New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-22
THE FRENCH ARMY SCANDAL.
CHARGES AGAINST COLONEL PICQUART
BY THE WAR MINISTER.
SENSATIONAL SPEECH OF THE ACCUSED OFF,
CER-THB DREYFUs COMMISSION



Paris. Sept. 21.-The trial OF Colonel Picquart
and VI Loblois. a lawyer. on the charge OF re-
vealing documents concerning the national de-
fence was begun to-day before the Correctional
Tribunal but the Public Prosecutor asked TOT
an adjournment. on the ground that the prose-
cution Of Colonel Picquart on charges OF forgery
and using forged documents had been ordered
nv the Minister Of War NJ Labor. who was
counsel for NJ. Zoa during the latters trial' IN
dignantly opposed the adjournment. which, nc
said was an attempt to hand over Colonel
Picauart into the clutches OF the military
authorities.
Colonel Picquart then rose and made state
ment which caused a sensation. lie SAID
This is perhaps the last time / shall speak IN
public shall sleep, perhaps. in the military
prison Of Chcrche Midi Therefore wish 10 de-
clare that II find there the strangling cora OF
Lemercier Picard or the razor Of Colonel Henry
Il will be murder. for have no idea of com
mitting suicide
The audience intensely moved anu
shouted "Vive Pcquart"'
The Judges. after short deliberation' oeciueu
to adjourn the case indefinitely. and Coiohei
Picquart was led away between policemen
Lemercier Picard. the referred to by
.
understood to nave been employed IN ,he
Drcvfus affair He found hanged in MS
lodgings about year ago under circumstances
ubich made II uncertain whether he had conn
mitted suicide or not
The naners saw General Chanoine. the MIN
lister Of War ordered the prosecution of Colonel
Picouart on charges Of forgery and using forged
documents after he had examined the docu-
ments in the Dreyfus case
Tho air tonight Is full OF sensational ru-
mors Among other things ii was announced
that Colonel Picquart was already III VI"
Cherche- Midi prison. II appears ho"eNe''
that the authorities ~ the La Sante prison re-
fused to deliver him up in the absence OF 'ne
necessary formalltes but there is no DOUBT
tba, he will be In the Chcrche- Midi prison To-
morrow.
The Dreyfusites are somewhat despondent'
the military authorities who were responsive
for the shelving of the Picquart trial having ap-
parentlv rcgained the upper hand. ana " Is
|.,red that picnuart will be kept IN prison ana
his trial Indefinitely postponed. In order To Keep
his mouth shut. Never before was such
scene witnessed in court az that which followed
Plcouart's declaration to-day regarding MS pos
siblc death I'm prison. The Judges. offcers ana
audience appeared as though parayzed Win
emotion
The latest developments are that General
/ Pcncux will be transferred from his Paris hp-
polntment TO the corimand ~ some proFihclhi
brigade his name having become too notorious
TIL. italian Government declines - replace
Sienor Panlzzard as military attache here un'i
the Dreyfus case shall have ended. owing to 'h'
oros. insults offered To Signor Panizzhrd
through tho newspapers
| "a Inv
! Minister Of Justice TO examine the documents
in the Drcyfus case ard report on the advisa
| hility Of the Government formally granting me
| prisoncr of Devils leland n now trial met ms
| afternoon AT the Ministry of Justice. The great
! est precautions were taken 20 Insure secrecy. u
! ,s urderstood the Commission VIII come 10 81"
csion by Monday next. when VI. Sarrlon VII
con. m unlcate lts finding 20 Cabinet 'onncll
which will be presided over by President Faurc