Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Monday 28 August 1944, page 12


[PROBLEM

OF FRENCH TRAITORS

Firm, Unrelenting

Justice

From Our Own Correspondent

LONDON. Sunday

The world is waiting to see how the French Provisional Government handles the difficult problem of punishment of traitors. Traditionally, the French have long memories, and do not waste time or sentiment on traitors.

They have given plenty of indica-tion this time that they mean to be firm and unrelenting, and the strictest instructions are being in-cessantly broadcast to the Maquis from Algiers not to take justice into their own hands.

Position regarding famous French stage, screen, and sport stars is still obscure.

Parisian music hall favourite and well-known film star, Maurice Chevalier, has been reported as a col-laborationist, and so were the tennis stars, Cochet and Borotra; former boxer, Georges Carpentier; and actor, Sacha Guitry.

Cochet is said to have gone to Germany to organise sport for French workers deported to the Reich. He was Vichy Commissioner for Sport. Borotra held this post before him, but resigned, it is stated, when found he was expected to work for Germany.

Guitry is reported to have entertained Otto Abetz, Hitler's envoy to Vichy and for this received a miniature coffin with a noose in it from the resistance movement.

Some of the famous dress designers became collaborationist, and others, while having to do business with the Germans if they wished to keep open, did so unwillingly, and the latest exaggerated styles may be their method of ridiculing German

women.