The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-15

sidered these explanations were given for
his personal use. and that was why he
destroyed the document. At this N. De-
mango expressed a sense OF aston.shrnen;
and asked Gen. MERCER IL he did not have
reasons for suppressing the document
The witness repEdiased the suggestion.
Dreyfus Makes Explanation.
Dreyfus, at this point. arose from his
seat and asked leave to explain In regard
10 the assertion that he had traced on q
card the itinerary journey OF certain CT
the generals staff The itinerary and
journey he stated were purely fictitious.
Casimtr-Perier Also Explains.
n Casim.r-Perier then said he desired
he reiterate that he had never promised
anything 10 Dreyfus. adding that IL was
with NJ. Waideck- Rosseau alone that he
had spoken in regard TO the condemned
man. Therefore NJ. Casmir-Perier reiter-
ated his protests at the letters OF Dreyfas
referring TO negotiations.
This caused NJ. Demange to explain how
Dreyfus came TO say that Casimir- Perier
had promised him public trial.
After ~. Demange had asked NJ Wal
deck Rousseau to intervene with NJ. CAST
niir-Perter. then president Of France. to
Obtain publicity. NJ. Waideck-Rousseau re-
ported that the president appeared favor
fore thought he might communicate the
fact to Dreyfus- NJ. Demange added that
II must be remembered that Dreyfus
wrote the letter four years after the oc-
currence and his recoIlections naturally
lacked precision. IL. Demange expressed
regret at the fact that the letter had
been published and apologized to NJ. Cast
mir-Perier. who thanked counsel for hts
expression OF regret and explanation.
Gen. Billot on the stand.
Gen. Billot former minister of war was
the next witness. He was in uniform, sat
with crossed legs and gave his evidence
In conversational manner He said he
would be Il years Of age tomorrow Like
everybody else. he added. he had some
knowledge OF the Dreyfus affair before
taking the war portfolio. While feeling
deeply on the subject. he remained aloof
from the matter until he returned to the
cabinet. In the early days of his admin
istration. the witness continued NJ. Sche-
urer-kestner "a former vice president of
the senate) asked him whether he ought
not to investigate the Dreyfus affair. NJ.
Scheurer- Kestner. the general pointed
out. had made similar representations to
NJ De Freyeinet and got the same reply
from both. that neither Of them were
very conversant with the affair.
Gen Bfllot dwelt Mt length upon the ac-
ton taken by Mr.. Scheurer- Kestner, to
whom he recommended prudence
NJ. Scheurer-kestner finally communi-
Gated TO Gen. Biliot his conviction Of the
innocence of Dreyfus. but the general
found the evidence insufficient and asked
him 10 investigate the matter further.
High Praise for Col. Picauart.
The general dealt with the role of Col.
Picauart. whom he said he holds in the
highest esteem.
HE Is intelligent" said Gen Billot.
''and gave me valuable information about
the organization Of neighboring army
and Its artillery. This information showed
the necessity Of continuing the reforms in
our artillery commenced by that great in
itiator, Gen Mercier"
II, who am neither an engineer nor an
expert In handwriting" added Gen. Billot
saw in that direction the grand work he
had accomplished
No Trapping OF Esterhaxy.
After this Gen. Billot referred to Col
Picquart's proposition 10 entrap Ester
haxy. whom he suspected. but Gen. Bilot
forbade this. He added that Col. Picquart's
action was without authorize ton. Gen.
Bii'ot referred to the eminent services Col
Picquart rendered the army. leading to his
being intrusted with confidential mission
to the East. and afterwards to Tunis. He
ehergeucaiiy protested against the ALE
cation that he had desired 10 send Col.
Pcquart 20 place from which he would
never return. He explained his devotion
TO the country and army, and that anxi-
ETY. regarding the secrets of the national
defense often entailed exceptional meas
ures. like resignation and going 10 distant
points. whence II was possible 10 return
with a superior rank and where heroism
certainly wiped out everything except trea-
son tSensation)
After justifying his course towards Col.
Piequart. Gen. Bllot explained what he
had done In connection with Es;erhazy.
He then renewed hls protests against the
attack the defenders Of Dreyfus made up
en- him during the trial Of n. Zoia. and
concluded with expressing regret that
while In power he was obliged to devote
most OF his time TO the Dreyfus AFFAIR.
which time. he added. ought 10 have been
given to the guardianship OF the national
defense.
Was Doubtful Of Dreyfus' Guilt.
NJ Demange invited Gen. B.llos 10 ex-
plain the statements OF NM. Barthou and
Poincaire, former ministers, that the gen.