The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-17
FRANCES POPULAR HERO
CHARACTERISTICS AND CAREER
OF GEN. BOULANGER.

the Army.
From the Philadelphia Press.
PARIS. April 2-"Gen. Boulanger is the
most prominent Frenchmsn in the republic
TODAY. and a Democratic administration
could not do without him. He is the leader
of the inpulsive elements, the aggressive
forces; and France, you know, is both i'm
nusiye and aggressive"
Sucb were the words of United States
Minister McLane as he handed me note of
introduction to this modern Napoleon a
few weeks after his retirement from the
Ministry of War. He was then in the
zenith of his personal popularity as Gen
eral and regarded as the man on whom
would fall the chief command in the event
of war with Prussia. But in the months
that have interviewed Boulanger has ceased
N he a popular idol merely; he is political
power preponderating the great parties
United against him, and no stretch of
IMAGINATION is needed to accept the posi-
bility of the prediction that the end of the
wear will find him dictator or an exile.
An hour after leaving Minister McLane l
sliphted in front of PHotel du Louvre. At
the same time gentleman, who very much
resembled in general air ex-Secretary of
Var Robert Lincoln, of Chicago, emerged
from the office of the house and walked
rapidly down the open corridors, which en-
circle the inner court of all Partisan hos
telries. and passed out into another apart
nent. He wore the light-brown beard,
closely clipped, the shining silk hat, fault
less kid gloves of summer hue, the Prince
Albert coat (blaclz) and light trousers, the
neat-fitting shoes, had the rapid step and
the admirable atmosphere of the late Sec
rotary of War of America, but was scarcely
as heavy. Instantly l remarked to my
companion that that must be Gen. Boulan-
ger, for whom | was looking. The military
attitude, the quick, piercing eyes, the firm
chin, closely pressed lips and the quiet
recognition he received on every hand told
me that this was the hero of the day in all
France.
During a half hours talk had with him
got an impression Of Boulanger's charac-
ter, which has been verified by number of
his friends. 1t requires no large faculty for
Misunderstanding to get at the disposition
of Gen Boulanger. He carries his character
in his face. He is so years old. His light
brown hair and beard do not, however,
show any appreciable traces of age; nor is
his step less elastic or his face more fur
rowed than they were when he stood in the
fore front of his command during
the siege of Paris and helped to
drive back the German adversary.
He is essentially a soldier by
birth and education. 1t is his instinct, his
impulse, to be aggressive, and to stand on both
the offensive and defensive. He is proba-
bly, the most enthusiastic admirer of the
republic of any of its prominent advocates.
A word is sufficient provocation for battle
with MIN, and he knows not defeat. This is
why the uprising elements sing give la
Bouianger" whenever he appears in the
streets, and run in thousands after his car
riage, or carry him in their arms whenever
he will permit them. He rather courted the
counsels of the army than the officers of
the Administration while minister of war.
HANDSOME, GALLANT AND GRACEFUL.
Even the most ardent opposition to the
policies of this man remark his wonderful
diplomacy and acknowledge his grace. He
Is not only graceful in his military achieve
ments and official acts, but he is the personi-
ication of grace in his individual capacity.
At the ball reception, in the dining-room.
the halls of the republic, the ladies rave
over him, although he was married in 1865.
has two daughters and long string of
family connections. A lady who frequently
goes to him for information of an official
character tells me that he is the proudest of
bis gracefulness of any man she ever saw,
and that he never misses an opportunity of
exhibiting his grace.
The ladies say he can remove their coats
or assist in putting them on, escort to the
dlning-room or reception-hall, open fan or
mount horse in a way that will elicit ad-
mlratlon from the most stoical The same,
the men say is true of his military acts.
Everywhere that he goes troops of actresses
and demi-mOndane follow him, counting a
smile or a bow. Over all women, as can
easily be seen, he exercises the greatest in
huence He is the especial hero of fem
lnlne France, and he reciprocates to the
fullest extent the admiration of the ladies.
ten. Boulanger is an enterprising and ad-
vancing man and does not devote his atten-
tons solely to his own elevation or to soci-
ETY.. He graduated from the military
school at st. Cyr, at an early age, as an ar
tuiery man, and years afterward, when he
was up in the ranks, he studied for the cav
airy, not as an amusement, or TO enter that
branch of the army, but to make himself
more efficient as an artilleryman. He soon
possessed and gave evidence of great inge-
nulty as soldier He was at an early age
what is known as an all-rOund soldier. His
devotion to his fellows in the army at once
gave him the confidence of every man in
the ranks. In all of his movements in
every branch of life he has had the support
OF the army and it is this that gives him
so much influence.
WASHINGTON OR A NAPOLEON.
Undoubtedly Boulanger is the most pop
ular man since the time of Gambetta. But
ms popularity has only grown since 1892
30 rapidly has he sprung into public favor
ana power that the more conservative are
wondering whether he is ambitious and a
schemer, politician or a man of action;
whether he is a Napoleon or a Washington
"a man OF action or reflection. he is an
enigma, and his most intimate friends do
not, while pronouncing him patriot, pro-
less to understand him. His advancement
IS phenomenal. Had he been successful
during the Schnaebele excitement in pre-
cIpitatlng a war with Germany, there is
iieellng that the riotous elements would
nave rallied around Gen. Boulanger and
mace him Emperor or King.
france is making history so fast" said a
member of the Chamber of Deputies to me
tne other day, that one can not foretell the
situation day hence. Should there be an
uprising, the possibilities of this man are
beyond conjecture. He is the only man the
passionate can rally around; or, in other
words he is the only one who will hoist the
, nag and permit the rally. He is not a Napo-
icon IN the field, nor has there ever been a
uetnand by his countrymen for him to lead
.ne army. Boulanger has simply led an
Iilpuise which has been taken up by what !
may De the majority. He is a hero by
cnahee The French are so impulsive, how |
ever, that certain restrictions must be |
thrown around this man to keep him in his |
Iloce' When it became apparent that he |