The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-29
rpRoAR IN FRENCH CHAMBER
The Government Refuses to Intervene
in Picquart's Case.

The Government Refuses to Intervene
in Picquarts Case.
Paris, Nov. 2S.-The Chamber of De
puties was crowded to-day, much in
tercst being taken in the announced in
tention of some Of the Deputies to inter-
pelate the Government on the Picquart
case.
NJ. Paul DcSchanel. Republican, an
nounccd that he had received a request
to interpellate the Government regard
ing the Picquart proceedings and the
Premier, NJ. Dupuy, proposed an imme-
date discussion 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 uproar.
Continuing NJ. Bos detailed the histo-
ry Of the Picquart persecution" recall
ing Colonel Picquart's exile to the Unit
ed States. and asked the Minister OF
War, NJ. DeFreycinet, why he had per-
mitted court martial to be summoned
for december 10Th.
The Deputy also accused General Eur
linden, the Military Governor of Paris.
who, he said, had promised revision of
the case. of having broken his word.
This caused another uproar
NJ Bos concluded by insisting that
the 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 lively APP
pIause from the majority of the Deputies.
NJ. Millerand, Radical Socialist, spoke
in similar strain.
The President of the Chamber at this
state of the proceedings was frequently
obliged to intervene in order to quiet the
uproar on all sides.
Nj. POincare, Republican. made an inn
passi0ned speech. in the course of which
he said it was not necessary to c0nfOund
the army with a few impudent men.
While the members of the court martial
were above suspicion, the prosecution of
Pcquart savored of reprisal (applause.)
Colonel picquart'S secret Imprisonment.
NJ. Poincare further asserted. was be-
yond all precedent. and there were guilty
persons who were enjoying scandalous
impunity tapplause)
There are other forgers besides Pic
quart who ought to be prosecuted" cX-
claimed the Deputy. These injustices
will end by eXasperating the nation
NJ. Poincare. who was Minister of
Public instruction in 1895 created
sensation by adding:
I'VE We're attacked for the Dreyfus
prosecution in 1894, but | learned of the
Drcyfus affair through the newspapers
Tremendous applause and uproar fol-
lowed this assertion.
Nj. BarthOu. who was Minister of
Public Works in 1894, here interiected
Il am ready to endorse the words OF
NJ. Poncare. which are true"
This called forth more applause and
Explanations of Its is absurd; 1T is in
| conceivable" Thereupon NJ. Poincare
AIDED:
"The only proof of Dreyfus' guilt in
1894 consisted of the bordereau No
Cabinet Minister, nor even the President
of the Council of Ministers heard any
mention of the confessions Dreyfus is
alleged to have made to Captain La
brum- Renault." (Applause.)
NJ. Cavaignac, the former Minister of
War, said:
General MERCER secured these con-
| fcssions."
General MERCER was Minister of War
Mt the time Of the Dreyfus trial.
NJ. Poincare continued
Captain LebrumRenault, when he
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 Cavaignac tried to
speak but was howled down, although
one Deputy shouted:
Let us hear the hero of the forgery"
NJ. Poincare concluded by saying:
Silence has weighed heavily upon me,
and | am now happy to have had the
opportunity to tell what / know of the
case Renewed applause)
YET IT MAY BE POSTPONED.
nj. Cavaignac reasserted that Captain
Lebrun- Renaults' evidence was given to
| General MERCER. His report exists, Z"
| he exclaimed. amid uproar and cries of
date. date" but perhaps Captain
Lebrun-Renault has since retracted his
admissions"
Shouts of surprise followed this sug
gestion.
Nj. DeFreycinet said:
The Government, on assuming office.
found the proceedings pending. We have
only one anxiety, and that is to ascer-
tain the truth. We do not object to
furnishing the Court of Cessation with
| all the evidence available. excepting the
| evidence involving the national defence.
| Both the civil and the military courts
are fully equipped to deal with the re-
| spective cases, and, as all desire to ar
rive at the truth. it will be reached The
Government asks the Chamber to re-
spect the independence OF the law"
After another appeal from NJ. Miller.