The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-12-05
TRIAL OF COLONEL pICQUART.
Why Premier Dupuy and M. de Freyclnet
Have Not Dared 10 Postpone II.
GEN. zuRLIADENS PLAN OF ACTION.
Could Issue Proclamation That Would Make
Him Practically 0ictator---What Would Be-
come of President Faure In That EVsnt'

New York. Dec. 5.-The London cor
resporslent of the sun says:
A situation full of turmoil is often
seen In truer perspective from little
distance than in the midst of its con-
fusion. / find, on returning to London
after a stay of several weeks in Paris,
that such is the case with the pending
French crisis. Events and their mean
ing assume a clearer relationship than
when viewed from the Avenue de
rOpera. Ii cannot be said. however
that the situation is any less serious
when examined from the better van
tage ground.
IL one were foolish enough TO enter
the dangerous field of prophecy he
would be almost inclined TO indorse the
startling declaration in Saturdays
Spectator. which says boldly: 1T is
our sincere belief that a great event Is
Immediately at hand in France"
The reason for this OMNIBUS opinion
IS the fact that the French military au-
thorities have openly challenged the
civil and judicial powers, and the only
logical outcome of this policy is mill
tary coup etat. OF which Premier Du-
puy. in scarcely Veled language, de-
clares he stands in fear.
II is i'm ssible TO avoid some sus-
pfcion OF NJ. Dupuy's good faith as well
as his courage, for IL must be borne in
mind that he was Premier when the
Dreyfus infamy took place i'm 1894. IL
would be more charitable TO ascribe the
governments attempt 10 shift the duty
of postponing the Picquart court mar
tial upon the Court OF Cessation 10
cowardice.
There can be no doubt, however. that
both Premier Dupuy and Nj. de Frey
cinet. the Minister of War. have not
dared TO postpone the Picquart trial.
because they had reason 10 know that
sucn an order would be resisted by
Gen. Zurlinden. and a crisis. which the
present Cabinet Is afraid to face, would
thus be precipitated.
1t Is important to read carefully NJ
Dupuy's words. as quoted I'm leading
journal on the day after Mondays in
terpellation. The Premier of France
admitted that the situation was most
dangerous, though he said he still had
confidence i'm the vitality of the coun-
try. adding: I'VE have been living for
Is years upon pous misunderstanding
and * is surprising that IL can have
by side, an army and democracy
Now. IL is only too true that these two
institutions have as their foundation
contradictory principles. If you weak
en- the army YOU imperil national In
dependence; if you maintain its ira
ditIons and it's rights, civil societ,
takes fright on behalf of liberty. 1t II
the torment Of the present generation
to be thus pulled hither aud thither be
i1aa1C M.
are attached To liberty, but we ar
hound to maintain the security OF ou
fatherland: il is the most sacred OF on
duties"
M. Dupuy thus plainly tells his fel
low countrymen that the French repub
Tic Is i'm danger of being swept away b,
military force. Moreover. he neNe
would have made such an admission
unless he felt himself virtually power
less 10 avert that peril.
The Spectator thus outlines what
conceives TO be Gen. Iurlinden'S sim
pIe plan of action: IF Gen. Iurlindei
in case of the overthrow of the re
public. by proclaiming its successor an
declaring that any one who resists IN
decree until a pleb'scite shall have bee
taken shall be shot uDon the stree
who Is to resist him? President Faure
He will be under arrest or at the hea
OF the new movement The assembly
IL will he nving 20 the provinces. II
components but too rejoiced II they ai
not In danger of Cayenne. The pee
pie? The people will probably be Dc
LIGHTED. for they are heartily sick or
republic without successes. and II the
ave refractory what can they do? Gel
Zurlinden holds the forts. he command
y garrison OF co. 600 men and he ca
close every depot from which the pee
pte could obtain weapons OF precision
There are some offsets To the'
gloomy forebodings. even assumir
that the military leaders are contem'
lating "a policy SO desperate. learnt
from various sources while IN Far
that. whatever NAV be the malignit
Of Headquarters officers against &C
Picouart. he is really tho most popul'
man with the rank and fi'e Of the arm
and every fresh persecution adds TO h
popuIarity IL should be remembers
that the army IL France. and this sent
n1ent Of sympathy for the victim Of nj
scrupulous men who. unnappily. are
the highest places Of military authorit
IS one of the redeeming features Of u
situation. The real value Of this sYn
pathy in an emergency is difficult
estimate A refusal 10 obey orders
the part OF the troops as thorough
disciplined as the French army Is a
most too much 20 expect. II the "a
az the French republic ~ TO depend "a
on that test I would not attempt
forecast the issue.
In the meantime there has been
real change IN the situation since
week ag,. There is no indication tn
anything viii intervene 60 prevent
trial Nv court martial of Coz Picuui
on Dec. -. II tried there ~ little dot
that he will be condemned. though
uorr1f- irrr- tffe rising storm ef VI
test will rise still higher until. ".
until perhaps a man appears. POSI-
his name may be Picduart Stranl
things have happened In France.
Colonel Thomas p. Ochlltree. the a
around wit erd bon-vivant has j'
ended his nftv-fourth transatlan
trip. When he left for Engianf sol
time aro he had TO be carried on
efrefcher from a New York hotel to
~ g. . 49, "a.