The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1918. THE THIRD ARM.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1918. THE THIRD ARM.

Thie approaching departure of the New Zealand press delegates on a visit to Great Britain serves as a reminder of the important part being played by propaganda work in connection with the war. Only during the past year has its value been recognised by Britain, who, before then, took it for granted that her Allies and the neutral world understood her disinterested and unseLfish motives, and who preferred to allow her industrial work and military and naval activities to speak for themselves. Germany was, as usual, quick to perceive and take advantage of the opening. By means of her extensive and complete espionage system, she wickedly misrepresented -Britain in America, and did everything possible to embroil her in trouble with the United States Government over the blockade. Fortunately, the good sense of the Americans prevailed, and the discovery of the various plots against America itself, and the contemptuous treatment of American interests and her reign rights generally, brought the United States right into the, war But Germany's evil propaganda had its effect in certain quarters in the United States, and Britain found it necessary to send over several »f her prominent men to combat it and to place before the people Britain's position and the gigantic part she had taken, and was taking, in saving the world from Hnnrrisli thraldom. Meantime Germany was busy with her insidious work in Russia. With illimitable reserves of men, she knew that Russia could not be absolutely defeated, no matter how severe her military losses. And so the propagandists, with their pockets well filled with gold, jrere Jie>.at -Wocky&nd-iii djLfe^img

they had prepared the ground for the Bolsheviks, the leaders of whom had been bought by the German emissaries. Britain and her Allies relied upon the character of the Russian governing classes to adhere to the terms of the alliance, and made no effort to reach the proletariat, who all the time was being won over by the seductive and plausible stories of the Germaii agents and their witting or unwitting dupes. The result we all know. The Russian governing class was ejected, illtreated, and even murdered; the high military and naval officers were summarily deposed and the ignorant nominees of the men put in their places. For over a year now chaos has prevailed. The armies have melted away, and the Germans have simply taken what they desired, acting at the present moment as if they are the masters of the country, which is hopelessly disorganised and in a state of semi-starvation. The propagandists did their work all too effectively. The Germans tried similar tactics in Italy, where there has always been a strong section friendly to the Teutons because of commercial and financial connections, and the collapse of a section of the forces affected by means of this propaganda almost caused the collapse of the whole nation and a sweeping victory for the enemy. In France, the wily Hun has also been at work, but the French had reason to know him and his slimy, underground operations, and gave him short shrift. In other places, even in our own countries like Australia, German agents have endeavored to sow the seeds of disaffection and antipathy to Britain, and the decision to combat the mischievous, lying statements has been forced upon Britain, No longer can she afford the Huns to have the field to themselves. She realises now she has to fight them with similar weapons if the world is to understand Britain's and the Allies' stand against the greatest foe to human liberty ancf progress with which the world has ever been confronted. Britain and her Allies have everything to gain and nothing to lose by a full understanding of the war position, and the only regret can be that they did not sooner recognise the value of what has been termed the third arm of the service—the naval and military being the first two arms. If they had, the Russian and Italian Armies might ere this have helped us to break the military strength of the enemy, and given the enemy the lesson he so thoroughly deserves. The visit of our pressmen to Britain is but part of the propaganda work that is being conducted by Lord Northeliffe on behalf of the Imperial Government, and no doubt the visit will be productive of benefit both to New Zealand and the Home people. We want our leading people to mix more with those at Home, and vice versa, and exchange views and ideas, for our aims are common and our interests mutual.