New-York tribune., 1906-08-05

general Andres course In publishing In the
paris newspapers day by day a series OF the let
eors which he received from the chief mag
srtrate OF the republic. from hfs colleagues IN the
1,ohinet and from statesmen and officers OF every
sogree during the years which he spent at the
yreat building in the Rue 81. Dominique at
paris as Minister OF War. has excited not merely
a storm Of indignation, but likewise a, consider
abje amount OF discussion as 20 the impropriety,
IN use q mild term. OF his conduct in the matter
The manifest purpose OF Andre in communi-
eating these letters 10 the press has been to en-
bsrrass not merely the present government, but
likewise ex-President Loubet and those men,
hers OF the Conbes administration who COM
rsIled him TO retire from their councils. In one
word, the publication OF the correspondence is
prompte5 not by a desire OF justification but
merely by spite.
The general contends that letters are the
pyoperfy not Of the writer, but OF the person to
whom they are addTsssed and that the latter is
IN no sense bound by the fact Of their being
marked CONFIDENTIAL" He asserts that the
word in question is Of an advisory rather than
Of an inhibtory nature, and that it IS not in any
degree binding, unless the recipient Of the COM
lnunication chooses to regard il as such. An
agreement between both the writer and the re-
ciplent IS necessary 10 endow any letter with a
confidential character. Moreover, the general
points out that the mere annexation Of a letter
as confidential" is not sufficient in the eyes OF
the law TO invest it with the imnunities of a
privileged communication Thus. a superscrip-
ZION Of this kind would not exempt a slanderous
letter from the penalties Of the libel laws.
General Andres arguments are not of a nature
70 commend themselves TO people possessed OF
any sense of honor. or even Of equity. True, a
only in q restricted sense. The writer retains an
interest in the document, and has perfect right,
not only from moral but likewise from legal
standpoint 10 object TO its publication. There
can be only one plea put forward in behalf Of
this misuse Of letters. namely, when their pub
ncation becomes indispensable to clear the rep
utaion Of the recipient and even this view is
ciscountenanced by many men, who would pre-
fer TO suffer rather than 10 exculpate themselves
by means Of what they regard rs a disgracefuI
violation Of The unwritten laws of honor
OF course, the temptation of man when at
tackled 10 confound his adversary by publishing
letters Of the latter Of a more or less compro-
missing nature Is very strong. That is why so
many persons make point Of destroying all
the letters which they receive, so as to protect
themselves from being led by fit of monen-
tay evaporation into making what they at
ether times would regard as a dishonorable use
o. confidential correspondence. 1t is a good
rule 10 follow, and which would go far to
restore the ART Of letter writing TO its former
excellence. For nowadays people have become
50 much afraid to the possible use that
might be made OF their epistolary communica-
tions and SO alarmed lest they should pass out
OF the possession Of those to whom they are
addressed into the hands of strangers, that they
write as little possible, restricting them
selves 10 what is absolutely necessary, and
EefEaining from the expression Of those opinions
which contribute 10 make correspondence in
ieresting. OF course, breaches of confidence
such Is those perpetrated by General Andre arc
apt TO furnish much material Of an extremely
interesting character TO the press. throwing
Aght as they co. on the inner workings of the
administration Of the government. But it is a
ply, On the whole, that newspapers lend them
selves 10 such revelations. which do not con-
form to notions Of fair play. and have more in
common with the practice popularity known as
hitting below the belt In the generals case.
he offence which he could not have perpetrated
without the cooperation OF the newspapers,
vas ooubly great For he not only violated the
ethics Of an officer and gentleman, but also
rendered himself guilty Of the betrayal OF se-