The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-09
WHY NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN
THE EXCITEMENT is AT FEVER
HEAT.
PRECAUTIONS TAKEN AGAINST DISORDER
Labor viii Make no Speech. Demange's
Thrilling Address. Morning of the
Last Day. Troops Pouring
into Rennes.
SPEECH FOR THE DEFENCE.

SSTILOH fOh I11E DEEENCE.
Rennes, Sept S.-That Captain Drey-
fus will be condemned is the ala,osr uni
versal opinion heard in Rennas tonight.
Hitherto there bad always been a d.
vergence, but now both camps, the Drey-
fusards and the Ani-Dreyfusards, seem
unanimous IL the conviction that the
verdict will go against MIA.
Upon just what this is based and the
precise reason for the Conclusion are a
mystery, but there is no Disgusting the
fact that, from NJ LaDori down to the
numerous Drayfnsards who crowd abe
hotels and cafes and VINO last nighr were
still hopeful snat Dreyfus would be
saved, all seem nov to agree that his
last chance is gone.
The one sousce of hope is VI. Labor
himself, who said this evening to the
correspondent of the Associated Press:
We fear that Captain Drcyfus will
be condemned, but we do not intend
to throw up the sponge. We shall 20
on fighting for him."
NJ. Jaures, the Socialist lender and
other prominent Dreyfusards, expressed
a similar opinion. Excitement is at
fever heat and nothing is discussed but
the verdict of tomorrow.
The military precautions are OF the
most elaborate character, and no ar
tempt at disorder is likely to have the
slightest success. Orders have been is
sued to repress the first symptom of
trouble with an iron hand
A small anti-Semitic meeting was held
here this evening and the complete calm
that attended it is an indication of a
quiet day tomorrow. A strong force
of gendarmes guarded the approaches to
the building where the meeting was
held, and the orders were to arrest the
first man who raised a seditious cry.
Nothing. however, occurred
Indeed, the inhabitants of the town
seem Indifferent and the neighborhood
of the Lycee and the prison is deserted.
save for few gendarmes The news of
the publication of Count Won Buelow's i
speech in the Reichsanzeiger reached
Rennes tonight and is considered very
important ON the eve of the verdict,
which in some quarters, it is thought.
will be regarded as a slight to Germany
if it be condemnation, as being tanta-
mount to a public refusal to take the
word of Emperor William. as his Minis
ter is merely his mouthpece.
According to the latest report the
verdict may be delivered between 3 and
tomorrow afternoon, the court adj
journing after Nj. Demange's speech
until 3 o'clock.
There is some criticism of NJ. Labori's
decision not to speak, the friends of M.
Demange thinking it his object to es-
cape his share of the responsibility in
the event of a verdict of condemnation.
NJ. Demange, having once seen Drey-
fus condemned under his advocacy,
would naturally like NJ. Labor to share
the criticism this time, especially as NJ
Labori has assumed such a prominent
part in the proceedings.
4 detailed report of the proceedings
follows:
Amid intense silence and holding the
keenest attention from the audience,
Maitre Demange shortly after the OF
ening of the proceedings of the Dreyfus
court martial today, rose to make the
speech for the defense His opening re-
marks seemed to meet with approval.
However solemn the occasion may
be-" he declared, Il must at the outset
protest with all my soul against the al
legation which one of the witnesses did
not shrink from uttering. This witness
did not hesitate to declare that whoever
advocated the revision Of this case--that
is to say, whoever believed in the inno-
cence Of Dreyfus-was working against
the army and against the country.
here declare that he does not know me
and that he does not know Maitre La.
bori. Neither NJ. Labor nor myself
would be here if these statements were
true. Let me tell you simply this:
'9Ishe day on which, amid the shock
of furious political passions, | saw let
loose over our country this tempest of
madness, when ! saw everything l had
learned To revere and love since child
hood imperiIIed, J. Frcnchman, the son
of soldier, endured every torture.
When ! turn my eyes to Devils Island,
where was buried alive one who, from
the bottom of my heart, ! believe to be
81 martyr. ! began to wonder il divine
Justice had not abandoned him. Since
then I have recovered ] have harken-
ed 10 the y0ice 0f my conscience and
hive pursued an underwriting course free
from anger aud passion, not needing hat
rod Or prejudice, ! have done my duty.
Y6H will 10 yours, whicn Is to mete out
Jfstjee."
Continuing VI. jt.nange aaid he
wished ~ clearly define the prisoners
position, Sayiha<
When the ea#e ~ the revision began,
Dfegfas WIS d convict aud serious pre-.