The record-union., 1899-09-20
Said, In Fact, That President Lsubst Has
Already Signed the Papers.
When 1t Is to GO Into Effect Not
Yet Made Pub1ic-Said the Cap
= tain Will be Sent Abroad Before
+. the PRONUNCIATION of His Pardon
in Order to Avoid Demonstra-
tions,

~NANAA95 hoCP(. 1J l. HS 1OuuClI VI
Ministers decided to-day to pardon
Dreyfus in principle The pardon will
take effect in a few days. Dreyfus has
relinquished his appeal for a reversal
of the judgment of the court t-martial.
In principle" is an idiom sometimes
used in semi-official announcements of
forthcoming actions. 1t seems to have
but slight bearing on the matter, ex-
cept, perhaps, that it implies the ful-
fillment of various formalities before
the pardon is actually issued, therefore
qualifying the announcement of the
pardon with slight tentativeness. Ii
is not known yet whether the pardon
includes amnesty.
There is much remark here on the
strange coincidence of the death of NJ
Scheurer-Kestner, the first champion Of
Dreyfus, and to whom Dreyfus vii.
virtually owe his freedom, on the very
day the Cabinet decided to pardon the
prisoner. NJ. Scheurer- -Kestner's death
was sudden. He had been i'll durins
the last few days, but it was not
thought that his illness would prove
fatal.
The announcement that Dreyfus was
to be pardoned had already been dis
counted by predictions, and there was
absolutely no excitement displayed
along the boulevards when the news
boys ran along at about 3:15 p. m. with
the first editions containing the state
ment that the Cabinet had decided to
pardon Dreyfus. The newspapers sold
quickly, but there was no rush for
them on the part of the boulevardiers
Those who bought the papers sat down
in front of the cafes and read the an
nouncement without comment. Every
one expected it, and the decision met
with no opposition.
The "Droits del Homme,'' the Social
organ, said: Our task remains the
same after as before the examination
of Dreyfus, TO continue the campaign
against those who are responsible for
the lamentable affair." and unmask the
forgerss traitors and the false wit
nesses, even though they may be COW
cred with glittering decorations"
Up to O'Clock this afternoon the ut
most calm prevailed throughout Paris.
The decision of the Cabinet to pardon
Dreyfus seemed to have passed un-
noticed. The only remark was, 1--WE
expected it"
The official announcement was made
in the form cabled to the Associated
Press in order to avoid demonstrations
of any kind at Rennes and in Paris.
But the pardon of Dreyfus is not
merely imminent, but was actually
signed this morning. Measures have
been taken in Rennes in connection
with it, and it will have good effect
generally. The newspapers now pub
lish the first semi official announce
ment of the Cabinets decision without
comment.
The Journal des Debats," however.
says: I'VE are assured that the family
viii receive an order for Dreyfus to
leave France, unperceived, shortly, dur
ing the night. The Government does
not know, or in any case does not say,
where Dreyfus is going"
The Journal des Debats," however,
follows the foregoing with the report
that Madame Dreyfus has taken a
villa. at Folkestone, near Dover, Eng
land This report has been denied. but
many believe Dreyfus will go TO Eng
land on his release.
The result of a telephone inquiry
at Rennes this afternoon shows that
Dreyfus has not yet left his prison.
1t is said that Dreyfus will be sent
abroad before the PRONUNCIATION of his
pardon, in order to avoid demonstra-
tions-
CREATED LITTLE INTEREST AT
PARIS.
PARIS, Sept 19.-The decision of the
Cabinet to pardon Dreyfus created less
interest in Paris than would the result
OF big horse race. In fact, it may be
said that it caused no excitement what
ever. There was no rioting on the
boulevards. In front of the offices of
the "Libre Parole" where a crowd
usually assemblies in the evening to
gaze upon the huge colored Transparent
cies outside the windows of the lead
ing anti-Semite organ, there was not
the slightest gathering or the faintest
sign of demonstration either for OF
against Dreyfus.
One would think that the fire of the
Dreyfus agitation had burned itself out.
The anti-Dreyfusard evening papers
tried TO infuse interest into the Gov
ernment's action by a rabid attack up
on President Loubet, but their efforts
were futile. The peaceful crowds that
filed the tables in front of the cafes,
slipping their after dinner coffee. looked
at the newsboys who displayed the
front pages of these sheets with their
violent headlines. but utterly refused 10
get excited. The majority did not even
discuss the matter, or only made the
passing remark that the decision was
Just as had been expected and pre-
dicted by every Partisan newspaper
since the Rennes court-martial deliv-
cred it's verdict.
The -Dreyfusard newspaper
"Soir'' had the most sensational cap
ton, two lines of enormous letters ex-
tending across the entire page an,
nouncing: The traitor Dreyfus par
doned; outrage on the army
Then, in the course of an article vio-
Iently attacking President Loubet, it
said: ''Loubet has given himself a
coup de grace in pardoning Dreyfus.
He should be prosecuted for commit