Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-08-31
COL. CORD|[R
AIDS DREYFUS
Deputy Chief-ef Intelligence De-
partment Strong Witness
for the Defense.
is AN ANTl-sEMlTE, BUT HONEST
At First He Believed Dreyfus Guilty,
but He Is Now Convinced
He Is Innocent.
GENERALS FAIL TO TANGLE HIM
Roget, NIercier and Others Con-
front Cordicr, but Come or
Second Best---De Frey
cinct's Deposition.
is AN ANTl-sEMI1E, BUT HOMES
GENERALS FAIL TO TANGLE HIM

Rennes, Aug. 30.-rhe first witness
in the Dreyfus trial this morning was
Colonel Cordier, deputy chief of the
intelligence department under the late
Colonel Henry, and who, since his pre-
vious appearance in court, has been re-
leased by the government from his
cath of professional secrecy. He testi-
fled that the late Colonel Sandherr, not
Henry, received the bordereau.
He kept the court, even the judges,
in roars of laughter by his comical
manner and witticisms. He is a short,
stout man with Il jolly face and very
red nose. He declared his belief in the
guilt of Dreyfus was first shaken when
the date of the bordereau was given as
May. Witness declared stoutly that he
is now convinced that Dreyfus is i'm
nocent. Cordier then spoke strongly
for Colonel Picquart, as conscientious
light upon the situation which existed
in the offices of the intelligence depart
ment of the war Office. He explained
that Henry was jealous OF Picqrart be-
cause the latter was given charge of
the statistical section, which Henry
hoped to get for himself. Cordier ex-
pressed the belief that il was because
of Picquart that Henry committed the
forgery.
Fail to Rattle Him.
During Cordier's testimony no fewer
than five witnesses rose and asked to
be confronted with him, but the coll
onel received the Interruptions with
the utmost good humor.
Dreyfus spoke at the conclusion of
Cordier's statements. He said the
scene which preceded his arrest was
SO fantastic that it had completely be-
wildered him and merely left u blunted
impression on his memory. The pris-
oner has apparently recovered his self
confidence, as he speaks readily and
clearly, and follows the witnesses
closely, taking notes.
Major Lauth first confronted Cordier
and tried to score against him by
pointing out that Cortlier was incor-
rect in saying there were no anti-Sem-
himself was one.
'i'''c colonel retorted, turning the ta-
BIZ on the major, as, raising his hand,
he cried:
Quite true. / was an anti-Semite,
but ! never bore false witness against
a Jew. am an honest man.
General Roget next confronted Cor
der. His evidence, however, was not
very striking, nor was that of Colonel
Fleur, or of Archivist CIR. belin, who
also contested minor points of Cor
dier's deposition.
Finally MERCER, who evidently APP
peared in order to demonstrate the
baselessness of the stories of his in
tentions to fly and to show his deter
mination to fight TO the last, confront
ed Cordier. The generals remarks
were of small Importance.
NJ. de Freycinct, former minister of
war, former minister of foreign at
fairs and premier, followed Cordicr.
The distinguished statesman .,egan his
deposition by expressing the pain he
experienced at the troubles his coun-
try was undergoing. Later he said he
remembered a conversation with Gen.
lamont at which there was reference
to money coming from abroad i'm sup
port of the Dreyfus ag tation, which,
while disinterested in France, might
not be so abroad"
He, however, did not remember the
uCtdllS VI lHS CouNCISul.OIl, UOE cOulu
he say if any specific amount was
mentioned. DE Freycinet then alluded
to his fears that attacks on chiefs of
the army might be prcjudcia to d s.
cipline," adding:
Might not these attacks lead to the
disappearance of discipline and what
then would be the result if we found
ourselves in difficulties with a foreign
country?" In short, DE Frcycnet de-
livered IA patriotic speech rather than
deposition, concluding with the
words:
"All the world will accept your YER
dict, which Will open an era of con-
citation"
The members of the court treated
him with the greatest Difference.
.Jouaust declined to put some questions
by Labori. on the ground that they had
no direct bearing on the case The tes-
timony of minor witnesses concluded
the days proceedings.
INTERESTING DISCLOSURES.
Cordier's Testimony in Detnil--De
I'reycinet's Appcalto Patriotism.
Rennes, Aug. 30.The following is
the evidence in detail:
rx1< ~ Il I'll. Il.