Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-03

political changes which have !
of mercenaries morally objec-
tionable, indicates the ever
present need for such a last re-
fuge. But even such a refuge
changes with the times.
Beau Geste' Has Departed
The Foreign Legion OF Beau
Geste and Hollywood is gone
forever. In a decade the Legion
has become a modern fighting
unit. selective of its personnel,
thorough in its training, respect
full Of its men.
This is the story of the For
eign Legion today written as it
girds itself to protect the very
outposts and bases which mark
its birthplace and home in
North Africa-protecting them
nominally for France, but per-
haps really because they are the
Legion's own.
Composed of men who learn
to both drink and fight with in
credible determination, the For
eisn Legion's strength today is
under 10000. hardly a large
number when one considers it
has fashioned its reputation
with fewer people than attend
. football game. Yet the repu-
tation has spread so far that
small boys from every CONT
nent dream OF running away
TO join the Legion when disci-
pline gets strict at home.
They don't. however so the
story of the Legion begins in
Europe, where Legionnaires are
rarely called upon to fight.
1t is from there that the I'M
employed. the politically objec-
tionable, the perpetually restless,
filter into the Legion'S several
recruiting stations in France and
Germany to see if five years of
4 different life might make them
different men. Those who come
to the Legion seeking adventure
and glamour are few and far
between.
This host of Europe's troubled,
Who are the backbone OF the
Foreign Legion, are sent to Mar
seilles in southern France, where
The first myth about the Legion
Il exploded. Instead Of taking
on all corners, regardless OF their
background, the Legion promptly
tnrns away half those who apply.
No Haven for Miscreants
sGone are the days when the
Eegion was willing to provide a
secure retreat for criminals or
psychotics Gf indeed those days
ever actually existed.
Today's prospective Legion
naires are questioned intensely
about their background at re-
cruiting stations, questioned
again at Marseiiles, and ques-
toned finally at Sidi bel Abbes,
Algeria, the home and head
quarters of the Foreign Legion
In North Africa.
A man who is unable to prove
his identity. and have that iden-
tity stand up under an intelli-
gence investigation conducted by
the French, can never hope to
become a Legionnaire.
The applicant must have iden-
tiflcation records when he at
tempts to enlist, and the burden
of proving the records are not
forgeries is on him. The Legion
makes this clear when it asks
the applicant to sign the original
paper binding him to Legion life
This paper gives the Legion the
right to take the applicant. and
use him as it sees fit for five
years, while leaving the Legion
the option of turning the ap-
pIicant down during the weeks
Of processing If it desires.
The would-be Legionnaire will
not be accepted If he is wanted
by police for any serious crime
marking the end of the common
notion that the Legion is essen
TALLY composed of criminals
fleeing the police.
The Legion does, however, use
its discretion when 1t reviews the
answer to the often-put ques-
ton, "Wny do you wish to joir
the Legion?" If man is fleeing
political prosecution, or If hi!
troubles are Of a personal OF
family nature the Legion re.
cruiting and intelligence officer,
will often view his case with
favor.
When the Legion complies 1t
dsssier on the applicant the mos
Z 4