Lord Haw-Haw In Danger

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21573, 8 February 1940, Page 6

Lord Haw-Haw In Danger

A ( 'CORDING to a statement made in the House of ** Commons by Mr Neville Chninberlain it is possible that existing Statute law and the present Defence Regulations may be enlarged to provide for the death penalty for types of offences not already covered. As an example, the Prime Minister quoted the crime of giving service to the enemy, such as by broadcasting from one of his radio stations. If the new law is passed England would become an unhealthy place for a mysterious person who is now known more or less affectionately to the British public as Lord Haw-Haw. His broadcasts from Hamburg appear to have become part of national life, and while they may be listened to as entertainment some believe that there is danger in them, danger enough to warrant measures being taken to counter this type of propaganda effectively. Writing recently on the subject of Lord HawHaw, Mr Harold Nicholson, M.P., said: “The technique adopted by Lord Haw-Haw has, with usual German thoroughness been carefully studied in advance. His object is to sap the morale of this country. With this in mind he seeks, not merely to inflame grievances and sow distrust, but to disintegrate conviction. His aim is to raise little doubts, not only regarding the intelligence and probity of our rulers, but also regarding the righteousness of our cause. He well knows that constant vituperation or patent lies would create animosity and contempt; his system is to conceal the poison of half-truths within the sugar-coating of a conjurer’s prattle. His listeners are under the impression that they are being entertained by some comic interlude; they swallow the poison unaware.” As long ago as 1932 Hitler explained to a former asociate, Dr. Rauschning, his theory of “broadened strategy.” He then said: “Our strategy is to destroy the enemy from within, to conquer him through himself . . Mental confusion, contradictions of feelings, indecisiveness, panic: these are our weapons.” And there can be no question that they are being used well at the present time. There are doubts in some minds, even in New Zealand, about the inherent righteousness of the Allies’ cause. Whether they know it or not, those who feel that way have become the victims of Nazi cunning. That real dangers of this sort exist also in England is shown by the action the British Government may be compelled to take.