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Gallic & Frank. As the campaign hotted up last week, the main issue was neutralism v. siding with the West. Wailed the Democrats' chief newspaper: "American military aid will vassalize Cambodia and lead it to war." Like a flash, Sihanouk shot back: "What's wrong with American aid? Even Yugoslavia and Russia have accepted it."
Day in and day out, French-educated Sihanouk campaigned with Gallic gestures added to high-pitched, singsong Khmer, and spoke with a candor uncommon among either kings or commoners. "I completely failed in suppressing corruption while I was King," he shouted from his red convertible. "But I must admit I succeeded in my crusade for independence. I am not a genius. I get my ideas from the people."
This week Cambodia's adult males (soldiers and Buddhist monks excepted) prepared to cast their votes. Most of them, unable to read, must go by symbols. A monkey, a wooden plow, a bouquet of lotus flowers, five ears of corn designate various minor parties. If more people choose the trumpeting Democratic elephant than the portrait of the ex-King, there is always Hollywood.