sentences:  He nevertheless tried and failed to get himself elected President following the November 1919 elections.Shortly after the war, Pétain had placed before the government plans for a large tank and air force but "at the meeting of the "Conseil supérieur de la Défense Nationale" of 12 March 1920 the Finance Minister, François-Marsal, announced that although Pétain's proposals were excellent they were unaffordable".In addition, François-Marsal announced reductions – in the army from fifty-five divisions to thirty, in the air force, and did not mention tanks.