The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-28
FOR REVISION
The DrGvfus Case Before the
Oonrt of Cessation.
THERE WAS NO TREASON
Expectsd mat the Court win Decide in
Favor oe the Prisoner-New and
Starting Testimony Intro
duced by the Plaintiff.

Paris. Oct. 27.-The court of cassa-
tion. which is to decide upon the ques-
tion of reopening the case of Alfred
Dreyfus. the prisoner of Devils island,
who is alleged to have been falsely con-
victed Of selling important military
plans to agents of a foreign power.
opened at noon to-day.
Maitre Laborie. who was counsel for
M. Zola during the latter's famous trial.
was seated among the lawyers occupy
| ing the first row. Mrs Dreyfus. wife OF
the prisoner, was provided with a seat
| in a corner. She was represented by
Maitre Mornard. The Dreyfus appeal
case was called Immediately after the
opening OF the court. Reporter Bard
opened the proceedings by referring to
the excitement and scandals caused by
the case. even before the appeal for a
revision Of the trial was lodged. He
then reviewed the history of the case
from the arrest OF Dreyfus. and said
his condemnation was for one of the
| crimes which inspire universal horror
and Ii struck one of these I'm whom the
country had the most confidence.
Continuing. NJ Bard spoke of the ef-
forts made to obtain a revision of the
case. In doing so. Mr.. Bard said the
appeal was based upon the assumption
that the bordereau was written by Ma
| Jor Esterhazy. He then pointed out
that there were suspicious facts which
| justified the request for the revision.
Nine. Dreyfus contended that her hus-
band did not write the bordereau which
all the experts reported he did write.
|
anime these facts and decide whether a
revision was justified. NJ. Bard added
that the appeal for a revision was de-
cided upon in consequence of the late
Colonel Henry's confession that he had
forged a document In the case: but NJ.
Bard said this forgery was committed
In 1895 and could not alone be regarded
as ground for a revision or for an an
/ uuiimens et>the Judgment rendered, in
| 1894. tst+
Notwithstanding the fact. M. Bard
said, that Lieutenant Colonel Henry
had committed forgery. his evidence
was the most crushing against Dreyfus.
but, he continued. the evidence of a
forger Is open to suspicion. There was
therefore the presumption, based upon
fresh facts, which led to the appeal for
the revision of the case and there was
also ground to ask whether any other
fact had not been brought to light and
IL Dreyfus was really the author OF the
bordereau and note written to Major
Esterhazy and found In the apartment
of Nine Pals. in which the writer asked
what he should do respecting the bor-
dereau.
NJ. Bard next read Colonel Patty du
CLAIMS report of the Dreyfus arrest,
then a captain of French artillery. do
ing staff duty. in which the colonel said
that Dreyfus while writing his dicta-
tion. betrayed intense excitement"
But" NJ. Bard added. amid the sur
prise OF his hearers. ''the photograph
taken Of this writing does not give the
slightest indication that Dreyfus was
laborinc under excitement"
Dreyfus. NJ. Bard also said. denied TO
Colonel Patty du Clam that he had ever
had relations. directly or indirectly.
with foreign powers. Colonel Patty du
CLAIMS report further showed that Drey-
fus had to write discriminating docu-
ments in 10 different ways. sitting and
standing. with and without gloves. and
with ordinary and broad-point pens.
Later NJ. Bard cited further facts ia
vorable to the revision and expressed
astonishment at the manner in which
the whole affair had been conducted.
He referred to the fact that the resi-
dence of Colonel Picuuart had been
searched. while the residence OF Major
Esterhazy. who was directly accused.
was not searched.
The reporter also severely criticised
Maior Ravaris report on the charge
against Major Esterhazy. and he fur
ther said that the handwriting experts.
Benhomme and Varnard. were lunatics,
whose testimony was unreliable.
After referring to the fact that the ex-
perts who examined the borderau diff
fered widely in opinion, NJ. Bard con-
cluded with expressing the belief that
he hnr1araan the chief factor In
convicting Dreyfus, and on the testi-
mony of experts his condemnation
ought to be revoked. Great stress was
laid by NJ. Bard on Colonel ricduart's
letter of July II. 1898. to the minister
Of Justice. in which he gave seven prin-
cipal arguments against the proba ability
OF guilt Of Drevfus. including the i'm
possibility Of Dreyfus' procuring the
plans Of fortresses and projects for the
movement Of troops unless detected.
whereas Major Esterhazy had free ac-
cess thereto.
This letter also cites interviews which
Colonel Picduart had with Generals
Bito and Come and says: with the
proof in his hands. I have established
the innocence OF Dreyfus."
To this General Come replied. ac-
cordfng to the letter 10 the minister Of
Is on Devils Islsnd?'
Colonel Picquart-But he is inno-
cent.
General Gonze-You know Merier
former minister of war;. and Saussier
(former military governor OF Paris).
are mixed up In this afair. Do you
wish 20 compromise them?
The letter then continued that on
leavin~ General Come. Colonel Pic
quart declared he was convinced of the
innorerce of Dreyfus and that he pro-
posed 20 fight the matter out ard re-
veal what he knew. These statements
on the part of Reporter Bard caused a
sensa ton in the court.
After further reference TO Colonel
Picauart's message that the minister
Of war and the general stan had tam
pered with documents and manufac-
tured evidence in the Dreyfus case and