The Dreyfus Affair

 

It all started in September 1894 as an ordinary spy case, when a cleaning lady, working at the German embassy in Paris discovered a military note passed on to major Schwartzkoppen. It proved that there were leaks coming from the French Army headquarters.

Dreyfus, a Jewish officer working at the Army headquarters, was suspected, although there was a lack of evidence. The government hesitated to prosecute him, but had to bow under a press campaign. Dreyfus was court-martialled, found guilty and sentenced to be degraded and to a life deportation to the French Guyana Devil's Island, although neither Dreyfus nor his barrister had got communication of his file.

At that date, the public opinion was satisfied, but a small minority raised questions about Dreyfus culpability. His brother Mathieu and Senator Scheurer Kestner were among the first to be convinced of Dreyfus innocence. In March 1896, a French officer, Colonel Picquart, found documents which revealed the existence of an ongoing correspondence between Schwartzkoppen and major Esterhazy. Nevertheless the French Army did not want to reverse its decision. Esterhazy was discharged and Picquart was disgraced.

To change the course of justice, the public opinion had to change its mind. This is why Emile Zola, a famous French novelist, published an article under the title "J'accuse", as an open letter to the French Republic President, in the daily newspaper 'L'Aurore" 14th of January 1898 issue in which he denounced the French Army attitude and the military justice, giving way to an enormous scandal.

After this press article was published, the public opinion became deeply divided and passionate. On one side were the pro Dreyfus, claiming for justice. They were nicknamed the' Dreyfusards'. These were mainly radical-socialists, protestants and freemasons. On the opposite side, were the 'anti Dreyfusards'. Those were willing to defend the army and its reputation. Among those were many nationalists, monarchists and Catholics.

A new fact made a review of Dreyfus trial inevitable. In August 1898, a fake document was discovered within the Dreyfus file. Lieutenant-colonel Henry, Head of the 'Deuxième Bureau', confessed having forgotten this document in order to make Dreyfus culpability unquestionable. Henry was arrested and thrown into jail, where he committed suicide.
Violent reactions, demonstrations and denials followed. Many could not accept the idea that the army reputation could be tarnished.
Nevertheless the first verdict was cancelled and Dreyfus was tried again. Surprisingly, he was found guilty once again, but that time with mitigating circumstances and sentenced to a ten year prison penalty. The President of the French Republic gave his pardon for medical reasons.

Later, on the 12th of July 1899, the French Court of Appeal reinstated Dreyfus in the army in his former position.
Dreyfus had to wait till July 1906 to get a new judgement by the 'Court of Cassation', to be fully rehabilitated. He was then promoted as head of a squadron and was awarded the Legion of Honour.

Today, this affair is very famous because it agitated so much passions . It divided families and broke old friendships . A very famous caricature of that time shows friends around a table and as they speak about that subject a fight begins. It is the first time in history that a country was divided in two camps for a single man condemnation. It is also an important fact because it had deep and lasting political consequences : It made Anti-Semitism progress.

Lorène et Elodie