Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-05-20
By WESTBROOK PEGLER

BY WESTBROOK PEGLER
THERE is nothing 10 gain and
l. much TO lose by pretending
TO believe that France has not
. Joined the enemy or that 1t Will
be possible, somehow, TO resist
that enemy without striking the
French people.
France, under Marshal Petain.
Is preparing TO stab brave ana
faithful ally in the back with
the same cowardly, treacherous
timing that President Roosevelt.
in one OF his historic remarks.
observed in the disgraceful con-
duct of the Italian nation when
France was down and bleeding
from a million wounds.
This makes il necessary 10 re-
wise the popular American atti-
tudc toward a selfish country.
which, for years. has shown the
United States nothing but in
gratitude and greed.
Whether the people OF France.
in their hearts, would prefer not
10 follow Petain down that
course which he called the path
of honor and national interest,
IL is futile 10 consider.
The fact is and must be faced
that they will follow him. in
chains and shame, into the camp
of the man who started this
world war, and that every blow
they strike at Britain, whether
i'm action or by facilitating HIT
ler's war. is a blow at the
United States.
THAT France would have done
l. otherwise had the United
States sent food TO the unoccu-
pied zone seems wishful and
romantic argument.
France would have done ex-
actly as Hitler. Petain, Darlan
and Laval intended, for there Is
neither gratitude nor honor in
these men who. for selfish. ma
tionalistic interest. have turned
against noble and loyal friend
in terrible hour.
There is great emphasis on
the suncringS and sacrifices Of
the French people. but the truth
is that they were largely re-
Sponsible for their own disaster
and. moreover. were far inferior
TO the British in bravery and
stamina
The British people have SUI
fered niue h more with no
thought Of quitting. while
France. As usual, has been
Haunting her tatters and appeal
ing for aid and pity. but stimuli
taneously conspiring in her in
CRATE heart 10 betray any
friend. including the United
States, for any advantage that
might be in il.
This Is dangerous situation
and not the least OF the dangers
10 the American people is the
presence IN this hoSpitable coun-
Try OF a great many French men
and women who have arrived
wcll-hcclcd. Installed themselves
In expensive New York hotels
and prepared TO sit out the war.
Among them unquestionably are
many individuals who will in
dorse Pctains pro-NaZi course
and help 10 put his program
through.
Such individuals arc no less
dangerous and may be more so,
because they are socially ac-
cepted and even feted by wealthy
and influential Americans. than
the German and Italian sailors.
stewards and walters who have
been rounded up and filed away.
Ties an alarming thfsSsht ., bit.
i the United States soon VIII
have TO face and act upon the
necessity for establishing safe
places OF internment for civilian
aliens. whether they are regis
tered or not, whose sympathies
lie with the enemy.
Britain had 10 do this. and the
United States will court the very
dangers that Britain has tried
10 avoid If the same precaution
is not taken here.
1t would be very unpleasant.
but in war4 you do not permit
people 10 circulate freely who
are devoted 10 the enemys
cause. and arc. by training and
position, especially qualified 10
work trcachery.
Many Americans viii be sad
dcned by the necessity TO regard
Frenchmen as their enemies, but
tho decision wasn't ours.
France has chosen her course
and. in so doing has threatened
the life of a nation and a people
whose affection for France and
her people amounted to an in
fatuation.
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