Evening star., 1941-07-20

devices the people of the occupied
countries are urged to wage a nerve
war against the Nazi troops and
authorities.
Although the Germans, apparently
unable to ignore the campaign, have
attempted to take 1t over by pro-
claiming that "V" stands for the
German victoria" the British are
certain that this counteroffensive
will fail and that the "V" will crop
up again and again to plague the
Nazis as something definitely not
pro- German.
A dispatch from Amsterdam to-
day told of Netherlands newspapers
carrying accounts of the German
"Viktoria" campaign, with large
"V's" printed on the picture page
White posters with orange 'V's"
were plastered ON walls and the
Beethoven Fifth Symphony theme
was being used.
Reports from Oslo said similar
German campaign was under way
there.
Instructions Broadcast.
1t is primarily a radio war, with
the British Broadcasting Co. and
secret radio stations on the conti-
nent directing the attack and the
German radio countering with
whatever it can.
"Col. Britton broadcast final in
structions for "V day to the peo-
pie of occupied nations yesterday.
He told his listeners the first step
would be to take VOW ito continue
faithfully this fight in the best way
you can for your country's inde-
pendence and honor"
Secondly, he urged the use of
every opportunity to demonstrate
to the Germans "the mobilization
of v army by putting VS. wherever
you can," and by tapping out the
letter in code in public.
The campaign Is based on an
idea expressed in an editorial in
the Evening News stating that the
German is among the best fighters
when he can see his opponent"
But in a war of nerves." the
paper said, "he is not a good SOL
dier. He so easily distrusts him.
self"
Presumably the only immediate
purpose of the program is its psy-
Geological effect on both the Ger
mans and the people of the occu-
pied countries, but the British OBJ
viously are not overlooking the pos
sibility of "V army becoming a
more tangible menace to the Nazis.
The effectiveness of Russian
guerrilla tactics behind the Ger
man lines has made deep impress
sion here. In addition, the fact
that demonstrations of unfriendli-
ness in the occupied countries COM
pei the Germans to keep large
bodies Of troops there has been
stressed.
Resistance Reported Growing.
Reports reaching London from re-
liable sources say resistance to Ger
man rule in the Netherlands, both
passive and active, is increasing
steadily.
AS elsewhere in occupied terri
tories, the "V" is the symbol of
underground resistance. 1t is heard
at regular intervals over ut least
three clandestine radio stations
known to be operating in the Meth
erlands to transmit war information
to Britain.
The Germans are understood to
have banned playing of Bethoven's
Fifth Symphony after an Amster-
dam station announced the record
ing and then played only the first
few bars.
This station said also that Meth
erlanders have adopted the custom
of leaving restaurants when Ger
mans enter Recent reports state
that the Germans decreed that no
occupants of a restaurant or cafe
could leave until 10 minutes after
entrance of a German officer. Now,
according to the reports, Neither
landers take out their watches the
moment Germans enter, regard
them fixedly until the 10 minutes
is up, then rise and leave as one
man.