The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-09-19
THE FATE OF DREYFUS.
Strong Opposition to Revision in
the French Cabinet.
NJ. PAUrB LEADS TIE OPPOSITION


pointed War Minister, Declares lie
WIN Resign should There BE Any
Attempt to Attack the Army.
Paris, Sept 19.-Le Soir says that
General Chanolne, the newly appointed
war minister, told friends that he re-
pardcd himself as sentinel relieving
another charged with watching over
the army's rights, and intimated that
as he was appointed after the first
cabinet council of Saturday he was not
responsible for the decisions reached
at the council. He declared that
should he see any attempt, under pre-
text of a revision of the Dreyfus pro-
ceedings, TO engage in maneuvers
against the army he would Immediately
resign. A majority Of Paris papers ap-
prove of the cabinets decision, which
is looked upon as the first definite step
taken toward revision.
All the difficulties attendant upon Sc
curing a revision Of the Dreyfus pro-
ceedings may be guaged by the story
now published that General Zurlinden
practically offered himself by advocat-
ing revision of the case, and that his
change of opinion is due to the strong
feeling which he afterwards found
among his subordinates at the war
office
According to newspaper accounts,
which are undoubtedly fairly correct,
Premier Brisson only got his way at
Saturdays cabinet council. though sup
ported by eight of his colleagues, after
a tough fight against General Zurlinden
and NJ. Tillaye, the minister of public
works, who were warmly supported for
three hours by President Faure him
self.
At the meeting of the council NJ. Sar-
rien, minister of Justice. stated his
views of the case at considerable length,
! expressing the conviction that a revis-
| ion was necessary for the peace of the
country and expedient on the ground
| that many of the documents in the
dossier appeared to be of doubtful au-
| thenClty, and above all, that Colonel
Henry's admission of forgery threw
| suspicion upon all his evidence. NJ. Ser
rien, however, did not ask the council
| to decide for or against revision, but
only asked permission to submit the
matter to commission.
NJ. Faure opened the discussion. He
did not openly oppose revision, but
pointed out political and other objec-
| tions to reopening the case.
1t is said that NJ. Brisson went so far
as to remind NJ. Faure of the constltu-
tional limits to his functions.
General Zurlinden admitted when he
took office that If he was not Drey-
fusite he at least had an open mind,
and felt great sympathy for the Drey-
fus family A deep study Of the dossier
however. had absolutely convinced him
that Dreyfus was guilty.
Finally division occurred, in which
NJ. Faure did not take part
A semi-official note explains that
General Chanoine only had a confer
ence with President Faure after his
appointment to succeed General Eur
linden had actually been signed. The
| decision Of the committee appointed
to consider the matter of the revision
| will be in no way binding upon the cab
| met which will still have to decide
| the actual question Of revision. 1t Is
reported, however, that a vessel has
already started for the Isle Du Diable
In readiness to bring Dreyfus to Paris,
and M. Brlsson and General Chanoine
are determined that nobody, however
high his position, will be sheltered.
Stirring events are regarded as i'm
pending. General Zurlinden was credit
ed with the belief that there is a
Pcquart mystery, and should there be
he fully intends that Colonel Picquart
shall be prosecuted. According to
Colonel Plcquart's written statement to
the minister of justice four secret docu-
ments were submitted to the court
martial held in 1894, behind the backs
of Dreyfus and his counsel.
1t is reported that the government
has selected Beaubais, capital of the
department of Oise, as the most suit
able town in which to hold rehearins
of the case.