The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-14
DAILY, so A YEAR
CENTS S A COPY.
WEEKLY 2-TIMEs-A-WEEK 81 A YEJAH
PIcoUART NOW A PRISONER.
EMIzE ZOLA TO BE PROSECUTED BY
THE GOVERNMENT.

A Letter in which He Attacks the
Army the Basis for the Proposed
PrOcccdings-The Prediction Made
That He VIII Get a Years Impris-
onment-Opinion Expressed THAT
He Has Not Revealed All He
Knows.
Paris, Jan. 13-Col. Picquart, who is un-
derstood to be the officer who brought the
charges against Count Ferdinand Walsin
Esterhazy, recently acquitted of treason
by court-martial was arrested this
morning and incarcerated In the Fortress
of Men Valerin.
1t has been an eventful day. The ex-
element began with the earliest morning
newspaper containing NJ Zola's letter. This
sold like wild fire. There was also an an
nouncement of the arrest of Col. Picquart.
Efiigies of Matthew Dreyfus are being
burned in the student quarters of the city
II is not yet known exactly on what
grounds Col Picquart was. arrested.
Comte de Nun, clerical leader,
caused excitement In the Chamber
of Deputies to-day when he asked to be
allowed to question the government on the
subject OF Emile Zoia's letter to President
Faure
M Mellne caused an uproar by declaring
that the absence of Gen. Biliot compell-
ed the postponement of the discussion.
The session was adjourned until Gen. Bill
lot could be present
Later the Premier NJ. Meline, announce
ed that the government had decided to
prosecute NJ. Zoa.
zola's letter formally accused the min
lister of war Gen Billot Gen. Mercier,
Maf al ia n
perjury IN the Esterhazy trial and chal-
lenged the government to prosecute him,
When the session was resumed the pre-
mier made a statement, saying In sub
stance I'VE understand the excitement
in the chamber in the presence of an at
tack on the chiefs of the army. The gov
ernment recognizing their duty, have de-
cided to prosecute M. Zola, although they
are not blind to the fact that the prosecu-
ton Is desired in order to prolong the
agitation. It is TO be hoped the chamber
Will have confidence in the energy and
wisdom of the government"
Count De Nun said that the government
owed t to the army that II be assured OF
It's confidence, as IL was impossible to
allow the accumulation of insults and at
tacks.
Gen. Billot said this was the fourth time
ne had been called upon to defend a mat
ter on which judgment had already been
passed. The army, he said, treated the at
tacks with contempt, but 1t was painful
to see It 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 MIR.
Cavaignac respecting the governments
vnclating policy, and adopted by a vote
of Sl2 to 122 the combined motion of NJ.
Martin, Republican, and Count de Nun,
proposing confidence In the government
and relying upon the government to take
the necessary Steps to stop the campaign
against the army
Comte de Nuns resolution fell suddenly
on the government.
M. Zola was In the lobby of the Cham
ber of Deputies while his letter was being
debated. He was cold-shouldered and
snubbed In almost every direction.
1t is predicted that M. Zola will get a
years Imprisonment, and 1t is declared
that IL he were not Frenchman he would
be expelled from the country. At the same
time his courage is acknowledged He Is
working hard to utilize the five days left
him TO prepare a case and to call witnesses.
There is no doubt that he has not re-
vealed all he knows. The chief line OF
his defense will be TO show that Alfred
Dreyfus did not write the Bordeau note.
He has asked the names Of all handwrit-
ing experts known TO British law courts.
The Temps will say tomorrow that
Count Esterhazy will be placed on the re-
tired list Other papers VIII say that he
has asked TO be retired in order to be
free TO prosecute his calumniators.
NJ. Matthew and Leon Dreyfus are to be
prosecuted for an attempt to bribe COL
Sandherr, chief Of the intelligence de-
partment of the war department in 1894.
Count Esterhazy, In the course of an
interview, denies that he solicited per-
mission TO retire from the government
service.