The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-07-13
Prosecuted Jewish Army Officer VIII be Restored to Rank
 in the Army
ESTERHAzY WAS AFTER ALL
 THE REAL CULPRIT IN CASE
Bills Will Be Introduced In Chamber of Deputies Today Giving to Dreyfus the Rank of
 Major.

Paris, July 12-Alfred Dreyfus was to- day completely acquitted of the charges on which he was condemned as traitor, dismissed from the army and imprisoned on Devils Island, and regarding which France has been torn for years by the most bitter political and racial agitation.
 His vindication is two fold the supreme court first announcing a decision estao- fishing the entire innocense of the ac- cused man, and the ministry later de- ciding to put an urgent bill in parlia- ment restoring Dreyfus to the army with advanced rank and otherwise giving re- paration.
 The decision of the court was a fore gone conclusion and ends an intensely exciting crusade
 Exhaustive inquiries had completely de- molished the accusation against Dreyfus' showing that the real culprit was Major Count Esterhazy The decision, there fore. annulled the condemnation of the Rennes' courtnartial, and ordered that the acquittal be published throughout France
 WILL hcSLOTC nun " q
 Tonight the ministers held a protracted special session at the hlysee palace under President Fallieries and determined on tho governments course Two bills were formulated which will be~tfftroduced' fin the chamber of deputies tomorrow con- corning respectively Dreyfus and Colonel Picquart The object is to restore both to the rank they would have held if they had served continuously in the army. Dreyfus consequently will be nominated a major with eventual early promotion to a. lieutenant colonelship. Pcquart will Immediately become brgadier general. Drefus' name also will be inscribed for the list of the legion of honor, but he will not be directly nominated to that dis tinction.
 The bills will be taken up immediately and the ministers will endeavor to have them pass both houses in the course of the day Cabinet desires to settle the matter before the parliamentary vacation in order to avoid a recurrence or agita- ton in the country.
 Building Thronged With People.
 The decision of the court was read by the presiding judge, M. Ballet-Beaupore, president of the court of cessation imme-
  at noon today. The palace of justice was thronged by an eager crowd seeking ad- mission to the court room. Among those present were Matthieu Dreyfus brother of Alfred Dreyfus; Maltre Mornard coun- sel for Captain Dreyfus; Joseph Reinach, the historian of the Dreyfus affair; Col onel Picquart Madame Zoa and many others who have figured in various stages of the celebrated case Captain Dreyfus haDltudl secrecy by remaining secluded In the garret where he has hitherto been cut off from the outer world.
 Scene of Impressive Dignity.
 The scene as the decision was pronounc- ed 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, minutely reviewing the series of sensational events of the last twelve years and completely disculpating Drey- fus of all wrong doing. freeing him of the accusation of being the author of the famous discriminating documents, on which the entire charge was founded and au- thorizing the annulment of the Judgment of the Rennes courtmartial with the pub lcation of the final announcement of his innocence in fifty newspapers to be chosen by Captain DreytuS.
 The reading of the decision lasted an hour. and it was only at the close that the spectators realized the sweeping na- ture of the vindication. AS the final de- termination was announced there was buzz of excited comment and some ex- clamations of approval which the court onlcers sternly repressed.
 Matthieu Dreyfus hastily despatched a messenger to bear the good news to Cap Mo-
 Outside of the court crowds received the decision without making any demon stration.
 Features of the Decision.
 The main features of the decision were as follows:
 FirSt-That the documents from Gen. era1 Mercier's secret papers presented at the Rennes court-martial in which tAe initial ID" was substituted for "P was a Justification, and from the strong presumption of Dreyfus' innocence.
 Second-That another document from the secret papers in which Dreyfus was alleged to have been shown to have de- livered the plans to the Germans for the railway mobilized, never reached the war department authorities, and therefore, Dreyfus could not have secured posses sion of it.
 Third-That the Rennes court-martial failed to hear the testimony calculated to establish the fact that Dreyfus was in- nocent.
 ..rhese facts" the decision of the court says, without looking for any further grounds, are of nature to establish the innocence of the accused, and 1t is only necessary to examine whether the verdict of the Rennes court-marital shall be an- nuled without re-trial or to be followed by another trial by court-martial.
 After lengthy review of the document in the case known as the bordereau. the decision says it was written by Major Count Esterhazy. and that the accusa-