The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-01-02
THE DREYFUs CASE.

Chicago Inter Ocean
/, For several weeks France has been
stirred from center to circumference over
the "Dreyfus affaire." as 1t is termed. Yes
terday, 1t was decided by the narrow ma
jority OF eight in the legislative assembly
in favor Of the government.
| The matter is simple one, yet inyolv-
fig the most important principles and at
tended in its execution with such marked
and striking features that it IS by no
means likely to be put to rest by the pres
ent action OF the making power OF the
Repuhlique Franchise. Five years ago.
preyfus, young captain OF engineers, a
man OF excellent family and repute. was
accused of selling Information and plans
OF French Notifications to the German gov
ernnent. Arrested and thrust into prison
Without preliminary examination, or even
being informed OF the charges against him,
deprived of writing materials. refused all
communication, verbal or written. with
any person except the officers in charge
of the prison.
After being confined in this manner two
days, during which, us his jailer has
stated. he neither ate nor slept. he was
subjected to private examination In his
officer conducting the same, and the one
in charge of the prison.
From this beginning the prosecution was
continued with the same secrecy until the
end. 1t is true, the defendant was allowed
counsel, aud the trial was no doubt con-
Quoted strictly according to French law
and custom. 1t is even now question,
however whether the counsel was permit
ted to see all of the testimony that was
produced before the court, aud there GER
tainly was none OF that confronting Of
witnesses and accused, and little OF the
general opportunity for defense which an
English speaking people consider essential
to the ends OF justice.
The offense was Il grave one--treason on
the part OF a trusted officer Of the army.
The military tribunal before which he
was tried found him guilty and he was SEN
fenced to life Imprisonment on a little is
land OF the coast OF French Guiana.
Here, under a tropic sun, ON an almost
uninhabitated rock, without books or writ
ing materials, the unfortunate officer has
been kept in solitary confinement not al
lowed TO see any friend or speak TO those
having him In charge, except upon matters
affecting his physical condition. No friend
no counsel no adviser, has been admitted
to his presence, nor has he been allowed to
communicate in writing with any one In
the outer world since his imprisonment He
has not been allowed books to read or
even the poor solace of recording his
ughts-perhaps HIS protest-for future
times TO read. II he Is not now insane, 1t
is not the. fault of those having in charge
his punishment
Interest in his fate extends beyond him
"a h,4th .-u n
civilized nation has a right thus to torture
and shriyel the life and brain OF an in
telligent human being The question, in
deed, forces itself on every mind. whether
the fortunes OF the inquistion. for which
humanity bushes today, as II offers the
exclisatcry plea of irresponsible fanati-
cism, were in truth half as terrible as those
which a clivized people has employed all
its powers TO inflict on this man, who has
not ceased whenever he could make his
voice heard. to protest his innocence.