The Indianapolis journal., 1898-09-02
High OGciaIs Charged with Advising
and Then COnniving at His
SeIf-Destruction.
DREYFUS MAY GET NEW TRIAL
MINISTER OF JUSTICE SAID TO HAVE
INDORsED SUCH A STEP.
History of the Famous Case and the
ZoIa Sensational Charges
That Followed.

PARIS, Sept. 1.-The Dreyfus case pre-
sents no new feature. but there is a plenti-
ful supply of rumors. The first of these is
that Dreyfus is dead. no letter having been
received from him for some weeks. An
other report is that General Boisdeffre, who
has just resigned the post of chief OF the
general staff, has committed suicide. Both
these rumor5 are undoubtedly without foun-
dation.
Colonel Patty Du Clam is on a vacation
trip in Switzerland, and there is no con-
firmation of the statement of La Patrie that
he had been arrested for completely in the
Henry forgery. General Gonse, assistant
chief of the general staff. who rendered his
resignation yesterday to M. Cavaignac,
minister for war, has been pursuaded to
withdraw it. as his retirement under the
age limit will occur next month, The lull
in news, however, has in no way dimin-
ished the popular excitement. The latest
cartoon of NJ. Forian happily hits off the
situation. 1t represents two soldiers, one
standing, the other sitting on a bench and
reading a newspaper. What are you read
ing?" asks the former. ''about the Cars
letter?'
mo. SIR" the latter replies, "about the
Henry affair.""
Speculation is keenest over the motives
for Lieutenant Colonel Henry's suicide
Looking to the view the whole nation has
adopted regarding the guilt of Dreyfus, it
is argued that Henry may have supposed
he was acting in the countrys interests
even in forging the letter. which would sat
isfy the nation of the justice of the SEN
tence without production OF the real evil
dence. which would be undesirable on the
highest political grounds In that case
Henry might have posed as martyr to
misguided patriotism The traditions of the
intelligence department, which. at the time
of the condemnation of Dreyfus, was under
a conspicuous anti-Semite, Colonel Sand
herr, would probably heve led blunt mind
like Lieutenant Colonel Henry's to con-
strue the slightest hint from above of the
desirability of killing off the anti-Dreyfus
agitation into an order to do so by any
means. Colonel Sandherr. who was then
suffering from an incipient paralysis. seems
to have been the head of a general con-
spiracy to hunt Jewish officers out of the
French army Dreyfus. a man of naughty
demeanor, but of vast strategic knowledge,
would naturally be selected as a victim of
these Vaccinations 1t is asserted that COL
Sandherr's last days were haunted by
fear, amounting to terror, lest the illegal
and fippant nature of the evidence on
which Captain Dreyfus was condemned
should be revealed and weaken the prestige
of the intelligence department. and that ne
enjoined on Henry, his subordinate, to
guard the departments traditions at all
costs.
The carelessness of the authorities in al
watching him is generally interpreted as
connivance and perhaps. as persuasion
since officers under arrest and likely to be
condemned should, according to military
regulations be constantly watched. while
Lieutenant Colonel Henry was left for hours
alone and allowed to lock the door on the
inside The suicide occurred shortly after
the prisoner had received a visit from an
officer of the general staff. who leav-
ing ordered the sentry on duty before Col
Henry's place of confinement, not to dis
turb the prisoner. as he had a lot of work
to do. 1t is recalled that a similar oppor-
tunity to commit suicide was afforded to
Dreyfus. who, however. declined to profit
by it.
1t is generally believed that the rest or
the general staff of the French army will
follow the example Of General Boisdeffre
the chief Of staff. and of General Gonse
the under chief. and tender their resigna-
tions.
1t appears that the minister for war NJ
Cavaignac, is convinced that Colonel Henry
had aceomplices in the forgery OF the IN
eliminating document and there are per-
sistent reports that Colonel Patty du Clam
will shortly be arrested. In this connection
II is reported that the minister of Justice
Nj SarriRn 81 nj -.
Dreyfus a retral
The medical examination made of the re-
mains Of the late Colonel Henry shows that
his death was instantaneous. Had Henry
been expelled from the army, both himself
and wife would have lost all pension rights.
As II is, the widow becomes entitled TO a
handsome pension. This seems more like
Is motive that the explanation based on the
iLllcSed incoherent letter he left behind that
he nsd lost his reason. Having died uncon-
demned. his remains are entitled to military
honors. but his brother will take the body
to Pougy. near Chaons, where 1t will be
buried on Saturday with the strictest
privacy.
Several officers of the general STAFF. II Is
said tonight, have asked to be sent back TO
their regiments. General Renouard. the
new chief of staff. is understood TO have a
free hand and to be at liberty to replace
all the STAFF officers If he thinks fit. 1t is
expected that he will resort to a process Of
publication.
The governments position Is most un-
happy. Notices OF interpretations in the
Chamber OF Deputies multiply President
Faure Is censured for leaving Paris at such
critical moment Great efforts are being
made TO get the signatures Of a majority