The Jersey City news., 1899-09-12
FORTS VIEWS.
The Judge Tells His Ex-
perience on His Recent
European Trip.
WAS SPECIAL COMMISSIONER
He Went as a Representative
of the United States
Foreign Prisons.

reporter yesterday and gave an outiine
of his trip. He went to Europe as
guide for the other members of the fam-
ily. but did not engage in any signtseelns
himself
on his trip he acted as an agent Tor the
United States Government, having peen
accredited by the Department OF Justice
as special commissioner to inquire ABOUT
and examine into the methods ana as
cipline of prisoners in whatever country
he might visit
This gave him an entree to places OF
interest where the ordinary tourist, anu
even natives of the European countries
find it extremely difficult to secure ao-
rnittance Besides studying the prisons,
the Judge devoted himself to the study OF
the people Of the countries he visited
making sociological observations during
the whole of his tour He visited Eng
land. Belgium and France. In each OF
these he made his headquarters at the
capitals, London Brussels and Paris
Judge Fort had letters of introduction TO
people prominent in the affairs of these
three countries and was treated in all
cases with great courtesy.
In England he called on Sir Matthew
White Ridley, the Home Secretary Of
Great Britain. and Sir Ruggles Brice,
chairman of the British Prisons Commits
sion England has during the past
twenty years changed its prison system,
and now every prison in the islands is
under the supervision of the British
Prisons Commission Armed with. Gre
dentials from the Home Secretary and
the chairman of rhe commission, Judge
Fort was given carte blanche to investi-
gate the workings of all penal institu-
tions, local or convict.
In France and Belgium also he OBJ
tained free access to all penal institu-
tions. In the European prison he found
the methods altogether different from
those in use in this country. They are
conducted according TO plans, showing
advanced thought Corporal punishment
is absolutely forbidden. Separate prisons
are established for the sexes, and the
conditions relating to the prisoners are
closely studied. Separate prisons also
exist for juvenile offenders.
The system of Communication of SEN
tences is also different in Europe from
what it is in this country. The periods
of Communication are fixed by the law and
apply to every prisoner, good or bad.
These communications amount to about
one-fourth of the term in France; one
third in England and accorded to a grad
ed system in Belgium. A long-term pris-
oner there will be released after serving
half his term. The smaller the length Of
a sentence the less is the Communication
One noticeable feature that the Judge
observed in his Investigations was the
proportion of female prisoners. This is
much greater than in America. Asked
what the reason for this was, the Judge
said he could not assign any possible rea-
sons, but thought there was a general
one for it. The Judge will formulate
report of his Investigations and viii pre-
sent it to the Department of Justice in
few weeks.
The Judge took every opportunity he
could to mingle among the people. He
visited in England the resorts that were
most frequented by the common people
and observed them at close range. This
was done for his personal benefit. He
spent four weeks in London, two weeks
IN Paris and two weeks in Belgium. He
found the sentiment of the people in
England to be very friendly to the United
States Mention of anything resembling
an alliance between Great Britain and
America was received enthusiastically.
In England he attended the banquet in
celebration of the fortieth anniversary of
the Equitable Insurance Company at the
Hotel Cecil A large number of prominent
Britons were gathered at it and the Judge
was one of the speakers. He was pre-
ceded by Sir William Mcmillan. an Au-
straaian statesman, who referred to the
Friendship of Britain and its colonies for
the United States. Judge Fort expanded
on the theme and gave the assurance
that the feeling of amity was returned
by Americans. This sentiment was up
roarlously applauded.
The sentiment of the people in France
and Belgium remained about the same as
at the time of previous trips that the
Judge had taken.
In Paris the Judge met Samuel Kaiisch,
who accompanied His Honor through the
prominent French prisons, the principal
one being the Conciergerie. Judge Fort
found Mr.. Kalisch most fluent French
speaker, able to give and take the sallies
of the Gauls like a native.
While in France the Judge paid great
attention to the trial of Captain Drey-
ful. On account Of his profession he was
in position to study it from a judicial
point OF view The legal theories in
France are entirely different from those
of England or this country. Dreyfus was
looked on as guilty until he proved him
self innocent. In this country a prisoner
is deemed innocent until proven guilty.
The officials of the court struck the Judge
as having been poorly selected if they
were to mete out justice. 1t was COM
posed Of captains, majors. a lieutenant
colonel and colonel. All were depend
ent on the general staff for promotion.
The men of the STAFF are men of great
power in France.
To please the generals and to obtain
promotion the members Of the court had
TO please the generals. They were prac-
ficaIly under duress and were not men OF
Sufficient stability of character to resist
the influence of the corruption around
them. In France there is constant strife
between the civil authorities and the army
officials The people take sides for one OF
tween the two departments Of government
each trying constantly to outdo the 0thei
in order to gain the upper hand.
The sentiment of the majority OF the
French nation is one of detestation fol
Jews. It is inexplicable to an American
and the source of the feenng IS unIatit-
omable. None of the papers give any g0oo
reason for 1t. The Dreyfus case has de-
yeloped the antagonism between the army
and the civil authorities. so great mas
this become that Judge Fort looks for an
uprising soon. One can feel 1t IN the air OF
France and notice it In the actions Of the
people It is indefinite, but ready for pre-
cfpitation at any time.
a n nRaDle IIf