The record-union., 1899-09-06

examined by the court, if they care to
attend. The court will determine what
! course shall be taken with regard to
the request presented by the defense
! concerning documents to be obtained
abroad. This seems to me beyond our
jurisdiction. The court will judge. |
beg the President to retire with the
Judges to a private room and decide the
question:
M. Paleologue, the representative of
the Foreign Office, supported Major
| Carriere's views. He said: 81 under
stand perfectly the Importance at
tached to the production of the docu-
ments enumerated in the bordereau,
seeing that the whole case turns upon
them. But while the request of the
accused appears to be based upon logic
and justice it seems inadmissible from
a diplomatic point of view. Consider
ations of the highest order are opposed
to the Government taking the initiative
| it is requested to take with a foreign
Power"
Colonel Jouaust promised that the
court would announce its decision later.
Serge Bassett, the first witness called
to-day, testified that the 'Matin" sent
him to London on five occasions to in
terview Major EsterhaZy, who fur
nished a mass of interesting informa-
ton concerning the headquarters STAN.
Esterhazy declared that he was not the
author of the bordereau, though the
witness did not believe him EsterhaZy
complained bitterly of the Generals
who, he said. had thrown him over
board, adding that there was nothing
left for him but to blow out his own
brains. The witness advised against
suicide and urged Esterhazy to the ut
most endeavor to reveal the truth and
the part he had played. Finally While
walking in Piccadilly Major Esterhazy
said to the witness pointblank: well,
Ribon (the witness pseudonym | am
going to tell you what nobody knows.
It is | who am the author of the bor-
dereau. I wrote it in 1894 at the re-
quest of my friend Sandherr. There
was a traitor at headquarters, whom
Sandherr told me they wanted to catch.
I did not hesitate to do what | was
asked
M. Bassett proceeded that with Es-
terhazy's consent he had each of Ester
hays statements verified, Esterhazy
saying he had decided to make the
avowals because he was disguised with
his abandonment by the Generals.
In conclusion, the witness referred TO
offers of money to Esterhazy.
Lieutenant Colonel Brogniart, a mem
, Der of the Court -martial-Did Esterha-
zy tell you Dreyfus was guilty?
Nj. Bassett = Yes.
Colonel Jouaust The two state
ments of Esterhazy are incompatible.
n
reconcile them.
Major Carriere was invited to express
his opinion, and said: There is much
TO say, but I prefer to remain silent. /
have made it a rule not to enter Into
discussion with witnesses, but as Nj
Bassett states that Major Esterhazy
asserted that Colonel Sandherr told him
to write the bordereau, I, on behalf OF
Colonel Sandherr's memory, protest
/ against such insinuations. He was in
E capable of such an order"
NJ Labori = I hope this protest is
, not addressed to the defense.
{ NJ Carriere = It is not addressed to
the counsel for the defense: it is ad-
: dressed to the man who was capable
of making such a statement.
| NJ Labori - Does NJ. Bassett know
t hat Major Esterhazy addressed let
: ters to General Roget?
: NJ Bassett = do not know
VI. Labori = General Roget perhaps
] will tellus9
General Roget = I did receive let
ter from Major Esterhazy in August
q and informed the President of tbs
= Court martial of the fact, asking him
to make what use he liked of it. I re
5 fused to open further letters as soon
as 1 recognized Esterhazy's handwrit-
ing.
On NJ. Labori asking to see the letter
Colonel Jouaust said he would not put
the letter in evidence because it con
tanned only abuse and recriminations.
AS NJ. Labori protested, General Ro-
get said he had handed all the letters
to the President of the Court-martial
because he did not wish to be com
, promised by. Esterhazy, which was ev-
| identity the latter's intention.
Colonel Jouaust said he had not in.
cluded Esterhazy's letters in the evi-
dence because he did not wish the pro
: ceedings to be unduly protracted, bu
as the defense insisted the letters
would be produced.
General Roget offered to read the
first of Major Esterhazys letter, ir
which Esterhazy offered to prove the
existence of a Dreyfus syndicate. The
: writer complained that the general stan
: refused to hear or accept information
he had obtained.
Major Carriere said he had also re-
ceived numerous letters from Major Es-
terhazy which he had never read.
, NJ Labori - Does General Roget con
: slider the confessions of Esterhazy val
a id?
> given by Esterhazy are quite incorrect
He is an imposter, concerning whom
+ / prefer TO express no opinion.
o NJ Labori - Does General Roget con
slider Fsterhazy a man of straw
General Roget - l have no proof o
!. the fact, but l am inclined to believe
he is
e NJ Labori = Was he a straw man il
a 1924?
: General Roget = No, I do not thinl
= so.
= M. Labori - When do you think die
e he first contemplate playing the part
= General Roget - have made no in
= vestigation on that point Contrar!
o to Esterhazy's assertions, the General
= of the headquarters staff had no rela
a tions with him
f NJ. Labori - Why was Major Ester
: Hays role of straw man not mentioned
f in the trial of 1898?
T General Roget = 1 was not present
Y and do not know.