Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-08-16
|DREYFUS DRAMATIC
Says His Enemies Tear His Heart
Out Daily and He Can Not
Answer.
STORY OF HIS .SUFRERINGS
The Prisoner had the Sympathy of the
People in the Court Room, But the
Judges Remained Austere- e-Wo-
man Wasa D Disappointment.

Rennes, August 16.-Immediately aft
er the witnesses entered the court room
this morning Maitre Demange, counsel
for Dreyfus, applied for adjournment
on account Of Maitre Labori's absence.
Major General Carriera, the govern
ment commissary, unexpectedly arose
land opposed the application in most
vehement manner. The court retired for
twenty minutes, and Colonel Jouaust,
on the return, read a unanimous deci-
sion Of the court rejecting the applica-
ton on the ground that the reasons
were insufficient. Captain Dreyfus
listened to the announcement with char
acteristic composure.
The feature of the days proceedings
was the story of the sufferings of Drey-
fus on the Devils island prison off the
coast of French Guiana. Dreyfus wept
when the clerk read the document re-
counting the details of incarceration.
The proceedings opened with the ap-
plication of Demange for adjournment.
This was followed by the deposition of
Guerin, former minister of justice, who,
however, only repeated evidence given
before the cessation court.
Lebon, former minister of colonies, a
big, red-bearded man, then testified in
justification of his instructions to treat
Dreyfus vigorously, declaring extreme
stringency dated only from the time it
was thought an attempt would be made
to rescue the prisoner.
Colonel 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: mo,
am here to defend my honor. do not
wish to speak of the atrOcious suffer-
ings which for five years I, a French
man and an innocent man, suffered on
the Isle du Diable.''
Demange here asked that the official
report of the treatment of Dreyfus on
Isle du Diabe be read. The clerk of the
court did so, and in a sympathetic tone
recounted the narrowing tale of Drey-
fus' mental and physical sufferings and
inhuman treatment on the island. Deep
drawn breaths of indignation came
from the hearers as the reading was
proceeding. Dreyfus first watched the
faces Of the judges with his usual COM
posure, but gradually as the story pro-
ceeded and incidents of his awful ex-
istence were brought up before him his
eyes grew dim and tears glistened in
the eyes and slowly trickled down his
cheeks. Dreyfus could stand it no long
er, and for the first time during the trial
gave way to emotions and silently wept.
The faces Of the audience expressed
sympathy with the prisoners emotion,
and even captain Of gendarmes sitting
beside Dreyfus turned and gave him a
look of unconcealed compassion. Cen
eral Mercier, who, with Lebon, was
seated in the front row of witnesses
seats, listened to the reading Of the re-
port unmoved, while Colonel Jouaust
followed it with an air of bored toler-
ance.
LGDOH dll0l w dIuo lStulh hSN W NA1N
stand and added few more words in
Justification of his conduct, and then
Colonel Jouaust ordered the next wit
ness.
1t was the widow of Colonel Henry,
the French officer who committed sui
eide in prison after confessing to forg-
ing certain documents in the case. Her
evidence, however, was of little weight
She admitted few visits from Ester
hazy to her husband, and said her hus-
band told her he forged one document
in 'order to save the honor of the
court" She gave her evidence in a
matter of fact way, and was in no wise
the sympathetic figure anti-Dreyfus-
ards try to make her. General Roget
followed. His evidence was vitriolic
diatribe against Dreyfus from begin
ming to end.
The court adjourned until tomorrow
on conclusion Of General Rogets mono
logue. Colonel Jouaust previously asked
Dreyfus If he wished to say anything,
and the prisoner who, during the time
of General Roget's illumination against
him, several times made a movement as
If to rise and retort, but was waved
down by Colonel Jouaust, rose, and in
that voice which is not agreeable at or
dinary times, but when strangled with
emotion, as it was to-day, has thrill
ing effect on hearers, cried, crushing his
cap in his hands, my colonel, it is a
frightful thing; every day they tear out
my heart and soul without my being
able to reply. 1t Is an awful torture for
an innocent man and loyal soldier. 1t
is frightful thing! Frightful! Fright
full" The audience was profoundly
stirred, and began applause, which was
quickly suppressed. Demange then an
nounced that he would question General
Roget tomorrow.
Rennes, August 16.-Labori passed
better night. He had some sleep, and
his condition Is more reassuring. His
assailant has not been captured.
5p. ma correspondent of the Asso-
ciated Press just returned from visit
to M. Labori found the lawyer worse.
A slight fever has returned. The X-ray
photographs are being developed, so the
position Of the bullet is not yet known.
Albuquerque Items.
u Casa odi<or 0f Tho uor,,,;oo a.,