The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-12
IN OPEN SESSION.
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some of this witness statements. But
the net result of the two witnesses re-
plies to MN. Labor and Demange was
that never in translation, was there any
question of relations with Germany.
NJ. Labor on eliciting the foregoing,
showed evident satisfaction.
The witness rail was empty for a few
moments, and then Col Jouaust said
solemnly:
Bring in your next witness"
An infantry sergeant seated beneath
Major Carrierie's desk then walked to
the middle of the court where, in
crimson arm chair. placed there for dis
tinguished witnesses, sat Casimir-Per-
Ter, formerly president of France.
The latter rose, conducted by the SOL
der, and assembled the platform. He
was dressed in a black frock coat with
the rosette of the legion of honor at his
buttonhole and light check trousers and
carried a silk hat in his hand.
In response to the usual questions he
said:
Il am 50 years old. No profession. I
was formerly president of the repub-
lie"
Col Jouaust then asked: did you
know the accused prior to the acts of
which he is charged?''
NJ. Casimir- Perier: mo; Monsieur
LIE Pre-
Jouaust: you were president of the
republic at the time of the arrest of
Capt. Dreyfus. In this position you
were a Die TO nave many particulars On
the circumstances and cause or ms ar
rest. I beg you to kindly communicate
them to the court
Casimir-Perier in a loud voice, said:
Monsieur LePre,you ask me to speak
the truth and all the truth L have
sworn to do it. I will speak, without
reticence, without reserve in its entire
ty. Whatever may have said in the
past, whatever people may believe and
say which unfortunately is not always
the same thing, that I alone am aware
of incidents and facts which might
throw light, and that have not hither-
to said all justice ought to know, that
it is false. I will not leave this place
without saying ALL
L intend to do this, not because
can add anything useful to what l
have already said, but out of respect
to my conscience and the judges and
to take the opinion of men of good faith
I will not leave this place until l have
left an unalterable conviction that
know nothing which might throw light
on the case and that have said all /
know
The former president then in a loud
and distinct voice repeated the evidence
he had given before the court of cassa-
ton. He leaned, while speaking,
against the witness rail and referred to
a scrap Of paper, which he held IN his
hand. The witness read the text of the
dispatch received by Count Won Mum
ster Leydenburg, the German ambassa-
dor at Paris, from Prince Hohenlohei
| the former communicated to Casimir-
Perier during a visit to the Elysee pal
ace. 1t ran:
His majesty, the emperor, having
every confidence in the loyalty of the
president of the republic and the gov
! eminent of the republic, begs your ex-
cellency to tell NJ. Casimir-Perier that
/ it is proved the German embassy was
never implicated in the Dreyfus affair
His majesty hopes the government OF
| the republic will not hesitate to declare
| so. Without a formal declaration, the
! legend which here continues to spread
! regarding the German embassy, would
compromise the position of the repre-
| sentative of Germany. (Sfgned),
"HOHENLOHE.'
NJ. Casimir-Perier then recounted how
| he had expressed to the then premier
and minister of war his establishment
and indignation at the interview which
Captain Lebrun-Renaud gave the Figaro
on the subject of Dreyfus. The wit
| ness then told of Col. Picquarts visit
to the Elysee at the time of the trial
in 1894 to inform him that NJ. Bertillon s
/ demonstrations had little effect on the
| Judges.