New-York tribune., 1906-07-14
4 DREYFUS NOVEL.
"The Tzco Brothers" FOretOId Ordeal
of French Army Officer.

The happy ending Of the Dreyfus AFFAIR CANS 20
mind strange coincidence. More than year De-
fore the unfortunate captain was accused OF hlsh
treason a novel, The Two Brothers, by LOUIS
Tetane was published in the Petit Journal. which
Soreshadoued the cause celebre Captain Dreyfus
was suspended and arrested in November 1874
but in June 1893 this novel had minutely de-
picted all the phases OF the Its contents are
briefly as follows Two French officers. Aurelien and
Daniel hate a fellow officer, Captain Philippe Dor
znelles who succeeded in obtaining position in the
War Office. The motive of their hate is a woman
and they are intent on his ruin. In dialogue be-
tween the two, Aurelien suggests TO Daniel:
Philippe Dormeles knows all the secrets of our
national defence. Since cannot make away with
the fellow by means OF an accident, we must dis
honor him. This will just as surely cause his
DEATH Daniel is delighted with this idea. and
after maturing a scheme in his mind, replies: Il
have it. You know PhiMppe's chief. the First Lieu
tenant Allenard. is my friend and all need is,
when calling at the War Office. to find out where
the secret documents filed away The rest is
easy All We have TO do is 20 write an envelope
the address OF Francis BIerz who is known In Paris
the employe OF Major Won Slippen, the head Of
the espionage Of the German Embassy. Into this
envelope we place letter with appropriate con-
tents and in Phlippes handwriting, so skfully
forged that Philippe himself must recognize II as
his own. They at once set to work 10 carry out
their scheme in forging the letter. and the docu-
ment addressed to foreign military attache is
successfully juggled into the hands Of Philippe's
cnief- As consequence. Captain Dormelles IS ar
rested and sent 10 the prison Cherche-Aiidf In the
1orger's opinion 1t Is necessary 20 arouse the
public by OF the press "On the very even
ing Of the arrest said Daniel, "a journal devoted
10 me must publish sensational article accusing
DorEnelles of high treason"
All this occurs in the novel, and as is known.
also occurred in reality. In the novel the name of
the journal is given lie Vigilant" and it tells
on its first page OF the high treason Captain Dor
melles committed by selling secret documents N a
Foreign government. The article closes with the
words: The traitors house was searched and
important documents were found referring TO the
manufacture OF smokeless powder. Philippe Dor
melles could not help confessing his crime" SINH
lar incident marked the later affair. The journal
'Libre Parole as is known compelled by its pub
ucations. n Mercier, the then Minister OF War 10
institute proceedings against Dreyfus, and even
used the lie. suggested in the novel, that Dreyfus
had confessed his guilt Even surprising ap-
pears that part Of the novel in which a yelled
woman is introduced, enable one of the criminals
10 get rid Of his betrothed. A letter with faiss
signature invites the come to a lone
some spot in the Champs Esysee the very same
place where three years later. Esterhazy claimed
10 have received his important document from q
''veiled lady"
The examinations and trials of Captain Dormelles
are also similar 10 those Of Captain Dreyf1s. The
Shlef witness against the accused is First
Lieutenant Alleward Captain Dornelles is found
guilty and sent 10 the bagno. But even the sou-
ton OF the novel shows astounding similarity to
that OF the IoreyfCs case. Owing the efforts OF
Dormeliess bride. the forgeries are discovered
<AlIe~aIo seeing the accumulation Of evidence in
1aNor OF Phllppes innocence and proving his own
g9 r eoHits 5 81 & SUICIDE F IN prison Just as Colonel
OF the novel. The question now arises Is II mere
ooncidenee that this novel so exactly describes the
various phases OF the Dreyfus case? If not, was
the author Of the novel a seer. or did the rascals
their dastardly forgeries?