Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-24
TIE WEAK POINTS
Continued from page ~


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tlilon's theory has already been intro
auced by some of the military witnesses
VINO declare their confidence in it. The
ulal, IN my belief will last about an
other 20 days"
The session began with the testimony
OF minor Witnesses, including Comptroi-
TT Roy and Major Drevielle. The lat
Ter deposed that Dreyfus. while on the
general staff, could have had access to
documents, unperceived, during certain
hours of the day. The prisoner reply
ing, admitted he was present during
those hours, but explained. that his
presence was connected with his duties.
The fourth witness, NJ. Dubrieul. de
scribing himself as d private gentlman.
proved most entertaining. and more
over. gave NJ. Labori the first oppor-
tunity of making a few points in favor
of Dreyfus.
NJ. Dubriel, one Of NJ. Quesnay dc
Beaurepaire'S witnesses, told a gossipy
story of meeting Dreyfus at the house
OF an acquaintance. NJ. BodsOn. in 1854
when DreyfuS was a lieutenant and to
seeing the latter conVersing with a
man described to the witness as a Ger
man attache. This was the sum Of
his testimony, which was dotted with
flashes of unconscious humor as when
NJ. Dubrieul said he told his acquaint-
ance that he could not frequent his
house. if the German visited him The
acquaintance, it appeared. excused the
fact by saying the German was only
his Wife's friend, which caused a gem
eral laugh in court. This became
louder when NJ Dubrieul remarked
that he had no prejudice against Drey-
fus for visiting his acquaintance. or
rather. his acquaintanre's wife, add
ing: If every officer who is in love
with his neighbours wife We're dismiss
ed from the army there would be very
fey left"
NJ. Labori took NJ. Dubrieul in hand
and ascertaiAed that he only knew the
visitor was a German atache because
he was told so and he did know wheth-
er he was q military or a civil attache.
He did not even knew his name. In
fact, the whole story was of the finn
siest descriptions Moreover, a foreign
military attache would have had moth
ing to gain by .cultivating the ac-
quaintance Of a simple lieutenant as
Dreyfus was then.
Dreyfus. when he rose 10 reply to this
witness. spoke in a quiet. convincing
voice. denying that he had any rela-
tons with German attache, military
or civil
NJ LabOri finished with NJ. Dubrieul
by asking for the production of his
record in the law courts, which coun
sci limited was discreditable.
The prisoer was very indignant dur
ing NJ. DubrieUIS deposition and once
tried to interpose but the president Of
the court waved him down. telling him
he might reply when VI. Dubrieul had
finished. which he did as the witness
uttered his concluding words. request
ing IN inquiry, saying: Because it
must be made known here who is "
ing and who is speaking the truth" "
The statement of the prisoner caused 4
deep impression.
t,sterhazy was called as the witness.
but there was no response. 50 the court
ordered the reading Of his evidence as
given before the court of cessation.
Gen. Gonse here asked to be allowed
to rpsond to ESterhazy'S testimony. IS
given before the court of cessation.
ana declared in a loud voice that Els
terhazy's statement that he was the in
strumcnt Of the general staff was an
absolute lie.
The general traversed Estrrhazy's
evidence. contradiciting statement af-
ter statement and declaring Estcrhazy
could only have had relations with Ma
inr Du Patty de clam and the late
Lieut. Col. Henry. The general aOso-
lutrly denied having had any relations
with him.
Major Carricre. the government com
missary. said he hoped Du Patty de
Clam would BE- able to come 40 tho
court in a few days. He added that a
consultation in this connection would
take place. tonight. and that the de-
cisiou would be announced. tomorrow.
The leading counsel then submitted
to Gen. Gonse a number Of searching
questions on EsterhaZy's relations
with the general staff. The general
| became very excited. especially when
asked if there was not an intrigue in
favor of Esterhazy. and if he did not
| take part in it.
1T is false: 1t is false" shouted the
general Finally. counsel asked why
EsterhaZy was not arrested after the
| inquiry. and Gen. Gonsc replied: Be
| cause Gen Saussier deemed it proper
| to leave him at liberty"
Yes" retored NJ. Labor. but Gen.
Saussier must have been deceived by
the general staff
This abrupt declaration. accompanied
| by an expressive gesture, caused
sensation in court. amid which the
| general returned to his seat, lokinG
very i'll at ease.