Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-09-09

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With TreacherOusIy y-LabOri Bit.
terly DenOunces JOuanst and Ac-
cuscs Him of Partially Salvation
OF Drey fms Now Hangs on Word OF
Germany's Emperor - Anti-Drey-
fusartis Incensed at IIabOri's
"Trick"- The Testimony Which,
Gave the Opportunity.
Rennes, Sept. 1.-Yeste rday's public
proceedings in the Dreyfus court martial
were marked by three important epi-
sOdes. The first was General Zurlin-
den's admission that the erasure and
restitution of EsterhaZy's name in the
petit bleu could not have been perpe-
trated by Colonel Picquart and. con-
sSquently. must be attributed to some
che inside the general staff.
The second was the declaration by
NJ. PaleClogue that the secret dOssier
contained document which showed
that Colonel SchwartzkOppen, in the
opinion Of PaleOlugue, sent to k;sterhaZy
the identical petit bleu for which Colonel
licquart was detained 10 months on u
Charer of forgery.
The third was General Billot's insin-
ultion that EsterhaZy and Captain
Dreyfus were accOmplices, which led to
an impassioned protestation on the part
of the accused, and to thrilling scene
between Maitre I.abori and Colonel
Jouaust, resulting in the advocates ex-
cited denunciation of Colonel Jouausts )
treatment of him, denunciation tan
tamount to an accusation OF open par
tiality.
General Zurlindens admission that
Colonel Picquart could not have perpe-
:rated the erasure In the petit bleu was
q startling incident, because, although
he declared that the matter formed only
small point in the prosecution of Pic
quart. and that. so far as he was con-
cerned. the proceedings were only in
stituted in order to allow French officer
to lie beneath the blow of the charges
brought against him by Major Lauth,
yet the fact that Colonel picquart lam
guished 10 months In prison under these
improved accusations cannot be re-
garded otherwise than as a blot upon the
reputation of General Zurlinden, and
still more of the general staff.
Then the statement of M. Palaologue
that Colonel Schwartzkoppen had ad-
mitted that 1t was almost certain that
the petit bleu was sent by him or caused
to be sent by him to Estefhazy. caused
sensation, as being the first official tes-
timony to the treason of EsterhaZy, and
1t was certainly strong point in favor
of Dreyfus the Importance of which
was Immediately seen by the prosecu-
tion, and shown subsequently in General
Billot's broad insinuation of completely
between Dreyfus and Esterhazy.
From a spectacular view point, how
the battle royal between Maitre and
Colonel JOuaust over certain questions
which the advocate wished to put to
General BillOt. Maitre Labori LOST con-
troll of himself, under his deep feeling
Of Indignation, and his BELIEF that Col
Onel Jouaust was deliberately gagging
him in the interest OF the military clique.
His voice, which at first resOunded
through the court room. became choked
with emotion. The spectators held their
breath as he retorted defiantly to Col
onel Jouaust's refusal to put the ques-
tions. his words drowning Jouaust's
voice in an irrisistable torrent. whose
force was heightened by his passionate
gestures.
When he finally fell back in his seat,
with look of hopeless Indignation, his
face blanched and his fingers twitched
spasmodically--a speaking testimony to
the high tension to which his nerves
had been wrought by fruitless combat
with the iron ruling of the bench.
Captain Dreyfus, too. in his vehement
protest against General Billot's insin
Iation of his completely with Esterhazy.
recalled his anguished outbreaks early
In the trial. 1t was a strange contrast
I, hear him little later. when he had
apparently mastered his feelings, de-
liver an argumentative reply to Major
Gallopin. of the artillery, in a calm.
moderate tone. Indeed, one was almost
tempted to imagine that his emotional
cutlery in reply to General Billot was a
piece of theatricality.
Major Gallapin's evidence left a de-
o!dedly unfavorable impression. despite
the plausibility Of the explanation given
by Dreyfus.
The salvation of Captain Dreyfus
hangs on a word from Emperor William.
This is the general opinion here. If the
kaiser consents to allow Colonel
Schwartzkoppen. the German military
attache In Paris in 1894. to testify before
the court martial or to send deposit
tion, or, what Is considered still more
probable, to allow his deposition to be
accompanied by the actual documents
mentioned in the bordereau. then Drey-
fus Is saved.
II the emperor however. decides that
Il Is not in the interests of Germany for
Colonel Schwartzkoppen to intervene.
then Dreyfus' case is hopeless and his
condemnation certain.
The eyes of France are looking across
the frontier To Stuttgart, where the
kaiser is staying. and anxiously awaiting
his decision. He is in the position Of the
spectators of a gladiatorial combat in
the coliseum in ancient Rome. with
Dreyfus lying at the feet of his antago-
mist and watching whether the emperor
points thumb up or down. At a late hour
last evening he had given no sign either
way. and Frenchmen are awaiting with
breathless interest the first indication
Of his will.
To all intents and purposes Emper ror
william stands today the arbiter of the
internal peace of France. for everyone
anticipates that King Humbert will fol-
low his lead. This Is probably the ex-
planation of the delay. Emperor Will
lam has gone to Wurtemburg from
Alsace Lorraine and King Humbert is at
Turin. Communication between the two
monarchs is, therefore. somewhat COM
plicated; and. as they will undoubtedly
afree upon identical measures in reply
ing to Maitre Labori's appeal. II is pos
sible that several days will elapse before
their decision Is known.
The general opinion held here Is that
Emperor William and King Humbert