The age-herald., 1898-01-14
ATTACKS ON ARMY CHIEFS
Have Grown Unbearable and Efforts Mill
 Be Made to Suppress Them.
EFFleIEs OF MALTHIERE DREYFUs
Burned in Many Quarters of Paris by Students Esterhazy Has Solicited Permission to
 Retire from Active Service
 Newspaper Comments.

Paris, Jan. 13.-Count De Nun, the cleri- cal leader, caused excitement in the cham Der of deputies today when he asked to be allowed to question the government on the subject of Emile Zola's letter to President F'aure.
 M. Colby caused an uproar by replying that the absence of General Billet com- pelled postponement of discussion.
 The session was suspended until General Billet could be present
 Later the premier, M. Moline, announced that the government had decided to prose- cute M. zola.
 zola's letter formally accused the minis- ter of war, General Billet, General Mercier, Major Ravary and Major Paty De Clan, of perjury in the Esterhazy trial, and chal- lenged the government to prosecute him. When the session was resumed the pre- mier made statement saying in sub stance:
 I've understand the excitement in the chamber in the presence of the attack on the chiefs of the army. The government, recognizing their duty, have decided to prosecute M. Zola although they are not blind to the fact that the prosecution is desired in order to prolong the agitation.
 
 confidence in the energy and wisdom of the government"
 Count De Nun said the government owed it to the army that it be assured of its confidence, as it was impossible to allow the accumulation of insults and attacks.
 Gen. Billet said this was the fourth time he had been called upon to defend matter upon which judgment had already been passed. The army, he added, treated the attacks with contempt, but it was painful to see 1t attacked from abroad The army was composedly pursuing its mission and in the day of need would know how to do it's duty. (Applause).
 The house rejected a motion of M. Ca- vaignac regretting the governments vacil- lating policy and adopted by vote of 3l2 to 122 the combined motion of M. Martini, republican, and Count De Man, expressing confidence in the government and relying on the government to take the necessary steps to stop the campaign against the army.
 Day of Excitement.
 It has been an eventful day. The excite ment began with the earliest morning news paper This sold like wiIdtire. There was a similar announcement of the arrest of Col. Picquart.
 Efigies of M. Matthieu Dreyfus were burned in many quarters of the town by the students. It is not yet known exactly on what grounds Col. Picquart was arrested.
 Count De Nuns interpolation fell sud- denly on the government. M. Zola was in the lobby of the chamber of deputies while his letter was being debated. He was cold shouldered and snubbed in almost every direction. It is predicted that M. Zola will get a years imprisonment, and it is de- clared that if he were not a Frenchman he would be expelled from the country. At the same time his courage is acknowledged. He is working hard to untilize the five days left him to prepare a case and to call witnesses.
 vealed all he knows The chief line of his defense will be to show that Alfred Drey- fus did not wrie the Bordeau note. He has asked the names of all handwriting experts known to the British law courts.
 The Temps will say tomorrow that Count Esterhazy will be placed on the retired list. Other papers will say that he has asked to be retired in order to be free to prosecute his calumniators.
 M. Mathieu and Leon Dreyfus are to be prosecuted for an attempt to bribe Col. Sandherr, chief of the intelligent depart ment of the war department in 1894. Comte Esterhazy i'm the course of an iri- terview alleges that he has solicited per- mission to retire from the active service.