Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-09
DREYFUS' FATE
Probably Settled by the Action Of
the French Senate, Tue sday.
Governments Declaration approved Despite
M. Scheurer. Kestners Opposition.

Paris, Dec. THE cabinet, this. morn
ing, decided to answer. this afternoon. in
the Senate. the Interpolation of NJ.
Scheurer-Kestner. one of the vice presi-
dents of the body, regarding the Dreyfus
scandal, and to allow all the discussion
desired. 1t is believed that the govern
ments attitude will be sustained by the
voting of the day, as was the case in the
Chamber of Deputies.
A band of law students assembled in
front of the Luxembourg palace, where
the Senate sits, this afternoon, and en-
gagged in an anti-Dreyfus demonstration.
They traversed several streets in Indian
file. shouting Down with Scheurer."
Down with the Senate. Down with the
Figaro" and Down with Zola.'' IS
The police eventually stopped the dem
onstration, but a police chief was badly
mauled by the mob before rescued. Five
of the students We're arrested.
M. Scheurer-Kestner. in the Senate,
part of the press. but he had ALSO found
valiant help from members sof both
Chambers. adding:
II told NJ. Meline he could publicly de-
clare me mistaken if he could show proofs
that Dreyfus was guilty. He. however,
refused to do so. and also declineQ to con-
slider my evidence respecting the anony-
nous note. If Dreyfus was not convicted
on the anonymous note. then he was con-
victed on evidence which was not COM
dare to defend such a procedure before
this assembly,"
He then declared that the government
had refused a revision Of the trial. and,
asserting that the authorship of the
anonymous note was the cruxs of the
whole question. added that the matter
should be re-examined. He protested
against those who had dragged the
honor of the army into a judicial matter
The minister of war, Gen. Billot. replied
H.
to. him no evidence He had commended
that the anonymous note was the basis
of the whole affhir and that if it was
shown not to have been written by Drey-
fds the latter ought to be accorded a
new trial. But as minister of war. he
court martial. and he acted within his
right in declaring and repeating that
Dreyfus was guilty. A
The present inquiry. he continued. did
not concern Dreyfus but concerned Major
EsIerhaZy, the officers whose letters bit
te1ly rejecting upon France and the
French army were recently published by
the Figaro. & SIS
The premier, M. Meline. said it was the
duty of the minister of war to affirm the
authority and judgment of the court. Ec
was not qualified to reverse. He, the
speaker. had told M. kestner that the
minister of war had no right to receive
evidence. If M. Kestner had fresh dOcu-
mentS 10 produce, tney SnOulu he SUBMIT
ted to the minister of justice, but those
Interested preferred another method.
The government, he remarked. had ia
ken the only course possible in the midst
of this storm of conflicting passions. add
ing: IA military inquiry has been opened.
Let it's decision be awaited. The press
campaign must cease, for it. has already
done much HARM.
Senator Proyost-Delaunay accused NJ
Scheurer- Kestner Of promoting an anti
patriotic and anti French work.
Senator Tracie4ix said justice was not
infallible. and he expressed approval OF
the conduct of NJ Sciieurer- Kestner.
Tie Dreyfus debate was then closed
and motion was submitted approving
the governments declaration. The motion
was adopted.
The impression in the Hobbies after the
close of the debate and the adoption OF
Senator Chaveau's motion was that NJ
ScheurerKestner's defence had received
| a death blow. -