The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-04-29
PAUL DESCHANEL
PASSES in FRANCE


Press) Paul Deschanel, former
president Of France, died today af-
ter an illness Of less than week.
The passing Of a. Deschanel, who
for many years had been prominent
in the political life Of France, caused
widespread sorrow His friends had
hoped for his recovery until this
morning when the physicians in at
tendance announced that he could not
survive. Madame Deschanel was al
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 recovered from a cold
There was relapse Sunday and
double pneumonia developed on Mon
day. Premier Poineare was among
the first persons TO- Scall at the Des
chanel residence after the death of
the statesman to express the SYM
pathy of the French government.
The plans for the funeral have not
yet been made.
Paul Eugene I}ouis Deschanel,
tenth president Of France, entered
upon a seven year thrm in that Office
on February IS, 1920, after having
been chosen by the National assembly
the preceding January by the biggest
majority since the election of Theirs,
the first president Of the present re-
public. Statesman and author and
one of the most brilliant public speak
ers in France, u. Deschanel's po.iti
cal triumph marked the retirement
from public Of former Premie.
Georges Clemcnceau.
The campaign had been most SEN
sational and bitter M. Clemenceau
then at the height OF his power as the
French war premier and one of the
negotiators of the treaty with Ger.
many, was, up until few days be.
fore the election, believed to be the
only candidate who had chance TO-
the Office. Catholic and Socialis.
votes in the French parliament, how.
ever, combined with those Of the po-
litical enemies OF Ithe "Figer" and
elected psschsnsl, few months
later, when Descaansf had beer
forced by illness to resign, the
"Tiger" was asked if he would agar
permit his name to be used as can
didate for the presidency.
81 was too old to be elected last
January" he replied ironically, "ant
I feel too young to accept now, ir
case l was chosen. / am going intt
India's jungles to hunt tigers, which
is much less dangerous than French
politics."
On May "a, 1920, few month:
after taking up his residence at tn
Elysee palace as the successor O.
Poincare, President Deschanel, whel
on his way at night from Paris t.
Monbrison to dedicate a monument
fell from a moving train while at
tempting to raise a window in hi
sleeping compartment. He was sup
posed to have been only slightly in
jured. Thereafter, however, the pres
of France expressed almost dali!
solicitude for his health. After pass
ing weeks of convalescence in Nor
mandy, he returned to Paris in jun
to preside at the council of ministers
Later it was announced that he ha'
suffered a complete breakdown an
that his resignation was inevitable
The following September the pres
dent sent a letter of resignation t
Premier Millerand together with
message to the senate and chambe
of deputies which were soon followe
by the election of his successor.
|