The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-04-06
The Boulanger Affair.

II is too soon 10 determine whether or
not Gen. Boulanger acted wisely by going
to Brussels to avoid arrest 1t is certain
that his fight alarmed good many Of his
followers and gave his enemies an oppor-
tn lity to say that he had none of the quail;
ties Of a hero, and that if he had not been
a coward he would have remained and
faced his accusers. 1t is certain that his
course has not increased his popularity.
The man who displays courage and re-
sources in emergencies is the one VINO wins
the admiration of the people
But all tie reasons which led Gen.
Boulanger TO leave France may not be
known to the public He is charged with
conspiracy to overthrow the republic. II
there is nothing more against him than
what has appeared in print that charge
cannot be sustained. The government may
have information, however, which 1t has
not yet disclosed. 1t is true that the public
prosecutor refused to prosecute Gen. Bou-
LANCER He said he had nothing upon
which to base prosecution. The govern
ment thought differently, and removed him.
and filed his place with one who will do its
bidding.
The Chamber of Deputies has voted for
the prosecution and the whole power Of the
government will be brought to bear upon
the Senate to influence that body to find
Gen. Boulanger guilty. Politics her
than facts will probably control the YER
dict. Unless the patriotic league, Of which
Gen. Boulanger is the head h s been i'm
prudent, and has taken steps looking to the
overthrow of the republic, it is probable
that if Gen. Boulanger had remained and
stood his trial, and had been found guilty,
no greater punishment than Punishment
would have been inflicted upon him. But
il he has overstepped the bounds Of pru-
dence, and has done anything that can be
construed into treason, he was wise in seek
ing safety in fight.
VIII the prosecution be continued in his
abseuce2 1t is not improbable that it will.
The government will seek, PROBABLY to have
Gen. Boulanger forever disqualified from
holding Office, and to prohibit him from re-
turning to France. But will sentence of
that kind end his public career2
1t may, and it may not Much depends
upon Gen. Bouanger himself. If he is the
weak man that many say he is, he may
soon drop into obscurity and be forgotten.
If he is man of resources and courage,
he may quickly make his power felt. If he
can hold his friends they may set to work
at once TO control the next elections in his
favor. If they can succeed in electing a
majority of Boulangists to the new Chamber
Of Deputies, the decree against him may be
reversed, and he may return 10 France
stronger than he was when he fed to Brus-
sells.
Gen. Boulanger's career has been a
strange one He has never shown any ele-
meuts Of greatness, and he has never done
anything that entitled him to popular
favor. He has even failed Co make the
most Of the opportunities which have pre-
seuted themselves to advance his political
fortunes. But for some reason or other he
has acquired an immense following, and he
may come back to France az sort of
martyr, triumph over his enemies and
accomplish the object for which ne has been
working.