The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-10-28
THE DRDYRUS APPEAL
N. Bard's Report Strongly Favor
F., able to Dreyfus.
A NEW TRIAL DEEMED UNLIKELY

1t Is Probable, However, That the
Court of Cessation VIII Set Aside
the Captains Conviction ana Sem
| tence, and He VIII Be Liberated.
| Paris. Oct. 2S.-The court of cassa-
tion, which Is to decide upon the ques-
tion Of reopening the case of Alfred
| Dreyfus, the prisoner of Devils ISL
and, VINO Is alleged to have been falsely
convicted of selling important mill
tary plans to agents of a foreign power.
opened yesterday. Maitre Labori, who
was counsel for NJ. Zola during the
latter's famous trial, was seated
among the lawyers occupying the first
row. Nine. Dreyfus, wife Of the prs-
oner, was provided with a seat in
corner. She was represented by Maitre
Mornard.
Reporter Bard reviewed the history Of
the case from the arrest of Dreyfue and
said his condemnation was for one of
the crimes which inspire universal hor-
ror, and 1t struck one of those in whom
the country had the most confidence
He cited many facts favorable to the
revision, and expressed astonishment
at the manner in which the whole af-
fair had been conducted He referred
to the fact that the residence of Colo
mel Picquart had been searched, while
the residence Of Major Esterhazy, who
was directly accused, was not searched
The sensation of NJ Bards report
was the shorthand notes of the ex-
animation of the late Lieutenant Colo
mel Henry by M. Godefroy Cavaignac,
then minister of war, after Henry's
forgery had been discovered These
notes showed that the confession of
forgery was only obtained with the ut
most difficulty, Henry stoutly denying |
and then prevaricating to the effect |
that he only added one phrase to the |
genuine letter, and then when driven |
to the last corner protesting that he |
acted for the country's good. The |
drift of M. Bard's conclusions was that !
Comte Esterhazy was the real culprlt.
Great stress was laid by M. Bard on
Colonel Picquart's letter of July Il,
1895, to the minister of Justice, in
which he gave several principal argu-
ments against the probability of the
guilt of Dreyfus, including the i'm
possibility of Dreyfus procuring the
plans of fortresses and projects for the
movements of troops undetected
whereas Major Esterhazy had free ac-
cess thereto.
This letter also cites interviews which
Colonel Picquart had with Generals
Billot and Come and says:
with the proof in my hands I have
established the innocense of Dreyfus."
To this General Come replied ac-
cording to the letter to the minister Of
Justice:
What is 1t to you if Dreyfus is in
Devils 1sland?"
Colonel Picquart-"But he is inno-
cent"
General GonZe-"You know Mercier
CORNER minister of war; and Saussier
former military governor of Paris) ,
are mixed uE in this affair. Do you t
wish to compromise them?" S
The letter then continued that on c
leaving General Come Colonel Pic I
quart declared he was convinced of the !
innocence of Dreyfus, and he pro- q
posed to fight the matter out and re- ,
veal what he knew. 3
These statements caused a sensa- h
ton in court. Ii
<allSl lul tIltG reference 10 COlOneI |
Picquart's charges that the ministry !.
Of war and the general staff had tam VI
pered with documents and had manu-
featured evidence in the Dreyfus case
and presentation of the contradictory j..
statements of Colonel Picquart and the 6,
minister Of war relative to the secret :
documents alleged to have been COM
to the court the hearing Of II
the case was adjourned until today.
The Courier Du Soir says that the D
'evelations In the report of M. Bard /,
rs to the part played by some mem .,
,ers of the general staff have produced -
strong effect in military circles and -
Ire likely to result in a reaction tend
ng to put an end to the antagonism W
between the civil and military authori- "
les" VI
The belief Is general that the court ri
# cessation Will pronounce neither for nt
evision nor for annulment OF the de- ~
sion in the Dreyfus case, as either 49,
curse would entail awkward conse-
uences. To avoid these it is expected Ill
he court will decide that as the af- D
air now presents itself there has been q
10 treason, and therefore the condem- bl
alton pronounced upon Captain Drey- C,
us by the court martial cannot be up- ~,
eld. :,
Although the proceedings thus far vi
re. 80 favorable to Drcyfus it must u"
ot be assumed that there will be any th
aal clearing up of the mystery. II bo
'oks rather as though an attempt Is Nil
eing made to stife the real truth by II
berating Dreyfus without new trial. Pc
Is asked by the Dreyfusites if the Hf
acret dossier exists as alleged, what no
ood purpose can be served by the ,
)urt of cessation giving a decision A.
ithout seeing it, since that it is the ''''
lly real proof, If any, of the guilt Of "h
reyfus. for
------------ In
rand jury Takes Up the Botkin Case. Sp
San Francisco. Oct. 28.--The grand go,