There has been a lull in the Dreyfus affair this
week, due mainly to the fact that the Government having given Major Esterhazy a safe conduct, be has arrived in Paris and is to be examined. It is not known if he means to defend or to expose his employers at the War Office. There is the usual " scene," this time in the Senate, which nearly came to blows on Thursday, and the usual crop of rumours, one being that General Znrlinden is to be dismissed, another that the Court of Caseation has dis- covered something of moment which will pain all France, and another that all rumours as to the Court's decision are wide of the truth. General Mercier renews his accusations against Dreyfus, whose motive for hating France is, he says, that he was a debauehe at his college, and, consequently, only obtained a low degree; but he now admits that the secret dossier, the publication of which was to ruin France, would only produce a coolness between Germany and Italy,—surely a gain for the Republic. The troth is as far off as ever, and feeling just as bitter, but still there is a visible lull.
