NAZI PROPAGANDA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 August 1940, Page 5

NAZI PROPAGANDA

SOME PRESENT SUCCESS IN BELGIUM BUL ULTIMATE FAILURE IN SIGHT. KING REFUSES TO FORM SERVILE GOVERNMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, August 20. A correspondent of “The Times” lately in Belgium says German propaganda has been notably successful in Belgium, where the invaders are gratefully accepting a considerable amount of co-operation, which is willingly given. The substitution of German military officials for the provincial governors is almost the only major change from the old dispensation. Nothing has not been done to blacken the British, and in less degree the French, in Belgian eyes. This is not difficult, because the King still holds the affection of his people, many of whom were profoundly shocked by the attitude of the Allies, especially the Pierlot Government, to the Royal capitulation. The triumphs of German propaganda are less marked as the occupation lengthens. It is rather overdone. The Germans also have not yet been successful in capturing the King's allegiance to the new order. King Leopold is the key to the Belgian situation. The future would be simple if he could be persuaded to accept responsibility and form a Government under German dictation, but the King has consistently refused to cooperate in any way with the Germans, despite all kinds of political and personal pressure. The German plans for Belgium are doomed to failure if King Leopold maintains his present attitude.

No amount of propaganda and no amount of apparent German willingness to listen to Belgian troubles will turn aside the stark facts of economic disaster. Belgium is likely to become a grave liability if the war cannot be finished very shortly. Tempers on both sides are likely to become worn under the rub of economic necessity. If that happens, Belgium's old spirit of defiance will certainly reassert itself.