New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-08
RFFJsTOy FOR DREYFUS.


France takes another step toward justice and
toward honor The criminal branch OF the
Court Of Cessation. the highest tribunal In the
land has granted the appeal Of Alfred Dreyrus
for \ revision Of the judgment which was pro
nounced upon him 10y the military frlounaI at
Rennes. This result has been effected literally
with neatncss and dispatch The nearing OF
tho case lasted only a few days. II proceeded
without interruption ana with 4 dignity nnelE
contrasting with the mobilize scenes OF lhe
Rennes trial and of the trial of Zola. we are
told that the public paid little attention 10 It,
and that the decision Of the court VIII De ac-
co,,ted without any sensational demonstrations
either for or against it. That is as 1t should be
But we shah strangely misjudge the case If we
attribute the present attitude OF the public TO
apathy or Indifference.
Rather is it to be attributed partly to shame
for The infamies Of the past and 4 desire not
10 recall attention to them by unduly dwelling
lrpon the present phases OF the case, and partly
10 a confidence that at last justice will he done
in one of the most extraordinary and most
Ubiquitous OF ali Frances causes celebreS.
Indeed. there is reason for revision. When we
recall the story Of the accusation, conviction
and imprisonment of Dreyfus It is difficult 10
realize that we are recalling a simple tale Of
actual facts in the last quarter of the nlne-
teenth century. Rather do we seem to be con-
turing up in a dsordered dream some horrible
pbantasmagoria OF the Dark Ages or some
lost chapter from the story Of Eathek. We
heard much few years ago about the chose
jugee" the closed case which must not be re-
opened. Well. it has been reOpened, and will
be reopened again and as often and as long
as may be necessary TO fulfil justice. But it
would be well IL the infames of the old army
ring of Esterhazys and Patty du CLAIMS and the
inhumanitics Of Devils Isle could all be sealed
away forever from the memory Of man. As for
the confidence OF the public that justice will Mt
last he done it is doubtless well placed. That is,
SO far as il is now possible to do justice. Some
of the criminals have passed beyond the reach of
earthly justice and nothing can now indemnify
their victim for the horrors he has endured.
But at least the record may be set straight, and
DreyfUs may be enabled 10 spend the remainder
of his life n free man, not because he has
served out his sentence, nor because he has
been pardoned. but because a competent tri-
bUnal has declared him not guilty ofthe crime
OF which he was accused.
The granting Of the appeal is no surprise. II
has been confidently expected from the first.
The strong recommendation Of It by NJ Wales
the Minister OF Justice, foreshadowed It. The
impressive argument OF VI. Baudoin, the At
torney General told strongly for it NJ Bau-
doin's personal testimony was significant I'm its
similarity 10 lhat or more than one other who
has looked into the case. The further he in
vosucated IL. the more aStOundod he was ut
tie yillany that was disclosed and a the trav-
csty upon justice involved in the conviction Of
DIcyfus upon such evidence" That would
doubtless De the experience Of any Just and
discriminating man who should look into the
depths Of the conspiracy against Drcyfus. 1t
is not necessary that all the world should do 50.
It will he sufficient 20 have the case reviewed
10y competent and just tribunal. and thar IS
what is now about TO Ice done