Arizona republican., 1914-03-28
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 History
TRIAL OF GEN. BOULANGER

The people of France have never had a public man whom they have more thoroughly idolized than they did General Boulanger. From the period he was made war minister he was the most popular man in the country. He came to be accepted as their man of destiny" and he retained his popularity for a score of years in spite of the jealousy he inspired among those who considered themselves entitled to equal consid- eration. He was able to retain this popularity in spite of the fact. as was afterwards shown, that he was concerned in various intrigues for his own betterment, with no proper con- sideration as to the welfare of the nation that paid him such marked hOnors.
 Boulanger become the head of the French army in 1886. He was ap- pointed to the office of minister of war when the radicals won under M. Clemenceau. His patron, however, was compelled, in a short time, to abandon him for the reason that he was becoming so incOnVeniently prominent, and there were no regrets by the head of the French govern ment when he resigned in May, 1887. The mob clamOred for their brave general but NJ ROuvier in forming his new cabinet, declined to take him into his official family, and he was given command of an army corps.
 But a Boulanger movement" had already been started The Bonapar- lists had attached themselves to him, and even the Comte de Paris en- couraged his followers to support him. His name was the theme of the popular song of the moment, and the French military bands every where were playing the "Boulanger marches that had been composed In his honor The mention of his name at the theaters, or any public assem- blages, always called out an enthusi- astice demonstration, for the general and his black horse had become the idol of the Parisian populaces.
 All this honor seems to have turned his head. for he began showing in subordination which eventually led to his being deprived of his com mand in 1888 for twice coming to Paris without leave, and finally on the recommendation of council of inquiry composed of five generals, his name was removed from the army list.
 Boulanger. was, however, almost at once elected to the French cham Der. During 1888 his personality was the dominating feature of French politics. Finally it was looked upon as a menace by those opposed to him. An agitation in his favor, con- ducted with much skill, caused fear lest he were aspiring to a. military dictatorship of France. His name became the rallying point of those who were hostile to the parliament ary system, or to the republican gov ernment in it's present form.
 Alarmed by his singular popularity and by his political intrigues, the government instituted a prosecution of him before the high court of jus tice. On April 1, 1889, General Bou- langer. Henri Rochefort and NJ. Dil- lon avoided arrest by a sudden de- parture in the night from Brussels, having fled from Paris on March l'. On April 4. the chamber of deputies voted to sanction the prosecution of the general for treason and six days later issued warrants for his arrest in exile.
 On April F the preliminary trial began. The charges were treason and the embezzlement of 252,O0O francs. On August the senate. as high court of justice began the trial and found, after seven days of hear ings. that he and his confederates, were guilty of ''felonious attempt against the safety of the state and of embedding public funds" Count Dillon and Henri Rochefort were also found guilty as accomplices. and all were sentenced to be deported to fortified prison.
 On September 6, General Boul- anger demanded of Prime Minister of France Tirard, trial by court martial. This was refused whereat q public demonstration by the Boul- anger party on November 12, resulted in the government arresting 15O par ticipants.
 Boulanger continued to live abroad during the remainder of his life. In April. 1890, the Boulangists were to- tally defeated in the municipal elec- lions. and on May IS, the general published a letter deprecatlng any further agitation in favor of ms views. He finally committed suicide at Brussels in Belgium, on September 30. 1891. on the grave of his amorlta, Madame de Bonnemains, who had diod in the nreceding JulY.