The Washington herald., 1912-02-12
NEW PRIME MINISTER OF FRANCE

streaker with gray. He has a frank.
open face and chin which proclaims
firmness and determination. He was born
at Bar-le-Duc, near the German frontier
and his earliest recoIlections were the
invasion Of his little home town by Prus-
Like 50 many other French statesmen,
VI. Poincare was in early life a journalist
He studied for the bar, pass his exami-
nation, and soon afterward became chef
du cabinet to the then minister OF agri-
culture. This probably caused the future
premier TO turn his attention TO politics.
Tor in 1887 he was elected deputy for his
native Department of the Meuse. He
sat for this constituency many years
and until his election TO the Senate.
Coming to Paris, NJ. Poincare proceeded
TO fight his way to a place in the front
rank. Success came to him after years
OF arduous work, and his name was
coupled with that of WaIdeck- Rousseau,
then the greatest lawyer in France.
since then he never has to look
back in his professional career At
the age Of thirty-three he received his
first ministerial portfolio, that OF pub
lie instruction in the Dupuy cabinet. In
the following year, already he found
himself called upon to take charge OF
the finances Of France, and while in
office he was universally liked, owing
to his suavity OF manner, his love OF
work. his attention to details (they
called him 'dependable'D, and above
all. for his great administrative genius
When the "affaire Dreyfus" and the
subsequent storm raised by a war on
religious associations broke over
France, he stood aside and declined
ministerial office. This stood him in
good stead with millions of the rural
population but subjected him to fierce
attacks on the part of the Radicals.
In domestic life the premier is any
thing but a recluse. In his fine house
near the Bois de BouIogne he entertains
largely but his books and his family
and his works OF art find a prominent
place in his affection. He is essentially
man OF the world. He does not miss
many first night performances at the
-theater; he is fond Of racing, and occa-
sionally Is to be seen at Longchamp and
AuteuiL He is passionateiy fond Of ami
mails, and his companions when at work
aFe Scott, handsome collie dog, and
a pure-bred Persian cat
France, weary Of Incompetence. has
called for strong man to put the ma
tionai house in order. His eountrymen
are confident that NJ Poincare will con-
scientiously accomplish the task.
The recent New Years Day peers, Il
seems. encounter some difficulty in Sc
lecting their new titles. Certain rules
have TO be observed. One Is that the
name Of a county or county town never
are to be used as the designation Of a
peerage below tR rank Of an earldom.
Then again. IL 4 certain name once has
been used for a peerage. even II that
peerage has long been extinct. the des-
ignation will not be renewed for a
peerage OF lower degree Where a peer
age is in allegiance or under attainder."
the title Of II cannot be chosen for a
new peorage except by the heir. because
there is always the chance that the at
tainder may be reversed or the abey-
ance determined. But then. there are
still plenty OF hamlets In old England
Baron William Won Schroeder, who
died recently at his seat near Nantwieh,
in England. once was a member OF the
banking firm OF ]. II. Schroeder & Co.
OF London and Hamburg which
financed the Prussian government dur
ing the war. OF 1866 against Austria. ar
ter the Prussian Diet had refused TO
grant the credit for that war, despite
the sledge hammer oratory and promises
Of great future by Bismarck. all OF
which, by the way. he made good IL
was on that memorable occasion that the
infuriated Bismarck. in the Prussian Diet.
exploded these historic words: THE Ger
mans are splendid horseback riders-af-
ter they have been helped into the
saddle FLANEUR.
tcOpsnsht. i'.. b Court Gossip sgudicass.l