NEW FRENCH PRESIDENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21642, 12 May 1932, Page 8

NEW FRENCH PRESIDENT

ELECTION OF M. LE BRUN A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) PARIS, May 10. M. Lc Brim was elected President with 633 votes against his opponents’ 103 votes. VERSAILLES HEAVILY GUARDED MEMBERS COME TO BLOWS. PARIS, May 10. Rumours of further attempted assassinations caused Versailles to be heavily guarded during the presidential election. Cavalry patrolled the great forest, and infantry, with machine-guns, surrounded the palace. The historic red and gold Salle de Congress was crowded with a distinguished social assembly. Feeling ran high following the election, Senators Borret and Louis Bein coming to blows, also Deputies Groletto and Bourgauc. The latter twice soundly smacked his rival’s face. M. Le Brun, as President of the National Asembly, ascended the carpeted presidential box and solemnly announced the purpose of the Assembly. Members stood for two minutes in silence, as a tribute to M. Doumer. The voting occupied two hours. M. Faure (Socialist) received .114 votes, M. Painleve, despite his withdrawal, 12, and M. Cachin (Communist ) eight. The others were variously distributed. INVESTED WITH SEALS OF OFFICE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 10. M. Le Brun was to-day invested with the seals of office by M. Tardieu, as President of the Council. THE LATE PRESIDENT BRITISH PARLIAMENT’S SYMPATHY. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 10. Warm tributes to the memory of the French President (M. Doumer) were paid by both Houses of Parliament. In the Lords an address requesting the King to express on behalf of the House abhorrence of the crime and sympathy with the Government and people of France in their grief was moved by Lord Hailsham. He said the whole world was shocked at the news of the murderous attack on M. Doumer and its fatal outcome. That a noble life given to public service should be struck down by the irresponsible hand of an assassin was a shock to the moral sense of the civilised community. The late President had left behind him a memory of personal integrity, patriotism, and unflinching courage which could only deepen for the French people their sense of loss, but which surely would be an inspiration to his country in days to come. Lords Ponsonby and Reading supported the motion. , In the House of Commons a similar address was moved by Mr Stanley Baldwin and seconded by the Opposition Leader (Mr Lansbury). Both motions were unanimously approved in silence.