The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-17


atfons which he had given before the
court of cessation in regard to the part
played in the affair by Major Du Patty
De Clam. The general said he believed
the forged ''Speranza'' letters We're
either written by Du Patty De Clam or
instigated by him
Witness said he had not acted against
Du Patty De Clam because he saw moth
ing culpable in what he had done to
save ESterhaZy.
With reference to the document Lib
erateur," a document forged in order to
secure the release Of ESterhaZy when
he was court -martialed, Gen. Roget
said he only knew how it reached the
ministry of war, adding that its disap-
mystery. But, he said, doubtless Du
Patty De Clam could explain the mat
ter.
Counsel for the defense here wanted
to know how under such circumstances,
Du Patty De CLAIMS Intervention in be-
half of Esterhazy could be explained.
But the witness could only attribute it
to Du Patty De CLAIMS moral conviction
of EsterhaZy's innocence.
In any case" said the general, the
general staff must be entirely disasso-
ctated with the part played by Du Patty
De Clam in this matter"
Certainly" replied NJ Demange. Il
attach great Importance to this point"
was the generals next remark.
NJ. Demange assented to this but
added: What 1 would like to know
is how an innocent man like ESterhazy
was thought to need this kind of help?"
(Laughter).
1T is certain I should not have done
it." answered the witness. which caused
renewed laughter.
Gen. Roget then added that although
he would not have interviewed himself
to save EsterhaZy he did not consider
the course followed as being reprehen-
sible.
ROGET IS CORNERED.
NJ. Demange then questioned the wit
IT,
hays attempt to obtain from the gen.
eral a declaration that he had nothing
to do with the affair, to which the gen
eral replied that he knew nothing of
such an attempt. But when NJ. De-
mango read NJ. Renoaud's report on the
subject, Roget admitted that Ester
hays attempt was certainly a cur
iOus proceeding" for an innocent man
to undertake.
Counsel thereupon invited the special
attention of the court martial to the
witness reply Then he took the gen
eral to task for playing yesterday the
part of general accuser, particularly
towards Col. Pfcquart. During the
course of his remarks NJ. Demange re-
ferred to the document known as the
Petit Bleu and the eraSureS in it. The,
general admitted the erasures might
have been made with a view of giving
the document suspicious appearance.
ures and inserted the name of Ester
hazy after making the photograph ex-
hfbited before the court of cessation.
Counsel insisted the Justification Oc-
CURED after the Petit BIeu left Pic
quarts hands and demanded further
explanations from the witness. The
general, however, said he was unable
to testify as to who falSified the dOcu-
ment, or why it was done, but he did
not think it was done with the view of
compromising Picquart.
At this juncture there was a little
sparrins between NJ Demange and
(aTFiRTR a of
the government in the case. The form
er desired information in regard to the
espionage meeting at Basle, SWitzer-
land, and the recall on account OF pee
ulatiOn of an agent named Lajou who
was corresponding with a certain for
eign agent. Major Carriere objected to
the discussion of the subject at this
stage, for he said it would be contrary
to the spirit of discipline for the gen
eral to discuss these details.
The president of the court upheld the
tive and NJ. Demange continued his
examination of Gen. Roget.
How was it you knew counsel ask
ed the witness, that 500, 600 francs were
offered Esterhazy if he would confess
to being the author of the bOrdereau?'
I heard the witness replied, from
the court of inquiry which tried Ester
haZy and from Esterhazy himself
'Ahi" exclaimed counsel. 1T was
Esterhazy who said it Just so!
(Laughter). Why was the residence
VI. and
general answered: "Esterhazy at one
time had the document containing the
words 'Ce Canaille de D. and might
therefore had Others"
You admit then" asked NJ De-
mango, that he might have had in
teresting documents?''
When one is conducting an inquiry"
said the witness, he must expect any
thing and search accordingly"
Admitting" counsel then said, ''that
ESCerlaZy was the agent of the Drew
fuS family and that he had agreed to
assume, as suggested the prisoners
guilt, how do you explain the fact that
Esterhazy upon several occasions wrote
statements calculated to compromise
the case of Dreyfus?"
NEVER SURE OF ESTERHAZY.
with Esterhazy," replied Gen.
Roget, ''one can never be sure of anv-
thing. Laughter) He is such an ex-
traOrdinary fellow. do not know
what he may be doing today, nor what
he will do tomorrow - These statements
of the general cOnVulSed the court with
laughter which seemed to irritate the
witness who was growing nervous un-
der the searching examination of coun-
sci.
Turning to Dreyfus Gen. Roget cried
in loud voice; I know very well if
I was accused of an act of treason
which I had not committed I should
find arguments with which to defend
myself
This assertion evoked murmurs. but
the general shouted: Why does he
deny even the most obvious things?''
M. Demange shrugged his shoulders
and calculated: ''Ahi"
The prisoner, however. rose and en-
phaucally denied point blank some of
the generals evidence. He said he
never traced on a map any plan Of con
centratiOn or mobilization, never had
any knowledge of details of those move
ments nor of the plan for distributing
the various units through the depart
mentS.
Let's exclaimed Dreyfus, under
stand one another in regard to what is
meant l assert that I did not know
in its details of the plan of concentra-
uon. In regard to the circumstances
dWelt upon by yOu Yesterday there was