The record-union., 1899-08-19

Combat.
RENNES, Aug. 1S.-When the sec
ond trial by cOurt-martial of Captain
Alfred Dreyfus, charged with treason,
was resumed in the Lycee at Z % this
morning, Colonel Picquart, former
Chief of the Intelligence Department of
the War Office, was called TO the wit
ness stand and continued his deposit
tion, which was interrupted yesterday
by the adjournment of the court fer
the day. The Colonel gave his testi-
mony in the same loud, fearless tone of
voice that characterized his manner
yesterday. He began by declaring that
he thought it necessary to Immediately
reply to General Roget's veritable ar
raignment of him while on the stand.
At the outset of Colonel Picquart' S
remarks Roget interposed and said that
he would reply TO them. Continuing,
Colonel Picquart proceeded to discuss
the secret dossier as being the main
spring of the condemnation of Drey-
fus. He took up the documents sue
cessively, referring to the writer's and
addresses of the letter as "a and b. .
Among those present in court were
Generals Zurlinden and Billot, former
Ministers of War.
Maitre Mornard, who argued the case
in behalf of Dreyfus family, for the
revision of the prisoners sentence be-
fore the Court of Cessation, was pres
ent this morning to assist NJ. Demange
of counsel for the defense.
Colonel Picquart practically occu-
=, of+ r cit :,
a masterful presentation of his side of
the case. He spoke for five hours, and
his voice at the end Of that time began
to show signs of fatigue. His testi-
mony was followed with the closest at
tention by the members of the court
martial and by the audience, and dur
ing the brief suspension of the court
Generals Mercier, Roget, Billot and De
Boisdeffre and other witnesses saun-
tered together in groups down the
courthouse grounds and gathered in
groups. animately discussing Pic
quarts evidence, which, though it con-
tanned but few new facts was so clev-
erly placed before the tribunal and
was spoken so effectively that it could
not fail to repeat the impression he
made yesterday.
Dreyfus drank in all the witness
words, which came as a balm to the
wounds inflicted upon him by Mercier
and Roget and the prisoner frequently
and closely scanned the faces of his
judges. as though seeking to read their
thoughts.
From the standpoint of the specta-
tors, the session was the most une-
ventful one since the opening of the
trial. Even the conformation at the
end lacked the dramatic force of the
similar incidents which have marked
almost every previous sitting.
Picquart's deposition was a fine per-
formance Spoken without notes and
in view of the mass of facts adduced,
il must be ranked as feat of memory.
The members of the court-martial took
copious notes during Picquart's testi-
mony, and it was quite evident that
several of the explanations he gave
came as fresh light Then, when Pic
quart concluded, both Roget and Mer-
cier jumped up and asked to be heard
contradictOrily. Colonel Jouaust asked
Roget to speak first He s<thereupon
faced Colonel Picquart, who replied
promptly to his questions, which the
General delivered in a theatrical man
ner and with frequent gestures.
General Mercier adopted a quieter
demeanor. Neither, however, said
anything which could be described as
damaging to Colonel Picquart's evi-
dence.
Following is the evidence in detail:
Before resuming his deposition. Col
oneI Picquart said: Il think it neces-
sary to say few words with reference
to the veritable speech for the prosecu-
ton delivered by General Roget when
referring to the Quinelli case"
The President OF the court, Colonel
Jouaust' here interposed, saying, rs it
a personal matter?"
II shall be very brief. Colonel" re-
piled Picquart. Il am, moreover, ready
TO reply to all questions the court may
ask on the subject For the moment, I
shall confine myself to the following
explanation: The Quinelh case occurred
between May Both and July II. 1896,
at which period, on account of fam
ilv bereavement / was able to pay very
little attention to my official duties. In
nv absence Colonel Henry acted for
me. Moreover, l devoted most of the
month of July to journey of the head
quarters stan, WHICH dlSo piSNtutSu ulS
from attending to my ordinary duties
was. therefore, able to give only very
intermittent attention to the Quinelli
case. Besides this, Quinelli was re-
turned convict, who had contraVened a
decree of expulsion, and had been
caught red-handed in another criminal
act. He was at first sight not par
ticular interesting parsonage.
At this point General Roget arose and
said: Il wish to be allowed to reply.
You SHALL" said Colonel Jouaust.
Colonel Picquart. continuing, said: i
protest absolutely against the allega-
ton that 1 consented to the commune
cation of the secret dossier to the mem
bers OF the Dreyfus court martial with
out the prisoners knowledge. / never
ordered such communication, and If II
was done. it was without my cogni-
zance
II hasten to add that in my opinion
it would have been an insult to the
court to believe that the members
would lend themselves to such machi-
nation. / am ready. I repeat, to reply
to every question. I will only point out
that all General Roget has recounted