33. Memorandum From J.F. Abbott of the Military Intelligence Division, Department of War General Staff to Francis Churchill Williams of the Military Intelligence Division, Department of War General Staff1
SUBJECT
- U.S. Propaganda in Japan
1. During the past winter there was shown throughout Japan the film which under the title “Battlecry of Peace” (?) was given much publicity in this country during the campaign for preparedness two or three years ago. The purpose of this film here was to dwell upon—even to exaggerate the military impotence of the United States and one feature of it showed the sack of New York City by an invading power. It is obvious that while the purpose of this propaganda film in this country was not misunderstood, yet the Japanese populace who saw it by thousands gained quite different impressions. An additional bad feature lay in the fact that it is a Japanese custom to have an “explainer” (benshi) who conducts an explanatory monologue while a film is being shown. It may be inferred that in the present instance the benshi everywhere rose to the occasion as patriotic Japanese.
[Page 70]2. It occurs to the writer that it would be well worth while to provide for some such counter action to the impression produced by the film mentioned by providing for the immediate production in Japan of the Official film “America’s Answer.”2
3. The Universal Film Company is the largest organization in Japan, having many theatres all over the country which it supplies. The national agent in Tokyo is thoroughly loyal and anxious to serve the United States and without doubt would be glad of the opportunity to put on this film.
4. To short-circuit the benshi it would be advisable to have the “titles” done in Japanese. The writer will be glad to take the personal responsibility for this end of the matter if the proposal is approved.
5. The growing chauvinism in Japan incident to the dispatch of troops into Siberia makes it advisable that such a project be carried out soon.3
Captain U.S.A.
- Source: National Archives, RG 63, Entry 105, Director’s Office of the Foreign Section, General Correspondence, Box 13, Military Intelligence, Sept 18–Feb 19. No classification marking.↩
- For America’s Answer, please see the Online Supplement, Appendix A.5.↩
- On August 3, the United States announced that it was dispatching troops to Vladivostok in cooperation with Japan “to render such protection and help as is possible to the Czecho-Slovaks against the armed Austrian and German prisoners who are attacking them and to steady any efforts at self-government or self-defense in which the Russians themselves may be willing to accept assistance.” ( Foreign Relations, 1918, Russia, vol. II, pp. 328–329)↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩