Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-08-23

dent III the Senate. whom I aIWeyl
regarded as III honorable man, obey'
| ing the dictates of his conscience
Lieut.. Col Berth controverted part O
| Col. Plcquart's evidence on the subject
At the conclusion Of his deposition thu
witness declared he never ordered Drey'
fus to procure information concerning
| the entire net works of railroad, (which
the prisoner sought to acquire from
Capt Cuignet.''
Replying to questions on the subject
of the alleged untimely visit of Dreyfus
to his Office, witness said that the plans
were kept in his Office and that Drey-
fus knew the word necessary to open
the press containing them.
NJ. Scheurer-Kestner, it also appear
ed, often told the witness he was un-
able to fathom the affair, and finally
Berth was advised to have talk with
the minister of war.
At this juncture the clerk OF tbs
court read letter from
NJ. -KESTNER,
excusing himself for being unable to at
tend the session of the court. The let
ter referred to the steps of Matthew
Dreyfus to secure the rehabilitation Of
his brother and described the writer's
investigations and how it was only
when Esterhazy's handwriting was
shown him that his hesitation ended
The letter also described the moments
of anguish the writer experienced dur
ing the course of the campaign and
dwelt on the opinion expressed in the
Judgment of the court Of cessation and
the confessions of Esterhazy that he
was the writer of the bordereau
In conslusion the letter said:
"You will permit an old Alsatian mon
sieur lie President, to express the senti-
ment that the hour of justice will soon
strike, in the interest of the army. OF
justice, and of the country" (Great
sensation).
Replying to NJ Demange, Lieut.. Col
Berth further explained his connection
with M. Scheurer-K esther. At the ma
noeuvers, that year, witness told Gen
Billot of the action M. Scheurer- KeEtnel
was taken, and the General replied:
Tell him not to do anything. I shall
appeal to my old friend"
II telegraphed to NJ Schuerer-Kest-
ner accordingly" said Berlin, 'for
could not enter Alsace, the Germans
having brutally forbidden me to GO
there"
M. Demange reminded the witness OF
a remark he had made to Mr. Ferdin-
and Schuerer-Kestner, namely:
"'There are only five of us who
knew this terrible secret. One out OF
the five must betray it before you can
know anything"
Counsel asked if the secret was not
that
DREYFUS WAS INNOCENT.
M. Bertin-Oh, no! No!
NJ Demange-According to the terms
of the conversation?
Lieut.. Col. Berth (energetically)-
No! No! and I'll tell you why I have
never concealed two things from any
members of the Schuerer-Kestner fam
lily. Firstly, that M. Schuerer- Kestner
would be doing a great service if his
efforts resulted in establishing the in
nocence of man who had worn the
uniform of a French officer. Secondly
that l was convinced of the guilt OF
Dreyfus (Sensation.)
M. Demange-Did you not once make
the following remark: "This Jew was
thrust at headquarters and we had to
get rid Of him?"
Lieut.. Col. Bertin-No! Never!
absolutely deny it. When / was in the
war Office the Jewish question was
never raised. Dreyfus was regarded as
a comrade l confided all my secrets tc
him and gave him the password of my
locker.