The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-08-22

the general stan when Dreyfus was in
another bureau. but not under his or
ders. They were both engaged In cali
culating what work invasion would
throw on the railways, but were en-
gagged on different lines. Dreyfus. he
said, constantly came 10 him for infor-
nation, which he had no cause 10 DO.
Cuignet kept refusing, until he was
tired out by the opportunities OF the
accused. Then, by degrees. he gave
him. Cuignet deposed, all the notes he
himself had made
Dreyfus, according to the witness,
never returned the notes. When search
was made at his home they were not
found What had become OF them?
Dreyfus was not the man to cast them
away. Cuignet's insinuation was that
they were sent to Berlin. The conclu-
OF the court-martial made a note OF It.
Cuignet then defended Esterhazey
against Picquart, and next against Du
Patty de Clam. He gave fresh peeps at
the secret military dossier, in which are
so many ordinary letters from women,
opinions on public men, and tittle-tattle
of a spicy source. Cuignet said he was
sorry the court had not examined this
volumlnouS doSsier, which proved a
deal of light sometimes crude light
'on spies OF different categories, in
Guiding military attaches"
from being the only spies regularly
kept up by foreign governments. 1t
was only natural, he argued, that the
military attaches should accuse Ester
hazey, but they knew the traitor had
been in the very heart OF the citadel, in
the general staff. The traitor!" he
exclaimed, lis not Esterhazey, but
DreyfuS!"
Here Captain Dreyfus lost his self
control. Starting to his feet. he vio-
lently apostrophiZed Cuignet, but Cuig-
net did not seem stung to anger. Cold
as toad, he went on with his invec-
tive, the diction clear, measured and
slow. He constantly drank sweetened
water TO moisten his palate.
NO new fact was brought forward by
captain Cuignet and every one tired
of him.
General de Boisdeffre was also a wit
ness. He denied that Colonel Picquart
on the occasion of the first Dreyfus
trial, was sent with secret papers TO
| the president OF the court-martial. Here
was cautious witness, but he had to
support the other generals. He eulo-
gized the suicide Henry as worthy
of the fullest confidence" and spoke OF
Plcquart as the organizer OF the Drey-.
| fus agitation" Boisdeffre declared him
self convinced of the guilt OF the ac-
cused. Really that guilt might be the
SUBJECT or chorus OF generals in an
opera bouffe. Picquart, he accused OF
wishing TO substitute a man OF straw
for the real traitor. He argued on this
wise: The three years Dreyfus spoke
| OF on the day OF his degradation had
passed. Prescription for the crime of
| treason would, therefore, protect a
| man OF straw from legal consequences.
| AS he was, Picquart thought, a scamp.
| no great injury would be done him by
throwing on him the odium that Drew
rus deserved. Nevertheless he (the
| witness) had learned OF Picquart's
| scheme, black and abominable.
But why follow General de Boisdeffre?.
why follow General Gonse? Why fol-
low General Billot or the others in their
long -winded disquisitions? Colonel Pic
quart at the end was allowed to defend
| himself against the malignant lnsinu-
| ations and assertions Of all.
Until Maitres Demange and Labori
speak, one should risk no opinion as
TO the outcome. General Billot thinks.
there will be many fluctuations before
the trial Is over, but he confidently ex-
poets verdict OF guilty.
The government seems more neutral
| since the foreign minister. NJ. Delcasse.
returned from his visit to Count Mu,
Fd'IeH. EMILY CRAWFORD.