New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-20

declared
that he was convinced an investigation would
easily show that Du Patty de clam was tne piih'
cipal author of the Henry forgery
Witness claimed that he thought he was doing
his duty 'In saying all that is in my mind.
do YOU adhere" asked counsel. Ito all you
said before the full Court OF Cassation!
WITNESS GREATLY CONFUSED.
This question greatly confused the witness
who attempted to explain by saying he was
"only arguing at that time" and that 1t was not
for him to judge Du Patty de Clam etc Nj
Demange pointed out that In spite of the many
arguments Major Cugnet had advanced against
Du Patty de Clam, the Military Judge, Taver-
nier. threw out the case.
Now" added NJ. Demange. Major Cuignet
has advanced as much against Dreyfus. The
court will be able TO appreciate the value OF his
arguments" Counsel then asked why Cuignet
had employed the expression report to de-
scribe the Schneider letter. and the witness re-
piled that he was justified in doing So owing to
the similarity of the expressions In 1t with the
terms usually employed in reports.
NJ Demange pointed out that the document
included in the dossier contained the word re
port" Does the original" he asked. contain
this word?"
NO" replied the witness. Replying further.
Cuignet said that the document also referred to
the campaign in favor OF Dreyfus. and to orders
sent to Brussels, the headquarters of the espion-
age system
NJ Demange interposed: The paper handed in
by General MERCER is, therefore, only an ex-
tract"
The witness next told how In his opinion.
Dreyfus might have secured plans Of the fort
resses But counsel pointed to Du Patty de
CLAIMS report at the time of the arrest or Drey-
fus. in which he declared that no document had
disappeared or could have disappeared from the
Ministry of War.
When Dreyfus was asked II he wished to reply
to this witness he declared that he had never
asked Major Cuignet for documents. except by
the desire of his chief, Major Berth. "All the
details which Major Cugnet has given on this
subject" said the prisoner, "sprang out OF his
own imagination. and are due to the same state
Of mind which prompts unreasoning bitterness
even against an innocent man."
DU PATTY DE CLAM NOT ON HAND.
Amid a buzz of excitement the name OF Major
Du Patty de Clam was called out, whereupon
Major Carrere said that Du Patty de Clam had
been officially informed that his presence was
necessary to the court martial, and it was hoped
he would be able to come as soon as possible.
But the Government Commissary had heard
nothing from him since this notification was
sent.
At the request Of NJ. Demange 1t was decided
to notify Du Patty de Clam that the court mar
tial was ready to hear his deposition.
There was a further thrill OF curiosity when
General De Boisdeffre ex-Chef Of the General
Staff of the French Army, advanced to the wit
ness box and took the customary oath. He re-
marked that in view of the exhaustive evidence
already given he would try to be brief. He hur-
riedly reviewed the leakage in the Ministry Of
War, the discovery OF the bordereau. the arrest
and trial Of Dreyfus and the latters alleged con-
fessions before the ceremony OF degradation, to
Captain Lebrun-Renault. Witness said he be-
lieved the confessions were genuine. He next
referred to Colonel Picquarts appearance In the
Intelligence Department. although witness hest
tated to appoint him because he thought Pic
quart too self-confdent and not sufficiently def
erential toward his chiefs.
at has been said" continued General De Bois-
deffre. that a secret package OF papers was
shown the judges Of the court martial Of 1884.
l positively assert that, so far as l am con-
cerned never ordered Colonel Picquart to con-
vey any envelopes to Colonel Maurel. I may
add that Colonel Picquart never doubted the
guilt Of Dreyfus. and never even expressed
doubts Of his guilt. when he took over the du-
ties OF Chief OF the Intelligence Department.
The first instructions l gave him were to follow
up the Dreyfus affair, and 1t is we'll known what
was the result Of these instructons.".1
BoIsDEFFRE AND PICoUART.
The General next described the interview be-
tween himself and Colonel Picquart when the
latter first mentioned Esterhazy without how
ever. connecting him with the Dreyfus affair.
Witness discredted Colonel Picquarts state
ment that the latter asked him not to mention
the investigation to General Gonse
General Gonse." said General De Boisdeffre.
"is friend Of thirty years standing. I have
had the greatest confidence in him, and should
certainly not have entertained request to leave
him In ignorance Of what was occurring"
The witness, whose testimony was attentively
followed especially by the members of the court
martial then related the incidents of his inter
views with Picquart. how he sent the latter to
see General Gonse and General Gonses subse-
uuent letter TO the witness advising a contin-
uance Of the Investigations regarding Esterhazy,
but adding that the affair must not be mixed up
with the Dreyfus affair. AS Colonel Picquart
persisted in trying to hurry matters and was
neglecting his other duties. the wltress proposed
TO the Minister OF War to send him. not in dis
grace, on a mission ID Tongking. but the Minis
ter Of War. the General asserted found another
mission for him.
Everything went quietly for a year, until NJ.
Scheurer- Kestner. one of the vice presidents OF
the Senate at that time, interviewed This was
followed by the denunciation OF Esterhazy by
Mathew Dreyfus and the inquiry into Ester
Hays proceedings
at that time the witness said. II con-
WINGED Of the guilt of Dreyfus. and this con-
vcton is as strong to-day ever. I regarded
It as an abominable crime TO have endeavored
to substitute for him a man Of straw, however
disreputabe he may have been and whatever
his offences, which in any case would not lessen