Evening star., 1899-09-09

| terrible mental torture to which he was
! subjected. Well. gentlemen, the spirit
which these sufferings. these tortures could
| not curb that spirit which remained proud
and high, 1 ask you. is 1t the spirit of a
traitor? 1 ask you If it is not that of a
true soldier? I ask you If the man only
lived for his children, that they may bear
| an honored name, this man here who has
the cup of honor in his family, l ask If
you can believe him to be a villain and
traitor to his motheriand? No, l have no
need to proclaim his innocence. l say your
verdict will not be a verdict of guilty, for
you have been enlightened. The judges of
1894 had not been enlightened. They mad
not before them Esterhazys s writing. But
you had it. That is the conducting wire.
AS God has permitted you, gentlemen, to
have it.
MY task is now accomplished 1t is for
you to do yours. l pray God, exclaimed
counsel, lifting his arms toward heaven. Il
pray God that you will restore to our
France the concord of which she has so
much need"
Then, turning to the audience, in which
every eye was fixed upon him, NJ. Demange
added in conclusion:
"As to you whoever you may be, French
men, be you with me against me, find
ing inspiration in the sublime idea of NJ.
Mornard before the court of cessation,
say to all, We are Frenchmen. Let US then
be united in the common sentiment of love
of country, love of justice and love of the
army"
AS he reached IllS cilIIldA COuuSei > NOA'V
swelled like the tones of an organ. the
close of his impassioned peroration was
followed by an outburst of applaL-;e. which
was Immediately suppressed by the presi-
dent.
M. Labori then said he did not desire to
speak.
Maj. Carriere Replies.
Major Carriere, however claimed the
right to reply.
When the court resumed it's session after
brief adjournment the government COM
missary began his reply. He promised to
be brief and said he desired to submit
to the court-martial simple observations
weigh the Importance to the two cate
gores of the witness; those for and those
against the prisoner. Weigh the import
ance and judge, in all the independence of
your character and all the strength of
soldiers. Proof is everywhere. The hour
of supreme decision has sounded. France
anXiousy awaits your Judgment. l also
await ii, confidently and fully maintaining
the conclusions already announced de-
mand the application of article I6 of the
penal code and article 26I of the military
code.
The demand of the government commits
sary caused a sensation in court.
NJ. Demange rose to reply, his voice
hoarse from fatigue. He said:
1.-The government commissioner in re-
mindng you of the text of the law has also
reminded of what we already knew,
namely that you are only anSwerable to
your consciences and God for your verdict.
This is my last word in this case. | feel
that, as men of honor and loyalty and as
military judges, you will never admit as
proofs the hypothesis and presumptions ad-
vanced here; consequently my last word is
the same l spoke this morning. | have
confidence in you because you are soldiers.
Dreyfus Declares His Innocence.
Col Jouaust, president Of the court, ask
ed Dreyfus if he he had anything to add
in his behalf The prisoner rose and in a
voice choked with emotion declared he had
one thing to say. but of that he was per-
fectly assured He said:
Il affirm before my country and before
the army that I am innocent. My sole aim
has been to save the honor of my name
the name borne by my children. l have
suffered five years of the most awful tor
ture. But, today, at last, l feel assured
that I am about to attain my desire,
through your loyalty and Justice
Col. Jouaust-"Have you finished, Drey-
fus?'
Dreyfus-"Yes, Mr.. President"
The court then retired to deliberate and
the prisoner left the hall, never to return,
as. in accordance with the law. the YER
dict was rendered in his absence.