The sun., 1898-09-20
Tho Present Status Of tho Dreyfus
Affair.

There may be no foundation for the re-
port published in the London Daily Mail
that a French Government vessel has been
already despatched to DEVILS Island for the
purpose of bringing DREYFUs back to
France. 1t is scarcely probable that an
order for the removal OF the prisoner
would be issued before it was certain that
new trial would take place. Thus far only
first step in that direction has been taken,
and, although this commits the Brisson
Cabinet to a recognition of the duty of re-
vision, it does not follow that similar view
of the matter will be adopted by the high
est judicial tribunal or by the French Par
liam"nt which will reassemble presently.
W. has happened up to the present
moment should be regarded simply as
proof of a turning Of the tide. Premier
BRIssoN and the majority Of his colleagues
have assumed position directly opposite
to that maintained by preceding Ministers,
who have set their faces infiexibly against
revision, on the ground that the conviction
OF DREYFUs was chose jugee, or res adjudi-
catG. On Saturday tho Cabinet Council,
after learning from NJ. SARR1EN Minister
OF Justice, that his investigation had con-
lldO a IcIIldl Ol OhE1fUb WIS
expedient. authorized him to form the
special commission prescribed by law
in such cases. in order to ascertain
whether his conclusion would be confirmed
AS the members OF the commission are to
be designated by NJ. SARRIEN, their con-
firmation OF his opinion may be doubtless
taken for granted, but 1t will still remain
for the Court OF Cessation 10 pronounce
finally upon the question OF revision. II
that ultimate tribunal, which will be con-
trolled by principles of law, and not by
political considerations, shall reaffirm the
decision Of the special commission, a new
trial OF DREYFUs by court-martial will be
ordered
Even then much, obviously, will depend
upon the occupant of the War Of1ce, and
upon the influence exercised by his Min
isterlal colleagues. Should NJ. BRIssoN be
Premier at the time, the prisoners friends
could rely upon an impartial selection Of
the officers deputed to constitute the
court, and they could also in all likeli-
hood, secure the much-desired concession
that the second trial OF DREYFUs shall
be public, instead OF being conducted, like
the former, in camera or behind closed doors.
onOulu une brlSSOn SaDlneC, on Une other
hand, be beaten in the Chamber OF Deputies
and succeeded by an anti-revisionist Minis
try, not only would every effort be made to
prevent or postpone a retrial of DREYFUs.
but there is reason to apprehend that should
a retrlal prove unavoidable the court
martial would be formed OF officers hostile
to the prisoner, and that the proceedings
would be again secret
Manlfestly, then, the reassembling OF the
French Parliament in October will be
awaited with feverish anxiety by both the
friends and enemies Of DREYFUs. Even II
it be true that there has been a marked
change in the current OF public opinion in
Paris, and that this Is now favorable to revis-
ion it does not necessarily follow that the
revulsion will be reflected in the Chamber
of Deputies, which was elected last spring
when, all over France, there was tremen-
dous demonstration of feeling against
DREYFUs and his champions. 1t must be
remembered that NJ. BRIssoNs predecessor,
NJ MELINE, was beaten by only a very small
majority and that NJ. BRIssoN has since
lost the support OF some Of the coadjutors
whose support enabled him 10 take once.