The Washington herald., 1912-02-12

Raymond Poincare, the new prime min
I lister of France, Is the man OF the hour
in his native country. And Justly SO.
for in him arc eentered French cul-
ture, dignity, and charm of manner.
He is essentially the knight Bayard.
the "Chevalier sans peur ct san re-
proche'' of modern republican France.
He Is intense and indefatigable in his
study OF all things that make for per
fection.
This is the third time that the illus
trious French Academy has supplied the
third republic with a premier. The hrst
was the Due de Broglie USI3): then
there was de Freycinet QSSO), but he was
premier first, being made an Immortal
while stin in ONCE. And now there IS
NJ. Poincare, whom contemporary work
ers regard as the most versatile Fench-
man Of the day. Had he not adopted
the law pOfession he would have be-
come an eminent scientist dike Bertho-
leO or as profound an academician as his
cousin. Henri POincare.
/ may say that not since the third
republic came into existence has public
opinion welcomed new premier as
warmly as has been Raymond Poincare.
His is strong personality. that commands
respect He stands for the highest ideals
of government, for honesty and infiexi-
bility Of purpose. One of the foremost
lawyers, and one whose income from his
practice is described as enormous (for
Franco. the man still has found time TO
devote himself TO the service of his coun-
try. His present greatness has been none
of his own seeking. 1t actually was
thrust upon him. In politics he has
studiously avoided the Hmelight, and
never has he talked for effect C''for the
galleries'D. In the court rooms or in the
Senate no voice commands more atten-
ton. He Is silver-tongued. and a force
full. learned orator and logician. His SEN
tences are perfectly rounded and his
phrases are impeccable. And we all know
that as an academician he won fame
years ago. In short, Poincare is one Of
the greatest living masters Of the French
language.
Morally Poincare is beyond all tempta-
ton. Had he so desired he might have
been premier a long time ago. but he
happens to be one OF the few public
men in France who do not look to poll
tics as the most lucrative and there
fore the highest aim Of ambition. He
has always carefully stood aloof from
plotting for personal aggrandizement and
from the intrigues which in recent years
have blackened the pages of history of
the Republican party in France. The
breath of scandal has never touched
him II he previously refused power It
was because he despised the narrow
spirit of politicians and the bitter
strife of quarreling political entities.
His ideal was always a high one. No
one better than he understands the
crying need OF France, weary OF strife
and dissension, for government that
will be at once strong and national,
that win represent the people and not
party (this almost sounds like a Pres
idential campaign utteranee in this
country, and one that will make for
union and not weakness and vacilla-
lion. When his country unmistakably
called him. NJ. Poincare felt he could
no longer hesitate. Her need was SUI
preme. there was a ministerial dead
lock, the ship of state was without
pilot and was drifting toward destrue-
ton.
have already pointed out how immi-
nent was the peril how near the republic
was to shipwreck. when NJ de Selves.
who held the foreign portfolio in the
deposed cabinet, in 50 many words stated
publicly that his conscience forbade him
10 corroborate his chief. Premier Call
iaux, who. in critical matter. had
passed his word OF honor" Why the
opposition press already had begun to
whisper the fateful words. coup d'etat'
and "dictatorship" as the only solutions.
II the new cabinet has weathered the
storm, Il was due to n. Poincare prompt
ly responding to the urgent call Of ma
tional duty. II took him only ten hours
to bring under his leadership minis
terial team which may be counted upon
in the conduct Of public affairs to place
national above Individual interests.
Now in his fifty-second year. NJ. Poin-
care is a broad-shouldered welI-set-up
man, with mustache and q short beard