The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-29
DuPrY,s sTATENfENT.


After another appeal from NJ. Millerand
for postponement of the Picquart court
martial, NJ. Dupuy, the premier, declared
that the Dreyfus affair must remain pure
ly judicial, as the only means OF reaching
the truth, which may now be attained"
Referring to the statements of NJ. Poincare,
NJ. DupUy asked why that deputy had
waited so long before astonishing the
chamber with his revelations. We decline
to order postponement of the court-mar-
tial,' said the premier. ITO give such an
order, even if we had the right, would be
to strike a blow at the principle Of separa-
tion of the public powers. 1t Is not with
in the province of Parliament or tho gov
ernment to adjust the connection which
may exist between the Dreyfus and Pic
quart cases. Our Intervention would be
calculated to hamper the work of the Court
Of Cessation We will respect the deci-
sions Of the law. We are a government of
law and refuse to be a government of ar
bitrary measure" prolonged cheers.)
The order of the day. approving the state
ments Of the government respecting the
principle of the separation Of the judicial
and executive powers, was then adopted by
a vote of 4S7 to 73.
In the lobbies of the chamber M. Dupuy's
speech was interpreted an invitation to
the Court of Cessation to ask for the pro-
duction of the petit bleu, and other docu-
ments in the Picquart case, which the
government would Immediately produce,
thus indirectly leading TO postponement of
the court-martial which the government mad
refused to grant under duress 1t was also
held that the premier had admitted the
right OF the government to intervene re-
garding General Zurlinden's action but had
only refrained from fear that Intervention
would be misinterpreted.
ANTI-DREYFUSITES PLEASED.
The vote in the chamber enables the
Dreyfusites to sing a song Of victory, since
the Dreyfusite demand was for the gov
ernment to order the Picquart court-mar-
tial postponed. Nevertheless, the whole de-
bate served to advance the cause of Drey-
fus. M Dupuy's speech is admitted on
all hands to have been a masterpiece OF
craftsmanship He did not deny that the
government had power to intervene with
General Zurlinden, but explained that it
would be better for the Court Of Cessation
to do so. He said that a fortnight ago
the Court of Cessation demanded the docu-
ments concerning the Picquart affair. AT
that time, for legal reasons, he continued,
only copies could be given. Now, however,
if the originals were demanded by the court
they would be placed at its disposal.
M. Ribot, who was back of the demand
for postponement, followed Nj. Dupuy, and
although he still contended that the gov
ernment ought not to allow itself to be
passive instrument in General zurindens
hands, he had, perforce, to be contented
with NJ. Dupuy's assurance
Perhaps the most significant feature of
the debate after M. Poincare's revelation
which served to draw even closer the bonds
OF suspicion surrounding General Mercier
is the changing attitude of the Chamber
towards Nj. Cavaignac since the latters
speech for the period of the Henry suicide
was accepted and placarded throughout the
country as proof of the guilt of Dreyfus.
NOW he is received with the howls of the
deputies when he attempts to justify his
attitude. The general belief is that the
Court of Cessation will demand the
Picquart dossier, thus delaying the court
martial
Among the rumors current this evening
is one that General Zurlinden, minister gov
ernor of Paris, has already resigned There
is also a report that Colonel Picquart will
be released on bail.