The times., 1899-08-20

that the indiseretions regarding the Drey-
fus case began at headquarters at the mo-
ment when the secret dossier became
available to Picquart
Colonel Picquart asked leave 10 reply to
General Gonse, which was granted. Gen.
erai Gonse, he said, had charged him with
wasting public money in photographing sus-
pected persons movements. Since Gen.
erai Gcnse has referred to photographing,
be said, Il will state the truth in regard to
1t. / found when I took charge of the in
telligence bureau that my predecessor had
hired a house opposite the German Embassy
and established therein a camera behind
blind and that it was customary to photo
graph everybody going or coming to the
embassy. suppressed this absurd scheme" :"
Colonel Picquart further replied to the
charges that he had wasted public funds.
Dresfus Submits Question.
Dreyfus for the first time questioned
witness at the close of General Gonse's tes-
timony AS the general concluded his evil
dence, the prisoner said: You insinuate
that entered the War Office and distracted
plans Do you not know that it was i'm
possible for anyone to enter without the
right to co so?"
General Gonse-An officer might have
done so.
Dreyfus-But swear that I never asked
or possessed pass from the chief of that
bureau.
Gonse-some one did enter without
pass.
There were murmurs of protest at Cen
eral Gonse's gratuitous insinuation and
Dreyfus turned with an expressive move
ment to the judges indicating the hope
lessness of trying to deal with such preju-
dice and resumed his seat.
The closing incident of the day was
little ovation to General Billot. In re-
sponse to Picquart's observation that only
90 600 of the 100000 francs appropriation
reached the intelligence department Cen
eral Billot made an eloquent protest
against an attack upon his honor which
brought him a round of applause.
The court adjourned until Monday.
An Amusing Feature
Among the curious features of the trial
there is one that is quite unique and which
never fails to surprise and amuse the cas-
ual spectator. Whenever there is a few
minutes lull on account of inaudible or un-
interesting testimony the audience prompt
ly goes to sleep, and it frequently happens
that a witness testifes amid a subchorus
of snores. 1t happened early this week
that two journalists of international repu-
tation while enjoying quiet nap dropped
their heavy canes with a great crash on
the floor. The audience awoke startled,
some jumping to their feet, thinking in
their dazed condition that some outrage
had been attempted Since then the gen.
darmes have carefully gathered up all
sticks and umbrellas, partly, Of course. to
prevent their use as weapons in case of a
renewed outbreak of passion similar to
that of last Monday.
The explanation of this popularity Of the
Rennes court-martial is the fact that nine
tenths Of the audience is composed of cor
respondents, whose duties keep them
abroad until 1 o'clock in the morning and
who are obliged to rise again at 8, and it
really requires an unbrcken series of ex-
citing incidents in the court to enable
them to resist the overpowering somno-
lence which seizes them when interest
flags.
There remain eighty-three witnesses on
the list. and this number will undoubtedly
be augmented, inasnluch any witness is
certain to be recalled for conformation,
which is fayorite feature of French
trials, IL anybody subsequently contradicts
him. 1t is impossible TO estimate the time
required to complete the evidence. The
next witnesses to be called are not promi-
nent personages and may, therefore, be
expected to contribute facts instead of
haranguing the court with their views as
to the guilt or innocence OF the prisoner,
based entirely on hearsay. The trial viii
undoubtedly proceed henceforth much
sneedier