GOEBBELS & TRUTH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 March 1941, Page 2

GOEBBELS & TRUTH

• ♦ MORE GERMAN THOROUGHNESS "LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR.” NAZI PROPAGANDA MACHINE. (By Knob-Turner). "The truth is being broadcast from Germany, sometimes in more than thirty languages.” (German _ D.N.B. Cable 4/12/40). Despite this reassuring note, the problem really posed by the Germans is "What is Truth?” The Nazi propaganda machine certainly does not know, as the following few examples show. The Gentle Fuhrer: “Nowhere in holy scripture can one read that whole generations should be degraded and exploited, so that the exploiters can enrich themselves still further. Holy Scripture undeniably says ‘Thou»shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.’ It is in this truly Christian spirit that the Fuhrer of Germany has been led through all his undertakings.” (Broadcast from Zeesen, Germany to N. America, 5/12/40). For home consumption: “As the race of a people is higher, so must its claims be greater. The German race needs more dwelling-space and better living conditions than the Poles and the Jews. The answer to the question ‘By what right?’ is: by the right of self-assertion.” (Dr Ley in the "Angriff,” 9/11/40). PARIS AND THE NAZIS. Everyone is happy: “German sentries and army bands and German officers in the Paris cafes have become a regular feature. There is not the slightest evidence of any national hatred on the part of Frenchmen.” (Deutschlandsender in German, 4/12/ 40). Including the French: “These recent student demonstrations are no longer to be considered as outbursts of irresponsible students. They have a character of special significance and exceptional gi’avity, and necessarily entail on the part of the Occupation Authorities reprisal measures which are perfectly legitimate.” (Radio Paris in French 2/12/40). TWO AXIS VOICES. Germany tells the world: “New successes of the Italian fleet in the Mediterranean indicate that the Italian naval forces control the Mediterranean, so that British shipping can no longer proceed. . .” (German Transocean news cable, 5/12/40). While Italy explains: “Italy does not claim to have swept the British navy from the Mediterranean. British vessels are particularly active during periods of full moon, when special vigilance is called for on the part of the Italian naval forces.” (Stefani news cable, Rome, 5/12/40). Finally, to win the Americans, the Goebbels apparatus, with fearsome cunning! broadcasts to the United States something to impress them: "Americans may well be proud of George Washington; Hitler is Europe’s George Washington.” (December 5, 1940).