Evening star., 1898-01-10
ESTERHAZY COURT-MARTIAL
Retired French Officer Brought to Trial at
Paris Today.
Court Refused to Allow Counsel for
Capt. Dreyfus to Appear a.
1nterpleaders.

PARIS, January 1o.-The trial by court
martial of Maj. Count Ferdinand walsin
Esterhazy was opened at o'clock this
morning under the presidency of General
de LuXer. The hall in which the trial took
place was guarded by the Garde Republi-
came and only holders of tickets were ad-
i2itted. Among those who filled the hall
were Nine Dreyfus, wife OF Alfred Drey-
ius' the former captain of French artillery,
new undergoing Imprisonment for life after
having been convicted of selling important
FRENCH military plans to agents of a for
eisn power, with which affair Esterhazy
is said to have been Connected; the broth
ers or Nine Dreyfus, Senator Trarieux, the
former minister of justice (who last week
wrote letter asking for the postponement
OF inc court martial on the ground that to
Try the case in its present shape only means
asking the court to confirm the guilt of
Dreyfus), and many officers and deputies.
Count Estelhazy appeared in uniform
ana escorted by republican guards.
To Settle RumOrs.
The clerk of the court said the court
martial was held in order to end tho CON-
Trajectory 1umors which had been spread
by the excited public. Thereupon Maitre
Labcrie, counsel for Nine Drcyfus. asked
permission to take Iart in the arguments.
Counsel for the government opposed the
application, declaring that the court would
not reopen the case of Alfred Dreyfus, who,
he added, had been justly and legally con-
demned.
The governments counsel also opposed
the application of counsel for Matthew
Dreyfus brother of the prisoner of Devils
Island. to appear during the proceedings
The court rejected both applications and
the taking OF testimony commenced.
Although there was an animated scene
n hon ft,. H.
tiai, there was no demonstration and the
police kept the people moving.
counsel for the government said that a
public trial might be inimical to the inter-
ests or the national defense, and demanded
a secret hearing.
The court retired and, after an hours alb
sence, returned and the president an
nounced. in the name of the French people,
that 1t had been decided by majority of
five to two that the trial should be public
until the moment when publicity might ap-
pear to prejudice the national defense.
Yielded to Public Opinion.
The court having thus yielded to public
opinion, the report of the investigating Off
Ger, Major Ravary, was read. 1t complete
ly whitewashed Count Esterhazy, and was
generally regarded as being a serious in
dictment OF Col. Picquart, whose arrest,
when this trial is finished, is anticipated.
WI. iSIudil, dCcOFullS 10 the intrdn-
sigeant, was in the latter part of November
sentenced to thirty days detention in a
fortress He was an officer summoned from
The United States to Paris in connection
with the Dreyfus affair, and his statements
were reported TO be the basis of the accusa-
tions brought against Count Esterhazy.
The report of Major Ravary does not ad-
duce much evidence, except the declaration
or the experts that the famous Bordereau
note was not written by Count ESterhazy
1t contains the counts protest against the
caiuminous imputations' made by Col
Picquart, who, 1t appears, without authori-
ty, caused him to be shadowed. The re-
port observes that the colonel is the soul
of the present agitation and that he is
guilty of serious shortcomings and indis-
cretions. Upon one occasion, it is pointed
out, when his superiors urged him not to
persist, he exclaimed: "Oh, they won't do
anything up there, but L will compel them
to act. They do not realize the terrible
campaign which is being prepared.
Col. Picquart Surprised.
The report continues with the statement
that Col. Picquart, in 1896, was surprised
while examining secret documents belong
ing to the general staff, and concludes:
Every step taken in this sad affair
which causes such anguish to all really
French hearts, is intended to obtain a re-
versal of a judgment legally and justly
pronounced. No tangible judicial proof of
Major EsterhaZy's guilt is forthcoming nor
is there adequate eviuence to support the
charge of high treason
The court then adjourned until 2 o'clock.