Office of the Historian

6. Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State0

Paris, May 14, 1958, 9 p.m.

5238. Events moving as rapidly in Paris as in Algiers.1 We have reported separately Coty’s plea to generals in which he invoked his constitutional powers as Chief of Armed Forces.2 We have seen no signs from Algiers that Massu3 and coterie responding. Press reports indicate, instead, continued adhesion military units to Public Safety Committee with Admiral Auboyneau4 as latest recruit.

In Paris government moved promptly last night despite confusion of power turnover after Pflimlin investiture. Many arrests of far-right extremists plus “protection” of Soustelle and removal of certain suspect generals, such as Chassin,5 have taken place. City heavily guarded and reinforcements on way. Just how reliable regular and riot (CRS) police will be is perhaps questionable, but no signs defection thus far.

Cabinet met last night and again this morning. Preoccupied with task trying find out exactly what has taken place and what are its ramifications here in France (which perhaps reach quite high). Duchet6 has joined in appeal with Soustelle, Morica,7 and Bidault8 demanding Pflimlin’s replacement by national union government. This is indication of temper on right.

On left, activity considerable in union circles. Communists trying bring all profit possible out of first good issue in years. If Algerian takeover unsettled or if right tries anything in Paris, labor union popular front could set itself as reaction perhaps soon to be followed by political counterpart.

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There is one thing which will still get people out in streets in large numbers; that is threat to republic.

In meantime, DeGaulle’s star is shining brighter. He is in Paris today on regular visit with politicians beating path to door. Some sections press, including Beuve-Mery, calling on DeGaulle as only way save France.

This is serious hour for France which is confronted with problem infinitely greater than Sakiet bombing or Ben Bella arrest.9 At stake is question as to who rules.

Houghton
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751.00/5–1458. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Algiers.↩
  2. In reaction to the investiture of Pierre Pflimlin as Prime Minister on May 13, French extremists in Algeria, distrustful of Pflimlin’s assurances that he had no intention of abandoning Algeria, resorted to open insurrection and gained the support of the army. Mixed military and civilian “Committees of Public Safety” were set up in Algiers, in other Algerian cities, and in Corsica. They demanded de Gaulle be brought back to power.↩
  3. Telegram 5312 from Paris, May 14. (Department of State, Central Files, 751.00/5–1458)↩
  4. General Jacques Massu, French Army.↩
  5. Admiral Phillippe Marie Joseph Raymond Auboyneau, French Navy.↩
  6. General Lionel Max Chassin, French Army.↩
  7. Roger Duchet, leader of the Party of the National Center of the Independents (CNI).↩
  8. André Morice, Minister of Defense in the Cabinet of Maurice Bourgfs-Maunoury, June 14–November 5, 1957.↩
  9. Georges Bidault, leader of the Popular Republican Movement Party (MRP).↩
  10. Regarding the arrest of Ben Bella and his subsequent imprisonment in France in November 1956 after the plane on which he was traveling was forced by French authorities to land at Algiers, see Foreign Relations, 1955–1957, vol. XVIII, p. 246.↩