All through the depositions are traces of evidence that the
War Department "managed" the different trials, influenced witnesses, and were intent on preventing any clearance of Dreyfus, but the motive, whether for making him a'scapegoat, or for coercing the Ministry, many. of whom suspected a. mis- carriage of justice, remains as obscure as ever. The Staff were.hiding up something, that seems clear, but what ? They say "secrets important to the State and its military arrange- ments." Mr. Conybeare says the fact that one of themselves was the real traitor. Whisperers insist that the concealed truth -is- a "system of peculation for the benefit of important officers. Either explanation may be true, though the State- secret story is unlikely, but there is no evidence that would convince an jury for any one of them. Nor apparently will there be, for while the guilty Will not confess, thoSe who could prove "their guilt, the. subordinate agents, have placed themselves outkide the pale of credibility. No one in authority,‘ moreover, is intent upon obtaining the full truth, while. the .body,-of the people so bate the idea of its coming out that they will not even allow that it exists. The most singular evidence of the -general feeling is that Colonel Picquart, who is a devout,,Catholic, is fairly popular, and is. not even accused, of 'relations' with the foreigner, is kept in a military , prison "month after month without a • trial. The reason is he insisted that the truth, whatever it is. should cone 'out.
