15 DECEMBER 1939, Page 2

German Propaganda in the Balkans

The Balkan correspondent of The Times has been giving instructive examples of German propaganda in the countries of South-East Europe. In most of these countries popular feeling is on the side of the Allies, but anything that can be turned to their disadvantage is exploited to the full by the infinite resourcefulness of Nazi agents. There are 6o daily and weekly newspapers in the German language in this region. The vernacular Press receives German adver- tisements, cheap news facilities and sometimes open or dis- guised bribes to encourage it to publish pro-German news. Letters are sent by post to individuals, gossip started in cafés, pressure applied from the legations. There is no need that counter-propaganda from Great Britain should take the same form. Editors would be only too glad to get more news from Great Britain, more photographs and even quota- tions from newspaper comment. British Council lecturers would be welcomed. More Allied broadcasts would be listened to eagerly. Much would be gained by expediting the transport of English newspapers, and arranging for a reduc- tion of the fantastic price (8d. a copy) at which they are sold. A few thousand pounds spent on this would be of incalculable value.