Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-29
THE PICQUART CASE.
INTERPRETATION on THE SUBJECT
IN CHAMBER OF equities.
SOME PIQUANT SPEECHES.
They Raise More Than One Uproar
Among the Legislators "some
Honesty I'm Dreyfus Proceedings,
None In Picqunrt Affair."


peiiate the government on the Picquart
| case
NJ. Paul Deschanel Republican, an
nounced that he had received a request
TO interpellate the government regarding
tho Picquart proceedings, and the Pre-
mier, NJ. Dupuy. proposed an immediate
discussion Of the matter.
Radical Deputy, NJ. Bos, opened the
discussion. He said that while there had
been some honesty I'm the Dreyfus prose
cution, there had been nothing but dis
honesty in the Picquart affair. These re-
marks caused an uproar.
Continuing, NJ. Bos detailed the history
OF the Picquart persecution" recalling
Colonel Picquarts exile to the United
States, and asked the Minister Of War.
NJ. De Freycinet, why he had permitted
court martial to be summoned for De-
cember 3D. The Deputy also accused Gen.
eral Zurlinden, the military governor of
Paris, who. he said, had promised a re-
vision OF the case. Of having broken his
word This caused another uproar.
NJ. Bos concluded by insisting that the
government ought 10 postpone the trial
of Picquart by court-martial until the
decision of the Court of Cessation in the
revision Of the Dreyfus trial is made
known. This brought forth lively APP
pause from majority OF the deputies.
NJ. Millerand Enthusiastically spoke In
a similar strain.
PRESIDENT KEPT BUSY.
The president Of the chamber. at this
stege Of the proceedings was frequently
Obliged to intervene TO quell the uproar
on all sides.
VI. Poincare Replblican) made an i'm
passioned speech, I'm the course of which
he said II was not necessary TO confound
the army with a few impudent men.
While the members of the court-martial
were above suspicion, the prosecution OF
Picquart savored Of reprisal. (Applause)
Colonel Picquart's secret imprisonment,
NJ. Poncare further asserted, was beyond
all precedent, and there were guilty men
who We're enjoying scandalous impunity.
Applause) There are other forgers, be-
sides Picquart who ought to be prose-
cuted." exclaimed the Deputy. "These
injustices will end by eXasperating the
nation"
NJ POincare. who was Minister OF Pub
lie instruction i'm 1885, created a sensa-
ton by adding: I'VE We're attacked on
account Of the Dreyfus affair in 1894, but
I learned Of the Dreyfus affair through
the newspapers"
Tremendous applause and uproar fol-
lowed this assertion.
NJ. Barthou, who was Minister Of Pub
lie Works in 1894, here interjected, II am
ready TO endorse the words OF NJ. Poin-
care. which are true"
This called forth more applause, and
EXPLANATIONS of 1T Is absurd" ut Is in
conceivable" Thereupon. NJ Poincare
added: THE only proof Of Dreyfus's guilt
In 1894 consisted of the 'bordereau.' No
Cabinet Minister, nor even the President
of the Council Of Ministers, heard any
mention Of the confessions Dreyfus is al
legged to have made to Captain Lebrun-
Renault. (Applause)
CAVAIGNAC HOWLED DOWN.
NJ. Cavaignac. former Minister of War,
said: General MERCER secured these con-
fessions."
General MERCER was Minister Of War
at the time Of the Dreyfus trial" NJ
Poincare continued. Captain Lebrun-Re-
President Of the Couycil. did not mention
the Dreyful confessions"
This statement caused applause to
break forth from 81 parts of the house
during which NJ. Cavaignac tried 10
speak. but was howled down, although
one deputy shouted, Let us hear the
hero Of the forgery"
NJ Poincare concluded by saying: "Si-
lence has weighed heavily upon me, and
I am now happy TO have had the oppor-
tunity TO tell what l know Of the case"
Renewed apnlause)
NJ. Cavaignac reasserted that Captain
LebTun-Renault's evidence was given 10
General MERCER. His report exists" he |
exclaimed, amid uproar and cries of !
Date, date" "But perhaps Captain Lee |
f.ssnN N.
missions" Shouts Of surprise followed |
this suggestion.
SEEKING THE TRUTH !
NJ. De Freyclnet said: 1.-THE govern |
ment. on assuming office, found the pro-
ceedings pending. We have only one |
anxiety, and that Is to ascertain the |
truth. We do not object TO furnishing the |
Court Of Cessation with all the evidence !
available. except the evidence involving |
The national defence. Both the civil and |
he military courts are fully equipped TO /
deal with the respective cases, and as ali |
desire to arrive at the truth it will. be /
'eached. The government asks the Cham
GER to respect the independence of the |
aw"
After another appeal from NJ. Millerand |
or postponement of the Picquart court
martial NJ. Dupuy, the Premier, declared
purely judicial as the only means OF |
.eaching the truth, which may now be
attained"
eve decline to order a postponemCnt |
If the court-martial." said the Premier
TO give such an order, even If We had
he right, would be to strike a blow at
he principle Of separation of the public
,owers.
"It is not within the province OF parlia-
nent or the government 10 adjust the
which may exist between tbs
)reyfus and Picquart cases. our inter
ention would be calculated TO hamper
he work Of the Court Of Cessation. We
viii respect the decision of the law. We
re a government of law, and refuse to
e a government of arbitrary measure
Prolonged cheers.)
GOVERNMENT SUSTAINED.
The order Of the day, approving the
tatements of the government respecting
ne principle Of the separation OF the ju
icial and executive powers, was then
dOpted, by vote Of 4S7 to 70.
In the Hobbies of the Chamber M. Du-
uy's speech was interpreted as an invi-
alton TO the Court Of Cessation TO ask
Or the production OF the etit Bleu, and
Their documents in the Picquart case.
hich the government would Immediately
iOuuce, mus IhuiiStliS ieduinS 10 Il post
onement of the court-martial. which the
overnment has refused 10 grant under
uress.
1t was also held that the Premier had
Omitted ...e right OF the government
intervene regarding General Zurlinden's
elton, but had only refrained from fear
lat Intervention would be msnterpreted |
DEMONSTRATION.
An immense mass-meeting was held this
gening in favor of Colonel Picquart