The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-25

PARIS, Feb. M.-The Chamber OF Depu-
ties was thronged to-day and it was de-
cided to request the premier, M. Meline, to
Immediately discuss the interpretations of
NM. Hubbard and Gauter relative to the
conviction and sentence of NJ. lola yester-
day. NJ. Hubbard Radical, asked whether
Generals Pellieux and Boisdeffre had inter-
vened at the trial by authorization or order
of the minister of war General Billot. The
deputy spoke amid incessant Interruptions,
on the danger of religious war, and con-
cluded by inviting the government to end
the tumult and rioting in the streets.
NJ. Viviani declared that the Socialists,
although they might be divided relative to
the Dreyfus case, were in entire accord in
regard to the prerogative of civil over mil
itary power. The speaker then referred to
the coalition of the chiefs of the army with
the clergy land expressed the belief that
| liberty was menaced." Therefore, he asked
the Chamber to protest against the atti-
tude Of the generals applause from the
Leftists4 and uproar from the Centrists.)
Meline replied Popular, democratic JUS
tice has given verdict after a military
court and you will accept it, Gen. Billot
| the minister for war; gave no order to
generals summoned to testify before the
tribunal of the court. One general had been
accused on account of his utterances. I'm
doubtedly he spoke word too much but
you must remember the frightful charge
thrown in his face" Continuing, M. Meline
said the charges made against the army
were unjust and he asserted that there
was not a single officer who had been
guilty of plotting against the country even
in his dreams, adding 'our officers are
haunted by other dreams. (Cheers)
d. .""Ih after yesterdays verdict the
premier further remarked. the agitation
continues, we shall know that the matter
has been made a party question Enough
injury has already been done to the nation.
The life of the nation has been arrested.
A portion of the foreign press has gath
cred all the i'll we have been saying among
ourselves 1t will always be punishment for
those who speak i'll of France to receive
foreign applause. Every day there are cases
of espionage abroad. Did the French press
get excited about them as the foreign press
did about Dreyfus? No. There IS moral
TO be drawn therefrom, that the present
agitation must be ended cloud cheers), must
cease in the interest of the army in the
interest of public tranquility, in the in
tereSt of our external safety, and in the
interest even of those who embarked so
foolishly and audaciously in this campaign
which might take us back to the age of
Intolerance
The premier then scoffed at THAT intel
lectual elite which closed its eyes and ears
to the country and uncovered open wounds
which the government was trying to cica-
trizc. THE government" continued the
premier. intends to impose peace on all.
and will take the measures which the cir
cumstance demand. No one, after yester-
days verdict, could raise the discussion i'm
good faith and, if the present laws do nor
suffice, the government will ask the Cham
Der for another vote, which will prove that
when patriotism Is involved divisions
among us disappear" AProlonged an
plause)
NJ Goujon moved that NJ. Melnes speech
be posted throughout France, and the mo-
ton was adopted
NJ Cavaignac. the former minister then
reproached the government with not utter
ing the whole truth at the trial and with
insufhciently defending the officers. He also
said he wanted a powerful army but one
subordinate to civil power.
The debate was then closed and several
motions We're presented. The premier az
cepted d vote of confidence in the govern
ment and approving of the declarations of
the government, the vote standing 461 yeas
NJ. Habert Revisionist, suggested the adj
dition of the words: And doing homage to
the national army Tor the loyalty of its
chiefs" M. Meiine, however, rejected this
proposed addition on the ground that the
army ought to stand outside of partie..
NJ. Castelin asked if the government in
tended to amnesty the Dreyfus syndicate
or make inquiries to the identity of the
responsible parties"
NJ. Mehne replied that the government
could make an investigation, but he added
it would be within the limits of existing
legislation.
NJ. Roche, Socialist, questioned the gov
eminent as to the alleged representations
made to the Dreyfus family in the name of
General Billot. the minister for war. and
attacked court-martials, saying they We're
fortunes to private soldiers a remark that
brought forth protest General Billot re-
piled that he had sent no one to see the
Dreyfus family. and Indignantly protested
against the insnuations made against him.
asking for the passage of the order of the
day pure and simple, which was adopted by
i2S to "a votes
NJ. Viviani asked urgency for a motion to
grant amnesty to those who had been ar
rested on the charge of creating the dis
turbances in Algeria.
NJ. Willard, the minister of justice, in re-
ply said amnesty would be an act of weak
ness. and that the culprits must be pun
ished The urgency motion was thereupon
rejected by Il vote of 322 TO 104.
The government has dismissed Nj. Leblois
one of the witnesses for NJ. lola. from the
position of deputy mayor or the seventh
reimbursement of Paris.