The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-28
0 O O o 0 0 o o o o o O o o

against the probability Of the guilt OF
Dreyfus, including the impossibility of
Dreyfus procuring the plans of fort
resses and projects for the movement
of troops, unless detected, whereas
Major Esterhazy had free access
thereto.
This letter also cites interviews which
Colonel Picquart had with Generals
Billot and Come and says: with the
proof in his hands I have established
the innocence of Dreyfus."
To this General Come replied, accord
ing to the letter to the Minister of Jus
tice: What is it to you if Dreyfus is
on Devils Island?"
Colonel Picquart-But he is inno-
cent"
General Gonze-You know Mercier
(former Minister of War; and Saussier
(former Military Governor of Paris)
are mixed up in this affair. Do you
wish to compromise them?"
The letter then continued that on
leaving General Come Colonel Picquart
declared he was convinced of the inno-
cence of Dreyfus and that he proposed
to fight the matter out and reveal 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 ease,
and a presentation of the contradictory
statements of Colonel Picquart and the
Minister of War relative to the secret
document alleged to have been commu-
nicated to the court, the hearing of the
case was adjourned until tomorrow
The courthouse was emptied quietly.
There were no demonstrations and no
cries Of any sort.
During the session of the court an
antt-revisionist mob numbering about
100 persons, and headed by NM Drum
mont, Mulvoye and Lasies, shouting
''Vive PArmee!" and "A Morte les
Juifs!" attempted to enter the Court
Of Cessation. But the passage of the
mob was barred by the police and
large reinforcements were sent to guard
the approaches to the court.
The belief is general tonight that the
Court of Cessation will pronounce
neither for revision nor annulment of
lIl6 0SClSlOA III Tic bISylu5 case, DIS
either course would entail awkward
consequences.
To avoid these it is expected the
court will decide that as the affair now
presents itself there has been no trea-
son, and that therefore the condemna-
ton pronounced upon Dreyfus by the
court martial cannot be upheld.
The Courier du Soir says that the
| revelations in the report of M Bard
before the Court of Cessation as to- the
part played by some members Of the
| general staff have produced a strong
| effect in military circles and are likely
to result in reaction tending to put
an end to the antagonism between the
civil and military authorities"
The sensation of M. Bard's report was
the shorthand notes Of the examina-
ton 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
f1culty, 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 NJ. 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 the secret dossier from Drew
fus himself, as the presenting of the
documents to Dreyfus could not have
compromised the national interests. and
said the course adopted was in fragrant
violation Of the French prisoners code
since 1888.
Although the meetings so far are fa-
| vorable to Dreyfus 1t must not be as
sumed that there will be any real clear
ing up Of the mystery. It looks rather
as though an attempt is being made to
stifie the real truth by liberating Drey-
fus without a new trial.
1t is asked by the Dreyfusites If
the secret dossier exists, as alleged.
what good purpose can be served by
the Court of Cessation giving a decis-
ion without seeing it, since that Is the
only real proof, If any, Of the guilt of
Dreyfus?
To-morrows sitting of the Court of
Cessation is awaited with the most in
tense anxiety.
FAILED TO PROTECT