The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-30
FRENCH ACCEPT RESIGNATION OF
 CAPT. DEJOANNIS.
French Federation Stands by Mile. Lenglen Despite the
 Protest of Captain
By Associated Press

Paris, November 29.-The French Lawn Tennis federation today accept ed the resignation of Capt. Albert R. De Joannis as member and as vice president of that organization. The resignation of Captain De Joan his, who was manager for Mile. Su- zanne Lenglen, French woman tennis champion, on her trip to America last summer, was rendered last Sun day in protest against the fedora tion's condemnation of the United States Lawn Tennis association flor unjustified commentaries upon the sporting spirit of Mile. Langlen." Accompanying the federation's ac- ceptance of the resignation was & resolution stating that the French or ganization had mo quarrel with the United States Lawn Tennis associa- tion, but objected to the unmeasured terms of the highest official of Amer ican tennis branding Mile. Langlen as a quitter."
 With all due respect to the United States Lawn Tennis association" said President Valet of the French fed- eration today, I've could not pass unnoticed the letter written by it's highest officer openly charging Mile. Lenglen with 'feigning Illness.
 Blame Manager
 "In the face or certificates from three doctors, one American and two French" the official continued, We felt that Mile, Lengien had good case and was physically unfit to play. We blamed her manager for remain ing In America when he was con vinced that Mile. Lenglen's condition was unfit for her to make her best efforts, and we blamed the American association for expressing the judg- ment that she was playing comedy
 "We blamed Mile. Lenglen for lack of sportsmanship but the American tennis officials terms were consid- cred too severe. We stand by com muniQue given out to the press by the American committee for devas- . tated France, published in the Ameri- can Lawn Tennis Journal, on Septem- Der 15, which recognized that Mile. Lenglen was unfit to play"
 Denies Reports
 Mile. Lenglen, with her mother and father, left Paris yesterday, so that 1t was impossible to reach her today to obtain a statement. However, report on file at the federation head quarters, prepared by one of the most prominent lawyers of Paris on her behalf, says Mile. Lenglen absolutely denies having danced any evening fol- lowing any match in which she de- faulted. The report says, however, that she did dance On other evenings, because she thought 1t was a good form of training.
 Concerning her alleged refusal to play a match with President Hard ing, report which has been promi- nently current in French tennis cir cles. Mile. Lenglen authorized M. Gillou, a vice president of the French federation, to say She was so III that day she could not have lifted racket"
 The chief controversial point be- tween the American and French or ganizations appears to be over the letter said to have been written by the chief official of the American or ganization, which the French offt- cials say was couched in too em- phatic terms. The attitude Of the French officials today was:
 "We must refer American pubic opinion to the communique of the American committee for devastated France, which refused to accept re- sponsibility for letting Mile. Lenglen play while the matter vitally con cerned her health.