New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-26
Propaganda
Via the Movie

There was also vigorous attempt to nss
films for propaganda. Early in 1915 ,hs
Reptile began the organization of the Amer
lean Correspondence Film Corporation q
German outfit, naturally. 1t was to handle
German war and educational" pictures and
Felix Malitz was put at its head Elaborate
arrangements were made with Berlin for
the supplying of films, and system was
prepared for smuggling them through the
British blockade on Scandinavian steamers
Considerable quantities, in fact, CANA
through this way.
The concern had a stormy career. but .bo
high hopes with which it was launched were
never realized, and the Reptile finally
pocketed loss, and let the control 20 70
Malitz. The correspondence shows bitter
disappointment that the American public
would not swallow the "oducanonap met
ures and would only stay long enough TO
see the views. There was trouble in
getting the films out through the regular
agencies. An attempt was made to make
deal by which Hearst should handle the
films through the circuits he controlled. but
dispute arose over his demand TO send
his own men to get the pictures, and this
deal fell through.
The nature of the films tried may be seen
from the prospectus sent out for one Of
them Here are few extracts.
"Reel /, The Kaiser at the West Front
'This depicts the German Emperor with
his armies on the Somme front, reviewing
his troops and decorating valorous officers
and soldiers. We see him in his human
side first recognizing an old acquaintance
in the ranks, who happens to be only
private (can he have been planted like
Mr. Fox's Japanese outrages y, and shaking
hands with officers and soldiers Note the
establishment on the ordinary soldiers face
when this is done, the soldier forgetting
to salute at this honor accorded.
"Reel 2, Lille During the Third Year Of
the War
"These pictures, taken toward the end Of
1916, show the life going on in the big
industrial centre, only four miles from the
foremost English guns, as though no war
existed. The only way in which one notices
ne close proximity of the war is from the
number of soldiers, mingling on terms OF
the utmost friendliness with the people of
the country.
"Recl 7, st. Quentin and the West Front
eve show here the life liz these quaint
French villages, now under German martial
law, the horrors of the refugees being forced
to leave their homes owing to the attacks
of their own allies, all Of these towns being
lfeless"
And so on Mr. Becker, in telling the
committee about this film, stated that ho
-
propaganda.
The Senators were also informed about
the career of another film play atria"-
which is supposed to have brought its pro-
ducers considerable profits. The memoran-
dun of E. L. Fox, suggesting the use Of
films in anti-Japanese agitation, has already
been referred to. 1t was some months after
that was written that "Patra" appeared
in January of 1917. The author Of record
is Louis Joseph Vance, though Captain Les
ter testified that there was information in
dicating he not the real author. It was
put out by the international Film Service
Corporation, owned by Hearst.
"Patria' was a film originally depicting
an invasion of America by japanese and
Mexicans across the Mexican border. the
japanese beng the villains Of the play.
When President Wilson saw the film he re-
quested that certain changes be made, and
as these were put through, consisted in
subduing the japanese villany; the chief
actors were all given Mexican names and
the distinctively japanese scenes we're cut
out. But the actors and the soldiers still
appeared with japanese faces and Japan
csc uniforms, and when the Slim rot to Can
ada the censor there issued fat order
against it, even in the revised FORM and
second revision was undertaken. This was
more thorough The invading "Nexicans'
were given Mexican clothes aad features
1t was in this final form that the Tim was
widely circulated, the corrected version be
ing substituted in the United States after
war was declared