Another hope of those who desire a military coup d'itat
is General Gallieni, who is on his way back from Madagascar. No doubt the great ability and comparatively high status of the stern and, it is said, not over-scrupulous dictator of France's latest conquest would render him formidable were he to consent to become an instrument of the extreme Anti-Dreyfus party. We believe General Gallieni to be too long-headed a man for a revolutionary adventure. Remember St. Arnaud "acted" for a Pretender who was already installed at the Elysee as President of the Re- public and Commander-in-Chief. Meantime, it is evident that a reaction is beginning in Paris in favour of Dreyfus. Unfortunately, this reaction is accompanied by extremely violent and provocative articles against the Generals con- cerned in the Dreyfus case, and especially against General Mercier. Such violence is extremely foolish (as well as very possibly unfair), for it may conceivably goad the chiefs of the Army into some desperate act. It would be much more pru- dent to leave the Generals alone for the present, and calmly await the finding of the Court of Cessation.
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