The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-05
COUNT MUST FACE A COURT.
GEN. SAUsSIER ORDERS A TRIAL
FOR ESTERHAZY.


PubIic's EstimatiOn From the Pope
10 the Emperor of Germany-Lon-
don Paper Declares Dreyfus Lost
BeyOnd Help or Hope.
Copyright, 1897, by the Associated Press
Paris, Dec 4.-The Dreyfus matter con-
tinues to be the absorbing topic in polit-
ical and social circles. Everything else is
neglected, from the famous Russian mill
tary band, which has been giving concerts
to small audiences to the booksellers, who
complain that no one reads anything but
the newspapers
The journals still devote endless columns
in the biggest type to the affairs of Capt
Dreyfus, his friends and everybo in any
way connected with the case. The con-
ductor of a train which brought Mr.. and
Mrs Gladstone on their way to the south
of France thought they were to appear as
witnesses in the case. This illustrates
how Paris is absorbed in the natter. Ev-
erybody seems to be mixed up in the case,
from the pope to Emperor William of Ger
many, and syndicates and secret societies
are said to be hard al work spending mill
ions on one side or the other, and all
France is in the throes of an agitation,
which is unparalleled snced the days of
Danton and Robespierre.
According to the Daily Telegraph of
London on Thursday last, copies of which
paper have been passed around here by
those interested in the subject, a 'person
who is really behind the scenes" says:
get very important facts regarding our
(the FRENCH military plans and communi-
Gated them to the German war office with
in fortnight after the decisions in ques-
ton had been taken. If the extent to which
this odious treason was committed and
the results it had produced in a neigh
boring country We're fully made known |
doubt, whether, knowing my countrymen
as l do, that they would remain satisfied
with the punishment of one man. They
would call for a radical change in the en-
tire system, and possibly for more. This
guilt may be brought home to others with
out necessarily establishing the innocence
OF Capt Dreyfus, who is lost beyond help
and hope"
The military governor of Paris, Gen.
Saussier, has ordered the formation of a
court martial to examine into the charges
biCdSAl against count tefdlnand WalSln
Esterhazy Che retired major of the
French army who is accused Of writing
the letter which became public about the
sentencing of Capt. Dreyfus to imprison-
ment for life), who is alleged to have ad-
mitted the authorship of the letters pub
lished In the Figaro recently, bitterly re-
fiecting upon France and the French
army.
The Journal says the decision of Gen
Saussier is based on the report of Gen
Pellieux, who was appointed by the min
lister OF war to examine into the charges
brought against Count Esterhazy and
which Is as follows: 80 rar as Dreyfus
is concerned, the case has been tried, no
new fact has been brought TO light. and
no document has been submitted during
the course of the inquiry to justify a re-
vision of the trial In consequence there
is no ground for proceeding against Count
Esterhazy SO far as regards the crime of
high treason, for which Alfred Dreyfus
was condemued."
The Journals 5 version of the report was
looked upon as being simply conjecture,
although it agreed with the general con-
viction that Capt. Dreyfus, in any case,
will not be released or granted a fresh
trial. This evening, however a brief Of
| fetal announcement was given out as fol-
lows: Gen. Saussler has ordered court
martial to be instituted for Investigation
| into the affair of Maj. Esterhazy."
Both sides profess to be pleased with
the announcement The anti-Dreyfusans
contend chat the order of Gen. Saussier
| cannot be construed as implying doubt as
| to the vadility of The sentence imposed
| upon Dreyfus, and that the Esterhazy
| inquiry was not concerned with the Drey-
| fus case, but merely a sequel to the in
| quiry of Gen. Pellieux.
| On the other hand, the Dreyfusians as,
| sert that the inquiry will necessitate the
/ introduction of expert evidence concern
| ing the handwriting of the memorandum
| which convicted Capt. Dreyfus, proving
1t to be in Count Esterhazy's handwrit
| ing, and they also propose to introduce
| in evidence documents which were not
| submitted for the inspection of Capt
Dreyfus or his counsel at the time OF his
| trial by court martial, but were COM
| municated to the officers composing the
| court. There seems to be no doubt that
| this was done. and lawyers who have
! been questioned on the subject say it in
| validates the court martial.
| The preliminary inquiry into the Ester
| hazy affair will be made by the military
| prosecutor attached to the court martial,
| according to the French custom. with a
view of determining whether the charges
warrant a court martial II is expected
| the case will consume three weeks, and
| people are now eagerly discussing wheth-
| er the court martial, If ordered will be
| secret or public. The preliminares are al
ways private, but there is great public
opposition to the court martial taking
| place in private, and the French officials
| also are believed to be in fear of a repetl-
ton of the unpopular phases of the Drey-
| fus trial.
The case of Dreyfus was discussed in
| the Chamber of Deputies to-day, and oc-
casionally gave rise to heated utterances.
| A good majority of the deputies, however.
sustained the stand in the matter taken
| by the government.
| Andre Castelin, representing the Sec
| ond district of Loan, editor Of the CO.
| carde. and formerly one of the warm sup
| porters of the late Gen. BouIanger
| brought the matter up by asking the pre-
mier, M. Meline 10 reassure the public
| especially the army, on the subject 10
/ which the premier replied: There is nc
| Dreyfus affair, and can be none"
Continuing, the premier explained that
the Investigation into the Esterhazy affair
had resulted in placing him in the hands
| of a military court, STEP he added
which In no way prejudiced the finality OF
the verdict in the Dreyfus case, which
was neither for the government nor foI
| the chamber 20 deal with. In the NEAR
| time, NJ. Mellne further remarked, good
| 4 A.