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1899]

The Dreyfus Case

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various confessed forgeries, and the fact that the paper on which the bordereau was written was of a very peculiar kind, precisely similar to that in use by Esterhazy, and the further fact that the secret document had been declared to contain no reference to Dreyfus, were sufficient evidence on which to grant him a new trial. The Court therefore ordered that the sentence of December 22, 1894, should be quashed and that Alfred Dreyfus be tried by a fresh Court Martial at Rennes, the Court Martial to be specially selected for this pupose.

Rennes is a garrison town in Normandy, capital of the Department of Ille et Villaine, about sixty miles from Nantes. In this town, far away from the excitements and intrigue of Paris, Dreyfus will be given a chance to vindicate himself.

The result of the trial is a great triumph for the cause of justice. You will remember that it was on account of his defense of Dreyfus, and the accusations which he made against the very men who have since been proved traitors, that M. Emile Zola, the novelist, was tried and condemned to pay a heavy fine. M. Zola, if you recollect, slipped out of the hand of the law and fled to England, where he remained until recently, a fugitive from justice for more than a year.

The verdict of the Court of Cassation is especially gratifying to all lovers of truth because of the attempt made to coerce the judges into deciding against Dreyfus. As you probably remember, a bill was passed changing the proceedings of the Court to bring the decision before the entire forty judges, when it was found that the judges of the civil section, who alone

should have dealt with the case, were all in favor of revision.

A great crowd was waiting outside the Court to hear the decision, and when it was learned that Dreyfus was to be given a new trial, the air was rent with cries of "Long live Justice! Long live the Law." This proves the great change that has taken place in public opinion since first the Dreyfus case began.

M. Dupuy, the Premier, has summoned a conference of ministers to discuss the best means of bringing Dreyfus home.

Affairs in France are rushing ahead with terrific speed, and the Ship of State will require the most delicate steering if it is to be saved Affairs in from the rocks.

France.

The people who are most opposed to Dreyfus cannot but feel that the action of the Court of Cassation is strictly just and in accordance with law, and a chilling fear is beginning to take possession of them, lest, after all, Dreyfus may be inno

cent.

If Dreyfus is really innocent, and has been the victim of a cruel plot, one of the foulest and most cruel plots that have ever been conceived, it is evident to the people that the persons concerned in that plot are high officers in the army, of which France has always been so proud.

The consciousness of this fact has annoyed them, and not being able to vent their rage on Dreyfus, they

1899]

Attack on President Loubet

The Attack on President Loubet

785

have turned against the President, M. Loubet.

On June 4 he went to Auteuil to witness the Grand Steeplechase of Paris, which is one of the great events of the French racing year. In France, and in England too, the very best and most fashionable people attend the races. Certain of the races are regarded as the great fashionable events of the year, and the society women vie with each other in the beauty and style of their gowns. In England the princesses and the wives and daughters of the nobility always attend the Ascot races, and the week at Goodwood, where these races are held, is considered the most delightful event of the season. Many persons of wealth own fine houses in the neighborhood, and among the guests for the house parties that are made up for these occasions are princes and princesses, dukes and duchesses, earls and countesses by the dozen.

This explanation is necessary so that you may understand that in attending the Autenil races the President of France was not mixing in any such undignified and unmentionable affair as the Sheepshead Bay races at Coney Island, but engaged in a social function select and correct as a coaching trip to Lenox or Tuxedo.

When he arrived at the race course he was received with most hostile demonstrations from the sight-seers, who shouted at him, "Down with Loubet!" and "Panama." This latter cry, as we have explained, was to insinuate that the President had been concerned in the disgraceful scandals in connection with the Panama Canal.

The President had been invited to attend the races by the managers of the affair. They had erected a special box for his occupancy. The inclosure in which the box was placed was reserved entirely for the fashionable people and a large admission fee was charged, The assault on the President was therefore all the more remarkable.

As the President moved toward his seat a number of young men rushed toward him, and one of them, the Baron Christiani, raised his cane and attempted to strike the President.

The police and M. Loubet's friends rushed to his assistance, and a fierce fight ensued, in which one of the policemen was hurt.

The President behaved with the utmost coolness and remained to see the great race of the day. After it was over he returned to Paris. As he left he was again hooted and hissed by the crowd of young aristocrats who had previously assaulted him. Of this group of turbulent young men over one hundred were arrested, among them being (it is said) the Count Castellane, the husband of our young country woman, formerly Miss Anna Gould, and the Count's brother, Count Jean. Both have since denied the allegation.

The French Ministers met in the evening to discuss the situation. They thoroughly understood that the decision of the Court of Cassation in regard to the Dreyfus case was at the bottom of the shameful attack on the President, and that an attempt was about to be made by the enemies of order to convince the people

The Ministers Discuss the Situation.

1899]

Dreyfus to be Brought Back 787

of France that they had now had enough of republics, and should turn their thoughts to another form of government. In the face of this knowledge the Ministers determined to do their duty without fear or favor, and orders were given to arrest all the officers connected with the Dreyfus conspiracy. If found guilty, these men will be punished with the utmost rigor of the law.

Colonel du Paty de Clam has already been arrested. It was this man who first fixed the crime on Dreyfus, and who used every means in his power as a staff officer to protect Esterhazy and punish Dreyfus.

On learning of the verdict of the Court of Cassation Mme. Alfred Dreyfus, the faithful wife of the ex-captain, who has never ceased her efforts to secure justice for her husband, was permitted to cable the joyful news to him.

Dreyfus to be brought back to France.

Orders were sent at the same time by the French government that Dreyfus should be released from his confinement on Devil's Island.

The unfortunate man was accordingly taken from his prison, and transferred to Ile Royal, another of the group of three islands which form the French penal settlement at Cayenne. The ex-captain is now permitted to move about the island as he pleases, and may, if he wishes, wear his captain's uniform.

The French warship Sfax was ordered to proceed from Martinique to Cayenne, and as soon as it arrives ex-Captain Alfred Dreyfus will be taken on board and carried to France, to stand trial once more.

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