Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-06-07
A Brief Summary OF tho DreyIus Case.


To understand fully the conditions
surrounding the much advertised
| Dreyfus case. We must first make a
study of French character and institu-
tons. In countries where emotion and
sentiment are subordinated to cold rea-
son and logic: where truth triumphs over
passion. and the civil authority is en-
throned above the military, the events
which have made this case a standing
reproach to the French republic would
not have been possible.
The -Prussian war left France
crushed and prostrate-at the mercy of
her German conquerors. Not only had
her proud and courageous peo-
pie drained the cup of humilia-
ton To the dregs, but they found
themselves, in addition to a consider
able loss Of territory, burdened with
an indemnity claim, imposed by the
merciless policy of Bismarck, amount
ing TO nearly a billion dollars. 1t is a
remarkable proof of the wonderful recu-
perative power Of the French people
that in ! little over three years this
enormous sum had been paid, and the
last German soldier had departed from
French soil From the day of the
conclusion Of this humiliating treaty
Of peace the policy of the French gov
eminent was largely dominated by the
popular hatred Of Germany. No sooner
had the indemnity been paid than the
work of building up a military estab-
a match for that of Germany. was
commenced. From that time down TO
the present the army has held an eX-
allied place in the affections of the
French people. Its officers have been
looked upon as the physical embOdi-
ments Of French courage and patriot
iSm-and have welded a power but littl,
less than that of the civil government
of the republic. Indeed the extent to
which the military authorities have
participated in the active government
of the French republic can scarcely be
given the matter careful attention.
Under such conditions it was not at
all surprising that the report that a
French officer Of rank. connected with
the general staff of the army, had
been found guilty Of selling military
secrets to the hated German govern
ment should excite among the emotion
al people of France, a perfect frenzy
of Indignation. When the announce
ment was made that this officer was
Captain Alfred Dreyfus of the 14th Ar
tillery, man Of Jewish extraction.
that an example he made of him.
With characteristic impulsiveness The
French public at once assumed his
guilt-withOut waiting to weigh care
fully the proof of the charges against
him Indeed the French law itself
holds every man charged with crime
to be guilty until he has established
his innocence The burden Of proof is
always upon the defendant. 1t made
no difference to the excited and angry
French populace that the record Of
Captain Dreyfus had been an. honor
able one. that having a fortune of his
own and a wife who was rich in her
own name. there could certainly have
been no pecuniary need to impel him
to such crime. Captain Dreyfus had
been charged with the most heinous
| offence of which a military officer
could be gulty--the base and sordid
| betrayal of country. They assumed
his guilt, and demanded his prompt
| punishment. Many, indeed, clamored
| for his execution.
| The history of the civilized world in
modern times will be searched in vain
| for a parallel to the indignities in
tlicted upon this unfortunate man. For
! Il days after his arrest he was not in
formed of the charge against him. and
| for seven weeks was not permitted to
| have counsel, or hold any communication
| with the outside world His enemies
laid his crime to inherited venality,
and Immediately a wild clamor went
up for the expulsion of all Jews from
France.
Meanwhile an effort was made. by
inquisitorial methods. odorous of the
dark ages. to extort from Nine Drey-
fus, in her loneliness and her defence
| lessness, something that could be used
to the prejudice of her husband-but
without success.
A secret military trial followed at
which Captain Dreyfus was sentenced
to public degradation and deportation
for life. The degradation was inflicted
on January 5, 1895. 1t was a scene
never to be forgotten by those who
| witnessed it. His sword was broken.
The very stripes torn from his uniform.
the worst humiliation that could be in
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