The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-31
In TOday's Mail
WAR FEVER RUNNING HIGH IN AMERICA; AVOID HYSTERIA
 OF JOINING IN
Waterbury, Conn. December 28, 1940.

December 2s, 1s40. Editor, Waterbury Democrat:
 No matter how thin you slice it you'll find silver of propaganda in all war news emanating from Eu- rope these days, It will grow as the war wears on, because it is an inc tegral part of war.
 As the Nazis continue their fer- ocious bombardment of English cities, as the United States rushes greater aid to England, as Lord LIo- tilian laid the ground work for new American loans to Britain, the war fever in America mounts. Honest, sincere sympathy for the unfortun- ate English victims of the conflict, together with a hatred of Hitler and all his works, make the American people especially receptive to pro- British propaganda designed to bring America into the war.
 Not only the British, but many Americans, too, are flaming the flames which are likely to engulf this nation in another disastrous European war It is the duty of pa- triotic Americans, therefore, to be alert to the propaganda menace. They must realize that Britain hopes and possible expects America to the war ultimately; that mean while she must propagandize and condition our people so they will be enthusiastic in support of active participation in Britain'S war against Germany.
 Already the British have con- vinced the Administration and mill lions of its followers that Great Britain's interests are Americas in- terests; that Great Britain is fight- ing "our war;. America has re- sponded with fighting ships, air. planes, munitions, guns and other materials. Credit, or outright cash gifts, probably soon will follow. Then will remain only the last step actual military aid-WAR.
 Before we take that fatal step we should consider to what extenG we have been influenced by pro- British anti German distortions of the truth.
 One of the most effective means of judging the current trend is study of World War propaganda which played such a great role ill creating American war sentiment, but which has since been exposed for the complete fakery that it was. To Senator Rush D. Holt of West Virginia, an adamant opponent of intervention, goes credit for bringing many of those disproven World War atrocity stories to the attention of the Senate. His recent article in the Congressional Record was given little, if any, press" but it is valuable expose of war lies. Much of the piece consists of quo- tations from "Falsehood in War Time" book by Arthur Ronsonby, member of the English Parliament. Pononsby wrote in his introduction: "The public can be worker up emotionally by sham ideals. A sort of collective hysteria spreads and rises until finally it gets the better of sober people and reputable news- papers.
 with a/warning before them, the common people may be more on their guard when the war clouds next appear on the horizon and less disposed to accept as truth rumors explanations, and pronouncements issued for their consumption. They should realize that a government which has decided on embarking on the hazardous and terrible enter prise of war must at the outset present one-sided case in justifi- cation of it's action, and cannot af- ford to admit in any particular whatever the smallest degree of right or reason on the part of the people it has made it's mind to fight.
 Facts must be distorted, revelent circumstances concealed, and pic- ture presented which by its crule coloring will persuade the ignorant people that their government is blameless, their cause is righteous, and that the indisputable wicked ness of the enemy has been proven beyond question. such obvious
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