The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-08-09
Dreyfus' Trial.

RENNEs, Aug. THE trial of Capt. d.
Alfred Dreyfus began at seven o'clock
this morning. Everything is keyed for
the event. Guards came on duty at
daybreak, and files of troops cleared
the streets. Dreyfus was transferr,
from the military prison across the
street to the Lycee, where the trial is be-
ing held. Following the prisoner came
prominent witnesses, among them ex-
President Casimier Perier, x-miuisters
of war, Zurlinder, Chenoine, Billot and
Lieutenant Colonel Plcquart.
According to the French military
regulation the court officers are in full
dress and their appearance made the
stage bright with color. A few min.
utes past seven Dreyfus who was sit
ting at the right of The court was or
dered TO stand, and the act accusing
him of betraying French military Sc
crets to foreign power was read. AT
the conclusion the prisoner gave his
name, age and grade. and said, 81 am
Capt. Alfred Dreyfus, who is named in
this accusation"
The recorder then called the roll Of
witnesse. Madam Henry was the
| only woman witness present. Ex-
| Major Esterhazy was marked absent
and physician's certificate was pre-
sented explaining the absence of Du
Patty de Clam and others. The court
| took recess for twenty minutes to
consider the excuses of absentees and
then returned decision that the trial
should proceed without the absentees.
Reading the act of accusation was re-
sumed, taking half an hour. At its
conclusion the prisoner was ordered to
stand, Colonel Jouast, president of the
court said, captain Dreyfus, you have
heard the accusation, do you recognize
thisP"
(Handing him the Bordereau state
menD.
Dreyfus said, 81 do not"
Jouast-"Is that your work2'
Dreyfue-"It is not. | am inno-
cent"
AS he said this he trembled palpa-
bly,, his voice throbbing with emotion,
and repeated,
81 am innocent upon my honor and
everything | hold dear, my country,
my children, | am innocent"
Appearance of Dreytus is unattrac-
tive. He is very round shouldered,
and in endervoring to stand erect bends
over backward. His hair is grey, top
head bald. Neck too small for head,
whole frame shrunken. These I'M
fortunate features are redeemed by a
manner earnest, at times dramatlc.
The audience ia dispensing admitted
that Dreyfus' appealing figure made a
good impression. They said he was
either innocent or a remarkable actor.
Maitre Demynge, one of Dreyfus'
counsel, at times during the hearing of
the Bordeau statement called attention
to points in the evidence. He demand.
ed that the exact date of the document
be fixed by the prosecution either in
April or August. During NJ Carriers
reply Dreyfus was informed he need
not testify further today. A motion
was then made to discuss the secret
dossier. The court announced it would
deliberate on the dossier behind closed
doors tomorrow or perhaps longer.
Court then adjourned.
RENNEs, Aug. S.-The Dreyfus court
martial met at g.: 80 this morning in
secret session for the purpose of exam
ing the secret dossier. This collection
of documents fills large clothes bas-
ket and weighs 500 pounds. Two men
brought the load into court. The ses
sion ended at noon. Four hundred
were waiting to see Dreyfus come out
of the Lycee but the troops cleared
these away. The prisoner appeared
still worried, harrassed, and uncertain
of acquittal. The court was constitu-
ted the same as yesterday. No SOL
dlers were present. The public and
correspondents were absent. 1t is
stated that Gen. Mercier bases his con-
viction of the guilt of Dreyfus on an
unpublished letter from foreign di-
plomat containing the full name of
Dreyfus.