The San Francisco call., 1897-12-08
HOPE FOR
DREYFUS
DVIuDLES
Interpolation Of the
Government by M.
SCheurer-KeStner.
DISCUS SION IN THE
SENATE.
Arguments of Statesmen Fail
to Strengthen the PriS-
oner'S Defense.
MINISTER OF WARS ACT is
SUSTAINED.
During an Anti-Dreyfus Dem on-
stration a Police Chief Is
Wounded by the Mob.
Arguments of Statesmen Fail
to Strengthen the Pris-
oner'S Defense.
MINISTER OF WARS ACT is
SUSTAINED.
During an Anti-Dreyfus Dem on-
stration Police Chief Is
Wounded by the Mob.
Special Dispatch to THE CALL

PARIS, Dec. THE Cabinet this m orn-
ing decided to answer this afternoon in
the Senate the Interpolation OF NJ.
Scheurer- Kestner, one of the vice-presi-
dents OF that body, regarding the Dreylus
scandal and o allow all the discussion
desired. 1t is believed that the Senate
will vote as in the Chamber of Deputies,
maintaining the Governments attitude in
the matter of the sentence.
a band Of students assem- bled in front
of the Lu1em bourg Palace, where the S an-
ate sits. this afternoon, and enga ed in an
anti-Dreyfus demonstration. They ira
versed several streets shouting, Down
with Scheurerp' Down with the Sen
ate!" Down with the FigaroV and
Down with Zolap'
The police eventually stopped tho
demonstration, but police chief was
badly mauled by the mob before he was
rescued. Five of the riotous students
were arrested.
In anticipation of an exciting session OF
the Senate the precincts OF Luxem bourg
Palace were crowded to-day and the po-
lice were called into requisltion to keep
the people moving. There were many
ladies and persons of prominence in the
galleries of the Senate, AID there was q
full attendance of Senators
When the opening fOrmallies had been
concluded the President, NJ. Loubet, an
nounced that NJ. Scheurer- Kestner de-
sired to nterpelIate the Government in
the persons of the Premier. NJ. Meline,
and the Minister of War, General Billot,
in regard to their declarations IN the
Cb har oF Dannfiac ~ Iass
on the subject of the alleged false I'M
prisonment OF Alfred Dreyfus.
The Premier siguitied his readiness to
answer the questions put to him, and the
Senate decided to open the discussion
forthwith. NJ. Scheurer-Kestnert then re-
viewed the Dreyfus case at length. He
tTaversed the statement of NJ. Msline,
relative to his evidence that Captain
Dreytus was unjustly condemned, saying
that although he had not delivered the
| documents into the Premier's hands, be
had shown them 10 him. Continuing, Nj.
| Scheurer-Kestner said he had en- vio-
lently attacked by part of the press, but
he had also found valiant and dis n ter
ested help from members of both cham
bers, literary men and others.
81 told NJ. Meline," said the speaker,
she could publicly declare me mistaken il
| he could show proofs that Dreyfus was
| guilty. NJ. MeIine, however, refused to do
! so. and also declined to consider any evil
dence respecting the anonymous note
! Ii DreytuS was not con vlcted on the
anonymous note, then he was convicted on
| evidence which was not communicated 10
| the defense, and who Will dare 10 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-Kestner then declared that
the Government had refused revision oil
| the trial, and, 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 Drevfus
| and asked that the matter be re-examined
The speaker did not wish 10 prejudice
| the results OF the inquiry. but he asked if
the Minister of War, General Billot, had
| acted as Justly in publicly declaring Drey-
! fus to be guilty. NJ. Scheurer-Kestner
concluded with a protest against those
who had dragged the honor of the army
into jud cial matter"
NJ Sc eurer- Kestner read his speech in
quiet. animpassloned tones, emphasizing
Inc principal passages. Wnen he referred
to the disinte rested support he had re-
ceiveG from two newspapers accused of
being subsidized by the friends of Dreyfus,
storm of Kisses followed, but be stood
undismayed until it subsidized and then
went on. The speech of NJ Scheurer-
Kesiner was frequently Interrupted by
murmurs and there was little applause.
The Minister of War, General Billot,
replied that NJ. Scheurer- Kestner had sub
mitted TO him no evidence. He had con-
tended. the Minister explained that the
anonymous note was the basis of the
I l. Il. i
to have been written by Dreyfus, the lat
ter ought to DE accorded new trial. But
the general, as Minister of War, could not
go back on the Judgment OF the court
IN aTtial, and he acted within his right in
declaring and repeating that Dreytus was
guilty. Cheers
The present inquiry, continued the Min
lster OF War did not concern Dreyfus
but concerned Major Esterhazy, the officer
whose letters, bitterly rejecting upon
| France and the French army, were re-
Gently published by the Figaro. The War
Office, he declared, had done It's duty, and
tue various document, including the Bor-
derau, would be submitted to a commits
non OF inquiry. In conclusion, General
Blot said: Let justice accomplish Its
work, and let MS ali think patrioticalIy OF
the army and of France" Applause.
The Premier, M. MeIine, was the next
speaker. de said ii was the duty of the
minister oi war 10 affirm the authority
and judgment of the court; it was not his
function 10 revise it. He (the speaker)
had told NJ. Scneurer- Kestner that the
Minister OF War had no right to receive
evidence. Ii Nj. Scheurer- Kestner had
fresh documents to produce that should
be submitted 10 the Minister of Justice,
but those interested preferred another
method. The Government, Nj. Meline
said, had taken the only course possible
III the midst of this storm of conflicting
passion.
"a m .Iitary inquiry has been opened. !"
the Premier said in conclusion. LET its
decision be awaited. The press campaign
must cease, for it has already done much
harm. The honor of the army and the
interests of the national defense should