Evening star., 1935-07-13
ALFRED DREYFUS
EXPIRES IN PARIS
Central Figure in Spy Case
That Stirred World Dies
Peacefully.

BY the Associated Press.
PARIS. July l3-Death had ended
today the virtual exile in his own
country of Lieut.. Col Alfred Dreyfus,
central figure in the most famous spy
case of modern times.
Although he had long been exoner-
ated OF charges of betraying French
secrets to Germany. Dreyfus in his
last years was almost forgotten or
ignored by the French people.
Death came peacefully to the IS
year-old officer last night, in sharp
contrast to his amazing life. He had
been Ill for many months.
The center of raging controversy
after his four years of Imprisonment
on Devils Island, which caused duels
bombings and even divorces between
"Dreyfusards" and "anti-Dreyfus-
ards" was a recluse in his last years.
The "Dreyfus case" however, still
occasionally bobs up in French poll
tics. for there remained some un-
convinced even by his official vindica-
tion.
Avoided by Officers.
Consequently. although he was re-
instated in the army. was promoted
regularly and served with distinction
in the World War, in which one OF
his sons was killed. most other officers
avoided him for army reasons and gov
ernment ignored him for political
reasons.
Although Dreyfus left Devils Island
35 years ago, friends disclosed last
year that Nightmares of his imprison-
ment still tortured him. He was sent
there after his conviction as a young
captain in 1894 of selling military
secrets to Germany.
His funeral was tentatively set for
Sunday morning, shortly before the
annual Bastille day military review.
Because Of scheduled political demon
strations. it was expected to be as
quiet and private as possible.
Dreyfus. a Jew was never known
to comment publicly on his own fate
or the anti-Semetic wave in Germany
which friends asserted is much like
the earlier movement in France which
claimed him as victim.
Just before the turn of the century
a few became devoted to his cause
and even ran the risk of imprison-
ment for defending him, among them
the distinguished writer, Emile zola
Another defender was the late George
Picuuart, who was imprisoned for a
time but later was reinstated in the
army. rising to brigadier general and
minister of war.
Served in World War.
Dreyfus had retired when the World
War broke out but volunteered for
service and commanded a fort guard
ing Paris. Then he went into seclu-
sion from which he seldom emerged
On one occasion he Joined move
ment for clemency for Sacco and
Vanzetti.
In hts last years he gave charity
to children of the poor and was alb
sorbed by his nine grandchildren, for
whom he collected stamps and aided
in their school lessons.
The attention and sympathy OF the
peoples of all lands were directed to
the young Jewish officers case, not
alone because of the widespread be-
lief that a great injustice had been
done. but because of the general feel
ing that he had been sacrificed by
the powerful military clique that had
obtained control of the French Army.
Sentenced to Devils Island.
Dreyfus, a member of the general
staff with the rank of captain. was
convicted by secret military tribunal
of betraying French military secrets
to Germany. Sentenced to imprison-
ment for life, he was publicly
drummed out of the army and sent
to Devils Island. of the coast Of
French Guiana.
After four years, due to the efforts
of his devoted wife and friends, Drey-
fus was returned to France for a
new trial before another court mar
tial. To the astonishment Of the
world. he was again convicted and
sentenced to 10 years. He was, how