Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-25
FRENCH OFFICERS OUTLAWED.
They VIII Now he Hunted Down
Like Wild beasts.


PARIS, August 2i-The sensations
story to the effect that the Soudan exped-
ton under Lieutenant Colonel Klobb has
been slaughtered by the Voulet expedi-
ton is denounced as an infamous calum-
ny by Major Marchand Of Fashoda fame,
who makes his views known I'm the Libre
Parole.
Marchand does not doubt that Klobb
and Meunier have been wiped out. but he
believes il was the work of the natives.
and that the unlucky explorers ventured
into dangerous region in insufficient
force.
The story Of the encounter has created
a grave stir here. The mere fact that il
could circulate and be believed shows
that there are certain persons who regard
the French army as consisting of sayages
who would resort TO any lengths TO gain
a point. even going so far as TO massacre
other commands under the same flag.
According 10 Marchand, the Klobb par
ty could not have been murdered by
NOulet. because sufficient time had not
elapsed 10 permit of Klobb catching up
with the Noulet expedition.
The Figaro says Captain Voulet often
talked of the possibility OF establishing
an African empire. and asks II he is
about TO attempt TO realize the scheme.
Captain Noulet was a member Of Mar
chand's command when that famous cap
tain led the plucky but frutless cxpedi-
ton TO Fashoda, which 50 nearly came
into conflict with Kitchener's forces.
France now claims direction over all of
the Soudan Land Of the Backs between
the river Niger and the ocean though the
boundaries are not defined. and is con-
stantly pushing 10 the eastward. toward
Lake Tchad. Separate expeditions have
set out from Algeria, from the French
Soudau. and from the Congo, their object
being 10 add 10 the area ruled by the re-
public or under its sphere of influence.
one Of the important expeditions Is that
OF Voulet which has been operating to
IN. northeastward Of Sokoto. East Of this
is the territory covered by the Foureau-
Larry expedition. which has reached AK
and still further east. or in Baguirmi ia
the territory operated in by the Gentil
column.
The Vouet party. under instructions
from the Minister OF the Colonies. left
Hayes for the Tchad over route already
covered by Monten who, between 1890
and 1892 went from ST. Louis, Senegal
10 TripoH by way of the Tchad.
In 1896 the French African Commission
sent Captain Casemajon over Montei's
tracks. In October, 1897, Casemajon left
Saw and went down the Niger as far as
Caumama. lie crossed the river and went
through ArgOungon, reaching Under IN
There he had a terrific battle with the
natives. I'm which he was Killed. The
Soudanese soldiers in his command Fought
well. but were outnumbered.
A CHANOINE IN THE COMMAND.
The Voulet party went 10 the soudan
10 take up the work at the point where
Casemajon stopped. in Noulets com
mard was Lieutenant ChanOine whose
father, a general figures IN the Dreyius
case. Iieutenants Petcau and Pallier, OF
the Marine Infantry; Lieutenant Joalland'
of the Marine ARTILLERY; Dr. Henric SER
geant-Major LOury, and Sergeant Both
rel.
Voulet reached Hayes on August 90 1888,
and made great preparations for sally
into the interior. JOalland was put In
charge Of the convoy OF supplies from
Raves TO Bammaks. Chanoine recruited
natives in the country around Moro
while Palner did the same service at
MagassOla. The column was 10 concen-
trate at Djenne on the Niger.
From that point Noulets plan was 10
descend the Niger with Joaland, Petau,
DIR. Henric and Bothrel ChanOine was
To make Il cut across the bend In the
river 10 a place called Mossi, there To
engage uorters and procure the beasts OF
burden needed by the expedition Nouiet
made the river trip To Timbuctoo without
incident. He was well received every
where by the natives, especially AT Goun-
dam. which commands the traihc on the
Niger. &C.,,
Al Tlmbuctoo Voulet found Colonel |
Klobb Of the Marine Artillery, the man |
who il Is now said he murdered. Klobb |
was the commandant OF that district. |
The situation at that time was a httle |
disturbed the natives being ready for war |
az any moment, and Klobb was afraid |
that Voulet could not go further on the
Niger with safety He decided thereupon !
10 accompany Voulet with two companies !
OF rifemen. a squadron OF native troops
ana a detachment of artillery. They were
10 follow on land. Two gunboats con-
voyed the floating party
Voulet changed his arrangements Tor
the river trip. The rihemen 100 In num-
Der, were divided into two battalions-
one under Klobb and the other In YOU
let's boats.
Every two or three days the fotilla and