The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-24
FRANCES WAR MINISTER
THE GOVERNMENT DEFENDS ITS
CHOICE OF A CIVILIAN.

Premier Floquet Denies That the Sc
lection was Revolutionary and Cites
Precedents Under the Monarchy
M DeFreycinet Claims Patriotism
Equal to All Eventualities-Anot
Anti-Boulangerist Demonstration.
PARIS, April 23.---ln the Chamber of
Deputies to-day M. Floquet, Prime Minister,
agreed to an immediate debate on the in
terpellation of Count dc Martimprey regard
ing the appointment of civilian on. De-
Freycinet, as Minister of War. The Count
declared that Premier Floquet's action in
making such an appointment was revolu-
tionary, and would have deplorable effect
upon the army.
In reply to the objections of Count de Mar
timprey to the appointment of civilian as
War Minister, Premier Floquet said that
under the ancient monarchy there were as
many civilian as military War Ministers.
1.-The Count accuses us of a revolutionary
act. What is revolutionary is to force
general into political agitations."
Applause from the Left Center ]
The government thought that at the time
when the Ministry of War was taking such
great steps to secure administrative, scien-
tifc and material development it was best
to secure the services of a man competent
to execute their programme. He reminded
the Chamber of the patriotism NJ de Frey
cinet displayed in 1870, as Chief of the Mil
itary Cabinet, under President Gambetta.
Applause
DE FREYCINET'S STATEMENT.
NJ de Freyciuet declared that he had not
sought office He assumed it at the earnest
solicitation and would reply by his acts to
the accusations of Incompetence. He said
the national defense belonged entirely to
the Republicans, to whom France had been
left unarmed and mutilated. He knew his
duties as War Minister and would perform
them with all his energy and a patriotism
equal to all eventualities. In conclusion,
he said that he reckoned on the confidence
of the Chamber in order to accomplish his
task.
An order of the day expressing confidence
in NJ de Freycinet was then adopted by a
vote of 377 to IT'S.
The Temps accuses the police of support
ing Gen. Boulanger and treating the stu
dents severely. The students i'll the Caen,
Lyon and AK Universities have tele-
graphed their congratulations to the Paris
students.
ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION.
Another anti-Boulangerist manifestation
night. A party of students burned Gen.
Boulanger in effigy.
A final split has occurred in the French
Patriotic League, the delegates refusing by
a vote of 81 to 13 to sanction the nomina-
tion by the managing committee Of Paul
Roulede for honorary President of the
league. The group of action, conformity
with NJ. DeRoulede, have decided to reform
the league on new basis.
PARIS MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.
The Municipal Council, after three hours
violent discussion, to-day adopted an order
of the day opposing the plebiscite, CON
demning the Boulangerist campaign, and
| declaring that the Council is ready to place
| itself at the head of the people in order to
| save their liberties and preserve the repub-
| lie A vote of confidence in the Ministry
was also adopted. The Council afterward
| discussed a motion of M. Hovelacque de-
manding immediate abolition of the Presi-
dency aud Senate. 1t is probable that a
duel between Councillors Humbert and
| Hallat will result from the debate.
| Hoveacques motion was referred to a
committee. The Prefect of Police pro-
tested against the charge of showing
| leniency toward the Boulangerists. He de-
clared that he would suppress all riotous
| bands The C 7uncii resolved to accept the
protest and asked the Prefect TO expel all
| anti Republican officers
At large meeting of students this after
| noon n resolution was adopted pledging
themselves to abstain from agitation, but
declaring themselves strongly opposed to
Gen. Boulanger
Gen. Boulanger has adopted the red car
nation as an emblem. 1t is proposed that
his followers shall wear the flower.
QUIET AT MIDNIGHT.
PARIS. April "a, 3 A. M.--The Boulauger-
1.a ..Asa
behalf Of Gen. Boulanger, disowning the
| newspaper La Cocdrde for it's advocacy of
his nomination for Isere and other districts,
and declaring that he absolutely refuses to
be candidate. At midnight the city was
quiet.