Evening star., 1920-01-13
TIGERS" DECISION
SEEN AS SURPRISE
CIemenceau's Willingness to
Be Frances President
Discussed by Simonds.
BY FRANK II. sIMONDs.

The announcement from Paris tnat
NJ. C1emenceau has consented to &C
cept the French presidency. provided
he is elected by reclamation. has ex-
cited more than passing interest here
where the French premier retains
much of the popularity acquired in
the critical hours Of the world war.
But it remains matter or commen!
that the great Frenchman should
consent to occupy an office which has
proved to be political tomb for all
who have filled 1t and since the days
of Thiers has hardly attracted real
ly flrst-class figure.
Case OF POincare.
The case Of Poincare Is still fairly
fresh in many minds. Poincare be-
came president after having headed
a ministry called into power by the
Agadir crisis and intended to sweep
out all the policies and personal fol-
lowers Of CaillauX. who. in the Aga
dir time, as during the war, had ad-
vocated an understanding with Ger
many.
AS prime minister. Poincare had
been relatively a strong man. His
government had stood fast against
German demand and taken high
tone when Italy. egged on by Ger
many, had seized French steamers
sailing to the French protectorate of
Tunis during the Tripolitan war.
So fearful were certain French
politicians, notably Clemenceau, that
Poincare in the presidency might
prove too strong" that definite
fight was made against him. At the
crisis of this conflict Clemenceau, see
ing all other methods useless, called
upon Poincare personally and demand
ed that he withdraw. Poncare de-
clined and was triumphantly elected
But President Poincare failed to
measure up to the hopes of his best
friends. His standing was irreparably
weakened at the outbreak of the war
by his course in going to Bordeaux at
the moment when the German armies
approached Paris. just before the bat
tie of the Marne. Many Frenchmen
have never forgiven him for his
course.
French Presidency Weak.
1t was not because of any failure in
effort that Poincare fell short of the
expectations of his friends and foes
alike. He certainly played a useful
and an honorable role. but it never
quite developed into commanding
role. Much of the explanation must
be sought in the character OF the
French presidency-the relatively in
significant powers of the chief ex-
ecutive. his almost pitiful subordina-
ton to the prime minister
with Clemenceau as prime minis
French say. Poincare almost com
pleteIy disappeared as a force But
when Clemenceau passes from the
Qual d OrSaid to the Elysee palace
VII! he suffer the same eclipse? This
will be the great question and the
answer will doubtless be discovered
in the personality of the new prime
minister. If it should be a man of the
strength of Millerand-and Millerand
is now the most talked of man-such
M 4hol III
On the other hand, the new French
parliament contains great majority
OF men elected because they supported
Clemenceau and he indorsed them
Had he chosen to seek reelection as
a senator and Indicated a willingness
TO continue at his present post, he
would nave had no serious opposition.
He remains. in sense, master of
the majority.
Preaches Gospel of Work.
AS President Clemenceau will nat
urally have a speaking if not an ac-
tive part, he has already begun to
preach to his fellow countrymen the
gospel of work. AS president, with
out the burden of political RESPONSE
bilities. he can continue to exhort and
inspire his fellow countrymen and
thus consolidate the victory already
won.
/ Like all other Frenchmen, he rec
ognizes how terrible is the task be-
fore his country if it is to regain it's
old prosperity and retain it's rank as
q f1rst-class power. AS the father of
victory" he has gained an admiration
and affection among the French peo-
pie which were disclosed in the recent
election, the most encouraging single
European circumstance since the ar
miStice.
Beyond all else Clemenceau is a
l no oesf ,cfn 0f
spires and also of the word which
destroys. From the Elysee Palace, as
from his library in the Rue Franklin,
but with even greater appeal, he can
send forth his messages. These mes
sages have in the past overthrown
ministries and rallied patriots.
Il am the opposition" he once said
to me in the far-off time of the first
Verdun battle long before he was call
ed to take the reins at the moment
when, but for his courage and forti-
tude. the war might have. been lost.
Decision Ii Surprise.
Clemenceau's decision to accept the
presidency comes as surprise. Only
a few weeks ago he told his friends he
would not take it. I'm afraid might
be troubled by another wicked tiger"
he remarked, alluding to his own
nickname. But it is plain he cannot
bring himself to lay aside his tasks
as long as there remains a contribu-
ton which he can make.
Elected president, Clemenceau will
inevitably die in office. He is nearly
eighty now, ir poor health. growing
feebler despite his incredible energy.
But for a little while longer he will
serve as symbol and his voice will
be heard. echoing and reechoing the
call of his recent Strasburg speech
his appeal to France to work"
OF the four central figures Of the
Paris conference Clemenceau has been
politics. Orlando has fallen. Lloyd
George faces a political upheaval. And
President Wilson has Jared least hap
PLY of all Only the Tiger" has slain
his political opponents, consolidated
his position and become first in
be heard echoing and re-echoing the
in. war"
If Millerand is chosen as president
of the council, in succession to Glenn
enceau. France will have in the presi-
dency and in the post of prime min
lister two men of almost unrivaled
ability. Millerand's recent achieve
ment in Alsace-Lorraine, where he
succeeded blundering and incompe-
tent commissaries, is one of the most
brilliant episodes in recent French
history.
At all events it is plain that France
is displaying her old sturdy peasant
qualities which have been her saliva
ton in peace and in war, and also In
the period after destructive war. for
centuries almost without NUMBER.
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