Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-08-17

was inc culprlt. lie 6n1d ne founded
his convictions on three facts:
First-The bordereau, tho author
of which was understandable, until
Col. Fabre, on returning FROM tho
manmuvres, Immediately after ne saw
the document, exclaimed: why, it
is Dreyfus' handwriting"
Second-The nature OF the documents
enumerated in the bordereau, in con-
junction with Dreyfus' employment in
different departments, proved con-
clusiyely, according to Gen. Mercier,
that Dreyfus alone had cognizance of
oil these papers, and he alone could
have disclosed them.
Third-Tho diotation test and Drey-
fus' perturbation at the timc.
Gen. Mercier, NJ. Guerin then said,
in consequence of these convictions,
declared his intention to ask the cabi-
net to authorize the prosecution of
Dreyfus. A special cabinet met Novem-
hor LIST, 1894, to consider the matter.
The witness forgot whether NJ. Casimir-
Perier or M. Dupuy presided. Gen.
Mercier handed the cabinet nothing
but the bordereeau. After the Minister
Of War had related his reasons for his
suspicious, the cabinet unanimously
INTENSE EXCITEMENT,
M. Lebon, former Minister of the
Colonies, was then summoned to testify
regarding his treatment of the prisoner.
He said that, when the cabinet was
asked to intervene in favor Of re.
vision, he thought the executive should
not interfere with the Judiciary, and
his respect for the Chose Jugee was
strengthened by his personal opinion
of the culpability of the condemned.
"On my soul and conscience" de-
clared NJ. Lebon dramatically, II say
l regard the measures l took relative
to the prisoner on the lie du Diablo
as warranted, and, il / had to repeat
them, would not hesitate. NJ.
Lebon then explained the reasons for
these rigorous measures against Drey-
fus. He said certain telegram sent TO
French Guiana disappeared. 1t was
traced out of France, but, Immediately
1t reached the English lines, it disap-
peared. showing, the witness said,
that efforts were being made to enable
the prisoner to evade the regulations.
Rigorous, even painful, measures were,
therefore, taken to prevent his escape
M. Lebon, therefore, issued orders that,
il necessary, the prisoner was to be
fred upon. (Sensation. Continuing,
M. Lebon said be also issued orders
that only copies Of the letters addressed
to the prisoner should be delivered to
him, the originals being retained. The
witness was informed, August 10th,
that an American vessel passed the lie
du Salut, and orders were then issued
that Dreyfus was to be shot Oh the
ell fafh fstpf al at b. he
Weyler forgery, which was intended to
convey the impression that Dreyfus was
In communication with outside SYM
pathizers, M. Lebon said he frankly
admitted that he believed in its
authenticity, as did Col. Pioquart,
until long after its production. M.
Lebon next referred to the numerous
rough drafts the prisoner made of his
letters before finally dispatohing them.
At this point, M. Demange inter
rupted the witness, and said: II
passed from surprise to surprise. Yes
terday, it was a witness playing the
Fart OF prosecutor. Today, one WIT
ness defends himself by saying his con-
science lie tranquil. He is welcome to
a tranquil conscience, but ask him il
he finds it surprising that this man,
alone out there, on lost island, should
have poured out his soul on paper.
ask again why you allowed the forged
Weyler letter, IN which handwriting
was indicated, to reach Dreyfus?"
To this. M. Lebon replied eve
could not give up the original; but the
idea never occurred to any agents of
the administration to subject Dreyfus
to the savage and atrocious treatment
which has been spoken of. "
Col. Jouaust. addressing Dreyfus,
asked; "Did you receive the letter just
| referred tor" th.
Dreyfus replied: ''Yes, my colonel. :"
"What impression did it make on
your"
"I understood nothing of what it
contained" answered the prisoner.
| (Sensation).
AT this juncture, some time was &C.
cupied in reading a loug report from
| the Minister of the Colonies to the
Minister of War, giving the various
reports of the governor of French
Guiana. Passages describing the dread
| the prisoner expressed to the doctors
when he feared he was losing his reason
caused an immense impression. Tears
we're even seen to glisten in the eyes of
Gen. Dillot, the former Minister Of
| War.
| At the conclusion of the report, NJ.
Lebon asked leave to explain. He
said: 81 do not dispute the accuracy
Of the report, but it is partial. Ref
erence has been most carefully made to
the precarious health of the prisoner,
but the doctor never made q commune
cation to me ON the subject. / do not
hesitate to say that, if he had done So,
I should have given orders to have the
prisoner treated as all invalids should
be treated. 1t is with deliberate intent
that / have been treated as an execu-
TONER"
Col. Jouaust, turning to Dreyfus, re-
marked ''Have you anything to say in
regard to this deposition?''
The prisoner said: "No, my colonel,
! am here to defend my honor. dc
not wish to speak here of the atrocious
suffering, physical and moral, which,
for five years, !, a Frenchman aud an
innocent man, was subjected to on the
lie du Diable"
The remarks of Dreyfus caused in
tense excitement in court.
LABoRI's CONDITION IMPROVING.
NJ. Labori passed better night.
He had some sleep, and his condition
is more reassuring.
l The assailant of the lawyer has moi
been captured.