The record-union., 1899-09-01

1ne nTSt witness called after the pub
lie session began was Captain Lebrun-
Renault of the Republican Guard who
reiterated his testimony given before
the Court of Cessation, repeating the
terms of the alleged confession of Drey-
fus:
"I am innocent. In three years they
will recognize my innocence. The Min
lister knows it. If I delivered docu-
ments to Germany, it was to get more
important ones in return"
The witness explanation that he
did not refer to the confession of Drey-
fus in his interview with President
Casimir- Perier, because he overheard
a conversation during the course of
which he was called traitor" can
allie" and cur" came as a surprise,
for he did not mention this in his evil
dence before the Court of Cessation, as
NJ. Labori, leading counsel for the de-
fense, pointed out
M Labori also laid stress on the fact
that Captain Lebrun-Renault should
have kept his notebook, in which he as
Serts he made a note of his conversa-
tion with Dreyfus for four years, and
had destroyed it on the very morrow
the matter was brought up H. debate in
the Chamber of Deputies.
The Captains reply, that he looked
upon the copy made by NJ. Cavaignac,
then Minister of War, as being suffi-
cient, was considered rather lame.
Captain Lebrun- -Renault is a we'll
built man Of medium hight, broad
shouldered and wearing a well-trimmed
mouStache. He has queer eyes. He
spoke in a loud. clear voice.
Dreyfus, replying to the witness, be-
gan by calmly declaring that Captain
un-Renault's statement that a
certain Captain d'Attel was present
during his conversation with Captain
LebrunR Renault was Inaccurate
The witness, however, maintained
that Captain d'Attel was present,
whereupon Dreyfus said that if he was
present he (the prisoner) did not speak
to him.
Dreyfus then raised his voice excited
ly, and accompanying his words with
short emphatic gestures of the right
hand, and quivering with emotion, pro-
tested that Captain Lebrun-Renault
should have repeated to his chiefs his
utterances, which began with pro-
testation of innocence, without asking
maneuvers,' cried the prisoner (which
must fill all honest men with indigna-
ton
This declaration of the prisoner made
deep impression on the audience.
Dreyfus spoke the last words through
his teeth, and was evidently laboring
under the greatest excitement and in
dignation. The audience, broke into
"bravos," which the gendarmes sup
pressed.
Captain Antherne followed and re-
peated what Captain d'Attel had said,
confirming the confession.
Dreyfus replied that he had not spok-
en- to Captain d'Attel.
On being recalled Captain Lebrun-
Renault said this was true, but he
added that Captain d'Attel was present
and could have heard the converse ton.
NJ. Labor here pointed out that Cap
tain d'Attel had not spoken TO his chiefs
on this subject, and General Mercier,
who, like all the military witnesses,
followed the proceedings to-day with
the keenest interest, rose and admitted
that this was correct
Colonel Jouaust told Dreyfus that he
had not explained why he mentioned
the term of three years, to which Drey-
fus replied: Il did not give three years
as the term. l only said l hoped that
In the course of two or three years my
innocence would be recognized. And [
wish to state, my Colonel, that as my
letters to General Gonse show. my
words did not have the sense evil minds
have sought to give them"
NJ. Labori then had General Gonse
called to the bar, and asked him if he
had not used the alleged confession of
Dreyfus in opposing Picquart's argu-
ments in favor of a revision
General Gonse replied that he had
not, whereupon NJ. Labori asked that
the letters exchanged between General
Gonse and Colonel Picquart should be
read.
The Clerk of the court was asked to
read letter beginning: My Dear Pic
quart, when General Gonse inter-
rupted him, and asked that Colonel
Picquart's previous letter be read first.
but as the letter was not available
for the moment the reading of all the
letters was adjourned until tomorrow.
Major ForSenetti, who was Governor
of the Cherche Midi Prison during the
time Dreyfus was imprisoned there. and
who testified in behalf of Dreyfus. de-
claring he had never heard of the con-
fession Dreyfus is said to have made.
was the next witness called. He re-
peated his testimony before the Court
OF Cessation, adding that he frequently
met Captain Lebrun-R -Renault and Cap
tain Attel, and that neither of them
ever alluded to the alleged confession.
The witness declared that he once
taxed Captain Lebrun- -Renault before
General Gonse and other witnesses with
saying he had spoken to the witness
(Major F0rsenettD of the confession
and that Captain Lebrun-Renault did
not reply.
'Whereupon," Major Forsenetti said.
Il seized his arm and said if the
words repeated as yours are true. YOU
are an infamous liar"
Major Forsenetti then declared that
on visiting General De Boisdeffre to ex-
press fears about the health of the
prisoner, the General asked him his
opinion of Dreyfus, and the Major re-
] piled: My General, had you not put
/ that question to me, l would have kept
my counsel. But since you have asked
my opinion, declare he is innocent"
The witness then recounted Colonel
Du Patty de CLAIMS theatrical devices
/ to surprise Dreyfus, to which Forsenetti
! declined to be a party and the Major
also declared that on enc occasion when
/ Dreyfus was in despair the witness re-
mained in prison consoling him until 8
| O'Clock in the morning
/