The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-08-08

I - -
the Jews!" or anything like that The
Paris journalists who had come 10 re-
port the trial seemed Gained py the
quietude of this dead city.
1t was expected that the Dreyfus-
ties and anti-Dreyfusites would shun
each other and put up at ditereht
hotels but they have tacitly agreed 10
sink their differences in each otheT
company They not only lodge at the
same hotels, but they take their meals
at the same tables and amicably pass
IN each other the dishes Rennes does
not want them to be theatrical, and so
they do not pose as ferocious patriots
but are glad to drop the characters as
sumed for the drama-loving pubic OF
Paris.
No idea exists in Rennes that the
eyes of the world are upon her, yet
there must be within her walls 300
men, representing journalism all the
world over. 1t never before occurred TO
me what a far-reac ching institution the
press is-or at least, l never realized
it so peculiarly.
We were all UP at this morning, and
after a hurried meal we rushed to the
concert-room of the Lycee, Where
the trial takes place. The Ly-
Gee is opposite the military prison,
and. with the parish church, forms
block surrounded by four streets
Military preparations were going Tor
ward to prevent a lot of roughs COM
ing from Paris to act riotously- Drey-
fus was to cross the street from the
prison to the courtroom, but nobody
was to see him except the military,
which barred the street to the right
and left of the Lycee door. An oft1-
Ger whispered to me, when L was In the
Lycee, to go to the window, when ne
indicated, and get glimpse OF Drey-
fus The prisoner was TO cross the
street at ten minutes past ana 10
wait in private room Tor the sum
mons TO appear before his Judges.
Precisely at the time named the door
of the military prison opened and Drey-
| fus, guarded by captain OF gen
7 q arnles appeared He were = I1fiifl
new uniform. The stiff Innings had not
| yet formed into the shape of the fig
ure: the whole suit seemed an awk
ward fit The three rows of gold
braid that were torn from his cuffs on
the day of his degradation were CLINT
ing in the sun. The man was stiff
as his uniform. He held his head high,
as if on purpose, but his shoulders
stopped The step was that of man
not used to freedom and extremely
measured and mechanical. One might
think he marked the time as he walked.
His hair is of a reddish gray, and his
neat mustache is frankly red. The face
had a drawn and worn expression, the
eyes furtively inquiring. as If looking
out for traps and pitfalls. His COM
plexion is fresh the kind of freshness
that accompanies auburn hair. The
lips are rather thin and the chin is that
of a strong man. Indeed, the chin
contradicts the expression of the
eyes.
Captain Dreyfus crossed the hall
close to me and entered a room, the
door of which closed behind him. l
saw also the arrival of the witnesses,
who were taken to the rector's room
Generals Billot, Mercier, Chanoine,
Gonse, Zurlinden and De Boisdeffre
were in uniform, as were many Of the
field and subaltern officers.
The widow of Colonel Henry leaned
upon the arm of Captain Wunos. She
was most amiably saluted by Generals
de Boisdeffre and Mercier. She looks
stacy and not ladylike. General Pei
lieux kept aloof. NJ. Cavaignac's
cheerfulness seemed forced, but former
President Casimir-Perier was bl1the
as a boy He wore a summer suit of
shepherds plaid, a white waistcoat and
straw hat.
Lieutenant Colonel Picquart was in
plain clothes and was cold-shouldered
ne did not mind. He had played the
winning card and could afford to be
Indifferent.
The concert-room, where the trial is
held, has a vaulted roof. The walls are
adorned with tablets containing the
names of famous Bretons Just be-
hind the seat placed for Dreyfus is
tablet on which the last name is that
of a Roman.
At Z o'clock the coming of the court
was announced in military fashion.
the soldiers presenting arms. The
Judges entered from the wings and
were in full dress uniform. They pro-
ceeded in Indian file to their places be
hind a long table on a slightly raised
patform. Colonel Jouaust, the presid-
ing officer, is man of dignifed ap-
pearance. not unintellectual, and has
an upright, martial air. The counsel
for the defense have seats and desks
on the stage or platform to the left of
the Judges table. The seat of the ac-
cused is in front and also on the stage.
Facing it on the right side are desks
for the registrar and prosecuting Of
nicer. All were well in view.
Colonel Jouaust in stentorian voice
declared that the trial be begun and
that, as ordered, the accused be
brought in. All eyes were turned upon
Dreyfus. His fresh complexion aston