The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-27


NJ. Labor: Does Bertilon admit that
Esterhazy is a traitor?
Col Jouaust refused to put the question
to the witness. (Sensation)
NJ. Labori continuing his questions
asl5ed NJ Bertillon's opinion as 10 what
system of defense might have been en-
ployed by the writer of the bordereau if
the document had been found by him?
The witness, in confused and almost
inaudible tone declared the prisoner would
then have maintained the document was
a forgery, and would have adduced 1t as
proof of a plot.
Replying TO further questions, NJ. Berth
lon admitted he had discovered in Ester
Hays writing pecullariues similar to
those in the bordereau.
said He Did Not Write It,
After short incidental discussion Of the
Weyl forgery. which it was believed was
perpetrated by order OF the prefect Of
police Col. Jouaust asked the prisoner 4
he had anything to say IN reply to the
witness and the attention of an present
was Immediately riveted to Dreyfus, who
explained how the exclamation, "Oh, the
wretch" escaped his lips.
m. Bertlllon," the prisoner said was
constantly turning to me while tesufyug
and calling me the guilty man. l re-
torted wretch to him. These are the cir
cumstances under which l utter the word
q have nothing TO reply to the dOposl-
tion of the witness. But there is one
thing Of which l am absolutely sure and
that is that l am not the writer of the
b0rdereau."
Referring to his papers which were
seized at the war office, Dreyfus said it
would not be strange to see notes written
by officers altered.
Referring to the so-called "blotting pad
letter." Dreyfus said: This letter is per-
MADAME
testify to that point. No one here will
doubt the word of Madame Dreyfus and
you, gentlemen, less than any one" he
added, looking steadily at the judges.
VaIeroi's View of II.
After brief adjournment, the govern
ment commissary, Mai. Carriere, called
upon Capt. Valeroi of the artillery to ex-
plain M. Bertillon's system and to give
an opinion on the subject The captain
said he thought NJ Bertllou's evidence
might be summarized into a sentence;
THE bordereau was doctored, and the
document fabricated by means of secret
writing, or writing with a key the word
inter est being found on the blotting pad
letter attributed to Matthleu Dreyfus.
THE system" continued the captain,
"was evidently devised to offer the pris-
oner two means Of escape; either he
would deny being the author of the bor-
dereau by pointing to the difference of
the handwriting, or he would contend II
was a plot, by showing the documents
were traced over his writings"
Capt Valeroi attempted to prove his
hypothesis, traversng practically the same
ground as was already laboriously covered
by NJ Bertllon.
Freystatter ON the stand.
Mai. Carriere asked the court to con-
| front Col Maurel and C&pt Freystatter
As Capt. Freystatter, his breast gilt
| tering with decorations advanced with
| firm step and an air of energy, he created
| a good impression. He deposed saying
Il was a Judge of the courtmartial of
! 1894 My belief in the prisoners guilt was
due to the evidence of experts and Col.
| Henry and Du Patty de Clam. l should
! say it was strengthened by the reading Of
documents which were communicated to
US the judges, in a private room. Great
sensatiOn.)
The secret dossier contained: "First-A
biographical dossier, imputing TO Dreyfus
acts of treason, committed at the Poly
| technic School at Bourges, at the mill
| tary college and while on the headquar-
ters staff
"second-The document known as the
'Cette canaille de D. document.
"Third-A letter which, by showing the
| resemblance of the handwriting, proved
the genuineness of the 'Cette canaille de
D. document, and which was called the
'D'Avignon' letter (Cres of "Oh.'O
"Fourth-A telegram from a foreign mil
itary attache very distinctly asseverating
the prisoners guilt.
Caused 81 Sensation.
This created a sensation and lively inter
ruptions followed this statement
This telegram, If l remember rightly"
continued Freystatter, was in the fol-
lowing terms;
Dreyfus is arrested. Emissary warn
ed.'" (Renewed cries of "Oh! OhrO
At this juncture Gen. Mercier and Col.
Maurel jumped up simultaneously and
asked to speak. Their action caused in
| tense excitement, which became breath
less as Col. Maurel stood up and both the
former judges confronted EACH other with
almost defiant looks.
Col. Maurel said:
Il have only a Word to say. The other
day Maitre Labori drew from the ground
of argument to the ground of secret de-
Liberation l told him l had only read
a single document. These were the words
I only read one document
Il did not soy only one document had
been read. (Sensation) l did not 90 any
further than that, as ! did not wish to
violate the secret Of the judges delibera-
| tons"
Continuing. Col Maurel said: In re-
ply 10 questions Of counsel for the de.
than / wished, | declared I had only read
one document After reading that docu-
ment ! handed the dossier 20 the clerk,
saying, 1 am tired
This caused another great sensation and
Interruptions almost developing into up,
roariousness, which caused Col. Jouaust
to order the commandant Of gendarmes 10
maintain silence.
Col. Maurel as he spoke was greatly ex-
cited and trembled.
Capt Freystatter steadfastly regarded
his former colleague his cold, determined
attitude having an immense effect on the
audience, whose great agitation increased
as exciting incidents followed.
NJ Labori asked whether Col. Maurel
confirmed the explanations of Capt. Frey
statter, and wh3t the latter had said IN
| regard to Col. Maurel The latter re-
piled.
Il answer with All frankness and all
truth / only listened to the reading of
the documents very absently 1t was not
interesting" (shouts of "Oh, OH" and
much laughter)
Proof of His Guilt