Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-13
THE DREYFus @MYsTERY.y

ACCORDING 70 the London Times Henry
and Esterhazy were the real traitors"
who We're guilty Of selling ;lilitary se-
crets Of France 10 foreign governments.
and FOR whose crime Dreysus was de-
graded and subjected 20 -ortures that
put blot upon nineteenth century civil
ization. The Times Processes TO have
documentary evidence that these two
miserable scoundrels sold on various oc-
casi0ns % the military attaches Of foreign
Powers more than 1G) papers Of great
value, including the plans for the mobi-
hzation Of the French army. ana that
they divided the spells Of their Infamous
traffic.
That Henry and Esterhazy were
traitors Is a conclusion the thinking
public reached long ago. Indeed, the
latter has admitted that ne had "rela-
tons with Schwarzkoppen" as far back
as 1894. and his statement regarding the
Intimacy that existed between himself
and Henry left no doubt that they were
pals in a reasonable transaction More
over, both confessed TO forgeries. the
purpose Of which was 50 desplcable as 10
warrant the conviction that they would
not hesitate at any villany.
But were they the only traitors? II
they were then an absolute clearing up
Of the Dreyfus case means one Of the
most astonishing REGULATIONS Of circum-
stantial evidence the world has ever
known. Moreover. 1t means the disclosure
Of state Of idiouc credulity in high
places that Is little less than inconceiv-
able. IL Is almost beyond compre-
henslon that matters should have been
allowed 20 60 TO the extremes they
reached. simply for the protection Of two
such Insignificant figures. practically, as
Esterhazy and Henry. 1t is almost i'm
possible TO believe that the many promi-
nent officers who were implicated in the
persecution of Dreyfus 'could have been
ouped into taking the course they did
No. the Times's charge is reasonable.
so far as II goes, but II does not so far
enough. We cannot agree with our cen
temporaries that hold that the Times S
expose explains the mystery" OF the
Dreyius affair. The whole history Of that
affair goes 70 prove that the mystery
embraces more than a conspiracy between
two men-Esterhazy and Henry-and the
hoodwinking and playing upon the race
prejudice Of third Sandhorr, in order
20 divert suspicion from the Times's "rcal
traitors" What OF the Merciers. and
others IN high and influential position.
who lent their aid 10 the preparation Of
the atrocities against Dreyfus. bounded
those who protested his innocence, and
30 long plotted 10 prevent the revision
Of his case? The desperate policy of
these would indicate that they had des-
perato interests involved in the "mys-
terry" II justiies the assumption that
EsteThazy and Henry, while also their
partners IA iniquity. were their tools II
would seem 10 place IL beyond doubt
that II the bottom Of the mystery" Is
reached there will be found traitors OF
much more exalted position than Ester
haZy and Henry Last but not least. a.
makes IL patent that France cannot al
ford not 20 probe the mystery"
thoroughly. and reckon unsparingiy with
all whom It cloaks. Punishment Of both
high and low connected with the con-
spiracy against Dreyfus is not only the
demand OF justice and ra'at, but there
Is every reason FOR believing w.n afford
France her only guarantee against her
army's being used Ia The scar future 10
aebauoh liberty and overthrow the re-
public.