Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-09-05
CASE MAY CLOSE NEXT WEEK.
Belief That Dreyrus Will be Given His
Freedom Seutember

Rennes, Sept. -Crheodore Stanton
in Chicago Record lit is now expect
ed that the verdict in the Dreyfus case
will be given not later than Friday,
Sept. 8. Conservative and impartial
minds consider that the prisoner will
be acquitted by majority of the
judges, so that he will be reinstated in
the army NJ. Bernard Lazare said to
me yesterday: 1T is not for political
reasons that l declare that Capt. Drey
fus will be acquitted. If / were not
interested personally in Capt. Dreyfus,
and, apart from the merits of the case,
I would prefer condemnation, for then
quicker and more severe would be the
punishment melted out to these crin-
inal officers. So, when i say that Drey-
fus will be acquitted before the end of
next week. / say it because have good
reason to believe that such will be the
case"
Late last night NJ. Lazare was still
more optimistic, one cause being the
sudden arrival of NJ. Cavaignac, former
minister of war, who threatens to in
fict another deposition on the court
martial. Gen. Roget met him at the
station-a fact that shows in what des-
perate straits the prosecution now finds
itself. A meeting of the generals and
NJ. Cavaignac was held last evening at
Gen. Mercier's house, and there is no
tellinr what extraordinary things may
be done at the last moment Whatever
| they do it is now generally admitted
that the generals are fighting losing
battle. The meek conduct of Gems.
Mercier and Boisdeffre. during the
last three days points in this direc-
ton.
4 Gen. Roget still keeps up his courage,
but watched him closely several times
Yesterday in the Lycee courtyard dur
ling the recess and found him haggaHd
and nervous, though exceedingly ami
! mated. He is not SO deeply compro-
n missed as are the other two, so he can
be bolder; but plainly he is losing his
hold.
il The evidence of Lieut.. Col. du Patty
4 de Clam, taken by special commission,
lis thought to have arrived last evening,
and its unknown burden is worrying
the generals.
i Owing to the widespread impression
4 that the Dreyfus victory is won, the
authorities are already arranging the
"details of measures looking to the safe
ty of the. prisoner. The moment the
verdict is given form. the necessary
formalities in the military prison will
he carried out and then Capt. Dreyfus
will be conveyed carefully to the God
and house, where his wife is lodged
The greatest military precautions will
, be taken to prevent any fanatic from
harming him. More troops will bt
brought to Rennes, more detectives
sent down from Paris, and the captain
will leave town very secretly for des
tination which will not be disclosed.
For a long time he will be protected
against fanatics. I cannot eNaggerat'
: the nervousness existing here for Capt
Dreyfus' safety on the part of the Off
cial world and of members of the pris
oner's family. Capt. Dreyfus himsel
5 appears to give no attention to th'
subject.
Another cause of anxiety to thu
friends of the prisoner is his health
i 1t is feared that when the eXcitemen
: of the trial and the necessity of pre-
9 senting "a bold front are removed h
may collapse.
/ cannot say that / share in this APP
: prehension. My seat in the cour
: room is well at the front and on tn
side where Dreyfus enters twice eacl
+ day. | always watch him, as does ev
i erybody else, with the deepest inter
: est. He has shown unquestionabb
7 improvement in appearance day b
S day since the trial began. Crossing
!. from his prison to the Lycee and bacl
d every morning, marching into til
!, court room, listening to witnesses, re
It plying, and all that, after his monoto
t nous existence during the last fou
o years, have done him good mental
! and physically. ] see no reason to be
+ lieve that any evil physical effects wi
t, follow his acquittal.
$ On the contrary, seeing his childre
d again, enjoying the bracing air of til
c region whittier competent medical &C
visers will send him, together wit
d the thought that he is once more re
L stored to the army-which, howevel
/. he, will soon quit-and, above all, pc
= feet calm after long suffering and cor
d tiict and turmoil, will be likely to +,
y store him within reasonable lengt
1t of time to good mental and physic;
l. condition.
le "Circumstances Alter Cases."
Re Tn oacas of lysnenSa nervousness