Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-09-14


straaIons wnlcn would probably de
velop bloodshed on day when the
workmen are free.
The government is not only fearful
regarding Rennes but is particularly
concerned regarding Paris and other
large towns where passions have been
heated and the verdict. whichever way
it is given, is practically certain to give
rise to trouble. 1t is understood that
the government has in TIM ted its de-
sire to the president of the court
martial, Col. Jouaust, and there is no
reason to believe that he will no. fall
in with its views.
Col Jouanst yesterday morning took
the most important decision yet taken.
and took it entirely upon his own re.
possibility, although he is undoubtedly
only the mouthpiece of the whole body
OF judges. His decision to exclude the
testimony of Col. acknowledgment and
Maj. Panizzardi was most significant,
as 1t meant that the court had already
reached a conclusion and that the
pleadings of counsel were merely a
waste of time and might be dispensed
with if they were not necessity.
The court has made up its mind but
which way? This is the vital point
and forms the sole topic of discussion.
Both sides are equally confident that
the court will decide in accordance
with their view The Dreyfusards de-
clare that the judges cannot condemn
Capt Dreyfus, after rejecting the de-
cisive evidence which Schwartzkoppen
and Panizzardi would have given in his
favor. The anti Dreyfusards, on the
other hand, explain yesterdays rulings
on the ground that the Judges recog-
nize that the evidence of the two mill
tary attaches would be worthless, be-
cause they would be morally bound to
save their agent at any cost.
From the popular point Of view, the
scene in court when Col. Jouaust de-
livers the judgment will be Invested of
It's most sensational feature, owing to
the absence Of the central figure. Capt. |
Dreyfus will be taken to an adjacent
room when the judges retire to consider
their verdict. A moment before they |
are to re-enter bell will be rung and
as they take their places behind the
long table on the stage, the infantry
guard will present arms and remain at
present arms while Col. Jouaust, stand
ing in the center Of the platform, reads
the verdict.
Capt. Dreyfus will not be brought
back to the court room and will not be
at the public meeting Of the judges, but
when the court room has been cleared
BY the gendarmes, which will be done
~ soon as Col. Jouaust concludes, the
reading clerk Of the court will proceed
10 the room where Dreyfus will be
waiting and read to him the verdict in
he presence Of couple Of gendarmes
The public will thus be robbed Of the
'pectacle Of his emotions, which are
'ound to be the most profound, wheth-
n the decree sends him to the arms of
lis family or back to the penal settle
nent. The verdict may be a condemna-
ion, an equivocal acquittal, or form
Il acquittal that would be equivalent
0 the Scotch verdict mot proven. I"
The last would be the case II the judges ,
hould pronounce against him BY a
ote Of four'to three. That Is, he would ,
70 freed even though the judges in his 4
avor should be In the minority. But 1
his naturally would be very unsatis. I
actory, as he would bear the stigma Z
Or the rest Of his days. +
Extraordinary measures have been t
AIKEN to spirit Dreyfus away, whether /
cquitted or recondemned His de- b
arturo from Rennes will be enveloped h
the same mystery as was his arrival. t
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