The record-union., 1899-08-18

Turning to Dreyfus, General Roget
cried in loud voice: II know very
we'll that if 1 were accused of an act
OF treason which l had not committed
should find arguments with which to
defend myself"
This assertion evoked murmurs, but
the General shouted: why does ne
deny even the most obvious things?" !,
M. Demange shrugged his shoulders
and calculated, "Ah!'
The prisoner, however, rose and en-
phatically denied point blank some OF
the Generals evidence. He said he
never traced on map any plan of con-
centration or mobilization, nor ever
had any knowledge of details of those
movements, nor of the plan for distrl-
button of the various units throughout
the departments.
Let u.s." added Dreyfus, under
stand one another in regard to what is
meant. / assert that 1 did not know
in its details of the plan of concentra-
tion. In regard to the circumstances
dwelt upon before you yesterday there
was no precise statement. There was
nothing but argument"
The audience here gave vent to ex-
pressions of assent and dissent.
NJ. Bertulus. the examining magis-
trate was the next witness. There had
been lively anticipations Of an interest
ing conformation. The magistrate in
quired into the charges made against
Esterhazy by his cousin, Christian, and
it was expected that NJ. Bertulus would
be confronted with General Roget, who
so tartly criticised the magistrate yes
terday. But the President of the court
invited NJ. Bertulus to proceed with his
deposition.
The witness spoke in a low husky
voice, which was almost unintelligible
to the court and counsel. He was in
effectually urged to raise his voice.
M. Bertulus described how Major
Ravary asked his assistance in exam
lining the secret dossier at the Cherch
Midi Prison, and how after he had
learned the contents of the documents,
he declared to- Major Ravary that there
was a flaw in the dossier which would
occasion collapse of the whole case.
The witness explained that he meant
the petit bleu. 1t must be proved, he
told the Major. that the petit bleu was
a forgery and the work of Colonel Pic
quart, and as long as that was not
proved the case could not hold.
Continuing, NJ. Bertulus recapitulated
the evidence he had given before the
Court of Cessation. his investigation
into Du Patty de CLAIMS connection with
the 'Speranza" and Blanche" tele-
grams, and the favorable impression he
had acquired of Colonel Picquart's hon
esty during the course of the inquiry
mel Picquart's dismissal from the army
and Picquart's denunciation of Ester
hazy and De Clam, and dwelt exhaust
lively on his laborious inquiry into the
charges against Esterhazy, describing
the papers found at the residence of
Mile Pays, where Esterhazy sought
refuge.
NJ. Bertulus then related the notable
interview between himself and Lieuten-
ant Colonel Henry July Is, 1898, short
ly before Henry committed suicide.
This naturally was a painful recital for
Nine. Henry, the widow, who was
much distressed and wept silently as
the dramatic scene when NM. Bertulus
and Henry proceeded to seal up the
seized papers was depicted. The mag
istrate repeated the whole story with
emphasis. and it had a great effect
upon the audience.
After recapitulating his other evil
dence before the Court of Cessation, NJ.
Bertulus energetically affirmed his be-
lief in the innocence of Dreyfus He
declared the bordereau was in three
pieces and not in little bits He also
said it did not reach the War Depart
ment by the ordinary channels.
M. Bertulus said his belief in the in
nocence of Dreyfus was based on doc
uments in the secret dossier which he
had seen. But what. above all, con-
firmed the witness in his belief was
the entire absence of a motive which
could have tempted Dreyfus to commit
such a crime
Without a motive" emphatically de-
clared the experienced magistrate,
there was no crime"
The earnestness with which M. Ber-
tulus insisted upon the innocence of the
accused created a profound impression
upon his hearers.
You have been told.' he said that
Dreyfus is guilty. For myself, be-
lieve and believe profoundly in his in
nocence.
In coming here to tell you so you will
understand that my conscience tells
me that in so doing l am performing a
duty, an absolute duty. The Court of
Cessation has declared the bordereau
to be the work of Esterhazy The
Court of Cessation is the supreme au-
thority in all matters of justice in
France" (Sensation.)
At this juncture there was a brief
S11C cfn Of 9aa -
was resumed NJ. Bertulus was recalled
but he had nothing to add.
When the prisoner was asked If he
desired to put any questions to the wit
ness he answered in the negative.
Nine. Henry then ascended the plat
FORM and standing beside NJ. BertuIus,
she said: "On July 10th, the day my
husband called on NJ. Bertulus. the
Colonel in the course Of a conversa-
tion that evening, told me he had a
friendly and charming reception. He
described how the magistrate advanced
to meet him and held out his hands
l said to my husband, Are you sure of
this man? Are you sure he is sincere?
1 am very much afraid that his kiss
was the kiss of Judas.
There was a great sensation in court
at this statement of Nine. Henry
II was not wrong" she continued,
amid the breathless interest of court.
This man is indeed the Judas i'm
agined."
Referring to the papers which arrived
at the same time as the bordereau,
Nine. Henry said: These papers were
not all torn in a thousand pieces. I
was able to note that personally. Let
ters often came entire. M. Bertulus