The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-09-02
COL. CORD|[R
AIDS DREYFUs
Deputy Chief Of Intelligence De-
partment a Strong Witness
for the Defense.
IS AN An1,.sEm,IE, BUT HONEST
At First He Believed Dreyfus Guilty,
but He Is Now Convinced
He Is innocent.
IS AN ANTI.sEMITE, But HONEST
GENERALS FAIL TO 1AHeLe HIN
Roget, Mercier and Others Con-
front Cordier, but Come ON
Second Best--.De Frey.
cinet's Deposition.

RenneS, Aug. 30.-Ihe irSt witness
in the Dreyfus trial this morning wus
Colonel Cordier, deputy chief of the
intelligence department under the late
Colonel Henry, and who, since his pre-
vious appearance in court, has been re-
leased by the government from his
oath of professional secrecy. He testi-
fed that the late Colonel Sandherr, not
Henry, received the bordereau.
He kept the court, even the judges,
in roars of laughter by his comical
name and witticisms. He is u short,
stout man with a jolly face and a very
red nose. He declared his belief in the
guilt Of Dreyfus vas first shaken when
the date of the bordereau was given as
May. Witness declared stoutly that he
is now convinced that Dreyfus is In
nocent. Cordier then spoke strongly
for Colonel Picquart,m q conscientious
soldier, an honorable man, and threw
light upon the situation which existed
in the Offices of the intelligence depart
ment of the war office. He explained
that Henry was jealous of Picquart be-
cause the latter was given charge Of
the statistical section, which Henry
hoped to get for himself. Cordier ex-
pressed the belief that it was because
Of Picquart that Henry committed the
forgery.
Fail to Rattle Him.
During Cordier's testimony no fewer
than five witnesses rose and asked to
be confronted with him, but the col
onel received the Interruptions with
the utmost good humor.
Dreyfus spoke at the conclusion Of
Cordier's statements. He said the
scene which preceded his arrest was
so fantastic that it had completely be-
wildered him and merely left a blunted
impression on his memory. The pris-
oner has apparently recovered his self
confidence, as he speaks readily and
clearly, and follows the witnesses
closely, taking notes.
Major Lauth first confronted Cordier
and tried to score against him by
pointing out that Cordier was incor-
rect in saying there We're no anti-Sem-
ties on the general staff, since Cordier
himself was one.
The colonel retorted, turning the TIA
bles on the major, as, raising his hand,
he cried:
Quite true. l was an unti-Semite,
but l never bore false witness against
u Jew. l am IN honest man."
General Roget next confronted Cor
der. His evidence, however, was not
very striking, nor was that of Colonel
Fleur, or of Archivist Gribelin, who
also contested minor points of Cor
dier's deposition.
Finally MERCER, who evidently APP
peared in order to demonstrate the
baselessness of the stories of his in.
tcntions TO fly and to show his deter
mination to fight to the last, confront
ed Cordier. The generals remarks
were Of small Importance.
Former Premier Testtfies.
NJ. de F%reycinet, former minister of
war, former minister of foreign af-
fairs and premier, followed Cordier.
The distinguished statesman began his
deposition by expressing the pain lie
experienced at the troubles his coun-
try was undergoing. Later he said he
remembered u conversation with Gen.
to money coming from abroad~in sup
port Of the Dreyfus agitation, which,
while disintercsted in France, might
not be so abroad"
He, however, did not remember the
VCtdliS VI (llS CONVERSATION LOT COulu
he say if any specific amount was
mentioned. De Freyc;net then alluded
to his fears that attacks on chiefs OF
the army might be p%reiudicial to dis,
cipline," adding:
might not these attacks lead to the
disappearance of discipline and what
then would be the result if we found
ourselves in difficulties with a foreign
country?" In short, De Freycinct de,
livercd a patriotic speech rather than
a deposition, concluding with the
words:
"All the world will accept your YER
dict, which will open an era Of con,
citation"
The members of the court treated
him with the greatest Difference.
Jouaust declined to put some questions
by Labori, on the ground that they had
no direct bearing on the case. The ties.
timony of minor witnesses concluded
the DAYS proceedings.