Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-09-19
THE DREYFUS CASt


The New Minister OF War-Thof Action OF
the Council.
Paris, September 16-The difficulties
attendant upon securing revision OF
the Dreyfus proceedings may be gagged
from the story now published that Gen
Zurlinden practically offered, himself by
advocating 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 Gen. Zurlinden
and M. Tillaye, the minister Of public
works who were warmly supported for
three hours by President Faure him.
self.
At the opening of the council, NJ
Sarrien, minister of justice, stated his
views of the case at considerable
length, expressing the conviction that
revision 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
authenticity, and above all, that Col.
Henry's admission of forgery threw
suspicion upon all his evidence.
NJ. Sarrien, however, did not ask the
council to decide for or against revls-
ion, but only asked permission to sub
nit the matter to a commission.
NJ Faure opened the discussion. He
did not openly oppose revision, but
pointed out political and other obJec-
lions to reopening the case.
1t is said that M. Brisson went so far
as to remind NJ. Faure of the constitu-
tional limits of his functions.
Gen. Zurlinden admitted when he
took Office that if he was not a 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 M.
Faure did not take part.
a semi-ofhcial note explains that Gen.
Chanoine only had a conference with
President Faure after his appointment
to succeed Gen. Zurlinden had actually
been signed. The decision of the commit
tee appointed to consider the matter of
the revision will be in no way binding
upon the cabinet 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
NJ. Brisson and Gen. Chanoine are deter
mined that nobody, however high his po-
sition, will be sheltered Stirring events
are regarded as impending. Gen Zurlin-
den is credited with the belief that there
is a Picquart mystery and it is believed
that he fully intended PicQuart should be
prosecuted. According to Col. Picquart's
written statement to the Minister of JUS
tice, four secret documents We're submit
ted to the courtmartial held in 1894 behind
the backs of Dreyfus and his counsel.
1t is reported that the government has
selected Beaubais, capital of the depart
ment of Disc, as the most suitable town
in which to hold a rehearing of the case
LONDON, September 19.-David Chrys-
tie Murray publishes in the Morning"
to-day long story regarding the Dreyfus
affair. The author vouches for the truth
of the story, but declares that he cannot
disclose the source from which he OBJ
tanned his information. The article states
in effect that Dreyfus was engaged as
spy in the employ of a secret department
of the French army against those suspect
ed of trafficking with Germany and other
powers. His zeal, so the story goes, led
him to become the victim of revenge on
the part of Col. Henry, Comte Esterhazy
DIN % tIr n Col
selves were concerned in reasonable