The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-17
THE SKY DARKENS
OVER DREYFUS
No Adjournment of the Court
Martial.
IT is AN OMEN OF EVIL
HAS THE COURT ALREADY DE
CIDED AGAINST DREYFUS?
HIS FRIENDS FEAR THIS is THE CASE
Maitre Moenard Summoned to Replace Matre
Labcri for The Present. Witnesses
Hostile to the Prisoner
Give Tesiim,ny.

Give Iestim'ny.
Rennes, France, Aug. Immediately
after the witnesses had entered the court
room this morning Maitre Demange,
counsel for Captain Dreyfus applied for
an adjournment on account of Maitre
Labori's absence. Major Carriere, the
Government Commissary, unexpectedly
arose and opposed the application in the
most vehement manner. Major Car
riere dilated upon, the fact that the en-
tire world was anxiously awaiting de-
cision, and upon the necessity of ending
the suspense. The court retired for
twenty minutes, during which time the
audience animatedly discussed the prob
able results Colonel Jouaust, on his
return read unanimous decision of the
court rejecting the application ON the
ground that the reasons advanced were
Insufficient. Captain Dreyfus listened
to the announcement with characteristic
composure. This was considered Sc
we're blow by the Dreyfusites and caus-
ed considerable depression all day. but
tonight it is understood that Maitre
Demange will tomorrow repeat the appli
cation for an adjournment. in conse-
quence Of a hint that the Government
Commissary, Major Carriere. has receiv
ed instruction not to oppose it.
The feature of the days proceedings
was the story Of the sufferings of Drey
fus on Devils Island, his prison off the
coast of French Guiana. Dreyfds wept
in court when the clerk read doeu
mcnt recounting the "details of his incar
ceration.
The following is the evidence in detail:
Minister of Justice Guerin, the
first witness, said he knew absolutely
nothing of the facts in the case, but could
repeat the surrounding circumstances,
which he had already related before the
Court of Cessation, if the court martha.
desired.
Colonel Jouaust having explained to the
witness that the court martial had no
cognizance Of previaus proceedings, nj.
Guerin proceeded to repeat his evidence
as given before the Court of Cessation.
He said, in brief. that after a Cabinet
meeting i'm October, the Premier, Gen
eral Mercier and he met to discuss the
disappearance of certain documents from
the headquarters staff. General Mercier
was convinced then that Dreyfus was
the culprit, basing his belief on the sim
ilarity of Dreyfus' handwriting to the
bordereau and the fact that the different
items of information it contained came
from Departments in which Dreyfns hati
been successiyely employed.
The decision of the Cabinet to prose-
cute Dreyfus was based solely on the bor-
dereau, no secret documents having
made their appearance then NJ Cue
rim had not learned of them till the Zola
trial.
NJ Lebon, former Minister Of the Colo
1
gafding his treatment of the prisoner
He said that when the Cabinet was ask
ed to intervene in favor of revision he
thought the executive should not inter
fere with the judiciary. and his respect
for the. Chose Jugee was strengthened
by his personal opinion of the culpabili-
ty of the condemned.
''0n my soul and conscience declar-
ed NJ Lebon, dramatically, II say / re-
gard the measures ! took relative to the
prisoner on the Isle du Diable as war
ranted. and if had to repeat them would
not hesitate
NJ Lebon then explained the reasons
for the rigorous measures against Drey-
fus. He said certain telegram sent to
French Guiana disappeared. 1t was trac-
ed out of France, but Immediately II
reached the English lines disappeared,
showing, the witness said, that efforts
were being made to enable the prisoner
to- ev;lde the regulations. Rigorous. even
painful measures were therefore taken
to prevent his escape. Iabon therefore
issued orders that il necessary. the pris-
oner was to be fired upon (sensation).
Continuing, NJ. Lebon also issued or
ders. that only copies Of letters ad-
dressed TO the prisoner shouid be deliy-
cred to him, the originals being retain
ed. The witness was informed August
10th that an American vessel passed the
Isle du Salut, and orders We're then issued
that Dreyfus was to be shot on the slight
est alarm.
Referring to the Weyler forgery, which
was intended to convey the impression
that Dreyfus was in communication with
outside sympathizers. M. Lebon. said he
frankly admitted that he believed in its
authenticity. AS did Colonel Picquart uD-
til long after its production
Dreyfus was asked by Colonel Jouaust
II ne saw the Weyler letter He created
sensation by replying that he had seen
it. htt was utterly ignorant Of what It's
contents referred to.
At this ltncture some time was ocnu
pied in reading long report from the
Minister Of the Colonies to the Minister
of War. giving the various reports Of the
Governor of French Guiana Passages