Jews Under Petain

Elie Wiesel in his article on the Klaus Barbie trial ((ESSAY, May 11)) says, "France under Petain fully collaborated with Hitler's Germany." I must disagree with the word fully. If this were so, why were the French Jews in the Vichy-controlled territory not ordered to wear the Star of David as in other Nazi-controlled countries? And why was the percentage of deported French Jews so much lower than that of other occupied countries?

John H. Weidner

Head, Dutch-Paris Escape Line

Monterey Park, Calif.