The record-union., 1899-09-08
The Case Has Entered Upon the
Final Stage of Proceedings.
Expected That the Court VIII Deliver the
Verdict on Monday Next.
The French Government Not Only
Fearful That Outbreaks May
Occur at Rennes When the De-
cision Is Announced, but at
Paris and Other Large Cities in
the Republic.

lac 0epuDhc.
RENNES, Sept. z. = To-day came the
beginning of the end of the Dreyfus
trial. With the speech of the Govern
ment Commissary, Major Carriere, the
case entered upon the final stage of
pleadings, and the verdict will be de-
livered on Monday. There is even talk
tonight of the trial ending tomorrow
by holding an extra afternoon session
for NJ. Labori's speech and the deliber-
alton of the Judges. This, however
is considered unlikely, as the Govern
ment is anxious to have the judgment
withheld over Sunday in order to avert
demonstrations which would probably
divert bloodshed on a day when the
workmen are free.
The Government is not only fearful
regarding Rennes, but is particularly
concerned regarding Paris and other
large towns where passions have been
heated, and the verdict, whichever way
it is given, is practically certain to give
rise to troubles. 1t is understood that
the Government has intimated its de-
sire to the President of the Court-mar-
tial, Colonel Jouaust, and there is no
reason to believe that he will not fall
in with their views.
Colonel Jouaust this morning took the
most important decision yet taken, and
took it entirely upon his own RESPONSE
bility, although he is undoubtedly only
the mouthpiece of the whole body of
Judges His decision to exclude the
testimony of Colonel Schwarzkoppen
and Major Panizzardi was most sig
nificant, as it meant that the Court had
reached a conclusion, and that the
pleadings of counsel We're merely a
waste of time, and might be dispensed
with if they were not a necessity.
The court has made up its mind, but
which way? This is the view point
and forms the sole topic of discussion.
Both sides are equally confident that
the court will decide in accordance with
their views. The Dreyfusards declare
, t1at~t the Judges cannot condemn Cap-
Stain Dreyfus after rejecting the deci-
sive evidence which Colonel Schwarz-
koppen and Panizzardi would have CIV
en- in his favor. The anti-Dreyfusards,
on the other hand, explain to-day's rul-
ings on the ground that the judges rec
ognize that the evidence of the two
military attaches would be worthless,
because they would be morally bound
to save their agent at any cost.
This reason was given by an anti
Dreyfusard journalist, who when prais-
ing Colonel Jouaust's decision, ex-
planned: What would he attach to the
testimony Of Schwarzkoppen and Pan
izzardi? The receiver of stolen goods
must shield the thief as much as he
can"
From a popular point of view, the
scene in court when Colonel Jouaust
delivers the judgment will be divested
of its most sensational feature, owing
to the absence of the central f1gurs
Captain Dreyfus will be taken to an
adjacent room when the Judges retire
to consider their verdict A moment
before they are to re-enter a bell will
be rung. and as they take their places
behind the long table on the stage the
infantry guard will present arms and
remain at present arms while Colonel
Jouaust, standing in the center of the
platform. reads the verdict Captain
Dreyfus will not be brought back to
the courtroom, and will not be present
at the present meeting Of the Judges.
but when the courtroom has been
cleared by the gendarmes, which will
cludes the Reading Clerk of the Court
will proceed to the room where Dreyfus
viii be waiting, and read to him the
verdict in the presence of a couple of
gendarmes. The public will thus be
robbed of the spectacle of his emotions.
which are bound to be most profound.
whether the decree sends him to the
arms of his family or back to the penal
settlement.
The verdict may be a condemnation.
an unequivocal acquittal or a form of
acquittal that would be equivalent to
the Scotch verdict mot proven" The
last will be the case if the Judges
should pronounce against him by vote
of four to three. That is, he would
be freed. even though the Judges in hts
favor should be in the minority But
this. naturally, would be very unsatis-
factory, as he would bear the stigma
for the rest of his days
Captain Dreyfus has thus five chances
against the prosecutions three. IMAM
unity, six TO one, five to two. four to
three, or three to four, will set him at
liberty, while unanimity, six to one, or
FIVE to two will convict him. If con-
victed, the judgment will be carried to
the Military Court of Appeals. which
will be formal matter The Special
Court Will only quash the Indictment
and order a Tetrial if If should be es-
tablished that the present Court mar
tial had deviated from it's instructions.
This is the only loop-hole for Dreyfus,
and his friends will undoubtedly fight
this point tooth and nail
Extraordinary measures have been
taken to spirit Dreyfus away, whether
acquitted or recondemned. His depart
ure from Rennes will be enveloped in
the same mystery as was his arrival.
YESTERDAYS TESTIMONY.
RENNES, Sept. AT the opening
this morning of the fourth day of the
fifth week of the second trial by court
martial of Captain Alfred Dreyfus Of
the artillery, charged with treason. NJ.
Labor, leading counsel for the defense,
announced that he had received a
seIni-offici9l intimation that Colonel
SchwarZkoppen, the former German
military attache at Paris, and Major
Panizzardi, the former Italian military
attache at Paris. would be unable to