New-York tribune., 1898-01-11
rcTERHAZY PITT ON TRIAL.
REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE COURT
EXONERATING HIM
o,nr,. ON THE WITNESS STAND MILD
-MATHIEU DREYFUss TESTIMONY
THE MOST IMPORTANT WITNESS
HEARD IN SECRET.


HEARD IN SECRET.
,... Ian. iO-The trial by court-martial OF Ma
-. coun, Ferdinand walsin Esterhazy the retired
- ~ the French Army who came into promi-
o"' l., ,ho latter part Of November through the
"~u.o,,on by the Figaro Of number of letters
49, the Count Is alleged TO have admitted writ
~ reeecting in strong terms on France ana the
m.,cb army was opened at O'Clock this morn
f'..s.r the presidency OF General de Luxer. The
us "'n ,r which the trial took place was guarded by
'". n cs~de Republicaine. and only holders of tick
y" ore admitted Among these present were
. - D-evf,s wife Of Alfred Dreyfus. the former
,s,n Of French artillery now undergoing i'm
s,sorrent for life after having been convicted OF
r.mlng important French military plans to agents
:, foreign Power. with which anair Esterhazy
= sajd 10 have been connected.
The report Of Major Ravary, the investigating
s. was then read. 1t completely whtewashed
~ornt Esterhazy and was generally regarded as
ssrg 4 serious indictment Of Colonel PicQuart
nose arrest when the trial is finished Is antici-
800 Colonel PicQuart was summoned from Tunis
!. paris IN November in connection with the Drey-
~. anai- and his statements were reported 10 be
.ta basis of the accusations brought against
Count Esterhazy.
TN. report OF Major Ravary does not adduce
-,,h evidence. except the declaration OF the ex-
s,,s that the famous bordereau mote) was not
ar,,,en hy Coun, Esterhazy. II contains the
,,ons" made by Colonel Picquart. who. 1t appears
tbo,,t authority. caused him TO be shadowed
Tho report observes that the Colonel Is the
en-, OF The present agitation and that he is guilty
=, serious shortcomings and indiscretions.
sNsto Is erhazy went the stand and testihed
cha, h, became aware Of the plot against himseN
.hrorrh anonymous letters, which led TO his meet
, ne r,k,oxn veiled woman about whom so
- has been said. He communicated what ne
,aarnes % General Biilot, the Minister OF War; ana
President F'ufe-
:, 1876 Major Esterhazy sent a long manuscript
amt - supposed captain In the army out' IL
,ss added the police have since had reason to be-
usye that the supposed captain was 'he ld'i7'-' III"
law of Alfred Dreyfus.
~ 1udrs put a series of easy questions TO Major
Mime Dreyfus was then examined He was
esS n state the basis of his accusation against
Major Es;crhazy. and he repilea mat "A'non. a og
Ing an expert II %4s only necessary b,6Wr'ne 10
IN orSer to be convinced that they We're identic1. .
IT, n fsct that Major Esterhazy had subsequently
a dns ~ n,o5fy his handwriting had confirmed his
81 r. Wsior NJ Dreytus quoted letter in which
ITs-trbazy said: Il am in such plight that can
on3 req onestion OF letter affecting the Major
nv aTrose This missive. which was addressed
a. friend named Well found Us way u, nitD SiS tn
SH raVe i to the friends Of Dreyfus. but
Major Esierhazy, in Nehene"i on III victjm
Veils reason gives me the most pam. i rendereo
hm services Of which VII no, s'ate tng The
Wyaio-.s remarks brought forth cheers from the
aqGiea aCnane Pcouar, was the next witness and the
oo,'~- after a hasty dcllberaton. decided 70 take
his testimony behind closed oVor Vcn5ceaI the Evidence
~ the most important witness OF 'he INA" o"uS@N
TSn ganSro GTS prrsson is that the days proceed
,rqr have revealed the utter holiowress o, h the
D!ey:usans GheTTe cha for their belief in the
Innocence OF Dreyfus.