Last Stand of the 'Ultras'
BOSWELL, GEORGE B.
Die-hards on Algerian war stand behind attempt at coup The Last Stand of the 'Ultras' By George B. Boswell Paris The Fourth French Republic has been brought close to extinction by a group of...
...Their demands were supported by most of the conservative Independents, who were convinced that Frence needed a strong man to maintain her hold on Algeria...
...There seems no doubt that the Algiers mutiny was engineered by a small clique of fascist-minded deputies as well as the wealthy French colons in Algeria...
...Finally, Pflimlin seeks constitutional reforms that would strengthen executive power...
...There remains de Gaulle...
...The moment the Algiers mob broke loose, the last three called for Pierre Pflimlin to give up his attempt to form a government...
...The Socialist Robert Lacoste, the former Gaullist leader Jacques Soustelle, the Catholic veteran Georges Bidault arid the dissident Radical Andre Mo-rice have all become heroes of the "ultras...
...As for leadership, Lacoste, Bidault and Soustelle are mediocrities who could never dominate the situation...
...But the "ultras" lack both a program and a leader...
...Die-hards on Algerian war stand behind attempt at coup The Last Stand of the 'Ultras' By George B. Boswell Paris The Fourth French Republic has been brought close to extinction by a group of civilian politicians and sympathetic military men popularly known as the "ultras...
...It must neutralize all seditious elements in France itself...
...They have been calling for a government of national salvation, but for some this means a legally constituted government (under anyone from Lacoste to the Independent Roger Duchet) ; for others it means a semi-legal government under a Soustelle or Bidault with temporary dictatorial powers: for still others it means a straight military dictatorship...
...It must reimpose its authority on the Army in Algeria, install a new Minister there, replace the prefects, neutralize the colons and punish the mutineers...
...The Pflimlin Government, with the support of the Left and Center and much of the democratic Right, faces formidable tasks...
...Although "ultras" are mostly Rightists, the Algerian conflict cuts across party lines...
...For he is popular both among "ultras" and among those who advocate more conciliatory policies in Algeria...
...But he would lose half his support the moment he finally exposed his program on Algeria...
...Generals Massu and Salan lack public support in France itself, as well as the qualities of statesmanship...
...Each of these moves —particularly those dealing with restoration of the Government's authority in Algeria—is likely to provoke dangerous reactions from the "ultras" as- well as other vested interests...
...Though the French people have rallied to Pflimlin, and he has shown great courage, the crisis of the Fourth Republic is far from over...
...These are the men who, for more than two years, have presented the Algerian war in terms of two extreme solutions—save French Algeria or abandon it—and have accused of treason those who have sought a compromise...
...In the Assembly, it must come to grips with the Algerian war itself and strengthen the French economy...
Vol. 41 • May 1958 • No. 21
