The Washington times., 1906-07-13
Soldier Restored to Hon
or Was Victim of Race
Prejudice.
MARKED FOR SCAPEG0AT
Captains MartyrdOm Only
Part of Deep Plot OF
Anti-SemitiCS.

PARIS. July 1s.-The vindication OF
Capt Alfred Dreyfus. who was yes
terday declared by the court of cassa-
tion-the highest court OF F'rance-to
be innocent Of high treason. for which
he was degraded from the army and
put 30 torture on q cOnvicts' island. has
exposed officially TO all France the plot
that made him martyr.
To add TO the discontinue OF the anti
Semitics who stun nate DreyIus' the
former captain VIII not only be re-
stored 10 a commission IN the army, but
viii be made a major.
The government this morning present
ed 10 the chamber OF deputies the meas
ures providing for the promotion or
Captain Dreyfus and Of Colonel Pic
quart. the stanch supporter of Dreyfus,
who was expelled from the aTmV be-
cause of his defense of the condemned
oF' cial Dreyfus, under the plan OF the
.sE1ernment. viii be promoted TO major
and Colonel Picquart will be made a
bTigadier general. A further honor pro-
posed for Drcyfus is his election to the
Legion Of Honor.
The measures providing for the re-
habllitation OF the two officers and their
promotion were referred to the army
commission. The army commission
unanimously approved them. The com
mission consists of members OF paTlia-
ment appointed 10 consider all questions
relating to the army.
Promotion Bills Passed.
Later. when the bills restoring Drey-
fus and Colonel Picquart TO their for
mer standing in the army and offering
them promotion came before the cham
Der of deputies they were passed with
out opposition.
So Dreyfus will go from a garret
where he has been hiding since his lib
Grafton from prison, 10 nigh COM
msnd.
The supreme courts decision was In
fun keeping with the dramatic episodes
that have marked this stupendous con-
sDiracy that has stirred the world.
Twelve years ago Dreyfus was seized
in secret as traitor who had SOLO
French secrets to Germany. Since that
time he has been tried twice, Germany
threatened war because OF the scandal.
one officer who helped 10 forge the
documents that convicted Dreytus mas
committed suicide another who had the
courage 10 night for the truth was dis
missed from the army, and Emile lola,
the great novelist, excited the republic
by his plea for the former captain
NindiCatlCn.
Dramatic Scene in Court.
The scene as the decision was pro-
nounced was one of impressive dignity.
The court, consisting Of forty-nine
judges. gowned In flowing red robes,
solemnly mounted the bench.
Deep silence prevailed as the presiding
Judge read the lengthy decision,
nInutely reviewing the series OF senSa~
tional events OF the last twelve years
and compIeteiy disculpating Dreyfus OF
all Wrong-doing. freeing him of the ac~
cusatiOu of being the author Of the
famous discriminating documents on
which the entire charge was founded.
and ordering the aunulment of the
Judgment Of the Rennes court martial
with the publication OF the final an
uouncement Of his Innocence in nifty
newspapers 70 be chosen by Captain
A. the final determination was an
nOunccd. there was buzz OF excited
comment and eNclamatiOns of approval
Mathew Drcyfus hastily dispatched a
messenger TO bear the good news 10
Captain Dreyfus and Nine Dreyfus.
A Terrible Ordeal
This has been long and terrible or
deal" said Dreyfus. 7 began to feel
il would never end. I have nothing 10
say against my accusers. Being again
an officer. 7 am obliged 10 obey the
inexpressihly thankful 10 all who have
assisted in the maintenance OF truth
Features of the Decision.
Features Of the decision are that the
court holds that three new facts have
been established:
l. That the document from General !
Merciers secret papers. presented at
the Renues court-maTtial, IN which the !
initial ''D" was substituted for "P. %
was a Justification establishing the /
strong presumption of Dreyfus inno- |
CenCe
% r. at another document from the |
secret papers, in which Dreyfus was
alleged to have been shown to have de- |
iiVered to Germans the plans for the 1
railway mobilization. never reached the /
war department aU UthOTities. and there |