New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-06

CAPTAIN ALBERT DREYFUS.
others Some time before daylight attachments
from all the regiments in the district Of Paris
were on the march to the parade-ground. These
detachinents comprised new recruits veterans
and men of all grades of service and as they
arrived at the Ecole Mi.itare they took the posi-
! tons assigned to them. At $50 a. IN. General
Darras. commanding the troops, arrived. lie
was assisted by Colonel Fayette and major or
the Paris garrison. The troops formed square
facing the main entrance to the parade-ground'
where was stationed band composed of drums
and buglers. The Goth Regiment. having Captain
Dreyfus in charge. was one of the first bodies of
troops TO arrive at the parade ground
Before the ceremony Of degradation began the
vast space in the Place de Fontenoy. facing the
courtyard OF the Ecole Miliare. was crowded
with men and women. Many persons climbed the
base of the hexagonal granite monument erected
| to the memory Of the Parisians who were killed
| in 1870 and others hired places upon stepladders
and maintained their positions throughout in the
! biting wind The weather at first was clear and
bright, but toward the end Of the ceremony the
sky became overcast with snow clouds. which the
sun occasionally pierced.
LED OUT FROM HIS PRISON
Workingmen who were hurrying down the Rue du
Cherche Midi about O'Clock this morning stopped
! for a moment to stare at III" prison van. sur
rounded By mounted soldiers. which was stand
ing outside the military prison waiting to convey
Captain Dreyfus TO the p cca al his degradation.
Many of the men shook their fists in tn direction
Of the condemned mans cell and uttered deep
curses upon the head Of the traitor. About 40
a. m veteran soldier employed as janiior In
the prison. threw back the iron gate and Cap
tain Dreyfus nanked by two soldiers carrying
muskets with fixed bayonets. walked out and
hurriedly mounted the steps % the van. march
ing to the prison gates between lines Of Republic
can Guards
Dreyfus mounted the van with perfect uncon-
Germ He stood erect. and his checks were not
| whitened by the customary pailor Of prisoners.
His appearance was more Ike that Of a man
going on parade than that Of Cd prisoner con-
demned to life Imprisonment and official degra-
dalton. The van which was driven by a trooper.
took its course across the Rue Dupn and down
the Rues de Babylone and d Estrees. crossing the
Avenue de Breeuil. to the Eco'e Mnitaire. where
II arrived at 7:55 As 1t sped through the streets
the people who stood on the sidewalks with up
lifted hands menaccd and cursed the unfortu-
nate officer
As a measure Of preparation for stripping the
prisoner Of his insignia Of rank etc. the prison
stripes from Dreyfus's tunic. the red stripes from
his trousers, and the regimental number and brad
from his collar and cap. These were all replaced
with a single stitch, so that they could be torn
| away readily The condemned mans sword was
also filed almost in twain, in order that 1t might
| be easily broken.
| AT precisely O'Clock the prisoner was led ont
| from the left wing Of the square, accompanied ny
a squad OF artillerymen. He was pale. but with
a firm step he marched. with his sword in his
| right hand to the centre Of the square, where
General Darras awaited his coming. He halted
before the general and stood al attention The
| adjutant of the Republican Guard then pro-
! nounced the verdict Of the court-martial While
the verdict was being read Captain Dreyfds
! flushed somewhat. but otherwise showed no sign
| of losing his composure After the reading Of the
verdict General Darras addressed the prisoner
saying:
Dreyfus, you age unworthy to carry arms In
! the name OF the people OF france we desih'c So"'
THE FORMAL DEGRADATION.
| The adjutant then walked up TO Dreyfus ana
took from him his sword. which with quick
| sharp movement, he broke across his knee cast
| ing the pieces upon the ground. His quick move
ment and apparent effort in breaking the sword
were mere pretence. as only touch was neces-
sary. The adjutant then cut the buttons and
insignia of rank from the uniform Of the con-
demned captain, and threw them also upon the
ground. At this point in the proceedings Cap
tain Dreyfus for moment moved by a
| sense OF his humiliation, but he quickly sup
| pressed his emotion and shouted In "a loud voice.
"Vive la France Continuing. he said:
You have degraded an innocent / swear
| that am innocent.
He seemed about to speak further. but his voice
was drowned by the rolling OF the drums. which
was not loud enough. however to drown ring
ing shout from the crowd in the rear Of the SOL
diers of "A mort lie traire."
The ceremony up to this time had lasted just
four minutes The drums then beat and the de-
graded man began his march along the four sides
Of the square in what IS known as La Parade dc
rExecution." The scene was Impressive, ana
many OF the younger soldiers turned their heads
away. Captain Dreyfus marched with firm and
soldierly step. and when he reached the delegation
of officers from the reserves he raised MS hahd
and said:
Tell the whole Of France that am innocent
MAINTAINING HIS INNOCENCE.
The officers retorted: Down with the Judas
"Silence, traitor" Dreyfus stunned for a
moment. but quickly recovering himself, looked
upon them through his eyeglasses. which he
wore throughout the ceremony. and, with a
| smile of contempt. said clear firm voice
You are towards" The soldiers escorting him
quickly seized him and forced him to continue
| his humiliating march. Turning to the left IRON
| the position Of the reserve officers he came be,
! fore the members OF the prey, TO whom ne saio
| In a firm voice:
| declare that am Innocent
| The end Of the march was reached at 32V. after
which the condemned man was taken to th'
barrack gate and turned over to the civil au
thorIties. a large crowd Of people had gathered
| at the entrance to the parade ground. and from
| 1870
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