Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1899-08-12
CAPT. DRDYFuS' ORDEAL
Famous French Prisoner Again
Faces His Accusers.
he pRoTEsaS HIS INNooENoR.

Il q HhUIhS 01O 1NNUOhNON'
Colonel Jcuaust. the Presiding Ofi-
DIAL, Seems More Like Il Prosecuting
Counsel Than u Jud&c-Rennes Is
Perfectly Peaceful.
Rennes, Aug. S.-The second trial
OF Captain DreyfuS on charge OF
treason opened in the concert room OF
the Lycee here yesterday. Three hun
dred newspaper men. representing pa
pers in all parts of the globe. were up
ut o'clock in the morning to witness
the transfer OF the captain from the
military prison to the court room,
which took place at 6 O'Clock in the
morning. There was strong force OF
military on hand to prevent disorder,
but not the slightest demonstration
was made. and Dreyfusites and anti
Dreyfusites seem to be in perfect mar
mony. The captain was taken to 4
private room TO await the opening OF
court, and then the witnesses were ad-
mitted NJ. Cavagnac's cheerfulness
seemed forced. but former President
Cssimir-PeTier was blithe as boy.
Lieutenant Colonel PicQuart was in
plain clothes and WAS cold Shouldered
by the army people. But APPARENTLY
hs did not mind. He had played the
winning card and could afford to be in
different. No members of the Dreyfus
family were anywhere visible. but most
OF the leading partisans OF Dreyfus had
come.
At Z o'clock the coming of the court
was announced in military fashion.
the soldiers presenting arms. The
Judges entered from the wings. and
were in full dress uniform. Colonel
Jouaust. the presiding officer, is man
OF dlgnifled appearance, not unintel-
lectual, aud has an upright, martial
air
Colonel Jouaust. in stentorian
voice. declared the trial begun. and or
dered the accused TO he brought in. All
eyes were turned on Dreyfus. His
fresh complexion astonished all. The
figure remains clean built He enter
ed with measured step His mode OF
salutlng the court was jerky and very
composed. but his fingers betrayed
nervousness. His voice is not good.
but 1t was out OF practice for five
years.
The first Incident was the declara-
ton OF the president-colonel that he
had unlimited power TO call witnesses.
He then ordered the bill of indictment
OF NJ Quesnay de Beaurepaire TO be
cited. The indictment is that of 1894.
C,l c,,hr,oittnf nrpVfnS
to q rigorous examination more IN the
style of prosecuting counsel than
Judge, and made gestures OF impotence
&C some direct denials which Dreyfus
gave repeatedly to the judges Ques-
lions. The prisoners voice resounded
frequently through the court room as
he energe,ically replied: NO, my col
onel." or Never. Never!" to questions
put TO him.
When Colonel Jouaust handed the
prisoner long slip OF cardboard, upon
which the bordereau was pasted. he
asked
do you recollect this document?"
Dreyfus replied with passionate
outburst:
NO. my colonel am innocent. |
NtGlGlS II EClC, OCNlcl GU ~ 49, AOS .
I am victim" His voice here was
choked with sobs. which must have
stirred every spectator In court. The
voice of the prisoner did not seem hui
man 1t resembled the cry of wounded
animal.
AS he ended his reply. with the
words: Five years in the galleys. My
Wife My children, My God! | am in
nocent: innocent" Colonel Jouaust
said:
Then you deny it?"
Dreyfus replied: Yes. my colonel"
Drayfus denied that he had ever said
Alsatians were happier as Germans
than as Frenchmen, declared that the
bad note written about him by Ger
tain general" was on account OF his
religion. admitted relations with Ger
tain women. but asserted that he COM
mtted no indiscretion, and insisted We
hemantly that he had never gambled.
When Colonel Jouaust spoke OF the
Interview with Du Patty de Clam Drey-
fus replied:
~ never confessed anything to Du
Patty de Clam"
Hare occurred one of the most dra-
mn,ic scenes in the examination. Drey-
fus. tremendously excited, swayed to
and fro for moment and then all his
Dent W emotion and Indignation burst
forth. and he cried in a piercing voice.
heard throughout the court and even
By these standing outside:
"It Is iniQuitous to condemn an In
nccent man. never confessed any
thlag. Never"
Dreyfus. as he uttered these words,
raised his white gloved hand and held
1t aloft as if appealing to Heaven to
vindicate him.
The fudge was fair throughout. but
ev;dantly not friendly. He showed
himself however, sensible and sober
minded and impressed every one ia
Worldly. There are many persons who
were present p: the trial now under the
Impression that the harshness OF the
presiding Judge was assumed and was
Intended to disarm the enemies OF
Dreyius, who are only anxious to in
ternret ordinary courtesy into the
grossest Partially toward the prisoner.
II this be the case. and such an expla-
nation is quite plausible. Dreyfus is
naturally unaware of it. and the effect
upon his highly strung nerves must be
very severe.
Madame Dreyfus visited her husband
Yesterday afternoon and found him
hopeful. although much unnerved, as
the rigorous examination, and espec-
tally the unfeeling demeanor displayed
toward him by Colonel Jouaust. proved
a tremendous strain upon him.
The Yellow Fever Outbreak.
Nrau.,,ort Ncnu.. 10 Ancr Q-Ono nou,