Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-04-29
DIES
WHO LOST MIND
RULING FRANCE
Paul Deschanel's Pass
es Out, Tragic Figure
Where Once Great Man
End Recalls His Paja-
ma Fall From Train
and Later Comeback.

Paris, April 2S.-tBy The Associat
ed Press. Paul Deschanel. former
president of France. died Friday after
an illness of less than week.
The passing of NJ. Deschanel, who
for many years had been prominent ir
the political life of France, caused
widespread sorrow. His friends had
hoped for his recovery until this morn
ing. when the physicians in attendance
announced that he could not survive
when her husband died.
The former presidents eagerness to
be up and doing. Notwithstanding his
long weakened condition. played an i'm
portant part in Fastening his death.
He insisted last week on leaving his
residence before he had completely
recovered from a cold There was a
relapse Sunday and double pneumonia
developed on Wednesday.
Tragedy of French Public Life
first person to call at the Deschanel
residence after the death of the states
man. to express the sympathy of the
French government.
NJ. DISCLAIMERS retirement from the
presidency because of illness and his
effort TO recover his position in par
Lament are regarded as forming one
OF the greatest tragedies in French
public life in recent years The per-
sonal policy of Deschanel in his polit-
lcal career, before he came to the pres
idency. was so to manage hsi course
as not TO undertake positive RESPONSE
blities which would bring opposition to
him from either of the important po-
iltlcal groups. He preferred to arrive
at his aims by Cancellation or conces-
sion; by combining adverse views un-
der the single formula; and by the
attractiveness of his per-
sonal qualities he avoided taking polit-
lcal responsibilities
Worked Himself Into Obsessions
This he could not do on becoming
president. He then conceived il to be
his duty not to sign a decree without
informing himself fully as 10 it's mean
ing. In consequence he toiled away
Mt night. frequently until the morning
hours. His wife and friends ex-
postulated with him, but he was per-
sistent.
Then Deschanel began to believe he
was belng spled upon and conSpired
against. He suspected not only his
political rivals. but his friends. Then
'ame his spectacular fall from the ,
window Of the presidential train: his
lIght walk along the railroad tracks in
ls pajamas and his extraordinary
with railway employees
lie encountered, which were received |
'y the French public with a curious
mixture of sympathy and derison.
Recovers and Becomes Senator
After this NJ Deschanel went into |
'etremnt at Ramboullet. where he /
lad two misadventures. which were re- |
.arded by many persons as ATTEMPTS at |,
suicide. Alexander Millerand. then |
premier, after a consultation with per |,
ons OF Importance in both houses of |
'arhament and with Mrs Deschanel. |
!rged Deschanel to resign. This he |
id. with great reluctance. Then he
wed IN seclusion for several months.
suddenly II was announced that Des-
hanel intended to become a candi-
ate for the senate. and later he was
e-elected, virtually unopposed. He
ook his seat in the upper chamber.
ooklng frail and with restless eyes.
Ut there was some recovery of his old
harm of manner and grace of express
ION. On various occasions he said
e intended to take part in debate or
g announced interpretations that be
urposed to the government. These
ltentons he never carried out. nor did
e make any speech
The former president was really an
Dscure person in a place where once
had been one of the foremost figures
France.