The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-06


 the Chateau de Versailles April 6.
 The Third Republics 18th pres- ident and 18th under the Consti- tuition of 1879 therefore will be known to inner political circles sev. eral days before the 931 members of the senate and the chamber of deputies meet in joint session as the National Assembly to elect a successor to Albert Lebrum for the usual seven-year term.
 A majority vote is required. All presidents in the past have been elected on the first or second bal lots and no difficulties are antici- patedin choosing Lebrun's successor with the usual dispatch.
 Lebrun Will Retire
 Lebrun has already signified his unwillingness to stand for second term by renting a spacious apart ment in Paris where he will live in retirement. There is only one pre- cedent for reelection under the Third Republic. It was in the case of Jules Grevy, the first president elected under the Constitution ot 1897.
 The names of the unofficial can didates put forward also include Sen. Leon Berard, former minister of justice and George Bonnet's choice as diplomatic agent to es- tablish contact with National Spain
 Former Prime Minister Edouard Herriot, who would have unques- ttonably received the support of all the liberal and left political parties announced that he would not be 8 andidate. His supporters advanced his name because they felt that his strong reputation in America and Great Britain would strengthen Frances position in international affairs. Herriot, wha is president ot the chamber, however, felt that he IS too controversial a political per- sonality to assume the presidency now. He apparently believes a more neutral figure is needed to rally the country's support at time when FTance must face the increasing pretentions of Italy and Germany.
 Liberals Oppose Laval
 Former Prime Minister Pierre Laval, Identified with the Laval Mussolini and Laval-Hoare agree ments, is mentioned as a possible candidate. Laval probably would enjoy the support of all conserya- tives were he to stand for the nresi- oency, but he would also encounter tne nitted opposition of liberals and ie1tist parties because of his role m the Italo-Ethiopian war and his domestic policy of drastic defiation when he was prime minister. Laval now IS a senator and has kept him self out of thelimelight since the general elections of May. 1936 in preparation for the day when the power. -'Ao"i
 Deputy Francois Pietri figures prominently among the unofficial candidates. He is an independent conservative with a most attractive personality that makes him well nked In all political circles. As d former high civil servant in the ministry of finance and a onetime nnance minister, Pietri is rated high TOT his personal integrity, political foresight and intellectual attain ments. A Corsican by birth. his election would constitute a forcefrl reply to 1taly's pretentions in the Meolterranean. Pietri is '.neutral'' personality in the best French meaning of the word, but his dis inclination become a rubber stamnn probably would handicap him with party chiefs. '
 President Only "Reixns"
 The question of a rubber stamn. president is an important consider. ation because political tradition re- quires a president to reign but not govern" in the British meanino But the presidents of France eniov considerable power under the con. SCltut1on and it is considered i'm. portant to eliminate headstrone men, as in the case of Georres Clemenceau. who was defeated for the high office by Paul Deschanei
 Politicians had had enough of a Strong-willed president in Raymond Poincare and preferred more amenable personality than Cleme- ceau promised to be.
 A strong president may name and dismiss ministers, employ the armed forces to maintain himself in DOW CT, disband the hamber of deputies With the senate's consent. or the senate with the chambers consent communicate directly with narlia. menu. Laws and decrees ony be- come operative with his signature. He IS not responsible to anyone save m the case of high treason. His signature is not valid unless coun. terSigned by the minister concerned
 MacMahon Forced Out
 Marshal MacMahon the second president of the Third Republic, used the preogative of dismissinr the chamber, but he was ultimately forced to resign, and none of his successors ever dared to initiate his example. ~
 No president has ever dismissed 2 minister, but all have accepted their resignations, which were either voluntary or dictated by a hostile vote in parliament. Direct communication with parliament quickly fell into abeyance shortly after the founding of the Third Republic, and any president who would have the temerity of reyiv- in gthat prerogative would have a strom burst over his head.
 A strong -willed president. how ever. can use his discrimination in choosing 8 prime minister. He can also wield tremendous influence over the cabinet, at whose meetings he presides when it sits as a coun- ell of ministers at the Elysee Palace. On these occasions when important questions of policy are decided or laws are signed. the president can direct the debate and impress his personal views on the ministers. Need Not Be Rubber StaMp"