De Gaulle Triumphant Over Critics

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31468, 7 September 1967, Page 15

De Gaulle Triumphant Over Critics

(from MZLVIH SVfRIN. tpeeial correspondent N Z.P.A> TORONTO. President Charles de Gaulle of France was apparently not intimidated by the rebuke that prompted him to cut short his visit to Canada a month ago. Almost defiantly, be now has announced that France will substantially increase its technical and economic aid to Quebec, the home of most of Canada’s 6,000,000 FrenchCanadians. The aim, in the general’s words, is “to help the French of Canada maintain and develop their personality." Coming so soon after General de Gaulle’s unceremonious departure from the land first settled by the French 400 years ago, the announcement indicates he has once again prevailed over his critics at home. The 76-year-old President stirred up a hornet’s nest when be ended a speech to a crowd in front of Montreal’s city hall with the words “Vive le Quebec Libre.” No amount of explanation could dispel the impression that, in using the slogan coined by Quebec terrorists in 1963, he was preaching the cause of the separatists. The inference seemed clear to English-speaking and French-speaking Canadians

alike. General de Gaulle was throwing his support behind those who want to make Quebec a separate State. “Sincere Effort” Mr Lester Pearson, who as Prime Minister has made a sincere if not altogether successful effort to resolve the differences that have led to disunity, was furious. It was only after a hastilycalled Cabinet meeting that he was able to contain his anger. In a three-minute reply he bluntly described as "unacceptable” General de Gaulle’s encouragement to “the small minority of our population whose aim is to destroy Canada.” “The people of Canada are free," Mr Pearson continued. “Every province of Canada is free. Canadians do not need to be liberated.” General de Gaulle completed his visit to French Canada, including a tour of the Montreal World’s fair for France’s National Day, but then, without going on to Ottawa as scheduled, he turned around and went home.

Separatists were delighted, of course, but they do in fact represent only a small ■minority of French Canadians and most Quebecers were dismayed. For while they share a language with France, they have not all that in common with their motherland. “Best Reply”

Perhaps the best reply to the French President was made by Mr Jean Drapeau, Montreal's French - speaking mayor, who told General de Gaulle in a speech:

“Mr President, a man who has devoted his life to France to allow her to assume the place it deserves. If we serve our own country better as Canadians of French origin then we serve France better and we serve humanity better.”

A visitor of less self-confi-dence might have been sufficiently chastened by the outcry to return home and remain silent after the fuss he had created. But de Gaulle, with his flair for the dramatie and his remarkable self-assurance, has followed up with his plan to increase technical and economic aid to French Canada. No Angry Reaction

This time, however, there has been no angry reaction. Mr Pearson notes that it is all being done within the context of a 1965 agreement between France and Canada.

This agreement provides an umbrella under which Quebec and Paris have made arrangements for cultural and technical exchanges. “It does not disturb me,” Mr Pearson said, adding pointedly that General de Gaulle had not made any fur-

ther mention of trying to help liberate Quebec. If anything, the extension of cultural and economic relations between France and Quebec is something that reasonable Canadians will probably welcome, whether their mother tongue be English or French.

France has pretty well ignored Quebec since the British captured Canada from the French 200 years ago, and for this reason many French-Can-adians regard General de Gaulle resentfully as a Johnny-come-lately. Years Of Domination The province has had a tough time retaining its language and culture in a continent where it is surrounded by English-speaking millions. And it is having a difficult time trying to establish economic independence after years Of domination by capital from English Canada. But it wants to keep and develop its own personality and it can probably well use the sort of help France can provide if it really wants to do something constructive after all these years.