The age-herald., 1898-01-11

 of Maj. Count Ferdinand Walsh Esterhazy, the retired officer of the French army, was opened at g o'clock this morning under the presidency of Gen. De Luxe. Among those who filled the hall were Madame Dreyfus (wife of Alfred Dreyfus, now undergoing imprisonment for life after having been convicted of selling important French milt4 tary plans to agents of Q foreign power, with which affair Esterhazy is said to have been connected).
 Count Esterhazy appeared in uniform and escorted by republican guards.
 The clerk of the court said the court martial was held in order to end the con- tradictory rumors which had been spread by the excited public. Thereupon, Maitre Laborie, counsel for Mme. Dreyfus, asked permission to take part in the arguments. Counsel for Mathieu Dreyfus (brother of the prisoner of Devils Island) also asked permission to appear during the proceed ings.
 The court rejected both applications and the taking of testimony commenced.
 Counsel for the government said pulp lie trial might be inimical to the interests of the national defense, and demanded secret hearing.
 The court decided by majority of to 3 that the trial should be public 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 of- ficer, Major Ravary, was read. It com pletely whitewashed Count Esterhazy, and was generally regarded as being serious indictment of Col. Picquart, whose arrest when the trial Is finished is anticipated.
 The report of Major Ravary does not adduce much evidence, except the declara- ton by the experts that the famous Borde- reau (note) was written by Count Ester- hay. It contains the counts protest against the "caluminous imputations" made by Col. Picquart, who, it appears, without authority caused him to be shadowed.
 Upon one occasion, it 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"
 Col Picquart Surprised.
 The report continues with the statement that Col Picquart, in 1896, was surprised while examining secret documents be- longing to the general staff
 The court then adjourned until 2 o'clock.
 When the trial was resumed, Major Es- terhazy testified that he became aware of the plot against him through anonymou letters, which led to his meeting an un known yelled woman. He had communi cated the results of that meeting to Gen Bilot, the minister of Tar and President Faure. The judge put series of easy questions to Major Esterhazy, to which the latter evidently had ready-made answers The major ended by following Major Raw ary's cue. and accused Col. Picquart of burgarizing his room and stealing letters.
 Matthieu Dreyfus was then examined. He was asked to state the basis of his accusation against Major Esterhazy and replied that without being an expert 1t was only necessary to compare the writing in the note and Major Esterhazy's handwrit- ing in order to be convinced that they were identical.
 In reviewing suspicious actions of the major, M. Dreyfus quoted letter in which Esterhazy said q am fin such position that can only secure myself by crime" This" said M. Dreyfus, dramatically, twas written by an officer who has the honor to wear the uniform of French officer.
 Counsel for Major Esterhazy thereupon asked M. Dreyfus who was paying the "erroneous cost of ci ~cuiating pamphlets respecting Major Este s-azy," to which M. Dreyfus replied: '"That is my business, not yours"
 This remark caused excitement among those present, and brought forth shouts of "miset able.'
 M Scheurer-Kestnor cx. vice-president or tho senate was examined. He said that when ho was condemned he believed Drey- fus guilty and continued in that belief un- til Matthieu Dreyfus came and implored his aid. The senator then made Q per- sonal inquiry. 'because it must be ad- mitted that both military and civil tribun- als may mako mistakes"
 Dodge of same Opinion.
 Tho senator further remarked: "I leain- ed that a distinguished officer head of the intelligence department. hrd been sent away and letters were shown mo. confi- dently. proving that General Donge was