Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-08-24
THE DREYFUS TRIAL.


yesterday confronted Mercier before
the court-martial. He declared Mer-
cier's story as to the imminence of
| war between France and Germany
grossly exaggerated. He accused
MERCER of characterization in that he
moved 10000 troops to the frontier
without consulting the president. He
also undertook to shorten the term of
| service of 60. 900 men without consult
ing him. Little developed during the
conformation to show the guilt or in
nocence of the prisoner, the ex-presi-
dent mainly endeavoring to discredit
Mercier's evidence of the dav before.
General Billot testified that he still
believed Dreyfus guilty, but gave no
strong reason. He said that General
Picquart Systematically, as head Of the
intelligence department, kept back all
new facts favorable to Dreyfus and
stifled inquiry. Cavaignac also be-
lieved in the guilt of Dreyfus, because
his accusers were SO entirely in agree
ment in their testimony. Zurlinden
believed likewise.
RENNEs, August 1.-THE request of
Demange, counsel for Dreyfus, for adj
journment because of Laboris absence,
was denied. The feature of the day
was the reading of the Official report
of the treatment of Dreyfus on the
Isle du Diable. The deposition of
Guerin, former minister of justice, was
read and the testimony Of Former
Minister Lebon was taken. The wild
ow of Colonel Henry and Gen. Roget
were also witnesses and both against
the prisoner. The latter was particu-
larly bitter.
RENNEs, August 1s.-Yesterday was
Dreyfus day. General Roget re-
sumed his position on the opening of
the court, dealing with the theft of
Esterhazy's letters from Mime. Pays.
Demange was evidently primed for
him and a number of his shots made
the general squirm in his seat. Roget
was unable to conceal his annoyance
and anger when Demange scored him.
! His fingers twitched nervously and he
| frequently turned for consultation to-
wards Generals Billot and Zurlinden,
who occupied seats behind him. He
| also threw glances of savage resent
ment at the audience when, as it hap
pened several times, suppressed filters
went round the court room when Dem
ange cornered him. Finally he be-
came red in the face and answered
| Demange in a hollow voice, strangely
contrasting with his confident tone of
| Wednesday. Then came a witness
who proved splendid reinforcement for
Dreyfus. 1t was Bortullus, the exam
lining magistrate, who received Colonel
Henry's confession of forgery. Bor-
| tullus's testimony was veritable
! l.. g.. IL,
n man of high legal reputation, the
evidence raised the hopes of the Drey-
fusards immensely and apparently
made deep impression on the mem
bers of the court. After brief con-
formation of Bortullus and Nine.
Henry. Colonel Picquart, former chief
of the intelligence bureau of the war
office. was called. He gave his evil
dence in loud, resonant voice and
created profound impression. His
testimony was decidedly favorable to
Dreyfus.
RENNEs, August 19.-Colonel Pic.
quart was again a witness before the
Dreyfus court-martial yesterday. Col.
Picquarts speech of five hours was de-
| livered without notes or any leading
questions from Demange and in the
most lucid and convincing style. 1t
was tour de force, which in any civil
court would certainly assure acquit-
tai, but Picquart himself is the object
of such intense hatred and prejudice
at the hands of the whole general
staff and the bulk of the officers for
integrity, independence and utter dis
regard for military discipline in his
| IA rot ha Of NJ
his speech is greatly discounted.
Colonel Jouaust treated him disdain-
fully, in marked contrast to the defer
ence he displayed towards Generals
Mercier and Roget. 1t is this evidence
of partially and the fact that, by ac-
quitting Drevfus the court-martial
would virtually be convicting their
superiors, which leads many people to
believe that he will be re-condemned.
In any event, if he be acquitted, it
will have been Picquart who saved
him.
RENNEs, August 2O.-The stage was
occupied yesterday successfully by
three enemies of Dreyfus-Major Cuig-
net, General de Boisdeffre and General
Gonse-who, from $50 until II a. m,
mainly devoted themselves to reiter-
ating what they had previously said
in evidence against the prisoner, who
followed them with characteristic
composure; but when the moment
came for him to reply, the prisoner
delivered one of those brief utterances
of Indignation which have had such a
powerful effect upon his hearers.
| LOSS WAS EIGHT HUNDRED.