The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-08-23
AT THE TRIAL.
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Concluded from First
seemed to the witness to be connected with
the transport of troops
NJ. Demange-Why did you not give this
evidence in 1894?
Witness said he regretted he had over
looked it. Besides. he added, it was not his
business to suspect his chiefs.
NJ. ~Demange-The court will form its own
opinions Of this five years silence.
NJ. Labor asked when the witness first
mentioned these facts.
Ferret-I do not remember. [Murmurs.1
NJ. Labori-Try. 1t would be interesting
to have an explanation.
DREYFUS SHOWS UP A LIAR.
Ferret-It was about a year ago. The
prisoner then protested against such state
ments, which, he said, were nothing but
"vile in~sinuations," collected by a former
minister of war. [Great s~ensationl
Il never went into my Office continued
Dreyfus, 'at any other time than the hours
of duty. / declare it was impossible, or, at
least, most difficult, for a civilian to enter
the offices of the Ministry Of War;"
Dreyfus added that while his wife was at
Houlgate, Normandy. in August or Septem-
Der, 1894. he happened to go to his office at
noon, though the usual hour was 2 o'clock.
Colonel Jouaust questioned Dreyfus rela-
tive to his hours of duties and the difficulty
of introducing a stranger into the offices.
after which General Gonse asked for per-
mission to speak in order to complete his
evidence. He said he received a letter yes
terday evening from NJ. LIE Chatelier. chief
engineer Of the Department of Roads and
Bridges, in which lie Chatelier said: During
six or seven years I had a permit for the
Ministry of Wa and went there at least a
hundred times. / did not have to show
my permit more than ten times. On another
occasion / was accompanied by a friend,
who entered without any other formality
than opening the gate and saluting the
sentry" Laughter
General Gonse read another letter of sim
liar purport and Dreyfus said: 1.-The rule
was strict. The letters only prove that GER
tain persons did not observe it."
NJ. ~Demange-It also proves that since the
Ministry of War was so easily entered
others besides officers could easily procure
information. [Murmurs of dissent
Lieutenant Colonel Berth, who was chief
of Dreyfus's bureau in 1894. followed. He
traversed the old ground of Dreyfus's entry
into the department. testified to the prison
er's great zeal at first and said that this
later was replaced by great carelessness
in matters of data. I'm face of this said
Berth, II gradually ceased to consider him
an assistant. He left an enormous amount
of uncompleted work. Thus, after devoting
nue. time to initiating him into the secrets
as to the concentration Of troops on the
eastern railway system in time of war, 1
did not receive any service in exchange"
Witness oddad tho< Tho ronor+. ~ rox.~
Dreyfus when he left were such that he
could never enter the railroad department..
Proceeding, witness added that Dreyfus
was in a position to acquaint himself with
the question of the eastern railroads mobil-
i~zation, and described a conversation he
had with Dreyfus in 1893, which. in the
opinion of the witness, threw a curious light
on Dreyfus's idea of the fatherland. Lieut..
Col. Berth also spoke of the comparisons
Of the handwriting, and then, turning to
the prisoners attitude at the court-martial
of 1894, he said it painfully impressed him
and he was convinced of the guilt Of Drey-
fus by the evidence of NJ. Bertillon.
When the witness told the minister of war
Of his impressions the latter sent him to
President Casimir-Perier, to whom Berth
expatiated on the injury which would result
from the treachery CT Dreyfus and the
harm which might result If he escaped.
According to Berth, NJ. Casimir-P erier ap-
peared much impressed and witness gained
the impression that he was speaking to a
soldier who regarded the matter from the
same point Of view as himself" GSensation.1
WITH OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
Referring to his interviews with NJ.
Scheurer-Kestner, former vice president Of
the Senate, whom 1 always regarded as an
honorable man, obeying the dictates of his
conscience" Lieut.. Col. Bertin controverted
part of Picquart's evidence on the subject.
AT the conclusion of his deposition the wit
ness declared he never ordered Dreyfus to
procure information concerning the entire
networks of railroads" which the witness
sought to inquire from Captain Cuignet.
Replying TO questions on the subject of the
alleged untimely visit of Dreyfus to his
Office. witness said hat the plans were kept
in his office and that Dreyfus knew the word
necessary to open the press containing
them.
NJ. Scheurer-Kestner. II also appeared.
often told the witness he was unable to
fathom the affair. and consequently Berth
was advised to have a talk with the min
lister OF war.
AT this iuncture the clark Of fhe co,,r