The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-11
And Who Is Alleged to Have Commit
Was sent to Devils Island.
C0URT-MARTIAL ONE-SlDET
PICeUART, THE MOST IMPORTANT
WITNESS, HEARD IN SECRET.
Dreyfus's friends Not Permitted to
Have COunseI-The Count White
washed in Major Ravary's Report.

. PARIS, Jan. 1O.-The trial by court-mar-
tial of Major Count Ferdinand Walsh
Esterhazy, the retired officer of the French
army, who came into prominence in the
latter part of November last through the
publication by Figaro of number of let
tiers which the count is alleged to have adj
mtted writing, rejecting in strong terms
on France and the French army, was
opened at o'clock this morning under the
presidency of General De Luxer. Among
those who filled the hall were Nine. Drey-
fus (wife of Alfred Dreyfus, the former
captain of French artillery, now undergo
ing Imprisonment for life after having been
convicted of selling important French mill
tary plans to agents of foreign power.
with which affair Esterhazy is said to have
been connected) the brothers of Nine.
Dreyfus, Senator Trarieux, the former min
lister of justice (who last week wrote a let
ter asking for the postponement of the
court-martial the ground that to try the
case in its present shape only meant asking
the court to confirm the guilt of Dreyfus),
:. and many officers and deputies.
count Esterhazy appeared in uniform and
escorted by republican guards. The clerk
of the court said the court-martial was held
in order to end the contradictory rumors
which had been spread by the excited pub
lie. Thereupon Maitre Lahore, counsel for
Nine. Dreyfus, asked permission TO take
part in the arguments. Counsel Tor Matthew
Dreyfus (brother of the prisoner of Devils
island) also asked permission 10 appear
during the proceedings. The court rejected
both applications and the taking of testi-
mony commenced.
Counsel for the government said that a
public trial might be inimical to the in
terests of tile national defense, and de-
manded a secret hearing. The court de-
cided, by a majority of five to two, tlat
the trial should be public until the moment
when publicity might appear to prejudice
the national defense. The court thus hav-
ing yielded to public opinion, the report
of the investigating officer, Major Ravary.
was read. 1t completely whitewashed
Count Esterhazy and was generally regard
ed as being a serious indictment of Colonel
Picquart, whose arrest when this trial is
finished is anticipated.
FEATURES OF THE REPORT.
Colonel Picquart, according to the Intran-
slgeant, was, in the latter part of Noyem-
Der, sentenced TO thirty days detention In
a fortress. He was an officer summoned
from the United States to Paris in con-
nsction with the Dreyfus affair, and his
statements were reported TO be the basis of
terhazy. The report of Major Ravary does
not adduce much evidence except the dec
laration of the experts that the famous
bordereau (note) was not written by Count
Esterhazy. 1T contains the counts protest
against the 'calumniouS imputations' made
by colonel Picquart who, 1t appears,
without authority, caused him to be shad-
owed. The report observes that the colonel
is the soul of the present agitation and
that he is guilty of serious shortcomings
and indiscretions. On one occasion. 1t is
pointed out, when his superiors urged Inn
not TO persist, he exclaimed: "Oh, they
won't do anything up there, but will COM
pei them to act!" The report continues
with the statement that Colonel Picquart,
in 1896, surprised while examining Sc
cret documents belonging to the general
stan, and concludes: Every step taken in
this sad affair. which causes such anguish
10 ali really French hearts, is ingended to
obtain reversal of judgment legally and
justly pronounced. No tangible judicial
proof of Major tsSterhazy'S guilt is
forthcoming, nor is there adequate evider ce
TO support the charge of high treason" The
court then adjourned until o'clock.
When the trial was resumed Major Ester
hazy testified that he became aware OF the
plot against him through anonymous let
terS, which lea to mis- meeting an unknown
yelled woman He had communicated the
results of that meeting to General Billot
the minister of war, and President Faure
The judge pun a series of easy questions
10 Major EsterhaZy, TO which the latter had
readymade answers. The major ended by
following Major Ravarys cue, and accused
and stealing letters
Matthieu Dreyfus was then examined. He
was asked to state the basis of his accusa-
ton against Major EsterhaZy and replied
X that, without being an expert, it was only
necessary 10 compare the writing in the
bordcrcau (nOte) and Major Esterhazy' 8
handwriting in order to be convinced that
they were Identical. Continuing NJ Drew
fus made learned graphological statement
Moreover, he pointed TO the fact that Major
Esterhazy had subsequently tried to mod
ny ms handWuung as confirmation of his
suspicious. in reviewing other suspicious
actions of the major NJ. DreyfuS quoted a
letter in which Esterhazy said: 81 am in
such plight that | can only recover myself
maticalIy. was written by an officer who
has the honor to wear the uniform of
Frencl; otilcer'
NJ. DREYFUS BECOMES ANGRY.
Here "oh's" were heard among the audi
ence. Counsel for Major Esterhazy there
upon asked NJ. Dreyfus who was paying the
enormous costs of circulating pamphlets
respecting Major Esterhazy." to which M.
Dreyfus replied: THAT is my business, not
yours" This remark caused excitement
among those present and brought forth
shouts of miserable.
NJ. ScEeurer-Kestnero one of the vice pres
idents of the Senate, was examined He
said that when he was condemned he be-
lieyed Dreyfus guilty and continued in that
belief until Matthew DreyfuS came and i'm
plorcd his aid. The senator then made a
personal inquiry. because it must be adj
mi.tcd that both military and civil tribu-
learned continued NJ Scheurer-Kestner
that an opinion had been expressed at the
Ministry for War that the bordereau was
written by Major Esterhazy. The senator
further remarked: Il learned that "A dis
tinguished officer. head of the intelligence
department, had been sent away, and letters