NEXT FRENCH PRESIDENT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 72, 18 December 1919, Page 11

NEXT FRENCH PRESIDENT

THREE POSSIIIL-E 'NAMES. Between November 1 and February 1 three elections will have been held in France, each one. fraught .with immense possjbilili; for ..the, good'or for .the ill of the State. The'first one, a general election' for the Chamber of Deputies, 'lias been held, and has resulted in the victory of tho patriotic, moderates. The next is for the statutory renewal of a part of tho Senate; while the third, in January, will lie for the selection of a. President of the Uepublic.

M. Poincve. whoso seplenato is i.early up, has stated that he will not stand for a second term, and rumour has it that he desires to re-enter active politics. So far no President of the Bepubtic has seen his second term through, wii'i.lo most of these great officials have, had quite enough with one turn of office.

The first in the field for tho coming Presidential vacancy was If. Paul Deschanel, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, alio has filled his high offieo so ably that he lias gained in reputation steadily and continuously.

Bom" (W years ago, the son of a wellknown lile'raleur, professor at the College d'Prance, and a senator, M. Paul DKchanel, upon taking his degree in law, became private sccrelaiy successively to two Ministers of the Interior. Then he entered the administrative service, but left that service for a seat in tho Deputies in 1885. Eleven years Inter he was elected a Vice-President of the Chamber, and two years later President, and has held that high office ever since, except for one short break. M. Deschanel has been a journalist, and, always a good speaker, has by cul(ivation become a brilliant orator. He lias written voluminously on social and, political matters, and has specialised in Ptench policv in the Pacific. Always interested in. "Oceana," his knowledge of Australasian all'airs is bol.li. wide and, deep. In 181)!) lie was elected to the Academy, which institution had already "crowned" several of his works.

l/i politics lie is'a moderate, with a bias towards what may be called independent Conservatism. Hut he advocated separation of Church and State, a proper proportionate taxation on both real and personal property, shortened military service, but to be. universal, and the improvement (if social conditions. In' 11)13 M. Desclianel came forward as a candidate for the Presidentship, but withdrew early. During Ihe war his conduct of the business of (he Chamber has been such as to greatly strengthen his position in the country, and 'ho will be a formidable candidate.

Jlnmour has it thai M. Clemenceau is willing to stand; if so, lie is almost certain to be elected. But ho is worn from the hard work of the war, and his dangerous wound has undoubtedly told upon him necessarily, for no septuagenarian couid undergo such a shock without serious consequences. There have also been reports that Marshal Foch will be asked lo stand; so far the gallant marshal has shown up inclination lo occupy any ixdilical position, profoiving to be a. soldier lirst and last. If he should be selected, he is likely to make the ('residential Court as brilliant as 11ml of Miirslinl MaeMahon. who maintained a brilliant miuiarv household, which he considered beP,l('/■(! a Marechal do France, and did not regret the ; t70.(ll!fl il <-o=t bis pocket lo do"what lie considered due justice to his 'iiMi office'. But then he hail a con•ii(l"iable fortune, while Madame la Marechal brought lo lii.ni not only a I'rcit connection but great wealth. Marshal Koch's circumstances are comfortable, not mine. Hut there, is no doubt that'll'* would be a very acceptable President of ihe great conn try which ho 'has served so well.