The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17


deep mourning appeared in the doorwa,
and accompanied by a non-commissione'
officer, advanced to the platform.
II was the widow Of Colonel Henry. TIL
French officer who committed suicide II
prison after confessing to forging certa'r
documents In the case. With pale lace
and hand appraised before the crucihx sh'
took the oath to tell the truth. Nine
Henry is OF medium height and has a
common caste OF features, and certainly
could not be described as attractive. Shs
at once put herself at ease. leaning for
ward, with both hands resting upon the
rail of the witness stand. In an attitude OF
complete self possession she gave her evil
dence accompanying her words with fire.
ouert gestures Her evidence. however,
was OF little weight She admitted the FREE
Quent visits of Esterhazy to her husband,
and said her husband told her he had
forged one document lin order to save the
honor of the country" She gave her evil
dence In a matter OF fact way and was in
no wise the sympathetic figure the anti
Dreyfusites have tried to make her.
General Roget. in dress uniform, fol-
lowed. His evidence was a patriotic dia-
tribe against Dreyfus from beginning TO
end
The court adjonrned until tomorrow at
the conclusion OF General Roget's mono
logue.
Colonel Jouaust previously asked Cap
tain Dreyfus II he wished to say anything,
and the prisoner, who during the time of
General Roget's Illumination against him,
several times made a movement as II 20
rise and retort, but was waived down by
Colonel Jouaus,, rose and In that voice
which is not agreeable in ordinary times.
but when strangled with emotion as Z was
today. had thrilling effect on his hearers,
he cried. crushing his KEPT In his hands:
NO my colonel: 1t Is frightful that dayI
10, -l, \ ,i,,,..
heart, my soul and my very entrails torn
without being permitted to reply. 1t Is
frightful thing Frightfull Frightful!"
The audience. profoundly stirred, began
TO applaud. but the applause was quickly
suppressed.
NJ. DeMange then announced that he
would question General Roget tomorrow.
General Roget spoke for three hours
without adducing any new facts, only re-
itorating in the most forcible terms what
has been banded about in the anti rey-
fus press for year past. The most inter-
esting part of his testimony was his at
tack on Colonel Picquart which will I'M
doubtedly lead to the conformation of the
two men. He scored Dreyfus without mer-
oy. both in words and attitude. In fact.
1t seemed at times as though he would have
provoked the prisoner into striking him
the generals manner was most passionate
In his outburst at the end OF his testimony
HN NbNtlEh tt4t itlpnl IuAu!tES attacks Win
the air of one delivering a pleasant Sun
day school address, leaning over the front
oil the witness rail. But again and again he
would turn his chair and pointing his
finger at Dreyfus. would repeat some cruel
accusation, at the same time fixing his eve
on the prisoner. his head inclined forward
like that of a cobra awaiting the moment
TO strike.
Dreyfus, however was not fypnotized
rabbit and steadily returned his gaze
sometimes throwing a glance at-the presi-
dent of the court as though appealing
Tor permission to reply. Once -han Cen
eral Roget had flung one of these darts
stopped and deliberately paused one could
see the fire in Dreyfus' eyes and in his
tightly clenched Jaws could be divine,
the struggle that was going on within
him.
The captain OF gendarmes seated beside
Dreyfus watched him closely. The srec-
tators held their breaths General Roget
seemed to purposely prolong the silence in
order to make deeper impression 1t
was perilous moment But Dreyfus
won the battle over his passions aid when
Rogets voice was at length heard again
every one knew the danger, was passed
and deep drawn sigh of relief came from
the audience.
The following Is the evidence in de-
tail:
Ex-Minister of Justice Suerln. the first
OF the facts IN the case. hut could repeat
tne surrounding circumstances which he
had related before the court of cessation
If the court martial desired.
Colonel Jouaust having explained to the
witness that the court martial had no
eognizance of previous proceedings NJ
Guerin proceeded to repeat his evidence 3
given before the court of cessation say
ing that at the end of October after
cabinet council the premier invited him to
nus room, where General MERCER joined
them and explained that for SOME time
past documents had been missing from
the headquarters staff and In consequence
OF inquiries made, suspicion was attached
to Dreyfus.
General MERCER, the witness continued.
added that he was convinced Dreyfus was
the culprt. He said he founded his con-
Niction on three facts: First the Dor
dereau, the author of which was undis-
coverable until Colonel Fabre on returning
from the maneuyers Immediately after he
saw the document exclaimed: Why, It is |
Dreyfus' handwriting
Second, the nature of the document emu
merated In the bordereau in conjunction
with Dreyfus' employment In the different
departments proved conclusvely, accord
ing TO General MERCER that Dreyfus alone
had cognizance OF all these papers and he !
alone could have disclosed them.
Third, the dictation test and Dreyfus'
perturbation at the time
General MERCER, NJ. Guerin then said.
In consequence OF these convictions de-
clared his intentions TO ask the cabinet
to authorize the prosecution of Dreyfus
A special cabinet met November Z. 1891 !
to consider the matter. Tho witness for
got whether NJ. Caslmir- Perier or NJ. Du- |
puy presided General Mercer handed the
cabinet nothing but the bordereau After
the minister of war had related his rea-
sons for his suspicious the cabinet unnni- |
mously authorized the prosecution of
Dreyfus
NJ Hanotaux' alone made some reserya. |
tons or diplomatic objections based on the
place where the document was found but il /
was agreed that in the event OF court
martialing Dreyfus measures should be
taken to prevent mention OF the name of
any power.
NJ, Guerin at that time had never heard
OF the secret documents and none was
ever communicated To the cabinet. He
only learned of the existence OF the al
legged secret documents during the Zola
trial and only learned of the alleged con-
fession OF Dreyfus to Captain LeBrun- 7
Renault from the newspapers. General
MERCER never mentioned the confession
to the cabinet