French minister of navy proposed founding of a colonial army according to the Dutch newspaper De locomotief dated 12 November 1896

An item reported that the French minister of navy Besnard the founding of a colonial army proposed.(1)

Note
1. Armand Louis Charles Gustave Besnard (11 October 1833 Rambouillet, France-15 July 1903 Rohan, France) minister of navy 17 January-1 November 1895 and 29 April 1896-28 June 1898. Also a navy officer ending his career as vice admiral.