The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-06

WHO apparently pass all Win htAs
little difficulty.
REPORTER BASSETTS STORY.
TIL first witness who was called to-day
was the reporter, Bassett. whom the Matin
sent to London TO interview Major Count
Ferdinand Walsin Esterhazy. The witness
deposed that Esterhazy confessed TO him
that he wrote the bordereau. under orders
from Colonel Sandherr. who was then chief
of the secret intelligence bureau. The or
der. Esterhazy said, was TO catch the
traitor at the headquarters Of the general
staff. whom Esterhazy afterward said was
Captain Dreyfus.
Major Carriere here burst out with an
extraordinary protest against Major Ester
hays insinuations against Colonel Sand
herr.
II protest" he cried. ''in the name and
memory of Colonel Sandherr, against the
insinuations introduced against him"
NJ Labori. however. ignored this protest,
which he styled "a ridiculous pretension."
NJ. Labori then called upon General Roget
to testify regarding letters he had received
from Major Esterhazy since the opening OF
this trial.
General Roget to-day looked the ghost
of his former assertive self. His face was
one letter from Major Esterhazy, which
ne had forwarded to Colonel Jouaust. Gen.
eral Roget added that he had declined to
receive other letters.
NJ. Labori then asked Colonel Jouaust to
have the letter read. Colonel Jouaust at
first declined. but NJ. Labori insisted so
firmly that Colonel Jouaust after wrangling
while. gave way and consented that the
letter should be read later. Colonel Jouaust
explained that he opposed the reading of
the letter because it only contained per-
sonal attacks upon various parties and
would only lead to a prolongation of the
trial.
General Roget then read the one Ester
hazy letter which he admitted having
opened. In this letter Major Esterhazy
said he could not prove the existence OF
the alleged syndicate organized in the in
terest Of Dreyfus and complained that the
general staff had refused to give him a
fair hearing.
NJ. Labori then put a series of questions
intended to bring out the fact that the gen.
eral staff had made use Of Major Esterhazy
even after he was known to be unreliable
General Roget said he had not considered
Major Esterhazys avowals to be of any
value. NJ. Labori sought to question Gen.
eral Roget more closely on his statement
that none OF the generals of the general
stan had any relations with Major Ester
hazy. but Colonel Jouaust declined to al
low further discussion. This led to another
scene between the president of the court
martial and counsel for the defense NJ
Labori declaring that General Roget, who
came more as public prosecutor than as a
witness. refused to reply 70 probing ques-
tons.
A little later NJ. Labori pushed the ques-
ton on General Billot on what is known as
the 'liberateur'' document.
General Zurlinden then came upon the
platform, dressed in the uniform of his
rank and with his inseparable eyeglass. He
spoke a few words respecting the general
stairs belief in Major Esterhazy.
NJ. Demange asked General Roget his
opinion of Major Esterhazy.
Il have an absolute conviction" replied
General Roget. amid cries of OH from
the audience. that Major Esterhazy is a
stranger TO treason
A TELLING SPEECH.
NJ. Trarieux, formerly minister of Justice,
was the next witness. He made long depo-
sition in favor of Dreyfus, reviewing the
history of the case and his own part in con-
nection Herewith. NJ. Trarieux is an ex-
cellent speaker, with a good presence. He
las iron-gray hair and mustache and a
clear. resonant voice, which could be heard
outside the courtroom. NJ. Trarieuxs depo-
sition closed the public session. He made
a very telling speech, describing how his
| original belief In the guilt of Dreyfus was
| first shaken and then completely changed
| to conviction OF innocence by subsequent
| developments and the noble conduct of NJ.
| Scheurer-Kestner, former vice probinate.
| The letters exchanged between General
Gonse and Lieutenant Colonel Picquart also
| strengthened his conviction. NJ Trarieux
| spoke Of the Vaccinations against Picquart
and said he accused nobody. He believed.
however, that the chiefs were deceived. NJ.
| Trarieux recounted conversation with a
| foreign ambassador, who declared that
Dreyfus never had relations with him, nor
with any officer of his country. while the
ambassador added he possessed documents
| proving the guilt of Major Esterhazy NJ
| Trarierx delivered a very impressive pass
age, recalling the execution of the English
admiral, Byng, on the charge of treason
who was afterwards found to have been
| unjustly condemned NJ. Trarieux said that
Frenchmen might we'll dread to have such
Il a pioou Stdiu OH tHciT iISlOIy de-, through
the execution of Admiral Byng, mars the
| history of England. NJ. Trarieux said Gen
eral Roget and Captain Cuignet were wrong
on the conclusion they had drawn from the
/ correspondence of agents "A and 3D. that
| Dreyfus was guilty. He reiterated that the
ambassador TO whom he had previously re-
ferred had affirmed that Major Esterhazy
| was the traitor, and the former minister
Of justice declared in an emphatic tone
which made a deep impression upon his
hearers. that no parallel ought to be drawn
| between a model officer like Dreyfus and
Major Esterhazy. who had not even the SOU
OF Frenchman.
NJ. Trarieux. on abiding to the bordereau
was interrupted by Major Carriere. who
said that while he opposed direct offca
| application to foreign governments for doc.
uments mentioned in the bordereau. yet
| II by a side wind the documents could be-
| produced, he certainly would be PERSONAL,
| pleased. This was practically an invita-
| ton to Germany to volunteer to commu
nicate the documents in question.
At the conclusion OF NJ. Trarieux's testi
mony. which was veritable speech for thu
defense. and which apparently made an inn
| preston the judges, the court-martia
went behind closed doors and examined III,
secret dossier. The court also deliberateC
upon NJ. Laboris request that application b,
made TO Germany for the documents de-
scribed in the bordereau. The decision wa,
49,.