Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-08-29
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
Favorable to Dreyfus.


Rennes, Aug. 29.-Leut. Col. Cor
der, retired, occupied most of the time
of the court martial today. He testi-
fed that at first be had believed Drey-
tus guilty but later he became sure
there was no proof of the guilt Of the
accused, and certain facts tended
strongly to the presumption that he WAS
innocent. He related the first descrip
ton given of the traitor. 1t was that
he was a colonel, 45 years old, and
decorated, which did not answer close,
20 Drey fus. The last name was 81
and not decorated. The witness, con-
tnuing, said: Foreign officers are
aware that some of the members of our
service make regular business OF
treason. Some of those know only
French but there are others who are
llnguista, such as Esterhszy, for in
stance. who is proficient in the Ian
gaages. Col. Sandherr," continued
Uordier, twas loyal and patriot and
he died an honest man. Trouble
began in the intelligence bureau
with the arrival of Colonel Henry
Before that there was harmony.
Sandherr disliked Henry. The latter's
famous forgeries were simply commit
ed in order to demolish the evidence
amassed by Lieut.. Col. Picquart. There
is no proof of Dreyfus's guilt, while on
the other hand there were numerous
suspicious acts in other quarters" Con-
tinuing his testimony he said: I'VE
had the police investigate the stories
about Dreyfus being gambler, etc.,
but all that we could find out was that
Dreyfus was not entitled to wear
orange blossoms on his wedding day"
The court was couvulsed with laughter
in which Dreyfus joined,
Major Lauth here arose and disputed
certain of the dates and facts mention
ed by Cordier. The latter. however,
firmly reiterated his statements.
M. Labor then read a telegram from
man named Pages, who was friend
of Col. Sandherr, denying that Matthew
Dreyfus attempted to bride him (Sand-
herr
General Roget now confronted Lieut..
Col. Cordier, saying "What part OF
my deposition are you pleased to desig'
Fate as false ?"
st is all false" replied Corder. This
again aroused prolonged laughter in
the court.
"Were you not an anti Semitic in
1894 ?" asked General Roget. Eyes, |
vas" replied Cordier, land still object
to having Jews in the army, but not
enough TO bring false evidence against
Of hn 10 nf
crime of treason"
This direct thrust at General Roget
caused @ sensation.
Colonel Fleur and Arcbivist Giibe
lin, of the general staff, also confronted
the witness. Their argument how
ever, was without result. Lieutenant
Colonel Cordier Disconnected his oppo-
nenis in q manner that was both ex-
csive and humorous, which convulsed
even the judge.
General MERCER then took the stand
and to the surprise Of every one sup
ported Corder in some of his state.
ments. He also affirmed that Matthew
Drevfus never attempted to bride Col
Sandherr.
The next witness was former Minis
ter of War De Freycinet. The witness
first testified 10 regard to the thirty
five million francs foreign syndicate to
free Dreyfus. He said he got the idea
that it existed from discussion with
lament. This was the only basis for
mis- staten ent to General Mercier that
such syndicate existed.
Col. Jouast, president of the court,
then asked the witness what was his
opinion of Dreyfus.
M. de Freycinet replied II will be
satisfied with whatever verdict The
court renders, as correct.
NJ. Labor asked NJ. de Freycine:
"Do you know q single fact which
would lead you to think that any for
eign agent had done anything in France
to bring about a revision of the Drey-
fus case?"
mo, nothiog," replied De Freycinet,
"Or anything that would have iDAu-
enced the court of cassation?"
NO." emphatic4lly said the former
Minister of War. The court adjourned
after the testimony of few minor Wit
nesses was heard.
1t is rumored that the prosecution Is
becoming disorganiz ID. Gen. De Bosi-
delfre is angry with MERCER ever since
Captain Freystaetter's revelations as
to the documents secretly commitment
ed to the first court martial. The i'm
provement in Drey fuss chances is gen.
orally admitted.
Paris, Aug. 29.-It is said here that
Generals MERCER, Gonse and Roget in
tend soon to declare that they have
been acting throughout the Drey-
fus affair under orders from Generals |
BosidefIre and Sausser.
From Manila.
Manila, Aug. 29.-General Wheeler