Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-05-28
Eisenhower Declares
He Likes De GouIIe

Continued From First Page
when Mr.. Eisenhower COM
manded allied forces In Europe
and Gen. de oaulle headed the
Free French fighting forces.
organized In England and AZ
RIGA while France was occupied
by the Nazis.
In his 1913 book on his war
time experiences. Crusade In
Europe" President Eisenhower
reported that he personally
liked" Gen. de Gaulle and rec
ognized many fine qualities In
him. He then went on 10 say:
I'VE felt. however. that these
qualities were marred by hyper
sensitiveness and an extraor-
binary stubbornness In mat
ters which appeared inconse-
quential 10 US.
He went on 10 say that his
wartime contacts with the
French general never developed
the heat engendered In the
generals meetings with many
others.
Forced TO Crack Down
On one occasion. the Presi-
dent recounted in his book. he
had TO crack down on Gen. de
Gaulle with a threat that
equipment for the French
forces would be curtailed un-
less the French evacuated the
city Of Stuttgart, which they
we're refusing 10 do. That
threat, he said. proved effec-
tive.
The Presidents remarks to-
day implied that he felt he
could get along all right with
Gen. de Gaulle II the contro-
versial French leader does re-
turn to power.
Some American officials have
been concerned about possible
De Gaulle policies. especially
fearing that he might weaken
the NATO alliance so far as
France is concerned.
Mr.. Eisenhower told his
questioner. however. that he
could not try to analyze Gen.
de Gaulle's characteristics or
go into possible future rela-
tons with him now because he
is a part Of the present crisis
in France.
Questioned on Policies
Another reporter, without re-
ferring directly to France and
Lebanon, asked the President
if this country was being
forced to reappraise its mill
tary policies for defense of the
West in view of crises in the
world.
As in the domestic economic
situation, Mr.. Eisenhower re-
piled, every day there are con-
ferences concerning defense
policies to see what new duty,
what new responsibility may
devolve on this country Gin
view of what is happening in
the world"
This always active study, he
added, is a little more inten-
sive now than normally.
The President grew some
what philosophical when asked
If there was something lacking
in American policies that re-
suited in this country seeming
ly being unable to exert its in
f1uence to prevent such crises
arising as are troubling France
and Lebanon.
He said he thought it was
a good general policy to try
to help friendly countries raise
their standards of living as we
do through the mutual security
program, and join in arrange
ments for defense against Com
munist aggression.
New Problems Arise
But in every situation that
comes up you have got a new
problem" he said. He added
that he knows of no single in
stance where problem can
be isolated. Instead if you try
to do something in one coun-
try, he said, it affects three
other countries.
So, the President went on.
the carrying out of foreign
policy is a very intricate bust
ness-almost an art rather
than a science.
He emphasized that free
countries must observe the
principle of "live and let live"
in dealings with one another
He added that the United
States cannot make itself the
boss, but must be partners
In good faith" with its allies.
While we can argue and per-
suade in trying to influence
friendly governments, he said
we cannot use the Communist
dictatorial method.
Asked if he was implying
that there might be faults in
the execution of American for
eign policy the President re-
piled no" and added, II don't
know that you can do any bet
ter"
He defended American Dip
lomats against a charge that
they were engaging in Scotch
and soda diplomacy" One re-
porter said his paper had
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