The t Brotherhood

The grandeur that is Gaullism has always defied simple explanation, for it often seems that Charles de Gaulle, like the Cabots, speaks only to God. In a witty new book, The Gaullists--Ritual and Directory, French Journalist Pierre Viansson-Ponte, chief political correspondent for prestigious Le Monde, pokes skillfully at the inner Gaullist mysteries. The movement, Viansson-Ponte concludes, "consists neither of a doctrine nor of an organization, but simply of an experience lived through."

The High Mass, Sung. The most telling experience for Gaullists is to be in De Gaulle's presence, which is surrounded by an inflexible liturgy. Guardian of the "Christian morality and social propriety" of the ritual is Mme. de Gaulle." "She checks the necklines of the ministers' wives," says Author Viansson-Ponte, "and has at various times, it is said, succeeded in keeping out of the government people suspected of marital infidelity." At luncheon at De Gaulle's country home in Colombey-les-deux-Eglises, "Mme. de Gaulle asks about the road, talks about the weather, the general. The general asks about the road, talks about the weather, himself." With its planted questions and prepared answers, a De Gaulle press conference is like "a High Mass, sung." The resignation of a Gaullist who has outlived his usefulness is "an order; it is not disputed."

What is remarkable about all this, says Viansson-Ponte, is that although De Gaulle has absolute power, he does not abuse it. That may help to explain the loyalty of his followers, bound together only by their participation in at least two of Gaullism's three great adventures: the Free French Resistance; De Gaulle's postwar Rassemblement du Peuple Franfais (R.P.F.) and its abortive bid for political power; and the formation of the Fifth Republic.

Viansson-Ponte estimates that only 1,500 Frenchmen qualify as real Gaullists, has selected 116 of these for inclusion in his directory. Even in apostasy, he says, the Gaullist "link is indestructible. Excluded, exiled, in rebellion, Jacques Soustelle remains a member of the circle." But ironically, such ranking spokesmen for present-day Gaullist policy as Foreign Minister Maurice Couve de Murville and Information Minister Alain Peyrefitte are excluded for lacking the proper credentials.

Crossing the Desert. Viansson-Ponte gives each Gaullist a Guide Michelin sort of rating denoting past services to Gaullism and present standing in relation to the general. A Cross of Lorraine indicates Free France, a submachine gun the Resistance, and a star the Compagnon de la Liberation, the elite order of Free France and Resistance fighters. A small outhouse (cabinet in French) means membership in De Gaulle's personal office staff, a mask means espionage work during World War II. A motorcyclist symbolizes trips to Colombey to see the general, and a hand grenade membership in the R.P.F. Why the grenade symbol? "Because the R.P.F. aimed to blow up the Fourth Republic."

An open door indicates audiences with De Gaulle, and an ear tags the man who has been summoned to a consultation. An armchair designates a Cabinet minister (a slashed rosette signifies former government officials), a stool a Senator, a straight-backed chair a Deputy, a bench a dignitary of the Fifth Republic. Two hobnailed boots signify membership in the Gaullist U.N.R., one hobnailed boot stands for the slightly leftist but Gaullist U.D.T., a rubber boot for other Gaullist movements whose members were forced to wade through the general's rhetoric. A mess kit marks the men who took jobs under the Fourth Republic ("I suppose they had to eat," said De Gaulle). A tank indicates participation in the army revolt that overthrew the Fourth Republic in 1958, and a camel marks those "faithful during the crossing of the desert" -- the parched years when De Gaulle was out of power.

Author Viansson-Ponte's guide to the leading Gaullists: JACQUES CHABAN-DELMAS, president of the National Assembly,

A "Talleyrand" who is all things to all men, he has been an R.P.F. leader, Minister of the Fourth Republic, "a schemer to overthrow parliamentary traditions," and now "repository and guardian of these same traditions." MICHEL DEBRE, former Premier, resigned in 1962, now a Deputy in the National Assembly from Reunion Island,

He is the regime's specialist in sacrifice, an ardent believer in Algerie Fran-gaise upon whom De Gaulle thrust the burden of selling Algerian independence. "This was too much. He was like a cardinal who had lost his faith but who had to feign mystic fervor out of loyalty and fidelity."

LOUIS JOXE, Minister of State for Administrative Reform, architect of the Algerian peace at Evian,

"He has more than once brushed with heresy," but his quiet administrative and diplomatic skill make him one of De Gaulle's favorite troubleshooters. His present minor ministry "serves only as a pretext. From time to time, one confers on him a delicate dossier, an international mission, an imbroglio to resolve." ANDRE MALRAUX, Minister of Culture,

"The Saint-Just of De Gaulle's revolution."* His role was "to strike the popular imagination." But now Malraux is little more than a glamorous ornament. "He is no longer the burning and prestigious genius who disturbs and seduces, the enfant terrible of Gaullism. This is the old uncle whose passing whims are tolerated with amused indulgence, because in the eyes of the neighbors he honors the family."

FRANCOIS MAURIAC, novelist,

"He is first of all a polemicist, the best of the epoch. Homage goes directly from the prince of letters to the sovereign. He has written of De Gaulle: 'There is a man who is sure of his eternity.' "

GEORGES POMPIDOU, Premier,

"Grand Duke of the realm, the man whom the King would have made his Richelieu." Successively professor, banker, politician, Pompidou may be in danger from his own ambition, might dream one day of succeeding De Gaulle. "But he should be careful. He is not the only one who dreams of this."

-Saint-Just (1767-94) was Robespierre's most zealous flack during the French Revolution, organized the Reign of Terror for all heretics, in the end lost his head himself.

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