Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-23


That is to say, there have been or will
be within the last weeks
"A Year of or days changes in the
pr.s;d.rt. presidencies of several
1Iesloents. republics - San Marine.
San Paolo. Andorra. Switzerland. Portu-
gal and China, the United States OF
America. France and as We write Mexico
The President of the French republic
was elected January II for seven years.
by a majority Of the votes OF the senate
and chamber of deputies united in ma
tiOnal assembly at Versailles.
Paris witnessed the Inauguration OF NJ
Raymond Poincare as president of the
republic on the 18th instant. The city
was fairly buried in bunting and SILK
tri-colors and the streets In the vicinity
OF the Elysee palace q mass or joyous
citizens and soldiers in full dress. The cere-
mony of transfer Of power was simple.
Il transfer to You the powers of state.
said the Citizen President Armand Fail
Heres, and Citizen President Raymond
Poincare replied, II consecrate myself to
the service of the republic President
Poincare and ex-President Fallieres kiss
ed each other on both cheeks and, presto
the trick was done.
NJ Poincare introduced some slight in
novation in the ceremonial. He insisted
that not only his immediate predecessor
should accompany him to the Hotel de la
Vile, but also NJ. Emile Loubet. and this
delicate courtesy Of the new president
won other laurels for him.
The president and the ex-presldehts
left the Elysee escorted by large body
Of cuirassiers and republican guards. fol-
lowed by cabinet ministers. and amid
the loud huxzas Of the people proceeded
to the Hotel de la Vile. shower OF
roses was thrown at the occupants and
another innovation-an aviator high In
the heavens threw roses upon the pro-
ncession. At the city hall numerous
choir from the Opera sang the Mar
seillaise."
After luncheon prepared by the city
councillor. President POincare escorted
his predecessors to their homes. after
which he returned to his future resi-
dence at the Elysee.
= *
The election of NJ. Poincare is proof
that there is something changed. in
France. 1t is not alone the
Proof of change from one president
to another; it is new
VnanSes. regime France has passed
q
radicalism represented by Jaurez, Herve
and such. What with the tyranny oil
synd;cates. guilds and naturalization So
cieties. finally there were moments when
the sturdiest republicans despaired of the
republic. NJ. Poincare has swept all TINS
away, and all France Is united. republi-
cans, democrats, legitimists, Bonapartists
There are socialist and anarchist organi-
cations still. with their chiefs. but the
people are no longer with them.
The Figaro never entirely reconciled to
the republic. writes Of the new president
M Poincare is a man of clear and
elevated mind, a man. of profound educa'
ton, Jealous. courageous. prudent, elo'
quent and reflective. man who does mol
owe his success to any act of abasement
He is never found in lodges. assemblies
and Hobbies: he has constantly raised ms
reason above passion; always represented
order against anarchy; man who has
conquered for France in all the capitals
Of the world the most incontestable pres
tige, and who. for these reasons. has be-
come the grandest personality in the
parliamentary and diplomatic world ir
France"
And what the Figaro says of NJ. Poin
care is re-echOed not only in France. bu
I'm all the world. The eclat Of his serv.
ices, his authority and his singular popu
larity and prestige have added luster t.
both chamber and senate. and If another
man had accidentally been chosen. de.
ception and even stupor would undoubt-
eddy have been manifested In the next
elections.
Several weeks ago distinguished Bal
kan diplomat and delegate to the con-
ference at London was in Paris and called
upon the minister Of foreign affairs and
was entertained at breakfast. The CONVEX
sation naturally ran upon the grave
questions involved in the Balkan war
against Turkey. the delimitation OF
Albania, the arbitration of the Aegean
mia and Bulgaria, etc. The diplomat sub
sequently exclaimed: How is it possible
that NJ. Poincare Is SO exactly informed
upon these affairs that are so inextrica.
bly, mixed? He knows all the details as
well as I do who have passed my life in
following and studying them"
Some idea Of the situation of the re.
public short time before the advent OF
NJ. Poincare may be had by
Work OF recalling what NJ. viviani
c.:.,.A minister of labor, said in a
speech in the chamber:
The socialists have been devoted since
their revolutionary ancestors down to the
present to the destruction Of clericalisn
and religion. They have snatched from
the human conscience the belief in the
hereafter. With magnificent gesture
(the attack on religion) they have extin-
guished the light in the heavens which
would never be lighted again. Does the
world fancy the work finished? 1t has
only just begun
NJ Vivianis vision appears to have been
strangely obscured. for the light is again
appearing in the heavens.
In the above connection it may be re-
called that such latter day apostles pro-
posed in France that the name of God
should be expunged from schools and
from the courts. and that the device on
some silver pieces in France: ''Dieu
protege la France" or God protects
France" should be removed. And this is
recalled just here because of the propo-
sition to remove from certain American
silver coins the motto. I'm God we trust.
NJ. POincare was called to power JAN
uary Is. 1912. on the fall of the CaillauX
cabinet on the 10th Of that month. The
cord of public feeling had been stretched
to its utmost tension for some time. and
the French public. wounded and FESTIVE
the individual action Of NJ. Caillaux and
weary Of makeshift ministries that had
discredited the nation. hailed the advent
of NJ. Poincare as a safe refuge for the
republic
1t was charged that NJ Caillaux had
undertaken secret negotiations with Ger
many in the matter of the Kongo con-
cessions. and In the matter Of the diff
ferences with Spain he had threatened
the king. The coming of NJ. Poincare
was hailed. / repeat. as new departure.
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