Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-10-01

VIII the people side with the army or
with the coblhotg VIII Dreyfus ever
be allowed TO return to Franccg
As win he remembered. Il W now
about four years since Captain Drey-
rus. an artillery officer Of Jewish cx.
traction. was convicted on a chargc n
treason and eenicncod 90 degradation
and iife imprisonment: There were
many suspicious circumstances con-
naoied with the trial II was a secret
one. and the defendant was never per-
mltted to see the documents on which
his conviction was based. Practically.
h. was condemned unhcard.
In Justification of tho uncommon
proceedings It was given out that
memorandum In the handwriting Of
Dreyfus had been found referring 10
copies Of French military plans sup
posed 10 have accompanied the memo
randum. II also offered 10 supply de-
tailed plans o. certain French fortih-
I cations. The document, ii was alleged.
was addressed 90 the military attachc
/ Of lhe German legation at Paris. Tho
damaging document was submitted 20
experts. some Of whom IDENTIFIED the
handwriting rs that Of prtyfus. while
others pronounced It a clumsy forgery.
The gasaisa siiiit-.. s,tacne atso de-
nltd having had any dealings with
Droyfus. and he repeated his denials
most emphaticaily. leaving II TO be In
forred that the memorandum WIS n
forgery that never had been on the
promises of the German legation un.
less brought there by the enemies Of
Dreyfus Tor the purpose OF being
found there at the proper time. This
was the view taken by the general
public.
Dreyfun protested his Innocence. His
las, messarc 10 his wife was q solemn
declaration that he was not guilty. She
believed him an Innocent man, and his
brother Joined the little circle Of active
and earnest workers 10 behalf Of the
unfortunate oficsr. They collected the
evidence and laid u before the preHi-
dent 81 the senate. who AZ once became
convinced that the prisoner on Devll's
island was the victim of a conaplracy
At this time Emile zoia became In
torcstcd In the AFFAIR aud undertook a
thorough investigation, after which he
publicly charged that Dreyfus had been
convicted IN order TO shield the real
criminals. The celebrated novelist was
arrested and tried for libel. but the
court refused TO hear any evidence that
might throw light upon the Dfeyfus
can.. Army officers refused 10 icf,liy
and were sustained In their refusal.
zois made another publh. accusation
and was again condemned. whercupon
he ned from the country IN order TO
await developments from nafo
distance.
Public opinion now commenced TO
show evidences u n change In favor OF
the condemned man. Thon col, Henry
came forward with a letter purporuns
TO have been written BY the German
military aEtacho 10 the Italian gentle
man Of similar rank. In which the writer
said.
III am questioned ahou, the Drcyfus
U NfAf 4 NNAll ny ANAt h'NAA hhA-
had any relations with this jew. That
u undcraiood. n you are asked. say the
SAM. for NOBODY must ever know what
has occurred with him"
This famous letter was posted In the
streets " Paris In order 70 al
lay the uneaslness u the pub
lie. hut both the German ana
Italian attaches denied all knowledge
~ the letter. whcrcupon Col Henry
was arrested and confessed that he had
forged Il for tho purpose of shielding
his superior officers. Soon a.ior this
confession he was found dead In his
cell. his throat having occu cut with
razor II has never been explained
how 'ho prisoner happened 60 be In
pots.shioa II a knife and there u -
suspicion that he was aasaaslnatci.
After the suicide. or murder. u Colonel
I Horny. Colonel EstothaEy. who was
suspected of being the author ~ tho
memorandum that condemned Drey-
fuH. he'd 10 England whore. Il In said
no hna confessed the forgory.
Col. Picquart has from the frrt a..
serted his belief Ia the innocence Of
Drcyfun. This officer has also been
arrested on charge of libel. u
seems that, In order to prevent fair
trial. Gen. zurlandon.thc military gov
crnor 81 Paris, Hnatohci the prisoner
from the clyil authorities and confined
him somewhere In military prison
The supporters Of the cabinet now urge
tho premier 60 have zurlindcn ar
raigued on a charge OF treason.
What tho outcome viii be N linpos-
aihlc 10 predict. ~ present the French
people demand rcoponlug OF tho
pruyfun case. The army officers are
against this, Al depends upon the
President Possibly he win prefer %
rcsigu aud leave 90 successor the re-
Hponalbllity of choosing between a con-
ilict with the army or one with tho
common people.
TnE COLOR LINE