PZ 5749/39(1) 'Propaganda: Articles forwarded to Persian Gulf, Kabul & Katmandu for dissemination' [‎262r] (523/715)

RECd. POL. DEPt.
1 90CT1939
INDIA OFFICE The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors.
COPY OP TKL EGRAM Pro® Secretary ©f State
t© Governnent ©f India, External Affairs
Department, N0o2438, dated 17th October,
1939.
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Addressed Secretary «f State for India
t® Government of India and repeated t® H.Lx. ? s
Minister at Kabul, Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and Governor of Burma, Defence
Department, No 0 408.
Following from iiiinistry of Information for publicity
purposes. Begins . German propaganda constantly states
French gains Western Front small, Saarbrucken, an open
town only two miles inside frontier still in German hands
and Siegfried line far behind bombarded but otherwise
intact. ^ ^ ,
Germans would doubtless prefer frontal attacks and
large casualty lists but military operations not the most
important part in first stage of present war. Allies
warned by painful experiences last war are conducting
methodical siege war. These restrained tactics already
achieved at very small cost in casualties results great
value of which cannot be guaged from depth of French
penetration alone.
Saarbriicken is an important road and railway junction;
it is now surrounded on three sides and all roads and
railways under fire of powerful French artillery solidly
established on surrounding heights: capture of town would
add nothing to this but would entail unnecessary casualties
through traps ©r hand-to-hand fightingo Nothing would
have been easier than t© shell this open town with its
1 rfre civilian population (130,000) but French of course
refuse t© follow Hitler‘s example in Poland.
Presence of French troops on German soil has deeply
affected morale of Rhineland population from whom Nazis
concealed truth as long as possible. Over two million
people have been evacuated from this region, an experience
which Germans have not endured for over one century.
Economic results also of first importance. French
airforce and artillery have brought all industry in Saar
to standstill, depriving Germany of as much coal and iron
as she obtained in Polish Silesiao &nds .
Government of India asked to repeat to Katmandu and to
inform mro Hennessyo