Evening star., 1937-11-21
PROPAGANDAW WAVE
IN j. S. RECALLS "A
Lecturers Flock to America.
Cost to Foreign Nations
Rises Into Millions.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

interests are at work. Their methods
Of influencing American public opinion
are improved, however. Some Of the
propagandists want to convince the
American people that we are too weak
to take any positive action in the de-
fense Of American. interests and that
these interests abroad are not worth
the bones of one OF the inmates Of AL.
catraZ.
Other interests are endeavoring to
convince the people of this country
that they must shoulder the rifle once
more in the defense OF democracy and
world peace"
While 1t is difficult to ascertain with
any degree OF accuracy the amount of
money spent on this propaganda, con-
servative estimates are that between
sl,500,000 and $2,750,O00 have been
spent in the last IL months to teach
the American people what to do.
Both Wooed U. S. in IA.
In the years preceding Americas en-
try into the World War, both groups
OF belligerents tried to win the peo-
pie OF this country. When the Central
powers discovered that this was not
possible, they applied themselves to
maintaining the United States neu-
trail.
This time, while only a couple of
wars are in progress, one group is trv-
ing to gain Americas active support
while the other is trying to offset this
action.
Inc European democracies-Great
Britain and France-are doing. their
utmost to commit the Government of
the United States to definite policy
OF making once more the world safe for
democracy.
while the administration is in svm-
pathy with these two nations. which
have maintained liberal form of gov.
efnnent. 1t dares not risk any positive
action for fear of the unfavorable re-
action OF the American people.
Lecturers Flocking to U. S.
consequently, the French and the
BRUSH have taken upon themselves
the task of educating the American
pubic to the idea that interests of the
european democracies are parallel
with those Of the people of the United
States.
Lecturers trained in the school of
Do"nlng Street and the Quai dOrsay
are frequent visitors 70 this country.
They travel from New York to San
francisco and never neglect to spend
as much time as possible in the Middle
west. No engagement, regardless how
unremunerative it may be, is turned
down by famous men from England
and France.
AS rule these lecturers. many of
them possessing high sounding titles,
receive payments from the American
institutions where they deliver their
speeches. But if they don't, it does not
matter They receive their compen-
sation from the secret funds of their |
respective governments.
U. S. Writers Not Used.
The old-fashioned method of OBJ
tanning the interested support of GER
tam American writer's has been aban- |
doned. The type of men who would
serve the interests of another country
Is SUCH that their writings could carry
no weight. The foreign diplomatic
missions in Washington have informed
tnelr governments that the hiring of !
doubtful characters harm more than
anything else the cause"
The propaganda Of the authoritarian |
states, especially Japan, is bent on |
convincing the people Of this country
tnat they are helpless before the might !
OF the military power of the dictator
SHIPS. 1t says that whatever may hap
pen to other countries, the United
States runs no danger of being invaded
or attacked as long as she minds her
own business.
The Japanese propaganda works nee
essarily through other channels than
the direct Japanese ones.
The distinguished japanese visitors
who occasionally come to the United
states are careful not to say too much. |
Financial Pressure Brought to Bear.
But there are other more powerful
means to influence public opinion in
the United States in the desired sense.
1nere are accounts" of Japanese
commercial firms with certain Ameri-
can groups. These groups are gen.
ulnely convinced that row with the |
Nipponese Empire would be damaging
to our trade interests and are doing |
their best to avert any friction with |
that Pacific power. Pamphlets and
speeches are prepared to prove to
the people of the United States the
utility OF becoming engaged in q
row With uncertain results with a |
nation which has always nourished |
friendly sentiments towards this coun-
try. The preparedness of Japan and
the lack of military and naval prepa- |
ration of this country are both being
overplayed.
Because of the dislike the Ameri. |
can people have exhibited toward the |
recent Japanese diplomatic methods" !"
the work OF the Toxic government
Is subtle and necessarily expensive.
Nazis and Italians Less Active.
The German and the italian Gov
ernmentS are less active-in appear
ance at least-than the other govern
ments. They have the advantage of
having substantial number Of Ger
man Americans and Italo-Americans
sympathetic to Mussolini and Hitler.
These people are doing their best
TO help their old country and are
being assisted by their former gov-
ernments. Thus, German or an
Italian be he non-naturalized resi-
dent or naturalized citizen, is fire.
quently brought into line by q gentle
pressure.
II he is in business requiring
imports from either of those two
countries, he will have his credit
curtailed. If he does not play the
game. Or If he is in the exporting
business. he will find his wares are
not acceptable by the government
agencies in Italy or in Germany.
If the recalcitrant individual owns
. restaurant, or is tailor, for in
stance, he will find, In the event he