New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-09

dent OF the Dreyfus court-martal. who I'M
pounded them without reading them to the
court. II was thus impossible TO give notifca-
ton % them as evidence
NJ. Scheurer- Kestner was then allowed to pro-
coed. He sketched the contents OF the letters in
which Colonel Picquart wrote that fresh facts
had been discovered which would be eagerly
seized upon by Dreyfus sympathizers. who
would create a great scandal" General Gonse
replied that it too late 20 stop the matter
now Colonel Picquart. in another letter, ac-
cording to the witness urged that the whole af-
fair be exposed, or there would be scandal NJ.
Scheurer- Kestner added that he regretted being
unable to read the actual letters which, he said.
did much to honor them soldiers and as men.
Continuing, the witness said: II went to Cen
eral Billot the Minister of War; and told him
what / knew / offered to communicate to him
General Gonse's letters. but he refused. Then ii
was agreed that the interview should not be
divulged. Nevertheless, the Government news
papers published an account of the interview.
] had interviews with the Premier IN. Meline),
and told him everything ! knew about the
case"
NJ. Scheurer- Kestner further remarked that he
never mentioned the name Of Esterhazy. except
To the Government But some time later Matthew
Dreyfus (brother OF the prisoner. Alfred Drey-
fus) came to him and declared that he also had
discovered that Esterhazy was the author of the
bordercau. whereupOn the witness told Matthew
Dreyfus TO write to the Minister for War. which
he did. denouncing Esterhazy.
NJ. lola here asked NJ. Scheurer- Kestner. who
by the way. is Senator and former vice-presi-
dent Of the Senate, to give the Court details OF
his interview with the Minister of War, and the
witness did 80, recounting how he had begged
his old friend to take the initiative in the mat
ter, adding: 81 gave him fortnight to make
up his mind during which was insuited as
Prussian" Yes" nterjected NJ. zola, 'as they
now treat me as an Italian"
CAsIMrR- PERIER CAUSES STIR.
There was much stir in court when it
nounccd that NJ Casimir- Perier the former
President Of the French Republic. would be the
next witness. When he was called the presiding
Judge said: You swear to speak without ami
mus and fear. and to speak the truth and moth
ing but the truth" NJ. Casimir-Perter at this
point interrupted the Judge, saying: Pardon
me. ! cannot swear 70 tell the truth, because
cannot do so. II is my duty not to tell it," This
statement caused a commoton among the audi
cree. The presiding Judge resumed. remarkins;
THE law compels you, before even speaking or
refusing to testify. to take the oath" NJ. Cast
mir-P erier then submitted raised his hand and
took the oath.
can you say" asked NJ Laborie 81 when
you were President, YOU knew before his arrest
that a staff officer was suspected or treason and
that charges had been made against him." The
presiding Judge interviewed. saying: You can
not ask that" This Intervention upon the part
of the Judge aroused murmurs in court
Counsel for NJ. Zola then put another question
to NJ Casmr-P erier. saying: did you Know
that secret file of papers existed az the war
Ministry" To this NJ. Casmir-Perier replied:
81 was not aware of file OF papers concerning
Major Esterhazy" Did you" continued Nj La
borie. know that a secret document was handed
to the court-martial?"
You cannot ask that question:" Interrupted
the presiding Judge. a statement which caused
renewed murmurs In court.
Il do not know any facts subsequent to my
Presidency" said NJ Casimir Perier. II can
only speak a private citizen, which am Will
ing to do" You setting noble example,
replied NJ Laborie, which other witnesses have
not deemed fiji to follow. since II has been nee
essary to bring them here by force" ZAP
plause)
NJ Laborie here made a formal application
in the interests Of justice" that his previous
questions be allowed to be put. The Judges af-
ter celebrating on the matter, refused to allow
the questions referred TO.
On leaving the witness box NJ Cast mir ferle!
was enthusiastically cheered by the public
NJ de Castro. a banker, was then examined
He declared that he recognized the identity or
the handwriting OF Major Esterhazy and that
of the writer of the bordereau. The witness
revealed this discovery 10 Matthew Dreyfus, and.
ne added had since received number OF
threatening letters.
The Court then adjourned until tomorrow
amid great excitement and shouts for and
against NJ Zola. ..r