Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-08-15

aignac, to credit that Esterhazy was a
traitor, even admitting the bordereau was
written by him. EsterhaZy, he insisted,
could only have acted the intermediary
of an accomplice. He, NJ. Cavalgnac, had
not based his conviction of the cuipabillty
of Dreyfus solely on the handwriting of the
bordereau.
In the secret dossier, he pointed out,
there were many elements for conviction,
and he proposed to discuss all the allega-
tions made by foreigners with the view of
exculpating Dreyfus. For instance, he
said, there would be official dement's (de-
nlaisl which would leave plenty of room
for the truth to escape. Besides, it was
quite possible the accused was guilty of
treason without having had direct rela-
lions with the agents of a foreign govern
ment, and certain ambassador had ad-
mitted that his military attache had spied
under the immunity granted to diplomats.
NJ. Cavaignaic also found in the contradic-
tory statements of foreign diplomatists
that Dreyfus was well known at various
chancilleries.
explain the discovery of the Henry for
gerry and the witness repeated the state
ments he had already made on the subject.
he dWelt at length on NJ. Cuignet's long
Colonel Jouaust then asked: What do
you think of the Henry forgery in relation
to the facts now occupying our atten-
The Henry forgery" replied NJ Cavaig-
mac, as alleged, was in order to secure
a revision of the case by the court of
u.
This forgery, therefore. should remain
outside the scope of the questions SUBJ
,iiIte mitted to this court-martial. That is my
Replying to another question NJ Cavaignac
sald MS statement that DreyfuS went to
BRUSSELS in the middle of 1896 rested on
hecrSay. M. Cayaignac in the course of his
evidence referred to a memorandum writ
ten In German asking for various informa-
uon, wanted by the embassy, which ap-
pears to have been unearthed from the
archives of the bureau of information of the
war office. He said he believed it was writ
ten by military attache
NJ. Demange asked why NJ. Cavaignac, who
was so anxious to incriminate Dreyfus, had
not produced this document in the cham
Der of deputies.
The witness replied that he had other
means of reaching the ends.
Counsel for the prisoner then questioned
M CaVaignac in regard to his statement
that General de Boisdeffre was absent from
Paris November 6, when General Mercier
declares he was there. The witness replied
that General de Boisdeffre was certainly
absent on that date.
Colonel Jouaust remarked that this point
would be elucidated when General de Bois-
deffre appeared.
Colonel Jouaust then told Dreyfus to rise
and asked him If he had any remarks to
make upon the evidence.
The prisoner, who, during NJ. Cavaignac's
arraignment of him, had seemed nervous
am astounded that the man who produced.
in the tribunal of the chamber, the Henry
forgery can come here and base his convic
tions of my cu1pability on matters which
the court of cessation has already dis
posed Of Great sensation.)
General Zurlinden, also former min
ister of war, was the next witness. He
began by pointing out the obligation rest
ing upon those directing espionage to do
everything possible to save those serving
them when the latter were discovered.
He then declared that he still regarded
the bordereau as being decided proof of
the guilt of Dreyfus.
This inquiry into the honor of the army,
he continued, had nothing to do with the
affair.
General Zurlinden then traversed the old
ground and declared that nothing, not even
Esterhazy's confessions, had occurred to
change his convictions. The prosecution
of Dreyfus, the witness asserted, was quite
unforeseen, and, therefore, the idea of
mashina .aS tons was untenable:
The reiteratfon by General Zurlinden of
his firm belief that Dreyfus wrote the bor-
dereau created lively excitement
M Demange suggested that If Colonel
Fabre had not thought of examining the
handwriting of the probationers the border
eau would then have been eternally buried
in the archives of the ministry of war
and he remarked, "if this be the case,
1t must be evident there is nothing in the
bordereau which Indicated Dreyfus"
General Zurlinden, in a troubled voice. ac-
knowledged this fact conclusively and tried
to explain.
In reply to further questions, General
Zurlinden said that in order to know the
whole truth in regard to the bordereau
they must have the four notes therein
mentioned. They must be secured.
AT tEis point Dreyfus interjected: 81
associate myself with those words, my COL
onel 1 also desire the truth. 1 only ask
for the truth
The statements caused excitement in
court.
General Chanoine next testified. He brief
iy affirmed his belief in the culpability of
the prisoner.
The appearance of NJ. Hanoteaux. the for
mer minister of foreign affairs, who fol-
lowed him in the witness box, reawakened
the interest of the audience
NJ. Hanotaux declared he had nothing
that added to his evidence given before The
court of cessation. He said he never had
cognlzance, either as minister or as
private individual, of any secret dossier.
He recalled the circumstances under which
he took office, saying foreign politics then
presented grave difficulties. The negotia-
uons with Great Britain and Belgium with
regard to Africa, the war in Madagascar
and the state of affairs in China were
pointed to. He then related how he was
made acquainted with the Dreyfus affair
by General Mercier and NJ Dupuy in the
presence of NJ. Guerin, and read the notes.
already produced by NJ. Paleologue, giving
the observations he thought right to make
General Mercier regarding the proofs COL
lected against Dreyfus and the minister of
wars reply with his objections. NJ Hano-
taux declared that when pending the notes
he foresaw the difficulties which speedily
developed. His fears, he added, were fully
Justified, and when it became necessary to
publish several official notes in order to
satisfy foreign embassy the situation was
undoubtedly grave and he forthwith re-
quested General Mercier to cease the pros-
ecution of the affair under the ruling cir
cumstances.
But General Mercier was obdurate and
the affair proceeded. The former minis