The record-union., 1899-09-09
The Almost Universal Opinion al
RenneS
Is That The Former French Artillery Cap
tain VIII be Convicted.
Even NJ. Labori, the Accused's
Chief Counsel, Fears His Client
Will be Again Condemned, but
Says He Will Go ON Fighting
for the Prisoner.

RENNES, Sept S.-That Captain
Dreyfus will be condemned is the al
most universal opinion heard in RenneS
to-day. Hitherto there had always
been a divergence, but now both camps,
the Dreyfusards and the antf-Dreyfus-
ards, seem unanimous in the conVlc-
ton that the verdict will go against
him.
Upon just what this is based and the
precise reason for the conclusion are
mystery but there is no Disgusting the
fact that from M. Labor down to the
numerous DreyfuSardS who crowd the
hotels and cafes, and who last night
were still hopeful that Dreyfus would
be saved, all seem now to agree that
his last chance is gone.
The one source of hope is that Of
Labori himself, who said this evening
to the correspondent of the Associated
Press: I'VE fear Captain Dreyfus will
be condemned, but we do not intend to
throw up the sponge. We shall go on
fighting for him.
NJ. Jaures, the Socialist leader, 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 at
tempt at disorder is likely to have the
slightest success. Orders have been
issued to repress the first symptom of
trouble with an iron hand.
A small anti-Semitic meeting was
held This evering, and the complete
calm that attended it is an indication
of a quiet day tomorrow. A strong
force Of gendarmes guarded the ap-
proaches TO the building where the
meeting was held and their orders
were to arrest the first man who raised
a seditious cry. Nothing, however, oc-
Cured. Indeed the inhabitants in
town seem indifferent, and the neigh
borhocd of the Lycee and the prison is
deserted save for q few gen1armes.
The news OF the publication OF Coun-
sen RaeloN s speech in the "Reichsan-
zeecr" reached L5ennes to-day, assG
is considered very important on the
eve of a verdict, which, in some quar-
ters, it is thought, will be regarded as
a slight by Germany if it be a con-
demnation, as being tantamount to a
public refusal to take the word of En-
peror William as his Minister is mere
ly his mouthpiece.
According to the latest report, the
verdict may be delivered between 3
and o'clock tomorrow afternoon, the
court adjourning after NJ. Demange's
speech until o'clock.
There is some criticism of NJ. Labo-
ri's decision not to speak, the friends of
NJ. Demange thinking it his object to
escape 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. Labori to
share the criticism this time. espec-
tally as NJ Labori has assumed such a
prominent part in the proceedings.
DEMANGE PLEADS FOR DREYFUS'
ACOUITTAL.
RENNES. Sept S.-The hall of the
Lycee was crowded this morning with
the opening of the fifth day of the fifth
week of the second trial by court
martial of Captain Alfred Dreyfus of
the artillery, charged with treason.
There was a large attendance of ladies
and newspaper writer's, who sat up all
night in order to secure front places
At an early hour a long line was
formed OF people awaiting admission.
Standing room at the back of the court
now commands 10 and 20 francs, and
the demand is increasing as the trial
approaches it's end.
Among the privileged spectators to-
day was Baron Russell of Kiloween,
Lord Chief Justice of England, who
was conducted to a seat by General
Chanoine and NJ. Paleologue of the
French Foreign Office. The Lord Chief
Justice was seated at the back of the
Judges table. He came here from Paris,
where he was attending the session of
the Anglo-Venezuelan boundary arbi-
tration commission, in order to see
something of the trial.
Maitre Demange at once opened his
speech for the defense. In eloquent
terms he brought out strong evidence
against Esterhazy. During the course
of his remarks he cried: do you think
if Dreyfus and Esterhazy had been at
the court-martial of 1894 that the
Court would have condemned Captain
Dreyfus?"
As he asked this question, counsel
pointed TO the prisoner sitting by him,
and added, No"
Dreyfus to-day appeared cheerful.
He smiled and shook hands with his
counsel on entering the court The
English Chief Justice followed the
speech of NJ. Demange with the closest
attention. The lawyer gave a very fine
performance, so far as the audience
was concerned. His voice was exquis-
itely modulated, sometimes soft and
persuasive, and at other times sharply
argumentative. Finally he filled the
rooms with his stentorian tones as he
thundered with Indignation at the
charges against Dreyfus and the
shameful weakness of the prosecution
and in denunciation of Esterhazy. The
gestures and features of M Demange
were equally expressive.
The front rows of the chief witnesses
seats We're empty except for the pres
ence of M. Trarieux the former Minis
ter of Justice, and M. Cavaignac, for
mer Minister of War, all of the Cen
erals and officers having left Rennes
by order of the Minister of War, Gen
eral de Gallifet- Colonel Picquart has
also left Rennes, although he holds no
rank in the army.