The Anaconda standard., 1898-02-25
THE ARMY AND CLERGY
A Coalition Which Threatens the
Liberty of France.
A PROTEST VOTED DOWN
The Governments Position in the zola
Affair Sustained by Large Majority
in the Chamber of Deputies.
An Intellectual Elite

Paris, Feb. 24.-The chamber of depu-
ties was thronged to-day, and 1t was
decided to request the premier III. Me-
line, to Immediately discuss the inter-
pellations of NJ. Hubbard and NJ. Gaul-
les, relative to the conviction and SEN
tence of NJ. Zola. NJ. Hubbard, radical
asked whether General Pellieux and
General Bosdeffre had intervened at
the trial by authorization or by order
of the minister of justice. ,rhe deputy
spoke on the danger of religious war,
and concluded by inviting the govern
ment to end the tumult and rioting in
the streets.
NJ Niliani declared that the socialists,
although they might not be divided rel
ative to the Dreyfus case, were in en-
tire accord In regard to the prerogative
of civil over military power. The
speaker then referred to coalition of
the chiefs of the army with the cler-
gy," and expressed the belief that lib
erty was menaced. Therefore he asked
the chamber to protest against the at
titude OF the generals. IA. Meiine re-
pled:
Popular, democratic justice has Civ
en- verdict after a military court and
you will accept it. General Billot,
minister for war, gave no opportunity
fore the tribunal of the country. One
general had been accused on account of
his utterances Undoubtedly he spoke
a word too much, but you must remem-
ber the frightful charge thrown in his
face.
charges made against the army We're
unjust, and he asserted that there was
not single officer who had been guilty
Of plotting against the country even in
his dreams, adding. IF, after yester-
days verdict, the agitation continues,
we shall know that the matter has been
made a party question. Enough in
jury has already been done to the ma
ton. The life of the nation has been
arrested portion of the foreign
press has gathered all the i'll we have
been saying among ourselves"
The premier scoffed at that intellec-
tual elite" which closed its eyes and
ears TO the cold uncovered wounds
which the government was trying to
cieatrize.t
The government" continued the
premier, intends to impose peace upon
all and will take the measures which
the circumstances demand. No one
after this verdict could raise the dis
cussion in good faith and If the pres
ent laws don't suffice. the government
will ask the chamber for another vote
which will prove that patriotism Is in
vowed untii dissehsiohS among US us
appear.
NJ Goulnon moved thai NJ. Meline s
speech be posted throughout France.
and the motion was adopted. The de-
bate was then closed and several mo-
tions were presented. The premier ac-
cepted vote of confidence In the gov
ernment and approving OF the declara-
tions of the government. the vote
standing 461 ayes TO 40 noes.
NJ. Roche, socialist. questioned the
government as to alleged representa-
tions made to the Dreyfus family in
the name OF General Billot. minister
for war. and attacked the court mar
tials. NJ. Biliot replied that he had
sent no one to see the Dreyfus family.
and Indignantly protested against the
insinuations made against him. asking
for the progress of the order of the dav.
which was adopted by vote OF 42s
To 81