Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-07-13

es, gowned in flowing red robes. |
mounted the bench. Silence prevailed
as the presiding judge read the long
decision. infinitely reviewing the series
of sensational events of the last -
years and completely disculpating
Dreyfus of all wrong doing, freeing
him OF the accusation of being the au-
thor If the famous discriminating docu-
ments. on which the entire charge was
founded. and ordering the annulment
of the Judgment of the Rennes court
martial with the publication of the fin
al announcement of his innocence in 50
newspapers to be chosen by Capt
Dreyfus.
The reading of the decision lasted an
hour and it was only at the close that
the spectators realized the sweeping
nature of the vindication. AS the final
determination was announced there
was a buzz of excited comment and
some exclamations of approval. which
the court officers sternly depressed.
Mathew Dreyfus hastily dispatched
messenger to bear the good news to
CAPT. Dreyfus and Mime. Dreyrus.
Outside the court the crowds receiv-
ed the decision without making any
demonstration.
The main features of the decision are
as follows:
The court holds that three new facts
have been established:
First, that the document from Gen.
Mer"ers secret papers presented at
the Rennes courtmartial, in which the
initial sd" was substituted for Up"
was Justification establishing the
strong presumption of Dreyfus' inno-
cence.
Second, that another document in the
secret papers in which Dreyfus was
alleged to have been shown to have
delivered to the Germans. We're plans
for the railway mobilization. never
reached the war department and that
therefore Dreyfus could not have Sc
cured possession of it.
Third, that the Rennes cOurtmartial
| failed to hear essential testimony circu-
lated to establish the fact that Drcyfus
| was innocent.
.'These facts" the decision of the
| court says, without further seeking
for any further grounds, are Of ma
ture to establish the innocence of the
| tIttuSeu anu IL Oily iIcttas>diS w "a
anime whether the verdict of the Rem
mes courtmartial shall be annuled
| without a re-trial or be followed BY
another trial by courtmal tial.'
After a review of the document +
the case known as the Bar1-rn, ~. u. ae-
cislon :ssasSsGArhazy and that the accusa-
/ tions connecting Dreyfus iwth It rest
| only on conjecture
l 1.-The accusation against DreyfuS' y
| continues the decision, whether based
| on the handwriting or text of the Bor-
dereau, was completely unjustified and
without motive. Moreover. Dreyfus,
| having Il large fortune, one seeks in
vain for any reason for his committing
such a great ernie.
Tine court therefore holds that as all
the accusations against the accused
fall to the ground there is no neces-
sity for a new trial, and Consequently
the Judgment in condemnation is an
nulled as unwarranteo by the evil
dence."
In conclusion. the court noted Drey-
fus' waving of pecuniary indemnity
and ordered it's decision to be trans
cribed on the records. of the Re1nes
courtmartial and to be inserted in the
Official Journal and also in five news
papers to be designated by the procu-
ratOr-general, and ct the cost of the
government in 80 newspapers of Paris
and the provinces, to be designated by
Dreyfus.
1t is expected that Capt. Dreyfus will
take the grade of lieutenant colonel of
artillery, which he would have reached
if his army service had not been inter-
rupted.
The cabinet will meet tonight to de-
tremine on the course to follow in view
of the decision of the supreme court.
1t has already been determined, how
ever, that besides the restoration of
Dreyfus to the army, a spec
itil bill will be presented auhtoriz-
ing the minister of war to restore Cen
eral Picquart, whose sense Of Justice
brought about the quashing of tie YER
dict of the Rennes coUrtmartial, to the
army, from which he was degraded,
owing to the charges which he brought
against the late Col. Henry.
In the Chamber of Deputies today
the discussion of the Dreyfus case was
postponed owing to the assurance OF
Premier Sarrien that Dreyfus will i'm
mediatcly be restored to the army with
the rank of brigadier general.
NJ. Sarrien also assured the chamber
that the decision of the supreme court
would he posted i'm every commune
throughout France.