New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-14
FRENCHNEN HERE CONDEMN 1T.
VIEWS OF SOME REPRESENTATIVE MEN.
LITTLE SYMPATHY FOR GENERAL BoULANGER-
DIsCREDITABLE TO FRANCE

DISCREDITABLE TO FRANCE.
The Boulangsm' which drove its originator
to the resort Of the duel because the Premier
Of France resented being called an impudent liar,
was so far as TRIBUNE reporter could gather
yesterday, few supporters among the French pop
ulation of New-York. The common expression
was one Of regret that such an affair should have
taken place. Regret for the wounded General
came second
Vicomte Paul DAbzac the French-Consul
General here, can hardly be quoted as an au-
thority on the sentiment of Frcnchmen in New
York. 1t is only two months since he came to TINS
country to succeed Maurice Truy. But the VS.
count knows both W. Floquet and General Bou-
LANCER well. lie was in New-Orleans in 1881,
when the General visited the United States for
the Yorktown celebration, and was with Bou-
LANCER for eight days lie said to the reporter ::
General Boulanger is personally one of the most
CHARMING men | ever met. He had many amlable
qualities, and never showed any ill-temper. You
could spend hours in his company without weary
ing
:" Is NJ. Floquet hasty man ?'
{" Not at all. On the contrary he is n man
of much tact. lie possesses ability, courage
and kind heart and is exceedingly POPULAR
In case of serious results from General Bou-
affccted?"
well, that is difficult to answer said the
cautious Consul: IL should be sorry to appre-
hcnd serious results but'-and gesture and smile
indicated that it was not unlikely that Floquet's
popularity would survive Bouanger's mishap.
SOME POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES.
low will the legal officials of France regard
this ducl?'
well, the duel is certainly against the law,
though the laws on the subject not so severe
or so strictly defined as they are here or in
Britain 1t is entirely lawful for man to fight
in self-dcfcnce, and so two men may fight each
other each in his own defence. But it is not
unlikely that the authorities may take cognizance
of the affair, and the results Of such action would
depend much the court it was tried n The
positions of the two men would hardly weigh.
They are both citizens But French iurics are
as variable as American juries; and it would
depend altogether on their feelings in regard to
the duel whether punishment should follow it..
In criminal court, before a judge only, the
'duellists would likely fare worse, Judge alone
on the bench is apt to be more severe
A. v Benoit, the Futon-st. dealer in artists ma
terals expressed much regret that such dis
graceful affair had happened between two proml-
nent men in leading nation like France. i
never cared much for General Boulanger or his po-
Iitlcal schemes he added. lie Is good soldier:
France could find no better: but he made mistake
in leaving the army and is failure politician.
l believe he has turned the majority of Frenchmen
against him"
Louis de Bebian, agent of the French steamship
line also regretted the affair and expressed hope
for Boulangcrs recovery. We do things better
here he remarked. When one politician calls
another liar, they don't go out and fight but the
man who has been insultcd yells back to his advcr-
sary, You're another and there the matter ends
MATTER OF REGRET AND SHAME.
p NJ. Tryant, secretary of the United French
Societies of NcwYork. said that every true French
man felt ashamed of the duel and
that Boulangcr was regarded the
cause of the whole trouble He would have been
much better liked had he remained with the Amy,
added NJ. Tryant. 4" and has been in hot water
ever since he had anything to do with politics.
He's not fit for politics. and if he's allowed to go
on as he has been doing. the outcome will most
likely be a war between France and Germany
These are fair examples of the opinions held on
the subject by the Frenchmen of New-i 0rlS.
Naturally, French circles here are much excited
over the affair." and it is likely to be more than
nine days wonder among them. But they have
been expecting Boulanger to do something eN-
traordinary for some time, and the duel with
NJ Floquet is a subject of surprise with them, not
because it is a sequel TO the quarrel in the Cham
Der of Deputies, but because it has been suffered
to take place and to invite unfavorable comments
on the institutions of republican France