Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-09-21
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3D.
lived life Of, horrible suffering. His
guards were not permitted to speak to
him. M
But there was some sympathy for the
lonely prisoner on DEVILS island. There
Were people who did not believe him
guilty., and among them many thinking
Frencbmen.
There were sporadic efforts made in
they came to nothing. The army officers
and others constantly kept alive the anti
Semitic feeling which has grown stron-
ger and stronger each year in France.
Now and then the government was ques-
toned, but the inquirers were silenced.
Over and over again it was declared that
the government had in its possession ev-
idcnce which proved Dreyfus' guilt be-
You'd all question.
Du Patty de Clam was promoted to
majorship. Colonel Pcqnart was placed
in charge of the secret service depart
ment. And this was an important event
for -Dreyfus, for Colonel Picquart is
fair man and an honest one, who believes
that truth and justice come before the
honor OF the army and his own free
DOM
1t came out that Emperor William of
Germany had written to President CAST
mir-Perier at the time of Dreyfus' trial
giving his. word of honor as a man that
Dreyfus had not betrayed France to the
German government and adding that he
would if necessary give his word as an.
emperor with all its consequences" 1t
transpired that the Italian embassador
had made similar denial. Both he and
the German ambassador were compelled
to leave Paris because of the attacks
upon them made by the Paris newspa-
pers.
October. 1893. saw the beginning of
thc real fight for the condemned man on
Devils island. So far as public knowl-
edge goes, il was opened by NJ. Schcn-
rer- Kestner. His mere advocacy Of the
condemned captains innocence meant.
much. NJ. Scheurer-k wrote a let
ter to the minister for war, presenting
documents proving Dreyfus' innocence
and asking that his case be rcopened.
lie declared that ,the minister for war
promised to look into the matter and
make n reply within two weeks. Moth
ing was done, and he sent Il letter to the
newspapers telling about it.
The senator also sent letter to Cen
eral Rillot declaring that rich and well
known officer. prominent in society. had
been requested to resign in consequence
of the continued leaking of military Sc
crcts after Dreyfns' deportation. NJ.
Scheurer-kcstner declared that this per-
son was the author of the bordercau.
This letter made a stir in Paris. 1t
drew Major Esterhaay into the case. In
fact, he denounced NJ Sclleurer- X esther
and denied the charge. Further. he de-
clared that he had gained additional
proofs of Dreyfus' guilt, which. he said,
We're placed i'll his hand by "a yelled
lady"
Captain Dreyfus' brother published
direct accusation that Major Esterhazy
was the author of the bordereau. And
there came to light many curious letters
among them one in Which Esterhazy ex-
pressed the bitterest hatred for the Jews
and said he would like TO STAY all of them
he could. There were also letters attack
ing France. Major Esterhazy's hand
writing bears strong resemblance to
that upon which Dreyfus was convicted.
Accusations against Esterhazy grew so
many that lie was compelled to request
court martial. lie was placed on the re-
tired list few months before the court
martial, although he was perfectly we'll
Esterhazy was. of course. acquitted by
the court martial. Matthew Dreyfus,
brother of Captain Dreyfns. was the
principal nccuser. Major Henry was the
principal witness for the defense. and he
was supported also by Du Patty de Clam.
1 The attempt to open the Dreyfus case
failed, but the evidence which Senator
Scheurcr-Kestner presented to General
Billet. the minister of war, was still in
the' possession of the accused mans
friends.
The strangely dramatic affair of Drey-
fus was destined to soon break out again.