The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-04
THE TREASON OF DREYFUs.
Suspicion, Proofs and the Sudden Ac-
cusatiOn and Arrest.
Paris Letter in London Telegraph.

Ever since the false report of the escape
of Dreyfus from French Guiana was put
of artillery has engrossed a great deal of
attention. An extremely interesting ac-
count Of his treason is published on what
looks like excellent evidence, and, as the
main features of it are credited, / cannot
do better than give you the gist thereof.
The story throws an instructive SideIight
on certain methods on which it is unnec-
essary to lay any special stress, IS the
facts speak for themselves. 1t is just two
Dreyfus. A War Office functionary COM
municated to General MERCER. then Minis
ter, a letter forwarded from the German
embassy here to the one in Rome, and
which had been deciphered. In 1t the fol-
lowing passage occurred: Certainly that
animal Dreyfus is becoming too exacting.'
Some days afterwards a letter. also en-
anating from the German embassy here,
was brought in. Tt stated that certain doc
umentS, including one on the mobilization
of the artillery and the plan of the Mad
agascar campaign, had been sent to Ger
many. The Minister requested a general
to open an investigation, and the hand
writing, although disguised, was compared
with that of the different officers in the
Rue Saint-Dominique, but no clew was OBJ
tanned.
1t was then by the heads of
departments that Dreyfus had been lately
employed on work connected with the rail
way arrangements. A. paper which he had
drawn up was taken out and placed by the
side of the letter in question. and the con-
viction arrived at that Dreyfus was the
culprit. When General MERCER was in
formed of the result of the inquiry, he ex-
claimed:
II knew it already" Thus. twice in the
course of a few days had Dreyfus been de-
tected. General MERCER, however. desired
further proof. He had the Captain ollowed.
and he was found to be in personal inter
course with one of the spies of the German
general staff. An officer was then intrusted
with the unpleasant task of fully demon
Strating the guilt of Dreyfus. He wrote to
the Captain, skiing him to call at the War
Office on a particular morning, and a dra-
matte scene ensued. When Dreyfus made
his appearance he said that he would take
a walk with him very soon, but that he
had some work to get through in a hurry.
dictatfon while he looked through some
papers? Dreyfus complied, and then the
officer began to dictate the ~tell-tale letter.
1t commenced: Il am starting" and at
once the culprit grew pale and his hand
trembled violently. Asked what was the
the officer went on with his dictation, he
exclaimed. Il don't know what 1t is, but /
can't possibly write" A moment after
wards he was arrested by the chief of the
adjoining room. What is all this? OF what
am l a~ccused?" he exclaimed. There is no
need to tell you replied the officer stern
ly; your recent emotion is sufficient
proof" Dreyfus continued to protest that
he was innocent, but half an hour later he
was at the Cherche Midi prison. The search
at his abode led to no result, but it was
presumed that the cumen had been
committed to the keeping of one of his ac-
completes. Two days afterwards one of
q detective, was seen entering the War
Office in Rome. This person is q civilian.
Others living at Nice are also objects of
suspicion. Such are the main lines of this
dramatic story, which tells us more about
this mysterious affair than all that we
knew before