The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-14
Predictions Made that Zola WifI he
Punished with a Years Sentence
of imprisonment.
PARISIANS MUCH EXCITED
COLONEL PICQUART ARRESTED AND
INCARCERATED IN A FORTRESS.
Developments I'm the Far East Squab-
bIe-BerIin Editors Favor an An
gIO-German Loan to China.


cal leader, caused excitement in the Cham
Der Of Deputies to-day when he asked to
be allowed to question the government on
the subject of Emile Zolas open letter to
President Faure. M. Cochery caused an
uproar by replying that the absence OF
General Billot compelled a postponement
of the discussion. Count De Nun declared
that the question was one that could not
be put off. Loud protests greeted M.
Cochery's announcement that the govern
ment proposed to fix a day for the debate.
and the minister finally agreed to suspend
the session until General Billot could be
present Zola's letter formally accused the
minister of war, General Billot, General
Mercier, Major Ravary and Major Patty De
Clan of perjury in the Esterhazy trial, and
challenged the government to prosecute
him.
When the session was resumed the pre-
mier, M Meline, made a statement, saying.
in substance: I'VE understand the excite
ment in the Chamber in the presence of
the attack on the chiefs of the army. The
government, recognizing their duty. have
decided to prosecute NJ Zola, although they
are not blind to the fact that the
prosecution is desired in order to prolong
the agitation. 1t is to be hoped the Cham
ber will have confidence in the energy and
wisdom OF the government"
Count De Nun said the government owed
it to the army that it be assured of its
confidence, as 1t was impossible to allow
the accumulation of insults and attacks.
General Billot said this was the fourth
time he had been called on to defend a
matter on which judgment had already
been passed. The army. he added, treated
the attacks with contempt, but it was pain
full to see it attacked from abroad. The
army was composedly pursuing its mission,
and in the day of need would know how to
do its duty (Applause.)
M. Jaures the Socialist leader, con-
demned the court-martial proceedings be-
hind closed doors, which, he asserted. left
the mind of the nation cropping in obscu-
rity" He also asked the House to repud-
ate the subordination of the military to the
civil power.
To this General Billot replied: 1.-THE army
obeys it's chiefs, and, as the faithful guar
dian of republican institutions, pursues it's
sacred mission"
NJ Cavagnaic, Republican, asked the gov
ernment to communicate to the House the
secret document which had determined the
condemnation of Dreyfus. which caused
murmuring.
NJ. Meline said it was impossible to re-
open a case already judged by the court
martial
The House rejected a motion of NJ Ca
yagnaic regretting the governments vacil-
lating policy, and adopted, by vote of 312
to 122, the combined motion of M. Marty,
Republican, and Count De Mum expressing
confidence in the government and relying
on the government ito take the necessary
steps to stop the campaign against the
army"
M. Loubet was reelected president of the
Senate to-day. M. Scheurer-Kestner, who
has been active in the efforts to secure the
release of Captain Dreyfus was defeated
for reelection to the vice presidency Of the
Senate.
1t has been an eventful day The excite
ment began with the earliest morning news
paper containing M. Zola's letter This sold
like wild fire. There was a similar rush for
the announcement of the arrest of Colonel
Picquart. The latter is the officer who
brought the charges against Count Ferdi-
nand Walsin Esterhazy, recently acquitted
of treason by court-martal. He is incar-
cerated in the fortress of Montvalerien Eff
figies of NJ. Matthin Dreyfus were burned
in many quarters of the town by students
1t is not yet known exactly on what
grounds Colonel Picquart was arrested.
Count De Nuns Interpolation fell sud-
denly upon the government. NJ. Zola was
in the lobby Of the Chamber of Deputies
while his letter was being debated. He was
cold-shouldered and snubbed in almost
every direction. 1t is predicted that NJ.
Zola will get a years imprisonment and il
is declared that If he were not a French
man, he would be expelled from the coun-
try. At the same time his courage is ac-
knowledged. 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 revealed all he knows The
chief line of his defense will be to show that
Alfred Dreyfus did not write the Bordeau.
He has asked the names of all handwriting
experts known to the British law courts
The Temps will say tomorrow that Comte
Esterhazy will be placed on the retired list.
Other papers will say that he has asked 10
be retired in order to be free to prosecuts
his, calumniators.
NM. Matthew and Leon Dreyfus are TO be
prosecuted for an attempt to bribe Colonel
Sandherr, chief of the intelligence depart
ment Of the War Department In 1894
NJ. Drumont the anti-Semite. publishes In
the L!bre Parole a letter addressed to NJ
Faure, denouncing the Jewish crusade
against the army and state as evidenced ia
the Dreyfus syndicate.
Comte Esterhazy, in the course OF an in
terview, alleges that he has solicited per-
mission to retire from the active service.
ANDREE'S BALLOON.
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