The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-25
CHAMBER TAKES UP lola CASE
CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT
VOTED BY 4GI TO 40.

Socialist Deputies Complain That
the Power of the Civil Courts Was
Made subordinate to Military
Power at the Triad of the jour
naIist-Premier McIine Denies the
Allegation and Gives Notice That
the Government VIII Take Steps
10 Suppress the Agitation.
Paris, Feb. 24-The Chamber of Depu-
ties was thronged to-day and it was de-
cided to request the premier, NJ. Meline,
TO Immediately discuss the interpretations
of NM. Hubbard and Gautlerre relative
TO the conviction and sentence of NJ. zola
yesterday.
NJ. Hubbard, Radical asked whether
Gems. Pellieux and Boisdeffre. had inter-
vened at the trial by authorization or or
der of the minister of war. Gen. Bilot.
The deputy spoke amid incessant inter-
ruptions, on the danger of a religious war,
and concluded by inviting the government
10 end the tumult and rioung in the
streets.
NJ. Viviani declared that the socialists,
although they might be divided relative
to the Dreyfus case. were in entire ac-
cord in regard to the prerogative of civil
over military power. The speaker then
referred to the coalition Of the chiefs of
the army with the clergy and expressed
the belief that liberty was menaced.
Therefore he asked the chamber to pro-
test against the attitude OF the generals.
applause from the Leftsts and uproars
from the Centrists)
In reply NJ. Melne said: Popular
democratic justice has given a verdict
after a military court and you VIII accept
It.
Gen Billot, minister for war, gave no
order to generals summoned to testify be-
fore the tribunal of the country. One gen
eral had been accused on account OF his
utterances. Undoubtedly he spoke a word
too much, but you must remember the
frightful charge thrown in his face"
Continuing, NJ. Meline said the proceed
ings against the army were unjust and
he asserted there was not a single officer
who had been guilty of plotting against
the country, even in his Dreams adding:
Our officers are haunted by other
Dreams" F." (Cheers)
'If after a years verdict" the premier
further remarked, "the agitation continu-
ed, we shall know that the matter has
been made a party question Enough In
jury has already been done to the nation.
The life OF the nation has been arrested.
A portion of The foreign press has gath
cred all the i'll we have been saying
among ourselves 1t will always be pun
ishment for those who spoke III Of France
TO receive foreign applause.
Every day there are cases of espionage
abroad. Did the French press get excited
about them as the foreign press about
Dreyfus? No! There Is a moral to be
drawn therefrom that che present agita-
ton must be ended (oud cheers)-must
cease i'm the interest Of the army and IN
the interest of public tranquility, IN the
interest of our external safety and in the
interest even of those who embarked so
foolshly and audacously in this cam
palgn, which might take us back 10 the
age OF intolerance"
The premier then scoffed at "that intel
lectual elite which closed its eyes and cars
to the country, and uncovered open
wounds which the government was trying
to cicatrlze."
The government, continued the premier
intends to impose peace upon all, and
will take the measures which the crcum-
stances demand. No one after yesterdays
verdict could raise the discussion In good
faith, and if the present laws do not sLf-
flee the government viii ask the chamber
for another vote, which will prove that
patriotism is involved among us, divisions
disappear" prolonged applause.)
NJ. Gougon moved that M. Mellne's
speech be posted throughout France and
the motion was adopted.
M. Cavignac, the former minister, then
reproached the government with not utter
ing the whole truth at the trial, and with
insufiiciently defending the officers. He
also said he wanted a powerful army but
one subordinate to civil power.
The debate was then closed, and several
motions were presented.
The Premier accepted vote of conf
dence In the government and approving
of the declarations Of the government, the
vote standing 461 to 40.
M. Habert, Revisionist suggested the
addition of the words, "And doing homage
to the national army for the loyalty of
iTs chiefs"
NJ. Meline, however, rejected this pro-
posed addition, on the ground that the
army ought to stand outside of parties.
NJ. Castelin asked IL the government in
tended TO amnesty the Dreyfus syndicate,
or make inquiries as to the identity of the
responsible parties"
NJ. Meline replied that the government
could make an investigation, but, he add
ed. It would be within the limits of exist
ing legislation.
NJ. Roche, Socialist, questioned the gov
ernment as to the alleged representations
made to the Dreyfus family in the name OF
Gen. Billot, the minister for war and at
tackled court martiais, saying they were
tortures to private soldiers, a remark
which brought forth protests.
Gen. Billot replied that he had sent no
one to see the Dreyfus family and indig-
nantly protested against the insinuations
made against him, asking for the passage
Of the order Of the day pure and simple,
which was adopted by vote OF 42s TO 81.
VI. Yivlani asked urgency for motion
to grant amnesty to those who had been
arrested on the charge of creating dis
turbances in Algeria.
NJ Miliiard, the minister OF justice, OBJ
jected and the urgency motion was there
upon rejected by a vote Of 322 to 1W.
Appeal I'm the Zola Case.
I Paris, Feb. 2l-Maitre Laborl counsel
for NJ Zola, to-day lodged a. notice Of ap-