The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-08-18
Of the Dreyfus Court-Martial in Which De-
fendant Causes Several Sensations.
HIS LIFE ON DEVILS ISLAND
nd-Ordrs Shoot Prisoner
Dread OF Losing
Reason-The Missing Telegram and the Weyer
he Colonel the
Wnesses-General Roget Tesifes Strong
" theP

ReEnes, France, August 16.-lmmedl-
ately after the witnesses had entered
(the court room this morning Maitre
Demange, counsel for Captain Dreyfus,
applied for an adjournment on account
y0f .Maitre Labori's absence.
Major Carriere, the government COM
missary, Unexpectedly arose and op-
posed the application in the most vehe-
ment manner. Major Carriere dilated
upon the fact that the entire world
was anxiously awaiting a decision, and
upon the necessity of ending the sus-
pense.
The court retired for twenty minutes,
during which time the audience ami
matedly discussed the probable re-
suits. Colonel Jouaust, on his return,
read a unanimous decision of the court
rejecting the application on the ground
that the reasons advanced were insult
ficient. Captain Dreyfus listened to the
announcement with characteristic COM
posure.
This was considered a severe blow
by the Dreyfusites and caused consid-
it is understood that Maitre Demange
will tomorrow repeat the application
for an adjournment, in consequence Of
hint that the government cOmmiSSa-
ry, Major Carriere, has received in
structions not to oppose it.
The feature Of the days proceedings
was the story of the sufferings of Drey-
fus on Devils island, his prison off the
coast Of French Guiana. Dreyfus wept
in court when the clerk read a docu-
ment recounting the details of his in
carceration.
THE EVIDENCE.
The following is the evidence in de-
tail:
Eek Minister of Justice Guerin, the
lst witness, said he knew absolutely
hothing of the facts in the case, but
keould repeat the surrounding circum-
tances, which he had already relat-
ed before the court of cessation, if the
'court-martial desired.
Colonel Jouaust having explained to
the witness that the court-martial had
no cogniZance Of previous proceedings,
M. Guerin proceeded to repeat his evil
dence as given before the court Of
cessation.
He said, in brief, that after a cabi-
net meeting in October, the premier
General Mercier, and he met to discuss
from the headquarters staff. General
Mercier was convinced then that Drey-
fus was the culprit, basing his belief
on the similarity of Dreyfus' handwrit-
ing to the bordereau and the fact that
the different items OF information it
contained came from departments in
which Dreyfus had been successfully
employed.
The decision of the cabinet to prose-
ha
bordereau, no secret documents having
made their appearance then. Nj. Guerin
had not learned of them till the Zola
trial.
M. Lebon, former minister of the COL
onies, was then summoned to testify
regarding his treatment Of the prison
er. He said that when the cabinet was
asked to intervene in favor of a revis-
sion he thought the executive should
not interfere with the judiciary, and
his respect for the chose jugee was
strengthened by his personal opinion
of the culpability of the condemned.
con my soul and conscience" de-
clared M. Lebon, dramatically, Il say
I regard the measures l took relative
tp the prisoner on the Isle du Diable
Nwarranted, and if 1 had to repeat
them 1 would not hesitate
OR ERS TO SHOOT THE PRISONER
NJ. Lebon then explained the reasons
for the rigorous measure against Drey-
fus. He said certain telegram sent
to French Guiana disappeared. 1t was
traced out of France, but Immediately
it reached the English lines disap-
peared, showing, the witness said, that
efforts were being made to enable the
prisoner to evade the regulations. Rig
orous, even painful measures were,
therefore, taken to prevent his escape.
Lebon therefore issued orders that if
necessary the prisoner was to be fired
upon (sensation.)
Continuing, M. Lebon also issued or
ders that only copies of letters ad-
dressed to the prisoner should be de-
retained. The witness was informed
August 10th that an American vessel
passed the Isles du Sulut and orders
were then issued that Dreyfus was to
be shot ON the slightest alarm.
THE WEYLER FORGERY.
Referring to the Weyler forgery,
which was intended to convey the i'm
preston that Dreyfus was in commu-
nication with outside sympathizers, NJ
Lebon said he frankly admitted that he
believed in it's authenticity, as did Col
oneI Picuuart until long after its pro-
duction.
Dreyfus was asked by Colonel Jou-
saust if he saw the Weyler letter. He
created a. sensation by replying that
he had seen it, but was utterly igno-
rant of what it's contents referred to.
DREYFUS' SUFFERING
At this juncture some time was oc-
cunkeds in reading long report from
t)e Minister of the colonies to the min
IL IF war, giving the various reports
of Asthe governor of the French
Gui ma. Passages describing the dread
the~ risoner expressed to the doctors