The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-29
THE DREYFUS AFFAIR.

A Sensational Publication OF Count IEa-
tsrhszy'' Letters Casts New Light On
the Natter.
PARIS, Nov. 2s,-The Figaro has
caused a sensation to-day IN connection
with the Dreyfus affalr, by publishing
several lettera purporttng to have been
written by Comte Ferdinand Walsh Es-
terhazy, who has been accused by NJ.
SchOuerer-Kes one OF the vice presi-
dents of the senate. OF being the author
OF the unsigned letter which led to the
condemnation OF Dreytis.
In one of them, after expressing his
Intention TO enter the Turkish service,
comte Esterhazy is represented as cay
ing;
81 shall not leave without having play
ed a trick OF my own on those amiable
Frenchmen."
Other passages illustrating the charae-
ter Of the letter follow!
"our cowardly and ignorant grsa.,
chiefs will go once more to people Ger
man prisons.
II should be perfectly happy II were
told ! was to be killed tomorrow as q
captain OF uhlans sabering Frenchmen."
II am capable Of great things or crimes
II that could ayenEe me. l would not
harm a little dog. but l would have a
hundred thousand Frenchmen killed
with pleasure"
Comte Esterhazy proceeds to say tina
"Frenchmen are not worthy OF the car
tridges intended TO kill them" anu he
conjured up dream OF feStlvity" in the
shape of the pillage OF Paris by hun
dred thousand drunken soldiers.
Interviewed by reporters to-day as to
the publications In the Figaro OF letters
purporting to be OF his authorship, comte
Esterhazy displayed great indignation,
and declared that they were forged by
the friends OF Dreyfus, who, he said, had
taken words and sentences from his let
ters and'pieced them together by pro-
cess with which he was acquainted. He
said also that he had been warned some
days back that such publication would
be made,
lie Jour doubts the authenticity OF the
letters. Shortly after Figaro appeared
Comte Esterhazy visited General Pei
lieux, who was appointed by General
saussler, the military governor OF Paris.
to conduct the investigation OF the
charges which have been brought against
him and protested against what he al
leges is a fresh calumny.
A semi-ofllc1al note tonight says that
General Pellleux's investigation was al
most finished, but that he will now ex-
anime into the authenticity Of these let
ters, then he will act with absolute i'm
partially. and see to It that satisfaction
Is given TO the honor Of the army, TO
justice and truth.
General Pellleux this afternoon inter
rogated Colonel Pecquart, who was sum-
moned from Tinis In connection with the
Dreyfus affair. and whose statements
were reported to be the basis Of the accu-
cations originally brought against Comte
Esterha2y.
As cabled to the Associated Press Sat
urday, the Figaro OF thar day said that
General Pellleux had seized letters writ
ten by Comte Esterhazy to several per-
sons, in white the writer had insulted and
violently attacked the heads OF the
French army. According 10 the Intran-
sigeant OF Saturday. Colonel Picquart
had been sentenced to thirty days deten-
sion in a fortress for his reflections on
Comte Esterhazy. Prior to the Figaro's
publication the letters referred to In the
foregoing It was understood in Paris that
the result of General Pellieux's inquiry
would be announced Tuesday to General
Blllot, minister OF war.
In letter referring to an actress.
comte Estherhazy. is represented as
writing:
II am quite at the mercy OF this
drolesz Contemplate creature) II I
make the slightest mistake toward her.
wish l was in Siam and could make
her follow me there. One Of my spahis
muskets going of, as II by chance,
would cure her forever"