The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1899-05-10


Recent developments in the prey-
tus case. as Investigated by the
court OF Cessation. indicate almost
seyond the possibility OF a doubt.
hat the wretehed prisoner Of Devils
siand r. an Innocent man.
Should the court declare this to he
a fact. then the moastrous infamy
which has been shouidercd upon this
unfortunate officer q the French
army. Involving the mos, humlliat-
ms and degrading punishment ever
melted cut TO any man. calls FOR
most thorough reraration on the
part Of the French government.
preytus innocent Is the most fright
fully outraged man upon the face %
the earth today. Having first been
branded as traitor and then sub
jected TO the humiliation Of having
his shoulder straps torn from hts
uniform and his sword broken In
the presence Of the assembled army.
he Is sent into lifelong exile on an
island % suggestive name. branded
throughout the world as an outeast
and tnhuman nend. ut only to ex-
pa,iate his crime amidst the devils
OF creation II would have been a
mercy to this man 70 have shot OF
hanged him--st least such was the
opinion OF mankind until the tsrrlsy-
Ing proofs % preyfus Innocence be-
san TO slowly unfold themselves 20
the French people and were relnc-
family allowed 10 80 forth 10 the ua-
tons.
Like a frsshtfuI phantom the
shadow Of preyfas wronsrd hovcrs
over the fair land % France today
and threatens 70 precipita,e a revo-
tuition that may end In another
reign Of terror. The army. dis
Erseed. ls.pittsd against the people.
No man knows what moment the
great explosion will couae that viii
rend the Republic from end 70 end.
The day Of preyfas' vengeance APP
pears TO be nigh AZ hand.
II would seem that the only reason
able reparation that could be offered
60 this man would be a humble writ
ten APOLOGY. signed and sealed by the
French. government. and delivered TO
the victim. with the privilege OF pub
iishing II 20 the bitterness ends Of
the earth. wherever tn. story % his
.nfamy has been circulated. So
ciai rehabilitation among his eoun-
trymen and reinstatement In an hon-
crable offieiai position would be his
BY undeniahls right. France. failing
in this. would De placed in a most
contemplate position before all ma
lions OF the world
Granting him his deserts. shs
would by this one ACT say 10 ali
other peoples. that man wronged
By his country 10 entitled TO the
most complete reparation.
Strange. but true. Is the fact that
M 20 the present time In the his
tory Of men no nation has ever pub
iicly apeioxired to citizen whom It
has BY JUDICIAL mistake publicly
wronged and made an object Of con
tempt 20 HE fellows. Tas United
States offers no exception to che
rule. In this country today there
are no laws In existence which
provide for proper aton1ment to men
unjussiy convicted Of crimes and
afterwards proved TO be innocent
Yet not n year passes BY but what
. number Of rnfortunafes. who have
been branded as felons by the
courts. are released from peniten-
tsaries. because Of convincing proofs /
Of their lnnocencs. These dsplorabis
mistakes will continue 80 occur as
long as human justice IL liable TO err.
Special rehabilitation laws with cash
indemnify features. should be en-
acted. so az TO partially atone 20 the
victims for the mistakes OF criminal
courts.
The woefui story OF Drcyfus may
yet result In some good to the world.
~ It should lnstlgate a movement
for specific atonement to all indiy-
tduais wrongly convicted Of crimes.
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