The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-08-22
MORE OPINIONS OFFERED
And the Judges Look Wise and Con-
slider Them as Evidence.
MILITARY FARCE PROCEEDS.
Men Permitted to Jump UP In the Audi
ence and FlatIy Contradict
Witness who Is Giving What
the French Call
Testimony.

Special to News Democrat.
Rennes, Aug. 19.-Captain Culgnet, an
aid de camp at the war department,
was the first witness today before the
Dreyfus court martial. He discovered
the Henry forgery. He had testified be-
fore the court of cessation concerning
the bad faith on the part Of the for
eign office in tampering with dispatch
In order to incriminate Captain Drey-
tus. notwithstanding this, Cuignet be-
gan his testimony today with long
speech denounGing Dreyfus, which last
ed until Dreyfus raised his hand in pro-
test. Then Cuignet began his evidence
He showed a remarkable familiarity
with the spy system of Europe. Cap
tain Cuignet claimed there were bushels
of documents discriminating Dreyfus,in'
Guiding letters from Schneider, the Aus
trian military attache at Berlin whose
reputation of the letter attibuted tc
him declaring Dreyfus had dealings
with Germany has been one Of the SEN
sational developments of the trial.
Cuignet claims this repudiation was
forced from Schneider. Under exami-
nation by Demange the witness differed
from his testimony given before the
court of cessation by withdrawing the
implications against De Clam and
Henry.
The name of ex-Lieutenant Colonel Dc
Clam was then called. His absence
owing to illness, was explained to the
court which ordered that his deposition
be taken in Paris.
General De Poisdeffre, ex-chief of the
general staff, was the next witness. He
devoted his time chiefly to showing
that Col. Piquart was wrong in his tes.
timony given Thursday and yesterday
Like the eX-minister of war, the witness
made a solemn, but unsupported dec.
laration of the prisoners guilt. IT an
convinced, as BEFORE" said Genera
Boisdeffre, that Dreyfus and not Els,
terhazy wrote the bordereau. Dreyfus
is guilty"
At the conclusion of the Boisdeffre
testimony, Captain Dreyfus regarded
the witness increduously as if doubt
the man whomhe supposed was working
for his innocence. On being asked if he
cared to question the witness Dreyfus
said, mo, have nothing to ask"
General Gonse was then called. He
repeated the testimony before the court
of cessation. He denied Judge Bertu-
lus's version of the latter's interview
with Col. Henry. Gonse admitted that
the documents named in the bordereau
were probably never delivered. He was
sure Dreyfus wrote the bordereau. Up
on being examined by Demange, the
witness refused to admit the possibility
of Esterhazy having written it. Drey-
fus then questioned Gonse about the
latters allegation that Dreyfus spied
on the war department. Dreyfus ar
gued that 1t was physical impossibility
for him to have done certain things at
the time and place stated. Gonse was
cornered and finally admitted that il
was not probable that Dreyfus had
done these things, but he insisted that II
was possible. In general he sneered at
the points made by the accused. Drey-
fus spoke with high feeling.
II never asked for any passes to
other departments as you allege," he
declared.
Some people do not need passes"
said Gonse.
This was the first time Dreyfus had
attempted arguments or gone beyond
general denials. Gonse followed Roget
in making capital of the alleged misap-
preparation of secret service funds by
Col Piquart in the latter's investiga-
ton OF Esterhazy and Henry. Piquart
arose from his seat in the audience and
fatty contradicted him. General Bill
lot, eX-minister of war, then rose and
cautioned Col. Piquart about revealing
condolences regarding the secret SER
vice. Piquart argued hotly that he was
revealing nothing.