The times., 1899-08-23


10 recall certain witnesses.
Colonel JoUaust replied that the testi-
mony would continue for the time being in
the regular order.
Captain Grenier was the first witness,
who gave important testimony in regard to |
Esterhazy's character, and then there
came Commandant Rollin, the first Of the |
witnesses summoned by the eourt-martial |
Itself and one Of those suggested by NJ. |
Quesnay de Beaurepaire- His testimony |
was chiefly in relation 10 the Lajoux af-
feir La5oux was a Gisreputabie fellow /
whom the war department shipped 10 Bra
zil and pensioned him with 200 francs q |
month in order that he should not appear |
10 denounce Esterhazy.
Lajoax the BIackmaiIer.
NJ Labori had read a long blackmailing
letter from Lajoux to the Minister of War
demanding money as the price of his ST.
lence. and asked the witness if Gribelin
were not sent with money to Lajoux, who
was sent 10 Brazil.
The witness answered Yes"
NJ. Laborf then read the letters from the
Minister Of War wherein Lajoux was de-
scribed as a scoundrel and a ruffian and
asked how il was that this individual had
been pensioned.
The witness replied that it was an act
OF pure humanity
of document from the secret dossier bear
ing upon Rollins testimony.
Major Carriere, the Government prosecu-
tor. refused TO allow il TO be produced
NJ Labor pointed ont that General Mer-
cier had named an individual (meaning
Richard Cuers) therein and therefore there
was nothing secret remaining. Turning
sharply toward General Mercier, NJ. La
bori declared that be had a copy in bis
possession and demanded to know by what
right he had IL
Nercier mt BAY.
Mercier declined to answer, except to
say that he was responsible for the trans
lation of the document in question.
III. Labor retorted that General Mereier
had sworn to tell the whole truth, but now
he must assume that Mercier had a pri-
vate copy of the secret dossier.
General Mercier again refused to reply. |
Commandant Rollin said that some
pages were missing from the documents
found in Dreyfus rooIns when they were |
searched.
The prisoner rose and said that the pa
pers were intact when ne last saw them. |
III any pages were missing somebody else |
must have removed them.
Ferret, another Beaurepaire witness, a
servant to Colonel Berth, testified that
Office outside of Office hours.
Called a Liar by Dreyfus
Dreyfus sprang up and in indignant
words gave the witness the lie direct, de-
nouncing what he termed an odIous in
sinuation.
Colonel Jouaust mildly repressed the |
prisoner.
NJ Demange asked the witness how il
wa he rrx nad frpfl
q charge.
Commandant Fabre rising, read letters |
from officers, showing that it was quite |
possible for officers to enter the Ministry
OF War without passes.
Dreyfus responded that the orders were !
precise. These letters" he said, only |
prove that there were some officers who \
disobeyed them
Colonel Berth was the next witness and |
like the other officers manifested savage /
animosity against the prisoner. He de-
clared that Dreyfus while in his depart /
ment was continually poking his nose into
other peoples business. be had no Pos
sible doubt Of his guilt.
A Forward Witness.
Colonel Jouaust asked the witness about |
the room in which Ferret says he saw |
Dreyfus outside of office hours.
The witness divided his answer into two |
parts saying first that no documents enum- |
Grated in the bordereau were in this room.
Colonel Jouaust interposed, saying: IF |
none OF the documents was there you need |
not give any further reason" but the wit
ness persisted, saying that Dreyfus pos
sessed the key word for opening the cabi-
nets in the other rooms where the docu-
ments were placed.
Then followed long cross-examination
st Col Bertin as TO his relations with M.
x np al hat
be (the witnsss) had admitted that Dreyfus
was probably innocent. The witness report
On Dreyfus when the latter was in his de-
partment was read showing that all was
favorable 10 him.
BeFfin Cornered.
Finally M. Labori took Berth in hand |
and TO everyone's astonishment confronted
him as witness as well as a lawyer
do you remember dining with me at the |
house OF a mutual friend fortnight after
Dreyfus' degradation?' asked ID Labori.
The witness flushed and presently an
swered that he did.
n. Lab0ri then detailed a conversation |
on that occasion in which Bertin had spoken /
OF NJ Demange as the advocate of Germany, |
whereupon M. Labori had replied that NJ. /
Demange was convinced Of his clients in
nocence- The question was further dis
cussed. Bertin finally admitting his belief |
also that Dreyfus was innocent.
NJ. Labori described the scene with great /
impressiEensss. finally turning white. |
though i was not known whether from |
emotion or pain and then sank into an arm
chair which was procured for him
Col. Berlin said: M Labori forgets that /
things said In conversation assume differ I
ent phases in other atmospheres He |
spoke TO me in such warm and eloquent
terms al this dinner that may have said
know not what. II he said Is il not so?'
may have said yes.
NJ Labori presently left the courtroom
10 lie down. His unsparing energy as he |
plunged recklessly into the thick of the /
fight seemed the height Of inprudence for /
man with open wound and few be- |
Heved that be could escape serious conse- /
queness.
Dramatic Scene.
A moment later In the courtroom a new /
sceSe arose. Dreyfus fred perhaps by NJ |
Labori's eloquence. rose TO reply TO Colo |
rel Berth. and his protest OF innocence |
now sounded a new note. This strange. |
inconprehensible man whom France has /
tortured and whose name is anathema /
In her army. stood up and in words |
sincere and almost tender proclaimed his |
love for his country and his loyalty 10 the /
army which despises him
In nothing which ! have written during /
the ave bitter years Of my exile. he said. |
will you find word OF disloyalty / have /
never believed for an instant that France 4
would hesitate TO receive the truth when |
Il should be revealed TO her, nor that the |
army would hesitate 70 maintain its right /