Evening star., 1947-10-26
BrO1Un
Continued From Page C-l)

ing. He told the French that they
would have to stand on their own
and that they could only look
to hard work in the future. He OPP
posed the growing power of the
Communists in the labor unions
hence he was labeled reactionary
and told them that the new&con-
stitution being framed with the
help of the Communist leaders did
not answer the needs Of a really
free people.
It was on this basis that the pow
ers-to-be in France forced Gen. de
Gaulle into political retirement,
from which he emerged only last
April, when he became alarmed at
the turn of events in his country,
which he loved above everything
else.
Future Seemed Dark
No one in France or any other
country would give red cent for
the generals political future. The
expert" and resident for
eigners-who claimed to have their
fingers on Frances political pulse
declared that he had made the last
mistake of his political life, when in
April. 1947, he threw his generals
cap in the political ring. Possibly
he would have had a chance, it
was contended, to return to power
as a dictator If things went so badly
for the country that the people
adopted him in general uprising,
just as they adopted 50 many Of
their leaders in 1883. But as q
political figure. Gen. de Gaulle was
"just laughable"
Even some highly placed Amer
leans, who had warm feelings toward
him, advised him not to commit
political suicide. He replied in his
usual stern and pompous manner
that France would need him soon
and that France would follow him.
1t is little wonder that the Amer
lean Government was amazed at his
show of strength at the polls last
Sunday. AS a matter of fact, Gen.
de Gaulle himself underestimated
the situation and its possibilities.
Repercussions Expected
Gen. de Gaulle as we'll as the
politicians and the diplomats In
France had not realized how far
the methods of the Communists had
irked the man in the street. They
did not realize that the individual
istic Frenchman, who had played
along with the Communists for the
last two years. had had enough.
They did not realize that the
who since the war had
shown so little sign Of their old
spirit of independence and rebellion
against the misdeeds of constituted
authority, were once more ready to
clean house. Many observers, In
this reporter, who spent
nearly two months in France this
year, gained the impression that the
old spirit had died out and that the
French were willing to accept any
thing, provided they did not have
to fight.
Gen. de Gaulle's success is bound
to have serious repercussions
throughout Europe. The Commu-
nists used all their tricks of cajol-
cry. bribery and intimidation In last
election. But they wers
Of no avail. Now, unless they want
to play their last card-wholesale
rebellion and q general strike, insti.
gated by their musclemen - the
position Of communism In Western
Europe may be seriously 1eopardised
by q group Of men whose leader has
for his qualifications only love OF
country and complete fearlessness.
The Workers Rebel
The workers themselves In France
have shown that they are somewhat
tired Of the methods of their po-
litical mentors-the French Polit-
bureau which dominates the General
Confederation Of Labor. IN the past
the workers had to follow obediently
to strike when there
were no plausible reasons for walk.
out, They are resisting now, ask.
Ing the why's and wherefores Of such
orders.