New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-08
DREYFUSS FRIENDS LOSE.
FRENCH SENATE VOTES THE ORDER OF
THE DAY. SUSTAINING THE
MINISTRY.
NJ scEEURER-XEsTNERs UNAvAI11Na PLEA IN
SUPPORT OF HIS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
MINISTER FOR WAR PROMISES TO SUB
NIT THE VARIOUS DOCUMENTS TO
A CQMMISSI0A,
A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

NIT THE VARIOUS DOCUMENTS TO
A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY
Paris Dec. THE Cabinet this morning de-
cided to answer in the Senate this afternoon
the Interpolation Of Mr. Scheurer- Kestner re-
garding the Dreyfus scandal and to allow all
the discussion desired. After debate OIL the sub
ject this afternoon the Senate voted the order
OF the day-as the Chamber Of Deputies had
previously done-thus sustaining the Govern
ments action in the matter
The precincts OF the Luxembourg Palace were
crowded to-day in anticipation Of the opening
Of the Dreyfus debate in the Senate The police.
however. were able to keep the people moving.
There were many women and officers in the gal
leries, and the whole hall was crowded At the
close OF the opening formaties the President.
NJ Loubet. announced that NJ. Scheurer- Kestner.
one Of the four vice. presidents. desired to inter-
pellate the Government In the persons Of the
Premier. NJ Meline and the Minister for War.
General Billot. in regard to their declarations on
Saturday in the Chamber of Deputies on the
subject Of the alleged false Imprisonment OF
Alfred Dreyfus a former Captain Of French
Artillery, convicted by a court-martial OF SELL
Ing important French military secrets to the
agents Of foreign Power The Premier thsre-
upon signihed his readiness to answer the ques
lions put to him, and the Senate decided to open
the discussion forthwith.
NJ. Scheurer-Kestner then rose and reviewed
the Dreyfus case at length. He traversed the
statement Of NJ. Meline relative to his evidence,
saying that, although he had not delivered the
documents into the Premiers hands. he had
shown them to him. Continuing. M. Scheurer
Kestner said he had been violently attacked by
part Of the press but, ne added. he had also
found valiant and disnterested help from men,
adding:
told M: Meline he could publicly declare me
mistaken IL ne could show proofs thet Dreyfis
was guilty NJ Meline however. refused TO do
and also declined to consider my evidence
respecting the anonymous note II Dreyfus was
not convicted on the anonymous note. then he
was convicted on evidence which was not COM
municated TO the defence; and who will dare
10 defend such a procedure before this Assem-
bly, which. only the other day. IN order to secure
prisoners against the miscarriage Of justice.
voted reforms in the criminal procedure?
NJ. Scheurer- Kestner then declared that the
Government had refused a revision Of the trial
and. asserting that the authorship OF the anony
nous note was the crux OF the whole question,
he added that he certain 1t was not written
by Dreyfus and asked Tat the matter be re-
examined. The speaker aid not wish to preiu-
dice the results OF the inquiry. but ne asked
II the Minister for War General B!llot. had
be guilty. NJ. scheurer Kestner closed his speech
with q protest against those who had dragged
the honor OF the army into judicial matter"
NJ. Scheurer- Kestner read his speech in quiet
unimpassoned tones. emphasizing the principal
passages. When he referred 10 the disinter-
ested support he had received from two news
papers accused Of being subsidized by the
friends OF Dreyfus. storm OF Kisses followed:
but he stood undismayed until II subsidized and
then went on. The speech OF NJ Scheurer-
Kestner was frequently interrupted by muir
murs and there was little applause.
The Minister for War. General Billot replied
that NJ. Scheurer-kestner had submitted 10
him no evidence. He had contended. the MIN
lister explained, that the anonymous note was
the basis of the whole AFFAIR. and that II 1t
could be shown not TO have been written by
latter. But the General as Minister for War.
could not reverse the judgment Of the court
martial. and he acted within his right in de-
claring and repeating that Dreyfus was
guilty. Cheers) The present inquiry. contin-
ued the Minister for War. concerned not Drey-
fus. but Major Esterhazy. the officer whose
letters bitterly rejecting upon France and the
French Army were recently published by the
Figaro" The War Office he declared, had
done its duty; and the various documents. in
Guiding the Bordereau. would be submitted to
a commission Of inquiry. At the close OF Gen
eral Bots statement. Nj. Scheurer- Kestner
thanked him for this promise.
The Premier. NJ Mene. was the next speak
err He said II was the duty OF the Minister
for War to affirm the authority and Judgment
Of the Court He was not qualified to revise 1t.
The speaker had told NJ. scheurer Kestner that
the Minister for War had no right 70 receive
evidence. II NJ Scheurer- kestner had fresh
documents to produce. they should be submitted
to the Minister Of Justice. but those interested
preferred another method: The Government
NJ. Meline further remarked. had taken the only
course possible In the midst OF this storm OF con-
hicting passions. adding: "A military inquiry
has been opened. Let Its decisions be await "a.
The press campaign must cease, for It has al.
don tch haYY
and the interests Of the national defence should
remain outside Of all discussions. Certain facts
are involved which affect most essential
interests and they should remain secret, lest an
| indiscretion night lead to the gravest conse-
quenoes" (Cheers)
Senator Provost Delaunay accused NJ. Sch eur
err Kestner Of promoting nti-patriotic ani
anti French work. Despite the opposition II
the Senate and the public galleries Provost
Delaunay tried to introduce personalities. lie
also read Russian press agency telegram say
Ing how much gratited the Russian Nation had
of oee the ~ army in the Chamber This introducron
OF a foreign element not only failed OF its pur-
pose. but aroused strong protest. under cover
Of which the Senator withdrew
Senator Trareux said that Justice was not
! jnfallibe and. continuing he expressed approval
of the conduct Of M. Scheurer-Kest NJ.
! Trarieux tried to raise the tone OF the debate:
hut the result was foregone conclusion.
The debate WAS then closed. and motion was
submitted by Senator Franck Chauveau ap-
proving OF the Governments declaration. The
motion was adopted. The House afterward
unanimously voted the order OF the day In favor
| Of the Government.
| hand OF law students assembled in front OF
! the luxembourg Palace this afternoon, and en-
! Gagged In Al anti-Dreyfus demonstration. They
| trayersed several streets In Indian file. shouting
| "Down with Scheurer,' Down with the Sem
at.v' Down with the Figaro and Down
| with lola" The police eventually stopped the
de nonstration. but police chief was roughly
| handled by the mob before he could be rescued
| Five OF the riotous students were arrested.
MRS r. G. IASIGI SUES FOR DIVORCE