Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-29
MORE COMEDY TODAY
Col. Cordier Amuses the Audience at
Dreyfus Trial.
BE THINKS PRISONER INNOCENT
NJ de Freycinet Gives Guarded
Testimony to Court.
WORK OF SPIES DESCRIBED

RENNES, August 29.-General Mercier,
the former minister of war and most of
the other generals interested in the case
were present in the hall of the Lyee this
morning when the court-martial of Captain
Alfred Dreyfus was opened
Col. Cordier. deputy chief of the intelli-
gence department under the late Lieut.. Col.
Henry. and who. since his previous ap-
pearance in court. had been released by
the minister of war. Gen. de Marquis de
Gallfet, from his oath of professional Sc
crecy, was the first witness called today
He testified to the effect that the late Col.
Sandherr and not Lieut.. Col. Henry receiv-
ed the famous bordereau.
The witness deposed strongly in favor of
Dreyfus and was most amusing in deliver
ing his testimony. He kept the court and
even the judges in roars of laughter by his
comlcal manner He is a short, stout man
with jolly focc and very rcd nose.
The colonel declared that his belief in the
guilt If Dreyfus was first shaken when the
date If the bordereau was given as May.
The witness declared stoutiy that he was
Low convinced Dreyfus was innocent.
Col Cordier then spoke up strongly for
Col. Picquart as a conscientious soldier
end an honorable man, and threw light upon
the situation which existed in The offices of
the Intelligence department of the war Of
flee. He explained that Henry was jealous
of 1'icquart because the latter was given
charge of the statistical section. which
Henry had hoped to get for himself. Cor
d. .er expressed the belief that il was be-
cause of Ficluart that Henry committed
his forgery.
References to Germany.
The evidence of Col. Cordicr was deliv-
cred in 4 loud voice, accompanied by hui
morous asidcs. He several times mentioned
the ambassador OF Germany, which caused
the president of the court, Col. Jouaust to
intervene and tell the witness that he
must not introduce the ambassadors name
or refer to Germany. The hasty correc-
tions of the, witness when he repeated the
same slips of the tongue, as he cid more
than once, and the amusing manner in
which he avoided mentioning Germany at
other times caused the greatest merriment.
During his testimony no fewer than five
witnesses rose and asked to be confronted
with him, but the colonel received the in
terruptions with the utmost good humor
Dreyfus spoke few words at the con-
clusion of Colonel Cordier's statements
ne lue SCeHt WHICH preccQGu MS ar
rest was SO fantastic that it completely be-
wildered him and merely left a blunted i'm
pressCn on his memory.
The prisoner is now accustomed to his
surroundings, and has apparently recov-
cred his self-confidence, as he speaks readi-
ly and clearly and follows the witnesses
closely, taking notes of various points of
their depositions.
Moi T
der and tried to score against him by
pointing out that Cordier was incorrect in
saying there were no anti-Semites on the
general staff, since Cordier himself was one.
The colonel retorted, turning the tables on
the major, as. raising his hand, he cried:
Quite true! I was an anti-Semite but
1 never bore false witness against the Jew.
am an honest man"
The audience applauded these remarks.
Mai. Lauth Snubbed.
Colonel Cordier than administered a we'll
deserved snub to Major Lauth by remark
ing that he, the colonel, might be allowed
to know more than Major Lauth with ref
erence to the work of the intelligence de-
partment, since he, Cordier replaced Col
onel Sandherr as chief of the department
whenever Sandherr was absent, while Ma
merely my assistant. My assistant, mark
you"
Major Lauth did not enjoy this little
scene ct all
General Roget next confronted Colonel
Cordier. The general assumed the same
supercilous air which characterized him
when he appeared as a witness at the bar
His evidence. however, was not very strik-
ing. ror was that of Colonel Fleur, or
Archivist Gribein, who also contested
minor points of Cordier's deposition
Finally General Mercier who evidently
in order to demonstrate the base
lessness of the stories of his intentions to
fly and to show his determination to fight
to the last, confronted Colonel Cordier.
The generals remarks were of small i'm
portance, the most interesting being his
repetition of Colonel Sandherr's opinion Of
Matthew Dreyfus when the prisoners
brother went to see the colonel to ask for
justice in behalf of Captain Dreyfus. Mer-
cier admitted Sandherr said:
'Mathieu Dreyfus impressed me as an
honest man, who prepared to make
any sacrifice to save his BROTHER
NJ. De Freycinet, the former minister Of
war, former minister of foreign affairs and
premier, followed Colonel Cordier on the
witness stand.
The court room was packed to its utmost
capacity as the distinguished French states
man began his deposition.
1t was evident the public was anxious to
zee the former minister at the witness bar.
He Is q venerable looking man, with scam
y, snow white hair and mustache, and
was dressed in blue serge suit. He wore
1 little black bow for a necktie, and gave
his testimony seated and in a low voice.
This witness was expected to speak about
he 5000, 600 francs supposed to have been
contributed abroad. mainly in England and
to the Dreyfusian war chest
N. De Freycinet's Testimony.
NJ De Freycinet began by expressing the
Jain which he experienced at the troubles
lis country was undergoing. Later, he
'aid, he remembered q conversation with
General lamont. at which there was
'eference to money coming from abroad
n support Of the Dreyfus agitation, which,
while disinterested in France might not be
10 abroad"
NJ Dc Freyoinet. however. did not re.
member the details of the conversation