The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-30
He EXPOSES THE STAFF
A Contribution to the Dreyfus
Controversy.
PICKS THE GUILTY MAN
Evidence Of Esterhozy's Scheme Was
Suppressed and an Innocent
Man Made to Suffer for
His Crime.

Paris, May 27.-The front page of the
Figaro this morning is taken up with
a letter signed by AN Old General of
Artillery in which he exposes the
staff office by producing an official doc
ument. dated February 1894, giving de-
signs, a description, a sketch and the
dimensions and power of cannon 12o
which was drawn up and distributed
among the officers of the 26th artillery
by the officers of that regiment.
The general recalls the sworn testi-
mony given in the Dreyfus case by Cen
erals Gonse, Pellieux, Roget and Deloye,
to the effect that the cannon was abso-
lutely secret prior to the nreyfus bor-
dereau and annihilates their evidence
by the production of this astounding
document, showing that the new gun
was known to every officer of the resi-
ment named.
The Figaro continues its review of
the Dreyfus affair by describing Colonel
Piequart's inquiry concerning Ester
hazy. When Colonel Henry returned to
the war office after a temporary alb
sence and after the petit bleu had been
Reconstructed picquart unfortunately
told him what he had discovered add
ing that he intended to reserve further
investigation of the affair to himself.
aided by a single agent, whom he
named.
Henry, thus put on his guard, was
enabled to continue his defense of Els
terhazy. At the beginning he suggested
doubts as to the authenticity or the
petit bleu. his doubts developing ulti-
mately into direct and perhdious
charges against Picquart. He maneuV-
cred in an underhand way to convince
the chiefs Of Esterhazy's innocence. and
finally produced his famous forgery Tor
the purpose of fixing Dreyfus' guilt.
Meanwhile Picquart's belief in Ester
hays guilt was confirmed by Agent
Desvernine's report on Esterhazys
method of living and specimens of Els
terhazy's handwriting.
Next came the Bale incident, when
Lauth ordered Picquart to proceed
thither to interview the spy Richard
son. Lauth requested Picquart to allow
Henry to accompany him, though the
latter was not acquainted with Ger
man. When they returned both de-
clared that Cuers refused to reveal the
name of the officer conveying artillery
information to Germany, whereas
shortly afterward De Foucault, the
French military attache at Berlin, told
bully and prevent Cuers from speaking.
De Foucault received this news from
Cuers himself.
Picquart reported the incident to Cen
eral Billot, adding that he believed
Esterhazy was the officer whose name
was withheld. Picquart then examined
the Dreyfus dossier, discovering therein
= matter which strengthened his suspic-
IONS He thereupon placed the border
eau and specimens of Esterhazy's writ
ing in the hands of M. Bertillon for in
spection. The latter declared that the
handwriting was identical. Picquart
thus attained the certainty of Ester
Hays guilt. and on Aug. 81 he ac-
auainted Generals Boisdeffre and Gonse
with the facts.
After Picquart had acquainted Cen
erals Boisdeffre and Gonse with his evil
dence of Esterhazy's guilt. he was
henceforth not permitted to act indie
pendently, his chiefs realizing the awk-
wardness of the situation and seeking
to prevent the scandalous discovery
that an annocent officer had been con-
victed degraded and imprisoned.
Henry, aided by Du Patty de Clam,
Lauth and Gribe1ine, was redoubling his
efforts to save Esterahzy. Du Patty de
Clam forged the ''Weyler' letter, and
conveyed to the Eclair the two famous
articles, in which was first published
the "Canaille' document.
Thus Henry succeeded in counter
checking Picquart, whom Gonse had de-
prived of the secret dossier at the end
of October, though he falsely sWore that
the date of its withdrawal was about
Nov. IA, in order that it should fit the
date given in Henry's evidence as the
time when he saw Picquart show M.
Leblois documents from the dossier.
Henry alleged that this was at the
end of October, but when it was proved