The Waikato Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1940. PROPAGANDA RULES GERMANY.

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21057, 8 March 1940, Page 4

The Waikato Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1940. PROPAGANDA RULES GERMANY.

In suite of secret radio stations and of the efforts of underground organisations to convey the truth of the world situation to the German people, there is evidence that a vast majority of the Germans still believe they are winning the war handsomely and that it is only necessary to tighten their belts, submit to the sternest discipline without question and the Fuehrer will lead them to a glorious victory over the forces of a dark outer world. The secret of this psychological triumph over the German people is propaganda directed by Dr. Goebbels, who has control of perhaps the most powerful machine in Germany. Sweep his organisation aside and probably Germany would promptly become a defeated nation. He has erected almost impenetrable walls behind which the Germans live in a world of their own.

Of course the truth must eventually be known to the Germans, but in the meantime the Nazi leaders are staking their chances of winning the war on their ability to hold the people in thrall. If they can win, then the revelation of the truth will not matter much, for Germany will have achieved the power of which Hitler constantly dreams. It must be admitted that in the first place the majority of Germans were willing to allow themselves to be deluded. By long usage most of them have probably now accepted as truth that which has been drummed into them for years by every subtle device at the hands of the Propaganda Ministry. Now they are exulting because, with every evidence of authenticity, their radio and their carefully controlled newspapers every day blare forth news of outstanding German victories, on sea, on land, in the air and in the field of diplomacy. In their minds Germany is marching to a glorious victory. The methods employed are singularly effective. Imagine an audience in a talking picture theatre gazing at and listening to all that is admirable in German kultur. Suddenly the programme is interrupted and the announcement is made dramatically that Germany has achieved an outstanding success in some military, naval or air exploit that has confounded a despicable enemy. Naturally there is an enthusiastic response from the excited audience. Those people go home elated with a sense of triumph and a renewed determination to accept any hardship or sacrifice that may be asked of them in the name of the Fatherland.

Details of every incident are distorted for German consumption. Even that which if reported faithfully would appear to be a reverse can be made to appear as a success for Germany. So complete is the control of the German mind that reports carefully selected from other countries can be bandied about and laughed to scorn as foreign propaganda. There will come a time when it will no longer be possible to hide the truth from the German people. When that time comes there will be a resounding collapse of the whole Nazi structure. But in the meantime the Allies must recognise the fact that the Nazis are in the saddle in Germany and are riding hard for victory. At present it seems that only the defeat of the German forces will let the light of truth into the dream world in which the German people are encased.