News Behind the Headlines

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 257, 10 November 1939, Page 1 (Supplement)

News Behind the Headlines

. . . BEDROOM STORY Raymond Moley, one-time pillar of Roosevelt’s Brain trust, __ last week found that disclosures of intimate life are not always - applauded. His book, , “After Seven Years,” breaks all rules of confidence. It is rich in betrayed confidences, intimate quotations, scenes from the political bedroom. It could only come from a bitter frustrated man who was once close to Roosevelt. Before the war it would have been used by party propagandists against a third term for Roosevelt. In the emergency of war a nobler code of propaganda ethics seems to have developed. . . . BULLS-EYE The British Propaganda department scored the first bulls-eye of the war with the story of Nazi leaders’ secret hoards in foreign countries. Astutely reported as the revelation of a neutral (U.S.), correspondent, the story has had a powerful effect on the morale of Germans who know that sending money out of Germany is a crime punishable by death. ...LURE To capture the attention of German listeners, despite the dire penalties for being found listening to a foreign station, the British had .devised a subtle lure. Names of German casualties and prisoners are rushed from the front and broadcast on short and medium wave-lengths to German audiences, interspersed with suitable propaganda items. . . . FRENCH METHODS Smartest effort of French Propaganda Chief Jean Giradoux so far has been to broadcast recordings of Hitler’s earlier speeches in which the Fuehrer’s familiar voice shouted curses at Russia and praise for Poland. . . . PACIFISTS Greatest Pacifist of World War II is one time bad boy Mussolini, the dynamic conqueror of Abyssinia, Spain (?) and Albania, whose jutting chin emphasised boasts of Axis solidarity backed by a forest of seven million Italian bayonets, over which the fearless leader was wont to vault. As another week passed the bogey-man of the Mediterranean continued to wave a sprig of olive. Into his speeches crept a note of personal complaint. His ex-Axis partner, A. Hitler, was also photographed with the olive branch —a memento of his peace offensive. . . . PERSECUTED Most sadly persecuted man in Europe is A. Hitler, whose innocent pleasures are always beinginterrupted by some big bad villain. First, he was a victim of the Jews; then the Communists; next that ogre Dr. Schussnigg; then by those tyrants, the Roles; that monster Churchill; and now by that villain Duff Cooper. The fact that Alfred Duff Cooper has been out of power for a year seems in no way to have lessened his power to persecute poor little Adolf. . . . NATIONAL SOLIDARITY If you had been a French citizen with a banking account, or holding shares or securities on which you wished to realise last month, you would have had to leave 36 per cent, behind for National Solidarity—a fund to help destitute refugees, who are becoming a problem in France. . . . FASHION Wars may come and kingdoms fall, but milady will always want the “latest from Paris.” To preserve their national fashion leadership, the French Government has wisely helped designers carry on. Style headquarters will be Biarritz, whither such big names as Belong, Vionnet, Maggyrouf, Mainbpcher, have repaired. There will be no midseason openings, but by February the latest in war-chic, wilt be re- •- Weated? - - cant trend has been a Return to low heels, for the \ that walking will \ avoidable. Biggest profiteer, in far is Italy, where, forfflSßßmMl time since he took tjDtry in 1922, fit of good trade.

air line has started from Naples to Java and Australia. Italian shipping is busy reaping a rich harvest. Fares are 50 per cent, up. ... PARTITION RUMANIA A Russian move in Rumania is reported likely any day now. The consolidation of Soviet Poland is now more or less complete, and troops can be spared for further use elsewhere. . . . GRATITUDE A few years ago a salesman for aeroplane accessories, named Herman Goering, was given a substantial order by a young Luft Hansa official called Milch. To show that gratitude lives ever in Nazi hearts, he rewarded his benefactor by promoting him to the rank of General of the AitForce, with powers second only to his own. General Milch (Milch means milk) has proved a surprisingly able administrator, with a flair for intrigue. Goering-has come to depend on him entirely. .... AWKWARD QUESTIONS There is a grim determination behind the insistent demands for information on questions which can no longer be withheld on the pretext of censorship. These questions are: (1) What response was made to the demands which the Poles allege they made repeatedly for direct aid from the Allies? What truth is there in the ugly rumours current that Poles claim they have been “sold” like the Czechs at Munich? (2) If direct aid was not possible, why have R.A.F. raids been confined to Kiel, and elsewhere confetti? Why have not the Siegfried Line and German troop concentrations been bombed? (3) Why does the British censorship permit British newspapers to fill their reduced pages with Nazi propaganda pictures? including the “gentlemanliness of Nazi U-Boat commanders”? (4) Why has the Government followed a financial policy which in the first month of war has produced serious unemployment, slashed wages in essential industries, impoverished large sections of the middle class, produced a slump in retail trade which was in no way necessary ? .... CHURCHILL While in the country at large there is a preponderant popular demand that Winston Churchill should take over the Premiership for the time being, it cannot be said that Mr. Churchill's position in the Cabinet at present is a strong one. He was only admitted at the last moment as a sop to public opinion. The problems, presented by his predecessor at the Admiralty are of a nature to absorb the greater part of his time and energies. He was unable to take into the Government, or push into minor key positions any of his own associates —with the exception of Anthony Eden. So that Churchill’s appointment has had the effect of silencing him when his critical judgment would be of great value to the nation. .... ON THE SPOT are Premier Chamberlain, Simon, Hoare, Halifax and Sir Horace Wilson. The question now is not will they go, but when will they go?

Chief of Staff to the new commander is the late War Minister S. Itagaki. Reason Tor the change, a determined effort to use the’ present conflict in the west as a screen for more brutal, more desperate measures in China. Immediate objective, to cut off the rich south of China from food, munitions and help. . .. DOLLAR EXCHANGE Though little has appeared about it in the New Zealand papers one of the most important subjects of diplomatic wrangling at present is the pound-dollar exchange. With a boom pending Roosevelt’s signature to the repeal of the arms embargo, the fluctuations of the pound-dollar

If American planes are expenj||| they can charge more for Britjs| planes; (2) only armaments beyond their capacity to product will be bought from America. In these matters the welfare of the mass of consumers is never considered. Last war Britain spent £2,000 million in America This was more than twenty times the normal trade between the two countries. So that to protecl a few local industries, whose trade does not amount to much more than £IOO millions, the .British taxpayer has to, pay an extra 40 to 50 per cent, for some twenty times that amount. Ir other words, the British taxpayer paiel some £BOO millon to protecl the profits of British manufacturers worth less than £IOO mil-

its struggles friction.” COUNTER FRONT v ' WafMiHarc fought on many fronts;’ where the weapons are not guns, but wits. The battle-’ front, as Napoleon discovered, is only the last outpost. Beyond the soldiers are the spies and counter-spies, the diplomats, propagandists, intriguers and saboteurs, the economic strategists, and lastly the bankers. The soldier’s duties are simple and straightforward. His loyalties are sharply defined. He helps friends and kills his enemies. The spy’s life is more complicated, his loyalties are not so clearly defined. To a spy some enemies are friends, or must be treated as such, and some friends, his enemies. A spy must be on guard against his own nationals, spy oh. them, denounce them. A diplomat, also, has divided sympathies. His creed that the means justifies the end, leads him into queer positions, which the simple soldier would consider siding with the enemy. Like the the diplomat will deliberately a section of his ownjiirfpople for his own ends. He has nts own reputation, the policy of His part)’, and his personal foretime to consider. The banker’s loyalties are still further removed from those of the soldier. Firstly, big bankers are international. While many claim British citizenship for business reasons they were born Germans, Dutch, Swedes, Belgians, French. Swiss. Greeks, Armenians, or of mixed Jewish descent. Their family connections are as international as their names: Schroeder, 'Harks, TTambro, Beranger. hazard, Rothschild, Meyerstcin, Kish, Niemeyer, Norman. During World War I. the Governor of the Bank of England was the brother of the Governor of the German Reichbank. It is the same to-day. The same men control the finances of all countries. To these gentlemen the enemy is change: unorthodoxy. World War I. almost strained their financial system to breaking point. It opened the subject of the strictest taboo to discussion, study and criticism. Austria flouted their advice—and prospered. But such power is not easily dislodged. Whoever wins World War 11. the.financiers will face the same rebellion. To offset this impending rebellion the policy on the counter front may seem devious and irrational, but it will always be fought from behind the counter. . . . DEFLATION

“War on the cheap” is the motto of the leaders in Britain, where there is a general tendency to cut down wages (but not profits) of industry. One result of this policy will be the advancement of Labour and Liberal elements in politics. This will widen the rift between these elements and the Chamberlain Government. The increasing importance of the United States in British life will have the effect of widening this rift still further as popular opinion in America is strongly against the Umbrella Brigade. The present policy of deflation will add popular support to an opposition Cabinet. . . . TRUCE The three opposing factions in the British Parliament have come to a temporary truce. Outside the Cabinet the intrigue and manoeuvring continues. The truce is expected to last two or three months if no crisis arises in that time, though some competent observers give it until next Spring. . . . THE ODDS Betting in the city and at Whitehall is that the present Chamberlain Cabinet will not last six months. Odds ’are .5 to 1 against it lasting. Odds of 2 to 1 are offered against the continuance in office of Mr. Lesliedpfir- ■ gin, Minister of Supply, and" 4 to I against the continuance of Mr. W. S. Morrison, Minister of Transport. Tlw .-oud rationing, which will, start next week, is alleged to be due to the bungling of the latter, who, it will be remembered, said that butter could not be kept in storage. . . .LABOUR Tire reports of a dog-figlit lover British Labour leadership are exaggerated. The position

. . . WHY NOT BOMBS A question which has troubled New Zealanders as much as other Empire citizens has been this: If the R.A.F. could drop leaflets why not bombs ? Government apologists have recently published an amazing reply: (1) That Britain did not wish to alienate American sympathy; (2) that President Roosevelt himself had warned the Allies against it. That both of these excuses were falous lies was proved last week when American authorities denied any such message from Roosevelt Jbther than a pious hope that ciyil%atlsnvo.M can public are as perturbed by jj|Hj|itish restraint as Be are. .... NEW CHIEF Hn important change in the NHfenese High Command is rc|&P|ed from Tokio. Toshizo IjHpiio, an able young strategist, iljCfPbeen appointed to the comUii of the invading Army.

ratio will mean a difference of billions of pounds in a long war. Last week one group was pressing for a fixed ratio of 3.85, instead of 4.06. To you these figures may mean little, but their effects in New Zealand would be drastic. The real rulers of Britain, as everybody knows, are not the puppets in Parliament, but the big industrialists and financiers. These men naturally do not wish to do anything that will affect their profits. Devaluing the dollar would help American goods to compete with British., in tlie| home market. Bv fixing the dolj TjTE|r; American goods will be so expensive that only the direst necessities will be bought. Armaments, being the direst of all necessities, a high dollar value will (ensure that only armaments are imported. 'Phis policy is supported by British armament manufacturers, who are already profiteering (witness the amazing dividends for 1938-39), because: (1)

Hon. This is just what is about to happen again. . . . INDUSTRIAL FRICTION These unimposing words signify a very unpleasant state of strife, but in the words of Treasury chief, Sir Horace Wilson, they are one of the risks of the above-mentioned exchange policy. Sir Horace has no interest in public welfare, his preoccupation being profit. Now just as profit prompts the industrialists t() press for a high dollar rate (which, makes American goods expensive) the bankers, f for their own profit, would prefer a low dollar, and consequently a high pound rate. While London is the capital of world finance the relative power of British bankers' is great. To them such intangible considerations as the prestige of the pound mean big profits. The struggle between finance and industry takes place in secret, but its victories and losses are charted in

The Inside Story ofWhat is Happening |n the World To-Day

is, briefly: Mr. Greenwood is re-.f| garded by the Government as a , . ; | more desirable chief than Major Atlee, and has, therefore, gainedyj the backing of. Labour who regard co-operation witlLf| Chamberlain their main task||| For this reason Major Atlee has£fs become a rallying point for tliejgg powerful minority who opposey| such an alliance on the grounds that when the Chamberlain ship sinks they have no wish to get mixed up with the propellors. In private Mr. Atlee has mentioned the possibility of a General Election in February. ...CONFETTI RAIDS Press criticism of the conduct of the war is beginning ,to become more outspoken. Lord Beaverbrook’s “ Daily Express ” (3,000,000 copies a day) asks what the Government is doing. The “ Evening Standard ” (fam- ;| ous for its brilliant cartoonist, )r| New Zealand-born David Low) states that 9 people out of 10 : jl are “ baffled, furious, and fed up.”J| The clamour for an why the R.A.F. have not bombedA the Siegfried Line, munitions^