The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-08-30

-Cordfer- De Freycinet Speaks Out
sion In France.
Rennes, Tuesday 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 sec
ond trial by court-martial of Captain
with treason, was opened in the usual
manner and without special incident.
Colonel Cordier deputy chief of the
intelligence department under the late
Lieutenant Colonel Henry, who, since
his previous appearance in court had
been released by the minister of war,
General de Marquis de Gallifet, from
his oath Of professional secrecy, was the
first witness called to-day. He testified
to the effect that the late Colonel
Sandherr, and not Lieutenant-Co
Henry, received the famous bordereau.
Good Witness for Dreyfus.
The witness deposed strongly in favor
of Dreyfus, and was most amusing in
delivering his testimony. He kept the
court and even the Judges in roars of
laughter by his comical manner and
witticisms. He Is a 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 bordereau was
given as May, and later. The witness
declared stoutly he was now convinced
Dreyfus was innocent.
Colonel Cordier then spoke UP strong
ly for Colonel Picquart, as conscen-
tious soldier and an honorable man,
and threw light upon the situation
which existed in the offices of the intel
ligence department of the war office.
He explained that Henry was Jealous of
Picquart because the latter was given
charged of the statistical section, which
Henry hoped to get for himself.
Cordier expressed the belief that it
was because of Picquart that Henry
committed his forgery
Germany Dragged In.
The evidence of Colonel Cordier was
delivered in a loud voice, accompanied
by humorous asides. He several times
mentioned the ambassador of Gerna-
ny, which caused the president of the
court, Colonel Jouaust, to intervene and
tell the witness that he must not intro
duce 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 9TH
err times. caused the greatest merriment.
During his testimony no fewer than
five witnesses arose and asked to be
confronted with him. But the colonel
received the Interruptions with the ut
most good humor.
Dreyfus spoke a few words at the |
conclusion of Colonel Cordier's state |
ments He said the scene which pre-
coded his arrest was so fantastic that |
it completely bewildered him, and mere I
ly left a blunted impression on his |
memory.
Dreyfus Now Self Confident
The prisoner is now accustomed to his
surroundings and has apparently re- |
covered his self-confidence, as he speaks
readily, and clearly, and follows the
witnesses closely taking notes of vari-
Gus points of their dispositions.
Major Lauth first confronted Colonel
Cordier and tried to score against him
by pointing out that Cordier was in
correct in saying there were no anti
Semites on the general staff since Cor
dier himself was one.
The colonel retorted, turning the ia
bles on the major as, raising his hand,
he cried:
"Qute true, / was an anti-Semite, but |
never bore false witness against the
Jews: I am an honest man"
The audience applauded these re-
marks.
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 intelligence department. since he,
Cordier, replaced Colonel Sandherr as
chief of the department whenever Sand
herr was absent, while Major Lauth,
the witness concluded, twas merely my |
assistant My assistant mark YOU
Major Lauth did not enjoy this little
scene
Roget was Supercilious.
General Roget next confronted Colonel |
Corder. The general assumed the same