The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-08
The Former Captain in the Artillery
Of France
Put Through a Rigid Examination at
Rennes.
The Court Will Sit With Closed
Doors for the Next Few Days,
While the Secret Dossier is
Being Considered.

RENNES France), Aug. 1.-THE
Dreyfus court-martial adjourned after
deciding to sit behind closed doors to-
morrow, and as many of the following
days as are necessary for the exami-
nation of the secret dossier. The next
public session of the court will proba
bly, take place on Saturday.
Every inch of space was filled a
quarter of an hour before the proceed
tngs opened this morning. Behind the
members of the court sat the supple
mentary Judges, who must attend all
sittings, and be able to replace any
member who may fall i'll or otherwise
be unable to be present. Behind the
supplementary Judges were few priv
ileged members of the public.
On a portion of the stage extending
in front of the proscenium was placed
the bar at which the witnesses We're
heard. On the right end of this ex-
tended platform stood a table for the
use of Maitres Laborie and Demange,
counsel for the prisoner, and their two
Secretaries At the left side was
placed a table for Major Carriere, the
official representative of the Govern
ment, and his assistants. On the 9TH
er side of the hall We're rough pine ia
bles and benches provided for newspa-
permen.
In the center of the hall were placed
chairs for the witnesses. Behind these
We're another batch of the privileged
public, and then a row of soldiers, in
parade uniform, drawn across the hall,
xx-ith 6vn hox A n
between the troops and the back of
the hall was filled with the general
public, including a great number of
journalists and detectives with gen.
darmes sprinkled among them. Back
of the stage hung a crucifix, before
which the witnesses take the oath. Fac
ing this at the back of the hall, was a
bust, representing the republic, with
the letters "R. F." (Republique Fran
caise).
At Z o'clock NM. Laborie and De-
mango and Major Carriere, with assist
ants, took their seats, and the witnesses
followed. NM. Laborie and Demange
were greeted with handshakes from
numerous friends in the court room.
Former President Casimir- Perier. in
a frock coat and shepherds plaid trou-
sers. and wearing the rosette of the
Legion of Honor in his buttonhole, en-
tered shortly before Z. An officer met
him at the door and conducted him to
the velvet-covered chairs reserved for
witnesses. The eX-President found
himself between Generals Billot and
Chanoin, both in parade uniform. Other
ex-MinisterS of War, Generals Mer-
cier and Zurlinden and Cavaignac We're
seated behind Colonel Picquart took
a seat without any demonstration for
or against him.
NJ. Matthew Dreyfus, Dreyfus' father
in-law, M. Hadamard, Jules Claretie
and Marcel-Provost We're among the
audience.
The widow of Lieutenant Colonel
Henry, dressed in deep mourning, was
present in court, and replied to her
name in the roll call of witnesses.
An interesting figure, seated behind
the Judges, was the woman known as
La Dame Blanche Uhe white LADY,,
who has never absented herself from
any of the proceedings connected with
the Dreyfus affair, including all ses-
sions of the Esterhazy, lola and
Picquart trials, and the proceedings OF
the Court of Cessation. All the actors
in the drama are known to her. she
is a pronounced Dreyfusard, very rich,
and wears splendid pearls. She was
dressed to-day in picture" hat, with
black and white trimmings and pink
bodice.
The officers commanding the row Of
soldiers at the back of the court gave
the command Garry arms" Present
arms There was a rattle of arms,
and a moment later Colonel Jouaust.
followed by other members of the
court, walked on the stage from room
behind and took seats at the table.
Deep silence fell upon the audience,
who UP to then had engaged in a buzz
of conversation.
The members of the court martial
are as follows: President, Colonel
Jouaust, Director in the Engineer
corps: Lieutenant Colonel Brongniart
Director of the School of Artillery; Ma
Tor de Breeon of the Seventh Regiment
Artillery, Major Profillet of the Tenth
Regiment Artillery, Major Merle of the
seventh Artillery, Captain Parfait of
the Seventh Regiment Artillery, Cap
tain Beauvais of the Seventh Regiment
Artillery.
Colonel Jouaust and his colleagues
were in full parade uniform.
On the right hand of Colonel Jouaust
sat Lieutenant Colonel Brongniart
Major de Breeon and Captain Parfait,
all of the artillery. On his left We're
Majors Profillet and Merle and captain
Beuvais, also of the artillery.
Immediately after Colonel Jouaust
was seated he gave the order to bring
in the prisoner All eyes were turned
to the right of the stage, on whlch
side was a door leading into the room In
which Dreyfus was waiting. Almost
everybody but the most prominent Of
ficers stood on their feet. Some mount
ed the chairs to obtain better view
There were subdued cries of SIT
down." amid which the door opened
and Captain Dreyfus. preceded and fol-
lowed by gendarme, emerged into the
courtroom. His features were deathly
pale, and his teeth were set with a
determined. but not defiant bearing.
He walked quietly with almost an
elastic step. and assembled the three
steps leading to the platform in front
of the Judges. There he drew himself
no erect, brought his right hand sharp
" to the peak of his military cap, CIV