The Boulanger revelations continue to ooze out slowly,—like slime. The
last published of M. Mermeix's disclosures, which is summarised in Monday's Standard, deals with the efforts made to prevent the election of M. Ferry to the Presidency of the Republic. It was proposed to form a Cabinet, with General Boulanger—then Commander of the Thirteenth Army Corps—as Minister of War, which would enable M. Grovy to avoid resigning. A meeting of M. Clemenceau, General Boulanger, M. Henri Rochefort, and others took place at the house of M. Laguerre to discuss the matter, but no agreement was come to, M. Chfinencean refusing altogether to form a Ministry. During the meeting, how- ever, the following incident is said to have occurred :— " One of the conspirators remarked that it was just possible the Chamber would refuse to accept a Cabinet thus formed. Some talk about having the Parliament invaded by the mob and virtually broken up, after the precedent of the Revolutions of 1848 and 1870, then took place. At this another member observed : How about the Army ? Suppose it is called out to preserve order ? ' To this General Boulanger replied : Nothing can be easier than to confine the troops to barracks and let the people act.' M. ClAmenceau on hearing those words rose, and, addressing Madame Laguerre, merely re- marked : Could you give me a slice of cold meat ? ' and taking her arm went to the dining-room, and added when he got there : It is strange to think that all we have been saying has been heard by a General of the French Army on active service: "
Previous page
