The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-09-01

IA Wi LAoA
that is trying Captain Dreyfus. The
Dreyfusards expected that Colonel
Cordier, VINO was deputy chief Of the
intelligence department under the late
Lieutenant Colonel Henry, would testi-
fly that the bordereau was received
directly by the late Colonel Sandherr.
Had this expectation been realized the
testimony would have been a strong
point in favor of the accused, because
it would have been a reply to the anti
Dreyfusards, who ave all along con-
tended that Henry received the borde-
reau and forwarded it to Sandherr, a
thing he would not have done had the
bordereau been, as the Dreyfusards as
sert, written by his accomplish, Ester
hazey, for, in that event, Henry would
AVE recognized the handwriting when
he received the bordereau from the
German embassy and would nave sup
pressed it, instead of forwarding it to
handherr.
Colonel Cordier, however, testified to-
day that he was absent from the intel
ligence department when the bordereau
arrived, but that he believed it was re-
ceived by Henry.
Naturally, this statement elated the
anti-Dreyfusards, but they had no rea-
son to congratulate themselves upon
the remainder of Cordier'S testimony,
as it was wholly in favor Of Dreyfus.
On the other hand, the procession Of
generals and officers of the general
staff who demanded an opportunity to
confront Colonel Cordier was a good
piece of tactics from the point Of view
of the i-Dreyfusites, because, though
all the points they contested were not
of the first Importance, yet their very
appearance on the stage and the con-
tradictions Of some of Cordier's state
ment left a disagreeable impression.
The appearance Of General MERCER
to question Colonel Cordier came as a
surprise to many in the audience, who
had supposed that after last Satur-
days scene, when Mercier was con-
fronted with Captain Freystaetter, he
would remain quiet; but MERCER is
game to the death. His action today
is interpreted as intended to show that
he is not going to throw up the sponge.
The part he played in 1894 lays him
open to arrest, and this is a constant
topic of discussion in the cafes and at
other meeting places in Rennes. There
appears, however, to be a good reason
why the government will not take m
such serious step until the trial is
over.
Colonel Jouaust, president of the
court-martial, could adjourn the trial
indefinitely if MERCER, who is an i'm
portant witness, were arrested. If the
trial were adjourned for more than
~forty-eight hours, it would lapse, and
the proceedings would have to be gone
over again from the beginning.
Today's attendance was the largest
since the beginning of the trial. Every
body was on the qui vive to hear the
testimony of Charles de Freycinet, sem
ator, former premier, former minister
Of foreign affairs, and former minister
of war. This adroit politician, the
white mouse Of French politics, sat
upon the fence as we'll as he could. His
expression Of a fear that the Dreyfus
agitation would injure the discipline of
the army annoyed the Dreyfusards, as
calculated to %nfluen the judges
against the accused. But he followed
it with an eulogy of the pioneer of the
Dreyfus campaign, M. Scheurer-kest
ner, former vice president OF the SEN
ate, whose character he said he held III
the highest esteem. M. Labor then Sc
cured another confession favorable tc
Dreyfus by getting M. De Freycine1
to admit that he could not recall a SIN
gle fact going to prove that money hac
been sent into France from abroad tC
promote a campaign in favor OF Drey'
fus.
The general feeling, however, Is tina
his appearance on the witness stane
has not materially helped the accused
COURT PROCEEDINGS.
Following are the proceedings in de
tail.
The appearance of Colonel Cordier
former deputy chief Of the intelligence
department of the war office, as tn
first witness, aroused great interest as
since his previous appearance, the col
onel has been released by the ministe
of war from his path Of professional
secrecy.
Colonel Cordier said that the da.
after he returned to Paris from a va
cation in 1894, Colonel Sandherr, VIII
appeared greatly distressed, hande
him a copy of the bordercau On fools
cap paper. Sandherr and Cordier ami
matedly discussed the bordereau, Sand
herr considering it ample evidence O
treason. The document was photo
graphed and an investigation was open
ed resulting in suspicious against Drey
fus being aroused. Prior to this Their
was no presumption Of Dreyfus' guilt.
Colonel Cordier said he believed tn
bordereau was handed to Colonel Sand
herr by Colonel Henry.
THE SPY SYSTEM.
Cordier then explained what was tn
ordinary channel by which informs
ton reached the war office.
1.-The ordinary channel" the witnes
said, was a very clever spy attache
to the intelligence department., WI
had the habit of visiting great house
but who preferred the company OF Sc
wants to the company Of their ma
ters.'
Cordier then described the method
piercing and showed no
the bordereau was pasted together
Henry who was usually entrusted Wi
such work. s
Referring to the spy who has bee
dubbed as the ordinary channel
Colonel Cordier said the former d
not directly receive the document fro
the embassy from which they were a.
stracted. A woman, he explaine
served as an Intermediary and, Il
Ordinary channel having been clio
ed, it was found necessary to negotia
directly with the intermediary, othe