Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-12

IT Il; the UNEXPECTED which has happened
again in France to cause a sensation.
While the world was watching the pro-
ceedings of the court-martiai at Rennes
fer the next important developments in the
republics great test of strength Paris sud-
denly supplies the news novelty to over
shadow all other foreign tdings. The ar
rest of Paul Deroulede and others engaged
with him in revolutionary movement was
absolutely unheralded. 1t was believed
that Deroulede was a back number. for
gotten issue discredted by his trial and
ignored henceforth by the government as
Unworthy of serious consideration But it
seems that the new administration has
been quietly at work since the first out
break by the so-called patriots of the De-
roulede stamp and has collected evidence
10 show that there is a widespread con-
spiraCy to change the form of government,
fOstered by DerOulede's league and by the
Anti-Semitic League. These two organiza-
tons have appropriately Joined hands and
now their leaders are either in Jail or bar
ricaded in their own houses resisting ar
rest.
Gen. Gallifet the new minister of war. is
a man of determination and action. He
has apparently infused new life into the
ministry. His disciplining of two of the
generals showed his great courage. 1t is
altogether likely that he is responsible for
today's dramatic arrests. If this be the
case il was a happy hour for France when
the new premier bethOught him to give the
war portfolio to the man who in former
years did not hesitate when ordered to
charge a mob and shoot down scores who
Ventured to oppose the government.
The developments at Rennes are not ex
xb.r rY,i.r hay taI
the advance accounts. Gen. Mercier took
the stand and talked for four hours in bit
ter delunciatiOn Of Dreyfus. At the close
OF his address. which could not be called
testimony by any stretch of grace. he was
Indignantly confronted by Dreyfus and
Casimir-P erier, the latter of whom is to
face him next Monday TO deny his state
ments of today. MERCER was savagely
Missed and abused by the crowd as he left
the court room This may not mean more
than that the spectators were largely par
tisans of Dreyfus- But the fact that there
was no counter-demonstration by the
friends of MERCER suggests that his speech
before the court failed of its intended effect
and served only to disclose the passionate
hatred of the former minister without adj
vancing any new facts of a substantial
character
W hat with the arrests in Paris and the
Spectacular events at Rennes it may be
that France will be deeply agitated tomor-
row. Sunday is the French day Of relaxa-
ton. rejoicing, enjoyment. demonstration.
riCting. There are ample provocltions for
public gatherings which, however. may be
prevented by the government in the inter-
es's of peace and order. 1t remains to be
seen how far today's arrests will stir the
passions OF the partisans of Derouiede. 1t
is known that heretofore his mobs have
been composed largely of hireliEgs. He mas,
however. a considerable genuine following
and this element may seek to express dis
approval of the governments course. Bur
with the leaders ali in Jail or hidden to
prevent arrest they will lack direction
France seems to emerge from one spasm of
excitement Only TO pass into another But
curative remedy is working under the di-
Tection of a ministry determined to dag
nose the patients case with exact frank
ness and to amputate. if necessary. any de-
cayrd OF decaying portions of the BODY
polite.