The San Francisco call., 1899-08-30

it became known that he was going to tes-
tify he was covered with mud and treated
as drunkard in order to minimize the
value of his evidence. He also emphatic
Libre Parole that he offered his services
to Matthew Dreyfus and said the Minister
of War had authorized him (the witness)
to prosecute the newspaper. In regard to
the forged letter to Matthieu Dreyfus,
continued Cordier, investigation mas
shown that LIE MercierPicard undouot-
Colonel Fleur appeared in the witness
box to refute Colonel Cordier's testimony;
He declared that August %, 1898, Colonel
Cordler said to him:
"Dreyfus is guilty, but there must be
two others. There are three of them.
Colonel Cordier shrugged his shoulders
and admitted that just week before the
arrest. of Henry he said forgery had been
committed at the headquarters staff, but,
the colonel added, he told the same thing
to others the day after the posting up of
the speech of M Cavaignac, the Minister
OF war, was voted by the Chamber OF
| Deputies.
The name of NJ de Freycinet was called,
and amid suppressed excitement the
former Minister of Foreign Affairs and
former Premier took the witness stand.
M. Demange proceeded to question the
former Minister Counsel recalled Cen
eral Merciers statement that M. de Frey
cinet told M. lamont that 70 900, 900 francs
had been raised for the defense of Drey--
fus. In reply M. de Freycinet described
trouble into which his country was
plunged, and his desire was to see peace
and calm restored. In regard to the con-
versation referred to the witness said:
General lamont made me a visit Of
courtesy on the occasion Of my quitting
office, at the beginning of May. L re-
celved many similar visits. | do not
think 1 exaggerate when 1 say that 1 re-
ceived hundred such visits. l made no
note of the remarks exchanged by my
different visitors. In the case of Cen
nj 70 q
the case and the campaign speeches and
press utterances which had been pro-
ceeding in different parts of the world
during the previous two years. In re-
gard to the Dreyfus case 1 was led to
say that our agents abroad reported that
efforts had been made on the initiative of
private individuals. in behalf of this
campaign-a very disinterested campaign
| in France, | am sure, but less so abroad.
l reported the estimates 1 had heard had
been made by people who professed 10
be well acquainted with the question of
money value of the whole campaign
throughout the world since it's inception.
That, Monsieur lie President, is re-
mits of the conversation with General
lamont. What struck me most was the
identity of our anxiety in regard to the
army. We mutually expressed uneasi-
ness, for it must be conceded that the
present attacks have had a profound
echo which might eventually endanger
well, gentlemen, that there is a higher
discipline than even the military code as
| said in the Chamber. 1t is that more
rigorous discipline which comes from the
confidence of he soldier in his chiefs.
How can that confidence be maintained
if these chiefs are depicted daily in the
blackest colors? Was 1T not to be feared
that at given moment this confidence
would disappear, and what would be the
result If we were engaged In external
difficulties? (Sensation.)
II adjure those of my countrymen,
continued NJ de Freycinet. earnestly
"who participate in these attacks under
the impulse of generous passion and with
the object of serving noble, elevated
ideal have no doubt they are led away
to take heed in the dangers to which
they may involve the country. AS Cen
efal lamont said to me. 1t is high time to
end it Let us cease throwing in one an
others faces accusations which discredit
us in the eyes of our rivals. Gentlemen,
let us prepare-and l would that my fee
BILE voice could be heard by all-let us
prepare to receive and accept your judg-
ment with respect and silence. May the
judgment of this French court, toward
which the whole world has its eyes turned,
open up the era of reconciliation which is
so necessary. Ommense eXcitement)
Gentlemen, pardon me for telling you
what l wish. 1t springs from heart
which has no longer much TO desire here
below except to live to see the country
great and honored 1 have finished. 1
have given an exact account of the in
terview with the commander-ln-chlef of
our army in time of war. have nothing
to add
NJ. de Frcycinet had fully maintained his
title to the nickname THE Little White
Mouse which was bestowed upon him
on account of his ability to speak length
ily without conveying much information.