Evening star., 1920-09-17
FRANCE MAY ELECT
|TSNEWPRES|DENT
WEEK FROM TODAY
MiIIerand Is Popular Choice,
But Hopes Another Will
Be Chosen for Post.

BY the Associated Press.
PARIS. September IA successor
TO Paul Deschanel as president of
France will be elected Friday. Sep
tember "a. according to general be-
lief today in political circles, although
the date will not be definitely fixed
until the meeting of parliament Tues
day, when the presidents resignation,
handed to Premier Millerand at Ram
bouillet yesterday, will be placed be-
fore the legislative bodies.
That successor, it appeared today.
will be Alexandra Millerand, the
present premier, unless his powers of
resistance to a call to the Office prove
greater than the rapidly accommodating
force of public sentiment favoring
him for the chief magistracy.
Definite decision was reached by the
that the parliament should be con-
voked in extraordinary session next
tuesday to receive the resignation.
The premier informed the cabinet
mat President Deschanel had insisted
upon the immediate acceptance of his
resignation.
Aside from NJ. Millerand, the can
didate who seems to be most favored
10 succeed President Deschanel con-
tlnues to be Charles Jonnart, Frances
special ambassador to the Vatican.
Mfllerand Supports Jonnart.
PARIS. September 16.-M Millerand
mas mentioned NJ Jonnart as a candi-
date whom he would ask his followers
to elect
1t is considered that Millerand will
have hard fight to avoid nomination.
committees have been formed for the
purpose formally of informing the pre-
mler that he has been chosen as the
country's candidate In these commit
tees all parties except the unified
socialists have Joined.
The argument is being advanced that
NJ. Millerand would be rendering France
great service by accepting the post
OF president. and assurances would be
given him that if he accepts all other
candidates will withdraw.
Pathetic Interview.
M Millerand's interview with Presi-
dent Deschanel at Rambouillet to-
day was pathetic. The president re-
piled to NJ. Millerand's encouraging
ana soothing remarks with discour-
aging shrug of the shoulders, saying
in tone of infinite sadness:
Il know it is all over"
Niter the meeting at Rambouillet
NJ. M1flerand, apparently deeply moved.
returned to the ministry of foreign
The boom for a military president.
either Marshal Foch or Gen. de Cas-
telnau. apparently has died out.
M DeschanePs valedictory is couch
ed in most patriotic terms, and il is
said that it probably will stir the ma
tional assembly to the highest pitch
of enthusiasm.
n. Deschanel is reported as saving
In his message to the assembly that
he realizes his personality must dis
appear for the greater glory and in
terest of France.
individuals pass on. but France re-
mains" is said to be the leitmotif of
the message.
Affected by Abrupt Change.
Immediately after taking up his
residence in the Palace Of the Elysee.
following his induction into the CHIEF
magistracy. says the Temps, President
Deschanel became greatly. depressed.
owing to too abrupt change from an
active life both of mind and body to a
sedentary existence. He went south
for a few days and returned greatly
benented. but when he left on hfs
trip to Montargis late in May-the
memorable occasion Of his fall from
a train-he was a very sick man.
The president at that time, the
newspaper. declares, absolutely re-
fused to put his signature to official
documents, and even such routine de-
crees as the appointment of a prefect
|or the revocation of such an ofiicial's
authority, he would inspect minutely
before signing. More than 500 docu-
|ments were awaiting his signature
when he left for Montargis.
After he leaves Office, says the
Temps, NJ Deschanel is expected to
=