Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-22
PICQUART'S TRIAL
Postponed Until After the
Dreyfus Revision Hearing.
Creates Sensation by Declaring that II
Found Dead in Prison
Il Will D murder a Ne Will Mover Com
NIT Suicide.

Paris, Sept. 2l.-The commission APP
pointed by the minister OF justice. NJ.
Sarrien, to examine the documents in
the Dreyfus case and pronounced upon
the sRdvisab.lity Of the government for
mally granting the prisoner On Deviis
Island a new trial, met, this afternoon,
at the ministry of justice. The great
est precautions were taken to insure
secrecy "a
1t is understood the commission will
come to a decision, Monday. next, when
M Sarrien will communicate the find
ing to a cabinet council which will be
presided over by President Faure.
The trial of Col. Picquart and M.
Lobleis, a lawyer, on charge of reveal
ing documents concerning the national
defence was to have commenced, today,
before the correctional tribunal, but
the public prosecutor asked for an ad-
journment on the ground that the pros
ecution of Col. Picquart on the charge
OF forgery and use of forged documents
had been ordered by the minister of
war. Isl
The papers here all say the minister
of war, Gen. Chanoine. has examined
the documents in the Dreyfus case and
has ordered the prosecution of former
Col. Picpuart on the charge of forgery
and usiny forged documents.
M! Laborie, who was counsel for M.
ZOla, during the latter's famous trial.
Indignantly opposed the adjournment
which, he said, was an attempt to
hand over Col. Picquart into the
clutches Of the military authorities.
Col. Picquart then rose and made a
statement which caused sensation.
He said:
This is, perhaps. the last time shall
speak in public. l shall sleep. perhaps.
in the military prison of Cherche Midi.
Therefore, l wish to declare that il
am found there with the strangling
cord of Lemercier Picard, or the razor
of Col Henry, it Will be murder, for
have no idea of committing suicide"
The audience was intensely moved
and shouted "Vive Picquart"
The judges. however, in a short de-
liberation, decided to indefinitely ad-
jOurn the case and Col. Picquart was
led away between policemen.
Lemercier Picard, the man referred
to by Picquart. was a detective under
stood to have been employed in the
Dreyfus affair, who was found hanged
in his lodgings, about a year ago, under
circumstances which did not indicate
with certainty that he had committed
suicide
The air. tonight. is full of ruinors OF
sensational developments. Among
other things it was announced that Col
Picquart was already in the Cherche-
M.da prison 1t appears, however, thai
the authorities off the La Sente prison
refused to. deliver him. up in the alb
sence of the necessary formaEties bu
there is no doubt that he will be in the
C1rerche- Miia prison, tomorrow.
The Dreyfusltes are somewhat de-
spondent, the military authorities wht
were responsible for the shelving of the
Picquart trial having apparently re
gained the upper hand, and it is feared
that Picquart will be kept in prison
and his trial indefinitely postponed il
order to keep his mouth shut.
Never before was such scene wit
messed in court as that which followed
his declaration, today, regarding hi
possible death in prison. The judges
officers aL1 audience appeared al
though paralyzed with emotion. Til,
latest developments are that Gen. Pc
leaux will be transferred from hi
Paris appointment to the command o
some provisional brigade, his nam
having become too notorious.
The Italian government declines t.
replace Signor Parizzardi as militar,
attache here until the Dreyfus cas-
shall have ended ewing to the gross in
suits offered to Sgnor Panizzard
through the newspapers.