7. Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State0
5265. French, American journalists in Paris unanimously confused by anticipatable effect of DeGaulle’s announcement (Embtel 5259).1 While believing his personality could possibly serve as national rallying point and permit resolution of deepening political divergencies, all those to whom we have talked this afternoon consider it more likely his re-emergence on political stage will lead to very rapid worsening of cleavage between left and right. All agree his announcement plays into hands of Communists by accelerating trend within left-wing parties and labor unions towards popular front because of fear of rule by one man. Several said they believed his silence on matter of Algerian rebel generals will be widely interpreted as tacit alignment with them and with [Page 10] right-wing. All expect his emergence will probably spell end of fourth republic or its radical reformation. Most expect next days developments to lead to probable widespread street disorders Paris and throughout France. All are dubious Pflimlin will be able to muster sufficient inter-party solidarity to withstand what they view as DeGaulle’s assault on regime. Organically complex nature of growing crisis over past months, some said, has tended to make it unlikely that problems would be solved in streets. DeGaulle’s appearance will simplify and reduce myriad of problems to single one of “for or against DeGaulle,” which simplicity leads to streets.
DeGaulle’s entourage, meanwhile, boldly communicating assurances to French and foreign newsmen, reiterating insistence general will accept authority only through legal means (call by Coty, approval by Parliament).