New-York tribune., 1906-07-14
A DUEL OVER DREYFUS.
II. S1RRAUT BADLY HURT.
Deputies IN Free Fight Restoration
Bils Passed -HOnOrs to ZOIa.

Paris. July 13.-The scene OF tumuItuOus dis
order which marked the enactment to-day OF the
law restoring Alfred Dreyfus to the army was
followed by bloody duel tonight. in which the
Under Secretary Of State NJ. Sarraut. was dan
gerously wounded ty the sword CT NJ. Pusliesi-
Cont The duel assumed the aspect OF a com
bat between the government and the opposition.
as NJ. Sarraut's seconds were Ministers CIemen-
ceau and Thomson while NJ PusIiesi-Contis
were NJ. NIillevOye and General Jacquet. who
were drawn from the elements which bitterly
resist the governments rehabilitation Of Dreyru.
The meeting followed fight on the floor O<
the Chamber Of Deputies. in which N. sarraut
spTang from his seat beside the Minister OF the
Interior NJ Clemenceau. on the ministerial
benches. and attacked NJ. PugIIesi-ContL who
had been heaping denunciation on the members
Of the government as scoundreIs. Sarraut
struck Pugliesi-COnti stunning blow IN the
face A scene of the widest uproar ensued.
compelling the suspension OF the session late
reports show that NJ. sarraut is suffering from a
deep wound in the right breast. penetrating the
lung. While the wound is considered serious. II
is not necessarily dangerous
The Chamber Of Deputies to-day passed bills
reinstatng Dreyfus. who obtains the rank Of a
chief.O squadron of artillery and Picquart. who
is made brigadier general Both houses we're
overwhelmingly favorable to Dreyfus and Pic
quart. Throughout the day feeling was stirred
intensely between the Dreyfus and anti-Dreyfus
elements. This was heightened by fierce attacks
by parttsans OF Dreyfus against General Nlercier
and other prominent officers. who were respcu-
sible for Dreyfus's condemnation. Early IN the
day NJ Etienne. the Minister Of War. presented
the government bills. The minister's evDlana-
tory preamble to the Dreyfus bill said:
A decision has judiciaIIy and deNnitelv essah-
lished the innocence Of the accused involving
ipSO factO his reinstatement in the army and
expunging his condemnation The government.
moral injury sustained by the victim Of q de-
plOrable judicial error. desires TO place Dreyfus
In the situation he would have occupied II his
normal career had not been interrupted
The preamble to the Picquart bill said:
Proclamation Of the innocence Of Dreyfus de-
mOnstTates the legitimacy OF PiCquart's loyal
and courageous efforts for the triumph OF truth.
We demand that parliament expUnge the effects
of his action by comforting the rank OF brigadier.
with priority over other brigadiers.
The Army Committee quickly and unanimously
reported the bill. and the ballot IN the Chamber
/
votes against AZ. and Picquart 467 votes against
%.
The feeling had then become very strong The
storm broke when NJ. de Pressense. Socialist.
urged a supplementary proposition for the pun
ishment OF the officers who had accused Dreyfus
and PicQuart. designating them as a gang OF
malefactors and forgers who deserved branding
1t was at this moment that the encounter be-
tween NJ. Sarraut and NJ. PugliesI-Conti oc-
/
Pressenses denunciatiOn. shouted at the minis
terial benches: You are scoundreIs for permit
ting these insults to officers"
Immediately from the ministerial benches
/ sprang the wiry figure Of the Under Secretary.
/ He made straight for Pugliesi-Conti seized him
by the throat and planted his right hst squareIy
in his face. Pugliesi-Conti reeled. dazed BY the
blow. and was caught by his friends while Min
/ listers Clemenceau and Thomson grasped Sar-
raut's coattails and dragged him back 10 his
scat.
Pandemonium Immediately broke loose. Dep
uties gathered in groups in the centre OF the
House. fighting, their blows raining indiscrimi-
nately. President BrissOn Intellectually endeav-
ored to queIl the tumult. but finding his efforts
in vain. he left the chair and suspended the sit
ting for a quarter of an hour. The public gal
| leries were cleared
In the interim the excitement continued but
were less turbulent. NM Pugliesf-COnti and
Sarraut both present. surrounded by
friends. Several speakers the government
and opposition sides exchanged threats Event
! uaIIy after Premier Sarrien had promised that
/ the government would take the necessary meas
/ urcs to deal with the officers who had been Wit
nesses against Dreyfus. and requested that the.
house terminate the conflict which had been
dividing France a motion was passed express
/ ing confidence In the government
/ The Chamber also voted 70 transfer the body
of Emile lola to the Pantheon
The Senate also had an excited session in con-
/ nection with the Dreyfus Rehabilitation bHI
which was passed by 1s3 votes to so The
result was greeted with enthusiastic applause.
The Picquart bill passed by the Senate by
/ 49, to &c.
/ General Mercier. in the midst OF constant dis
order attempted to vindicate the Rennes court
martial He declared that proofs were then
shown which were suppressed in the Supreme
/ Court. Senator Delpech replied that General
NIercier deserved to be sent to Devils Island IN
! place Of Dreyfus.
Tue bill for the transfeTence Of zOIas body 20
the Pantheon also was passed by the Senate.
Both houses have adjourned until autumn
President Fallieres tonight signed the enact
ments for the rehabilitation OF Dreyfus and Pic
quart. and the DEGREES OF PRONUNCIATION will ap-
pear in The Official Journal Tomorrow and
also the nomination OF Dreyfus to be a chief
of squadron and Picquart to be brigadier gen
eral. the time elapsed since both men were dis
missed from the army to count fun service.
The OficiaI Journal also will contain tO-mOr-
row the inscription Of Dreyfus on the list for
early nomination 10 the Legion Of Honor.
After the sitting of the Chamber Of Depu-
e=rr 81. .r-r.r.r