DOUMERGUE, GASTON 12th president of the Third French Republic, was born at Aigues-Vives on Aug. 1, 1863, and was educated at the Lycee at Nimes. He studied law, became a barrister, and, after holding magisterial appointments in Cochin China and Algiers, was elected deputy for Nimes in 1893. In the Chamber he spoke with authority on colonial questions and was minister for the colonies in the Combes Government, 1902 05, being elected vice-president of the Chamber when this adminis tration fell. In 1906 he was minister of commerce in the Sarrien cabinet, retaining his portfolio in the succeeding Clemenceau Government. When M. Clemenceau reconstituted his cabinet, M. Doumergue became minister of education and held the same post in the Briand ministry (July 1909 to Nov. 191 o) . In the latter year he became senator for the Gard Department and strongly advocated the Three Years' Military Service Bill.
On the fall of M. Barthou's administration in Dec. 1913, M. Doumergue formed a cabinet in which he himself took charge of foreign affairs. He was forced to resign, however, after the gen eral elections of May 1914, which resulted in a majority in the Chamber opposed to the Three Years' Military Service law. On the outbreak of the World War he again became minister for the colonies in the Viviani Government of national defence. In 1917 he left the Government, and was sent on a mission of inquiry into conditions in Russia. On his return he re-entered the senate. After the resignation of M. Leon Bourgeois on Feb. 22, 1923, M. Doumergue was elected to succeed him as president of the senate. He supported the policy of M. Poincare with regard to Germany and the Ruhr. On June 13, 1924, he was elected president, and remained in office until 1931. He was prime minister of a National Government from February to November, 1934.