The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-10
DREYFUS CONVICTED.
Judges, by a Vote Of 5 to 2,
Agdn Declare Him a Traitor.
THE SENTENCE ten YEARS.
Prisoner Says II Expected It," and
Hears the Verdict BraVelV,

An Appeal VIII BE Filed To-day-The YER
dict Includes Dreyfus's Degradation
Sentence Leaves Him Five Years to
serve-Rumors in Paris That President
Loubot VIII Cancel This-Mmo. ORGY
fus Comfortod by tho Promise OF Per-
mission to Share Hor Husbands Exile
Dreyfusites Point Out the Cowardice of
tho Judges in Arriving at Their Dsois-
ion-Rcnnes Filled with Troops and
Good Order Prevails-Too Early to Per-
ceivo tho Eject of the PLATE like
Verdict ON tho French Republic.
Special Cable Despateh TO TIE Sun.
RENNEs, Sept. 9.-While groups OF soldiers
throw dice In the courtyard OF the Lycee this
afternoon seven French officers did an act
which history will place side BY side with the
judgment Of Plate. The Roman Cover
nor crueifed an innocent man to please
mob This tribunal has condemned an
innocent man to satisfy tho vanity Of a few Gen
erals. The parallel runs further The Martyr
OF two thousand years ago incarnatsd the vir-
tue and regeneration OF this race The victim
OF to-day typifes the truth and righteousness
OF modern civilization. Calvary involved moro
than the fate OF the Jewish people. and the
Dreyfus case signihed moro than the political
future Of France. which 1t directly concerns.
The consequences OF to-days event will be
SO far-reaching and so important to tho vital
interests OF humanity at large that the fate
OF the individual directly affected can hardly
enter into the account in estimating what the
future portends.
1t is not even worth while to denounce the
Ave men whose voices have brought France
crisis In her bloody history. 7hoy stand
for that new element in civilization
which makes Europe an armed camp In
time OF peace. They represent that new thing
In ethics. military justice" They typify that
curse which descends upon France about once
in a generation. arrogance. intolerance and
blind discomfort with the existing order OF
things.
In yesterdays dispatches to THE Sun It
was said that verdict OF condemnation
after tho refusal Of the judges to
hear Colonies schwartzkoppen and Paniz-
zardi, the only witnesses whose evidence
would clearly demonstrate the prisoners
guilt or innocence. would mean the existence
OF q military revolutionary plot 1t 10 impos-
sibls at this moment to enter into discussion
OF this oDiaous subject. Tomorrow will prob
ably pass without startling events In Paris.
Danger OF this kind never appears at the
moment It is expected in France. 1t is when
precautions are relaxed that the blow falls.
and so 1t may prove ere long.
1t will, perhaps. be better to await calme
hour before entering into full consideration Of
what portends for this distracted country.
The shouts Of the misguided people of
Rennes are ringing in tho ears OF the
correspondent OF THE SUN as they acclaim to-
days crime against justice. and the sound does
not conduce to the sober study Of such mo-
mentous problem. Turning then to the con-
crete events OF the day. this is what has hap
pened:
DECLARED GUILTY BY A VOTE OF TO 2.
After the closing arGum ent in the trial by N.
Demsnge for Dreyfus and Major Carriere for
the Government. and Dreyfus's own final
declaration OF his innocence. tho Nom ers OF
the court retired at :15 o'clock to consider the
verdict. At 4:56 o'clock they returned and
Col. Jouaust read the verdict. Dreyfus not be-
ing present.
After reclting the prelim II aries usual in such
cases. the verdict was:
Upon the question OF whether Dreyfus gave
a foreign power or its agents documents in a
piece called the bordereau, by vote OF ) to 2,
yes. he Is guilty"
The majority Of the Court favored the idea OF
extenuating instances and the Court con-
demned the defendant to ten years detention
in fortified place under article Al OF the
Military Penal Code. The decision then in
structed the Government officer to read the
inform him that the law allows twenty-four
hours in which an appeal can be made.
Maltre Labor. on hearing the decision,
turned pale and clenched his fists. Maitre
Demange seemed to suddenly break down and
looked five years older.
Col. Jouaust added nothing to the reading OF
tho bare decree that Dreyius was guilty and
the punishment Of ten years confinement In
military fortress with degradation from the
70 or hA tate
to leave the court room without any demon
strat!on." This was obeyed to the letter.
DREYFUs SAYS. Il EXPECTED IT."
NJ Hid. Maltre Laborl's assistant. went into
the anteroom. where Dreyius was awaiting
his fate. 4 few minutes before tho notification
ceremony. Dreyfus looked up e1pectantly.
The lawyer hesitated for words with which to
break the news.
well. what is it2" the prisoner asked
calmly.
Ten years in fortress" blurted out the
counsel himself more overcome apparently
than the man before him.
Il expected It," was Dreyfus's only reply.
and then he leaned his face In his hands.
Sergt. Touthain came to conduct him TO the
courtroom He touched Dreyfus on the shout
der. wait a moment" said tho condemned
man without moving. The sergeant waited.
Presently Dreyfus lifted his head. showing the
same mabk-nke race "hlch no "oro curing the
first days OF the trial. and without . word fol-
lowed his custodian to the place OF condem-
nation.
CALM AT THE OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION.
A witness who was present whom the de-
cision OF tho court was read to Dreyius thus
describes the scene:
The guard was drawn up In hollow square
in the courtroom. Major Carriere. the Gov
eminent prosecutor. the grefier and II.
Bergeant. an attendant OF the court. took
up a position in the centre. The prls-
oner entered escorted by the custodian. He
was pale but emotionlesS. He listened to the
Erefaer's reading OF the decree apparently
unmoved. Not muscle twitched nor did his
expression change. He did not speak.
When the Rrefier finished reading the de-
eree Major Carriere announced to tho prisoner
Change of Time On sandy Hook Route.