Evening star., 1920-01-17

ed slowly. AS the balloting progress-
ed there was no indication whatever
as to the resultNorsasN as~to how
many candidates were being voted
for. In the later stages the members
Of the assembly gathered for the
most part around the presidential
stands
When NJ. Deschaners name was CALI
ed there was a moment of great ten
sion, but he did not present himself
to vote.
Soldiers About Palace.
While the voting was going on with
! in the chateau the Sceneces outside
were tranquil regiment of infantry
was drawn up beyond the principal
side the line of soldiery was an order
ly crowd of some thousands of per-
sons. who had assembled to see the
distinguished arrivals and learn the
first news of the election. All the
approaches to the park were held by
detachments of soldiers to keep out
intruders.
Todays meeting of the national as
sembly to elect president of the re-
public was more like a sumptuous
, social event than a political one. The
circular tier of seats in the great
amphitheater of the palace around the
| wide space where places were set for
senators and deputies were almost
| filled early this afternoon with women
| in brilliant toiletes. jewels and furs.
OF the 500 seats for spectators at
the chateau. three-quarters were
dark coated men lined the walls and
aisles. Those who had not lunched at
the chateau had come directly from
the otel De Reservoir, which has al
ways been an assembly point outside
the chateau for statesmen and gay
! luncheon parties
Distinguished Men Lunch.
| Hugh c. Wallace. American ambas-
sador. was accompanied at luncheon
| by Count Quinones de Leon, Spanish
ambassador. while near them was
| Premier VeniZelos of Greece with
some members of the supreme coun-
| ell of the peace conference. Next to
NJ. Venizelos' table was one at which
were seated Cecile Sorel of the CO.
medic Franchise and a number of
prominent persons in the theatrical
world. Everybody inquired for Pre-
table at the Hotel Reservoir. bat tele-
phoned last night canceling his reser-
vation. Paul Deschanel, president of
the chamber of deputies and the can
didate who loomed large in the fore
| cast of politicians, was not present
| tion generally seemed to ignore the
election and turned upon fashion.
| finance and the latest pleasant receipt
| of the hour.
Would Honor CIemenceaH.
number of the senator's and dep
uties are circulating among the MEM
bers of parliament a resolution to
! confer upon Premier Clemenceau the
title of Savior of the Country" 1t is
proposed to pass an enabling act to
make this title official.
Some members speak of an endoW
ment while others would pass a bill
establishing a permanent seat in the
senate for him, according to the
Journal.
Other newspapers say he has assert
ed to his friends that he had definite
ly renounced politics and journalism
and that he intends to write memoirs
relative to the war.
| PARIS, January 16.-Premier Gle
menceau tonight sent a letter to Leon
Bourgeois. formally withdrawing from
the contest for the presidency. The
letter says.
Il take the liberty of informing you
that l withdraw from my friends au-
thority to offer my candidacy for the
presidency of the republic, and that
if they disregard my withdrawal and
obtain for me a majority of votes
wi refuse the mandate so conferred.
story Of Deschnners Career.
Paul Eugene Louis Deschanel. states
man and author. is known as one of
the most brilliant public speakers of
France. He was born In Brussels in
! 1857, during the exile in Belgium OF
his father. Emile Deschanel. senator
and professor of the College of Paris.
Paul Deschanel entered political
/ life in 1875 as secretary to NJ. De
Marcere. then minister of the interior.
and in the following year was secre-
tary to Jules Simon. president of the
council. In 1885 he was elected to the
chamber of deputies. becoming vice
! president Of that body in 1896.
M. Deschanel was elected preSlde0t