The Portland daily press., 1899-08-23

] system In time OF war war We did not
| receive any service In exohnnga.
Witness added that reports he gave
| DIeyfus when he lsft were such that he
could never enter the railroad depart.
ment. Proceeding, Ewitness reiterate d
that Dreyfus was IN position 30 ac-
| quaint himself with the questions OF the
| eastern railroad mobilization and dea-
crihcd conversation which he had with
| Dreyfus In lSo3 in which In the opinion Of
| the witness there was curious light on
I Ereyius's idsn OF the fatherIhnd. Lieut..
Col. Bertin also spoke Of the comparisons
of the handwritings and then turning to
the prisoners attitude at the court mar
tial OF 1894 no said II painfully impressed
him and he was convinced OF the guilt o {
Dreyfus by the evidence OF n. Bertellon.
When the witness told the minister OF
war of his Impressions the latter sent
him to President nCassimer-P Perier, to
whom Bertin explatated on the injury
which would result BY the treachery of
Dreyfus, the injury which might result
IL he escaped. According to the witness
NJ Cassimer- Perrier was much Impressed
and Bertiu gained the impression that
he was speaking to soldier who regard
ed the matters from the same point Of
view as himself. Sensation. Referring
20 his interviews with NJ. Schuer ref -Kest-
ner (f0rmelry vice president of the SEN
orable man, obeying the dictates Of his.
conscience, Lieut.. COL BeruIn contro-
verted part of Col. Pfcuuart's evidence
on the subject AID at the conclusion Of
his deposition the witness declared he
mover ordered Dreyfus 60 procure inform
alton concerning the entire work OF
railroads, "whicn the prisoner sought to
acquire from Captain Cuignet."
Replying to questions on the subject OF
the.alleged untimely visit OF Dreyfus TO his
Office witness said that the plans were
kept In his Office and that Dreyfus knew
the word necessary to open the press
containing them.
NJ. Sohuerer- Kestnsr, it appeared, often
told the witness he was unable 60 fathom
the affair and finally Bertin was advised
TO have a talk with the minister of war.
AT this juncture the clerk Of the court
read a iettsr from III. Scheurer -Kestner
exuusing himself for being unable to at
tend the session of the court. The letter
| referred TO the steps of Matthew Dreyfus
| to secure the rehabilitation OF his brother
and disoribed the writer's investigations
and how ii was only when Esterhazy's
hand writing was shown him that his
hesitation ended. The letter also res-
cribed the moments OF anguish the iter
experienced during the course Of the oa-..
paign and dwelt upon the opinion ex-
pressed in the Judgment OF the court of
oassation and the confessions of Ester-
eau. In conclusion the latter said: "You
Will permit an old Alsatian Monsieur to
express the sentiment that the hour OF JUS
tice win soon strike in the interest," Of the
army, OF Justice, AMI Of the country"
(Great sensation.
Replying TO Nj. Demange, Lieut.. Bertin
told OF his connection with NJ. Scheursr-
Kestner AT the manDeuvrss to-day he
told Gen. Billot Of action Scheurer-
kastner was taking. the General said:
"Tell him TO do nothing. l shall appeal
OF my old friend. l telegraphed to sKest-
could not enter Alsaoe, the Germans
having brutally forbidden me to go
there"
M. Dsmange reminded the witness Of
remark he made TO M. Ferdinand
ooheurer- X esther, namely: "There are
only tive Of us who know this terrible
secret. One Of the i've must betray 1t
| before you can know anything"
Counsel asked II the secret was not
that Dreyfus was innocentf
NJ. Bertin-"Oh, no, no."
NJ. Demange-"A According to the terms
of the conversation?"
Witness--"No. no, and shall tell
you why. / have never concealed any
thing from the members OF the Kastner
family. 1 said thar was convinced OF
the guilt OF Dreyfus,"
M. Demange-"Did you not only make
the following remark: This jew was a
| thrust at headqnarters and We had to get
rid of himP' !"
Witnsss--''No, never. absolutely
deny 1t. When / was In the war office
the Jewish question was never raised
A number of official reports were hers
rend unanimously recognizing Dreyfus
as brilliant officer who was anxious to
succeed. The reports of the headqusr-
ters' staff aiOne cast imputations upon
the prisoners character. NJ Lahori
N lrcAf ~
of Lieut.. Col. Bertin to question the
witness ON a delicate subject. He re-
ferr55 to remark made by BeFtin at
dinner at which NJ. Lahori was present at
the house Of o mutual friend, a fortnight
after She degragation of Dreyfus Bertin
asked she lawyer to mention the name OF
the mutual friend who gave the dinner.
N. Labori Whispered the name and the
witness nodded assent.
NJ. Labnri-"Do you remember that
you were among the frat to suggest to
me belief in the innocence of Dreytusi"
Bertin--"No. no, impossible"
does the witness remember In the
course of dinner he became excited in
talking about Dreyfusr"
The lieutenant colonel pointed out
that the terms of intimacy which pre-
vailed ut the dinner must be taken into
account and reminded NJ. Labori that
he was an old friend Of Labori's father,
and wondered IL the counsel was the
| same man who, taking the witnesses
hand on the occasion of the dinner,
said: 81 will never forget what you have
done for my fRther.,'
81 do not forget the Words said NJ
Labori. "But l am referring specially
| to the somewhat strong remarks you
made against Maitre Demangs. Did you
not say to me when spoke OF Maitre
DemaHge believing the innocence of
Dreyfus?'
"Demange don't mention him. He is