The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-16
DREYFUS WEPT.
Reading of the Story of His
Treatment in Prison
On DEVILS Island Causes Him to
Shed Tears.
SPECTATORS NOV ED
BY the Sight of His Tear Stained
Cheeks.
Widow of Col. Henry Appears
on the Stand.
SPECTATORS MOVED


Rennes, Aug. 16-The second trial
by court martial of Capt. Alfred Drey-
fus of the French artillery charged Win
treason was called this morning, Major
Carrfere, the representative of the gov
ernment having refused to agree to the
adjournment of the case until Monday
applied for by NJ Demange. counsel for
the prisoner and Capt. Dreyfus, owing
to the murderous attack on Maitre
Labor, leading counsel for the de
fense.
The feature of the days proceeding
was the story of the sufferings Of Drey-
fus on Devils island. his prison off the
coast of French Guiana. Dreyfus Wept
an court when the clerk read docu-
ment recounting the details of his in
generation.
The proceedings opened with the ap-
plication of NJ. Demange for an ad-
journment This was followed by the
deposition of NJ Guerin, the former
minister of justice, who, however, only
repeated the evidence he had given be-
fore the court OF cessation
NJ. IsebOn. the former minister OF the
colonies, a big red bearded man, then
testified in justification of his lnstruc-
tions TO treat Dreyfus vigorously, de-
claring that the extreme stringency
only dated from the time he thought
the prisoner.
Col Jouaust, president of the court
martial, asked Dreyfus if he had any
questions to put to the witness and he
replied in an emotional voice: No;
am here to defend my honor. L do not
wish to speak Of the atrCciOus suffering
which for five years, l a Frenchman
and an innocent man, suffered on the
lie du Diable."
STORY OF DREYFUS' TREATMENT
NJ. Demange here asked that the Off
7T@T
On the lie du DiabIe, which was pub
lished in the newspapers last week,
should be read. The clerk Of the court
did SO and in a sympathetic tone re-
counted the narrowing tale of Dreyfus'
mental and physical sufferings and in
human treatment on the island.
Deep drawn breathS of indignation
came from the hearers as the reading
proceeded. Dreyfus at first watched
the faces of the judges with his usual
cOmposure; but gradually as the story
proceeded and incidents of his awful
existence were brought up before him,
his eyes grew dim and tears glistened
IN them and slowly trickled down his
cheeks.
The faces of the audience expressed
sympathy with the prisoners emotion
and even the captain of gen d'armes,
sitting beside Dreyfus, turned and gave
him a look of uncOncealed compassion.
Gen. A1ercier who, with NJ Lebon. was
seated in the row Of the witnesses
seats listened to the reading of the re-
port unnONeQ WnllG Col. JOuauSr fol-
lowed 1t with an air of bored tolerance.
NJ. LebOn afterwards returned to the
stand and added a few more words in
justification of his conduct and then
Col JOuauSt ordered the next witness
TO be brought in. All eyes were turned
towards the door on the right of the
stage and a moment later the form of
woman, dressed in deep mourning
panied by a nOn-cOmmissiOned officer
advanced to the platform.
COL HENRY'S WIDOW TESTIFIES.
II was the widow of Col. Henry. the
French officer who committed suicide
an prison after cOnfessing to forging
certain documents in the case With
pale face and hand upraised before the
crucifiX, she took the oath to tell the
truth Nine Henry is of medium
height and mas a common cast of fea-
lures and certainly could not be des-
crlbed as attractive. She at once nut
herself at ease, leaning forward with
both hands resting on the rail of the
witness stand In an attitude of com
pieUe Self-pOSSeSSiOn she gave her ey-i-
dence, accompanying the words with
gestures. Her evidence. however was
of little weight She admitted the fire.
quent visits Of Esterhazy to her hus-
pand ana said her husband told her he
mad Forged one document in order to
save the honor of the country" She
gave her evidence in a matter of fact
way and was in no wise the svmpa-
Inetic figure the -Dreyfusites have
tried to make her.
Zen Roget in undress uniform fol-
lowed His evidence was a vftrioIi(
diatribe against Dreyfus from begin
ming to end.
The court adjourned until tomorrow
On tne conclusion of Gen. ROget's
DREYFUS SPEAKS
Col Jouaust previously asked Drew
Ius II he wished to say anything and
the prisoner, who during the time Of
Cen Rogets illumination against him
several times made a movement as If
70 rise and retOrt, but was waved down
by Col Jouaust rose and in thar voice
which IS not agreeable in ordinar1-
times. but when strangled with emo
tlon as 1t was today. has a thrilling
erect on his hearers. he cried cr.usbinS
MS KEPT in his hands:
My colonel: It is a frightfu1 tbine-
that every day they tear out INV baar@
ana soul without my being able to re-
ply 1t IS awful torture for an INNOCENT
man and loyal soldier It is a frierht-
1ul thing, frightful. frIghtfuI.
1he audience, profoundly stirred ba-
gan to applaud, but the applause v-as
quickly suppressed. ~
M Demange then announces. that ra
"ouId question Gen. Roget tomorrow.
EVIDENCE IN DETAIL.