Test Vote

Tom, Dick and Harry may, if they wish, declare themselves candidates for the Presidency of France. Last week, on the eve of election day, a perennial named Lop popped up with an infallible secret formula for peace, which he refused to reveal unless elected. A druggist from the small fishing port of Honfleur arrived at Versailles covered with medals, brandishing a pistol, demanding admittance to the Palace to make a speech on his qualifications. A third was an old-timer with sweeping grey mustaches, fiery eyes and the extraordinary name of Monsieur Cochon.

But Tom, Dick and Harry are never elected. Electors are not the French people but the politically sophisticated National Assembly (Senate and Chamber of Deputies). Last week, after Albert Lebrun agreed to run for a second seven-year term--pressed to do so as a gesture of French solidarity against the dictators--the result was a foregone conclusion. Surprising, however, was the amount of opposition which developed.

M. Lebrun received 506 of 904 votes. The opposition was not so much to popular President Lebrun as to Premier Edouard Daladier's policies. Principal opposition came from Communists and Socialists, who scattered their votes--in order to express their lively joy in the game of politics--among various minor candidates and even among some who were not candidates at all, such as ancient (82) Marshal Philippe Petain, recently appointed French Ambassador to Franco Spain (19 votes).

When the result was announced before the Assembly, members remained seated on Left benches and shouted with gusto "Resign! Resign!" The Right answered with cries of "Go home to Moscow!" Finally strains of La Marseillaise broke out, and soon everyone was singing the anthem, enjoying a patriotic thrill in that unity against aggressors which President Lebrun represents.

No French President has ever completed a second-seven-year term. The only one who has ever tried served two years. Last week President Lebrun indicated that he would stay in office only so long as the present international crisis lasts. Gallic wits predicted that in that case he would have to serve his full term.

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