Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-09-08
Counsel for Dreyfus and the Pres.
ident of the Courtmartial
at Rennes
indulge in a Very Animated War
Of Words---Labori's Vigorous
Protest
Against Exclusion of All Perti.
nent Observation-Disclosures
Sensation.

RENNEs, Sept. 1.-Two hours of the
opening of the courtmartial of Captain
Dreyfus were spent behind closed doors.
The length of time employed in the ex.
animation of Eugene de Cernuschi, the
Austrian refugee and witness for the
prosecution was the subject Of much re.
mark, as being indicative of the fact
that the court found this witness to bo
worthy of more consideration than it
had been supposed he deserved.
When the open session of the court
martial began, at $3.50 o'clock, Senate,
Trarieuz, former minister of Justice, at
once resumed his deposition, which had
been interrupted by the adjournment of
the court, and completed it in a few
moments.
Zurlinlen Justifles HIMSELF
General Zurlinden, formerly min.
lister of war, spoke in justification of
his action while he was military gov
ernor of Paris and minister of war in
the matter of the prosecution of Lieu
tenant Colo mel Picquart, taking the
ground that the measure was absolutely
necessary in order that the court should
clear up the charges of forgery brought
against Picquart. Moreover, General
Zurlinden said the minister Of justice
had persuaded him to send Lieutenant
Colonel Picquart to prison.
NJ. Labori then asked question Of
General Zurlinden, regarding the petit
bleu. Colonel Jouaust, president of the
courtmartial, refused to put the ques-
tion on the ground that the court was
engaged in the trial of Dreyfus and not
Of the Picquart affair.
M. Labori, however, insisted, taking
the ground that the petit bleu demon-
strated the guilt of Major Esterhazy,
and that consequently it was very i'm
portant for Dreyfus.
M. Labor then tackled General Eur
linden, who admitted that the magis-
terial inquiry showed that the petit
bleu was not tampered with when it
first arrived at the intelligence depart
ment and consequently Picquart could
not have been guilty, as alleged, of dis
torting the document.
Paleologue Causes Sensation.
M. Labor asked NJ. Paleologue. the
expert of the foreign office, be consulted
regarding the reading before the court
OF diplomatic documents which estab-
lished irrefutably the authenticity of
the petit bleu.
NJ. Paleologue, who sits behind the
judges, came to the front of the stage
and said he did not know to what docu-
ments M. Labori alluded.
'The document" replied M. Labor,
Sin which is recorded a conversation
between NJ. Delcasse, former prime
minister, in the course of which Count
Won Munster Won Ledenburg had said
Colonel Schwartzkoppen had admitted
that he sent Major Esterhazy a number
of telegraphic cards or petit bleu.
NJ. Paleologue responded that what
M. Labor said was quite true, and that
the document belonged to the diplo-
matte dossier. AS to the petit bleu in
question, added NJ. Paleologue, Colonel
Schwartzkoppen could affirm whether
he wrote it himself or whether he had
not seen it, but in any case NJ. Paleo-
logue said, he believed it was sent by
Colonel Schwartzkoppen.
This declaration by the expert of the
foreign Office caused Il sensation in court.
Lsbori and Jouau.t Clash.
Another. passage at arms between NJ.
Labor and Colonel Jouausr occurred
upon the refusal of Colonel Jouaust to
allow NJ. Labori to put questions to
General Billot.
ID. Labori made passionate protest
against the attitude OF Colonel Jouuusv.
who then said:
II decline to allow you to speak"
M. Labor retorted excitedly: II bow
to your ruling, but l take note that
every time put a question which is
irresistible you refuse to allow it,
This declaration counsel for defense
delivered in q ringing voice, pupctuat-
ing his utterance with striking ges.
tures The audience burst into loud
applause and the greatest excitement
prevailed.
Colonel Jouaust said: IF this dem
onstration is renewed, I will have the
courtroom cleared. Have YOU any,
thing more to say, Maitre Labori?'
NJ Labori replied: "No, because
and ! speak with the utmost respect-I
am prevented from putting any ques-
tions touching the core of the affair. I
reserve the right to take such action as
my responsibility compels me to take
up"
This scene was the climax Of the
strained relations which have prevailed