The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-08-13
The French Minister Of war.


Edward Kings Paris Letter In Boston
Journal.
Gen. Boulanger, the minister ofwar,
still remains a prominent and striking
figure in French politics. He has not
yet ceased his mission of reform, al
though all the mandarins in the army
endeavor to thwars his progress to-
ward sensible and economical con-
duct OF military affairs. Although he
has not the the entire sympathy Of
the Parisians, who perhaps dread in
novations more than any of their
provincial compatriots dread them,
throughout France. Some Of his
measures have been made merry over,
such as the order making it obligatory
for soldiers and officers to wear their
boards. This order by has no means
improved the appearances OF the French
soldier of the time, who needed, never
theless, the full profit of all the
advantages which nature had
bestowed upon him. Gen Boulanger
does not in any manner contribute to
the belicose spirit which is again be-
coming popular i'll France; in fact,
think he would deprecate 1t as un-
sound and unwise. But hedoes every
erything he can to carry stern and
unbending discipline into the army.
He has been renowned for brilliant
qualities in campaigning ever since he
became soldier. Gen. Bourbaki and
COL Boulanger were the two men in
the unfortunate army OF 1901
whose reputation for fine leafs OF arms
was national
During the final lstruggle between the
troops Of the government and the
commune a young lieutenant had been
ordered to take at the point of the
bayonet q barricade which command
ed the road to Paris. His superior
officer had ordered him to take with
him few men, to approach the barri-
cade under cover OF the night, and
to charge the moment that they
were discovered. "It is desperate
mission" said the officer, "but behind
the barricade you will probably find
the cross OF the Legion of Honor"
The young lieutenant was delighted at
this risky mission; and at midnight
was about to start with his little COM
pany of troops when he saw Col. Bou-
LANCER approaching. At this he was
greatly disappointed, for he feared
that the colonel would take the COM
mand, as he would have the right to
do, of the little troop. But no,
said Boulanger; II have come just to
follow your company as an amateur,
and shall have nothing to do with
the command" So the company OF
soldiers went forward to within go
yards Of the communistic barricade,
where Col. Bouianger and the lieuten-
ant and the men all threw themselves
upontheground and had almostreach
ed the line of defense, when the COM
munist sentinel saw them and appear.
ed 20 givethe alarm. 1--WE are discov-
cred, said che young lieutenant. I'VE
shall have a volley, and we shall lose
half our men," Not bit of it" an
swered Col. Boulanger. 'aThis is what
wemust do. must rise up quickly and
draw the fire. They viii miss me, and
before they can load again you will
rush and take the barrIcade. "But,
said the lieutenant, ''it is my duty to
assume that dangerous task. Not
a bit of it," said Col Boulanger, "and
if you insist upon X, shall exercise
my privilege OF taking command. Rise
up only when tell you" Col. Bou-
LANCER then went forward and attract
ed the attention ofthecommunists SEN
tinels, who fired upon him Their fire
wasfollowed by general volley, in The
midst of which Boulanger's voice was
heard crying "Theyhave missed me as
Isaid they would Forward now and
take them by storm" The barricade
was taken with but the loss ofoneman,