Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-08-08

his counsel's table and with his back
to the audience. Behind him sat a
gendarme holding a sheathed sabre in
his hand. Dreyfus, in a new uniform
of captain of artillery, dark blue with
red facings, fixedly regarded the judges
with immovable features and without
stirring hand or foot, scarcely even
moving his head during the whole
course of the proceedings, except when
he entered and left the court room.
After the formal proceedings, which
occupied a couple of hours, Col.
Jouaust began the examination OF
Dreyfus respecting the famous border
eaux, and what Dreyfus did with or
could have known of it's contents.
When Dreyfus, wearing eyeglasses,
rose from his seat for examination, he
stood erect, holding his KEPT in his
hand, before him. He looked Colonel
Jouaust
STRAIGHT IN THE FACE
during the whole interrogatory.
Col. Jouaust began by saying:
"It results from the documents just
read that you are accused of having
brought about Vaccinations or held re-
lations with a foreign power, or one
or more of it's agents, in order to pro-
cure it means by delivering it docu-
ments, indicated in the discriminating
bordereau, to commit hostilities or I'M
dertake war against France. | notify
you that you will be allowed to state
during the course of these proceedings
anything that appears to you useful for
your defense"
Dreyfus replied with vehement dec
laration of his innocence, repeating sew
eral times:
Il am innocent" in voice that
quivered with emotion. The agoniz-
ed manner in which he uttered his pro-
testations OF innocence had most
painful effect. and must have evoked
the sympathy even of his most invet-
crate enemies.
The prisoner grew more composed
as the examination proceeded, answer
ing every question without a moments
hesitation.
The acoustics of the court room were
abominable, only those within a few
feet of the judges being able to follow
the examination closely. Even M. La
bori, who was seated behind Dreyfus,
within three yards of him. held his
hand to his ear in order to catch the
questions and answers.
Col. JOuaust submitted Dreyfus to a
rigorous examination, more in the style
of a prosecuting counsel than a judge
and made gestures of Impotence at
some direct denials which Dreyfus gave
repeatedly to the judges questions. The
prisoners voice resounded frequently
through the court room as he
THEORETICALLY REPLIED:
mo, my colonel" or never. never"
to questions put to him.
The widow of Lieutenant-Colonel
Henry, dressed in deep mourning was
present in court and replied to her
name in the roll call of witnesses.
After the court had decided not to
adjourn on account of the absence of
certain witnesses, the clerk of the
Chevilles bill of indictment of 1894,
fus, in the meanwhile, listening un-
moved as the old charges against
him were read.
Col. Jouaust then handed the pris-
oner long slip of cardboard upon
which the Bordereau was pasted:
do you recognize this document"
Dreyfus replied with a passionate
outburst:
mo, my Colonel I am innocent. [
declare it here as | declared it in 1894,
| am victim"-his voice here was
choked with sobs which must have
stirred every spectator in court. The
voice of the prisoner did not seem hui
man. 1t resembled the cry of a
wounded animal
AS he ended his reply, with the
words-''five years in. the galleys. My
wife. My children. My God. l am
innocent; innocent" Colonel Jouaust
said:
Then you deny it?"
Dreyfus replied: Eyes, my Colonel"
ON THE COURT PROCEEDING
to the roll call of witnesses the most
notable absentees being Esterhazy, Du
Patty de Clam and Mile. Pays, Dreyfus
half turned his head towards the seats
of the witnesses and especially when
the clerk of the court called Esterhazy.
But, when no response was received,
Dreyfus returned to his previous att1-
tude, looking straight in front of him,
at Col Jouaust
Altogether about hundred witnesses
will be called on both sides.
Maj. Carriere, the governments COM
missary, then said that in view of the
official mission of Gen. Chanoine and
M. Paleologue to furnish the court with
all the necessary explanation respect
ing the secret dossier their deposition
as witnesses would be dispensed with
adding that the consideration of the
dossier would probably occupy four
days.
The court afterwards retired to de-
liberate upon the case of the absentee
witnesses, the soldiers in the court room
in response to the word of command
of the lieutenant in charge, carrying
and presenting arms, the judges leav-
ing and re-entering to the rattle OF
rifles, as the line of soldiers brought
their weapons, like a piece of machin-
cry, smartly to the present" and then
dropped their butts heavily to the
floor. This performance was repeated
every time the court retired. Dreyfus
was withdrawn into an inner room dur
ing the courts retirements.
On the final return of the court NJ
Carriere said he thought the absence OF
Esterhazy ought not to prevent the trial
proceeding.
az ct him come or not" he added