Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-14
FOUGHT OVER DREYFUS
WILD TUMULT AND DUEL IN
PARIS YESTERDAY.

The scene of tumultuous disorder which
marked the enactment In Paris yesterday of
the law restoring Alfred Dreyfus to the
army was followed by a bloody duel last
night in which Under Secretary of State
Sarraut was dangerously wounded by the
sword of NJ. Pugliesi-Conti.
The duel assumed the aspect of veri-
table combat between the government and
the opposition, as NJ. Sarraut's seconds were
Ministers Clemenceau and Thomson. while
Nj. Pugliesi-Conti's were NJ Millevove and
Gen. Jacquet, who were drawn from the
elements which bitterly resist the govern
ment's rehabilitation OF Dreyfus.
The meeting followed fight on the floor
of the chamber of deputies, In which NJ
Sarraut sprang from beside Minister of the
Interior Clemenceau sitting on the minis
terial benches, NJ. Pugfiesi-Conti, who
had been heaping denunciation on the mem
Ders of the government as scoundrels.
Scene Of Wild Uproar.
sarraut struck Pugliesi-Conti a stunning
blow in the face A scene of the widest
uproar ensued, compelling the suspension
of the session. 1t was after the close of
the session that the duel occurred.
Late reports show that NJ. Sarraut is suf-
fering from a deep wound in the right
breast penetrating the lung. While the
wound is considered to be serious, it is not
necessarily dangerous.
Despite this sanguinary conflict, laws
were finally enacted today by the chamber
of deputies reinstatng Dreyfus. wno OBJ
tains the rank of a chief of squadron of
artillery. and doing justice to Picquart, who
is made brigadier general Both houses
were overwhelmingly favorable to Dreyfus
and Picquart.
Throughout the day feeling was stirred
intensely between the Dreyfus and anti
Dreyfus elements.
This was heightened by fierce attacks by
Dreyfusists against Gen. MERCER and other
prominent officers who were responsible for
Dreyfus' condemnation. Early in the day
Minister of War Etienne presented the gov
eminent bills restoring Dreyfus and Pic
quart to the army
Preambles to the Bills.
Minister Etienne's explanatory preamble
to the Dreyfus bill said:
"A decision has judicially and definitely
established the innocence of the accused,
involving his reinstatement in the army and
expungng his condemnation. The govern
ment, powerless to repair the immense ma
terial and moral injury sustained by the
victim of deplorabIe judicial error. de-
sires to place Dreyfus in the situation he
would have occupied if his normal career
had not been interrupted"
The preamble to the Picquart bill said:
proclamation of the innocence of Drey-
fus demonstrates the Legitimacy of Pic
quarts loyal and courageous efforts for the
breaking his career. We demand that par
lament expunge the effects of his action
by the conferment of the rank of brigader
with priority over other brigaders.'
The army committee quickly and unan-
imously reported the bill, and the debate
in the chamber of deputies decisive,
Dreyfus securing 473 votes against 40 and
P1cquare 467 votes against p.
Storm of Ugly Feeling.
The feeling had then become very strong.
The storm broke when M. Pressense So
cialist, urged supplementary proposition
for the punishment of the officers who had
accused Dreyfus and Picquart and whom
he designated as a gang of "malefactors
and forgers who deserved branding with
red-hot irons" 1t was at this moment that
the Sarraut-Pugliesi-C Cont, encounter oc-
CURED, NJ. Pugliest Cont, aroused by M
Pressenses denunciation, shouted at the
ministerial benches. You are scoundreIs
for permitting these insults to officers"
Immediately from the ministerial benches
there sprang the 1.-the, Wiry figure of Under
Secretary Sarraut He made straight for
Pugliesi-Conu, seized him by the throat
and planted his right fist squarely in his
face. Puglesi-Conti reeled, dazed by the
blow, and was caught by his friends, while
Ministers Clemenceau and Thomson
grasped Sarrauts coat tails and dragged
him back to his seat.
Pandemonium Breaks Loose
Pandemonium Immediately broke loose
Deputies gathered in groups in the center
of the mouse, fighting, their blows raining
indiscriminately
There were violent incidents as the voting
on the Dreyfus report began M Durre
shouted a taunt directed at the socialists.
M. LasTes, anti-Semite rushed
at his colleague and attempted to strike
him, but several deputies interviewed. At
the same time NM. Flandin, republican,
nv tod
to exchange blows.
President Brisson, in announcing the
vote, said: ut is with pride that l register
this vote consecrating the triumph of vir-
tue"
Scenes of similar disorder marked the
reading af the report reinstating Col. Pic
quart. The report severely arraigned the Of |
ficers who were responsible for his con-
demnation characteriZing their acts as
wicked villanies
NJ. Denys Cochin, conservative, protested
against the violent language used in the
report, whereupon there was tumultuous
demands that Gen. MERCER be prosecuted.
lola Also Honored.
The municipal council of Paris today
adopted a resolution to name a principal
street Emile lola, in recognition of the
late novelist's defense of Dreyfus, and the
city council of LIE Mans has directed the
erection of a monument to zola. A public
demonstration at the tomb of lola is an
nounced for July 10.
The radical supporters of Dreyfus are
seeking to force the government to prose-
cute the many generals, colonies and high
functionaries responsible for his condem-
nation. The amnesty law protects them, |
but movement is on foot to repeal this
law for the purpose of reaching Generals |
MERCER and Grouse, Col. Patty du Clam |
and others whe were prominent in the /
prosecution of Dreyfus.
The government newspapers declare that |
the affair Is closed, but others, notably the
Figaro and Echo de Paris, assert that
fierce reprisals are about to begin.