Evening star., 1923-04-23
BY THE MARQUEE DE FoNrENoY.

The Academy of France has hon
ored itself by the election Of Charles
Jonnart last week to the restricted
ranks Of its forty immortals. AS q
general rule the membership is lin1-
fted TO those who have attained lit
erary eminence. But exceptions have
occasionally been made from time to
time in favor OF those who have de-
served well Of the nation, and who.
by their services Of inestimable value
to their country. have been designated
BY popular sentiment. rather than
through the choice Of Nero high
brows. to what is. after all. probably
the great distinction that France can
bsstow upon her citizens whom she is
anxious to honor
Thus. IL Georges Clemenceau was
elected to the membership of the
Academy 1t was not because OF his
one or two novels. and of his several
pays, which cannot be regarded in
the light OF masterpieces Of literature.
put because this old veteran Of the
war Of 1870 brought close upon half
a century later the great war of 1914
10 a victorious conclusion in 1913, and
restored to his native land those two
provinces OF Alsace and Lorraine.
which he had seen torn from the
hanks OF France In 1871.
y x \ y
If Marshal Foch and Marshal Joffre
were elected to the Academy. it was
as victorious commanders of the great
war, and as organizers OF the restora-
ton OF tho military prestige OF their
native land. rather than for anything
that they might have written. Mar.
shall Lyautey was elected to the Acad-
emy in recognition Of his invaluable
services in bringing the empire of
Morocco under French control and
ownership with a minimum of fric-
ton and expense. and in converting
1t by means of mastery adninistra-
ton into ono OF the richest, most
useful and promising Of Frances
oversee dominions.
And now the Academy has elected
Jonnart as tribute to his public
services rather than TO his literary
or artistic eminence. He has been. in
turn. governor general of Algeria.
where he covered himself with Iau-
rels. He has been president Of the
SueZ Canal Company: he has been
minister OF the blockade. and also of
foreign affairs. AS special ambass
dor. he has restored friendly rela-
tions between the French government
ana the Vatican. whose DIPLOMATIC
intercourse had been SUSPENDED for
many years. and today church and
state in France are once more re-
Understandings
moreover, he enjoys the distinction
OF havlng removed raignirg king
from his throne. In 1916. when the
pro-German proclivities and svnpa
thies OF the late Constantine ~
Greece. and especially his tolerance
or the massacre OF an una-med party
or French sailors in the streets OF
Athens. almost under the very win
dows OF his palace. had rendered his
continuance on the throne Impossible.
Jonnard by means of his tactr,iI and
persuasive arguments induced Con
startine. with his wife and children.
70 abandon not only his throne but
also 20 leave the country for Swift
and-that is to say. for foreign
Great Britain OF the obligation 10
seize him in his palace and forcihIy
70 oeport him. II was no easy ioh
FOR Constantine vas noted for his
ohstinacy. and, moreover. his Hohen-
zo!lern wife and his pro.German
to the uttermost
A *A
These are only a few illustrations
or the part which he has played. IF
public sentiment were to be consulted
rather than the maneuvers and in
trisues OF the various factions into
which the chamber of deputies and
the senate are split up. there is no
doubt but what he would have been
elected TO the presidency of the re-
public ere this. But the radical
groups in the chamber dread his par
ticularly cordial relations with the
church. and. also. in their eyes. he is
100 rich and too independent to ever
sacrifice his conscience to their views
The French politicians always prefer