Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-08-16
Neeps as the Court Hears of His
Past TOrtures,
LEBON OUT WITH EXCUSES.
Man Who Ordered Indignities on the
Hnpless Prisoner Tells why
He Did So-Mme. Henry
Witness.

ing TO the muIderOuS attack Monday
upon Maitre Labor, leading counsel for
the defense.
The feature of the days proceedings
was the story Of the suttcrings of Drey-
fus on Devils island, his prison off the
coast Of French Guiana. Dreyfus wept
In court when the clp.k read document
rccounting the details of his incarcera-
ton.
The proceedings opened with the ap-
plication Of M. Demange for an ad-
journment. This was followed by the
deposition of Nj. Guerin, the former
minister of justice who, however, only
repeated the evidence he had given be-
fore the court of cessation.
Nj. Lebon, the former minister of the
colonies, a big, red bearded man, then
testified in justification of his instruc-
tons to treat Dreyfus vigorously, de-
clarlng that the extreme Stringency only
dated from the time he thought an at
tempt would be made to rescue the pris-
Oner.
Colonel Jouausr president of the court
martial, asked Dreyfus if he had any
questions to put to the witness, and he
replied in an emotional voice:
"No. | am here to defend my honor
l do not wish to speak of the atrocious
suffering which for five years l, Il
Frenchman and an innocent man, suffer
ed on the lie du Diable."
The Hearers Indignant.
M. Demansc here asked that the Off
cial report Of the treatment of Drcyfus
on the He du Diable, which was publish
ed in the newspapers last week, should
be read. The clerk of the court did so,
and in sympathetic tone, recounted
the narrowing tale of D.eyfus' mental
and physical suIferings and inhuman
treatment on the island.
Deep drawn breaths Of Indignation
came from the hearers as reading pro-
ceeded.
Dreyfus, at first, watched the faces of
the judges with his usual composure;
but, gradually, as the story proceeded
and incidents Of his awful existence were
brought up before him, his eyes grew dim,
and tears glistencd in them. Then
they slowly trirkled down his cheeks.
Dreyfus could stand il no longer and,
for the first lime during his trial, gave
way to such emotions and silently wept.
The faces of the audience expressed
sympathy with the prisoners emotions,
and even the captain of the gendarmes
sitting beside Dreyfus turned and gave
him look of unconcealed compassion.
General MERCER, who with NJ Lebon,
was seated in the front row of the wit
nesses' seats listened to the reading of
the report nnmoved, while Colonel Jouaust
followed it with an air of bored tolerance.
Mime. Henry Appears.
,,l tl,,l oo
on the right of the stage, and moment
later the form of woman, dressed IN
deep mourning, appeared in the doorway
and, accompanied by Il noncommlssioned
officer, advanced to the platform.
1t was the widow of Colonel Henry,
the French officer who committed suicide
in prison after confession to forging GER
tain documents i'll the case. With pale
face and hand appraised before the cruel
fix she took the oath to tell the truth.
Nine. Henry is of medium height ana
has a common cast of features and GER
tainly coui. not be described as attract
i've. She At once put herself at ease,
leaning forward. with both bands resting
on the rail Of TIE witness stand. In an
attitude of complete self possession she
gave her evidence, accompanying the
words with frequent gestures Her evil
dence however. was of little weight. She
admitted the frequent visits of ESterhazy
to her husband and declared her husband
told her he had forged one document IN
order to save the honor of the country.
She gave her evidence in IA very matter
of fact way and was in nowiSe the sym
pathetic figure the anti-Dreyfusards have
tried to make her.
General Roget, in dress uniform. fol-
lowed His evidence was vltrlonc
diatribe against Dreyfus from beginning
to end.
The court adjourned until tomorrow
on the conclusion of General Roget's
mOnologuo.
Colonel Jouaust previously asked
Dreyfus if he wished to say anything
and the prisoner, who during the time
of General Roget's illumination against
him several times made a movement as
if to rise and retort, but was waved
down by Colonel Jouaust, rose, and in
that voice which is not agreeable II. or
binary times. but when strangled with
emotion. as it was today has thrilling
effect on his hearers, he cried, crushing
his kept in his hands:
"My colonel. 1t in frightful thing
that every day they tear out my heart
and soul without my being able to reply.
1t is awfnl torture for an innocent man
and loyal soldier 1t is a frightful
thing. Frightful, frightful.'
The audience, profoundly stirred, be-
gan TO applaud, but the applause was
quickly suppressed.
M. Labori passed better night. He
had some sleep, and his condition is
more reassurng.
The assailant Of the lawyer has not
been captured.
Pleading For Guerin.
Paris Aug. I'm. Joseph Lasies,
anti-Spmtc and ant-Revisionist, mem
Der of the chamber of deputies for Gers,
and Nj. Massard manager of The Patrie,
held a consultation with Premier Wal
deck RouSseau's secretary in behalf of
NJ. Guerin. president of the Ant-Semite
league. who. with sympathizers, has
been barlicadcd since Saturday in the
offices Of the league. regarding the terms
under which the latter would surrender
The secretary said it was essential