New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-12
ECHO Of DREYFUS CASE
ST|RS FRENCH CAPITAL
NJ. MiIIerand. Minister Of War,
After Reinstating Du Patty de
Clam offers to Resign.
CABINET SUPPORTS HIM
Whole Affair Regarded as
Political Drive Against Poin-
care, in View of Presi-
dental Election.

DENTAL Election.
paris. Jan 1.-THE reinstatement.
.igncd by President Fallieres yester-
day Of Lieutenant Colonel du Patty de
clam. one Of the principal figures in
tho Dreyfus treason trial. to his former
rank Of lieutenant colonel in the
French territorial army has created a
sensation in parliamentary circles here
and threatens to affect the approach
ing Presidential election.
Frenchmen generally are opposed TO
any attempt to revive the Dreyfus
case. but the opposition to the Poincart
Ministry is Selling upon the incident as
a means Of attacking the Ministry and
Of iniuring. if possible, Premier Poin-
cares chances for the Presidency of
the republic
The first actual step in connec-
ton with the Du Patty de Clam affair
was taken tonight. when eX-Premier
Combes convoked meeting for Mon
dav next of members of the Democratic
croup in the Senate, of which party he
is chairman. To take action on the Du
Patty de Clam reinstatement The OBJ
ioct Of the meeting is to arrange for
debate in the Senate under the form OF
an Interpolation before Friday. the
dav on which the National Assembly
at Versailles elects the French Presi-
dent
The du Patty de Clam incident is the
chief topic of discussion among the
Deputies and Senators who have re-
turned 10 the capital from their con-
stituencies for the reopening of Parlia-
mcnt early next week. Friends of the
Poincare Cabinet are disturbed and in
dignant al what they term the efforts
Ia raise q storm over the reinstatement
If the army officer. They declare the
matter is of no importance, and has
been merely seized upon by NJ. Poin-
cares political enemies as last-hour
campaign material against him for the
Presidency.
Members of other parliamentary
groups say they regret the incident,
characterizing it as inoppOrtune and
unfortunate. and liable TO revive the
violent Dreyfus polemics Of the past.
The Conservative press of Paris
unites in condemning the attacks OF
the Extreme Radicals and their at
tempts to weaken the Ministry at
what is called critical moment in
European politics. lie Journal des
Debats" says:
Conditions are so grave, that we
cannot say whether in several months
France will be in state Of war or OF
peace. vet certain newspapers would
like to overthrow the Cabinet, in which
the army has complete confidence
The du Patty de Clam affair was con-
sidered at a meeting of the French
Cabinet to-day. At the conclusion OF
the session an official note was issued
Which stated that Alexandra Millerand'
Minister for War, had assumed entire
responsibility for the reinstatement OF
the Marquis du Patty de Clam. IL ap.
pears that NJ Millerand had not con-
suited with his colleagues in the Caoi-
net. as he considered il purely an ad-
illustrative measure Of no conse-
quence.
After Colonel du Patty de CLAIMS COM
pusory retirement from the army he
filed a complaint against the Ministry
Of War on the ground that his retire
ment was Illegal. In 1911, when he be-
lieyed there was danger Of war be-
tween France and Germany, the colo
mel wrote TO Adolphe Messimy, then
French Minister for War, asking that
he be placed in the Reserve Corps. III
was agreed that the officer should be
reinstated in the army If he Withdrew
his complaint against the ministry.
This he did recently and the decree was
put into effect.
II was reported in the Chamber OF
Deputies to-day that the Minister for
War, NJ. Mllerand, offered at to-days
meeting Of the Cabinet 10 resign his
portfolio explaining that he did not
wish the Poincare ministry TO suffer as
a result Of his personal act. The min
isters. however, the same report says,
refused to listen TO his suggestion.