The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-08-19
PlCQUART'S STORY.
French Colonel Again
On Stand.
Clear and Convincing Analysis Of
DOssier.
Evidence Very Favor
able To Dreyfus.
Gems. Mercier and Roget Con-
front Witness.

Rennes, August 1s--Wnen the second
trial by court martial OF Cart Dreyfus
was resumed at 7.20 this morning, Col
picquart was called to the witness stand
and continued his deposition which was
interrupted yesterday by the adjourn
ment Of the court for the day. The Col
onel gave his testimony in the same loud
fearless tone OF voice. He commenced by
declaring that he thought IL necessary 60
reply Immediately to Gen. Roget's yerita-
BILE arraignment of him, while the hitter
was on the stand. at the outset of
Col Picquars's remarks. Gen. Roget In
terposed and said he would reply to them
Continuing. Col. Picquart proceeded to
describe the secret dossier as being the
mainspring of the condemnation of Drey-
fus. He took up the documents success
sively referring to the writer's and ad-
dresses of the letters as "Ar and 81. y
Among those present In court were Gen.
erals Zuriinden and Biilot, former minis
tsrs of war Maitre Mornard, who argued
the case In behalf of the Dreyfus family
for the revision of the prisoners sentence
| before the court Of cassation, was present
this morning TO assist III. Demange.
Col. Picquart practically occupied the
whole Of thu days sitting with mas
terful presentation OF his side OF the
case. He spoke for tive hours and his
voice at the end of that time began to
show signs of fatigue. During the brief
suspension OF court, Generals Mereier,
Roget, Billot and DeBolsdefeirs, and
other witnesses sarntered togsthe- up
and down the court yard OF I4ysee, or
gathered in little groups animatedly dis
cussing Picquart's evidsnoe, which al
though 1t contained but few new facts,
was SO cleverly placed before the tribunal
and was sIoken SO effectively that II
could not fail to repeat the impression
he made yesterday. Dreyfus natu rally
drank in all the witnesa's words which
came as a balm to the wounds inflicted
upon him by Mercier and Roget and the
prisoner frequently and closely scanned
ths faces of his judges and tried to read
their thoughts.
Picquart's deposition was fine per.
formance. He spoke without notes and
from the masS of facts used, it must b.
ranked as feat of memory. The mem.
bsrs of the court martial took copions
notes during Picquart's testimony and
it WAS quite evident that several Of the
explanations gave fresh light.
When he concluded, both Gen. Roget
and Gen. Mercier jumped up and asked
to be heard contradictory. Col Jouasi
asked Roget TO speak first. He thereupon
| questioned Col. Picquart, who answered
him promptly. Gen. Mercisr assumed
n quiet demeanor. Neither. however,
said anything which could be asoribed
as damaging to Col Picquart's testimo.
ny.
Before resumipg his deposition Col.
Picquart said, 81 think it necessary to
say few words with reference to the
veritable speech for the prosecution deliv-
cred by Gen. Roget when referring to
the Quenelli case.
The president of the court, Col. Jouast
here interposed, saying: SIS it a person.
al matter?''
| 81 shall be very brief, Colonel" re-
piled Col. Picquart. 81 am, moreover,
ready to reply TO all questions the cour
may ask on the subject. For the moment,
I shall confine myself to the following
explanation. The Quenelli case occurred
between May go and July IL, 1895, at
which period on account OF family be-
reayement / was able TO pay very little
attention to my official duties. In my
absence Col. Henry asked for me. More
over devoted most of the month of July
to journey of the headquarters staff,
which also prevented me from attending
&c ordinary duties. was therefore able
to give only very intermittent attention
to the Quenelli case. Besides this
Quenelli was returned convict who had
oontravened and been caught red handed
in another criminal act. He was at drst
sight not particularly interesting per-
sonage."
At this point Gen. Roget arose and
said: 81 wish to be allowed to reply. -
''You SHALL" said Col. Jouast. Col.
Picquart continuing, said: 81 protest
absolutely against the allegation that
consented to the communication Of secret
documents to the members of the Drey-
fus court martial and ii it was done it
was not with my conniyanoe. hasten
to add that in my opinion 1t would have
been an insult to the court TO hslieye its
members would lend themselves to suoh
| machinations. I am ready I repeat. to
re1lysto every question. / will only point
out that all Gen. Roget has recounted
in detail was published In general terms
lin the Gaulois Of January 4. Having