The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-02-14
SUBTLE GERMAN PROPAGANDA

German and italian activities per-
sist in this country despite efforts Of
our Government to the contrary.
Skillfully, and with subtle finesse,
the Nazi-Fascist groups would have
us believe that any aid to Great
Britain will precipitate us into war
with the Axis, which, they en-
phasize, would mean the destruction
four free institutions.
This view, resulting from propa-
ganda, is accepted by many who
have no sympathy for Hitler or the
theology he would force ON the ma
lions of the world. 1t is urged by
others, however, who not only
sympathize with him, but are adj
herents, secret or avowed, of his
political and economic philosophy.
They would have Hitler realize his
aims of making Germany the poll
tical and economic center of the
world. "The Germans" they say,
''are a superior race. We would do
we'll to let them rule.
Still others, principally our dol
lar-minded citizens, have been led
to look forward to huge profits in
trade relations when the Axis pow
ers gain control of Europe and
principles of freedom and liberty,
for which the human race has
fought through the ages to estab-
fish, mean nothing to the dollar
minded citizens or others suffering
from German phobia.
In their argument, the German
propagamdists assert that the Brit
ish Government is more democratic
than ours and has already succumb-
ed to Nazi-Fascist ideals. They say
that this will be our fate If we are
brought into the world conflict;
that neither England nor the United
States can engage in war effectively
without throwing into discard their
own ways of life. They emphasize
this thinking despite the fact that
the Anglo-Saxon democracies did
not deteriorate during or after the
first World War; In fact, the Gov
ernments of both Great Britain and
the United States are more express
sive of the will of the people today
than before the first World War.
|. What are the facts about demo-
cratic procedure Of the British Gov
eminent in this war? Has the Brit
ish Government changed its GUS
tomary conduct, its parliamentary
order, and its attitude toward the
will of the people?
According to reliable English
answer, despite the sweeping pow
ers conferred upon that Government
which are greater than ever before
placed in the hands of democratic
government, Is emphatically no.
This war is being carried on by
the will Of the English people
against the dictators gainst
their own appeasers. It was they
who, as never before in the history
of the British Empire, have their
minds on what their Government is
doing. The parliament of the people
remains in session to see that the
Government does not overstep the
emergency powers granted to it
and to see that the established dem
ocratic liberties are preserved.
The press, always democratic
safeguard, has rarely ever been
freer than it is in England today.
Except for military news, over
which there is a decided difference,
Of opinion between censors and
editors as to what constitutes such
news. the editors have commented
freely, and many of them have criti-
cized the Ministry of Information.
In the opinion Of close British
and American commentators, the
charge that Great Britain will, If
victorious, embrace Nazi-Fascist
doctrines of totalitarism is absolute
ely untenable. 1t is inherent in the
blood Of Englishmen to be freemen.
Moreover, every step taken in this
war is an act of free men.