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y Lo 2. ) here. But here we succeeded, and we learned this and that." It is the vigor, and the uncompromising, non-apologetic quality of the self-criticism that fascinates the thoughtful coserver. These people are going to get somewhere. So, I am not saying that the English-speaking countries are less significant or interesting, but rather that we Americans are palpably ignorant of the French-speaking area. It is true that, taken as a group, the French-speaking countries are much more under the influence of their former "metropole™ than are the English-speaking coun- tries. But they differ so widely emong themselves tkat an over-all judgment is Likcly to be taulty in cetail. Breed differences in the extent and quality of this influ- ence may be illustrated by reference to Ivory Coast and Togo. Ta Ivory Coast 1 was told that, taking that Ror tion of the upper public service beginn of Ministers there, are probably twice as many Fren pretty heavy. salting or metropolitan influence, thou not all of these men by any means are eppointed by the French government. A considerable nember come, for in- stance, from Mart que or some other French possession, and are profe cnally on their own. President Houphouet-Boigny of Ivory Coast handles forcign affairs himself. There is no Minister of Foreign Aifairs. In the Kh stry, where I went on business, the senior official was a Frenchman, a so-called Conseiller Technique. There is no Ivoiricn en duty in this Ministry above the clerical or housckeeping grades. en as jvoiriens This is a Togo, on the other hand, has asserted its independence by refusing the massive French aduinistrative ane fincucial assistance characteristic of Ivory Coast, It has few Trencimen, and has selectively recruited outside help from several countries, in- cludi Gemmany end Isracl, for example. While the political influcnce of France varices widely, its commercial and eco- nomic cominance is stvikinnz. The two coineges of the area -- Central and Vest Africa e+ heyed to French money aad guaranteed by Franc are set at an unrcalistically hi rate of excianse. An Africsn frane cests two French francs. Trade and tovricm are, hy this monetary stem aml rev resource subsidies, almost preempted by France. Ny hotel rooms on th is trip, frequently at the only decent hetel in a capital city, have cost up te $13.50 per night. heals arc typically $3.50 to $4.00. is connected by overnight air serve times a woek. Air connections anong the sever. are less frequent, aud with the En ;lish-speaking capitals example, there is air service only twice weexly from The airline distance is about 1799 miles, » bot the trip requires three deys. This is typical, not A cable or letter fron Yaounde, Libreville, or Bangui to Freetown is sent by way fYeris, Tt ds much faster, Even the airmail rates are ri d. Ie coxts more to tend a letter frou Brags aviile to Leopoldville, three miles , acress the Congo river, than 3¢ dow , #8veral thousand miles distant. The President of | cansol teley sta Acera, the next cupital along the coast, but Le can p ofkoweth Paris in 30 second Only on Angust 9, 1962, was ti dink epene’ over the border between Wiperia ard Dahoucey, ties t telepho Toheve been fomres caking, Atricet coy individuals dn high govermarrt posts nister of Education in Ivory Ce b J de Eeoh, Sly oF Niger, toon . af the Neti