Evening star., 1943-06-15
French Discord .


French Discord
Continued dissension between the
French factions at Algiers is more
than local or even a French matter.
1t reveals how deep and persistent
are the CULTS which divided French
men before the war, which were
largely responsible for Frances COL
lapse three years ago, and which
seem to prevent genuine reconcilia-
ton even on so simple a program as
the liberation Of the homeland from
Axis occupation. What at first ap-
peared to be chiefly a clash of per-
Sonalities between two tempera-
mental generals is now seen to ex-
tend through the ranks of soldiers,
civilian officials and the general
population. Giraud and De Gaulle
thus become symbols rather than
primary causes of what is taking
place.
OF the two contending factions,
that of De Gaulle obviously is the
more aggressive, ambitious, and un-
yielding. From the very start of his
Free French movement shortly after
Frances collapse in the summer of
1910, De Gaulle and his supporters
claimed to be the sole authentic voice
OF the French people, entitled thereby
to guide and direct both French
liberation and the national recon-
Struction which would come AFTER
wards. Just prior to De Gaulle's
departure from London for Algiers,
1t looked as though a compromise
formula had been worked out
through the efforts of General
Catroux, the only French personality
who seems able to rise above
partisanship. But that hope quickly
faded. From the moment De Gaulle
landed at the Algiers airport, he re-
neWed his aggressive tactics aimed
at dominating the situation. More
than once an open conflict has been
avoided only by strong pressure from
the diplomatic representatives of
America and Britain. Meanwhile, the
so-called National Committee of
Liberation, through which the rival
factions were supposed to collaborate.
is reduced to impotence. De Gaulle,
like the tabled Achilles, sulks in his
tent, refusing to attend its sessions
unless his demands are complied
with. While the committee is thus
paralyzed, factional antagonism per-
sists between civilians and even the
Glraudist and De Gaullist troops de-
cline to fraternize.
A curious complication has been
injected into the problem by a mani
festo just issued by twenty-six Com
munist Deputies of the former
French Parliament. This pronounce
ment criticiseS the committee for its
inactivity and condemns both Giraud
and De Gaulle for their attitudes.
That is an interesting point, because
hitherto De Gaulle has been on good
terms with the French Communists
and has been in Moscow's good
graces. For the moment, it is impos-
Slole to say whether this means a
shift in the French Communist atti-
tude or mere tactical maneuver
indirectly favoring the De Gaullist
movement.
Much more certain Is the growing
disgust and resentment at these fac
tlonal Wrangles displayed by the
brltish press. This criticism Is espe-
cially aimed at De Gaulle, who seems
to be losing much of his former
popularity in Britain. Several lead
ing London newspapers have come
out with strong editorials on the
subject. Typical is that of the Daily
Express, which says: There is
great deal Of impatience in Great
Britain. Extraordinary delays and
procrastinations have happened since
General De Gaulle reached North
Africa. British and American troops
are moving in for battles which will
hoerate France. Yet in Algiers the
French leaders quarrel among them
selves" De Gaulle is admonished
that, despite his many admirable
qualities, he has never taken pains
to control his impetuous tempera-
ment. This was responsible for some
regrettable difficulties while he was
in this country" The editorial con-
cludes with warning that Britain
will never permit a situation to
arise which will jecpardize Allied
relations in North Africa"