The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-09-01

/ Ni'ePNN AIS WIG III iiS al Ills anu en-
| claimed: My conscience is pure and
| free from every sting" This eXclama-
| ton is much commented upon as going
| to show that he may possibly have
| forged the letter under orders from mis-
superiors.
When Lieutenant Colonel Henry was
summoned to the residence of the min
lister of war, he found assembled there
Colonel Patty Du Clam, Count Ester
haZy, General Boisdefrere. General Ro-
get and NJ. Cavaignac. The minister
of war had the suspected letter on his
desk. He took il up and said to Henry:
You did not mention the name of the
agent who furnished this letter. My
attention has been called to the fact
that on the docket there is no name"
Colonel Henry beat his forehead and
then said he had no memory for names
and had forgotten the name in this
case, but he would know the man If he
saw him.
1T is pity you have forgotten" said
NJ. Cavaignac, distinctly. I'VE think
the letter a forgery and that you have
been duped by a clever forger."
Henry declared his belief in its au-
thenticity, but in a very faint voice.
Come" said the minister, mo agent
ever gave il to you. You wrote il in
pencil to disguise your handwriting the
better. You are the forger."
The coloners speech grew thick, but
he denied the charge. Then it was re-
peated, and he gave fresh signs of agi-
tation. his tongue began TO cleave to the
roof of his mouth and it was feared
that he would have an apoplectic stroke.
"On your honor as a soldier" said NJ
Cavaignac, more gently, did you or
did you not write that letter.
Since you appeal to my soldierly
honor, it was l who wrote it," replied
Henry.
The fact of the suicide became known
at Mont Nalerien about 8 o'clock this
evening. 1t was supposed that it was
committed about O'clock in the after
noon. When the official entered his
cell Henry was found lying in pool
of blood dead, with a terrible cash
in his throat. Shortly before midnight
Nine. Henry, who had been informed,
went to the fortress and was admitted,
the officials granting her permission to
pass the night beside the body.
Figaro believes that the chamber of
deputies will be convoked in eXtraordi-
nary session and that a strong parlia-
mentary commission of inquiry will be
appointed.
NJ. Cavaignac has declined to accept
the resignation of General Gonz, under
chief of the general staff.
Lieutenant Colonel Henry was a peas
ants son. He was born in Pousey. in
Marne, in 1S4S, and enlisted in a foot
regiment as his brothers substitute He
had good military record for bravery
and inexorable discipline. He was a
prisoner of war in 1870 and was wound
ed in the Algerian campaign. lie re-
tanned much of the rough and ready
manners of a non-commssioned officer
He was lacking in education, spoke no
foreign languages and owed his promo
ton primarily to his reputation for
blunt neutrality-suspicious..
10 =. m.-GeneTal lie Mouton D'Bois-
detrere of the general staff of the
French army has rendered his resigna-
ton to the government. General De
Boisdefrere, in his letter Of resignation.
explains that he resigned owing to his
misplaced confidence in Lieutenant Col
onel Henry which led him to present
as genuine what was forged evidence.
NJ. Cavaignac, the minister Of war,
In reply asked General Boisdefrere to |
remain to see justice rendered in the |
General De Boisdefrere thanked NJ
Cavaignac for proofs of his esteem, but |
persisted in his resignation He will
be replaced, therefore, by General Re- /
director of the military college.
The cabinet held two stormy sittings |
under the presidency of NJ. Faure. IL |
finally arose between and o'clock. hav- |
ing apparently failed to arrive at a deci- |
sion on the question of reviving the Drey-
fus sentence, for the customary official
note was not issued. 1t is possible how
ever, looking to the excited state of public
feeling, that the government deems il
advisable to proceed cautiously and to
conceal its decision for the present
NJ. Delcasse, minister Of foreign affairs
Is said TO have been vehemently attacked |
by his colleagues for having been ignorant |
Of the intention of Emperor Nicholas to
issue his disarmament proclamation, but
IN the face of the revival of the Dreyfus
affair the disarmament proposal has ia
ken quite a secondary place.
1t is alleged that several ministers. in
,luding NJ Brisson. the premier: NJ Ma
the minister of commerce, and |
NJ. Trouillot, minister of the colonies de-
handed a revision and the immediate sun
preston of several STAFF officers Ca
however, remained firm on the
ground that Lieutenant Henry's forgery
lad not altered the case as affecting Drey-
us guilt. The only result thus far there
ore, is that Esterhazy is cashlered and
will retire on a small pension. Even after
eaving the council the ministers continued
o argue heatedly.
NJ. Faure has deferred his intended re-
urn 10 Havre. 1t would be impossible 10 |
lescribe the sensation that has thrilled |
Paris. and II is not unlikely that at the |
lext meeting of the chamber of deputies
he government will be defeated.