Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-04
Col. Jouaust Refuses to Hear Testi-
mony in Open Court.
IT WAS FAVORABLE TO DREYFUS
Old Plea That International Com
plications Might Arise.
SEARCH FOR CAVAIGNAC

INiI->A>TIS, september 4--l ne HICn week
of the trial by court-martial of Capt Alfred
Dreyfus Of the artillery. charged with trea-
son IN communicating secret papers to a
foreign government, began today, with the
largest attendance yet seen in the Lycee.
The interest in the trial grows as the de-
nouement approaches. Six to ten days is
given as the outside limit for the further
duration of the trial
There were an exceptionally large num-
ter of ladies present today. their bright
costumes giving a gay look to the court
room.
The session opened very interestingly
with the appearance of the witness NJ.
Cernuschi. He was dressed in a brown
lounging suit. His features are unprepos-
sessing. and in fact, his general appear
ance did very little credit to the Servan
royal house, to which it is alleged that he
belongs. The letter to Col. Jouaust Offering
his testimony stated that. having been
mixed up in political troubles in Austria
Hungary. he has been obliged to seek ref
uge in France. where he had a friend who
was high official of the foreign office of
central European power. This friend
the witness said. told him that certain for
eisn agents in France might denounce him,
the first name mentioned being that Of
Dreyfus. Another foreign officer a foreign
general Of staff similarly warned him.
one day. the witness said, when he was
visiting the latter he saw him take from
his pocket a voluminous packet containing
military documents. The officer said that
in France one could buy anything. adding:
What is the good of Jews if YOU don't
use them?''
Being questioned if he had asked the
name Of the traitor in this case. NJ. Ger
nuschi replied: No; because the officer
had already said Dreyfus was his inform
ant"
Audience Was IncreduIous.
This answer and the tone in which it
was delivered evoked a movement of in
credulity among the audience. Major Car
riere representing the government asked
that the court hold further examination Of
this witness behind closed doors, in view
of the diplomatic side of his testimony.
M. Labor then arose and announced that
since the prosecution had summoned the
aid of foreigners he intended to make for
NAL application to have complete steps
taken through foreign channels to ascertain
whether the documents mentioned in the
bordereau were delivered to foreign
power, and If so, by whom. If Colonel
Jouaust consents to the application it will
have most important consequences. The
words of NJ. Labor created deep impress
sion, as they made it evident that counsel
for the defense is on the warpath today.
The second witness called was NJ Andre,
clerk to NJ. Bertulus, judge of the court
of cessation, who received the confession
of the late Lieutenant Colonel Henry. NJ
Andre deposed that he overhead Lieutenant
Colonel Henry exclam: Don't insist, beg
of you. The honor of the army must be
saved before everything
The next important witness was the we'll
known mathematician. NJ. Painleve, who
began by tearing NJ. Bertillon's system of
augmentation to pieces. NJ Painleve then
entered upon a personal topic which quick
ly won him the close attention of the au-
dience and brought on a dramatic scene
which kept the spectators in a state of
excitement until he finally left the bar
M Painleve referred to his evidence be-
tore the court of cessation, and protested
vehemently against the version given by
Cen Gonse of conversation with NJ. Had
amard. a cousin of Dreyfus, in which NJ.
Hadamard expressed belief in the guilt
of Dreyfus. Never explained Painleve,
did M. Hadamard doubt the innocence of
his cousin"
Gonse Asks to BE Heard.
Gen Gonse asked to be heard and
iiiouitSb bIt stage Alter declaring that
the whole matter was insignificant Gen.
Gonse insinuated that the faith of NJ Had
amard and M. Painleve in the innocence of
Dreyfus must have been strengthened re-
Gently.
NJ. Painleve replied, warmly insisting
that he never had any doubt of Dreyfus'
innocence.
The two men then went at it hammer
and tongs. M. Paineve, facing Gen. Gonse
with his arms folded, thrust home with
his questions and retorts until Gen. Gonse
became red in the face.
Gen. Roget Joined in the discussion
NJ. Labori began a cross-examination of
Gen. Gonse regarding a certain document
in the secret dossier, to which Gen Gonse
had referred. but which had not been SUBJ
mitted to the court M. Labori, not re-
ceiving satisfactory answers and finding
that Col. JouauSt declined to allow him to
press the matter home in the way he wish
ed, became extremely indignant and pro-
tested with considerable warmth against
Col. Jouaust's veto of his questions This
caused a little scene between Col Jouaust
and NJ. Laborf Finally the latter asked
why certain dispatch from the French
ambassador at Rome relative to the pay
ment of money to Major Count Esterhazy
by an Italian agent had not been included
ts
Gen. Gonse replied that he had not con-
sidered the dispatch of sufficient impor-
tance to be included in the secret dossier
Col. Jouau t here again refused to allow
some Of NJ. Laboris questions. M. Labori
was fuming with Indignation, but was
obliged to submit.
M Labori asked Gen. Gonse who COM
piled the secret dossier.
Il did, shouted Commandant Cuignet
from the body of the hall.
COmmandant CuiEnet Explains.
Commandant Cuignet then came to the
bar and declared that he had omitted all
documents from abroad because foreign
ers were interested in deceiving u.s."
Commandant Cuignet added that another
dispatch existed relating to a conversation
between a foreign sovereign and French
attache, in the course of which the
sovereign said: What is now occurring in
France is proof cf the power of the Jews"
This dispatch, said Cuignet, although
against Dreyfrs, was also omitted from
the secret dossier.
AS he made this statement Commandant
Cuignet turned to brother officer sitting
In the place set apart for witnesses and