Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-08-15

logue, OF the foreign office, be recalled ir
order to state that only single version
of the-telegram was given him, as he un-
derstood General Mercier's uncertainty was
aroused by the receipt of a semi-ofticial
draft OF the telegram. At this point Major
Carrisre, the representative of the govern
ment, asked that it be clearly shown that
two versions of the telegram were given
one official and one semi-official.
NJ. Demange said that, in communicating
the official text, November 2, Sandherr EN-.
phasized its official character.
Counsel next asked General Mercier why
the explanations of the secret dessier Were
not Included in the dossier relating to the
revision.
The general replied that he considered
these explanations We're given for his per-
sonal use and that was why he destroyed
the document. At this NJ. Demange eX-
pressed a sense of astonishment and asked
General Mercier if he did not have reasons
for suppressing the document.
The witness repudiated the suggestion.
Dreyfus, at this point, rose from his seat
and asked leave to explain in regard to the
assertion that he had traced on a card the
Itinerary OF certain journey of the gen
eral stan. Both the itinerary and journey
he asserted, were purely fictitious
NJ. Casimir-Perier then said he desired to
reiterate that he had never promised any
thing TO Dreyfus, adding that It was with
NJ. Waldeck-Rousseau alone that he had
spoken in regard to the condemned man.
Therefore, NJ. Casimir-Perier reiterated his
protests at the letters of Dreyfus referring
TO negotiations.
This caused NJ. Demange to explain how
Dreyfus came to say that Casirnir-Perier
had promised him a public trial
After NJ. Demange had asked NJ Wal.
oecK-Rousseau to intervene with NJ Cas-.
inir-Perier then president of France) tc
obtain publicity, NJ Waldeek-R Rousseau re.
ported that the president appeared favor
able to the suggestion, and counsel, there
fore, thought he might communicate the
fact to Dreyfus.
NJ. Demange added that 1t must be re-
membered Dreyfus wrote the letter fouI
years after the occurrence and his recol-
iecuonS OF the facts, naturally, lacked pre-
cision. NJ. Demange expressed regret a,
the fact that the letter had been pub
1shed, and apologized TO NJ. Casimir- Per
Ter, who thanked counsel for his express
sion of regret and explanation.
General Billot, former minister of war,
was the next witness. He was in uniform
sat with crossed legs, and gave his evil
dence in conversational manner. He said
ne would be II years of age Tomorrow.
Like everybody else, he added, he had some
knowledge of the Dreyfus affair before TAX
ing the war portfolio. While feeling deep
ly on the subject, he remained aloOf from
the matter until he returned to the cab
met In the early days OF his administra-
ton. the witness continued. NJ. Scheurer-
hestner "a former vice president of the
senate) asked him whether he ought not
10 investigate the Dreyfus affair. NJ
Scheurer-kestner, the general pointed out
mad made similar representations to NJ. De
freyclnet and got the same reply from
Dom, lhat neither OF them was very con-
Versant with the matter. "
General Billot dwelt at length upon the
action taken by NJ. Scheurer- -Kestner, to
ghom he recommended prudence. NJ
Scheurer-kestner finally communicated to
General Billot his conviction of the inno-
cence of Dreyfus, but the general found
the evidence insufficient and asked him to
investigate the matter further
The general then dwelt with the role
OF Colonel Picquart whom, he said, he
holds in the highest esteem.
..ard ne Isl Is intelligent" said General Billot,
ana gave me valuable information about
the organization of neighboring army
ana It's artillery. This information showed
I,s one necesSS;slty OF continuing the reforms in
our artillery, commenced by that great
initfator. General Mercier.
l. who am neither an engineer nor an
expert IN handwriting. added General BIZ
lot, saw in that direction the grand, work
he accomplished 4" a--..-7- - :
After this General Bflot referred to Col
SStei FIcquart proposition to entrap Ester
hazy. whom he suspected. but General Bill
lot forbade. this. He added that Colonel
Picquart always acted without authoriza-
tion. go.
General Billot next referred to the emf
nent services Colenel Picquart rendered To
the army, leading to his. being entrusted
VIII with a. a confidential mission to the East
getically protested against the allegation
that he had desired to send Colonel pic
quart to a place from which he would
votfon to the country and army and any
lety respecting the secrets of the national
oeIenSe often entailed exceptional meas
naiIS;t liz; me reslsnatlon and going to distant
points whence 1t was possible to return
with q superior rank, and where heroism
certainly wiped out everything excepr trea-
After justifying his course toward Col
orel Picquart. General Billot explained
what he had done in connection with Es-
against the attack the defenders Of Drey.
fus made upon him during the trial of M
aoia' ana concluded with expressing a re-
devote most of his time to the opfSge9 ngeyfo no
affair, which time, he added. ought to
nave nave been given to the guardianship Of
NJ: Demange invited General R;IIot to
explain the statements of NM. Rarthon
ana Poincairs, former ministers, that the
general was once so doubtful of the ,,,;It ,rs
of Dreyfus that he did not sleep for sew.
eral nights toi se'-
ments were true.
Answering questions of counsel tbe pan-
eral said Colonel Picquart's revelation
produced doubts in his mind, but, he added
an the same his conviction of the guilt of
Dreyfus remained UNCHANGED
There was great sensation when M
pemange mentioned the opinion expressed
by NJ. Barthou that General Bfllot had heen
1nea Teutenanf Go,d1 IN regard & to the forgery OF
acknowledged that the Henry forgery was
among the factors arousing his doubts
continuing, General Billot said he was
immensely surprised and deeply affected
by the revelation of the forgery. He said
never could have believed a superior
olnce- could be guilty of forgery"
NJ. Cavaignac. former minister of war
was the next witness called Replying Ia
the president of the court, he said he was
the hrst cabinet minister to assume re-
sponsibility to Dreyfus. He had closely
followed the inquiry of the court OF cas-
saton and still he desired to assert him
self with the responsibility of those who
in 1894 protected the country and army
against treason. (Sensation)
continuing: the witness said that, among
tne principal points upon which. he based
ms convictions, was the confession to Can.
tain Lebrun-Renaud. in support of which
legged letter of Dreyfus, but which in re-.
allty was part of General Comes report
to the minister of war on Colonel M,
Paty de CLAIMS report of the confession.
o.. NJ. Cavainac admitted the possibility OF
mistakes In human testimony and said they
ought to be taken into account when con.
demning fellow man. But. he asserted
he was convinced of the guilt of Dreyf,rs
because his accusers were so entirely ir
agreement in their testimony.
The witness also said he found additional
proofs OF the prisoners guilt in the tech.
nical character of the bordereau anc
though the bordereau alone established tbs
fact that treason had emanated from TN,
bureau of the general staff and from ar
officer who was able to secure ali the in,
formation desired.
According TO NJ. Cavaignac, in his at.
tempts to hide his crime the accused haf
allowed words to escape him which in.
disputably established his guilt Every.
thing, according to this witness. condemrei
ible. Dreyfus. he claimed was aware al
prisoners denials II was established fbsi
he had been everywhere 1t was necessary n
procure the information In question I,
ha rx-itr