Daladier Proved to Be Capable Pupil, Good Statesman, Says Baldensperger

Giving the probable cause for Premier Edouard Daladier's resignation yesterday, Philippe Jules Fernaud Baldensperger, professor of Comparative Literature, reminisced last night about the days when Daladier was one of his pupils at the University of Lyons in 1905.

Professor Baldensperger praised the life and accomplishments of the former Premier, telling about Daladier's excellent scholarship as a university student. "I gave him good marks," he smiled, "but he deserved them. He was given a fellowship at the University of Lyons, and he obtained a very good record in the competitive examination in history.

"Daladier resigned because although he had a stronger number of supporters than the minority, the fact that two or three hundred deputies remained hostile to his policies made him feel that he should not continue as Premier."

The son of a baker, Daladier belongs to the lower middle class, and was therefore well qualified to serve as a representative of the people. During the World War he proved himself an able soldier and a fearless fighter. He was shortly promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and was decorated for brilliancy in action.

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"Although a portion of the popular opinion may have been opposed to him, Daladier was very much liked in military quarters. But probably the fact that he had to work with the Foreign Office as well as in the capacity of Premier proved to be too much for him."