News of the Week
The French Presidency ON Saturday last M. Downer succeeded M. Doumergue as President of the French Republic. We offer our best wishes to him and to his country. No man could have come to his office with better credentials, for he has great experience and has won -confidence in every post that he has held. At home he has been President first of the Chamber and then of the Senate. The politicians therefore know their man ; he, too, knows them and their politics intimately. He has had the further experience of being Governor of Indo-China. This is Soniething new in his office, but very fitting at a time when the Colonial Empire of the French is coming to be seen in its true importance in the world. After the ceremony of the transfer of office, the Premier formally offered the resignation of the Government. As the Oriental great man touches a present in acknow- ledgment .and remits it, so M. Doumer asked M. Laval to form another Government, and at once the smile Ministers were reappointed to the same offices. Let us say farewell to M. Dournergue. He ha's filled his great office with dignity' and only leaves it by his own desire, when he could readily have been re-elected. He has guided falling and rising Cabinets through the many changes of Governments that have occurred during his term. He has satisfied all with his wisdom and constitu- tional rectitude. With a newly-wedded bride he returns to his home in the South with, we hope, many years of happy leisure before him.
* * * *
