The New York herald., 1922-04-29
Paul Deschanel, sc,
Former President
of France, Is Dead
Later Years Of His Active
Life Clouded by Tragic
Events.

PARIS. April IS (Associated Press) -
Paul Deschanel. former President OF
France. died today after an illness Of
less than a week.
The passing of NJ. Deschanel, who for
many years had been prominent In the
political life OF France. caused wide
spread sorrow. His friends had hoped
for his recovery until this morning, when
the physicians In attendance announced
that he could not survive. Mime. Des-
! chanel was at the bedside when her
husband died.
The former Presidents eagerness TO
be UP and doing. Notwithstanding his
long weakened condition, played an
important part In the Fastening of his
death. He insisted last week on leaving
his residence before he had completely
recover from a cold. There was re-
lapse Sunday and double pneumonia
developed on Wednesday.
Tragedy of His Retirement.
NJ Deschanel's retirement from the
Presidency because OF Illness and his
effort TO recover his position in Parlia-
ment are regarded as forming one OF
the greatest tragedies in French public
life in recent years. The personal policy
of Deschanel in his political career be-
fore he came to the Presidency was so
to manage his course as not 10 undertake
positive responsibilities which would
bring opposition TO him from either OF
the important political groups. This he
could not do on becoming President. lie
then conceived It to be his duty not 10
sign q decree or other document without
informing himself fully as TO its near
ing In consequence he toiied away at
night. frequently until the morning
hours. His wife and friends expostu.
lated with him but he was persistent.
Then Deschanel began 10 believe he
was being spied upon and conspired
against. He suspected not only his po-
litical rivals but his friends. Then
came his spectacular fall from the win
dow of the Presidential train, his night
walk aiong the railroad tracks In his
pajamas, and his extraordinary CONVEX
sations with railway employees he en-
countered. which were received by the
French public with curious mixture OF
sympathy and derision.
After this NJ. Deschanel went into re-
trement at Rambouilett. where he had
two msadventures which were re-
garded by many person as attempts at
suicide. Alexandre Millerand. then
Premier, after a consultation with per-
sons OF Importance in both houses OF
Parliament and with Nine. Deschanei.
urged NJ. Deschanel to resign. This he
did with great reluctance. Then he lived
seclusion for several months.
Returns to the Senate.
Suddenly 1t was announced that
Deschanel intended TO become a candi-
date for the Senate. and later he was
reelected. virtually unopposed. lie took
his seat In the upper chamber. looking
frail and with restless eyes. but there
was some recovery of his old charm of
manner and grace of expression.
Deschanel was elected Vice-President
of the Chamber of Deputies and then
became President. Just before 1900 he
was chosen to the French Academy in
recognition OF his polished public
speeches. II was as President OF the
Chamber that he developed the ability
to control unruly groups OF Deputies.
When he was elected President over
Clemenceau IL was said that he won
the honor In recognition of his high
character, intellectual distinction and
personal tact. The supporters OF Gle
menccau. however. expressed the opinion
that he was chosen because less force
full figure than the old Tiger" more of
n figurehead, was wanted in the Presi-
Dental palace. Some believe that the
sting OF such assertions caused him TO
apply himself beyond his strength to his
task with the result that his mind was
weakened and his health broken
NJ. Deschanel was born February 10.
1856. at Brussels. the son OF Emile
Deschane. a professor OF modern lit
erature at the College de France In
Paris. The boy began early 10 make a
name for himself in politics and III era
ture. His first important work. a book
on the French policy in the Pacific
Ocean. was published when he was
only ~.