Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-22

the ministry of war was so easily entered
others besides officers could easily procure
information" (Murmurs of dissent.)
CareIessness Follows Zeal.
Lieut.. Col. Bertin who was chief of
Dreyfus' bureau in 1894. followed. He ira
versed the old ground of Dreyfus' entry
Into The department, testified to the prison.
er's great zeal at first, and said that this
later was replaced by great carelessness in
matters of detail.
I'm face of this said Berth, II gradu-
ally ceased to consider him assistant.
He left an enormous amount of uncom-
pleted work. Thus, after devoting much
time to initiating him in secrets Of the con-
centration of troops on the eastern railway
system in time of war, I did not receive
any service in exchange"
Witness added that the reports he gave
Dreyfus when he left were such that he
could never enter the railroad department.
Proceeding witness reiterated that Drey-
fus was in position to acquaint himself
with the questions of the eastern railroad
mobilization and described a conversation
which he had with Dreyfus in 1893. which,
in the opinion of the witness, threw a
curious light on Dreyfus idea Of the
fatherland
Lieutenant Colonel Berth also spoke Of
the comparisons of the handwritfngs, and
then turning to the prisoners attitude at
the court-martial of 1894. he said 1t painfuiiy
impressed him, and he was convinced of
the guilt Of Dreyfus by the evidence Of NJ.
Bertillon. When the witness told the min
lister of war of his impressions the latter
sent him to President Casmir-Perier. to
whom Berth expatiated on the injury
which would result from the treachery OF
Dreyfus and the harm which might result
If he escaped.
According to Berth, NJ. Casimir-Perier
appeared much impressed and witness
gained the impression that he was speak
ing to a soldier who regarded the matter
from the same point of view as himself"
CSensation.)
The Scheurer-kestner Interviews.
Referring to his interviews with M.
Scheurer-Kestner CORNER vice president of
the senate) whom he always regarded as an
honorable man, obeying the dictates of his
conscience, Lieutenant Colonel Berth con-
troverted part Of Colonel Picquart's evil
dence on the subject. At the conclusion of
his deposition the witness declared he never
ordered Dreyfus to procure information
concerning the entire networks of rail-
roads, which the prisoner sought to &C
quire from Captain Cuignet.''
Replying to questions the subject of
the alleged untimely visit of Dreyfus to
his office witness said that the plans were
kept in his office and that Dreyfus knew
the word necessary to open the press con-
tanning them.
NJ Scheurer- esther. it also appeared.
Of fold he rx-itn 1,n n
fathom the affair. and. finally, Berth was
advised to have a talk with the minister
of war.
At this juncture the clerk of the court
read letter from NJ. ScheurerKestner,
excusng himself for being unable to at
tend the session of the court. The letter
referred to the steps of Matthew Dreyfus 10
secure the rehabilitation of his brother.
and described the writer's investigations
and how it was only when EsterhaZys
handwriting was shown him that his hesi-
tation ended.
The letter also described the moments of
anguish the writer experienced during the
course of the campaign and dwelt on the
opinion expressed in the judgment of the
court of cessation and the confessions of
Esterhazy that he was the writer of the
bordereau.
In conclusion the letter said
You will permit an old Alsatian, Mon
sieur lie President, to express the sentiment
that the hour of justice will soon strike in
the interest of the army, of justice and Of
the country" Great sensation.)
Berth Explains Further.
Replying to NJ Demange, Lieut. Col. Ber-
tin further explained his connection with
Sol X Astf1 ma
that year witness told General Billot of
the action NJ Scheurer- Kestner was taking
and the general replied:
Tell him not to do anything. / shall ap
peal to my old friend"
Il teiegrapned NJ. Scheurer-kestner
cordingly,'' said Berth, for I could not
enter Asace, the Germans having brutal
ly forbidden me to so there
M. Demange reminded the witness of IL
remark he made to NJ. Ferdinand Scheurer-
Kestner namely:
. There only five of US who know
this terrible secret. One out of the five
must bejray II before you can know any
thing
Counsel asked If the secret was not that
Dreyfus was innocent
NJ. Bertin-"Oh, no, no!'
M. Demange-"Aecording to the terms Of
the convers ation?'
Lieut.. Col. Berth (energetcally)-"N
No! And I'll tell you why. ] have never
concealed two things from any member of
the Scheurer-kestnerf family. Firstly, that
M. Scheurerkestner would be doing a
great service If his efforts resulted in es-
tablshing the innocence of a man who had
worn the uniform of a French officer; sec
cndly, that l was convinced of the guilt of
Dreyfus. (Sensation0
NJ. Demange-'Did you not once make
the following remark: This Jew was thr Il
at headquarters and we had to get rid of
him?''
Lieut.. Col. Bertin-"No, Never, l abso-
lEtely deny it. When i was in the war Of
flee the Jewish question was never raised.
Dreyfus was regarded a comrade. 1
coLfided all my secrets to him, and gave
him the password of my locker
Official Reports Read.
A number of official reports were here
read, unanimously recognizing Dreyfus as
a brilliant officer who was anxious to sue
coed. Tire reports of the h adquarters staff
alone cast imputatons upon the prisoners
character.
h.. -