The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-08-22

paign. and dwelt on the opinion express
ed In the judgment of the Court of Cas-
sation and the confessions Of Esterhazy
that he was the writer Of the bordereau
In conclusion the latter said:-
you will permit an old Alsation
Monsieur lie President. to express the sen,
timent that the hour of justice win soor
strike, in the interest Of the Army, OF
Justice. and of the Country Great sen
sation.)
| Replying to NJ. Demange. Lieutenant
Colonel Berth further explained his con-
nection with NJ. Scheurer-Kestner. AT
the manoeuvres. that year witness told
General Billot of the action M. Scheurer-
Kestner was taking, and the General re-
Piled
Tell him not to do anything. shall
appeal to my old friend
II telegraphed to NJ Scheurer-Kestner
accordingly, said Bertin, .'for could not
enter AIsace, the Germans having brutal
" forbidden me to go there
M. Demange reminded the witness Of a
lremark he made to NJ. Ferdinand
Scheurer-Kestne namely
There are only five of us who know
this terrible secret. One out of the five
must betray it before you can know any
thing
Counsel asked If the secret was not that
Dreyfus was innocent?
NJ Bertin-.tNol No. Nor
NJ Demange- According to the terms
of the conversational"
/ Lieutenant Colonel Bertin. energetically
No no, and I'll tell you why. I have
never concealed two things from any
members of the Scheurer-Kestn family.
Firstly, that NJ Scheurer-Kestn would
be doing great service If his efforts re-
suited in establishing the innocence of a
man who had worn the uniform of a
French officer. Secondly, that I was con-
WINGED of the guilt of Dreyfus'' (sensa-
| tion)
| N. Demange- ibid you not once make
the following remark: This Jew was a
/ thrust at headquarters and we had 10 get
! rid of him p
| Lieutenant Colonel Bertin-sNo. never.
absolutely deny it. When 1 was in the
War Office the Jewish question was never
raised Dreyfus was regarded as a com
rade I confided all my secrets to him
and gave him the password of my locker.
A number of official reports were here
read, unanimously recognizing Dreyfus as
a brilliant officer who was anxious to
| succeed. The reports of the HEADQUARTERS
Staff alone cast imputations upon the
prisoners character
| NJ Labori asked the Courts leave. with
the permission of Lieutenant Colonel Ber-
| tin, to question the witness on a delicate
subject. He referred, continued counsel.
to remark made by Bertin at dinner
at which M. Labori was present at ths
house Of mutual friend, a fortnight
after the degradation Of Dreyfrs.
have absolute confidence In the good
faith of Lieutenant Colonel Bertin, add
ed NJ Labori, and / am convinced that
II his recollections are exact enough he
viii not hesitate to reply
Bertin asked the lawyer to mention the
name of the mutual friend who gave
the dinner. N. Labori whispered the
ilame and the witness nodded assent
/ N. I4abori-Do you remember that you
| were among the first to suggest to me
belief in the innocence OF Dreyfus?
Bertin-No. no it is impossible
| NJ. Labori-Does the witness remember
during the course of the dinner he be-
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 N. Labori that he was an old
friend of his fathers and wondered
whether counsel was still the same man
who. taking the witnesses hands on the
| occasion of the dinner, said:-
Il will never forgetawhat you have done
for my father
Il do not forget the words said M.
Labori his voice trembling at the recol-
lections But. am referring specially
to the somewhat strong remarks you
made against Maitre Demange I am not
seeking to provoke a scene between Lieu
tenant Colonel Bertin and Maitre De-
| mango Did you not say to me when
spoke of Maitre Demange's belief in the
Innocence of Dreyfus.-
.Demange. Don't mention him, he is
counsel for the German Embassy.
(Cries of Oh lohD
M. Bertin-s.If I can remember | will
reply 1 am here to tell the truth and I
will tell ali / know. l am here for the
truth like you"
NJ LaboTi-.When asked why you said
that, you replied that NJ. Demange had
already defended other spies and that he
was an official defender
Lieutenant Colonel Bertin admitted the
truth of NJ Laboris statements.
NJ Labori-'You should be sure regard
ing the intervention of Maitre Demange,
because a barrister of his standing is not
appointed officially unless there are inn
portant reasons for it. "
Counsel proceeded to relate how, when
he left Lieutenant Colonel Bertin, he dis
cussed the above conversation with his
wife and wondered what security could
be found in the oath or Judgment of men
who readily believed things so ridiculous
"My belief in the innocence of Dreyfus,
NJ Labori added, began that day
give you my word Of honor that Lieuten-
ant Colonel Bertin admitted he had
grudge against Maitre Demange, saying
it was because he defended Dreyfus bad
" by persisting in making Dreyfus deny
all the charges against him. Lieutenant
Colonel Bertin evidently thought Maltre
Demange ought to have Joined with the
others in trying to convict Dreyfus.
Colonel Jouaust here declared the Incl
dent closed
you will however. allow me to appear
on the scene" (Laughter.)
Continuing NJ Demange, said ne pre-
ferred to speak in the presence OF Lieu
tenant Colonel Bortin, remarked;
AS the trial of Dreyfus was heid pc,
hind closed doors, Lieutenant Coionei
Bertin could not know If defended him
well or Ill.,"
Bertirl-aI heard Of the speech for the
,1s1fA a f7rx t-a r&lS