THE TEST: DE GAULLE AND ALGERIA

Day is publication day for a book that somehow touches the heart and soul of France through her great man, De Gaulle. Sulzberger's columns in the years since De Gaulle's return to power have frequently centered around him in perceptive, often impassioned appraisal of his contribution to the rebirth of his country. In book form these columns should help lift the shadows and doubts about De Gaulle and his mission. Sulzberger acknowledges his deep admiration for his courage, his character, his philosophy, his intuitiveness, his stubbornness, and his deep religious faith which have brought France in four years from near snarchy to stability -- once more a great power. He feels that the ultimate test is Algeria. Sulzberger has been almost prophetic in understanding the struggle with the military (who were never able to make their man their tool), with the Algerians, the French living in Algeria, the Moslems. Through all the mutinies, the bloodshed, the civil war, the bombings, the political chicanery, he shows De Gaulle as a great, silent, confident, lonely and spiritual figure, determined to succeed in the name of France. He feels that De Gaulle's name will stand beside Churchill's in history.