Evening star., 1923-10-20
PO|NCARE RETURNS
M|LLERAND ATTACK
Premier and President Due
for Hard Fight With Elm
ination for One.
Rr Cable to The Star and PhIadelphis Public
Ledger. Copyright 1923.

By Cable to The Star and Philadelphia Public
Ledger. Copyright, 1923
PARIS, October 2O.-PTesident Mil
lerand's abiding ambition to Will
sonize" the French presidency
through constitutional revision has
suddenly reappeared on the political
horizon as the next parliamentary
contest in which it is seriously fore
east either Premier Poincare or Pres
ident Millerand may be forced to
seek retirement
Events in Germany. despite the APP
parent surrender of Chancellor
StreSemann. are represented as be
ing entirely dispensing to the trenCh
president. so much so that he fears
PoinCaTe may not be strong enough
in the forthcoming reparationS deals
if they ever mature. Although Poin-
care has kept up an iHceSSant. Wig
orous defense Of his program in his
numerous Sunday speeches placing
himself and his acts squarely before
the French people, Millerand never
theleSs is restive and, it appears. ap-
prehensive for the future Of France.
Refused to he Figurehead.
1t is recalled that on Millerand's 5
accession to the presidency he an
uounced that he would not lie fig
honorS. a beStowcr of war crosses on
French towns, which is a traditional
function of French presidents. Nil
lerand, as prime minister. had Just
commenced u long battle for the Yer
SailleS treaty at san Reno and Spa
and only reluctantly left the Quai
d'OrSay in other hands when ne took
the highest office. However, Poln-
cares long tenure in Office is dis
turbing Millerand's plans.
Consequently, the French president
took advantage of his long silence to
speak boldly about the needs of re-
forming the constitution. This address
was made last Sunday at the little
town of EvreuX, near Paris. and al
ready is a topic in the French capital
only secondary 20 the German Ques-
ton. Coming al time when Poin-
cares long sustained effort in the kunr
is more likely to bear fruit than ever
before Millerand has seen fit to hold
up a threatening hand.
Demands Interpretation.
Furthermore. Millerand'S affiliations
with the clerical party have drawn
fire from many quarters. Already the
French chamber of deputies il regis
tcrinG a demand for IN Interpretation
when il conveneS November -. Pre-
mier Poincare today answered critics
by declaring NJ. MilIeraHd spoke III
the plentitude of his powers Us preSi-
dent lnaSmuch as the French preSi-
dent cannot be put on tue grill! the
interpretations will be registered AS
against such an untoward political ut
terance occurring under Premier POin-
cares regime.
The debate that must follow prom
is"s 10 be unique. Premier Poincare,
who walked once before to the
EiYSre palace with the designations
Of his cabinet. may again express his
resentment in the same manner. What
'Aaneuvcrs President Millcrand may
~ake will lie closely followed by the
growing radical socialist bloc which.
Il srccesSful in the next elections.
would not hesitate to force thc rcsis-
nation OF Miilerand.
AT any rate, the duel between i'on-
care and Miilerana seems 10 he enter
ing the vital stage with the odds and
the constitution On poinCars'S side.
enc eventually may prolon,S or al
together prevent CunnicJ between
the two Chiefs--that is GERMANY. If
events across the Rhine become 50
entirely chaotic or If rUanrs OF sep
arate republics and monarchies mate
rialiZe there would be but IN" com
mon program for all parties in France
10 follow and on which Millerand and
Iuincare would he agreed-FranCe :
guiding policy Of military security.