The Dreyfus case was far-reaching in its effect upon French affairs. It divided and wreeked the Brisson 1\linistry of 1S9S: it seemed for a time likely to furnish a rallying point for mon archist agitation; it exposed a state of gross corruption in the French army; and it pre sented grave possibilities of trouble with Ger many and Italy. which were the countries natu rally suspected of the bribery of a French o beer. In I596, both the German and 'Italian I;overnments had denied, through diplomatic channels, in the most emphatic• manner, having had any dealings with Dreyfus. U. Zola was con demned to a year's imprisonment, July 1S', 1S9S, for his protest against the travesty of justice involved in the whole management of the ease, and went into exile to escape imprisonment. Esterlinzy, after he was dismissed from the serv ice. went to London, and made a confession through the London Chronicle, June 2. 1899, that he wrote the bort/crow by order of Colonel Sandherr, assistant chief of the intelligence de partment. This confession was ascribed by the anti-Dreyfus party to bribery by the friends of Dreyfus. The impression has generally prevailed among unprejudiced persons and in other coun tries than France, that Dreyfus was unfairly tried, unjustly convicted on manufactured evi dence. and that justice was refused him by officers high in authority for personal and politi cal In December, 1900, in order that the matter might be finally disposed of. an amnesty bill was passed by the Government re lieving every one concerned of any further lia bility to criminal prosecution. This was opposed by the friends of Dreyfus. Picquart. and Zola, who demanded a full vindication. It was de
clared on behalf of the Government that the army had been so embittered by the affair that no court-martial could be depended on to give au unprejudiced verdict, and that, for the safety of France. all further agitation of the question must cease.
IllnuociurnY. Contemporary literature con tains many discussions of the affair. An ex cellent review of the case up to that date appeared ill the London Times for October 13, 189. Captain Dreyfus, after his release, pub lished the story of his experiences in a volume which appeared simultaneously in several coun tries. The English translation was entitled, Fire Years of My Life (New York, 1901). He also published letters to his wife. translated by Moreau (London, 1 S99), and Conseil dr yuerre de Rennes (Paris, 1901). Consult. in addition: Barlow. History of the Dreyfus Case, from the Arrest of Captain Dreyfus in to the Flight of Ester-lid:11 (London. IS9S') : Cony ['care, The Dreyfus Cas• (London, ] : Guyon, The Dreyfus (Vv. (London. 1S9S1 Zola. The brr !If us Face (London. 1S9q1: Steevens, Tragrrly of l)renfits (London. I s9n ; in Freneh. Mario. rompteR-r•nduR offi•iels I S97 : Van•x, Dossier rle l'af Dreyfus ( Pa ri-‘. R9R) : Brez. Le sob'eisine rlu l,r,rdi mein et bee leIerr.s de Ilrinfits (Paris, 1R9S1 E.tcrliizv. Leg deRsoim (b. l'affairc Drey fus (Parr, 1 ) ; Clc.inenceau, r (TS lit rr,inlra lion (Paris, 1899) : id., Contre In justice (Paris, 1900) ; Comely. :Voles sir l'altaire Prey% us (Paris, 1S9S) ; Guyot, I:innocent et le ft-nitre: Dreyfus ct lfsterhfizy (Paris, 1S9S) ; Les (acorn x ffuire Drcyf118 1898) ; Villemar, Dreyfus intime (Park 1S9S). Sec ZOLA.