Delightful Presents

One of the cheeriest French customs is that whenever the President goes off on an official visit he takes with him all kinds of costly and delightful presents. Just before the War, for example, Tsar Nicholas II's four daughters squealed with rapture when nice old President Raymond Poincare brought them wrist watches, then a great novelty. One day last week an entire moving van full of presents and regalia swung out of the courtyard behind which lives modest, genial M. Le President Gaston Doumergue. "Notre bon Gastounet va en la Tunisie!" murmured the crowd. But before beloved little Gaston could be off he had to do a final chore.

The chore was royal, and it was the third which President Doumergue has had to do in as many weeks. First Spain's King Alfonso XIII came to say goodbye, then Albert King of the Belgians, and now Sweden's lank Gustaf V was at the door. All these kings no doubt meant well, but in their gracious goodbyes lurked an unintended sting, as though they said:

"For seven years you have been one of us, M. Doumergue. You have had 21-gun salutes like ours. But after the middle of June you will be only a civilian. There will be another President of France."

In saying goodbye to President Doumergue last week King Gustaf stayed exactly ten minutes. No sooner had he left than M. Le President dashed to the station. Soon he was rumbling toward Nice with the vanload of presents stowed away in the baggage car of his special train-- presents for the Bey of Tunis: a gold encrusted hunting rifle and splendorous vases of Sevres porcelain. For all the wives of the Bey of Tunis, knowing Bachelor Doumergue took bracelets, earrings and other jewelry. For Tunisian chiefs he took dozens of dazzlingly chased rifles.

After an all-night rail journey beaming Gastounet arrived in Nice. Here he was to make what his entourage said would be the last great speech of his career--and incidentally the first one in which as President of France he would freely speak his mind. Ordinarily the President is supposed to be hyperneutral about everything, but he is allowed to have one final fling. Appropriately last week this fling was made in a gambling house, the famed Palais de la Mediterranee built at Nice by Frank Jay Gould of Paris and New York, dedicated to Opera, Art and Baccarat. Because the restaurant of the Palais is one of the best in Europe it was chosen as the scene of a gala banquet to M. Doumergue (no mean gourmet) tendered by the City of Nice and the Prefecture Council of Alpes-Maritimes.

What the President proceeded to say was considered by far the boldest speech of his career. Like Calvin Coolidge who, in his last days as President, took a fling at the European nations who were (and still are) complaining for reduction of their debts, President Doumergue took a fling at Germany. But first he uttered some very suave remarks indeed.

"Noble and friendly nations frame the shores of the Mediterranean," he began, palpably aiming a compliment at Italy. "One of them partook of our recent terrible trials [the World War] and fought valorously and gloriously at our side for the defense and the triumph of a great cause. In the course of that struggle our community of cultural interests and sentiment affirmed itself in so striking a fashion that I am convinced the memory of it will always remain living and active in our hearts."

Well launched in his most sonorous style, Gastounet continued:

"French patriotism is in no way aggressive! It is dangerous for nobody. It does not tend to elevate France above other countries!

"The patriotic sentiment of France has as its object merely to conserve for her the place whereto she has the right; the independence she cannot abandon; the qualities which make her glory and her force; and full security which is indispensable in developing peace, and for collaborating in the largest measure to the progress and happiness of humanity.

''Let us love France," cried her President and drew terrific applause, "because she is the great nation that no ambition agitates, no rancor torments, and no hate inspires!"

Finally the President reached the crux of his oration, his protest against the attempt of Germany and Austria to form a zollverein (customs union), leading perhaps to anschluss (political union) of two of the firmest foes of France (TIME, March 30; April 6).

Warned M. Doumergue: "France must be on her guard, particularly because of a brusque event! . . . The very history of the country where that event occurred contains precedents full of teachings which it would be dangerous for us to forget. I do not wish to dramatize anything, but we must put things in their right proportions, for thus it is that we guard against the other surprises and dangers which they may bring!"

If this seemed lefthanded, even back handed, it was nevertheless the most direct language which a President of France, in finitely hemmed about by regulations, may use. The climax of President Doumergue's speech was a stern demand that France think twice before deciding to reduce her armaments at the League of Nations Disarmament Conference which will meet next February. "France has a right," he declared in ringing tones, "to think that so long as the League of Nations, to whose existence she is so faithfully attached, has not at its disposal a military force sufficient to impose the execution of its decisions on those not disposed to bow voluntarily before them, she must watch out, be on her guard and count much on her self!"

Having spoken in the Gould gambling house at Nice, and having been roundly cheered, popular Gastounet proceeded to Villefranche -- the town where tourists on the Riviera always see French war boats. Boarding the cruiser Colbert amid a 21-gun salute, Gastounet sailed for Tunis.

With him did not sail French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand. During the week all Paris was agog with rumors that M. Raymond Poincare. invalid though he is, has decided to strain every nerve to prevent M. Briand from succeeding M. Doumergue as President.

In L'Echo de Paris redoubtable M. Poincare suddenly urged the election as President of M. Leon Berard, Minister of Justice, a candidate of great obscurity. It was observed that M. Berard sailed with M. Doumergue for Tunis. It was further observed that the President showed M. Berard unusual, even remarkable consideration. M. Briand, who (it was understood) had intended to go with the President, prudently stayed behind to mend his political fences.

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