New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-08
DREYFUS'S TRIAL BEGINS.
DRAMATIC SCENES IN THE CASE BEFORE THE COURT!
MARTIAL AT RENNES.
CONTEST A DRAWN BATTLE.
FAVORABLE IMPRESSION MADE BY THE
PRISONER IN THE OPENING
INVESTIGATION.
tsY CABLE TO THE rRrRUvl

rBY CABLE TO THE TRTnUvEl
Renres Aug From a strictly legal point
OF view to-day's proceedings in the trial OF Cap
tain Dreyfus may be described as drawn bat
tie. neither the prosecution nor the defence hav-
ing gained a single inch Of vantage ground II
,s. however. Impossible for the most fanatcal
partisans OF the General STAFF TO deny that the
direct. manly honesty with which the prisoner
replied TO the long series Of questions put TO
him by Colonel Jouaust. president Of the court
martial. with what. 70 the Anglo-American mind.
sayors more OF the inquisitorial severity Of a
criminal prosecutor than Of the calm impartiality
Of judicial investigation. caused favorable i'm
preston upon all present. Both Msitre De-
mango and Maftre Labori stated in conversation
that they deeply regretted that du Patty de
Clam and Esterhazy had failed TO appear among
the witnesses but this iinching from judicial
examination has already had a strong moral
influence on the court and public opinion in
Dreyfuss behalf
GENERAL MERC1ER's PRESENT
in the Lycee is concerned. told in favor Of Drey-
fus was the embittered passion. almost amount
ing to a challenge 10 mortal combat, with which
General MERCER pronounced the word present"
when his name was called by the clerk Of the
court martial The seat assigned TO The Trib-
une correspondent at the trial chanced 10 be
near that occupied by NJ. Corney, Of the
Figaro" who was also much struck by the
ferocity with which General Mercier uttered the
word present" accompanied by expression
Of countenance suggestive Of some wild animal
at bay
Americans will be glad to learn that after
to-day's sitting NJ. Cornely still maintains his
certitude Of Dreyfus's acquittaL The fact that
nine additional witnesses were cited solely upon
the initiative OF the court indicates that the
judges are not yet satisfied about Dreyfus's al
in 1894, which. by the way, was decided by the
Court OF Cessation in Dreyfus's favor.
DRAMATIC COURT MARTIAL.
Colonel Jouaust president Of the court mar
tial, whose decision in the eyes Of the world
will become a sort OF touchstone OF French mill
tary honor, has dry, sarcastic voice. and the
rigid severity OF his countenance is emphasized
by his keen glance and long white mustaches
and imperial He greeted Captain Dreyfus's
convincing denials Of any knowledge OF the five
documents enumerated in the famous bordereau
It is very significant that Colonel Jouaust re-
Trained from looking Dreyfus straight in the
face whenever the prisoner vehementy pro-
claimed his innocence. Americans however,
should bear in mind that the whole proceedings
are intensely theatrical, and that the president
Of the court martial may think 1t worth while
thus to discount any future accusations OF par
tiallty.
The ultra secret dossier, which brought
last Friday in an iron box from Paris under
charge Of Generals Chanone and Paleologue
and borne on an artillery casson with cere-
rnonial recalling that Of the Grail in wagners
'Parsifal" is now in the improvlsed courtroom
Of the Lycee and its contents will be examined
in the secret sessions, which may last possibly
three days.
pREYFUs's STRUGGLE WITH HIMSELF.
Dreyfus as he walked 10 his place on the
stage Of the courtroom. passed each time within
FIVE yards Of the seat occupied by The Tribune
correspondent The nerves OF his neck could be
seen quivering IN manly struggle 10 control
his emotions His attitude modest. mill
tary and correct. Not once did he look toward
the auditorium appeal 70 the public with
glance or gesture, as on several occasions. did
the president OF the ,ourt, the Government Com
missioner and the clerk of the court. Any i'm
partial. observant American sitting in close
proximity to Captain Dreyfus, it was the
privilege Of The Tribune correspondent to do for
over three hours to-day. would unhesitatingly
declare that this man has all the outward tokens
Of innocence that human being is capable of
disclosing. T. o.