The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-04-19
ONCE BELIEVED
DREYFUS GUILTY
Picouart Found He Was
in Error.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

PARIS. April 19.-The Figaro publishes
to-day the conclusion of Colonel Pic
quarts deposition before the Court Of
Cessation in the Dreyfus inquiry together
with the testimony of Jules Roche, mem
Der of the Chamber of Deputies for the
Second District of Tournon, and of sew
eral others. as we'll as a number of letters
from Esterhazy to NJ. Roche-altogether
about twentyfour columns.
Colonel Picquart told the court of the
various missions which General Come
confided to him in Tunis, all of which con-
WINGED him that he was under the ban of
displeasure. His mail matter always
reached him unsealed and was invariably
read by others before being dispatched.
He complained of thfs treatment TO Lieu
tenant Colonel Henry, but they refused 10
give him any satisfaction.
In August 1896, after his examination OF
the dossier, he was convinced, colonel
Picquart declared, of the guilt OF Dreytus'
and not until his return from Africa IN
March, 1897, did he contide to friend, d
lieutenant colonel, his conviction that an
error had been made by the court-marual
and that Esterhazy was the real culprlt.
At this period his relations with Lieu
tenant Colonel Henry ceased to be friend
ly. In the following June he became
aware that Vaccinations were brewing
papers to Maitre LIE Blois, his counsel, Tor
safety. He then returned to Tun1s.
Colonel Picquart remarked upon the
coincidence that Esterhazys letter TO the
Minister of War, indicating his Plc-
quart s. movements, was dated October
Is, 1897, and that the date of the order
was October II. After referring TO Es-
terhazy's letter and the blanche ana
"Sporanza" kilograms he detailed ms re-
call TO Paris to testify before General
Pellieux He said he was called before the
latter on the day following his arrival,
having seen only Major MERCER Milan Ian
sent by the general staff to receive him:
This offticer told him the general staff
was not ill-disposed toward him, but
nevertheless he noticed that he was under
General Pellieux for crediting the false
reports representing him Picquarp as a
neurotic and as occupying himself with
occultist and said General Pellieux treat
ed him with severity exceeding all per
MISSILE bounds.
Passing 10 the court-martial of Ester
hazy. Colonel Picquart again protested
against the attitude of General PellieuX,
| who, he said, overwhelmed MIN with
questions without the consent OF the
counsel for the defense, or the president
1T was easy to see" declared Picquart,
that l was the real accused.
Then he proceeded to relate how, al
though General Luxor promised that he
should be confronted with his opponents,
he was only confronted with Lieutenant
Colonel Henry, despite the protest OF one
of the Judges, who demanded the carry
ing out of General LuXor'S promise.
Dealing with subsequent inquiries, Col
onel Picquarts story was one of similar
hindrances and of attempts to stifie in
vestigation He testified that, after M.
CavaIgnac's famous speech in the Cham
Der of Deputies, he wrote to the presi-
dent of the council, warning him against
the Henry forgery The witness referred
to letters from the Minister of War to
I the Minister of Justice against him. and
denied that any animosity existed be-
tween himself and Colonel Patty du Clam.
The witness added that Henry's forgery
became necessary in order to maintain
the charge of guilt against Dreyfus."
Before replying to NJ. Castelins inter
pellation the Minister Of War appeared
unfavorable to Esterhazy and inclined to
believe in the innocence of Dreyfus Hen
rvs forgery made the situation clear.
Colonel Picquart said he was absolutely
convinced that all the documents subse-
quent to Henrys forgery and connected
with 1t were themselves forgeries.
The testimony of the other witnesses
was unimportant.
1t was rumored here last evening that
the Court of Cessation, encouraged by the
Ministers who desire to meet the Chamber
of Deputies with a well-defined situation
will dispense with the proposed con-
frontation of General Roget, Colonel Pic
quart. NJ. Bertulus. the magistrates and
others in order to hurry its decision be-
fore the Chamber meets. 1t is further as
serted that the courts revision will be
that no new facts have been adduced JUS
tifying revision, which the court will ac-
cordingly reject.