28 JULY 1967, Page 2

The onset of senility

'Old age,' General de Gaulle once commented with reference to Marshal Petain, 'is a wreck.' The SPECTATOR has often argued that there is more logic and reason in the General's pro- nouncements and attitudes than it is custom- ary in this country to attribute to them. But the kindest interpretation to put upon his behaviour in Canada is to regard it as a senile aberration: Nothing became him on his jour- ney like the ending of it : perhaps he ma■ even feel impelled in time to tender an apology.

The General should remember that Marshal Main - was once renowned as the saviour of France in -1917. Thar was before . old . age overtook him.