Still Trying

France went into the second month without a new government, and still its political revolving door creaked on. All week, would-be Premiers tried to wheedle the haggling center parties into a compromise, glancing nervously over their shoulders at General Charles de Gaulle, waiting to spurt into power if he gets the chance.

P:Maurice Petsche, 55, hard-working Independent making his second try at forming a government, pleaded with the Assembly for unity. "Can we remain without a government," he asked, "at a time when ... a new balance of power is emerging in the Pacific? Can we go, insufficiently prepared, to the Atlantic Pact conference in September . . .?" The Assembly rejected Petsche, 281 to 101

P: Guy Mollet, 45, tough, ambitious Socialist leader, an ex-teacher and wartime resistance chief, saw no hope of success, refused President Vincent Auriol's invitation to try.

P:Rene Pleven, 50, ex-businessman, ex-Premier and ex-Gaullist, who now leads an independent middle-of-the-road splinter party, at week's end agreed to take a crack at breaking the deadlock, eighth candidate since the election.

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