Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-21
M|L[ERAND, NEXT
FRENCH PRESIDENT,
ASKS NEW POWERS
Sure of Election, But Plea for
Changes in Constitution
Meets Opposition.

PARIS. September 21.-Revision of
the French constitution which will
give greater stability to the govern
ment and enlarge the electoral COL
lege which chooses the president of
the republic will be attempted by
Premier Millerand when he takes
office as president. according to news
papers here. He would have the cleo
toral college include not only mem
bers of the two houses of parliament,
but delegates from local elected
bodies and from great corporations.
NJ. Millerand also believes the pres
than has been the rule In the past,
and that officials should play a role
of confident and cordial collaboration
with the government in office. In
other words, his idea would be that
the president should be like the head
ministers would take the part of di-
rectors and the premier the man
aging director. He is convinced, it is
said. that this plan would assure
great continuity and cohesion in the
executive branch of the government.
Urges Constitutional Changes.
In his address outlining his pro-
gram upon entering Office NJ Miller
and said it was not so much the dis
position of the French constitutional
lsystem which aroused criticism as it's
application.
THE essential guarantee Of liberty"
he declared. ''is division of powers
within the government. Each de-
partment should be Independent in it's
own sphere and should not impinge on
territory of another. Tyranny may be
defined as union of all powers I'M
der one head, whether it be a person
H. Iii NJ
the executive power. which theoret-
ically chooses and appoints, inevitably
disappears the day when it merely
| ratifies decisions instead of freely
choosing.
These decisions are whispered in
his ears under threats which are
sometimes but thinly yelled. We must
break with this system and give to
each department entire authority &C
cording to its rights. The president
of the republic is today elected by 900
members of parliament. Constitution
ally, he is not the creature of parlia-
ment, but is really the first represent
alive of France.
"Gulf Can BE Bridged.o
Serious reasons rule out the cleo
ton of president by universal suf-
frage, but between that method and
the method of today there is a gulf
which can without danger be bridged,
by considerably charging the cleo
toral college"
While the premier is the almost
| unanimous choice, there is strong
opposition. even among his most fer
vent supporters, to any revision of
the constitution. The slogan at Yer
sailles will be:
Elect Milferand. but don't tamper
with the constitution"
Announces His Candidacy.
NJ Millerand formally announced
his candidacy in a statement re-
iterating his declared policies. He
expressed the belief that he could
lament preferred him as president
he would mot evade the call"
M. Millerand conferred with Presi-
dent Deschanel at Rambouillet yes
terday afternoon. On his return to
Paris the premier sent copies of the
presidents message of resignation to
the presiding officers of the senate
and the chamber Of deputies, who will
present it to parliament.
The resignation Of Paul Deschanel
| handed to Premier Millerand at Ram
bouillet last week, was read stimuli
taneously in the senate and chamber
of deputies when those bodies recon-
vened today.
tAOpoUiiC AASSAVSS a. Oil &iuACo 81 cat
responsibilities. It demands. activity
and energy, free from all weakness.
during the years when victorious
France is called upon to reconstruct
her domestic resources, meanwhile as
surfing abroad integral application Of
the treaty of peace, SO gloriously. but
so dearly gained.
Calls Resignation q Duty.
1T have persisted even to the last ex-
tremity. but the hour is come when
fail in what I owe you in not resigning
my functions to your hands. At the
instant when retire I dare express the
hope that the representatives Of the ma
ton whose patriotic unity was power
full aid to victory, will maintain in
peace their union for the greatness and
prosperity of this adored France, to
whose service I have devoted my life
and who shall have my last thought.
ut will be the role and enviable
privilege Of my successor to glorify be-
fore the world, within few days. the
accomplishments of the republic, which,
after having saved the national honor
fifty years ago, has brought back under
our flag Alsace and Lorraine.
"Sure Of fulfilling a most imperilous
as well as the cruelest of duties. I sub
NIT upon the desk Of the senate and
chamber Of deputies my resignation as
president of the republic. -
(Signed) PAUL DESCHANEL."