The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-15
NO DEVELOPMENTS.


ton" the witness continued, M Schurer
Kestner Ia former vice president of the
senate asked him whether he Ought not
to investigate the Dreyfus AFFAIR. NJ.
Schurer- Kestner" the general ointed Out,
had made similar representations TO NJ,
Defreycinet and got the same reply, that
neither OF them We're very 'onversant with
the affair"
General Billot dwelt at length upon the
action taken by NJ. Schurer Kestner, to
whom he recommended prudence.
NJ Sohurer-Kestner finally communi-
Gated to NJ. Billot his conviction OF the
innocence Of Dreyfus. but the general
found the evidence insufficient and asked
him 10 investigate the matter further.
The general then dwelt with the role of
Colonel PicQuart whom, be said, he holds
In the highest esteem.
He is intelligent" said General Billet,
and gave me valuable information ahou;
the organization of neighboring army
and it's artillery. This information showed
the necessity Of continuing the reforms
in our artillery. commenced by that grea,
initiator General Mercer.
Il, who am neither an engineer or an
expert in handwriting said General Bill
lot" saw in that direction the grand work
which he accomplished"
After this General Bllot Referred to
Esterhazy. who he suspected but General
Billot forbade this. He added that Colo
mel Picquart always acted without au-
thorization.
General Billot next referred to the emf
nent services Colonel Picquart rendered to
the army, abiding TO his being entrusted
with a confidential mission TO the East
and afterward to Tunis. He energetioally
protested against the allegation thai he
had desired 10 send Colonel Picquart to
place from which he would never return
He explained his devotion to the country
and army and anxiety respecting the Sc
crets of the National defense and often
entailed exceptional measures like rcsls
nation, and going to distant points, whence
1t was possible to return with superior
rank and where heroism certainly wiped
out everything except treason. (Sensa-
ton) After justifying his course toward
Colonel Picquart General Blllot explained
what he had done in connection with
Esterhazy. He then renewed his protests
against the attack the defenders of Drey-
Jus made upon him during the trial of
M. lola and concluded with expressing
regret that while in power he was Obliged
to devote most of his time to the Dreyfus
ahair. which time, he added, ought to have
been given to the guardianship of the Ma
tioual defense.
NJ DeMange invited General Billot TO
explain the statements OF NM Barthou and
foincare The former minister and the
general who once was so doubtful of the
CUNT OF DFeytus that he did not sleep Tor
several nights,
General Billot acknowledged the state
ments were true.
Answering questions OF the counsel the
general said Colonel Picquart's revelations
produced doubts In his mind, but he added
all the same his conviction of Dreyfus was
left unchanged
Ihere was great sensation when NJ
De Mango mentioned the opinion expressed
by NJ. Borthou that General Billot had
been forewarned in regard to the forgery
OF Lieutenant Colonel Henry. The general
acknowledged that the Henry forgery was
among the factors arousing his doubts.
Continuing General Billot said he wis
Immensely surprised and deeply affected
by revelations of the forgery He said
l never could have believed a superior
officer could be guilty of forgery"
M. Cavaignac, former minister OF war
was the next witness.
Replying to the president of the court
he said he was the frst cabinet minister
to assume responsibility to Dreyfus He
had closely followed the inquiry of the
court of cessation and still desired TO as
sociate himself with the responsibility Of
thpse VINO In 1894 protected the country
ana the army against treason. (Sensation)
Continuing the witness said that among
the principal points upon which he based
his convictions was the confession to Cap
tain lie Brun- Renault in support of which
contention he quoted passage from an
alleged letter Of Dreyfus but which In
reality was part Of General Gonz's report
to the minister of war In Colonel du Patty
de CLAIMS report of the alleged confession.
NJ Cayaignac admitted the possibility
OF mistakes in human testimony and said
they ought to be taken into exercise when
condemning man. But he asserted. he
was convinced Of the guilt OF Dreyfus be-
cause his accusers were so entirely In
agreement In their testimony.
The witness also said he found addi-
tional proofs OF the prisoners guilt In the
technical character of the bordereau and