Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-08
THE DREYFUS CASE.
NJ. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES INTER-
PELLATros DISCUSSED.
THE MINISTRY SUSTAINED.
Vote To This Eject Unanfmous--
Large Attendance on the sessaonf
I'm Anticipation Of Exciting Scenes
Press Campaign Condemned.

PARIS, December IN Scheurer-Kest~
ner's Interpolation OF the ministers on
the subject Of the Dreyfus case was de-
bated in the Senate to-day At the COM
clusion OF the discussion the Senate
unanimously voted to proceed with thu
order of the day. thus sustaining the
ministry in its attitude toward the con-
victed officer.
In anticipation OF an exciting session
Of the Senate. the precincts of the
Luxembourg Palace were crowded. ana
the police were called into requisitlon
10 keep the people moving. There were
many ladies and people Of prominence fn
the galleries OF the Senate, and there
was a full attendance of senators.
When the opening formslities had been
concluded, NJ. Scheurer-Kestner reviewed
the Dreyfus case at length. He traversed
the statement OF NJ Meliue's. relative to
his evidence that Captain Dreyfus was
upjustly condemned saying thar. ale
though he had not delivered the docu.
ments into the Premiers hands, he had
shown them to him.
he had been violently attacked by part
OF the press, but he had also found va
liant and dlsnterested help from men,
bers Of both chambers, literary men, and
others.
II told NJ. Meline." said the speaker
"he could publicly declare me mistaken.
IL he could show proofs that Dreyfus
was guilty. N. Meline however, refused
TO, 40 ~ fn
my evidence respecting the anonymous
note If Dreyfus was not convicted on
the anonymous note. then he was con-
victed on evidence which was not CONS
munlcated to tho defence"
Nj. Scheurer-K * esther then declared that
the government had refused a revision
OF the trial, asserting that the author
| ship OF the anonymous note was the cruz
| Of the whole question. He added that
| he was certain II was not written by
| Dreyfus and asked that the matter be
ro-examined.
| The speaker did not wish to predict
| the result Of the inquiry, but no asked
| If the Minister of War, General Billot.
| had acted Justly in publicly declaring
| Dreyfus TO be guilty.
NJ. Schuerer-kestner concluded with u
| protest against those who had dragged
| the honor of the army into a judicial
matter"
| The speech OF M. eurer-Kestner was
| frequently interrupted by murmurs, and
there was little applause.
GENERAL BfLLOTS REPLY.
The Minister for War. General Biilor,
| replied that VI. Scheurer-Kestner had
| submitted to him no evidence. He han
| coptended, the Minister explained, thar
| the anonymous note was the basis OF tha
| whole affair. and that II IT was shown
not TO have been written by Drcyrus. tina
| latter ought TO be accorded new trial.
| But the General, as Minister for War.
| could not 20 back on the judgment or
the court-martial, and he acted within
his right In declaring and repeating tnar
Dreyfus was guilty. tCheers)
| The present enquiry. continued the Min-
| ister for War, did not concern Dreyfus.
| burt concerned Major Esterhazy. tho offi-
| Ger whose letters, bitterly rejecting upon
| France and the French army, were re-
| Gently published by the Figaro.
| The Premier, NJ. Meline was tho next
| speaker He said II was the duty OF tina
| Minister for War TO affirm the authority
and Judgment OF the court. II was not his
function to revise. II NJ. Scheurer-Kest-
ner had fresh evidence TO produce, II
| ought to have been submitted TO the Min-
| ister of Justice, but those interested pre-
ferred another method The government.
NJ Meline further said, had tsken the
| only course possible. in the midst OF this
| storm of conflicting passions. "A military
enquiry had been opened.
| The Premier said in conclusion: Let It's
| decision be awaited The press campaign
| must cease for it has already done much
| harm"
| Senator Provost-Delaunay accused M
Seheurer-Restner OF promoting an anti
! patriotic and anti-Frenoh work.
Senator Trarieux said justice was not
infallible. He expressed approval of the
! conduct OF NJ Scheurer- -Kestner.
The debate was then closed and mo-
| ton was submitted by Senator Cheauveau
| approving Of the goyernmenrs deciara-
| ton. The motion was adopted.