THAT OTHER WARFARE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 August 1941, Page 6

THAT OTHER WARFARE

PROPAGANDA IN FRANCE. CAMPAIGN AGAINST BRITAIN. • Besides the war on land, on the sea, and in the air, that other and extremely important form of warfare, propaganda, is being waged vigorously and unceasingly by Germany. No doubt we have effective replies and have our own methods of propaganda, but our French friends warn us not to take anything for granted. To believe that majorities rule in opinion and in action is a mistake that democracies are too prone to make. Nazi propaganda has always aimed at a minority, for a small minority, by .totalitarian methods, can quite easily dominate a country. While it is perfectly true, as our French friends point out, that action against the former ally is unthinkable in France, yet the minority who may be worked into active hostility against us must not be forgotten. British propaganda should see to it that even that minority is constantly reminded of realities. They must be reminded that Britain alone guarantees the complete restoration of France, that General de Gaulle must be supported in every possible way, and that collaboration with Germany means only enslavement.

German propaganda in France has shifted its barrage fire. After a preparatory period by radio and Nazicontrolled press during which less was said of conquest than of the New Order, the propaganda is now concentrated on every possible excuse to make Britain look the only obstacle in the way of this New Order in which France shall have an “important place.” If a great nation like France can be made to accept its defeat and to collaborate and to acknowledge German domination of Europe, the smaller over-run nations will, the Nazis calculate, all the more readily come into line. The propaganda aimed at the minority is telling the property owner that a Nazi victory will make his property safe, that a victory by the democracies will be followed by Communism. Side by side with this, Britain is painted as artfully designing to seize the French colonies everywhere she can under the guise of helping France. Of course, the great majority of French people do not believe this, but we must watch the dangerous minority.