The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-06
DREYFUS' DEGRADATION.
PROTESTED HIS ySIyNOCENCE DURING
THE CEREMONY,
But to This the People Rssponded "a Mort
10 Traitrs"-Bors Himsel' With
Courage Durlng the Ordeal.

Of Captain Alfred Dreyfus. recently sem
fenced to deprivation of military rank
and title and confinement in the fortress
Cor life fer having divulged Government
secrets. took place at . o'clock this morn
ing on the parade ground OF Ecole Msu.
tajre, in the presence of 1000 troops anu
a number OF newspaper reporters anu
others.
Some time before daylight detachments
from all the regiments IN the district Oh
Paris were on march 20 the parade
ground. These detachments COMPRISED
new recruits, veterans. men or all grades
of service, and as they arrived at Ecoia
Militaire took positions assigned 10 them.
The weather was clear and bright, pa1
cold.
THE GENERAL ARRIyss.
At $50 \. NJ. General Darras, COM
manding the troops, arrived. ns
was assisted by Colonel Fay-
cite and the major Of the Paris garrison.
The troops formed a square facing the
main entrance to the parade srounu,
where was stationed band composed OF
drums and bugles. The Thirty-nlnth Kcs-
iment, having Captain Dreyfus in charge.
was one of the first bodies OF troops to
arrive az the parade ground. At precisely
o'clock the prisoner was led out from
the left wing of the square. lie was
accompanied by squad Of artillery SOL
diers. He was pale, but with iirm step
marched, with his sword In his right
hand, TO the centre OF the squad. where
no was awaited by General Darras. lie
halted before the General ami stood at
attention" The adJutant OF the Republl-
can Guard then pronounced the verdict
of the court-martial which had condemned
Captain Dreyfus. While the verdict was
being read Captain Dreyfus flushed some
what, but otherwise showed no sign OK
losing his composure.
IL SWEAR THAT AM IsSoCESr'
After the reading OF the verdict General
Darras addressed the prisoner, saying
"Dreyfus, you are unworthy To carry
arms. In the name OF the people Of
France We degrade you"
The adju.ant then walked up 10 Drey-
fus and took from him his sword. which,
with a quick sharp movement. he broke
across his knee, casting the pieces upon
the ground. He then cut the buttons ana
insignia OF rank from the uniform of the
condemned captain and threw them also
upon the ground
At this point Captain Dreyfus was ior
a moment moved by sense OF MS nus
initiation, but he quickly suppressed Mo
emotion, and shouted In ioua 'o,ce'
| 'NlNe In france! 'Ouiinu-Hs' ho S"'''
"You have degraded an innocent man.
I swear that am Innocent
He seemed about 10 speak further. but
his voice was crowned by the rolling OF
drums, which was not loud enough, how
ever, to drown the ringing shout from
the crowd IN the rear of the soldiers or
"a mort lie traitfe."
The ceremony UP TO this time had last
ed four minutes. The drums we're then
4. a .l..I
his march along the four sides of the
square IN What is known az lie Parade
de PEXecution. The scene was very i'm
pressive, and many Of the younger SOL
diers turned .heir heads away. Captain
Dreyfus marched firm and sodleriy. VIA
a quick. short pace, and when ne rer.6 (
the delegation Of officers from the re-
serves, raised his hand and said:
Tell the whole OF France that / am
innocent"
"A MORT IE TRAITEF.p
Turning TO the left from the position or
the reserve officers, he came before TIE
members of the press, TO whom he said
in a firm voice:
II declare that am innocent"
The march ended at 9:20, after which
the condemned man was taken 20 the
barrack gate and turned over 10 the civil
authorities. A large crowd OF people had
gathered at the entrance IT, the par;fie
ground and from among them came n0c7
one word of sympathy. but the cry OF ~
mort le traitre" was taken up by them
and repeated until the miserable man wa'
out of hearing of his tormentors.
Dreyfus was received from mis- escort a,
the barrack gate by four gendarmes, who
placed him I'm an ordinary pilson van
and at $3.50 the troops marched out OF the
parade ground en- route 10 their respective
quarters.
WOrkingmen who were hurrying down
down Rue Cherchcmedi. about J o'clock
this morning. stopped iOr moment 20
stare at the prison van, surrounded by
mounted soldiers. which was standing
| outside the military prison. waiting
to convey Captain Dreyfus to Ecole MIL.
ta!re.
DREYIUs UNCosc gNFp.
About 40 a. NJ. veteran >a.llef. EN-
ployed as jantor IN the prison, threw
back the iron gates aud Captain Dreyfus,
fianked by TWO soliiecy, carrying guns
with ixed bayonets. walked ont apd hur-
reoly mounted the steps of tho van.
marching 10 The gates % the van be-
tween lines Of Republican guards The
van, which was driven by trooper took
its course across the Rue Duyin 1nd
down the Rues dc BabylOnp and II dEstrcs
crossing the Avenue de- Breteuil 10 the
Ecole MlItaire. where IL arrived az T.5j..
Dreyfus mounted the van with perfect
unconcern. He stood erect and his
cheeks were not whitened by the Gus
tomary pailOr Oi prisoners. Ills appear
ance was more Ike that Of q man going
on parade tnan that OF the prisoners
condemned 10 life Imprisonment aud ON.
ciai degradation. AS a measure VI prepa-
ration for stripping the prisoner " h!s
insignia or rank, etc, the prisoE tailor
yesterday reviewed all ,be buttons and
stripes from Drcyfus' tunic. the red
stripes from his trousers, and the regi-
mental number and bFaid from his coli
lar and cap These were all replaced
with a single stitch so that they could
mans sword was also iilcd almost IN
twain. IN order tina, 81 fnight be easily
broken. The adtutants quick movement
and apparent effort IN breaking the
sword was consequently mere pretense,
as only mere touch was necessary.
oURssD THE DIsGgAcED oFrIcxR.
AS the prison van sped through the
streets the people stood on the sidewalks
and with uplifted hands menaceg and
cursed the unfortunate officer.
IL Is stated that when captain Drcy-
fus spoke 10 the officers Of the reserve.
protesting his innocence. the latter re-.
iorted: Down with the Judas; Silence,
traitor" etc.
Dreyfus was stunned for a moment. but
quickly recovering himself. looked upon
them through his eyeglasses. which he
wore throughout tho ceremony. and with
smile OF contempt. said In clear.
nrm voice:
lyon are towards.
Dreyfus was firm throughout. During
the entire ceremony he appeared 10 be
less affected than almost any person
present. Except that he was stup3 for
the instant by the taunts OF his fellow
officers. he was perfectly cool.