The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-23


coed. The representatives of the head
quarters staff alone cast imputations
upon the prisoners character
M. Labor asked the courts leave. with
the permission of Lieut.. Col Berth, to
question the witness on a delicate SUBJ
Ject. He referred, continued counsel, to
a remark made by Berth at a dinner
at which Labor was present at the house
OF mutual friend, fortnight after the
degradation of Dreyfus.
I have absolute confidence in the good
faith Of Lieut.. Col. Bertin," added M,
Labor, and 1 am convinced that if his
recollections are exact enough he will
not hesitate to reply
Berth asked the lawyer to mention the
name of the mutual friend who gave the
dinner. M. Labori whispered the name
and the witness nodded assent
M. Labori-Do you remember that you
were among the first to suggest to me
belief in the innocence of Dreyfus?
Bertin-No, no, it is impossible
Laborf-Does the witness remember
that during the corrse of the dinner
he became excited in talking about Drey-
fus?
The lieutenant colonel pointed out that
the terms Of intimacy which prevailed at
the dinner must be taken into account
reminded M. Labor that he was an old
friend of his father and wondered wheth-
er counsel was still the same man who.
taking the witness hand on the occa-
sion of the dinner, said: "I will never
forget what you have done for my
father"
Il do not forget the words" said M.
Labor, his voice trembling at the recol-
lections, but I am referring specially to
the somewhat strong remarks you made
against Maitre Demange. I am not seek
ing to provoke a scene between Lieut.
Col. Berth and Maitre Demange. Did
you not say to me, when L spoke Of
Maitre Demange's belief in the inno-
cence of Dreyfus: 'Demange. Don't
mention him. He is counsel for the
German embassy" Cries of ooh. oh. }
M. Bertin-If I can remember I will
reply. I am here to tell the truth and
will tell all I know. I am here for the
truth like you.
M. Labori-When asked why you said
that you said Demange had already de-
Tended other spies.
Col. Berth admitted the truth of NJ.
Laboris statements.
NJ. Labori-You should be sure of the
intervention of NJ. Demange, because a
barrister of his standing is not ap-
pointed officially unless there are i'm
portant reasons for it.
Counsel proceeded to relate how when
he left Lieut.. Col. Berth he discussed
the foregoing conversation with his Wife,
and wondered what security could be
found in the oath or judgment of men
who readily believed things so ridicu-
lous.
My belief in the innocence of Drey-
fus,'' M Labori added, began that day.
I give you my word of honor that Lieut..
Col. Berth admitted he had grudge
against Maitre Demange, saying 1t was
because he defended Dreyfus badly by
persisting in making Dreyfus deny all
the charges against him. Lieut. Col.
Berth evidently thought that Maitre
Demange ought to have Joined with the
others in trying to convict Dreyfus."
Col. Jouaust here declared the incident
closed.
M. Demange. however, tnterposed, say
ing:
you will, however. allow me to appear
on the scene?" Oaughter)
Continuing, NJ Demange said he pre-
ferred to speak in the presence of Lieut..
Col Berth, adding:
LAS the trial of Dreyfus was held be-
hind closed doors. Lieut.. Col. Berth
could not know whether I defended him
we'll or ILL.,
Bertin-I heard of the speech of the de-
Tense afterwards.
M. Demange said that the fact that he
was chosen to defend spies was proof OF
his discretion.
WOMAN IN THE CASE.
A brief adjournment followed, and wher
the court resumed its session Maj. Gen
dron was called to testify regarding the
Austrian woman, Nine. DEFY He said
he had taken tea at her home on a single
occasion, and that he thereafter confined
himself to exchanging a few polite words
with her when they met, though the gal
liant officer asserted that the lady urged
his revisiting her house. He thought that
neither the age nor the beauty of the lady
accounted for her stylish mode of dress
ing, nor for the mystery of her existence
nor for the presence of her child, whose
father was unknown to all. This, it APP
pears, told the witness that he was deal
ing with an adventures. He heard that
she had fine acquaintance, including
Dreyfus, and, in view of the fact that in
such companionship Dreyfus was liable
to commit some imprudent action, witness
informed Lieut.. Col Berth of his fears
Referring to the organiza ton Of the
intelligence department, Maj. Gendron
said that he had viewed with deep pain
the destruction of all the work "the great
patriot, Cal. Sandherr, had done in de-
Tense of the country
ut is a great misfortune" he added
that such man no longer exists
Maj. Besse, Capt. Boullenger, Col. Jean
mel and Maj. Massitre all testified. In the
main their evidence was embarrassing,
and largely surmise or hearsay, but it was
distinctly biased and intended to bolster
up the assertions of the generals
Col Jeannel, during his cross-examina-
ton. threw some light upon the question
of the firing manual, which, he said, he
lent Dreyfus in 1894.
NJ Demange wanted to know the exact
date, and Col. Jeannel said he believed
1t was in July, adding: I'm 1884,
That would have been a point calculated
to weaken the point against Dreyfus,
counsel pointing out that Col. Jeanncl was
not an examiner in 1894, and asking the
cause of this irregularity. The date of
the bordereau was given as April of that
year, or before Col. Jeannel lent the firing
manual. The prisoner said that in 1894 he
insisted, at both the preliminary examina-
ton and at the court-martial, that Col.
Jeannel should be examined.
II obtained no satisfaction" Dreyfus
added. II was however, sure Of my
facts Col. JeanneIs memory must be
playing him false. Perhaps the confusion
arises from the fact that I asked him to
lend me the German firing manual"
Col Jouaust-Do you remember that
Col. Jeannel?
Col. Jeannel-No.
M. Labor expressed surprise that 1t was
not thought necessary in 1894 to examine
a witness who today, "out of pure caprice
and for convenience of the prosecution,
had become an excellent witness. The
court, counsel added, would deduce its
own opinion.
During the course of the subsequent
proceedings, a letter written by Capt
Lemonier was read, repeating an alleged
conversation with Dreyfus, when tie lat
ter is said to have stated that he followed
the German maneuvers at Mulhouse
The prisoner briefly controverted some OF
Col. JeanneTs statements, but said he
would not condescend to reply to Capt
Lemonier's assertions nor to M. Beaure-
paire's, but, he added, he was extremely
sorry to see an officer utilize the utter
ances of a witness whose immortality was