The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-25
THE TRUTH ABOUT DREYFUS.
WHY THE DEVILS ISLAND PRISON
ER MAY NOT BE RELEASED.

hIr1Dels Death smut on the MAIN
Evidence of His Innocence.
Rome, Sept 23.-Each sensational de-
velopment in the Dreyfus case has served
TO complicate The matter in the minds of
the general public, and to deepen the
mystery surroundng the prisoner of
Devils island. "Was Dreyfus really
guilty or was he not" is the question the
world in general is interested in having
answered. The unfairness of the dis
graced captains trial, and the general
course of the French government in deal
ing with the whole matter, has led most
persons to the conclusion that an inno-
cent man was sacrificed to uphold the
prestige of the French military tribunal
and shield the honor of the army.
StiH il is not safe to jump to this con-
clusion too hastily. NJ. Cavaignac had the
courage to expose Col. Henrys forgery,
although he knew that in doing so he was
shaking to its foundation the nations con-
fidence in the army Yet he resigned his
office sooner than admit that there could
Be any doubt of the exiled officers guilt.
There are many in France who hold the
same belief in all sincerity. The whole
tissue of Misrepresentation in which this
remarkable case seems 10 be enwrapped
has left the French people distracted and
uncertain what to believe.
The publications which appeared some
months ago in some OF the semi-officiaI
organs Of the French Press regarding the
alleged relations of ex-Capt. Dreyfus with
Col. Panizzardi of the Italian embassy in
Paris aroused such Indignation in official
circles here that an investigation of the
whole Subject was quietly undertaken,
under the direction of certain Italian gov
eminent officials.
This investigation, the chief part of
which was conducted by Frenchmen and
the results afterward verified by Count
| Tornielli the italian ambassador in Paris
has resulted in an explanation of the en-
tire mystery To the supremely important
question, neither yes nor no can be an
sWered. Dreytus was nominally guilty
ana yet in reality and in intent he was
perfectly innocent He performed an act
which, taken in itself and independently
Of the circumstances which attended it
was high treason against the state He
communicated to foreign power detailed
information regarding the organization of
section of the French army. But he did
| this not for money or for any personal
profit, not as a traitor would, in a covert
! manner and unknown to his superiors
| He acted for the best interests of his
| country and ne performed this deed of
| nominal treason with all the courage of
! hero, and acting under the name and
| responsibility of a supreme officer. The
events read like a chapter from novel
The position of chef d'etat-mateur. or
! chief of the staff in the French army, had
} been for long time in allegiance, and
| was revived for Gen. de Miribel. The
chef detat-majeur is in charge of the
| plans for the defenses of the country and
| for the operations that may be required
! incca6e OF war. TiIes has also under him
the organization of the intelligence bu-
| reau, with its system of espionage and
| spies. rtt
The great task set before Gen. de Miri-
bel was the defending of the eastern from
tier, and the modifying of the military
! forces in that region. 1t cost him years of
labor, but he did it ngle-handed. In
| November, 1891, it was terminated, and
the French governing authorities were
freed from the dread of renewed attacks
! by the Germans.
The great maneuvers of the east, held
| In the following year, drew the attention
| of all the nations of Europe. They were
| held on magnificent scale and they
! proved a great triumph for the chief of
the staff. 1t was recognized that France
! had arisen from the disastrous conse-
quences of her defeat twenty years before,
and that she might once more reasonably
| claim to be in a position to cope with any
armed nation on the continent of Europe
Count de Miribel had had a free hand
before this, and now he was left abso-
lutely his own master. Perhaps his posi-
ton was the more unquestioned because
a civilian, M. de Freyssinet was the min
lister of war.
In 1892 the triple alliance between Ger
many, Austria and Italy was renewed,
and the nature of its new stipulations
made France feel her isolation and the
danger of her position in case of war. She
| accordingly looked around her for ma
| ton with which she could form an ali-
ance. Russia alone seemed suitable. With
| Russia, therefore, she determined to bind
| herself and now all her efforts We're d.
rected to winning over the great Musco-
vite empire
The task was no easy one, and dipom-
acy of every sort was required.
What chiefly made Russia wary of the
! advances of the French nation was the
fact that she still doubted the effective
ness of the French defenses The great
maneuvers of the east had seemed almost
a challenge to Germany. Germany an
! swered by erecting new fortified works in
the neighborhood of Befort, and German
| II
| territory was now at the mercy of the
Kaiser's forces. The eastern maneuvers
| of the French army held in 1893 were
| attended by a special delegation of SUI
perior officers of the Russian army. The
French authorities felt that these men
| had been sent to study the efficiency of
the forces which the republic could oppose
to the attacking Germans, and that on
their report depended the fate of the pro-
| jected Franco Russian alliance.
These men must be won over at any
cost, and to this effect instructions were
forwarded to Gen. de Miribel.
The latter was a man of great intellect
ual acumen. and of keen knowledge of hui
man nature, His second in command, as
| chief of staff, was Col Boisdeffre a man
he had chosen himself, somewhat to the
surprise of those who knew the charac-
ter of both men. Boisdeffre had the repu-
tation of a pomperous individual of no
personal initiative or brilliant parts, and
was considered a fanatic from several
points of view. But De Miribel knew the
man he wanted. Boisdeffre had high
| marty influence and besides he was in