DARKNESS AND LIGHT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11396, 13 April 1899, Page 3

DARKNESS AND LIGHT.

Arrest of Dreyfus—Tho Jewish captain was irested on October 15, 1F94-, while writing a test copy. Ho was arrested " because he trembled." Not till two weekß afterwards did the Ministers of the Cabinet learn the fact of his arrest, and then only from the news-

papers. ' ' Preliminary Investigation—Colonel Dv Taty de Clam conducted the' preliminary investigation into the charge against Dreyfus, after his arrest, with the most profund secrecy, and on the most inquisitorial methods. Tho Trial—Began; on November 19, 189 V and, notwithstanding the protests of M. Demange, the prisoner's counsel, was conducted with closed doors. Ministers, qf the Cabinet never heard of any • other charges against Drey/us than the bordereau, which is generally believed to have been written by, Esterhazy. - Charge and 7Sent.nee—Dreyfus was convicted on December 23, 189., on a charge of having procured certain secret documents relating to the national defence for a foreign Power, and he was sentenced to military degradation, transportation, and nerpetual imprisonment. ' ' - *•■ The Degradation—Took place at the Ecole Militairo, in the Champ de Mars,'on-January 6, 1695, in .the presence of a frenzied crowd, which shouted, for the "traitor's" death. When his sword was broken, and his uniform 3tripped of its distinguishing ornaments, Dreyfus never wavered, but declared loudly, "I am innocent; Vive la France!"

Agitation for .Revision of the Trial—Was commenced immediately after Dreyfus's conviction, and ivas taken' up with great energy in November, 1897. Reasons for agitation for revision—(l) That the bordereau was ridiculously insufficient to prove Dreyfus's guilt; (2) if, as suggested, Droyfus was condemned on other evidence^ then it was secret-evidence, not communicated to him or his counsel, and the sentence was therefore illegal. Dreyfus never ceased to asrerti-his innocence, and to demand.a re-, vision of his trial.

' Court of'Cassation—Received application for revision of Dreyfus's trial on October.s, ,1898. The affair was thus taken out of the hands, of the Executive and -the Legislature, and confided to the supreme judicial authority. On October 29, the Court of Cassation decided ■ that it would institute ■ and itself con-, duct "a supplementary investigation." of, the Dreyfus case. This has been. done. . Good News for the ..Exile—ln November, 1898, the Court of, Cassation the Minister for the Colonies that it hod decided that Dreyfus should be informe'd-as quickly as possible of the admissibility of the request for a revision of,his trial, and that he should be asked to present his defence.