Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-09-02
VACANT SEATS N COURT.
The Attendance at the Drey-
fus Trial is Somewhat
Diminished.
THE PRISONER FAVORED.
A Rumored Rupture Between Drey-
fus' Accuser and a Possible Plot
to Sieze France.

Many Persons OF Influence and Au-
thority who Believe such AN At
tempt Would BE Sncccssful--Thc
Forces Behind the Army Are
Powerful.
Rennes, Aug 3i.--1'he Dreyfus trial
was resumed ut the usual hour There
were plenty " vacant seats in the
court room. the public having hes.oine
pretty well satiated with the long
drawn-out hearing and finding II cas-
Ter to taRe the dramatic incidents from
their favorite newspapers.
There are rumors OF a rupture be-
tween the accusing Generals, which
may at any time become an open one.
II this should happen II would greatly
weaken the force Of the conspirators,
who so far have seemingly at least,
worked together In harmony.
Gen. Boistleiire Ii the man believed
to be at odds with his co-conspirators.
He has really shown signs OF decency,
and unqncstIonahly the temptation Is
strong within him to get out Of bad
company and do something which wiz
restore self-reSpect. He has, unfor-
tunately for his present peace Of mind.
a conscience. and that ~ bad piece
Of baggage for General In the French
army to carry nowadays.
II Ii known that since the Henry
forgery and suicide Gen. Boisdeifre
has taken no active part with Gems.
Mercier and Roget and the others who
are so frantically seeking to mock the
course of Justice. He scarcely c0nceals
his disapproval Of their policy, and his
personal relations with them have re-
Gently become strained.
Nearly three hours were occupied by
I the testimony OF NM. Meyer. Girv and
Moliner. three experts for the defence,
who repeated with considerable ampli-
| fication the testimony they had given
before the Court Of Cassation.
| Each ascribed the borderean 10 Ester
hazy. The Judge followed each Of the
witnesses closely. and the cross-ex-
aminations By Colonel Jouaust, Cap
tain Beauvais and other judges were
l1aen.
| NJ Laberi Is suffering from his
wound. IT keeps him awake nights
when he ought to be sleeping, and he
Is showing signs Of breaking down UNI
der the strain Of this insomnia.
1t Is openly stated here that Gen
erals MERCER, Gonse and Boideifre will
attempt TO seize the Government II any
effort IL made 10 arrest or prosecute
them for their Illegal course In c0nnec-
ton with the Drevfus case.
And there are many persons OF IN.
fuence and authority who believe the
ATTEMPT would be successful. The Gen
erals. these men say, would have the
army back of them. and that the Gov
eminent would be powerless to resist.
! The bourgeoise would stand, and
with them would be the powerful Cath.
Ollie element In the country and four
ffths OF the newspapers, according
| to this theory
| A l8tter and disastrous war Ia pre-
dicted II the military leaders do not
succeed in accomplishing their object
at once and without resistance.
Major Carriere made an application
10 have the court sit behind closed
doors tomorrow, declaring that he de-
sired to submit to the court certain
documents prepared by the Gunnery
Bureau containing information which
lit was not desirable to discuss IN pub
llic. The conrt. after elaboration,
granted the application.