Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-09-14

Rennes, Sept. 10.-The expected has
happened. Dreyfus has been con-
demned and though majority of those
in the court room Saturday afternoon
| fully expected the verdict they were
completely stupefied when it was given
and the silence which prevailed and
| the way men turned pale and caught
| their breaths were more impressive
than any other manifestation could
have been. M. Demange sank back in
his chair and tears trickled down his
cheeks and Labori turned as white as
sheet, while those around the court
looked at each other in silence. AS
the audience left the court room fully
ten or fifteen men were crying openly,
and a majority of those present walked
quietly down the street for more than
block without speaking a word. 1t was
like funeral procession.
Meanwhile, a tragedy was being
enacted in little room off the court
ROOM where Dreyfus listened to the
reading of the verdict. He had been
told the result by his lawyers, and had
wept bitterly, but when in the presence
Of the officials of the court-martial, he
listened impassively to the sentence.
His wife, who was waiting in torture
and suspension at her house, bore the
news bravely, and when she visited
her husband later, showed no sign OF
her suffering as she walked from her
carriage to the prison. Matthew Drey
fus was present in the court in the If
ternoon, but visited his brother after
the verdict had been rendered. He
found him perfectly calm and without
any manifestation of surprise at the
finding of the court. The prisoner sim
ply shrugged his shoulders, uttering an
expressive sentence, adding as he en-
braced his brother as the latter, was
preparing to leave: Console my wife"
The general belief is that Dreyfus
will be pardoneu; but this will not sat
isfy his admirers. They will refuse to
submit to the verdict and will continue
the battle until the judgment is re-
versed. The verdict, they say, is Ii
rected more against the Jews than
against Dreyfus and if it is allowed to
stand, will make their existence in
France impossible. NM. Labori and
Demange took midnight train for
Paris. They will sign an application
for revision Of the case, although
there is no hope the verdict will be re-
versed.
1t is reported here that as Dreyfus'
sentence was for ten years and that as
he has already suffered five years SOL
itary confinement, which counts
double, Dreyfus will be free inside of
a fortnight. Should the president Of
the republic not pardon the prisoner
he will be again degraded inside of
eight days.
The votes of the court were taken
separately, beginning with the inferior
grade and the youngest in the last
grade, the president of the court hav-
ing to give his opinion last. The deci-
sion of the court as follows:
"1he court declares on the question,
by a majority of votes to 2, Yes The
accused is guilty. The majority agreed
that there are eXtenuating circum-
stances in consequence of which, and
on the request of the commisSary of
the government the president put the
question and received again the votes
in the above mentioned form. AS a
result the court condemns, by ma
jority or votes to 2, Alfred Dreyfus to
the punishment of ten years deten-
lion"
The Judgment then quotes the code
and the constitution under which the
sentence was delivered, with the article
of the law enjoining the government
rommlssary to have this Judgment i'm
media.ely read in the presence of the
prisoner before the assembled guard,
u lGor arms, and to notify him that the
law allows delay of twenty-four
hours in which to lodge an appeal.