Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-08-30

RENNES, France, Aug. 30.-Colonel
Cordier, deputy chief of the intelligence
department under the late Lieutenant
Colonel Henry, and who, since his
previous appearance i'll court had been
released by the minister of war, Cen
eral de Marquis de Gahffet, from his
oath of professional secrecy, was the
first witness called at the second session
OF the fourth week of the second trial
by courtmartial of Captain Dreyfus.
The Dreyfusards expected that Colo
mel Cordier, who was deputy chief of
the intelligence department under the
late Colonel Henry. would testify that
the bordereau was received directly by
Tie late Colonel ::Sandherr. Had this
expectation been realized, the testi-
mony would have been a strong point
in favor of the accused, because it
would have been a reply to the anti
DreyfuSarGs, who have all along con-
tended that Henry received the border
eau and forwarded it to Sandherr, q
thing he would not have done had the
bordereau been, rs the Dreyfusards as
sert, written by his accomplice, Ester
haZy, for, i'll that event, Henry would
have recognized the handwriting when
he received the bOrdereau from the
German embassy and would have sup
pressed it instead of forwarding it TO
Sandherr.
Colonel Cordier, however, testified
that he was absent from the inteli-
gence department when the bordereau
arrived, but that he believed it was re-
ceived by Henry.
Naturally this statement elated the
anti -Dreyfusards, but they had no good
reason to congratulate themselves upon
the remainder of Cordier's testimony,
as it was wholly in favor of Dreyfus.
The colonel declared that his belief in
the guilt of Dreyfus was first shaken
when the date of the bordereau was
given as May. The witness declared
stOutly that he was now convinced Drey-
fus was innocent.
Colonel Cordier then spoke up strong
ly for Colonel Picquart as conscien-
tious soldier and an honorable man, and
threw light upon the situation which
existed in the offices of the intelligence
department of the war Office. He ex-
planned that Henry was jealous of Pic
quart because the latter was given
charge of the statistical section, which
Henry had hoped to get for himself.
COrdier expressed the belief that it was
because OF Picquart that Henry commit
ted his forgery.
Dreyfus spoke few words at the con-
clusion of Colonel Cordier's statements.
He said the scene which preceded his
arrest was SO fantastic that it COM
pletely bewildered him and merely left
blunted impression on his memory.
Major Lauth first confrotned Colonel
OOrdier.
The major commented upon Colonel
Cordier's testimony, especially the state
ment that there were no anti-Semites
on the headquarters staff, remarking
tt was Cortlier himself, who was
Jews, especially when there was ques-
ton OF Introducing Dreyfus to the de-
partment.
eyes" exclaimed Cord1er, quite
true. 1 was an anti-Semite, but my
opinions never went TO the length of
bringing false evidence against the
Jews. Sensation. [ am an honest
man and have q conscience" Re-
newed excitement.
Colonel Cordier then administered a
well deserved snub to Major Lauth by
relnarking that he (the colonel) might
be allowed to know more than Major
Lauth with reference to the work of the
intelligence department since he Cor
dier) replaced Colonel Sandherr as chief
of the department whenever Sandherr
was absent, while Major Lauth, the
lnl
sistant. My assistant, mark you.
Major Lauth did not enjoy this little
scene at all.
General Roget next confronted Colo
mel Cordier. His evidence was not very
striking, nor was that of Colonel Fleur
or Archivist Gribelin, who also con-
tested minor points of Cordier's deposi-
ton.
Finally General Mercier confronted
Colonel Cordier. The generals remarks
were of small Importance, the most in
teresting being his repetition of Colonel
Sandherr's opinion of Matthew Dreyfus
when the prisoners brother went to see
the colonel to ask for justice III behalf
of Captain Dreyfus. Mercier admitted
Sandherr said:
"Mathieu Dreyfus impressed me as
an honest man who was prepared TO
make any, ,sacrifi fee to save his brother"
NJ de treyclnet, the former minister
of war, former minister of foreign af-
fairs and premier, testified.
NJ. de Freycinet said he remembered
conversation with General lamont, at
which there was reference to money
coming from abroad i'll support of the
Dreyfus agitation.
NJ. dc Freycinet, however, did not re-
member the details of the conversation
nor could he say if any specific amount
was mentioned.
NJ. de Freycinet then alluded to his
fears that attacks on the chiefs of the
army might be preJudicial to discipline.
In short, Nj. de Freycinet delivered
patriotic speech, rather than depoSi-
ton, concluding with the words:
"All the world will accept your ver-
iict, which will open an era of recon,
ciliation."
The president of the court Colonel
Jouaust, declined to put to the witness
some questions from Maitre Labor,
leading counsel for the defense, on the
ground that they had no direct bearing
on the case.
One of these questions referred to NJ.
de Freycinet's personal opinion ON NJ.
Scheurer- kestner, the former vice presi-
dent of the senate. who has interested