The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-09-05
GENERALS COWED.
CONTINUED on Sixth Page.)

mony of foreign officers. I add that in
view of the present circums tanceS there
is nothing in this course that can cause
anxiety. 1t is in conformity with pre-
cedent.
LIGHT ABOUT TO BREAK
1.-THE moment is very near when truth
and light are about to break forth
showing the innocence of the accused
Major Carriere replied:
I'VE can not PREJUDICE the issue of
trial IN the conclusions submitted by
NJ. LabOri- One point seems to be ex-
tremely delicate. These conclusions
amount to a request that the court in
Struct the government commissioner to
ask the French government to submit
to a foreign government, through d1-
plomatic channels a request for the
production of documents which are pc
culiarly non-diplOmatic and possess lit
tie official character"
Therefore this mission imposed on
the French government is of a very
delicate kind. do not know II the
government commissioner is qualified
to perform such a function. Certainly
the diplomatic point of view seems to
me morally and materially Impossible.
I cannot conceive of one government
addressing another such a request.
think the end now in view cannot be
attained. The defense which has pow
erful means behind it, might obtain
these documents in a semi-official man
ner, but 1 think there are reasons to
believe the government cannot under
take such a mission. 1 make all reSer-
vations, then in this respect. AS re-
CARDS notification to me of the names
of Colonies Schwartzkoppen and PaniZ-
zardi I see no reason why the gentle
men should not be examined by the
court if they care to attend. The court
will determine what course shall be ta-
ken with regard to the request present
ed by the defense concerning docu-
ments to be obtained abroad. This
seems to me beyond our jurisdiction.
The court will judge. I beg the presi-
dent to retire with the judges to pri-
n decide q question:
DIPLOMACY FORBIDS-
NJ. Paleologue, the representative of
the foreign Office supported Major Car
riere's views. He said:
Il understand perfectly the import
ance the defense attaches to the pro-
duction of the documents enumerated
in the bOrdereau, seeing that the whole
case turns upon them. But While the
request of the accused appears to be
based upon logic and justice it seems
inadmissible from a diplomatic point
of view. Considerations of the highest
order, are opposed to the government
taking the initiative, it is requested to
take, with a foreign power"
Col. JOuaust promised that the court
would announce its decision later
Serge Bassett, the first witness called
today, testified that the Matin sent him
to London on several occasions to in
tervieW Major Esterhazy who furnished
a mass of interesting information con-
corning the headquarters staff. Ester
hazy declared that he was not the au-
thor of the bOrdereau, though the wit
ness did not believe him ESterhazy
complained bitterly of the generals who
he said had thrown him overheard, ad-
ding that there was nothing left for
him but to blow out his brains.
The witness advised against suicide
and urged Esterhazy to the utmost en-
deavor to reveal the truth and the part
he had played. Finally while walking
in PiccadiIly Major Esterhazy said to
the witness point blank:
fWen, RibOn, (the witness pseudonym)
I am going to tell you what nobody
knows. 1t IS L who am the author Of
the bOrdereau. 1 wrote 1t in 1894 at
the request of my friend, Sandherr.
There was traitor at headquarters,
Dreyfus, whom Sandherr told me they
wanted to catch. l did not hesitate to
do what was asked"
NJ. Bassett proceeded that with Es-
terhazy'S consent he had each of Ester
hays statements verified, Esterhazy
saying he had decided to make the
avOwals because he was disguised with
his abandonment by the generals.
In conclusion the witness referred to
offers of money to Esterhazy.
A LIVELY PASSAGE
Lieut.. Col. Brongniart, member of
the court martial-Did Esterhazy tell
you DreyfuS was guilty?
NJ. Bassett-YeS
Col Jouaust-The two statements of
Esterhazy are Incompatible.
NJ. Bassett-It is not for me to recon
Gle them.
Major Carriere was invited to express
his opinion and said: There is more
to say but I prefer to remain silent. 4
have made it rule not to enter into
discussion with witnesses, but as NJ.
BasSett states that Major Esterhazy
asserted that Col. Sandherr told him to
write the bOrdeTeau, I on behalf of Col
Sandherr'S memory, protest against
such insinuatiOns. He was incapable
of such an order"
NJ. Labori-I hope this protest is not
addressed to the defense.
NJ. Carriere-It is not addressed to
the counsel for the defense, it is ad-
dressed to the man who was capable of
launching such a statement.
NJ. Labori-Does M. Bassett know
that Major Esterhazy addressed letters
to General Roget.
M. Bassett-I do not know.
NJ. LabOri-GeneraI Roget perhaps
will tell US.
General Roget did receive a letter
from Major Esterhazy in August and
informed the president of the court
martial of the fact, asking him to
make what use he liked of it. 1 re-
fused to open further letters as soon
as recognized Esterhazy's handwrit-
on NJ. Labor asking to see the let
ter, Colonel JOuauSt said he would not
put the letter in evidence because it
contained only abuse and recrimina-
lions.
As NJ. Labor protested General
Roget said he had handed all the let
tiers to the president OF the court mar
tlal because he did not wish 10 be com
promised BY Esterhazy, which was evil
IDENTIFY the latter's intention.
Col. Jouaust said he had not included
Esterhazy's letters in the evidence be-
cause he did not wish the proceedings
to be unduly prOtract8d but as the de-
tense insisted the letters would be pro-
duced.
Gen. Roget offered to read the first
of Major Esterhazy's letters in which
Esterhazy offers to prove the existence
OF Dreyfus syndicate The writer
complained that the general staff re-
fused to hear or accept information he
had obtained.
Major Carriere said he also had re-
ceived numerous letters from Major