The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-22
SPECTATORS CHEER AS
BADGE IS PINNED ON
Unfortunate French Military officer Is
Deeply Moved and Preserves His
Military Bearing With
Great Difficulty.

Paris, July 21.-In the presence of a dis
tingulshed military assemblage. Maj. AL
fred Dreyfns, wearing the full uniform Of
his rank today received the cross Of
chevalier of the Legion of Honor. Tho
ceremony, which occurred in the court
yard of the military school, was rem
dered doubly impressive by being held
on the very spot where the buttons and
gold lace were stripped of his uniform
and his sword broken twelve years ago.
The court yard, from which the public
was vigorously excluded, as the ceremony
official was encircied by two batteries Of
the Thirteenth artillery. commanded by
Colonel large. who made the recent dis
ooveres at the war office leading to the
rehearing of the case against Dreyfus
and his aeauittal.
Was Notable Demonstration.
The decoration of the major assumed
the aspect Of notable demonstration. His
brother officers who were prominent fig-
ures In various stages of the controversy
were among the spectators, and outside
the circle of troops stood Madame Drey-
fus and the little son of Dreyfus; Briga-
dler General picauart, who shared In the
courts acauttal of the famous pris-
oner; Anatole France Of the French acad-
emy, Alfred Capus and other literary
men. who aided In zoia's campaign in be-
half Of a revision of the first verdict.
Previous to the ceremony. Major Drey-
fus was presented to General Gillian,
commander of the First division Of caval-
ry; General Perrin and other prominent Of
Heers, who warmly shook hands with
him. testifying their satisfaction at his
return to the army.
The officers then repaired to the court
yard, where the trumpeters sounded four
calls, announcing the ceremony. Major
Dreyfus took up a position at the head
of two batteries of artillery by the side OF
Colonel large, while General Gillian,
stepping into the center of the circle,
announced the decoration of large as
| commander and Dreyfus as chevalier
of the Legion of Honor. Dreyfus ana
large with their sabres drawn then ad-
vanced to the center of the troops, taxi
ing a position before General Gillian. The
| latter first bestowed the decoration on
| large and then turning to DreyIus the
general said:
In the name of the President of the
republic and in virtue of the powers en-
trusted to me, Major Dreyfus, ] hereby
| name you n chevalier of the National Or
der of the Legion of Honor.
Spectators Applaud Act.
| After pinning the cross on Dreyfus'
| breast the general gave the major the
military accolade, trumpets sounded, and
the spectators applauded, The troops then
defiled before General Gillian, Dreyfus oc-
cupying the post of honor on the generals
right, Colonel large and the generals be-
ing stationed on his left.
When the march past was completed the
trumpets again sounded four calls. au-
nouncing the closing of the ceremony.
Dreyfus and large were Immediately the
center of an eager crowd of officers and
friends. One of the first to reach Dreyius
was his little son. who rushed forward and
threw his arms around his fathers neck
sobblng violently
The officers who had not taken official
part In the ceremony came forward and
were allowed to greet their comrade. AS
Dreyfus received the well wishes of his
relatives and the officers. his face, usu-
ally lmpassive. twitched with emotion, and
II was with difficulty that he preserved
his soldierlY calm.
Turning to Anatole france, Dreyius
said:
II thank you more than | can say. You
who have always struggled for my cause"
M. France replied
1--WE merit no thanks. for what has been
done was done III the uLeIesN VI iibhS
and Justice We felicftate you all this
more since many others who have strug-
gled for justice have died before 1t was
attained" i
Touching Meeting With Wife.
Colonel large terminated his felicita-
tions by conducting Dreyfus to the Of
ficers quarters where Nine. Dreyfus was
waiting for him The meeting between
the husband and wife was most affections
ate. the spectators Withdrawing to permit
them to be alone.
Shortly after this Dreyfus accompanied
by his wife and son emerged from the
military school and entered a carriage.
As the major appeared the crowd in front
of the main entrance gave him hearty
ovation. The carriage was then driven
swiftly in the direction of Dreyfus home.
On reaching his residence Major Drey-
fus who is affected with heart trouble,
suffered a violent attack, but the faint ,
soon passed away and he was able to
receive Procurator General Baudoin and
Brigadier General Picquart TO whom he