New-York tribune., 1920-09-16
New Head of French Re.
public Is Expected to
Be Elected Next Week.
Foch Possible Choice
Millerand Refuses
To Be a Candidate
Poincare, Peret and Jon.
mart Regarded as Other
Probable Selections
Special Gable to The Tribuue

copyright. l9IO, New York Tribune Inc.
PARIS, Sept 15.- Sooner than gem
orally expected, perhaps a week from
to-day, France will have new Presi-
dent. Minister Of the Interior Steeg
visited Paul Deschanel last week and
took official cognizance of the fact that
the President no longer is capable of
carrying out the functions Of his
Office.
In the absence Of Premier Millerand
Steeg went to Rambouillet. for the
nominal purpose of placing numerous
state documents before the President.
He found the Executive in very seri-
| Gus state of health. Deschanel exhib-
tied symptoms of the beginning of a
general paralysis and behaved in an
abnormal manner. The President
asked irrelevant questions about some
things and displayed indignation about
! others.
"Why wasn't l consulted about this
nomination? ?" he asked querulously re-
garding an appointment. He wanted
to know why he hadn't been informed
before about other documents pre-
sented to him, and in many ways
showed plainly that he no longer was
able to take normal view of his
duties.
Consents to Resignation
In going to see Deschanel Steeg also
was intrusted with the delicate mis-
sion, in the event that the Presidents s
case appeared hopeless, of sounding
him out as to whether he was willing
to resign his position.
After long consultation with Des-
chanePs family it was decided that it
would be better not only for France
but for the President himself if he
were to relinqush his Office.
Deschanel was informed of the feel
ing in Parliamentary circles against
his candidacy, and after some hesita-
tion che agreed to resign.
1t is understood that the government
does not intend to lose moment in
electing q new President. Millerand
ia issuing an official declaration that
under no crcum stances would he ac-
cept the candidature Probably within
the next week the National Assembly
will be convened to elect a new head
of the republic.
The government is desirous of get
ting the Presidential crisis over at
once. because the present moment is
considered a convenient one in which
to swap horses. France has passed the
most difficult part of her diplomatic
stream, now that the Geneva confer
! ence has been cancelled and she has
reached an agreement with Italy. She
desires to set her house in order be-
fore new international complications
have time too arise.
Jonnart Probable Successor
Millerand, who could be elected al
most without oppos tion, prefers to re-
, main at the helm of the French ship
of state until his foreign program is
accomplished. Senator c. Jonnart
probably will be the governmental can
didate. He formerly was governor of
Algeria and fulfilled numerous official
| posts with correctness and ability. His
most noteworthy act was dethronjng
King Constantine of Greece, whom he
was sent out to dethrone by the then
/ Premier of France, Ribot.
One point against Jonnart, however,
is that he also suffers in health. After
! his first success in Greece, Premier
Ribot wanted to send him there again
as a high commissioner, but Jonnart
was compelled to decline. Despite gov
ernment support, it is said in parlia-
mentary circles that Jonnart will be
difficult candidate to elect"
Millerand's withdrawal makes the
Presidential field all open one. Not
only Millerand, but all the other can
didates who would be sure to be elected
| do not want the post. Leon Bourgeois
does not want to leave the presidency
of the League of Nations. Besides, he
considers hims too old to accept the
position. Raymond Poincare also has
no desire to be placed again on the
shelf of the French Presidency.
poincarc Possible Choice
Nevertheless, if another candidate
cannot be agreed upon, it is not en-
tirely impossible that Poincare will
| accept the Office as a patriotic duty.
Outside of these persons mentioned,
there is no one of striking ability or
personality suited for the Office ex-
! cept Marshal Foch. Although no one
! in France is more popular than the
head Of the French army, it is doubt
! fContInued nm mana shyer)