The evening times., 1899-09-14
Inuhef HexifnteS.

Considered only as individuals, it would
probably be unfair to blame M. Loubet or
nj. Waldeck- 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 full 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 resentfuI 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 of justice and de.
cency.
From this point of view, it is impossible
not to denounce the dastardly policy OF
refusal to ask the German Government
for the proofs Of Dreyfus' innocence and
Esterhazy's guilt, which NJ. 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 pardon, which
presupposes crime, in principle would
amount TO nearly as great an outrage as
the court-martial verdict at Rennes.
II is the plain and absolute duty of Presi-
dent Loubet in view OF his undeniable
knowledge of the prisoners innocence, and
of the ready means for its demonstration,
to apply at once to Berlin for the docu-
ments mentioned in the bordereau II this
is not done, it will be quite useless for any
one in authority at Paris to expect that the
opinion of the civilized world can be pla-
Gated, or that the ruin of the exposition of
1900 will 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 suf-
ficient warning to the French Government
that the time is not propitious for half
way or timorous measures. AS yet there
is chance to stem the tide of retaliation
by doing that which is lawful and right. -
The movement is still more or less in
choate, though its wide spread and vigor
show what dire force it will WELD il fur
ther events should justify its organization
nationally. We are greatly inclined TO
think that they Will.
The action of the Boston school board
in stopping work on its Paris exhibit and
preparing TO withdraw from the exposi-
tion, 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, IL tn =
conditions in France are SO lawless and
revolutionary that the government of the
country does not dare to 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 considered as
beyond question that the arm of authority
is paralyzed, and not to be relied on to
afford reasonable protection to persons ;
and property.
IL the Loubet government exists Only at
the mercy and by federation of the mob
of which it appears to be in mortal terror.
Paris is not safe place for any foreigner
TO visit, or in which to risk his goods.
For this reason it is to be regretted that
the priceless historical and scientific col
lection-much of which could be only with
difficulty or not at all replaced-which
the Administration is about to prepare for
early shipment, is destined to exposure to
the dangers of loot and destruction which
will surely accompany the impending out
break in the French capital.