The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-08-08
DREYFUS AGAIN ON TRIAL
PROCEEDINGS At FIRST SESSION OF
COURT-M4RTIAL.

Toward Prisoner--Dreyfus Nervous at
First but Regains Confidence-Dram.
| attcalIy Asserts His Innocence-Court
Goes Into Secret Session to Examine
Secret Dossier.
Rennes, France, Aug. 1.-THE second
trial by court-martial of Captain AL
fred Dreyfus of the Fourteenth Regi-
ment of Artillery, sentenced in 1894 to
imprisonment for life in fortress, af-
ter having been convicted of delivering
to the agent of a foreign power docu-
ments connected with the defense OF
France opened in the Lycee here at 7:10
this morning. After an examination OF
the prisoner, in which he passionately
asserted his innoncence and denied in
detail the charges against him, the court
adjourned. 1t was decided to sit be-
hind closed doors Tomorrow and as
many days afterwards as are necessary
to examine the secret dossier.
So far as Rennes is concerned, the
trial opened in an atmosphere Of per-
feet tranquility. From $3.50 to a. m.
the principal personages in the court
martial arrived. The various generals
interested passed into the building with
hardly a cheer from the spectators,
General Mercier, who was minister Of
war when Dreyfus was originally con-
victed, alone being greeted with few
cries of "Vive pArmee!" "Vive Mer-
cier!" as he drove up in a. closed car-
riage.
Lieutenant Colonel Picquart, the for
mer chief of the secret intelligence bu-
reau Of the French army, whose favor
able attitude towards the prisoner has
done much to bring about a revision OF
the sentence, arrived at the Lycee, on
foot, at $40, wearing a high silk hat
and a blackfrock coat, with the red
ribbon Of the Legion of Honor in his
buttonhole. There was no demonstra-
tion when he appeared, but he appeared
to be in a most cheerful mood, smiling
and chatting with his friends. II an
opinion may be formed from Lieutenant
Colonel Picquarts bearing he is SAN
guine of favorable issue Of the trial.
There was no demonstration for or
against him when he took his seat in
the court room.
NM. Labori and Demange, counsel for
Dreyfus, on entering were greeted with
warm handshakes from numerous
friends in the court room. Ex-Pres1dent
Casimir- Perier, wearing the decoration
of the Legion Of Honor, entered just be-
fore o'clock. The ex-Dresident found
himself between Generals Billot and
Chanoine, both in parade uniform. 9th
er ministers of war. Generals Mer-
cier and Zurlinden. and M Cavignao
were seated in row behind them. M.
Matthew Dreyfus, Dreyfus' father-in-
law, M Hadamard, Jules Claretie. and
Marcel Provost were among the au-
dience.
The widow of Lieutenant Colonel
Henry, dressed in deep mourning, was
present in court, and replied to her
name in the roll call of witnesses. An
figure, seated behind the
judges, was the famous and mysterious
known as La Dame Blanche (the
White Lady,, who has never absepted
herself from any Of the proceedings con-
nected with the Dreyfus affair." includ-
ing all sessions of the Esterhazy, Zola
and Piquart trials, and the proceedings
of the court of cessation. All the actors
in the drama are said to be known to
her.
Immediately after Colonel Jouast was
seated he gave the order to bring in the
prisoner. All eyes were then turned to
the right of the stage, beside which was
a door leading to the room in which
Dreyfus was awaiting the summons. AL
most everyone except the most promi-
nent officers stood on their feet. Some
on benches 20 obtain a better
view. There were eubdued cries Of "Sit
down." amid which the door opened and
Captain Dreyfus, preceded and followed
by gendarme, emerged into the court
'oom. His features were very pale, and
his teeth were set with a determined
out not defiant bearing. He walked
quickly, with almost an elastic step,
and ascended the three steps leading tC
he platform in front Of the Judges.
There he drew himself up erect, brought
1is right hand sharply to the peak Of his
military cap giving the military salute
n fashion that showed how years of
Incarceration on DEVILS Island and ter
'ible anguish of body and mind had nor
his soldierly instinct and bear
ng. The prisoner then removed his CAP
md took the seat placed for him facing
lis judges. just in front of his counseIs
able, with his back to the audience.
He is partly bald, and his gray hair is
closely cropped, AS he sat with his
lands resting on his knees, he was an
apparently impassive figure Behind
lim sat a gendarme holding a sheathed
abre in his hand.
Dreyfus in new uniform of a cap-
ain of artillery, dark blue with red
acings fixedly regarded the Judges.
With immovable features and without
tirring hand or foot, scarcely even
moving his head during the whole
curse of the proceedings. On the court
roceeding to the roll-call of witnesses,
he most notable absentees being Ester
azy, Du Patty de Clam and Mile. PAYS,
,reyfus half turned his head towards
he seats of the witnesses, especially
,hen the clerk of the court called Es-
arhazy. But when no response was
aceived Dreyfus returned to his previ-
us attitude, looking straight in front
f him at Colonel Jouaust. Altogether
bnI1+ hundred vvitnocsac will ha ooJ.