New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-07
THE EMPEROR THE ARBlTER.
FATE OF DREyFUS DEPENDENT ON THE DECISION OF
THE GERMAN RULER
IMPORTANT TESTIMONY AT YESTERDAYS SESSION

Rennes. Sept 6-Two hours at the opening
Of the Dreyfus court martial to-day were spent
behind closed doors. The length OF time occu-
pied in the examination OF Eugene de Cser-
nuzky. the Austrian refugee and witness for the
prosecution was the subject Of much remark
as indicating that the Court found this witness
to be worthy Of more consideration than it had
been supposed he deserved.
The exciting episode OF the mornings sitting
was a scene in which NJ. Laborl, General Blot.
Colonel Jouaust and Captain Dreyfus participat.
ed Things had gone quietly and even mo-
notonously up to that time La ,ame
Blanche" with her famous pearls In her ears
and around her neck. kept whispering to her
companion Others who from the first had
taken the keenest interest in every word ut
tered In the court seemed bored, and the in
tense heat in the room caused several 10 fall
asleep Suddenly, when General Billot. I'm low
even tones. again brought out what many de-
clared is the Generals last card namely the
completely Of Dreyfus and Esterhazy. there was
a remarkable change OF scene NJ Iabori in
great excitement and waving his arms protest.
ed in a ringing voice. Dreyfus. who had been
sitting like a statue. also jumped TO his feet.
despite the restraining hand that a gendarme
placed upon his shoulder. and, his face afams
with passion, said addressing Colonel Jouaust:
L protest, Colonel. l protest against this
odious accusation"
NJ Labori at the same time was demanding TO
be heard. Colonel Jouaust equally. determined
not to hear him. called out. "Maitre Labori. l re-
fuse to allow you to speak,
When NJ. Labori finally sat down he was
deathy pale and trembling like a leaf.
TRARIEU< AGAIN TESTIFIEs
The largest audience yet assembled in the
Lycee was present when the open session Of the
court martial began at $50 o'clock. Senator
Trarieux. ex-Minister OF Justice at once resumed
his deposition, which was interrupted by the ad-
journment OF the court yesterday. NJ Trarieux
took up the testimony of Savignaud. the witness
for the prosecution who had claimed to have
letters addressed to NJ. Scheurer- Kestner.
formerly Vice-President of the Senate. by
Lieutenant Colonel Picquart, while Savignaud
Picquart's orderly in Tunis NJ. Trarieux
declared that Savignaud was a perjurer. and
that two officers visited Savienaud before the
court martial opened NJ. Trareux limiting that
the officers drilled Savgnaud on the testimony
! he was TO give
Savignaud replied. reterating the truth Of his
pr 'vious testimony. Lieutenant Colonel Picquart
then arose and repeated his denial Of Saw
gnaud's story.
NJ. Trareux delivered his testimony in an EN-.
phatc tone He reviewed the question Of the
petit bleu, which, he said. he was convinced was
/. authentic. He proceeded to comment upon the
questionable role played by Commandant Lauth
| In the affair.
Commandant Lauth interrupted the witness.
| asking a hearing and on the conclusion Of NJ.
Trareux's deposition Commandant Lauth con-
fronted him. The Commandant declared that he
had acted honestly throughout and that he
had not the least doubt Of Lieutenant Colonel
Tcquarts Justification of the petit bleu in
order to incriminate Major Esterhazy.
wOMANS NAME MENTIONED.
A striking incident occurred when Command
ant Lauth. a moment later, asserted that Lieu
tenant Colonel Pcquart had always shown the
greatest contempt for tho officers Of his bureau.
asserting that one occasion Picquart had
brought to the General STAFF, in the presence
OF Mines. Henry and Lautb, woman. Mme
D. who was the wife of magistrate.
Lieutenant Pcquart arose and cried: Il pro-
test absolutely" At the same time there arose
from the spectators a chorus Of indignant cries
OF "Ohm "Canailler' "Cochonw and Mise
rable" The gendarmes ordered to repress
the outbursts of Indignation which had been
evoked by the conduct OF Commandant Lauth
In publicly naming q woman in scandalous
connection.
General Zurlinden formerly Minister OF War.
followed Commandant Lauth at the witness bar.
General Zurlinder spoke in justification Of his
action while he was Military Governor OF Paris
and Minister OF War in the matter OF the prose-
cution Of Lieutenant Colonel Picquart taking
the ground that the measure was absolutely
necessary in order that the court should clear
up the charge of forgery brought against Pic
quart Moreover General Zurlinden said the
Minister of Justice had persuaded him to send
Lieutenant Colonel Picquart before a military
court.
NJ Trarieux replied to General Zurlinden re-
preaching him with Lieutenant Colonel Pic
quarts ten months in prison.
JOUAUsTs APPARENT INJUSTICE.
NJ Labor then asked question Of General
Zurlinden regarding the petit lieu. Colonel
Jouaust president OF the court martial
fused to put the question. on the ground that
the Court was engaged in the trial Of Dreyfus
and not OF the Picquart affair. NJ Labori how
ever insisted, taking the ground that the petit
bleu demonstrated the guilt Of Major Esterhazy
and that consequently it was very important for
Dreyfus.
NJ. Labori then questioned General Zurlinden
who admitted that the magisterial inquiry
showed that the petit bleu not tampered
with when II first arrived the Intelligence
Department. and that consequently Picquart
could not have been guilty, as alleged OF dis
torting the document
NJ. Labori asked that NJ. Paeologue. the
pert Of the Foreign Office, be consulted with
reference to the reading before the Court OF
diplomatic documents which established IRE.
futaby the authenticity of the petit bleu NJ.
Paleoogue. who sits behind the Judges. came
to the front OF the stage and said that he did
not know to what document NJ. Labori alluded.
THE document" replied NJ. Labori. "in which
is recounted conversation between NJ Dell
casse. ex-Prime Minister. and Count Won