The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-25
Story that Refutes Prof. lie ROux's Re-
cent Assertion that He Con-
fessed His Guilt.
PLACED IN FALSE POSITION.
BY AMNESTY PROCLAMATION COM
PLETE JUSTICE WAS BARRED.
Picquart HeroicaIIy Refuses Rein
statement in the Army-Drey-
fus Now I'm Paris.

PARIS. May 10 found Alfred Dreyfus
in his library, the biggest room in the big
house on Rue --. 1 canot give the name
for fear OF attracting curiosity seekers.
There, at his writing desk he sat as quiet
" and unconcernedly as a retired banker,
determined to take life easy. And as l
looked into his light eyes. set prominently
in his pale. stoical countenance. 1 pictured
TO myself the prisoner in Devils island hell,
chained 10 the spot where the sun could do
its most murderous work. while human vul-
lures watched his life oOze out. And 1 re-
nembered his book. Five Years of Ny
Life" fine in its stOicism. and the passions
and thoughts that one mans fate evoked
in every nook and corner Of this great
globe.
II was not our first meeting, but like the
amateur interviewer l am. 1 asked bluntly:
What shall 1 say to those friends who
claim that. while you did not betray
France. you certainly betrayed them by
accepting the pardon?'
Dreyfus leaned back in his chair wheeled
it about in order TO face me more directly
and answered:
Tell them that after the trial l was
broken mani could resist no more. On
the head Of my children I swear / never
asked for pardon, never craved it even in
the innermost recesses of my heart. But
when it was offered, freely. Internationally
on the face of it. 1 allowed myself to be
persuaded to accept the only chance had
of embracing my wife and my little ones.
THAT my life did not belong TO me alone,
that | must live for my family. had been
drummed into my head so long and sc per-
sistentIy that. in the condition I was, 1
hop fba
saving hand held out.
Yes. l accepted the pardon, but with the
understanding that 1 might appeal the
case. This chance is gone. now that the
President proclaimed an amnesty for all
concerned"
MAN WHO GOT THE PARDON.
''Reinach says he obtained the pardon"
i said 1.
Did he say so 10 your" Dreyfus seemed
to be unusually interested
He did--only yesterday. l think l re-
member mis- very language"
Pray. tell me all he said" There was
slight tremor in Dreyfus's voice, but his
face was AS imperturbabIe as ever.
This is what Joseph Reinach said: II
did it TO save Frances honor. Passing
through Germany. parts of Italy and Aus
tria soon after Dreyfus was condemned, L
had opportunity to study foreign public
opinion 1 also spoke with many statesmen
who, like myself, were seeking health and
new vigor in the watering places l visited.
All officials and laymen. were damning
France, were calling her unjust, intolerant,
behind the times.
Then 1 said 10 myself: This has to stop.
France cannot rest under the reproaches Of
the whole civilized world. Her honor. her
good name demand quick action.
AT the same time 1 was not unconscious
of the fact that Dreyfus must lose prestige
by accepting a pardon. but one citizen does
not count where nations honor is at
stake France was dearer to me than Drey
fus. France needed help.
II sat down and explained 10 the minis
ters how things stood abroad 1 demanded
a pardon for Dreyfus. and got it. thanks TO
my acquaintance with many persons in au-
thoriIy.''
Then it was personal matter, pure and
simpler 1 cried.
Not entirely So" replied Reinach, Il APP
pealed 10 their logic. I argued thus: 1t will
not do TO appoint another cOurt-martiaI-
each succeeding one will simply duplicate
the Rennes verdict And each additional
verdict threatens to lessen Frances pres
tige while. at the same time. the chances
for Dreyfus's rehabilitation go on dimin-
fishing. If the government wants to do the
right thing by Dreyfus IL must act quickly.
and no man in his right senses will misun-
derstand the real meaning of the pardon 1
ask. Indeed. child can see that the gov
eminent would not pardon Dreyfus if his
innocence had not been clearly estab-
lshed."
finished. he said: "Reinach was mistaken.
After becoming the victim Of the pardon.
the amnesty completed my moral undoing
in the eyes Of the unthinking. The pardon
robbed me of the sympathy Of friends in
Vulnerable; the amnesty makes it impos-
sible for me to convince the world of my
innocence by exposing the crimes my enc
mics concocted to fasten vile charge upon
me"
The ex-prisoner OF Devils island spoke
dispassionately. Nothing excites him now
adays. neither the recital of his past woes,
nor the hopelessness of his claim for re-
Mobilization. nor the baseness of his SIAN
derers. He is not a sympathetic man at
first sight-rather the other way-but the
more one sees OF him, the more one esteems
him After each conversation / love him
better. And the broad humanity with which
ne views the motives and acts OF The men
who made him curse the hour OF his birth
a thousand times
WHERE HE WAS AT FAULT.
You see" he said, Its my Unborn re-
serve that made me so many enemies all
through life Until I met my wife never
cared for the society OF anybody 1t was
wrong. but / never knew il until il was too
late. sought no friends and acquaintance
because had not the inclination and be-
cause ambition 10 succeed made me careful
OF my time. The hours devoted 10 friendly
intercourse would be better spent in study,
I thought. When joined the general staff,
for instance. I made not single call, just
sent my card 10 superiors and comrades
alike IL made bad blood-they thought me
uncivil"
Dreyfus admits without a shadow of hest
tation that many features OF his case are
unexplained to this day.
II am inclined TO think that Henry got
frightened when he recognized Esterhazys