Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-08-30
his READY WIT UND|D THEM.

hl6 MhUI VII UNUlU IdtM.
French Generals Could Not Shake
Testimony Of Col. Cordier.
HE WAS A STRONG DREYFUS WIT
NESS DEFENDED PICQUART,
JEALOUSY OF WHOM, HE SAID,
DROVE HENRY TO FORGERY
THE COURT KEPT IN LAUGH
TER BY THE WITTICISMS OF A
SHORT, STOUT MAN WITH A
JOLLY FACE AND A RED NOSE.
RENNES, August 29.-Gen. MERCER,
former minister of war. and most OF
the other generals interested in the
case, were present in the hall of the
Lycee this morning when the Dreyfus
trial was opened.
Gen. Cordier, deputy chief of the in
telligence department under the late
Lieut. Col. Henry, and who, since his
released by the minister of war, Gen.
De Marquis de Galiffet, from his oath
of professional secrecy, was the first
witness called to-day. He testified to
the effect that the late Col. Sandherr
and not Lieut.. Col. Henry received the
famous bordereau. The witness deposed
strongly in favor of Dreyfus. and was
amusing in delivering his testimony.
He kept the court and even the judges
in roars of laughter by his comical
manner and witticisms. He is short,
stout man, with a jolly face and very
red nose. The colonel declared that
his belief in the guilt of Dreyfus was
first shaken when the date of the bor-
dereau was given as May. The witness
declared stoutly that he was now con-
WINGED Drefus was innocent
Col. Cordier then spoke up strongly
for Col Picquart, as conscientious
soldier and an honorable man. and
threw light upon the situation which ex-
listed in the offices of the intelligence
department of the war Office. He ex-
planned that Henry was jealous Of Pic
quart because the latter was given
charge of the statistical section, which
Henry had hoped to get for himself.
Cordier expressed the belief that 1t was
because Of Picquart that Henry COM
mitted forgery.
The evidence of Col. Cordier was de-
livered in loud voice, accompanied by
HUMOROUS ASIDES.
He several times mentioned the ambas-
sador of Germany, which caused the
president of the court. Col. Jouaust,
TO intervene and tell the witness that
he must not introduce the ambassador
or refer to Germany. The hasty cor
rectiors of the witness when he repeat
ed the same slips of the tongue, as he
did more than once, and the amusing
manner in which he avoided mention
ing Germany at other times caused the
greatest merriment. During his testl-
mony no fewer than five witnesses rose
and asked to be confronted with MIN.
But the colonel received the Interrupt
lions with the utmost good humor.
Dreyfus spoke a few words at the
conclusion of Col. Cordiers statements.
He said the scene which preceded his
arrest was so fantastic that it complete
ly bewildered him and merely left
blunted impression on his memory.
The prisoner is now accustomed to his
surroundings, and has apparently re-
covered his self-confidence, as he speaks
readily and clearly and 1ollows the
witnesses closely, taking notes of varl-
GUS points Of their dispositions.
Major Lauth first confronted Col.
Cordier and tried to score against him
by pointing out that Cordier was incor-
rect in saying there was no anti-Sem-
ties on the general staff, since Cordier
himself was one. The colonel retort-
ed, turning the tables on the major, as
raising his head, he cried: quite true!
] was an anti-Semite, but l never bore
false witness against the Jew. l am
an honest man" The audience APP
plauded these remarks.
Col. Cordier then administered
A WELL-DESERVEDS NUB
to Major Lauth by remarking that he,
the colonel. might be allowed to know
more than Major Lauth with reference
to the work of the intelligence depart
ment since he (Cordier) replaced Col.
Sandherr as chief of the department
whenever Sandherr was absent, while
Major Lauth, the witness concluded,
was merely my assistant My assist
ant, mark YOU" Major Lauth did net
enjoy this little scene at all.
Gen. Roget next confronted Col. Cor
der. The general assumed the same
supercilious air which characterized
him when he appeared at the witness
bar, strutting about the stage in dis
dainful attitudes. His evidence. how
ever, was not very striking, nor was
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