The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-08-17

committed I should find arguments with
which to defend myself
This assertion evoked murmurs but
the General shouted:
why does he deny even the most
obvious things?,
M. Demange shrugged his shoulders and
4 ejaculated:-
"Ah!''
The prisoner, however, rose and EN-
phatically denied point blank some of the
Generals evidence. He said he never
traced on a map any plan of concentra-
tion or mobilization, nor even had any
knowledge of the details of those move
ments, nor of the plan for the distribu-
tion Of the various units throughout the
departments.
Let u.s. added Dreyfus, understand
one another in regard to what is meant.
assert that I did not know in its details
| of the plan of concentration. In regard
| to the circumstances dwelt upon before
you yesterday there was nothing pre-
else stated There was nothing but ar
| gument.''
The audience here gave vent to express
sions Of assent and dissent.
M Bertullus, the examining magistrate,
/ was the next Witness
There had been lively anticipations of
an interesting conformation. The Mag
istrate inquired into the charges made
against Esterhazy by his cousin Chris
tian, and 1t was expected NJ Bertullus
would be confronted with General Roget,
who SO tartly criticised the Magistrate
M ffo ,f 4
invited M. Bertullus to proceed with his
deposition.
The witness spoke in a low, husky voice
/ which was almost uninteIligible to the
court and counsel He was Intellectually
urged to raise his voice.
/ M Bertullus described how Major
Ravary asked his assistance in examin-
ing the secret dossier at the Cherche Midi
/ Prison, and how, after he had learned
! the contents of the documents, he de-
clared to Major Ravary that there was
flaw in the dossier which would oe-
casion the collapse of the whole case
The witness explained that he meant the
petit bleu. 1t must be proved, he told
the Major, that the petit bleu was for
gerry and was the work of Colonel Pic
quart and that as long as that was not
proved the case could not hold.
Continuing, NJ Bertullus recapitulated
the evidence he had given before the
Court of Cessation, his investigation into
Patty de Clam's connection with the
s.Speranzao and blanche" kilograms.
and the favorable IMPRESSION he had
acquired of Colonel Picquarts honesty
during the course of the Enquiry.
Witness repeated the story of Colonel
nj
Picquart's denunciation of Esterhazy and
Patty de Clam. and dwelt exhaustively on
his laborious inquiry into the charges
against Esterhazy, describing the papers
found at the residence of Mademoiselle
Pays, where Esterhazy sought refuge.
NJ Bertullus then related the notable
interview between himself and Lieutenant
Colonel Henry. July IS, 1898, shortly be-
fore he committed suicide This, natur-s
ally, was painful recital for Madame
Henry, the widow, who was much dis
tressed and wept silently as the dramatic
scene, when Bertullus and Henry proceed
ed to seal up the seized papers, was
depicked. The Magistrate repeated the
whole story with emphasis and it had
great effect upon the audience.
After recapitulating his other evidence
DeIOre Inc court Ul OttSe,<1 llOils NJ. oettdi-
lus senergetically affirmed his belief in the
innocence of Dreyfus. He declared the
bordereau was in three pieces and not in
little bits. He also said it did not reach
the War Office by the ordinary channels.
NJ Bertullus also said his belief in the
innocence of Dreyfus was also based on
documents in the secret dossier which he
had seen. But, what, above all, perturb-
ed the witness, was the entire absence.
of motive which could have tempted
Dreyfus to commit such crime.
without motive emphatically de-
clared the experienced Magistrate, "there
was no crime.
The earnestness with which M. Bertul-
lus insisted upon the innocence of the
accused created profound impression
upon his hearers.
seYou have been told,' he said. that
Dreyfus is guilty For myself ] believe,
and believe profoundly, in his innocence.
.If come here to tell you SO, you will
understand that it is because my con-
science tells me that, in so doing, I am
performing a duty. an absolute duty.
"The Court of Cessation has declared
the bordereau to be the work of Ester
hazy. Now, the Court of Cessation Is the
supreme authority in all matters of JUS
tice in France?" (Sensation.)
At this juncture there was brief sus-
pension of the session. When it was re-
sumed, M. Bertullus, whose testimony
had notably impressed every one, even
the members of the court martial, was re-
called But he had little to add of an
interesting character.
When the prisoner was asked If he de-
sired to put any questions to the wit
ness he answered in the negative.
Madam Henry then ascended the plat
form, and, standing beside M. Bertullus,
she said
.on July 1s, the day my husband called
on NJ. Bertullus, the Colonel, in the
course of a conversation that evening
told me he had a friendly and charming
reception. He described how the Magis-
trate advanced to meet him and held out
his arms.
81 said to my husband
Are you sure of this man? Are you
sure he is sincere? I am very much
afraid that his kiss was the kiss Of
Judas"
There was a great sensation in court
at this statement of Nine. Henry.
Il was not wrong she continued, amid
the breathless interest Of the court, this
man is indeed the Judas imagined.