The times., 1899-08-29
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COURT.
BertiIlon's Theory of the Borderenu
Handwriting Blasted.


Handwriting Blasted.
RENNES. Aug. 2S.-The fourth week of
the Dreyfus court-martial began here
this morning with half the benches in the
courtroom empty. The succession OF ex-
pert testimony heard today justified the
lack OF interest thus shown.
n. BaTsl laval. the handwriting expert,
completed bis attack upon NJ. Bertillon's
theory or system, describing il as having
been manufactured point by point, to fit
the bordereau. The witness followed the
process by which he showed Bertiiion had
modified and amended his original idea
whenever he found that this idea OF the
prisoners handwriting oonficted with
that OF the bo-dereau.
From the pubiic's point of view it seems
unimportant thus 10 reopen a question
which was definitely settled by the Court
OF Cessation, but the judges seemed i'm
rRensely interested today in Jayal's tech
nicaI demonstration. When he had in-
ished Nj. Bertillon. paipasly excited, rush
ed upon the dias TO reply. only to encoun-
ter for the first time the severe veto OF
the court. Colonel JouSlst announced
that there were fourteen experts in pen
manship still TO testify. and they could
not be permitted TO reply to each other
otherwise the trial would never end.
NJ BertilloR WINGED at this but begged
the court TO permit him 10 make personal
explanation.
BertiIson Suppressed.
Colonel Jouaust asked him what this
might be For reply Bertilloa launched
forth into the very attack on his brother
experts views which had just been stated
would be prohibited. Colonel Jouaust
promptly checked him. Bertilion neFerthe-
less attempted 10 continue. The president
losing all patience, shouted: Go, so, go
away"
Utterly crestfallen at this unexpected re-
buke. Bertilion looking as pale as a ghost
dragged himself on the platform with
every evidence OF real physical agony.
H. Bernard, another handwriting expert,
was the next witness. He denied the ac-
cuTacy Of Bertillon's measurements which
form the basis OF his system. The witness
proceeded 10 demonstrate the errors and
then applying The true measurements,
reached with the same fBertilIon) system
an exactly opposite conclusion
Al this point Bertillon again arose and
beseechingly applied TO The court for per
mission 10 reply. Colonel Jouaust again
firmly refused 10 hear him. The effect Of
his ruling was TO make Bertillon a pitiable
object OF utterly crushed and hopeless
despair.
Discounted Witness
~ Teysonnieres. the next witness. re-
peated MS old testimony in support of Ber-
tillon's theory. but nobody seemed to pay
The slightest attention with the exception
Of Major Beuyais, Of the court, whose uues-
tioning Of witnesses has been more search
ing than that Of any other member of the
tribunal, particularly in the analysis OF
every piece of evidence against Dreyfus.
Major Bervais sharply cross-examined NJ.
Teysonnieres to the latters manifest dis
cornhture Finally he was forced to admit
that he had never had tine TO compare the
handwriting Of EsteThazy with that of the
bordereau. From this admission he At
tempted 10 deyiate into a reply TO attacks
made upon hira BY the newspapers, where
upon he was sharply suppressed by the
president
The court then took a recess.
When The session was resumed, NJ Char
away, another expert who testified against
the prisoner in 1894 and who changed his
opinion after seeing Esterhazy's writing
three years later, testified as to his rsa-
sons Tor now believing the captain inno-
cent he said that his first opinion was
based on insufficient specimens Of Dreyfus'
handwriting Having since been enabled to
make more complete comparison he was
now confident that Esterhazy wrote the
bordereau
NJ Pelletier the expert who testified in
favor OF Dreyfus fl 1894 listened to this
joyment.
Cachfnations in Court.
A- couard. the next witness, proved the
clown Of the day. keeping the audien,e in
rosrs Of laughter from start to finish Nc
was not Intentionally funny, his words
dealing only with the d-yest grapAologicai
technieaiities. but his intense excitement
shrieks Of emotion, and frantic gestures
simply sent Madame Labori into mysteries
and made tbe audience hold their sides
from the sheer fatigue OF laughter. The
climax OF Couards testimony was deIiy
cred tor al the world like the spIutter;no
and HhizZing OF a mammoth pinwheei a.
the end OF pyrotechnic show II was the
declaration that Esterhazy could not have
written the bordereau, and the fact that
Esterhazy said he did therefore could
make no difference.
Upon discrimination NJ Couard said
that he was sure that Dreyfus had traced
four or i've words OF the 5ordereau from,
Esterhazys writing
Even one two OF the judges could MT
suppress smile as this handwriting CON
tortionist quit the stand.
N. karinard, the last witness. gave II nc
Eis opinion, for what il was worth. that
breytus wrote the bordereau. He merely
reiterated what lie had testified al the Fs-
1erhRzy trial.
Major Carriere, the Governments prose-
cutor. announced that il had been decided
TO send a judicial commission 70 examine
into the condition OF Col. Du Patv do
Clam The court then adjourned.