851.00/12–147: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
5144. In the course of a conversation with General de Benouville, one of De Gaulle’s close advisers, we impressed on him the importance of strengthening the non-Communist left and our apprehension that by his action De Gaulle may alienate this important element which at present is endeavoring to break the Communist control of the French labor movement. Benouville professed to be in complete agreement and while he alleged De Gaulle was working hard to gain the support of the non-Communist left he admitted that the General was by-passing the Socialist leadership. He also claimed that De Gaulle had now made contact with important reformist trade unionists and that under certain circumstances there appeared “a good possibility of De Gaulle reaching ‘agreement with such men as Jouhaux and Bothereau”1 [Page 807] without having to come to any agreement with political leadership of the Socialist Party. We expressed to Benouville doubt as to the effectiveness of De Gaulle’s efforts if he tries to by-pass or crush Socialist leadership.
We also expressed view that what we have heard of De Gaulle’s so-called German policy seems very unrealistic. We pointed out that the basic objectives of the US and France insofar as Germany is concerned are identical, and that it would be unfortunate if De Gaulle, as so often had been the case in the past, should begin beating the drums for the benefit of French public opinion with a view of posing as the “defender of France against a resurgent Germany which is being rebuilt stronger than ever by the United States”. We pointed out that if De Gaulle publicly takes such a line he will inevitably maneuver himself in a position where, should he come to power, he will have no liberty of negotiation and where not only will he be rendering his country a disservice but he will also be playing the Communist game.
Benouville professed to agree with our line of reasoning and indicated he would speak to De Gaulle. He admitted frankly, however, that De Gaulle was not an easy person with whom to deal and disregarded the advice of even his closest and most intimate advisers. Furthermore, he said that while on many occasions some of De Gaulle’s close advisers had talked about how they were going to tell the General that he must do this or that, when actually confronting the General “they seem to freeze and are afraid to say anything which disagrees with his ideas”.
Sent Dept as 5144, repeated London for Secdel as 894.
- Léon Jouhaux and Robert Bothereau, French labor leaders.↩