Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-07-19

| The decision OF the court was
foregone conclusion as exhaustive in
quiries had completely demolished the
fabric of the accusation against Drey-
fus, showing that the real culprint
was Major Count Esterhazy. The de-
cision therefore annulled the condem-
nation Of the Rennes court martial
and was ordered that the acquittal
be posted and published throughout
France.
Thursday night the ministers held
a protracted special session at the
Elysee palace under President Fall
Heres and determined on the govern
ment's course in carrying out the de-
cision. The text of two bills was for
INFLATED, which will be introduced in
the chamber of deputies Friday, con-
corning respectively Dreyfus and Col.
Pijuart, with the object Of restoring
both to the ranks they should have
held If they had continuously served
in the army. Dreyfus consequently
will be nominated major with even
tual early promotion to lieutenant
colonelship. Piquart will Immediately
become brigadier general, Dreyfuss
name also will be inscribed on the
list for the Legion Of Honor, but he
will not be directly nominated to that
distinction, though probably decree
placing him on the list will shortly
appear.
The scene as the decision was pro-
nouneed was one of impressive
dignity The court, consisting Of 40
judges, gowned in flowing red robes
solemnly mounted the bench. Deep
silence prevailed as the presiding
Judge read the lengthy decision, min
utely reviewing the series of sensa-
tional events of the last ~ years and
completely disculpatlng Dreyfus Of all
wrong doing, freeing him of the ac-
cusation of being the author Of the |
nous discriminating documents on
which the entire charge was founded |
and ordering the annulment of the
judgment of the .Rennes court martial
with the publication of the final an
nouncement of his innocence in 50 |
newspapers to be chosen by Capt
Dreyfus.
The reading Of the decision lasted
an hour and II was only at the close
that the spectators realized the
sweeping nature of the vindication.
As the final determination was an
nounced there was buzz Of excited
comment and some EXPLANATIONS Of
which the court officers
sternly depressed.
Mathew Dreyfus hastily dispatched
a messenger TO bear the good news
to Capt. Dreyfus and Nine. Dreyfus.
outside the court the crowds re-
ceived the decision without making
any demonstration.
Captain Alfred Dreyfas. Of the artil.
.ery. member Of wealthy Hebrew
'amily OF Alsace, where be was bora
in 1859. was on October Il, 1894 ar
rested on the charge OF eommanicst
ing French military secrets to a
'oreign power. Two months later
Dreyfus was tried by court martial
md found guilty and January he
was publicly DEGRADED and deportei TO
Devils Island. near Cayenne, French
Guinea. there apparently to spend the
OF MS ire. iae TRENDS anf
Of Dreyfus, notably his wife
llways believed in his Innocence and
devoted all their energies to the work
II proving that be had been unjustly
Col. Picquart. when be became CHIEF
Il the intelligence department Of the
French army IN 1895, examined the
documents IN the proceedings against
)reyfus. and Questioned the correct
less Of the proceedings, ana. eontinD-
ng bis investigations. formed Tie
.nfnlnn that fhn awiTnnrn r,nfnfaf fnI