The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-08-23

was shown him hat his hesitation ended.
The letter also described the moments Of
angus the writer experienced during the
course of the campaign, and dwelt on the
opinion expressed in the judgment OF the
Court of Cessation and the confessions OF
Esterhazy that he was the writer of the
bordereau.
In conclusion the letter said: You will
permit an old Aisatian, Monsieur lie Presi-
dent. TO express the sentiment that the hour
of justice will soon strike in the interest Of
the army, Of justice and Of the country"
lGreat sensation.1
Replying to M. Demange, Lieut.. Col. Ber-
tin further explained his connection with NJ.
Scheurer-Kestner. At the maneuvers that
year, witness told General Billot OF the ac-
ton that Scheurer-Kestner was taking, and
the general replied: Tell him not to do
anything. L shall appeal to my other friend"
81 t~elegraphed to NJ. Scheurer-Kestnenr,
accordingly" said Berlin. "for / could not
enter Alsace. the Germans having brutally
forbidden me to go there"
NJ. Demange reminded witness of a re-
| mark he made to NJ. Ferdinand Scheurer-
Kestner, namely, There are only five OF us
who know this terrible secret. One out of
| the five must betray 1t before you can know
anything
Counsel asked If the secret was not that
Dreyfus was innocent.
NJ. Bertin-Oh, no, no.
NJ. Misunderstanding to the terms OF
the conversation?
Lieut.. Col. Berth (energetically)-No,
| no; and I'll tell you why. / have never con-
| cealed two things from the members OF the
Scheurer-Kestne family. Firstly, that NJ.
Scheurer-Kestne would be doing a great
service If his efforts resulted in establish
ing the innocence Of a man who had worn
the uniform of a French officer. Secondly,
that was convinced Of the guilt of Drey-
fus. GSensation.]
NJ. D~emange-Did you not once make the
following remark: This Jew was thrust
at headquarters and we had to get rid or
him?'
Lieut.. Col. Bertin-No, never. l absolutely
| deny 1t. When / was in the War Office the
Jewish question was never raised. Dreyfus
was regarded as a comrade. l conhded all
my secrets to him and gave him the pass
word of my locker.
A number of official reports were read,
unanimously recognizing Dreyfus as a brill
liant officer, who was anxious to succeed.
The reports of the headquarters stan alone
cast imputations on the prisoners char-
acter. -
LABORI TRIPS COL. BERTIN.
M. Labor asked the courts leave, with
the permission of Lieut.. Col. Berth, TO
question the witness on a delicate subject.
He referred, continued counsel. to a re-
| mark made by Berth at a dinner at which
M. Iabori was present at the house OF a
| mutual friend a fortnight after the degrade
ton of Dreyfus.
at have absolute confidence in the good
faith of Lieut.. Col. Bertin,' added M. La
bori. land 1 am convinced that If his recol-
| lections are exact enough he will not hesi-
tate to reply"
Berth asked the lawyer to mention the
name of the mutual friend who gave the
dinner. M. Labori whispered the name
and the witness nodded assent.
M. Labori-Do you remember that you
were among the first to suggest TO me De-
lief in the innocence Of Dreyfus?
Bertin-No, no, it is impossible.
NJ. Labori-Does the witness remember
that during the course OF the dinner ne De-
| came excited in talking about Dreyfus?
The lieutenant colonel pointed out that
| the terms of intimacy which prevailed at
| the dinner must be taken into account, re-
| minded NJ. Labor that he was an OLD frleno
of his fathers and wondered whether coun-
sci was still the same man, who, taxing the
witnesses hands on the occasion of the din
ner. said: st will never forget what you
have lone for my father"
ST do not forget the words" said M. La
bori. his voice trembling at the recollec-
tions. but / am referring especially TO
the somewhat strong remarks you mace
against Maitre Demange. l am not seeking
to provoke a scene between Lieut.. Col. Ber-
tin and Maitre Demange. Did you not say
70 me. when / spoke of Maitre Demange's
belief I'm the innocence of Dreyfus: De
mango. don't mention him. He Is counsel
for the German embassy" lCries OF Oh,
OIL
M. Bertin-If I can remember I will re-
ply. I am here to tell the truth and Will
tell all I know. I am here for the truth, like
you.
M. Labori-when I asked why you said
that YOU replied that NJ. Demange had al
ready defended other spies and that he was
an official defender.
Lieut.. Col. Berth admitted the truth of
W.. Labori's statements
NJ. Labori-You should be sure regarding
the Intervention of Maitre Demange. be-
cause a barrister Of his standing Is not ap-
pointed officially unless there are important
reasons for it. Counsel proceeded to relate
how. when he left Lieutenant Colonel Ber-
tin. he discussed the foregoing conversation
with his wife and wondered what security
could be found in the oath or judgment of
men who readily believed things so ridicu-
lous.
A SENSATIONAL STATEMENT.
my belief In the innocence of Dreyfus,"
M. Labor added, began that day. / give
YOU nv word Of honor that Lieutenant
Colonel Berth admitted he had a grudge
against Maitre Demange. saying it was be-
cause he defended Dreyfus and had per-
sisted in making Dreyfus deny all the
charges against him. Lieutenant Colonel
Berth evidently thought NJ. Demange ought
to have Joined the other side In trying to
convict Dreyfus."
Dreyfus here arose and objected to Lieu
tenant Colonel Bertin's insinuation. The
prisoner recalled his sufferings and feverish
nights on Devils island, and reiterated
again and again his love for the army and
love for France. (Sensation.l
Colonel Jouaust here declared the incident
closed.
NJ. Demange, however, here interposed,
saying: 'You will, however, allow me to
appear on the scene?" tLaughter.l Con-
tinuing, NJ. Demange said he preferred TO
speak in the presence of Lieutenant Colonel
Berth, adding: LAS the trial Of Dreyfus
was held behind closed doors, Lieutenant
Colonel Berth could not know If 1 defended