The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-04
Awful FATE or DREYFUs.
A Complete Physical Wreck With
Whitened Hair.
From the New York World.

From the New 4otk World,
Paris Nov. 2f-The case of Capt Drey-
fus, serving life sentence after having
been convicted Of having sold state Sc
crets to Germany, and who is said to be
innocent, is still absorbing the attention OF
Europe.
The desperate efforts Of the French war
office to prevent the rehabilitation of the
iIl-starred prisoner of Devils Island, are
destined TO failure, II is believed, The
World correspondent learns on good au-
thority that Dreyfus is practically unrec-
ognizable now. His hair has turned white
and he is a complete wreck. Even If the
inquiry being carried on should prove the
prelude to his release life Would 10 more
or less a blank to him. He exists, that is
all. The only wonder is that he still lin
gers on.
Countless persons, endowed with strong
constitutions, would have succumbed be
fore this TO the system to which he IS
subjected, in the opinion of those who
have watched him on the spot, as let
ter Just received from French Guiana
abundantly testifes. Since he has been
settled at the Isle du Diable Dreyfus has
only been rarely visited by the governor
and other officials.
Eleven wardens are tolled off to guard
him night and day, two at q time, relieved
every two hours. They are strictly en-
joined never 10 speak TO lne prisoner, I'M
less there is some imperative reason for
doing SO. Thus Dreyfus spends days and
weeks together, precluded from CONVEX
sation with any fellow creature.
Until last July he dwelt in hut situ-
ated in the lower part of the island.
Then he was removed to the plateau
higher up. The structure he now in-
habits is about thirty feet long by ten feet
broad. 1t is divided into two room of al
most equal size, one with only two win
dows looking out on a Sort of court yard,
which is reserved for Dreyfus, egress from
it being through a door, which separates
il from the other chamber, where the
warders are posted.
In front of this hut is a bit of ground
some forty yards in area inclosed by a
very thick palisade six feet high, so that
the prisoner cannot catch a glimpse Of the
surrounding scenery, but only dead wall
to gaze on.
The wretched man tried to convert the
gound into a little garden, but the soil
is so poor and pebbly he had 10 give up
the idea
When he arrived at Isle du Diable, he
used to beguile the time by working out
algebraic problems on a slate, but after
a while he abandoned the practice. He
now passes the hours together in reading
and writing letters.
The provisions with which he is supplied
are reduced TO fresh meat, alternating with
bacon. Bread, vegetables, salt and pepper
the last being even regarded as a favor
complete the miserable list Owing, how
ever to the money he is permitted to re-
ceive from France-$l0O a month-Dreyfus
is able to supplement this diet Such is
the life, or rather existence, led by this un-
happy man, and from which his relatives
and friends are endeavoring with might
and main TO free him, while clearing his
character as well.
The Duke of Orleans has written a let
ter to a friend. Col, Poiseval, in reference
to the DFeyfus affair, in which he says:
Il cannot restrain cry Of indignation
when l catch the echo of fresh scandals
from the shame of which 1t has not been
possible to spare my country. Until now
the honor of the army has been inviola-
bile. Can / forget the hight to which 1t
was brought by its kings, aided by its glo-
rious soldiers, who fought to complete the
grand work Of French unity?
Never have the hardships Of exile SEEM
&c so cruel as when i see myself forced to
remain a powerless spectator of insults
cast upon our glorious army. Those who
have not made an energetic use of their
power will bear a heavy responsibility in
the eyes of the country and in history.
"For my part, L venture to say l shall
always find in the. consciousness of my
duty and the power of monarchioal insti-
buttons the necessary strength to fittingly
protect the honor of the soldiers Of
France"