The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-09-19
THE FATE OF DRBYFUS.
Strong Opposition to Revision in
the French Cabinet.
N. FAURE LEADS THE OPPOSITION
General Chanoine. the Newly APP
pointed War Minister, Declares He
VIII Resign Should There Be Any
Attempt to Attack the Army.

Attempt to Attack the Army.
Paris, Sept. 19.-Le soir says that
General Chanoine, the newly appointed
war minister, told friends that he re-
garded himself as sentinel relieving
another charged with watching over
the army's rights. and intimated that
as he was appointed after the first
cabinet council of Saturday he was not
responsible for the decisions reached
at the council. He declared that
should he see any attempt, under pre-
text Of revision of the Dreyfus pro-
ceedings, to engage in maneuvers
against the army he would Immediately
resign. A majority Of Paris papers ap-
prove of the cabinets decision, which
is looked upon as the first definite step
taken toward revision.
All the difficulties attendant upon Sc
curing revision of the Dreyfus pro-
ceedings may be guaged by the story
now published that General Zurlinden
practically offered himself by advocat-
ing a revision of the case, and that his
change of opinion is due to the strong
feeling which he afterwards found
among his subordinates at the war
Office.
According TO newspaper accounts,
which are undoubtedly fairly correct,
Premier Brisson only got his way at
Saturdays cabinet council, though sup
ported by eight of his colleagues, after
a tough fight against General Zurlinden
and M. Tillaye, the minister of public
works. who were warmly supported for
three hours by President Faure HIM
self
At the meeting of the council NJ Sar-
rien, minister Of Justice, stated his
views of the case at considerable length,
expressing the conviction that revis-
ion was necessary for the peace of the
country and expedient on the ground
that many of the documents in the
Gossier appeared to be OF doubtful au-
thcncty, and above all, that Colonel
llenry's admission of forgery threw
suspicion upon all his evidence. NJ. Ser
rien. however. did not ask the council
to decide for or against revision. but
only asked permission to submit the
matter to q commission.
M. Faure opened the discussion. He
Gid not openly oppose revision, but
pointed cut political and other objec-
tions to reopening the case.
1t is said that M. Brsson went SO far
as to remind NJ. Faure Of the constitu-
tional limits to his functions.
General Lurlinden admitted when he
took office that if he was not Drcy-
fusite he at least had an open mind,
and felt great sympathy for the Drcy-
fus family. A deep study Of the dossiar,
had n ohrnlItnly convinced Iir,,
that Dreyfus was guilty.
Finally division occurred in which
M. Faure did not take part.
A semi-oficial note explains that
General Chanone only had a confer
ence with President Faure after his
appointment to succeed General Eur
linden had actually been signed. The
decision Of the committee appointed
to consider tf.a matter of the revision
will be In 10 way binding upon the cab
met. which will still have to decide
the actual question of revision. 1t is
reported. however. that vessel has
already started for the Isle Du Diabla
in readiness to bring Dreyfus to Paris,
and M. Brisson and General Chanoine
are determined that nobody, however
high his position, will be sheltered.
Stirring events are regarded as i'm
pending. General Zurlinden was credit
ed with the belief that there Is a
Picquart mystery and should there be
he fully Intends that Colonel Picquart
shal! be prosecuted. According to
Colonel Ticquart's written statement to
the minister of justice four secret docu-
ments werc submitted to the court
martial held in 1894. behind the backs
of Dreyfus and his counsel.
It is reported that the government
has selected Beaubais. capital of the
department of Disc as the most suit
able town in which to hold rehcaring
of the case.