The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-24

mel Jouaust declared the court would
rule the dispatch out of evidence
The examination of General Mercier
having been concluded, Colonel Jouaust
asked Dreyfus if he had anything to
say, and the prisoner, in calm voice,
replied to Mercier's statement that he.
formation about the artillery promised
in the bordereau, while staying at
Bourges, where artillery trials were be-
ing held.
Dreyfus entered into an explanation
as to how he spent his time. showing
that he did not inform himself about
the trials of the new gun brake
General Risbourg recounted what
CAPTAIN I.ebrun Renault said about
Dreyfus and this brought the latter
to his feet with a thrilling declaration.
He pointed out that the captain shook
him by the hand when he returned to
the prison. which is at variance with
what General Risbourg reeounted.
Moreover cried Dreyfus, when a
frightfuI charge has been hanging over
a mans head for five years, people
ought not to talk of convictions, but
should bring proofs. Otherwise 1 cease
to understand the matter
This indignant protest caused deep
sensation in court
Continuing Dreyfus proceeded to to-
tally deny the story that he had made
a confession to Captain Lebrun Re
nault.
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
Following are the proceedings in de-
tail:
At the opening of the proceedings
this morning, Colonel JOuaust ordered
that the evidence of Penot, a friend of
the late Colonel Sandherr, chief of the
intelligence department, be read by the
court which was done The testimony
as given before the court of asSation,
set forth that Colonel Sandherr told NJ.
Penot that the brothers Of Dreytus mad
offered $50, 900 francs to settle the case,
adding that Sandherr was so incenSed
at the proposal that he ordered them
out of his office
NJ Delnange as a counter blast, read
a note written by Sandherr the same
day the interview with the brothers
of Dreyfus took place 1t appeared
from this note. that the brothers i'm
agined d plot was being Matched against
Captain Dreyfus because he was Jew
They maintained the captains 1nno-
cence and declared they would do ev-
erything in their power to obtain his
re-instat tenent. saying that if neceS-
sary, they would spend their whole for
tune to arrive at the truth and would
do everything to that end
Counsel poin sed out that there were
serious discrepancies between NJ. Pen
OTIS written statement that money
was offered and Colonel Sandherr's let
ter.
ident of the court permitted NJ Linolle,
a former official of the government, to
testify The witness said he had also
dined at NJ. BodSOn'S in company with
Dreyfus and declared he did not be-
lieve Dreyfus was capable of the crime
for which he had been sentenced.
NJ. Labori-Were there any foreigners
at NJ Bodson's house?
NJ. Linolle-I do. not remember
NJ. Labori-Do you remember seeing
any foreign diplomats there?
NJ. Linolle-Not at all. Besides, NJ
Bodson was not of foreign extraction.
He was the son of an Orleans vinegar
merchant.
AIAUREL'S TESTIMONY.
There was considerable stir in court
when the name Of Colonel Maurel'
who was president of the DreytuS court
martial of 1894, was called and the
colonel appeared at the witness par
He started by emphatically denying
that any communication, verbal or
written, was made to the members of
the court during the course OF the trlaI, lL-I-
He said they only knew the case from
the documents in the dOssier and the
testimony given.
Then the colonel saying he only de-
sired to speak of matters upon which
his recollection was clear, proceeded to
declare that he had nothing to say IN
regard to the expert evidence OF M
CharaVay, NJ. TeySSOniereS or NJ. Pelle-
tier, but he added NJ. BertillOn's testi-
mony appealed to the eyes and minds
of the judges. 1t had been said that
the judges did not understand it, but
that was not true.
court martial of 1894 witness said he
considered that Major Du Patty de
Clam had only given the court a cir
cumSpect repetition of his report Wh1le
the late Lieut.. Col. Henry's evidence
would have been more fOrcible If less
exaggerated. At the same time Maurel
continued, he believed Henry had
spoken without hatred or passion
The prisoners attitude at the trial
was correct and calm. His repeated
denials and protests We're far from
astonishing the witness. Ihey seemed
perfectly natural. The only letter
handed to Col Maurel during the
course of the trial ws not brought by
Col Picquart. The letter moreover
was returned the same evening to the
officer who brought it.
DIDN'T KNOW MERCER
Replying to NJ. Labori Maurel said
he did not know Gen Mercier and had
never seen him since the trial until
June last
NJ. Labori-Can Col. Maurel tell US to
what he attributes the secret communi-
cation of the dossier?
Col. Maurel-I have not the slightest
idea.
NJ. Labori-Can you tell the name of
the officer who brought you the private
letter?
Col. Maurel-It was Du Patty de
Clam. fSensatiOn)-
NJ Labori-Were there many docu-
ments in this secret dossier? Can you
state what they We're?
Col. Maurel-I only saw one of them
I did not look at the others because my
mind was already made up.
NJ Labori-Had the other members
of the court also made up their minds?
Col. Maurel-Yes-
Witness added that two members of
the court confded to him on this sub
ject.
NJ Labori-Can you tell US how
knowing as the judge that it was your
duty to seek conscientiousIy for in
formation and to expect sincere COM
tor. that is to say. communica tions set
ting forth all the points in the case
both for and against the prisoner, you
could be of the opinion that your mind
was Loyalty made up after reading a
single document2 prolonged sensa-
tion).