The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-10-01

soon put an end to my existance; thai
my manner of living is extravagant, and
that when 1 can no longer follow it 1 will
suicide. But, you see. l still live"
The major smiled grimIy and coughed
with some violence. He seemd in poor
hath.
DO you feel that there is any justifi-
cation for these attacks on you?
Il do not, sir, replied the major with
some heat. MY conduct has been guild
ed colely with view 10 preserving the
honor Of the army"
DO you still maintain then that Drey-
fus is Euilty?"
4 do" answered the major. ''Dreyfue
was guilty of treason although It could
not be proved against him. When the
French genedaI staff became satisfied OF
the guilt of Dreyfus it was necessary 10
find proof of his guilt. That was the
task that was confded to me. By the
express orders of Colonel Sandherr
wrote the bordereau. Ny object in writ
ing the bordereau was to furnish the ma
terial proof which was required in order
to form the basis on which rested the
moral evidence. 1t was with the same
object as this that Colonel Henry pre-
pared his documents.
Il only carried out the instructions of
my spperiors. Today I am cast out, aban-
doned. made the scapegoat. Last year il
was not So The generals whom 1 have
faithfully served, have turned agaist
me
They are trying to maintain that it
was not I who wrote the bordereau. But
look, l will show you.
From his writing table he selected a
piece Of writing paper, and, placing be-
side it a facsimile of the famous Dor
dereau, began writing in a free, easy,
flowing hand the opening sentences.
watched him as he wrote. There seemed
little attempt to make an exact copy.
There was no tracing.
Yet the two writings on comparison
were almost identical. with the exception
Of one or VITO letters, to which difference
Esterhazy himself called attention.
THE M is somewhat different. But I
have four ways of writing M " he said,
and the small j. differs little. But you
must know my handwriting is extremely
irregular"
DDS Of writing M one Of the characters
was the German capital letter.
Fasting a facsimile of the bordeau on a
sheet Of thick white paper, through which
it would be most difficult to trace, I re-
quested Major Esterhazy to copy num-
Der of lines Of the bordereau on the re-
naming portion of the sheet for the bene-
fit Of the Sunday Journals readers He
did so. With half an eye one may see
that the handwritings are Identical The
copy of the bordereau written by Es-
terhazy is produced herewith
This spontaneous demons ira ton on the
pEt of Esterhazy proves him to be the
author Of the bordereau or the most ac-
complished froger of the century. Com
pairing his handwriting of 1894 with his
present caligraphy, and both with the
bordereau, the first hypothesis only is ac-
ceDtable.
acknowledging yourself, then, the au-
thor of the bordereau," said I. would it
not have been better policy for you to
have remained on friendly terms with the
generals? Was it not imprudent to con-
fess writing the document?"
q confessed because was angered at
certain of the generals; they have de-
serted me- But of this I win not now
speak. Tt VIII all be in the book which I
intend publishing before long. Then it
will be shown who is guilty. 1 will print
in the book all the photographs and all
my proofs. I shall demonstrate clearly
the entire Dreyfus case. Perhaps I shall
go to America to lecture, and tie whole
matter. At present everyone seems to be
in the dark. Statements of the most alb
surd character are being circulated"
1T is said that you are the author of
the author of the Petit Bleu?"
Il am not" responded Major Esterhazy
emphatically. 1.-THE author Of the Petit
Bleu was the spy, Lemercier- Picard"
do you intend returning TO France at
any time?"
mo; TO return to France would mean
immediate Imprisonment To be in pris-
on would be the same as to be dead
Ike Henry. Now I am free can write
truth of al these mysterious matters. I
can have these proof published"
He showed me a number of photograph
ic plates, on which. he said. were orders
from men Tin high places" commanding
him to forge or altar certain documents
and invent others. If his proof are genu-
inc. it seems that when the time comes he
will have something startling to say.
One Of the orders which he had photo
grophed was from Du Patty de Clam Es-
terhazy smiled when he came to this
slate.
Major Esterhazy told me a great many
more Of the episodes in which he had
figured o naccount of his unpleasant no.
toriety. and also showed me some curious
souvenirs Of them.
From all parts Of the world he has re-
ceived letters from self-appointed cham
pions of truth and justice. challenging
him TO mortal combat. Many Of these
came from America. One Of the latest
was received by cable from Paul f. Aver
the champion broadswordsman of South
Carolina. Mr.. Aver obigingly offered u
meet Mr.. EsteThazv anywhere. in the
world outside Of France where a duel
could he conducted without interruntion.
Esterhszy receives an enormous amount
OF communications from persons ne does
not know many of the mbeing auony-
nous. The letters apply TO the major ev-
cry term of abuse and contempt know to
the language of Europe. They tell him
that he is a blot on the face Of the earth,
that hanging would be too good for him.
and that he viii certainly come TO a vio-
lent death. which he richly deserves.
TIhere is an incident that is ty?ical Of
dozens that have happened 70 him He
was dining in restaurant. and custo-
mer who recognized him told the waiter
who was serving him who he was
All the Sc0undre1" remarked the /