The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-09-13
.DREYFUS CONVICTED.
A Martyr to French Millttar-
ism.

kSlu.
Rernes, Sept. e-The expected
has happened. Dreyfus has been con.
demned, but though a majority CT
those in the court room this afternoon
fully expected the verdict they were
completely stupe6ed when it was
given, aud the silence which prevail
ed in the room and the way men
turned pale and caught their breaths
was more impressive than any other
manifestation could have been.
AS the audience left the Court room
fully ten or fifteen men were crying
openly, and the majority of those
present walked quietly down the
street for more than a block without
speaking a word. 1t was like q
funeral procession.
Meanwhile q tragedy was being
enacted in the little room off the
Court room, where Dreyfos listened
to the reading of the verdict. He
had been told the result by his
lawyers and had wep: bitterly. but
when IN the presence of the ofhclaIs
of the Court martial be listened i'm
passi7ely TO his sentence.
His wife, who was waiting in tor
ture and suspense at her house. bore
the news bravely and when yisitipg 9
her husband this afternoon showed
the outlookers who were in the
streets no sign Of her suferings as
she walked from her carriage to the
prison.
Mat.hieu Dreyfns was not present
in Court this afternoon, but visited
his brother after the verdict had been
rendered. He found him perfectly
calm and without any manifestation
of surprise at the finding of the
Court.
The prisoner simply shrugged his
shoulders. uttering an expressive
sbah," adding as be embraced his
brother as the latter was preparing to
leave Console my vile :"
The general belief ia that Dreyfus
will be pardoned; but this will not
satisfy his friends, who vehemently
declare that they will continue the
battle until the judgement is re.
versed
The verdict, they say, is directed
more against the Jews than against
Dreyfas and if allowed to stand will
make their existence in France i'm.
possible Maitre Labori and
Maitre Demage took the pid:
night train for Paris They drove
to the station in a closed carriage,
escorted by four mounted gen
darmes. "
The road was practically deserted
and NO demonstration occurred
Maitres Demange and Labori will
tomorrow sign an application for
revision of the case, although there
is no hope that the verdict will be
reversed Both are much upset,
though it can hardly be said that
they are surprised.
THE CRISIS REACHED.
Renues. Sept. 9-The appearance
on the streets when Reones awoke this
morning left DO doubts in the minds of
anyone that the faal crisis Of the great
trial bad been reached. Iostead Of
scattered gendarmes guarding the
vicinity of the prison aod the Lycee,
the whole town bristled With soldiers,
all the streets near toe court were
guarded at Intervals by double lines of
infaptry. two companies Of infantry sat
90 the church steps adjoining the
Lycee, With their arms SACKED ia front
OF them. while 10 the courtyard of the
prison and at various other points cav
airy could be seen in readiness.
Every one entering the court room
were subjected to the closest scrutiny.
IVGu tUS MO4SO WnO ottCoGSO tSC
session we're deprived of their small sun
shades before being permitted to pass
a larger CROWD than usua; witnessed
the passage Of Dreyfus from the prison
to the Lycee, but the crowds were
nowhere large, aod, aside from the
presence Of the military. the town was
tranquil as usual.
The morning Of the day wbloh was
TO decide the fate of Dreyfus broke dull
and cbeerless and the court room was
filed with cold. uusympa'hetic light,
which leot sadness to the proceedings.
This was enhanced by the grave aspec,
of the audience aod Of the judges.
Toe las. session Of the court. martial
opened at I 80 %.
Madame Labori was among che few
ladies present, aud IN the press seats
there were only about Fifty reporters.
The prisone, looked flushed and 10
ill-hea!tb, apparently suffering great