Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-07
France Forever
Representatives Hope
For Weygand Support
Officials of Movement
Hint at Military
Operations in Africa


Representatives Of France For
ever" an organization of both
Frenchmen and Americans support
ing the policies of Gen. Charles de
Gaulle, who is aiding Britain against
Nazi Germany, announced yesterday
they hoped" Gen. Maxim Weygand,
eminent French general now in
Africa, would join forces with the
Free French in their war against
the axis powers.
From a press conference of three
ofIicials OF France Forever" at the
Mayflower Hotel came also the
somewhat vague prediction that soon
there might be some military op-
erations of Importance from Brazza-
vile, in French Equatorial Africa.
They claimed that there was mo
mass movement" behind the Vichy
government in France, headed by
Marshal Petain and Pierre Laval,
but that the mass of the French
people some day would have their
say" .
Spokesman for France Forever"
at the press conference were Jacques
de Sieyes of New York City, per-
sonal friend and official representa-
tive of Gen. de Gaulle, founder
of France Forever; Or. Fred G.
Hoffherr of New York City, con-
nected with Columbia University for
81 years, who holds the title of
chairman of the press and public
relations department of France
Forever, and Jean Delattre-Seguy
Of this city, Washington representa-
tive of France Forever" an engineer
with Offices in the Shoreham Build
ing.
Sees Sentiment Growing.
DR.. Hoffherr, who did most of
the talking, declared that "senti-
ment for Gen. de Gaulle is growing"
not only in France, but throughout
81 countries where France Forever"
is being organized. American public
opinion support is mounting fast,
he said.
In France itself, DR.. Hoffherr said
sentiment in support of Gen. de
Gaulle was increasing Outside of
a small handful of political leaders"
he said, "the most of the people are
for Gen. de Gaulle and for the
British"
Free France forces are co-operat-
ing with the British in the matter
of the blockade of France, DR.. Hoff-
herr said, adding the question of
whether milk for babies could be
considered medicinal supplies and
admissible was under consideration.
Free France has about $4,000 we'll
equipped and trained troops under
Gen. de Gaulle, said Mr.. de Sieyes,
including about 1000 aviators, 20
warships, and go merchantmen.
Gen. de Gaulle himself now is in
London, Mr.. de Sieyes said.
Hope for Blow at Italians.
Asked if Gen. Weygand might
unite with Gen. de Gaulle to drive
the Italians out of Egypt, DR. Hoff-
herr replied: That's what We are
hoping and praying for"
The matter of relations between
the official diplomatic and consular
representatives of the Vichy Gov
eminent in this country and the
representatives of Free France came
up among the questions. M de Sieyes.
who is the officially credited agent
of Gen. de Gaulle, listed at the
State Department, said I'VE ignore
them" Then quickly he added,
apparently by way of explanation,
"there is no friction"
FROM many sources the spokes-
men for France Forever" said they
had reports of rising tide of senti-
ment in support of Free France. In
"oficials are for Vichy, but the
civilians are for Gen. de Gaulle -
In Morocco the situation is very
much in favor of De Gaulle. Yes,
even among the French troops
themselves"
Asked the hypothetical question
that if the de Gaulle forces con-
trolled the strategic island of Mar
Unique in the Caribbean Sea, would
they be willing to lease Martinique
as a defense base for the United
States, Mr.. de Sieyes replied en-
phatically, yes
Cites Breakfasts.
Reporting on activities in this
country for Free France, DR.. Hoff-
herr said the one thing which the
people in France appreciate most is
the "uncensored news and mes
sages" which are being sent by short
wave radio from Station WRUL in
Boston on Saturdays and Sundays.
Gen. de Gaulle has radio station at
Brazzaville, Africa, from which he
also Is broadcasting, DR.. Hoffherr
explained, but needs to have its
power increased to make it more
effective in France.
Then venturing prediction from
that quarter. DR.. Hofherr said:
military operations of Importance
may start from Brazzaville."
At the press conference, which
was deliberately set up and we'll
announced in advance, two lengthy
statements were made public; one
Of four pages, in the form of an
announcement of the aims and
purposes of the movement, and
another of three pages entitled
Charles de Gaulle AS Know Him."
by Mr. de Sieyes
France Forever" it was ex-
= planned, is a Pennsylvania corpora
ton, one of the 10 organizations
uniting French people in all parts
Of the world"
Our program is a militant one"
explained the statement "Q fullest