The New York herald., 1920-01-11
FRANCE IS READY
TO ELECT TIGER
NEXT PRESIDENT
Will Be Chosen by National
Assembly, Unless He Pos
itively ForbidS.
by JULIAN HARRIS,
Special Correspoadeut of the Herald.
[ Copyright. 1920, Ly the New York Herald
Compdny-AH Rights Reserved
Especial Cable to the Heraid.
PARIS. Saturday.

PARIS, Saturday.
Tomorrow France enters the final week
Of her political reconstruction. Also il
marks the end OF this electoral period.
The election of Senators will be held to-
morrow and next Tuesday the Senate will
meet to verify the power Of the Senator'S
and TO elect officers. The Chamber OF
Deputies will reassemble that same day.
On Wednesday next the high court before
which Joseph Caillaux is on trial, will
meet again, while on Friday at the Lux
embourg Palace meeting will be held to
prepare for the presidential election which
will be held at Versailles on next Satur-
day, January IL.
Most intense interest centres in the
presidential election, although thus far
no candidates have been presented The
question being asked is not who will sue
ceed President Poincare, but will the
Tiger be elected?'
Political wiseacres assert that Mr..
Clemenceau will be elected by reclamation
and that one Of his first acts, when he
takes office on February IS, will be to
name Mr.. Poincare Premier.
SIX Years. Chanes.
/ This talk recalls the political situation
in 1913, when the preparatory Congress Sc
lected Jules PANS as candidate ana Mr..
Poincare refused to withdraw. At that
time Mr. g-lemenceau, who was no less
aggressive than now, sent a letter to Mr..
| Poincare on the subject which the latter
considered offensive. 1t was reported az
that time that Mr. Poincare selected AIS
tide BRAND and Louis Klotz to demand
satisfaction. Strangely enough. among
those who backed up "the Tiger" then
was Mr.. Caillaux.
! Certain drawbacks have been mentioned
in connection with Mr. Clemenceau as
president. one being his brutal frankness,
his ageressiveness and unconpromisinS,
authoritative manner. In fact, 1t IS de-
lcIared by many Frenchmen that the
Tigers yirile qualities, which were needed
during the war render him III fitted 10
support the trammels OF social conVen-
ltions which go with the Presidency. 1t is
declared by these observers that the II
ger' might not be able to sheathe his
claws.
! According to Pierre Weber, fears have
been expressed in political circles that Mr..
Cl6menceau may interpret the Presden-
tial functions in a manner at variance
with the constitution. There is a wide
\ spread feeling here that he would find
| that such an ornamental role bored HIM
and that he would usurp the powers OF hts
Premier. thus playing double role.
! In more facetious mood. some news
papers assert that 1.-The Tiger" is too young
! TO be entrusted with the duties OF Presi-
dent. while others find in his perennial
youthfulness that quality which would
make him take that high office most Sc
riously.
Election Believed Certain.
Despite any drawbacks, however, there
! is no question but that the electoral Con.
gress is ready to elect Mr.. Clemenceau
President unless he absolutely forbids IL.
something he could not do with grace at
this last moment. Political prophets are.
therefore, assuming that he will be elected
and are discussing his Cabinet. Some well
informed persons say that Alexandra Mil
lerand may be Premier or Minister OF For
eign Affairs under Mr.. Clemenceau. al
though their political friendship is OF re-
cent date. In fact, it began at the time
OF the attempt to assassinate Mr.. Clemen-
first to congratulate him on his escape.
Associated with Mr.. Millerauj probably
will be Rene Viviani. Louis Barthou and
Mr.. Poincare.
! F'inanciers are not so keen about "the
Tiger" since ne said in his Sarre trip. in
reference to taxes that 1.-The ideal, per-
haps' would be that each one sacrifice a
part Of his fortune" II is believed that
the policy OF any Premier under him
would be a continuation of the Clemenceau
policy.