Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-11
TO END CONTRADICTORY RUMORS,
So the Clerk of the Court An
nounces-Counse1 for Dreyfus's
wife ana Brother Refused Permis-
sion to Take Part I'm Argument.

| by himself, rejecting In strong terms
upon France and the French army, was
opened at o'clock this morning. under
the presidency of General Delury.
The Trial Board was guarded by the
Garde Republicaine, and only holders OF
tickets were admitted. Among those
who filled the hall were Nine. Dreyfus
(wife of Alfred Dreyfus, the former cap
tain Of French artillery now undergoing
Imprisonment for life, after having been
convicted of selling important French
military plans to agents of a foreign
Power, with which affair Esterhazy is
said to have been connected). the brothers
of Nine. Dreyfus, Senator Trarieux, the
former Minister of Justice (who last week
wrote letter asking for the postpone
ment of the court-martial, on the ground
that TO try the the case in the present
shape only means asking the court to
confirm the guilt of Dreyfus), and many
officers and deputies.
Count Esterhazy appeared In uniform,
and escorted by members OF the Republi-
can Guard.
The Clerk Of the court said the court
martial was held in order to end the
spread by the excited public. Thereupon
Maitre Laborie, counsel for Nine. Drey-
fus. asked permission take part in the
argument Counsel for the go.ernnlA<<
opposed the application declaring that the
court would not reopen the case of AL
fred Dreyfus, who, he added, had been
justly and legally condemned.
The governments counsel also opposed
the application of counsel for Matthew
Dreyfus (brother OF the prisoner on
Devils Island). to appear during the pro-
ceedings.
The court rejected these applications,
and the taking OF testimony commenced.
Although there was an animated scene
about the neighborhood of the court
martial. there was no demonstration,
and the police kept the people moving.
THE TRIAL PUBLIC.
Counsel for the government said that
a public trial might be inimical to the
defence, and demanded a secret hearing.
The court retired, and after an hours
absence, returned, and the president an
nounced, In the name of the French peo-
pie, that it had been decided by a ma
jority of five to two that the trial should
be public until the moment when publicity
might appear to prejudice the national
defence.
The court having thus yielded to public
opinion, the report of the investigating
officer. Major Rayary, was read. 1t COM
pletely whitewashed Count Esterhazy
and was generally regarded as being a
serious indictment of Colonel Picquart,
whose trial, when this case is finished, is
anticipated.
Colonel Picquart, according TO the re-
port, was in the latter part of November
sentenced to thirty days detention in a
prison. lie was an officer summoned from
the United States to Paris in connection
with the Dreyfus affair. and his state
ments were reported TO be the basis of
the accusations brought against Count
EsterhaZy. The report of Major Ravary
does not adduce much evidence. except
the declaration Of the experts that the
famous "bordereau" memorandum was not
written by Count Esterhazy 1t contains
the Counts protest against the
'calumnious imputations" made by Colo
mel Picquart, who, it appears, without
authority, caused him to be Swallowed.
The report observes that the Colonel is
the cause of the present agitation, and
that he is guilty of serious shortcomings
and indiscretions. Upon one occasion. 1t
is pointed out, when his superiors urged
him not to persist, he exclaimed, "Oh,
they won't do anything up there. But
will compel them to act A~ey do not
realize the terrible campaign which is
being prepared"
The report continues with the state
ment that Colonel Picquart. in 1896, was
surprised while examining secret docu-
ments belonging 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
reversal Of a Judgment legally and justly
pronounced. No tangible judicial proof
Of Major EsterhaZy's guilt is forthcoming,
nor is there adequate evidence to support
the charge OF high treason.
ESTERHAZY'S TESTIMONY.
Major Esterhazy testified that he be-
came aware of the plot against hin,
through anonymous letters, which led TO
his meeting an unknown yelled woman.
He had communicated the results of that |
meeting 10 General Billot, the Minister |
Of War. and President Faure.
In 1893 Major Esterhazy left a long |
report to a supposed captain |
in the army, who the police have since |
had reason to believe was the father-in-
law Of Alfred Dreyfus.
The Judge put a series of easy ques-
lions TO Major Esterhazy, TO which the !
latter evidently had ready-made answers. |
The Major ended by following Major |
Ravary's cue, and accused Colonel Pic |
quart of burglarizing his room and steal |
ing letters.
Matthew Dreyfus was then examined. |
He was asked to state the basis OF his |
accusation against Major EsterhaZy, and |
replied that without being an expert, it |
was only necessary TO compare the |
writing I'm the 'bordereau" and Major |
handwriting In order TO be |
convinced that they were identical.
Continuing, NJ. Dreyfus made learned |
statement. Moreover, he |
pointed to the fact that Major Esterhazy |
tried TO modify his hand
as confirmation Of his suspicious. |
In reviewing other suspicious actions OF |
the Majors, NJ. Dreyfus quoted a letter |
in which Esterhazy said: II am in such |
a plight that can only recover myself
by crime"
Counsel for Major Esterhazy thereupon |
asked M. Dreyfus. who was paying the |
enormous cost of circulating pamphlets |
Major Esterhazy," TO which |
NJ. Dreyfus replied. THAT is my business, |
not yours"
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
NJ. Scheurer- Kestner, one OF the vice.
presidents of the Senate, was examined.
He said that when he was condemned he
believed Dreyfus guilty. and continued in
that belief until Matthew Dreyfus came