De Gaulle Attacks Powers’ Leadership

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30759, 25 May 1965, Page 17

De Gaulle Attacks Powers’ Leadership

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

PARIS, May 23.

President de Gaulle returned to Paris today after a tour of the French countryside during which he denounced American and Soviet leadership in the world.

He denounced “the two

hegemonies” 13 times in five days of strenuous touring through four western departments. He came home well satisfied with the warm greetings he received everywhere. He said they were “a great comfort” to him and to France.

The tour ended today in La

Fleche, 150 miles south-west of Paris. As the townspeople stood in the rain, the President pointed to the conflicts in Vietnam and the Dominican Republic—“and tomorrow, God knows where”—as examples of what happens when “two colossuses” try to divide up the world. To assure peace, France was seeking a “new equilibrium” based on the independence and responsibility of all the nations of the world, he said. France was the only country able to promote such a policy because, although she had allies, she was independent and had her “hands free.”