The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-09

been published, too. That wouldn't do. For
Germany would certainly have inquired,
careiessiy crooking the trigger finger: An,
you have executed Dreyfus it is observed.
Would you mind stating why? For trea-
son in face of the enemy, Ell? Pardon the
curiosity, but whom in the present instance
do you consider the enemy?
But it was necessary TO make treason I'M
popular, as we'll as to get out OF the way
a man who might reveal inconvenient facts.
So Dreyfus was sent to the hell on earth
where ne now is. The jailerS seem TO be
succeeding in making an example of the
poor captain. TO begin with, the lies de
Salut, or Islands of safety, as they are fam
tastically called, are a horror in climate.
Prisoners sent thither are confined in iron
cages. on the decks of the transports on the
way. When they arrive they die off like
sheep. Now it appears that Dreyfus is con-
fined in cage even after reaching the
island. Napoleon. on st. Helena, walked
free, though the island was patrolled by
ships of war He lived the life of coun-
try gentleman. He had horses, servants
attendants, secretaries and physician. He
had all the comforts OF home, but the ships
lay in the offing and the island was pa
trolled that was ALL In Dreyfuss case the
island is guarded, Of course. but even his
place of habitation Is never free from
surveillance. He lives perpetually in the
sight of old comrades in arms now turned
sleeping or waking. by guard of veterans
of the French army, with loaded carbines,
and he never leaves his narrow quarters.
the middle of the island. and three others
were built near by for the housing of the
watchers. Now great iron cage has been
built entirely about this hut an additional
precaution, for there were rumors of an ex-
pected attempt to rescue him. There were
people who had an interest in getting him
out 1t cost $4,000 to build this cage IN
that out-of- the-way corner of the earth
But having 1t does not mean any relaxation
of the severity of his prison discipline Day
and night one of the soldiers PAGES about
it with shouldered rife. AT frequent inter-
walls he is relieved.
Sometimes Dreyfus is allowed 10 walk
about the island. At such times he can be
plainly seen from every part OF 1t, as wen
as from the lie Royal and lie st. Joseph.
He is permitted to wear only white cloth
ing, so that he may be more conspicuous.
At night he Is always in his cage: Ihere
are six guards and corporal. Each of the
six patrols four hours out OF the twenty
four, in two watches of two hours each;
He has plenty of time to rest. he has goou
pay and his term is short. If he were TO
stay long on the pestilential island he would
die one man of this guard did go insane
after about a year of it. The man on watch
is never permitted to sit down. He must
Dreyfus's term will be short, too He is
failing in health. If he were to attempt
escape he would be shot instantly. Many
would like to have. that happen. In any
case he will soon die unless he is released
speedily. There are those high in power in
France-so it is thought. felt, wnlsper t;91o
exposure If Dreyfus should escape and tell
what he knows. The iron bars of his cage
were forged as much against revelations as
against traitor. ,
So they wait for the climate to kill the
man. He was placed on the island in 1885
The island where he is incarcerated is SO
unhealthy that the goats which were once
kept there have been removed to another.
He looks already like an old man, with bent
form. white hair and deep-lined face. No
guard ever speaks with him, but he gets
books, clothing and deicacies from his wife.
but mental trouble is doing quite as much
to kill him as physical disease
An effort was made some time ago to have
Dreyfus's wife to share his island prison:
She is devoted to him. The Governor or
devoted woman would gladly have shared
his living death. She believes him innocent.