The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-09-09

Tor the government commissioner to snow
that he 10 suil,y Of the aboninaole crime
imputed to him"
NJ Demange then protested against the
suggestion that II had been attempted to
put Esterhazy on trial. explaining that all
the defense desired was that the inno-
cence Of Dreyfus should appear. dazzling
and complete. and that the court martial
should proclaim It.
Counsel was satisfied that the Judges OF
1894 were honest. like the present judges.
But II the former had seen Esterhazy's
handwriting they would have pronounced
. different verdict.
Proof of Inn00enee.
Counsel then entered into details. deal
ing with the information collected re-
sarding the prisoner In 1904. He said:
The only real Information 10 that
found IN the cries from his soul. Even
before hia conviction his first cry was.
I will not take my life because I am
innocent.'"
~. Dsmanes dilated upon the prison.
ere ipcreAsing protestations Of innocence
and his touching letters TO his family, sx-
claiming:
In them you see his soul. which speaks.
u
himself. He cherished the hope Of Sec
Ing his innocence acknowledged
AIMING the letters OF Dreyfus read by
~ pemaneS was one in which. after as
aerting his innocence and declaring he
always served the tri-color with devo.
tion and honor. the prisoner complained
that he was treated on Devils island like
an ordinary convict. It concluded with
the words: Il wish 10 live
THAT II q soldiers SOUL exclaimed ~.
pemange, and II In that man you call q
traitor. Il II that man who In your pres
once restrains his sobs and his emotions.
An. gentlemen, would rather defend
guilty men who ara clever dissemblsrs
than an Innocent man who v too SIN
lstttS3 1BS Al slnsIas.
Other letters sf the prisoner were read.
all breathing the same desire 10 live, 20
see his honor disclosed. though the wri-
ter was broken down In health and spir-
It's. One letter. written IN 1897. appeals TO
Gen. pc Boisdefyre 70 lend his generous
aid IN securing for the writer restoration
10 the liberty OF which ne had been
robbed Nfaing to his brother. the pris.
oner said:
while one or more scoundreis are
walking free. il would be happy release
for me 10 die. but II would be n disgrace
TO Lucille and my children
In this letter the writer urged his
brother "a find the culpriss. while caro-
fully protecting the interests OF the coun-
try
lis not that the cry Of an innocent
man7" asked NJ Demanee. Yet though
Gen. De BoisdeYre received the letter he
did not forward Il 70 Matthew Dreyfus"
Five ministers ~ war" said NJ De-
mango. "prcnounced Dreyfus guilty. while
admitting that I, was impossible 10 produce
proofs Gen. Dc Boisdeffre Gen. Gonse and
Gen. Roget also affirmed their belief IN
HIS guilt Rut they stated no reasons. ana
instead of proofs only accumulated pre-
sumptions.
After pointing out that the generals only
studied the case NJ the very moment when
public alteration had reduced the whole
question 10 conflict between Drevfus
and tho army. thus making IL impossible
that the generals should not 10 prejudiced
and probabilities and presImptions seem
ed 20 bc proofs. VI. pemange said:
IT must acknowledge. however. the hon.
es,y and honorable conduct ~ The generats.
who could not have acted otherwise than
they have done.
Counsel then paid an eloquent tribute 70
the honesty 81 purpose" manifested by
the generals
Aus,ysss Of the Coatesstons.
Dealing next with the confessions, cour-
sci read the report - Capt Hssbrur-Re-
nau!s. OF the Republican guards. who had
the prisoner IN charge previous 10 his
ar, words os Dreyrus, which were now
known. only reflected iieas Col Du Fa'r
DO Clam had previously expressed 70 the
prisoner. adAirg shs, "ail that Du Patty
a. clam maintained 20 the contrary. Il
was certain that Imagination had played
a much greater par, than reason In the
acts ot Du Patty Sc Clam
7, was also sen:ncan, that the report
drawn up hy Du Pasy De Clam on the day
following his irtsrv.ew with Dr~yfus had
disappeared r,u Patty ds Clam. counsel
pointed out. haa evidently forgotten other
facts
NJ. Dernangr said be ~ss surprised a, ths
attitude O. Gen. Gorse toward the alleges
confession srt aHied that Car. Lebrun-
Rsnnui, who was sent 20 ;he Elysee pal
ace expressly 20 repea; the confessions.
asa no. mention them. n was likewise In
exriscahle that Ger. sausssr and G~n-
MERCER took no steps 10 verify the So
called confessions. which were lost sight
Of until NJ Caysignac sprung them on the
CHAMBER of deputies as proof ~ m. guilt
q, p-~yfns The conr; Of cassatton had
lastly decide. sha, they were not con-
sesssona
Secret Dossiee . Ftss1e.
Procesa.rw 20 dlscose the secret toss.sr.
NJ Dernanws examined the documents one
after another. He rad ell interpretations
q. the documents c0mnencfar Doubts
proof were hyposheiscai, bat fasy applied
much morv eAssly 20 EsterhAxy than -
-cmnnl1oA n - n