed, it is believed that he has acceded to the Japanese demand merely to protect other prisoners, who have been presented to him in the guise of hostages. But, be these things as they may, the impressment of the Englishman, who was the chief radio announcer of the wellknown Sydney broadcasting station, 2 G. 8., demonstrates the importance the enemy places upon propaganda and the unscrupulous methods by which he secures the benefit of that subtle auxiliary of the armed forces. It should also impress upon members of the United Nations the utter folly of listening to enemy broadcasts. Until the identity of the Tokio broadcaster of war commentaries was revealed, it is safe to say that listeners to Tokio radio believed that a well-educated Japanese was setting out reasons why British claims to eventual victory were unfounded, and why the Japanese prospects of overcoming the peoples of the Pacific were firmly based.

The knowledge that a British prisoner was being forced to broadcast Japanese prepared propaganda while a Japanese torturer stood alongside, would have given a different complexion to what the listener heard. It should also be remembered that the cumulative effect of these broadcasts must inevitably have been disturbing not only to weak-minded English-speaking peoples, but to have influenced hosts of others who are weighing up the respective chances of the United Nations and the Axis Powers before actively allying themselves with either. There are only two safe courses for members of the United Nations to follow —refuse to listen to Axis broadcasts, or, if curiosity be too strong to prevent them from doing this, to regard all statements as suspect.

They should realise that the enemy has only one purpose in broadcasting in English. He is not actuated by instincts of generosity or altruism. This is one of the cases in which it is wise to look a gift horse in the mouth.