Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-07-19
FIGHT
Bloody Duel Follows Encounter in
Chamber Of Deputies Over Res
toratiOn Of Dreyfus.
DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED.
Laws Were Passed Amid Tremen-
deus Excitement Fully Rehabil-
itating the Prosecuted
OAlcer.

OAlcer.
Paris, July 1.-THE scene Of tumul
tuous disorder which marked the en-
actment Friday of the law restoring
Alfred Dreyfus to the army was fol-
lowed by bloody duel Friday night
In which Under Secretary Of State
Sarraut was dangerously wounded by
the sword of M. Pugliesi-C Cont. The
1uel assumed the aspect Of verita-
BILE combat between the government
and the opposition, as M. Sarraut's
seconds were Ministers Clemenceau
and Thomson, while M. Pugliesi-C Con-
It's were NJ. Millevoye and Gen. JAG
quei, who were drawn from the ele-
ments which bitterly resist the gov
ernment's rehabilitation of Dreyfus.
The meeting followed fight on the
floor Of the chamber of deputies In
which M. Sarraut sprang from beside
Minister Of the Interior Clemenceau
sitting on the ministerial benches, on
M. Pugliesi-C Cont, who had been heap
ing denunciation on the members of
the government as scoundrels. Sar-
raut struck Pugliesi- Cont a stunning
blow In the face. A scene of the Wild
est uproar ensued, compelling the sus-
pension of the session. 1t was after
the close of the session that the duel
occurred. The late reports show that
M. Sarraut is suffering from a deep
wound in the right breast, penetrating
the lung. While the wound is consid-
cred to be serious, it is not seriously
dangerous.
Despite this sanguinary conflict, laws
were finally enacted Friday by the
chamber of deputies reinstating Drey,
fus, who obtains the rank of a chief
of squadron of artillery, and Plcquart
who is made a brigadier general
Both houses were overwhelmingly fa-
vorable 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 Drey.
INSISTS against Gen. Mercier and other
prominent officers, who were respon-
sible for Dreyfus' condemnation. Ear.
ly In the day Minister Of War Etienne
presented the government bills restor.
ing Dreyfus and PlcQuart to the army.
Minister Etienne's explanatory pream.
BILE to the Dreyfus bill said:
"A decision has 1udicially and def
nitely established the innocence Of the
accused, involving ipso facto his re-
instatement in the army and expung-
ing his condemnation The govern
ment powerless to repay the immense
material and moral injury sustained
by the victim Of deplorable judicial
error, desires to place Dreyrus in the
situation he would have occupied II
his normal career had not been In
terrupted."
The preamble to the Picquart bill
said:
Proclamation of the innocence Of
Dreyfus demonstrates the legitimacy
Of Picquart's loyal and courageous eff
forts for the triumph of truth at the
risk OF definitely breaking his career. |
We deem that parliament expunge tho
effects of his action by the confer
ment of the rank Of brlgadier with |
priority over other brigadiers."
The army committee quickly and
reported the bill and the
debate In the chamber of deputies
was decisive, Dreyfus securing 473
votes against AZ and Plcouart 467
,otes against q.
The feeling had become very strong.
rhe storm broke when M. Pressense.
,ooialist urged a supplementary pro-
position for the punishment of the
,f,cors who had accused Dreyfus and
o,ccpart and whom be DESIGNATED as
gang Of malefactors and forgers who
deserved branding with red hot irons
! was az tbts moment that the sar-
ant pugfiesi-contl encounter occur
cd M pngf,iesi-Conti aroused by