The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-22
UPRISING In FRENCH GUIANA
THAT MAY LEAD TO THE DEATH on
DREYFUS ON DEVILS ISLAND.
Arrival of Admiral Cervera and His
sailors at Santandcr, Spain--Gen.
Augustin at Victoria.

PARIS, Sept. 21.-The minister of war.
General Chanoine. having examined the
documents in the Dreyfus case ordered
the prosecution of former Colonel Picquart
on the charge of forgery and using forged
documents. The trial of Colonel Picquart
and M. Loblois, a lawyer, on the charge of
revealing documents concerning the ma
tiOnal defense, was to have begun to-day
before the Correctional Tribunal. The pub-
lie prosecutor, however. asked for an ad-
journment, on the ground that the prosecu-
tion of Colonel Picquart on the charge OF
forgery and using forged documents had
been ordered by the minister of war. NJ.
Laborie. who was counsel for M. Zola dur
ing the latter's famous trial, Indignantly
opposed the adjournment, which, he said,
was an attempt to hand over Colonel Pic
quart into the clutches of the military au-
thorities.
Colonel Picquart then rose and made a
statement which caused a sensation. He
said: This is, perhaps, the last time I
shall speak in public / shall sleep. per-
haps, in the military prison OF Cherche
Midi. Therefore, / wish to declare that il
find there the stranging cord of Lemercier
Picard, or the razor of Colonel Henry, 1t
will be murder, for / have no idea of COM
mitting suicide"
The audience was intensely moved and
shouted: "Vive Picquart!' The judges.
however, after a short deiberation. decided
to indefinitely adjourn the case, and Colonel
Picquart was led away between policemen.
Lemercier Picard the man referred to by
Picquart was detective understood to
have been employed in the Dreyfus affair,
who was found in his lodging about year
ago under circumstances which cast some
limit ba f11Yff r1 hot he
had committed suicide.
The commission appointed by the minis
ter of justice, NJ. Sarrien, to examine the
documents in the Dreyfus case and pro-
nounce upon the advisablity of the govern
ment formally granting the prisoner OF
Devils island a new trial, met this after
noon at the ministry of justice. The great
est precautions were taken to insure
secrecy. 1t is understood the commission
will come to decision by Monday next,
when NJ. Sarrien will communicate it's find
ings to Cabinet council which will be pre-
sided over by President Faure.
The air tonight is full of rumors of sem
sational developments. Among other things
it was announced that Colonel Picquart was
already in the Cherche Midi prison. 1t ap-
pears, however, that the authorities of the
La Sante prison refused to deliver him up
in the absence of the necessary formalities,
but there is no doubt that he will be in the
Cherche Midi prison tomorrow. The Drey-
fusites somewhat despondent, the mill
tary authorities who were responsible for
the shelving of the Picquart trial having
apparently regained the upper hand, and 1t
is feared that Picquart will be kept in
prison and his trial indefinitely postponed
in order to keep his mouth shut.
Never before was such a scene witnessed
in court as that which followed his deciara-
tion to-day regarding his possible death in
prison. The judges. officers and audiences
appeared as though paralyzed with emotion.
The latest developments are that General
PelIieux will be transferred from his Paris
appointment to the command of some pro-
visional brigade, kis name having become
too notorious.
The Italian government declines to re-
place Signor Panizzardi as military attache
here until the Dreyfus case shall have end
ed owing to the gross insults offered to
Signor Panizzardi through the newspapers.