The Red Cloud chief., 1899-08-25
Review Of the Famous Trial
That is Stirring France.
COURT SCENES AND INCIDENTS
Past Weeks Events In Connection with
the Celebrated Captains Second
Trial on Charge Of Having Con.
veyed Military Information
to GermAny.

The Dreyfus case Is an absorbing
topic Of conversation at present, and
nearly every country under the sun Is
interested in the retrial OF the famous
French captain. 1t Is especially of in
tcrest TO Americans, as there Is con-
pected with II political intrigue that
may change the political and constitu-
tional welfare Of France.
Captain Dreyfus was several years
ago arrested for, tried and found guilty
of having betrayed secrets OF q mill
tary character to the enemy Of France
the German empire. His punish
ment was severe. lie was brought be-
fore his comrades, stripped Of all In
sigma OF rank, and his sword taken
from him and broken, and he was
sentenced TO solitary confinement on
DEVILS island, a French possession In
the Caribbean sea some miles from
French Guiana. His friends believed
him to be the victim of a plot at the
hands of certain army officers, and,
headed by his faithful wife, they la
bored TO uncarth evidence that would
tend to prove him innocent. So we'll
did their efforts succeed that public
opinion was aroused in behalf Of the
condemned man and a retrial OF his
case was ordered, and Is now in pro-
gress at Renncs. Much has come to
light since the opening of the trial
which proves that Captain Dreyfus
was found guilty at his first trial on
evidence that vas forged by army Of
ficers, and unless something unfore-
seen should occur, as is likely at any
time IN volcanic Fra nee, the man who
has suffered tortures untold while n
prisoner, may go free.
His case Is one Of the crimes Of the
age.
Monday, August Il, the trial of Cap.
tain Dreyfus was full of sensations.
The day started out with an almost
successful attempt to murder NJ. La
bori, Drcyfus's chief counsel, by par
ties unknown, while he was on his
way TO court.
General Mercicr, who is the chief ac-
cuser Of Dreyfus, was on the stand,
and II Is believed that the attempt on
NJ. Labori's life was due to the fact
that General Mercier's friends feared
the able lawyer would crush Mercier
In his testimony.
Tuesday the 18th, NJ. Labori was get
ting well as rapidly as could be ex-
pected, and the trial proceeded with
out him. An attempt was made ia
have the trial postponed until the 2lst
but the request was not granted. Ar
rest Of persons belonging to the patri
otto league and anti-semite league wer,
made, they being charged with con
spiracy to overthrow the government
The proceedings of Wednesday, the
10th, were productive Of several sen
sations. Dreyfus was on the stant
and told the story Of his sufferngs or
DEVILS island. Dreyfus wept in cour'
when the clerk read the document re
counting the details Of his incarcera
ton. The testimony Of the day wa
strongly against the prisoner, the wit
nesses being persons who have always
held Dreyfus guilty.
Thursday, August II, the widow o
Colonel Henry, the officer who Is sal
70 have committed suicide while II
prison, was on the stand and gave evi.
dence ~unfavorable to Dreyfus in contra
diction to M. Bertullus who had pre-
coded her In behalf Of Dreyfus.
General Roget was also examine
IS a principal witness for the prosecu
ton He clearly showed by his testimon
that he was an enemy to the prisoner
but when the consel for Dreyfus, NJ
Demange, took him in hand he b,
same confused at the sharp question.
6red at him.
The tide is turning in favor Of Dire,
fus, however, owing to the fact tina
the censorship exercised in regard I
the case. Madame Henry's effort
create a sensation by dramatic allr
sions failed Of intended effect mainl
because friendly witnesses for Dreyf,
produced anonymous letters shown
the whole scene had been prearrange
Some Of the correspondents at Il
trial believe Dreyfus will be re-co
demned, but that the sentence will
at once committed through fear Of Q
element and uprising.