The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, January 29, 1945. DE GAULLE’S EXIT.

Grey River Argus, 29 January 1946, Page 4

The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, January 29, 1945. DE GAULLE’S EXIT.

Anticipations that General tie Gaulle would retain the rudder, at least until a new constitution had been drawn up for France, have not been realised, and his withdrawal from the Presidency leaves the consequences a matter of no little uncertainty. The economic situation has doubtless been one factor adverse to him. Another has been a revival of the trickery so characteristic of French politics for many decades. It. must bo recognised that the French never hold the parliamentary system in the same regard as the British. Probably de Gaulle’s refusal to put up with opposition and criticism designed to promote party ends'is all of a piece with the scepticism of the average Frenchman regarding the democratic professions of party politicians. Nevertheless, his idea of maintaining a substantial defence force probably left him open to pointed criticism’ in view of the fact that the country is in a parlous economic position. It might be to the national advantage to be able oversea territory and the area occupied in Western Germany, but people at home who are in comparative poverty are .apt to question any outlay at a distance. Probably the drastic retrenchment on which de Gaulle’s successor, M. Felix Gouin, has insisted, is a means to the end of preserving a coalition. The real job for whch the Constituent Assembly was elected was that of drawing up a constitution. The Socialists and Communists had sought to have the Assembly itself made a sovereign .singlechamber legislature. This demand de Gaulle resisted, and it was due to his attitude that a new Parly, the IM.R.P. at the October elections gained support about equal to that accorded cither of the. two older Parties. Although the new Ministry, headed by M. Gouin, has now gone in for retrenchment, the job of the Assembly still remains primarily that of drawing up a constitution, and it remains to be seen whether the new President will be as determined as his predecessor in keeping the Assembly precisely to that task. He is a. Socialist, but may require to act somewhat conservatively, not only financially as he already is doing, but in other respects, if there is to be a workable constitution. He is meantime persona grata with all parties, which is the main reason for his appointment, but that qualification might not be sufficient if there is a fresh crisis. No doubt, the prevalent feeling in France is definitely reformist, and a large degree of nationalisation is certain. But there resides in the rural elements a strong tradition of property, distributed in character, so that the application of socialistic policy will be chiefly in the sphere of secondary industry, including the coal' industry. The Rightist politicians are few in the ’ Assembly. The new M.R.P. Party, though evidently inexperienced, represents a public sentiment distinctly hostile to the machinations of party polities, and anxious for a restoration of stability in all walks of U te. The new' coalition may not prove lasting. although there are grave reasons why its components should sink differences until at least economic recovery becomes : something of a reality. Indicia- I tions, however, are that France is ! undergoing a very slow change ] below the surface, one which .

ultimately will eliminate the elements of disintegration, but not, perhaps, without further setbacks such as the latest one.