PROPAGANDA IN FULL BLAST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 August 1939, Page 7

PROPAGANDA IN FULL BLAST

Case Being Fabricated Against Poland EXCUSE SOUGHT “TO RESTORE ORDER FROM CHAOS” ANTICIPATION OF SPEEDY DEVELOPMENTS (By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, August 25. Germany’s shifting tactics are easily discernible in the training of every available propaganda gun on Poland s imminent “invasion” of Danzig. A hint of the revival of last year s methods preceding the Sudetenland question was given overnight and in full blast released in this morning’s newspapers throughout Germany. It was clear that an intensive campaign was being prepared", as ears during last night carried propaganda officials between the Chancellery and Dr. Goebbells s office. ' - n Morning newspapers carry the headlines: “Advance On Own Initiative.” “Polish Army Refuses to Obey Warsaw. The British United Press sees in this possibility the last phase of the propaganda designed to lay the blame on Poland when Germany marches in “to restore order from chaos.” Those well informed in Berlin declare, that Herr Foerster’s appointment as head of the Danzig Stale has already removed Danzig from its relationship with Poland, but that it is only the first step aimed at the restoration of the Free City. They asserted that Herr Foerster will next announce Danzig to be a part of Germany and wil call on Herr Hitler to help it against the Polish army exactly repeating Dr. Seyss Inqart’s role. It is still believed in Berlin that England and France will not light. An official spokesman characterises Mr. Chamberlain’s speech as weak and negative, adding that Germany is in a position to snap her fingers in Britain’s face now that Russia is neutralised. The “Lokal Anzeiger” sums up the urgency of the situation, declaring: “There is no time to be lost.” The news of Mr. Roosevelt’s appeal was received too late to produce much comment, but it is generally feared that it is certain to fall on deaf ears. It is reported from Berlin that the Government spokesman said that Herr Hitler was too busy to bother about the appeals and actions of President Roosevelt. It is stated that Poland will not agree to an Anchluss (union with Germany), but that she will not place difficulties in the way of free cultural development of Germans in the Free City, provided Polish minority rights are respected in the light of these principles. The Government considers that Danzig’s form of government is of secondary importance. The German official news agency, in a statement, says that the war spirit of the Polish army has reached its climax. The Polish Press is sounding the drum for an offensive war and the army is hourly wailing the command to strike. In these circumstances, it is considered most probable that the Polish troops will lose their nerve in the reliance upon help from the Western democracies.

The Government, it claims, is no longer master of army decisions, and alarming reports are pouring in from all parts of the country leading to the sure conclusion that local commanders are no longer obeying Warsaw’s orders, but are determined to march on their own responsibility. The statement is considered ominous, as it is almost identical with similar statements prior to the German coups in Austria and Czechoslovakia.

SOVIET PARLIAMENT EXTRAORDINARY MEETING CALLED. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. LONDON, August 25. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says it is officially announced that the Soviet Parliament will hold an extraordinary meeting on August 28. The “Izvestia,” according to a Moscow message, voices the official Soviet opinion that “the pact ends RussoGerman hostility, which the enemies of both sides have tried to fan and perpetuate." The Press continues to ignore the threat of war. and is concentrating on the German-Soviet Pact. NOT LEAVING THE MILITARY MISSIONS IN MOSCOW. AN UNEXPLAINED CHANGE IN PLANS. By Telegraph— P--’s Association— Copyright. LONDON, August 25. It was reported from Moscow yesterday that the British and French military and naval missions had obtained visas and were leaving today, probably via Finland, so as to avoid Germany Today the Moscow correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian” states that the British and French military missions have reversed their decision to leave Moscow. The British Embassy confirmed the change in plans but declined to discuss whether it was because grounds exist for believing that the talks can be resumed. NATIONAL TREASURES removed From London TO THE COUNTRY. PRECAUTIONS IN BRITAIN. LONDON, August 24. All leave of the Metropolitan Police Force has been cancelled and those on leave have been recalled. Intensive work has begun on the construction of air-raid shelters at the principal hospitals. London’s museums and art galleries have been closed and national treasures are being removed to the country. The Coronation Chair and other national treasures have been removed from Westminster Abbey to safety. ITALIANS & GERMANS NOT ADVISED TO LEAVE BRITAIN. ATTITUDE OF EMBASSIES. (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON. August 25. The Italian and German Embassies arc not advising their nationals to leave Britain. The spokesman at the German Embassy said: “Wo have not been asked for advice by German citizens. There is no reason whatever to ask them to leave.”