The record-union., 1898-10-28

was really the author of the bordereau
and note written to Major Esterhazy,
and found in the apartment of Madame
Pays, in which the writer asked what
ne should do respecting the bordereau.
M Bard next read Colonel Patty du
CLAIMS report of the Dreyfus arrest,
then Captain of the French Artillery,
doing staff duty, in which the Colonel
said that Dreyfus. while writing his
dfctation, betrayed intense excite
ment."
But" M. Bard added, "the photo
graph taken of this writing does not
give the slightest indication that Drey-
Ius was laboring under excitement"
Dreyfus, M. Bard also said, denied
TO Colonel Patty du Clam that he ever
had relations, directly or indirectly,
with foreign Powers. Colonel Patty du
Clam's report further showed that
Dreyfus had to write discriminating
documents in ten different ways, sitting
and standing, with and without gloves,
and with ordinary and broad pointed
pens.
Later M. Bard cited further facts fav-
orable to the revision and expressed
astonishment at the manner in which
the whole affair had been conducted.
ne referred to the fact that the resi-
oenee of Colonel Picquart had been
searched, while the residence Of Major
Esterhazy, who was directly accused,
was not searched.
Inc Reporter also severely criticised
MAJOR Ravary's report on the charge
against Major Esterhazy, and he
Iurtner said that the handwriting ex-
perts Benhomme and Varnierd were
lunatics, whose testimony was unreli-
able.
AFTER referring to the fact that the
experts who examined the bordereau
oilered widely In opinion, M. Bard con-
c!uded with expressing the belief that
II the bordereau was the principal
factor IN the condemnation of Dreyfus.
on the testimony of the experts. his
condemnation ought to be revoked.
During the session of the court an
antl-revisionist mob numbering about
100 persons headed by M. Drumont
MuIVoye and Lesies, shouting 'eViye
L'Armee," and "a Morte Tas 1rifes >,
attempted to enter the Court of Cassa-
tion' But the passage of the mob was
oarreo oy the police, and large rein
Ioiceihents We're sent to guard the ap-
pfoaches to the court
great stress was laid by M Bard on
oolohei oaei Plcquart's letter of July IA.
1885 TO the Minister Of Justice. as he
gave seven principal arguments against
the probability Of the guilt of Dreyfus.
including the impossibility Of Dreyfus
procuring the plans of fortresses and
projects for the movements of troops.
unless detected, whereas Major Ester
hazy had free access thereto.
Ihls letter also cites interviews which
Colonel Picquart had with Generals
Bllot and Come, and says: with the
proof in his hnads, have established
the innocence of Dreyfus."
To this General Come replied, ac-
cording to the letter to the Minister Of
Justice: What is it to you if Dreyfus
is on Devils Island?"
Colonel Picquart-But he is inno-
cent.
General Gonze-You know Mercier
Corner Minister of War; and Saussier
former Military Governor of Paris)
are mixed up in this affair Do you
wish to compromise them?
Ihe letter then continued that on
leaving General Come Colonel Pic
quart declared he was convinced of the
innocence of Dreyfus, and that he pro-
posed to fight the matter out and re-
veal what he knew.
These statements upon the part of
Reporter Bard caused a sensation in
the court
After further reference to Colonel
Picquart's message that the Minister
of War and the general staff had tam
pered with documents and had manu-
factured evidence in the Dreyfus case,
and a. presentation Of the contradictory
statements of Colonel Picquart and the
Minister Of War relative to the secret
document alleged to have been COM
municated to the court, the hearing of
the case was adjourned.
The Courthouse was emptied quietly.
There We're no demonstrations and no
cries Of any sort.
The belief is general tonight that the
Court of Cessation will pronounce
neither for revision nor annulment Of
the decision in the Dreyfus CAGE, as
either course would entail awkward
consequences. To avoid these, 1T is
expected the court will decide that as
the affair now presents itself there has
been no treason, and that therefore the
condemnation pronounced upon Drey-
fus by the court-martial cannot be up
held. 49,
The sensation Of M. Bard's report
was the shorthand notes Of the exami-
nation of the late Lieutenant Colonel
Henry by NJ. Godfrey Cavaignac, then
Minister of War, after Henry's forgery
had been discovered. These notes
showed that the confession Of forgery
was only obtained with the utmost diff
ficulty, Henry stoutly denying and
then prevaricating to the effect that
he had only added one phrase to the
genuine letter, and then, when driven
to the last corner, protesting that he
acted for the country's good.
The drift Of M. Bard's conclusion was
that Comte Esterhazy was the real cul-
prit, but his condemnation would mean
the ruin of the intelligence department.
NJ. Bard dwelt severely on the with
holding Of secret dossier from Dreyfus
himself, as the presentation of the
secret documents to Dreyfus could not
have compromised the national inter-
ests and said the course adopted was
in fragrant violation of the French
prisoners code. Although the
meetings so far are favorable to Drey-
fus, it must not be assumed that there
will be any real cleaning up of the
mystery. 1t looks rather as though
an attempt is being made to stife the
real truth by liberating Dreyfus with
out new trial.
1t is asked by the Dreyfusites If the