Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-08-22

Lebrun-Renault. Witness said he be-
ieved the confessions were genuine.
He next referred to Col. Picquart's APP
perance in the intelligence department.,
although the witness had hesitated to
appoint him because he thought Pic
quart too self-contident and not suffi-
GENTLY deferential toward his chiefs.
M. Demange referred to Gen. Roget's
deposition to the effect that Dreyfus
was certainly intelligent, but that he
would not have wished to see him on
the headquarters staff and asked the
witness opinion on the subject. The
general answered:
II can only express the same opinion
as Gen. Roget"
M. Demange-Was not Esterhazy,
with your knowledge, assisted at the
court of inquiry by Maj. Du Patty de
Clam, who gave him advice?
De Boisdeffre-I am absolutely not
aware of it.
Col. Jouaust, president of the court
martial, put the usual questions to the
prisoner, who replied:
II have nothing to say to Gen. De
Boisdetfre," and resumed his seat.
Gen. Gonse's Testimony.
After a brief suspension of the sit
ting of the court, Gen. Gonse, who was
underchief of the general staff, was
called to the witness stand. He ex-
planned the motives which Influenced
his actions during the past few years
and said he believed he was animated
by the loftiest aims, namely, the pro-
lection of the army against the Grim
inal attacks made on it from all Sides"
In this connection Gen. Gonse dwelt
upon the danger to France of the "sys-
tenn of espionage so cleverly organized
against her by foreigners" and said
that in spite of Esterhazy's statements
it was impossible for him to have writ
ten the bordereau, and still more impos-
sible for him to have secured the infor-
nation contained therein. He added
that no traces of indiscretion were dis
covered during all the proceedings
against Esterhazy.
Deplores Secret Trial.
Continuing, the witness deplored the
ldCI Clldl lHS SOol l-llldl tldl VI 4Oo7 was
held behind closed doors, adding:
~ regard 1t as a great misfortune. The
witnesses certainly said much more at the
secret trial than they would have done
at aapublic trial. But the judges had a bet
ter opportunity of forming an opinion, even
though the public might retain doubts. 1
deplore it keenly."
Gen. Gonse denied that Esterhazy had
received money from the intelligence
department, and, describing the
strange behavior" of Dreyfus, and his
frequent acts of indiscretion," the
witness begged the court to summon
the secretary of the ministry of war
who surprised the prisoner prying in
the offices at a time when there was no
business going on there.
After the witness had asserted that,
while the name of Dreyfus was often
mentioned in the documents in the pos
session of the intelligence department,
his innocence was nowhere limited at,
the general then proceeded to defend
Patty de Clam for the insinuations of
Col. Picquart, and corroborated Gen.
Mercier's evidence in regard to the al
legged confessions made by Capt. Le-
brun-Renault.
Refers to Note Book.
Considerable comment was aroused
by the fact that, contrary to the pro-
visions of the law requiring the testi-
mony to be verbal and without notes,
Gen. Gonse, adjusting his eyeglasses,
proceeded to consult large notebook
and frequently refreshed his memory.
Dealing with the Henry forgery, Gen.
Gonse said: II can say it was already
known. Gen. Roget spoke to me about
it at.least eight days before Henry con-
fessed." (Sensation.)
He admitted that Henry, when he
first produced the forged document, in
sisted that it must not be shown to Pic
quart. Gen. Gonse admitted that while
he was struck with the similarity of Es-
terhazy's handwriting and that of the
bordereau he nevertheless forbade Pic
quart to investigate the matter.
Col. Picquart was then recalled to
explain certain illusions to the secret
service funds, and after Gen. Billot had
spoken in rebuttal of Picquart's state
ment the court at 11:45 a. m. adjourned
for the day.
Lnboris Condition Improved.
Rennes, Aug. 21.-The condition of
Maitre Labor, chief counsel for Capt.
Alfred Dreyfus; who was shot from
ambush on Monday last, was further
improved Saturday morning.
Have Assassin Surrounded.
New York, Aug. PA dispatch to
the Journal and Advertiser from
Rennes says: The assassin of Labori
is surrounded and should be caught
and brought in within AS hours. His
trail was picked up at farm on the
road between Fougeres road and Ser
Won, on the way to Paris. Here he was
seen plodding along the road early
Thursday morning. He stopped at a
barber shop at Servon and got razor
to shave himself. He looked tired and
worn out.
Satisfactory traces We're also found
of him at CHATEAU Giron. some miles
further on, and it is now evident that
he is following the road at Paris
coLLIDES WITH SHAMROCK.