The New York herald., 1921-01-02
FRENCH SEE PERIL
IN A VAST INFLUX
OF UNDESIRABLES
Thousands of Germans En-
ter Alsace to Visit but Do
Not Return Home.
REFUGEES FROM EAST
Russians, Rumanians and
Poles Bound for America
Remain in Paris.

Special Gable to THE NEW YORK HERALD
Copyright, 1921, 6y TIE New YORK HrRALD-
New York Herald Bureau.l
Paris, Jan. i.
The ease with which Clara Zetkin.
Socialist Reichstag member. succeeded
in evading the French gendarmes this
week when she made her dramatic
entry at the congress of French So
cialists at Tours has called attention
once more to the menace thus pro-
vided to the interior safety of the
nation. Clara Zetkin apparently had
no difficulty in evading the gendarmes
placed at the frontiers for the special
purpose Of preventing Germans and
other undesirables without passports
from entering the country.
While il is known that thousands OF
Germans have entered Alsace-Lorraine
during the last year ostensibly to visit
relatives there, 1t is believed that a large
percentage of these visitors arc taking
trains with the purpose of making their
homes in the eastern departments OF
France. where, while processing to be
Danish or Swiss. or even Alsatians. they
frequently betray their nationality by
criticisng the conduct of the French
during the war and spreading Berlins
propaganda efficiently if not intention-
ally.
Refugees Crowding Paris.
More serious than this. however. 10
considered the arrival Of 10000 refugees
from Eastern Europe. mainly Russian,
Rumanian and Polish Jews. who have
overcome the passport difficulties by
asking vises reading. For the purpose
OF crossing France en- route to the United
States of America" When they reach
Paris. however. instead of joining tho
emigrants to the land of liberty they
crowd themselves into the III smelling
ghetto regions, spreading disease at
rate that has aroused the protest and
fear of the French Ministry of Hygiene
because there a-e not enough doctors left
in the cGEsrsi TO cope with the situation
s.set,i: a serious epidemic break out sucn
as followed the western migrations OF
the past.
Inspections. at the frontier. however.
will require a larger force OF officials
than the treasury can afford just now
Only the main highways are guarded
while railroad inspectors, except in a few
instances. rarely have time to inspect
the passports of all passengers vised at
the frontier stations. There is nothing
easier therefore. than for a passenger 70
leave his coach for a brief visit TO tn.
baggage car while the train is halted Mt
the frontier and suitcases are being in
spected by the officials. and then resume
his place In the coach Just as the tram
pulls safely over the border.
Plan to Detain Immigrants.
The suggestion has been made that
a sort OF Ellis Island be created at
every frontier station where all nom
French travellers would be held until
the next train arrived. meanwhile hav-
ing to submit 10 n rigid search OF bag
gage to prevent the bringing In OF Boil
shevist documents and prohibited mer-
chandise. This would also entail
stricter supervision over details of iden-
tity than is now possible.
IL is recognized here that the whole
system OF granting and viseing of French
passports mus. be reorganized shortly.
In the case OF persons journeying To
America this Will be relatively an easy
matter. as the Government can demand
certificates showing the purport OF tn,
voyage authorized by American Consl-
late officials or can even hold the
steamship &C cmpanies responsible for the
conveying OF immigrants from the min
ute they arrive at the frontiers until
they are safely aboard an outgoing
steamship.
The alterna tive to this scheme is that
of forcing all passengers to leave tho
train at the frontier and pass through
barrier wnsre the papers would be
inspected. But those who have suffered
this delay along the italian frontiers
are not anxious that II be applied to
France.
AS far as the roadways are concerned
toll gates may be Installed at the
frontier crossings in charge Of the
armys pensioners. who certainly would
not be expected to deal lonienty with
any Germans who endeavor to smuggle
themselves into France under wagon
loads Of potatoes. as is now reported
frequently TO be the case.