Evening star., 1961-12-29

lens commented: 1T is most
ridiculous ard without founda-
ton"
He acknowledged he was try
Ing to make friends for Ka-
tanga around the world. II
Latin Americans, or Alaskans,
or any other nationalities ap-
prove Katanga policies, he said,
he welcomes this but it is not
the result OF any bribe.
The registration statements,
required by the Foreign
Agents Registration Act. sketch
this picture of Mr.. Struelens
and Katanga Information Serv-
ice:
Mr.. Struelens. 80, was born
In Brussels and retains his
Belgian citizenship. He lived in
the old Belgian Congo IL years.
Before taking his present post,
he was director general Of the
Belg. m Congo and Ruanda-
Urundi Tourist Office.
When he first registered in
September, 1860, Mr.. Strueleny
listed his address as Elisabeth
vile, Katanga. His most re-
cent registration lists his resi-
dence as the Hotel Mansfield,
IL West 44th street, New York.
He established Katanga In
formation Services on October
/. 1860, with an office-de-
scribed by Mr.. Rowan as
"plush"-at 900 Fifth avenue,
New York.
AS director general of Ka-
tanga Information Services,
Mr.. Struelens stated that he
has been acting for the Presi-
dent of the Katanga govern
ment." dealing with "all mat
ters pursuant to information
on the Katanga" and serving
as Katanga's ''liaison officer
with the United Nations"
In a letter appointing Mr..
Struelens. Mr.. Tshombe as
signed him to "the defense of
Katanga's interests in the
United States of America" He
was promised an annual budget
of 100000. with an advance of
$4,000 for the last three
months of 1860.
Mr.. Struelens listed his SAL
airy as $1,000 per month, but
his Offices expense statements
for the year ended last Sep
tember 80 list it at an average
Of 1.094 per month for q total
of $l3,l25.
Expenses Substantial
In addition, he received dur
ing that period $14,400 for
lodging and for a $40 daily
cost-of- living allowance. He also
received $408.64 for medical
expenses and $944.50 for travel
not counting specific items
for air fares totaling several
thousand dollars.
Sidney o. Hershman of New
York, 81, was hired last March
as Katanga Information Serv-
ices public relations officer.
at a salary of 1880 per month
plus expenses. The expense
statements reflect a salary of
only $1,000 per month.
Milagros Somera, a citizen of
the Philippines. is the office
secretary.
Office rent totaled $7,752.09
in the year ended September
80. Other expenses include post
age, traffic fines, Diners Club
charges, an oil portrait at $143,
translations and printing OF
news bulletins by a firm headed
by Mr.. Hershman.
Payments indicate that about
200, 900 copies Of the news bull
letins were printed in the 12-
month period. In addition, Mr..
Struelens' office distributed a
White Book" prepared and
printed by the Katanga gov
vernment.
Dance Group Advance
Other listed expenditures in
clude $4,000 to prepare for a
visit by Mr.. Tshombe to the
United States, $4,000 in ad-
vances to a theatrical agent for
a visit by the Katanga Inter
national Dance Group and an
unexplained item of $500 paid
to Father Adhemar de Pauw
for compensation for confer
ences."
Mr.. Hershman. the public re-
lations officer, is q United
States citizen. He noted on his
registration statement that he
visited Cuba in January and
February Of 1889 to apply for
public relations service"
While Mr.. Struelens listed
only Rotary membership, Mr..
Hershman is a member or Of
ficer of many organizations,
ranging from the Yale Club
and the Lions tn the Small
Business Chamber of Commerce
and the M. J. Levi College of
Podiatry in New York.
Among recent speeches, he
listed one on the YMCA and
another on middle income CO.
operative housing. He said he
also ghost-wrote a story or
article in Jack & Jill, a chill
dren's magazine.
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