The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-20

ooe tie rest o. the documents. ~ "v"s
then go that the Dreyfus affair Is part OF
big matter and that there was only one
theory. The court would see that the
military attaches do nothing but spy.
General dc Boisdeffre followed lie Is
tall and. like every general, except Mer-
cier, who has appeared In court, ne boasts
Of q very conspicuous bald patch above
q rim Of gray hair.
De Boisdeffre spoke In blunt manner
and IN somewhat gruf tones but with
certain air Of sincerity which had It's ell
feet on the judges.
The general was treated with obvious
Difference by the members OF the court
martial, but he did not appear to relish
the novelty Of being questioned by Junior
officer, one OF the judges. who wished LOT
few harmless explanations. Inc cross
examination by De Mango was not very
productive. The advocate puts his qnes.
lions In sorry to trouble you sort OF
tone, quite different from the manner Oh
NJ. Labori.
NJ. De Mango, however, scored one point:
When General De Boisdeffre insinuated
that he knew Colonel picuuart had rela-
lions with the Dreyfus family in 1886,
counsel questioned him with the result
that the general was obliged to admit that
he had no proofs of his statement, put re-
lied on impressions.
General Gonse gave his evidence In
quiet tone. The most interesting was the
reference to letter Of Colonel Schneiuer,
whom he was careful not to name. But
the whole telegram of the Figaro he var
tually declared to be lie. as ne salu;
I'VE have in our bureaux many letters
enabling us to affirm the authenticity oil
the letters.
The most interesting part was the last
half hour, when Gonse, Picquart and prey
fus were on their feet in series OF con-
formations, a move which, however, hdl
dramatic elements and which produced
much emotion In court and occasloned
from Dreyfus outbursts OF pentup ieeiins'
The prisoner spoke several times touay
with Indignation which rang with SIN
cerity but he never struck those chorns
which thrilled his hearers last Monday anu
Sunday The confrontations of Dreyius
and then Plcquart with General Gonse ana
General Billot, were on side issues, wnich
did not raise questions of fundamentai III
dependence and can not be said TO nave
had much effect either way SO tar as tne
testimony itself Is concerned. But from
the point of view of the prosecution. IL IS
always clever game to bring the generals
on the stage in the role of indignant ue-
Tenders of the honor of the army, lor as
superior officers their appearance Is pouiu
TO exercise certain pressure on the
Judges, all Of whom are of the junior rank.
Moreover, today grave General Bliiot
made dramatic speech on the loyaity OIL
the former ministers OF war, which TINS
morning ELECTED an outburst OF cheering
from the pubic III COuib, winch NS.A'NN''"
ton was quickly suppressed by the gen
darmes and the hearing was adjourned I'M
til Monday.
Following is the evidence in detail
Major Cugnet. the first witness, was
not in uniform as he ID not at present at
tached to any corps.
before beginning an account of the spe-
cial Investigations into the case on which
] was ordered TO make by the ministers oil
war from NJ. Cayaignac to NJ Drey-
cinet," said the witness. I wish TO men
ton a personal fact which, in conlunc-
ton with the evidence already heard
will constitute fresh proof OF the prison
er's indlscreet behavior when employed on
The Headquarters staff l was on the
staff when Dreyfus was probauoner our
ing the latter half of 1893, Among other
duties / was connected with the railroad
service and the mining OF railroads win
the view OF interrupting traffic in case OF
need. found 1t necessary TO point out
the secret character of sucn matters prey
fus was a probationer on the eastern ran
roads and had been ordered to especially
study the formation of them. NJ. Dreyfus
asked me to give him the general scheme
of mining which possess ed giving as an
excuse for the requescth hit he WAS anxious
to increase his knowledge and tnat IL was
necessary for him to KNOW the general
scheme in order to properly carry out the
work Entrusted To him. ] replied that
did not see the necessity OF giving him
the scheme and that In any case he mad
better apply TO his own chief, Major ber-
tin Dreyfus pretended Berlin would not
impart any information. Day htter day
he pestered me so that finally, having no
reason to distrust him, began giving him
explanations. Dreyfus took the keenest
interest and took copid1s notes. When
later his house was searched these notes
were not discoyerabIe. l do not know
what became of them. But II y dlthcult
TO believe they were destroyed, consider
ing the Importance he seemed TO attach TO
the information and persistence in secul-
ing 1T
After launching the above declaration
which he apparently considered TO be
weighty evidence OF the treachery of Drey-
fus. Major Culgnet proceeded Go recount
in detail the task which General Gonse
assigned to him in May. 1898, of classify
ing the documents in the Dreyfus, Ester
hazy and Picquart cases.
THE first question ! will ask here
said the witness, lis Dreyfue guilty? My
conclusion OF his guilt Is based on three
grounds; First. his confessions 70 Captain
LeBrun xenault; second, the technical ma
ture of the contents or the bordoreau;
third, the results OF the execution OF the
secret dossier.
II will add to these three points the evil
dence of the expert, Bertillon, Iaughter)
as indirect proof. the means employed by
the Dreyfus family 10 secure the prisoner J
rehabilitation. ] protest that campaign
has been undertaken against justice, truth
and our country"
The majors outburst OF heroics evoked
cynical smiles aud indications OF dissent
coupled with marks OF assent from the
assembled generals.
The witness next spoke Of the secret
dossier OF the war ministry containing in
formation relating to the interview be-
tween NJ. TrarleuX, former minister of
justice, and Count Ternillie the Italian
ambassador, which country" said Cuig
net. benefited by the treachery''
Regarding the confessions said TO hav,
been made to Captain lie Brun- Renault
witness said he still believed they wer,