Claim: Briand knew that the publication of this false suspicion against Gallieni would damage morale and might bring down the government, thus he was persuaded to remain in office until another general was appointed.
Evidence: In 1896 he was promoted to General and made Governor of Madagascar, then a new French possession, where the French had just been defeated, with 4,613 soldiers dying of disease. Gallieni was falsely suspected of wanting to launch a military takeover of the government. Briand knew that publication of the report would damage morale and might bring down the government. Gallieni was persuaded to remain in office until a replacement had been designated and approved.