The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-08-31
DREYFUS TRIAL
NJ. Bertillon Continues His Com
edy Before the Rennes Court
martial,
And This Is Followed by One on
: the Tragic Order Captain
Freystaeter
Brands Colonel Maureps State
ments as Falsehoods - Maui
rePs Defense.


courtmartial M. Alphonse Bertillon re-
sumed his testimony, interrupted by
the adjournment of the court. In this
case, M. Bertillon testified as hand
writing expert and gave his reason for
believing Dreyfus to be the author Of
the famous bordereau upon which the
prosecution mainly depends to estab-
lish the charge against the prisoner.
The comic aspect of M. Bertillon's
performance again appealed to the risi-
bilities of the audience, though the
judges paid close attention to his dem
onstrations, which were concluded at
$50 a. M, the witness saying in de-
clamatory tone:
Il am convinced the writer of the
bordereau is the prisoner sitting there"
Dreyfus heard him without finching
and with an expression of disdain which
he showed in a still more noticeable
manner, just before the specialists tes-
timony, when M. Demange handed him
a paper which M. .Bertillon had sub
mitted to the judges as convincing
proof of the guilt of the accused. The
prisoner perused it for few minutes
and then handed it back with a shrug
of his shoulders and without uttering
| word.
Another Highly Dramatic Scene.
There was a highly dramatic scene
toward the end of the session. Maitre
Labor, leading counsel for the defense,
asked to have Captain Freystaeter, one
of the members of the courtmartial of
1894 which convicted Dreyfus, called
in contradiction of the deposition of
| Colonel Maurel, the presiding judge
upon that occasion, who had testified
that he only read one of the documents
| out of the secret dossier communicated
| to the courtmartial.
The captain, who is finely built off,
Ger, and who has a handsome, honest
face, assembled the platform with firm
step and fearless air. When he was
| to recount what occurred, he said his
conviction of the guilt of the prisoner
was formed by the evidence of the ex-
perts in handwriting, the deposition of
! Colonel Du Patty de Clam, "and," he
continued, II must add, some slight
influence was exercised over my mind
| BIZ hearing the secret dossier read"
4 The witness was then questioned as
kto whether one or mere of the docr-
ments was read, and he said they were
all read. This was in direct contradict
ton of Colonel Maurel, and M. Labor
at once demanded the conformation of
Capt. Freystaeter with Colonel Maurel.
The latter mounted the stage and pre-
sented q miserable object, his shifty
eyes clearing out beneath heavy eye
| brows and looking around him with q
vicious hsng-dog look.
! 81 ~ How Maurel Explained It
3 "How do you explain thisT' asked NJ.
Labor. l1H#f.- at u.s.
Then, the colonel at bay, replied saw
agely: ~ said / only read one docu-
ment. did not say only one document
was read"
|. This statement called forth an out
burst of Kisses and indignant ''ohs''
from the audience, which looked upon
| it as an Infamous confession. The wit
ness, trembling with shame, but evil
IDENTIFY determined to fight to the last,
threw free look of hatred at M. La
bori and the audience, as the gendarmes
shouted s'silence, silence" After this
the audience listened spellbound as
Captain Freystaeter in distinct, bold
voice, told exactly what the documents
of dossier were and how Colonel Maurel
not only read those documents, but
made comment on them. This was
practically calling Maurel thorough
liar, and the colonel glared at the cap.
tain ferociously. Captain Freystaeter,
however, was not dismayed and his
words, spoken in tone Of candor and
fearlessness, must have carried convic-
| ton to every nearer.
General Mercier then asked to be
heard and placed himself by the side OF
Maurel. The forbidding appearance OF
these two men, both dressed in civilian
attire, was in striking contrast with
the erect, unfiinching attitude OF Fray.
staeter, who wore the smart uniform Of
a captain of artillery, with medals or
| his breast. 1t was remarkable scene,
extraordinarily OPENED