Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-17
Threatened DueIs Mark
Election Held in France
Today.
INSULTS ARE OFFERED
Two Ballots Are Taken in His
toriC Palace at Versailles,
Pans Running Second.

Versailles, France, Jan. 17.-Sen-
ators and deputies of France arrived
in small groups in the forenoon to-
day to take part in the election of a
new president of the republic. Presi-
dent Fallieries' seven-year term ex-
pires Feb. IS.
NominaIly Ss7 representatives OF the
people were entitled to vote today
in the national assembly, convened in
the ancient resident of the kings OF
France. These official electors includ-
ed 5S7 deputies and 900 senators, but
the number was reduced owing to va
cancies caused by deaths, designations
or illness.
Large crowds OF people, who come
from the capital to watch the arrival
of politicians and statesmen, disturbed
the repose and quiet of this little
sentatives of the people appeared,
they were greeted with rousing cheers.
JOINED BY FRIENDS.
Fifteen hundred relatives and friends
accompanied the senator's and depu-
ties from Paris in special trains pro-
vided by the government A few ar
rived in motor cars and carriages.
For several months preparations had
been under way for the sitting Of the
national assembly.
Owing to the multiplicity OF candi-
dates 1t is thought several ballots will
be necessary. According to the con-
stitutiop, shallots are cast with
out result, the cahdfdate then hold
ing the highest total vote is chosen
president.
Out OF nine presidential elections
since the foundation OF the third re-
public in 1870, seven were decided on
the first ballot and two on the sec
ond. Each ballot occupies almost
three hours.
POINCARE INSULTED; DUEL.
There are hundreds of reporters, for
all of whom the government provided
tobacco, cigars and cigarets. Twelve
special wires to Paris for oflcials
and newspaper men and a dozen tele-
phones have been installed.
The buffet of the palace is heavily
stocked with large quantities of all
kinds of foods and thousands OF bot
ties of mineral water.
Throughout the morning two huge
cauldrons of soup steamed constant
ly in the palace kitchen and cups of
this were passed around at intervals.
Premier Raymond Poincare was in
suited by ex-Premier George Cleman-
ceau at the opening of the congress
for the election of a president. Poin-
care Immediately appointed Minister
| of Justice BRAND and Minister OF
Finance Klotz to act as his seconds
and arrange for duel.
During the proceedings of the ma
tional assembly Clemenceau made
satisfactory explanation to BRAND ard
Klotz, who had been sent 20 him by
Poincare, and the incident is consid.
cred closed
Deputy Demonzie and Former Min
; lister OF Labor Boncour also quarreled
; in the corridors of the palace, and De
monzie sent seconds to Boncour.
STRANGER CAUSES CONNECTION.
Considerable commotion was caused
by stranger seeking entrance to the
palace. When stopped by a gendarme
he drew revolver and shouted, This
election should not take place" He
, was arrested A number of other sus-
l. poets were taken in custody. Rail
? way lines from Paris to Versailles
2 were guarded the whole distance by
a military men at intervals of 100 yards.
n The assembly opened at 2 O'Clock
+ this afternoon by President Dubost
h Of the senate who read the decree Of
l. conyocation.
Every inch of space was occupied.
Nine-tenths of the spectators in the
galleries were women. Everybody
was listening with strained attention
when a conservative deputy shouted,
8 I'VE protest against the election Of
d president by the parliament instead OF
= by the people"
G A socialist deputy shouted, Down
y with the empire"
o Republicans replied. cheering
Long live the republic"
Dubost gradually restored order.
Poincare obtained 429 on the first
ballot. and Pans 327. Necessary for
election, 435.
\ Second ballot: Poincare, 483 (eIect
ed; Pans, 296; Maillant, SO.