The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-09-07
Counsel for Dreyfus and the Pres.
ident Of the Courtmartial
= at Rennes
Indulge in a Very Animated War
of Words--Labori's Vigorous
Protest z-.
Against Exclusion of All PERTH
nent Questions Paleologue's
Sensation.

RENNEs, Sept. 1.-Two hours Of the
opening of the courtmartial Of CAPTAIN
Dreyfus were spent behind closed doors.
The length of time employed in the ex-
animation of Eugene de Cernuschi, the
Austrian refugee and witness for the
prosecution was the subject of much re-
mark, as being indicative of the fact
that the court found this witness to be
worthy Of more consideration than it
mad been supposed he deserved.
When the open session of the court
martial began, at $50 o'clock, Senator
Irarleuz, former minister of justice, at
once resumed his deposition, which had
Deen interrupted by the adjournment of
the court, and completed it in a few
moments.
Zurlind den Justif1es Himself
General Zurlinden, formerly min
lister of war, spoke in justification of
his action while he was military gov.
ernor of Paris and minister of war in
the matter of the prosecution Of Lieu
tenant Colo mel Picquart, taking the
ground that the measure was absolutely
necessary in order that the court should
clear up the charges of forgery brought
against Picquart. Moreover, General
Zurlinden said the minister of Justice
had persuaded him to send Lieutenant
Colonel Picquart to prison.
M. Labor then asked a question of
General Zurlinden, regarding the petit
bleu. Colonel Jouaust, president of the
courtmartial, refused to put the ques-
ton on the ground that the court was
engaged in the trial of Dreyfus and not
Of the Picquart affair.
M. Labor, however, insisted, taking
the ground that the petit bleu demon
strated the guilt of Major Esterhazy,
and that consequently it was very i'm
portant for Dreyfus.
NJ. Labor then tackled General Eur
linden, who admitted that the magis-
terial inquiry showed that the petit
bleu was not tempered with when it
first arrived at the intelligence depart
ment and consequently Picquart could
not have been guilty, as alleged, of dis
torting the document.
IdAoOlOSue causes Sensation.
NJ. Labor asked NJ. Paleologue, the
expert of the foreign office, be consulted
regarding the reading before the court
of diplomatic documents which estab-
lished irrefutably the authenticity of
the petit bleu.
M. Paleologue, who sits behind the
judges, came to the front of the stage
and said he did not know to what docu-
ments NJ Labor alluded.
1.-The document" replied NJ Labor,
Gin which is recorded a conversation
between NJ. Delcasse, former prime
minister, in the course of which Count
Won Munster Won Ledenburg had said
Colonel Schwartzkoppen had admitted
that he sent Major Esterhazy a number
of telegraphic cards or petit bleu.
NJ. Paleologue responded that what
M. Labor said was quite true, and that
the document belonged to the diplo-
matte dossier. AS to the petit bleu in
question, added NJ. Paleologue, Colonel
Schwartzkoppen could affirm whether
he wrote it himself or whether he had
not seen it, but in any case NJ. Paleo-
logue said, he believed it was sent by
Colonel Schwartzkoppen.
This declaration by the expert of the
foreign Office caused a sensation in court.
Labori and Jouaust Clash.
Another passage at arms between NJ.
Labor and Colonel Jouaust occurred
upon the refusal of Colonel Jouaust to
allow NJ. Labor to put questions to
General Billot.
M. Labor made passionate protest
against the attitude of Colonel Jouaust,
who then said:
II decline to allow you to speak,
M. Labor retorted excitedly: II bow
to your ruling, but 1 take note that
every time I put question which is
irresistible you refuse to allow it,
This declaration counsel for defense
delivered in a ringing voice, pupctuat
ing his utterance with striking ges.
lures. The audience burst into loud
applause and the greatest excitement
prevailed.
Colonel Jouaust said: s:If this DEM
onstration is renewed, will have the
courtroom cleared. Have you any,
thing more to say, Maitre Labori?"
M. Labor replied: ''No, because
and I speak with the utmost respect
am prevented from putting any ques-
lions touching the core of the affair.
reserve the right to take such action as
my responsibility compels me to take
up"
This scene was the climax of the
strained relations which have prevailed
between the president of the courtmar-
tial, Colonel Jouaust, and NJ. Labor,
principal counsel for the accused, al
most from the very outset of the trial
M. Labor has many times bitterly
complained that Colonel Jouaust pre-
vented him from putting probing ques-
tions, and at the moment NJ. Labor alb
stained from asking witness such ques-
tions, fearing that by so doing he might
do more harm than good to his client.
In view of the manifest irritation dis
played by the president of the court
whenever NJ Labor has risen in the