PROF. GUY DISCUSSES CONDITIONS IN FRANCE

"Bolshevism is not likely to take root in France," declared Professor Henri Guy of the University of Toulouse, who arrived Wednesday to take up his duties as exchange professor in French literature, in an interview for the CRIMSON, "for two fundamental reasons. In the first place, most French peasants own their farms, and the private ownership of property is thus widely distributed. And since food prices are so high, the agricultural population, who are in the majority, receive a distinct financial benefit. The French peasant sees no advantage in the Bolshevist doctrines, and will be slow to adopt them.

"Due to the war, life in France at present is rather difficult," went on Professor Guy, "but the country is making great progress towards reconstruction. The general spirit of the French people is a wish to settle down to work."

Americans at Toulouse

Professor Guy went on to describe the work of the American soldiers who studied at Toulouse after the Armistice. There were some 1200 men, of whom perhaps 400 were officers. "There were many difficulties to be overcome, the chief of which was in housing and caring for such a number. The difference in language was also a barrier. Owing to the shortness of the time, the courses were made as intensive as possible. Men who had no knowledge of French were required to take one month's intensive study in that language before proceeding in their chosen field. The majority of the men concentrated in French literature, and many also devoted time to the study of architecture.

"Because of the speed with which the work was covered, no examinations were given, yet some 50 percent of the men

asked to be allowed to take them. Many of these men, most of whom were officers, passed examinations of great merit."

Professor Guy emphasized how delighted the citizens of Toulouse had been to receive the students. "With 1200 of them quartered in private homes," he said, "we had not a single complaint, and there was real sorrow at their departure. One thing which touched me deeply was their gift to the library of the University of Toulouse of some 15,000 francs, the profits from a newspaper founded and managed by themselves.

Gives Lectures on Corneille

"I have come here to Harvard," said Professor Guy, "to return the visit made by the Americans to us at Toulouse, and to teach French literature. Many of the misunderstandings between nations are due to ignorance, and literature is the only communication between the souls of nations. I dislike the idea of prapaganda, but I am giving lectures on the work of Corneille because he is a typical representative of French spirit and traditions."

Professor Guy is Dean of the Faculty of Letters at the University of Toulouse, and in this capacity came into close contact with the American soldiers who studied there after the Armistice. He is widely known as a specialist in the French literature of the 16th century. Professor Guy was recently made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in recognition of his services to the Americans at Toulouse