Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-29
CONCERNING BOULANGER.
A Talk with Mr.. Albert Rhodes About
the French situation.

the French Situation.
Mr.. Albert Rhodes. now in Washington. WINS
for a long time resident Of France in an off,
cial capacity, and is the author of well-known
book on the French, published in England not
long ago. Yesterday one of our reporters inter-
viewed Mr.. Rhodes concerning Boulanger.
In substance what he said was as follows:
1t is the opportunity which has made Bou-
LANCER. and shows the want Of political educa-
ton in France. There never was a man that
attained such an influence over q people who
did less to justify it Discomfort has been
growing, owing to heavy taxation for the MAIN
tenance of the army, indifferent and poor
crops, and consequent lack Of commercial
prosperity. The French have been mistaken My
led to attribute these results TO the kind of
government under which they live. Naturally,
they would have been the same under imperial
or royal rule.
They looked about for man who represented
their discomfort and their woes. Neither Of
the Bonapartes-Prince Jerome and his son
Victor-were sympathetic; the Comte de Paris
was too far aloof from the people. The gov
eminent had acted toward Boulanger with
severity, but justice. in a case of disobedience
OF orders when he held command in the army.
Those most bitterly opposed to the govern
ment averred that he was martyrized. At the
military reviews he had already attracted the
attention Of the masses by his handsome APP
pearance in a brilliant uniform caricoling on a
fne black horse. What contributed most to
his popularity, however, were two songs SING
In the cafe concerts by a man called Paulus
and woman called Demay, that Of the former
being En- revenant de la revue" and that of
the latter, ''Mon Petit Ernest" These went
over the country, and led to the words Of Jules
Ferry that Boulanger was the St. Arnaud OF
the cafe concert
Boulanger professed unbounded sympathy
FOR the unhappy and distressed. who fgura-
lively wept ON the bosom of this political
Christ, and were consoled and inspired to hope
for favorable change when he should manage
public affairs. There was no man of great
popularity to oppose him. Gambetta might
have done it had he lived, and possibly Theirs
through his remarkable political sagacity.
The tableau of a handsome blond. covered
with gold lace. mounted on a prancing black
horse. was something irresistible TO French
women, and this influence is well known. es-
pecially when the taking figure was invested
with certain martyrdom. 1t seems to be one
OF the requirements of hero in France to be
mounted on a horse. with a sword in his hand.
accompanied with the roll Of the drum and
the blast of the trumpet.
The republicans regard him as an incipient
C@ser; he himself stoutly retorts that be is a
good republican. and he probably is-from his
point of view. Louis Napoleon also began as a
good republican. The rapidity with which an
idol is raised in France is only equaled by the
rapidity with which it is cast down. The
French, warm-hearted and confidng. are not
restrained by those prudential considerations
in the bestowal of their confidence which OBJ
tain in most other nations. This is more cred
liable to the heart than the head. but il is
French nature. The development of the tur-
bulent personality of Boulanger indicates more
and more that it is very difficult to govern
France through set of abstract principles.
What do you think will be the upshot of the
recent election of Boulanger!" inquired The
STAR representative.
HE may go on" said Mr. Rhodes. 'winning
elections as vacancies occur in the chamber
until the next general election. and thus keen
up continuous turmoil. This is a slow pro-
cess and disquieting to the nation over long
period. To avoid such delay and sequent dis
turbance, President Carnot may bring about a
dissolution of the chamber and order new gen.
eral election at an early day, when the nation
would have an opportunity of pronouncing def
nitely for or against Boulanger.
With the prestige OF present victory.
Boulanger will, of course, gain some adherents
in the present chamber. but not likely in suf-
fcient number to form a majority. There are
republicans who believe in minority represen-
tation in a cabinet, but such cabinet is hardly
feasible. 1t is possible however, that it may
be tried, with Boulanger in ii, for France is a
country Of political surprises. There is nc
present danger of a coup fetot from Boulanger
for he is not in the army, and Consequently has
little influence therein. The chamber may re.
peal the present election law. the
scT-utin de hste. and replace it with the
scr-utin dd'Tondissement. According to the
former. the candidate may be a non-resi-
dent in the district which elects him
this has allowed Boulanger to try his chances
wherever he pleased in the event of a vacancy
If the chamber enacts the scrutin d'arrondisse.
ment, compelling residence therein as a condi.
ton Of election, 1t will put stop to the plebis
eitary proceedings OF Boulanger. and there will
for a time"
Mr.. Rhodes concluded by saying that the
French were a charming people and that there
was a strong bond Of sympathy between them
and Americans