The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-02


terest being taken in the
interpellate the government on the
Piquart case.
NJ Paul Deschanel announced that
he had received a request to interpret
late the government regarding the
Picquart proceedings, and the premier,
NJ. Dupuy, proposed an immediate dis
cussion of the matter.
A radical deputy, NJ. Bos. opened
the discussion. He said that while
there had been some honesty in the
Dreyfus prosecution, there had been
nothing but dishonesty in the Picquart
affair. These remarks caused an up
ror. Continuing. NJ. Bos detailed the
history of the Picquart persecution"
recalling Colonel Picquart's exit to the
United States and asked the minister
of war, NJ. Dreycinet, why he had per-
mitted a court-martial to be
ed for December 18th. The deputy ac-
cused General Z~urlinden, the military
governor of Paris, who, he said. had
promised a revision of the case, of hav-
ing broken his word. This caused an
other uproar.
NJ. BOS concluded by insisting that
h government ought to postpone the
trial of Picquart by court-martial until
the decision of the court OF cessation
in the revision of the Dreyfus trial is
made known. This brought forth APP
clause from the majority of the depu-
ties.
M. Millerand, radical socialist, spoke
in a similar strain.
The president of the chamber at this
stage of the proceedings was frequent
ly obliged to intervene in order to
quiet the uproar on all sides.
NJ. POincare, republican. made an i'm
FASHIONED speech, in the course of
which he said it was not necessary to
confOund the army with a few impu-
dent men. While the members of the
court-martial were above suspicion,
the prosecution of Picquart savored of
repriSal. (ApplauSe.) Colonel PicQuart's
secret imprisonment, NJ. Poincaire fur
their asserted, was beyond all prece-
lent and there were guilty persons he
claimed who were enjoying scandal
lous impunity. Applause.) There are
other forgers besides Picquart who
ought to be prosecuted" exclaimed the
deputy. "These injustices will end by
~eXaSperating the nation"
M. Barthou, who was minister of
public works in 1894, here interjected:
Il am ready to endorse the words of
NJ. Poincaire, which are true"
This called forth more applause and
exclamations of 1T is absurd 1T is
inconceivable." Thereupon NJ. Poin-
caire added: THE only proof Of Drey-
fus' guilt in 1894 consisted of the bor-
dereau. No cabinet minister, nor even
the president of the council of minis
ters heard any mention of the confess
sion Dreyfus is alleged to have made
to Captain Lebrun-Renault." CAp-
plause.)
NJ. Caignac, the former minister of
war, said: General MERCER secured
these confessions"
General MERCER was minister of war
at the time of the Dreyfus trial.
M. Poincaire continued: Captain
Lebrun-Renault, who was examined
by the president of the council did
not mention the Dreyfus confession"
This statement caused applause to
break forth from all parts of the
house. during which NJ. C~avaignac
tried to speak, but was hOwled down.
although the deuty shouted: Let Us
hear from the hero of the forgery"
NJ. Poincaire concluded by saying:
Silence has weighed heavily upon
me, and l am now happy to have had
the opportunity to tell what | know of
the case. (Renewed a%pplause.)
NJ. Cavaignac re-asserted that Cap
tain LIE Brun-Lenault's evidence was
given TO Genera MERCER His report
exists he exclaimed, amid uproar and
cries OF "Datei" Date but perhaps
Captain LeBrun-Renault has since re-
tracted his admissions"
Shouts of surprise followed this sug-
g%estion.
NJ. DeFrecycinet said: The gov
eminent, on assuming office, found the
proceedings pending. We have only
one anxiety and that is TO ascertain the
truth. We do not object to furnishing
the court of c~assation with all the evil
dence available excepting the evidence
involving the national defence. Both
the civil and the military courts are
fully equipped TO deal with the respec-
tive cases, and. as all desire TO arrive
at the truth, ii will be reached. The
government asks the chamber to re-
spect the independence Of the law"
After another appeal from NJ. Mile
rand for a p~ostpOnement OF the Pic
quart c~ourt-martial. NJ. Dupuy the
premier declared hat the Dreyfus af-
fair must remain purely judicial as
the only means Of reaching the truth
which may nov be attained
W. decline TO order d postpone
ment Of the court-martial." aid the
premier. ITO give such an order. ever
II we had the right. would DE to strik.
a blow at the principle Of separation O
the public powers. 1t is not within tn
province OF parliament or the govern
ment 10 adjust the connection which
may exist between the Dreyfus an
PicGUart cases. Our f~nterventiol
would be calculated to hamper tn
work Of the court Of cessation. w
will respect the decision OF the law
We are a government Of Law and refus
10 be a government Of arbitration.
prolonged ~applause)
The order OF the day, approving tn
statements OF the government. respec;
ing principle OF separation OF the ju
dicial and executive powers was the
adopted by a vote Of 437 TO g.
In the Hobbies Of the chamber \
Dupuys speech was interpreted as a
invitation to the court Of cessation
ask for the production OF the pet
nieu and other documents in the Pix
quart case which the governmer
would Immediately produce. thu In
direc dy leading TO a p-ostponement Z
Tie court-martial. which the govern