The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1899-09-15
Dreyfus Sentiment.

Washington, D. e., September IL
1t is believed that when congress as.
sembles there will be considerab Bile
agitation of a proposition for the
government to abandon Its participa-
ton in the Paris exposition. 1t is
known that expressions hostile 10 the
exposition question quoted by Sena-
tor Stewart are widely sympathized in
and it is thought if the conviction of
Dreyfus is permitted to stand there
will be little friendly feeling for
France among the members of either
the house or the senate.
Such move, however, would be a
grave one. 1t is pointed out that to
withdraw from participation in the ex-
position would be regarded as an Off
cial Insult to France. No further legis-
lation on the part of congress is need
ed to carry out the plans of this cour.
try for the exposition. About 81, ,2oo,-
900, has been appropriated for the
expenses of the commission and the
government exhibit; the commission
has been appointed and the space de-
sired for exhibits from this country
has been secured.
There are now but two ways in
which congress could interfere; sne
one would be to revoke such part Of
the appropriation as has not already
been expended in the expenses of the
commission, and the other would be
to pass resolution declaring that on
account of the unsettled conditions in
France. the valuable government ex-
hibits should not be sent to Paris. To
do either of these things would be
sufficient, it is believed since the mat
ter has gone so tar, to break off all
friendly relations between the two
countries.
Congress and the state department
may look at the matter from different
points of views. The president and
the state department, having RESPONSE
bility for maintaining our relations
with foreign governments, cannot be
expected to find IN this affair a reason
for involving this country in an inter
national complication, and it is likely
that the executive branch of the
government will use what influence it
can to prevent hasty action.
Unless congress expressly forbids it,
the government will proceed with the
preparations for the exhibition and
will send to Paris such government ex,
hibits as decided upon, but this will
be done with realization Of the pro.
babi ity that much of the space secured
with such difficulty for private Ameri-
can exhibits will be left vacant. Little
doubt is felt that the latitude allowed
a private citizen will be extensively
availed of to withdraw from participa-
tion in the exposition.
Another difficulty in the way of an
effort to prevent participation in the
exposition, however, will be found in
the fact that before congress has as
sembled much of the government ex-
hibit will probably be packed and on
its way to Paris, if not actually there.
The exposition opens in April and the
work oftransporting and preparing the
exhibits will have begin some months
before that time. Up to this time, it
said the preparation of the govern
ment exhibit has not begun, but work
will proceed as soon as the govern
ment officials are ready.
Representatives Hepburn, of Iowa,
said he had cause to marvel at the
methods of the French army justice,
after observing how the trial of Drey-
fus was being conducted. No such
trial or verdict was possible in the
United States. He did not think it
would in any way affect diplomatic re.
latious between this country and
France, nor did he think it would in
terfere with United States exhibitors
at the coming exposition.