The real importance of the affair is, however, the fact
of the resignation. The masses, with their minds saturated with suspicion, will never believe that a Judge gave up a thousand a year and a pension without a motive, and they will accept the motive M. de Beaurepaire assigns, namely, disgust with the unfairness of the Tribunal. The coming judgment, which it is supposed will be in favour of Dreyfus, is therefore dis- credited in anticipation, and the Army will be able to disregard it, to insist that Dreyfus shall not be released, and to continue the Court-Martial on Colonel Picquart, which is only suspended. So strongly does the Government feel this, that it has already taken the investigation out of the bands of M. Loew, and has transferred it to those of M. Mazeau, the general President of the Court, and not suspected of Jewish ancestry. The immediate agent employed to cross-examine Colonel Picquart has also been
changed, and it is probable that M. Lebret, Minister of Justice, will be feebly defended in the Chamber. The English correspondents accuse M. de Beanrepaire of exces- sive egotism and ambition, and the first of these charges is sufficiently proved by the tone of his letters, in which he perpetually glorifies himself, proclaims his love for the Tribunal, and parades his devotion to the Army. Perhaps he expects a military revolution, and wishes to be ready ; but suppose the Dictator, though compelled to rely on the Army, should be a just man.
