Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-01
DREYFUS SENSATION,
It VIII Probably Lead 10 a Re-
opening Of the Case
HENRI COMMITS SUICIDE,
Hs Forged the Letter On Which The Devil
Island Prisoner Was Convicted.
GENERAL BOIsDEFFRE RESIGNS.
Anti-Dreyfus Papers Dumbfounded
Mt Turn of Events-Those Which
Have Sought Revision of the Trial
JubiIant-Esterbazy Cashiered.

PARIS. August 31.-Tleutenant-Colon
Henri, who had been arrested on the dis
covery that he was the author of an inn
portant letter that figured in the Dreyfus
case, has committed suicide.
1t appears that so soon as NJ. Cavaignac
assumed the office of Minister for War he
charged the official bureau to make tho
rough research of the Dreyfus case, and
II was this inquiry which resulted in the
discovery Of documents lately read in the
Chamber of Deputies by NJ. Cavaisnac,
showing that proof Of the guilt Of Drey-
fus was forged. When Colonel Henri was
summoned TO the Ministry for War and
questioned by NJ. Cavaignac in the pres
ence of General B6isdeffre and others, he
at first affirmed the authenticity Of the
discriminating document but when discre-
pancies were pointed out he at first adj
mitted adding sentences, and finally con-
fessed to fabricatng the whole letter.
1t is affirmed, however, that while this
discovery has not changed NJ. Cayaignac's
belief in the culpability Of Dreyfus, the
minister is determined to punish all the
guilty parties, no matter what their rank
or position may be.
HENRI CONFESSES FORGERY.
Colonel Henri confessed to having COM
mitted the forgery "owing to the absolute
necessity for finding proofs against Drey-
fus"
It IS understood that the document In
question is the letter which has hitherto
been alleged 70 have been written by the
German military attache TO the Italian
military attache I'm october. 1896.
1t was also said that when the Interpret
latlon I'm the Dreyfus case was coming up
In the Chamber of Deputies, this letter
was secretly communicated to the court
martial and was the chief evidence upon
which Dreyfus was convicted.
The anti-Dreyfus papers are dumbfound-
ed at the turn of events. while, on the
other hand, the papers which have been
supporting the proposition TO reopen the
case are jubilant. They now demand the
immediate release Of Colonel Picquart,
who is imprisoned on charges connected
indirectly with the Dreyfus affair, and
they also insist upon a review of the
Dreyfus trial.
1t Is reported that at tO-day's Cabinet
meeting the ministers admitted that re-
vision Of the Dreyfus trial was absolutely
unavoidable. and a public announcement
that the ministry has decided to initiate
such a revision is expected soon.
BOISDEFFRE RESIGNS.
10 p. M-General Lemouton de Bois-
deffree. chief of the general staff OF the
French army, has rendered his resigna-
ton TO the government
General De Boisde1re, in his letter Of
resignation explains that he resigns,
owing to his misplaced confidence in Lieu
tenant-Colonel Henri, which led him TO
present as genuine what was forged evil
dence.
NJ. Cavaignac, the Minister Of War, in
reply asked General de Boisdeifre to re-
main 10 "see justice rendered in the mat
ter" General de Boisdeffre thanked NJ.
Cavaignac for the proofs Of his esteem.
but persisted in his resignation. He will
be replaced. therefore, by General Rem
Guard director Of the Military College
Colonel Henri was attached to the War
Department when Dreyfus was convicted,
and he was one OF the prominent witness
es who testified unfavorably TO NJ. Hola
during the latter's sensational trial on the
charge Of libelling military officials.
IMPRISONED FOR CHEERING ZOLA.
NANCY, FRANCE, August 3l.-A court
martial here has just sentenced private
soldier to three months imprisonment and
800 francs fine for shouting 'Yive Zola."
HENRI CUT HIS THROAT.
Lieutenant-Colonel Henri cut his
throat with a razor he had concealed in
During the recent Zola trial Henri ac-
cused Colonel Picquart OF fdlsltylnS tele-
grams 4 duel followed. in which Henri
was wounded. The next scene occurred
in the Chamber of Deputies, where Colo
mel Picquart proclaimed the letter
forgery. and as "A result was arrested,
While Henris Villainy was rewarded Dy
his being appointed Colonel Picquart
successor in the Intelligence Depdr lineHl. .t.
II is now evident that HenH lorSea tne rne
letter with the express object OF para
lvzing Colonel Picquarts EFFORTS 10 tA-
pose Major Esterhazy, ana 10 Set a re-
vision of the Dreytus case. me l1tteI
was written in BAD frShSSh, " aavf ,ri,s
first led it 10 be regarded as spurious
CAVAIGNAC MAY REIlRE.
T. &c said that If the Cabinet decides
unon n revision OF the Dreyius case, "
Cavaignac Minister OF war, WI lcsi5pn.
The scene Of Lieutenant-Col0hel i~lenii ~ >
avowal was most palhIuti, PAM H. HenY en- further.
~ tonoue grew too thick Tor ms mouth
i',1 - H. ,ras unable 10 speak IL was rear
ed that ~ would nave an "pOt'io0''0
At. his arrest he was permitted 70
-. Sic yyife while on the way 10 the
tls.. tls.. H al Mont Naleren. The Olncer nc
Loi LoiI,s,jng I,,ns him was under orders nol
Coin pa pa sieRt of him for moment anu
20 20 ~ osra he could not see his Wlle aIone.
tISl tIS i.so nroceeded 20 his bedroou 10
Al Al o,ecessary clothing Henri then J,asb .,.,b9
81 H. wise in his arms anu sASlaitsneu, H.,
ga nis soonscience is pure and tree from
every sting. ...,,t,,, opDEPS9
Tbis exclamation is much co.lai''rSsu l,' ,,oe-
mon as going TO show tIal IT.. III nc Sorders
siti,, have forged the letter uluei 0'u'''
from his superior ,r.f no. nea-
iigIs TgI1asutenant-Colonel Henri wa PeS
,ant'S son. lie was born at fou~y a.
Nfarne in 1915 and enlisted ~ 100. l,sl3 ,ts3
-,@nf as his brothers substitute, III iSCo. 10
IL bad a good military irtoIu ~ IL
Livery and inexorable discipline. he
80 "a prisoner of war IN leiy. anu W. ,a
MINDED in the Algerian campaign ne
ra,eined much OF the rough-anu aa
,ea,ners OF a On-commissioned VlnceI'
ma ,,,as lacking In education, spoke no
taroisn language. and owed his promotion
-ri,n9riIv 10 his reputation iVt D'"h'
straiRhtforV i@
cspINr- -IDERS REVISION.
~ GO held a meeting under
Ine Inss;d Faure. Ii finally rose
,Ieen III, ss .ock. having apparently
lid 70 atl Il a decision on the ques-
ont.