The Way of Collaboration

Otto Abetz helped found the Hitler Jugend, served as private secretary to Joachim von Ribbentrop, then in 1935 began a good-will job in France. Some Frenchmen found him an engaging fellow: he had an open, freckled face and an open, franc-lined pocket. He praised pacifism, whacked warmongers, made friends & influenced people, including pretty, pout-mouthed cinemastarlet Corinne Luchaire. In 1939 the government unmasked Otto Abetz as the chief fifth columnist in France, packed him off to Germany.

Otto Abetz came back in 1940 as Ambassador to Vichy. He mended torn contacts, brought Nazi big shots and French collaborationists together in the smart salon of Corinne Luchaire, who got a contract from Germany's UFA and a title from France's underground: "No. 1 Woman Quisling." In 1942 came the fleet-scuttling at Toulon; the Ambassador was recalled to Germany.

Otto Abetz came back once more in December 1943. His assignment: to promote ultra-collaboration. Last week his work took shape. To the key post of Minister of Labor and National Solidarity in Pierre Laval's Cabinet went Marcel Deat, a foremost collaborationist. Underground Frenchmen said it was only the first step: Otto Abetz would soon elevate to the Cabinet other friendly Frenchmen, including his good pal Jean Luchaire, opportunist publisher of Les Nouveaux Temps and fond father of Mistress Corinne.

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