The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-08
READY NOW TO
RETRY DREYFUS.
French officials Take the First Steps
towards a Revision.
WILL PROBABLY Be ACQUITTED.
The Premier Thinks That His Aquittal
Only Will Prevent War. and Guilty
or Not Guilty, Ii Should 10
Done for State RcasonS

Inc New lOTk ltsFalu ; european -
ton publishes the following:
Virtually the first steps have been
taken toward the revision Of the Drey-
fus case. The appointment Of General
zurlinder 70 the Ministry OF War has
been fairly well received. lie is a mill
tary man first. last ana always. and the
fact that he will be Minister OF War
during the revision will satisfy the army
that its interests will DO defended.
The Keeper OF the Seals has asked for
the official records OF Colonel Henry's
confession. This is taken as the prepare
tory move toward acting upon Nine.
Dreyfus' dcmand that her husband De re-
tried. contrary 10 the opinion OF many
Jurlsts here. This trial promises to bs re-
viset upon the fourth clause OF article
AS OF the Crimlna Code rather than upon
the third. which was first Of all said To
apply TO tho case. This fourth clause
provides for q revision OK a trial when
some new fact calculated to prove the
innocence OF the prisoner may present II
self. The third clause provides for a re-
opening OF the case VIXEN a witness may
have been convicted OF perjury posterior
to the trial in which he gave evidence az
first. II was thought this latter para
graph afforded plenty OF scope for a re-
vision OF the Dreyfus trial.
THE CLAUSE IS RIGID.
II IS quite true Colonel Henry was not
convicted Of perjury. but his suicide Is
probably the only reason that prevented
this being done. Nevertheless. the clause
is rigid. and the words convicted OF
perjury posteriOr 20 the trial. In which
ne gave the evidence will be rigldly IN
terpreted by the French jurist, who are
bv no means in accord with Blackstone
hat IS. with common sense. The trial
will. therefore. In all probability be re-
vlsed on the ground that a new fact has
cropped up OF a nature calculated I"
establish the innocence OF the prisoner
this new fact being the confession maos
by Colonel Henry that he had communion
forgery.
There is a great deal OF croaking on
the part Of tho anti-revisionists. as disor-
ders are sure to result from the arrival
Of Drevfus In Paris. In the first place,
these fears appeal 20 De groundless.
There IS a perceptible feeling now that
Dreyfus may possibly be Innocent.
The great step that has been taken by
the public is sufficiently Indicated when
YOU remember hat a week ago 10 ad-
vance such "A theory would almost be
LAYING yourself open TO the charge OF be-
ing mad or traitor. Even M. Rochefort.
one Of the most bitter opponent or re-
vision. seems to be preparing the way
FOR a possible acqulttal In his article
this morning. He says that desperate
efforts will be made TO buy over the re-
visionary fury by the Famous ewish
syndicate OF which we have heard 50
much and seen so little. In other words.
n Dreyfus Is acquitted NJ. Rochefort
will be able TO say that the jury was
bought and point TO the fact that he pre-
dicted 1t long beforehand.
WHAT DREYFUS' FOES SAY.
The Patrle. also a determined a~nti-re-
visionist. suggests that there IL no doubt
OF tho culpabnity OF Dreyfus nor that no
would be recondemned unless. in order
TO end completely the agitation over tho
matter, 1t should be decided TO acquit
him.
A friend Of VI. BrissOn also says that
the President OF the COUNSEL has cellar
that he does not care whether Dreyfus IL
guilty or not, what he wishes is to avoid
war al any cost. 10 appears that NJ
BrlssOn's idea OF revision Is acquittal OF
the prisoner Of war In prospective. NJ.
Brisson will therefore not hesitate. and
Dreyfus will be acquitted for reasons OF
state.
This sufficiently indicates that the
strongest opponents of Dreyfus are get
ting ready for acquittal. There is also
In one OF the papers a reference 10 Maitro
Labor. who defended NJ. Zola, as tho
future counsel for Dreyfus." This Is
extremely probable. and 1t IS a fact that
he had a long interview with NJ. Brisson
last evening.
In the second place. it IS difficult TO see
why the disorders progn0sticatcd should
take place. as II appears hardly likely
that the case will be revised I'm Paris,
where the feeling is the bitterest. The
code expressly stipulates that in case
OF retrinl tho prisoner must be brought
before an entirely different jury.
TO TRY DREYFUS AT BREST.
II is rumored to-day that Dreyfus will
most probably be tried az the French
port where the ship that brings him from
she Isle du Diable ends It's voyage. This
would in all probability be Brest. The
excitable Paris public may. therefore.
not even have an opportunity Of show.
ing It's satisfaction, or the contrary, over
tho revision.
General Zurlinden was present at the
Ministerial council held this morning at
the Elysees. under the presidency OF NJ.
Felix Fraure. Although no mention Is
made OF the Dreyfus matter I'm the OIL
cial note given to the press about the
meeting. II was the matter principally
discussed. General Zurlinden was in
formed u all that had taken place with
reference TO Dreyfus At previous meet
lngs. No definite decision appears to
have been taken. The next reunion OF
the ministers is set for Monday.