The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-08
ATHRILL WITH SUSPENSE
WHAT THE VERDICT WILL BE
NO ONE CAN GUESS.
DREYfUS' CHANCES FOR ACQUITTAL
He May Go Free Even Should Only Three Out
of the Seven Judges Declare in his
Favor. Verdict Expect
ed Monday.

Rennes, Sept To-day came the be-
ginning of the end in the Dreyfus trial.
With the speech of the Government
Commissary, Major Carriere, the case
entered upon the final stage of pleadings,
and the verdict will be delivered on Mon
day at the latest. There is even talk
tonight of tn trial ending tomorrow by
holding an extra afternoon session for
NJ. Labori's speech and the deliberation
of the judges. This, however, is con-
sidered unlikely, as the Government is
anxious to have the Judgment withheld
over Sunday, in order to avert demon
strations which would probably develop
bloodshed ON a day when the workmen
are free.
The Government is not only fearful
regarding Renes, but is particularly con-
cerned regarding Paris and other large
towns where passions have been heated
and where the verdict, whichever way it
IS given, is practically certain to give
rise to trouble.
It is understood that the Government
has intimated its desire to the President
VI thC 1ouIl SOiOll6l JOuduSi,
and there is no reason to believe that he
will not fall in with its views.
Colonel Jouaust this morning took
the most important decision yet taken
and took it entirely upon his own re-
sponsibility, although he is undoubtedly
only the mouthpiece of the whole body
of judges. His decision to exclude the
tajtimony of Colonel Schwartzkoppen
and Major Panizzardi was most signi-
cant, as it means that the court had al
ready reached conclusion and that the
pleadings of counsel were merely waste
of time and might be dispensed with, if
they We're not a necessity.
The court has made up its mind, but
which way? This is the vital point
and forms the sole topic of discussion
tonight Both sides are equally conf
dent that the court will decide in ac-
cordance with their view. The Drey-
fusards declare that the judges cannot
condemn Captain Dreyfus after reject
ing the decisive evidence which
Schwartzkoppen and Panizzardi would
have given in his favor.
The Anti -Dreyfusards, on the other
hand, explain today's rulings on the
ground that the judges recognize that
the evidence of the two military at
taches would be worthless, because they
would be morally bound to save their
agent at any cost.
A sample of this reason was given by
an Anti-Dreyfusard journalist who,
when praising Colonel Jouaust's decis-
ion, explained:
What weight could he attach to the
testimony of Schwartzkoppen and
Panizzardi? The receiver of stolen goods
must shield the thief as much as he
can"
From the popular point of view, the
scene in court when Colonel Jouaust
delivers the judgment will be, ,divested Of
its most sensational feature owing to
the absence of the central figure. Cap
tain Dreyfus will be taken to an adj
iacent room when the judges retire to
consider their verdict. A moment be-
fore they are to re-enter, bell will
be rung, and, as they take their places
behind the long table on the stage, the
infantry guard will present arms and
remain at present arms, while Colonel
Jouaust, standing in the center OF the
platform, reads the verdict.
Captain Dreyfrls will not be brought
back to the court room, and viii mot be
present at the public meeting of the
Judges but, when the court room has
been cleared by the gendarmes, which
will be done as soon as Colonel Jouaust
concludes, the reading clerk of the court
will proceed to the room where Dreyfus
will be waiting and read to him the yer-
dict, i'm the presence of a couple of gem
darmes.
The public will thus be robbed of the
spectacle of his emotions which are
hound to be most profound, whether tn"
decree sends him to the arms Of his
family or back to the penal settlement.
The verdict may be a condemnation.
AN mequiyocal acquittal, or a form Of
acquittal that would be equivalent to the
Scotch verdict ''not proven" The last
will he the case if the Judges shoull
pronounce against him 10y vote of 10
3.
That is, he would he freed, even though
the judges in his favor should be in the
minority. But. this naturally, would
be very unsatisfactory as he would car
nv the stigma for the rest of his DAYS.
Captain Dreyfus thus has FIVE chances
against the prosecutions three. Unanini-
ty, six to one five to two. four to three
or three to four. will set him at liberty.
while unanimity, six 10 one, or five to
two, will convict him. If convicted, the
Judgment will be carried to the milf