The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-12
COL. PICQUART'S TESTIMONY
The Best Witness So Far For 2ola and
Makes a Good ImpreS lon.
HIS EYIDEECE IS VERY DAMAGING
To His Superior Onicers-Has Been tho
Victim of Persecution Ever Since His
Efforts To Get at the Truth Began.
Military Justice Unlike Civil.


crowds about the Assizes Court OF the
Seine. when the fifth day Of the trial Of
NJ. Zola aud Perreaux commenced. NJ.
Zola and Colonel Picquart were greeted
with hostile cries on their arrival.
The proceedings opened with the re-
call OF General pellicux General Pellieux
testified that General saussier, the former
Military Governor Of Paris. desired a
public trial for Major Esterhazy. but
General Blllot. the Minister for War.
ordered that the trial be in secret. New
erthelcss the witness added, the court
martial refused 10 keep the entire pro-
ceodings secret therefore II was impos-
sible TO contend that Major Esterhazy
was acquitted by order OF the authorities.
THE GALLERIES
General PellieuX also said if the MEM
bers OF the cOurt-martal, who spilled
their blood on battieields while others
were. no one knows where-(prolOnged
applause)-had been heard here. they
would have Indignantly repudiated the
accusations against them. /. their chief.
will be their m0utnpiccc. and / affirm that
the court-martial was regular.
Referring 20 the papers examined at
the War Office be unauthorized persons,
the General said they referred 20 carrier
pigeons and rot 20 Dreyfus
The Dreyfus papers. added General
peliCuX, were sealed after the conviction
OF Captain Drcyfus in 1884,. and were not
opened until quite recently, when the
witness opened them In order 10 re-
examine the writing OF the bordereau.
The papers had since been sealed up and
had not been re0pened.
General PellicuX also said nc desired
to emphatically deny the statement Of w.
Leblois that Mime. LeDlois and Henry
held two hours conference with him in
a private room
COLONEL PICQUART
Colonel Picquart was then called and
narrated how he had acquired fragments
Of a teegraphlc card IN 1896 and con-
cluded therefrom that Major Esterhazy
WAS corresponding with suspicious cha
racters. His chiefs ordered him 20 con-
tinue his investigations, and he procured
some OF Major Esterhazy's handwriting.
which. compared with certain documents,
led to the conclusion that Major Ester
hazy was improperly using official pa
pers. Colonel Picquart said further:
"T was struck with the resemblance OF
Ma i0r Esterhazy's handwriting 10 that of
the bOrdereau, ana ] submitted photo
graphs to NJ. Bertnlon and Major Patty
I Du Clam. and NJ BertillOn declared it
dcreau. Major Patty Du Clam said IL was
the handwriting Of Dreyfus.'
Continuing Colonel Picquart said ne
knew a superior officer. whose name was
mighty. mentioned furnishing documents
20 "a foreign power, adding that he did
not further wish 10 disclose secrets while
he Ohe Colonel was still investigating.
Continuing he said
'.1be newspapers began an agitation
H.. a.. trftNf
Chamber. adding 10 my difficulties. Then
7 was sent 20 Tunis, where all letters
sent me were opened. when 1 was sum-
moued back from Tunis TO attend the
Fsterhazv INJURY, General PellieuN
treated me as the real defendant. re-
fusing 10 listen 10 my charges against
Major Esterhazy.'
Colonel Picduart pointed out that while
the anti-Dreyfus paIers published rae
SMILES Of the bordereau, they ala not
pubIish fac-simile Of the letter written
bv Dreyfus at Major Patty Du Clans
dictatlon "As it would have been 700
embarrassing" the witness IMPLYING thaI
4 comsarison would have tended 10 show
that Dreyfus was not the au'hor cl the
sOrdereau. -.,
DENIES PEIIIEUXS STATEMENT.
Colonel PIcquart emphaucally denied
General Peilieux's statement of yesterday
that ne had divulged an espionage affair
10 outsiders. lie candidly admitted send
inc. an agent 10 Major Estorhazy's apart
ments but he pointed out that at the
time Major Esterhazys fiat was adYer-
tlsed TO let and his agent only brought
hin, an unimnortant letter, which, how
ever. served for a comparison Of hand
writing The agent reported that num-
her of letters had been burned in hre-
place.
Colonel Picquart added that he COM
municated his suspicious OF the quit or
Major Esterhazy 10 his chiefs who never
said they had additional evidence OF the
guilt OF Dreyfus beyond what he himself
knew.
The witness concluded with stating
that the intriguos Of officials Of which he
had been the victim. had been aimed 10
prevent him from demonstrating the
| guilt OF Major Esterhazy.
NJ. Labor then questioned Colonel Pic
ouart regarding the secret document, and
| the witness said:
.'I knew OF the existence OF the secret
document. but Z only saw IL when Cen
eral Pellieux showed II 10 me-"
The witness could not give any further
particulars on account OF professional
secrecy"
The Colonel was then asked By NJ.
| Labor is ne say the original bordereau
and admitted that he had but said he
was chiefly acquainted with the photo
graphic reproductions circulated al the
| War Ministry lie also admitted having
seen the document IN which hsuted tho
| phrase This canaille (rascaD -"
which had been so much talked about in
the French press.
THE BEST ZOLA WITNESS.
Colonel Picquart was the best witness
| for NJ. Zola thus far heard. lie at
| tractsd the closest attention and pre-
| sented a fine appearance in the elegant
uniform OF the Algerian Tirailleurs. lie
made an excellent impression upon all
present in court. His evidence was very
| damaging To his superior officer and ia
vorable to Dreyfus and II also showed
him 20 have been the victim of nersecu-
ton since he began his endeavor TO probe
| the truth.
At the conclusion OF his evidence Colo
mel Picquart met with an enthusiastic
recention from the public There we're
/ cries OF "Vive Picquart' and ''Vive
! rarmeo" In which many Of the lawyers
| Joined
The higher military officers were vis-
lhly annoyed al the effect OF Colonel Pic
! qrar''s testimony.
Major Ravary was the next witness.
Mr.. Labor reproached him with improp-
erly conducting the Esterhazy inquiry,
| 10 which the Major replied:
Military justice IS not conducted like
yours"
| The remark caused mumuriug fn the