Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1899-09-16
I'..I\>|'lI 'i!'ii| Ill III TlREYFI1S
Sentenced 10 Serve Zen Years in
a French Military Prison.
WORLDS MERCHANTS PROTEST.

d ioiiUu t1il;C.ti i1SOu'
WORLDS MERCHANTS PROTEST.
While Governments VIII Not With
draw From the Paris Exposition,
Many Individuals Who Intended
Making Exhibits WIN Boycott 1t.
Rennes. Sept 1.-THE conviction of
Captain Alfred Dreyfus on the charge
If treason, though it had been anticl-
pated caused shock to his counsel
and friends. The vote of the Judges,
which was five for conviction and two
Tor acQuittal, was a surprise. for one
of the two favoring acQuittal was Colo
ncl Jouaust, president of the council.
the other being Captain Protillet. The
sentence of ten years Imprisonment
in French military fortress IS too
degrees lower than ever known IN the
French army before for conviction OF
this kind 1t is the lowest penalty pos
sible The two judges in favor of Drey-
fus pressed for a low penalty ON ac-
count of his sufferings. Dreyfus has
borne the shock with remarkable for
titude. He expects to be released by
Oct. 10.
1t is estimated that the last years
proceedings have cost the Dreyfus
party at least 10000 francs. They
do not intend to let matters rest. and
rumors are revived of the impending
arrest of General Mcrcier. He de-
clares that he does not care what hap
pens. being quite satisfied that the has
done his duty.
1t is understood also that President
Loubet opposes such an extreme course
as prosecuting MERCER or the other
generals. He is rather inclined TO a
conciliatory policy. extending even 10
q pardon for DreyfuS.
All the members of the court mar
tial here signed a formal recommended
ton for mercy. Its object is toeliminate
the degradation feature OF the punish
ment The recommendation will be-
handed to General Lucas for President
l.oubet. When Labori's secretary in
formed Dreyfus OF this action he was
greatly affected and said: Il still have
hopes
The Aurore publishes long letter
from Emile lola. the novelist, in which
he says:
The ministry which its agents have
betrayed. the ministry which had the
weakness 10 leave big children with
muddled minds TO play with matches
and knives, the ministry which has
forgotten that to govern is to foresee
has only to hasten to act if it does
not wish TO abandon TO the good pleas
ure OF Germany the fifth act of the
drama. the denoucmcnt before which
every F'renchman should tremble.
1T is for the government To play
this fifth act as SoOu as possible in
order TO prevent its coming TO us
from abroad The government can
procure the documents. Diplomacy
has settled greater difficulties than
this. Whenever it ventures 10 ask
for the documents enumerated in the
bordereau they will be given.
OUR GOVERNMENTS EXHIBIT
VIII BE Seat to Paris Despite the
Drey fti~ .A@itation.
Washington. Sept. Pit is believed
that when congress assemblies there
will be considerable agitation OF a
proposition for this government to
abandon its participation in the Paris
exposition. 1t is known that express
sions hostile TO the exposition voiced
by Senator Stewart are very widel;
sympathzed in, and it is thought that
ii the conviction OF Dreyfus is per-
mitted to stand there will be very lit
tie friendly feeling for France among
members OF either the house or senate.
Such move, however, would he a
grave one. 1t is pointed out that to
withdraw from participation in the eX-
position would be regarded as an o.
fetal insult TO France.
Congress and the state department
may look 1T the matter from different
points OF view. The president and the
state department, having responsibility
for maintaining our relations wish
foreign governments, cannot be eX-
pected to find in this affair reason
for involving the country in an inter-
national complication, and it is likely
that the executive branch OF the gov
eminent will use what influence it can
to prevent hasty action. The govern
ment exhibits will be sent forward, but
there is no doubt that much OF the
space secured for private American eX-
hbits will be left vacant.