Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-11-04
French Who Avoid
fractional Ties Find
Way Into Capital
Little PubIicized Group
Generally Offers Aid
In Fighting Axis
BY HELEN LOMBARD.

French continues to be the diplo-
matte language. Even today at an
occasional large diplomatic recep-
ton, French still is frequently heard
and continues to be the common
tongue for diplomats who don t
speak one another's language
French cultural groups, carefully
disclaiming any political affiliations
In their bulletins, continue to func-
tion in Washington and to draw
audiences who listen to lectures on
French literature and art.
Diplomatic observers who return
from Latin America report that, de-
spite the fall of France and the
crushing blows to French military
prestige, French intellectual lnflu-
ence is still great. In certain capt.
tails in South America women att
tend any French relief fete in large
numbers whether it be for the Fight
ing French or for Vichy
Some observers see in the inf1u-
ence still eXerted by French culture
another reason. in addition to the
all-important French fleet and colo
NAL troops, for Hitler's less crude
treatment of the French. This is
not because Hitler himself has any
respect for French culture, but be-
cause he sees in it a medium for
the spread of propaganda if it can
be put to the service of the Axis.
Three Kinds of French.
Three kinds of French are finding
their way into Washington, each
representing section of divided
France.
The Vichyites, who represent a
government which is committed to
collaboration with the Nazis, are
those who rely strongest on French
culture as passport to social and
official Washington. Though the
number of those who arrive with
passports from the Vichy govern
ment has greatly diminished, there
are still few who are coming into
this country.
Those who receive the necessary
travelling papers from Vichy are not
held up at the port of embarkation
by local American authorities. A
somewhat perfunctory examination
is made by the consular officials
who cannot put the. neutral gov
eminent which is their host to too
great strain
The real hurdle is met at the port
OF entry. The American immigra-
ton board in addition to the usual
immigration officials, is now COM
posed of officers of the military and
naval intelligence and of the FBI.
The Vichy French who are allowed
to come in on special missions are
kept under constant surveillance.
The Fighting French have an
easier time, once they have been
cleared from their place of origin
whether it be Syria, Egypt or Eng
landry the British authorities.
Some With No Affiliations.
There is today, however, another
group of Frenchmen in Washington
of whom only little is heard. These
Frenchmen belong neither to the
Fighting French nor to Vichy They
are individuals who have been able
to get away from France or from
North, Africa by devious methods
complete papers for the journey to
America can be bought in the black
markets of Occupied France for
100000 francs-about $4,000.
Most of these men made the de-
ClSion to come to the United States
when they realized that Nazl-F French
collaboration was dangerously near
Many of them have undergone many
risks and considerable hardships be-
fore being able to reach an Allied
outpost in Africa.
They did not join the Fighting
French for a variety of reasons:
Some fear reprisals on their families
left behind; others see themselves
as more useful in helping America
directly than in joining Gen. de
Gaulle.
The majority of them are former
army, navy or air officers who are
willing to give the benefit Of their
experience to the enemies of the
Axis. They. of course. are thoroughly
investigated by the American intel
ligence services before they are given
facilities to come to this country
Some of them who have specialized
In French colonial problems and
who have an intimate knowledge OF
Africa are extremely useful collabo-
rators.
(Relea sed nv tho Bell Syndicate Incl