The evening times., 1899-09-09

f1elCe, Oo3 Mall olieet, Duiidio, ~ l.
many would be made popular in France
owing to the long standing hatred and ami
mostly existing between the two peoples.
The French have not forgotten Alsace and
Lorraine, as is evidenced by the funeral
parade to the statue every year and the re-
peated indignities from time TO time heapel
upon Germans in France. An open attack
upon Germans in Paris by the mob would
bring forth declaration of war from the
Kaiser. In the struggle one of these ma
tions would cease to be a power. All the
world knows which nation IL would be, that
France would be the sufferer, and the rea-
son is obvious to those who are acquainted
with the personnel and the character of
the men commanding and composing the
army OF the two nations.
German Soldiers Superior.
''The soldiers of the German army, while
they are in that capacity, are free from the
disturbances of politics; they serve as SOL
diers. not as politicians While the French
men may be equal in valor. gallantry and
discipline, he is nevertheless a politician;
in fact, a partisan. He receives not only
his command but his political ideas and
opinions from his superiors, who, in fact,
| encourage him in being soldier politician
| In this way they serve their own interest,
| and designing generals, army officers who
are partisans, seek TO build up for them
selves a strong personal following which
will be at their command ready for any
thing at the proper moment, as ready TO
strike blow at the French Republic as at
a foreign foe. These generals depend upon
their soldiers. whom they are filing with
| political ideas, TO become their bodyguards
and defenders when il becomes necessary
for them in carrying out their part of the
| plot TO attack the government.
French Spy Service.
1t might not be too much to say that
the average French army officer is a slave
| to his own ambition rather than a patriot
and defender of his country. OF course,
| there are many notable exceptions. But
the leaders of the military party do not
bear the stamp of the greatest integrity.
Consequently the French army is divided
| into partisan groups. each distrustful of
| the other. There can be no doubt that the
government understands the situation, as
| it was so bold as to approach the Marquis
| de Gallifet. the present Secretary of War,
and by the offer of a dukedom and large
| sums Of money sought to induce him to
use his influence in their behalf when the
time comes to overthrow the republic. OF
course, this was done diplomatically and
in such manner that the trap would not be
sprung and catch the conspirators in it,
That he spurned the offer | do not think
there is any doubt and declared that for
the remaining years of his life he would
endeavor to protect the republic and its
honor.
The majority OF the French generals
have points in their records which would
not count in their favor in any other civil
ized country. 1t is a well-known fact that
every country maintains its spy system in
foreign countries, but they are always men
of low rank, not officers of the army, who
consider such service beneath their dignity,
That this is not so in France the trial of
Dreyfus at Rennes has proved. even il it
was not well known before that officers
high in the ranks of the French army have
been acting in the capacity of spies Only
recently it developed that officers in the
French intelligence Office manufactured in
formation which they pretended to give as
valuable to the German Government. but
no one has. been fooled by this procedure
except the French themselves, Germany be-.
ing too wise to be trapped.
Proof that Dreyfus will be convicted
IS daily being given by the conduct of the
judges Of the court-martial at Rennes
The president of the court excludes, when
it is possible. anything that would benefit
the defence, and he is, of course, being
regularly assisted in this method by the
government prosecutor, M. Carriere The
whole trial may be considered as a play
in two acts. On one side there is the
comedy and on the other the tragedy. The
comedy part is being played by the prose-
cuiion and the tragedy is the result of this
comedy. 1t has its effect upon the de-
fence.
Il foresee the time when few honorable
men will consent to wear the uniform of
the French army. Such men as Colonel
Picquart, Captain Freystaetter, and others
will elect to become private citizens rather
than TO enjoy the doubtful honor of be-
longing to the army. Everywhere there is
secondary evidence of the plot to over
throw the government. The Guerin case
where the anti-Semite League has been
openly defying the authorities, is but an
evidence OF that What other nation of
the world would tolerate such open def
ance? In any other country such rebel
lion would be met with the measures il
deserves and the instigators would be exc
cuted or imprisoned. But the French Gov
ernment appears to be afraid to act The
corspirators only wait for an attack. for
the SplillUS VI SOlue man D.OOu, 10 DeglQ
an open attack. 1t is but a part of the
scheme and waS-planned to be carried out
in conjunction with the Rennes trial. 1t
is well known that Guerin has strong sup
porters back of him and that he ard his
band are not acting independently.
Dishonor in the Army.
During the working out of the great
plot there has been a steady effort made
which has in many instances been success
full, to get rid of those in the army and in
other branches OF the service who would
seek to prevent by all the means in their
power the carrying out OF the scheme
those who could not be bought off and who
could not be done away with when the
struggle comes. OF course. some have had
to remain. but it is nevertheless a fact that
many have been sent away from their