The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-19
ESTERHAzY ON THE RACK.
DAY OF INTENSE EXCITEMENT IN
TIE ZOLA CiSE.

Special Cable Dtspufoh 10 TIE SUN.
PARIS, Feb. 1s.-It was a day OF dramatic stu.
ations and intense excitement In the lola trial,
but the proceedings were absolutely barren Of
results in,the shape OF fresh revelations. Tho
piece Of secret evidence, which three Generals
of tho army solemnly assured the court leaves
no doubt of Dreyfus's gait. is still as mysterious
as Gen. Pcllieux's testimony left II yesterday.
The witnesses endoavored TO convey the impress
sion that this paper was discovered after ORGY
fus was condemned. but the opinion 10 universal
that this is q mere subterfuge In order to escapo
the allegation that this Is tho secret document
which was submitted privately to tho Dreyfus
c~ourt-martial.
Everybody. in fact, Is convinced that this 10
the actual paper which rendered Dreyfus's con.
domination void, according to the rules Of owl
dcnce OF every civilized tribunal.
The defence has not yet put the direct question
whether this 10 the fact, but will presumably do
20 tomorrow, when tho Generals will again ap-
pear. An answer will Internationally be refused.
The Government has decided to continue Its
policy of secrecy or only partial revelation In
tho lola trial. This was evident from tho hrst
words Of Gen. Boisde6re. Commandcr-in-Chief
Of tho Army, when he took the witness stand at
tho opening OF tho session to-day. The Presi-
dent read the testimony given by Gen. Pellieux
yesterday and then Gen. Boisdeffre said:
"I confirm his evidence. but haven't another
word to say. / haven't the right to speak fur
ther. Gentlemen of the jury. you are tho ma
ton. II the nation has not confidence In its
chiefs, then they arc ready to retire" This ut
terance provoked an outburst Of applause, and
Gen. Boisdeffro retired.
Count Esterhazy then took the stand, and
without waiting for questions to DO put to him
began an extraordinary harangue. He said:
Before I give evidence I wish to address
tho jury. Gentlemen, a miserable creature.
Matthew Dreyfus, accused me Of high treason.
l was acquitted by my peers. To-day, aeain, /
am accused. and 1 protest 1 cannot defend my
self without q lawyer. Ihave been the victim
of most cowardly man4uvres. l will answer
tho questions OF the Court. but I will not speak
to those men here" pointing to the defendants
lawyers.
NJ. Labor interrupted the witness In order TO
mako several motions. and tho President d.
rected Esterhazy to leave the bar.
Gen. Pellieux asked the Court to call the per-
son who had revelations to make. NJ. Labori
demanded that time be given him In which to
prepare motions. and the session was according
ly suspended for IN hour and three-quarters.
Then NJ. Labori demanded, In view Of tho
strange attitude taken by the Generals and the
Court itself. that Gems. Pellieux and Boisdeffre
and Count Esterhazv be compelled to disclose
the whole truth. "These Generals" N. Labori
said, "come here with the prestige of their uni
forms and seek to confound love OF country and
flag with love of the country's chiefs"
The President-You will cause unhappy Incl
dents.
NJ. Labori (speaking amid a great uproarl-I
cannot cross-examine these Generals II they re-
fuse to explain themselves. Those who &C.
quilted Esterhazy must bear tho responsibility.
In the name OF Justice Idemand full light upon
this investigation. appeal to you to ignore tho
anger OF a nation led astray and face the mis-
sion which Is yours TO decide . page of history.
The Court withdrew. and. upon returning In q
half hour. repeated its ruling against any In
quiry into the Dreyfus affair.
NJ. Clemenceau-Yesterday Gen. Pellieux
promised to do everything possible to secure the
production Of the secret document here. about
which he testified.
Gen. Pellieux-I have begged tho Minister of
War to reply directly to the Court upon this
matter.
NJ. Clemenceau announced that Mme. Bou-
lancy. to whom Esterhazy wrote damaging let
ters, was in the building. but had refused to
enter the court because she was afraid 1t would
be unsafe. The President and also the Adyo-
assured NJ. Clemenceau that Mime.
Boulancy would receive tho fullest protection.
NJ. Clemenceau then went out OF tho court
room. and shortly afterward returned. saying
that he had been unable to induce Nine. Bou-
lancy to enter.
Col. Picauart. who had seen tho document re-
ferred to by Gen. Pellieux yesterday, testified
that he considered 1t bogus.
Gen. Gonse interrupting)-I beg to recall the
testimony of Gen. Boisdeffre ON the point of the
authenticity Of that paper.
Count Esterhazy was again called to the
stand and was asked by NJ. Labori: What do
you think of the handwriting of the borderedu ?"
Esterhazy tcontemptuously)-I refuse to an
swor those people.
Q.-Have you q letter written to Capt. Brant
in 1898 asking him for his handwritingi Al
mako the same answer.
NJ. ClSmenceau took Esterhazy In hand and
asked him about his letters to Mme. Boulancy.
Esterhazy-I will not reply.
Q.-That is the only possible policy for you.
do not answer.
Q.-You have acknowledged these lettersi
Tho witness kept silent. and M. Clemenceau
read selections from the traitorous letters
ascribed to Esterhazy. asking, after each foul
phrase. do you recognize that Z" Esterhazy
smiled. but remained silent.
DO you accuse Mime. Boulancy Of forming
these letters r. asked NJ. Clemenceau. The wit.
ness was still silent. and thon slowly, one after
another, NJ. Clemenceau put a long series of
terrible charges against Esterhazy. In the form
of questions. pausing after each for o reply and
getting none.
The audience began crying, angrily." Enough"
and NJ. Clemenceau finally asked Esterhazy
about his relations with ono schwartzkoppen.
The President Interrupted and said: Don't
touch foreign politics."
M. Cle~menceau-Then I cannot speak of tho
acts of q French officer.
Tho President-Above all else 10 the honor and
security Of the country.
n. Ciemencoau took exception to tho Presi.
dents ruling and abandoned further questions.
two or three unimportant witnesses were er-
amined, and tho defence announced thai they
would finish their testimony tomorrow. Tho
court then adjourned until tomorrow.
When Count Esterhazy was at tho bar there
was presented ono of the most Extraordinary
scenes ever witnessed In a court OF Justice. He
Is an excitable, INSCRIPTIONS. reckless man. ono
of the most notorious roues in Paris, yet he has
a striking, prepossessing military figure, and 10