CO129-580-2 Sino-Japanese War- British policy and reactions in Hong Kong and Malaya 27-7-1939 - 3-2-1940 — Page 71

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reduced. I feel that this is a lot to ask, but inspired

statements constantly appear in the Press at home in advance of events, and indeed I believe that the Press are periodically summoned for the purpose of being kept up-to-date, when they are told how far they may go in making use of the information

provided. Here we get practically nothing but the British Official Press and Reuters, and nothing at all in advance: and what we get is swamped by foreign propaganda. The man in the

street is quite ready to trust Great Britain, but blind faith is too much to expect of him especially when the opposite view is being constantly dinned into his ears. I am of course

ready to do all I can, but it is not very easy to guide public opinion unless there is more to work on. The Foreign Office

publicity material to which you refer would be invaluable: we badly need a Far East intelligence service.

I realise that what I am suggesting will mean more work for overworked Departments at home, but I am sure it would

be worth while. We can deal well enough with any anti- British demonstrations that might occur, but they ought not to be allowed to occur.

I wish that the Press, and others at home would take to heart the Prime Minister's recent exhortation in regard to the spreading of rumours and false statements. The bits that

have the best news-value are sent out by Air Mail to the local Press, and they cannot be blamed for publishing them.

can do imense harm.

But they

What

I have mentioned the arrival of reinforcements.

has really captured the imagination of the public is the way

in which the R.A.F. squadrons have suddenly appeared out of the

air. No one knows where they have come from, but it is known

that they have come a long way. It is known too that more

are