The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-09-01
DREYFUS SHED TEARS
When Testimony Referred to the
Day of His Degradation. .,,,
THE CAPTAINS MOST TRYING DAY

clde-New Tactics Of the Generals.
Rennes. Sept. 1.-Dreyfus yesterday
had the most trying day he has yet
gone through. The strain proved too
great for him. and for the second time
in the course of the trial he gave way
to his feelings and sought relief in
tears. The generals have branded him
as traitor before the court, their
subordinates have pointed the finger
of scorn at him. But he only once
finched-when the official report OF
his treatment on DEVILS Island was
read before him and the picture of his
sufferings, mental and physical, was
thrown vividly on the screen of his
memory. Then he hid his features and
wept.
He passed through another such
crisis yesterday, when after Captain
and witness after wit
ness had brought up before him again
that cold January morning which
ustered in the scene Of his degrada-
tion, Major Fozinetti, man of heart,
told in simple words and unaffected
manner the story of Dreyfus' strug-
gle with the maddenng temptation to
end his life, and the intervention Of his
wife, as an angel, pointing out the road
of duty. Then again the prisoners
breast heaved with emotion and tear
drops trickled down his cheeks. He
rose and after a forced effort to re-
main calm, as he spoke a few words
concerning his denial to Colonel Du
Patty de Clam that he wrote the bor-
dereau, he turned to Forzinetti with
look of thanks for his consolation SO
needed. Dreyfus then uttered these
words of heartfelt gratitude to his wife
for the courage with which she in
spired him:
at is due to her." he cried, that I
am alive today"
The prisoner could articulate no
more, but sat down abruptly to con-
ceal his distress.
The proceedings concluded a few
later and he was taken back
to his prison, where his wife visited
him, and. in the presence OF Nine
Dreyfus and the gendarme on guard
he broke down completely. The ten
sion had been too much for him. He
sobbed convulsively and the partner
of his sorrows Joined him in solace
of tears.
Captain Lebrun- -Renault and the sup
porters of his assertion of the Drey-
fus confession had an inning lasting
nearly the entire session, their de-
positions containing little but what
has already been stated before the
court of cessation.
Captain Lebrun-Renault introduced
the new assertion that the fact that
he had not related the incident of the
of President Casimir-Perier
was because he overheard himself call
ed "canaiIle." eur and traitor
while waiting at the Elysee. He, how
ever, could not explain why he kept
this to himself for so long time in
stead of recounting the incident be-
fore the court of cessation. Nor did
his explanation as to why he de-
stroyed the page in his note book con-
the record of Dreyfus' confess
sion sound very convincing.
The other witnesses were a repeti-
IlOll VI SdpltLAA l<Cpl A1"t
a very significant question was put to
Colonel Guerin by member of the
court, Lieutenant Colonel Brongniart,
who sits at Colonel Joauasts right
hand and always puts pointed aues-
tions. He has thoroughly studied the
Dreyfus case. and is reputed to be one
Of the best authorities on the case. 1t
is certain Colonel Jouaust cOnsults him
during the proceedings.
Brongniart is said to be rabd anti
and he yesterday, in
quiet tone, asked Colonel Guerin if he
thought NJ We'll. who Is friend Of
Esterhazy, also knew Dreyfus. The
latter at once rose and declared he
had never before heard Of We'll.
The point of this question was that
IIsterhaZy has written to Colonel
Jouaust, as announced. and has un-
loubtedly mentioned Well as 60
between for Dreyfus. If relations can
be proven between Dreyfus and We'll,
and Esterhazy admits obtaining treas
enable information from We'll, then he
could assume Dreyfus was a traitor.
The generals, if sufficient evidence Of
4 Dreyfus- We'll Esterhazy connection
,an be produced, can abandon the con-
:ention that Dreyfus wrote the border
eau and admit that Esterhazy is the
author of it. This is possibly the
,hange of tactics on the part of the
generals which has been limited at re-
Gently.
1t is reported that Generals Mercier,
Roget and Gonse and NJ. CavaignaC,
who are staying quietly at the house
If a friend some miles outside Rennes.
met vest erday at General Mercier's
house and discussed the evidence Colo
nel Schwarzkoppen's housekeeper,
Nine. Badtain. could give if she was
subjected to severe examination,
with the result that it was decided her
evidence was not conclusive enough
% justify summoning her as a witness
,or the prosecution.