The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-08-25

Rennes, August 23.-The session OF |
the Dreyfus court-martial here today
was comparatively uneventful. The
dispositions were not productive or any
really thrilling incidents. The system
attic production of the f1imsiest trash
which the prosecution deems profitable
to infiict on the judges, and which the
latter accept as evidence, was pro-
ceeded with. Much of the ridiculous
testimony of the morning was devoted
to an attempt to blast Dreyfus' private
character, though, when Maitres La
bori and Demange had finished with
the witnesses their bubbles of little
tattle were badly Dricked.
Much of the time was occupied in
reading the testimony Of Esterhazey
and Mile. Pays before the court of cas-
sation, during which many of the audi
ence left the court.
M. Labori again distinguished him
self in laying bare the weak points OF
the evidence. He was less fierce, how
ever, than yesterday, though quite ag-
gressive enough to arouse the latent
hostility of the judges, which showed
itself in various little ways.
M. Labori is no favorite, either with
Major Carriere, the government COM
rnissary, and the latter makes no Sc
rious effort to conceal his feelings to-
wards the lawyer.
NJ Labori bore little traces OF the
effects of the outrage upon him. He
rose, sat down and moved his BODY
and limbs apparently without much diff
ficuhy. Only occasionally, he put his
hands to his back as though suffering
pain. His wife followed his every
movement through a gold and tortoise
shell lorgenette.
MADAME REGANE.
Madame Regane, the actress, was
again an interested spectator in court
today, especially when M. Labori was
on his feet and his voice was vibrat-
ing through the hall. Her eyes watched
his mobile features, across which fitted
every changing expression Of indigna-
rion, anger or satisfaction, with the
keen interest which spectators in
theatre follow her own acting. During
some of the dispositions M. Labori ap-
epared very nervous. He was unable
to remain still an instant, twitching
his fingers and shaking his papers in
his hand. Counsel was almost too i'm
patient to wait till the witnesses con-
cluded their testimony.
GONSES SAD EXPERIENCE.
The only dangerous opponent of Drey-
fus today was General Gonse, who
mounted the stand with a quick step
and apparently light heart. But, he
left it badly mauled by M. Labor.
General Gonse began by declaring he
came to defend his honor against
those driveling'' against him. But
when his cross examination was fin
ished he returned to his seat with his
tail between his legs, for Labori had
driven him into a corner on the at
~ .%,ef s1tHt al. a
Esterhazey, and had shown that the
general staff, for which Gonse was re-
sponsible, had engineered ESterhazey s
escape from the hands of Justice. The
confident tones of the general had by
then dwindled into the proverbial still,
small voice and his defiant bearing had
changed into the abashed air OF a school
boy caught telling lie.
The day proved certainly a poor one
for the general staff. Two good sam
pies Of the men put up to sully Drey-
fus' private character were the third
and fourth witnesses.
First Major du Chatelet repeated an
alleged conversation Of Dreyfus regard
ing a lady at whose house Dreyfus is
i alleged to have gambled and lost
money; but when cross examined, du
Shatelet's memory failed him entirely
Npecially when asked the name of the
Iady, the street she resided on and the
sum Dreyfus lost.
Next M. du Brieul showed equally as
founding forgetfulness on essential
points Of his evidence concerning Drey-
fuS' acquaintanceship with a foreign at
tache and when M. Demange capped
his successful examination on those
points by promising to show that NJ
du Brieuls record in the law courts i.
far from clear, the witness left tbs
stand badly discredited.
ACQUITTAL PREDICTED.
The correspondent Of the Associated
Press talked this afternoon with M
Jaures, the socialist leader, who, with
Matthew Dreyfus, sees Maitre Labor
every day after session and who is ac
qualnted with the entire tactics or th'
defense. M. Jaures said: II am con
WINGED that Dreyfus will be acquitted
Tie must be acquitted, for no new fac
has been brought up against him. The
generals. 1 believe, are going to max,
their last stand on BertiIlon's system
which they intend to submit as proving
Dreyfus guilty. Intelligent men laugh
at 1t, but at is very ingenious and ha.
the merit in the eyes of the generals o
being incomprehensible to an ordinar.
man and thus calculated to impress
him if supported by the puppets of TIN
general staff.
"Bertillon's theory has already beer
introduced by some of the military wit
neses who declare their Confidence !,
it. The trial, in my belief viii las
about another twenty days"
THE EVIDENCE.
n Following are the proceedings in de
Ecomptroller Roy, the first witnes
lealled today, gave his impressions Q