New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-13
TOPICS IN PARIS.
Pleased 5Cith Presidents Order
May Be DreyfuS Case in Mary.

Especial 20 The ,Sew-Yo7k Tribune French Cablsl
Copyright: Is04i BY The Trfbuns AssociAtion-)
Paris, March 12-President Roosevelts execu-
tive order enjoining United States officials TO
avoid IN public and private intercourse hostile
or partisan criticism OF Russia or Japan and
requiring them to observe strict. impartial neu-
trality is published in all the French papers
to-day. and elicits commentator even from the
Petit Journal" the "Eclair." the "Gaulois" and
other Nationalist organs that have hitherto
taken offence at what they called the venomOUs
and unreasonable enmity OF the American press
and OF the American people toward the people
OF Russia" The French military and naval ex-
perts continue 10 watch events in the Far East
and express their renewed belief in the ultimate
crushing victory OF Russia. but admit that a
month must elapss before any decisive fighting
can take place on land.
The opposition papers are making violent at
tacks upon n. Pelletan, Minister OF Marine
accusing him OF disorganizing the French navy
and are treating themselves to a fresh outburst
OF the inevitable spy mania They are making
great capital out OF so-caIled incident at the
Ministry OF Marine. and. as usual. they prefer
their own 10 the official version. The last op-
portunity for emotion OF this nature was when
one Philippe, employed at the ministry offered
by letter, as the most obvious way os being
discovered. 10 supply information 10 the Beers
information which he could not by any means
have had In his possession. This -nissive was
duly deposited with the porter at the British
Embassy, and five minutes later the porter's
nephew took 1t back unopened to the Ministry
OF Marine. This time there seems to be a slight
variation in the mise-en-scene. French counter
spies attached 10 the japanese Legation sent IN
Information throwing suspicion on a certain
quartermaster named Martin. on the heels Of
this Intelligence there came a letter for n1arti,
at the Ministry OF Marine. and Il was. OF course
carefully opene3. il is stated that this letter 70
from japanese naval attache hut n, ,bo
other hand. the official version states that ~
was from turf agency, Martin being a racing
enthusiast The seriousness OF the case may he
Judged from the fact that although afarti, -
arrested Gs q matter OF form he was at onca
set al liberty pending an Inquiry.
The Ministry OF Marine incident continues %
furnish sensational copy TO the ornos,tio,
papers Henri Rochefort IN the "Intranslgeant,,
declaring that Martin the quarternaster clerI,
incGlpated, VIII turn out 10 be a salt wafer
Dreyfus. There are suggestions OF forgery
high treason, etc. Martin has been re-arresta5
and investigations are being made. The alleged
espionage vas discovered by a oantaiD g., a.,
navy bearing the same name as the quarter
master clerk who received by mistake a letter
addressed 10 the accused man by Prince Itcbgio
haFel attache or the Jananese Legation. who
Is relative OF the Emperor Of Japan and
whose movements and correspondence had been
watched by the secret police. owing to his al
legged curiosity concerning certain superior Of
hcers Of the navy in Paris and at maritime norris
and arsenais. This aroused the suspicion OF the
bureau OF the Ministry Of Marine where Martin
employed in the third section Of the r,,-.1
general STAFF, which collects information about
the mobilization CT the French feet. coal sun
plies at home and foreign stations ana naval
organization in the French colonies 1T Tonouin
lnoo-China- The statements at the AIinistrv
OF Marine are 20 the effect that so far there IS
no evidence Of any important document hein-
missing. but the alleged DISCRIMINATION Of .ha
confidential archives Of tie ministry is being
used by the Nationalist and opposition press
as weapon against NJ Pelletan.
Perfect weather prevails at the Riviera. Mr.,