The Indianapolis journal., 1899-08-25
FEARS "A REVOLUTION
IF DREYFUS Is RECONvICTED SERI-
Gus TROUBLE MAY FOLLOW.
Views of Rent Dubunet, . Paris Silk
Merchant-Jews Determined to Sc
cure Justice If Possible.

CHICAGO, Aug. 24-Reni Dubuffet, a
wealthy silk merchant Of Paris, who sailed
for America Aug. 12 just before the shoot
ing of Labori, Dreyfus's counsel, passed
through Chicago to-day en- route to Japan.
He said: Nearly as much uncertainty pre-
walls in France as to the outcome Of the
Dreyfus case as there is in America. 1t
will probably be about three weeks. before
Judgment is rendered, and, in my opinion,
the action of the court, no matter what 1t
may be, will precipitate the most dangerous
crisis France has had to face for many
years. Speaking from general and unpreju-
diced observation, / would say that in
Marseilles, Lyons and the other large
cities of France which are manufacturing
centers and consequently centers Of social
ism, the majority are Dreyfusards. In the
provinces and agricultural districts the
sentiment is against the prisoner. Paris is
divided in about tie proportion of two for
the army to one for Dreyfus. The majority
of the Parisians express the belief that he
will be convicted a second time, but there
are practically no facts at hand upon which
to base that belief.
with scarcely an exception the army OFF,
cials really believe him guilty. General
Chanoine minister of war under Brisson.
who is a man above reproach told me after
he had resigned that he believed Dreyfus
guilty. While the army wants him convict
ed to protect itself, Ii Is undoubtedly true
that the officers really believe that he should
be convicted because he is guilty. Dreyfus
is an exceedingly cold and unsympathettc
man, who is not liked personally even by
those who are doing the most for him. In
fact, 1t is not a question any longer Of the
guilt or innocence Of an individual. but the
whole matter is a question Of race.
I'm the event of an acquittal do not be-
lieve that the anti-Dreyfus element would
precipitate a revolution, because to do so
would be for the majority to rebel-an un-
heard of thing. And they would be largely
Influenced toward peace by commercial rea-
sons and the fear of making the exposition
q failure. But If Dreyfus Is convicted
believe that another revolution will be prob
able. The Jewish bankers would first ex-
ert all their influence to secure another
hearing for the prisoner, and this failing
the worst might be expected.
For two years business has been very
much demoralized in all branches by the
Dreyfus excitement. This iast year it has
been especially bad. Foreigners and the
provincials are afraid to come to Paris. The
uncertainty as to the outcome Of the affair
prevents wholesalers from laying in large
stocks and hurts manufacturing. Invest
ments of French capital are being made
elsewhere than in France. II Dreyfus is
convicted the Jewish bankers will probably
refuse to come to the aid of the govern
ment and suspension of payment by the
government banks, followed by a panic,
x-oula not he inprobable In short IL Is the
general opinion among the conservative
Frenchmen that France will be lucky If the
question is settled in five years whether
Dreyfus is found guilty or innocent, and
many believe that peace will not be re-
stored till the Jews are driven out OF
France, as were the Protestants."