20 MAY 1899, Page 2

A very curious attempt is being made in Paris to

convert Major Marchand into a new Boulanger. With this object, apparently, M. Thiebaud—whose name will be remembered in connection with the Boulanger "boom "—has been trying to " organise " Major Marchand into the position of a national hero. It seems incredible that the attempt should be made to utilise a Major of Marines as a saviour of society, but apparently all things are now possible in France ; and the Anti-Dreyfus party remember with pleasure certain phrases as to the Army and the Dreyfus case used by Major Marchand when he first saw a newspaper after his wanderings. We agree, however, with the correspondent of the Times in thinking it most unlikely that Major Marchand will lend himself to any of the schemes of his so-called friends. Meantime the Govern- ment have fixed the details of Major Marchand's reception. He will be received at Toulon on the last day of May by the representatives of the Ministers of War, Marine, and the Colonies, and will reach Paris on June 1st, and be entertained at lunch, with the other members of the Mission, by the Minister of Marine, M. Lockroy. In the evening the Major will be given a dinner at the Military Club.