Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-08-07
TO-DAY's lELEGkAPHll NEWS
The Dreyfus Court Martial.

The Dreyfus Court Martial.
Rennes, France, Aug. THE trial
of Captain Alfred Dreyfus began at 7
o'clock this morning Files of troops
and police were stationed along the
avenue across which Dreyfus must
pass. The morning was bright and
warm. Captain Dreyfus was trans
ferred from ths military prison across
the street to the Lycee, where the
trial is held, at six O'Clock. A police
man walked on either side OF him.
The crowd was less numerous than
was expected and was apparently in
good humor. Following Dreyfus came
number of prominent Witnesses. The
entire block of houses around the court
was within the prohibited line, it
being feared assassns Turk in windows.
People who lived 10 these houses had
special permits. Two or three dodgers
OF doubtful character had previously
been summarily evicted. 1t was a
few minutes past seven O'Clock
when Captain Dreyfus, who was sitting
to the right OF the court, was ordered
TO stand and the act accusing him
of betraying French military Sc
crets to q foreign power was read.
AT the conclusion of this the prisoner
said II am Captain Alfred Dreyfus,
who is named in this accusation" His
voice was firm as of one who answered
familiar question. Madame Henry
was the only woman witness present.
She looked irail and scared. She
smiled when ex.Major Esterhazy was
marked absent. The witnesses were
told that possibly four days would be
spent 10 the examination of the ST cret
dossier and that they must retire until
called. The court then took twenty
minutes recess 10 consider the excuses
OF absentees. Upon the resumption OF
the session, Colonel Jouast, president
Of the court, read decision that. in
asmuch as the defense offered no OBJ
lection, the trial would proceed with.
out the absentees. Dreyfus was
brought hack from the ante-room under
guard. The reading of the act Of accu-
ae,ion, which is identical wich the
charge OF the first court martial, took
oalf an hour. At the conclusion the
prisoner was ordered to stand and Col.
Jouast said captain Dreyfus, you
have heard the accusation; do you
recognize ths?' (nsuding him the
bordereau) Dreyius: II do not"
Jouast: SIS that your work ~
| Dreyfu=: TT is not, 1 am Innocent"
In voice throbbng with emotion he
repeated, " 1 am innocenl upon my
honor and everything l hold dear-my
country, my children-I am innocent"
An examination of the prisoner follow.
ed. Dreyfus answered the questions
promptly, emphatically and distinctly.
His replies to questions relating to diff
ferent documents which concerned the
treason were always of the same tenor:
II had no knowledge OF it," or simply
"Never." To the question, "Have you
ever (usming certain dates visited
Germany or Italy?" The answers were
mo" and Never" with burst of in
dignation which sounded through the
hell. The question was repeated: "Did
you cross into Italy carrying documents
for a foreign powei?" The answer
came with intense emphasis; "Abso-
lutely never" This caused a buzz of
Comment from the officers present
and the court cried ''Silence."
Dreyfus was then informed that ne
need not testify further today. A mo-
ton was then made to discuss the Sc
cret dossier and the court announced
that it would deliberate on the dossier
behind closed doors tomorrow or per-
haps for longer period. The court
then adjourned for today.
The appearance of Captain Dreyfus
at the trial was unattractive. He is
very round-shouldered and, in endeav-
oring TO stand erect, bends over back
ward. His hair is grey and the top of
his head is bald. He wears slender
dark moustache and rim med eyeglasses.
His neck is too small for the head and
his whole frame is shrunken. At the
first suspicion of an accusation, Dreyfus
mplained bitterly of mis- persecution.
The court allowed him absolute free.
dom in his expressions. Col. Jouast's
manner was military but kind and al.
most fatherly. The audience in dispers-
ing admitted that Captain Dreyfus was
either innocent or remarkable actor,
which last belief seems strongly main
tanned. After the session the prisoner
was hurried back to tho cell.
Rennes, Aug. THE Dreyfus court
martial is composed of the fol owing:
President Jouast; Associates: Lieut..
Col. De Brogniart, Majors De Brion,
Profilet and Merle, and Captains Par
fait and Beauvais. Major Carriere is
Judge Advocate, and Capt. lacquer is
Assistant Judge Avocate. The members
ofthe court are provided with alternates.
These are Colonel Jourdy Lieutenant
Colonel Lucas, Majors Rouseher and Couhsrd
and Captains Peyronnet and Guignot. All,
like the aceu=ed, are of the artillery. The
court martial has the services of legal ad-
wiser, an advocate, of Chaons, whose duty it
is to keep it straight on strictly legal points.
The proceedings will probably las. three
weeks.