The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-29
FRENCH DEPUTIES FUMING.
CHAMBER IN A TUMULT OVER THE
PICQUART COURT MARTIAL.

CnVaiSnnc Referred to az the
''HerO of the FOrSery''-PoStpOne-
ment OF the Picqunrt Court Martial
Refused-Big Picquart DemOnstra-
tfOn.
Paris, Nov. 2S.-The Chamber of Depu-
ties was crowded to-day much interest
being taken in the announced intention of
some of the deputies to interpollate the
government on the Pcquart case
NJ. Paul Dechane,e, republican, announc-
ed that he had received a request to in
terpollate the government regarding the
Picquart proceedings and the premier, NJ
Dupuy, proposed an immediate discussion
of the matter.
M. Bos, radical delegate, opened the
discussion. He said that, while there had
been some honesty in the Dreyfus prose-
cution, there had been nothing but dis
honesty in the Picquart affair. These re-
marks caused an uproar
Continuing, M. Bos detailed the history
of the Picquart persecution" recalling
Col. Picquarts exile to Tunis, and asked
the minister of war, NJ. DeFreycinet why
he had permitted a court martial to be
summoned for Dec u.
The deputy also accused Gen. Zurllnden
the military governor of Paris, who, he
said, had promised a revision of the case,
of having broken his word. This caused
a great uproar.
NJ. Bos concluded by insisting that the
government ought to postpone the trial of
Picquart by court martial until the de-
cision of the Court of Cessation in the
revision of the Dreyfus trial is made
known. This brought forth lively applause
from the majority of the deputies. M
Millerand, radical socialist, spoke in a
similar strain.
The president of the Chamber, at this
stage of the proceedings, was frequently
obliged to intervene, in order to quiet the
uproar on all sides.
NJ. Poincaire, republican. made an i'm
passioned speech, in the course of which
he said it 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 feprsal. (Applause.)
Col. Picquart's secret Imprisonment, NJ.
Poincaire further asserted, was beyond all
precedent, and there were guilty persons,
he claimed who were enjoying scandaious
immunity. (Applauseo
There are other forgers besides Pic
quart who ought 10 be prosecuted" ex-
claimed the deputy. These injustices win
end by exasperating the nation"
NJ. Poincaire, who was minister of pub
lie instruction in 1S93-95. created a sensa-
ton by adding: I'VE were attacked for
the Dreyfus prosecution in 1894, but l
learned of the Dreyfus affair through the
newspapers" Tremendous applause and
uproar followed this assertion.
NJ Barthou who was minister of public
works in 1884, here interjected: II am ready
TO indorse the words of NJ. Poincaire,
which are true"
This called forth more applause and ex-
clamations of sit is absurd" 'it is incon-
ceivaber'
Thereupon NJ. Poincaire added "The
only proof of Dreyfus guilt In 1894 consist
ed of the bordereau. No cabinet minister
nor even the president of council Of min
isters heard any mention of confessions
Dreyfus is alleged to have made to Capt.
LeBrun- -Renault" (Applause)
NJ. Cavaignac, the former minister cf
war, said: "Gen. Mercier secured these
confessions" Gen. Mercier was minister
of war at the time of the Dreyfus trial.
NJ Poncaire continued: capt. LeBrun-
Renault, when he was examined by the
president of the council, did not mention
the Dreyfus confession
This statement caused applause to break
forth from all parts of the house, during
which NJ. Cavaignac tried to speak, but
was howied down, although one deputy
shouted Let us hear the hero of the
forgery
M. Poincaire concluded by saying: "Si-
lence has weighed heavily upon me, and
am now happy TO have the opportunity TO
tell what l know OF the case (Renewed
applause)
NJ. Cavaignac reasserted that Capt LIE.
Brun- -Renaults evidence was given to
Gen. Mercier. His report exists" he
exclaimed amid uproar and cries Of Date,
date" 'fbut perhaps Capt. LeBrun- Re-
nault has since retracted his admission"
Shouts of surprise followed this sugges-
ton
NJ. DeFreycinet said: "The government,
on assuming office, found the proceedings
pending. We have only one anxiety and
that is to ascertain the truth. We do not
object to furnishing the Court of Cassa-
ton with all the evidence available ex-
Depting the evidence involving the national
defense Both the civil and the military
courts are fully equipped to deal with the
respective cases and, as all desire to ar
rive at the truth, it VIII be reached The
government asks the Chamber 60 respect
the independence Of the law"
AFTER duOtner appeal from VI. Millerand
for postponement of the Picquart court
martial, N. Dupuy. the premier, declared
that the Dreyfus matter must remain
purely judicial as the only means OF reach
ing the truth which may now be attained"
We decline to order a postponement of
the court martial" said the premier.
ITO give such an order, even IL we had
the right would be to strike a blow at
the principle OF separation of the public
powers.
1T is not within the province of Parlia-
meut or the government to adjust the
connection which may exist between the
Dreyfus and Picquart cases Our inter-
ventlon would be calculated to hamper the
work OF the Court Of Cessation We will
respect the decision Of the law We are a
government of law and refuse to be a gov
ernment Of arbitrary measure" pro
longed cheers.
The order of the day approving the
statement of the government respecting
the princiDie OF the sfparation Of the A.,