The sun., 1899-09-01

pinuse from tho eAudionoe-Droyfus Pub
bcly Thnnks Commandant Fornixetti
for saving Him from suicido-JudEes'
Attitude IL Not Considered Encouraging.
Special Cabh Dsspatch to THE sur.
RrHNEs, Aug. 31.-The whole subject OF
preytus's pretended confession to Capt.
Lebrun- Remand was thrashed out in the half
days public session to-day. and II is difficult
to imagine how the evidence could have done
otherwise than strengthen confidence in tho
prisoners innocence In the minds OF
all who have heard what took place.
Scenes OF pathos. righteous indiRnation
and dramatic contradiction with which
the trial has been filled were not lacking to-
day. Once moro did Dreyfus rebuke his ac-
cusers for descending to q lower plano Of honor
than his own. and again did he drive from tho
bar OF Justice as with whip Of small cords tho
man who came to falsify words spoken in the
agony OF the day OF execution. or verify each
DAY OF this trial is a new human document and
anew lesson.
The case is in no wise cleared It is impossi-
Bile to fathom the policy OF the prosecution. by
which. Of course. Is meant the Generals who
have assumed that role. There arc some who
Interpret some Of Gen Mercier's peculiar acts
during the past few days, acts apparently for
the benefit OF the accused. to be genuine
concessions and signs Of change OF
heart. rather as overtures toward a COM
promise. But the defence puts no such inter
probation on them. They are stll expecting q
desperate move similar to that already indi-
Gated IN these dispatches.
The attitude Of tho Judges Is beginning to be
significant OF their opinions In one or two oases.
1t would be difficult. II not i'm apostolic for
seven men unframed In judicial duties to
st for a month listening to and cross
examining witnesses without betrayng the
tendency Of their judgment. Capt. Beauvais,
for instance. who asks more questions than
any one except the President, seems. from the
nature and the wording OF his inquiries. already
convinced OF the prisoners innocence The i'm
preston gained from similar indications in the
two senior members OF the Court is that their
sym mrathies. il not convictions. are in the oppo.
site direction. Tho other members Of the
Court rarely speak
THE ALLEGED CONFESSION.
Three hours time was occupied in secret
session in taking the testimony OF Gen. Deloye
and Major Hartman upon technical War ONCE
secrets. ths question being whether Dreyfus
could obtain the Information specified in the
bordereau and whsther certain points were
public property at the date OF the bordereau
Tho doors were opened at $3.50 O'Clock and to
everybody's surprise Capt. Lebrun- Renaud
was called out OF the regular order to tell the
story Of the alleged confession by the prisoner
on the day OF his degradation. 1t should be
remembered that there have been two distinct
versions OF Dreyfus's communication Lebrun-
to Renaud The first one. which Gen. Mercier and
HIS associates gave as Lebrun- Renauds origi-
ma report, is that the prisoner said: :" II have
given up documents to a foreign powerthey
We're Of no consequence and were delivered In
order TO obtain more important ones"
Dreyfus's version. given on the first day OF the
present trial. is that he continually protested
his innocence. He did tell Capt I1ebrun-
Rcnaud that Col Du Patty de Clam came to
him in his cell urging him to admit that II he
gnve documents it was in order to obtain
others. but he had emrhatcally repudiated
Col. Du Patty de CLAIMS suggestion
Now comes Lebrun- Renaud. and he gives an
account Of the incident different from both OF
these. Dreytus began. he says. by protesting
his innocence. saving that with his private for
tune and position no could have no possible
motive for treason. He added: Il am inno-
cent, and in three years my innocence will be
recognized. Tho Minister knows 1t. Col Du
Patty de Clam came 10 see me In my cell. lie
Faid to me that ii / had given documents to
Germany they were OF no Importance and they
were given in order to obtain more serious and
moro important ones"
Captain Attel was present when this declara-
tion made by Dreyfus The witness added
tndt DreyIuS requested tnaJ tne ueRrduatlOn
ceremony be rs brief as possible. because OF
the terrible ordeal.
1t will be seen that although Capt. Lebrun-
Renauds story to-day closely approaches
Dreyfus's version. 1t implies that the prisoner
tacity admitted Du Patty dc CLAIMS suggestion
OF an explanation OF his conduct. The witness
related how Gen. Gonse sent him to Gen.
Mercier with story and the latter sent him to
the EIys6e where Premier Dupuy scolded him
S1. tHIt tat. 20 L., hA .
was not until two years later. at Gen. Gonse's
request. that the witness put the facts in writ
ing. He destroyed this memorandum after
showing it to M. Cavaignac. ex-Mnister OF
War. a year ago.
Capt Beauvas and some OF the other Judges
sharply questioned the witness. whose direct
testimony was given without hesitation. but
who was slow and EN- barrassed under the fire
OF ross-examination.
NJ. Demange here asked the witness: Was
Dreyfus addressing you or delivering mono
lgoue when he said this?'
Lebrun- -Renaud-I cannot explain. 1t was
Dreyius who said 1t.
NJ Demange-Did you consider 1t an avowal
OF guilt on his part.
Lebrun- -Renaud-I had no impression. I
was under the circumstances a sort Of phono-
graph or transmitter.
NJ. Demange then read extracts from the tes-
timony OF the witness before tho Court Of Cas-
sation wherein he refused to say that Dreyfus
made any confession OF guilt NJ. Demange
asked Lebrun- -Renaud how he reconciled the
prisoners professions ofipnoeence in the same
breath with his tact adm missions Of guilt
Capt Lebrun- Renaud repeated his statement
that he had no opinion OF the Significance OF
DrSyfus's words.
Maltre Labori sharply demanded an explana-
tion from the wItness OF the destruction OF the
memorandum. but Lebrun- -Renaud could only
say he considered 1t no longer valuable.
pBEIFUs's DRAMATIC DENIAL.
Dreyfus arose to confront Lebrun -Renaud
The latter stood with downcast eyes. Dreyfus
spoke quickly and dramatically. addressing
his words TO tho Court but frequently turning
toward the witness. who did not meet his eye
have already said" the prisoner began.
that proclaimed abroad my innocence on
the day OF my degradation. l never said to