The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-03
Intense Feeling I'm Political and Army
Circles, and Much Gossip I'm So
ciety and at the Clubs.
LEADING ACTORS IN THE CASE
SOME ARE DEAD AND OTHERS HAVE
RETIRED FROM PUBLIC LIFE.
Most of the Omcers Who Were Favor
able to Dreyfus Years Ago Are
Now I'm Disgrace.

+ PARIS, Dec. 2.-The Dreyfus commission
assembled to-day at the Department of
Justice. The six members of the COM
mission sat around a table, upon which
were piled the papers in the various cases
under consideration. While NJ. Durand, the
president says the commission did not
take up the Dreyfus case to-day, doubt
exists that individually attention is being
given to it as to all the documents which
have been transmitted to NJ. Durand. 1t
is not expected that oral testimony will
be heard. The only incidental mention
: made Of the Dreyfus case to-day was when
before the adjournment of the commission
General Mercier, the senior member, ex-
cused himself on the ground that he had
to examine the Dreyfus documents trans
mitted by the minister Of justice. General
Mercier added that he would make his
port as soon possible, but that he did not
believe he could do so before the lapse of
ten days.
. A meeting of prominent Nationalists to-
day demonstrated that they bitterly
antagonistic to the action taken by the
government. Former War Minister Cavig
nae accused the government of disturbing
the peace Of the country by reviving an
affair which had been made an instrument
for civil discord and asserted that II was
useless to interpellate the government
the subject because the Ministry was too
strong. General Mercier, the former war
minister, who Is regarded as the chief
accuser of Dreyfus, has affirmed that
everything he had read in the government
newspapers regarding Dreyfus was untrue.
The bitter tone OF the Nationalsts is an
indication OF how the actual taking up of
hc IC ada a yod a nId mi
mosities and bitterness of the last ten
years Intense feeling IS shown throughout
governmental. political and army circles
{ The universal theme or the newspapers,
f. clubs and society Is that the revival of the
3 case Will again bring out prominently the
E. leading actors in Dreyfuss degradation.
Some of the most striking figures, includ-
! ing Zola and Colonel Henry. are dead Gen.
Mercier has ceased to exercise influence in
the war administration and never speaks
: in the Senate General De Bolsdefere, for
mer chief OF the French staff, has practi-
cally been retired. as he is on waiting orders
and has no active command. Colonel Du
to be an active figure. Major Count Ester
; hazy has become a pitiful parsonage He
+; has left the army. was divorced in 1899 and
! lives In London. General Zurlinden, former
military governor of Paris, has retired.
Most Of the officers favorable to Dreyfus
/ have been disgraced In one way or the 9TH
er Colonel Picquart has become Partisan
newspaper man Joseph Reinach. leader OF
/, the campaign for the revision of Dreyfus' s
trial. Is no longer member OF the Cham
Der OF Deputies, but continues to conduct a
/; literary campaign for Dreyfus's' full re-
storation to the army. NJ. Reinach came
I. out to-day with a strong interview In be-
half Of his friend. NJ Brisson, who first
demanded a revision. is now a member of
the Chamber OF Deputies. M. Loew, presi-
dent of the Criminal Chamber Of the Court
+, OF Cessation. has retired from the judiciary
and directs the affairs OF the Legion of
Honor.
Although there is no present purpose of
recalling the witnesses the testimony which
+. these persons will give in case the court
requires their presence Is occupying con-
!; siderable attention.