The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-03
DRE.lFCS TRIAL CLOSING.
DU p.iIr DE CLAM THE ONLY I'M
PORTRAIT WITNESS TO BE HEARD.

Gen. Gonse the Feature of Yesterdays
session-strong Evidence That Dreyfus
Was Not the Writer of the Bordereau.
s,eeiar Gable Ds,pdteh to THE sus.
RENNEs, Sept. 1.-The Dreyfus trial lie nearly
finished. II II had been conducted according
to American or English rules OF judicial pro-
oedure the case for the prosecution would
have occupied one sitting. while the defence
would have demanded an acquittal without
Offering a single witness and the prisoner
would have left the court completely vindi-
Gated In the eyes OF all sane men, Instead OF
this there has been four weekss exposure OF
the rottenness OF the whole military system OF
France, together with the exploitation OF a
dozen private scandals.
France and presumably the world at large.
expects that the seven men who have permit
ted. even caused. this travesty OF justice. will
evolve just and true verdict. The corre-
spondent OF THE SUN cannot refrain from sug-
costing that It is expecting too much. 1t is oh
vious. OF course that the condemnation OF
Dreyfus is morally impossible. 1t would be
unsafe. however, to venture a statement
OF what the decision OF the court
martial will be. 1t Is scarcely believed
that IL will be unanimous either way. Every
body in Rennes is now specializing on the
subject Many foreigners who are attend
ants at the trial fear the most unsatisfactory
OF all verdicts-four to three against the pris-
oner. which would carry acGuittal. but would
mean dismissal from the army. This coward
ly compromise would deprive the conspirators
Of the body of their victim. but it would leave
France in the same distracting crisis which has
90 long threatened her ruin.
HUMILIATION OF GEN. GoNsE.
It would seem that to-day's proceedi gs
alone would have scattered doubts in any
bodys mind about the result. 1t is one Of the
most difficult things in the world to prove
negative which is the task French justice has
put upon Dreyfus: but it is difficult to conceive
how an unbiased mind could have received
the material produced by today's witnesses
and remain unconvinced OF the impossibility
OF the prisoners guilt OF the specific acts OF
treason charged against him. Not only was
there definite and positive testimony from
men OF com petence and knowledge upon the
vital points at issue. but the day witnessed the
dramatic humiliation of one great General who
has been most prominent in the ptilesS
pursuit OF the man whom he is again striving
to strike down.
Men who share the passionate hatred Of
Dreyfus could not restrain a certain satisfac
hon in the tremendous onslaught Maitre
Lahori made upon Gen. Cons. whose role as
the incarnation OF solderly honor and recti-
tude made his fall one OF the most dramatic
Incidents OF the trial. 1t may have been inds-
Greet from the point OF view Of its effect upon
the military judges to convict this arrogant
commander out OF his own mouth OF conduct
unworthy OF anyone with the rudimentary in
stincts Of a gentleman but the exposure was
richly deserved and he got no sympathy in tho
crowded courtroom.
WHAT DU PATTY DE CLAM WILL SAY.
There remains only one important piece OF
evidence to produce according to the an
nounced programme. This Is Du Patty de
CLAIMS deposition. Any surprise that is forth
coming will probably be in connection with
this. but it is i'm possible to surmise what it
will be. 1t is reasonable to expect
that considerable time will he consumed by
confrontatons and explanations called out
by what Du Patty de Clam may say. This
French institution OF conformation is not
without its advantages. especially in the
present trial 1t has enabled the defence to
instantly meet and counteract many charges
and insinuations before they had time to
seriously influence the minds OF the Judges
This prompt clearing up Of each point az soon
as II is raised Is often better than the American
system. which closes the mouth Of the defend
ant until the whole case OF the prosecution is
finished.
To-day's scenes and arguments have post
poned the end OF the trial probably for another
day. It Is doubtful IL verdict Is reached be-
fore the end OF next week. The Government
will probably seek to avoid the rendering OF a
decision on Saturday as it would add greatly
to their res pons ibity for the preservation OF
order II the result was announced on the eve
OF a holiday. The chances are, therefore that
judgment will be delivered next Friday or
POSTPONED until Monday.
Er-Minixter NJ War C,yaipnac wos
at to-day's session. but took no part in IT..
There was another consultation OF the Gem
erals tonight. but the result OF their delibera-
lions has not transpired
AUTHORSHIP OF THE BoRDEREAU.
The court-martal opened promptly at $3.50
o'clock, and Major Hartmann continued his
testimony. The witness proceeded with the
most careful. technical discussion OF the sub
jects named In the bordereau yet given. He
pointed out what Information was secret. and
what was available for anybody. He cleared
up Gen Mercicr's contradiction Of Capt'Frey-
Staetter in regard to the shell mentioned in the
secret evidence given at the 1894 trial. show
ing that Freystaetter told the truth. The ef-
feet OF his testimony was to demonstrate that
It waA impossible for Dreyfus to furnish part
OF the information. When the details dealing
with secret mechanism were reached Col
. heard in a secret session. Major Hartmann
was more closely questioned by the Court thar
any preceding witness. but his examination
was entirely technical.
Gen. Deloye took the stand and said tina
while Major Hartmaun's testimony was full o
accurate points. yet it did not give an absolute
ly truthful impression. This comment excited
Hartmann's ire and he retorted that he wa
astonshed that an officer who, according t.
Ata az M m Ia
which he should not have given. should ofre
such criticism.
Gen. Deloye replied weakly, that one coul
give details without thinking in the course o
conversation and would only realize the indls
erection afterward.
NM Labor and DemanGe both Questione
Gen Deloye as TO whether an artillery Office
would use this term or that expression whcl
appeared in the bordereau
Gen Deloye admitted in nearly every cas-
that an artillery officer would not use the term
10 han ha