The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08
NO HOPE FOR DREYFUS
ACTION OF THE AUTHORITIES UP.
HELD BY THE FRENCH SENATE.
FruitIess Efforts of NJ. Scheurer-Kest4
Oner on the Isle of the Devil.

| PARIS, Dec. I'M. Scheurer-K estner's
| Interpolation of the ministers on the sub
| ject of the Dreyfus case was debated in
the Senate to-day. At the conclusion of the
discussion the Senate unanimously voted to
proceed with the order of the day, thus sus-
tanning the Ministry in its attitude toward
| the convicted officer.
A band of law students assembled in front
| OF the Luxembourg Palace. where the
Senate sits, this afternoon and engaged in
an anti-Dreyfus demonstration. They trav-
ersed several streets shouting Down with
| Scheurer,' Down with the Senate" Down
| with the Figaro and Down with zola'
In anticipation of an exciting session OF
/ the renate the precincts of the Luxem-
! bourg Palace were crowded to-day and the
| police were called into requisition to keep
the people moving. There were many ladies
| and persons of prominence in the galleries
| of the Senate and there was a full attend
| ance of senators.
When the opening formaities had been
| concluded, the president, M. Loubel. an
nounced that NJ. Scheurer- Kestner desired
to interpellate the government in the per-
| sons OF the premier NJ. Meline, and the
minister of war, General Billot, in regard
| to their declarations in the Chamber of
| Deputies on Saturday last, on the subject
| of the alleged false Imprisonment of Alfred
| Dreyfus, former captain of artillery con-
| victed by court-martial of selling military
| secrets to the agents of a foreign power.
| The premier signihed his readiness to an
| swer the questions put to him, and the
| Senate decided to open the discussion forth
with: M. Scheurer-Kestner then reviewed
the DreyfuS case at length He traverSed
the statement of NJ. Meine relative to his
| evidence that Captain Dreyfus was unJustly
| condemned, saying that although he had
not delivered the documents into the
premier's hands, he had shown them to
him. Continuing, M. Scheurer-KeStner said
| he had been violently attacked by a part
| of the press, but he had also found valiant
| and DISTINGUISHED help from members or
| both chambers. literary men and others.
! could publicly declare me mistaken If he
| could show proofs that Dreyfus was guilty.
| NJ. Meline. however. refused TO do so, and
| also declined to consider my evidence re-
| specting the anonymous note. If Dreyfus
| vas not convicted on the anonymous note,
| then he was convicted on evidence which
was not communicated to the defense, and
| who will dare to defend such procedure
| before this assembly, which, only the other
| day, in order to secure prisoners against
| the miscarriage of justice voted reforms in
! the criminal procedure?"
NJ. Scheurer-K estner then declared that
| the government had refused a revision Of
| the trial and, asserting that the authorship
| of the anonymous note was the crux of the
| whole question, he added that he was GER
! tain it was not written by Dreyfus and
| asked that the matter be re-examined. The
| speaker did not wish to prejudice the re-
| suits of the inquiry, but he asked If the
| minister for war, General Billot, had acted
| as justly in publicly declaring Dreyfus to
| be guilty. NJ. Scheurer- Kestner concluded
with a protest against those who had
dragged the honor of the army into
NJ Scheurer-K esther read his speech in
quiet, unimpassioned tones, emphasizing the
principal passages. When he referred to
the disinterested support he had received
h
sidized by the friends of Dreyfus a storm
! of Kisses followed, but he stood undismayed
speech of M. Scheurer- Kestner was fire.
Quently interrupted by murmurs, and there
was little applause.
The minister for war, General Billot. re-
piled that NJ. Scheurer-Kestner had SUBJ
mitted to him no evidence. He had con-
tended, the minister explained, that the
anonymous note was the basis Of the whole
affair, and that If it was shown not to have
been written by Dreyfus the latter ought
to be accorded a new trial. But the general,
as minister for war, could not go back on
the judgment of the court-martial, and he
acted within his right in declaring and re-
peating that Dreyfus was guilty. (Cheers.)
The present inquiry, continued the minister
for war, did not concern Dreyfus, but con-
cerned 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 docu-
mentS, including the Borderau, would be
submitted to q commission of inquiry. In
conclusion General BlllOL Scllu. Let justice
accomplish its - NrlS and let us all think
patriotically o" @ army and of France"
| (Applause)
| speaker. He said 1t was the duty of the
minister for war to affirm the authority and
| judgment of the court, il was not his func,
| ton to revise it, JFS (the speaker) had told
NJ Scheurer-Kf that the minister for
war had no RI receive evidence. If
M Scheurer-K E had fresh documents
to produce tt should be submitted to
the minister of justice, but those interested
preferred another method; me govern
only course possible In the midst OF TINS
storm of conflicting passions "A military
inquiry has been opened the premier said
in conclusion. Let it's decision be awaited.
The press campaign must cease, Tor II mas
already done much harm. The honor OF the
army and the interests of the national de-
Tense should remain outside of all discus
sions Certain facts are involved which af-
feet our most essential interests. and they
should remain secret lest an indscretion
might lead 10 the graVest consequences"
Senator Provost Delaunay accused M.
Scheurer-K estrer of promoting an anti-pa-
trotic and anti-French work. Despite the
opposition of the Senate and the public gall
leries he (Deaunay( tried to introduce per-
sonalites He also read a Russian press
agency telegram saying how much gratified
the Russian nation had been by General
army in the Chamber. This introduction OF
foreign element not only failed of its pur-
pose, but aroused strong protest. under COW
er OF which the senator withdrew.
Senator Trarieux said justice was not IN
fallible. He expressed approval of the con-
duct Of NJ. Scheurer-Kestner. He (Trarieux)
tried 10 raise the tone of the debate. but
the result was foregone conclusion. The
debate was then closed and motion by
Senator Frank Chaueveau approving the
governments declaration was carried
AT the conclusion Of General Billot's
statement NJ. Scheurer-Ke thanked
him for his promise to submit the various
documents in the case to commission OF
inquiry.
The impression in the Hobbies after the
close of the debate and the adoption OF
Senator Chaueveau's motion was that nj.
Scheurer- Kestner's defense had received
death blow.
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Gold Seekers Awarded Damages.