The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1898-01-13
A FRENCH COOR|MbRTIAL.
MAI. COUNT ESTERHAZY, A RE-
TIRED OFFICER OF THE FRENCH
ARMY, IN TROUBLE.
TAKING OF TESTIMONY COMMENCED
Some of the Evidence Peculiarly
French-Dreyfus Case Bobs Up and
Col. Picaunrt Poured Out His
Evidence in Secret Session.

Evidence in Secret Session.
Paris, Jan. 10.-The trial by court
| martial of Maj. Count Esterhazy, the re-
tired officer of the French army, who
came into prominence in the latter part
of November last through the publica-
ton by Figaro of number of letters
which the count is alleged to have adj
mitted writing. rejecting in strong terms
on France and the French army, was
the presidency of Gen. De LeXar. Among
those who filled the hall were Nine.
Dreyfus (wife of Alfred Dreyfus, the
former captain of French artillery, now
undergoing Imprisonment for life after
having been convicted of selling i'm
portant French military plans to agents
of foreign power, with which affair
EsterhaZy is said to have been connect
ed, the brothers of Nine. Dreyfus, Sen
ator Trieux, the former minister of
justice, who last week wrote a letter
asking for the postponement of the
cOurtmartial on the ground that to try
the case in its present condition only
means asking the court to confirm the
guilt of Dreyfus, and many officers and
deputies.
Count Esterhazy appeared in uniform
and escorted by guards.
The clerks of the court said the court
martial was held in order to end the
contradictory reports which had been
spread by the excited public. There
upon Maitre Laborie, counsel for Nine.
Dreyfus, asked permission to take part
in the arguments. Counsel for Matthew
Dreyfus (brother of the prison of Devils
island, also asked permission to appear
during the proceedings,
The court rejected both applications
and the taking of testimony commenced.
Counsel for the government said a
public trial might be inimical to the in
terests of the national defenses and de-
manded a secret hearing.
The court decided By a majority of
five to two that the trial should be pub
lie until the moment when publicity
might appear to prejudice the national
defense.
The court having thus yielded to public
opinion, the report of the investigating
officer, Maj. Ravary, was read. 1t COM
pletely whitewashed Count Esterhazy
serious Indictment of Col; .,Sicqnart,
whose. arrest. when- this trial in is''ed !,
is anticipated. ~
Col. Piquart. according to the Intransi-
geant, was, in the latter part of Novem-
Der, sentenced to thirty days detention
in fortress. He was an officer sum-
moned from the United States to Paris
in connection with the Dreyfus affair,
and his statements were reported to be
the basis of the charges brought against
Esterhazy. The report observed that
the colonel is the soul of the present agi-
tation and that he is guilty of serious
shortcomings and indiscretions.
Upon one occasion, it is pointed out,
when his superiors urged him not to
persist he exclaimed: "Oh they won't
40 anything up there, but | will compel
them to act"
The report continued with the state
ment that Col. Piquart in 1896 was sur
prlsed while he had secret documents
belonging to the general staff and con-
cluded:
Every step taken in this sad affair,
which causes such anguish to all really
French hearts, is intended to obtain
reversal of a judgment legally and justly
pronounced. No tangible judicial proof
of Maj. Esterhazy's guilt is forthcoming
nor is there adequate evidence to sus-
tain the charge of high treason
The court then adjourned until 2
o'clock.
When the trial was resumed Mai.
Esterhazy testified that he became aware
of the plot against him through anony-
nous letters which led to his meeting an
unknown woman who had communicated
the results of that meeting to Gen. Bill
let. the minister of war, and President
Faure. The judge put a series of easy
questions to Maj. Esterhazy to which
the latter evidently had ready made an
Maj. Avary's cue. and accused Col. Pic
quart of burglarizing his room and steal
ing letters.
Matthew Drefus was then examined
He was asked to state the basis of his
accusation against Maj. Esterhazy and
replied that without being an expert, it
was only necessary to compare the writ
ing in the Bordeaux note and Maj. Ester
hays hand writing in order to be con-
WINGED that they were identical.
In reviewing suspicious actions of the
major, NJ. Drefus quoted letter in
which Esterhazy said:
Il am in such a plight that ] can only |
recover myself by crime"
This said NJ. Dreyfus. dramatically, |
was written by an officer who has the !
honor to wear the uniform of a French |
officer
Counsel for Maj Esterhazy thereupon
asked M. Dreyfus who was paying the |
enormous costs of circulating pamphlets |
respecting Mai. Esterhazy," to which NJ.
Dreyfus replied:
THAT is my business. not yours"
This remark caused excitement among |
hose present and brought fourth shouts
If miserable"
NJ. Schuerer Kestner one of the vice
Presidents of the senate, was examined.
He said that when he was condemned
he believed Dreyfus guilty and continued
n that belief until Matthew Dreyfus
,ame and implored his aid. The senator
hen made a personal inquiry "because it
must be admitted that both military and
.ivil tribunals made mistakes"
"Matthieu learned, continued NJ.
Scheurer-Kestner. that an opinion had
)een expressed at the ministry of war
hat the Bordeaux note was written by
The senator further re-
marked:
81 learned that distinguished officer
t the head of the intelligence department
lad been sent away and letters were
hown me confidentially, providing that
zen. Donge was of the same opinion as
,ol Picquart."
NJ SchuererK esther reviewed his COM
with Gen. Billot. the min
ster of war. with the view of reopening
he affair, and concluded with saying:
II can not say the Bordeaux note was
7ritten by Maj. Esterhazy. but I affirm
hat the writing has q greater re- {