The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-08-25

NSA1J PlOFCN la w.
1t is said the court will get through
with the ninety odd witnesses by the
beginning Of September, and it is prob
able that the verdict will be delivered
about September 7th.
Generals Roget de Boisdeffre and
BiIlot were on the witness seats and
Colonel Picquart took a place a couple
of seats out of the rows behind them.
The colonel sat alone until NJ. Bertullus,
the examining magistrate, whose evil
dence was so favorable to Dreyfus, en-
tered and sat besides Picquart, warmly
shaking him by the hand.
All of the witnesses today were hos
tile to Dreyfus, but as none Of the evil
dence was fresh, but mostly a reitera-
ton of the old statements, the audience
followed the dispositions with compare
lively little interest, a reference by NJ.
Gribelin to the relations of Dreyfus
with demi-mOndaines proving the only
risque portion Of the mornings pro-
ceedings. A subdued litter went round
the court room when NJ. Gribelin even
professed to know the exact amount
Dreyfus spent upon his various amours.
M. Gribelin gave his testimony with
an honest demeanor and apparent sin
cerety, but he did not strike any one
as being particularly intelligent. Moth
ing in his appearance would contradict
the contention OF the D~reyfusards that
he was Major Lauth's tool in the mach
nations Of the general staff against Col
onel Picquart, who listened to M. Crib
elm with an air of contemptuOus i'm
patience.
Maitre Demange, of counsel for de-
fence, was more successful than usual
in cross examining him and visibly dis
concerted NJ. Gribelin.
Counsel scored a distinct hit when he
got M. Gribelin to admit that he mixed
the intrigues Of Patty de Clam and
Henry to shield Esterhazey, and when
NJ. Gribelin was finally disposed OF his
evidence had suffered badly.
Dreyfus created a better impression
today. He entered the courtroom with
a more confident bearing and replied
to the witnesses in a calm voice, with
out any theatrical gestures, and his re-
marks were put so lucidly that he ap-
peared to make an impression on the
Judges, all Of whom are reputed to be
opposed to him.
The session wound up with a scene.
on account of the extraordinary conduct
of Colonel Jouaust, president of the
court, who permitted himself to make
an unwarranted display of partiality.
NJ. BertuIlus had been confronted with
the last witness, Captain Junck. and
General Gonse had defended the latter,
when Colonel Picquart asked to be
allowed to refute some of Junck's re-
marks. Colonel Jouaust made a jes-
ture of impatience and shouted: What,
again."
JOUAUST KISSED BY THE AUDI
ENCE.
An outburst of booing and Kissing
came from the audience at such a dis
play of unfairness and prejudice and
gendarmes quickly suppressed the noise
but Colonel Jouaust who understood
the we'll merited rebuke administered
him, turned red and adjourned the
court ten minutes later.
Following is the evidence in detail:
THE FIRST WITNESS.
General Fabre, former chief Of the
fourth bureau Of the general staff, was
the first witness today. He said that
in his official capacity he compared the
handwriting of the bordereau with the
various officers in his bureau, includ-
ing the handwriting Of a p%robationer
who had been in the bureau during the
previous year and who had not favor
ably impressed his comrades.
This probationer, Dreyfus, who was
regarded as untrustwOrthy, was, &C
cording to the witness, equally dis
liked by his comrades and %superiors,
was, Fabre added, constantly endeavor-
ing by all sorts Of means to learn the
secrets of the plan of concentration OF
the eastern railway system. His Off
cial duties, witness said, placed it in
Dreyfus' power to disclose the docu-
ments referred to in the bordereau.
When Major Berth showed witness
the bordereau the latter was struck
with the resemblance of the caligraphy.
General Fabre in conclusion, declared
he was still as firmly convinced as in
1894. hat the prisoner was the author
of the bordereau. Sensation.)
After NJ. Demange had pointed out
the discrepancies in Fabre's present
statements and those voiced in 1894,
Colonel Jouaust invited Dreyfus to re-
plv. The prisoner said General Fabre
quite correctly described the work On
which he was engaged when a proba-
toner and practically emphasizing that
he had to keep the dossier relating to
the concentration centers On the east
ern system posted up. This was not a
fictitious task. The prisoners reply
was made in calm, measured tones and
his frankness seemed to favorably I'M
press the judges.
Colonel d'Abonville, former deputy
chief of the fourth bureau, testified
briefly on the likeness of Dreyfus
handwriting to the bordereau.
CHIEF DETECTIVE COCHEFERT.
Great interest in the proceedings
was manifest when the name of the
next Witness WAS announced former