The Washington times., 1920-01-17
New Chief OF France Once Was
Wounded In Duel With
Premier.
CLEMENCEAU NOT IN RACE
Veteran Statesman Withdrew
Before Opposition Of Fac
tions in Two Parties.
BY NEWTON c. PARKE,
/. n. S. Staff Correspond ent.

~. ctdII oIiCopOiuuCht
PARIS, Jan. 17.-Paul Eugene
Louis Deschanel, veteran president
Of the Chamber of Deputies and po-
litical enemy of Premier Clemen-
ceau, was elected President of the
French Republic today, succeeding
RAYMOND Poincare.
Clemenceau had withdrawn his
candidacy when it became apparent
that factions Of the radical and con-
servative parties were determined
to oppose him and support Deschanel.
Deschanel received 734 votes out
of a total of $50 cast.
Fought Duel With Clemenceau.
The French President is elected for
a term.,ef seven years. II Is a national
tradition that he does not succeed
himself,
Deschanel and Clemenceau have
been at odds over political matters
for many years. 1t was just revealed
a few days before the election that
they fought a duel IN 1894 over
newspaper attack made by Clemear-
ceau following an incident in the
Chamber Of Deputies. Deschanel was
slightly wounded.
DeschaneI, 81 Years Old.
Deschauel is in his sixty-fourth
year and has been in public life for
forty years. He was elected vice
president of the Chamber OF Deputies
in 1896 and two years later was made
president. He held that post four
years. but relinquished it for another
post. He was again chosen president
OF the chamber in 1912 and held the
office up to the time of his elevation
to the presidency. He is member
Of the French Academy and the Aca-
denny of Sciences. and has written eX-
tensively on political, social and eco
nomic questions.
After the balloting got under way
1t was reported that Deschanel would
withdraw unless he was elected on
the first ballot. Alexandra Mlllerand,
| former minister OF war, was mention
| cd as a dark horse" as also was
NJ. Pans. home minister. CIemenceau
was in consultation with Pans last
night.
| Keen Excitement shown.
The Senate and Chamber convened
| in Joint session in the small royal
theater in Versailles Palace at 1 p. N.
BaIloting began at 1:16 o'clock.
Senator Sareteries was the first TO
I cast his ballot.
There was keen excitement In tho
air, and the members of the National
! Assembly pressed forward to the foot
| of the tribune even before their turn
to vote.
The theater was crowded. II seats
| only $50. Chairs were placed in the
| afsIes. The balcony, which seats
sixty-siX, was reserved for the diplo-
matte corps and high officials. They
remained silent during the balloting.
| The retirement of Clemenceau who
: announced he would not servo even X
| elected, was interpreted as a victory
! for former Premier Brisnd. who man
aged Deschanel's candidacy. 1t Is
considered likely Deschanel will APP
point BRAND premier.
bourgeois Preside..
Leon Bourgeois, president of the
senate, presided at the voting
Preceded by uniformed ushers and
surrounded by high chamber and sen.
| ate officials he entered the theater
and took his Geat in the center OF the
stage. where he read the presi.
dental decree convoking the assem-
| bly,.
when the roll call began each sen
ator and deputy proceeded toward
| the stage, as his name was called, and
received q small rosewood pellet He
! then mounted the stage, voted, and
| descended, returning the pellet when
the voting was finished. The number
! Of pellets given out must correspond
| TO the number cast. Every pellet
must be returned and the total num-
Der checked against the number given
| out
Following the election, Deschanel
received congratulations and then
was escorted through lanes OF troops
to an automobile which carried him to
| Paris. Tomorrow the newly elected
| President viii call on President Poin-
care who later will return the call
The new President will take up his
duties February 1s
Tho Socialists held . caucus before
the balloting began and decided TO
support Deschsnel. Clemenceau had
represented one faction or another
| CONTINUED on rage 2, Column ~