Omaha daily bee., 1906-07-13
CAPTAIN DREYFUS ExoNERATED
Highest Court Passes on Case and
Restores Him TO Former Place
in the French Army.

PARIS, July 12-The supreme court to-
day announced it's decision annuliing the
condemnation OF Dreyfus without a re
trial
The effect OF the decision is a complete
vindication OF Dreyfus. emitting him to
restoration to his rank in the army as
though he had never been accused.
The decision Of the court was read by
President Judge NJ. Ballot-Beaupre, presi-
dent of the court OF cessation, Immediately
on the reassembling of the court at noon
today. The palace Of justice was thronged
by an eager crowd seeking admission to
the court room. Among those present were
Mathew Dreyfus brother OF Alfred Drey-
fus; Maitre Mornard, counsel for Captain
Dreyfus; Joseph Reinach, the historian Of
the Dreyfus affair; Colonel Picquart, Nine
Zola and many others who have figured in
various stages Of the celebrated case Cap
tain Dreyfus was not present. continuing
his habitual secrecy by remaining secluded
in the garret where he has hitherto been
cut OF from the outer world.
The scene when the decision was pro-
nounced was one OF impressive dignity.
The court consisting OF forty-nine judges,
gowned in flowing red robes, solemnly
mounted the bench. Deep silence prevailed
the presiding judge read the lengthy de-
cision, minutely reviewing the series OF
sensational events of the last twelve years
and completely exculpating Dreyfus Of all
wrongdoing, freeing him Of the accusation
of being the author of the famous incrimi-
mating documents on which the entire
charge was founded and ordering the an
nulment Of the judgment Of the Rennes
court-martial, with the publication of the
1 final announcement Of his innocence in
fifty newspapers to be CHOSEN by Captain
Dreyfus.
The reading Of the decision lasted an hour
and IL was only at the close that the spec
tators realized the sweeping nature of the
vindicatlon. AS the final determination was
announced there was a buzz of excited
comment and some acclamauons Of APP
proval, which the court officers sternly re-
/ pressed Mathew Dreyfus hastily dis
patched a messenger to bear the good news
| TO Captain Dreyfus and Nine. Dreyfus.
Outside the court the crowds received
the decision without making any demon
| stration.
Tonight the ministers held a protracted
/ special session at the Elysee palace under
| President Fallieres and determined upor
| the governments course in carrying out
the decision. The text of two bills wa'
formulated. which win be introduced in the
Chamber of Deputies tomorrow, concern
ing respectively Dreyfus and Colonel Pic
quart with the, object of restoring boti
to the ranks they would have held If they
had continuously served in the army Drey
fus consequently will be nominated ma
jor with eventual early promotion to
lieutenant colonelship Picquart will i'm
mediately become brigadier general. Drey
fus' name will also be inscribed on the lis
for the legion of honor, but he will not b
directly nominated to that distinction
though probably a decree placing him oi
the list will shortly appear.
Discussion of the bills will be taken i'm
rnediately and the ministers will endeavo
! 90 have tke.,a pass hnth honaes in TN
course of the day. the cabinet desiring 4
settle the matter before the parliamentar,
vacation in order to avoid a recurrence o
the agitation OF the country,
In the course OF an interview today, aftc
the announcement Of the supreme court
decision in his favor. Dreyfus said:
This has been a long, terrible ordea
1 began to feel It would never end. II
clear that the decision restores me to m
old place in the army, but I am not awar
of the intentions of the government con
cerning my advancement in rank.
'I have nothing to say against my ac
cusers. Being again an officer, I M
, obliged to obey the army regulations G
silence and I am inexpressibly thankful I
those who have assisted in the maintenanc
of truth"