New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-23

sary to open the press cohtaih'he '
M scheurer- Kestner 1T also appeared, otten
told the witness that he was unable 10 1a'no'''
the affair. and finally Berth was ADVISED u
baye a talk with the Minister OF war
A LETTER FROM OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
At this iuncture the clerk OF the court reao
| letter from NJ. Scheurer- Kestner. excusihg MIN
.e,f from being unable to attend the sess'o' VI.
| tho court The letter referred to the steps ".
Matthew Dreyfus to secure the rehabi'i'a'o" -
his brother. and described he writer's in'e''-
| cations and how II was only when Es'er""A'
| handwriting was shown to him that MS hes''"
ton ended. The letter also described 'He INV
,rerts Of anguish the writer experienced dur
| ing the course OF the campaign. ana o"ei' oA
the opinion expressed in the Judgment OF the
Court OF Cessation and the confessions OF ESTER
hazy that he was the writer OF the poruefeau
| In conclusion. the letter said:
Won will permit an old Alsatian. Mr.. Presi-
dent to express the sentiment tnat tne hoSf ~ ~
| Justice will soon strike In the interest OF the
army. OF justice. and OF the country threat
sensation9
| Replying to NJ Demange, Lieutenant Colonel
Bertin further explained his connection with
NJ Scheurer Kestner. At the mannuvres that
year the witness told General Billot OF the action
NJ. scheurer- Kestner was taking. and the Gen
eral replied Tell him not to do anything
shall appeal to my old friend"
II telegraphed to NJ Scheurer- Kestner accord
| ingly" said Berth, for could not enter Alsace.
| the Germans having brutally forbidden me to go
there"
NJ Demange reminded the witness OF a remark
he made to NJ. Ferdinand Scheurer- Kestner'
namely: There only five Of us who know
| this terrible secret. One out Of the fve must
| betray 1t before you know anything, and
| asked whether the secret was not that Dreyfus
! was innocent?
| Colonel Bertin-Oh. no: no.
NJ Misunderstanding to the terms OF the
conversation?
Colonel Berth (energetically)-No, no; ana I'll
tell you why have never concealed two things
from any members OF the Scheurer- Kestner fam
ily-frstly. that NJ. Scheurer- Kestner would be
doing great service II his efforts resulted In
establishing the innocence Of man who had
worn.the uniform OF a French officer; secondly,
that was convinced Of the guilt Of Dreyfus.
/ NJ Demange-Did you not once make the fol-
lowing remark This Jew a thorn at
Headquarters and we had to get rid OF him?
Colonel Bertin-No. never; absolutely deny
H. When I was in the War Office the Jewish
question was never raised. Dreyfus was re-
garded as a comrade. l confded all my secrets
TO him and gave him the password Of my locker
DREYFUs A BRILLIANT OFFICER
A number Of official reports were here read,
unanimously recognizing Dreyfus as a brilliant
officer who was anxious to succeed The reports
Of the headquarters staff alone cast imputations
upon the prisoners character
NJ Labori asked the Courts leave, with the
permission OF Lieutenant Colonel Berth, 70
question the witness on a delicate SUBJECT he
referred to a remark made by Berth at DIN
ner at which NJ. Labori was present at the
house of a mutual friend, fortnight AFTER the
degradation Of Dreyfus. Il have absolute con-
fidence in the good faith of Lieutenant Colonel
Berlin" added NJ. Labori, and am convinced
that IL his recollections are exact enough he VIII
not hesitate to reply"
Colonel Berth asked the lawyer to mention the
name Of the mutual friend who gave the dinner.
NJ. Labor Whispered the name and the witness
nodded assent
NJ Labori-Do you remember that you were
among the first to suggest to me belief In the
innocence Of Dreyfus?
Bertin-No no; it is impossible
NJ Labori-Does the witness remember that
during the course OF the dinner he became ex-
cited in talking about Dreyfus?
The Lieutenant COlOTti poiHlcu oNS sHNN w.
terms Of intimacy which prevailed at the din
ner must be taken into account reminded NJ.
Iabori that he was an old friend of his fathers,
and wondered whether counsel was still the same
man who. taking the witnesses hands on the oc-
cason Of the dinner, said: II will never forget
what you have done for my father
"I do not forget the words said NJ. Labor.
his voice trembling at the recollection. but l
am referring specially to the somewhat strong
remarks you made against Maftre Demange.
I am not seeking to provoke scene between
Lieutenant Colonel Berth and Maftre Demange
Did you not say to me when | spoke or MaItre
Demange's belief in the innocence OF Dreyrus
Demange! Don't mention him. He is counsel
for the German Embassyr' (Cries OF oh
Oh!)
NJ Bertin-If can remember will reply l
am here to tell the truth and Will tell all
know am here for the truth. like you.
NJ. Labori-When I asked why you said that
YOU replied that NJ. Demange had already de-
tended other spies, and that he official
defender
Lieutenant Colonel Berth admitted the truth
of this
IABORTS CHANGE OF MIND.
NJ Iabori-You should be regarding the |
intervention of Maitre Demange. because bar |
rlster of his standing IS not appointed of1icaly
unless there are important reasons for H.
Counsel proceeded to relate how, when he ieft
Lieutenant Colonel Berth, he discussed the |
above conversation with his wife. and wondered |
what security could be found in the oath or |
Judgment Of men who readily believed things so |
ridiculous. MY belAf in the Innocence OF Drey-
fus." NJ Labori added. began on that day. l
give you my word Of honor that Lieutenant |
Colonel Berth admitted that he had grudge |
against Maitre Demange. saying ii was because |
he defended Dreyfus badly by persisting in max |
ing Dreyfus deny all the charges against him. |
Lieutenant Colonel Berth evidently thought |