The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-01-10
ESqBRHAZY'S TRIAL.
Court Apparently Ready to
Whitewash the Accused
Count-ls Dreyfus
Guilty?
fBy Gable to The Associated Press. /

PARIS Jan. 10, 1S9S.-The trial by court
martial of Major Count Ferdinand Walsin
Esterhazy, the retired officer of the
French Army (who came into prominence
at the latter part of November last
through the publication by the Figaro"
of number of letters, which the Count
is alleged to have admitted writing, re-
hecting in strong terms upon France and
the French Army was opened at nine
o'clock this morning under the Presi-
dency of General de Luxer. The hall in
which the trial took place was guarded
by the Garde Republicaine and only hold
ers of tickets Were admitted. Among
those who filled the. hall were Nine
Dreyfus Gwife of Alfred Dreyfus, the
former captain of French artillery now
undergoing Imprisonment for life after
having been convicted of selling import
ant French military plans to agents OF a
foreign power, with which affair Ester
hazy is said to have been connected),
the brothers of Mime. Dreyfus, Senator
Trarieux the former Minister of Justice,
who last week wrote a letter asking for
the poStponement of the court-martial on
the ground that to try the case In its
present shape only means asking the
court to confirm the guilt of Dreyfus, and
many officers and deputies.
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-
Trajectory rumors which had been spread
by the excited public, and, thereupon
Maitre Laborie, counsel for Nine. Drey-
fus, asked permission to take part in
the arguments. Counsel for the Govern
ment opposed the application, declaring
the Court would not reopen the case OF
Alfred DreyfuS, who, he added, had been
justly and legally condemned
The Governments counsel also opposed
the application of counsel for Matthew
Dreyfus brother of the prisoner of
DaviasS island to aDpear during the pro-
ceedings.
The Court rejected both applications,
and the taking of testimony commenced;
a public trial might be inimical to the IN
terests of the national defense and de-
manded a secret hearing.
The Court retired and after an hour s
absence, returned and the President an
nounced, in the name of the French peo-
pie that it had been decided by major
ity at i've to two that the tr1al shouId pe
public until the moment when publicity
might appear to prejudice National de-
Tense.
opinion, the report of the investigat ting
officer, Major Ravary, was then read. II
completely whitewashed Count Esterhazy
and was generally regarded as being a
serious indictment of Colonel Picquart,
whose arrest when the trial is nnlshed IS
anticipated.
adduce much evidence, except the de-
claration of the experts that the famous
bordereau (note) was not written by Count
Esterhazy. 1t contains the Counts protest
against the "calumnious imputations"
made by Colonel Picquart, who, it ap-
pears, without authority, caused him to
be shadoWed.
The report observes that the Colonel is
the soul of the present agitation, and that
he is guilty OF serious shortcomings and
indiscretions. 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 I will compel them -to-act. They do
not realize the terrible campaign which
is being prepared.
The report continues with the state
surprised while examining secret docu-
ments belonging to the Generals Staff.
and concludes
Every step taken in this sad affair,
which causes such anguish to all really
French hearts, is intended to obtain a
reversal of a judgment legally and just
ly pronounced. No tangible judicial proof
of Major EsterhazyS guilt is forthcom-
ing nor is there adequate evidence to
support the charge of high treason"
The Court then adjourned until two
o'clock.
When the trial was resumed Major Es-
terhazy testified that he became aware of
the plot against himself through anony
nous letters, which led to his meeting an
unknown yelled woman.
Continuing, the Major said he communi-
Gated the results to General Billot, the
Minister of War, and President Faure.
In 1898 Major Esterhazy sent a long
manuscript report to a supposed captain
in the army, but, it was added, the police
have since had reason to believe that the
supposed captain was the father-in-law
OF Alfred Dreyfus.
Although there was an animated scene
about the neighborhood of the court-mar-
tial there was no demonstrat ton and the
police kept the people moving.