The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-10-28
THE DREYFUS APPEAL
M, Bard's Report Strongly Favor
4as. able to Dreyfus.
A NEW TRIAL DEEMED UNLIKELY
1t Is Probable, However,, That the
Court OF Cessation VIII Set Aside
the Captains Conviction ana SEN

Court or CaSSatlOu Will set ASlue
the Captains Conviction ana Sem
tence, ana He VIII BE Liberated.
Paris, Oct 2S.-The couFt Of csssa-
tion, which is to decide upbn the ques-
tion of reopening the case of Alfred
Dreyfus, the prisoner Of Devils ISL
and, VINO is alleged to have been falsely
convicted of selling important mill
tary plans to agents Of foreign power,
opened yesterday. Maitre Labor, who
was counsel for NJ. Zola during the
latter's famous trial, was seated
among the lawyers occupying the first
row. Nine. Dreyfus, wife of the pris-
oner, was provided with a seat in
corner. She was represented by Maitre
Mornard.
Reporter Bard reviewed the history Of
the case from the arrest of Dreyfue and
said his condemnation was for one Of
the crimes which inspire universal hor-
ror, and 1t struck one of those In whom
the country had the most confidence.
He cited many facts favorable to the
revision, and expressed astonishment
at the manner in which the whole af-
fair had been conducted. He referred
to the fact that the residence of Colo
mel Picquart had been searched, while
the residence of Major EsterhaEy, who
was directly accused, was not searched.
The sensation of M. Bard's report
was the shorthand notes Of the ex-
animation of the late Lieutenant Colo
mel Henry by M. Godefroy Cavaignac,
then minister of war, after Henry's
forgery had been discovered. These
notes showed that the confession OF
,,.T, 49, ,sN
most difficulty, Henry stoutly denying
and then prevaricating to the effect
that he only added one phrase to the
genuine htter, and then when driven
to the last corner protesting that he
acted for the country's good. The
drift Of NJ. Bard's conclusions was that
Comte Esterhazy was the real culprit.
Great stress was laid by NJ. Bard on
Colonel Picquart's letter of July IA,
1895, to the minister Of Justice in
which he gave several principal argu-
ments against the probability of the
guilt of Dreyfus, including the I'M
possibility of Dreyfus procuring the
plans of fortresses and projects for the
movements of troops undetected,
whereas Major Esterhazy had free ac-
cess thereto.
This letter also cites interviews which
Colonel Picquart had with Generals
Billot and Come and says:
with the proof in my hands I have
established the innocense Of Dreyfus.'
To this General Come replied, ac.
cording to the letter to the minister ol
Justice:
What is it to you if Dreyfus is II
Devils Island?"
Colonel Picquart-"But he is limo
cent"
General Gonze-"You know Merciel
(former minister of war; and Saussiel
(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 Pic
quart declared he was convinced of the
innocence Of Dreyfus, and he pro-
posed to fight the matter out and re-
veal what he knew.
These statements caused a sensa-
tion In court.
After further reference to Colonel
Picquart's charges that the ministry
of war and the general staff had tam
pered with documents and had manu-
factured evidence in the Dreyfus case
and presentation of the contradictory
statements of Colonel Picquart and the
minister of war relative to the secret
documents alleged to have been COM
muncated to the court the hearing oi
the case was adjourned until today.
The Courier Du Soir says that the
revelations in the report of NJ. Bare
as to the part played by some mem
| bers of the general staff have produced
a strong effect in military circles ant
are "likely to result in a reaction tend
| ing to put an end to the antagonisn
between the civil and military authori
| ties"
The belief is general that the cour'
| of cessation will pronounce neither foi
revision nor for annulment of the de.
cision in the Dreyfus case, as either
| course would entail awkward conse-
| quences. To avoid these it is expected
| the court will decide that as the af-
| fair now presents itself there has been
| no treason, and therefore the condem.
nation pronounced upon Captain Drey.
fus by the court martial cannot be up,
held.
| Although the proceedings thus faI
are so favorable to Dreyfus it mus
not be assumed that there will be an,
real clearing up of the mystery.
looks rather as though an attempt Il
being made to stifle the real truth b,
liberating Dreyfus without a new trial
1t is asked by the Dreyfusites IL tn,
secret dossier exists, as alleged, wha
good purpose can be served by the
court of cessation giving a decision
without seeing 1t, since that It is the
only real proof, if any, of the guilt OF
| Dreyfus.