The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-01-18
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Versailles, France, Jan. 17.-Ray-
mond Nicholas Landry Poincare, fol
twelve months premier of the French
cabinet, was elected president OF
France today by the national assembly
in succession to Armand Fallieres
whose seven-year term expires on Feb
ruary Is. Balloting was marked by
confusion, resulting in two duel chal-
lenges.
Poincare was chosen on the second
ballot, the vote standing: Poincare
4s3, Pans 296. valiant 6S.
Raymond Poincare, the new presi-
dent of the French republic. is one OF
the strongest men who have partici-
pated in politics in France within re-
cent years. He is in his fifty third
year and has been in politics since his
early youth, having been elected deputy
in 1887.
President Poincare has been a min
lister in many French cabinets, having
served as minister of agriculture, min
lister of public instruction, minister oi
president of the chamber of deputies
for four years. He became premier
and minister # foreign sff%sss on Jan.
uary II last year.
M. Poincare is a lawyer by profes.
sion. He is also a prolific author and
is a member of the French academy
which gives him rank as an ''immor-
tall"
He made a great personal sacrifice
when he became premier, for he gave
up an extremely lucrative practice al
the bar. His eloquence is proverb in
France, and even his strongest politica
opponents express confidence in the
honesty Of his purposes.
President Poincare's father was q
prominent public official.
Madame Poincare was Mile. Hen.
riette Benucci, an Italian. The new
president will be inaugurated Feb. Is.
PALACE DECORATED.
The interior of the palace, which
dates from the time of Louis XIV, was
brilliantly decorated. The floor Of tilt
congress hall itself was arranged with
900 chairs. No special seats were as
signed to the members Of the tive
chambers, who took their places in ac-
ccrdance with their political groupings
Outside the palace, in the spaciou:
grounds, there was great animation al
day, the park being filed with motor
cars and carriages, while many liveriet
domestics and thousands of curious
foreigners wandered about. These were
interspersed with mounted troopers.
Within the palace many lively
luncheon and tea parties were giveI
by the various functionaries, while
some of the smaller rooms were occu-
pied by partisans of the various can.
didates discussing the tactics to bC
pursued
The broad Hobbies were filled will
senators and deputies and hundreds o
reporters, for all Of whom the govern
ment provided tobacco, cigars anC
cigarettes.
BUFFET HEAVILY STOCKED.
The buffet Of the palace was heavily
stocked with large quantities Of al
kinds of food and thousands of bottle.
Of mineral water. Throughout tn,
morning two huge cauldrons Of souI
steamed constantly in the palact
kitchen and cups of this were passeC
around at various intervals.
Considerable commotion was caused
by stranger seeking to obtain en-,
trance into the palace. When he wa.
stopped by a gendarme and asked hi!
business, he pulled out a revolver anC
st touted:
This election should not take place
He was disarmed and arrested.
A number of other suspects ais
We're taken into custody.
The government took unusual mill
tary and police measures along tn,
| railway lines from Paris to Versailles
which were guarded the entire distance
| by military police posted at interval.
of 100 yards
A force of 1000 policemen draw
from all the cities of France wa
brought here this morning as well a.
detachments Of troops of all arms
while the garrison of Versailles wa
confined to its quarters.
OPENED AT z O'CLOCK.
The national assembly was opened a
2 o'clock by Antonin Dubost, presiden
of the senate, who read the decree o
| convocation.
Every inch of space in the great hal
was occupied. Nine-tenths Of thi
spectators in the galleries were women
| Everybody present was listening
| Continued on Page -Four.