i
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viv/fN MifNtK, lliU K sD A i DECEMBER 17,
FRENCH-G. I. RELATIONS TOLD OF
BY EX-NEWSPAPERMAN IN FRANCE
wallet by G. I.s" To me this is situation was intelligent, candid
an overstatement of the case. But and fair. Almost one thousand
there is enough truth in it to give letters from servicemen were re
us pause to ponder.
ceived in comment. Mr. Lazareff
But there is another and bright­ wrote another article discussing
The following story is by an ex-1soldiers in Fiance and the French er side to the picture. Many of us these letters. His opening sentence
newspaperman G I . C. W Kirk- citizens and we believe, it is well in what we believe is the best “I would like to reply io each ol
American tradition - are making Die letters I have received, the
Patrick, now in France and was worth reading—The editor,
a sincere effort to better under­ good will of which has moved me
written for the Miner. It portrays '
stand the French and to improve
I suppose by now every Amer­ our relations with them. I have profoundly." One private wrote: j
Mcidly the relations between our
“You were right, sir, to have ex - ;
ican at home or abroad is cogni­ talked to numerous G.I.s who
plained frankly the misunder­
zant of the fact that relations be-1---------
------- j criticized the
„«• r
, r „. standing* which have welled up
have severely
Fren-
tween French civilians and G. I.'s I f o r being a dirty or shiftless or between us and the French. It is J
art» not exactly what they ought dishonest race. Sometimes they true that we left France disgrunt |
to be. Just how bad they really have complained bitterly about led. But I assure you that for the |
i are depends, of course, on your the way they have been treated. most part, it was mere dissatis­
j definition of terms and your point In each instances, when I have faction for the sake of being dis­
I of view. But they the bad enough had the opportunity. I have dis­ satisfied." lazareff comme n t s:
j to cause serious concern to those cussed the matter in detail with These words summarize the gen­
i of us who are interested in future the soldier. When I have pointed eral theme of the letters I have
Franco-American relations.
out that even if such-and-such a received Their open and honest
I know of numerous instances Frenchman is a so-and-so (and approach was quite heartening.
evidencing ill feeling between the they have their quota, too, of Let us tell each other what we
two groups which might be cited. course) that was no reason to think - agreeable and disagree­
But I believe our space could be conclude that they are all that able. But. for the love of God let
used to better advantage in ex­ way, he has always agreed with us stop chewing te cud of grudges.
ploring the possibilities for better me. When I have spoken of my Quotations from many G. I. let­
feeling than in proving the exist­ experience in meeting French ters were given, illustrating var­
ence of the generally known ill people of the better class and be­ ious points of view. But all indi­
feeling. First, let us face the fact ing entertained in their homes, cated a sincere desire for better
frankly that the situation some­ the soldier would agree that he understanding and mutual respect
times looks pretty hopeless. An would probably feel differently One practical and romantic chap
American Lieutenant, writing in
STARS AND STRIPES (U. S. do likewise. There's nothing wr ¡ng relations: "Do you know a
Army publication for our armed ong with our boys when they
B U Y A N EXTRA KEY
French girl who would like to go
forces) describes the situation in really understand things.
to America and marry an Ameri­
his area: “Drunkenness and uwwt-
disor
Likewise, many
many d disce
is c e r rn n i 1 n g
0
can? If you do, send me her ad­
rn J lneSS’ ^ss.ault and attempted»Frenchmen have implored their dress and tell her that I am twen­
rape, use of obscene and insulting fellow countrymen to exercise tol- ty four years old and have blond
language are so prevalent that erance and understanding in form hair."
civilian bystanders can’t help ing their opinion of Americans in­
Most of the ill feeling results
think that the whole American stead of judging all by the minor­
from
ignorance and misunder­
army acts that way all ti|e time ity whose conduct sometimes
• . . . I speak French and mv con­ leaves much to be desired. An standing rather than from deep-
versation with many local citizens outstanding example of joint act­ rooted malice and hatred. It is
has shown me the bitterness ion in this endeavor is the STARS tragic that there is no organized
EXCITING
which they, without exception, AND STRIPES invitation to Pier­ effort or movement to promote
CAREFREE
rightly feel. One citizen who dur­ re Lazareff, Editor of the Paris better relations at this critical
ing the occupation, hid for three newspaper, FRANCE SOIR to time. Articles in the paper, like
DAYS!
the one referred to above, are a
months an American airman, re- write
cenDy got his reward in" the" form STARS' A.NDSTH
ri«htudiprf ction But
jR|
AfL
of a beating and the theft of his 1 C I J i . ° ™ IPES, on French they are not enough. There is only
W
TERRY >
i his G. I, relations. His analysis of the a minimum of opportunity for us
to get to know each other better.
LIVINGSTON
Relatively few are able to estab­
lish and exploit contacts that are
conducive to better understand­
dRA>
ing and friendlier relations. There
W
is a natural shyness on the part of I
.■
. N-
most G.I.s which makes them hes­
itant to form new friendships
among
strangers - especially with
1
people of another race and lang­
uage. Many of the soldiers have j
(Continued on page 5)
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11/ •
T kau ian d i of m«n ora naw anl'rt,'.i)
in fha Regular Army. Jain now a.id
'