The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-12-05
Copyright. 1897. by the Associated
PreAS).

Paris, Dec. A. 1897
All political and social interests con-
tnuc To be merged in the case of Al
fred Drcyfus, the former captain OF
French ARTILLERY, who IL alleged to have
bccn unjustly sentenced to impriaon-
mcnt for life on the charge OF having
sold important plans of the French War
Department TO agents of n foreign pow
or Everything else is neglected. The
journals still devote endless columns i'm
the biggest type tn the affairs of Drcy-
fus, his friends and enemies and every
body in any way connected with the
cnse
Everybody seems to be mixed up In
the case. from the Pope 30 Emperor
William OF Germany, and syndicates
and secret societies are said to be hard
at work spending millions On one side
or the other and all France Is in the
Z. 'throes OF an agitation which is unpar-
alleled since the days OF Dan.on ana
Rohesperc.
According 10 the Daily Telegraph of
London. on Thursday last. copies of
which paper have been passed around
here by those Interested in the subject
person who IS really behind the scenes
says: Undoubtedly some person or
persons did get very important fac:r re-
gardlng our CHE Frcnch) military plans
and communicated them to the German
War Office. within. Il fortnight after the
decisions in question had been taken.
II the extent To which the odious treas
on was comma;tcrd ana the results 1t
has produced In neighboring country
were fully made knCwn. ] doubt wheth-
er, knowing my Coum.rymen as ! 10.
that they would remain satisfied with
the punishment OF one man. They would
call for a radical change in the. entire
system and possibly for more. This
guilt may be brought home 10 another
or 10 o;he!s, without necessarily es;ab-.
fishing the innocence Of Dreyfus. who
Is lost beyand help and hope"
The Military Governor of Paris. Gen.
Saustscr, has ordered the forma ton df
4 court marital 10 examine into The
charges brought against Count Ferdi-
nand Walsin l!stcrho@y. ne !ctircd
Major of The French army. who is ac-
cuscd OF writing the letter which
brought about the sentencing Of Drry-
fus TO Imprisonment for life who is al
legged 10 have admitted the authorship
OF letters published by the Figaro re-
{ Gently. bitterly rejecting upon F.ancg
stilu Aiit y i'uCll army.
Both sides profess 10 be pleased with
Hhc announcement. The anti Drcy-
fus!ans contend that the order Of Gencg-
al Saussier cannot be construed a. i'm
plying doubt as 10 the validity of the
sentence imposed upon Drcyfus and
that the Estrrha2y inquiry was not
concerned with the D.eyfus case but
vas merely Il sequel 10 the inquiry OF
Gen. PeliicuX.
~, . I.
sei'; that the inquiry will ncceStSitltc the
Introduction of expert evidence concern
Ing hhe handwriting Of the mcmoran-
dunn which conv!ctch Drcyfus. proving
IT 10 hc in EsterhazyS handwriting and
they also propose tn introduce cv!dehce
that documents which were not submit
ted for the inspection OF DrcyfuS or his
counsel, Al the time Of his trial by court
3 martial. were communicated 10 the oil
+ GERS composing the court. There seems
to be no doubt that this was do,en and
lawyers who have been uuestio on
the subject say 1t invaiidA;ca the court
martial.
The case of Drayfus was discussed in
the Chamber of Deputies to-day ana &C.
casionally gave rise 10 heated utter
ances. y good majority OF the deputies.
however, sustained the stand IN the
matter taken by the Government.
AS Il result Of some hot words nx
changed during the nreyfus debate in
the Chamber OF Deputies to-day Josepn
Reinauh, Republican member Represent
ing the district Of Dignc. Il well known
newspaper man and author and editor
nf Ilepubliaue Francaise, sent his see
nnds - NJ. Milierand. tho well known
Socialist Republican and editor Of the
Petite Rcnubliquc Franchise. \ duel
with pistols has been arranged to :ake
place between the men.
NJ. Rcinach has already fought duets
with NJ. Magnier and Paul de Roulede
SL0SSON IS CHAMPION.