FILMS AND PROPAGANDA
[To the Editor or TnE SPECTATOR.]
STR,—There has been no Tack of protest against the irre- sponsible propaganda of certain sections of the Press in respect of the present crisis in international affairs. The cinema has hitherto been so singularly free from such abuse that we feel it our duty to protest against a flagrant violation of this impartiality.•
• At a Cambridge cinema last week; the concluding item of the News section was so designed, by creating a sense almost of panic, as to propagate a particular point of view. After depicting the embarrassment and uncertainty of repre- sentative British party leaders, and the bellicose preparations of Italy, the film proceeded to emphasise the refusal of the U.S.A., France and Russia • to consider • intervention, and asking the rhetorical question, " What will Britain do ? " concluded with the confident assertion that she too would not fight for the sake of " seven million Abyssinians."
The reticence of the Cabinet in view of the coming League Council meeting has been widely approved, but it is clearly open to unprincipled misrepresentation and this might well aggravate the seriousness of the situation. We feel, therefore, that such an example in an influential and unexpected quarter should not be allowed to pass without protest.—We are, Sir, yours faithfully,
R. P. WILSON, F. A. YOUNGMAN, IL S. DEIGHTON, H. HonarN, G., I. R TIJOMSON,
J. G. MCCLINTOCK.
Westcott House, Cambridge.
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