The times., 1899-09-14
I.nuI,ef Hesitatcr.


Considered only as individuals. II would
probably be unfair TO blame NJ Loubet or
NJ Waldeek-R Rousseau for the cowardice
which apparently marks the course Of the
French Government in relation TO the af-
faire Dreyfus at this time. We cannot know
exactly what terrible dangers they may be
facing. or TO what extent their action is
colored by a situation the fun menace of
which they have opportunities for realiz-
ing and the public has not. Nevertheless,
as it is the whole French nation which is
under resentful criticism. its president and
prime minister in their representative ca
pacities cannot be relieved from bearing
the odium that attaches TO a people, seem
ingly lost to every idea CT justice and de-
cency-
From this point Of view, il is impossible
not to denounce the dastardly policy OF
refusal to ask the German Government
for the proofs of Dreyfus innocence and
EsteThazy's guilt which n. Loubet and
his ministry know perfectly well are in
the archives Of the Berlin war Office. are
perfectly conclusive, and are at the dis
posal OF France, To ignore these, and to
resort to the alternative Of a pardon, which
presupposes crime. in principle would
amount TO nearly as great an outrage as
the court martial verdict at Rennes.
1t IS the plain and absolute duty Of Presi-
dent Loubet, in view CT his undeniable
knowledge Of the prisoners innocsnce, and
of the ready means for its demonstration,
To apply at once to Berlin fer the docu-
ments mentioned in the bcTdeTeaa. If this
is no. done. it viii be quite useless for any
one in authority at Paris to expect that the
opinion Of the civilized world can be pla-
Gated. OF that the ruin Of the exposition Of
1850 viii not be compassed. whether foreign
states withdraw from official participation
or not
The boycott movement which is sweeping
over the United States. Great Britain. Bel
gium, and other countries, should be SUI
iicienr warning 10 the French Government
that the time is not propldous for half
way or timorous measures. As yet there
is z chance TO stem the tide OF retaliation
by doing that which is lawful and right .
The movement is still more or less in
show what a dire force il viii WELD if fur
ther events should justify its organization
nationally. We are greatly inclined TO
think that they viii.
The action Of the Boston school board
IN stopping work on its Paris exhibit ani
preparing 10 withdraw from the exposi-
ton. is highly commendabe The example
thus set should be initiated by pubic and
private intending exhibitors generally
Were there no possible inclusion of sen
timent in that proposition. it would be a
sound one on strictly business principles.
Nothing could be palmer than that, if ;ha
conditions in France are so Iawiess and
revolutionary that the government Of the
country does not dare 10 avail itself of A
short and easy method of righting a huge
wrong and, at the same time, OF exposing
traitors then it must be eonsiderei as
beyond question that the arm Of authority
is paralyzed. and not to be relied on 10
afford reasonable protection 10 persons
and property.
II the Loubet government exists on;y al
the mercy and by liberation of the mob
CT which ii appears to be liz mortal terror
Paris is not safe place for any foreigner
to visit. or in which to risk his goods
For this reason il is to be regretted that
the priceless historical and scientific col
Ieeiion-much of which could be only with
difficulty or not at all replaced which
the Administration is about TO prepare for
carly shipment, is destined TO exposure to
the dangers cf loot and destruction which
VIII surely accompany the impending OF
break in the French capital.