New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-25
IN THE DREYFUS FAMILY.
HOW THE PRISONER on DEVILS ISLAND LOOKS
AND AcTs-How HIS WIFE KEEPS THE
TEr-TH FROM THEIR CHILDREN

TRUTH FROM THEIR CHILDREN
As was to be expected Immediately after the sui
eide OF Lieutenant Colonel Henry. which turned
perhaps the decisive page in the history OF the
Dreyfus case the Paris papers were filed with re-
ports OF interviews especially with the members
OF the desolate family. The most interesting OF
these narratives is that Of the Petite Repubique
edited by the famous professor and political leader.
Jaures and which is strongly in favor Of the re-
vision OF the trials y few extracts and short
summary OF the lengthy report OF the Petite Re
publique" may prove interesting:
Mrs Dreyfus lives In the country, al Houlgae,
on the coast Of Normandy receiving no visitors and
devoting her time her little children. The cot
tage IS OF modest dimensions. quite secluded and
surrounded with trees. Mrs. Dreyfus is OF tall
stature and Of "tournure dstinguee." Her dark
hair divided in parts over the forehead renders
more salient the wrinkle OF the eyebrows which
Is sign Of tenaclty: her eyes slightly dimmed
express a vague sensation Of sadness. Her general
appearance is sympathetic She reading
newspaper which had Just published the declara-
lions of an officer OF marines about the present
condition o.. Captain Dreyfns This declaration is
follows:
THE first time found myself in the presence OF
the prisoner | most painfully impressed.
Dreyfus IL In A state OF awful leanness, he looks
like living skeleton. His face. burned BY the
frlghtful sun Of Devils Island is thin and in that
face terribly ravaged there ls life only In the
eyes which are filled with indescribable pain.
look NJ YOU 10 the bottom OF your soul and interro-
gate you in n desperate manner, for he knows that
he cannot expect any answer Drcyfus's health is
deeply altered by the climate. ana also by the
nourishment Upon that iset there is nothing hut
the ground and burnt rocks. For the last FOUR
years Drcyfus has been fed exclusively with con
serves'-food IN SIN. his energy is not sub
dued he is quiet. and does no, give any trouble TO
his guardians. Obcdient. disciplined. he does not
complain he does not protest. ne waits He
spends hours standing in front OF his hut with his
oycs fixed upon the Infinite horizon Of the sea. lie
wniis. he hopes"
Since tho visit Of the above mentioned officer OF
marines VI Matthew Dreyfus has received later
news from his brother ". says That his health
mas somewhat improved and thar physically ne
has begun 20 Vanduish tho climate Maihleu hopes
that some precautions VIII De taken IN ANNOUNCING
10 his brother his recall % France. for a sudd n
announcement OF his release would almost certainly
XII, him.
How happy ! should have been says Mrs.
preyfus 20 20 over myself and inform him that
hts trial was 10 revised and his innocence pro-
claimed az last This 10Y shall not he given 10 me
They have rejected all my requests. and even r.
fused 10 give me his letters which are rccopicd by
a scribe N the Ministry. and they only s'nd m"
those COPIES our llttc hoy. who IS seven years
old often speaks about his father. asking where
ne f. ard whether he Will return. We never told
him the truth. and take care thar ne should
not have my newspapers within his reach But
when ho insists for he Is very intelligent We pious
Isl lc 20 him. saving thai HIS father Is travelling
Thar he writes 20 us loves his boy. and Will return
10 presf him IN his arms our little girl Is only
father but speak of him 10 her often and keep
In her mind hts cherished souvenir