New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-04-29
Paul Deschanel,
.Ex-President of
France, Is Dead
Succumbs to Influenza AZ
ter Illness Of Few Days:
Health Long Impaired
by Nervous Breakdown
Was Noted as an Author
Varied Political Career Was
Crowned by Landslide
Victory Over Clemcnccau

Fress) Paul Deschanel, former Presi-
dent Of France, died to-day after an
illness OF less than week
Tho former Presidents eagerness to
he up and doing, Notwithstanding his
long weakened condition. played an i'm
portunt part in The Fastening Of his
death. He insisted last week on lcav-
ing his residence before he had recov-
ered completely from a cold. There
Was a relapse Sunday and double pneu
monia developed on Wednesday.
Premier Poincare was among the
first persons to call at the Dcechanel
residence after the death of the states
French government. any other men
prominent in French political life fol-
lowed the Premier The plans for the
funeral have not yet been made.
Retirement Considered Tragedy
NJ. Deschanels 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 before he came to the Presi-
dency was so to manage his course as
not to undertake positive responsible
ties which would bring opposition to
him from either Of the important po-
litical groups. He preferred to arrive
at his aims by Cancellation or conces-
sion, by combining adverse views under
the single formula, and by the com
polling attractiveness of his personal
qualities he avoided taking political
responsibilities.
This he could not DO on becoming
President. He then conceived it to be
his duty not to sign a decree or other
document without informing himself
fully as to it's meaning. In conse-
quence he toiled away at night fire.
quently until the morning hours. His
wife and friends expostulated with
him, but he was persistent.
Charged Plots by Friends
Deschanel began to believe he Vas
being spied upon and conspired against
| He suspected not only his political
rivals but his friends. Then came his
| spectacular fall from the window of the
Presidential train, his night walk along
the railroad tracks IN his pajamas and
his extraordinary conversations with
| railway employees he encountered,
which were received by the French pub
lie with curious mixture Of sympathy
and derision.
NJ. Deschanel went into retirement
at Ramboui,ett, where he had two mis-
adventures which were regarded by
| Alexandra Millerand, then Premier,
after q consultation with persons Of
Importance in both houses Of Parlia-
ment and with Mrs. Deschanel, urged
NJ. Deschanel to resign. This he did
with great reluctance. He lived in Sc
clusion for several months.
Suddenly it was announced that
Deschanel intended to become q can
didate for the Senate, and later he
was reelected, virtually unopposed. He
took his seat in the upper chamber,
looking trail and with restless eyes;
but there was some recovery Of his
old charm Of manner and grace Of
expression. On various occasions he
said he intended to take part in de-
bate. He announced interpretations
that he purposed to put to the gov
eminent. These intentions he never
carried out, nor did he make any
speech.
The former President was really an
obscure person In place where once
he had been one Of tho foremost fig
ures Of France.
The tenth President Of the Third Re-
public had the shortest and least dis
tinguished administration Of all,
though he began it in unsurpassed brill
lance, elected by the largest majority
since Adolphe Theirs, and enjoying the
reputation Of one of the foremost
statesmen, authors and orators of
France.
Paul Eugene Louis Deschanel was
born In 1857 at Brussels, whittier his
father had gone six years before on
being exiled from France for publish
ing pamphlet on catholicism and
Socialism" But two years later the
child was taken to Paris by his father,
who had recantcd his views and re-
at the College Of st. barbe and the
Lycee Condorcet, and received diplomas
in both letters and law, and at the age
Of twenty entered public life as secre-
tary to NJ. de Marcerc, Minister of the
Interior. A year later he became sec
rotary to Jules Simon, President of the
Council of Ministers, and thus served
for seven years. In 1885 he was
elected to the Chamber of Deputies
from the Department of the Eure ana
Loire In 1895 he was Vice-President,
dent Of the Chamber, in that place ac
curing the reputation of one Of the
ablest parliamentarians Of France.
Defeated for Reelection
Defeated for reelection to the Presi-
dency Of the Chamber in 1902, he was
placed at the head of the Parliamentary
Commission on Foreign Affairs and
Colonies and there remained for seven
years, steadily adding to his already
brilliant prestige. He returned to the
Chamber in 1910, was elected its Presi-
dent again in 1912, and there remained
until he was called to the Presidency Of
the Republic. In 1918 he was urged to
be candidate for the latter office
against Raymond Poincare, but was dis
inclined to do so, and received only 1S
votes. But at the end Of NJ. Poincsre's
term, February 18, 1920, NJ. Deschanel
was installed to succeed him, having
been elected in January preceding by
the largest majority ever cast for any
President since the first. This result
was attained after one of the most SEN
sational campaigns France had ever
known. Down to the very eve Of the
election Georges Clemenceau was re-
garded rs the certain winner, for he
had won the war, had made peace, and
was at the very zenith of his career.
But at the last moment an homogeneous
combination Of Catholics and Socialists
was formed against the old Tiger"
and he virtually withdrew from the
contest.
M. Deschanel married Mile. Ger
maine Brice, daughter Of Rene Brice,
y Do,uty from T11a and Vifane He WAS