Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-28
RAYMOND Poincare.


greater glories during the World War
and virtually saved from financial OBJ
livion through the wise counsel, Arm &C
ton and far-seein" mind Of this states
man. will go do through centuries
paying to him its tribute of glory. AS
France pays tribute SO will those ma
lions that fought by her side.
Raymond Poincare, whose flaming
spirit of patriotism as President in
spired his cohorts and heightened the
her back to the wall. lies stricken in
Paris. Through sheer enthusiasm in
giving his all to his country his body
is broken. Another has been called to
serve in his place as premier. But as
long as there is France the influence
of Raymond Poincare will be felt. His
name has been engraved in Frances
history and will for all time remain
among her immortals.
1t was Poincare who called the famed
old Tiger of France" to the PREMIER
ship during the critical hours OF the
World War when all appeared lost TO
the allied cause. 1t was Poincare'S
Judgment. and not his councillors. that
brought this to pass. Subordinatins
personal feeling and possibly prejudice
Poncare knew that If there was one
man in the land who could fire the
courage Of all people and spur them to
renewed effort, the man was Clemen-
Ccau
Though great military figures OF
France may have been given credit for
the eventual overthrow of Teutonic as
pirations, it truthfully must be stated
that the very force and character OF
Poincare and Clemenceau were, in the
final analysis. the vital factors. Here.
there and everywhere they urged. plead
ed. prodded and demanded an even
more vigorous spirit of resistance. They
defied critics. They routed defeatists
They innamed French patriotism by
sheer eloquence. Who is there to say
that had it not been for their efforts
Germany would have won in the early
days of the war?
Poincare retired from the Elysee Pal
ace fatigued and almost broken by war
time effort, though gloriously happy
in accomplishment of his wartime
ideal.
But there was to be no rest for this
man who had done SO much in the in
terest of his country. One government
followed another in rapid succession
during the critical hours subsequent to
the World War. All Of them found
France Frustrated. economically and
financially. Spirits were at the lowest
ebb. There seemed to be no one who
could take the ship Of state and guide
its course toward complete rehabilita-
ton. Many tried. All failed. Then
Poincare. well past the years when mos.
form new cabinet.
He had seen the value of the franc
sink almost to the vanishing point. H
had witnessed the reconstruction process
IN devastated France slow up from the
lack of funds and shattered courage. He
had seen France openly ignore her for
eign obligations. Financial and eco
nomic chaos prevailed all about him. 1t
was but natural that he should demand
that Frances wartime enemy who had
brought to pass this catastrophe, should
pay and pay in full. Victory was not
sufficient. Glorious as might be it,
name, it could not restore Frances eco
nomic equilibrium. France could not
survive unless there be just recompense
as long as physical damage inflicted
during the war remained.
Poincare distrusted Germany's PROM
Uses. He distrusted the treaty OF Ver-
sailles. He wished for practical results.
He desired guarantees. At his orders
the French army invaded the Ruhr.
Germany would know beyond all doubt
that her debt must be paid.
There was criticism then, and there
is criticism now of Frances Ruhr oc-
cupation-but Poincare felt that he was
right and moving in the interests Of
France-and after all Frances interest
was Poincares.
In 1925, after a short period during
which political vicissitude had forced
him from the cabinet, he again took up
the task for which he will ever BE-
famed-the rehabilitation of Frances
finances. France was OH trial in the
eyes of the financial world. New fiscal
laws and strict economics were risidly
enforced-so rigidly enforced that today
the franc is respected in the marts of
the world. Frances budget was balanced
and her debts we're funded in a great
measure Instead of a weller of financial
chaos. foreign capital, attracted by the
courageous efforts of the Bank of
France, began to aid the general res
toration process. His browning achieve
ment was plotting safely through
stormy course the Mellon Berenger debt
agreement. He gave all the strength that
remained in him to bringing about its
ratification. He stood for 1t because he
believed it was right. Criticism and
attack failed t.. sway him. Frances
Integrity Sxs at stake. He leaves his
country an unblemished record.
Tho Aroar;non TanououAe