The San Francisco call., 1899-08-30
DREYFUS Is GAINING
POWERFUL FRIENDS
Colonel Cordier Gives Strong Evi-
dence in Favor of the Ac-
cused Man.

cused Man.
RENNES, Aug. 29.-General MERCER.
the former Minister of War, and most of
the other generals interested in the case
were present in the hall of the Lycee this
morning when the second session of the
fourth week of the trial by court-martial
of Captain Alfred Dreyfus of the
artillery, charged with treason, was
opened
Colonel Cordier, deputy chief of the
Intelligence Department under the late
Lieutenant Colonel Henry, and who since
his previous appearance in court, had
been released by the Minister of War,
General Marquis de Gallfet, from his
oath of professional secrecy, was the
first witness called to-day. He testified
to the effect that the late Colonel Sand
herr and not Lieutenant Colonel Henry
received the famous bordereau.
The witness deposed strongly in favor
of Dreyfus, and he kept the court and
even the judges in roars of laughter by
his comical manner and witticisms. He is
short, stout man with a jolly face
and a very red nose. The colonel declared
that his belief in the guilt of Dreyfus was
first shaken when the date of the bor-
dereau was given as May. He was now
convinced Dreyfus was innocent
Colonel Cordier then spoke up strongly
for Colonel Picquart as a conscientious
soldier and an honorable man and threw
light upon the situation which existed
in the offices of the Intelligence Depart
ment of the War Office. He explained
that Henry was jealous of Picquart be
cause the latter was given charge of the
statistical department. which Henry had
hoped to get for himself. Cordier ex-
pressed the belief that 1t was because of
Picquart that Henry committed his
forgery.
The evidence of Colonel Cordier was
delivered in a loud voice, accompanied by
humorous asdes. He several times men,
toned the Ambassador of Germany
which caused the president of the court.
Colonel Jouaust, to intervene and tell the
witness that he must not introduce the
ambassadors name or refer TO Germany.
The hasty corrections of the witness
when he repeated the same slips of the
tongue, as he did more than once, and
the amusing manner in which he avoided
mentioning Germany at other times,
caused the greatest merriment. During
his testimony no fewer than five wit
nesses rose and asked to be C. nfronted
with him. But the colonel received the
Interruptions with the utmost good
humor
Dreyfus spoke q few words at the con-
clusion of Colonel Cordier's statements
He said the scene which preceded his ar
rest was so fantastic that it completely
bewildered him, and merely left blunted
impression on his memory.
The prisoner is now accustomed to his
surroundings and has apparently recoY-
cred his self-confidence, as he speaks
readily and clearly and follows the wit
nesses closely, taking notes of various
points of their depositions.
Major Lauth first confronted Colonel
Cordier and tried to score against him by
pointing out that Cordier was incorrect
in saying there were no anti-Semites on
the general staff since Cordier himself
was one. The colonel retorted, turning
the tables on the major, as raising his
hand he cried:
quite true. l was an anti-Semite, but
l never bore false witness against the
Jew. l am an honest man
The audience applauded these remarks.
Colonel Cordier then administered a
well deserved snub to Major Lauth by
remarking that he (the colonel might be
allowed to know more than Major Lauth,
with reference to the work of the Intelli-
gence Department, since he (Cordier) re-
placed Colonel Sandherr as chief of the
department, whenever Sandherr was alb
sent, while Major Lauth, the witness con-
cluded, was merely my assistant, my
assistant mark you"
Major Lauth did not enjoy this little
scene at all
General Roget next confronted Colonel
Cordier. The general assumed the same
supercillous air which characterized him
when he appeared at the witness bar,
strutting about the. stage in disdainful
attitudes. His evidence, however, was
not very striking nor was that Of Colonel
Fleur nor Archivist Gribelin, who also
sition.
Finally General Mercier, who evidently
appeared in order to demonstrate the
baselessness of the stories of his inten-
tions to fly and to show his determination
to fight to the last, confronted Colonel
Cordler The generals remarks were Of
small Importance, the most interesting
being his repetition of Colonel Sandherr's S
opinion of Matthieu Dreyfus, when the
prisoners brother went to see the colonel
TO ask for justice in behalf of Captain
Dreyfus. Mercer admitted Sandherr
said:
"Matthieu Dreyfus impressed me as an
honest man, who was prepared to make
any sacrifice to save his brother"
NJ de Freycinet, the former Minister of
and former Premier, followed Colonel
Cordier on the witness stand. The court
room was packed to its utmost capacity
as the distinguished French statesman be-
gan his deposition. He is venerable
looking man with scanty snow-white hair
serge suit. He wore a little black bow
for a necktie and gave his testimony seat
ed and in low voice.
The witness was expected to speak
about the 35,000.0OO francs supposed to
have been contributed abroad mainly IN
England and Germany, to the Drey-
fusian war chest.
M. de Freycinet began by expressing the
pain which he experienced at the troubles
mis- country was undergoing. Later he
said he remembered conversation with
General lamont. at which there was a
reference to money coming from abroad
in support of the Dreyfus agitation
which, while disinterested in France,
might not be so abroad. NJ. de Freycinet,
however, did not remember the details
of the conversation, nor could he say If
any specific amount was mentioned.
NT da Eravofpef then alluded TO his fear