The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-11-27
TRUTH ON
THE WAY
And Nothing Can Stop it, Says
Emile lola,
In a Long Letter ON the Fa-
nous DreyfuS Case.
APPEALS FOR JUSTICE
And Praises MI. Scheurer-Kest-
mar Who First Suggested
A Doubt as to the Guilt of Cap
tain Dreyfus.

New York, Nov. PA dispatch to the
World from Paris gives in detail the let
ter written by Emile lola, the French
author, in behalf of NJ Dreyfus. The
World says: 'An Europe is ringing with
the Dreyfus case. It is the one subject
discussed everywhere. It seems certain
that the whole subject will soon be re-
opened and the case retried.'
lola does not champion Dreyfus' case
directly; he euIogfzes without stint NJ
scheurer-Kestnar. a vice president of the
French senate, who lately had asserted
that he has positive proof that Dreyfus
is innocent and that an awful mistake
has been made in branding him as a
traitor and sending him to prison for life
on Devils island.
lola writes: What a thrilling drama.
What magnificent charactersi
In the presence of the tragic beauty
of these characters, furnished by real
life, my noveIist's heart leaped in my
bosom with passionate admiration
know of nothing in the whole range of
psychology which is on a higher level.
nave no intention of speaking of the az
fair itself. If circumstances have allow
ed me to study it and to come to d for
NAL conclusion, I do not forget that an
investigate has been opened, that courts
have taken cognizance of the matter and
that the honest thing to do is to wait,
without adding to the mass of wretched
gossip which has obscured an affair in it.
self so simple and so clear.
But from now these personages be-
long to me-to me, simply a Iooker-on
who keeps his eyes open. And if the con-
demned of three years ago, if the ac-
cused of the present time, to me sa-
cred until justice has done its work, the
third great character in this drama can
not suffer from the effect if one speaks
ones mind honestly and bravely concern
ing him.
This is what have seen of Scheurer-
Kestnar, what think and what I believe
Some day, perhaps. circumstances per-
hitting, may speak of the two others.
"A life as clear as crystal as straight
forward, as loyal as can be; not a stain,
not the slightest moment of weakness.
An unchanging opinion faithfully fol-
lowed. Without restless ambition; with
at the end exalted political position
due alone to the respectful sympathy of
his equals
''WithaI, not dreamer or a theorist
A manufacturer who has lived in his Ia
boratory devoting himself to special study
without counting the daily cares of a
great business house under his care; and
let me add, large fortune, wealth, honors,
happiness, the browning of a noble life
entirely given up to work and faith; moth
ing to desire except to make a proper
ending.
80 much for the man about to take
part in one of the most tragic and alb
sorbing dramas.
zone day doubt enters his mind, a
doubt that was in the air and had al
ready troubled more than one conscience.
A court martial had found guilty of trea-
son a captain who. perhaps, is innocent.
THE punishment has been terrible
degradation in public. confinement in a
distant locality, all the execration of a
nation wreaking its rage to destroy a
wretch at it's feet.
But if he were innocent-great God!
What a shudder of unbounded pity. What
a cold SILVER of horror at the thought
that there was no reparation possible.
Doubt arose in the mind of NJ. Scheu-
rer-Kestnar at once as he himself has
told US. 1t tOrmented and haunted him
new facts were brought to his notice from
time to time.
His was solid and logical brain, which
gradually became overpowered by the in
satiable desire to learn the truth.
"Scheurer- Kestnar at last held GER
tainty. He knew the truth and deter
mined to see justice done.
THAT was the critical moment for
mind like his. can imagine what that
minute of anguish must have been. He
Wen knew the storm he would raise.
But truth and justice are above all;
they alone assure the greatness of ma
lions. 1t may be that political interests
can obscure them for a time. but every
nation which does not base its existence
upon them is a people condemned at the
bar of public opinion.
THE idea Of M. Scheurer-K estnar. while
doing this work. was to keep out of sight.
He had decided to say to the govern
ment: Here are the facts; take the mat
ter in hand, so that you yourself may