PARIS: Pierre Mendès-France, Minister of State in Premier Guy Mollet's Cabinet, resigned his Vice-Premier's post yesterday [May 23] and issued an explanatory statement saying that present French policy in Algeria would lead to "the loss of the whole of North Africa" unless corrected. In casting a personal vote of no confidence in the administration of Premier Mollet, a Socialist, M. Mendès- France, former Radical-Socialist Premier, made clear that he was in complete agreement with the current government on the urgent drafting of military reserves for service in Algeria. But M. Mendès-France went on to say that pacification of the nationalist rebels was not enough and that all sensible military action must be accompanied by dramatic social and economic reforms for the underprivileged Moslems in Algeria. A month ago, he proposed a list of such reforms to M. Mollet. The immediate effects of M. Mendès-France's resignation were cushioned by the decision of the other Radical-Socialist ministers in Premier Mollet's Cabinet to remain at their posts. Their decision was not evidently a difficult one, because they are said to be closer to government policy than many Socialists. Premier Mollet's own party is clearly divided on the action he is pursuing in Algeria - military pacification until rebel resistance ceases, then free elections held by the French government to name Moslems who can negotiate with France for a new Algerian status, with independence clearly ruled out.

International Herald Tribune May 24th 1956