The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-21
FRENCH FEAR
GERMAN INFLUX
Men Suspected of Espionage
in War Flocking Back
to Country.
SOME IN ART DISGUISE
Actors Seeking to Appear on
Paris Stage and Painters
to Open Salon.
SOME IN ART DISGUISE

Speciol Cable 20 THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau
Paris, Nov. 20.
France, according TO those who are
responsible for the protection Of the
country against another German in
vasion, is facing a dangerous renewal!
of the former enemy's pre-war system
of peaceful penetration" Not only
In the capital, where visiting Germans
invariably deny their nationality by
posing as Danes or Norwegians, but
the social centres of the Riviera are
rapidly becoming alarmed at the pros
pect of the Germans retaking the
handsome ChateauX which were Sc
questrated when the German 0wners
were sent to Switzerland after brief
terms of internment.
Some of the Germans exiled In 1914
from the south of France have even
boosted that they have friends in high
places who are going TO restore to
them their pre-war interests, and this
naturally has aroused a roar of pro-
test from French firms. as the boosters
are known TO have been deeply in
volved in Germany's espionage system
In France during the years imme-
diately preceding the conflict
Case of Robert Diem.
One case which has caused Juror OF
protests is that of Diem, Robert
Diem. who arrived at Antilles loaded
with money fifteen years ago. He
opened horticultural business, and
like others along the Riviera, soon
became a millionaire. When war
was declared Diem fed with his
wife over the Spanish frontier but
high placed" friends induced him to
come back. He was even granted
French naturalization, but the residents
Of Antilles grew so angry that this was
cancelled and Diem and his family were
evacuated TO Switzerland as Germans
who were inimical TO Frances interests.
Indignation among the Riviera popula-
ton was aroused last week when Diem
returned TO Cannes, visited Antilles and
inspected his former business. which, II
Is said, he soon will resume control ~.
threatening TO cut prices until his
French competitors are driven from
business. Diem's purse still Is as
bountiful as ever. and. according to per-
sons living on the Riviera who have
protested to the Ministry OF Justice de-
handing that Diem be ordered from tho
country. he smokes the most expensive
cigars and Is spending his time in tho
hotel parlors where he tries to convince
American and British visitors that
France is bankrupt and that the only
hope Of Europes salvation lies IN tho
transfer OF allied affection TO Germany.
How Diem got a passport to return TO
France is not known. but the case IL
no less striking than that OF Otto
Grantoff. who Is known to the Paris
police as a well known spy. who has
according TO the ction FrdncGise, re-
newed his efforts here by associating
with several French extremists IN the
realm Of art and literature and Is holdin :
weekly conferences for the Partisan
dilettant!.
Before the war Grantoff was asso-
ciated with the Munich Art ReUieto and
collaborated with the German Embassy
here in sending constant reports 10 Ber-
In insisting upon the decadent condition
OF the French nation. Strangely enough,
GrantOff departed from Paris only
eleven days before the declaration OF
war. and his apartment was seques-
trated. but it is understood that Gran
toff is asking friends to urge that K be
restored to him because of his icon.
slant Francophilism."
Actresses and Artists Expected.
Influential newspapers. however are
awake to the danger and are urging
that Grantoff be shown the quickest
exit 70 Germany. Berlin reports sug-
gest, moreover. that several German
actresses intend invading the French
stage next season and mingling with
French artistes on a friendly basis. II
is asserted here there Is not word Of
truth In such claims, as the moment the
German invasion OF the French stage
starts will be a signal for n walkout OF
French employees. Warnings have been
sent TO tho German stage unions, but u
ie said the warnings have not deferred
them.
group of Munich painters are ask
ing permission 10 open salon Of Ba-
varian art in Paris early in January
Whatever merit the ancient German
painters may have had. Partisan artists
are bitterly opposed to German moderns
crossing the border. even for the purpose
OF exhibiting their wares made In Ger
many"
There If hardly Paris hotel now
whore one docs not hear German spoken
daily--but Il Is usually In whispers. as
the French are becoming unusually sus-
plcious OF all foreigners.
The big qestlon is. How do the Ger
mans cross the border? Tho police say
few have registered with the police,
while passports are only granted under
exceptional conditions. with the approval
OF French officials in the Rhiueland.
on the other hand. II is said 20 be easy
for a German to get passport TO visit
relatives In Alsace- Lorraine, where after
a simple matter of form they take tho
first train 20 Paris and remain 20 carry
on an anti-French movement in the most
susceptible circles until the police real
lie they have been triclSed.
The question Of stricter supervision
Of travel on tho Alsatian railways will
be considered before the end OF tho Par
lament session. and the suggestion viii
he made for an increase OF penalties and
imprisonment for all Germans found In
France without passports.
MADRID ZOO WANTS GIFTS.
MADRID, Nov. 2o.-The city govern
nent has been requested 90 maye an