Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-08-17

all the same his conviction Of the
guilt Of Dreyfus remained unchanged.
There was great sensation when VI.
Damange men toned the opinion ex-
pressed by n Barthou that Gen. Billot
had been forewarned in regard to the
forgery Of Lieut.-Col. Henry. The
general acknowledged that the Henry
forgery was among the factors arous-
ing his doubts Continuing, Gen. Bill
lot said he was immensely surprised
and deeply affected by the revelation
Of the forgery. He said: Il never
could have believed a superior officer
could De guilty OF forgery" NJ. Cav
aignac, ex-minister of war, said he was
the first cabinet minister to assume
responsibility to DreyfUs. He had
closely followed the inquiry OF the
court of cessation and still desired to
associate himself with the responsible
ity of those who in 1894 protected the
| country and the army against treason.
| Continuing, the witness said that
among the principal points upon which
ne based his convictions was the con-
fession TO Capt. Labrun-Renault IN
support OF which contention he quoted
a passage from an alleged letter TO
Dreyfus, but which in reality was part
of Gen. Gonse's report to the minister
of war on Col. Du Patty de CLAIMS re-
ports of the alleged confession. The
Henry forgery" said NJ. Cavaignac,
las alleged, was in order to secure a
revision Of the case by the court Of
CESSATION"
The prisoner, who during NJ. Cavaig-
macs arraignment of him had seemed
nervous and agitated, said in a low
voice: Il am astounded that the man
who produced in the tribunal of the
chamber the Henry forgery can come
here and base his convictions of my
culpability on matters which the court
of cessation has already disposed Of. -
M. Serulingten, also former minister
Of war, was the next witness. He de-
clared he still regarded the bordereau
as decisive proof of the guilt of Drey-
fus. Nothing, not even EsterhaZy' S
confession, he said, had occurred to
change his convictions. General
Chanoine next testified He briefly
affirmed his belief in the culpability of
the prisoner. NJ. Hanotaux, former
minister of foreign affairs, declared he
had nothing that could be added to his
evidence given before the court of cas-
sation. He said he never had cogni-
Zance, either as a minister or as pri-
vate individual, of any secret dossier.
He had been busy with threatening
foreign relations. When it became
necessary to publish several official
notes in order to satisfy a foreign en-
bassy, the situation was grave and he
forthwith required Gen. MERCER to
cease the prosecution of affairs under
the ruling circumstances. But Gen
MERCER was obdurate and the case pro-
ceeded. The court adjourned until to-
morrow
Why He Wrote Bordereau.
London Aug. 15.-The Evening News
yesterday said Esterhazy again says he
! wrote the bordereau. He alleges it
) basis for accusation against Dreyfus
against whom there already existed a
number of grave proofs Of guilt, which
! could not be used without compromis-
ing certain personages.
Effect of Mercier's Testimony.
Paris, Aug. 15-Maitre Demange
tells the Petit Blue that the deposition
of Gen. MERCER was a great aid tc
Dreyfus. Dreyfus, Daemange says, is as
sure Of himself as ever.
A National Calamity.
London, Aug. 15.-The correspondent
Of the Times at Rennes says: There
was terribly suggestive timeliness in
the crime (attack on Lauori). 1t was
a master stroke. The one indispensi-
bic man was thrown hors de combat
! just at the moment when most was ex-
pected OF him. | do not exaggerate the
general impression when | affirm that
with his absence the bottom seems 10
have dropped out Of the defense. The
examination of Gen. MERCER 10y NJ
Demange was one Of the weakest exhi-
billions of forensic ingenuity and pres
ence OF mind which is possible TO con-
ceire. MERCER, BilIot Cavaignac, with
the others, held the floor just as in the
trial Of 81, while the prisoner was left
almost without defense. For reasons
which l am bound not to give the event
is a national calamity