The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-04-01
Results Justify Expenses
0f0verseas Propaganda
Axis Has Employed Elaborate Means to Get Its
Views Across to Neutral Nations; u. S.
Must Use Press and Radio.
BY BAUKHAGE
Netes 4naIysf and Commentator.

How about results? That is pretty
hard to reduce to statistics or even
concrete statements. We know some
Japs have surrendered with our
propaganda leaflets in their hands.
We know that leaflets dropped over
occupied countries or pamphlets
struggled, in have started people
talking. owl has reports to this eff
feet. They say that this means that
the idea has been spread that Amer
lea is in touch with the people within
the occupied territory.
We know that some of these PAM
phlets have been photostated or cop
led in others and given further dis
tribution. 1t was stated that these
copies or excerpts from them have
even been circulated in prison
camps.
We know that from four to six
clandestine newspapers are made
up chiefly from Allied propaganda
material
OF course, by no means all of the
Owl propaganda is spread through
publications. In fact, the radio
broadcasts represent the greater
part of the expenditure.
Owl is confident that this radio
propaganda is not wasted as has
been charged although 1t is admit
ted that the listening audience is
being cut down as short-Wave sets
are seized or wear out and the de-
probation is heavy. On the other
hand, it is known that the radio
broadcasts are repeatedly word
of mouth and in clandestine PAM
phlets and newspapers.
The chief evidence that propagan-
da is reaching into Germany comes
from two sources. first, the speeches
of Goebbels and other German lead
ers who warn against black listen
| ing warning not to believe the for
eign aganda-and second, the
records of trials of persons arrest
/ ed for this black listening
EHectiue in Turkey
1t is stated that American propa-
ganda has been effective in Turkey
because Turks believe it whereas
they have caught the Axis in too
many lies. Since publications print
ed in Turkish are still forbidden to
be sent into Turkey, the printing
has to be done there or the material
sent in in French or English.
In Spain, 1t is said that in spite
of strong handicaps-that is, the
i power of the Falangist party which
is openly pro-Axis-American prop
uganda has curtailed this power,
has swung many people from pro-
Axis to pro--.lly attitude. The
persecution of the Catholic church in
Germany has been used effectively
in Spain.
Of course, this isn't the whole
story OF propaganda. All is fair in
love and war and some pretty pre-
carious tight-rope walking is some
times done-witness democracy S
tete-a-tete with Darlan which his
tory will probably disclose was less
desertion OF democratic political
methods than waving of the Queens
berry rules of gallant combat. We
can't expect the Allies to show their
hands to the enemy and there is nc
use disturbing the squeamish by
revealing the possible although moi
entirely Immaculate condition which
might arise from graphing with ar
especially noisome enemy.
What Davis did not 60 into at this
meeting was the question of enemy
propaganda directed toward us
That is very delicate matter anc
sometimes governments are willing
to give the enemy credit for the cir
culation OF certain sentiments ex
pressed by people who are just mac
at their own public servants anc
are exercising the inherent right O.
grousing.
As | said before, am much moro
interested in whether the propagan
da job we are doing is effective
AS to getting in puffs for the party
in power, that is up to the part.
out of power to stop but one Of tht
unacceptable advantages of being al
"in' in wartime is that you car
squelch some opposition on thu
ground of patriotism. On the othel
hand, there was never an admins
tration yet that wasn't thrown ou
after war SO there is some &C y
Observation-Disclosures, the part.
/ of the opposition doesn't share tn,
/ blame for the mistakes.
Now that Governor Bricker ha
: announced that ne expects the Obi
| delegation will support him as
, favorite son candidate for the presi
dency, politics will be raising ii