The herald., 1898-02-16
Grows Less interesting to
Parisians
PUBLIC OPINION is DIVIDED
AS TO THE PROBABILITY OF
CONVICTION
Handwriting Experts Again Insist
That Esterhazy Wrote the Bor-
dereau In the Dreyfus Case

| 4 ~~-~
was resumed today.
The arrival of M. Zola, M. Perrieuy
and others at the Assizes Court of the
Seine today was not marked by any
incident. The crowd present was not
so large as that of yesterday. Opinions
as to the issue of the trial vary greatly.
While some people are already discuss
ing the extent of the sentences, others
regard the acquittal of the defendants
as certain. as it is evident the court Is
becoming more favorable in its DISPOSE
ton toward M. Zola.
The presiding judge today disallowed
the request of counsel for M. zola. that
the experts heard at the Esterhazy
urt-martial should be called to testi-
| fly.
| General Gonz appeared on the wilt
ness stand and protested against the as
sertion of NJ. Juares, the Socialist De-
putty, on Saturday last, that the Cen
eral Staff had refused to enlighten the
Dreyfus affair.
! M. Crepeux Janin, handwriting ex-
merit. strenuously denied that he had
ATTEMPTED to bribe NJ. Teyssoniere TO
modify his report of the Dreyfus Bor-
| dereau.
Nj. Teyssonniere, M. Crepieux Janin
added. had declared 1t was not on his
CTeyssoniere's) report alone, and not on
M. Bertillon's, on which Dreyfus was
convicted. This statement caused
sensation. NJ. Janin added that 1t was
because NJ. Teyssoniere was angry win
the witness for not sharing his opinion
in regard to the Dreyfus case that ne
tried to compromise the matter. Ihe
witness further said he followed the pro-
fession of dentist, not that OF an ex-
pert in handwriting.
| M. Laborie asked permission TO exam
inc the experts, Courard, Belhomme ana
Veillard, but the court refused the re-
quest
Prof. Ernest Moulinier of the College
of France testified that Major Ester
hazy's handwriting absolutely resem-
bled that of the bordereau.
M. Clemenceau, counsel for the Aurore,
read letters from Nine. de Boulancey
admitting the possession of letters which
Major Esterhazy wrote her between 1881
and 1894, and containing serious animad-
versions on France and the French
army. NJ. Clemenceau urged the court
to appoint a magistrate to ask Nine. de
Boulancey if among the letters there
was not one containing the expressions:
Firstly-"Gen. Saussier (then the COM
mander-in chief of the French army and
military governor of Paris) is a clown.
| In our country the Germans would show
him in a circus" (Uproar in court)
Secondly-"If the Prussians got as far
as Lyons they might throw away their
guns and keep only their riding whips
to drive the French in front of them"
prolonged sensation.)
Three amateur experts in handwriting
testified that the fac simile was an ex-
act reproduction of Major Esterhazy's
handwriting, statement which caused
a further sensation in court
M Felix Frank, a lawyer of Brussels,
testified that, in order to demonstrate
his evidence, it would be necessary to
have a blackboard, and that it would
require an hour to demonstrate his the
ory. Amid an uproar in court, the ses-
sion was suspended while blackboard
was procured and placed on an easel,
after which M. Frank traced on the
blackboard a fac simile of the border
eau and of Major EsterhaZy's hand
writing.
M. Frank made some long technical
demonstrations and said: "The major
ity of the experts started on the false
idea that the writer of the bordereau
had disguised his handwriting. The bor-
dereau, however, was written naturally
and in a running hand, which is ident-
Iical with that of Major EsterhaZy.
The latter major Estehazy), contin-
ued the witness, had recognized the bor-
dereau as being his own handwriting
but had declared it had been traced by
a forger.
M. Frank proceeded to technically
demonstrate the improbability of this eA.
planation, showing how recurring words
presented certain Emergencies.
The lengthy demonstration of the wit
ness caused some impatience among the
public in court, eliminating in oper
murmurs when M. Frank affirmed tina
the bordereau was written by one per
son, and added that this person Wal
Major Esterhazy.
Annoyed at the murmurs, M. Franl
turned and cried: 81 intended to enc
here but since l am interrupted, 1 will
continue"
The presiding Judge here remarked
, II will ask you to use different languag
from that, which is discourteous."
Prof. Havert of the College of Franc
said he examined, as AIN expert, the Dor
dereau and the letters of Major Ester
hazy and Dreyfus, as we'll as a lette
written by Dreyfus since his condemna
ton. The latter, the witness continued
was devoid of resemblance to the Dor
dereau, of which he was convinced Ma
jor Esterhazy was the author. TIL
court then adjourned. The crowd mad
no demonstrations.
The excitement caused by the trial ha
greatly abated, but the real interest i
absorbing and growing daily. Coun
Esterhazy will be examined tomorrow.
When the trial is finished the discus
sion will be moved to the chamber O
deputies and the senate.
There are still thirteen witnesses t.
be examined, and then will come thu
addresses of the advocate general, M
Vancassel, M. Laborie and M. Clemen
ceau. NJ. I.aborie is expected to speal
very briefly.
1t is said tonight that Commandan
Ravary, who compiled the unsatisfactor,
report for the Esterhazy trial, has hat
O. sudden attack of congestion of th
brain.
rrhora kclt