Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-08-10

adjourned after deciding to sit be-
hind closed doors today and as many Of
the following days as are necessary
for the examination OF the secret dos
sier The next public session Of the
court will probably take place on Sat
urday next. Capt. Dreyfus entered
the court room with firm STEP though
MS features were pallid. He is partly
bald, and what hair he has is gray and
close cropped. He answered the for
nal questions Of the judge as to his
name, age, ETC., in a clear, determined
voice. He sat facing the judges with
his hands resting on his knees, an i'm
passive figure. Col Jouaust, director
in the engineer corps, is president Of
the court-martial, and the other mem
bers are all artillery officers.
Almost everybody but the most
prominent officers stood on their feet,
as Capt. Alfred Dreyfus, preceded and
followed by gendarme, emerged into
| the court room. His features were
| deathly pale and his teeth were set
with determined but not defiant bear
! ing. He walked quickly, with almost
an elastic step, and drew himself up
brought his right hand sharply to the
peak of his KEPT, or military cap, and
gave the military salute, showing that
years of incarceration on Devils island
and terrible anguish of body and mind
had not impaired his soldierly instinct
and bearing. The prisoner then re
moved his KEPT and took the seat
placed for him, facing his judges,
| just ia front Of the counsel's table, and
with his back to the audience Be
hind him sat a gendarme, holding a
sheathed saber in his hand. Dreyfus
in a new uniform of captain of artil-
lery, dark blue, with red facings, fixed
ly regarded the judges, with immovable
features, and without stirring hand or
foot, scarcely even moving his head
during the whole course Of the pro-
ceedings.
After the formal proceedings, which
occupied a couple of hours, Col
Jouaust began the examination OF
Dreyfus respecting the famous border
eau. When Dreyfus, wearing his eye
glasses, rose from his seat for eXami-
nation, he stood erect, holding his KEEP
, in his hand before him. He looked Col
, Jouaust in the face during the whole
interrogatory.
Col. Jouaust exr'"ined the charge
based upon the terminating Dor
dereauX, of agreeing to enable Germany
to commit hostilities, or wage wal
J against France by supplying it will
important documents.
Dreyfus replied with a vehement dec
laration of his innocence, repeating
J several times: Il am innocent" in {
5 voice which quivered with emotion
: The agonized manner in which he ut
5 tered his protestations of Innocence
had a most painful effect and mus
have evoked the sympathy even of hi!
t most inveterate enemies. The prison
er grew more composed as the eXamin
alton proceeded, answering every ques
ton without a moments hesitation
| Col. Jouaust submitted Dreyfus to {
rigorous examination, more in the STYLE
of a prosecuting counsel than of {
judge and made gestures of impatienc,
) at some direct denials which Dreyfu.
| gave repeatedly to the judges ques
tions. The prisoners voice resoundet
frequently through the court room, a.
he energetically replied: "No, my col
onel,' or Never, never" to question:
7 put to him. Col Jouaust treated Drey
fus brusquely, almost brutally, and i
: was matter of satisfaction to tn,
friends of the prisoner when the latte
set the judge himself right on certain
dates connected with Dreyfus' stay CT
: the general staff. It was an unimport
ant point; but it was eloquent testi
: mony to the keenness of Dreyfus' in
. tellect.
JOuaust-At the military school vol
were reproached with saying the Alsa
tians were happier as Germans than az
Frenchmen?
Dreyfus-No. I never utter sucf
words
Jouaust-How do you account for the
l bad note against you written by a GER
l tain general?
Dreyfus-He said he wanted no Jews
, on the general staff
. Jouaust-How did you know wha
he said?
: reyfus-Through conversations.
: Jouaust-You attributed this bat
note to your religion?
Dreyfus-Yes.
Jouaust-What was your object il
going to Alsace in 1894?
Dreyfus-For instruction.
Jouaust-Did you so to Brussels il
1894?
Dreyfus-No.
In 1890 you were at Bourges?'
asked Col Jouaust.
Dreyfus replied: Yes, my colonel
Jouaust-The 100 break was then
: being made and you were IN a position
to know the construction Of the break
Dreyfus denied that he knew any
thing about the break.
JOuaust-At the beginning of 1894
: you entered the general staff?
Dreyfus, who then had regained his
composure, spoke distinctly and in a
way which carried conviction. An
swering the last question, he said:
mo, never had any knowledge of this
gun while l was in the bureau Of the
: general staff"
: Jouaust-At the time Of your condem-
nation Col. Du Psiy de Clam went Ic
see you in Cherc Midi prison. What
passed between you?
DreyfuS-He asked mo If ha6 MOI