THE DREYFUS CASE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume C, Issue 11751, 1 December 1898, Page 5

THE DREYFUS CASE.

DISCUSSION IN THE CHAMBER OF

DEPUTIES

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT.

THE PICQUART COURT-MARTIAL. United Proas Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. PARTS, Nov. 29,

In the course of a discussion on the Dreyfus case, m the Clumber of Deputies, MM. Poincarre and Barbhow, who were members of M. Danny's 1894 Ministry, the year in which Captam Dreyfus was sentenced, • disclaimed all knowledge of tho Dreyfus affair until the newspapers announced the arrest. The authorship of the bordereau, they declare, was the only definite charge brought against Captain Dreyfus. They never heard that Captain Dreyfus had confessed to General Lebrun. MM. Renault, Bougeois and Dupuy had questioned the General on the subject. The admission was greeted with cheers and general expressions of astonishment.

M. Poincarre declared that the treatment of Colonel Picquart caused a- feeling of revolt in the calmest minds; it was clearly intended as a reprisal. M. Cavaignac, who was unsympathetically received by the Chamber, asserted that M. Renault told General Mercicr, the Minister of War at the time Captain Dreyfus was exiled, that Dreyfus had confessed, but added that M. Renault had retracted.

M. Dupuy announced that the Government declined to intervene in the proceedings of the Ciyil and Military Courts, but was willing to furnish, the Court of Cassation with all documents in the ease except those involving tho national defence. The Government indirectly invited the Court of Cassation to use its powers to retard the court-martial of Colonel Picquart. If the Government intervened, its action might be liable to misconception. Tire Chamber passed a vote of confidence in the Government By 437 to 75. Count Esterhazy has sailed from Rotterdam for America. It is surmised that tho French War Office is assisting him from the secret service funds.

It is expected that the Court of Cassation will demand the production of the Picquart dossier, and that the court martial of Colonel Picquart will, perforce have to be adjourned.

A procession, numbering many thousands, headed by professors and students, marched to the prison where. Picquart is incarcerated and made a great demonstration. The crowd cheered Colonel Picquart and hooted M. Drumont, a well-known antiSemitic deputy, and M. Rochefort.

The Court of Cassation may declare the trial of Colonel Picquart, an essential witness, by court-martial, to be contempt of court.

BERLIN, Nov. 29,

The Kaiser has given an audience to Colonel Schwarzkoppen, who, it is alleged, purchased information from Count Esterhazy arid .others, which Captain Dreyfus was convicted of supplying.