The Washington herald., 1920-11-06
FRANCE MAY
QUIT LEAGUE;
DISLIKES IT
Press Inclined to Favor
Harding's Association
Plan, as Substitute.
lGLADOF COP. VICTORY
America Is Felicitated on
Reaching End Of the
Wilson Dictatorship
BY wYTHE WILLIAMS.

PARIS, NOV. o.-The french FAR
lament opens next Monday-the
date was delayed purposely until
the American elections were "out of
the way and the world revolving
once more. 1t is likely to be the
most important session since the
armistice. with debates of such a
character as will decide the future
policy of France in both foreign and
internal affairs.
The election of Harding will have
tremendous effect on the French
attitude at the first general as
sembly of the league of nations to
be convened at Geneva November is.
France always has been at heart op-
posed to the league-and not al
ways secretly so. Therefore, it is
| now not unlikely she will be in
clined to pass of onto England as
much responsibility for the league
as possible, at the same time taking
a more vigorous attitude toward the
internal enforcement of the Treaty
IL.
Press Is Eiated.
The entire trend of French edi-
torial sentiment following the cleo
tion is pleasure over Hardiug's vic
tory. Provided France can keep the
American alliance" solid, she ap-
parently is perfectly willing to take
her chance on the continent of Eu-
rope even IL England does not en-
tirely approve. Her strongly ex-
pressed displeasure over the recent
| action of Premier Lloyd George con-
Icerning abrogation OF a certain rep
arations elause-which came even
before the American election
shows in definite fashion that
Premier Millerand intends to exer-
else all the powers possible in his
| new office. But 1t is certain the
! Leygues ministry will be attacked
harder than his own ministry pre-
ceding. There is also an under
current Indicating that NJ. Leygues
himself may prefer to follow the
traditions and policy of French
premiers rather than abandon the
entire power to the Elysee.
| Follows Wilson Model
While France felicitates America
upon the end of "the Wilson die
tatorship." her own chief of state
is now following the wiIsonian
model SO closely that a question
has naturally arisen as to how long
he can get away with 1t. The
term "Wilsonian" has already been
heard applied to French politics of
the present hour.
The forthcoming term of the SEN
ate is likely to be as dull as usual,
inasmuch as the law on amnesties
seems to be the most important
point for immediate discussion. Even
in the chamber the first session will
be emotional rather than stormy.
for the first discussion will be con-
cerning the plan tc place the body
of an unknown poilu In the Pam
theon. Following this will come
the debate on the budget. upon which
Ithe success or failure Of the French
loan now in progress will have a
considerable effect.
Railway Regulation Up,
! Next on the program is railway
regulation, following which there
will be a discussion of a proposed
4 new law for military service. A
= law concerning rents then comes
up, and next the question of re-
j Establishing of the French embassy
at the Vatican. On those specified
4 projects it is considered the Leygues
ministry will have comparatively
easy sailing.
i 1t Is remarked that the seat va
Gated by NJ. Deschanel in the cham
ber. when elected President, is still
untitled. That fact, in connection
\ with Deschaneis Improvement in
! health since he resigned office, has
i brought up the question whether
4 he will stand for reelection in his
old constituency. in which event IL
Is suggested he might again be-
i come president Of the chamber.
In press opinion on the American
election all remark the fact that
Mr.. Herrick played SO important
j role in the Harding election that
II France will have in the former Am
bassador a powerful adherent In
maintaining cordial relations be-
tween the two republics
Like .AssociatIon, Plan.
1 Concerning Harding's Association
of nations" the French press opines
"It is likely to be as useful as any.
thing else along such lines"
whether the Senate now decides
the league is satisfactory with reser.
vations or tackles new idea, makes
little difference in France so long as
the United States again "sits In" or
the world problem of getting Eu.
: ropes affairs in order.
France considers that Americs
i was not thinking about the Ieaeu,
of nations when she entered the wa,
but was simply joining a commof
cause.