The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-31

words actually used on that occasion
referred to the steps taken in regard
to him, the prisoner, by Col. Du Patty
de Clam to whom he had expressed
desire that full light should be thrown
on his case.
ALLOW me- continued Dreyfus, Ito
express the emotion and surprise l feel
today after five years when 1 see a
witness who hearing such words, be-
ginning with protest of innocence re-
ported them to his chiefs without ask
ing the most concerned person for an
explanation of them. These are pro-
ceedings in the face of which all honest
people can only express Indignation"
Great sensation).
Capt. Anthoine, who was present at
the degradation of Dreyfus, was the
next witness. He testified that on leav-
ing the parade ground he met capt
D'Attel who informed him that Drey-
fus had made remarks in his presence,
the meaning of which, to his mind,
clearly was:
First, a formal confession that he had
! delivered documents; second, an allie
cation that the documents were unirn-
portant; third, that the prisoners OBJ
ject was to obtain more important
documents in exchange.
Replying to Capt. Anthoine, the pris-
oner said he had only one observation
to make; that he maintained positive
ly that he only spoke to Capt. Lebrun-
Renault and that he had nothing to
add to his reply to the latter
D'ATTEL MUST HAVE HEARD
L.
mitted that Capt. D'AtteI did not speak
to the prisoner, but he added that as
D'Attel was in the room, which was
very small, he certainly heard the
words uttered by Dreyfus.
NJ. Labori-What is very certain is
that Capt. D'Atte1 made no report of
the incident to his chiefs.
Gen. Mercier-NO.
Lieut.. Col. Guerin, whom Gen. Saus-
sier ordered to attend the degradation
and report on it, was next examined.
He said:
cat 7:45 I saw the prison van arrive.
Dryefus alighted and was taken to the
Office, where he was guarded by Capt.
Lebrun- Renault, whose name I did not
tant of the garrison relieved Capt.
Lebrun- Renault, with four artillery
men and corporal composing the
guard, which was to conduct the
prisoner to the place of degradation.
At that moment I was at the door of
the. building.
Capt. Lebrun-Renault when relieved
from duty saw me and Immediately be-
gan to relate what DreyfuS had said
The three statements which struck him,
because of their Importance, remained
so craven in my memory that I could
never forget them, namely: First the
prisoners pride in the facingS he had
lost; second, his confession that he had
delivered documents to a foreign
power; third, that in three years justice
would be done him.
"A group of officers were standing
! near and as Capt Lebrun-Renault's
conversation was not confidential and
the statement he had made was of
great Importance and interest to us, I
begged him to repeat to the officers
what he had just told me.
Il must add that Capt. D'Attel had
been ordered to superintend matters,
and his special duty required him to
report everything which occurred in
| the Office of the adjutant while Dreyfus
was there, and until Dreyfus was con-
Quoted to the place of degradation.
Throughout the ceremony the prisoner
walked automatically Afterwards,
when he was conducted to the prison
van, 1 stood in company with some Off
| GERS in the passage DreyfuS traVerSed,
and Dreyfus addressing the officers re-
peated that in three years justice
would be done to him. He then entered
and disappeared.
AFTER THE CEREMONY.
! after the ceremony verbally report
ed to Gen. Saussier the incident of the
morning, particularly the statements
made by Dreyfus to Capt. Lebrun-
Renault.
During the day Captain D'AtteI also
told NJ. Wunenberger archivist of the
/ Paris headquarters, that Dreyfus had
confessed
NJ Demange-How do you reconcile
his protests of innocence with his al
| legged confession?
Colonel Guerin-That is not my bust
ness.
NJ Demange-You reported the con-
feSsion to General Saussier?
Colonel Enthusiastically.
M. Demange-Was it suggested that
steps be taken to verify the alleged
confession?
Colonel Guerin-I do not recollect.
M. Demange-So there was no at
| tempt to interrogate Drevfus in regard
| to the alleged confession?
Colonel Guerin-The case had passed
out of the hands of the military auth
! critics, the prisoner having been hand
/ ed over to the civil authorities.
/ Dreyfus, when the usual question was
/ put to him, said he had nothing to add
/ to the reply to had made TO Captain
/ Lebrun Renault
One of the judges asked the witness
/ whether NJ. Weyl, when attached to
/ the army headquarters, had relations
/ with Esterhazy to which Colonel Guer-
| in replied that he believed that Weyl
| had known Esterhazy for a long time
| The judge-Do you think Esterhazy
/ knew the prisoner
| Colonel Guerin-I do not know.
| Dreyfus here remarked that he never
| knew Esterhazy.
Major de AIitry of the Hussars. tes-
/ titled to Captain Anthoine's telling him
/ of the alleged confession Of Dreyfus-
Army Controller Peyroles, also testi-
! fed that he heard of the confession
from Colonel Guerin. The latter, he