The times., 1899-02-03
HOW HE HEARD THE NEWS.
Rcopening of Dreyfus' Case Made
Little Impression on the Exile.
Paris Correspondence London TeIegraphl

PariS Correspondence I.OHuDn telegraph
How did Dreyfus receive the good news
that his case was commanding universal
attention. and that the Criminal Chamber
of the Court of Cessation had taken it
seriously in hand and was conducting an
exhaustive investigation? 1t Will be re-
membered that in his reply 10 the tele-
gram which his wife was allowed to for
ward to him he said that he reioiced with
them all and was in excellent physical and
moral condition. Whatever particulars
may have been received at the ministry of
the colonies on this subject have, how
ever. been carefully withheld from the
public, but as matters stand at present this
was rather to be expected than otherwise,
as the officials here are not i'll the habit OF
taking the world into their confidence.
Now, person occupying an important
position at Cayenne. and we'll informed
as to what is passing at the lie du Diable.
has arrived in the latest mail steamer, and
in the course of conversation on this y
interesting topic he positively declares tn
the eX-captain of artillery received the
glad tidings very coOlly, and did not ap-
pear to be at all impressed or excited.
The reason which he gives for this is
melancholy one. Although the unhappy
man endeavored to reassure his family in
the aifectionate message to which | have
referred, he is. according to this authority,
in very PROSTATE state.
''Dreyfus," he goes on TO explain. "is in
a condition of great intellectual depression
and 1t is not possible that this should be
otherwise. Only think He has been for
nearly four years cut off from all inter-
course with his fellow-creatures, as no one
is allowed to speak to him or even answer
his questions. Moreover it is a long time
since he has asked about anything. as this
would have been mere waste of breath.
In the earlier period of his life at the
lie du Diable Dreyfus worked good deal
at algebra, but now he rarely takes up any
intellectual task / can, however. declare
in the most positive manner that whenever
he does speak it is to proclaim his inno-
cence. But as nobody is permitted to reply
10 him, this question cannot be discussed.
Moreover, he sees only his keepers There
are a dozen of them and they arc re-
placed every three months Besides them
only four persons can get near Dreyfus.
They are the Governor of Guiana, the
director of the penal administration. the
commandant OF the island and the doctor.
We'll, A." concludes this gentleman. apart
from what ! have mentioned, it is utterly
impossible TO furnish any fresh and pre-
else details about the position of Dreyfus
He is considerably aged, walks with pro-
nounced stoop, and his mind has become
enfeebled. This is all that | can say about
him, and, as matter of fact, with the sin
gle exception of the people who can get to
him, no one could add one new or inter-
esting particular.
This authority can. however, state that
the dispatch boat in the service OF the
penal administration vss, on the 10th
inst. at Fort de France, awaiting the arri-
val of the Labrador which had sailed
from Pauillac with important documents
bearing on the Dreyfus affair. Such is the