Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-01
.DREYFUS INNOCENT.
Lieut.. Col. Henry Admits Il by
His Suicide After Arrest.
Now Known that Henry Wrote Letter
That Convicted Dreyfus.
France Has Another Scandal and Dreyius Will
Be indicated.

Paris. Aug. 31.-Lieut. Col. Henry,
who figured so prominently in the trial
of Dreyfus, charged with treason, was
arrested, today, and soon after COM
mitted suicide. 1t is known that he
was the author of the letter that con-
victed Dreyfus.
Gen. Lemouton de Boisdeffre, chief
of the general staff of the French
army, has rendered his resignation to
the government.
Gen. De Boisedeffre, in his letter of
resignation, explains that he resigns
owing to his misplaced confidence in
Lieut.. Col. Henry which led him to
present as genuine what was forged
evidence.
M. CaVaignac, the minister of war,
in reply asked Gen. De Boisedeffre to
remain to "see justice rendered in the
matter"
Gen. De Boisdeffre thanked NJ.
Cavaignac for proofs of his esteem but
persisted in his resignation. He will
be replaced therefore by Gen. Renou-
ard. director of the military college.
The Temps. this afternoon, asserts
that the disclosures made to the minis
tiers, today, have decided the minister
of war to place Major Count Ester
hazy on the retired list.
Col. Henry's confessions threatens to
rekindle the Dreyfus agitation more
heatedly than ever and seems likely to
shake public confidence in the army.
Even the Libertc,' strong anti-Drey-
fus organ. says:
1T must cause the deepest pain to
all honorable men that officers of such
standing show such a lack Of moral
sense"
1t is reported that at today's cabinet
meeting the ministers admitted that a
revision of the Dreyfus trial was abb
solutely unavoidable and public an
nouncement that the ministry has de-
cided to initiate such a revision is soon
expected.
The arrest OF Lieut.. Col Henry, on
the discovery that he is the author of
an important letter which figured in
the Dreyfus case, is one of the most
sensational developments in the whole
of this extraordinary affair
Col. Henry has been, throughout, the
fighting champion of the army against
Col. Picquart, with whom he fought A
duel.
'T2lis new development evidently en-
tirely alters the aspect of both the
Dreyful and lola cases and PRACTICAL
ly utilities the evidence of Generals
PellieuX and Boisdeffro, and the decla-
rations of the minister of war, NJ
Cavaignac, in the Chamber of Depu-
ties.
In fact, some people believe that
perhaps the real turning point in the
Dreyfus case has been reached and that
the arrest of Col. Henry will lead to
revision of the trial of the prisoner Of
Devils Island.
1t appears that as soon as NJ Cavaig-
nae assumed the office of minister Of
war. he charged the official bureau
with making thorough research of
the Dreyfus case, and it was this in
quiry which resulted in the discovery
of documents lately read in the Cham
Der Of Deputies by NJ. Cavaignac,
showing that proof of the guilt Of,
Dreyfus was forged.
When Col Henry was summoned, 10
the ministry of war and was question
ed by NJ. Cavaignac in the presence of
Gen. BoisdeffrO and others, he at first
afiirmed the authenticity of the in
eliminating document. But when dis
crepencies were pointed out he at first
admitted adding sentences and finally
confessed to fabricating the whole let
ter.
Ii is affirmed, however, that this dis
covery has not been changed NJ.
Cavaignac's belief in the culpability
OF Dreyfus; but the minister is deter
mined to punish all the guilty parties,
no matter what their rank or position
may be.
Col. Henry was also attached to the
war department when Dreyfus was con-
Vlcteu, and he was one of the prominent
witnesses who testified unfavorably to NJ
lola during the latter's sensational trial
on the charge of lbelling military OFF,
calls.
courtmartial here has just sentenced
private soldier to three months impris-
onment and 500 francs fine for shouting
"Vive Zola.'
Alfred Dreyfus. Hebrew. formerly a
captain In the Nth Regiment of French
Artillery is now undergoing imprison-
ment for life on Devils Island, an I'M
healthy spot off the coast of French
Guiana. He was formerly on duty at the
ministry of war. was considered bril-
Continued on page 81