Evening star., 1944-05-28
War of Words
Japanese Propaganda
Is Aimed at India
By Joseph H. Baird.

BY every device known to the
modern experts at war with word:
the japanese are striving to make
the Indian masses believe that the
designing conqueror at their dool
comes in the role of liberator. And
in the opinion of government ex-
perts here, their efforts are not
wholly unsuccessful.
The daily outpourings Of "Free
India" radio stations In Singapore
and Tokyo are being closely studied
by propaganda analysts of the for
eign broadcast intelligence service oil
the Federal Communications Com
mission as well as the Office of Wal
Information. They are significant
not only for their possible effect on
the military situation in India, but
also as a part of the increasing at
tempts by Japan to organize and
solidify the vast areas, including
hundreds of millions of subject peo-
Piles, which it has enslaved in East
Asia.
AS might be expected, enemy prop
aganda directed toward the Indians
enlarges on the dark themes OF
British exploitation" and lurid tales
Of famine. On. its brighter side, il
paints a glowing picture of the fu-
ture freedom of India when the "In-
dian independence army" drives the
Allies out and full independence is
established with the laid and CO.
operation" of the Japanese.
Hide Japan's Role.
Indians are assured that once the
independence army" crosses the
border in force, the 100000 Indians
under the British flag will desert
and join in the liberation" of their
countrymen. They are told that this
independence army" is a mighty
force-a truly Indian force. Japan's
role in the invasion is kept in the
far background.
What are the facts? AS put to-
gether from propaganda statements
by the Japanese and by Indian NAL
contents in Burma and Malaga and
supplemented by other information
from a variety of confidential
sources, the picture of the Indian
puppet government looks something
like this:
Subhas Chandra Bose, after train
ing in Nazi-Japanese organization
technique in Berlin and Tokyo, has
gathered around him from Indians
in Burma and Malaga a nucleus OF
anti-BritiSh extremists who are
ready to play the Japanese game
hoping that il the Japs conquer
India they will become-as they
likely would-the leaders in an In
dian state under japanese protec-
ton.
According to reports reaching the
government, many of the indians
in the independence" army were
recruited by the Japs in this fash
ion. They were forced into labor
corps and made to work hard with
scant food for several days. Sud
denly, one day, their work was
lightened. They were given gooc
meals. In the evening entertain
menu was provided, at the end OF
which a japanese officer said, ir
effect
You see, there are two ways OF
treating people. If you like the way
you have been treated today, joir
the Indian independence army"
This system, it is reported, OBJ
tanned many volunteers.
The Bose regime recently under.
took-probably for its propaganda
effect on the women of India-tht
organization of a counterpart to the
WAC. The patron saint of thi.
feminine army corps Is the Queer
lof Jhansi, who led AN uprisins
against the British in 1857, Indiar
and Japanese radio propagandist.
call her the Indian Joan OF Arc.
Bose, in his frequent radio
speeches. compares his movement
and government to those which
established independence In Ireland
Czechoslovakia and Turkey.