Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-20
EFFECT OF THE COMING
FRENCH ELECTION FELT
Bonapartist Campaign Said to
Be on to Elect Prince
Victor Napoleon.
Special Cablegram to The Star.

Special Cablegram to The Star.
PARIS, October ia presidential
election campaign in France is a very
tame affair. indeed. compared with an
American one, but it's effects are never
theless felt many months ahead of the
actual event, and the election Of sue
cessor to President Fallieres. which
takes place some three months from
now, at Versailles, already is throwing
it's shadows before 1t.
Few signs of unrest are visible on
the surface of things. but the careful
observer of things political has for
some time been aware Of hidden forces
working below the apparently unruffled
surface There are signs that powerful
coming change of presidents inaugurate
a new political era in which far greater
powers are to be vested in the chief
representative of the state.
Bonapartist Campaign Scented.
Who these people are nobody seems
to know for certain, but many believe
to have unearthed an organized Bona
partist campaign. Following the tao
tics of the late Napoleon III. who be-
came the emperor Of the French after
having first been president of the
French republic. the present Bona
partist pretender, Prince Victor Ma
poleon, is said to believe the safest
way to an imperial throne to be VIA
the presidency and succeeding plepis-
cite.
It is doubtful, however. whether the
neople of France as a whole desire to
give their president greater powers
than he holds now. for although these
are less than those of the President OF
the United States, they are greater
England, and feeling in France is. as
far as can be seen. against vesting TOO
great powers in the hand of an indi-
yidual except under very extraordinary
circumstances
But no matter what happens. the COM
ing campaign will be most interesting
one Its chief issue will be the one OF
proportional representation. when Is I'M
doubtedly the most burning politlcal ques-
ton of the day.
Among the candidates is almost certain
to be found NJ. Leon Bourgeois, VINO
would undoubtedly make most eAceiieht
and safe president. having niled many
high offices with dignity and adequacy,
and a valiant champion OF proportional
representation he has estranged many Oh
his old supporters.
Poincare Has Big Following.
NJ. RAYMOND Poincare, the present
prime minister, and the man who has
done more than any one else to raise
Frances prestige abroad. through his bril-
liant diplomatic successes. which have
completely checkmated Germany. has an
enormous following, and may turn out
the choice Of the people through their
representatives in senate and chamber.
who in France do the actual voting for
the president. He, too. however. is firm
believer in the fatal proportional repre-
sentation.
If precedent is followed the president
of the senate, NJ. Antonin Dubost. should
succeed NJ FaIlieres. but the chamber
may step in this time and claim the honor
for it's own president. but this would be
rather unexpected. AS fourth candidate
might be named NJ. Ribot. who is one Of
the most honored and respected men in
France today.
At any rate the election will be no
cut and dried affair. but a real sporting
event which will hold the interest of the
country till the last moment.