There is, of course, nothing to contradict in M. Poincare's
speech, nor can it be justly said to be provocative to any other nation. At the same time we confess to disliking heroics of this general character. They certainly incline one to think that there may be something in the criticisms often made in regard to M. Poincare, namely, that he might easily turn into a firebrand. Indeed some careful observers have congratulated themselves that he is now President instead of Prime Minister on the ground that the French President is only a King Log. There is, of course, the danger that M. Poincare will. try to magnify his office and will not be content to leave real power to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. The constitutional struggle, if it takes place, will be an interesting one. On the whole, we incline to back the Prime Minister, on the ground that the President lives in a palace with a great salary and what is practically a Royal household, and is continually performing great ceremonial functions. All these things are non-conductors of power, or, at any rate, anodynes -which make men forget to want or to use actual power. It is generally the man who is without the pomps and circumstances of power who is found exercising real authority.
