The Portland daily press., 1899-08-08
IN SECRET SESSION.
Dreyfus Hearing No
Longer in Public.
Court So IOted Yesterday EefOre
Adjournment.
The Prisoner Asserts
His Innocence.
Col. Jouast Conducts Case
Against Prisoner.

Rsnnes, August 7.-The proceedings OF
the court martial before which Capt.
Dreyius Is on trial opened at ten minutes
past seven o'clock this morning.
Capt. Dreyfus entered the court room
with q firm step. though his features
wers paIlid. He is partially bald and
what hair he has is gray and CLOSE
oropreu. He answered the formal ques-
tions Of the Judge as to his name. age,
etc.. In a clear, determined voice. He sat
facing the judges with his hands resting
on his knees an impassatls figure.
The trial opened, so far as Rsnnes Is
nceined, In an atmosphere OF perfect
tranquility.
At o'clock NM. Lahori and Dsmange
aud Major Carriers with their assistants,
took their seats, the witnesses followed,
Then sharp words CT command from the
officer commanding the row of soldiers
at the back of the court rang out: "Car-
~ arms; present nrmsp'
There was a rattle Of arms and
moment later Col. Jouaust. followed by
she other members of the court, walked
O. the stage and took seats at the table.
Col. Jouaust and his colleagues were in
full parade uniform.
Immediately after Col Joraust was
seated. he gave the order to bring In .he
prisoner. All eyes were then turned TO
the night OF the stage beside which was q
door leading to the room In which Drey-
fus WAS awaiting the summons.
Almost everybody but the mostEpromi-
nent offioers stood ON their feet. Some
mounted on benches and to obtain bst-
ter view. There were subdued cries of
"sit down" amid which the donr Opened
and Capt. Alfred Dreyfus preceded aud
followed by Rendsrlne- emerged into
The court room. His features were DEATH
ly pale and his teeth we're set with de-
ternlined but not defiant bearing, he
walked quickly, and ascsnded the three
steps leading to the platform In front OF
the judges. There he drew himself up
erect brought his right hand sharply to
the peak OF bis kept, or military can,
giving the military salute.
The prisoner tnen removed his kepi
and took the seat placed for him facing
his judges just in front Of his counsel's s
lack ard with his back to the audience.
Dreyfus. in new uniform OF captain
OF artillery, with red faclngs, fixe1ly
regarded the judges with immovahle
features and without stirring hand or
foot, scarcely moving his head. during
the whole course of the proceedings ex.
cept when he entered and left the court
room.
After the formal proceedings which oc.
cupied couple of hours, Col. Jouaust
began the examination of Dreyfus re-
specting the famous Bordereau and what
Dreyfus dId with or could have known
of its contents.
When Drsyfus. wearing glassss, rose
from his seat, he stood erect holding his
kspi in his hand before him. He looked
Col Jouaust straight in the face during
the whole interrogatory. Col. Jouaust
documents just read that you are ao-
eusei of having brought about machina-
tions or held relations with a foreign
power or one or more of It's agents. in
order to procure 1t means. by delivering
1t documents, Indicated in the iacrimi
mating bordereau, TO commit hostil ties
or undertake war ag1inst France / noti-
~ you : nat you will be allowed to state
during the course Of these proceedings