The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-01-11
WHlTEW ASKING ESTERHAzY
Trial Of the Count for Treason Is
Now fairiy Ga.
ESTERHAzY ASKED EASY QUESTIONS
Cut and Dried Answers Are ne
turned--Coionel rscansrt IL to he
Made the scapcwoat.

martial Of Major Count Esterhazy. the re-
tired officer OF the French army, who came
into prominence in the latter part of Nc
vember last BY the publication In the riga
70 OF a number OF letters which the count
is alleged to have admitted writing reflect
ing In strong terms on France and the
army, was opened at O'Clock this morn
Ing under tho presidency Of General De
i-exer. Among those who filled the hall
We're Nine. preyfus (Nife Of Alfred prey
nus, the former captain OF French artillery.
now undergoing imprisonment for lie AZ
ter having been convicted Of selling In, :
pcrtant French military plans to agents
OF foreign power, with which affair Es-
terhasy Is said to have heen connscted).
the prothers OF Nine. Dreyfus, Senator
lraieux. the former minister Of justice.
who last week wrote letter asking for
the postponement OF the court martial ON
the ground that TO try the case In its
present shape only means asking the court
10 confirm the guilt of Dreyfus, and many
Officers and deputies
Count ES,erhazy appeared in uniform
qua was escorted by republican guards
me clerk OF the court said the court mar.
tial was held In order to end the CON
Trajectory reports which had been spread
oy the excited public. Thereupon Maitrc
Lanorie, counsel for Mime Dreytus, asked
permission TO take part In the arguments
Counsel for Matthew Dreyfus fbrother OF
the prisoner OF Devils Island, aSso asked
permission to appear during the proceed
ings
The court rejected both applications and
TAKING
Counsel for the government said n pub
NC trlal might be iniinlcal TO the interests
OF the national defenses and demanded a
secret hearing.
The court decided ny majority of five
10 TWO that the trial should be public I'M
W the moment when publicity might APP
pear To prejudice the national defense
The court having yielded to public opin-
ION. the report OF the Investigating officer.
Major Ravary was read, II completely
wnitewashed Count Esterhazy and was
generally regarded as being a serious in
dictment OF Colonel Picquart whose mr.
rest. when this trial is finished, is antici-
pated.
Colonel Picquart, according TO the In
transigeant, was in the latter part of No
Vember sentenced to ten days detention
in a fortress. He was an officer summoned
IRON the United States to Paris in con
nection with the Dreyfus affair and his
statements were reported to be the basis
OF the accusations brought against Ester
hazy. The report of Major Ravary does
not adduce much evidence except the
declaration Of experts that the famous
pordereau tnote( was not written by Count
Esterhazy IL contains the counts pro-
test against the ''calumanous imputa-
tons made by Colonel Piequart, who IL
appears. without authority, caused him 10
be shadowed The report observes that
the coiotsl Is the soul of the present agi
tation and that he is guilty of serious
shortcomings and indscretions.
uPcn one occasion, IL is pointed out.
when his suneI1ors urged him not to per-
slst, he eclaimed: 'Oh, they won't do
anything up there, but / will compel them
to act
The report continues with the statement
tnat the colonel in 1886 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-
versai Of a Judgment legally and Justly
pronounced No tangible judicial uroof OF
Major Esterhazy's guilt ia forth loniiaE. Ior
is there adequate evidence 10 sr,por, the
charge OF high treason"
The court then adjourned until . clock
When the trial was resumed Major Es-
terhazy testified that ha became aware of
the plot against him through ;noDy ruue
letters, which led 20 ais meeting on un-
known woman who communicated that
meeting TO General Billet. the minister or
war. The counsel nut series of easy
Questions TO the count who had evidently
ready made answers. The major ended by
Major Averarys cue and accused
Colonel Picquart of burglarizing his room
and stealing letters.
Mattnipu I1l.pyfiis wa then ayarnin,ah
He was asked to state the basis Of t,s ac-
ru;sat.on against Major Esterhazy.. and re-
Piled that without being an expert II was
pnly necessary IN compare the writing in
the hordorean tnote) and Major Esterha2y's
in order 20 be convinced that
hey were identical.
In reviewing suspicious actions OF the
major, N. Dreyfus quoted a letter In
which Esterha2y said .. anu in such a
blight that | can only recover myself by
rhine
This, said NJ Dreyfus, dramatically.
was written BY an officer who has the
honor TO wear The uniform of a French
,ificer.''
Counsel for Major Esterhazy thereupon
lskoi N. Dreyfus who was oaying tho
enormous cost of circulating pamphlets
respecting Major Esterhazy?" TO which NJ.
Dreyfus replied: That is my business;
lot yours"
This remark caused excitement among
hose present. and brought forth shouts OF
'm.serable.''
VI. Scheurer- Kestner one OF the vice
presidents OF he senate. was examined.
ne said that when he was Condemned he
believed Dreyfus guilty and continued In
hat belief until Matthew Dreyfus came
and iniplored his aid The senator then
made personal INQUIRY. "becalise II must
be admitted that both military and civil |
tribunals made mistakes"
.'Matthien learned continued NJ. Scheu-
-er- Kestner. THAT an opinion had been |
expressed at the ministry ~ war that the |
,ordereau or note Was written by Ester
iazy.''
The senator further remarked: 81 |
earned that j distinguished officer at the |
head OF the intelligence department had |
,een sent away and letters who shown /
ne. ccnfidenlialiy. proving that General
)ongs was OF the sisme opinion as Colonel |
NJ. Echeurer- Kesticr reviewed his COM l
with General Billot. the Ja'n-
ster OF war. with the view Of reopening
he afiair. and concluded by saying: II
an not say the bordereau was written ny |