Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-18

cleded interception of letters addressed
to EsterhaZy. There had also been re-
searches of Henry's house during his
absence. All these measures the wit
ness asserted, were carried out with
out the authorization of the minister
OF war, who was not even informed of
them. Moreover, the Investigations
were carried on at the eXense of the
secret service fund. The witness also
objected to COL. Picquart's methods OF
watching Nine Pays.
Gen. Roget admitted that Esterhazy
was a gambler ana of immoral char
acter, But" said he: while l have
acknowledged his little failings, I
nevertheless maintain that he has been
the victim of abominable persecu-
ton"
Gen. Roget next spoke of the arrest
at Relfort of Quenelli. declaring Pic
quart cooked up the allegations Of
spying against Quenelli in order to at
tract TO himself the approval of his
superior.
The Witness then dWelt upon the al
legged devices Of Dreyfus to procure
information from the various bureaus
in regard to the mobilization and con-
centration of the troops. pointing out
that while intelligent ana industrious
preyfus was far too inquisitive in
matters which did not concern him to
the detriment Of his proper duties"
Replying to a question Of the court,
Gen. Roget said. that as far as he
knew. Dreyfus had only once been
given an imaginary task as a test.
The prisoner listened intently 70 the
witness. ana his self control contrasted
markedly with his excitement of yes
terday.
NJ. Demange asked COL Jouaust,
pre- Sident Of the courtmartial. to re-
quest Cen. Roget to repeat the eXpla-
nations which he had given before the
court Of cessation in regard TO The
part played in the affair by Major du
Patty de clam. Whereupon the witness
travcrsed the old ground in regard 70
Patty de CLAIMS steps toward Ester
hay of tine campaign said To be or
gunizins against him. The general
said he believed the forged 'Speeranzi'
letters We're either written by Patty de
clam or instigated by him. Witness
said he had not acted against Patty dc
Clam because he saw nothing culpable
in what he had done to save Esterhazy.
With reference to the document
liberateur." which was a document
forged in order to secure the release
Of Esterhazy when he was courtmar-
tailed. Gen Roget said he only knew
how it reached the minister Of war,
adding that its disappearance from
that ministry was a mystery. He
said that doubtless Patty de Clam
could explain the matter,
Counsel for the defence here wanted
tu kaow how, under such circum-
stances. Patty a. CLAIMS intervention
III behalf IF Esterhazy could be OK
plaireI. BUT the witness could only
attribute il to Patty De CLAIMS moral
conviction VI F.sterhaZy's innocence.
In any case" said the general the
general staff must b. entirely disas-
snciuted with the part played with Du
Patty dc clam in this matter"
"rertainly,' replied NJ. Demangv.
II attach great importance to this
point" Was the generals next re
mark.
N. DemanEe agreed Ia this. but add
ed: hut what / would like 70 know
is how an innocent man like Esterhazy
uas hought to need this kind Of help. Y
lit is certain | should have not done
it," answered The Witness. which caus-
"a renewed laughter.
Gen. Roget then added that although
II. would nut have interviewed himself
TIL Save Esterhazy he did not consider
the course followed as being repre-
honSibIe.
NJ. Demanse than questioned the
Witness as to what lie thought of Is
t-rhazy'5 attempt IN obtain from an
agent 4 declaration that ne had nothing
to do with the affair, to which th"
general replied that h. knew nothing
Of such an attempt
When NJ. Demangc read Gen. Rem
oua,ds's report on thr subject how
ever. Gen. Roget admitted that Ester
hays attempt was certainly Il cufI-
ous proceeding" for an innocent man
to undertake.
Council thereupon invited the special
attention Of thu courtmartial to the
witness reply Then he took the gen
cral to task for playing, yesterday.
the part Of general accuser particular
N toward col. Picquart. During the
course of his remarks NJ. Dcmange re-
forrrd to the documents known as the
Petit Rleu and the craSureS in It. me
general admitted the erasureS might
have been made with the view Of Civ
ing the document a suspicious appear
ance. But he intimated that Picquart
made the erasures and re-inserted the
name of F.sterhaZy. after taking tn"
photograph exhibited before the court
Of cessation.
Counsel insisted that the falsillca-
ton occurred after the Petit Bleu lelt
Picuuart's hands and demanded
further explanations from the witness.
The general. however, said he was
unable to testify as to who falsitied
the document or as to why it was
done. He did not think it was done
with a View of compromising PicQuart.
At this juncture there was little
sparring bout between NJ. Demange
and Major Carriere. the representa-
tive of the government in the case.
The former desired information in re-
gard to the espionage meeting at Basic,
switzerland. and the recall on account
Of the REGULATION Of an agent named
Lainul. who was corresponding with
a certain foreign agent. Major Car
rierc objected to the discussion of the
subject at this stage. for he said, it
~, ~ 4 Z