The herald., 1898-09-06
The FRENCH SITUATION
AS AFFECTED By THE DREYTUS
CASE DEVELOPMENTS
REHEARINe is NECESSARY
Though the Ministry Still insists on
the Guilt Of the DEVILS Island
Prisoner

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Prisoner
Associated Press Special Wire.
PARIS. Sept. 5.-Interviews with the Pre-
mier. M. Henry Brisson, and the late MIN
lister Of War, M. Cavaignac, on the subject
of the political situation in France as 1t
has been affected by the recent develop
ments In the Dreyfus case. are printed to-
day in the Echo de Paris. M. Brisson "a
reported as having said that all the men,
bers of the Ministry are convinced OF the
guilt of Captain Dreyfus but that the gov
ernment must consider the change that has
come over public opinion since the suicide
last week of fLieutenant-Colonel Henry. M.
Brisson expressed the view that II Is the
duty Of the government to end the excite
ment which Is paralyzing the best inter-
ests Of Paris and OF the country. M. Cav
aignaC, in the course OF an Interview
printed in the Echo de Paris, says that It
would be a serious mistake II not su-
preme folly, on the part OF the government
to persist in its present course, and that he
was not willing to participate IN such a
policy.
..You will see," said M. Cavaignac. ''in
what a condition the country will be after
q new trial."
The newspapers OF Paris point out that
M. Cayaignac's resignation Of the war
portfolio has produced painful Impression
In political circles. which while recognizing
the fact that the innocence Of Captain
Dreyfus has not yet been disproved. take
the ground that a new trial OF the charges
against the prisoner Of Devils Island has
become necessary.
II Is said in some generally weli-inforned
quarters that Premier NJ Brisson will as
sumo the war portfolio. relinQuishing that
of the Interior, which he holds in addi-
tion 10 the Presidency Of the Council. to M.
vallee. In other equally well-informed cir
cles 1t is said that General Zurlinden, who
was a member Of the Ribot Cabinet. has ac-
cepted the Ministry Of War.
When the Cabinet met today the Min
lister Of Business. M. Sarrien, informed his
colleagues Of the receipt of Nine. Dreyfus'
request for q revision of the verdict Of the
Cabinet to convene after the Minister OF
War shall have been appointed. The Pre-
mier explained the reason actuating Gem
erals Saussier and Zurlinden in declining
the office Of Minister Of War. He was now
awaiting, he said, the decision OF other gen.
erals to whom he had offered the port
folio.
Zurlinden Accepts
PARIS. Sept. 5.-General Zurlinden,
Military Governor Of Paris. has accepted
the Ministry Of War in succession to NJ.
Cavaignac, resigned.
General Zurlinden was a member OF the
.AAf- nf ofF7 In
1896
General Zuriinden's decision to accept
the war portfolio was communicated to
President Faure.
After long conferences with the minister
Of the interior, NJ. Brisson, and the minis
ter Of justice, M. Sarrien. General Zurlln-
den was interviewed by a newspaper repre-
sentative. The minister of Justice, the gen.
eral said, asked for the Dreyfus dossier
When these were given him he added that
he would study the documents carefully
and inform himself thoroughly regarding
the case before discussing 1t with the cab
met.
Mrs. Dreyfus' Appeal
NEW YORK. Sept. ga dispatch TO the
Herald from Paris says:
Following is text Of Nine. Dreyfus'
demand to the Minister of Justice for
revision of her husbands trial:
IT had the honor In the month OF July
to place before you a request In which
asked you to exercise the right conferred
upon you by law-and which Is conferred
upon no one else-to transmit to the Court
OF Cessation for reconsideration the judg-
ment rendered against my unfortunate nus
band, in violation Of Article 101 of the NIL
itary Code.
II have the honor now, M. lie Ministre,
again to address you second time, appeal
ing to you, because the law which governs
such revision does not permit me d.
rectly and by my own agency to invoke
Justice. You and you alone have the right
TO effect a revision of a judgment bringing
with It condemnation, on the ground of the
discovery OF new facts tending to estab-
lsh the innocence Of the condemned man,
quite distinctly and without reference to
or assistance from all the revelations of
many months past, which have thrown so
much light upon the judicial error of 1894,
and which have caused such profound ex-
cltement throughout the country.
at is not possible that you, above all 9TH
ers, should not be struck by the follow
ing facts
'First there is the examination of the
bordereau which was made in the trial of
January of this year. The result Of this
examination was not communicated to my
counsel, the Council of War refusing them
access to 1t. But have certain informa-
ton that the conclusions. drawn from the
examination were not the same as the ex-
animation Of 1894.
'There is also following this exposure
confession made by one Of the principal
accusers and witnesses against my hus-
band in his trial, in which he admits that
he forged document that the Minister of
War in his speech to the Chamber of July
last declared to be proof positive Of the
guilt Of my husband, though II was writ
ten long after his condemnation.
'This proof, therefore, crumbles to pieces
and destroys the value Of the dispositions
which convinced the judges in 1884, since
the party has been convicted of the crime of
Forgery under circumstances of which you
are fully aware.
but, M le Ministre. as have jus.
told you, In the case of revision insr1-
tuted by law for judicial errors, the right
tosdemand such revision belongs neither to
the innocent man who has been unjustly
- III IL