New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-08
RENNES A QUIET CITY.
NO DISORDER MARKS THE APPEARANCE or
THE FRENCH CAPTAIN-HIs FIRM
DEMEANOR

Rennes, Aug. Mrs. Crawford writes as fol-
lows on the trial OF Captain Dreyfus:
The ancient capital OF Brittany was never
less moved. never more sluggish than on this
memorable day II seemed a hundred thousand
miles away from Dreyfus and his exciting case
He Dreyfus) was known 10 be a good deal
excited, but he had been keeping stiff upper
lip. and yesterday he refused to see the last
set Of photographs OF his children brought from
Paris by his brother-in-law
He had remarked 20 his brother, Matthew
Dreyfus. on the strangeness Of his fate so
strange that he himself could not yet realize II.
Nothing. he said. astonished him more than 10
find factions dlsputing furiously about him. and
&c learn that he object Of hatred TO most
OF the officers. He said IL greved him 70 think
that II there were an acquittal II would not
change their minds
But he was spared such unseemy manifesto
tions as those which so shook Zola's nerves last
year and terrified his wife. There was howl
ing in front Of the prison. There was no crying
OF Death 70 the traitor!" or Death 10 the
Jews" or anything like that The Paris Journal
lists who had come report the trial seemed
calmed by the quietude Of this dead city.
FACTIONS SINK DISPUTES.
1t was expected that the Dreyfusites and anti
Dreyfusites would shun each other and put up
at different hotels. but they have tacitly agreed
70 sink their differences in each others COM
pany. They not only lodge at the same hotels.
but they take their meals at the same tables
and amcably pass to each other the dishes.
Rennes does not want them to be theatrical and
so they do not posture as ferocIous patriots, but
glad 70 drop the characters assumed for
the drama loving public OF Paris
No idea has Rennes that the eyes OF the world
are upon her. although there must be within her
walls three hundred pressmen. representing
journalism all the world over. II never before
occurred TO what far reaching institution
the press is, or, at least, never realized II SO
peculiarly.
We were all up az O'Clock this morning. and.
after a hurried meal. rushed 70 the concert
room Of the Lycee where the trial takes place.
The Lycee is opposite the military prison. and
with the parish church. forms a block sur
rounded by four streets. Military preparations
were going forward 20 prevent lot OF roughs
coming from Paris 70 act riotously. Dreyfus
was to cross the street from the prison to the
courthouse, but nobody was To see him except
the military which barred the street 10 the right
and left Of the Ly ee door. An officer whispered
window which he indicated and get glimpse Of
Dreyfus
ENTRANCE OF DREYFUs.
The prisoner was 10 cross the street at $40
o'clock and 10 wait in a private room for the
summons 20 appear before his Judges. Precisely
al the time named the door OF the military
prison opened and Dreyfus, guarded by cap
tain OF gendarmerte, appeared. He wore brand
new uniform. The stiff Innings not having yet
formed into the shape Of the figure, the whole
suit seemed an awkward ft. The three rows Of
gold braid that were torn from his cuffs on the
day 0f his degradation were glinting In the sun.
The man was as stiff as his Uniform He held
his head high II on purpose, but his snoul-
ders stopped The step was that Of man not
used 10 freedom and extremely measured and
mechanical. one might think he marked time
as he walked.
His hair is Of reddish gray. his neat nnustachs
is frankly red. The face had drawn and worn
expression. the eyes furtively inquiring, as II
looking out for traps and pitfalls His complex
ion is fresh-the kind OF freshness that accom-
NAMES auburn hair The lips are rather thin.
and the chin is that OF a strong man. Indeed. the
chin contradicted the expression given by the
tirnidity OF the eyes
CAPTAIN Dreyfus crossed the hall close % me
and entered room, the door OF which closed
behind him. | saw also the arrival Of the wit
nesses who were taken 70 the rectors room
Generals BilIot Mercier. Chanoine Gonse. Zur-
linden and De Boisdeffre were in uniform. az
were many Of the field and subaltern officers
The widow Of Colonel Henry most amia-
hIv saluted by Generals de Boisdeffre and Mer-
c,er She looks STACEY and not ladylike. Gen.
eral de Pellieux kept aoot NJ. Cavaignacs
cheerfulness seemed forced, but former Presi-
dent Casimer-Perier was blithe as boy. He
wore A summer suit Of shepherds plaid. white
waistcoat and straw hat
COLD GREETING FOR PICoUARr.
Lieutenant Colonel Picquart was In plain
clothes and was cold shoudered by the army
people But apparently he did not mind. He
had played the winning card. and could AFFORD
70 be Indifferent
No members Of the Dreyfus family were any,
where visible but most Of the leading partisans
Of Dreytus had come
The concert room where the trial is held has
vaulted roof The walls are adorned with
tablets containing the names OF famous Bretons
Just behind the seat placed for Dreyfus is a
tablet on which the last name is that OF Rshan
At o'clock the coming OF the court was an
nounced in military fashion. the soldiers pre-
senting arms. The judges entered from the
wings, and were in full dress uniform They
proceeded in Indian file TO their places behind
a long table on a slightly raised platform. Colo
mel Jouaust. the presiding officer, is man Of
dgnined appearance. not unintellectual. and has
an upright. martial air. The counsel for the
defence have seats and desks on the stage. or
platform. TO the left OF the judges table. The
seat OF the accused is in front and also on the
stage. Facing 1t on the right side are desks
for the register and prosecuting officer AL
were well In view.
THE PRISONERS APPEARANCE.
Colonel Jouaust in stentorian voice de-
clared the trial begun. and ordered the accused
10 be brought in. All eyes were turned upon
rrevfus His fresh complexion astonished all