The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-08-10
Famous Prisoner Of Devils Island
/ Again Before a Court
martial.
Emphatic Affirmation of His In
nocence in Reply to the
{ Charges.
His Manner Showed High Nerv-
GUS Tension--.Some Incidents
/ of the Trial.

Dreyfus is on trial opened at TAO a. m.
Captain Dreyfus entered the court room
with firm step, though his features
were pallid. He is partly bald and
what hair he has is gray and close
cropped.
He answered the formal questions OF
the judge as to his name, age, etc., IN a
clear, determined voice. He sat facing
the Judges with his hands resting on
his knees, an impossible figure. The
trial opened, so far as Rennes is con-
cerned, in an atmosphere of perfect
tranquility. The population is appar-
emily Indifferent. Only small crowd,
at the most so persons had gathered
outside the entrance to the Lycee by
6 o'clock A majority of these were
Journalists.
The principal personages in the trial
arr,ved between $50 and o'clock. The
generals passed with hardly cheer by
The spectators, General MERCER alone
being greeted with few cries Of "Vive
aArmee," and give MERCER" as he
drove up in closed carriage. Lieuten-
ant Colonel Picquart arrived on foot
at $50 wearing silk hat and black
Rrock coat with the red ribbon of the
Region of Honor in the button hole. No
demonstration was made upon his arri-
Nsl, but he appeared to be in most
eheerful mood Smiling and chatting
nsth friends, and it be may be judged
by his bearing, he is sanguine of a
favorable issue of the trial.
| sDreyfus in new uniform Of captain
lof artillery, dark blue, with red facings,
hxedly regarded the judges, with i'm
movable features and without stirring
hand or foot, scarcely even moving his
head, during the whole course Of the
proceedings, except when he entered
and left the court room. After the
formal proceedings which occupied
couple of hours, Colonel Jouaust began
The examination of Dreyfus, respecting
The famous bordereau, and what Drey-
fus did or could have known of its con-
tents.
When Dreyfus, wearing eyeglasses,
rose from his seat for examination, he
stood erect, holding his kept in his hand,
before him. He looked Colonel Jouaust
In the face during the whole, interrog
atory.
An Accusation and a Denial.
{. Colonel Jouaust began by saying:
cit results from the documents Just
read, that you are accused of having
brought about Vaccinations or held re-
iations with a foreign power or one or
znore of its agents, in order to procure
it means by delivering it documents, in
dictated in the discriminating bordereau,
to commit hostilities or undertake war
against France. notify you that. you
VIII be allowed to state during the
Course Of these, proceedings anything
that appears to you. useful for your de-
xense"
Dreyfus replied with vehement
declaration Of his innecence, repeating
several times:
s.E as,sriihnocent," IN a voice that
duivefd with emotion. TIE agonized
manner inswhich uttered the protesta-
lions of his innocence had most pain
full effect and must have evoked the
sympathy even of his most inveterate
enemies.
The prisoner grew more composed as
the examination proceeded, answering
every question without q moments hes
itation. The acoustics of the courtroom
were abominable, only those within
few feet of the judges being able to fol-
low the examination closely. Even NJ.
Labor, who was seated behind Drey.
fus, within three yards of him, held his
hand to his ear in order to catch the
questions and answers.
More an Accuser Than q Judge.
Colonel Jauaust submitted Dreyfus
to a rigorous examination, more in the
style of prosecuting counsel than a
judge and made gestures Of impotence
at some direct denials which Dreyfus
gave repeatedly to the judges questions.
The prisoners voice resounded fire.
quently through the courtroom as he
energetically replied:
"No, my colonel, or never, never"
to questions put to him.
The widow of Lieutenant Colonel
Henry, dressed in deep mourning, was
present in court and replied to her
name in the roll call of witnesses.
After the court had decided not to
adjourn on account Of the absence Of
certain witnesses, the clerk Of the court
was ordered to read NJ. d'Ormesche-
velle's bill of Indictment Of 1894, which
he did in loud voice, Dreyfus, in the
meanwhile, listening unmoved as the
old charges against him were read.
Colonel Jouaust then handed the
prisoner long slip Of cardboard, upon
which the bordereau was pasted.
do you recognize this document?'
Dreyfus replied with passionate
outburst: ! 'No, my colonel, / am inno-
cant" IT declare it here, as / declared
It in 1s04t ame victim -. His
voice here was choked with sobs, which
must have stirred every spectator in
court. The Jelee Of the prisoner did
not Seem human II resembled tho :rs
Vt Q woAn6ed animal.
As he ended be reply with thew #
give years u the galleys. MY