Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-09-14

Washington, Sept LIT is believed
that when congress assemblies there
will be considerable agitation of the
proposition for this government to
abandon it's participation in the Paris
exposition 1t is known that the eX-
pressions hostile to the exposition
quoted from Senator Stewart are very
widely sympathized in. If the con-
viction Of Dreyfus stands 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 |
withdrawal from participation in the |
exposition would be regarded as an Of
fetal insult to France. There are now |
only Two ways III which congress could |
interfere-one would be to revoke such |
part of the appropriation as has not |
been already expended and the other |
to pass a resolution refusing to send I
valuable government exhibits. To do |
either of these would be sufficient, it is |
believed, to break off all friendly Tela- |
tons between the two countries. I'm
less congress expressly forbids it, the
government will proceed with the
preparations for it's exhibition and will
send to Paris such government
exhibits as are decided upon, but this
is to be done with the realization of the
probability that the space secured for
private American exhibits will be
largely left unused. Little doubt is
felt that the latitude allowed private
citizens will be quite extensively
awaited of for withdrawal from partici-
patton in the exposition.
Representative Hepburn (rep., Ia
said Monday that he had ceased to
marvel at the methods of French army
justice after observing how the trial of
Dreyfus was conducted. He did not
think, however, it would in any way af-
feet diplomatic relations between this
country and France, nor did he think it
would interfere with the United States
exhibitors at the coming exposition.
Representative Grosvenor (rep., o.,
who has just returned from Europe
where he spent part of his time in
Paris, when asked if the Dreyfus de-
cision would hurt the Paris exposition,
replied: Without doubt. No nation
can afford to boycott the exposition as
a nation because such action would be
a direct insult to France, but individ
uals can express their opinion, and in
my judgment, thousands who otherwise
would have visited Paris now will re-
main on this side of the water. This
will touch the French in tender spot
The French people are looking forward
to making a great deal of money out
of the show. 1t is a good thing the APP
preparation for the exposition has been
made. Congress would hardly be in a
mood now to appropriate money"
Some officials express fear that this
sentiment will have a serious effect on
the FrancO-American treaty when it
comes before the senate, as that in
strument has not proved very popular
and the present feeling may turn the
tide against it,
Royal Commissioner Disguised.
Newcastle on Tyne. Sept 12.-W D.
Steven, ship owner and royal commits
sioner to the Paris exposition, has de-
clared that a result of the Dreyfus YER
dict, he would not put a
foot on French soil. He
adds that thousands of his country
men will take the same attitude. Sew
eral important firms have already de-
clined to exhibit at Paris.
Miscarriage of Justice.
New York, Sept 12.-At a meeting
of the Methodist association Monday a
resolution was unanimously adopted
deplOring the shameful miscarriage
of justice in the recent conviction of
Captain DreyfTs."
Germans Will Withdraw
Berlin Sept. 12.-The private agita-
ton against the Paris exposition is be-
ginning to find vigorous expression
The Vossische Zeftung says number
of the largest German firms have
pledged themselves to withdraw.
Opposed to Fresh Degradation.
Rennes, Sept. 12.-The judges of the
Dreyfus court-martial Monday by mu-
ident of the republic through General
Lucas, commander of the army corps
at Rennes, their sincere desire that
Preyfus should not be submitted to
fresh degradation. When Laboris
secretary informed Dreyfus of this
action he was greatly affected and
said: Il still have hopes"
Quiet in Paris.
Paris, Sept. 12.-EXcept for Slight
street disturbances last night Paris
has remained Unexpectedly quiet. but
this condition of affairs is not likely
to continue long. The heavy rain Of
Sunday, combined with the fact that
the leaders of the opposing parties
were all at Rennes, prevented any or
ganized demonstration. Then, too, the |
general public is delighted with the |
verdict. Now, however, they are be- |
ginning to see a want of logic in con- |
ceding ''eXtenuating circumstances to |
the convicted traitor, concession |
which eXcites doubt as to the strength |
of the case against Dreyfus. More |
over, public opinion is being sobered |
by reading the comments of the world |
at large and by the prospect, however |
remote, Of boycott of the exposition |
y,yb; of