New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-30
STRONG CASE FOR DREYFUS
REVISION RECOMMENDED TO THE
COURT OF CESSATION.
N BALLOT DE BEAUPRE. PRESIDENT OF
THE CIVIL SECTION OF THE COURT,
READS HIS REPoRT-sCENEs IN
AND ABOUT THE PALACE

AND ABOUT THE PALACE.
OF JUSTICE
Paris May 29-The Court of Cessation met
to-day 10 hear the debates In the application for
a revision OF the Dreyfus case
The procedure will consist Of the reading Of
the report of the President Of the Civil Section
Of the Court, NJ. Ballot de Beaupre; a speech by
Msitre Mornard, counsel for Nine Dreyfus and
an address upon the part of the Public Prose-
cutor NJ. Manau, after which the Court will re-
tire 10 deliberate upon a verdict which, it is
expected, will be rendered on Friday or Satur-
day.
PRECAUTIONS TO PRESERVE ORDER.
The doors o. the Palace of Justice were opened
al IL O'clock Persons connected with the case,
newspaper men and others. began to arrive half
an hour previously There was much animation
in the Hobbies of the palace. but the crowds in
the vicinity were not numerous. Extensive pre-
cautions were taken TO preserve order inside and
outside the building. The colonel commanding
the usual guard at the palace had special REIN
forcements. sent by the Military Governor of
Paris, General Zurlinden. under his command.
and considerable forces Of military and mounted
police had been assembled at the barracks in
the vicinity Of the court.
The witnesses who have testified In the Drey-
fus case were admitted by a door on the left
Of the palace, and those connected with the trial
Of MN. Deroulede and Marcel Habert for incit
ing soldiers TO characterization In connection
with the election of President Loubet, which is
also before the court to-day. were admitted by
a door on the right OF the building.
Spectators about the palace selling seats
at points OF vantage for from 10 to 20 francs
EACH but the business done was not as good
during the Zola trial, when they easily Obtained
40 francs for seats
The courtroom was filled with Partisan celeb
rites. the greater part of the hall having been
reserved for ticket holders. Many judges be-
longing to other courts were among those pres
ent, and absolute tranquility prevailed. There
were about twenty women among the audience
filing the galleries.
REPORT OF NJ. BALLOT DE BEAUPRE.
The proceedings began at noon. amid profound
silence. the President of the Civil Section of the
Court reading his report on the case. After
calling the conditions under which the prosecu-
tion OF Dreyfus instituted in 1894. he dealt
with the contradictory evidence OF the experts in
handwriting. NJ. Ballot de Beaupre read a num-
Der OF euogistic reports on Dreyfus. when the
latter was Military School probatoner on the
General S. aff his interrogatory by Lieutenant
Colonel du Patty de Clam, in which Dreyfus per-
sisted in denying having had relations with any
foreign Embassy. and his statement that he had
not given any documents to any agent relating
TO the defence OF the country.
The Reporter afterward described the scene
in Du Paty de Clams Office, in the presence Of
the chief of detectives, NJ. Cochefert. and
sketched the history Of the Dreyfus family
According to Du Patty de Clam. Dreyfus when
he saw the resemblance to his handwriting ex-
claimed:
They have stolen my handwriting
ACCUSATIONS THAT WERE FALSE.
1t was also pointed out that Dreyfus when
the report of Ormes- -Chevilles was presented at
the court marital protested he had never seen
the 100 short gun used and that he did not
know before July of the disposition Of the from
tier forces. The prisoner also said he had not
had a copy of the firing manual. knew nothing
of the documents respecting Madagascar. and
said to the Reporter of the court-martial:
IT have now been more than six weeks in con-
fnement l swear l am innocent The son OF
an Alsatan Protestant abandoned everything
10 serve France. and I am to-day worthy or
leading her soldiers on the battlefield. The mar
tyrdom suffer Is atrocious."
NJ Ballot dc Beaupre then dealt with the
Ormes- Chevilles report and Dreyfus's relations
with married women The report said the first
suspicious OF Dreyfus emanated from Colonel
Fabre who was struck with the similarity OF
the word artillery" in the bordereau and in a
document written by Dreyfus. Continuing the
report dealt with Lieutenant-Colonel Henrys
account of his conversation with Dreyfus when
the latter was transferred to the Cherche-Mi
Prison. Dreyfus said:
1T is terrible! 1 accused Of a frighuui
thing"
Henry then asked what he was accused or
and Dreyfus replied:
Il am accused Of the crime Of high treason
The devilT answered Henry. But on what
ground?"
DESPAIR OF THE PRISONER.
"I don't know" said Dreyfus. Il am nearly
mad. / would prefer TO receive bullet In the
head. am not guilty. This accusation is the
death Of my life
To this Henry said:
IF you are not guilty you must not lose your
head. An innocent man is always strong. Have
you family
Yes" replied the prisoner. "A wife and chill
dren. am well off and must have justice
done me-
That does not come within my competence,
was Henrys next remark, but justice will GER
tainly be done you. Do you know what you are
accused off,
Yes. am accused of giving documents to a
foreign Power"
81 don't know. Du Patty de Clam only spoke
of secret and confidential documents without
further explanation. I replied that during my
probation at the General Staff Office many docu-
ments passed through my hands. but that COM
municated them TO nobody"
The Ormes-Chevilles report concluded with
saying that Dreyfus. having a supple and very
obsequous character. was adapted for espion-
age.
NJ Ballot de Beaupre then reviewed the ju-
dicial history Of the case and said It now rested
with the Court 70 pronounce Judgment He
held the statement that there sufficient
presumption that most serious errors and doubts
existed, and that they justified revision OF the
case. He had examined the different cases In
which the Court could annul sentence without