Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-01-10
HE vAlNLY PROTESTS HIS INNOCENCE


Terrible Punishment Visited Upon Gem
eral Dreyfus, the French Omoer Who
Was Convicted Of Treason In Disclosing
Official War Office Documents to For
eiguers-Publlcly Degraded in the Pres
encc of 7roops--Dcnounced by Officers
and Hooted by the Populace.
PARIS, Jan. 5.--Captain Alfred Drevfus
of the Fourteenth Regiment of Artillery,
recently attached to the general staff Of the
army, who was tried by conference.-the con-
victed of treason in disclosing important
war office documents to foreigners, and
sentenced to deportation and imprison-
ment for life in fortress, was publicly de-
graded this morning iii front Of the MILL
tary school OF this city.
TURNED pEATHLY PALE AND TREMBLED.
Dreyfus slept we'll and was awakened at 5
o'clock in the morning, when he was in
formed that this was the date fixed for his
degradation i'll public. He displayed no
emotion until he was dressed in the full
uniform Of his rank and prepared to leave
| the Cherche-Midi prison, in which he has
been confined since his arrest, for the mill
tary school. lie then turned deathly pale
and his hand shook as lie signed the prison
register,
When this Tormality was gone through,
| two gendarmes with revolvers in their
hands escorted him to a closed military
|
| by troop of mounted Republican Guards.
In this wagon, surrounded by the guards
with drawn swords, Dreyfus was driven to
| the military school.
The route between the prison and school
| was lined by many thousands of spectators
about the military school, which is large
establishment near the Invalides and
covering an area of about 26 acres.
When Dreyfus arrived at the military
school he was placed in an improvised
cell and attachments from every branch
OF the garrison Of Paris began assembling
OH the Place de FOntenuy and by q. N.
fully 5000 troops were ranged around the
quadrangle.
PUBLICLY DEGRADED.
At o o'clock DTeyfus was conducted to
the square and was led before General
ID Arris, who was i'll command of the
troops and the sentence Uf the court
martial was read to the prisoner. The
general then briefly addressed Dreyfus,
saying:
'iou are adjudgod unworthy to bear
arms. In the name OF the French people
| degrade you,h
General D'Arras then gave sharp word
OF command and non-cummissioned Off
Ger Of the Republican Guard approached
Dreyfns, the infantry presented arms, the
cavalry presented swords and there was u
long solemn roll from the massed drum
corps.
: Ijreyfus started back as the non-com-
mssioned officer touched him and shouted:
Il am innocent, lswsarl vivela France"
, The ou-cOmmissiUned officer then
tore or Dreyfus epaulettes and all the
{ other distinctive marks of his rank as q
: captain of artillery, ending up with
r breaking the prisoners sword in two
& and throwing tho two halves at his feet.
| F,y 1,pp cd hn han s1.,I
around the entire square in front Of the
/ troops. lie was greatly excited and
: shouted more than once: 81 am inno-
i cent; | swear it,"
But every time the prisoner spoke. in
accordance with orders previously issued,
=, his voice was drowned by the roll OF drums.
: TELL FRANCE AM INNOCENT"
Is DTeyiU, passed IN front Of the place
occupied by the representatives Of the
U press he shouted: Tell the whole of
y France that am innocent This caused
Il some officers OF the army reserve, who
s were standing by, to retort:
n down with Judas Silence, traitor |"
n 1t was evident that Dreyfus felt these
words kecnly, for he turned sharply
:, around aud laced the officers in threaten
ing manner but, before he could do or say
anything further. he was seized by the
Y ! soldiers who were escorting him and
S | lOrccu 10 continue MS Illuminating march
/. around the square.
). DEATH TO THE TRAITOR.
e The crowd outside the school, on hear
n ing the prisoners voice when he protested
!, his innocence, raised fierce cries of Death
: to the traitor. Death to the traitor"
10 These cries were accompanied by the
shrill whistlinG peculiar to a Partisan mob
l, When the proceedings were ended, Drey.
r fus was handcuifed, taken to prison van
l. and driven IL an ordinary prison, escorted
II by squad Of geudarmes.
=. The troops then marched back to their
- various barracks tue crowds outside The
s. military school cheering each detachment
rs and shouting, "Vive la France! Viyc Ia
" France! Niye pArmcG Viva la Patrie p
L. On The other hand the sight of the
~ prison van, which was driven rapidly
+ through the crowds, evoked renewed
IL the Germann
4