Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-01
HELD BY FEAR.
Esterhazy Refuses to Testify
in Dreyfus Case.
CARRIERE's REPORT OUT
Star OF Negricr as Public Hero IN As.
cendant Eclipses That of Marchand
Trial Will be In Public-Press
Quarters Are Inadequate.

Rennes, July 29.--Former Command
ant Esterhazy has declined to testify
at the Dreyfus trial, but this was an.
ticipated by the defense, and the COM
mandant has at the last moment
shown the white feather-thc "uhlan
plume" as it is mockingly termed
although every effort was made to give
this most accomplished scoundrel of
the century a chance to prove the cul-
pability of the prisoner.
Major Carriere has finished his re-
port OH the Dreyfus case and handed it
to the president of the court martial,
Colonel Jouaust. The Dreyfusards an
nounce that it concludes for the limo.
-cence of the prisoner, while the oppose
ton maintains that it instructs for con-
domination and rigorous enforcement
of the first sentence of deportation for
life. From careful inquiry ii is be-
lieved the report of Carriere places the
matter on purely legal grounds, and
maintains that while his innocence is
not yet proven there is in the case Of
Dreyfus large room for doubt as to his
culpability, and gives him the benefit
of the doubt, with the advice to close
the case as quickly as possible. From
private sources it is known that the
families of both Major Carriere and
Colonel ,Jouaust, both of whom are eX-
treme anti-Dreyfusards, have been
deeply offended at the attitude the two
officers have taken in the case. On the
other hand. it VIII not do to trust too
much TO military Judges. tremendous
pressure has been brought to bear up
on them from the army side.
The acquittal Of Dreyfus means the
opening of terrible campaign against
the army, including the disgrace of
some of the greatest of Its chiefs: it is
difficult to ask army men to cut off
their own heads. which is what declar-
ing the innocence of Dreyfus means.
If the prisoner alone was in question,
1t would be no trouble to comply, but
the side issues involving such serious
consequences are what may interfere
with the course Of justice. 1t is no
light matter to touch. as General Ne
grier's disgrace has sounded warning,
and shows the Importance of the army
to the bourse, which took such tum-
BILE as not even the Fashoda affair oc-
casioned. In drawing conclusions up
on the Carriere report it must be re-
membered what the decision involved,
and the herculean courage required on
the part of the officers composing the
council of war to do their duty. 1t is
believed here that the sentence of
Dreyfus. whether favorable or the con-
trary. is the beginning OF crisis more
serious than any yet reached since the
opening of the unfortunate affair.
The audiences of the council of war
during the Dreyfus trial will be abso-
lutely public. The judges have deter
mined that everything shall be known,
and the government has ordered that
the trial be given entire publicity. The
council of war will ask to hold par
tial session behind closed doors for the
revelations of the ultra-secret dossier.
but Dreyfus and his lawyers will as
sist at this solemnity, thereby prevent
ing any repetition of the scandal of
1894. 1t is known that none of these
documents has any connection with the
atlalf. M. IaDOri CONSIDERS III ueceS-
sary to call Lebrun to confront Drey-
fus, as Lebrun declared having receiv-
ed an ayowal from the captain at the
time of his degradation.
There is great danger that the press
will be unable to get their dispatches
on the Dreyfus trial through. Compe-
tent men here believe the telegraph fa-
eilities to be utterly inadequate for the
occasion. The preparations sound well
but investigation. proves they are IN
sufficient, ard that there will be some
wild scenes in the telegraph Office dur
ing the entire trial. The Partisan
Press association has raised cry OF
alarm, and addressed protestation to
NJ. Aiillerand, minister of posts and
telegraphs. begging him to make more
elaborate arrangements. The press
places in the trial chamber are exceed
ingly poor and in the back of the hall,
where it will be almost impossible to
hear word that is said. The milita-
ry men have no affection for the press,
and no intention of favoring the cor
respondents.