The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-24
The Dangerous Condition of France.

Why Is 1t that the second court-martal
now trying DREYFUs refuses to heed the
judgment rendered by the Court OF Cassa-
ton. and Is conducting an inquiry without
any regard to the limits prescribed by that
supreme tribunal? Why do the Generals
who are testifying at Rennes comport
themselves as II they had nothing to fear
from disciplinary measures at the hands Of
pE GALLTFET, the present Minister Of
War; Why does GUERN, the Anti-Re-
Sisionist agltator, venture to defy the
authority Of the Paris police and OF the
Minister OF the Interior? Why is it that n
petition addressed to President LoUBET
has been circulated, and has been
already signed by a large proportion
OF the members OF the Chamber of
Deputies, demanding an immediate convo-
cation OF that body2 Because it is well
understood that the Cabinet headed by
NJ. WALDEcK-RoUssEAU has but n brief and
precarious hold Of power, because the belief
is widespread that it can be and will be up
set by the Chamber upon the reassembling
OF that body; that President LoUBET him
self can be forced to resign by refusal to
accept any Ministry commended by him,
and that, thus, the whole executive power
OF the French Republic may be transferred
to the enemies OF DREYFUs who, after see
ing to it that tho accused officer is con-
demned second time, will take effective
measures to stop the cutlery for revision
Of the sentence.
France has often boon governed by
minorties, and, although it Is the con-
sensus of intelligent observers that a
majority Of Frenchmen desire n second
conviction OF DREYFUs, it might happen
that the majority would be inarticulate
and impotent. That is not the case at tho
present time. Tho existing Chamber of
1893, reflected faithfully the feeling
against DREYFUs. which was then over
whelmingly preponderant not only in
Paris but in all parts Of France. 1t was ut
that time almost impossible for any man to
be chosen n deputy who did not profess
himself opposed to revision OF the SEN
tence pronounced against DREYFUs by tho
first court-martial. No change had taken
place in the sentiments of the popular
branch OF the Legislature when, in July,
1893, CAvA1GNAc, Minister of War, dciv-
cred the notorious speech In the course
OF which he laid great stress upon the docu-
ment gu bsequently shown to have been
forged by HENRY. By an almost unani-
nous vote Of the Chamber, that speech was
ordered to be placarded in every commune
Of France. Then came HENRY's confession
and suicide, followed by EsTERHAzYs dis
closures, more or less authentic, and by
PIcoUARTs demonstration that the Dor
4 49,,
Fus. The demand for a DEMONSTRATION OF
the affair now became so peremptory on
the part OF a high-minded minority In
France. backed, as this was by an almost
unanimous outburst OF indignation In for.
eign countries, that the BRIssoN Cabinet
was led to order a reference OF the DREYFUs
case to the Court OF Cessation.
Anti-Dreyfusards, however, were still
predominant In the Chamber, and the
Brisson Cabinet was shortly displaced by
Ministry headed by NJ. DUPUY, who, al.
though he could not stop the engine OF
Justice. once started, did his best to throw
It on the track by securing the enactment
OF law transferring the Dreyfus inquiry
from the criminal section Of the Court tc
the whole tribunal. Then occurred certain
Incidents favorable to the friends Of DREY
VUs. President FAURE, who was com
pletely controlled by tho AntI-Dreyfusards
died suddenly. and was succeeded in the
office of Chief Magistrate by NJ. Lou
BET, man convinced that military
influence must be kept subordinate
10 the civil power. Not long after
ward. the ministry. headed by NJ. DuPUY
was defeated, but President LoUBEr wal
long unable to form a Cabinet acceptable h